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Sir Thomas felt the chief interest: wanting to be alone with
his family, the presence of a stranger superior to MrYates must
have been irksome; but of him, trifling and confident, idle and expensive,
it was every way vexatiousIn himself he was wearisome,
but as the friend of Tom and the admirer of Julia he became offensive
Sir Thomas had been quite indifferent to MrCrawford?s going
or staying: but his good wishes for MrYates?s having a pleasant
journey, as he walked with him to the hall-door, were given with
genuine satisfactionYates had staid to see the destruction of
every theatrical preparation at Mansfield, the removal of everything
appertaining to the play: he left the house in all the soberness of its
general character; and Sir Thomas hoped, in seeing him out of it, to
be rid of the worst object connected with the scheme, and the last
that must be inevitably reminding him of its existenceNorris contrived to remove one article from his sight that might
have distressed himThe curtain, over which she gucci large shopping tote bag had presided with
such talent and such success, went off with her to her cottage, where
she happened to be particularly in want of green baize
170
Mansfield Park
CHAPTER XXI
SIR THOMAS?S RETURN made a striking change in the ways of the
family, independent of Lovers? VowsUnder his government,
Mansfield was an altered placeSome members of their society sent
away, and the spirits of many others saddened?it was all sameness
and gloom compared with the past?a sombre family party rarely
enlivenedThere was little intercourse with the ParsonageSir Thomas,
drawing back from intimacies in general, was particularly disinclined,
at this time, for any engagements but in one quarterThe
Rushworths were the only addition to his own domestic circle which
he could solicit
Edmund did not wonder that such should be his father?s feelings,
nor could he regret anything but the exclusion of the Grants?But
they,? he observed to Fanny, ?have a claimThey seem to belong to
us; they seem to be part of ourselvesI could wish my father were
more louis vuitton epi bag sensible of their very great attention to my mother and sisters
while he was awayI am afraid they may feel themselves neglected
But the truth is, that my father hardly knows themThey had not
been here a twelvemonth when he left EnglandIf he knew them
better, he would value their society as it deserves; for they are in fact
exactly the sort of people he would likeWe are sometimes a little in
want of animation among ourselves: my sisters seem out of spirits,
and Tom is certainly not at his easeGrant would
enliven us, and make our evenings pass away with more enjoyment
even to my father
?Do you think so?? said Fanny: ?in my opinion, my uncle would
not like any additionI think he values the very quietness you speak
of, and that the repose of his own family circle is all he wantsAnd
it does not appear to me that we are more serious than we used to
be?I mean before my uncle went abroadAs well as I can recollect,
171
Jane Austen
it was always much the sameThere was never much laughing in his
presence; or, if there is any louis vuitton graffiti bag difference, it is not more, I think, than
such an absence has a tendency to produce at firstThere must be a
sort of shyness; but I cannot recollect that our evenings formerly
were ever merry, except when my uncle was in townNo young
people?s are, I suppose, when those they look up to are at home?
?I believe you are right, Fanny,? was his reply, after a short consideration
?I believe our evenings are rather returned to what they
were, than assuming a new characterThe novelty was in their being
livelyYet, how strong the impression that only a few weeks will
give! I have been feeling as if we had never lived so before
?I suppose I am graver than other people,? said Fanny?The evenings
do not appear long to meI love to hear my uncle talk of the
West IndiesI could listen to him for an hour togetherIt entertains
me more than many other things have done; but then I am unlike
other people, I dare say
?Why should you dare say that?? (smiling)?Do you want to be
told that you are only unlike other people in being more wise louis vuitton women's bags and
discreet? But when did you, or anybody, ever get a compliment from
me, Fanny? Go to my father if you want to be complimentedAsk your uncle what he thinks, and you will hear
compliments enough: and though they may be chiefly on your person,
you must put up with it, and trust to his seeing as much beauty
of mind in time
Such language was so new to Fanny that it quite embarrassed her
?Your uncle thinks you very pretty, dear Fanny?and that is the
long and the short of the matterAnybody but myself would have
made something more of it, and anybody but you would resent that
you had not been thought very pretty before; but the truth is, that
your uncle never did admire you till now?and now he doesYour
complexion is so improved!?and you have gained so much countenance!?
and your figure?nay, Fanny, do not turn away about it?it
is but an uncleIf you cannot bear an uncle?s admiration, what is to
become of you? You must really begin to harden yourself to the idea
of being worth looking atYou must try not to mind growing up into
a pretty chanel purse knock offs woma |
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