Page:Austen - Mansfield Park, vol. III, 1814.djvu/56

 convincing her that Fanny was very pretty, which she had been doubting about before, and that she would be advantageously married, it made her feel a sort of credit in calling her niece.

"Well, Fanny," said she, as soon as they were alone together afterwards,—and she really had known something like impatience, to be alone with her, and her countenance, as she spoke, had extraordinary animation—"Well, Fanny, I have had a very agreeable surprise this morning. I must just speak of it once, I told Sir Thomas I must once, and then I shall have done. I give you joy, my dear niece."—and looking at her complacently, she added "Humph—We certainly are a handsome family."

Fanny coloured, and doubted at first what to say; when hoping to assail her on her vulnerable side, she presently answered,

"My dear aunt, you cannot wish me to do differently from what I have done, I am sure. You cannot wish me