,« he gravely replied; »but
however there is still a great deal to be done. There is not a stone laid of
Fanny's greenhouse, and nothing but the plan of the flower-garden marked out.«
    »Where is the green-house to be?«
    »Upon the knoll behind the house. The old walnut trees are all come down to
make room for it. It will be a very fine object from many parts of the park, and
the flower-garden will slope down just before it, and be exceedingly pretty. We
have cleared away all the old thorns that grew in patches over the brow.«
    Elinor kept her concern and her censure to herself; and was very thankful
that Marianne was not present, to share the provocation.
    Having now said enough to make his poverty clear, and to do away the
necessity of buying a pair of ear-rings for each of his sisters, in his next
visit at Gray's, his thoughts took a cheerfuller turn, and he began to
congratulate Elinor on having such a friend as Mrs. Jennings.
    »She seems a most valuable woman indeed. - Her house, her style of living,
all bespeak an exceeding good income; and it is an acquaintance that has not
only been of great use to you hitherto, but in the end may prove materially
advantageous. - Her inviting you to town is certainly a vast thing in your
favour; and indeed, it speaks altogether so great a regard for you, that in all
probability when she dies you will not be forgotten. - She must have a great
deal to leave.«
    »Nothing at all, I should rather suppose; for she has only her jointure,
which will descend to her children.«
    »But it is not to be imagined that she lives up to her income. Few people of
common prudence will do that; and whatever she saves, she will be able to
dispose of.«
    »And do you not think it more likely that she should leave it to her
daughters, than to us?«
    »Her daughters are both exceedingly well married, and therefore I cannot
perceive the necessity of her remembering them farther. Whereas, in my opinion,
by her taking so much notice of you, and treating you in this kind of way, she
has given you a sort of claim on her future consideration, which a conscientious
woman would not disregard. Nothing can be kinder than her behaviour; and she can
hardly do all this, without being aware of the expectation she raises.«
    »But she raises
