She had prevented the mummy from taking the breath of life. And by covering its mouth, the one unnatural vehicle of its resurrection, she had utterly destroyed it.

Fanny’s maid was rather hurried in bringing replacement fabric, and making up a new dress for her. Sir Thomas gave orders, and Mrs. Norris ran about.

Edmund was at this time particularly full of cares: his mind being deeply occupied in the consideration of two important events now at hand, which were to fix his fate in life—ordination and matrimony—events of such a serious character as to make the ball, which would be very quickly followed by one of them, appear of little moment in his eyes.

On the 23rd he was going to a friend near Peterborough, in the same situation as himself, and they were to receive ordination in the course of the Christmas week. Half his destiny would then be determined, but the other half might not be so very smoothly wooed.

His duties would be established, but the wife who was to share, animate, and reward those duties, might yet be unattainable.

He knew his own mind, but he was not always perfectly assured of knowing Miss Crawford’s. There were points on which they did not quite agree. There were moments in which she did not seem propitious. And though trusting to her affection, and knowing what he had to offer her, he had many anxious feelings, many hours of doubt. His conviction of her regard for him was sometimes very strong. But at other times doubt and alarm intermingled with his hopes.

He thought of her disinclination for privacy and retirement, her decided preference of a London life. What could he expect but a determined rejection?

The issue of all depended on one question. Did she love him well enough to forego what had used to be essential points? And this question he was continually repeating to himself.

Miss Crawford was soon to leave Mansfield. He had seen her eyes sparkle as she spoke of the dear friend’s letter, which claimed a long visit from her in London. He had since heard her express herself differently, with other feelings, more chequered feelings: he had heard her tell Mrs. Grant that she should leave her with regret; that neither the friends nor the pleasures she was going to were worth those she left behind, that she was already looking forward to being at Mansfield again. Was that a “yes”?

With such matters to ponder over, Edmund could not think very much of the upcoming ball.