sense and sensibility(理智与情感)-第34节
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proclaiming his suspicions of her regard for Edward； than he had
been with respect to Marianne； indeed it was rather his favourite
joke of the two； as being somewhat newer and more conjectural；
and since Edward’s visit； they had never dined together without
his drinking to her best affections with so much significancy and
so many nods and winks； as to excite general attention。 The letter
F— had been likewise invariably brought forward； and found
productive of such countless jokes； that its character as the wittiest
letter in the alphabet had been long established with Elinor。
The Miss Steeles； as she expected； had now all the benefit of
these jokes； and in the eldest of them they raised a curiosity to
know the name of the gentleman alluded to； which； though often
impertinently expressed； was perfectly of a piece with her general
inquisitiveness into the concerns of their family。 But Sir John did
not sport long with the curiosity which he delighted to raise； for he
had at least as much pleasure in telling the name； as Miss Steele
had in hearing it。
“His name is Ferrars；” said he； in a very audible whisper； “but
pray do not tell it； for it’s a great secret。”
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“Ferrars！” repeated Miss Steele； “Mr。 Ferrars is the happy
man； is he？ What！ your sister…in…law’s brother； Miss Dashwood？ a
very agreeable young man to be sure； I know him very well。”
“How can you say so； Anne？” cried Lucy； who generally made
an amendment to all her sister’s assertions。 “Though we have seen
him once or twice at my uncle’s； it is rather too much to pretend to
know him very well。”
Elinor heard all this with attention and surprise。 “And who was
this uncle？ Where did he live？ How came they acquainted？” She
wished very much to have the subject continued； though she did
not chuse to join in it herself； but nothing more of it was said； and
for the first time in her life； she thought Mrs。 Jennings deficient
either in curiosity after petty information； or in a disposition to
communicate it。 The manner in which Miss Steele had spoken of
Edward； increased her curiosity； for it struck her as being rather
ill…natured； and suggested the suspicion of that lady’s knowing； or
fancying herself to know something to his disadvantage。—But her
curiosity was unavailing； for no farther notice was taken of Mr。
Ferrars’s name by Miss Steele when alluded to； or even openly
mentioned by Sir John。
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CHAPTER XXII
arianne； who had never much toleration for any thing
like impertinence； vulgarity； inferiority of parts； or
M
even difference of taste from herself； was at this time
particularly ill…disposed； from the state of her spirits； to be pleased
with the Miss Steeles； or to encourage their advances； and to the
invariable coldness of her behaviour towards them； which checked
every endeavour at intimacy on their side； Elinor principally
attributed that preference of herself which soon became evident in
the manners of both； but especially of Lucy； who missed no
opportunity of engaging her in conversation； or of striving to
improve their acquaintance by an easy and frank communication
of her sentiments。
Lucy was naturally clever； her remarks were often just and
amusing； and as a companion for half an hour Elinor frequently
found her agreeable； but her powers had received no aid from
education； she was ignorant and illiterate； and her deficiency of all
mental improvement； her want of information in the most
common particulars； could not be concealed from Miss Dashwood；
in spite of her constant endeavour to appear to advantage。 Elinor
saw； and pitied her for； the neglect of abilities which education
might have rendered so respectable； but she saw； with less
tenderness of feeling； the thorough want of delicacy； of rectitude；
and integrity of mind； which her attentions； her assiduities； her
flatteries at the Park betrayed； and she could have no lasting
satisfaction in the company of a person who joined insincerity with
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ignorance； whose want of instruction prevented their meeting in
conversation on terms of equality； and whose conduct toward
others made every shew of attention and deference towards
herself perfectly valueless。
“You will think my question an odd one； I dare say；” said Lucy
to her one day； as they were walking together from the park to the
cottage—“but pray； are you personally acquainted with your
sister…in…law’s mother； Mrs。 Ferrars？”
Elinor did think the question a very odd one； and her
countenance expressed it； as she answered that she had never
seen Mrs。 Ferrars。
“Indeed！” replied Lucy； “I wonder at that； for I thought you
must have seen her at Norland sometimes。 Then； perhaps； you
cannot tell me what sort of a woman she is？”
“No；” returned Elinor； cautious of giving her real opinion of
Edward’s mother； and not very desirous of satisfying what seemed
impertinent curiosity—“I know nothing of her。”
“I am sure you think me very strange； for enquiring about her
in such a way；” said Lucy； eyeing Elinor attentively as she spoke；
“but perhaps there may be reasons—I wish I might venture； but
however I hope you will do me the justice of believing that I do not
mean to be impertinent。”
Elinor made her a civil reply； and they walked on for a few
minutes in silence。 It was broken by Lucy； who renewed the
subject again by saying； with some hesitation；
“I cannot bear to have you think me impertinently curious。 I am
sure I would rather do any thing in the world than be thought so
by a person whose good opinion is so well worth having as yours。
And I am sure I should not have the smallest fear of trusting you；
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indeed I should be very glad of your advice how to manage in such
and uncomfortable situation as I am； but however there is no
occasion to trouble you。 I am sorry you do not happen to know
Mrs。 Ferrars。”
“I am sorry I do not；” said Elinor； in great astonishment； “if it
could be of any use to you to know my opinion of her。 But really I
never understood that you were at all connected with that family；
and therefore I am a little surprised； I confess； at so serious an
inquiry into her character。”
“I dare say you are； and I am sure I do not at all wonder at it。
But if I dared tell you all； you would not be so much surprised。
Mrs。 Ferrars is certainly nothing to me at present—but the time
may come—how soon it will come must depend upon herself—
when we may be very intimately connected。”
She looked down as she said this； amiably bashful； with only
one side glance at her companion to observe its effect on her。
“Good heavens！” cried Elinor； “what do you mean？ Are you
acquainted with Mr。 Robert Ferrars？ Can you be？” And she did
not feel much delighted with the idea of such a sister…in…law。
“No；” replied Lucy； “not to Mr。 Robert Ferrars—I never saw
him in my life； but；” fixing her eyes upon Elinor； “to his eldest
brother。”
What felt Elinor at that moment？ Astonishment； that would
