True enough, he had once seen Fanny dance; and it was equally true that he would now have answered for her gliding about with quiet, light elegance, and in admirable time. But, in fact, he could not for the life of him recall what her dancing had been.

He passed, however, for an admirer of her dancing. Sir Thomas, by no means displeased, prolonged the conversation on dancing in general, and was so engaged in describing the balls of Antigua, that he had not heard his carriage announced, and was first called to it by the yappy bustle of Mrs. Norris.

“Come, Fanny, what are you about? We are going. Do not you see your aunt is going? Quick! I cannot bear to keep good old Wilcox waiting. My dear Sir Thomas, the carriage should come back for you, and Edmund and William.”

Sir Thomas could not dissent, as it had been his own arrangement, previously communicated to his wife and sister; but now forgotten by Mrs. Norris.

Fanny’s last feeling in the visit was disappointment: for the shawl which Edmund was quietly taking from the servant to put round her shoulders was seized by Mr. Crawford’s quicker hand, and she was obliged to be indebted to his more prominent attention.

As she stepped into the carriage, she felt, with another shock, her hand gently held by Lord Eastwind.

Chapter XXVI

William’s desire of seeing Fanny dance made more than a momentary impression on his uncle. Sir Thomas remained steadily inclined to gratify so amiable a feeling; to gratify anybody else who might wish to see Fanny dance, and to give pleasure to the young people.

Having thought the matter over, the next morning at breakfast, after recalling what his nephew had said, he added, “I do not like, William, that you should leave Northamptonshire without this indulgence. It would give me pleasure to see you both dance. You spoke of the balls at Northampton. I believe we must not think of a Northampton ball. A dance at home would be more eligible; and if—”

“Ah, my dear Sir Thomas!” interrupted Mrs. Norris, “I knew what you were going to say. If dear Julia were at home, or dearest Mrs. Rushworth at Sotherton, to afford a reason, an occasion for such a thing, you would be tempted to give the young people a dance at Mansfield.”

“My daughters,” replied Sir Thomas, gravely interposing, “have their pleasures at Brighton, and I hope are very happy; but the dance which I think of giving at Mansfield will be for their cousins.”

Mrs. Norris had not another word to say. Her surprise and vexation required some minutes’ silence to be settled into composure. A ball at such a time! His daughters absent and herself not consulted!