“They will not have much cause of triumph when they see how infamously I act. But, triumph there will be, and I must brave it. But if I can be the means of restraining them, I shall be well repaid. As I am now, I have no influence. I have offended them, and they will not hear me. But when I have put them in good-humour by this concession, I hope to persuade them to limit the performance to a much smaller circle—to confine it to Mrs. Rushworth and the Grants. Will not this be worth gaining?”

“Yes, it will be a great point.”

“But still it has not your approbation. Can you mention any other means of doing equal good?”

“No, I cannot think of anything else.”

“Give me your approbation, then, Fanny. I am not comfortable without it.”

“Oh, cousin!”

“If you are against me, I ought to distrust myself. And yet—it is absolutely impossible to let Tom go on, riding about the country in quest of anybody who can be persuaded to act. It is dear mindless Tom we speak of, you realize—he might return with an ancient “druid” or a piece of the Blarney stone! I thought you would have entered more into Miss Crawford’s feelings.”

“No doubt she will be very glad. It must be a great relief to her,” said Fanny, trying for greater warmth of manner.

“She never appeared more amiable than in her kindness to you last night. It gave her a strong claim on my goodwill.”

“She was very kind, indeed, and I am glad to have her spared . . .”

She could not finish the generous effusion. Her conscience stopt her in the middle, but Edmund was satisfied.

“I shall walk down immediately after breakfast,” said he, “and am sure of giving pleasure there. And now, dear Fanny, I will not interrupt you any longer. You want to be reading. But I could not be easy till I had spoken to you, and come to a decision. My head has been full of this matter all night. If Tom is up, I shall go to him directly, before he escapes to plunder Bedlam for our actor! When we meet at breakfast we shall be all in high good-humour at the prospect of acting the fool together with such unanimity. You, in the meanwhile, will be taking a reading trip into China, I suppose.”—opening a volume on the table and then taking up some others. “I admire your little establishment exceedingly; and as soon as I am gone, empty your head of all this nonsense of acting, and sit comfortably. But do not stay here to be cold.”

“Pray, before you are on your way, cousin,” said Fanny carefully, “might I ask you what you think of—of Lord Eastwind?”

Edmund creased his brow in thought. “Who? Oh, you mean that—that fellow who is my mother’s Egyptian matters confidant? What is his name again? Eastport?”