Page:Austen - Mansfield Park, vol. I, 1814.djvu/131

 "When they are at a distance from all their family," said Fanny, colouring for William's sake, "they can write long letters."

"Miss Price has a brother at sea," said Edmund, "whose excellence as a correspondent, makes her think you too severe upon us."

"At sea, has she?—In the King's service of course."

Fanny would rather have had Edmund tell the story, but his determined silence obliged her to relate her brother's situation; her voice was animated in speaking of his profession, and the foreign stations he had been on, but she could not mention the number of years that he had been absent without tears in her eyes. Miss Crawford civilly wished him an early promotion.

"Do you know any thing of my cousin's captain?" said Edmund; "captain Marshall? You have a large acquaintance in the navy, I conclude?"

"Among Admirals, large enough; Rh