Lucy’s letter to Elinor, Chapter 38

Bartlett's Buildings , March . I hope my dear Miss Dashwood will excuse the liberty I take of writing to her; but I know your friendship for me will make you pleased to hear such a good account of myself and my dear Edward, after all the troubles we have went through lately, therefore will make no more apologies, but proceed to say that, thank God! though we have suffered dreadfully, we are both quite well now, and as happy as we must always be in one anothers love.

Lucy is lying from one end of this letter to the other. Starting off with apologizing for the impertinence of sending an unsolicited letter because it is ludicrous considering that Lucy has already imposed impertinences of different sorts on Elinor—she quizzed Elinor about her relations and then justified it by confiding her secret engagement and finally it should be odd that Lucy would even write such a letter as it seems to go against her own inclinations as Lucy could not bear for Elinor to think her “impertinently curious” in Chapter 22. Well it would be odd if I ever believed Lucy in the first place. Lucy is also well aware that they are not friends despite the politeness with which they both cover their distain and I seriously do not think Lucy feels Elinor would be pleased to hear a good account of the situation for her sake—in Chapter 24 Elinor pointedly, IMO, left Lucy out of the equation when she responded to her request for assistance in finding Edward a living: “I should be always happy to shew any mark of my esteem and friendship for Mr. Ferrars.” I doubt very much that Lucy and Edward are equally happy in their “love” since Edward stayed away for three days after they were thrown out of Harley Street according to Miss Steele in Chapter 38.

We have had great trials, and great persecutions, but however, at the same time, gratefully acknowledge many friends, yourself not the least among them, whose great kindness I shall always thankfully remember, as will Edward too, who I have told of it. I am sure you will be glad to hear, as likewise dear Mrs. Jennings, I spent two happy hours with him yesterday afternoon, he would not hear of our parting, though earnestly did I, as I thought my duty required, urge him to it for prudence sake, and would have parted for ever on the spot, would he consent to it; but he said it should never be, he did not regard his mothers anger, while he could have my affections;

Lucy insincerely continues to laud Elinor as a friend and I suppose that the great kindness Elinor has done is to keep their secret. Lucy is lying about the sacrifices she was willing to make for Edward—saying she offered to end the engagement due to Edward loosing his fortune is the opposite of what happened—immediately upon seeing her Edward offered to let her out of their engagement and she is the one who maintained it. I seriously doubt Edward said he would be happy in only her affections—if that was the case then they could have married long ago. Writing of their supposed love and affection seems to me to be a way to lord her claim on Edward over Elinor once again.

our prospects are not very bright, to be sure, but we must wait, and hope for the best; he will be ordained shortly, and should it ever be in your power to recommend him to anybody that has a living to bestow, am very sure you will not forget us, and dear Mrs. Jennings too, trust she will speak a good word for us to Sir John, or Mr. Palmer, or any friend that may be able to assist us.

Elinor is right about the main purpose of this letter; it is to flatter and hopefully solicit some acts of kindness and generosity from her friends.

-- Poor Anne was much to blame for what she did, but she did it for the best, so I say nothing; hope Mrs. Jennings won't think it too much trouble to give us a call, should she come this way any morning, 'twould be a great kindness, and my cousins would be proud to know her. -- My paper reminds me to conclude, and begging to be most gratefully and respectfully remembered to her, and to Sir John, and Lady Middleton, and the dear children, when you chance to see them, and love to Miss Marianne, (Chapter 38)