Free Murder at Mansfield Park by Lynn Shepherd Page A

afford Crawford for the park.’
    In the drawing-room they were introduced to one of Mr Rushworth’s intimate friends, the Honourable John Yates, who had arrived from Bath expressly for the ball. The Mansfield party was
also present, and had all been walking about together, inspecting the house and exclaiming over its fine proportions and splendid furniture. All the young ladies were most elegantly dressed, and
Miss Price’s ensemble of satin and embroidered gauze was much admired. This did not surprise Mary; she had never seen such a gown before outside a fashion-plate. When the guests began
to arrive, Mary was soon solicited by Mr Bertram for the first two dances, and when the company were moving into the ball-room she found herself for the first time near Miss Price. Mary saw her eye
glancing for a moment at her necklace with a smile—she thought there was a smile—which gave her a feeling of unease that she could not get the better of for some minutes.
    ‘My dear Miss Crawford,’ she cried, ‘Mr Rushworth has been shewing us the house, and by that I mean the whole house from attic to cellar: drawing-rooms, summer
breakfast-parlours, winter breakfast-parlours, dining-rooms, bedrooms, picture galleries, and even a private theatre!’
    Seeing Mary’s astonishment, she continued, ‘I assure you, I do not jest; Mr Rushworth has built an entire theatre, completely fitted up with pit, curtain, stage, and gallery. He and
Mr Yates are wild to be doing some thing, and in consequence, everyone else has caught the itch for acting. All they need do now is decide upon a play that will suit every body. As we came down,
Tom was saying that he would prefer a comedy, while Maria and Mr Rushworth incline towards tragedy, but I doubt not that, with perseverance, they will find a piece which will please them
all.’
    ‘And you, Miss Price? Have you a preference?’
    ‘Oh! As to acting myself,’ said Miss Price, ‘ that is out of the question; unless, of course, I am particularly wanted.’
    Mr Bertram now appeared at her elbow, and Mary was led to the top of the room where the set was forming, couple by couple. Mr Norris and Miss Price soon joined the rest of the dancers, and
finally Mr Rushworth conducted Miss Bertram to the head of the set. The ball began, and Mary was more than satisfied with her partner. Tom Bertram was just the sort of young man to appear to great
advantage in a ball-room, for he had easy manners, excellent spirits, and a great deal to say, and the two of them went down their two dances with sufficient gaiety to provoke the curiosity of many
lookers-on. Miss Crawford was known only by name to half the people invited, but she was pretty, she was lively, and she was soon said to be admired by Mr Bertram. It was enough to excite a general
interest, and an unusual degree of attentiveness on the part of the chaperons sitting by the fire, each of whom had fully intended that Mr Bertram should marry one or other of their daughters. Of
this Mary herself was perfectly unaware, and when the first two dances were over she returned to her brother, only to find herself straightaway addressed by Mr Norris, who took her very much by
surprise in gravely applying for her hand. Having secured her for the two next, he walked away again immediately, and rejoined Miss Price by the fire. Mrs Norris, who happened at that moment to be
standing just behind Mary, saw it all, and immediately began to address her companions in a voice loud enough to be heard by half the room.
    ‘Well, my dear Mrs Sneyd, however much you admire Fanny’s dancing, I am afraid that there will be little satisfaction in looking on now . I think it is rather a pity she and
Edmund should be obliged to part. Young folks in their situation should be excused complying with the common forms.’
    ‘Quite so, Mrs Norris,’ replied the other in an obsequious tone, ‘I wonder your son did not propose it.’
    ‘Oh! I dare say he did. Edmund is