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Her manner was incurably gentle; and she was not aware how
much it concealed the sternness of her purposeHer diffidence, gratitude,
and softness made every expression of indifference seem almost
an effort of self-denial; seem, at least, to be giving nearly as
much pain to herself as to himCrawford was no longer the
MrCrawford who, as the clandestine, insidious, treacherous admirer
of Maria Bertram, had been her abhorrence, whom she had
hated to see or to speak to, in whom she could believe no good
quality to exist, and whose power, even of being agreeable, she had
barely acknowledgedCrawford who was addressing
herself with ardent, disinterested love; whose feelings were
apparently become all that was honourable and upright, whose views
of happiness were all fixed on a marriage of attachment; who was
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pouring out his sense of her merits, describing and describing again
his affection, proving as far as words could prove it, and in the language,
tone, and spirit of a man of talent too, that he sought her for
her gentleness and her goodness; and to complete the whole, he was
now the MrCrawford who had procured William?s promotion!
Here was a change, and here were claims which could not but
operate! She might have disdained him in all the dignity of angry
virtue, in the grounds of Sotherton, or the theatre at Mansfield Park;
but he approached her now with rights chloe white that demanded different
treatmentShe must be courteous, and she must be compassionate
She must have a sensation of being honoured, and whether thinking
of herself or her brother, she must have a strong feeling of gratitude
The effect of the whole was a manner so pitying and agitated,
and words intermingled with her refusal so expressive of obligation
and concern, that to a temper of vanity and hope like Crawford?s,
the truth, or at least the strength of her indifference, might well be
questionable; and he was not so irrational as Fanny considered him,
in the professions of persevering, assiduous, and not desponding
attachment which closed the interview
It was with reluctance that he suffered her to go; but there was no
look of despair in parting to belie his words, or give her hopes of his
being less unreasonable than he professed himselfSome resentment did arise at a perseverance
so selfish and ungenerousHere was again a want of delicacy and
regard for others which had formerly so struck and disgusted her
Here was again a something of the same MrCrawford whom she
had so reprobated beforeHow evidently was there a gross want of
feeling and humanity where his own pleasure was concerned; and
alas! how always known no principle to supply as a duty what the
heart was deficient in! Had her own affections been as free as perhaps
they ought to have been, he never could have engaged them
So montre cartier extra plate thought Fanny, in good truth and sober sadness, as she sat musing
over that too great indulgence and luxury of a fire upstairs: wondering
at the past and present; wondering at what was yet to come, and in a
nervous agitation which made nothing clear to her but the persuasion
of her being never under any circumstances able to love MrCrawford,
and the felicity of having a fire to sit over and think of it
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Sir Thomas was obliged, or obliged himself, to wait till the morrow
for a knowledge of what had passed between the young peopleCrawford, and received his accountThe first feeling
was disappointment: he had hoped better things; he had thought
that an hour?s entreaty from a young man like Crawford could not
have worked so little change on a gentle-tempered girl like Fanny;
but there was speedy comfort in the determined views and sanguine
perseverance of the lover; and when seeing such confidence of success
in the principal, Sir Thomas was soon able to depend on it
himself
Nothing was omitted, on his side, of civility, compliment, or kindness,
that might assist the planCrawford?s steadiness was
honoured, and Fanny was praised, and the connexion was still the
most desirable in the worldCrawford would
always be welcome; he had only to consult his own judgment and
feelings as to the frequency of his visits, at present or in futureIn all
his niece?s family and friends, there fendi black leatrher spy bag could be but one opinion, one
wish on the subject; the influence of all who loved her must incline
one way
Everything was said that could encourage, every encouragement
received with grateful joy, and the gentlemen parted the best of
friends
Satisfied that the cause was now on a footing the most proper and
hopeful, Sir Thomas resolved to abstain from all farther importunity
with his niece, and to shew no open interferenceUpon her
disposition he believed kindness might be the best way of working
Entreaty should be from one quarter onlyThe forbearance of her
family on a point, respecting which she could be in no doubt of
their wishes, might be their surest means of forwarding itAccordingly,
on this principle, Sir Thomas took the first opportunity of
saying to her, with a mild gravity, intended to be overcoming, ?Well,
Fanny, I have seen MrCrawford again, and learn from him exactly
how matters stand between youHe is a most extraordinary young
man, and whatever be the event, you must feel that you have created
an attachment of no common character; though, young as you
are, and little acquainted with the transient, varying, unsteady nature
of love, as it generally exists, you cannot be struck as I am with
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all that is wonderful in a perseverance of this sort against discouragement
With him it is entirely a matter of feeling: he claims no
merit in it; perhaps is entitled to balenciaga bag made with goat leather noneYet, having chosen so well,
his constancy has a respectable stampHad his choice been less unexceptionable,
I should have condemned his persevering
?Indeed, sir,? said Fanny, ?I am very sorry that MrCrawford should
continue to know that it is paying me a very great compliment, and I
feel most undeservedly honoured; but I am so perfectly convinced,
and I have told him so, that it never will be in my power??
?My dear,? interrupted Sir Thomas, ?there is no occasion for this
Your feelings are as well known to me as my wishes and regrets must
be to youThere is nothing more to be said or doneFrom this hour
the subject is never to be revived between usYou will have nothing
to fear, or to be agitated aboutYou cannot suppose me capable of
trying to persuade you to marry against your inclinationsYour happiness
and advantage are all that I have in view, and nothing is required
of you but to bear with MrCrawford?s endeavours to convince
you that they may not be incompatible with hisHe proceeds
at his own riskYou are on safe groundI have engaged for your
seeing him whenever he calls, as you might have done had nothing
of this sort occurredYou will see him with the rest of us, in the
same manner, and, as much as you can, dismissing the recollection
of everything unpleasantHe leaves Northamptonshire so soon, that
even this slight sacrifice cannot be often demandedThe future must
be very louis vuitton bag with pocket in front uncert |
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