Mansfield Park - Chapter 21

Sir Thomas's return made a striking change in the ways of the family, independent of Lovers' Vows ¹. Under his government, Mansfield was an altered place. Some members of their society sent away, and the spirits of many others saddened--it was all sameness and gloom compared with the past--a sombre family party rarely enlivened. There was little intercourse ² with the Parsonage. Sir Thomas, drawing back from intimacies ³ in general, was particularly disinclined, at this time, for any engagements but in one quarter. The Rushworths were the only addition to his own domestic circle which he could solicit ⁴., ,Edmund did not wonder that such should be his father's feelings, nor could he regret anything but the exclusion ⁵ of the Grants. "But they," he observed to Fanny, "have a claim. They seem to belong to us; they seem to be part of ourselves. I could wish my father were more sensible of their very great attention to my mother and sisters while he was away. I am afraid they may feel themselves neglected. But the truth is, that my father hardly knows them. They had not been here a twelvemonth when he left England. If he knew them better, he would value their society as it deserves; for they are in fact exactly the sort of people he would like. We are sometimes a little in want of animation ⁶ among ourselves: my sisters seem out of spirits, and Tom is certainly not at his ease. Dr. and Mrs. Grant would enliven us, and make our evenings pass away with more enjoyment ⁷ even to my father.", ,"Do you think so?" said Fanny: "in my opinion, my uncle would not like any addition. I think he values the very quietness you speak of, and that the repose ⁸ of his own family circle is all he wants. And it does not appear to me that we are more serious than we used to be--I mean before my uncle went abroad. As well as I can recollect ⁹, it was always much the same. There was never much laughing in his presence; or, if there is any difference, it is not more, I think, than such an absence has a tendency to produce at first. There must be a sort of shyness; but I cannot recollect that our evenings formerly ¹⁰ were ever merry, except when my uncle was in town. No young people's are, I suppose, when those they look up to are at home"., , ,"I suppose I am graver than other people," said Fanny. "The evenings do not appear long to me. I love to hear my uncle talk of the West Indies. I could listen to him for an hour together. It entertains me more than many other things have done; but then I am unlike other people, I dare say.", ,"Why should you dare say that?" (smiling). "Do you want to be told that you are only unlike other people in being more wise and discreet ¹¹? But when did you, or anybody, ever get a compliment from me, Fanny? Go to my father if you want to be complimented. He will satisfy you. Ask your uncle what he thinks, and you will hear compliments enough: and though they may be chiefly on your person, you must put up with it, and trust to his seeing as much beauty of mind in time.", ,The nun took strait vows. 那位修女立下严格的誓愿 。,The magazine becomes a cultural medium of intercourse between the two peoples.该杂志成为两民族间文化交流的媒介
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