marry. Look where I will, I see that
it is so; and I feel that it must be so, when I consider that it is, of all
transactions, the one in which people expect most from others, and are least
honest themselves.«
    »Ah! You have been in a bad school for matrimony, in Hill Street.«
    »My poor aunt had certainly little cause to love the state; but, however,
speaking from my own observation, it is a manoeuvring business. I know so many
who have married in the full expectation and confidence of some one particular
advantage in the connection, or accomplishment or good quality in the person,
who have found themselves entirely deceived, and been obliged to put up with
exactly the reverse! What is this, but a take in?«
    »My dear child, there must be a little imagination here. I beg your pardon,
but I cannot quite believe you. Depend upon it, you see but half. You see the
evil, but you do not see the consolation. There will be little rubs and
disappointments every where, and we are all apt to expect too much; but then, if
one scheme of happiness fails, human nature turns to another; if the first
calculation is wrong, we make a second better; we find comfort somewhere - and
those evil-minded observers, dearest Mary, who make much of a little, are more
taken in and deceived than the parties themselves.«
    »Well done, sister! I honour your esprit du corps. When I am a wife, I mean
to be just as staunch myself; and I wish my friends in general would be so too.
It would save me many a heart-ache.«
    »You are as bad as your brother, Mary; but we will cure you both. Mansfield
shall cure you both - and without any taking in. Stay with us and we will cure
you.«
    The Crawfords, without wanting to be cured, were very willing to stay. Mary
was satisfied with the parsonage as a present home, and Henry equally ready to
lengthen his visit. He had come, intending to spend only a few days with them,
but Mansfield promised well, and there was nothing to call him elsewhere. It
delighted Mrs. Grant to keep them both with her, and Dr. Grant was exceedingly
well contented to have it so; a talking pretty young woman like Miss Crawford,
is always pleasant society to an indolent, stay-at-home man; and Mr. Crawford's
being his guest was