She could hardly believe itTo be placed above so many elegant
young women! The distinction was too greatIt was treating her like
her cousins! And her thoughts flew to those absent cousins with most
unfeigned and truly tender regret, that they were not at home to take
their own place in the room, and have their share of a pleasure which
would have been so very delightful to themSo often as she had heard
them wish for a ball at home as the greatest of all felicities! And to
have them away when it was given?and for her to be opening the
ball?and with MrCrawford too! She hoped they would not envy
her that distinction now; but when she looked back to the state of
things in the autumn, to what they had all been to each other when
once dancing in that house before, the present arrangement was almost
more than she could understand herselfIt was rather honour than happiness to Fanny, for
the first dance at least: her partner was in excellent spirits, and tried
to impart them to her; but she was a great deal too much frightened
to have any enjoyment till she could suppose herself no longer looked
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atYoung, pretty, and gentle, however, she had no awkwardnesses
that were not as good as graces, and there were few persons present
that were not disposed to praise herShe was attractive, she was
modest, she was Sir Thomas?s niece, and she was soon said to be
admired by MrIt was enough to http://www.irluxury.com/category_3_Chloe_1.html" target="_blank give her general favour
Sir Thomas himself was watching her progress down the dance with
much complacency; he was proud of his niece; and without attributing
all her personal beauty, as MrsNorris seemed to do, to her
transplantation to Mansfield, he was pleased with himself for having
supplied everything else: education and manners she owed to
him
Miss Crawford saw much of Sir Thomas?s thoughts as he stood,
and having, in spite of all his wrongs towards her, a general prevailing
desire of recommending herself to him, took an opportunity of
stepping aside to say something agreeable of FannyHer praise was
warm, and he received it as she could wish, joining in it as far as
discretion, and politeness, and slowness of speech would allow, and
certainly appearing to greater advantage on the subject than his lady
did soon afterwards, when Mary, perceiving her on a sofa very near,
turned round before she began to dance, to compliment her on
Miss Price?s looks
?Yes, she does look very well,? was Lady Bertram?s placid reply
?Chapman helped her to dressI sent Chapman to her Not but
that she was really pleased to have Fanny admired; but she was so
much more struck with her own kindness in sending Chapman to
her, that she could not get it out of her head
Miss Crawford knew MrsNorris too well to think of gratifying her
by commendation of Fanny; to her, it was as the occasion offered?
?Ah! ma?am, how much we http://www.ualuxury.com/category_27_Chanel-Watches_1.html" target="_blank want dear MrsRushworth and Julia tonight!?
and MrsNorris paid her with as many smiles and courteous
words as she had time for, amid so much occupation as she found for
herself in making up card-tables, giving hints to Sir Thomas, and
trying to move all the chaperons to a better part of the room
Miss Crawford blundered most towards Fanny herself in her intentions
to pleaseShe meant to be giving her little heart a happy
flutter, and filling her with sensations of delightful self-consequence;
and, misinterpreting Fanny?s blushes, still thought she must be do241
Jane Austen
ing so when she went to her after the two first dances, and said,
with a significant look, ?Perhaps you can tell me why my brother
goes to town to-morrow? He says he has business there, but will not
tell me whatThe first time he ever denied me his confidence! But
this is what we all come toAll are supplanted sooner or laterNow,
I must apply to you for informationPray, what is Henry going
for??
Fanny protested her ignorance as steadily as her embarrassment
allowed
?Well, then,? replied Miss Crawford, laughing, ?I must suppose it
to be purely for the pleasure of conveying your brother, and of talking
of you by the way
Fanny was confused, but it was the confusion of discontent; while
Miss Crawford wondered she did not smile, and thought her overanxious,
or thought her odd, or thought her anything rather than
insensible of http://www.ooluxury.com/categorys_94_Chanel-Purse_1.html" target="_blank pleasure in Henry?s attentionsFanny had a good deal
of enjoyment in the course of the evening; but Henry?s attentions
had very little to do with itShe would much rather not have been
asked by him again so very soon, and she wished she had not been
obliged to suspect that his previous inquiries of MrsNorris, about
the supper hour, were all for the sake of securing her at that part of
the eveningBut it was not to be avoided: he made her feel that she
was the object of all; though she could not say that it was unpleasantly
done, that there was indelicacy or ostentation in his manner;
and sometimes, when he talked of William, he was really not
unagreeable, and shewed even a warmth of heart which did him
creditBut still his attentions made no part of her satisfactionShe
was happy whenever she looked at William, and saw how perfectly
he was enjoying himself, in every five minutes that she could walk
about with him and hear his account of his partners; she was happy
in knowing herself admired; and she was happy in having the two
dances with Edmund still to look forward to, during the greatest
part of the evening, her hand being so eagerly sought after that her
indefinite engagement with him was in continual perspectiveShe
was happy even when they did take place; but not from any flow of
spirits on his side, or any such expressions of tender gallantry as had
blessed the morningHis mind was fagged, and her http://www.snluxury.com/categorys_46_Pasha_1.html" target="_blank happiness sprung
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from being the friend with whom it could find repose?I am worn
out with civility,? said he?I have been talking incessantly all night,
and with nothing to sayBut with you, Fanny, there may be peace
You will not want to be talked toLet us have the luxury of silence
Fanny would hardly even speak her agreementA weariness, arising
probably, in great measure, from the same feelings which he had
acknowledged in the morning, was peculiarly to be respected, and
they went down their two dances together with such sober tranquillity
as might satisfy any looker-on that Sir Thomas had been bringing
up no wife for his younger son
The evening had afforded Edmund little pleasureMiss Crawford
had been in gay spirits when they first danced together, but it was
not her gaiety that could do him good: it rather sank than raised his
comfort; and afterwards, for he found himself still impelled to seek
her again, she had absolutely pained him by her manner of speaking
of the profession to which he was now on the point of belonging
They had talked, and they had been silent; he had reasoned,
she had ridiculed; and they had parted at last with mutual vexation
Fanny, not able to refrain entirely from observing them, had seen
enough to be tolerably satisfiedIt was barbarous to be happy when
Edmund was sufferingYet some happiness must and would arise
from the very conviction that he did http://www.culuxury.com/category_20_Miu-Miu_1.html" target="_blank su