Famous painting
idea of Edward's being a clergyman, and living in a small parsonage-house, diverted him beyond measure; and when to that was added the fanciful imagery of Edward reading prayers in a white surplice, and publishing the banns of marriage between John Smith and Mary Brown, he could conceive nothing more ridiculous.
Elinor, while she waited in silence, and immovable gravity, the conclusion of such folly, could not restrain her eyes from being fixed on him with a look that spoke all the contempt it excited. It was a look, however, very well bestowed, for it relieved her own feelings, and gave no intelligence of him. He was recalled from wit to wisdom, not by any reproof of hers, but by his own sensibility.
"We may treat it as a joke," said he at last, recovering from the affected laugh which had considerably lengthened out the genuine gaiety of the moment -- "but upon my soul, it is a most serious business. Poor Edward! he is ruined for ever. I am extremely sorry for it -- for I know him to be a very good-hearted creature; as well-meaning a fellow perhaps, as any in the
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