What struck me first and I had not noticed before is the clandestine nature of this conference:

Henry Crawford had quite made up his mind by the next morning to give another fortnight to Mansfield, and having sent for his hunters, and written a few lines of explanation to the Admiral, he looked round at his sister as he sealed and threw the letter from him, and seeing the coast clear of the rest of the family, said, with a smile… 24

Henry knows his plan to put a hole in Fanny’s heart would be disapproved by the Grants. Mary expresses something like affectionate exasperation at the incorrigible Henry but it is not disapproval. Mr. Rushworth was being taken-in by Maria & Henry and I think Mary was glad to have her part in it. Glad to help her brother and glad to rein in Mr. Rushworth’s jealousy and keep him from spoiling their fun. I don’t think she really feels Henry is doing anything wrong. Henry’s view attaching ladies and then breaking their hearts is exercising his mind is disgusting but it does illustrate how much it is all a game played simply for his amusement. (:D)