Moderate words are treated as an insult, and the limit inside them is stepped over. Marianne pities Edward for having no taste for drawing. Elinor says he does not draw, but he likes to see other people's work, and he has a simple taste he will not trust himself to speak. Marianne smiles at what she takes for a sister's mistake, and she still honours Elinor for that partiality. Pressed, she will praise his goodness and sense, though not as warmly as Elinor wants. Elinor then says more than she meant. His mind is well informed, his imagination lively, his taste pure, and she thinks him almost handsome. Marianne answers that she will soon think him handsome too, if Elinor tells her to love him as a brother.
Elinor starts at that. She says she thinks very highly of him, that she greatly esteems him, that she likes him. Marianne calls esteem and liking cold-hearted, and worse than cold-hearted, and she will leave the room if those words are used again. Elinor asks her to believe the feeling is stronger than the words. Then she sets the limit. She is by no means sure of his regard. There are moments when it seems doubtful. He is far from independent. From what Fanny has let fall about his mother, a wife without a great fortune or high rank would meet many difficulties. With Mrs. Dashwood and Marianne, to wish is to hope, and to hope is to expect. Marianne is astonished they are not engaged. She still says it certainly soon will happen, and that the delay will give him time to learn to draw.
Fanny takes the first chance to affront Mrs. Dashwood. She speaks of her brother's great expectations, of Mrs. Ferrars's resolve that both sons shall marry well, and of the danger for any young woman who tries to draw him in. Mrs. Dashwood answers with contempt, leaves the room, and resolves that Elinor will not face another week of such hints. In that mood a letter comes from Sir John Middleton, a relation in Devonshire. He offers a cottage on easy terms, and asks them to come to Barton Park and judge whether it can be made comfortable. A few hours earlier, a county so far from Sussex would have been reason enough to refuse. Now that distance is the first recommendation. To leave Norland for ever would hurt less than to stay while Fanny is mistress. Mrs. Dashwood accepts at once and shows the letters to her daughters before the answer goes. Elinor thinks some distance is prudent. The house is small and the rent low, so she does not oppose, though the remove is farther than she wishes, and the plan gives her no pleasure. Edward has not been told. Will the answer go before he hears the word Devonshire?
Coming Up in Chapter 5
As soon as the answer is sent, Mrs. Dashwood tells her son-in-law she has a house and will not trouble them once it is ready. Edward turns at the word Devonshire and asks how far, and to what part. It is within four miles northward of Exeter.
