Wednesday, May 5, 2010 - Things should take
their course; she cared not... |
| Things should take
their course; she cared not how it endedHer cousins might attack,
but could hardly tease herShe was beyond their reach; and if at last
obliged to yield?no matter?it was all misery now
138
Mansfield Park
CHAPTER XVII
IT WAS, INDEED, a triumphant day to MrSuch
a victory over Edmund?s discretion had been beyond their hopes,
and was most delightfulThere was no longer anything to disturb
them in their darling project, and they congratulated each other in
private on the jealous weakness to which they attributed the change,
with all the glee of feelings gratified in every wayEdmund might
still look grave, and say he did not like the scheme in general, and
must disapprove the play in particular; their point was gained: he
was to act, and he was driven to it by the force of selfish inclinations
onlyEdmund had descended from that moral elevation which he
had maintained before, and they were both as much the better as
the happier for the descent
They behaved very well, however, to him on the occasion, betraying
no exultation beyond the lines about the corners of the mouth,
and seemed to think it as great an escape to be quit of the intrusion
of Charles Maddox, as if they had been forced into admitting him
against their inclination?To have it quite in their own family circle
was what they had particularly wishedA stranger among them would
have balenciaga bag amethyst been the destruction of all their comfort?; and when Edmund,
pursuing that idea, gave a hint of his hope as to the limitation of the
audience, they were ready, in the complaisance of the moment, to
promise anythingIt was all good-humour and encouragement
Norris offered to contrive his dress, MrYates assured him that
Anhalt?s last scene with the Baron admitted a good deal of action
and emphasis, and MrRushworth undertook to count his speeches
?Perhaps,? said Tom, ?Fanny may be more disposed to oblige us
nowPerhaps you may persuade her
?No, she is quite determinedShe certainly will not act And not another word was said; but Fanny felt
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Jane Austen
herself again in danger, and her indifference to the danger was beginning
to fail her already
There were not fewer smiles at the Parsonage than at the Park on
this change in Edmund; Miss Crawford looked very lovely in hers,
and entered with such an instantaneous renewal of cheerfulness into
the whole affair as could have but one effect on him?He was certainly
right in respecting such feelings; he was glad he had determined
on it And the morning wore away in satisfactions very sweet,
if not very soundOne advantage resulted from it to Fanny: at the
earnest request of Miss Crawford, MrsGrant had, with her usual
good-humour, agreed to undertake the part for which Fanny had
been wanted; and this was all that dolce and gabbana cheap replica handbags occurred to gladden her heart
during the day; and even this, when imparted by Edmund, brought
a pang with it, for it was Miss Crawford to whom she was obliged?
it was Miss Crawford whose kind exertions were to excite her gratitude,
and whose merit in making them was spoken of with a glow
of admirationShe was safe; but peace and safety were unconnected
hereHer mind had been never farther from peaceShe could not
feel that she had done wrong herself, but she was disquieted in every
other wayHer heart and her judgment were equally against
Edmund?s decision: she could not acquit his unsteadiness, and his
happiness under it made her wretchedShe was full of jealousy and
agitationMiss Crawford came with looks of gaiety which seemed
an insult, with friendly expressions towards herself which she could
hardly answer calmlyEverybody around her was gay and busy, prosperous
and important; each had their object of interest, their part,
their dress, their favourite scene, their friends and confederates: all
were finding employment in consultations and comparisons, or diversion
in the playful conceits they suggestedShe alone was sad
and insignificant: she had no share in anything; she might go or
stay; she might be in the midst of their noise, or retreat from it to
the solitude of the East room, without being seen or missedShe
could almost think anything would have been very cheap chanel bags preferable to thisGrant was of consequence: her good-nature had honourable
mention; her taste and her time were considered; her presence was
wanted; she was sought for, and attended, and praised; and Fanny
was at first in some danger of envying her the character she had
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Mansfield Park
acceptedBut reflection brought better feelings, and shewed her
that MrsGrant was entitled to respect, which could never have
belonged to her; and that, had she received even the greatest, she
could never have been easy in joining a scheme which, considering
only her uncle, she must condemn altogether
Fanny?s heart was not absolutely the only saddened one amongst
them, as she soon began to acknowledge to herselfJulia was a
sufferer too, though not quite so blamelessly
Henry Crawford had trifled with her feelings; but she had very long
allowed and even sought his attentions, with a jealousy of her sister so
reasonable as ought to have been their cure; and now that the conviction
of his preference for Maria had been forced on her, she submitted
to it without any alarm for Maria?s situation, or any endeavour at
rational tranquillity for herselfShe either sat in gloomy silence, wrapt
in such gravity as nothing could subdue, no curiosity touch, no wit
amuse; or allowing the attentions of MrYates, was talking with forced
gaiety to him alone, and ridiculing the acting of the fendi black leatrher spy bag others
For a day or two after the affront was given, Henry Crawford had
endeavoured to do it away by the usual attack of gallantry and compliment,
but he had not cared enough about it to persevere against
a few repulses; and becoming soon too busy with his play to have
time for more than one flirtation, he grew indifferent to the quarrel,
or rather thought it a lucky occurrence, as quietly putting an end to
what might ere long have raised expectations in more than MrsShe was not pleased to see Julia excluded from the play, and
sitting by disregarded; but as it was not a matter which really involved
her happiness, as Henry must be the best judge of his own,
and as he did assure her, with a most persuasive smile, that neither
he nor Julia had ever had a serious thought of each other, she could
only renew her former caution as to the elder sister, entreat him not
to risk his tranquillity by too much admiration there, and then gladly
take her share in anything that brought cheerfulness to the young
people in general, and that did so particularly promote the pleasure
of the two so dear to her
?I rather wonder Julia is not in love with Henry,? was her observation
to Mary
?I dare say she is,? replied Mary coldly?I imagine both sisters are
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Jane Austen
?Both! no, no, that must not beDo not give him a hint of itRushworth!?
?You had better tell Miss Bertram to think chanel tote bag o |
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