Edmund Bertram's Diary

OCTOBER

Thursday 22 October

The winter evenings have had enough balls even to satisfy my sisters, and Aunt Norris is now determined to see them well married.

‘Maria is twenty now, and of an age to be married,’ she said to me as we sat in the drawing room this evening. ‘And Julia, too, is not far behind. What a thing it would be if we could find suitable matches for them both before your father returns. I am sure Mr. Rushworth wants only a little encouragement to offer for Maria, and there are several young men who seem remarkably fond of Julia. And if poor Sir Thomas fails to return,’ she added, for she has still not despaired of him being shipwrecked, or lost overboard, ‘it will be a consolation to see Maria married, and to know that he would have approved.’

But no young men offered for my sisters tonight, despite my aunt’s hopes. We returned to find Fanny sitting peacefully with Mama. She looked up as I entered the room, an eager smile on her face, for though she is too young for balls, she loves to hear of them. I sat by her for half an hour and told her all about our evening. She wanted to know every dance I had danced, and with whom; and when I had done, I told her I was looking forward to standing up with her at her first ball, as soon as Mama thought she was old enough to at end. She looked at the floor, reminding me how young she was, for even the smallest compliment discomposes her. Perhaps it is a good thing she does not go into company, after all.