Chapter 41

by Jane Austen

　　Edward, having carried his thanks to Colonel Brandon,proceeded with his happiness to Lucy; and such was theexcess of it by the time he reached Bartlett's Buildings,that she was able to assure Mrs. Jennings, who calledon her again the next day with her congratulations,that she had never seen him in such spirits beforein her life.Her own happiness, and her own spirits, were atleast very certain; and she joined Mrs. Jennings mostheartily in her expectation of their being all comfortablytogether in Delaford Parsonage before Michaelmas.So far was she, at the same time, from any backwardnessto give Elinor that credit which Edward would give her,that she spoke of her friendship for them both with the mostgrateful warmth, was ready to own all their obligationto her, and openly declared that no exertion for theirgood on Miss Dashwood's part, either present or future,would ever surprise her, for she believed her capable ofdoing any thing in the world for those she really valued.As for Colonel Brandon, she was not only ready to worshiphim as a saint, but was moreover truly anxious thathe should be treated as one in all worldly concerns;anxious that his tithes should be raised to the utmost;and scarcely resolved to avail herself, at Delaford,as far as she possibly could, of his servants, his carriage,his cows, and his poultry.It was now above a week since John Dashwood hadcalled in Berkeley Street, and as since that time no noticehad been taken by them of his wife's indisposition,beyond one verbal enquiry, Elinor began to feel itnecessary to pay her a visit.--This was an obligation,however, which not only opposed her own inclination,but which had not the assistance of any encouragementfrom her companions. Marianne, not contented withabsolutely refusing to go herself, was very urgentto prevent her sister's going at all; and Mrs. Jennings,though her carriage was always at Elinor's service,so very much disliked Mrs. John Dashwood, that not even hercuriosity to see how she looked after the late discovery,nor her strong desire to affront her by taking Edward's part,could overcome her unwillingness to be in her company again.The consequence was, that Elinor set out by herselfto pay a visit, for which no one could really haveless inclination, and to run the risk of a tete-a-tetewith a woman, whom neither of the others had so muchreason to dislike.Mrs. Dashwood was denied; but before the carriage couldturn from the house, her husband accidentally came out.He expressed great pleasure in meeting Elinor, told herthat he had been just going to call in Berkeley Street,and, assuring her that Fanny would be very glad to see her,invited her to come in.They walked up stairs in to the drawing-room.--Nobody was there."Fanny is in her own room, I suppose," said he:--"Iwill go to her presently, for I am sure she will nothave the least objection in the world to seeing you.--Very far from it, indeed. Now especially therecannot be--but however, you and Marianne were alwaysgreat favourites.--Why would not Marianne come?"--Elinor made what excuse she could for her."I am not sorry to see you alone," he replied,"for I have a good deal to say to you. This livingof Colonel Brandon's--can it be true?--has he really givenit to Edward?--I heard it yesterday by chance, and wascoming to you on purpose to enquire farther about it.""It is perfectly true.--Colonel Brandon has giventhe living of Delaford to Edward.""Reallynorelationshipand nowthat livings fetch such a price!--what was the value of this?""About two hundred a year.""Very well--and for the next presentation to a livingof that value--supposing the late incumbent to havebeen old and sickly, and likely to vacate it soon--hemight have got I dare say--fourteen hundred pounds.And how came he not to have settled that matter before thisperson's death?--Now indeed it would be too late to sell it,but a man of Colonel Brandon's sense!--I wonder he shouldbe so improvident in a point of such common, such natural,concern!--Well, I am convinced that there is a vast dealof inconsistency in almost every human character. I suppose,however--on recollection--that the case may probably be this.Edward is only to hold the living till the person to whomthe Colonel has really sold the presentation, is old enoughto take it.--Aye, aye, that is the fact, depend upon it."Elinor contradicted it, however, very positively;and by relating that she had herself been employedin conveying the offer from Colonel Brandon to Edward,and, therefore, must understand the terms on which itwas given, obliged him to submit to her authority."It is truly astonishing!"--he cried, after hearingwhat she said--"what could be the Colonel's motive?""A very simple one--to be of use to Mr. Ferrars.""Well, well; whatever Colonel Brandon may be,Edward is a very lucky man.--You will not mention the matterto Fanny, however, for though I have broke it to her,and she bears it vastly well,--she will not like to hearit much talked of."Elinor had some difficulty here to refrain from observing,that she thought Fanny might have borne with composure,an acquisition of wealth to her brother, by which neithershe nor her child could be possibly impoverished."Mrs. Ferrars," added he, lowering his voice to thetone becoming so important a subject, "knows nothingabout it at present, and I believe it will be best tokeep it entirely concealed from her as long as may be.--When the marriage takes place, I fear she must hearof it all.""But why should such precaution be used?--Thoughit is not to be supposed that Mrs. Ferrars can havethe smallest satisfaction in knowing that her son hasmoney enough to live upon,--for that must be quiteout of the question; yet why, upon her late behaviour,is she supposed to feel at all?--She has done with herson, she cast him off for ever, and has made all thoseover whom she had any influence, cast him off likewise.Surely, after doing so, she cannot be imagined liableto any impression of sorrow or of joy on his account--she cannot be interested in any thing that befalls him.--She would not be so weak as to throw away the comfortof a child, and yet retain the anxiety of a parent!""Ah! Elinor," said John, "your reasoning is very good,but it is founded on ignorance of human nature.When Edward's unhappy match takes place, depend upon ithis mother will feel as much as if she had never discarded him;and, therefore every circumstance that may accelerate thatdreadful event, must be concealed from her as much as possible.Mrs. Ferrars can never forget that Edward is her son.""You surprise me; I should think it must nearlyhave escaped her memory by this time.""You wrong her exceedingly. Mrs. Ferrars is oneof the most affectionate mothers in the world."Elinor was silent."We think now,"--said Mr. Dashwood, after a short pause,"of Robert's marrying Miss Morton."Elinor, smiling at the grave and decisive importanceof her brother's tone, calmly replied,"The lady, I suppose, has no choice in the affair.""Choice!--how do you mean?""I only mean that I suppose, from your mannerof speaking, it must be the same to Miss Morton whethershe marry Edward or Robert.""Certainly, there can be no difference; for Robertwill now to all intents and purposes be consideredas the eldest son;--and as to any thing else, they areboth very agreeable young men: I do not know that oneis superior to the other."Elinor said no more, and John was also for a shorttime silent.--His reflections ended thus."Of one thing, my dear sister," kindly taking her hand,and speaking in an awful whisper,--"I may assure you;--and I will do it, because I know it must gratify you.I have good reason to think--indeed I have it from thebest authority, or I should not repeat it, for otherwiseit would be very wrong to say any thing about it--butI have it from the very best authority--not that I everprecisely heard Mrs. Ferrars say it herself--but herdaughter did, and I have it from her--That in short,whatever objections there might be against a certain--acertain connection--you understand me--it would have beenfar preferable to her, it would not have given her halfthe vexation that this does. I was exceedingly pleasedto hear that Mrs. Ferrars considered it in that light--a very gratifying circumstance you know to us all.'It would have been beyond comparison,' she said, 'the leastevil of the two, and she would be glad to compound nowfor nothing worse.' But however, all that is quite outof the question--not to be thought of or mentioned--as to any attachment you know--it never could be--allthat is gone by. But I thought I would just tell youof this, because I knew how much it must please you.Not that you have any reason to regret, my dear Elinor. Thereis no doubt of your doing exceedingly well--quite as well,or better, perhaps, all things considered. Has ColonelBrandon been with you lately?"Elinor had heard enough, if not to gratify her vanity,and raise her self-importance, to agitate her nervesand fill her mind;--and she was therefore glad to bespared from the necessity of saying much in reply herself,and from the danger of hearing any thing more fromher brother, by the entrance of Mr. Robert Ferrars.After a few moments' chat, John Dashwood, recollecting thatFanny was yet uninformed of her sister's being there,quitted the room in quest of her; and Elinor was leftto improve her acquaintance with Robert, who, by thegay unconcern, the happy self-complacency of his mannerwhile enjoying so unfair a division of his mother's loveand liberality, to the prejudice of his banished brother,earned only by his own dissipated course of life, and thatbrother's integrity, was confirming her most unfavourableopinion of his head and heart.They had scarcely been two minutes by themselves,before he began to speak of Edward; for he, too, had heardof the living, and was very inquisitive on the subject.Elinor repeated the particulars of it, as she had given themto John; and their effect on Robert, though very different,was not less striking than it had been on him. He laughedmost immoderately. The idea of Edward's being a clergyman,and living in a small parsonage-house, diverted himbeyond measure;--and when to that was added the fancifulimagery of Edward reading prayers in a white surplice,and publishing the banns of marriage between John Smith andMary Brown, he could conceive nothing more ridiculous.Elinor, while she waited in silence and immovablegravity, the conclusion of such folly, could not restrainher eyes from being fixed on him with a look that spokeall the contempt it excited. It was a look, however,very well bestowed, for it relieved her own feelings, and gaveno intelligence to him. He was recalled from wit to wisdom,not by any reproof of her's, but by his own sensibility."We may treat it as a joke," said he, at last,recovering from the affected laugh which had considerablylengthened out the genuine gaiety of the moment--"but, uponmy soul, it is a most serious business. Poor Edward!he is ruined for ever. I am extremely sorry for it--for I know him to be a very good-hearted creature; aswell-meaning a fellow perhaps, as any in the world.You must not judge of him, Miss Dashwood, from yourslight acquaintance.--Poor Edward!--His manners are certainlynot the happiest in nature.--But we are not all born,you know, with the same powers,--the same address.--Poor fellowto be sure it was pitiable enough!--but upon my soul,I believe he has as good a heart as any in the kingdom;and I declare and protest to you I never was so shocked in mylife, as when it all burst forth. I could not believe it.--My mother was the first person who told me of it;and I, feeling myself called on to act with resolution,immediately said to her, 'My dear madam, I do not knowwhat you may intend to do on the occasion, but as for myself,I must say, that if Edward does marry this young woman,I never will see him again.' That was what I said immediately.--I was most uncommonly shocked, indeedhe hasdone for himself completely--shut himself out for ever fromall decent society!--but, as I directly said to my mother,I am not in the least surprised at it; from his styleof education, it was always to be expected. My poor motherwas half frantic.""Have you ever seen the lady?""Yes; once, while she was staying in this house,I happened to drop in for ten minutes; and I sawquite enough of her. The merest awkward country girl,without style, or elegance, and almost without beauty.--I remember her perfectly. Just the kind of girl Ishould suppose likely to captivate poor Edward.I offered immediately, as soon as my mother relatedthe affair to me, to talk to him myself, and dissuadehim from the match; but it was too late then, I found,to do any thing, for unluckily, I was not in the wayat first, and knew nothing of it till after the breachhad taken place, when it was not for me, you know,to interfere. But had I been informed of it a fewhours earlier--I think it is most probable--that somethingmight have been hit on. I certainly should have representedit to Edward in a very strong light. 'My dear fellow,'I should have said, 'consider what you are doing.You are making a most disgraceful connection, and such a oneas your family are unanimous in disapproving.' I cannothelp thinking, in short, that means might have been found.But now it is all too late. He must be starved, you know;--that is certain; absolutely starved."He had just settled this point with great composure,when the entrance of Mrs. John Dashwood put an end to thesubject.But though she never spoke of it out of her own family,Elinor could see its influence on her mind, in the somethinglike confusion of countenance with which she entered,and an attempt at cordiality in her behaviour to herself.She even proceeded so far as to be concerned to findthat Elinor and her sister were so soon to leave town,as she had hoped to see more of them;--an exertionin which her husband, who attended her into the room,and hung enamoured over her accents, seemed to distinguishevery thing that was most affectionate and graceful.