Maria was in a good deal of agitationIt was of the utmost consequence
to her that Crawford should now lose no time in declaring
himself, and she was disturbed that even a day should be gone by
without seeming to advance that pointShe had been expecting to
see him the whole morning, and all the evening, too, was still expecting
himRushworth had set off early with the great news
for Sotherton; and she had fondly hoped for such an immediate
eclaircissement as might save him the trouble of ever coming back
againBut they had seen no one from the Parsonage, not a creature,
and had heard no tidings beyond a friendly note of congratulation
and inquiry from MrsGrant to Lady BertramIt was the first day
for many, many weeks, in which the families had been wholly divided
Four-and-twenty hours had never passed before, since August
began, without bringing them together in some way or other
It was a sad, anxious day; and the morrow, though differing in the
sort of evil, did by no means bring lessA few moments of feverish
enjoyment were followed by hours of acute sufferingHenry
Crawford was again in the house: he walked up with DrGrant,
who was anxious to pay his respects to Sir Thomas, and at rather an
early hour they were ushered into the breakfast-room, where were
most of the familySir http://www.naluxury.com/categorys_2_Gucci-Purse_1.html" target="_blank Thomas soon appeared, and Maria saw with
delight and agitation the introduction of the man she loved to her
fatherHer sensations were indefinable, and so were they a few minutes
afterwards upon hearing Henry Crawford, who had a chair
between herself and Tom, ask the latter in an undervoice whether
there were any plans for resuming the play after the present happy
interruption (with a courteous glance at Sir Thomas), because, in
that case, he should make a point of returning to Mansfield at any
168
Mansfield Park
time required by the party: he was going away immediately, being
to meet his uncle at Bath without delay; but if there were any prospect
of a renewal of Lovers? Vows, he should hold himself positively
engaged, he should break through every other claim, he should absolutely
condition with his uncle for attending them whenever he
might be wantedThe play should not be lost by his absence
?From Bath, Norfolk, London, York, wherever I may be,? said he;
?I will attend you from any place in England, at an hour?s notice
It was well at that moment that Tom had to speak, and not his
sisterHe could immediately say with easy fluency, ?I am sorry you
are going; but as to our play, that is all over?entirely at an end?
(looking significantly at his father)?The painter was sent off http://www.naluxury.com/categorys_29_My-Choice-Ladies_1.html" target="_blank yesterday,
and very little will remain of the theatre to-morrowI knew
how that would be from the firstYou will find
nobody there
?It is about my uncle?s usual time
?When do you think of going??
?I may, perhaps, get as far as Banbury to-day
?Whose stables do you use at Bath?? was the next question; and while
this branch of the subject was under discussion, Maria, who wanted
neither pride nor resolution, was preparing to encounter her share of it
with tolerable calmness
To her he soon turned, repeating much of what he had already
said, with only a softened air and stronger expressions of regretBut
what availed his expressions or his air? He was going, and, if not
voluntarily going, voluntarily intending to stay away; for, excepting
what might be due to his uncle, his engagements were all self-imposed
He might talk of necessity, but she knew his independence
The hand which had so pressed hers to his heart! the hand and the
heart were alike motionless and passive now! Her spirit supported
her, but the agony of her mind was severeShe had not long to
endure what arose from listening to language which his actions contradicted,
or to bury the tumult of her feelings under the restraint of
society; for general civilities soon called his notice from her, and the
farewell visit, as it then became http://www.irluxury.com/scategory_11_Prada.html" target="_blank openly acknowledged, was a very
short oneHe was gone?he had touched her hand for the last time,
he had made his parting bow, and she might seek directly all that
169
Jane Austen
solitude could do for herHenry Crawford was gone, gone from the
house, and within two hours afterwards from the parish; and so
ended all the hopes his selfish vanity had raised in Maria and Julia
Bertram
Julia could rejoice that he was goneHis presence was beginning
to be odious to her; and if Maria gained him not, she was now cool
enough to dispense with any other revengeShe did not want exposure
to be added to desertionHenry Crawford gone, she could
even pity her sister
With a purer spirit did Fanny rejoice in the intelligenceShe heard
it at dinner, and felt it a blessingBy all the others it was mentioned
with regret; and his merits honoured with due gradation of feeling?
from the sincerity of Edmund?s too partial regard, to the unconcern
of his mother speaking entirely by roteNorris began
to look about her, and wonder that his falling in love with Julia had
come to nothing; and could almost fear that she had been remiss
herself in forwarding it; but with so many to care for, how was it
possible for even her activity to keep pace with her wishes?
Another day or two, and MrYates was gone likewiseIn http://www.ualuxury.com/category_27_Chanel-Watches_1.html" target="_blank his departure
Sir Thomas felt the chief interest: wanting to be alone with
his family, the presence of a stranger superior to MrYates must
have been irksome; but of him, trifling and confident, idle and expensive,
it was every way vexatiousIn himself he was wearisome,
but as the friend of Tom and the admirer of Julia he became offensive
Sir Thomas had been quite indifferent to MrCrawford?s going
or staying: but his good wishes for MrYates?s having a pleasant
journey, as he walked with him to the hall-door, were given with
genuine satisfactionYates had staid to see the destruction of
every theatrical preparation at Mansfield, the removal of everything
appertaining to the play: he left the house in all the soberness of its
general character; and Sir Thomas hoped, in seeing him out of it, to
be rid of the worst object connected with the scheme, and the last
that must be inevitably reminding him of its existenceNorris contrived to remove one article from his sight that might
have distressed himThe curtain, over which she had presided with
such talent and such success, went off with her to her cottage, where
she happened to be particularly in want of green baize
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Mansfield Park
CHAPTER XXI
SIR THOMAS?S RETURN made a striking change in the ways of the
family, independent of Lovers? http://www.culuxury.com/categorys_89_Coco-Chanel-Jumbo-Flap-Bag_1.html" target="_blank