CHAPTER VI

>Isawenough.Nowdonotbesuspectingmeofapun,Ientreat.” Edmundagainfeltgrave,andonlyreplied,“Itisanobleprofession.” “Yes,theprofessioniswellenoughundertwocircumstances:ifitmakethefortune,andtherebediscretioninspendingitbut,inshort,itisnotafavouriteprofessionofmine.Ithasneverwornanamiableformtome.” Edmundrevertedtotheharp,andwasagainveryhappyintheprospectofhearingherplay. Thesubjectofimprovinggrounds,meanwhile,wasstillunderconsiderationamongtheothersandMrs.Grantcouldnothelpaddressingherbrother,thoughitwascallinghisattentionfromMissJuliaBertram. “MydearHenry,haveyounothingtosay?Youhavebeenanimproveryourself,andfromwhatIhearofEveringham,itmayviewithanyplaceinEngland.Itsnaturalbeauties,Iamsure,aregreat.Everingham,asitusedtobe,wasperfectinmyestimation:suchahappyfallofground,andsuchtimber!WhatwouldInotgivetoseeitagain!” “Nothingcouldbesogratifyingtomeastohearyouropinionofit,”washisanswer“butIfeartherewouldbesomedisappointment:youwouldnotfinditequaltoyourpresentideas.Inextent,itisamerenothingyouwouldbesurprisedatitsinsignificanceand,asforimprovement,therewasverylittleformetodo—toolittle:Ishouldliketohavebeenbusymuchlonger.” “Youarefondofthesortofthing?”saidJulia. “Excessivelybutwhatwiththenaturaladvantagesoftheground,whichpointedout,eventoaveryyoungeye,whatlittleremainedtobedone,andmyownconsequentresolutions,IhadnotbeenofagethreemonthsbeforeEveringhamwasallthatitisnow.MyplanwaslaidatWestminster,alittlealtered,perhaps,atCambridge,andatone-and-twentyexecuted.IaminclinedtoenvyMr.Rushworthforhavingsomuchhappinessyetbeforehim.Ihavebeenadevourerofmyown.” “Thosewhoseequickly,willresolvequickly,andactquickly,”saidJulia.“Youcanneverwantemployment.InsteadofenvyingMr.Rushworth,youshouldassisthimwithyouropinion.” Mrs.Grant,hearingthelatterpartofthisspeech,enforceditwarmly,persuadedthatnojudgmentcouldbeequaltoherbrother’sandasMissBertramcaughtattheidealikewise,andgaveitherfullsupport,declaringthat,inheropinion,itwasinfinitelybettertoconsultwithfriendsanddisinterestedadvisers,thanimmediatelytothrowthebusinessintothehandsofaprofessionalman,Mr.RushworthwasveryreadytorequestthefavourofMr.Crawford’sassistanceandMr.Crawford,afterproperlydepreciatinghisownabilities,wasquiteathisserviceinanywaythatcouldbeuseful.Mr.RushworththenbegantoproposeMr.Crawford’sdoinghimthehonourofcomingovertoSotherton,andtakingabedtherewhenMrs.Norris,asifreadinginhertwonieces’mindstheirlittleapprobationofaplanwhichwastotakeMr.Crawfordaway,interposedwithanamendment. “TherecanbenodoubtofMr.Crawford’swillingnessbutwhyshouldnotmoreofusgo?Whyshouldnotwemakealittleparty?Herearemanythatwouldbeinterestedinyourimprovements,mydearMr.Rushworth,andthatwouldliketohearMr.Crawford’sopiniononthespot,andthatmightbeofsomesmallusetoyouwiththeiropinionsand,formyownpart,IhavebeenlongwishingtowaituponyourgoodmotheragainnothingbuthavingnohorsesofmyowncouldhavemademesoremissbutnowIcouldgoandsitafewhourswithMrs.Rushworth,whiletherestofyouwalkedaboutandsettledthings,andthenwecouldallreturntoalatedinnerhere,ordineatSotherton,justasmightbemostagreeabletoyourmother,andhaveapleasantdrivehomebymoonlight.IdaresayMr.Crawfordwouldtakemytwoniecesandmeinhisbarouche,andEdmundcangoonhorseback,youknow,sister,andFannywillstayathomewithyou.” LadyBertrammadenoobjectionandeveryoneconcernedinthegoingwasforwardinexpressingtheirreadyconcurrence,exceptingEdmund,whohearditallandsaidnothing.