“I am very much obliged to you, my dear Miss Crawford, for your kind congratulations, as far as they relate to my dearest William. The rest of your note I know means nothing; I hope you will excuse my begging you to take no further notice. I have seen too much of Mr. Crawford not to understand his manners; if he understood me as well, he would behave differently. I do not know what I write, but it would be a great favour of you never to mention the subject again. With thanks for the honour of your note, I remain, dear Miss Crawford, etc., etc.”

The conclusion was scarcely intelligible from increasing fright, for she found that Mr. Crawford, under pretence of receiving the note, was coming towards her.

“You cannot think I mean to hurry you,” said he, in an undervoice, perceiving the amazing trepidation with which she made up the note. “Do not hurry yourself, I entreat.”

“Oh! I thank you; I have quite done; it will be ready in a moment; I am very much obliged to you; if you will be so good as to give that to Miss Crawford.”

The note was held out, and must be taken; and as she instantly and with averted eyes walked towards the fireplace, where sat the others, he had nothing to do but to go in earnest.

Fanny thought she had never known a day of greater agitation, both of pain and pleasure. Her note must appear excessively ill-written; the language would disgrace a child. But at least it would assure them both of her being neither imposed on nor gratified by Mr. Crawford’s attentions.

Chapter XXXII

Fanny had by no means forgotten Mr. Crawford when she awoke the next morning; but she remembered her note, and was uncertain as to its effect.

If Mr. Crawford would but go away! That was what she most earnestly desired: go and take his wicked sister with him, as he had returned to Mansfield in order to do. Why it was not done already she could not devise, for Miss Crawford certainly wanted no delay. Fanny had hoped to hear the day named.

Having so satisfactorily settled the sentiment her note would convey, she was astonished to see Mr. Crawford coming up to the house again, and at an hour as early as the day before—the moment once more coinciding with Mrs. Norris’s regular and, these days, rather insolent martial engagement with the wildlife in the local shrubbery.