"Yes, very; only I am soon tired."
"I should like to go to a ball with you and see you dance.
Have you never any balls at Northampton?
I should like to see you dance, and I'd dance with you if you would, for nobody would know who I was here, and I should like to be your partner once more.
We used to jump about together many a time, did not we? when the hand-organ was in the street?
I am a pretty good dancer in my way, but I dare say you are a better."
And turning to his uncle, who was now close to them, "Is not Fanny a very good dancer, sir?"
Fanny, in dismay at such an unprecedented question, did not know which way to look, or how to be prepared for the answer.
Some very grave reproof, or at least the coldest expression of indifference, must be coming to distress her brother, and sink her to the ground.
But, on the contrary, it was no worse than,
"I am sorry to say that I am unable to answer your question.
I have never seen Fanny dance since she was a little girl; but I trust we shall both think she acquits herself like a gentlewoman when we do see her, which, perhaps, we may have an opportunity of doing ere long."
"I have had the pleasure of seeing your sister dance, Mr. Price," said Henry Crawford, leaning forward, "and will engage to answer every inquiry which you can make on the subject, to your entire satisfaction.
But I believe" (seeing Fanny looked distressed) "it must be at some other time.
There is one person in company who does not like to have Miss Price spoken of."
True enough, he had once seen Fanny dance; and it was equally true that he would now have answered for her gliding about with quiet, light elegance, and in admirable time; but, in fact, he could not for the life of him recall what her dancing had been, and rather took it for granted that she had been present than remembered anything about her.
He passed, however, for an admirer of her dancing; and Sir Thomas, by no means displeased, prolonged the conversation on dancing in general, and was so well engaged in describing the balls of Antigua, and listening to what his nephew could relate of the different modes of dancing which had fallen within his observation, that he had not heard his carriage announced, and was first called to the knowledge of it by the bustle of Mrs. Norris.
"Come, Fanny, Fanny, what are you about?
We are going.
Do not you see your aunt is going?
Quick, quick!
I cannot bear to keep good old Wilcox waiting.
You should always remember the coachman and horses.
My dear Sir Thomas, we have settled it that the carriage should come back for you, and Edmund and William."
Sir Thomas could not dissent, as it had been his own arrangement, previously communicated to his wife and sister; but that seemed forgotten by Mrs. Norris, who must fancy that she settled it all herself.
Fanny's last feeling in the visit was disappointment: for the shawl which Edmund was quietly taking from the servant to bring and put round her shoulders was seized by Mr. Crawford's quicker hand, and she was obliged to be indebted to his more prominent attention.
CHAPTER XXVI
William's desire of seeing Fanny dance made more than a momentary impression on his uncle.
The hope of an opportunity, which Sir Thomas had then given, was not given to be thought of no more.
He remained steadily inclined to gratify so amiable a feeling; to gratify anybody else who might wish to see Fanny dance, and to give pleasure to the young people in general; and having thought the matter over, and taken his resolution in quiet independence, the result of it appeared the next morning at breakfast, when, after recalling and commending what his nephew had said, he added,
"I do not like, William, that you should leave Northamptonshire without this indulgence.
It would give me pleasure to see you both dance.
You spoke of the balls at Northampton.
Your cousins have occasionally attended them; but they would not altogether suit us now.
The fatigue would be too much for your aunt.
I believe we must not think of a Northampton ball.
A dance at home would be more eligible; and if - "
"Ah, my dear Sir Thomas!" interrupted Mrs. Norris, "I knew what was coming.
I knew what you were going to say.
If dear Julia were at home, or dearest Mrs. Rushworth at Sotherton, to afford a reason, an occasion for such a thing, you would be tempted to give the young people a dance at Mansfield.
I know you would.
If they were at home to grace the ball, a ball you would have this very Christmas.
Thank your uncle, William, thank your uncle!"
"My daughters," replied Sir Thomas, gravely interposing, "have their pleasures at Brighton, and I hope are very happy; but the dance which I think of giving at Mansfield will be for their cousins.
Could we be all assembled, our satisfaction would undoubtedly be more complete, but the absence of some is not to debar the others of amusement."
Mrs. Norris had not another word to say.
She saw decision in his looks, and her surprise and vexation required some minutes' silence to be settled into composure.
A ball at such a time!
His daughters absent and herself not consulted!
There was comfort, however, soon at hand.