; for though her former style of life rendered many additions to
the latter indispensable, yet to add and improve was a delight to her; and she
had at this time ready money enough to supply all that was wanted of greater
elegance to the apartments. »As for the house itself, to be sure,« said she, »it
is too small for our family, but we will make ourselves tolerably comfortable
for the present, as it is too late in the year for improvements. Perhaps in the
spring, if I have plenty of money, as I dare say I shall, we may think about
building. These parlours are both too small for such parties of our friends as I
hope to see often collected here; and I have some thoughts of throwing the
passage into one of them with perhaps a part of the other, and so leave the
remainder of that other for an entrance; this, with a new drawing-room which may
be easily added, and a bed-chamber and garret above, will make it a very snug
little cottage. I could wish the stairs were handsome. But one must not expect
every thing; though I suppose it would be no difficult matter to widen them. I
shall see how much I am before-hand with the world in the spring, and we will
plan our improvements accordingly.«
    In the mean time, till all these alterations could be made from the savings
of an income of five hundred a-year by a woman who never saved in her life, they
were wise enough to be contented with the house as it was; and each of them was
busy in arranging their particular concerns, and endeavouring, by placing around
them their books and other possessions, to form themselves a home. Marianne's
pianoforte was unpacked and properly disposed of; and Elinor's drawings were
affixed to the walls of their sitting room.
    In such employments as these they were interrupted soon after breakfast the
next day by the entrance of their landlord, who called to welcome them to
Barton, and to offer them every accommodation from his own house and garden in
which their's might at present be deficient. Sir John Middleton was a good
looking man about forty. He had formerly visited at Stanhill, but it was too
long ago for his young cousins to remember him. His countenance was thoroughly
good-humoured; and his manners were as friendly as the style of his letter.
Their arrival seemed to afford him real satisfaction, and their comfort to be an
object of real solicitude to him. He said much of his earnest desire
