Harry Crawford was not so constant as his sister.  On an expedition to Sotherton Court (Mr. Rushworth’s place) he flirted with Julia on the way down, and with Maria when Sotherton was reached, leaving poor Mr. Rushworth no resource but to declare to Fanny his surprise at anyone calling so undersized a man as his rival handsome.

Some rehearsals of a play called “Lovers’ Vows,” in which Harry left Maria happy and expectant and Julia furious by assigning the parts of the lovers to the elder sister and to himself, made Mr. Rushworth even jealous.  But this theatrical scheme, to which even Edmund had been forced to lend a reluctant co-operation—­merely with a view of preventing outside actors being introduced—­happily came to nothing, thanks to the unexpected arrival of Sir Thomas.

III.—­Fanny in Society

Maria was now expecting the man she loved to declare himself; but instead of making such a declaration of attachment, Harry Crawford left the neighbourhood almost immediately on the plea of having to meet his uncle at Bath.  Maria, wounded and indignant, resolved that, though he had destroyed her happiness, he should not know that he had done so.  So when her father, having, in an evening spent at Sotherton, discovered what a very inferior young man Mr. Rushworth was, and having noticed Maria’s complete indifference to him, offered to give up the connection if she felt herself unhappy in the prospect of it, she merely thanked him, and said she had not the smallest desire of breaking through her engagement, and was not sensible of any change of opinion or inclination since her forming it.  In a few weeks’ time she was married to Mr. Rushworth; and after a day or two spent at Sotherton, the wedded pair went off to Brighton, where they were joined by Julia Bertram.

Meantime, Fanny, as the only young lady left at the Park, became of importance.  Sir Thomas decided that she was pretty; Miss Crawford cultivated her society; and Mrs. Grant asked her to dinner.  This last-mentioned attention disturbed Lady Bertram.

“So strange!” she said.  “For Mrs. Grant never used to ask her.”

“But it is very natural,” observed Edmund, “that Mrs. Grant should wish to procure so agreeable a visitor for her sister.”

“Nothing can be more natural,” said Sir Thomas, after a short deliberation; “nor, were there no sister in the case, could anything, in my opinion, be more natural.  Mrs. Grant’s showing civility to Miss Price, to Lady Bertram’s niece, could never want explanation.  The only surprise I can feel is that this should be the first time of its being paid.  Fanny was right in giving only a conditional answer.  She appears to feel as she ought.  But, as I conclude that she wishes to go, since all young people like to be together, I can see no reason why she should be denied this indulgence.”