Courtesy and Contempt

Chapter 11

Chapter 11Mrs. Hargrove remained in Norland for several months; not out of reluctance to move, when the sight of every well-known place ceased to arouse the violent excitement it evoked for a while; for when her spirits began to recover, and her spirit became capable of a different effort than that of increasing his distress through melancholic memories, she was impatient to leave, and tireless in her inquiries for a suitable dwelling near Norland; for it was impossible to stray far from this beloved place. But she could not hear of a situation that immediately met her ideas of comfort and convenience and matched the wisdom of her eldest daughter, whose more consistent judgment rejected several houses as too great for her income, which her mother would have approved.

Mrs. Hargrove had been informed by her husband of his son's solemn promise in her favor, which comforted his last earthly reflections. She no longer doubted the sincerity of this assurance when he himself had doubted it, and she thought of it with satisfaction for the sake of her daughters, although she was convinced for herself that a much lower supply than 7000L would support her in prosperity. Also for her brother's sake, for the sake of his own heart, she rejoiced; and she blamed herself for having been unjust to his merit before, believing that he was incapable of generosity. His attentive behavior toward himself and his sisters convinced her that their well-being was close to his heart, and she trusted in the generosity of his intentions for a long time.

The contempt she had felt very early in her acquaintance with her daughter-in-law was greatly enhanced by the further knowledge of her character, which was granted by a six-month stay in her family; and perhaps the two ladies, despite all due regard for courtesy or maternal affection on the part of the former, would have found it impossible to have lived together for so long, had not occurred, which, according to the expert opinions, would have given Mrs. Hargrove even greater suitability for the survival of her daughters in Norland.

This circumstance led to a growing bond between her eldest girl and the brother of Mrs. John Hargrove, a gentleman-like and pleasant young man who was introduced to her acquaintance soon after his sister's branch in Norland and who had since spent most of his time there.

Some mothers may have promoted intimacy for reasons of interest, for Edward Gastonois was the eldest son of a man who had died very richly; and some may have suppressed it for precautionary reasons, for except for an insignificant sum, his entire fortune depended on the will of his mother. But Mrs. Hargrove was equally unaffected by both considerations. It was enough for him to appear gracious, to love her daughter and to reciprocate Eleanore's preference. It contradicted any of their teachings that the difference in wealth should separate each couple attracted by similarity of predisposition; and that Eleanore's merit should not be recognized by anyone who knew her was impossible for her understanding.

Edward Gastonois was not recommended to her good opinion by any special graces of the person or address. He was not handsome, and his manners required intimacy to make them comfortable. He was too shy to do justice to himself; but when his natural shyness was overcome, his behavior betrayed all the signs of an open, loving heart. His understanding was good, and his education had brought him a solid improvement. But he was neither able nor predisposed to respond to the wishes of his mother and sister, who longed to see him excellent – because they hardly knew what. They wanted him to cut a good figure in the world in one way or another. His mother wanted to interest him in political affairs, bring him to parliament, or associate him with some of the great men of the time. Mrs. John Hargrove wished it as well; but in the meantime, until one of these sublime blessings could be obtained, it would have satisfied their ambition to see him ride a carriage. But Edward had no chance for great men or barouches. All his desires focused on domestic comfort and the tranquility of private life. Fortunately, he had a younger brother who was more promising.

Edward had stayed in the house for several weeks before taking much of Mrs. Hargrove's attention; for at that time she was in such suffering that she was careless towards the surrounding objects. She only saw that he was calm and inconspicuous, and she liked him for it. He did not disturb the pitifulness of her mind by inappropriate conversation. She was first called to continue watching and approving him, through a reflection that Eleanor happened to make one day about the difference between him and his sister. It was a contradiction that most strongly recommended it to her mother.

"It's enough," she said; "To say that he is different from Esther is enough. It implies everything amiable. I already love him."

"I think you'll like him," Eleanore said, "if you know more about him."

"Like him!" her mother replied with a smile. "I don't feel a sense of approval inferior to love."

"You can appreciate him."

"I've never known what it means to separate appreciation and love."

Mrs. Hargrove now tried to get to know him. Their manners were appropriate and soon banished his restraint. She quickly understood all his merits; the conviction of his consideration for Eleanore perhaps supported their penetration; but she really felt convinced of its value: and even this calmness of behavior, which spoke against all her established ideas of what a young man's address should be, was no longer uninteresting when she knew his heart warm and his temperament loving.

As soon as she noticed any sign of love in his behavior towards Eleanore, when she considered her serious attachment to be certain and looked forward to her imminent wedding.

"In a few months, my dear Marianne," she said, "Eleanore will in all likelihood have settled down for life. We will miss them; but SHE will be happy."

"Oh! Mom, how are we going to do without her?"

"My dear, it will hardly be a separation. We will live just a few miles apart and meet every day of our lives. You will gain a brother, a real, loving brother. I have the highest opinion of the world of Edward's heart. But you look serious, Marianne; do you disapprove of your sister's choice?"

I could not be happy with a man whose taste does not match mine in all respects. He must enter into all my feelings; The same books, the same music must charm us both. Oh! Mom, how mindless, how tame was Edward's way of reading to us last night! My sister felt the worst. And yet she wore it with so much serenity that she hardly seemed to notice it. I could hardly hold my seat. To hear those beautiful lines that have often driven me almost mad, pronounced with such impenetrable calm, such terrible indifference!" And yet she wore it with so much serenity that she hardly seemed to notice it. I could hardly hold my seat. To hear those beautiful lines that have often driven me almost mad, pronounced with such impenetrable calm, such terrible indifference!" And yet she wore it with so much serenity that she hardly seemed to notice it. I could hardly hold my seat. To hear those beautiful lines that have often driven me almost mad, pronounced with such impenetrable calm, such terrible indifference!"

"He would certainly have done justice to simple and elegant prose. That's what I thought at the time; but you WOULD give him Cowper."

"No, mom, if you don't want him to be animated by Cowper! – but we have to allow differences in taste. Eleanore doesn't have my feelings, and that's why she can overlook them and be happy with him. But it would have broken MY heart if I had loved hearing him read with so little sensitivity. Mom, the more I know about the world, the more I am convinced that I will never see a man I can truly love. I demand so much! He must have all the virtues of Edward, and his person and manners must adorn his goodness with every possible charm.

"Remember, my dear, that you are not yet seventeen. It is still too early in life to despair of such happiness. Why should you be less fortunate than your mother? Only in one case, my Marianne, may your fate be different from hers!"