Edmund Bertram's Diary

Tom at last turned his attention to Mr. Crawford, who happened to mention his horse, and the two of them began a lengthy conversation about the merits of their hunters. Miss Crawford turned her attention to me and to my surprise I found myself tongue-tied, but luckily her conversation was lively enough for two.

When I had command of myself once more I asked her about her journey into Northamptonshire and she answered me civil y, making the commonplace remarks about the roads and the carriage seem interesting and amusing. I was about to ask her what she thought of Mansfield when Tom caught her attention and she was soon laughing with him again. I ought to be pleased that he has taken a liking to her, and she to him, but instead I find myself hoping that Tom will soon grow tired of her, and that I might see a great deal more of her in the coming weeks.

Tuesday 12 July

Tom was full of admiration for Miss Crawford this morning, saying that she was a very elegant young woman, and Maria and Julia seemed equal y struck with Henry Crawford.

Wednesday 13 July

We dined at the Parsonage this evening. Fanny was very quiet, but nevertheless I believe she enjoyed herself, for she does not go out so often that it is a commonplace to her. Miss Crawford was very lively, and matched Tom’s wit with her own. I managed to speak to her, too, and found her as agreeable to listen to as to look at. The Crawfords are an addition to our circle, and their presence bodes well for the summer.

Thursday 14 July

We have seen the Crawfords twice now, and on both occasions Miss Crawford has delighted me. She has such a lively way of talking and such dancing dark eyes that I can think of nothing else.

Mama and Aunt Norris are pleased with the Crawfords, too.

‘I knew how it would be,’ said my aunt. ‘Miss Crawford is as elegant and charming a young woman as you could wish to meet, and with her fortune, Tom, she would make you an excellent wife. Her brother, too, is quite the gentleman. I thought him plain at first—’

‘Plain?’ cried Maria and Julia together in astonishment.

‘At first,’ said my aunt. ‘But after the second meeting I thought him not so very plain, and after dining at the Parsonage yesterday, I find I consider him to be one of the handsomest men of my acquaintance. He has so much countenance, and his teeth are so good, and he is so well made, that he is a great addition to our circle.’

‘Indeed,’ said Maria, ‘he is the most agreeable man I ever met.’

‘But not so agreeable as Mr. Rushworth?’ I asked.

‘Of course our dear Maria favors Mr. Rushworth,’ put in my aunt. ‘He is everything that is amiable and amusing. Such manners, such an air...’

‘He is not half so agreeable as Mr. Crawford,’ said Julia, with far more truth.

‘And if I do not mistake the matter — which I am sure I do not — he finds you extremely agreeable, too, Julia,’ said my aunt, keen to promote this preference on the part of Julia. ‘A double wedding would be a very pleasant thing, with Tom marrying Mary Crawford, and Julia marrying Mr. Crawford. I am persuaded Sir Thomas would be very pleased.’

‘As to that, it would be a triple wedding, for I am already engaged,’ said Maria. ‘But for all that, there real y is no harm in my paying attention to an agreeable man. Everybody knows my situation, and Mr. Crawford must take care of himself.’

This speech did nothing to reassure me, but when I spoke to my aunt about it, she said,

‘Depend upon it, Maria is only paying attention to Mr. Crawford because she is cross with Mr. Rushworth for leaving her in order to visit a friend. He cannot expect Maria to stay indoors until he returns. I believe it will be no bad thing if Mr. Crawford pays some attention to Maria, for it will teach Mr. Rushworth a lesson, and when he returns he will see that he must guard his treasures if he is not to lose them.’

‘Do you think he may lose them?’ I asked. ‘Do you think Maria is not real y in love with him? If that is the case, I should not have allowed things to go this far. Long engagements are never a good thing, and this engagement of Maria’s, unsanctioned by my father and not likely to be sanctioned for many weeks, is worse than most. It puts everyone in a false position. ’

‘You misunderstand me. I am sure Maria loves him but a woman does not like to be ignored, and it will do Mr. Rushworth no harm to learn this fact. We all want Maria to be happy when she becomes Mrs. Rushworth, and not to find herself left behind whilst her husband goes roaming about the country.’

Rushworth’s going to stay with a friend for a fortnight did not seem like roaming about the country to me, but my aunt knows far more about women than I do, and no doubt she is right. Even so, I wish Papa might come home soon, for I am sure he will be better at looking after his daughters than I can ever be.

Besides, I feel in need of some advice myself. I can think of nothing but Miss Crawford — but it seems Miss Crawford can think of nothing but Tom.

Friday 15 July