Mansfield Park - Chapter 47

It had been a miserable ¹ party, each of the three believing themselves most miserable. Mrs. Norris, however, as most attached to Maria, was really the greatest sufferer. Maria was her first favourite, the dearest of all; the match had been her own contriving ², as she had been wont ³ with such pride of heart to feel and say, and this conclusion of it almost overpowered her., ,She was an altered creature, quieted, stupefied, indifferent to everything that passed. The being left with her sister and nephew, and all the house under her care, had been an advantage entirely ⁴ thrown away; she had been unable to direct or dictate ⁵, or even fancy herself useful. When really touched by affliction, her active powers had been all benumbed; and neither Lady Bertram nor Tom had received from her the smallest support or attempt at support. She had done no more for them than they had done for each other. They had been all solitary ⁶, helpless, and forlorn alike; and now the arrival of the others only established her superiority in wretchedness. Her companions were relieved, but there was no good for her. Edmund was almost as welcome to his brother as Fanny to her aunt; but Mrs. Norris, instead of having comfort from either, was but the more irritated by the sight of the person whom, in the blindness of her anger, she could have charged as the daemon of the piece. Had Fanny accepted Mr. Crawford this could not have happened., ,Susan too was a grievance ⁷. She had not spirits to notice her in more than a few repulsive ⁸ looks, but she felt her as a spy, and an intruder, and an indigent ⁹ niece, and everything most odious ¹⁰. By her other aunt, Susan was received with quiet kindness. Lady Bertram could not give her much time, or many words, but she felt her, as Fanny's sister, to have a claim at Mansfield, and was ready to kiss and like her; and Susan was more than satisfied, for she came perfectly ¹¹ aware that nothing but ill-humour was to be expected from aunt Norris; and was so provided with happiness, so strong in that best of blessings ¹², an escape from many certain evils, that she could have stood against a great deal more indifference ¹³ than she met with from the others., , ,To talk over the dreadful business with Fanny, talk and lament ¹⁷, was all Lady Bertram's consolation ¹⁸. To be listened to and borne with, and hear the voice of kindness and sympathy in return, was everything that could be done for her. To be otherwise comforted was out of the question. The case admitted of no comfort. Lady Bertram did not think deeply, but, guided by Sir Thomas, she thought justly on all important points; and she saw, therefore, in all its enormity, what had happened, and neither endeavoured herself, nor required Fanny to advise her, to think little of guilt ¹⁹ and infamy ²⁰., ,Her affections were not acute, nor was her mind tenacious ²¹. After a time, Fanny found it not impossible to direct her thoughts to other subjects, and revive some interest in the usual occupations; but whenever Lady Bertram was fixed ²² on the event, she could see it only in one light, as comprehending the loss of a daughter, and a disgrace never to be wiped off., ,Her past life was miserable.她过去的生活很苦。,Why may not several Deities combine in contriving and framing a world? 为什么不可能是数个神联合起来
，设计和构造世界呢？ 来自哲学部分