Sense and Sensibility

I.

The family of Dashwood had long settled in Sussex. Their estate was large, and their residence was at Norland Park. For many generations they had lived in a very respectable manner.

The last owner was an elderly bachelor; and his nephew, Mr. Henry Dashwood, was the legal inheritor of the Norland estate.

Henry Dashwood had one son by his previous marriage and three daughters with his present wife. The son was amply provided for by the large fortune of his mother. By his own marriage, he added to his wealth. Therebefore, the succession to the Norland estate was not so important for him as for his sisters, whose mother had nothing.

When the old gentleman died, he left everything to Mr. Henry Dashwood's son, John, so that the disappointed father was left without any power to provide for his wife and daughters, who most needed it.

Mr. Dashwood did not survive his uncle long.

His son, John, lacked the strong and pure feelings of the rest of the family.

Mr. Dashwood entrusted him with the interest of his mother-in-law and sisters. John promised to do every thing in his power for them and thought about giving them some money.

He was not an ill-disposed young man. He was, in general, well respected. He married young and he was very fond of his wife.

John Dashwood's wife, Fanny, was narrow-minded and selfish. She had never been a favourite in her husband's family.

No sooner was the funeral over than she arrived with her child and their attendants. No one could dispute her right to come; the house was now her husband's.

Elinor, the eldest of Henry's daughters, was very understanding, and possessed a coolness of judgement, which let her, though only nineteen, be her mother's counsellor. She had an excellent heart and her feelings were strong, but she knew how to govern them.

Marianne was sensitive and clever, but eager in everything; her sorrows and her joys had no moderation. She was generous, amiable, interesting. She was everything but prudent.

Elinor saw with concern the excess of her sister's sensitivity, but Mrs. Dashwood did not.

Margaret, the youngest sister, was a good-humored, well-disposed thirteen-year-old girl.

Mrs. John Dashwood now considered herself mistress of Norland and his mother and sisters-in-law wee degraded to the condition of visitors.

She completely disapproved of what her husband intented to do for his sisters. She begged him to think again over the subject, and finally convinced him that he should not give them any money, but only the assistance of any kind neighbour.

Mr. Henry Dashwood had informed his wife about the solemn promise on his son's part in their favour, but she doubted the sincerity of this promise.

There was a growing attachment between the eldest girl and Fanny's brother, Edward Ferrars, who had spent the greatest part of his time there since her sister's arrival.