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In this state of her spirits, a letter was delivered to her from the post, which contained a proposal particularly well timed It was the offer of a s to a relation of her own, a gentleman of consequence and property in Devonshire The letter was froentleman himself, and written in the true spirit of friendly acco; and though the house he now offered her wasshould be done to it which she ht think necessary, if the situation pleased her He earnestly pressed her, after giving the particulars of the house and garden, to cohters to Barton Park, the place of his own residence, froe, for the houses were in the same parish, could, by any alteration, be made comfortable to her He seemed really anxious to accommodate them and the whole of his letter ritten in so friendly a style as could not fail of giving pleasure to his cousin;under the cold and unfeeling behaviour of her nearer connections She needed no time for deliberation or inquiry Her resolution was formed as she read The situation of Barton, in a county so far distant from Sussex as Devonshire, which, but a few hours before, would have been a sufficient objection to outweigh every possible advantage belonging to the place, was now its first recoer an evil; it was an object of desire; it was a blessing, in couest; and to remove for ever from that beloved place would be less painful than to inhabit or visit it while such a woman was its mistress She instantly wrote Sir John Middleton her acknowledgment of his kindness, and her acceptance of his proposal; and then hastened to shew both letters to her daughters, that she ht be secure of their approbation before her ansere sent
Elinor had always thought it would be more prudent for them to settle at sost their present acquaintance On THAT head, therefore, it was not for her to oppose herinto Devonshire The house, too, as described by Sir John, was on so simple a scale, and the rent so uncoht of objection on either point; and, therefore, though it was not a plan which brought any charh it was a removal from the vicinity of Norland beyond her wishes, shea letter of acquiescence