For the first time Henry was genuinely intrigued past his courtship platitudes. Though he had known Fanny had some idea of Mary’s dark nature, he did not realize to what extent, or that she had put an authentic name to it. And it raised Fanny in his opinion even more—if such a thing were possible. “My dear—Miss Price!” he uttered. “How did you—”

“Of no consequence, how. But let me repeat—I see everything.”

For long moments there was silence between them. Mr. Crawford looked on with new respect and absolute renewed fascination.

And then he resumed!

Fanny wanted—as she seemed to be wanting so often recently—to smash her forehead repeatedly against a hard object, to gain at least some measure of oblivion from the idiocy.

Mr. Crawford steadily denied incompatibility between them and declared that he would still love, and still hope!

Fanny’s manner was once more gentle, but it concealed the sternness of purpose.

Mr. Crawford was no longer the Mr. Crawford who, as the clandestine, insidious, treacherous admirer of Maria Bertram, had been her abhorrence, whom she had hated to see or to speak to, in whom she could believe no good quality to exist, and whose power, even of being agreeable, she had barely acknowledged. He was now the Mr. Crawford who was addressing herself with ardent, disinterested love; whose feelings were apparently become all that was honourable and upright, whose views of happiness were all fixed on a marriage of attachment; who was describing again his affection, proving as far as words could prove it, and in the language, tone, and spirit of a man of talent too, that he sought her for her gentleness and her goodness. And above all, he was now the Mr. Crawford who had procured William’s promotion!

Here was a change, and here were claims which could not but operate! She might have disdained him in all the dignity of angry virtue, in the grounds of Sotherton, or the theatre at Mansfield Park. But now she must be courteous, and she must be compassionate. She must have a strong feeling of gratitude.

But all things come to a close eventually, and so did their interview.

It was with reluctance that he suffered her to go, and with all hopes intact.

Now she was angry. Here again was a want of regard for others which had formerly so disgusted her. Here again was the same Mr. Crawford.

Had her own affections been free, he never could have engaged them! So thought Fanny, in good truth and sober sadness, as she sat near the new luxury of a fire upstairs.

Sir Thomas obliged himself to wait till the morrow for details of what had passed between the young people. He then saw Mr. Crawford, and received his account. The first feeling was disappointment. But there was speedy comfort in the determined views and sanguine perseverance of the lover, and confidence of ultimate success.