The furniture was all sent around by water. It chiefly

consisted of household linen, plate, china, and books,

with a handsome pianoforte of Marianne's. Mrs. John

Dashwood saw the packages depart with a sigh: she could

not help feeling it hard that as Mrs. Dashwood's income

would be so trifling in comparison with their own,

she should have any handsome article of furniture.

Mrs. Dashwood took the house for a twelvemonth; it was

ready furnished, and she might have immediate possession.

No difficulty arose on either side in the agreement; and she

waited only for the disposal of her effects at Norland,

and to determine her future household, before she set

off for the west; and this, as she was exceedingly rapid

in the performance of everything that interested her,

was soon done.--The horses which were left her by her husband

had been sold soon after his death, and an opportunity

now offering of disposing of her carriage, she agreed

to sell that likewise at the earnest advice of her

eldest daughter. For the comfort of her children, had she

consulted only her own wishes, she would have kept it;

but the discretion of Elinor prevailed. HER wisdom

too limited the number of their servants to three;

two maids and a man, with whom they were speedily provided

from amongst those who had formed their establishment

at Norland.

The man and one of the maids were sent off immediately

into Devonshire, to prepare the house for their mistress's

arrival; for as Lady Middleton was entirely unknown

to Mrs. Dashwood, she preferred going directly to the

cottage to being a visitor at Barton Park; and she relied

so undoubtingly on Sir John's description of the house,

as to feel no curiosity to examine it herself till she

entered it as her own. Her eagerness to be gone from Norland

was preserved from diminution by the evident satisfaction

of her daughter-in-law in the prospect of her removal;

a satisfaction which was but feebly attempted to be concealed

under a cold invitation to her to defer her departure.

Now was the time when her son-in-law's promise to his

father might with particular propriety be fulfilled.

Since he had neglected to do it on first coming to

the estate, their quitting his house might be looked

on as the most suitable period for its accomplishment.