By convincing her that Fanny _was_ very pretty, which she had been doubting about before, and that she would be advantageously married, it made her feel a sort of credit in calling her niece.
"Well, Fanny," said she, as soon as they were alone together afterwards, and she really had known something like impatience to be alone with her, and her countenance, as she spoke, had extraordinary animation; "Well, Fanny, I have had a very agreeable surprise this morning.

I must just speak of it _once_, I told Sir Thomas I must _once_, and then I shall have done.

I give you joy, my dear niece." And looking at her complacently, she added, "Humph, we certainly are a handsome family!" Fanny coloured, and doubted at first what to say; when, hoping to assail her on her vulnerable side, she presently answered-- "My dear aunt, _you_ cannot wish me to do differently from what I have done, I am sure.

_You_ cannot wish me to marry; for you would miss me, should not you?
Yes, I am sure you would miss me too much for that." "No, my dear, I should not think of missing you, when such an offer as this comes in your way.

I could do very well without you, if you were married to a man of such good estate as Mr.Crawford.And you must be aware, Fanny, that it is every young woman's duty to accept such a very unexceptionable offer as this." This was almost the only rule of conduct, the only piece of advice, which Fanny had ever received from her aunt in the course of eight years and a half.