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square； and beyond them were the offices and the stairs。 Four
bed…rooms and two garrets formed the rest of the house。 It had not
been built many years and was in good repair。 In comparison of
Norland； it was poor and small indeed！—but the tears which
recollection called forth as they entered the house were soon dried
away。 They were cheered by the joy of the servants on their
arrival； and each for the sake of the others resolved to appear
happy。 It was very early in September； the season was fine； and
from first seeing the place under the advantage of good weather；
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they received an impression in its favour which was of material
service in recommending it to their lasting approbation。
The situation of the house was good。 High hills rose
immediately behind； and at no great distance on each side； some
of which were open downs； the others cultivated and woody。 The
village of Barton was chiefly on one of these hills； and formed a
pleasant view from the cottage windows。 The prospect in front was
more extensive； it commanded the whole of the valley； and
reached into the country beyond。 The hills which surrounded the
cottage terminated the valley in that direction； under another
name； and in another course； it branched out again between two
of the steepest of them。
With the size and furniture of the house Mrs。 Dashwood was
upon the whole well satisfied； for though her former style of life
rendered many additions to the latter indispensable； yet to add
and improve was a delight to her； and she had at this time ready
money enough to supply all that was wanted of greater elegance to
the apartments。 “As for the house itself； to be sure；” said she； “it is
too small for our family； but we will make ourselves tolerably
comfortable for the present； as it is too late in the year for
improvements。 Perhaps in the spring； if I have plenty of money； as
I dare say I shall； we may think about building。 These parlours are
both too small for such parties of our friends as I hope to see often
collected here； and I have some thoughts of throwing the passage
into one of them with perhaps a part of the other； and so leave the
remainder of that other for an entrance； this； with a new drawing
room which may be easily added； and a bed…chamber and garret
above； will make it a very snug little cottage。 I could wish the stairs
were handsome。 But one must not expect every thing； though I
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suppose it would be no difficult matter to widen them。 I shall see
how much I am before…hand with the world in the spring； and we
will plan our improvements accordingly。”
In the mean time； till all these alterations could be made from
the savings of an income of five hundred a…year by a woman who
never saved in her life； they were wise enough to be contented
with the house as it was； and each of them was busy in arranging
their particular concerns； and endeavouring； by placing around
them books and other possessions； to form themselves a home。
Marianne’s pianoforté was unpacked and properly disposed of；
and Elinor’s drawings were affixed to the walls of their sitting
room。
In such employments as these they were interrupted soon after
breakfast the next day by the entrance of their landlord； who
called to welcome them to Barton； and to offer them every
accommodation from his own house and garden in which theirs
might at present be deficient。 Sir John Middleton was a good
looking man about forty。 He had formerly visited at Stanhill； but it
was too long for his young cousins to remember him。 His
countenance was thoroughly good…humoured； and his manners
were as friendly as the style of his letter。 Their arrival seemed to
afford him real satisfaction； and their comfort to be an object of
real solicitude to him。 He said much of his earnest desire of their
living in the most sociable terms with his family； and pressed them
so cordially to dine at Barton Park every day till they were better
settled at home； that； though his entreaties were carried to a point
of perseverance beyond civility； they could not give offence。 His
kindness was not confined to words； for within an hour after he
left them； a large basket full of garden stuff and fruit arrived from
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the park； which was followed before the end of the day by a
present of game。 He insisted； moreover； on conveying all their
letters to and from the post for them； and would not be denied the
satisfaction of sending them his newspaper every day。
Lady Middleton had sent a very civil message by him； denoting
her intention of waiting on Mrs。 Dashwood as soon as she could be
assured that her visit would be no inconvenience； and as this
message was answered by an invitation equally polite； her
ladyship was introduced to them the next day。
They were of course very anxious to see a person on whom so
much of their comfort at Barton must depend； and the elegance of
her appearance was favourable to their wishes。 Lady Middleton
was not more than six or seven and twenty； her face was
handsome； her figure tall and striking； and her address graceful。
Her manners had all the elegance which her husband’s wanted。
But they would have been improved by some share of his
frankness and warmth； and her visit was long enough to detract
something from their first admiration； by shewing that； though
perfectly well…bred； she was reserved； cold； and had nothing to say
for hersel