Page:Austen - Mansfield Park, vol. II, 1814.djvu/43

 He seemed to feel exactly as one could wish."

"Yes, indeed, and the more you know of him, the better you will like him. He is not a shining character, but he has a thousand good qualities! and is so disposed to look up to you, that I am quite laughed at about it, for every body considers it as my doing. "Upon my word, Mrs. Norris," said Mrs. Grant, the other day, "if Mr. Rushworth were a son of your own he could not hold Sir Thomas in greater respect."

Sir Thomas gave up the point; foiled by her evasions, disarmed by her flattery; and was obliged to rest satisfied with the conviction that where the present pleasure of those she loved was at stake, her kindness did sometimes overpower her judgment.

It was a busy morning with him. Conversation with any of them occupied but a small part of it. He had to reinstate himself in all the wonted concerns of his Mansfield life, to see his steward and his bailiff—to examine Rh