here fanny involuntarily shook her head , and crawford was instantly by her side again , entreating to know her meaning ; and as edmund perceived that it was to be a very thorough attack , he sank as quietly as possible into a corner and took up a newspaper , sincerely wishing that dear little fanny might be persuaded into explaining away that shake of the head to the satisfaction of her ardent lover ; and he tried to bury every sound of the business in murmurs of his own , over the advertisements of `` a most desirable estate in south wales '' and a `` capital season 'd hunter . ''