@@@@@ As soon as her eagerness could rest in
@@@@@
As soon as her eagerness could rest in silence, he was as happy to
tell as she could be to listen; and a conversation followed almost as
deeply interesting to her as to himself, though he had in fact nothing
to relate but his own sensations, nothing to dwell on but Fanny’s
charmsFanny’s beauty of face and figure, Fanny’s graces of manner
and goodness of heart, were the exhaustless themeThe gentleness,
modesty, and sweetness of her character were warmly expatiated on;
that sweetness which makes so essential a part of every woman’s
worth in the judgment of man, that though he sometimes loves
where it is not, he can never believe it absentHer temper he had
good reason to depend on and to praiseHe had often seen it tried
Was there one of the family, excepting Edmund, who had not in
some way or other continually exercised her patience and forbearance?
Her affections were evidently strongTo see her with her
brother! What could more delightfully prove that the warmth of
256
Mansfield Park
her heart was equal to its gentleness? What could be more encouraging
to a man who had her love in view? Then, her understanding
was beyond every suspicion, quick and clear; and her manners were
the mirror of her own modest and elegant mind
Henry Crawford had too much sense not to feel the worth of good
principles in a wife, though he was too little accustomed to serious
reflection to know them by their proper name; but when he talked
of her having such a steadiness and regularity of conduct, such a
high notion of honour, and such an observance of decorum as might
warrant any man in the fullest dependence on her faith and integrity,
he expressed what was inspired by the knowledge of her being
well principled and religious
“I could so wholly and absolutely confide in her,” said he; “and
that is what I want
Well might his sister, believing as she really did that his opinion of
Fanny Price was scarcely beyond her merits, rejoice in her prospects
“The more I think of it,” she cried, “the more am I convinced that
you are doing quite right; and though I should never have selected
Fanny Price as the girl most likely to attach you, I am now persuaded
she is the very one to make you happyYour wicked project
upon her peace turns out a clever thought indeedYou will both
find your good in it
“It was bad, very bad in me against such a creature; but I did not
know her then; and she shall have no reason to lament the hour that
first put it into my headI will make her very happy, Mary; happier
than she has ever yet been herself, or ever seen anybody elseI will
not take her from NorthamptonshireI shall let Everingham, and
rent a place in this neighbourhood; perhaps Stanwix LodgeI shall
let a seven years’ lease of EveringhamI am sure of an excellent
tenant at half a wordI could name three people now, who would
give me my own terms and thank me
“Ha!” cried Mary; “settle in Northamptonshire! That is pleasant!
Then we shall be all together
When she had spoken it, she recollected herself, and wished it
unsaid; but there was no need of confusion; for her brother saw her
only as the supposed inmate of Mansfield parsonage, and replied
257
Jane Austen
but to invite her in the kindest manner to his own house, and to
claim the best right in her
“You must give us more than half your time,” said heGrant to have an equal claim with Fanny and myself,
for we shall both have a right in youFanny will be so truly your
sister!”
Mary had only to be grateful and give general assurances; but she
was now very fully purposed to be the guest of neither brother nor
sister many months lo