Pride and Prejudice; Sense and Sensibility

Chapter 106 So So So (2)
"Yes. At that time, not only did I love him, but I didn't want to disturb the comfort of my relatives and friends because of this, so I would rather not let them know how sad I was. Now, when I think about it or talk about it, I can be indifferent. I don't want you to suffer for me. I can assure you that I am not as sad as I used to be. I have a lot of things to talk about. I know that this loss is not my own. Indiscretion, and I have tried to keep it secret, and have not made it public. I will also excuse Edward, for he has done no serious fault. I hope he is very happy, and I know he has always been able to do his job, although now he may Some remorse, but he will be happy in the end. Lucy is not lacking in intelligence, which is the basis of a happy marriage. At any rate, Marianne, although those love myths, such as mutual devotion and unswerving Extremely touching, although one can say that one's happiness is totally dependent on one person, that doesn't mean it should be - that would be inappropriate and impossible. Edward is going to marry Lucy. He will marry A woman whose appearance and knowledge are stronger than the average woman in the world, as time goes by and her habits change, he will forget that he once thought that someone was better than her."

"If you think of it this way," said Marianne, "if the loss of the most precious thing can so easily be made up for by something else, then I should not wonder at your stoicism and self-denial. This makes it easier to understand.”

"I understand what you mean. You think I have been indifferent. For the past four months, Marianne, I have kept this matter in my heart and can't tell anyone. I know that if I tell you and my mother, not only It will not prepare you for anything, but it will cause you great pain. I was told, and the very man who got engaged and ruined all my good wishes, deliberately told me himself. I I think she told me with a smug air. This person is wary of me, so I had to confront her. When she talked about what interests me most, I just pretended not to hear it. , and more than once I had to hear her recount her hopes and triumphs. I knew that Edward and I were destined to part forever, though I heard not a single thing that made me feel inappropriate to be united with him, There is no circumstance in which he is unlovable or callous to me. I have had to stand up to his sister's callousness and his mother's insolence, and to fall in love with him like this is exhausting for me. Misery, and nothing came of it. And you know full well that all this happened during a time when I was faced with more than one misfortune. If you think I have feelings, you Now of course you can imagine that I've been in pain. The reason I'm calmer now when I think about it, and I'm willing to take comfort, is simply the result of my efforts together to hold back the pain. It wasn't like that in the first place Controlled my emotions. No, Marianne. At that time, if I was not obliged to keep silent, perhaps nothing-not even my obligations to my closest friends-could prevent me from showing openly that I was suffered great misfortune.”

Marianne was thoroughly convinced.

"Oh, Eleanor," she cried, "you have made me regret myself all my life. How rough I have been to you! You have been a great comfort to me, and you have been with me in my grief, as if you were only for I am the one who suffers! But is that how I am grateful to you? Is this how to repay you? Your good character is clearly superior to mine, and I never take them to heart."

As soon as the words fell, there was a burst of affectionate hugs.In the mood that Marianne is in now, no matter what request Eleanor makes, she will readily agree.At her sister's request, Marianne promised that she would show no look of resentment to anyone who spoke of it; no look of more disgust at the sight of Lucy; Treat each other with sincerity and never show any neglect.It was a great concession, but once Marianne felt that she had wronged her sister, she would do whatever it took to make it up to her.

She kept her word, was discreet, and performed well.Whatever Mrs. Jennings babbled on the subject, she listened calmly and never objected to a word, and three times when she heard her praise Lucy say, "Yes, ma'am." Moved involuntarily from one chair to another.Mrs. Jennings gave only a twitch in her throat when she spoke of Edward's affection.Seeing that her sister was so strong, Eleanor felt that she too could stand any test.

The next morning, their brother's visit brought them a new test.He spoke of the dreadful business with a very serious countenance, and brought news of his wife.

"I think you've heard," he said solemnly, as soon as he sat down, "that a very startling thing happened in our house yesterday."

Their faces showed that they had heard it all.It seemed a serious and awkward moment, and no one said a word.

"Your sister-in-law," he went on, "is in great distress. So is Mrs. Ferrars—in short, a very complicated and painful situation. I hope, however, that this storm will pass before long, and that none of us Everyone is in a mess. Poor Fanny! She was hysterical all day yesterday. But I don't want to frighten you too much. Donovan said, it's no big deal, don't worry, she's in good shape and has stamina No matter what, she could bear it no matter what. She persevered, as firm as an angel! She said that she would never believe in good people again. No wonder, she was so fooled! She treated them so favorably, Trusting them so much, they were so ungrateful. It was out of the kindness of her heart that she had these two young ladies in her house. She did it only because she thought they were worth caring, innocent and well-behaved. A girl would make a very congenial companion. Otherwise, we would have loved to have you and Marianne at our house while your good friend was in charge of her daughter. Well now, to be so rewarded! Poor Fanny He said sincerely: "I hope from the bottom of my heart that we invited your sisters instead of them, that would be great!""

Having said that, he stopped, waiting for the other party to thank him.After they thanked him, he went on.

"Poor Mrs. Ferrars, when she first heard Fanny tell this story, she was beyond description. She had always wanted to plan for her son with a heart of pure love. A most suitable marriage, unexpectedly he was secretly engaged to another person! She never expected such a thing to happen! If she suspects that he already has a partner, it cannot be that She said: "I thought I could be bold about that person." She was very distressed. But even so, we discussed what to do together, and finally she decided to call Edward. He came Come, but it is a pity to speak of the aftermath. Mrs. Ferrars said a lot to make him break off the engagement. You will of course think that I was also on the side. But it was all in vain. Duties and affections were all ignored by Edward. I never thought Edward was so stubborn and ruthless before. His mother told him that if he married Miss Morton, she would have some generous plans. , and paid him the dues. She said she would pass on to him the Norfolk estate, which would pay no land tax and would bring in a thousand pounds a year. Later, she even said that if she met In an emergency, it could be added to twelve hundred pounds. On the contrary, if he still insisted on marrying such a lowly woman, she pointed out to him that he would certainly be in poverty if he married. She asserted: His own two thousand pounds will be his whole fortune, and she will never see him again; she will never do him any favors, and if he finds a useful career, she will do everything possible to prevent his success."

Marianne was furious when she heard this, clapped her hands together, and shouted, "My God! How can such a thing still happen?"

"Marian," replied her brother, "you have every reason to wonder how he can be so obstinate that he would not listen to her mother's reasoning. Of course you will marvel."

Marianne was about to retort, but remembering her promise, she held back.

"However," John went on, "it's all to no avail. Edward doesn't say a few words, but what he does say is firm. He won't give up the engagement. He'll stick to it, And desperately."

"So," exclaimed Mrs. Jennings, unable to bear it any longer, with direct sincerity, "he is doing rightly, and like a gentleman. If you pardon me, Mr. Dashwood, if he does not Do that, and I'll call him a rascal. I'm as much a part of it as you are, for Lucy Steele is my cousin. I'm sure there's no better girl in the world, No one is more qualified to marry a good husband than her."

John Dashwood was astonished.But he was mild-tempered, not angry, and never offended anyone, especially the rich.Therefore, he calmly replied:

"Ma'am, I mean by no means to criticize any of your relations. Miss Lucy Steele may be a very respectable young woman, but you know that at present this marriage is out of the question. Perhaps, with her The secret engagement of a young man under his uncle's care, especially if this young man is the son of such a rich man as Mrs. Ferrars, would probably be a little unusual. Anyway, I don't mean to gossip about the behavior of people you care about. , Mrs. Jennings. We all wish her the utmost happiness. Mrs. Ferrars's behavior has never been excessive, and every loving mother, out of conscientiousness, will do the same in the same situation. She has done it decently. Edward has made a choice of fate, and I fear it is a wrong one."

Marianne let out a sigh, expressing the same concern.Eleanor grieves for Edward, who has resisted his mother's threats for a woman who is not worthy of him.

"Sir," said Mrs. Jennings, "how did it end?"

"It's a pity to say, ma'am, that a most unfortunate break has resulted—Edward was turned away, and his mother never wanted to see him. He left the house yesterday, but where is he, and is he still in town, I'm sure." We don’t know, because of course we don’t want to ask about it.”

"Poor young man! What will he do?"

"Really, what to do, ma'am! It's sad to think of it. He was a man of fortune! I can't imagine a worse state of affairs. Two thousand pounds in interest--how on so little?" Live! And, if he had not been stupid himself, within three months he would have been earning twenty-five hundred pounds a year (Miss Morton had thirty thousand). Considering this, I cannot imagine A more distressing situation than this. We all worry about him because there is absolutely nothing we can do to help him, and that worries him even more."

"Poor young man!" exclaimed Mrs. Jennings, "I'd welcome him to live and board with me. I'll tell him so when I meet him. He's paying for a flat or a hotel, and he shouldn't be."

Elinor thanked her from the bottom of her heart for caring so much about Edward, though in a way that she couldn't help laughing at.

"My friends are all trying to help him," said John Dashwood. "He could have had a good life, if only he had loved himself a little, and he could have had anything he wanted. But this is the end of it, and no one can help." He is busy. And he faces another punishment, probably worse than anything else—his mother has naturally decided to put the share of the family property in Robert's name at once. Originally, Edward had accepted reasonable conditions. The estate is his. When I left Mrs. Ferrars this morning, she was talking to her lawyer about it."

"Why!" said Mrs. Jennings, "that's her revenge. Every one can do what he likes. But I don't think I'm going to give my property to another just because one son pissed me off." son."

Marianne got up and paced up and down the room.

"Seeing what should have been my own property being taken away by my brother," continued John, "could there be anything more sad than that? Poor Edward! I sympathize with him with all my heart."

After another such impassioned speech, John Dashwood concluded his interview.He kept telling his sisters that Fanny's illness was really not very dangerous, so they needn't worry too much, and then he went out.The three remaining ladies were in a unanimous opinion on the present situation, at least as to the conduct of Mrs. Ferrars, the Dashwoods, and Edward.

As soon as John Dashwood was gone, Marianne couldn't contain her anger any longer!She raged, and her fits made it impossible for Elinor to remain silent, and Mrs. Jennings, stimulated by her, felt that there was no need to keep silent, so the three of them united and beat the gang hard. He approved it harshly.

(End of this chapter)