Murder at Mansfield Park

me. But Mary,’ he said, stopping
short, and smiling in her face, ‘I know what a thinking brain you have, and I know full well that you saw exactly what I saw—you cannot dissemble with me. Miss Price does not care three
straws for Mr Norris, nor he for her; that is your opinion. And I do not blame her—what woman would care for such an undersized, solemn, gloomy fellow! Did you not hear him discussing
his wretched dog last night? I never heard so much fuss made over such a trifle, or so many long words expended over such a small puppy—if it was necessary to say any thing at all on such a
desperate dull subject. In his place I would simply have said “I have given the thing a basket in the stables”, but clearly such plain and manly dealing is beyond the wit of our Mr
Norris. What was it he said? “I at length determined on a method of proceeding which would obviate the risk of unnecessary expense.” Honestly, Mary, what is one to do with such an
insufferable fellow?’
    Mary laughed and replied, ‘Perhaps he will improve upon acquaintance?’
    ‘I rather doubt it,’ he said, with sarcastic dryness, ‘as I am sure his lovely Fanny is only too aware.’
    ‘Oh! Henry, how shall I manage you? But I know you are not serious.’
    ‘Forty thousand pounds is a serious enough matter, would you not say?’
    It was lightly said, and lightly taken, and without attempting any farther remonstrance, Mary left Miss Price to her fate, and they continued their walk. Henry led the way; every vista was
pointed out, every prospect noted, until an opening in the trees finally afforded them a view of the house. They stopped some minutes to look and admire, until they noticed Miss Price and Mr Norris
on horseback, riding side by side, followed by the Mansfield coachman, making directly towards the spot where they stood. Mary turned to her brother with a smile. ‘It seems you will have an
early opportunity to begin your wicked project. I shall observe how you succeed, though if I am to judge by her behaviour last evening, I do not think you should expect very much encouragement. If
there is not hope in her disdain, there is hope in nothing else.’
    ‘I fear we interrupt you in the exercise of your profession, Crawford,’ said Mr Norris, as soon as he was within hearing. ‘I suspected we might encounter you on our ride; the
weather is exactly suited for your purpose. Well, how do you go on? Have you been able to form an opinion?’
    Henry protested that a survey such as he felt necessary to be done was not the work of a moment, but, if he would, Mr Norris could be of inestimable assistance to him in pointing out the various
divisions of the park.
    Before Mr Norris could answer, Miss Price ventured to say, ‘Edmund, I am sure my uncle’s steward would be happy to offer his services to Mr Crawford by way of a guide.’
    Mr Norris made no reply and continued, ‘Is there any thing you particularly wish to see, Crawford?’
    ‘Sir Thomas’s letter talked of an avenue. I should like to see that.’
    ‘Of course, you would not have been able to see it last night, for the drawing-room looks across the lawn. Yes, the avenue is exactly behind the house; it begins at a little distance, and
descends for half a mile to the extremity of the grounds. You may see some thing of it here—some thing of the more distant trees. It is oak entirely. But have a care, Crawford, you will lose
my cousin Julia as a friend if you propose to have it down. She has a young girl’s romantic attachment to the avenue; she says it makes her think of Cowper.’
    ‘“ Ye fallen avenues, once more I mourn your fate unmerited ,”’ said Mary, with a smile. ‘The park is certainly beautiful at this time of year. The woods are
some of the finest I have ever seen.’
    ‘Indeed,’ said Miss Price, looking at her with evident surprise. ‘I had not expected someone so used to the bustle and dirt and noise of London to feel the pleasures of spring
so keenly. The animation of body and mind that one can derive from the beginnings and progress of vegetation, the increasing beauties of the earliest flowers—when all is freshness, fragrance,
and verdure!’
    There was a short silence, then Mr Norris returned to Henry. ‘It is some distance, I am afraid, from this spot to the avenue, and I fear Miss Crawford may have had walking enough for this
morning.’
    ‘I am not tired, I assure you,’ said she. ‘Nothing ever fatigues me but