Mansfield Park Page #4

Getting the hay in

is of great importance

in the country...at this time.

And music isn't?

It depends on the music, I suppose.

That's Edmund's favourite.

He seems very alive to music.

Yes...

Edmund says that in church it is music

that best allows the spirit...

...to aspire to the beyond.

Heavens!

Why waste it on drowsy church-goers

starched up into seeming piety?

Give me a concert or a dance.

I'm sure he'd agree.

Forgive me my contradiction,

but I'm sure he wouldn't.

When he takes orders in a few weeks,

he will begin his own services.

Takes orders?

Is Edmund to be a clergyman?

Yes.

But a clergyman is so drear.

A clergyman's wife is even worse!

What profession would you suggest,

Miss Crawford?

I'm not, as you know, the first born.

There must be an uncle or grandfather

to place you somewhere?

There is not.

Choose law, then, it's not too late.

At least you can distinguish yourself

there with language and wit.

I have no wish to blunder about

on the borders of empty repartee.

Your father could put you

into Parliament.

My father's choices

are less than compelling for me.

No, I wish to become a clergyman.

There are worse things than a life

of compassion and contemplation.

She doesn't think evil,

but she speaks it.

It grieves me to the soul.

The effect of education perhaps.

Perhaps I can uneducate her.

Fanny, would that more women

were like you.

I love you more than words can say.

I demand the first dance at the ball.

One's consequence varies so much

at times without any particular reason.

There's a reason for everything.

Your entire person is agreeable.

Yes. Well, tonight

I agree with everyone.

Edmund...

I think you should admit

you're in love with Fanny Price.

Of course I love her, but...

...there are as many forms of love

as there are moments in time.

Perfect! You dance like an angel,

Fanny Price.

One does not dance

like an angel alone, Mr Crawford.

A compliment?!

Let the heavens rejoice!

I complimented your dancing.

Keep your wig on!

- Thank you.

- See you soon.

- Bye!

- Bye-bye.

"A few hours

before Laura died, she said,"

"'Take warning from my unhappy end."'

"'Beware of fainting fits.

Beware of swoons."'

"'Run mad as often as you choose..."'

"'...but do not faint."'

- Good afternoon.

- Hello, Sir Thomas.

- Good afternoon, sir.

- My dear.

I've been thinking about the parsonage.

Not you, too?

Spades are trumps, Fanny.

- I'm all in the glow of a new scheme.

- And what might that be?

Might you rent the parsonage to me?

- But it is to be Edmund's.

- Anyone to purchase a queen?

- At what cost?

- Two shillings.

- Highway robbery!

- Mr Bertram could stay living here.

You can stay close to your family,

and I can continue to improve

and perfect my friendship and...

...intimacy

with the Mansfield Park family.

I have a better plan. Live here with us.

Stay as long as you wish.

Bring all your horses.

Your sister, too.

Be as one of our family.

- We'd thrive on it, wouldn't we, Fanny?

- Of course. A king for three shillings?

- I will.

- Mary! It's exorbitant!

I'll stake my last like a woman of spirit.

No cold prudence for me.

I was not made

to sit still and do nothing!

If I lose the game,

it shall not be for not striving for it.

Well done, Fanny!

Fanny! I must speak to you...

Yes, Mr Crawford?

You must know

why I intend to rent the parsonage.

I wish to continue improving

and perfecting my intimacy...

...with you!

You have created sensations which

my heart has never known before.

The one happiness in life

is to love and be loved.

Mr Crawford, do not speak nonsense!

Nonsense?

I'm afraid you may end

in convincing yourself!

Fanny... You are killing me!

No man dies of love but on the stage.

"The intimacy between them

daily increased,"

"till it grew to such a pitch that

they did not scruple to kick one another"

"on the slightest provocation."

Yes?

My sweet girl! This is a great day,

a great day indeed.

Yes... Is it?

You may make me more proud

than my own daughters.

Please don't say that, sir.

Why is there no fire here today?

- I'm not cold, sir.

- But you have a fire in general?

No, sir, but I have a warm shawl.

Your aunt cannot be aware of this.

I understand.

For as long as you're in my home,

Fanny Price, you shall have a fire.

I am aware that there has been

a misplaced distinction, but...

...I think too well of you to suppose

you will ever harbour resentment.

Thus, it is with more pleasure,

that I inform you that Henry Crawford

has asked my permission to marry you,

and I have given my blessing.

I'd no idea his feelings

had come to such a boiling point!

Clearly, I am too old to follow

the intricate manoeuvrings of the young.

Please get ready

and join me downstairs.

Mr Crawford, as you have

perhaps foreseen, is still in the house.

Do not fear.

I cannot, sir.

Cannot what?

I cannot agree to marry him...

at this time.

You do not know your own feelings.

I've watched you with him.

You're not insensitive to his charms.

I'm not that old!

He's not without charm, sir.

Has someone else

declared his intention for you?

- No, sir.

- Then what is it?

I do not trust his nature.

Like many charming people, he

depends on the appreciation of others.

What is the ill in that?

His sole interest is in being loved,

not in loving.

- You've read too many novels, girl!

- But it has not clouded my judgement.

- Do you trust me?

- My future entirely depends on you.

Let me repeat:
do you trust me?

- Yes, sir.

- Well, I trust him.

You will marry him!

I will not...

...sir.

I had, Fanny Price, thought you

free from wilfulness of temper,

self-conceit and every tendency

to that independence of spirit,

which prevails so much today

even in young women.

In young women it is especially

offensive beyond all common offence.

You seem to forget you do not have

an annual income like Mary Crawford.

Nor does your family.

Their advantage or disadvantage

has never been in your thoughts.

The young man addresses you

with everything to recommend him.

Not merely situation in life, fortune

and character, but also agreeableness,

with pleasing address

and conversation.

...not an acquaintance,

you've known him some time.

His sister is your intimate friend.

He cannot have taken you by surprise.

You have observed his attentions

and received them properly...

You do not know your own feelings.

Let us put an end to this conference.

...and because you do not feel

for him

what a young heated fancy imagines

to be necessary for happiness...

I should say not...

You are in a wild fit of folly, throwing

away an opportunity to be settled in life,

eligibly, honourably, nobly settled,

as will probably never occur again.

And I will tell you what, Fanny Price,

which is more than I did for Maria...

The next time that Pug has a litter...

...you shall have a puppy.

All she needs is time, Sir Thomas.

He loves you, Fanny Price.

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