Edmund Bertram's Diary by Amanda Grange Page B

am not in a position to fulfil .
    Wednesday 21 September
    One of Tom’s friends arrived today. Tom was surprised to see him, for he had issued no more than a casual invitation, but nevertheless he made Yates welcome. Yates’s unexpected arrival was soon explained. He had come from Cornwal where he had been at a house party, but it had been cut short by the sudden death of a relative of those with whom he was staying. He had had no choice but to leave, and remembering Tom’s invitation, he had come to us. He arrived with an air of one whose enjoyment had been curtailed, and on learning we had a violin player in the servants’ hal , he suggested a bal .
    Julia and Maria agreed eagerly, whilst Miss Crawford turned a dazzling countenance on him and told him it was an excel ent idea. I was in favor of it, too. Fanny had never been to a bal , and I was pleased that her first experience of such an entertainment would take place at Mansfield, where her shyness would be no handicap and where she would be sure of partners. I secured her hand for the first two dances and made sure Tom would ask her later on. I knew I could rely on Crawford to act the gentleman and ask her as wel , and so he did. Miss Crawford and I danced together, and though we danced ’til late, I would have been happy for the bal to have gone on ’til dawn.
    Thursday 22 September
    ‘By Jove! we are a happy party,’ said Yates at breakfast. ‘Even happier than the party in Cornwal , or at least happier than we were before Ravenshaw suggested we al perform a play. Ecclesford is one of the best houses in England for doing such a thing. What a time we had of it!
    The rehearsals were going along splendidly . . .’ he said, with a sigh and a shake of the head.
    ‘It was a hard case, upon my word,’ said Tom.
    ‘I do think you are very much to be pitied,’ said Maria.
    ‘The play we were to have performed was Lovers’ Vows, and I was to have been Count Cassel. A trifling part, and not at al to my taste, and such a one as I certainly would not accept again; but I was determined to make no difficulties. Lord Ravenshaw and the duke had appropriated the only two characters worth playing before I reached Ecclesford; and though Lord Ravenshaw offered to resign his to me, it was impossible to take it, you know. Our Agatha was inimitable, and the duke was thought very great by many. And upon the whole, it would certainly have gone off wonderful y. It is not worth complaining about; but to be sure the poor old dowager could not have died at a worse time; and it is impossible to help wishing that the news could have been suppressed for just the three days we wanted. It was but three days; and being only a grandmother, and al happening two hundred miles off, I think there would have been no great harm, and it was suggested, I know; but Lord Ravenshaw, who I suppose is one of the most correct men in England, would not hear of it.’
    ‘An afterpiece instead of a comedy,’ said Tom. ‘Lovers’ Vows were at an end, and Lord and Lady Ravenshaw left to act My Grandmother by themselves. To make you amends, Yates, I think we must raise a little theatre at Mansfield, and ask you to be our manager.’
    The idea seized the party.
    ‘Let us be doing something,’ said Crawford. ‘Be it only half a play, an act, a scene; what should prevent us? And for a theatre, what signifies a theatre? We shal be only amusing ourselves. Any room in this house might suffice.’
    ‘We must have a curtain,’ said Tom. ‘A few yards of green baize for a curtain, and perhaps that may be enough.’
    ‘Oh, quite enough,’ cried Yates, ‘with only just a side wing or two run up, doors in flat, and three or four scenes to be let down; nothing more would be necessary on such a plan as this. For mere amusement among ourselves we should want nothing more.’
    I was startled, for such an undertaking would involve a great deal of expense at a time when the estate could little afford it, besides