To be distinguished for elegance and accomplishments—the grand desire of their youth—had no moral effect on the mind. He had meant them to be good. But his cares had been directed to the understanding and manners, not the disposition. They had never heard of the virtue of self-denial and humility from any lips.

Bitterly did he deplore this deficiency. With all the cost and care of an expensive education, he had “brought up” his daughters—without their understanding their first duties, or his being acquainted with their character.

The high spirit and strong passions of Mrs. Rushworth, especially, were made known to him only in their sad result. She was not to be prevailed on to leave Mr. Crawford. She hoped to marry him, and they continued together, till she was obliged to admit that such hope was vain. The disappointment and wretchedness arising from the conviction rendered her temper so bad, and her feelings for him so like hatred, as to make them for a while each other’s punishment, and then induce a voluntary separation.

She had lived with him to be reproached as the ruin of all his happiness in Fanny (as he told her repeatedly and bitterly in their last days), and carried away no better consolation in leaving him than that she had divided them. What can exceed the misery of such a mind in such a situation?

Fanny was soon to learn that there indeed can be something.

In a matter of days after Maria parted with Mr. Crawford, a letter had arrived at Mansfield, to Sir Thomas’s attention. It was very brief, even businesslike, and sorely lacking any remonstrance or feeling, except for a single begging of pardon. In short—Maria was coming down to Mansfield Park—not asking her sire’s permission, but already on her way. And, there was a postscript: she was being politely and generously escorted by a certain gentleman.

Such was the extent of the letter, and the household went into a quiet uproar. Sir Thomas became grim and inviolate, initially denied any welcome and started to write a vehement letter of refusal, when Edmund reminded him that Maria was already in transit, and the letter was not likely to reach her. At the same time, Mrs. Norris opened her mouth to say that a gentleman could mean none other than Mr. Crawford, and that indeed, it must be joyous news, and they must be married! Lady Bertram was only too glad to echo such a possibility; and Sir Thomas indeed relented, though he had much lower notions of what might be the actual situation.