Mansfield Park by Jane Austen (Chapters 41-48)

Henry departed for a meal with a friend. Fanny longed for a letter from Edmund. Henry was genteel and obliging. A long letter from Edmund finally arrived. After some time, Lady Bertram wrote to inform Fanny that Tom was gravely ill with fever and Edmund departed to attend him and brought him home. Lady Bertram kept Fanny informed of the events of his serious illness with daily letters. Fanny was amazed that Tom’s sisters Maria and Julia did not return to visit their brother Tom. Fanny received a letter from Mary Crawford after a long wait. She wanted all the particulars of Tom’s illness from Mansfield. Mrs. Rushworth had run off with Mr. Crawford. Edmund wrote having returned to Mansfield. No trace of the couple could be found, adding further bad news. Julia and Mr. Yates had eloped to Scotland, though this deed was a trifle in comparison. It also informed her that Sir Thomas requested her return and to bring Susan. Fanny and Susan were anxious for different reasons. Susan for her country manners and Fanny for the unpleasant moods she would find there. Of the three still at Mansfield, Mrs. Norris was taking the bad news the hardest and blamed Fanny for Henry and Maria’s folly. If she had married him, this would not have happened. Lady Bertram was happy to have her Fanny back at Mansfield and comforted by her care. She was resolved that she had lost a daughter and had gained a disgrace never to be wiped off. Fanny learnt the history of Maria and Henry’s indiscretion and exited through Lady Bertram and her husband’s letters from London. It appeared that Mrs. Rushworth spread the news to support her position. Fanny felt for Sir Thomas as every child but Edmund was racking at his heart. Edmund finally talked to Fanny of Mary. Mary blamed Fanny for Henry’s actions. If she had married him, it would not have happened. The charm of Mary was now broken for Edmund. He was done with her, and was eager to make friends with Fanny. Fanny was now returned to Mansfield, useful, beloved, and safe from Sir Thomas reflected on his faulty parenting and hoped time would mend the beaches. Henry would not marry Maria and they mutually separated. Mr. Rushworth procured an easy divorce and would try to marry again.  Sir Tomas would not admit Maria back into his fold. Henry regretted his involvement with Maria because it meant the end of his future with Fanny. Edmund realized what a better woman he had in his midst. With Sir Thomas’ blessing, Fanny and Edmund married and resided near their family in the Mansfield Park.