for it would
not be an ill-looking place if it had a better approach.«
    Miss Crawford was not slow to admire; she pretty well guessed Miss Bertram's
feelings, and made it a point of honour to promote her enjoyment to the utmost.
Mrs. Norris was all delight and volubility; and even Fanny had something to say
in admiration, and might be heard with complacency. Her eye was eagerly taking
in every thing within her reach; and after being at some pains to get a view of
the house, and observing that »it was a sort of building which she could not
look at but with respect,« she added, »Now, where is the avenue? The house
fronts the east, I perceive. The avenue, therefore, must be at the back of it.
Mr. Rushworth talked of the west front.«
    »Yes, it is exactly behind the house; begins at a little distance, and
ascends for half-a-mile to the extremity of the grounds. You may see something
of it here - something of the more distant trees. It is oak entirely.«
    Miss Bertram could now speak with decided information of what she had known
nothing about, when Mr. Rushworth had asked her opinion, and her spirits were in
as happy a flutter as vanity and pride could furnish, when they drove up to the
spacious stone steps before the principal entrance.
 

                                   Chapter IX

Mr. Rushworth was at the door to receive his fair lady, and the whole party were
welcomed by him with due attention. In the drawing-room they were met with equal
cordiality by the mother, and Miss Bertram had all the distinction with each
that she could wish. After the business of arriving was over, it was first
necessary to eat, and the doors were thrown open to admit them through one or
two intermediate rooms into the appointed dining-parlour, where a collation was
prepared with abundance and elegance. Much was said, and much was ate, and all
went well. The particular object of the day was then considered. How would Mr.
Crawford like, in what manner would he choose, to take a survey of the grounds?
- Mr. Rushworth mentioned his curricle. Mr. Crawford suggested the greater
desirableness of some carriage which might convey more than two. »To be
depriving themselves of the advantage of other eyes and other judgments, might
be an evil even beyond the loss of present pleasure.«
    Mrs. Rushworth proposed that the chaise should be taken also; but this was
scarcely received as an amendment; the young ladies