Edmund's Chain — Mansfield Park

Fanny carries the necklace home and finds Edmund in the East room, writing her a note. He has brought her a gold chain for William's amber cross. She is overwhelmed, and she wants to return Mary's necklace. Edmund says no: it would hurt Mary badly. He says his chain will go with William's cross much better than the necklace would.

On the day of the ball Fanny is nervous and hopeful. Edmund comes up the stairs with her and says he has been to Dr Grant's to engage Mary for the first two dances. She has told him it will be the last time she ever dances with him, because she has never danced with a clergyman and never will. He tells Fanny he leaves home the next day, and confides in her what troubles him. Lady Bertram's maid, Mrs Chapman, is sent to dress Fanny, and arrives too late to be needed.