第52章

andwithagreatdealofgratitudeonhersideforsuchreadyandkindattention，theyproceededindoors，andupstairs，andweresoondeepintheinterestingsubject。MissCrawford，pleasedwiththeappeal，gaveherallherbestjudgmentandtaste，madeeverythingeasybyhersuggestions，andtriedtomakeeverythingagreeablebyherencouragement。

Thedressbeingsettledinallitsgranderparts——

“Butwhatshallyouhavebywayofnecklace？“saidMissCrawford。“Shallnotyouwearyourbrother’scross？“

Andasshespokeshewasundoingasmallparcel，whichFannyhadobservedinherhandwhentheymet。

Fannyacknowledgedherwishesanddoubtsonthispoint：

shedidnotknowhoweithertowearthecross，ortorefrainfromwearingit。Shewasansweredbyhavingasmalltrinket-boxplacedbeforeher，andbeingrequestedtochusefromamongseveralgoldchainsandnecklaces。

SuchhadbeentheparcelwithwhichMissCrawfordwasprovided，andsuchtheobjectofherintendedvisit：

andinthekindestmannershenowurgedFanny’stakingoneforthecrossandtokeepforhersake，sayingeverythingshecouldthinkoftoobviatethescrupleswhichweremakingFannystartbackatfirstwithalookofhorrorattheproposal。

“YouseewhatacollectionIhave，“saidshe；“morebyhalfthanIeveruseorthinkof。Idonotofferthemasnew。

Ioffernothingbutanoldnecklace。Youmustforgivetheliberty，andobligeme。“

Fannystillresisted，andfromherheart。Thegiftwastoovaluable。ButMissCrawfordpersevered，andarguedthecasewithsomuchaffectionateearnestnessthroughalltheheadsofWilliamandthecross，andtheball，andherself，astobefinallysuccessful。Fannyfoundherselfobligedtoyield，thatshemightnotbeaccusedofprideorindifference，orsomeotherlittleness；

andhavingwithmodestreluctancegivenherconsent，proceededtomaketheselection。Shelookedandlooked，longingtoknowwhichmightbeleastvaluable；andwasdeterminedinherchoiceatlast，byfancyingtherewasonenecklacemorefrequentlyplacedbeforehereyesthantherest。Itwasofgold，prettilyworked；andthoughFannywouldhavepreferredalongerandaplainerchainasmoreadaptedforherpurpose，shehoped，infixingonthis，tobechusingwhatMissCrawfordleastwishedtokeep。

MissCrawfordsmiledherperfectapprobation；andhastenedtocompletethegiftbyputtingthenecklaceroundher，andmakingherseehowwellitlooked。Fannyhadnotawordtosayagainstitsbecomingness，and，exceptingwhatremainedofherscruples，wasexceedinglypleasedwithanacquisitionsoveryapropos。Shewouldrather，perhaps，havebeenobligedtosomeotherperson。Butthiswasanunworthyfeeling。MissCrawfordhadanticipatedherwantswithakindnesswhichprovedherarealfriend。

“WhenIwearthisnecklaceIshallalwaysthinkofyou，“

saidshe，“andfeelhowverykindyouwere。“

“Youmustthin

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