Upon the whole, it was
a comfortable winter to her; for though it brought no William to
England, the never-failing hope of his arrival was worth much
The ensuing spring deprived her of her valued friend, the old grey
pony; and for some time she was in danger of feeling the loss in her
health as well as in her affections; for in spite of the acknowledged
importance of her riding on horse-back, no measures were taken for
mounting her again, ?because,? as it was observed by her aunts,
?she might ride one of her cousin?s horses at any time when they did
not want them,? and as the Miss Bertrams regularly wanted their
horses every fine day, and had no idea of carrying their obliging
manners to the sacrifice of any real pleasure, that time, of course,
never cameThey took their cheerful rides in the fine mornings of
April and May; and Fanny either sat at home the whole day with
one aunt, or walked beyond her strength at the instigation of the
31
Jane Austen
other: Lady Bertram holding exercise to be as unnecessary for everybody
as it was unpleasant to herself; and MrsNorris, who was
walking all day, thinking everybody ought to walk as muchEdmund
was absent at this time, or the evil would have been earlier remedied
When he returned, to understand how Fanny was situated,
and perceived its ill effects, there seemed with him but one thing to
be done; and that ?Fanny must have a horse? was the resolute declaration
with which he opposed whatever could be urged by the
supineness of his mother, or the economy of his aunt, to make it
appear unimportantNorris could not help thinking that some
steady old thing might be found among the numbers belonging to
the Park that would do vastly well; or that one might be borrowed
of the steward; or that perhaps DrGrant might now and then lend
them the pony he sent to the postShe could not but consider it as
absolutely unnecessary, and even improper, that http://www.ooluxury.com/category_6_Fendi_1.html" target="_blank Fanny should have
a regular lady?s horse of her own, in the style of her cousinsShe was
sure Sir Thomas had never intended it: and she must say that, to be
making such a purchase in his absence, and adding to the great
expenses of his stable, at a time when a large part of his income was
unsettled, seemed to her very unjustifiable?Fanny must have a
horse,? was Edmund?s only replyNorris could not see it in the
same lightLady Bertram did: she entirely agreed with her son as to
the necessity of it, and as to its being considered necessary by his
father; she only pleaded against there being any hurry; she only
wanted him to wait till Sir Thomas?s return, and then Sir Thomas
might settle it all himselfHe would be at home in September, and
where would be the harm of only waiting till September?
Though Edmund was much more displeased with his aunt than
with his mother, as evincing least regard for her niece, he could not
help paying more attention to what she said; and at length determined
on a method of proceeding which would obviate the risk of
his father?s thinking he had done too much, and at the same time
procure for Fanny the immediate means of exercise, which he could
not bear she should be withoutHe had three horses of his own, but
not one that would carry a womanTwo of them were hunters; the
third, a useful road-horse: this third he resolved to exchange for one
that his cousin might ride; he knew where such a one was to be met
32
Mansfield Park
with; and having once made up his mind, the whole business was
soon completedThe new mare proved a treasure; with a very little
trouble she became exactly calculated for the purpose, and Fanny
was then put in almost full possession of herShe had not supposed
before that anything could ever suit her like the old grey pony; but
her delight in Edmund?s mare was far beyond any former pleasure
of the sort; and the addition it was ever receiving http://www.culuxury.com/scategory_2_Chanel.html" target="_blank in the consideration
of that kindness from which her pleasure sprung, was beyond
all her words to expressShe regarded her cousin as an example of
everything good and great, as possessing worth which no one but
herself could ever appreciate, and as entitled to such gratitude from
her as no feelings could be strong enough to payHer sentiments
towards him were compounded of all that was respectful, grateful,
confiding, and tender
As the horse continued in name, as well as fact, the property of
Edmund, MrsNorris could tolerate its being for Fanny?s use; and
had Lady Bertram ever thought about her own objection again, he
might have been excused in her eyes for not waiting till Sir Thomas?s
return in September, for when September came Sir Thomas was
still abroad, and without any near prospect of finishing his business
Unfavourable circumstances had suddenly arisen at a moment
when he was beginning to turn all his thoughts towards England;
and the very great uncertainty in which everything was then involved
determined him on sending home his son, and waiting the
final arrangement by himself Tom arrived safely, bringing an excellent
account of his father?s health; but to very little purpose, as far as
MrsSir Thomas?s sending away his son
seemed to her so like a parent?s care, under the influence of a foreboding
of evil to himself, that she could not help feeling dreadful
presentiments; and as the long evenings of autumn came on, was so
terribly haunted by these ideas, in the sad solitariness of her cottage,
as to be obliged to take daily refuge in the dining-room of the Park
The return of winter engagements, however, was not without its effect;
and in the course of their progress, her mind became so pleasantly
occupied in superintending the fortunes of her eldest niece, as
tolerably to quiet her nerves?If poor Sir Thomas were fated never to
return, it would be peculiarly consoling to see http://www.ooluxury.com/scategory_21_Tiffany-Jewelry.html" target="_blank their dear Maria well
33
Jane Austen
married,? she very often thought; always when they were in the company
of men of fortune, and particularly on the introduction of a
young man who had recently succeeded to one of the largest estates
and finest places in the countryRushworth was from the first struck with the beauty of Miss
Bertram, and, being inclined to marry, soon fancied himself in love
He was a heavy young man, with not more than common sense;
but as there was nothing disagreeable in his figure or address, the
young lady was well pleased with her conquestBeing now in her
twenty-first year, Maria Bertram was beginning to think matrimony
a duty; and as a marriage with MrRushworth would give her the
enjoyment of a larger income than her father?s, as well as ensure her
the house in town, which was now a prime object, it became, by the
same rule of moral obligation, her evident duty to marry Mr
Rushworth if she couldNorris was most zealous in promoting
the match, by every suggestion and contrivance likely to enhance
its desirableness to either party; and, among other means, by
seeking an intimacy with the gentleman?s mother, who at present
lived with him, and to whom she even forced Lady Bertram to go
through ten miles of indifferent road to pay a morning visitIt was
not long before a good understanding took place between this lady
and herselfRushworth acknowledged herself very desirous
that her son should marry, and declared that of all the young ladies
she had ever seen, Miss Bertram seemed, by her amiable qualities
and accomplishments, the best adapted to make him happy
Norris accepted the compliment, and admired the nice discernment
of character which could so well distinguish meritMaria was indeed
the pride and delight of them all?perfectly faultless?an angel;
and, of course, so surrounded by admirers, must be difficult in
her choice: but yet, as far as MrsNorris could allow http://www.irluxury.com/scategory_2_Chanel.html" target="_blank herself to decide
on so short an acquaintance, MrRushworth appeared precisely
the young man to deserve and attach her
After dancing with each other at a proper number of balls, the
young people justified these opinions, and an engagement, with a
due reference to the absent Sir Thomas, was entered into, much to
the satisfaction of their respective families, and of the general lookers-
on of the neighbourhood, who had, for many weeks past, felt
34
Mansfield Park
the expediency of MrRushworth?s marrying Miss Bertram
It was some months before Sir Thomas?s consent could be received;
but, in the meanwhile, as no one felt a doubt of his most cordial
pleasure in the connexion, the intercourse of the two families was
carried on without restraint, and no other attempt made at secrecy
than MrsNorris?s talking of it everywhere as a matter not to be
talked of at present
Edmund was the only one of the family who could see a fault in
the business; but no representation of his aunt?s could induce him
to find MrRushworth a desirable companionHe could allow his
sister to be the best judge of her own happiness, but he was not
pleased that her happiness should centre in a large income; nor could
he refrain from often saying to himself, in MrRushworth?s company??
If this man had not twelve thousand a year, he would be a
very stupid fellow
Sir Thomas, however, was truly happy in the prospect of an alliance
so unquestionably advantageous, and of which he heard nothing
but the perfectly good and agreeableIt was a connexion exactly
of the right sort?in the same county, and the same interest?and
his most hearty concurrence was conveyed as soon as possibleHe
only conditioned that the marriage should not take place before his
return, which he was again looking eagerly forward toHe wrote in
April, and had strong hopes of settling everything to his entire satisfaction,
and leaving Antigua before the end of the http://www.snluxury.com/categorys_82_Speedmaster_1.html" target="_blank summ