Depend upon it, it is not you who are wanted; depend upon it, it is me" (looking at the butler); "but you are so very eager to put yourself forward.

Depend upon it, it is not you who are wanted, but me. You are very eager to put yourself forward.


It is me, Baddeley, you mean; I am coming this moment.


You mean me, Baddeley, I am sure; Sir Thomas wants me, not Miss Price."

You mean me, Baddeley, I am sure; not Miss Price."


"No, ma'am, it is Miss Price; I am certain of its being Miss Price."

"No, ma'am, I am certain of its being Miss Price."


And there was a half-smile with the words, which meant, "I do not think you would answer the purpose at all."


Mrs. Norris, much discontented, was obliged to compose herself to work again; and Fanny, walking off in agitating consciousness, found herself, as she anticipated, in another minute alone with Mr. Crawford.

Mrs. Norris was much discontented; and Fanny, walking off in agitation, found herself in another minute alone with Mr. Crawford.


Henry Crawford had quite made up his mind by the next morning to give another fortnight to Mansfield, and having sent for his hunters, and written a few lines of explanation to the Admiral, he looked round at his sister as he sealed and threw the letter from him, and seeing the coast clear of the rest of the family, said, with a smile, "And how do you think I mean to amuse myself, Mary, on the days that I do not hunt?

Henry Crawford had made up his mind by the next morning to give another fortnight to Mansfield. Having sent for his hunters, he looked round at his sister, and said, with a smile, "How do you think I mean to amuse myself, Mary, on the days that I do not hunt?"


I am grown too old to go out more than three times a week; but I have a plan for the intermediate days, and what do you think it is?"


"Not exactly, though I shall be happy to do both, but _that_ would be exercise only to my body, and I must take care of my mind.

"Not exactly, though I shall be happy to do both, but that


Besides, _that_ would be all recreation and indulgence, without the wholesome alloy of labour, and I do not like to eat the bread of idleness.

would be all recreation, without the wholesome alloy of labour, and I do not like to eat the bread of idleness.


No, my plan is to make Fanny Price in love with me."


You ought to be satisfied with her two cousins."


"But I cannot be satisfied without Fanny Price, without making a small hole in Fanny Price's heart.

"But I cannot be satisfied without making a small hole in Fanny Price's heart.


You do not seem properly aware of her claims to notice.


When we talked of her last night, you none of you seemed sensible of the wonderful improvement that has taken place in her looks within the last six weeks.

of the wonderful improvement that has taken place in her looks.


You see her every day, and therefore do not notice it; but I assure you she is quite a different creature from what she was in the autumn.


She was then merely a quiet, modest, not plain-looking girl, but she is now absolutely pretty.

She was then merely a quiet, modest girl, but she is now absolutely pretty.


I used to think she had neither complexion nor countenance; but in that soft skin of hers, so frequently tinged with a blush as it was yesterday, there is decided beauty; and from what I observed of her eyes and mouth, I do not despair of their being capable of expression enough when she has anything to express.

I used to think she had neither complexion nor countenance; but in that soft skin of hers, there is decided beauty; and I do not despair of her eyes being capable of expression when she has anything to express.


And then, her air, her manner, her _tout_ _ensemble_, is so indescribably improved!

And then, her air is so indescribably improved!


She must be grown two inches, at least, since October."

She must be grown two inches since October."


This is only because there were no tall women to compare her with, and because she has got a new gown, and you never saw her so well dressed before.


She is just what she was in October, believe me.


The truth is, that she was the only girl in company for you to notice, and you must have a somebody.


I have always thought her pretty-not strikingly pretty-but 'pretty enough,' as people say; a sort of beauty that grows on one.


Her eyes should be darker, but she has a sweet smile; but as for this wonderful degree of improvement, I am sure it may all be resolved into a better style of dress, and your having nobody else to look at; and therefore, if you do set about a flirtation with her, you never will persuade me that it is in compliment to her beauty, or that it proceeds from anything but your own idleness and folly."

; but as for this wonderful improvement, it may all be resolved into a better style of dress, and your having nobody else to look at. If you do set about a flirtation with her, it will proceed from nothing but your own idleness and folly."


Her brother gave only a smile to this accusation, and soon afterwards said, "I do not quite know what to make of Miss Fanny.

Her brother only smiled, and said, "I do not quite know what to make of Miss Fanny.


I could not tell what she would be at yesterday.


Why did she draw back and look so grave at me?


I never was so long in company with a girl in my life, trying to entertain her, and succeed so ill!


Never met with a girl who looked so grave on me!

I never met with a girl who looked so grave on me!


Her looks say, 'I will not like you, I am determined not to like you'; and I say she shall."


And so this is her attraction after all!


This it is, her not caring about you, which gives her such a soft skin, and makes her so much taller, and produces all these charms and graces!

It is her not caring about you, which produces all these charms!


I do desire that you will not be making her really unhappy; a _little_ love, perhaps, may animate and do her good, but I will not have you plunge her deep, for she is as good a little creature as ever lived, and has a great deal of feeling."

You must not make her really unhappy; a little love, perhaps, may animate her, but I will not have you plunge her deep, for she is a good little creature, and has a great deal of feeling."


"It can be but for a fortnight," said Henry; "and if a fortnight can kill her, she must have a constitution which nothing could save.


No, I will not do her any harm, dear little soul!


I only want her to look kindly on me, to give me smiles as well as blushes, to keep a chair for me by herself wherever we are, and be all animation when I take it and talk to her; to think as I think, be interested in all my possessions and pleasures, try to keep me longer at Mansfield, and feel when I go away that she shall be never happy again.

I only want her to look kindly on me, to give me smiles, to keep a chair for me wherever we are, and be all animation when I take it; to think as I think, be interested in all my pleasures, and feel when I go away that she shall be never happy again.


Well, you will have opportunities enough of endeavouring to recommend yourself, for we are a great deal together."


And without attempting any farther remonstrance, she left Fanny to her fate, a fate which, had not Fanny's heart been guarded in a way unsuspected by Miss Crawford, might have been a little harder than she deserved; for although there doubtless are such unconquerable young ladies of eighteen (or one should not read about them) as are never to be persuaded into love against their judgment by all that talent, manner, attention, and flattery can do, I have no inclination to believe Fanny one of them, or to think that with so much tenderness of disposition, and so much taste as belonged to her, she could have escaped heart-whole from the courtship (though the courtship only of a fortnight) of such a man as Crawford, in spite of there being some previous ill opinion of him to be overcome, had not her affection been engaged elsewhere.

And without any farther remonstrance, she left Fanny to her fate, a fate which, had not Fanny's heart been guarded in a way unsuspected by Miss Crawford, might have been a little harder than she deserved; for although there doubtless are such unconquerable young ladies of eighteen as can never be persuaded into love by talent, attention, and flattery, I have no inclination to believe Fanny one of them, or to think that she could have escaped heart-whole from the courtship of such a man as Crawford, if her affection had not been engaged elsewhere.


With all the security which love of another and disesteem of him could give to the peace of mind he was attacking, his continued attentions-continued, but not obtrusive, and adapting themselves more and more to the gentleness and delicacy of her character-obliged her very soon to dislike him less than formerly.

His continued attentions, adapted to the gentleness of her character, obliged her soon to dislike him less than formerly.


She had by no means forgotten the past, and she thought as ill of him as ever; but she felt his powers: he was entertaining; and his manners were so improved, so polite, so seriously and blamelessly polite, that it was impossible not to be civil to him in return.

She had not forgotten the past, and she thought as ill of him as ever; but she felt his powers: he was entertaining; and his manners were so improved that it was impossible not to be civil to him in return.


A very few days were enough to effect this; and at the end of those few days, circumstances arose which had a tendency rather to forward his views of pleasing her, inasmuch as they gave her a degree of happiness which must dispose her to be pleased with everybody.

A few days were enough to effect this; and then happy circumstances arose which disposed her to be pleased with everybody.


William, her brother, the so long absent and dearly loved brother, was in England again.

William, the long absent and dearly loved brother, was in England.


She had a letter from him herself, a few hurried happy lines, written as the ship came up Channel, and sent into Portsmouth with the first boat that left the Antwerp at anchor in Spithead; and when Crawford walked up with the newspaper in his hand, which he had hoped would bring the first tidings, he found her trembling with joy over this letter, and listening with a glowing, grateful countenance to the kind invitation which her uncle was most collectedly dictating in reply.

She had a letter from him, written as the ship came up the Channel; and when Crawford walked up with the newspaper in his hand, which he had hoped would bring the first tidings, he found her trembling with joy over this letter, and listening with a glowing countenance to the kind invitation to her brother which her uncle was dictating.


It was but the day before that Crawford had made himself thoroughly master of the subject, or had in fact become at all aware of her having such a brother, or his being in such a ship, but the interest then excited had been very properly lively, determining him on his return to town to apply for information as to the probable period of the Antwerp's return from the Mediterranean, etc.; and the good luck which attended his early examination of ship news the next morning seemed the reward of his ingenuity in finding out such a method of pleasing her, as well as of his dutiful attention to the Admiral, in having for many years taken in the paper esteemed to have the earliest naval intelligence.

It was but the day before that Crawford had become aware of her having such a brother, or his being in such a ship; but he had hunted for information as to the probable date of the ship's return; and had found it in the newspaper the next morning.


All those fine first feelings, of which he had hoped to be the exciter, were already given.

All those fine first feelings, of which he hoped to be the exciter, were already given.


But his intention, the kindness of his intention, was thankfully acknowledged: quite thankfully and warmly, for she was elevated beyond the common timidity of her mind by the flow of her love for William.

But the kindness of his intention was thankfully acknowledged: for she was elevated beyond her usual timidity by her love for William.


This dear William would soon be amongst them.


There could be no doubt of his obtaining leave of absence immediately, for he was still only a midshipman; and as his parents, from living on the spot, must already have seen him, and be seeing him perhaps daily, his direct holidays might with justice be instantly given to the sister, who had been his best correspondent through a period of seven years, and the uncle who had done most for his support and advancement; and accordingly the reply to her reply, fixing a very early day for his arrival, came as soon as possible; and scarcely ten days had passed since Fanny had been in the agitation of her first dinner-visit, when she found herself in an agitation of a higher nature, watching in the hall, in the lobby, on the stairs, for the first sound of the carriage which was to bring her a brother.

His reply came, fixing an early day for his arrival; and scarcely ten days later, Fanny found herself watching in the hall, in the lobby, on the stairs, for the first sound of the carriage which was to bring her a brother.


It came happily while she was thus waiting; and there being neither ceremony nor fearfulness to delay the moment of meeting, she was with him as he entered the house, and the first minutes of exquisite feeling had no interruption and no witnesses, unless the servants chiefly intent upon opening the proper doors could be called such.

It came; and their meeting, and first minutes of exquisite feeling, had no interruption and no witnesses.


This was exactly what Sir Thomas and Edmund had been separately conniving at, as each proved to the other by the sympathetic alacrity with which they both advised Mrs. Norris's continuing where she was, instead of rushing out into the hall as soon as the noises of the arrival reached them.

This was exactly what Sir Thomas and Edmund had been conniving at, and why they both advised Mrs. Norris's staying where she was, instead of rushing out into the hall as soon as the noises of arrival reached them.


William and Fanny soon shewed themselves; and Sir Thomas had the pleasure of receiving, in his protg, certainly a very different person from the one he had equipped seven years ago, but a young man of an open, pleasant countenance, and frank, unstudied, but feeling and respectful manners, and such as confirmed him his friend.

William and Fanny soon showed themselves; and Sir Thomas had the pleasure of receiving, in his protg, a young man of an open, pleasant countenance, and frank, unstudied, but respectful manners.


It was long before Fanny could recover from the agitating happiness of such an hour as was formed by the last thirty minutes of expectation, and the first of fruition; it was some time even before her happiness could be said to make her happy, before the disappointment inseparable from the alteration of person had vanished, and she could see in him the same William as before, and talk to him, as her heart had been yearning to do through many a past year.

It was long before Fanny could recover from the agitating happiness of such an hour; it was some time even before her happiness could be said to make her happy, and she could talk to him as her heart had been yearning to do through many a past year.


That time, however, did gradually come, forwarded by an affection on his side as warm as her own, and much less encumbered by refinement or self-distrust.

That time, however, did come, aided by an affection on his side as warm as her own, and much less encumbered by self-distrust.


She was the first object of his love, but it was a love which his stronger spirits, and bolder temper, made it as natural for him to express as to feel.

She was the first object of his love, a love which his bolder temper made it natural for him to express.


On the morrow they were walking about together with true enjoyment, and every succeeding morrow renewed a _tte--tte_ which Sir Thomas could not but observe with complacency, even before Edmund had pointed it out to him.

On the morrow they were walking about together with true enjoyment, and every succeeding morrow renewed a tte--tte which Sir Thomas observed with complacency.


Excepting the moments of peculiar delight, which any marked or unlooked-for instance of Edmund's consideration of her in the last few months had excited, Fanny had never known so much felicity in her life, as in this unchecked, equal, fearless intercourse with the brother and friend who was opening all his heart to her, telling her all his hopes and fears, plans, and solicitudes respecting that long thought of, dearly earned, and justly valued blessing of promotion; who could give her direct and minute information of the father and mother, brothers and sisters, of whom she very seldom heard; who was interested in all the comforts and all the little hardships of her home at Mansfield; ready to think of every member of that home as she directed, or differing only by a less scrupulous opinion, and more noisy abuse of their aunt Norris, and with whom (perhaps the dearest indulgence of the whole) all the evil and good of their earliest years could be gone over again, and every former united pain and pleasure retraced with the fondest recollection.

Except for the moments of delight caused by any instance of Edmund's consideration of her, Fanny had never known so much joy, as in this unchecked, equal, fearless intercourse with the brother and friend who was opening all his heart to her, telling her all his hopes, fears and plans respecting his promotion; who could give her information of the family of whom she very seldom heard; who was interested in all the comforts and little hardships of her home at Mansfield; ready to think of every member of that home as she directed, or differing only by more noisy abuse of their aunt Norris, and with whom (perhaps the dearest indulgence of all) all their earliest years could be gone over again, and every former pain and pleasure fondly recollected.


An advantage this, a strengthener of love, in which even the conjugal tie is beneath the fraternal.


Children of the same family, the same blood, with the same first associations and habits, have some means of enjoyment in their power, which no subsequent connexions can supply; and it must be by a long and unnatural estrangement, by a divorce which no subsequent connexion can justify, if such precious remains of the earliest attachments are ever entirely outlived.

It must be by a long and unnatural estrangement, if such precious memories shared by members of a family are outlived.


Fraternal love, sometimes almost everything, is at others worse than nothing.

Fraternal love is at times worse than nothing.


But with William and Fanny Price it was still a sentiment in all its prime and freshness, wounded by no opposition of interest, cooled by no separate attachment, and feeling the influence of time and absence only in its increase.

But with William and Fanny Price it was still in its prime and freshness.


An affection so amiable was advancing each in the opinion of all who had hearts to value anything good.


Henry Crawford was as much struck with it as any.

Henry Crawford was much struck with their mutual affection.


He honoured the warm-hearted, blunt fondness of the young sailor, which led him to say, with his hands stretched towards Fanny's head, "Do you know, I begin to like that queer fashion already, though when I first heard of such things being done in England, I could not believe it; and when Mrs. Brown, and the other women at the Commissioner's at Gibraltar, appeared in the same trim, I thought they were mad; but Fanny can reconcile me to anything"; and saw, with lively admiration, the glow of Fanny's cheek, the brightness of her eye, the deep interest, the absorbed attention, while her brother was describing any of the imminent hazards, or terrific scenes, which such a period at sea must supply.

He honoured the warm-hearted, blunt fondness of the young sailor, which led him to say, with his hands stretched towards Fanny's head, "Do you know, I begin to like that queer fashion, though when the women at the Commissioner's at Gibraltar appeared in the same trim, I thought they were mad; but Fanny can reconcile me to anything". He saw, with admiration, the glow of Fanny's cheek, the brightness of her eye, the absorbed attention, while her brother was describing the hazards of his life at sea.


It was a picture which Henry Crawford had moral taste enough to value.


Fanny's attractions increased-increased twofold; for the sensibility which beautified her complexion and illumined her countenance was an attraction in itself.

Fanny's attractions increased twofold; for


He was no longer in doubt of the capabilities of her heart.

he no longer doubted the capabilities of her heart.


It would be something to be loved by such a girl, to excite the first ardours of her young unsophisticated mind!

It would be something to be loved by such a girl, to excite the first ardours of her unsophisticated mind!


She interested him more than he had foreseen.


William was often called on by his uncle to be the talker.


His recitals were amusing in themselves to Sir Thomas, but the chief object in seeking them was to understand the reciter, to know the young man by his histories; and he listened to his clear, simple, spirited details with full satisfaction, seeing in them the proof of good principles, professional knowledge, energy, courage, and cheerfulness, everything that could deserve or promise well.

His recitals were amusing to Sir Thomas, but the chief object in seeking them was to understand the reciter, to know the young man; and he listened to his clear, simple, spirited details with satisfaction, seeing in them the proof of good principles, professional knowledge, energy, courage, and cheerfulness.


Young as he was, William had already seen a great deal.


He had been in the Mediterranean; in the West Indies; in the Mediterranean again; had been often taken on shore by the favour of his captain, and in the course of seven years had known every variety of danger which sea and war together could offer.

He had been in the Mediterranean and the West Indies; had been often taken on shore by the favour of his captain, and in seven years had known every danger which sea and war could offer.


With such means in his power he had a right to be listened to; and though Mrs. Norris could fidget about the room, and disturb everybody in quest of two needlefuls of thread or a second-hand shirt button, in the midst of her nephew's account of a shipwreck or an engagement, everybody else was attentive; and even Lady Bertram could not hear of such horrors unmoved, or without sometimes lifting her eyes from her work to say, "Dear me!

Though Mrs. Norris could fidget about the room, and disturb everybody in quest of thread or a shirt button in the midst of her nephew's account of a shipwreck, everybody else was attentive; and even Lady Bertram could not hear of such horrors without sometimes lifting her eyes from her work to say, "How disagreeable!


To Henry Crawford they gave a different feeling.


He longed to have been at sea, and seen and done and suffered as much.

He longed to have seen and done as much.


His heart was warmed, his fancy fired, and he felt the highest respect for a lad who, before he was twenty, had gone through such bodily hardships and given such proofs of mind.

His heart was warmed, his fancy fired, and he felt the highest respect for a lad who, before he was twenty, had gone through such hardships.


The glory of heroism, of usefulness, of exertion, of endurance, made his own habits of selfish indulgence appear in shameful contrast; and he wished he had been a William Price, distinguishing himself and working his way to fortune and consequence with so much self-respect and happy ardour, instead of what he was!

The glory of heroism, of usefulness, of exertion, of endurance, made his own habits appear in shameful contrast; and he wished he had been a William Price, instead of what he was!


He was roused from the reverie of retrospection and regret produced by it, by some inquiry from Edmund as to his plans for the next day's hunting; and he found it was as well to be a man of fortune at once with horses and grooms at his command.

He was roused from his regret by some inquiry from Edmund as to the next day's hunting; and he found it was as well to be a man of fortune with horses and grooms at his command.


In one respect it was better, as it gave him the means of conferring a kindness where he wished to oblige.

In one respect it was better, as it gave him the means of conferring a kindness to William, who expressed a wish to hunt.


With spirits, courage, and curiosity up to anything, William expressed an inclination to hunt; and Crawford could mount him without the slightest inconvenience to himself, and with only some scruples to obviate in Sir Thomas, who knew better than his nephew the value of such a loan, and some alarms to reason away in Fanny.

Crawford could mount him without inconvenience to himself, and with only some alarms to reason away in Fanny.


She feared for William; by no means convinced by all that he could relate of his own horsemanship in various countries, of the scrambling parties in which he had been engaged, the rough horses and mules he had ridden, or his many narrow escapes from dreadful falls, that he was at all equal to the management of a high-fed hunter in an English fox-chase; nor till he returned safe and well, without accident or discredit, could she be reconciled to the risk, or feel any of that obligation to Mr. Crawford for lending the horse which he had fully intended it should produce.

She feared for William; by no means convinced by all that he could relate of his own horsemanship in various rough countries, that he was at all equal to the management of a high-fed hunter in an English fox-chase. Till he returned safe and well, she could not feel any gratitude to Mr. Crawford for lending the horse.


When it was proved, however, to have done William no harm, she could allow it to be a kindness, and even reward the owner with a smile when the animal was one minute tendered to his use again; and the next, with the greatest cordiality, and in a manner not to be resisted, made over to his use entirely so long as he remained in Northamptonshire.

When it was proved, however, to have done William no harm, she could reward the owner with a smile. With the greatest cordiality, Mr Crawford gave William the horse for his use so long as he remained in Northamptonshire.


Edmund's first object the next morning was to see his father alone, and give him a fair statement of the whole acting scheme, defending his own share in it as far only as he could then, in a soberer moment, feel his motives to deserve, and acknowledging, with perfect ingenuousness, that his concession had been attended with such partial good as to make his judgment in it very doubtful.

Edmund's first object the next morning was to see his father alone, and give him a fair statement of the whole acting scheme, defending his own share in it as far only as he could feel his motives to deserve.


He was anxious, while vindicating himself, to say nothing unkind of the others: but there was only one amongst them whose conduct he could mention without some necessity of defence or palliation.

He was anxious to say nothing unkind of the others: but there was only one whose conduct he could mention without necessity of defence.


"We have all been more or less to blame," said he, "every one of us, excepting Fanny.

"We have all been to blame," said he, "excepting Fanny.


Fanny is the only one who has judged rightly throughout; who has been consistent.


_Her_ feelings have been steadily against it from first to last.

Her feelings have been steadily against it from first to last.


She never ceased to think of what was due to you.


You will find Fanny everything you could wish."


Sir Thomas saw all the impropriety of such a scheme among such a party, and at such a time, as strongly as his son had ever supposed he must; he felt it too much, indeed, for many words; and having shaken hands with Edmund, meant to try to lose the disagreeable impression, and forget how much he had been forgotten himself as soon as he could, after the house had been cleared of every object enforcing the remembrance, and restored to its proper state.

Sir Thomas saw all the impropriety of the scheme as strongly as his son had supposed. Having shaken hands with Edmund, he meant to try to lose the disagreeable impression as soon as the house had been restored to its proper state.


He did not enter into any remonstrance with his other children: he was more willing to believe they felt their error than to run the risk of investigation.

He did not remonstrate with his other children: he was willing to believe they felt their error.


The reproof of an immediate conclusion of everything, the sweep of every preparation, would be sufficient.


There was one person, however, in the house, whom he could not leave to learn his sentiments merely through his conduct.

There was one person, however, to whom he must speak.


He could not help giving Mrs. Norris a hint of his having hoped that her advice might have been interposed to prevent what her judgment must certainly have disapproved.

He hinted to Mrs. Norris that he hoped she might have advised the young people against the play.


The young people had been very inconsiderate in forming the plan; they ought to have been capable of a better decision themselves; but they were young; and, excepting Edmund, he believed, of unsteady characters; and with greater surprise, therefore, he must regard her acquiescence in their wrong measures, her countenance of their unsafe amusements, than that such measures and such amusements should have been suggested.

They ought to have been capable of a better decision themselves; but they were young; and, excepting Edmund, of unsteady characters. He was greatly surprised at her allowing their unsafe amusements.


Mrs. Norris was a little confounded and as nearly being silenced as ever she had been in her life; for she was ashamed to confess having never seen any of the impropriety which was so glaring to Sir Thomas, and would not have admitted that her influence was insufficient-that she might have talked in vain.

Mrs. Norris was a little confounded and as close to being silenced as ever she had been in her life; for she was ashamed to confess to having never seen any of the impropriety which was so glaring to Sir Thomas.


Her only resource was to get out of the subject as fast as possible, and turn the current of Sir Thomas's ideas into a happier channel.

Her only resource was to get out of the subject as fast as possible.


She had a great deal to insinuate in her own praise as to _general_ attention to the interest and comfort of his family, much exertion and many sacrifices to glance at in the form of hurried walks and sudden removals from her own fireside, and many excellent hints of distrust and economy to Lady Bertram and Edmund to detail, whereby a most considerable saving had always arisen, and more than one bad servant been detected.

She had a great deal to say in her own praise as to her exertion and many sacrifices and economies, whereby a considerable saving had arisen.


But her chief strength lay in Sotherton.


Her greatest support and glory was in having formed the connexion with the Rushworths.

Her greatest glory was in having formed the connexion with the Rushworths.


She took to herself all the credit of bringing Mr. Rushworth's admiration of Maria to any effect.


"If I had not been active," said she, "and made a point of being introduced to his mother, and then prevailed on my sister to pay the first visit, I am as certain as I sit here that nothing would have come of it; for Mr. Rushworth is the sort of amiable modest young man who wants a great deal of encouragement, and there were girls enough on the catch for him if we had been idle.

"If I had not been active," said she, "and prevailed on my sister to pay the first visit, nothing would have come of it; for Mr. Rushworth is a modest young man who wants encouragement.


I was ready to move heaven and earth to persuade my sister, and at last I did persuade her.

I was ready to move heaven and earth to persuade my sister.


You know the distance to Sotherton; it was in the middle of winter, and the roads almost impassable, but I did persuade her."


"I know how great, how justly great, your influence is with Lady Bertram and her children, and am the more concerned that it should not have been-"

"I know how great your influence is with Lady Bertram and her children, and am the more concerned that it should not have been on the occasion of the play."


"My dear Sir Thomas, if you had seen the state of the roads _that_ day!

"My dear Sir Thomas, if you had seen the state of the roads that day!


I thought we should never have got through them, though we had the four horses of course; and poor old coachman would attend us, out of his great love and kindness, though he was hardly able to sit the box on account of the rheumatism which I had been doctoring him for ever since Michaelmas.

I thought we should never have got through, though we had the four horses; and poor old coachman would attend us, though he was hardly able to sit on account of the rheumatism which I had been doctoring him for ever since Michaelmas.


I cured him at last; but he was very bad all the winter-and this was such a day, I could not help going to him up in his room before we set off to advise him not to venture: he was putting on his wig; so I said, 'Coachman, you had much better not go; your Lady and I shall be very safe; you know how steady Stephen is, and Charles has been upon the leaders so often now, that I am sure there is no fear.'

I cured him at last; but he was very bad all the winter, and I said to him, 'Coachman, you had much better not go.'


But, however, I soon found it would not do; he was bent upon going, and as I hate to be worrying and officious, I said no more; but my heart quite ached for him at every jolt, and when we got into the rough lanes about Stoke, where, what with frost and snow upon beds of stones, it was worse than anything you can imagine, I was quite in an agony about him.

But he was bent upon going, and as I hate to be officious, I said no more; but my heart quite ached for him at every jolt, and when we got into the rough lanes about Stoke, I was quite in an agony about him.


You know how I always feel for the horses.


And when we got to the bottom of Sandcroft Hill, what do you think I did?

When we got to the bottom of Sandcroft Hill, what do you think I did?


You will laugh at me; but I got out and walked up.


It might not be saving them much, but it was something, and I could not bear to sit at my ease and be dragged up at the expense of those noble animals.


I caught a dreadful cold, but _that_ I did not regard.

I caught a dreadful cold, but that I did not regard.


My object was accomplished in the visit."


"I hope we shall always think the acquaintance worth any trouble that might be taken to establish it.


There is nothing very striking in Mr. Rushworth's manners, but I was pleased last night with what appeared to be his opinion on one subject: his decided preference of a quiet family party to the bustle and confusion of acting.

There is nothing very striking in Mr. Rushworth's manners, but I was pleased last night with his opinion on one subject: his decided preference of a quiet family party to the bustle of acting."


He seemed to feel exactly as one could wish."


"Yes, indeed, and the more you know of him the better you will like him.


He is not a shining character, but he has a thousand good qualities; and is so disposed to look up to you, that I am quite laughed at about it, for everybody considers it as my doing.


'Upon my word, Mrs. Norris,' said Mrs. Grant the other day, 'if Mr. Rushworth were a son of your own, he could not hold Sir Thomas in greater respect.'"


Sir Thomas gave up the point, foiled by her evasions, disarmed by her flattery; and was obliged to rest satisfied with the conviction that where the present pleasure of those she loved was at stake, her kindness did sometimes overpower her judgment.

Sir Thomas gave up, foiled by her evasions and disarmed by her flattery; and was obliged to be satisfied with the conviction that her kindness sometimes overpowered her judgment.


Conversation with any of them occupied but a small part of it.


He had to reinstate himself in all the wonted concerns of his Mansfield life: to see his steward and his bailiff; to examine and compute, and, in the intervals of business, to walk into his stables and his gardens, and nearest plantations; but active and methodical, he had not only done all this before he resumed his seat as master of the house at dinner, he had also set the carpenter to work in pulling down what had been so lately put up in the billiard-room, and given the scene-painter his dismissal long enough to justify the pleasing belief of his being then at least as far off as Northampton.

He had to reinstate himself in all the concerns of his Mansfield life: to see his steward and his bailiff; to visit his stables, gardens and plantations; but, active and methodical, he had not only done all this before dinner, he had also set the carpenter to work in pulling down the theatre.


The scene-painter was gone, having spoilt only the floor of one room, ruined all the coachman's sponges, and made five of the under-servants idle and dissatisfied; and Sir Thomas was in hopes that another day or two would suffice to wipe away every outward memento of what had been, even to the destruction of every unbound copy of Lovers' Vows in the house, for he was burning all that met his eye.

The scene-painter was gone, having only spoilt the floor of one room, ruined all the coachman's sponges, and made five of the under-servants idle and dissatisfied; and Sir Thomas hoped that another day or two would suffice to wipe away every outward memento of what had been, even to the destruction of every copy of Lovers' Vows in the house, for he was burning all that met his eye.


Mr. Yates was beginning now to understand Sir Thomas's intentions, though as far as ever from understanding their source.

Mr. Yates was beginning now to understand Sir Thomas's intentions.


He and his friend had been out with their guns the chief of the morning, and Tom had taken the opportunity of explaining, with proper apologies for his father's particularity, what was to be expected.

He and his friend had been out with their guns, and Tom had explained what was to be expected.


Mr. Yates felt it as acutely as might be supposed.


To be a second time disappointed in the same way was an instance of very severe ill-luck; and his indignation was such, that had it not been for delicacy towards his friend, and his friend's youngest sister, he believed he should certainly attack the baronet on the absurdity of his proceedings, and argue him into a little more rationality.

To be a second time disappointed in the same way was severe ill-luck; and had it not been for delicacy towards his friend, and his friend's youngest sister, he believed he should certainly attack the baronet on the absurdity of his proceedings.


He believed this very stoutly while he was in Mansfield Wood, and all the way home; but there was a something in Sir Thomas, when they sat round the same table, which made Mr. Yates think it wiser to let him pursue his own way, and feel the folly of it without opposition.

He believed this very stoutly all the way home; but there was a something in Sir Thomas, when they sat round the table, which made Mr. Yates think it wiser to let him pursue his own way.


He had known many disagreeable fathers before, and often been struck with the inconveniences they occasioned, but never, in the whole course of his life, had he seen one of that class so unintelligibly moral, so infamously tyrannical as Sir Thomas.

He had known many disagreeable fathers before, but never had he seen one so tyrannical as Sir Thomas.


He was not a man to be endured but for his children's sake, and he might be thankful to his fair daughter Julia that Mr. Yates did yet mean to stay a few days longer under his roof.

He might be thankful to his fair daughter Julia that Mr. Yates meant to stay a few days longer under his roof.


The evening passed with external smoothness, though almost every mind was ruffled; and the music which Sir Thomas called for from his daughters helped to conceal the want of real harmony.

The evening passed with external smoothness, though every mind was ruffled; and the music which Sir Thomas called for from his daughters helped to conceal the want of real harmony.


It was of the utmost consequence to her that Crawford should now lose no time in declaring himself, and she was disturbed that even a day should be gone by without seeming to advance that point.

It was of the utmost consequence to her that Crawford should now lose no time in declaring himself, and she was disturbed that even a day should go by without seeming to advance that point.


She had been expecting to see him the whole morning, and all the evening, too, was still expecting him.

She had been expecting to see him the whole day, and was still expecting him.


Mr. Rushworth had set off early with the great news for Sotherton; and she had fondly hoped for such an immediate _eclaircissement_ as might save him the trouble of ever coming back again.

Mr. Rushworth had set off for Sotherton; and she had fondly hoped for such an immediate declaration as might save him the trouble of ever coming back again.


But they had seen no one from the Parsonage, not a creature, and had heard no tidings beyond a friendly note of congratulation and inquiry from Mrs. Grant to Lady Bertram.

But they had seen no one from the Parsonage, and had heard no tidings beyond a friendly note from Mrs. Grant to Lady Bertram.


It was the first day for many, many weeks, in which the families had been wholly divided.


Four-and-twenty hours had never passed before, since August began, without bringing them together in some way or other.


It was a sad, anxious day; and the morrow, though differing in the sort of evil, did by no means bring less.

It was a sad, anxious day; and the morrow brought more evil for Maria.


A few moments of feverish enjoyment were followed by hours of acute suffering.


Henry Crawford was again in the house: he walked up with Dr. Grant, who was anxious to pay his respects to Sir Thomas, and at rather an early hour they were ushered into the breakfast-room, where were most of the family.

Henry Crawford was again in the house: he walked up with Dr. Grant, and they were ushered into the breakfast-room.


Sir Thomas soon appeared, and Maria saw with delight and agitation the introduction of the man she loved to her father.

Sir Thomas appeared, and Maria saw with delight and agitation the introduction of the man she loved to her father.


Her sensations were indefinable, and so were they a few minutes afterwards upon hearing Henry Crawford, who had a chair between herself and Tom, ask the latter in an undervoice whether there were any plans for resuming the play after the present happy interruption (with a courteous glance at Sir Thomas), because, in that case, he should make a point of returning to Mansfield at any time required by the party: he was going away immediately, being to meet his uncle at Bath without delay; but if there were any prospect of a renewal of Lovers' Vows, he should hold himself positively engaged, he should break through every other claim, he should absolutely condition with his uncle for attending them whenever he might be wanted.

Her sensations were indefinable, and so were they a few minutes afterwards upon hearing Henry Crawford ask Tom in an undervoice whether there were any plans for resuming the play, because, in that case, he should make a point of returning to Mansfield at any time required by the party. He was going away immediately to meet his uncle at Bath; but if there were any prospect of a renewal of Lovers' Vows, he should hold himself engaged, and break through every other claim.


The play should not be lost by _his_ absence.


"From Bath, Norfolk, London, York, wherever I may be," said he; "I will attend you from any place in England, at an hour's notice."

"From Bath, Norfolk, London, wherever I may be," said he; "I will attend you at an hour's notice."


It was well at that moment that Tom had to speak, and not his sister.


He could immediately say with easy fluency, "I am sorry you are going; but as to our play, _that_ is all over-entirely at an end" (looking significantly at his father).

said, "I am sorry you are going; but our play is entirely at an end.


"The painter was sent off yesterday, and very little will remain of the theatre to-morrow.

The painter was sent off yesterday, and little will remain of the theatre tomorrow.


I knew how _that_ would be from the first.


"I may, perhaps, get as far as Banbury to-day."


was the next question; and while this branch of the subject was under discussion, Maria, who wanted neither pride nor resolution, was preparing to encounter her share of it with tolerable calmness.

was the next question; and while this was under discussion, Maria, who wanted neither pride nor resolution, prepared herself with tolerable calmness.


To her he soon turned, repeating much of what he had already said, with only a softened air and stronger expressions of regret.

To her he soon turned, repeating what he had already said, with only a softened air and stronger expressions of regret.


But what availed his expressions or his air?


He was going, and, if not voluntarily going, voluntarily intending to stay away; for, excepting what might be due to his uncle, his engagements were all self-imposed.

He was going, and intending to stay away; for, excepting what might be due to his uncle, his engagements were all self-imposed.


He might talk of necessity, but she knew his independence.


The hand which had so pressed hers to his heart!


the hand and the heart were alike motionless and passive now!

hand and heart were alike motionless and passive now!


Her spirit supported her, but the agony of her mind was severe.


She had not long to endure what arose from listening to language which his actions contradicted, or to bury the tumult of her feelings under the restraint of society; for general civilities soon called his notice from her, and the farewell visit, as it then became openly acknowledged, was a very short one.

She had not long to bury the tumult of her feelings; for the farewell visit was a very short one.


He was gone-he had touched her hand for the last time, he had made his parting bow, and she might seek directly all that solitude could do for her.

He was gone-he had touched her hand for the last time.


Henry Crawford was gone, gone from the house, and within two hours afterwards from the parish; and so ended all the hopes his selfish vanity had raised in Maria and Julia Bertram.

Henry Crawford was gone, gone from the house, and two hours afterwards from the parish; and so ended all the hopes his selfish vanity had raised in Maria and Julia Bertram.


His presence was beginning to be odious to her; and if Maria gained him not, she was now cool enough to dispense with any other revenge.

His presence was beginning to be odious to her.


She did not want exposure to be added to desertion.


Henry Crawford gone, she could even pity her sister.


With a purer spirit did Fanny rejoice in the intelligence.

With a purer spirit did Fanny rejoice in the news.


She heard it at dinner, and felt it a blessing.


By all the others it was mentioned with regret; and his merits honoured with due gradation of feeling-from the sincerity of Edmund's too partial regard, to the unconcern of his mother speaking entirely by rote.


Mrs. Norris began to look about her, and wonder that his falling in love with Julia had come to nothing; and could almost fear that she had been remiss herself in forwarding it; but with so many to care for, how was it possible for even _her_ activity to keep pace with her wishes?

Mrs. Norris began to wonder that his falling in love with Julia had come to nothing.


Another day or two, and Mr. Yates was gone likewise.


In _his_ departure Sir Thomas felt the chief interest: wanting to be alone with his family, the presence of a stranger superior to Mr. Yates must have been irksome; but of him, trifling and confident, idle and expensive, it was every way vexatious.


In himself he was wearisome, but as the friend of Tom and the admirer of Julia he became offensive.


Sir Thomas had been quite indifferent to Mr. Crawford's going or staying: but his good wishes for Mr. Yates's having a pleasant journey, as he walked with him to the hall-door, were given with genuine satisfaction.

Sir Thomas had been quite indifferent to Mr. Crawford's going or staying: but his goodbyes to Mr. Yates were given with genuine satisfaction.


Mr. Yates had staid to see the destruction of every theatrical preparation at Mansfield, the removal of everything appertaining to the play: he left the house in all the soberness of its general character; and Sir Thomas hoped, in seeing him out of it, to be rid of the worst object connected with the scheme, and the last that must be inevitably reminding him of its existence.

Sir Thomas hoped, in seeing him out of the house, to be rid of the worst object connected with the theatrical scheme, and now the theatre was dismantled, the last that must be reminding him of its existence.


Mrs. Norris contrived to remove one article from his sight that might have distressed him.


The curtain, over which she had presided with such talent and such success, went off with her to her cottage, where she happened to be particularly in want of green baize.

The curtain, over which she had presided with such talent and success, went off with her to her cottage, where she happened to be particularly in want of green baize.


Fanny was right enough in not expecting to hear from Miss Crawford now at the rapid rate in which their correspondence had begun; Mary's next letter was after a decidedly longer interval than the last, but she was not right in supposing that such an interval would be felt a great relief to herself.

Fanny was right in not expecting to hear from Miss Crawford so regularly; Mary's next letter was after a decidedly longer interval than the last, but she was not right in supposing that such an interval would be a great relief.


Here was another strange revolution of mind!


She was really glad to receive the letter when it did come.


In her present exile from good society, and distance from everything that had been wont to interest her, a letter from one belonging to the set where her heart lived, written with affection, and some degree of elegance, was thoroughly acceptable.

In her present exile from good society, a letter from one belonging to the set where her heart lived, written with affection and elegance, was thoroughly acceptable.


The usual plea of increasing engagements was made in excuse for not having written to her earlier; "And now that I have begun," she continued, "my letter will not be worth your reading, for there will be no little offering of love at the end, no three or four lines _passionnes_ from the most devoted H. C. in the world, for Henry is in Norfolk; business called him to Everingham ten days ago, or perhaps he only pretended the call, for the sake of being travelling at the same time that you were.

"My letter will not be worth your reading," Mary wrote, "for there will be no little offering of love at the end from the most devoted H. C. in the world, as Henry is in Norfolk.


But there he is, and, by the bye, his absence may sufficiently account for any remissness of his sister's in writing, for there has been no 'Well, Mary, when do you write to Fanny?

Business called him to Everingham, and his absence may account for his sister's remissness in writing, for there has been no 'Well, Mary, when do you write to Fanny?


Is not it time for you to write to Fanny?'


At last, after various attempts at meeting, I have seen your cousins, 'dear Julia and dearest Mrs. Rushworth'; they found me at home yesterday, and we were glad to see each other again.

At last, I have seen your cousins, 'dear Julia and dearest Mrs. Rushworth'.


We _seemed_ _very_ glad to see each other, and I do really think we were a little.

We seemed very glad to see each other, and I do really think we were a little.


Shall I tell you how Mrs. Rushworth looked when your name was mentioned?


I did not use to think her wanting in self-possession, but she had not quite enough for the demands of yesterday.

She had not quite self-possession enough for the demands of yesterday.


Upon the whole, Julia was in the best looks of the two, at least after you were spoken of.


There was no recovering the complexion from the moment that I spoke of 'Fanny,' and spoke of her as a sister should.


But Mrs. Rushworth's day of good looks will come; we have cards for her first party on the 28th.

But Mrs. Rushworth's day of good looks will come; we have invitations for her first party on the 28th.


Then she will be in beauty, for she will open one of the best houses in Wimpole Street.


I was in it two years ago, when it was Lady Lascelle's, and prefer it to almost any I know in London, and certainly she will then feel, to use a vulgar phrase, that she has got her pennyworth for her penny.


Henry could not have afforded her such a house.


I hope she will recollect it, and be satisfied, as well as she may, with moving the queen of a palace, though the king may appear best in the background; and as I have no desire to tease her, I shall never _force_ your name upon her again.

I hope she will be satisfied with being the queen of a palace, though the king may be best in the background. As I have no desire to tease her, I shall never force your name upon her again.


From all that I hear and guess, Baron Wildenheim's attentions to Julia continue, but I do not know that he has any serious encouragement.

From all that I hear, Baron Wildenheim's attentions to Julia continue, but without serious encouragement.


A poor honourable is no catch, and I cannot imagine any liking in the case, for take away his rants, and the poor baron has nothing.

A poor honourable is no catch, and I cannot imagine that she likes him, for take away his rants, and the baron has nothing.


If his rents were but equal to his rants!

If his rents were only equal to his rants!


Your cousin Edmund moves slowly; detained, perchance, by parish duties.


There may be some old woman at Thornton Lacey to be converted.


I am unwilling to fancy myself neglected for a _young_ one.

I am unwilling to fancy myself neglected for a young one.


my dear sweet Fanny, this is a long letter from London: write me a pretty one in reply to gladden Henry's eyes, when he comes back, and send me an account of all the dashing young captains whom you disdain for his sake."

my dear sweet Fanny: write me a pretty reply to gladden Henry's eyes, and send me an account of all the dashing young captains whom you disdain for his sake."


There was great food for meditation in this letter, and chiefly for unpleasant meditation; and yet, with all the uneasiness it supplied, it connected her with the absent, it told her of people and things about whom she had never felt so much curiosity as now, and she would have been glad to have been sure of such a letter every week.

There was great food for meditation in this letter; and yet, with all the uneasiness it supplied, it connected her with the absent, and she would have been glad to have such a letter every week.


Her correspondence with her aunt Bertram was her only concern of higher interest.


As for any society in Portsmouth, that could at all make amends for deficiencies at home, there were none within the circle of her father's and mother's acquaintance to afford her the smallest satisfaction: she saw nobody in whose favour she could wish to overcome her own shyness and reserve.

As for any society in Portsmouth, there were none amongst her parents' acquaintance to afford her the smallest satisfaction.


The men appeared to her all coarse, the women all pert, everybody underbred; and she gave as little contentment as she received from introductions either to old or new acquaintance.

The men appeared to her all coarse, the women all pert; and she gave as little contentment as she received.


The young ladies who approached her at first with some respect, in consideration of her coming from a baronet's family, were soon offended by what they termed "airs"; for, as she neither played on the pianoforte nor wore fine pelisses, they could, on farther observation, admit no right of superiority.

The young ladies who approached her at first with some respect, were soon offended by what they termed "airs"; for, as she neither played on the pianoforte nor wore fine furs, they could admit no superiority.


The first solid consolation which Fanny received for the evils of home, the first which her judgment could entirely approve, and which gave any promise of durability, was in a better knowledge of Susan, and a hope of being of service to her.

The first consolation which Fanny received for the evils of home, was in a better knowledge of Susan, and a hope of being of service to her.


Susan had always behaved pleasantly to herself, but the determined character of her general manners had astonished and alarmed her, and it was at least a fortnight before she began to understand a disposition so totally different from her own.

Susan had always behaved pleasantly to Fanny, but the determined character of her general manners had astonished her, and it was a fortnight before she began to understand a disposition so totally different from her own.


Susan saw that much was wrong at home, and wanted to set it right.


That a girl of fourteen, acting only on her own unassisted reason, should err in the method of reform, was not wonderful; and Fanny soon became more disposed to admire the natural light of the mind which could so early distinguish justly, than to censure severely the faults of conduct to which it led.

That a girl of fourteen, without guidance, should err in the method of reform, was not extraordinary; and Fanny soon came to admire the mind which could so early distinguish justly.


Susan was only acting on the same truths, and pursuing the same system, which her own judgment acknowledged, but which her more supine and yielding temper would have shrunk from asserting.

Susan was only acting on the same truths which Fanny herself acknowledged, but which her more yielding temper would have shrunk from asserting.


Susan tried to be useful, where _she_ could only have gone away and cried; and that Susan was useful she could perceive; that things, bad as they were, would have been worse but for such interposition, and that both her mother and Betsey were restrained from some excesses of very offensive indulgence and vulgarity.

Susan tried to be useful, where she could only have gone away and cried; and that Susan was useful she could perceive. Bad as they were, things would have been worse without her intervention, and both her mother and Betsey were restrained from some excesses of very offensive vulgarity.


In every argument with her mother, Susan had in point of reason the advantage, and never was there any maternal tenderness to buy her off.


The blind fondness which was for ever producing evil around her she had never known.


There was no gratitude for affection past or present to make her better bear with its excesses to the others.


All this became gradually evident, and gradually placed Susan before her sister as an object of mingled compassion and respect.

All this became evident, and gradually placed Susan before her sister as an object of compassion and respect.


That her manner was wrong, however, at times very wrong, her measures often ill-chosen and ill-timed, and her looks and language very often indefensible, Fanny could not cease to feel; but she began to hope they might be rectified.

That her manner was wrong, her measures often ill-chosen and ill-timed, and her looks and language often indefensible, Fanny could not cease to feel; but she began to hope they might be rectified.


Susan, she found, looked up to her and wished for her good opinion; and new as anything like an office of authority was to Fanny, new as it was to imagine herself capable of guiding or informing any one, she did resolve to give occasional hints to Susan, and endeavour to exercise for her advantage the juster notions of what was due to everybody, and what would be wisest for herself, which her own more favoured education had fixed in her.

Susan looked up to her and wished for her good opinion; and new as it was to Fanny to imagine herself capable of guiding anyone, she did resolve to give occasional hints to her.


Her influence, or at least the consciousness and use of it, originated in an act of kindness by Susan, which, after many hesitations of delicacy, she at last worked herself up to.

Her influence began in an act of kindness to Susan, which, after many hesitations, she at last worked herself up to.


It had very early occurred to her that a small sum of money might, perhaps, restore peace for ever on the sore subject of the silver knife, canvassed as it now was continually, and the riches which she was in possession of herself, her uncle having given her 10 at parting, made her as able as she was willing to be generous.

It had occurred to her that a small sum of money might, perhaps, restore peace for ever on the sore subject of the silver knife; and the riches which her uncle had given her made her able to be generous.


But she was so wholly unused to confer favours, except on the very poor, so unpractised in removing evils, or bestowing kindnesses among her equals, and so fearful of appearing to elevate herself as a great lady at home, that it took some time to determine that it would not be unbecoming in her to make such a present.

But she was so wholly unused to confer favours, and so fearful of appearing to elevate herself as a great lady, that it took some time to decide to make such a present.


It was made, however, at last: a silver knife was bought for Betsey, and accepted with great delight, its newness giving it every advantage over the other that could be desired; Susan was established in the full possession of her own, Betsey handsomely declaring that now she had got one so much prettier herself, she should never want _that_ again; and no reproach seemed conveyed to the equally satisfied mother, which Fanny had almost feared to be impossible.

It was made, however, at last. A silver knife was bought for Betsey, and accepted with great delight, its newness giving it every advantage over the other. Susan was established in the full possession of her own, Betsey handsomely declaring that now she had got one so much prettier herself, she should never want that again; and the mother was equally satisfied.


The deed thoroughly answered: a source of domestic altercation was entirely done away, and it was the means of opening Susan's heart to her, and giving her something more to love and be interested in.

It was the means of opening Susan's heart, and giving Fanny something more to love and be interested in.


Susan shewed that she had delicacy: pleased as she was to be mistress of property which she had been struggling for at least two years, she yet feared that her sister's judgment had been against her, and that a reproof was designed her for having so struggled as to make the purchase necessary for the tranquillity of the house.

Susan showed that she had delicacy: although she was pleased to be mistress of her property, she feared that her sister's judgment had been against her, and that a reproof was designed her in the purchase, made necessary for the tranquillity of the house.


She acknowledged her fears, blamed herself for having contended so warmly; and from that hour Fanny, understanding the worth of her disposition and perceiving how fully she was inclined to seek her good opinion and refer to her judgment, began to feel again the blessing of affection, and to entertain the hope of being useful to a mind so much in need of help, and so much deserving it.

She acknowledged her fears and blamed herself for having argued so heatedly. Fanny, understanding her worth and perceiving how much she wished for her good opinion, began to hope of being useful to a mind so much needing and deserving help.


She gave advice, advice too sound to be resisted by a good understanding, and given so mildly and considerately as not to irritate an imperfect temper, and she had the happiness of observing its good effects not unfrequently.

She gave sound advice, yet so mildly and considerately as not to irritate an imperfect temper, and she had the happiness of observing its good effects.


More was not expected by one who, while seeing all the obligation and expediency of submission and forbearance, saw also with sympathetic acuteness of feeling all that must be hourly grating to a girl like Susan.

She saw with acute sympathy all that must be hourly grating to a girl like Susan.


Her greatest wonder on the subject soon became-not that Susan should have been provoked into disrespect and impatience against her better knowledge-but that so much better knowledge, so many good notions should have been hers at all; and that, brought up in the midst of negligence and error, she should have formed such proper opinions of what ought to be; she, who had had no cousin Edmund to direct her thoughts or fix her principles.

Her greatest wonder soon became-not that Susan should have been provoked into disrespect and impatience-but that so many good notions should have been hers at all; and that, brought up in the midst of negligence and error, she should have formed such proper opinions of what ought to be; even with no cousin Edmund to fix her principles.


The intimacy thus begun between them was a material advantage to each.

The intimacy thus begun between them benefited each.


By sitting together upstairs, they avoided a great deal of the disturbance of the house; Fanny had peace, and Susan learned to think it no misfortune to be quietly employed.

By sitting together upstairs, they avoided much of the disturbance of the house; Fanny had peace, and Susan learned to enjoy being quietly employed.


They sat without a fire; but that was a privation familiar even to Fanny, and she suffered the less because reminded by it of the East room.

They sat without a fire; but that was a hardship familiar to Fanny, and she suffered less because reminded by it of the East room.


In space, light, furniture, and prospect, there was nothing alike in the two apartments; and she often heaved a sigh at the remembrance of all her books and boxes, and various comforts there.

In space, light, furniture, and prospect, there was nothing alike in the two apartments; and she often heaved a sigh as she remembered all her books and comforts.


By degrees the girls came to spend the chief of the morning upstairs, at first only in working and talking, but after a few days, the remembrance of the said books grew so potent and stimulative that Fanny found it impossible not to try for books again.

By degrees the girls came to spend most of the morning upstairs, working and talking, but after a few days, Fanny found it impossible not to try for books again.


There were none in her father's house; but wealth is luxurious and daring, and some of hers found its way to a circulating library.

There were none in her father's house; but she became a subscriber to a circulating library


She became a subscriber; amazed at being anything _in propria persona_, amazed at her own doings in every way, to be a renter, a chuser of books!

, amazed at becoming a renter, a chooser of books!


And to be having any one's improvement in view in her choice!


Susan had read nothing, and Fanny longed to give her a share in her own first pleasures, and inspire a taste for the biography and poetry which she delighted in herself.

Susan had read nothing, and Fanny longed to give her a share in her own first pleasures in biography and poetry.


In this occupation she hoped, moreover, to bury some of the recollections of Mansfield, which were too apt to seize her mind if her fingers only were busy; and, especially at this time, hoped it might be useful in diverting her thoughts from pursuing Edmund to London, whither, on the authority of her aunt's last letter, she knew he was gone.

She hoped, moreover, that it might be useful in diverting her own thoughts from pursuing Edmund to London, where she knew he was now gone.


The promised notification was hanging over her head.


The postman's knock within the neighbourhood was beginning to bring its daily terrors, and if reading could banish the idea for even half an hour, it was something gained.

The postman's knock was beginning to bring daily terrors, and if reading could banish the idea for half an hour, it was something gained.


It was presumed that Mr. Crawford was travelling back, to London, on the morrow, for nothing more was seen of him at Mr. Price's; and two days afterwards, it was a fact ascertained to Fanny by the following letter from his sister, opened and read by her, on another account, with the most anxious curiosity:-

Mr. Crawford was travelling back to London on the morrow; and two days afterwards, Fanny read a letter from his sister with anxious curiosity:-


"I have to inform you, my dearest Fanny, that Henry has been down to Portsmouth to see you; that he had a delightful walk with you to the dockyard last Saturday, and one still more to be dwelt on the next day, on the ramparts; when the balmy air, the sparkling sea, and your sweet looks and conversation were altogether in the most delicious harmony, and afforded sensations which are to raise ecstasy even in retrospect.

"I have to inform you, my dearest Fanny, that Henry has been down to Portsmouth to see you; that he had a delightful walk with you to the dockyard last Saturday, and one still more delightful the next day, on the ramparts; when the balmy air, the sparkling sea, and your sweet looks and conversation were altogether in the most delicious harmony.


This, as well as I understand, is to be the substance of my information.

This, as I understand, is to be the substance of my information.


He makes me write, but I do not know what else is to be communicated, except this said visit to Portsmouth, and these two said walks, and his introduction to your family, especially to a fair sister of yours, a fine girl of fifteen, who was of the party on the ramparts, taking her first lesson, I presume, in love.

He makes me write, but I do not know what else is to be said, except his introduction to your family, especially to a fair sister of yours, a fine girl of fifteen, who was of the party on the ramparts, taking her first lesson, I presume, in love.


I have not time for writing much, but it would be out of place if I had, for this is to be a mere letter of business, penned for the purpose of conveying necessary information, which could not be delayed without risk of evil.

I have not time for writing much, for this is to be a mere letter of business, penned for the purpose of conveying necessary information.


My dear, dear Fanny, if I had you here, how I would talk to you!


You should listen to me till you were tired, and advise me till you were still tired more; but it is impossible to put a hundredth part of my great mind on paper, so I will abstain altogether, and leave you to guess what you like.

You should listen to me till you were tired, and advise me till you were still tired more.


You have politics, of course; and it would be too bad to plague you with the names of people and parties that fill up my time.


I ought to have sent you an account of your cousin's first party, but I was lazy, and now it is too long ago; suffice it, that everything was just as it ought to be, in a style that any of her connexions must have been gratified to witness, and that her own dress and manners did her the greatest credit.

I ought to have sent you an account of your cousin Maria's first party, but I was lazy, and now it is too long ago; suffice it, that everything was just as it ought to be, and that her own dress and manners did her the greatest credit.


My friend, Mrs. Fraser, is mad for such a house, and it would not make _me_ miserable.

My friend, Mrs. Fraser, is mad for such a house, and it would not make me miserable.


I go to Lady Stornaway after Easter; she seems in high spirits, and very happy.


I fancy Lord S. is very good-humoured and pleasant in his own family, and I do not think him so very ill-looking as I did-at least, one sees many worse.

I fancy Lord S. is very good-humoured in his own family, and I do not think him so very ill-looking as I did.


He will not do by the side of your cousin Edmund.

However, he will not do by the side of your cousin Edmund.


Of the last-mentioned hero, what shall I say?


If I avoided his name entirely, it would look suspicious.

If I avoided his name, it would look suspicious.


I will say, then, that we have seen him two or three times, and that my friends here are very much struck with his gentlemanlike appearance.

I will say, then, that we have seen him two or three times, and that my friends are very struck with his gentlemanlike appearance.


Mrs. Fraser (no bad judge) declares she knows but three men in town who have so good a person, height, and air; and I must confess, when he dined here the other day, there were none to compare with him, and we were a party of sixteen.

Mrs. Fraser (no bad judge) declares she knows but three men in town who have so good an appearance, height, and air; and I must confess, when he dined here the other day, there were none to compare with him.


Luckily there is no distinction of dress nowadays to tell tales, but-but-but Yours affectionately."


"I had almost forgot (it was Edmund's fault: he gets into my head more than does me good) one very material thing I had to say from Henry and myself-I mean about our taking you back into Northamptonshire.

"I had almost forgot (it was Edmund's fault: he gets into my head more than does me good) one thing I had to say from Henry and myself-I mean about our taking you back into Northamptonshire.


My dear little creature, do not stay at Portsmouth to lose your pretty looks.


Those vile sea-breezes are the ruin of beauty and health.


My poor aunt always felt affected if within ten miles of the sea, which the Admiral of course never believed, but I know it was so.


I am at your service and Henry's, at an hour's notice.


I should like the scheme, and we would make a little circuit, and shew you Everingham in our way, and perhaps you would not mind passing through London, and seeing the inside of St. George's, Hanover Square.

We would show you Everingham on our way, and perhaps you would not mind passing through London, and seeing the inside of St. George's church on Hanover Square.


Only keep your cousin Edmund from me at such a time: I should not like to be tempted.


Henry, I find, has some idea of going into Norfolk again upon some business that _you_ approve; but this cannot possibly be permitted before the middle of next week; that is, he cannot anyhow be spared till after the 14th, for _we_ have a party that evening.

Henry, I find, has some idea of going into Norfolk again upon some business that you approve; but he cannot be spared till after the 14th, for we have a party that evening.


The value of a man like Henry, on such an occasion, is what you can have no conception of; so you must take it upon my word to be inestimable.

The value of a man like Henry, on such an occasion, is immense.


He will see the Rushworths, which I own I am not sorry for-having a little curiosity, and so I think has he-though he will not acknowledge it."


This was a letter to be run through eagerly, to be read deliberately, to supply matter for much reflection, and to leave everything in greater suspense than ever.

This was a letter to be run through eagerly, to supply matter for much reflection, and to leave everything in greater suspense than ever.


The only certainty to be drawn from it was, that nothing decisive had yet taken place.

The only certainty to be drawn from it was that nothing decisive had yet taken place.


How Miss Crawford really felt, how she meant to act, or might act without or against her meaning; whether his importance to her were quite what it had been before the last separation; whether, if lessened, it were likely to lessen more, or to recover itself, were subjects for endless conjecture, and to be thought of on that day and many days to come, without producing any conclusion.

How Miss Crawford really felt, how she meant to act; whether his importance to her were quite what it had been before, and whether, if lessened, it were likely to recover, were subjects for endless conjecture, and to be thought of for many days to come, without producing any conclusion.


The idea that returned the oftenest was that Miss Crawford, after proving herself cooled and staggered by a return to London habits, would yet prove herself in the end too much attached to him to give him up.

The idea that returned the oftenest was that Miss Crawford, though cooled by a return to London habits, would yet prove in the end too much attached to him to give him up.


She would try to be more ambitious than her heart would allow.


She would hesitate, she would tease, she would condition, she would require a great deal, but she would finally accept.


This was Fanny's most frequent expectation.


A house in town-that, she thought, must be impossible.

A house in town-that must be impossible.


Yet there was no saying what Miss Crawford might not ask.


The prospect for her cousin grew worse and worse.


The woman who could speak of him, and speak only of his appearance!


To be deriving support from the commendations of Mrs. Fraser!


_She_ who had known him intimately half a year!

She who had known him intimately half a year!


Those parts of the letter which related only to Mr. Crawford and herself, touched her, in comparison, slightly.

Those parts of the letter which related to Mr. Crawford and herself touched her, in comparison, only slightly.


Whether Mr. Crawford went into Norfolk before or after the 14th was certainly no concern of hers, though, everything considered, she thought he _would_ go without delay.

Whether Mr. Crawford went into Norfolk before or after the 14th was no concern of hers.


That Miss Crawford should endeavour to secure a meeting between him and Mrs. Rushworth, was all in her worst line of conduct, and grossly unkind and ill-judged; but she hoped _he_ would not be actuated by any such degrading curiosity.

That Miss Crawford should try to arrange a meeting between him and Mrs. Rushworth was grossly unkind and ill-judged; but she hoped he would not feel such degrading curiosity.


He acknowledged no such inducement, and his sister ought to have given him credit for better feelings than her own.

His sister ought to have given him credit for better feelings than her own.


She was yet more impatient for another letter from town after receiving this than she had been before; and for a few days was so unsettled by it altogether, by what had come, and what might come, that her usual readings and conversation with Susan were much suspended.

She was yet more impatient for another letter from town after receiving this; and for a few days was so unsettled altogether that her usual readings with Susan were much suspended.


She could not command her attention as she wished.


If Mr. Crawford remembered her message to her cousin, she thought it very likely, most likely, that he would write to her at all events; it would be most consistent with his usual kindness; and till she got rid of this idea, till it gradually wore off, by no letters appearing in the course of three or four days more, she was in a most restless, anxious state.

If Mr. Crawford remembered her message to her cousin Edmund, she thought it very likely that he would write to her; and till this idea gradually wore off, by no letters appearing in the course of several days, she was in a most restless, anxious state.


At length, a something like composure succeeded.


Suspense must be submitted to, and must not be allowed to wear her out, and make her useless.

Suspense must be submitted to, and must not make her useless.


Time did something, her own exertions something more, and she resumed her attentions to Susan, and again awakened the same interest in them.

Time did something, her own exertions something more, and she resumed her attentions to Susan.


Susan was growing very fond of her, and though without any of the early delight in books which had been so strong in Fanny, with a disposition much less inclined to sedentary pursuits, or to information for information's sake, she had so strong a desire of not _appearing_ ignorant, as, with a good clear understanding, made her a most attentive, profitable, thankful pupil.

Susan was growing very fond of her, and though without any of Fanny's delight in books and information for information's sake, she had so strong a desire of not appearing ignorant, as, with a good clear understanding, made her an attentive pupil.


Fanny's explanations and remarks were a most important addition to every essay, or every chapter of history.

Fanny's explanations were a most important addition to every chapter of history.


What Fanny told her of former times dwelt more on her mind than the pages of Goldsmith; and she paid her sister the compliment of preferring her style to that of any printed author.


Their conversations, however, were not always on subjects so high as history or morals.

Their conversations, however, were not always on subjects so high.


Others had their hour; and of lesser matters, none returned so often, or remained so long between them, as Mansfield Park, a description of the people, the manners, the amusements, the ways of Mansfield Park.

Of lesser matters, none returned so often as Mansfield Park, a description of its people, its manners, and its ways.


Susan, who had an innate taste for the genteel and well-appointed, was eager to hear, and Fanny could not but indulge herself in dwelling on so beloved a theme.

Susan was eager to hear, and Fanny could not help indulging herself in dwelling on so beloved a theme.


She hoped it was not wrong; though, after a time, Susan's very great admiration of everything said or done in her uncle's house, and earnest longing to go into Northamptonshire, seemed almost to blame her for exciting feelings which could not be gratified.

She hoped it was not wrong; though Susan's great admiration of everything said or done in her uncle's house, and earnest longing to go into Northamptonshire, made her fear she was creating feelings which could not be gratified.


Poor Susan was very little better fitted for home than her elder sister; and as Fanny grew thoroughly to understand this, she began to feel that when her own release from Portsmouth came, her happiness would have a material drawback in leaving Susan behind.

Poor Susan was very little better fitted for home than her elder sister; and as Fanny grew to understand this, she began to feel that when her own release from Portsmouth came, her happiness would have a drawback in leaving Susan behind.


That a girl so capable of being made everything good should be left in such hands, distressed her more and more.

That Susan should be left in such hands, distressed her more and more.


Were _she_ likely to have a home to invite her to, what a blessing it would be!

If she had a home to invite her to, what a blessing it would be!


And had it been possible for her to return Mr. Crawford's regard, the probability of his being very far from objecting to such a measure would have been the greatest increase of all her own comforts.

And had it been possible for her to return Mr. Crawford's regard, his probable assent to such a measure would have been the greatest increase of all her own comforts.


She thought he was really good-tempered, and could fancy his entering into a plan of that sort most pleasantly.


Sir Thomas's return made a striking change in the ways of the family, independent of Lovers' Vows.

Sir Thomas's return made a striking change in the ways of the family.


Under his government, Mansfield was an altered place.


Some members of their society sent away, and the spirits of many others saddened-it was all sameness and gloom compared with the past-a sombre family party rarely enlivened.


There was little intercourse with the Parsonage.


Sir Thomas, drawing back from intimacies in general, was particularly disinclined, at this time, for any engagements but in one quarter.

, for Sir Thomas was disinclined for any engagements but in one quarter


The Rushworths were the only addition to his own domestic circle which he could solicit.


Edmund did not wonder that such should be his father's feelings, nor could he regret anything but the exclusion of the Grants.

Edmund did not wonder at his father's feelings, nor could he regret anything but the exclusion of the Grants.


"But they," he observed to Fanny, "have a claim.


They seem to belong to us; they seem to be part of ourselves.


I could wish my father were more sensible of their very great attention to my mother and sisters while he was away.


I am afraid they may feel themselves neglected.


But the truth is, that my father hardly knows them.


They had not been here a twelvemonth when he left England.


If he knew them better, he would value their society as it deserves; for they are in fact exactly the sort of people he would like.

knew them better, he would value their society.


We are sometimes a little in want of animation among ourselves: my sisters seem out of spirits, and Tom is certainly not at his ease.

My sisters seem out of spirits, and Tom is not at his ease.


Dr. and Mrs. Grant would enliven us, and make our evenings pass away with more enjoyment even to my father."

Dr. and Mrs. Grant would enliven us, and make our evenings pass with more enjoyment to my father."


said Fanny: "in my opinion, my uncle would not like _any_ addition.

said Fanny: "in my opinion, my uncle would not like any addition.


I think he values the very quietness you speak of, and that the repose of his own family circle is all he wants.

I think he values the quietness you speak of.


And it does not appear to me that we are more serious than we used to be-I mean before my uncle went abroad.

And we are no more serious than we used to be before my uncle went abroad


As well as I can recollect, it was always much the same.


There was never much laughing in his presence; or, if there is any difference, it is not more, I think, than such an absence has a tendency to produce at first.


There must be a sort of shyness; but I cannot recollect that our evenings formerly were ever merry, except when my uncle was in town.

I cannot recollect that our evenings formerly were ever merry, except when my uncle was away."


No young people's are, I suppose, when those they look up to are at home".


"I believe you are right, Fanny," was his reply, after a short consideration.

"I believe you are right, Fanny," was his reply.


"I believe our evenings are rather returned to what they were, than assuming a new character.

"I believe our evenings are rather returned to what they were.


Yet, how strong the impression that only a few weeks will give!

Yet, how strong the impression that a few weeks will give!


I have been feeling as if we had never lived so before."

I feel as if we had never lived so before."


"I suppose I am graver than other people," said Fanny.


I love to hear my uncle talk of the West Indies.


I could listen to him for an hour together.


It entertains _me_ more than many other things have done; but then I am unlike other people, I dare say."


"Do you want to be told that you are only unlike other people in being more wise and discreet?

"Do you want to be told that you are only unlike other people in being more wise?


But when did you, or anybody, ever get a compliment from me, Fanny?

But when did you ever get a compliment from me, Fanny?


Go to my father if you want to be complimented.


Ask your uncle what he thinks, and you will hear compliments enough: and though they may be chiefly on your person, you must put up with it, and trust to his seeing as much beauty of mind in time."

From him you will hear compliments enough: and though they may be chiefly on your person, you must put up with it, and trust to his seeing as much beauty of mind in time."


Such language was so new to Fanny that it quite embarrassed her.


"Your uncle thinks you very pretty, dear Fanny-and that is the long and the short of the matter.

"Your uncle thinks you very pretty, dear Fanny.


Anybody but myself would have made something more of it, and anybody but you would resent that you had not been thought very pretty before; but the truth is, that your uncle never did admire you till now-and now he does.


Your complexion is so improved!-and you have gained so much countenance!-and your figure-nay, Fanny, do not turn away about it-it is but an uncle.

Your complexion is so improved!-and you have gained so much countenance!-and your figure-nay, Fanny, do not turn away.


If you cannot bear an uncle's admiration, what is to become of you?


You must really begin to harden yourself to the idea of being worth looking at.


You must try not to mind growing up into a pretty woman."


don't talk so, don't talk so," cried Fanny, distressed by more feelings than he was aware of; but seeing that she was distressed, he had done with the subject, and only added more seriously-

don't talk so," cried Fanny, distressed by more feelings than he was aware of; but seeing her distress, he stopped, and only added-


"Your uncle is disposed to be pleased with you in every respect; and I only wish you would talk to him more.

"I wish you would talk to your uncle more.


You are one of those who are too silent in the evening circle."

You are too silent in the evening circle."


Did not you hear me ask him about the slave-trade last night?"


"I did-and was in hopes the question would be followed up by others.


It would have pleased your uncle to be inquired of farther."


"And I longed to do it-but there was such a dead silence!

"I longed to do it-but there was such a dead silence!


And while my cousins were sitting by without speaking a word, or seeming at all interested in the subject, I did not like-I thought it would appear as if I wanted to set myself off at their expense, by shewing a curiosity and pleasure in his information which he must wish his own daughters to feel."

And while my cousins were sitting by without speaking a word, I did not like-I thought it would appear as if I wanted to set myself off at their expense, by showing a pleasure in his information which he must wish his daughters to feel."


"Miss Crawford was very right in what she said of you the other day: that you seemed almost as fearful of notice and praise as other women were of neglect.

"Miss Crawford was very right in what she said the other day: that you seemed almost as fearful of notice as other women were of neglect.


We were talking of you at the Parsonage, and those were her words.

We were talking of you at the Parsonage.


I know nobody who distinguishes characters better.


She certainly understands _you_ better than you are understood by the greater part of those who have known you so long; and with regard to some others, I can perceive, from occasional lively hints, the unguarded expressions of the moment, that she could define _many_ as accurately, did not delicacy forbid it.

She certainly understands you better than you are understood by many here.


She must admire him as a fine-looking man, with most gentlemanlike, dignified, consistent manners; but perhaps, having seen him so seldom, his reserve may be a little repulsive.

She must admire him as a fine-looking man, with gentlemanlike manners; but perhaps his reserve may be a little repulsive.


Could they be much together, I feel sure of their liking each other.


He would enjoy her liveliness and she has talents to value his powers.


I hope she does not suppose there is any dislike on his side."


"She must know herself too secure of the regard of all the rest of you," said Fanny, with half a sigh, "to have any such apprehension.

"She must know herself secure in the regard of the rest of you," said Fanny, with half a sigh.


And Sir Thomas's wishing just at first to be only with his family, is so very natural, that she can argue nothing from that.

"And Sir Thomas's wishing at first to be only with his family will seem natural to her.


After a little while, I dare say, we shall be meeting again in the same sort of way, allowing for the difference of the time of year."

After a little while, I dare say, we shall be meeting again."


"This is the first October that she has passed in the country since her infancy.

"This is the first October that she has ever passed in the country.


I do not call Tunbridge or Cheltenham the country; and November is a still more serious month, and I can see that Mrs. Grant is very anxious for her not finding Mansfield dull as winter comes on."


Fanny could have said a great deal, but it was safer to say nothing, and leave untouched all Miss Crawford's resources-her accomplishments, her spirits, her importance, her friends, lest it should betray her into any observations seemingly unhandsome.

Fanny could have said a great deal to that, but it was safer to say nothing about Miss Crawford's resources-her accomplishments, her importance, her friends, lest it should betray her into any observations that seemed unhandsome.


Miss Crawford's kind opinion of herself deserved at least a grateful forbearance, and she began to talk of something else.

Miss Crawford's kind opinion of herself deserved gratitude, and she began to talk of something else.


"To-morrow, I think, my uncle dines at Sotherton, and you and Mr. Bertram too.

"To-morrow, my uncle dines at Sotherton.


We shall be quite a small party at home.


I hope my uncle may continue to like Mr. Rushworth."

I hope he may continue to like Mr. Rushworth."


He must like him less after to-morrow's visit, for we shall be five hours in his company.


I should dread the stupidity of the day, if there were not a much greater evil to follow-the impression it must leave on Sir Thomas.


I am sorry for them all, and would give something that Rushworth and Maria had never met."

I wish that Rushworth and Maria had never met."


In this quarter, indeed, disappointment was impending over Sir Thomas.

In this quarter, indeed, disappointment was impending for Sir Thomas.


Not all his good-will for Mr. Rushworth, not all Mr. Rushworth's deference for him, could prevent him from soon discerning some part of the truth-that Mr. Rushworth was an inferior young man, as ignorant in business as in books, with opinions in general unfixed, and without seeming much aware of it himself.

Not all his good-will for Mr. Rushworth could prevent him from soon discerning that he was an inferior young man, as ignorant in business as in books, without seeming aware of it.


He had expected a very different son-in-law; and beginning to feel grave on Maria's account, tried to understand _her_ feelings.

He had expected a very different son-in-law; and beginning to feel grave on Maria's account, tried to understand her feelings.


Little observation there was necessary to tell him that indifference was the most favourable state they could be in.


Her behaviour to Mr. Rushworth was careless and cold.

indifferent at best: her behaviour to Mr. Rushworth was careless and cold.


Sir Thomas resolved to speak seriously to her.


Advantageous as would be the alliance, and long standing and public as was the engagement, her happiness must not be sacrificed to it.

Advantageous as would be the alliance, her happiness must not be sacrificed to it.


Mr. Rushworth had, perhaps, been accepted on too short an acquaintance, and, on knowing him better, she was repenting.


With solemn kindness Sir Thomas addressed her: told her his fears, inquired into her wishes, entreated her to be open and sincere, and assured her that every inconvenience should be braved, and the connexion entirely given up, if she felt herself unhappy in the prospect of it.

With solemn kindness Sir Thomas addressed her: inquired into her wishes, entreated her to be open and sincere, and assured her that the connexion could be entirely given up, if she felt unhappy.


Maria had a moment's struggle as she listened, and only a moment's: when her father ceased, she was able to give her answer immediately, decidedly, and with no apparent agitation.

Maria had a moment's struggle as she listened, and only a moment's: when her father ceased, she was able to give her answer decidedly.


She thanked him for his great attention, his paternal kindness, but he was quite mistaken in supposing she had the smallest desire of breaking through her engagement, or was sensible of any change of opinion or inclination since her forming it.

She thanked him for his kindness, but he was quite mistaken in supposing she had the smallest desire of breaking her engagement.


She had the highest esteem for Mr. Rushworth's character and disposition, and could not have a doubt of her happiness with him.

She had the highest esteem for Mr. Rushworth's character, and could not doubt her happiness with him.


Sir Thomas was satisfied; too glad to be satisfied, perhaps, to urge the matter quite so far as his judgment might have dictated to others.

Sir Thomas was satisfied; too glad to be satisfied, perhaps, to urge the matter further.


It was an alliance which he could not have relinquished without pain; and thus he reasoned.


Mr. Rushworth was young enough to improve.


Mr. Rushworth must and would improve in good society; and if Maria could now speak so securely of her happiness with him, speaking certainly without the prejudice, the blindness of love, she ought to be believed.

If Maria could speak so securely of her happiness with him, without the blindness of love, she ought to be believed.