From this moment there was a return of his former jealousy, which Maria, from
increasing hopes of Crawford, was at little pains to remove; and the chances of
Mr. Rushworth's ever attaining to the knowledge of his two-and-forty speeches
became much less. As to his ever making anything _tolerable_ of them, nobody had
the smallest idea of that except his mother; _she_, indeed, regretted that his
part was not more considerable, and deferred coming over to Mansfield till they
were forward enough in their rehearsal to comprehend all his scenes; but the
others aspired at nothing beyond his remembering the catchword, and the first
line of his speech, and being able to follow the prompter through the rest.
Fanny, in her pity and kindheartedness, was at great pains to teach him how to
learn, giving him all the helps and directions in her power, trying to make an
artificial memory for him, and learning every word of his part herself, but
without his being much the forwarder.
Many uncomfortable, anxious, apprehensive feelings she certainly had; but
with all these, and other claims on her time and attention, she was as far from
finding herself without employment or utility amongst them, as without a
companion in uneasiness; quite as far from having no demand on her leisure as on
her compassion. The gloom of her first anticipations was proved to have been
unfounded. She was occasionally useful to all; she was perhaps as much at peace
as any.
There was a great deal of needlework to be done, moreover, in which her help
was wanted; and that Mrs. Norris thought her quite as well off as the rest, was
evident by the manner in which she claimed it--"Come, Fanny," she cried, "these
are fine times for you, but you must not be always walking from one room to the
other, and doing the lookings-on at your ease, in this way; I want you here. I
have been slaving myself till I can hardly stand, to contrive Mr. Rushworth's
cloak without sending for any more satin; and now I think you may give me your
help in putting it together. There are but three seams; you may do them in a
trice. It would be lucky for me if I had nothing but the executive part to do.
_You_ are best off, I can tell you: but if nobody did more than _you_, we should
not get on very fast"
Fanny took the work very quietly, without attempting any defence; but her
kinder aunt Bertram observed on her behalf--
"One cannot wonder, sister, that Fanny _should_ be delighted: it is all new
to her, you know; you and I used to be very fond of a play ourselves, and so am
I still; and as soon as I am a little more at leisure, _I_ mean to look in at
their rehearsals too. What is the play about, Fanny? you have never told
me."
"Oh! sister, pray do not ask her now; for Fanny is not one of those who can
talk and work at the same time. It is about Lovers' Vows."
"I believe," said Fanny to her aunt Bertram, "there will be three acts
rehearsed to-morrow evening, and that will give you an opportunity of seeing all
the actors at once."
"You had better stay till the curtain is hung," interposed Mrs. Norris; "the
curtain will be hung in a day or two-- there is very little sense in a play
without a curtain-- and I am much mistaken if you do not find it draw up into
very handsome festoons."
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