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and improve was a delight to her； and she had at this time ready
money enough to supply all that was wanted of greater elegance to
the apartments。 “As for the house itself； to be sure；” said she； “it is
too small for our family； but we will make ourselves tolerably
comfortable for the present； as it is too late in the year for
improvements。 Perhaps in the spring； if I have plenty of money； as
I dare say I shall； we may think about building。 These parlours are
both too small for such parties of our friends as I hope to see often
collected here； and I have some thoughts of throwing the passage
into one of them with perhaps a part of the other； and so leave the
remainder of that other for an entrance； this； with a new drawing
room which may be easily added； and a bed…chamber and garret
above； will make it a very snug little cottage。 I could wish the stairs
were handsome。 But one must not expect every thing； though I
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suppose it would be no difficult matter to widen them。 I shall see
how much I am before…hand with the world in the spring； and we
will plan our improvements accordingly。”
In the mean time； till all these alterations could be made from
the savings of an income of five hundred a…year by a woman who
never saved in her life； they were wise enough to be contented
with the house as it was； and each of them was busy in arranging
their particular concerns； and endeavouring； by placing around
them books and other possessions； to form themselves a home。
Marianne’s pianoforté was unpacked and properly disposed of；
and Elinor’s drawings were affixed to the walls of their sitting
room。
In such employments as these they were interrupted soon after
breakfast the next day by the entrance of their landlord； who
called to welcome them to Barton； and to offer them every
accommodation from his own house and garden in which theirs
might at present be deficient。 Sir John Middleton was a good
looking man about forty。 He had formerly visited at Stanhill； but it
was too long for his young cousins to remember him。 His
countenance was thoroughly good…humoured； and his manners
were as friendly as the style of his letter。 Their arrival seemed to
afford him real satisfaction； and their comfort to be an object of
real solicitude to him。 He said much of his earnest desire of their
living in the most sociable terms with his family； and pressed them
so cordially to dine at Barton Park every day till they were better
settled at home； that； though his entreaties were carried to a point
of perseverance beyond civility； they could not give offence。 His
kindness was not confined to words； for within an hour after he
left them； a large basket full of garden stuff and fruit arrived from
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the park； which was followed before the end of the day by a
present of game。 He insisted； moreover； on conveying all their
letters to and from the post for them； and would not be denied the
satisfaction of sending them his newspaper every day。
Lady Middleton had sent a very civil message by him； denoting
her intention of waiting on Mrs。 Dashwood as soon as she could be
assured that her visit would be no inconvenience； and as this
message was answered by an invitation equally polite； her
ladyship was introduced to them the next day。
They were of course very anxious to see a person on whom so
much of their comfort at Barton must depend； and the elegance of
her appearance was favourable to their wishes。 Lady Middleton
was not more than six or seven and twenty； her face was
handsome； her figure tall and striking； and her address graceful。
Her manners had all the elegance which her husband’s wanted。
But they would have been improved by some share of his
frankness and warmth； and her visit was long enough to detract
something from their first admiration； by shewing that； though
perfectly well…bred； she was reserved； cold； and had nothing to say
for herself beyond the most common…place inquiry or remark。
Conversation however was not wanted； for Sir John was very
chatty； and Lady Middleton had taken the wise precaution of
bringing with her their eldest child； a fine little boy about six years
old； by which means there was one subject always to be recurred
to by the ladies in case of extremity； for they had to enquire his
name and age； admire his beauty； and ask him questions which his
mother answered for him； while he hung about her and held down
his head； to the great surprise of her ladyship； who wondered at
his being so shy before company； as he could make noise enough
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at home。 On every formal visit a child ought to be of the party； by
way of provision for discourse。 In the present case it took up ten
minutes to determine whether the boy were most like his father or
mother； and in what particular he resembled either； for of course
every body differed； and every body was astonished at the opinion
of the others。
An opportunity was soon to be given to the Dashwoods of
debating on the rest of the children； as Sir John would not leave
the house without securing their promise of dining at the park the
next day。
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CHAPTER VII
arton Park was about half a mile from the cottage。 The
ladies had passed near it in their way along the valley；
B
but it was screened from their view at home by the
projection of a hill。 The house was large and handsome； and the
Middletons lived in a style of equal hospitality and elegance。 The
former was for Sir John’s gratification； the latter for that of his
lady。 They were scarcely ever without some friends staying with
them in the house； and they kept more company of every kind
than any other family in the neighbourhood。 It was necessary to
the happiness of both； for however dissimilar in temper and
outward behaviour； they strongly resembled each other in that
total want of talent and taste which confined their employments；
unconnected with such as society produced； within a very narrow
compass。 Sir John was a sportsman； Lady Middleton a mother。 He
hunted and shot； and she humoured her children； and these were
their only resources。 Lady Middleton had the advantage of being
able to spoil her children all the year round； while Sir John’s
independent employments were in existence only half the time。
Continual engagements at home and abroad； however； supplied all
the deficiencies of nature and education； supported the good
spirits of Sir John； and gave exercise to the good breeding of his
wife。
Lady Middleton piqued herself upon the elegance of her table；
and of all her domestic arrangements； and from this kind of vanity
was her greatest enjoyment in any of their parties。 But Sir John’s
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satisfaction in society was much more real； he delighted in
collecting about him more young people than his house would
hol