_He_, indeed, I have lately thought, has seen the woman he could love, which, I am convinced, my eldest son has not.

Am I right?
Do you agree with me, my dear ?" "Yes, sir." It was gently, but it was calmly said, and Sir Thomas was easy on the score of the cousins.

But the removal of his alarm did his niece no service: as her unaccountableness was confirmed his displeasure increased; and getting up and walking about the room with a frown, which Fanny could picture to herself, though she dared not lift up her eyes, he shortly afterwards, and in a voice of authority, said, "Have you any reason, child, to think ill of Mr.Crawford's temper ?" "No, sir." She longed to add, "But of his principles I have"; but her heart sunk under the appalling prospect of discussion, explanation, and probably non-conviction.

Her ill opinion of him was founded chiefly on observations, which, for her cousins' sake, she could scarcely dare mention to their father.

Maria and Julia, and especially Maria, were so closely implicated in Mr.Crawford's misconduct, that she could not give his character, such as she believed it, without betraying them.