Page:Jane Austen (Sarah Fanny Malden 1889).djvu/134

 With the departure of Maria, and Julia, who accompanies her sister, Fanny becomes more than ever the daughter of the house, and, treated with real kindness by everyone but Mrs. Norris, who never can bear to see her established there as an equal. She is very happy in her present life, and when her favourite brother, William, returns from sea, and is invited to stay at the Park, her happiness would be absolutely perfect, but for two circumstances. One is the terms of increasing attachment on which Edmund and Miss Crawford stand; the other is that Mr. Crawford, having returned to the Grants for a fortnight's visit, has, to everyone's amazement, his own included, remained on there as Fanny's declared suitor; he is, in fact, caught in his own trap. To while away dull hours in the country, he had begun what he merely intended as a flirtation with her, but, quite unintentionally, his heartless sport has turned into earnest, and he is now seriously bent upon marrying her. Neither he nor his sister have any doubt of his success, and when, through private influence, he procures William Price's promotion, he feels sure enough of his ground to venture on a proposal which fills Fanny with horror and dismay. Her refusal, though decided, is useless. He applies to Sir Thomas, who, knowing only that he is well-born, rich, clever, and very much in love, warmly takes his side, and a long siege sets in, in which the lover has everyone's influence exerted for him, and Fanny stands alone in her determined rejection. Edmund, Miss Crawford, Sir Thomas, all believe that her refusal is merely from timidity; they are not conscious of the objections to his character, and Fanny keeps her secret so well, though with difficulty, that no one suspects her of