Pride and Prejudice; Sense and Sensibility

Chapter 91 Mrs. Jennings' Invitation

Mrs. Jennings had a habit of living with her daughters and friends many times a year, though she herself was not without a permanent residence.Her husband had made money in business in a not-so-high-end neighborhood of the city.Since his death she had lived every winter in her own house in a street near Portman Square.Seeing that it was almost January, she couldn't help but want to go back to this home again.One day, to the surprise of the two Miss Dashwoods, Mrs. Jennings suddenly invited them to go home with her.The change in Marianne's countenance at the invitation showed that she was not at all indifferent to the idea.But Eleanor didn't notice the change in her sister's expression, and immediately resolutely resigned on behalf of the two.She thought that she had expressed the common wish of the two of them.The reason she gave was that at this time of year they must not be away from their mothers.Mrs. Jennings, not expecting their refusal, was startled, and immediately repeated her invitation.

"Oh, dear! I know your mother will let you go, and I sincerely ask you to do me the favor of going with me, and I've made up my mind. Don't think you're going to be any inconvenience to me, because I don't I won't do myself wrong for you. I just need to get rid of Mrs. Betty Jennings's maid. Go back first in the stagecoach, which I think I can afford. That way the three of us can sit comfortably. If you don't want to go anywhere with me when you're in town, you can go out with any of my daughters at any time. Your mother won't object. I'm lucky, The kids are all gone, so she'll see that it's only fitting that I take care of you. It's not my fault if, in the end, I don't find a good husband for at least one of you. I want A few good words for you in front of all the young lads, and you can take it easy."

"I don't think," said Sir John, "that Miss Marianne would have any objection to the proposal if it were her sister's approval. It would be a shame if she should not enjoy a little pleasure because Miss Dashwood would not go." It's hard. So, if you are tired of staying in Barton, I advise you both to go to the city to relax, and to stop talking about it with Miss Dashwood."

"Well, of course," cried Mrs. Jennings, "whether Miss Dashwood wants to go or not, I'm very glad to have Miss Marianne for my company. I only mean that the more people there are, the more lively it is, and I think, The two of them are more pleasant together, because when they get bored of me, they can talk together and laugh at my weirdness behind my back. But if I can't have both, I must have one, who All right. Good heavens! Just think how I can be alone at home, having been accompanied by Charlotte until this winter. Come, Miss Marianne, let us agree. If It would be better if Miss Dashwood could change her mind at once."

"I thank you, madam, with all my heart," said Marianne excitedly, "and I am forever grateful for your invitation, and how happy I should be if I could accept it--almost but my mother, my dearest and kindest mother--I think Elinor was right in saying that she would be unhappy and unpleasant if we were not at home--oh! I can't leave her at all. This matter should not be forced, and it must not be forced."

Mrs. Jennings assured again that Mrs. Dashwood would be able to let them go, and that would be all right.Elinor, now understanding the mind of her sister, who was so anxious to be reunited with Willoughby that she cared little about anything else, did not object directly to the plan, but said that it was up to her mother to decide.But she also knew that, though she disapproved of Marianne's visit to the city, and though she had special reasons for avoiding it, her mother would not support her objection.Whatever Marianne wanted to do, her mother would support wholeheartedly--she didn't expect to be able to persuade her mother to be cautious, because in the one thing that never aroused her mother's suspicion, no matter what she said, her mother still It is believed that Marianne and Willoughby were engaged.Besides, she dared not defend her motives for not wanting to go to London.Although the factor of Marianne's over-critical character cannot be ruled out, she is fully aware of Mrs. Jennings's virtues, so she has always hated Mrs. Jennings, and even so, Marianne has to ignore all these inconveniences and disregard What pain it would have caused her delicate sensibilities to pursue an object, was ample reason for the importance of that object to Marianne.Although Elinor knew all about it, she was still extremely surprised that her sister took it so seriously.

Mrs. Dashwood, as soon as she heard of the invitation, thought that a walk would be a great pleasure to the daughters.She could see from Marianne's tenderness and consideration for herself how much she longed for a trip to London, and she insisted that they should accept the invitation at once.Then, with her usual gaiety, she began to anticipate the advantages that this parting might bring to them all.

"The plan," she cried, "I like it very much, and it suits me. It will be as good for Margaret and I as it is for you. When you and the Middletons are gone, We can read and sing quietly and happily, and when you come back, you will find that Margaret has improved a lot! I have a small plan to remodel your bedroom, and the work can start now , will trouble no one. You should indeed take a walk in the town. Young women of your family should acquaint themselves with the customs and entertainments of London. You will receive a motherly kindness. Mrs.'s care, I have no doubt that she has good intentions for you. And, nine times out of ten, you will see your brother, no matter what his faults, no matter what his wife's faults, the thought that he is your father's son after all. , I can't bear to watch you guys stay away like this."

"Although you have always desired our happiness," said Elinor, "though you have contrived to overcome some of the disadvantages of this arrangement, I do not think there is one more which cannot be easily overcome."

Marianne's face darkened.

"My dear prudent Eleanor," said Mrs. Dashwood, "what is there to say? What embarrassing evil are you going to bring up now? Don't tell me how much it will cost."

"The evil I mean is this: though I admire Mrs. Jenningson's kindness, she is such a person that our associations with her do not give us much pleasure, and her protection does not elevate us. .”

"That's true," replied her mother, "you'll probably get nothing out of her company and no one else, but you're not very likely to be alone with her, you're always Is it possible to participate in social activities with Mrs. Middleton?"

"If Eleanor is afraid to go because she hates Mrs. Jennings," said Marianne, "it shouldn't prevent me from accepting her invitation. I have no such scruples, and I think I can bear it without difficulty." Such unpleasantness."

Elinor, who had often had difficulty in persuading Marianne to be polite to Mrs. Jennings, laughed now at her indifference to Mrs. Jennings's customary manners.She made up her mind that she would go if her sister insisted, because she felt that Marianne should not be left there to do her own thing, and Mrs. Jennings, who wanted to live comfortably at home, should not be left to Marianne's command. Feel free to move around.The resolution was easier, for she remembered what Lucy had said that Edward Ferrars would not be in town until February, and their visit could be concluded before then, without shortening it.

"I wish you would both go," said Mrs. Dashwood, "these so-called evils are sheer nonsense. You will be very happy in London, especially together. If Elinor will accommodate If she wants to be happy, she can enjoy all kinds of fun in many ways. Maybe she can get some happiness by getting to know her sister-in-law's family better."

Eleanor often wanted to find an opportunity to pour cold water on her mother, so that she would not think that her daughter and Edward were still in love, so as to prevent her from being greatly shocked when the truth came out in the future.Now that her mother said it so bluntly, although Eleanor knew that her cold water would not be effective, she bit the bullet and started, only to hear her say calmly: "I like Edward Ferrars very much, always Nice to see him. But I don't give a damn if his family knows me."

Mrs. Dashwood smiled and was silent.Marianne raised her eyes in astonishment, and Eleanor was thinking that she had better not speak just now.

The mother and daughter did not discuss any further, and finally decided to fully accept Mrs. Jennings' invitation.Mrs. Jennings was very happy when she found out, and promised to take good care of them. In fact, she was not the only one who was happy. Sir John was also very happy, because for him, who was most afraid of loneliness, there were two more residents in London. , which was also very comforting to him.Even Lady Middleton, uncharacteristically, tried to look cheerful.As for the Miss Steeles, and Lucy in particular, they were more delighted to hear the news than they had ever been in their lives.

Eleanor accepted the arrangement against her will, not as reluctantly as she had imagined.Now, for her, it doesn't matter whether she goes or not.Seeing her mother's great satisfaction with the project, and her sister's look, tone, and manner, all excited by it, she returned to her usual gaiety, and became even happier than usual.She had no reason to object to the cause of the matter, and it was almost difficult to doubt the result of the matter.

Marianne was overjoyed and impatient to set off.Her reluctance to leave her mother was the only thing that kept her quiet.For this reason she felt great sorrow at parting.Her mother was also very sad.Of the three mother and daughter, only Eleanor seems to have not regarded this separation as a permanent farewell.

In the first week of January, they set off.The Middletons leave in about a week.Sister Steele stayed at Barton Manor for the time being, and later left with the rest of the manor.

(End of this chapter)