Elinor's Struggle

the death of Mr Henry Dashwood

Elinor Mariannne and Margaret were the daughters of Mr Henry Dashwood and the half sisters of Mr John Dashwood. It was very peaceful in Norland Elinor remembers fondly the time when she use to ride her horse in the settings glare if the sun romantic I know. Mariannne on the other hand had other pursuits. .......... Music and Poetry were her comforts Elinor was her cloest friend and sister ahead would talk to him about her hope that one day she find a man that is caring and compassionate as Prince Charming in the Cinderella stories she read when she young girl. Oh dear Elinor! My dream is that one day I may fall in love with handsomest man in the world, she can be evasive in her thought process Mariannne can sometimes. Norland was their home so when Mr Henry Dashwood passes on Norland and the entire estate shall go to Mr John Dashwood. Elinor! Mariannne you are very young and yet so wise how can I begin to imagine what i will he like in the future. Ellie! Consider I hope that you may have happiest marriage on this earth Mariannne sat at her piano fortè. A month had gone by and the old gentleman suddenly became gravely unwell Mrs Mary Dashwood were shocked that he was going to die eventually. Get the doctor immediately cries Mary . Mama! Cries Elinor and Mariannne. As they stood there someone sent for Mr John Dashwood and he was to find out that he and his wife Fanny were to have Norland Park and the estate because he was an heir the sons are always heirs to any estate that their parents have.

Fanny was most disagreeable about Norland dear John I hope you do not intend to spoil your half sisters after all they are half blood not full blood. Yes but I'm determined to help them at least help find details a place said Fanny smiling so that we can get on with our lives. Mary lived and bequeathed nothing from her husband at the time of his death. Elinor once described the loss as a sudden shock to someone I think it was Mariannne. Oh Mariannne! Papa would let have wanted his daughters to be out on the street. Indeed! Let's prove  to aunt Fanny that we are stronger than her.  She does not get to tell what to do in OUR house. Mariannne it is not our house it is our half brother ellie he has no intention of keeping his promise we both know this but is mama that's the question at the moment I think she's expecting the worst. That Monday Mrs Dashwood received a letter from Mrs John Dashwood.

Dear Mary,

     We very happy to tell you that you will be expecting us today at 11.00. We are egar to see the house in all its former glory. Mary we must arrange for you to find a place as soonas possible we cannot depend on my husband to do all the work. I must be clear in this letter thanks my elder brother Mr Edward Ferrars will be expected at Norland in the coming days.

Regards
Mrs John Dashwood

Insufferable woman! Said Mariannne who does she think she's talking to a dog. I am not having anything I cannot eat  oh mama don't cry dear! Mariannne was certified that her aunt would change Norland when she gets here I will not bate to speak to them Mariannne you must! Said Mrs Dashwood. You are unfair mama you know I have never meant that unfair Mariannne this intolerable woman has taken everything from us and we cannot do nothing about it. The worst of it is girls we are the visitors in our house now. Mama! Said meg where we will we go? I didn't not know my darling! Meg she's coming here I might even poison her! Mrs Dashwood laughed at the thought of it meg trying to kill her own aunt  Mr John Dashwood had no intention of honouring his promise to their father that he would look after them when he is gone and his step mother. The letter did nothing to calm Mrs Dashwood's nervous about receiving the family. Elinor! Start making enquiries write to attorneys if you must see if they can recommend somewhere just for the night. Elinor was 20 by this time and she was still making enquiries about a new home for them. Mr and Mrs  John Dashwood had arrived at 11.30 half honour late. I'm truly sorry my dear! Said John fanny had more front than blackpool pier well here we are at last then she marches in. Mrs Dashwood looking on in horror, after you my dears of course.

That evening they were dining so! Said their aunt Elinor still at your music, Mariannne still steching away you see I remember everything. It is other way round aunt Elinor speaks up Mariannne is to musician and what are pursuits Margaret? Margaret held her fire I'm going to be a writer. A writer!repeats she well pens and ink cost very little you have made a sensible choice. This is elegant very part of house is elegent. Yes it is my dear! The dinner service is very beautiful and so is the house. Yes angrily says Mariannne abdominal the house belongs to you through you neither need it nor deserve it excuse me. Mariannne was right Fanny cared little for Norland only for the money and grandure it's worth the wealth had nothing to do with it. Dearest sister! Said Elinor you what you said last evening at the dinner table that was wrong! Elinor said. Mariannne was packing well it is true all she wants is to get us out of the way submit she can start changing Norland to her own taste.

My dears! Mr Gregson has found us two very suitable homes Beecham Court and thrush place. Look Mariannne it has everything you could want. Mama! We need think very differently now  we only have  £400 a year well they are both smaller than Norland Elinor!  Mariannne said perhaps mama we may have a cottage. A cottage! Sometimes I think do more understand how I feel. I'm like a book that's finished and been left to rot on a Shelf. Mama! We going to get something sorted done not worry said Mariannne and Elinor thank you my dears. I'm truly sorry if I have caused you pains. No mama you have not your grieving for father we understand that.  Just then Fanny walks in.

I have just received a letter from my brother Edward his my elder brother. I believe you have never met him hex coming to stay and we expect his visit to be of some duration. So we are very favoured as get eldest son he will make his mark upon the world so much to do before he arrives he has very disfavour ingredients eye I shouldn't want him to find fault with anything well things to do things to do replies she. Oh she is annoying angrily said Mariannne I wish she'd leave us to grieve for father in peace! Quite so my dear said Mrs Dashwood as she left the room.

It was 12 noon and edward had arrived, good afternoon edward Ferrars how do you do? Oh Elinor Dashwood. Forgive me but erm were you busy just now. No no! Smiled she i better take you in to see your sister she's been expecting you. Miss Dashwood this is a very pretty establishment. Yes yes it is! Here we are ........ The drawing room. Edward look at the state of you! What on earth processed you to arrive here like a countryman my my dear fanny this is the country after all may I just make that point. Whilst trip aunt was out Elinor got on with her day.