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1There was little time, however, for the indulgence of any images of merriment. It was necessary for him to step forward,
2too, and assist the introduction, and with many awkward sensations he did his best. Sir Thomas received Mr. Yates with
3all the appearance of cordiality which was due to his own character, but was really as far from pleased with the
4necessity of the acquaintance as with the manner of its commencement. Mr. Yates's family and connexions were
5sufficiently known to him to render his introduction as the "particular friend," another of the hundred particular
6friends of his son, exceedingly unwelcome; and it needed all the felicity of being again at home, and all the
7forbearance it could supply, to save Sir Thomas from anger on finding himself thus bewildered in his own house, making
8part of a ridiculous exhibition in the midst of theatrical nonsense, and forced in so untoward a moment to admit the
9acquaintance of a young man whom he felt sure of disapproving, and whose easy indifference and volubility in the course
10of the first five minutes seemed to mark him the most at home of the two. Tom understood his father's thoughts, and
11heartily wishing he might be always as well disposed to give them but partial expression, began to see, more clearly
12than he had ever done before, that there might be some ground of offence, that there might be some reason for the glance
13his father gave towards the ceiling and stucco of the room; and that when he inquired with mild gravity after the fate
14of the billiard-table, he was not proceeding beyond a very allowable curiosity. A few minutes were enough for such
15unsatisfactory sensations on each side; and Sir Thomas having exerted himself so far as to speak a few words of calm
16approbation in reply to an eager appeal of Mr. Yates, as to the happiness of the arrangement, the three gentlemen
17returned to the drawing-room together, Sir Thomas with an increase of gravity which was not lost on all. "I come from
18your theatre," said he composedly, as he sat down; "I found myself in it rather unexpectedly. Its vicinity to my own
19room--but in every respect, indeed, it took me by surprise, as I had not the smallest suspicion of your acting having
20assumed so serious a character. It appears a neat job, however, as far as I could judge by candlelight, and does my
21friend Christopher Jackson credit." And then he would have changed the subject, and sipped his coffee in peace over
22domestic matters of a calmer hue; but Mr. Yates, without discernment to catch Sir Thomas's meaning, or diffidence, or
23delicacy, or discretion enough to allow him to lead the discourse while he mingled among the others with the least
24obtrusiveness himself, would keep him on the topic of the theatre, would torment him with questions and remarks relative
25to it, and finally would make him hear the whole history of his disappointment at Ecclesford. Sir Thomas listened most
26politely, but found much to offend his ideas of decorum, and confirm his ill-opinion of Mr. Yates's habits of thinking,
27from the beginning to the end of the story; and when it was over, could give him no other assurance of sympathy than
28what a slight bow conveyed. "This was, in fact, the origin of our acting," said Tom, after a moment's thought. "My
29friend Yates brought the infection from Ecclesford, and it spread--as those things always spread, you know, sir--the
30faster, probably, from your having so often encouraged the sort of thing in us formerly. It was like treading old ground
31again." Mr. Yates took the subject from his friend as soon as possible, and immediately gave Sir Thomas an account of
32what they had done and were doing: told him of the gradual increase of their views, the happy conclusion of their first
33difficulties, and present promising state of affairs; relating everything with so blind an interest as made him not only
34totally unconscious of the uneasy movements of many of his friends as they sat, the change of countenance, the fidget,
35the hem! of unquietness, but prevented him even from seeing the expression of the face on which his own eyes were
36fixed--from seeing Sir Thomas's dark brow contract as he looked with inquiring earnestness at his daughters and Edmund,
37dwelling particularly on the latter, and speaking a language, a remonstrance, a reproof, which he felt at his heart. Not
38less acutely was it felt by Fanny, who had edged back her chair behind her aunt's end of the sofa, and, screened from
39notice herself, saw all that was passing before her. Such a look of reproach at Edmund from his father she could never
40have expected to witness; and to feel that it was in any degree deserved was an aggravation indeed. Sir Thomas's look
41implied, "On your judgment, Edmund, I depended; what have you been about?" She knelt in spirit to her uncle, and her
42bosom swelled to utter, "Oh, not to him! Look so to all the others, but not to him!" Mr. Yates was still talking. "To
43own the truth, Sir Thomas, we were in the middle of a rehearsal when you arrived this evening. We were going through the
44three first acts, and not unsuccessfully upon the whole. Our company is now so dispersed, from the Crawfords being gone
45home, that nothing more can be done to-night; but if you will give us the honour of your company to-morrow evening, I
46should not be afraid of the result. We bespeak your indulgence, you understand, as young performers; we bespeak your
47indulgence." "My indulgence shall be given, sir," replied Sir Thomas gravely, "but without any other rehearsal." And
48with a relenting smile, he added, "I come home to be happy and indulgent." Then turning away towards any or all of the
49rest, he tranquilly said, "Mr. and Miss Crawford were mentioned in my last letters from Mansfield. Do you find them
50agreeable acquaintance?" Tom was the only one at all ready with an answer, but he being entirely without particular
51regard for either, without jealousy either in love or acting, could speak very handsomely of both. "Mr. Crawford was a
52most pleasant, gentleman-like man; his sister a sweet, pretty, elegant, lively girl." Mr. Rushworth could be silent no
53longer. "I do not say he is not gentleman-like, considering; but you should tell your father he is not above five feet
54eight, or he will be expecting a well-looking man." Sir Thomas did not quite understand this, and looked with some
55surprise at the speaker. "If I must say what I think," continued Mr. Rushworth, "in my opinion it is very disagreeable
56to be always rehearsing. It is having too much of a good thing. I am not so fond of acting as I was at first. I think we
57are a great deal better employed, sitting comfortably here among ourselves, and doing nothing." Sir Thomas looked again,
58and then replied with an approving smile, "I am happy to find our sentiments on this subject so much the same. It gives
59me sincere satisfaction. That I should be cautious and quick-sighted, and feel many scruples which my children do not
60feel, is perfectly natural; and equally so that my value for domestic tranquillity, for a home which shuts out noisy
61pleasures, should much exceed theirs. But at your time of life to feel all this, is a most favourable circumstance for
62yourself, and for everybody connected with you; and I am sensible of the importance of having an ally of such weight."
63Sir Thomas meant to be giving Mr. Rushworth's opinion in better words than he could find himself. He was aware that he
64must not expect a genius in Mr. Rushworth; but as a well-judging, steady young man, with better notions than his
65elocution would do justice to, he intended to value him very highly. It was impossible for many of the others not to
66smile. Mr. Rushworth hardly knew what to do with so much meaning; but by looking, as he really felt, most exceedingly
67pleased with Sir Thomas's good opinion, and saying scarcely anything, he did his best towards preserving that good
68opinion a little longer.
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