Edmund Bertram's Diary

1808 JANUARY

Monday 11 January

It seems my aunt’s fondest wishes are about to be fulfilled, for Maria has received an offer of marriage from Mr. Rushworth.

‘Such a nice man,’ said my aunt. ‘He has such a way with him; such manners, and such—’

‘—a large property,’ finished Tom.

My aunt perceived no irony in Tom’s comment, but replied with, ‘Very true, it is a fine property. One of the best in the country, and then there is his house in town as well. Maria is a very lucky girl to have attracted such a man, with everything in his favor: his home, his fortune and his person. I only hope the rest of you will marry as well. Julia, we will have to look about us and find another such a one for you.’ She turned to Maria. ‘We must have an early wedding.’

‘Sir Thomas’s permission must first be sought,’ said Mama, rousing herself a little as she lay on the chaise longue.

‘He will be very pleased, mark my words. What, to find his daughter affianced to such a man as Mr. Rushworth? To be sure, he will be delighted. A spring wedding would be very fine,’ said my aunt. ‘Dr Grant must perform the ceremony, for I am sure he does little enough since he bought the Mansfield living. And if you have an early wedding, you will be able to go to London for the Season, Maria. With such a fine house in town, it would be a pity not to make use of it this year.’

Maria was soon making plans with my aunt, and saying that she would invite Julia to spend the Season with her, so that she, too, could find a husband.

‘You must invite Fanny,’ I said. ‘She would enjoy the theatres and the galleries. Would you not, Fanny?’

‘I am sure it is more than she looks for,’ said my aunt ungraciously, before Fanny had time to reply. ‘There is no need to invite her.’

‘I have no objection to it,’ said Maria. ‘Fanny will be very welcome, only she is too young this year. But next year, Fanny, you must come and stay. You will be eighteen then, and of an age to enjoy everything.’

Fanny was all gratitude, and I liked to think of her having her share of the pleasure.

‘And Tom, you must visit your sister, too,’ said my aunt. ‘I am sure she will find you an heiress, someone with twenty or thirty thousand pounds, and a beauty besides.’

Tom laughed, and said he had no intention of marrying for at least another twenty years, whereupon my aunt remarked that it must be up to me, then, to make an advantageous marriage.

As the conversation continued I could not help but be grateful that it was not up to me to give or withhold my consent to Maria’s marriage. I have little liking for Rushworth. Indeed, if he did not have twelve thousand a year I would think him a very stupid fellow.

‘Maria,’ I said to her, calling her aside this evening. ‘Are you sure you wish to marry Rushworth?

Just because he has asked for your hand, does not mean you have to give it, you know. I am not happy about the match, I must confess. Rushworth seems to be a very dull fellow. Are you sure you have not been blinded to his faults by his fortune and his house in town? They are very desirable, I am sure, but is marriage to Rushworth a price worth paying for them? Do anything rather than marry without love, for that way great unhappiness lies.’

‘Oh, Edmund, you do prose on. Of course I love him.’

‘But you have seen very little of him, except at balls.’

‘I have seen quite enough of him, I assure you.’

I was not convinced I liked this answer, and told her so.

‘I want you to be happy,’ I said.

‘And I will be.’

‘If I could be sure—’

‘You must own me to be the best judge of my happiness,’ she said impatiently, ‘and I tell you I will be.’

With this I had to be content.

‘Very well. Then I will write to Papa tomorrow,’ I told her, but I did so with a heavy heart. It lightened somewhat when I talked the matter over with Fanny, for, as she reminded me, my father will no doubt say the marriage cannot take place without him. And that when he returns, he will be able to decide whether Maria is truly attached to Mr. Rushworth or not.