Murder at Mansfield Park - Lynn Shepherd [26]
‘Oh! As to acting myself,’ said Miss Price, ‘that is out of the question; unless, of course, I am particularly wanted.’
Mr Bertram now appeared at her elbow, and Mary was led to the top of the room where the set was forming, couple by couple. Mr Norris and Miss Price soon joined the rest of the dancers, and finally Mr Rushworth conducted Miss Bertram to the head of the set. The ball began, and Mary was more than satisfied with her partner. Tom Bertram was just the sort of young man to appear to great advantage in a ball-room, for he had easy manners, excellent spirits, and a great deal to say, and the two of them went down their two dances with sufficient gaiety to provoke the curiosity of many lookers-on. Miss Crawford was known only by name to half the people invited, but she was pretty, she was lively, and she was soon said to be admired by Mr Bertram. It was enough to excite a general interest, and an unusual degree of attentiveness on the part of the chaperons sitting by the fire, each of whom had fully intended that Mr Bertram should marry one or other of their daughters. Of this Mary herself was perfectly unaware, and when the first two dances were over she returned to her brother, only to find herself straightaway addressed by Mr Norris, who took her very much by surprise in gravely applying for her hand. Having secured her for the two next, he walked away again immediately, and rejoined Miss Price by the fire. Mrs Norris, who happened at that moment to be standing just behind Mary, saw it all, and immediately began to address her companions in a voice loud enough to be heard by half the room.
‘Well, my dear Mrs Sneyd, however much you admire Fanny’s dancing, I am afraid that there will be little satisfaction in looking on now. I think it is rather a pity she and Edmund should be obliged to part.Young folks in their situation should be excused complying with the common forms.’
‘Quite so, Mrs Norris,’ replied the other in an obsequious tone, ‘I wonder your son did not propose it.’
‘Oh! I dare say he did. Edmund is never remiss. But dear Fanny has such a strict sense of propriety, so much of that true delicacy which one seldom meets with now-a-days, Mrs Sneyd. Only look at her face at this moment, as they are standing side by side.’
Miss Price did indeed look happy; her cheeks were glowing with delight, and she was speaking with unusual vivacity. Mr Rushworth and Maria had just joined the group by the fire, and it was evident that he had requested the honour of the two next.
Mrs Norris was still chattering in the same complacent tones. ‘And what say you, Mrs Smart, to the chance of another match? Such things are very catching.’
‘I take it you mean Miss Bertram and Mr Rushworth? Yes, indeed, they would be a very pretty couple. Lady Orr was saying much the same thing to me only a few moments ago. What is his property?’
‘Oh, some four or five thousand a year, I believe. Nothing to my dear Edmund’s, of course, but those who have not more, must be satisfied with what they have, and make the best of it. But, to be sure, ma’am,’ she continued, more confidentially,‘to be sure it is not quite settled, yet. We only speak of it among friends. But I have very little doubt it will be. He is growing exceedingly attentive, is he not?’
‘Oh yes, indeed.’
The music soon recommenced, and when Mr Norris approached to claim her hand, Mary saw that the expression of his face was grave and contemplative. They stood for some time without speaking a word, till suddenly fancying that it would be the greater vexation to Mrs Norris to be seen to be in conversation, Mary made some slight observation on the ball-room.
Mr Norris looked her in the face for the first time, seemed about to speak, but then stopped, his eyes fixed intently on her.
‘Good heavens,’ he exclaimed. ‘What is this? What can be meant by it?’
To Mary’s astonishment, his complexion became pale, and the disturbance of his mind was visible in every feature. Nothing could explain such a complete change of humour and countenance; he had always been polite, even if rather