CHAPTER XLIII

nt,as,withagoodclearunderstanding,madeheramostattentive,profitable,thankfulpupil.Fannywasheroracle.Fanny’sexplanationsandremarkswereamostimportantadditiontoeveryessay,oreverychapterofhistory.WhatFannytoldherofformertimesdweltmoreonhermindthanthepagesofGoldsmithandshepaidhersisterthecomplimentofpreferringherstyletothatofanyprintedauthor.Theearlyhabitofreadingwaswanting. Theirconversations,however,werenotalwaysonsubjectssohighashistoryormorals.Othershadtheirhourandoflessermatters,nonereturnedsooften,orremainedsolongbetweenthem,asMansfieldPark,adescriptionofthepeople,themanners,theamusements,thewaysofMansfieldPark.Susan,whohadaninnatetasteforthegenteelandwell-appointed,waseagertohear,andFannycouldnotbutindulgeherselfindwellingonsobelovedatheme.Shehopeditwasnotwrongthough,afteratime,Susan’sverygreatadmirationofeverythingsaidordoneinheruncle’shouse,andearnestlongingtogointoNorthamptonshire,seemedalmosttoblameherforexcitingfeelingswhichcouldnotbegratified. PoorSusanwasverylittlebetterfittedforhomethanhereldersisterandasFannygrewthoroughlytounderstandthis,shebegantofeelthatwhenherownreleasefromPortsmouthcame,herhappinesswouldhaveamaterialdrawbackinleavingSusanbehind.Thatagirlsocapableofbeingmadeeverythinggoodshouldbeleftinsuchhands,distressedhermoreandmore.Wereshelikelytohaveahometoinviteherto,whatablessingitwouldbe!AndhaditbeenpossibleforhertoreturnMr.Crawford’sregard,theprobabilityofhisbeingveryfarfromobjectingtosuchameasurewouldhavebeenthegreatestincreaseofallherowncomforts.Shethoughthewasreallygood-tempered,andcouldfancyhisenteringintoaplanofthatsortmostpleasantly.