August 1, 2025 • 12 mins
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Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:00):
Chapter nine. The Dashwoods were now settled at Barton with
tolerable comfort to themselves. The house and the garden, with
all the objects surrounding them, were now become familiar, and
the ordinary pursuits which had given to Norland half its charms,
were engaged in again, with far greater enjoyment than Norland
(00:22):
had been able to afford since the loss of their father.
Sir John Middleton, who called on them every day for
the first fortnight, and who was not in the habit
of seeing much occupation at home, could not conceal his
amazement on finding them always employed. Their visitors, except those
(00:43):
from Barton Park, were not many, for in spite of
Sir John's urgent entreaties that they would mix more in
the neighborhood and repeated assurances of his carriage being always
at their service, the independence of Missus Dashwood's spirit over
came the wish of society for her children, and she
(01:03):
was resolute in declining to visit any family beyond the
distance of a walk. There were but few who could
be so classed, and it was not all of them
that were attainable. About a mile and a half from
the cottage along the narrow winding valley of Allenham, which
issued from that of Barton. As formerly described, the girls had,
(01:26):
in one of their earliest walks, discovered an ancient, respectable
looking mansion, which, by reminding them a little of Norland,
interested their imagination and made them wish to be better
acquainted with it. But they learned on inquiry that its possessor,
an elderly lady of very good character, was unfortunately too
(01:50):
infirm to mix with the world, and never stirred from home.
The whole country about them abounded in beautiful walks. The
h hy downs, which invited them from almost every window
of the cottage to seek the exquisite enjoyment of air
on their summits, were a happy alternative when the dirt
(02:10):
of the valleys beneath shut up their superior beauties. And
towards one of these hills did Mary Anne and Margaret
one memorable morning direct their steps. Attracted by the partial
sunshine of a showery sky, and unable longer to bear
the confinement which the settled rain of the two preceding
(02:31):
days had occasioned, the weather was not tempting enough to
draw the two others from their pencil and their book.
In spite of mary Anne's declaration that the day would
be lastingly fair and that every threatening cloud would be
drawn off from their hills, and the two girls set
off together. They gaily ascended the downs, rejoicing in their
(02:53):
own penetration at every glimpse of blue sky, and when
they caught in their faces the animal eating gales of
a high southwesterly wind, they pitied the fears which had
prevented their mother and Eleanor from sharing such delightful sensations.
Speaker 2 (03:10):
Is there a felicity in the world, said mary Anne,
superior to this, Margaret, We will walk here at least
two hours.
Speaker 1 (03:20):
Margaret agreed, and they pursued their way against the wind,
resisting it with laughing delight for about twenty minutes longer,
when suddenly the clouds united over their heads, and a
driving rain set full in their face. Chagrined and surprised,
they were obliged, though unwillingly, to turn back, for no
(03:42):
shelter was nearer than their own house. One consolation, however,
remained for them, to which the exigence of the moment
gave more than usual propriety. It was that of running
with all possible speed down the steep side of the hill,
which led immediately to their guard and gate. They set off.
(04:04):
Mary Anne had at first the advantage, but a false
step brought her suddenly to the ground, and Margaret, unable
to stop herself to assist her, was involuntarily hurried along
and reached the bottom in safety. A gentleman carrying a
gun with two pointers playing round him, was passing up
(04:24):
the hill and within a few yards of Marianne when
her accident happened. He put down his gun and ran
to her assistance. She had raised herself from the ground,
but her foot had been twisted in her fall, and
she was scarcely able to stand. The gentleman offered his services, and,
perceiving that her modesty declined what her situation rendered necessary,
(04:48):
took her up in his arms without farther delay, and
carried her down the hill. Then, passing through the garden,
the gate of which had been left open by Margaret,
he bore her directly into the house, whither Margaret was
just arrived, and quitted not his hold till he had
seated her in a chair in the parlor. Eleanor and
(05:10):
her mother rose up in amazement at their entrance, and
while the eyes of both were fixed on him with
an evident wonder and a secret admiration which equally sprung
from his appearance, he apologized for his intrusion by relating
its cause in a manner so frank and so graceful,
that his person, which was uncommonly handsome, received additional charms
(05:34):
from his voice and expression. Had he been even old,
ugly and vulgar, the gratitude and kindness of Missus Dashwood
would have been secured by any act of attention to
her child. But the influence of youth, beauty, and elegance
gave an interest to the action which came home to
her feelings. She thanked him again and again, and with
(05:59):
a weakness of address which always attended her, invited him
to be seated, But this he declined, as he was
dirty and wet. Missus Dashwood then begged to know to
whom she was obliged. His name, he replied, was Willoughby,
and his present home was at Allenham, from whence he
(06:20):
hoped she would allow him the honor of calling to
morrow to inquire after miss Dashwood. The honor was readily granted,
and he then departed to make himself still more interesting
in the midst of a heavy rain. His manly beauty
and more than common gracefulness were instantly the theme of
(06:40):
general admiration, and the laugh which his gallantry raised against
Marianne received particular spirit from his exterior attractions. Mari Anne
herself had seen less of his person than the rest,
for the confusion which crimsoned over her face on his
lifting her up had robbed her of the power of
(07:01):
regarding him after their entering the house. But she had
seen enough of him to join in all the admiration
of the others, and with an energy which always adorned
her praise. His person and air were equal to what
her fancy had ever drawn for the hero of a
favorite story, and in his carrying her into the house
(07:22):
with so little previous formality, there was a rapidity of
thought which particularly recommended the action to her. Every circumstance
belonging to him was interesting, His name was good, his
residence was their favorite village, and she soon found out
that of all manly dresses, a shooting jacket was the
(07:45):
most becoming. Her imagination was busy, her reflections were pleasant,
and the pain of a sprained ankle was disregarded. Sir
John called on them as soon as the next interval
of fair weather that morning allowed him to get out
of doors, and mary Anne's accident being related to him,
(08:06):
he was eagerly asked whether he knew any gentleman of
the name of Willoughby at allanam.
Speaker 3 (08:12):
Willoughby, cried Sir John. What is he in the country?
That is good news? However, I will ride over tomorrow
and ask him to dinner on Thursday.
Speaker 1 (08:23):
You know him, then, said missus Dashwood.
Speaker 3 (08:27):
Know him, to be sure? I do? Why he has
done here every year?
Speaker 4 (08:32):
And what sort of a young man is he?
Speaker 3 (08:35):
As good a kind of fellow as ever lived? I
assure you a very decent shot. And there is not
a boulder rider in England.
Speaker 2 (08:43):
And is that all you can say for him?
Speaker 1 (08:46):
Cried Mary Anne indignantly.
Speaker 2 (08:49):
But what are his manners? On more intimate acquaintance? What
his pursuits? His talents and genius?
Speaker 1 (08:56):
Sir John was rather puzzled upon my soul, said he I.
Speaker 3 (09:01):
Do not know much about him as to all that,
but he is a pleasant, good humored fellow and has
got the nicest little black bitch of a pointer I
ever saw. Was she out with him to day.
Speaker 1 (09:13):
But mary Anne could no more satisfy him as to
the color of mister Willoughby's pointer than he could describe
to her the shades of his mind. But who is
he said elinor where does he come from? Has he
a house at Ellinorm? On this point, Sir John could
give more certain intelligence, and he told them that mister
(09:35):
Willoughby had no property of his own in the country,
that he resided there only while he was visiting the
old lady at Allenham Court, to whom he was related,
and whose possessions he was to inherit, adding.
Speaker 3 (09:49):
Yes, yes, he is very well worth catching. I can
tell you, Miss Dashwood, he has a pretty little estate
of his own in Somersetshire. Besides, and if I were you,
I would not give him up to my younger sister.
In spite of all this tumbling down hills, Miss Marianne
must not expect to have all the men to herself.
Brandon will be jealous if she does not take care.
Speaker 4 (10:12):
I do not.
Speaker 1 (10:13):
Believe, said missus Dashwood, with a good humored smile.
Speaker 4 (10:18):
That mister Willoughby will be incommoded by the attempts of
either of my daughters towards what you call catching him.
It is not an employment to which they have been
brought up. Men are very safe with us, let them
be ever so rich. I am glad to find, however,
from what you say, that he is a respectable young man,
(10:38):
and one whose acquaintance will not be ineligible.
Speaker 3 (10:42):
He is as good a sort of fellow I believe
as ever.
Speaker 1 (10:45):
Lived, repeated Sir John.
Speaker 3 (10:48):
I remember last Christmas at a little hop at the park.
He danced from eight o'clock till four without once sitting down?
Speaker 1 (10:55):
Did he?
Speaker 2 (10:56):
Indeed?
Speaker 1 (10:57):
Cried Marianne, with sparkling eyes.
Speaker 2 (11:00):
And with elegance, with spirit.
Speaker 3 (11:02):
Yes, and he was up again at eight to ride
the covert.
Speaker 2 (11:06):
That is what I like. That is what a young
man ought to be. Whatever be his pursuits, his eagerness
in them, should know no moderation, and leave him no
sense of fatigue.
Speaker 3 (11:18):
Ay ay, I see how it will be, said sir John.
I see how it will be. You will be setting
your cap at him now, and never think of poor Brandon.
Speaker 2 (11:29):
That is an expression, Sir John, said Mary Anne warmly,
which I particularly dislike. I abhor every commonplace phrase by
which wit is intended, and setting one's cap at a
man or, making a conquest of the most odious of all.
Their tendency is gross and illiberal, and if their construction
(11:51):
could ever be deemed clever, time has long ago destroyed
all its ingenuity.
Speaker 1 (11:56):
Sir John did not much understand this reproof, but he
laughed as heartily as if he did, and then replied.
Speaker 3 (12:05):
Aye, you will make conquests enough, I dare say, one
way or another. Poor Brandon, he is quite smitten already,
and he is very well worth setting your cap at,
I can tell you. In spite of all this tumbling
about and spraining of ankles.
Speaker 1 (12:22):
End of Chapter nine
Chapter nine. The Dashwoods were now settled at Barton with
tolerable comfort to themselves. The house and the garden, with
all the objects surrounding them, were now become familiar, and
the ordinary pursuits which had given to Norland half its charms,
were engaged in again, with far greater enjoyment than Norland
(00:22):
had been able to afford since the loss of their father.
Sir John Middleton, who called on them every day for
the first fortnight, and who was not in the habit
of seeing much occupation at home, could not conceal his
amazement on finding them always employed. Their visitors, except those
(00:43):
from Barton Park, were not many, for in spite of
Sir John's urgent entreaties that they would mix more in
the neighborhood and repeated assurances of his carriage being always
at their service, the independence of Missus Dashwood's spirit over
came the wish of society for her children, and she
(01:03):
was resolute in declining to visit any family beyond the
distance of a walk. There were but few who could
be so classed, and it was not all of them
that were attainable. About a mile and a half from
the cottage along the narrow winding valley of Allenham, which
issued from that of Barton. As formerly described, the girls had,
(01:26):
in one of their earliest walks, discovered an ancient, respectable
looking mansion, which, by reminding them a little of Norland,
interested their imagination and made them wish to be better
acquainted with it. But they learned on inquiry that its possessor,
an elderly lady of very good character, was unfortunately too
(01:50):
infirm to mix with the world, and never stirred from home.
The whole country about them abounded in beautiful walks. The
h hy downs, which invited them from almost every window
of the cottage to seek the exquisite enjoyment of air
on their summits, were a happy alternative when the dirt
(02:10):
of the valleys beneath shut up their superior beauties. And
towards one of these hills did Mary Anne and Margaret
one memorable morning direct their steps. Attracted by the partial
sunshine of a showery sky, and unable longer to bear
the confinement which the settled rain of the two preceding
(02:31):
days had occasioned, the weather was not tempting enough to
draw the two others from their pencil and their book.
In spite of mary Anne's declaration that the day would
be lastingly fair and that every threatening cloud would be
drawn off from their hills, and the two girls set
off together. They gaily ascended the downs, rejoicing in their
(02:53):
own penetration at every glimpse of blue sky, and when
they caught in their faces the animal eating gales of
a high southwesterly wind, they pitied the fears which had
prevented their mother and Eleanor from sharing such delightful sensations.
Speaker 2 (03:10):
Is there a felicity in the world, said mary Anne,
superior to this, Margaret, We will walk here at least
two hours.
Speaker 1 (03:20):
Margaret agreed, and they pursued their way against the wind,
resisting it with laughing delight for about twenty minutes longer,
when suddenly the clouds united over their heads, and a
driving rain set full in their face. Chagrined and surprised,
they were obliged, though unwillingly, to turn back, for no
(03:42):
shelter was nearer than their own house. One consolation, however,
remained for them, to which the exigence of the moment
gave more than usual propriety. It was that of running
with all possible speed down the steep side of the hill,
which led immediately to their guard and gate. They set off.
(04:04):
Mary Anne had at first the advantage, but a false
step brought her suddenly to the ground, and Margaret, unable
to stop herself to assist her, was involuntarily hurried along
and reached the bottom in safety. A gentleman carrying a
gun with two pointers playing round him, was passing up
(04:24):
the hill and within a few yards of Marianne when
her accident happened. He put down his gun and ran
to her assistance. She had raised herself from the ground,
but her foot had been twisted in her fall, and
she was scarcely able to stand. The gentleman offered his services, and,
perceiving that her modesty declined what her situation rendered necessary,
(04:48):
took her up in his arms without farther delay, and
carried her down the hill. Then, passing through the garden,
the gate of which had been left open by Margaret,
he bore her directly into the house, whither Margaret was
just arrived, and quitted not his hold till he had
seated her in a chair in the parlor. Eleanor and
(05:10):
her mother rose up in amazement at their entrance, and
while the eyes of both were fixed on him with
an evident wonder and a secret admiration which equally sprung
from his appearance, he apologized for his intrusion by relating
its cause in a manner so frank and so graceful,
that his person, which was uncommonly handsome, received additional charms
(05:34):
from his voice and expression. Had he been even old,
ugly and vulgar, the gratitude and kindness of Missus Dashwood
would have been secured by any act of attention to
her child. But the influence of youth, beauty, and elegance
gave an interest to the action which came home to
her feelings. She thanked him again and again, and with
(05:59):
a weakness of address which always attended her, invited him
to be seated, But this he declined, as he was
dirty and wet. Missus Dashwood then begged to know to
whom she was obliged. His name, he replied, was Willoughby,
and his present home was at Allenham, from whence he
(06:20):
hoped she would allow him the honor of calling to
morrow to inquire after miss Dashwood. The honor was readily granted,
and he then departed to make himself still more interesting
in the midst of a heavy rain. His manly beauty
and more than common gracefulness were instantly the theme of
(06:40):
general admiration, and the laugh which his gallantry raised against
Marianne received particular spirit from his exterior attractions. Mari Anne
herself had seen less of his person than the rest,
for the confusion which crimsoned over her face on his
lifting her up had robbed her of the power of
(07:01):
regarding him after their entering the house. But she had
seen enough of him to join in all the admiration
of the others, and with an energy which always adorned
her praise. His person and air were equal to what
her fancy had ever drawn for the hero of a
favorite story, and in his carrying her into the house
(07:22):
with so little previous formality, there was a rapidity of
thought which particularly recommended the action to her. Every circumstance
belonging to him was interesting, His name was good, his
residence was their favorite village, and she soon found out
that of all manly dresses, a shooting jacket was the
(07:45):
most becoming. Her imagination was busy, her reflections were pleasant,
and the pain of a sprained ankle was disregarded. Sir
John called on them as soon as the next interval
of fair weather that morning allowed him to get out
of doors, and mary Anne's accident being related to him,
(08:06):
he was eagerly asked whether he knew any gentleman of
the name of Willoughby at allanam.
Speaker 3 (08:12):
Willoughby, cried Sir John. What is he in the country?
That is good news? However, I will ride over tomorrow
and ask him to dinner on Thursday.
Speaker 1 (08:23):
You know him, then, said missus Dashwood.
Speaker 3 (08:27):
Know him, to be sure? I do? Why he has
done here every year?
Speaker 4 (08:32):
And what sort of a young man is he?
Speaker 3 (08:35):
As good a kind of fellow as ever lived? I
assure you a very decent shot. And there is not
a boulder rider in England.
Speaker 2 (08:43):
And is that all you can say for him?
Speaker 1 (08:46):
Cried Mary Anne indignantly.
Speaker 2 (08:49):
But what are his manners? On more intimate acquaintance? What
his pursuits? His talents and genius?
Speaker 1 (08:56):
Sir John was rather puzzled upon my soul, said he I.
Speaker 3 (09:01):
Do not know much about him as to all that,
but he is a pleasant, good humored fellow and has
got the nicest little black bitch of a pointer I
ever saw. Was she out with him to day.
Speaker 1 (09:13):
But mary Anne could no more satisfy him as to
the color of mister Willoughby's pointer than he could describe
to her the shades of his mind. But who is
he said elinor where does he come from? Has he
a house at Ellinorm? On this point, Sir John could
give more certain intelligence, and he told them that mister
(09:35):
Willoughby had no property of his own in the country,
that he resided there only while he was visiting the
old lady at Allenham Court, to whom he was related,
and whose possessions he was to inherit, adding.
Speaker 3 (09:49):
Yes, yes, he is very well worth catching. I can
tell you, Miss Dashwood, he has a pretty little estate
of his own in Somersetshire. Besides, and if I were you,
I would not give him up to my younger sister.
In spite of all this tumbling down hills, Miss Marianne
must not expect to have all the men to herself.
Brandon will be jealous if she does not take care.
Speaker 4 (10:12):
I do not.
Speaker 1 (10:13):
Believe, said missus Dashwood, with a good humored smile.
Speaker 4 (10:18):
That mister Willoughby will be incommoded by the attempts of
either of my daughters towards what you call catching him.
It is not an employment to which they have been
brought up. Men are very safe with us, let them
be ever so rich. I am glad to find, however,
from what you say, that he is a respectable young man,
(10:38):
and one whose acquaintance will not be ineligible.
Speaker 3 (10:42):
He is as good a sort of fellow I believe
as ever.
Speaker 1 (10:45):
Lived, repeated Sir John.
Speaker 3 (10:48):
I remember last Christmas at a little hop at the park.
He danced from eight o'clock till four without once sitting down?
Speaker 1 (10:55):
Did he?
Speaker 2 (10:56):
Indeed?
Speaker 1 (10:57):
Cried Marianne, with sparkling eyes.
Speaker 2 (11:00):
And with elegance, with spirit.
Speaker 3 (11:02):
Yes, and he was up again at eight to ride
the covert.
Speaker 2 (11:06):
That is what I like. That is what a young
man ought to be. Whatever be his pursuits, his eagerness
in them, should know no moderation, and leave him no
sense of fatigue.
Speaker 3 (11:18):
Ay ay, I see how it will be, said sir John.
I see how it will be. You will be setting
your cap at him now, and never think of poor Brandon.
Speaker 2 (11:29):
That is an expression, Sir John, said Mary Anne warmly,
which I particularly dislike. I abhor every commonplace phrase by
which wit is intended, and setting one's cap at a
man or, making a conquest of the most odious of all.
Their tendency is gross and illiberal, and if their construction
(11:51):
could ever be deemed clever, time has long ago destroyed
all its ingenuity.
Speaker 1 (11:56):
Sir John did not much understand this reproof, but he
laughed as heartily as if he did, and then replied.
Speaker 3 (12:05):
Aye, you will make conquests enough, I dare say, one
way or another. Poor Brandon, he is quite smitten already,
and he is very well worth setting your cap at,
I can tell you. In spite of all this tumbling
about and spraining of ankles.
Speaker 1 (12:22):
End of Chapter nine
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