@@@@@Were I refused, I must bear it; and till I
@@@@@Were I refused, I must bear
it; and till I am, I can never cease to try for her
The only question is how? What may be the likeliest means? I have
sometimes thought of going to London again after Easter, and sometimes
resolved on doing nothing till she returns to MansfieldEven
now, she speaks with pleasure of being in Mansfield in June; but
June is at a great distance, and I believe I shall write to herI have
nearly determined on explaining myself by letterTo be at an early
certainty is a material objectMy present state is miserably irksome
Considering everything, I think a letter will be decidedly the best
method of explanationI shall be able to write much that I could
not say, and shall be giving her time for reflection before she resolves
on her answer, and I am less afraid of the result of reflection
than of an immediate hasty impulse; I think I amMy greatest danger
would lie in her consulting MrsFraser, and I at a distance unable
to help my own causeA letter exposes to all the evil of consultation,
and where the mind is anything short of perfect decision, an
adviser may, in an unlucky moment, lead it to do what it may afterwards
regretI must think this matter over a littleThis long letter,
full of my own concerns alone, will be enough to tire even the friendship
of a FannyThe last time I saw Crawford was at MrsI am more and more satisfied with all that I see and hear of
himThere is not a shadow of waveringHe thoroughly knows his
own mind, and acts up to his resolutions: an inestimable qualityI
could not see him and my eldest sister in the same room without
recollecting what you once told me, and I acknowledge that they
did not meet as friendsThere was marked coolness on her side
371
Jane Austen
They scarcely spokeI saw him draw back surprised, and I was sorry
that MrsRushworth should resent any former supposed slight to
Miss BertramYou will wish to hear my opinion of Maria’s degree of
comfort as a wifeThere is no appearance of unhappinessI hope
they get on pretty well toge