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instantly gave way before such an invitation； and Lady Middleton
was thrown into no little alarm on the return of Sir John； by
hearing that she was very soon to receive a visit from two girls
whom she had never seen in her life； and of whose elegance；—
whose tolerable gentility even； she could have no proof； for the
assurances of her husband and mother on that subject went for
nothing at all。 Their being her relations too made it so much the
worse； and Mrs。 Jennings’s attempts at consolation were therefore
unfortunately founded； when she advised her daughter not to care
about their being so fashionable； because they were all cousins
and must put up with one another。 As it was impossible； however；
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now to prevent their coming； Lady Middleton resigned herself to
the idea of it； with all the philosophy of a well…bred woman；
contenting herself with merely giving her husband a gentle
reprimand on the subject five or six times every day。
The young ladies arrived； their appearance was by no means
ungenteel or unfashionable。 Their dress was very smart； their
manners very civil； they were delighted with the house； and in
raptures with the furniture； and they happened to be so doatingly
fond of children that Lady Middleton’s good opinion was engaged
in their favour before they had been an hour at the Park。 She
declared them to be very agreeable girls indeed； which for her
ladyship was enthusiastic admiration。 Sir John’s confidence in his
own judgment rose with this animated praise； and he set off
directly for the cottage to tell the Miss Dashwoods of the Miss
Steeles’ arrival； and to assure them of their being the sweetest
girls in the world。 From such commendation as this； however；
there was not much to be learned； Elinor well knew that the
sweetest girls in the world were to be met with in every part of
England； under every possible variation of form； face； temper and
understanding。 Sir John wanted the whole family to walk to the
Park directly and look at his guests。 Benevolent； philanthropic
man！ It was painful to him even to keep a third cousin to himself。
“Do come now；” said he—“pray come—you must come—I
declare you shall come—You can’t think how you will like them。
Lucy is monstrous pretty； and so good humoured and agreeable！
The children are all hanging about her already； as if she was an
old acquaintance。 And they both long to see you of all things； for
they have heard at Exeter that you are the most beautiful
creatures in the world； and I have told them it is all very true； and
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a great deal more。 You will be delighted with them I am sure。 They
have brought the whole coach full of playthings for the children。
How can you be so cross as not to come？ Why they are your
cousins； you know； after a fashion。 You are my cousins； and they
are my wife’s； so you must be related。”
But Sir John could not prevail。 He could only obtain a promise
of their calling at the Park within a day or two； and then left them
in amazement at their indifference； to walk home and boast anew
of their attractions to the Miss Steeles； as he had been already
boasting of the Miss Steeles to them。
When their promised visit to the Park and consequent
introduction to these young ladies took place； they found in the
appearance of the eldest； who was nearly thirty； with a very plain
and not a sensible face； nothing to admire； but in the other； who
was not more than two or three and twenty； they acknowledged
considerable beauty； her features were pretty； and she had a sharp
quick eye； and a smartness of air； which though 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 attention they were making themselves agreeable to
Lady Middleton。 With her children they were in continual
raptures； extolling their beauty； courting their notice； and
humouring 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 any thing； or in taking patterns of some
elegant new dress； in which her appearance the day before had
thrown them into unceasing delight。 Fortunately for those who
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pay their court through such foibles； a fond mother； though； in
pursuit of praise for her children； the most rapacious of human
beings； is likewise the most credulous； her demands are
exorbitant； but she will swallow any thing； and the excessive
affection and endurance of the Miss Steeles towards her offspring
were viewed therefore by Lady Middleton without the smallest
surprise or distrust。 She saw with maternal complacency all the
impertinent encroachments and mischievous tricks to which her
cousins submitted。 She saw their sashes untied； their hair pulled
about their ears； their work…bags searched； and their knives and
scissors stolen away； and felt no doubt of its being a reciprocal
enjoyment。 It suggested no other surprise than that Elinor and
Marianne should sit so composedly by； without claiming a share in
what was passing。
“John is in such spirits to…day！” said she； on his taking Miss
Steeles’s pocket handkerchief； and throwing it out of window—
“He is full of monkey tricks。”
And soon afterwards； on the second boy’s violently pinching
one of the same lady’s fingers； she fondly observed； “How playful
William is！”
“And here is my sweet little Annamaria；” she added； tenderly
caressing a little girl of three years old； who had not made a noise
for the last two minutes； “And she is always so gentle and quiet—
Never was there such a quiet little thing！”
But unfortunately in bestowing these embraces； a pin in her
ladyship’s head dress slightly scratching the child’s neck；
produced from this pattern of gentleness such violent screams； as
could hardly be outdone by any creature professedly noisy。 The
mother’s consternation was excessive； but it could not surpass the
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alarm of the Miss Steeles； and every thing was done by all three； in
so critical an emergency； which affection could suggest as likely to
assuage the agonies of the little sufferer。 She was seated in her
mother’s lap； covered with kisses； her wound bathed with
lavender…water； by one of the Miss Steeles； who was on her knees
to attend her； and her mouth stuffed with sugar plums by the
other。 With such a reward for her tears； the child was too wise to
cease crying。 She still screamed and sobbed lustily； kicked her two
brothers for offering to touch her； and all their united soothings
were ineffectual ti