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me！—I think she might see us； and I am sure we would not speak a
word。”
Elinor； with great civility； declined the proposal。 Her sister was
perhaps laid down upon the bed； or in her dressing gown； and
therefore not able to come to them。
“Oh； if that’s all；” cried Miss Steele； “we can just as well go and
see her。”
Elinor began to find this impertinence too much for her temper；
but she was saved the trouble of checking it； by Lucy’s sharp
reprimand； which now； as on many occasions； though it did not
give much sweetness to the manners of one sister； was of
advantage in governing those of the other。
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CHAPTER XI
fter some opposition； Marianne yielded to her sister’s
Aentreaties； and consented to go out with her and Mrs。
Jennings one morning for half an hour。 She expressly
conditioned； however； for paying no visits； and would do no more
than accompany them to Gray’s in Sackville…street； where Elinor
was carrying on a negotiation for the exchange of a few old…
fashioned jewels of her mother。
When they stopped at the door； Mrs。 Jennings recollected that
there was a lady at the other end of the street on whom she ought
to call； and as she had no business at Gray’s； it was resolved； that
while her young friends transacted their’s； she should pay her visit
and return for them。
On ascending the stairs； the Miss Dashwoods found so many
people before them in the room； that there was not a person at
liberty to tend to their orders； and they were obliged to wait。 All
that could be done was； to sit down at that end of the counter
which seemed to promise the quickest succession； one gentleman
only was standing there； and it is probable that Elinor was not
without hope of exciting his politeness to a quicker despatch。 But
the correctness of his eye； and the delicacy of his taste； proved to
be beyond his politeness。 He was giving orders for a toothpick…
case for himself； and till its size； shape； and ornaments were
determined； all of which； after examining and debating for a
quarter of an hour over every toothpick…case in the shop； were
finally arranged by his own inventive fancy； he had no leisure to
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bestow any other attention on the two ladies； than what was
comprised in three or four very broad stares； a kind of notice
which served to imprint on Elinor the remembrance of a person
and face； of strong； natural； sterling insignificance； though
adorned in the first style of fashion。
Marianne was spared from the troublesome feelings of
contempt and resentment； on this impertinent examination of
their features； and on the puppyism of his manner in deciding on
all the different horrors of the different toothpick…cases presented
to his inspection； by remaining unconscious of it all； for she was as
well able to collect her thoughts within herself； and be as ignorant
of what was passing around her； in Mr。 Gray’s shop； as in her own
bedroom。
At last the affair was decided。 The ivory； the gold； and the
pearls； all received their appointment； and the gentleman having
named the last day on which his existence could be continued
without the possession of the toothpick…case； drew on his gloves
with leisurely care； and bestowing another glance on the Miss
Dashwoods； but such a one as seemed rather to demand than
express admiration； walked off with a happy air of real conceit and
affected indifference。
Elinor lost no time in bringing her business forward； was on the
point of concluding it； when another gentleman presented himself
at her side。 She turned her eyes towards his face； and found him
with some surprise to be her brother。
Their affection and pleasure in meeting was just enough to
make a very creditable appearance in Mr。 Gray’s shop。 John
Dashwood was really far from being sorry to see his sisters again；
it rather gave them satisfaction； and his inquiries after their
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mother were respectful and attentive。
Elinor found that he and Fanny had been in town two days。
“I wished very much to call upon you yesterday；” said he； “but
it was impossible； for we were obliged to take Harry to see the wild
beasts at Exeter Exchange； and we spent the rest of the day with
Mrs。 Ferrars。 Harry was vastly pleased。 This morning I had fully
intended to call on you； if I could possibly find a spare half hour；
but one has always so much to do on first coming to town。 I am
come here to bespeak Fanny a seal。 But tomorrow I think I shall
certainly be able to call in Berkeley…street； and be introduced to
your friend Mrs。 Jennings。 I understand she is a woman of very
good fortune。 And the Middletons too； you must introduce me to
them。 As my mother…in…law’s relations； I shall be happy to show
them every respect。 They are excellent neighbours to you in the
country； I understand。”
“Excellent indeed。 Their attention to our comfort； their
friendliness in every particular； is more than I can express。”
“I am extremely glad to hear it； upon my word； extremely glad
indeed。 But so it ought to be； they are people of large fortune； they
are related to you； and every civility and accommodation that can
serve to make your situation pleasant might be reasonably
expected。 And so you are most comfortably settled in your little
cottage and want for nothing！ Edward brought us a