Although she looks more favourably on him, Fanny continues to cling to her feelings for Edmund and rejects Henry. Several days after her return home, Henry pays a visit to convince Fanny that his affections for her are genuine.

Fanny looks to Edmund for support, but his indifference forces her to choose the latter.

Angry, Sir Thomas gives Fanny an ultimatum: accept Henry's proposal of marriage or be sent back to her poor family and experience the difference in comfort. Even so, Henry proposes and Fanny is pressured by her uncle to accept the offer she disappoints the family by refusing. After his behaviour towards the Bertram girls, Fanny mistrusts him and does not believe his declarations of love. However, Fanny's gentle and kind nature gradually captures his fancy, and Henry becomes emotionally attached to her. Henry decides to pursue Fanny as a means to amuse himself. Maria marries Rushworth, esteeming his fortune above his character. Sir Thomas arrives home and in anger immediately stops the play. Edmund initially speaks out against the play but changes his mind when he is offered a part that allows him to act out flirtatious scenes with Mary. The play allows the young people to openly flirt with each other. Yates and Tom convince the Bertrams and Crawfords to stage a risque play, Lovers' Vows. Later, Tom returns from Antigua, arriving drunk and bringing a friend, Mr Yates, with him. Maria and Julia both vie for Henry's affections, even though Maria is already engaged to Mr Rushworth. Edmund is instantly smitten with Mary, somewhat ignoring and hurting Fanny. Worldly, cynical and beautiful, Mary and Henry arrive looking for amusement. In their absence, the Bertram family is disrupted by the arrival of Henry and Mary Crawford, relatives of the local clergyman. When Fanny is eighteen, Sir Thomas and his eldest son Tom travel to Antigua. Edmund behaves kindly to her, and the two develop a friendship that grows as the years progress. Fanny does not feel welcome, and Mrs Norris treats her more like a servant than a relative. Once at Mansfield Park, Fanny meets her cousins Tom Jr., Maria, Edmund, and Julia, as well as Fanny's other maternal aunt, Mrs Norris. Further information: For the plot of the original novel, see Mansfield ParkĪt the age of 10, Fanny Price is sent to live with her wealthy uncle and aunt, Sir Thomas and Lady Bertram, as her own parents do not have enough money to support their many children.

Mansfield park book