But the concerns of the theatre were suspended only for an hour or two;there was still a great deal to be settled;and the spirits of evening giving fresh courage,Tom,Maria,and Mr Yates,soon after their being reassembled in the drawing-room,seated themselves in committee at a separate table,with the play open before them,and were just getting deep in the subject when a most welcome interruption was given by the entrance of Mr and Miss Crawford,who,late and dark and dirty as it was,could not help coming,and were received with the most grateful joy.
‘Well,how do you go on?’and ‘What have you settled?’and ‘Oh!we can do nothing without you,’followed the first salutations;and Henry Crawford was soon seated with the other three at the table,while his sister made her way to Lady Bertram,and with pleasant attention was complimenting her.‘I must really congratulate your ladyship,’said she,‘on the play being chosen;for though you have borne it with exemplary patience,I am sure you must be sick of all our noise and difficulties.The actors may be glad,but the bystanders must be infinitely more thankful for a decision;and I do sincerely give you joy,madam,as well as Mrs Norris,and everybody else who is in the same predicament,’glancing half fearfully,half slily,beyond Fanny to Edmund.
She was very civilly answered by Lady Bertram,but Edmund said nothing.His being only a bystander was not disclaimed.After continuing in chat with the party round the fire a few minutes,Miss Crawford returned to the party round the table;and standing by them,seemed to interest herself in their arrangements till,as if struck by a sudden recollection,she exclaimed,‘My good friends,you are most composedly at work upon these cottages and ale-houses,inside and out-but pray let me know my fate in the meanwhile.Who is to be Anhalt?What gentleman among you am I to have the pleasure of making love to?’
For a moment no one spoke;and then many spoke together to tell the same melancholy truth-that they had not yet got any Anhalt.‘Mr Rushworth was to be Count Cassel,but no one had yet undertaken Anhalt.’
‘I had my choice of the parts,’said Mr Rushworth;‘but I thought I should like the Count best-though I do not much relish the finery I am to have.’
‘You chose very wisely,I am sure,’replied Miss Crawford,with a brightened look.‘Anhalt is a heavy part.’
‘The Count has two and forty speeches,’returned Mr Rushworth,‘which is no trifle.’
‘I am not at all surprised,’said Miss Crawford,after a short pause,‘at this want of an Anhalt.Amelia deserves no better.Such a forward young lady may well frighten the men.’
‘I should be but too happy in taking the part if it were possible,’cried Tom,‘but unluckily the Butler and Anhalt are in together.I will not entirely give it up,however-I will try what can be done-I will look it over again.’
‘Your brother should take the part,’said Mr Yates,in a low voice.‘Do not you think he would?’
‘I shall not ask him,’replied Tom,in a cold,determined manner.
Miss Crawford talked of something else,and soon afterwards rejoined the party at the fire.‘They do not want me at all,’said she,seating herself.‘I only puzzle them,and oblige them to make civil speeches.Mr Edmund Bertram,as you do not act yourself,you will be a disinterested adviser;and,therefore,I apply to you.What shall we do for an Anhalt?Is it practicable for any of the others to double it?What is your advice?’
‘My advice,’said he,calmly,‘is that you change the play.’
‘I should have no objection,’she replied;‘for though I should not particularly dislike the part of Amelia if well supported-that is,if everything went well-I shall be sorry to be an inconvenience-but as they do not choose to hear your advice at that table,’(looking round)‘it certainly will not be taken.’
Edmund said no more.
‘If any part could tempt you to act,I suppose it would be Anhalt,’observed the lady,archly,after a short pause-‘for he is a clergyman you know.’
‘That circumstance would by no means tempt me,’he replied,‘for I should be sorry to make the character ridiculous by bad acting.It must be very difficult to keep Anhalt from appearing a formal,solemn lecturer;and the man who chooses the profession itself,is,perhaps,one of the last who would wish to represent it on the stage.’
Miss Crawford was silenced;and with some feelings of resentment and mortification,moved her chair considerably nearer the tea table,and gave all her attention to Mrs Norris,who was presiding there.
‘Fanny,’cried Tom Bertram,from the other table,where the conference was eagerly carrying on,and the conversation incessant,‘we want your services.’
Fanny was up in a moment,expecting some errand,for the habit of employing her in that way was not yet overcome,in spite of all that Edmund could do.
‘Oh!we do not want to disturb you from your seat.We do not want your present services.We shall only want you in our play.You must be Cottager's wife.’
‘Me!’cried Fanny,sitting down again with a most frightened look.‘Indeed you must excuse me.I could not act anything if you were to give me the world.No,indeed,I cannot act.’
‘Indeed but you must,for we cannot excuse you.It need not frighten you;it is a nothing of a part,a mere nothing,not above half a dozen speeches altogether,and it will not much signify if nobody hears a word you say,so you may be as creepmouse as you like,but we must have you to look at.’
‘If you are afraid of half a dozen speeches,’cried Mr Rushworth,‘what would you do with such a part as mine?I have forty-two to learn.’
‘It is not that I am afraid of learning by heart,’said Fanny,shocked to find herself at that moment the only speaker in the room,and to feel that almost every eye was upon her;‘but I really cannot act.’
‘Yes,yes,you can act well enough for us.Learn your part,and we will teach you all the rest.You have only two scenes,and as I shall be Cottager,I'll put you in and push you about;and you will do it very well I'll answer for it.’