sense and sensibility(理智与情感)-第73节
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heard what I could。 And I am sure Lucy would have done just the
same by me； for a year or two back； when Martha Sharpe and I
had so many secrets together； she never made any bones of hiding
in a closet； or behind a chimney…board； on purpose to hear what
we said。”
Elinor tried to talk of something else； but Miss Steele could not
be kept beyond a couple of minutes； from what was uppermost in
her mind。
“Edward talks of going to Oxford soon；” said she； “but now he is
lodging at No。 —； Pall Mall。 What an ill…natured woman his mother
is； an’t she？ And your brother and sister were not very kind！
However； I shan’t say anything against them to you； and to be sure
they did send us home in their own chariot； which was more than I
looked for。 And for my part； I was all in a fright for fear your sister
should ask us for the huswifes she had gave us a day or two before；
but； however； nothing was said about them； and I took care to
keep mine out of sight。 Edward have got some business at Oxford；
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he says； so he must go there for a time； and after that； as soon as
he can light upon a Bishop； he will be ordained。 I wonder what
curacy he will get！—Good gracious！ （giggling as she spoke） I’d lay
my life I know what my cousins will say； when they hear of it。 They
will tell me I should write to the Doctor； to get Edward the curacy
of his new living。 I know they will； but I am sure I would not do
such a thing for all the world。— ‘La！’ I shall say directly； ‘I wonder
how you could think of such a thing？ I write to the Doctor；
indeed！’”
“Well；” said Elinor； “it is a comfort to be prepared against the
worst。 You have got your answer ready。”
Miss Steele was going to reply on the same subject； but the
approach of her own party made another more necessary。
“Oh； la！ here come the Richardsons。 I had a vast deal more to
say to you； but I must not stay away from them not any longer。 I
assure you they are very genteel people。 He makes a monstrous
deal of money； and they keep their own coach。 I have not time to
speak to Mrs。 Jennings about it myself； but pray tell her I am quite
happy to hear she is not in anger against us； and Lady Middleton
the same； and if anything should happen to take you and your
sister away； and Mrs。 Jennings should want company； I am sure
we should be very glad to come and stay with her for as long a
time as she likes。 I suppose Lady Middleton won’t ask us any more
this bout。 Good…bye； I am sorry Miss Marianne was not here。
Remember me kindly to her。 La！ if you have not got your spotted
muslin on！—I wonder you was not afraid of its being torn。”
Such was her parting concern； for after this； she had time only
to pay her farewell compliments to Mrs。 Jennings； before her
company was claimed by Mrs。 Richardson； and Elinor was left in
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possession of knowledge which might feed her powers of reflection
some time； though she had learnt very little more than what had
been already foreseen and foreplanned in her own mind。 Edward’s
marriage with Lucy was as firmly determined on； and the time of
its taking place remained as absolutely uncertain； as she had
concluded it would be；—every thing depended； exactly after her
expectation； on his getting that preferment； of which； at present；
there seemed not the smallest chance。
As soon as they returned to the carriage； Mrs。 Jennings was
eager for information； but as Elinor wished to spread as little as
possible intelligence that had in the first place been so unfairly
obtained； she confined herself to the brief repetition of such
simple particulars； as she felt assured that Lucy； for the sake of
her own consequence； would choose to have known。 The
continuance of their engagement； and the means that were able to
be taken for promoting its end； was all her communication； and
this produced from Mrs。 Jennings the following natural remark。
“Wait for his having a living！—ay； we all know how that will
end；—they will wait a twelvemonth； and finding no good comes of
it； will set down upon a curacy of fifty pounds a…year； with the
interest of his two thousand pounds； and what little matter Mr。
Steele and Mr。 Pratt can give her。—Then they will have a child
every year！ and Lord help ’em！ how poor they will be！—I must see
what I can give them towards furnishing their house。 Two maids
and two men； indeed！—as I talked of t’other day。—No； no； they
must get a stout girl of all works。—Betty’s sister would never do
for them now。”
The next morning brought Elinor a letter by the two…penny post
from Lucy herself。 It was as follows：
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Bartlett’s Building； March。
I hope my dear Miss Dashwood will excuse the liberty I take of
writing to her； but I know your friendship for me will make you
pleased to hear such a good account of myself and my dear
Edward； after all the troubles we have went through lately；
therefore will make no more apologies； but proceed to say that；
thank God！ though we have suffered dreadfully； we are both quite
well now； and as happy as we must always be in one another’s
love。 We have had great trials； and great persecutions； but
however； at the same time； gratefully acknowledge many friends；
yourself not the least among them； whose great kindness I shall
always thankfully remember； as will Edward too； who I have told
of it。 I am sure you will be glad to hear； as likewise dear Mrs。
Jennings； I spent two happy hours with him yesterday afternoon；
he would not hear of our parting； though earnestly did I； as I
thought my duty required； urge him to it for prudence sake； and
would have parted for ever on the spot； would he consent to it； but
he said it should never be； he did not regard his mother’s anger；
while he could have my affections； our prospects are not very
bright； to be sure； but we must wait； and hope for the best； he will
be ordained shortly； and should it ever be in your power to
recommend him to any body that has a living to bestow； am very
sure you will not forget us； and dear Mrs。 Jennings too； trust she
will speak a good word for us to Sir John； or Mr。 Palmer； or any
friend that may be able to assist us。—Poor Anne was much to
blame for what she did； but she did it for the best； so I say nothing；
hope Mrs。 Jennings won’t think it too much trouble to give us a
call； should she come this way any morning； ’twould be a great
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kindness； and my cousins would be proud to know her。—My paper
reminds me to conclude； and begging to be most gratefully and
respectfully remembered to her； and to Sir John； and Lady
Middleton； and the dear children； when you chance to see them；
and love to Miss Marianne；
I am； &c。
As soon as Elinor had finished it； she performed what she
concluded to be its writer’s real design； by placing it in the hands
of Mrs。 Jennings； who read it aloud with many comm
