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worried by what passed； that as soon as he had went away from
his mother’s house； he had got upon his horse； and rid into the
country some where or other； and how he had stayed about at an
inn all Thursday and Friday； on purpose to get the better of it。 And
after thinking it all over and over again； he said； it seemed to him
as if； now he had no fortune； and no nothing at all； it would be
quite unkind to keep her on to the engagement； because it must be
for her loss； for he had nothing but two thousand pounds； and no
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hope of any thing else； and if he was to go into orders； as he had
some thoughts； he could get nothing but a curacy； and how was
they to live upon that？—He could not bear to think of her doing no
better； and so he begged； if she had the least mind for it； to put an
end to the matter directly； and leave him to shift for himself。 I
heard him say all this as plain as could possibly be。 And it was
entirely for her sake； and upon her account； that he said a word
about being off； and not upon his own。 I will take my oath he never
dropt a syllable of being tired of her； or of wishing to marry Miss
Morton； or any thing like it。 But； to be sure； Lucy would not give
ear to such kind of talking； so she told him directly （with a great
deal about sweet and love； you know； and all that—Oh； la！ one
can’t repeat such kind of things you know）—she told him directly；
she had not the least mind in the world to be off； for she could live
with him upon a trifle； and how little so ever he might have； she
should be very glad to have it all； you know； or something of the
kind。 So then he was monstrous happy； and talked on some time
about what they should do； and they agreed he should take orders
directly； and they must wait to be married till he got a living。 And
just then I could not hear any more； for my cousin called from
below to tell me Mrs。 Richardson was come in her coach； and
would take one of us to Kensington Gardens； so I was forced to go
into the room and interrupt them； to ask Lucy if she would like to
go； but she did not care to leave Edward； so I just run up stairs
and put on a pair of silk stockings and came off with the
Richardsons。”
“I do not understand what you mean by interrupting them；”
said Elinor； “you were all in the same room together； were not
you？”
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“No； indeed； not us。 La！ Miss Dashwood； do you think people
make love when any body else is by？ Oh； for shame！—To be sure
you must know better than that。 （Laughing affectedly。）—No； no；
they were shut up in the drawing…room together； and all I heard
was only by listening at the door。”
“How！” cried Elinor； “have you been repeating to me what you
only learnt yourself by listening at the door？ I am sorry I did not
know it before； for I certainly would not have suffered you to give
me particulars of a conversation which you ought not to have
known yourself。 How could you behave so unfairly by your
sister？”
“Oh； la！ there is nothing in that。 I only stood at the door； and
heard what I could。 And I am sure Lucy would have done just the
same by me； for a year or two back； when Martha Sharpe and I
had so many secrets together； she never made any bones of hiding
in a closet； or behind a chimney…board； on purpose to hear what
we said。”
Elinor tried to talk of something else； but Miss Steele could not
be kept beyond a couple of minutes； from what was uppermost in
her mind。
“Edward talks of going to Oxford soon；” said she； “but now he is
lodging at No。 —； Pall Mall。 What an ill…natured woman his mother
is； an’t she？ And your brother and sister were not very kind！
However； I shan’t say anything against them to you； and to be sure
they did send us home in their own chariot； which was more than I
looked for。 And for my part； I was all in a fright for fear your sister
should ask us for the huswifes she had gave us a day or two before；
but； however； nothing was said about them； and I took care to
keep mine out of sight。 Edward have got some business at Oxford；
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he says； so he must go there for a time； and after that； as soon as
he can light upon a Bishop； he will be ordained。 I wonder what
curacy he will get！—Good gracious！ （giggling as she spoke） I’d lay
my life I know what my cousins will say； when they hear of it。 They
will tell me I should write to the Doctor； to get Edward the curacy
of his new living。 I know they will； but I am sure I would not do
such a thing for all the world。— ‘La！’ I shall say directly； ‘I wonder
how you could think of such a thing？ I write to the Doctor；
indeed！’”
“Well；” said Elinor； “it is a comfort to be prepared against the
worst。 You have got your answer ready。”
Miss Steele was going to reply on the same subject； but the
approach of her own party made another more necessary。
“Oh； la！ here come the Richardsons。 I had a vast deal more to
say to you； but I must not stay away from them not any longer。 I
assure you they are very genteel people。 He makes a monstrous
deal of money； and they keep their own coach。 I have not time to
speak to Mrs。 Jennings about it myself； but pray tell her I am quite
happy to hear she is not in anger against us； and Lady Middleton
the same； and if anything should happen to take you and your
sister away； and Mrs。 Jennings should want company； I am sure
we should be very glad to come and stay with her for as long a
time as she likes。 I suppose Lady Middleton won’t ask us any more
this bout。 Good…bye； I am sorry Miss Marianne was not here。
Remember me kindly to her。 La！ if you have not got your spotte