Elinor's Struggle

Barton Cottage

Barton Cottage was very happily situated by the sea. Mariannne was impressed by its appearance ahead said "Romantic". Margaret was a little girl that had had a brand new doll at Christmas. Having a new house was a having a new life to look after. But this was given to Mrs Dashwood by her distanced cousin Sir John Middleton who was wealthy who lived just a few miles walking distance from Barton Cottage to the park where that evening Mrs Dashwood and the girls were to dine. Elinor had left her heart in Sussex or so everyone thinks. She claims she hasn't but she has because she's left it at Edwards door was it not the case that it was Mariannne who should find a gentlemen that she can as she terms it she cannot see a man whom she's ready to commit her life too. One notably Mr Willoughby whom she metal whilst running down a hill. Barton was not half as big as Norland but no less grander and romantic to be set on the edge of a cliff inbreeding middle of nowhere the family were delighted with what they had accepted from Sir John. A house and low rent although sir John knew their financial status so he allowed them stay there for free. You see they have no money at all. What little money they have left over they spend on meat sugar abdominal tea etc:) It wasn't much it was small dark damp and very dusty Sir John said that the cottage hadn't been lived in for years. Mary said Elinor!  Do you really want me to settle my daughters here? We must repiles she smiling.  To settle at Barton cottage was going to be hard Margaret would have her own room but Elinor and Mariannne were happy to share. That same day Sir John came to visit his cousin Mary at Barton cottage. So cousin Mary pleasure to meet you at last! Said John with a smile there we are just a little gift for your larder thank you sir John said Mrs Dashwood. Not no nonrefundable of that I am delighted to help you have a home, Barton was happily situated in the downs by the sea Margaret revised her kings and Queens every day. But she little to show for it, she never wrote once to anyone. But she friends with the Middleton children lady Middleton allowed her to teach her children to play piano fortè Mariannne was there to watch her little sister play. That was very professionally played said Mariannne. That morning Willoughby arrives Barton but luckily for him Colonel Brandon, Willoughby was charming,good humoured and very handsome.

The Barton establishment was well set up the piano fortè was well dusted. Elinor was happily situated in her life the cottage was small and very moderate in its ways. Piano fortè was very played by Mariannne Elinor was mote into her writing. Colonel Brandon visited dear Mariannne! I would like to invite you to Delaford Estate I have a very fine piano fortè that deserves to be used i myself do not have any time to play. I thank you sir said Mariannne with a smile. Forgive me Colonel but Margaret is expected at Barton to teach lady Middleton's children to play the piano. Well miss Margaret I think know it is a marvellous thing your doing to help Lady Middleton out.

Mariannne was talking to Elinor!  Dear ellie Colonel Brandon is so generous. Yes he is Elinor says smiling. You are very unhappy dear ellie! Said Mariannne Mama is right you know ellie you know that there's a chance that you could marry Edward said Mariannne. Mrs Ferrars wants her son to marry miss Merton but she claims that edward has a desirable connection on both sides. Elinor was uneasy for months on end about Edwards feelings for her but there was one person standing in the way ......... Miss Lucy Steele who has been secretly engaged to Edward for 4 years but Elinor was soon cast down by it. Mariannne was walking back from the park with Elinor dear ellie! Do tell me what was that long conversation with Miss Steele all about? Oh nothing of conquence said she part smiling.  Colonel Brandon was one of Sir John Middleton's oldest and dearest friend. I love Miss Dashwood Mariannne Mr Willoughby does everything well said Brandon but I have Mariannne's interests at heart do you indeed? Said Sir John Middleton. Mrs Jennings was certain that Mariannne and Colonel Brandon would be together without Willoughby's influence because at the moment Mariannne is under the spell of a man who has made a girl pregnant with a baby that she never wanted she was only but 15 years old she hadn't even had a life of her own that was taken away from her that was what Mariannne did not know that Willoughby had a son.