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House do you design to engage for them？—What is the size of
their family？’ ‘I do not at all know’—replied his Sister—‘have not
the least idea；—never heard any particulars；—but I am very sure
that the largest house at Sanditon cannot be too large。 They are
more likely to want a second。—I shall take only one however； and
that； but for a week certain。—Miss Heywood； I astonish you。—You
hardly know what to make of me。—I see by your Looks； that you
are not used to such quick measures。’—The words ‘Unaccountable
Officiousness！—Activity run mad！’—had just passed through
Charlotte’s mind—but a civil answer was easy。 ‘I dare say I do look
surprised；’ said she—‘because these are very great exertions； and I
know what Invalides both you and your Sister are。’ ‘Invalides
indeed。—I trust there are not three People in England who have
so sad a right to that appellation！—But my dear Miss Heywood； we
are sent into this World to be as extensively useful as possible； and
where some degree of Strength of Mind is given； it is not a feeble
body which will excuse us—or incline us to excuse ourselves。—
The World is pretty much divided between the Weak of Mind and
the Strong—between those who can act and those who can not；
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and it is the bounden Duty of the Capable to let no opportunity of
being useful escape them。—My Sister’s Complaints and mine are
happily not often of a Nature； to threaten Existence immediately—
and as long as we can exert ourselves to be of use of others； I am
convinced that the Body is the better； for the refreshment the
Mind receives in doing its Duty。—While I have been travelling；
with this object in view； I have been perfectly well。’—The entrance
of the Children ended this little panegyric on her own
Disposition—and after having noticed and caressed them all；—she
prepared to go。—‘Cannot you dine with us？—Is not it possible to
prevail on you to dine with us？’ was then the cry； and that being
absolutely negatived； it was ‘And when shall we see you again？
and how can we be of use to you？’—and Mr。 P。 warmly offered his
assistance in taking the house for Mrs。 G。—‘I will come to you the
moment I have dined；’ said he； ‘and we will go about together。’—
But this was immediately declined。—‘No； my dear Tom； upon no
account in the World； shall you stir a step on any business of
mine。—Your Ancle wants rest。 I see by the position of your foot；
that you have used it too much already。—No； I shall go about my
House…taking directly。 Our Dinner is not ordered till six—and by
that time I hope to have completed it。 It is now only half past
four。—As to seeing me again today—I cannot answer for it； the
others will be at the Hotel all the Evening； and delighted to see
you at any time； but as soon as I get back I shall hear what Arthur
has done about our own Lodgings； and probably the moment
Dinner is over； shall be out again on business relative to them； for
we hope to get into some Lodgings or other and be settled after
breakfast tomorrow。—I have not much confidence in poor
Arthur’s skill for Lodging…taking； but he seemed to like the
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commission。’ ‘I think you are doing too much；’ said Mr。 P。 ‘You
will knock yourself up。 You should not move again after Dinner。’
‘No； indeed you should not；’ cried his wife； ‘for Dinner is such a
mere name with you all； that it can do you no good。—I know what
your appetites are。’ ‘My appetite is very much mended I assure
you lately。 I have been taking some Bitters of my own decocting；
which have done wonders。 Susan never eats I grant you—and just
at present I shall want nothing； I never eat for about a week after a
Journey—but as for Arthur； he is only too much disposed for
Food。 We are often obliged to check him。’—‘But you have not told
me any thing of the other Family coming to Sanditon；’ said Mr。 P。
as he walked with her to the door of the House—‘the Camberwell
Seminary； have we a good chance of them？’ ‘Oh！ Certain—quite
certain。—I had forgotten them for the moment； but I had a letter
three days ago from my friend Mrs。 Charles Dupuis which assured
me of Camberwell。 Camberwell will be here to a certainty； and
very soon。—That good Woman （I do not know her name） not being
so wealthy and independant as Mrs。 G。—can travel and chuse for
herself。—I will tell you how I got at her。 Mrs。 Charles Dupuis lives
almost next door to a Lady； who has a relation lately settled at
Clapham； who actually attends the Seminary and gives lessons on
Eloquence and Belles Lettres to some of the Girls。—I got that Man
a Hare from one of Sidney’s friends—and he recommended
Sanditon；—Without my appearing however—Mrs。 Charles Dupuis
managed it all。’
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CHAPTER X
t was not a week； since Miss Diana Parker had been told by
her feelings； that the Sea Air would probably in her present
Istate； be the death of her； and now she was at Sanditon；
intending to make some Stay； and without appearing to have the
slightest recollection of having written or felt any such thing。—It
was impossible for Charlotte not to suspect a good deal of fancy in
such an extraordinary state of health。—Disorders and Recoveries
so very much out of the common way； seemed more like the
amusement of eager Minds in want of employment than of actual
afflictions and relief。 The Parkers； were no doubt a family of
Imagination and quick feelings—and while the eldest Brother
found vent for his superfluity of sensation as a Projector； the
Sisters were perhaps driven to dissipate theirs in the invention of
odd complaints。—The whole of their mental vivacity was evidently
not so employed； Part was laid out in a Zeal for being useful。—It
should seem that they must either be very busy for the Good of
others； or else extremely ill themselves。 Some natural delicacy of
Constitution in fact； with an unfortunate turn for Medecine；
especially quack Medecine； had given them an early tendency at
various times； to various Disorders；—the rest of their sufferings
was from Fancy； the love of Distinction and the love of the
Wonderful。—They had Charitable hearts and many amiable
feelings—but a spirit of restless activity； and the glory of doing
more than anybody else； had their share in every exertion of
Benevolence—and there was Vanity in all they did； as well as in all