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protested against comedy, and this is comedy in its worst form." And so saying, she walked hastily out of
the room, leaving awkward feelings to more than one, but exciting small compassion in any except Fanny
who had been a quiet auditor of the whole, and who could not think of her as under the agitations of
jealousy, without great pity.
A short silence succeeded her leaving them; but her brother soon returned to business and Lovers'
Vows, and was eagerly looking over the play, with Mr. Yates's help, to ascertain what scenery would be
necessary while Maria and Henry Crawford conversed together in an under voice, and the declaration
with which she began of, "I am sure I would give up the part to Julia most willingly, but that though I shall
probably do it very ill, I feel persuaded she would do it worse," was doubtless receiving all the
compliments it called for.
When this had lasted some time, the division of the party was completed by Tom Bertram and Mr.
Yates walking off together to consult farther in the room now beginning to be called the Theater , and
Miss Bertram's resolving to go down to the Parsonage herself with the offer of Amelia to Miss Crawford;
and Fanny remained alone.
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The first use she made of her solitude was to take up the volume which had been left on the table, and
begin to acquaint herself with the play of which she had heard so much. Her curiosity was all awake, and
she ran through it with an eagerness which was suspended only by intervals of astonishment, that it could
be chosen in the present instance that it could be proposed and accepted in a private Theater! Agatha
and Amelia appeared to her in their different ways so totally improper for home representation the
situation of one, and the language of the other, so unfit to be expressed by any woman of modesty, that
she could hardly suppose her cousins could be aware of what they were engaging in; and longed to have
them roused as soon as possible by the remonstrance which Edmund would certainly make.
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Chapter 15
Miss Crawford accepted the part very readily, and soon after Miss Bertram's return from the
Parsonage, Mr. Rushworth arrived, and another character was consequently cast. He had the offer of
Count Cassel and Anhalt, and at first did not know which to choose, and wanted Miss Bertram to direct
him, but upon being made to understand the different style of the characters, and which was which, and
recollecting that he had once seen the play in London, and had thought Anhalt a very stupid fellow, he
soon decided for the Count. Miss Bertram approved the decision, for the less he had to learn the better;
and though she could not sympathise in his wish that the Count and Agatha might be to act together, nor
wait very patiently while he was slowly turning over the leaves with the hope of still discovering such a
scene, she very kindly took his part in hand, and curtailed every speech that admitted being
shortened; besides pointing out the necessity of his being very much dressed, and choosing his colors.
Mr. Rushworth liked the idea of his finery very well, though affecting to despise it, and was too much
engaged with what his own appearance would be, to think of the others, or draw any of those
conclusions, or feel any of that displeasure, which Maria had been half prepared for.
Thus much was settled before Edmund, who had been out all the morning, knew anything of the matter;
but when he entered the drawing-room before dinner, the buzz of discussion was high between Tom,
Maria, and Mr. Yates; and Mr. Rushworth stepped forward with great alacrity to tell him the agreeable
news.
"We have got a play," said he. "It is to be Lovers' Vows; and I am to be Count Cassel, and am to
come in first with a blue dress, and a pink satin cloak, and afterwards am to have another fine fancy suit
by way of a shooting dress. I do not know how I shall like it."
Fanny's eyes followed Edmund, and her heart beat for him as she heard this speech, and saw his look,
and felt what his sensations must be.
"Lovers' Vows!" in a tone of the greatest amazement, was his only reply to Mr. Rushworth; and he
turned towards his brother and sisters as if hardly doubting a contradiction.
"Yes," cried Mr. Yates. "After all our debating! and difficulties, we find there is nothing that will suit us
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altogether so well, nothing so unexceptionable, as Lovers' Vows. The wonder is that it should not have
been thought of before. My stupidity was abominable, for here we have all the advantage of what I saw
at Ecclesford; and it is so useful to have anything of a model! We have cast almost every part."
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