Page:Austen Sanditon and other miscellanea.djvu/50

This page has been proofread, but needs to be validated.
26
SANDITON

hand. She was as thoroughly amiable as she was lovely, and since having had the advantage of their Sanditon Breezes, that Loveliness was complete.


CHAPTER IV

And whose very snug-looking Place is this?’ said Charlotte, as in a sheltered Dip within 2 miles of the Sea, they passed close by a moderate-sized house, well fenced and planted, and rich in the Garden, Orchard and Meadows which are the best embellishments of such a Dwelling. ‘It seems to have as many comforts about it as Willingden.’ 'Ah!’ said Mr. Parker, ‘This is my old House, the house of my Forefathers, the house where I and all my Brothers and Sisters were born and bred, and where my own 3 eldest Children were born, where Mrs. Parker and I lived till within the last 2 years, till our new House was finished. I am glad you are pleased with it. It is an honest old Place, and Hillier keeps it in very good order. I have given it up, you know, to the Man who occupies the chief of my Land. He gets a better House by it, and I a rather better situation. One other Hill brings us to Sanditon—modern Sanditon–a beautiful Spot. Our Ancestors, you know, always built in a hole. Here were we, pent down in this little contracted Nook, without Air or View, only one mile and three-qrs. from the noblest expanse of Ocean between the South Foreland and the Land’s End, and without the smallest advantage from it. You will not think I have made a bad exchange, when we reach Trafalgar House, which, by the by, I almost wish I had not named Trafalgar, for Waterloo is more the thing now. However, Waterloo is in reserve, and if we have encouragement enough this year for a little Crescent to be ventured on (as