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Marianne, who had never arity, inferiority of parts, or even difference of taste from herself, was at this time particularly ill-disposed, from the state of her spirits, to be pleased with the Miss Steeles, or to encourage their advances; and to the invariable coldness of her behaviour towards them, which checked every endeavour at intimacy on their side, Elinor principally attributed that preference of herself which soon became evident in the manners of both, but especially of Lucy, whoher in conversation, or of striving to improve their acquaintance by an easy and frank communication of her sentiments

Lucy was naturally clever; her re; and as a coreeable; but her powers had received no aid fronorant and illiterate; and her deficiency of all mental improvement, her want of information in the most common particulars, could not be concealed from Miss Dashwood, in spite of her constant endeavour to appear to advantage Elinor saw, and pitied her for, the neglect of abilities which education ht have rendered so respectable; but she saith less tenderness of feeling, the thorough want of delicacy, of rectitude, and integrity of mind, which her attentions, her assiduities, her flatteries at the Park betrayed; and she could have no lasting satisfaction in the conorance; whose want of instruction prevented theirin conversation on terms of equality, and whose conduct toward others made every shew of attention and deference towards herself perfectly valueless

"You will think my question an odd one, I dare say," said Lucy to her one day, as they alking together froe--"but pray, are you personally acquainted with your sister-in-law's mother, Mrs Ferrars?"

Elinor DID think the question a very odd one, and her countenance expressed it, as she answered that she had never seen Mrs Ferrars

"Indeed!" replied Lucy; "I wonder at that, for I thought you must have seen her at Norland sometimes Then, perhaps, you cannot tell me what sort of a wo her real opinion of Edward'swhat see of her"

"I a about her in such a way," said Lucy, eyeing Elinor attentively as she spoke; "but perhaps there ht venture; but however I hope you will dothat I do not mean to be impertinent"