Murder at Mansfield Park

Mary shook her head. "I have scrupled to plead Henry’s cause directly — that is not my place. Sir Thomas knows I do not approve of what my brother has done, but I do believe Henry to be sincerely desirous of being really received into the Bertram family, and very much disposed to look up to Sir Thomas, and be guided by him. For his part, Sir Thomas has acknowledged to me that he feels he should bear some part of the blame for what happened — for the elopement, at least. He feels that he ought never to have agreed to the engagement with Edmund in the first place, and that in so doing he allowed himself to be governed by mercenary and worldly motives. He is too judicious to say so, and too mindful of the respect owing to the dead, but I think he had very little knowledge of the weak side of Fanny’s character, or the consequences that might ensue from the excessive indulgence and constant flattery she received from Mrs Norris. As for Henry, if he knew Sir Thomas as I now do, he would value him as a friend, as well as someone who might supply the place of the father we lost so long ago. Sir Thomas and I have talked together on many subjects, and he has always paid me the compliment of considering my opinions seriously, while correcting me most graciously where I have been mistaken. I admire him immensely."

"As he does you, no doubt. And as Mr Maddox does also," said Mrs Grant with a knowing look. "Good heavens! That gentleman will be wondering where I have got to! I will shew him into the garden, and fetch you something to drink from the kitchen. And then I must return to unpacking the new Wedgwood-ware. The pattern is pretty enough, in its way, but I think they might have allowed us rather larger leaves — one is almost forced to conclude that the woods about Birmingham must be blighted."

Despite all her other cares, Mary could not but laugh at this, and she was still smiling a few minutes later when Maddox appeared, carrying a tray and a pitcher of spruce-beer.

"I come bearing gifts," he said, "but I am not Greek, and you need not fear me."

"Timeo Danaos et dona ferentes. I did not know you read Virgil, Mr Maddox."

"And I did not know you read Latin, Miss Crawford. There is a good deal, I suspect, that we do not yet know of one another."

Mary noticed that "yet", but she did not remark upon it.

"My sister says there is something you wish to discuss with me?"

"Quite so. May I?" he said, indicating the chair.

"Of course. Pray be seated."

He sat for a moment, looking at her face, and she became self-conscious. The wound had started to heal above her eye, but there would always be a scar. It was little enough in itself, considering what might have been, and she had never prided herself on her beauty alone, seeing it as both ephemeral and insignificant; but she had not yet become accustomed to her new face, and his intent gaze unsettled her.

"My apologies," he said quickly. "I did not mean to stare in such an unmannerly way, only — "

"Only?"

"It occurred to me, just then, that we have a good deal in common, besides a liking for Virgil. And a scar above the left eye."

Mary laughed. "That is no way to ingratiate yourself with a lady, Mr Maddox! You should be thankful that your profession does not require you to obtain information under cover of flirtatious gallantry.You would never resolve a crime again."

She had meant it as a joke, but his face fell, and she felt, for a moment, as remorseful if she had chosen her words on purpose to wound him.

"I am sorry, Mr Maddox, I did not mean — "

He waved his hand. "No, no. Think nothing of it. I was merely momentarily discomfited. The conversation is not going in the direction I had intended."

"And what did you intend, Mr Maddox?"

"To ask you to marry me."

She could not pretend it came as a surprise; she had been aware, for some time, of a particularity in his manners towards her, and since her convalescence, his attentions had become so conspicuous that even Dr Grant could not avoid perceiving in a grand and careless way that Mr Maddox was somewhat distinguishing his wife’s sister. But all the same, as every young lady knows, the supposition of admiration is quite a different thing from a decided offer, and she was, for a moment, unable to think or speak very clearly.