Page:Jane Austen (Sarah Fanny Malden 1889).djvu/79

 her head "There, to be sure," said she, "I might have thought myself safe." She was quite in an agony. We consulted together, however, as to what should be done; and at last she determined to send for Edward. He came his mother explained to him her liberal designs in case of his marrying Miss Morton, told him she would settle on him the Norfolk estate, which, clear of land-tax, brings in a good thousand a year, offered even, when matters grew desperate, to make it twelve hundred, and, in opposition to this, if he still persisted in this low connection, represented to him the certain penury that must attend the match. His own two thousand pounds, she protested, should be his all; she would never see him again, and so far would she be from affording him the smallest assistance that, if he were to enter into any profession with a view of better support, she would do all in her power to prevent his advancing in it.'

"Here Marianne, in an ecstasy of indignation, clapped her hands together, and cried, 'Gracious God! can this be possible?'

"'Well may you wonder, Marianne,' replied her brother, 'at the obstinacy which could resist such arguments as these. Your exclamation is very natural.'

"Marianne was going to retort, but she remembered her promises, and forbore

"'Well, Sir,' said Mrs. Jennings, 'and how did it end?'

"'I am sorry to say, Ma'am, in a most unhappy rupture. Edward is dismissed for ever from his mother's notice. He left her house yesterday; but where he is gone, or whether he is still in town, I do not know, for we, of course, can make no inquiry.