So 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 Mr Crawford,and the felicity of having a fire to sit over and think of it.
Sir Thomas was obliged or obliged himself to wait till the morrow for a knowledge of what had passed between the young people.He then saw Mr Crawford,and received his account.-The 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 plan.Mr Crawford's steadiness was honoured,and Fanny was praised,and the connection was still the most desirable in the world.At Mansfield Park Mr Crawford 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 future.In all his niece's family and friends there 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 show no open interference.Upon her disposition he believed kindness might be the best way of working.Entreaty should be from one quarter only.The 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 it.Accordingly,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 Mr Crawford again,and learn from him exactly how matters stand between you.He 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 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 none.Yet,having chosen so well,his constancy has a respectable stamp.Had his choice been less unexceptionable,I should have condemned his persevering.’
‘Indeed,Sir,’said Fanny,‘I am very sorry that Mr Crawford should continue to -I 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 you.There is nothing more to be said or done.From this hour,the subject is never to be revived between us.You will have nothing to fear,or to be agitated about.You cannot suppose me capable of trying to persuade you to marry against your inclinations.Your happiness and advantage are all that I have in view,and nothing is required of you but to bear with Mr Crawford's endeavours to convince you,that they may not be incompatible with his.He proceeds at his own risk.You are on safe ground.I have engaged for your seeing him whenever he calls,as you might have done,had nothing of this sort occurred.You will see him with the rest of us,in the same manner,and as much as you can,dismissing the recollection of everything unpleasant.He leaves Northamptonshire so soon,that even this slight sacrifice cannot be often demanded.The future must be very uncertain.And now,my dear Fanny,this subject is closed between us.’
The promised departure was all that Fanny could think of with much satisfaction.Her uncle's kind expressions,however,and forbearing manner,were sensibly fe
<and when she considered how much of the truth was unknown to him,she believed she had no right to wonder at the line of conduct he pursued.He who had married a daughter to Mr Rushworth.Romantic delicacy was certainly not to be expected from him.She must do her duty,and trust that time might make her duty easier than it now was.
She could not,though only eighteen,suppose Mr Crawford's attachment would hold out for ever;she could not but imagine that steady,unceasing discouragement from herself would put an end to it in time.How much time she might,in her own fancy,allot for its dominion,is another concern.It would not be fair to enquire into a young lady's exact estimate of her own perfections.