sense and sensibility(理智与情感)-第100节
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annihilation of Edward a few weeks ago； had robbed her of one；
the similar annihilation of Robert had left her for a fortnight
without any； and now； by the resuscitation of Edward； she had one
again。
In spite of his being allowed once more to live； however； he did
not feel the continuance of his existence secure； till he had
revealed his present engagement； for the publication of that
circumstance； he feared； might give a sudden turn to his
constitution； and carry him off as rapidly as before。 With
apprehensive caution therefore it was revealed； and he was
listened to with unexpected calmness。 Mrs。 Ferrars at first
reasonably endeavoured to dissuade him from marrying Miss
Dashwood； by every argument in her power；—told him； that in
Miss Morton he would have a woman of higher rank and larger
fortune；—and enforced the assertion； by observing that Miss
Morton was the daughter of a nobleman with thirty thousand
pounds； while Miss Dashwood was only the daughter of a private
gentleman with no more than three； but when she found that；
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though perfectly admitting the truth of her representation； he was
by no means inclined to be guided by it； she judged it wisest； from
the experience of the past； to submit—and therefore； after such an
ungracious delay as she owed to her own dignity； and as served to
prevent every suspicion of good…will； she issued her decree of
consent to the marriage of Edward and Elinor。
What she would engage to do towards augmenting their income
was next to be considered； and here it plainly appeared； that
though Edward was now her only son； he was by no means her
eldest； for while Robert was inevitably endowed with a thousand
pounds a…year； not the smallest objection was made against
Edward’s taking orders for the sake of two hundred and fifty at the
utmost； nor was anything promised either for the present or in
future； beyond the ten thousand pounds； which had been given
with Fanny。
It was as much； however； as was desired； and more than was
expected； by Edward and Elinor； and Mrs。 Ferrars herself； by her
shuffling excuses； seemed the only person surprised at her not
giving more。
With an income quite sufficient to their wants thus secured to
them； they had nothing to wait for after Edward was in possession
of the living； but the readiness of the house； to which Colonel
Brandon； with an eager desire for the accommodation of Elinor；
was making considerable improvements； and after waiting some
time for their completion； after experiencing； as usual； a thousand
disappointments and delays from the unaccountable dilatoriness
of the workmen； Elinor； as usual； broke through the first positive
resolution of not marrying till every thing was ready； and the
ceremony took place in Barton church early in the autumn。
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The first month after their marriage was spent with their friend
at the Mansion…house； from whence they could superintend the
progress of the Parsonage； and direct every thing as they liked on
the spot；—could chuse papers； project shrubberies； and invent a
sweep。 Mrs。 Jennings’s prophecies； though rather jumbled
together； were chiefly fulfilled； for she was able to visit Edward
and his wife in their Parsonage by Michaelmas； and she found in
Elinor and her husband； as she really believed； one of the happiest
couples in the world。 They had in fact nothing to wish for； but the
marriage of Colonel Brandon and Marianne； and rather better
pasturage for their cows。
They were visited on their first settling by almost all their
relations and friends。 Mrs。 Ferrars came to inspect the happiness
which she was almost ashamed of having authorised； and even the
Dashwoods were at the expense of a journey from Sussex to do
them honour。
“I will not say that I am disappointed； my dear sister；” said
John； as they were walking together one morning before the gates
of Delaford House； “that would be saying too much； for certainly
you have been one of the most fortunate young women in the
world； as it is。 But； I confess； it would give me great pleasure to
call Colonel Brandon brother。 His property here； his place； his
house； every thing is in such respectable and excellent
condition！—and his woods！—I have not seen such timber any
where in Dorsetshire； as there is now standing in Delaford
Hanger！—And though； perhaps； Marianne may not seem exactly
the person to attract him—yet I think it would altogether be
advisable for you to have them now frequently staying with you；
for as Colonel Brandon seems a great deal at home； nobody can
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tell what may happen—for； when people are much thrown
together； and see little of anybody else—and it will always be in
your power to set her off to advantage； and so forth；—in short； you
may as well give her a chance—You understand me。”—
But though Mrs。 Ferrars did come to see them； and always
treated them with the make…believe of decent affection； they were
never insulted by her real favour and preference。 That was due to
the folly of Robert； and the cunning of his wife； and it was earned
by them before many months had passed away。 The selfish
sagacity of the latter； which had at first drawn Robert into the
scrape； was the principal instrument of his deliverance from it； for
her respectful humility； assiduous attentions； and endless
flatteries； as soon as the smallest opening was given for their
exercise； reconciled Mrs。 Ferrars to his choice； and re…established
him completely in her favour。
The whole of Lucy’s behaviour in the affair； and the prosperity
which crowned it； therefore； may be held forth as a most
encouraging instance of what an earnest； an unceasing attention
to self…interest； however its progress may be apparently
obstructed； will do in securing every advantage of fortune； with no
other sacrifice than that of time and conscience。 When Robert first
sought her acquaintance； and privately visited her in Bartlett’s
Buildings； it was only with the view imputed to him by his brother。
He merely meant to persuade her to give up the engagement； and
as there could be nothing to overcome but the affection of both； he
naturally expected that one or two interviews would settle the
matter。 In that point； however； and that only； he erred；—for
though Lucy soon gave him hopes that his eloquence would
convince her in time； another visit； another conversation； was
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always wanted to produce this conviction。 Some doubts always
lingered in her mind when they parted； which could only be
removed by another half hour’s discourse with himself。 His
attendance was by this means secured； and the rest followed in
cour
