@@@@@ You know with what idle designs I began;
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You know with what idle designs I began; but this is the end of
themI have, I flatter myself, made no inconsiderable progress in
her affections; but my own are entirely fixed
“Lucky, lucky girl!” cried Mary, as soon as she could speak; “what
a match for her! My dearest Henry, this must be my first feeling; but
my second, which you shall have as sincerely, is, that I approve your
choice from my soul, and foresee your happiness as heartily as I
wish and desire itYou will have a sweet little wife; all gratitude and
devotionExactly what you deserveWhat an amazing match for
her! MrsNorris often talks of her luck; what will she say now? The
delight of all the family, indeed! And she has some true friends in it!
How they will rejoice! But tell me all about it! Talk to me for ever
When did you begin to think seriously about her?”
Nothing could be more impossible than to answer such a question,
though nothing could be more agreeable than to have it asked
“How the pleasing plague had stolen on him” he could not say; and
before he had expressed the same sentiment with a little variation of
words three times over, his sister eagerly interrupted him with, “Ah,
my dear Henry, and this is what took you to London! This was your
business! You chose to consult the Admiral before you made up
your mind
But this he stoutly deniedHe knew his uncle too well to consult
him on any matrimonial schemeThe Admiral hated marriage, and
thought it never pardonable in a young man of independent fortune
“When Fanny is known to him,” continued Henry, “he will doat
on herShe is exactly the woman to do away every prejudice of such
a man as the Admiral, for she he would describe, if indeed he has
now delicacy of language enough to embody his own ideasBut till
it is absolutely settled—settled beyond all interference, he shall know
nothing of the matterNo, Mary, you are quite mistakenYou have
not discovered my business yet
255
Jane Austen
“Well, well, I am satisfiedI know now to whom it must relate,
and am in no hurry for the restFanny Price! wonderful, quite wonderful!
That Mansfield should have done so much for—that you
should have found your fate in Mansfield! But you are quite right;
you could not have chosen betterThere is not a better girl in the
world, and you do not want for fortune; and as to her connexions,
they are more than goodThe Bertrams are undoubtedly some of
the first people in this countryShe is niece to Sir Thomas Bertram;
that will be enough for the world
What are your plans? Does she know her own happiness?”
“No
“What are you waiting for?”
“For—for very little more than opportuni