that house before,
the present arrangement was almost more than she could understand herself.
    The ball began. It was rather honour than happiness to Fanny, for the first
dance at least; her partner was in excellent spirits and tried to impart them to
her, but she was a great deal too much frightened to have any enjoyment, till
she could suppose herself no longer looked at. Young, pretty, and gentle,
however, she had no awkwardnesses that were not as good as graces, and there
were few persons present that were not disposed to praise her. She was
attractive, she was modest, she was Sir Thomas's niece, and she was soon said to
be admired by Mr. Crawford. It was enough to give her general favour. Sir Thomas
himself was watching her progress down the dance with much complacency; he was
proud of his niece, and without attributing all her personal beauty, as Mrs.
Norris seemed to do, to her transplantation to Mansfield, he was pleased with
himself for having supplied every thing else; - education and manners she owed
to him.
    Miss Crawford saw much of Sir Thomas's thoughts as he stood, and having, in
spite of all his wrongs towards her, a general prevailing desire of recommending
herself to him, took an opportunity of stepping aside to say something agreeable
of Fanny. Her praise was warm, and he received it as she could wish, joining in
it as far as discretion, and politeness, and slowness of speech would allow, and
certainly appearing to greater advantage on the subject, than his lady did, soon
afterwards, when Mary, perceiving her on a sofa very near, turned round before
she began to dance, to compliment her on Miss Price's looks.
    »Yes, she does look very well,« was Lady Bertram's placid reply. »Chapman
helped her dress. I sent Chapman to her.« Not but that she was really pleased to
have Fanny admired; but she was so much more struck with her own kindness in
sending Chapman to her, that she could not get it out of her head.
    Miss Crawford knew Mrs. Norris too well to think of gratifying her by
commendation of Fanny; to her it was, as the occasion offered, - »Ah! ma'am, how
much we want dear Mrs. Rushworth and Julia to-night!« and Mrs. Norris paid her
with as many smiles and courteous words as she had time for, amid so much
occupation as she found for herself, in making up card-tables, giving hints to