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Sense and Sensibility Chapter 3
The Dashwood women continue looking for an affordable house in the neighborhood surrounding Norland. On their small income this is difficult. Mrs. Dashwood knows of her step-son's promise, and is still hopeful he will help them. Their existence at Norland improves upon meeting Edward Ferrars, Fanny's brother. A kind gentleman, shy and modest, Edward is the family's eldest son, and likely to become wealthy from this family position. His family has high hopes for him, but Edward does not want greatness.
After several weeks of being in the same house, Edward and Elinor begin to talk. Elinor, Marianne, and her mother find Edward very agreeable. Her mother expects Elinor and Edward to be married, though Elinor believes this an exaggeration. Marianne thinks Edward is nice but too dull and uncultured to make a good match for Elinor. His emotionless reading of Cowper, her favorite poet, makes him in Marianne's mind, an unsatisfactory lover.
