CHAPTER XXX
關燈
小
中
大
MissCrawford’suneasinesswasmuchlightenedbythisconversation,andshewalkedhomeagaininspiritswhichmighthavedefiedalmostanotherweekofthesamesmallpartyinthesamebadweather,hadtheybeenputtotheproofbutasthatveryeveningbroughtherbrotherdownfromLondonagaininquite,ormorethanquite,hisusualcheerfulness,shehadnothingfarthertotryherown.Hisstillrefusingtotellherwhathehadgoneforwasbutthepromotionofgaietyadaybeforeitmighthaveirritated,butnowitwasapleasantjoke—suspectedonlyofconcealingsomethingplannedasapleasantsurprisetoherself.Andthenextdaydidbringasurprisetoher.HenryhadsaidheshouldjustgoandasktheBertramshowtheydid,andbebackintenminutes,buthewasgoneaboveanhourandwhenhissister,whohadbeenwaitingforhimtowalkwithherinthegarden,methimatlastmostimpatientlyinthesweep,andcriedout,“MydearHenry,wherecanyouhavebeenallthistime?”hehadonlytosaythathehadbeensittingwithLadyBertramandFanny.
“Sittingwiththemanhourandahalf!”exclaimedMary.
Butthiswasonlythebeginningofhersurprise.
“Yes,Mary,”saidhe,drawingherarmwithinhis,andwalkingalongthesweepasifnotknowingwherehewas:“IcouldnotgetawaysoonerFannylookedsolovely!Iamquitedetermined,Mary.Mymindisentirelymadeup.Willitastonishyou?No:youmustbeawarethatIamquitedeterminedtomarryFannyPrice.”
Thesurprisewasnowcompletefor,inspiteofwhateverhisconsciousnessmightsuggest,asuspicionofhishavinganysuchviewshadneverenteredhissister’simaginationandshelookedsotrulytheastonishmentshefelt,thathewasobligedtorepeatwhathehadsaid,andmorefullyandmoresolemnly.Theconvictionofhisdeterminationonceadmitted,itwasnotunwelcome.Therewasevenpleasurewiththesurprise.MarywasinastateofmindtorejoiceinaconnexionwiththeBertramfamily,andtobenotdispleasedwithherbrother’smarryingalittlebeneathhim.
“Yes,Mary,”wasHenry’sconcludingassurance.“Iamfairlycaught.YouknowwithwhatidledesignsIbeganbutthisistheendofthem.Ihave,Iflattermyself,madenoinconsiderableprogressinheraffectionsbutmyownareentirelyfixed.”
“Lucky,luckygirl!”criedMary,assoonasshecouldspeak“whatamatchforher!MydearestHenry,thismustbemyfirstfeelingbutmysecond,whichyoushallhaveassincerely,is,thatIapproveyourchoicefrommysoul,andforeseeyourhappinessasheartilyasIwishanddesireit.Youwillhaveasweetlittlewifeallgratitudeanddevotion.Exact
