Chapter 40 - Part 6 - Sense and Sensibility

I have had no hand in it. I did not even know till I understood his design that the living was vacant, nor had it ever occurred to me that he might have had such a living in his gift. As a friend of mine, of my family, he may, perhaps, indeed, I know he has, still greater pleasure in bestowing it, but, upon my word, you owe nothing to my solicitation." Truth obliged her to acknowledge some small share in the action, but she was at the same time so unwilling to appear as the benefactress of Edward that she acknowledged it with hesitation, which probably contributed to fix that suspicion in his mind which had recently entered it. For a short time he sat deep in thought after Eleanor had ceased to speak. At last, and as if it were rather an effort, he said, "'Colonel Brandon seems a man of great worth and respectability. I have always heard him spoken of as such, and your brother, I know, esteems him highly. He is undoubtedly a sensible man and, in his manners, perfectly the gentleman.' "'Indeed,' replied Eleanor, "'I believe that you will find him, on farther acquaintance, all that you have heard him to be, and as you will be such very near neighbours, for I understand the parsonage is almost close to the mansion-house, it is particularly important that he should be all this.'" Edward made no answer, but when she had turned away her head gave her a look so serious, so earnest, so uncheerful, that seemed to say that he might hereafter wish the distance between the parsonage and the mansion-house much greater. "'Colonel Brandon, I think, lodges in St. James's Street,' said he, soon afterwards, rising from his chair. Eleanor told him the number of the house.