before they came to Norland. Here is a quote from Fanny Dashwood to her husband on the subject in Ch. 2:

"When your father and mother moved to Norland, though the furniture of Stanhill was sold, all the china, plate, and linen was saved, and is now left to your mother. Her house will therefore be almost completely fitted up as soon as she takes it."

From the above I assume that the Henry Dashwoods lived at an estate called Stanhill before coming to Norland; that they probably sold the estate and the furniture, and saved the china, linen, etc. which they brought to Norland. Therefore, these items ought to belong to Mrs. Henry Dashwood after her husband's decease, as they did not originally belong to the Norland estate.

What amazes me is that Fanny and John even covet the Stanhill china and other effects. John has the temerity to say: "And yet some of the plate would have been a very pleasant addition to our own stock here." To which the odious Fanny replies:

"Yes; and the set of breakfast china is twice as handsome as what belongs to this house. A great deal too handsome, in my opinion, for any place they can ever afford to live in."