| Edmund Bertram, I dare say, would take their chanceWe none
of us want to hear the bill of fareA friendly meeting, and not a fine
dinner, is all we have in viewA turkey, or a goose, or a leg of mutton,
or whatever you and your cook chuse to give us
The two cousins walked home together; and, except in the immediate
discussion of this engagement, which Edmund spoke of with
the warmest satisfaction, as so particularly desirable for her in the
intimacy which he saw with so much pleasure established, it was a
silent walk; for having finished that subject, he grew thoughtful and
indisposed for any other
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Mansfield Park
CHAPTER XXIII
?BUT WHY should MrsGrant ask Fanny?? said Lady Bertram?How
came she to think of asking Fanny? Fanny never dines there, you
know, in this sort of wayI cannot spare her, and I am sure she does
not want to goFanny, you do not want to go, do you??
?If you put such a question to her,? cried Edmund, preventing chanel pearl necklace his
cousin?s speaking, ?Fanny will immediately say No; but I am sure,
my dear mother, she would like to go; and I can see no reason why
she should not
?I cannot imagine why MrsGrant should think of asking her?
She never did beforeShe used to ask your sisters now and then, but
she never asked Fanny
?If you cannot do without me, ma?am?? said Fanny, in a selfdenying
tone
?But my mother will have my father with her all the evening
?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 cartier woman watches 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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Jane Austen
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 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 omega mens watch on sale 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 short
deliberation; ?nor, were there no sister in the cartier roadster autamatic 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 replica chanel watches opini |
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