Rushworth there. Curiosity and vanity
were both engaged, and the temptation of immediate pleasure
was too strong for a mind unused to make any sacrifice
to right: he resolved to defer his Norfolk journey,
resolved that writing should answer the purpose of it,
or that its purpose was unimportant, and staid. He saw
Mrs. Rushworth, was received by her with a coldness which
ought to have been repulsive, and have established apparent
indifference between them for ever; but he was mortified,
he could not bear to be thrown off by the woman whose
smiles had been so wholly at his command: he must exert
himself to subdue so proud a display of resentment; it was
anger on Fanny's account; he must get the better of it,
and make Mrs. Rushworth Maria Bertram again in her treatment
of himself.
In this spirit he began the attack, and by animated
perseverance had soon re-established the sort of familiar
intercourse, of gallantry, of flirtation, which bounded
his views; but in triumphing over the discretion which,
though beginning in anger, might have saved them both,
he had put himself in the power of feelings on her side
more strong than he had supposed.
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