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have two Milch asses at this present time。—But perhaps the little
Misses may hurt the Furniture。—I hope they will have a good
sharp Governess to look after them。’ Poor Mr。 Parker got no more
credit from Lady D。 than he had from his Sisters； for the Object
which had taken him to Willingden。 ‘Lord！ my dear Sir；’ she cried；
‘how could you think of such a thing？ I am very sorry you met with
your accident； but upon my word you deserved it。—Going after a
Doctor！—Why； what should we do with a Doctor here？ It would be
only encouraging our Servants and the Poor to fancy themselves
ill； if there was a Doctor at hand。—Oh！ pray； let us have none of
the Tribe at Sanditon。 We go on very well as we are。 There is the
Sea and the Downs and my Milch…Asses—and I have told Mrs。
Whitby that if any body enquires for a Chamber…Horse； they may
be supplied at a fair rate—（poor Mr。 Hollis’s Chamber…Horse； as
good as new）—and what can People want for more？—Here have I
lived seventy good years in the world and never took Physic above
twice—and never saw the face of a Doctor in all my Life； on my
own account。—And I verily believe if my poor dear Sir Harry had
never seen one neither； he would have been alive now。—Ten fees；
one after another； did the Man take who sent him out of the
World。—I beseech you Mr。 Parker； no Doctors here。’—The Tea
things were brought in。—‘Oh！ my dear Mrs。 Parker—you should
not indeed—why would you do so？ I was just upon the point of
wishing you good Evening。 But since you are so very neighbourly；
I believe Miss Clara and I must stay。’
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CHAPTER VII
he popularity of the Parkers brought them some visitors
the very next morning；—amongst them； Sir Edward
T
Denham and his Sister； who having been at Sanditon H—
drove on to pay their Compliments； and the duty of Letter…writing
being accomplished； Charlotte was settled with Mrs。 P。 in the
Drawing room in time to see them all。—The Denhams were the
only ones to excite particular attention。 Charlotte was glad to
complete her knowledge of the family by an introduction to them；
and found them； the better half at least—（for while single； the
Gentleman may sometimes be thought the better half； of the
pair）—not unworthy notice。—Miss D。 was a fine young woman；
but cold and reserved； giving the idea of one who felt her
consequence with Pride and her Poverty with Discontent； and
who was immediately gnawed by the want of an handsomer
Equipage than the simple Gig in which they travelled； and which
their Groom was leading about still in her sight。—Sir Edward was
much her superior in air and manner；—certainly handsome； but
yet more to be remarked for his very good address and wish of
paying attention and giving pleasure。—He came into the room
remarkably well； talked much—and very much to Charlotte； by
whom he chanced to be placed—and she soon perceived that he
had a fine Countenance； a most pleasing gentleness of voice； and a
great deal of Conversation。 She liked him。—Sober…minded as she
was； she thought him agreable； and did not quarrel with the
suspicion of his finding her equally so； which would arise from his
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Jane Austen： Sanditon 42
evidently disregarding his Sister’s motion to go； and persisting in
his station and his discourse。—I make no apologies for my
Heroine’s vanity。—If there are young Ladies in the World at her
time of Life； more dull of Fancy and more careless of pleasing； I
know them not； and never wish to know them。—At last； from the
low French windows of the Drawing room which commanded the
road and all the Paths across the Down； Charlotte and Sir Edward
as they sat； could not but observe Lady D。 and Miss B。 walking
by—and there was instantly a slight change in Sir Edward’s
countenance—with an anxious glance after them as they
proceeded—followed by an early proposal to his Sister—not
merely for moving； but for walking on together to the Terrace—
which altogether gave an hasty turn to Charlotte’s fancy； cured
her of her halfhour’s fever； and placed her in a more capable state
of judging； when Sir Edward was gone； of how agreable he had
actually been。—‘Perhaps there was a good deal in his Air and
Address； And his Title did him no harm。’ She was very soon in his
company again。 The first object of the Parkers； when their House
was cleared of morning visitors was to get out themselves；—the
Terrace was the attraction to all；—Every body who walked； must
begin with the Terrace； and there； seated on one of the two Green
Benches by the Gravel walk； they found the united Denham
Party；—but though united in the Gross； very distinctly divided
again—the two superior Ladies being at one end of the bench； and
Sir Edward and Miss B。 at the other。—Charlotte’s first glance told
her that Sir Edward’s air was that of a Lover。—There could be no
doubt of his Devotion to Clara。—How Clara received it； was less
obvious—but she was inclined to think not very favourably； for
tho’ sitting thus apart with him （which probably she might not
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have been able to prevent） her air was calm and grave。—That the
young Lady at the other end of the Bench was doing Penance； was
indubitable。 The difference in Miss Denham’s countenance； the
change from Miss Denham sitting in cold Grandeur in Mrs。
Parker’s Drawing…room to be kept from silence by the effor