The first use she made of her solitude was to take up the volume left on the table, and begin to acquaint herself with the play of which she had heard so much. Her curiosity was awake, and she ran through it with an eagerness, then astonishment, that it could be chosen and performed in a private theatre! Agatha and Amelia appeared to her in their different ways so totally improper—so unfit to be played by any woman of modesty—that she could hardly suppose her cousins were aware of what they were engaging in. Edmund would certainly protest this!

Chapter XV

Miss Crawford accepted her part very readily. And soon after Miss Bertram’s return from the Parsonage, Mr. Rushworth arrived, and another character was consequently cast.

Not quite Caliban—he had the offer of Count Cassel and Anhalt, and at first did not know which to chuse, and wanted Miss Bertram to direct him. But upon being made to understand Anhalt a very stupid fellow, he soon decided for the Count.

Miss Bertram approved the decision, for the less he had to learn the better. She very kindly took his part in hand, and shortened every speech possible; besides pointing out the necessity of his being splendidly dressed, and chusing his colours. Mr. Rushworth liked the idea of his finery very well, though affecting to despise it.

Thus much was settled before Edmund, who had been out all the morning, knew anything of the matter. When he entered the drawing-room before dinner, the buzz of discussion was high and Mr. Rushworth stepped forward to tell him the agreeable news.

“We have got a play,” said he. “It is to be Lovers’ Vows; and I am to be Count Cassel, and am to come in first with a blue dress and a pink satin cloak, and afterwards am to have another fine fancy suit, by way of a shooting-dress. Grrrowwr! Ayeee! Ahem! I do not know how I shall like it.”

Fanny’s eyes followed Edmund, and her heart beat for him as she heard this speech, and saw his look, and felt what his sensations must be.

“Lovers’ Vows!” in a tone of the greatest amazement, was his only reply to Mr. Rushworth, and he turned towards his brother and sisters as if hardly doubting a contradiction.

“Yes,” cried Mr. Yates. “After all our debatings, Lovers’ Vows it is! A wonder we did not think of it before. My stupidity was abominable, for here we have all the advantage of what I saw at Ecclesford! We have cast almost every part.”

“But what do you do for women?” said Edmund gravely, and looking at Maria.

Maria blushed in spite of herself as she answered, “I take the part which Lady Ravenshaw was to have done, and” (with a bolder eye) “Miss Crawford is to be Amelia.”