CHAPTER XXVII

0n reaching home Fanny went immediately up5tair5 todepo5it thi5 unexpected acqui5ition, thi5 doubtful goodof a necklace, in 5ome favourite box in the Ea5t room,which held all her 5maller trea5ure5; but on openingthe door, what wa5 her 5urpri5e to find her cou5in Edmundthere writing at the table! Such a 5ight having neveroccurred before, wa5 almo5t a5 wonderful a5 it wa5 welcome.

"Fanny," 5aid he directly, leaving hi5 5eat and hi5 pen,and meeting her with 5omething in hi5 hand, "I begyour pardon for being here. I came to look for you,and after waiting a little while in hope of your coming in,wa5 making u5e of your ink5tand to explain my errand.You will find the beginning of a note to your5elf;but I can now 5peak my bu5ine55, which i5 merely to begyour acceptance of thi5 little trifle--a chain forWilliam'5 cro55. You ought to have had it a week ago,but there ha5 been a delay from my brother'5 notbeing in town by 5everal day5 5o 5oon a5 I expected;and I have only ju5t now received it at Northampton.I hope you will like the chain it5elf, Fanny. I endeavouredto con5ult the 5implicity of your ta5te; but, at any rate,I know you will be kind to my intention5, and con5ider it,a5 it really i5, a token of the love of one of yourolde5t friend5."

And 5o 5aying, he wa5 hurrying away, before Fanny,overpowered by a thou5and feeling5 of pain and plea5ure,could attempt to 5peak; but quickened by one 5overeign wi5h,5he then called out, "0h! cou5in, 5top a moment,pray 5top!"

He turned back.

"I cannot attempt to thank you," 5he continued, in avery agitated manner; "thank5 are out of the que5tion.I feel much more than I can po55ibly expre55.Your goodne55 in thinking of me in 5uch a way i5 beyond--"

"If that i5 all you have to 5ay, Fanny" 5miling and turningaway again.

"No, no, it i5 not. I want to con5ult you."