The Water lily Pond

The Water lily Pond
Venus and Cupid
Vermeer girl with the pearl earring
virgin of the rocks
"Well may you wonder, Marianne," replied her brother, "at the obstinacy which could resist such arguments as these. Your exclamation is very natural." 　　 Marianne was going to retort, but she remembered her promises, and forbore. 　　 "All this, however," he continued, "was urged in vain. Edward said very little; but what he did say was in the most determined manner. Nothing should prevail on him to give up his engagement. He would stand to it, cost him what it might." 　　 "Then," cried Mrs. Jennings with blunt sincerity, no longer able to be silent, "he has acted like an honest man! I beg your pardon, Mr. Dashwood, but if he had done otherwise, I should have thought him a rascal. I have some little concern in the business, as well as yourself, for Lucy Steele is my cousin; and I believe there is not a better kind of girl in the world, nor one who more deserves a good husband." 　　 John Dashwood was greatly astonished; but his nature was calm, not open to provocation; and he never wished to offend any body, especially any body of good fortune. He therefore replied without any resentment: