Page:Austen - Mansfield Park, vol. I, 1814.djvu/302

 feel yourself unequal to it, that you find it requiring more exertion and confidence than you can be supposed to have.—Say this with firmness, and it will be quite enough.—All who can distinguish, will understand your motive.—The play will be given up, and your delicacy honoured as it ought."

"Do not act any thing improper, my dear," said Lady Bertram. "Sir Thomas would not like it.—Fanny, ring the bell; I must have my dinner.—To be sure Julia is dress'd by this time."

"I am convinced, Madam," said Edmund, preventing Fanny, "that Sir Thomas would not like it."

"There, my dear, do you hear what Edmund says?"

"If I were to decline the part," said Maria with renewed zeal, "Julia would certainly take it."

"What!"—cried Edmund, "if she knew your reasons!"

"Oh! she might think the difference between us—the difference in our ations