 to what she ought to wear, determined to seek the
counsel of the more enlightened, and apply to Mrs. Grant and her sister, whose
acknowledged taste would certainly bear her blameless; and as Edmund and William
were gone to Northampton, and she had reason to think Mr. Crawford likewise out,
she walked down to the Parsonage without much fear of wanting an opportunity for
private discussion; and the privacy of such a discussion was a most important
part of it to Fanny, being more than half ashamed of her own solicitude.
    She met Miss Crawford within a few yards of the Parsonage, just setting out
to call on her, and as it seemed to her, that her friend, though obliged to
insist on turning back, was unwilling to lose her walk, she explained her
business at once and observed that if she would be so kind as to give her
opinion, it might be all talked over as well without doors as within. Miss
Crawford appeared gratified by the application, and after a moment's thought,
urged Fanny's returning with her in a much more cordial manner than before, and
proposed their going up into her room, where they might have a comfortable coze,
without disturbing Dr. and Mrs. Grant, who were together in the drawing-room. It
was just the plan to suit Fanny; and with a great deal of gratitude on her side
for such ready and kind attention, they proceeded in doors and upstairs, and
were soon deep in the interesting subject. Miss Crawford, pleased with the
appeal, gave her all her best judgment and taste, made every thing easy by her
suggestions, and tried to make every thing agreeable by her encouragement. The
dress being settled in all its grander parts, - »But what shall you have by way
of necklace?« said Miss Crawford. »Shall not you wear your brother's cross?« And
as she spoke she was undoing a small parcel, which Fanny had observed in her
hand when they met. Fanny acknowledged her wishes and doubts on this point; she
did not know how either to wear the cross, or to refrain from wearing it. She
was answered by having a small trinket-box placed before her, and being
requested to chuse from among several gold chains and necklaces. Such had been
the parcel with which Miss Crawford was provided, and such the object of her
intended visit; and in the kindest manner she now urged Fanny's taking one for
the cross and to keep for her sake, saying every thing she could think of to
obviate the scruples which were
