She  was  very  civilly  answered  by  Lady  Bertram,  but
Edmund  said  nothing.  His  being  only  a  by-stander
was  not  disclaimed.  After  continuing  in  chat  with  the
party  round  the  fire  a  few  mintues.  Miss  Crawford  re-
turned to  the  party  round  the  table ;  and  standing  by
them,  seemed  to  interest  herself  in  their  arrangements


150  Mansfield  Park

tilly  as  if  struck  by  a  sudden  recollection,  she  exclaimed,
**  My  good  friends,  you  are  most  composedly  at  work
upon  these  cottages  and  ale-houses,  inside  and  out ;  but
pray,  let  me  know  my  fate  in  the  meanwhile.  Who  is
to  be  Anhak  ?  What  gentleman  among  you  am  I  to
have  the  pleasure  of  making  love  to  ? "

For  a  moment  no  one  spoke ;  and  then  many  spoke
together  to  tell  the  same  mdancholy  truth,  that  they  had
not  yet  got  any  Anhalt.  **  Mr  Rushworth  was  to  be
Count  Cassel,  but  no  one  had  yet  undertaken  Anhalt."

**  I  had  my  choice  of  the  parts,"  said  Mr  Rushworth  ;
*^  but  I  thought  I  should  like  the  Count  best,  though  I
do  not  much  relish  the  finery  I  am  to  have."

*^  You  chose  very  wisely,  I  am  sure,"  replied  Miss
Crawford,  with  a  brightened  look ;  **  Anhalt  is  a  heavy
part."

"  The  Count  has  two-and-forty  speeches,"  returned
Mr  Rushworth,  *<  which  is  no  trifle.
