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exceedingly sorry he was that she had taken a house at such a
distance from Norland as to prevent his being of any service to her
in removing her furniture。 He really felt conscientiously vexed on
the occasion； for the very exertion to which he had limited the
performance of his promise to his father was by this arrangement
rendered impracticable。—The furniture was all sent around by
water。 It chiefly consisted of household linen； plate； china； and
books； with a handsome pianoforté of Marianne’s。 Mrs。 John
Dashwood saw the packages depart with a sigh： she could not help
feeling it hard that as Mrs。 Dashwood’s income would be so trifling
in comparison with their own； she should have any handsome
article of furniture。
Mrs。 Dashwood took the house for a twelvemonth； it was ready
furnished； and she might have immediate possession。 No difficulty
arose on either side in the agreement； and she waited only for the
disposal of her effects at Norland； and to determine her future
household； before she set off for the west； and this； as she was
exceedingly rapid in the performance of every thing that
interested her； was soon done。—The horses which were left her by
her husband had been sold soon after his death； and an
opportunity now offering of disposing of her carriage； she agreed
to sell that likewise at the earnest advice of her eldest daughter。
For the comfort of her children； had she consulted only her own
wishes； she would have kept it； but the discretion of Elinor
prevailed。 Her wisdom too limited the number of their servants to
three； two maids and a man； with whom they were speedily
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provided from amongst those who had formed their establishment
at Norland。
The man and one of the maids were sent off immediately into
Devonshire； to prepare the house for their mistress’s arrival； for as
Lady Middleton was entirely unknown to Mrs。 Dashwood； she
preferred going directly to the cottage to being a visitor at Barton
Park； and she relied so undoubtingly on Sir John’s description of
the house； as to feel no curiosity to examine it herself till she
entered it as her own。 Her eagerness to be gone from Norland was
preserved from diminution by the evident satisfaction of her
daughter…in…law in the prospect of her removal； a satisfaction
which was but feebly attempted to be concealed under a cold
invitation to her to defer her departure。 Now was the time when
her son…in…law’s promise to his father might with particular
propriety be fulfilled。 Since he had neglected to do it on first
coming to the estate； their quitting his house might be looked on
as the most suitable period for its accomplishment。 But Mrs。
Dashwood began shortly to give over every hope of the kind； and
to be convinced； from the general drift of his discourse； that his
assistance extended no farther than their maintenance for six
months at Norland。 He so frequently talked of the increasing
expenses of housekeeping； and of the perpetual demands upon his
purse； which a man of any consequence in the world was beyond
calculation exposed to； that he seemed rather to stand in need of
more money himself than to have any design of giving money
away。
In a very few weeks from the day which brought Sir John
Middleton’s first letter to Norland； every thing was so far settled in
their future abode as to enable Mrs。 Dashwood and her daughters
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to begin their journey。
Many were the tears shed by them in their last adieus to a place
so much beloved。 “Dear； dear Norland！” said Marianne； as she
wandered alone before the house； on the last evening of their
being there； “when shall I cease to regret you！—when learn to feel
a home elsewhere！—Oh！ happy house； could you know what I
suffer in now viewing you from this spot； from whence perhaps I
may view you no more！—And you； ye well…known trees！—but you
will continue the same。—No leaf will decay because we are
removed； nor any branch become motionless although we can
observe you no longer！—No； you will continue the same；
unconscious of the pleasure or the regret you occasion； and
insensible of any change in those who walk under your shade！—
But who will remain to enjoy you？”
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CHAPTER VI
he first part of their journey was performed in too
melancholy a disposition to be otherwise than tedious and
T
unpleasant。 But as they drew towards the end of it； their
interest in the appearance of a country which they were to inhabit
overcame their dejection； and a view of Barton Valley as they
entered it gave them cheerfulness。 It was a pleasant fertile spot；
well wooded； and rich in pasture。 After winding along it for more
than a mile； they reached their own house。 A small green court
was the whole of its demesne in front； and a neat wicket gate
admitted them into it。
As a house； Barton Cottage； though small； was comfortable and
compact； but as a cottage it was defective； for the building was
regular； the roof was tiled； the window shutters were not painted
green； nor were the walls covered with honeysuckles。 A narrow
passage led directly through the house into the garden behind。 On
each side of the entrance was a sitting room； about sixteen feet
square； and beyond them were the offices and the stairs。 Four
bed…rooms and two garrets formed the rest of the house。 It had not
been built many years and was in good repair。 In comparison of
Norland； it was poor and small indeed！—but the tears which
recollection called forth as they entered the house were soon dried
away。 They were cheered by the joy of the servants on their
arrival； and each for the sake of the others resolved to appear
happy。 It was very early in September； the season was fine； and
from first seeing the place under the advantage of good weather；
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they received an impression in its favour which was of material
service in recommending it to their lasting approbation。
The situation of the house was good。 High hills rose
immediately behind； and at no great distance on each side； some
of which were open downs； the others cultivated and woody。 The
village of Barton was chiefly on one of these hills； and formed a
pleasant view from the cottage windows。 The prospect in front was
more extensive； it commanded the whole of the valley； and
reached into the country beyond。 The hills which surrounded the
cottage terminated the valley in that direction； under another
name； and in another course； it branched out again between two
of the steepest of them。
With the size and furniture of the house Mrs。 Dashwood was
upon the whole well satisfied； for though her former style of life
rendered many additions to the latter indispensable； yet to add
and improve was a delight to her； and she had