The first line of the novel 'Sense and Sensibility' by English author Jane Austen is "The family of Dashwood had been long settled in Sussex." The novel, which was first published in 1811, follows the lives of the Dashwood sisters, Elinor and Marianne, and their search for love and security in a society where women are largely dependent on marriage for financial stability. The novel is widely considered to be one of Austen's most popular works and has been adapted into numerous films and television shows.