Page:Mansfield Park - a novel - in three volumes (IA mansfieldparknov13aust).pdf/19

( 9 ) out many advantages. I don’t say she would be so handsome as her cousins. I dare say she would not; but she would be introduced into the society of this country under such very favourable circumstances as, in all human probability, would get her a credible establishment. You are thinking of your sons–but do not you know that of all things upon earth that is the least likely to happen; brought up, as they should be, always together like brothers and sisters? It is morally impossible. I never knew any instance of it. It is, in fact, the only sure way of providing against the connection. Suppose her a pretty girl, and seen by Tom or Edmund for the first time seven years hence, and I dare say there would be mischief. The very idea of her having been suffered to grow up at a distance from us all in poverty and neglect, would be enough to make either of the fear sweet-tempered boys in love with her. But breed her up with them from this time, and B 5 suppose