girl might be very compatible with innocence; and chusing at least to
appear satisfied, he quickly added, »No, no, I know that is quite out of the
question - quite impossible. Well, there is nothing more to be said.«
    And for a few minutes he did say nothing. He was deep in thought. His niece
was deep in thought likewise, trying to harden and prepare herself against
farther questioning. She would rather die than own the truth, and she hoped by a
little reflection to fortify herself beyond betraying it.
    »Independently of the interest which Mr. Crawford's choice seemed to
justify,« said Sir Thomas, beginning again, and very composedly, »his wishing to
marry at all so early is recommendatory to me. I am an advocate for early
marriages, where there are means in proportion, and would have every young man,
with a sufficient income, settle as soon after four and twenty as he can. This
is so much my opinion, that I am sorry to think how little likely my own eldest
son, your cousin, Mr. Bertram, is to marry early; but at present, as far as I
can judge, matrimony makes no part of his plans or thoughts. I wish he were more
likely to fix.« Here was a glance at Fanny. »Edmund I consider from his
disposition and habits as much more likely to marry early than his brother. He,
indeed, I have lately thought has seen the woman he could love, which, I am
convinced, my eldest son has not. Am I right? Do you agree with me, my dear?«
    »Yes, Sir.«
    It was gently, but it was calmly said, and Sir Thomas was easy on the score
of the cousins. But the removal of his alarm did his niece no service; as her
unaccountableness was confirmed, his displeasure increased; and getting up and
walking about the room, with a frown, which Fanny could picture to herself,
though she dared not lift up her eyes, he shortly afterwards, and in a voice of
authority, said, »Have you any reason, child, to think ill of Mr. Crawford's
temper?«
    »No, Sir.«
    She longed to add, »but of his principles I have;« but her heart sunk under
the appalling prospect of discussion, explanation, and probably non-conviction.
Her ill opinion of him was founded chiefly on observations, which, for her
cousins' sake, she could scarcely dare mention to their father. Maria and