Sick of ambitious and mercenary connexions, prizing more and more the sterling good of principle and temper, and anxious to bind all remaining domestic felicity, Sir Thomas had pondered with genuine satisfaction on the strong possibility of the two young friends finding their natural consolation in each other. The joyful consent which met Edmund’s application, the high sense of having realised a great acquisition in the promise of Fanny for a daughter, formed such a contrast with his early opinion of the poor little girl’s entering his household, as time is for ever producing between the plans and decisions of mortals—for their own instruction, and their neighbours’ entertainment.

Fanny was indeed the daughter that he wanted. His charitable kindness had been rearing a prime comfort for himself. His liberality had a rich repayment, and the general goodness of his intentions by her deserved it. He might have made her childhood happier. But it had been an error of judgment only, giving him the appearance of harshness, depriving him of her early love. And now, on really knowing each other, their mutual attachment became very strong. After settling her at Thornton Lacey with every kind attention to her comfort, the object of almost every day was to see her there, or to get her away from it.

Selfishly dear as Fanny had long been to Lady Bertram, she could not be parted with willingly by her. No happiness of son or niece could make her wish the marriage. But it was possible to part with her, because Susan remained to supply her place. Susan became the stationary niece, delighted to be so; and equally well adapted for it by a readiness of mind, and an inclination for usefulness, as Fanny had been by sweetness of temper, and strong feelings of gratitude.

Susan could never be spared. First as a comfort to Fanny, then as an auxiliary, and last as her substitute, she was permanently established at Mansfield. Her more fearless disposition and happier nerves made everything easy to her there. With quickness in understanding the tempers of those she had to deal with, and no natural timidity to restrain any consequent wishes, she was soon welcome and useful to all.

After Fanny’s removal Susan succeeded so naturally to the hourly comfort of her aunt, as gradually to become, perhaps, the most beloved of the two. In her usefulness, in Fanny’s excellence, in William’s continued good conduct and rising fame, and in the general well-doing and success of the other members of the family, all assisting to advance each other, and doing credit to his countenance and aid, Sir Thomas saw repeated reason to rejoice in what he had done for them all—and acknowledge the advantages of early hardship and discipline, and the consciousness of being born to struggle and endure.