達什伍德傢在蘇塞剋斯定居，可有些年代了。傢裏置下 一個偌大的田莊，府第就設在田莊中心的諾蘭莊園。祖祖輩 輩以來，一傢人一直過着體面日子，贏得了四近鄉鄰的交口 稱譽。已故莊園主是個單身漢，活到老大年紀。在世時，妹 妹長年陪伴他，替他管管傢務。不想妹妹早他十年去世， 使府上發生巨變。為了填補妹妹的空缺，他將侄兒亨利．達 什伍德一傢接到府上。亨利．達什伍德先生是諾蘭田莊的法 定繼承人，老達什伍德打算把傢業傳給他。這位老紳士有侄 兒、侄媳及其子女作伴，日子過得倒也舒心。他越來越喜愛 他們。亨利．達什伍德夫婦不僅出自利害關係，而且由於心 地善良，對他總是百般照應，使他晚年享盡了天倫之樂。而 那些天真爛漫的孩子也給他的生活增添了樂趣。
亨利．達什伍德先生同前妻生下一個兒子，同現在的太 太生了三個女兒。兒子是個踏實體面的青年。當年他母親留 下一大筆遺産，到他成年時有一半交給了他，為他奠定了厚 實的傢底。此後不久，他成了親，又增添了一筆財産。所以 ，對他說來，父親是不是繼承諾蘭田莊，遠不像對他幾個妹 妹那樣至關緊要。這幾個妹妹假若不依賴父親繼承這筆傢業 可能給她們帶來的進益，她們的財産便將微乎其微。她們的 母親一無所有，父親僅僅掌管着七千鎊，而對前妻另一半遺 産的所有權衹在生前有效，他一去世，這一半財産也歸兒子 承襲。
老紳士死了，開讀遺囑，發現跟其他遺囑一樣，叫人既 高興，也失望。他並非那樣偏頗無情，還是把田莊傳給了侄 兒。但是，因為附有條件，這份遺産便失去了一半價值。本 來，達什伍德先生想要這筆財産，衹是顧念妻子和女兒，而 不是為自己和兒子着想。但財産卻偏偏要世襲給他兒子和四 歲的孫子，這樣一來，他便無權動用田莊的資財，或者變賣 田莊的資財，來贍養他那些最親近、最需要贍養的傢眷。為 了那個孩子，全盤傢業都被凍結了。想當初，這孩子衹是偶 爾隨父母親到諾蘭莊園來過幾趟，跟其他兩三歲娃娃一樣， 也沒有什麽異常逗人喜愛的地方，大不過正牙牙學語，稟性 倔強，好惡作劇，愛大吵大鬧，卻博得了老紳士的歡心。相 形之下，侄媳母女多年關照的情分，倒變得無足輕重了。不 過，老人也不想太苛刻，為了表示他對三個站娘的一片心意 ，好歹分給了每人一千鎊。
達什伍德先生起初極為失望。他性情開朗，滿以為自己 能多活些年歲，憑着這麽大的一個田莊，衹要馬上改善經營 ，省吃儉用，就能從收入中攢下一大筆錢，然而，這筆遲遲 到手的財産在他名下衹持續了一年工夫，因為叔父死後不久 ，他也一命歸天，給他的遺囑和女兒們留下的財産，包括叔 父的遺産在內，總共不過一萬鎊。
當時，傢人看他病危了，便打發人去叫他兒子。達什伍 德先生竭盡最後一點氣力，嚮兒子做了緊急交代，囑托他照 應繼母和三個妹妹。
約翰．達什伍德先生不像傢裏其他人那樣多情善感。可 是，此時此刻受到這般囑托，他也深為感動，答應盡力讓她 們母女生活得舒舒適適的。父親聽到這番許諾，便也放寬心 了。一時間，約翰．達什伍德先生有空算計起來：若是精打 細算，他到底能為她們盡多大力量。
這位年輕人心眼並不壞，除非你把冷漠無情和自私自利 視為壞心眼。總的說來，他很受人尊敬，因為他平常辦起事 來，總是十分得體。他若是娶個和藹一點的女人，也許會更 受人尊重，甚至他自己也會和藹一些。無奈他結婚時太年輕 ，太偏愛妻子了。不過，約翰．達什伍德夫人倒也活像她丈 夫，衹是更狹隘，更自私罷了。
他嚮父親許諾的時候，心裏就在盤算，想給他妹妹每人 再補貼一千鎊的收入。當時，他確實覺得這是他力所能及的 。他除了目前的收入和母親另—半遺産以外，還可望每年再 添四千鎊。一想到這裏，心裏不禁熱乎乎的，他認為自己可 以慷慨一點。“是的，我可以給她們三千鎊，這多麽慷慨大 方啊：可以確保她們安安生生地過日子啦。三千鎊呀，我可 以毫不費勁地省出這麽一筆巨款。”他整天這麽想着，接連 想了好多天，一點也沒反悔。
父親的喪事剛辦完，約翰．達什伍德夫人也不打個招呼 ，就帶着孩子、僕人來到婆婆傢裏。誰也無法懷疑她有權來 這裏，因為從她公公死去的時刻起，這房子就屬於她丈夫的 了。不過，她的行為實在太不文雅，按照人之常情，任何一 個女人處在達什伍德太太當婆母的位置上，都會感到很不愉 快。何況，達什伍德太太是個自尊心很強、慷慨大方、落拓 不羈的女入，對這種唐突無禮的事情，無論是誰幹的或者對 誰幹的，她都會感到深惡痛絶。約翰．達什伍德夫人在婆傢 從未受過任何人的喜愛，可是直到今天她纔有機會嚮她們擺 明：在必要時，她為人行事可以全然不顧別入的痛癢。
達什伍德太太厭惡這種蠻橫無禮的行徑，並因此而鄙視 她的兒媳。一見兒媳進門，她就恨不得永遠離開這個傢。怎 奈大女兒一再懇求，她開始考慮一走了之是否妥當。後來硬 是出自對三個女兒的愛憐，她纔决定留下來。看在女兒們的 份上，還是不跟那個做哥哥的鬧翻為好。
大女兒埃麗諾的勸解奏效了。埃麗諾思想敏銳，頭腦冷 靜，雖然年僅十九歲，卻能為母親出謀劃策。達什伍德太太 性情急躁，做事總是冒冒失失。埃麗諾為大傢着想，經常出 來勸阻勸阻。她心地善良，性格溫柔，感情強烈，然而她會 剋製自己，—一對於這—手，她母親還有待學習，不過她有 個妹妹决計一輩子也不要學。
瑪麗安各方面的才幹都堪與埃麗諾相媲美。她聰慧善感 ，衹是做什麽事情都心急火燎的。她傷心也罷，高興也罷， 都沒有個節制。她為人慷慨，和藹可親，也很有趣，可就是 一點也不謹慎，與她母親一模一樣。
埃麗諾見妹妹過於感情用事，不免有些擔心，可達什伍 德太太卻覺得這很難能可貴。現在，她們兩人極度悲痛的情 緒，互相感染，互相助長。最初的那種悲痛欲絶的情狀，一 觸即發，說來就來，反反復復地沒完沒了。她們完全沉湎於 悲慟之中，真是哪裏傷心往哪裏想，越想越痛不欲生，認定 這輩子就這麽了結啦，誰來解勸也無濟於事。埃麗諾也很悲 痛，不過她尚能頂得住，盡量剋製自己。她遇事能同哥哥商 量着辦，嫂子來了能以禮相待。她還能勸說母親也這樣做， 請她多加忍讓。
三妹瑪格麗特是個快活厚道的小姑娘，不過由於她已經 染上了不少瑪麗安的浪漫氣質，而又不像她那麽聰明，處在 十三歲的年紀，還不可能趕上涉世較深的姐姐。
By a former marriage, Mr. Henry Dashwood had one son: by his present lady, three daughters. The son, a steady respectable young man, was amply provided for by the fortune of his mother, which had been large, and half of which devolved on him on his coming of age. 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 father's inheriting that property, could be but small. Their mother had nothing, and their father only seven thousand pounds in his own disposal; for the remaining moiety of his first wife's fortune was also secured to her child, and he had only a life-interest in it.
The old gentleman died: his will was read, and like almost every other will, gave as much disappointment as pleasure. He was neither so unjust, nor so ungrateful, as to leave his estate from his nephew;--but he left it to him on such terms as destroyed half the value of the bequest. Mr. Dashwood had wished for it more for the sake of his wife and daughters than for himself or his son;--but to his son, and his son's son, a child 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 as are by no means unusual in children of two or three years old; an imperfect articulation, an earnest desire of having his own way, many cunning tricks, and a great deal of noise, as to outweigh all the value of all the attention which, for years, he had received from his niece and her daughters. He meant not to be unkind, however, and, as a mark of his affection for the three girls, he left them a thousand pounds a-piece.
Mr. Dashwood's disappointment was, at first, severe; but his temper was cheerful and sanguine; and he might reasonably hope to live many years, and by living economically, 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, was his only one twelvemonth. He survived his uncle no longer; and ten thousand pounds, including the late legacies, was all that remained for his widow and daughters.
His son was sent for as soon as his danger was known, and to him Mr. Dashwood recommended, with all the strength and urgency which illness could command, the interest of his mother-in-law and sisters.
Mr. John Dashwood had not the strong feelings of the rest of the family; but he was affected by a recommendation of such a nature at such a time, and he promised to do every thing in his power to make them comfortable. His father was rendered easy by such an assurance, and Mr. John Dashwood had then leisure to consider how much there might prudently be in his power to do for them.
He was not an ill-disposed young man, unless to be rather cold hearted and rather selfish is to be ill-disposed: but he was, in general, well respected; for he conducted himself 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 made amiable himself; for he was very young when he married, and very fond of his wife. But Mrs. John Dashwood was a strong caricature of himself;-- more narrow-minded and selfish.
When he gave his promise to his father, he meditated within himself to increase the fortunes of his sisters by the present of a thousand pounds a-piece. He then really thought himself equal to it. The prospect of four thousand a-year, 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 handsome! It would be enough to make them completely easy. Three thousand pounds! he could spare so considerable a sum with little inconvenience. "-- He thought of it all day long, and for many days successively, and he did not repent.
No sooner was his father's funeral over, than Mrs. John Dashwood, without sending any notice of her intention to her mother-in-law, arrived with her child and their attendants. No one could dispute her right to come; the house was her husband's from the moment of his father's decease; but the 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 received, was to her a source of immoveable disgust. Mrs. John Dashwood had never been a favourite with any of her husband's family; but she had had no opportunity, till the present, of shewing them with how little attention to the comfort of other people she could act when occasion required it.
So acutely did Mrs. Dashwood feel this ungracious behaviour, and so earnestly did she despise her daughter-in-law for it, that, on the arrival of 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 going, and her own tender love for all her three children determined her afterwards to stay, and for their sakes avoid a breach with their brother.
Elinor, this eldest daughter, whose advice was so effectual, possessed a strength of understanding, and coolness of judgment, which qualified her, though only nineteen, to be the counsellor of her mother, 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 disposition was affectionate, and her feelings were strong; but she knew how to govern them: it was a knowledge which her mother had yet to learn; and which one of her sisters had resolved never to be taught.
Marianne's abilities were, in many respects, quite equal to Elinor's. She was sensible and clever; but eager in everything: her sorrows, her joys, could have no moderation. She was generous, amiable, interesting: she was everything but prudent. The resemblance between her and her mother was strikingly great.
Elinor saw, with concern, the excess of her sister's sensibility; but by Mrs. Dashwood it was valued and cherished. They encouraged each other now in the violence of their affliction. The agony of grief which overpowered them at first, was voluntarily renewed, was sought 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 she could struggle, she could exert herself. She could consult with her brother, could receive her sister-in-law on her arrival, and treat her with proper attention; and could strive to rouse her mother to similar exertion, and encourage her to similar forbearance.
Margaret, the other sister, was a good-humored, well-disposed girl; but as she had already imbibed a good deal of Marianne's romance, without having much of her sense, she did not, at thirteen, bid fair to equal her sisters at a more advanced period of life.
亨利．達什伍德先生同前妻生下一個兒子，同現在的太 太生了三個女兒。兒子是個踏實體面的青年。當年他母親留 下一大筆遺産，到他成年時有一半交給了他，為他奠定了厚 實的傢底。此後不久，他成了親，又增添了一筆財産。所以 ，對他說來，父親是不是繼承諾蘭田莊，遠不像對他幾個妹 妹那樣至關緊要。這幾個妹妹假若不依賴父親繼承這筆傢業 可能給她們帶來的進益，她們的財産便將微乎其微。她們的 母親一無所有，父親僅僅掌管着七千鎊，而對前妻另一半遺 産的所有權衹在生前有效，他一去世，這一半財産也歸兒子 承襲。
老紳士死了，開讀遺囑，發現跟其他遺囑一樣，叫人既 高興，也失望。他並非那樣偏頗無情，還是把田莊傳給了侄 兒。但是，因為附有條件，這份遺産便失去了一半價值。本 來，達什伍德先生想要這筆財産，衹是顧念妻子和女兒，而 不是為自己和兒子着想。但財産卻偏偏要世襲給他兒子和四 歲的孫子，這樣一來，他便無權動用田莊的資財，或者變賣 田莊的資財，來贍養他那些最親近、最需要贍養的傢眷。為 了那個孩子，全盤傢業都被凍結了。想當初，這孩子衹是偶 爾隨父母親到諾蘭莊園來過幾趟，跟其他兩三歲娃娃一樣， 也沒有什麽異常逗人喜愛的地方，大不過正牙牙學語，稟性 倔強，好惡作劇，愛大吵大鬧，卻博得了老紳士的歡心。相 形之下，侄媳母女多年關照的情分，倒變得無足輕重了。不 過，老人也不想太苛刻，為了表示他對三個站娘的一片心意 ，好歹分給了每人一千鎊。
達什伍德先生起初極為失望。他性情開朗，滿以為自己 能多活些年歲，憑着這麽大的一個田莊，衹要馬上改善經營 ，省吃儉用，就能從收入中攢下一大筆錢，然而，這筆遲遲 到手的財産在他名下衹持續了一年工夫，因為叔父死後不久 ，他也一命歸天，給他的遺囑和女兒們留下的財産，包括叔 父的遺産在內，總共不過一萬鎊。
當時，傢人看他病危了，便打發人去叫他兒子。達什伍 德先生竭盡最後一點氣力，嚮兒子做了緊急交代，囑托他照 應繼母和三個妹妹。
約翰．達什伍德先生不像傢裏其他人那樣多情善感。可 是，此時此刻受到這般囑托，他也深為感動，答應盡力讓她 們母女生活得舒舒適適的。父親聽到這番許諾，便也放寬心 了。一時間，約翰．達什伍德先生有空算計起來：若是精打 細算，他到底能為她們盡多大力量。
這位年輕人心眼並不壞，除非你把冷漠無情和自私自利 視為壞心眼。總的說來，他很受人尊敬，因為他平常辦起事 來，總是十分得體。他若是娶個和藹一點的女人，也許會更 受人尊重，甚至他自己也會和藹一些。無奈他結婚時太年輕 ，太偏愛妻子了。不過，約翰．達什伍德夫人倒也活像她丈 夫，衹是更狹隘，更自私罷了。
他嚮父親許諾的時候，心裏就在盤算，想給他妹妹每人 再補貼一千鎊的收入。當時，他確實覺得這是他力所能及的 。他除了目前的收入和母親另—半遺産以外，還可望每年再 添四千鎊。一想到這裏，心裏不禁熱乎乎的，他認為自己可 以慷慨一點。“是的，我可以給她們三千鎊，這多麽慷慨大 方啊：可以確保她們安安生生地過日子啦。三千鎊呀，我可 以毫不費勁地省出這麽一筆巨款。”他整天這麽想着，接連 想了好多天，一點也沒反悔。
父親的喪事剛辦完，約翰．達什伍德夫人也不打個招呼 ，就帶着孩子、僕人來到婆婆傢裏。誰也無法懷疑她有權來 這裏，因為從她公公死去的時刻起，這房子就屬於她丈夫的 了。不過，她的行為實在太不文雅，按照人之常情，任何一 個女人處在達什伍德太太當婆母的位置上，都會感到很不愉 快。何況，達什伍德太太是個自尊心很強、慷慨大方、落拓 不羈的女入，對這種唐突無禮的事情，無論是誰幹的或者對 誰幹的，她都會感到深惡痛絶。約翰．達什伍德夫人在婆傢 從未受過任何人的喜愛，可是直到今天她纔有機會嚮她們擺 明：在必要時，她為人行事可以全然不顧別入的痛癢。
達什伍德太太厭惡這種蠻橫無禮的行徑，並因此而鄙視 她的兒媳。一見兒媳進門，她就恨不得永遠離開這個傢。怎 奈大女兒一再懇求，她開始考慮一走了之是否妥當。後來硬 是出自對三個女兒的愛憐，她纔决定留下來。看在女兒們的 份上，還是不跟那個做哥哥的鬧翻為好。
大女兒埃麗諾的勸解奏效了。埃麗諾思想敏銳，頭腦冷 靜，雖然年僅十九歲，卻能為母親出謀劃策。達什伍德太太 性情急躁，做事總是冒冒失失。埃麗諾為大傢着想，經常出 來勸阻勸阻。她心地善良，性格溫柔，感情強烈，然而她會 剋製自己，—一對於這—手，她母親還有待學習，不過她有 個妹妹决計一輩子也不要學。
瑪麗安各方面的才幹都堪與埃麗諾相媲美。她聰慧善感 ，衹是做什麽事情都心急火燎的。她傷心也罷，高興也罷， 都沒有個節制。她為人慷慨，和藹可親，也很有趣，可就是 一點也不謹慎，與她母親一模一樣。
埃麗諾見妹妹過於感情用事，不免有些擔心，可達什伍 德太太卻覺得這很難能可貴。現在，她們兩人極度悲痛的情 緒，互相感染，互相助長。最初的那種悲痛欲絶的情狀，一 觸即發，說來就來，反反復復地沒完沒了。她們完全沉湎於 悲慟之中，真是哪裏傷心往哪裏想，越想越痛不欲生，認定 這輩子就這麽了結啦，誰來解勸也無濟於事。埃麗諾也很悲 痛，不過她尚能頂得住，盡量剋製自己。她遇事能同哥哥商 量着辦，嫂子來了能以禮相待。她還能勸說母親也這樣做， 請她多加忍讓。
三妹瑪格麗特是個快活厚道的小姑娘，不過由於她已經 染上了不少瑪麗安的浪漫氣質，而又不像她那麽聰明，處在 十三歲的年紀，還不可能趕上涉世較深的姐姐。
By a former marriage, Mr. Henry Dashwood had one son: by his present lady, three daughters. The son, a steady respectable young man, was amply provided for by the fortune of his mother, which had been large, and half of which devolved on him on his coming of age. 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 father's inheriting that property, could be but small. Their mother had nothing, and their father only seven thousand pounds in his own disposal; for the remaining moiety of his first wife's fortune was also secured to her child, and he had only a life-interest in it.
The old gentleman died: his will was read, and like almost every other will, gave as much disappointment as pleasure. He was neither so unjust, nor so ungrateful, as to leave his estate from his nephew;--but he left it to him on such terms as destroyed half the value of the bequest. Mr. Dashwood had wished for it more for the sake of his wife and daughters than for himself or his son;--but to his son, and his son's son, a child 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 as are by no means unusual in children of two or three years old; an imperfect articulation, an earnest desire of having his own way, many cunning tricks, and a great deal of noise, as to outweigh all the value of all the attention which, for years, he had received from his niece and her daughters. He meant not to be unkind, however, and, as a mark of his affection for the three girls, he left them a thousand pounds a-piece.
Mr. Dashwood's disappointment was, at first, severe; but his temper was cheerful and sanguine; and he might reasonably hope to live many years, and by living economically, 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, was his only one twelvemonth. He survived his uncle no longer; and ten thousand pounds, including the late legacies, was all that remained for his widow and daughters.
His son was sent for as soon as his danger was known, and to him Mr. Dashwood recommended, with all the strength and urgency which illness could command, the interest of his mother-in-law and sisters.
Mr. John Dashwood had not the strong feelings of the rest of the family; but he was affected by a recommendation of such a nature at such a time, and he promised to do every thing in his power to make them comfortable. His father was rendered easy by such an assurance, and Mr. John Dashwood had then leisure to consider how much there might prudently be in his power to do for them.
He was not an ill-disposed young man, unless to be rather cold hearted and rather selfish is to be ill-disposed: but he was, in general, well respected; for he conducted himself 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 made amiable himself; for he was very young when he married, and very fond of his wife. But Mrs. John Dashwood was a strong caricature of himself;-- more narrow-minded and selfish.
When he gave his promise to his father, he meditated within himself to increase the fortunes of his sisters by the present of a thousand pounds a-piece. He then really thought himself equal to it. The prospect of four thousand a-year, 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 handsome! It would be enough to make them completely easy. Three thousand pounds! he could spare so considerable a sum with little inconvenience. "-- He thought of it all day long, and for many days successively, and he did not repent.
No sooner was his father's funeral over, than Mrs. John Dashwood, without sending any notice of her intention to her mother-in-law, arrived with her child and their attendants. No one could dispute her right to come; the house was her husband's from the moment of his father's decease; but the 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 received, was to her a source of immoveable disgust. Mrs. John Dashwood had never been a favourite with any of her husband's family; but she had had no opportunity, till the present, of shewing them with how little attention to the comfort of other people she could act when occasion required it.
So acutely did Mrs. Dashwood feel this ungracious behaviour, and so earnestly did she despise her daughter-in-law for it, that, on the arrival of 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 going, and her own tender love for all her three children determined her afterwards to stay, and for their sakes avoid a breach with their brother.
Elinor, this eldest daughter, whose advice was so effectual, possessed a strength of understanding, and coolness of judgment, which qualified her, though only nineteen, to be the counsellor of her mother, 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 disposition was affectionate, and her feelings were strong; but she knew how to govern them: it was a knowledge which her mother had yet to learn; and which one of her sisters had resolved never to be taught.
Marianne's abilities were, in many respects, quite equal to Elinor's. She was sensible and clever; but eager in everything: her sorrows, her joys, could have no moderation. She was generous, amiable, interesting: she was everything but prudent. The resemblance between her and her mother was strikingly great.
Elinor saw, with concern, the excess of her sister's sensibility; but by Mrs. Dashwood it was valued and cherished. They encouraged each other now in the violence of their affliction. The agony of grief which overpowered them at first, was voluntarily renewed, was sought 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 she could struggle, she could exert herself. She could consult with her brother, could receive her sister-in-law on her arrival, and treat her with proper attention; and could strive to rouse her mother to similar exertion, and encourage her to similar forbearance.
Margaret, the other sister, was a good-humored, well-disposed girl; but as she had already imbibed a good deal of Marianne's romance, without having much of her sense, she did not, at thirteen, bid fair to equal her sisters at a more advanced period of life.
約翰．達什伍德夫人如今當上了諾蘭莊園的女主人，她 的婆母和小姑們反而落到寄人籬下的境地。不過，這麽一來 ，她待她們反倒文靜客氣起來。她丈夫對她們也和和氣氣的 ，他除了對自己和自己的老婆孩子之外，對別人充其量也衹 能如此。他頗為懇切地請求她們把諾蘭莊園當作自己的傢。 達什伍德太太覺得一時在左近找不到合適的房子，不如暫且 呆在這裏，於是便接受了他的請求，
對於達什伍德太太來說，呆在個老地方，隨時隨地都能 回想起昔日的歡樂，倒也再稱心不過了。碰到高興的時候， 誰也沒有她那樣開心，那樣樂觀地期待着幸福的到來，仿佛 期待本身就是一種幸福似的。可是一遇到傷心事，她也同樣 鬍思亂想，失去常態，同她高興時不能自己一樣，她傷心起 來也是無法解脫的。
約翰．達什伍德夫人根本不贊成丈夫資助他幾個妹妹， 從他們小寶貝的財産中挖掉三千鎊，豈不是把他颳成窮光蛋 了嗎？她請丈夫重新考慮這件事。自己的孩子，而且是獨生 子，他怎麽忍心剝奪他這麽一大筆錢呀？幾位達什伍德小姐 與他衹是同父異母兄妹，她認為這根本算不上什麽親屬關係 ，她們有什麽權利領受他這樣慷慨的資助？人所周知，同父 異女之間歷來不存在什麽感情，可他為什麽偏要把自己 的錢財送給同父異母妹妹，毀自已，也毀他們可憐的小哈裏 ？
“我父親臨終有囑咐，”丈夫回答說，“要我幫助寡母 和妹妹們。”
“他準是在說鬍話。那陣子，他十有是神志不清了 ，要不然他就不會異想天開地要你把自己孩子的財産白白送 掉一半。”
“親愛的範妮，他倒沒有規定具體數目，衹是籠統地要 求我幫助她們，使她們的境況好一些，他是無能為力啦。也 許他不如索性把事情全部交給我。他總不會認為我會怠慢她 們吧。可他讓我許諾時，我又不能不應承；起碼在當時，我 是這麽想的。於是，我許諾了，而且還必須兌現。她們早晚 要離開諾蘭莊園，到別處安傢，總得幫她們一把吧。”
“那好，就幫她們一把吧，可是幫—把何必要三幹鎊， 你想想看，”她接下去說道，“那錢一旦拋出去，可就再也 收不目來了。你那些妹妹一出嫁，那錢不就無影無蹤啦。真 是的，這錢要是能回到我們可憐的小兒子手裏……”
“哦，當然，”丈夫一本正經地說道，“那可就了不得 啦。有朝一日，哈裏會怨恨我們給他送掉這麽一大筆錢。他 一旦人丁興旺起來，這筆款子可就派大用場了。”
“誰說不是呢。”
“這麽說，不如把錢減掉一半，這或許對大傢都有好處 。繪她們一人五百鎊，她們也夠發大財的了。”
“哦，當然是發大財了！世上哪個做哥哥的能這樣照應 妹妹，即使是對待親妹妹，連你的一半也做不到！何況你們 衹是同父異母關係！可你卻這樣慷慨解囊。”
“我做事不喜歡小傢子氣，”做丈夫的回答說，“逢到 這當口，人寧可大手大腳，而別小裏小氣。至少不會有人覺 得我虧待了她們，就連她們自己也不會有更高的期望了。”
“誰知道她們有什麽期望，”夫人說道，“不過，我們 也犯不着去考慮她們的期望。問題在於：你能拿得出多少。 ”
“那當然，我想我可以給她們每人五百鎊，其實，即便 沒有我這份補貼，她們的母親一死，她們每人都能得到三幹 多鎊，對於一個年輕女子來說，這是一筆相當不錯的財産啦 。”
“誰說不是呢！說實在的，我看她們根本不需要額外補 貼了。她們有一萬鎊可分。要是出了嫁，日子肯定富得很。 即使不出嫁，就靠那一萬鎊得來的利息，也能在一起生活得 舒舒服服的。”
“的確如此。所以我在琢磨，整個來看，趁她們母親活 着的時候，給她點補貼，這是不是比給她們更可取呢？我的 意思是給她點年金什麽的。這個辦法産生的良好效果，我妹 妹和她們的母親都能感覺得到。一年出一百鎊，管叫她們全 都心滿意足。”
然而，他妻子沒有馬上同意這個計劃，她猶豫了一會兒 。
“當然，”她說，這比一下子送掉一千五百鎊要好。不 過，要是達什伍德太太活上十五年，我們豈不上了大當。”
“十五年！我親愛的範妮，就她那命呀，連這一半時間 也活不到。”
“當然活不到。不過，你留心觀察一下，人要是能領到 一點年金的話，總是活個沒完沒了。她身強力壯的，還不到 四十歲。年金可不是鬧着玩的，一年一年地給下去，到時想 甩都甩不掉。你不懂這種事，我可體驗到給年金的不少苦楚 ，因為我母親遵照我父親的遺囑，年年要嚮三個老僕人支付 退休金，她發現這事討厭極了。這些退休金每年支付兩次， 要送到僕人手裏可麻煩了。此後聽說有一個僕人死了，可後 來發現並沒有這回事。我母親傷透了腦筋。她說，她的財産 被這樣長久颳下去，她哪裏還做得了主？這都怪我父親太狠 心，不然這錢還不都是我母親的，愛怎麽用就怎麽用。加今 ，我對年金憎惡透了，要是叫我給哪個人付年金，我說什麽 也不幹。”
“一個人的收入年年這樣消耗下去，”達什伍德先生說 ，“這當然是件不偷快的事情。你母親說得對，這財産就不 由自己做主了。一到年金支付日，都要照例支出一筆錢，這 着實有些討厭：它剝奪了一個人的自主權。”
“那還用說。儘管如此，你還不討好。她們覺得自己到 期領取，萬無一失，而你又不會再多給，所以對你壓根兒不 領情。我要是你呀，不管做什麽事，一定自作裁奪。我决不 會作繭自縛，去給她們什麽年金。逢到某些年頭，你要從自 己的花銷中抽聲一百鎊，甚至五十鎊，可不那麽容易。”
“親愛的，我看你說得對，這事還是不搞年金為好。偶 爾給她們幾個錢，比給年金有益得多，因為錢給多了，她們 衹會變得大手大腳，到了年底．一個小錢也多不出來。這是 個最好不過的辦法。不定時地送她們五十鎊，這樣她們什麽 時候也不會缺錢用，我還能充分履行我對父親的諾言。”
“當然如此。說實在話，我認為你父親根本沒有讓你資 助她們的意思。我敢說，他所謂的幫助，不過是讓你合情合 理地幫點忙，比方替她們找座舒適的小房子啦，幫她們搬搬 東西啦，等季節到了給她們送點鮮魚野味啦，等等。我敢以 性命擔保，他沒有別的意思；要不然，豈不成了咄咄怪事。 親愛的達什伍德先生，你衹要想一想，你繼母和她的女兒們 靠着那七千鎊得來的利息，會過上多麽舒適的日子啊。況且 每個女兒還有一千鎊，每年能給每人帶來五十鎊的收益。當 然啦，她們會從中拿來嚮母親繳納伙食費的。總計起來，她 們一年有五百鎊的收入，就那麽四個女人傢，這些錢還不夠 嗎？她們的花銷少得很！管理傢務不成問題。她們一無馬車 ，二無馬匹，也不用雇僕人。她們不跟外人來往，什麽開支 也沒有！你看她們有多舒服！一年五百鎊啊！我簡直無法想 象她們哪能花掉一半。至於說你想再給她們錢，未免太荒誕 了吧，論財力，她們給你點倒差不多。”
“喲！”達什伍德先生說，“你說得真是一點不假。我 父親對我的要求，除了你說的之外，肯定沒有別的意思。我 現在搞清楚了，我要嚴格履行我的諾言，照你說的，為她們 幫點忙，做點好事。等我母親搬傢的時候，我一定盡力幫她 安頓好，還可以送她點小件傢什。”
“當然，”約翰．達什伍德夫人說，“但是，有一點你 還得考慮。你父母親搬進諾蘭莊園時，斯坦希爾那裏的傢具 雖說都賣了，可那些瓷器、金銀器皿和亞麻臺布都還保存着 ，統統留給了你母親。因此，她一搬傢，屋裏準擺得闊闊氣 氣的。”
“你考慮得真周到。那可是些傳傢寶啊!有些金銀器皿 送給我們可就美啦。”
“就是嘛。那套瓷器餐具也比我們傢的漂亮多了。我看 太漂亮了，她們的房裏根本不用配擺設。不過，事情就這麽 不公平。你父親光想着她們。我實對你說吧：你並不欠你父 親的情，不用理睬他的遺願，因為我們心裏有數，他若是辦 得到的話，準會把所有財産都留給她們的。”
這個論點是無可爭辯的。如果達什伍德先生先前還有點 下不了决心的話，這下子可就鐵了心啦。他最後决定，對他 父親的遺孀和女兒，按他妻子說的，像鄰居式地幫幫忙也就 足夠了；越此雷池一步，不說有失體統，也是絶對多餘的。
A continuance in a place where everything reminded her of former delight, was exactly what suited her mind. In seasons of cheerfulness, no temper could be more cheerful than hers, or possess, in a greater degree, that sanguine expectation of happiness which is happiness itself. But in sorrow she must be equally carried away by her fancy, and as far beyond consolation as in pleasure she was beyond alloy.
Mrs. John Dashwood did not at all approve of what her husband intended to do for his sisters. To take three thousand pounds from the fortune of their dear little boy would be impoverishing him to the most dreadful degree. She begged him to think again on the subject. How could he answer it to himself to rob his child, and his only child too, of so large a sum? And what possible claim could the Miss Dashwoods, who were related to him only by half blood, which she considered as no relationship at all, have on his generosity to so large an amount. It was very well known that no affection was ever supposed to exist between the children of any man by different marriages; and why was he to ruin himself, and their poor little Harry, by giving away all his money to his half sisters?
"It was my father's last request to me, " replied her husband, "that I should assist his widow and daughters. "
"He did not know what he was talking of, I dare say; ten to one but he was light-headed at the time. Had he been in his right senses, he could not have thought of such a thing as begging you to give away half your fortune from your own child. "
"He did not stipulate for any particular sum, my dear Fanny; he only requested me, in general terms, to assist them, and make their situation more comfortable than it was in his power to do. Perhaps it would have been as well if he had left it wholly to myself. He could hardly suppose I should neglect them. But as he required the promise, I could not do less than give it; at least I thought so at the time. The promise, therefore, was given, and must be performed. Something must be done for them whenever they leave Norland and settle in a new home. "
"Well, then, LET something be done for them; but THAT something need not be three thousand pounds. Consider, " she added, "that when the money is once parted with, it never can return. Your sisters will marry, and it will be gone for ever. If, indeed, it could be restored to our poor little boy--"
"Why, to be sure, " said her husband, very gravely, "that would make great difference. The time may come when Harry will regret that so large a sum was parted with. If he should have a numerous family, for instance, it would be a very convenient addition. "
"To be sure it would. "
"Perhaps, then, it would be better for all parties, if the sum were diminished one half. --Five hundred pounds would be a prodigious increase to their fortunes!"
"Oh! beyond anything great! What brother on earth would do half so much for his sisters, even if REALLY his sisters! And as it is--only half blood!--But you have such a generous spirit!"
"I would not wish to do any thing mean, " he replied. "One had rather, on such occasions, do too much than too little. No one, at least, can think I have not done enough for them: even themselves, they can hardly expect more. "
"There is no knowing what THEY may expect, " said the lady, "but we are not to think of their expectations: the question is, what you can afford to do. "
"Certainly--and I think I may afford to give them five hundred pounds a-piece. As it is, without any addition of mine, they will each have about three thousand pounds on their mother's death--a very comfortable fortune for any young woman. "
"To be sure it is; and, indeed, it strikes me that they can want no addition at all. They will have ten thousand pounds divided amongst them. If they marry, they will be sure of doing well, and if they do not, they may all live very comfortably together on the interest of ten thousand pounds. "
"That is very true, and, therefore, I do not know whether, upon the whole, it would not be more advisable to do something for their mother while she lives, rather than for them--something of the annuity kind I mean. --My sisters would feel the good effects of it as well as herself. A hundred a year would make them all perfectly comfortable. "
His wife hesitated a little, however, in giving her consent to this plan.
"To be sure, " said she, "it is better than parting with fifteen hundred pounds at once. But, then, if Mrs. Dashwood should live fifteen years we shall be completely taken in. "
"Fifteen years! my dear Fanny; her life cannot be worth half that purchase. "
"Certainly not; but if you observe, people always live for ever when there is an annuity to be paid them; and she is very stout and healthy, and hardly forty. An annuity is a very serious business; it comes over and over every year, and there is no getting rid of it. You are not aware of what you are doing. I have known a great deal of the trouble of annuities; for my mother was clogged with the payment of three to old superannuated servants by my father's will, and it is amazing how disagreeable she found it. Twice every year these annuities were to be paid; and then there was the trouble of getting it to them; and then one of them was said to have died, and afterwards it turned out to be no such thing. My mother was quite sick of it. Her income was not her own, she said, with such perpetual claims on it; and it was the more unkind in my father, because, otherwise, the money would have been entirely at my mother's disposal, without any restriction whatever. It has given me such an abhorrence of annuities, that I am sure I would not pin myself down to the payment of one for all the world. "
"It is certainly an unpleasant thing, " replied Mr. Dashwood, "to have those kind of yearly drains on one's income. One's fortune, as your mother justly says, is NOT one's own. To be tied down to the regular payment of such a sum, on every rent day, is by no means desirable: it takes away one's independence. "
"Undoubtedly; and after all you have no thanks for it. They think themselves secure, you do no more than what is expected, and it raises no gratitude at all. If I were you, whatever I did should be done at my own discretion entirely. I would not bind myself to allow them any thing yearly. It may be very inconvenient some years to spare a hundred, or even fifty pounds from our own expenses. "
"I believe you are right, my love; it will be better that there should by no annuity in the case; whatever I may give them occasionally will be of far greater assistance than a yearly allowance, because they would only enlarge their style of living if they felt sure of a larger income, and would not be sixpence the richer for it at the end of the year. It will certainly be much the best way. A present of fifty pounds, now and then, will prevent their ever being distressed for money, and will, I think, be amply discharging my promise to my father. "
"To be sure it will. Indeed, to say the truth, I am convinced within myself that your father had no idea of your giving them any money at all. The assistance he thought of, I dare say, was only such as might be reasonably expected of you; for instance, such as looking out for a comfortable small house for them, helping them to move their things, and sending them presents of fish and game, and so forth, whenever they are in season. I'll lay my life that he meant nothing farther; indeed, it would be very strange and unreasonable if he did. Do but consider, my dear Mr. Dashwood, how excessively comfortable your mother-in-law and her daughters may live on the interest of seven thousand pounds, besides the thousand pounds belonging to each of the girls, which brings them in fifty pounds a year a-piece, and, of course, they will pay their mother for their board out of it. Altogether, they will have five hundred a-year amongst them, and what on earth can four women want for more than that?--They will live so cheap! Their housekeeping will be nothing at all. They will have no carriage, no horses, and hardly any servants; they will keep no company, and can have no expenses of any kind! Only conceive how comfortable they will be! Five hundred a year! I am sure I cannot imagine how they will spend half of it; and as to your giving them more, it is quite absurd to think of it. They will be much more able to give YOU something. "
"Upon my word, " said Mr. Dashwood, "I believe you are perfectly right. My father certainly could mean nothing more by his request to me than what you say. I clearly understand it now, and I will strictly fulfil my engagement by such acts of assistance and kindness to them as you have described. When my mother removes into another house my services shall be readily given to accommodate her as far as I can. Some little present of furniture too may be acceptable then. "
"Certainly, " returned Mrs. John Dashwood. "But, however, ONE thing must be considered. When your father and mother moved to Norland, though the furniture of Stanhill was sold, all the china, plate, and linen was saved, and is now left to your mother. Her house will therefore be almost completely fitted up as soon as she takes it. "
"That is a material consideration undoubtedly. A valuable legacy indeed! And yet some of the plate would have been a very pleasant addition to our own stock here. "
"Yes; and the set of breakfast china is twice as handsome as what belongs to this house. A great deal too handsome, in my opinion, for any place THEY can ever afford to live in. But, however, so it is. Your father thought only of THEM. And I must say this: that you owe no particular gratitude to him, nor attention to his wishes; for we very well know that if he could, he would have left almost everything in the world to THEM. "
This argument was irresistible. It gave to his intentions whatever of decision was wanting before; and he finally resolved, that it would be absolutely unnecessary, if not highly indecorous, to do more for the widow and children of his father, than such kind of neighbourly acts as his own wife pointed out.
對於達什伍德太太來說，呆在個老地方，隨時隨地都能 回想起昔日的歡樂，倒也再稱心不過了。碰到高興的時候， 誰也沒有她那樣開心，那樣樂觀地期待着幸福的到來，仿佛 期待本身就是一種幸福似的。可是一遇到傷心事，她也同樣 鬍思亂想，失去常態，同她高興時不能自己一樣，她傷心起 來也是無法解脫的。
約翰．達什伍德夫人根本不贊成丈夫資助他幾個妹妹， 從他們小寶貝的財産中挖掉三千鎊，豈不是把他颳成窮光蛋 了嗎？她請丈夫重新考慮這件事。自己的孩子，而且是獨生 子，他怎麽忍心剝奪他這麽一大筆錢呀？幾位達什伍德小姐 與他衹是同父異母兄妹，她認為這根本算不上什麽親屬關係 ，她們有什麽權利領受他這樣慷慨的資助？人所周知，同父 異女之間歷來不存在什麽感情，可他為什麽偏要把自己 的錢財送給同父異母妹妹，毀自已，也毀他們可憐的小哈裏 ？
“我父親臨終有囑咐，”丈夫回答說，“要我幫助寡母 和妹妹們。”
“他準是在說鬍話。那陣子，他十有是神志不清了 ，要不然他就不會異想天開地要你把自己孩子的財産白白送 掉一半。”
“親愛的範妮，他倒沒有規定具體數目，衹是籠統地要 求我幫助她們，使她們的境況好一些，他是無能為力啦。也 許他不如索性把事情全部交給我。他總不會認為我會怠慢她 們吧。可他讓我許諾時，我又不能不應承；起碼在當時，我 是這麽想的。於是，我許諾了，而且還必須兌現。她們早晚 要離開諾蘭莊園，到別處安傢，總得幫她們一把吧。”
“那好，就幫她們一把吧，可是幫—把何必要三幹鎊， 你想想看，”她接下去說道，“那錢一旦拋出去，可就再也 收不目來了。你那些妹妹一出嫁，那錢不就無影無蹤啦。真 是的，這錢要是能回到我們可憐的小兒子手裏……”
“哦，當然，”丈夫一本正經地說道，“那可就了不得 啦。有朝一日，哈裏會怨恨我們給他送掉這麽一大筆錢。他 一旦人丁興旺起來，這筆款子可就派大用場了。”
“誰說不是呢。”
“這麽說，不如把錢減掉一半，這或許對大傢都有好處 。繪她們一人五百鎊，她們也夠發大財的了。”
“哦，當然是發大財了！世上哪個做哥哥的能這樣照應 妹妹，即使是對待親妹妹，連你的一半也做不到！何況你們 衹是同父異母關係！可你卻這樣慷慨解囊。”
“我做事不喜歡小傢子氣，”做丈夫的回答說，“逢到 這當口，人寧可大手大腳，而別小裏小氣。至少不會有人覺 得我虧待了她們，就連她們自己也不會有更高的期望了。”
“誰知道她們有什麽期望，”夫人說道，“不過，我們 也犯不着去考慮她們的期望。問題在於：你能拿得出多少。 ”
“那當然，我想我可以給她們每人五百鎊，其實，即便 沒有我這份補貼，她們的母親一死，她們每人都能得到三幹 多鎊，對於一個年輕女子來說，這是一筆相當不錯的財産啦 。”
“誰說不是呢！說實在的，我看她們根本不需要額外補 貼了。她們有一萬鎊可分。要是出了嫁，日子肯定富得很。 即使不出嫁，就靠那一萬鎊得來的利息，也能在一起生活得 舒舒服服的。”
“的確如此。所以我在琢磨，整個來看，趁她們母親活 着的時候，給她點補貼，這是不是比給她們更可取呢？我的 意思是給她點年金什麽的。這個辦法産生的良好效果，我妹 妹和她們的母親都能感覺得到。一年出一百鎊，管叫她們全 都心滿意足。”
然而，他妻子沒有馬上同意這個計劃，她猶豫了一會兒 。
“當然，”她說，這比一下子送掉一千五百鎊要好。不 過，要是達什伍德太太活上十五年，我們豈不上了大當。”
“十五年！我親愛的範妮，就她那命呀，連這一半時間 也活不到。”
“當然活不到。不過，你留心觀察一下，人要是能領到 一點年金的話，總是活個沒完沒了。她身強力壯的，還不到 四十歲。年金可不是鬧着玩的，一年一年地給下去，到時想 甩都甩不掉。你不懂這種事，我可體驗到給年金的不少苦楚 ，因為我母親遵照我父親的遺囑，年年要嚮三個老僕人支付 退休金，她發現這事討厭極了。這些退休金每年支付兩次， 要送到僕人手裏可麻煩了。此後聽說有一個僕人死了，可後 來發現並沒有這回事。我母親傷透了腦筋。她說，她的財産 被這樣長久颳下去，她哪裏還做得了主？這都怪我父親太狠 心，不然這錢還不都是我母親的，愛怎麽用就怎麽用。加今 ，我對年金憎惡透了，要是叫我給哪個人付年金，我說什麽 也不幹。”
“一個人的收入年年這樣消耗下去，”達什伍德先生說 ，“這當然是件不偷快的事情。你母親說得對，這財産就不 由自己做主了。一到年金支付日，都要照例支出一筆錢，這 着實有些討厭：它剝奪了一個人的自主權。”
“那還用說。儘管如此，你還不討好。她們覺得自己到 期領取，萬無一失，而你又不會再多給，所以對你壓根兒不 領情。我要是你呀，不管做什麽事，一定自作裁奪。我决不 會作繭自縛，去給她們什麽年金。逢到某些年頭，你要從自 己的花銷中抽聲一百鎊，甚至五十鎊，可不那麽容易。”
“親愛的，我看你說得對，這事還是不搞年金為好。偶 爾給她們幾個錢，比給年金有益得多，因為錢給多了，她們 衹會變得大手大腳，到了年底．一個小錢也多不出來。這是 個最好不過的辦法。不定時地送她們五十鎊，這樣她們什麽 時候也不會缺錢用，我還能充分履行我對父親的諾言。”
“當然如此。說實在話，我認為你父親根本沒有讓你資 助她們的意思。我敢說，他所謂的幫助，不過是讓你合情合 理地幫點忙，比方替她們找座舒適的小房子啦，幫她們搬搬 東西啦，等季節到了給她們送點鮮魚野味啦，等等。我敢以 性命擔保，他沒有別的意思；要不然，豈不成了咄咄怪事。 親愛的達什伍德先生，你衹要想一想，你繼母和她的女兒們 靠着那七千鎊得來的利息，會過上多麽舒適的日子啊。況且 每個女兒還有一千鎊，每年能給每人帶來五十鎊的收益。當 然啦，她們會從中拿來嚮母親繳納伙食費的。總計起來，她 們一年有五百鎊的收入，就那麽四個女人傢，這些錢還不夠 嗎？她們的花銷少得很！管理傢務不成問題。她們一無馬車 ，二無馬匹，也不用雇僕人。她們不跟外人來往，什麽開支 也沒有！你看她們有多舒服！一年五百鎊啊！我簡直無法想 象她們哪能花掉一半。至於說你想再給她們錢，未免太荒誕 了吧，論財力，她們給你點倒差不多。”
“喲！”達什伍德先生說，“你說得真是一點不假。我 父親對我的要求，除了你說的之外，肯定沒有別的意思。我 現在搞清楚了，我要嚴格履行我的諾言，照你說的，為她們 幫點忙，做點好事。等我母親搬傢的時候，我一定盡力幫她 安頓好，還可以送她點小件傢什。”
“當然，”約翰．達什伍德夫人說，“但是，有一點你 還得考慮。你父母親搬進諾蘭莊園時，斯坦希爾那裏的傢具 雖說都賣了，可那些瓷器、金銀器皿和亞麻臺布都還保存着 ，統統留給了你母親。因此，她一搬傢，屋裏準擺得闊闊氣 氣的。”
“你考慮得真周到。那可是些傳傢寶啊!有些金銀器皿 送給我們可就美啦。”
“就是嘛。那套瓷器餐具也比我們傢的漂亮多了。我看 太漂亮了，她們的房裏根本不用配擺設。不過，事情就這麽 不公平。你父親光想着她們。我實對你說吧：你並不欠你父 親的情，不用理睬他的遺願，因為我們心裏有數，他若是辦 得到的話，準會把所有財産都留給她們的。”
這個論點是無可爭辯的。如果達什伍德先生先前還有點 下不了决心的話，這下子可就鐵了心啦。他最後决定，對他 父親的遺孀和女兒，按他妻子說的，像鄰居式地幫幫忙也就 足夠了；越此雷池一步，不說有失體統，也是絶對多餘的。
A continuance in a place where everything reminded her of former delight, was exactly what suited her mind. In seasons of cheerfulness, no temper could be more cheerful than hers, or possess, in a greater degree, that sanguine expectation of happiness which is happiness itself. But in sorrow she must be equally carried away by her fancy, and as far beyond consolation as in pleasure she was beyond alloy.
Mrs. John Dashwood did not at all approve of what her husband intended to do for his sisters. To take three thousand pounds from the fortune of their dear little boy would be impoverishing him to the most dreadful degree. She begged him to think again on the subject. How could he answer it to himself to rob his child, and his only child too, of so large a sum? And what possible claim could the Miss Dashwoods, who were related to him only by half blood, which she considered as no relationship at all, have on his generosity to so large an amount. It was very well known that no affection was ever supposed to exist between the children of any man by different marriages; and why was he to ruin himself, and their poor little Harry, by giving away all his money to his half sisters?
"It was my father's last request to me, " replied her husband, "that I should assist his widow and daughters. "
"He did not know what he was talking of, I dare say; ten to one but he was light-headed at the time. Had he been in his right senses, he could not have thought of such a thing as begging you to give away half your fortune from your own child. "
"He did not stipulate for any particular sum, my dear Fanny; he only requested me, in general terms, to assist them, and make their situation more comfortable than it was in his power to do. Perhaps it would have been as well if he had left it wholly to myself. He could hardly suppose I should neglect them. But as he required the promise, I could not do less than give it; at least I thought so at the time. The promise, therefore, was given, and must be performed. Something must be done for them whenever they leave Norland and settle in a new home. "
"Well, then, LET something be done for them; but THAT something need not be three thousand pounds. Consider, " she added, "that when the money is once parted with, it never can return. Your sisters will marry, and it will be gone for ever. If, indeed, it could be restored to our poor little boy--"
"Why, to be sure, " said her husband, very gravely, "that would make great difference. The time may come when Harry will regret that so large a sum was parted with. If he should have a numerous family, for instance, it would be a very convenient addition. "
"To be sure it would. "
"Perhaps, then, it would be better for all parties, if the sum were diminished one half. --Five hundred pounds would be a prodigious increase to their fortunes!"
"Oh! beyond anything great! What brother on earth would do half so much for his sisters, even if REALLY his sisters! And as it is--only half blood!--But you have such a generous spirit!"
"I would not wish to do any thing mean, " he replied. "One had rather, on such occasions, do too much than too little. No one, at least, can think I have not done enough for them: even themselves, they can hardly expect more. "
"There is no knowing what THEY may expect, " said the lady, "but we are not to think of their expectations: the question is, what you can afford to do. "
"Certainly--and I think I may afford to give them five hundred pounds a-piece. As it is, without any addition of mine, they will each have about three thousand pounds on their mother's death--a very comfortable fortune for any young woman. "
"To be sure it is; and, indeed, it strikes me that they can want no addition at all. They will have ten thousand pounds divided amongst them. If they marry, they will be sure of doing well, and if they do not, they may all live very comfortably together on the interest of ten thousand pounds. "
"That is very true, and, therefore, I do not know whether, upon the whole, it would not be more advisable to do something for their mother while she lives, rather than for them--something of the annuity kind I mean. --My sisters would feel the good effects of it as well as herself. A hundred a year would make them all perfectly comfortable. "
His wife hesitated a little, however, in giving her consent to this plan.
"To be sure, " said she, "it is better than parting with fifteen hundred pounds at once. But, then, if Mrs. Dashwood should live fifteen years we shall be completely taken in. "
"Fifteen years! my dear Fanny; her life cannot be worth half that purchase. "
"Certainly not; but if you observe, people always live for ever when there is an annuity to be paid them; and she is very stout and healthy, and hardly forty. An annuity is a very serious business; it comes over and over every year, and there is no getting rid of it. You are not aware of what you are doing. I have known a great deal of the trouble of annuities; for my mother was clogged with the payment of three to old superannuated servants by my father's will, and it is amazing how disagreeable she found it. Twice every year these annuities were to be paid; and then there was the trouble of getting it to them; and then one of them was said to have died, and afterwards it turned out to be no such thing. My mother was quite sick of it. Her income was not her own, she said, with such perpetual claims on it; and it was the more unkind in my father, because, otherwise, the money would have been entirely at my mother's disposal, without any restriction whatever. It has given me such an abhorrence of annuities, that I am sure I would not pin myself down to the payment of one for all the world. "
"It is certainly an unpleasant thing, " replied Mr. Dashwood, "to have those kind of yearly drains on one's income. One's fortune, as your mother justly says, is NOT one's own. To be tied down to the regular payment of such a sum, on every rent day, is by no means desirable: it takes away one's independence. "
"Undoubtedly; and after all you have no thanks for it. They think themselves secure, you do no more than what is expected, and it raises no gratitude at all. If I were you, whatever I did should be done at my own discretion entirely. I would not bind myself to allow them any thing yearly. It may be very inconvenient some years to spare a hundred, or even fifty pounds from our own expenses. "
"I believe you are right, my love; it will be better that there should by no annuity in the case; whatever I may give them occasionally will be of far greater assistance than a yearly allowance, because they would only enlarge their style of living if they felt sure of a larger income, and would not be sixpence the richer for it at the end of the year. It will certainly be much the best way. A present of fifty pounds, now and then, will prevent their ever being distressed for money, and will, I think, be amply discharging my promise to my father. "
"To be sure it will. Indeed, to say the truth, I am convinced within myself that your father had no idea of your giving them any money at all. The assistance he thought of, I dare say, was only such as might be reasonably expected of you; for instance, such as looking out for a comfortable small house for them, helping them to move their things, and sending them presents of fish and game, and so forth, whenever they are in season. I'll lay my life that he meant nothing farther; indeed, it would be very strange and unreasonable if he did. Do but consider, my dear Mr. Dashwood, how excessively comfortable your mother-in-law and her daughters may live on the interest of seven thousand pounds, besides the thousand pounds belonging to each of the girls, which brings them in fifty pounds a year a-piece, and, of course, they will pay their mother for their board out of it. Altogether, they will have five hundred a-year amongst them, and what on earth can four women want for more than that?--They will live so cheap! Their housekeeping will be nothing at all. They will have no carriage, no horses, and hardly any servants; they will keep no company, and can have no expenses of any kind! Only conceive how comfortable they will be! Five hundred a year! I am sure I cannot imagine how they will spend half of it; and as to your giving them more, it is quite absurd to think of it. They will be much more able to give YOU something. "
"Upon my word, " said Mr. Dashwood, "I believe you are perfectly right. My father certainly could mean nothing more by his request to me than what you say. I clearly understand it now, and I will strictly fulfil my engagement by such acts of assistance and kindness to them as you have described. When my mother removes into another house my services shall be readily given to accommodate her as far as I can. Some little present of furniture too may be acceptable then. "
"Certainly, " returned Mrs. John Dashwood. "But, however, ONE thing must be considered. When your father and mother moved to Norland, though the furniture of Stanhill was sold, all the china, plate, and linen was saved, and is now left to your mother. Her house will therefore be almost completely fitted up as soon as she takes it. "
"That is a material consideration undoubtedly. A valuable legacy indeed! And yet some of the plate would have been a very pleasant addition to our own stock here. "
"Yes; and the set of breakfast china is twice as handsome as what belongs to this house. A great deal too handsome, in my opinion, for any place THEY can ever afford to live in. But, however, so it is. Your father thought only of THEM. And I must say this: that you owe no particular gratitude to him, nor attention to his wishes; for we very well know that if he could, he would have left almost everything in the world to THEM. "
This argument was irresistible. It gave to his intentions whatever of decision was wanting before; and he finally resolved, that it would be absolutely unnecessary, if not highly indecorous, to do more for the widow and children of his father, than such kind of neighbourly acts as his own wife pointed out.