As Fanny could not doubt that her answer was conveying a real
disappointment, she was rather in expectation, from her knowledge of
Miss Crawford's temper, of being urged again; and though no second
letter arrived for the space of a week, she had still the same feeling
when it did come.

On receiving it, she could instantly decide on its containing little
writing, and was persuaded of its having the air of a letter of haste
and business. Its object was unquestionable; and two moments were
enough to start the probability of its being merely to give her notice
that they should be in Portsmouth that very day, and to throw her into
all the agitation of doubting what she ought to do in such a case. If
two moments, however, can surround with difficulties, a third can
disperse them; and before she had opened the letter, the possibility of
Mr. and Miss Crawford's having applied to her uncle and obtained his
permission was giving her ease. This was the letter-

"A most scandalous, ill-natured rumour has just reached me, and I
write, dear Fanny, to warn you against giving the least credit to it,
should it spread into the country. Depend upon it, there is some
mistake, and that a day or two will clear it up; at any rate, that
Henry is blameless, and in spite of a moment's etourderie, thinks of
nobody but you. Say not a word of it; hear nothing, surmise nothing,
whisper nothing till I write again. I am sure it will be all hushed
up, and nothing proved but Rushworth's folly. If they are gone, I
would lay my life they are only gone to Mansfield Park, and Julia with
them. But why would not you let us come for you? I wish you may not
repent it.--Yours, etc."