Angry as she was with Edmund for adhering to his...
Angry as she was
with Edmund for adhering to his own notions, and acting on them
in defiance of her (and she had been so angry that they had hardly
parted friends at the ball), she could not help thinking of him continually
when absent, dwelling on his merit and affection, and longing
again for the almost daily meetings they lately hadHis absence
was unnecessarily longHe should not have planned such an absence—
he should not have left home for a week, when her own
departure from Mansfield was so nearThen she began to blame
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herselfShe wished she had not spoken so warmly in their last conversation
She was afraid she had used some strong, some contemptuous
expressions in speaking of the clergy, and that should not
have beenIt was ill-bred; it was wrongShe wished such words
unsaid with all her heart
Her vexation did not end with the weekAll this was bad, but she
had still more to feel when Friday came round again and brought
no Edmund; when Saturday came and still no Edmund; and when,
through the slight communication with the other family which black and white chanel Sunday
produced, she learned that he had actually written home to
defer his return, having promised to remain some days longer with
his friend
If she had felt impatience and regret before—if she had been sorry
for what she said, and feared its too strong effect on him—she now
felt and feared it all tenfold moreShe had, moreover, to contend
with one disagreeable emotion entirely new to her—jealousyOwen had sisters; he might find them attractiveBut, at
any rate, his staying away at a time when, according to all preceding
plans, she was to remove to London, meant something that she
could not bearHad Henry returned, as he talked of doing, at the
end of three or four days, she should now have been leaving
MansfieldIt became absolutely necessary for her to get to Fanny
and try to learn something moreShe could not live any longer in
such solitary wretchedness; and she made her way to the Park,
through difficulties of walking which she had deemed unconquerable
a week before, for the chance of hearing a little in addition, for
the sake of at least hearing his name
The prada black bags first half-hour was lost, for Fanny and Lady Bertram were
together, and unless she had Fanny to herself she could hope for
nothingBut at last Lady Bertram left the room, and then almost
immediately Miss Crawford thus began, with a voice as well regulated
as she could—”And how do you like your cousin Edmund’s
staying away so long? Being the only young person at home, I consider
you as the greatest suffererDoes his staying
longer surprise you?”
“I do not know,” said Fanny hesitatingly“Yes; I had not particularly
expected it
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“Perhaps he will always stay longer than he talks ofIt is the general
way all young men do
“He did not, the only time he went to see Mr
“He finds the house more agreeable nowHe is a very—a very
pleasing young man himself, and I cannot help being rather concerned
at not seeing him again before I go to London, as will now
undoubtedly be the caseI am looking for Henry every day, and as
soon as he comes there will be nothing to detain me at MansfieldI
should like to have seen him once more, I confessBut you must
give my prada clutch compliments to himYes; I think it must be compliments
Is not there a something wanted, Miss Price, in our language—a
something between compliments and—and love—to suit the sort
of friendly acquaintance we have had together? So many months’
acquaintance! But compliments may be sufficient hereWas his letter
a long one? Does he give you much account of what he is doing?
Is it Christmas gaieties that he is staying for?”
“I only heard a part of the letter; it was to my uncle; but I believe
it was very short; indeed I am sure it was but a few linesAll that I
heard was that his friend had pressed him to stay longer, and that he
had agreed to do soA few days longer, or some days longer; I am not
quite sure which
“Oh! if he wrote to his father; but I thought it might have been to
Lady Bertram or youBut if he wrote to his father, no wonder he
was conciseWho could write chat to Sir Thomas? If he had written
to you, there would have been more particularsYou would have
heard of balls and partiesHe would have sent you a description of
everything and everybodyHow many Miss Owens fendi b bag are there?”
“Three grown up
“Are they musical?”
“I do not at all know
“That is the first question, you know,” said Miss Crawford, trying
to appear gay and unconcerned, “which every woman who plays
herself is sure to ask about anotherBut it is very foolish to ask
questions about any young ladies—about any three sisters just grown
up; for one knows, without being told, exactly what they are: all
very accomplished and pleasing, and one very prettyThere is a beauty
in every family; it is a regular thingTwo play on the pianoforte, and
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one on the harp; and all sing, or would sing if they were taught, or
sing all the better for not being taught; or something like it
“I know nothing of the Miss Owens,” said Fanny calmly
“You know nothing and you care less, as people sayNever did
tone express indifference plainerIndeed, how can one care for those
one has never seen? Well, when your cousin comes back, he will
find Mansfield very quiet; all the noisy ones gone, your brother and
mine and myself I do not like the idea of leaving MrsGrant now
the time draws black fendi spy bag