"Do not you think," said Fanny, after a little consideration, "that
this impropriety is a reflection itself upon Mrs. Crawford, as her
niece has been entirely brought up by her? She cannot have given her
right notions of what was due to the Admiral."

"That is a fair remark. Yes, we must suppose the faults of the niece
to have been those of the aunt; and it makes one more sensible of the
disadvantages she has been under. But I think her present home must do
her good. Mrs. Grant's manners are just what they ought to be. She
speaks of her brother with a very pleasing affection."

"Yes, except as to his writing her such short letters. She made me
almost laugh; but I cannot rate so very highly the love or good-nature
of a brother who will not give himself the trouble of writing anything
worth reading to his sisters, when they are separated. I am sure
William would never have used me so, under any circumstances. And
what right had she to suppose that you would not write long letters
when you were absent?"

"The right of a lively mind, Fanny, seizing whatever may contribute to
its own amusement or that of others; perfectly allowable, when
untinctured by ill-humour or roughness; and there is not a shadow of
either in the countenance or manner of Miss Crawford: nothing sharp,
or loud, or coarse. She is perfectly feminine, except in the instances
we have been speaking of. There she cannot be justified. I am glad
you saw it all as I did."