按键盘上方向键 ← 或 → 可快速上下翻页，按键盘上的 Enter 键可回到本书目录页，按键盘上方向键 ↑ 可回到本页顶部！
————未阅读完？加入书签已便下次继续阅读！
renewed； was sought for； was created again and again。 They gave
themselves up wholly to their sorrow； seeking increase of
wretchedness in every reflection that could afford it； and resolved
against ever admitting consolation in future。 Elinor； too； was
deeply afflicted； but still she could struggle； she could exert
herself。 She could consult with her brother； could receive her
sister…in…law on her arrival； and treat her with proper attention；
and could strive to rouse her mother to similar exertion； and
encourage her to similar forbearance。
Margaret； the other sister； was a good…humoured； well…disposed
girl； but as she had already imbibed a good deal of Marianne’s
romance； without having much of her sense； she did not； at
thirteen； bid fair to equal her sisters at a more advanced period of
life。
Classics in Literature： Jane Austen ElecBook
… Page 12…
Jane Austen： Sense and Sensibility 12
CHAPTER II
rs。 John Dashwood now installed herself mistress of
Norland； and her mother and sisters…in…law were
M
degraded to the condition of visitors。 As such；
however； they were treated by her with quiet civility； and by her
husband with as much kindness as he could feel towards anybody
beyond himself； his wife； and their child。 He really pressed them；
with some earnestness； to consider Norland as their home； and； as
no plan appeared so eligible to Mrs。 Dashwood as remaining there
till she could accommodate herself with a house in the
neighbourhood； his invitation was accepted。
A continuance in a place where everything reminded her of
former delight； was exactly what suited her mind。 In seasons of
cheerfulness； no temper could be more cheerful than hers； or
possess； in a greater degree； that sanguine expectation of
happiness which is happiness itself。 But in sorrow she must be
equally carried away by her fancy； and as far beyond consolation
as in pleasure she was beyond alloy。
Mrs。 John Dashwood did not at all approve of what her
husband intended to do for his sisters。 To take three thousand
pounds from the fortune of their dear little boy would be
impoverishing him to the most dreadful degree。 She begged him
to think again on the subject。 How could he answer it to himself to
rob his child； and his only child too； of so large a sum？ And what
possible claim could the Miss Dashwoods； who were related to him
only by half blood； which she considered as no relationship at all；
Classics in Literature： Jane Austen ElecBook
… Page 13…
Jane Austen： Sense and Sensibility 13
have on his generosity to so large an amount。 It was very well
known that no affection was ever supposed to exist between the
children of any man by different marriages； and why was he to
ruin himself； and their poor little Harry； by giving away all his
money to his half sisters？
“It was my father’s last request to me；” replied her husband；
“that I should assist his widow and daughters。”
“He did not know what he was talking of； I dare say； ten to one
but he was light…headed at the time。 Had he been in his right
senses； he could not have thought of such a thing as begging you
to give away half your fortune from your own child。”
“He did not stipulate for any particular sum； my dear Fanny； he
only requested me； in general terms； to assist them； and make
their situation more comfortable than it was in his power to do。
Perhaps it would have been as well if he had left it wholly to
myself。 He could hardly suppose I should neglect them。 But as he
required the promise； I could not do less than give it； at least I
thought so at the time。 The promise； therefore； was given； and
must be performed。 Something must be done for them whenever
they leave Norland and settle in a new home。”
“Well； then； let something be done for them； but that something
need not be three thousand pounds。 Consider；” she added； “that
when the money is once parted with； it never can return。 Your
sisters will marry； and it will be gone for ever。 If； indeed； it could
be restored to our poor little boy—”
“Why； to be sure；” said her husband； very gravely； “that would
make great difference。 The time may come when Harry will regret
that so large a sum was parted with。 If he should have a numerous
family； for instance； it would be a very convenient addition。”
Classics in Literature： Jane Austen ElecBook
… Page 14…
Jane Austen： Sense and Sensibility 14
“To be sure it would。”
“Perhaps； then； it would be better for all parties； if the sum
were diminished one half。—Five hundred pounds would be a
prodigious increase to their fortunes！”
“Oh！ beyond anything great！ What brother on earth would do
half so much for his sisters； even if really his sisters！ And as it is—
only half blood！—But you have such a generous spirit！”
“I would not wish to do any thing mean；” he replied。 “One had
rather； on such occasions； do too much than too little。 No one； at
least； can think I have not done enough for them： even themselves；
they can hardly expect more。”
“There is no knowing what they may expect；” said the lady；
“but we are not to think of their expectations： the question is； what
you can afford to do。”
“Certainly—and I think I may afford to give them five hundred
pounds a…piece。 As it is； without any addition of mine； they will
each have about three thousand pounds on their mother’s death—
a very comfortable fortune for any young woman。”
“To be sure it is： and； indeed； it strikes me that they can want
no addition at all。 They will have ten thousand pounds divided
amongst them。 If they marry； they will be sure of doing well； and if
they do not； they may all live very comfortably together on the
interest of ten thousand pounds。”
“That is very true； and； therefore； I do not know whether； upon
the whole； it would not be more advisable to do something for
their mother while she lives； rather than for them—something of
the annuity kind I mean。—My sisters would feel the good effects of
it as well as herself。 A hundred a year would make them all
perfectly comfortable。”
Classics in Literature： Jane Austen ElecBook
… Page 15…
Jane Austen： Sense and Sensibility 15
His wife hesitated a little； however； in giving her consent to this
plan。
“To be sure；” said she； “it is better than parting with fifteen
hundred pounds at once。 But； then； if Mrs。 Dashwood should live
fifteen years we shall be completely taken in。”
“Fifteen years！ my dear Fanny； her life cannot be worth half
that purchase。”
“Certainly not； but if you observe； people always live for ever
when there is an annuity to be paid them； and she is very stout
and healthy； and hardly forty。 An annuity is a very serious
business； it comes over and over every year； and there is no
getting rid of it。 You are not aware of what you are doing。 I have
known a great deal of the trouble of annuities； for my mother was
clogged with the payment of three to old superannuated servants
by my father’s will； and it is amazing how disagreeable she found
it。 Twice every year these annuities were to be paid； and then
there was the trouble of getting it to them； and then one of them
was said to have died； and afterwards it turned out to be