按键盘上方向键 ← 或 → 可快速上下翻页，按键盘上的 Enter 键可回到本书目录页，按键盘上方向键 ↑ 可回到本页顶部！
————未阅读完？加入书签已便下次继续阅读！
possible claim could the Miss Dashwoods； who were related to him
only by half blood； which she considered as no relationship at all；
Classics in Literature： Jane Austen ElecBook
… Page 13…
Jane Austen： Sense and Sensibility 13
have on his generosity to so large an amount。 It was very well
known that no affection was ever supposed to exist between the
children of any man by different marriages； and why was he to
ruin himself； and their poor little Harry； by giving away all his
money to his half sisters？
“It was my father’s last request to me；” replied her husband；
“that I should assist his widow and daughters。”
“He did not know what he was talking of； I dare say； ten to one
but he was light…headed at the time。 Had he been in his right
senses； he could not have thought of such a thing as begging you
to give away half your fortune from your own child。”
“He did not stipulate for any particular sum； my dear Fanny； he
only requested me； in general terms； to assist them； and make
their situation more comfortable than it was in his power to do。
Perhaps it would have been as well if he had left it wholly to
myself。 He could hardly suppose I should neglect them。 But as he
required the promise； I could not do less than give it； at least I
thought so at the time。 The promise； therefore； was given； and
must be performed。 Something must be done for them whenever
they leave Norland and settle in a new home。”
“Well； then； let something be done for them； but that something
need not be three thousand pounds。 Consider；” she added； “that
when the money is once parted with； it never can return。 Your
sisters will marry； and it will be gone for ever。 If； indeed； it could
be restored to our poor little boy—”
“Why； to be sure；” said her husband； very gravely； “that would
make great difference。 The time may come when Harry will regret
that so large a sum was parted with。 If he should have a numerous
family； for instance； it would be a very convenient addition。”
Classics in Literature： Jane Austen ElecBook
… Page 14…
Jane Austen： Sense and Sensibility 14
“To be sure it would。”
“Perhaps； then； it would be better for all parties； if the sum
were diminished one half。—Five hundred pounds would be a
prodigious increase to their fortunes！”
“Oh！ beyond anything great！ What brother on earth would do
half so much for his sisters； even if really his sisters！ And as it is—
only half blood！—But you have such a generous spirit！”
“I would not wish to do any thing mean；” he replied。 “One had
rather； on such occasions； do too much than too little。 No one； at
least； can think I have not done enough for them： even themselves；
they can hardly expect more。”
“There is no knowing what they may expect；” said the lady；
“but we are not to think of their expectations： the question is； what
you can afford to do。”
“Certainly—and I think I may afford to give them five hundred
pounds a…piece。 As it is； without any addition of mine； they will
each have about three thousand pounds on their mother’s death—
a very comfortable fortune for any young woman。”
“To be sure it is： and； indeed； it strikes me that they can want
no addition at all。 They will have ten thousand pounds divided
amongst them。 If they marry； they will be sure of doing well； and if
they do not； they may all live very comfortably together on the
interest of ten thousand pounds。”
“That is very true； and； therefore； I do not know whether； upon
the whole； it would not be more advisable to do something for
their mother while she lives； rather than for them—something of
the annuity kind I mean。—My sisters would feel the good effects of
it as well as herself。 A hundred a year would make them all
perfectly comfortable。”
Classics in Literature： Jane Austen ElecBook
… Page 15…
Jane Austen： Sense and Sensibility 15
His wife hesitated a little； however； in giving her consent to this
plan。
“To be sure；” said she； “it is better than parting with fifteen
hundred pounds at once。 But； then； if Mrs。 Dashwood should live
fifteen years we shall be completely taken in。”
“Fifteen years！ my dear Fanny； her life cannot be worth half
that purchase。”
“Certainly not； but if you observe； people always live for ever
when there is an annuity to be paid them； and she is very stout
and healthy； and hardly forty。 An annuity is a very serious
business； it comes over and over every year； and there is no
getting rid of it。 You are not aware of what you are doing。 I have
known a great deal of the trouble of annuities； for my mother was
clogged with the payment of three to old superannuated servants
by my father’s will； and it is amazing how disagreeable she found
it。 Twice every year these annuities were to be paid； and then
there was the trouble of getting it to them； and then one of them
was said to have died； and afterwards it turned out to be no such
thing。 My mother was quite sick of it。 Her income was not her
own； she said； with such perpetual claims on it； and it was the
more unkind in my father； because； otherwise； the money would
have been entirely at my mother’s disposal； without any restriction
whatever。 It has given me such an abhorrence of annuities； that I
am sure I would not pin myself down to the payment of one for all
the world。”
“It is certainly an unpleasant thing；” replied Mr。 Dashwood； “to
have those kind of yearly drains on one’s income。 One’s fortune； as
your mother justly says； is not one’s own。 To be tied down to the
regular payment of such a sum； on every rent day； is by no means
Classics in Literature： Jane Austen ElecBook
… Page 16…
Jane Austen： Sense and Sensibility 16
desirable： it takes away one’s independence