To prevent its being expected, she had fixed on the smallest habitation which could rank as genteel among the buildings of Mansfield parish, the White House being only just large enough to receive herself and her servants, and allow a spare room for a friend, of which she made a very particular point.

The spare rooms at the Parsonage had never been wanted, but the absolute necessity of a spare room for a friend was now never forgotten.

Not all her precautions, however, could save her from being suspected of something better; or, perhaps, her very display of the importance of a spare room might have misled Sir Thomas to suppose it really intended for Fanny.

Lady Bertram soon brought the matter to a certainty by carelessly observing to Mrs.Norris-- "I think, sister, we need not keep Miss Lee any longer, when Fanny goes to live with you." Mrs.Norris almost started.

"Live with me, dear Lady Bertram! what do you mean ?" "Is she not to live with you?
I thought you had settled it with Sir Thomas." "Me! never.