?To be sure, so I shall
?Suppose you take my father?s opinion, ma?am
?That?s well thought ofI will ask Sir Thomas,
as soon as he comes in, whether I can do without her
?As you please, ma?am, on that head; but I meant my father?s opinion
as to the propriety of the invitation?s being accepted or not; and
I think he will consider it a right thing by MrsGrant, as well as by
Fanny, that being the first invitation it should be acceptedBut he will be very much surprised
that MrsGrant should ask Fanny at all
There was nothing more to be said, or that could be said to any
purpose, till Sir Thomas were present; but the subject involving, as
it did, her own evening?s comfort for the morrow, was so much
uppermost in Lady Bertram?s mind, that half an hour afterwards,
on his looking in for a minute in his way from his plantation to his
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dressing-room, she called him back again, when he had almost closed
the door, with ?Sir Thomas, stop a moment?I have something to
say to you
Her tone of calm languor, for she never took the trouble of raising
her voice, was always heard and attended to; and Sir Thomas came
backHer story began; and Fanny immediately slipped out of http://www.ualuxury.com/scategory_8_Hermes.html" target="_blank the
room; for to hear herself the subject of any discussion with her uncle
was more than her nerves could bearShe was anxious, she knew?
more anxious perhaps than she ought to be?for what was it after
all whether she went or staid? but if her uncle were to be a great
while considering and deciding, and with very grave looks, and those
grave looks directed to her, and at last decide against her, she might
not be able to appear properly submissive and indifferentHer cause,
meanwhile, went on wellIt began, on Lady Bertram?s part, with?
?I have something to tell you that will surprise youGrant has
asked Fanny to dinner
?Well,? said Sir Thomas, as if waiting more to accomplish the
surprise
?Edmund wants her to goBut how can I spare her??
?She will be late,? said Sir Thomas, taking out his watch; ?but
what is your difficulty??
Edmund found himself obliged to speak and fill up the blanks in
his mother?s storyHe told the whole; and she had only to add, ?So
strange! for MrsGrant never used to ask her
?But is it not very natural,? observed Edmund, ?that MrsGrant
should wish to procure so agreeable a visitor for her sister??
?Nothing can be more natural,? said Sir Thomas, after a http://www.naluxury.com/categorys_92_Coco-Chanel-Shoulder-Bag_1.html" target="_blank short
deliberation; ?nor, were there no sister in the case, could anything,
in my opinion, be more naturalGrant?s shewing civility to
Miss Price, to Lady Bertram?s niece, could never want explanation
The only surprise I can feel is, that this should be the first time of its
being paidFanny was perfectly right in giving only a conditional
answerShe appears to feel as she oughtBut as I conclude that she
must wish to go, since all young people like to be together, I can see
no reason why she should be denied the indulgence
?But can I do without her, Sir Thomas??
?Indeed I think you may
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Mansfield Park
?She always makes tea, you know, when my sister is not here
?Your sister, perhaps, may be prevailed on to spend the day with
us, and I shall certainly be at home
?Very well, then, Fanny may go, Edmund
The good news soon followed herEdmund knocked at her door
in his way to his own
?Well, Fanny, it is all happily settled, and without the smallest hesitation
on your uncle?s sideHe had but one opinion
?Thank you, I am so glad,? was Fanny?s instinctive reply; though
when she had turned from him and shut the door, she could not
help feeling, ?And yet why should I be glad? for am I not http://www.culuxury.com/category_5_Dior_1.html" target="_blank certain of
seeing or hearing something there to pain me??
In spite of this conviction, however, she was gladSimple as such an
engagement might appear in other eyes, it had novelty and importance
in hers, for excepting the day at Sotherton, she had scarcely ever
dined out before; and though now going only half a mile, and only to
three people, still it was dining out, and all the little interests of preparation
were enjoyments in themselvesShe had neither sympathy nor
assistance from those who ought to have entered into her feelings and
directed her taste; for Lady Bertram never thought of being useful to
anybody, and MrsNorris, when she came on the morrow, in consequence
of an early call and invitation from Sir Thomas, was in a very
ill humour, and seemed intent only on lessening her niece?s pleasure,
both present and future, as much as possible
?Upon my word, Fanny, you are in high luck to meet with such
attention and indulgence! You ought to be very much obliged to
MrsGrant for thinking of you, and to your aunt for letting you go,
and you ought to look upon it as something extraordinary; for I
hope you are aware that there is no real occasion for your going into
company in this http://www.culuxury.com/category_6_Fendi_1.html" target="_blank sort of way, or ever dining out at all; and it is what
you must not depend upon ever being repeatedNor must you be
fancying that the invitation is meant as any particular compliment
to you; the compliment is intended to your uncle and aunt and meGrant thinks it a civility due to us to take a little notice of you,
or else it would never have come into her head, and you may be
very certain that, if your cousin Julia had been at home, you would
not have been asked at all
191
Jane Austen
MrsNorris had now so ingeniously done away all MrsGrant?s
part of the favour, that Fanny, who found herself expected to speak,
could only say that she was very much obliged to her aunt Bertram
for sparing her, and that she was endeavouring to put her aunt?s
evening work in such a state as to prevent her being missed
?Oh! depend upon it, your aunt can do very well without you, or
you would not be allowed to goI shall be here, so you may be quite
easy about your auntAnd I hope you will have a very agreeable day,
and find it all mighty delightfulBut I must observe that five is the
very awkwardest of all possible numbers to sit down to table; and I
cannot but be surprised that such an elegant lady as http://www.naluxury.com/product_345_Chanel-White-Quilted-Leather-CC-Logo-Purse.html" target="_blank M