Fanny stood aghast. As no scandalous, ill-natured rumour had reached
her, it was impossible for her to understand much of this strange
letter. She could only perceive that it must relate to Wimpole Street
and Mr. Crawford, and only conjecture that something very imprudent had
just occurred in that quarter to draw the notice of the world, and to
excite her jealousy, in Miss Crawford's apprehension, if she heard it.
Miss Crawford need not be alarmed for her. She was only sorry for the
parties concerned and for Mansfield, if the report should spread so
far; but she hoped it might not. If the Rushworths were gone
themselves to Mansfield, as was to be inferred from what Miss Crawford
said, it was not likely that anything unpleasant should have preceded
them, or at least should make any impression.

As to Mr. Crawford, she hoped it might give him a knowledge of his own
disposition, convince him that he was not capable of being steadily
attached to any one woman in the world, and shame him from persisting
any longer in addressing herself.

It was very strange! She had begun to think he really loved her, and
to fancy his affection for her something more than common; and his
sister still said that he cared for nobody else. Yet there must have
been some marked display of attentions to her cousin, there must have
been some strong indiscretion, since her correspondent was not of a
sort to regard a slight one.