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John Dashwood “was not an ill-disposed young man … had he married a more amiable woman … he might even have been made amiable himself” (chapter 1, Sense and Sensibility)

Posted on 2009-01-06

In his will, old Mr Dashwood of Norland Park in Sussex had secured the estate so that it would eventually be inherited by his great-great-nephew, little Henry Dashwood. The old gentleman had settled the Norland estate on his nephew, Mr Henry Dashwood, for his lifetime, then on his great-nephew, Mr Henry Dashwood’s only son by his first marriage, Mr John Dashwood, for his lifetime, and John’s son, little Henry would be the heir of Norland. Mr Henry Dashwood also had three daughters by his present marriage, and their great-uncle had left the girls, as a mark of his affection, a thousand pounds apiece.

Mr John Dashwood was a steady, respectable young man, and was amply provided for by the fortune of his mother, which had been large, and half of which devolved on him on his coming of age. To him therefore, the succession of the Norland estate was not so really important as to his sisters, for their fortune, independent of what might arise to them from their father’s inheriting that property, could be but small. Their mother had nothing, and their father only seven thousand pounds at his own disposal, for the remaining moiety of his first wife’s fortune was also secured to her child, and he had only a life interest in it.

John Dashwood had married Miss Charlotte Jennings soon after his coming of age, and was very fond of his wife. Although Charlotte was not a great heiress, she nevertheless possessed a sufficiently respectable dowry, and her elder sister Mary was married to Sir John Middleton of Barton Park in Devonshire. Sir John also happened to be a cousin of the second Mrs Henry Dashwood, and the warm-hearted Mrs John Dashwood regarded her husband’s mother-in-law with as much affection as though she had been his mother and not merely his mother-in-law. Some young women might not have much affection even for their husbands’ own mothers, but Charlotte had a very affectionate disposition and demonstrative manners, which could be a little overwhelming at times, in her eagerness to display her affections to her mother-in-law and sisters-in-law.

In person, Charlotte Dashwood was short and plump, had a very pretty face, and the finest expression of good humour in it that could possibly be. She was almost always smiling, except when she laughed. Her manners were by no means elegant, nor was her understanding powerful. Uncharitable persons might regard her as a rather silly young woman, but her warmth of heart and generosity should make up for lack of elegance and intellectual attainments.

Elinor, the eldest of Henry Dashwood’s daughters, who was hardly nineteen at the time of her great-uncle’s death, possessed a strength of understanding and soundness of judgment, which qualified her, from a very early age, to be her mother’s counselor. She had an excellent heart, her disposition was affectionate, and her feelings were strong, but she knew how to govern them. She did full justice to her sister-in-law’s warmth of heart and affectionate disposition, and tried to get her sister Marianne to do so as well. Marianne was two years younger than her eldest sister, and her abilities were, in many respects, quite equal to Elinor’s, but she was far less prudent and considerate. Marianne was clever and fastidious, and her fastidiousness sometimes caused her to be quite irritated by her sister-in-law’s rather loud manners. Margaret, the youngest sister, was a good-humoured, well-disposed girl but rather young for her age, and did not, at thirteen, bid fair to equal her sisters at a more advanced period of life.

Mr Henry Dashwood survived his uncle by only one twelvemonth. He had hoped, by living economically, to lay by a considerable sum every year from the produce of an estate already large, and capable of almost immediate improvement, for the better provision of his wife and daughters. But he survived his uncle no longer, and ten thousand pounds, including the late legacies, was all that remained for his widow and daughters.

His son was sent for, as soon as his danger was known, and to him Mr Dashwood recommended, with all the strength and urgency which illness could command, the interest of his mother-in-law and sisters. Mr John Dashwood had not the strong feelings of the rest of the family, but he was affected by a recommendation of such a nature at such a time, and he promised to do everything in his power to make them comfortable. His father was rendered easy by such an assurance, and Mr John Dashwood had then leisure to consider how much there might prudently be in his power to do for them.

When he gave his promise to his father, he meditated within himself to increase the fortunes of his sisters by the present of a thousand pounds apiece. The prospect of four thousand pounds a year, in addition to his present income, made him feel that he could well afford to give them three thousand pounds with no inconvenience to himself. He then spoke to his wife about it.

The warm-hearted and generous Mrs Charlotte Dashwood was much affected by her husband’s narration of his father’s last request to him, and his solemn promise to his late father, and heartily agreed that he must certainly begin to keep his promise to do everything in his power to make his mother and sisters comfortable.

“Yes, my love, it was very proper of you to make the promise to ease your father’s mind, though even if you had not expressly done so, we would of course do everything in our power to make your mother and sisters comfortable. A thousand pounds apiece to each of your sisters is a very reasonable sum for you to advance immediately as part of their dowries. I understand that you would not wish to settle the whole amounts of their dowries immediately, as you would want to have some say in your sisters’ marriages, and make sure that we approve of their suitors before increasing their marriage portions. Not that I have much fear on that head, for I’m sure that once the period of deep mourning is over, and we can go into society again, that I shall have little difficulty in finding suitable young men for Elinor and Marianne, but it will be some time before Margaret will reach an age suitable for coming out. Anyway it is very right, especially in view of your solemn promise to your father, that you should advance this sum now, that they may be assured as to how seriously and eagerly you mean to take good care of them.”

John Dashwood was at first slightly taken aback by his wife’s assumption that the three thousand pounds that he meant to give to his sisters was only an advance of a larger sum that he would settle upon them upon their respective marriages. Then he felt slightly ashamed of himself. Although three thousand pounds was hardly an inconsiderable sum of money, it was still a comparatively small sum of money when considering the amount of his own large fortune and income. With the income from the Norland estate, his mother’s fortune and his wife’s dowry, his income now was no less than six thousand pounds a year. Three thousand pounds represented no more than half a year of his income. If he really meant to be handsome and liberal to his sisters and their mother, he should certainly do rather more than that. He did not want his wife to think that he intended to be less generous than she thought.

He said: “Yes, my dear, I’m glad that you agree with me that the three thousand pounds will be a generous advance upon my sisters’ dowries, and I may increase their dowries in the future when giving approval to suitors to my sisters’ hands in marriage.”

“Perhaps you can add another couple of thousand pounds for each of your sisters’ dowries if you approve of their suitors. Mother Dashwood can also do the same, I mean she has seven thousand pounds at her own disposal, but she doesn’t really need it, as she will continue to make her home with us at Norland. If she gives two thousand pounds to each of the girls when they marry, and retain the interest of one thousand pounds for her own little private expenses, I hope she will find that is quite sufficient as long as she stays with us.”

John Dashwood did a rapid calculation based on his wife’s suggestions. Another couple of thousand pounds for each of his sisters when they marry, that would amount to a total sum of nine thousand pounds. Yes, he should be able to afford to give that sum without much inconvenience to himself. It would represent an amount equivalent to about a year and a half of his own income, but it was not as though he was going to give it all at once. There could hardly be any question of marriage for either Elinor or Marianne during the year of mourning for their father, and it will be several years before Margaret would even reach marriageable age. If Mother Dashwood would also give a couple of thousand pounds to each of her daughters when they marry, the girls would have a sufficiently respectable dowry of six thousand pounds each. That should be quite enough for them to attract eligible young men, his sisters were quite pretty girls too. As for Mother Dashwood making her home with him and his wife at Norland, well, he would be fulfilling that part of his promise to his father about making his father’s widow comfortable. Though it did occur to him that if his sisters were to marry well in the future, one or more of them might want her mother to make her home with her.

Charlotte was saying: “Elinor is a very pretty girl, with her delicate complexion, regular features and pretty figure, and Marianne is even handsomer. She is tall and striking, and is really quite a beautiful girl. I have little doubt that I can find eligible husbands for them both soon enough, perhaps when we bring them to town next year. My mother will also be very happy to help to find eligible suitors for the girls, you know that she is so pleased to see both my sister and I so well married, and she has nothing to do now but to marry all the rest of the world.”

Charlotte’s mother, Mrs Jennings, was a widow with an ample jointure. She was a good-natured, merry, fat elderly woman, who talked a great deal, seemed very happy most of the time, and rather vulgar. There was a strong resemblance between Charlotte and her mother, except that Charlotte was a very pretty woman, and that was how she had captivated John Dashwood. But her nature was strikingly similar to that of her mother’s, they were both very good-natured, generous, and kind-hearted, but greatly lacking in elegance or, to put it frankly, in Mrs Jennings’ case especially, with rather vulgar manners. Charlotte was very different from her elder sister, Lady Middleton, a tall and graceful woman who took after her father, and whose manners had all the elegance which her mother and younger sister lacked. Unfortunately, Lady Middleton also lacked their frankness and warm-heartedness. She was cold and reserved, and often felt embarrassed by her mother and sister’s frank and hearty manners. Lady Middleton’s own particular friend was Mrs Palmer, nee Fanny Ferrars, there was a kind of cold-hearted selfishness in both women, which mutually attracted them, and they sympathized with each other in an insipid propriety of demeanour and a general want of understanding. The Palmers’ home was Cleveland, a place about eighty miles from Barton.

Mrs Charlotte Dashwood had arrived with her child and their attendants at Norland immediately after her father-in-law’s funeral was over, not with any arrogant view of installing herself at once as mistress of Norland, but because she believed that her mother-in-law and sisters would be in great need of comfort and cheering up in their time of grief, and that she could supply that comfort and consolation. Her little boy too, his grandfather’s namesake Henry, she was sure would help to cheer up his grandmother and aunts, by such attractions as were by no means unusual in children of two or three years old; an imperfect articulation, an earnest desire of having his own way, many cunning tricks, and a great deal of noise.

The widowed Mrs Dashwood had a keen sense of honour and a romantic generosity. Had Charlotte arrived at Norland with a cold and selfish view of at once asserting her rights as its new mistress, she would have been deeply offended, and might even have considered quitting the house for ever. However, she understood her daughter-in-law too well to misjudge her, she knew that Charlotte was a well-meaning, warm-hearted and amiable young woman with a happy temperament who wanted to make everybody around her as happy as possible. She might lack delicacy and elegance, but it was certainly much better, especially in Mrs Dashwood’s situation, to have a daughter-in-law with rather loud manners but a warm heart, than to have an elegant but cold-hearted young woman as her daughter-in-law.

Charlotte had arrived at Norland full of her intention and determination of cheering and heartening up her mother-in-law and sisters, and to prevent them from falling into melancholy at this time of grief.

“Dear Mother Dashwood, what a sad time this is for all of us. But we must not let our grief overcome us, Father Dashwood would not have wanted us to fall into melancholy, he was always so anxious for us all to be comfortable together. You know that John solemnly promised his father to do his best to take his father’s place, now that he is the head of the family, and will do everything in his power to make you and his sisters comfortable. Of course, we cannot have parties or bring Elinor and Marianne into society yet while we are in deep mourning, but once the six-month period is over, we can begin to consider what we can best do to find eligible young men to match with them. They are such pretty girls, I don’t think that there will be much difficulty about that, once we can go into society again. And John is going to advance a thousand pounds apiece for each of his sisters’ dowries at once, including for Margaret, although of course she won’t be getting married for some years yet. I daresay John will explain all the details of the settlement that he means to make on his sisters once it is all settled with the lawyers, he will want to have some say in his sisters’ marriages, that’s only natural and should not cause any problem as I’m sure that none of the girls will want to marry without your consent and their brother’s. When they have sufficiently respectable dowries settled on them, it shouldn’t be difficult for them to attract suitably nice young men who will want to marry them.”

Mrs Dashwood felt slightly overwhelmed by Charlotte’s effusions, but she gave her amiable daughter-in-law full credit for good intentions, warmth of heart and generosity. She had also been informed by her late husband of the solemn promise on the part of his son in their favour, which gave comfort to his last earthly reflections. She doubted the sincerity of this assurance no more than he had doubted it himself, and she thought of it for her daughters’ sake with satisfaction, though as for herself she was persuaded that a much smaller provision than the interest of seven thousand pounds would support her in affluence. For her son-in-law’s sake too, she was pleased to have his generosity regarding his sisters’ dowries confirmed by his wife, and she reproached herself for ever having been unjust to his merit before, remembering a time prior to his marriage, when she had suspected that he was rather too prudent and too calculating a young man to be capable of much generosity.

The three thousand pounds was soon settled on the three girls, and Mrs Dashwood began to think that she should find a suitable dwelling not far from the neighbourhood of Norland. There were one or two houses which she had thought would suit her notions of comfort and ease, but had been rejected by the prudence of her eldest daughter, whose steadier judgment had declared as too large for their income. But now that they had the additional three thousand pounds settled on them, perhaps Elinor would agree that they could afford it after all. But no sooner had Mrs Dashwood spoken about it before her family, when her daughter-in-law was loud in her exclamations that she did not want them to move from Norland.

“Oh, Mother Dashwood, did you think that John and I wanted you and the girls to move from Norland, when he gave them that money as an advance upon their dowries? I declare that it is not what is meant at all. Dear me, if I had known that you would think that John has advanced that money so that you and the girls will leave Norland, then I wish that I had not agreed to his idea of advancing that money at once, but would have persuaded him to hold on to it until it is actually needed for their dowries. But John was anxious to begin fulfilling his solemn promise to his dear father at once, and I agreed, I did not think that you would misunderstand his intention.”

John Dashwood added, “Indeed, Mother, both Charlotte and I thought that you will always consider Norland your home, and it is my sisters’ home too, until they get married.”

“And Henry would also greatly miss his grandmama and aunts if you move away. He so enjoys playing with paper and coloured chalks, that I think he will soon learn to draw from his Aunt Elinor, and he is also so fond of tinkling the keys on the pianoforte,” (Charlotte might have more accurately said “banging the keys”, but she was too fond a mama to say that) “that I think he may one day learn to play as well as his Aunt Marianne. And he likes playing games with his Aunt Margaret too, well, she is really more like his elder sister than his aunt.”

Mrs Dashwood had an independence of spirit, and she would have preferred to be in a smaller house of her own, but she was greatly touched by the warm protestations of her son and daughter-in-law, and it did seem as though they would be offended and really hurt in their feelings if she insisted on moving from Norland. She certainly did not want to hurt their feelings, particularly after her son-in-law had been so generous to his sisters, and had more than hinted that he intended some further generosity in the future, and would increase the amount of his sisters’ dowries, subject to his approval of their suitors. Mrs Dashwood was not worried about the issue of consenting to her daughters’ marriages; she was sure that none of her daughters would ever marry to disoblige her family.

Part 2 - Friends and Relatives

Posted on 2009-01-12

Mrs Jennings had arrived at Norland a few weeks ago, on a visit to her younger daughter and son-in-law. Later, she would be going to Devonshire, on a visit to her elder daughter and son-in-law, the Middletons of Barton Park. It was about six months after the death of Mr Henry Dashwood, and Charlotte was thinking that since the period of deep mourning was over and they could go into half-mourning, it would not be improper to begin entertaining and having some small parties at Norland. She was quite anxious to do so especially for the sakes of Elinor and Marianne, for both Charlotte and her mother were most eager to begin their attempts at match-making for the two eldest Miss Dashwoods. However, John did not seem to think that it was quite proper to have any parties at Norland until the whole year of mourning was over, by which time they would be due to go to town. Elinor and Marianne could go with them to town and begin going into society then. Elinor was not yet twenty and Marianne was not yet eighteen, and their brother did not think that there was any need to hurry in looking for prospective husbands for his sisters. He had already settled three thousand pounds on his three sisters, and he privately hoped that the two elder girls would not be married too soon, as it would not be very agreeable on him to have to come up with further sums of money to complete their dowries quite so soon after advancing that initial amount.

The opinion of Mrs Dashwood, senior, was sought by both her son and daughter-in-law as to the propriety of entertaining at Norland while they were in half-mourning. Mrs Dashwood who had been full of tender and melancholy remembrances of her late husband, instantly respected what she perceived to be her son-in-law’s scruples as to its possible impropriety, and agreed with him that it was not quite the thing to have any parties at Norland until the whole year of mourning was over. She did not think that either Elinor or Marianne would in the least mind living quietly until then. So Charlotte did not press ahead with her plans; she could hardly have gone against the wishes of both her husband and his mother-in-law.

The kindly Mrs Jennings was very sympathetic towards all the Dashwoods. She declared that, as a widow herself, she perfectly understood Mrs Dashwood’s feelings in these early days of widowhood, and her disinclination to take part in any entertainment or to be in company, and that she fully respected the scruples of such a steady and respectable young man as her son-in-law. However, she also felt it to be a pity that the two eldest Miss Dashwoods should be obliged to live for a whole year in seclusion, without the prospects of meeting any eligible young men until the visit to town on the following year. Both Elinor and Marianne assured her that they did not mind it in the least, that they had no desire to go into company just yet, and begged Charlotte and her mother not to be bothered about it on their behalf. Mrs Jennings thought that the two girls were very pretty-behaved and had expressed themselves exactly as they ought, naturally they would not oppose the wishes of their mother and brother, but she still believed that it was a pity for the girls’ sakes. Mrs Jennings thoughts on that subject and the situation of the Dashwoods were partly expressed in her letter to her elder daughter and son-in-law, Sir John and Lady Middleton, of Barton Park.

Sir John was an extremely hospitable gentleman, and his response was to send a letter to Norland inviting the whole Dashwood family, or any of them who would feel inclined to accept his invitation, to visit Barton for a few weeks, when some other friends had also been invited for a house party there. They could travel together with Mrs Jennings who would be due to travel to Barton from Norland.

John Dashwood politely declined the invitation on his own account, as he would be too occupied with matters relating to the Norland estate to spare the time to visit Devonshire just then. But he did not mind anybody else accepting the invitation. Charlotte did not care to go to Barton without her husband, so she declined the invitation for herself as well. However, she thought that it would be an excellent opportunity for her sisters-in-law to meet other people, without any such breach of propriety as entertaining at Norland might have caused. So both she and Mrs Jennings urged them to accept Sir John’s hospitable invitation. Mrs Jennings also urged the acceptance of the invitation as a favour to herself, it would be so much more pleasant for her to travel to Devonshire in the company of the two sisters, than to travel with only her maid as her female companion. The widowed Mrs Dashwood had of course no wish to attend a merry house party herself, but she did not in the least mind her two eldest girls accepting the invitation. To own the truth, Mrs Dashwood had begun to feel that she might have been rather selfish and given insufficient attention to her eldest daughters’ welfare and prospects, when she had declared that it would not be quite the thing to have any entertaining at Norland until the whole year was up. Therefore, she would be quite pleased for Elinor and Marianne to visit Barton, especially as Sir John was her own cousin as well as her daughter-in-law’s brother-in-law. There was thus a double connection between the Dashwoods and the Middletons.

Mrs Jennings was very well-pleased when it was eventually settled that Elinor and Marianne would accompany her on the visit to Barton. Margaret was rather too young to go on such a visit without being accompanied by her own mother, anyway her turn would come later. Mrs Jennings was quite sure, from what Sir John wrote about the other guests who were expected at Barton, that it would turn out to be a match-making party for the young people.

The other guests who had been invited to Barton included Sir John’s good friend, Colonel Brandon of Delaford in Dorsetshire, his ward, Miss Eliza Williams, who was perhaps about a year younger than Marianne Dashwood, the Middletons’ friends, the Palmers of Cleveland, and hopefully one or both of Mrs Palmer’s brothers, Edward and Robert Ferrars. Mrs Jennings’ fertile match-making mind was already planning for possible matches within this group. The Colonel was a gentleman of about five or six and thirty, perhaps he would do for Elinor Dashwood, who after all was almost twenty and appeared to be a very steady young lady for her age; she would not think that the Colonel was too old for her. Hopefully, the two Ferrars brothers would do for Marianne Dashwood and Eliza Williams respectively.

Mrs Jennings and Sir John were very like each other in their warmth and friendliness, and their pleasure in attempting to match-make all the young people among their acquaintances, indeed the resemblance between the views and the manners of Mrs Jennings and Sir John were so strikingly great that they might have been mother and son instead of mother-in-law and son-in-law. Lady Middleton, on the other hand, bore no resemblance to either her mother, sister or husband. Instead, she bore such a close resemblance in her coldness, narrow-mindedness and selfishness to her particular friend Mrs Palmer, that Mary Middleton and Fanny Palmer might have been sisters. Fanny Palmer was not a favourite with either Mrs Jennings or Charlotte Dashwood; Mrs Jennings had described her as a little proud looking woman of uncordial address, who had treated her own husband’s sisters without any affection. Fortunately, Thomas Palmer was himself, in his own quiet way, an affectionate and responsible brother and his sisters had both settled down and made fairly good marriages with decent and respectable husbands. His elder sister was already married at the time of his own marriage, and his younger sister had married not long afterwards.

Mrs Palmer was also very like her mother, Mrs Ferrars, who was a little thin woman, with an upright figure, and with usually a serious, or rather a sour, expression on her face. Mrs Jennings and Mrs Ferrars were quite complete opposites in almost all aspects, and it could readily be understood that in spite of the particular friendship between Lady Middleton and Mrs Palmer, their mothers had little time for each other.

On the journey to Barton, Mrs Jennings treated both her daughter’s sisters-in-law with all possible kindness and motherly attention, was solicitous on every occasion for their ease and enjoyment, and only disturbed that she could not make them chose their own dinner at the inn, nor extort a confession of their preferring salmon to cod, or boiled fowls to veal cutlets. Mrs Jennings talked a great deal during the journey about the other guests who were expected to be at Barton.

“Colonel Brandon is a very good sort of gentleman who had about five years ago inherited the estate of Delaford from his elder brother. The estate was reckoned to be about two thousand pounds a year, and his brother left everything sadly involved, but I believe that since then the Colonel has managed to clear the estate of its encumbrances. He is very fond of Miss Williams, and will want to make some provision for her, but I think he can well afford to do it now.”

“Miss Williams is his ward, Ma’am?”

“Well, that’s what they say she is, he calls her a young cousin of his, but many believe that she has a much nearer connection with him, and is actually a very near relative of his, very near indeed. I don’t want to shock you, my dears, but you might be bound to hear of it eventually, so I may as well tell you now. She is his natural daughter.”

“Indeed!”

Oh! yes, and as like him as she can stare. But you must not hold it against him, he must have been a very young man when it happened, for he is not more than about five or six and thirty now, and she is nearly seventeen. Many young men in that situation would have been quite irresponsible and would not even have acknowledged their love child, but he had always taken care of her, and sent her to school and all that, although he was not rich himself at that time, being a younger son, you know. His elder brother was more wild, I believe there was some sort of scandal about his marriage, and he actually divorced his wife. Colonel Brandon is not at all like his elder brother, and I hope you will like him, indeed, you must like him, for he is really a very good sort of man. I wish he would get married, especially now that his estate is prospering nicely, I believe he is quite a rich man now. Any provision that he chose to make for his love child would not affect his fortune materially.”

Elinor and Marianne felt a little uncomfortable listening to Mrs Jennings gossiping about the unknown Colonel Brandon and his love child. Thankfully, Mrs Jennings was soon done with the topic of the Colonel and turned to the Palmers and the Ferrars brothers next.

“Between you and I, my dears, I don’t much care for that Mrs Palmer or her mother, Mrs Ferrars, but my daughter Mary is so fond of Fanny Palmer. But I doubt if Mrs Palmer would have had much time for Mary if she had not become Lady Middleton. Mrs Ferrars is a proud woman, because she is a very rich widow, since her late husband left almost all his property at her disposal, so their three children are all quite dependent on her. Mrs Palmer had ten thousand pounds settled on her when she married Mr Palmer, and her two brothers are both still unmarried, well, their mother will have to make some settlement on them when they get married, for they each has only two thousand pounds a piece. Both Edward and Robert Ferrars are very pleasant and agreeable young men, not proud like their mother and sister. They each spent about four years at Longstaple, near Plymouth, under the care of their tutor Mr Pratt, who is a distant relative of mine.”

With such information about their fellow guests, did Mrs Jennings beguile her young friends during their journey to Barton.

When Mrs Jennings and the two Miss Dashwoods arrived at Barton Park, they found that Colonel Brandon and Miss Williams had already been there for about a week, while the Palmers and Mr Edward Ferrars were due to arrive on the following week. Regretfully, Mr Robert Ferrars was unable to accompany them, as his mother, who was at Bath to drink the waters, had been willing to spare only one of her sons to his sister, and had declared that she could not spare them both at the same time.

Mrs Jennings was at first much disappointed to hear that only one of Mrs Palmer’s brothers would be accompanying her to Barton, for she had quite made up her mind to attempt to match make the three single gentlemen with the three young ladies – probably Colonel Brandon with Elinor, and Marianne and Eliza with the Ferrars brothers. However, she was greatly cheered when Sir John informed her that there was another single young gentleman in the neighbourhood. Mr John Willoughby was visiting his aunt, Mrs Smith of Allenham. Mrs Smith was an elderly and rather infirmed widowed lady of very good character, and Allenham was an ancient, respectable looking mansion about a mile and a half from Barton. As Mrs Smith was childless, it was well known that Mr Willoughby was to be the heir to her property of Allenham. He was already in possession of his own small estate, Combe Magna, a place less than thirty miles from Cleveland.

Most interestingly, as Sir John was only too happy to inform everybody, Mr Willoughby and Miss Williams had already met in a rather romantic encounter since her arrival at Barton. The surrounding area abounded in beautiful walks, and Eliza had gone for a walk on the high downs on the day after her arrival at Barton. Unfortunately she had been caught in a sudden downpour of rain, and in running for shelter, had tripped and slightly twisted her ankle. Most fortunately, Willoughby had been passing up the hill within a few yards of her at that very moment, and had offered her his assistance. He had taken her up in his arms and had carried her down the hill. Colonel Brandon was of course grateful to Willoughby for his service to his ward, he had been slightly acquainted with Mr Willoughby in town, and privately had not formed a very good opinion of him, regarding him as a rather idle and extravagant pleasure-loving young man. But his service to Eliza had naturally given him a claim to his gratitude, if he had not been there to assist her, Eliza would have been soaked through in the rain before she could get to a shelter, and might have become seriously ill with a violent cold.

Mrs Jennings was very pleased to hear about Eliza’s encounter with Mr Willoughby, that meant that there were three single gentlemen for the three young ladies after all, in spite of the absence of Mr Robert Ferrars. Willoughby was apparently already paired off with Eliza, so probably Elinor might be paired off with Colonel Brandon, and hopefully Marianne might be paired off with Mr Edward Ferrars.

Part 3 - Romances, Past and Present

Posted on 2009-01-17

Sir John Middleton of Barton Park was a good-looking man of about forty. His countenance was thoroughly good-humoured, and his manners were perfectly friendly, frank and hearty, much like the style of his invitation letter. The arrival of his guests seemed to give him very great satisfaction, and their comfort and enjoyments an object of real solicitude to him. Lady Middleton was an elegant but rather insipid woman of about seven or eight and twenty, her face was handsome, her figure tall and striking and her address graceful. Her manners, unlike that of her mother and her younger sister Charlotte, showed that she was perfectly well bred, but she was reserved, cold and had little or nothing to say for herself beyond the most commonplace inquiry or remark.

The house at Barton Park was large and handsome, and the Middletons lived in a style of equal hospitality and elegance. The former was for Sir John's gratification, the latter for that of his lady. They were scarcely ever without some friends staying with them at the house, and they kept more company of any kind than any other family in the neighbourhood. It was necessary to the happiness of both, for however dissimilar in temper and outward behaviour, they strongly resembled each other in that total want of talent and taste which confined their employments, unconnected with such as society produced, within a very narrow compass. Sir John was a sportsman, Lady Middleton was a mother. He hunted and shot, and she humoured her three children – six year old John, four year old William (who was nearly the same age as his cousin Harry Dashwood and the Palmers' little boy, Tom), and two year old Annamaria.

Lady Middleton had the advantage of being able to spoil her children all the year round, but Sir John's independent employments were in existence only half the time. Continual engagements at home and abroad, however, supplied all the deficiencies of nature and education, supported the good spirits of Sir John, and gave exercise to the good breeding of his wife. Lady Middleton prided herself upon the elegance of her table, and of all her domestic arrangements, and from this kind of vanity was her greatest enjoyment. But Sir John's satisfaction in society was much more real, he delighted in collecting about him more young people than his house would hold, and the noisier they were, the better was he pleased. He was a blessing to all the juvenile part of the neighbourhood, for in summer he was forever forming parties to eat cold ham and chicken out of doors, and in winter his private balls were numerous enough for any young lady who was not suffering under the insatiable appetite of fifteen.

Sir John had welcomed the two Miss Dashwoods to Barton Park with unaffected warmth and sincerity, as he reminded them of the double connection between them – through their mother, his cousin, and through his wife's sister who was also their sister. At the moment, Colonel Brandon and his ward were the only two guests besides themselves and Mrs Jennings, but the Palmers and Mr Edward Ferrars would be arriving in a few days' time.

Colonel Brandon, the friend of Sir John, seemed no more adapted by resemblance of manner to be his friend, than Lady Middleton was to be his wife, or Mrs Jennings to be Lady Middleton's mother. He was rather quiet and serious. His appearance, however, was not unpleasing, for although his face was not handsome and some young girls might have regarded him as being an absolute old bachelor, being on the wrong side of five and thirty, and being the guardian to a ward of marriageable age, his countenance was sensible, and his address was particularly gentlemanlike.

His ward, Miss Eliza Williams, was a good-humoured, pretty girl of nearly seventeen, about a year younger than Miss Marianne Dashwood. Miss Williams had only quite recently left her school, where she had been educated until reaching the age of sixteen, and played the pianoforte a little, but not half as well as Miss Marianne, and also drew a little, but not quite as well as Miss Dashwood. The three young ladies liked each other well enough from the first, and were well pleased to get to know each other better.

Sir John had talked a great deal about Eliza's encounter with Mr Willoughby in the rain, and also about Willoughby, "Eliza's preserver" as he laughingly called him. Sir John heartily approved Willoughby as "a very good kind of fellow, a very decent shot and there is not a bolder rider in England." Colonel Brandon spoke of Willoughby more quietly, he acknowledged that the young man was pleasant and agreeable, and he was grateful for his service to Eliza, but he attempted to caution Sir John against making too much of the "romantic encounter" with Eliza, which might come to nothing after all. The Colonel's efforts to caution his friend were in vain, however, for both Sir John and his mother-in-law loved to match-make, and thought that the best way to secure a match was to tease the young people and talk about it as much as possible. With the arrival of Mrs Jennings, such talking and teasing was only likely to increase in frequency and enthusiasm.

Willoughby had called at Barton every day. To inquire after Eliza was at first his excuse, but Sir John's encouragement for him to visit as often as he liked, made such an excuse unnecessary. On the day following the Miss Dashwoods' arrival, Mr Willoughby was introduced to them. Marianne had been much interested in the encounter in the rain between Eliza and Willoughby, her own romantic imagination made her think that it was very fitting that those two should fall in love with each other, like the hero and heroine of a romance. When Mr Willoughby was introduced to them, she heartily approved of him for her new friend, for he was a handsome and graceful young man of about five and twenty. If no such encounter between him and Eliza had taken place, Marianne might even have considered that here was a handsome young man who might satisfy her own high ideas of perfection, but no such thought occurred to her now, for it would have been too unromantic and therefore reprehensible, if the young man who had apparently been devoting himself to one young lady during the past week, should be so fickle and inconstant as to transfer his attentions and affections to another. Had Mr Willoughby attempted anything of that kind in the circumstances, he would have earned her rebuke, for such behaviour could have turned him from a hero into a villain. So it was fortunate that Willoughby did not attempt anything of that kind, but was perfectly civil in a friendly way to both the Miss Dashwoods.

A few days later, the Palmers and Mr Edward Ferrars arrived at Barton. The Miss Dashwoods found that Mrs Jennings' description of Mrs Palmer as a little, proud looking woman of uncordial address was not far wrong; however, Fanny Palmer was in a slightly subdued state of mind, as she had been a little humbled in her high hopes and expectations regarding both her brothers' matrimonial prospects.

During the last time that they were in London, Mrs Palmer had most zealously supported her mother in Mrs Ferrars' attempts to secure an heiress each for both Edward and Robert. They had attempted to match make Edward, as the eldest son, with the Honourable Miss Morton, only daughter of the late Lord Morton, with thirty thousand pounds, and Robert, as the younger son, with Miss Crawford, the sister of a landed gentleman, who had twenty thousand pounds of her own. Mrs Ferrars had assiduously cultivated the acquaintance of the dowager Lady Morton and informed her that if her son Edward were to marry well, she would be willing to settle at least one thousand pounds a year on him. Fanny had cultivated the acquaintance of Mrs Fraser, the friend of Miss Crawford with whom that young lady was staying in London, and informed her that although Robert was a younger son, if he were to marry well, his mother would be willing to settle upon him a sum almost equal to that of his elder brother.

Alas for such high hopes! Fanny had heard the news that Miss Morton was now married to a wealthy and fashionable young man, Mr Grey with fifty thousand pounds, and that Miss Crawford had recently married a handsome young clergyman who was the younger son of a baronet. Fanny could not wonder at Miss Morton for preferring Mr Grey with fifty thousand pounds, since the amount of his fortune was at least double the amount of the twenty or even twenty five thousand pounds that Mrs Ferrars had offered to settle on Edward, but she was at first very much surprised that a fashionable young lady of fortune like Miss Crawford would marry a clergyman. However, she soon remembered that Mr Edmund Bertram was not a poor clergyman, he was already in possession of a very good living, and had another living that was promised to him hereafter; and with his father's influence and patronage in the church, it was possible that he might rise to become a bishop one day. So perhaps Mrs Mary Bertram thought that she would one day enjoy the status of a bishop's wife. Mrs Palmer also remembered that Edward once had some idea of taking orders and becoming a clergyman, but Mrs Ferrars had objected to it, as his mother did not think that being a clergyman was fashionable enough for a son of hers – but if only they had known that a young lady of fortune like Miss Crawford would prefer to marry a clergyman! But perhaps Miss Crawford had only cared to marry a clergyman whose father was a baronet and had considerable influence and patronage in the church. The Ferrarses would have had no such influence or patronage.

After that double blow and the downfall of those high hopes, Fanny Palmer would now be quite satisfied to match her brothers with respectable young ladies who had respectable marriage portions of as many thousand pounds as could be called ten.

Mr Edward Ferrars was a gentleman-like and pleasing young man, he was not recommended by any peculiar graces of person or address, he was not exactly handsome, and his manners required intimacy to make them pleasing. He was too diffident to do justice to himself; but when his natural shyness was overcome, his behaviour gave every indication of an open, affectionate heart. His understanding was good, and his education had given it solid improvement. He was on very good terms with his brother-in-law, Mr Palmer, who was a grave looking gentleman in his late twenties. Perhaps there was some similarity of disposition between Thomas Palmer and Edward Ferrars, they were both quiet, rather serious minded gentlemen, except that Mr Palmer had a look of self-consequence, which could make him appear to be proud, and rather abrupt manners, which could make him quite disagreeable. Had he married a woman who was both intelligent and amiable, there might have been very great improvement in his manners. But it had not taken him long to realize that he had married a woman whose cold-heartedness, narrow-mindedness and selfishness had very early in their marriage put an end to all real affection for her. Respect, esteem and confidence had vanished forever, and his views of marital happiness were overthrown. But Mr Palmer was not of a disposition to seek comfort for the disappointment which his own mistake had brought on, in any of those pleasures which too often console the unfortunate for their folly or their vice. He was fond of the country and of books, and from these tastes had arisen his principal enjoyments. To his wife he was very little otherwise indebted, except that his marriage to her had made Edward his brother-in-law. Edward was not at all like his sister, he was quite unselfish and perfectly amiable. The two brothers-in-law had become very good friends, perhaps there was an unspoken sympathy between them, for Mr Palmer deserved a better wife, and Edward deserved a better mother and sister.

Mrs Jennings had formed plans of match-making Elinor, as the eldest Miss Dashwood, with the middle-aged Colonel Brandon, and of match-making Marianne, as the younger sister, with young Mr Ferrars, but she soon perceived instead that an attachment seemed to be growing between Elinor and Edward, and that Colonel Brandon admired Marianne. Well, it did not really matter which sister was paired off with which gentleman, as long as they were both paired off, and Mrs Jennings and Sir John rejoiced in the thought of having brought both couples together.

Colonel Brandon certainly admired Marianne's musical performance, with real taste and appreciation, which was respected by Marianne, in contrast to the effusive compliments which were given without any real taste or understanding by many of the others, especially Sir John and Mrs Jennings. The Colonel was also very pleased with the warm friendship which was rapidly developing between his ward and Marianne. However, Marianne certainly did not think him as a possible suitor for herself, she thought that he was too old for that, but she liked and respected him as her friend's father, and thought that his attentions to herself was a mark of his esteem and approbation for her as his daughter's friend. Marianne thought that it was quite natural and also very kind of the Colonel to be often at her side at their little parties and gatherings, especially when Eliza would often be at Willoughby's side, and Edward would often be at Elinor's side. Marianne was amazed when Mrs Jennings began to tease her about making a conquest of Colonel Brandon, she feared that he would be offended and insulted by such insinuations, and confided her concerns to her sister.

Elinor herself liked and respected the Colonel, before Edward's arrival especially, he had often conversed with her, and she had found him to be a very sensible and intelligent gentleman. But she had also noticed that he had often looked at Marianne, and that there seemed to be a particularly warm expression in his eyes whenever they fell on her sister.

Marianne was saying "But Elinor, you cannot deny the absurdity of Mrs Jennings' insinuations. I know she is not at all ill-natured, and is in fact very kind and well-meaning, but she is being very embarrassing just now. Poor Colonel Brandon! No doubt he likes me very well as his daughter's friend, and it is natural that he should often be at my side, especially when Eliza is at her lover's side. Eliza and Willoughby are such a romantic couple, don't you agree? And that's another thing, can you imagine me becoming Eliza's mother?"

"Marianne, we don't really know for a fact that Eliza is his daughter, we only know that he is her guardian."

"Oh, it's quite obvious, even though she calls him 'Uncle Christopher' instead of 'Father', everybody knows that she is his natural daughter, and he is evidently very fond of her. He will probably be a grandfather soon, for I don't think it will be long before Eliza and Mr Willoughby will announce their engagement and get married. And can you imagine me becoming a grandmother in one or two years' time? It is too absurd!"

"But you like him, Marianne, for your behaviour to him is perfectly cordial, and if you don't, you could never be so civil and complaisant."

"Well, of course I like him very much, he is sensible and intelligent, and has real good taste in music. And I also like it that he takes such good care of Eliza, there must have been something quite romantic between him and Eliza's mother. But it is absurd to think that he and I could ever be matched with each other. A married couple should bear a close resemblance to each other in everything – in age, tastes, dispositions and interests. By the way, what a pity it is Elinor, that Mr Ferrars should have no taste for drawing." Marianne continued, changing the subject, or rather the person under discussion.

"No taste for drawing," Elinor replied "why should you think so? He does not draw himself, indeed, but he has great pleasure in seeing the performance of other people, and I assure you he is by no means deficient in natural taste, though he has not had opportunities for improving it. Had he ever been in the way of learning, I think he would have drawn very well. He distrusts his own judgment in such matters so much, that he is always unwilling to give his opinion on any picture, but he has an innate propriety and simplicity of taste, which in general direct him perfectly right."

Marianne was afraid of offending, and said no more on the subject, but the kind of approbation which Elinor described as excited in him by the drawings of other people, was very from the rapturous delight, which in her opinion, could alone be called taste. Yet, though smiling within herself at the mistake, she honoured her sister for that blind partiality to Edward Ferrars which produced it. Mr Ferrars was very amiable, and Marianne had a good opinion of his sense and goodness, especially in contrast to his sister's coldness and insipidity, and while she would in a way be sorry to have Elinor separated from her by matrimony, she would never be selfish in that respect, and would rejoice in her sister's happiness.

Edward's regard for Miss Dashwood was also perceived by his sister, and Mrs Palmer became consequently anxious to find out everything that she could about Miss Dashwood's fortune, connections and prospects. It was not at all difficult, as the talkative Mrs Jennings was only too willing to talk about her younger daughter's marriage to Miss Dashwood's brother, and the family at Norland Park in Sussex. The information which Fanny Palmer gathered from Mrs Jennings' talk was not very satisfactory, but it was not too bad either. Apparently Miss Dashwood's present portion was but small, being only two thousand pounds, but it seemed that she had a generous brother who had already offered to increase her dowry to six thousand pounds if he approved of her suitor. Mrs Jennings had informed everyone at Barton that her son-in-law, Mr Dashwood had made a solemn promise to his late father to take good care of his sisters and to do everything in his power to make them comfortable and to have them well settled in respectable marriages. Six thousand pounds was not a large sum of money, but it was still quite a respectable portion, and it need not be the final amount either. Mrs Palmer thought to herself that perhaps Mr Dashwood could be prevailed upon to be even more generous to his sister and provide for her a larger dowry than he had committed himself to; perhaps he might possibly be induced to increase her portion to as many thousand pounds as could be called ten. Then the story would tell sufficiently well, her brother Edward would not have thrown himself away (in spite of the downfall of the Ferrarses' hopes regarding the Hon Miss Morton of thirty thousand pounds, and also Miss Crawford of twenty thousand pounds), but would have gained an accomplished young lady who was the sister of a landed gentleman, and who would have some ten thousand pounds or thereabouts as her dowry.

Edward became deeply embarrassed when his sister spoke to him about the possible amount of Miss Dashwood's dowry, and how they should make the acquaintance of her brother when they would all meet in town on the following February, and that, if he seriously intended to offer for Miss Dashwood, how they would cultivate the acquaintance of her brother and sister-in-law, in order to prevail upon and induce Mr Dashwood to be as generous as possible regarding the amount of his sister's dowry. The more generous Mr Dashwood would be with his sister, then the more generous Mrs Ferrars would be with her son. Edward felt quite upset at his sister's attitude, although knowing Fanny, it did not surprise him. He himself had not given a thought to the possible amount of Elinor's dowry, he had found her to be a most superior young lady by both nature and education, and would have wished to offer for her even if she had been without a penny. His sister's talk about bargaining for as much dowry as they could, made him feel acutely uncomfortable, and rendered him to be quite awkward and low-spirited when he was next in Elinor's company.

In the meantime, Marianne was in hourly expectation of hearing the engagement announcement of her sister to Mr Ferrars, and of her friend to Mr Willoughby.

On one morning, on a day when they knew that Willoughby was not going to call at Barton, for he had explained to them on the previous evening that Mrs Smith required him to take care of some business for her on that day, Marianne and Eliza went for a walk together. Eliza was in a rather pensive mood, and Marianne assumed that she was missing her lover, and tried to cheer her up by saying that Willoughby would be sure to call at Barton early on the following day. Eliza gave a wistful half-smile, and then startled Marianne by asking her friend if she thought that Willoughby would really offer for her.

Marianne exclaimed: "But my dear Eliza, everybody has seen your mutual affections for each other. Do you doubt his affection?"

Eliza replied: "No, I don't actually doubt his affection for me, any more than I doubt my own for him, but there are circumstances … He is not quite independent, you know, his present estate is worth no more than between six and seven hundred pounds a year. He could hardly marry without Mrs Smith's approval, and I don't know if she would approve of … a girl in my situation, I think you know what I mean … the circumstances of my birth … "

"But you are undoubtedly a gentlewoman, for your father has always taken care of you, he has treated you as any father would treat his daughter."

Eliza flushed deeply and said; "Uncle Christopher – Colonel Brandon is not my father."

Marianne also flushed, perhaps she had been indiscreet to have openly spoken of the Colonel as Eliza's father. She feared that she had offended her friend, but since Eliza had alluded to the circumstances of her birth, she had thought that it was time for complete unreserve and perfect confidence between them.

Part 4 - Confidences

Posted on 2009-01-22

When Eliza realized that Marianne had assumed that Colonel Brandon was her father, she decided to relate the true story about her mother to Marianne. It was less than a year ago, when she had left school upon attaining the age of sixteen, that her guardian had finally, upon her earnest questioning, informed her more fully about her mother's history and her parentage. Previously, he had only told her that her mother was his first cousin, and had upon her death, entrusted her to his care. But Eliza had become aware of the whispers regarding the circumstances of her birth, and the insinuations that the man whom she called "Uncle Christopher" was not merely her cousin and guardian, but that there was a much nearer connection between them, and that she was in fact his natural daughter. He himself had never spoken about her father to her, although he had once or twice mentioned that he and her mother were playfellows and friends when they were children together.

Sitting side by side on a bench in the park, Eliza related her mother's history to Marianne. "I would like you to know the truth about my guardian, who is the best and noblest of men. Colonel Brandon is not my father. Strictly speaking, he is my cousin rather than my uncle, although I have always called him Uncle. He and my mother were first cousins. My mother was an orphan from her infancy, and she was under the guardianship of his father, who was her uncle. My mother and Uncle Christopher were of very nearly the same age, and so they were close playfellows and friends when they were children together. According to what he has told me, as they grew up, their mutual affection for each other developed into a warm attachment, and they made plans to marry as soon as they were a little older. But then they discovered that his father had other plans for her. At seventeen, she was married against her wishes to Uncle Christopher's elder brother. Apparently her fortune was large, and the Delaford estate was much encumbered, and her guardian and his eldest son intended to apply her fortune to clear the estate of its encumbrances. When she and Uncle Christopher were informed about the plan to marry her off to his elder brother, they decided to elope together to Scotland. Unfortunately her maid's treachery or folly betrayed them. He was banished to the house of a relative far distant, and she was allowed no liberty, no society, no amusement, till her guardian's point was gained. It was a severe blow on Uncle Christopher when he heard that she had consented to marry his brother, but as he said, he was very young at that time, and had her marriage been happy, a few months must have reconciled him to it. That, however, was not the case. Her husband did not deserve her, he only wanted her money, he had no love or regard for her, his pleasures were not what they ought to have been, and from the first he treated her unkindly. Can we wonder that, with such a husband to provoke inconstancy, and without a friend to advise or restrain her, (for his father lived only a few months after the marriage, and Uncle Christopher was with his regiment in the East Indies), she should fall? Uncle Christopher said that perhaps if he had remained in England – but he only meant to promote her happiness with his brother by removing from them both for a few years, and for that purpose he had procured his exchange. To him, the shock that her marriage had given him was of trifling weight compared to that he felt when he heard, about two years afterwards of her divorce. I can remember his agitation and distress when he related this to me, because I was questioning and begging him to tell me the whole truth about my birth … "

For a moment, Eliza could say no more, as she herself had become agitated and distressed at the thought of her unhappy mother. Marianne was much affected by her friend's narration, and still more by her distress, and she put her arms around Eliza and gave her a sympathetic hug, saying:

"Dear Eliza, I am so sorry, please, I beg you, do not distress yourself. I did not mean to pry into your family history, please, you don't have to say anything more …"

But Eliza had looked up, and said,
"It's all right, I wish to talk to you about it. Where was I? Oh, yes, it was about three years after my mother's divorce before Uncle Christopher was able to return to England. His first care, when he arrived in England, was to seek for her. But for many months, he could find no trace of her. He did manage to trace my … the man who first seduced her and was responsible for my birth, but she was no longer living with him. The legal allowance that was granted for her maintenance after her divorce was very small, it was not at all in proportion to the size of her original fortune, it was not even sufficient for her to be reasonably comfortable, and by that time she had been obliged to make it over to her creditors. At last, after he had been in England for about six months, Uncle Christopher did find her. His kindness to a former servant of his who had fallen into misfortune, had led him to visit him in a sponging house where he was confined for debt, and there, in the same house, he found us … my mother was under a similar confinement … her sufferings had broken her health and worn her down, and she was then in the last stage of a consumption. There was nothing more that he could do for her, except to place her in comfortable lodgings and under proper attendants. He visited her every day during the rest of her short life and was with her in her last moments."

Again Eliza stopped to recover herself, and Marianne spoke her feelings in an exclamation of tender concern, at the fate of her friend's unfortunate mother.

Eliza continued:
"Throughout all her acute sufferings, my mother had loved me and kept me at her side, and she left me to his care. He has told me that he regarded his guardianship as a valued, precious trust that had been confided to him by his dearest friend. At that time however, he was a younger son with no proper home of his own, and he sent me to school, where he visited me frequently. When his brother died about five years ago, I spent my school holidays at Delaford, and it is now my home, after I left school a year ago. Uncle Christopher had quite truthfully told his friends that I am his young cousin, but there were rumours that hinted at a much nearer connection between us, well, you have heard those rumours yourself. I want you to know the truth, because I could not bear you to think that Uncle Christopher might be the kind of man who would … the kind of man who was like my … I mean, I want you to know that he is the best, the kindest and most generous man in the world."

Eliza's story had certainly given Marianne a new view of Colonel Brandon. When she had believed Eliza to be his natural daughter, she had thought that he was merely doing his duty to the love child of his own youthful indiscretion. But now, the history of his pure yet tragic youthful love for Eliza's mother, and his honourable and disinterested kindness and generosity, had given him the aura of a noble and chivalrous hero of a romantic tragedy. From that time onwards, Marianne began to regard him with compassionate awe and tender respect.

Meanwhile, Mrs Smith had heard of her nephew Willoughby's flirtation with Miss Williams, and demanded to know from him what his intentions were regarding the girl. Mrs Smith was a high-minded woman with pure morals and formal notions, she would not like it if he was trifling with the girl, although she would naturally have preferred him to marry a girl whose circumstances of birth were less obscure. However, Miss Williams was Colonel Brandon's ward, Mrs Smith had previously been acquainted with the Colonel, and he was generally reputed to be a very respectable gentleman. Willoughby found himself saying that he intended to offer for Miss Williams, if his aunt would approve of the match. Mrs Smith declared that she wished to speak to Colonel Brandon about it, and sent a note requesting the Colonel to wait on her one day during the course of the week.

Colonel Brandon duly visited Mrs Smith at Allenham on the day after he received her note, and a confidential conversation took place between them. Mrs Smith told him that Willoughby had informed her that he would like to offer for the Colonel's ward, and she would not wish to withhold her sanction without good reason. However, in view of the obscurity surrounding the circumstances of Eliza's birth, she felt that she was entitled to know the truth about it before formally giving her consent to the proposed match between Willoughby and Eliza. Colonel Brandon related to Mrs Smith the history of Eliza's birth and parentage that Eliza had related to Marianne – with one additional piece of information. Williams was the maiden name of Eliza's mother, her grandmother, the Colonel's aunt, had married the rich Mr Williams. The Colonel also informed Mrs Smith of the identity of the man who was Eliza's father – he was then a naval captain, the younger brother of the late Mr Crawford of Everingham in Norfolk, and was now an Admiral. From what the Colonel had heard, Admiral Crawford had not amended his way of life, he was a man of vicious conduct, who, when his wife had died a couple of years ago, had brought his latest mistress to live under his own roof.

Mrs Smith declared that she did not wish to hold the sins of the parents against the girl, and would give her consent to the match. Although she did not say so, perhaps in a slightly snobbish way, she was also subconsciously relieved that, although the girl was born on the wrong side of the blanket, she was not some poor maidservant's daughter, but that both her parents belonged to the landed gentry. Colonel Brandon also said that Eliza would not come empty handed to her marriage, as he had secured for her a sum of five thousand pounds for her financial provision.

The engagement between Willoughby and Eliza Williams was announced at Barton, and the engaged couple were happy to receive the congratulations of their friends. Besides congratulating the young couple, Sir John and Mrs Jennings also congratulated themselves and each other for having brought the happy couple together. The wedding was to take place on the following February, when they would meet in town, and Eliza would have the opportunity to buy her wedding clothes. Colonel Brandon requested the assistance of Mrs Jennings and Lady Middleton regarding the wedding clothes and wedding preparations, and both ladies were pleased to offer their assistance – Mrs Jennings from the kindness of her heart for the motherless girl, while Lady Middleton was pleased with the opportunity to display her own elegant taste.

The Palmers and Mr Edward Ferrars were due to leave Barton soon, and Mrs Jennings was in high hopes that another engagement would also be announced before that – the engagement between Mr Ferrars and Miss Dashwood. However, no such announcement was forthcoming, although they would also meet in town in February. Mrs Palmer had been quite civil to Miss Dashwood, she had asked her questions about her home and family in Sussex, and had said that they hoped to make the acquaintance of Miss Dashwood's brother and sister-in-law when they would all be in town in a few months' time.

Edward was in low spirits when he took his leave of Elinor. It was natural that he should be unhappy to part from her, but why had he not declared himself and proposed to her? Edward already knew his own mind, he felt that he could never love another woman as he loved Elinor, and he wanted more than anything else to make her his wife. If only he was a young man of independent means, he would certainly propose to her at once, and would not care whether her brother would provide any dowry for her or not. But he had only two thousand pounds of his own, and was dependent on his mother. The avarice and perversity of Mrs Ferrars was such that she was far more likely to be generous with a daughter-in-law who would bring a large dowry and thus would not really need any more money, than with a daughter-in-law of more modest means. His sister Fanny was just like their mother, and he had an idea of what was in store for them when his sister had spoken about the circumstances of the Dashwood family, her brother's possession of the Norland estate, and how they might bargain for as much dowry as they could get from Miss Dashwood's fairly well-to-do brother. He had hoped that his mother and sister would have been more humbled and modest in their expectations after the downfall of their ambitious hopes, which had actually been quite irrational and unfounded, of securing those two young ladies of fortune, the Hon Miss Morton, now Mrs Grey, and Miss Crawford, now Mrs Edmund Bertram, for himself and his brother Robert. Well, perhaps they had been slightly humbled in a way. Had the Hon Miss Morton, or even Miss Crawford, been still in the picture, Fanny might not even have considered Miss Dashwood as a possibly tolerable match for her brother, since at present the sum that was definitely settled on her was only two thousand pounds, although it seemed that her mother and brother had more or less promised to increase her portion to at least six thousand pounds or thereabouts upon her marriage, as long as they approved of her suitor.

The Miss Dashwoods were due to return to Norland less than a fortnight after the Palmers and Mr Ferrars had left Barton, but about a week before that, two new visitors arrived at Barton Park. They were two young women who were Mrs Jennings' cousins, Miss Steele and her younger sister, Miss Lucy Steele. The Miss Steeles were also the nieces of Mr Pratt, who had been tutor to both Edward and Robert Ferrars.

Part 5 - An Entanglement

Posted on 2009-01-26

The eldest Miss Steele was nearly thirty, with a very plain and not very sensible face, but the younger Miss Steele, who was not more than two or three and twenty, was quite pretty, with a sharp quick eye, and a smartness of air, which although it did not give actual elegance or grace, gave distinction to her person. Their manners were particularly civil, and Elinor soon allowed them credit for some kind of sense, when she saw with what constant and judicious attentions they were making themselves agreeable to Lady Middleton. With her three children they were in continual raptures, extolling their beauty, courting their notice, and honouring all their whims; and such of their time as could be spared from the importunate demands which this politeness made on it, was spent in admiration of whatever her ladyship was doing, if she happened to be doing anything, or in taking patterns of some elegant new dress, in which her appearance the day before had thrown them into unceasing delight. Fortunately for the Miss Steeles, Lady Middleton was too fond a mother to be surprised or distrustful of the excessive affection and endurance of the Miss Steeles towards her offspring. She saw with maternal complacency all the mischievous tricks by which her cousins submitted. She saw their sashes untied, their hair pulled about their ears, their workbags searched, and their knives and scissors stolen away, and felt no doubt of its being a reciprocal enjoyment.

Sir John did everything in his power to promote the friendship and unreserve between his cousins, the Miss Dashwoods, with his wife's cousins, the Miss Steeles, by making the Miss Steeles acquainted with whatever he knew or supposed of his cousins' situations in the most delicate particulars. While the public engagement between Mr Willoughby and his friend Colonel Brandon's ward had of course been discussed freely, Sir John was even more pleased to proclaim his suspicions regarding the situations of the two Miss Dashwoods, as being somewhat more conjectural – Colonel Brandon's admiration for Marianne, and the possible attachment between Mr Edward Ferrars and Elinor.

"Ferrars!" repeated Miss Steele, "Mr Edward Ferrars is the happy man is he, Miss Dashwood? A very agreeable young man, to be sure, I know both him and his younger brother Mr Robert very well. But you've not met his brother, have you, since Mr Robert was unable to accompany his sister Mrs Palmer to Barton?"

"How can you say so, Anne?" cried Lucy, who generally made an amendment to all her sister's assertion. "Though we have seen them both once or twice at my uncle Pratt's, it is rather too much to pretend that we know them very well."

Elinor remembered that Mrs Jennings had said that her cousin, Mr Pratt, who was the uncle of the two Miss Steeles, had been tutor to Edward and Robert Ferrars. She wondered how well the two Steele sisters had been acquainted with the Ferrars brothers; there was something very familiar about Miss Steele's manner in speaking of the Ferrars brothers, though it was quickly checked by Lucy, and Miss Steele said no more just then about either Edward or Robert Ferrars.

Lucy was naturally clever, her remarks were often just and amusing, and as a companion for half an hour, Elinor frequently found her agreeable, but her powers had received no aid from education, she was ignorant and semi-literate, and her deficiency of all mental improvement, her want of information in the most common particulars, could not be concealed from Miss Dashwood, in spite of her constant endeavour to appear to advantage. Elinor saw, and pitied her for, the neglect of abilities which education might have rendered so respectable, but she saw, with less tenderness of feeling, the thorough want of delicacy, of rectitude, and integrity of mind, which her attentions, her assiduities, her flatteries at Barton betrayed; and she could have no lasting satisfaction in the company of a person who joined insincerity with ignorance, whose want of instruction prevented their meeting in conversation on terms of equality, and whose conduct towards others, made every show of attention and deference towards herself perfectly valueless.

Lucy seemed to have a decided preference for Elinor's company, she missed no opportunity of engaging her in conversation, or of striving to improve their acquaintance by an easy and frank communication of her sentiments.

"You should understand, my dear Miss Dashwood" said Lucy one day, when she had joined Elinor as she was walking in the park that morning, "how naturally eager I am that we should be intimately acquainted with each other, since we must both hope that it will not be very long before you and I may be very intimately connected."

Elinor looked at her in astonishment. "Good heavens! What do you mean?"

"Oh, considering the similarity in our situations, we need have no secret from each other, for we shall be sisters through marriage with the Ferrars brothers."

"You mean, you are acquainted – engaged – to Mr Robert Ferrars?" And Elinor did not feel much delighted with the idea of such a sister-in-law.

"Robert and I have been engaged for three years."

"Three years!"

"Yes. Our acquaintance however, is of many years date. You know that he and his brother were under my uncle's care for considerable while. They each spent four years with my uncle, who lives near Longstaple near Plymouth. It was there our acquaintance begun, for my sister and me was often staying with my uncle, and it was there our engagement was formed, though not till a year after Robert had quitted as a pupil, but he was almost always with us afterwards. I was at first very unwilling to enter into it, as you may imagine, without the knowledge and approbation of his mother, but I loved him too well – you know Mr Edward Ferrars, Miss Dashwood, and Robert is in every way as agreeable as his brother, and more lively … not that I mean to say anything against Mr Ferrars, no doubt he is a very good sort of gentleman in his own quiet, serious way, and as equally capable of making a woman sincerely attached to him."

Elinor recollected herself, and said quickly "Mr Ferrars and I are not engaged."

"But from what Sir John and Mrs Jennings said … "

"Sir John and Mrs Jennings are very good-natured and well-meaning, but they have assumed too much from the friendship that was formed between Mr Ferrars and I during his visit here."

"Oh, I daresay that Mr Edward is a very cautious gentleman, and wishes to secure his mother's approbation first … but you must not think that my Robert is rash or undutiful … he is really a very good son to his mother, but Mrs Ferrars is so difficult to please, you know that he was not able to visit here because she suddenly demanded his attendance on her … she is a very proud woman and wants both her sons to marry women of fortune, and I have next to nothing … it is very difficult … our first care has been to keep the matter secret … I have no doubt in the world of your faithfully keeping this secret, because you must know of what importance it is to me. Anne is the person who knows it all, and she has no judgment at all; indeed she does me a great deal more harm than good, for I am in constant fear of her betraying me. She does not know how to hold her tongue, as you must perceive, and I am sure I was in the greatest fright the other day, when Sir John was talking about Edward, and she mentioned his brother, lest she should let out all about Robert. I sometimes wonder that I am alive after what I have suffered for Robert's sake these last three years. Everything in such suspense and uncertainty, and seeing him so seldom – we can hardly meet above twice a year. I wonder my heart is not quite broke."

Here she took out her handkerchief, and ostentatiously dabbed at her eyes, then continued: "Sometimes I think whether it would not be better for us both, to break off the matter entirely. But then at other times I have not resolution enough for it – I cannot bear the thoughts of making him so miserable, as I know the very mention of such a thing would do. And on my own account to – so dear as he is to me – I don't think I could be equal to it. It is such a relief to me to be able to talk to you about this, because you must understand so well … there is some resemblance in our situations, even if it is not exactly the same … "

At this point, they were interrupted by the sight of Marianne, who was looking for her sister, walking towards them, and Lucy made no further confidential communication, beyond quickly repeating her belief that dear Miss Dashwood would faithfully keep the secret and inform nobody else about it.

"I certainly did not seek your confidence,' said Elinor, "but your secret is safe with me. However, please do not believe that there is anything more than friendship between Mr Edward Ferrars and myself, there is certainly no secret engagement between us."

Elinor was certainly not too pleased to be forced to be Lucy's confidant, and she was also annoyed that Lucy should assume that there was a similarity in their situations with respect to the Ferrars brothers. She felt that she had known enough, from Mrs Jennings' description, as well as Mrs Palmer's mention of her mother's conduct and opinions, that Mrs Ferrars was not an amiable woman, and that her sons being dependent on her, Edward and his brother too, must have been aware that there would be many difficulties in their way if they were to wish to marry women who had not either great fortunes or high rank.

Elinor and Edward had been a great deal together during his visit at Barton, she had heard his sentiments and his opinions on subjects of literature and taste, and upon the whole, she had ventured to pronounce to herself that his mind was well informed, his enjoyment of books exceedingly great, his imagination lively, his observation just and correct, and his taste delicate and pure. She felt that his abilities in every respect improved upon acquaintance as much as his manners and person. At first sight, his address was not striking, and his person could hardly be called handsome, but she had been won by the expression of his eyes, and the general sweetness of his countenance, into thinking him to be really handsome after all. But she could not consider her partiality for Edward to be in so prosperous a state as her friends seemed to think it was. She was by no means assured of his regard for her. There were moments when the extent of it seemed doubtful, there was at times, a want of spirits about him, and its cause might be found in the dependent situation which forbade the indulgence of his affection, unless he could be assured of the approbation of his mother.

Elinor was also rather uneasy regarding his sister's manner to herself. Mrs Palmer had been much interested to ask her on various particulars about her home and family, at times Edward's sister had been quite gracious to her and even attempted to be cordial, especially when questioning her about the extent of the Norland estate and the relationship between the Dashwood brother and sisters, but she had also spoken about her own brother's great expectations and of Mrs Ferrars' resolution that both her sons should marry well. Probably Mrs Palmer was assessing the Dashwood family and fortune, and calculating whether Miss Dashwood would be a sufficiently acceptable match for her brother. Mrs Palmer had also mentioned that her mother had settled ten thousand pounds on her upon her own marriage, and hinted that Mrs Ferrars would probably expect her future daughters-in-law to bring at least a similar amount as their marriage portions. Fanny Palmer's talk had made Elinor feel very uncomfortable, but she was certain that Edward would have no such calculating thoughts on his own account, although he must be aware of the attitude of his mother and sister.

She wondered what Robert Ferrars was like. He could hardly be like his sister, or he would not have entered upon so imprudent an engagement with a young woman in Lucy Steele's position – a young woman with inferior connections and next to no fortune. Was Robert like his brother Edward? But if Robert was like Edward, with his integrity, his delicacy, and well informed mind, could he be satisfied with a wife like Lucy – semi-literate, artful and insincere? Of course he must have been very young when he had formed the secret engagement; three years ago Edward's younger brother was probably not more than nineteen or twenty. Was Edward wholly or partially aware of his brother's entanglement?

Although Elinor had no wish to be burdened with the secret of the intrigue between Robert Ferrars and Lucy Steele, she soon felt that she might as well renew that confidential conversation between them. Since Lucy had decided to take her into her confidence, with a secret, so confessedly and evidently important, on so short an acquaintance, mainly on the assumption that a similar understanding existed between her and Robert's brother, she might as well hear the particulars of that private engagement, and also to understand more about the situation of the Ferrars brothers. If in the supposition of Edward seeking to marry herself, his mother's approval was by no means certain, how much greater difficulties would his brother face regarding Lucy, when the object of his engagement was undoubtedly inferior in connections and fortune. Elinor also could not help wondering whether there was any sincerity in Lucy's declaration of tender regard for Robert Ferrars.

On the following evening, Sir John and Colonel Brandon were obliged to attend the club at Exeter, and the party under the tranquil and well-bred direction of Lady Middleton was likely to be more at liberty among themselves than when Sir John united them together in one noisy purpose. The insipidity of that evening was exactly such as Elinor had expected; it produced not one novelty of thought or expression, and nothing could be less interesting than the whole of their discourse both in the dining parlour and drawing room. The children accompanied them to the drawing room, and while they were there, it was impossible for anybody else to engage Lucy's attention. They quitted it only with the removal of the tea things, and the card table was placed.

"I am glad," said Lady Middleton to Lucy, "you are not going to finish poor little Annamaria's basket this evening; for I am sure it must hurt your eyes to work fillagree by candlelight. And we will make the dear little love some amends for her disappointment tomorrow, and then I hope she will not much mind it."

The hint was enough. Lucy recollected herself instantly and replied, "Indeed, you are very much mistaken, Lady Middleton. I am only waitng to know whether you can make your party without me, or I would have been at my fillagree already. I would not disappoint the little angel for all the world, and if you want me at the card table now, I am resolved to finish the basket after supper."

"You are very good, I hope it won't hurt your eyes – will you ring the bell for some working candles? My poor little girl would be sadly disappointed, I know, if the basket was not finished tomorrow, for though I told her it certainly would not, I am sure she depends on having it done."

Lucy directly drew her work table near her, and reseated herself with an alacrity and cheerfulness which seemed to infer that she could taste no greater delight than in making a fillagree basket for a spoilt child.

The others, except Marianne, who was going to entertain them with the pianoforte, were preparing o draw their cards.

"Perhaps", said Elinor, "if I should happen to cut out, I may be of some use to Miss Lucy Steele, in rolling her papers for her, and there is so much still to be done to the basket, that it must be impossible I think for her to labour singly, to finish it this evening. I should like the work exceedingly, if she would allow me a share in it."

"Indeed, I shall be very much obliged to you for your help,' cried Lucy, "for I find there is more to be done to it than I thought there was, and it would be a shocking thing to disappoint dear Annamaria after all."

"You are very kind," said Lady Middleton to Elinor, "and as you really like the work, perhaps you will be well pleased not to cut in till another rubber.'

Lucy readily made room for Elinor, and the pianoforte at which Marianne was wrapt up in her music, was so near them, that they could engage in confidential conversation without any risk or being heard at the card table.

In a firm, though cautious tone, Elinor thus begun, "I should be undeserving of the confidence you have honoured me with, if I felt no desire for its continuance, or no further curiosity on the subject. I will not apologize therefore, for bringing it forward again."

"Thank you," cried Lucy warmly, "for breaking the ice. I feared I have taken such a liberty as to trouble you with my affairs. But if you knew what a consolation it was to me, to relieve my heart in speaking to you, your compassion would make you overlook everything else, I am sure."

"Indeed, I can easily belief that it was a great relief to you to be able to speak to me of your situation. Your case is a very unfortunate one, you seem to be surrounded by difficulties, I believe that both Mr Ferrars are entirely dependent on their mother."

"Robert, as well as Edward, has only two thousand pounds of his own, it would be madness to marry upon that, though for my own part, I have been always used to a very small income, and could struggle with any poverty for him, but I love him too well to be the selfish means of robbing him, perhaps, of all that his mother might give him if he married to please her. He is quite her favourite son, I mean, although he is her younger son, Mrs Ferrars does not in general make any distinction between her two sons; she means to provide well for both of them as long as they please her."

"But what," asked Elinor after a short silence, "are your views? Or have you none but that of waiting for Mrs Ferrars' death, which is a melancholy and shocking extremity? Is it not better to run the risk of her displeasure for a while by owning the truth?"

"If we could be certain that it would only be for a while! But Mrs Ferrars is a very headstrong proud woman and quite capable of disinheriting her son in a fit of anger at an imprudent attachment. She might secure everything to Edward, who is the eldest son anyway … but I hope, dear Miss Dashwood, that in such a case, Edward is too good a man to …that he would not be ungenerous to his younger brother, or think it fair that he should have everything and his brother nothing."

Lucy was looking significantly at Elinor as she said this; and Elinor realized what was probably the reason for Lucy's confidences in her.

"Is Edward aware of his brother's engagement?"

"I don't know if he might possibly suspect an attachment, I know that Robert has not actually informed his brother of our engagement, but men are not like us women, they don't feel the same need to confide in their brothers that we do in our sisters. But lately I have been thinking that if he could obtain his brother's sympathy and interest, then, even if Mrs Ferras were to secure everything to Edward, it could be arranged for Edward to provide for Robert."

Elinor now had no doubt as to what Lucy's scheme was, she was thinking of securing Edward's support and assurance for herself and Robert through her, Elinor. It was a very awkward and uncomfortable position for Elinor, especially as she greatly doubted Lucy's sincerity in her professions of regard. She had already felt herself to be uneasy regarding her own sincere partiality for Edward and the possible attitude of his mother and sister as to his preference for her, his sister's words and manner to her seemed to indicate that Miss Dashwood might be a tolerable match for Mr Ferrars, provided that the Dashwood family would settle a comfortable dowry on her, and if Mrs Ferrars could find no other young woman of greater fortune for her son. Elinor had no wish to involve herself in Lucy and Robert's affairs, nor did she think there was any justification for her to do so. She said calmly:

"I think that would be a matter between the two brothers, for them to settle on their own. I believe, from what I have seen of him, that Edward is a just and generous young man, but I am in no position to … whatever you may have heard from our friends, I can only repeat that there is nothing more than friendship between Mr Edward Ferrars and myself."

Lucy replied, "Oh well, her daughter Mrs Palmer is Mrs Ferrars' real favourite anyway, Mrs Palmer is very like her mother, and Mrs Ferrars has been quite pleased with her daughter's marriage to Mr Palmer of Cleveland. I suppose Mrs Ferrars may be even capable of disinheriting both her sons if they displease her with imprudent attachments."

The Miss Dashwoods left Barton to return to Norland a couple of days later. Colonel Brandon and Miss Williams also returned to Delaford, but all of them – the Colonel, Miss Williams, Mr Willoughby, the Middletons, Mrs Jennings, the Miss Steeles, the Palmers and the Dashwoods, would be meeting in town in February, at about the time of the wedding of Mr John Willoughby and Miss Eliza Williams.