Fanny… was trying by everything in the power of her modest, gentle nature, to repulse Mr. Crawford, and avoid both his looks and inquiries; and he, unrepulsable, was persisting in both. (34)

Despite the ‘sternness of her purpose’ (33) Fanny’s incurably gentle manner does nothing to discourage Henry’s suit. He is determined to plague her with his attentions and have the ‘glory, as well as the felicity, of forcing her to love him’ (33). I see no charm in it whatsoever. His refusal to give up reflects his desires while ignoring hers. Despite all he says I feel it must be a very inferior affection that thinks so little of Fanny’s comfort that he exposes his offer and her rejection to the world but most particularly to the evil eye of Mrs. Norris and the unprofitable advice of Lady Bertram—this after he went on and on in Ch. 30 about how he would be Fanny’s savior from the neglects of MP. I guess there can really be no surprise since he applied to Sir Thomas despite her rejection as well. Even after Henry is gone to town he still manages to intrude by writing to Fanny in Mary’s letters—which is inappropriate at best. Poor Fanny, I hope the trials of Portsmouth do not weaken her resolve—already Fanny has missed MP and its residents so much she was glad to receive a letter from Mary. (:D)