disposal of her sons as they became
old enough for a determinate pursuit: and Fanny, though almost totally separated
from her family, was sensible of the truest satisfaction in hearing of any
kindness towards them, or of any thing at all promising in their situation or
conduct. Once, and once only in the course of many years, had she the happiness
of being with William. Of the rest she saw nothing; nobody seemed to think of
her ever going amongst them again, even for a visit, nobody at home seemed to
want her; but William determining, soon after her removal, to be a sailor, was
invited to spend a week with his sister in Northamptonshire, before he went to
sea. Their eager affection in meeting, their exquisite delight in being
together, their hours of happy mirth, and moments of serious conference, may be
imagined; as well as the sanguine views and spirits of the boy even to the last,
and the misery of the girl when he left her. Luckily the visit happened in the
Christmas holidays, when she could directly look for comfort to her cousin
Edmund; and he told her such charming things of what William was to do, and be
hereafter, in consequence of his profession, as made her gradually admit that
the separation might have some use. Edmund's friendship never failed her: his
leaving Eton for Oxford made no change in his kind dispositions, and only
afforded more frequent opportunities of proving them. Without any display of
doing more than the rest, or any fear of doing too much, he was always true to
her interests, and considerate of her feelings, trying to make her good
qualities understood, and to conquer the diffidence which prevented their being
more apparent; giving her advice, consolation, and encouragement.
    Kept back as she was by every body else, his single support could not bring
her forward, but his attentions were otherwise of the highest importance in
assisting the improvement of her mind, and extending its pleasures. He knew her
to be clever, to have a quick apprehension as well as good sense, and a fondness
for reading, which, properly directed, must be an education in itself. Miss Lee
taught her French, and heard her read the daily portion of History; but he
recommended the books which charmed her leisure hours, he encouraged her taste,
and corrected her judgment; he made reading useful by talking to her of what she
read, and heightened its attraction by judicious praise. In return for such
services she loved him better than any body in the world except William; her
heart was divided