“Well, how do you go on?” and “What have you settled?” and “Oh! we can do nothing without you,” followed the first salutations. Henry Crawford was soon seated with the other three at the table, while his sister made her way to Lady Bertram, and with pleasant attention was complimenting her. “I must really congratulate your ladyship,” said she, “on the play being chosen; for though you have borne it with exemplary patience, you must be sick of all our noise and difficulties. The actors may be glad, but the bystanders must be infinitely rejoicing in a decision. I do sincerely give you joy, madam, as well as Mrs. Norris, and everybody else who is in the same predicament,” glancing half fearfully, half slyly, beyond Fanny to Edmund.

She was very civilly answered by Lady Bertram who then insisted Miss Crawford chuse an amulet or necklet surely belonging to Akhenaten or Nefertiti from her ample collection, to complement her costume, and oh, would she like an urn or a gold scepter to hold while she recited the lines, or perchance a crocodile-headed something or other?

Miss Crawford escaped such offers after several skillful moments, while throwing a single dark and reproachful glance in the direction of Lord Eastwind who sat, as usual, in a shadowed location in the room, watching them all.

Fanny noticed the distinct awareness that Miss Crawford showed of Lord Eastwind, and the sharp looks exchanged between them. This served to reinforce in Fanny the frightening notion that Miss Crawford was far more than she seemed. Fanny was also certain beyond any doubt that Lord Eastwind was more than he seemed. She was not exactly sure what, but every attempt to discuss his metaphysical peculiarity—indeed, his very presence—with Edmund resulted in strange distractions and almost intentional events coming to interrupt them. Indeed, most of the time, Edmund, as all the rest of them, excepting the Crawfords (and occasionally, the two lupine creatures: Mrs. Norris and Mr. Rushworth), seemed completely unaware of Lord Eastwind’s existence.

Edmund said nothing in response to Miss Crawford. His being only a thespian bystander was not disputed. After continuing in chat with the party round the fire a few minutes, Miss Crawford returned to the party round the table. Standing by them, she seemed to interest herself in their arrangements till, as if struck by a sudden recollection, she exclaimed, “My good friends, you are most composedly at work upon these cottages and alehouses, inside and out; but pray let me know my fate in the meanwhile. Who is to be Anhalt? What gentleman among you am I to have the pleasure of making love to?”

“Ah, at last, we are come to it. What say you now, Miss Price?” whispered Lord Eastwind, so that Fanny started at his soft mesmerizing voice.