Chapter 5

by Jane Austen

　　No sooner was her answer dispatched, than Mrs. Dashwoodindulged herself in the pleasure of announcing to herson-in-law and his wife that she was provided with a house,and should incommode them no longer than till every thing wereready for her inhabiting it. They heard her with surprise.Mrs. John Dashwood said nothing; but her husband civillyhoped that she would not be settled far from Norland.She had great satisfaction in replying that she was goinginto Devonshire.--Edward turned hastily towards her,on hearing this, and, in a voice of surprise and concern,which required no explanation to her, repeated,"Devonshire! Are you, indeed, going there? So far from hence!And to what part of it?" She explained the situation.It was within four miles northward of Exeter."It is but a cottage," she continued, "but I hopeto see many of my friends in it. A room or two caneasily be added; and if my friends find no difficultyin travelling so far to see me, I am sure I will findnone in accommodating them."She concluded with a very kind invitation toMr. and Mrs. John Dashwood to visit her at Barton;and to Edward she gave one with still greater affection.Though her late conversation with her daughter-in-law hadmade her resolve on remaining at Norland no longer thanwas unavoidable, it had not produced the smallest effecton her in that point to which it principally tended.To separate Edward and Elinor was as far from being herobject as ever; and she wished to show Mrs. John Dashwood,by this pointed invitation to her brother, how totally shedisregarded her disapprobation of the match.Mr. John Dashwood told his mother again and againhow exceedingly sorry he was that she had taken a house atsuch a distance from Norland as to prevent his being of anyservice to her in removing her furniture. He really feltconscientiously vexed on the occasion; for the very exertionto which he had limited the performance of his promise tohis father was by this arrangement rendered impracticable.--The furniture was all sent around by water. It chieflyconsisted of household linen, plate, china, and books,with a handsome pianoforte of Marianne's. Mrs. JohnDashwood saw the packages depart with a sigh: she couldnot help feeling it hard that as Mrs. Dashwood's incomewould 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 wasready furnished, and she might have immediate possession.No difficulty arose on either side in the agreement; and shewaited only for the disposal of her effects at Norland,and to determine her future household, before she setoff for the west; and this, as she was exceedingly rapidin the performance of everything that interested her,was soon done.--The horses which were left her by her husbandhad been sold soon after his death, and an opportunitynow offering of disposing of her carriage, she agreedto sell that likewise at the earnest advice of hereldest daughter. For the comfort of her children, had sheconsulted only her own wishes, she would have kept it;but the discretion of Elinor prevailed. Her wisdomtoo limited the number of their servants to three;two maids and a man, with whom they were speedily providedfrom amongst those who had formed their establishmentat Norland.The man and one of the maids were sent off immediatelyinto Devonshire, to prepare the house for their mistress'sarrival; for as Lady Middleton was entirely unknownto Mrs. Dashwood, she preferred going directly to thecottage to being a visitor at Barton Park; and she reliedso undoubtingly on Sir John's description of the house,as to feel no curiosity to examine it herself till sheentered it as her own. Her eagerness to be gone from Norlandwas preserved from diminution by the evident satisfactionof her daughter-in-law in the prospect of her removal;a satisfaction which was but feebly attempted to be concealedunder a cold invitation to her to defer her departure.Now was the time when her son-in-law's promise to hisfather might with particular propriety be fulfilled.Since he had neglected to do it on first coming tothe estate, their quitting his house might be lookedon as the most suitable period for its accomplishment.But Mrs. Dashwood began shortly to give over everyhope of the kind, and to be convinced, from the generaldrift of his discourse, that his assistance extended nofarther than their maintenance for six months at Norland.He so frequently talked of the increasing expensesof housekeeping, and of the perpetual demands upon his purse,which a man of any consequence in the world was beyondcalculation exposed to, that he seemed rather to standin need of more money himself than to have any design ofgiving money away.In a very few weeks from the day which brought SirJohn Middleton's first letter to Norland, every thing wasso far settled in their future abode as to enableMrs. Dashwood and her daughters to begin their journey.Many were the tears shed by them in their lastadieus 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 ceaseto regret youOh!happy house, could you know what I suffer in now viewingyou from this spot, from whence perhaps I may viewyou no morebut youwill continue the same.--No leaf will decay because weare removed, nor any branch become motionless although wecan 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 yourshade!--But who will remain to enjoy you?"