It can be no
sacrifice on their side, for it is highly comic."
A short silence followed. Each sister looked anxious;
for each felt the best claim to Agatha, and was hoping
to have it pressed on her by the rest. Henry Crawford,
who meanwhile had taken up the play, and with seeming
carelessness was turning over the first act, soon settled
the business.
"I must entreat Miss _Julia_ Bertram," said he, "not to
engage in the part of Agatha, or it will be the ruin
of all my solemnity. You must not, indeed you must not"
(turning to her). "I could not stand your countenance
dressed up in woe and paleness. The many laughs we have
had together would infallibly come across me, and Frederick
and his knapsack would be obliged to run away."
Pleasantly, courteously, it was spoken; but the
manner was lost in the matter to Julia's feelings.
She saw a glance at Maria which confirmed the injury
to herself: it was a scheme, a trick; she was slighted,
Maria was preferred; the smile of triumph which Maria
was trying to suppress shewed how well it was understood;
and before Julia could command herself enough to speak,
her brother gave his weight against her too, by saying,
"Oh yes! Maria must be Agatha.
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