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From about the time of her entering the family, Lady Bertram, in
consequence of a little ill-health, and a great deal of indolence, gave
up the house in town, which she had been used to occupy every
spring, and remained wholly in the country, leaving Sir Thomas to
attend his duty in Parliament, with whatever increase or diminution
of comfort might arise from her absenceIn the country, therefore,
the Miss Bertrams continued to exercise their memories, practise
their duets, and grow tall and womanly: and their father saw
them becoming in person, manner, and accomplishments, everything
that could satisfy his anxietyHis eldest son was careless and
extravagant, and had already given him much uneasiness; but his
other children promised him nothing but goodHis daughters, he
felt, while they retained the name of Bertram, must be giving it new
grace, and in quitting it, he trusted, would extend its respectable
alliances; and the character of Edmund, his strong good sense and
uprightness of mind, bid most fairly for utility, honour, and happiness
to himself and all his connexionsHe was to be a clergyman
Amid the cares and the complacency which his own children suggested,
Sir Thomas did not forget to do what he could for the children
of MrsPrice: he assisted her liberally in the education and disposal
of her sons as they became old enough for a determinate pursuit;
and Fanny, though almost totally separated from her family, was
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Jane Austen
sensible of the truest satisfaction in hearing of any kindness towards
them, or of anything at all promising in their situation or conduct
Once, and once only, in the course of many years, had she the happiness
of being with WilliamOf the rest she saw nothing: nobody
seemed to think of her ever going amongst them again, even for a
visit, nobody at home seemed to want her; but William determining,
soon after her removal, to be a sailor, was invited to spend a week with
his sister in Northamptonshire before he went to seaTheir eager
affection in meeting, their exquisite delight in being together, their
hours of happy mirth, and moments of serious conference, may be
imagined; as well as the sanguine views and spirits of the boy even to
the last, and the misery of the girl when he left herLuckily the visit
happened in the Christmas holidays, when she could directly look for
comfort to her cousin Edmund; and he told her such charming things
of what William was to do, and be hereafter, in consequence of his
profession, as made her gradually admit that the separation might
have some useEdmund?s friendship never failed her: his leaving Eton
for Oxford made no change in his kind dispositions, and only afforded
more frequent opportunities of proving themWithout any
display of doing more than the rest, or any fear of doing too much, he
was always true to her interests, and considerate of her feelings, trying
to make her good qualities understood, and to conquer the diffidence
which prevented their being more apparent; giving her advice, consolation,
and encouragement
Kept back as she was by everybody else, his single support could
not bring her forward; but his attentions were otherwise of the highest
importance in assisting the improvement of her mind, and extending
its pleasuresHe knew her to be clever, to have a quick apprehension
as well as good sense, and a fondness for reading, which,
properly directed, must be an education in itselfMiss Lee taught
her French, and heard her read the daily portion of history; but he
recommended the books which charmed her leisure hours, he encouraged
her taste, and corrected her judgment: he made reading
useful by talking to her of what she read, and heightened its attraction
by judicious praiseIn return for such services she loved him
better than anybody in the world except William: her heart was
divided between the two
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Mansfield Park
CHAPTER III
THE FIRST EVENT of any importance in the family was the death of
MrNorris, which happened when Fanny was about fifteen, and
necessarily introduced alterations and noveltiesNorris, on
quitting the Parsonage, removed first to the Park, and afterwards to
a small house of Sir Thomas?s in the village, and consoled herself for
the loss of her husband by considering that she could do very well
without him; and for her reduction of income by the evident necessity
of stricter economy
The living was hereafter for Edmund; and, had his uncle died a
few years sooner, it would have been duly given to some friend to
hold till he were old enough for ordersBut Tom?s extravagance had,
previous to that event, been so great as to render a different disposal
of the next presentation necessary, and the younger brother must
help to pay for the pleasures of the elderThere was another family
living actually held for Edmund; but though this circumstance had
made the arrangement somewhat easier to Sir Thomas?s conscience,
he could not but feel it to be an act of injustice, and he earnestly
tried to impress his eldest son with the same conviction, in the hope
of its producing a better effect than anything he had yet been able
to say or do
?I blush for you, Tom,? said he, in his most dignified manner; ?I
blush for the expedient which I am driven on, and I trust I may pity
your feelings as a brother on the occasionYou have robbed Edmund
for ten, twenty, thirty years, perhaps for life, of more than half the
income which ought to be his
