Chapter 33

[mansfield1814]

LibriVox audiorecording of Mansfield ParkThe conference was neither so short nor so conclusive as the lady had designed. The gentleman was not so easily satisfied. He had all the disposition to persevere that Sir Thomas could wish him. He had vanity, which strongly inclined him in the first place to think she did love him, though she might not know

Comments

[verrucaria]

The aunts' reaction to the news is less bad than I'd expected.

[elliejgirl]

I agree. I expected Mrs. Norris to be wailing about how ungrateful Fanny was for not taking this opportunity. I wish Fanny could enjoy Mrs. Norris' anger at the situation a little more.

[marith]

Not entirely on topic for this chapter, but I've been wondering - what does Henry think of Mary and Edmund's romance? We know a lot about what Mary thinks of Henry+Fanny, but not the other way around.

Crawford is not an oblivious gentleman; he must be aware of the attachment between them. We never see him tease her about it. Has he mentioned it at all up to this point?

[poblana_wannabe]

“My dear,” interrupted Sir Thomas, “there is no occasion for this. Your feelings are as well known to me as my wishes and regrets must be to you. There is nothing more to be said or done. From this hour the subject is never to be revived between us. You will have nothing to fear, or to be agitated about. You cannot suppose me capable of trying to persuade you to marry against your inclinations."

Funny, that's exactly what he's trying to do.

Also, I love the last line in this chapter. Bestowing a puppy may be the highest imaginable act of kindness for Lady Bertram.