Comfortable hopes were given that Mr. Rushworth would find Mr. Crawford at home. The Sotherton scheme was mentioned of course. It was hardly possible, indeed, that anything else should be talked of, for Mrs. Norris was in high spirits about it, making occasional yapping noises. And Mrs. Rushworth, a well-meaning, pompous woman, who thought of nothing but her own and her son’s concerns, had not yet given up pressing Lady Bertram to be of the party.

Lady Bertram continuously declined it, vehemently insisting she had things to do in the attic that day. But her placid and dreamlike manner of refusal made Mrs. Rushworth still think she wished to come, till Mrs. Norris’s more numerous words and louder yapping tone convinced her of the truth.

“The fatigue would be a great deal too much for my sister, I assure you, my dear Mrs. Rushworth. Ten miles there, and ten back, you know. What with all the household duties that must be carried out in regards to the deliveries—we get them nigh twice a day, as you know, all of an Egyptian nature. You must excuse my sister on this occasion, and accept of our two dear girls and myself without her. Sotherton is the only place that could give her a wish to go so far, but it cannot be, indeed. She will have a companion in Fanny Price, so it will all do very well. And as for Edmund, as he is not here to speak for himself, I will answer for his being most happy to join the party. He can go on horseback.”

Mrs. Rushworth, obliged to yield to Lady Bertram’s staying at home, could only be sorry. “The loss of her ladyship’s company would be a great drawback, and she should have been extremely happy to have seen the young lady too, Miss Price, who had never been at Sotherton yet, and it was a pity she should not see the place.”

“You are all kindness, my dear madam,” cried Mrs. Norris; “but as to Fanny, she will have opportunities in plenty of seeing Sotherton. She has time enough before her; and her going now is quite out of the question. Lady Bertram could not possibly spare her.”

“Oh no! I cannot do without Fanny. She is the one among the reeds and the lotus blossoms—oh, that is, she—”

Mrs. Rushworth next proceeded, under the conviction that everybody must be wanting to see Sotherton, to include Miss Crawford in the invitation. And though Mrs. Grant civilly declined it on her own account, she was glad to secure any pleasure for her sister. And Mary, properly pressed and persuaded, accepted her share of the civility.