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produced from this pattern of gentleness such violent screams； as
could hardly be outdone by any creature professedly noisy。 The
mother’s consternation was excessive； but it could not surpass the
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alarm of the Miss Steeles； and every thing was done by all three； in
so critical an emergency； which affection could suggest as likely to
assuage the agonies of the little sufferer。 She was seated in her
mother’s lap； covered with kisses； her wound bathed with
lavender…water； by one of the Miss Steeles； who was on her knees
to attend her； and her mouth stuffed with sugar plums by the
other。 With such a reward for her tears； the child was too wise to
cease crying。 She still screamed and sobbed lustily； kicked her two
brothers for offering to touch her； and all their united soothings
were ineffectual till Lady Middleton luckily remembering that in a
scene of similar distress last week； some apricot marmalade had
been successfully applied for a bruised temple； the same remedy
was eagerly proposed for this unfortunate scratch； and a slight
intermission of screams in the young lady on hearing it； gave them
reason to hope that it would not be rejected。—She was carried out
of the room therefore in her mother’s arms； in quest of this
medicine； and as the two boys chose to follow； though earnestly
entreated by their mother to stay behind； the four young ladies
were left in a quietness which the room had not known for many
hours。
“Poor little creatures！” said Miss Steele； as soon as they were
gone。 “It might have been a very sad accident。”
“Yet I hardly know how；” cried Marianne； “unless it had been
under totally different circumstances。 But this is the usual way of
heightening alarm； where there is nothing to be alarmed at in
reality。”
“What a sweet woman Lady Middleton is！” said Lucy Steele。
Marianne was silent； it was impossible for her to say what she
did not feel； however trivial the occasion； and upon Elinor
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therefore the whole task of telling lies when politeness required it；
always fell。 She did her best when thus called on； by speaking of
Lady Middleton with more warmth than she felt； though with far
less than Miss Lucy。
“And Sir John too；” cried the elder sister； “what a charming
man he is！”
Here too； Miss Dashwood’s commendation； being only simple
and just； came in without any eclat。 She merely observed that he
was perfectly good humoured and friendly。
“And what a charming little family they have！ I never saw such
fine children in my life。—I declare I quite doat upon them already；
and indeed I am always distractedly fond of children。”
“I should guess so；” said Elinor； with a smile； “from what I have
witnessed this morning。”
“I have a notion；” said Lucy； “you think the little Middletons
rather too much indulged； perhaps they may be the outside of
enough； but it is so natural in Lady Middleton； and for my part； I
love to see children full of life and spirits； I cannot bear them if
they are tame and quiet。”
“I confess；” replied Elinor； “that while I am at Barton Park； I
never think of tame and quiet children with any abhorrence。”
A short pause succeeded this speech； which was first broken by
Miss Steele； who seemed very much disposed for conversation；
and who now said rather abruptly； “And how do you like
Devonshire； Miss Dashwood？ I suppose you were very sorry to
leave Sussex。”
In some surprise at the familiarity of this question； or at least of
the manner in which it was spoken； Elinor replied that she was。
“Norland is a prodigious beautiful place； is not it？” added Miss
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Steele。
“We have heard Sir John admire it excessively；” said Lucy； who
seemed to think some apology necessary for the freedom of her
sister。
“I think every one must admire it；” replied Elinor； “who ever
saw the place； though it is not to be supposed that any one can
estimate its beauties as we do。”
“And had you a great many smart beaux there？ I suppose you
have not so many in this part of the world； for my part； I think they
are a vast addition always。”
“But why should you think；” said Lucy； looking ashamed of her
sister； “that there are not as many genteel young men in
Devonshire as Sussex？”
“Nay； my dear； I’m sure I don’t pretend to say that there an’t。
I’m sure there’s a vast many smart beaux in Exeter； but you know；
how could I tell what smart beaux there might be about Norland；
and I was only afraid the Miss Dashwoods might find it dull at
Barton； if they had not so many as they used to have。 But perhaps
you young ladies may not care about the beaux； and had as lief be
without them as with them。 For my part； I think they are vastly
agreeable； provided they dress smart and behave civil。 But I can’t
bear to see them dirty and nasty。 Now there’s Mr。 Rose at Exeter；
a prodigious smart young man； quite a beau； clerk to Mr。 Simpson；
you know； and yet if you do but meet him of a morning； he is not
fit to be seen。—I suppose your brother was quite a beau； Miss
Dashwood； before he married； as he was so rich？”
“Upon my word；” replied Elinor； “I cannot tell you； for I do not
perfectly comprehend the meaning of the word。 But this I can say；
that if he ever was a beau before he married； he is one still for
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there is not the smallest alteration in him。”
“Oh！ dear！ one never thinks of married men’s bei