] I'm doing a careful (read: slow) (snip)

Crawling right along with you, DJ. ;o)

I always chuckle at that, too. I also like the line shortly preceding yours, about old Mr. Dashwood. It immediately follows the description of the fortune left in trust to John and his four-year-old son: "He meant not to be unkind however, and, as a mark of his affection for the three girls, he left them a thousand pounds a-piece."
Really, Mr. Dashwood Senior, you are too kind. ;o) This is such a wonderful tongue-in-cheek description; especially as JA has just informed us that Norland estate, including its valuable woods, were bequeathed in such a way that Mrs. Dashwood and her daughters could not benefit from them in any way. Their futures (as women!) are less well secured than that of the (toddler) son and heir of one (JD) who is wealthy in his own right and by marriage! A thousand pounds a-piece, for years of care and service. Really; too generous by half. A mark of affection indeed. :P

] And people wonder why JA is my favourite author! ;-) The language is glorious and it is a privilege to have the time to savour it, yes?

YES!