"Well!" Mary Crawford said, throwing the letter down.

Edmund Bertram bowed his head. "I see you are as shocked as I. There must be some grave defect in our family. Maria, Julia... and now Fanny! I can scarcely believe it."

Mary smiled. "I have a new respect for Fanny. She has, at least, chosen far better than her cousins."

"You know of this Duke, then?"

"Know of him? He was a favourite in our circle. A man of courage, wit, modesty... and wealth, of course. Fanny will be the happiest of women." Mary sighed in fond reminiscence. "What a guy."