, who could never behold either the wide table or the
number of dishes on it with patience, and who did always contrive to experience
some evil from the passing of the servants behind her chair, and to bring away
some fresh conviction of its being impossible among so many dishes but that some
must be cold.
    In the evening it was found, according to the predetermination of Mrs. Grant
and her sister, that after making up the Whist table there would remain
sufficient for a round game, and every body being as perfectly complying, and
without a choice as on such occasions they always are, Speculation was decided
on almost as soon as Whist; and Lady Bertram soon found herself in the critical
situation of being applied to for her own choice between the games, and being
required either to draw a card for Whist or not. She hesitated. Luckily Sir
Thomas was at hand.
    »What shall I do, Sir Thomas? - Whist and Speculation; which will amuse me
most?«
    Sir Thomas, after a moment's thought, recommended Speculation. He was a
Whist player himself, and perhaps might feel that it would not much amuse him to
have her for a partner.
    »Very well,« was her ladyship's contented answer - »then Speculation if you
please, Mrs. Grant. I know nothing about it, but Fanny must teach me.«
    Here Fanny interposed however with anxious protestations of her own equal
ignorance; she had never played the game nor seen it played in her life; and
Lady Bertram felt a moment's indecision again - but upon every body's assuring
her that nothing could be so easy, that it was the easiest game on the cards,
and Henry Crawford's stepping forward with a most earnest request to be allowed
to sit between her ladyship and Miss Price, and teach them both, it was so
settled; and Sir Thomas, Mrs. Norris, and Dr. and Mrs. Grant, being seated at
the table of prime intellectual state and dignity, the remaining six, under Miss
Crawford's direction, were arranged round the other. It was a fine arrangement
for Henry Crawford, who was close to Fanny, and with his hands full of business,
having two persons' cards to manage as well as his own - for though it was
impossible for Fanny not to feel herself mistress of the rules of the game in
three minutes, he had yet to inspirit her play, sharpen her avarice, and harden
her heart, which, especially in any competition with William, was a work of some
difficulty; and