CHAPTER XXX
關燈
小
中
大
willnottakeherfromNorthamptonshire.IshallletEveringham,andrentaplaceinthisneighbourhoodperhapsStanwixLodge.Ishallletasevenyears’leaseofEveringham.Iamsureofanexcellenttenantathalfaword.Icouldnamethreepeoplenow,whowouldgivememyowntermsandthankme.”
“Ha!”criedMary“settleinNorthamptonshire!Thatispleasant!Thenweshallbealltogether.”
Whenshehadspokenit,sherecollectedherself,andwisheditunsaidbuttherewasnoneedofconfusionforherbrothersawheronlyasthesupposedinmateofMansfieldparsonage,andrepliedbuttoinviteherinthekindestmannertohisownhouse,andtoclaimthebestrightinher.
“Youmustgiveusmorethanhalfyourtime,”saidhe.“IcannotadmitMrs.GranttohaveanequalclaimwithFannyandmyself,forweshallbothhavearightinyou.Fannywillbesotrulyyoursister!”
Maryhadonlytobegratefulandgivegeneralassurancesbutshewasnowveryfullypurposedtobetheguestofneitherbrothernorsistermanymonthslonger.
“YouwilldivideyouryearbetweenLondonandNorthamptonshire?”
“Yes.”
“That’srightandinLondon,ofcourse,ahouseofyourown:nolongerwiththeAdmiral.MydearestHenry,theadvantagetoyouofgettingawayfromtheAdmiralbeforeyourmannersarehurtbythecontagionofhis,beforeyouhavecontractedanyofhisfoolishopinions,orlearnedtositoveryourdinnerasifitwerethebestblessingoflife!Youarenotsensibleofthegain,foryourregardforhimhasblindedyoubut,inmyestimation,yourmarryingearlymaybethesavingofyou.TohaveseenyougrowliketheAdmiralinwordordeed,lookorgesture,wouldhavebrokenmyheart.”
“Well,well,wedonotthinkquitealikehere.TheAdmiralhashisfaults,butheisaverygoodman,andhasbeenmorethanafathertome.Fewfatherswouldhaveletmehavemyownwayhalfsomuch.YoumustnotprejudiceFannyagainsthim.Imusthavethemloveoneanother.”
Maryrefrainedfromsayingwhatshefelt,thattherecouldnotbetwopersonsinexistencewhosecharactersandmannerswerelessaccordant:timewoulddiscoverittohimbutshecouldnothelpthisreflectionontheAdmiral.“Henry,IthinksohighlyofFannyPrice,thatifIcouldsupposethenextMrs.Crawfordwouldhavehalfthereasonwhichmypoorill-usedaunthadtoabhortheveryname,Iwouldpreventthemarriage,ifpossiblebutIknowyou:Iknowthatawifeyoulovedwouldbethehappiestofwomen,andthatevenwhenyouceasedtolove,shewouldyetfindinyoutheliberalityandgood-breedingofagentleman.”
Theimpossibilityofnotdoingeveryth
