to inquire farther about it.«
    »It is perfectly true. - Colonel Brandon has given the living of Delaford to
Edward.«
    »Really! - Well, this is very astonishing! - no relationship! - no
connection between them! - and now that livings fetch such a price! - what was
the value of this?«
    »About two hundred a-year.«
    »Very well - and for the next presentation to a living of that value -
supposing the late incumbent to have been old and sickly, and likely to vacate
it soon - he might have got I dare say - fourteen hundred pounds. And how came
he not to have settled that matter before this person's death? - Now indeed it
would be too late to sell it, but a man of Colonel Brandon's sense! - I wonder
he should be so improvident in a point of such common, such natural, concern! -
Well, I am convinced that there is a vast deal of inconsistency in almost every
human character. I suppose, however - on recollection - that the case may
probably be this. Edward is only to hold the living till the person to whom the
Colonel has really sold the presentation, is old enough to take it. - Aye, aye,
that is the fact, depend upon it.«
    Elinor contradicted it, however, very positively; and by relating that she
had herself been employed in conveying the offer from Colonel Brandon to Edward,
and therefore must understand the terms on which it was given, obliged him to
submit to her authority.
    »It is truly astonishing!« - he cried, after hearing what she said - »what
could be the Colonel's motive?«
    »A very simple one - to be of use to Mr. Ferrars.«
    »Well, well; whatever Colonel Brandon may be, Edward is a very lucky man! -
You will not mention the matter to Fanny, however, for though I have broke it to
her, and she bears it vastly well, - she will not like to hear it much talked
of.«
    Elinor had some difficulty here to refrain from observing, that she thought
Fanny might have borne with composure, an acquisition of wealth to her brother,
by which neither she nor her child could be possibly impoverished.
    »Mrs. Ferrars,« added he, lowering his voice to the tone becoming so
important a subject, »knows nothing about it at present, and I believe it will
be best to keep it entirely concealed from her as long as may be. - When