
sister persisted in going, she would go likewise, as she did not think it proper
that Marianne should be left to the sole guidance of her own judgment, or that
Mrs. Jennings should be abandoned to the mercy of Marianne for all the comfort
of her domestic hours. To this determination she was the more easily reconciled,
by recollecting, that Edward Ferrars, by Lucy's account, was not to be in town
before February; and that their visit, without any unreasonable abridgment,
might be previously finished.
    »I will have you both go,« said Mrs. Dashwood; »these objections are
nonsensical. You will have much pleasure in being in London, and especially in
being together; and if Elinor would ever condescend to anticipate enjoyment, she
would foresee it there from a variety of sources; she would perhaps expect some
from improving her acquaintance with her sister-in-law's family.«
    Elinor had often wished for an opportunity of attempting to weaken her
mother's dependence on the attachment of Edward and herself, that the shock
might be the less when the whole truth were revealed, and now on this attack,
though almost hopeless of success, she forced herself to begin her design by
saying, as calmly as she could, »I like Edward Ferrars very much, and shall
always be glad to see him; but as to the rest of the family, it is a matter of
perfect indifference to me, whether I am ever known to them or not.«
    Mrs. Dashwood smiled and said nothing. Marianne lifted up her eyes in
astonishment, and Elinor conjectured that she might as well have held her
tongue.
    After very little farther discourse, it was finally settled that the
invitation should be fully accepted. Mrs. Jennings received the information with
a great deal of joy, and many assurances of kindness and care; nor was it a
matter of pleasure merely to her. Sir John was delighted; for to a man, whose
prevailing anxiety was the dread of being alone, the acquisition of two, to the
number of inhabitants in London, was something. Even Lady Middleton took the
trouble of being delighted, which was putting herself rather out of her way; and
as for the Miss Steeles, especially Lucy, they had never been so happy in their
lives as this intelligence made them.
    Elinor submitted to the arrangement which counteracted her wishes, with less
reluctance than she had expected to feel. With regard to herself, it was now a
matter of unconcern whether she went to town or not, and when she saw her mother
so thoroughly pleased
