Chapters 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, and 43 Summary

Fanny's spirits rise as she travels with William. It is very pleasant to have so much time alone with him to talk. William knows what happened between Fanny and Mr. Crawford, and he's disappointed that his sister doesn't love Mr. Crawford. Because of what Mr. Crawford did for William, William thinks Mr. Crawford is the best of men. But he doesn't want to upset her, so he doesn't broach the subject.

They stop at a stage house for the night, and in the morning they set out for Portsmouth once more. They finally arrive at the Price home, and Fanny is greeted with stares by the younger children. Her mother hugs her, and she is shown in to the parlor. Fanny soon sees that her family is coarser than she would have expected. The children talk to their mother in a...