达什伍德家在苏塞克斯定居，可有些年代了。家里置下 一个偌大的田庄，府第就设在田庄中心的诺兰庄园。祖祖辈 辈以来，一家人一直过着体面日子，赢得了四近乡邻的交口 称誉。已故庄园主是个单身汉，活到老大年纪。在世时，妹 妹长年陪伴他，替他管管家务。不想妹妹早他十年去世，致 使府上发生巨变。为了填补妹妹的空缺，他将侄儿亨利．达 什伍德一家接到府上。亨利．达什伍德先生是诺兰田庄的法 定继承人，老达什伍德打算把家业传给他。这位老绅士有侄 儿、侄媳及其子女作伴，日子过得倒也舒心。他越来越喜爱 他们。亨利．达什伍德夫妇不仅出自利害关系，而且由于心 地善良，对他总是百般照应，使他晚年享尽了天伦之乐。而 那些天真烂漫的孩子也给他的生活增添了乐趣。
亨利．达什伍德先生同前妻生下一个儿子，同现在的太 太生了三个女儿。儿子是个踏实体面的青年。当年他母亲留 下一大笔遗产，到他成年时有一半交给了他，为他奠定了厚 实的家底。此后不久，他成了亲，又增添了一笔财产。所以 ，对他说来，父亲是不是继承诺兰田庄，远不像对他几个妹 妹那样至关紧要。这几个妹妹假若不依赖父亲继承这笔家业 可能给她们带来的进益，她们的财产便将微乎其微。她们的 母亲一无所有，父亲仅仅掌管着七千镑，而对前妻另一半遗 产的所有权只在生前有效，他一去世，这一半财产也归儿子 承袭。
老绅士死了，开读遗嘱，发现跟其他遗嘱一样，叫人既 高兴，也失望。他并非那样偏颇无情，还是把田庄传给了侄 儿。但是，因为附有条件，这份遗产便失去了一半价值。本 来，达什伍德先生想要这笔财产，只是顾念妻子和女儿，而 不是为自己和儿子着想。但财产却偏偏要世袭给他儿子和四 岁的孙子，这样一来，他便无权动用田庄的资财，或者变卖 田庄的资财，来赡养他那些最亲近、最需要赡养的家眷。为 了那个孩子，全盘家业都被冻结了。想当初，这孩子只是偶 尔随父母亲到诺兰庄园来过几趟，跟其他两三岁娃娃一样， 也没有什么异常逗人喜爱的地方，大不过正牙牙学语，禀性 倔强，好恶作剧，爱大吵大闹，却博得了老绅士的欢心。相 形之下，侄媳母女多年关照的情分，倒变得无足轻重了。不 过，老人也不想太苛刻，为了表示他对三个站娘的一片心意 ，好歹分给了每人一千镑。
达什伍德先生起初极为失望。他性情开朗，满以为自己 能多活些年岁，凭着这么大的一个田庄，只要马上改善经营 ，省吃俭用，就能从收入中攒下一大笔钱，然而，这笔迟迟 到手的财产在他名下只持续了一年工夫，因为叔父死后不久 ，他也一命归天，给他的遗嘱和女儿们留下的财产，包括叔 父的遗产在内，总共不过一万镑。
当时，家人看他病危了，便打发人去叫他儿子。达什伍 德先生竭尽最后一点气力，向儿子做了紧急交代，嘱托他照 应继母和三个妹妹。
约翰．达什伍德先生不像家里其他人那样多情善感。可 是，此时此刻受到这般嘱托，他也深为感动，答应尽力让她 们母女生活得舒舒适适的。父亲听到这番许诺，便也放宽心 了。一时间，约翰．达什伍德先生有空算计起来：若是精打 细算，他到底能为她们尽多大力量。
这位年轻人心眼并不坏，除非你把冷漠无情和自私自利 视为坏心眼。总的说来，他很受人尊敬，因为他平常办起事 来，总是十分得体。他若是娶个和蔼一点的女人，也许会更 受人尊重，甚至他自己也会和蔼一些。无奈他结婚时太年轻 ，太偏爱妻子了。不过，约翰．达什伍德夫人倒也活像她丈 夫，只是更狭隘，更自私罢了。
他向父亲许诺的时候，心里就在盘算，想给他妹妹每人 再补贴一千镑的收入。当时，他确实觉得这是他力所能及的 。他除了目前的收入和母亲另—半遗产以外，还可望每年再 添四千镑。一想到这里，心里不禁热乎乎的，他认为自己可 以慷慨一点。“是的，我可以给她们三千镑，这多么慷慨大 方啊：可以确保她们安安生生地过日子啦。三千镑呀，我可 以毫不费劲地省出这么一笔巨款。”他整天这么想着，接连 想了好多天，一点也没反悔。
父亲的丧事刚办完，约翰．达什伍德夫人也不打个招呼 ，就带着孩子、仆人来到婆婆家里。谁也无法怀疑她有权来 这里，因为从她公公死去的时刻起，这房子就属于她丈夫的 了。不过，她的行为实在太不文雅，按照人之常情，任何一 个女人处在达什伍德太太当婆母的位置上，都会感到很不愉 快。何况，达什伍德太太是个自尊心很强、慷慨大方、落拓 不羁的女入，对这种唐突无礼的事情，无论是谁干的或者对 谁干的，她都会感到深恶痛绝。约翰．达什伍德夫人在婆家 从未受过任何人的喜爱，可是直到今天她才有机会向她们摆 明：在必要时，她为人行事可以全然不顾别入的痛痒。
达什伍德太太厌恶这种蛮横无礼的行径，并因此而鄙视 她的儿媳。一见儿媳进门，她就恨不得永远离开这个家。怎 奈大女儿一再恳求，她开始考虑一走了之是否妥当。后来硬 是出自对三个女儿的爱怜，她才决定留下来。看在女儿们的 份上，还是不跟那个做哥哥的闹翻为好。
大女儿埃丽诺的劝解奏效了。埃丽诺思想敏锐，头脑冷 静，虽然年仅十九岁，却能为母亲出谋划策。达什伍德太太 性情急躁，做事总是冒冒失失。埃丽诺为大家着想，经常出 来劝阻劝阻。她心地善良，性格温柔，感情强烈，然而她会 克制自己，—一对于这—手，她母亲还有待学习，不过她有 个妹妹决计一辈子也不要学。
玛丽安各方面的才干都堪与埃丽诺相媲美。她聪慧善感 ，只是做什么事情都心急火燎的。她伤心也罢，高兴也罢， 都没有个节制。她为人慷慨，和蔼可亲，也很有趣，可就是 一点也不谨慎，与她母亲一模一样。
埃丽诺见妹妹过于感情用事，不免有些担心，可达什伍 德太太却觉得这很难能可贵。现在，她们两人极度悲痛的情 绪，互相感染，互相助长。最初的那种悲痛欲绝的情状，一 触即发，说来就来，反反复复地没完没了。她们完全沉湎于 悲恸之中，真是哪里伤心往哪里想，越想越痛不欲生，认定 这辈子就这么了结啦，谁来解劝也无济于事。埃丽诺也很悲 痛，不过她尚能顶得住，尽量克制自己。她遇事能同哥哥商 量着办，嫂子来了能以礼相待。她还能劝说母亲也这样做， 请她多加忍让。
三妹玛格丽特是个快活厚道的小姑娘，不过由于她已经 染上了不少玛丽安的浪漫气质，而又不像她那么聪明，处在 十三岁的年纪，还不可能赶上涉世较深的姐姐。
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．达什伍德先生同前妻生下一个儿子，同现在的太 太生了三个女儿。儿子是个踏实体面的青年。当年他母亲留 下一大笔遗产，到他成年时有一半交给了他，为他奠定了厚 实的家底。此后不久，他成了亲，又增添了一笔财产。所以 ，对他说来，父亲是不是继承诺兰田庄，远不像对他几个妹 妹那样至关紧要。这几个妹妹假若不依赖父亲继承这笔家业 可能给她们带来的进益，她们的财产便将微乎其微。她们的 母亲一无所有，父亲仅仅掌管着七千镑，而对前妻另一半遗 产的所有权只在生前有效，他一去世，这一半财产也归儿子 承袭。
老绅士死了，开读遗嘱，发现跟其他遗嘱一样，叫人既 高兴，也失望。他并非那样偏颇无情，还是把田庄传给了侄 儿。但是，因为附有条件，这份遗产便失去了一半价值。本 来，达什伍德先生想要这笔财产，只是顾念妻子和女儿，而 不是为自己和儿子着想。但财产却偏偏要世袭给他儿子和四 岁的孙子，这样一来，他便无权动用田庄的资财，或者变卖 田庄的资财，来赡养他那些最亲近、最需要赡养的家眷。为 了那个孩子，全盘家业都被冻结了。想当初，这孩子只是偶 尔随父母亲到诺兰庄园来过几趟，跟其他两三岁娃娃一样， 也没有什么异常逗人喜爱的地方，大不过正牙牙学语，禀性 倔强，好恶作剧，爱大吵大闹，却博得了老绅士的欢心。相 形之下，侄媳母女多年关照的情分，倒变得无足轻重了。不 过，老人也不想太苛刻，为了表示他对三个站娘的一片心意 ，好歹分给了每人一千镑。
达什伍德先生起初极为失望。他性情开朗，满以为自己 能多活些年岁，凭着这么大的一个田庄，只要马上改善经营 ，省吃俭用，就能从收入中攒下一大笔钱，然而，这笔迟迟 到手的财产在他名下只持续了一年工夫，因为叔父死后不久 ，他也一命归天，给他的遗嘱和女儿们留下的财产，包括叔 父的遗产在内，总共不过一万镑。
当时，家人看他病危了，便打发人去叫他儿子。达什伍 德先生竭尽最后一点气力，向儿子做了紧急交代，嘱托他照 应继母和三个妹妹。
约翰．达什伍德先生不像家里其他人那样多情善感。可 是，此时此刻受到这般嘱托，他也深为感动，答应尽力让她 们母女生活得舒舒适适的。父亲听到这番许诺，便也放宽心 了。一时间，约翰．达什伍德先生有空算计起来：若是精打 细算，他到底能为她们尽多大力量。
这位年轻人心眼并不坏，除非你把冷漠无情和自私自利 视为坏心眼。总的说来，他很受人尊敬，因为他平常办起事 来，总是十分得体。他若是娶个和蔼一点的女人，也许会更 受人尊重，甚至他自己也会和蔼一些。无奈他结婚时太年轻 ，太偏爱妻子了。不过，约翰．达什伍德夫人倒也活像她丈 夫，只是更狭隘，更自私罢了。
他向父亲许诺的时候，心里就在盘算，想给他妹妹每人 再补贴一千镑的收入。当时，他确实觉得这是他力所能及的 。他除了目前的收入和母亲另—半遗产以外，还可望每年再 添四千镑。一想到这里，心里不禁热乎乎的，他认为自己可 以慷慨一点。“是的，我可以给她们三千镑，这多么慷慨大 方啊：可以确保她们安安生生地过日子啦。三千镑呀，我可 以毫不费劲地省出这么一笔巨款。”他整天这么想着，接连 想了好多天，一点也没反悔。
父亲的丧事刚办完，约翰．达什伍德夫人也不打个招呼 ，就带着孩子、仆人来到婆婆家里。谁也无法怀疑她有权来 这里，因为从她公公死去的时刻起，这房子就属于她丈夫的 了。不过，她的行为实在太不文雅，按照人之常情，任何一 个女人处在达什伍德太太当婆母的位置上，都会感到很不愉 快。何况，达什伍德太太是个自尊心很强、慷慨大方、落拓 不羁的女入，对这种唐突无礼的事情，无论是谁干的或者对 谁干的，她都会感到深恶痛绝。约翰．达什伍德夫人在婆家 从未受过任何人的喜爱，可是直到今天她才有机会向她们摆 明：在必要时，她为人行事可以全然不顾别入的痛痒。
达什伍德太太厌恶这种蛮横无礼的行径，并因此而鄙视 她的儿媳。一见儿媳进门，她就恨不得永远离开这个家。怎 奈大女儿一再恳求，她开始考虑一走了之是否妥当。后来硬 是出自对三个女儿的爱怜，她才决定留下来。看在女儿们的 份上，还是不跟那个做哥哥的闹翻为好。
大女儿埃丽诺的劝解奏效了。埃丽诺思想敏锐，头脑冷 静，虽然年仅十九岁，却能为母亲出谋划策。达什伍德太太 性情急躁，做事总是冒冒失失。埃丽诺为大家着想，经常出 来劝阻劝阻。她心地善良，性格温柔，感情强烈，然而她会 克制自己，—一对于这—手，她母亲还有待学习，不过她有 个妹妹决计一辈子也不要学。
玛丽安各方面的才干都堪与埃丽诺相媲美。她聪慧善感 ，只是做什么事情都心急火燎的。她伤心也罢，高兴也罢， 都没有个节制。她为人慷慨，和蔼可亲，也很有趣，可就是 一点也不谨慎，与她母亲一模一样。
埃丽诺见妹妹过于感情用事，不免有些担心，可达什伍 德太太却觉得这很难能可贵。现在，她们两人极度悲痛的情 绪，互相感染，互相助长。最初的那种悲痛欲绝的情状，一 触即发，说来就来，反反复复地没完没了。她们完全沉湎于 悲恸之中，真是哪里伤心往哪里想，越想越痛不欲生，认定 这辈子就这么了结啦，谁来解劝也无济于事。埃丽诺也很悲 痛，不过她尚能顶得住，尽量克制自己。她遇事能同哥哥商 量着办，嫂子来了能以礼相待。她还能劝说母亲也这样做， 请她多加忍让。
三妹玛格丽特是个快活厚道的小姑娘，不过由于她已经 染上了不少玛丽安的浪漫气质，而又不像她那么聪明，处在 十三岁的年纪，还不可能赶上涉世较深的姐姐。
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.
约翰．达什伍德夫人如今当上了诺兰庄园的女主人，她 的婆母和小姑们反而落到寄人篱下的境地。不过，这么一来 ，她待她们反倒文静客气起来。她丈夫对她们也和和气气的 ，他除了对自己和自己的老婆孩子之外，对别人充其量也只 能如此。他颇为恳切地请求她们把诺兰庄园当作自己的家。 达什伍德太太觉得一时在左近找不到合适的房子，不如暂且 呆在这里，于是便接受了他的请求，
对于达什伍德太太来说，呆在个老地方，随时随地都能 回想起昔日的欢乐，倒也再称心不过了。碰到高兴的时候， 谁也没有她那样开心，那样乐观地期待着幸福的到来，仿佛 期待本身就是一种幸福似的。可是一遇到伤心事，她也同样 胡思乱想，失去常态，同她高兴时不能自己一样，她伤心起 来也是无法解脱的。
约翰．达什伍德夫人根本不赞成丈夫资助他几个妹妹， 从他们小宝贝的财产中挖掉三千镑，岂不是把他刮成穷光蛋 了吗？她请丈夫重新考虑这件事。自己的孩子，而且是独生 子，他怎么忍心剥夺他这么一大笔钱呀？几位达什伍德小姐 与他只是同父异母兄妹，她认为这根本算不上什么亲属关系 ，她们有什么权利领受他这样慷慨的资助？人所周知，同父 异女之间历来不存在什么感情，可他为什么偏要把自己 的钱财送给同父异母妹妹，毁自已，也毁他们可怜的小哈里 ？
“我父亲临终有嘱咐，”丈夫回答说，“要我帮助寡母 和妹妹们。”
“他准是在说胡话。那阵子，他十有是神志不清了 ，要不然他就不会异想天开地要你把自己孩子的财产白白送 掉一半。”
“亲爱的范妮，他倒没有规定具体数目，只是笼统地要 求我帮助她们，使她们的境况好一些，他是无能为力啦。也 许他不如索性把事情全部交给我。他总不会认为我会怠慢她 们吧。可他让我许诺时，我又不能不应承；起码在当时，我 是这么想的。于是，我许诺了，而且还必须兑现。她们早晚 要离开诺兰庄园，到别处安家，总得帮她们一把吧。”
“那好，就帮她们一把吧，可是帮—把何必要三干镑， 你想想看，”她接下去说道，“那钱一旦抛出去，可就再也 收不目来了。你那些妹妹一出嫁，那钱不就无影无踪啦。真 是的，这钱要是能回到我们可怜的小儿子手里……”
“哦，当然，”丈夫一本正经地说道，“那可就了不得 啦。有朝一日，哈里会怨恨我们给他送掉这么一大笔钱。他 一旦人丁兴旺起来，这笔款子可就派大用场了。”
“谁说不是呢。”
“这么说，不如把钱减掉一半，这或许对大家都有好处 。绘她们一人五百镑，她们也够发大财的了。”
“哦，当然是发大财了！世上哪个做哥哥的能这样照应 妹妹，即使是对待亲妹妹，连你的一半也做不到！何况你们 只是同父异母关系！可你却这样慷慨解囊。”
“我做事不喜欢小家子气，”做丈夫的回答说，“逢到 这当口，人宁可大手大脚，而别小里小气。至少不会有人觉 得我亏待了她们，就连她们自己也不会有更高的期望了。”
“谁知道她们有什么期望，”夫人说道，“不过，我们 也犯不着去考虑她们的期望。问题在于：你能拿得出多少。 ”
“那当然，我想我可以给她们每人五百镑，其实，即便 没有我这份补贴，她们的母亲一死，她们每人都能得到三干 多镑，对于一个年轻女子来说，这是一笔相当不错的财产啦 。”
“谁说不是呢！说实在的，我看她们根本不需要额外补 贴了。她们有一万镑可分。要是出了嫁，日子肯定富得很。 即使不出嫁，就靠那一万镑得来的利息，也能在一起生活得 舒舒服服的。”
“的确如此。所以我在琢磨，整个来看，趁她们母亲活 着的时候，给她点补贴，这是不是比给她们更可取呢？我的 意思是给她点年金什么的。这个办法产生的良好效果，我妹 妹和她们的母亲都能感觉得到。一年出一百镑，管叫她们全 都心满意足。”
然而，他妻子没有马上同意这个计划，她犹豫了一会儿 。
“当然，”她说，这比一下子送掉一千五百镑要好。不 过，要是达什伍德太太活上十五年，我们岂不上了大当。”
“十五年！我亲爱的范妮，就她那命呀，连这一半时间 也活不到。”
“当然活不到。不过，你留心观察一下，人要是能领到 一点年金的话，总是活个没完没了。她身强力壮的，还不到 四十岁。年金可不是闹着玩的，一年一年地给下去，到时想 甩都甩不掉。你不懂这种事，我可体验到给年金的不少苦楚 ，因为我母亲遵照我父亲的遗嘱，年年要向三个老仆人支付 退休金，她发现这事讨厌极了。这些退休金每年支付两次， 要送到仆人手里可麻烦了。此后听说有一个仆人死了，可后 来发现并没有这回事。我母亲伤透了脑筋。她说，她的财产 被这样长久刮下去，她哪里还做得了主？这都怪我父亲太狠 心，不然这钱还不都是我母亲的，爱怎么用就怎么用。加今 ，我对年金憎恶透了，要是叫我给哪个人付年金，我说什么 也不干。”
“一个人的收入年年这样消耗下去，”达什伍德先生说 ，“这当然是件不偷快的事情。你母亲说得对，这财产就不 由自己做主了。一到年金支付日，都要照例支出一笔钱，这 着实有些讨厌：它剥夺了一个人的自主权。”
“那还用说。尽管如此，你还不讨好。她们觉得自己到 期领取，万无一失，而你又不会再多给，所以对你压根儿不 领情。我要是你呀，不管做什么事，一定自作裁夺。我决不 会作茧自缚，去给她们什么年金。逢到某些年头，你要从自 己的花销中抽声一百镑，甚至五十镑，可不那么容易。”
“亲爱的，我看你说得对，这事还是不搞年金为好。偶 尔给她们几个钱，比给年金有益得多，因为钱给多了，她们 只会变得大手大脚，到了年底．一个小钱也多不出来。这是 个最好不过的办法。不定时地送她们五十镑，这样她们什么 时候也不会缺钱用，我还能充分履行我对父亲的诺言。”
“当然如此。说实在话，我认为你父亲根本没有让你资 助她们的意思。我敢说，他所谓的帮助，不过是让你合情合 理地帮点忙，比方替她们找座舒适的小房子啦，帮她们搬搬 东西啦，等季节到了给她们送点鲜鱼野味啦，等等。我敢以 性命担保，他没有别的意思；要不然，岂不成了咄咄怪事。 亲爱的达什伍德先生，你只要想一想，你继母和她的女儿们 靠着那七千镑得来的利息，会过上多么舒适的日子啊。况且 每个女儿还有一千镑，每年能给每人带来五十镑的收益。当 然啦，她们会从中拿来向母亲缴纳伙食费的。总计起来，她 们一年有五百镑的收入，就那么四个女人家，这些钱还不够 吗？她们的花销少得很！管理家务不成问题。她们一无马车 ，二无马匹，也不用雇仆人。她们不跟外人来往，什么开支 也没有！你看她们有多舒服！一年五百镑啊！我简直无法想 象她们哪能花掉一半。至于说你想再给她们钱，未免太荒诞 了吧，论财力，她们给你点倒差不多。”
“哟！”达什伍德先生说，“你说得真是一点不假。我 父亲对我的要求，除了你说的之外，肯定没有别的意思。我 现在搞清楚了，我要严格履行我的诺言，照你说的，为她们 帮点忙，做点好事。等我母亲搬家的时候，我一定尽力帮她 安顿好，还可以送她点小件家什。”
“当然，”约翰．达什伍德夫人说，“但是，有一点你 还得考虑。你父母亲搬进诺兰庄园时，斯坦希尔那里的家具 虽说都卖了，可那些瓷器、金银器皿和亚麻台布都还保存着 ，统统留给了你母亲。因此，她一搬家，屋里准摆得阔阔气 气的。”
“你考虑得真周到。那可是些传家宝啊!有些金银器皿 送给我们可就美啦。”
“就是嘛。那套瓷器餐具也比我们家的漂亮多了。我看 太漂亮了，她们的房里根本不用配摆设。不过，事情就这么 不公平。你父亲光想着她们。我实对你说吧：你并不欠你父 亲的情，不用理睬他的遗愿，因为我们心里有数，他若是办 得到的话，准会把所有财产都留给她们的。”
这个论点是无可争辩的。如果达什伍德先生先前还有点 下不了决心的话，这下子可就铁了心啦。他最后决定，对他 父亲的遗孀和女儿，按他妻子说的，像邻居式地帮帮忙也就 足够了；越此雷池一步，不说有失体统，也是绝对多余的。
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.
对于达什伍德太太来说，呆在个老地方，随时随地都能 回想起昔日的欢乐，倒也再称心不过了。碰到高兴的时候， 谁也没有她那样开心，那样乐观地期待着幸福的到来，仿佛 期待本身就是一种幸福似的。可是一遇到伤心事，她也同样 胡思乱想，失去常态，同她高兴时不能自己一样，她伤心起 来也是无法解脱的。
约翰．达什伍德夫人根本不赞成丈夫资助他几个妹妹， 从他们小宝贝的财产中挖掉三千镑，岂不是把他刮成穷光蛋 了吗？她请丈夫重新考虑这件事。自己的孩子，而且是独生 子，他怎么忍心剥夺他这么一大笔钱呀？几位达什伍德小姐 与他只是同父异母兄妹，她认为这根本算不上什么亲属关系 ，她们有什么权利领受他这样慷慨的资助？人所周知，同父 异女之间历来不存在什么感情，可他为什么偏要把自己 的钱财送给同父异母妹妹，毁自已，也毁他们可怜的小哈里 ？
“我父亲临终有嘱咐，”丈夫回答说，“要我帮助寡母 和妹妹们。”
“他准是在说胡话。那阵子，他十有是神志不清了 ，要不然他就不会异想天开地要你把自己孩子的财产白白送 掉一半。”
“亲爱的范妮，他倒没有规定具体数目，只是笼统地要 求我帮助她们，使她们的境况好一些，他是无能为力啦。也 许他不如索性把事情全部交给我。他总不会认为我会怠慢她 们吧。可他让我许诺时，我又不能不应承；起码在当时，我 是这么想的。于是，我许诺了，而且还必须兑现。她们早晚 要离开诺兰庄园，到别处安家，总得帮她们一把吧。”
“那好，就帮她们一把吧，可是帮—把何必要三干镑， 你想想看，”她接下去说道，“那钱一旦抛出去，可就再也 收不目来了。你那些妹妹一出嫁，那钱不就无影无踪啦。真 是的，这钱要是能回到我们可怜的小儿子手里……”
“哦，当然，”丈夫一本正经地说道，“那可就了不得 啦。有朝一日，哈里会怨恨我们给他送掉这么一大笔钱。他 一旦人丁兴旺起来，这笔款子可就派大用场了。”
“谁说不是呢。”
“这么说，不如把钱减掉一半，这或许对大家都有好处 。绘她们一人五百镑，她们也够发大财的了。”
“哦，当然是发大财了！世上哪个做哥哥的能这样照应 妹妹，即使是对待亲妹妹，连你的一半也做不到！何况你们 只是同父异母关系！可你却这样慷慨解囊。”
“我做事不喜欢小家子气，”做丈夫的回答说，“逢到 这当口，人宁可大手大脚，而别小里小气。至少不会有人觉 得我亏待了她们，就连她们自己也不会有更高的期望了。”
“谁知道她们有什么期望，”夫人说道，“不过，我们 也犯不着去考虑她们的期望。问题在于：你能拿得出多少。 ”
“那当然，我想我可以给她们每人五百镑，其实，即便 没有我这份补贴，她们的母亲一死，她们每人都能得到三干 多镑，对于一个年轻女子来说，这是一笔相当不错的财产啦 。”
“谁说不是呢！说实在的，我看她们根本不需要额外补 贴了。她们有一万镑可分。要是出了嫁，日子肯定富得很。 即使不出嫁，就靠那一万镑得来的利息，也能在一起生活得 舒舒服服的。”
“的确如此。所以我在琢磨，整个来看，趁她们母亲活 着的时候，给她点补贴，这是不是比给她们更可取呢？我的 意思是给她点年金什么的。这个办法产生的良好效果，我妹 妹和她们的母亲都能感觉得到。一年出一百镑，管叫她们全 都心满意足。”
然而，他妻子没有马上同意这个计划，她犹豫了一会儿 。
“当然，”她说，这比一下子送掉一千五百镑要好。不 过，要是达什伍德太太活上十五年，我们岂不上了大当。”
“十五年！我亲爱的范妮，就她那命呀，连这一半时间 也活不到。”
“当然活不到。不过，你留心观察一下，人要是能领到 一点年金的话，总是活个没完没了。她身强力壮的，还不到 四十岁。年金可不是闹着玩的，一年一年地给下去，到时想 甩都甩不掉。你不懂这种事，我可体验到给年金的不少苦楚 ，因为我母亲遵照我父亲的遗嘱，年年要向三个老仆人支付 退休金，她发现这事讨厌极了。这些退休金每年支付两次， 要送到仆人手里可麻烦了。此后听说有一个仆人死了，可后 来发现并没有这回事。我母亲伤透了脑筋。她说，她的财产 被这样长久刮下去，她哪里还做得了主？这都怪我父亲太狠 心，不然这钱还不都是我母亲的，爱怎么用就怎么用。加今 ，我对年金憎恶透了，要是叫我给哪个人付年金，我说什么 也不干。”
“一个人的收入年年这样消耗下去，”达什伍德先生说 ，“这当然是件不偷快的事情。你母亲说得对，这财产就不 由自己做主了。一到年金支付日，都要照例支出一笔钱，这 着实有些讨厌：它剥夺了一个人的自主权。”
“那还用说。尽管如此，你还不讨好。她们觉得自己到 期领取，万无一失，而你又不会再多给，所以对你压根儿不 领情。我要是你呀，不管做什么事，一定自作裁夺。我决不 会作茧自缚，去给她们什么年金。逢到某些年头，你要从自 己的花销中抽声一百镑，甚至五十镑，可不那么容易。”
“亲爱的，我看你说得对，这事还是不搞年金为好。偶 尔给她们几个钱，比给年金有益得多，因为钱给多了，她们 只会变得大手大脚，到了年底．一个小钱也多不出来。这是 个最好不过的办法。不定时地送她们五十镑，这样她们什么 时候也不会缺钱用，我还能充分履行我对父亲的诺言。”
“当然如此。说实在话，我认为你父亲根本没有让你资 助她们的意思。我敢说，他所谓的帮助，不过是让你合情合 理地帮点忙，比方替她们找座舒适的小房子啦，帮她们搬搬 东西啦，等季节到了给她们送点鲜鱼野味啦，等等。我敢以 性命担保，他没有别的意思；要不然，岂不成了咄咄怪事。 亲爱的达什伍德先生，你只要想一想，你继母和她的女儿们 靠着那七千镑得来的利息，会过上多么舒适的日子啊。况且 每个女儿还有一千镑，每年能给每人带来五十镑的收益。当 然啦，她们会从中拿来向母亲缴纳伙食费的。总计起来，她 们一年有五百镑的收入，就那么四个女人家，这些钱还不够 吗？她们的花销少得很！管理家务不成问题。她们一无马车 ，二无马匹，也不用雇仆人。她们不跟外人来往，什么开支 也没有！你看她们有多舒服！一年五百镑啊！我简直无法想 象她们哪能花掉一半。至于说你想再给她们钱，未免太荒诞 了吧，论财力，她们给你点倒差不多。”
“哟！”达什伍德先生说，“你说得真是一点不假。我 父亲对我的要求，除了你说的之外，肯定没有别的意思。我 现在搞清楚了，我要严格履行我的诺言，照你说的，为她们 帮点忙，做点好事。等我母亲搬家的时候，我一定尽力帮她 安顿好，还可以送她点小件家什。”
“当然，”约翰．达什伍德夫人说，“但是，有一点你 还得考虑。你父母亲搬进诺兰庄园时，斯坦希尔那里的家具 虽说都卖了，可那些瓷器、金银器皿和亚麻台布都还保存着 ，统统留给了你母亲。因此，她一搬家，屋里准摆得阔阔气 气的。”
“你考虑得真周到。那可是些传家宝啊!有些金银器皿 送给我们可就美啦。”
“就是嘛。那套瓷器餐具也比我们家的漂亮多了。我看 太漂亮了，她们的房里根本不用配摆设。不过，事情就这么 不公平。你父亲光想着她们。我实对你说吧：你并不欠你父 亲的情，不用理睬他的遗愿，因为我们心里有数，他若是办 得到的话，准会把所有财产都留给她们的。”
这个论点是无可争辩的。如果达什伍德先生先前还有点 下不了决心的话，这下子可就铁了心啦。他最后决定，对他 父亲的遗孀和女儿，按他妻子说的，像邻居式地帮帮忙也就 足够了；越此雷池一步，不说有失体统，也是绝对多余的。
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.