October 23, 2025 • 11 mins
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Speaker 1 (00:00):
Chapter forty two. The Prices were just setting off for
church the next day when mister Crawford appeared again. He
came not to stop, but to join them. He was
asked to go with them to the Garrison Chapel, which
was exactly what he had intended, and they all walked
thither together. The family were now seen to advantage. Nature
(00:21):
had given them no inconsiderable share of beauty, and every
Sunday dressed them in their cleanest skins and best attire.
Sunday always brought this comfort to Fanny, and on this
Sunday she felt it more than ever. Her poor mother
now did not look so very unworthy of being Lady
Bertram's sister as she was but too apt to look.
(00:42):
It often grieved her to the heart to think of
the contrast between them, to think that, when nature had
made so little difference, circumstances should have made so much,
and that her mother, as handsome as Lady Bertram, and
some years her junior, should have an appearance so much
more worn and faded, so comfortless, so slatternly, so shabby.
(01:03):
But Sunday made her a very creditable and tolerably cheerful
looking Missus Price coming abroad with a fine family of children,
feeling a little respite of her weekly cares, and only
discomposed if she saw her boys run into danger or
Rebecca pass by with a flower in her hat. In Chapel,
they were obliged to divide, but mister Crawford took care
(01:24):
not to be divided from the female branch, and after
Chapel he still continued with them and made one in
the family party on the ramparts. Missus Price took her
weekly walk on the Ramparts every fine Sunday throughout the year,
always going directly after morning service and staying till dinner time.
It was her public place. There she met her acquaintance,
(01:45):
heard a little news, talked over the badness of the
Portsmouth servants, and wound up her spirits for the six days.
Ensuing thither they now went. Mister Crawford most happy to
consider the miss Prices as his particular charge, and before
they had been there long somehow or other, there was
no saying how. Fanny could not have believed it, but
he was walking between them with an arm of each
(02:07):
under his, and she did not know how to prevent
or put an end to it. It made her uncomfortable
for a time, But yet there were enjoyments in the
day and in the view which would be felt. The
day was uncommonly lovely. It was really March, but it
was April in its mild air, brisk, soft wind and
bright sun occasionally clouded for a minute, and everything looked
(02:29):
so beautiful under the influence of such a sky. The
effects of the shadows pursuing each other on the ships
at Spithead and the island beyond, with the ever varying
hues of the sea now at high water, dancing in
its glee, and dashing against the ramparts with so fine
a sound, produced altogether such a combination of charms for
Fanny as made her gradually almost careless of the circumstances
(02:52):
under which she felt them. Nay, had she been without
his arm, she would soon have known that she needed it,
for she wanted strength for a two hours so daunter
of this kind, coming as it generally did, upon a
week's previous inactivity, Fanny was beginning to feel the effect
of being debarred from her usual regular exercise. She had
lost ground as to health since her being in Portsmouth,
(03:14):
and but for mister Crawford, and the beauty of the
weather would soon have been knocked up now the loveliness
of the day and of the view he felt like herself.
They often stopped with the same sentiment and taste, leaning
against the wall some minutes to look and admire, and,
considering he was not edmund Fanny could not but allow
that he was sufficiently open to the charms of nature,
(03:36):
and very well able to express his admiration. She had
a few tender reveries now and then which she could
sometimes take advantage of to look in her face without detection,
and the result of these looks was that, though as
bewitching as ever, her face was less blooming than it
ought to be. She said she was very well and
did not like to be supposed otherwise. But take it
(03:57):
all in all, he was convinced that her her present
residence could not be comfortable, and therefore could not be
salutary for her, and he was growing anxious for her
being again at Mansfield, where her own happiness and his
in seeing her must be so much greater. You have
been here a month, I think, said he No, not
quite a month. It is only four weeks to morrow,
(04:19):
since I left Mansfield. You are a most accurate and
honest reckoner. I should call that a month. I did
not arrive here till Tuesday evening. And it is to
be a two month's visit, is not it? Yes, my
uncle talked of two months. I suppose it will not
be less. And how are you to be conveyed back again?
Who comes for you? I do not know. I have
(04:40):
heard nothing about it yet from my aunt. Perhaps I
may be to stay longer. It may not be convenient
for me to be fetched exactly at the two months end.
After a moment's reflection, mister Crawford replied, I know Mansfield.
I know its way, I know its fault towards you.
I know the danger of your being so far forgotten
as to have your comforts get way to the imaginary
(05:01):
convenience of any single being in the family. I am
aware that you may be left here week after week
if Sir Thomas cannot settle everything for coming himself or
sending your aunt's made for you without involving the slightest
alteration of the arrangements which he may have laid down
for the next quarter of a year. This will not do.
Two months is an ample allowance, I should think six
weeks quite enough. I am considering your sister's health, said
(05:24):
he addressing himself to Susan, which I think the confinement
of Portsmouth unfavorable to She requires constant aare and exercise.
When you know her as well as I do, I
am sure you will agree that she does, and that
she ought never to be long banished from the free
air and liberty of the country. If, therefore, turning again
to Fanny, you find yourself growing unwell, and any difficulties
(05:45):
arise about your returning to Mansfield without waiting for the
two months to be ended, that must not be regarded
as of any consequence. If you feel yourself at all
less strong or comfortable than usual, and will only let
my sister know it, give her only the slightest hint
she and I will immediately come down and take you
back to Mansfield. You know the ease and the pleasure
with which this would be done, You know all that
(06:07):
would be felt on the occasion. Fanny thanked him, but
tried to laugh it off. I am perfectly serious, he replied,
as you perfectly know, and I hope you will not
be cruelly concealing any tendency to indisposition. Indeed, you shall not.
It shall not be in your power for so long
only as you positively say in every letter to Mary,
I am well, and I know you cannot speak or
(06:29):
write a falsehood. So long only shall you be considered
as well. Fanny thanked him again, but was affected and
distressed to a degree that made it impossible for her
to say much, or even to be certain of what
she ought to say. This was towards the close of
their walk. He attended them to the last, and left
them only at the door of their own house, when
he knew them to be going to dinner, and therefore
(06:51):
pretended to be waited for elsewhere. I wish you were
not so tired, said he still detaining Fanny, after all
the others were in the house. I will wish I
left you in stronger health. Is there anything I can
do for you in town? I have half an idea
of going into Norfolk again soon. I am not satisfied
about Madison. I am sure he still means to impose
on me, if possible, and get a cousin of his
(07:12):
own into a certain mill which I design for somebody else.
I must come to an understanding with him. I must
make him know that I will not be tricked on
the south side of Everingham any more than on the north,
that I will be master of my own property. I
was not explicit enough with him before the mischief. Such
a man does on on estate, both as to the
credit of his employer and the welfare of the poor,
(07:33):
is inconceivable. I have a great mind to go back
into Norfolk directly and put everything at once on such
a footing as cannot be afterwards served from Madison is
a clever fellow. I do not wish to displace him,
provided he does not try to displace me. But it
would be simple to be duped by a man who
has no right of creditor to dupe me, and worse
than simple to let him give me a hard hearted,
(07:55):
gripe being fellow for a tenant instead of an honest
man to whom I have given half a promise. Or
would not it be worse than simple? Shall I go?
Do you advise it? I advise you know very well
what is right? Yes, when you give me your opinion,
I always know what is right. Your judgment does my
rule of right? Oh? No, do not say so. We
have all a better guide in ourselves, if we would
(08:17):
attend to it, than any other person can be. Good Bye.
I wish you a pleasant journey to morrow. Is there
nothing I can do for you in town? Nothing I
am much obliged to you? Have you no message for anybody?
My love to your sister, if you please, And when
you see my cousin, my cousin Edmund, I wish you
would be so good as to say that. I suppose
(08:37):
I shall soon hear from him, certainly, and if he
is lazy or negligent, I will write his excuses myself.
He could say no more, for Fanny would be no
longer detained. He pressed her hand, looked at her, and
was gone. He went to while away the next three
hours as he could with his other acquaintance, till the
best dinner that a capital inn afforded was ready for
(08:58):
their enjoyment, and she turned into her more simple one immediately.
Their general fare bore a very different character. And could
he have suspected how many privations besides that of exercise
she endured in her father's house, He would have wondered
that her looks were not much more affected than he
found them. She was so little equal to Rebecca's puddings,
(09:19):
and Rebecca's hashes, brought to table as they all were,
with such accompaniments of half cleaned plates and not half
cleaned knives and forks, that she was very often constrained
to defer her heartiest meal till she could send her
brothers in the evening for biscuits and buns. After being
nursed up at Mansfield, it was too late in the
day to be hardened at Portsmouth, and though Sir Thomas,
(09:41):
had he known all, might have thought his niece in
the most promising way of being starved both mind and body,
into a much juster value for mister Crawford's good company
and good fortune, he would probably have feared to PUSH's
experiment farther, lest she might die under the cure. Fanny
was out of spirits all the rest of the day.
Though tolerably secure of not seeing mister Crawford again, she
(10:03):
could not help being low. It was parting with somebody
of the nature of a friend, and though in one
light glad to have him gone, it seemed as if
she was now deserted by everybody. It was a sort
of renewed separation from Mansfield, and she could not think
of his returning to town and being frequently with Mary
and Edmund without feeling so near akin to envy as
(10:25):
made her hate herself for having them. Her dejection had
no abatement from anything passing around her. A friend or
two of her father's, as always happened if he was
not with them, spent the long long evening there, and
from six o'clock to half past nine there was little
intermission of noise or grog. She was very low. The
wonderful improvement which she still fancied in mister Crawford was
(10:48):
the nearest to administering comfort of anything within the current
of her thoughts, not considering in how different a circle
she had been just seeing him, nor how much might
be owing to contrast, she was quite persuaded of his
being astonishingly more gentle and regardful of others than formerly,
And if in little things must it not be so ingreat,
(11:09):
so anxious for her health and comfort, so very feeling
as he now expressed himself and really seemed, might not
it be fairly supposed that he would not much longer
persevere in a suit so distressing to her. End of
Chapter forty two,
Chapter forty two. The Prices were just setting off for
church the next day when mister Crawford appeared again. He
came not to stop, but to join them. He was
asked to go with them to the Garrison Chapel, which
was exactly what he had intended, and they all walked
thither together. The family were now seen to advantage. Nature
(00:21):
had given them no inconsiderable share of beauty, and every
Sunday dressed them in their cleanest skins and best attire.
Sunday always brought this comfort to Fanny, and on this
Sunday she felt it more than ever. Her poor mother
now did not look so very unworthy of being Lady
Bertram's sister as she was but too apt to look.
(00:42):
It often grieved her to the heart to think of
the contrast between them, to think that, when nature had
made so little difference, circumstances should have made so much,
and that her mother, as handsome as Lady Bertram, and
some years her junior, should have an appearance so much
more worn and faded, so comfortless, so slatternly, so shabby.
(01:03):
But Sunday made her a very creditable and tolerably cheerful
looking Missus Price coming abroad with a fine family of children,
feeling a little respite of her weekly cares, and only
discomposed if she saw her boys run into danger or
Rebecca pass by with a flower in her hat. In Chapel,
they were obliged to divide, but mister Crawford took care
(01:24):
not to be divided from the female branch, and after
Chapel he still continued with them and made one in
the family party on the ramparts. Missus Price took her
weekly walk on the Ramparts every fine Sunday throughout the year,
always going directly after morning service and staying till dinner time.
It was her public place. There she met her acquaintance,
(01:45):
heard a little news, talked over the badness of the
Portsmouth servants, and wound up her spirits for the six days.
Ensuing thither they now went. Mister Crawford most happy to
consider the miss Prices as his particular charge, and before
they had been there long somehow or other, there was
no saying how. Fanny could not have believed it, but
he was walking between them with an arm of each
(02:07):
under his, and she did not know how to prevent
or put an end to it. It made her uncomfortable
for a time, But yet there were enjoyments in the
day and in the view which would be felt. The
day was uncommonly lovely. It was really March, but it
was April in its mild air, brisk, soft wind and
bright sun occasionally clouded for a minute, and everything looked
(02:29):
so beautiful under the influence of such a sky. The
effects of the shadows pursuing each other on the ships
at Spithead and the island beyond, with the ever varying
hues of the sea now at high water, dancing in
its glee, and dashing against the ramparts with so fine
a sound, produced altogether such a combination of charms for
Fanny as made her gradually almost careless of the circumstances
(02:52):
under which she felt them. Nay, had she been without
his arm, she would soon have known that she needed it,
for she wanted strength for a two hours so daunter
of this kind, coming as it generally did, upon a
week's previous inactivity, Fanny was beginning to feel the effect
of being debarred from her usual regular exercise. She had
lost ground as to health since her being in Portsmouth,
(03:14):
and but for mister Crawford, and the beauty of the
weather would soon have been knocked up now the loveliness
of the day and of the view he felt like herself.
They often stopped with the same sentiment and taste, leaning
against the wall some minutes to look and admire, and,
considering he was not edmund Fanny could not but allow
that he was sufficiently open to the charms of nature,
(03:36):
and very well able to express his admiration. She had
a few tender reveries now and then which she could
sometimes take advantage of to look in her face without detection,
and the result of these looks was that, though as
bewitching as ever, her face was less blooming than it
ought to be. She said she was very well and
did not like to be supposed otherwise. But take it
(03:57):
all in all, he was convinced that her her present
residence could not be comfortable, and therefore could not be
salutary for her, and he was growing anxious for her
being again at Mansfield, where her own happiness and his
in seeing her must be so much greater. You have
been here a month, I think, said he No, not
quite a month. It is only four weeks to morrow,
(04:19):
since I left Mansfield. You are a most accurate and
honest reckoner. I should call that a month. I did
not arrive here till Tuesday evening. And it is to
be a two month's visit, is not it? Yes, my
uncle talked of two months. I suppose it will not
be less. And how are you to be conveyed back again?
Who comes for you? I do not know. I have
(04:40):
heard nothing about it yet from my aunt. Perhaps I
may be to stay longer. It may not be convenient
for me to be fetched exactly at the two months end.
After a moment's reflection, mister Crawford replied, I know Mansfield.
I know its way, I know its fault towards you.
I know the danger of your being so far forgotten
as to have your comforts get way to the imaginary
(05:01):
convenience of any single being in the family. I am
aware that you may be left here week after week
if Sir Thomas cannot settle everything for coming himself or
sending your aunt's made for you without involving the slightest
alteration of the arrangements which he may have laid down
for the next quarter of a year. This will not do.
Two months is an ample allowance, I should think six
weeks quite enough. I am considering your sister's health, said
(05:24):
he addressing himself to Susan, which I think the confinement
of Portsmouth unfavorable to She requires constant aare and exercise.
When you know her as well as I do, I
am sure you will agree that she does, and that
she ought never to be long banished from the free
air and liberty of the country. If, therefore, turning again
to Fanny, you find yourself growing unwell, and any difficulties
(05:45):
arise about your returning to Mansfield without waiting for the
two months to be ended, that must not be regarded
as of any consequence. If you feel yourself at all
less strong or comfortable than usual, and will only let
my sister know it, give her only the slightest hint
she and I will immediately come down and take you
back to Mansfield. You know the ease and the pleasure
with which this would be done, You know all that
(06:07):
would be felt on the occasion. Fanny thanked him, but
tried to laugh it off. I am perfectly serious, he replied,
as you perfectly know, and I hope you will not
be cruelly concealing any tendency to indisposition. Indeed, you shall not.
It shall not be in your power for so long
only as you positively say in every letter to Mary,
I am well, and I know you cannot speak or
(06:29):
write a falsehood. So long only shall you be considered
as well. Fanny thanked him again, but was affected and
distressed to a degree that made it impossible for her
to say much, or even to be certain of what
she ought to say. This was towards the close of
their walk. He attended them to the last, and left
them only at the door of their own house, when
he knew them to be going to dinner, and therefore
(06:51):
pretended to be waited for elsewhere. I wish you were
not so tired, said he still detaining Fanny, after all
the others were in the house. I will wish I
left you in stronger health. Is there anything I can
do for you in town? I have half an idea
of going into Norfolk again soon. I am not satisfied
about Madison. I am sure he still means to impose
on me, if possible, and get a cousin of his
(07:12):
own into a certain mill which I design for somebody else.
I must come to an understanding with him. I must
make him know that I will not be tricked on
the south side of Everingham any more than on the north,
that I will be master of my own property. I
was not explicit enough with him before the mischief. Such
a man does on on estate, both as to the
credit of his employer and the welfare of the poor,
(07:33):
is inconceivable. I have a great mind to go back
into Norfolk directly and put everything at once on such
a footing as cannot be afterwards served from Madison is
a clever fellow. I do not wish to displace him,
provided he does not try to displace me. But it
would be simple to be duped by a man who
has no right of creditor to dupe me, and worse
than simple to let him give me a hard hearted,
(07:55):
gripe being fellow for a tenant instead of an honest
man to whom I have given half a promise. Or
would not it be worse than simple? Shall I go?
Do you advise it? I advise you know very well
what is right? Yes, when you give me your opinion,
I always know what is right. Your judgment does my
rule of right? Oh? No, do not say so. We
have all a better guide in ourselves, if we would
(08:17):
attend to it, than any other person can be. Good Bye.
I wish you a pleasant journey to morrow. Is there
nothing I can do for you in town? Nothing I
am much obliged to you? Have you no message for anybody?
My love to your sister, if you please, And when
you see my cousin, my cousin Edmund, I wish you
would be so good as to say that. I suppose
(08:37):
I shall soon hear from him, certainly, and if he
is lazy or negligent, I will write his excuses myself.
He could say no more, for Fanny would be no
longer detained. He pressed her hand, looked at her, and
was gone. He went to while away the next three
hours as he could with his other acquaintance, till the
best dinner that a capital inn afforded was ready for
(08:58):
their enjoyment, and she turned into her more simple one immediately.
Their general fare bore a very different character. And could
he have suspected how many privations besides that of exercise
she endured in her father's house, He would have wondered
that her looks were not much more affected than he
found them. She was so little equal to Rebecca's puddings,
(09:19):
and Rebecca's hashes, brought to table as they all were,
with such accompaniments of half cleaned plates and not half
cleaned knives and forks, that she was very often constrained
to defer her heartiest meal till she could send her
brothers in the evening for biscuits and buns. After being
nursed up at Mansfield, it was too late in the
day to be hardened at Portsmouth, and though Sir Thomas,
(09:41):
had he known all, might have thought his niece in
the most promising way of being starved both mind and body,
into a much juster value for mister Crawford's good company
and good fortune, he would probably have feared to PUSH's
experiment farther, lest she might die under the cure. Fanny
was out of spirits all the rest of the day.
Though tolerably secure of not seeing mister Crawford again, she
(10:03):
could not help being low. It was parting with somebody
of the nature of a friend, and though in one
light glad to have him gone, it seemed as if
she was now deserted by everybody. It was a sort
of renewed separation from Mansfield, and she could not think
of his returning to town and being frequently with Mary
and Edmund without feeling so near akin to envy as
(10:25):
made her hate herself for having them. Her dejection had
no abatement from anything passing around her. A friend or
two of her father's, as always happened if he was
not with them, spent the long long evening there, and
from six o'clock to half past nine there was little
intermission of noise or grog. She was very low. The
wonderful improvement which she still fancied in mister Crawford was
(10:48):
the nearest to administering comfort of anything within the current
of her thoughts, not considering in how different a circle
she had been just seeing him, nor how much might
be owing to contrast, she was quite persuaded of his
being astonishingly more gentle and regardful of others than formerly,
And if in little things must it not be so ingreat,
(11:09):
so anxious for her health and comfort, so very feeling
as he now expressed himself and really seemed, might not
it be fairly supposed that he would not much longer
persevere in a suit so distressing to her. End of
Chapter forty two,
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