She had nothing more to wish for. She had hardly ever been in a state so nearly approaching high spirits in her life.

Her cousins’ former gaiety on the day of a ball was no longer surprising to her. She felt it to be indeed very charming, and was actually practising her steps about the drawing-room as long as she could be safe from the notice of her aunt Norris, who was entirely taken up in fresh arranging and injuring the noble fire which the butler had prepared, then glancing with caution at the darkening windows.

Half an hour followed that would have been at least languid under any other circumstances, but Fanny’s happiness still prevailed. She had but to think of her conversation with Edmund, and the restlessness of Mrs. Norris, the yawns of Lady Bertram, was of no consequence!

The gentlemen joined them; and soon after began the sweet expectation of a carriage. A general spirit of ease and enjoyment prevailed. They all stood about and talked and laughed, and every moment had its pleasure and its hope. Attentive servants circulated discreetly, carrying buffet fare to be set out for later. Fanny felt that there must be a struggle in Edmund’s cheerfulness, but it was delightful to see the effort so successfully made.

When the carriages were really heard, when the guests began really to assemble, her own gaiety of heart was much subdued. The sight of so many strangers threw her back into herself. And besides the gravity and formality of the first great circle, demanded by the manners of Sir Thomas and Lady Bertram, she found herself occasionally called on to endure something worse. . . .

She was introduced here and there by her uncle. She was forced to be spoken to, and to curtsey, and speak again. This was a hard duty, and she was never summoned to it without looking at William, as he walked about at his ease in the background of the scene, and longing to be with him.

The entrance of the Grants and Crawfords was a favourable epoch. The stiffness of the meeting soon gave way before their popular manners and more diffused intimacies. Little groups were formed, and everybody grew comfortable. A delightful bowl of aromatic punch was visited often, and, right next to it, the negus was even more popular.

Fanny would have been again most happy, could she have kept her eyes from wandering between Edmund and Mary Crawford. She looked all loveliness—and what might not be the end of it?

Her own musings were brought to an end on perceiving Mr. Crawford before her. He engaged her almost instantly for the first two dances.