Say no more against it, I entreat youSuch a trifle is not
worth half so many words
Fanny dared not make any farther opposition; and with renewed
but less happy thanks accepted the necklace again, for there was an
expression in Miss Crawford?s eyes which she could not be satisfied
with
It was impossible for her to be insensible of MrCrawford?s change
of mannersHe evidently tried to please her:
he was gallant, he was attentive, he was something like what he had
been to her cousins: he wanted, she supposed, to cheat her of her
tranquillity as he had cheated them; and whether he might not have
some concern in this necklace?she could not be convinced that he
had not, for Miss Crawford, complaisant as a sister, was careless as a
woman and a friend
Reflecting and doubting, and feeling that the possession of what she
had so much wished for did not bring much satisfaction, she now walked
home again, with a change rather than a diminution of cares since her
treading that path before
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CHAPTER XXVII
ON REACHING HOME Fanny went immediately upstairs to deposit
this unexpected acquisition, this doubtful good of a necklace, in
some favourite box in the East room, which held all her smaller
treasures; but on opening the door, what was her surprise to find
her cousin Edmund there writing at the table! Such a sight having
never occurred before, was almost as wonderful as it was welcome
?Fanny,? said he directly, leaving his seat and his pen, and meeting
her with something in his hand, ?I beg your pardon for being
hereI came to look for you, and http://www.ttluxury.com/categorys_28_Aqua-Terra-_1.html" target="_blank after waiting a little while in hope
of your coming in, was making use of your inkstand to explain my
errandYou will find the beginning of a note to yourself; but I can
now speak my business, which is merely to beg your acceptance of
this little trifle?a chain for William?s crossYou ought to have had
it a week ago, but there has been a delay from my brother?s not
being in town by several days so soon as I expected; and I have only
just now received it at NorthamptonI hope you will like the chain
itself, FannyI endeavoured to consult the simplicity of your taste;
but, at any rate, I know you will be kind to my intentions, and
consider it, as it really is, a token of the love of one of your oldest
friends
And so saying, he was hurrying away, before Fanny, overpowered by
a thousand feelings of pain and pleasure, could attempt to speak; but
quickened by one sovereign wish, she then called out, ?Oh! cousin,
stop a moment, pray stop!?
He turned back
?I cannot attempt to thank you,? she continued, in a very agitated
manner; ?thanks are out of the questionI feel much more
than I can possibly expressYour goodness in thinking of me in
such a way is beyond??
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Jane Austen
?If that is all you have to say, Fanny? smiling and turning away
againI want to consult you
Almost unconsciously she had now undone the parcel he had just
put into her hand, and seeing before her, in all the niceness of jewellers?
packing, a plain gold chain, perfectly simple and neat, she
could not help bursting forth again, ?Oh, this is beautiful indeed!
This is the very thing, http://www.ttluxury.com/scategory_26_Chanel-Jewelry.html" target="_blank precisely what I wished for! This is the only
ornament I have ever had a desire to possessIt will exactly suit my
crossThey must and shall be worn togetherIt comes, too, in such
an acceptable momentOh, cousin, you do not know how acceptable
it is
?My dear Fanny, you feel these things a great deal too muchI am
most happy that you like the chain, and that it should be here in
time for to-morrow; but your thanks are far beyond the occasion
Believe me, I have no pleasure in the world superior to that of contributing
to yoursNo, I can safely say, I have no pleasure so complete,
so unalloyedIt is without a drawback
Upon such expressions of affection Fanny could have lived an
hour without saying another word; but Edmund, after waiting a
moment, obliged her to bring down her mind from its heavenly
flight by saying, ?But what is it that you want to consult me about??
It was about the necklace, which she was now most earnestly longing
to return, and hoped to obtain his approbation of her doing
She gave the history of her recent visit, and now her raptures might
well be over; for Edmund was so struck with the circumstance, so
delighted with what Miss Crawford had done, so gratified by such a
coincidence of conduct between them, that Fanny could not but
admit the superior power of one pleasure over his own mind, though
it might have its drawbackIt was some time before she could get
his attention to her plan, or any answer to her demand of his opinion:
he was in a reverie of fond reflection, uttering only now and
then a few half-sentences of praise; but when he did http://www.ttluxury.com/categorys_3_Monogram-Canvas_1.html" target="_blank awake and
understand, he was very decided in opposing what she wished
?Return the necklace! No, my dear Fanny, upon no accountIt
would be mortifying her severelyThere can hardly be a more unpleasant
sensation than the having anything returned on our hands
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Mansfield Park
which we have given with a reasonable hope of its contributing to
the comfort of a friendWhy should she lose a pleasure which she
has shewn herself so deserving of??
?If it had been given to me in the first instance,? said Fanny, ?I
should not have thought of returning it; but being her brother?s
present, is not it fair to suppose that she would rather not part with
it, when it is not wanted??
?She must not suppose it not wanted, not acceptable, at least: and
its having been originally her brother?s gift makes no difference; for
as she was not prevented from offering, nor you from taking it on
that account, it ought not to prevent you from keeping itNo doubt
it is handsomer than mine, and fitter for a ballroom
?No, it is not handsomer, not at all handsomer in its way, and, for
my purpose, not half so fitThe chain will agree with William?s
cross beyond all comparison better than the necklace
?For one night, Fanny, for only one night, if it be a sacrifice; I am
sure you will, upon consideration, make that sacrifice rather than
give pain to one who has been so studious of your comfortMiss
Crawford?s attentions to you have been?not more than you were
justly entitled to?I am the last person to think that could be, but
they have been invariable; and to be returning them with what http://www.ttluxury.com/scategory_28_Omega-Watches.html" target="_blank must
have something the air of ingratitude, though I know it could never
have the meaning, is not in your nature, I am sureWear the necklace,
as you are engaged to do, to-morrow evening, and let the chain,
which was not ordered with any reference to the ball, be kept for
commoner occasionsI would not have the shadow
of a coolness between the two whose intimacy I have been observing
with the greatest pleasure, and in whose characters there is so
much general resemblance in true generosity and natural delicacy as
to make the few slight differences, resulting principally from situation,
no reasonable hindrance to a perfect friendshipI would not
have the shadow of a coolness arise,? he repeated, his voice sinking
a little, ?between the two dearest objects I have on earth
He was gone as he spoke; and Fanny remained to tranquillise herself
as she couldShe was one of his two dearest?that must support
herBut the other: the first! She had never heard him speak so openly
before, and though it told her no more than what she had long
229
Jane Austen
perceived, it was a stab, for it told of his own convictions and viewsHe would marry Miss CrawfordIt was a stab, in
spite of every long-standing expectation; and she was obliged to repeat
again and again, that she was one of his two dearest, before the
words gave her any sensationCould she believe Miss Crawford to
deserve him, it would be?oh, how different would it be?how far
more tolerable! But he was deceived in her: he gave her merits which
she had not; her faults were what they had ever been, but he saw them
no http://www.ttluxury.com/scategory_28_Omega-Watches.html" target="_blank lon