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CHAPTER IV . “ What a pity it is , Elinor , ” said Marianne , “ that Edward should have no taste for drawing . ” “ No taste for drawing ! ” replied Elinor , “ why should you think so ? He does not draw himself , indeed , but he has great pleasure in seeing the performances of other people , and I assure you he is by no means deficient in natural taste , though he has not had opportunities of improving it . Had he ever been in the way of learning , I think he would have drawn very well . He distrusts his own judgment in such matters so much , that he is always unwilling to give his opinion on any picture ; but he has an innate propriety and simplicity of taste , which in general direct him perfectly right . ” Marianne was afraid of offending , and said no more on the subject ; but the kind of approbation which Elinor described as excited in him by the drawings of other people , was very far from that rapturous delight , which , in her opinion , could alone be called taste . Yet , though smiling within herself at the mistake , she honoured her sister for that blind partiality to Edward which produced it . “ I hope , Marianne , ” continued Elinor , “ you do not consider him as deficient in general taste . Indeed , I think I may say that you cannot , for your behaviour to him is perfectly cordial , and if that were your opinion , I am sure you could never be civil to him . ” Marianne hardly knew what to say . She would not wound the feelings of her sister on any account , and yet to say what she did not believe was impossible . At length she replied : “ Do not be offended , Elinor , if my praise of him is not in every thing equal to your sense of his merits . I have not had so many opportunities of estimating the minuter propensities of his mind , his inclinations and tastes , as you have ; but I have the highest opinion in the world of his goodness and sense . I think him every thing that is worthy and amiable . ” “ I am sure , ” replied Elinor , with a smile , “ that his dearest friends could not be dissatisfied with such commendation as that . I do not perceive how you could express yourself more warmly . ” Marianne was rejoiced to find her sister so easily pleased . “ Of his sense and his goodness , ” continued Elinor , “ no one can , I think , be in doubt , who has seen him often enough to engage him in unreserved conversation . The excellence of his understanding and his principles can be concealed only by that shyness which too often keeps him silent . You know enough of him to do justice to his solid worth . But of his minuter propensities , as you call them you have from peculiar circumstances been kept more ignorant than myself . He and I have been at times thrown a good deal together , while you have been wholly engrossed on the most affectionate principle by my mother .
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