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passed on all sides。 Sir John was ready to like anybody； and
though Mr。 Dashwood did not seem to know much about horses；
he soon set him down as a very good…natured fellow： while Lady
Middleton saw enough of fashion in his appearance to think his
acquaintance worth having； and Mr。 Dashwood went away
delighted with both。
“I shall have a charming account to carry to Fanny；” said he； as
he walked back with his sister。 “Lady Middleton is really a most
elegant woman！ Such a woman as I am sure Fanny will be glad to
know。 And Mrs。 Jennings too； an exceedingly well…behaved
woman； though not so elegant as her daughter。 Your sister need
not have any scruple even of visiting her； which； to say the truth；
has been a little the case； and very naturally； for we only knew that
Mrs。 Jennings was the widow of a man who had got all his money
in a low way； and Fanny and Mrs。 Ferrars were both strongly
prepossessed； that neither she nor her daughters were such kind
of women as Fanny would like to associate with。 But now I can
carry her a most satisfactory account of both。”
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CHAPTER XII
rs。 John Dashwood had so much confidence in her
husband’s judgment； that she waited the very next day
M
both on Mrs。 Jennings and her daughter； and her
confidence was rewarded by finding even the former； even the
woman with whom her sisters were staying； by no means
unworthy her notice； and as for Lady Middleton； she found her
one of the most charming women in the world！
Lady Middleton was equally pleased with Mrs。 Dashwood。
There was a kind of cold hearted selfishness on both sides； which
mutually attracted them； and they sympathised with each other in
an insipid propriety of demeanour； and a general want of
understanding。
The same manners； however； which recommended Mrs。 John
Dashwood to the good opinion of Lady Middleton did not suit the
fancy of Mrs。 Jennings； and to her she appeared nothing more
than a little proud…looking woman of uncordial address； who met
her husband’s sisters without any affection； and almost without
having anything to say to them； for of the quarter of an hour
bestowed on Berkeley…street； she sat at least seven minutes and a
half in silence。
Elinor wanted very much to know； though she did not chuse to
ask； whether Edward was then in town； but nothing would have
induced Fanny voluntarily to mention his name before her； till
able to tell her that his marriage with Miss Morton was resolved
on； or till her husband’s expectations on Colonel Brandon were
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answered； because she believed them still so very much attached
to each other； that they could not be too sedulously divided in
word and deed on every occasion。 The intelligence however；
which she would not give； soon flowed from another quarter。 Lucy
came very shortly to claim Elinor’s compassion on being unable to
see Edward； though he had arrived in town with Mr。 and Mrs。
Dashwood。 He dared not come to Bartlett’s Buildings for fear of
detection； and though their mutual impatience to meet； was not to
be told； they could do nothing at present but write。
Edward assured them himself of his being in town； within a
very short time； by twice calling in Berkeley…street。 Twice was his
card found on the table； when they returned from their morning’s
engagements。 Elinor was pleased that he had called； and still more
pleased that she had missed him。
The Dashwoods were so prodigiously delighted with the
Middletons； that； though not much in the habit of giving anything；
they determined to give them—a dinner； and soon after their
acquaintance began； invited them to dine in Harley…street； where
they had taken a very good house for three months。 Their sisters
and Mrs。 Jennings were invited likewise； and John Dashwood was
careful to secure Colonel Brandon； who； always glad to be where
the Miss Dashwoods were； received his eager civilities with some
surprise； but much more pleasure。 They were to meet Mrs。
Ferrars； but Elinor could not learn whether her sons were to be of
the party。 The expectation of seeing her； however； was enough to
make her interested in the engagement； for though she could now
meet Edward’s mother without that strong anxiety which had
once promised to attend such an introduction； though she could
now see her with perfect indifference as to her opinion of herself；
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her desire of being in company with Mrs。 Ferrars； her curiosity to
know what she was like； was as lively as ever。
The interest with which she thus anticipated the party； was
soon afterwards increased； more powerfully than pleasantly； by
her hearing that the Miss Steeles were also to be at it。
So well had they recommended themselves to Lady Middleton；
so agreeable had their assiduities made them to her； that though
Lucy was certainly not so elegant； and her sister not even genteel；
she was as ready as Sir John to ask them to spend a week or two in
Conduit…street； and it happened to be particularly convenient to
the Miss Steeles； as soon as the Dashwoods’ invitation was known；
that their visit should begin a few days before the party took place。
Their claims to the notice of Mrs。 John Dashwood； as the nieces
of the gentleman who for many years had had the care of her
brother； might not have done much； however； towards procuring
them seats at her table； but as Lady Middleton’s guests they must
be welcome； and Lucy； who had long wanted to be personally
known to the family； to have a nearer view of their characters and
her own difficulties； and to have an opportunity of endeavouring
to please them； had seldom been happier in her life； than she was
on receiving Mrs。 John Dashwood’s card。
On Elinor its effect was very different。 She began immediately
to determine that Edward who lived with his mother； must be
asked as his mother was； to a party given by his sister； and to see
him for the first time； after all that passed； in the company of
Lucy！—she hardly knew how she could bear it！
These apprehensions； perhaps； were not founded entirely on
reason； and certainly not at all on truth。 They were relieved
however； not by her own recollection； but by the good will of Lucy；
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who believed herself to be inflicting a severe disappointment when
she told her that Edward certainly would not be in Harley…street
on Tuesday； and even hoped to be carrying the pain still farther by
persuading her that he was kept away by the extreme affection for
herself； which he could not conceal when they were together。
The important Tuesday came that was to introduce the two
young ladies to this formidable mother…in…law。
“Pity me； dear Miss Dashwood！” said Lucy； as they walked up
the stairs together—for the Middletons arrived so directly after
Mrs。 Jennings； that they all followed the servant at the same
time—“There is nobody here but you； that can feel for me。—I
declare I can hardly stand。 Good gracious！—In a moment I shall
see the person that all my happiness depends on—that is to be my
mother！”—
E