‘You are not aware,perhaps,that I have had a visitor this morning.-I had not been long in my own room,after breakfast,when Mr Crawford was shown in.-His errand you may probably conjecture.’
Fanny's colour grew deeper and deeper;and her uncle perceiving that she was embarrassed to a degree that made either speaking or looking up quite impossible,turned away his own eyes,and without any farther pause,proceeded in his account of Mr Crawford's visit.
Mr Crawford's business had been to declare himself the lover of Fanny,make decided proposals for her,and entreat the sanction of the uncle,who seemed to stand in the place of her parents;and he had done it all so well,so openly,so liberally,so properly,that Sir Thomas,feeling,moreover,his own replies,and his own remarks to have been very much to the purpose-was exceedingly happy to give the particulars of their conversation-and,little aware of what was passing in his niece's mind,conceived that by such details he must be gratifying her far more than himself.He talked therefore for several minutes without Fanny's daring to interrupt him.-She had hardly even attained the wish to do it.Her mind was in too much confusion.She had changed her position,and with her eyes fixed intently on one of the windows,was listening to her uncle,in the utmost perturbation and dismay.-For a moment he ceased,but she had hardly become conscious of it,when,rising from his chair,he said,‘And now,Fanny,having performed one part of my commission,and shown you everything placed on a basis the most assured and satisfactory,I may execute the remainder by prevailing on you to accompany me downstairs,where-though I cannot but presume on having been no unacceptable companion myself,I must submit to your finding one still better worth listening to.-Mr Crawford,as you have perhaps foreseen,is yet in the house.He is in my room,and hoping to see you there.’
There was a look,a start,an exclamation,on hearing this,which astonished Sir Thomas;but what was his increase of astonishment on hearing her exclaim-‘Oh no,Sir,I cannot,indeed I cannot go down to him.Mr Crawford ought to know-he must know that-I told him enough yesterday to convince him-he spoke to me on this subject yesterday-and I told him without disguise that it was very disagreeable to me,and quite out of my power to return his good opinion.’
‘I do not catch your meaning,’said Sir Thomas,sitting down again.-‘Out of your power to return his good opinion!What is all this?I know he spoke to you yesterday,and (as far as I understand)received as much encouragement to proceed as a well-judging young woman could permit herself to give.I was very much pleased with what I collected to have been your behaviour on the occasion;it showed a discretion highly to be commended.But now,when he has made his overtures properly,and honourably-what are your scruples now?’
‘You are mistaken,Sir,’-cried Fanny,forced by the anxiety of the moment even to tell her uncle that he was wrong-‘You are quite mistaken.How could Mr Crawford say such a thing?I gave him no encouragement yesterday-On the contrary,I told him-I cannot recollect my exact words-but I am sure I told him that I would not listen to him,that it was very unpleasant to me in every respect,and that I begged him never to talk to me in that manner again-I am sure I said as much as that and more;and I should have said still more,-if I had been quite certain of his meaning anything seriously,but I did not like to be-I could not bear to be-imputing more than might be intended.I thought it might all pass for nothing with him.’
She could say no more;her breath was almost gone.
‘Am I to understand,’said Sir Thomas,after a few moments silence,‘that you mean to refuse Mr Crawford?’
‘Yes,Sir.’
‘Refuse him?’
‘Yes,Sir.’
‘Refuse Mr Crawford!Upon what plea?For what reason?’
‘I-I cannot like him,Sir,well enough to marry him.’
‘This is very strange!’said Sir Thomas,in a voice of calm displeasure.‘There is something in this which my comprehension does not reach.Here is a young man wishing to pay his addresses to you,with everything to recommend him;not merely situation in life,fortune,and character,but with more than common agreeableness,with address and conversation pleasing to everybody.And he is not an acquaintance of today,you have now known him some time.His sister,moreover,is your intimate friend,and he has been doing that for your brother,which I should suppose would have been almost sufficient recommendation to you,had there been no other.It is very uncertain when my interest might have got William on.He has done it already.’
‘Yes,’said Fanny,in a faint voice,and looking down with fresh shame;and she did feel almost ashamed of herself,after such a picture as her uncle had drawn,for not liking Mr Crawford.
‘You must have been aware,’continued Sir Thomas,presently,‘you must have been some time aware of a particularity in Mr Crawford's manners to you.This cannot have taken you by surprise.You must have observed his attentions;and though you always received them very properly (I have no accusation to make on that head),I never perceived them to be unpleasant to you.I am half inclined to think,Fanny,that you do not quite know your own feelings.’
‘Oh yes,Sir,indeed I do.His attentions were always-what I did not like.’
Sir Thomas looked at her with deeper surprise.‘This is beyond me,’said he.‘This requires explanation.Young as you are,and having seen scarcely anyone,it is hardly possible that your affections-’
He paused and eyed her fixedly.He saw her lips formed into a no,though the sound was inarticulate,but her face was like scarlet.That,however,in so modest a girl might be very compatible with innocence;and choosing at least to appear satisfied,he quickly added,‘No,no,I know that is quite out of the question-quite impossible.Well,there is nothing more to be said.’
