sense and sensibility(理智与情感)-第7章
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which was but feebly attempted to be concealed under a cold
invitation to her to defer her departure。 Now was the time when
her son…in…law’s promise to his father might with particular
propriety be fulfilled。 Since he had neglected to do it on first
coming to the estate； their quitting his house might be looked on
as the most suitable period for its accomplishment。 But Mrs。
Dashwood began shortly to give over every hope of the kind； and
to be convinced； from the general drift of his discourse； that his
assistance extended no farther than their maintenance for six
months at Norland。 He so frequently talked of the increasing
expenses of housekeeping； and of the perpetual demands upon his
purse； which a man of any consequence in the world was beyond
calculation exposed to； that he seemed rather to stand in need of
more money himself than to have any design of giving money
away。
In a very few weeks from the day which brought Sir John
Middleton’s first letter to Norland； every thing was so far settled in
their future abode as to enable Mrs。 Dashwood and her daughters
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to begin their journey。
Many were the tears shed by them in their last adieus to a place
so much beloved。 “Dear； dear Norland！” said Marianne； as she
wandered alone before the house； on the last evening of their
being there； “when shall I cease to regret you！—when learn to feel
a home elsewhere！—Oh！ happy house； could you know what I
suffer in now viewing you from this spot； from whence perhaps I
may view you no more！—And you； ye well…known trees！—but you
will continue the same。—No leaf will decay because we are
removed； nor any branch become motionless although we can
observe you no longer！—No； you will continue the same；
unconscious of the pleasure or the regret you occasion； and
insensible of any change in those who walk under your shade！—
But who will remain to enjoy you？”
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CHAPTER VI
he first part of their journey was performed in too
melancholy a disposition to be otherwise than tedious and
T
unpleasant。 But as they drew towards the end of it； their
interest in the appearance of a country which they were to inhabit
overcame their dejection； and a view of Barton Valley as they
entered it gave them cheerfulness。 It was a pleasant fertile spot；
well wooded； and rich in pasture。 After winding along it for more
than a mile； they reached their own house。 A small green court
was the whole of its demesne in front； and a neat wicket gate
admitted them into it。
As a house； Barton Cottage； though small； was comfortable and
compact； but as a cottage it was defective； for the building was
regular； the roof was tiled； the window shutters were not painted
green； nor were the walls covered with honeysuckles。 A narrow
passage led directly through the house into the garden behind。 On
each side of the entrance was a sitting room； about sixteen feet
square； and beyond them were the offices and the stairs。 Four
bed…rooms and two garrets formed the rest of the house。 It had not
been built many years and was in good repair。 In comparison of
Norland； it was poor and small indeed！—but the tears which
recollection called forth as they entered the house were soon dried
away。 They were cheered by the joy of the servants on their
arrival； and each for the sake of the others resolved to appear
happy。 It was very early in September； the season was fine； and
from first seeing the place under the advantage of good weather；
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they received an impression in its favour which was of material
service in recommending it to their lasting approbation。
The situation of the house was good。 High hills rose
immediately behind； and at no great distance on each side； some
of which were open downs； the others cultivated and woody。 The
village of Barton was chiefly on one of these hills； and formed a
pleasant view from the cottage windows。 The prospect in front was
more extensive； it commanded the whole of the valley； and
reached into the country beyond。 The hills which surrounded the
cottage terminated the valley in that direction； under another
name； and in another course； it branched out again between two
of the steepest of them。
With the size and furniture of the house Mrs。 Dashwood was
upon the whole well satisfied； for though her former style of life
rendered many additions to the latter indispensable； yet to add
and improve was a delight to her； and she had at this time ready
money enough to supply all that was wanted of greater elegance to
the apartments。 “As for the house itself； to be sure；” said she； “it is
too small for our family； but we will make ourselves tolerably
comfortable for the present； as it is too late in the year for
improvements。 Perhaps in the spring； if I have plenty of money； as
I dare say I shall； we may think about building。 These parlours are
both too small for such parties of our friends as I hope to see often
collected here； and I have some thoughts of throwing the passage
into one of them with perhaps a part of the other； and so leave the
remainder of that other for an entrance； this； with a new drawing
room which may be easily added； and a bed…chamber and garret
above； will make it a very snug little cottage。 I could wish the stairs
were handsome。 But one must not expect every thing； though I
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suppose it would be no difficult matter to widen them。 I shall see
how much I am before…hand with the world in the spring； and we
will plan our improvements accordingly。”
In the mean time； till all these alterations could be made from
the savings of an income of five hundred a…year by a woman who
never saved in her life； they were wise enough to be contented
with the house as it was； and each of them was busy in arranging
their particular concerns； and endeavouring； by placing around
them books and other possessions； to form themselves a home。
Marianne’s pianoforté was unpacked and properly disposed of；
and Elinor’s drawings were affixed to the walls of their sitting
room。
In such employments as these they were interrupted soon after
breakfast the next day by the entrance of their landlord； who
called to welcome them to Barton； and to offer them every
accommodation from his own house and garden in which theirs
might at present be deficient。 Sir John Middleton was a good
looking man about forty。 He had formerly visited at Stanhill； but it
was too long for his young cousins to remember him。 His
countenance was thoroughly good…humoured； and his manners
were as friendly as the style of his letter。 Their arrival seemed to
afford him real satisfaction； and their comfort to be an object of
real solicitude to him。 He said much of his earnest desire of their
living in the most sociable terms with his family； and pressed them
so cordially to dine at Barton Park every day till they were better
settled at home； that； though his entreaties were carried to a point
of perseverance beyond civility； they could not give offence。 His
kindness was not confined to words； for within an hour after he
left them； a large basket full of garden stuff and fruit arrived from
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the park； which was followed before the end of the day by a
present of game。 He insisted； moreover； on conveying all their
letters to and from the post for them； and would not be denied the
satisfaction of sending them his newspaper every day。
Lady Middleton had sent a very civil message by him； denoting
her intention of waiting on Mrs。 Dashwood as soon as she could be
assured that her visit would be no inconvenience； and as this
message was answered by an invitation equally polite； her
ladyship was introduced to them the next day。
They were of course very anxious to see a person on whom so
much of their comfort at Barton must depend； and the elegance of
her appearance was favourable to their wishes。 Lady Middleton
was not more than six or seven and twenty； her face was
handsome； her figure tall and striking； and her address graceful。
Her manners had all the elegance which her husband’s wanted。
But they would have been improved by some share of his
frankness and warmth； and her visit was long enough to detract
something from their first admiration； by shewing that； though
perfectly well…bred； she was reserved； cold； and
