@@@@@ “I can never be important to any
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“I can never be important to any one
“What is to prevent you?”
“EverythingMy situation, my foolishness and awkwardness
“As to your foolishness and awkwardness, my dear Fanny, believe
me, you never have a shadow of either, but in using the words so
improperlyThere is no reason in the world why you should not be
important where you are knownYou have good sense, and a sweet
temper, and I am sure you have a grateful heart, that could never
receive kindness without wishing to return itI do not know any
better qualifications for a friend and companion
“You are too kind,” said Fanny, colouring at such praise; “how
shall I ever thank you as I ought, for thinking so well of meOh!
cousin, if I am to go away, I shall remember your goodness to the
last moment of my life
“Why, indeed, Fanny, I should hope to be remembered at such a
distance as the White HouseYou speak as if you were going two
hundred miles off instead of only across the park; but you will belong
to us almost as much as everThe two families will be meeting
every day in the yearThe only difference will be that, living with
your aunt, you will necessarily be brought forward as you ought to
beHere there are too many whom you can hide behind; but with
her you will be forced to speak for yourself
“Oh! I do not say so
“I must say it, and say it with pleasureNorris is much better
fitted than my mother for having the charge of you nowShe is of a
temper to do a great deal for anybody she really interests herself
about, and she will force you to do justice to your natural powers
Fanny sighed, and said, “I cannot see things as you do; but I ought
to believe you to be right rather than myself, and I am very much
obliged to you for trying to reconcile me to what must beIf I could
suppose my aunt really to care for me, it would be delightful to feel
myself of consequence to anybodyHere, I know, I am of none, and
yet I love the place so well
“The place, Fanny, is what you will not quit, though you quit the
houseYou will have as free a command of the park and gardens as
24
Mansfield Park
everEven your constant little heart need not take fright at such a
nominal changeYou will have the same walks to frequent, the same
library to choose from, the same people to look at, the same horse
to