He was deep in thought His niece was deep in... 597
He was deep in thought
His niece was deep in thought likewise, trying to harden and prepare
herself against farther questioningShe would rather die than own
the truth; and she hoped, by a little reflection, to fortify herself beyond
betraying it
?Independently of the interest which MrCrawford?s choice seemed
to justify? said Sir Thomas, beginning again, and very composedly,
?his wishing to marry at all so early is recommendatory to meI am
an advocate for early marriages, where there are means in proportion,
and would have every young man, with a sufficient income,
settle as soon after four-and-twenty as he canThis is so much my
opinion, that I am sorry to think how little likely my own eldest
son, your cousin, MrBertram, is to marry early; but at present, as
far as I can judge, matrimony makes no part of his plans or thoughts
I wish he were more likely to fix Here was a glance at Fanny
?Edmund, I consider, from his dispositions and habits, as much
more likely to marry early than his brotherHe, indeed, I have lately
thought, has seen the woman he could love, which, I am convinced,
my eldest son has notAm I right? Do you agree with me, my dear??
?Yes, sir
It was gently, but it was calmly ceramic chanel said, and Sir Thomas was easy on
the score of the cousinsBut the removal of his alarm did his niece
no service: as her unaccountableness was confirmed his displeasure
increased; and getting up and walking about the room with a frown,
which Fanny could picture to herself, though she dared not lift up
her eyes, he shortly afterwards, and in a voice of authority, said,
?Have you any reason, child, to think ill of MrCrawford?s temper??
?No, sir
275
Jane Austen
She longed to add, ?But of his principles I have?; but her heart
sunk under the appalling prospect of discussion, explanation, and
probably non-convictionHer ill opinion of him was founded chiefly
on observations, which, for her cousins? sake, she could scarcely
dare mention to their fatherMaria and Julia, and especially Maria,
were so closely implicated in MrCrawford?s misconduct, that she
could not give his character, such as she believed it, without betraying
themShe had hoped that, to a man like her uncle, so discerning,
so honourable, so good, the simple acknowledgment of settled
dislike on her side would have been sufficientTo her infinite grief
she found it was not
Sir Thomas came towards the table where she sat in replica omega seamaster planet ocean trembling
wretchedness, and with a good deal of cold sternness, said, ?It is of
no use, I perceive, to talk to youWe had better put an end to this
most mortifying conferenceCrawford must not be kept longer
waitingI will, therefore, only add, as thinking it my duty to mark
my opinion of your conduct, that you have disappointed every expectation
I had formed, and proved yourself of a character the very
reverse of what I had supposedFor I had, Fanny, as I think my
behaviour must have shewn, formed a very favourable opinion of
you from the period of my return to EnglandI had thought you
peculiarly free from wilfulness of temper, self-conceit, and every
tendency to that independence of spirit which prevails so much in
modern days, even in young women, and which in young women is
offensive and disgusting beyond all common offenceBut you have
now shewn me that you can be wilful and perverse; that you can
and will decide for yourself, without any consideration or deference
for those who have surely some right to guide you, without even
asking their adviceYou have shewn yourself very, very different
from anything that I had imaginedThe advantage or disadvantage
of your family, of your parents, your brothers and women rolex watches sisters, never seems
to have had a moment?s share in your thoughts on this occasion
How they might be benefited, how they must rejoice in such an
establishment for you, is nothing to youYou think only of yourself,
and because you do not feel for MrCrawford exactly what a young
heated fancy imagines to be necessary for happiness, you resolve to
refuse him at once, without wishing even for a little time to con276
Mansfield Park
sider of it, a little more time for cool consideration, and for really
examining your own inclinations; and are, in a wild fit of folly, throwing
away from you such an opportunity of being settled in life, eligibly,
honourably, nobly settled, as will, probably, never occur to
you againHere is a young man of sense, of character, of temper, of
manners, and of fortune, exceedingly attached to you, and seeking
your hand in the most handsome and disinterested way; and let me
tell you, Fanny, that you may live eighteen years longer in the world
without being addressed by a man of half MrCrawford?s estate, or
a tenth part of his meritsGladly would I have bestowed either of
my own daughters on himMaria is nobly married; but had Mr
Crawford sought Julia?s hand, I should have chanel jumbo flap given it to him with
superior and more heartfelt satisfaction than I gave Maria?s to Mr After half a moment?s pause: ?And I should have been
very much surprised had either of my daughters, on receiving a proposal
of marriage at any time which might carry with it only half
the eligibility of this, immediately and peremptorily, and without
paying my opinion or my regard the compliment of any consultation,
put a decided negative on itI should have been much surprised
and much hurt by such a proceedingI should have thought
it a gross violation of duty and respectYou are not to be judged by
the same ruleYou do not owe me the duty of a childBut, Fanny, if
your heart can acquit you of ingratitude??
He ceasedFanny was by this time crying so bitterly that, angry as
he was, he would not press that article fartherHer heart was almost
broke by such a picture of what she appeared to him; by such accusations,
so heavy, so multiplied, so rising in dreadful gradation! Selfwilled,
obstinate, selfish, and ungratefulHe thought her all this
She had deceived his expectations; she had lost his good opinion
What was to become of her?
?I am very sorry,? said she inarticulately, through her tears, ?I am
very sorry vintage chanel jewelry indee
