Pride and Prejudice; Sense and Sensibility

Chapter 110 Robert

Edward first went to Colonel Bland to thank him, and then happily went to Lucy with his luck.He was so wonderfully happy at Matrick House that when Mrs. Jennings came to congratulate her next day, Lucy told her that she had never seen him so happy in all her life.

Lucy was no doubt happy herself.She shared Mrs. Jennings's heartfelt hope that all would be together in comfort at Delaford Parsonage before Michaelmas.At the same time, she was not far behind on hearing Edward's praise of Eleanor, and always spoke of her friendship to them both with the utmost earnestness and gratitude, and at once acknowledged her indebtedness to them.She avowed that she could not be surprised at Miss Dashwood's best for them, either now or in the future, because she believed that Miss Dashwood would do anything for those who really cared about her.As for Colonel Bland, she was not only willing to regard him as a saint, but sincerely hoped that he would indeed treat him as such, in all worldly things.She longed for his tithes paid to the parish to be maximized.She also secretly made up her mind that, in Delaford, she would make the best possible use of the Colonel's servants, carriages, cows, and poultry.

More than a week had elapsed since John Dashwood visited Beckley Street.Afterwards, except for a verbal inquiry, no further attention was paid to his wife's condition, and Elinor began to feel that it was time to visit her.However, to fulfill this duty was not only against her own wishes, but also without the encouragement of her companions.Not only did Marianne resolutely refuse to go, but she also resolutely prevented her sister from going.Mrs. Jennings, though she allowed Elinor to use her carriage whenever she wanted, was too disgusted by Mrs. John Dashwood.As much as she would have liked to see what Mrs. John Dashwood had been like after the latest incident, and to have defended Edward to her face, she could not have wished to see her again.As a result, Elinor was obliged to go alone for an interview which she was most reluctant to make, and at the same time risked a private meeting with her sister-in-law.Neither of the other two ladies had as much justifiable distaste for this woman as she did.

The carriage drove up to the house, and the servant said that Mrs. Dashwood was not at home; but before the carriage could turn round in front of the house, her husband happened to come out.He expressed his great pleasure in seeing Eleanor, told her that he was just going to call on Beckley Street, and that Fanny would be very glad to see her, and invited her to come in quickly.

They went upstairs and into the living room.No one is inside.

"I think Fanny is in her own room," said John. "I'll call her right away, and I'm sure she'll never want to see you—never. Especially now, it's unlikely—we Always liked you and Marianne best. Why doesn't Marian come?"

Eleanor tried to find an excuse for her sister.

"I'd like to see you alone," replied John, "for I have much to say to you. Colonel Bland's clergymanship—is it true? He did give it to Edward. ? I heard about it by accident yesterday, and I was just about to go to your place to inquire about it again."

"It's absolutely true. Colonel Bland gave Edward the chaplaincy of Delaford."

"Really, oh! That's astonishing! They're not related, and they've never had any acquaintances! And what a clergyman's salary at the moment! How much for him?"

"About two hundred pounds a year."

"Well--recommend this profitable clergymanship to his successor--assuming that the previous clergyman is old and sick, and the clergyman's office is about to become vacant, Colonel Bland will have it, I dare say. Maybe fourteen hundred pounds. But why didn't he seal the deal before the old vicar died? Well, it's too late now, and it's going to be hard to sell at a higher price, but Colonel Bland A wise man! I wonder that he should be so shortsighted in such an ordinary matter! But I believe that almost every human being is capricious. On reflection, I think it may be so : Edward is only holding this position temporarily, and will officially hand it over to the person who actually bought the priesthood when he becomes an adult. That’s right, that’s right, that’s the way it is, please trust me.”

However, Eleanor categorically refuted his statement.She said that she was entrusted by Colonel Brand to convey the offer to Edward, so she should of course have the right to know the conditions of the gift.Seeing that what she said was well-founded, her brother had no choice but to be convinced.

"What a surprise!" he exclaimed, after hearing what she had said. "What is the Colonel's purpose in doing this?"

"The intention is simple—to help Mr. Ferrars."

"Well, well, whatever Colonel Bland may think, Edward is a very lucky man! But don't you mention it to Fanny. She can stand it, though I have told her , but she always doesn't like to listen to what people say."

Hearing this, Eleanor had a hard time holding back for a long time before she said this: She thought that if Fanny really heard that her brother had acquired a fortune, she would take it calmly, because in this way, she and her The child will not lose because of this.

"Now," continued John, in a low voice, as if to indicate the importance of the subject, "Mrs. Ferrars doesn't know about it yet, and I think it's best to keep it from her completely, for how long." Just keep it a secret for as long as it takes. She'll know all about it as soon as they get married."

"But why should there be such caution? It cannot be supposed that Mrs. Ferrars would be content with her son having enough money to live on--that is quite impossible. But from what she has been doing to his son lately Come on, why should any affection be expected from her? She has severed ties with her son, abandoned him forever, and forced all those in her power to abandon him. Therefore, after she has done this , you don't need to imagine that she will feel sad or happy for Edward. She can't be interested in anything that happens to Edward. She is not a weak character. And I will worry about myself as a mother!"

"Ah! Eleanor," said John, "you have a very good point, but it is because you do not understand human nature. When Edward performs his unhappy marriage, her mother will feel like Never was as sorry to abandon him. Every circumstance, therefore, which might have contributed to that dreadful end, was kept from her as far as possible. Mrs. Ferrars must not forget that Edward was her son."

"You astonish me. I think she must have pretty much forgotten all about it by now."

"You totally wronged her. Mrs. Ferrars was the kindest mother ever lived."

Eleanor was silent.

"We are now considering," said Mr. Dashwood, after a moment's pause, "that Robert should marry Miss Morton."

Elinor could not help smiling at her brother's solemn and resolute tone, and replied calmly:
"I think the lady has no choice in this matter."

"Option! What do you mean?"

"As you say, it is the same thing to Miss Morton whether she marries Edward or Robert, and that is what I mean."

"Yes, there is no difference, for Robert is practically to be considered the eldest son. As for the rest, they are both very likeable young men—I don't know which is better than the other."

Eleanor said nothing more, and John was silent for a while.He concluded by saying this:
"One thing, dear sister," he whispered, taking her hand affectionately, "I can tell you, and I will, because I know it will please you. I There is good reason to think—indeed, I have heard it from the most reliable sources—that I did not hear it from Mrs. Ferrars herself, but that her daughter did, and I heard it from her. All in all, there is a marriage--you know what I mean, with whatever defects it may have--that would be comparatively more to Mrs Ferrars's liking, and far less irritating to her than this one. Well, I'm glad to hear Mrs. Ferrars think about things in that light. It's a very welcome situation for us all, you know. 'The lesser of two evils,' she said, 'it would have been There is no comparison, and I will definitely not give up the lesser and choose the more important now.' However, even so, that matter is simply impossible-don't think about it, don't mention it again. As for the relationship that is still difficult to let go, you know- That will never be possible—all is in the past. But I thought I had better tell you, because I know it will please you very much. Dear Eleanor, you have no reason to be discouraged You have undoubtedly been extremely lucky--almost as good, perhaps better, all things considered. Has Colonel Bland been with you much lately?"

Hearing these words, instead of gratifying Elinor's vanity or arousing her pride, was enough to make her nerves tense and her head swell.She was therefore very glad to see Mr. Robert Russ come in, so that she would not have to answer her brother, and listen to his gossip.After some gossip, John Dashwood, remembering that Fanny did not know of his sister's arrival, went out of the room to find her.Now Eleanor can further understand Robert.Robert was a frivolous, carefree, and merry-go-round man, and he could not imagine that because of his dissolute life, he was overly favored and favored by his mother.But his elder brother was kicked out of the house because of his integrity.All this further strengthened her aversion to his character.

They had only been together for two minutes when Robert began to talk about Edward, for he too had heard of the priesthood and was eager to inquire about it.Eleanor explained the ins and outs of the matter in detail as she had introduced to John just now.Robert's reaction, though quite different, was just as compelling as John's.He laughed heartily.The thought of Edward going to be a clergyman and living in a little vicarage made him laugh like crazy.And the thought of Edward in his white cassock saying his prayers and announcing the impending marriage of John Smith and Mary Brown struck him as ridiculous.

Elinor was silent, cold and solemn, waiting for him to finish this stupid behavior, and could not help watching him with the most contemptuous look in her eyes.However, this wink was just right, not only venting her own anger, but also making the other party unaware.By virtue of his emotions, not by her condemnation, Robert gradually recovered his reason from the ridicule.

"We can really take this as a joke." He finally stopped laughing and said.In fact, it wasn't that funny, he just wanted to have a good laugh for a while. "But, to tell the truth, it is not a joke. Poor Edward! He is ruined forever. It makes me very sorry, because I know he is a good man, perhaps a better one than anyone else." Man. Miss Dashwood, you don't know him much, so you can't judge him as lightly as I do. Poor Edward! His manner is actually not the most pleasant. But you know, we are not born Everyone has the same ability--inconsistency in speech and manner. Poor chap! It would be pitiful to see him with a company of strangers! But, to be honest, I believe he does have a Good hearted, as good as any good man in the kingdom. Honestly, I've never been so shocked when this came out. I can't believe it. My mother told me first, I think She was asking me to take decisive action, and I said to her at once: 'My dear mother, I don't know what you will do at this juncture, but for my own part, I will say that if Edward really married that young woman , then I never want to see him again.' That's what I said then. Indeed, I was taken aback by the shock! Poor Edward! He has completely ruined himself! Excluded himself from good society forever! But , but as I said to my mother at the time, I am not at all surprised by it. From the way he has been brought up, it will happen to him sooner or later. My poor mother is just a little crazy."

"Have you seen the lady?"

"Yes, once, when she was in the house. I happened to come in and stay for ten minutes, and had a good look at her. She was just a real country girl, with neither manner nor Not pretty. I remember her so well. She was just what I thought a girl would be to charm poor Edward. As soon as my mother told me the thing, I immediately offered to talk to him myself and try to convince him to give up the marriage. But I found out it was too late to salvage it. Because unfortunately, I wasn't home at first, and I didn't know about it until after the relationship broke up. But, you know, it's I can't intervene by now. If I had learned of this a few hours ago, I think nine times out of ten I could have figured it out. I would definitely try to make it clear to Edward.' My good man ,' I would say, 'Think about what you're doing. You're looking for such a dishonorable marriage that your whole family is against you.' In a word, I think there was a way, but It's too late now. You know, he's going to starve, there's no question about that, absolutely starving."

Robert had just finished this point in a nonchalant manner, when Mrs. John Dashwood came in and interrupted the subject.However, although she kept the incident secret to outsiders, Eleanor could still see how it affected her psychologically: when she first came in, she looked a little flustered, and then tried to tell Eleanor. Lino was more affectionate.She even expressed concern when she found out that Eleanor and her sister were leaving town soon, as if she had been wanting to see them more often.She went on talking like this, while her husband, who had come in with her, listened attentively, as if she were speaking the loveliest, most beautiful, and most emotional sentences in the world.

(End of this chapter)