CHAPTER XXX

ingintheworldtomakeFannyPricehappy,orofceasingtoloveFannyPrice,wasofcoursethegroundworkofhiseloquentanswer. “Hadyouseenherthismorning,Mary,”hecontinued,“attendingwithsuchineffablesweetnessandpatiencetoallthedemandsofheraunt’sstupidity,workingwithher,andforher,hercolourbeautifullyheightenedassheleantoverthework,thenreturningtoherseattofinishanotewhichshewaspreviouslyengagedinwritingforthatstupidwoman’sservice,andallthiswithsuchunpretendinggentleness,somuchasifitwereamatterofcoursethatshewasnottohaveamomentatherowncommand,herhairarrangedasneatlyasitalwaysis,andonelittlecurlfallingforwardasshewrote,whichshenowandthenshookback,andinthemidstofallthis,stillspeakingatintervalstome,orlistening,andasifshelikedtolisten,towhatIsaid.Hadyouseenherso,Mary,youwouldnothaveimpliedthepossibilityofherpowerovermyhearteverceasing.” “MydearestHenry,”criedMary,stoppingshort,andsmilinginhisface,“howgladIamtoseeyousomuchinlove!Itquitedelightsme.ButwhatwillMrs.RushworthandJuliasay?” “Icareneitherwhattheysaynorwhattheyfeel.Theywillnowseewhatsortofwomanitisthatcanattachme,thatcanattachamanofsense.Iwishthediscoverymaydothemanygood.Andtheywillnowseetheircousintreatedassheoughttobe,andIwishtheymaybeheartilyashamedoftheirownabominableneglectandunkindness.Theywillbeangry,”headded,afteramoment’ssilence,andinacoolertone“Mrs.Rushworthwillbeveryangry.Itwillbeabitterpilltoherthatis,likeotherbitterpills,itwillhavetwomoments’illflavour,andthenbeswallowedandforgottenforIamnotsuchacoxcombastosupposeherfeelingsmorelastingthanotherwomen’s,thoughIwastheobjectofthem.Yes,Mary,myFannywillfeeladifferenceindeed:adaily,hourlydifference,inthebehaviourofeverybeingwhoapproachesheranditwillbethecompletionofmyhappinesstoknowthatIamthedoerofit,thatIamthepersontogivetheconsequencesojustlyherdue.Nowsheisdependent,helpless,friendless,neglected,forgotten.” “Nay,Henry,notbyallnotforgottenbyallnotfriendlessorforgotten.HercousinEdmundneverforgetsher.” “Edmund!True,Ibelieveheis,generallyspeaking,kindtoher,andsoisSirThomasinhiswaybutitisthewayofarich,superior,long-worded,arbitraryuncle.WhatcanSirThomasandEdmundtogetherdo,whatdotheydoforherhappiness,comfort,honour,anddignityintheworld,towhatIshalldo?”