A very few days were enough to effect this; and soon circumstances arose which enhanced his chances of pleasing her, and gave her a happiness which disposed her to be pleased with everybody. William, her so long absent and dearly loved brother, was in England again. She had a letter from him, a few hurried happy lines, written as the ship came up Channel, and sent into Portsmouth with the first boat that left the Antwerp at anchor in Spithead. When Crawford walked up with the naval newspaper in his hand, which he had hoped would bring the first tidings, he found her trembling with joy over this letter, and listening with a glowing, grateful countenance to the kind invitation which her uncle was dictating in reply.

It was but the day before that Crawford had made himself thoroughly master of the subject, or had in fact become at all aware of her having such a brother, or his being in such a ship, but the interest then excited had been very lively, determining him on his return to town to apply for more information as a method of pleasing her. He was, however, too late. All those fine first feelings, of which he had hoped to be the exciter, were already given. But the kindness of his intention was quite thankfully and warmly acknowledged: for she was elevated beyond common timidity by her love for William.

This dear William would soon be amongst them. There could be no doubt of his obtaining leave of absence immediately, for he was still only a midshipman. And as his parents, from living on the spot, must already have seen him, his direct holidays might with justice be given to the sister, who had been his best correspondent through a period of seven years, and the uncle who had done most for his support and advancement.

Fanny was now in the agitation of a higher nature, watching in the hall, in the lobby, on the stairs, for the first sound of the carriage which was to bring her brother.

It came happily while she was thus waiting; and she was with him as he entered the house. The first minutes of exquisite joy in meeting had no interruption and no witnesses except the servants (some of them going around in circles and bumping into walls). This was exactly what Sir Thomas and Edmund had intended, as they both advised Mrs. Norris to continue where she was, instead of rushing out into the hall as soon as the noises of the arrival reached them.

William and Fanny soon shewed themselves; and Sir Thomas had the pleasure of receiving, in his protégé, a very different person from the one he had equipped seven years ago—a young man of an open, pleasant countenance, and frank, unstudied, but feeling and respectful manners.