 of the living, and was very inquisitive on the
subject. Elinor repeated the particulars of it, as she had given them to John;
and their effect on Robert, though very different, was not less striking than it
had been on him. He laughed most immoderately. The idea of Edward's being a
clergyman, and living in a small parsonage-house, diverted him beyond measure; -
and when to that was added the fanciful imagery of Edward reading prayers in a
white surplice, and publishing the banns of marriage between John Smith and Mary
Brown, he could conceive nothing more ridiculous.
    Elinor, while she waited in silence, and immovable gravity, the conclusion
of such folly, could not restrain her eyes from being fixed on him with a look
that spoke all the contempt it excited. It was a look, however, very well
bestowed, for it relieved her own feelings, and gave no intelligence to him. He
was recalled from wit to wisdom, not by any reproof of her's, but by his own
sensibility.
    »We may treat it as a joke,« said he at last, recovering from the affected
laugh which had considerably lengthened out the genuine gaiety of the moment -
»but upon my soul, it is a most serious business. Poor Edward! he is ruined for
ever. I am extremely sorry for it - for I know him to be a very good-hearted
creature; as well-meaning a fellow perhaps, as any in the world. You must not
judge of him, Miss Dashwood, from your slight acquaintance. - Poor Edward! - His
manners are certainly not the happiest in nature. - But we are not all born, you
know, with the same powers - the same address. - Poor fellow! - to see him in a
circle of strangers! - to be sure it was pitiable enough! - but, upon my soul, I
believe he has as good a heart as any in the kingdom; and I declare and protest
to you I never was so shocked in my life, as when it all burst forth. I could
not believe it. - My mother was the first person who told me of it, and I,
feeling myself called on to act with resolution, immediately said to her, My
dear madam, I do not know what you may intend to do on the occasion, but as for
myself, I must say, that if Edward does marry this young woman, I never will see
him again. That was what I said immediately, - I was most uncommonly shocked
