which qualified her, though
only nineteen, to be the counsellor of her mother, and enabled her frequently to
counteract, to the advantage of them all, that eagerness of mind in Mrs.
Dashwood which must generally have led to imprudence. She had an excellent
heart; - her disposition was affectionate, and her feelings were strong; but she
knew how to govern them: it was a knowledge which her mother had yet to learn,
and which one of her sisters had resolved never to be taught.
    Marianne's abilities were, in many respects, quite equal to Elinor's. She
was sensible and clever; but eager in every thing; her sorrows, her joys, could
have no moderation. She was generous, amiable, interesting: she was every thing
but prudent. The resemblance between her and her mother was strikingly great.
    Elinor saw, with concern, the excess of her sister's sensibility; but by
Mrs. Dashwood it was valued and cherished. They encouraged each other now in the
violence of their affliction. The agony of grief which overpowered them at
first, was voluntarily renewed, was sought for, was created again and again.
They gave themselves up wholly to their sorrow, seeking increase of wretchedness
in every reflection that could afford it, and resolved against ever admitting
consolation in future. Elinor, too, was deeply afflicted; but still she could
struggle, she could exert herself. She could consult with her brother, could
receive her sister-in-law on her arrival, and treat her with proper attention;
and could strive to rouse her mother to similar exertion, and encourage her to
similar forbearance.
    Margaret, the other sister, was a good-humoured well-disposed girl; but as
she had already imbibed a good deal of Marianne's romance, without having much
of her sense, she did not, at thirteen, bid fair to equal her sisters at a more
advanced period of life.
 

                                   Chapter II

Mrs. John Dashwood now installed herself mistress of Norland; and her mother and
sisters-in-law were degraded to the condition of visitors. As such, however,
they were treated by her with quiet civility; and by her husband with as much
kindness as he could feel towards any body beyond himself, his wife, and their
child. He really pressed them, with some earnestness, to consider Norland as
their home; and, as no plan appeared so eligible to Mrs. Dashwood as remaining
there till she could accommodate herself with a house in the neighbourhood, his
invitation was accepted.
    A continuance in a place where