 manner this morning, and cannot get the better of it. I know her
disposition to be as sweet and faultless as your own, but the influence of her
former companions makes her seem, gives to her conversation, to her professed
opinions, sometimes a tinge of wrong. She does not think evil, but she speaks it
- speaks it in playfulness - and though I know it to be playfulness, it grieves
me to the soul.«
    »The effect of education,« said Fanny gently.
    Edmund could not but agree to it. »Yes, that uncle and aunt! They have
injured the finest mind! - for sometimes, Fanny, I own to you, it does appear
more than manner; it appears as if the mind itself was tainted.«
    Fanny imagined this to be an appeal to her judgment, and therefore, after a
moment's consideration, said, »If you only want me as a listener, cousin, I will
be as useful as I can; but I am not qualified for an adviser. Do not ask advice
of me. I am not competent.«
    »You are right, Fanny, to protest against such an office, but you need not
be afraid. It is a subject on which I should never ask advice. It is the sort of
subject on which it had better never be asked; and few I imagine do ask it, but
when they want to be influenced against their conscience. I only want to talk to
you.«
    »One thing more. Excuse the liberty - but take care how you talk to me. Do
not tell me any thing now, which hereafter you may be sorry for. The time may
come -«
    The colour rushed into her cheeks as she spoke.
    »Dearest Fanny!« cried Edmund, pressing her hand to his lips, with almost as
much warmth as if it had been Miss Crawford's, »you are all considerate thought!
- But it is unnecessary here. The time will never come. No such time as you
allude to will ever come. I begin to think it most improbable; the chances grow
less and less. And even if it should - there will be nothing to be remembered by
either you or me, that we need be afraid of, for I can never be ashamed of my
own scruples; and if they are removed, it must be by changes that will only
raise her character the more by the recollection of the faults she once had. You
are the only being upon earth to whom I should say what I have said;
