‘I suppose I am graver than other people,’said Fanny.‘The evenings do not appear long to me.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.’
‘Why should you dare say that?’(smiling).‘Do you want to be told that you are only unlike other people in being more wise and discreet?But when did you or anybody ever get a compliment from me,Fanny?Go to my father if you want to be complimented.He will satisfy you.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.’
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.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.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.’
‘Oh!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,‘Your uncle is disposed to be pleased with you in every respect;and I only wish you would talk to him more.-You are one of those who are too silent in the evening circle.’
‘But I do talk to him more than I used.I am sure I do.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!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 showing a curiosity and pleasure in his information which he must wish his own 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.We were talking of you at the Parsonage,and those were her words.She has great discernment.I know nobody who distinguishes characters better.-For so young a woman it is remarkable!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.I wonder what she thinks of my father!She must admire him as a fine looking man,with most gentleman-like,dignified,consistent manners;but perhaps having seen him so seldom,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 wish they met more frequently!-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.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.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.’
‘This is the first October that she has passed in the country since her infancy.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.Miss Crawford's kind opinion of herself deserved at least a grateful forbearance,and she began to talk of something else.
‘Tomorrow,I think,my uncle dines at Sotherton,and you and Mr Bertram too.We shall be quite a small party at home.I hope my uncle may continue to like Mr Rushworth.’
‘That is impossible,Fanny.He must like him less after tomorrow'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.He cannot much longer deceive himself.I am sorry for them all,and would give something that Rushworth and Maria had never met.’
In this quarter,indeed,disappointment was impending over Sir Thomas.Not all his goodwill 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.
