(This conversation will contain spoilers for the current chapters and possibly for future chapters.)

R: Chapter 21 caught my interest for a couple of reasons. I was really surprised at Edmund’s disparaging comments about Mr. Rushworth. I don’t remember him saying anything like this previously, so it seemed like a sudden turnaround. In a similar turnaround, Miss Bertram is suddenly fine with marrying Mr. Rushworth, despite being given an out by her father. Austen does say that her answer might have been different if he’d asked a few days earlier, but there we are. And the chapter moves rapidly on past the wedding and getting both Miss Bertrams out of the house.

Also of note are Edmund’s highly complimentary comments to Fanny about Fanny, which send her into a tizzy of embarrassment. She is still concealing that she has feelings for Edmund. He is also adulatory about Miss Crawford, wishing that his father weren’t being quite so resistant to having anyone but the family around after his return.

Then we get what I think is a pretty significant blow to Edmund’s hopes for his not-yet-existent suite of Miss Crawford. She says, ‘I meant to be too rich to lament or to feel anything of the sort. A large income is the best recipe for happiness I ever heard of.’ As we know, Edmund intends to take orders, which is hardly ever a lucrative career. While she may like him, I don’t think Miss Crawford has any serious intentions toward marrying Edmund.

S: I have to say that after this chapter, I think Sir Thomas is my favourite character. He might be quiet and enjoy less of the gaiety to which his children have become accustomed, but he truly does love his children and Fanny. It was so sweet the way he spoke with Maria about Mr. Rushworth. 

I thought it was a little odd the way Edmund teased Fanny about having grown up so prettily; it seemed out of character for him, but I might attribute that to his spending so much time around Miss Crawford. It made me a little frustrated that he said Miss Crawford is the most discerning woman he knows because in actuality I think Fanny is the more discerning, as well as being gracious with it. 

I was also surprised at how quick the wedding was! I’m wondering if that decision will come back to bite Maria. It made me laugh out loud when Austen says that Lady Bertram was less emotional than Sir Thomas at the wedding!

R: I agree that Fanny is far more discerning than Miss Crawford. Miss Crawford is good at reading people and manoeuvring them around to her way of thinking, except for Edmund. He seems at least somewhat able to resist her machinations. 

Chapter 22 has Fanny becoming a much desired visitor at the Grants’ home. Miss Crawford is bored since both the Miss Bertrams are away from home. Her motives don’t seem entirely selfish, however – she does treat Fanny well. 

S: This is a surprise! Fanny is truly able to come into her own now, or at least beginning to. I know she is not necessarily a close friend to Mrs. Grant or Miss Crawford, but her days are at least less filled with her Aunt’s criticisms.

Obviously Edmund and Miss Crawford have different goals in life and I wonder what this will mean for Edmund – will he try to pursue something different than the church or will he stick to his guns and keep his integrity?

My favourite part in Chapter 23 is the interaction between Sir Thomas and Mrs. Norris when she insists that Fanny walk to the Grant’s house for the dinner party: ‘Walk!’ repeated Sir Thomas, in a tone of most unanswerable dignity, and coming farther into the room. ‘My niece walk to a dinner engagement at this time of the year? Will twenty minutes after four suit you?’ Seriously, I love Sir Thomas! 

R: Sir Thomas really seems like a different character from the beginning of the book, but I like it. After the way her aunts and cousins treat her, other than Edmund, it’s nice to see someone consider Fanny’s well-being.

S: Indeed!

I’m so happy that Fanny was able to speak her mind to Mr. Crawford while they were playing the card game. I know she was embarrassed afterward, but he needed to be taken down a peg. I was very interested that Miss Crawford is now steeling her heart against Edmund. How funny she thought she had so much sway over him!

R: My earlier question was answered in this chapter. Miss Crawford was really interested in trying to get Edmund to marry her, but having realised how opposed their perspectives on life are, she seems to think better of it. And Edmund, I think, is starting to realise as well that she wouldn’t be a good match for him. I certainly couldn’t imagine her as a serious clergyman’s wife.

S: I was not expecting Mr. Crawford to try and win Fanny’s love. I mean, looking at his character it now seems obvious that he would try with Julia and Maria gone, but I kid you not I gasped out loud when I read what he means to do! 

R: I wanted to slap Henry Crawford at the beginning of the chapter. He’s so callous in his plans for Fanny, and Miss Crawford, too, in her indifference to his actions. I’m glad he started to realise Fanny’s merit.

S: I’m so glad that Fanny has been able to have time with William, even though it only made Mr. Crawford more determined to seek her love. I don’t quite know how to feel about Miss Crawford’s indifference toward her brother’s scheme. She did try to discourage him, but the fact that she isn’t going to warn Fanny is a bit frustrating. I love that Sir Thomas and Edmund both kept Mrs. Norris from interrupting Fanny and William’s reunion!

R: Sir Thomas continues to surprise me, but I’m grateful for how he’s helped Fanny’s brother and made him so welcome to come visit Fanny. Sir Thomas and Edmund running interference to let Fanny and William have some time to visit alone was brilliant! It really showed their understanding of their own family’s shortcomings.

S: Yes!

I know I’ve said it already, but I really, really like Sir Thomas. I think Fanny is surprised at how much he actually cares for her and her brother and I wonder if the rift between them was more due to her timidity and his stoicism. 

R: I’m a little worried about what Sir Thomas has in mind in regard to Henry Crawford and Fanny. She would never think of setting her cap at him, but Sir Thomas might become convinced that it would be a good match for Fanny, especially since Henry is showing interest in her.

S: I’m also a little nervous about that. 

Austen’s jabs at Mrs. Norris are delightful, as well as her jabs at the Crawfords and Lady Bertram. She is so good at showing caricatures of human nature! 

It is unfortunate that Miss Crawford, rather than being happy for Edmund and his chosen career, is angry that he does indeed aspire to be a good parson and appears to be unconcerned with fixing up the Thornton Vale house so that it appears better. Edmund is very wise – if something is done in the name of vanity is there really a reason to do it? It seems like he would rather use that money on what’s needed as opposed to cosmetics.

R: Everyone is being so peremptory in making over the house that Edmund hasn’t even moved into yet! And he still has the grace to offer Henry Crawford a place to live at will.

S: I am very interested as to what Sir Thomas is hinting at when William talks to Fanny of dancing and promotion! It seems Sir Thomas is planning something, but we’ll have to wait and see – I could be wrong. 

The story is definitely progressing! It feels as though we’re leaving the second act and entering the third and I’m excited to see how it all ends!

R: I enjoyed these chapters much more than the last set. I felt like the story made some actual progress and is headed somewhere interesting.

S: I agree! Things are really starting to pick up and I’m really enjoying this more than I was.