The time was now come when Sir Thomas expected his sister–in–law to claim her share in their niece… and as his own circumstances were rendered less fair than heretofore, by some recent losses on his West India estate, in addition to his eldest son’s extravagance, it became not undesirable to himself to be relieved from the expense of her support, and the obligation of her future provision. (3)

It may be that Sir Thomas could not afford a London season for two daughters. Before Sir Thomas’ trip to Antigua he expected Mrs. Norris to take Fanny in and relieve him of the expense. Lady Bertram’s indolence must be a consideration but I don’t think Sir Thomas would trust anyone to manage an expensive London season for his two daughters. Edmund will not add to the expense of his father’s stables when Fanny needs a horse for exercise (4) and he warned Tom against building a stage partly due to the expense: “The innovation, if not wrong as an innovation, will be wrong as an expense” (13). Money may very well have been a consideration.

A well–disposed young woman, who did not marry for love, was in general but the more attached to her own family; and the nearness of Sotherton to Mansfield must naturally hold out the greatest temptation, and would, in all probability, be a continual supply of the most amiable and innocent enjoyments. (21)

Perhaps Sir Thomas did not believe a London season necessary for his daughters. He seems happy that Maria’s choice keeps her close to MP and perhaps he intended all along for them to find husbands close to home. A London season would not be very conducive to keeping his daughters close to home or even in the same country.

Lady Bertram, in consequence of a little ill–health, and a great deal of indolence, gave up the house in town, which she had been used to occupy every spring, and remained wholly in the country… In the country, therefore, the Miss Bertrams continued to exercise their memories, practice their duets, and grow tall and womanly: and their father saw them becoming in person, manner, and accomplishments, everything that could satisfy his anxiety. (2)