Mansfield Park

Sir Thomas decides to throw a ball for Fanny and William. Mrs. Norris believes the Price siblings are unworthy of such an honor, but Sir Thomas is insistent. The event is planned to take place just before William’s return to Portsmouth and Edmund’s ordination. Fanny wants to wear an amber cross—a gift from William. However, she does not have a chain to go with it. She consults Mary, who insists Fanny must choose a chain from her own collection. Embarrassed, Fanny tries to judge which necklace Mary values the least. When she makes a selection, Mary tells her the necklace was a gift from Henry and urges Fanny to think of her brother when she wears it. Fanny wants to return the gift but feels she cannot do so without offending Mary. She wonders if the Crawfords have been conspiring together. Meanwhile, Edmund wants to marry Mary but is anxious that she will not be able to accept the position of a rural clergyman’s wife.

Edmund presents Fanny with a gold chain to go with the amber cross. Delighted yet horrified at her dilemma, Fanny tells Edmund about Mary’s earlier gift. Gratified by Mary’s generosity, Edmund insists Fanny must wear Mary’s chain to the ball, keeping his for everyday occasions. He tells Fanny that she and Mary are the two people he loves the most. Fanny is moved by Edmund’s affectionate comments and gesture but also realizes he intends to marry Mary. She resolves to overcome her jealousy, telling herself she has no right to think of Edmund in a romantic light.

Edmund returns despondent from a visit to the parsonage. He tells Fanny that Mary has agreed to dance with him at the ball. However, she also claimed it would be for the last time, as she would never lower herself to dance with a clergyman. Edmund confesses he sometimes fears that Mary’s morals are corrupted.

Fanny decides to wear both necklaces to the ball when she discovers Mary’s chain does not fit the amber cross. She is surprised when Lady Bertram sends her maid to help her prepare. Fanny is already dressed for the event but is touched by her aunt’s kind gesture.

Sir Thomas tells Fanny that as it is her coming out ball, she must begin the dancing. She accepts Henry’s request for the first dance but feels uncomfortable when he looks at her necklace and smiles. Edmund dances with Mary, but she again disparages his choice of profession. Fanny cannot help feeling pleased when she sees the discord between the couple.

The following day, William departs for Portsmouth. Fanny’s brother has accepted Henry’s offer to transport him there, stopping at Admiral Crawford’s on the way. Soon afterward, Edmund also leaves for his ordination. Lady Bertram observes that they are fortunate to have Fanny’s reliable company. She is baffled when Sir Thomas implies that Fanny will leave them when she marries.

At the parsonage, Mary is bored in the absence of Henry and Edmund. She is angry at Edmund for ignoring her wishes but also regrets arguing with him. When Edmund is away longer than expected, Mary is jealous to learn he is staying with a friend, Mr. Owen, who has single sisters. Visiting Mansfield Park, she interrogates Fanny about Edmund’s plans. Mary says she will return to London in the next few days and will be sorry not to see Edmund before she leaves.

Henry returns from London, telling Mary he is in love with Fanny and intends to marry her. Mary is astonished but declares Fanny will make a loving and appreciative wife. She secretly hopes the marriage will improve her chances of marrying Edmund. Henry praises Fanny’s virtues, claiming he realizes these are the qualities he wants in a wife. He observes that Fanny is treated like a poor relation at Mansfield Park, but he will soon elevate her to the status she deserves.

Henry goes to Mansfield Park to see Fanny. He reveals that his uncle, Admiral Crawford, has used his influence to have William promoted to lieutenant. Henry explains that he purposefully introduced William to his uncle for this reason. He tells Fanny that he did so because he loves her and wants to marry her. Fanny is distressed and confused, believing that Henry is toying with her. She thanks him for helping William but says she does not want to hear anymore.

Delighted to hear of William’s promotion, Sir Thomas asks Henry to dinner. When Henry arrives, he gives Fanny a note from Mary. The message congratulates Fanny on Henry’s proposal and provides assurances of Mary’s approval of the match. In turmoil, Fanny barely speaks or eats during dinner. Before leaving, Henry asks for a response to his sister’s note. Fanny writes that she knows Henry too well to take his proposal seriously and asks for the subject never to be raised again.

Henry arrives at Mansfield Park early the next day. Sir Thomas finds Fanny in the east room and is surprised to note that, despite the snow outside, she does not have a fire. Fanny is forced to admit that Mrs. Norris does not allow it. Sir Thomas promises to rectify the situation.

Sir Thomas reveals that he has happily approved Henry’s request to marry Fanny. Horrified, Fanny tells Sir Thomas that she has made it clear she cannot love Henry. Sir Thomas is astonished, pointing out that Henry is rich and charming and secured William’s promotion. Fanny feels unable to tell Sir Thomas why she objects to Henry, as any explanation would reflect poorly on Maria.

Sir Thomas declares he is disappointed in Fanny and suggests she is being ungrateful. Fanny cries and apologizes, and Sir Thomas relents, believing she is overwhelmed and may change her mind. He assures her that, for now, he will not tell anyone else about the proposal. Fanny is grateful, particularly when she later sees a fire has been lit in the east room. However, she is soon called to Sir Thomas’s study to see Henry.