CHAPTER XVII

effectonhim.“Hewascertainlyrightinrespectingsuchfeelingshewasgladhehaddeterminedonit.”Andthemorningworeawayinsatisfactionsverysweet,ifnotverysound.OneadvantageresultedfromittoFanny:attheearnestrequestofMissCrawford,Mrs.Granthad,withherusualgood-humour,agreedtoundertakethepartforwhichFannyhadbeenwantedandthiswasallthatoccurredtogladdenherheartduringthedayandeventhis,whenimpartedbyEdmund,broughtapangwithit,foritwasMissCrawfordtowhomshewasobliged—itwasMissCrawfordwhosekindexertionsweretoexcitehergratitude,andwhosemeritinmakingthemwasspokenofwithaglowofadmiration.Shewassafebutpeaceandsafetywereunconnectedhere.Hermindhadbeenneverfartherfrompeace.Shecouldnotfeelthatshehaddonewrongherself,butshewasdisquietedineveryotherway.HerheartandherjudgmentwereequallyagainstEdmund’sdecision:shecouldnotacquithisunsteadiness,andhishappinessunderitmadeherwretched.Shewasfullofjealousyandagitation.MissCrawfordcamewithlooksofgaietywhichseemedaninsult,withfriendlyexpressionstowardsherselfwhichshecouldhardlyanswercalmly.Everybodyaroundherwasgayandbusy,prosperousandimportanteachhadtheirobjectofinterest,theirpart,theirdress,theirfavouritescene,theirfriendsandconfederates:allwerefindingemploymentinconsultationsandcomparisons,ordiversionintheplayfulconceitstheysuggested.Shealonewassadandinsignificant:shehadnoshareinanythingshemightgoorstayshemightbeinthemidstoftheirnoise,orretreatfromittothesolitudeoftheEastroom,withoutbeingseenormissed.Shecouldalmostthinkanythingwouldhavebeenpreferabletothis.Mrs.Grantwasofconsequence:hergood-naturehadhonourablementionhertasteandhertimewereconsideredherpresencewaswantedshewassoughtfor,andattended,andpraisedandFannywasatfirstinsomedangerofenvyingherthecharactershehadaccepted.Butreflectionbroughtbetterfeelings,andshewedherthatMrs.Grantwasentitledtorespect,whichcouldneverhavebelongedt