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EVELYN by Jane Austen
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Jane Austen continues with the satire, or outrageous humour, however deceptively the piece begins, with a stranger enquiring if he can find a suitable house to let in the village of Evelyn in Sussex.
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"To Miss Mary Lloyd,
"The following novel is by permission dedicated,
"By her obedient humble servant,
"The Author"
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"Mr Gower rang — the door was soon opened.
"'Are Mr and Mrs Webb at home?'
"'My good sir, they are' — replied the servant; and leading the way, conducted Mr Gower upstairs into a very elegant dressing room, where a lady rising from her seat, welcomed him with all the generosity which Mrs Willis had attributed to the family.
"'Welcome best of men — welcome to this house, and to everything it contains. William, tell your master of the happiness I enjoy — invite him to partake of it —. Bring up some chocolate immediately; spread a cloth in the dining parlour, and carry in the venison pasty —. In the meantime let the gentleman have some sandwiches, and bring in a basket of fruit — send up some ices and a basin of soup, and do not forget some jellies and cakes.' Then turning to Mr Gower, and taking out her purse, 'Accept this, my good sir. Believe me you are welcome to everything that is in my power to bestow. — I wish my purse were weightier, but Mr Webb must make up my deficiencies —. I know he has cash in the house to the amount of a hundred pounds, which he shall bring you immediately.' Mr Gower felt overpowered by her generosity as he put the purse in his pocket, and from the excess of his gratitude, could scarcely express himself intelligibly when he accepted her offer of the hundred pounds. Mr Webb soon entered the room, and repeated every protestation of friendship and cordiality which his lady had already made. The chocolate, the sandwiches, the jellies, the cakes, the ice, and the soup soon made their appearance, and Mr Gower having tasted something of all, and pocketed the rest, was conducted into the dining parlour, where he ate a most excellent dinner and partook of the most exquisite wines, while Mr and Mrs Webb stood by him still pressing him to eat and drink a little more.
"'And now my good sir,' said Mr Webb, when Mr Gower's repast was concluded, 'what else can we do to contribute to your happiness and express the affection we bear you. Tell us what you wish more to receive, and depend upon our gratitude for the communication of your wishes.'
"'Give me then your house and grounds; I ask for nothing else.'
"'It is yours!' exclaimed both at once; 'From this moment it is yours.' The agreement concluded on and the present accepted by Mr Gower, Mr Webb rang to have the carriage ordered, telling William at the same time to call the young ladies.
"'Best of men,' said Mrs Webb, 'we will not long intrude upon your time.'
"'Make no apologies, dear Madam,' replied Mr Gower, 'you are welcome to stay this half hour if you like it.'
"They both burst forth into raptures of admiration at his politeness, which they agreed served only to make their conduct appear more inexcusable in trespassing on his time."
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"'Give me leave to assure you, Sir,' said Miss Webb, 'that I am highly sensible of your kindness in this respect, which from the shortness of my father's and mother's acquaintance with you, is more than usually flattering.'
"Mr Gower bowed — 'You are too obliging, Ma’am — I assure you that I like the house extremely — and if they would complete their generosity by giving me their eldest daughter in marriage with a handsome portion, I should have nothing more to wish for.' This compliment brought a blush into the cheeks of the lovely Miss Webb, who seemed however to refer herself to her father and mother. They looked delighted at each other. — At length Mrs Webb breaking silence, said, —
"'We bend under a weight of obligations to you which we can never repay. Take our girl, take our Maria, and on her must the difficult task fall, of endeavouring to make some return to so much beneficence.' Mr Webb added, 'Her fortune is but ten thousand pounds, which is almost too small a sum to be offered.' This objection however being instantly removed by the generosity of Mr Gower, who declared himself satisfied with the sum mentioned, ... "
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Austen continues in the outlandish strain, with no sensible explanations.
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August 18, 2021 - August 18, 2021.
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