Sense and Sensibility

re, for many generations, they had lived in so respectable a manner as to engage the general good opinion of their surrounding acquaintance. The late owner o

estate, and the person to whom he intended to bequeath it. In the society of his nephew and niece, and their children, the old Gentleman's days were comfortably spent. His attachment to them all increased. The constant attention of Mr. and

By his own marriage, likewise, which happened soon afterwards, he added to his wealth. To him therefore the succession to the Norland estate was not so really important as to his sisters; for their fortune, independent of what might arise to them from their fath

hild of four years old, it was secured, in such a way, as to leave to himself no power of providing for those who were most dear to him, and who most needed a provision by any charge on the estate, or by any sale of its valuable woods. The whole was tied up for the benefit of this child, who, in occasional visits with his father and mother at Norland, had so far gained on the affections of his uncle, by such attractions a

y, lay by a considerable sum from the produce of an estate already large, and capable of almost immediate improvement. But the fortune, which had been so tardy in coming

r. Dashwood recommended, with all the strength and urgency which i

re at such a time, and he promised to do every thing in his power to make them comfortable. His father was rendered easy by suc

with propriety in the discharge of his ordinary duties. Had he married a more amiable woman, he might have been made still more respectable than he was:-he might even have been

ear, in addition to his present income, besides the remaining half of his own mother's fortune, warmed his heart, and made him feel capable of generosity.- "Yes, he would give them three thousand pounds: it would be liberal and ha

e indelicacy of her conduct was so much the greater, and to a woman in Mrs. Dashwood's situation, with only common feelings, must have been highly unpleasing;-but in HER mind there was a sense of honor so keen, a generosity so romantic, that any offence of the kind, by whomsoever given or re

the latter, she would have quitted the house for ever, had not the entreaty of her eldest girl induced her first to reflect on the propriety of

her, and enabled her frequently to counteract, to the advantage of them all, that eagerness of mind in Mrs. Dashwood which must generally have led to imprudence. She had an excellent heart;-her dispos

eager in everything: her sorrows, her joys, could have no moderation. She was generous, amiable, intere

ought for, was created again and again. They gave themselves up wholly to their sorrow, seeking increase of wretchedness in every reflection that could afford it, and resolved against ever admitting consolation in future. Elinor, too, was deeply afflicted; but still

eady imbibed a good deal of Marianne's romance, without having much of her sense, she