I agree about Mrs. Norris’ controlling nature but if revenge in the form of humbling Mrs. Price was any part of her motivation in bringing Fanny to MP then I feel it was a terrible failure. Reaching out with her letter of “contrition and despondence” (1) may have cost Mrs. Price some pride but afterwards I don’t think she felt any emotion more troubling than surprise “a girl should be fixed on when she had so many fine boys” (1). Far from feeling humbled, she “accepted the offer most thankfully” (1). No Price but William seems to feel at all put out by Fanny’s leaving:

Once, and once only, in the course of many years, had she [Fanny] the happiness of being with William. Of the rest she saw nothing: nobody seemed to think of her ever going amongst them again, even for a visit, nobody at home seemed to want her… (2)

I feel Mrs. Prices’ next emotion in sending away her eldest daughter was relief in having one less child to feed and cloth. The entire family; excepting William of course, had no need for Fanny. It seems so callous to me it is no wonder Fanny feels she “can never be important to any one” (3). I will say this for Mrs. Price, she must be aware Fanny will receive a genteel education, good food, country air and an opportunity for a better life than she could have had otherwise. Mrs. Price might just feel she has done her best for Fanny and it is up to her daughter to make of this opportunity what she will. After Fanny, Sir Thomas:

“did not forget to do what he could for the children of Mrs. Price: he assisted her liberally in the education and disposal of her sons as they became old enough for a determinate pursuit…” (3)

This sort of interest, patronage, among family and friends was common and often reciprocated although I am sure Sir Thomas does not expect Mr. Price will ever be able to do him any similar kindness in return. Despite this inequality I don’t feel this sort of interest was ever meant to be humbling. Sir Thomas only does what he was always been disposed by pride and principle to do for them:

Sir Thomas Bertram had interest, which, from principle as well as pride—from a general wish of doing right, and a desire of seeing all that were connected with him in situations of respectability, he would have been glad to exert for the advantage of Lady Bertram’s sister [Mrs. Price]; but her husband’s profession was such as no interest could reach; and before he had time to devise any other method of assisting them, an absolute breach between the sisters had taken place. (1)