The woman who could speak of him, and speak only of his appearance! What an unworthy attachment! To be deriving support from the commendations of Mrs. Fraser! She who had known him intimately half a year! Fanny was ashamed of her, and constantly had to remind herself of the vampire nature which could neither properly love nor suffer.

Those parts of the letter which related only to Mr. Crawford and herself, touched her, in comparison, slightly. Whether or when Mr. Crawford went into Norfolk was certainly no concern of hers. Though, everything considered, she thought he would go without delay.

That Miss Crawford should endeavour to secure a meeting between him and Mrs. Rushworth, was all in her worst line of conduct, and grossly unkind and ill-judged. Fanny hoped he would not be moved by any such degrading curiosity. At least he acknowledged no such inducement. Indeed, his sister ought to have given him credit for better feelings than her own.

Fanny was even more impatient for another letter from town after receiving this. For a few days she was so unsettled, that her usual readings and conversation with Susan were much suspended. She could not command her attention as she wished, and replied with absentminded vagueness to Susan’s usual carryings on (and on, and on, and on, and on, and—) about the elegant Mr. Crawford and the dark and beautiful Lord Eastwind.

If Mr. Crawford remembered to pass on her message to her cousin Edmund, she thought it very likely that Edmund would write to her at all events—it would be most consistent with his usual kindness. But since no letters appeared, she was in a most anxious state.

At length, she achieved composure. Suspense must be submitted to, and not allowed to wear her out or make her useless. Time, and her own exertions, helped. She resumed her attentions to Susan, and again awakened the same interest in them.

Susan was growing very fond of her, and there was an increasingly complex sense of admiration building within her—an appreciation of her sister not only as a mentor and arbiter of worldly good taste, but as someone brave and mysterious in more ways than Susan could imagine. It was an awareness of Fanny’s true goodness.

Susan did not have an equal early delight in books, which had been so strong in Fanny (having a disposition much less inclined to sedentary pursuits, or to information for information’s sake). But she had so strong a desire of not appearing ignorant, that, with a good clear understanding, she made a most attentive, profitable, thankful pupil.