Chapter 22
Marianne, who had never much toleration for any thing like
impertinence, vulgarity, inferiority of parts, or even difference
of taste from herself, was at this time particularly ill-disposed,
from the state of her spirits, to be pleased with the Miss Steeles,
or to encourage their advances; and to the invariable coldness of
her behaviour towards them, which checked every endeavour at
intimacy on their side, Elinor principally attributed that
preference of herself which soon became evident in the manners of
both, but especially of Lucy, who missed no opportunity of engaging
her in conversation, or of striving to improve their acquaintance
by an easy and frank communication of her sentiments.
Lucy was naturally clever; her remarks were often just and
amusing; and as a
