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felt for her daughter…in…law； was very much increased by the
farther knowledge of her character； which half a year’s residence
in her family afforded； and perhaps in spite of every consideration
of politeness or maternal affection on the side of the former； the
two ladies might have found it impossible to have lived together so
long； had not a particular circumstance occurred to give still
greater eligibility； according to the opinions of Mrs。 Dashwood； to
her daughters’ continuance at Norland。
This circumstance was a growing attachment between her
eldest girl and the brother of Mrs。 John Dashwood； a gentleman…
like and pleasing young man； who was introduced to their
acquaintance soon after his sister’s establishment at Norland； and
who had since spent the greatest part of his time there。
Some mothers might have encouraged the intimacy from
motives of interest； for Edward Ferrars was the eldest son of a
man who had died very rich； and some might have repressed it
from motives of prudence； for； except a trifling sum； the whole of
his fortune depended on the will of his mother。 But Mrs。
Dashwood was alike uninfluenced by either consideration。 It was
enough for her that he appeared to be amiable； that he loved her
daughter； and that Elinor returned the partiality。 It was contrary
to every doctrine of her’s that difference of fortune should keep
any couple asunder who were attracted by resemblance of
disposition； and that Elinor’s merit should not be acknowledged
by every one who knew her； was to her comprehension impossible。
Edward Ferrars was not recommended to their good opinion by
any peculiar graces of person or address。 He was not handsome；
and his manners required intimacy to make them pleasing。 He
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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。 But he was neither
fitted by abilities nor disposition to answer the wishes of his
mother and sister； who longed to see him distinguished—as—they
hardly knew what。 They wanted him to make a fine figure in the
world in some manner or other。 His mother wished to interest him
in political concerns； to get him into parliament； or to see him
connected with some of the great men of the day。 Mrs。 John
Dashwood wished it likewise； but in the mean while； till one of
these superior blessings could be attained； it would have quieted
her ambition to see him driving a barouche。 But Edward had no
turn for great men or barouches。 All his wishes centred in
domestic comfort and the quiet of private life。 Fortunately he had
a younger brother who was more promising。
Edward had been staying several weeks in the house before he
engaged much of Mrs。 Dashwood’s attention； for she was； at that
time； in such affliction as rendered her careless of surrounding
objects。 She saw only that he was quiet and unobtrusive； and she
liked him for it。 He did not disturb the wretchedness of her mind
by ill…timed conversation。 She was first called to observe and
approve him farther； by a reflection which Elinor chanced one day
to make on the difference between him and his sister。 It was a
contrast which recommended him most forcibly to her mother。
“It is enough；” said she； “to say that he is unlike Fanny is
enough。 It implies everything amiable。 I love him already。”
“I think you will like him；” said Elinor； “when you know more
of him。”
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“Like him！” replied her mother with a smile。 “I feel no
sentiment of approbation inferior to love。”
“You may esteem him。”
“I have never yet known what it was to separate esteem and
love。”
Mrs。 Dashwood now took pains to get acquainted with him。 Her
manners were attaching； and soon banished his reserve。 She
speedily comprehended all his merits； the persuasion of his regard
for Elinor perhaps assisted her penetration； but she really felt
assured of his worth： and even that quietness of manner； which
militated against all her established ideas of what a young man’s
address ought to be； was no longer uninteresting when she knew
his heart to be warm and his temper affectionate。
No sooner did she perceive any symptom of love in his
behaviour to Elinor； than she considered their serious attachment
as certain； and looked forward to their marriage as rapidly
approaching。
“In a few months； my dear Marianne；” said she； “Elinor will； in
all probability be settled for life。 We shall miss her； but she will be
happy。”
“Oh！ mama； how shall we do without her？”
“My love； it will be scarcely a separation。 We shall live within a
few miles of each other； and shall meet every day of our lives。 You
will gain a brother； a real； affectionate brother。 I have the highest
opinion in the world of Edward’s heart。 But you look grave；
Marianne； do you disapprove your sister’s choice？”
“Perhaps；” said Marianne； “I may consider it with some
surprise。 Edward is very amiable； and I love him tenderly。 But
yet—he is not the kind of young man—there is something
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wanting—his figure is not striking； it has none of that grace which
I should expect in the man who could seriously attach my sister。
His eyes want all that spirit； that fire； which at once announce
virtue and intelligence。 And besides all this； I am afraid； mama； he
has no real taste。 Music seems scarcely to attract him； and though
he admires Elinor’s drawings very much； it is not the admiration
of a person who can understand their worth。 It is evident； in spite
of his frequent attention to her while she draws； that in fact he
knows nothing of the matter。 He admires as a lover； not as a
connoisseur。 To satisfy me； those characters must be united。 I
could not be happy with a man whose taste did not in every point
coincide with my own。 He must enter into all my feelings； the
same books； the same music must charm us both。 Oh！ mama； how
spiritless； how tame was Edward’s manner in reading to us last
night！ I felt for my sister most severely。 Yet she bore it with so
much composure； she seemed scarcely to notice it。 I could hardly
keep my seat。 To hear those beautiful lines which have frequently
almost driven me wild； pronounced with such impenetrable
calmness； such dreadful indifference！”—
“He would certainly have done more justice to simple and
elegant prose。 I thought so at the time； but you would give him
Cowper。”
“Nay； mama； if he is not to be animated by Cowper！—but we
must allow for difference of taste。 Elinor has not my feelings； and
therefore she may overlook it； and be happy with him。 But it
would have broke my heart； had I loved him； to hear him read with
so little sensibility。 Mama； the more I know of the world； the more
am I convinced that I shall never see a man whom I can really
love。 I require so much！ He must have all Edward’s virtues； and
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