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?As far as you have gone, Fanny, I think you perfectly rightI may
be sorry, I may be surprised?though hardly that, for you had not
had time to attach yourself?but I think you perfectly rightCan it
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admit of a question? It is disgraceful to us if it doesYou did not love
him; nothing could have justified your accepting him
Fanny had not felt so comfortable for days and days
?So far your conduct has been faultless, and they were quite mistaken
who wished you to do otherwiseBut the matter does not end
hereCrawford?s is no common attachment; he perseveres, with the
hope of creating that regard which had not been created before
This, we know, must be a work of timeBut? (with an affectionate
smile) ?let him succeed at last, Fanny, let him succeed at lastYou
have proved yourself upright and disinterested, prove yourself grateful
and tender-hearted; and then you will be the perfect model of a
woman which I have always believed you born for
?Oh! never, never, never! he never will succeed with me And she
spoke with a warmth which quite astonished Edmund, and which
she blushed at the recollection of herself, when she saw his look,
and heard him reply, ?Never! Fanny!?so very determined and positive!
This is not like yourself, your rational self
?I mean,? she cried, sorrowfully correcting herself, ?that I think I
never shall, as far as the future can be answered for; I think I never
shall return his regard
?I must hope better thingsI am aware, more aware than Crawford
can be, that the man who means to make you love him (you having
due notice of his intentions) must have very uphill work, for there
are all your early attachments and habits in battle array; and before
he can get your heart for his own use he has to unfasten it from all
the holds upon things animate and inanimate, which so many years?
growth have confirmed, and which are considerably tightened for
the moment by the very idea of separationI know that the apprehension
of being forced to quit Mansfield will for a time be arming
you against himI wish he had not been obliged to tell you what he
was trying forI wish he had known you as well as I do, Fanny
Between us, I think we should have won youMy theoretical and
his practical knowledge together could not have failedHe should
have worked upon my plansI must hope, however, that time, proving
him (as I firmly believe it will) to deserve you by his steady
affection, will give him his rewardI cannot suppose that you have
not the wish to love him?the natural wish of gratitudeYou must
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have some feeling of that so
