"This is not behaving well by the absent," said she.
"Here are not women enough. Amelia and Agatha may do
for Maria and me, but here is nothing for your sister,
Mr. Crawford."

Mr. Crawford desired _that_ might not be thought of:
he was very sure his sister had no wish of acting
but as she might be useful, and that she would not
allow herself to be considered in the present case.
But this was immediately opposed by Tom Bertram,
who asserted the part of Amelia to be in every respect
the property of Miss Crawford, if she would accept it.
"It falls as naturally, as necessarily to her," said he,
"as Agatha does to one or other of my sisters. It can be no
sacrifice on their side, for it is highly comic."

A short silence followed. Each sister looked anxious;
for each felt the best claim to Agatha, and was hoping
to have it pressed on her by the rest. Henry Crawford,
who meanwhile had taken up the play, and with seeming
carelessness was turning over the first act, soon settled
the business.

"I must entreat Miss _Julia_ Bertram," said he, "not to
engage in the part of Agatha, or it will be the ruin
of all my solemnity. You must not, indeed you must not"
(turning to her). "I could not stand your countenance
dressed up in woe and paleness. The many laughs we have
had together would infallibly come across me, and Frederick