Collins Classics. Джейн Остин

Чтение книги онлайн.

СКАЧАТЬ to do. I answered Fanny’s letter by the same post and pressed for the recommendation of Sanditon. Fanny had feared your having no house large enough to receive such a family. But I seem to be spinning out my story to an endless length. You see how it was all managed. I had the pleasure of hearing soon afterwards, by the same simple link of connection, that Sanditon had been recommended by Mrs. Darling, and that the West Indians were very much disposed to go thither. This was the state of the case when I wrote to you. But two days ago—yes, the day before yesterday—I heard again from Fanny Noyce, saying that she had heard from Miss Capper, who by a letter from Mrs. Darling understood that Mrs. Griffiths had expressed herself in a letter to Mrs. Darling more doubtingly on the subject of Sanditon. Am I clear? I would be anything rather than not clear.”

      “Oh, perfectly, perfectly. Well?”

      “The reason of this hesitation was her having no connections in the place, and no means of ascertaining that she should have good accommodations on arriving there; and she was particularly careful and scrupulous on all those matters, more on account of a certain Miss Lambe, a young lady—probably a niece—under her care, than on her own account, or her daughters’. Miss Lambe has an immense fortune, richer than all the rest, and very delicate health. One sees clearly enough by all this the sort of woman Mrs. Griffiths must be: as helpless and indolent as wealth and a hot climate are apt to make us. But we are not born to equal energy. What was to be done? I had a few moments’ indecision, whether to offer to write to you, or to Mrs. Whitby, to secure them a house; but neither pleased me. I hate to employ others when I am equal to act myself; and my conscience told me that this was an occasion which called for me. Here was a family of helpless invalids whom I might essentially serve. I sounded Susan. The same thought had occurred to her. Arthur made no difficulties. Our plan was arranged immediately, we were off yesterday morning at six, left Chichester at the same hour today, and here we are.”

      “Excellent! Excellent!” cried Mr. Parker. “Diana, you are unequalled in serving your friends and doing good to all the world. I know nobody like you. Mary, my love, is not she a wonderful creature? Well, and now, what house do you design to engage for them? What is the size of their family?”

      “I do not at all know,” replied his sister, “have not the least idea, never heard any particulars; but I am very sure that the largest house at Sanditon cannot be too large. They are more likely to want a second. I shall take only one, however, and that but for a week certain. Miss Heywood, I astonish you. You hardly know what to make of me. I see by your looks that you are not used to such quick measures.”

      The words “Unaccountable officiousness!—Activity run mad!” had just passed through Charlotte’s mind, but a civil answer was easy.

      “I dare say I do look surprised,” said she, “because these are very great exertions, and I know what invalids both you and your sister are.”

      “Invalids indeed. I trust there are not three people in England who have so sad a right to that appellation! But my dear Miss Heywood, we are sent into this world to be as extensively useful as possible, and where some degree of strength of mind is given, it is not a feeble body which will excuse us or incline us to excuse ourselves. The world is pretty much divided between the weak of mind and the strong; between those who can act and those who cannot; and it is the bounden duty of the capable to let no opportunity of being useful escape them. My sister’s complaints and mine are happily not often of a nature to threaten existence immediately. And as long as we can exert ourselves to be of use to others, I am convinced that the body is the better for the refreshment the mind receives in doing its duty. While I have been travelling with this object in view, I have been perfectly well.”

      The entrance of the children ended this little panegyric on her own disposition; and after having noticed and caressed them all, she prepared to go.

      “Cannot you dine with us? Is not it possible to prevail on you to dine with us?” was then the cry. And that being absolutely negatived, it was, “And when shall we see you again? And how can we be of use to you?” And Mr. Parker warmly offered his assistance in taking the house for Mrs. Griffiths.

      “I will come to you the moment I have dined,” said he, “and we will go about together.”

      But this was immediately declined.

      “No, my dear Tom, upon no account in the world shall you stir a step on any business of mine. Your ankle wants rest. I see by the position of your foot that you have used it too much already. No, I shall go about my house-taking directly. Our dinner is not ordered till six; and by that time I hope to have completed it. It is now only half past four. As to seeing me

      Конец ознакомительного фрагмента.

      Текст предоставлен ООО «ЛитРес».

      Прочитайте эту книгу целиком, купив полную легальную версию на ЛитРес.

      Безопасно оплатить книгу можно банковской картой Visa, MasterCard, Maestro, со счета мобильного телефона, с платежного терминала, в салоне МТС или Связной, через PayPal, WebMoney, Яндекс.Деньги, QIWI Кошелек, бонусными картами или другим удобным Вам способом.

iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAAu4AAASACAIAAAAvUV+NAAAABGdBTUEAALGPC/xhBQAACjFpQ0NQ SUNDIHByb2ZpbGUAAEiJnZZ3VFPZFofPvTe9UJIQipTQa2hSAkgNvUiRLioxCRBKwJAAIjZEVHBE UZGmCDIo4ICjQ5GxIoqFAVGx6wQZRNRxcBQblklkrRnfvHnvzZvfH/d+a5+9z91n733WugCQ/IMF wkxYCYAMoVgU4efFiI2LZ2AHAQzwAANsAOBws7NCFvhGApkCfNiMbJkT+Be9ug4g+fsq0z+MwQD/ n5S5WSIxAFCYjOfy+NlcGRfJOD1XnCW3T8mYtjRNzjBKziJZgjJWk3PyLFt89pllDznzMoQ8Gctz zuJl8OTcJ+ONORK+jJFgGRfnCPi5Mr4mY4N0SYZAxm/ksRl8TjYAKJLcLuZzU2RsLWOSKDKCLeN5 AOBIyV/w0i9YzM8Tyw/FzsxaLhIkp4gZJlxTho2TE4vhz89N54vFzDAON40j4jHYmRlZHOFyAGbP /FkUeW0ZsiI72Dg5ODBtLW2+KNR/Xfybkvd2ll6Ef+4ZRB/4w/ZXfpkNALCmZbXZ+odtaRUAXesB ULv9h81gLwCKsr51Dn1xHrp8XlLE4ixnK6vc3FxLAZ9rKS/o7/qfDn9DX3zPUr7d7+VhePOTOJJ0 MUNeN25meqZExMjO4nD5DOafh/gfB/51HhYR/CS+iC+URUTLpkwgTJa1W8gTiAWZQoZA+J+a+A/D /qTZuZaJ2vgR0JZYAqUhGkB+HgAoKhEgCXtkK9DvfQvGRwP5zYvRmZid+8+C/n1XuEz+yBYkf45j R0QyuBJRzuya/FoCNCAARUAD6kAb6AMTwAS2wBG4AA/gAwJBKIgEcWAx4IIUkAFEIBcUgLWgGJSC rWAnqAZ1oBE0gzZwGHSBY+A0OAcugctgBNwBUjAOnoAp8ArMQBCEhcgQFVKHdCBDyByyhViQG+QD BUMRUByUCCVDQkgCFUDroFKoHKqG6qFm6FvoKHQaugANQ7egUWgS+hV6ByMwCabBWrARbAWzYE84 CI6EF8HJ8DI4Hy6Ct8CVcAN8EO6ET8OX4BFYCj+BpxGAEBE6ooswERbCRkKReCQJESGrkBKkAmlA 2pAepB+5ikiRp8hbFAZFRTFQTJQLyh8VheKilqFWoTajqlEHUJ2oPtRV1ChqCvURTUZros3RzugA dCw6GZ2LLkZXoJvQHeiz6BH0OPoVBoOhY4wxjhh/TBwmFbMCsxmzG9OOOYUZxoxhprFYrDrWHOuK DcVysGJsMbYKexB7EnsFO459gyPidHC2OF9cPE6IK8RV4FpwJ3BXcBO4GbwS3hDvjA/F8/DL8WX4 RnwPfgg/jp8hKBOMCa6ESEIqYS2hktBGOEu4S3hBJBL1i

СКАЧАТЬ