Sir Thomas had been a
good deal surprised to find candles burning in his room; and on
casting his eye round it, to see other symptoms of recent habitation
and a general air of confusion in the furnitureThe removal of the
bookcase from before the billiard-room door struck him especially,
but he had scarcely more than time to feel astonished at all this,
before there were sounds from the billiard-room to astonish him
still fartherSome one was talking there in a very loud accent; he
did not know the voice?more than talking?almost hallooingHe
stepped to the door, rejoicing at that moment in having the means
of immediate communication, and, opening it, found himself on
the stage of a theatre, and opposed to a ranting young man, who
appeared likely to knock him down backwardsAt the very moment
of Yates perceiving Sir Thomas, and giving perhaps the very
best start he had ever given in the whole course of his rehearsals,
Tom Bertram entered at the other end of the room; and never had
he found greater difficulty in keeping his countenanceHis father?s
looks of solemnity and amazement on this his first appearance on
any stage, and the gradual metamorphosis of the impassioned Baron
Wildenheim into the well-bred and easy MrYates, making his bow
and apology to Sir Thomas Bertram, was such an exhibition, such a
piece of true acting, as he would not have lost upon any accountIt
would be the last?in all probability?the last scene on that stage;
but he was sure there could not be a finerThe house would close
with the greatest eclat
There was little time, however, for the indulgence of any images
of merrimentIt was necessary http://www.ooluxury.com/scategory_21_Tiffany-Jewelry.html" target="_blank for him to step forward, too, and
assist the introduction, and with many awkward sensations he did
his bestSir Thomas received MrYates with all the appearance of
cordiality which was due to his own character, but was really as far
159
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from pleased with the necessity of the acquaintance as with the manner
of its commencementYates?s family and connexions were
sufficiently known to him to render his introduction as the ?particular
friend,? another of the hundred particular friends of his son,
exceedingly unwelcome; and it needed all the felicity of being again
at home, and all the forbearance it could supply, to save Sir Thomas
from anger on finding himself thus bewildered in his own house,
making part of a ridiculous exhibition in the midst of theatrical
nonsense, and forced in so untoward a moment to admit the acquaintance
of a young man whom he felt sure of disapproving, and
whose easy indifference and volubility in the course of the first five
minutes seemed to mark him the most at home of the two
Tom understood his father?s thoughts, and heartily wishing he
might be always as well disposed to give them but partial expression,
began to see, more clearly than he had ever done before, that
there might be some ground of offence, that there might be some
reason for the glance his father gave towards the ceiling and stucco
of the room; and that when he inquired with mild gravity after the
fate of the billiard-table, he was not proceeding beyond a very allowable
curiosityA few minutes were enough for such unsatisfactory
sensations on each side; and Sir Thomas having exerted himself
so far as to speak http://www.ooluxury.com/search_0_0_0_speedy_1.html" target="_blank a few words of calm approbation in reply to an
eager appeal of MrYates, as to the happiness of the arrangement,
the three gentlemen returned to the drawing-room together, Sir Thomas
with an increase of gravity which was not lost on all
?I come from your theatre,? said he composedly, as he sat down;
?I found myself in it rather unexpectedlyIts vicinity to my own
room?but in every respect, indeed, it took me by surprise, as I had
not the smallest suspicion of your acting having assumed so serious
a characterIt appears a neat job, however, as far as I could judge by
candlelight, and does my friend Christopher Jackson credit And
then he would have changed the subject, and sipped his coffee in
peace over domestic matters of a calmer hue; but MrYates, without
discernment to catch Sir Thomas?s meaning, or diffidence, or delicacy,
or discretion enough to allow him to lead the discourse while
he mingled among the others with the least obtrusiveness himself,
would keep him on the topic of the theatre, would torment him
160
Mansfield Park
with questions and remarks relative to it, and finally would make
him hear the whole history of his disappointment at EcclesfordSir
Thomas listened most politely, but found much to offend his ideas
of decorum, and confirm his ill-opinion of MrYates?s habits of
thinking, from the beginning to the end of the story; and when it
was over, could give him no other assurance of sympathy than what
a slight bow conveyed
?This was, in fact, the origin of our acting,? said Tom, after a
moment?s thought?My friend Yates brought the infection from
Ecclesford, and it spread?as those things always http://www.ooluxury.com/categorys_94_Chanel-Purse_1.html" target="_blank spread, you know,
sir?the faster, probably, from your having so often encouraged the
sort of thing in us formerlyIt was like treading old ground againYates took the subject from his friend as soon as possible, and
immediately gave Sir Thomas an account of what they had done
and were doing: told him of the gradual increase of their views, the
happy conclusion of their first difficulties, and present promising
state of affairs; relating everything with so blind an interest as made
him not only totally unconscious of the uneasy movements of many
of his friends as they sat, the change of countenance, the fidget, the
hem! of unquietness, but prevented him even from seeing the expression
of the face on which his own eyes were fixed?from seeing
Sir Thomas?s dark brow contract as he looked with inquiring earnestness
at his daughters and Edmund, dwelling particularly on the
latter, and speaking a language, a remonstrance, a reproof, which he
felt at his heartNot less acutely was it felt by Fanny, who had edged
back her chair behind her aunt?s end of the sofa, and, screened from
notice herself, saw all that was passing before herSuch a look of
reproach at Edmund from his father she could never have expected
to witness; and to feel that it was in any degree deserved was an
aggravation indeedSir Thomas?s look implied, ?On your judgment,
Edmund, I depended; what have you been about?? She knelt in
spirit to her uncle, and her bosom swelled to utter, ?Oh, not to him!
Look so to all the others, but not to him!?
MrYates was still talking?To own the truth, Sir Thomas, we
were in the middle of a rehearsal when you arrived this http://www.ooluxury.com/scategory_30_Cartier-Watches.html" target="_blank eveningWe
were going through the three first acts, and not unsuccessfully upon
the wholeOur company is now so dispersed, from the Crawfords
161
Jane Austen
being gone home, that nothing more can be done to-night; but if
you will give us the honour of your company to-morrow evening, I
should not be afraid of the resultWe bespeak your indulgence, you
understand, as young performers; we bespeak your indulgence
?My indulgence shall be given, sir,? replied Sir Thomas gravely,
?but without any other rehearsal And with a relenting smile, he
added, ?I come home to be happy and indulgent Then turning
away towards any or all of the rest, he tranquilly said, ?Mrand Miss
Crawford were mentioned in my last letters from MansfieldDo
you find them agreeable acquaintance??
Tom was the only one at all ready with an answer, but he being
entirely without particular regard for either, without jealousy either
in love or acting, could speak very handsomely of both
Crawford was a most pleasant, gentleman-like man; his sister a sweet,
pretty, elegant, lively girlRushworth could be silent no longer?I do not say he is not
gentleman-like, considering; but you should tell your father he is
not above five feet eight, or he will be expecting a well-looking man
Sir Thomas did not quite understand this, and looked with some
surprise at the speaker
?If I must say what I think,? continued MrRushworth, ?in my
opinion it is very disagreeable to be always rehearsingIt is having
too much of a good thingI am not so fond of acting as I was at
firstI think we are a great deal better employed, sitting comfortably
here among ourselves, and doing http://www.ooluxury.com/scategory_11_Prada.html" target="_blank nothin