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of age。 By his own marriage； likewise； which happened soon
afterwards； he added to his wealth。 To him therefore the
succession to 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 in 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。
The old gentleman died； his will was read； and like almost every
other will； gave as much disappointment as pleasure。 He was
neither so unjust； nor so ungrateful； as to leave his estate from his
nephew；—but he left it to him on such terms as destroyed half the
value of the bequest。 Mr。 Dashwood had wished for it more for the
sake of his wife and daughters than for himself or his son：—but to
his son； and his son’s son； a child of four years old； it was secured；
in such a way； as to leave to himself no power of providing for
those who were most dear to him； and who most needed a
provision by any charge on the estate； or by any sale of its valuable
woods。 The whole was tied up for the benefit of this child； who； in
occasional visits with his father and mother at Norland； had so far
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gained on the affections of his uncle； by such attractions as are 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； as to outweigh all
the value of all the attention which； for years； he had received
from his niece and her daughters。 He meant not to be unkind
however； and； as a mark of his affection for the three girls； he left
them a thousand pounds a…piece。
Mr。 Dashwood’s disappointment was； at first； severe； but his
temper was cheerful and sanguine； and he might reasonably hope
to live many years； and by living economically； lay by a
considerable sum from the produce of an estate already large； and
capable of almost immediate improvement。 But the fortune； which
had been so tardy in coming； was his only one twelvemonth。 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 every thing 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。
He was not an ill…disposed young man； unless to be rather cold
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hearted and rather selfish； is to be ill…disposed： but he was； in
general； well respected； for he conducted himself with propriety in
the discharge of his ordinary duties。 Had he married a more
amiable woman； he might have been made still more respectable
than he was：—he might even have been made amiable himself； for
he was very young when he married； and very fond of his wife。 But
Mrs。 John Dashwood was a strong caricature of himself；—more
narrow…minded and selfish。
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 a…piece。 He then really thought himself equal to
it。 The prospect of four thousand a…year； in addition to his present
income； besides the remaining half of his own mother’s fortune；
warmed his heart； and made him feel capable of generosity。—
“Yes； he would give them three thousand pounds： it would be
liberal and handsome！ It would be enough to make them
completely easy。 Three thousand pounds！ he could spare so
considerable a sum with little inconvenience。”—He thought of it
all day long； and for many days successively； and he did not
repent。
No sooner was his father’s funeral over； than Mrs。 John
Dashwood； without sending any notice of her intention to her
mother…in…law； arrived with her child and their attendants。 No one
could dispute her right to come； the house was her husband’s from
the moment of his father’s decease； but the indelicacy of her
conduct was so much the greater； and to a woman in Mrs。
Dashwood’s situation； with only common feelings； must have been
highly unpleasing；—but in her mind there was a sense of honour
so keen； a generosity so romantic； that any offence of the kind； by
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whomsoever given or received； was to her a source of immoveable
disgust。 Mrs。 John Dashwood had never been a favourite with any
of her husband’s family； but she had had no opportunity； till the
present； of shewing them with how little attention to the comfort
of other people she could act when occasion required it。
So acutely did Mrs。 Dashwood feel this ungracious behaviour；
and so earnestly did she despise her daughter…in…law for it； that； on
the arrival of the latter； she would have quitted the house for ever；
had not the entreaty of her eldest girl induced her first to reflect
on the propriety of going； and her own tender love for all her three
children determined her afterwards to stay； and for their sakes
avoid a breach with their brother。
Elinor； this eldest daughter； whose advice was so effectual；
possessed a strength of understanding； and coolness of judgment；
which qualified her； though only nineteen； to be the counsellor of
her mother； and enabled her frequently to counteract； to the
advantage of them all； that eagerness of mind in Mrs。 Dashwood
which must generally have led to imprudence。 She had an
excellent heart；—her disposition was affectionate； and her feelings
were strong； but she knew how to govern them： it was a
knowledge which her mother had yet to learn； and which one of
her sisters had resolved never to be taught。
Marianne’s abilities were； in many respects； quite equal to
Elinor’s。 She was sensible and clever； but eager in every thing； her
sorrows； her joys； could have no moderation。 She was generous；
amiable； interesting： she was every thing but prudent。 The
resemblance between her and her mother was strikingly great。
Elinor saw； with concern； the excess of her sister’s sensibility；
but by Mrs。 Dashwood it was valued and cherished。 They
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encouraged each other now in the violence of their affliction。 The
agony of grief which overpowered them at first； was voluntarily
renewed； was sought for； was created again and again。 They gave
themselves up wholly to their sorrow； seeking increase