Where was either sentiment now?
It was so long since Fanny had had any letter from her, that she had some reason to think lightly of the friendship which had been so dwelt on.

It was weeks since she had heard anything of Miss Crawford or of her other connexions in town, except through Mansfield, and she was beginning to suppose that she might never know whether Mr.Crawford had gone into Norfolk again or not till they met, and might never hear from his sister any more this spring, when the following letter was received to revive old and create some new sensations-- "Forgive me, my dear Fanny, as soon as you can, for my long silence, and behave as if you could forgive me directly.

This is my modest request and expectation, for you are so good, that I depend upon being treated better than I deserve, and I write now to beg an immediate answer.

I want to know the state of things at Mansfield Park, and you, no doubt, are perfectly able to give it.

One should be a brute not to feel for the distress they are in; and from what I hear, poor Mr.Bertram has a bad chance of ultimate recovery.