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1As yet Sir Thomas had seen nothing to remark in Mr. Crawford's behaviour; but when the whist-table broke up at the end
2of the second rubber, and leaving Dr. Grant and Mrs. Norris to dispute over their last play, he became a looker-on at
3the other, he found his niece the object of attentions, or rather of professions, of a somewhat pointed character. Henry
4Crawford was in the first glow of another scheme about Thornton Lacey; and not being able to catch Edmund's ear, was
5detailing it to his fair neighbour with a look of considerable earnestness. His scheme was to rent the house himself the
6following winter, that he might have a home of his own in that neighbourhood; and it was not merely for the use of it in
7the hunting-season (as he was then telling her), though that consideration had certainly some weight, feeling as he did
8that, in spite of all Dr. Grant's very great kindness, it was impossible for him and his horses to be accommodated where
9they now were without material inconvenience; but his attachment to that neighbourhood did not depend upon one amusement
10or one season of the year: he had set his heart upon having a something there that he could come to at any time, a
11little homestall at his command, where all the holidays of his year might be spent, and he might find himself
12continuing, improving, and perfecting that friendship and intimacy with the Mansfield Park family which was increasing
13in value to him every day. Sir Thomas heard and was not offended. There was no want of respect in the young man's
14address; and Fanny's reception of it was so proper and modest, so calm and uninviting, that he had nothing to censure in
15her. She said little, assented only here and there, and betrayed no inclination either of appropriating any part of the
16compliment to herself, or of strengthening his views in favour of Northamptonshire. Finding by whom he was observed,
17Henry Crawford addressed himself on the same subject to Sir Thomas, in a more everyday tone, but still with feeling. "I
18want to be your neighbour, Sir Thomas, as you have, perhaps, heard me telling Miss Price. May I hope for your
19acquiescence, and for your not influencing your son against such a tenant?" Sir Thomas, politely bowing, replied, "It is
20the only way, sir, in which I could not wish you established as a permanent neighbour; but I hope, and believe, that
21Edmund will occupy his own house at Thornton Lacey. Edmund, am I saying too much?" Edmund, on this appeal, had first to
22hear what was going on; but, on understanding the question, was at no loss for an answer. "Certainly, sir, I have no
23idea but of residence. But, Crawford, though I refuse you as a tenant, come to me as a friend. Consider the house as
24half your own every winter, and we will add to the stables on your own improved plan, and with all the improvements of
25your improved plan that may occur to you this spring." "We shall be the losers," continued Sir Thomas. "His going,
26though only eight miles, will be an unwelcome contraction of our family circle; but I should have been deeply mortified
27if any son of mine could reconcile himself to doing less. It is perfectly natural that you should not have thought much
28on the subject, Mr. Crawford. But a parish has wants and claims which can be known only by a clergyman constantly
29resident, and which no proxy can be capable of satisfying to the same extent. Edmund might, in the common phrase, do the
30duty of Thornton, that is, he might read prayers and preach, without giving up Mansfield Park: he might ride over every
31Sunday, to a house nominally inhabited, and go through divine service; he might be the clergyman of Thornton Lacey every
32seventh day, for three or four hours, if that would content him. But it will not. He knows that human nature needs more
33lessons than a weekly sermon can convey; and that if he does not live among his parishioners, and prove himself, by
34constant attention, their well-wisher and friend, he does very little either for their good or his own." Mr. Crawford
35bowed his acquiescence. "I repeat again," added Sir Thomas, "that Thornton Lacey is the only house in the neighbourhood
36in which I should not be happy to wait on Mr. Crawford as occupier." Mr. Crawford bowed his thanks. "Sir Thomas," said
37Edmund, "undoubtedly understands the duty of a parish priest. We must hope his son may prove that he knows it too."
38Whatever effect Sir Thomas's little harangue might really produce on Mr. Crawford, it raised some awkward sensations in
39two of the others, two of his most attentive listeners--Miss Crawford and Fanny. One of whom, having never before
40understood that Thornton was so soon and so completely to be his home, was pondering with downcast eyes on what it would
41be not to see Edmund every day; and the other, startled from the agreeable fancies she had been previously indulging on
42the strength of her brother's description, no longer able, in the picture she had been forming of a future Thornton, to
43shut out the church, sink the clergyman, and see only the respectable, elegant, modernised, and occasional residence of
44a man of independent fortune, was considering Sir Thomas, with decided ill-will, as the destroyer of all this, and
45suffering the more from that involuntary forbearance which his character and manner commanded, and from not daring to
46relieve herself by a single attempt at throwing ridicule on his cause. All the agreeable of her speculation was over for
47that hour. It was time to have done with cards, if sermons prevailed; and she was glad to find it necessary to come to a
48conclusion, and be able to refresh her spirits by a change of place and neighbour. The chief of the party were now
49collected irregularly round the fire, and waiting the final break-up. William and Fanny were the most detached. They
50remained together at the otherwise deserted card-table, talking very comfortably, and not thinking of the rest, till
51some of the rest began to think of them. Henry Crawford's chair was the first to be given a direction towards them, and
52he sat silently observing them for a few minutes; himself, in the meanwhile, observed by Sir Thomas, who was standing in
53chat with Dr. Grant. "This is the assembly night," said William. "If I were at Portsmouth I should be at it, perhaps."
54"But you do not wish yourself at Portsmouth, William?" "No, Fanny, that I do not. I shall have enough of Portsmouth and
55of dancing too, when I cannot have you. And I do not know that there would be any good in going to the assembly, for I
56might not get a partner. The Portsmouth girls turn up their noses at anybody who has not a commission. One might as well
57be nothing as a midshipman. One is nothing, indeed. You remember the Gregorys; they are grown up amazing fine girls, but
58they will hardly speak to me, because Lucy is courted by a lieutenant." "Oh! shame, shame! But never mind it, William"
59(her own cheeks in a glow of indignation as she spoke). "It is not worth minding. It is no reflection on you; it is no
60more than what the greatest admirals have all experienced, more or less, in their time. You must think of that, you must
61try to make up your mind to it as one of the hardships which fall to every sailor's share, like bad weather and hard
62living, only with this advantage, that there will be an end to it, that there will come a time when you will have
63nothing of that sort to endure. When you are a lieutenant! only think, William, when you are a lieutenant, how little
64you will care for any nonsense of this kind." "I begin to think I shall never be a lieutenant, Fanny. Everybody gets
65made but me." "Oh! my dear William, do not talk so; do not be so desponding. My uncle says nothing, but I am sure he
66will do everything in his power to get you made. He knows, as well as you do, of what consequence it is." She was
67checked by the sight of her uncle much nearer to them than she had any suspicion of, and each found it necessary to talk
68of something else. "Are you fond of dancing, Fanny?" "Yes, very; only I am soon tired."
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