Edmund Bertram's Diary

Maria looked conscious, and Julia retaliated by saying that the young men roundabout were dull.

‘He is very taken with your sister,’ went on my aunt, as though Julia had not spoken. ‘And what a fine man he is, with a good face and figure, charming manners and a house in town. His fortune is sizeable, too, for he has twelve thousand a year.’

‘Then it is no wonder that Maria likes him,’ said Tom with a sly look. Maria blushed.

‘I am sure Mr. Rushworth has no thought of proposing,’ she said, tossing her head.

‘And I am sure he has,’ was my aunt’s rejoinder.

I could get nothing more out of Tom about Antigua for he said he must dance, and before long we were all doing some of the steps he had learnt in the Indies. Even Mama was persuaded to dance, whilst my aunt played, and Pug sat on the sofa and watched us all.

OCTOBER

Thursday 22 October

The winter evenings have had enough ball s even to satisfy my sisters, and Aunt Norris is now determined to see them well married.

‘Maria is twenty now, and of an age to be married,’ she said to me as we sat in the drawing room this evening. ‘And Julia, too, is not far behind. What a thing it would be if we could find suitable matches for them both before your father returns. I am sure Mr. Rushworth wants only a little encouragement to offer for Maria, and there are several young men who seem remarkably fond of Julia. And if poor Sir Thomas fails to return,’ she added, for she has still not despaired of him being shipwrecked, or lost overboard, ‘it will be a consolation to see Maria married, and to know that he would have approved.’

But no young men offered for my sisters tonight, despite my aunt’s hopes. We returned to find Fanny sitting peaceful y with Mama. She looked up as I entered the room, an eager smile on her face, for though she is too young for ball s, she loves to hear of them. I sat by her for half an hour and told her all about our evening. She wanted to know every dance I had danced, and with whom; and when I had done, I told her I was looking forward to standing up with her at her first ball, as soon as Mama thought she was old enough to at end. She looked at the floor, reminding me how young she was, for even the small est compliment discomposes her. Perhaps it is a good thing she does not go into company, after all.

1808 JANUARY

Monday 11 January

It seems my aunt’s fondest wishes are about to be fulfilled, for Maria has received an offer of marriage from Mr. Rushworth.

‘Such a nice man,’ said my aunt. ‘He has such a way with him; such manners, and such—’

‘—a large property,’ finished Tom.

My aunt perceived no irony in Tom’s comment, but replied with, ‘Very true, it is a fine property. One of the best in the country, and then there is his house in town as well. Maria is a very lucky girl to have attracted such a man, with everything in his favor: his home, his fortune and his person. I only hope the rest of you will marry as well. Julia, we will have to look about us and find another such a one for you.’ She turned to Maria. ‘We must have an early wedding.’

‘Sir Thomas’s permission must first be sought,’ said Mama, rousing herself a little as she lay on the chaise longue.

‘He will be very pleased, mark my words. What, to find his daughter affianced to such a man as Mr. Rushworth? To be sure, he will be delighted. A spring wedding would be very fine,’ said my aunt. ‘Dr Grant must perform the ceremony, for I am sure he does little enough since he bought the Mansfield living. And if you have an early wedding, you will be able to go to London for the Season, Maria. With such a fine house in town, it would be a pity not to make use of it this year.’

Maria was soon making plans with my aunt, and saying that she would invite Julia to spend the Season with her, so that she, too, could find a husband.

‘You must invite Fanny,’ I said. ‘She would enjoy the theatres and the galleries. Would you not, Fanny?’

‘I am sure it is more than she looks for,’ said my aunt ungraciously, before Fanny had time to reply. ‘There is no need to invite her.’

‘I have no objection to it,’ said Maria. ‘Fanny will be very welcome, only she is too young this year. But next year, Fanny, you must come and stay. You will be eighteen then, and of an age to enjoy everything.’

Fanny was all gratitude, and I liked to think of her having her share of the pleasure.

‘And Tom, you must visit your sister, too,’ said my aunt. ‘I am sure she will find you an heiress, someone with twenty or thirty thousand pounds, and a beauty besides.’

Tom laughed, and said he had no intention of marrying for at least another twenty years, whereupon my aunt remarked that it must be up to me, then, to make an advantageous marriage.

As the conversation continued I could not help but be grateful that it was not up to me to give or withhold my consent to Maria’s marriage. I have little liking for Rushworth. Indeed, if he did not have twelve thousand a year I would think him a very stupid fellow.