Mansfield Park, Volume III

 

All references are to the Penguin edition unless otherwise noted.

 

Chapter 32: 

 

 

 

Chapter 33:

Henry is still set on marrying Fanny, even though she has refused his proposal.  Sir Thomas insists on Fanny speaking to him again and she once again declines his professed love for her.  Lady Bertram realizes that by Henry wanting to marry Fanny, she must be beautiful, and therefore looks at her in a different light.  At the end of the chapters Lady Bertram tells Fanny that when Pug has puppies, she will get a puppy and she won't even do that for Maria.  (H.G.)

 

 

 

Chapter 34:

 Edmund returns to Mansfield, still trying to advoid Miss Crawford, and learns of Henry's proposal to Fanny. Fanny dreads this, and expects the same reaction from Edmund that Sir Thomas gave her. Though Edmund is on his father's side of the argument, he tells Fanny that he will not pressure her. Later he observes how Henry pursues Fanny and waits to see a reaction. To his disappointment, Fanny doesn't respond the way he would like. Instead she tries to hide her interest in Henry's reading and plunges into her cross stich work. Henry presses her and asks why she does any small shake of the head making Fanny extremely uncomfortable, and finally she is forced to speak with Henry continously bugging her. Edmund concludes that Fanny doesn't have feelings for Henry, except anger and dissaproval.

 

 

Chapter 35:

 

 

 

Chapter 36:

 

 

 

Chapter 37:

 Fanny is to be sent to Portsmouth to be with her family--Sir Thomas believes it will be good for her. Mrs. Norris, because Fanny and William will be going to Portsmouth by carriage, wants to join them on the journey at first but then decides she is needed at Mansfield Park. We discover that it is a good possiblity that Edmund may marry very soon also. William is glad Fanny is returning to Portsmouth, so she can help put some order in Mrs. Price's family. (DW)

 

 

Chapter 38:

 

Fanny and William travel to Portsmouth, where Fanny sees the rest of her family for the first time since she moved to Mansfield Park.  She is disconcerted with the house's small size, her family's noise and poor manners, and their neglect of her. [E.C.] ]

 

Chapter 39:

 

 

 

Chapter 40:

 

 

 

Chapter 41:

 

 

 

Chapter 42:

 Mr. Crawford is visiting Fanny is Portsmouth and attends church with the Price family.  He takes to the little children, in what we assume, is a way to win Fanny over.  Henry is setting out for Norfolk the following day and wants to know if there is anything he can do for her before he leaves.  She tells him no, wishes him a safe trip and leaves him dejected once again.  (H.G.)

 

 

Chapter 43:

 The next day from Henry's visit, Fanny recieves a letter form Mary saying that Mary knew everything Henry told her about the visit. Fanny notices that Mary mentions Edmund in her letter and still worries that Edmund will marry Mary. Although her home at Portsmouth is still a burden on her, she finds comfort in her sister Susan, conversing about Mansfield.

 

 

Chapter 44:

 

 

 

Chapter 45:

 

 

 

Chapter 46:

 Fanny, while at Portsmouth, recieves a letter from Miss Crawford saying she oght to ignore any rumors concerning Mr. Crawford that she may hear. Not long after, the scandalous news that Mrs. Rushworth has run off with Mr. Crawford is released. Fanny also discovers that Julia has eloped with Mr. Yates. Edmund takes Fanny, along with her sister, Susan, back to Mansfield Park. The chapter closes with Lady Bertram exclaiming that she can be comfortable again now that Fanny has returned to Mansfield Park. (DW)

 

 

Chapter 47:

 

In Chapter 47, we learn that Maria and Mr. Crawford had met again during the Easter holidays while her husband was in Bath with his mother.  Eventually the two of them ran off together.  Sir Thomas is concerned about all his children, including Edmund, who can not now marry Miss Crawford even if she is willing.  Edmund is finally able to talk to Fanny about Miss Crawford and how he became aware--again?--of her true nature.  She (Miss C.) talked only of the "folly" of what Maria and Mr. Crawford did not of the evil of their action.  She even blamed Fanny for her (Miss C.'s) brother's actions because she did not accept him.  He realizes that he was deceived by both the brother and the sister and that he now has only Fanny's friendship to cling to. [E.C.]

 

Chapter 48:

 

Over time, Julia's elopement is better understood and forgiven.  Tom regained his health and became more responsible.  Edmund's spirits improved.  Sir Thomas recognizes his faults as a parent and Mrs. Norris's negative influence on his daughters.  Mr. Rushworth obtains a divorce from Maria.  Sir Thomas provides financial support for Maria, who will not be accepted back at Mansfield Park, and Mrs. Norris goes to live with her in another part of the country.  Hopefully, Henry realized what he lost because of his actions.  The Grants leave Mansfield.  Edmund finally falls in love with Fanny, and they get married.  Susan fills Fanny's place with Lady Bertram. [E.C.]