CHAPTER XXIX

Theballwasover,andthebreakfastwassoonovertoothelastkisswasgiven,andWilliamwasgone.Mr.Crawfordhad,asheforetold,beenverypunctual,andshortandpleasanthadbeenthemeal. AfterseeingWilliamtothelastmoment,Fannywalkedbacktothebreakfast-roomwithaverysaddenedhearttogrieveoverthemelancholychangeandthereherunclekindlylefthertocryinpeace,conceiving,perhaps,thatthedesertedchairofeachyoungmanmightexercisehertenderenthusiasm,andthattheremainingcoldporkbonesandmustardinWilliam’splatemightbutdivideherfeelingswiththebrokenegg-shellsinMr.Crawford’s.Shesatandcriedconamoreasheruncleintended,butitwasconamorefraternalandnoother.Williamwasgone,andshenowfeltasifshehadwastedhalfhisvisitinidlecaresandselfishsolicitudesunconnectedwithhim. Fanny’sdispositionwassuchthatshecouldnevereventhinkofherauntNorrisinthemeagrenessandcheerlessnessofherownsmallhouse,withoutreproachingherselfforsomelittlewantofattentiontoherwhentheyhadbeenlasttogethermuchlesscouldherfeelingsacquitherofhavingdoneandsaidandthoughteverythingbyWilliamthatwasduetohimforawholefortnight. Itwasaheavy,melancholyday.Soonafterthesecondbreakfast,Edmundbadethemgood-byeforaweek,andmountedhishorseforPeterborough,andthenallweregone.Nothingremainedoflastnightbutremembrances,whichshehadnobodytosharein.ShetalkedtoherauntBertram—shemusttalktosomebodyoftheballbutheraunthadseensolittleofwhathadpassed,andhadsolittlecuriosity,thatitwasheavywork.LadyBertramwasnotcertainofanybody’sdressoranybody’splaceatsupperbutherown.“ShecouldnotrecollectwhatitwasthatshehadheardaboutoneoftheMissMaddoxes,orwhatitwasthatLadyPrescotthadnoticedinFanny:shewasnotsurewhetherColonelHarrisonhadbeentalkingofMr.CrawfordorofWilliamwhenhesaidhewasthefinestyoungmanintheroom—somebodyhadwhisperedsomethingtohershehadforgottoaskSirThomaswhatitcouldbe.”Andthesewereherlongestspeechesandclearestcommunications:therestwasonlyalanguid“Yes,yesverywelldidyou?didhe?IdidnotseethatIshouldnotknowonefromtheother.”Thiswasverybad.ItwasonlybetterthanMrs.Norris’ssharpanswerswouldhavebeenbutshebeinggonehomewithallthesupernumeraryjelliestonurseasickmaid,therewaspeaceandgood-humourintheirlittleparty,thoughitcouldnotboastmuchbeside. Theeveningwasheavyliketheday.“Icannotthinkwhatisthematterwithme,”saidLadyBertram,whenthetea-thingswereremoved.“Ifeelquitestupid.Itmustbesittingupsolatelastnight.Fanny,youmustdosomethingtokeepmeawake.Icannotwork.FetchthecardsIfeelsoverystupid.” Thecardswerebrought,andFannyplayedatcribbagewithheraunttillbedtimeandasSirThomaswasreadingtohimself,nosoundswereheardintheroomforthenexttwohoursbeyondthereckoningsofthegame—“Andthatmakesthirty-onefourinhanda