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You have but one style among you. I know it perfectly. Henry, who is in every other respect exactly what
a brother should be, who loves me, consults me, confides in me, and will talk to me by the hour together,
has never yet turned the page in a letter; and very often it is nothing more than, 'Dear Mary, I am just
arrived. Bath seems full, and everything as usual. Yours sincerely.' That is the true manly style; that is a
complete brother's letter."
"When they are at a distance from all their family," said Fanny, coloring for William's sake, "they can
write long letters."
"Miss Price has a brother at sea," said Edmund, "whose excellence as a correspondent, makes her think
you too severe upon us."
"At sea, has she? In the King's service of course."
Fanny would rather have had Edmund tell the story, but his determined silence obliged her to relate her
brother's situation; her voice was animated in speaking of his profession, and the foreign stations he had
been on, but she could not mention the number of years that he had been absent without tears in her
eyes. Miss Crawford civilly wished him an early promotion.
"Do you know anything of my cousin's captain?" said Edmund; "Captain Marshall? You have a large
acquaintance in the navy, I conclude?"
"Among Admirals, large enough; but," with an air of grandeur, "we know very little of the inferior ranks.
Post captains may be very good sort of men, but they do not belong to us. Of various admirals I could
tell you a great deal; of them and their flags, and the gradation of their pay, and their bickerings and
jealousies. But in general, I can assure you that they are all passed over, and all very ill used. Certainly,
my home at my uncle's brought me acquainted with a circle of admirals. Of Rears , and Vices , I saw
enough. Now, do not be suspecting me of a pun, I entreat."
Edmund again felt grave, and only replied, "It is a noble profession."
"Yes, the profession is well enough under two circumstances; if it make the fortune, and there be
discretion in spending it. But, in short, it is not a favorite profession of mine. It has never worn an amiable
form to me ."
Edmund reverted to the harp, and was again very happy in the prospect of hearing her play.
The subject of improving grounds meanwhile was still under consideration among the others; and Mrs.
Grant could not help addressing her brother, though it was calling his attention from Miss Julia Bertram.
"My dear Henry, have you nothing to say? You have been an improver yourself, and from what I hear of
Everingham, it may vie with any place in England. Its natural beauties, I am sure, are great. Everingham as
it used to be was perfect in my estimation; such a happy fall of ground, and such timber! What would not
I give to see it again!"
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"Nothing could be so gratifying to me as to hear your opinion of it," was his answer. "But I fear there
would be some disappointment. You would not find it equal to your present ideas. In extent it is a mere
nothing you would be surprised at its insignificance; and as for improvement, there was very little for me
to do; too little I should like to have been busy much longer."
"You are fond of the sort of thing?" said Julia.
"Excessively: but what with the natural advantages of the ground, which pointed out even to a very young
eye what little remained to be done, and my own consequent resolutions, I had not been of age three
months before Everingham was all that it is now. My plan was laid at Westminster a little altered
perhaps at Cambridge, and at one and twenty executed. I am inclined to envy Mr. Rushworth for having
so much happiness yet before him. I have been a devourer of my own."
"Those who see quickly, will resolve quickly and act quickly," said Julia. " Youcan never want
employment. Instead of envying Mr. Rushworth, you should assist him with your opinion."
Mrs. Grant hearing the latter part of this speech, enforced it warmly, persuaded that no judgment could
be equal to her brother's; and as Miss Bertram caught at the idea likewise, and gave it her full support,
declaring that in her opinion it was infinitely better to consult with friends and disinterested advisers, than
immediately to throw the business into the hands of a professional man, Mr. Rushworth was very ready
to request the favor of Mr. Crawford's assistance; and Mr. Crawford, after properly depreciating his
own abilities, was quite at his service in any way that could be useful. Mr. Rushworth then began to
propose Mr. Crawford's doing him the honor of coming over to Sotherton, and taking a bed there; when
Mrs. Norris, as if reading in her two nieces' minds their little approbation of a plan which was to take Mr.
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