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+The Project Gutenberg eBook of Persuasion, by Jane Austen
+
+This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere in the United States and
+most other parts of the world at no cost and with almost no restrictions
+whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or re-use it under the terms
+of the Project Gutenberg License included with this eBook or online at
+www.gutenberg.org. If you are not located in the United States, you
+will have to check the laws of the country where you are located before
+using this eBook.
+
+Title: Persuasion
+
+Author: Jane Austen
+
+Release Date: February, 1994 [eBook #105]
+[Most recently updated: September 10, 2023]
+
+Language: English
+
+Character set encoding: UTF-8
+
+Produced by: Sharon Partridge and Martin Ward
+Revised by Richard Tonsing.
+
+*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK PERSUASION ***
+
+
+
+
+Persuasion
+
+
+by Jane Austen
+
+(1818)
+
+
+
+
+Contents
+
+
+ CHAPTER I.
+ CHAPTER II.
+ CHAPTER III.
+ CHAPTER IV.
+ CHAPTER V.
+ CHAPTER VI.
+ CHAPTER VII.
+ CHAPTER VIII.
+ CHAPTER IX.
+ CHAPTER X.
+ CHAPTER XI.
+ CHAPTER XII.
+ CHAPTER XIII.
+ CHAPTER XIV.
+ CHAPTER XV.
+ CHAPTER XVI.
+ CHAPTER XVII.
+ CHAPTER XVIII.
+ CHAPTER XIX.
+ CHAPTER XX.
+ CHAPTER XXI.
+ CHAPTER XXII.
+ CHAPTER XXIII.
+ CHAPTER XXIV.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER I.
+
+
+Sir Walter Elliot, of Kellynch Hall, in Somersetshire, was a man who,
+for his own amusement, never took up any book but the Baronetage; there
+he found occupation for an idle hour, and consolation in a distressed
+one; there his faculties were roused into admiration and respect, by
+contemplating the limited remnant of the earliest patents; there any
+unwelcome sensations, arising from domestic affairs changed naturally
+into pity and contempt as he turned over the almost endless creations
+of the last century; and there, if every other leaf were powerless, he
+could read his own history with an interest which never failed. This
+was the page at which the favourite volume always opened:
+
+“ELLIOT OF KELLYNCH HALL.
+
+
+“Walter Elliot, born March 1, 1760, married, July 15, 1784, Elizabeth,
+daughter of James Stevenson, Esq. of South Park, in the county of
+Gloucester, by which lady (who died 1800) he has issue Elizabeth, born
+June 1, 1785; Anne, born August 9, 1787; a still-born son, November 5,
+1789; Mary, born November 20, 1791.”
+
+Precisely such had the paragraph originally stood from the printer’s
+hands; but Sir Walter had improved it by adding, for the information of
+himself and his family, these words, after the date of Mary’s
+birth—“Married, December 16, 1810, Charles, son and heir of Charles
+Musgrove, Esq. of Uppercross, in the county of Somerset,” and by
+inserting most accurately the day of the month on which he had lost his
+wife.
+
+Then followed the history and rise of the ancient and respectable
+family, in the usual terms; how it had been first settled in Cheshire;
+how mentioned in Dugdale, serving the office of high sheriff,
+representing a borough in three successive parliaments, exertions of
+loyalty, and dignity of baronet, in the first year of Charles II, with
+all the Marys and Elizabeths they had married; forming altogether two
+handsome duodecimo pages, and concluding with the arms and
+motto:—“Principal seat, Kellynch Hall, in the county of Somerset,” and
+Sir Walter’s handwriting again in this finale:—
+
+“Heir presumptive, William Walter Elliot, Esq., great grandson of the
+second Sir Walter.”
+
+Vanity was the beginning and the end of Sir Walter Elliot’s character;
+vanity of person and of situation. He had been remarkably handsome in
+his youth; and, at fifty-four, was still a very fine man. Few women
+could think more of their personal appearance than he did, nor could
+the valet of any new made lord be more delighted with the place he held
+in society. He considered the blessing of beauty as inferior only to
+the blessing of a baronetcy; and the Sir Walter Elliot, who united
+these gifts, was the constant object of his warmest respect and
+devotion.
+
+His good looks and his rank had one fair claim on his attachment; since
+to them he must have owed a wife of very superior character to any
+thing deserved by his own. Lady Elliot had been an excellent woman,
+sensible and amiable; whose judgement and conduct, if they might be
+pardoned the youthful infatuation which made her Lady Elliot, had never
+required indulgence afterwards. She had humoured, or softened, or
+concealed his failings, and promoted his real respectability for
+seventeen years; and though not the very happiest being in the world
+herself, had found enough in her duties, her friends, and her children,
+to attach her to life, and make it no matter of indifference to her
+when she was called on to quit them. Three girls, the two eldest
+sixteen and fourteen, was an awful legacy for a mother to bequeath, an
+awful charge rather, to confide to the authority and guidance of a
+conceited, silly father. She had, however, one very intimate friend, a
+sensible, deserving woman, who had been brought, by strong attachment
+to herself, to settle close by her, in the village of Kellynch; and on
+her kindness and advice, Lady Elliot mainly relied for the best help
+and maintenance of the good principles and instruction which she had
+been anxiously giving her daughters.
+
+This friend, and Sir Walter, did not marry, whatever might have been
+anticipated on that head by their acquaintance. Thirteen years had
+passed away since Lady Elliot’s death, and they were still near
+neighbours and intimate friends, and one remained a widower, the other
+a widow.
+
+That Lady Russell, of steady age and character, and extremely well
+provided for, should have no thought of a second marriage, needs no
+apology to the public, which is rather apt to be unreasonably
+discontented when a woman _does_ marry again, than when she does _not;_
+but Sir Walter’s continuing in singleness requires explanation. Be it
+known then, that Sir Walter, like a good father, (having met with one
+or two private disappointments in very unreasonable applications),
+prided himself on remaining single for his dear daughters’ sake. For
+one daughter, his eldest, he would really have given up any thing,
+which he had not been very much tempted to do. Elizabeth had succeeded,
+at sixteen, to all that was possible, of her mother’s rights and
+consequence; and being very handsome, and very like himself, her
+influence had always been great, and they had gone on together most
+happily. His two other children were of very inferior value. Mary had
+acquired a little artificial importance, by becoming Mrs Charles
+Musgrove; but Anne, with an elegance of mind and sweetness of
+character, which must have placed her high with any people of real
+understanding, was nobody with either father or sister; her word had no
+weight, her convenience was always to give way—she was only Anne.
+
+To Lady Russell, indeed, she was a most dear and highly valued
+god-daughter, favourite, and friend. Lady Russell loved them all; but
+it was only in Anne that she could fancy the mother to revive again.
+
+A few years before, Anne Elliot had been a very pretty girl, but her
+bloom had vanished early; and as even in its height, her father had
+found little to admire in her, (so totally different were her delicate
+features and mild dark eyes from his own), there could be nothing in
+them, now that she was faded and thin, to excite his esteem. He had
+never indulged much hope, he had now none, of ever reading her name in
+any other page of his favourite work. All equality of alliance must
+rest with Elizabeth, for Mary had merely connected herself with an old
+country family of respectability and large fortune, and had therefore
+_given_ all the honour and received none: Elizabeth would, one day or
+other, marry suitably.
+
+It sometimes happens that a woman is handsomer at twenty-nine than she
+was ten years before; and, generally speaking, if there has been
+neither ill health nor anxiety, it is a time of life at which scarcely
+any charm is lost. It was so with Elizabeth, still the same handsome
+Miss Elliot that she had begun to be thirteen years ago, and Sir Walter
+might be excused, therefore, in forgetting her age, or, at least, be
+deemed only half a fool, for thinking himself and Elizabeth as blooming
+as ever, amidst the wreck of the good looks of everybody else; for he
+could plainly see how old all the rest of his family and acquaintance
+were growing. Anne haggard, Mary coarse, every face in the
+neighbourhood worsting, and the rapid increase of the crow’s foot about
+Lady Russell’s temples had long been a distress to him.
+
+Elizabeth did not quite equal her father in personal contentment.
+Thirteen years had seen her mistress of Kellynch Hall, presiding and
+directing with a self-possession and decision which could never have
+given the idea of her being younger than she was. For thirteen years
+had she been doing the honours, and laying down the domestic law at
+home, and leading the way to the chaise and four, and walking
+immediately after Lady Russell out of all the drawing-rooms and
+dining-rooms in the country. Thirteen winters’ revolving frosts had
+seen her opening every ball of credit which a scanty neighbourhood
+afforded, and thirteen springs shewn their blossoms, as she travelled
+up to London with her father, for a few weeks’ annual enjoyment of the
+great world. She had the remembrance of all this, she had the
+consciousness of being nine-and-twenty to give her some regrets and
+some apprehensions; she was fully satisfied of being still quite as
+handsome as ever, but she felt her approach to the years of danger, and
+would have rejoiced to be certain of being properly solicited by
+baronet-blood within the next twelvemonth or two. Then might she again
+take up the book of books with as much enjoyment as in her early youth,
+but now she liked it not. Always to be presented with the date of her
+own birth and see no marriage follow but that of a youngest sister,
+made the book an evil; and more than once, when her father had left it
+open on the table near her, had she closed it, with averted eyes, and
+pushed it away.
+
+She had had a disappointment, moreover, which that book, and especially
+the history of her own family, must ever present the remembrance of.
+The heir presumptive, the very William Walter Elliot, Esq., whose
+rights had been so generously supported by her father, had disappointed
+her.
+
+She had, while a very young girl, as soon as she had known him to be,
+in the event of her having no brother, the future baronet, meant to
+marry him, and her father had always meant that she should. He had not
+been known to them as a boy; but soon after Lady Elliot’s death, Sir
+Walter had sought the acquaintance, and though his overtures had not
+been met with any warmth, he had persevered in seeking it, making
+allowance for the modest drawing-back of youth; and, in one of their
+spring excursions to London, when Elizabeth was in her first bloom, Mr
+Elliot had been forced into the introduction.
+
+He was at that time a very young man, just engaged in the study of the
+law; and Elizabeth found him extremely agreeable, and every plan in his
+favour was confirmed. He was invited to Kellynch Hall; he was talked of
+and expected all the rest of the year; but he never came. The following
+spring he was seen again in town, found equally agreeable, again
+encouraged, invited, and expected, and again he did not come; and the
+next tidings were that he was married. Instead of pushing his fortune
+in the line marked out for the heir of the house of Elliot, he had
+purchased independence by uniting himself to a rich woman of inferior
+birth.
+
+Sir Walter had resented it. As the head of the house, he felt that he
+ought to have been consulted, especially after taking the young man so
+publicly by the hand; “For they must have been seen together,” he
+observed, “once at Tattersall’s, and twice in the lobby of the House of
+Commons.” His disapprobation was expressed, but apparently very little
+regarded. Mr Elliot had attempted no apology, and shewn himself as
+unsolicitous of being longer noticed by the family, as Sir Walter
+considered him unworthy of it: all acquaintance between them had
+ceased.
+
+This very awkward history of Mr Elliot was still, after an interval of
+several years, felt with anger by Elizabeth, who had liked the man for
+himself, and still more for being her father’s heir, and whose strong
+family pride could see only in _him_ a proper match for Sir Walter
+Elliot’s eldest daughter. There was not a baronet from A to Z whom her
+feelings could have so willingly acknowledged as an equal. Yet so
+miserably had he conducted himself, that though she was at this present
+time (the summer of 1814) wearing black ribbons for his wife, she could
+not admit him to be worth thinking of again. The disgrace of his first
+marriage might, perhaps, as there was no reason to suppose it
+perpetuated by offspring, have been got over, had he not done worse;
+but he had, as by the accustomary intervention of kind friends, they
+had been informed, spoken most disrespectfully of them all, most
+slightingly and contemptuously of the very blood he belonged to, and
+the honours which were hereafter to be his own. This could not be
+pardoned.
+
+Such were Elizabeth Elliot’s sentiments and sensations; such the cares
+to alloy, the agitations to vary, the sameness and the elegance, the
+prosperity and the nothingness of her scene of life; such the feelings
+to give interest to a long, uneventful residence in one country circle,
+to fill the vacancies which there were no habits of utility abroad, no
+talents or accomplishments for home, to occupy.
+
+But now, another occupation and solicitude of mind was beginning to be
+added to these. Her father was growing distressed for money. She knew,
+that when he now took up the Baronetage, it was to drive the heavy
+bills of his tradespeople, and the unwelcome hints of Mr Shepherd, his
+agent, from his thoughts. The Kellynch property was good, but not equal
+to Sir Walter’s apprehension of the state required in its possessor.
+While Lady Elliot lived, there had been method, moderation, and
+economy, which had just kept him within his income; but with her had
+died all such right-mindedness, and from that period he had been
+constantly exceeding it. It had not been possible for him to spend
+less; he had done nothing but what Sir Walter Elliot was imperiously
+called on to do; but blameless as he was, he was not only growing
+dreadfully in debt, but was hearing of it so often, that it became vain
+to attempt concealing it longer, even partially, from his daughter. He
+had given her some hints of it the last spring in town; he had gone so
+far even as to say, “Can we retrench? Does it occur to you that there
+is any one article in which we can retrench?” and Elizabeth, to do her
+justice, had, in the first ardour of female alarm, set seriously to
+think what could be done, and had finally proposed these two branches
+of economy, to cut off some unnecessary charities, and to refrain from
+new furnishing the drawing-room; to which expedients she afterwards
+added the happy thought of their taking no present down to Anne, as had
+been the usual yearly custom. But these measures, however good in
+themselves, were insufficient for the real extent of the evil, the
+whole of which Sir Walter found himself obliged to confess to her soon
+afterwards. Elizabeth had nothing to propose of deeper efficacy. She
+felt herself ill-used and unfortunate, as did her father; and they were
+neither of them able to devise any means of lessening their expenses
+without compromising their dignity, or relinquishing their comforts in
+a way not to be borne.
+
+There was only a small part of his estate that Sir Walter could dispose
+of; but had every acre been alienable, it would have made no
+difference. He had condescended to mortgage as far as he had the power,
+but he would never condescend to sell. No; he would never disgrace his
+name so far. The Kellynch estate should be transmitted whole and
+entire, as he had received it.
+
+Their two confidential friends, Mr Shepherd, who lived in the
+neighbouring market town, and Lady Russell, were called on to advise them;
+and both father and daughter seemed to expect that something should be
+struck out by one or the other to remove their embarrassments and
+reduce their expenditure, without involving the loss of any indulgence
+of taste or pride.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER II.
+
+
+Mr Shepherd, a civil, cautious lawyer, who, whatever might be his hold
+or his views on Sir Walter, would rather have the _disagreeable_
+prompted by anybody else, excused himself from offering the slightest
+hint, and only begged leave to recommend an implicit reference to the
+excellent judgement of Lady Russell, from whose known good sense he
+fully expected to have just such resolute measures advised as he meant
+to see finally adopted.
+
+Lady Russell was most anxiously zealous on the subject, and gave it
+much serious consideration. She was a woman rather of sound than of
+quick abilities, whose difficulties in coming to any decision in this
+instance were great, from the opposition of two leading principles. She
+was of strict integrity herself, with a delicate sense of honour; but
+she was as desirous of saving Sir Walter’s feelings, as solicitous for
+the credit of the family, as aristocratic in her ideas of what was due
+to them, as anybody of sense and honesty could well be. She was a
+benevolent, charitable, good woman, and capable of strong attachments,
+most correct in her conduct, strict in her notions of decorum, and with
+manners that were held a standard of good-breeding. She had a
+cultivated mind, and was, generally speaking, rational and
+consistent—but she had prejudices on the side of ancestry; she had a
+value for rank and consequence, which blinded her a little to the
+faults of those who possessed them. Herself the widow of only a knight,
+she gave the dignity of a baronet all its due; and Sir Walter,
+independent of his claims as an old acquaintance, an attentive
+neighbour, an obliging landlord, the husband of her very dear friend,
+the father of Anne and her sisters, was, as being Sir Walter, in her
+apprehension, entitled to a great deal of compassion and consideration
+under his present difficulties.
+
+They must retrench; that did not admit of a doubt. But she was very
+anxious to have it done with the least possible pain to him and
+Elizabeth. She drew up plans of economy, she made exact calculations,
+and she did what nobody else thought of doing: she consulted Anne, who
+never seemed considered by the others as having any interest in the
+question. She consulted, and in a degree was influenced by her in
+marking out the scheme of retrenchment which was at last submitted to
+Sir Walter. Every emendation of Anne’s had been on the side of honesty
+against importance. She wanted more vigorous measures, a more complete
+reformation, a quicker release from debt, a much higher tone of
+indifference for everything but justice and equity.
+
+“If we can persuade your father to all this,” said Lady Russell,
+looking over her paper, “much may be done. If he will adopt these
+regulations, in seven years he will be clear; and I hope we may be able
+to convince him and Elizabeth, that Kellynch Hall has a respectability
+in itself which cannot be affected by these reductions; and that the
+true dignity of Sir Walter Elliot will be very far from lessened in the
+eyes of sensible people, by acting like a man of principle. What will
+he be doing, in fact, but what very many of our first families have
+done, or ought to do? There will be nothing singular in his case; and
+it is singularity which often makes the worst part of our suffering, as
+it always does of our conduct. I have great hope of prevailing. We must
+be serious and decided; for after all, the person who has contracted
+debts must pay them; and though a great deal is due to the feelings of
+the gentleman, and the head of a house, like your father, there is
+still more due to the character of an honest man.”
+
+This was the principle on which Anne wanted her father to be
+proceeding, his friends to be urging him. She considered it as an act
+of indispensable duty to clear away the claims of creditors with all
+the expedition which the most comprehensive retrenchments could secure,
+and saw no dignity in anything short of it. She wanted it to be
+prescribed, and felt as a duty. She rated Lady Russell’s influence
+highly; and as to the severe degree of self-denial which her own
+conscience prompted, she believed there might be little more difficulty
+in persuading them to a complete, than to half a reformation. Her
+knowledge of her father and Elizabeth inclined her to think that the
+sacrifice of one pair of horses would be hardly less painful than of
+both, and so on, through the whole list of Lady Russell’s too gentle
+reductions.
+
+How Anne’s more rigid requisitions might have been taken is of little
+consequence. Lady Russell’s had no success at all: could not be put up
+with, were not to be borne. “What! every comfort of life knocked off!
+Journeys, London, servants, horses, table—contractions and restrictions
+every where! To live no longer with the decencies even of a private
+gentleman! No, he would sooner quit Kellynch Hall at once, than remain
+in it on such disgraceful terms.”
+
+“Quit Kellynch Hall.” The hint was immediately taken up by Mr Shepherd,
+whose interest was involved in the reality of Sir Walter’s retrenching,
+and who was perfectly persuaded that nothing would be done without a
+change of abode. “Since the idea had been started in the very quarter
+which ought to dictate, he had no scruple,” he said, “in confessing his
+judgement to be entirely on that side. It did not appear to him that
+Sir Walter could materially alter his style of living in a house which
+had such a character of hospitality and ancient dignity to support. In
+any other place Sir Walter might judge for himself; and would be looked
+up to, as regulating the modes of life in whatever way he might choose
+to model his household.”
+
+Sir Walter would quit Kellynch Hall; and after a very few days more of
+doubt and indecision, the great question of whither he should go was
+settled, and the first outline of this important change made out.
+
+There had been three alternatives, London, Bath, or another house in
+the country. All Anne’s wishes had been for the latter. A small house
+in their own neighbourhood, where they might still have Lady Russell’s
+society, still be near Mary, and still have the pleasure of sometimes
+seeing the lawns and groves of Kellynch, was the object of her
+ambition. But the usual fate of Anne attended her, in having something
+very opposite from her inclination fixed on. She disliked Bath, and did
+not think it agreed with her; and Bath was to be her home.
+
+Sir Walter had at first thought more of London; but Mr Shepherd felt
+that he could not be trusted in London, and had been skilful enough to
+dissuade him from it, and make Bath preferred. It was a much safer
+place for a gentleman in his predicament: he might there be important
+at comparatively little expense. Two material advantages of Bath over
+London had of course been given all their weight: its more convenient
+distance from Kellynch, only fifty miles, and Lady Russell’s spending
+some part of every winter there; and to the very great satisfaction of
+Lady Russell, whose first views on the projected change had been for
+Bath, Sir Walter and Elizabeth were induced to believe that they should
+lose neither consequence nor enjoyment by settling there.
+
+Lady Russell felt obliged to oppose her dear Anne’s known wishes. It
+would be too much to expect Sir Walter to descend into a small house in
+his own neighbourhood. Anne herself would have found the mortifications
+of it more than she foresaw, and to Sir Walter’s feelings they must
+have been dreadful. And with regard to Anne’s dislike of Bath, she
+considered it as a prejudice and mistake arising, first, from the
+circumstance of her having been three years at school there, after her
+mother’s death; and secondly, from her happening to be not in perfectly
+good spirits the only winter which she had afterwards spent there with
+herself.
+
+Lady Russell was fond of Bath, in short, and disposed to think it must
+suit them all; and as to her young friend’s health, by passing all the
+warm months with her at Kellynch Lodge, every danger would be avoided;
+and it was in fact, a change which must do both health and spirits
+good. Anne had been too little from home, too little seen. Her spirits
+were not high. A larger society would improve them. She wanted her to
+be more known.
+
+The undesirableness of any other house in the same neighbourhood for
+Sir Walter was certainly much strengthened by one part, and a very
+material part of the scheme, which had been happily engrafted on the
+beginning. He was not only to quit his home, but to see it in the hands
+of others; a trial of fortitude, which stronger heads than Sir Walter’s
+have found too much. Kellynch Hall was to be let. This, however, was a
+profound secret, not to be breathed beyond their own circle.
+
+Sir Walter could not have borne the degradation of being known to
+design letting his house. Mr Shepherd had once mentioned the word
+“advertise,” but never dared approach it again. Sir Walter spurned the
+idea of its being offered in any manner; forbad the slightest hint
+being dropped of his having such an intention; and it was only on the
+supposition of his being spontaneously solicited by some most
+unexceptionable applicant, on his own terms, and as a great favour,
+that he would let it at all.
+
+How quick come the reasons for approving what we like! Lady Russell had
+another excellent one at hand, for being extremely glad that Sir Walter
+and his family were to remove from the country. Elizabeth had been
+lately forming an intimacy, which she wished to see interrupted. It was
+with the daughter of Mr Shepherd, who had returned, after an
+unprosperous marriage, to her father’s house, with the additional
+burden of two children. She was a clever young woman, who understood
+the art of pleasing—the art of pleasing, at least, at Kellynch Hall;
+and who had made herself so acceptable to Miss Elliot, as to have been
+already staying there more than once, in spite of all that Lady
+Russell, who thought it a friendship quite out of place, could hint of
+caution and reserve.
+
+Lady Russell, indeed, had scarcely any influence with Elizabeth, and
+seemed to love her, rather because she would love her, than because
+Elizabeth deserved it. She had never received from her more than
+outward attention, nothing beyond the observances of complaisance; had
+never succeeded in any point which she wanted to carry, against
+previous inclination. She had been repeatedly very earnest in trying to
+get Anne included in the visit to London, sensibly open to all the
+injustice and all the discredit of the selfish arrangements which shut
+her out, and on many lesser occasions had endeavoured to give Elizabeth
+the advantage of her own better judgement and experience; but always in
+vain: Elizabeth would go her own way; and never had she pursued it in
+more decided opposition to Lady Russell than in this selection of Mrs
+Clay; turning from the society of so deserving a sister, to bestow her
+affection and confidence on one who ought to have been nothing to her
+but the object of distant civility.
+
+From situation, Mrs Clay was, in Lady Russell’s estimate, a very
+unequal, and in her character she believed a very dangerous companion;
+and a removal that would leave Mrs Clay behind, and bring a choice of
+more suitable intimates within Miss Elliot’s reach, was therefore an
+object of first-rate importance.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER III.
+
+
+“I must take leave to observe, Sir Walter,” said Mr Shepherd one
+morning at Kellynch Hall, as he laid down the newspaper, “that the
+present juncture is much in our favour. This peace will be turning all
+our rich naval officers ashore. They will be all wanting a home. Could
+not be a better time, Sir Walter, for having a choice of tenants, very
+responsible tenants. Many a noble fortune has been made during the war.
+If a rich admiral were to come in our way, Sir Walter—”
+
+“He would be a very lucky man, Shepherd,” replied Sir Walter; “that’s
+all I have to remark. A prize indeed would Kellynch Hall be to him;
+rather the greatest prize of all, let him have taken ever so many
+before; hey, Shepherd?”
+
+Mr Shepherd laughed, as he knew he must, at this wit, and then added—
+
+“I presume to observe, Sir Walter, that, in the way of business,
+gentlemen of the navy are well to deal with. I have had a little
+knowledge of their methods of doing business; and I am free to confess
+that they have very liberal notions, and are as likely to make
+desirable tenants as any set of people one should meet with. Therefore,
+Sir Walter, what I would take leave to suggest is, that if in
+consequence of any rumours getting abroad of your intention; which must
+be contemplated as a possible thing, because we know how difficult it
+is to keep the actions and designs of one part of the world from the
+notice and curiosity of the other; consequence has its tax; I, John
+Shepherd, might conceal any family-matters that I chose, for nobody
+would think it worth their while to observe me; but Sir Walter Elliot
+has eyes upon him which it may be very difficult to elude; and
+therefore, thus much I venture upon, that it will not greatly surprise
+me if, with all our caution, some rumour of the truth should get
+abroad; in the supposition of which, as I was going to observe, since
+applications will unquestionably follow, I should think any from our
+wealthy naval commanders particularly worth attending to; and beg leave
+to add, that two hours will bring me over at any time, to save you the
+trouble of replying.”
+
+Sir Walter only nodded. But soon afterwards, rising and pacing the
+room, he observed sarcastically—
+
+“There are few among the gentlemen of the navy, I imagine, who would
+not be surprised to find themselves in a house of this description.”
+
+“They would look around them, no doubt, and bless their good fortune,”
+said Mrs Clay, for Mrs Clay was present: her father had driven her
+over, nothing being of so much use to Mrs Clay’s health as a drive to
+Kellynch: “but I quite agree with my father in thinking a sailor might
+be a very desirable tenant. I have known a good deal of the profession;
+and besides their liberality, they are so neat and careful in all their
+ways! These valuable pictures of yours, Sir Walter, if you chose to
+leave them, would be perfectly safe. Everything in and about the house
+would be taken such excellent care of! The gardens and shrubberies
+would be kept in almost as high order as they are now. You need not be
+afraid, Miss Elliot, of your own sweet flower gardens being neglected.”
+
+“As to all that,” rejoined Sir Walter coolly, “supposing I were induced
+to let my house, I have by no means made up my mind as to the
+privileges to be annexed to it. I am not particularly disposed to
+favour a tenant. The park would be open to him of course, and few navy
+officers, or men of any other description, can have had such a range;
+but what restrictions I might impose on the use of the
+pleasure-grounds, is another thing. I am not fond of the idea of my
+shrubberies being always approachable; and I should recommend Miss
+Elliot to be on her guard with respect to her flower garden. I am very
+little disposed to grant a tenant of Kellynch Hall any extraordinary
+favour, I assure you, be he sailor or soldier.”
+
+After a short pause, Mr Shepherd presumed to say—
+
+“In all these cases, there are established usages which make everything
+plain and easy between landlord and tenant. Your interest, Sir Walter,
+is in pretty safe hands. Depend upon me for taking care that no tenant
+has more than his just rights. I venture to hint, that Sir Walter
+Elliot cannot be half so jealous for his own, as John Shepherd will be
+for him.”
+
+Here Anne spoke—
+
+“The navy, I think, who have done so much for us, have at least an
+equal claim with any other set of men, for all the comforts and all the
+privileges which any home can give. Sailors work hard enough for their
+comforts, we must all allow.”
+
+“Very true, very true. What Miss Anne says, is very true,” was Mr
+Shepherd’s rejoinder, and “Oh! certainly,” was his daughter’s; but Sir
+Walter’s remark was, soon afterwards—
+
+“The profession has its utility, but I should be sorry to see any
+friend of mine belonging to it.”
+
+“Indeed!” was the reply, and with a look of surprise.
+
+“Yes; it is in two points offensive to me; I have two strong grounds of
+objection to it. First, as being the means of bringing persons of
+obscure birth into undue distinction, and raising men to honours which
+their fathers and grandfathers never dreamt of; and secondly, as it
+cuts up a man’s youth and vigour most horribly; a sailor grows old
+sooner than any other man. I have observed it all my life. A man is in
+greater danger in the navy of being insulted by the rise of one whose
+father, his father might have disdained to speak to, and of becoming
+prematurely an object of disgust himself, than in any other line. One
+day last spring, in town, I was in company with two men, striking
+instances of what I am talking of; Lord St Ives, whose father we all
+know to have been a country curate, without bread to eat; I was to give
+place to Lord St Ives, and a certain Admiral Baldwin, the most
+deplorable-looking personage you can imagine; his face the colour of
+mahogany, rough and rugged to the last degree; all lines and wrinkles,
+nine grey hairs of a side, and nothing but a dab of powder at top. ‘In
+the name of heaven, who is that old fellow?’ said I to a friend of mine
+who was standing near, (Sir Basil Morley). ‘Old fellow!’ cried Sir
+Basil, ‘it is Admiral Baldwin. What do you take his age to be?’
+‘Sixty,’ said I, ‘or perhaps sixty-two.’ ‘Forty,’ replied Sir Basil,
+‘forty, and no more.’ Picture to yourselves my amazement; I shall not
+easily forget Admiral Baldwin. I never saw quite so wretched an example
+of what a sea-faring life can do; but to a degree, I know it is the
+same with them all: they are all knocked about, and exposed to every
+climate, and every weather, till they are not fit to be seen. It is a
+pity they are not knocked on the head at once, before they reach
+Admiral Baldwin’s age.”
+
+“Nay, Sir Walter,” cried Mrs Clay, “this is being severe indeed. Have a
+little mercy on the poor men. We are not all born to be handsome. The
+sea is no beautifier, certainly; sailors do grow old betimes; I have
+observed it; they soon lose the look of youth. But then, is not it the
+same with many other professions, perhaps most other? Soldiers, in
+active service, are not at all better off: and even in the quieter
+professions, there is a toil and a labour of the mind, if not of the
+body, which seldom leaves a man’s looks to the natural effect of time.
+The lawyer plods, quite care-worn; the physician is up at all hours,
+and travelling in all weather; and even the clergyman—” she stopt a
+moment to consider what might do for the clergyman;—“and even the
+clergyman, you know is obliged to go into infected rooms, and expose
+his health and looks to all the injury of a poisonous atmosphere. In
+fact, as I have long been convinced, though every profession is
+necessary and honourable in its turn, it is only the lot of those who
+are not obliged to follow any, who can live in a regular way, in the
+country, choosing their own hours, following their own pursuits, and
+living on their own property, without the torment of trying for more;
+it is only _their_ lot, I say, to hold the blessings of health and a
+good appearance to the utmost: I know no other set of men but what lose
+something of their personableness when they cease to be quite young.”
+
+It seemed as if Mr Shepherd, in this anxiety to bespeak Sir Walter’s
+good will towards a naval officer as tenant, had been gifted with
+foresight; for the very first application for the house was from an
+Admiral Croft, with whom he shortly afterwards fell into company in
+attending the quarter sessions at Taunton; and indeed, he had received
+a hint of the Admiral from a London correspondent. By the report which
+he hastened over to Kellynch to make, Admiral Croft was a native of
+Somersetshire, who having acquired a very handsome fortune, was wishing
+to settle in his own country, and had come down to Taunton in order to
+look at some advertised places in that immediate neighbourhood, which,
+however, had not suited him; that accidentally hearing—(it was just as
+he had foretold, Mr Shepherd observed, Sir Walter’s concerns could not
+be kept a secret,)—accidentally hearing of the possibility of Kellynch
+Hall being to let, and understanding his (Mr Shepherd’s) connection
+with the owner, he had introduced himself to him in order to make
+particular inquiries, and had, in the course of a pretty long
+conference, expressed as strong an inclination for the place as a man
+who knew it only by description could feel; and given Mr Shepherd, in
+his explicit account of himself, every proof of his being a most
+responsible, eligible tenant.
+
+“And who is Admiral Croft?” was Sir Walter’s cold suspicious inquiry.
+
+Mr Shepherd answered for his being of a gentleman’s family, and
+mentioned a place; and Anne, after the little pause which followed,
+added—
+
+“He is a rear admiral of the white. He was in the Trafalgar action, and
+has been in the East Indies since; he was stationed there, I believe,
+several years.”
+
+“Then I take it for granted,” observed Sir Walter, “that his face is
+about as orange as the cuffs and capes of my livery.”
+
+Mr Shepherd hastened to assure him, that Admiral Croft was a very hale,
+hearty, well-looking man, a little weather-beaten, to be sure, but not
+much, and quite the gentleman in all his notions and behaviour; not
+likely to make the smallest difficulty about terms, only wanted a
+comfortable home, and to get into it as soon as possible; knew he must
+pay for his convenience; knew what rent a ready-furnished house of that
+consequence might fetch; should not have been surprised if Sir Walter
+had asked more; had inquired about the manor; would be glad of the
+deputation, certainly, but made no great point of it; said he sometimes
+took out a gun, but never killed; quite the gentleman.
+
+Mr Shepherd was eloquent on the subject; pointing out all the
+circumstances of the Admiral’s family, which made him peculiarly
+desirable as a tenant. He was a married man, and without children; the
+very state to be wished for. A house was never taken good care of, Mr
+Shepherd observed, without a lady: he did not know, whether furniture
+might not be in danger of suffering as much where there was no lady, as
+where there were many children. A lady, without a family, was the very
+best preserver of furniture in the world. He had seen Mrs Croft, too;
+she was at Taunton with the admiral, and had been present almost all
+the time they were talking the matter over.
+
+“And a very well-spoken, genteel, shrewd lady, she seemed to be,”
+continued he; “asked more questions about the house, and terms, and
+taxes, than the Admiral himself, and seemed more conversant with
+business; and moreover, Sir Walter, I found she was not quite
+unconnected in this country, any more than her husband; that is to say,
+she is sister to a gentleman who did live amongst us once; she told me
+so herself: sister to the gentleman who lived a few years back at
+Monkford. Bless me! what was his name? At this moment I cannot
+recollect his name, though I have heard it so lately. Penelope, my
+dear, can you help me to the name of the gentleman who lived at
+Monkford: Mrs Croft’s brother?”
+
+But Mrs Clay was talking so eagerly with Miss Elliot, that she did not
+hear the appeal.
+
+“I have no conception whom you can mean, Shepherd; I remember no
+gentleman resident at Monkford since the time of old Governor Trent.”
+
+“Bless me! how very odd! I shall forget my own name soon, I suppose. A
+name that I am so very well acquainted with; knew the gentleman so well
+by sight; seen him a hundred times; came to consult me once, I
+remember, about a trespass of one of his neighbours; farmer’s man
+breaking into his orchard; wall torn down; apples stolen; caught in the
+fact; and afterwards, contrary to my judgement, submitted to an
+amicable compromise. Very odd indeed!”
+
+After waiting another moment—
+
+“You mean Mr Wentworth, I suppose?” said Anne.
+
+Mr Shepherd was all gratitude.
+
+“Wentworth was the very name! Mr Wentworth was the very man. He had the
+curacy of Monkford, you know, Sir Walter, some time back, for two or
+three years. Came there about the year —5, I take it. You remember
+him, I am sure.”
+
+“Wentworth? Oh! ay, Mr Wentworth, the curate of Monkford. You misled me
+by the term _gentleman_. I thought you were speaking of some man of
+property: Mr Wentworth was nobody, I remember; quite unconnected;
+nothing to do with the Strafford family. One wonders how the names of
+many of our nobility become so common.”
+
+As Mr Shepherd perceived that this connexion of the Crofts did them no
+service with Sir Walter, he mentioned it no more; returning, with all
+his zeal, to dwell on the circumstances more indisputably in their
+favour; their age, and number, and fortune; the high idea they had
+formed of Kellynch Hall, and extreme solicitude for the advantage of
+renting it; making it appear as if they ranked nothing beyond the
+happiness of being the tenants of Sir Walter Elliot: an extraordinary
+taste, certainly, could they have been supposed in the secret of Sir
+Walter’s estimate of the dues of a tenant.
+
+It succeeded, however; and though Sir Walter must ever look with an
+evil eye on anyone intending to inhabit that house, and think them
+infinitely too well off in being permitted to rent it on the highest
+terms, he was talked into allowing Mr Shepherd to proceed in the
+treaty, and authorising him to wait on Admiral Croft, who still
+remained at Taunton, and fix a day for the house being seen.
+
+Sir Walter was not very wise; but still he had experience enough of the
+world to feel, that a more unobjectionable tenant, in all essentials,
+than Admiral Croft bid fair to be, could hardly offer. So far went his
+understanding; and his vanity supplied a little additional soothing, in
+the Admiral’s situation in life, which was just high enough, and not
+too high. “I have let my house to Admiral Croft,” would sound extremely
+well; very much better than to any mere _Mr._——; a _Mr._ (save,
+perhaps, some half dozen in the nation,) always needs a note of
+explanation. An admiral speaks his own consequence, and, at the same
+time, can never make a baronet look small. In all their dealings and
+intercourse, Sir Walter Elliot must ever have the precedence.
+
+Nothing could be done without a reference to Elizabeth: but her
+inclination was growing so strong for a removal, that she was happy to
+have it fixed and expedited by a tenant at hand; and not a word to
+suspend decision was uttered by her.
+
+Mr Shepherd was completely empowered to act; and no sooner had such an
+end been reached, than Anne, who had been a most attentive listener to
+the whole, left the room, to seek the comfort of cool air for her
+flushed cheeks; and as she walked along a favourite grove, said, with a
+gentle sigh, “A few months more, and _he_, perhaps, may be walking
+here.”
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER IV.
+
+
+_He_ was not Mr Wentworth, the former curate of Monkford, however
+suspicious appearances may be, but a Captain Frederick Wentworth, his
+brother, who being made commander in consequence of the action off St
+Domingo, and not immediately employed, had come into Somersetshire, in
+the summer of 1806; and having no parent living, found a home for half
+a year at Monkford. He was, at that time, a remarkably fine young man,
+with a great deal of intelligence, spirit, and brilliancy; and Anne an
+extremely pretty girl, with gentleness, modesty, taste, and feeling.
+Half the sum of attraction, on either side, might have been enough, for
+he had nothing to do, and she had hardly anybody to love; but the
+encounter of such lavish recommendations could not fail. They were
+gradually acquainted, and when acquainted, rapidly and deeply in love.
+It would be difficult to say which had seen highest perfection in the
+other, or which had been the happiest: she, in receiving his
+declarations and proposals, or he in having them accepted.
+
+A short period of exquisite felicity followed, and but a short one.
+Troubles soon arose. Sir Walter, on being applied to, without actually
+withholding his consent, or saying it should never be, gave it all the
+negative of great astonishment, great coldness, great silence, and a
+professed resolution of doing nothing for his daughter. He thought it a
+very degrading alliance; and Lady Russell, though with more tempered
+and pardonable pride, received it as a most unfortunate one.
+
+Anne Elliot, with all her claims of birth, beauty, and mind, to throw
+herself away at nineteen; involve herself at nineteen in an engagement
+with a young man, who had nothing but himself to recommend him, and no
+hopes of attaining affluence, but in the chances of a most uncertain
+profession, and no connexions to secure even his farther rise in the
+profession, would be, indeed, a throwing away, which she grieved to
+think of! Anne Elliot, so young; known to so few, to be snatched off by
+a stranger without alliance or fortune; or rather sunk by him into a
+state of most wearing, anxious, youth-killing dependence! It must not
+be, if by any fair interference of friendship, any representations from
+one who had almost a mother’s love, and mother’s rights, it would be
+prevented.
+
+Captain Wentworth had no fortune. He had been lucky in his profession;
+but spending freely, what had come freely, had realized nothing. But he
+was confident that he should soon be rich: full of life and ardour, he
+knew that he should soon have a ship, and soon be on a station that
+would lead to everything he wanted. He had always been lucky; he knew
+he should be so still. Such confidence, powerful in its own warmth, and
+bewitching in the wit which often expressed it, must have been enough
+for Anne; but Lady Russell saw it very differently. His sanguine
+temper, and fearlessness of mind, operated very differently on her. She
+saw in it but an aggravation of the evil. It only added a dangerous
+character to himself. He was brilliant, he was headstrong. Lady Russell
+had little taste for wit, and of anything approaching to imprudence a
+horror. She deprecated the connexion in every light.
+
+Such opposition, as these feelings produced, was more than Anne could
+combat. Young and gentle as she was, it might yet have been possible to
+withstand her father’s ill-will, though unsoftened by one kind word or
+look on the part of her sister; but Lady Russell, whom she had always
+loved and relied on, could not, with such steadiness of opinion, and
+such tenderness of manner, be continually advising her in vain. She was
+persuaded to believe the engagement a wrong thing: indiscreet,
+improper, hardly capable of success, and not deserving it. But it was
+not a merely selfish caution, under which she acted, in putting an end
+to it. Had she not imagined herself consulting his good, even more than
+her own, she could hardly have given him up. The belief of being
+prudent, and self-denying, principally for _his_ advantage, was her
+chief consolation, under the misery of a parting, a final parting; and
+every consolation was required, for she had to encounter all the
+additional pain of opinions, on his side, totally unconvinced and
+unbending, and of his feeling himself ill used by so forced a
+relinquishment. He had left the country in consequence.
+
+A few months had seen the beginning and the end of their acquaintance;
+but not with a few months ended Anne’s share of suffering from it. Her
+attachment and regrets had, for a long time, clouded every enjoyment of
+youth, and an early loss of bloom and spirits had been their lasting
+effect.
+
+More than seven years were gone since this little history of sorrowful
+interest had reached its close; and time had softened down much,
+perhaps nearly all of peculiar attachment to him, but she had been too
+dependent on time alone; no aid had been given in change of place
+(except in one visit to Bath soon after the rupture), or in any novelty
+or enlargement of society. No one had ever come within the Kellynch
+circle, who could bear a comparison with Frederick Wentworth, as he
+stood in her memory. No second attachment, the only thoroughly natural,
+happy, and sufficient cure, at her time of life, had been possible to
+the nice tone of her mind, the fastidiousness of her taste, in the
+small limits of the society around them. She had been solicited, when
+about two-and-twenty, to change her name, by the young man, who not
+long afterwards found a more willing mind in her younger sister; and
+Lady Russell had lamented her refusal; for Charles Musgrove was the
+eldest son of a man, whose landed property and general importance were
+second in that country, only to Sir Walter’s, and of good character and
+appearance; and however Lady Russell might have asked yet for something
+more, while Anne was nineteen, she would have rejoiced to see her at
+twenty-two so respectably removed from the partialities and injustice
+of her father’s house, and settled so permanently near herself. But in
+this case, Anne had left nothing for advice to do; and though Lady
+Russell, as satisfied as ever with her own discretion, never wished the
+past undone, she began now to have the anxiety which borders on
+hopelessness for Anne’s being tempted, by some man of talents and
+independence, to enter a state for which she held her to be peculiarly
+fitted by her warm affections and domestic habits.
+
+They knew not each other’s opinion, either its constancy or its change,
+on the one leading point of Anne’s conduct, for the subject was never
+alluded to; but Anne, at seven-and-twenty, thought very differently
+from what she had been made to think at nineteen. She did not blame
+Lady Russell, she did not blame herself for having been guided by her;
+but she felt that were any young person, in similar circumstances, to
+apply to her for counsel, they would never receive any of such certain
+immediate wretchedness, such uncertain future good. She was persuaded
+that under every disadvantage of disapprobation at home, and every
+anxiety attending his profession, all their probable fears, delays, and
+disappointments, she should yet have been a happier woman in
+maintaining the engagement, than she had been in the sacrifice of it;
+and this, she fully believed, had the usual share, had even more than
+the usual share of all such solicitudes and suspense been theirs,
+without reference to the actual results of their case, which, as it
+happened, would have bestowed earlier prosperity than could be
+reasonably calculated on. All his sanguine expectations, all his
+confidence had been justified. His genius and ardour had seemed to
+foresee and to command his prosperous path. He had, very soon after
+their engagement ceased, got employ: and all that he had told her would
+follow, had taken place. He had distinguished himself, and early gained
+the other step in rank, and must now, by successive captures, have made
+a handsome fortune. She had only navy lists and newspapers for her
+authority, but she could not doubt his being rich; and, in favour of
+his constancy, she had no reason to believe him married.
+
+How eloquent could Anne Elliot have been! how eloquent, at least, were
+her wishes on the side of early warm attachment, and a cheerful
+confidence in futurity, against that over-anxious caution which seems
+to insult exertion and distrust Providence! She had been forced into
+prudence in her youth, she learned romance as she grew older: the
+natural sequel of an unnatural beginning.
+
+With all these circumstances, recollections and feelings, she could not
+hear that Captain Wentworth’s sister was likely to live at Kellynch
+without a revival of former pain; and many a stroll, and many a sigh,
+were necessary to dispel the agitation of the idea. She often told
+herself it was folly, before she could harden her nerves sufficiently
+to feel the continual discussion of the Crofts and their business no
+evil. She was assisted, however, by that perfect indifference and
+apparent unconsciousness, among the only three of her own friends in
+the secret of the past, which seemed almost to deny any recollection of
+it. She could do justice to the superiority of Lady Russell’s motives
+in this, over those of her father and Elizabeth; she could honour all
+the better feelings of her calmness; but the general air of oblivion
+among them was highly important from whatever it sprung; and in the
+event of Admiral Croft’s really taking Kellynch Hall, she rejoiced anew
+over the conviction which had always been most grateful to her, of the
+past being known to those three only among her connexions, by whom no
+syllable, she believed, would ever be whispered, and in the trust that
+among his, the brother only with whom he had been residing, had
+received any information of their short-lived engagement. That brother
+had been long removed from the country and being a sensible man, and,
+moreover, a single man at the time, she had a fond dependence on no
+human creature’s having heard of it from him.
+
+The sister, Mrs Croft, had then been out of England, accompanying her
+husband on a foreign station, and her own sister, Mary, had been at
+school while it all occurred; and never admitted by the pride of some,
+and the delicacy of others, to the smallest knowledge of it afterwards.
+
+With these supports, she hoped that the acquaintance between herself
+and the Crofts, which, with Lady Russell, still resident in Kellynch,
+and Mary fixed only three miles off, must be anticipated, need not
+involve any particular awkwardness.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER V.
+
+
+On the morning appointed for Admiral and Mrs Croft’s seeing Kellynch
+Hall, Anne found it most natural to take her almost daily walk to Lady
+Russell’s, and keep out of the way till all was over; when she found it
+most natural to be sorry that she had missed the opportunity of seeing
+them.
+
+This meeting of the two parties proved highly satisfactory, and decided
+the whole business at once. Each lady was previously well disposed for
+an agreement, and saw nothing, therefore, but good manners in the
+other; and with regard to the gentlemen, there was such an hearty good
+humour, such an open, trusting liberality on the Admiral’s side, as
+could not but influence Sir Walter, who had besides been flattered into
+his very best and most polished behaviour by Mr Shepherd’s assurances
+of his being known, by report, to the Admiral, as a model of good
+breeding.
+
+The house and grounds, and furniture, were approved, the Crofts were
+approved, terms, time, every thing, and every body, was right; and Mr
+Shepherd’s clerks were set to work, without there having been a single
+preliminary difference to modify of all that “This indenture sheweth.”
+
+Sir Walter, without hesitation, declared the Admiral to be the
+best-looking sailor he had ever met with, and went so far as to say,
+that if his own man might have had the arranging of his hair, he should
+not be ashamed of being seen with him any where; and the Admiral, with
+sympathetic cordiality, observed to his wife as they drove back through
+the park, “I thought we should soon come to a deal, my dear, in spite
+of what they told us at Taunton. The Baronet will never set the Thames
+on fire, but there seems to be no harm in him.”—reciprocal compliments,
+which would have been esteemed about equal.
+
+The Crofts were to have possession at Michaelmas; and as Sir Walter
+proposed removing to Bath in the course of the preceding month, there
+was no time to be lost in making every dependent arrangement.
+
+Lady Russell, convinced that Anne would not be allowed to be of any
+use, or any importance, in the choice of the house which they were
+going to secure, was very unwilling to have her hurried away so soon,
+and wanted to make it possible for her to stay behind till she might
+convey her to Bath herself after Christmas; but having engagements of
+her own which must take her from Kellynch for several weeks, she was
+unable to give the full invitation she wished, and Anne though dreading
+the possible heats of September in all the white glare of Bath, and
+grieving to forego all the influence so sweet and so sad of the
+autumnal months in the country, did not think that, everything
+considered, she wished to remain. It would be most right, and most
+wise, and, therefore must involve least suffering to go with the
+others.
+
+Something occurred, however, to give her a different duty. Mary, often
+a little unwell, and always thinking a great deal of her own
+complaints, and always in the habit of claiming Anne when anything was
+the matter, was indisposed; and foreseeing that she should not have a
+day’s health all the autumn, entreated, or rather required her, for it
+was hardly entreaty, to come to Uppercross Cottage, and bear her
+company as long as she should want her, instead of going to Bath.
+
+“I cannot possibly do without Anne,” was Mary’s reasoning; and
+Elizabeth’s reply was, “Then I am sure Anne had better stay, for nobody
+will want her in Bath.”
+
+To be claimed as a good, though in an improper style, is at least
+better than being rejected as no good at all; and Anne, glad to be
+thought of some use, glad to have anything marked out as a duty, and
+certainly not sorry to have the scene of it in the country, and her own
+dear country, readily agreed to stay.
+
+This invitation of Mary’s removed all Lady Russell’s difficulties, and
+it was consequently soon settled that Anne should not go to Bath till
+Lady Russell took her, and that all the intervening time should be
+divided between Uppercross Cottage and Kellynch Lodge.
+
+So far all was perfectly right; but Lady Russell was almost startled by
+the wrong of one part of the Kellynch Hall plan, when it burst on her,
+which was, Mrs Clay’s being engaged to go to Bath with Sir Walter and
+Elizabeth, as a most important and valuable assistant to the latter in
+all the business before her. Lady Russell was extremely sorry that such
+a measure should have been resorted to at all, wondered, grieved, and
+feared; and the affront it contained to Anne, in Mrs Clay’s being of so
+much use, while Anne could be of none, was a very sore aggravation.
+
+Anne herself was become hardened to such affronts; but she felt the
+imprudence of the arrangement quite as keenly as Lady Russell. With a
+great deal of quiet observation, and a knowledge, which she often
+wished less, of her father’s character, she was sensible that results
+the most serious to his family from the intimacy were more than
+possible. She did not imagine that her father had at present an idea of
+the kind. Mrs Clay had freckles, and a projecting tooth, and a clumsy
+wrist, which he was continually making severe remarks upon, in her
+absence; but she was young, and certainly altogether well-looking, and
+possessed, in an acute mind and assiduous pleasing manners, infinitely
+more dangerous attractions than any merely personal might have been.
+Anne was so impressed by the degree of their danger, that she could not
+excuse herself from trying to make it perceptible to her sister. She
+had little hope of success; but Elizabeth, who in the event of such a
+reverse would be so much more to be pitied than herself, should never,
+she thought, have reason to reproach her for giving no warning.
+
+She spoke, and seemed only to offend. Elizabeth could not conceive how
+such an absurd suspicion should occur to her, and indignantly answered
+for each party’s perfectly knowing their situation.
+
+“Mrs Clay,” said she, warmly, “never forgets who she is; and as I am
+rather better acquainted with her sentiments than you can be, I can
+assure you, that upon the subject of marriage they are particularly
+nice, and that she reprobates all inequality of condition and rank more
+strongly than most people. And as to my father, I really should not
+have thought that he, who has kept himself single so long for our
+sakes, need be suspected now. If Mrs Clay were a very beautiful woman,
+I grant you, it might be wrong to have her so much with me; not that
+anything in the world, I am sure, would induce my father to make a
+degrading match, but he might be rendered unhappy. But poor Mrs Clay
+who, with all her merits, can never have been reckoned tolerably
+pretty, I really think poor Mrs Clay may be staying here in perfect
+safety. One would imagine you had never heard my father speak of her
+personal misfortunes, though I know you must fifty times. That tooth of
+hers and those freckles. Freckles do not disgust me so very much as
+they do him. I have known a face not materially disfigured by a few,
+but he abominates them. You must have heard him notice Mrs Clay’s
+freckles.”
+
+“There is hardly any personal defect,” replied Anne, “which an
+agreeable manner might not gradually reconcile one to.”
+
+“I think very differently,” answered Elizabeth, shortly; “an agreeable
+manner may set off handsome features, but can never alter plain ones.
+However, at any rate, as I have a great deal more at stake on this
+point than anybody else can have, I think it rather unnecessary in you
+to be advising me.”
+
+Anne had done; glad that it was over, and not absolutely hopeless of
+doing good. Elizabeth, though resenting the suspicion, might yet be
+made observant by it.
+
+The last office of the four carriage-horses was to draw Sir Walter,
+Miss Elliot, and Mrs Clay to Bath. The party drove off in very good
+spirits; Sir Walter prepared with condescending bows for all the
+afflicted tenantry and cottagers who might have had a hint to show
+themselves, and Anne walked up at the same time, in a sort of desolate
+tranquillity, to the Lodge, where she was to spend the first week.
+
+Her friend was not in better spirits than herself. Lady Russell felt
+this break-up of the family exceedingly. Their respectability was as
+dear to her as her own, and a daily intercourse had become precious by
+habit. It was painful to look upon their deserted grounds, and still
+worse to anticipate the new hands they were to fall into; and to escape
+the solitariness and the melancholy of so altered a village, and be out
+of the way when Admiral and Mrs Croft first arrived, she had determined
+to make her own absence from home begin when she must give up Anne.
+Accordingly their removal was made together, and Anne was set down at
+Uppercross Cottage, in the first stage of Lady Russell’s journey.
+
+Uppercross was a moderate-sized village, which a few years back had
+been completely in the old English style, containing only two houses
+superior in appearance to those of the yeomen and labourers; the
+mansion of the squire, with its high walls, great gates, and old trees,
+substantial and unmodernized, and the compact, tight parsonage,
+enclosed in its own neat garden, with a vine and a pear-tree trained
+round its casements; but upon the marriage of the young ’squire, it had
+received the improvement of a farm-house elevated into a cottage, for
+his residence, and Uppercross Cottage, with its veranda, French
+windows, and other prettiness, was quite as likely to catch the
+traveller’s eye as the more consistent and considerable aspect and
+premises of the Great House, about a quarter of a mile farther on.
+
+Here Anne had often been staying. She knew the ways of Uppercross as
+well as those of Kellynch. The two families were so continually
+meeting, so much in the habit of running in and out of each other’s
+house at all hours, that it was rather a surprise to her to find Mary
+alone; but being alone, her being unwell and out of spirits was almost
+a matter of course. Though better endowed than the elder sister, Mary
+had not Anne’s understanding nor temper. While well, and happy, and
+properly attended to, she had great good humour and excellent spirits;
+but any indisposition sunk her completely. She had no resources for
+solitude; and inheriting a considerable share of the Elliot
+self-importance, was very prone to add to every other distress that of
+fancying herself neglected and ill-used. In person, she was inferior to
+both sisters, and had, even in her bloom, only reached the dignity of
+being “a fine girl.” She was now lying on the faded sofa of the pretty
+little drawing-room, the once elegant furniture of which had been
+gradually growing shabby, under the influence of four summers and two
+children; and, on Anne’s appearing, greeted her with—
+
+“So, you are come at last! I began to think I should never see you. I
+am so ill I can hardly speak. I have not seen a creature the whole
+morning!”
+
+“I am sorry to find you unwell,” replied Anne. “You sent me such a good
+account of yourself on Thursday!”
+
+“Yes, I made the best of it; I always do: but I was very far from well
+at the time; and I do not think I ever was so ill in my life as I have
+been all this morning: very unfit to be left alone, I am sure. Suppose
+I were to be seized of a sudden in some dreadful way, and not able to
+ring the bell! So, Lady Russell would not get out. I do not think she
+has been in this house three times this summer.”
+
+Anne said what was proper, and enquired after her husband. “Oh! Charles
+is out shooting. I have not seen him since seven o’clock. He would go,
+though I told him how ill I was. He said he should not stay out long;
+but he has never come back, and now it is almost one. I assure you, I
+have not seen a soul this whole long morning.”
+
+“You have had your little boys with you?”
+
+“Yes, as long as I could bear their noise; but they are so unmanageable
+that they do me more harm than good. Little Charles does not mind a
+word I say, and Walter is growing quite as bad.”
+
+“Well, you will soon be better now,” replied Anne, cheerfully. “You
+know I always cure you when I come. How are your neighbours at the
+Great House?”
+
+“I can give you no account of them. I have not seen one of them to-day,
+except Mr Musgrove, who just stopped and spoke through the window, but
+without getting off his horse; and though I told him how ill I was, not
+one of them have been near me. It did not happen to suit the Miss
+Musgroves, I suppose, and they never put themselves out of their way.”
+
+“You will see them yet, perhaps, before the morning is gone. It is
+early.”
+
+“I never want them, I assure you. They talk and laugh a great deal too
+much for me. Oh! Anne, I am so very unwell! It was quite unkind of you
+not to come on Thursday.”
+
+“My dear Mary, recollect what a comfortable account you sent me of
+yourself! You wrote in the cheerfullest manner, and said you were
+perfectly well, and in no hurry for me; and that being the case, you
+must be aware that my wish would be to remain with Lady Russell to the
+last: and besides what I felt on her account, I have really been so
+busy, have had so much to do, that I could not very conveniently have
+left Kellynch sooner.”
+
+“Dear me! what can _you_ possibly have to do?”
+
+“A great many things, I assure you. More than I can recollect in a
+moment; but I can tell you some. I have been making a duplicate of the
+catalogue of my father’s books and pictures. I have been several times
+in the garden with Mackenzie, trying to understand, and make him
+understand, which of Elizabeth’s plants are for Lady Russell. I have
+had all my own little concerns to arrange, books and music to divide,
+and all my trunks to repack, from not having understood in time what
+was intended as to the waggons: and one thing I have had to do, Mary,
+of a more trying nature: going to almost every house in the parish, as
+a sort of take-leave. I was told that they wished it. But all these
+things took up a great deal of time.”
+
+“Oh! well!” and after a moment’s pause, “but you have never asked me
+one word about our dinner at the Pooles yesterday.”
+
+“Did you go then? I have made no enquiries, because I concluded you
+must have been obliged to give up the party.”
+
+“Oh yes! I went. I was very well yesterday; nothing at all the matter
+with me till this morning. It would have been strange if I had not
+gone.”
+
+“I am very glad you were well enough, and I hope you had a pleasant
+party.”
+
+“Nothing remarkable. One always knows beforehand what the dinner will
+be, and who will be there; and it is so very uncomfortable not having a
+carriage of one’s own. Mr and Mrs Musgrove took me, and we were so
+crowded! They are both so very large, and take up so much room; and Mr
+Musgrove always sits forward. So, there was I, crowded into the back
+seat with Henrietta and Louisa; and I think it very likely that my
+illness to-day may be owing to it.”
+
+A little further perseverance in patience and forced cheerfulness on
+Anne’s side produced nearly a cure on Mary’s. She could soon sit
+upright on the sofa, and began to hope she might be able to leave it by
+dinner-time. Then, forgetting to think of it, she was at the other end
+of the room, beautifying a nosegay; then, she ate her cold meat; and
+then she was well enough to propose a little walk.
+
+“Where shall we go?” said she, when they were ready. “I suppose you
+will not like to call at the Great House before they have been to see
+you?”
+
+“I have not the smallest objection on that account,” replied Anne. “I
+should never think of standing on such ceremony with people I know so
+well as Mrs and the Miss Musgroves.”
+
+“Oh! but they ought to call upon you as soon as possible. They ought to
+feel what is due to you as _my_ sister. However, we may as well go and
+sit with them a little while, and when we have that over, we can enjoy
+our walk.”
+
+Anne had always thought such a style of intercourse highly imprudent;
+but she had ceased to endeavour to check it, from believing that,
+though there were on each side continual subjects of offence, neither
+family could now do without it. To the Great House accordingly they
+went, to sit the full half hour in the old-fashioned square parlour,
+with a small carpet and shining floor, to which the present daughters
+of the house were gradually giving the proper air of confusion by a
+grand piano-forte and a harp, flower-stands and little tables placed in
+every direction. Oh! could the originals of the portraits against the
+wainscot, could the gentlemen in brown velvet and the ladies in blue
+satin have seen what was going on, have been conscious of such an
+overthrow of all order and neatness! The portraits themselves seemed to
+be staring in astonishment.
+
+The Musgroves, like their houses, were in a state of alteration,
+perhaps of improvement. The father and mother were in the old English
+style, and the young people in the new. Mr and Mrs Musgrove were a very
+good sort of people; friendly and hospitable, not much educated, and
+not at all elegant. Their children had more modern minds and manners.
+There was a numerous family; but the only two grown up, excepting
+Charles, were Henrietta and Louisa, young ladies of nineteen and
+twenty, who had brought from school at Exeter all the usual stock of
+accomplishments, and were now like thousands of other young ladies,
+living to be fashionable, happy, and merry. Their dress had every
+advantage, their faces were rather pretty, their spirits extremely
+good, their manner unembarrassed and pleasant; they were of consequence
+at home, and favourites abroad. Anne always contemplated them as some
+of the happiest creatures of her acquaintance; but still, saved as we
+all are, by some comfortable feeling of superiority from wishing for
+the possibility of exchange, she would not have given up her own more
+elegant and cultivated mind for all their enjoyments; and envied them
+nothing but that seemingly perfect good understanding and agreement
+together, that good-humoured mutual affection, of which she had known
+so little herself with either of her sisters.
+
+They were received with great cordiality. Nothing seemed amiss on the
+side of the Great House family, which was generally, as Anne very well
+knew, the least to blame. The half hour was chatted away pleasantly
+enough; and she was not at all surprised, at the end of it, to have
+their walking party joined by both the Miss Musgroves, at Mary’s
+particular invitation.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VI.
+
+
+Anne had not wanted this visit to Uppercross, to learn that a removal
+from one set of people to another, though at a distance of only three
+miles, will often include a total change of conversation, opinion, and
+idea. She had never been staying there before, without being struck by
+it, or without wishing that other Elliots could have her advantage in
+seeing how unknown, or unconsidered there, were the affairs which at
+Kellynch Hall were treated as of such general publicity and pervading
+interest; yet, with all this experience, she believed she must now
+submit to feel that another lesson, in the art of knowing our own
+nothingness beyond our own circle, was become necessary for her; for
+certainly, coming as she did, with a heart full of the subject which
+had been completely occupying both houses in Kellynch for many weeks,
+she had expected rather more curiosity and sympathy than she found in
+the separate but very similar remark of Mr and Mrs Musgrove: “So, Miss
+Anne, Sir Walter and your sister are gone; and what part of Bath do you
+think they will settle in?” and this, without much waiting for an
+answer; or in the young ladies’ addition of, “I hope _we_ shall be in
+Bath in the winter; but remember, papa, if we do go, we must be in a
+good situation: none of your Queen Squares for us!” or in the anxious
+supplement from Mary, of—“Upon my word, I shall be pretty well off,
+when you are all gone away to be happy at Bath!”
+
+She could only resolve to avoid such self-delusion in future, and think
+with heightened gratitude of the extraordinary blessing of having one
+such truly sympathising friend as Lady Russell.
+
+The Mr Musgroves had their own game to guard, and to destroy, their own
+horses, dogs, and newspapers to engage them, and the females were fully
+occupied in all the other common subjects of housekeeping, neighbours,
+dress, dancing, and music. She acknowledged it to be very fitting, that
+every little social commonwealth should dictate its own matters of
+discourse; and hoped, ere long, to become a not unworthy member of the
+one she was now transplanted into. With the prospect of spending at
+least two months at Uppercross, it was highly incumbent on her to
+clothe her imagination, her memory, and all her ideas in as much of
+Uppercross as possible.
+
+She had no dread of these two months. Mary was not so repulsive and
+unsisterly as Elizabeth, nor so inaccessible to all influence of hers;
+neither was there anything among the other component parts of the
+cottage inimical to comfort. She was always on friendly terms with her
+brother-in-law; and in the children, who loved her nearly as well, and
+respected her a great deal more than their mother, she had an object of
+interest, amusement, and wholesome exertion.
+
+Charles Musgrove was civil and agreeable; in sense and temper he was
+undoubtedly superior to his wife, but not of powers, or conversation,
+or grace, to make the past, as they were connected together, at all a
+dangerous contemplation; though, at the same time, Anne could believe,
+with Lady Russell, that a more equal match might have greatly improved
+him; and that a woman of real understanding might have given more
+consequence to his character, and more usefulness, rationality, and
+elegance to his habits and pursuits. As it was, he did nothing with
+much zeal, but sport; and his time was otherwise trifled away, without
+benefit from books or anything else. He had very good spirits, which
+never seemed much affected by his wife’s occasional lowness, bore with
+her unreasonableness sometimes to Anne’s admiration, and upon the
+whole, though there was very often a little disagreement (in which she
+had sometimes more share than she wished, being appealed to by both
+parties), they might pass for a happy couple. They were always
+perfectly agreed in the want of more money, and a strong inclination
+for a handsome present from his father; but here, as on most topics, he
+had the superiority, for while Mary thought it a great shame that such
+a present was not made, he always contended for his father’s having
+many other uses for his money, and a right to spend it as he liked.
+
+As to the management of their children, his theory was much better than
+his wife’s, and his practice not so bad. “I could manage them very
+well, if it were not for Mary’s interference,” was what Anne often
+heard him say, and had a good deal of faith in; but when listening in
+turn to Mary’s reproach of “Charles spoils the children so that I
+cannot get them into any order,” she never had the smallest temptation
+to say, “Very true.”
+
+One of the least agreeable circumstances of her residence there was her
+being treated with too much confidence by all parties, and being too
+much in the secret of the complaints of each house. Known to have some
+influence with her sister, she was continually requested, or at least
+receiving hints to exert it, beyond what was practicable. “I wish you
+could persuade Mary not to be always fancying herself ill,” was
+Charles’s language; and, in an unhappy mood, thus spoke Mary: “I do
+believe if Charles were to see me dying, he would not think there was
+anything the matter with me. I am sure, Anne, if you would, you might
+persuade him that I really am very ill—a great deal worse than I ever
+own.”
+
+Mary’s declaration was, “I hate sending the children to the Great
+House, though their grandmamma is always wanting to see them, for she
+humours and indulges them to such a degree, and gives them so much
+trash and sweet things, that they are sure to come back sick and cross
+for the rest of the day.” And Mrs Musgrove took the first opportunity
+of being alone with Anne, to say, “Oh! Miss Anne, I cannot help wishing
+Mrs Charles had a little of your method with those children. They are
+quite different creatures with you! But to be sure, in general they are
+so spoilt! It is a pity you cannot put your sister in the way of
+managing them. They are as fine healthy children as ever were seen,
+poor little dears! without partiality; but Mrs Charles knows no more
+how they should be treated—! Bless me! how troublesome they are
+sometimes. I assure you, Miss Anne, it prevents my wishing to see them
+at our house so often as I otherwise should. I believe Mrs Charles is
+not quite pleased with my not inviting them oftener; but you know it is
+very bad to have children with one that one is obligated to be checking
+every moment; “don’t do this,” and “don’t do that;” or that one can
+only keep in tolerable order by more cake than is good for them.”
+
+She had this communication, moreover, from Mary. “Mrs Musgrove thinks
+all her servants so steady, that it would be high treason to call it in
+question; but I am sure, without exaggeration, that her upper
+house-maid and laundry-maid, instead of being in their business, are
+gadding about the village, all day long. I meet them wherever I go; and
+I declare, I never go twice into my nursery without seeing something of
+them. If Jemima were not the trustiest, steadiest creature in the
+world, it would be enough to spoil her; for she tells me, they are
+always tempting her to take a walk with them.” And on Mrs Musgrove’s
+side, it was, “I make a rule of never interfering in any of my
+daughter-in-law’s concerns, for I know it would not do; but I shall
+tell _you_, Miss Anne, because you may be able to set things to rights,
+that I have no very good opinion of Mrs Charles’s nursery-maid: I hear
+strange stories of her; she is always upon the gad; and from my own
+knowledge, I can declare, she is such a fine-dressing lady, that she is
+enough to ruin any servants she comes near. Mrs Charles quite swears by
+her, I know; but I just give you this hint, that you may be upon the
+watch; because, if you see anything amiss, you need not be afraid of
+mentioning it.”
+
+Again, it was Mary’s complaint, that Mrs Musgrove was very apt not to
+give her the precedence that was her due, when they dined at the Great
+House with other families; and she did not see any reason why she was
+to be considered so much at home as to lose her place. And one day when
+Anne was walking with only the Musgroves, one of them after talking of
+rank, people of rank, and jealousy of rank, said, “I have no scruple of
+observing to _you_, how nonsensical some persons are about their place,
+because all the world knows how easy and indifferent you are about it;
+but I wish anybody could give Mary a hint that it would be a great deal
+better if she were not so very tenacious, especially if she would not
+be always putting herself forward to take place of mamma. Nobody doubts
+her right to have precedence of mamma, but it would be more becoming in
+her not to be always insisting on it. It is not that mamma cares about
+it the least in the world, but I know it is taken notice of by many
+persons.”
+
+How was Anne to set all these matters to rights? She could do little
+more than listen patiently, soften every grievance, and excuse each to
+the other; give them all hints of the forbearance necessary between
+such near neighbours, and make those hints broadest which were meant
+for her sister’s benefit.
+
+In all other respects, her visit began and proceeded very well. Her own
+spirits improved by change of place and subject, by being removed three
+miles from Kellynch; Mary’s ailments lessened by having a constant
+companion, and their daily intercourse with the other family, since
+there was neither superior affection, confidence, nor employment in the
+cottage, to be interrupted by it, was rather an advantage. It was
+certainly carried nearly as far as possible, for they met every
+morning, and hardly ever spent an evening asunder; but she believed
+they should not have done so well without the sight of Mr and Mrs
+Musgrove’s respectable forms in the usual places, or without the
+talking, laughing, and singing of their daughters.
+
+She played a great deal better than either of the Miss Musgroves, but
+having no voice, no knowledge of the harp, and no fond parents, to sit
+by and fancy themselves delighted, her performance was little thought
+of, only out of civility, or to refresh the others, as she was well
+aware. She knew that when she played she was giving pleasure only to
+herself; but this was no new sensation. Excepting one short period of
+her life, she had never, since the age of fourteen, never since the
+loss of her dear mother, known the happiness of being listened to, or
+encouraged by any just appreciation or real taste. In music she had
+been always used to feel alone in the world; and Mr and Mrs Musgrove’s
+fond partiality for their own daughters’ performance, and total
+indifference to any other person’s, gave her much more pleasure for
+their sakes, than mortification for her own.
+
+The party at the Great House was sometimes increased by other company.
+The neighbourhood was not large, but the Musgroves were visited by
+everybody, and had more dinner-parties, and more callers, more visitors
+by invitation and by chance, than any other family. They were more
+completely popular.
+
+The girls were wild for dancing; and the evenings ended, occasionally,
+in an unpremeditated little ball. There was a family of cousins within
+a walk of Uppercross, in less affluent circumstances, who depended on
+the Musgroves for all their pleasures: they would come at any time, and
+help play at anything, or dance anywhere; and Anne, very much
+preferring the office of musician to a more active post, played country
+dances to them by the hour together; a kindness which always
+recommended her musical powers to the notice of Mr and Mrs Musgrove
+more than anything else, and often drew this compliment;—“Well done,
+Miss Anne! very well done indeed! Lord bless me! how those little
+fingers of yours fly about!”
+
+So passed the first three weeks. Michaelmas came; and now Anne’s heart
+must be in Kellynch again. A beloved home made over to others; all the
+precious rooms and furniture, groves, and prospects, beginning to own
+other eyes and other limbs! She could not think of much else on the
+29th of September; and she had this sympathetic touch in the evening
+from Mary, who, on having occasion to note down the day of the month,
+exclaimed, “Dear me, is not this the day the Crofts were to come to
+Kellynch? I am glad I did not think of it before. How low it makes me!”
+
+The Crofts took possession with true naval alertness, and were to be
+visited. Mary deplored the necessity for herself. “Nobody knew how much
+she should suffer. She should put it off as long as she could;” but was
+not easy till she had talked Charles into driving her over on an early
+day, and was in a very animated, comfortable state of imaginary
+agitation, when she came back. Anne had very sincerely rejoiced in
+there being no means of her going. She wished, however, to see the
+Crofts, and was glad to be within when the visit was returned. They
+came: the master of the house was not at home, but the two sisters were
+together; and as it chanced that Mrs Croft fell to the share of Anne,
+while the Admiral sat by Mary, and made himself very agreeable by his
+good-humoured notice of her little boys, she was well able to watch for
+a likeness, and if it failed her in the features, to catch it in the
+voice, or in the turn of sentiment and expression.
+
+Mrs Croft, though neither tall nor fat, had a squareness, uprightness,
+and vigour of form, which gave importance to her person. She had bright
+dark eyes, good teeth, and altogether an agreeable face; though her
+reddened and weather-beaten complexion, the consequence of her having
+been almost as much at sea as her husband, made her seem to have lived
+some years longer in the world than her real eight-and-thirty. Her
+manners were open, easy, and decided, like one who had no distrust of
+herself, and no doubts of what to do; without any approach to
+coarseness, however, or any want of good humour. Anne gave her credit,
+indeed, for feelings of great consideration towards herself, in all
+that related to Kellynch, and it pleased her: especially, as she had
+satisfied herself in the very first half minute, in the instant even of
+introduction, that there was not the smallest symptom of any knowledge
+or suspicion on Mrs Croft’s side, to give a bias of any sort. She was
+quite easy on that head, and consequently full of strength and courage,
+till for a moment electrified by Mrs Croft’s suddenly saying,—
+
+“It was you, and not your sister, I find, that my brother had the
+pleasure of being acquainted with, when he was in this country.”
+
+Anne hoped she had outlived the age of blushing; but the age of emotion
+she certainly had not.
+
+“Perhaps you may not have heard that he is married?” added Mrs Croft.
+
+She could now answer as she ought; and was happy to feel, when Mrs
+Croft’s next words explained it to be Mr Wentworth of whom she spoke,
+that she had said nothing which might not do for either brother. She
+immediately felt how reasonable it was, that Mrs Croft should be
+thinking and speaking of Edward, and not of Frederick; and with shame
+at her own forgetfulness applied herself to the knowledge of their
+former neighbour’s present state with proper interest.
+
+The rest was all tranquillity; till, just as they were moving, she
+heard the Admiral say to Mary—
+
+“We are expecting a brother of Mrs Croft’s here soon; I dare say you
+know him by name.”
+
+He was cut short by the eager attacks of the little boys, clinging to
+him like an old friend, and declaring he should not go; and being too
+much engrossed by proposals of carrying them away in his coat pockets,
+&c., to have another moment for finishing or recollecting what he had
+begun, Anne was left to persuade herself, as well as she could, that
+the same brother must still be in question. She could not, however,
+reach such a degree of certainty, as not to be anxious to hear whether
+anything had been said on the subject at the other house, where the
+Crofts had previously been calling.
+
+The folks of the Great House were to spend the evening of this day at
+the Cottage; and it being now too late in the year for such visits to
+be made on foot, the coach was beginning to be listened for, when the
+youngest Miss Musgrove walked in. That she was coming to apologize, and
+that they should have to spend the evening by themselves, was the first
+black idea; and Mary was quite ready to be affronted, when Louisa made
+all right by saying, that she only came on foot, to leave more room for
+the harp, which was bringing in the carriage.
+
+“And I will tell you our reason,” she added, “and all about it. I am
+come on to give you notice, that papa and mamma are out of spirits this
+evening, especially mamma; she is thinking so much of poor Richard! And
+we agreed it would be best to have the harp, for it seems to amuse her
+more than the piano-forte. I will tell you why she is out of spirits.
+When the Crofts called this morning, (they called here afterwards, did
+not they?), they happened to say, that her brother, Captain Wentworth,
+is just returned to England, or paid off, or something, and is coming
+to see them almost directly; and most unluckily it came into mamma’s
+head, when they were gone, that Wentworth, or something very like it,
+was the name of poor Richard’s captain at one time; I do not know when
+or where, but a great while before he died, poor fellow! And upon
+looking over his letters and things, she found it was so, and is
+perfectly sure that this must be the very man, and her head is quite
+full of it, and of poor Richard! So we must be as merry as we can, that
+she may not be dwelling upon such gloomy things.”
+
+The real circumstances of this pathetic piece of family history were,
+that the Musgroves had had the ill fortune of a very troublesome,
+hopeless son; and the good fortune to lose him before he reached his
+twentieth year; that he had been sent to sea because he was stupid and
+unmanageable on shore; that he had been very little cared for at any
+time by his family, though quite as much as he deserved; seldom heard
+of, and scarcely at all regretted, when the intelligence of his death
+abroad had worked its way to Uppercross, two years before.
+
+He had, in fact, though his sisters were now doing all they could for
+him, by calling him “poor Richard,” been nothing better than a
+thick-headed, unfeeling, unprofitable Dick Musgrove, who had never done
+anything to entitle himself to more than the abbreviation of his name,
+living or dead.
+
+He had been several years at sea, and had, in the course of those
+removals to which all midshipmen are liable, and especially such
+midshipmen as every captain wishes to get rid of, been six months on
+board Captain Frederick Wentworth’s frigate, the Laconia; and from the
+Laconia he had, under the influence of his captain, written the only
+two letters which his father and mother had ever received from him
+during the whole of his absence; that is to say, the only two
+disinterested letters; all the rest had been mere applications for
+money.
+
+In each letter he had spoken well of his captain; but yet, so little
+were they in the habit of attending to such matters, so unobservant and
+incurious were they as to the names of men or ships, that it had made
+scarcely any impression at the time; and that Mrs Musgrove should have
+been suddenly struck, this very day, with a recollection of the name of
+Wentworth, as connected with her son, seemed one of those extraordinary
+bursts of mind which do sometimes occur.
+
+She had gone to her letters, and found it all as she supposed; and the
+re-perusal of these letters, after so long an interval, her poor son
+gone for ever, and all the strength of his faults forgotten, had
+affected her spirits exceedingly, and thrown her into greater grief for
+him than she had known on first hearing of his death. Mr Musgrove was,
+in a lesser degree, affected likewise; and when they reached the
+cottage, they were evidently in want, first, of being listened to anew
+on this subject, and afterwards, of all the relief which cheerful
+companions could give them.
+
+To hear them talking so much of Captain Wentworth, repeating his name
+so often, puzzling over past years, and at last ascertaining that it
+_might_, that it probably _would_, turn out to be the very same Captain
+Wentworth whom they recollected meeting, once or twice, after their
+coming back from Clifton—a very fine young man—but they could not say
+whether it was seven or eight years ago, was a new sort of trial to
+Anne’s nerves. She found, however, that it was one to which she must
+inure herself. Since he actually was expected in the country, she must
+teach herself to be insensible on such points. And not only did it
+appear that he was expected, and speedily, but the Musgroves, in their
+warm gratitude for the kindness he had shewn poor Dick, and very high
+respect for his character, stamped as it was by poor Dick’s having been
+six months under his care, and mentioning him in strong, though not
+perfectly well-spelt praise, as “a fine dashing felow, only two
+perticular about the schoolmaster,” were bent on introducing
+themselves, and seeking his acquaintance, as soon as they could hear of
+his arrival.
+
+The resolution of doing so helped to form the comfort of their evening.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VII.
+
+
+A very few days more, and Captain Wentworth was known to be at
+Kellynch, and Mr Musgrove had called on him, and come back warm in his
+praise, and he was engaged with the Crofts to dine at Uppercross, by
+the end of another week. It had been a great disappointment to Mr
+Musgrove to find that no earlier day could be fixed, so impatient was
+he to shew his gratitude, by seeing Captain Wentworth under his own
+roof, and welcoming him to all that was strongest and best in his
+cellars. But a week must pass; only a week, in Anne’s reckoning, and
+then, she supposed, they must meet; and soon she began to wish that she
+could feel secure even for a week.
+
+Captain Wentworth made a very early return to Mr Musgrove’s civility,
+and she was all but calling there in the same half hour. She and Mary
+were actually setting forward for the Great House, where, as she
+afterwards learnt, they must inevitably have found him, when they were
+stopped by the eldest boy’s being at that moment brought home in
+consequence of a bad fall. The child’s situation put the visit entirely
+aside; but she could not hear of her escape with indifference, even in
+the midst of the serious anxiety which they afterwards felt on his
+account.
+
+His collar-bone was found to be dislocated, and such injury received in
+the back, as roused the most alarming ideas. It was an afternoon of
+distress, and Anne had every thing to do at once; the apothecary to
+send for, the father to have pursued and informed, the mother to
+support and keep from hysterics, the servants to control, the youngest
+child to banish, and the poor suffering one to attend and soothe;
+besides sending, as soon as she recollected it, proper notice to the
+other house, which brought her an accession rather of frightened,
+enquiring companions, than of very useful assistants.
+
+Her brother’s return was the first comfort; he could take best care of
+his wife; and the second blessing was the arrival of the apothecary.
+Till he came and had examined the child, their apprehensions were the
+worse for being vague; they suspected great injury, but knew not where;
+but now the collar-bone was soon replaced, and though Mr Robinson felt
+and felt, and rubbed, and looked grave, and spoke low words both to the
+father and the aunt, still they were all to hope the best, and to be
+able to part and eat their dinner in tolerable ease of mind; and then
+it was, just before they parted, that the two young aunts were able so
+far to digress from their nephew’s state, as to give the information of
+Captain Wentworth’s visit; staying five minutes behind their father and
+mother, to endeavour to express how perfectly delighted they were with
+him, how much handsomer, how infinitely more agreeable they thought him
+than any individual among their male acquaintance, who had been at all
+a favourite before. How glad they had been to hear papa invite him to
+stay dinner, how sorry when he said it was quite out of his power, and
+how glad again when he had promised in reply to papa and mamma’s
+farther pressing invitations to come and dine with them on the
+morrow—actually on the morrow; and he had promised it in so pleasant a
+manner, as if he felt all the motive of their attention just as he
+ought. And in short, he had looked and said everything with such
+exquisite grace, that they could assure them all, their heads were both
+turned by him; and off they ran, quite as full of glee as of love, and
+apparently more full of Captain Wentworth than of little Charles.
+
+The same story and the same raptures were repeated, when the two girls
+came with their father, through the gloom of the evening, to make
+enquiries; and Mr Musgrove, no longer under the first uneasiness about
+his heir, could add his confirmation and praise, and hope there would
+be now no occasion for putting Captain Wentworth off, and only be sorry
+to think that the cottage party, probably, would not like to leave the
+little boy, to give him the meeting. “Oh no; as to leaving the little
+boy,” both father and mother were in much too strong and recent alarm
+to bear the thought; and Anne, in the joy of the escape, could not help
+adding her warm protestations to theirs.
+
+Charles Musgrove, indeed, afterwards, shewed more of inclination; “the
+child was going on so well, and he wished so much to be introduced to
+Captain Wentworth, that, perhaps, he might join them in the evening; he
+would not dine from home, but he might walk in for half an hour.” But
+in this he was eagerly opposed by his wife, with “Oh! no, indeed,
+Charles, I cannot bear to have you go away. Only think if anything
+should happen?”
+
+The child had a good night, and was going on well the next day. It must
+be a work of time to ascertain that no injury had been done to the
+spine; but Mr Robinson found nothing to increase alarm, and Charles
+Musgrove began, consequently, to feel no necessity for longer
+confinement. The child was to be kept in bed and amused as quietly as
+possible; but what was there for a father to do? This was quite a
+female case, and it would be highly absurd in him, who could be of no
+use at home, to shut himself up. His father very much wished him to
+meet Captain Wentworth, and there being no sufficient reason against
+it, he ought to go; and it ended in his making a bold, public
+declaration, when he came in from shooting, of his meaning to dress
+directly, and dine at the other house.
+
+“Nothing can be going on better than the child,” said he; “so I told my
+father, just now, that I would come, and he thought me quite right.
+Your sister being with you, my love, I have no scruple at all. You
+would not like to leave him yourself, but you see I can be of no use.
+Anne will send for me if anything is the matter.”
+
+Husbands and wives generally understand when opposition will be vain.
+Mary knew, from Charles’s manner of speaking, that he was quite
+determined on going, and that it would be of no use to teaze him. She
+said nothing, therefore, till he was out of the room, but as soon as
+there was only Anne to hear—
+
+“So you and I are to be left to shift by ourselves, with this poor sick
+child; and not a creature coming near us all the evening! I knew how it
+would be. This is always my luck. If there is anything disagreeable
+going on men are always sure to get out of it, and Charles is as bad as
+any of them. Very unfeeling! I must say it is very unfeeling of him to
+be running away from his poor little boy. Talks of his being going on
+so well! How does he know that he is going on well, or that there may
+not be a sudden change half an hour hence? I did not think Charles
+would have been so unfeeling. So here he is to go away and enjoy
+himself, and because I am the poor mother, I am not to be allowed to
+stir; and yet, I am sure, I am more unfit than anybody else to be about
+the child. My being the mother is the very reason why my feelings
+should not be tried. I am not at all equal to it. You saw how
+hysterical I was yesterday.”
+
+“But that was only the effect of the suddenness of your alarm—of the
+shock. You will not be hysterical again. I dare say we shall have
+nothing to distress us. I perfectly understand Mr Robinson’s
+directions, and have no fears; and indeed, Mary, I cannot wonder at
+your husband. Nursing does not belong to a man; it is not his province.
+A sick child is always the mother’s property: her own feelings
+generally make it so.”
+
+“I hope I am as fond of my child as any mother, but I do not know that
+I am of any more use in the sick-room than Charles, for I cannot be
+always scolding and teazing the poor child when it is ill; and you saw,
+this morning, that if I told him to keep quiet, he was sure to begin
+kicking about. I have not nerves for the sort of thing.”
+
+“But, could you be comfortable yourself, to be spending the whole
+evening away from the poor boy?”
+
+“Yes; you see his papa can, and why should not I? Jemima is so careful;
+and she could send us word every hour how he was. I really think
+Charles might as well have told his father we would all come. I am not
+more alarmed about little Charles now than he is. I was dreadfully
+alarmed yesterday, but the case is very different to-day.”
+
+“Well, if you do not think it too late to give notice for yourself,
+suppose you were to go, as well as your husband. Leave little Charles
+to my care. Mr and Mrs Musgrove cannot think it wrong while I remain
+with him.”
+
+“Are you serious?” cried Mary, her eyes brightening. “Dear me! that’s a
+very good thought, very good, indeed. To be sure, I may just as well go
+as not, for I am of no use at home—am I? and it only harasses me. You,
+who have not a mother’s feelings, are a great deal the properest
+person. You can make little Charles do anything; he always minds you at
+a word. It will be a great deal better than leaving him only with
+Jemima. Oh! I shall certainly go; I am sure I ought if I can, quite as
+much as Charles, for they want me excessively to be acquainted with
+Captain Wentworth, and I know you do not mind being left alone. An
+excellent thought of yours, indeed, Anne. I will go and tell Charles,
+and get ready directly. You can send for us, you know, at a moment’s
+notice, if anything is the matter; but I dare say there will be nothing
+to alarm you. I should not go, you may be sure, if I did not feel quite
+at ease about my dear child.”
+
+The next moment she was tapping at her husband’s dressing-room door,
+and as Anne followed her up stairs, she was in time for the whole
+conversation, which began with Mary’s saying, in a tone of great
+exultation—
+
+“I mean to go with you, Charles, for I am of no more use at home than
+you are. If I were to shut myself up for ever with the child, I should
+not be able to persuade him to do anything he did not like. Anne will
+stay; Anne undertakes to stay at home and take care of him. It is
+Anne’s own proposal, and so I shall go with you, which will be a great
+deal better, for I have not dined at the other house since Tuesday.”
+
+“This is very kind of Anne,” was her husband’s answer, “and I should be
+very glad to have you go; but it seems rather hard that she should be
+left at home by herself, to nurse our sick child.”
+
+Anne was now at hand to take up her own cause, and the sincerity of her
+manner being soon sufficient to convince him, where conviction was at
+least very agreeable, he had no farther scruples as to her being left
+to dine alone, though he still wanted her to join them in the evening,
+when the child might be at rest for the night, and kindly urged her to
+let him come and fetch her, but she was quite unpersuadable; and this
+being the case, she had ere long the pleasure of seeing them set off
+together in high spirits. They were gone, she hoped, to be happy,
+however oddly constructed such happiness might seem; as for herself,
+she was left with as many sensations of comfort, as were, perhaps, ever
+likely to be hers. She knew herself to be of the first utility to the
+child; and what was it to her if Frederick Wentworth were only half a
+mile distant, making himself agreeable to others?
+
+She would have liked to know how he felt as to a meeting. Perhaps
+indifferent, if indifference could exist under such circumstances. He
+must be either indifferent or unwilling. Had he wished ever to see her
+again, he need not have waited till this time; he would have done what
+she could not but believe that in his place she should have done long
+ago, when events had been early giving him the independence which alone
+had been wanting.
+
+Her brother and sister came back delighted with their new acquaintance,
+and their visit in general. There had been music, singing, talking,
+laughing, all that was most agreeable; charming manners in Captain
+Wentworth, no shyness or reserve; they seemed all to know each other
+perfectly, and he was coming the very next morning to shoot with
+Charles. He was to come to breakfast, but not at the Cottage, though
+that had been proposed at first; but then he had been pressed to come
+to the Great House instead, and he seemed afraid of being in Mrs
+Charles Musgrove’s way, on account of the child, and therefore,
+somehow, they hardly knew how, it ended in Charles’s being to meet him
+to breakfast at his father’s.
+
+Anne understood it. He wished to avoid seeing her. He had inquired
+after her, she found, slightly, as might suit a former slight
+acquaintance, seeming to acknowledge such as she had acknowledged,
+actuated, perhaps, by the same view of escaping introduction when they
+were to meet.
+
+The morning hours of the Cottage were always later than those of the
+other house, and on the morrow the difference was so great that Mary
+and Anne were not more than beginning breakfast when Charles came in to
+say that they were just setting off, that he was come for his dogs,
+that his sisters were following with Captain Wentworth; his sisters
+meaning to visit Mary and the child, and Captain Wentworth proposing
+also to wait on her for a few minutes if not inconvenient; and though
+Charles had answered for the child’s being in no such state as could
+make it inconvenient, Captain Wentworth would not be satisfied without
+his running on to give notice.
+
+Mary, very much gratified by this attention, was delighted to receive
+him, while a thousand feelings rushed on Anne, of which this was the
+most consoling, that it would soon be over. And it was soon over. In
+two minutes after Charles’s preparation, the others appeared; they were
+in the drawing-room. Her eye half met Captain Wentworth’s, a bow, a
+curtsey passed; she heard his voice; he talked to Mary, said all that
+was right, said something to the Miss Musgroves, enough to mark an easy
+footing; the room seemed full, full of persons and voices, but a few
+minutes ended it. Charles shewed himself at the window, all was ready,
+their visitor had bowed and was gone, the Miss Musgroves were gone too,
+suddenly resolving to walk to the end of the village with the
+sportsmen: the room was cleared, and Anne might finish her breakfast as
+she could.
+
+“It is over! it is over!” she repeated to herself again and again, in
+nervous gratitude. “The worst is over!”
+
+Mary talked, but she could not attend. She had seen him. They had met.
+They had been once more in the same room.
+
+Soon, however, she began to reason with herself, and try to be feeling
+less. Eight years, almost eight years had passed, since all had been
+given up. How absurd to be resuming the agitation which such an
+interval had banished into distance and indistinctness! What might not
+eight years do? Events of every description, changes, alienations,
+removals—all, all must be comprised in it, and oblivion of the past—
+how natural, how certain too! It included nearly a third part of her
+own life.
+
+Alas! with all her reasoning, she found, that to retentive feelings
+eight years may be little more than nothing.
+
+Now, how were his sentiments to be read? Was this like wishing to avoid
+her? And the next moment she was hating herself for the folly which
+asked the question.
+
+On one other question which perhaps her utmost wisdom might not have
+prevented, she was soon spared all suspense; for, after the Miss
+Musgroves had returned and finished their visit at the Cottage she had
+this spontaneous information from Mary:—
+
+“Captain Wentworth is not very gallant by you, Anne, though he was so
+attentive to me. Henrietta asked him what he thought of you, when they
+went away, and he said, ‘You were so altered he should not have known
+you again.’”
+
+Mary had no feelings to make her respect her sister’s in a common way,
+but she was perfectly unsuspicious of being inflicting any peculiar
+wound.
+
+“Altered beyond his knowledge.” Anne fully submitted, in silent, deep
+mortification. Doubtless it was so, and she could take no revenge, for
+he was not altered, or not for the worse. She had already acknowledged
+it to herself, and she could not think differently, let him think of
+her as he would. No: the years which had destroyed her youth and bloom
+had only given him a more glowing, manly, open look, in no respect
+lessening his personal advantages. She had seen the same Frederick
+Wentworth.
+
+“So altered that he should not have known her again!” These were words
+which could not but dwell with her. Yet she soon began to rejoice that
+she had heard them. They were of sobering tendency; they allayed
+agitation; they composed, and consequently must make her happier.
+
+Frederick Wentworth had used such words, or something like them, but
+without an idea that they would be carried round to her. He had thought
+her wretchedly altered, and in the first moment of appeal, had spoken
+as he felt. He had not forgiven Anne Elliot. She had used him ill,
+deserted and disappointed him; and worse, she had shewn a feebleness of
+character in doing so, which his own decided, confident temper could
+not endure. She had given him up to oblige others. It had been the
+effect of over-persuasion. It had been weakness and timidity.
+
+He had been most warmly attached to her, and had never seen a woman
+since whom he thought her equal; but, except from some natural
+sensation of curiosity, he had no desire of meeting her again. Her
+power with him was gone for ever.
+
+It was now his object to marry. He was rich, and being turned on shore,
+fully intended to settle as soon as he could be properly tempted;
+actually looking round, ready to fall in love with all the speed which
+a clear head and a quick taste could allow. He had a heart for either
+of the Miss Musgroves, if they could catch it; a heart, in short, for
+any pleasing young woman who came in his way, excepting Anne Elliot.
+This was his only secret exception, when he said to his sister, in
+answer to her suppositions:—
+
+“Yes, here I am, Sophia, quite ready to make a foolish match. Anybody
+between fifteen and thirty may have me for asking. A little beauty, and
+a few smiles, and a few compliments to the navy, and I am a lost man.
+Should not this be enough for a sailor, who has had no society among
+women to make him nice?”
+
+He said it, she knew, to be contradicted. His bright proud eye spoke
+the conviction that he was nice; and Anne Elliot was not out of his
+thoughts, when he more seriously described the woman he should wish to
+meet with. “A strong mind, with sweetness of manner,” made the first
+and the last of the description.
+
+“That is the woman I want,” said he. “Something a little inferior I
+shall of course put up with, but it must not be much. If I am a fool, I
+shall be a fool indeed, for I have thought on the subject more than
+most men.”
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VIII.
+
+
+From this time Captain Wentworth and Anne Elliot were repeatedly in the
+same circle. They were soon dining in company together at Mr
+Musgrove’s, for the little boy’s state could no longer supply his aunt
+with a pretence for absenting herself; and this was but the beginning
+of other dinings and other meetings.
+
+Whether former feelings were to be renewed must be brought to the
+proof; former times must undoubtedly be brought to the recollection of
+each; _they_ could not but be reverted to; the year of their engagement
+could not but be named by him, in the little narratives or descriptions
+which conversation called forth. His profession qualified him, his
+disposition lead him, to talk; and “_That_ was in the year six;”
+“_That_ happened before I went to sea in the year six,” occurred in the
+course of the first evening they spent together: and though his voice
+did not falter, and though she had no reason to suppose his eye
+wandering towards her while he spoke, Anne felt the utter
+impossibility, from her knowledge of his mind, that he could be
+unvisited by remembrance any more than herself. There must be the same
+immediate association of thought, though she was very far from
+conceiving it to be of equal pain.
+
+They had no conversation together, no intercourse but what the
+commonest civility required. Once so much to each other! Now nothing!
+There _had_ been a time, when of all the large party now filling the
+drawing-room at Uppercross, they would have found it most difficult to
+cease to speak to one another. With the exception, perhaps, of Admiral
+and Mrs Croft, who seemed particularly attached and happy, (Anne could
+allow no other exceptions even among the married couples), there could
+have been no two hearts so open, no tastes so similar, no feelings so
+in unison, no countenances so beloved. Now they were as strangers; nay,
+worse than strangers, for they could never become acquainted. It was a
+perpetual estrangement.
+
+When he talked, she heard the same voice, and discerned the same mind.
+There was a very general ignorance of all naval matters throughout the
+party; and he was very much questioned, and especially by the two Miss
+Musgroves, who seemed hardly to have any eyes but for him, as to the
+manner of living on board, daily regulations, food, hours, &c., and
+their surprise at his accounts, at learning the degree of accommodation
+and arrangement which was practicable, drew from him some pleasant
+ridicule, which reminded Anne of the early days when she too had been
+ignorant, and she too had been accused of supposing sailors to be
+living on board without anything to eat, or any cook to dress it if
+there were, or any servant to wait, or any knife and fork to use.
+
+From thus listening and thinking, she was roused by a whisper of Mrs
+Musgrove’s who, overcome by fond regrets, could not help saying—
+
+“Ah! Miss Anne, if it had pleased Heaven to spare my poor son, I dare
+say he would have been just such another by this time.”
+
+Anne suppressed a smile, and listened kindly, while Mrs Musgrove
+relieved her heart a little more; and for a few minutes, therefore,
+could not keep pace with the conversation of the others.
+
+When she could let her attention take its natural course again, she
+found the Miss Musgroves just fetching the Navy List (their own navy
+list, the first that had ever been at Uppercross), and sitting down
+together to pore over it, with the professed view of finding out the
+ships that Captain Wentworth had commanded.
+
+“Your first was the Asp, I remember; we will look for the Asp.”
+
+“You will not find her there. Quite worn out and broken up. I was the
+last man who commanded her. Hardly fit for service then. Reported fit
+for home service for a year or two, and so I was sent off to the West
+Indies.”
+
+The girls looked all amazement.
+
+“The Admiralty,” he continued, “entertain themselves now and then, with
+sending a few hundred men to sea, in a ship not fit to be employed. But
+they have a great many to provide for; and among the thousands that may
+just as well go to the bottom as not, it is impossible for them to
+distinguish the very set who may be least missed.”
+
+“Phoo! phoo!” cried the Admiral, “what stuff these young fellows talk!
+Never was a better sloop than the Asp in her day. For an old built
+sloop, you would not see her equal. Lucky fellow to get her! He knows
+there must have been twenty better men than himself applying for her at
+the same time. Lucky fellow to get anything so soon, with no more
+interest than his.”
+
+“I felt my luck, Admiral, I assure you;” replied Captain Wentworth,
+seriously. “I was as well satisfied with my appointment as you can
+desire. It was a great object with me at that time to be at sea; a very
+great object, I wanted to be doing something.”
+
+“To be sure you did. What should a young fellow like you do ashore for
+half a year together? If a man had not a wife, he soon wants to be
+afloat again.”
+
+“But, Captain Wentworth,” cried Louisa, “how vexed you must have been
+when you came to the Asp, to see what an old thing they had given you.”
+
+“I knew pretty well what she was before that day;” said he, smiling. “I
+had no more discoveries to make than you would have as to the fashion
+and strength of any old pelisse, which you had seen lent about among
+half your acquaintance ever since you could remember, and which at
+last, on some very wet day, is lent to yourself. Ah! she was a dear old
+Asp to me. She did all that I wanted. I knew she would. I knew that we
+should either go to the bottom together, or that she would be the
+making of me; and I never had two days of foul weather all the time I
+was at sea in her; and after taking privateers enough to be very
+entertaining, I had the good luck in my passage home the next autumn,
+to fall in with the very French frigate I wanted. I brought her into
+Plymouth; and here another instance of luck. We had not been six hours
+in the Sound, when a gale came on, which lasted four days and nights,
+and which would have done for poor old Asp in half the time; our touch
+with the Great Nation not having much improved our condition.
+Four-and-twenty hours later, and I should only have been a gallant
+Captain Wentworth, in a small paragraph at one corner of the
+newspapers; and being lost in only a sloop, nobody would have thought
+about me.” Anne’s shudderings were to herself alone; but the Miss
+Musgroves could be as open as they were sincere, in their exclamations
+of pity and horror.
+
+“And so then, I suppose,” said Mrs Musgrove, in a low voice, as if
+thinking aloud, “so then he went away to the Laconia, and there he met
+with our poor boy. Charles, my dear,” (beckoning him to her), “do ask
+Captain Wentworth where it was he first met with your poor brother. I
+always forgot.”
+
+“It was at Gibraltar, mother, I know. Dick had been left ill at
+Gibraltar, with a recommendation from his former captain to Captain
+Wentworth.”
+
+“Oh! but, Charles, tell Captain Wentworth, he need not be afraid of
+mentioning poor Dick before me, for it would be rather a pleasure to
+hear him talked of by such a good friend.”
+
+Charles, being somewhat more mindful of the probabilities of the case,
+only nodded in reply, and walked away.
+
+The girls were now hunting for the Laconia; and Captain Wentworth could
+not deny himself the pleasure of taking the precious volume into his
+own hands to save them the trouble, and once more read aloud the little
+statement of her name and rate, and present non-commissioned class,
+observing over it that she too had been one of the best friends man
+ever had.
+
+“Ah! those were pleasant days when I had the Laconia! How fast I made
+money in her. A friend of mine and I had such a lovely cruise together
+off the Western Islands. Poor Harville, sister! You know how much he
+wanted money: worse than myself. He had a wife. Excellent fellow. I
+shall never forget his happiness. He felt it all, so much for her sake.
+I wished for him again the next summer, when I had still the same luck
+in the Mediterranean.”
+
+“And I am sure, Sir,” said Mrs Musgrove, “it was a lucky day for _us_,
+when you were put captain into that ship. _We_ shall never forget what
+you did.”
+
+Her feelings made her speak low; and Captain Wentworth, hearing only in
+part, and probably not having Dick Musgrove at all near his thoughts,
+looked rather in suspense, and as if waiting for more.
+
+“My brother,” whispered one of the girls; “mamma is thinking of poor
+Richard.”
+
+“Poor dear fellow!” continued Mrs Musgrove; “he was grown so steady,
+and such an excellent correspondent, while he was under your care! Ah!
+it would have been a happy thing, if he had never left you. I assure
+you, Captain Wentworth, we are very sorry he ever left you.”
+
+There was a momentary expression in Captain Wentworth’s face at this
+speech, a certain glance of his bright eye, and curl of his handsome
+mouth, which convinced Anne, that instead of sharing in Mrs Musgrove’s
+kind wishes, as to her son, he had probably been at some pains to get
+rid of him; but it was too transient an indulgence of self-amusement to
+be detected by any who understood him less than herself; in another
+moment he was perfectly collected and serious, and almost instantly
+afterwards coming up to the sofa, on which she and Mrs Musgrove were
+sitting, took a place by the latter, and entered into conversation with
+her, in a low voice, about her son, doing it with so much sympathy and
+natural grace, as shewed the kindest consideration for all that was
+real and unabsurd in the parent’s feelings.
+
+They were actually on the same sofa, for Mrs Musgrove had most readily
+made room for him; they were divided only by Mrs Musgrove. It was no
+insignificant barrier, indeed. Mrs Musgrove was of a comfortable,
+substantial size, infinitely more fitted by nature to express good
+cheer and good humour, than tenderness and sentiment; and while the
+agitations of Anne’s slender form, and pensive face, may be considered
+as very completely screened, Captain Wentworth should be allowed some
+credit for the self-command with which he attended to her large fat
+sighings over the destiny of a son, whom alive nobody had cared for.
+
+Personal size and mental sorrow have certainly no necessary
+proportions. A large bulky figure has as good a right to be in deep
+affliction, as the most graceful set of limbs in the world. But, fair
+or not fair, there are unbecoming conjunctions, which reason will
+patronize in vain—which taste cannot tolerate—which ridicule will
+seize.
+
+The Admiral, after taking two or three refreshing turns about the room
+with his hands behind him, being called to order by his wife, now came
+up to Captain Wentworth, and without any observation of what he might
+be interrupting, thinking only of his own thoughts, began with—
+
+“If you had been a week later at Lisbon, last spring, Frederick, you
+would have been asked to give a passage to Lady Mary Grierson and her
+daughters.”
+
+“Should I? I am glad I was not a week later then.”
+
+The Admiral abused him for his want of gallantry. He defended himself;
+though professing that he would never willingly admit any ladies on
+board a ship of his, excepting for a ball, or a visit, which a few
+hours might comprehend.
+
+“But, if I know myself,” said he, “this is from no want of gallantry
+towards them. It is rather from feeling how impossible it is, with all
+one’s efforts, and all one’s sacrifices, to make the accommodations on
+board such as women ought to have. There can be no want of gallantry,
+Admiral, in rating the claims of women to every personal comfort
+_high_, and this is what I do. I hate to hear of women on board, or to
+see them on board; and no ship under my command shall ever convey a
+family of ladies anywhere, if I can help it.”
+
+This brought his sister upon him.
+
+“Oh! Frederick! But I cannot believe it of you.—All idle
+refinement!—Women may be as comfortable on board, as in the best house
+in England. I believe I have lived as much on board as most women, and
+I know nothing superior to the accommodations of a man-of-war. I
+declare I have not a comfort or an indulgence about me, even at
+Kellynch Hall,” (with a kind bow to Anne), “beyond what I always had in
+most of the ships I have lived in; and they have been five altogether.”
+
+“Nothing to the purpose,” replied her brother. “You were living with
+your husband, and were the only woman on board.”
+
+“But you, yourself, brought Mrs Harville, her sister, her cousin, and
+three children, round from Portsmouth to Plymouth. Where was this
+superfine, extraordinary sort of gallantry of yours then?”
+
+“All merged in my friendship, Sophia. I would assist any brother
+officer’s wife that I could, and I would bring anything of Harville’s
+from the world’s end, if he wanted it. But do not imagine that I did
+not feel it an evil in itself.”
+
+“Depend upon it, they were all perfectly comfortable.”
+
+“I might not like them the better for that perhaps. Such a number of
+women and children have no _right_ to be comfortable on board.”
+
+“My dear Frederick, you are talking quite idly. Pray, what would become
+of us poor sailors’ wives, who often want to be conveyed to one port or
+another, after our husbands, if everybody had your feelings?”
+
+“My feelings, you see, did not prevent my taking Mrs Harville and all
+her family to Plymouth.”
+
+“But I hate to hear you talking so like a fine gentleman, and as if
+women were all fine ladies, instead of rational creatures. We none of
+us expect to be in smooth water all our days.”
+
+“Ah! my dear,” said the Admiral, “when he has got a wife, he will sing
+a different tune. When he is married, if we have the good luck to live
+to another war, we shall see him do as you and I, and a great many
+others, have done. We shall have him very thankful to anybody that will
+bring him his wife.”
+
+“Ay, that we shall.”
+
+“Now I have done,” cried Captain Wentworth. “When once married people
+begin to attack me with,—‘Oh! you will think very differently, when you
+are married.’ I can only say, ‘No, I shall not;’ and then they say
+again, ‘Yes, you will,’ and there is an end of it.”
+
+He got up and moved away.
+
+“What a great traveller you must have been, ma’am!” said Mrs Musgrove
+to Mrs Croft.
+
+“Pretty well, ma’am, in the fifteen years of my marriage; though many
+women have done more. I have crossed the Atlantic four times, and have
+been once to the East Indies, and back again, and only once; besides
+being in different places about home: Cork, and Lisbon, and Gibraltar.
+But I never went beyond the Streights, and never was in the West
+Indies. We do not call Bermuda or Bahama, you know, the West Indies.”
+
+Mrs Musgrove had not a word to say in dissent; she could not accuse
+herself of having ever called them anything in the whole course of her
+life.
+
+“And I do assure you, ma’am,” pursued Mrs Croft, “that nothing can
+exceed the accommodations of a man-of-war; I speak, you know, of the
+higher rates. When you come to a frigate, of course, you are more
+confined; though any reasonable woman may be perfectly happy in one of
+them; and I can safely say, that the happiest part of my life has been
+spent on board a ship. While we were together, you know, there was
+nothing to be feared. Thank God! I have always been blessed with
+excellent health, and no climate disagrees with me. A little disordered
+always the first twenty-four hours of going to sea, but never knew what
+sickness was afterwards. The only time I ever really suffered in body
+or mind, the only time that I ever fancied myself unwell, or had any
+ideas of danger, was the winter that I passed by myself at Deal, when
+the Admiral (_Captain_ Croft then) was in the North Seas. I lived in
+perpetual fright at that time, and had all manner of imaginary
+complaints from not knowing what to do with myself, or when I should
+hear from him next; but as long as we could be together, nothing ever
+ailed me, and I never met with the smallest inconvenience.”
+
+“Aye, to be sure. Yes, indeed, oh yes! I am quite of your opinion, Mrs
+Croft,” was Mrs Musgrove’s hearty answer. “There is nothing so bad as a
+separation. I am quite of your opinion. _I_ know what it is, for Mr
+Musgrove always attends the assizes, and I am so glad when they are
+over, and he is safe back again.”
+
+The evening ended with dancing. On its being proposed, Anne offered her
+services, as usual; and though her eyes would sometimes fill with tears
+as she sat at the instrument, she was extremely glad to be employed,
+and desired nothing in return but to be unobserved.
+
+It was a merry, joyous party, and no one seemed in higher spirits than
+Captain Wentworth. She felt that he had every thing to elevate him
+which general attention and deference, and especially the attention of
+all the young women, could do. The Miss Hayters, the females of the
+family of cousins already mentioned, were apparently admitted to the
+honour of being in love with him; and as for Henrietta and Louisa, they
+both seemed so entirely occupied by him, that nothing but the continued
+appearance of the most perfect good-will between themselves could have
+made it credible that they were not decided rivals. If he were a little
+spoilt by such universal, such eager admiration, who could wonder?
+
+These were some of the thoughts which occupied Anne, while her fingers
+were mechanically at work, proceeding for half an hour together,
+equally without error, and without consciousness. _Once_ she felt that
+he was looking at herself, observing her altered features, perhaps,
+trying to trace in them the ruins of the face which had once charmed
+him; and _once_ she knew that he must have spoken of her; she was
+hardly aware of it, till she heard the answer; but then she was sure of
+his having asked his partner whether Miss Elliot never danced? The
+answer was, “Oh, no; never; she has quite given up dancing. She had
+rather play. She is never tired of playing.” Once, too, he spoke to
+her. She had left the instrument on the dancing being over, and he had
+sat down to try to make out an air which he wished to give the Miss
+Musgroves an idea of. Unintentionally she returned to that part of the
+room; he saw her, and, instantly rising, said, with studied politeness—
+
+“I beg your pardon, madam, this is your seat;” and though she
+immediately drew back with a decided negative, he was not to be induced
+to sit down again.
+
+Anne did not wish for more of such looks and speeches. His cold
+politeness, his ceremonious grace, were worse than anything.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER IX.
+
+
+Captain Wentworth was come to Kellynch as to a home, to stay as long as
+he liked, being as thoroughly the object of the Admiral’s fraternal
+kindness as of his wife’s. He had intended, on first arriving, to
+proceed very soon into Shropshire, and visit the brother settled in
+that country, but the attractions of Uppercross induced him to put this
+off. There was so much of friendliness, and of flattery, and of
+everything most bewitching in his reception there; the old were so
+hospitable, the young so agreeable, that he could not but resolve to
+remain where he was, and take all the charms and perfections of
+Edward’s wife upon credit a little longer.
+
+It was soon Uppercross with him almost every day. The Musgroves could
+hardly be more ready to invite than he to come, particularly in the
+morning, when he had no companion at home, for the Admiral and Mrs
+Croft were generally out of doors together, interesting themselves in
+their new possessions, their grass, and their sheep, and dawdling about
+in a way not endurable to a third person, or driving out in a gig,
+lately added to their establishment.
+
+Hitherto there had been but one opinion of Captain Wentworth among the
+Musgroves and their dependencies. It was unvarying, warm admiration
+everywhere; but this intimate footing was not more than established,
+when a certain Charles Hayter returned among them, to be a good deal
+disturbed by it, and to think Captain Wentworth very much in the way.
+
+Charles Hayter was the eldest of all the cousins, and a very amiable,
+pleasing young man, between whom and Henrietta there had been a
+considerable appearance of attachment previous to Captain Wentworth’s
+introduction. He was in orders; and having a curacy in the
+neighbourhood, where residence was not required, lived at his father’s
+house, only two miles from Uppercross. A short absence from home had
+left his fair one unguarded by his attentions at this critical period,
+and when he came back he had the pain of finding very altered manners,
+and of seeing Captain Wentworth.
+
+Mrs Musgrove and Mrs Hayter were sisters. They had each had money, but
+their marriages had made a material difference in their degree of
+consequence. Mr Hayter had some property of his own, but it was
+insignificant compared with Mr Musgrove’s; and while the Musgroves were
+in the first class of society in the country, the young Hayters would,
+from their parents’ inferior, retired, and unpolished way of living,
+and their own defective education, have been hardly in any class at
+all, but for their connexion with Uppercross, this eldest son of course
+excepted, who had chosen to be a scholar and a gentleman, and who was
+very superior in cultivation and manners to all the rest.
+
+The two families had always been on excellent terms, there being no
+pride on one side, and no envy on the other, and only such a
+consciousness of superiority in the Miss Musgroves, as made them
+pleased to improve their cousins. Charles’s attentions to Henrietta had
+been observed by her father and mother without any disapprobation. “It
+would not be a great match for her; but if Henrietta liked him,”—and
+Henrietta _did_ seem to like him.
+
+Henrietta fully thought so herself, before Captain Wentworth came; but
+from that time Cousin Charles had been very much forgotten.
+
+Which of the two sisters was preferred by Captain Wentworth was as yet
+quite doubtful, as far as Anne’s observation reached. Henrietta was
+perhaps the prettiest, Louisa had the higher spirits; and she knew not
+_now_, whether the more gentle or the more lively character were most
+likely to attract him.
+
+Mr and Mrs Musgrove, either from seeing little, or from an entire
+confidence in the discretion of both their daughters, and of all the
+young men who came near them, seemed to leave everything to take its
+chance. There was not the smallest appearance of solicitude or remark
+about them in the Mansion-house; but it was different at the Cottage:
+the young couple there were more disposed to speculate and wonder; and
+Captain Wentworth had not been above four or five times in the Miss
+Musgroves’ company, and Charles Hayter had but just reappeared, when
+Anne had to listen to the opinions of her brother and sister, as to
+_which_ was the one liked best. Charles gave it for Louisa, Mary for
+Henrietta, but quite agreeing that to have him marry either could be
+extremely delightful.
+
+Charles “had never seen a pleasanter man in his life; and from what he
+had once heard Captain Wentworth himself say, was very sure that he had
+not made less than twenty thousand pounds by the war. Here was a
+fortune at once; besides which, there would be the chance of what might
+be done in any future war; and he was sure Captain Wentworth was as
+likely a man to distinguish himself as any officer in the navy. Oh! it
+would be a capital match for either of his sisters.”
+
+“Upon my word it would,” replied Mary. “Dear me! If he should rise to
+any very great honours! If he should ever be made a baronet! ‘Lady
+Wentworth’ sounds very well. That would be a noble thing, indeed, for
+Henrietta! She would take place of me then, and Henrietta would not
+dislike that. Sir Frederick and Lady Wentworth! It would be but a new
+creation, however, and I never think much of your new creations.”
+
+It suited Mary best to think Henrietta the one preferred on the very
+account of Charles Hayter, whose pretensions she wished to see put an
+end to. She looked down very decidedly upon the Hayters, and thought it
+would be quite a misfortune to have the existing connection between the
+families renewed—very sad for herself and her children.
+
+“You know,” said she, “I cannot think him at all a fit match for
+Henrietta; and considering the alliances which the Musgroves have made,
+she has no right to throw herself away. I do not think any young woman
+has a right to make a choice that may be disagreeable and inconvenient
+to the _principal_ part of her family, and be giving bad connections to
+those who have not been used to them. And, pray, who is Charles Hayter?
+Nothing but a country curate. A most improper match for Miss Musgrove
+of Uppercross.”
+
+Her husband, however, would not agree with her here; for besides having
+a regard for his cousin, Charles Hayter was an eldest son, and he saw
+things as an eldest son himself.
+
+“Now you are talking nonsense, Mary,” was therefore his answer. “It
+would not be a _great_ match for Henrietta, but Charles has a very fair
+chance, through the Spicers, of getting something from the Bishop in
+the course of a year or two; and you will please to remember, that he
+is the eldest son; whenever my uncle dies, he steps into very pretty
+property. The estate at Winthrop is not less than two hundred and fifty
+acres, besides the farm near Taunton, which is some of the best land in
+the country. I grant you, that any of them but Charles would be a very
+shocking match for Henrietta, and indeed it could not be; he is the
+only one that could be possible; but he is a very good-natured, good
+sort of a fellow; and whenever Winthrop comes into his hands, he will
+make a different sort of place of it, and live in a very different sort
+of way; and with that property, he will never be a contemptible
+man—good, freehold property. No, no; Henrietta might do worse than
+marry Charles Hayter; and if she has him, and Louisa can get Captain
+Wentworth, I shall be very well satisfied.”
+
+“Charles may say what he pleases,” cried Mary to Anne, as soon as he
+was out of the room, “but it would be shocking to have Henrietta marry
+Charles Hayter; a very bad thing for _her_, and still worse for _me;_
+and therefore it is very much to be wished that Captain Wentworth may
+soon put him quite out of her head, and I have very little doubt that
+he has. She took hardly any notice of Charles Hayter yesterday. I wish
+you had been there to see her behaviour. And as to Captain Wentworth’s
+liking Louisa as well as Henrietta, it is nonsense to say so; for he
+certainly _does_ like Henrietta a great deal the best. But Charles is
+so positive! I wish you had been with us yesterday, for then you might
+have decided between us; and I am sure you would have thought as I did,
+unless you had been determined to give it against me.”
+
+A dinner at Mr Musgrove’s had been the occasion when all these things
+should have been seen by Anne; but she had staid at home, under the
+mixed plea of a headache of her own, and some return of indisposition
+in little Charles. She had thought only of avoiding Captain Wentworth;
+but an escape from being appealed to as umpire was now added to the
+advantages of a quiet evening.
+
+As to Captain Wentworth’s views, she deemed it of more consequence that
+he should know his own mind early enough not to be endangering the
+happiness of either sister, or impeaching his own honour, than that he
+should prefer Henrietta to Louisa, or Louisa to Henrietta. Either of
+them would, in all probability, make him an affectionate, good-humoured
+wife. With regard to Charles Hayter, she had delicacy which must be
+pained by any lightness of conduct in a well-meaning young woman, and a
+heart to sympathize in any of the sufferings it occasioned; but if
+Henrietta found herself mistaken in the nature of her feelings, the
+alteration could not be understood too soon.
+
+Charles Hayter had met with much to disquiet and mortify him in his
+cousin’s behaviour. She had too old a regard for him to be so wholly
+estranged as might in two meetings extinguish every past hope, and
+leave him nothing to do but to keep away from Uppercross: but there was
+such a change as became very alarming, when such a man as Captain
+Wentworth was to be regarded as the probable cause. He had been absent
+only two Sundays, and when they parted, had left her interested, even
+to the height of his wishes, in his prospect of soon quitting his
+present curacy, and obtaining that of Uppercross instead. It had then
+seemed the object nearest her heart, that Dr Shirley, the rector, who
+for more than forty years had been zealously discharging all the duties
+of his office, but was now growing too infirm for many of them, should
+be quite fixed on engaging a curate; should make his curacy quite as
+good as he could afford, and should give Charles Hayter the promise of
+it. The advantage of his having to come only to Uppercross, instead of
+going six miles another way; of his having, in every respect, a better
+curacy; of his belonging to their dear Dr Shirley, and of dear, good Dr
+Shirley’s being relieved from the duty which he could no longer get
+through without most injurious fatigue, had been a great deal, even to
+Louisa, but had been almost everything to Henrietta. When he came back,
+alas! the zeal of the business was gone by. Louisa could not listen at
+all to his account of a conversation which he had just held with Dr
+Shirley: she was at a window, looking out for Captain Wentworth; and
+even Henrietta had at best only a divided attention to give, and seemed
+to have forgotten all the former doubt and solicitude of the
+negotiation.
+
+“Well, I am very glad indeed: but I always thought you would have it; I
+always thought you sure. It did not appear to me that—in short, you
+know, Dr Shirley _must_ have a curate, and you had secured his promise.
+Is he coming, Louisa?”
+
+One morning, very soon after the dinner at the Musgroves, at which Anne
+had not been present, Captain Wentworth walked into the drawing-room at
+the Cottage, where were only herself and the little invalid Charles,
+who was lying on the sofa.
+
+The surprise of finding himself almost alone with Anne Elliot, deprived
+his manners of their usual composure: he started, and could only say,
+“I thought the Miss Musgroves had been here: Mrs Musgrove told me I
+should find them here,” before he walked to the window to recollect
+himself, and feel how he ought to behave.
+
+“They are up stairs with my sister: they will be down in a few moments,
+I dare say,” had been Anne’s reply, in all the confusion that was
+natural; and if the child had not called her to come and do something
+for him, she would have been out of the room the next moment, and
+released Captain Wentworth as well as herself.
+
+He continued at the window; and after calmly and politely saying, “I
+hope the little boy is better,” was silent.
+
+She was obliged to kneel down by the sofa, and remain there to satisfy
+her patient; and thus they continued a few minutes, when, to her very
+great satisfaction, she heard some other person crossing the little
+vestibule. She hoped, on turning her head, to see the master of the
+house; but it proved to be one much less calculated for making matters
+easy—Charles Hayter, probably not at all better pleased by the sight of
+Captain Wentworth than Captain Wentworth had been by the sight of Anne.
+
+She only attempted to say, “How do you do? Will you not sit down? The
+others will be here presently.”
+
+Captain Wentworth, however, came from his window, apparently not
+ill-disposed for conversation; but Charles Hayter soon put an end to
+his attempts by seating himself near the table, and taking up the
+newspaper; and Captain Wentworth returned to his window.
+
+Another minute brought another addition. The younger boy, a remarkable
+stout, forward child, of two years old, having got the door opened for
+him by some one without, made his determined appearance among them, and
+went straight to the sofa to see what was going on, and put in his
+claim to anything good that might be giving away.
+
+There being nothing to eat, he could only have some play; and as his
+aunt would not let him tease his sick brother, he began to fasten
+himself upon her, as she knelt, in such a way that, busy as she was
+about Charles, she could not shake him off. She spoke to him, ordered,
+entreated, and insisted in vain. Once she did contrive to push him
+away, but the boy had the greater pleasure in getting upon her back
+again directly.
+
+“Walter,” said she, “get down this moment. You are extremely
+troublesome. I am very angry with you.”
+
+“Walter,” cried Charles Hayter, “why do you not do as you are bid? Do
+not you hear your aunt speak? Come to me, Walter, come to cousin
+Charles.”
+
+But not a bit did Walter stir.
+
+In another moment, however, she found herself in the state of being
+released from him; some one was taking him from her, though he had bent
+down her head so much, that his little sturdy hands were unfastened
+from around her neck, and he was resolutely borne away, before she knew
+that Captain Wentworth had done it.
+
+Her sensations on the discovery made her perfectly speechless. She
+could not even thank him. She could only hang over little Charles, with
+most disordered feelings. His kindness in stepping forward to her
+relief, the manner, the silence in which it had passed, the little
+particulars of the circumstance, with the conviction soon forced on her
+by the noise he was studiously making with the child, that he meant to
+avoid hearing her thanks, and rather sought to testify that her
+conversation was the last of his wants, produced such a confusion of
+varying, but very painful agitation, as she could not recover from,
+till enabled by the entrance of Mary and the Miss Musgroves to make
+over her little patient to their cares, and leave the room. She could
+not stay. It might have been an opportunity of watching the loves and
+jealousies of the four—they were now altogether; but she could stay for
+none of it. It was evident that Charles Hayter was not well inclined
+towards Captain Wentworth. She had a strong impression of his having
+said, in a vext tone of voice, after Captain Wentworth’s interference,
+“You ought to have minded _me_, Walter; I told you not to teaze your
+aunt;” and could comprehend his regretting that Captain Wentworth
+should do what he ought to have done himself. But neither Charles
+Hayter’s feelings, nor anybody’s feelings, could interest her, till she
+had a little better arranged her own. She was ashamed of herself, quite
+ashamed of being so nervous, so overcome by such a trifle; but so it
+was, and it required a long application of solitude and reflection to
+recover her.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER X.
+
+
+Other opportunities of making her observations could not fail to occur.
+Anne had soon been in company with all the four together often enough
+to have an opinion, though too wise to acknowledge as much at home,
+where she knew it would have satisfied neither husband nor wife; for
+while she considered Louisa to be rather the favourite, she could not
+but think, as far as she might dare to judge from memory and
+experience, that Captain Wentworth was not in love with either. They
+were more in love with him; yet there it was not love. It was a little
+fever of admiration; but it might, probably must, end in love with
+some. Charles Hayter seemed aware of being slighted, and yet Henrietta
+had sometimes the air of being divided between them. Anne longed for
+the power of representing to them all what they were about, and of
+pointing out some of the evils they were exposing themselves to. She
+did not attribute guile to any. It was the highest satisfaction to her
+to believe Captain Wentworth not in the least aware of the pain he was
+occasioning. There was no triumph, no pitiful triumph in his manner. He
+had, probably, never heard, and never thought of any claims of Charles
+Hayter. He was only wrong in accepting the attentions (for accepting
+must be the word) of two young women at once.
+
+After a short struggle, however, Charles Hayter seemed to quit the
+field. Three days had passed without his coming once to Uppercross; a
+most decided change. He had even refused one regular invitation to
+dinner; and having been found on the occasion by Mr Musgrove with some
+large books before him, Mr and Mrs Musgrove were sure all could not be
+right, and talked, with grave faces, of his studying himself to death.
+It was Mary’s hope and belief that he had received a positive dismissal
+from Henrietta, and her husband lived under the constant dependence of
+seeing him to-morrow. Anne could only feel that Charles Hayter was
+wise.
+
+One morning, about this time Charles Musgrove and Captain Wentworth
+being gone a-shooting together, as the sisters in the Cottage were
+sitting quietly at work, they were visited at the window by the sisters
+from the Mansion-house.
+
+It was a very fine November day, and the Miss Musgroves came through
+the little grounds, and stopped for no other purpose than to say, that
+they were going to take a _long_ walk, and, therefore, concluded Mary
+could not like to go with them; and when Mary immediately replied, with
+some jealousy at not being supposed a good walker, “Oh, yes, I should
+like to join you very much, I am very fond of a long walk;” Anne felt
+persuaded, by the looks of the two girls, that it was precisely what
+they did not wish, and admired again the sort of necessity which the
+family habits seemed to produce, of everything being to be
+communicated, and everything being to be done together, however
+undesired and inconvenient. She tried to dissuade Mary from going, but
+in vain; and that being the case, thought it best to accept the Miss
+Musgroves’ much more cordial invitation to herself to go likewise, as
+she might be useful in turning back with her sister, and lessening the
+interference in any plan of their own.
+
+“I cannot imagine why they should suppose I should not like a long
+walk,” said Mary, as she went up stairs. “Everybody is always supposing
+that I am not a good walker; and yet they would not have been pleased,
+if we had refused to join them. When people come in this manner on
+purpose to ask us, how can one say no?”
+
+Just as they were setting off, the gentlemen returned. They had taken
+out a young dog, who had spoilt their sport, and sent them back early.
+Their time and strength, and spirits, were, therefore, exactly ready
+for this walk, and they entered into it with pleasure. Could Anne have
+foreseen such a junction, she would have staid at home; but, from some
+feelings of interest and curiosity, she fancied now that it was too
+late to retract, and the whole six set forward together in the
+direction chosen by the Miss Musgroves, who evidently considered the
+walk as under their guidance.
+
+Anne’s object was, not to be in the way of anybody; and where the
+narrow paths across the fields made many separations necessary, to keep
+with her brother and sister. Her _pleasure_ in the walk must arise from
+the exercise and the day, from the view of the last smiles of the year
+upon the tawny leaves, and withered hedges, and from repeating to
+herself some few of the thousand poetical descriptions extant of
+autumn, that season of peculiar and inexhaustible influence on the mind
+of taste and tenderness, that season which had drawn from every poet,
+worthy of being read, some attempt at description, or some lines of
+feeling. She occupied her mind as much as possible in such like musings
+and quotations; but it was not possible, that when within reach of
+Captain Wentworth’s conversation with either of the Miss Musgroves, she
+should not try to hear it; yet she caught little very remarkable. It
+was mere lively chat, such as any young persons, on an intimate
+footing, might fall into. He was more engaged with Louisa than with
+Henrietta. Louisa certainly put more forward for his notice than her
+sister. This distinction appeared to increase, and there was one speech
+of Louisa’s which struck her. After one of the many praises of the day,
+which were continually bursting forth, Captain Wentworth added:—
+
+“What glorious weather for the Admiral and my sister! They meant to
+take a long drive this morning; perhaps we may hail them from some of
+these hills. They talked of coming into this side of the country. I
+wonder whereabouts they will upset to-day. Oh! it does happen very
+often, I assure you; but my sister makes nothing of it; she would as
+lieve be tossed out as not.”
+
+“Ah! You make the most of it, I know,” cried Louisa, “but if it were
+really so, I should do just the same in her place. If I loved a man, as
+she loves the Admiral, I would always be with him, nothing should ever
+separate us, and I would rather be overturned by him, than driven
+safely by anybody else.”
+
+It was spoken with enthusiasm.
+
+“Had you?” cried he, catching the same tone; “I honour you!” And there
+was silence between them for a little while.
+
+Anne could not immediately fall into a quotation again. The sweet
+scenes of autumn were for a while put by, unless some tender sonnet,
+fraught with the apt analogy of the declining year, with declining
+happiness, and the images of youth and hope, and spring, all gone
+together, blessed her memory. She roused herself to say, as they struck
+by order into another path, “Is not this one of the ways to Winthrop?”
+But nobody heard, or, at least, nobody answered her.
+
+Winthrop, however, or its environs—for young men are, sometimes to be
+met with, strolling about near home—was their destination; and after
+another half mile of gradual ascent through large enclosures, where the
+ploughs at work, and the fresh made path spoke the farmer counteracting
+the sweets of poetical despondence, and meaning to have spring again,
+they gained the summit of the most considerable hill, which parted
+Uppercross and Winthrop, and soon commanded a full view of the latter,
+at the foot of the hill on the other side.
+
+Winthrop, without beauty and without dignity, was stretched before
+them; an indifferent house, standing low, and hemmed in by the barns
+and buildings of a farm-yard.
+
+Mary exclaimed, “Bless me! here is Winthrop. I declare I had no idea!
+Well now, I think we had better turn back; I am excessively tired.”
+
+Henrietta, conscious and ashamed, and seeing no cousin Charles walking
+along any path, or leaning against any gate, was ready to do as Mary
+wished; but “No!” said Charles Musgrove, and “No, no!” cried Louisa
+more eagerly, and taking her sister aside, seemed to be arguing the
+matter warmly.
+
+Charles, in the meanwhile, was very decidedly declaring his resolution
+of calling on his aunt, now that he was so near; and very evidently,
+though more fearfully, trying to induce his wife to go too. But this
+was one of the points on which the lady shewed her strength; and when
+he recommended the advantage of resting herself a quarter of an hour at
+Winthrop, as she felt so tired, she resolutely answered, “Oh! no,
+indeed! walking up that hill again would do her more harm than any
+sitting down could do her good;” and, in short, her look and manner
+declared, that go she would not.
+
+After a little succession of these sort of debates and consultations,
+it was settled between Charles and his two sisters, that he and
+Henrietta should just run down for a few minutes, to see their aunt and
+cousins, while the rest of the party waited for them at the top of the
+hill. Louisa seemed the principal arranger of the plan; and, as she
+went a little way with them, down the hill, still talking to Henrietta,
+Mary took the opportunity of looking scornfully around her, and saying
+to Captain Wentworth—
+
+“It is very unpleasant, having such connexions! But, I assure you, I
+have never been in the house above twice in my life.”
+
+She received no other answer, than an artificial, assenting smile,
+followed by a contemptuous glance, as he turned away, which Anne
+perfectly knew the meaning of.
+
+The brow of the hill, where they remained, was a cheerful spot: Louisa
+returned; and Mary, finding a comfortable seat for herself on the step
+of a stile, was very well satisfied so long as the others all stood
+about her; but when Louisa drew Captain Wentworth away, to try for a
+gleaning of nuts in an adjoining hedge-row, and they were gone by
+degrees quite out of sight and sound, Mary was happy no longer; she
+quarrelled with her own seat, was sure Louisa had got a much better
+somewhere, and nothing could prevent her from going to look for a
+better also. She turned through the same gate, but could not see them.
+Anne found a nice seat for her, on a dry sunny bank, under the
+hedge-row, in which she had no doubt of their still being, in some spot
+or other. Mary sat down for a moment, but it would not do; she was sure
+Louisa had found a better seat somewhere else, and she would go on till
+she overtook her.
+
+Anne, really tired herself, was glad to sit down; and she very soon
+heard Captain Wentworth and Louisa in the hedge-row, behind her, as if
+making their way back along the rough, wild sort of channel, down the
+centre. They were speaking as they drew near. Louisa’s voice was the
+first distinguished. She seemed to be in the middle of some eager
+speech. What Anne first heard was—
+
+“And so, I made her go. I could not bear that she should be frightened
+from the visit by such nonsense. What! would I be turned back from
+doing a thing that I had determined to do, and that I knew to be right,
+by the airs and interference of such a person, or of any person I may
+say? No, I have no idea of being so easily persuaded. When I have made
+up my mind, I have made it; and Henrietta seemed entirely to have made
+up hers to call at Winthrop to-day; and yet, she was as near giving it
+up, out of nonsensical complaisance!”
+
+“She would have turned back then, but for you?”
+
+“She would indeed. I am almost ashamed to say it.”
+
+“Happy for her, to have such a mind as yours at hand! After the hints
+you gave just now, which did but confirm my own observations, the last
+time I was in company with him, I need not affect to have no
+comprehension of what is going on. I see that more than a mere dutiful
+morning visit to your aunt was in question; and woe betide him, and her
+too, when it comes to things of consequence, when they are placed in
+circumstances requiring fortitude and strength of mind, if she have not
+resolution enough to resist idle interference in such a trifle as this.
+Your sister is an amiable creature; but _yours_ is the character of
+decision and firmness, I see. If you value her conduct or happiness,
+infuse as much of your own spirit into her as you can. But this, no
+doubt, you have been always doing. It is the worst evil of too yielding
+and indecisive a character, that no influence over it can be depended
+on. You are never sure of a good impression being durable; everybody
+may sway it. Let those who would be happy be firm. Here is a nut,” said
+he, catching one down from an upper bough, “to exemplify: a beautiful
+glossy nut, which, blessed with original strength, has outlived all the
+storms of autumn. Not a puncture, not a weak spot anywhere. This nut,”
+he continued, with playful solemnity, “while so many of his brethren
+have fallen and been trodden under foot, is still in possession of all
+the happiness that a hazel nut can be supposed capable of.” Then
+returning to his former earnest tone—“My first wish for all whom I am
+interested in, is that they should be firm. If Louisa Musgrove would be
+beautiful and happy in her November of life, she will cherish all her
+present powers of mind.”
+
+He had done, and was unanswered. It would have surprised Anne if Louisa
+could have readily answered such a speech: words of such interest,
+spoken with such serious warmth! She could imagine what Louisa was
+feeling. For herself, she feared to move, lest she should be seen.
+While she remained, a bush of low rambling holly protected her, and
+they were moving on. Before they were beyond her hearing, however,
+Louisa spoke again.
+
+“Mary is good-natured enough in many respects,” said she; “but she does
+sometimes provoke me excessively, by her nonsense and pride—the Elliot
+pride. She has a great deal too much of the Elliot pride. We do so wish
+that Charles had married Anne instead. I suppose you know he wanted to
+marry Anne?”
+
+After a moment’s pause, Captain Wentworth said—
+
+“Do you mean that she refused him?”
+
+“Oh! yes; certainly.”
+
+“When did that happen?”
+
+“I do not exactly know, for Henrietta and I were at school at the time;
+but I believe about a year before he married Mary. I wish she had
+accepted him. We should all have liked her a great deal better; and
+papa and mamma always think it was her great friend Lady Russell’s
+doing, that she did not. They think Charles might not be learned and
+bookish enough to please Lady Russell, and that therefore, she
+persuaded Anne to refuse him.”
+
+The sounds were retreating, and Anne distinguished no more. Her own
+emotions still kept her fixed. She had much to recover from, before she
+could move. The listener’s proverbial fate was not absolutely hers; she
+had heard no evil of herself, but she had heard a great deal of very
+painful import. She saw how her own character was considered by Captain
+Wentworth, and there had been just that degree of feeling and curiosity
+about her in his manner which must give her extreme agitation.
+
+As soon as she could, she went after Mary, and having found, and walked
+back with her to their former station, by the stile, felt some comfort
+in their whole party being immediately afterwards collected, and once
+more in motion together. Her spirits wanted the solitude and silence
+which only numbers could give.
+
+Charles and Henrietta returned, bringing, as may be conjectured,
+Charles Hayter with them. The minutiae of the business Anne could not
+attempt to understand; even Captain Wentworth did not seem admitted to
+perfect confidence here; but that there had been a withdrawing on the
+gentleman’s side, and a relenting on the lady’s, and that they were now
+very glad to be together again, did not admit a doubt. Henrietta looked
+a little ashamed, but very well pleased;—Charles Hayter exceedingly
+happy: and they were devoted to each other almost from the first
+instant of their all setting forward for Uppercross.
+
+Everything now marked out Louisa for Captain Wentworth; nothing could
+be plainer; and where many divisions were necessary, or even where they
+were not, they walked side by side nearly as much as the other two. In
+a long strip of meadow land, where there was ample space for all, they
+were thus divided, forming three distinct parties; and to that party of
+the three which boasted least animation, and least complaisance, Anne
+necessarily belonged. She joined Charles and Mary, and was tired enough
+to be very glad of Charles’s other arm; but Charles, though in very
+good humour with her, was out of temper with his wife. Mary had shewn
+herself disobliging to him, and was now to reap the consequence, which
+consequence was his dropping her arm almost every moment to cut off the
+heads of some nettles in the hedge with his switch; and when Mary began
+to complain of it, and lament her being ill-used, according to custom,
+in being on the hedge side, while Anne was never incommoded on the
+other, he dropped the arms of both to hunt after a weasel which he had
+a momentary glance of, and they could hardly get him along at all.
+
+This long meadow bordered a lane, which their footpath, at the end of
+it was to cross, and when the party had all reached the gate of exit,
+the carriage advancing in the same direction, which had been some time
+heard, was just coming up, and proved to be Admiral Croft’s gig. He and
+his wife had taken their intended drive, and were returning home. Upon
+hearing how long a walk the young people had engaged in, they kindly
+offered a seat to any lady who might be particularly tired; it would
+save her a full mile, and they were going through Uppercross. The
+invitation was general, and generally declined. The Miss Musgroves were
+not at all tired, and Mary was either offended, by not being asked
+before any of the others, or what Louisa called the Elliot pride could
+not endure to make a third in a one horse chaise.
+
+The walking party had crossed the lane, and were surmounting an
+opposite stile, and the Admiral was putting his horse in motion again,
+when Captain Wentworth cleared the hedge in a moment to say something
+to his sister. The something might be guessed by its effects.
+
+“Miss Elliot, I am sure _you_ are tired,” cried Mrs Croft. “Do let us
+have the pleasure of taking you home. Here is excellent room for three,
+I assure you. If we were all like you, I believe we might sit four. You
+must, indeed, you must.”
+
+Anne was still in the lane; and though instinctively beginning to
+decline, she was not allowed to proceed. The Admiral’s kind urgency
+came in support of his wife’s; they would not be refused; they
+compressed themselves into the smallest possible space to leave her a
+corner, and Captain Wentworth, without saying a word, turned to her,
+and quietly obliged her to be assisted into the carriage.
+
+Yes; he had done it. She was in the carriage, and felt that he had
+placed her there, that his will and his hands had done it, that she
+owed it to his perception of her fatigue, and his resolution to give
+her rest. She was very much affected by the view of his disposition
+towards her, which all these things made apparent. This little
+circumstance seemed the completion of all that had gone before. She
+understood him. He could not forgive her, but he could not be
+unfeeling. Though condemning her for the past, and considering it with
+high and unjust resentment, though perfectly careless of her, and
+though becoming attached to another, still he could not see her suffer,
+without the desire of giving her relief. It was a remainder of former
+sentiment; it was an impulse of pure, though unacknowledged friendship;
+it was a proof of his own warm and amiable heart, which she could not
+contemplate without emotions so compounded of pleasure and pain, that
+she knew not which prevailed.
+
+Her answers to the kindness and the remarks of her companions were at
+first unconsciously given. They had travelled half their way along the
+rough lane, before she was quite awake to what they said. She then
+found them talking of “Frederick.”
+
+“He certainly means to have one or other of those two girls, Sophy,”
+said the Admiral; “but there is no saying which. He has been running
+after them, too, long enough, one would think, to make up his mind. Ay,
+this comes of the peace. If it were war now, he would have settled it
+long ago. We sailors, Miss Elliot, cannot afford to make long
+courtships in time of war. How many days was it, my dear, between the
+first time of my seeing you and our sitting down together in our
+lodgings at North Yarmouth?”
+
+“We had better not talk about it, my dear,” replied Mrs Croft,
+pleasantly; “for if Miss Elliot were to hear how soon we came to an
+understanding, she would never be persuaded that we could be happy
+together. I had known you by character, however, long before.”
+
+“Well, and I had heard of you as a very pretty girl, and what were we
+to wait for besides? I do not like having such things so long in hand.
+I wish Frederick would spread a little more canvass, and bring us home
+one of these young ladies to Kellynch. Then there would always be
+company for them. And very nice young ladies they both are; I hardly
+know one from the other.”
+
+“Very good humoured, unaffected girls, indeed,” said Mrs Croft, in a
+tone of calmer praise, such as made Anne suspect that her keener powers
+might not consider either of them as quite worthy of her brother; “and
+a very respectable family. One could not be connected with better
+people. My dear Admiral, that post! we shall certainly take that post.”
+
+But by coolly giving the reins a better direction herself they happily
+passed the danger; and by once afterwards judiciously putting out her
+hand they neither fell into a rut, nor ran foul of a dung-cart; and
+Anne, with some amusement at their style of driving, which she imagined
+no bad representation of the general guidance of their affairs, found
+herself safely deposited by them at the Cottage.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XI.
+
+
+The time now approached for Lady Russell’s return: the day was even
+fixed; and Anne, being engaged to join her as soon as she was
+resettled, was looking forward to an early removal to Kellynch, and
+beginning to think how her own comfort was likely to be affected by it.
+
+It would place her in the same village with Captain Wentworth, within
+half a mile of him; they would have to frequent the same church, and
+there must be intercourse between the two families. This was against
+her; but on the other hand, he spent so much of his time at Uppercross,
+that in removing thence she might be considered rather as leaving him
+behind, than as going towards him; and, upon the whole, she believed
+she must, on this interesting question, be the gainer, almost as
+certainly as in her change of domestic society, in leaving poor Mary
+for Lady Russell.
+
+She wished it might be possible for her to avoid ever seeing Captain
+Wentworth at the Hall: those rooms had witnessed former meetings which
+would be brought too painfully before her; but she was yet more anxious
+for the possibility of Lady Russell and Captain Wentworth never meeting
+anywhere. They did not like each other, and no renewal of acquaintance
+now could do any good; and were Lady Russell to see them together, she
+might think that he had too much self-possession, and she too little.
+
+These points formed her chief solicitude in anticipating her removal
+from Uppercross, where she felt she had been stationed quite long
+enough. Her usefulness to little Charles would always give some
+sweetness to the memory of her two months’ visit there, but he was
+gaining strength apace, and she had nothing else to stay for.
+
+The conclusion of her visit, however, was diversified in a way which
+she had not at all imagined. Captain Wentworth, after being unseen and
+unheard of at Uppercross for two whole days, appeared again among them
+to justify himself by a relation of what had kept him away.
+
+A letter from his friend, Captain Harville, having found him out at
+last, had brought intelligence of Captain Harville’s being settled with
+his family at Lyme for the winter; of their being therefore, quite
+unknowingly, within twenty miles of each other. Captain Harville had
+never been in good health since a severe wound which he received two
+years before, and Captain Wentworth’s anxiety to see him had determined
+him to go immediately to Lyme. He had been there for four-and-twenty
+hours. His acquittal was complete, his friendship warmly honoured, a
+lively interest excited for his friend, and his description of the fine
+country about Lyme so feelingly attended to by the party, that an
+earnest desire to see Lyme themselves, and a project for going thither
+was the consequence.
+
+The young people were all wild to see Lyme. Captain Wentworth talked of
+going there again himself, it was only seventeen miles from Uppercross;
+though November, the weather was by no means bad; and, in short,
+Louisa, who was the most eager of the eager, having formed the
+resolution to go, and besides the pleasure of doing as she liked, being
+now armed with the idea of merit in maintaining her own way, bore down
+all the wishes of her father and mother for putting it off till summer;
+and to Lyme they were to go—Charles, Mary, Anne, Henrietta, Louisa, and
+Captain Wentworth.
+
+The first heedless scheme had been to go in the morning and return at
+night; but to this Mr Musgrove, for the sake of his horses, would not
+consent; and when it came to be rationally considered, a day in the
+middle of November would not leave much time for seeing a new place,
+after deducting seven hours, as the nature of the country required, for
+going and returning. They were, consequently, to stay the night there,
+and not to be expected back till the next day’s dinner. This was felt
+to be a considerable amendment; and though they all met at the Great
+House at rather an early breakfast hour, and set off very punctually,
+it was so much past noon before the two carriages, Mr Musgrove’s coach
+containing the four ladies, and Charles’s curricle, in which he drove
+Captain Wentworth, were descending the long hill into Lyme, and
+entering upon the still steeper street of the town itself, that it was
+very evident they would not have more than time for looking about them,
+before the light and warmth of the day were gone.
+
+After securing accommodations, and ordering a dinner at one of the
+inns, the next thing to be done was unquestionably to walk directly
+down to the sea. They were come too late in the year for any amusement
+or variety which Lyme, as a public place, might offer. The rooms were
+shut up, the lodgers almost all gone, scarcely any family but of the
+residents left; and, as there is nothing to admire in the buildings
+themselves, the remarkable situation of the town, the principal street
+almost hurrying into the water, the walk to the Cobb, skirting round
+the pleasant little bay, which, in the season, is animated with bathing
+machines and company; the Cobb itself, its old wonders and new
+improvements, with the very beautiful line of cliffs stretching out to
+the east of the town, are what the stranger’s eye will seek; and a very
+strange stranger it must be, who does not see charms in the immediate
+environs of Lyme, to make him wish to know it better. The scenes in its
+neighbourhood, Charmouth, with its high grounds and extensive sweeps of
+country, and still more, its sweet, retired bay, backed by dark cliffs,
+where fragments of low rock among the sands, make it the happiest spot
+for watching the flow of the tide, for sitting in unwearied
+contemplation; the woody varieties of the cheerful village of Up Lyme;
+and, above all, Pinny, with its green chasms between romantic rocks,
+where the scattered forest trees and orchards of luxuriant growth,
+declare that many a generation must have passed away since the first
+partial falling of the cliff prepared the ground for such a state,
+where a scene so wonderful and so lovely is exhibited, as may more than
+equal any of the resembling scenes of the far-famed Isle of Wight:
+these places must be visited, and visited again, to make the worth of
+Lyme understood.
+
+The party from Uppercross passing down by the now deserted and
+melancholy looking rooms, and still descending, soon found themselves
+on the sea-shore; and lingering only, as all must linger and gaze on a
+first return to the sea, who ever deserved to look on it at all,
+proceeded towards the Cobb, equally their object in itself and on
+Captain Wentworth’s account: for in a small house, near the foot of an
+old pier of unknown date, were the Harvilles settled. Captain Wentworth
+turned in to call on his friend; the others walked on, and he was to
+join them on the Cobb.
+
+They were by no means tired of wondering and admiring; and not even
+Louisa seemed to feel that they had parted with Captain Wentworth long,
+when they saw him coming after them, with three companions, all well
+known already, by description, to be Captain and Mrs Harville, and a
+Captain Benwick, who was staying with them.
+
+Captain Benwick had some time ago been first lieutenant of the Laconia;
+and the account which Captain Wentworth had given of him, on his return
+from Lyme before, his warm praise of him as an excellent young man and
+an officer, whom he had always valued highly, which must have stamped
+him well in the esteem of every listener, had been followed by a little
+history of his private life, which rendered him perfectly interesting
+in the eyes of all the ladies. He had been engaged to Captain
+Harville’s sister, and was now mourning her loss. They had been a year
+or two waiting for fortune and promotion. Fortune came, his prize-money
+as lieutenant being great; promotion, too, came at _last;_ but Fanny
+Harville did not live to know it. She had died the preceding summer
+while he was at sea. Captain Wentworth believed it impossible for man
+to be more attached to woman than poor Benwick had been to Fanny
+Harville, or to be more deeply afflicted under the dreadful change. He
+considered his disposition as of the sort which must suffer heavily,
+uniting very strong feelings with quiet, serious, and retiring manners,
+and a decided taste for reading, and sedentary pursuits. To finish the
+interest of the story, the friendship between him and the Harvilles
+seemed, if possible, augmented by the event which closed all their
+views of alliance, and Captain Benwick was now living with them
+entirely. Captain Harville had taken his present house for half a year;
+his taste, and his health, and his fortune, all directing him to a
+residence inexpensive, and by the sea; and the grandeur of the country,
+and the retirement of Lyme in the winter, appeared exactly adapted to
+Captain Benwick’s state of mind. The sympathy and good-will excited
+towards Captain Benwick was very great.
+
+“And yet,” said Anne to herself, as they now moved forward to meet the
+party, “he has not, perhaps, a more sorrowing heart than I have. I
+cannot believe his prospects so blighted for ever. He is younger than I
+am; younger in feeling, if not in fact; younger as a man. He will rally
+again, and be happy with another.”
+
+They all met, and were introduced. Captain Harville was a tall, dark
+man, with a sensible, benevolent countenance; a little lame; and from
+strong features and want of health, looking much older than Captain
+Wentworth. Captain Benwick looked, and was, the youngest of the three,
+and, compared with either of them, a little man. He had a pleasing face
+and a melancholy air, just as he ought to have, and drew back from
+conversation.
+
+Captain Harville, though not equalling Captain Wentworth in manners,
+was a perfect gentleman, unaffected, warm, and obliging. Mrs Harville,
+a degree less polished than her husband, seemed, however, to have the
+same good feelings; and nothing could be more pleasant than their
+desire of considering the whole party as friends of their own, because
+the friends of Captain Wentworth, or more kindly hospitable than their
+entreaties for their all promising to dine with them. The dinner,
+already ordered at the inn, was at last, though unwillingly, accepted
+as a excuse; but they seemed almost hurt that Captain Wentworth should
+have brought any such party to Lyme, without considering it as a thing
+of course that they should dine with them.
+
+There was so much attachment to Captain Wentworth in all this, and such
+a bewitching charm in a degree of hospitality so uncommon, so unlike
+the usual style of give-and-take invitations, and dinners of formality
+and display, that Anne felt her spirits not likely to be benefited by
+an increasing acquaintance among his brother-officers. “These would
+have been all my friends,” was her thought; and she had to struggle
+against a great tendency to lowness.
+
+On quitting the Cobb, they all went in-doors with their new friends,
+and found rooms so small as none but those who invite from the heart
+could think capable of accommodating so many. Anne had a moment’s
+astonishment on the subject herself; but it was soon lost in the
+pleasanter feelings which sprang from the sight of all the ingenious
+contrivances and nice arrangements of Captain Harville, to turn the
+actual space to the best account, to supply the deficiencies of
+lodging-house furniture, and defend the windows and doors against the
+winter storms to be expected. The varieties in the fitting-up of the
+rooms, where the common necessaries provided by the owner, in the
+common indifferent plight, were contrasted with some few articles of a
+rare species of wood, excellently worked up, and with something curious
+and valuable from all the distant countries Captain Harville had
+visited, were more than amusing to Anne; connected as it all was with
+his profession, the fruit of its labours, the effect of its influence
+on his habits, the picture of repose and domestic happiness it
+presented, made it to her a something more, or less, than
+gratification.
+
+Captain Harville was no reader; but he had contrived excellent
+accommodations, and fashioned very pretty shelves, for a tolerable
+collection of well-bound volumes, the property of Captain Benwick. His
+lameness prevented him from taking much exercise; but a mind of
+usefulness and ingenuity seemed to furnish him with constant employment
+within. He drew, he varnished, he carpentered, he glued; he made toys
+for the children; he fashioned new netting-needles and pins with
+improvements; and if everything else was done, sat down to his large
+fishing-net at one corner of the room.
+
+Anne thought she left great happiness behind her when they quitted the
+house; and Louisa, by whom she found herself walking, burst forth into
+raptures of admiration and delight on the character of the navy; their
+friendliness, their brotherliness, their openness, their uprightness;
+protesting that she was convinced of sailors having more worth and
+warmth than any other set of men in England; that they only knew how to
+live, and they only deserved to be respected and loved.
+
+They went back to dress and dine; and so well had the scheme answered
+already, that nothing was found amiss; though its being “so entirely
+out of season,” and the “no thoroughfare of Lyme,” and the “no
+expectation of company,” had brought many apologies from the heads of
+the inn.
+
+Anne found herself by this time growing so much more hardened to being
+in Captain Wentworth’s company than she had at first imagined could
+ever be, that the sitting down to the same table with him now, and the
+interchange of the common civilities attending on it (they never got
+beyond), was become a mere nothing.
+
+The nights were too dark for the ladies to meet again till the morrow,
+but Captain Harville had promised them a visit in the evening; and he
+came, bringing his friend also, which was more than had been expected,
+it having been agreed that Captain Benwick had all the appearance of
+being oppressed by the presence of so many strangers. He ventured among
+them again, however, though his spirits certainly did not seem fit for
+the mirth of the party in general.
+
+While Captains Wentworth and Harville led the talk on one side of the
+room, and by recurring to former days, supplied anecdotes in abundance
+to occupy and entertain the others, it fell to Anne’s lot to be placed
+rather apart with Captain Benwick; and a very good impulse of her
+nature obliged her to begin an acquaintance with him. He was shy, and
+disposed to abstraction; but the engaging mildness of her countenance,
+and gentleness of her manners, soon had their effect; and Anne was well
+repaid the first trouble of exertion. He was evidently a young man of
+considerable taste in reading, though principally in poetry; and
+besides the persuasion of having given him at least an evening’s
+indulgence in the discussion of subjects, which his usual companions
+had probably no concern in, she had the hope of being of real use to
+him in some suggestions as to the duty and benefit of struggling
+against affliction, which had naturally grown out of their
+conversation. For, though shy, he did not seem reserved; it had rather
+the appearance of feelings glad to burst their usual restraints; and
+having talked of poetry, the richness of the present age, and gone
+through a brief comparison of opinion as to the first-rate poets,
+trying to ascertain whether _Marmion_ or _The Lady of the Lake_ were to
+be preferred, and how ranked the _Giaour_ and _The Bride of Abydos;_
+and moreover, how the _Giaour_ was to be pronounced, he showed himself
+so intimately acquainted with all the tenderest songs of the one poet,
+and all the impassioned descriptions of hopeless agony of the other; he
+repeated, with such tremulous feeling, the various lines which imaged a
+broken heart, or a mind destroyed by wretchedness, and looked so
+entirely as if he meant to be understood, that she ventured to hope he
+did not always read only poetry, and to say, that she thought it was
+the misfortune of poetry to be seldom safely enjoyed by those who
+enjoyed it completely; and that the strong feelings which alone could
+estimate it truly were the very feelings which ought to taste it but
+sparingly.
+
+His looks shewing him not pained, but pleased with this allusion to his
+situation, she was emboldened to go on; and feeling in herself the
+right of seniority of mind, she ventured to recommend a larger
+allowance of prose in his daily study; and on being requested to
+particularize, mentioned such works of our best moralists, such
+collections of the finest letters, such memoirs of characters of worth
+and suffering, as occurred to her at the moment as calculated to rouse
+and fortify the mind by the highest precepts, and the strongest
+examples of moral and religious endurances.
+
+Captain Benwick listened attentively, and seemed grateful for the
+interest implied; and though with a shake of the head, and sighs which
+declared his little faith in the efficacy of any books on grief like
+his, noted down the names of those she recommended, and promised to
+procure and read them.
+
+When the evening was over, Anne could not but be amused at the idea of
+her coming to Lyme to preach patience and resignation to a young man
+whom she had never seen before; nor could she help fearing, on more
+serious reflection, that, like many other great moralists and
+preachers, she had been eloquent on a point in which her own conduct
+would ill bear examination.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XII.
+
+
+Anne and Henrietta, finding themselves the earliest of the party the
+next morning, agreed to stroll down to the sea before breakfast. They
+went to the sands, to watch the flowing of the tide, which a fine
+south-easterly breeze was bringing in with all the grandeur which so
+flat a shore admitted. They praised the morning; gloried in the sea;
+sympathized in the delight of the fresh-feeling breeze—and were silent;
+till Henrietta suddenly began again with—
+
+“Oh! yes,—I am quite convinced that, with very few exceptions, the
+sea-air always does good. There can be no doubt of its having been of
+the greatest service to Dr Shirley, after his illness, last spring
+twelvemonth. He declares himself, that coming to Lyme for a month, did
+him more good than all the medicine he took; and that being by the
+sea always makes him feel young again. Now, I cannot help thinking it
+a pity that he does not live entirely by the sea. I do think he had
+better leave Uppercross entirely, and fix at Lyme. Do not you, Anne? Do
+not you agree with me, that it is the best thing he could do, both for
+himself and Mrs Shirley? She has cousins here, you know, and many
+acquaintance, which would make it cheerful for her, and I am sure she
+would be glad to get to a place where she could have medical attendance
+at hand, in case of his having another seizure. Indeed I think it quite
+melancholy to have such excellent people as Dr and Mrs Shirley, who
+have been doing good all their lives, wearing out their last days in a
+place like Uppercross, where, excepting our family, they seem shut out
+from all the world. I wish his friends would propose it to him. I
+really think they ought. And, as to procuring a dispensation, there
+could be no difficulty at his time of life, and with his character. My
+only doubt is, whether anything could persuade him to leave his parish.
+He is so very strict and scrupulous in his notions; over-scrupulous I
+must say. Do not you think, Anne, it is being over-scrupulous? Do not
+you think it is quite a mistaken point of conscience, when a clergyman
+sacrifices his health for the sake of duties, which may be just as well
+performed by another person? And at Lyme too, only seventeen miles off,
+he would be near enough to hear, if people thought there was anything
+to complain of.”
+
+Anne smiled more than once to herself during this speech, and entered
+into the subject, as ready to do good by entering into the feelings of
+a young lady as of a young man, though here it was good of a lower
+standard, for what could be offered but general acquiescence? She said
+all that was reasonable and proper on the business; felt the claims of
+Dr Shirley to repose as she ought; saw how very desirable it was that
+he should have some active, respectable young man as a resident
+curate, and was even courteous enough to hint at the advantage of such
+resident curate’s being married.
+
+“I wish,” said Henrietta, very well pleased with her companion, “I wish
+Lady Russell lived at Uppercross, and were intimate with Dr Shirley. I
+have always heard of Lady Russell as a woman of the greatest influence
+with everybody! I always look upon her as able to persuade a person to
+anything! I am afraid of her, as I have told you before, quite afraid
+of her, because she is so very clever; but I respect her amazingly, and
+wish we had such a neighbour at Uppercross.”
+
+Anne was amused by Henrietta’s manner of being grateful, and amused
+also that the course of events and the new interests of Henrietta’s
+views should have placed her friend at all in favour with any of the
+Musgrove family; she had only time, however, for a general answer, and
+a wish that such another woman were at Uppercross, before all subjects
+suddenly ceased, on seeing Louisa and Captain Wentworth coming towards
+them. They came also for a stroll till breakfast was likely to be
+ready; but Louisa recollecting immediately afterwards that she had
+something to procure at a shop, invited them all to go back with her
+into the town. They were all at her disposal.
+
+When they came to the steps, leading upwards from the beach, a
+gentleman, at the same moment preparing to come down, politely drew
+back, and stopped to give them way. They ascended and passed him; and
+as they passed, Anne’s face caught his eye, and he looked at her with a
+degree of earnest admiration, which she could not be insensible of. She
+was looking remarkably well; her very regular, very pretty features,
+having the bloom and freshness of youth restored by the fine wind which
+had been blowing on her complexion, and by the animation of eye which
+it had also produced. It was evident that the gentleman, (completely a
+gentleman in manner) admired her exceedingly. Captain Wentworth looked
+round at her instantly in a way which shewed his noticing of it. He
+gave her a momentary glance, a glance of brightness, which seemed to
+say, “That man is struck with you, and even I, at this moment, see
+something like Anne Elliot again.”
+
+After attending Louisa through her business, and loitering about a
+little longer, they returned to the inn; and Anne, in passing
+afterwards quickly from her own chamber to their dining-room, had
+nearly run against the very same gentleman, as he came out of an
+adjoining apartment. She had before conjectured him to be a stranger
+like themselves, and determined that a well-looking groom, who was
+strolling about near the two inns as they came back, should be his
+servant. Both master and man being in mourning assisted the idea. It
+was now proved that he belonged to the same inn as themselves; and this
+second meeting, short as it was, also proved again by the gentleman’s
+looks, that he thought hers very lovely, and by the readiness and
+propriety of his apologies, that he was a man of exceedingly good
+manners. He seemed about thirty, and though not handsome, had an
+agreeable person. Anne felt that she should like to know who he was.
+
+They had nearly done breakfast, when the sound of a carriage, (almost
+the first they had heard since entering Lyme) drew half the party to
+the window. It was a gentleman’s carriage, a curricle, but only coming
+round from the stable-yard to the front door; somebody must be going
+away. It was driven by a servant in mourning.
+
+The word curricle made Charles Musgrove jump up that he might compare
+it with his own; the servant in mourning roused Anne’s curiosity, and
+the whole six were collected to look, by the time the owner of the
+curricle was to be seen issuing from the door amidst the bows and
+civilities of the household, and taking his seat, to drive off.
+
+“Ah!” cried Captain Wentworth, instantly, and with half a glance at
+Anne, “it is the very man we passed.”
+
+The Miss Musgroves agreed to it; and having all kindly watched him as
+far up the hill as they could, they returned to the breakfast table.
+The waiter came into the room soon afterwards.
+
+“Pray,” said Captain Wentworth, immediately, “can you tell us the name
+of the gentleman who is just gone away?”
+
+“Yes, Sir, a Mr Elliot, a gentleman of large fortune, came in last
+night from Sidmouth. Dare say you heard the carriage, sir, while you
+were at dinner; and going on now for Crewkherne, in his way to Bath and
+London.”
+
+“Elliot!” Many had looked on each other, and many had repeated the
+name, before all this had been got through, even by the smart rapidity
+of a waiter.
+
+“Bless me!” cried Mary; “it must be our cousin; it must be our Mr
+Elliot, it must, indeed! Charles, Anne, must not it? In mourning, you
+see, just as our Mr Elliot must be. How very extraordinary! In the very
+same inn with us! Anne, must not it be our Mr Elliot? my father’s next
+heir? Pray sir,” turning to the waiter, “did not you hear, did not his
+servant say whether he belonged to the Kellynch family?”
+
+“No, ma’am, he did not mention no particular family; but he said his
+master was a very rich gentleman, and would be a baronight some day.”
+
+“There! you see!” cried Mary in an ecstasy, “just as I said! Heir to
+Sir Walter Elliot! I was sure that would come out, if it was so. Depend
+upon it, that is a circumstance which his servants take care to
+publish, wherever he goes. But, Anne, only conceive how extraordinary!
+I wish I had looked at him more. I wish we had been aware in time, who
+it was, that he might have been introduced to us. What a pity that we
+should not have been introduced to each other! Do you think he had the
+Elliot countenance? I hardly looked at him, I was looking at the
+horses; but I think he had something of the Elliot countenance, I
+wonder the arms did not strike me! Oh! the great-coat was hanging over
+the panel, and hid the arms, so it did; otherwise, I am sure, I should
+have observed them, and the livery too; if the servant had not been in
+mourning, one should have known him by the livery.”
+
+“Putting all these very extraordinary circumstances together,” said
+Captain Wentworth, “we must consider it to be the arrangement of
+Providence, that you should not be introduced to your cousin.”
+
+When she could command Mary’s attention, Anne quietly tried to convince
+her that their father and Mr Elliot had not, for many years, been on
+such terms as to make the power of attempting an introduction at all
+desirable.
+
+At the same time, however, it was a secret gratification to herself to
+have seen her cousin, and to know that the future owner of Kellynch was
+undoubtedly a gentleman, and had an air of good sense. She would not,
+upon any account, mention her having met with him the second time;
+luckily Mary did not much attend to their having passed close by him in
+their earlier walk, but she would have felt quite ill-used by Anne’s
+having actually run against him in the passage, and received his very
+polite excuses, while she had never been near him at all; no, that
+cousinly little interview must remain a perfect secret.
+
+“Of course,” said Mary, “you will mention our seeing Mr Elliot, the
+next time you write to Bath. I think my father certainly ought to hear
+of it; do mention all about him.”
+
+Anne avoided a direct reply, but it was just the circumstance which she
+considered as not merely unnecessary to be communicated, but as what
+ought to be suppressed. The offence which had been given her father,
+many years back, she knew; Elizabeth’s particular share in it she
+suspected; and that Mr Elliot’s idea always produced irritation in both
+was beyond a doubt. Mary never wrote to Bath herself; all the toil of
+keeping up a slow and unsatisfactory correspondence with Elizabeth fell
+on Anne.
+
+Breakfast had not been long over, when they were joined by Captain and
+Mrs Harville and Captain Benwick; with whom they had appointed to take
+their last walk about Lyme. They ought to be setting off for Uppercross
+by one, and in the meanwhile were to be all together, and out of doors
+as long as they could.
+
+Anne found Captain Benwick getting near her, as soon as they were all
+fairly in the street. Their conversation the preceding evening did not
+disincline him to seek her again; and they walked together some time,
+talking as before of Mr Scott and Lord Byron, and still as unable as
+before, and as unable as any other two readers, to think exactly alike
+of the merits of either, till something occasioned an almost general
+change amongst their party, and instead of Captain Benwick, she had
+Captain Harville by her side.
+
+“Miss Elliot,” said he, speaking rather low, “you have done a good deed
+in making that poor fellow talk so much. I wish he could have such
+company oftener. It is bad for him, I know, to be shut up as he is; but
+what can we do? We cannot part.”
+
+“No,” said Anne, “that I can easily believe to be impossible; but in
+time, perhaps—we know what time does in every case of affliction, and
+you must remember, Captain Harville, that your friend may yet be called
+a young mourner—only last summer, I understand.”
+
+“Ay, true enough,” (with a deep sigh) “only June.”
+
+“And not known to him, perhaps, so soon.”
+
+“Not till the first week of August, when he came home from the Cape,
+just made into the Grappler. I was at Plymouth dreading to hear of him;
+he sent in letters, but the Grappler was under orders for Portsmouth.
+There the news must follow him, but who was to tell it? not I. I would
+as soon have been run up to the yard-arm. Nobody could do it, but that
+good fellow” (pointing to Captain Wentworth). “The Laconia had come
+into Plymouth the week before; no danger of her being sent to sea
+again. He stood his chance for the rest; wrote up for leave of absence,
+but without waiting the return, travelled night and day till he got to
+Portsmouth, rowed off to the Grappler that instant, and never left the
+poor fellow for a week. That’s what he did, and nobody else could have
+saved poor James. You may think, Miss Elliot, whether he is dear to
+us!”
+
+Anne did think on the question with perfect decision, and said as much
+in reply as her own feeling could accomplish, or as his seemed able to
+bear, for he was too much affected to renew the subject, and when he
+spoke again, it was of something totally different.
+
+Mrs Harville’s giving it as her opinion that her husband would have
+quite walking enough by the time he reached home, determined the
+direction of all the party in what was to be their last walk; they
+would accompany them to their door, and then return and set off
+themselves. By all their calculations there was just time for this; but
+as they drew near the Cobb, there was such a general wish to walk along
+it once more, all were so inclined, and Louisa soon grew so determined,
+that the difference of a quarter of an hour, it was found, would be no
+difference at all; so with all the kind leave-taking, and all the kind
+interchange of invitations and promises which may be imagined, they
+parted from Captain and Mrs Harville at their own door, and still
+accompanied by Captain Benwick, who seemed to cling to them to the
+last, proceeded to make the proper adieus to the Cobb.
+
+Anne found Captain Benwick again drawing near her. Lord Byron’s “dark
+blue seas” could not fail of being brought forward by their present
+view, and she gladly gave him all her attention as long as attention
+was possible. It was soon drawn, perforce another way.
+
+There was too much wind to make the high part of the new Cobb pleasant
+for the ladies, and they agreed to get down the steps to the lower, and
+all were contented to pass quietly and carefully down the steep flight,
+excepting Louisa; she must be jumped down them by Captain Wentworth. In
+all their walks, he had had to jump her from the stiles; the sensation
+was delightful to her. The hardness of the pavement for her feet, made
+him less willing upon the present occasion; he did it, however. She was
+safely down, and instantly, to show her enjoyment, ran up the steps to
+be jumped down again. He advised her against it, thought the jar too
+great; but no, he reasoned and talked in vain, she smiled and said, “I
+am determined I will:” he put out his hands; she was too precipitate by
+half a second, she fell on the pavement on the Lower Cobb, and was
+taken up lifeless! There was no wound, no blood, no visible bruise; but
+her eyes were closed, she breathed not, her face was like death. The
+horror of the moment to all who stood around!
+
+Captain Wentworth, who had caught her up, knelt with her in his arms,
+looking on her with a face as pallid as her own, in an agony of
+silence. “She is dead! she is dead!” screamed Mary, catching hold of
+her husband, and contributing with his own horror to make him
+immoveable; and in another moment, Henrietta, sinking under the
+conviction, lost her senses too, and would have fallen on the steps,
+but for Captain Benwick and Anne, who caught and supported her between
+them.
+
+“Is there no one to help me?” were the first words which burst from
+Captain Wentworth, in a tone of despair, and as if all his own strength
+were gone.
+
+“Go to him, go to him,” cried Anne, “for heaven’s sake go to him. I can
+support her myself. Leave me, and go to him. Rub her hands, rub her
+temples; here are salts; take them, take them.”
+
+Captain Benwick obeyed, and Charles at the same moment, disengaging
+himself from his wife, they were both with him; and Louisa was raised
+up and supported more firmly between them, and everything was done that
+Anne had prompted, but in vain; while Captain Wentworth, staggering
+against the wall for his support, exclaimed in the bitterest agony—
+
+“Oh God! her father and mother!”
+
+“A surgeon!” said Anne.
+
+He caught the word; it seemed to rouse him at once, and saying
+only—“True, true, a surgeon this instant,” was darting away, when Anne
+eagerly suggested—
+
+“Captain Benwick, would not it be better for Captain Benwick? He knows
+where a surgeon is to be found.”
+
+Every one capable of thinking felt the advantage of the idea, and in a
+moment (it was all done in rapid moments) Captain Benwick had resigned
+the poor corpse-like figure entirely to the brother’s care, and was off
+for the town with the utmost rapidity.
+
+As to the wretched party left behind, it could scarcely be said which
+of the three, who were completely rational, was suffering most: Captain
+Wentworth, Anne, or Charles, who, really a very affectionate brother,
+hung over Louisa with sobs of grief, and could only turn his eyes from
+one sister, to see the other in a state as insensible, or to witness
+the hysterical agitations of his wife, calling on him for help which he
+could not give.
+
+Anne, attending with all the strength and zeal, and thought, which
+instinct supplied, to Henrietta, still tried, at intervals, to suggest
+comfort to the others, tried to quiet Mary, to animate Charles, to
+assuage the feelings of Captain Wentworth. Both seemed to look to her
+for directions.
+
+“Anne, Anne,” cried Charles, “What is to be done next? What, in
+heaven’s name, is to be done next?”
+
+Captain Wentworth’s eyes were also turned towards her.
+
+“Had not she better be carried to the inn? Yes, I am sure: carry her
+gently to the inn.”
+
+“Yes, yes, to the inn,” repeated Captain Wentworth, comparatively
+collected, and eager to be doing something. “I will carry her myself.
+Musgrove, take care of the others.”
+
+By this time the report of the accident had spread among the workmen
+and boatmen about the Cobb, and many were collected near them, to be
+useful if wanted, at any rate, to enjoy the sight of a dead young lady,
+nay, two dead young ladies, for it proved twice as fine as the first
+report. To some of the best-looking of these good people Henrietta was
+consigned, for, though partially revived, she was quite helpless; and
+in this manner, Anne walking by her side, and Charles attending to his
+wife, they set forward, treading back with feelings unutterable, the
+ground, which so lately, so very lately, and so light of heart, they
+had passed along.
+
+They were not off the Cobb, before the Harvilles met them. Captain
+Benwick had been seen flying by their house, with a countenance which
+showed something to be wrong; and they had set off immediately,
+informed and directed as they passed, towards the spot. Shocked as
+Captain Harville was, he brought senses and nerves that could be
+instantly useful; and a look between him and his wife decided what was
+to be done. She must be taken to their house; all must go to their
+house; and await the surgeon’s arrival there. They would not listen to
+scruples: he was obeyed; they were all beneath his roof; and while
+Louisa, under Mrs Harville’s direction, was conveyed up stairs, and
+given possession of her own bed, assistance, cordials, restoratives
+were supplied by her husband to all who needed them.
+
+Louisa had once opened her eyes, but soon closed them again, without
+apparent consciousness. This had been a proof of life, however, of
+service to her sister; and Henrietta, though perfectly incapable of
+being in the same room with Louisa, was kept, by the agitation of hope
+and fear, from a return of her own insensibility. Mary, too, was
+growing calmer.
+
+The surgeon was with them almost before it had seemed possible. They
+were sick with horror, while he examined; but he was not hopeless. The
+head had received a severe contusion, but he had seen greater injuries
+recovered from: he was by no means hopeless; he spoke cheerfully.
+
+That he did not regard it as a desperate case, that he did not say a
+few hours must end it, was at first felt, beyond the hope of most; and
+the ecstasy of such a reprieve, the rejoicing, deep and silent, after a
+few fervent ejaculations of gratitude to Heaven had been offered, may
+be conceived.
+
+The tone, the look, with which “Thank God!” was uttered by Captain
+Wentworth, Anne was sure could never be forgotten by her; nor the sight
+of him afterwards, as he sat near a table, leaning over it with folded
+arms and face concealed, as if overpowered by the various feelings of
+his soul, and trying by prayer and reflection to calm them.
+
+Louisa’s limbs had escaped. There was no injury but to the head.
+
+It now became necessary for the party to consider what was best to be
+done, as to their general situation. They were now able to speak to
+each other and consult. That Louisa must remain where she was, however
+distressing to her friends to be involving the Harvilles in such
+trouble, did not admit a doubt. Her removal was impossible. The
+Harvilles silenced all scruples; and, as much as they could, all
+gratitude. They had looked forward and arranged everything before the
+others began to reflect. Captain Benwick must give up his room to them,
+and get another bed elsewhere; and the whole was settled. They were
+only concerned that the house could accommodate no more; and yet
+perhaps, by “putting the children away in the maid’s room, or swinging
+a cot somewhere,” they could hardly bear to think of not finding room
+for two or three besides, supposing they might wish to stay; though,
+with regard to any attendance on Miss Musgrove, there need not be the
+least uneasiness in leaving her to Mrs Harville’s care entirely. Mrs
+Harville was a very experienced nurse, and her nursery-maid, who had
+lived with her long, and gone about with her everywhere, was just such
+another. Between these two, she could want no possible attendance by
+day or night. And all this was said with a truth and sincerity of
+feeling irresistible.
+
+Charles, Henrietta, and Captain Wentworth were the three in
+consultation, and for a little while it was only an interchange of
+perplexity and terror. “Uppercross, the necessity of some one’s going
+to Uppercross; the news to be conveyed; how it could be broken to Mr
+and Mrs Musgrove; the lateness of the morning; an hour already gone
+since they ought to have been off; the impossibility of being in
+tolerable time.” At first, they were capable of nothing more to the
+purpose than such exclamations; but, after a while, Captain Wentworth,
+exerting himself, said—
+
+“We must be decided, and without the loss of another minute. Every
+minute is valuable. Some one must resolve on being off for Uppercross
+instantly. Musgrove, either you or I must go.”
+
+Charles agreed, but declared his resolution of not going away. He would
+be as little incumbrance as possible to Captain and Mrs Harville; but
+as to leaving his sister in such a state, he neither ought, nor would.
+So far it was decided; and Henrietta at first declared the same. She,
+however, was soon persuaded to think differently. The usefulness of her
+staying! She who had not been able to remain in Louisa’s room, or to
+look at her, without sufferings which made her worse than helpless! She
+was forced to acknowledge that she could do no good, yet was still
+unwilling to be away, till, touched by the thought of her father and
+mother, she gave it up; she consented, she was anxious to be at home.
+
+The plan had reached this point, when Anne, coming quietly down from
+Louisa’s room, could not but hear what followed, for the parlour door
+was open.
+
+“Then it is settled, Musgrove,” cried Captain Wentworth, “that you
+stay, and that I take care of your sister home. But as to the rest, as
+to the others, if one stays to assist Mrs Harville, I think it need be
+only one. Mrs Charles Musgrove will, of course, wish to get back to her
+children; but if Anne will stay, no one so proper, so capable as Anne.”
+
+She paused a moment to recover from the emotion of hearing herself so
+spoken of. The other two warmly agreed with what he said, and she then
+appeared.
+
+“You will stay, I am sure; you will stay and nurse her;” cried he,
+turning to her and speaking with a glow, and yet a gentleness, which
+seemed almost restoring the past. She coloured deeply, and he
+recollected himself and moved away. She expressed herself most willing,
+ready, happy to remain. “It was what she had been thinking of, and
+wishing to be allowed to do. A bed on the floor in Louisa’s room would
+be sufficient for her, if Mrs Harville would but think so.”
+
+One thing more, and all seemed arranged. Though it was rather desirable
+that Mr and Mrs Musgrove should be previously alarmed by some share of
+delay; yet the time required by the Uppercross horses to take them
+back, would be a dreadful extension of suspense; and Captain Wentworth
+proposed, and Charles Musgrove agreed, that it would be much better for
+him to take a chaise from the inn, and leave Mr Musgrove’s carriage and
+horses to be sent home the next morning early, when there would be the
+farther advantage of sending an account of Louisa’s night.
+
+Captain Wentworth now hurried off to get everything ready on his part,
+and to be soon followed by the two ladies. When the plan was made known
+to Mary, however, there was an end of all peace in it. She was so
+wretched and so vehement, complained so much of injustice in being
+expected to go away instead of Anne; Anne, who was nothing to Louisa,
+while she was her sister, and had the best right to stay in Henrietta’s
+stead! Why was not she to be as useful as Anne? And to go home without
+Charles, too, without her husband! No, it was too unkind. And in short,
+she said more than her husband could long withstand, and as none of the
+others could oppose when he gave way, there was no help for it; the
+change of Mary for Anne was inevitable.
+
+Anne had never submitted more reluctantly to the jealous and
+ill-judging claims of Mary; but so it must be, and they set off for the
+town, Charles taking care of his sister, and Captain Benwick attending
+to her. She gave a moment’s recollection, as they hurried along, to the
+little circumstances which the same spots had witnessed earlier in the
+morning. There she had listened to Henrietta’s schemes for Dr Shirley’s
+leaving Uppercross; farther on, she had first seen Mr Elliot; a moment
+seemed all that could now be given to any one but Louisa, or those who
+were wrapped up in her welfare.
+
+Captain Benwick was most considerately attentive to her; and, united as
+they all seemed by the distress of the day, she felt an increasing
+degree of good-will towards him, and a pleasure even in thinking that
+it might, perhaps, be the occasion of continuing their acquaintance.
+
+Captain Wentworth was on the watch for them, and a chaise and four in
+waiting, stationed for their convenience in the lowest part of the
+street; but his evident surprise and vexation at the substitution of
+one sister for the other, the change in his countenance, the
+astonishment, the expressions begun and suppressed, with which Charles
+was listened to, made but a mortifying reception of Anne; or must at
+least convince her that she was valued only as she could be useful to
+Louisa.
+
+She endeavoured to be composed, and to be just. Without emulating the
+feelings of an Emma towards her Henry, she would have attended on
+Louisa with a zeal above the common claims of regard, for his sake; and
+she hoped he would not long be so unjust as to suppose she would shrink
+unnecessarily from the office of a friend.
+
+In the meanwhile she was in the carriage. He had handed them both in,
+and placed himself between them; and in this manner, under these
+circumstances, full of astonishment and emotion to Anne, she quitted
+Lyme. How the long stage would pass; how it was to affect their
+manners; what was to be their sort of intercourse, she could not
+foresee. It was all quite natural, however. He was devoted to
+Henrietta; always turning towards her; and when he spoke at all, always
+with the view of supporting her hopes and raising her spirits. In
+general, his voice and manner were studiously calm. To spare Henrietta
+from agitation seemed the governing principle. Once only, when she had
+been grieving over the last ill-judged, ill-fated walk to the Cobb,
+bitterly lamenting that it ever had been thought of, he burst forth, as
+if wholly overcome—
+
+“Don’t talk of it, don’t talk of it,” he cried. “Oh God! that I had not
+given way to her at the fatal moment! Had I done as I ought! But so
+eager and so resolute! Dear, sweet Louisa!”
+
+Anne wondered whether it ever occurred to him now, to question the
+justness of his own previous opinion as to the universal felicity and
+advantage of firmness of character; and whether it might not strike him
+that, like all other qualities of the mind, it should have its
+proportions and limits. She thought it could scarcely escape him to
+feel that a persuadable temper might sometimes be as much in favour of
+happiness as a very resolute character.
+
+They got on fast. Anne was astonished to recognise the same hills and
+the same objects so soon. Their actual speed, heightened by some dread
+of the conclusion, made the road appear but half as long as on the day
+before. It was growing quite dusk, however, before they were in the
+neighbourhood of Uppercross, and there had been total silence among
+them for some time, Henrietta leaning back in the corner, with a shawl
+over her face, giving the hope of her having cried herself to sleep;
+when, as they were going up their last hill, Anne found herself all at
+once addressed by Captain Wentworth. In a low, cautious voice, he
+said:—
+
+“I have been considering what we had best do. She must not appear at
+first. She could not stand it. I have been thinking whether you had not
+better remain in the carriage with her, while I go in and break it to
+Mr and Mrs Musgrove. Do you think this is a good plan?”
+
+She did: he was satisfied, and said no more. But the remembrance of the
+appeal remained a pleasure to her, as a proof of friendship, and of
+deference for her judgement, a great pleasure; and when it became a
+sort of parting proof, its value did not lessen.
+
+When the distressing communication at Uppercross was over, and he had
+seen the father and mother quite as composed as could be hoped, and the
+daughter all the better for being with them, he announced his intention
+of returning in the same carriage to Lyme; and when the horses were
+baited, he was off.
+
+(End of volume one.)
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XIII.
+
+
+The remainder of Anne’s time at Uppercross, comprehending only two
+days, was spent entirely at the Mansion House; and she had the
+satisfaction of knowing herself extremely useful there, both as an
+immediate companion, and as assisting in all those arrangements for the
+future, which, in Mr and Mrs Musgrove’s distressed state of spirits,
+would have been difficulties.
+
+They had an early account from Lyme the next morning. Louisa was much
+the same. No symptoms worse than before had appeared. Charles came a
+few hours afterwards, to bring a later and more particular account. He
+was tolerably cheerful. A speedy cure must not be hoped, but everything
+was going on as well as the nature of the case admitted. In speaking of
+the Harvilles, he seemed unable to satisfy his own sense of their
+kindness, especially of Mrs Harville’s exertions as a nurse. “She
+really left nothing for Mary to do. He and Mary had been persuaded to
+go early to their inn last night. Mary had been hysterical again this
+morning. When he came away, she was going to walk out with Captain
+Benwick, which, he hoped, would do her good. He almost wished she had
+been prevailed on to come home the day before; but the truth was, that
+Mrs Harville left nothing for anybody to do.”
+
+Charles was to return to Lyme the same afternoon, and his father had at
+first half a mind to go with him, but the ladies could not consent. It
+would be going only to multiply trouble to the others, and increase his
+own distress; and a much better scheme followed and was acted upon. A
+chaise was sent for from Crewkherne, and Charles conveyed back a far
+more useful person in the old nursery-maid of the family, one who
+having brought up all the children, and seen the very last, the
+lingering and long-petted Master Harry, sent to school after his
+brothers, was now living in her deserted nursery to mend stockings and
+dress all the blains and bruises she could get near her, and who,
+consequently, was only too happy in being allowed to go and help nurse
+dear Miss Louisa. Vague wishes of getting Sarah thither, had occurred
+before to Mrs Musgrove and Henrietta; but without Anne, it would hardly
+have been resolved on, and found practicable so soon.
+
+They were indebted, the next day, to Charles Hayter, for all the minute
+knowledge of Louisa, which it was so essential to obtain every
+twenty-four hours. He made it his business to go to Lyme, and his
+account was still encouraging. The intervals of sense and consciousness
+were believed to be stronger. Every report agreed in Captain
+Wentworth’s appearing fixed in Lyme.
+
+Anne was to leave them on the morrow, an event which they all dreaded.
+“What should they do without her? They were wretched comforters for one
+another.” And so much was said in this way, that Anne thought she could
+not do better than impart among them the general inclination to which
+she was privy, and persuaded them all to go to Lyme at once. She had
+little difficulty; it was soon determined that they would go; go
+to-morrow, fix themselves at the inn, or get into lodgings, as it
+suited, and there remain till dear Louisa could be moved. They must be
+taking off some trouble from the good people she was with; they might
+at least relieve Mrs Harville from the care of her own children; and in
+short, they were so happy in the decision, that Anne was delighted with
+what she had done, and felt that she could not spend her last morning
+at Uppercross better than in assisting their preparations, and sending
+them off at an early hour, though her being left to the solitary range
+of the house was the consequence.
+
+She was the last, excepting the little boys at the cottage, she was the
+very last, the only remaining one of all that had filled and animated
+both houses, of all that had given Uppercross its cheerful character. A
+few days had made a change indeed!
+
+If Louisa recovered, it would all be well again. More than former
+happiness would be restored. There could not be a doubt, to her mind
+there was none, of what would follow her recovery. A few months hence,
+and the room now so deserted, occupied but by her silent, pensive self,
+might be filled again with all that was happy and gay, all that was
+glowing and bright in prosperous love, all that was most unlike Anne
+Elliot!
+
+An hour’s complete leisure for such reflections as these, on a dark
+November day, a small thick rain almost blotting out the very few
+objects ever to be discerned from the windows, was enough to make the
+sound of Lady Russell’s carriage exceedingly welcome; and yet, though
+desirous to be gone, she could not quit the Mansion House, or look an
+adieu to the Cottage, with its black, dripping and comfortless veranda,
+or even notice through the misty glasses the last humble tenements of
+the village, without a saddened heart. Scenes had passed in Uppercross
+which made it precious. It stood the record of many sensations of pain,
+once severe, but now softened; and of some instances of relenting
+feeling, some breathings of friendship and reconciliation, which could
+never be looked for again, and which could never cease to be dear. She
+left it all behind her, all but the recollection that such things had
+been.
+
+Anne had never entered Kellynch since her quitting Lady Russell’s house
+in September. It had not been necessary, and the few occasions of its
+being possible for her to go to the Hall she had contrived to evade and
+escape from. Her first return was to resume her place in the modern and
+elegant apartments of the Lodge, and to gladden the eyes of its
+mistress.
+
+There was some anxiety mixed with Lady Russell’s joy in meeting her.
+She knew who had been frequenting Uppercross. But happily, either Anne
+was improved in plumpness and looks, or Lady Russell fancied her so;
+and Anne, in receiving her compliments on the occasion, had the
+amusement of connecting them with the silent admiration of her cousin,
+and of hoping that she was to be blessed with a second spring of youth
+and beauty.
+
+When they came to converse, she was soon sensible of some mental
+change. The subjects of which her heart had been full on leaving
+Kellynch, and which she had felt slighted, and been compelled to
+smother among the Musgroves, were now become but of secondary interest.
+She had lately lost sight even of her father and sister and Bath. Their
+concerns had been sunk under those of Uppercross; and when Lady Russell
+reverted to their former hopes and fears, and spoke her satisfaction in
+the house in Camden Place, which had been taken, and her regret that
+Mrs Clay should still be with them, Anne would have been ashamed to
+have it known how much more she was thinking of Lyme and Louisa
+Musgrove, and all her acquaintance there; how much more interesting to
+her was the home and the friendship of the Harvilles and Captain
+Benwick, than her own father’s house in Camden Place, or her own
+sister’s intimacy with Mrs Clay. She was actually forced to exert
+herself to meet Lady Russell with anything like the appearance of equal
+solicitude, on topics which had by nature the first claim on her.
+
+There was a little awkwardness at first in their discourse on another
+subject. They must speak of the accident at Lyme. Lady Russell had not
+been arrived five minutes the day before, when a full account of the
+whole had burst on her; but still it must be talked of, she must make
+enquiries, she must regret the imprudence, lament the result, and
+Captain Wentworth’s name must be mentioned by both. Anne was conscious
+of not doing it so well as Lady Russell. She could not speak the name,
+and look straight forward to Lady Russell’s eye, till she had adopted
+the expedient of telling her briefly what she thought of the attachment
+between him and Louisa. When this was told, his name distressed her no
+longer.
+
+Lady Russell had only to listen composedly, and wish them happy, but
+internally her heart revelled in angry pleasure, in pleased contempt,
+that the man who at twenty-three had seemed to understand somewhat of
+the value of an Anne Elliot, should, eight years afterwards, be charmed
+by a Louisa Musgrove.
+
+The first three or four days passed most quietly, with no circumstance
+to mark them excepting the receipt of a note or two from Lyme, which
+found their way to Anne, she could not tell how, and brought a rather
+improving account of Louisa. At the end of that period, Lady Russell’s
+politeness could repose no longer, and the fainter self-threatenings of
+the past became in a decided tone, “I must call on Mrs Croft; I really
+must call upon her soon. Anne, have you courage to go with me, and pay
+a visit in that house? It will be some trial to us both.”
+
+Anne did not shrink from it; on the contrary, she truly felt as she
+said, in observing—
+
+“I think you are very likely to suffer the most of the two; your
+feelings are less reconciled to the change than mine. By remaining in
+the neighbourhood, I am become inured to it.”
+
+She could have said more on the subject; for she had in fact so high an
+opinion of the Crofts, and considered her father so very fortunate in
+his tenants, felt the parish to be so sure of a good example, and the
+poor of the best attention and relief, that however sorry and ashamed
+for the necessity of the removal, she could not but in conscience feel
+that they were gone who deserved not to stay, and that Kellynch Hall
+had passed into better hands than its owners’. These convictions must
+unquestionably have their own pain, and severe was its kind; but they
+precluded that pain which Lady Russell would suffer in entering the
+house again, and returning through the well-known apartments.
+
+In such moments Anne had no power of saying to herself, “These rooms
+ought to belong only to us. Oh, how fallen in their destination! How
+unworthily occupied! An ancient family to be so driven away! Strangers
+filling their place!” No, except when she thought of her mother, and
+remembered where she had been used to sit and preside, she had no sigh
+of that description to heave.
+
+Mrs Croft always met her with a kindness which gave her the pleasure of
+fancying herself a favourite, and on the present occasion, receiving
+her in that house, there was particular attention.
+
+The sad accident at Lyme was soon the prevailing topic, and on
+comparing their latest accounts of the invalid, it appeared that each
+lady dated her intelligence from the same hour of yestermorn; that
+Captain Wentworth had been in Kellynch yesterday (the first time since
+the accident), had brought Anne the last note, which she had not been
+able to trace the exact steps of; had staid a few hours and then
+returned again to Lyme, and without any present intention of quitting
+it any more. He had enquired after her, she found, particularly; had
+expressed his hope of Miss Elliot’s not being the worse for her
+exertions, and had spoken of those exertions as great. This was
+handsome, and gave her more pleasure than almost anything else could
+have done.
+
+As to the sad catastrophe itself, it could be canvassed only in one
+style by a couple of steady, sensible women, whose judgements had to
+work on ascertained events; and it was perfectly decided that it had
+been the consequence of much thoughtlessness and much imprudence; that
+its effects were most alarming, and that it was frightful to think, how
+long Miss Musgrove’s recovery might yet be doubtful, and how liable she
+would still remain to suffer from the concussion hereafter! The Admiral
+wound it up summarily by exclaiming—
+
+“Ay, a very bad business indeed. A new sort of way this, for a young
+fellow to be making love, by breaking his mistress’s head, is not it,
+Miss Elliot? This is breaking a head and giving a plaster, truly!”
+
+Admiral Croft’s manners were not quite of the tone to suit Lady
+Russell, but they delighted Anne. His goodness of heart and simplicity
+of character were irresistible.
+
+“Now, this must be very bad for you,” said he, suddenly rousing from a
+little reverie, “to be coming and finding us here. I had not
+recollected it before, I declare, but it must be very bad. But now, do
+not stand upon ceremony. Get up and go over all the rooms in the house
+if you like it.”
+
+“Another time, Sir, I thank you, not now.”
+
+“Well, whenever it suits you. You can slip in from the shrubbery at any
+time; and there you will find we keep our umbrellas hanging up by that
+door. A good place is not it? But,” (checking himself), “you will not
+think it a good place, for yours were always kept in the butler’s room.
+Ay, so it always is, I believe. One man’s ways may be as good as
+another’s, but we all like our own best. And so you must judge for
+yourself, whether it would be better for you to go about the house or
+not.”
+
+Anne, finding she might decline it, did so, very gratefully.
+
+“We have made very few changes either,” continued the Admiral, after
+thinking a moment. “Very few. We told you about the laundry-door, at
+Uppercross. That has been a very great improvement. The wonder was, how
+any family upon earth could bear with the inconvenience of its opening
+as it did, so long! You will tell Sir Walter what we have done, and
+that Mr Shepherd thinks it the greatest improvement the house ever had.
+Indeed, I must do ourselves the justice to say, that the few
+alterations we have made have been all very much for the better. My
+wife should have the credit of them, however. I have done very little
+besides sending away some of the large looking-glasses from my
+dressing-room, which was your father’s. A very good man, and very much
+the gentleman I am sure: but I should think, Miss Elliot,” (looking
+with serious reflection), “I should think he must be rather a dressy
+man for his time of life. Such a number of looking-glasses! oh Lord!
+there was no getting away from one’s self. So I got Sophy to lend me a
+hand, and we soon shifted their quarters; and now I am quite snug, with
+my little shaving glass in one corner, and another great thing that I
+never go near.”
+
+Anne, amused in spite of herself, was rather distressed for an answer,
+and the Admiral, fearing he might not have been civil enough, took up
+the subject again, to say—
+
+“The next time you write to your good father, Miss Elliot, pray give
+him my compliments and Mrs Croft’s, and say that we are settled here
+quite to our liking, and have no fault at all to find with the place.
+The breakfast-room chimney smokes a little, I grant you, but it is only
+when the wind is due north and blows hard, which may not happen three
+times a winter. And take it altogether, now that we have been into most
+of the houses hereabouts and can judge, there is not one that we like
+better than this. Pray say so, with my compliments. He will be glad to
+hear it.”
+
+Lady Russell and Mrs Croft were very well pleased with each other: but
+the acquaintance which this visit began was fated not to proceed far at
+present; for when it was returned, the Crofts announced themselves to
+be going away for a few weeks, to visit their connexions in the north
+of the county, and probably might not be at home again before Lady
+Russell would be removing to Bath.
+
+So ended all danger to Anne of meeting Captain Wentworth at Kellynch
+Hall, or of seeing him in company with her friend. Everything was safe
+enough, and she smiled over the many anxious feelings she had wasted on
+the subject.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XIV.
+
+
+Though Charles and Mary had remained at Lyme much longer after Mr and
+Mrs Musgrove’s going than Anne conceived they could have been at all
+wanted, they were yet the first of the family to be at home again; and
+as soon as possible after their return to Uppercross they drove over to
+the Lodge. They had left Louisa beginning to sit up; but her head,
+though clear, was exceedingly weak, and her nerves susceptible to the
+highest extreme of tenderness; and though she might be pronounced to be
+altogether doing very well, it was still impossible to say when she
+might be able to bear the removal home; and her father and mother, who
+must return in time to receive their younger children for the Christmas
+holidays, had hardly a hope of being allowed to bring her with them.
+
+They had been all in lodgings together. Mrs Musgrove had got Mrs
+Harville’s children away as much as she could, every possible supply
+from Uppercross had been furnished, to lighten the inconvenience to the
+Harvilles, while the Harvilles had been wanting them to come to dinner
+every day; and in short, it seemed to have been only a struggle on each
+side as to which should be most disinterested and hospitable.
+
+Mary had had her evils; but upon the whole, as was evident by her
+staying so long, she had found more to enjoy than to suffer. Charles
+Hayter had been at Lyme oftener than suited her; and when they dined
+with the Harvilles there had been only a maid-servant to wait, and at
+first Mrs Harville had always given Mrs Musgrove precedence; but then,
+she had received so very handsome an apology from her on finding out
+whose daughter she was, and there had been so much going on every day,
+there had been so many walks between their lodgings and the Harvilles,
+and she had got books from the library, and changed them so often, that
+the balance had certainly been much in favour of Lyme. She had been
+taken to Charmouth too, and she had bathed, and she had gone to church,
+and there were a great many more people to look at in the church at
+Lyme than at Uppercross; and all this, joined to the sense of being so
+very useful, had made really an agreeable fortnight.
+
+Anne enquired after Captain Benwick. Mary’s face was clouded directly.
+Charles laughed.
+
+“Oh! Captain Benwick is very well, I believe, but he is a very odd
+young man. I do not know what he would be at. We asked him to come home
+with us for a day or two: Charles undertook to give him some shooting,
+and he seemed quite delighted, and, for my part, I thought it was all
+settled; when behold! on Tuesday night, he made a very awkward sort of
+excuse; ‘he never shot’ and he had ‘been quite misunderstood,’ and he
+had promised this and he had promised that, and the end of it was, I
+found, that he did not mean to come. I suppose he was afraid of finding
+it dull; but upon my word I should have thought we were lively enough
+at the Cottage for such a heart-broken man as Captain Benwick.”
+
+Charles laughed again and said, “Now Mary, you know very well how it
+really was. It was all your doing,” (turning to Anne). “He fancied that
+if he went with us, he should find you close by: he fancied everybody
+to be living in Uppercross; and when he discovered that Lady Russell
+lived three miles off, his heart failed him, and he had not courage to
+come. That is the fact, upon my honour. Mary knows it is.”
+
+But Mary did not give into it very graciously, whether from not
+considering Captain Benwick entitled by birth and situation to be in
+love with an Elliot, or from not wanting to believe Anne a greater
+attraction to Uppercross than herself, must be left to be guessed.
+Anne’s good-will, however, was not to be lessened by what she heard.
+She boldly acknowledged herself flattered, and continued her enquiries.
+
+“Oh! he talks of you,” cried Charles, “in such terms—” Mary interrupted
+him. “I declare, Charles, I never heard him mention Anne twice all the
+time I was there. I declare, Anne, he never talks of you at all.”
+
+“No,” admitted Charles, “I do not know that he ever does, in a general
+way; but however, it is a very clear thing that he admires you
+exceedingly. His head is full of some books that he is reading upon
+your recommendation, and he wants to talk to you about them; he has
+found out something or other in one of them which he thinks—oh! I
+cannot pretend to remember it, but it was something very fine—I
+overheard him telling Henrietta all about it; and then ‘Miss Elliot’
+was spoken of in the highest terms! Now Mary, I declare it was so, I
+heard it myself, and you were in the other room. ‘Elegance, sweetness,
+beauty.’ Oh! there was no end of Miss Elliot’s charms.”
+
+“And I am sure,” cried Mary, warmly, “it was a very little to his
+credit, if he did. Miss Harville only died last June. Such a heart is
+very little worth having; is it, Lady Russell? I am sure you will agree
+with me.”
+
+“I must see Captain Benwick before I decide,” said Lady Russell,
+smiling.
+
+“And that you are very likely to do very soon, I can tell you, ma’am,”
+said Charles. “Though he had not nerves for coming away with us, and
+setting off again afterwards to pay a formal visit here, he will make
+his way over to Kellynch one day by himself, you may depend on it. I
+told him the distance and the road, and I told him of the church’s
+being so very well worth seeing; for as he has a taste for those sort
+of things, I thought that would be a good excuse, and he listened with
+all his understanding and soul; and I am sure from his manner that you
+will have him calling here soon. So, I give you notice, Lady Russell.”
+
+“Any acquaintance of Anne’s will always be welcome to me,” was Lady
+Russell’s kind answer.
+
+“Oh! as to being Anne’s acquaintance,” said Mary, “I think he is rather
+my acquaintance, for I have been seeing him every day this last
+fortnight.”
+
+“Well, as your joint acquaintance, then, I shall be very happy to see
+Captain Benwick.”
+
+“You will not find anything very agreeable in him, I assure you, ma’am.
+He is one of the dullest young men that ever lived. He has walked with
+me, sometimes, from one end of the sands to the other, without saying a
+word. He is not at all a well-bred young man. I am sure you will not
+like him.”
+
+“There we differ, Mary,” said Anne. “I think Lady Russell would like
+him. I think she would be so much pleased with his mind, that she would
+very soon see no deficiency in his manner.”
+
+“So do I, Anne,” said Charles. “I am sure Lady Russell would like him.
+He is just Lady Russell’s sort. Give him a book, and he will read all
+day long.”
+
+“Yes, that he will!” exclaimed Mary, tauntingly. “He will sit poring
+over his book, and not know when a person speaks to him, or when one
+drops one’s scissors, or anything that happens. Do you think Lady
+Russell would like that?”
+
+Lady Russell could not help laughing. “Upon my word,” said she, “I
+should not have supposed that my opinion of any one could have admitted
+of such difference of conjecture, steady and matter of fact as I may
+call myself. I have really a curiosity to see the person who can give
+occasion to such directly opposite notions. I wish he may be induced to
+call here. And when he does, Mary, you may depend upon hearing my
+opinion; but I am determined not to judge him beforehand.”
+
+“You will not like him, I will answer for it.”
+
+Lady Russell began talking of something else. Mary spoke with animation
+of their meeting with, or rather missing, Mr Elliot so extraordinarily.
+
+“He is a man,” said Lady Russell, “whom I have no wish to see. His
+declining to be on cordial terms with the head of his family, has left
+a very strong impression in his disfavour with me.”
+
+This decision checked Mary’s eagerness, and stopped her short in the
+midst of the Elliot countenance.
+
+With regard to Captain Wentworth, though Anne hazarded no enquiries,
+there was voluntary communication sufficient. His spirits had been
+greatly recovering lately as might be expected. As Louisa improved, he
+had improved, and he was now quite a different creature from what he
+had been the first week. He had not seen Louisa; and was so extremely
+fearful of any ill consequence to her from an interview, that he did
+not press for it at all; and, on the contrary, seemed to have a plan of
+going away for a week or ten days, till her head was stronger. He had
+talked of going down to Plymouth for a week, and wanted to persuade
+Captain Benwick to go with him; but, as Charles maintained to the last,
+Captain Benwick seemed much more disposed to ride over to Kellynch.
+
+There can be no doubt that Lady Russell and Anne were both occasionally
+thinking of Captain Benwick, from this time. Lady Russell could not
+hear the door-bell without feeling that it might be his herald; nor
+could Anne return from any stroll of solitary indulgence in her
+father’s grounds, or any visit of charity in the village, without
+wondering whether she might see him or hear of him. Captain Benwick
+came not, however. He was either less disposed for it than Charles had
+imagined, or he was too shy; and after giving him a week’s indulgence,
+Lady Russell determined him to be unworthy of the interest which he had
+been beginning to excite.
+
+The Musgroves came back to receive their happy boys and girls from
+school, bringing with them Mrs Harville’s little children, to improve
+the noise of Uppercross, and lessen that of Lyme. Henrietta remained
+with Louisa; but all the rest of the family were again in their usual
+quarters.
+
+Lady Russell and Anne paid their compliments to them once, when Anne
+could not but feel that Uppercross was already quite alive again.
+Though neither Henrietta, nor Louisa, nor Charles Hayter, nor Captain
+Wentworth were there, the room presented as strong a contrast as could
+be wished to the last state she had seen it in.
+
+Immediately surrounding Mrs Musgrove were the little Harvilles, whom
+she was sedulously guarding from the tyranny of the two children from
+the Cottage, expressly arrived to amuse them. On one side was a table
+occupied by some chattering girls, cutting up silk and gold paper; and
+on the other were tressels and trays, bending under the weight of brawn
+and cold pies, where riotous boys were holding high revel; the whole
+completed by a roaring Christmas fire, which seemed determined to be
+heard, in spite of all the noise of the others. Charles and Mary also
+came in, of course, during their visit, and Mr Musgrove made a point of
+paying his respects to Lady Russell, and sat down close to her for ten
+minutes, talking with a very raised voice, but from the clamour of the
+children on his knees, generally in vain. It was a fine family-piece.
+
+Anne, judging from her own temperament, would have deemed such a
+domestic hurricane a bad restorative of the nerves, which Louisa’s
+illness must have so greatly shaken. But Mrs Musgrove, who got Anne
+near her on purpose to thank her most cordially, again and again, for
+all her attentions to them, concluded a short recapitulation of what
+she had suffered herself by observing, with a happy glance round the
+room, that after all she had gone through, nothing was so likely to do
+her good as a little quiet cheerfulness at home.
+
+Louisa was now recovering apace. Her mother could even think of her
+being able to join their party at home, before her brothers and sisters
+went to school again. The Harvilles had promised to come with her and
+stay at Uppercross, whenever she returned. Captain Wentworth was gone,
+for the present, to see his brother in Shropshire.
+
+“I hope I shall remember, in future,” said Lady Russell, as soon as
+they were reseated in the carriage, “not to call at Uppercross in the
+Christmas holidays.”
+
+Everybody has their taste in noises as well as in other matters; and
+sounds are quite innoxious, or most distressing, by their sort rather
+than their quantity. When Lady Russell not long afterwards, was
+entering Bath on a wet afternoon, and driving through the long course
+of streets from the Old Bridge to Camden Place, amidst the dash of
+other carriages, the heavy rumble of carts and drays, the bawling of
+newspapermen, muffin-men and milkmen, and the ceaseless clink of
+pattens, she made no complaint. No, these were noises which belonged to
+the winter pleasures; her spirits rose under their influence; and like
+Mrs Musgrove, she was feeling, though not saying, that after being long
+in the country, nothing could be so good for her as a little quiet
+cheerfulness.
+
+Anne did not share these feelings. She persisted in a very determined,
+though very silent disinclination for Bath; caught the first dim view
+of the extensive buildings, smoking in rain, without any wish of seeing
+them better; felt their progress through the streets to be, however
+disagreeable, yet too rapid; for who would be glad to see her when she
+arrived? And looked back, with fond regret, to the bustles of
+Uppercross and the seclusion of Kellynch.
+
+Elizabeth’s last letter had communicated a piece of news of some
+interest. Mr Elliot was in Bath. He had called in Camden Place; had
+called a second time, a third; had been pointedly attentive. If
+Elizabeth and her father did not deceive themselves, had been taking
+much pains to seek the acquaintance, and proclaim the value of the
+connection, as he had formerly taken pains to shew neglect. This was
+very wonderful if it were true; and Lady Russell was in a state of very
+agreeable curiosity and perplexity about Mr Elliot, already recanting
+the sentiment she had so lately expressed to Mary, of his being “a man
+whom she had no wish to see.” She had a great wish to see him. If he
+really sought to reconcile himself like a dutiful branch, he must be
+forgiven for having dismembered himself from the paternal tree.
+
+Anne was not animated to an equal pitch by the circumstance, but she
+felt that she would rather see Mr Elliot again than not, which was more
+than she could say for many other persons in Bath.
+
+She was put down in Camden Place; and Lady Russell then drove to her
+own lodgings, in Rivers Street.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XV.
+
+
+Sir Walter had taken a very good house in Camden Place, a lofty
+dignified situation, such as becomes a man of consequence; and both he
+and Elizabeth were settled there, much to their satisfaction.
+
+Anne entered it with a sinking heart, anticipating an imprisonment of
+many months, and anxiously saying to herself, “Oh! when shall I leave
+you again?” A degree of unexpected cordiality, however, in the welcome
+she received, did her good. Her father and sister were glad to see her,
+for the sake of shewing her the house and furniture, and met her with
+kindness. Her making a fourth, when they sat down to dinner, was
+noticed as an advantage.
+
+Mrs Clay was very pleasant, and very smiling, but her courtesies and
+smiles were more a matter of course. Anne had always felt that she
+would pretend what was proper on her arrival, but the complaisance of
+the others was unlooked for. They were evidently in excellent spirits,
+and she was soon to listen to the causes. They had no inclination to
+listen to her. After laying out for some compliments of being deeply
+regretted in their old neighbourhood, which Anne could not pay, they
+had only a few faint enquiries to make, before the talk must be all
+their own. Uppercross excited no interest, Kellynch very little: it was
+all Bath.
+
+They had the pleasure of assuring her that Bath more than answered
+their expectations in every respect. Their house was undoubtedly the
+best in Camden Place; their drawing-rooms had many decided advantages
+over all the others which they had either seen or heard of, and the
+superiority was not less in the style of the fitting-up, or the taste
+of the furniture. Their acquaintance was exceedingly sought after.
+Everybody was wanting to visit them. They had drawn back from many
+introductions, and still were perpetually having cards left by people
+of whom they knew nothing.
+
+Here were funds of enjoyment. Could Anne wonder that her father and
+sister were happy? She might not wonder, but she must sigh that her
+father should feel no degradation in his change, should see nothing to
+regret in the duties and dignity of the resident landholder, should
+find so much to be vain of in the littlenesses of a town; and she must
+sigh, and smile, and wonder too, as Elizabeth threw open the
+folding-doors and walked with exultation from one drawing-room to the
+other, boasting of their space; at the possibility of that woman, who
+had been mistress of Kellynch Hall, finding extent to be proud of
+between two walls, perhaps thirty feet asunder.
+
+But this was not all which they had to make them happy. They had Mr
+Elliot too. Anne had a great deal to hear of Mr Elliot. He was not only
+pardoned, they were delighted with him. He had been in Bath about a
+fortnight; (he had passed through Bath in November, in his way to
+London, when the intelligence of Sir Walter’s being settled there had
+of course reached him, though only twenty-four hours in the place, but
+he had not been able to avail himself of it;) but he had now been a
+fortnight in Bath, and his first object on arriving, had been to leave
+his card in Camden Place, following it up by such assiduous endeavours
+to meet, and when they did meet, by such great openness of conduct,
+such readiness to apologize for the past, such solicitude to be
+received as a relation again, that their former good understanding was
+completely re-established.
+
+They had not a fault to find in him. He had explained away all the
+appearance of neglect on his own side. It had originated in
+misapprehension entirely. He had never had an idea of throwing himself
+off; he had feared that he was thrown off, but knew not why, and
+delicacy had kept him silent. Upon the hint of having spoken
+disrespectfully or carelessly of the family and the family honours, he
+was quite indignant. He, who had ever boasted of being an Elliot, and
+whose feelings, as to connection, were only too strict to suit the
+unfeudal tone of the present day. He was astonished, indeed, but his
+character and general conduct must refute it. He could refer Sir Walter
+to all who knew him; and certainly, the pains he had been taking on
+this, the first opportunity of reconciliation, to be restored to the
+footing of a relation and heir-presumptive, was a strong proof of his
+opinions on the subject.
+
+The circumstances of his marriage, too, were found to admit of much
+extenuation. This was an article not to be entered on by himself; but a
+very intimate friend of his, a Colonel Wallis, a highly respectable
+man, perfectly the gentleman, (and not an ill-looking man, Sir Walter
+added), who was living in very good style in Marlborough Buildings, and
+had, at his own particular request, been admitted to their acquaintance
+through Mr Elliot, had mentioned one or two things relative to the
+marriage, which made a material difference in the discredit of it.
+
+Colonel Wallis had known Mr Elliot long, had been well acquainted also
+with his wife, had perfectly understood the whole story. She was
+certainly not a woman of family, but well educated, accomplished, rich,
+and excessively in love with his friend. There had been the charm. She
+had sought him. Without that attraction, not all her money would have
+tempted Elliot, and Sir Walter was, moreover, assured of her having
+been a very fine woman. Here was a great deal to soften the business. A
+very fine woman with a large fortune, in love with him! Sir Walter
+seemed to admit it as complete apology; and though Elizabeth could not
+see the circumstance in quite so favourable a light, she allowed it be
+a great extenuation.
+
+Mr Elliot had called repeatedly, had dined with them once, evidently
+delighted by the distinction of being asked, for they gave no dinners
+in general; delighted, in short, by every proof of cousinly notice, and
+placing his whole happiness in being on intimate terms in Camden Place.
+
+Anne listened, but without quite understanding it. Allowances, large
+allowances, she knew, must be made for the ideas of those who spoke.
+She heard it all under embellishment. All that sounded extravagant or
+irrational in the progress of the reconciliation might have no origin
+but in the language of the relators. Still, however, she had the
+sensation of there being something more than immediately appeared, in
+Mr Elliot’s wishing, after an interval of so many years, to be well
+received by them. In a worldly view, he had nothing to gain by being on
+terms with Sir Walter; nothing to risk by a state of variance. In all
+probability he was already the richer of the two, and the Kellynch
+estate would as surely be his hereafter as the title. A sensible man,
+and he had looked like a very sensible man, why should it be an object
+to him? She could only offer one solution; it was, perhaps, for
+Elizabeth’s sake. There might really have been a liking formerly,
+though convenience and accident had drawn him a different way; and now
+that he could afford to please himself, he might mean to pay his
+addresses to her. Elizabeth was certainly very handsome, with
+well-bred, elegant manners, and her character might never have been
+penetrated by Mr Elliot, knowing her but in public, and when very young
+himself. How her temper and understanding might bear the investigation
+of his present keener time of life was another concern and rather a
+fearful one. Most earnestly did she wish that he might not be too nice,
+or too observant if Elizabeth were his object; and that Elizabeth was
+disposed to believe herself so, and that her friend Mrs Clay was
+encouraging the idea, seemed apparent by a glance or two between them,
+while Mr Elliot’s frequent visits were talked of.
+
+Anne mentioned the glimpses she had had of him at Lyme, but without
+being much attended to. “Oh! yes, perhaps, it had been Mr Elliot. They
+did not know. It might be him, perhaps.” They could not listen to her
+description of him. They were describing him themselves; Sir Walter
+especially. He did justice to his very gentlemanlike appearance, his
+air of elegance and fashion, his good shaped face, his sensible eye;
+but, at the same time, “must lament his being very much under-hung, a
+defect which time seemed to have increased; nor could he pretend to say
+that ten years had not altered almost every feature for the worse. Mr
+Elliot appeared to think that he (Sir Walter) was looking exactly as he
+had done when they last parted;” but Sir Walter had “not been able to
+return the compliment entirely, which had embarrassed him. He did not
+mean to complain, however. Mr Elliot was better to look at than most
+men, and he had no objection to being seen with him anywhere.”
+
+Mr Elliot, and his friends in Marlborough Buildings, were talked of the
+whole evening. “Colonel Wallis had been so impatient to be introduced
+to them! and Mr Elliot so anxious that he should!” and there was a Mrs
+Wallis, at present known only to them by description, as she was in
+daily expectation of her confinement; but Mr Elliot spoke of her as “a
+most charming woman, quite worthy of being known in Camden Place,” and
+as soon as she recovered they were to be acquainted. Sir Walter thought
+much of Mrs Wallis; she was said to be an excessively pretty woman,
+beautiful. “He longed to see her. He hoped she might make some amends
+for the many very plain faces he was continually passing in the
+streets. The worst of Bath was the number of its plain women. He did
+not mean to say that there were no pretty women, but the number of the
+plain was out of all proportion. He had frequently observed, as he
+walked, that one handsome face would be followed by thirty, or
+five-and-thirty frights; and once, as he had stood in a shop on Bond
+Street, he had counted eighty-seven women go by, one after another,
+without there being a tolerable face among them. It had been a frosty
+morning, to be sure, a sharp frost, which hardly one woman in a
+thousand could stand the test of. But still, there certainly were a
+dreadful multitude of ugly women in Bath; and as for the men! they were
+infinitely worse. Such scarecrows as the streets were full of! It was
+evident how little the women were used to the sight of anything
+tolerable, by the effect which a man of decent appearance produced. He
+had never walked anywhere arm-in-arm with Colonel Wallis (who was a
+fine military figure, though sandy-haired) without observing that every
+woman’s eye was upon him; every woman’s eye was sure to be upon Colonel
+Wallis.” Modest Sir Walter! He was not allowed to escape, however. His
+daughter and Mrs Clay united in hinting that Colonel Wallis’s companion
+might have as good a figure as Colonel Wallis, and certainly was not
+sandy-haired.
+
+“How is Mary looking?” said Sir Walter, in the height of his good
+humour. “The last time I saw her she had a red nose, but I hope that
+may not happen every day.”
+
+“Oh! no, that must have been quite accidental. In general she has been
+in very good health and very good looks since Michaelmas.”
+
+“If I thought it would not tempt her to go out in sharp winds, and grow
+coarse, I would send her a new hat and pelisse.”
+
+Anne was considering whether she should venture to suggest that a gown,
+or a cap, would not be liable to any such misuse, when a knock at the
+door suspended everything. “A knock at the door! and so late! It was
+ten o’clock. Could it be Mr Elliot? They knew he was to dine in
+Lansdown Crescent. It was possible that he might stop in his way home
+to ask them how they did. They could think of no one else. Mrs Clay
+decidedly thought it Mr Elliot’s knock.” Mrs Clay was right. With all
+the state which a butler and foot-boy could give, Mr Elliot was ushered
+into the room.
+
+It was the same, the very same man, with no difference but of dress.
+Anne drew a little back, while the others received his compliments, and
+her sister his apologies for calling at so unusual an hour, but “he
+could not be so near without wishing to know that neither she nor her
+friend had taken cold the day before,” &c. &c.; which was all as
+politely done, and as politely taken, as possible, but her part must
+follow then. Sir Walter talked of his youngest daughter; “Mr Elliot
+must give him leave to present him to his youngest daughter” (there was
+no occasion for remembering Mary); and Anne, smiling and blushing, very
+becomingly shewed to Mr Elliot the pretty features which he had by no
+means forgotten, and instantly saw, with amusement at his little start
+of surprise, that he had not been at all aware of who she was. He
+looked completely astonished, but not more astonished than pleased; his
+eyes brightened! and with the most perfect alacrity he welcomed the
+relationship, alluded to the past, and entreated to be received as an
+acquaintance already. He was quite as good-looking as he had appeared
+at Lyme, his countenance improved by speaking, and his manners were so
+exactly what they ought to be, so polished, so easy, so particularly
+agreeable, that she could compare them in excellence to only one
+person’s manners. They were not the same, but they were, perhaps,
+equally good.
+
+He sat down with them, and improved their conversation very much. There
+could be no doubt of his being a sensible man. Ten minutes were enough
+to certify that. His tone, his expressions, his choice of subject, his
+knowing where to stop; it was all the operation of a sensible,
+discerning mind. As soon as he could, he began to talk to her of Lyme,
+wanting to compare opinions respecting the place, but especially
+wanting to speak of the circumstance of their happening to be guests in
+the same inn at the same time; to give his own route, understand
+something of hers, and regret that he should have lost such an
+opportunity of paying his respects to her. She gave him a short account
+of her party and business at Lyme. His regret increased as he listened.
+He had spent his whole solitary evening in the room adjoining theirs;
+had heard voices, mirth continually; thought they must be a most
+delightful set of people, longed to be with them, but certainly without
+the smallest suspicion of his possessing the shadow of a right to
+introduce himself. If he had but asked who the party were! The name of
+Musgrove would have told him enough. “Well, it would serve to cure him
+of an absurd practice of never asking a question at an inn, which he
+had adopted, when quite a young man, on the principle of its being very
+ungenteel to be curious.”
+
+“The notions of a young man of one or two and twenty,” said he, “as to
+what is necessary in manners to make him quite the thing, are more
+absurd, I believe, than those of any other set of beings in the world.
+The folly of the means they often employ is only to be equalled by the
+folly of what they have in view.”
+
+But he must not be addressing his reflections to Anne alone: he knew
+it; he was soon diffused again among the others, and it was only at
+intervals that he could return to Lyme.
+
+His enquiries, however, produced at length an account of the scene she
+had been engaged in there, soon after his leaving the place. Having
+alluded to “an accident,” he must hear the whole. When he questioned,
+Sir Walter and Elizabeth began to question also, but the difference in
+their manner of doing it could not be unfelt. She could only compare Mr
+Elliot to Lady Russell, in the wish of really comprehending what had
+passed, and in the degree of concern for what she must have suffered in
+witnessing it.
+
+He staid an hour with them. The elegant little clock on the
+mantel-piece had struck “eleven with its silver sounds,” and the
+watchman was beginning to be heard at a distance telling the same tale,
+before Mr Elliot or any of them seemed to feel that he had been there
+long.
+
+Anne could not have supposed it possible that her first evening in
+Camden Place could have passed so well!
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XVI.
+
+
+There was one point which Anne, on returning to her family, would have
+been more thankful to ascertain even than Mr Elliot’s being in love
+with Elizabeth, which was, her father’s not being in love with Mrs
+Clay; and she was very far from easy about it, when she had been at
+home a few hours. On going down to breakfast the next morning, she
+found there had just been a decent pretence on the lady’s side of
+meaning to leave them. She could imagine Mrs Clay to have said, that
+“now Miss Anne was come, she could not suppose herself at all wanted;”
+for Elizabeth was replying in a sort of whisper, “That must not be any
+reason, indeed. I assure you I feel it none. She is nothing to me,
+compared with you;” and she was in full time to hear her father say,
+“My dear madam, this must not be. As yet, you have seen nothing of
+Bath. You have been here only to be useful. You must not run away from
+us now. You must stay to be acquainted with Mrs Wallis, the beautiful
+Mrs Wallis. To your fine mind, I well know the sight of beauty is a
+real gratification.”
+
+He spoke and looked so much in earnest, that Anne was not surprised to
+see Mrs Clay stealing a glance at Elizabeth and herself. Her
+countenance, perhaps, might express some watchfulness; but the praise
+of the fine mind did not appear to excite a thought in her sister. The
+lady could not but yield to such joint entreaties, and promise to stay.
+
+In the course of the same morning, Anne and her father chancing to be
+alone together, he began to compliment her on her improved looks; he
+thought her “less thin in her person, in her cheeks; her skin, her
+complexion, greatly improved; clearer, fresher. Had she been using any
+thing in particular?” “No, nothing.” “Merely Gowland,” he supposed.
+“No, nothing at all.” “Ha! he was surprised at that;” and added,
+“certainly you cannot do better than to continue as you are; you cannot
+be better than well; or I should recommend Gowland, the constant use of
+Gowland, during the spring months. Mrs Clay has been using it at my
+recommendation, and you see what it has done for her. You see how it
+has carried away her freckles.”
+
+If Elizabeth could but have heard this! Such personal praise might have
+struck her, especially as it did not appear to Anne that the freckles
+were at all lessened. But everything must take its chance. The evil of
+a marriage would be much diminished, if Elizabeth were also to marry.
+As for herself, she might always command a home with Lady Russell.
+
+Lady Russell’s composed mind and polite manners were put to some trial
+on this point, in her intercourse in Camden Place. The sight of Mrs
+Clay in such favour, and of Anne so overlooked, was a perpetual
+provocation to her there; and vexed her as much when she was away, as a
+person in Bath who drinks the water, gets all the new publications, and
+has a very large acquaintance, has time to be vexed.
+
+As Mr Elliot became known to her, she grew more charitable, or more
+indifferent, towards the others. His manners were an immediate
+recommendation; and on conversing with him she found the solid so fully
+supporting the superficial, that she was at first, as she told Anne,
+almost ready to exclaim, “Can this be Mr Elliot?” and could not
+seriously picture to herself a more agreeable or estimable man.
+Everything united in him; good understanding, correct opinions,
+knowledge of the world, and a warm heart. He had strong feelings of
+family attachment and family honour, without pride or weakness; he
+lived with the liberality of a man of fortune, without display; he
+judged for himself in everything essential, without defying public
+opinion in any point of worldly decorum. He was steady, observant,
+moderate, candid; never run away with by spirits or by selfishness,
+which fancied itself strong feeling; and yet, with a sensibility to
+what was amiable and lovely, and a value for all the felicities of
+domestic life, which characters of fancied enthusiasm and violent
+agitation seldom really possess. She was sure that he had not been
+happy in marriage. Colonel Wallis said it, and Lady Russell saw it; but
+it had been no unhappiness to sour his mind, nor (she began pretty soon
+to suspect) to prevent his thinking of a second choice. Her
+satisfaction in Mr Elliot outweighed all the plague of Mrs Clay.
+
+It was now some years since Anne had begun to learn that she and her
+excellent friend could sometimes think differently; and it did not
+surprise her, therefore, that Lady Russell should see nothing
+suspicious or inconsistent, nothing to require more motives than
+appeared, in Mr Elliot’s great desire of a reconciliation. In Lady
+Russell’s view, it was perfectly natural that Mr Elliot, at a mature
+time of life, should feel it a most desirable object, and what would
+very generally recommend him among all sensible people, to be on good
+terms with the head of his family; the simplest process in the world of
+time upon a head naturally clear, and only erring in the heyday of
+youth. Anne presumed, however, still to smile about it, and at last to
+mention “Elizabeth.” Lady Russell listened, and looked, and made only
+this cautious reply:—“Elizabeth! very well; time will explain.”
+
+It was a reference to the future, which Anne, after a little
+observation, felt she must submit to. She could determine nothing at
+present. In that house Elizabeth must be first; and she was in the
+habit of such general observance as “Miss Elliot,” that any
+particularity of attention seemed almost impossible. Mr Elliot, too, it
+must be remembered, had not been a widower seven months. A little delay
+on his side might be very excusable. In fact, Anne could never see the
+crape round his hat, without fearing that she was the inexcusable one,
+in attributing to him such imaginations; for though his marriage had
+not been very happy, still it had existed so many years that she could
+not comprehend a very rapid recovery from the awful impression of its
+being dissolved.
+
+However it might end, he was without any question their pleasantest
+acquaintance in Bath: she saw nobody equal to him; and it was a great
+indulgence now and then to talk to him about Lyme, which he seemed to
+have as lively a wish to see again, and to see more of, as herself.
+They went through the particulars of their first meeting a great many
+times. He gave her to understand that he had looked at her with some
+earnestness. She knew it well; and she remembered another person’s look
+also.
+
+They did not always think alike. His value for rank and connexion she
+perceived was greater than hers. It was not merely complaisance, it
+must be a liking to the cause, which made him enter warmly into her
+father and sister’s solicitudes on a subject which she thought unworthy
+to excite them. The Bath paper one morning announced the arrival of the
+Dowager Viscountess Dalrymple, and her daughter, the Honourable Miss
+Carteret; and all the comfort of No. —, Camden Place, was swept away
+for many days; for the Dalrymples (in Anne’s opinion, most
+unfortunately) were cousins of the Elliots; and the agony was how to
+introduce themselves properly.
+
+Anne had never seen her father and sister before in contact with
+nobility, and she must acknowledge herself disappointed. She had hoped
+better things from their high ideas of their own situation in life, and
+was reduced to form a wish which she had never foreseen; a wish that
+they had more pride; for “our cousins Lady Dalrymple and Miss
+Carteret;” “our cousins, the Dalrymples,” sounded in her ears all day
+long.
+
+Sir Walter had once been in company with the late viscount, but had
+never seen any of the rest of the family; and the difficulties of the
+case arose from there having been a suspension of all intercourse by
+letters of ceremony, ever since the death of that said late viscount,
+when, in consequence of a dangerous illness of Sir Walter’s at the same
+time, there had been an unlucky omission at Kellynch. No letter of
+condolence had been sent to Ireland. The neglect had been visited on
+the head of the sinner; for when poor Lady Elliot died herself, no
+letter of condolence was received at Kellynch, and, consequently, there
+was but too much reason to apprehend that the Dalrymples considered the
+relationship as closed. How to have this anxious business set to
+rights, and be admitted as cousins again, was the question: and it was
+a question which, in a more rational manner, neither Lady Russell nor
+Mr Elliot thought unimportant. “Family connexions were always worth
+preserving, good company always worth seeking; Lady Dalrymple had taken
+a house, for three months, in Laura Place, and would be living in
+style. She had been at Bath the year before, and Lady Russell had heard
+her spoken of as a charming woman. It was very desirable that the
+connexion should be renewed, if it could be done, without any
+compromise of propriety on the side of the Elliots.”
+
+Sir Walter, however, would choose his own means, and at last wrote a
+very fine letter of ample explanation, regret, and entreaty, to his
+right honourable cousin. Neither Lady Russell nor Mr Elliot could
+admire the letter; but it did all that was wanted, in bringing three
+lines of scrawl from the Dowager Viscountess. “She was very much
+honoured, and should be happy in their acquaintance.” The toils of the
+business were over, the sweets began. They visited in Laura Place, they
+had the cards of Dowager Viscountess Dalrymple, and the Honourable Miss
+Carteret, to be arranged wherever they might be most visible: and “Our
+cousins in Laura Place,”—“Our cousin, Lady Dalrymple and Miss
+Carteret,” were talked of to everybody.
+
+Anne was ashamed. Had Lady Dalrymple and her daughter even been very
+agreeable, she would still have been ashamed of the agitation they
+created, but they were nothing. There was no superiority of manner,
+accomplishment, or understanding. Lady Dalrymple had acquired the name
+of “a charming woman,” because she had a smile and a civil answer for
+everybody. Miss Carteret, with still less to say, was so plain and so
+awkward, that she would never have been tolerated in Camden Place but
+for her birth.
+
+Lady Russell confessed she had expected something better; but yet “it
+was an acquaintance worth having;” and when Anne ventured to speak her
+opinion of them to Mr Elliot, he agreed to their being nothing in
+themselves, but still maintained that, as a family connexion, as good
+company, as those who would collect good company around them, they had
+their value. Anne smiled and said,
+
+“My idea of good company, Mr Elliot, is the company of clever,
+well-informed people, who have a great deal of conversation; that is
+what I call good company.”
+
+“You are mistaken,” said he gently, “that is not good company; that is
+the best. Good company requires only birth, education, and manners, and
+with regard to education is not very nice. Birth and good manners are
+essential; but a little learning is by no means a dangerous thing in
+good company; on the contrary, it will do very well. My cousin Anne
+shakes her head. She is not satisfied. She is fastidious. My dear
+cousin” (sitting down by her), “you have a better right to be
+fastidious than almost any other woman I know; but will it answer? Will
+it make you happy? Will it not be wiser to accept the society of those
+good ladies in Laura Place, and enjoy all the advantages of the
+connexion as far as possible? You may depend upon it, that they will
+move in the first set in Bath this winter, and as rank is rank, your
+being known to be related to them will have its use in fixing your
+family (our family let me say) in that degree of consideration which we
+must all wish for.”
+
+“Yes,” sighed Anne, “we shall, indeed, be known to be related to them!”
+then recollecting herself, and not wishing to be answered, she added,
+“I certainly do think there has been by far too much trouble taken to
+procure the acquaintance. I suppose” (smiling) “I have more pride than
+any of you; but I confess it does vex me, that we should be so
+solicitous to have the relationship acknowledged, which we may be very
+sure is a matter of perfect indifference to them.”
+
+“Pardon me, dear cousin, you are unjust in your own claims. In London,
+perhaps, in your present quiet style of living, it might be as you say:
+but in Bath; Sir Walter Elliot and his family will always be worth
+knowing: always acceptable as acquaintance.”
+
+“Well,” said Anne, “I certainly am proud, too proud to enjoy a welcome
+which depends so entirely upon place.”
+
+“I love your indignation,” said he; “it is very natural. But here you
+are in Bath, and the object is to be established here with all the
+credit and dignity which ought to belong to Sir Walter Elliot. You talk
+of being proud; I am called proud, I know, and I shall not wish to
+believe myself otherwise; for our pride, if investigated, would have
+the same object, I have no doubt, though the kind may seem a little
+different. In one point, I am sure, my dear cousin,” (he continued,
+speaking lower, though there was no one else in the room) “in one
+point, I am sure, we must feel alike. We must feel that every addition
+to your father’s society, among his equals or superiors, may be of use
+in diverting his thoughts from those who are beneath him.”
+
+He looked, as he spoke, to the seat which Mrs Clay had been lately
+occupying: a sufficient explanation of what he particularly meant; and
+though Anne could not believe in their having the same sort of pride,
+she was pleased with him for not liking Mrs Clay; and her conscience
+admitted that his wishing to promote her father’s getting great
+acquaintance was more than excusable in the view of defeating her.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XVII.
+
+
+While Sir Walter and Elizabeth were assiduously pushing their good
+fortune in Laura Place, Anne was renewing an acquaintance of a very
+different description.
+
+She had called on her former governess, and had heard from her of there
+being an old schoolfellow in Bath, who had the two strong claims on
+her attention of past kindness and present suffering. Miss Hamilton,
+now Mrs Smith, had shewn her kindness in one of those periods of her
+life when it had been most valuable. Anne had gone unhappy to school,
+grieving for the loss of a mother whom she had dearly loved, feeling
+her separation from home, and suffering as a girl of fourteen, of
+strong sensibility and not high spirits, must suffer at such a time;
+and Miss Hamilton, three years older than herself, but still from the
+want of near relations and a settled home, remaining another year at
+school, had been useful and good to her in a way which had considerably
+lessened her misery, and could never be remembered with indifference.
+
+Miss Hamilton had left school, had married not long afterwards, was
+said to have married a man of fortune, and this was all that Anne had
+known of her, till now that their governess’s account brought her
+situation forward in a more decided but very different form.
+
+She was a widow and poor. Her husband had been extravagant; and at his
+death, about two years before, had left his affairs dreadfully
+involved. She had had difficulties of every sort to contend with, and
+in addition to these distresses had been afflicted with a severe
+rheumatic fever, which, finally settling in her legs, had made her for
+the present a cripple. She had come to Bath on that account, and was
+now in lodgings near the hot baths, living in a very humble way, unable
+even to afford herself the comfort of a servant, and of course almost
+excluded from society.
+
+Their mutual friend answered for the satisfaction which a visit from
+Miss Elliot would give Mrs Smith, and Anne therefore lost no time in
+going. She mentioned nothing of what she had heard, or what she
+intended, at home. It would excite no proper interest there. She only
+consulted Lady Russell, who entered thoroughly into her sentiments, and
+was most happy to convey her as near to Mrs Smith’s lodgings in
+Westgate Buildings, as Anne chose to be taken.
+
+The visit was paid, their acquaintance re-established, their interest
+in each other more than re-kindled. The first ten minutes had its
+awkwardness and its emotion. Twelve years were gone since they had
+parted, and each presented a somewhat different person from what the
+other had imagined. Twelve years had changed Anne from the blooming,
+silent, unformed girl of fifteen, to the elegant little woman of
+seven-and-twenty, with every beauty except bloom, and with manners as
+consciously right as they were invariably gentle; and twelve years had
+transformed the fine-looking, well-grown Miss Hamilton, in all the glow
+of health and confidence of superiority, into a poor, infirm, helpless
+widow, receiving the visit of her former protegee as a favour; but all
+that was uncomfortable in the meeting had soon passed away, and left
+only the interesting charm of remembering former partialities and
+talking over old times.
+
+Anne found in Mrs Smith the good sense and agreeable manners which she
+had almost ventured to depend on, and a disposition to converse and be
+cheerful beyond her expectation. Neither the dissipations of the
+past—and she had lived very much in the world—nor the restrictions of
+the present, neither sickness nor sorrow seemed to have closed her
+heart or ruined her spirits.
+
+In the course of a second visit she talked with great openness, and
+Anne’s astonishment increased. She could scarcely imagine a more
+cheerless situation in itself than Mrs Smith’s. She had been very fond
+of her husband: she had buried him. She had been used to affluence: it
+was gone. She had no child to connect her with life and happiness
+again, no relations to assist in the arrangement of perplexed affairs,
+no health to make all the rest supportable. Her accommodations were
+limited to a noisy parlour, and a dark bedroom behind, with no
+possibility of moving from one to the other without assistance, which
+there was only one servant in the house to afford, and she never
+quitted the house but to be conveyed into the warm bath. Yet, in spite
+of all this, Anne had reason to believe that she had moments only of
+languor and depression, to hours of occupation and enjoyment. How could
+it be? She watched, observed, reflected, and finally determined that
+this was not a case of fortitude or of resignation only. A submissive
+spirit might be patient, a strong understanding would supply
+resolution, but here was something more; here was that elasticity of
+mind, that disposition to be comforted, that power of turning readily
+from evil to good, and of finding employment which carried her out of
+herself, which was from nature alone. It was the choicest gift of
+Heaven; and Anne viewed her friend as one of those instances in which,
+by a merciful appointment, it seems designed to counterbalance almost
+every other want.
+
+There had been a time, Mrs Smith told her, when her spirits had nearly
+failed. She could not call herself an invalid now, compared with her
+state on first reaching Bath. Then she had, indeed, been a pitiable
+object; for she had caught cold on the journey, and had hardly taken
+possession of her lodgings before she was again confined to her bed and
+suffering under severe and constant pain; and all this among strangers,
+with the absolute necessity of having a regular nurse, and finances at
+that moment particularly unfit to meet any extraordinary expense. She
+had weathered it, however, and could truly say that it had done her
+good. It had increased her comforts by making her feel herself to be in
+good hands. She had seen too much of the world, to expect sudden or
+disinterested attachment anywhere, but her illness had proved to her
+that her landlady had a character to preserve, and would not use her
+ill; and she had been particularly fortunate in her nurse, as a sister
+of her landlady, a nurse by profession, and who had always a home in
+that house when unemployed, chanced to be at liberty just in time to
+attend her. “And she,” said Mrs Smith, “besides nursing me most
+admirably, has really proved an invaluable acquaintance. As soon as I
+could use my hands she taught me to knit, which has been a great
+amusement; and she put me in the way of making these little
+thread-cases, pin-cushions and card-racks, which you always find me so
+busy about, and which supply me with the means of doing a little good
+to one or two very poor families in this neighbourhood. She had a large
+acquaintance, of course professionally, among those who can afford to
+buy, and she disposes of my merchandise. She always takes the right
+time for applying. Everybody’s heart is open, you know, when they have
+recently escaped from severe pain, or are recovering the blessing of
+health, and Nurse Rooke thoroughly understands when to speak. She is a
+shrewd, intelligent, sensible woman. Hers is a line for seeing human
+nature; and she has a fund of good sense and observation, which, as a
+companion, make her infinitely superior to thousands of those who
+having only received ‘the best education in the world,’ know nothing
+worth attending to. Call it gossip, if you will, but when Nurse Rooke
+has half an hour’s leisure to bestow on me, she is sure to have
+something to relate that is entertaining and profitable: something that
+makes one know one’s species better. One likes to hear what is going
+on, to be _au fait_ as to the newest modes of being trifling and silly.
+To me, who live so much alone, her conversation, I assure you, is a
+treat.”
+
+Anne, far from wishing to cavil at the pleasure, replied, “I can easily
+believe it. Women of that class have great opportunities, and if they
+are intelligent may be well worth listening to. Such varieties of human
+nature as they are in the habit of witnessing! And it is not merely in
+its follies, that they are well read; for they see it occasionally
+under every circumstance that can be most interesting or affecting.
+What instances must pass before them of ardent, disinterested,
+self-denying attachment, of heroism, fortitude, patience, resignation:
+of all the conflicts and all the sacrifices that ennoble us most. A
+sick chamber may often furnish the worth of volumes.”
+
+“Yes,” said Mrs Smith more doubtingly, “sometimes it may, though I fear
+its lessons are not often in the elevated style you describe. Here and
+there, human nature may be great in times of trial; but generally
+speaking, it is its weakness and not its strength that appears in a
+sick chamber: it is selfishness and impatience rather than generosity
+and fortitude, that one hears of. There is so little real friendship in
+the world! and unfortunately” (speaking low and tremulously) “there are
+so many who forget to think seriously till it is almost too late.”
+
+Anne saw the misery of such feelings. The husband had not been what he
+ought, and the wife had been led among that part of mankind which made
+her think worse of the world than she hoped it deserved. It was but a
+passing emotion however with Mrs Smith; she shook it off, and soon
+added in a different tone—
+
+“I do not suppose the situation my friend Mrs Rooke is in at present,
+will furnish much either to interest or edify me. She is only nursing
+Mrs Wallis of Marlborough Buildings; a mere pretty, silly, expensive,
+fashionable woman, I believe; and of course will have nothing to report
+but of lace and finery. I mean to make my profit of Mrs Wallis,
+however. She has plenty of money, and I intend she shall buy all the
+high-priced things I have in hand now.”
+
+Anne had called several times on her friend, before the existence of
+such a person was known in Camden Place. At last, it became necessary
+to speak of her. Sir Walter, Elizabeth and Mrs Clay, returned one
+morning from Laura Place, with a sudden invitation from Lady Dalrymple
+for the same evening, and Anne was already engaged, to spend that
+evening in Westgate Buildings. She was not sorry for the excuse. They
+were only asked, she was sure, because Lady Dalrymple being kept at
+home by a bad cold, was glad to make use of the relationship which had
+been so pressed on her; and she declined on her own account with great
+alacrity—“She was engaged to spend the evening with an old
+schoolfellow.” They were not much interested in anything relative to
+Anne; but still there were questions enough asked, to make it
+understood what this old schoolfellow was; and Elizabeth was
+disdainful, and Sir Walter severe.
+
+“Westgate Buildings!” said he, “and who is Miss Anne Elliot to be
+visiting in Westgate Buildings? A Mrs Smith. A widow Mrs Smith; and who
+was her husband? One of five thousand Mr Smiths whose names are to be
+met with everywhere. And what is her attraction? That she is old and
+sickly. Upon my word, Miss Anne Elliot, you have the most extraordinary
+taste! Everything that revolts other people, low company, paltry rooms,
+foul air, disgusting associations are inviting to you. But surely you
+may put off this old lady till to-morrow: she is not so near her end, I
+presume, but that she may hope to see another day. What is her age?
+Forty?”
+
+“No, sir, she is not one-and-thirty; but I do not think I can put off
+my engagement, because it is the only evening for some time which will
+at once suit her and myself. She goes into the warm bath to-morrow, and
+for the rest of the week, you know, we are engaged.”
+
+“But what does Lady Russell think of this acquaintance?” asked
+Elizabeth.
+
+“She sees nothing to blame in it,” replied Anne; “on the contrary, she
+approves it, and has generally taken me when I have called on Mrs
+Smith.”
+
+“Westgate Buildings must have been rather surprised by the appearance
+of a carriage drawn up near its pavement,” observed Sir Walter. “Sir
+Henry Russell’s widow, indeed, has no honours to distinguish her arms,
+but still it is a handsome equipage, and no doubt is well known to
+convey a Miss Elliot. A widow Mrs Smith lodging in Westgate Buildings!
+A poor widow barely able to live, between thirty and forty; a mere Mrs
+Smith, an every-day Mrs Smith, of all people and all names in the
+world, to be the chosen friend of Miss Anne Elliot, and to be preferred
+by her to her own family connections among the nobility of England and
+Ireland! Mrs Smith! Such a name!”
+
+Mrs Clay, who had been present while all this passed, now thought it
+advisable to leave the room, and Anne could have said much, and did
+long to say a little in defence of _her_ friend’s not very dissimilar
+claims to theirs, but her sense of personal respect to her father
+prevented her. She made no reply. She left it to himself to recollect,
+that Mrs Smith was not the only widow in Bath between thirty and forty,
+with little to live on, and no surname of dignity.
+
+Anne kept her appointment; the others kept theirs, and of course she
+heard the next morning that they had had a delightful evening. She had
+been the only one of the set absent, for Sir Walter and Elizabeth had
+not only been quite at her ladyship’s service themselves, but had
+actually been happy to be employed by her in collecting others, and had
+been at the trouble of inviting both Lady Russell and Mr Elliot; and Mr
+Elliot had made a point of leaving Colonel Wallis early, and Lady
+Russell had fresh arranged all her evening engagements in order to wait
+on her. Anne had the whole history of all that such an evening could
+supply from Lady Russell. To her, its greatest interest must be, in
+having been very much talked of between her friend and Mr Elliot; in
+having been wished for, regretted, and at the same time honoured for
+staying away in such a cause. Her kind, compassionate visits to this
+old schoolfellow, sick and reduced, seemed to have quite delighted Mr
+Elliot. He thought her a most extraordinary young woman; in her temper,
+manners, mind, a model of female excellence. He could meet even Lady
+Russell in a discussion of her merits; and Anne could not be given to
+understand so much by her friend, could not know herself to be so
+highly rated by a sensible man, without many of those agreeable
+sensations which her friend meant to create.
+
+Lady Russell was now perfectly decided in her opinion of Mr Elliot. She
+was as much convinced of his meaning to gain Anne in time as of his
+deserving her, and was beginning to calculate the number of weeks which
+would free him from all the remaining restraints of widowhood, and
+leave him at liberty to exert his most open powers of pleasing. She
+would not speak to Anne with half the certainty she felt on the
+subject, she would venture on little more than hints of what might be
+hereafter, of a possible attachment on his side, of the desirableness
+of the alliance, supposing such attachment to be real and returned.
+Anne heard her, and made no violent exclamations; she only smiled,
+blushed, and gently shook her head.
+
+“I am no match-maker, as you well know,” said Lady Russell, “being much
+too well aware of the uncertainty of all human events and calculations.
+I only mean that if Mr Elliot should some time hence pay his addresses
+to you, and if you should be disposed to accept him, I think there
+would be every possibility of your being happy together. A most
+suitable connection everybody must consider it, but I think it might be
+a very happy one.”
+
+“Mr Elliot is an exceedingly agreeable man, and in many respects I
+think highly of him,” said Anne; “but we should not suit.”
+
+Lady Russell let this pass, and only said in rejoinder, “I own that to
+be able to regard you as the future mistress of Kellynch, the future
+Lady Elliot, to look forward and see you occupying your dear mother’s
+place, succeeding to all her rights, and all her popularity, as well as
+to all her virtues, would be the highest possible gratification to me.
+You are your mother’s self in countenance and disposition; and if I
+might be allowed to fancy you such as she was, in situation and name,
+and home, presiding and blessing in the same spot, and only superior to
+her in being more highly valued! My dearest Anne, it would give me more
+delight than is often felt at my time of life!”
+
+Anne was obliged to turn away, to rise, to walk to a distant table,
+and, leaning there in pretended employment, try to subdue the feelings
+this picture excited. For a few moments her imagination and her heart
+were bewitched. The idea of becoming what her mother had been; of
+having the precious name of “Lady Elliot” first revived in herself; of
+being restored to Kellynch, calling it her home again, her home for
+ever, was a charm which she could not immediately resist. Lady Russell
+said not another word, willing to leave the matter to its own
+operation; and believing that, could Mr Elliot at that moment with
+propriety have spoken for himself!—she believed, in short, what Anne
+did not believe. The same image of Mr Elliot speaking for himself
+brought Anne to composure again. The charm of Kellynch and of “Lady
+Elliot” all faded away. She never could accept him. And it was not only
+that her feelings were still adverse to any man save one; her
+judgement, on a serious consideration of the possibilities of such a
+case, was against Mr Elliot.
+
+Though they had now been acquainted a month, she could not be satisfied
+that she really knew his character. That he was a sensible man, an
+agreeable man, that he talked well, professed good opinions, seemed to
+judge properly and as a man of principle, this was all clear enough. He
+certainly knew what was right, nor could she fix on any one article of
+moral duty evidently transgressed; but yet she would have been afraid
+to answer for his conduct. She distrusted the past, if not the present.
+The names which occasionally dropt of former associates, the allusions
+to former practices and pursuits, suggested suspicions not favourable
+of what he had been. She saw that there had been bad habits; that
+Sunday travelling had been a common thing; that there had been a period
+of his life (and probably not a short one) when he had been, at least,
+careless in all serious matters; and, though he might now think very
+differently, who could answer for the true sentiments of a clever,
+cautious man, grown old enough to appreciate a fair character? How
+could it ever be ascertained that his mind was truly cleansed?
+
+Mr Elliot was rational, discreet, polished, but he was not open. There
+was never any burst of feeling, any warmth of indignation or delight,
+at the evil or good of others. This, to Anne, was a decided
+imperfection. Her early impressions were incurable. She prized the
+frank, the open-hearted, the eager character beyond all others. Warmth
+and enthusiasm did captivate her still. She felt that she could so much
+more depend upon the sincerity of those who sometimes looked or said a
+careless or a hasty thing, than of those whose presence of mind never
+varied, whose tongue never slipped.
+
+Mr Elliot was too generally agreeable. Various as were the tempers in
+her father’s house, he pleased them all. He endured too well, stood too
+well with every body. He had spoken to her with some degree of openness
+of Mrs Clay; had appeared completely to see what Mrs Clay was about,
+and to hold her in contempt; and yet Mrs Clay found him as agreeable as
+any body.
+
+Lady Russell saw either less or more than her young friend, for she saw
+nothing to excite distrust. She could not imagine a man more exactly
+what he ought to be than Mr Elliot; nor did she ever enjoy a sweeter
+feeling than the hope of seeing him receive the hand of her beloved
+Anne in Kellynch church, in the course of the following autumn.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XVIII.
+
+
+It was the beginning of February; and Anne, having been a month in
+Bath, was growing very eager for news from Uppercross and Lyme. She
+wanted to hear much more than Mary had communicated. It was three weeks
+since she had heard at all. She only knew that Henrietta was at home
+again; and that Louisa, though considered to be recovering fast, was
+still in Lyme; and she was thinking of them all very intently one
+evening, when a thicker letter than usual from Mary was delivered to
+her; and, to quicken the pleasure and surprise, with Admiral and Mrs
+Croft’s compliments.
+
+The Crofts must be in Bath! A circumstance to interest her. They were
+people whom her heart turned to very naturally.
+
+“What is this?” cried Sir Walter. “The Crofts have arrived in Bath? The
+Crofts who rent Kellynch? What have they brought you?”
+
+“A letter from Uppercross Cottage, Sir.”
+
+“Oh! those letters are convenient passports. They secure an
+introduction. I should have visited Admiral Croft, however, at any
+rate. I know what is due to my tenant.”
+
+Anne could listen no longer; she could not even have told how the poor
+Admiral’s complexion escaped; her letter engrossed her. It had been
+begun several days back.
+
+“February 1st.
+
+
+“MY DEAR ANNE,
+
+I make no apology for my silence, because I know how little people
+think of letters in such a place as Bath. You must be a great deal too
+happy to care for Uppercross, which, as you well know, affords little
+to write about. We have had a very dull Christmas; Mr and Mrs Musgrove
+have not had one dinner party all the holidays. I do not reckon the
+Hayters as anybody. The holidays, however, are over at last: I believe
+no children ever had such long ones. I am sure I had not. The house was
+cleared yesterday, except of the little Harvilles; but you will be
+surprised to hear they have never gone home. Mrs Harville must be an
+odd mother to part with them so long. I do not understand it. They are
+not at all nice children, in my opinion; but Mrs Musgrove seems to like
+them quite as well, if not better, than her grandchildren. What
+dreadful weather we have had! It may not be felt in Bath, with your
+nice pavements; but in the country it is of some consequence. I have
+not had a creature call on me since the second week in January, except
+Charles Hayter, who had been calling much oftener than was welcome.
+Between ourselves, I think it a great pity Henrietta did not remain at
+Lyme as long as Louisa; it would have kept her a little out of his way.
+The carriage is gone to-day, to bring Louisa and the Harvilles
+to-morrow. We are not asked to dine with them, however, till the day
+after, Mrs Musgrove is so afraid of her being fatigued by the journey,
+which is not very likely, considering the care that will be taken of
+her; and it would be much more convenient to me to dine there
+to-morrow. I am glad you find Mr Elliot so agreeable, and wish I could
+be acquainted with him too; but I have my usual luck: I am always out
+of the way when any thing desirable is going on; always the last of my
+family to be noticed. What an immense time Mrs Clay has been staying
+with Elizabeth! Does she never mean to go away? But perhaps if she were
+to leave the room vacant, we might not be invited. Let me know what you
+think of this. I do not expect my children to be asked, you know. I can
+leave them at the Great House very well, for a month or six weeks. I
+have this moment heard that the Crofts are going to Bath almost
+immediately; they think the Admiral gouty. Charles heard it quite by
+chance; they have not had the civility to give me any notice, or of
+offering to take anything. I do not think they improve at all as
+neighbours. We see nothing of them, and this is really an instance of
+gross inattention. Charles joins me in love, and everything proper.
+Yours affectionately,
+
+“MARY M——.
+
+“I am sorry to say that I am very far from well; and Jemima has just
+told me that the butcher says there is a bad sore-throat very much
+about. I dare say I shall catch it; and my sore-throats, you know, are
+always worse than anybody’s.”
+
+
+So ended the first part, which had been afterwards put into an
+envelope, containing nearly as much more.
+
+“I kept my letter open, that I might send you word how Louisa bore her
+journey, and now I am extremely glad I did, having a great deal to add.
+In the first place, I had a note from Mrs Croft yesterday, offering to
+convey anything to you; a very kind, friendly note indeed, addressed to
+me, just as it ought; I shall therefore be able to make my letter as
+long as I like. The Admiral does not seem very ill, and I sincerely
+hope Bath will do him all the good he wants. I shall be truly glad to
+have them back again. Our neighbourhood cannot spare such a pleasant
+family. But now for Louisa. I have something to communicate that will
+astonish you not a little. She and the Harvilles came on Tuesday very
+safely, and in the evening we went to ask her how she did, when we were
+rather surprised not to find Captain Benwick of the party, for he had
+been invited as well as the Harvilles; and what do you think was the
+reason? Neither more nor less than his being in love with Louisa, and
+not choosing to venture to Uppercross till he had had an answer from Mr
+Musgrove; for it was all settled between him and her before she came
+away, and he had written to her father by Captain Harville. True, upon
+my honour! Are not you astonished? I shall be surprised at least if you
+ever received a hint of it, for I never did. Mrs Musgrove protests
+solemnly that she knew nothing of the matter. We are all very well
+pleased, however, for though it is not equal to her marrying Captain
+Wentworth, it is infinitely better than Charles Hayter; and Mr Musgrove
+has written his consent, and Captain Benwick is expected to-day. Mrs
+Harville says her husband feels a good deal on his poor sister’s
+account; but, however, Louisa is a great favourite with both. Indeed,
+Mrs Harville and I quite agree that we love her the better for having
+nursed her. Charles wonders what Captain Wentworth will say; but if you
+remember, I never thought him attached to Louisa; I never could see
+anything of it. And this is the end, you see, of Captain Benwick’s
+being supposed to be an admirer of yours. How Charles could take such a
+thing into his head was always incomprehensible to me. I hope he will
+be more agreeable now. Certainly not a great match for Louisa Musgrove,
+but a million times better than marrying among the Hayters.”
+
+Mary need not have feared her sister’s being in any degree prepared for
+the news. She had never in her life been more astonished. Captain
+Benwick and Louisa Musgrove! It was almost too wonderful for belief,
+and it was with the greatest effort that she could remain in the room,
+preserve an air of calmness, and answer the common questions of the
+moment. Happily for her, they were not many. Sir Walter wanted to know
+whether the Crofts travelled with four horses, and whether they were
+likely to be situated in such a part of Bath as it might suit Miss
+Elliot and himself to visit in; but had little curiosity beyond.
+
+“How is Mary?” said Elizabeth; and without waiting for an answer, “And
+pray what brings the Crofts to Bath?”
+
+“They come on the Admiral’s account. He is thought to be gouty.”
+
+“Gout and decrepitude!” said Sir Walter. “Poor old gentleman.”
+
+“Have they any acquaintance here?” asked Elizabeth.
+
+“I do not know; but I can hardly suppose that, at Admiral Croft’s time
+of life, and in his profession, he should not have many acquaintance in
+such a place as this.”
+
+“I suspect,” said Sir Walter coolly, “that Admiral Croft will be best
+known in Bath as the renter of Kellynch Hall. Elizabeth, may we venture
+to present him and his wife in Laura Place?”
+
+“Oh, no! I think not. Situated as we are with Lady Dalrymple, cousins,
+we ought to be very careful not to embarrass her with acquaintance she
+might not approve. If we were not related, it would not signify; but as
+cousins, she would feel scrupulous as to any proposal of ours. We had
+better leave the Crofts to find their own level. There are several
+odd-looking men walking about here, who, I am told, are sailors. The
+Crofts will associate with them.”
+
+This was Sir Walter and Elizabeth’s share of interest in the letter;
+when Mrs Clay had paid her tribute of more decent attention, in an
+enquiry after Mrs Charles Musgrove, and her fine little boys, Anne was
+at liberty.
+
+In her own room, she tried to comprehend it. Well might Charles wonder
+how Captain Wentworth would feel! Perhaps he had quitted the field, had
+given Louisa up, had ceased to love, had found he did not love her. She
+could not endure the idea of treachery or levity, or anything akin to
+ill usage between him and his friend. She could not endure that such a
+friendship as theirs should be severed unfairly.
+
+Captain Benwick and Louisa Musgrove! The high-spirited, joyous-talking
+Louisa Musgrove, and the dejected, thinking, feeling, reading, Captain
+Benwick, seemed each of them everything that would not suit the other.
+Their minds most dissimilar! Where could have been the attraction? The
+answer soon presented itself. It had been in situation. They had been
+thrown together several weeks; they had been living in the same small
+family party: since Henrietta’s coming away, they must have been
+depending almost entirely on each other, and Louisa, just recovering
+from illness, had been in an interesting state, and Captain Benwick was
+not inconsolable. That was a point which Anne had not been able to
+avoid suspecting before; and instead of drawing the same conclusion as
+Mary, from the present course of events, they served only to confirm
+the idea of his having felt some dawning of tenderness toward herself.
+She did not mean, however, to derive much more from it to gratify her
+vanity, than Mary might have allowed. She was persuaded that any
+tolerably pleasing young woman who had listened and seemed to feel for
+him would have received the same compliment. He had an affectionate
+heart. He must love somebody.
+
+She saw no reason against their being happy. Louisa had fine naval
+fervour to begin with, and they would soon grow more alike. He would
+gain cheerfulness, and she would learn to be an enthusiast for Scott
+and Lord Byron; nay, that was probably learnt already; of course they
+had fallen in love over poetry. The idea of Louisa Musgrove turned into
+a person of literary taste, and sentimental reflection was amusing, but
+she had no doubt of its being so. The day at Lyme, the fall from the
+Cobb, might influence her health, her nerves, her courage, her
+character to the end of her life, as thoroughly as it appeared to have
+influenced her fate.
+
+The conclusion of the whole was, that if the woman who had been
+sensible of Captain Wentworth’s merits could be allowed to prefer
+another man, there was nothing in the engagement to excite lasting
+wonder; and if Captain Wentworth lost no friend by it, certainly
+nothing to be regretted. No, it was not regret which made Anne’s heart
+beat in spite of herself, and brought the colour into her cheeks when
+she thought of Captain Wentworth unshackled and free. She had some
+feelings which she was ashamed to investigate. They were too much like
+joy, senseless joy!
+
+She longed to see the Crofts; but when the meeting took place, it was
+evident that no rumour of the news had yet reached them. The visit of
+ceremony was paid and returned; and Louisa Musgrove was mentioned, and
+Captain Benwick, too, without even half a smile.
+
+The Crofts had placed themselves in lodgings in Gay Street, perfectly
+to Sir Walter’s satisfaction. He was not at all ashamed of the
+acquaintance, and did, in fact, think and talk a great deal more about
+the Admiral, than the Admiral ever thought or talked about him.
+
+The Crofts knew quite as many people in Bath as they wished for, and
+considered their intercourse with the Elliots as a mere matter of form,
+and not in the least likely to afford them any pleasure. They brought
+with them their country habit of being almost always together. He was
+ordered to walk to keep off the gout, and Mrs Croft seemed to go shares
+with him in everything, and to walk for her life to do him good. Anne
+saw them wherever she went. Lady Russell took her out in her carriage
+almost every morning, and she never failed to think of them, and never
+failed to see them. Knowing their feelings as she did, it was a most
+attractive picture of happiness to her. She always watched them as long
+as she could, delighted to fancy she understood what they might be
+talking of, as they walked along in happy independence, or equally
+delighted to see the Admiral’s hearty shake of the hand when he
+encountered an old friend, and observe their eagerness of conversation
+when occasionally forming into a little knot of the navy, Mrs Croft
+looking as intelligent and keen as any of the officers around her.
+
+Anne was too much engaged with Lady Russell to be often walking
+herself; but it so happened that one morning, about a week or ten days
+after the Croft’s arrival, it suited her best to leave her friend, or
+her friend’s carriage, in the lower part of the town, and return alone
+to Camden Place, and in walking up Milsom Street she had the good
+fortune to meet with the Admiral. He was standing by himself at a
+printshop window, with his hands behind him, in earnest contemplation
+of some print, and she not only might have passed him unseen, but was
+obliged to touch as well as address him before she could catch his
+notice. When he did perceive and acknowledge her, however, it was done
+with all his usual frankness and good humour. “Ha! is it you? Thank
+you, thank you. This is treating me like a friend. Here I am, you see,
+staring at a picture. I can never get by this shop without stopping.
+But what a thing here is, by way of a boat! Do look at it. Did you ever
+see the like? What queer fellows your fine painters must be, to think
+that anybody would venture their lives in such a shapeless old
+cockleshell as that? And yet here are two gentlemen stuck up in it
+mightily at their ease, and looking about them at the rocks and
+mountains, as if they were not to be upset the next moment, which they
+certainly must be. I wonder where that boat was built!” (laughing
+heartily); “I would not venture over a horsepond in it. Well,” (turning
+away), “now, where are you bound? Can I go anywhere for you, or with
+you? Can I be of any use?”
+
+“None, I thank you, unless you will give me the pleasure of your
+company the little way our road lies together. I am going home.”
+
+“That I will, with all my heart, and farther, too. Yes, yes we will
+have a snug walk together, and I have something to tell you as we go
+along. There, take my arm; that’s right; I do not feel comfortable if I
+have not a woman there. Lord! what a boat it is!” taking a last look at
+the picture, as they began to be in motion.
+
+“Did you say that you had something to tell me, sir?”
+
+“Yes, I have, presently. But here comes a friend, Captain Brigden; I
+shall only say, ‘How d’ye do?’ as we pass, however. I shall not stop.
+‘How d’ye do?’ Brigden stares to see anybody with me but my wife. She,
+poor soul, is tied by the leg. She has a blister on one of her heels,
+as large as a three-shilling piece. If you look across the street, you
+will see Admiral Brand coming down and his brother. Shabby fellows,
+both of them! I am glad they are not on this side of the way. Sophy
+cannot bear them. They played me a pitiful trick once: got away with
+some of my best men. I will tell you the whole story another time.
+There comes old Sir Archibald Drew and his grandson. Look, he sees us;
+he kisses his hand to you; he takes you for my wife. Ah! the peace has
+come too soon for that younker. Poor old Sir Archibald! How do you like
+Bath, Miss Elliot? It suits us very well. We are always meeting with
+some old friend or other; the streets full of them every morning; sure
+to have plenty of chat; and then we get away from them all, and shut
+ourselves in our lodgings, and draw in our chairs, and are as snug as
+if we were at Kellynch, ay, or as we used to be even at North Yarmouth
+and Deal. We do not like our lodgings here the worse, I can tell you,
+for putting us in mind of those we first had at North Yarmouth. The
+wind blows through one of the cupboards just in the same way.”
+
+When they were got a little farther, Anne ventured to press again for
+what he had to communicate. She hoped when clear of Milsom Street to
+have her curiosity gratified; but she was still obliged to wait, for
+the Admiral had made up his mind not to begin till they had gained the
+greater space and quiet of Belmont; and as she was not really Mrs
+Croft, she must let him have his own way. As soon as they were fairly
+ascending Belmont, he began—
+
+“Well, now you shall hear something that will surprise you. But first
+of all, you must tell me the name of the young lady I am going to talk
+about. That young lady, you know, that we have all been so concerned
+for. The Miss Musgrove, that all this has been happening to. Her
+Christian name: I always forget her Christian name.”
+
+Anne had been ashamed to appear to comprehend so soon as she really
+did; but now she could safely suggest the name of “Louisa.”
+
+“Ay, ay, Miss Louisa Musgrove, that is the name. I wish young ladies
+had not such a number of fine Christian names. I should never be out if
+they were all Sophys, or something of that sort. Well, this Miss
+Louisa, we all thought, you know, was to marry Frederick. He was
+courting her week after week. The only wonder was, what they could be
+waiting for, till the business at Lyme came; then, indeed, it was clear
+enough that they must wait till her brain was set to right. But even
+then there was something odd in their way of going on. Instead of
+staying at Lyme, he went off to Plymouth, and then he went off to see
+Edward. When we came back from Minehead he was gone down to Edward’s,
+and there he has been ever since. We have seen nothing of him since
+November. Even Sophy could not understand it. But now, the matter has
+taken the strangest turn of all; for this young lady, the same Miss
+Musgrove, instead of being to marry Frederick, is to marry James
+Benwick. You know James Benwick.”
+
+“A little. I am a little acquainted with Captain Benwick.”
+
+“Well, she is to marry him. Nay, most likely they are married already,
+for I do not know what they should wait for.”
+
+“I thought Captain Benwick a very pleasing young man,” said Anne, “and
+I understand that he bears an excellent character.”
+
+“Oh! yes, yes, there is not a word to be said against James Benwick. He
+is only a commander, it is true, made last summer, and these are bad
+times for getting on, but he has not another fault that I know of. An
+excellent, good-hearted fellow, I assure you; a very active, zealous
+officer too, which is more than you would think for, perhaps, for that
+soft sort of manner does not do him justice.”
+
+“Indeed you are mistaken there, sir; I should never augur want of
+spirit from Captain Benwick’s manners. I thought them particularly
+pleasing, and I will answer for it, they would generally please.”
+
+“Well, well, ladies are the best judges; but James Benwick is rather
+too piano for me; and though very likely it is all our partiality,
+Sophy and I cannot help thinking Frederick’s manners better than his.
+There is something about Frederick more to our taste.”
+
+Anne was caught. She had only meant to oppose the too common idea of
+spirit and gentleness being incompatible with each other, not at all to
+represent Captain Benwick’s manners as the very best that could
+possibly be; and, after a little hesitation, she was beginning to say,
+“I was not entering into any comparison of the two friends,” but the
+Admiral interrupted her with—
+
+“And the thing is certainly true. It is not a mere bit of gossip. We
+have it from Frederick himself. His sister had a letter from him
+yesterday, in which he tells us of it, and he had just had it in a
+letter from Harville, written upon the spot, from Uppercross. I fancy
+they are all at Uppercross.”
+
+This was an opportunity which Anne could not resist; she said,
+therefore, “I hope, Admiral, I hope there is nothing in the style of
+Captain Wentworth’s letter to make you and Mrs Croft particularly
+uneasy. It did seem, last autumn, as if there were an attachment
+between him and Louisa Musgrove; but I hope it may be understood to
+have worn out on each side equally, and without violence. I hope his
+letter does not breathe the spirit of an ill-used man.”
+
+“Not at all, not at all; there is not an oath or a murmur from
+beginning to end.”
+
+Anne looked down to hide her smile.
+
+“No, no; Frederick is not a man to whine and complain; he has too much
+spirit for that. If the girl likes another man better, it is very fit
+she should have him.”
+
+“Certainly. But what I mean is, that I hope there is nothing in Captain
+Wentworth’s manner of writing to make you suppose he thinks himself
+ill-used by his friend, which might appear, you know, without its being
+absolutely said. I should be very sorry that such a friendship as has
+subsisted between him and Captain Benwick should be destroyed, or even
+wounded, by a circumstance of this sort.”
+
+“Yes, yes, I understand you. But there is nothing at all of that nature
+in the letter. He does not give the least fling at Benwick; does not so
+much as say, ‘I wonder at it, I have a reason of my own for wondering
+at it.’ No, you would not guess, from his way of writing, that he had
+ever thought of this Miss (what’s her name?) for himself. He very
+handsomely hopes they will be happy together; and there is nothing very
+unforgiving in that, I think.”
+
+Anne did not receive the perfect conviction which the Admiral meant to
+convey, but it would have been useless to press the enquiry farther.
+She therefore satisfied herself with common-place remarks or quiet
+attention, and the Admiral had it all his own way.
+
+“Poor Frederick!” said he at last. “Now he must begin all over again
+with somebody else. I think we must get him to Bath. Sophy must write,
+and beg him to come to Bath. Here are pretty girls enough, I am sure.
+It would be of no use to go to Uppercross again, for that other Miss
+Musgrove, I find, is bespoke by her cousin, the young parson. Do not
+you think, Miss Elliot, we had better try to get him to Bath?”
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XIX.
+
+
+While Admiral Croft was taking this walk with Anne, and expressing his
+wish of getting Captain Wentworth to Bath, Captain Wentworth was
+already on his way thither. Before Mrs Croft had written, he was
+arrived, and the very next time Anne walked out, she saw him.
+
+Mr Elliot was attending his two cousins and Mrs Clay. They were in
+Milsom Street. It began to rain, not much, but enough to make shelter
+desirable for women, and quite enough to make it very desirable for
+Miss Elliot to have the advantage of being conveyed home in Lady
+Dalrymple’s carriage, which was seen waiting at a little distance; she,
+Anne, and Mrs Clay, therefore, turned into Molland’s, while Mr Elliot
+stepped to Lady Dalrymple, to request her assistance. He soon joined
+them again, successful, of course; Lady Dalrymple would be most happy
+to take them home, and would call for them in a few minutes.
+
+Her ladyship’s carriage was a barouche, and did not hold more than four
+with any comfort. Miss Carteret was with her mother; consequently it
+was not reasonable to expect accommodation for all the three Camden
+Place ladies. There could be no doubt as to Miss Elliot. Whoever
+suffered inconvenience, she must suffer none, but it occupied a little
+time to settle the point of civility between the other two. The rain
+was a mere trifle, and Anne was most sincere in preferring a walk with
+Mr Elliot. But the rain was also a mere trifle to Mrs Clay; she would
+hardly allow it even to drop at all, and her boots were so thick! much
+thicker than Miss Anne’s; and, in short, her civility rendered her
+quite as anxious to be left to walk with Mr Elliot as Anne could be,
+and it was discussed between them with a generosity so polite and so
+determined, that the others were obliged to settle it for them; Miss
+Elliot maintaining that Mrs Clay had a little cold already, and Mr
+Elliot deciding on appeal, that his cousin Anne’s boots were rather the
+thickest.
+
+It was fixed accordingly, that Mrs Clay should be of the party in the
+carriage; and they had just reached this point, when Anne, as she sat
+near the window, descried, most decidedly and distinctly, Captain
+Wentworth walking down the street.
+
+Her start was perceptible only to herself; but she instantly felt that
+she was the greatest simpleton in the world, the most unaccountable and
+absurd! For a few minutes she saw nothing before her; it was all
+confusion. She was lost, and when she had scolded back her senses, she
+found the others still waiting for the carriage, and Mr Elliot (always
+obliging) just setting off for Union Street on a commission of Mrs
+Clay’s.
+
+She now felt a great inclination to go to the outer door; she wanted to
+see if it rained. Why was she to suspect herself of another motive?
+Captain Wentworth must be out of sight. She left her seat, she would
+go; one half of her should not be always so much wiser than the other
+half, or always suspecting the other of being worse than it was. She
+would see if it rained. She was sent back, however, in a moment by the
+entrance of Captain Wentworth himself, among a party of gentlemen and
+ladies, evidently his acquaintance, and whom he must have joined a
+little below Milsom Street. He was more obviously struck and confused
+by the sight of her than she had ever observed before; he looked quite
+red. For the first time, since their renewed acquaintance, she felt
+that she was betraying the least sensibility of the two. She had the
+advantage of him in the preparation of the last few moments. All the
+overpowering, blinding, bewildering, first effects of strong surprise
+were over with her. Still, however, she had enough to feel! It was
+agitation, pain, pleasure, a something between delight and misery.
+
+He spoke to her, and then turned away. The character of his manner was
+embarrassment. She could not have called it either cold or friendly, or
+anything so certainly as embarrassed.
+
+After a short interval, however, he came towards her, and spoke again.
+Mutual enquiries on common subjects passed: neither of them, probably,
+much the wiser for what they heard, and Anne continuing fully sensible
+of his being less at ease than formerly. They had by dint of being so
+very much together, got to speak to each other with a considerable
+portion of apparent indifference and calmness; but he could not do it
+now. Time had changed him, or Louisa had changed him. There was
+consciousness of some sort or other. He looked very well, not as if he
+had been suffering in health or spirits, and he talked of Uppercross,
+of the Musgroves, nay, even of Louisa, and had even a momentary look of
+his own arch significance as he named her; but yet it was Captain
+Wentworth not comfortable, not easy, not able to feign that he was.
+
+It did not surprise, but it grieved Anne to observe that Elizabeth
+would not know him. She saw that he saw Elizabeth, that Elizabeth saw
+him, that there was complete internal recognition on each side; she was
+convinced that he was ready to be acknowledged as an acquaintance,
+expecting it, and she had the pain of seeing her sister turn away with
+unalterable coldness.
+
+Lady Dalrymple’s carriage, for which Miss Elliot was growing very
+impatient, now drew up; the servant came in to announce it. It was
+beginning to rain again, and altogether there was a delay, and a
+bustle, and a talking, which must make all the little crowd in the shop
+understand that Lady Dalrymple was calling to convey Miss Elliot. At
+last Miss Elliot and her friend, unattended but by the servant, (for
+there was no cousin returned), were walking off; and Captain Wentworth,
+watching them, turned again to Anne, and by manner, rather than words,
+was offering his services to her.
+
+“I am much obliged to you,” was her answer, “but I am not going with
+them. The carriage would not accommodate so many. I walk: I prefer
+walking.”
+
+“But it rains.”
+
+“Oh! very little. Nothing that I regard.”
+
+After a moment’s pause he said: “Though I came only yesterday, I have
+equipped myself properly for Bath already, you see,” (pointing to a new
+umbrella); “I wish you would make use of it, if you are determined to
+walk; though I think it would be more prudent to let me get you a
+chair.”
+
+She was very much obliged to him, but declined it all, repeating her
+conviction, that the rain would come to nothing at present, and adding,
+“I am only waiting for Mr Elliot. He will be here in a moment, I am
+sure.”
+
+She had hardly spoken the words when Mr Elliot walked in. Captain
+Wentworth recollected him perfectly. There was no difference between
+him and the man who had stood on the steps at Lyme, admiring Anne as
+she passed, except in the air and look and manner of the privileged
+relation and friend. He came in with eagerness, appeared to see and
+think only of her, apologised for his stay, was grieved to have kept
+her waiting, and anxious to get her away without further loss of time
+and before the rain increased; and in another moment they walked off
+together, her arm under his, a gentle and embarrassed glance, and a
+“Good morning to you!” being all that she had time for, as she passed
+away.
+
+As soon as they were out of sight, the ladies of Captain Wentworth’s
+party began talking of them.
+
+“Mr Elliot does not dislike his cousin, I fancy?”
+
+“Oh! no, that is clear enough. One can guess what will happen there. He
+is always with them; half lives in the family, I believe. What a very
+good-looking man!”
+
+“Yes, and Miss Atkinson, who dined with him once at the Wallises, says
+he is the most agreeable man she ever was in company with.”
+
+“She is pretty, I think; Anne Elliot; very pretty, when one comes to
+look at her. It is not the fashion to say so, but I confess I admire
+her more than her sister.”
+
+“Oh! so do I.”
+
+“And so do I. No comparison. But the men are all wild after Miss
+Elliot. Anne is too delicate for them.”
+
+Anne would have been particularly obliged to her cousin, if he would
+have walked by her side all the way to Camden Place, without saying a
+word. She had never found it so difficult to listen to him, though
+nothing could exceed his solicitude and care, and though his subjects
+were principally such as were wont to be always interesting: praise,
+warm, just, and discriminating, of Lady Russell, and insinuations
+highly rational against Mrs Clay. But just now she could think only of
+Captain Wentworth. She could not understand his present feelings,
+whether he were really suffering much from disappointment or not; and
+till that point were settled, she could not be quite herself.
+
+She hoped to be wise and reasonable in time; but alas! alas! she must
+confess to herself that she was not wise yet.
+
+Another circumstance very essential for her to know, was how long he
+meant to be in Bath; he had not mentioned it, or she could not
+recollect it. He might be only passing through. But it was more
+probable that he should be come to stay. In that case, so liable as
+every body was to meet every body in Bath, Lady Russell would in all
+likelihood see him somewhere. Would she recollect him? How would it all
+be?
+
+She had already been obliged to tell Lady Russell that Louisa Musgrove
+was to marry Captain Benwick. It had cost her something to encounter
+Lady Russell’s surprise; and now, if she were by any chance to be
+thrown into company with Captain Wentworth, her imperfect knowledge of
+the matter might add another shade of prejudice against him.
+
+The following morning Anne was out with her friend, and for the first
+hour, in an incessant and fearful sort of watch for him in vain; but at
+last, in returning down Pulteney Street, she distinguished him on the
+right hand pavement at such a distance as to have him in view the
+greater part of the street. There were many other men about him, many
+groups walking the same way, but there was no mistaking him. She looked
+instinctively at Lady Russell; but not from any mad idea of her
+recognising him so soon as she did herself. No, it was not to be
+supposed that Lady Russell would perceive him till they were nearly
+opposite. She looked at her however, from time to time, anxiously; and
+when the moment approached which must point him out, though not daring
+to look again (for her own countenance she knew was unfit to be seen),
+she was yet perfectly conscious of Lady Russell’s eyes being turned
+exactly in the direction for him—of her being, in short, intently
+observing him. She could thoroughly comprehend the sort of fascination
+he must possess over Lady Russell’s mind, the difficulty it must be for
+her to withdraw her eyes, the astonishment she must be feeling that
+eight or nine years should have passed over him, and in foreign climes
+and in active service too, without robbing him of one personal grace!
+
+At last, Lady Russell drew back her head. “Now, how would she speak of
+him?”
+
+“You will wonder,” said she, “what has been fixing my eye so long; but
+I was looking after some window-curtains, which Lady Alicia and Mrs
+Frankland were telling me of last night. They described the
+drawing-room window-curtains of one of the houses on this side of the
+way, and this part of the street, as being the handsomest and best hung
+of any in Bath, but could not recollect the exact number, and I have
+been trying to find out which it could be; but I confess I can see no
+curtains hereabouts that answer their description.”
+
+Anne sighed and blushed and smiled, in pity and disdain, either at her
+friend or herself. The part which provoked her most, was that in all
+this waste of foresight and caution, she should have lost the right
+moment for seeing whether he saw them.
+
+A day or two passed without producing anything. The theatre or the
+rooms, where he was most likely to be, were not fashionable enough for
+the Elliots, whose evening amusements were solely in the elegant
+stupidity of private parties, in which they were getting more and more
+engaged; and Anne, wearied of such a state of stagnation, sick of
+knowing nothing, and fancying herself stronger because her strength was
+not tried, was quite impatient for the concert evening. It was a
+concert for the benefit of a person patronised by Lady Dalrymple. Of
+course they must attend. It was really expected to be a good one, and
+Captain Wentworth was very fond of music. If she could only have a few
+minutes conversation with him again, she fancied she should be
+satisfied; and as to the power of addressing him, she felt all over
+courage if the opportunity occurred. Elizabeth had turned from him,
+Lady Russell overlooked him; her nerves were strengthened by these
+circumstances; she felt that she owed him attention.
+
+She had once partly promised Mrs Smith to spend the evening with her;
+but in a short hurried call she excused herself and put it off, with
+the more decided promise of a longer visit on the morrow. Mrs Smith
+gave a most good-humoured acquiescence.
+
+“By all means,” said she; “only tell me all about it, when you do come.
+Who is your party?”
+
+Anne named them all. Mrs Smith made no reply; but when she was leaving
+her said, and with an expression half serious, half arch, “Well, I
+heartily wish your concert may answer; and do not fail me to-morrow if
+you can come; for I begin to have a foreboding that I may not have many
+more visits from you.”
+
+Anne was startled and confused; but after standing in a moment’s
+suspense, was obliged, and not sorry to be obliged, to hurry away.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XX.
+
+
+Sir Walter, his two daughters, and Mrs Clay, were the earliest of all
+their party at the rooms in the evening; and as Lady Dalrymple must be
+waited for, they took their station by one of the fires in the Octagon
+Room. But hardly were they so settled, when the door opened again, and
+Captain Wentworth walked in alone. Anne was the nearest to him, and
+making yet a little advance, she instantly spoke. He was preparing only
+to bow and pass on, but her gentle “How do you do?” brought him out of
+the straight line to stand near her, and make enquiries in return, in
+spite of the formidable father and sister in the back ground. Their
+being in the back ground was a support to Anne; she knew nothing of
+their looks, and felt equal to everything which she believed right to
+be done.
+
+While they were speaking, a whispering between her father and Elizabeth
+caught her ear. She could not distinguish, but she must guess the
+subject; and on Captain Wentworth’s making a distant bow, she
+comprehended that her father had judged so well as to give him that
+simple acknowledgement of acquaintance, and she was just in time by a
+side glance to see a slight curtsey from Elizabeth herself. This,
+though late, and reluctant, and ungracious, was yet better than
+nothing, and her spirits improved.
+
+After talking, however, of the weather, and Bath, and the concert,
+their conversation began to flag, and so little was said at last, that
+she was expecting him to go every moment, but he did not; he seemed in
+no hurry to leave her; and presently with renewed spirit, with a little
+smile, a little glow, he said—
+
+“I have hardly seen you since our day at Lyme. I am afraid you must
+have suffered from the shock, and the more from its not overpowering
+you at the time.”
+
+She assured him that she had not.
+
+“It was a frightful hour,” said he, “a frightful day!” and he passed
+his hand across his eyes, as if the remembrance were still too painful,
+but in a moment, half smiling again, added, “The day has produced some
+effects however; has had some consequences which must be considered as
+the very reverse of frightful. When you had the presence of mind to
+suggest that Benwick would be the properest person to fetch a surgeon,
+you could have little idea of his being eventually one of those most
+concerned in her recovery.”
+
+“Certainly I could have none. But it appears—I should hope it would be
+a very happy match. There are on both sides good principles and good
+temper.”
+
+“Yes,” said he, looking not exactly forward; “but there, I think, ends
+the resemblance. With all my soul I wish them happy, and rejoice over
+every circumstance in favour of it. They have no difficulties to
+contend with at home, no opposition, no caprice, no delays. The
+Musgroves are behaving like themselves, most honourably and kindly,
+only anxious with true parental hearts to promote their daughter’s
+comfort. All this is much, very much in favour of their happiness; more
+than perhaps—”
+
+He stopped. A sudden recollection seemed to occur, and to give him some
+taste of that emotion which was reddening Anne’s cheeks and fixing her
+eyes on the ground. After clearing his throat, however, he proceeded
+thus—
+
+“I confess that I do think there is a disparity, too great a disparity,
+and in a point no less essential than mind. I regard Louisa Musgrove as
+a very amiable, sweet-tempered girl, and not deficient in
+understanding, but Benwick is something more. He is a clever man, a
+reading man; and I confess, that I do consider his attaching himself to
+her with some surprise. Had it been the effect of gratitude, had he
+learnt to love her, because he believed her to be preferring him, it
+would have been another thing. But I have no reason to suppose it so.
+It seems, on the contrary, to have been a perfectly spontaneous,
+untaught feeling on his side, and this surprises me. A man like him, in
+his situation! with a heart pierced, wounded, almost broken! Fanny
+Harville was a very superior creature, and his attachment to her was
+indeed attachment. A man does not recover from such a devotion of the
+heart to such a woman. He ought not; he does not.”
+
+Either from the consciousness, however, that his friend had recovered,
+or from other consciousness, he went no farther; and Anne who, in spite
+of the agitated voice in which the latter part had been uttered, and in
+spite of all the various noises of the room, the almost ceaseless slam
+of the door, and ceaseless buzz of persons walking through, had
+distinguished every word, was struck, gratified, confused, and
+beginning to breathe very quick, and feel an hundred things in a
+moment. It was impossible for her to enter on such a subject; and yet,
+after a pause, feeling the necessity of speaking, and having not the
+smallest wish for a total change, she only deviated so far as to say—
+
+“You were a good while at Lyme, I think?”
+
+“About a fortnight. I could not leave it till Louisa’s doing well was
+quite ascertained. I had been too deeply concerned in the mischief to
+be soon at peace. It had been my doing, solely mine. She would not have
+been obstinate if I had not been weak. The country round Lyme is very
+fine. I walked and rode a great deal; and the more I saw, the more I
+found to admire.”
+
+“I should very much like to see Lyme again,” said Anne.
+
+“Indeed! I should not have supposed that you could have found anything
+in Lyme to inspire such a feeling. The horror and distress you were
+involved in, the stretch of mind, the wear of spirits! I should have
+thought your last impressions of Lyme must have been strong disgust.”
+
+“The last hours were certainly very painful,” replied Anne; “but when
+pain is over, the remembrance of it often becomes a pleasure. One does
+not love a place the less for having suffered in it, unless it has been
+all suffering, nothing but suffering, which was by no means the case at
+Lyme. We were only in anxiety and distress during the last two hours,
+and previously there had been a great deal of enjoyment. So much
+novelty and beauty! I have travelled so little, that every fresh place
+would be interesting to me; but there is real beauty at Lyme; and in
+short” (with a faint blush at some recollections), “altogether my
+impressions of the place are very agreeable.”
+
+As she ceased, the entrance door opened again, and the very party
+appeared for whom they were waiting. “Lady Dalrymple, Lady Dalrymple,”
+was the rejoicing sound; and with all the eagerness compatible with
+anxious elegance, Sir Walter and his two ladies stepped forward to meet
+her. Lady Dalrymple and Miss Carteret, escorted by Mr Elliot and
+Colonel Wallis, who had happened to arrive nearly at the same instant,
+advanced into the room. The others joined them, and it was a group in
+which Anne found herself also necessarily included. She was divided
+from Captain Wentworth. Their interesting, almost too interesting
+conversation must be broken up for a time, but slight was the penance
+compared with the happiness which brought it on! She had learnt, in the
+last ten minutes, more of his feelings towards Louisa, more of all his
+feelings than she dared to think of; and she gave herself up to the
+demands of the party, to the needful civilities of the moment, with
+exquisite, though agitated sensations. She was in good humour with all.
+She had received ideas which disposed her to be courteous and kind to
+all, and to pity every one, as being less happy than herself.
+
+The delightful emotions were a little subdued, when on stepping back
+from the group, to be joined again by Captain Wentworth, she saw that
+he was gone. She was just in time to see him turn into the Concert
+Room. He was gone; he had disappeared, she felt a moment’s regret. But
+“they should meet again. He would look for her, he would find her out
+before the evening were over, and at present, perhaps, it was as well
+to be asunder. She was in need of a little interval for recollection.”
+
+Upon Lady Russell’s appearance soon afterwards, the whole party was
+collected, and all that remained was to marshal themselves, and proceed
+into the Concert Room; and be of all the consequence in their power,
+draw as many eyes, excite as many whispers, and disturb as many people
+as they could.
+
+Very, very happy were both Elizabeth and Anne Elliot as they walked in.
+Elizabeth arm in arm with Miss Carteret, and looking on the broad back
+of the dowager Viscountess Dalrymple before her, had nothing to wish
+for which did not seem within her reach; and Anne—but it would be an
+insult to the nature of Anne’s felicity, to draw any comparison between
+it and her sister’s; the origin of one all selfish vanity, of the other
+all generous attachment.
+
+Anne saw nothing, thought nothing of the brilliancy of the room. Her
+happiness was from within. Her eyes were bright and her cheeks glowed;
+but she knew nothing about it. She was thinking only of the last half
+hour, and as they passed to their seats, her mind took a hasty range
+over it. His choice of subjects, his expressions, and still more his
+manner and look, had been such as she could see in only one light. His
+opinion of Louisa Musgrove’s inferiority, an opinion which he had
+seemed solicitous to give, his wonder at Captain Benwick, his feelings
+as to a first, strong attachment; sentences begun which he could not
+finish, his half averted eyes and more than half expressive glance,
+all, all declared that he had a heart returning to her at least; that
+anger, resentment, avoidance, were no more; and that they were
+succeeded, not merely by friendship and regard, but by the tenderness
+of the past. Yes, some share of the tenderness of the past. She could
+not contemplate the change as implying less. He must love her.
+
+These were thoughts, with their attendant visions, which occupied and
+flurried her too much to leave her any power of observation; and she
+passed along the room without having a glimpse of him, without even
+trying to discern him. When their places were determined on, and they
+were all properly arranged, she looked round to see if he should happen
+to be in the same part of the room, but he was not; her eye could not
+reach him; and the concert being just opening, she must consent for a
+time to be happy in a humbler way.
+
+The party was divided and disposed of on two contiguous benches: Anne
+was among those on the foremost, and Mr Elliot had manœuvred so well,
+with the assistance of his friend Colonel Wallis, as to have a seat by
+her. Miss Elliot, surrounded by her cousins, and the principal object
+of Colonel Wallis’s gallantry, was quite contented.
+
+Anne’s mind was in a most favourable state for the entertainment of the
+evening; it was just occupation enough: she had feelings for the
+tender, spirits for the gay, attention for the scientific, and patience
+for the wearisome; and had never liked a concert better, at least
+during the first act. Towards the close of it, in the interval
+succeeding an Italian song, she explained the words of the song to Mr
+Elliot. They had a concert bill between them.
+
+“This,” said she, “is nearly the sense, or rather the meaning of the
+words, for certainly the sense of an Italian love-song must not be
+talked of, but it is as nearly the meaning as I can give; for I do not
+pretend to understand the language. I am a very poor Italian scholar.”
+
+“Yes, yes, I see you are. I see you know nothing of the matter. You
+have only knowledge enough of the language to translate at sight these
+inverted, transposed, curtailed Italian lines, into clear,
+comprehensible, elegant English. You need not say anything more of your
+ignorance. Here is complete proof.”
+
+“I will not oppose such kind politeness; but I should be sorry to be
+examined by a real proficient.”
+
+“I have not had the pleasure of visiting in Camden Place so long,”
+replied he, “without knowing something of Miss Anne Elliot; and I do
+regard her as one who is too modest for the world in general to be
+aware of half her accomplishments, and too highly accomplished for
+modesty to be natural in any other woman.”
+
+“For shame! for shame! this is too much flattery. I forget what we are
+to have next,” turning to the bill.
+
+“Perhaps,” said Mr Elliot, speaking low, “I have had a longer
+acquaintance with your character than you are aware of.”
+
+“Indeed! How so? You can have been acquainted with it only since I came
+to Bath, excepting as you might hear me previously spoken of in my own
+family.”
+
+“I knew you by report long before you came to Bath. I had heard you
+described by those who knew you intimately. I have been acquainted with
+you by character many years. Your person, your disposition,
+accomplishments, manner; they were all present to me.”
+
+Mr Elliot was not disappointed in the interest he hoped to raise. No
+one can withstand the charm of such a mystery. To have been described
+long ago to a recent acquaintance, by nameless people, is irresistible;
+and Anne was all curiosity. She wondered, and questioned him eagerly;
+but in vain. He delighted in being asked, but he would not tell.
+
+“No, no, some time or other, perhaps, but not now. He would mention no
+names now; but such, he could assure her, had been the fact. He had
+many years ago received such a description of Miss Anne Elliot as had
+inspired him with the highest idea of her merit, and excited the
+warmest curiosity to know her.”
+
+Anne could think of no one so likely to have spoken with partiality of
+her many years ago as the Mr Wentworth of Monkford, Captain Wentworth’s
+brother. He might have been in Mr Elliot’s company, but she had not
+courage to ask the question.
+
+“The name of Anne Elliot,” said he, “has long had an interesting sound
+to me. Very long has it possessed a charm over my fancy; and, if I
+dared, I would breathe my wishes that the name might never change.”
+
+Such, she believed, were his words; but scarcely had she received their
+sound, than her attention was caught by other sounds immediately behind
+her, which rendered every thing else trivial. Her father and Lady
+Dalrymple were speaking.
+
+“A well-looking man,” said Sir Walter, “a very well-looking man.”
+
+“A very fine young man indeed!” said Lady Dalrymple. “More air than one
+often sees in Bath. Irish, I dare say.”
+
+“No, I just know his name. A bowing acquaintance. Wentworth; Captain
+Wentworth of the navy. His sister married my tenant in Somersetshire,
+the Croft, who rents Kellynch.”
+
+Before Sir Walter had reached this point, Anne’s eyes had caught the
+right direction, and distinguished Captain Wentworth standing among a
+cluster of men at a little distance. As her eyes fell on him, his
+seemed to be withdrawn from her. It had that appearance. It seemed as
+if she had been one moment too late; and as long as she dared observe,
+he did not look again: but the performance was recommencing, and she
+was forced to seem to restore her attention to the orchestra and look
+straight forward.
+
+When she could give another glance, he had moved away. He could not
+have come nearer to her if he would; she was so surrounded and shut in:
+but she would rather have caught his eye.
+
+Mr Elliot’s speech, too, distressed her. She had no longer any
+inclination to talk to him. She wished him not so near her.
+
+The first act was over. Now she hoped for some beneficial change; and,
+after a period of nothing-saying amongst the party, some of them did
+decide on going in quest of tea. Anne was one of the few who did not
+choose to move. She remained in her seat, and so did Lady Russell; but
+she had the pleasure of getting rid of Mr Elliot; and she did not mean,
+whatever she might feel on Lady Russell’s account, to shrink from
+conversation with Captain Wentworth, if he gave her the opportunity.
+She was persuaded by Lady Russell’s countenance that she had seen him.
+
+He did not come however. Anne sometimes fancied she discerned him at a
+distance, but he never came. The anxious interval wore away
+unproductively. The others returned, the room filled again, benches
+were reclaimed and repossessed, and another hour of pleasure or of
+penance was to be sat out, another hour of music was to give delight or
+the gapes, as real or affected taste for it prevailed. To Anne, it
+chiefly wore the prospect of an hour of agitation. She could not quit
+that room in peace without seeing Captain Wentworth once more, without
+the interchange of one friendly look.
+
+In re-settling themselves there were now many changes, the result of
+which was favourable for her. Colonel Wallis declined sitting down
+again, and Mr Elliot was invited by Elizabeth and Miss Carteret, in a
+manner not to be refused, to sit between them; and by some other
+removals, and a little scheming of her own, Anne was enabled to place
+herself much nearer the end of the bench than she had been before, much
+more within reach of a passer-by. She could not do so, without
+comparing herself with Miss Larolles, the inimitable Miss Larolles; but
+still she did it, and not with much happier effect; though by what
+seemed prosperity in the shape of an early abdication in her next
+neighbours, she found herself at the very end of the bench before the
+concert closed.
+
+Such was her situation, with a vacant space at hand, when Captain
+Wentworth was again in sight. She saw him not far off. He saw her too;
+yet he looked grave, and seemed irresolute, and only by very slow
+degrees came at last near enough to speak to her. She felt that
+something must be the matter. The change was indubitable. The
+difference between his present air and what it had been in the Octagon
+Room was strikingly great. Why was it? She thought of her father, of
+Lady Russell. Could there have been any unpleasant glances? He began by
+speaking of the concert gravely, more like the Captain Wentworth of
+Uppercross; owned himself disappointed, had expected singing; and in
+short, must confess that he should not be sorry when it was over. Anne
+replied, and spoke in defence of the performance so well, and yet in
+allowance for his feelings so pleasantly, that his countenance
+improved, and he replied again with almost a smile. They talked for a
+few minutes more; the improvement held; he even looked down towards the
+bench, as if he saw a place on it well worth occupying; when at that
+moment a touch on her shoulder obliged Anne to turn round. It came from
+Mr Elliot. He begged her pardon, but she must be applied to, to explain
+Italian again. Miss Carteret was very anxious to have a general idea of
+what was next to be sung. Anne could not refuse; but never had she
+sacrificed to politeness with a more suffering spirit.
+
+A few minutes, though as few as possible, were inevitably consumed; and
+when her own mistress again, when able to turn and look as she had done
+before, she found herself accosted by Captain Wentworth, in a reserved
+yet hurried sort of farewell. “He must wish her good night; he was
+going; he should get home as fast as he could.”
+
+“Is not this song worth staying for?” said Anne, suddenly struck by an
+idea which made her yet more anxious to be encouraging.
+
+“No!” he replied impressively, “there is nothing worth my staying for;”
+and he was gone directly.
+
+Jealousy of Mr Elliot! It was the only intelligible motive. Captain
+Wentworth jealous of her affection! Could she have believed it a week
+ago; three hours ago! For a moment the gratification was exquisite.
+But, alas! there were very different thoughts to succeed. How was such
+jealousy to be quieted? How was the truth to reach him? How, in all the
+peculiar disadvantages of their respective situations, would he ever
+learn of her real sentiments? It was misery to think of Mr Elliot’s
+attentions. Their evil was incalculable.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXI.
+
+
+Anne recollected with pleasure the next morning her promise of going to
+Mrs Smith, meaning that it should engage her from home at the time when
+Mr Elliot would be most likely to call; for to avoid Mr Elliot was
+almost a first object.
+
+She felt a great deal of good-will towards him. In spite of the
+mischief of his attentions, she owed him gratitude and regard, perhaps
+compassion. She could not help thinking much of the extraordinary
+circumstances attending their acquaintance, of the right which he
+seemed to have to interest her, by everything in situation, by his own
+sentiments, by his early prepossession. It was altogether very
+extraordinary; flattering, but painful. There was much to regret. How
+she might have felt had there been no Captain Wentworth in the case,
+was not worth enquiry; for there was a Captain Wentworth; and be the
+conclusion of the present suspense good or bad, her affection would be
+his for ever. Their union, she believed, could not divide her more from
+other men, than their final separation.
+
+Prettier musings of high-wrought love and eternal constancy, could
+never have passed along the streets of Bath, than Anne was sporting
+with from Camden Place to Westgate Buildings. It was almost enough to
+spread purification and perfume all the way.
+
+She was sure of a pleasant reception; and her friend seemed this
+morning particularly obliged to her for coming, seemed hardly to have
+expected her, though it had been an appointment.
+
+An account of the concert was immediately claimed; and Anne’s
+recollections of the concert were quite happy enough to animate her
+features and make her rejoice to talk of it. All that she could tell
+she told most gladly, but the all was little for one who had been
+there, and unsatisfactory for such an enquirer as Mrs Smith, who had
+already heard, through the short cut of a laundress and a waiter,
+rather more of the general success and produce of the evening than Anne
+could relate, and who now asked in vain for several particulars of the
+company. Everybody of any consequence or notoriety in Bath was well
+know by name to Mrs Smith.
+
+“The little Durands were there, I conclude,” said she, “with their
+mouths open to catch the music, like unfledged sparrows ready to be
+fed. They never miss a concert.”
+
+“Yes; I did not see them myself, but I heard Mr Elliot say they were in
+the room.”
+
+“The Ibbotsons, were they there? and the two new beauties, with the
+tall Irish officer, who is talked of for one of them.”
+
+“I do not know. I do not think they were.”
+
+“Old Lady Mary Maclean? I need not ask after her. She never misses, I
+know; and you must have seen her. She must have been in your own
+circle; for as you went with Lady Dalrymple, you were in the seats of
+grandeur, round the orchestra, of course.”
+
+“No, that was what I dreaded. It would have been very unpleasant to me
+in every respect. But happily Lady Dalrymple always chooses to be
+farther off; and we were exceedingly well placed, that is, for hearing;
+I must not say for seeing, because I appear to have seen very little.”
+
+“Oh! you saw enough for your own amusement. I can understand. There is
+a sort of domestic enjoyment to be known even in a crowd, and this you
+had. You were a large party in yourselves, and you wanted nothing
+beyond.”
+
+“But I ought to have looked about me more,” said Anne, conscious while
+she spoke that there had in fact been no want of looking about, that
+the object only had been deficient.
+
+“No, no; you were better employed. You need not tell me that you had a
+pleasant evening. I see it in your eye. I perfectly see how the hours
+passed: that you had always something agreeable to listen to. In the
+intervals of the concert it was conversation.”
+
+Anne half smiled and said, “Do you see that in my eye?”
+
+“Yes, I do. Your countenance perfectly informs me that you were in
+company last night with the person whom you think the most agreeable in
+the world, the person who interests you at this present time more than
+all the rest of the world put together.”
+
+A blush overspread Anne’s cheeks. She could say nothing.
+
+“And such being the case,” continued Mrs Smith, after a short pause, “I
+hope you believe that I do know how to value your kindness in coming to
+me this morning. It is really very good of you to come and sit with me,
+when you must have so many pleasanter demands upon your time.”
+
+Anne heard nothing of this. She was still in the astonishment and
+confusion excited by her friend’s penetration, unable to imagine how
+any report of Captain Wentworth could have reached her. After another
+short silence—
+
+“Pray,” said Mrs Smith, “is Mr Elliot aware of your acquaintance with
+me? Does he know that I am in Bath?”
+
+“Mr Elliot!” repeated Anne, looking up surprised. A moment’s reflection
+shewed her the mistake she had been under. She caught it
+instantaneously; and recovering her courage with the feeling of safety,
+soon added, more composedly, “Are you acquainted with Mr Elliot?”
+
+“I have been a good deal acquainted with him,” replied Mrs Smith,
+gravely, “but it seems worn out now. It is a great while since we met.”
+
+“I was not at all aware of this. You never mentioned it before. Had I
+known it, I would have had the pleasure of talking to him about you.”
+
+“To confess the truth,” said Mrs Smith, assuming her usual air of
+cheerfulness, “that is exactly the pleasure I want you to have. I want
+you to talk about me to Mr Elliot. I want your interest with him. He
+can be of essential service to me; and if you would have the goodness,
+my dear Miss Elliot, to make it an object to yourself, of course it is
+done.”
+
+“I should be extremely happy; I hope you cannot doubt my willingness to
+be of even the slightest use to you,” replied Anne; “but I suspect that
+you are considering me as having a higher claim on Mr Elliot, a greater
+right to influence him, than is really the case. I am sure you have,
+somehow or other, imbibed such a notion. You must consider me only as
+Mr Elliot’s relation. If in that light there is anything which you
+suppose his cousin might fairly ask of him, I beg you would not
+hesitate to employ me.”
+
+Mrs Smith gave her a penetrating glance, and then, smiling, said—
+
+“I have been a little premature, I perceive; I beg your pardon. I ought
+to have waited for official information. But now, my dear Miss Elliot,
+as an old friend, do give me a hint as to when I may speak. Next week?
+To be sure by next week I may be allowed to think it all settled, and
+build my own selfish schemes on Mr Elliot’s good fortune.”
+
+“No,” replied Anne, “nor next week, nor next, nor next. I assure you
+that nothing of the sort you are thinking of will be settled any week.
+I am not going to marry Mr Elliot. I should like to know why you
+imagine I am?”
+
+Mrs Smith looked at her again, looked earnestly, smiled, shook her
+head, and exclaimed—
+
+“Now, how I do wish I understood you! How I do wish I knew what you
+were at! I have a great idea that you do not design to be cruel, when
+the right moment occurs. Till it does come, you know, we women never
+mean to have anybody. It is a thing of course among us, that every man
+is refused, till he offers. But why should you be cruel? Let me plead
+for my—present friend I cannot call him, but for my former friend.
+Where can you look for a more suitable match? Where could you expect a
+more gentlemanlike, agreeable man? Let me recommend Mr Elliot. I am
+sure you hear nothing but good of him from Colonel Wallis; and who can
+know him better than Colonel Wallis?”
+
+“My dear Mrs Smith, Mr Elliot’s wife has not been dead much above half
+a year. He ought not to be supposed to be paying his addresses to any
+one.”
+
+“Oh! if these are your only objections,” cried Mrs Smith, archly, “Mr
+Elliot is safe, and I shall give myself no more trouble about him. Do
+not forget me when you are married, that’s all. Let him know me to be a
+friend of yours, and then he will think little of the trouble required,
+which it is very natural for him now, with so many affairs and
+engagements of his own, to avoid and get rid of as he can; very
+natural, perhaps. Ninety-nine out of a hundred would do the same. Of
+course, he cannot be aware of the importance to me. Well, my dear Miss
+Elliot, I hope and trust you will be very happy. Mr Elliot has sense to
+understand the value of such a woman. Your peace will not be
+shipwrecked as mine has been. You are safe in all worldly matters, and
+safe in his character. He will not be led astray; he will not be misled
+by others to his ruin.”
+
+“No,” said Anne, “I can readily believe all that of my cousin. He seems
+to have a calm decided temper, not at all open to dangerous
+impressions. I consider him with great respect. I have no reason, from
+any thing that has fallen within my observation, to do otherwise. But I
+have not known him long; and he is not a man, I think, to be known
+intimately soon. Will not this manner of speaking of him, Mrs Smith,
+convince you that he is nothing to me? Surely this must be calm enough.
+And, upon my word, he is nothing to me. Should he ever propose to me
+(which I have very little reason to imagine he has any thought of
+doing), I shall not accept him. I assure you I shall not. I assure you,
+Mr Elliot had not the share which you have been supposing, in whatever
+pleasure the concert of last night might afford: not Mr Elliot; it is
+not Mr Elliot that—”
+
+She stopped, regretting with a deep blush that she had implied so much;
+but less would hardly have been sufficient. Mrs Smith would hardly have
+believed so soon in Mr Elliot’s failure, but from the perception of
+there being a somebody else. As it was, she instantly submitted, and
+with all the semblance of seeing nothing beyond; and Anne, eager to
+escape farther notice, was impatient to know why Mrs Smith should have
+fancied she was to marry Mr Elliot; where she could have received the
+idea, or from whom she could have heard it.
+
+“Do tell me how it first came into your head.”
+
+“It first came into my head,” replied Mrs Smith, “upon finding how much
+you were together, and feeling it to be the most probable thing in the
+world to be wished for by everybody belonging to either of you; and you
+may depend upon it that all your acquaintance have disposed of you in
+the same way. But I never heard it spoken of till two days ago.”
+
+“And has it indeed been spoken of?”
+
+“Did you observe the woman who opened the door to you when you called
+yesterday?”
+
+“No. Was not it Mrs Speed, as usual, or the maid? I observed no one in
+particular.”
+
+“It was my friend Mrs Rooke; Nurse Rooke; who, by-the-bye, had a great
+curiosity to see you, and was delighted to be in the way to let you in.
+She came away from Marlborough Buildings only on Sunday; and she it was
+who told me you were to marry Mr Elliot. She had had it from Mrs Wallis
+herself, which did not seem bad authority. She sat an hour with me on
+Monday evening, and gave me the whole history.” “The whole history,”
+repeated Anne, laughing. “She could not make a very long history, I
+think, of one such little article of unfounded news.”
+
+Mrs Smith said nothing.
+
+“But,” continued Anne, presently, “though there is no truth in my
+having this claim on Mr Elliot, I should be extremely happy to be of
+use to you in any way that I could. Shall I mention to him your being
+in Bath? Shall I take any message?”
+
+“No, I thank you: no, certainly not. In the warmth of the moment, and
+under a mistaken impression, I might, perhaps, have endeavoured to
+interest you in some circumstances; but not now. No, I thank you, I
+have nothing to trouble you with.”
+
+“I think you spoke of having known Mr Elliot many years?”
+
+“I did.”
+
+“Not before he was married, I suppose?”
+
+“Yes; he was not married when I knew him first.”
+
+“And—were you much acquainted?”
+
+“Intimately.”
+
+“Indeed! Then do tell me what he was at that time of life. I have a
+great curiosity to know what Mr Elliot was as a very young man. Was he
+at all such as he appears now?”
+
+“I have not seen Mr Elliot these three years,” was Mrs Smith’s answer,
+given so gravely that it was impossible to pursue the subject farther;
+and Anne felt that she had gained nothing but an increase of curiosity.
+They were both silent: Mrs Smith very thoughtful. At last—
+
+“I beg your pardon, my dear Miss Elliot,” she cried, in her natural
+tone of cordiality, “I beg your pardon for the short answers I have
+been giving you, but I have been uncertain what I ought to do. I have
+been doubting and considering as to what I ought to tell you. There
+were many things to be taken into the account. One hates to be
+officious, to be giving bad impressions, making mischief. Even the
+smooth surface of family-union seems worth preserving, though there may
+be nothing durable beneath. However, I have determined; I think I am
+right; I think you ought to be made acquainted with Mr Elliot’s real
+character. Though I fully believe that, at present, you have not the
+smallest intention of accepting him, there is no saying what may
+happen. You might, some time or other, be differently affected towards
+him. Hear the truth, therefore, now, while you are unprejudiced. Mr
+Elliot is a man without heart or conscience; a designing, wary,
+cold-blooded being, who thinks only of himself; whom for his own
+interest or ease, would be guilty of any cruelty, or any treachery,
+that could be perpetrated without risk of his general character. He has
+no feeling for others. Those whom he has been the chief cause of
+leading into ruin, he can neglect and desert without the smallest
+compunction. He is totally beyond the reach of any sentiment of justice
+or compassion. Oh! he is black at heart, hollow and black!”
+
+Anne’s astonished air, and exclamation of wonder, made her pause, and
+in a calmer manner, she added,
+
+“My expressions startle you. You must allow for an injured, angry
+woman. But I will try to command myself. I will not abuse him. I will
+only tell you what I have found him. Facts shall speak. He was the
+intimate friend of my dear husband, who trusted and loved him, and
+thought him as good as himself. The intimacy had been formed before our
+marriage. I found them most intimate friends; and I, too, became
+excessively pleased with Mr Elliot, and entertained the highest opinion
+of him. At nineteen, you know, one does not think very seriously; but
+Mr Elliot appeared to me quite as good as others, and much more
+agreeable than most others, and we were almost always together. We were
+principally in town, living in very good style. He was then the
+inferior in circumstances; he was then the poor one; he had chambers in
+the Temple, and it was as much as he could do to support the appearance
+of a gentleman. He had always a home with us whenever he chose it; he
+was always welcome; he was like a brother. My poor Charles, who had the
+finest, most generous spirit in the world, would have divided his last
+farthing with him; and I know that his purse was open to him; I know
+that he often assisted him.”
+
+“This must have been about that very period of Mr Elliot’s life,” said
+Anne, “which has always excited my particular curiosity. It must have
+been about the same time that he became known to my father and sister.
+I never knew him myself; I only heard of him; but there was a something
+in his conduct then, with regard to my father and sister, and
+afterwards in the circumstances of his marriage, which I never could
+quite reconcile with present times. It seemed to announce a different
+sort of man.”
+
+“I know it all, I know it all,” cried Mrs Smith. “He had been
+introduced to Sir Walter and your sister before I was acquainted with
+him, but I heard him speak of them for ever. I know he was invited and
+encouraged, and I know he did not choose to go. I can satisfy you,
+perhaps, on points which you would little expect; and as to his
+marriage, I knew all about it at the time. I was privy to all the fors
+and againsts; I was the friend to whom he confided his hopes and plans;
+and though I did not know his wife previously, her inferior situation
+in society, indeed, rendered that impossible, yet I knew her all her
+life afterwards, or at least till within the last two years of her
+life, and can answer any question you may wish to put.”
+
+“Nay,” said Anne, “I have no particular enquiry to make about her. I
+have always understood they were not a happy couple. But I should like
+to know why, at that time of his life, he should slight my father’s
+acquaintance as he did. My father was certainly disposed to take very
+kind and proper notice of him. Why did Mr Elliot draw back?”
+
+“Mr Elliot,” replied Mrs Smith, “at that period of his life, had one
+object in view: to make his fortune, and by a rather quicker process
+than the law. He was determined to make it by marriage. He was
+determined, at least, not to mar it by an imprudent marriage; and I
+know it was his belief (whether justly or not, of course I cannot
+decide), that your father and sister, in their civilities and
+invitations, were designing a match between the heir and the young
+lady, and it was impossible that such a match should have answered his
+ideas of wealth and independence. That was his motive for drawing back,
+I can assure you. He told me the whole story. He had no concealments
+with me. It was curious, that having just left you behind me in Bath,
+my first and principal acquaintance on marrying should be your cousin;
+and that, through him, I should be continually hearing of your father
+and sister. He described one Miss Elliot, and I thought very
+affectionately of the other.”
+
+“Perhaps,” cried Anne, struck by a sudden idea, “you sometimes spoke of
+me to Mr Elliot?”
+
+“To be sure I did; very often. I used to boast of my own Anne Elliot,
+and vouch for your being a very different creature from—”
+
+She checked herself just in time.
+
+“This accounts for something which Mr Elliot said last night,” cried
+Anne. “This explains it. I found he had been used to hear of me. I
+could not comprehend how. What wild imaginations one forms where dear
+self is concerned! How sure to be mistaken! But I beg your pardon; I
+have interrupted you. Mr Elliot married then completely for money? The
+circumstances, probably, which first opened your eyes to his
+character.”
+
+Mrs Smith hesitated a little here. “Oh! those things are too common.
+When one lives in the world, a man or woman’s marrying for money is too
+common to strike one as it ought. I was very young, and associated only
+with the young, and we were a thoughtless, gay set, without any strict
+rules of conduct. We lived for enjoyment. I think differently now; time
+and sickness and sorrow have given me other notions; but at that period
+I must own I saw nothing reprehensible in what Mr Elliot was doing. ‘To
+do the best for himself,’ passed as a duty.”
+
+“But was not she a very low woman?”
+
+“Yes; which I objected to, but he would not regard. Money, money, was
+all that he wanted. Her father was a grazier, her grandfather had been
+a butcher, but that was all nothing. She was a fine woman, had had a
+decent education, was brought forward by some cousins, thrown by chance
+into Mr Elliot’s company, and fell in love with him; and not a
+difficulty or a scruple was there on his side, with respect to her
+birth. All his caution was spent in being secured of the real amount of
+her fortune, before he committed himself. Depend upon it, whatever
+esteem Mr Elliot may have for his own situation in life now, as a young
+man he had not the smallest value for it. His chance for the Kellynch
+estate was something, but all the honour of the family he held as cheap
+as dirt. I have often heard him declare, that if baronetcies were
+saleable, anybody should have his for fifty pounds, arms and motto,
+name and livery included; but I will not pretend to repeat half that I
+used to hear him say on that subject. It would not be fair; and yet you
+ought to have proof, for what is all this but assertion, and you shall
+have proof.”
+
+“Indeed, my dear Mrs Smith, I want none,” cried Anne. “You have
+asserted nothing contradictory to what Mr Elliot appeared to be some
+years ago. This is all in confirmation, rather, of what we used to hear
+and believe. I am more curious to know why he should be so different
+now.”
+
+“But for my satisfaction, if you will have the goodness to ring for
+Mary; stay: I am sure you will have the still greater goodness of going
+yourself into my bedroom, and bringing me the small inlaid box which
+you will find on the upper shelf of the closet.”
+
+Anne, seeing her friend to be earnestly bent on it, did as she was
+desired. The box was brought and placed before her, and Mrs Smith,
+sighing over it as she unlocked it, said—
+
+“This is full of papers belonging to him, to my husband; a small
+portion only of what I had to look over when I lost him. The letter I
+am looking for was one written by Mr Elliot to him before our marriage,
+and happened to be saved; why, one can hardly imagine. But he was
+careless and immethodical, like other men, about those things; and when
+I came to examine his papers, I found it with others still more
+trivial, from different people scattered here and there, while many
+letters and memorandums of real importance had been destroyed. Here it
+is; I would not burn it, because being even then very little satisfied
+with Mr Elliot, I was determined to preserve every document of former
+intimacy. I have now another motive for being glad that I can produce
+it.”
+
+This was the letter, directed to “Charles Smith, Esq. Tunbridge Wells,”
+and dated from London, as far back as July, 1803:—
+
+
+“Dear Smith,
+
+“I have received yours. Your kindness almost overpowers me. I wish
+nature had made such hearts as yours more common, but I have lived
+three-and-twenty years in the world, and have seen none like it. At
+present, believe me, I have no need of your services, being in cash
+again. Give me joy: I have got rid of Sir Walter and Miss. They are
+gone back to Kellynch, and almost made me swear to visit them this
+summer; but my first visit to Kellynch will be with a surveyor, to tell
+me how to bring it with best advantage to the hammer. The baronet,
+nevertheless, is not unlikely to marry again; he is quite fool enough.
+If he does, however, they will leave me in peace, which may be a decent
+equivalent for the reversion. He is worse than last year.
+
+“I wish I had any name but Elliot. I am sick of it. The name of Walter
+I can drop, thank God! and I desire you will never insult me with my
+second W. again, meaning, for the rest of my life, to be only yours
+truly,
+
+“WM. ELLIOT.”
+
+
+Such a letter could not be read without putting Anne in a glow; and Mrs
+Smith, observing the high colour in her face, said—
+
+“The language, I know, is highly disrespectful. Though I have forgot
+the exact terms, I have a perfect impression of the general meaning.
+But it shows you the man. Mark his professions to my poor husband. Can
+any thing be stronger?”
+
+Anne could not immediately get over the shock and mortification of
+finding such words applied to her father. She was obliged to recollect
+that her seeing the letter was a violation of the laws of honour, that
+no one ought to be judged or to be known by such testimonies, that no
+private correspondence could bear the eye of others, before she could
+recover calmness enough to return the letter which she had been
+meditating over, and say—
+
+“Thank you. This is full proof undoubtedly; proof of every thing you
+were saying. But why be acquainted with us now?”
+
+“I can explain this too,” cried Mrs Smith, smiling.
+
+“Can you really?”
+
+“Yes. I have shewn you Mr Elliot as he was a dozen years ago, and I
+will shew him as he is now. I cannot produce written proof again, but I
+can give as authentic oral testimony as you can desire, of what he is
+now wanting, and what he is now doing. He is no hypocrite now. He truly
+wants to marry you. His present attentions to your family are very
+sincere: quite from the heart. I will give you my authority: his friend
+Colonel Wallis.”
+
+“Colonel Wallis! you are acquainted with him?”
+
+“No. It does not come to me in quite so direct a line as that; it takes
+a bend or two, but nothing of consequence. The stream is as good as at
+first; the little rubbish it collects in the turnings is easily moved
+away. Mr Elliot talks unreservedly to Colonel Wallis of his views on
+you, which said Colonel Wallis, I imagine to be, in himself, a
+sensible, careful, discerning sort of character; but Colonel Wallis has
+a very pretty silly wife, to whom he tells things which he had better
+not, and he repeats it all to her. She in the overflowing spirits of
+her recovery, repeats it all to her nurse; and the nurse knowing my
+acquaintance with you, very naturally brings it all to me. On Monday
+evening, my good friend Mrs Rooke let me thus much into the secrets of
+Marlborough Buildings. When I talked of a whole history, therefore, you
+see I was not romancing so much as you supposed.”
+
+“My dear Mrs Smith, your authority is deficient. This will not do. Mr
+Elliot’s having any views on me will not in the least account for the
+efforts he made towards a reconciliation with my father. That was all
+prior to my coming to Bath. I found them on the most friendly terms
+when I arrived.”
+
+“I know you did; I know it all perfectly, but—”
+
+“Indeed, Mrs Smith, we must not expect to get real information in such
+a line. Facts or opinions which are to pass through the hands of so
+many, to be misconceived by folly in one, and ignorance in another, can
+hardly have much truth left.”
+
+“Only give me a hearing. You will soon be able to judge of the general
+credit due, by listening to some particulars which you can yourself
+immediately contradict or confirm. Nobody supposes that you were his
+first inducement. He had seen you indeed, before he came to Bath, and
+admired you, but without knowing it to be you. So says my historian, at
+least. Is this true? Did he see you last summer or autumn, ‘somewhere
+down in the west,’ to use her own words, without knowing it to be you?”
+
+“He certainly did. So far it is very true. At Lyme. I happened to be at
+Lyme.”
+
+“Well,” continued Mrs Smith, triumphantly, “grant my friend the credit
+due to the establishment of the first point asserted. He saw you then
+at Lyme, and liked you so well as to be exceedingly pleased to meet
+with you again in Camden Place, as Miss Anne Elliot, and from that
+moment, I have no doubt, had a double motive in his visits there. But
+there was another, and an earlier, which I will now explain. If there
+is anything in my story which you know to be either false or
+improbable, stop me. My account states, that your sister’s friend, the
+lady now staying with you, whom I have heard you mention, came to Bath
+with Miss Elliot and Sir Walter as long ago as September (in short when
+they first came themselves), and has been staying there ever since;
+that she is a clever, insinuating, handsome woman, poor and plausible,
+and altogether such in situation and manner, as to give a general idea,
+among Sir Walter’s acquaintance, of her meaning to be Lady Elliot, and
+as general a surprise that Miss Elliot should be apparently, blind to
+the danger.”
+
+Here Mrs Smith paused a moment; but Anne had not a word to say, and she
+continued—
+
+“This was the light in which it appeared to those who knew the family,
+long before you returned to it; and Colonel Wallis had his eye upon
+your father enough to be sensible of it, though he did not then visit
+in Camden Place; but his regard for Mr Elliot gave him an interest in
+watching all that was going on there, and when Mr Elliot came to Bath
+for a day or two, as he happened to do a little before Christmas,
+Colonel Wallis made him acquainted with the appearance of things, and
+the reports beginning to prevail. Now you are to understand, that time
+had worked a very material change in Mr Elliot’s opinions as to the
+value of a baronetcy. Upon all points of blood and connexion he is a
+completely altered man. Having long had as much money as he could
+spend, nothing to wish for on the side of avarice or indulgence, he has
+been gradually learning to pin his happiness upon the consequence he is
+heir to. I thought it coming on before our acquaintance ceased, but it
+is now a confirmed feeling. He cannot bear the idea of not being Sir
+William. You may guess, therefore, that the news he heard from his
+friend could not be very agreeable, and you may guess what it produced;
+the resolution of coming back to Bath as soon as possible, and of
+fixing himself here for a time, with the view of renewing his former
+acquaintance, and recovering such a footing in the family as might give
+him the means of ascertaining the degree of his danger, and of
+circumventing the lady if he found it material. This was agreed upon
+between the two friends as the only thing to be done; and Colonel
+Wallis was to assist in every way that he could. He was to be
+introduced, and Mrs Wallis was to be introduced, and everybody was to
+be introduced. Mr Elliot came back accordingly; and on application was
+forgiven, as you know, and re-admitted into the family; and there it
+was his constant object, and his only object (till your arrival added
+another motive), to watch Sir Walter and Mrs Clay. He omitted no
+opportunity of being with them, threw himself in their way, called at
+all hours; but I need not be particular on this subject. You can
+imagine what an artful man would do; and with this guide, perhaps, may
+recollect what you have seen him do.”
+
+“Yes,” said Anne, “you tell me nothing which does not accord with what
+I have known, or could imagine. There is always something offensive in
+the details of cunning. The manœuvres of selfishness and duplicity must
+ever be revolting, but I have heard nothing which really surprises me.
+I know those who would be shocked by such a representation of Mr
+Elliot, who would have difficulty in believing it; but I have never
+been satisfied. I have always wanted some other motive for his conduct
+than appeared. I should like to know his present opinion, as to the
+probability of the event he has been in dread of; whether he considers
+the danger to be lessening or not.”
+
+“Lessening, I understand,” replied Mrs Smith. “He thinks Mrs Clay
+afraid of him, aware that he sees through her, and not daring to
+proceed as she might do in his absence. But since he must be absent
+some time or other, I do not perceive how he can ever be secure while
+she holds her present influence. Mrs Wallis has an amusing idea, as
+nurse tells me, that it is to be put into the marriage articles when
+you and Mr Elliot marry, that your father is not to marry Mrs Clay. A
+scheme, worthy of Mrs Wallis’s understanding, by all accounts; but my
+sensible nurse Rooke sees the absurdity of it. ‘Why, to be sure,
+ma’am,’ said she, ‘it would not prevent his marrying anybody else.’
+And, indeed, to own the truth, I do not think nurse, in her heart, is a
+very strenuous opposer of Sir Walter’s making a second match. She must
+be allowed to be a favourer of matrimony, you know; and (since self
+will intrude) who can say that she may not have some flying visions of
+attending the next Lady Elliot, through Mrs Wallis’s recommendation?”
+
+“I am very glad to know all this,” said Anne, after a little
+thoughtfulness. “It will be more painful to me in some respects to be
+in company with him, but I shall know better what to do. My line of
+conduct will be more direct. Mr Elliot is evidently a disingenuous,
+artificial, worldly man, who has never had any better principle to
+guide him than selfishness.”
+
+But Mr Elliot was not done with. Mrs Smith had been carried away from
+her first direction, and Anne had forgotten, in the interest of her own
+family concerns, how much had been originally implied against him; but
+her attention was now called to the explanation of those first hints,
+and she listened to a recital which, if it did not perfectly justify
+the unqualified bitterness of Mrs Smith, proved him to have been very
+unfeeling in his conduct towards her; very deficient both in justice
+and compassion.
+
+She learned that (the intimacy between them continuing unimpaired by Mr
+Elliot’s marriage) they had been as before always together, and Mr
+Elliot had led his friend into expenses much beyond his fortune. Mrs
+Smith did not want to take blame to herself, and was most tender of
+throwing any on her husband; but Anne could collect that their income
+had never been equal to their style of living, and that from the first
+there had been a great deal of general and joint extravagance. From his
+wife’s account of him she could discern Mr Smith to have been a man of
+warm feelings, easy temper, careless habits, and not strong
+understanding, much more amiable than his friend, and very unlike him,
+led by him, and probably despised by him. Mr Elliot, raised by his
+marriage to great affluence, and disposed to every gratification of
+pleasure and vanity which could be commanded without involving himself,
+(for with all his self-indulgence he had become a prudent man), and
+beginning to be rich, just as his friend ought to have found himself to
+be poor, seemed to have had no concern at all for that friend’s
+probable finances, but, on the contrary, had been prompting and
+encouraging expenses which could end only in ruin; and the Smiths
+accordingly had been ruined.
+
+The husband had died just in time to be spared the full knowledge of
+it. They had previously known embarrassments enough to try the
+friendship of their friends, and to prove that Mr Elliot’s had better
+not be tried; but it was not till his death that the wretched state of
+his affairs was fully known. With a confidence in Mr Elliot’s regard,
+more creditable to his feelings than his judgement, Mr Smith had
+appointed him the executor of his will; but Mr Elliot would not act,
+and the difficulties and distress which this refusal had heaped on her,
+in addition to the inevitable sufferings of her situation, had been
+such as could not be related without anguish of spirit, or listened to
+without corresponding indignation.
+
+Anne was shewn some letters of his on the occasion, answers to urgent
+applications from Mrs Smith, which all breathed the same stern
+resolution of not engaging in a fruitless trouble, and, under a cold
+civility, the same hard-hearted indifference to any of the evils it
+might bring on her. It was a dreadful picture of ingratitude and
+inhumanity; and Anne felt, at some moments, that no flagrant open crime
+could have been worse. She had a great deal to listen to; all the
+particulars of past sad scenes, all the minutiae of distress upon
+distress, which in former conversations had been merely hinted at, were
+dwelt on now with a natural indulgence. Anne could perfectly comprehend
+the exquisite relief, and was only the more inclined to wonder at the
+composure of her friend’s usual state of mind.
+
+There was one circumstance in the history of her grievances of
+particular irritation. She had good reason to believe that some
+property of her husband in the West Indies, which had been for many
+years under a sort of sequestration for the payment of its own
+incumbrances, might be recoverable by proper measures; and this
+property, though not large, would be enough to make her comparatively
+rich. But there was nobody to stir in it. Mr Elliot would do nothing,
+and she could do nothing herself, equally disabled from personal
+exertion by her state of bodily weakness, and from employing others by
+her want of money. She had no natural connexions to assist her even
+with their counsel, and she could not afford to purchase the assistance
+of the law. This was a cruel aggravation of actually straitened means.
+To feel that she ought to be in better circumstances, that a little
+trouble in the right place might do it, and to fear that delay might be
+even weakening her claims, was hard to bear.
+
+It was on this point that she had hoped to engage Anne’s good offices
+with Mr Elliot. She had previously, in the anticipation of their
+marriage, been very apprehensive of losing her friend by it; but on
+being assured that he could have made no attempt of that nature, since
+he did not even know her to be in Bath, it immediately occurred, that
+something might be done in her favour by the influence of the woman he
+loved, and she had been hastily preparing to interest Anne’s feelings,
+as far as the observances due to Mr Elliot’s character would allow,
+when Anne’s refutation of the supposed engagement changed the face of
+everything; and while it took from her the new-formed hope of
+succeeding in the object of her first anxiety, left her at least the
+comfort of telling the whole story her own way.
+
+After listening to this full description of Mr Elliot, Anne could not
+but express some surprise at Mrs Smith’s having spoken of him so
+favourably in the beginning of their conversation. “She had seemed to
+recommend and praise him!”
+
+“My dear,” was Mrs Smith’s reply, “there was nothing else to be done. I
+considered your marrying him as certain, though he might not yet have
+made the offer, and I could no more speak the truth of him, than if he
+had been your husband. My heart bled for you, as I talked of happiness;
+and yet he is sensible, he is agreeable, and with such a woman as you,
+it was not absolutely hopeless. He was very unkind to his first wife.
+They were wretched together. But she was too ignorant and giddy for
+respect, and he had never loved her. I was willing to hope that you
+must fare better.”
+
+Anne could just acknowledge within herself such a possibility of having
+been induced to marry him, as made her shudder at the idea of the
+misery which must have followed. It was just possible that she might
+have been persuaded by Lady Russell! And under such a supposition,
+which would have been most miserable, when time had disclosed all, too
+late?
+
+It was very desirable that Lady Russell should be no longer deceived;
+and one of the concluding arrangements of this important conference,
+which carried them through the greater part of the morning, was, that
+Anne had full liberty to communicate to her friend everything relative
+to Mrs Smith, in which his conduct was involved.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXII.
+
+
+Anne went home to think over all that she had heard. In one point, her
+feelings were relieved by this knowledge of Mr Elliot. There was no
+longer anything of tenderness due to him. He stood as opposed to
+Captain Wentworth, in all his own unwelcome obtrusiveness; and the evil
+of his attentions last night, the irremediable mischief he might have
+done, was considered with sensations unqualified, unperplexed. Pity for
+him was all over. But this was the only point of relief. In every other
+respect, in looking around her, or penetrating forward, she saw more to
+distrust and to apprehend. She was concerned for the disappointment and
+pain Lady Russell would be feeling; for the mortifications which must
+be hanging over her father and sister, and had all the distress of
+foreseeing many evils, without knowing how to avert any one of them.
+She was most thankful for her own knowledge of him. She had never
+considered herself as entitled to reward for not slighting an old
+friend like Mrs Smith, but here was a reward indeed springing from it!
+Mrs Smith had been able to tell her what no one else could have done.
+Could the knowledge have been extended through her family? But this was
+a vain idea. She must talk to Lady Russell, tell her, consult with her,
+and having done her best, wait the event with as much composure as
+possible; and after all, her greatest want of composure would be in
+that quarter of the mind which could not be opened to Lady Russell; in
+that flow of anxieties and fears which must be all to herself.
+
+She found, on reaching home, that she had, as she intended, escaped
+seeing Mr Elliot; that he had called and paid them a long morning
+visit; but hardly had she congratulated herself, and felt safe, when
+she heard that he was coming again in the evening.
+
+“I had not the smallest intention of asking him,” said Elizabeth, with
+affected carelessness, “but he gave so many hints; so Mrs Clay says, at
+least.”
+
+“Indeed, I do say it. I never saw anybody in my life spell harder for
+an invitation. Poor man! I was really in pain for him; for your
+hard-hearted sister, Miss Anne, seems bent on cruelty.”
+
+“Oh!” cried Elizabeth, “I have been rather too much used to the game to
+be soon overcome by a gentleman’s hints. However, when I found how
+excessively he was regretting that he should miss my father this
+morning, I gave way immediately, for I would never really omit an
+opportunity of bringing him and Sir Walter together. They appear to so
+much advantage in company with each other. Each behaving so pleasantly.
+Mr Elliot looking up with so much respect.”
+
+“Quite delightful!” cried Mrs Clay, not daring, however, to turn her
+eyes towards Anne. “Exactly like father and son! Dear Miss Elliot, may
+I not say father and son?”
+
+“Oh! I lay no embargo on any body’s words. If you will have such ideas!
+But, upon my word, I am scarcely sensible of his attentions being
+beyond those of other men.”
+
+“My dear Miss Elliot!” exclaimed Mrs Clay, lifting her hands and eyes,
+and sinking all the rest of her astonishment in a convenient silence.
+
+“Well, my dear Penelope, you need not be so alarmed about him. I did
+invite him, you know. I sent him away with smiles. When I found he was
+really going to his friends at Thornberry Park for the whole day
+to-morrow, I had compassion on him.”
+
+Anne admired the good acting of the friend, in being able to shew such
+pleasure as she did, in the expectation and in the actual arrival of
+the very person whose presence must really be interfering with her
+prime object. It was impossible but that Mrs Clay must hate the sight
+of Mr Elliot; and yet she could assume a most obliging, placid look,
+and appear quite satisfied with the curtailed license of devoting
+herself only half as much to Sir Walter as she would have done
+otherwise.
+
+To Anne herself it was most distressing to see Mr Elliot enter the
+room; and quite painful to have him approach and speak to her. She had
+been used before to feel that he could not be always quite sincere, but
+now she saw insincerity in everything. His attentive deference to her
+father, contrasted with his former language, was odious; and when she
+thought of his cruel conduct towards Mrs Smith, she could hardly bear
+the sight of his present smiles and mildness, or the sound of his
+artificial good sentiments.
+
+She meant to avoid any such alteration of manners as might provoke a
+remonstrance on his side. It was a great object to her to escape all
+enquiry or eclat; but it was her intention to be as decidedly cool to
+him as might be compatible with their relationship; and to retrace, as
+quietly as she could, the few steps of unnecessary intimacy she had
+been gradually led along. She was accordingly more guarded, and more
+cool, than she had been the night before.
+
+He wanted to animate her curiosity again as to how and where he could
+have heard her formerly praised; wanted very much to be gratified by
+more solicitation; but the charm was broken: he found that the heat and
+animation of a public room was necessary to kindle his modest cousin’s
+vanity; he found, at least, that it was not to be done now, by any of
+those attempts which he could hazard among the too-commanding claims of
+the others. He little surmised that it was a subject acting now exactly
+against his interest, bringing immediately to her thoughts all those
+parts of his conduct which were least excusable.
+
+She had some satisfaction in finding that he was really going out of
+Bath the next morning, going early, and that he would be gone the
+greater part of two days. He was invited again to Camden Place the very
+evening of his return; but from Thursday to Saturday evening his
+absence was certain. It was bad enough that a Mrs Clay should be always
+before her; but that a deeper hypocrite should be added to their party,
+seemed the destruction of everything like peace and comfort. It was so
+humiliating to reflect on the constant deception practised on her
+father and Elizabeth; to consider the various sources of mortification
+preparing for them! Mrs Clay’s selfishness was not so complicate nor so
+revolting as his; and Anne would have compounded for the marriage at
+once, with all its evils, to be clear of Mr Elliot’s subtleties in
+endeavouring to prevent it.
+
+On Friday morning she meant to go very early to Lady Russell, and
+accomplish the necessary communication; and she would have gone
+directly after breakfast, but that Mrs Clay was also going out on some
+obliging purpose of saving her sister trouble, which determined her to
+wait till she might be safe from such a companion. She saw Mrs Clay
+fairly off, therefore, before she began to talk of spending the morning
+in Rivers Street.
+
+“Very well,” said Elizabeth, “I have nothing to send but my love. Oh!
+you may as well take back that tiresome book she would lend me, and
+pretend I have read it through. I really cannot be plaguing myself for
+ever with all the new poems and states of the nation that come out.
+Lady Russell quite bores one with her new publications. You need not
+tell her so, but I thought her dress hideous the other night. I used to
+think she had some taste in dress, but I was ashamed of her at the
+concert. Something so formal and _arrangé_ in her air! and she sits so
+upright! My best love, of course.”
+
+“And mine,” added Sir Walter. “Kindest regards. And you may say, that I
+mean to call upon her soon. Make a civil message; but I shall only
+leave my card. Morning visits are never fair by women at her time of
+life, who make themselves up so little. If she would only wear rouge
+she would not be afraid of being seen; but last time I called, I
+observed the blinds were let down immediately.”
+
+While her father spoke, there was a knock at the door. Who could it be?
+Anne, remembering the preconcerted visits, at all hours, of Mr Elliot,
+would have expected him, but for his known engagement seven miles off.
+After the usual period of suspense, the usual sounds of approach were
+heard, and “Mr and Mrs Charles Musgrove” were ushered into the room.
+
+Surprise was the strongest emotion raised by their appearance; but Anne
+was really glad to see them; and the others were not so sorry but that
+they could put on a decent air of welcome; and as soon as it became
+clear that these, their nearest relations, were not arrived with any
+views of accommodation in that house, Sir Walter and Elizabeth were
+able to rise in cordiality, and do the honours of it very well. They
+were come to Bath for a few days with Mrs Musgrove, and were at the
+White Hart. So much was pretty soon understood; but till Sir Walter and
+Elizabeth were walking Mary into the other drawing-room, and regaling
+themselves with her admiration, Anne could not draw upon Charles’s
+brain for a regular history of their coming, or an explanation of some
+smiling hints of particular business, which had been ostentatiously
+dropped by Mary, as well as of some apparent confusion as to whom their
+party consisted of.
+
+She then found that it consisted of Mrs Musgrove, Henrietta, and
+Captain Harville, beside their two selves. He gave her a very plain,
+intelligible account of the whole; a narration in which she saw a great
+deal of most characteristic proceeding. The scheme had received its
+first impulse by Captain Harville’s wanting to come to Bath on
+business. He had begun to talk of it a week ago; and by way of doing
+something, as shooting was over, Charles had proposed coming with him,
+and Mrs Harville had seemed to like the idea of it very much, as an
+advantage to her husband; but Mary could not bear to be left, and had
+made herself so unhappy about it, that for a day or two everything
+seemed to be in suspense, or at an end. But then, it had been taken up
+by his father and mother. His mother had some old friends in Bath whom
+she wanted to see; it was thought a good opportunity for Henrietta to
+come and buy wedding-clothes for herself and her sister; and, in short,
+it ended in being his mother’s party, that everything might be
+comfortable and easy to Captain Harville; and he and Mary were included
+in it by way of general convenience. They had arrived late the night
+before. Mrs Harville, her children, and Captain Benwick, remained with
+Mr Musgrove and Louisa at Uppercross.
+
+Anne’s only surprise was, that affairs should be in forwardness enough
+for Henrietta’s wedding-clothes to be talked of. She had imagined such
+difficulties of fortune to exist there as must prevent the marriage
+from being near at hand; but she learned from Charles that, very
+recently, (since Mary’s last letter to herself), Charles Hayter had
+been applied to by a friend to hold a living for a youth who could not
+possibly claim it under many years; and that on the strength of his
+present income, with almost a certainty of something more permanent
+long before the term in question, the two families had consented to the
+young people’s wishes, and that their marriage was likely to take place
+in a few months, quite as soon as Louisa’s. “And a very good living it
+was,” Charles added: “only five-and-twenty miles from Uppercross, and
+in a very fine country: fine part of Dorsetshire. In the centre of some
+of the best preserves in the kingdom, surrounded by three great
+proprietors, each more careful and jealous than the other; and to two
+of the three at least, Charles Hayter might get a special
+recommendation. Not that he will value it as he ought,” he observed,
+“Charles is too cool about sporting. That’s the worst of him.”
+
+“I am extremely glad, indeed,” cried Anne, “particularly glad that this
+should happen; and that of two sisters, who both deserve equally well,
+and who have always been such good friends, the pleasant prospect of
+one should not be dimming those of the other—that they should be so
+equal in their prosperity and comfort. I hope your father and mother
+are quite happy with regard to both.”
+
+“Oh! yes. My father would be well pleased if the gentlemen were richer,
+but he has no other fault to find. Money, you know, coming down with
+money—two daughters at once—it cannot be a very agreeable operation,
+and it streightens him as to many things. However, I do not mean to say
+they have not a right to it. It is very fit they should have daughters’
+shares; and I am sure he has always been a very kind, liberal father to
+me. Mary does not above half like Henrietta’s match. She never did, you
+know. But she does not do him justice, nor think enough about Winthrop.
+I cannot make her attend to the value of the property. It is a very
+fair match, as times go; and I have liked Charles Hayter all my life,
+and I shall not leave off now.”
+
+“Such excellent parents as Mr and Mrs Musgrove,” exclaimed Anne,
+“should be happy in their children’s marriages. They do everything to
+confer happiness, I am sure. What a blessing to young people to be in
+such hands! Your father and mother seem so totally free from all those
+ambitious feelings which have led to so much misconduct and misery,
+both in young and old. I hope you think Louisa perfectly recovered
+now?”
+
+He answered rather hesitatingly, “Yes, I believe I do; very much
+recovered; but she is altered; there is no running or jumping about, no
+laughing or dancing; it is quite different. If one happens only to shut
+the door a little hard, she starts and wriggles like a young dab-chick
+in the water; and Benwick sits at her elbow, reading verses, or
+whispering to her, all day long.”
+
+Anne could not help laughing. “That cannot be much to your taste, I
+know,” said she; “but I do believe him to be an excellent young man.”
+
+“To be sure he is. Nobody doubts it; and I hope you do not think I am
+so illiberal as to want every man to have the same objects and
+pleasures as myself. I have a great value for Benwick; and when one can
+but get him to talk, he has plenty to say. His reading has done him no
+harm, for he has fought as well as read. He is a brave fellow. I got
+more acquainted with him last Monday than ever I did before. We had a
+famous set-to at rat-hunting all the morning in my father’s great
+barns; and he played his part so well that I have liked him the better
+ever since.”
+
+Here they were interrupted by the absolute necessity of Charles’s
+following the others to admire mirrors and china; but Anne had heard
+enough to understand the present state of Uppercross, and rejoice in
+its happiness; and though she sighed as she rejoiced, her sigh had none
+of the ill-will of envy in it. She would certainly have risen to their
+blessings if she could, but she did not want to lessen theirs.
+
+The visit passed off altogether in high good humour. Mary was in
+excellent spirits, enjoying the gaiety and the change, and so well
+satisfied with the journey in her mother-in-law’s carriage with four
+horses, and with her own complete independence of Camden Place, that
+she was exactly in a temper to admire everything as she ought, and
+enter most readily into all the superiorities of the house, as they
+were detailed to her. She had no demands on her father or sister, and
+her consequence was just enough increased by their handsome
+drawing-rooms.
+
+Elizabeth was, for a short time, suffering a good deal. She felt that
+Mrs Musgrove and all her party ought to be asked to dine with them; but
+she could not bear to have the difference of style, the reduction of
+servants, which a dinner must betray, witnessed by those who had been
+always so inferior to the Elliots of Kellynch. It was a struggle
+between propriety and vanity; but vanity got the better, and then
+Elizabeth was happy again. These were her internal persuasions: “Old
+fashioned notions; country hospitality; we do not profess to give
+dinners; few people in Bath do; Lady Alicia never does; did not even
+ask her own sister’s family, though they were here a month: and I dare
+say it would be very inconvenient to Mrs Musgrove; put her quite out of
+her way. I am sure she would rather not come; she cannot feel easy with
+us. I will ask them all for an evening; that will be much better; that
+will be a novelty and a treat. They have not seen two such drawing
+rooms before. They will be delighted to come to-morrow evening. It
+shall be a regular party, small, but most elegant.” And this satisfied
+Elizabeth: and when the invitation was given to the two present, and
+promised for the absent, Mary was as completely satisfied. She was
+particularly asked to meet Mr Elliot, and be introduced to Lady
+Dalrymple and Miss Carteret, who were fortunately already engaged to
+come; and she could not have received a more gratifying attention. Miss
+Elliot was to have the honour of calling on Mrs Musgrove in the course
+of the morning; and Anne walked off with Charles and Mary, to go and
+see her and Henrietta directly.
+
+Her plan of sitting with Lady Russell must give way for the present.
+They all three called in Rivers Street for a couple of minutes; but
+Anne convinced herself that a day’s delay of the intended communication
+could be of no consequence, and hastened forward to the White Hart, to
+see again the friends and companions of the last autumn, with an
+eagerness of good-will which many associations contributed to form.
+
+They found Mrs Musgrove and her daughter within, and by themselves, and
+Anne had the kindest welcome from each. Henrietta was exactly in that
+state of recently-improved views, of fresh-formed happiness, which made
+her full of regard and interest for everybody she had ever liked before
+at all; and Mrs Musgrove’s real affection had been won by her
+usefulness when they were in distress. It was a heartiness, and a
+warmth, and a sincerity which Anne delighted in the more, from the sad
+want of such blessings at home. She was entreated to give them as much
+of her time as possible, invited for every day and all day long, or
+rather claimed as part of the family; and, in return, she naturally
+fell into all her wonted ways of attention and assistance, and on
+Charles’s leaving them together, was listening to Mrs Musgrove’s
+history of Louisa, and to Henrietta’s of herself, giving opinions on
+business, and recommendations to shops; with intervals of every help
+which Mary required, from altering her ribbon to settling her accounts;
+from finding her keys, and assorting her trinkets, to trying to
+convince her that she was not ill-used by anybody; which Mary, well
+amused as she generally was, in her station at a window overlooking the
+entrance to the Pump Room, could not but have her moments of imagining.
+
+A morning of thorough confusion was to be expected. A large party in an
+hotel ensured a quick-changing, unsettled scene. One five minutes
+brought a note, the next a parcel; and Anne had not been there half an
+hour, when their dining-room, spacious as it was, seemed more than half
+filled: a party of steady old friends were seated around Mrs Musgrove,
+and Charles came back with Captains Harville and Wentworth. The
+appearance of the latter could not be more than the surprise of the
+moment. It was impossible for her to have forgotten to feel that this
+arrival of their common friends must be soon bringing them together
+again. Their last meeting had been most important in opening his
+feelings; she had derived from it a delightful conviction; but she
+feared from his looks, that the same unfortunate persuasion, which had
+hastened him away from the Concert Room, still governed. He did not
+seem to want to be near enough for conversation.
+
+She tried to be calm, and leave things to take their course, and tried
+to dwell much on this argument of rational dependence:—“Surely, if
+there be constant attachment on each side, our hearts must understand
+each other ere long. We are not boy and girl, to be captiously
+irritable, misled by every moment’s inadvertence, and wantonly playing
+with our own happiness.” And yet, a few minutes afterwards, she felt as
+if their being in company with each other, under their present
+circumstances, could only be exposing them to inadvertencies and
+misconstructions of the most mischievous kind.
+
+“Anne,” cried Mary, still at her window, “there is Mrs Clay, I am sure,
+standing under the colonnade, and a gentleman with her. I saw them turn
+the corner from Bath Street just now. They seemed deep in talk. Who is
+it? Come, and tell me. Good heavens! I recollect. It is Mr Elliot
+himself.”
+
+“No,” cried Anne, quickly, “it cannot be Mr Elliot, I assure you. He
+was to leave Bath at nine this morning, and does not come back till
+to-morrow.”
+
+As she spoke, she felt that Captain Wentworth was looking at her, the
+consciousness of which vexed and embarrassed her, and made her regret
+that she had said so much, simple as it was.
+
+Mary, resenting that she should be supposed not to know her own cousin,
+began talking very warmly about the family features, and protesting
+still more positively that it was Mr Elliot, calling again upon Anne to
+come and look for herself, but Anne did not mean to stir, and tried to
+be cool and unconcerned. Her distress returned, however, on perceiving
+smiles and intelligent glances pass between two or three of the lady
+visitors, as if they believed themselves quite in the secret. It was
+evident that the report concerning her had spread, and a short pause
+succeeded, which seemed to ensure that it would now spread farther.
+
+“Do come, Anne,” cried Mary, “come and look yourself. You will be too
+late if you do not make haste. They are parting; they are shaking
+hands. He is turning away. Not know Mr Elliot, indeed! You seem to have
+forgot all about Lyme.”
+
+To pacify Mary, and perhaps screen her own embarrassment, Anne did move
+quietly to the window. She was just in time to ascertain that it really
+was Mr Elliot, which she had never believed, before he disappeared on
+one side, as Mrs Clay walked quickly off on the other; and checking the
+surprise which she could not but feel at such an appearance of friendly
+conference between two persons of totally opposite interest, she calmly
+said, “Yes, it is Mr Elliot, certainly. He has changed his hour of
+going, I suppose, that is all, or I may be mistaken, I might not
+attend;” and walked back to her chair, recomposed, and with the
+comfortable hope of having acquitted herself well.
+
+The visitors took their leave; and Charles, having civilly seen them
+off, and then made a face at them, and abused them for coming, began
+with—
+
+“Well, mother, I have done something for you that you will like. I have
+been to the theatre, and secured a box for to-morrow night. A’n’t I a
+good boy? I know you love a play; and there is room for us all. It
+holds nine. I have engaged Captain Wentworth. Anne will not be sorry to
+join us, I am sure. We all like a play. Have not I done well, mother?”
+
+Mrs Musgrove was good humouredly beginning to express her perfect
+readiness for the play, if Henrietta and all the others liked it, when
+Mary eagerly interrupted her by exclaiming—
+
+“Good heavens, Charles! how can you think of such a thing? Take a box
+for to-morrow night! Have you forgot that we are engaged to Camden
+Place to-morrow night? and that we were most particularly asked to meet
+Lady Dalrymple and her daughter, and Mr Elliot, and all the principal
+family connexions, on purpose to be introduced to them? How can you be
+so forgetful?”
+
+“Phoo! phoo!” replied Charles, “what’s an evening party? Never worth
+remembering. Your father might have asked us to dinner, I think, if he
+had wanted to see us. You may do as you like, but I shall go to the
+play.”
+
+“Oh! Charles, I declare it will be too abominable if you do, when you
+promised to go.”
+
+“No, I did not promise. I only smirked and bowed, and said the word
+‘happy.’ There was no promise.”
+
+“But you must go, Charles. It would be unpardonable to fail. We were
+asked on purpose to be introduced. There was always such a great
+connexion between the Dalrymples and ourselves. Nothing ever happened
+on either side that was not announced immediately. We are quite near
+relations, you know; and Mr Elliot too, whom you ought so particularly
+to be acquainted with! Every attention is due to Mr Elliot. Consider,
+my father’s heir: the future representative of the family.”
+
+“Don’t talk to me about heirs and representatives,” cried Charles. “I
+am not one of those who neglect the reigning power to bow to the rising
+sun. If I would not go for the sake of your father, I should think it
+scandalous to go for the sake of his heir. What is Mr Elliot to me?”
+The careless expression was life to Anne, who saw that Captain
+Wentworth was all attention, looking and listening with his whole soul;
+and that the last words brought his enquiring eyes from Charles to
+herself.
+
+Charles and Mary still talked on in the same style; he, half serious
+and half jesting, maintaining the scheme for the play, and she,
+invariably serious, most warmly opposing it, and not omitting to make
+it known that, however determined to go to Camden Place herself, she
+should not think herself very well used, if they went to the play
+without her. Mrs Musgrove interposed.
+
+“We had better put it off. Charles, you had much better go back and
+change the box for Tuesday. It would be a pity to be divided, and we
+should be losing Miss Anne, too, if there is a party at her father’s;
+and I am sure neither Henrietta nor I should care at all for the play,
+if Miss Anne could not be with us.”
+
+Anne felt truly obliged to her for such kindness; and quite as much so
+for the opportunity it gave her of decidedly saying—
+
+“If it depended only on my inclination, ma’am, the party at home
+(excepting on Mary’s account) would not be the smallest impediment. I
+have no pleasure in the sort of meeting, and should be too happy to
+change it for a play, and with you. But, it had better not be
+attempted, perhaps.” She had spoken it; but she trembled when it was
+done, conscious that her words were listened to, and daring not even to
+try to observe their effect.
+
+It was soon generally agreed that Tuesday should be the day; Charles
+only reserving the advantage of still teasing his wife, by persisting
+that he would go to the play to-morrow if nobody else would.
+
+Captain Wentworth left his seat, and walked to the fire-place; probably
+for the sake of walking away from it soon afterwards, and taking a
+station, with less bare-faced design, by Anne.
+
+“You have not been long enough in Bath,” said he, “to enjoy the evening
+parties of the place.”
+
+“Oh! no. The usual character of them has nothing for me. I am no
+card-player.”
+
+“You were not formerly, I know. You did not use to like cards; but time
+makes many changes.”
+
+“I am not yet so much changed,” cried Anne, and stopped, fearing she
+hardly knew what misconstruction. After waiting a few moments he said,
+and as if it were the result of immediate feeling, “It is a period,
+indeed! Eight years and a half is a period.”
+
+Whether he would have proceeded farther was left to Anne’s imagination
+to ponder over in a calmer hour; for while still hearing the sounds he
+had uttered, she was startled to other subjects by Henrietta, eager to
+make use of the present leisure for getting out, and calling on her
+companions to lose no time, lest somebody else should come in.
+
+They were obliged to move. Anne talked of being perfectly ready, and
+tried to look it; but she felt that could Henrietta have known the
+regret and reluctance of her heart in quitting that chair, in preparing
+to quit the room, she would have found, in all her own sensations for
+her cousin, in the very security of his affection, wherewith to pity
+her.
+
+Their preparations, however, were stopped short. Alarming sounds were
+heard; other visitors approached, and the door was thrown open for Sir
+Walter and Miss Elliot, whose entrance seemed to give a general chill.
+Anne felt an instant oppression, and wherever she looked saw symptoms
+of the same. The comfort, the freedom, the gaiety of the room was over,
+hushed into cold composure, determined silence, or insipid talk, to
+meet the heartless elegance of her father and sister. How mortifying to
+feel that it was so!
+
+Her jealous eye was satisfied in one particular. Captain Wentworth was
+acknowledged again by each, by Elizabeth more graciously than before.
+She even addressed him once, and looked at him more than once.
+Elizabeth was, in fact, revolving a great measure. The sequel explained
+it. After the waste of a few minutes in saying the proper nothings, she
+began to give the invitation which was to comprise all the remaining
+dues of the Musgroves. “To-morrow evening, to meet a few friends: no
+formal party.” It was all said very gracefully, and the cards with
+which she had provided herself, the “Miss Elliot at home,” were laid on
+the table, with a courteous, comprehensive smile to all, and one smile
+and one card more decidedly for Captain Wentworth. The truth was, that
+Elizabeth had been long enough in Bath to understand the importance of
+a man of such an air and appearance as his. The past was nothing. The
+present was that Captain Wentworth would move about well in her
+drawing-room. The card was pointedly given, and Sir Walter and
+Elizabeth arose and disappeared.
+
+The interruption had been short, though severe, and ease and animation
+returned to most of those they left as the door shut them out, but not
+to Anne. She could think only of the invitation she had with such
+astonishment witnessed, and of the manner in which it had been
+received; a manner of doubtful meaning, of surprise rather than
+gratification, of polite acknowledgement rather than acceptance. She
+knew him; she saw disdain in his eye, and could not venture to believe
+that he had determined to accept such an offering, as an atonement for
+all the insolence of the past. Her spirits sank. He held the card in
+his hand after they were gone, as if deeply considering it.
+
+“Only think of Elizabeth’s including everybody!” whispered Mary very
+audibly. “I do not wonder Captain Wentworth is delighted! You see he
+cannot put the card out of his hand.”
+
+Anne caught his eye, saw his cheeks glow, and his mouth form itself
+into a momentary expression of contempt, and turned away, that she
+might neither see nor hear more to vex her.
+
+The party separated. The gentlemen had their own pursuits, the ladies
+proceeded on their own business, and they met no more while Anne
+belonged to them. She was earnestly begged to return and dine, and give
+them all the rest of the day, but her spirits had been so long exerted
+that at present she felt unequal to more, and fit only for home, where
+she might be sure of being as silent as she chose.
+
+Promising to be with them the whole of the following morning,
+therefore, she closed the fatigues of the present by a toilsome walk to
+Camden Place, there to spend the evening chiefly in listening to the
+busy arrangements of Elizabeth and Mrs Clay for the morrow’s party, the
+frequent enumeration of the persons invited, and the continually
+improving detail of all the embellishments which were to make it the
+most completely elegant of its kind in Bath, while harassing herself
+with the never-ending question, of whether Captain Wentworth would come
+or not? They were reckoning him as certain, but with her it was a
+gnawing solicitude never appeased for five minutes together. She
+generally thought he would come, because she generally thought he
+ought; but it was a case which she could not so shape into any positive
+act of duty or discretion, as inevitably to defy the suggestions of
+very opposite feelings.
+
+She only roused herself from the broodings of this restless agitation,
+to let Mrs Clay know that she had been seen with Mr Elliot three hours
+after his being supposed to be out of Bath, for having watched in vain
+for some intimation of the interview from the lady herself, she
+determined to mention it, and it seemed to her there was guilt in Mrs
+Clay’s face as she listened. It was transient: cleared away in an
+instant; but Anne could imagine she read there the consciousness of
+having, by some complication of mutual trick, or some overbearing
+authority of his, been obliged to attend (perhaps for half an hour) to
+his lectures and restrictions on her designs on Sir Walter. She
+exclaimed, however, with a very tolerable imitation of nature:—
+
+“Oh! dear! very true. Only think, Miss Elliot, to my great surprise I
+met with Mr Elliot in Bath Street. I was never more astonished. He
+turned back and walked with me to the Pump Yard. He had been prevented
+setting off for Thornberry, but I really forget by what; for I was in a
+hurry, and could not much attend, and I can only answer for his being
+determined not to be delayed in his return. He wanted to know how early
+he might be admitted to-morrow. He was full of ‘to-morrow,’ and it is
+very evident that I have been full of it too, ever since I entered the
+house, and learnt the extension of your plan and all that had happened,
+or my seeing him could never have gone so entirely out of my head.”
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXIII.
+
+
+One day only had passed since Anne’s conversation with Mrs Smith; but a
+keener interest had succeeded, and she was now so little touched by Mr
+Elliot’s conduct, except by its effects in one quarter, that it became
+a matter of course the next morning, still to defer her explanatory
+visit in Rivers Street. She had promised to be with the Musgroves from
+breakfast to dinner. Her faith was plighted, and Mr Elliot’s character,
+like the Sultaness Scheherazade’s head, must live another day.
+
+She could not keep her appointment punctually, however; the weather was
+unfavourable, and she had grieved over the rain on her friends’
+account, and felt it very much on her own, before she was able to
+attempt the walk. When she reached the White Hart, and made her way to
+the proper apartment, she found herself neither arriving quite in time,
+nor the first to arrive. The party before her were, Mrs Musgrove,
+talking to Mrs Croft, and Captain Harville to Captain Wentworth; and
+she immediately heard that Mary and Henrietta, too impatient to wait,
+had gone out the moment it had cleared, but would be back again soon,
+and that the strictest injunctions had been left with Mrs Musgrove to
+keep her there till they returned. She had only to submit, sit down, be
+outwardly composed, and feel herself plunged at once in all the
+agitations which she had merely laid her account of tasting a little
+before the morning closed. There was no delay, no waste of time. She
+was deep in the happiness of such misery, or the misery of such
+happiness, instantly. Two minutes after her entering the room, Captain
+Wentworth said—
+
+“We will write the letter we were talking of, Harville, now, if you
+will give me materials.”
+
+Materials were at hand, on a separate table; he went to it, and nearly
+turning his back to them all, was engrossed by writing.
+
+Mrs Musgrove was giving Mrs Croft the history of her eldest daughter’s
+engagement, and just in that inconvenient tone of voice which was
+perfectly audible while it pretended to be a whisper. Anne felt that
+she did not belong to the conversation, and yet, as Captain Harville
+seemed thoughtful and not disposed to talk, she could not avoid hearing
+many undesirable particulars; such as, “how Mr Musgrove and my brother
+Hayter had met again and again to talk it over; what my brother Hayter
+had said one day, and what Mr Musgrove had proposed the next, and what
+had occurred to my sister Hayter, and what the young people had wished,
+and what I said at first I never could consent to, but was afterwards
+persuaded to think might do very well,” and a great deal in the same
+style of open-hearted communication: minutiae which, even with every
+advantage of taste and delicacy, which good Mrs Musgrove could not
+give, could be properly interesting only to the principals. Mrs Croft
+was attending with great good-humour, and whenever she spoke at all, it
+was very sensibly. Anne hoped the gentlemen might each be too much
+self-occupied to hear.
+
+“And so, ma’am, all these thing considered,” said Mrs Musgrove, in her
+powerful whisper, “though we could have wished it different, yet,
+altogether, we did not think it fair to stand out any longer, for
+Charles Hayter was quite wild about it, and Henrietta was pretty near
+as bad; and so we thought they had better marry at once, and make the
+best of it, as many others have done before them. At any rate, said I,
+it will be better than a long engagement.”
+
+“That is precisely what I was going to observe,” cried Mrs Croft. “I
+would rather have young people settle on a small income at once, and
+have to struggle with a few difficulties together, than be involved in
+a long engagement. I always think that no mutual—”
+
+“Oh! dear Mrs Croft,” cried Mrs Musgrove, unable to let her finish her
+speech, “there is nothing I so abominate for young people as a long
+engagement. It is what I always protested against for my children. It
+is all very well, I used to say, for young people to be engaged, if
+there is a certainty of their being able to marry in six months, or
+even in twelve; but a long engagement—”
+
+“Yes, dear ma’am,” said Mrs Croft, “or an uncertain engagement, an
+engagement which may be long. To begin without knowing that at such a
+time there will be the means of marrying, I hold to be very unsafe and
+unwise, and what I think all parents should prevent as far as they
+can.”
+
+Anne found an unexpected interest here. She felt its application to
+herself, felt it in a nervous thrill all over her; and at the same
+moment that her eyes instinctively glanced towards the distant table,
+Captain Wentworth’s pen ceased to move, his head was raised, pausing,
+listening, and he turned round the next instant to give a look, one
+quick, conscious look at her.
+
+The two ladies continued to talk, to re-urge the same admitted truths,
+and enforce them with such examples of the ill effect of a contrary
+practice as had fallen within their observation, but Anne heard nothing
+distinctly; it was only a buzz of words in her ear, her mind was in
+confusion.
+
+Captain Harville, who had in truth been hearing none of it, now left
+his seat, and moved to a window, and Anne seeming to watch him, though
+it was from thorough absence of mind, became gradually sensible that he
+was inviting her to join him where he stood. He looked at her with a
+smile, and a little motion of the head, which expressed, “Come to me, I
+have something to say;” and the unaffected, easy kindness of manner
+which denoted the feelings of an older acquaintance than he really was,
+strongly enforced the invitation. She roused herself and went to him.
+The window at which he stood was at the other end of the room from
+where the two ladies were sitting, and though nearer to Captain
+Wentworth’s table, not very near. As she joined him, Captain Harville’s
+countenance re-assumed the serious, thoughtful expression which seemed
+its natural character.
+
+“Look here,” said he, unfolding a parcel in his hand, and displaying a
+small miniature painting, “do you know who that is?”
+
+“Certainly: Captain Benwick.”
+
+“Yes, and you may guess who it is for. But,” (in a deep tone), “it was
+not done for her. Miss Elliot, do you remember our walking together at
+Lyme, and grieving for him? I little thought then—but no matter. This
+was drawn at the Cape. He met with a clever young German artist at the
+Cape, and in compliance with a promise to my poor sister, sat to him,
+and was bringing it home for her; and I have now the charge of getting
+it properly set for another! It was a commission to me! But who else
+was there to employ? I hope I can allow for him. I am not sorry,
+indeed, to make it over to another. He undertakes it;” (looking towards
+Captain Wentworth,) “he is writing about it now.” And with a quivering
+lip he wound up the whole by adding, “Poor Fanny! she would not have
+forgotten him so soon!”
+
+“No,” replied Anne, in a low, feeling voice. “That I can easily
+believe.”
+
+“It was not in her nature. She doted on him.”
+
+“It would not be the nature of any woman who truly loved.”
+
+Captain Harville smiled, as much as to say, “Do you claim that for your
+sex?” and she answered the question, smiling also, “Yes. We certainly
+do not forget you as soon as you forget us. It is, perhaps, our fate
+rather than our merit. We cannot help ourselves. We live at home,
+quiet, confined, and our feelings prey upon us. You are forced on
+exertion. You have always a profession, pursuits, business of some sort
+or other, to take you back into the world immediately, and continual
+occupation and change soon weaken impressions.”
+
+“Granting your assertion that the world does all this so soon for men
+(which, however, I do not think I shall grant), it does not apply to
+Benwick. He has not been forced upon any exertion. The peace turned him
+on shore at the very moment, and he has been living with us, in our
+little family circle, ever since.”
+
+“True,” said Anne, “very true; I did not recollect; but what shall we
+say now, Captain Harville? If the change be not from outward
+circumstances, it must be from within; it must be nature, man’s nature,
+which has done the business for Captain Benwick.”
+
+“No, no, it is not man’s nature. I will not allow it to be more man’s
+nature than woman’s to be inconstant and forget those they do love, or
+have loved. I believe the reverse. I believe in a true analogy between
+our bodily frames and our mental; and that as our bodies are the
+strongest, so are our feelings; capable of bearing most rough usage,
+and riding out the heaviest weather.”
+
+“Your feelings may be the strongest,” replied Anne, “but the same
+spirit of analogy will authorise me to assert that ours are the most
+tender. Man is more robust than woman, but he is not longer lived;
+which exactly explains my view of the nature of their attachments. Nay,
+it would be too hard upon you, if it were otherwise. You have
+difficulties, and privations, and dangers enough to struggle with. You
+are always labouring and toiling, exposed to every risk and hardship.
+Your home, country, friends, all quitted. Neither time, nor health, nor
+life, to be called your own. It would be hard, indeed” (with a
+faltering voice), “if woman’s feelings were to be added to all this.”
+
+“We shall never agree upon this question,” Captain Harville was
+beginning to say, when a slight noise called their attention to Captain
+Wentworth’s hitherto perfectly quiet division of the room. It was
+nothing more than that his pen had fallen down; but Anne was startled
+at finding him nearer than she had supposed, and half inclined to
+suspect that the pen had only fallen because he had been occupied by
+them, striving to catch sounds, which yet she did not think he could
+have caught.
+
+“Have you finished your letter?” said Captain Harville.
+
+“Not quite, a few lines more. I shall have done in five minutes.”
+
+“There is no hurry on my side. I am only ready whenever you are. I am
+in very good anchorage here,” (smiling at Anne), “well supplied, and
+want for nothing. No hurry for a signal at all. Well, Miss Elliot,”
+(lowering his voice), “as I was saying, we shall never agree, I suppose,
+upon this point. No man and woman would, probably. But let me observe
+that all histories are against you—all stories, prose and verse. If I
+had such a memory as Benwick, I could bring you fifty quotations in a
+moment on my side the argument, and I do not think I ever opened a book
+in my life which had not something to say upon woman’s inconstancy.
+Songs and proverbs, all talk of woman’s fickleness. But perhaps you
+will say, these were all written by men.”
+
+“Perhaps I shall. Yes, yes, if you please, no reference to examples in
+books. Men have had every advantage of us in telling their own story.
+Education has been theirs in so much higher a degree; the pen has been
+in their hands. I will not allow books to prove anything.”
+
+“But how shall we prove anything?”
+
+“We never shall. We never can expect to prove any thing upon such a
+point. It is a difference of opinion which does not admit of proof. We
+each begin, probably, with a little bias towards our own sex; and upon
+that bias build every circumstance in favour of it which has occurred
+within our own circle; many of which circumstances (perhaps those very
+cases which strike us the most) may be precisely such as cannot be
+brought forward without betraying a confidence, or in some respect
+saying what should not be said.”
+
+“Ah!” cried Captain Harville, in a tone of strong feeling, “if I could
+but make you comprehend what a man suffers when he takes a last look at
+his wife and children, and watches the boat that he has sent them off
+in, as long as it is in sight, and then turns away and says, ‘God knows
+whether we ever meet again!’ And then, if I could convey to you the
+glow of his soul when he does see them again; when, coming back after a
+twelvemonth’s absence, perhaps, and obliged to put into another port,
+he calculates how soon it be possible to get them there, pretending to
+deceive himself, and saying, ‘They cannot be here till such a day,’ but
+all the while hoping for them twelve hours sooner, and seeing them
+arrive at last, as if Heaven had given them wings, by many hours sooner
+still! If I could explain to you all this, and all that a man can bear
+and do, and glories to do, for the sake of these treasures of his
+existence! I speak, you know, only of such men as have hearts!”
+pressing his own with emotion.
+
+“Oh!” cried Anne eagerly, “I hope I do justice to all that is felt by
+you, and by those who resemble you. God forbid that I should undervalue
+the warm and faithful feelings of any of my fellow-creatures! I should
+deserve utter contempt if I dared to suppose that true attachment and
+constancy were known only by woman. No, I believe you capable of
+everything great and good in your married lives. I believe you equal to
+every important exertion, and to every domestic forbearance, so long
+as—if I may be allowed the expression—so long as you have an object. I
+mean while the woman you love lives, and lives for you. All the
+privilege I claim for my own sex (it is not a very enviable one; you
+need not covet it), is that of loving longest, when existence or when
+hope is gone.”
+
+She could not immediately have uttered another sentence; her heart was
+too full, her breath too much oppressed.
+
+“You are a good soul,” cried Captain Harville, putting his hand on her
+arm, quite affectionately. “There is no quarrelling with you. And when
+I think of Benwick, my tongue is tied.”
+
+Their attention was called towards the others. Mrs Croft was taking
+leave.
+
+“Here, Frederick, you and I part company, I believe,” said she. “I am
+going home, and you have an engagement with your friend. To-night we
+may have the pleasure of all meeting again at your party,” (turning to
+Anne). “We had your sister’s card yesterday, and I understood Frederick
+had a card too, though I did not see it; and you are disengaged,
+Frederick, are you not, as well as ourselves?”
+
+Captain Wentworth was folding up a letter in great haste, and either
+could not or would not answer fully.
+
+“Yes,” said he, “very true; here we separate, but Harville and I shall
+soon be after you; that is, Harville, if you are ready, I am in half a
+minute. I know you will not be sorry to be off. I shall be at your
+service in half a minute.”
+
+Mrs Croft left them, and Captain Wentworth, having sealed his letter
+with great rapidity, was indeed ready, and had even a hurried, agitated
+air, which shewed impatience to be gone. Anne knew not how to
+understand it. She had the kindest “Good morning, God bless you!” from
+Captain Harville, but from him not a word, nor a look! He had passed
+out of the room without a look!
+
+She had only time, however, to move closer to the table where he had
+been writing, when footsteps were heard returning; the door opened, it
+was himself. He begged their pardon, but he had forgotten his gloves,
+and instantly crossing the room to the writing table, he drew out a
+letter from under the scattered paper, placed it before Anne with eyes
+of glowing entreaty fixed on her for a time, and hastily collecting his
+gloves, was again out of the room, almost before Mrs Musgrove was aware
+of his being in it: the work of an instant!
+
+The revolution which one instant had made in Anne, was almost beyond
+expression. The letter, with a direction hardly legible, to “Miss A.
+E.—,” was evidently the one which he had been folding so hastily. While
+supposed to be writing only to Captain Benwick, he had been also
+addressing her! On the contents of that letter depended all which this
+world could do for her. Anything was possible, anything might be defied
+rather than suspense. Mrs Musgrove had little arrangements of her own
+at her own table; to their protection she must trust, and sinking into
+the chair which he had occupied, succeeding to the very spot where he
+had leaned and written, her eyes devoured the following words:
+
+“I can listen no longer in silence. I must speak to you by such means
+as are within my reach. You pierce my soul. I am half agony, half hope.
+Tell me not that I am too late, that such precious feelings are gone
+for ever. I offer myself to you again with a heart even more your own
+than when you almost broke it, eight years and a half ago. Dare not say
+that man forgets sooner than woman, that his love has an earlier death.
+I have loved none but you. Unjust I may have been, weak and resentful I
+have been, but never inconstant. You alone have brought me to Bath. For
+you alone, I think and plan. Have you not seen this? Can you fail to
+have understood my wishes? I had not waited even these ten days, could
+I have read your feelings, as I think you must have penetrated mine. I
+can hardly write. I am every instant hearing something which overpowers
+me. You sink your voice, but I can distinguish the tones of that voice
+when they would be lost on others. Too good, too excellent creature!
+You do us justice, indeed. You do believe that there is true attachment
+and constancy among men. Believe it to be most fervent, most
+undeviating, in
+
+
+F. W.
+
+
+“I must go, uncertain of my fate; but I shall return hither, or follow
+your party, as soon as possible. A word, a look, will be enough to
+decide whether I enter your father’s house this evening or never.”
+
+
+Such a letter was not to be soon recovered from. Half an hour’s
+solitude and reflection might have tranquillized her; but the ten
+minutes only which now passed before she was interrupted, with all the
+restraints of her situation, could do nothing towards tranquillity.
+Every moment rather brought fresh agitation. It was overpowering
+happiness. And before she was beyond the first stage of full sensation,
+Charles, Mary, and Henrietta all came in.
+
+The absolute necessity of seeming like herself produced then an
+immediate struggle; but after a while she could do no more. She began
+not to understand a word they said, and was obliged to plead
+indisposition and excuse herself. They could then see that she looked
+very ill, were shocked and concerned, and would not stir without her
+for the world. This was dreadful. Would they only have gone away, and
+left her in the quiet possession of that room it would have been her
+cure; but to have them all standing or waiting around her was
+distracting, and in desperation, she said she would go home.
+
+“By all means, my dear,” cried Mrs Musgrove, “go home directly, and
+take care of yourself, that you may be fit for the evening. I wish
+Sarah was here to doctor you, but I am no doctor myself. Charles, ring
+and order a chair. She must not walk.”
+
+But the chair would never do. Worse than all! To lose the possibility
+of speaking two words to Captain Wentworth in the course of her quiet,
+solitary progress up the town (and she felt almost certain of meeting
+him) could not be borne. The chair was earnestly protested against, and
+Mrs Musgrove, who thought only of one sort of illness, having assured
+herself with some anxiety, that there had been no fall in the case;
+that Anne had not at any time lately slipped down, and got a blow on
+her head; that she was perfectly convinced of having had no fall; could
+part with her cheerfully, and depend on finding her better at night.
+
+Anxious to omit no possible precaution, Anne struggled, and said—
+
+“I am afraid, ma’am, that it is not perfectly understood. Pray be so
+good as to mention to the other gentlemen that we hope to see your
+whole party this evening. I am afraid there had been some mistake; and
+I wish you particularly to assure Captain Harville and Captain
+Wentworth, that we hope to see them both.”
+
+“Oh! my dear, it is quite understood, I give you my word. Captain
+Harville has no thought but of going.”
+
+“Do you think so? But I am afraid; and I should be so very sorry. Will
+you promise me to mention it, when you see them again? You will see
+them both this morning, I dare say. Do promise me.”
+
+“To be sure I will, if you wish it. Charles, if you see Captain
+Harville anywhere, remember to give Miss Anne’s message. But indeed, my
+dear, you need not be uneasy. Captain Harville holds himself quite
+engaged, I’ll answer for it; and Captain Wentworth the same, I dare
+say.”
+
+Anne could do no more; but her heart prophesied some mischance to damp
+the perfection of her felicity. It could not be very lasting, however.
+Even if he did not come to Camden Place himself, it would be in her
+power to send an intelligible sentence by Captain Harville. Another
+momentary vexation occurred. Charles, in his real concern and good
+nature, would go home with her; there was no preventing him. This was
+almost cruel. But she could not be long ungrateful; he was sacrificing
+an engagement at a gunsmith’s, to be of use to her; and she set off
+with him, with no feeling but gratitude apparent.
+
+They were on Union Street, when a quicker step behind, a something of
+familiar sound, gave her two moments’ preparation for the sight of
+Captain Wentworth. He joined them; but, as if irresolute whether to
+join or to pass on, said nothing, only looked. Anne could command
+herself enough to receive that look, and not repulsively. The cheeks
+which had been pale now glowed, and the movements which had hesitated
+were decided. He walked by her side. Presently, struck by a sudden
+thought, Charles said—
+
+“Captain Wentworth, which way are you going? Only to Gay Street, or
+farther up the town?”
+
+“I hardly know,” replied Captain Wentworth, surprised.
+
+“Are you going as high as Belmont? Are you going near Camden Place?
+Because, if you are, I shall have no scruple in asking you to take my
+place, and give Anne your arm to her father’s door. She is rather done
+for this morning, and must not go so far without help, and I ought to
+be at that fellow’s in the Market Place. He promised me the sight of a
+capital gun he is just going to send off; said he would keep it
+unpacked to the last possible moment, that I might see it; and if I do
+not turn back now, I have no chance. By his description, a good deal
+like the second size double-barrel of mine, which you shot with one day
+round Winthrop.”
+
+There could not be an objection. There could be only the most proper
+alacrity, a most obliging compliance for public view; and smiles reined
+in and spirits dancing in private rapture. In half a minute Charles was
+at the bottom of Union Street again, and the other two proceeding
+together: and soon words enough had passed between them to decide their
+direction towards the comparatively quiet and retired gravel walk,
+where the power of conversation would make the present hour a blessing
+indeed, and prepare it for all the immortality which the happiest
+recollections of their own future lives could bestow. There they
+exchanged again those feelings and those promises which had once before
+seemed to secure everything, but which had been followed by so many,
+many years of division and estrangement. There they returned again into
+the past, more exquisitely happy, perhaps, in their re-union, than when
+it had been first projected; more tender, more tried, more fixed in a
+knowledge of each other’s character, truth, and attachment; more equal
+to act, more justified in acting. And there, as they slowly paced the
+gradual ascent, heedless of every group around them, seeing neither
+sauntering politicians, bustling housekeepers, flirting girls, nor
+nursery-maids and children, they could indulge in those retrospections
+and acknowledgements, and especially in those explanations of what had
+directly preceded the present moment, which were so poignant and so
+ceaseless in interest. All the little variations of the last week were
+gone through; and of yesterday and to-day there could scarcely be an
+end.
+
+She had not mistaken him. Jealousy of Mr Elliot had been the retarding
+weight, the doubt, the torment. That had begun to operate in the very
+hour of first meeting her in Bath; that had returned, after a short
+suspension, to ruin the concert; and that had influenced him in
+everything he had said and done, or omitted to say and do, in the last
+four-and-twenty hours. It had been gradually yielding to the better
+hopes which her looks, or words, or actions occasionally encouraged; it
+had been vanquished at last by those sentiments and those tones which
+had reached him while she talked with Captain Harville; and under the
+irresistible governance of which he had seized a sheet of paper, and
+poured out his feelings.
+
+Of what he had then written, nothing was to be retracted or qualified.
+He persisted in having loved none but her. She had never been
+supplanted. He never even believed himself to see her equal. Thus much
+indeed he was obliged to acknowledge: that he had been constant
+unconsciously, nay unintentionally; that he had meant to forget her,
+and believed it to be done. He had imagined himself indifferent, when
+he had only been angry; and he had been unjust to her merits, because
+he had been a sufferer from them. Her character was now fixed on his
+mind as perfection itself, maintaining the loveliest medium of
+fortitude and gentleness; but he was obliged to acknowledge that only
+at Uppercross had he learnt to do her justice, and only at Lyme had he
+begun to understand himself. At Lyme, he had received lessons of more
+than one sort. The passing admiration of Mr Elliot had at least roused
+him, and the scenes on the Cobb and at Captain Harville’s had fixed her
+superiority.
+
+In his preceding attempts to attach himself to Louisa Musgrove (the
+attempts of angry pride), he protested that he had for ever felt it to
+be impossible; that he had not cared, could not care, for Louisa;
+though till that day, till the leisure for reflection which followed
+it, he had not understood the perfect excellence of the mind with which
+Louisa’s could so ill bear a comparison, or the perfect unrivalled hold
+it possessed over his own. There, he had learnt to distinguish between
+the steadiness of principle and the obstinacy of self-will, between the
+darings of heedlessness and the resolution of a collected mind. There
+he had seen everything to exalt in his estimation the woman he had
+lost; and there begun to deplore the pride, the folly, the madness of
+resentment, which had kept him from trying to regain her when thrown in
+his way.
+
+From that period his penance had become severe. He had no sooner been
+free from the horror and remorse attending the first few days of
+Louisa’s accident, no sooner begun to feel himself alive again, than he
+had begun to feel himself, though alive, not at liberty.
+
+“I found,” said he, “that I was considered by Harville an engaged man!
+That neither Harville nor his wife entertained a doubt of our mutual
+attachment. I was startled and shocked. To a degree, I could contradict
+this instantly; but, when I began to reflect that others might have
+felt the same—her own family, nay, perhaps herself—I was no longer at
+my own disposal. I was hers in honour if she wished it. I had been
+unguarded. I had not thought seriously on this subject before. I had
+not considered that my excessive intimacy must have its danger of ill
+consequence in many ways; and that I had no right to be trying whether
+I could attach myself to either of the girls, at the risk of raising
+even an unpleasant report, were there no other ill effects. I had been
+grossly wrong, and must abide the consequences.”
+
+He found too late, in short, that he had entangled himself; and that
+precisely as he became fully satisfied of his not caring for Louisa at
+all, he must regard himself as bound to her, if her sentiments for him
+were what the Harvilles supposed. It determined him to leave Lyme, and
+await her complete recovery elsewhere. He would gladly weaken, by any
+fair means, whatever feelings or speculations concerning him might
+exist; and he went, therefore, to his brother’s, meaning after a while
+to return to Kellynch, and act as circumstances might require.
+
+“I was six weeks with Edward,” said he, “and saw him happy. I could
+have no other pleasure. I deserved none. He enquired after you very
+particularly; asked even if you were personally altered, little
+suspecting that to my eye you could never alter.”
+
+Anne smiled, and let it pass. It was too pleasing a blunder for a
+reproach. It is something for a woman to be assured, in her
+eight-and-twentieth year, that she has not lost one charm of earlier
+youth; but the value of such homage was inexpressibly increased to
+Anne, by comparing it with former words, and feeling it to be the
+result, not the cause of a revival of his warm attachment.
+
+He had remained in Shropshire, lamenting the blindness of his own
+pride, and the blunders of his own calculations, till at once released
+from Louisa by the astonishing and felicitous intelligence of her
+engagement with Benwick.
+
+“Here,” said he, “ended the worst of my state; for now I could at least
+put myself in the way of happiness; I could exert myself; I could do
+something. But to be waiting so long in inaction, and waiting only for
+evil, had been dreadful. Within the first five minutes I said, ‘I will
+be at Bath on Wednesday,’ and I was. Was it unpardonable to think it
+worth my while to come? and to arrive with some degree of hope? You
+were single. It was possible that you might retain the feelings of the
+past, as I did; and one encouragement happened to be mine. I could
+never doubt that you would be loved and sought by others, but I knew to
+a certainty that you had refused one man, at least, of better
+pretensions than myself; and I could not help often saying, ‘Was this
+for me?’”
+
+Their first meeting in Milsom Street afforded much to be said, but the
+concert still more. That evening seemed to be made up of exquisite
+moments. The moment of her stepping forward in the Octagon Room to
+speak to him: the moment of Mr Elliot’s appearing and tearing her away,
+and one or two subsequent moments, marked by returning hope or
+increasing despondency, were dwelt on with energy.
+
+“To see you,” cried he, “in the midst of those who could not be my
+well-wishers; to see your cousin close by you, conversing and smiling,
+and feel all the horrible eligibilities and proprieties of the match!
+To consider it as the certain wish of every being who could hope to
+influence you! Even if your own feelings were reluctant or indifferent,
+to consider what powerful supports would be his! Was it not enough to
+make the fool of me which I appeared? How could I look on without
+agony? Was not the very sight of the friend who sat behind you, was not
+the recollection of what had been, the knowledge of her influence, the
+indelible, immoveable impression of what persuasion had once done—was
+it not all against me?”
+
+“You should have distinguished,” replied Anne. “You should not have
+suspected me now; the case is so different, and my age is so different.
+If I was wrong in yielding to persuasion once, remember that it was to
+persuasion exerted on the side of safety, not of risk. When I yielded,
+I thought it was to duty, but no duty could be called in aid here. In
+marrying a man indifferent to me, all risk would have been incurred,
+and all duty violated.”
+
+“Perhaps I ought to have reasoned thus,” he replied, “but I could not.
+I could not derive benefit from the late knowledge I had acquired of
+your character. I could not bring it into play; it was overwhelmed,
+buried, lost in those earlier feelings which I had been smarting under
+year after year. I could think of you only as one who had yielded, who
+had given me up, who had been influenced by any one rather than by me.
+I saw you with the very person who had guided you in that year of
+misery. I had no reason to believe her of less authority now. The force
+of habit was to be added.”
+
+“I should have thought,” said Anne, “that my manner to yourself might
+have spared you much or all of this.”
+
+“No, no! your manner might be only the ease which your engagement to
+another man would give. I left you in this belief; and yet, I was
+determined to see you again. My spirits rallied with the morning, and I
+felt that I had still a motive for remaining here.”
+
+At last Anne was at home again, and happier than any one in that house
+could have conceived. All the surprise and suspense, and every other
+painful part of the morning dissipated by this conversation, she
+re-entered the house so happy as to be obliged to find an alloy in some
+momentary apprehensions of its being impossible to last. An interval of
+meditation, serious and grateful, was the best corrective of everything
+dangerous in such high-wrought felicity; and she went to her room, and
+grew steadfast and fearless in the thankfulness of her enjoyment.
+
+The evening came, the drawing-rooms were lighted up, the company
+assembled. It was but a card party, it was but a mixture of those who
+had never met before, and those who met too often; a commonplace
+business, too numerous for intimacy, too small for variety; but Anne
+had never found an evening shorter. Glowing and lovely in sensibility
+and happiness, and more generally admired than she thought about or
+cared for, she had cheerful or forbearing feelings for every creature
+around her. Mr Elliot was there; she avoided, but she could pity him.
+The Wallises, she had amusement in understanding them. Lady Dalrymple
+and Miss Carteret—they would soon be innoxious cousins to her. She
+cared not for Mrs Clay, and had nothing to blush for in the public
+manners of her father and sister. With the Musgroves, there was the
+happy chat of perfect ease; with Captain Harville, the kind-hearted
+intercourse of brother and sister; with Lady Russell, attempts at
+conversation, which a delicious consciousness cut short; with Admiral
+and Mrs Croft, everything of peculiar cordiality and fervent interest,
+which the same consciousness sought to conceal; and with Captain
+Wentworth, some moments of communications continually occurring, and
+always the hope of more, and always the knowledge of his being there.
+
+It was in one of these short meetings, each apparently occupied in
+admiring a fine display of greenhouse plants, that she said—
+
+“I have been thinking over the past, and trying impartially to judge of
+the right and wrong, I mean with regard to myself; and I must believe
+that I was right, much as I suffered from it, that I was perfectly
+right in being guided by the friend whom you will love better than you
+do now. To me, she was in the place of a parent. Do not mistake me,
+however. I am not saying that she did not err in her advice. It was,
+perhaps, one of those cases in which advice is good or bad only as the
+event decides; and for myself, I certainly never should, in any
+circumstance of tolerable similarity, give such advice. But I mean,
+that I was right in submitting to her, and that if I had done
+otherwise, I should have suffered more in continuing the engagement
+than I did even in giving it up, because I should have suffered in my
+conscience. I have now, as far as such a sentiment is allowable in
+human nature, nothing to reproach myself with; and if I mistake not, a
+strong sense of duty is no bad part of a woman’s portion.”
+
+He looked at her, looked at Lady Russell, and looking again at her,
+replied, as if in cool deliberation—
+
+“Not yet. But there are hopes of her being forgiven in time. I trust to
+being in charity with her soon. But I too have been thinking over the
+past, and a question has suggested itself, whether there may not have
+been one person more my enemy even than that lady? My own self. Tell me
+if, when I returned to England in the year eight, with a few thousand
+pounds, and was posted into the Laconia, if I had then written to you,
+would you have answered my letter? Would you, in short, have renewed
+the engagement then?”
+
+“Would I!” was all her answer; but the accent was decisive enough.
+
+“Good God!” he cried, “you would! It is not that I did not think of it,
+or desire it, as what could alone crown all my other success; but I was
+proud, too proud to ask again. I did not understand you. I shut my
+eyes, and would not understand you, or do you justice. This is a
+recollection which ought to make me forgive every one sooner than
+myself. Six years of separation and suffering might have been spared.
+It is a sort of pain, too, which is new to me. I have been used to the
+gratification of believing myself to earn every blessing that I
+enjoyed. I have valued myself on honourable toils and just rewards.
+Like other great men under reverses,” he added, with a smile. “I must
+endeavour to subdue my mind to my fortune. I must learn to brook being
+happier than I deserve.”
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXIV.
+
+
+Who can be in doubt of what followed? When any two young people take it
+into their heads to marry, they are pretty sure by perseverance to
+carry their point, be they ever so poor, or ever so imprudent, or ever
+so little likely to be necessary to each other’s ultimate comfort. This
+may be bad morality to conclude with, but I believe it to be truth; and
+if such parties succeed, how should a Captain Wentworth and an Anne
+Elliot, with the advantage of maturity of mind, consciousness of right,
+and one independent fortune between them, fail of bearing down every
+opposition? They might in fact, have borne down a great deal more than
+they met with, for there was little to distress them beyond the want of
+graciousness and warmth. Sir Walter made no objection, and Elizabeth
+did nothing worse than look cold and unconcerned. Captain Wentworth,
+with five-and-twenty thousand pounds, and as high in his profession as
+merit and activity could place him, was no longer nobody. He was now
+esteemed quite worthy to address the daughter of a foolish, spendthrift
+baronet, who had not had principle or sense enough to maintain himself
+in the situation in which Providence had placed him, and who could give
+his daughter at present but a small part of the share of ten thousand
+pounds which must be hers hereafter.
+
+Sir Walter, indeed, though he had no affection for Anne, and no vanity
+flattered, to make him really happy on the occasion, was very far from
+thinking it a bad match for her. On the contrary, when he saw more of
+Captain Wentworth, saw him repeatedly by daylight, and eyed him well,
+he was very much struck by his personal claims, and felt that his
+superiority of appearance might be not unfairly balanced against her
+superiority of rank; and all this, assisted by his well-sounding name,
+enabled Sir Walter at last to prepare his pen, with a very good grace,
+for the insertion of the marriage in the volume of honour.
+
+The only one among them, whose opposition of feeling could excite any
+serious anxiety was Lady Russell. Anne knew that Lady Russell must be
+suffering some pain in understanding and relinquishing Mr Elliot, and
+be making some struggles to become truly acquainted with, and do
+justice to Captain Wentworth. This however was what Lady Russell had
+now to do. She must learn to feel that she had been mistaken with
+regard to both; that she had been unfairly influenced by appearances in
+each; that because Captain Wentworth’s manners had not suited her own
+ideas, she had been too quick in suspecting them to indicate a
+character of dangerous impetuosity; and that because Mr Elliot’s
+manners had precisely pleased her in their propriety and correctness,
+their general politeness and suavity, she had been too quick in
+receiving them as the certain result of the most correct opinions and
+well-regulated mind. There was nothing less for Lady Russell to do,
+than to admit that she had been pretty completely wrong, and to take up
+a new set of opinions and of hopes.
+
+There is a quickness of perception in some, a nicety in the discernment
+of character, a natural penetration, in short, which no experience in
+others can equal, and Lady Russell had been less gifted in this part of
+understanding than her young friend. But she was a very good woman, and
+if her second object was to be sensible and well-judging, her first was
+to see Anne happy. She loved Anne better than she loved her own
+abilities; and when the awkwardness of the beginning was over, found
+little hardship in attaching herself as a mother to the man who was
+securing the happiness of her other child.
+
+Of all the family, Mary was probably the one most immediately gratified
+by the circumstance. It was creditable to have a sister married, and
+she might flatter herself with having been greatly instrumental to the
+connexion, by keeping Anne with her in the autumn; and as her own
+sister must be better than her husband’s sisters, it was very agreeable
+that Captain Wentworth should be a richer man than either Captain
+Benwick or Charles Hayter. She had something to suffer, perhaps, when
+they came into contact again, in seeing Anne restored to the rights of
+seniority, and the mistress of a very pretty landaulette; but she had a
+future to look forward to, of powerful consolation. Anne had no
+Uppercross Hall before her, no landed estate, no headship of a family;
+and if they could but keep Captain Wentworth from being made a baronet,
+she would not change situations with Anne.
+
+It would be well for the eldest sister if she were equally satisfied
+with her situation, for a change is not very probable there. She had
+soon the mortification of seeing Mr Elliot withdraw, and no one of
+proper condition has since presented himself to raise even the
+unfounded hopes which sunk with him.
+
+The news of his cousin Anne’s engagement burst on Mr Elliot most
+unexpectedly. It deranged his best plan of domestic happiness, his best
+hope of keeping Sir Walter single by the watchfulness which a
+son-in-law’s rights would have given. But, though discomfited and
+disappointed, he could still do something for his own interest and his
+own enjoyment. He soon quitted Bath; and on Mrs Clay’s quitting it soon
+afterwards, and being next heard of as established under his protection
+in London, it was evident how double a game he had been playing, and
+how determined he was to save himself from being cut out by one artful
+woman, at least.
+
+Mrs Clay’s affections had overpowered her interest, and she had
+sacrificed, for the young man’s sake, the possibility of scheming
+longer for Sir Walter. She has abilities, however, as well as
+affections; and it is now a doubtful point whether his cunning, or
+hers, may finally carry the day; whether, after preventing her from
+being the wife of Sir Walter, he may not be wheedled and caressed at
+last into making her the wife of Sir William.
+
+It cannot be doubted that Sir Walter and Elizabeth were shocked and
+mortified by the loss of their companion, and the discovery of their
+deception in her. They had their great cousins, to be sure, to resort
+to for comfort; but they must long feel that to flatter and follow
+others, without being flattered and followed in turn, is but a state of
+half enjoyment.
+
+Anne, satisfied at a very early period of Lady Russell’s meaning to
+love Captain Wentworth as she ought, had no other alloy to the
+happiness of her prospects than what arose from the consciousness of
+having no relations to bestow on him which a man of sense could value.
+There she felt her own inferiority very keenly. The disproportion in
+their fortune was nothing; it did not give her a moment’s regret; but
+to have no family to receive and estimate him properly, nothing of
+respectability, of harmony, of good will to offer in return for all the
+worth and all the prompt welcome which met her in his brothers and
+sisters, was a source of as lively pain as her mind could well be
+sensible of under circumstances of otherwise strong felicity. She had
+but two friends in the world to add to his list, Lady Russell and Mrs
+Smith. To those, however, he was very well disposed to attach himself.
+Lady Russell, in spite of all her former transgressions, he could now
+value from his heart. While he was not obliged to say that he believed
+her to have been right in originally dividing them, he was ready to say
+almost everything else in her favour, and as for Mrs Smith, she had
+claims of various kinds to recommend her quickly and permanently.
+
+Her recent good offices by Anne had been enough in themselves, and
+their marriage, instead of depriving her of one friend, secured her
+two. She was their earliest visitor in their settled life; and Captain
+Wentworth, by putting her in the way of recovering her husband’s
+property in the West Indies, by writing for her, acting for her, and
+seeing her through all the petty difficulties of the case with the
+activity and exertion of a fearless man and a determined friend, fully
+requited the services which she had rendered, or ever meant to render,
+to his wife.
+
+Mrs Smith’s enjoyments were not spoiled by this improvement of income,
+with some improvement of health, and the acquisition of such friends to
+be often with, for her cheerfulness and mental alacrity did not fail
+her; and while these prime supplies of good remained, she might have
+bid defiance even to greater accessions of worldly prosperity. She
+might have been absolutely rich and perfectly healthy, and yet be
+happy. Her spring of felicity was in the glow of her spirits, as her
+friend Anne’s was in the warmth of her heart. Anne was tenderness
+itself, and she had the full worth of it in Captain Wentworth’s
+affection. His profession was all that could ever make her friends wish
+that tenderness less, the dread of a future war all that could dim her
+sunshine. She gloried in being a sailor’s wife, but she must pay the
+tax of quick alarm for belonging to that profession which is, if
+possible, more distinguished in its domestic virtues than in its
+national importance.
+
+Finis
+
+
+
+
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+<!DOCTYPE html>
+<html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">
+  <head>
+    <meta charset="UTF-8">
+    <title>The Project Gutenberg eBook of Persuasion | Project Gutenberg</title>
+    <link rel="icon" href="images/cover.jpg" type="image/x-cover">
+<style>
+
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+<div style='text-align:center; font-size:1.2em; font-weight:bold;'>The Project Gutenberg eBook of Persuasion, by Jane Austen</div>
+<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'>
+This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere in the United States and
+most other parts of the world at no cost and with almost no restrictions
+whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or re-use it under the terms
+of the Project Gutenberg License included with this eBook or online
+at <a href="https://www.gutenberg.org">www.gutenberg.org</a>. If you
+are not located in the United States, you will have to check the laws of the
+country where you are located before using this eBook.
+</div>
+<div style='display:block; margin-top:1em; margin-bottom:1em; margin-left:2em; text-indent:-2em'>Title: Persuasion</div>
+<div style='display:block; margin-top:1em; margin-bottom:1em; margin-left:2em; text-indent:-2em'>Author: Jane Austen</div>
+<div style='display:block;margin:1em 0'>Release Date: February, 1994 [eBook #105]<br>
+[Most recently updated: September 10, 2023]</div>
+<div style='display:block;margin:1em 0'>Language: English</div>
+<div style='display:block;margin:1em 0'>Character set encoding: UTF-8</div>
+<div style='display:block; margin-left:2em; text-indent:-2em'>Produced by: Sharon Partridge and Martin Ward
+<br>Revised by Richard Tonsing.</div>
+<div style='margin-top:2em;margin-bottom:4em'>*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK PERSUASION ***</div>
+
+
+
+
+<h1>Persuasion</h1>
+
+<div class="ph2">by Jane Austen</div>
+
+<div class="ph3">(1818)</div>
+
+<hr>
+
+<div class='chapter'><h2>Contents</h2></div>
+
+<table style="">
+
+<tr>
+<td> <a href="#chap01">CHAPTER I.</a></td>
+</tr>
+
+<tr>
+<td> <a href="#chap02">CHAPTER II.</a></td>
+</tr>
+
+<tr>
+<td> <a href="#chap03">CHAPTER III.</a></td>
+</tr>
+
+<tr>
+<td> <a href="#chap04">CHAPTER IV.</a></td>
+</tr>
+
+<tr>
+<td> <a href="#chap05">CHAPTER V.</a></td>
+</tr>
+
+<tr>
+<td> <a href="#chap06">CHAPTER VI.</a></td>
+</tr>
+
+<tr>
+<td> <a href="#chap07">CHAPTER VII.</a></td>
+</tr>
+
+<tr>
+<td> <a href="#chap08">CHAPTER VIII.</a></td>
+</tr>
+
+<tr>
+<td> <a href="#chap09">CHAPTER IX.</a></td>
+</tr>
+
+<tr>
+<td> <a href="#chap10">CHAPTER X.</a></td>
+</tr>
+
+<tr>
+<td> <a href="#chap11">CHAPTER XI.</a></td>
+</tr>
+
+<tr>
+<td> <a href="#chap12">CHAPTER XII.</a></td>
+</tr>
+
+<tr>
+<td> <a href="#chap13">CHAPTER XIII.</a></td>
+</tr>
+
+<tr>
+<td> <a href="#chap14">CHAPTER XIV.</a></td>
+</tr>
+
+<tr>
+<td> <a href="#chap15">CHAPTER XV.</a></td>
+</tr>
+
+<tr>
+<td> <a href="#chap16">CHAPTER XVI.</a></td>
+</tr>
+
+<tr>
+<td> <a href="#chap17">CHAPTER XVII.</a></td>
+</tr>
+
+<tr>
+<td> <a href="#chap18">CHAPTER XVIII.</a></td>
+</tr>
+
+<tr>
+<td> <a href="#chap19">CHAPTER XIX.</a></td>
+</tr>
+
+<tr>
+<td> <a href="#chap20">CHAPTER XX.</a></td>
+</tr>
+
+<tr>
+<td> <a href="#chap21">CHAPTER XXI.</a></td>
+</tr>
+
+<tr>
+<td> <a href="#chap22">CHAPTER XXII.</a></td>
+</tr>
+
+<tr>
+<td> <a href="#chap23">CHAPTER XXIII.</a></td>
+</tr>
+
+<tr>
+<td> <a href="#chap24">CHAPTER XXIV.</a></td>
+</tr>
+
+</table>
+
+<div class="chapter">
+
+<h2><a id="chap01"></a>CHAPTER I.</h2>
+
+<p>
+Sir Walter Elliot, of Kellynch Hall, in Somersetshire, was a man who, for his
+own amusement, never took up any book but the Baronetage; there he found
+occupation for an idle hour, and consolation in a distressed one; there his
+faculties were roused into admiration and respect, by contemplating the limited
+remnant of the earliest patents; there any unwelcome sensations, arising from
+domestic affairs changed naturally into pity and contempt as he turned over the
+almost endless creations of the last century; and there, if every other leaf
+were powerless, he could read his own history with an interest which never
+failed. This was the page at which the favourite volume always opened:
+</p>
+
+<p class="center">
+“ELLIOT OF KELLYNCH HALL.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+“Walter Elliot, born March 1, 1760, married, July 15, 1784, Elizabeth,
+daughter of James Stevenson, Esq. of South Park, in the county of Gloucester,
+by which lady (who died 1800) he has issue Elizabeth, born June 1, 1785; Anne,
+born August 9, 1787; a still-born son, November 5, 1789; Mary, born November
+20, 1791.”
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Precisely such had the paragraph originally stood from the printer’s
+hands; but Sir Walter had improved it by adding, for the information of himself
+and his family, these words, after the date of Mary’s
+birth—“Married, December 16, 1810, Charles, son and heir of Charles
+Musgrove, Esq. of Uppercross, in the county of Somerset,” and by
+inserting most accurately the day of the month on which he had lost his wife.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Then followed the history and rise of the ancient and respectable family, in
+the usual terms; how it had been first settled in Cheshire; how mentioned in
+Dugdale, serving the office of high sheriff, representing a borough in three
+successive parliaments, exertions of loyalty, and dignity of baronet, in the
+first year of Charles II, with all the Marys and Elizabeths they had married;
+forming altogether two handsome duodecimo pages, and concluding with the arms
+and motto:—“Principal seat, Kellynch Hall, in the county of
+Somerset,” and Sir Walter’s handwriting again in this
+finale:—
+</p>
+
+<p>
+“Heir presumptive, William Walter Elliot, Esq., great grandson of the
+second Sir Walter.”
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Vanity was the beginning and the end of Sir Walter Elliot’s character;
+vanity of person and of situation. He had been remarkably handsome in his
+youth; and, at fifty-four, was still a very fine man. Few women could think
+more of their personal appearance than he did, nor could the valet of any new
+made lord be more delighted with the place he held in society. He considered
+the blessing of beauty as inferior only to the blessing of a baronetcy; and the
+Sir Walter Elliot, who united these gifts, was the constant object of his
+warmest respect and devotion.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+His good looks and his rank had one fair claim on his attachment; since to them
+he must have owed a wife of very superior character to any thing deserved by
+his own. Lady Elliot had been an excellent woman, sensible and amiable; whose
+judgement and conduct, if they might be pardoned the youthful infatuation which
+made her Lady Elliot, had never required indulgence afterwards. She had
+humoured, or softened, or concealed his failings, and promoted his real
+respectability for seventeen years; and though not the very happiest being in
+the world herself, had found enough in her duties, her friends, and her
+children, to attach her to life, and make it no matter of indifference to her
+when she was called on to quit them. Three girls, the two eldest sixteen
+and fourteen, was an awful legacy for a mother to bequeath, an awful charge
+rather, to confide to the authority and guidance of a conceited, silly father.
+She had, however, one very intimate friend, a sensible, deserving woman, who
+had been brought, by strong attachment to herself, to settle close by her, in
+the village of Kellynch; and on her kindness and advice, Lady Elliot mainly
+relied for the best help and maintenance of the good principles and instruction
+which she had been anxiously giving her daughters.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+This friend, and Sir Walter, did not marry, whatever might have been
+anticipated on that head by their acquaintance. Thirteen years had passed away
+since Lady Elliot’s death, and they were still near neighbours and
+intimate friends, and one remained a widower, the other a widow.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+That Lady Russell, of steady age and character, and extremely well provided
+for, should have no thought of a second marriage, needs no apology to the
+public, which is rather apt to be unreasonably discontented when a woman
+<i>does</i> marry again, than when she does <i>not;</i> but Sir Walter’s
+continuing in singleness requires explanation. Be it known then, that Sir
+Walter, like a good father, (having met with one or two private disappointments
+in very unreasonable applications), prided himself on remaining single for his
+dear daughters’ sake. For one daughter, his eldest, he would really have
+given up any thing, which he had not been very much tempted to do. Elizabeth
+had succeeded, at sixteen, to all that was possible, of her mother’s
+rights and consequence; and being very handsome, and very like himself, her
+influence had always been great, and they had gone on together most happily.
+His two other children were of very inferior value. Mary had acquired a little
+artificial importance, by becoming Mrs Charles Musgrove; but Anne, with an
+elegance of mind and sweetness of character, which must have placed her high
+with any people of real understanding, was nobody with either father or sister;
+her word had no weight, her convenience was always to give way—she was
+only Anne.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+To Lady Russell, indeed, she was a most dear and highly valued god-daughter,
+favourite, and friend. Lady Russell loved them all; but it was only in Anne
+that she could fancy the mother to revive again.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+A few years before, Anne Elliot had been a very pretty girl, but her bloom had
+vanished early; and as even in its height, her father had found little to
+admire in her, (so totally different were her delicate features and mild dark
+eyes from his own), there could be nothing in them, now that she was faded and
+thin, to excite his esteem. He had never indulged much hope, he had now none,
+of ever reading her name in any other page of his favourite work. All equality
+of alliance must rest with Elizabeth, for Mary had merely connected herself
+with an old country family of respectability and large fortune, and had
+therefore <i>given</i> all the honour and received none: Elizabeth would, one
+day or other, marry suitably.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+It sometimes happens that a woman is handsomer at twenty-nine than she was ten
+years before; and, generally speaking, if there has been neither ill health nor
+anxiety, it is a time of life at which scarcely any charm is lost. It was so
+with Elizabeth, still the same handsome Miss Elliot that she had begun to be
+thirteen years ago, and Sir Walter might be excused, therefore, in forgetting
+her age, or, at least, be deemed only half a fool, for thinking himself and
+Elizabeth as blooming as ever, amidst the wreck of the good looks of everybody
+else; for he could plainly see how old all the rest of his family and
+acquaintance were growing. Anne haggard, Mary coarse, every face in the
+neighbourhood worsting, and the rapid increase of the crow’s foot about
+Lady Russell’s temples had long been a distress to him.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Elizabeth did not quite equal her father in personal contentment. Thirteen
+years had seen her mistress of Kellynch Hall, presiding and directing with a
+self-possession and decision which could never have given the idea of her being
+younger than she was. For thirteen years had she been doing the honours, and
+laying down the domestic law at home, and leading the way to the chaise and
+four, and walking immediately after Lady Russell out of all the drawing-rooms
+and dining-rooms in the country. Thirteen winters’ revolving frosts had
+seen her opening every ball of credit which a scanty neighbourhood afforded,
+and thirteen springs shewn their blossoms, as she travelled up to London with
+her father, for a few weeks’ annual enjoyment of the great world. She had
+the remembrance of all this, she had the consciousness of being nine-and-twenty
+to give her some regrets and some apprehensions; she was fully satisfied of
+being still quite as handsome as ever, but she felt her approach to the years
+of danger, and would have rejoiced to be certain of being properly solicited by
+baronet-blood within the next twelvemonth or two. Then might she again take up
+the book of books with as much enjoyment as in her early youth, but now she
+liked it not. Always to be presented with the date of her own birth and see no
+marriage follow but that of a youngest sister, made the book an evil; and more
+than once, when her father had left it open on the table near her, had she
+closed it, with averted eyes, and pushed it away.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+She had had a disappointment, moreover, which that book, and especially the
+history of her own family, must ever present the remembrance of. The heir
+presumptive, the very William Walter Elliot, Esq., whose rights had been so
+generously supported by her father, had disappointed her.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+She had, while a very young girl, as soon as she had known him to be, in the
+event of her having no brother, the future baronet, meant to marry him, and her
+father had always meant that she should. He had not been known to them as a
+boy; but soon after Lady Elliot’s death, Sir Walter had sought the
+acquaintance, and though his overtures had not been met with any warmth, he had
+persevered in seeking it, making allowance for the modest drawing-back of
+youth; and, in one of their spring excursions to London, when Elizabeth was in
+her first bloom, Mr Elliot had been forced into the introduction.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+He was at that time a very young man, just engaged in the study of the law; and
+Elizabeth found him extremely agreeable, and every plan in his favour was
+confirmed. He was invited to Kellynch Hall; he was talked of and expected all
+the rest of the year; but he never came. The following spring he was seen again
+in town, found equally agreeable, again encouraged, invited, and expected, and
+again he did not come; and the next tidings were that he was married. Instead
+of pushing his fortune in the line marked out for the heir of the house of
+Elliot, he had purchased independence by uniting himself to a rich woman of
+inferior birth.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Sir Walter had resented it. As the head of the house, he felt that he ought to
+have been consulted, especially after taking the young man so publicly by the
+hand; “For they must have been seen together,” he observed,
+“once at Tattersall’s, and twice in the lobby of the House of
+Commons.” His disapprobation was expressed, but apparently very little
+regarded. Mr Elliot had attempted no apology, and shewn himself as unsolicitous
+of being longer noticed by the family, as Sir Walter considered him unworthy of
+it: all acquaintance between them had ceased.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+This very awkward history of Mr Elliot was still, after an interval of several
+years, felt with anger by Elizabeth, who had liked the man for himself, and
+still more for being her father’s heir, and whose strong family pride
+could see only in <i>him</i> a proper match for Sir Walter Elliot’s
+eldest daughter. There was not a baronet from A to Z whom her feelings could
+have so willingly acknowledged as an equal. Yet so miserably had he conducted
+himself, that though she was at this present time (the summer of 1814) wearing
+black ribbons for his wife, she could not admit him to be worth thinking of
+again. The disgrace of his first marriage might, perhaps, as there was no
+reason to suppose it perpetuated by offspring, have been got over, had he not
+done worse; but he had, as by the accustomary intervention of kind friends,
+they had been informed, spoken most disrespectfully of them all, most
+slightingly and contemptuously of the very blood he belonged to, and the
+honours which were hereafter to be his own. This could not be pardoned.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Such were Elizabeth Elliot’s sentiments and sensations; such the cares to
+alloy, the agitations to vary, the sameness and the elegance, the prosperity
+and the nothingness of her scene of life; such the feelings to give interest to
+a long, uneventful residence in one country circle, to fill the vacancies which
+there were no habits of utility abroad, no talents or accomplishments for home,
+to occupy.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+But now, another occupation and solicitude of mind was beginning to be added to
+these. Her father was growing distressed for money. She knew, that when he now
+took up the Baronetage, it was to drive the heavy bills of his tradespeople,
+and the unwelcome hints of Mr Shepherd, his agent, from his thoughts. The
+Kellynch property was good, but not equal to Sir Walter’s apprehension of
+the state required in its possessor. While Lady Elliot lived, there had been
+method, moderation, and economy, which had just kept him within his income; but
+with her had died all such right-mindedness, and from that period he had been
+constantly exceeding it. It had not been possible for him to spend less; he had
+done nothing but what Sir Walter Elliot was imperiously called on to do; but
+blameless as he was, he was not only growing dreadfully in debt, but was
+hearing of it so often, that it became vain to attempt concealing it longer,
+even partially, from his daughter. He had given her some hints of it the last
+spring in town; he had gone so far even as to say, “Can we retrench? Does
+it occur to you that there is any one article in which we can retrench?”
+and Elizabeth, to do her justice, had, in the first ardour of female alarm, set
+seriously to think what could be done, and had finally proposed these two
+branches of economy, to cut off some unnecessary charities, and to refrain from
+new furnishing the drawing-room; to which expedients she afterwards added the
+happy thought of their taking no present down to Anne, as had been the usual
+yearly custom. But these measures, however good in themselves, were
+insufficient for the real extent of the evil, the whole of which Sir Walter
+found himself obliged to confess to her soon afterwards. Elizabeth had nothing
+to propose of deeper efficacy. She felt herself ill-used and unfortunate, as
+did her father; and they were neither of them able to devise any means of
+lessening their expenses without compromising their dignity, or relinquishing
+their comforts in a way not to be borne.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+There was only a small part of his estate that Sir Walter could dispose of; but
+had every acre been alienable, it would have made no difference. He had
+condescended to mortgage as far as he had the power, but he would never
+condescend to sell. No; he would never disgrace his name so far. The Kellynch
+estate should be transmitted whole and entire, as he had received it.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Their two confidential friends, Mr Shepherd, who lived in the neighbouring
+market town, and Lady Russell, were called on to advise them; and both father and
+daughter seemed to expect that something should be struck out by one or the
+other to remove their embarrassments and reduce their expenditure, without
+involving the loss of any indulgence of taste or pride.
+</p>
+
+</div><!--end chapter-->
+
+<div class="chapter">
+
+<h2><a id="chap02"></a>CHAPTER II.</h2>
+
+<p>
+Mr Shepherd, a civil, cautious lawyer, who, whatever might be his hold or his
+views on Sir Walter, would rather have the <i>disagreeable</i> prompted by
+anybody else, excused himself from offering the slightest hint, and only begged
+leave to recommend an implicit reference to the excellent judgement of Lady
+Russell, from whose known good sense he fully expected to have just such
+resolute measures advised as he meant to see finally adopted.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Lady Russell was most anxiously zealous on the subject, and gave it much
+serious consideration. She was a woman rather of sound than of quick abilities,
+whose difficulties in coming to any decision in this instance were great, from
+the opposition of two leading principles. She was of strict integrity herself,
+with a delicate sense of honour; but she was as desirous of saving Sir
+Walter’s feelings, as solicitous for the credit of the family, as
+aristocratic in her ideas of what was due to them, as anybody of sense and
+honesty could well be. She was a benevolent, charitable, good woman, and
+capable of strong attachments, most correct in her conduct, strict in her
+notions of decorum, and with manners that were held a standard of
+good-breeding. She had a cultivated mind, and was, generally speaking, rational
+and consistent—but she had prejudices on the side of ancestry; she had a
+value for rank and consequence, which blinded her a little to the faults of
+those who possessed them. Herself the widow of only a knight, she gave the
+dignity of a baronet all its due; and Sir Walter, independent of his claims as
+an old acquaintance, an attentive neighbour, an obliging landlord, the husband
+of her very dear friend, the father of Anne and her sisters, was, as being Sir
+Walter, in her apprehension, entitled to a great deal of compassion and
+consideration under his present difficulties.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+They must retrench; that did not admit of a doubt. But she was very anxious to
+have it done with the least possible pain to him and Elizabeth. She drew up
+plans of economy, she made exact calculations, and she did what nobody else
+thought of doing: she consulted Anne, who never seemed considered by the others
+as having any interest in the question. She consulted, and in a degree was
+influenced by her in marking out the scheme of retrenchment which was at last
+submitted to Sir Walter. Every emendation of Anne’s had been on the side
+of honesty against importance. She wanted more vigorous measures, a more
+complete reformation, a quicker release from debt, a much higher tone of
+indifference for everything but justice and equity.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+“If we can persuade your father to all this,” said Lady Russell,
+looking over her paper, “much may be done. If he will adopt these
+regulations, in seven years he will be clear; and I hope we may be able to
+convince him and Elizabeth, that Kellynch Hall has a respectability in itself
+which cannot be affected by these reductions; and that the true dignity of Sir
+Walter Elliot will be very far from lessened in the eyes of sensible people, by
+acting like a man of principle. What will he be doing, in fact, but what very
+many of our first families have done, or ought to do? There will be nothing
+singular in his case; and it is singularity which often makes the worst part of
+our suffering, as it always does of our conduct. I have great hope of
+prevailing. We must be serious and decided; for after all, the person who has
+contracted debts must pay them; and though a great deal is due to the feelings
+of the gentleman, and the head of a house, like your father, there is still
+more due to the character of an honest man.”
+</p>
+
+<p>
+This was the principle on which Anne wanted her father to be proceeding, his
+friends to be urging him. She considered it as an act of indispensable duty to
+clear away the claims of creditors with all the expedition which the most
+comprehensive retrenchments could secure, and saw no dignity in anything short
+of it. She wanted it to be prescribed, and felt as a duty. She rated Lady
+Russell’s influence highly; and as to the severe degree of self-denial
+which her own conscience prompted, she believed there might be little more
+difficulty in persuading them to a complete, than to half a reformation. Her
+knowledge of her father and Elizabeth inclined her to think that the sacrifice
+of one pair of horses would be hardly less painful than of both, and so on,
+through the whole list of Lady Russell’s too gentle reductions.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+How Anne’s more rigid requisitions might have been taken is of little
+consequence. Lady Russell’s had no success at all: could not be put up
+with, were not to be borne. “What! every comfort of life knocked off!
+Journeys, London, servants, horses, table—contractions and restrictions
+every where! To live no longer with the decencies even of a private gentleman!
+No, he would sooner quit Kellynch Hall at once, than remain in it on such
+disgraceful terms.”
+</p>
+
+<p>
+“Quit Kellynch Hall.” The hint was immediately taken up by Mr
+Shepherd, whose interest was involved in the reality of Sir Walter’s
+retrenching, and who was perfectly persuaded that nothing would be done without
+a change of abode. “Since the idea had been started in the very quarter
+which ought to dictate, he had no scruple,” he said, “in confessing
+his judgement to be entirely on that side. It did not appear to him that Sir
+Walter could materially alter his style of living in a house which had such a
+character of hospitality and ancient dignity to support. In any other place Sir
+Walter might judge for himself; and would be looked up to, as regulating the
+modes of life in whatever way he might choose to model his household.”
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Sir Walter would quit Kellynch Hall; and after a very few days more of doubt
+and indecision, the great question of whither he should go was settled, and the
+first outline of this important change made out.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+There had been three alternatives, London, Bath, or another house in the
+country. All Anne’s wishes had been for the latter. A small house in
+their own neighbourhood, where they might still have Lady Russell’s
+society, still be near Mary, and still have the pleasure of sometimes seeing
+the lawns and groves of Kellynch, was the object of her ambition. But the usual
+fate of Anne attended her, in having something very opposite from her
+inclination fixed on. She disliked Bath, and did not think it agreed with her;
+and Bath was to be her home.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Sir Walter had at first thought more of London; but Mr Shepherd felt that he
+could not be trusted in London, and had been skilful enough to dissuade him
+from it, and make Bath preferred. It was a much safer place for a gentleman in
+his predicament: he might there be important at comparatively little expense.
+Two material advantages of Bath over London had of course been given all their
+weight: its more convenient distance from Kellynch, only fifty miles, and Lady
+Russell’s spending some part of every winter there; and to the very great
+satisfaction of Lady Russell, whose first views on the projected change had
+been for Bath, Sir Walter and Elizabeth were induced to believe that they
+should lose neither consequence nor enjoyment by settling there.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Lady Russell felt obliged to oppose her dear Anne’s known wishes. It
+would be too much to expect Sir Walter to descend into a small house in his own
+neighbourhood. Anne herself would have found the mortifications of it more than
+she foresaw, and to Sir Walter’s feelings they must have been dreadful.
+And with regard to Anne’s dislike of Bath, she considered it as a
+prejudice and mistake arising, first, from the circumstance of her having been
+three years at school there, after her mother’s death; and secondly, from
+her happening to be not in perfectly good spirits the only winter which she had
+afterwards spent there with herself.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Lady Russell was fond of Bath, in short, and disposed to think it must suit
+them all; and as to her young friend’s health, by passing all the warm
+months with her at Kellynch Lodge, every danger would be avoided; and it was in
+fact, a change which must do both health and spirits good. Anne had been too
+little from home, too little seen. Her spirits were not high. A larger society
+would improve them. She wanted her to be more known.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The undesirableness of any other house in the same neighbourhood for Sir Walter
+was certainly much strengthened by one part, and a very material part of the
+scheme, which had been happily engrafted on the beginning. He was not only to
+quit his home, but to see it in the hands of others; a trial of fortitude,
+which stronger heads than Sir Walter’s have found too much. Kellynch Hall
+was to be let. This, however, was a profound secret, not to be breathed beyond
+their own circle.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Sir Walter could not have borne the degradation of being known to design
+letting his house. Mr Shepherd had once mentioned the word
+“advertise,” but never dared approach it again. Sir Walter spurned
+the idea of its being offered in any manner; forbad the slightest hint being
+dropped of his having such an intention; and it was only on the supposition of
+his being spontaneously solicited by some most unexceptionable applicant, on
+his own terms, and as a great favour, that he would let it at all.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+How quick come the reasons for approving what we like! Lady Russell had another
+excellent one at hand, for being extremely glad that Sir Walter and his family
+were to remove from the country. Elizabeth had been lately forming an intimacy,
+which she wished to see interrupted. It was with the daughter of Mr Shepherd,
+who had returned, after an unprosperous marriage, to her father’s house,
+with the additional burden of two children. She was a clever young woman, who
+understood the art of pleasing—the art of pleasing, at least, at Kellynch
+Hall; and who had made herself so acceptable to Miss Elliot, as to have been
+already staying there more than once, in spite of all that Lady Russell, who
+thought it a friendship quite out of place, could hint of caution and reserve.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Lady Russell, indeed, had scarcely any influence with Elizabeth, and seemed to
+love her, rather because she would love her, than because Elizabeth deserved
+it. She had never received from her more than outward attention, nothing beyond
+the observances of complaisance; had never succeeded in any point which she
+wanted to carry, against previous inclination. She had been repeatedly very
+earnest in trying to get Anne included in the visit to London, sensibly open to
+all the injustice and all the discredit of the selfish arrangements which shut
+her out, and on many lesser occasions had endeavoured to give Elizabeth the
+advantage of her own better judgement and experience; but always in vain:
+Elizabeth would go her own way; and never had she pursued it in more decided
+opposition to Lady Russell than in this selection of Mrs Clay; turning from the
+society of so deserving a sister, to bestow her affection and confidence on one
+who ought to have been nothing to her but the object of distant civility.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+From situation, Mrs Clay was, in Lady Russell’s estimate, a very unequal,
+and in her character she believed a very dangerous companion; and a removal
+that would leave Mrs Clay behind, and bring a choice of more suitable intimates
+within Miss Elliot’s reach, was therefore an object of first-rate
+importance.
+</p>
+
+</div><!--end chapter-->
+
+<div class="chapter">
+
+<h2><a id="chap03"></a>CHAPTER III.</h2>
+
+<p>
+“I must take leave to observe, Sir Walter,” said Mr Shepherd one
+morning at Kellynch Hall, as he laid down the newspaper, “that the
+present juncture is much in our favour. This peace will be turning all our rich
+naval officers ashore. They will be all wanting a home. Could not be a better
+time, Sir Walter, for having a choice of tenants, very responsible tenants.
+Many a noble fortune has been made during the war. If a rich admiral were to
+come in our way, Sir Walter—”
+</p>
+
+<p>
+“He would be a very lucky man, Shepherd,” replied Sir Walter;
+“that’s all I have to remark. A prize indeed would Kellynch Hall be
+to him; rather the greatest prize of all, let him have taken ever so many
+before; hey, Shepherd?”
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Mr Shepherd laughed, as he knew he must, at this wit, and then added—
+</p>
+
+<p>
+“I presume to observe, Sir Walter, that, in the way of business,
+gentlemen of the navy are well to deal with. I have had a little knowledge of
+their methods of doing business; and I am free to confess that they have very
+liberal notions, and are as likely to make desirable tenants as any set of
+people one should meet with. Therefore, Sir Walter, what I would take leave to
+suggest is, that if in consequence of any rumours getting abroad of your
+intention; which must be contemplated as a possible thing, because we know how
+difficult it is to keep the actions and designs of one part of the world from
+the notice and curiosity of the other; consequence has its tax; I, John
+Shepherd, might conceal any family-matters that I chose, for nobody would think
+it worth their while to observe me; but Sir Walter Elliot has eyes upon him
+which it may be very difficult to elude; and therefore, thus much I venture
+upon, that it will not greatly surprise me if, with all our caution, some
+rumour of the truth should get abroad; in the supposition of which, as I was
+going to observe, since applications will unquestionably follow, I should think
+any from our wealthy naval commanders particularly worth attending to; and beg
+leave to add, that two hours will bring me over at any time, to save you the
+trouble of replying.”
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Sir Walter only nodded. But soon afterwards, rising and pacing the room, he
+observed sarcastically—
+</p>
+
+<p>
+“There are few among the gentlemen of the navy, I imagine, who would not
+be surprised to find themselves in a house of this description.”
+</p>
+
+<p>
+“They would look around them, no doubt, and bless their good
+fortune,” said Mrs Clay, for Mrs Clay was present: her father had driven
+her over, nothing being of so much use to Mrs Clay’s health as a drive to
+Kellynch: “but I quite agree with my father in thinking a sailor might be
+a very desirable tenant. I have known a good deal of the profession; and
+besides their liberality, they are so neat and careful in all their ways! These
+valuable pictures of yours, Sir Walter, if you chose to leave them, would be
+perfectly safe. Everything in and about the house would be taken such excellent
+care of! The gardens and shrubberies would be kept in almost as high order as
+they are now. You need not be afraid, Miss Elliot, of your own sweet flower
+gardens being neglected.”
+</p>
+
+<p>
+“As to all that,” rejoined Sir Walter coolly, “supposing I
+were induced to let my house, I have by no means made up my mind as to the
+privileges to be annexed to it. I am not particularly disposed to favour a
+tenant. The park would be open to him of course, and few navy officers, or men
+of any other description, can have had such a range; but what restrictions I
+might impose on the use of the pleasure-grounds, is another thing. I am not
+fond of the idea of my shrubberies being always approachable; and I should
+recommend Miss Elliot to be on her guard with respect to her flower garden. I
+am very little disposed to grant a tenant of Kellynch Hall any extraordinary
+favour, I assure you, be he sailor or soldier.”
+</p>
+
+<p>
+After a short pause, Mr Shepherd presumed to say—
+</p>
+
+<p>
+“In all these cases, there are established usages which make everything
+plain and easy between landlord and tenant. Your interest, Sir Walter, is in
+pretty safe hands. Depend upon me for taking care that no tenant has more than
+his just rights. I venture to hint, that Sir Walter Elliot cannot be half so
+jealous for his own, as John Shepherd will be for him.”
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Here Anne spoke—
+</p>
+
+<p>
+“The navy, I think, who have done so much for us, have at least an equal
+claim with any other set of men, for all the comforts and all the privileges
+which any home can give. Sailors work hard enough for their comforts, we must
+all allow.”
+</p>
+
+<p>
+“Very true, very true. What Miss Anne says, is very true,” was Mr
+Shepherd’s rejoinder, and “Oh! certainly,” was his
+daughter’s; but Sir Walter’s remark was, soon afterwards—
+</p>
+
+<p>
+“The profession has its utility, but I should be sorry to see any friend
+of mine belonging to it.”
+</p>
+
+<p>
+“Indeed!” was the reply, and with a look of surprise.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+“Yes; it is in two points offensive to me; I have two strong grounds of
+objection to it. First, as being the means of bringing persons of obscure birth
+into undue distinction, and raising men to honours which their fathers and
+grandfathers never dreamt of; and secondly, as it cuts up a man’s youth
+and vigour most horribly; a sailor grows old sooner than any other man. I have
+observed it all my life. A man is in greater danger in the navy of being
+insulted by the rise of one whose father, his father might have disdained to
+speak to, and of becoming prematurely an object of disgust himself, than in any
+other line. One day last spring, in town, I was in company with two men,
+striking instances of what I am talking of; Lord St Ives, whose father we all
+know to have been a country curate, without bread to eat; I was to give place
+to Lord St Ives, and a certain Admiral Baldwin, the most deplorable-looking
+personage you can imagine; his face the colour of mahogany, rough and rugged to
+the last degree; all lines and wrinkles, nine grey hairs of a side, and nothing
+but a dab of powder at top. ‘In the name of heaven, who is that old
+fellow?’ said I to a friend of mine who was standing near, (Sir Basil
+Morley). ‘Old fellow!’ cried Sir Basil, ‘it is Admiral
+Baldwin. What do you take his age to be?’ ‘Sixty,’ said I,
+‘or perhaps sixty-two.’ ‘Forty,’ replied Sir Basil,
+‘forty, and no more.’ Picture to yourselves my amazement; I shall
+not easily forget Admiral Baldwin. I never saw quite so wretched an example of
+what a sea-faring life can do; but to a degree, I know it is the same with them
+all: they are all knocked about, and exposed to every climate, and every
+weather, till they are not fit to be seen. It is a pity they are not knocked on
+the head at once, before they reach Admiral Baldwin’s age.”
+</p>
+
+<p>
+“Nay, Sir Walter,” cried Mrs Clay, “this is being severe
+indeed. Have a little mercy on the poor men. We are not all born to be
+handsome. The sea is no beautifier, certainly; sailors do grow old betimes; I
+have observed it; they soon lose the look of youth. But then, is not it the
+same with many other professions, perhaps most other? Soldiers, in active
+service, are not at all better off: and even in the quieter professions, there
+is a toil and a labour of the mind, if not of the body, which seldom leaves a
+man’s looks to the natural effect of time. The lawyer plods, quite
+care-worn; the physician is up at all hours, and travelling in all weather; and
+even the clergyman—” she stopt a moment to consider what might do
+for the clergyman;—“and even the clergyman, you know is obliged to
+go into infected rooms, and expose his health and looks to all the injury of a
+poisonous atmosphere. In fact, as I have long been convinced, though every
+profession is necessary and honourable in its turn, it is only the lot of those
+who are not obliged to follow any, who can live in a regular way, in the
+country, choosing their own hours, following their own pursuits, and living on
+their own property, without the torment of trying for more; it is only
+<i>their</i> lot, I say, to hold the blessings of health and a good appearance
+to the utmost: I know no other set of men but what lose something of their
+personableness when they cease to be quite young.”
+</p>
+
+<p>
+It seemed as if Mr Shepherd, in this anxiety to bespeak Sir Walter’s good
+will towards a naval officer as tenant, had been gifted with foresight; for the
+very first application for the house was from an Admiral Croft, with whom he
+shortly afterwards fell into company in attending the quarter sessions at
+Taunton; and indeed, he had received a hint of the Admiral from a London
+correspondent. By the report which he hastened over to Kellynch to make,
+Admiral Croft was a native of Somersetshire, who having acquired a very
+handsome fortune, was wishing to settle in his own country, and had come down
+to Taunton in order to look at some advertised places in that immediate
+neighbourhood, which, however, had not suited him; that accidentally
+hearing—(it was just as he had foretold, Mr Shepherd observed, Sir
+Walter’s concerns could not be kept a secret,)—accidentally hearing
+of the possibility of Kellynch Hall being to let, and understanding his (Mr
+Shepherd’s) connection with the owner, he had introduced himself to him
+in order to make particular inquiries, and had, in the course of a pretty long
+conference, expressed as strong an inclination for the place as a man who knew
+it only by description could feel; and given Mr Shepherd, in his explicit
+account of himself, every proof of his being a most responsible, eligible
+tenant.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+“And who is Admiral Croft?” was Sir Walter’s cold suspicious
+inquiry.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Mr Shepherd answered for his being of a gentleman’s family, and mentioned
+a place; and Anne, after the little pause which followed, added—
+</p>
+
+<p>
+“He is a rear admiral of the white. He was in the Trafalgar action, and
+has been in the East Indies since; he was stationed there, I believe, several
+years.”
+</p>
+
+<p>
+“Then I take it for granted,” observed Sir Walter, “that his
+face is about as orange as the cuffs and capes of my livery.”
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Mr Shepherd hastened to assure him, that Admiral Croft was a very hale, hearty,
+well-looking man, a little weather-beaten, to be sure, but not much, and quite
+the gentleman in all his notions and behaviour; not likely to make the smallest
+difficulty about terms, only wanted a comfortable home, and to get into it as
+soon as possible; knew he must pay for his convenience; knew what rent a
+ready-furnished house of that consequence might fetch; should not have been
+surprised if Sir Walter had asked more; had inquired about the manor; would be
+glad of the deputation, certainly, but made no great point of it; said he
+sometimes took out a gun, but never killed; quite the gentleman.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Mr Shepherd was eloquent on the subject; pointing out all the circumstances of
+the Admiral’s family, which made him peculiarly desirable as a tenant. He
+was a married man, and without children; the very state to be wished for. A
+house was never taken good care of, Mr Shepherd observed, without a lady: he
+did not know, whether furniture might not be in danger of suffering as much
+where there was no lady, as where there were many children. A lady, without a
+family, was the very best preserver of furniture in the world. He had seen Mrs
+Croft, too; she was at Taunton with the admiral, and had been present almost
+all the time they were talking the matter over.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+“And a very well-spoken, genteel, shrewd lady, she seemed to be,”
+continued he; “asked more questions about the house, and terms, and
+taxes, than the Admiral himself, and seemed more conversant with business; and
+moreover, Sir Walter, I found she was not quite unconnected in this country,
+any more than her husband; that is to say, she is sister to a gentleman who did
+live amongst us once; she told me so herself: sister to the gentleman who lived
+a few years back at Monkford. Bless me! what was his name? At this moment I
+cannot recollect his name, though I have heard it so lately. Penelope, my dear,
+can you help me to the name of the gentleman who lived at Monkford: Mrs
+Croft’s brother?”
+</p>
+
+<p>
+But Mrs Clay was talking so eagerly with Miss Elliot, that she did not hear the
+appeal.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+“I have no conception whom you can mean, Shepherd; I remember no
+gentleman resident at Monkford since the time of old Governor Trent.”
+</p>
+
+<p>
+“Bless me! how very odd! I shall forget my own name soon, I suppose. A
+name that I am so very well acquainted with; knew the gentleman so well by
+sight; seen him a hundred times; came to consult me once, I remember, about a
+trespass of one of his neighbours; farmer’s man breaking into his
+orchard; wall torn down; apples stolen; caught in the fact; and afterwards,
+contrary to my judgement, submitted to an amicable compromise. Very odd
+indeed!”
+</p>
+
+<p>
+After waiting another moment—
+</p>
+
+<p>
+“You mean Mr Wentworth, I suppose?” said Anne.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Mr Shepherd was all gratitude.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+“Wentworth was the very name! Mr Wentworth was the very man. He had the
+curacy of Monkford, you know, Sir Walter, some time back, for two or three
+years. Came there about the year —5, I take it. You remember him, I am
+sure.”
+</p>
+
+<p>
+“Wentworth? Oh! ay, Mr Wentworth, the curate of Monkford. You
+misled me by the term <i>gentleman</i>. I thought you were speaking of some man
+of property: Mr Wentworth was nobody, I remember; quite unconnected; nothing to
+do with the Strafford family. One wonders how the names of many of our nobility
+become so common.”
+</p>
+
+<p>
+As Mr Shepherd perceived that this connexion of the Crofts did them no service
+with Sir Walter, he mentioned it no more; returning, with all his zeal, to
+dwell on the circumstances more indisputably in their favour; their age, and
+number, and fortune; the high idea they had formed of Kellynch Hall, and
+extreme solicitude for the advantage of renting it; making it appear as if they
+ranked nothing beyond the happiness of being the tenants of Sir Walter Elliot:
+an extraordinary taste, certainly, could they have been supposed in the secret
+of Sir Walter’s estimate of the dues of a tenant.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+It succeeded, however; and though Sir Walter must ever look with an evil eye on
+anyone intending to inhabit that house, and think them infinitely too well off
+in being permitted to rent it on the highest terms, he was talked into allowing
+Mr Shepherd to proceed in the treaty, and authorising him to wait on Admiral
+Croft, who still remained at Taunton, and fix a day for the house being seen.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Sir Walter was not very wise; but still he had experience enough of the world
+to feel, that a more unobjectionable tenant, in all essentials, than Admiral
+Croft bid fair to be, could hardly offer. So far went his understanding; and
+his vanity supplied a little additional soothing, in the Admiral’s
+situation in life, which was just high enough, and not too high. “I have
+let my house to Admiral Croft,” would sound extremely well; very much
+better than to any mere <i>Mr.</i>——; a <i>Mr.</i> (save, perhaps,
+some half dozen in the nation,) always needs a note of explanation. An admiral
+speaks his own consequence, and, at the same time, can never make a baronet
+look small. In all their dealings and intercourse, Sir Walter Elliot must ever
+have the precedence.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Nothing could be done without a reference to Elizabeth: but her inclination was
+growing so strong for a removal, that she was happy to have it fixed and
+expedited by a tenant at hand; and not a word to suspend decision was uttered
+by her.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Mr Shepherd was completely empowered to act; and no sooner had such an end been
+reached, than Anne, who had been a most attentive listener to the whole, left
+the room, to seek the comfort of cool air for her flushed cheeks; and as she
+walked along a favourite grove, said, with a gentle sigh, “A few months
+more, and <i>he</i>, perhaps, may be walking here.”
+</p>
+
+</div><!--end chapter-->
+
+<div class="chapter">
+
+<h2><a id="chap04"></a>CHAPTER IV.</h2>
+
+<p>
+<i>He</i> was not Mr Wentworth, the former curate of Monkford, however
+suspicious appearances may be, but a Captain Frederick Wentworth, his brother,
+who being made commander in consequence of the action off St Domingo, and not
+immediately employed, had come into Somersetshire, in the summer of 1806; and
+having no parent living, found a home for half a year at Monkford. He was, at
+that time, a remarkably fine young man, with a great deal of intelligence,
+spirit, and brilliancy; and Anne an extremely pretty girl, with gentleness,
+modesty, taste, and feeling. Half the sum of attraction, on either side, might
+have been enough, for he had nothing to do, and she had hardly anybody to love;
+but the encounter of such lavish recommendations could not fail. They were
+gradually acquainted, and when acquainted, rapidly and deeply in love. It would
+be difficult to say which had seen highest perfection in the other, or which
+had been the happiest: she, in receiving his declarations and proposals, or he
+in having them accepted.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+A short period of exquisite felicity followed, and but a short one. Troubles
+soon arose. Sir Walter, on being applied to, without actually withholding his
+consent, or saying it should never be, gave it all the negative of great
+astonishment, great coldness, great silence, and a professed resolution of
+doing nothing for his daughter. He thought it a very degrading alliance; and
+Lady Russell, though with more tempered and pardonable pride, received it as a
+most unfortunate one.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Anne Elliot, with all her claims of birth, beauty, and mind, to throw herself
+away at nineteen; involve herself at nineteen in an engagement with a young
+man, who had nothing but himself to recommend him, and no hopes of attaining
+affluence, but in the chances of a most uncertain profession, and no connexions
+to secure even his farther rise in the profession, would be, indeed, a throwing
+away, which she grieved to think of! Anne Elliot, so young; known to so few, to
+be snatched off by a stranger without alliance or fortune; or rather sunk by
+him into a state of most wearing, anxious, youth-killing dependence! It must
+not be, if by any fair interference of friendship, any representations from one
+who had almost a mother’s love, and mother’s rights, it would be
+prevented.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Captain Wentworth had no fortune. He had been lucky in his profession; but
+spending freely, what had come freely, had realized nothing. But he was
+confident that he should soon be rich: full of life and ardour, he knew that he
+should soon have a ship, and soon be on a station that would lead to everything
+he wanted. He had always been lucky; he knew he should be so still. Such
+confidence, powerful in its own warmth, and bewitching in the wit which often
+expressed it, must have been enough for Anne; but Lady Russell saw it very
+differently. His sanguine temper, and fearlessness of mind, operated very
+differently on her. She saw in it but an aggravation of the evil. It only added
+a dangerous character to himself. He was brilliant, he was headstrong. Lady
+Russell had little taste for wit, and of anything approaching to imprudence a
+horror. She deprecated the connexion in every light.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Such opposition, as these feelings produced, was more than Anne could combat.
+Young and gentle as she was, it might yet have been possible to withstand her
+father’s ill-will, though unsoftened by one kind word or look on the part
+of her sister; but Lady Russell, whom she had always loved and relied on, could
+not, with such steadiness of opinion, and such tenderness of manner, be
+continually advising her in vain. She was persuaded to believe the engagement a
+wrong thing: indiscreet, improper, hardly capable of success, and not deserving
+it. But it was not a merely selfish caution, under which she acted, in putting
+an end to it. Had she not imagined herself consulting his good, even more than
+her own, she could hardly have given him up. The belief of being prudent, and
+self-denying, principally for <i>his</i> advantage, was her chief consolation,
+under the misery of a parting, a final parting; and every consolation was
+required, for she had to encounter all the additional pain of opinions, on his
+side, totally unconvinced and unbending, and of his feeling himself ill used by
+so forced a relinquishment. He had left the country in consequence.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+A few months had seen the beginning and the end of their acquaintance; but not
+with a few months ended Anne’s share of suffering from it. Her attachment
+and regrets had, for a long time, clouded every enjoyment of youth, and an
+early loss of bloom and spirits had been their lasting effect.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+More than seven years were gone since this little history of sorrowful interest
+had reached its close; and time had softened down much, perhaps nearly all of
+peculiar attachment to him, but she had been too dependent on time alone; no
+aid had been given in change of place (except in one visit to Bath soon after
+the rupture), or in any novelty or enlargement of society. No one had ever come
+within the Kellynch circle, who could bear a comparison with Frederick
+Wentworth, as he stood in her memory. No second attachment, the only thoroughly
+natural, happy, and sufficient cure, at her time of life, had been possible to
+the nice tone of her mind, the fastidiousness of her taste, in the small limits
+of the society around them. She had been solicited, when about two-and-twenty,
+to change her name, by the young man, who not long afterwards found a more
+willing mind in her younger sister; and Lady Russell had lamented her refusal;
+for Charles Musgrove was the eldest son of a man, whose landed property and
+general importance were second in that country, only to Sir Walter’s, and
+of good character and appearance; and however Lady Russell might have asked yet
+for something more, while Anne was nineteen, she would have rejoiced to see her
+at twenty-two so respectably removed from the partialities and injustice of her
+father’s house, and settled so permanently near herself. But in this
+case, Anne had left nothing for advice to do; and though Lady Russell, as
+satisfied as ever with her own discretion, never wished the past undone, she
+began now to have the anxiety which borders on hopelessness for Anne’s
+being tempted, by some man of talents and independence, to enter a state for
+which she held her to be peculiarly fitted by her warm affections and domestic
+habits.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+They knew not each other’s opinion, either its constancy or its change,
+on the one leading point of Anne’s conduct, for the subject was never
+alluded to; but Anne, at seven-and-twenty, thought very differently from what
+she had been made to think at nineteen. She did not blame Lady Russell, she did
+not blame herself for having been guided by her; but she felt that were any
+young person, in similar circumstances, to apply to her for counsel, they would
+never receive any of such certain immediate wretchedness, such uncertain future
+good. She was persuaded that under every disadvantage of disapprobation at
+home, and every anxiety attending his profession, all their probable fears,
+delays, and disappointments, she should yet have been a happier woman in
+maintaining the engagement, than she had been in the sacrifice of it; and this,
+she fully believed, had the usual share, had even more than the usual share of
+all such solicitudes and suspense been theirs, without reference to the actual
+results of their case, which, as it happened, would have bestowed earlier
+prosperity than could be reasonably calculated on. All his sanguine
+expectations, all his confidence had been justified. His genius and ardour had
+seemed to foresee and to command his prosperous path. He had, very soon after
+their engagement ceased, got employ: and all that he had told her would follow,
+had taken place. He had distinguished himself, and early gained the other step
+in rank, and must now, by successive captures, have made a handsome fortune.
+She had only navy lists and newspapers for her authority, but she could not
+doubt his being rich; and, in favour of his constancy, she had no reason to
+believe him married.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+How eloquent could Anne Elliot have been! how eloquent, at least, were her
+wishes on the side of early warm attachment, and a cheerful confidence in
+futurity, against that over-anxious caution which seems to insult exertion and
+distrust Providence! She had been forced into prudence in her youth, she
+learned romance as she grew older: the natural sequel of an unnatural
+beginning.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+With all these circumstances, recollections and feelings, she could not hear
+that Captain Wentworth’s sister was likely to live at Kellynch without a
+revival of former pain; and many a stroll, and many a sigh, were necessary to
+dispel the agitation of the idea. She often told herself it was folly, before
+she could harden her nerves sufficiently to feel the continual discussion of
+the Crofts and their business no evil. She was assisted, however, by that
+perfect indifference and apparent unconsciousness, among the only three of her
+own friends in the secret of the past, which seemed almost to deny any
+recollection of it. She could do justice to the superiority of Lady
+Russell’s motives in this, over those of her father and Elizabeth; she
+could honour all the better feelings of her calmness; but the general air of
+oblivion among them was highly important from whatever it sprung; and in the
+event of Admiral Croft’s really taking Kellynch Hall, she rejoiced anew
+over the conviction which had always been most grateful to her, of the past
+being known to those three only among her connexions, by whom no syllable, she
+believed, would ever be whispered, and in the trust that among his, the brother
+only with whom he had been residing, had received any information of their
+short-lived engagement. That brother had been long removed from the country and
+being a sensible man, and, moreover, a single man at the time, she had a fond
+dependence on no human creature’s having heard of it from him.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The sister, Mrs Croft, had then been out of England, accompanying her husband
+on a foreign station, and her own sister, Mary, had been at school while it all
+occurred; and never admitted by the pride of some, and the delicacy of others,
+to the smallest knowledge of it afterwards.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+With these supports, she hoped that the acquaintance between herself and the
+Crofts, which, with Lady Russell, still resident in Kellynch, and Mary fixed
+only three miles off, must be anticipated, need not involve any particular
+awkwardness.
+</p>
+
+</div><!--end chapter-->
+
+<div class="chapter">
+
+<h2><a id="chap05"></a>CHAPTER V.</h2>
+
+<p>
+On the morning appointed for Admiral and Mrs Croft’s seeing Kellynch
+Hall, Anne found it most natural to take her almost daily walk to Lady
+Russell’s, and keep out of the way till all was over; when she found it
+most natural to be sorry that she had missed the opportunity of seeing them.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+This meeting of the two parties proved highly satisfactory, and decided the
+whole business at once. Each lady was previously well disposed for an
+agreement, and saw nothing, therefore, but good manners in the other; and with
+regard to the gentlemen, there was such an hearty good humour, such an open,
+trusting liberality on the Admiral’s side, as could not but influence Sir
+Walter, who had besides been flattered into his very best and most polished
+behaviour by Mr Shepherd’s assurances of his being known, by report, to
+the Admiral, as a model of good breeding.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The house and grounds, and furniture, were approved, the Crofts were approved,
+terms, time, every thing, and every body, was right; and Mr Shepherd’s
+clerks were set to work, without there having been a single preliminary
+difference to modify of all that “This indenture sheweth.”
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Sir Walter, without hesitation, declared the Admiral to be the best-looking
+sailor he had ever met with, and went so far as to say, that if his own man
+might have had the arranging of his hair, he should not be ashamed of being
+seen with him any where; and the Admiral, with sympathetic cordiality, observed
+to his wife as they drove back through the park, “I thought we should
+soon come to a deal, my dear, in spite of what they told us at Taunton. The
+Baronet will never set the Thames on fire, but there seems to be no harm in
+him.”—reciprocal compliments, which would have been esteemed about
+equal.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The Crofts were to have possession at Michaelmas; and as Sir Walter proposed
+removing to Bath in the course of the preceding month, there was no time to be
+lost in making every dependent arrangement.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Lady Russell, convinced that Anne would not be allowed to be of any use, or any
+importance, in the choice of the house which they were going to secure, was
+very unwilling to have her hurried away so soon, and wanted to make it possible
+for her to stay behind till she might convey her to Bath herself after
+Christmas; but having engagements of her own which must take her from Kellynch
+for several weeks, she was unable to give the full invitation she wished, and
+Anne though dreading the possible heats of September in all the white glare of
+Bath, and grieving to forego all the influence so sweet and so sad of the
+autumnal months in the country, did not think that, everything considered, she
+wished to remain. It would be most right, and most wise, and, therefore must
+involve least suffering to go with the others.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Something occurred, however, to give her a different duty. Mary, often a little
+unwell, and always thinking a great deal of her own complaints, and always in
+the habit of claiming Anne when anything was the matter, was indisposed; and
+foreseeing that she should not have a day’s health all the autumn,
+entreated, or rather required her, for it was hardly entreaty, to come to
+Uppercross Cottage, and bear her company as long as she should want her,
+instead of going to Bath.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+“I cannot possibly do without Anne,” was Mary’s reasoning;
+and Elizabeth’s reply was, “Then I am sure Anne had better stay,
+for nobody will want her in Bath.”
+</p>
+
+<p>
+To be claimed as a good, though in an improper style, is at least better than
+being rejected as no good at all; and Anne, glad to be thought of some use,
+glad to have anything marked out as a duty, and certainly not sorry to have the
+scene of it in the country, and her own dear country, readily agreed to stay.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+This invitation of Mary’s removed all Lady Russell’s difficulties,
+and it was consequently soon settled that Anne should not go to Bath till Lady
+Russell took her, and that all the intervening time should be divided between
+Uppercross Cottage and Kellynch Lodge.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+So far all was perfectly right; but Lady Russell was almost startled by the
+wrong of one part of the Kellynch Hall plan, when it burst on her, which was,
+Mrs Clay’s being engaged to go to Bath with Sir Walter and Elizabeth, as
+a most important and valuable assistant to the latter in all the business
+before her. Lady Russell was extremely sorry that such a measure should have
+been resorted to at all, wondered, grieved, and feared; and the affront it
+contained to Anne, in Mrs Clay’s being of so much use, while Anne could
+be of none, was a very sore aggravation.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Anne herself was become hardened to such affronts; but she felt the imprudence
+of the arrangement quite as keenly as Lady Russell. With a great deal of quiet
+observation, and a knowledge, which she often wished less, of her
+father’s character, she was sensible that results the most serious to his
+family from the intimacy were more than possible. She did not imagine that her
+father had at present an idea of the kind. Mrs Clay had freckles, and a
+projecting tooth, and a clumsy wrist, which he was continually making severe
+remarks upon, in her absence; but she was young, and certainly altogether
+well-looking, and possessed, in an acute mind and assiduous pleasing manners,
+infinitely more dangerous attractions than any merely personal might have been.
+Anne was so impressed by the degree of their danger, that she could not excuse
+herself from trying to make it perceptible to her sister. She had little hope
+of success; but Elizabeth, who in the event of such a reverse would be so much
+more to be pitied than herself, should never, she thought, have reason to
+reproach her for giving no warning.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+She spoke, and seemed only to offend. Elizabeth could not conceive how such an
+absurd suspicion should occur to her, and indignantly answered for each
+party’s perfectly knowing their situation.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+“Mrs Clay,” said she, warmly, “never forgets who she is; and
+as I am rather better acquainted with her sentiments than you can be, I can
+assure you, that upon the subject of marriage they are particularly nice, and
+that she reprobates all inequality of condition and rank more strongly than
+most people. And as to my father, I really should not have thought that he, who
+has kept himself single so long for our sakes, need be suspected now. If Mrs
+Clay were a very beautiful woman, I grant you, it might be wrong to have her so
+much with me; not that anything in the world, I am sure, would induce my father
+to make a degrading match, but he might be rendered unhappy. But poor Mrs Clay
+who, with all her merits, can never have been reckoned tolerably pretty, I
+really think poor Mrs Clay may be staying here in perfect safety. One would
+imagine you had never heard my father speak of her personal misfortunes, though
+I know you must fifty times. That tooth of hers and those freckles.
+Freckles do not disgust me so very much as they do him. I have known a face not
+materially disfigured by a few, but he abominates them. You must have heard him
+notice Mrs Clay’s freckles.”
+</p>
+
+<p>
+“There is hardly any personal defect,” replied Anne, “which
+an agreeable manner might not gradually reconcile one to.”
+</p>
+
+<p>
+“I think very differently,” answered Elizabeth, shortly; “an
+agreeable manner may set off handsome features, but can never alter plain ones.
+However, at any rate, as I have a great deal more at stake on this point than
+anybody else can have, I think it rather unnecessary in you to be advising
+me.”
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Anne had done; glad that it was over, and not absolutely hopeless of doing
+good. Elizabeth, though resenting the suspicion, might yet be made observant by
+it.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The last office of the four carriage-horses was to draw Sir Walter, Miss
+Elliot, and Mrs Clay to Bath. The party drove off in very good spirits; Sir
+Walter prepared with condescending bows for all the afflicted tenantry and
+cottagers who might have had a hint to show themselves, and Anne walked up at
+the same time, in a sort of desolate tranquillity, to the Lodge, where she was
+to spend the first week.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Her friend was not in better spirits than herself. Lady Russell felt this
+break-up of the family exceedingly. Their respectability was as dear to her as
+her own, and a daily intercourse had become precious by habit. It was painful
+to look upon their deserted grounds, and still worse to anticipate the new
+hands they were to fall into; and to escape the solitariness and the melancholy
+of so altered a village, and be out of the way when Admiral and Mrs Croft first
+arrived, she had determined to make her own absence from home begin when she
+must give up Anne. Accordingly their removal was made together, and Anne was
+set down at Uppercross Cottage, in the first stage of Lady Russell’s
+journey.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Uppercross was a moderate-sized village, which a few years back had been
+completely in the old English style, containing only two houses superior in
+appearance to those of the yeomen and labourers; the mansion of the squire,
+with its high walls, great gates, and old trees, substantial and unmodernized,
+and the compact, tight parsonage, enclosed in its own neat garden, with a vine
+and a pear-tree trained round its casements; but upon the marriage of the young
+’squire, it had received the improvement of a farm-house elevated into a
+cottage, for his residence, and Uppercross Cottage, with its veranda, French
+windows, and other prettiness, was quite as likely to catch the
+traveller’s eye as the more consistent and considerable aspect and
+premises of the Great House, about a quarter of a mile farther on.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Here Anne had often been staying. She knew the ways of Uppercross as well as
+those of Kellynch. The two families were so continually meeting, so much in the
+habit of running in and out of each other’s house at all hours, that it
+was rather a surprise to her to find Mary alone; but being alone, her being
+unwell and out of spirits was almost a matter of course. Though better endowed
+than the elder sister, Mary had not Anne’s understanding nor temper.
+While well, and happy, and properly attended to, she had great good humour and
+excellent spirits; but any indisposition sunk her completely. She had no
+resources for solitude; and inheriting a considerable share of the Elliot
+self-importance, was very prone to add to every other distress that of fancying
+herself neglected and ill-used. In person, she was inferior to both sisters,
+and had, even in her bloom, only reached the dignity of being “a fine
+girl.” She was now lying on the faded sofa of the pretty little
+drawing-room, the once elegant furniture of which had been gradually growing
+shabby, under the influence of four summers and two children; and, on
+Anne’s appearing, greeted her with—
+</p>
+
+<p>
+“So, you are come at last! I began to think I should never see you. I am
+so ill I can hardly speak. I have not seen a creature the whole morning!”
+</p>
+
+<p>
+“I am sorry to find you unwell,” replied Anne. “You sent me
+such a good account of yourself on Thursday!”
+</p>
+
+<p>
+“Yes, I made the best of it; I always do: but I was very far from well at
+the time; and I do not think I ever was so ill in my life as I have been all
+this morning: very unfit to be left alone, I am sure. Suppose I were to be
+seized of a sudden in some dreadful way, and not able to ring the bell! So,
+Lady Russell would not get out. I do not think she has been in this house three
+times this summer.”
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Anne said what was proper, and enquired after her husband. “Oh! Charles
+is out shooting. I have not seen him since seven o’clock. He would go,
+though I told him how ill I was. He said he should not stay out long; but he
+has never come back, and now it is almost one. I assure you, I have not seen a
+soul this whole long morning.”
+</p>
+
+<p>
+“You have had your little boys with you?”
+</p>
+
+<p>
+“Yes, as long as I could bear their noise; but they are so unmanageable
+that they do me more harm than good. Little Charles does not mind a word I say,
+and Walter is growing quite as bad.”
+</p>
+
+<p>
+“Well, you will soon be better now,” replied Anne, cheerfully.
+“You know I always cure you when I come. How are your neighbours at the
+Great House?”
+</p>
+
+<p>
+“I can give you no account of them. I have not seen one of them to-day,
+except Mr Musgrove, who just stopped and spoke through the window, but without
+getting off his horse; and though I told him how ill I was, not one of them
+have been near me. It did not happen to suit the Miss Musgroves, I suppose, and
+they never put themselves out of their way.”
+</p>
+
+<p>
+“You will see them yet, perhaps, before the morning is gone. It is
+early.”
+</p>
+
+<p>
+“I never want them, I assure you. They talk and laugh a great deal too
+much for me. Oh! Anne, I am so very unwell! It was quite unkind of you not to
+come on Thursday.”
+</p>
+
+<p>
+“My dear Mary, recollect what a comfortable account you sent me of
+yourself! You wrote in the cheerfullest manner, and said you were perfectly
+well, and in no hurry for me; and that being the case, you must be aware that
+my wish would be to remain with Lady Russell to the last: and besides what I
+felt on her account, I have really been so busy, have had so much to do, that I
+could not very conveniently have left Kellynch sooner.”
+</p>
+
+<p>
+“Dear me! what can <i>you</i> possibly have to do?”
+</p>
+
+<p>
+“A great many things, I assure you. More than I can recollect in a
+moment; but I can tell you some. I have been making a duplicate of the
+catalogue of my father’s books and pictures. I have been several times in
+the garden with Mackenzie, trying to understand, and make him understand, which
+of Elizabeth’s plants are for Lady Russell. I have had all my own little
+concerns to arrange, books and music to divide, and all my trunks to repack,
+from not having understood in time what was intended as to the waggons: and one
+thing I have had to do, Mary, of a more trying nature: going to almost every
+house in the parish, as a sort of take-leave. I was told that they wished it.
+But all these things took up a great deal of time.”
+</p>
+
+<p>
+“Oh! well!” and after a moment’s pause, “but you have
+never asked me one word about our dinner at the Pooles yesterday.”
+</p>
+
+<p>
+“Did you go then? I have made no enquiries, because I concluded you must
+have been obliged to give up the party.”
+</p>
+
+<p>
+“Oh yes! I went. I was very well yesterday; nothing at all the matter
+with me till this morning. It would have been strange if I had not gone.”
+</p>
+
+<p>
+“I am very glad you were well enough, and I hope you had a pleasant
+party.”
+</p>
+
+<p>
+“Nothing remarkable. One always knows beforehand what the dinner will be,
+and who will be there; and it is so very uncomfortable not having a carriage of
+one’s own. Mr and Mrs Musgrove took me, and we were so crowded! They are
+both so very large, and take up so much room; and Mr Musgrove always sits
+forward. So, there was I, crowded into the back seat with Henrietta and Louisa;
+and I think it very likely that my illness to-day may be owing to it.”
+</p>
+
+<p>
+A little further perseverance in patience and forced cheerfulness on
+Anne’s side produced nearly a cure on Mary’s. She could soon sit
+upright on the sofa, and began to hope she might be able to leave it by
+dinner-time. Then, forgetting to think of it, she was at the other end of the
+room, beautifying a nosegay; then, she ate her cold meat; and then she was well
+enough to propose a little walk.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+“Where shall we go?” said she, when they were ready. “I
+suppose you will not like to call at the Great House before they have been to
+see you?”
+</p>
+
+<p>
+“I have not the smallest objection on that account,” replied Anne.
+“I should never think of standing on such ceremony with people I know so
+well as Mrs and the Miss Musgroves.”
+</p>
+
+<p>
+“Oh! but they ought to call upon you as soon as possible. They ought to
+feel what is due to you as <i>my</i> sister. However, we may as well go and sit
+with them a little while, and when we have that over, we can enjoy our
+walk.”
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Anne had always thought such a style of intercourse highly imprudent; but she
+had ceased to endeavour to check it, from believing that, though there were on
+each side continual subjects of offence, neither family could now do without
+it. To the Great House accordingly they went, to sit the full half hour in the
+old-fashioned square parlour, with a small carpet and shining floor, to which
+the present daughters of the house were gradually giving the proper air of
+confusion by a grand piano-forte and a harp, flower-stands and little tables
+placed in every direction. Oh! could the originals of the portraits against the
+wainscot, could the gentlemen in brown velvet and the ladies in blue satin have
+seen what was going on, have been conscious of such an overthrow of all order
+and neatness! The portraits themselves seemed to be staring in astonishment.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The Musgroves, like their houses, were in a state of alteration, perhaps of
+improvement. The father and mother were in the old English style, and the young
+people in the new. Mr and Mrs Musgrove were a very good sort of people;
+friendly and hospitable, not much educated, and not at all elegant. Their
+children had more modern minds and manners. There was a numerous family; but
+the only two grown up, excepting Charles, were Henrietta and Louisa, young
+ladies of nineteen and twenty, who had brought from school at Exeter all the
+usual stock of accomplishments, and were now like thousands of other young
+ladies, living to be fashionable, happy, and merry. Their dress had every
+advantage, their faces were rather pretty, their spirits extremely good, their
+manner unembarrassed and pleasant; they were of consequence at home, and
+favourites abroad. Anne always contemplated them as some of the happiest
+creatures of her acquaintance; but still, saved as we all are, by some
+comfortable feeling of superiority from wishing for the possibility of
+exchange, she would not have given up her own more elegant and cultivated mind
+for all their enjoyments; and envied them nothing but that seemingly perfect
+good understanding and agreement together, that good-humoured mutual affection,
+of which she had known so little herself with either of her sisters.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+They were received with great cordiality. Nothing seemed amiss on the side of
+the Great House family, which was generally, as Anne very well knew, the least
+to blame. The half hour was chatted away pleasantly enough; and she was not at
+all surprised, at the end of it, to have their walking party joined by both the
+Miss Musgroves, at Mary’s particular invitation.
+</p>
+
+</div><!--end chapter-->
+
+<div class="chapter">
+
+<h2><a id="chap06"></a>CHAPTER VI.</h2>
+
+<p>
+Anne had not wanted this visit to Uppercross, to learn that a removal from one
+set of people to another, though at a distance of only three miles, will often
+include a total change of conversation, opinion, and idea. She had never been
+staying there before, without being struck by it, or without wishing that other
+Elliots could have her advantage in seeing how unknown, or unconsidered there,
+were the affairs which at Kellynch Hall were treated as of such general
+publicity and pervading interest; yet, with all this experience, she believed
+she must now submit to feel that another lesson, in the art of knowing our own
+nothingness beyond our own circle, was become necessary for her; for certainly,
+coming as she did, with a heart full of the subject which had been completely
+occupying both houses in Kellynch for many weeks, she had expected rather more
+curiosity and sympathy than she found in the separate but very similar remark
+of Mr and Mrs Musgrove: “So, Miss Anne, Sir Walter and your sister are
+gone; and what part of Bath do you think they will settle in?” and this,
+without much waiting for an answer; or in the young ladies’ addition of,
+“I hope <i>we</i> shall be in Bath in the winter; but remember, papa, if
+we do go, we must be in a good situation: none of your Queen Squares for
+us!” or in the anxious supplement from Mary, of—“Upon my
+word, I shall be pretty well off, when you are all gone away to be happy at
+Bath!”
+</p>
+
+<p>
+She could only resolve to avoid such self-delusion in future, and think with
+heightened gratitude of the extraordinary blessing of having one such truly
+sympathising friend as Lady Russell.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The Mr Musgroves had their own game to guard, and to destroy, their own horses,
+dogs, and newspapers to engage them, and the females were fully occupied in all
+the other common subjects of housekeeping, neighbours, dress, dancing, and
+music. She acknowledged it to be very fitting, that every little social
+commonwealth should dictate its own matters of discourse; and hoped, ere long,
+to become a not unworthy member of the one she was now transplanted into. With
+the prospect of spending at least two months at Uppercross, it was highly
+incumbent on her to clothe her imagination, her memory, and all her ideas in as
+much of Uppercross as possible.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+She had no dread of these two months. Mary was not so repulsive and unsisterly
+as Elizabeth, nor so inaccessible to all influence of hers; neither was there
+anything among the other component parts of the cottage inimical to comfort.
+She was always on friendly terms with her brother-in-law; and in the children,
+who loved her nearly as well, and respected her a great deal more than their
+mother, she had an object of interest, amusement, and wholesome exertion.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Charles Musgrove was civil and agreeable; in sense and temper he was
+undoubtedly superior to his wife, but not of powers, or conversation, or grace,
+to make the past, as they were connected together, at all a dangerous
+contemplation; though, at the same time, Anne could believe, with Lady Russell,
+that a more equal match might have greatly improved him; and that a woman of
+real understanding might have given more consequence to his character, and more
+usefulness, rationality, and elegance to his habits and pursuits. As it was, he
+did nothing with much zeal, but sport; and his time was otherwise trifled away,
+without benefit from books or anything else. He had very good spirits, which
+never seemed much affected by his wife’s occasional lowness, bore with
+her unreasonableness sometimes to Anne’s admiration, and upon the whole,
+though there was very often a little disagreement (in which she had sometimes
+more share than she wished, being appealed to by both parties), they might pass
+for a happy couple. They were always perfectly agreed in the want of more
+money, and a strong inclination for a handsome present from his father; but
+here, as on most topics, he had the superiority, for while Mary thought it a
+great shame that such a present was not made, he always contended for his
+father’s having many other uses for his money, and a right to spend it as
+he liked.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+As to the management of their children, his theory was much better than his
+wife’s, and his practice not so bad. “I could manage them very
+well, if it were not for Mary’s interference,” was what Anne often
+heard him say, and had a good deal of faith in; but when listening in turn to
+Mary’s reproach of “Charles spoils the children so that I cannot
+get them into any order,” she never had the smallest temptation to say,
+“Very true.”
+</p>
+
+<p>
+One of the least agreeable circumstances of her residence there was her being
+treated with too much confidence by all parties, and being too much in the
+secret of the complaints of each house. Known to have some influence with her
+sister, she was continually requested, or at least receiving hints to exert it,
+beyond what was practicable. “I wish you could persuade Mary not to be
+always fancying herself ill,” was Charles’s language; and, in an
+unhappy mood, thus spoke Mary: “I do believe if Charles were to see me
+dying, he would not think there was anything the matter with me. I am sure,
+Anne, if you would, you might persuade him that I really am very ill—a
+great deal worse than I ever own.”
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Mary’s declaration was, “I hate sending the children to the Great
+House, though their grandmamma is always wanting to see them, for she humours
+and indulges them to such a degree, and gives them so much trash and sweet
+things, that they are sure to come back sick and cross for the rest of the
+day.” And Mrs Musgrove took the first opportunity of being alone with
+Anne, to say, “Oh! Miss Anne, I cannot help wishing Mrs Charles had a
+little of your method with those children. They are quite different creatures
+with you! But to be sure, in general they are so spoilt! It is a pity you
+cannot put your sister in the way of managing them. They are as fine healthy
+children as ever were seen, poor little dears! without partiality; but Mrs
+Charles knows no more how they should be treated—! Bless me! how
+troublesome they are sometimes. I assure you, Miss Anne, it prevents my wishing
+to see them at our house so often as I otherwise should. I believe Mrs Charles
+is not quite pleased with my not inviting them oftener; but you know it is very
+bad to have children with one that one is obligated to be checking every
+moment; “don’t do this,” and “don’t do
+that;” or that one can only keep in tolerable order by more cake than is
+good for them.”
+</p>
+
+<p>
+She had this communication, moreover, from Mary. “Mrs Musgrove thinks all
+her servants so steady, that it would be high treason to call it in question;
+but I am sure, without exaggeration, that her upper house-maid and
+laundry-maid, instead of being in their business, are gadding about the
+village, all day long. I meet them wherever I go; and I declare, I never go
+twice into my nursery without seeing something of them. If Jemima were not the
+trustiest, steadiest creature in the world, it would be enough to spoil her;
+for she tells me, they are always tempting her to take a walk with them.”
+And on Mrs Musgrove’s side, it was, “I make a rule of never
+interfering in any of my daughter-in-law’s concerns, for I know it would
+not do; but I shall tell <i>you</i>, Miss Anne, because you may be able to set
+things to rights, that I have no very good opinion of Mrs Charles’s
+nursery-maid: I hear strange stories of her; she is always upon the gad; and
+from my own knowledge, I can declare, she is such a fine-dressing lady, that
+she is enough to ruin any servants she comes near. Mrs Charles quite swears by
+her, I know; but I just give you this hint, that you may be upon the watch;
+because, if you see anything amiss, you need not be afraid of mentioning
+it.”
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Again, it was Mary’s complaint, that Mrs Musgrove was very apt not to
+give her the precedence that was her due, when they dined at the Great House
+with other families; and she did not see any reason why she was to be
+considered so much at home as to lose her place. And one day when Anne was
+walking with only the Musgroves, one of them after talking of rank, people of
+rank, and jealousy of rank, said, “I have no scruple of observing to
+<i>you</i>, how nonsensical some persons are about their place, because all the
+world knows how easy and indifferent you are about it; but I wish anybody could
+give Mary a hint that it would be a great deal better if she were not so very
+tenacious, especially if she would not be always putting herself forward to
+take place of mamma. Nobody doubts her right to have precedence of mamma, but
+it would be more becoming in her not to be always insisting on it. It is not
+that mamma cares about it the least in the world, but I know it is taken notice
+of by many persons.”
+</p>
+
+<p>
+How was Anne to set all these matters to rights? She could do little more than
+listen patiently, soften every grievance, and excuse each to the other; give
+them all hints of the forbearance necessary between such near neighbours, and
+make those hints broadest which were meant for her sister’s benefit.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+In all other respects, her visit began and proceeded very well. Her own spirits
+improved by change of place and subject, by being removed three miles from
+Kellynch; Mary’s ailments lessened by having a constant companion, and
+their daily intercourse with the other family, since there was neither superior
+affection, confidence, nor employment in the cottage, to be interrupted by it,
+was rather an advantage. It was certainly carried nearly as far as possible,
+for they met every morning, and hardly ever spent an evening asunder; but she
+believed they should not have done so well without the sight of Mr and Mrs
+Musgrove’s respectable forms in the usual places, or without the talking,
+laughing, and singing of their daughters.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+She played a great deal better than either of the Miss Musgroves, but having no
+voice, no knowledge of the harp, and no fond parents, to sit by and fancy
+themselves delighted, her performance was little thought of, only out of
+civility, or to refresh the others, as she was well aware. She knew that when
+she played she was giving pleasure only to herself; but this was no new
+sensation. Excepting one short period of her life, she had never, since the age
+of fourteen, never since the loss of her dear mother, known the happiness of
+being listened to, or encouraged by any just appreciation or real taste. In
+music she had been always used to feel alone in the world; and Mr and Mrs
+Musgrove’s fond partiality for their own daughters’ performance,
+and total indifference to any other person’s, gave her much more pleasure
+for their sakes, than mortification for her own.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The party at the Great House was sometimes increased by other company. The
+neighbourhood was not large, but the Musgroves were visited by everybody, and
+had more dinner-parties, and more callers, more visitors by invitation and by
+chance, than any other family. They were more completely popular.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The girls were wild for dancing; and the evenings ended, occasionally, in an
+unpremeditated little ball. There was a family of cousins within a walk of
+Uppercross, in less affluent circumstances, who depended on the Musgroves for
+all their pleasures: they would come at any time, and help play at anything, or
+dance anywhere; and Anne, very much preferring the office of musician to a more
+active post, played country dances to them by the hour together; a kindness
+which always recommended her musical powers to the notice of Mr and Mrs
+Musgrove more than anything else, and often drew this
+compliment;—“Well done, Miss Anne! very well done indeed! Lord
+bless me! how those little fingers of yours fly about!”
+</p>
+
+<p>
+So passed the first three weeks. Michaelmas came; and now Anne’s heart
+must be in Kellynch again. A beloved home made over to others; all the precious
+rooms and furniture, groves, and prospects, beginning to own other eyes and
+other limbs! She could not think of much else on the 29th of September; and she
+had this sympathetic touch in the evening from Mary, who, on having occasion to
+note down the day of the month, exclaimed, “Dear me, is not this the day
+the Crofts were to come to Kellynch? I am glad I did not think of it before.
+How low it makes me!”
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The Crofts took possession with true naval alertness, and were to be visited.
+Mary deplored the necessity for herself. “Nobody knew how much she should
+suffer. She should put it off as long as she could;” but was not easy
+till she had talked Charles into driving her over on an early day, and was in a
+very animated, comfortable state of imaginary agitation, when she came back.
+Anne had very sincerely rejoiced in there being no means of her going. She
+wished, however, to see the Crofts, and was glad to be within when the visit was
+returned. They came: the master of the house was not at home, but the two
+sisters were together; and as it chanced that Mrs Croft fell to the share of
+Anne, while the Admiral sat by Mary, and made himself very agreeable by his
+good-humoured notice of her little boys, she was well able to watch for a
+likeness, and if it failed her in the features, to catch it in the voice, or in
+the turn of sentiment and expression.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Mrs Croft, though neither tall nor fat, had a squareness, uprightness, and
+vigour of form, which gave importance to her person. She had bright dark eyes,
+good teeth, and altogether an agreeable face; though her reddened and
+weather-beaten complexion, the consequence of her having been almost as much at
+sea as her husband, made her seem to have lived some years longer in the world
+than her real eight-and-thirty. Her manners were open, easy, and decided, like
+one who had no distrust of herself, and no doubts of what to do; without any
+approach to coarseness, however, or any want of good humour. Anne gave her
+credit, indeed, for feelings of great consideration towards herself, in all
+that related to Kellynch, and it pleased her: especially, as she had satisfied
+herself in the very first half minute, in the instant even of introduction,
+that there was not the smallest symptom of any knowledge or suspicion on Mrs
+Croft’s side, to give a bias of any sort. She was quite easy on that
+head, and consequently full of strength and courage, till for a moment
+electrified by Mrs Croft’s suddenly saying,—
+</p>
+
+<p>
+“It was you, and not your sister, I find, that my brother had the
+pleasure of being acquainted with, when he was in this country.”
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Anne hoped she had outlived the age of blushing; but the age of emotion she
+certainly had not.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+“Perhaps you may not have heard that he is married?” added Mrs
+Croft.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+She could now answer as she ought; and was happy to feel, when Mrs
+Croft’s next words explained it to be Mr Wentworth of whom she spoke,
+that she had said nothing which might not do for either brother. She
+immediately felt how reasonable it was, that Mrs Croft should be thinking and
+speaking of Edward, and not of Frederick; and with shame at her own
+forgetfulness applied herself to the knowledge of their former
+neighbour’s present state with proper interest.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The rest was all tranquillity; till, just as they were moving, she heard the
+Admiral say to Mary—
+</p>
+
+<p>
+“We are expecting a brother of Mrs Croft’s here soon; I dare say
+you know him by name.”
+</p>
+
+<p>
+He was cut short by the eager attacks of the little boys, clinging to him like
+an old friend, and declaring he should not go; and being too much engrossed by
+proposals of carrying them away in his coat pockets, &amp;c., to have another
+moment for finishing or recollecting what he had begun, Anne was left to
+persuade herself, as well as she could, that the same brother must still be in
+question. She could not, however, reach such a degree of certainty, as not to
+be anxious to hear whether anything had been said on the subject at the other
+house, where the Crofts had previously been calling.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The folks of the Great House were to spend the evening of this day at the
+Cottage; and it being now too late in the year for such visits to be made on
+foot, the coach was beginning to be listened for, when the youngest Miss
+Musgrove walked in. That she was coming to apologize, and that they should have
+to spend the evening by themselves, was the first black idea; and Mary was
+quite ready to be affronted, when Louisa made all right by saying, that she
+only came on foot, to leave more room for the harp, which was bringing in the
+carriage.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+“And I will tell you our reason,” she added, “and all about
+it. I am come on to give you notice, that papa and mamma are out of spirits
+this evening, especially mamma; she is thinking so much of poor Richard! And we
+agreed it would be best to have the harp, for it seems to amuse her more than
+the piano-forte. I will tell you why she is out of spirits. When the Crofts
+called this morning, (they called here afterwards, did not they?), they
+happened to say, that her brother, Captain Wentworth, is just returned to
+England, or paid off, or something, and is coming to see them almost directly;
+and most unluckily it came into mamma’s head, when they were gone, that
+Wentworth, or something very like it, was the name of poor Richard’s
+captain at one time; I do not know when or where, but a great while before he
+died, poor fellow! And upon looking over his letters and things, she found it
+was so, and is perfectly sure that this must be the very man, and her head is
+quite full of it, and of poor Richard! So we must be as merry as we can, that
+she may not be dwelling upon such gloomy things.”
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The real circumstances of this pathetic piece of family history were, that the
+Musgroves had had the ill fortune of a very troublesome, hopeless son; and the
+good fortune to lose him before he reached his twentieth year; that he had been
+sent to sea because he was stupid and unmanageable on shore; that he had been
+very little cared for at any time by his family, though quite as much as he
+deserved; seldom heard of, and scarcely at all regretted, when the intelligence
+of his death abroad had worked its way to Uppercross, two years before.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+He had, in fact, though his sisters were now doing all they could for him, by
+calling him “poor Richard,” been nothing better than a
+thick-headed, unfeeling, unprofitable Dick Musgrove, who had never done
+anything to entitle himself to more than the abbreviation of his name, living
+or dead.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+He had been several years at sea, and had, in the course of those removals to
+which all midshipmen are liable, and especially such midshipmen as every
+captain wishes to get rid of, been six months on board Captain Frederick
+Wentworth’s frigate, the Laconia; and from the Laconia he had, under the
+influence of his captain, written the only two letters which his father and
+mother had ever received from him during the whole of his absence; that is to
+say, the only two disinterested letters; all the rest had been mere
+applications for money.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+In each letter he had spoken well of his captain; but yet, so little were they
+in the habit of attending to such matters, so unobservant and incurious were
+they as to the names of men or ships, that it had made scarcely any impression
+at the time; and that Mrs Musgrove should have been suddenly struck, this very
+day, with a recollection of the name of Wentworth, as connected with her son,
+seemed one of those extraordinary bursts of mind which do sometimes occur.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+She had gone to her letters, and found it all as she supposed; and the
+re-perusal of these letters, after so long an interval, her poor son gone for
+ever, and all the strength of his faults forgotten, had affected her spirits
+exceedingly, and thrown her into greater grief for him than she had known on
+first hearing of his death. Mr Musgrove was, in a lesser degree, affected
+likewise; and when they reached the cottage, they were evidently in want,
+first, of being listened to anew on this subject, and afterwards, of all the
+relief which cheerful companions could give them.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+To hear them talking so much of Captain Wentworth, repeating his name so often,
+puzzling over past years, and at last ascertaining that it <i>might</i>, that
+it probably <i>would</i>, turn out to be the very same Captain Wentworth whom
+they recollected meeting, once or twice, after their coming back from
+Clifton—a very fine young man—but they could not say whether it was
+seven or eight years ago, was a new sort of trial to Anne’s nerves. She
+found, however, that it was one to which she must inure herself. Since he
+actually was expected in the country, she must teach herself to be insensible
+on such points. And not only did it appear that he was expected, and speedily,
+but the Musgroves, in their warm gratitude for the kindness he had shewn poor
+Dick, and very high respect for his character, stamped as it was by poor
+Dick’s having been six months under his care, and mentioning him in
+strong, though not perfectly well-spelt praise, as “a fine dashing felow,
+only two perticular about the schoolmaster,” were bent on introducing
+themselves, and seeking his acquaintance, as soon as they could hear of his
+arrival.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The resolution of doing so helped to form the comfort of their evening.
+</p>
+
+</div><!--end chapter-->
+
+<div class="chapter">
+
+<h2><a id="chap07"></a>CHAPTER VII.</h2>
+
+<p>
+A very few days more, and Captain Wentworth was known to be at Kellynch, and Mr
+Musgrove had called on him, and come back warm in his praise, and he was
+engaged with the Crofts to dine at Uppercross, by the end of another week. It
+had been a great disappointment to Mr Musgrove to find that no earlier day
+could be fixed, so impatient was he to shew his gratitude, by seeing Captain
+Wentworth under his own roof, and welcoming him to all that was strongest and
+best in his cellars. But a week must pass; only a week, in Anne’s
+reckoning, and then, she supposed, they must meet; and soon she began to wish
+that she could feel secure even for a week.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Captain Wentworth made a very early return to Mr Musgrove’s civility, and
+she was all but calling there in the same half hour. She and Mary were actually
+setting forward for the Great House, where, as she afterwards learnt, they must
+inevitably have found him, when they were stopped by the eldest boy’s
+being at that moment brought home in consequence of a bad fall. The
+child’s situation put the visit entirely aside; but she could not hear of
+her escape with indifference, even in the midst of the serious anxiety which
+they afterwards felt on his account.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+His collar-bone was found to be dislocated, and such injury received in the
+back, as roused the most alarming ideas. It was an afternoon of distress, and
+Anne had every thing to do at once; the apothecary to send for, the father to
+have pursued and informed, the mother to support and keep from hysterics, the
+servants to control, the youngest child to banish, and the poor suffering one
+to attend and soothe; besides sending, as soon as she recollected it, proper
+notice to the other house, which brought her an accession rather of frightened,
+enquiring companions, than of very useful assistants.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Her brother’s return was the first comfort; he could take best care of
+his wife; and the second blessing was the arrival of the apothecary. Till he
+came and had examined the child, their apprehensions were the worse for being
+vague; they suspected great injury, but knew not where; but now the collar-bone
+was soon replaced, and though Mr Robinson felt and felt, and rubbed, and looked
+grave, and spoke low words both to the father and the aunt, still they were all
+to hope the best, and to be able to part and eat their dinner in tolerable ease
+of mind; and then it was, just before they parted, that the two young aunts
+were able so far to digress from their nephew’s state, as to give the
+information of Captain Wentworth’s visit; staying five minutes behind
+their father and mother, to endeavour to express how perfectly delighted they
+were with him, how much handsomer, how infinitely more agreeable they thought
+him than any individual among their male acquaintance, who had been at all a
+favourite before. How glad they had been to hear papa invite him to stay
+dinner, how sorry when he said it was quite out of his power, and how glad
+again when he had promised in reply to papa and mamma’s farther pressing
+invitations to come and dine with them on the morrow—actually on the
+morrow; and he had promised it in so pleasant a manner, as if he felt all the
+motive of their attention just as he ought. And in short, he had looked and
+said everything with such exquisite grace, that they could assure them all,
+their heads were both turned by him; and off they ran, quite as full of glee as
+of love, and apparently more full of Captain Wentworth than of little Charles.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The same story and the same raptures were repeated, when the two girls came
+with their father, through the gloom of the evening, to make enquiries; and Mr
+Musgrove, no longer under the first uneasiness about his heir, could add his
+confirmation and praise, and hope there would be now no occasion for putting
+Captain Wentworth off, and only be sorry to think that the cottage party,
+probably, would not like to leave the little boy, to give him the meeting.
+“Oh no; as to leaving the little boy,” both father and mother were
+in much too strong and recent alarm to bear the thought; and Anne, in the joy
+of the escape, could not help adding her warm protestations to theirs.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Charles Musgrove, indeed, afterwards, shewed more of inclination; “the
+child was going on so well, and he wished so much to be introduced to Captain
+Wentworth, that, perhaps, he might join them in the evening; he would not dine
+from home, but he might walk in for half an hour.” But in this he was
+eagerly opposed by his wife, with “Oh! no, indeed, Charles, I cannot bear
+to have you go away. Only think if anything should happen?”
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The child had a good night, and was going on well the next day. It must be a
+work of time to ascertain that no injury had been done to the spine; but Mr
+Robinson found nothing to increase alarm, and Charles Musgrove began,
+consequently, to feel no necessity for longer confinement. The child was to be
+kept in bed and amused as quietly as possible; but what was there for a father
+to do? This was quite a female case, and it would be highly absurd in him, who
+could be of no use at home, to shut himself up. His father very much wished him
+to meet Captain Wentworth, and there being no sufficient reason against it, he
+ought to go; and it ended in his making a bold, public declaration, when he
+came in from shooting, of his meaning to dress directly, and dine at the other
+house.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+“Nothing can be going on better than the child,” said he; “so
+I told my father, just now, that I would come, and he thought me quite right.
+Your sister being with you, my love, I have no scruple at all. You would not
+like to leave him yourself, but you see I can be of no use. Anne will send for
+me if anything is the matter.”
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Husbands and wives generally understand when opposition will be vain. Mary
+knew, from Charles’s manner of speaking, that he was quite determined on
+going, and that it would be of no use to teaze him. She said nothing,
+therefore, till he was out of the room, but as soon as there was only Anne to
+hear—
+</p>
+
+<p>
+“So you and I are to be left to shift by ourselves, with this poor sick
+child; and not a creature coming near us all the evening! I knew how it would
+be. This is always my luck. If there is anything disagreeable going on men are
+always sure to get out of it, and Charles is as bad as any of them. Very
+unfeeling! I must say it is very unfeeling of him to be running away from his
+poor little boy. Talks of his being going on so well! How does he know that he
+is going on well, or that there may not be a sudden change half an hour hence?
+I did not think Charles would have been so unfeeling. So here he is to go away
+and enjoy himself, and because I am the poor mother, I am not to be allowed to
+stir; and yet, I am sure, I am more unfit than anybody else to be about the
+child. My being the mother is the very reason why my feelings should not be
+tried. I am not at all equal to it. You saw how hysterical I was
+yesterday.”
+</p>
+
+<p>
+“But that was only the effect of the suddenness of your alarm—of
+the shock. You will not be hysterical again. I dare say we shall have nothing
+to distress us. I perfectly understand Mr Robinson’s directions, and have
+no fears; and indeed, Mary, I cannot wonder at your husband. Nursing does not
+belong to a man; it is not his province. A sick child is always the
+mother’s property: her own feelings generally make it so.”
+</p>
+
+<p>
+“I hope I am as fond of my child as any mother, but I do not know that I
+am of any more use in the sick-room than Charles, for I cannot be always
+scolding and teazing the poor child when it is ill; and you saw, this morning,
+that if I told him to keep quiet, he was sure to begin kicking about. I have
+not nerves for the sort of thing.”
+</p>
+
+<p>
+“But, could you be comfortable yourself, to be spending the whole evening
+away from the poor boy?”
+</p>
+
+<p>
+“Yes; you see his papa can, and why should not I? Jemima is so careful;
+and she could send us word every hour how he was. I really think Charles might
+as well have told his father we would all come. I am not more alarmed about
+little Charles now than he is. I was dreadfully alarmed yesterday, but the case
+is very different to-day.”
+</p>
+
+<p>
+“Well, if you do not think it too late to give notice for yourself,
+suppose you were to go, as well as your husband. Leave little Charles to my
+care. Mr and Mrs Musgrove cannot think it wrong while I remain with him.”
+</p>
+
+<p>
+“Are you serious?” cried Mary, her eyes brightening. “Dear
+me! that’s a very good thought, very good, indeed. To be sure, I may just
+as well go as not, for I am of no use at home—am I? and it only harasses
+me. You, who have not a mother’s feelings, are a great deal the properest
+person. You can make little Charles do anything; he always minds you at a word.
+It will be a great deal better than leaving him only with Jemima. Oh! I shall
+certainly go; I am sure I ought if I can, quite as much as Charles, for they
+want me excessively to be acquainted with Captain Wentworth, and I know you do
+not mind being left alone. An excellent thought of yours, indeed, Anne. I will
+go and tell Charles, and get ready directly. You can send for us, you know, at
+a moment’s notice, if anything is the matter; but I dare say there will
+be nothing to alarm you. I should not go, you may be sure, if I did not feel
+quite at ease about my dear child.”
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The next moment she was tapping at her husband’s dressing-room door, and
+as Anne followed her up stairs, she was in time for the whole conversation,
+which began with Mary’s saying, in a tone of great exultation—
+</p>
+
+<p>
+“I mean to go with you, Charles, for I am of no more use at home than you
+are. If I were to shut myself up for ever with the child, I should not be able
+to persuade him to do anything he did not like. Anne will stay; Anne undertakes
+to stay at home and take care of him. It is Anne’s own proposal, and so I
+shall go with you, which will be a great deal better, for I have not dined at
+the other house since Tuesday.”
+</p>
+
+<p>
+“This is very kind of Anne,” was her husband’s answer,
+“and I should be very glad to have you go; but it seems rather hard that
+she should be left at home by herself, to nurse our sick child.”
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Anne was now at hand to take up her own cause, and the sincerity of her manner
+being soon sufficient to convince him, where conviction was at least very
+agreeable, he had no farther scruples as to her being left to dine alone,
+though he still wanted her to join them in the evening, when the child might be
+at rest for the night, and kindly urged her to let him come and fetch her, but
+she was quite unpersuadable; and this being the case, she had ere long the
+pleasure of seeing them set off together in high spirits. They were gone, she
+hoped, to be happy, however oddly constructed such happiness might seem; as for
+herself, she was left with as many sensations of comfort, as were, perhaps,
+ever likely to be hers. She knew herself to be of the first utility to the
+child; and what was it to her if Frederick Wentworth were only half a mile
+distant, making himself agreeable to others?
+</p>
+
+<p>
+She would have liked to know how he felt as to a meeting. Perhaps indifferent,
+if indifference could exist under such circumstances. He must be either
+indifferent or unwilling. Had he wished ever to see her again, he need not have
+waited till this time; he would have done what she could not but believe that
+in his place she should have done long ago, when events had been early giving
+him the independence which alone had been wanting.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Her brother and sister came back delighted with their new acquaintance, and
+their visit in general. There had been music, singing, talking, laughing, all
+that was most agreeable; charming manners in Captain Wentworth, no shyness or
+reserve; they seemed all to know each other perfectly, and he was coming the
+very next morning to shoot with Charles. He was to come to breakfast, but not
+at the Cottage, though that had been proposed at first; but then he had been
+pressed to come to the Great House instead, and he seemed afraid of being in
+Mrs Charles Musgrove’s way, on account of the child, and therefore,
+somehow, they hardly knew how, it ended in Charles’s being to meet him to
+breakfast at his father’s.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Anne understood it. He wished to avoid seeing her. He had inquired after her,
+she found, slightly, as might suit a former slight acquaintance, seeming to
+acknowledge such as she had acknowledged, actuated, perhaps, by the same view
+of escaping introduction when they were to meet.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The morning hours of the Cottage were always later than those of the other
+house, and on the morrow the difference was so great that Mary and Anne were
+not more than beginning breakfast when Charles came in to say that they were
+just setting off, that he was come for his dogs, that his sisters were
+following with Captain Wentworth; his sisters meaning to visit Mary and the
+child, and Captain Wentworth proposing also to wait on her for a few minutes if
+not inconvenient; and though Charles had answered for the child’s being
+in no such state as could make it inconvenient, Captain Wentworth would not be
+satisfied without his running on to give notice.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Mary, very much gratified by this attention, was delighted to receive him,
+while a thousand feelings rushed on Anne, of which this was the most consoling,
+that it would soon be over. And it was soon over. In two minutes after
+Charles’s preparation, the others appeared; they were in the
+drawing-room. Her eye half met Captain Wentworth’s, a bow, a curtsey
+passed; she heard his voice; he talked to Mary, said all that was right, said
+something to the Miss Musgroves, enough to mark an easy footing; the room
+seemed full, full of persons and voices, but a few minutes ended it. Charles
+shewed himself at the window, all was ready, their visitor had bowed and was
+gone, the Miss Musgroves were gone too, suddenly resolving to walk to the end
+of the village with the sportsmen: the room was cleared, and Anne might finish
+her breakfast as she could.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+“It is over! it is over!” she repeated to herself again and again,
+in nervous gratitude. “The worst is over!”
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Mary talked, but she could not attend. She had seen him. They had met. They had
+been once more in the same room.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Soon, however, she began to reason with herself, and try to be feeling less.
+Eight years, almost eight years had passed, since all had been given up. How
+absurd to be resuming the agitation which such an interval had banished into
+distance and indistinctness! What might not eight years do? Events of every
+description, changes, alienations, removals—all, all must be comprised in
+it, and oblivion of the past— how natural, how certain too! It included
+nearly a third part of her own life.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Alas! with all her reasoning, she found, that to retentive feelings eight years
+may be little more than nothing.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Now, how were his sentiments to be read? Was this like wishing to avoid her?
+And the next moment she was hating herself for the folly which asked the
+question.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+On one other question which perhaps her utmost wisdom might not have prevented,
+she was soon spared all suspense; for, after the Miss Musgroves had returned
+and finished their visit at the Cottage she had this spontaneous information
+from Mary:—
+</p>
+
+<p>
+“Captain Wentworth is not very gallant by you, Anne, though he was so
+attentive to me. Henrietta asked him what he thought of you, when they went
+away, and he said, ‘You were so altered he should not have known you
+again.’”
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Mary had no feelings to make her respect her sister’s in a common way,
+but she was perfectly unsuspicious of being inflicting any peculiar wound.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+“Altered beyond his knowledge.” Anne fully submitted, in silent,
+deep mortification. Doubtless it was so, and she could take no revenge, for he
+was not altered, or not for the worse. She had already acknowledged it to
+herself, and she could not think differently, let him think of her as he would.
+No: the years which had destroyed her youth and bloom had only given him a more
+glowing, manly, open look, in no respect lessening his personal advantages. She
+had seen the same Frederick Wentworth.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+“So altered that he should not have known her again!” These were
+words which could not but dwell with her. Yet she soon began to rejoice that
+she had heard them. They were of sobering tendency; they allayed agitation;
+they composed, and consequently must make her happier.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Frederick Wentworth had used such words, or something like them, but without an
+idea that they would be carried round to her. He had thought her wretchedly
+altered, and in the first moment of appeal, had spoken as he felt. He had not
+forgiven Anne Elliot. She had used him ill, deserted and disappointed him; and
+worse, she had shewn a feebleness of character in doing so, which his own
+decided, confident temper could not endure. She had given him up to oblige
+others. It had been the effect of over-persuasion. It had been weakness and
+timidity.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+He had been most warmly attached to her, and had never seen a woman since whom
+he thought her equal; but, except from some natural sensation of curiosity, he
+had no desire of meeting her again. Her power with him was gone for ever.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+It was now his object to marry. He was rich, and being turned on shore, fully
+intended to settle as soon as he could be properly tempted; actually looking
+round, ready to fall in love with all the speed which a clear head and a quick
+taste could allow. He had a heart for either of the Miss Musgroves, if they
+could catch it; a heart, in short, for any pleasing young woman who came in his
+way, excepting Anne Elliot. This was his only secret exception, when he said to
+his sister, in answer to her suppositions:—
+</p>
+
+<p>
+“Yes, here I am, Sophia, quite ready to make a foolish match. Anybody
+between fifteen and thirty may have me for asking. A little beauty, and a few
+smiles, and a few compliments to the navy, and I am a lost man. Should not this
+be enough for a sailor, who has had no society among women to make him
+nice?”
+</p>
+
+<p>
+He said it, she knew, to be contradicted. His bright proud eye spoke the
+conviction that he was nice; and Anne Elliot was not out of his thoughts, when
+he more seriously described the woman he should wish to meet with. “A
+strong mind, with sweetness of manner,” made the first and the last of
+the description.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+“That is the woman I want,” said he. “Something a little
+inferior I shall of course put up with, but it must not be much. If I am a
+fool, I shall be a fool indeed, for I have thought on the subject more than
+most men.”
+</p>
+
+</div><!--end chapter-->
+
+<div class="chapter">
+
+<h2><a id="chap08"></a>CHAPTER VIII.</h2>
+
+<p>
+From this time Captain Wentworth and Anne Elliot were repeatedly in the same
+circle. They were soon dining in company together at Mr Musgrove’s, for
+the little boy’s state could no longer supply his aunt with a pretence
+for absenting herself; and this was but the beginning of other dinings and
+other meetings.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Whether former feelings were to be renewed must be brought to the proof; former
+times must undoubtedly be brought to the recollection of each; <i>they</i>
+could not but be reverted to; the year of their engagement could not but be
+named by him, in the little narratives or descriptions which conversation
+called forth. His profession qualified him, his disposition lead him, to talk;
+and “<i>That</i> was in the year six;” “<i>That</i> happened
+before I went to sea in the year six,” occurred in the course of the
+first evening they spent together: and though his voice did not falter, and
+though she had no reason to suppose his eye wandering towards her while he
+spoke, Anne felt the utter impossibility, from her knowledge of his mind, that
+he could be unvisited by remembrance any more than herself. There must be the
+same immediate association of thought, though she was very far from conceiving
+it to be of equal pain.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+They had no conversation together, no intercourse but what the commonest
+civility required. Once so much to each other! Now nothing! There <i>had</i>
+been a time, when of all the large party now filling the drawing-room at
+Uppercross, they would have found it most difficult to cease to speak to one
+another. With the exception, perhaps, of Admiral and Mrs Croft, who seemed
+particularly attached and happy, (Anne could allow no other exceptions even
+among the married couples), there could have been no two hearts so open, no
+tastes so similar, no feelings so in unison, no countenances so beloved. Now
+they were as strangers; nay, worse than strangers, for they could never become
+acquainted. It was a perpetual estrangement.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+When he talked, she heard the same voice, and discerned the same mind. There
+was a very general ignorance of all naval matters throughout the party; and he
+was very much questioned, and especially by the two Miss Musgroves, who seemed
+hardly to have any eyes but for him, as to the manner of living on board, daily
+regulations, food, hours, &amp;c., and their surprise at his accounts, at
+learning the degree of accommodation and arrangement which was practicable,
+drew from him some pleasant ridicule, which reminded Anne of the early days
+when she too had been ignorant, and she too had been accused of supposing
+sailors to be living on board without anything to eat, or any cook to dress it
+if there were, or any servant to wait, or any knife and fork to use.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+From thus listening and thinking, she was roused by a whisper of Mrs
+Musgrove’s who, overcome by fond regrets, could not help saying—
+</p>
+
+<p>
+“Ah! Miss Anne, if it had pleased Heaven to spare my poor son, I dare say
+he would have been just such another by this time.”
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Anne suppressed a smile, and listened kindly, while Mrs Musgrove relieved her
+heart a little more; and for a few minutes, therefore, could not keep pace with
+the conversation of the others.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+When she could let her attention take its natural course again, she found the
+Miss Musgroves just fetching the Navy List (their own navy list, the first that
+had ever been at Uppercross), and sitting down together to pore over it, with
+the professed view of finding out the ships that Captain Wentworth had
+commanded.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+“Your first was the Asp, I remember; we will look for the Asp.”
+</p>
+
+<p>
+“You will not find her there. Quite worn out and broken up. I was the
+last man who commanded her. Hardly fit for service then. Reported fit for home
+service for a year or two, and so I was sent off to the West Indies.”
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The girls looked all amazement.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+“The Admiralty,” he continued, “entertain themselves now and
+then, with sending a few hundred men to sea, in a ship not fit to be employed.
+But they have a great many to provide for; and among the thousands that may
+just as well go to the bottom as not, it is impossible for them to distinguish
+the very set who may be least missed.”
+</p>
+
+<p>
+“Phoo! phoo!” cried the Admiral, “what stuff these young
+fellows talk! Never was a better sloop than the Asp in her day. For an old
+built sloop, you would not see her equal. Lucky fellow to get her! He knows
+there must have been twenty better men than himself applying for her at the
+same time. Lucky fellow to get anything so soon, with no more interest than
+his.”
+</p>
+
+<p>
+“I felt my luck, Admiral, I assure you;” replied Captain Wentworth,
+seriously. “I was as well satisfied with my appointment as you can
+desire. It was a great object with me at that time to be at sea; a very great
+object, I wanted to be doing something.”
+</p>
+
+<p>
+“To be sure you did. What should a young fellow like you do ashore for
+half a year together? If a man had not a wife, he soon wants to be afloat
+again.”
+</p>
+
+<p>
+“But, Captain Wentworth,” cried Louisa, “how vexed you must
+have been when you came to the Asp, to see what an old thing they had given
+you.”
+</p>
+
+<p>
+“I knew pretty well what she was before that day;” said he,
+smiling. “I had no more discoveries to make than you would have as to the
+fashion and strength of any old pelisse, which you had seen lent about among
+half your acquaintance ever since you could remember, and which at last, on
+some very wet day, is lent to yourself. Ah! she was a dear old Asp to me. She
+did all that I wanted. I knew she would. I knew that we should either go to the
+bottom together, or that she would be the making of me; and I never had two
+days of foul weather all the time I was at sea in her; and after taking
+privateers enough to be very entertaining, I had the good luck in my passage
+home the next autumn, to fall in with the very French frigate I wanted. I
+brought her into Plymouth; and here another instance of luck. We had not been
+six hours in the Sound, when a gale came on, which lasted four days and nights,
+and which would have done for poor old Asp in half the time; our touch with the
+Great Nation not having much improved our condition. Four-and-twenty hours
+later, and I should only have been a gallant Captain Wentworth, in a small
+paragraph at one corner of the newspapers; and being lost in only a sloop,
+nobody would have thought about me.” Anne’s shudderings were to
+herself alone; but the Miss Musgroves could be as open as they were sincere, in
+their exclamations of pity and horror.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+“And so then, I suppose,” said Mrs Musgrove, in a low voice, as if
+thinking aloud, “so then he went away to the Laconia, and there he met
+with our poor boy. Charles, my dear,” (beckoning him to her), “do
+ask Captain Wentworth where it was he first met with your poor brother. I
+always forgot.”
+</p>
+
+<p>
+“It was at Gibraltar, mother, I know. Dick had been left ill at
+Gibraltar, with a recommendation from his former captain to Captain
+Wentworth.”
+</p>
+
+<p>
+“Oh! but, Charles, tell Captain Wentworth, he need not be afraid of
+mentioning poor Dick before me, for it would be rather a pleasure to hear him
+talked of by such a good friend.”
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Charles, being somewhat more mindful of the probabilities of the case, only
+nodded in reply, and walked away.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The girls were now hunting for the Laconia; and Captain Wentworth could not
+deny himself the pleasure of taking the precious volume into his own hands to
+save them the trouble, and once more read aloud the little statement of her
+name and rate, and present non-commissioned class, observing over it that she
+too had been one of the best friends man ever had.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+“Ah! those were pleasant days when I had the Laconia! How fast I made
+money in her. A friend of mine and I had such a lovely cruise together off the
+Western Islands. Poor Harville, sister! You know how much he wanted money:
+worse than myself. He had a wife. Excellent fellow. I shall never forget his
+happiness. He felt it all, so much for her sake. I wished for him again the
+next summer, when I had still the same luck in the Mediterranean.”
+</p>
+
+<p>
+“And I am sure, Sir,” said Mrs Musgrove, “it was a lucky day
+for <i>us</i>, when you were put captain into that ship. <i>We</i> shall never
+forget what you did.”
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Her feelings made her speak low; and Captain Wentworth, hearing only in part,
+and probably not having Dick Musgrove at all near his thoughts, looked rather
+in suspense, and as if waiting for more.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+“My brother,” whispered one of the girls; “mamma is thinking
+of poor Richard.”
+</p>
+
+<p>
+“Poor dear fellow!” continued Mrs Musgrove; “he was grown so
+steady, and such an excellent correspondent, while he was under your care! Ah!
+it would have been a happy thing, if he had never left you. I assure you,
+Captain Wentworth, we are very sorry he ever left you.”
+</p>
+
+<p>
+There was a momentary expression in Captain Wentworth’s face at this
+speech, a certain glance of his bright eye, and curl of his handsome mouth,
+which convinced Anne, that instead of sharing in Mrs Musgrove’s kind
+wishes, as to her son, he had probably been at some pains to get rid of him;
+but it was too transient an indulgence of self-amusement to be detected by any
+who understood him less than herself; in another moment he was perfectly
+collected and serious, and almost instantly afterwards coming up to the sofa,
+on which she and Mrs Musgrove were sitting, took a place by the latter, and
+entered into conversation with her, in a low voice, about her son, doing it
+with so much sympathy and natural grace, as shewed the kindest consideration
+for all that was real and unabsurd in the parent’s feelings.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+They were actually on the same sofa, for Mrs Musgrove had most readily made
+room for him; they were divided only by Mrs Musgrove. It was no insignificant
+barrier, indeed. Mrs Musgrove was of a comfortable, substantial size,
+infinitely more fitted by nature to express good cheer and good humour, than
+tenderness and sentiment; and while the agitations of Anne’s slender
+form, and pensive face, may be considered as very completely screened, Captain
+Wentworth should be allowed some credit for the self-command with which he
+attended to her large fat sighings over the destiny of a son, whom alive nobody
+had cared for.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Personal size and mental sorrow have certainly no necessary proportions. A
+large bulky figure has as good a right to be in deep affliction, as the most
+graceful set of limbs in the world. But, fair or not fair, there are unbecoming
+conjunctions, which reason will patronize in vain—which taste cannot
+tolerate—which ridicule will seize.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The Admiral, after taking two or three refreshing turns about the room with his
+hands behind him, being called to order by his wife, now came up to Captain
+Wentworth, and without any observation of what he might be interrupting,
+thinking only of his own thoughts, began with—
+</p>
+
+<p>
+“If you had been a week later at Lisbon, last spring, Frederick, you
+would have been asked to give a passage to Lady Mary Grierson and her
+daughters.”
+</p>
+
+<p>
+“Should I? I am glad I was not a week later then.”
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The Admiral abused him for his want of gallantry. He defended himself; though
+professing that he would never willingly admit any ladies on board a ship of
+his, excepting for a ball, or a visit, which a few hours might comprehend.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+“But, if I know myself,” said he, “this is from no want of
+gallantry towards them. It is rather from feeling how impossible it is, with
+all one’s efforts, and all one’s sacrifices, to make the
+accommodations on board such as women ought to have. There can be no want of
+gallantry, Admiral, in rating the claims of women to every personal comfort
+<i>high</i>, and this is what I do. I hate to hear of women on board, or to see
+them on board; and no ship under my command shall ever convey a family of
+ladies anywhere, if I can help it.”
+</p>
+
+<p>
+This brought his sister upon him.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+“Oh! Frederick! But I cannot believe it of you.—All idle
+refinement!—Women may be as comfortable on board, as in the best house in
+England. I believe I have lived as much on board as most women, and I know
+nothing superior to the accommodations of a man-of-war. I declare I have not a
+comfort or an indulgence about me, even at Kellynch Hall,” (with a kind
+bow to Anne), “beyond what I always had in most of the ships I have lived
+in; and they have been five altogether.”
+</p>
+
+<p>
+“Nothing to the purpose,” replied her brother. “You were
+living with your husband, and were the only woman on board.”
+</p>
+
+<p>
+“But you, yourself, brought Mrs Harville, her sister, her cousin, and
+three children, round from Portsmouth to Plymouth. Where was this superfine,
+extraordinary sort of gallantry of yours then?”
+</p>
+
+<p>
+“All merged in my friendship, Sophia. I would assist any brother
+officer’s wife that I could, and I would bring anything of
+Harville’s from the world’s end, if he wanted it. But do not
+imagine that I did not feel it an evil in itself.”
+</p>
+
+<p>
+“Depend upon it, they were all perfectly comfortable.”
+</p>
+
+<p>
+“I might not like them the better for that perhaps. Such a number of
+women and children have no <i>right</i> to be comfortable on board.”
+</p>
+
+<p>
+“My dear Frederick, you are talking quite idly. Pray, what would become
+of us poor sailors’ wives, who often want to be conveyed to one port or
+another, after our husbands, if everybody had your feelings?”
+</p>
+
+<p>
+“My feelings, you see, did not prevent my taking Mrs Harville and all her
+family to Plymouth.”
+</p>
+
+<p>
+“But I hate to hear you talking so like a fine gentleman, and as if women
+were all fine ladies, instead of rational creatures. We none of us expect to be
+in smooth water all our days.”
+</p>
+
+<p>
+“Ah! my dear,” said the Admiral, “when he has got a wife, he
+will sing a different tune. When he is married, if we have the good luck to
+live to another war, we shall see him do as you and I, and a great many others,
+have done. We shall have him very thankful to anybody that will bring him his
+wife.”
+</p>
+
+<p>
+“Ay, that we shall.”
+</p>
+
+<p>
+“Now I have done,” cried Captain Wentworth. “When once
+married people begin to attack me with,—‘Oh! you will think very
+differently, when you are married.’ I can only say, ‘No, I shall
+not;’ and then they say again, ‘Yes, you will,’ and there is
+an end of it.”
+</p>
+
+<p>
+He got up and moved away.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+“What a great traveller you must have been, ma’am!” said Mrs
+Musgrove to Mrs Croft.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+“Pretty well, ma’am, in the fifteen years of my marriage; though
+many women have done more. I have crossed the Atlantic four times, and have
+been once to the East Indies, and back again, and only once; besides being in
+different places about home: Cork, and Lisbon, and Gibraltar. But I never went
+beyond the Streights, and never was in the West Indies. We do not call Bermuda
+or Bahama, you know, the West Indies.”
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Mrs Musgrove had not a word to say in dissent; she could not accuse herself of
+having ever called them anything in the whole course of her life.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+“And I do assure you, ma’am,” pursued Mrs Croft, “that
+nothing can exceed the accommodations of a man-of-war; I speak, you know, of
+the higher rates. When you come to a frigate, of course, you are more confined;
+though any reasonable woman may be perfectly happy in one of them; and I can
+safely say, that the happiest part of my life has been spent on board a ship.
+While we were together, you know, there was nothing to be feared. Thank God! I
+have always been blessed with excellent health, and no climate disagrees with
+me. A little disordered always the first twenty-four hours of going to sea, but
+never knew what sickness was afterwards. The only time I ever really suffered
+in body or mind, the only time that I ever fancied myself unwell, or had any
+ideas of danger, was the winter that I passed by myself at Deal, when the
+Admiral (<i>Captain</i> Croft then) was in the North Seas. I lived in perpetual
+fright at that time, and had all manner of imaginary complaints from not
+knowing what to do with myself, or when I should hear from him next; but as
+long as we could be together, nothing ever ailed me, and I never met with the
+smallest inconvenience.”
+</p>
+
+<p>
+“Aye, to be sure. Yes, indeed, oh yes! I am quite of your opinion, Mrs
+Croft,” was Mrs Musgrove’s hearty answer. “There is nothing
+so bad as a separation. I am quite of your opinion. <i>I</i> know what it is,
+for Mr Musgrove always attends the assizes, and I am so glad when they are
+over, and he is safe back again.”
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The evening ended with dancing. On its being proposed, Anne offered her
+services, as usual; and though her eyes would sometimes fill with tears as she
+sat at the instrument, she was extremely glad to be employed, and desired
+nothing in return but to be unobserved.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+It was a merry, joyous party, and no one seemed in higher spirits than Captain
+Wentworth. She felt that he had every thing to elevate him which general
+attention and deference, and especially the attention of all the young women,
+could do. The Miss Hayters, the females of the family of cousins already
+mentioned, were apparently admitted to the honour of being in love with him;
+and as for Henrietta and Louisa, they both seemed so entirely occupied by him,
+that nothing but the continued appearance of the most perfect good-will between
+themselves could have made it credible that they were not decided rivals. If he
+were a little spoilt by such universal, such eager admiration, who could
+wonder?
+</p>
+
+<p>
+These were some of the thoughts which occupied Anne, while her fingers were
+mechanically at work, proceeding for half an hour together, equally without
+error, and without consciousness. <i>Once</i> she felt that he was looking at
+herself, observing her altered features, perhaps, trying to trace in them the
+ruins of the face which had once charmed him; and <i>once</i> she knew that he
+must have spoken of her; she was hardly aware of it, till she heard the answer;
+but then she was sure of his having asked his partner whether Miss Elliot never
+danced? The answer was, “Oh, no; never; she has quite given up dancing.
+She had rather play. She is never tired of playing.” Once, too, he spoke
+to her. She had left the instrument on the dancing being over, and he had sat
+down to try to make out an air which he wished to give the Miss Musgroves an
+idea of. Unintentionally she returned to that part of the room; he saw her,
+and, instantly rising, said, with studied politeness—
+</p>
+
+<p>
+“I beg your pardon, madam, this is your seat;” and though she
+immediately drew back with a decided negative, he was not to be induced to sit
+down again.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Anne did not wish for more of such looks and speeches. His cold politeness, his
+ceremonious grace, were worse than anything.
+</p>
+
+</div><!--end chapter-->
+
+<div class="chapter">
+
+<h2><a id="chap09"></a>CHAPTER IX.</h2>
+
+<p>
+Captain Wentworth was come to Kellynch as to a home, to stay as long as he
+liked, being as thoroughly the object of the Admiral’s fraternal kindness
+as of his wife’s. He had intended, on first arriving, to proceed very
+soon into Shropshire, and visit the brother settled in that country, but the
+attractions of Uppercross induced him to put this off. There was so much of
+friendliness, and of flattery, and of everything most bewitching in his
+reception there; the old were so hospitable, the young so agreeable, that he
+could not but resolve to remain where he was, and take all the charms and
+perfections of Edward’s wife upon credit a little longer.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+It was soon Uppercross with him almost every day. The Musgroves could hardly be
+more ready to invite than he to come, particularly in the morning, when he had
+no companion at home, for the Admiral and Mrs Croft were generally out of doors
+together, interesting themselves in their new possessions, their grass, and
+their sheep, and dawdling about in a way not endurable to a third person, or
+driving out in a gig, lately added to their establishment.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Hitherto there had been but one opinion of Captain Wentworth among the
+Musgroves and their dependencies. It was unvarying, warm admiration everywhere;
+but this intimate footing was not more than established, when a certain Charles
+Hayter returned among them, to be a good deal disturbed by it, and to think
+Captain Wentworth very much in the way.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Charles Hayter was the eldest of all the cousins, and a very amiable, pleasing
+young man, between whom and Henrietta there had been a considerable appearance
+of attachment previous to Captain Wentworth’s introduction. He was in
+orders; and having a curacy in the neighbourhood, where residence was not
+required, lived at his father’s house, only two miles from Uppercross. A
+short absence from home had left his fair one unguarded by his attentions at
+this critical period, and when he came back he had the pain of finding very
+altered manners, and of seeing Captain Wentworth.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Mrs Musgrove and Mrs Hayter were sisters. They had each had money, but their
+marriages had made a material difference in their degree of consequence. Mr
+Hayter had some property of his own, but it was insignificant compared with Mr
+Musgrove’s; and while the Musgroves were in the first class of society in
+the country, the young Hayters would, from their parents’ inferior,
+retired, and unpolished way of living, and their own defective education, have
+been hardly in any class at all, but for their connexion with Uppercross, this
+eldest son of course excepted, who had chosen to be a scholar and a gentleman,
+and who was very superior in cultivation and manners to all the rest.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The two families had always been on excellent terms, there being no pride on
+one side, and no envy on the other, and only such a consciousness of
+superiority in the Miss Musgroves, as made them pleased to improve their
+cousins. Charles’s attentions to Henrietta had been observed by her
+father and mother without any disapprobation. “It would not be a great
+match for her; but if Henrietta liked him,”—and Henrietta
+<i>did</i> seem to like him.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Henrietta fully thought so herself, before Captain Wentworth came; but from
+that time Cousin Charles had been very much forgotten.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Which of the two sisters was preferred by Captain Wentworth was as yet quite
+doubtful, as far as Anne’s observation reached. Henrietta was perhaps the
+prettiest, Louisa had the higher spirits; and she knew not <i>now</i>, whether
+the more gentle or the more lively character were most likely to attract him.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Mr and Mrs Musgrove, either from seeing little, or from an entire confidence in
+the discretion of both their daughters, and of all the young men who came near
+them, seemed to leave everything to take its chance. There was not the smallest
+appearance of solicitude or remark about them in the Mansion-house; but it was
+different at the Cottage: the young couple there were more disposed to
+speculate and wonder; and Captain Wentworth had not been above four or five
+times in the Miss Musgroves’ company, and Charles Hayter had but just
+reappeared, when Anne had to listen to the opinions of her brother and sister,
+as to <i>which</i> was the one liked best. Charles gave it for Louisa, Mary for
+Henrietta, but quite agreeing that to have him marry either could be extremely
+delightful.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Charles “had never seen a pleasanter man in his life; and from what he
+had once heard Captain Wentworth himself say, was very sure that he had not
+made less than twenty thousand pounds by the war. Here was a fortune at once;
+besides which, there would be the chance of what might be done in any future
+war; and he was sure Captain Wentworth was as likely a man to distinguish
+himself as any officer in the navy. Oh! it would be a capital match for either
+of his sisters.”
+</p>
+
+<p>
+“Upon my word it would,” replied Mary. “Dear me! If he should
+rise to any very great honours! If he should ever be made a baronet!
+‘Lady Wentworth’ sounds very well. That would be a noble thing,
+indeed, for Henrietta! She would take place of me then, and Henrietta would not
+dislike that. Sir Frederick and Lady Wentworth! It would be but a new creation,
+however, and I never think much of your new creations.”
+</p>
+
+<p>
+It suited Mary best to think Henrietta the one preferred on the very account of
+Charles Hayter, whose pretensions she wished to see put an end to. She looked
+down very decidedly upon the Hayters, and thought it would be quite a
+misfortune to have the existing connection between the families
+renewed—very sad for herself and her children.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+“You know,” said she, “I cannot think him at all a fit match
+for Henrietta; and considering the alliances which the Musgroves have made, she
+has no right to throw herself away. I do not think any young woman has a right
+to make a choice that may be disagreeable and inconvenient to the
+<i>principal</i> part of her family, and be giving bad connections to those who
+have not been used to them. And, pray, who is Charles Hayter? Nothing but a
+country curate. A most improper match for Miss Musgrove of Uppercross.”
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Her husband, however, would not agree with her here; for besides having a
+regard for his cousin, Charles Hayter was an eldest son, and he saw things as
+an eldest son himself.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+“Now you are talking nonsense, Mary,” was therefore his answer.
+“It would not be a <i>great</i> match for Henrietta, but Charles has a
+very fair chance, through the Spicers, of getting something from the Bishop in
+the course of a year or two; and you will please to remember, that he is the
+eldest son; whenever my uncle dies, he steps into very pretty property. The
+estate at Winthrop is not less than two hundred and fifty acres, besides the
+farm near Taunton, which is some of the best land in the country. I grant you,
+that any of them but Charles would be a very shocking match for Henrietta, and
+indeed it could not be; he is the only one that could be possible; but he is a
+very good-natured, good sort of a fellow; and whenever Winthrop comes into his
+hands, he will make a different sort of place of it, and live in a very
+different sort of way; and with that property, he will never be a contemptible
+man—good, freehold property. No, no; Henrietta might do worse than marry
+Charles Hayter; and if she has him, and Louisa can get Captain Wentworth, I
+shall be very well satisfied.”
+</p>
+
+<p>
+“Charles may say what he pleases,” cried Mary to Anne, as soon as
+he was out of the room, “but it would be shocking to have Henrietta marry
+Charles Hayter; a very bad thing for <i>her</i>, and still worse for <i>me;</i>
+and therefore it is very much to be wished that Captain Wentworth may soon put
+him quite out of her head, and I have very little doubt that he has. She took
+hardly any notice of Charles Hayter yesterday. I wish you had been there to see
+her behaviour. And as to Captain Wentworth’s liking Louisa as well as
+Henrietta, it is nonsense to say so; for he certainly <i>does</i> like
+Henrietta a great deal the best. But Charles is so positive! I wish you had
+been with us yesterday, for then you might have decided between us; and I am
+sure you would have thought as I did, unless you had been determined to give it
+against me.”
+</p>
+
+<p>
+A dinner at Mr Musgrove’s had been the occasion when all these things
+should have been seen by Anne; but she had staid at home, under the mixed plea
+of a headache of her own, and some return of indisposition in little Charles.
+She had thought only of avoiding Captain Wentworth; but an escape from being
+appealed to as umpire was now added to the advantages of a quiet evening.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+As to Captain Wentworth’s views, she deemed it of more consequence that
+he should know his own mind early enough not to be endangering the happiness of
+either sister, or impeaching his own honour, than that he should prefer
+Henrietta to Louisa, or Louisa to Henrietta. Either of them would, in all
+probability, make him an affectionate, good-humoured wife. With regard to
+Charles Hayter, she had delicacy which must be pained by any lightness of
+conduct in a well-meaning young woman, and a heart to sympathize in any of the
+sufferings it occasioned; but if Henrietta found herself mistaken in the nature
+of her feelings, the alteration could not be understood too soon.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Charles Hayter had met with much to disquiet and mortify him in his
+cousin’s behaviour. She had too old a regard for him to be so wholly
+estranged as might in two meetings extinguish every past hope, and leave him
+nothing to do but to keep away from Uppercross: but there was such a change as
+became very alarming, when such a man as Captain Wentworth was to be regarded
+as the probable cause. He had been absent only two Sundays, and when they
+parted, had left her interested, even to the height of his wishes, in his
+prospect of soon quitting his present curacy, and obtaining that of Uppercross
+instead. It had then seemed the object nearest her heart, that Dr Shirley, the
+rector, who for more than forty years had been zealously discharging all the
+duties of his office, but was now growing too infirm for many of them, should
+be quite fixed on engaging a curate; should make his curacy quite as good as he
+could afford, and should give Charles Hayter the promise of it. The advantage
+of his having to come only to Uppercross, instead of going six miles another
+way; of his having, in every respect, a better curacy; of his belonging to
+their dear Dr Shirley, and of dear, good Dr Shirley’s being relieved from
+the duty which he could no longer get through without most injurious fatigue,
+had been a great deal, even to Louisa, but had been almost everything to
+Henrietta. When he came back, alas! the zeal of the business was gone by.
+Louisa could not listen at all to his account of a conversation which he had
+just held with Dr Shirley: she was at a window, looking out for Captain
+Wentworth; and even Henrietta had at best only a divided attention to give, and
+seemed to have forgotten all the former doubt and solicitude of the
+negotiation.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+“Well, I am very glad indeed: but I always thought you would have it; I
+always thought you sure. It did not appear to me that—in short, you know,
+Dr Shirley <i>must</i> have a curate, and you had secured his promise. Is he
+coming, Louisa?”
+</p>
+
+<p>
+One morning, very soon after the dinner at the Musgroves, at which Anne had not
+been present, Captain Wentworth walked into the drawing-room at the Cottage,
+where were only herself and the little invalid Charles, who was lying on the
+sofa.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The surprise of finding himself almost alone with Anne Elliot, deprived his
+manners of their usual composure: he started, and could only say, “I
+thought the Miss Musgroves had been here: Mrs Musgrove told me I should find
+them here,” before he walked to the window to recollect himself, and feel
+how he ought to behave.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+“They are up stairs with my sister: they will be down in a few moments, I
+dare say,” had been Anne’s reply, in all the confusion that was
+natural; and if the child had not called her to come and do something for him,
+she would have been out of the room the next moment, and released Captain
+Wentworth as well as herself.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+He continued at the window; and after calmly and politely saying, “I hope
+the little boy is better,” was silent.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+She was obliged to kneel down by the sofa, and remain there to satisfy her
+patient; and thus they continued a few minutes, when, to her very great
+satisfaction, she heard some other person crossing the little vestibule. She
+hoped, on turning her head, to see the master of the house; but it proved to be
+one much less calculated for making matters easy—Charles Hayter, probably
+not at all better pleased by the sight of Captain Wentworth than Captain
+Wentworth had been by the sight of Anne.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+She only attempted to say, “How do you do? Will you not sit down? The
+others will be here presently.”
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Captain Wentworth, however, came from his window, apparently not ill-disposed
+for conversation; but Charles Hayter soon put an end to his attempts by seating
+himself near the table, and taking up the newspaper; and Captain Wentworth
+returned to his window.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Another minute brought another addition. The younger boy, a remarkable stout,
+forward child, of two years old, having got the door opened for him by some one
+without, made his determined appearance among them, and went straight to the
+sofa to see what was going on, and put in his claim to anything good that might
+be giving away.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+There being nothing to eat, he could only have some play; and as his aunt would
+not let him tease his sick brother, he began to fasten himself upon her, as she
+knelt, in such a way that, busy as she was about Charles, she could not shake
+him off. She spoke to him, ordered, entreated, and insisted in vain. Once she
+did contrive to push him away, but the boy had the greater pleasure in getting
+upon her back again directly.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+“Walter,” said she, “get down this moment. You are extremely
+troublesome. I am very angry with you.”
+</p>
+
+<p>
+“Walter,” cried Charles Hayter, “why do you not do as you are
+bid? Do not you hear your aunt speak? Come to me, Walter, come to cousin
+Charles.”
+</p>
+
+<p>
+But not a bit did Walter stir.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+In another moment, however, she found herself in the state of being released
+from him; some one was taking him from her, though he had bent down her head so
+much, that his little sturdy hands were unfastened from around her neck, and he
+was resolutely borne away, before she knew that Captain Wentworth had done it.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Her sensations on the discovery made her perfectly speechless. She could not
+even thank him. She could only hang over little Charles, with most disordered
+feelings. His kindness in stepping forward to her relief, the manner, the
+silence in which it had passed, the little particulars of the circumstance,
+with the conviction soon forced on her by the noise he was studiously making
+with the child, that he meant to avoid hearing her thanks, and rather sought to
+testify that her conversation was the last of his wants, produced such a
+confusion of varying, but very painful agitation, as she could not recover
+from, till enabled by the entrance of Mary and the Miss Musgroves to make over
+her little patient to their cares, and leave the room. She could not stay. It
+might have been an opportunity of watching the loves and jealousies of the
+four—they were now altogether; but she could stay for none of it. It was
+evident that Charles Hayter was not well inclined towards Captain Wentworth.
+She had a strong impression of his having said, in a vext tone of voice, after
+Captain Wentworth’s interference, “You ought to have minded
+<i>me</i>, Walter; I told you not to teaze your aunt;” and could
+comprehend his regretting that Captain Wentworth should do what he ought to
+have done himself. But neither Charles Hayter’s feelings, nor
+anybody’s feelings, could interest her, till she had a little better
+arranged her own. She was ashamed of herself, quite ashamed of being so
+nervous, so overcome by such a trifle; but so it was, and it required a long
+application of solitude and reflection to recover her.
+</p>
+
+</div><!--end chapter-->
+
+<div class="chapter">
+
+<h2><a id="chap10"></a>CHAPTER X.</h2>
+
+<p>
+Other opportunities of making her observations could not fail to occur. Anne
+had soon been in company with all the four together often enough to have an
+opinion, though too wise to acknowledge as much at home, where she knew it
+would have satisfied neither husband nor wife; for while she considered Louisa
+to be rather the favourite, she could not but think, as far as she might dare
+to judge from memory and experience, that Captain Wentworth was not in love
+with either. They were more in love with him; yet there it was not love. It was
+a little fever of admiration; but it might, probably must, end in love with
+some. Charles Hayter seemed aware of being slighted, and yet Henrietta had
+sometimes the air of being divided between them. Anne longed for the power of
+representing to them all what they were about, and of pointing out some of the
+evils they were exposing themselves to. She did not attribute guile to any. It
+was the highest satisfaction to her to believe Captain Wentworth not in the
+least aware of the pain he was occasioning. There was no triumph, no pitiful
+triumph in his manner. He had, probably, never heard, and never thought of any
+claims of Charles Hayter. He was only wrong in accepting the attentions (for
+accepting must be the word) of two young women at once.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+After a short struggle, however, Charles Hayter seemed to quit the field. Three
+days had passed without his coming once to Uppercross; a most decided change.
+He had even refused one regular invitation to dinner; and having been found on
+the occasion by Mr Musgrove with some large books before him, Mr and Mrs
+Musgrove were sure all could not be right, and talked, with grave faces, of his
+studying himself to death. It was Mary’s hope and belief that he had
+received a positive dismissal from Henrietta, and her husband lived under the
+constant dependence of seeing him to-morrow. Anne could only feel that Charles
+Hayter was wise.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+One morning, about this time Charles Musgrove and Captain Wentworth being gone
+a-shooting together, as the sisters in the Cottage were sitting quietly at
+work, they were visited at the window by the sisters from the Mansion-house.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+It was a very fine November day, and the Miss Musgroves came through the little
+grounds, and stopped for no other purpose than to say, that they were going to
+take a <i>long</i> walk, and, therefore, concluded Mary could not like to go
+with them; and when Mary immediately replied, with some jealousy at not being
+supposed a good walker, “Oh, yes, I should like to join you very much, I
+am very fond of a long walk;” Anne felt persuaded, by the looks of the
+two girls, that it was precisely what they did not wish, and admired again the
+sort of necessity which the family habits seemed to produce, of everything
+being to be communicated, and everything being to be done together, however
+undesired and inconvenient. She tried to dissuade Mary from going, but in vain;
+and that being the case, thought it best to accept the Miss Musgroves’
+much more cordial invitation to herself to go likewise, as she might be useful
+in turning back with her sister, and lessening the interference in any plan of
+their own.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+“I cannot imagine why they should suppose I should not like a long
+walk,” said Mary, as she went up stairs. “Everybody is always
+supposing that I am not a good walker; and yet they would not have been
+pleased, if we had refused to join them. When people come in this manner on
+purpose to ask us, how can one say no?”
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Just as they were setting off, the gentlemen returned. They had taken out a
+young dog, who had spoilt their sport, and sent them back early. Their time and
+strength, and spirits, were, therefore, exactly ready for this walk, and they
+entered into it with pleasure. Could Anne have foreseen such a junction, she
+would have staid at home; but, from some feelings of interest and curiosity,
+she fancied now that it was too late to retract, and the whole six set forward
+together in the direction chosen by the Miss Musgroves, who evidently
+considered the walk as under their guidance.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Anne’s object was, not to be in the way of anybody; and where the narrow
+paths across the fields made many separations necessary, to keep with her
+brother and sister. Her <i>pleasure</i> in the walk must arise from the
+exercise and the day, from the view of the last smiles of the year upon the
+tawny leaves, and withered hedges, and from repeating to herself some few of
+the thousand poetical descriptions extant of autumn, that season of peculiar
+and inexhaustible influence on the mind of taste and tenderness, that season
+which had drawn from every poet, worthy of being read, some attempt at
+description, or some lines of feeling. She occupied her mind as much as
+possible in such like musings and quotations; but it was not possible, that
+when within reach of Captain Wentworth’s conversation with either of the
+Miss Musgroves, she should not try to hear it; yet she caught little very
+remarkable. It was mere lively chat, such as any young persons, on an intimate
+footing, might fall into. He was more engaged with Louisa than with Henrietta.
+Louisa certainly put more forward for his notice than her sister. This
+distinction appeared to increase, and there was one speech of Louisa’s
+which struck her. After one of the many praises of the day, which were
+continually bursting forth, Captain Wentworth added:—
+</p>
+
+<p>
+“What glorious weather for the Admiral and my sister! They meant to take
+a long drive this morning; perhaps we may hail them from some of these hills.
+They talked of coming into this side of the country. I wonder whereabouts they
+will upset to-day. Oh! it does happen very often, I assure you; but my sister
+makes nothing of it; she would as lieve be tossed out as not.”
+</p>
+
+<p>
+“Ah! You make the most of it, I know,” cried Louisa, “but if
+it were really so, I should do just the same in her place. If I loved a man, as
+she loves the Admiral, I would always be with him, nothing should ever separate
+us, and I would rather be overturned by him, than driven safely by anybody
+else.”
+</p>
+
+<p>
+It was spoken with enthusiasm.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+“Had you?” cried he, catching the same tone; “I honour
+you!” And there was silence between them for a little while.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Anne could not immediately fall into a quotation again. The sweet scenes of
+autumn were for a while put by, unless some tender sonnet, fraught with the apt
+analogy of the declining year, with declining happiness, and the images of
+youth and hope, and spring, all gone together, blessed her memory. She roused
+herself to say, as they struck by order into another path, “Is not this
+one of the ways to Winthrop?” But nobody heard, or, at least, nobody
+answered her.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Winthrop, however, or its environs—for young men are, sometimes to be met
+with, strolling about near home—was their destination; and after another
+half mile of gradual ascent through large enclosures, where the ploughs at
+work, and the fresh made path spoke the farmer counteracting the sweets of
+poetical despondence, and meaning to have spring again, they gained the summit
+of the most considerable hill, which parted Uppercross and Winthrop, and soon
+commanded a full view of the latter, at the foot of the hill on the other side.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Winthrop, without beauty and without dignity, was stretched before them; an
+indifferent house, standing low, and hemmed in by the barns and buildings of a
+farm-yard.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Mary exclaimed, “Bless me! here is Winthrop. I declare I had no idea!
+Well now, I think we had better turn back; I am excessively tired.”
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Henrietta, conscious and ashamed, and seeing no cousin Charles walking along
+any path, or leaning against any gate, was ready to do as Mary wished; but
+“No!” said Charles Musgrove, and “No, no!” cried Louisa
+more eagerly, and taking her sister aside, seemed to be arguing the matter
+warmly.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Charles, in the meanwhile, was very decidedly declaring his resolution of
+calling on his aunt, now that he was so near; and very evidently, though more
+fearfully, trying to induce his wife to go too. But this was one of the points
+on which the lady shewed her strength; and when he recommended the advantage of
+resting herself a quarter of an hour at Winthrop, as she felt so tired, she
+resolutely answered, “Oh! no, indeed! walking up that hill again would do
+her more harm than any sitting down could do her good;” and, in short,
+her look and manner declared, that go she would not.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+After a little succession of these sort of debates and consultations, it was
+settled between Charles and his two sisters, that he and Henrietta should just
+run down for a few minutes, to see their aunt and cousins, while the rest of
+the party waited for them at the top of the hill. Louisa seemed the principal
+arranger of the plan; and, as she went a little way with them, down the hill,
+still talking to Henrietta, Mary took the opportunity of looking scornfully
+around her, and saying to Captain Wentworth—
+</p>
+
+<p>
+“It is very unpleasant, having such connexions! But, I assure you, I have
+never been in the house above twice in my life.”
+</p>
+
+<p>
+She received no other answer, than an artificial, assenting smile, followed by
+a contemptuous glance, as he turned away, which Anne perfectly knew the meaning
+of.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The brow of the hill, where they remained, was a cheerful spot: Louisa
+returned; and Mary, finding a comfortable seat for herself on the step of a
+stile, was very well satisfied so long as the others all stood about her; but
+when Louisa drew Captain Wentworth away, to try for a gleaning of nuts in an
+adjoining hedge-row, and they were gone by degrees quite out of sight and
+sound, Mary was happy no longer; she quarrelled with her own seat, was sure
+Louisa had got a much better somewhere, and nothing could prevent her from
+going to look for a better also. She turned through the same gate, but could
+not see them. Anne found a nice seat for her, on a dry sunny bank, under the
+hedge-row, in which she had no doubt of their still being, in some spot or
+other. Mary sat down for a moment, but it would not do; she was sure Louisa had
+found a better seat somewhere else, and she would go on till she overtook her.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Anne, really tired herself, was glad to sit down; and she very soon heard
+Captain Wentworth and Louisa in the hedge-row, behind her, as if making their
+way back along the rough, wild sort of channel, down the centre. They were
+speaking as they drew near. Louisa’s voice was the first distinguished.
+She seemed to be in the middle of some eager speech. What Anne first heard
+was—
+</p>
+
+<p>
+“And so, I made her go. I could not bear that she should be frightened
+from the visit by such nonsense. What! would I be turned back from doing a
+thing that I had determined to do, and that I knew to be right, by the airs and
+interference of such a person, or of any person I may say? No, I have no idea
+of being so easily persuaded. When I have made up my mind, I have made it; and
+Henrietta seemed entirely to have made up hers to call at Winthrop to-day; and
+yet, she was as near giving it up, out of nonsensical complaisance!”
+</p>
+
+<p>
+“She would have turned back then, but for you?”
+</p>
+
+<p>
+“She would indeed. I am almost ashamed to say it.”
+</p>
+
+<p>
+“Happy for her, to have such a mind as yours at hand! After the hints you
+gave just now, which did but confirm my own observations, the last time I was
+in company with him, I need not affect to have no comprehension of what is
+going on. I see that more than a mere dutiful morning visit to your aunt was in
+question; and woe betide him, and her too, when it comes to things of
+consequence, when they are placed in circumstances requiring fortitude and
+strength of mind, if she have not resolution enough to resist idle interference
+in such a trifle as this. Your sister is an amiable creature; but <i>yours</i>
+is the character of decision and firmness, I see. If you value her conduct or
+happiness, infuse as much of your own spirit into her as you can. But this, no
+doubt, you have been always doing. It is the worst evil of too yielding and
+indecisive a character, that no influence over it can be depended on. You are
+never sure of a good impression being durable; everybody may sway it. Let those
+who would be happy be firm. Here is a nut,” said he, catching one down
+from an upper bough, “to exemplify: a beautiful glossy nut, which,
+blessed with original strength, has outlived all the storms of autumn. Not a
+puncture, not a weak spot anywhere. This nut,” he continued, with playful
+solemnity, “while so many of his brethren have fallen and been trodden
+under foot, is still in possession of all the happiness that a hazel nut can be
+supposed capable of.” Then returning to his former earnest
+tone—“My first wish for all whom I am interested in, is that they
+should be firm. If Louisa Musgrove would be beautiful and happy in her November
+of life, she will cherish all her present powers of mind.”
+</p>
+
+<p>
+He had done, and was unanswered. It would have surprised Anne if Louisa could
+have readily answered such a speech: words of such interest, spoken with such
+serious warmth! She could imagine what Louisa was feeling. For herself, she
+feared to move, lest she should be seen. While she remained, a bush of low
+rambling holly protected her, and they were moving on. Before they were beyond
+her hearing, however, Louisa spoke again.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+“Mary is good-natured enough in many respects,” said she;
+“but she does sometimes provoke me excessively, by her nonsense and
+pride—the Elliot pride. She has a great deal too much of the Elliot
+pride. We do so wish that Charles had married Anne instead. I suppose you know
+he wanted to marry Anne?”
+</p>
+
+<p>
+After a moment’s pause, Captain Wentworth said—
+</p>
+
+<p>
+“Do you mean that she refused him?”
+</p>
+
+<p>
+“Oh! yes; certainly.”
+</p>
+
+<p>
+“When did that happen?”
+</p>
+
+<p>
+“I do not exactly know, for Henrietta and I were at school at the time;
+but I believe about a year before he married Mary. I wish she had accepted him.
+We should all have liked her a great deal better; and papa and mamma always
+think it was her great friend Lady Russell’s doing, that she did not.
+They think Charles might not be learned and bookish enough to please Lady
+Russell, and that therefore, she persuaded Anne to refuse him.”
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The sounds were retreating, and Anne distinguished no more. Her own emotions
+still kept her fixed. She had much to recover from, before she could move. The
+listener’s proverbial fate was not absolutely hers; she had heard no evil
+of herself, but she had heard a great deal of very painful import. She saw how
+her own character was considered by Captain Wentworth, and there had been just
+that degree of feeling and curiosity about her in his manner which must give
+her extreme agitation.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+As soon as she could, she went after Mary, and having found, and walked back
+with her to their former station, by the stile, felt some comfort in their
+whole party being immediately afterwards collected, and once more in motion
+together. Her spirits wanted the solitude and silence which only numbers could
+give.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Charles and Henrietta returned, bringing, as may be conjectured, Charles Hayter
+with them. The minutiae of the business Anne could not attempt to understand;
+even Captain Wentworth did not seem admitted to perfect confidence here; but
+that there had been a withdrawing on the gentleman’s side, and a
+relenting on the lady’s, and that they were now very glad to be together
+again, did not admit a doubt. Henrietta looked a little ashamed, but very well
+pleased;—Charles Hayter exceedingly happy: and they were devoted to each
+other almost from the first instant of their all setting forward for
+Uppercross.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Everything now marked out Louisa for Captain Wentworth; nothing could be
+plainer; and where many divisions were necessary, or even where they were not,
+they walked side by side nearly as much as the other two. In a long strip of
+meadow land, where there was ample space for all, they were thus divided,
+forming three distinct parties; and to that party of the three which boasted
+least animation, and least complaisance, Anne necessarily belonged. She joined
+Charles and Mary, and was tired enough to be very glad of Charles’s other
+arm; but Charles, though in very good humour with her, was out of temper with
+his wife. Mary had shewn herself disobliging to him, and was now to reap the
+consequence, which consequence was his dropping her arm almost every moment to
+cut off the heads of some nettles in the hedge with his switch; and when Mary
+began to complain of it, and lament her being ill-used, according to custom, in
+being on the hedge side, while Anne was never incommoded on the other, he
+dropped the arms of both to hunt after a weasel which he had a momentary glance
+of, and they could hardly get him along at all.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+This long meadow bordered a lane, which their footpath, at the end of it was to
+cross, and when the party had all reached the gate of exit, the carriage
+advancing in the same direction, which had been some time heard, was just
+coming up, and proved to be Admiral Croft’s gig. He and his wife had
+taken their intended drive, and were returning home. Upon hearing how long a
+walk the young people had engaged in, they kindly offered a seat to any lady
+who might be particularly tired; it would save her a full mile, and they were
+going through Uppercross. The invitation was general, and generally declined.
+The Miss Musgroves were not at all tired, and Mary was either offended, by not
+being asked before any of the others, or what Louisa called the Elliot pride
+could not endure to make a third in a one horse chaise.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The walking party had crossed the lane, and were surmounting an opposite stile,
+and the Admiral was putting his horse in motion again, when Captain Wentworth
+cleared the hedge in a moment to say something to his sister. The something
+might be guessed by its effects.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+“Miss Elliot, I am sure <i>you</i> are tired,” cried Mrs Croft.
+“Do let us have the pleasure of taking you home. Here is excellent room
+for three, I assure you. If we were all like you, I believe we might sit four.
+You must, indeed, you must.”
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Anne was still in the lane; and though instinctively beginning to decline, she
+was not allowed to proceed. The Admiral’s kind urgency came in support of
+his wife’s; they would not be refused; they compressed themselves into
+the smallest possible space to leave her a corner, and Captain Wentworth,
+without saying a word, turned to her, and quietly obliged her to be assisted
+into the carriage.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Yes; he had done it. She was in the carriage, and felt that he had placed her
+there, that his will and his hands had done it, that she owed it to his
+perception of her fatigue, and his resolution to give her rest. She was very
+much affected by the view of his disposition towards her, which all these
+things made apparent. This little circumstance seemed the completion of all
+that had gone before. She understood him. He could not forgive her, but he
+could not be unfeeling. Though condemning her for the past, and considering it
+with high and unjust resentment, though perfectly careless of her, and though
+becoming attached to another, still he could not see her suffer, without the
+desire of giving her relief. It was a remainder of former sentiment; it was an
+impulse of pure, though unacknowledged friendship; it was a proof of his own
+warm and amiable heart, which she could not contemplate without emotions so
+compounded of pleasure and pain, that she knew not which prevailed.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Her answers to the kindness and the remarks of her companions were at first
+unconsciously given. They had travelled half their way along the rough lane,
+before she was quite awake to what they said. She then found them talking of
+“Frederick.”
+</p>
+
+<p>
+“He certainly means to have one or other of those two girls,
+Sophy,” said the Admiral; “but there is no saying which. He has
+been running after them, too, long enough, one would think, to make up his
+mind. Ay, this comes of the peace. If it were war now, he would have settled it
+long ago. We sailors, Miss Elliot, cannot afford to make long courtships in
+time of war. How many days was it, my dear, between the first time of my seeing
+you and our sitting down together in our lodgings at North Yarmouth?”
+</p>
+
+<p>
+“We had better not talk about it, my dear,” replied Mrs Croft,
+pleasantly; “for if Miss Elliot were to hear how soon we came to an
+understanding, she would never be persuaded that we could be happy together. I
+had known you by character, however, long before.”
+</p>
+
+<p>
+“Well, and I had heard of you as a very pretty girl, and what were we to
+wait for besides? I do not like having such things so long in hand. I wish
+Frederick would spread a little more canvass, and bring us home one of these
+young ladies to Kellynch. Then there would always be company for them. And very
+nice young ladies they both are; I hardly know one from the other.”
+</p>
+
+<p>
+“Very good humoured, unaffected girls, indeed,” said Mrs Croft, in
+a tone of calmer praise, such as made Anne suspect that her keener powers might
+not consider either of them as quite worthy of her brother; “and a very
+respectable family. One could not be connected with better people. My dear
+Admiral, that post! we shall certainly take that post.”
+</p>
+
+<p>
+But by coolly giving the reins a better direction herself they happily passed
+the danger; and by once afterwards judiciously putting out her hand they
+neither fell into a rut, nor ran foul of a dung-cart; and Anne, with some
+amusement at their style of driving, which she imagined no bad representation
+of the general guidance of their affairs, found herself safely deposited by
+them at the Cottage.
+</p>
+
+</div><!--end chapter-->
+
+<div class="chapter">
+
+<h2><a id="chap11"></a>CHAPTER XI.</h2>
+
+<p>
+The time now approached for Lady Russell’s return: the day was even
+fixed; and Anne, being engaged to join her as soon as she was resettled, was
+looking forward to an early removal to Kellynch, and beginning to think how her
+own comfort was likely to be affected by it.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+It would place her in the same village with Captain Wentworth, within half a
+mile of him; they would have to frequent the same church, and there must be
+intercourse between the two families. This was against her; but on the other
+hand, he spent so much of his time at Uppercross, that in removing thence she
+might be considered rather as leaving him behind, than as going towards him;
+and, upon the whole, she believed she must, on this interesting question, be
+the gainer, almost as certainly as in her change of domestic society, in
+leaving poor Mary for Lady Russell.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+She wished it might be possible for her to avoid ever seeing Captain Wentworth
+at the Hall: those rooms had witnessed former meetings which would be brought
+too painfully before her; but she was yet more anxious for the possibility of
+Lady Russell and Captain Wentworth never meeting anywhere. They did not like
+each other, and no renewal of acquaintance now could do any good; and were Lady
+Russell to see them together, she might think that he had too much
+self-possession, and she too little.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+These points formed her chief solicitude in anticipating her removal from
+Uppercross, where she felt she had been stationed quite long enough. Her
+usefulness to little Charles would always give some sweetness to the memory of
+her two months’ visit there, but he was gaining strength apace, and she
+had nothing else to stay for.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The conclusion of her visit, however, was diversified in a way which she had
+not at all imagined. Captain Wentworth, after being unseen and unheard of at
+Uppercross for two whole days, appeared again among them to justify himself by
+a relation of what had kept him away.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+A letter from his friend, Captain Harville, having found him out at last, had
+brought intelligence of Captain Harville’s being settled with his family
+at Lyme for the winter; of their being therefore, quite unknowingly, within
+twenty miles of each other. Captain Harville had never been in good health
+since a severe wound which he received two years before, and Captain
+Wentworth’s anxiety to see him had determined him to go immediately to
+Lyme. He had been there for four-and-twenty hours. His acquittal was complete,
+his friendship warmly honoured, a lively interest excited for his friend, and
+his description of the fine country about Lyme so feelingly attended to by the
+party, that an earnest desire to see Lyme themselves, and a project for going
+thither was the consequence.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The young people were all wild to see Lyme. Captain Wentworth talked of going
+there again himself, it was only seventeen miles from Uppercross; though
+November, the weather was by no means bad; and, in short, Louisa, who was the
+most eager of the eager, having formed the resolution to go, and besides the
+pleasure of doing as she liked, being now armed with the idea of merit in
+maintaining her own way, bore down all the wishes of her father and mother for
+putting it off till summer; and to Lyme they were to go—Charles, Mary,
+Anne, Henrietta, Louisa, and Captain Wentworth.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The first heedless scheme had been to go in the morning and return at night;
+but to this Mr Musgrove, for the sake of his horses, would not consent; and
+when it came to be rationally considered, a day in the middle of November would
+not leave much time for seeing a new place, after deducting seven hours, as the
+nature of the country required, for going and returning. They were,
+consequently, to stay the night there, and not to be expected back till the
+next day’s dinner. This was felt to be a considerable amendment; and
+though they all met at the Great House at rather an early breakfast hour, and
+set off very punctually, it was so much past noon before the two carriages, Mr
+Musgrove’s coach containing the four ladies, and Charles’s
+curricle, in which he drove Captain Wentworth, were descending the long hill
+into Lyme, and entering upon the still steeper street of the town itself, that
+it was very evident they would not have more than time for looking about them,
+before the light and warmth of the day were gone.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+After securing accommodations, and ordering a dinner at one of the inns, the
+next thing to be done was unquestionably to walk directly down to the sea. They
+were come too late in the year for any amusement or variety which Lyme, as a
+public place, might offer. The rooms were shut up, the lodgers almost all gone,
+scarcely any family but of the residents left; and, as there is nothing to
+admire in the buildings themselves, the remarkable situation of the town, the
+principal street almost hurrying into the water, the walk to the Cobb, skirting
+round the pleasant little bay, which, in the season, is animated with bathing
+machines and company; the Cobb itself, its old wonders and new improvements,
+with the very beautiful line of cliffs stretching out to the east of the town,
+are what the stranger’s eye will seek; and a very strange stranger it
+must be, who does not see charms in the immediate environs of Lyme, to make him
+wish to know it better. The scenes in its neighbourhood, Charmouth, with its
+high grounds and extensive sweeps of country, and still more, its sweet,
+retired bay, backed by dark cliffs, where fragments of low rock among the
+sands, make it the happiest spot for watching the flow of the tide, for sitting
+in unwearied contemplation; the woody varieties of the cheerful village of Up
+Lyme; and, above all, Pinny, with its green chasms between romantic rocks,
+where the scattered forest trees and orchards of luxuriant growth, declare that
+many a generation must have passed away since the first partial falling of the
+cliff prepared the ground for such a state, where a scene so wonderful and so
+lovely is exhibited, as may more than equal any of the resembling scenes of the
+far-famed Isle of Wight: these places must be visited, and visited again, to
+make the worth of Lyme understood.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The party from Uppercross passing down by the now deserted and melancholy
+looking rooms, and still descending, soon found themselves on the sea-shore;
+and lingering only, as all must linger and gaze on a first return to the sea,
+who ever deserved to look on it at all, proceeded towards the Cobb, equally
+their object in itself and on Captain Wentworth’s account: for in a small
+house, near the foot of an old pier of unknown date, were the Harvilles
+settled. Captain Wentworth turned in to call on his friend; the others walked
+on, and he was to join them on the Cobb.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+They were by no means tired of wondering and admiring; and not even Louisa
+seemed to feel that they had parted with Captain Wentworth long, when they saw
+him coming after them, with three companions, all well known already, by
+description, to be Captain and Mrs Harville, and a Captain Benwick, who was
+staying with them.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Captain Benwick had some time ago been first lieutenant of the Laconia; and the
+account which Captain Wentworth had given of him, on his return from Lyme
+before, his warm praise of him as an excellent young man and an officer, whom
+he had always valued highly, which must have stamped him well in the esteem of
+every listener, had been followed by a little history of his private life,
+which rendered him perfectly interesting in the eyes of all the ladies. He had
+been engaged to Captain Harville’s sister, and was now mourning her loss.
+They had been a year or two waiting for fortune and promotion. Fortune came,
+his prize-money as lieutenant being great; promotion, too, came at <i>last;</i>
+but Fanny Harville did not live to know it. She had died the preceding summer
+while he was at sea. Captain Wentworth believed it impossible for man to be
+more attached to woman than poor Benwick had been to Fanny Harville, or to be
+more deeply afflicted under the dreadful change. He considered his disposition
+as of the sort which must suffer heavily, uniting very strong feelings with
+quiet, serious, and retiring manners, and a decided taste for reading, and
+sedentary pursuits. To finish the interest of the story, the friendship between
+him and the Harvilles seemed, if possible, augmented by the event which closed
+all their views of alliance, and Captain Benwick was now living with them
+entirely. Captain Harville had taken his present house for half a year; his
+taste, and his health, and his fortune, all directing him to a residence
+inexpensive, and by the sea; and the grandeur of the country, and the
+retirement of Lyme in the winter, appeared exactly adapted to Captain
+Benwick’s state of mind. The sympathy and good-will excited towards
+Captain Benwick was very great.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+“And yet,” said Anne to herself, as they now moved forward to meet
+the party, “he has not, perhaps, a more sorrowing heart than I have. I
+cannot believe his prospects so blighted for ever. He is younger than I am;
+younger in feeling, if not in fact; younger as a man. He will rally again, and
+be happy with another.”
+</p>
+
+<p>
+They all met, and were introduced. Captain Harville was a tall, dark man, with
+a sensible, benevolent countenance; a little lame; and from strong features and
+want of health, looking much older than Captain Wentworth. Captain Benwick
+looked, and was, the youngest of the three, and, compared with either of them,
+a little man. He had a pleasing face and a melancholy air, just as he ought to
+have, and drew back from conversation.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Captain Harville, though not equalling Captain Wentworth in manners, was a
+perfect gentleman, unaffected, warm, and obliging. Mrs Harville, a degree less
+polished than her husband, seemed, however, to have the same good feelings; and
+nothing could be more pleasant than their desire of considering the whole party
+as friends of their own, because the friends of Captain Wentworth, or more
+kindly hospitable than their entreaties for their all promising to dine with
+them. The dinner, already ordered at the inn, was at last, though unwillingly,
+accepted as a excuse; but they seemed almost hurt that Captain Wentworth should
+have brought any such party to Lyme, without considering it as a thing of
+course that they should dine with them.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+There was so much attachment to Captain Wentworth in all this, and such a
+bewitching charm in a degree of hospitality so uncommon, so unlike the usual
+style of give-and-take invitations, and dinners of formality and display, that
+Anne felt her spirits not likely to be benefited by an increasing acquaintance
+among his brother-officers. “These would have been all my friends,”
+was her thought; and she had to struggle against a great tendency to lowness.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+On quitting the Cobb, they all went in-doors with their new friends, and found
+rooms so small as none but those who invite from the heart could think capable
+of accommodating so many. Anne had a moment’s astonishment on the subject
+herself; but it was soon lost in the pleasanter feelings which sprang from the
+sight of all the ingenious contrivances and nice arrangements of Captain
+Harville, to turn the actual space to the best account, to supply the
+deficiencies of lodging-house furniture, and defend the windows and doors
+against the winter storms to be expected. The varieties in the fitting-up of
+the rooms, where the common necessaries provided by the owner, in the common
+indifferent plight, were contrasted with some few articles of a rare species of
+wood, excellently worked up, and with something curious and valuable from all
+the distant countries Captain Harville had visited, were more than amusing to
+Anne; connected as it all was with his profession, the fruit of its labours,
+the effect of its influence on his habits, the picture of repose and domestic
+happiness it presented, made it to her a something more, or less, than
+gratification.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Captain Harville was no reader; but he had contrived excellent accommodations,
+and fashioned very pretty shelves, for a tolerable collection of well-bound
+volumes, the property of Captain Benwick. His lameness prevented him from
+taking much exercise; but a mind of usefulness and ingenuity seemed to furnish
+him with constant employment within. He drew, he varnished, he carpentered, he
+glued; he made toys for the children; he fashioned new netting-needles and pins
+with improvements; and if everything else was done, sat down to his large
+fishing-net at one corner of the room.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Anne thought she left great happiness behind her when they quitted the house;
+and Louisa, by whom she found herself walking, burst forth into raptures of
+admiration and delight on the character of the navy; their friendliness, their
+brotherliness, their openness, their uprightness; protesting that she was
+convinced of sailors having more worth and warmth than any other set of men in
+England; that they only knew how to live, and they only deserved to be
+respected and loved.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+They went back to dress and dine; and so well had the scheme answered already,
+that nothing was found amiss; though its being “so entirely out of
+season,” and the “no thoroughfare of Lyme,” and the “no
+expectation of company,” had brought many apologies from the heads of the
+inn.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Anne found herself by this time growing so much more hardened to being in
+Captain Wentworth’s company than she had at first imagined could ever be,
+that the sitting down to the same table with him now, and the interchange of
+the common civilities attending on it (they never got beyond), was become a
+mere nothing.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The nights were too dark for the ladies to meet again till the morrow, but
+Captain Harville had promised them a visit in the evening; and he came,
+bringing his friend also, which was more than had been expected, it having been
+agreed that Captain Benwick had all the appearance of being oppressed by the
+presence of so many strangers. He ventured among them again, however, though
+his spirits certainly did not seem fit for the mirth of the party in general.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+While Captains Wentworth and Harville led the talk on one side of the room, and
+by recurring to former days, supplied anecdotes in abundance to occupy and
+entertain the others, it fell to Anne’s lot to be placed rather apart
+with Captain Benwick; and a very good impulse of her nature obliged her to
+begin an acquaintance with him. He was shy, and disposed to abstraction; but
+the engaging mildness of her countenance, and gentleness of her manners, soon
+had their effect; and Anne was well repaid the first trouble of exertion. He
+was evidently a young man of considerable taste in reading, though principally
+in poetry; and besides the persuasion of having given him at least an
+evening’s indulgence in the discussion of subjects, which his usual
+companions had probably no concern in, she had the hope of being of real use to
+him in some suggestions as to the duty and benefit of struggling against
+affliction, which had naturally grown out of their conversation. For, though
+shy, he did not seem reserved; it had rather the appearance of feelings glad to
+burst their usual restraints; and having talked of poetry, the richness of the
+present age, and gone through a brief comparison of opinion as to the
+first-rate poets, trying to ascertain whether <i>Marmion</i> or <i>The Lady of
+the Lake</i> were to be preferred, and how ranked the <i>Giaour</i> and <i>The
+Bride of Abydos;</i> and moreover, how the <i>Giaour</i> was to be pronounced,
+he showed himself so intimately acquainted with all the tenderest songs of the
+one poet, and all the impassioned descriptions of hopeless agony of the other;
+he repeated, with such tremulous feeling, the various lines which imaged a
+broken heart, or a mind destroyed by wretchedness, and looked so entirely as if
+he meant to be understood, that she ventured to hope he did not always read
+only poetry, and to say, that she thought it was the misfortune of poetry to be
+seldom safely enjoyed by those who enjoyed it completely; and that the strong
+feelings which alone could estimate it truly were the very feelings which ought
+to taste it but sparingly.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+His looks shewing him not pained, but pleased with this allusion to his
+situation, she was emboldened to go on; and feeling in herself the right of
+seniority of mind, she ventured to recommend a larger allowance of prose in his
+daily study; and on being requested to particularize, mentioned such works of
+our best moralists, such collections of the finest letters, such memoirs of
+characters of worth and suffering, as occurred to her at the moment as
+calculated to rouse and fortify the mind by the highest precepts, and the
+strongest examples of moral and religious endurances.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Captain Benwick listened attentively, and seemed grateful for the interest
+implied; and though with a shake of the head, and sighs which declared his
+little faith in the efficacy of any books on grief like his, noted down the
+names of those she recommended, and promised to procure and read them.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+When the evening was over, Anne could not but be amused at the idea of her
+coming to Lyme to preach patience and resignation to a young man whom she had
+never seen before; nor could she help fearing, on more serious reflection,
+that, like many other great moralists and preachers, she had been eloquent on a
+point in which her own conduct would ill bear examination.
+</p>
+
+</div><!--end chapter-->
+
+<div class="chapter">
+
+<h2><a id="chap12"></a>CHAPTER XII.</h2>
+
+<p>
+Anne and Henrietta, finding themselves the earliest of the party the next
+morning, agreed to stroll down to the sea before breakfast. They went to the
+sands, to watch the flowing of the tide, which a fine south-easterly breeze was
+bringing in with all the grandeur which so flat a shore admitted. They praised
+the morning; gloried in the sea; sympathized in the delight of the
+fresh-feeling breeze—and were silent; till Henrietta suddenly began again
+with—
+</p>
+
+<p>
+“Oh! yes,—I am quite convinced that, with very few exceptions, the
+sea-air always does good. There can be no doubt of its having been of the
+greatest service to Dr Shirley, after his illness, last spring twelvemonth. He
+declares himself, that coming to Lyme for a month, did him more good than all
+the medicine he took; and that being by the sea always makes him feel young
+again. Now, I cannot help thinking it a pity that he does not live entirely by
+the sea. I do think he had better leave Uppercross entirely, and fix at Lyme.
+Do not you, Anne? Do not you agree with me, that it is the best thing he could
+do, both for himself and Mrs Shirley? She has cousins here, you know, and many
+acquaintance, which would make it cheerful for her, and I am sure she would be
+glad to get to a place where she could have medical attendance at hand, in case
+of his having another seizure. Indeed I think it quite melancholy to have such
+excellent people as Dr and Mrs Shirley, who have been doing good all their
+lives, wearing out their last days in a place like Uppercross, where, excepting
+our family, they seem shut out from all the world. I wish his friends would
+propose it to him. I really think they ought. And, as to procuring a
+dispensation, there could be no difficulty at his time of life, and with his
+character. My only doubt is, whether anything could persuade him to leave his
+parish. He is so very strict and scrupulous in his notions; over-scrupulous I
+must say. Do not you think, Anne, it is being over-scrupulous? Do not you think
+it is quite a mistaken point of conscience, when a clergyman sacrifices his
+health for the sake of duties, which may be just as well performed by another
+person? And at Lyme too, only seventeen miles off, he would be near enough to
+hear, if people thought there was anything to complain of.”
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Anne smiled more than once to herself during this speech, and entered into the
+subject, as ready to do good by entering into the feelings of a young lady as
+of a young man, though here it was good of a lower standard, for what could be
+offered but general acquiescence? She said all that was reasonable and proper
+on the business; felt the claims of Dr Shirley to repose as she ought; saw how
+very desirable it was that he should have some active, respectable young man
+as a resident curate, and was even courteous enough to hint at the advantage of
+such resident curate’s being married.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+“I wish,” said Henrietta, very well pleased with her companion,
+“I wish Lady Russell lived at Uppercross, and were intimate with Dr
+Shirley. I have always heard of Lady Russell as a woman of the greatest
+influence with everybody! I always look upon her as able to persuade a person
+to anything! I am afraid of her, as I have told you before, quite afraid of
+her, because she is so very clever; but I respect her amazingly, and wish we
+had such a neighbour at Uppercross.”
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Anne was amused by Henrietta’s manner of being grateful, and amused also
+that the course of events and the new interests of Henrietta’s views
+should have placed her friend at all in favour with any of the Musgrove family;
+she had only time, however, for a general answer, and a wish that such another
+woman were at Uppercross, before all subjects suddenly ceased, on seeing Louisa
+and Captain Wentworth coming towards them. They came also for a stroll till
+breakfast was likely to be ready; but Louisa recollecting immediately
+afterwards that she had something to procure at a shop, invited them all to go
+back with her into the town. They were all at her disposal.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+When they came to the steps, leading upwards from the beach, a gentleman, at
+the same moment preparing to come down, politely drew back, and stopped to give
+them way. They ascended and passed him; and as they passed, Anne’s face
+caught his eye, and he looked at her with a degree of earnest admiration, which
+she could not be insensible of. She was looking remarkably well; her very
+regular, very pretty features, having the bloom and freshness of youth restored
+by the fine wind which had been blowing on her complexion, and by the animation
+of eye which it had also produced. It was evident that the gentleman,
+(completely a gentleman in manner) admired her exceedingly. Captain Wentworth
+looked round at her instantly in a way which shewed his noticing of it. He gave
+her a momentary glance, a glance of brightness, which seemed to say,
+“That man is struck with you, and even I, at this moment, see something
+like Anne Elliot again.”
+</p>
+
+<p>
+After attending Louisa through her business, and loitering about a little
+longer, they returned to the inn; and Anne, in passing afterwards quickly from
+her own chamber to their dining-room, had nearly run against the very same
+gentleman, as he came out of an adjoining apartment. She had before conjectured
+him to be a stranger like themselves, and determined that a well-looking groom,
+who was strolling about near the two inns as they came back, should be his
+servant. Both master and man being in mourning assisted the idea. It was now
+proved that he belonged to the same inn as themselves; and this second meeting,
+short as it was, also proved again by the gentleman’s looks, that he
+thought hers very lovely, and by the readiness and propriety of his apologies,
+that he was a man of exceedingly good manners. He seemed about thirty, and
+though not handsome, had an agreeable person. Anne felt that she should like to
+know who he was.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+They had nearly done breakfast, when the sound of a carriage, (almost the first
+they had heard since entering Lyme) drew half the party to the window. It was a
+gentleman’s carriage, a curricle, but only coming round from the
+stable-yard to the front door; somebody must be going away. It was driven by a
+servant in mourning.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The word curricle made Charles Musgrove jump up that he might compare it with
+his own; the servant in mourning roused Anne’s curiosity, and the whole
+six were collected to look, by the time the owner of the curricle was to be
+seen issuing from the door amidst the bows and civilities of the household, and
+taking his seat, to drive off.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+“Ah!” cried Captain Wentworth, instantly, and with half a glance at
+Anne, “it is the very man we passed.”
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The Miss Musgroves agreed to it; and having all kindly watched him as far up
+the hill as they could, they returned to the breakfast table. The waiter came
+into the room soon afterwards.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+“Pray,” said Captain Wentworth, immediately, “can you tell us
+the name of the gentleman who is just gone away?”
+</p>
+
+<p>
+“Yes, Sir, a Mr Elliot, a gentleman of large fortune, came in last night
+from Sidmouth. Dare say you heard the carriage, sir, while you were at dinner;
+and going on now for Crewkherne, in his way to Bath and London.”
+</p>
+
+<p>
+“Elliot!” Many had looked on each other, and many had repeated the
+name, before all this had been got through, even by the smart rapidity of a
+waiter.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+“Bless me!” cried Mary; “it must be our cousin; it must be
+our Mr Elliot, it must, indeed! Charles, Anne, must not it? In mourning, you
+see, just as our Mr Elliot must be. How very extraordinary! In the very same
+inn with us! Anne, must not it be our Mr Elliot? my father’s next heir?
+Pray sir,” turning to the waiter, “did not you hear, did not his
+servant say whether he belonged to the Kellynch family?”
+</p>
+
+<p>
+“No, ma’am, he did not mention no particular family; but he said
+his master was a very rich gentleman, and would be a baronight some day.”
+</p>
+
+<p>
+“There! you see!” cried Mary in an ecstasy, “just as I said!
+Heir to Sir Walter Elliot! I was sure that would come out, if it was so. Depend
+upon it, that is a circumstance which his servants take care to publish,
+wherever he goes. But, Anne, only conceive how extraordinary! I wish I had
+looked at him more. I wish we had been aware in time, who it was, that he might
+have been introduced to us. What a pity that we should not have been introduced
+to each other! Do you think he had the Elliot countenance? I hardly looked at
+him, I was looking at the horses; but I think he had something of the Elliot
+countenance, I wonder the arms did not strike me! Oh! the great-coat was
+hanging over the panel, and hid the arms, so it did; otherwise, I am sure, I
+should have observed them, and the livery too; if the servant had not been in
+mourning, one should have known him by the livery.”
+</p>
+
+<p>
+“Putting all these very extraordinary circumstances together,” said
+Captain Wentworth, “we must consider it to be the arrangement of
+Providence, that you should not be introduced to your cousin.”
+</p>
+
+<p>
+When she could command Mary’s attention, Anne quietly tried to convince
+her that their father and Mr Elliot had not, for many years, been on such terms
+as to make the power of attempting an introduction at all desirable.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+At the same time, however, it was a secret gratification to herself to have
+seen her cousin, and to know that the future owner of Kellynch was undoubtedly
+a gentleman, and had an air of good sense. She would not, upon any account,
+mention her having met with him the second time; luckily Mary did not much
+attend to their having passed close by him in their earlier walk, but she would
+have felt quite ill-used by Anne’s having actually run against him in the
+passage, and received his very polite excuses, while she had never been near
+him at all; no, that cousinly little interview must remain a perfect secret.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+“Of course,” said Mary, “you will mention our seeing Mr
+Elliot, the next time you write to Bath. I think my father certainly ought to
+hear of it; do mention all about him.”
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Anne avoided a direct reply, but it was just the circumstance which she
+considered as not merely unnecessary to be communicated, but as what ought to
+be suppressed. The offence which had been given her father, many years back,
+she knew; Elizabeth’s particular share in it she suspected; and that Mr
+Elliot’s idea always produced irritation in both was beyond a doubt. Mary
+never wrote to Bath herself; all the toil of keeping up a slow and
+unsatisfactory correspondence with Elizabeth fell on Anne.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Breakfast had not been long over, when they were joined by Captain and Mrs
+Harville and Captain Benwick; with whom they had appointed to take their last
+walk about Lyme. They ought to be setting off for Uppercross by one, and in the
+meanwhile were to be all together, and out of doors as long as they could.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Anne found Captain Benwick getting near her, as soon as they were all fairly in
+the street. Their conversation the preceding evening did not disincline him to
+seek her again; and they walked together some time, talking as before of Mr
+Scott and Lord Byron, and still as unable as before, and as unable as any other
+two readers, to think exactly alike of the merits of either, till something
+occasioned an almost general change amongst their party, and instead of Captain
+Benwick, she had Captain Harville by her side.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+“Miss Elliot,” said he, speaking rather low, “you have done a
+good deed in making that poor fellow talk so much. I wish he could have such
+company oftener. It is bad for him, I know, to be shut up as he is; but what
+can we do? We cannot part.”
+</p>
+
+<p>
+“No,” said Anne, “that I can easily believe to be impossible;
+but in time, perhaps—we know what time does in every case of affliction,
+and you must remember, Captain Harville, that your friend may yet be called a
+young mourner—only last summer, I understand.”
+</p>
+
+<p>
+“Ay, true enough,” (with a deep sigh) “only June.”
+</p>
+
+<p>
+“And not known to him, perhaps, so soon.”
+</p>
+
+<p>
+“Not till the first week of August, when he came home from the Cape, just
+made into the Grappler. I was at Plymouth dreading to hear of him; he sent in
+letters, but the Grappler was under orders for Portsmouth. There the news must
+follow him, but who was to tell it? not I. I would as soon have been run up to
+the yard-arm. Nobody could do it, but that good fellow” (pointing to
+Captain Wentworth). “The Laconia had come into Plymouth the week before;
+no danger of her being sent to sea again. He stood his chance for the rest;
+wrote up for leave of absence, but without waiting the return, travelled night
+and day till he got to Portsmouth, rowed off to the Grappler that instant, and
+never left the poor fellow for a week. That’s what he did, and nobody
+else could have saved poor James. You may think, Miss Elliot, whether he is
+dear to us!”
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Anne did think on the question with perfect decision, and said as much in reply
+as her own feeling could accomplish, or as his seemed able to bear, for he was
+too much affected to renew the subject, and when he spoke again, it was of
+something totally different.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Mrs Harville’s giving it as her opinion that her husband would have quite
+walking enough by the time he reached home, determined the direction of all the
+party in what was to be their last walk; they would accompany them to their
+door, and then return and set off themselves. By all their calculations there
+was just time for this; but as they drew near the Cobb, there was such a
+general wish to walk along it once more, all were so inclined, and Louisa soon
+grew so determined, that the difference of a quarter of an hour, it was found,
+would be no difference at all; so with all the kind leave-taking, and all the
+kind interchange of invitations and promises which may be imagined, they parted
+from Captain and Mrs Harville at their own door, and still accompanied by
+Captain Benwick, who seemed to cling to them to the last, proceeded to make the
+proper adieus to the Cobb.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Anne found Captain Benwick again drawing near her. Lord Byron’s
+“dark blue seas” could not fail of being brought forward by their
+present view, and she gladly gave him all her attention as long as attention
+was possible. It was soon drawn, perforce another way.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+There was too much wind to make the high part of the new Cobb pleasant for the
+ladies, and they agreed to get down the steps to the lower, and all were
+contented to pass quietly and carefully down the steep flight, excepting
+Louisa; she must be jumped down them by Captain Wentworth. In all their walks,
+he had had to jump her from the stiles; the sensation was delightful to her.
+The hardness of the pavement for her feet, made him less willing upon the
+present occasion; he did it, however. She was safely down, and instantly, to
+show her enjoyment, ran up the steps to be jumped down again. He advised her
+against it, thought the jar too great; but no, he reasoned and talked in vain,
+she smiled and said, “I am determined I will:” he put out his
+hands; she was too precipitate by half a second, she fell on the pavement on
+the Lower Cobb, and was taken up lifeless! There was no wound, no blood, no
+visible bruise; but her eyes were closed, she breathed not, her face was like
+death. The horror of the moment to all who stood around!
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Captain Wentworth, who had caught her up, knelt with her in his arms, looking
+on her with a face as pallid as her own, in an agony of silence. “She is
+dead! she is dead!” screamed Mary, catching hold of her husband, and
+contributing with his own horror to make him immoveable; and in another moment,
+Henrietta, sinking under the conviction, lost her senses too, and would have
+fallen on the steps, but for Captain Benwick and Anne, who caught and supported
+her between them.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+“Is there no one to help me?” were the first words which burst from
+Captain Wentworth, in a tone of despair, and as if all his own strength were
+gone.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+“Go to him, go to him,” cried Anne, “for heaven’s sake
+go to him. I can support her myself. Leave me, and go to him. Rub her hands,
+rub her temples; here are salts; take them, take them.”
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Captain Benwick obeyed, and Charles at the same moment, disengaging himself
+from his wife, they were both with him; and Louisa was raised up and supported
+more firmly between them, and everything was done that Anne had prompted, but
+in vain; while Captain Wentworth, staggering against the wall for his support,
+exclaimed in the bitterest agony—
+</p>
+
+<p>
+“Oh God! her father and mother!”
+</p>
+
+<p>
+“A surgeon!” said Anne.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+He caught the word; it seemed to rouse him at once, and saying
+only—“True, true, a surgeon this instant,” was darting away,
+when Anne eagerly suggested—
+</p>
+
+<p>
+“Captain Benwick, would not it be better for Captain Benwick? He knows
+where a surgeon is to be found.”
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Every one capable of thinking felt the advantage of the idea, and in a moment
+(it was all done in rapid moments) Captain Benwick had resigned the poor
+corpse-like figure entirely to the brother’s care, and was off for the
+town with the utmost rapidity.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+As to the wretched party left behind, it could scarcely be said which of the
+three, who were completely rational, was suffering most: Captain Wentworth,
+Anne, or Charles, who, really a very affectionate brother, hung over Louisa
+with sobs of grief, and could only turn his eyes from one sister, to see the
+other in a state as insensible, or to witness the hysterical agitations of his
+wife, calling on him for help which he could not give.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Anne, attending with all the strength and zeal, and thought, which instinct
+supplied, to Henrietta, still tried, at intervals, to suggest comfort to the
+others, tried to quiet Mary, to animate Charles, to assuage the feelings of
+Captain Wentworth. Both seemed to look to her for directions.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+“Anne, Anne,” cried Charles, “What is to be done next? What,
+in heaven’s name, is to be done next?”
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Captain Wentworth’s eyes were also turned towards her.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+“Had not she better be carried to the inn? Yes, I am sure: carry her
+gently to the inn.”
+</p>
+
+<p>
+“Yes, yes, to the inn,” repeated Captain Wentworth, comparatively
+collected, and eager to be doing something. “I will carry her myself.
+Musgrove, take care of the others.”
+</p>
+
+<p>
+By this time the report of the accident had spread among the workmen and
+boatmen about the Cobb, and many were collected near them, to be useful if
+wanted, at any rate, to enjoy the sight of a dead young lady, nay, two dead
+young ladies, for it proved twice as fine as the first report. To some of the
+best-looking of these good people Henrietta was consigned, for, though
+partially revived, she was quite helpless; and in this manner, Anne walking by
+her side, and Charles attending to his wife, they set forward, treading back
+with feelings unutterable, the ground, which so lately, so very lately, and so
+light of heart, they had passed along.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+They were not off the Cobb, before the Harvilles met them. Captain Benwick had
+been seen flying by their house, with a countenance which showed something to
+be wrong; and they had set off immediately, informed and directed as they
+passed, towards the spot. Shocked as Captain Harville was, he brought senses
+and nerves that could be instantly useful; and a look between him and his wife
+decided what was to be done. She must be taken to their house; all must go to
+their house; and await the surgeon’s arrival there. They would not listen
+to scruples: he was obeyed; they were all beneath his roof; and while Louisa,
+under Mrs Harville’s direction, was conveyed up stairs, and given
+possession of her own bed, assistance, cordials, restoratives were supplied by
+her husband to all who needed them.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Louisa had once opened her eyes, but soon closed them again, without apparent
+consciousness. This had been a proof of life, however, of service to her
+sister; and Henrietta, though perfectly incapable of being in the same room
+with Louisa, was kept, by the agitation of hope and fear, from a return of her
+own insensibility. Mary, too, was growing calmer.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The surgeon was with them almost before it had seemed possible. They were sick
+with horror, while he examined; but he was not hopeless. The head had received
+a severe contusion, but he had seen greater injuries recovered from: he was by
+no means hopeless; he spoke cheerfully.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+That he did not regard it as a desperate case, that he did not say a few hours
+must end it, was at first felt, beyond the hope of most; and the ecstasy of
+such a reprieve, the rejoicing, deep and silent, after a few fervent
+ejaculations of gratitude to Heaven had been offered, may be conceived.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The tone, the look, with which “Thank God!” was uttered by Captain
+Wentworth, Anne was sure could never be forgotten by her; nor the sight of him
+afterwards, as he sat near a table, leaning over it with folded arms and face
+concealed, as if overpowered by the various feelings of his soul, and trying by
+prayer and reflection to calm them.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Louisa’s limbs had escaped. There was no injury but to the head.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+It now became necessary for the party to consider what was best to be done, as
+to their general situation. They were now able to speak to each other and
+consult. That Louisa must remain where she was, however distressing to her
+friends to be involving the Harvilles in such trouble, did not admit a doubt.
+Her removal was impossible. The Harvilles silenced all scruples; and, as much
+as they could, all gratitude. They had looked forward and arranged everything
+before the others began to reflect. Captain Benwick must give up his room to
+them, and get another bed elsewhere; and the whole was settled. They were only
+concerned that the house could accommodate no more; and yet perhaps, by
+“putting the children away in the maid’s room, or swinging a cot
+somewhere,” they could hardly bear to think of not finding room for two
+or three besides, supposing they might wish to stay; though, with regard to any
+attendance on Miss Musgrove, there need not be the least uneasiness in leaving
+her to Mrs Harville’s care entirely. Mrs Harville was a very experienced
+nurse, and her nursery-maid, who had lived with her long, and gone about with
+her everywhere, was just such another. Between these two, she could want no
+possible attendance by day or night. And all this was said with a truth and
+sincerity of feeling irresistible.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Charles, Henrietta, and Captain Wentworth were the three in consultation, and
+for a little while it was only an interchange of perplexity and terror.
+“Uppercross, the necessity of some one’s going to Uppercross; the
+news to be conveyed; how it could be broken to Mr and Mrs Musgrove; the
+lateness of the morning; an hour already gone since they ought to have been
+off; the impossibility of being in tolerable time.” At first, they were
+capable of nothing more to the purpose than such exclamations; but, after a
+while, Captain Wentworth, exerting himself, said—
+</p>
+
+<p>
+“We must be decided, and without the loss of another minute. Every minute
+is valuable. Some one must resolve on being off for Uppercross instantly.
+Musgrove, either you or I must go.”
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Charles agreed, but declared his resolution of not going away. He would be as
+little incumbrance as possible to Captain and Mrs Harville; but as to leaving
+his sister in such a state, he neither ought, nor would. So far it was decided;
+and Henrietta at first declared the same. She, however, was soon persuaded to
+think differently. The usefulness of her staying! She who had not been able to
+remain in Louisa’s room, or to look at her, without sufferings which made
+her worse than helpless! She was forced to acknowledge that she could do no
+good, yet was still unwilling to be away, till, touched by the thought of her
+father and mother, she gave it up; she consented, she was anxious to be at
+home.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The plan had reached this point, when Anne, coming quietly down from
+Louisa’s room, could not but hear what followed, for the parlour door was
+open.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+“Then it is settled, Musgrove,” cried Captain Wentworth,
+“that you stay, and that I take care of your sister home. But as to the
+rest, as to the others, if one stays to assist Mrs Harville, I think it need be
+only one. Mrs Charles Musgrove will, of course, wish to get back to her
+children; but if Anne will stay, no one so proper, so capable as Anne.”
+</p>
+
+<p>
+She paused a moment to recover from the emotion of hearing herself so spoken
+of. The other two warmly agreed with what he said, and she then appeared.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+“You will stay, I am sure; you will stay and nurse her;” cried he,
+turning to her and speaking with a glow, and yet a gentleness, which seemed
+almost restoring the past. She coloured deeply, and he recollected himself and
+moved away. She expressed herself most willing, ready, happy to remain.
+“It was what she had been thinking of, and wishing to be allowed to do. A
+bed on the floor in Louisa’s room would be sufficient for her, if Mrs
+Harville would but think so.”
+</p>
+
+<p>
+One thing more, and all seemed arranged. Though it was rather desirable that Mr
+and Mrs Musgrove should be previously alarmed by some share of delay; yet the
+time required by the Uppercross horses to take them back, would be a dreadful
+extension of suspense; and Captain Wentworth proposed, and Charles Musgrove
+agreed, that it would be much better for him to take a chaise from the inn, and
+leave Mr Musgrove’s carriage and horses to be sent home the next morning
+early, when there would be the farther advantage of sending an account of
+Louisa’s night.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Captain Wentworth now hurried off to get everything ready on his part, and to
+be soon followed by the two ladies. When the plan was made known to Mary,
+however, there was an end of all peace in it. She was so wretched and so
+vehement, complained so much of injustice in being expected to go away instead
+of Anne; Anne, who was nothing to Louisa, while she was her sister, and had the
+best right to stay in Henrietta’s stead! Why was not she to be as useful
+as Anne? And to go home without Charles, too, without her husband! No, it was
+too unkind. And in short, she said more than her husband could long withstand,
+and as none of the others could oppose when he gave way, there was no help for
+it; the change of Mary for Anne was inevitable.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Anne had never submitted more reluctantly to the jealous and ill-judging claims
+of Mary; but so it must be, and they set off for the town, Charles taking care
+of his sister, and Captain Benwick attending to her. She gave a moment’s
+recollection, as they hurried along, to the little circumstances which the same
+spots had witnessed earlier in the morning. There she had listened to
+Henrietta’s schemes for Dr Shirley’s leaving Uppercross; farther
+on, she had first seen Mr Elliot; a moment seemed all that could now be given
+to any one but Louisa, or those who were wrapped up in her welfare.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Captain Benwick was most considerately attentive to her; and, united as they
+all seemed by the distress of the day, she felt an increasing degree of
+good-will towards him, and a pleasure even in thinking that it might, perhaps,
+be the occasion of continuing their acquaintance.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Captain Wentworth was on the watch for them, and a chaise and four in waiting,
+stationed for their convenience in the lowest part of the street; but his
+evident surprise and vexation at the substitution of one sister for the other,
+the change in his countenance, the astonishment, the expressions begun and
+suppressed, with which Charles was listened to, made but a mortifying reception
+of Anne; or must at least convince her that she was valued only as she could be
+useful to Louisa.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+She endeavoured to be composed, and to be just. Without emulating the feelings
+of an Emma towards her Henry, she would have attended on Louisa with a zeal
+above the common claims of regard, for his sake; and she hoped he would not
+long be so unjust as to suppose she would shrink unnecessarily from the office
+of a friend.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+In the meanwhile she was in the carriage. He had handed them both in, and
+placed himself between them; and in this manner, under these circumstances,
+full of astonishment and emotion to Anne, she quitted Lyme. How the long stage
+would pass; how it was to affect their manners; what was to be their sort of
+intercourse, she could not foresee. It was all quite natural, however. He was
+devoted to Henrietta; always turning towards her; and when he spoke at all,
+always with the view of supporting her hopes and raising her spirits. In
+general, his voice and manner were studiously calm. To spare Henrietta from
+agitation seemed the governing principle. Once only, when she had been grieving
+over the last ill-judged, ill-fated walk to the Cobb, bitterly lamenting that
+it ever had been thought of, he burst forth, as if wholly overcome—
+</p>
+
+<p>
+“Don’t talk of it, don’t talk of it,” he cried.
+“Oh God! that I had not given way to her at the fatal moment! Had I done
+as I ought! But so eager and so resolute! Dear, sweet Louisa!”
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Anne wondered whether it ever occurred to him now, to question the justness of
+his own previous opinion as to the universal felicity and advantage of firmness
+of character; and whether it might not strike him that, like all other
+qualities of the mind, it should have its proportions and limits. She thought
+it could scarcely escape him to feel that a persuadable temper might sometimes
+be as much in favour of happiness as a very resolute character.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+They got on fast. Anne was astonished to recognise the same hills and the same
+objects so soon. Their actual speed, heightened by some dread of the
+conclusion, made the road appear but half as long as on the day before. It was
+growing quite dusk, however, before they were in the neighbourhood of
+Uppercross, and there had been total silence among them for some time,
+Henrietta leaning back in the corner, with a shawl over her face, giving the
+hope of her having cried herself to sleep; when, as they were going up their
+last hill, Anne found herself all at once addressed by Captain Wentworth. In a
+low, cautious voice, he said:—
+</p>
+
+<p>
+“I have been considering what we had best do. She must not appear at
+first. She could not stand it. I have been thinking whether you had not better
+remain in the carriage with her, while I go in and break it to Mr and Mrs
+Musgrove. Do you think this is a good plan?”
+</p>
+
+<p>
+She did: he was satisfied, and said no more. But the remembrance of the appeal
+remained a pleasure to her, as a proof of friendship, and of deference for her
+judgement, a great pleasure; and when it became a sort of parting proof, its
+value did not lessen.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+When the distressing communication at Uppercross was over, and he had seen the
+father and mother quite as composed as could be hoped, and the daughter all the
+better for being with them, he announced his intention of returning in the same
+carriage to Lyme; and when the horses were baited, he was off.
+</p>
+
+<p class="center">
+(End of volume one.)
+</p>
+
+</div><!--end chapter-->
+
+<div class="chapter">
+
+<h2><a id="chap13"></a>CHAPTER XIII.</h2>
+
+<p>
+The remainder of Anne’s time at Uppercross, comprehending only two days,
+was spent entirely at the Mansion House; and she had the satisfaction of
+knowing herself extremely useful there, both as an immediate companion, and as
+assisting in all those arrangements for the future, which, in Mr and Mrs
+Musgrove’s distressed state of spirits, would have been difficulties.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+They had an early account from Lyme the next morning. Louisa was much the same.
+No symptoms worse than before had appeared. Charles came a few hours
+afterwards, to bring a later and more particular account. He was tolerably
+cheerful. A speedy cure must not be hoped, but everything was going on as well
+as the nature of the case admitted. In speaking of the Harvilles, he seemed
+unable to satisfy his own sense of their kindness, especially of Mrs
+Harville’s exertions as a nurse. “She really left nothing for Mary
+to do. He and Mary had been persuaded to go early to their inn last night. Mary
+had been hysterical again this morning. When he came away, she was going to
+walk out with Captain Benwick, which, he hoped, would do her good. He almost
+wished she had been prevailed on to come home the day before; but the truth
+was, that Mrs Harville left nothing for anybody to do.”
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Charles was to return to Lyme the same afternoon, and his father had at first
+half a mind to go with him, but the ladies could not consent. It would be going
+only to multiply trouble to the others, and increase his own distress; and a
+much better scheme followed and was acted upon. A chaise was sent for from
+Crewkherne, and Charles conveyed back a far more useful person in the old
+nursery-maid of the family, one who having brought up all the children, and
+seen the very last, the lingering and long-petted Master Harry, sent to school
+after his brothers, was now living in her deserted nursery to mend stockings
+and dress all the blains and bruises she could get near her, and who,
+consequently, was only too happy in being allowed to go and help nurse dear
+Miss Louisa. Vague wishes of getting Sarah thither, had occurred before to Mrs
+Musgrove and Henrietta; but without Anne, it would hardly have been resolved
+on, and found practicable so soon.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+They were indebted, the next day, to Charles Hayter, for all the minute
+knowledge of Louisa, which it was so essential to obtain every twenty-four
+hours. He made it his business to go to Lyme, and his account was still
+encouraging. The intervals of sense and consciousness were believed to be
+stronger. Every report agreed in Captain Wentworth’s appearing fixed in
+Lyme.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Anne was to leave them on the morrow, an event which they all dreaded.
+“What should they do without her? They were wretched comforters for one
+another.” And so much was said in this way, that Anne thought she could
+not do better than impart among them the general inclination to which she was
+privy, and persuaded them all to go to Lyme at once. She had little difficulty;
+it was soon determined that they would go; go to-morrow, fix themselves at the
+inn, or get into lodgings, as it suited, and there remain till dear Louisa
+could be moved. They must be taking off some trouble from the good people she
+was with; they might at least relieve Mrs Harville from the care of her own
+children; and in short, they were so happy in the decision, that Anne was
+delighted with what she had done, and felt that she could not spend her last
+morning at Uppercross better than in assisting their preparations, and sending
+them off at an early hour, though her being left to the solitary range of the
+house was the consequence.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+She was the last, excepting the little boys at the cottage, she was the very
+last, the only remaining one of all that had filled and animated both houses,
+of all that had given Uppercross its cheerful character. A few days had made a
+change indeed!
+</p>
+
+<p>
+If Louisa recovered, it would all be well again. More than former happiness
+would be restored. There could not be a doubt, to her mind there was none, of
+what would follow her recovery. A few months hence, and the room now so
+deserted, occupied but by her silent, pensive self, might be filled again with
+all that was happy and gay, all that was glowing and bright in prosperous love,
+all that was most unlike Anne Elliot!
+</p>
+
+<p>
+An hour’s complete leisure for such reflections as these, on a dark
+November day, a small thick rain almost blotting out the very few objects ever
+to be discerned from the windows, was enough to make the sound of Lady
+Russell’s carriage exceedingly welcome; and yet, though desirous to be
+gone, she could not quit the Mansion House, or look an adieu to the Cottage,
+with its black, dripping and comfortless veranda, or even notice through the
+misty glasses the last humble tenements of the village, without a saddened
+heart. Scenes had passed in Uppercross which made it precious. It stood the
+record of many sensations of pain, once severe, but now softened; and of some
+instances of relenting feeling, some breathings of friendship and
+reconciliation, which could never be looked for again, and which could never
+cease to be dear. She left it all behind her, all but the recollection that
+such things had been.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Anne had never entered Kellynch since her quitting Lady Russell’s house
+in September. It had not been necessary, and the few occasions of its being
+possible for her to go to the Hall she had contrived to evade and escape from.
+Her first return was to resume her place in the modern and elegant apartments
+of the Lodge, and to gladden the eyes of its mistress.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+There was some anxiety mixed with Lady Russell’s joy in meeting her. She
+knew who had been frequenting Uppercross. But happily, either Anne was improved
+in plumpness and looks, or Lady Russell fancied her so; and Anne, in receiving
+her compliments on the occasion, had the amusement of connecting them with the
+silent admiration of her cousin, and of hoping that she was to be blessed with
+a second spring of youth and beauty.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+When they came to converse, she was soon sensible of some mental change. The
+subjects of which her heart had been full on leaving Kellynch, and which she
+had felt slighted, and been compelled to smother among the Musgroves, were now
+become but of secondary interest. She had lately lost sight even of her father
+and sister and Bath. Their concerns had been sunk under those of Uppercross;
+and when Lady Russell reverted to their former hopes and fears, and spoke her
+satisfaction in the house in Camden Place, which had been taken, and her regret
+that Mrs Clay should still be with them, Anne would have been ashamed to have
+it known how much more she was thinking of Lyme and Louisa Musgrove, and all
+her acquaintance there; how much more interesting to her was the home and the
+friendship of the Harvilles and Captain Benwick, than her own father’s
+house in Camden Place, or her own sister’s intimacy with Mrs Clay. She
+was actually forced to exert herself to meet Lady Russell with anything like
+the appearance of equal solicitude, on topics which had by nature the first
+claim on her.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+There was a little awkwardness at first in their discourse on another subject.
+They must speak of the accident at Lyme. Lady Russell had not been arrived five
+minutes the day before, when a full account of the whole had burst on her; but
+still it must be talked of, she must make enquiries, she must regret the
+imprudence, lament the result, and Captain Wentworth’s name must be
+mentioned by both. Anne was conscious of not doing it so well as Lady Russell.
+She could not speak the name, and look straight forward to Lady Russell’s
+eye, till she had adopted the expedient of telling her briefly what she thought
+of the attachment between him and Louisa. When this was told, his name
+distressed her no longer.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Lady Russell had only to listen composedly, and wish them happy, but internally
+her heart revelled in angry pleasure, in pleased contempt, that the man who at
+twenty-three had seemed to understand somewhat of the value of an Anne Elliot,
+should, eight years afterwards, be charmed by a Louisa Musgrove.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The first three or four days passed most quietly, with no circumstance to mark
+them excepting the receipt of a note or two from Lyme, which found their way to
+Anne, she could not tell how, and brought a rather improving account of Louisa.
+At the end of that period, Lady Russell’s politeness could repose no
+longer, and the fainter self-threatenings of the past became in a decided tone,
+“I must call on Mrs Croft; I really must call upon her soon. Anne, have
+you courage to go with me, and pay a visit in that house? It will be some trial
+to us both.”
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Anne did not shrink from it; on the contrary, she truly felt as she said, in
+observing—
+</p>
+
+<p>
+“I think you are very likely to suffer the most of the two; your feelings
+are less reconciled to the change than mine. By remaining in the neighbourhood,
+I am become inured to it.”
+</p>
+
+<p>
+She could have said more on the subject; for she had in fact so high an opinion
+of the Crofts, and considered her father so very fortunate in his tenants, felt
+the parish to be so sure of a good example, and the poor of the best attention
+and relief, that however sorry and ashamed for the necessity of the removal,
+she could not but in conscience feel that they were gone who deserved not to
+stay, and that Kellynch Hall had passed into better hands than its
+owners’. These convictions must unquestionably have their own pain, and
+severe was its kind; but they precluded that pain which Lady Russell would
+suffer in entering the house again, and returning through the well-known
+apartments.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+In such moments Anne had no power of saying to herself, “These rooms
+ought to belong only to us. Oh, how fallen in their destination! How unworthily
+occupied! An ancient family to be so driven away! Strangers filling their
+place!” No, except when she thought of her mother, and remembered where
+she had been used to sit and preside, she had no sigh of that description to
+heave.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Mrs Croft always met her with a kindness which gave her the pleasure of
+fancying herself a favourite, and on the present occasion, receiving her in
+that house, there was particular attention.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The sad accident at Lyme was soon the prevailing topic, and on comparing their
+latest accounts of the invalid, it appeared that each lady dated her
+intelligence from the same hour of yestermorn; that Captain Wentworth had been
+in Kellynch yesterday (the first time since the accident), had brought Anne the
+last note, which she had not been able to trace the exact steps of; had staid a
+few hours and then returned again to Lyme, and without any present intention of
+quitting it any more. He had enquired after her, she found, particularly; had
+expressed his hope of Miss Elliot’s not being the worse for her
+exertions, and had spoken of those exertions as great. This was handsome, and
+gave her more pleasure than almost anything else could have done.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+As to the sad catastrophe itself, it could be canvassed only in one style by a
+couple of steady, sensible women, whose judgements had to work on ascertained
+events; and it was perfectly decided that it had been the consequence of much
+thoughtlessness and much imprudence; that its effects were most alarming, and
+that it was frightful to think, how long Miss Musgrove’s recovery might
+yet be doubtful, and how liable she would still remain to suffer from the
+concussion hereafter! The Admiral wound it up summarily by exclaiming—
+</p>
+
+<p>
+“Ay, a very bad business indeed. A new sort of way this, for a young
+fellow to be making love, by breaking his mistress’s head, is not it,
+Miss Elliot? This is breaking a head and giving a plaster, truly!”
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Admiral Croft’s manners were not quite of the tone to suit Lady Russell,
+but they delighted Anne. His goodness of heart and simplicity of character were
+irresistible.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+“Now, this must be very bad for you,” said he, suddenly rousing
+from a little reverie, “to be coming and finding us here. I had not
+recollected it before, I declare, but it must be very bad. But now, do not
+stand upon ceremony. Get up and go over all the rooms in the house if you like
+it.”
+</p>
+
+<p>
+“Another time, Sir, I thank you, not now.”
+</p>
+
+<p>
+“Well, whenever it suits you. You can slip in from the shrubbery at any
+time; and there you will find we keep our umbrellas hanging up by that door. A
+good place is not it? But,” (checking himself), “you will not think
+it a good place, for yours were always kept in the butler’s room. Ay, so
+it always is, I believe. One man’s ways may be as good as
+another’s, but we all like our own best. And so you must judge for
+yourself, whether it would be better for you to go about the house or
+not.”
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Anne, finding she might decline it, did so, very gratefully.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+“We have made very few changes either,” continued the Admiral,
+after thinking a moment. “Very few. We told you about the laundry-door,
+at Uppercross. That has been a very great improvement. The wonder was, how any
+family upon earth could bear with the inconvenience of its opening as it did,
+so long! You will tell Sir Walter what we have done, and that Mr Shepherd
+thinks it the greatest improvement the house ever had. Indeed, I must do
+ourselves the justice to say, that the few alterations we have made have been
+all very much for the better. My wife should have the credit of them, however.
+I have done very little besides sending away some of the large looking-glasses
+from my dressing-room, which was your father’s. A very good man, and very
+much the gentleman I am sure: but I should think, Miss Elliot,” (looking
+with serious reflection), “I should think he must be rather a dressy man
+for his time of life. Such a number of looking-glasses! oh Lord! there was no
+getting away from one’s self. So I got Sophy to lend me a hand, and we
+soon shifted their quarters; and now I am quite snug, with my little shaving
+glass in one corner, and another great thing that I never go near.”
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Anne, amused in spite of herself, was rather distressed for an answer, and the
+Admiral, fearing he might not have been civil enough, took up the subject
+again, to say—
+</p>
+
+<p>
+“The next time you write to your good father, Miss Elliot, pray give him
+my compliments and Mrs Croft’s, and say that we are settled here quite to
+our liking, and have no fault at all to find with the place. The breakfast-room
+chimney smokes a little, I grant you, but it is only when the wind is due north
+and blows hard, which may not happen three times a winter. And take it
+altogether, now that we have been into most of the houses hereabouts and can
+judge, there is not one that we like better than this. Pray say so, with my
+compliments. He will be glad to hear it.”
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Lady Russell and Mrs Croft were very well pleased with each other: but the
+acquaintance which this visit began was fated not to proceed far at present;
+for when it was returned, the Crofts announced themselves to be going away for
+a few weeks, to visit their connexions in the north of the county, and probably
+might not be at home again before Lady Russell would be removing to Bath.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+So ended all danger to Anne of meeting Captain Wentworth at Kellynch Hall, or
+of seeing him in company with her friend. Everything was safe enough, and she
+smiled over the many anxious feelings she had wasted on the subject.
+</p>
+
+</div><!--end chapter-->
+
+<div class="chapter">
+
+<h2><a id="chap14"></a>CHAPTER XIV.</h2>
+
+<p>
+Though Charles and Mary had remained at Lyme much longer after Mr and Mrs
+Musgrove’s going than Anne conceived they could have been at all wanted,
+they were yet the first of the family to be at home again; and as soon as
+possible after their return to Uppercross they drove over to the Lodge. They
+had left Louisa beginning to sit up; but her head, though clear, was
+exceedingly weak, and her nerves susceptible to the highest extreme of
+tenderness; and though she might be pronounced to be altogether doing very
+well, it was still impossible to say when she might be able to bear the removal
+home; and her father and mother, who must return in time to receive their
+younger children for the Christmas holidays, had hardly a hope of being allowed
+to bring her with them.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+They had been all in lodgings together. Mrs Musgrove had got Mrs
+Harville’s children away as much as she could, every possible supply from
+Uppercross had been furnished, to lighten the inconvenience to the Harvilles,
+while the Harvilles had been wanting them to come to dinner every day; and in
+short, it seemed to have been only a struggle on each side as to which should
+be most disinterested and hospitable.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Mary had had her evils; but upon the whole, as was evident by her staying so
+long, she had found more to enjoy than to suffer. Charles Hayter had been at
+Lyme oftener than suited her; and when they dined with the Harvilles there had
+been only a maid-servant to wait, and at first Mrs Harville had always given
+Mrs Musgrove precedence; but then, she had received so very handsome an apology
+from her on finding out whose daughter she was, and there had been so much
+going on every day, there had been so many walks between their lodgings and the
+Harvilles, and she had got books from the library, and changed them so often,
+that the balance had certainly been much in favour of Lyme. She had been taken
+to Charmouth too, and she had bathed, and she had gone to church, and there
+were a great many more people to look at in the church at Lyme than at
+Uppercross; and all this, joined to the sense of being so very useful, had made
+really an agreeable fortnight.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Anne enquired after Captain Benwick. Mary’s face was clouded directly.
+Charles laughed.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+“Oh! Captain Benwick is very well, I believe, but he is a very odd young
+man. I do not know what he would be at. We asked him to come home with us for a
+day or two: Charles undertook to give him some shooting, and he seemed quite
+delighted, and, for my part, I thought it was all settled; when behold! on
+Tuesday night, he made a very awkward sort of excuse; ‘he never
+shot’ and he had ‘been quite misunderstood,’ and he had
+promised this and he had promised that, and the end of it was, I found, that he
+did not mean to come. I suppose he was afraid of finding it dull; but upon my
+word I should have thought we were lively enough at the Cottage for such a
+heart-broken man as Captain Benwick.”
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Charles laughed again and said, “Now Mary, you know very well how it
+really was. It was all your doing,” (turning to Anne). “He fancied
+that if he went with us, he should find you close by: he fancied everybody to
+be living in Uppercross; and when he discovered that Lady Russell lived three
+miles off, his heart failed him, and he had not courage to come. That is the
+fact, upon my honour. Mary knows it is.”
+</p>
+
+<p>
+But Mary did not give into it very graciously, whether from not considering
+Captain Benwick entitled by birth and situation to be in love with an Elliot,
+or from not wanting to believe Anne a greater attraction to Uppercross than
+herself, must be left to be guessed. Anne’s good-will, however, was not
+to be lessened by what she heard. She boldly acknowledged herself flattered,
+and continued her enquiries.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+“Oh! he talks of you,” cried Charles, “in such
+terms—” Mary interrupted him. “I declare, Charles, I never
+heard him mention Anne twice all the time I was there. I declare, Anne, he
+never talks of you at all.”
+</p>
+
+<p>
+“No,” admitted Charles, “I do not know that he ever does, in
+a general way; but however, it is a very clear thing that he admires you
+exceedingly. His head is full of some books that he is reading upon your
+recommendation, and he wants to talk to you about them; he has found out
+something or other in one of them which he thinks—oh! I cannot pretend to
+remember it, but it was something very fine—I overheard him telling
+Henrietta all about it; and then ‘Miss Elliot’ was spoken of in the
+highest terms! Now Mary, I declare it was so, I heard it myself, and you were
+in the other room. ‘Elegance, sweetness, beauty.’ Oh! there was no
+end of Miss Elliot’s charms.”
+</p>
+
+<p>
+“And I am sure,” cried Mary, warmly, “it was a very little to
+his credit, if he did. Miss Harville only died last June. Such a heart is very
+little worth having; is it, Lady Russell? I am sure you will agree with
+me.”
+</p>
+
+<p>
+“I must see Captain Benwick before I decide,” said Lady Russell,
+smiling.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+“And that you are very likely to do very soon, I can tell you,
+ma’am,” said Charles. “Though he had not nerves for coming
+away with us, and setting off again afterwards to pay a formal visit here, he
+will make his way over to Kellynch one day by himself, you may depend on it. I
+told him the distance and the road, and I told him of the church’s being
+so very well worth seeing; for as he has a taste for those sort of things, I
+thought that would be a good excuse, and he listened with all his understanding
+and soul; and I am sure from his manner that you will have him calling here
+soon. So, I give you notice, Lady Russell.”
+</p>
+
+<p>
+“Any acquaintance of Anne’s will always be welcome to me,”
+was Lady Russell’s kind answer.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+“Oh! as to being Anne’s acquaintance,” said Mary, “I
+think he is rather my acquaintance, for I have been seeing him every day this
+last fortnight.”
+</p>
+
+<p>
+“Well, as your joint acquaintance, then, I shall be very happy to see
+Captain Benwick.”
+</p>
+
+<p>
+“You will not find anything very agreeable in him, I assure you,
+ma’am. He is one of the dullest young men that ever lived. He has walked
+with me, sometimes, from one end of the sands to the other, without saying a
+word. He is not at all a well-bred young man. I am sure you will not like
+him.”
+</p>
+
+<p>
+“There we differ, Mary,” said Anne. “I think Lady Russell
+would like him. I think she would be so much pleased with his mind, that she
+would very soon see no deficiency in his manner.”
+</p>
+
+<p>
+“So do I, Anne,” said Charles. “I am sure Lady Russell would
+like him. He is just Lady Russell’s sort. Give him a book, and he will
+read all day long.”
+</p>
+
+<p>
+“Yes, that he will!” exclaimed Mary, tauntingly. “He will sit
+poring over his book, and not know when a person speaks to him, or when one
+drops one’s scissors, or anything that happens. Do you think Lady Russell
+would like that?”
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Lady Russell could not help laughing. “Upon my word,” said she,
+“I should not have supposed that my opinion of any one could have
+admitted of such difference of conjecture, steady and matter of fact as I may
+call myself. I have really a curiosity to see the person who can give occasion
+to such directly opposite notions. I wish he may be induced to call here. And
+when he does, Mary, you may depend upon hearing my opinion; but I am determined
+not to judge him beforehand.”
+</p>
+
+<p>
+“You will not like him, I will answer for it.”
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Lady Russell began talking of something else. Mary spoke with animation of
+their meeting with, or rather missing, Mr Elliot so extraordinarily.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+“He is a man,” said Lady Russell, “whom I have no wish to
+see. His declining to be on cordial terms with the head of his family, has left
+a very strong impression in his disfavour with me.”
+</p>
+
+<p>
+This decision checked Mary’s eagerness, and stopped her short in the
+midst of the Elliot countenance.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+With regard to Captain Wentworth, though Anne hazarded no enquiries, there was
+voluntary communication sufficient. His spirits had been greatly recovering
+lately as might be expected. As Louisa improved, he had improved, and he was
+now quite a different creature from what he had been the first week. He had not
+seen Louisa; and was so extremely fearful of any ill consequence to her from an
+interview, that he did not press for it at all; and, on the contrary, seemed to
+have a plan of going away for a week or ten days, till her head was stronger.
+He had talked of going down to Plymouth for a week, and wanted to persuade
+Captain Benwick to go with him; but, as Charles maintained to the last, Captain
+Benwick seemed much more disposed to ride over to Kellynch.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+There can be no doubt that Lady Russell and Anne were both occasionally
+thinking of Captain Benwick, from this time. Lady Russell could not hear the
+door-bell without feeling that it might be his herald; nor could Anne return
+from any stroll of solitary indulgence in her father’s grounds, or any
+visit of charity in the village, without wondering whether she might see him or
+hear of him. Captain Benwick came not, however. He was either less disposed for
+it than Charles had imagined, or he was too shy; and after giving him a
+week’s indulgence, Lady Russell determined him to be unworthy of the
+interest which he had been beginning to excite.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The Musgroves came back to receive their happy boys and girls from school,
+bringing with them Mrs Harville’s little children, to improve the noise
+of Uppercross, and lessen that of Lyme. Henrietta remained with Louisa; but all
+the rest of the family were again in their usual quarters.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Lady Russell and Anne paid their compliments to them once, when Anne could not
+but feel that Uppercross was already quite alive again. Though neither
+Henrietta, nor Louisa, nor Charles Hayter, nor Captain Wentworth were there,
+the room presented as strong a contrast as could be wished to the last state
+she had seen it in.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Immediately surrounding Mrs Musgrove were the little Harvilles, whom she was
+sedulously guarding from the tyranny of the two children from the Cottage,
+expressly arrived to amuse them. On one side was a table occupied by some
+chattering girls, cutting up silk and gold paper; and on the other were
+tressels and trays, bending under the weight of brawn and cold pies, where
+riotous boys were holding high revel; the whole completed by a roaring
+Christmas fire, which seemed determined to be heard, in spite of all the noise
+of the others. Charles and Mary also came in, of course, during their visit,
+and Mr Musgrove made a point of paying his respects to Lady Russell, and sat
+down close to her for ten minutes, talking with a very raised voice, but from
+the clamour of the children on his knees, generally in vain. It was a fine
+family-piece.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Anne, judging from her own temperament, would have deemed such a domestic
+hurricane a bad restorative of the nerves, which Louisa’s illness must
+have so greatly shaken. But Mrs Musgrove, who got Anne near her on purpose to
+thank her most cordially, again and again, for all her attentions to them,
+concluded a short recapitulation of what she had suffered herself by observing,
+with a happy glance round the room, that after all she had gone through,
+nothing was so likely to do her good as a little quiet cheerfulness at home.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Louisa was now recovering apace. Her mother could even think of her being able
+to join their party at home, before her brothers and sisters went to school
+again. The Harvilles had promised to come with her and stay at Uppercross,
+whenever she returned. Captain Wentworth was gone, for the present, to see his
+brother in Shropshire.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+“I hope I shall remember, in future,” said Lady Russell, as soon as
+they were reseated in the carriage, “not to call at Uppercross in the
+Christmas holidays.”
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Everybody has their taste in noises as well as in other matters; and sounds are
+quite innoxious, or most distressing, by their sort rather than their quantity.
+When Lady Russell not long afterwards, was entering Bath on a wet afternoon,
+and driving through the long course of streets from the Old Bridge to Camden
+Place, amidst the dash of other carriages, the heavy rumble of carts and drays,
+the bawling of newspapermen, muffin-men and milkmen, and the ceaseless clink of
+pattens, she made no complaint. No, these were noises which belonged to the
+winter pleasures; her spirits rose under their influence; and like Mrs
+Musgrove, she was feeling, though not saying, that after being long in the
+country, nothing could be so good for her as a little quiet cheerfulness.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Anne did not share these feelings. She persisted in a very determined, though
+very silent disinclination for Bath; caught the first dim view of the extensive
+buildings, smoking in rain, without any wish of seeing them better; felt their
+progress through the streets to be, however disagreeable, yet too rapid; for
+who would be glad to see her when she arrived? And looked back, with fond
+regret, to the bustles of Uppercross and the seclusion of Kellynch.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Elizabeth’s last letter had communicated a piece of news of some
+interest. Mr Elliot was in Bath. He had called in Camden Place; had called a
+second time, a third; had been pointedly attentive. If Elizabeth and her father
+did not deceive themselves, had been taking much pains to seek the
+acquaintance, and proclaim the value of the connection, as he had formerly
+taken pains to shew neglect. This was very wonderful if it were true; and Lady
+Russell was in a state of very agreeable curiosity and perplexity about Mr
+Elliot, already recanting the sentiment she had so lately expressed to Mary, of
+his being “a man whom she had no wish to see.” She had a great wish
+to see him. If he really sought to reconcile himself like a dutiful branch, he
+must be forgiven for having dismembered himself from the paternal tree.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Anne was not animated to an equal pitch by the circumstance, but she felt that
+she would rather see Mr Elliot again than not, which was more than she could
+say for many other persons in Bath.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+She was put down in Camden Place; and Lady Russell then drove to her own
+lodgings, in Rivers Street.
+</p>
+
+</div><!--end chapter-->
+
+<div class="chapter">
+
+<h2><a id="chap15"></a>CHAPTER XV.</h2>
+
+<p>
+Sir Walter had taken a very good house in Camden Place, a lofty dignified
+situation, such as becomes a man of consequence; and both he and Elizabeth were
+settled there, much to their satisfaction.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Anne entered it with a sinking heart, anticipating an imprisonment of many
+months, and anxiously saying to herself, “Oh! when shall I leave you
+again?” A degree of unexpected cordiality, however, in the welcome she
+received, did her good. Her father and sister were glad to see her, for the
+sake of shewing her the house and furniture, and met her with kindness. Her
+making a fourth, when they sat down to dinner, was noticed as an advantage.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Mrs Clay was very pleasant, and very smiling, but her courtesies and smiles
+were more a matter of course. Anne had always felt that she would pretend what
+was proper on her arrival, but the complaisance of the others was unlooked for.
+They were evidently in excellent spirits, and she was soon to listen to the
+causes. They had no inclination to listen to her. After laying out for some
+compliments of being deeply regretted in their old neighbourhood, which Anne
+could not pay, they had only a few faint enquiries to make, before the talk
+must be all their own. Uppercross excited no interest, Kellynch very little: it
+was all Bath.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+They had the pleasure of assuring her that Bath more than answered their
+expectations in every respect. Their house was undoubtedly the best in Camden
+Place; their drawing-rooms had many decided advantages over all the others
+which they had either seen or heard of, and the superiority was not less in the
+style of the fitting-up, or the taste of the furniture. Their acquaintance was
+exceedingly sought after. Everybody was wanting to visit them. They had drawn
+back from many introductions, and still were perpetually having cards left by
+people of whom they knew nothing.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Here were funds of enjoyment. Could Anne wonder that her father and sister were
+happy? She might not wonder, but she must sigh that her father should feel no
+degradation in his change, should see nothing to regret in the duties and
+dignity of the resident landholder, should find so much to be vain of in the
+littlenesses of a town; and she must sigh, and smile, and wonder too, as
+Elizabeth threw open the folding-doors and walked with exultation from one
+drawing-room to the other, boasting of their space; at the possibility of that
+woman, who had been mistress of Kellynch Hall, finding extent to be proud of
+between two walls, perhaps thirty feet asunder.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+But this was not all which they had to make them happy. They had Mr Elliot too.
+Anne had a great deal to hear of Mr Elliot. He was not only pardoned, they were
+delighted with him. He had been in Bath about a fortnight; (he had passed
+through Bath in November, in his way to London, when the intelligence of Sir
+Walter’s being settled there had of course reached him, though only
+twenty-four hours in the place, but he had not been able to avail himself of
+it;) but he had now been a fortnight in Bath, and his first object on arriving,
+had been to leave his card in Camden Place, following it up by such assiduous
+endeavours to meet, and when they did meet, by such great openness of conduct,
+such readiness to apologize for the past, such solicitude to be received as a
+relation again, that their former good understanding was completely
+re-established.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+They had not a fault to find in him. He had explained away all the appearance
+of neglect on his own side. It had originated in misapprehension entirely. He
+had never had an idea of throwing himself off; he had feared that he was thrown
+off, but knew not why, and delicacy had kept him silent. Upon the hint of
+having spoken disrespectfully or carelessly of the family and the family
+honours, he was quite indignant. He, who had ever boasted of being an Elliot,
+and whose feelings, as to connection, were only too strict to suit the unfeudal
+tone of the present day. He was astonished, indeed, but his character and
+general conduct must refute it. He could refer Sir Walter to all who knew him;
+and certainly, the pains he had been taking on this, the first opportunity of
+reconciliation, to be restored to the footing of a relation and
+heir-presumptive, was a strong proof of his opinions on the subject.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The circumstances of his marriage, too, were found to admit of much
+extenuation. This was an article not to be entered on by himself; but a very
+intimate friend of his, a Colonel Wallis, a highly respectable man, perfectly
+the gentleman, (and not an ill-looking man, Sir Walter added), who was living
+in very good style in Marlborough Buildings, and had, at his own particular
+request, been admitted to their acquaintance through Mr Elliot, had mentioned
+one or two things relative to the marriage, which made a material difference in
+the discredit of it.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Colonel Wallis had known Mr Elliot long, had been well acquainted also with his
+wife, had perfectly understood the whole story. She was certainly not a woman
+of family, but well educated, accomplished, rich, and excessively in love with
+his friend. There had been the charm. She had sought him. Without that
+attraction, not all her money would have tempted Elliot, and Sir Walter was,
+moreover, assured of her having been a very fine woman. Here was a great deal
+to soften the business. A very fine woman with a large fortune, in love with
+him! Sir Walter seemed to admit it as complete apology; and though Elizabeth
+could not see the circumstance in quite so favourable a light, she allowed it
+be a great extenuation.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Mr Elliot had called repeatedly, had dined with them once, evidently delighted
+by the distinction of being asked, for they gave no dinners in general;
+delighted, in short, by every proof of cousinly notice, and placing his whole
+happiness in being on intimate terms in Camden Place.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Anne listened, but without quite understanding it. Allowances, large
+allowances, she knew, must be made for the ideas of those who spoke. She heard
+it all under embellishment. All that sounded extravagant or irrational in the
+progress of the reconciliation might have no origin but in the language of the
+relators. Still, however, she had the sensation of there being something more
+than immediately appeared, in Mr Elliot’s wishing, after an interval of
+so many years, to be well received by them. In a worldly view, he had nothing
+to gain by being on terms with Sir Walter; nothing to risk by a state of
+variance. In all probability he was already the richer of the two, and the
+Kellynch estate would as surely be his hereafter as the title. A sensible man,
+and he had looked like a very sensible man, why should it be an object to him?
+She could only offer one solution; it was, perhaps, for Elizabeth’s sake.
+There might really have been a liking formerly, though convenience and accident
+had drawn him a different way; and now that he could afford to please himself,
+he might mean to pay his addresses to her. Elizabeth was certainly very
+handsome, with well-bred, elegant manners, and her character might never have
+been penetrated by Mr Elliot, knowing her but in public, and when very young
+himself. How her temper and understanding might bear the investigation of his
+present keener time of life was another concern and rather a fearful one. Most
+earnestly did she wish that he might not be too nice, or too observant if
+Elizabeth were his object; and that Elizabeth was disposed to believe herself
+so, and that her friend Mrs Clay was encouraging the idea, seemed apparent by a
+glance or two between them, while Mr Elliot’s frequent visits were talked
+of.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Anne mentioned the glimpses she had had of him at Lyme, but without being much
+attended to. “Oh! yes, perhaps, it had been Mr Elliot. They did not know.
+It might be him, perhaps.” They could not listen to her description of
+him. They were describing him themselves; Sir Walter especially. He did justice
+to his very gentlemanlike appearance, his air of elegance and fashion, his good
+shaped face, his sensible eye; but, at the same time, “must lament his
+being very much under-hung, a defect which time seemed to have increased; nor
+could he pretend to say that ten years had not altered almost every feature for
+the worse. Mr Elliot appeared to think that he (Sir Walter) was looking exactly
+as he had done when they last parted;” but Sir Walter had “not been
+able to return the compliment entirely, which had embarrassed him. He did not
+mean to complain, however. Mr Elliot was better to look at than most men, and
+he had no objection to being seen with him anywhere.”
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Mr Elliot, and his friends in Marlborough Buildings, were talked of the whole
+evening. “Colonel Wallis had been so impatient to be introduced to them!
+and Mr Elliot so anxious that he should!” and there was a Mrs Wallis, at
+present known only to them by description, as she was in daily expectation of
+her confinement; but Mr Elliot spoke of her as “a most charming woman,
+quite worthy of being known in Camden Place,” and as soon as she
+recovered they were to be acquainted. Sir Walter thought much of Mrs Wallis;
+she was said to be an excessively pretty woman, beautiful. “He longed to
+see her. He hoped she might make some amends for the many very plain faces he
+was continually passing in the streets. The worst of Bath was the number of its
+plain women. He did not mean to say that there were no pretty women, but the
+number of the plain was out of all proportion. He had frequently observed, as
+he walked, that one handsome face would be followed by thirty, or
+five-and-thirty frights; and once, as he had stood in a shop on Bond Street, he
+had counted eighty-seven women go by, one after another, without there being a
+tolerable face among them. It had been a frosty morning, to be sure, a sharp
+frost, which hardly one woman in a thousand could stand the test of. But still,
+there certainly were a dreadful multitude of ugly women in Bath; and as for the
+men! they were infinitely worse. Such scarecrows as the streets were full of!
+It was evident how little the women were used to the sight of anything
+tolerable, by the effect which a man of decent appearance produced. He had
+never walked anywhere arm-in-arm with Colonel Wallis (who was a fine military
+figure, though sandy-haired) without observing that every woman’s eye was
+upon him; every woman’s eye was sure to be upon Colonel Wallis.”
+Modest Sir Walter! He was not allowed to escape, however. His daughter and Mrs
+Clay united in hinting that Colonel Wallis’s companion might have as good
+a figure as Colonel Wallis, and certainly was not sandy-haired.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+“How is Mary looking?” said Sir Walter, in the height of his good
+humour. “The last time I saw her she had a red nose, but I hope that may
+not happen every day.”
+</p>
+
+<p>
+“Oh! no, that must have been quite accidental. In general she has been in
+very good health and very good looks since Michaelmas.”
+</p>
+
+<p>
+“If I thought it would not tempt her to go out in sharp winds, and grow
+coarse, I would send her a new hat and pelisse.”
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Anne was considering whether she should venture to suggest that a gown, or a
+cap, would not be liable to any such misuse, when a knock at the door suspended
+everything. “A knock at the door! and so late! It was ten o’clock.
+Could it be Mr Elliot? They knew he was to dine in Lansdown Crescent. It was
+possible that he might stop in his way home to ask them how they did. They
+could think of no one else. Mrs Clay decidedly thought it Mr Elliot’s
+knock.” Mrs Clay was right. With all the state which a butler and
+foot-boy could give, Mr Elliot was ushered into the room.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+It was the same, the very same man, with no difference but of dress. Anne drew
+a little back, while the others received his compliments, and her sister his
+apologies for calling at so unusual an hour, but “he could not be so near
+without wishing to know that neither she nor her friend had taken cold the day
+before,” &amp;c. &amp;c.; which was all as politely done, and as politely
+taken, as possible, but her part must follow then. Sir Walter talked of his
+youngest daughter; “Mr Elliot must give him leave to present him to his
+youngest daughter” (there was no occasion for remembering Mary); and
+Anne, smiling and blushing, very becomingly shewed to Mr Elliot the pretty
+features which he had by no means forgotten, and instantly saw, with amusement
+at his little start of surprise, that he had not been at all aware of who she
+was. He looked completely astonished, but not more astonished than pleased; his
+eyes brightened! and with the most perfect alacrity he welcomed the
+relationship, alluded to the past, and entreated to be received as an
+acquaintance already. He was quite as good-looking as he had appeared at Lyme,
+his countenance improved by speaking, and his manners were so exactly what they
+ought to be, so polished, so easy, so particularly agreeable, that she could
+compare them in excellence to only one person’s manners. They were not
+the same, but they were, perhaps, equally good.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+He sat down with them, and improved their conversation very much. There could
+be no doubt of his being a sensible man. Ten minutes were enough to certify
+that. His tone, his expressions, his choice of subject, his knowing where to
+stop; it was all the operation of a sensible, discerning mind. As soon as he
+could, he began to talk to her of Lyme, wanting to compare opinions respecting
+the place, but especially wanting to speak of the circumstance of their
+happening to be guests in the same inn at the same time; to give his own route,
+understand something of hers, and regret that he should have lost such an
+opportunity of paying his respects to her. She gave him a short account of her
+party and business at Lyme. His regret increased as he listened. He had spent
+his whole solitary evening in the room adjoining theirs; had heard voices,
+mirth continually; thought they must be a most delightful set of people, longed
+to be with them, but certainly without the smallest suspicion of his possessing
+the shadow of a right to introduce himself. If he had but asked who the party
+were! The name of Musgrove would have told him enough. “Well, it would
+serve to cure him of an absurd practice of never asking a question at an inn,
+which he had adopted, when quite a young man, on the principle of its being
+very ungenteel to be curious.”
+</p>
+
+<p>
+“The notions of a young man of one or two and twenty,” said he,
+“as to what is necessary in manners to make him quite the thing, are more
+absurd, I believe, than those of any other set of beings in the world. The
+folly of the means they often employ is only to be equalled by the folly of
+what they have in view.”
+</p>
+
+<p>
+But he must not be addressing his reflections to Anne alone: he knew it; he was
+soon diffused again among the others, and it was only at intervals that he
+could return to Lyme.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+His enquiries, however, produced at length an account of the scene she had been
+engaged in there, soon after his leaving the place. Having alluded to “an
+accident,” he must hear the whole. When he questioned, Sir Walter and
+Elizabeth began to question also, but the difference in their manner of doing
+it could not be unfelt. She could only compare Mr Elliot to Lady Russell, in
+the wish of really comprehending what had passed, and in the degree of concern
+for what she must have suffered in witnessing it.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+He staid an hour with them. The elegant little clock on the mantel-piece had
+struck “eleven with its silver sounds,” and the watchman was
+beginning to be heard at a distance telling the same tale, before Mr Elliot or
+any of them seemed to feel that he had been there long.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Anne could not have supposed it possible that her first evening in Camden Place
+could have passed so well!
+</p>
+
+</div><!--end chapter-->
+
+<div class="chapter">
+
+<h2><a id="chap16"></a>CHAPTER XVI.</h2>
+
+<p>
+There was one point which Anne, on returning to her family, would have been
+more thankful to ascertain even than Mr Elliot’s being in love with
+Elizabeth, which was, her father’s not being in love with Mrs Clay; and
+she was very far from easy about it, when she had been at home a few hours. On
+going down to breakfast the next morning, she found there had just been a
+decent pretence on the lady’s side of meaning to leave them. She could
+imagine Mrs Clay to have said, that “now Miss Anne was come, she could
+not suppose herself at all wanted;” for Elizabeth was replying in a sort
+of whisper, “That must not be any reason, indeed. I assure you I feel it
+none. She is nothing to me, compared with you;” and she was in full time
+to hear her father say, “My dear madam, this must not be. As yet, you
+have seen nothing of Bath. You have been here only to be useful. You must not
+run away from us now. You must stay to be acquainted with Mrs Wallis, the
+beautiful Mrs Wallis. To your fine mind, I well know the sight of beauty is a
+real gratification.”
+</p>
+
+<p>
+He spoke and looked so much in earnest, that Anne was not surprised to see Mrs
+Clay stealing a glance at Elizabeth and herself. Her countenance, perhaps,
+might express some watchfulness; but the praise of the fine mind did not appear
+to excite a thought in her sister. The lady could not but yield to such joint
+entreaties, and promise to stay.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+In the course of the same morning, Anne and her father chancing to be alone
+together, he began to compliment her on her improved looks; he thought her
+“less thin in her person, in her cheeks; her skin, her complexion,
+greatly improved; clearer, fresher. Had she been using any thing in
+particular?” “No, nothing.” “Merely Gowland,” he
+supposed. “No, nothing at all.” “Ha! he was surprised at
+that;” and added, “certainly you cannot do better than to continue
+as you are; you cannot be better than well; or I should recommend Gowland, the
+constant use of Gowland, during the spring months. Mrs Clay has been using it
+at my recommendation, and you see what it has done for her. You see how it has
+carried away her freckles.”
+</p>
+
+<p>
+If Elizabeth could but have heard this! Such personal praise might have struck
+her, especially as it did not appear to Anne that the freckles were at all
+lessened. But everything must take its chance. The evil of a marriage would be
+much diminished, if Elizabeth were also to marry. As for herself, she might
+always command a home with Lady Russell.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Lady Russell’s composed mind and polite manners were put to some trial on
+this point, in her intercourse in Camden Place. The sight of Mrs Clay in such
+favour, and of Anne so overlooked, was a perpetual provocation to her there;
+and vexed her as much when she was away, as a person in Bath who drinks the
+water, gets all the new publications, and has a very large acquaintance, has
+time to be vexed.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+As Mr Elliot became known to her, she grew more charitable, or more
+indifferent, towards the others. His manners were an immediate recommendation;
+and on conversing with him she found the solid so fully supporting the
+superficial, that she was at first, as she told Anne, almost ready to exclaim,
+“Can this be Mr Elliot?” and could not seriously picture to herself
+a more agreeable or estimable man. Everything united in him; good
+understanding, correct opinions, knowledge of the world, and a warm heart. He
+had strong feelings of family attachment and family honour, without pride or
+weakness; he lived with the liberality of a man of fortune, without display; he
+judged for himself in everything essential, without defying public opinion in
+any point of worldly decorum. He was steady, observant, moderate, candid; never
+run away with by spirits or by selfishness, which fancied itself strong
+feeling; and yet, with a sensibility to what was amiable and lovely, and a
+value for all the felicities of domestic life, which characters of fancied
+enthusiasm and violent agitation seldom really possess. She was sure that he
+had not been happy in marriage. Colonel Wallis said it, and Lady Russell saw
+it; but it had been no unhappiness to sour his mind, nor (she began pretty soon
+to suspect) to prevent his thinking of a second choice. Her satisfaction in Mr
+Elliot outweighed all the plague of Mrs Clay.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+It was now some years since Anne had begun to learn that she and her excellent
+friend could sometimes think differently; and it did not surprise her,
+therefore, that Lady Russell should see nothing suspicious or inconsistent,
+nothing to require more motives than appeared, in Mr Elliot’s great
+desire of a reconciliation. In Lady Russell’s view, it was perfectly
+natural that Mr Elliot, at a mature time of life, should feel it a most
+desirable object, and what would very generally recommend him among all
+sensible people, to be on good terms with the head of his family; the simplest
+process in the world of time upon a head naturally clear, and only erring in
+the heyday of youth. Anne presumed, however, still to smile about it, and at
+last to mention “Elizabeth.” Lady Russell listened, and looked, and
+made only this cautious reply:—“Elizabeth! very well; time will
+explain.”
+</p>
+
+<p>
+It was a reference to the future, which Anne, after a little observation, felt
+she must submit to. She could determine nothing at present. In that house
+Elizabeth must be first; and she was in the habit of such general observance as
+“Miss Elliot,” that any particularity of attention seemed almost
+impossible. Mr Elliot, too, it must be remembered, had not been a widower seven
+months. A little delay on his side might be very excusable. In fact, Anne could
+never see the crape round his hat, without fearing that she was the inexcusable
+one, in attributing to him such imaginations; for though his marriage had not
+been very happy, still it had existed so many years that she could not
+comprehend a very rapid recovery from the awful impression of its being
+dissolved.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+However it might end, he was without any question their pleasantest
+acquaintance in Bath: she saw nobody equal to him; and it was a great
+indulgence now and then to talk to him about Lyme, which he seemed to have as
+lively a wish to see again, and to see more of, as herself. They went through
+the particulars of their first meeting a great many times. He gave her to
+understand that he had looked at her with some earnestness. She knew it well;
+and she remembered another person’s look also.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+They did not always think alike. His value for rank and connexion she perceived
+was greater than hers. It was not merely complaisance, it must be a liking to
+the cause, which made him enter warmly into her father and sister’s
+solicitudes on a subject which she thought unworthy to excite them. The Bath
+paper one morning announced the arrival of the Dowager Viscountess Dalrymple,
+and her daughter, the Honourable Miss Carteret; and all the comfort of No.
+—, Camden Place, was swept away for many days; for the Dalrymples (in
+Anne’s opinion, most unfortunately) were cousins of the Elliots; and the
+agony was how to introduce themselves properly.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Anne had never seen her father and sister before in contact with nobility, and
+she must acknowledge herself disappointed. She had hoped better things from
+their high ideas of their own situation in life, and was reduced to form a wish
+which she had never foreseen; a wish that they had more pride; for “our
+cousins Lady Dalrymple and Miss Carteret;” “our cousins, the
+Dalrymples,” sounded in her ears all day long.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Sir Walter had once been in company with the late viscount, but had never seen
+any of the rest of the family; and the difficulties of the case arose from
+there having been a suspension of all intercourse by letters of ceremony, ever
+since the death of that said late viscount, when, in consequence of a dangerous
+illness of Sir Walter’s at the same time, there had been an unlucky
+omission at Kellynch. No letter of condolence had been sent to Ireland. The
+neglect had been visited on the head of the sinner; for when poor Lady Elliot
+died herself, no letter of condolence was received at Kellynch, and,
+consequently, there was but too much reason to apprehend that the Dalrymples
+considered the relationship as closed. How to have this anxious business set to
+rights, and be admitted as cousins again, was the question: and it was a
+question which, in a more rational manner, neither Lady Russell nor Mr Elliot
+thought unimportant. “Family connexions were always worth preserving,
+good company always worth seeking; Lady Dalrymple had taken a house, for three
+months, in Laura Place, and would be living in style. She had been at Bath the
+year before, and Lady Russell had heard her spoken of as a charming woman. It
+was very desirable that the connexion should be renewed, if it could be done,
+without any compromise of propriety on the side of the Elliots.”
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Sir Walter, however, would choose his own means, and at last wrote a very fine
+letter of ample explanation, regret, and entreaty, to his right honourable
+cousin. Neither Lady Russell nor Mr Elliot could admire the letter; but it did
+all that was wanted, in bringing three lines of scrawl from the Dowager
+Viscountess. “She was very much honoured, and should be happy in their
+acquaintance.” The toils of the business were over, the sweets began.
+They visited in Laura Place, they had the cards of Dowager Viscountess
+Dalrymple, and the Honourable Miss Carteret, to be arranged wherever they might
+be most visible: and “Our cousins in Laura Place,”—“Our
+cousin, Lady Dalrymple and Miss Carteret,” were talked of to everybody.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Anne was ashamed. Had Lady Dalrymple and her daughter even been very agreeable,
+she would still have been ashamed of the agitation they created, but they were
+nothing. There was no superiority of manner, accomplishment, or understanding.
+Lady Dalrymple had acquired the name of “a charming woman,” because
+she had a smile and a civil answer for everybody. Miss Carteret, with still
+less to say, was so plain and so awkward, that she would never have been
+tolerated in Camden Place but for her birth.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Lady Russell confessed she had expected something better; but yet “it was
+an acquaintance worth having;” and when Anne ventured to speak her
+opinion of them to Mr Elliot, he agreed to their being nothing in themselves,
+but still maintained that, as a family connexion, as good company, as those who
+would collect good company around them, they had their value. Anne smiled and
+said,
+</p>
+
+<p>
+“My idea of good company, Mr Elliot, is the company of clever,
+well-informed people, who have a great deal of conversation; that is what I
+call good company.”
+</p>
+
+<p>
+“You are mistaken,” said he gently, “that is not good
+company; that is the best. Good company requires only birth, education, and
+manners, and with regard to education is not very nice. Birth and good manners
+are essential; but a little learning is by no means a dangerous thing in good
+company; on the contrary, it will do very well. My cousin Anne shakes her head.
+She is not satisfied. She is fastidious. My dear cousin” (sitting down by
+her), “you have a better right to be fastidious than almost any other
+woman I know; but will it answer? Will it make you happy? Will it not be wiser
+to accept the society of those good ladies in Laura Place, and enjoy all the
+advantages of the connexion as far as possible? You may depend upon it, that
+they will move in the first set in Bath this winter, and as rank is rank, your
+being known to be related to them will have its use in fixing your family (our
+family let me say) in that degree of consideration which we must all wish
+for.”
+</p>
+
+<p>
+“Yes,” sighed Anne, “we shall, indeed, be known to be related
+to them!” then recollecting herself, and not wishing to be answered, she
+added, “I certainly do think there has been by far too much trouble taken
+to procure the acquaintance. I suppose” (smiling) “I have more
+pride than any of you; but I confess it does vex me, that we should be so
+solicitous to have the relationship acknowledged, which we may be very sure is
+a matter of perfect indifference to them.”
+</p>
+
+<p>
+“Pardon me, dear cousin, you are unjust in your own claims. In London,
+perhaps, in your present quiet style of living, it might be as you say: but in
+Bath; Sir Walter Elliot and his family will always be worth knowing: always
+acceptable as acquaintance.”
+</p>
+
+<p>
+“Well,” said Anne, “I certainly am proud, too proud to enjoy
+a welcome which depends so entirely upon place.”
+</p>
+
+<p>
+“I love your indignation,” said he; “it is very natural. But
+here you are in Bath, and the object is to be established here with all the
+credit and dignity which ought to belong to Sir Walter Elliot. You talk of
+being proud; I am called proud, I know, and I shall not wish to believe myself
+otherwise; for our pride, if investigated, would have the same object, I have
+no doubt, though the kind may seem a little different. In one point, I am sure,
+my dear cousin,” (he continued, speaking lower, though there was no one
+else in the room) “in one point, I am sure, we must feel alike. We must
+feel that every addition to your father’s society, among his equals or
+superiors, may be of use in diverting his thoughts from those who are beneath
+him.”
+</p>
+
+<p>
+He looked, as he spoke, to the seat which Mrs Clay had been lately occupying: a
+sufficient explanation of what he particularly meant; and though Anne could not
+believe in their having the same sort of pride, she was pleased with him for
+not liking Mrs Clay; and her conscience admitted that his wishing to promote
+her father’s getting great acquaintance was more than excusable in the
+view of defeating her.
+</p>
+
+</div><!--end chapter-->
+
+<div class="chapter">
+
+<h2><a id="chap17"></a>CHAPTER XVII.</h2>
+
+<p>
+While Sir Walter and Elizabeth were assiduously pushing their good fortune in
+Laura Place, Anne was renewing an acquaintance of a very different description.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+She had called on her former governess, and had heard from her of there being
+an old schoolfellow in Bath, who had the two strong claims on her attention of
+past kindness and present suffering. Miss Hamilton, now Mrs Smith, had shewn
+her kindness in one of those periods of her life when it had been most
+valuable. Anne had gone unhappy to school, grieving for the loss of a mother
+whom she had dearly loved, feeling her separation from home, and suffering as a
+girl of fourteen, of strong sensibility and not high spirits, must suffer at
+such a time; and Miss Hamilton, three years older than herself, but still from
+the want of near relations and a settled home, remaining another year at
+school, had been useful and good to her in a way which had considerably
+lessened her misery, and could never be remembered with indifference.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Miss Hamilton had left school, had married not long afterwards, was said to
+have married a man of fortune, and this was all that Anne had known of her,
+till now that their governess’s account brought her situation forward in
+a more decided but very different form.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+She was a widow and poor. Her husband had been extravagant; and at his death,
+about two years before, had left his affairs dreadfully involved. She had had
+difficulties of every sort to contend with, and in addition to these distresses
+had been afflicted with a severe rheumatic fever, which, finally settling in
+her legs, had made her for the present a cripple. She had come to Bath on that
+account, and was now in lodgings near the hot baths, living in a very humble
+way, unable even to afford herself the comfort of a servant, and of course
+almost excluded from society.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Their mutual friend answered for the satisfaction which a visit from Miss
+Elliot would give Mrs Smith, and Anne therefore lost no time in going. She
+mentioned nothing of what she had heard, or what she intended, at home. It
+would excite no proper interest there. She only consulted Lady Russell, who
+entered thoroughly into her sentiments, and was most happy to convey her as
+near to Mrs Smith’s lodgings in Westgate Buildings, as Anne chose to be
+taken.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The visit was paid, their acquaintance re-established, their interest in each
+other more than re-kindled. The first ten minutes had its awkwardness and its
+emotion. Twelve years were gone since they had parted, and each presented a
+somewhat different person from what the other had imagined. Twelve years had
+changed Anne from the blooming, silent, unformed girl of fifteen, to the
+elegant little woman of seven-and-twenty, with every beauty except bloom, and
+with manners as consciously right as they were invariably gentle; and twelve
+years had transformed the fine-looking, well-grown Miss Hamilton, in all the
+glow of health and confidence of superiority, into a poor, infirm, helpless
+widow, receiving the visit of her former protegee as a favour; but all that was
+uncomfortable in the meeting had soon passed away, and left only the
+interesting charm of remembering former partialities and talking over old
+times.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Anne found in Mrs Smith the good sense and agreeable manners which she had
+almost ventured to depend on, and a disposition to converse and be cheerful
+beyond her expectation. Neither the dissipations of the past—and she had
+lived very much in the world—nor the restrictions of the present, neither
+sickness nor sorrow seemed to have closed her heart or ruined her spirits.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+In the course of a second visit she talked with great openness, and
+Anne’s astonishment increased. She could scarcely imagine a more
+cheerless situation in itself than Mrs Smith’s. She had been very fond of
+her husband: she had buried him. She had been used to affluence: it was gone.
+She had no child to connect her with life and happiness again, no relations to
+assist in the arrangement of perplexed affairs, no health to make all the rest
+supportable. Her accommodations were limited to a noisy parlour, and a dark
+bedroom behind, with no possibility of moving from one to the other without
+assistance, which there was only one servant in the house to afford, and she
+never quitted the house but to be conveyed into the warm bath. Yet, in spite of
+all this, Anne had reason to believe that she had moments only of languor and
+depression, to hours of occupation and enjoyment. How could it be? She watched,
+observed, reflected, and finally determined that this was not a case of
+fortitude or of resignation only. A submissive spirit might be patient, a
+strong understanding would supply resolution, but here was something more; here
+was that elasticity of mind, that disposition to be comforted, that power of
+turning readily from evil to good, and of finding employment which carried her
+out of herself, which was from nature alone. It was the choicest gift of
+Heaven; and Anne viewed her friend as one of those instances in which, by a
+merciful appointment, it seems designed to counterbalance almost every other
+want.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+There had been a time, Mrs Smith told her, when her spirits had nearly failed.
+She could not call herself an invalid now, compared with her state on first
+reaching Bath. Then she had, indeed, been a pitiable object; for she had caught
+cold on the journey, and had hardly taken possession of her lodgings before she
+was again confined to her bed and suffering under severe and constant pain; and
+all this among strangers, with the absolute necessity of having a regular
+nurse, and finances at that moment particularly unfit to meet any extraordinary
+expense. She had weathered it, however, and could truly say that it had done
+her good. It had increased her comforts by making her feel herself to be in
+good hands. She had seen too much of the world, to expect sudden or
+disinterested attachment anywhere, but her illness had proved to her that her
+landlady had a character to preserve, and would not use her ill; and she had
+been particularly fortunate in her nurse, as a sister of her landlady, a nurse
+by profession, and who had always a home in that house when unemployed, chanced
+to be at liberty just in time to attend her. “And she,” said Mrs
+Smith, “besides nursing me most admirably, has really proved an
+invaluable acquaintance. As soon as I could use my hands she taught me to knit,
+which has been a great amusement; and she put me in the way of making these
+little thread-cases, pin-cushions and card-racks, which you always find me so
+busy about, and which supply me with the means of doing a little good to one or
+two very poor families in this neighbourhood. She had a large acquaintance, of
+course professionally, among those who can afford to buy, and she disposes of
+my merchandise. She always takes the right time for applying. Everybody’s
+heart is open, you know, when they have recently escaped from severe pain, or
+are recovering the blessing of health, and Nurse Rooke thoroughly understands
+when to speak. She is a shrewd, intelligent, sensible woman. Hers is a line for
+seeing human nature; and she has a fund of good sense and observation, which,
+as a companion, make her infinitely superior to thousands of those who having
+only received ‘the best education in the world,’ know nothing worth
+attending to. Call it gossip, if you will, but when Nurse Rooke has half an
+hour’s leisure to bestow on me, she is sure to have something to relate
+that is entertaining and profitable: something that makes one know one’s
+species better. One likes to hear what is going on, to be <i>au fait</i> as to
+the newest modes of being trifling and silly. To me, who live so much alone,
+her conversation, I assure you, is a treat.”
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Anne, far from wishing to cavil at the pleasure, replied, “I can easily
+believe it. Women of that class have great opportunities, and if they are
+intelligent may be well worth listening to. Such varieties of human nature as
+they are in the habit of witnessing! And it is not merely in its follies, that
+they are well read; for they see it occasionally under every circumstance that
+can be most interesting or affecting. What instances must pass before them of
+ardent, disinterested, self-denying attachment, of heroism, fortitude,
+patience, resignation: of all the conflicts and all the sacrifices that ennoble
+us most. A sick chamber may often furnish the worth of volumes.”
+</p>
+
+<p>
+“Yes,” said Mrs Smith more doubtingly, “sometimes it may,
+though I fear its lessons are not often in the elevated style you describe.
+Here and there, human nature may be great in times of trial; but generally
+speaking, it is its weakness and not its strength that appears in a sick
+chamber: it is selfishness and impatience rather than generosity and fortitude,
+that one hears of. There is so little real friendship in the world! and
+unfortunately” (speaking low and tremulously) “there are so many
+who forget to think seriously till it is almost too late.”
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Anne saw the misery of such feelings. The husband had not been what he ought,
+and the wife had been led among that part of mankind which made her think worse
+of the world than she hoped it deserved. It was but a passing emotion however
+with Mrs Smith; she shook it off, and soon added in a different tone—
+</p>
+
+<p>
+“I do not suppose the situation my friend Mrs Rooke is in at present,
+will furnish much either to interest or edify me. She is only nursing Mrs
+Wallis of Marlborough Buildings; a mere pretty, silly, expensive, fashionable
+woman, I believe; and of course will have nothing to report but of lace and
+finery. I mean to make my profit of Mrs Wallis, however. She has plenty of
+money, and I intend she shall buy all the high-priced things I have in hand
+now.”
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Anne had called several times on her friend, before the existence of such a
+person was known in Camden Place. At last, it became necessary to speak of her.
+Sir Walter, Elizabeth and Mrs Clay, returned one morning from Laura Place, with
+a sudden invitation from Lady Dalrymple for the same evening, and Anne was
+already engaged, to spend that evening in Westgate Buildings. She was not sorry
+for the excuse. They were only asked, she was sure, because Lady Dalrymple
+being kept at home by a bad cold, was glad to make use of the relationship
+which had been so pressed on her; and she declined on her own account with
+great alacrity—“She was engaged to spend the evening with an old
+schoolfellow.” They were not much interested in anything relative to
+Anne; but still there were questions enough asked, to make it understood what
+this old schoolfellow was; and Elizabeth was disdainful, and Sir Walter severe.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+“Westgate Buildings!” said he, “and who is Miss Anne Elliot
+to be visiting in Westgate Buildings? A Mrs Smith. A widow Mrs Smith; and who
+was her husband? One of five thousand Mr Smiths whose names are to be met with
+everywhere. And what is her attraction? That she is old and sickly. Upon my
+word, Miss Anne Elliot, you have the most extraordinary taste! Everything that
+revolts other people, low company, paltry rooms, foul air, disgusting
+associations are inviting to you. But surely you may put off this old lady till
+to-morrow: she is not so near her end, I presume, but that she may hope to see
+another day. What is her age? Forty?”
+</p>
+
+<p>
+“No, sir, she is not one-and-thirty; but I do not think I can put off my
+engagement, because it is the only evening for some time which will at once
+suit her and myself. She goes into the warm bath to-morrow, and for the rest of
+the week, you know, we are engaged.”
+</p>
+
+<p>
+“But what does Lady Russell think of this acquaintance?” asked
+Elizabeth.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+“She sees nothing to blame in it,” replied Anne; “on the
+contrary, she approves it, and has generally taken me when I have called on Mrs
+Smith.”
+</p>
+
+<p>
+“Westgate Buildings must have been rather surprised by the appearance of
+a carriage drawn up near its pavement,” observed Sir Walter. “Sir
+Henry Russell’s widow, indeed, has no honours to distinguish her arms,
+but still it is a handsome equipage, and no doubt is well known to convey a
+Miss Elliot. A widow Mrs Smith lodging in Westgate Buildings! A poor widow
+barely able to live, between thirty and forty; a mere Mrs Smith, an every-day
+Mrs Smith, of all people and all names in the world, to be the chosen friend of
+Miss Anne Elliot, and to be preferred by her to her own family connections
+among the nobility of England and Ireland! Mrs Smith! Such a name!”
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Mrs Clay, who had been present while all this passed, now thought it advisable
+to leave the room, and Anne could have said much, and did long to say a little
+in defence of <i>her</i> friend’s not very dissimilar claims to theirs,
+but her sense of personal respect to her father prevented her. She made no
+reply. She left it to himself to recollect, that Mrs Smith was not the only
+widow in Bath between thirty and forty, with little to live on, and no surname
+of dignity.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Anne kept her appointment; the others kept theirs, and of course she heard the
+next morning that they had had a delightful evening. She had been the only one
+of the set absent, for Sir Walter and Elizabeth had not only been quite at her
+ladyship’s service themselves, but had actually been happy to be employed
+by her in collecting others, and had been at the trouble of inviting both Lady
+Russell and Mr Elliot; and Mr Elliot had made a point of leaving Colonel Wallis
+early, and Lady Russell had fresh arranged all her evening engagements in order
+to wait on her. Anne had the whole history of all that such an evening could
+supply from Lady Russell. To her, its greatest interest must be, in having been
+very much talked of between her friend and Mr Elliot; in having been wished
+for, regretted, and at the same time honoured for staying away in such a cause.
+Her kind, compassionate visits to this old schoolfellow, sick and reduced,
+seemed to have quite delighted Mr Elliot. He thought her a most extraordinary
+young woman; in her temper, manners, mind, a model of female excellence. He
+could meet even Lady Russell in a discussion of her merits; and Anne could not
+be given to understand so much by her friend, could not know herself to be so
+highly rated by a sensible man, without many of those agreeable sensations
+which her friend meant to create.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Lady Russell was now perfectly decided in her opinion of Mr Elliot. She was as
+much convinced of his meaning to gain Anne in time as of his deserving her, and
+was beginning to calculate the number of weeks which would free him from all
+the remaining restraints of widowhood, and leave him at liberty to exert his
+most open powers of pleasing. She would not speak to Anne with half the
+certainty she felt on the subject, she would venture on little more than hints
+of what might be hereafter, of a possible attachment on his side, of the
+desirableness of the alliance, supposing such attachment to be real and
+returned. Anne heard her, and made no violent exclamations; she only smiled,
+blushed, and gently shook her head.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+“I am no match-maker, as you well know,” said Lady Russell,
+“being much too well aware of the uncertainty of all human events and
+calculations. I only mean that if Mr Elliot should some time hence pay his
+addresses to you, and if you should be disposed to accept him, I think there
+would be every possibility of your being happy together. A most suitable
+connection everybody must consider it, but I think it might be a very happy
+one.”
+</p>
+
+<p>
+“Mr Elliot is an exceedingly agreeable man, and in many respects I think
+highly of him,” said Anne; “but we should not suit.”
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Lady Russell let this pass, and only said in rejoinder, “I own that to be
+able to regard you as the future mistress of Kellynch, the future Lady Elliot,
+to look forward and see you occupying your dear mother’s place,
+succeeding to all her rights, and all her popularity, as well as to all her
+virtues, would be the highest possible gratification to me. You are your
+mother’s self in countenance and disposition; and if I might be allowed
+to fancy you such as she was, in situation and name, and home, presiding and
+blessing in the same spot, and only superior to her in being more highly
+valued! My dearest Anne, it would give me more delight than is often felt at my
+time of life!”
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Anne was obliged to turn away, to rise, to walk to a distant table, and,
+leaning there in pretended employment, try to subdue the feelings this picture
+excited. For a few moments her imagination and her heart were bewitched. The
+idea of becoming what her mother had been; of having the precious name of
+“Lady Elliot” first revived in herself; of being restored to
+Kellynch, calling it her home again, her home for ever, was a charm which she
+could not immediately resist. Lady Russell said not another word, willing to
+leave the matter to its own operation; and believing that, could Mr Elliot at
+that moment with propriety have spoken for himself!—she believed, in
+short, what Anne did not believe. The same image of Mr Elliot speaking for
+himself brought Anne to composure again. The charm of Kellynch and of
+“Lady Elliot” all faded away. She never could accept him. And it
+was not only that her feelings were still adverse to any man save one; her
+judgement, on a serious consideration of the possibilities of such a case, was
+against Mr Elliot.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Though they had now been acquainted a month, she could not be satisfied that
+she really knew his character. That he was a sensible man, an agreeable man,
+that he talked well, professed good opinions, seemed to judge properly and as a
+man of principle, this was all clear enough. He certainly knew what was right,
+nor could she fix on any one article of moral duty evidently transgressed; but
+yet she would have been afraid to answer for his conduct. She distrusted the
+past, if not the present. The names which occasionally dropt of former
+associates, the allusions to former practices and pursuits, suggested
+suspicions not favourable of what he had been. She saw that there had been bad
+habits; that Sunday travelling had been a common thing; that there had been a
+period of his life (and probably not a short one) when he had been, at least,
+careless in all serious matters; and, though he might now think very
+differently, who could answer for the true sentiments of a clever, cautious
+man, grown old enough to appreciate a fair character? How could it ever be
+ascertained that his mind was truly cleansed?
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Mr Elliot was rational, discreet, polished, but he was not open. There was
+never any burst of feeling, any warmth of indignation or delight, at the evil
+or good of others. This, to Anne, was a decided imperfection. Her early
+impressions were incurable. She prized the frank, the open-hearted, the eager
+character beyond all others. Warmth and enthusiasm did captivate her still. She
+felt that she could so much more depend upon the sincerity of those who
+sometimes looked or said a careless or a hasty thing, than of those whose
+presence of mind never varied, whose tongue never slipped.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Mr Elliot was too generally agreeable. Various as were the tempers in her
+father’s house, he pleased them all. He endured too well, stood too well
+with every body. He had spoken to her with some degree of openness of Mrs Clay;
+had appeared completely to see what Mrs Clay was about, and to hold her in
+contempt; and yet Mrs Clay found him as agreeable as any body.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Lady Russell saw either less or more than her young friend, for she saw nothing
+to excite distrust. She could not imagine a man more exactly what he ought to
+be than Mr Elliot; nor did she ever enjoy a sweeter feeling than the hope of
+seeing him receive the hand of her beloved Anne in Kellynch church, in the
+course of the following autumn.
+</p>
+
+</div><!--end chapter-->
+
+<div class="chapter">
+
+<h2><a id="chap18"></a>CHAPTER XVIII.</h2>
+
+<p>
+It was the beginning of February; and Anne, having been a month in Bath, was
+growing very eager for news from Uppercross and Lyme. She wanted to hear much
+more than Mary had communicated. It was three weeks since she had heard at all.
+She only knew that Henrietta was at home again; and that Louisa, though
+considered to be recovering fast, was still in Lyme; and she was thinking of
+them all very intently one evening, when a thicker letter than usual from Mary
+was delivered to her; and, to quicken the pleasure and surprise, with Admiral
+and Mrs Croft’s compliments.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The Crofts must be in Bath! A circumstance to interest her. They were people
+whom her heart turned to very naturally.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+“What is this?” cried Sir Walter. “The Crofts have arrived in
+Bath? The Crofts who rent Kellynch? What have they brought you?”
+</p>
+
+<p>
+“A letter from Uppercross Cottage, Sir.”
+</p>
+
+<p>
+“Oh! those letters are convenient passports. They secure an introduction.
+I should have visited Admiral Croft, however, at any rate. I know what is due
+to my tenant.”
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Anne could listen no longer; she could not even have told how the poor
+Admiral’s complexion escaped; her letter engrossed her. It had been begun
+several days back.
+</p>
+
+<p class="right">
+“February 1st.
+</p>
+
+<div class="letter">
+
+<p>
+“<small>MY DEAR ANNE</small>,
+</p>
+
+<p>
+I make no apology for my silence, because I know how little people think of
+letters in such a place as Bath. You must be a great deal too happy to care for
+Uppercross, which, as you well know, affords little to write about. We have had
+a very dull Christmas; Mr and Mrs Musgrove have not had one dinner party all
+the holidays. I do not reckon the Hayters as anybody. The holidays, however,
+are over at last: I believe no children ever had such long ones. I am sure I
+had not. The house was cleared yesterday, except of the little Harvilles; but
+you will be surprised to hear they have never gone home. Mrs Harville must be
+an odd mother to part with them so long. I do not understand it. They are not
+at all nice children, in my opinion; but Mrs Musgrove seems to like them quite
+as well, if not better, than her grandchildren. What dreadful weather we have
+had! It may not be felt in Bath, with your nice pavements; but in the country
+it is of some consequence. I have not had a creature call on me since the
+second week in January, except Charles Hayter, who had been calling much
+oftener than was welcome. Between ourselves, I think it a great pity Henrietta
+did not remain at Lyme as long as Louisa; it would have kept her a little out
+of his way. The carriage is gone to-day, to bring Louisa and the Harvilles
+to-morrow. We are not asked to dine with them, however, till the day after, Mrs
+Musgrove is so afraid of her being fatigued by the journey, which is not very
+likely, considering the care that will be taken of her; and it would be much
+more convenient to me to dine there to-morrow. I am glad you find Mr Elliot so
+agreeable, and wish I could be acquainted with him too; but I have my usual
+luck: I am always out of the way when any thing desirable is going on; always
+the last of my family to be noticed. What an immense time Mrs Clay has been
+staying with Elizabeth! Does she never mean to go away? But perhaps if she were
+to leave the room vacant, we might not be invited. Let me know what you think
+of this. I do not expect my children to be asked, you know. I can leave them at
+the Great House very well, for a month or six weeks. I have this moment heard
+that the Crofts are going to Bath almost immediately; they think the Admiral
+gouty. Charles heard it quite by chance; they have not had the civility to give
+me any notice, or of offering to take anything. I do not think they improve at
+all as neighbours. We see nothing of them, and this is really an instance of
+gross inattention. Charles joins me in love, and everything proper. Yours
+affectionately,
+</p>
+
+<p class="right">
+“<small>MARY M</small>——.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+“I am sorry to say that I am very far from well; and Jemima has just told
+me that the butcher says there is a bad sore-throat very much about. I dare say
+I shall catch it; and my sore-throats, you know, are always worse than
+anybody’s.”
+</p>
+
+</div>
+
+<p class="p2">
+So ended the first part, which had been afterwards put into an envelope,
+containing nearly as much more.
+</p>
+
+<p class="p2">
+“I kept my letter open, that I might send you word how Louisa bore her
+journey, and now I am extremely glad I did, having a great deal to add. In the
+first place, I had a note from Mrs Croft yesterday, offering to convey anything
+to you; a very kind, friendly note indeed, addressed to me, just as it ought; I
+shall therefore be able to make my letter as long as I like. The Admiral does
+not seem very ill, and I sincerely hope Bath will do him all the good he wants.
+I shall be truly glad to have them back again. Our neighbourhood cannot spare
+such a pleasant family. But now for Louisa. I have something to communicate
+that will astonish you not a little. She and the Harvilles came on Tuesday very
+safely, and in the evening we went to ask her how she did, when we were rather
+surprised not to find Captain Benwick of the party, for he had been invited as
+well as the Harvilles; and what do you think was the reason? Neither more nor
+less than his being in love with Louisa, and not choosing to venture to
+Uppercross till he had had an answer from Mr Musgrove; for it was all settled
+between him and her before she came away, and he had written to her father by
+Captain Harville. True, upon my honour! Are not you astonished? I shall be
+surprised at least if you ever received a hint of it, for I never did. Mrs
+Musgrove protests solemnly that she knew nothing of the matter. We are all very
+well pleased, however, for though it is not equal to her marrying Captain
+Wentworth, it is infinitely better than Charles Hayter; and Mr Musgrove has
+written his consent, and Captain Benwick is expected to-day. Mrs Harville says
+her husband feels a good deal on his poor sister’s account; but, however,
+Louisa is a great favourite with both. Indeed, Mrs Harville and I quite agree
+that we love her the better for having nursed her. Charles wonders what Captain
+Wentworth will say; but if you remember, I never thought him attached to
+Louisa; I never could see anything of it. And this is the end, you see, of
+Captain Benwick’s being supposed to be an admirer of yours. How Charles
+could take such a thing into his head was always incomprehensible to me. I hope
+he will be more agreeable now. Certainly not a great match for Louisa Musgrove,
+but a million times better than marrying among the Hayters.”
+</p>
+
+<p class="p2">
+Mary need not have feared her sister’s being in any degree prepared for
+the news. She had never in her life been more astonished. Captain Benwick and
+Louisa Musgrove! It was almost too wonderful for belief, and it was with the
+greatest effort that she could remain in the room, preserve an air of calmness,
+and answer the common questions of the moment. Happily for her, they were not
+many. Sir Walter wanted to know whether the Crofts travelled with four horses,
+and whether they were likely to be situated in such a part of Bath as it might
+suit Miss Elliot and himself to visit in; but had little curiosity beyond.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+“How is Mary?” said Elizabeth; and without waiting for an answer,
+“And pray what brings the Crofts to Bath?”
+</p>
+
+<p>
+“They come on the Admiral’s account. He is thought to be
+gouty.”
+</p>
+
+<p>
+“Gout and decrepitude!” said Sir Walter. “Poor old
+gentleman.”
+</p>
+
+<p>
+“Have they any acquaintance here?” asked Elizabeth.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+“I do not know; but I can hardly suppose that, at Admiral Croft’s
+time of life, and in his profession, he should not have many acquaintance in
+such a place as this.”
+</p>
+
+<p>
+“I suspect,” said Sir Walter coolly, “that Admiral Croft will
+be best known in Bath as the renter of Kellynch Hall. Elizabeth, may we venture
+to present him and his wife in Laura Place?”
+</p>
+
+<p>
+“Oh, no! I think not. Situated as we are with Lady Dalrymple, cousins, we
+ought to be very careful not to embarrass her with acquaintance she might not
+approve. If we were not related, it would not signify; but as cousins, she
+would feel scrupulous as to any proposal of ours. We had better leave the
+Crofts to find their own level. There are several odd-looking men walking about
+here, who, I am told, are sailors. The Crofts will associate with them.”
+</p>
+
+<p>
+This was Sir Walter and Elizabeth’s share of interest in the letter; when
+Mrs Clay had paid her tribute of more decent attention, in an enquiry after Mrs
+Charles Musgrove, and her fine little boys, Anne was at liberty.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+In her own room, she tried to comprehend it. Well might Charles wonder how
+Captain Wentworth would feel! Perhaps he had quitted the field, had given
+Louisa up, had ceased to love, had found he did not love her. She could not
+endure the idea of treachery or levity, or anything akin to ill usage between
+him and his friend. She could not endure that such a friendship as theirs
+should be severed unfairly.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Captain Benwick and Louisa Musgrove! The high-spirited, joyous-talking Louisa
+Musgrove, and the dejected, thinking, feeling, reading, Captain Benwick, seemed
+each of them everything that would not suit the other. Their minds most
+dissimilar! Where could have been the attraction? The answer soon presented
+itself. It had been in situation. They had been thrown together several weeks;
+they had been living in the same small family party: since Henrietta’s
+coming away, they must have been depending almost entirely on each other, and
+Louisa, just recovering from illness, had been in an interesting state, and
+Captain Benwick was not inconsolable. That was a point which Anne had not been
+able to avoid suspecting before; and instead of drawing the same conclusion as
+Mary, from the present course of events, they served only to confirm the idea
+of his having felt some dawning of tenderness toward herself. She did not mean,
+however, to derive much more from it to gratify her vanity, than Mary might
+have allowed. She was persuaded that any tolerably pleasing young woman who had
+listened and seemed to feel for him would have received the same compliment. He
+had an affectionate heart. He must love somebody.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+She saw no reason against their being happy. Louisa had fine naval fervour to
+begin with, and they would soon grow more alike. He would gain cheerfulness,
+and she would learn to be an enthusiast for Scott and Lord Byron; nay, that was
+probably learnt already; of course they had fallen in love over poetry. The
+idea of Louisa Musgrove turned into a person of literary taste, and sentimental
+reflection was amusing, but she had no doubt of its being so. The day at Lyme,
+the fall from the Cobb, might influence her health, her nerves, her courage,
+her character to the end of her life, as thoroughly as it appeared to have
+influenced her fate.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The conclusion of the whole was, that if the woman who had been sensible of
+Captain Wentworth’s merits could be allowed to prefer another man, there
+was nothing in the engagement to excite lasting wonder; and if Captain
+Wentworth lost no friend by it, certainly nothing to be regretted. No, it was
+not regret which made Anne’s heart beat in spite of herself, and brought
+the colour into her cheeks when she thought of Captain Wentworth unshackled and
+free. She had some feelings which she was ashamed to investigate. They were too
+much like joy, senseless joy!
+</p>
+
+<p>
+She longed to see the Crofts; but when the meeting took place, it was evident
+that no rumour of the news had yet reached them. The visit of ceremony was paid
+and returned; and Louisa Musgrove was mentioned, and Captain Benwick, too,
+without even half a smile.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The Crofts had placed themselves in lodgings in Gay Street, perfectly to Sir
+Walter’s satisfaction. He was not at all ashamed of the acquaintance, and
+did, in fact, think and talk a great deal more about the Admiral, than the
+Admiral ever thought or talked about him.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The Crofts knew quite as many people in Bath as they wished for, and considered
+their intercourse with the Elliots as a mere matter of form, and not in the
+least likely to afford them any pleasure. They brought with them their country
+habit of being almost always together. He was ordered to walk to keep off the
+gout, and Mrs Croft seemed to go shares with him in everything, and to walk for
+her life to do him good. Anne saw them wherever she went. Lady Russell took her
+out in her carriage almost every morning, and she never failed to think of
+them, and never failed to see them. Knowing their feelings as she did, it was a
+most attractive picture of happiness to her. She always watched them as long as
+she could, delighted to fancy she understood what they might be talking of, as
+they walked along in happy independence, or equally delighted to see the
+Admiral’s hearty shake of the hand when he encountered an old friend, and
+observe their eagerness of conversation when occasionally forming into a little
+knot of the navy, Mrs Croft looking as intelligent and keen as any of the
+officers around her.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Anne was too much engaged with Lady Russell to be often walking herself; but it
+so happened that one morning, about a week or ten days after the Croft’s
+arrival, it suited her best to leave her friend, or her friend’s
+carriage, in the lower part of the town, and return alone to Camden Place, and
+in walking up Milsom Street she had the good fortune to meet with the Admiral.
+He was standing by himself at a printshop window, with his hands behind him, in
+earnest contemplation of some print, and she not only might have passed him
+unseen, but was obliged to touch as well as address him before she could catch
+his notice. When he did perceive and acknowledge her, however, it was done with
+all his usual frankness and good humour. “Ha! is it you? Thank you, thank
+you. This is treating me like a friend. Here I am, you see, staring at a
+picture. I can never get by this shop without stopping. But what a thing here
+is, by way of a boat! Do look at it. Did you ever see the like? What queer
+fellows your fine painters must be, to think that anybody would venture their
+lives in such a shapeless old cockleshell as that? And yet here are two
+gentlemen stuck up in it mightily at their ease, and looking about them at the
+rocks and mountains, as if they were not to be upset the next moment, which
+they certainly must be. I wonder where that boat was built!” (laughing
+heartily); “I would not venture over a horsepond in it. Well,”
+(turning away), “now, where are you bound? Can I go anywhere for you, or
+with you? Can I be of any use?”
+</p>
+
+<p>
+“None, I thank you, unless you will give me the pleasure of your company
+the little way our road lies together. I am going home.”
+</p>
+
+<p>
+“That I will, with all my heart, and farther, too. Yes, yes we will have
+a snug walk together, and I have something to tell you as we go along. There,
+take my arm; that’s right; I do not feel comfortable if I have not a
+woman there. Lord! what a boat it is!” taking a last look at the picture,
+as they began to be in motion.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+“Did you say that you had something to tell me, sir?”
+</p>
+
+<p>
+“Yes, I have, presently. But here comes a friend, Captain Brigden; I
+shall only say, ‘How d’ye do?’ as we pass, however. I shall
+not stop. ‘How d’ye do?’ Brigden stares to see anybody with
+me but my wife. She, poor soul, is tied by the leg. She has a blister on one of
+her heels, as large as a three-shilling piece. If you look across the street,
+you will see Admiral Brand coming down and his brother. Shabby fellows, both of
+them! I am glad they are not on this side of the way. Sophy cannot bear them.
+They played me a pitiful trick once: got away with some of my best men. I will
+tell you the whole story another time. There comes old Sir Archibald Drew and
+his grandson. Look, he sees us; he kisses his hand to you; he takes you for my
+wife. Ah! the peace has come too soon for that younker. Poor old Sir Archibald!
+How do you like Bath, Miss Elliot? It suits us very well. We are always meeting
+with some old friend or other; the streets full of them every morning; sure to
+have plenty of chat; and then we get away from them all, and shut ourselves in
+our lodgings, and draw in our chairs, and are as snug as if we were at
+Kellynch, ay, or as we used to be even at North Yarmouth and Deal. We do not
+like our lodgings here the worse, I can tell you, for putting us in mind of
+those we first had at North Yarmouth. The wind blows through one of the
+cupboards just in the same way.”
+</p>
+
+<p>
+When they were got a little farther, Anne ventured to press again for what he
+had to communicate. She hoped when clear of Milsom Street to have her curiosity
+gratified; but she was still obliged to wait, for the Admiral had made up his
+mind not to begin till they had gained the greater space and quiet of Belmont;
+and as she was not really Mrs Croft, she must let him have his own way. As soon
+as they were fairly ascending Belmont, he began—
+</p>
+
+<p>
+“Well, now you shall hear something that will surprise you. But first of
+all, you must tell me the name of the young lady I am going to talk about. That
+young lady, you know, that we have all been so concerned for. The Miss
+Musgrove, that all this has been happening to. Her Christian name: I always
+forget her Christian name.”
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Anne had been ashamed to appear to comprehend so soon as she really did; but
+now she could safely suggest the name of “Louisa.”
+</p>
+
+<p>
+“Ay, ay, Miss Louisa Musgrove, that is the name. I wish young ladies had
+not such a number of fine Christian names. I should never be out if they were
+all Sophys, or something of that sort. Well, this Miss Louisa, we all thought,
+you know, was to marry Frederick. He was courting her week after week. The only
+wonder was, what they could be waiting for, till the business at Lyme came;
+then, indeed, it was clear enough that they must wait till her brain was set to
+right. But even then there was something odd in their way of going on. Instead
+of staying at Lyme, he went off to Plymouth, and then he went off to see
+Edward. When we came back from Minehead he was gone down to Edward’s, and
+there he has been ever since. We have seen nothing of him since November. Even
+Sophy could not understand it. But now, the matter has taken the strangest turn
+of all; for this young lady, the same Miss Musgrove, instead of being to marry
+Frederick, is to marry James Benwick. You know James Benwick.”
+</p>
+
+<p>
+“A little. I am a little acquainted with Captain Benwick.”
+</p>
+
+<p>
+“Well, she is to marry him. Nay, most likely they are married already,
+for I do not know what they should wait for.”
+</p>
+
+<p>
+“I thought Captain Benwick a very pleasing young man,” said Anne,
+“and I understand that he bears an excellent character.”
+</p>
+
+<p>
+“Oh! yes, yes, there is not a word to be said against James Benwick. He
+is only a commander, it is true, made last summer, and these are bad times for
+getting on, but he has not another fault that I know of. An excellent,
+good-hearted fellow, I assure you; a very active, zealous officer too, which is
+more than you would think for, perhaps, for that soft sort of manner does not
+do him justice.”
+</p>
+
+<p>
+“Indeed you are mistaken there, sir; I should never augur want of spirit
+from Captain Benwick’s manners. I thought them particularly pleasing, and
+I will answer for it, they would generally please.”
+</p>
+
+<p>
+“Well, well, ladies are the best judges; but James Benwick is rather too
+piano for me; and though very likely it is all our partiality, Sophy and I
+cannot help thinking Frederick’s manners better than his. There is
+something about Frederick more to our taste.”
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Anne was caught. She had only meant to oppose the too common idea of spirit and
+gentleness being incompatible with each other, not at all to represent Captain
+Benwick’s manners as the very best that could possibly be; and, after a
+little hesitation, she was beginning to say, “I was not entering into any
+comparison of the two friends,” but the Admiral interrupted her
+with—
+</p>
+
+<p>
+“And the thing is certainly true. It is not a mere bit of gossip. We have
+it from Frederick himself. His sister had a letter from him yesterday, in which
+he tells us of it, and he had just had it in a letter from Harville, written
+upon the spot, from Uppercross. I fancy they are all at Uppercross.”
+</p>
+
+<p>
+This was an opportunity which Anne could not resist; she said, therefore,
+“I hope, Admiral, I hope there is nothing in the style of Captain
+Wentworth’s letter to make you and Mrs Croft particularly uneasy. It did
+seem, last autumn, as if there were an attachment between him and Louisa
+Musgrove; but I hope it may be understood to have worn out on each side
+equally, and without violence. I hope his letter does not breathe the spirit of
+an ill-used man.”
+</p>
+
+<p>
+“Not at all, not at all; there is not an oath or a murmur from beginning
+to end.”
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Anne looked down to hide her smile.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+“No, no; Frederick is not a man to whine and complain; he has too much
+spirit for that. If the girl likes another man better, it is very fit she
+should have him.”
+</p>
+
+<p>
+“Certainly. But what I mean is, that I hope there is nothing in Captain
+Wentworth’s manner of writing to make you suppose he thinks himself
+ill-used by his friend, which might appear, you know, without its being
+absolutely said. I should be very sorry that such a friendship as has subsisted
+between him and Captain Benwick should be destroyed, or even wounded, by a
+circumstance of this sort.”
+</p>
+
+<p>
+“Yes, yes, I understand you. But there is nothing at all of that nature
+in the letter. He does not give the least fling at Benwick; does not so much as
+say, ‘I wonder at it, I have a reason of my own for wondering at
+it.’ No, you would not guess, from his way of writing, that he had ever
+thought of this Miss (what’s her name?) for himself. He very handsomely
+hopes they will be happy together; and there is nothing very unforgiving in
+that, I think.”
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Anne did not receive the perfect conviction which the Admiral meant to convey,
+but it would have been useless to press the enquiry farther. She therefore
+satisfied herself with common-place remarks or quiet attention, and the Admiral
+had it all his own way.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+“Poor Frederick!” said he at last. “Now he must begin all
+over again with somebody else. I think we must get him to Bath. Sophy must
+write, and beg him to come to Bath. Here are pretty girls enough, I am sure. It
+would be of no use to go to Uppercross again, for that other Miss Musgrove, I
+find, is bespoke by her cousin, the young parson. Do not you think, Miss
+Elliot, we had better try to get him to Bath?”
+</p>
+
+</div><!--end chapter-->
+
+<div class="chapter">
+
+<h2><a id="chap19"></a>CHAPTER XIX.</h2>
+
+<p>
+While Admiral Croft was taking this walk with Anne, and expressing his wish of
+getting Captain Wentworth to Bath, Captain Wentworth was already on his way
+thither. Before Mrs Croft had written, he was arrived, and the very next time
+Anne walked out, she saw him.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Mr Elliot was attending his two cousins and Mrs Clay. They were in Milsom
+Street. It began to rain, not much, but enough to make shelter desirable for
+women, and quite enough to make it very desirable for Miss Elliot to have the
+advantage of being conveyed home in Lady Dalrymple’s carriage, which was
+seen waiting at a little distance; she, Anne, and Mrs Clay, therefore, turned
+into Molland’s, while Mr Elliot stepped to Lady Dalrymple, to request her
+assistance. He soon joined them again, successful, of course; Lady Dalrymple
+would be most happy to take them home, and would call for them in a few
+minutes.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Her ladyship’s carriage was a barouche, and did not hold more than four
+with any comfort. Miss Carteret was with her mother; consequently it was not
+reasonable to expect accommodation for all the three Camden Place ladies. There
+could be no doubt as to Miss Elliot. Whoever suffered inconvenience, she must
+suffer none, but it occupied a little time to settle the point of civility
+between the other two. The rain was a mere trifle, and Anne was most sincere in
+preferring a walk with Mr Elliot. But the rain was also a mere trifle to Mrs
+Clay; she would hardly allow it even to drop at all, and her boots were so
+thick! much thicker than Miss Anne’s; and, in short, her civility
+rendered her quite as anxious to be left to walk with Mr Elliot as Anne could
+be, and it was discussed between them with a generosity so polite and so
+determined, that the others were obliged to settle it for them; Miss Elliot
+maintaining that Mrs Clay had a little cold already, and Mr Elliot deciding on
+appeal, that his cousin Anne’s boots were rather the thickest.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+It was fixed accordingly, that Mrs Clay should be of the party in the carriage;
+and they had just reached this point, when Anne, as she sat near the window,
+descried, most decidedly and distinctly, Captain Wentworth walking down the
+street.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Her start was perceptible only to herself; but she instantly felt that she was
+the greatest simpleton in the world, the most unaccountable and absurd! For a
+few minutes she saw nothing before her; it was all confusion. She was lost, and
+when she had scolded back her senses, she found the others still waiting for
+the carriage, and Mr Elliot (always obliging) just setting off for Union Street
+on a commission of Mrs Clay’s.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+She now felt a great inclination to go to the outer door; she wanted to see if
+it rained. Why was she to suspect herself of another motive? Captain Wentworth
+must be out of sight. She left her seat, she would go; one half of her should
+not be always so much wiser than the other half, or always suspecting the other
+of being worse than it was. She would see if it rained. She was sent back,
+however, in a moment by the entrance of Captain Wentworth himself, among a
+party of gentlemen and ladies, evidently his acquaintance, and whom he must
+have joined a little below Milsom Street. He was more obviously struck and
+confused by the sight of her than she had ever observed before; he looked quite
+red. For the first time, since their renewed acquaintance, she felt that she
+was betraying the least sensibility of the two. She had the advantage of him in
+the preparation of the last few moments. All the overpowering, blinding,
+bewildering, first effects of strong surprise were over with her. Still,
+however, she had enough to feel! It was agitation, pain, pleasure, a something
+between delight and misery.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+He spoke to her, and then turned away. The character of his manner was
+embarrassment. She could not have called it either cold or friendly, or
+anything so certainly as embarrassed.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+After a short interval, however, he came towards her, and spoke again. Mutual
+enquiries on common subjects passed: neither of them, probably, much the wiser
+for what they heard, and Anne continuing fully sensible of his being less at
+ease than formerly. They had by dint of being so very much together, got to
+speak to each other with a considerable portion of apparent indifference and
+calmness; but he could not do it now. Time had changed him, or Louisa had
+changed him. There was consciousness of some sort or other. He looked very
+well, not as if he had been suffering in health or spirits, and he talked of
+Uppercross, of the Musgroves, nay, even of Louisa, and had even a momentary
+look of his own arch significance as he named her; but yet it was Captain
+Wentworth not comfortable, not easy, not able to feign that he was.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+It did not surprise, but it grieved Anne to observe that Elizabeth would not
+know him. She saw that he saw Elizabeth, that Elizabeth saw him, that there was
+complete internal recognition on each side; she was convinced that he was ready
+to be acknowledged as an acquaintance, expecting it, and she had the pain of
+seeing her sister turn away with unalterable coldness.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Lady Dalrymple’s carriage, for which Miss Elliot was growing very
+impatient, now drew up; the servant came in to announce it. It was beginning to
+rain again, and altogether there was a delay, and a bustle, and a talking,
+which must make all the little crowd in the shop understand that Lady Dalrymple
+was calling to convey Miss Elliot. At last Miss Elliot and her friend,
+unattended but by the servant, (for there was no cousin returned), were walking
+off; and Captain Wentworth, watching them, turned again to Anne, and by manner,
+rather than words, was offering his services to her.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+“I am much obliged to you,” was her answer, “but I am not
+going with them. The carriage would not accommodate so many. I walk: I prefer
+walking.”
+</p>
+
+<p>
+“But it rains.”
+</p>
+
+<p>
+“Oh! very little. Nothing that I regard.”
+</p>
+
+<p>
+After a moment’s pause he said: “Though I came only yesterday, I
+have equipped myself properly for Bath already, you see,” (pointing to a
+new umbrella); “I wish you would make use of it, if you are determined to
+walk; though I think it would be more prudent to let me get you a chair.”
+</p>
+
+<p>
+She was very much obliged to him, but declined it all, repeating her
+conviction, that the rain would come to nothing at present, and adding,
+“I am only waiting for Mr Elliot. He will be here in a moment, I am
+sure.”
+</p>
+
+<p>
+She had hardly spoken the words when Mr Elliot walked in. Captain Wentworth
+recollected him perfectly. There was no difference between him and the man who
+had stood on the steps at Lyme, admiring Anne as she passed, except in the air
+and look and manner of the privileged relation and friend. He came in with
+eagerness, appeared to see and think only of her, apologised for his stay, was
+grieved to have kept her waiting, and anxious to get her away without further
+loss of time and before the rain increased; and in another moment they walked
+off together, her arm under his, a gentle and embarrassed glance, and a
+“Good morning to you!” being all that she had time for, as she
+passed away.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+As soon as they were out of sight, the ladies of Captain Wentworth’s
+party began talking of them.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+“Mr Elliot does not dislike his cousin, I fancy?”
+</p>
+
+<p>
+“Oh! no, that is clear enough. One can guess what will happen there. He
+is always with them; half lives in the family, I believe. What a very
+good-looking man!”
+</p>
+
+<p>
+“Yes, and Miss Atkinson, who dined with him once at the Wallises, says he
+is the most agreeable man she ever was in company with.”
+</p>
+
+<p>
+“She is pretty, I think; Anne Elliot; very pretty, when one comes to look
+at her. It is not the fashion to say so, but I confess I admire her more than
+her sister.”
+</p>
+
+<p>
+“Oh! so do I.”
+</p>
+
+<p>
+“And so do I. No comparison. But the men are all wild after Miss Elliot.
+Anne is too delicate for them.”
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Anne would have been particularly obliged to her cousin, if he would have
+walked by her side all the way to Camden Place, without saying a word. She had
+never found it so difficult to listen to him, though nothing could exceed his
+solicitude and care, and though his subjects were principally such as were wont
+to be always interesting: praise, warm, just, and discriminating, of Lady
+Russell, and insinuations highly rational against Mrs Clay. But just now she
+could think only of Captain Wentworth. She could not understand his present
+feelings, whether he were really suffering much from disappointment or not; and
+till that point were settled, she could not be quite herself.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+She hoped to be wise and reasonable in time; but alas! alas! she must confess
+to herself that she was not wise yet.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Another circumstance very essential for her to know, was how long he meant to
+be in Bath; he had not mentioned it, or she could not recollect it. He might be
+only passing through. But it was more probable that he should be come to stay.
+In that case, so liable as every body was to meet every body in Bath, Lady
+Russell would in all likelihood see him somewhere. Would she recollect him? How
+would it all be?
+</p>
+
+<p>
+She had already been obliged to tell Lady Russell that Louisa Musgrove was to
+marry Captain Benwick. It had cost her something to encounter Lady
+Russell’s surprise; and now, if she were by any chance to be thrown into
+company with Captain Wentworth, her imperfect knowledge of the matter might add
+another shade of prejudice against him.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The following morning Anne was out with her friend, and for the first hour, in
+an incessant and fearful sort of watch for him in vain; but at last, in
+returning down Pulteney Street, she distinguished him on the right hand
+pavement at such a distance as to have him in view the greater part of the
+street. There were many other men about him, many groups walking the same way,
+but there was no mistaking him. She looked instinctively at Lady Russell; but
+not from any mad idea of her recognising him so soon as she did herself. No, it
+was not to be supposed that Lady Russell would perceive him till they were
+nearly opposite. She looked at her however, from time to time, anxiously; and
+when the moment approached which must point him out, though not daring to look
+again (for her own countenance she knew was unfit to be seen), she was yet
+perfectly conscious of Lady Russell’s eyes being turned exactly in the
+direction for him—of her being, in short, intently observing him. She
+could thoroughly comprehend the sort of fascination he must possess over Lady
+Russell’s mind, the difficulty it must be for her to withdraw her eyes,
+the astonishment she must be feeling that eight or nine years should have
+passed over him, and in foreign climes and in active service too, without
+robbing him of one personal grace!
+</p>
+
+<p>
+At last, Lady Russell drew back her head. “Now, how would she speak of
+him?”
+</p>
+
+<p>
+“You will wonder,” said she, “what has been fixing my eye so
+long; but I was looking after some window-curtains, which Lady Alicia and Mrs
+Frankland were telling me of last night. They described the drawing-room
+window-curtains of one of the houses on this side of the way, and this part of
+the street, as being the handsomest and best hung of any in Bath, but could not
+recollect the exact number, and I have been trying to find out which it could
+be; but I confess I can see no curtains hereabouts that answer their
+description.”
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Anne sighed and blushed and smiled, in pity and disdain, either at her friend
+or herself. The part which provoked her most, was that in all this waste of
+foresight and caution, she should have lost the right moment for seeing whether
+he saw them.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+A day or two passed without producing anything. The theatre or the rooms, where
+he was most likely to be, were not fashionable enough for the Elliots, whose
+evening amusements were solely in the elegant stupidity of private parties, in
+which they were getting more and more engaged; and Anne, wearied of such a
+state of stagnation, sick of knowing nothing, and fancying herself stronger
+because her strength was not tried, was quite impatient for the concert
+evening. It was a concert for the benefit of a person patronised by Lady
+Dalrymple. Of course they must attend. It was really expected to be a good one,
+and Captain Wentworth was very fond of music. If she could only have a few
+minutes conversation with him again, she fancied she should be satisfied; and
+as to the power of addressing him, she felt all over courage if the opportunity
+occurred. Elizabeth had turned from him, Lady Russell overlooked him; her
+nerves were strengthened by these circumstances; she felt that she owed him
+attention.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+She had once partly promised Mrs Smith to spend the evening with her; but in a
+short hurried call she excused herself and put it off, with the more decided
+promise of a longer visit on the morrow. Mrs Smith gave a most good-humoured
+acquiescence.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+“By all means,” said she; “only tell me all about it, when
+you do come. Who is your party?”
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Anne named them all. Mrs Smith made no reply; but when she was leaving her
+said, and with an expression half serious, half arch, “Well, I heartily
+wish your concert may answer; and do not fail me to-morrow if you can come; for
+I begin to have a foreboding that I may not have many more visits from
+you.”
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Anne was startled and confused; but after standing in a moment’s
+suspense, was obliged, and not sorry to be obliged, to hurry away.
+</p>
+
+</div><!--end chapter-->
+
+<div class="chapter">
+
+<h2><a id="chap20"></a>CHAPTER XX.</h2>
+
+<p>
+Sir Walter, his two daughters, and Mrs Clay, were the earliest of all their
+party at the rooms in the evening; and as Lady Dalrymple must be waited for,
+they took their station by one of the fires in the Octagon Room. But hardly
+were they so settled, when the door opened again, and Captain Wentworth walked
+in alone. Anne was the nearest to him, and making yet a little advance, she
+instantly spoke. He was preparing only to bow and pass on, but her gentle
+“How do you do?” brought him out of the straight line to stand near
+her, and make enquiries in return, in spite of the formidable father and sister
+in the back ground. Their being in the back ground was a support to Anne; she
+knew nothing of their looks, and felt equal to everything which she believed
+right to be done.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+While they were speaking, a whispering between her father and Elizabeth caught
+her ear. She could not distinguish, but she must guess the subject; and on
+Captain Wentworth’s making a distant bow, she comprehended that her
+father had judged so well as to give him that simple acknowledgement of
+acquaintance, and she was just in time by a side glance to see a slight curtsey
+from Elizabeth herself. This, though late, and reluctant, and ungracious, was
+yet better than nothing, and her spirits improved.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+After talking, however, of the weather, and Bath, and the concert, their
+conversation began to flag, and so little was said at last, that she was
+expecting him to go every moment, but he did not; he seemed in no hurry to
+leave her; and presently with renewed spirit, with a little smile, a little
+glow, he said—
+</p>
+
+<p>
+“I have hardly seen you since our day at Lyme. I am afraid you must have
+suffered from the shock, and the more from its not overpowering you at the
+time.”
+</p>
+
+<p>
+She assured him that she had not.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+“It was a frightful hour,” said he, “a frightful day!”
+and he passed his hand across his eyes, as if the remembrance were still too
+painful, but in a moment, half smiling again, added, “The day has
+produced some effects however; has had some consequences which must be
+considered as the very reverse of frightful. When you had the presence of mind
+to suggest that Benwick would be the properest person to fetch a surgeon, you
+could have little idea of his being eventually one of those most concerned in
+her recovery.”
+</p>
+
+<p>
+“Certainly I could have none. But it appears—I should hope it would
+be a very happy match. There are on both sides good principles and good
+temper.”
+</p>
+
+<p>
+“Yes,” said he, looking not exactly forward; “but there, I
+think, ends the resemblance. With all my soul I wish them happy, and rejoice
+over every circumstance in favour of it. They have no difficulties to contend
+with at home, no opposition, no caprice, no delays. The Musgroves are behaving
+like themselves, most honourably and kindly, only anxious with true parental
+hearts to promote their daughter’s comfort. All this is much, very much
+in favour of their happiness; more than perhaps—”
+</p>
+
+<p>
+He stopped. A sudden recollection seemed to occur, and to give him some taste
+of that emotion which was reddening Anne’s cheeks and fixing her eyes on
+the ground. After clearing his throat, however, he proceeded thus—
+</p>
+
+<p>
+“I confess that I do think there is a disparity, too great a disparity,
+and in a point no less essential than mind. I regard Louisa Musgrove as a very
+amiable, sweet-tempered girl, and not deficient in understanding, but Benwick
+is something more. He is a clever man, a reading man; and I confess, that I do
+consider his attaching himself to her with some surprise. Had it been the
+effect of gratitude, had he learnt to love her, because he believed her to be
+preferring him, it would have been another thing. But I have no reason to
+suppose it so. It seems, on the contrary, to have been a perfectly spontaneous,
+untaught feeling on his side, and this surprises me. A man like him, in his
+situation! with a heart pierced, wounded, almost broken! Fanny Harville was a
+very superior creature, and his attachment to her was indeed attachment. A man
+does not recover from such a devotion of the heart to such a woman. He ought
+not; he does not.”
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Either from the consciousness, however, that his friend had recovered, or from
+other consciousness, he went no farther; and Anne who, in spite of the agitated
+voice in which the latter part had been uttered, and in spite of all the
+various noises of the room, the almost ceaseless slam of the door, and
+ceaseless buzz of persons walking through, had distinguished every word, was
+struck, gratified, confused, and beginning to breathe very quick, and feel an
+hundred things in a moment. It was impossible for her to enter on such a
+subject; and yet, after a pause, feeling the necessity of speaking, and having
+not the smallest wish for a total change, she only deviated so far as to
+say—
+</p>
+
+<p>
+“You were a good while at Lyme, I think?”
+</p>
+
+<p>
+“About a fortnight. I could not leave it till Louisa’s doing well
+was quite ascertained. I had been too deeply concerned in the mischief to be
+soon at peace. It had been my doing, solely mine. She would not have been
+obstinate if I had not been weak. The country round Lyme is very fine. I walked
+and rode a great deal; and the more I saw, the more I found to admire.”
+</p>
+
+<p>
+“I should very much like to see Lyme again,” said Anne.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+“Indeed! I should not have supposed that you could have found anything in
+Lyme to inspire such a feeling. The horror and distress you were involved in,
+the stretch of mind, the wear of spirits! I should have thought your last
+impressions of Lyme must have been strong disgust.”
+</p>
+
+<p>
+“The last hours were certainly very painful,” replied Anne;
+“but when pain is over, the remembrance of it often becomes a pleasure.
+One does not love a place the less for having suffered in it, unless it has
+been all suffering, nothing but suffering, which was by no means the case at
+Lyme. We were only in anxiety and distress during the last two hours, and
+previously there had been a great deal of enjoyment. So much novelty and
+beauty! I have travelled so little, that every fresh place would be interesting
+to me; but there is real beauty at Lyme; and in short” (with a faint
+blush at some recollections), “altogether my impressions of the place are
+very agreeable.”
+</p>
+
+<p>
+As she ceased, the entrance door opened again, and the very party appeared for
+whom they were waiting. “Lady Dalrymple, Lady Dalrymple,” was the
+rejoicing sound; and with all the eagerness compatible with anxious elegance,
+Sir Walter and his two ladies stepped forward to meet her. Lady Dalrymple and
+Miss Carteret, escorted by Mr Elliot and Colonel Wallis, who had happened to
+arrive nearly at the same instant, advanced into the room. The others joined
+them, and it was a group in which Anne found herself also necessarily included.
+She was divided from Captain Wentworth. Their interesting, almost too
+interesting conversation must be broken up for a time, but slight was the
+penance compared with the happiness which brought it on! She had learnt, in the
+last ten minutes, more of his feelings towards Louisa, more of all his feelings
+than she dared to think of; and she gave herself up to the demands of the
+party, to the needful civilities of the moment, with exquisite, though agitated
+sensations. She was in good humour with all. She had received ideas which
+disposed her to be courteous and kind to all, and to pity every one, as being
+less happy than herself.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The delightful emotions were a little subdued, when on stepping back from the
+group, to be joined again by Captain Wentworth, she saw that he was gone. She
+was just in time to see him turn into the Concert Room. He was gone; he had
+disappeared, she felt a moment’s regret. But “they should meet
+again. He would look for her, he would find her out before the evening were
+over, and at present, perhaps, it was as well to be asunder. She was in need of
+a little interval for recollection.”
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Upon Lady Russell’s appearance soon afterwards, the whole party was
+collected, and all that remained was to marshal themselves, and proceed into
+the Concert Room; and be of all the consequence in their power, draw as many
+eyes, excite as many whispers, and disturb as many people as they could.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Very, very happy were both Elizabeth and Anne Elliot as they walked in.
+Elizabeth arm in arm with Miss Carteret, and looking on the broad back of the
+dowager Viscountess Dalrymple before her, had nothing to wish for which did not
+seem within her reach; and Anne—but it would be an insult to the nature
+of Anne’s felicity, to draw any comparison between it and her
+sister’s; the origin of one all selfish vanity, of the other all generous
+attachment.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Anne saw nothing, thought nothing of the brilliancy of the room. Her happiness
+was from within. Her eyes were bright and her cheeks glowed; but she knew
+nothing about it. She was thinking only of the last half hour, and as they
+passed to their seats, her mind took a hasty range over it. His choice of
+subjects, his expressions, and still more his manner and look, had been such as
+she could see in only one light. His opinion of Louisa Musgrove’s
+inferiority, an opinion which he had seemed solicitous to give, his wonder at
+Captain Benwick, his feelings as to a first, strong attachment; sentences begun
+which he could not finish, his half averted eyes and more than half expressive
+glance, all, all declared that he had a heart returning to her at least; that
+anger, resentment, avoidance, were no more; and that they were succeeded, not
+merely by friendship and regard, but by the tenderness of the past. Yes, some
+share of the tenderness of the past. She could not contemplate the change as
+implying less. He must love her.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+These were thoughts, with their attendant visions, which occupied and flurried
+her too much to leave her any power of observation; and she passed along the
+room without having a glimpse of him, without even trying to discern him. When
+their places were determined on, and they were all properly arranged, she
+looked round to see if he should happen to be in the same part of the room, but
+he was not; her eye could not reach him; and the concert being just opening,
+she must consent for a time to be happy in a humbler way.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The party was divided and disposed of on two contiguous benches: Anne was among
+those on the foremost, and Mr Elliot had manœuvred so well, with the assistance
+of his friend Colonel Wallis, as to have a seat by her. Miss Elliot, surrounded
+by her cousins, and the principal object of Colonel Wallis’s gallantry,
+was quite contented.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Anne’s mind was in a most favourable state for the entertainment of the
+evening; it was just occupation enough: she had feelings for the tender,
+spirits for the gay, attention for the scientific, and patience for the
+wearisome; and had never liked a concert better, at least during the first act.
+Towards the close of it, in the interval succeeding an Italian song, she
+explained the words of the song to Mr Elliot. They had a concert bill between
+them.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+“This,” said she, “is nearly the sense, or rather the meaning
+of the words, for certainly the sense of an Italian love-song must not be
+talked of, but it is as nearly the meaning as I can give; for I do not pretend
+to understand the language. I am a very poor Italian scholar.”
+</p>
+
+<p>
+“Yes, yes, I see you are. I see you know nothing of the matter. You have
+only knowledge enough of the language to translate at sight these inverted,
+transposed, curtailed Italian lines, into clear, comprehensible, elegant
+English. You need not say anything more of your ignorance. Here is complete
+proof.”
+</p>
+
+<p>
+“I will not oppose such kind politeness; but I should be sorry to be
+examined by a real proficient.”
+</p>
+
+<p>
+“I have not had the pleasure of visiting in Camden Place so long,”
+replied he, “without knowing something of Miss Anne Elliot; and I do
+regard her as one who is too modest for the world in general to be aware of
+half her accomplishments, and too highly accomplished for modesty to be natural
+in any other woman.”
+</p>
+
+<p>
+“For shame! for shame! this is too much flattery. I forget what we are to
+have next,” turning to the bill.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+“Perhaps,” said Mr Elliot, speaking low, “I have had a longer
+acquaintance with your character than you are aware of.”
+</p>
+
+<p>
+“Indeed! How so? You can have been acquainted with it only since I came
+to Bath, excepting as you might hear me previously spoken of in my own
+family.”
+</p>
+
+<p>
+“I knew you by report long before you came to Bath. I had heard you
+described by those who knew you intimately. I have been acquainted with you by
+character many years. Your person, your disposition, accomplishments, manner;
+they were all present to me.”
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Mr Elliot was not disappointed in the interest he hoped to raise. No one can
+withstand the charm of such a mystery. To have been described long ago to a
+recent acquaintance, by nameless people, is irresistible; and Anne was all
+curiosity. She wondered, and questioned him eagerly; but in vain. He delighted
+in being asked, but he would not tell.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+“No, no, some time or other, perhaps, but not now. He would mention no
+names now; but such, he could assure her, had been the fact. He had many years
+ago received such a description of Miss Anne Elliot as had inspired him with
+the highest idea of her merit, and excited the warmest curiosity to know
+her.”
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Anne could think of no one so likely to have spoken with partiality of her many
+years ago as the Mr Wentworth of Monkford, Captain Wentworth’s brother.
+He might have been in Mr Elliot’s company, but she had not courage to ask
+the question.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+“The name of Anne Elliot,” said he, “has long had an
+interesting sound to me. Very long has it possessed a charm over my fancy; and,
+if I dared, I would breathe my wishes that the name might never change.”
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Such, she believed, were his words; but scarcely had she received their sound,
+than her attention was caught by other sounds immediately behind her, which
+rendered every thing else trivial. Her father and Lady Dalrymple were speaking.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+“A well-looking man,” said Sir Walter, “a very well-looking
+man.”
+</p>
+
+<p>
+“A very fine young man indeed!” said Lady Dalrymple. “More
+air than one often sees in Bath. Irish, I dare say.”
+</p>
+
+<p>
+“No, I just know his name. A bowing acquaintance. Wentworth; Captain
+Wentworth of the navy. His sister married my tenant in Somersetshire, the
+Croft, who rents Kellynch.”
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Before Sir Walter had reached this point, Anne’s eyes had caught the
+right direction, and distinguished Captain Wentworth standing among a cluster
+of men at a little distance. As her eyes fell on him, his seemed to be
+withdrawn from her. It had that appearance. It seemed as if she had been one
+moment too late; and as long as she dared observe, he did not look again: but
+the performance was recommencing, and she was forced to seem to restore her
+attention to the orchestra and look straight forward.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+When she could give another glance, he had moved away. He could not have come
+nearer to her if he would; she was so surrounded and shut in: but she would
+rather have caught his eye.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Mr Elliot’s speech, too, distressed her. She had no longer any
+inclination to talk to him. She wished him not so near her.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The first act was over. Now she hoped for some beneficial change; and, after a
+period of nothing-saying amongst the party, some of them did decide on going in
+quest of tea. Anne was one of the few who did not choose to move. She remained
+in her seat, and so did Lady Russell; but she had the pleasure of getting rid
+of Mr Elliot; and she did not mean, whatever she might feel on Lady
+Russell’s account, to shrink from conversation with Captain Wentworth, if
+he gave her the opportunity. She was persuaded by Lady Russell’s
+countenance that she had seen him.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+He did not come however. Anne sometimes fancied she discerned him at a
+distance, but he never came. The anxious interval wore away unproductively. The
+others returned, the room filled again, benches were reclaimed and repossessed,
+and another hour of pleasure or of penance was to be sat out, another hour of
+music was to give delight or the gapes, as real or affected taste for it
+prevailed. To Anne, it chiefly wore the prospect of an hour of agitation. She
+could not quit that room in peace without seeing Captain Wentworth once more,
+without the interchange of one friendly look.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+In re-settling themselves there were now many changes, the result of which was
+favourable for her. Colonel Wallis declined sitting down again, and Mr Elliot
+was invited by Elizabeth and Miss Carteret, in a manner not to be refused, to
+sit between them; and by some other removals, and a little scheming of her own,
+Anne was enabled to place herself much nearer the end of the bench than she had
+been before, much more within reach of a passer-by. She could not do so,
+without comparing herself with Miss Larolles, the inimitable Miss Larolles; but
+still she did it, and not with much happier effect; though by what seemed
+prosperity in the shape of an early abdication in her next neighbours, she
+found herself at the very end of the bench before the concert closed.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Such was her situation, with a vacant space at hand, when Captain Wentworth was
+again in sight. She saw him not far off. He saw her too; yet he looked grave,
+and seemed irresolute, and only by very slow degrees came at last near enough
+to speak to her. She felt that something must be the matter. The change was
+indubitable. The difference between his present air and what it had been in the
+Octagon Room was strikingly great. Why was it? She thought of her father, of
+Lady Russell. Could there have been any unpleasant glances? He began by
+speaking of the concert gravely, more like the Captain Wentworth of Uppercross;
+owned himself disappointed, had expected singing; and in short, must confess
+that he should not be sorry when it was over. Anne replied, and spoke in
+defence of the performance so well, and yet in allowance for his feelings so
+pleasantly, that his countenance improved, and he replied again with almost a
+smile. They talked for a few minutes more; the improvement held; he even looked
+down towards the bench, as if he saw a place on it well worth occupying; when
+at that moment a touch on her shoulder obliged Anne to turn round. It came from
+Mr Elliot. He begged her pardon, but she must be applied to, to explain Italian
+again. Miss Carteret was very anxious to have a general idea of what was next
+to be sung. Anne could not refuse; but never had she sacrificed to politeness
+with a more suffering spirit.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+A few minutes, though as few as possible, were inevitably consumed; and when
+her own mistress again, when able to turn and look as she had done before, she
+found herself accosted by Captain Wentworth, in a reserved yet hurried sort of
+farewell. “He must wish her good night; he was going; he should get home
+as fast as he could.”
+</p>
+
+<p>
+“Is not this song worth staying for?” said Anne, suddenly struck by
+an idea which made her yet more anxious to be encouraging.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+“No!” he replied impressively, “there is nothing worth my
+staying for;” and he was gone directly.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Jealousy of Mr Elliot! It was the only intelligible motive. Captain Wentworth
+jealous of her affection! Could she have believed it a week ago; three hours
+ago! For a moment the gratification was exquisite. But, alas! there were very
+different thoughts to succeed. How was such jealousy to be quieted? How was the
+truth to reach him? How, in all the peculiar disadvantages of their respective
+situations, would he ever learn of her real sentiments? It was misery to think
+of Mr Elliot’s attentions. Their evil was incalculable.
+</p>
+
+</div><!--end chapter-->
+
+<div class="chapter">
+
+<h2><a id="chap21"></a>CHAPTER XXI.</h2>
+
+<p>
+Anne recollected with pleasure the next morning her promise of going to Mrs
+Smith, meaning that it should engage her from home at the time when Mr Elliot
+would be most likely to call; for to avoid Mr Elliot was almost a first object.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+She felt a great deal of good-will towards him. In spite of the mischief of his
+attentions, she owed him gratitude and regard, perhaps compassion. She could
+not help thinking much of the extraordinary circumstances attending their
+acquaintance, of the right which he seemed to have to interest her, by
+everything in situation, by his own sentiments, by his early prepossession. It
+was altogether very extraordinary; flattering, but painful. There was much to
+regret. How she might have felt had there been no Captain Wentworth in the
+case, was not worth enquiry; for there was a Captain Wentworth; and be the
+conclusion of the present suspense good or bad, her affection would be his for
+ever. Their union, she believed, could not divide her more from other men, than
+their final separation.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Prettier musings of high-wrought love and eternal constancy, could never have
+passed along the streets of Bath, than Anne was sporting with from Camden Place
+to Westgate Buildings. It was almost enough to spread purification and perfume
+all the way.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+She was sure of a pleasant reception; and her friend seemed this morning
+particularly obliged to her for coming, seemed hardly to have expected her,
+though it had been an appointment.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+An account of the concert was immediately claimed; and Anne’s
+recollections of the concert were quite happy enough to animate her features
+and make her rejoice to talk of it. All that she could tell she told most
+gladly, but the all was little for one who had been there, and unsatisfactory
+for such an enquirer as Mrs Smith, who had already heard, through the short cut
+of a laundress and a waiter, rather more of the general success and produce of
+the evening than Anne could relate, and who now asked in vain for several
+particulars of the company. Everybody of any consequence or notoriety in Bath
+was well know by name to Mrs Smith.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+“The little Durands were there, I conclude,” said she, “with
+their mouths open to catch the music, like unfledged sparrows ready to be fed.
+They never miss a concert.”
+</p>
+
+<p>
+“Yes; I did not see them myself, but I heard Mr Elliot say they were in
+the room.”
+</p>
+
+<p>
+“The Ibbotsons, were they there? and the two new beauties, with the tall
+Irish officer, who is talked of for one of them.”
+</p>
+
+<p>
+“I do not know. I do not think they were.”
+</p>
+
+<p>
+“Old Lady Mary Maclean? I need not ask after her. She never misses, I
+know; and you must have seen her. She must have been in your own circle; for as
+you went with Lady Dalrymple, you were in the seats of grandeur, round the
+orchestra, of course.”
+</p>
+
+<p>
+“No, that was what I dreaded. It would have been very unpleasant to me in
+every respect. But happily Lady Dalrymple always chooses to be farther off; and
+we were exceedingly well placed, that is, for hearing; I must not say for
+seeing, because I appear to have seen very little.”
+</p>
+
+<p>
+“Oh! you saw enough for your own amusement. I can understand. There is a
+sort of domestic enjoyment to be known even in a crowd, and this you had. You
+were a large party in yourselves, and you wanted nothing beyond.”
+</p>
+
+<p>
+“But I ought to have looked about me more,” said Anne, conscious
+while she spoke that there had in fact been no want of looking about, that the
+object only had been deficient.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+“No, no; you were better employed. You need not tell me that you had a
+pleasant evening. I see it in your eye. I perfectly see how the hours passed:
+that you had always something agreeable to listen to. In the intervals of the
+concert it was conversation.”
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Anne half smiled and said, “Do you see that in my eye?”
+</p>
+
+<p>
+“Yes, I do. Your countenance perfectly informs me that you were in
+company last night with the person whom you think the most agreeable in the
+world, the person who interests you at this present time more than all the rest
+of the world put together.”
+</p>
+
+<p>
+A blush overspread Anne’s cheeks. She could say nothing.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+“And such being the case,” continued Mrs Smith, after a short
+pause, “I hope you believe that I do know how to value your kindness in
+coming to me this morning. It is really very good of you to come and sit with
+me, when you must have so many pleasanter demands upon your time.”
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Anne heard nothing of this. She was still in the astonishment and confusion
+excited by her friend’s penetration, unable to imagine how any report of
+Captain Wentworth could have reached her. After another short silence—
+</p>
+
+<p>
+“Pray,” said Mrs Smith, “is Mr Elliot aware of your
+acquaintance with me? Does he know that I am in Bath?”
+</p>
+
+<p>
+“Mr Elliot!” repeated Anne, looking up surprised. A moment’s
+reflection shewed her the mistake she had been under. She caught it
+instantaneously; and recovering her courage with the feeling of safety, soon
+added, more composedly, “Are you acquainted with Mr Elliot?”
+</p>
+
+<p>
+“I have been a good deal acquainted with him,” replied Mrs Smith,
+gravely, “but it seems worn out now. It is a great while since we
+met.”
+</p>
+
+<p>
+“I was not at all aware of this. You never mentioned it before. Had I
+known it, I would have had the pleasure of talking to him about you.”
+</p>
+
+<p>
+“To confess the truth,” said Mrs Smith, assuming her usual air of
+cheerfulness, “that is exactly the pleasure I want you to have. I want
+you to talk about me to Mr Elliot. I want your interest with him. He can be of
+essential service to me; and if you would have the goodness, my dear Miss
+Elliot, to make it an object to yourself, of course it is done.”
+</p>
+
+<p>
+“I should be extremely happy; I hope you cannot doubt my willingness to
+be of even the slightest use to you,” replied Anne; “but I suspect
+that you are considering me as having a higher claim on Mr Elliot, a greater
+right to influence him, than is really the case. I am sure you have, somehow or
+other, imbibed such a notion. You must consider me only as Mr Elliot’s
+relation. If in that light there is anything which you suppose his cousin might
+fairly ask of him, I beg you would not hesitate to employ me.”
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Mrs Smith gave her a penetrating glance, and then, smiling, said—
+</p>
+
+<p>
+“I have been a little premature, I perceive; I beg your pardon. I ought
+to have waited for official information. But now, my dear Miss Elliot, as an
+old friend, do give me a hint as to when I may speak. Next week? To be sure by
+next week I may be allowed to think it all settled, and build my own selfish
+schemes on Mr Elliot’s good fortune.”
+</p>
+
+<p>
+“No,” replied Anne, “nor next week, nor next, nor next. I
+assure you that nothing of the sort you are thinking of will be settled any
+week. I am not going to marry Mr Elliot. I should like to know why you imagine
+I am?”
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Mrs Smith looked at her again, looked earnestly, smiled, shook her head, and
+exclaimed—
+</p>
+
+<p>
+“Now, how I do wish I understood you! How I do wish I knew what you were
+at! I have a great idea that you do not design to be cruel, when the right
+moment occurs. Till it does come, you know, we women never mean to have
+anybody. It is a thing of course among us, that every man is refused, till he
+offers. But why should you be cruel? Let me plead for my—present friend I
+cannot call him, but for my former friend. Where can you look for a more
+suitable match? Where could you expect a more gentlemanlike, agreeable man? Let
+me recommend Mr Elliot. I am sure you hear nothing but good of him from Colonel
+Wallis; and who can know him better than Colonel Wallis?”
+</p>
+
+<p>
+“My dear Mrs Smith, Mr Elliot’s wife has not been dead much above
+half a year. He ought not to be supposed to be paying his addresses to any
+one.”
+</p>
+
+<p>
+“Oh! if these are your only objections,” cried Mrs Smith, archly,
+“Mr Elliot is safe, and I shall give myself no more trouble about him. Do
+not forget me when you are married, that’s all. Let him know me to be a
+friend of yours, and then he will think little of the trouble required, which
+it is very natural for him now, with so many affairs and engagements of his
+own, to avoid and get rid of as he can; very natural, perhaps. Ninety-nine out
+of a hundred would do the same. Of course, he cannot be aware of the importance
+to me. Well, my dear Miss Elliot, I hope and trust you will be very happy. Mr
+Elliot has sense to understand the value of such a woman. Your peace will not
+be shipwrecked as mine has been. You are safe in all worldly matters, and safe
+in his character. He will not be led astray; he will not be misled by others to
+his ruin.”
+</p>
+
+<p>
+“No,” said Anne, “I can readily believe all that of my
+cousin. He seems to have a calm decided temper, not at all open to dangerous
+impressions. I consider him with great respect. I have no reason, from any
+thing that has fallen within my observation, to do otherwise. But I have not
+known him long; and he is not a man, I think, to be known intimately soon. Will
+not this manner of speaking of him, Mrs Smith, convince you that he is nothing
+to me? Surely this must be calm enough. And, upon my word, he is nothing to me.
+Should he ever propose to me (which I have very little reason to imagine he has
+any thought of doing), I shall not accept him. I assure you I shall not. I
+assure you, Mr Elliot had not the share which you have been supposing, in
+whatever pleasure the concert of last night might afford: not Mr Elliot; it is
+not Mr Elliot that—”
+</p>
+
+<p>
+She stopped, regretting with a deep blush that she had implied so much; but
+less would hardly have been sufficient. Mrs Smith would hardly have believed so
+soon in Mr Elliot’s failure, but from the perception of there being a
+somebody else. As it was, she instantly submitted, and with all the semblance
+of seeing nothing beyond; and Anne, eager to escape farther notice, was
+impatient to know why Mrs Smith should have fancied she was to marry Mr Elliot;
+where she could have received the idea, or from whom she could have heard it.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+“Do tell me how it first came into your head.”
+</p>
+
+<p>
+“It first came into my head,” replied Mrs Smith, “upon
+finding how much you were together, and feeling it to be the most probable
+thing in the world to be wished for by everybody belonging to either of you;
+and you may depend upon it that all your acquaintance have disposed of you in
+the same way. But I never heard it spoken of till two days ago.”
+</p>
+
+<p>
+“And has it indeed been spoken of?”
+</p>
+
+<p>
+“Did you observe the woman who opened the door to you when you called
+yesterday?”
+</p>
+
+<p>
+“No. Was not it Mrs Speed, as usual, or the maid? I observed no one in
+particular.”
+</p>
+
+<p>
+“It was my friend Mrs Rooke; Nurse Rooke; who, by-the-bye, had a great
+curiosity to see you, and was delighted to be in the way to let you in. She
+came away from Marlborough Buildings only on Sunday; and she it was who told me
+you were to marry Mr Elliot. She had had it from Mrs Wallis herself, which did
+not seem bad authority. She sat an hour with me on Monday evening, and gave me
+the whole history.” 
+</p>
+
+<p>
+“The whole history,” repeated Anne,
+laughing. “She could not make a very long history, I think, of one such
+little article of unfounded news.”
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Mrs Smith said nothing.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+“But,” continued Anne, presently, “though there is no truth
+in my having this claim on Mr Elliot, I should be extremely happy to be of use
+to you in any way that I could. Shall I mention to him your being in Bath?
+Shall I take any message?”
+</p>
+
+<p>
+“No, I thank you: no, certainly not. In the warmth of the moment, and
+under a mistaken impression, I might, perhaps, have endeavoured to interest you
+in some circumstances; but not now. No, I thank you, I have nothing to trouble
+you with.”
+</p>
+
+<p>
+“I think you spoke of having known Mr Elliot many years?”
+</p>
+
+<p>
+“I did.”
+</p>
+
+<p>
+“Not before he was married, I suppose?”
+</p>
+
+<p>
+“Yes; he was not married when I knew him first.”
+</p>
+
+<p>
+“And—were you much acquainted?”
+</p>
+
+<p>
+“Intimately.”
+</p>
+
+<p>
+“Indeed! Then do tell me what he was at that time of life. I have a great
+curiosity to know what Mr Elliot was as a very young man. Was he at all such as
+he appears now?”
+</p>
+
+<p>
+“I have not seen Mr Elliot these three years,” was Mrs
+Smith’s answer, given so gravely that it was impossible to pursue the
+subject farther; and Anne felt that she had gained nothing but an increase of
+curiosity. They were both silent: Mrs Smith very thoughtful. At last—
+</p>
+
+<p>
+“I beg your pardon, my dear Miss Elliot,” she cried, in her natural
+tone of cordiality, “I beg your pardon for the short answers I have been
+giving you, but I have been uncertain what I ought to do. I have been doubting
+and considering as to what I ought to tell you. There were many things to be
+taken into the account. One hates to be officious, to be giving bad
+impressions, making mischief. Even the smooth surface of family-union seems
+worth preserving, though there may be nothing durable beneath. However, I have
+determined; I think I am right; I think you ought to be made acquainted with Mr
+Elliot’s real character. Though I fully believe that, at present, you
+have not the smallest intention of accepting him, there is no saying what may
+happen. You might, some time or other, be differently affected towards him.
+Hear the truth, therefore, now, while you are unprejudiced. Mr Elliot is a man
+without heart or conscience; a designing, wary, cold-blooded being, who thinks
+only of himself; whom for his own interest or ease, would be guilty of any
+cruelty, or any treachery, that could be perpetrated without risk of his
+general character. He has no feeling for others. Those whom he has been the
+chief cause of leading into ruin, he can neglect and desert without the
+smallest compunction. He is totally beyond the reach of any sentiment of
+justice or compassion. Oh! he is black at heart, hollow and black!”
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Anne’s astonished air, and exclamation of wonder, made her pause, and in
+a calmer manner, she added,
+</p>
+
+<p>
+“My expressions startle you. You must allow for an injured, angry woman.
+But I will try to command myself. I will not abuse him. I will only tell you
+what I have found him. Facts shall speak. He was the intimate friend of my dear
+husband, who trusted and loved him, and thought him as good as himself. The
+intimacy had been formed before our marriage. I found them most intimate
+friends; and I, too, became excessively pleased with Mr Elliot, and entertained
+the highest opinion of him. At nineteen, you know, one does not think very
+seriously; but Mr Elliot appeared to me quite as good as others, and much more
+agreeable than most others, and we were almost always together. We were
+principally in town, living in very good style. He was then the inferior in
+circumstances; he was then the poor one; he had chambers in the Temple, and it
+was as much as he could do to support the appearance of a gentleman. He had
+always a home with us whenever he chose it; he was always welcome; he was like
+a brother. My poor Charles, who had the finest, most generous spirit in the
+world, would have divided his last farthing with him; and I know that his purse
+was open to him; I know that he often assisted him.”
+</p>
+
+<p>
+“This must have been about that very period of Mr Elliot’s
+life,” said Anne, “which has always excited my particular
+curiosity. It must have been about the same time that he became known to my
+father and sister. I never knew him myself; I only heard of him; but there was
+a something in his conduct then, with regard to my father and sister, and
+afterwards in the circumstances of his marriage, which I never could quite
+reconcile with present times. It seemed to announce a different sort of
+man.”
+</p>
+
+<p>
+“I know it all, I know it all,” cried Mrs Smith. “He had been
+introduced to Sir Walter and your sister before I was acquainted with him, but
+I heard him speak of them for ever. I know he was invited and encouraged, and I
+know he did not choose to go. I can satisfy you, perhaps, on points which you
+would little expect; and as to his marriage, I knew all about it at the time. I
+was privy to all the fors and againsts; I was the friend to whom he confided
+his hopes and plans; and though I did not know his wife previously, her
+inferior situation in society, indeed, rendered that impossible, yet I knew her
+all her life afterwards, or at least till within the last two years of her
+life, and can answer any question you may wish to put.”
+</p>
+
+<p>
+“Nay,” said Anne, “I have no particular enquiry to make about
+her. I have always understood they were not a happy couple. But I should like
+to know why, at that time of his life, he should slight my father’s
+acquaintance as he did. My father was certainly disposed to take very kind and
+proper notice of him. Why did Mr Elliot draw back?”
+</p>
+
+<p>
+“Mr Elliot,” replied Mrs Smith, “at that period of his life,
+had one object in view: to make his fortune, and by a rather quicker process
+than the law. He was determined to make it by marriage. He was determined, at
+least, not to mar it by an imprudent marriage; and I know it was his belief
+(whether justly or not, of course I cannot decide), that your father and
+sister, in their civilities and invitations, were designing a match between the
+heir and the young lady, and it was impossible that such a match should have
+answered his ideas of wealth and independence. That was his motive for drawing
+back, I can assure you. He told me the whole story. He had no concealments with
+me. It was curious, that having just left you behind me in Bath, my first and
+principal acquaintance on marrying should be your cousin; and that, through
+him, I should be continually hearing of your father and sister. He described
+one Miss Elliot, and I thought very affectionately of the other.”
+</p>
+
+<p>
+“Perhaps,” cried Anne, struck by a sudden idea, “you
+sometimes spoke of me to Mr Elliot?”
+</p>
+
+<p>
+“To be sure I did; very often. I used to boast of my own Anne Elliot, and
+vouch for your being a very different creature from—”
+</p>
+
+<p>
+She checked herself just in time.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+“This accounts for something which Mr Elliot said last night,”
+cried Anne. “This explains it. I found he had been used to hear of me. I
+could not comprehend how. What wild imaginations one forms where dear self is
+concerned! How sure to be mistaken! But I beg your pardon; I have interrupted
+you. Mr Elliot married then completely for money? The circumstances, probably,
+which first opened your eyes to his character.”
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Mrs Smith hesitated a little here. “Oh! those things are too common. When
+one lives in the world, a man or woman’s marrying for money is too common
+to strike one as it ought. I was very young, and associated only with the
+young, and we were a thoughtless, gay set, without any strict rules of conduct.
+We lived for enjoyment. I think differently now; time and sickness and sorrow
+have given me other notions; but at that period I must own I saw nothing
+reprehensible in what Mr Elliot was doing. ‘To do the best for
+himself,’ passed as a duty.”
+</p>
+
+<p>
+“But was not she a very low woman?”
+</p>
+
+<p>
+“Yes; which I objected to, but he would not regard. Money, money, was all
+that he wanted. Her father was a grazier, her grandfather had been a butcher,
+but that was all nothing. She was a fine woman, had had a decent education, was
+brought forward by some cousins, thrown by chance into Mr Elliot’s
+company, and fell in love with him; and not a difficulty or a scruple was there
+on his side, with respect to her birth. All his caution was spent in being
+secured of the real amount of her fortune, before he committed himself. Depend
+upon it, whatever esteem Mr Elliot may have for his own situation in life now,
+as a young man he had not the smallest value for it. His chance for the
+Kellynch estate was something, but all the honour of the family he held as
+cheap as dirt. I have often heard him declare, that if baronetcies were
+saleable, anybody should have his for fifty pounds, arms and motto, name and
+livery included; but I will not pretend to repeat half that I used to hear him
+say on that subject. It would not be fair; and yet you ought to have proof, for
+what is all this but assertion, and you shall have proof.”
+</p>
+
+<p>
+“Indeed, my dear Mrs Smith, I want none,” cried Anne. “You
+have asserted nothing contradictory to what Mr Elliot appeared to be some years
+ago. This is all in confirmation, rather, of what we used to hear and believe.
+I am more curious to know why he should be so different now.”
+</p>
+
+<p>
+“But for my satisfaction, if you will have the goodness to ring for Mary;
+stay: I am sure you will have the still greater goodness of going yourself into
+my bedroom, and bringing me the small inlaid box which you will find on the
+upper shelf of the closet.”
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Anne, seeing her friend to be earnestly bent on it, did as she was desired. The
+box was brought and placed before her, and Mrs Smith, sighing over it as she
+unlocked it, said—
+</p>
+
+<p>
+“This is full of papers belonging to him, to my husband; a small portion
+only of what I had to look over when I lost him. The letter I am looking for
+was one written by Mr Elliot to him before our marriage, and happened to be
+saved; why, one can hardly imagine. But he was careless and immethodical, like
+other men, about those things; and when I came to examine his papers, I found
+it with others still more trivial, from different people scattered here and
+there, while many letters and memorandums of real importance had been
+destroyed. Here it is; I would not burn it, because being even then very little
+satisfied with Mr Elliot, I was determined to preserve every document of former
+intimacy. I have now another motive for being glad that I can produce
+it.”
+</p>
+
+<p>
+This was the letter, directed to “Charles Smith, Esq. Tunbridge
+Wells,” and dated from London, as far back as July, 1803:—
+</p>
+
+<div class="letter">
+
+<p>
+“Dear Smith,
+</p>
+
+<p>
+“I have received yours. Your kindness almost overpowers me. I wish nature
+had made such hearts as yours more common, but I have lived three-and-twenty
+years in the world, and have seen none like it. At present, believe me, I have
+no need of your services, being in cash again. Give me joy: I have got rid of
+Sir Walter and Miss. They are gone back to Kellynch, and almost made me swear
+to visit them this summer; but my first visit to Kellynch will be with a
+surveyor, to tell me how to bring it with best advantage to the hammer. The
+baronet, nevertheless, is not unlikely to marry again; he is quite fool enough.
+If he does, however, they will leave me in peace, which may be a decent
+equivalent for the reversion. He is worse than last year.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+“I wish I had any name but Elliot. I am sick of it. The name of Walter I
+can drop, thank God! and I desire you will never insult me with my second W.
+again, meaning, for the rest of my life, to be only yours truly,
+</p>
+
+</div>
+
+<p class="right">
+“W<small>M</small>. E<small>LLIOT</small>.”
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Such a letter could not be read without putting Anne in a glow; and Mrs Smith,
+observing the high colour in her face, said—
+</p>
+
+<p>
+“The language, I know, is highly disrespectful. Though I have forgot the
+exact terms, I have a perfect impression of the general meaning. But it shows
+you the man. Mark his professions to my poor husband. Can any thing be
+stronger?”
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Anne could not immediately get over the shock and mortification of finding such
+words applied to her father. She was obliged to recollect that her seeing the
+letter was a violation of the laws of honour, that no one ought to be judged or
+to be known by such testimonies, that no private correspondence could bear the
+eye of others, before she could recover calmness enough to return the letter
+which she had been meditating over, and say—
+</p>
+
+<p>
+“Thank you. This is full proof undoubtedly; proof of every thing you were
+saying. But why be acquainted with us now?”
+</p>
+
+<p>
+“I can explain this too,” cried Mrs Smith, smiling.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+“Can you really?”
+</p>
+
+<p>
+“Yes. I have shewn you Mr Elliot as he was a dozen years ago, and I will
+shew him as he is now. I cannot produce written proof again, but I can give as
+authentic oral testimony as you can desire, of what he is now wanting, and what
+he is now doing. He is no hypocrite now. He truly wants to marry you. His
+present attentions to your family are very sincere: quite from the heart. I
+will give you my authority: his friend Colonel Wallis.”
+</p>
+
+<p>
+“Colonel Wallis! you are acquainted with him?”
+</p>
+
+<p>
+“No. It does not come to me in quite so direct a line as that; it takes a
+bend or two, but nothing of consequence. The stream is as good as at first; the
+little rubbish it collects in the turnings is easily moved away. Mr Elliot
+talks unreservedly to Colonel Wallis of his views on you, which said Colonel
+Wallis, I imagine to be, in himself, a sensible, careful, discerning sort of
+character; but Colonel Wallis has a very pretty silly wife, to whom he tells
+things which he had better not, and he repeats it all to her. She in the
+overflowing spirits of her recovery, repeats it all to her nurse; and the nurse
+knowing my acquaintance with you, very naturally brings it all to me. On Monday
+evening, my good friend Mrs Rooke let me thus much into the secrets of
+Marlborough Buildings. When I talked of a whole history, therefore, you see I
+was not romancing so much as you supposed.”
+</p>
+
+<p>
+“My dear Mrs Smith, your authority is deficient. This will not do. Mr
+Elliot’s having any views on me will not in the least account for the
+efforts he made towards a reconciliation with my father. That was all prior to
+my coming to Bath. I found them on the most friendly terms when I
+arrived.”
+</p>
+
+<p>
+“I know you did; I know it all perfectly, but—”
+</p>
+
+<p>
+“Indeed, Mrs Smith, we must not expect to get real information in such a
+line. Facts or opinions which are to pass through the hands of so many, to be
+misconceived by folly in one, and ignorance in another, can hardly have much
+truth left.”
+</p>
+
+<p>
+“Only give me a hearing. You will soon be able to judge of the general
+credit due, by listening to some particulars which you can yourself immediately
+contradict or confirm. Nobody supposes that you were his first inducement. He
+had seen you indeed, before he came to Bath, and admired you, but without
+knowing it to be you. So says my historian, at least. Is this true? Did he see
+you last summer or autumn, ‘somewhere down in the west,’ to use her
+own words, without knowing it to be you?”
+</p>
+
+<p>
+“He certainly did. So far it is very true. At Lyme. I happened to be at
+Lyme.”
+</p>
+
+<p>
+“Well,” continued Mrs Smith, triumphantly, “grant my friend
+the credit due to the establishment of the first point asserted. He saw you
+then at Lyme, and liked you so well as to be exceedingly pleased to meet with
+you again in Camden Place, as Miss Anne Elliot, and from that moment, I have no
+doubt, had a double motive in his visits there. But there was another, and an
+earlier, which I will now explain. If there is anything in my story which you
+know to be either false or improbable, stop me. My account states, that your
+sister’s friend, the lady now staying with you, whom I have heard you
+mention, came to Bath with Miss Elliot and Sir Walter as long ago as September
+(in short when they first came themselves), and has been staying there ever
+since; that she is a clever, insinuating, handsome woman, poor and plausible,
+and altogether such in situation and manner, as to give a general idea, among
+Sir Walter’s acquaintance, of her meaning to be Lady Elliot, and as
+general a surprise that Miss Elliot should be apparently, blind to the
+danger.”
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Here Mrs Smith paused a moment; but Anne had not a word to say, and she
+continued—
+</p>
+
+<p>
+“This was the light in which it appeared to those who knew the family,
+long before you returned to it; and Colonel Wallis had his eye upon your father
+enough to be sensible of it, though he did not then visit in Camden Place; but
+his regard for Mr Elliot gave him an interest in watching all that was going on
+there, and when Mr Elliot came to Bath for a day or two, as he happened to do a
+little before Christmas, Colonel Wallis made him acquainted with the appearance
+of things, and the reports beginning to prevail. Now you are to understand,
+that time had worked a very material change in Mr Elliot’s opinions as to
+the value of a baronetcy. Upon all points of blood and connexion he is a
+completely altered man. Having long had as much money as he could spend,
+nothing to wish for on the side of avarice or indulgence, he has been gradually
+learning to pin his happiness upon the consequence he is heir to. I thought it
+coming on before our acquaintance ceased, but it is now a confirmed feeling. He
+cannot bear the idea of not being Sir William. You may guess, therefore, that
+the news he heard from his friend could not be very agreeable, and you may
+guess what it produced; the resolution of coming back to Bath as soon as
+possible, and of fixing himself here for a time, with the view of renewing his
+former acquaintance, and recovering such a footing in the family as might give
+him the means of ascertaining the degree of his danger, and of circumventing
+the lady if he found it material. This was agreed upon between the two friends
+as the only thing to be done; and Colonel Wallis was to assist in every way
+that he could. He was to be introduced, and Mrs Wallis was to be introduced,
+and everybody was to be introduced. Mr Elliot came back accordingly; and on
+application was forgiven, as you know, and re-admitted into the family; and
+there it was his constant object, and his only object (till your arrival added
+another motive), to watch Sir Walter and Mrs Clay. He omitted no opportunity of
+being with them, threw himself in their way, called at all hours; but I need
+not be particular on this subject. You can imagine what an artful man would do;
+and with this guide, perhaps, may recollect what you have seen him do.”
+</p>
+
+<p>
+“Yes,” said Anne, “you tell me nothing which does not accord
+with what I have known, or could imagine. There is always something offensive
+in the details of cunning. The manœuvres of selfishness and duplicity must ever
+be revolting, but I have heard nothing which really surprises me. I know those
+who would be shocked by such a representation of Mr Elliot, who would have
+difficulty in believing it; but I have never been satisfied. I have always
+wanted some other motive for his conduct than appeared. I should like to know
+his present opinion, as to the probability of the event he has been in dread
+of; whether he considers the danger to be lessening or not.”
+</p>
+
+<p>
+“Lessening, I understand,” replied Mrs Smith. “He thinks Mrs
+Clay afraid of him, aware that he sees through her, and not daring to proceed
+as she might do in his absence. But since he must be absent some time or other,
+I do not perceive how he can ever be secure while she holds her present
+influence. Mrs Wallis has an amusing idea, as nurse tells me, that it is to be
+put into the marriage articles when you and Mr Elliot marry, that your father
+is not to marry Mrs Clay. A scheme, worthy of Mrs Wallis’s understanding,
+by all accounts; but my sensible nurse Rooke sees the absurdity of it.
+‘Why, to be sure, ma’am,’ said she, ‘it would not
+prevent his marrying anybody else.’ And, indeed, to own the truth, I do
+not think nurse, in her heart, is a very strenuous opposer of Sir
+Walter’s making a second match. She must be allowed to be a favourer of
+matrimony, you know; and (since self will intrude) who can say that she may not
+have some flying visions of attending the next Lady Elliot, through Mrs
+Wallis’s recommendation?”
+</p>
+
+<p>
+“I am very glad to know all this,” said Anne, after a little
+thoughtfulness. “It will be more painful to me in some respects to be in
+company with him, but I shall know better what to do. My line of conduct will
+be more direct. Mr Elliot is evidently a disingenuous, artificial, worldly man,
+who has never had any better principle to guide him than selfishness.”
+</p>
+
+<p>
+But Mr Elliot was not done with. Mrs Smith had been carried away from her first
+direction, and Anne had forgotten, in the interest of her own family concerns,
+how much had been originally implied against him; but her attention was now
+called to the explanation of those first hints, and she listened to a recital
+which, if it did not perfectly justify the unqualified bitterness of Mrs Smith,
+proved him to have been very unfeeling in his conduct towards her; very
+deficient both in justice and compassion.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+She learned that (the intimacy between them continuing unimpaired by Mr
+Elliot’s marriage) they had been as before always together, and Mr Elliot
+had led his friend into expenses much beyond his fortune. Mrs Smith did not
+want to take blame to herself, and was most tender of throwing any on her
+husband; but Anne could collect that their income had never been equal to their
+style of living, and that from the first there had been a great deal of general
+and joint extravagance. From his wife’s account of him she could discern
+Mr Smith to have been a man of warm feelings, easy temper, careless habits, and
+not strong understanding, much more amiable than his friend, and very unlike
+him, led by him, and probably despised by him. Mr Elliot, raised by his
+marriage to great affluence, and disposed to every gratification of pleasure
+and vanity which could be commanded without involving himself, (for with all
+his self-indulgence he had become a prudent man), and beginning to be rich,
+just as his friend ought to have found himself to be poor, seemed to have had
+no concern at all for that friend’s probable finances, but, on the
+contrary, had been prompting and encouraging expenses which could end only in
+ruin; and the Smiths accordingly had been ruined.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The husband had died just in time to be spared the full knowledge of it. They
+had previously known embarrassments enough to try the friendship of their
+friends, and to prove that Mr Elliot’s had better not be tried; but it
+was not till his death that the wretched state of his affairs was fully known.
+With a confidence in Mr Elliot’s regard, more creditable to his feelings
+than his judgement, Mr Smith had appointed him the executor of his will; but Mr
+Elliot would not act, and the difficulties and distress which this refusal had
+heaped on her, in addition to the inevitable sufferings of her situation, had
+been such as could not be related without anguish of spirit, or listened to
+without corresponding indignation.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Anne was shewn some letters of his on the occasion, answers to urgent
+applications from Mrs Smith, which all breathed the same stern resolution of
+not engaging in a fruitless trouble, and, under a cold civility, the same
+hard-hearted indifference to any of the evils it might bring on her. It was a
+dreadful picture of ingratitude and inhumanity; and Anne felt, at some moments,
+that no flagrant open crime could have been worse. She had a great deal to
+listen to; all the particulars of past sad scenes, all the minutiae of distress
+upon distress, which in former conversations had been merely hinted at, were
+dwelt on now with a natural indulgence. Anne could perfectly comprehend the
+exquisite relief, and was only the more inclined to wonder at the composure of
+her friend’s usual state of mind.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+There was one circumstance in the history of her grievances of particular
+irritation. She had good reason to believe that some property of her husband in
+the West Indies, which had been for many years under a sort of sequestration
+for the payment of its own incumbrances, might be recoverable by proper
+measures; and this property, though not large, would be enough to make her
+comparatively rich. But there was nobody to stir in it. Mr Elliot would do
+nothing, and she could do nothing herself, equally disabled from personal
+exertion by her state of bodily weakness, and from employing others by her want
+of money. She had no natural connexions to assist her even with their counsel,
+and she could not afford to purchase the assistance of the law. This was a
+cruel aggravation of actually straitened means. To feel that she ought to be in
+better circumstances, that a little trouble in the right place might do it, and
+to fear that delay might be even weakening her claims, was hard to bear.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+It was on this point that she had hoped to engage Anne’s good offices
+with Mr Elliot. She had previously, in the anticipation of their marriage, been
+very apprehensive of losing her friend by it; but on being assured that he
+could have made no attempt of that nature, since he did not even know her to be
+in Bath, it immediately occurred, that something might be done in her favour by
+the influence of the woman he loved, and she had been hastily preparing to
+interest Anne’s feelings, as far as the observances due to Mr
+Elliot’s character would allow, when Anne’s refutation of the
+supposed engagement changed the face of everything; and while it took from her
+the new-formed hope of succeeding in the object of her first anxiety, left her
+at least the comfort of telling the whole story her own way.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+After listening to this full description of Mr Elliot, Anne could not but
+express some surprise at Mrs Smith’s having spoken of him so favourably
+in the beginning of their conversation. “She had seemed to recommend and
+praise him!”
+</p>
+
+<p>
+“My dear,” was Mrs Smith’s reply, “there was nothing
+else to be done. I considered your marrying him as certain, though he might not
+yet have made the offer, and I could no more speak the truth of him, than if he
+had been your husband. My heart bled for you, as I talked of happiness; and yet
+he is sensible, he is agreeable, and with such a woman as you, it was not
+absolutely hopeless. He was very unkind to his first wife. They were wretched
+together. But she was too ignorant and giddy for respect, and he had never
+loved her. I was willing to hope that you must fare better.”
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Anne could just acknowledge within herself such a possibility of having been
+induced to marry him, as made her shudder at the idea of the misery which must
+have followed. It was just possible that she might have been persuaded by Lady
+Russell! And under such a supposition, which would have been most miserable,
+when time had disclosed all, too late?
+</p>
+
+<p>
+It was very desirable that Lady Russell should be no longer deceived; and one
+of the concluding arrangements of this important conference, which carried them
+through the greater part of the morning, was, that Anne had full liberty to
+communicate to her friend everything relative to Mrs Smith, in which his
+conduct was involved.
+</p>
+
+</div><!--end chapter-->
+
+<div class="chapter">
+
+<h2><a id="chap22"></a>CHAPTER XXII.</h2>
+
+<p>
+Anne went home to think over all that she had heard. In one point, her feelings
+were relieved by this knowledge of Mr Elliot. There was no longer anything of
+tenderness due to him. He stood as opposed to Captain Wentworth, in all his own
+unwelcome obtrusiveness; and the evil of his attentions last night, the
+irremediable mischief he might have done, was considered with sensations
+unqualified, unperplexed. Pity for him was all over. But this was the only
+point of relief. In every other respect, in looking around her, or penetrating
+forward, she saw more to distrust and to apprehend. She was concerned for the
+disappointment and pain Lady Russell would be feeling; for the mortifications
+which must be hanging over her father and sister, and had all the distress of
+foreseeing many evils, without knowing how to avert any one of them. She was
+most thankful for her own knowledge of him. She had never considered herself as
+entitled to reward for not slighting an old friend like Mrs Smith, but here was
+a reward indeed springing from it! Mrs Smith had been able to tell her what no
+one else could have done. Could the knowledge have been extended through her
+family? But this was a vain idea. She must talk to Lady Russell, tell her,
+consult with her, and having done her best, wait the event with as much
+composure as possible; and after all, her greatest want of composure would be
+in that quarter of the mind which could not be opened to Lady Russell; in that
+flow of anxieties and fears which must be all to herself.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+She found, on reaching home, that she had, as she intended, escaped seeing Mr
+Elliot; that he had called and paid them a long morning visit; but hardly had
+she congratulated herself, and felt safe, when she heard that he was coming
+again in the evening.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+“I had not the smallest intention of asking him,” said Elizabeth,
+with affected carelessness, “but he gave so many hints; so Mrs Clay says,
+at least.”
+</p>
+
+<p>
+“Indeed, I do say it. I never saw anybody in my life spell harder for an
+invitation. Poor man! I was really in pain for him; for your hard-hearted
+sister, Miss Anne, seems bent on cruelty.”
+</p>
+
+<p>
+“Oh!” cried Elizabeth, “I have been rather too much used to
+the game to be soon overcome by a gentleman’s hints. However, when I
+found how excessively he was regretting that he should miss my father this
+morning, I gave way immediately, for I would never really omit an opportunity
+of bringing him and Sir Walter together. They appear to so much advantage in
+company with each other. Each behaving so pleasantly. Mr Elliot looking up with
+so much respect.”
+</p>
+
+<p>
+“Quite delightful!” cried Mrs Clay, not daring, however, to turn
+her eyes towards Anne. “Exactly like father and son! Dear Miss Elliot,
+may I not say father and son?”
+</p>
+
+<p>
+“Oh! I lay no embargo on any body’s words. If you will have such
+ideas! But, upon my word, I am scarcely sensible of his attentions being beyond
+those of other men.”
+</p>
+
+<p>
+“My dear Miss Elliot!” exclaimed Mrs Clay, lifting her hands and
+eyes, and sinking all the rest of her astonishment in a convenient silence.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+“Well, my dear Penelope, you need not be so alarmed about him. I did
+invite him, you know. I sent him away with smiles. When I found he was really
+going to his friends at Thornberry Park for the whole day to-morrow, I had
+compassion on him.”
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Anne admired the good acting of the friend, in being able to shew such pleasure
+as she did, in the expectation and in the actual arrival of the very person
+whose presence must really be interfering with her prime object. It was
+impossible but that Mrs Clay must hate the sight of Mr Elliot; and yet she
+could assume a most obliging, placid look, and appear quite satisfied with the
+curtailed license of devoting herself only half as much to Sir Walter as she
+would have done otherwise.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+To Anne herself it was most distressing to see Mr Elliot enter the room; and
+quite painful to have him approach and speak to her. She had been used before
+to feel that he could not be always quite sincere, but now she saw insincerity
+in everything. His attentive deference to her father, contrasted with his
+former language, was odious; and when she thought of his cruel conduct towards
+Mrs Smith, she could hardly bear the sight of his present smiles and mildness,
+or the sound of his artificial good sentiments.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+She meant to avoid any such alteration of manners as might provoke a
+remonstrance on his side. It was a great object to her to escape all enquiry or
+eclat; but it was her intention to be as decidedly cool to him as might be
+compatible with their relationship; and to retrace, as quietly as she could,
+the few steps of unnecessary intimacy she had been gradually led along. She was
+accordingly more guarded, and more cool, than she had been the night before.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+He wanted to animate her curiosity again as to how and where he could have
+heard her formerly praised; wanted very much to be gratified by more
+solicitation; but the charm was broken: he found that the heat and animation of
+a public room was necessary to kindle his modest cousin’s vanity; he
+found, at least, that it was not to be done now, by any of those attempts which
+he could hazard among the too-commanding claims of the others. He little
+surmised that it was a subject acting now exactly against his interest,
+bringing immediately to her thoughts all those parts of his conduct which were
+least excusable.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+She had some satisfaction in finding that he was really going out of Bath the
+next morning, going early, and that he would be gone the greater part of two
+days. He was invited again to Camden Place the very evening of his return; but
+from Thursday to Saturday evening his absence was certain. It was bad enough
+that a Mrs Clay should be always before her; but that a deeper hypocrite should
+be added to their party, seemed the destruction of everything like peace and
+comfort. It was so humiliating to reflect on the constant deception practised
+on her father and Elizabeth; to consider the various sources of mortification
+preparing for them! Mrs Clay’s selfishness was not so complicate nor so
+revolting as his; and Anne would have compounded for the marriage at once, with
+all its evils, to be clear of Mr Elliot’s subtleties in endeavouring to
+prevent it.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+On Friday morning she meant to go very early to Lady Russell, and accomplish
+the necessary communication; and she would have gone directly after breakfast,
+but that Mrs Clay was also going out on some obliging purpose of saving her
+sister trouble, which determined her to wait till she might be safe from such a
+companion. She saw Mrs Clay fairly off, therefore, before she began to talk of
+spending the morning in Rivers Street.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+“Very well,” said Elizabeth, “I have nothing to send but my
+love. Oh! you may as well take back that tiresome book she would lend me, and
+pretend I have read it through. I really cannot be plaguing myself for ever
+with all the new poems and states of the nation that come out. Lady Russell
+quite bores one with her new publications. You need not tell her so, but I
+thought her dress hideous the other night. I used to think she had some taste
+in dress, but I was ashamed of her at the concert. Something so formal and
+<i>arrangé</i> in her air! and she sits so upright! My best love, of
+course.”
+</p>
+
+<p>
+“And mine,” added Sir Walter. “Kindest regards. And you may
+say, that I mean to call upon her soon. Make a civil message; but I shall only
+leave my card. Morning visits are never fair by women at her time of life, who
+make themselves up so little. If she would only wear rouge she would not be
+afraid of being seen; but last time I called, I observed the blinds were let
+down immediately.”
+</p>
+
+<p>
+While her father spoke, there was a knock at the door. Who could it be? Anne,
+remembering the preconcerted visits, at all hours, of Mr Elliot, would have
+expected him, but for his known engagement seven miles off. After the usual
+period of suspense, the usual sounds of approach were heard, and “Mr and
+Mrs Charles Musgrove” were ushered into the room.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Surprise was the strongest emotion raised by their appearance; but Anne was
+really glad to see them; and the others were not so sorry but that they could
+put on a decent air of welcome; and as soon as it became clear that these,
+their nearest relations, were not arrived with any views of accommodation in
+that house, Sir Walter and Elizabeth were able to rise in cordiality, and do
+the honours of it very well. They were come to Bath for a few days with Mrs
+Musgrove, and were at the White Hart. So much was pretty soon understood; but
+till Sir Walter and Elizabeth were walking Mary into the other drawing-room,
+and regaling themselves with her admiration, Anne could not draw upon
+Charles’s brain for a regular history of their coming, or an explanation
+of some smiling hints of particular business, which had been ostentatiously
+dropped by Mary, as well as of some apparent confusion as to whom their party
+consisted of.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+She then found that it consisted of Mrs Musgrove, Henrietta, and Captain
+Harville, beside their two selves. He gave her a very plain, intelligible
+account of the whole; a narration in which she saw a great deal of most
+characteristic proceeding. The scheme had received its first impulse by Captain
+Harville’s wanting to come to Bath on business. He had begun to talk of
+it a week ago; and by way of doing something, as shooting was over, Charles had
+proposed coming with him, and Mrs Harville had seemed to like the idea of it
+very much, as an advantage to her husband; but Mary could not bear to be left,
+and had made herself so unhappy about it, that for a day or two everything
+seemed to be in suspense, or at an end. But then, it had been taken up by his
+father and mother. His mother had some old friends in Bath whom she wanted to
+see; it was thought a good opportunity for Henrietta to come and buy
+wedding-clothes for herself and her sister; and, in short, it ended in being
+his mother’s party, that everything might be comfortable and easy to
+Captain Harville; and he and Mary were included in it by way of general
+convenience. They had arrived late the night before. Mrs Harville, her
+children, and Captain Benwick, remained with Mr Musgrove and Louisa at
+Uppercross.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Anne’s only surprise was, that affairs should be in forwardness enough
+for Henrietta’s wedding-clothes to be talked of. She had imagined such
+difficulties of fortune to exist there as must prevent the marriage from being
+near at hand; but she learned from Charles that, very recently, (since
+Mary’s last letter to herself), Charles Hayter had been applied to by a
+friend to hold a living for a youth who could not possibly claim it under many
+years; and that on the strength of his present income, with almost a certainty
+of something more permanent long before the term in question, the two families
+had consented to the young people’s wishes, and that their marriage was
+likely to take place in a few months, quite as soon as Louisa’s.
+“And a very good living it was,” Charles added: “only
+five-and-twenty miles from Uppercross, and in a very fine country: fine part of
+Dorsetshire. In the centre of some of the best preserves in the kingdom,
+surrounded by three great proprietors, each more careful and jealous than the
+other; and to two of the three at least, Charles Hayter might get a special
+recommendation. Not that he will value it as he ought,” he observed,
+“Charles is too cool about sporting. That’s the worst of
+him.”
+</p>
+
+<p>
+“I am extremely glad, indeed,” cried Anne, “particularly glad
+that this should happen; and that of two sisters, who both deserve equally
+well, and who have always been such good friends, the pleasant prospect of one
+should not be dimming those of the other—that they should be so equal in
+their prosperity and comfort. I hope your father and mother are quite happy
+with regard to both.”
+</p>
+
+<p>
+“Oh! yes. My father would be well pleased if the gentlemen were richer,
+but he has no other fault to find. Money, you know, coming down with
+money—two daughters at once—it cannot be a very agreeable
+operation, and it streightens him as to many things. However, I do not mean to
+say they have not a right to it. It is very fit they should have
+daughters’ shares; and I am sure he has always been a very kind, liberal
+father to me. Mary does not above half like Henrietta’s match. She never
+did, you know. But she does not do him justice, nor think enough about
+Winthrop. I cannot make her attend to the value of the property. It is a very
+fair match, as times go; and I have liked Charles Hayter all my life, and I
+shall not leave off now.”
+</p>
+
+<p>
+“Such excellent parents as Mr and Mrs Musgrove,” exclaimed Anne,
+“should be happy in their children’s marriages. They do everything
+to confer happiness, I am sure. What a blessing to young people to be in such
+hands! Your father and mother seem so totally free from all those ambitious
+feelings which have led to so much misconduct and misery, both in young and
+old. I hope you think Louisa perfectly recovered now?”
+</p>
+
+<p>
+He answered rather hesitatingly, “Yes, I believe I do; very much
+recovered; but she is altered; there is no running or jumping about, no
+laughing or dancing; it is quite different. If one happens only to shut the
+door a little hard, she starts and wriggles like a young dab-chick in the
+water; and Benwick sits at her elbow, reading verses, or whispering to her, all
+day long.”
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Anne could not help laughing. “That cannot be much to your taste, I
+know,” said she; “but I do believe him to be an excellent young
+man.”
+</p>
+
+<p>
+“To be sure he is. Nobody doubts it; and I hope you do not think I am so
+illiberal as to want every man to have the same objects and pleasures as
+myself. I have a great value for Benwick; and when one can but get him to talk,
+he has plenty to say. His reading has done him no harm, for he has fought as
+well as read. He is a brave fellow. I got more acquainted with him last Monday
+than ever I did before. We had a famous set-to at rat-hunting all the morning
+in my father’s great barns; and he played his part so well that I have
+liked him the better ever since.”
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Here they were interrupted by the absolute necessity of Charles’s
+following the others to admire mirrors and china; but Anne had heard enough to
+understand the present state of Uppercross, and rejoice in its happiness; and
+though she sighed as she rejoiced, her sigh had none of the ill-will of envy in
+it. She would certainly have risen to their blessings if she could, but she did
+not want to lessen theirs.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The visit passed off altogether in high good humour. Mary was in excellent
+spirits, enjoying the gaiety and the change, and so well satisfied with the
+journey in her mother-in-law’s carriage with four horses, and with her
+own complete independence of Camden Place, that she was exactly in a temper to
+admire everything as she ought, and enter most readily into all the
+superiorities of the house, as they were detailed to her. She had no demands on
+her father or sister, and her consequence was just enough increased by their
+handsome drawing-rooms.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Elizabeth was, for a short time, suffering a good deal. She felt that Mrs
+Musgrove and all her party ought to be asked to dine with them; but she could
+not bear to have the difference of style, the reduction of servants, which a
+dinner must betray, witnessed by those who had been always so inferior to the
+Elliots of Kellynch. It was a struggle between propriety and vanity; but vanity
+got the better, and then Elizabeth was happy again. These were her internal
+persuasions: “Old fashioned notions; country hospitality; we do not
+profess to give dinners; few people in Bath do; Lady Alicia never does; did not
+even ask her own sister’s family, though they were here a month: and I
+dare say it would be very inconvenient to Mrs Musgrove; put her quite out of
+her way. I am sure she would rather not come; she cannot feel easy with us. I
+will ask them all for an evening; that will be much better; that will be a
+novelty and a treat. They have not seen two such drawing rooms before. They
+will be delighted to come to-morrow evening. It shall be a regular party,
+small, but most elegant.” And this satisfied Elizabeth: and when the
+invitation was given to the two present, and promised for the absent, Mary was
+as completely satisfied. She was particularly asked to meet Mr Elliot, and be
+introduced to Lady Dalrymple and Miss Carteret, who were fortunately already
+engaged to come; and she could not have received a more gratifying attention.
+Miss Elliot was to have the honour of calling on Mrs Musgrove in the course of
+the morning; and Anne walked off with Charles and Mary, to go and see her and
+Henrietta directly.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Her plan of sitting with Lady Russell must give way for the present. They all
+three called in Rivers Street for a couple of minutes; but Anne convinced
+herself that a day’s delay of the intended communication could be of no
+consequence, and hastened forward to the White Hart, to see again the friends
+and companions of the last autumn, with an eagerness of good-will which many
+associations contributed to form.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+They found Mrs Musgrove and her daughter within, and by themselves, and Anne
+had the kindest welcome from each. Henrietta was exactly in that state of
+recently-improved views, of fresh-formed happiness, which made her full of
+regard and interest for everybody she had ever liked before at all; and Mrs
+Musgrove’s real affection had been won by her usefulness when they were
+in distress. It was a heartiness, and a warmth, and a sincerity which Anne
+delighted in the more, from the sad want of such blessings at home. She was
+entreated to give them as much of her time as possible, invited for every day
+and all day long, or rather claimed as part of the family; and, in return, she
+naturally fell into all her wonted ways of attention and assistance, and on
+Charles’s leaving them together, was listening to Mrs Musgrove’s
+history of Louisa, and to Henrietta’s of herself, giving opinions on
+business, and recommendations to shops; with intervals of every help which Mary
+required, from altering her ribbon to settling her accounts; from finding her
+keys, and assorting her trinkets, to trying to convince her that she was not
+ill-used by anybody; which Mary, well amused as she generally was, in her
+station at a window overlooking the entrance to the Pump Room, could not but
+have her moments of imagining.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+A morning of thorough confusion was to be expected. A large party in an hotel
+ensured a quick-changing, unsettled scene. One five minutes brought a note, the
+next a parcel; and Anne had not been there half an hour, when their
+dining-room, spacious as it was, seemed more than half filled: a party of
+steady old friends were seated around Mrs Musgrove, and Charles came back with
+Captains Harville and Wentworth. The appearance of the latter could not be more
+than the surprise of the moment. It was impossible for her to have forgotten to
+feel that this arrival of their common friends must be soon bringing them
+together again. Their last meeting had been most important in opening his
+feelings; she had derived from it a delightful conviction; but she feared from
+his looks, that the same unfortunate persuasion, which had hastened him away
+from the Concert Room, still governed. He did not seem to want to be near
+enough for conversation.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+She tried to be calm, and leave things to take their course, and tried to dwell
+much on this argument of rational dependence:—“Surely, if there be
+constant attachment on each side, our hearts must understand each other ere
+long. We are not boy and girl, to be captiously irritable, misled by every
+moment’s inadvertence, and wantonly playing with our own
+happiness.” And yet, a few minutes afterwards, she felt as if their being
+in company with each other, under their present circumstances, could only be
+exposing them to inadvertencies and misconstructions of the most mischievous
+kind.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+“Anne,” cried Mary, still at her window, “there is Mrs Clay,
+I am sure, standing under the colonnade, and a gentleman with her. I saw them
+turn the corner from Bath Street just now. They seemed deep in talk. Who is it?
+Come, and tell me. Good heavens! I recollect. It is Mr Elliot himself.”
+</p>
+
+<p>
+“No,” cried Anne, quickly, “it cannot be Mr Elliot, I assure
+you. He was to leave Bath at nine this morning, and does not come back till
+to-morrow.”
+</p>
+
+<p>
+As she spoke, she felt that Captain Wentworth was looking at her, the
+consciousness of which vexed and embarrassed her, and made her regret that she
+had said so much, simple as it was.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Mary, resenting that she should be supposed not to know her own cousin, began
+talking very warmly about the family features, and protesting still more
+positively that it was Mr Elliot, calling again upon Anne to come and look for
+herself, but Anne did not mean to stir, and tried to be cool and unconcerned.
+Her distress returned, however, on perceiving smiles and intelligent glances
+pass between two or three of the lady visitors, as if they believed themselves
+quite in the secret. It was evident that the report concerning her had spread,
+and a short pause succeeded, which seemed to ensure that it would now spread
+farther.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+“Do come, Anne,” cried Mary, “come and look yourself. You
+will be too late if you do not make haste. They are parting; they are shaking
+hands. He is turning away. Not know Mr Elliot, indeed! You seem to have forgot
+all about Lyme.”
+</p>
+
+<p>
+To pacify Mary, and perhaps screen her own embarrassment, Anne did move quietly
+to the window. She was just in time to ascertain that it really was Mr Elliot,
+which she had never believed, before he disappeared on one side, as Mrs Clay
+walked quickly off on the other; and checking the surprise which she could not
+but feel at such an appearance of friendly conference between two persons of
+totally opposite interest, she calmly said, “Yes, it is Mr Elliot,
+certainly. He has changed his hour of going, I suppose, that is all, or I may
+be mistaken, I might not attend;” and walked back to her chair,
+recomposed, and with the comfortable hope of having acquitted herself well.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The visitors took their leave; and Charles, having civilly seen them off, and
+then made a face at them, and abused them for coming, began with—
+</p>
+
+<p>
+“Well, mother, I have done something for you that you will like. I have
+been to the theatre, and secured a box for to-morrow night. A’n’t I
+a good boy? I know you love a play; and there is room for us all. It holds
+nine. I have engaged Captain Wentworth. Anne will not be sorry to join us, I am
+sure. We all like a play. Have not I done well, mother?”
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Mrs Musgrove was good humouredly beginning to express her perfect readiness for
+the play, if Henrietta and all the others liked it, when Mary eagerly
+interrupted her by exclaiming—
+</p>
+
+<p>
+“Good heavens, Charles! how can you think of such a thing? Take a box for
+to-morrow night! Have you forgot that we are engaged to Camden Place to-morrow
+night? and that we were most particularly asked to meet Lady Dalrymple and her
+daughter, and Mr Elliot, and all the principal family connexions, on purpose to
+be introduced to them? How can you be so forgetful?”
+</p>
+
+<p>
+“Phoo! phoo!” replied Charles, “what’s an evening
+party? Never worth remembering. Your father might have asked us to dinner, I
+think, if he had wanted to see us. You may do as you like, but I shall go to
+the play.”
+</p>
+
+<p>
+“Oh! Charles, I declare it will be too abominable if you do, when you
+promised to go.”
+</p>
+
+<p>
+“No, I did not promise. I only smirked and bowed, and said the word
+‘happy.’ There was no promise.”
+</p>
+
+<p>
+“But you must go, Charles. It would be unpardonable to fail. We were
+asked on purpose to be introduced. There was always such a great connexion
+between the Dalrymples and ourselves. Nothing ever happened on either side that
+was not announced immediately. We are quite near relations, you know; and Mr
+Elliot too, whom you ought so particularly to be acquainted with! Every
+attention is due to Mr Elliot. Consider, my father’s heir: the future
+representative of the family.”
+</p>
+
+<p>
+“Don’t talk to me about heirs and representatives,” cried
+Charles. “I am not one of those who neglect the reigning power to bow to
+the rising sun. If I would not go for the sake of your father, I should think
+it scandalous to go for the sake of his heir. What is Mr Elliot to me?”
+The careless expression was life to Anne, who saw that Captain Wentworth was
+all attention, looking and listening with his whole soul; and that the last
+words brought his enquiring eyes from Charles to herself.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Charles and Mary still talked on in the same style; he, half serious and half
+jesting, maintaining the scheme for the play, and she, invariably serious, most
+warmly opposing it, and not omitting to make it known that, however determined
+to go to Camden Place herself, she should not think herself very well used, if
+they went to the play without her. Mrs Musgrove interposed.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+“We had better put it off. Charles, you had much better go back and
+change the box for Tuesday. It would be a pity to be divided, and we should be
+losing Miss Anne, too, if there is a party at her father’s; and I am sure
+neither Henrietta nor I should care at all for the play, if Miss Anne could not
+be with us.”
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Anne felt truly obliged to her for such kindness; and quite as much so for the
+opportunity it gave her of decidedly saying—
+</p>
+
+<p>
+“If it depended only on my inclination, ma’am, the party at home
+(excepting on Mary’s account) would not be the smallest impediment. I
+have no pleasure in the sort of meeting, and should be too happy to change it
+for a play, and with you. But, it had better not be attempted, perhaps.”
+She had spoken it; but she trembled when it was done, conscious that her words
+were listened to, and daring not even to try to observe their effect.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+It was soon generally agreed that Tuesday should be the day; Charles only
+reserving the advantage of still teasing his wife, by persisting that he would
+go to the play to-morrow if nobody else would.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Captain Wentworth left his seat, and walked to the fire-place; probably for the
+sake of walking away from it soon afterwards, and taking a station, with less
+bare-faced design, by Anne.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+“You have not been long enough in Bath,” said he, “to enjoy
+the evening parties of the place.”
+</p>
+
+<p>
+“Oh! no. The usual character of them has nothing for me. I am no
+card-player.”
+</p>
+
+<p>
+“You were not formerly, I know. You did not use to like cards; but time
+makes many changes.”
+</p>
+
+<p>
+“I am not yet so much changed,” cried Anne, and stopped, fearing
+she hardly knew what misconstruction. After waiting a few moments he said, and
+as if it were the result of immediate feeling, “It is a period, indeed!
+Eight years and a half is a period.”
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Whether he would have proceeded farther was left to Anne’s imagination to
+ponder over in a calmer hour; for while still hearing the sounds he had
+uttered, she was startled to other subjects by Henrietta, eager to make use of
+the present leisure for getting out, and calling on her companions to lose no
+time, lest somebody else should come in.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+They were obliged to move. Anne talked of being perfectly ready, and tried to
+look it; but she felt that could Henrietta have known the regret and reluctance
+of her heart in quitting that chair, in preparing to quit the room, she would
+have found, in all her own sensations for her cousin, in the very security of
+his affection, wherewith to pity her.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Their preparations, however, were stopped short. Alarming sounds were heard;
+other visitors approached, and the door was thrown open for Sir Walter and Miss
+Elliot, whose entrance seemed to give a general chill. Anne felt an instant
+oppression, and wherever she looked saw symptoms of the same. The comfort, the
+freedom, the gaiety of the room was over, hushed into cold composure,
+determined silence, or insipid talk, to meet the heartless elegance of her
+father and sister. How mortifying to feel that it was so!
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Her jealous eye was satisfied in one particular. Captain Wentworth was
+acknowledged again by each, by Elizabeth more graciously than before. She even
+addressed him once, and looked at him more than once. Elizabeth was, in fact,
+revolving a great measure. The sequel explained it. After the waste of a few
+minutes in saying the proper nothings, she began to give the invitation which
+was to comprise all the remaining dues of the Musgroves. “To-morrow
+evening, to meet a few friends: no formal party.” It was all said very
+gracefully, and the cards with which she had provided herself, the “Miss
+Elliot at home,” were laid on the table, with a courteous, comprehensive
+smile to all, and one smile and one card more decidedly for Captain Wentworth.
+The truth was, that Elizabeth had been long enough in Bath to understand the
+importance of a man of such an air and appearance as his. The past was nothing.
+The present was that Captain Wentworth would move about well in her
+drawing-room. The card was pointedly given, and Sir Walter and Elizabeth arose
+and disappeared.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The interruption had been short, though severe, and ease and animation returned
+to most of those they left as the door shut them out, but not to Anne. She
+could think only of the invitation she had with such astonishment witnessed,
+and of the manner in which it had been received; a manner of doubtful meaning,
+of surprise rather than gratification, of polite acknowledgement rather than
+acceptance. She knew him; she saw disdain in his eye, and could not venture to
+believe that he had determined to accept such an offering, as an atonement for
+all the insolence of the past. Her spirits sank. He held the card in his hand
+after they were gone, as if deeply considering it.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+“Only think of Elizabeth’s including everybody!” whispered
+Mary very audibly. “I do not wonder Captain Wentworth is delighted! You
+see he cannot put the card out of his hand.”
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Anne caught his eye, saw his cheeks glow, and his mouth form itself into a
+momentary expression of contempt, and turned away, that she might neither see
+nor hear more to vex her.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The party separated. The gentlemen had their own pursuits, the ladies proceeded
+on their own business, and they met no more while Anne belonged to them. She
+was earnestly begged to return and dine, and give them all the rest of the day,
+but her spirits had been so long exerted that at present she felt unequal to
+more, and fit only for home, where she might be sure of being as silent as she
+chose.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Promising to be with them the whole of the following morning, therefore, she
+closed the fatigues of the present by a toilsome walk to Camden Place, there to
+spend the evening chiefly in listening to the busy arrangements of Elizabeth
+and Mrs Clay for the morrow’s party, the frequent enumeration of the
+persons invited, and the continually improving detail of all the embellishments
+which were to make it the most completely elegant of its kind in Bath, while
+harassing herself with the never-ending question, of whether Captain Wentworth
+would come or not? They were reckoning him as certain, but with her it was a
+gnawing solicitude never appeased for five minutes together. She generally
+thought he would come, because she generally thought he ought; but it was a
+case which she could not so shape into any positive act of duty or discretion,
+as inevitably to defy the suggestions of very opposite feelings.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+She only roused herself from the broodings of this restless agitation, to let
+Mrs Clay know that she had been seen with Mr Elliot three hours after his being
+supposed to be out of Bath, for having watched in vain for some intimation of
+the interview from the lady herself, she determined to mention it, and it
+seemed to her there was guilt in Mrs Clay’s face as she listened. It was
+transient: cleared away in an instant; but Anne could imagine she read there
+the consciousness of having, by some complication of mutual trick, or some
+overbearing authority of his, been obliged to attend (perhaps for half an hour)
+to his lectures and restrictions on her designs on Sir Walter. She exclaimed,
+however, with a very tolerable imitation of nature:—
+</p>
+
+<p>
+“Oh! dear! very true. Only think, Miss Elliot, to my great surprise I met
+with Mr Elliot in Bath Street. I was never more astonished. He turned back and
+walked with me to the Pump Yard. He had been prevented setting off for
+Thornberry, but I really forget by what; for I was in a hurry, and could not
+much attend, and I can only answer for his being determined not to be delayed
+in his return. He wanted to know how early he might be admitted to-morrow. He
+was full of ‘to-morrow,’ and it is very evident that I have been
+full of it too, ever since I entered the house, and learnt the extension of
+your plan and all that had happened, or my seeing him could never have gone so
+entirely out of my head.”
+</p>
+
+</div><!--end chapter-->
+
+<div class="chapter">
+
+<h2><a id="chap23"></a>CHAPTER XXIII.</h2>
+
+<p>
+One day only had passed since Anne’s conversation with Mrs Smith; but a
+keener interest had succeeded, and she was now so little touched by Mr
+Elliot’s conduct, except by its effects in one quarter, that it became a
+matter of course the next morning, still to defer her explanatory visit in
+Rivers Street. She had promised to be with the Musgroves from breakfast to
+dinner. Her faith was plighted, and Mr Elliot’s character, like the
+Sultaness Scheherazade’s head, must live another day.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+She could not keep her appointment punctually, however; the weather was
+unfavourable, and she had grieved over the rain on her friends’ account,
+and felt it very much on her own, before she was able to attempt the walk. When
+she reached the White Hart, and made her way to the proper apartment, she found
+herself neither arriving quite in time, nor the first to arrive. The party
+before her were, Mrs Musgrove, talking to Mrs Croft, and Captain Harville to
+Captain Wentworth; and she immediately heard that Mary and Henrietta, too
+impatient to wait, had gone out the moment it had cleared, but would be back
+again soon, and that the strictest injunctions had been left with Mrs Musgrove
+to keep her there till they returned. She had only to submit, sit down, be
+outwardly composed, and feel herself plunged at once in all the agitations
+which she had merely laid her account of tasting a little before the morning
+closed. There was no delay, no waste of time. She was deep in the happiness of
+such misery, or the misery of such happiness, instantly. Two minutes after her
+entering the room, Captain Wentworth said—
+</p>
+
+<p>
+“We will write the letter we were talking of, Harville, now, if you will
+give me materials.”
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Materials were at hand, on a separate table; he went to it, and nearly turning
+his back to them all, was engrossed by writing.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Mrs Musgrove was giving Mrs Croft the history of her eldest daughter’s
+engagement, and just in that inconvenient tone of voice which was perfectly
+audible while it pretended to be a whisper. Anne felt that she did not belong
+to the conversation, and yet, as Captain Harville seemed thoughtful and not
+disposed to talk, she could not avoid hearing many undesirable particulars;
+such as, “how Mr Musgrove and my brother Hayter had met again and again
+to talk it over; what my brother Hayter had said one day, and what Mr Musgrove
+had proposed the next, and what had occurred to my sister Hayter, and what the
+young people had wished, and what I said at first I never could consent to, but
+was afterwards persuaded to think might do very well,” and a great deal
+in the same style of open-hearted communication: minutiae which, even with
+every advantage of taste and delicacy, which good Mrs Musgrove could not give,
+could be properly interesting only to the principals. Mrs Croft was attending
+with great good-humour, and whenever she spoke at all, it was very sensibly.
+Anne hoped the gentlemen might each be too much self-occupied to hear.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+“And so, ma’am, all these thing considered,” said Mrs
+Musgrove, in her powerful whisper, “though we could have wished it
+different, yet, altogether, we did not think it fair to stand out any longer,
+for Charles Hayter was quite wild about it, and Henrietta was pretty near as
+bad; and so we thought they had better marry at once, and make the best of it,
+as many others have done before them. At any rate, said I, it will be better
+than a long engagement.”
+</p>
+
+<p>
+“That is precisely what I was going to observe,” cried Mrs Croft.
+“I would rather have young people settle on a small income at once, and
+have to struggle with a few difficulties together, than be involved in a long
+engagement. I always think that no mutual—”
+</p>
+
+<p>
+“Oh! dear Mrs Croft,” cried Mrs Musgrove, unable to let her finish
+her speech, “there is nothing I so abominate for young people as a long
+engagement. It is what I always protested against for my children. It is all
+very well, I used to say, for young people to be engaged, if there is a
+certainty of their being able to marry in six months, or even in twelve; but a
+long engagement—”
+</p>
+
+<p>
+“Yes, dear ma’am,” said Mrs Croft, “or an uncertain
+engagement, an engagement which may be long. To begin without knowing that at
+such a time there will be the means of marrying, I hold to be very unsafe and
+unwise, and what I think all parents should prevent as far as they can.”
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Anne found an unexpected interest here. She felt its application to herself,
+felt it in a nervous thrill all over her; and at the same moment that her eyes
+instinctively glanced towards the distant table, Captain Wentworth’s pen
+ceased to move, his head was raised, pausing, listening, and he turned round
+the next instant to give a look, one quick, conscious look at her.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The two ladies continued to talk, to re-urge the same admitted truths, and
+enforce them with such examples of the ill effect of a contrary practice as had
+fallen within their observation, but Anne heard nothing distinctly; it was only
+a buzz of words in her ear, her mind was in confusion.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Captain Harville, who had in truth been hearing none of it, now left his seat,
+and moved to a window, and Anne seeming to watch him, though it was from
+thorough absence of mind, became gradually sensible that he was inviting her to
+join him where he stood. He looked at her with a smile, and a little motion of
+the head, which expressed, “Come to me, I have something to say;”
+and the unaffected, easy kindness of manner which denoted the feelings of an
+older acquaintance than he really was, strongly enforced the invitation. She
+roused herself and went to him. The window at which he stood was at the other
+end of the room from where the two ladies were sitting, and though nearer to
+Captain Wentworth’s table, not very near. As she joined him, Captain
+Harville’s countenance re-assumed the serious, thoughtful expression
+which seemed its natural character.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+“Look here,” said he, unfolding a parcel in his hand, and
+displaying a small miniature painting, “do you know who that is?”
+</p>
+
+<p>
+“Certainly: Captain Benwick.”
+</p>
+
+<p>
+“Yes, and you may guess who it is for. But,” (in a deep tone),
+“it was not done for her. Miss Elliot, do you remember our walking
+together at Lyme, and grieving for him? I little thought then—but no
+matter. This was drawn at the Cape. He met with a clever young German artist at
+the Cape, and in compliance with a promise to my poor sister, sat to him, and
+was bringing it home for her; and I have now the charge of getting it properly
+set for another! It was a commission to me! But who else was there to employ? I
+hope I can allow for him. I am not sorry, indeed, to make it over to another.
+He undertakes it;” (looking towards Captain Wentworth,) “he is
+writing about it now.” And with a quivering lip he wound up the whole by
+adding, “Poor Fanny! she would not have forgotten him so soon!”
+</p>
+
+<p>
+“No,” replied Anne, in a low, feeling voice. “That I can
+easily believe.”
+</p>
+
+<p>
+“It was not in her nature. She doted on him.”
+</p>
+
+<p>
+“It would not be the nature of any woman who truly loved.”
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Captain Harville smiled, as much as to say, “Do you claim that for your
+sex?” and she answered the question, smiling also, “Yes. We
+certainly do not forget you as soon as you forget us. It is, perhaps, our fate
+rather than our merit. We cannot help ourselves. We live at home, quiet,
+confined, and our feelings prey upon us. You are forced on exertion. You have
+always a profession, pursuits, business of some sort or other, to take you back
+into the world immediately, and continual occupation and change soon weaken
+impressions.”
+</p>
+
+<p>
+“Granting your assertion that the world does all this so soon for men
+(which, however, I do not think I shall grant), it does not apply to Benwick.
+He has not been forced upon any exertion. The peace turned him on shore at the
+very moment, and he has been living with us, in our little family circle, ever
+since.”
+</p>
+
+<p>
+“True,” said Anne, “very true; I did not recollect; but what
+shall we say now, Captain Harville? If the change be not from outward
+circumstances, it must be from within; it must be nature, man’s nature,
+which has done the business for Captain Benwick.”
+</p>
+
+<p>
+“No, no, it is not man’s nature. I will not allow it to be more
+man’s nature than woman’s to be inconstant and forget those they do
+love, or have loved. I believe the reverse. I believe in a true analogy between
+our bodily frames and our mental; and that as our bodies are the strongest, so
+are our feelings; capable of bearing most rough usage, and riding out the
+heaviest weather.”
+</p>
+
+<p>
+“Your feelings may be the strongest,” replied Anne, “but the
+same spirit of analogy will authorise me to assert that ours are the most
+tender. Man is more robust than woman, but he is not longer lived; which
+exactly explains my view of the nature of their attachments. Nay, it would be
+too hard upon you, if it were otherwise. You have difficulties, and privations,
+and dangers enough to struggle with. You are always labouring and toiling,
+exposed to every risk and hardship. Your home, country, friends, all quitted.
+Neither time, nor health, nor life, to be called your own. It would be hard,
+indeed” (with a faltering voice), “if woman’s feelings were
+to be added to all this.”
+</p>
+
+<p>
+“We shall never agree upon this question,” Captain Harville was
+beginning to say, when a slight noise called their attention to Captain
+Wentworth’s hitherto perfectly quiet division of the room. It was nothing
+more than that his pen had fallen down; but Anne was startled at finding him
+nearer than she had supposed, and half inclined to suspect that the pen had
+only fallen because he had been occupied by them, striving to catch sounds,
+which yet she did not think he could have caught.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+“Have you finished your letter?” said Captain Harville.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+“Not quite, a few lines more. I shall have done in five minutes.”
+</p>
+
+<p>
+“There is no hurry on my side. I am only ready whenever you are. I am in
+very good anchorage here,” (smiling at Anne), “well supplied, and
+want for nothing. No hurry for a signal at all. Well, Miss Elliot,”
+(lowering his voice), “as I was saying, we shall never agree, I suppose,
+upon this point. No man and woman would, probably. But let me observe that all
+histories are against you—all stories, prose and verse. If I had such a
+memory as Benwick, I could bring you fifty quotations in a moment on my side
+the argument, and I do not think I ever opened a book in my life which had not
+something to say upon woman’s inconstancy. Songs and proverbs, all talk
+of woman’s fickleness. But perhaps you will say, these were all written
+by men.”
+</p>
+
+<p>
+“Perhaps I shall. Yes, yes, if you please, no reference to examples in
+books. Men have had every advantage of us in telling their own story. Education
+has been theirs in so much higher a degree; the pen has been in their hands. I
+will not allow books to prove anything.”
+</p>
+
+<p>
+“But how shall we prove anything?”
+</p>
+
+<p>
+“We never shall. We never can expect to prove any thing upon such a
+point. It is a difference of opinion which does not admit of proof. We each
+begin, probably, with a little bias towards our own sex; and upon that bias
+build every circumstance in favour of it which has occurred within our own
+circle; many of which circumstances (perhaps those very cases which strike us
+the most) may be precisely such as cannot be brought forward without betraying
+a confidence, or in some respect saying what should not be said.”
+</p>
+
+<p>
+“Ah!” cried Captain Harville, in a tone of strong feeling,
+“if I could but make you comprehend what a man suffers when he takes a
+last look at his wife and children, and watches the boat that he has sent them
+off in, as long as it is in sight, and then turns away and says, ‘God
+knows whether we ever meet again!’ And then, if I could convey to you the
+glow of his soul when he does see them again; when, coming back after a
+twelvemonth’s absence, perhaps, and obliged to put into another port, he
+calculates how soon it be possible to get them there, pretending to deceive
+himself, and saying, ‘They cannot be here till such a day,’ but all
+the while hoping for them twelve hours sooner, and seeing them arrive at last,
+as if Heaven had given them wings, by many hours sooner still! If I could
+explain to you all this, and all that a man can bear and do, and glories to do,
+for the sake of these treasures of his existence! I speak, you know, only of
+such men as have hearts!” pressing his own with emotion.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+“Oh!” cried Anne eagerly, “I hope I do justice to all that is
+felt by you, and by those who resemble you. God forbid that I should undervalue
+the warm and faithful feelings of any of my fellow-creatures! I should deserve
+utter contempt if I dared to suppose that true attachment and constancy were
+known only by woman. No, I believe you capable of everything great and good in
+your married lives. I believe you equal to every important exertion, and to
+every domestic forbearance, so long as—if I may be allowed the
+expression—so long as you have an object. I mean while the woman you love
+lives, and lives for you. All the privilege I claim for my own sex (it is not a
+very enviable one; you need not covet it), is that of loving longest, when
+existence or when hope is gone.”
+</p>
+
+<p>
+She could not immediately have uttered another sentence; her heart was too
+full, her breath too much oppressed.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+“You are a good soul,” cried Captain Harville, putting his hand on
+her arm, quite affectionately. “There is no quarrelling with you. And
+when I think of Benwick, my tongue is tied.”
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Their attention was called towards the others. Mrs Croft was taking leave.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+“Here, Frederick, you and I part company, I believe,” said she.
+“I am going home, and you have an engagement with your friend. To-night
+we may have the pleasure of all meeting again at your party,” (turning to
+Anne). “We had your sister’s card yesterday, and I understood
+Frederick had a card too, though I did not see it; and you are disengaged,
+Frederick, are you not, as well as ourselves?”
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Captain Wentworth was folding up a letter in great haste, and either could not
+or would not answer fully.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+“Yes,” said he, “very true; here we separate, but Harville
+and I shall soon be after you; that is, Harville, if you are ready, I am in
+half a minute. I know you will not be sorry to be off. I shall be at your
+service in half a minute.”
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Mrs Croft left them, and Captain Wentworth, having sealed his letter with great
+rapidity, was indeed ready, and had even a hurried, agitated air, which shewed
+impatience to be gone. Anne knew not how to understand it. She had the kindest
+“Good morning, God bless you!” from Captain Harville, but from him
+not a word, nor a look! He had passed out of the room without a look!
+</p>
+
+<p>
+She had only time, however, to move closer to the table where he had been
+writing, when footsteps were heard returning; the door opened, it was himself.
+He begged their pardon, but he had forgotten his gloves, and instantly crossing
+the room to the writing table, he drew out a letter from under the scattered
+paper, placed it before Anne with eyes of glowing entreaty fixed on her for a
+time, and hastily collecting his gloves, was again out of the room, almost
+before Mrs Musgrove was aware of his being in it: the work of an instant!
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The revolution which one instant had made in Anne, was almost beyond
+expression. The letter, with a direction hardly legible, to “Miss A.
+E.—,” was evidently the one which he had been folding so hastily.
+While supposed to be writing only to Captain Benwick, he had been also
+addressing her! On the contents of that letter depended all which this world
+could do for her. Anything was possible, anything might be defied rather than
+suspense. Mrs Musgrove had little arrangements of her own at her own table; to
+their protection she must trust, and sinking into the chair which he had
+occupied, succeeding to the very spot where he had leaned and written, her eyes
+devoured the following words:
+</p>
+
+<p class="letter">
+“I can listen no longer in silence. I must speak to you by such means as
+are within my reach. You pierce my soul. I am half agony, half hope. Tell me
+not that I am too late, that such precious feelings are gone for ever. I offer
+myself to you again with a heart even more your own than when you almost broke
+it, eight years and a half ago. Dare not say that man forgets sooner than
+woman, that his love has an earlier death. I have loved none but you. Unjust I
+may have been, weak and resentful I have been, but never inconstant. You alone
+have brought me to Bath. For you alone, I think and plan. Have you not seen
+this? Can you fail to have understood my wishes? I had not waited even these
+ten days, could I have read your feelings, as I think you must have penetrated
+mine. I can hardly write. I am every instant hearing something which overpowers
+me. You sink your voice, but I can distinguish the tones of that voice when
+they would be lost on others. Too good, too excellent creature! You do us
+justice, indeed. You do believe that there is true attachment and constancy
+among men. Believe it to be most fervent, most undeviating, in
+</p>
+
+<p class="right">
+F. W.
+</p>
+
+<p class="letter">
+“I must go, uncertain of my fate; but I shall return hither, or follow
+your party, as soon as possible. A word, a look, will be enough to decide
+whether I enter your father’s house this evening or never.”
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Such a letter was not to be soon recovered from. Half an hour’s solitude
+and reflection might have tranquillized her; but the ten minutes only which now
+passed before she was interrupted, with all the restraints of her situation,
+could do nothing towards tranquillity. Every moment rather brought fresh
+agitation. It was overpowering happiness. And before she was beyond the first
+stage of full sensation, Charles, Mary, and Henrietta all came in.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The absolute necessity of seeming like herself produced then an immediate
+struggle; but after a while she could do no more. She began not to understand a
+word they said, and was obliged to plead indisposition and excuse herself. They
+could then see that she looked very ill, were shocked and concerned, and would
+not stir without her for the world. This was dreadful. Would they only have
+gone away, and left her in the quiet possession of that room it would have been
+her cure; but to have them all standing or waiting around her was distracting,
+and in desperation, she said she would go home.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+“By all means, my dear,” cried Mrs Musgrove, “go home
+directly, and take care of yourself, that you may be fit for the evening. I
+wish Sarah was here to doctor you, but I am no doctor myself. Charles, ring and
+order a chair. She must not walk.”
+</p>
+
+<p>
+But the chair would never do. Worse than all! To lose the possibility of
+speaking two words to Captain Wentworth in the course of her quiet, solitary
+progress up the town (and she felt almost certain of meeting him) could not be
+borne. The chair was earnestly protested against, and Mrs Musgrove, who thought
+only of one sort of illness, having assured herself with some anxiety, that
+there had been no fall in the case; that Anne had not at any time lately
+slipped down, and got a blow on her head; that she was perfectly convinced of
+having had no fall; could part with her cheerfully, and depend on finding her
+better at night.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Anxious to omit no possible precaution, Anne struggled, and said—
+</p>
+
+<p>
+“I am afraid, ma’am, that it is not perfectly understood. Pray be
+so good as to mention to the other gentlemen that we hope to see your whole
+party this evening. I am afraid there had been some mistake; and I wish you
+particularly to assure Captain Harville and Captain Wentworth, that we hope to
+see them both.”
+</p>
+
+<p>
+“Oh! my dear, it is quite understood, I give you my word. Captain
+Harville has no thought but of going.”
+</p>
+
+<p>
+“Do you think so? But I am afraid; and I should be so very sorry. Will
+you promise me to mention it, when you see them again? You will see them both
+this morning, I dare say. Do promise me.”
+</p>
+
+<p>
+“To be sure I will, if you wish it. Charles, if you see Captain Harville
+anywhere, remember to give Miss Anne’s message. But indeed, my dear, you
+need not be uneasy. Captain Harville holds himself quite engaged, I’ll
+answer for it; and Captain Wentworth the same, I dare say.”
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Anne could do no more; but her heart prophesied some mischance to damp the
+perfection of her felicity. It could not be very lasting, however. Even if he
+did not come to Camden Place himself, it would be in her power to send an
+intelligible sentence by Captain Harville. Another momentary vexation occurred.
+Charles, in his real concern and good nature, would go home with her; there was
+no preventing him. This was almost cruel. But she could not be long ungrateful;
+he was sacrificing an engagement at a gunsmith’s, to be of use to her;
+and she set off with him, with no feeling but gratitude apparent.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+They were on Union Street, when a quicker step behind, a something of familiar
+sound, gave her two moments’ preparation for the sight of Captain
+Wentworth. He joined them; but, as if irresolute whether to join or to pass on,
+said nothing, only looked. Anne could command herself enough to receive that
+look, and not repulsively. The cheeks which had been pale now glowed, and the
+movements which had hesitated were decided. He walked by her side. Presently,
+struck by a sudden thought, Charles said—
+</p>
+
+<p>
+“Captain Wentworth, which way are you going? Only to Gay Street, or
+farther up the town?”
+</p>
+
+<p>
+“I hardly know,” replied Captain Wentworth, surprised.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+“Are you going as high as Belmont? Are you going near Camden Place?
+Because, if you are, I shall have no scruple in asking you to take my place,
+and give Anne your arm to her father’s door. She is rather done for this
+morning, and must not go so far without help, and I ought to be at that
+fellow’s in the Market Place. He promised me the sight of a capital gun
+he is just going to send off; said he would keep it unpacked to the last
+possible moment, that I might see it; and if I do not turn back now, I have no
+chance. By his description, a good deal like the second size double-barrel of
+mine, which you shot with one day round Winthrop.”
+</p>
+
+<p>
+There could not be an objection. There could be only the most proper alacrity,
+a most obliging compliance for public view; and smiles reined in and spirits
+dancing in private rapture. In half a minute Charles was at the bottom of Union
+Street again, and the other two proceeding together: and soon words enough had
+passed between them to decide their direction towards the comparatively quiet
+and retired gravel walk, where the power of conversation would make the present
+hour a blessing indeed, and prepare it for all the immortality which the
+happiest recollections of their own future lives could bestow. There they
+exchanged again those feelings and those promises which had once before seemed
+to secure everything, but which had been followed by so many, many years of
+division and estrangement. There they returned again into the past, more
+exquisitely happy, perhaps, in their re-union, than when it had been first
+projected; more tender, more tried, more fixed in a knowledge of each
+other’s character, truth, and attachment; more equal to act, more
+justified in acting. And there, as they slowly paced the gradual ascent,
+heedless of every group around them, seeing neither sauntering politicians,
+bustling housekeepers, flirting girls, nor nursery-maids and children, they
+could indulge in those retrospections and acknowledgements, and especially in
+those explanations of what had directly preceded the present moment, which were
+so poignant and so ceaseless in interest. All the little variations of the last
+week were gone through; and of yesterday and to-day there could scarcely be an
+end.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+She had not mistaken him. Jealousy of Mr Elliot had been the retarding weight,
+the doubt, the torment. That had begun to operate in the very hour of first
+meeting her in Bath; that had returned, after a short suspension, to ruin the
+concert; and that had influenced him in everything he had said and done, or
+omitted to say and do, in the last four-and-twenty hours. It had been gradually
+yielding to the better hopes which her looks, or words, or actions occasionally
+encouraged; it had been vanquished at last by those sentiments and those tones
+which had reached him while she talked with Captain Harville; and under the
+irresistible governance of which he had seized a sheet of paper, and poured out
+his feelings.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Of what he had then written, nothing was to be retracted or qualified. He
+persisted in having loved none but her. She had never been supplanted. He never
+even believed himself to see her equal. Thus much indeed he was obliged to
+acknowledge: that he had been constant unconsciously, nay unintentionally; that
+he had meant to forget her, and believed it to be done. He had imagined himself
+indifferent, when he had only been angry; and he had been unjust to her merits,
+because he had been a sufferer from them. Her character was now fixed on his
+mind as perfection itself, maintaining the loveliest medium of fortitude and
+gentleness; but he was obliged to acknowledge that only at Uppercross had he
+learnt to do her justice, and only at Lyme had he begun to understand himself.
+At Lyme, he had received lessons of more than one sort. The passing admiration
+of Mr Elliot had at least roused him, and the scenes on the Cobb and at Captain
+Harville’s had fixed her superiority.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+In his preceding attempts to attach himself to Louisa Musgrove (the attempts of
+angry pride), he protested that he had for ever felt it to be impossible; that
+he had not cared, could not care, for Louisa; though till that day, till the
+leisure for reflection which followed it, he had not understood the perfect
+excellence of the mind with which Louisa’s could so ill bear a
+comparison, or the perfect unrivalled hold it possessed over his own. There, he
+had learnt to distinguish between the steadiness of principle and the obstinacy
+of self-will, between the darings of heedlessness and the resolution of a
+collected mind. There he had seen everything to exalt in his estimation the
+woman he had lost; and there begun to deplore the pride, the folly, the madness
+of resentment, which had kept him from trying to regain her when thrown in his
+way.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+From that period his penance had become severe. He had no sooner been free from
+the horror and remorse attending the first few days of Louisa’s accident,
+no sooner begun to feel himself alive again, than he had begun to feel himself,
+though alive, not at liberty.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+“I found,” said he, “that I was considered by Harville an
+engaged man! That neither Harville nor his wife entertained a doubt of our
+mutual attachment. I was startled and shocked. To a degree, I could contradict
+this instantly; but, when I began to reflect that others might have felt the
+same—her own family, nay, perhaps herself—I was no longer at my own
+disposal. I was hers in honour if she wished it. I had been unguarded. I had
+not thought seriously on this subject before. I had not considered that my
+excessive intimacy must have its danger of ill consequence in many ways; and
+that I had no right to be trying whether I could attach myself to either of the
+girls, at the risk of raising even an unpleasant report, were there no other
+ill effects. I had been grossly wrong, and must abide the consequences.”
+</p>
+
+<p>
+He found too late, in short, that he had entangled himself; and that precisely
+as he became fully satisfied of his not caring for Louisa at all, he must
+regard himself as bound to her, if her sentiments for him were what the
+Harvilles supposed. It determined him to leave Lyme, and await her complete
+recovery elsewhere. He would gladly weaken, by any fair means, whatever
+feelings or speculations concerning him might exist; and he went, therefore, to
+his brother’s, meaning after a while to return to Kellynch, and act as
+circumstances might require.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+“I was six weeks with Edward,” said he, “and saw him happy. I
+could have no other pleasure. I deserved none. He enquired after you very
+particularly; asked even if you were personally altered, little suspecting that
+to my eye you could never alter.”
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Anne smiled, and let it pass. It was too pleasing a blunder for a reproach. It
+is something for a woman to be assured, in her eight-and-twentieth year, that
+she has not lost one charm of earlier youth; but the value of such homage was
+inexpressibly increased to Anne, by comparing it with former words, and feeling
+it to be the result, not the cause of a revival of his warm attachment.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+He had remained in Shropshire, lamenting the blindness of his own pride, and
+the blunders of his own calculations, till at once released from Louisa by the
+astonishing and felicitous intelligence of her engagement with Benwick.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+“Here,” said he, “ended the worst of my state; for now I
+could at least put myself in the way of happiness; I could exert myself; I
+could do something. But to be waiting so long in inaction, and waiting only for
+evil, had been dreadful. Within the first five minutes I said, ‘I will be
+at Bath on Wednesday,’ and I was. Was it unpardonable to think it worth
+my while to come? and to arrive with some degree of hope? You were single. It
+was possible that you might retain the feelings of the past, as I did; and one
+encouragement happened to be mine. I could never doubt that you would be loved
+and sought by others, but I knew to a certainty that you had refused one man,
+at least, of better pretensions than myself; and I could not help often saying,
+‘Was this for me?’”
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Their first meeting in Milsom Street afforded much to be said, but the concert
+still more. That evening seemed to be made up of exquisite moments. The moment
+of her stepping forward in the Octagon Room to speak to him: the moment of Mr
+Elliot’s appearing and tearing her away, and one or two subsequent
+moments, marked by returning hope or increasing despondency, were dwelt on with
+energy.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+“To see you,” cried he, “in the midst of those who could not
+be my well-wishers; to see your cousin close by you, conversing and smiling,
+and feel all the horrible eligibilities and proprieties of the match! To
+consider it as the certain wish of every being who could hope to influence you!
+Even if your own feelings were reluctant or indifferent, to consider what
+powerful supports would be his! Was it not enough to make the fool of me which
+I appeared? How could I look on without agony? Was not the very sight of the
+friend who sat behind you, was not the recollection of what had been, the
+knowledge of her influence, the indelible, immoveable impression of what
+persuasion had once done—was it not all against me?”
+</p>
+
+<p>
+“You should have distinguished,” replied Anne. “You should
+not have suspected me now; the case is so different, and my age is so
+different. If I was wrong in yielding to persuasion once, remember that it was
+to persuasion exerted on the side of safety, not of risk. When I yielded, I
+thought it was to duty, but no duty could be called in aid here. In marrying a
+man indifferent to me, all risk would have been incurred, and all duty
+violated.”
+</p>
+
+<p>
+“Perhaps I ought to have reasoned thus,” he replied, “but I
+could not. I could not derive benefit from the late knowledge I had acquired of
+your character. I could not bring it into play; it was overwhelmed, buried,
+lost in those earlier feelings which I had been smarting under year after year.
+I could think of you only as one who had yielded, who had given me up, who had
+been influenced by any one rather than by me. I saw you with the very person
+who had guided you in that year of misery. I had no reason to believe her of
+less authority now. The force of habit was to be added.”
+</p>
+
+<p>
+“I should have thought,” said Anne, “that my manner to
+yourself might have spared you much or all of this.”
+</p>
+
+<p>
+“No, no! your manner might be only the ease which your engagement to
+another man would give. I left you in this belief; and yet, I was determined to
+see you again. My spirits rallied with the morning, and I felt that I had still
+a motive for remaining here.”
+</p>
+
+<p>
+At last Anne was at home again, and happier than any one in that house could
+have conceived. All the surprise and suspense, and every other painful part of
+the morning dissipated by this conversation, she re-entered the house so happy
+as to be obliged to find an alloy in some momentary apprehensions of its being
+impossible to last. An interval of meditation, serious and grateful, was the
+best corrective of everything dangerous in such high-wrought felicity; and she
+went to her room, and grew steadfast and fearless in the thankfulness of her
+enjoyment.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The evening came, the drawing-rooms were lighted up, the company assembled. It
+was but a card party, it was but a mixture of those who had never met before,
+and those who met too often; a commonplace business, too numerous for intimacy,
+too small for variety; but Anne had never found an evening shorter. Glowing and
+lovely in sensibility and happiness, and more generally admired than she
+thought about or cared for, she had cheerful or forbearing feelings for every
+creature around her. Mr Elliot was there; she avoided, but she could pity him.
+The Wallises, she had amusement in understanding them. Lady Dalrymple and Miss
+Carteret—they would soon be innoxious cousins to her. She cared not for
+Mrs Clay, and had nothing to blush for in the public manners of her father and
+sister. With the Musgroves, there was the happy chat of perfect ease; with
+Captain Harville, the kind-hearted intercourse of brother and sister; with Lady
+Russell, attempts at conversation, which a delicious consciousness cut short;
+with Admiral and Mrs Croft, everything of peculiar cordiality and fervent
+interest, which the same consciousness sought to conceal; and with Captain
+Wentworth, some moments of communications continually occurring, and always the
+hope of more, and always the knowledge of his being there.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+It was in one of these short meetings, each apparently occupied in admiring a
+fine display of greenhouse plants, that she said—
+</p>
+
+<p>
+“I have been thinking over the past, and trying impartially to judge of
+the right and wrong, I mean with regard to myself; and I must believe that I
+was right, much as I suffered from it, that I was perfectly right in being
+guided by the friend whom you will love better than you do now. To me, she was
+in the place of a parent. Do not mistake me, however. I am not saying that she
+did not err in her advice. It was, perhaps, one of those cases in which advice
+is good or bad only as the event decides; and for myself, I certainly never
+should, in any circumstance of tolerable similarity, give such advice. But I
+mean, that I was right in submitting to her, and that if I had done otherwise,
+I should have suffered more in continuing the engagement than I did even in
+giving it up, because I should have suffered in my conscience. I have now, as
+far as such a sentiment is allowable in human nature, nothing to reproach
+myself with; and if I mistake not, a strong sense of duty is no bad part of a
+woman’s portion.”
+</p>
+
+<p>
+He looked at her, looked at Lady Russell, and looking again at her, replied, as
+if in cool deliberation—
+</p>
+
+<p>
+“Not yet. But there are hopes of her being forgiven in time. I trust to
+being in charity with her soon. But I too have been thinking over the past, and
+a question has suggested itself, whether there may not have been one person
+more my enemy even than that lady? My own self. Tell me if, when I returned to
+England in the year eight, with a few thousand pounds, and was posted into the
+Laconia, if I had then written to you, would you have answered my letter? Would
+you, in short, have renewed the engagement then?”
+</p>
+
+<p>
+“Would I!” was all her answer; but the accent was decisive enough.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+“Good God!” he cried, “you would! It is not that I did not
+think of it, or desire it, as what could alone crown all my other success; but
+I was proud, too proud to ask again. I did not understand you. I shut my eyes,
+and would not understand you, or do you justice. This is a recollection which
+ought to make me forgive every one sooner than myself. Six years of separation
+and suffering might have been spared. It is a sort of pain, too, which is new
+to me. I have been used to the gratification of believing myself to earn every
+blessing that I enjoyed. I have valued myself on honourable toils and just
+rewards. Like other great men under reverses,” he added, with a smile.
+“I must endeavour to subdue my mind to my fortune. I must learn to brook
+being happier than I deserve.”
+</p>
+
+</div><!--end chapter-->
+
+<div class="chapter">
+
+<h2><a id="chap24"></a>CHAPTER XXIV.</h2>
+
+<p>
+Who can be in doubt of what followed? When any two young people take it into
+their heads to marry, they are pretty sure by perseverance to carry their
+point, be they ever so poor, or ever so imprudent, or ever so little likely to
+be necessary to each other’s ultimate comfort. This may be bad morality
+to conclude with, but I believe it to be truth; and if such parties succeed,
+how should a Captain Wentworth and an Anne Elliot, with the advantage of
+maturity of mind, consciousness of right, and one independent fortune between
+them, fail of bearing down every opposition? They might in fact, have borne
+down a great deal more than they met with, for there was little to distress
+them beyond the want of graciousness and warmth. Sir Walter made no objection,
+and Elizabeth did nothing worse than look cold and unconcerned. Captain
+Wentworth, with five-and-twenty thousand pounds, and as high in his profession
+as merit and activity could place him, was no longer nobody. He was now
+esteemed quite worthy to address the daughter of a foolish, spendthrift
+baronet, who had not had principle or sense enough to maintain himself in the
+situation in which Providence had placed him, and who could give his daughter
+at present but a small part of the share of ten thousand pounds which must be
+hers hereafter.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Sir Walter, indeed, though he had no affection for Anne, and no vanity
+flattered, to make him really happy on the occasion, was very far from thinking
+it a bad match for her. On the contrary, when he saw more of Captain Wentworth,
+saw him repeatedly by daylight, and eyed him well, he was very much struck by
+his personal claims, and felt that his superiority of appearance might be not
+unfairly balanced against her superiority of rank; and all this, assisted by
+his well-sounding name, enabled Sir Walter at last to prepare his pen, with a
+very good grace, for the insertion of the marriage in the volume of honour.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The only one among them, whose opposition of feeling could excite any serious
+anxiety was Lady Russell. Anne knew that Lady Russell must be suffering some
+pain in understanding and relinquishing Mr Elliot, and be making some struggles
+to become truly acquainted with, and do justice to Captain Wentworth. This
+however was what Lady Russell had now to do. She must learn to feel that she
+had been mistaken with regard to both; that she had been unfairly influenced by
+appearances in each; that because Captain Wentworth’s manners had not
+suited her own ideas, she had been too quick in suspecting them to indicate a
+character of dangerous impetuosity; and that because Mr Elliot’s manners
+had precisely pleased her in their propriety and correctness, their general
+politeness and suavity, she had been too quick in receiving them as the certain
+result of the most correct opinions and well-regulated mind. There was nothing
+less for Lady Russell to do, than to admit that she had been pretty completely
+wrong, and to take up a new set of opinions and of hopes.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+There is a quickness of perception in some, a nicety in the discernment of
+character, a natural penetration, in short, which no experience in others can
+equal, and Lady Russell had been less gifted in this part of understanding than
+her young friend. But she was a very good woman, and if her second object was
+to be sensible and well-judging, her first was to see Anne happy. She loved
+Anne better than she loved her own abilities; and when the awkwardness of the
+beginning was over, found little hardship in attaching herself as a mother to
+the man who was securing the happiness of her other child.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Of all the family, Mary was probably the one most immediately gratified by the
+circumstance. It was creditable to have a sister married, and she might flatter
+herself with having been greatly instrumental to the connexion, by keeping Anne
+with her in the autumn; and as her own sister must be better than her
+husband’s sisters, it was very agreeable that Captain Wentworth should be
+a richer man than either Captain Benwick or Charles Hayter. She had something
+to suffer, perhaps, when they came into contact again, in seeing Anne restored
+to the rights of seniority, and the mistress of a very pretty landaulette; but
+she had a future to look forward to, of powerful consolation. Anne had no
+Uppercross Hall before her, no landed estate, no headship of a family; and if
+they could but keep Captain Wentworth from being made a baronet, she would not
+change situations with Anne.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+It would be well for the eldest sister if she were equally satisfied with her
+situation, for a change is not very probable there. She had soon the
+mortification of seeing Mr Elliot withdraw, and no one of proper condition has
+since presented himself to raise even the unfounded hopes which sunk with him.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The news of his cousin Anne’s engagement burst on Mr Elliot most
+unexpectedly. It deranged his best plan of domestic happiness, his best hope of
+keeping Sir Walter single by the watchfulness which a son-in-law’s rights
+would have given. But, though discomfited and disappointed, he could still do
+something for his own interest and his own enjoyment. He soon quitted Bath; and
+on Mrs Clay’s quitting it soon afterwards, and being next heard of as
+established under his protection in London, it was evident how double a game he
+had been playing, and how determined he was to save himself from being cut out
+by one artful woman, at least.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Mrs Clay’s affections had overpowered her interest, and she had
+sacrificed, for the young man’s sake, the possibility of scheming longer
+for Sir Walter. She has abilities, however, as well as affections; and it is
+now a doubtful point whether his cunning, or hers, may finally carry the day;
+whether, after preventing her from being the wife of Sir Walter, he may not be
+wheedled and caressed at last into making her the wife of Sir William.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+It cannot be doubted that Sir Walter and Elizabeth were shocked and mortified
+by the loss of their companion, and the discovery of their deception in her.
+They had their great cousins, to be sure, to resort to for comfort; but they
+must long feel that to flatter and follow others, without being flattered and
+followed in turn, is but a state of half enjoyment.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Anne, satisfied at a very early period of Lady Russell’s meaning to love
+Captain Wentworth as she ought, had no other alloy to the happiness of her
+prospects than what arose from the consciousness of having no relations to
+bestow on him which a man of sense could value. There she felt her own
+inferiority very keenly. The disproportion in their fortune was nothing; it did
+not give her a moment’s regret; but to have no family to receive and
+estimate him properly, nothing of respectability, of harmony, of good will to
+offer in return for all the worth and all the prompt welcome which met her in
+his brothers and sisters, was a source of as lively pain as her mind could well
+be sensible of under circumstances of otherwise strong felicity. She had but
+two friends in the world to add to his list, Lady Russell and Mrs Smith. To
+those, however, he was very well disposed to attach himself. Lady Russell, in
+spite of all her former transgressions, he could now value from his heart.
+While he was not obliged to say that he believed her to have been right in
+originally dividing them, he was ready to say almost everything else in her
+favour, and as for Mrs Smith, she had claims of various kinds to recommend her
+quickly and permanently.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Her recent good offices by Anne had been enough in themselves, and their
+marriage, instead of depriving her of one friend, secured her two. She was
+their earliest visitor in their settled life; and Captain Wentworth, by putting
+her in the way of recovering her husband’s property in the West Indies,
+by writing for her, acting for her, and seeing her through all the petty
+difficulties of the case with the activity and exertion of a fearless man and a
+determined friend, fully requited the services which she had rendered, or ever
+meant to render, to his wife.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Mrs Smith’s enjoyments were not spoiled by this improvement of income,
+with some improvement of health, and the acquisition of such friends to be
+often with, for her cheerfulness and mental alacrity did not fail her; and
+while these prime supplies of good remained, she might have bid defiance even
+to greater accessions of worldly prosperity. She might have been absolutely
+rich and perfectly healthy, and yet be happy. Her spring of felicity was in the
+glow of her spirits, as her friend Anne’s was in the warmth of her heart.
+Anne was tenderness itself, and she had the full worth of it in Captain
+Wentworth’s affection. His profession was all that could ever make her
+friends wish that tenderness less, the dread of a future war all that could dim
+her sunshine. She gloried in being a sailor’s wife, but she must pay the
+tax of quick alarm for belonging to that profession which is, if possible, more
+distinguished in its domestic virtues than in its national importance.
+</p>
+
+<p class="center">
+Finis
+</p>
+
+</div><!--end chapter-->
+
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+The Project Gutenberg EBook of Persuasion, by Jane Austen
+
+This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with
+almost no restrictions whatsoever.  You may copy it, give it away or
+re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included
+with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org
+
+
+Title: Persuasion
+
+Author: Jane Austen
+
+Release Date: June 5, 2008 [EBook #105]
+Last Updated: February 15, 2015
+
+Language: English
+
+Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1
+
+*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK PERSUASION ***
+
+
+
+
+Produced by Sharon Partridge and Martin Ward. HTML version
+by Al Haines.
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+Persuasion
+
+
+by
+
+Jane Austen
+
+(1818)
+
+
+
+
+Chapter 1
+
+
+Sir Walter Elliot, of Kellynch Hall, in Somersetshire, was a man who,
+for his own amusement, never took up any book but the Baronetage; there
+he found occupation for an idle hour, and consolation in a distressed
+one; there his faculties were roused into admiration and respect, by
+contemplating the limited remnant of the earliest patents; there any
+unwelcome sensations, arising from domestic affairs changed naturally
+into pity and contempt as he turned over the almost endless creations
+of the last century; and there, if every other leaf were powerless, he
+could read his own history with an interest which never failed.  This
+was the page at which the favourite volume always opened:
+
+           "ELLIOT OF KELLYNCH HALL.
+
+"Walter Elliot, born March 1, 1760, married, July 15, 1784, Elizabeth,
+daughter of James Stevenson, Esq. of South Park, in the county of
+Gloucester, by which lady (who died 1800) he has issue Elizabeth, born
+June 1, 1785; Anne, born August 9, 1787; a still-born son, November 5,
+1789; Mary, born November 20, 1791."
+
+Precisely such had the paragraph originally stood from the printer's
+hands; but Sir Walter had improved it by adding, for the information of
+himself and his family, these words, after the date of Mary's birth--
+"Married, December 16, 1810, Charles, son and heir of Charles Musgrove,
+Esq. of Uppercross, in the county of Somerset," and by inserting most
+accurately the day of the month on which he had lost his wife.
+
+Then followed the history and rise of the ancient and respectable
+family, in the usual terms; how it had been first settled in Cheshire;
+how mentioned in Dugdale, serving the office of high sheriff,
+representing a borough in three successive parliaments, exertions of
+loyalty, and dignity of baronet, in the first year of Charles II, with
+all the Marys and Elizabeths they had married; forming altogether two
+handsome duodecimo pages, and concluding with the arms and
+motto:--"Principal seat, Kellynch Hall, in the county of Somerset," and
+Sir Walter's handwriting again in this finale:--
+
+"Heir presumptive, William Walter Elliot, Esq., great grandson of the
+second Sir Walter."
+
+Vanity was the beginning and the end of Sir Walter Elliot's character;
+vanity of person and of situation.  He had been remarkably handsome in
+his youth; and, at fifty-four, was still a very fine man.  Few women
+could think more of their personal appearance than he did, nor could
+the valet of any new made lord be more delighted with the place he held
+in society.  He considered the blessing of beauty as inferior only to
+the blessing of a baronetcy; and the Sir Walter Elliot, who united
+these gifts, was the constant object of his warmest respect and
+devotion.
+
+His good looks and his rank had one fair claim on his attachment; since
+to them he must have owed a wife of very superior character to any
+thing deserved by his own.  Lady Elliot had been an excellent woman,
+sensible and amiable; whose judgement and conduct, if they might be
+pardoned the youthful infatuation which made her Lady Elliot, had never
+required indulgence afterwards.--She had humoured, or softened, or
+concealed his failings, and promoted his real respectability for
+seventeen years; and though not the very happiest being in the world
+herself, had found enough in her duties, her friends, and her children,
+to attach her to life, and make it no matter of indifference to her
+when she was called on to quit them.--Three girls, the two eldest
+sixteen and fourteen, was an awful legacy for a mother to bequeath, an
+awful charge rather, to confide to the authority and guidance of a
+conceited, silly father.  She had, however, one very intimate friend, a
+sensible, deserving woman, who had been brought, by strong attachment
+to herself, to settle close by her, in the village of Kellynch; and on
+her kindness and advice, Lady Elliot mainly relied for the best help
+and maintenance of the good principles and instruction which she had
+been anxiously giving her daughters.
+
+This friend, and Sir Walter, did not marry, whatever might have been
+anticipated on that head by their acquaintance.  Thirteen years had
+passed away since Lady Elliot's death, and they were still near
+neighbours and intimate friends, and one remained a widower, the other
+a widow.
+
+That Lady Russell, of steady age and character, and extremely well
+provided for, should have no thought of a second marriage, needs no
+apology to the public, which is rather apt to be unreasonably
+discontented when a woman does marry again, than when she does not; but
+Sir Walter's continuing in singleness requires explanation.  Be it
+known then, that Sir Walter, like a good father, (having met with one
+or two private disappointments in very unreasonable applications),
+prided himself on remaining single for his dear daughters' sake.  For
+one daughter, his eldest, he would really have given up any thing,
+which he had not been very much tempted to do.  Elizabeth had
+succeeded, at sixteen, to all that was possible, of her mother's rights
+and consequence; and being very handsome, and very like himself, her
+influence had always been great, and they had gone on together most
+happily.  His two other children were of very inferior value.  Mary had
+acquired a little artificial importance, by becoming Mrs Charles
+Musgrove; but Anne, with an elegance of mind and sweetness of
+character, which must have placed her high with any people of real
+understanding, was nobody with either father or sister; her word had no
+weight, her convenience was always to give way--she was only Anne.
+
+To Lady Russell, indeed, she was a most dear and highly valued
+god-daughter, favourite, and friend.  Lady Russell loved them all; but
+it was only in Anne that she could fancy the mother to revive again.
+
+A few years before, Anne Elliot had been a very pretty girl, but her
+bloom had vanished early; and as even in its height, her father had
+found little to admire in her, (so totally different were her delicate
+features and mild dark eyes from his own), there could be nothing in
+them, now that she was faded and thin, to excite his esteem. He had
+never indulged much hope, he had now none, of ever reading her name in
+any other page of his favourite work.  All equality of alliance must
+rest with Elizabeth, for Mary had merely connected herself with an old
+country family of respectability and large fortune, and had therefore
+given all the honour and received none: Elizabeth would, one day or
+other, marry suitably.
+
+It sometimes happens that a woman is handsomer at twenty-nine than she
+was ten years before; and, generally speaking, if there has been
+neither ill health nor anxiety, it is a time of life at which scarcely
+any charm is lost.  It was so with Elizabeth, still the same handsome
+Miss Elliot that she had begun to be thirteen years ago, and Sir Walter
+might be excused, therefore, in forgetting her age, or, at least, be
+deemed only half a fool, for thinking himself and Elizabeth as blooming
+as ever, amidst the wreck of the good looks of everybody else; for he
+could plainly see how old all the rest of his family and acquaintance
+were growing.  Anne haggard, Mary coarse, every face in the
+neighbourhood worsting, and the rapid increase of the crow's foot about
+Lady Russell's temples had long been a distress to him.
+
+Elizabeth did not quite equal her father in personal contentment.
+Thirteen years had seen her mistress of Kellynch Hall, presiding and
+directing with a self-possession and decision which could never have
+given the idea of her being younger than she was.  For thirteen years
+had she been doing the honours, and laying down the domestic law at
+home, and leading the way to the chaise and four, and walking
+immediately after Lady Russell out of all the drawing-rooms and
+dining-rooms in the country.  Thirteen winters' revolving frosts had
+seen her opening every ball of credit which a scanty neighbourhood
+afforded, and thirteen springs shewn their blossoms, as she travelled
+up to London with her father, for a few weeks' annual enjoyment of the
+great world.  She had the remembrance of all this, she had the
+consciousness of being nine-and-twenty to give her some regrets and
+some apprehensions; she was fully satisfied of being still quite as
+handsome as ever, but she felt her approach to the years of danger, and
+would have rejoiced to be certain of being properly solicited by
+baronet-blood within the next twelvemonth or two.  Then might she again
+take up the book of books with as much enjoyment as in her early youth,
+but now she liked it not.  Always to be presented with the date of her
+own birth and see no marriage follow but that of a youngest sister,
+made the book an evil; and more than once, when her father had left it
+open on the table near her, had she closed it, with averted eyes, and
+pushed it away.
+
+She had had a disappointment, moreover, which that book, and especially
+the history of her own family, must ever present the remembrance of.
+The heir presumptive, the very William Walter Elliot, Esq., whose
+rights had been so generously supported by her father, had disappointed
+her.
+
+She had, while a very young girl, as soon as she had known him to be,
+in the event of her having no brother, the future baronet, meant to
+marry him, and her father had always meant that she should.  He had not
+been known to them as a boy; but soon after Lady Elliot's death, Sir
+Walter had sought the acquaintance, and though his overtures had not
+been met with any warmth, he had persevered in seeking it, making
+allowance for the modest drawing-back of youth; and, in one of their
+spring excursions to London, when Elizabeth was in her first bloom, Mr
+Elliot had been forced into the introduction.
+
+He was at that time a very young man, just engaged in the study of the
+law; and Elizabeth found him extremely agreeable, and every plan in his
+favour was confirmed.  He was invited to Kellynch Hall; he was talked
+of and expected all the rest of the year; but he never came.  The
+following spring he was seen again in town, found equally agreeable,
+again encouraged, invited, and expected, and again he did not come; and
+the next tidings were that he was married.  Instead of pushing his
+fortune in the line marked out for the heir of the house of Elliot, he
+had purchased independence by uniting himself to a rich woman of
+inferior birth.
+
+Sir Walter had resented it.  As the head of the house, he felt that he
+ought to have been consulted, especially after taking the young man so
+publicly by the hand; "For they must have been seen together," he
+observed, "once at Tattersall's, and twice in the lobby of the House of
+Commons."  His disapprobation was expressed, but apparently very little
+regarded.  Mr Elliot had attempted no apology, and shewn himself as
+unsolicitous of being longer noticed by the family, as Sir Walter
+considered him unworthy of it:  all acquaintance between them had
+ceased.
+
+This very awkward history of Mr Elliot was still, after an interval of
+several years, felt with anger by Elizabeth, who had liked the man for
+himself, and still more for being her father's heir, and whose strong
+family pride could see only in him a proper match for Sir Walter
+Elliot's eldest daughter.  There was not a baronet from A to Z whom her
+feelings could have so willingly acknowledged as an equal.  Yet so
+miserably had he conducted himself, that though she was at this present
+time (the summer of 1814) wearing black ribbons for his wife, she could
+not admit him to be worth thinking of again.  The disgrace of his first
+marriage might, perhaps, as there was no reason to suppose it
+perpetuated by offspring, have been got over, had he not done worse;
+but he had, as by the accustomary intervention of kind friends, they
+had been informed, spoken most disrespectfully of them all, most
+slightingly and contemptuously of the very blood he belonged to, and
+the honours which were hereafter to be his own.  This could not be
+pardoned.
+
+Such were Elizabeth Elliot's sentiments and sensations; such the cares
+to alloy, the agitations to vary, the sameness and the elegance, the
+prosperity and the nothingness of her scene of life; such the feelings
+to give interest to a long, uneventful residence in one country circle,
+to fill the vacancies which there were no habits of utility abroad, no
+talents or accomplishments for home, to occupy.
+
+But now, another occupation and solicitude of mind was beginning to be
+added to these.  Her father was growing distressed for money.  She
+knew, that when he now took up the Baronetage, it was to drive the
+heavy bills of his tradespeople, and the unwelcome hints of Mr
+Shepherd, his agent, from his thoughts.  The Kellynch property was
+good, but not equal to Sir Walter's apprehension of the state required
+in its possessor.  While Lady Elliot lived, there had been method,
+moderation, and economy, which had just kept him within his income; but
+with her had died all such right-mindedness, and from that period he
+had been constantly exceeding it.  It had not been possible for him to
+spend less; he had done nothing but what Sir Walter Elliot was
+imperiously called on to do; but blameless as he was, he was not only
+growing dreadfully in debt, but was hearing of it so often, that it
+became vain to attempt concealing it longer, even partially, from his
+daughter.  He had given her some hints of it the last spring in town;
+he had gone so far even as to say, "Can we retrench?  Does it occur to
+you that there is any one article in which we can retrench?" and
+Elizabeth, to do her justice, had, in the first ardour of female alarm,
+set seriously to think what could be done, and had finally proposed
+these two branches of economy, to cut off some unnecessary charities,
+and to refrain from new furnishing the drawing-room; to which
+expedients she afterwards added the happy thought of their taking no
+present down to Anne, as had been the usual yearly custom.  But these
+measures, however good in themselves, were insufficient for the real
+extent of the evil, the whole of which Sir Walter found himself obliged
+to confess to her soon afterwards.  Elizabeth had nothing to propose of
+deeper efficacy.  She felt herself ill-used and unfortunate, as did her
+father; and they were neither of them able to devise any means of
+lessening their expenses without compromising their dignity, or
+relinquishing their comforts in a way not to be borne.
+
+There was only a small part of his estate that Sir Walter could dispose
+of; but had every acre been alienable, it would have made no
+difference.  He had condescended to mortgage as far as he had the
+power, but he would never condescend to sell.  No; he would never
+disgrace his name so far.  The Kellynch estate should be transmitted
+whole and entire, as he had received it.
+
+Their two confidential friends, Mr Shepherd, who lived in the
+neighbouring market town, and Lady Russell, were called to advise them;
+and both father and daughter seemed to expect that something should be
+struck out by one or the other to remove their embarrassments and
+reduce their expenditure, without involving the loss of any indulgence
+of taste or pride.
+
+
+
+Chapter 2
+
+
+Mr Shepherd, a civil, cautious lawyer, who, whatever might be his hold
+or his views on Sir Walter, would rather have the disagreeable prompted
+by anybody else, excused himself from offering the slightest hint, and
+only begged leave to recommend an implicit reference to the excellent
+judgement of Lady Russell, from whose known good sense he fully
+expected to have just such resolute measures advised as he meant to see
+finally adopted.
+
+Lady Russell was most anxiously zealous on the subject, and gave it
+much serious consideration.  She was a woman rather of sound than of
+quick abilities, whose difficulties in coming to any decision in this
+instance were great, from the opposition of two leading principles.
+She was of strict integrity herself, with a delicate sense of honour;
+but she was as desirous of saving Sir Walter's feelings, as solicitous
+for the credit of the family, as aristocratic in her ideas of what was
+due to them, as anybody of sense and honesty could well be.  She was a
+benevolent, charitable, good woman, and capable of strong attachments,
+most correct in her conduct, strict in her notions of decorum, and with
+manners that were held a standard of good-breeding.  She had a
+cultivated mind, and was, generally speaking, rational and consistent;
+but she had prejudices on the side of ancestry; she had a value for
+rank and consequence, which blinded her a little to the faults of those
+who possessed them.  Herself the widow of only a knight, she gave the
+dignity of a baronet all its due; and Sir Walter, independent of his
+claims as an old acquaintance, an attentive neighbour, an obliging
+landlord, the husband of her very dear friend, the father of Anne and
+her sisters, was, as being Sir Walter, in her apprehension, entitled to
+a great deal of compassion and consideration under his present
+difficulties.
+
+They must retrench; that did not admit of a doubt.  But she was very
+anxious to have it done with the least possible pain to him and
+Elizabeth. She drew up plans of economy, she made exact calculations,
+and she did what nobody else thought of doing:  she consulted Anne, who
+never seemed considered by the others as having any interest in the
+question. She consulted, and in a degree was influenced by her in
+marking out the scheme of retrenchment which was at last submitted to
+Sir Walter. Every emendation of Anne's had been on the side of honesty
+against importance.  She wanted more vigorous measures, a more complete
+reformation, a quicker release from debt, a much higher tone of
+indifference for everything but justice and equity.
+
+"If we can persuade your father to all this," said Lady Russell,
+looking over her paper, "much may be done.  If he will adopt these
+regulations, in seven years he will be clear; and I hope we may be able
+to convince him and Elizabeth, that Kellynch Hall has a respectability
+in itself which cannot be affected by these reductions; and that the
+true dignity of Sir Walter Elliot will be very far from lessened in the
+eyes of sensible people, by acting like a man of principle.  What will
+he be doing, in fact, but what very many of our first families have
+done, or ought to do?  There will be nothing singular in his case; and
+it is singularity which often makes the worst part of our suffering, as
+it always does of our conduct.  I have great hope of prevailing.  We
+must be serious and decided; for after all, the person who has
+contracted debts must pay them; and though a great deal is due to the
+feelings of the gentleman, and the head of a house, like your father,
+there is still more due to the character of an honest man."
+
+This was the principle on which Anne wanted her father to be
+proceeding, his friends to be urging him.  She considered it as an act
+of indispensable duty to clear away the claims of creditors with all
+the expedition which the most comprehensive retrenchments could secure,
+and saw no dignity in anything short of it.  She wanted it to be
+prescribed, and felt as a duty.  She rated Lady Russell's influence
+highly; and as to the severe degree of self-denial which her own
+conscience prompted, she believed there might be little more difficulty
+in persuading them to a complete, than to half a reformation.  Her
+knowledge of her father and Elizabeth inclined her to think that the
+sacrifice of one pair of horses would be hardly less painful than of
+both, and so on, through the whole list of Lady Russell's too gentle
+reductions.
+
+How Anne's more rigid requisitions might have been taken is of little
+consequence.  Lady Russell's had no success at all: could not be put up
+with, were not to be borne. "What! every comfort of life knocked off!
+Journeys, London, servants, horses, table--contractions and
+restrictions every where!  To live no longer with the decencies even of
+a private gentleman!  No, he would sooner quit Kellynch Hall at once,
+than remain in it on such disgraceful terms."
+
+"Quit Kellynch Hall."  The hint was immediately taken up by Mr
+Shepherd, whose interest was involved in the reality of Sir Walter's
+retrenching, and who was perfectly persuaded that nothing would be done
+without a change of abode.  "Since the idea had been started in the
+very quarter which ought to dictate, he had no scruple," he said, "in
+confessing his judgement to be entirely on that side.  It did not
+appear to him that Sir Walter could materially alter his style of
+living in a house which had such a character of hospitality and ancient
+dignity to support.  In any other place Sir Walter might judge for
+himself; and would be looked up to, as regulating the modes of life in
+whatever way he might choose to model his household."
+
+Sir Walter would quit Kellynch Hall; and after a very few days more of
+doubt and indecision, the great question of whither he should go was
+settled, and the first outline of this important change made out.
+
+There had been three alternatives, London, Bath, or another house in
+the country.  All Anne's wishes had been for the latter.  A small house
+in their own neighbourhood, where they might still have Lady Russell's
+society, still be near Mary, and still have the pleasure of sometimes
+seeing the lawns and groves of Kellynch, was the object of her
+ambition.  But the usual fate of Anne attended her, in having something
+very opposite from her inclination fixed on.  She disliked Bath, and
+did not think it agreed with her; and Bath was to be her home.
+
+Sir Walter had at first thought more of London; but Mr Shepherd felt
+that he could not be trusted in London, and had been skilful enough to
+dissuade him from it, and make Bath preferred.  It was a much safer
+place for a gentleman in his predicament:  he might there be important
+at comparatively little expense.  Two material advantages of Bath over
+London had of course been given all their weight:  its more convenient
+distance from Kellynch, only fifty miles, and Lady Russell's spending
+some part of every winter there; and to the very great satisfaction of
+Lady Russell, whose first views on the projected change had been for
+Bath, Sir Walter and Elizabeth were induced to believe that they should
+lose neither consequence nor enjoyment by settling there.
+
+Lady Russell felt obliged to oppose her dear Anne's known wishes.  It
+would be too much to expect Sir Walter to descend into a small house in
+his own neighbourhood.  Anne herself would have found the
+mortifications of it more than she foresaw, and to Sir Walter's
+feelings they must have been dreadful.  And with regard to Anne's
+dislike of Bath, she considered it as a prejudice and mistake arising,
+first, from the circumstance of her having been three years at school
+there, after her mother's death; and secondly, from her happening to be
+not in perfectly good spirits the only winter which she had afterwards
+spent there with herself.
+
+Lady Russell was fond of Bath, in short, and disposed to think it must
+suit them all; and as to her young friend's health, by passing all the
+warm months with her at Kellynch Lodge, every danger would be avoided;
+and it was in fact, a change which must do both health and spirits
+good.  Anne had been too little from home, too little seen. Her spirits
+were not high.  A larger society would improve them.  She wanted her to
+be more known.
+
+The undesirableness of any other house in the same neighbourhood for
+Sir Walter was certainly much strengthened by one part, and a very
+material part of the scheme, which had been happily engrafted on the
+beginning.  He was not only to quit his home, but to see it in the
+hands of others; a trial of fortitude, which stronger heads than Sir
+Walter's have found too much.  Kellynch Hall was to be let.  This,
+however, was a profound secret, not to be breathed beyond their own
+circle.
+
+Sir Walter could not have borne the degradation of being known to
+design letting his house.  Mr Shepherd had once mentioned the word
+"advertise," but never dared approach it again.  Sir Walter spurned the
+idea of its being offered in any manner; forbad the slightest hint
+being dropped of his having such an intention; and it was only on the
+supposition of his being spontaneously solicited by some most
+unexceptionable applicant, on his own terms, and as a great favour,
+that he would let it at all.
+
+How quick come the reasons for approving what we like!  Lady Russell
+had another excellent one at hand, for being extremely glad that Sir
+Walter and his family were to remove from the country.  Elizabeth had
+been lately forming an intimacy, which she wished to see interrupted.
+It was with the daughter of Mr Shepherd, who had returned, after an
+unprosperous marriage, to her father's house, with the additional
+burden of two children.  She was a clever young woman, who understood
+the art of pleasing--the art of pleasing, at least, at Kellynch Hall;
+and who had made herself so acceptable to Miss Elliot, as to have been
+already staying there more than once, in spite of all that Lady
+Russell, who thought it a friendship quite out of place, could hint of
+caution and reserve.
+
+Lady Russell, indeed, had scarcely any influence with Elizabeth, and
+seemed to love her, rather because she would love her, than because
+Elizabeth deserved it.  She had never received from her more than
+outward attention, nothing beyond the observances of complaisance; had
+never succeeded in any point which she wanted to carry, against
+previous inclination.  She had been repeatedly very earnest in trying
+to get Anne included in the visit to London, sensibly open to all the
+injustice and all the discredit of the selfish arrangements which shut
+her out, and on many lesser occasions had endeavoured to give Elizabeth
+the advantage of her own better judgement and experience; but always in
+vain:  Elizabeth would go her own way; and never had she pursued it in
+more decided opposition to Lady Russell than in this selection of Mrs
+Clay; turning from the society of so deserving a sister, to bestow her
+affection and confidence on one who ought to have been nothing to her
+but the object of distant civility.
+
+From situation, Mrs Clay was, in Lady Russell's estimate, a very
+unequal, and in her character she believed a very dangerous companion;
+and a removal that would leave Mrs Clay behind, and bring a choice of
+more suitable intimates within Miss Elliot's reach, was therefore an
+object of first-rate importance.
+
+
+
+Chapter 3
+
+
+"I must take leave to observe, Sir Walter," said Mr Shepherd one
+morning at Kellynch Hall, as he laid down the newspaper, "that the
+present juncture is much in our favour.  This peace will be turning all
+our rich naval officers ashore.  They will be all wanting a home.
+Could not be a better time, Sir Walter, for having a choice of tenants,
+very responsible tenants.  Many a noble fortune has been made during
+the war.  If a rich admiral were to come in our way, Sir Walter--"
+
+"He would be a very lucky man, Shepherd," replied Sir Walter; "that's
+all I have to remark.  A prize indeed would Kellynch Hall be to him;
+rather the greatest prize of all, let him have taken ever so many
+before; hey, Shepherd?"
+
+Mr Shepherd laughed, as he knew he must, at this wit, and then added--
+
+"I presume to observe, Sir Walter, that, in the way of business,
+gentlemen of the navy are well to deal with.  I have had a little
+knowledge of their methods of doing business; and I am free to confess
+that they have very liberal notions, and are as likely to make
+desirable tenants as any set of people one should meet with.
+Therefore, Sir Walter, what I would take leave to suggest is, that if
+in consequence of any rumours getting abroad of your intention; which
+must be contemplated as a possible thing, because we know how difficult
+it is to keep the actions and designs of one part of the world from the
+notice and curiosity of the other; consequence has its tax; I, John
+Shepherd, might conceal any family-matters that I chose, for nobody
+would think it worth their while to observe me; but Sir Walter Elliot
+has eyes upon him which it may be very difficult to elude; and
+therefore, thus much I venture upon, that it will not greatly surprise
+me if, with all our caution, some rumour of the truth should get
+abroad; in the supposition of which, as I was going to observe, since
+applications will unquestionably follow, I should think any from our
+wealthy naval commanders particularly worth attending to; and beg leave
+to add, that two hours will bring me over at any time, to save you the
+trouble of replying."
+
+Sir Walter only nodded.  But soon afterwards, rising and pacing the
+room, he observed sarcastically--
+
+"There are few among the gentlemen of the navy, I imagine, who would
+not be surprised to find themselves in a house of this description."
+
+"They would look around them, no doubt, and bless their good fortune,"
+said Mrs Clay, for Mrs Clay was present:  her father had driven her
+over, nothing being of so much use to Mrs Clay's health as a drive to
+Kellynch: "but I quite agree with my father in thinking a sailor might
+be a very desirable tenant.  I have known a good deal of the
+profession; and besides their liberality, they are so neat and careful
+in all their ways!  These valuable pictures of yours, Sir Walter, if
+you chose to leave them, would be perfectly safe.  Everything in and
+about the house would be taken such excellent care of!  The gardens and
+shrubberies would be kept in almost as high order as they are now.  You
+need not be afraid, Miss Elliot, of your own sweet flower gardens being
+neglected."
+
+"As to all that," rejoined Sir Walter coolly, "supposing I were induced
+to let my house, I have by no means made up my mind as to the
+privileges to be annexed to it.  I am not particularly disposed to
+favour a tenant.  The park would be open to him of course, and few navy
+officers, or men of any other description, can have had such a range;
+but what restrictions I might impose on the use of the
+pleasure-grounds, is another thing.  I am not fond of the idea of my
+shrubberies being always approachable; and I should recommend Miss
+Elliot to be on her guard with respect to her flower garden.  I am very
+little disposed to grant a tenant of Kellynch Hall any extraordinary
+favour, I assure you, be he sailor or soldier."
+
+After a short pause, Mr Shepherd presumed to say--
+
+"In all these cases, there are established usages which make everything
+plain and easy between landlord and tenant.  Your interest, Sir Walter,
+is in pretty safe hands.  Depend upon me for taking care that no tenant
+has more than his just rights.  I venture to hint, that Sir Walter
+Elliot cannot be half so jealous for his own, as John Shepherd will be
+for him."
+
+Here Anne spoke--
+
+"The navy, I think, who have done so much for us, have at least an
+equal claim with any other set of men, for all the comforts and all the
+privileges which any home can give.  Sailors work hard enough for their
+comforts, we must all allow."
+
+"Very true, very true.  What Miss Anne says, is very true," was Mr
+Shepherd's rejoinder, and "Oh! certainly," was his daughter's; but Sir
+Walter's remark was, soon afterwards--
+
+"The profession has its utility, but I should be sorry to see any
+friend of mine belonging to it."
+
+"Indeed!" was the reply, and with a look of surprise.
+
+"Yes; it is in two points offensive to me; I have two strong grounds of
+objection to it.  First, as being the means of bringing persons of
+obscure birth into undue distinction, and raising men to honours which
+their fathers and grandfathers never dreamt of; and secondly, as it
+cuts up a man's youth and vigour most horribly; a sailor grows old
+sooner than any other man.  I have observed it all my life.  A man is
+in greater danger in the navy of being insulted by the rise of one
+whose father, his father might have disdained to speak to, and of
+becoming prematurely an object of disgust himself, than in any other
+line.  One day last spring, in town, I was in company with two men,
+striking instances of what I am talking of; Lord St Ives, whose father
+we all know to have been a country curate, without bread to eat; I was
+to give place to Lord St Ives, and a certain Admiral Baldwin, the most
+deplorable-looking personage you can imagine; his face the colour of
+mahogany, rough and rugged to the last degree; all lines and wrinkles,
+nine grey hairs of a side, and nothing but a dab of powder at top.  'In
+the name of heaven, who is that old fellow?' said I to a friend of mine
+who was standing near, (Sir Basil Morley).  'Old fellow!' cried Sir
+Basil, 'it is Admiral Baldwin.  What do you take his age to be?'
+'Sixty,' said I, 'or perhaps sixty-two.' 'Forty,' replied Sir Basil,
+'forty, and no more.'  Picture to yourselves my amazement; I shall not
+easily forget Admiral Baldwin.  I never saw quite so wretched an
+example of what a sea-faring life can do; but to a degree, I know it is
+the same with them all:  they are all knocked about, and exposed to
+every climate, and every weather, till they are not fit to be seen.  It
+is a pity they are not knocked on the head at once, before they reach
+Admiral Baldwin's age."
+
+"Nay, Sir Walter," cried Mrs Clay, "this is being severe indeed.  Have
+a little mercy on the poor men.  We are not all born to be handsome.
+The sea is no beautifier, certainly; sailors do grow old betimes; I
+have observed it; they soon lose the look of youth.  But then, is not
+it the same with many other professions, perhaps most other?  Soldiers,
+in active service, are not at all better off:  and even in the quieter
+professions, there is a toil and a labour of the mind, if not of the
+body, which seldom leaves a man's looks to the natural effect of time.
+The lawyer plods, quite care-worn; the physician is up at all hours,
+and travelling in all weather; and even the clergyman--" she stopt a
+moment to consider what might do for the clergyman;--"and even the
+clergyman, you know is obliged to go into infected rooms, and expose
+his health and looks to all the injury of a poisonous atmosphere.  In
+fact, as I have long been convinced, though every profession is
+necessary and honourable in its turn, it is only the lot of those who
+are not obliged to follow any, who can live in a regular way, in the
+country, choosing their own hours, following their own pursuits, and
+living on their own property, without the torment of trying for more;
+it is only their lot, I say, to hold the blessings of health and a good
+appearance to the utmost: I know no other set of men but what lose
+something of their personableness when they cease to be quite young."
+
+It seemed as if Mr Shepherd, in this anxiety to bespeak Sir Walter's
+good will towards a naval officer as tenant, had been gifted with
+foresight; for the very first application for the house was from an
+Admiral Croft, with whom he shortly afterwards fell into company in
+attending the quarter sessions at Taunton; and indeed, he had received
+a hint of the Admiral from a London correspondent.  By the report which
+he hastened over to Kellynch to make, Admiral Croft was a native of
+Somersetshire, who having acquired a very handsome fortune, was wishing
+to settle in his own country, and had come down to Taunton in order to
+look at some advertised places in that immediate neighbourhood, which,
+however, had not suited him; that accidentally hearing--(it was just as
+he had foretold, Mr Shepherd observed, Sir Walter's concerns could not
+be kept a secret,)--accidentally hearing of the possibility of
+Kellynch Hall being to let, and understanding his (Mr Shepherd's)
+connection with the owner, he had introduced himself to him in order to
+make particular inquiries, and had, in the course of a pretty long
+conference, expressed as strong an inclination for the place as a man
+who knew it only by description could feel; and given Mr Shepherd, in
+his explicit account of himself, every proof of his being a most
+responsible, eligible tenant.
+
+"And who is Admiral Croft?" was Sir Walter's cold suspicious inquiry.
+
+Mr Shepherd answered for his being of a gentleman's family, and
+mentioned a place; and Anne, after the little pause which followed,
+added--
+
+"He is a rear admiral of the white.  He was in the Trafalgar action,
+and has been in the East Indies since; he was stationed there, I
+believe, several years."
+
+"Then I take it for granted," observed Sir Walter, "that his face is
+about as orange as the cuffs and capes of my livery."
+
+Mr Shepherd hastened to assure him, that Admiral Croft was a very hale,
+hearty, well-looking man, a little weather-beaten, to be sure, but not
+much, and quite the gentleman in all his notions and behaviour; not
+likely to make the smallest difficulty about terms, only wanted a
+comfortable home, and to get into it as soon as possible; knew he must
+pay for his convenience; knew what rent a ready-furnished house of that
+consequence might fetch; should not have been surprised if Sir Walter
+had asked more; had inquired about the manor; would be glad of the
+deputation, certainly, but made no great point of it; said he sometimes
+took out a gun, but never killed; quite the gentleman.
+
+Mr Shepherd was eloquent on the subject; pointing out all the
+circumstances of the Admiral's family, which made him peculiarly
+desirable as a tenant.  He was a married man, and without children; the
+very state to be wished for.  A house was never taken good care of, Mr
+Shepherd observed, without a lady: he did not know, whether furniture
+might not be in danger of suffering as much where there was no lady, as
+where there were many children.  A lady, without a family, was the very
+best preserver of furniture in the world.  He had seen Mrs Croft, too;
+she was at Taunton with the admiral, and had been present almost all
+the time they were talking the matter over.
+
+"And a very well-spoken, genteel, shrewd lady, she seemed to be,"
+continued he; "asked more questions about the house, and terms, and
+taxes, than the Admiral himself, and seemed more conversant with
+business; and moreover, Sir Walter, I found she was not quite
+unconnected in this country, any more than her husband; that is to say,
+she is sister to a gentleman who did live amongst us once; she told me
+so herself: sister to the gentleman who lived a few years back at
+Monkford. Bless me! what was his name? At this moment I cannot
+recollect his name, though I have heard it so lately. Penelope, my
+dear, can you help me to the name of the gentleman who lived at
+Monkford: Mrs Croft's brother?"
+
+But Mrs Clay was talking so eagerly with Miss Elliot, that she did not
+hear the appeal.
+
+"I have no conception whom you can mean, Shepherd; I remember no
+gentleman resident at Monkford since the time of old Governor Trent."
+
+"Bless me! how very odd!  I shall forget my own name soon, I suppose.
+A name that I am so very well acquainted with; knew the gentleman so
+well by sight; seen him a hundred times; came to consult me once, I
+remember, about a trespass of one of his neighbours; farmer's man
+breaking into his orchard; wall torn down; apples stolen; caught in the
+fact; and afterwards, contrary to my judgement, submitted to an
+amicable compromise.  Very odd indeed!"
+
+After waiting another moment--
+
+"You mean Mr Wentworth, I suppose?" said Anne.
+
+Mr Shepherd was all gratitude.
+
+"Wentworth was the very name!  Mr Wentworth was the very man.  He had
+the curacy of Monkford, you know, Sir Walter, some time back, for two
+or three years.  Came there about the year ---5, I take it.  You
+remember him, I am sure."
+
+"Wentworth?  Oh! ay,--Mr Wentworth, the curate of Monkford.  You misled
+me by the term gentleman.  I thought you were speaking of some man of
+property:  Mr Wentworth was nobody, I remember; quite unconnected;
+nothing to do with the Strafford family.  One wonders how the names of
+many of our nobility become so common."
+
+As Mr Shepherd perceived that this connexion of the Crofts did them no
+service with Sir Walter, he mentioned it no more; returning, with all
+his zeal, to dwell on the circumstances more indisputably in their
+favour; their age, and number, and fortune; the high idea they had
+formed of Kellynch Hall, and extreme solicitude for the advantage of
+renting it; making it appear as if they ranked nothing beyond the
+happiness of being the tenants of Sir Walter Elliot: an extraordinary
+taste, certainly, could they have been supposed in the secret of Sir
+Walter's estimate of the dues of a tenant.
+
+It succeeded, however; and though Sir Walter must ever look with an
+evil eye on anyone intending to inhabit that house, and think them
+infinitely too well off in being permitted to rent it on the highest
+terms, he was talked into allowing Mr Shepherd to proceed in the
+treaty, and authorising him to wait on Admiral Croft, who still
+remained at Taunton, and fix a day for the house being seen.
+
+Sir Walter was not very wise; but still he had experience enough of the
+world to feel, that a more unobjectionable tenant, in all essentials,
+than Admiral Croft bid fair to be, could hardly offer.  So far went his
+understanding; and his vanity supplied a little additional soothing, in
+the Admiral's situation in life, which was just high enough, and not
+too high.  "I have let my house to Admiral Croft," would sound
+extremely well; very much better than to any mere Mr--; a Mr (save,
+perhaps, some half dozen in the nation,) always needs a note of
+explanation.  An admiral speaks his own consequence, and, at the same
+time, can never make a baronet look small.  In all their dealings and
+intercourse, Sir Walter Elliot must ever have the precedence.
+
+Nothing could be done without a reference to Elizabeth: but her
+inclination was growing so strong for a removal, that she was happy to
+have it fixed and expedited by a tenant at hand; and not a word to
+suspend decision was uttered by her.
+
+Mr Shepherd was completely empowered to act; and no sooner had such an
+end been reached, than Anne, who had been a most attentive listener to
+the whole, left the room, to seek the comfort of cool air for her
+flushed cheeks; and as she walked along a favourite grove, said, with a
+gentle sigh, "A few months more, and he, perhaps, may be walking here."
+
+
+
+Chapter 4
+
+
+He was not Mr Wentworth, the former curate of Monkford, however
+suspicious appearances may be, but a Captain Frederick Wentworth, his
+brother, who being made commander in consequence of the action off St
+Domingo, and not immediately employed, had come into Somersetshire, in
+the summer of 1806; and having no parent living, found a home for half
+a year at Monkford.  He was, at that time, a remarkably fine young man,
+with a great deal of intelligence, spirit, and brilliancy; and Anne an
+extremely pretty girl, with gentleness, modesty, taste, and feeling.
+Half the sum of attraction, on either side, might have been enough, for
+he had nothing to do, and she had hardly anybody to love; but the
+encounter of such lavish recommendations could not fail.  They were
+gradually acquainted, and when acquainted, rapidly and deeply in love.
+It would be difficult to say which had seen highest perfection in the
+other, or which had been the happiest: she, in receiving his
+declarations and proposals, or he in having them accepted.
+
+A short period of exquisite felicity followed, and but a short one.
+Troubles soon arose.  Sir Walter, on being applied to, without actually
+withholding his consent, or saying it should never be, gave it all the
+negative of great astonishment, great coldness, great silence, and a
+professed resolution of doing nothing for his daughter.  He thought it
+a very degrading alliance; and Lady Russell, though with more tempered
+and pardonable pride, received it as a most unfortunate one.
+
+Anne Elliot, with all her claims of birth, beauty, and mind, to throw
+herself away at nineteen; involve herself at nineteen in an engagement
+with a young man, who had nothing but himself to recommend him, and no
+hopes of attaining affluence, but in the chances of a most uncertain
+profession, and no connexions to secure even his farther rise in the
+profession, would be, indeed, a throwing away, which she grieved to
+think of!  Anne Elliot, so young; known to so few, to be snatched off
+by a stranger without alliance or fortune; or rather sunk by him into a
+state of most wearing, anxious, youth-killing dependence!  It must not
+be, if by any fair interference of friendship, any representations from
+one who had almost a mother's love, and mother's rights, it would be
+prevented.
+
+Captain Wentworth had no fortune.  He had been lucky in his profession;
+but spending freely, what had come freely, had realized nothing.  But
+he was confident that he should soon be rich: full of life and ardour,
+he knew that he should soon have a ship, and soon be on a station that
+would lead to everything he wanted.  He had always been lucky; he knew
+he should be so still.  Such confidence, powerful in its own warmth,
+and bewitching in the wit which often expressed it, must have been
+enough for Anne; but Lady Russell saw it very differently.  His
+sanguine temper, and fearlessness of mind, operated very differently on
+her.  She saw in it but an aggravation of the evil.  It only added a
+dangerous character to himself.  He was brilliant, he was headstrong.
+Lady Russell had little taste for wit, and of anything approaching to
+imprudence a horror.  She deprecated the connexion in every light.
+
+Such opposition, as these feelings produced, was more than Anne could
+combat.  Young and gentle as she was, it might yet have been possible
+to withstand her father's ill-will, though unsoftened by one kind word
+or look on the part of her sister; but Lady Russell, whom she had
+always loved and relied on, could not, with such steadiness of opinion,
+and such tenderness of manner, be continually advising her in vain.
+She was persuaded to believe the engagement a wrong thing:  indiscreet,
+improper, hardly capable of success, and not deserving it.  But it was
+not a merely selfish caution, under which she acted, in putting an end
+to it.  Had she not imagined herself consulting his good, even more
+than her own, she could hardly have given him up.  The belief of being
+prudent, and self-denying, principally for his advantage, was her chief
+consolation, under the misery of a parting, a final parting; and every
+consolation was required, for she had to encounter all the additional
+pain of opinions, on his side, totally unconvinced and unbending, and
+of his feeling himself ill used by so forced a relinquishment.  He had
+left the country in consequence.
+
+A few months had seen the beginning and the end of their acquaintance;
+but not with a few months ended Anne's share of suffering from it.  Her
+attachment and regrets had, for a long time, clouded every enjoyment of
+youth, and an early loss of bloom and spirits had been their lasting
+effect.
+
+More than seven years were gone since this little history of sorrowful
+interest had reached its close; and time had softened down much,
+perhaps nearly all of peculiar attachment to him, but she had been too
+dependent on time alone; no aid had been given in change of place
+(except in one visit to Bath soon after the rupture), or in any novelty
+or enlargement of society.  No one had ever come within the Kellynch
+circle, who could bear a comparison with Frederick Wentworth, as he
+stood in her memory.  No second attachment, the only thoroughly
+natural, happy, and sufficient cure, at her time of life, had been
+possible to the nice tone of her mind, the fastidiousness of her taste,
+in the small limits of the society around them.  She had been
+solicited, when about two-and-twenty, to change her name, by the young
+man, who not long afterwards found a more willing mind in her younger
+sister; and Lady Russell had lamented her refusal; for Charles Musgrove
+was the eldest son of a man, whose landed property and general
+importance were second in that country, only to Sir Walter's, and of
+good character and appearance; and however Lady Russell might have
+asked yet for something more, while Anne was nineteen, she would have
+rejoiced to see her at twenty-two so respectably removed from the
+partialities and injustice of her father's house, and settled so
+permanently near herself.  But in this case, Anne had left nothing for
+advice to do; and though Lady Russell, as satisfied as ever with her
+own discretion, never wished the past undone, she began now to have the
+anxiety which borders on hopelessness for Anne's being tempted, by some
+man of talents and independence, to enter a state for which she held
+her to be peculiarly fitted by her warm affections and domestic habits.
+
+They knew not each other's opinion, either its constancy or its change,
+on the one leading point of Anne's conduct, for the subject was never
+alluded to; but Anne, at seven-and-twenty, thought very differently
+from what she had been made to think at nineteen.  She did not blame
+Lady Russell, she did not blame herself for having been guided by her;
+but she felt that were any young person, in similar circumstances, to
+apply to her for counsel, they would never receive any of such certain
+immediate wretchedness, such uncertain future good.  She was persuaded
+that under every disadvantage of disapprobation at home, and every
+anxiety attending his profession, all their probable fears, delays, and
+disappointments, she should yet have been a happier woman in
+maintaining the engagement, than she had been in the sacrifice of it;
+and this, she fully believed, had the usual share, had even more than
+the usual share of all such solicitudes and suspense been theirs,
+without reference to the actual results of their case, which, as it
+happened, would have bestowed earlier prosperity than could be
+reasonably calculated on.  All his sanguine expectations, all his
+confidence had been justified.  His genius and ardour had seemed to
+foresee and to command his prosperous path.  He had, very soon after
+their engagement ceased, got employ: and all that he had told her would
+follow, had taken place.  He had distinguished himself, and early
+gained the other step in rank, and must now, by successive captures,
+have made a handsome fortune.  She had only navy lists and newspapers
+for her authority, but she could not doubt his being rich; and, in
+favour of his constancy, she had no reason to believe him married.
+
+How eloquent could Anne Elliot have been! how eloquent, at least, were
+her wishes on the side of early warm attachment, and a cheerful
+confidence in futurity, against that over-anxious caution which seems
+to insult exertion and distrust Providence!  She had been forced into
+prudence in her youth, she learned romance as she grew older: the
+natural sequel of an unnatural beginning.
+
+With all these circumstances, recollections and feelings, she could not
+hear that Captain Wentworth's sister was likely to live at Kellynch
+without a revival of former pain; and many a stroll, and many a sigh,
+were necessary to dispel the agitation of the idea.  She often told
+herself it was folly, before she could harden her nerves sufficiently
+to feel the continual discussion of the Crofts and their business no
+evil.  She was assisted, however, by that perfect indifference and
+apparent unconsciousness, among the only three of her own friends in
+the secret of the past, which seemed almost to deny any recollection of
+it.  She could do justice to the superiority of Lady Russell's motives
+in this, over those of her father and Elizabeth; she could honour all
+the better feelings of her calmness; but the general air of oblivion
+among them was highly important from whatever it sprung; and in the
+event of Admiral Croft's really taking Kellynch Hall, she rejoiced anew
+over the conviction which had always been most grateful to her, of the
+past being known to those three only among her connexions, by whom no
+syllable, she believed, would ever be whispered, and in the trust that
+among his, the brother only with whom he had been residing, had
+received any information of their short-lived engagement.  That brother
+had been long removed from the country and being a sensible man, and,
+moreover, a single man at the time, she had a fond dependence on no
+human creature's having heard of it from him.
+
+The sister, Mrs Croft, had then been out of England, accompanying her
+husband on a foreign station, and her own sister, Mary, had been at
+school while it all occurred; and never admitted by the pride of some,
+and the delicacy of others, to the smallest knowledge of it afterwards.
+
+With these supports, she hoped that the acquaintance between herself
+and the Crofts, which, with Lady Russell, still resident in Kellynch,
+and Mary fixed only three miles off, must be anticipated, need not
+involve any particular awkwardness.
+
+
+
+Chapter 5
+
+
+On the morning appointed for Admiral and Mrs Croft's seeing Kellynch
+Hall, Anne found it most natural to take her almost daily walk to Lady
+Russell's, and keep out of the way till all was over; when she found it
+most natural to be sorry that she had missed the opportunity of seeing
+them.
+
+This meeting of the two parties proved highly satisfactory, and decided
+the whole business at once.  Each lady was previously well disposed for
+an agreement, and saw nothing, therefore, but good manners in the
+other; and with regard to the gentlemen, there was such an hearty good
+humour, such an open, trusting liberality on the Admiral's side, as
+could not but influence Sir Walter, who had besides been flattered into
+his very best and most polished behaviour by Mr Shepherd's assurances
+of his being known, by report, to the Admiral, as a model of good
+breeding.
+
+The house and grounds, and furniture, were approved, the Crofts were
+approved, terms, time, every thing, and every body, was right; and Mr
+Shepherd's clerks were set to work, without there having been a single
+preliminary difference to modify of all that "This indenture sheweth."
+
+Sir Walter, without hesitation, declared the Admiral to be the
+best-looking sailor he had ever met with, and went so far as to say,
+that if his own man might have had the arranging of his hair, he should
+not be ashamed of being seen with him any where; and the Admiral, with
+sympathetic cordiality, observed to his wife as they drove back through
+the park, "I thought we should soon come to a deal, my dear, in spite
+of what they told us at Taunton.  The Baronet will never set the Thames
+on fire, but there seems to be no harm in him."--reciprocal
+compliments, which would have been esteemed about equal.
+
+The Crofts were to have possession at Michaelmas; and as Sir Walter
+proposed removing to Bath in the course of the preceding month, there
+was no time to be lost in making every dependent arrangement.
+
+Lady Russell, convinced that Anne would not be allowed to be of any
+use, or any importance, in the choice of the house which they were
+going to secure, was very unwilling to have her hurried away so soon,
+and wanted to make it possible for her to stay behind till she might
+convey her to Bath herself after Christmas; but having engagements of
+her own which must take her from Kellynch for several weeks, she was
+unable to give the full invitation she wished, and Anne though dreading
+the possible heats of September in all the white glare of Bath, and
+grieving to forego all the influence so sweet and so sad of the
+autumnal months in the country, did not think that, everything
+considered, she wished to remain.  It would be most right, and most
+wise, and, therefore must involve least suffering to go with the others.
+
+Something occurred, however, to give her a different duty.  Mary, often
+a little unwell, and always thinking a great deal of her own
+complaints, and always in the habit of claiming Anne when anything was
+the matter, was indisposed; and foreseeing that she should not have a
+day's health all the autumn, entreated, or rather required her, for it
+was hardly entreaty, to come to Uppercross Cottage, and bear her
+company as long as she should want her, instead of going to Bath.
+
+"I cannot possibly do without Anne," was Mary's reasoning; and
+Elizabeth's reply was, "Then I am sure Anne had better stay, for nobody
+will want her in Bath."
+
+To be claimed as a good, though in an improper style, is at least
+better than being rejected as no good at all; and Anne, glad to be
+thought of some use, glad to have anything marked out as a duty, and
+certainly not sorry to have the scene of it in the country, and her own
+dear country, readily agreed to stay.
+
+This invitation of Mary's removed all Lady Russell's difficulties, and
+it was consequently soon settled that Anne should not go to Bath till
+Lady Russell took her, and that all the intervening time should be
+divided between Uppercross Cottage and Kellynch Lodge.
+
+So far all was perfectly right; but Lady Russell was almost startled by
+the wrong of one part of the Kellynch Hall plan, when it burst on her,
+which was, Mrs Clay's being engaged to go to Bath with Sir Walter and
+Elizabeth, as a most important and valuable assistant to the latter in
+all the business before her.  Lady Russell was extremely sorry that
+such a measure should have been resorted to at all, wondered, grieved,
+and feared; and the affront it contained to Anne, in Mrs Clay's being
+of so much use, while Anne could be of none, was a very sore
+aggravation.
+
+Anne herself was become hardened to such affronts; but she felt the
+imprudence of the arrangement quite as keenly as Lady Russell.  With a
+great deal of quiet observation, and a knowledge, which she often
+wished less, of her father's character, she was sensible that results
+the most serious to his family from the intimacy were more than
+possible.  She did not imagine that her father had at present an idea
+of the kind.  Mrs Clay had freckles, and a projecting tooth, and a
+clumsy wrist, which he was continually making severe remarks upon, in
+her absence; but she was young, and certainly altogether well-looking,
+and possessed, in an acute mind and assiduous pleasing manners,
+infinitely more dangerous attractions than any merely personal might
+have been.  Anne was so impressed by the degree of their danger, that
+she could not excuse herself from trying to make it perceptible to her
+sister.  She had little hope of success; but Elizabeth, who in the
+event of such a reverse would be so much more to be pitied than
+herself, should never, she thought, have reason to reproach her for
+giving no warning.
+
+She spoke, and seemed only to offend.  Elizabeth could not conceive how
+such an absurd suspicion should occur to her, and indignantly answered
+for each party's perfectly knowing their situation.
+
+"Mrs Clay," said she, warmly, "never forgets who she is; and as I am
+rather better acquainted with her sentiments than you can be, I can
+assure you, that upon the subject of marriage they are particularly
+nice, and that she reprobates all inequality of condition and rank more
+strongly than most people.  And as to my father, I really should not
+have thought that he, who has kept himself single so long for our
+sakes, need be suspected now.  If Mrs Clay were a very beautiful woman,
+I grant you, it might be wrong to have her so much with me; not that
+anything in the world, I am sure, would induce my father to make a
+degrading match, but he might be rendered unhappy.  But poor Mrs Clay
+who, with all her merits, can never have been reckoned tolerably
+pretty, I really think poor Mrs Clay may be staying here in perfect
+safety.  One would imagine you had never heard my father speak of her
+personal misfortunes, though I know you must fifty times.  That tooth
+of her's and those freckles.  Freckles do not disgust me so very much
+as they do him.  I have known a face not materially disfigured by a
+few, but he abominates them.  You must have heard him notice Mrs Clay's
+freckles."
+
+"There is hardly any personal defect," replied Anne, "which an
+agreeable manner might not gradually reconcile one to."
+
+"I think very differently," answered Elizabeth, shortly; "an agreeable
+manner may set off handsome features, but can never alter plain ones.
+However, at any rate, as I have a great deal more at stake on this
+point than anybody else can have, I think it rather unnecessary in you
+to be advising me."
+
+Anne had done; glad that it was over, and not absolutely hopeless of
+doing good.  Elizabeth, though resenting the suspicion, might yet be
+made observant by it.
+
+The last office of the four carriage-horses was to draw Sir Walter,
+Miss Elliot, and Mrs Clay to Bath. The party drove off in very good
+spirits; Sir Walter prepared with condescending bows for all the
+afflicted tenantry and cottagers who might have had a hint to show
+themselves, and Anne walked up at the same time, in a sort of desolate
+tranquillity, to the Lodge, where she was to spend the first week.
+
+Her friend was not in better spirits than herself. Lady Russell felt
+this break-up of the family exceedingly.  Their respectability was as
+dear to her as her own, and a daily intercourse had become precious by
+habit.  It was painful to look upon their deserted grounds, and still
+worse to anticipate the new hands they were to fall into; and to escape
+the solitariness and the melancholy of so altered a village, and be out
+of the way when Admiral and Mrs Croft first arrived, she had determined
+to make her own absence from home begin when she must give up Anne.
+Accordingly their removal was made together, and Anne was set down at
+Uppercross Cottage, in the first stage of Lady Russell's journey.
+
+Uppercross was a moderate-sized village, which a few years back had
+been completely in the old English style, containing only two houses
+superior in appearance to those of the yeomen and labourers; the
+mansion of the squire, with its high walls, great gates, and old trees,
+substantial and unmodernized, and the compact, tight parsonage,
+enclosed in its own neat garden, with a vine and a pear-tree trained
+round its casements; but upon the marriage of the young 'squire, it had
+received the improvement of a farm-house elevated into a cottage, for
+his residence, and Uppercross Cottage, with its veranda, French
+windows, and other prettiness, was quite as likely to catch the
+traveller's eye as the more consistent and considerable aspect and
+premises of the Great House, about a quarter of a mile farther on.
+
+Here Anne had often been staying. She knew the ways of Uppercross as
+well as those of Kellynch. The two families were so continually
+meeting, so much in the habit of running in and out of each other's
+house at all hours, that it was rather a surprise to her to find Mary
+alone; but being alone, her being unwell and out of spirits was almost
+a matter of course. Though better endowed than the elder sister, Mary
+had not Anne's understanding nor temper. While well, and happy, and
+properly attended to, she had great good humour and excellent spirits;
+but any indisposition sunk her completely. She had no resources for
+solitude; and inheriting a considerable share of the Elliot
+self-importance, was very prone to add to every other distress that of
+fancying herself neglected and ill-used. In person, she was inferior to
+both sisters, and had, even in her bloom, only reached the dignity of
+being "a fine girl." She was now lying on the faded sofa of the pretty
+little drawing-room, the once elegant furniture of which had been
+gradually growing shabby, under the influence of four summers and two
+children; and, on Anne's appearing, greeted her with--
+
+"So, you are come at last!  I began to think I should never see you.  I
+am so ill I can hardly speak.  I have not seen a creature the whole
+morning!"
+
+"I am sorry to find you unwell," replied Anne.  "You sent me such a
+good account of yourself on Thursday!"
+
+"Yes, I made the best of it; I always do:  but I was very far from well
+at the time; and I do not think I ever was so ill in my life as I have
+been all this morning:  very unfit to be left alone, I am sure.
+Suppose I were to be seized of a sudden in some dreadful way, and not
+able to ring the bell!  So, Lady Russell would not get out.  I do not
+think she has been in this house three times this summer."
+
+Anne said what was proper, and enquired after her husband.  "Oh!
+Charles is out shooting.  I have not seen him since seven o'clock.  He
+would go, though I told him how ill I was.  He said he should not stay
+out long; but he has never come back, and now it is almost one.  I
+assure you, I have not seen a soul this whole long morning."
+
+"You have had your little boys with you?"
+
+"Yes, as long as I could bear their noise; but they are so unmanageable
+that they do me more harm than good.  Little Charles does not mind a
+word I say, and Walter is growing quite as bad."
+
+"Well, you will soon be better now," replied Anne, cheerfully.  "You
+know I always cure you when I come.  How are your neighbours at the
+Great House?"
+
+"I can give you no account of them.  I have not seen one of them
+to-day, except Mr Musgrove, who just stopped and spoke through the
+window, but without getting off his horse; and though I told him how
+ill I was, not one of them have been near me.  It did not happen to
+suit the Miss Musgroves, I suppose, and they never put themselves out
+of their way."
+
+"You will see them yet, perhaps, before the morning is gone.  It is
+early."
+
+"I never want them, I assure you.  They talk and laugh a great deal too
+much for me.  Oh! Anne, I am so very unwell!  It was quite unkind of
+you not to come on Thursday."
+
+"My dear Mary, recollect what a comfortable account you sent me of
+yourself!  You wrote in the cheerfullest manner, and said you were
+perfectly well, and in no hurry for me; and that being the case, you
+must be aware that my wish would be to remain with Lady Russell to the
+last: and besides what I felt on her account, I have really been so
+busy, have had so much to do, that I could not very conveniently have
+left Kellynch sooner."
+
+"Dear me! what can you possibly have to do?"
+
+"A great many things, I assure you.  More than I can recollect in a
+moment; but I can tell you some.  I have been making a duplicate of the
+catalogue of my father's books and pictures.  I have been several times
+in the garden with Mackenzie, trying to understand, and make him
+understand, which of Elizabeth's plants are for Lady Russell.  I have
+had all my own little concerns to arrange, books and music to divide,
+and all my trunks to repack, from not having understood in time what
+was intended as to the waggons: and one thing I have had to do, Mary,
+of a more trying nature: going to almost every house in the parish, as
+a sort of take-leave.  I was told that they wished it.  But all these
+things took up a great deal of time."
+
+"Oh! well!" and after a moment's pause, "but you have never asked me
+one word about our dinner at the Pooles yesterday."
+
+"Did you go then?  I have made no enquiries, because I concluded you
+must have been obliged to give up the party."
+
+"Oh yes! I went.  I was very well yesterday; nothing at all the matter
+with me till this morning.  It would have been strange if I had not
+gone."
+
+"I am very glad you were well enough, and I hope you had a pleasant
+party."
+
+"Nothing remarkable.  One always knows beforehand what the dinner will
+be, and who will be there; and it is so very uncomfortable not having a
+carriage of one's own.  Mr and Mrs Musgrove took me, and we were so
+crowded!  They are both so very large, and take up so much room; and Mr
+Musgrove always sits forward.  So, there was I, crowded into the back
+seat with Henrietta and Louisa; and I think it very likely that my
+illness to-day may be owing to it."
+
+A little further perseverance in patience and forced cheerfulness on
+Anne's side produced nearly a cure on Mary's.  She could soon sit
+upright on the sofa, and began to hope she might be able to leave it by
+dinner-time.  Then, forgetting to think of it, she was at the other end
+of the room, beautifying a nosegay; then, she ate her cold meat; and
+then she was well enough to propose a little walk.
+
+"Where shall we go?" said she, when they were ready.  "I suppose you
+will not like to call at the Great House before they have been to see
+you?"
+
+"I have not the smallest objection on that account," replied Anne.  "I
+should never think of standing on such ceremony with people I know so
+well as Mrs and the Miss Musgroves."
+
+"Oh! but they ought to call upon you as soon as possible.  They ought
+to feel what is due to you as my sister.  However, we may as well go
+and sit with them a little  while, and when we have that over, we can
+enjoy our walk."
+
+Anne had always thought such a style of intercourse highly imprudent;
+but she had ceased to endeavour to check it, from believing that,
+though there were on each side continual subjects of offence, neither
+family could now do without it.  To the Great House accordingly they
+went, to sit the full half hour in the old-fashioned square parlour,
+with a small carpet and shining floor, to which the present daughters
+of the house were gradually giving the proper air of confusion by a
+grand piano-forte and a harp, flower-stands and little tables placed in
+every direction.  Oh! could the originals of the portraits against the
+wainscot, could the gentlemen in brown velvet and the ladies in blue
+satin have seen what was going on, have been conscious of such an
+overthrow of all order and neatness!  The portraits themselves seemed
+to be staring in astonishment.
+
+The Musgroves, like their houses, were in a state of alteration,
+perhaps of improvement.  The father and mother were in the old English
+style, and the young people in the new.  Mr and Mrs Musgrove were a
+very good sort of people; friendly and hospitable, not much educated,
+and not at all elegant.  Their children had more modern minds and
+manners.  There was a numerous family; but the only two grown up,
+excepting Charles, were Henrietta and Louisa, young ladies of nineteen
+and twenty, who had brought from school at Exeter all the usual stock
+of accomplishments, and were now like thousands of other young ladies,
+living to be fashionable, happy, and merry.  Their dress had every
+advantage, their faces were rather pretty, their spirits extremely
+good, their manner unembarrassed and pleasant; they were of consequence
+at home, and favourites abroad.  Anne always contemplated them as some
+of the happiest creatures of her acquaintance; but still, saved as we
+all are, by some comfortable feeling of superiority from wishing for
+the possibility of exchange, she would not have given up her own more
+elegant and cultivated mind for all their enjoyments; and envied them
+nothing but that seemingly perfect good understanding and agreement
+together, that good-humoured mutual affection, of which she had known
+so little herself with either of her sisters.
+
+They were received with great cordiality.  Nothing seemed amiss on the
+side of the Great House family, which was generally, as Anne very well
+knew, the least to blame.  The half hour was chatted away pleasantly
+enough; and she was not at all surprised, at the end of it, to have
+their walking party joined by both the Miss Musgroves, at Mary's
+particular invitation.
+
+
+
+Chapter 6
+
+
+Anne had not wanted this visit to Uppercross, to learn that a removal
+from one set of people to another, though at a distance of only three
+miles, will often include a total change of conversation, opinion, and
+idea.  She had never been staying there before, without being struck by
+it, or without wishing that other Elliots could have her advantage in
+seeing how unknown, or unconsidered there, were the affairs which at
+Kellynch Hall were treated as of such general publicity and pervading
+interest; yet, with all this experience, she believed she must now
+submit to feel that another lesson, in the art of knowing our own
+nothingness beyond our own circle, was become necessary for her; for
+certainly, coming as she did, with a heart full of the subject which
+had been completely occupying both houses in Kellynch for many weeks,
+she had expected rather more curiosity and sympathy than she found in
+the separate but very similar remark of Mr and Mrs Musgrove: "So, Miss
+Anne, Sir Walter and your sister are gone; and what part of Bath do you
+think they will settle in?" and this, without much waiting for an
+answer; or in the young ladies' addition of, "I hope we shall be in
+Bath in the winter; but remember, papa, if we do go, we must be in a
+good situation:  none of your Queen Squares for us!" or in the anxious
+supplement from Mary, of--"Upon my word, I shall be pretty well off,
+when you are all gone away to be happy at Bath!"
+
+She could only resolve to avoid such self-delusion in future, and think
+with heightened gratitude of the extraordinary blessing of having one
+such truly sympathising friend as Lady Russell.
+
+The Mr Musgroves had their own game to guard, and to destroy, their own
+horses, dogs, and newspapers to engage them, and the females were fully
+occupied in all the other common subjects of housekeeping, neighbours,
+dress, dancing, and music.  She acknowledged it to be very fitting,
+that every little social commonwealth should dictate its own matters of
+discourse; and hoped, ere long, to become a not unworthy member of the
+one she was now transplanted into.  With the prospect of spending at
+least two months at Uppercross, it was highly incumbent on her to
+clothe her imagination, her memory, and all her ideas in as much of
+Uppercross as possible.
+
+She had no dread of these two months.  Mary was not so repulsive and
+unsisterly as Elizabeth, nor so inaccessible to all influence of hers;
+neither was there anything among the other component parts of the
+cottage inimical to comfort.  She was always on friendly terms with her
+brother-in-law; and in the children, who loved her nearly as well, and
+respected her a great deal more than their mother, she had an object of
+interest, amusement, and wholesome exertion.
+
+Charles Musgrove was civil and agreeable; in sense and temper he was
+undoubtedly superior to his wife, but not of powers, or conversation,
+or grace, to make the past, as they were connected together, at all a
+dangerous contemplation; though, at the same time, Anne could believe,
+with Lady Russell, that a more equal match might have greatly improved
+him; and that a woman of real understanding might have given more
+consequence to his character, and more usefulness, rationality, and
+elegance to his habits and pursuits.  As it was, he did nothing with
+much zeal, but sport; and his time was otherwise trifled away, without
+benefit from books or anything else.  He had very good spirits, which
+never seemed much affected by his wife's occasional lowness, bore with
+her unreasonableness sometimes to Anne's admiration, and upon the
+whole, though there was very often a little disagreement (in which she
+had sometimes more share than she wished, being appealed to by both
+parties), they might pass for a happy couple.  They were always
+perfectly agreed in the want of more money, and a strong inclination
+for a handsome present from his father; but here, as on most topics, he
+had the superiority, for while Mary thought it a great shame that such
+a present was not made, he always contended for his father's having
+many other uses for his money, and a right to spend it as he liked.
+
+As to the management of their children, his theory was much better than
+his wife's, and his practice not so bad.  "I could manage them very
+well, if it were not for Mary's interference," was what Anne often
+heard him say, and had a good deal of faith in; but when listening in
+turn to Mary's reproach of "Charles spoils the children so that I
+cannot get them into any order," she never had the smallest temptation
+to say, "Very true."
+
+One of the least agreeable circumstances of her residence there was her
+being treated with too much confidence by all parties, and being too
+much in the secret of the complaints of each house.  Known to have some
+influence with her sister, she was continually requested, or at least
+receiving hints to exert it, beyond what was practicable.  "I wish you
+could persuade Mary not to be always fancying herself ill," was
+Charles's language; and, in an unhappy mood, thus spoke Mary: "I do
+believe if Charles were to see me dying, he would not think there was
+anything the matter with me.  I am sure, Anne, if you would, you might
+persuade him that I really am very ill--a great deal worse than I ever
+own."
+
+Mary's declaration was, "I hate sending the children to the Great
+House, though their grandmamma is always wanting to see them, for she
+humours and indulges them to such a degree, and gives them so much
+trash and sweet things, that they are sure to come back sick and cross
+for the rest of the day."  And Mrs Musgrove took the first opportunity
+of being alone with Anne, to say, "Oh! Miss Anne, I cannot help wishing
+Mrs Charles had a little of your method with those children.  They are
+quite different creatures with you!  But to be sure, in general they
+are so spoilt!  It is a pity you cannot put your sister in the way of
+managing them.  They are as fine healthy children as ever were seen,
+poor little dears! without partiality; but Mrs Charles knows no more
+how they should be treated--!  Bless me! how troublesome they are
+sometimes.  I assure you, Miss Anne, it prevents my wishing to see them
+at our house so often as I otherwise should.  I believe Mrs Charles is
+not quite pleased with my not inviting them oftener; but you know it is
+very bad to have children with one that one is obligated to be checking
+every moment; "don't do this," and "don't do that;" or that one can
+only keep in tolerable order by more cake than is good for them."
+
+She had this communication, moreover, from Mary.  "Mrs Musgrove thinks
+all her servants so steady, that it would be high treason to call it in
+question; but I am sure, without exaggeration, that her upper
+house-maid and laundry-maid, instead of being in their business, are
+gadding about the village, all day long.  I meet them wherever I go;
+and I declare, I never go twice into my nursery without seeing
+something of them.  If Jemima were not the trustiest, steadiest
+creature in the world, it would be enough to spoil her; for she tells
+me, they are always tempting her to take a walk with them." And on Mrs
+Musgrove's side, it was, "I make a rule of never interfering in any of
+my daughter-in-law's concerns, for I know it would not do; but I shall
+tell you, Miss Anne, because you may be able to set things to rights,
+that I have no very good opinion of Mrs Charles's nursery-maid: I hear
+strange stories of her; she is always upon the gad; and from my own
+knowledge, I can declare, she is such a fine-dressing lady, that she is
+enough to ruin any servants she comes near.  Mrs Charles quite swears
+by her, I know; but I just give you this hint, that you may be upon the
+watch; because, if you see anything amiss, you need not be afraid of
+mentioning it."
+
+Again, it was Mary's complaint, that Mrs Musgrove was very apt not to
+give her the precedence that was her due, when they dined at the Great
+House with other families; and she did not see any reason why she was
+to be considered so much at home as to lose her place.  And one day
+when Anne was walking with only the Musgroves, one of them after
+talking of rank, people of rank, and jealousy of rank, said, "I have no
+scruple of observing to you, how nonsensical some persons are about
+their place, because all the world knows how easy and indifferent you
+are about it; but I wish anybody could give Mary a hint that it would
+be a great deal better if she were not so very tenacious, especially if
+she would not be always putting herself forward to take place of mamma.
+Nobody doubts her right to have precedence of mamma, but it would be
+more becoming in her not to be always insisting on it.  It is not that
+mamma cares about it the least in the world, but I know it is taken
+notice of by many persons."
+
+How was Anne to set all these matters to rights?  She could do little
+more than listen patiently, soften every grievance, and excuse each to
+the other; give them all hints of the forbearance necessary between
+such near neighbours, and make those hints broadest which were meant
+for her sister's benefit.
+
+In all other respects, her visit began and proceeded very well.  Her
+own spirits improved by change of place and subject, by being removed
+three miles from Kellynch; Mary's ailments lessened by having a
+constant companion, and their daily intercourse with the other family,
+since there was neither superior affection, confidence, nor employment
+in the cottage, to be interrupted by it, was rather an advantage.  It
+was certainly carried nearly as far as possible, for they met every
+morning, and hardly ever spent an evening asunder; but she believed
+they should not have done so well without the sight of Mr and Mrs
+Musgrove's respectable forms in the usual places, or without the
+talking, laughing, and singing of their daughters.
+
+She played a great deal better than either of the Miss Musgroves, but
+having no voice, no knowledge of the harp, and no fond parents, to sit
+by and fancy themselves delighted, her performance was little thought
+of, only out of civility, or to refresh the others, as she was well
+aware.  She knew that when she played she was giving pleasure only to
+herself; but this was no new sensation.  Excepting one short period of
+her life, she had never, since the age of fourteen, never since the
+loss of her dear mother, known the happiness of being listened to, or
+encouraged by any just appreciation or real taste.  In music she had
+been always used to feel alone in the world; and Mr and Mrs Musgrove's
+fond partiality for their own daughters' performance, and total
+indifference to any other person's, gave her much more pleasure for
+their sakes, than mortification for her own.
+
+The party at the Great House was sometimes increased by other company.
+The neighbourhood was not large, but the Musgroves were visited by
+everybody, and had more dinner-parties, and more callers, more visitors
+by invitation and by chance, than any other family.  They were more
+completely popular.
+
+The girls were wild for dancing; and the evenings ended, occasionally,
+in an unpremeditated little ball.  There was a family of cousins within
+a walk of Uppercross, in less affluent circumstances, who depended on
+the Musgroves for all their pleasures:  they would come at any time,
+and help play at anything, or dance anywhere; and Anne, very much
+preferring the office of musician to a more active post, played country
+dances to them by the hour together; a kindness which always
+recommended her musical powers to the notice of Mr and Mrs Musgrove
+more than anything else, and often drew this compliment;--"Well done,
+Miss Anne! very well done indeed!  Lord bless me!  how those little
+fingers of yours fly about!"
+
+So passed the first three weeks.  Michaelmas came; and now Anne's heart
+must be in Kellynch again.  A beloved home made over to others; all the
+precious rooms and furniture, groves, and prospects, beginning to own
+other eyes and other limbs!  She could not think of much else on the
+29th of September; and she had this sympathetic touch in the evening
+from Mary, who, on having occasion to note down the day of the month,
+exclaimed, "Dear me, is not this the day the Crofts were to come to
+Kellynch?  I am glad I did not think of it before.  How low it makes
+me!"
+
+The Crofts took possession with true naval alertness, and were to be
+visited.  Mary deplored the necessity for herself.  "Nobody knew how
+much she should suffer.  She should put it off as long as she could;"
+but was not easy till she had talked Charles into driving her over on
+an early day, and was in a very animated, comfortable state of
+imaginary agitation, when she came back.  Anne had very sincerely
+rejoiced in there being no means of her going.  She wished, however to
+see the Crofts, and was glad to be within when the visit was returned.
+They came:  the master of the house was not at home, but the two
+sisters were together; and as it chanced that Mrs Croft fell to the
+share of Anne, while the Admiral sat by Mary, and made himself very
+agreeable by his good-humoured notice of her little boys, she was well
+able to watch for a likeness, and if it failed her in the features, to
+catch it in the voice, or in the turn of sentiment and expression.
+
+Mrs Croft, though neither tall nor fat, had a squareness, uprightness,
+and vigour of form, which gave importance to her person.  She had
+bright dark eyes, good teeth, and altogether an agreeable face; though
+her reddened and weather-beaten complexion, the consequence of her
+having been almost as much at sea as her husband, made her seem to have
+lived some years longer in the world than her real eight-and-thirty.
+Her manners were open, easy, and decided, like one who had no distrust
+of herself, and no doubts of what to do; without any approach to
+coarseness, however, or any want of good humour.  Anne gave her credit,
+indeed, for feelings of great consideration towards herself, in all
+that related to Kellynch, and it pleased her: especially, as she had
+satisfied herself in the very first half minute, in the instant even of
+introduction, that there was not the smallest symptom of any knowledge
+or suspicion on Mrs Croft's side, to give a bias of any sort.  She was
+quite easy on that head, and consequently full of strength and courage,
+till for a moment electrified by Mrs Croft's suddenly saying,--
+
+"It was you, and not your sister, I find, that my brother had the
+pleasure of being acquainted with, when he was in this country."
+
+Anne hoped she had outlived the age of blushing; but the age of emotion
+she certainly had not.
+
+"Perhaps you may not have heard that he is married?" added Mrs Croft.
+
+She could now answer as she ought; and was happy to feel, when Mrs
+Croft's next words explained it to be Mr Wentworth of whom she spoke,
+that she had said nothing which might not do for either brother. She
+immediately felt how reasonable it was, that Mrs Croft should be
+thinking and speaking of Edward, and not of Frederick; and with shame
+at her own forgetfulness applied herself to the knowledge of their
+former neighbour's present state with proper interest.
+
+The rest was all tranquillity; till, just as they were moving, she
+heard the Admiral say to Mary--
+
+"We are expecting a brother of Mrs Croft's here soon; I dare say you
+know him by name."
+
+He was cut short by the eager attacks of the little boys, clinging to
+him like an old friend, and declaring he should not go; and being too
+much engrossed by proposals of carrying them away in his coat pockets,
+&c., to have another moment for finishing or recollecting what he had
+begun, Anne was left to persuade herself, as well as she could, that
+the same brother must still be in question.  She could not, however,
+reach such a degree of certainty, as not to be anxious to hear whether
+anything had been said on the subject at the other house, where the
+Crofts had previously been calling.
+
+The folks of the Great House were to spend the evening of this day at
+the Cottage; and it being now too late in the year for such visits to
+be made on foot, the coach was beginning to be listened for, when the
+youngest Miss Musgrove walked in.  That she was coming to apologize,
+and that they should have to spend the evening by themselves, was the
+first black idea; and Mary was quite ready to be affronted, when Louisa
+made all right by saying, that she only came on foot, to leave more
+room for the harp, which was bringing in the carriage.
+
+"And I will tell you our reason," she added, "and all about it.  I am
+come on to give you notice, that papa and mamma are out of spirits this
+evening, especially mamma; she is thinking so much of poor Richard!
+And we agreed it would be best to have the harp, for it seems to amuse
+her more than the piano-forte.  I will tell you why she is out of
+spirits.  When the Crofts called this morning, (they called here
+afterwards, did not they?), they happened to say, that her brother,
+Captain Wentworth, is just returned to England, or paid off, or
+something, and is coming to see them almost directly; and most
+unluckily it came into mamma's head, when they were gone, that
+Wentworth, or something very like it, was the name of poor Richard's
+captain at one time; I do not know when or where, but a great while
+before he died, poor fellow!  And upon looking over his letters and
+things, she found it was so, and is perfectly sure that this must be
+the very man, and her head is quite full of it, and of poor Richard!
+So we must be as merry as we can, that she may not be dwelling upon
+such gloomy things."
+
+The real circumstances of this pathetic piece of family history were,
+that the Musgroves had had the ill fortune of a very troublesome,
+hopeless son; and the good fortune to lose him before he reached his
+twentieth year; that he had been sent to sea because he was stupid and
+unmanageable on shore; that he had been very little cared for at any
+time by his family, though quite as much as he deserved; seldom heard
+of, and scarcely at all regretted, when the intelligence of his death
+abroad had worked its way to Uppercross, two years before.
+
+He had, in fact, though his sisters were now doing all they could for
+him, by calling him "poor Richard," been nothing better than a
+thick-headed, unfeeling, unprofitable Dick Musgrove, who had never done
+anything to entitle himself to more than the abbreviation of his name,
+living or dead.
+
+He had been several years at sea, and had, in the course of those
+removals to which all midshipmen are liable, and especially such
+midshipmen as every captain wishes to get rid of, been six months on
+board Captain Frederick Wentworth's frigate, the Laconia; and from the
+Laconia he had, under the influence of his captain, written the only
+two letters which his father and mother had ever received from him
+during the whole of his absence; that is to say, the only two
+disinterested letters; all the rest had been mere applications for
+money.
+
+In each letter he had spoken well of his captain; but yet, so little
+were they in the habit of attending to such matters, so unobservant and
+incurious were they as to the names of men or ships, that it had made
+scarcely any impression at the time; and that Mrs Musgrove should have
+been suddenly struck, this very day, with a recollection of the name of
+Wentworth, as connected with her son, seemed one of those extraordinary
+bursts of mind which do sometimes occur.
+
+She had gone to her letters, and found it all as she supposed; and the
+re-perusal of these letters, after so long an interval, her poor son
+gone for ever, and all the strength of his faults forgotten, had
+affected her spirits exceedingly, and thrown her into greater grief for
+him than she had known on first hearing of his death.  Mr Musgrove was,
+in a lesser degree, affected likewise; and when they reached the
+cottage, they were evidently in want, first, of being listened to anew
+on this subject, and afterwards, of all the relief which cheerful
+companions could give them.
+
+To hear them talking so much of Captain Wentworth, repeating his name
+so often, puzzling over past years, and at last ascertaining that it
+might, that it probably would, turn out to be the very same Captain
+Wentworth whom they recollected meeting, once or twice, after their
+coming back from Clifton--a very fine young man--but they could not say
+whether it was seven or eight years ago, was a new sort of trial to
+Anne's nerves.  She found, however, that it was one to which she must
+inure herself.  Since he actually was expected in the country, she must
+teach herself to be insensible on such points.  And not only did it
+appear that he was expected, and speedily, but the Musgroves, in their
+warm gratitude for the kindness he had shewn poor Dick, and very high
+respect for his character, stamped as it was by poor Dick's having been
+six months under his care, and mentioning him in strong, though not
+perfectly well-spelt praise, as "a fine dashing felow, only two
+perticular about the schoolmaster," were bent on introducing
+themselves, and seeking his acquaintance, as soon as they could hear of
+his arrival.
+
+The resolution of doing so helped to form the comfort of their evening.
+
+
+
+Chapter 7
+
+
+A very few days more, and Captain Wentworth was known to be at
+Kellynch, and Mr Musgrove had called on him, and come back warm in his
+praise, and he was engaged with the Crofts to dine at Uppercross, by
+the end of another week.  It had been a great disappointment to Mr
+Musgrove to find that no earlier day could be fixed, so impatient was
+he to shew his gratitude, by seeing Captain Wentworth under his own
+roof, and welcoming him to all that was strongest and best in his
+cellars.  But a week must pass; only a week, in Anne's reckoning, and
+then, she supposed, they must meet; and soon she began to wish that she
+could feel secure even for a week.
+
+Captain Wentworth made a very early return to Mr Musgrove's civility,
+and she was all but calling there in the same half hour.  She and Mary
+were actually setting forward for the Great House, where, as she
+afterwards learnt, they must inevitably have found him, when they were
+stopped by the eldest boy's being at that moment brought home in
+consequence of a bad fall.  The child's situation put the visit
+entirely aside; but she could not hear of her escape with indifference,
+even in the midst of the serious anxiety which they afterwards felt on
+his account.
+
+His collar-bone was found to be dislocated, and such injury received in
+the back, as roused the most alarming ideas.  It was an afternoon of
+distress, and Anne had every thing to do at once; the apothecary to
+send for, the father to have pursued and informed, the mother to
+support and keep from hysterics, the servants to control, the youngest
+child to banish, and the poor suffering one to attend and soothe;
+besides sending, as soon as she recollected it, proper notice to the
+other house, which brought her an accession rather of frightened,
+enquiring companions, than of very useful assistants.
+
+Her brother's return was the first comfort; he could take best care of
+his wife; and the second blessing was the arrival of the apothecary.
+Till he came and had examined the child, their apprehensions were the
+worse for being vague; they suspected great injury, but knew not where;
+but now the collar-bone was soon replaced, and though Mr Robinson felt
+and felt, and rubbed, and looked grave, and spoke low words both to the
+father and the aunt, still they were all to hope the best, and to be
+able to part and eat their dinner in tolerable ease of mind; and then
+it was, just before they parted, that the two young aunts were able so
+far to digress from their nephew's state, as to give the information of
+Captain Wentworth's visit; staying five minutes behind their father and
+mother, to endeavour to express how perfectly delighted they were with
+him, how much handsomer, how infinitely more agreeable they thought him
+than any individual among their male acquaintance, who had been at all
+a favourite before.  How glad they had been to hear papa invite him to
+stay dinner, how sorry when he said it was quite out of his power, and
+how glad again when he had promised in reply to papa and mamma's
+farther pressing invitations to come and dine with them on the
+morrow--actually on the morrow; and he had promised it in so pleasant a
+manner, as if he felt all the motive of their attention just as he
+ought.  And in short, he had looked and said everything with such
+exquisite grace, that they could assure them all, their heads were both
+turned by him; and off they ran, quite as full of glee as of love, and
+apparently more full of Captain Wentworth than of little Charles.
+
+The same story and the same raptures were repeated, when the two girls
+came with their father, through the gloom of the evening, to make
+enquiries; and Mr Musgrove, no longer under the first uneasiness about
+his heir, could add his confirmation and praise, and hope there would
+be now no occasion for putting Captain Wentworth off, and only be sorry
+to think that the cottage party, probably, would not like to leave the
+little boy, to give him the meeting.  "Oh no; as to leaving the little
+boy," both father and mother were in much too strong and recent alarm
+to bear the thought; and Anne, in the joy of the escape, could not help
+adding her warm protestations to theirs.
+
+Charles Musgrove, indeed, afterwards, shewed more of inclination; "the
+child was going on so well, and he wished so much to be introduced to
+Captain Wentworth, that, perhaps, he might join them in the evening; he
+would not dine from home, but he might walk in for half an hour." But
+in this he was eagerly opposed by his wife, with "Oh! no, indeed,
+Charles, I cannot bear to have you go away.  Only think if anything
+should happen?"
+
+The child had a good night, and was going on well the next day.  It
+must be a work of time to ascertain that no injury had been done to the
+spine; but Mr Robinson found nothing to increase alarm, and Charles
+Musgrove began, consequently, to feel no necessity for longer
+confinement.  The child was to be kept in bed and amused as quietly as
+possible; but what was there for a father to do?  This was quite a
+female case, and it would be highly absurd in him, who could be of no
+use at home, to shut himself up.  His father very much wished him to
+meet Captain Wentworth, and there being no sufficient reason against
+it, he ought to go; and it ended in his making a bold, public
+declaration, when he came in from shooting, of his meaning to dress
+directly, and dine at the other house.
+
+"Nothing can be going on better than the child," said he; "so I told my
+father, just now, that I would come, and he thought me quite right.
+Your sister being with you, my love, I have no scruple at all.  You
+would not like to leave him yourself, but you see I can be of no use.
+Anne will send for me if anything is the matter."
+
+Husbands and wives generally understand when opposition will be vain.
+Mary knew, from Charles's manner of speaking, that he was quite
+determined on going, and that it would be of no use to teaze him.  She
+said nothing, therefore, till he was out of the room, but as soon as
+there was only Anne to hear--
+
+"So you and I are to be left to shift by ourselves, with this poor sick
+child; and not a creature coming near us all the evening!  I knew how
+it would be.  This is always my luck.  If there is anything
+disagreeable going on men are always sure to get out of it, and Charles
+is as bad as any of them.  Very unfeeling!  I must say it is very
+unfeeling of him to be running away from his poor little boy.  Talks of
+his being going on so well!  How does he know that he is going on well,
+or that there may not be a sudden change half an hour hence?  I did not
+think Charles would have been so unfeeling.  So here he is to go away
+and enjoy himself, and because I am the poor mother, I am not to be
+allowed to stir; and yet, I am sure, I am more unfit than anybody else
+to be about the child.  My being the mother is the very reason why my
+feelings should not be tried.  I am not at all equal to it.  You saw
+how hysterical I was yesterday."
+
+"But that was only the effect of the suddenness of your alarm--of the
+shock.  You will not be hysterical again.  I dare say we shall have
+nothing to distress us.  I perfectly understand Mr Robinson's
+directions, and have no fears; and indeed, Mary, I cannot wonder at
+your husband.  Nursing does not belong to a man; it is not his
+province.  A sick child is always the mother's property:  her own
+feelings generally make it so."
+
+"I hope I am as fond of my child as any mother, but I do not know that
+I am of any more use in the sick-room than Charles, for I cannot be
+always scolding and teazing the poor child when it is ill; and you saw,
+this morning, that if I told him to keep quiet, he was sure to begin
+kicking about.  I have not nerves for the sort of thing."
+
+"But, could you be comfortable yourself, to be spending the whole
+evening away from the poor boy?"
+
+"Yes; you see his papa can, and why should not I?  Jemima is so
+careful; and she could send us word every hour how he was.  I really
+think Charles might as well have told his father we would all come.  I
+am not more alarmed about little Charles now than he is.  I was
+dreadfully alarmed yesterday, but the case is very different to-day."
+
+"Well, if you do not think it too late to give notice for yourself,
+suppose you were to go, as well as your husband.  Leave little Charles
+to my care.  Mr and Mrs Musgrove cannot think it wrong while I remain
+with him."
+
+"Are you serious?" cried Mary, her eyes brightening.  "Dear me!  that's
+a very good thought, very good, indeed.  To be sure, I may just as well
+go as not, for I am of no use at home--am I?  and it only harasses me.
+You, who have not a mother's feelings, are a great deal the properest
+person.  You can make little Charles do anything; he always minds you
+at a word.  It will be a great deal better than leaving him only with
+Jemima.  Oh! I shall certainly go; I am sure I ought if I can, quite as
+much as Charles, for they want me excessively to be acquainted with
+Captain Wentworth, and I know you do not mind being left alone.  An
+excellent thought of yours, indeed, Anne.  I will go and tell Charles,
+and get ready directly.  You can send for us, you know, at a moment's
+notice, if anything is the matter; but I dare say there will be nothing
+to alarm you.  I should not go, you may be sure, if I did not feel
+quite at ease about my dear child."
+
+The next moment she was tapping at her husband's dressing-room door,
+and as Anne followed her up stairs, she was in time for the whole
+conversation, which began with Mary's saying, in a tone of great
+exultation--
+
+"I mean to go with you, Charles, for I am of no more use at home than
+you are.  If I were to shut myself up for ever with the child, I should
+not be able to persuade him to do anything he did not like.  Anne will
+stay; Anne undertakes to stay at home and take care of him.  It is
+Anne's own proposal, and so I shall go with you, which will be a great
+deal better, for I have not dined at the other house since Tuesday."
+
+"This is very kind of Anne," was her husband's answer, "and I should be
+very glad to have you go; but it seems rather hard that she should be
+left at home by herself, to nurse our sick child."
+
+Anne was now at hand to take up her own cause, and the sincerity of her
+manner being soon sufficient to convince him, where conviction was at
+least very agreeable, he had no farther scruples as to her being left
+to dine alone, though he still wanted her to join them in the evening,
+when the child might be at rest for the night, and kindly urged her to
+let him come and fetch her, but she was quite unpersuadable; and this
+being the case, she had ere long the pleasure of seeing them set off
+together in high spirits.  They were gone, she hoped, to be happy,
+however oddly constructed such happiness might seem; as for herself,
+she was left with as many sensations of comfort, as were, perhaps, ever
+likely to be hers.  She knew herself to be of the first utility to the
+child; and what was it to her if Frederick Wentworth were only half a
+mile distant, making himself agreeable to others?
+
+She would have liked to know how he felt as to a meeting.  Perhaps
+indifferent, if indifference could exist under such circumstances.  He
+must be either indifferent or unwilling.  Had he wished ever to see her
+again, he need not have waited till this time; he would have done what
+she could not but believe that in his place she should have done long
+ago, when events had been early giving him the independence which alone
+had been wanting.
+
+Her brother and sister came back delighted with their new acquaintance,
+and their visit in general.  There had been music, singing, talking,
+laughing, all that was most agreeable; charming manners in Captain
+Wentworth, no shyness or reserve; they seemed all to know each other
+perfectly, and he was coming the very next morning to shoot with
+Charles.  He was to come to breakfast, but not at the Cottage, though
+that had been proposed at first; but then he had been pressed to come
+to the Great House instead, and he seemed afraid of being in Mrs
+Charles Musgrove's way, on account of the child, and therefore,
+somehow, they hardly knew how, it ended in Charles's being to meet him
+to breakfast at his father's.
+
+Anne understood it.  He wished to avoid seeing her.  He had inquired
+after her, she found, slightly, as might suit a former slight
+acquaintance, seeming to acknowledge such as she had acknowledged,
+actuated, perhaps, by the same view of escaping introduction when they
+were to meet.
+
+The morning hours of the Cottage were always later than those of the
+other house, and on the morrow the difference was so great that Mary
+and Anne were not more than beginning breakfast when Charles came in to
+say that they were just setting off, that he was come for his dogs,
+that his sisters were following with Captain Wentworth; his sisters
+meaning to visit Mary and the child, and Captain Wentworth proposing
+also to wait on her for a few minutes if not inconvenient; and though
+Charles had answered for the child's being in no such state as could
+make it inconvenient, Captain Wentworth would not be satisfied without
+his running on to give notice.
+
+Mary, very much gratified by this attention, was delighted to receive
+him, while a thousand feelings rushed on Anne, of which this was the
+most consoling, that it would soon be over.  And it was soon over.  In
+two minutes after Charles's preparation, the others appeared; they were
+in the drawing-room.  Her eye half met Captain Wentworth's, a bow, a
+curtsey passed; she heard his voice; he talked to Mary, said all that
+was right, said something to the Miss Musgroves, enough to mark an easy
+footing; the room seemed full, full of persons and voices, but a few
+minutes ended it.  Charles shewed himself at the window, all was ready,
+their visitor had bowed and was gone, the Miss Musgroves were gone too,
+suddenly resolving to walk to the end of the village with the
+sportsmen:  the room was cleared, and Anne might finish her breakfast
+as she could.
+
+"It is over! it is over!" she repeated to herself again and again, in
+nervous gratitude.  "The worst is over!"
+
+Mary talked, but she could not attend.  She had seen him.  They had
+met.  They had been once more in the same room.
+
+Soon, however, she began to reason with herself, and try to be feeling
+less.  Eight years, almost eight years had passed, since all had been
+given up.  How absurd to be resuming the agitation which such an
+interval had banished into distance and indistinctness!  What might not
+eight years do?  Events of every description, changes, alienations,
+removals--all, all must be comprised in it, and oblivion of the past--
+how natural, how certain too!  It included nearly a third part of her
+own life.
+
+Alas! with all her reasoning, she found, that to retentive feelings
+eight years may be little more than nothing.
+
+Now, how were his sentiments to be read?  Was this like wishing to
+avoid her?  And the next moment she was hating herself for the folly
+which asked the question.
+
+On one other question which perhaps her utmost wisdom might not have
+prevented, she was soon spared all suspense; for, after the Miss
+Musgroves had returned and finished their visit at the Cottage she had
+this spontaneous information from Mary:--
+
+"Captain Wentworth is not very gallant by you, Anne, though he was so
+attentive to me.  Henrietta asked him what he thought of you, when they
+went away, and he said, 'You were so altered he should not have known
+you again.'"
+
+Mary had no feelings to make her respect her sister's in a common way,
+but she was perfectly unsuspicious of being inflicting any peculiar
+wound.
+
+"Altered beyond his knowledge."  Anne fully submitted, in silent, deep
+mortification.  Doubtless it was so, and she could take no revenge, for
+he was not altered, or not for the worse.  She had already acknowledged
+it to herself, and she could not think differently, let him think of
+her as he would.  No:  the years which had destroyed her youth and
+bloom had only given him a more glowing, manly, open look, in no
+respect lessening his personal advantages.  She had seen the same
+Frederick Wentworth.
+
+"So altered that he should not have known her again!"  These were words
+which could not but dwell with her.  Yet she soon began to rejoice that
+she had heard them.  They were of sobering tendency; they allayed
+agitation; they composed, and consequently must make her happier.
+
+Frederick Wentworth had used such words, or something like them, but
+without an idea that they would be carried round to her.  He had
+thought her wretchedly altered, and in the first moment of appeal, had
+spoken as he felt.  He had not forgiven Anne Elliot.  She had used him
+ill, deserted and disappointed him; and worse, she had shewn a
+feebleness of character in doing so, which his own decided, confident
+temper could not endure.  She had given him up to oblige others.  It
+had been the effect of over-persuasion.  It had been weakness and
+timidity.
+
+He had been most warmly attached to her, and had never seen a woman
+since whom he thought her equal; but, except from some natural
+sensation of curiosity, he had no desire of meeting her again.  Her
+power with him was gone for ever.
+
+It was now his object to marry.  He was rich, and being turned on
+shore, fully intended to settle as soon as he could be properly
+tempted; actually looking round, ready to fall in love with all the
+speed which a clear head and a quick taste could allow.  He had a heart
+for either of the Miss Musgroves, if they could catch it; a heart, in
+short, for any pleasing young woman who came in his way, excepting Anne
+Elliot.  This was his only secret exception, when he said to his
+sister, in answer to her suppositions:--
+
+"Yes, here I am, Sophia, quite ready to make a foolish match.  Anybody
+between fifteen and thirty may have me for asking.  A little beauty,
+and a few smiles, and a few compliments to the navy, and I am a lost
+man.  Should not this be enough for a sailor, who has had no society
+among women to make him nice?"
+
+He said it, she knew, to be contradicted.  His bright proud eye spoke
+the conviction that he was nice; and Anne Elliot was not out of his
+thoughts, when he more seriously described the woman he should wish to
+meet with.  "A strong mind, with sweetness of manner," made the first
+and the last of the description.
+
+"That is the woman I want," said he.  "Something a little inferior I
+shall of course put up with, but it must not be much.  If I am a fool,
+I shall be a fool indeed, for I have thought on the subject more than
+most men."
+
+
+
+Chapter 8
+
+
+From this time Captain Wentworth and Anne Elliot were repeatedly in the
+same circle.  They were soon dining in company together at Mr
+Musgrove's, for the little boy's state could no longer supply his aunt
+with a pretence for absenting herself; and this was but the beginning
+of other dinings and other meetings.
+
+Whether former feelings were to be renewed must be brought to the
+proof; former times must undoubtedly be brought to the recollection of
+each; they could not but be reverted to; the year of their engagement
+could not but be named by him, in the little narratives or descriptions
+which conversation called forth.  His profession qualified him, his
+disposition lead him, to talk; and "That was in the year six;" "That
+happened before I went to sea in the year six," occurred in the course
+of the first evening they spent together: and though his voice did not
+falter, and though she had no reason to suppose his eye wandering
+towards her while he spoke, Anne felt the utter impossibility, from her
+knowledge of his mind, that he could be unvisited by remembrance any
+more than herself.  There must be the same immediate association of
+thought, though she was very far from conceiving it to be of equal pain.
+
+They had no conversation together, no intercourse but what the
+commonest civility required.  Once so much to each other!  Now nothing!
+There had been a time, when of all the large party now filling the
+drawing-room at Uppercross, they would have found it most difficult to
+cease to speak to one another.  With the exception, perhaps, of Admiral
+and Mrs Croft, who seemed particularly attached and happy, (Anne could
+allow no other exceptions even among the married couples), there could
+have been no two hearts so open, no tastes so similar, no feelings so
+in unison, no countenances so beloved.  Now they were as strangers;
+nay, worse than strangers, for they could never become acquainted.  It
+was a perpetual estrangement.
+
+When he talked, she heard the same voice, and discerned the same mind.
+There was a very general ignorance of all naval matters throughout the
+party; and he was very much questioned, and especially by the two Miss
+Musgroves, who seemed hardly to have any eyes but for him, as to the
+manner of living on board, daily regulations, food, hours, &c., and
+their surprise at his accounts, at learning the degree of accommodation
+and arrangement which was practicable, drew from him some pleasant
+ridicule, which reminded Anne of the early days when she too had been
+ignorant, and she too had been accused of supposing sailors to be
+living on board without anything to eat, or any cook to dress it if
+there were, or any servant to wait, or any knife and fork to use.
+
+From thus listening and thinking, she was roused by a whisper of Mrs
+Musgrove's who, overcome by fond regrets, could not help saying--
+
+"Ah! Miss Anne, if it had pleased Heaven to spare my poor son, I dare
+say he would have been just such another by this time."
+
+Anne suppressed a smile, and listened kindly, while Mrs Musgrove
+relieved her heart a little more; and for a few minutes, therefore,
+could not keep pace with the conversation of the others.
+
+When she could let her attention take its natural course again, she
+found the Miss Musgroves just fetching the Navy List (their own navy
+list, the first that had ever been at Uppercross), and sitting down
+together to pore over it, with the professed view of finding out the
+ships that Captain Wentworth had commanded.
+
+"Your first was the Asp, I remember; we will look for the Asp."
+
+"You will not find her there.  Quite worn out and broken up.  I was the
+last man who commanded her.  Hardly fit for service then.  Reported fit
+for home service for a year or two, and so I was sent off to the West
+Indies."
+
+The girls looked all amazement.
+
+"The Admiralty," he continued, "entertain themselves now and then, with
+sending a few hundred men to sea, in a ship not fit to be employed.
+But they have a great many to provide for; and among the thousands that
+may just as well go to the bottom as not, it is impossible for them to
+distinguish the very set who may be least missed."
+
+"Phoo! phoo!" cried the Admiral, "what stuff these young fellows talk!
+Never was a better sloop than the Asp in her day.  For an old built
+sloop, you would not see her equal.  Lucky fellow to get her!  He knows
+there must have been twenty better men than himself applying for her at
+the same time.  Lucky fellow to get anything so soon, with no more
+interest than his."
+
+"I felt my luck, Admiral, I assure you;" replied Captain Wentworth,
+seriously.  "I was as well satisfied with my appointment as you can
+desire.  It was a great object with me at that time to be at sea; a
+very great object, I wanted to be doing something."
+
+"To be sure you did.  What should a young fellow like you do ashore for
+half a year together?  If a man had not a wife, he soon wants to be
+afloat again."
+
+"But, Captain Wentworth," cried Louisa, "how vexed you must have been
+when you came to the Asp, to see what an old thing they had given you."
+
+"I knew pretty well what she was before that day;" said he, smiling.
+"I had no more discoveries to make than you would have as to the
+fashion and strength of any old pelisse, which you had seen lent about
+among half your acquaintance ever since you could remember, and which
+at last, on some very wet day, is lent to yourself.  Ah! she was a dear
+old Asp to me.  She did all that I wanted.  I knew she would.  I knew
+that we should either go to the bottom together, or that she would be
+the making of me; and I never had two days of foul weather all the time
+I was at sea in her; and after taking privateers enough to be very
+entertaining, I had the good luck in my passage home the next autumn,
+to fall in with the very French frigate I wanted.  I brought her into
+Plymouth; and here another instance of luck.  We had not been six hours
+in the Sound, when a gale came on, which lasted four days and nights,
+and which would have done for poor old Asp in half the time; our touch
+with the Great Nation not having much improved our condition.
+Four-and-twenty hours later, and I should only have been a gallant
+Captain Wentworth, in a small paragraph at one corner of the
+newspapers; and being lost in only a sloop, nobody would have thought
+about me." Anne's shudderings were to herself alone; but the Miss
+Musgroves could be as open as they were sincere, in their exclamations
+of pity and horror.
+
+"And so then, I suppose," said Mrs Musgrove, in a low voice, as if
+thinking aloud, "so then he went away to the Laconia, and there he met
+with our poor boy. Charles, my dear," (beckoning him to her), "do ask
+Captain Wentworth where it was he first met with your poor brother.  I
+always forgot."
+
+"It was at Gibraltar, mother, I know.  Dick had been left ill at
+Gibraltar, with a recommendation from his former captain to Captain
+Wentworth."
+
+"Oh! but, Charles, tell Captain Wentworth, he need not be afraid of
+mentioning poor Dick before me, for it would be rather a pleasure to
+hear him talked of by such a good friend."
+
+Charles, being somewhat more mindful of the probabilities of the case,
+only nodded in reply, and walked away.
+
+The girls were now hunting for the Laconia; and Captain Wentworth could
+not deny himself the pleasure of taking the precious volume into his
+own hands to save them the trouble, and once more read aloud the little
+statement of her name and rate, and present non-commissioned class,
+observing over it that she too had been one of the best friends man
+ever had.
+
+"Ah! those were pleasant days when I had the Laconia!  How fast I made
+money in her.  A friend of mine and I had such a lovely cruise together
+off the Western Islands.  Poor Harville, sister!  You know how much he
+wanted money:  worse than myself.  He had a wife.  Excellent fellow.  I
+shall never forget his happiness.  He felt it all, so much for her
+sake.  I wished for him again the next summer, when I had still the
+same luck in the Mediterranean."
+
+"And I am sure, Sir," said Mrs Musgrove, "it was a lucky day for us,
+when you were put captain into that ship.  We shall never forget what
+you did."
+
+Her feelings made her speak low; and Captain Wentworth, hearing only in
+part, and probably not having Dick Musgrove at all near his thoughts,
+looked rather in suspense, and as if waiting for more.
+
+"My brother," whispered one of the girls; "mamma is thinking of poor
+Richard."
+
+"Poor dear fellow!" continued Mrs Musgrove; "he was grown so steady,
+and such an excellent correspondent, while he was under your care!  Ah!
+it would have been a happy thing, if he had never left you.  I assure
+you, Captain Wentworth, we are very sorry he ever left you."
+
+There was a momentary expression in Captain Wentworth's face at this
+speech, a certain glance of his bright eye, and curl of his handsome
+mouth, which convinced Anne, that instead of sharing in Mrs Musgrove's
+kind wishes, as to her son, he had probably been at some pains to get
+rid of him; but it was too transient an indulgence of self-amusement to
+be detected by any who understood him less than herself; in another
+moment he was perfectly collected and serious, and almost instantly
+afterwards coming up to the sofa, on which she and Mrs Musgrove were
+sitting, took a place by the latter, and entered into conversation with
+her, in a low voice, about her son, doing it with so much sympathy and
+natural grace, as shewed the kindest consideration for all that was
+real and unabsurd in the parent's feelings.
+
+They were actually on the same sofa, for Mrs Musgrove had most readily
+made room for him; they were divided only by Mrs Musgrove.  It was no
+insignificant barrier, indeed.  Mrs Musgrove was of a comfortable,
+substantial size, infinitely more fitted by nature to express good
+cheer and good humour, than tenderness and sentiment; and while the
+agitations of Anne's slender form, and pensive face, may be considered
+as very completely screened, Captain Wentworth should be allowed some
+credit for the self-command with which he attended to her large fat
+sighings over the destiny of a son, whom alive nobody had cared for.
+
+Personal size and mental sorrow have certainly no necessary
+proportions.  A large bulky figure has as good a right to be in deep
+affliction, as the most graceful set of limbs in the world.  But, fair
+or not fair, there are unbecoming conjunctions, which reason will
+patronize in vain--which taste cannot tolerate--which ridicule will
+seize.
+
+The Admiral, after taking two or three refreshing turns about the room
+with his hands behind him, being called to order by his wife, now came
+up to Captain Wentworth, and without any observation of what he might
+be interrupting, thinking only of his own thoughts, began with--
+
+"If you had been a week later at Lisbon, last spring, Frederick, you
+would have been asked to give a passage to Lady Mary Grierson and her
+daughters."
+
+"Should I?  I am glad I was not a week later then."
+
+The Admiral abused him for his want of gallantry.  He defended himself;
+though professing that he would never willingly admit any ladies on
+board a ship of his, excepting for a ball, or a visit, which a few
+hours might comprehend.
+
+"But, if I know myself," said he, "this is from no want of gallantry
+towards them.  It is rather from feeling how impossible it is, with all
+one's efforts, and all one's sacrifices, to make the accommodations on
+board such as women ought to have.  There can be no want of gallantry,
+Admiral, in rating the claims of women to every personal comfort high,
+and this is what I do.  I hate to hear of women on board, or to see
+them on board; and no ship under my command shall ever convey a family
+of ladies anywhere, if I can help it."
+
+This brought his sister upon him.
+
+"Oh! Frederick!  But I cannot believe it of you.--All idle
+refinement!--Women may be as comfortable on board, as in the best house
+in England.  I believe I have lived as much on board as most women, and
+I know nothing superior to the accommodations of a man-of-war.  I
+declare I have not a comfort or an indulgence about me, even at
+Kellynch Hall," (with a kind bow to Anne), "beyond what I always had in
+most of the ships I have lived in; and they have been five altogether."
+
+"Nothing to the purpose," replied her brother.  "You were living with
+your husband, and were the only woman on board."
+
+"But you, yourself, brought Mrs Harville, her sister, her cousin, and
+three children, round from Portsmouth to Plymouth.  Where was this
+superfine, extraordinary sort of gallantry of yours then?"
+
+"All merged in my friendship, Sophia.  I would assist any brother
+officer's wife that I could, and I would bring anything of Harville's
+from the world's end, if he wanted it.  But do not imagine that I did
+not feel it an evil in itself."
+
+"Depend upon it, they were all perfectly comfortable."
+
+"I might not like them the better for that perhaps.  Such a number of
+women and children have no right to be comfortable on board."
+
+"My dear Frederick, you are talking quite idly.  Pray, what would
+become of us poor sailors' wives, who often want to be conveyed to one
+port or another, after our husbands, if everybody had your feelings?"
+
+"My feelings, you see, did not prevent my taking Mrs Harville and all
+her family to Plymouth."
+
+"But I hate to hear you talking so like a fine gentleman, and as if
+women were all fine ladies, instead of rational creatures.  We none of
+us expect to be in smooth water all our days."
+
+"Ah! my dear," said the Admiral, "when he had got a wife, he will sing
+a different tune.  When he is married, if we have the good luck to live
+to another war, we shall see him do as you and I, and a great many
+others, have done.  We shall have him very thankful to anybody that
+will bring him his wife."
+
+"Ay, that we shall."
+
+"Now I have done," cried Captain Wentworth.  "When once married people
+begin to attack me with,--'Oh! you will think very differently, when
+you are married.'  I can only say, 'No, I shall not;' and then they say
+again, 'Yes, you will,' and there is an end of it."
+
+He got up and moved away.
+
+"What a great traveller you must have been, ma'am!" said Mrs Musgrove
+to Mrs Croft.
+
+"Pretty well, ma'am in the fifteen years of my marriage; though many
+women have done more.  I have crossed the Atlantic four times, and have
+been once to the East Indies, and back again, and only once; besides
+being in different places about home: Cork, and Lisbon, and Gibraltar.
+But I never went beyond the Streights, and never was in the West
+Indies.  We do not call Bermuda or Bahama, you know, the West Indies."
+
+Mrs Musgrove had not a word to say in dissent; she could not accuse
+herself of having ever called them anything in the whole course of her
+life.
+
+"And I do assure you, ma'am," pursued Mrs Croft, "that nothing can
+exceed the accommodations of a man-of-war; I speak, you know, of the
+higher rates.  When you come to a frigate, of course, you are more
+confined; though any reasonable woman may be perfectly happy in one of
+them; and I can safely say, that the happiest part of my life has been
+spent on board a ship.  While we were together, you know, there was
+nothing to be feared.  Thank God!  I have always been blessed with
+excellent health, and no climate disagrees with me.  A little
+disordered always the first twenty-four hours of going to sea, but
+never knew what sickness was afterwards.  The only time I ever really
+suffered in body or mind, the only time that I ever fancied myself
+unwell, or had any ideas of danger, was the winter that I passed by
+myself at Deal, when the Admiral (Captain Croft then) was in the North
+Seas.  I lived in perpetual fright at that time, and had all manner of
+imaginary complaints from not knowing what to do with myself, or when I
+should hear from him next; but as long as we could be together, nothing
+ever ailed me, and I never met with the smallest inconvenience."
+
+"Aye, to be sure.  Yes, indeed, oh yes!  I am quite of your opinion,
+Mrs Croft," was Mrs Musgrove's hearty answer.  "There is nothing so bad
+as a separation.  I am quite of your opinion.  I know what it is, for
+Mr Musgrove always attends the assizes, and I am so glad when they are
+over, and he is safe back again."
+
+The evening ended with dancing.  On its being proposed, Anne offered
+her services, as usual; and though her eyes would sometimes fill with
+tears as she sat at the instrument, she was extremely glad to be
+employed, and desired nothing in return but to be unobserved.
+
+It was a merry, joyous party, and no one seemed in higher spirits than
+Captain Wentworth.  She felt that he had every thing to elevate him
+which general attention and deference, and especially the attention of
+all the young women, could do.  The Miss Hayters, the females of the
+family of cousins already mentioned, were apparently admitted to the
+honour of being in love with him; and as for Henrietta and Louisa, they
+both seemed so entirely occupied by him, that nothing but the continued
+appearance of the most perfect good-will between themselves could have
+made it credible that they were not decided rivals.  If he were a
+little spoilt by such universal, such eager admiration, who could
+wonder?
+
+These were some of the thoughts which occupied Anne, while her fingers
+were mechanically at work, proceeding for half an hour together,
+equally without error, and without consciousness.  Once she felt that
+he was looking at herself,  observing her altered features, perhaps,
+trying to trace in them the ruins of the face which had once charmed
+him; and once she knew that he must have spoken of her; she was hardly
+aware of it, till she heard the answer; but then she was sure of his
+having asked his partner whether Miss Elliot never danced?  The answer
+was, "Oh, no; never; she has quite given up dancing.  She had rather
+play.  She is never tired of playing."  Once, too, he spoke to her.
+She had left the instrument on the dancing being over, and he had sat
+down to try to make out an air which he wished to give the Miss
+Musgroves an idea of.  Unintentionally she returned to that part of the
+room; he saw her, and, instantly rising, said, with studied politeness--
+
+"I beg your pardon, madam, this is your seat;" and though she
+immediately drew back with a decided negative, he was not to be induced
+to sit down again.
+
+Anne did not wish for more of such looks and speeches.  His cold
+politeness, his ceremonious grace, were worse than anything.
+
+
+
+Chapter 9
+
+
+Captain Wentworth was come to Kellynch as to a home, to stay as long as
+he liked, being as thoroughly the object of the Admiral's fraternal
+kindness as of his wife's.  He had intended, on first arriving, to
+proceed very soon into Shropshire, and visit the brother settled in
+that country, but the attractions of Uppercross induced him to put this
+off.  There was so much of friendliness, and of flattery, and of
+everything most bewitching in his reception there; the old were so
+hospitable, the young so agreeable, that he could not but resolve to
+remain where he was, and take all the charms and perfections of
+Edward's wife upon credit a little longer.
+
+It was soon Uppercross with him almost every day.  The Musgroves could
+hardly be more ready to invite than he to come, particularly in the
+morning, when he had no companion at home, for the Admiral and Mrs
+Croft were generally out of doors together, interesting themselves in
+their new possessions, their grass, and their sheep, and dawdling about
+in a way not endurable to a third person, or driving out in a gig,
+lately added to their establishment.
+
+Hitherto there had been but one opinion of Captain Wentworth among the
+Musgroves and their dependencies.  It was unvarying, warm admiration
+everywhere; but this intimate footing was not more than established,
+when a certain Charles Hayter returned among them, to be a good deal
+disturbed by it, and to think Captain Wentworth very much in the way.
+
+Charles Hayter was the eldest of all the cousins, and a very amiable,
+pleasing young man, between whom and Henrietta there had been a
+considerable appearance of attachment previous to Captain Wentworth's
+introduction.  He was in orders; and having a curacy in the
+neighbourhood, where residence was not required, lived at his father's
+house, only two miles from Uppercross.  A short absence from home had
+left his fair one unguarded by his attentions at this critical period,
+and when he came back he had the pain of finding very altered manners,
+and of seeing Captain Wentworth.
+
+Mrs Musgrove and Mrs Hayter were sisters.  They had each had money, but
+their marriages had made a material difference in their degree of
+consequence.  Mr Hayter had some property of his own, but it was
+insignificant compared with Mr Musgrove's; and while the Musgroves were
+in the first class of society in the country, the young Hayters would,
+from their parents' inferior, retired, and unpolished way of living,
+and their own defective education, have been hardly in any class at
+all, but for their connexion with Uppercross, this eldest son of course
+excepted, who had chosen to be a scholar and a gentleman, and who was
+very superior in cultivation and manners to all the rest.
+
+The two families had always been on excellent terms, there being no
+pride on one side, and no envy on the other, and only such a
+consciousness of superiority in the Miss Musgroves, as made them
+pleased to improve their cousins.  Charles's attentions to Henrietta
+had been observed by her father and mother without any disapprobation.
+"It would not be a great match for her; but if Henrietta liked him,"--
+and Henrietta did seem to like him.
+
+Henrietta fully thought so herself, before Captain Wentworth came; but
+from that time Cousin Charles had been very much forgotten.
+
+Which of the two sisters was preferred by Captain Wentworth was as yet
+quite doubtful, as far as Anne's observation reached.  Henrietta was
+perhaps the prettiest, Louisa had the higher spirits; and she knew not
+now, whether the more gentle or the more lively character were most
+likely to attract him.
+
+Mr and Mrs Musgrove, either from seeing little, or from an entire
+confidence in the discretion of both their daughters, and of all the
+young men who came near them, seemed to leave everything to take its
+chance.  There was not the smallest appearance of solicitude or remark
+about them in the Mansion-house; but it was different at the Cottage:
+the young couple there were more disposed to speculate and wonder; and
+Captain Wentworth had not been above four or five times in the Miss
+Musgroves' company, and Charles Hayter had but just reappeared, when
+Anne had to listen to the opinions of her brother and sister, as to
+which was the one liked best.  Charles gave it for Louisa, Mary for
+Henrietta, but quite agreeing that to have him marry either could be
+extremely delightful.
+
+Charles "had never seen a pleasanter man in his life; and from what he
+had once heard Captain Wentworth himself say, was very sure that he had
+not made less than twenty thousand pounds by the war.  Here was a
+fortune at once; besides which, there would be the chance of what might
+be done in any future war; and he was sure Captain Wentworth was as
+likely a man to distinguish himself as any officer in the navy.  Oh! it
+would be a capital match for either of his sisters."
+
+"Upon my word it would," replied Mary.  "Dear me!  If he should rise to
+any very great honours!  If he should ever be made a baronet!  'Lady
+Wentworth' sounds very well.  That would be a noble thing, indeed, for
+Henrietta!  She would take place of me then, and Henrietta would not
+dislike that.  Sir Frederick and Lady Wentworth!  It would be but a new
+creation, however, and I never think much of your new creations."
+
+It suited Mary best to think Henrietta the one preferred on the very
+account of Charles Hayter, whose pretensions she wished to see put an
+end to.  She looked down very decidedly upon the Hayters, and thought
+it would be quite a misfortune to have the existing connection between
+the families renewed--very sad for herself and her children.
+
+"You know," said she, "I cannot think him at all a fit match for
+Henrietta; and considering the alliances which the Musgroves have made,
+she has no right to throw herself away.  I do not think any young woman
+has a right to make a choice that may be disagreeable and inconvenient
+to the principal part of her family, and be giving bad connections to
+those who have not been used to them.  And, pray, who is Charles
+Hayter?  Nothing but a country curate.  A most improper match for Miss
+Musgrove of Uppercross."
+
+Her husband, however, would not agree with her here; for besides having
+a regard for his cousin, Charles Hayter was an eldest son, and he saw
+things as an eldest son himself.
+
+"Now you are talking nonsense, Mary," was therefore his answer.  "It
+would not be a great match for Henrietta, but Charles has a very fair
+chance, through the Spicers, of getting something from the Bishop in
+the course of a year or two; and you will please to remember, that he
+is the eldest son; whenever my uncle dies, he steps into very pretty
+property.  The estate at Winthrop is not less than two hundred and
+fifty acres, besides the farm near Taunton, which is some of the best
+land in the country.  I grant you, that any of them but Charles would
+be a very shocking match for Henrietta, and indeed it could not be; he
+is the only one that could be possible; but he is a very good-natured,
+good sort of a fellow; and whenever Winthrop comes into his hands, he
+will make a different sort of place of it, and live in a very different
+sort of way; and with that property, he will never be a contemptible
+man--good, freehold property.  No, no; Henrietta might do worse than
+marry Charles Hayter; and if she has him, and Louisa can get Captain
+Wentworth, I shall be very well satisfied."
+
+"Charles may say what he pleases," cried Mary to Anne, as soon as he
+was out of the room, "but it would be shocking to have Henrietta marry
+Charles Hayter; a very bad thing for her, and still worse for me; and
+therefore it is very much to be wished that Captain Wentworth may soon
+put him quite out of her head, and I have very little doubt that he
+has.  She took hardly any notice of Charles Hayter yesterday.  I wish
+you had been there to see her behaviour.  And as to Captain Wentworth's
+liking Louisa as well as Henrietta, it is nonsense to say so; for he
+certainly does like Henrietta a great deal the best.  But Charles is so
+positive!  I wish you had been with us yesterday, for then you might
+have decided between us; and I am sure you would have thought as I did,
+unless you had been determined to give it against me."
+
+A dinner at Mr Musgrove's had been the occasion when all these things
+should have been seen by Anne; but she had staid at home, under the
+mixed plea of a headache of her own, and some return of indisposition
+in little Charles.  She had thought only of avoiding Captain Wentworth;
+but an escape from being appealed to as umpire was now added to the
+advantages of a quiet evening.
+
+As to Captain Wentworth's views, she deemed it of more consequence that
+he should know his own mind early enough not to be endangering the
+happiness of either sister, or impeaching his own honour, than that he
+should prefer Henrietta to Louisa, or Louisa to Henrietta.  Either of
+them would, in all probability, make him an affectionate, good-humoured
+wife.  With regard to Charles Hayter, she had delicacy which must be
+pained by any lightness of conduct in a well-meaning young woman, and a
+heart to sympathize in any of the sufferings it occasioned; but if
+Henrietta found herself mistaken in the nature of her feelings, the
+alteration could not be understood too soon.
+
+Charles Hayter had met with much to disquiet and mortify him in his
+cousin's behaviour.  She had too old a regard for him to be so wholly
+estranged as might in two meetings extinguish every past hope, and
+leave him nothing to do but to keep away from Uppercross:  but there
+was such a change as became very alarming, when such a man as Captain
+Wentworth was to be regarded as the probable cause.  He had been absent
+only two Sundays, and when they parted, had left her interested, even
+to the height of his wishes, in his prospect of soon quitting his
+present curacy, and obtaining that of Uppercross instead.  It had then
+seemed the object nearest her heart, that Dr Shirley, the rector, who
+for more than forty years had been zealously discharging all the duties
+of his office, but was now growing too infirm for many of them, should
+be quite fixed on engaging a curate; should make his curacy quite as
+good as he could afford, and should give Charles Hayter the promise of
+it.  The advantage of his having to come only to Uppercross, instead of
+going six miles another way; of his having, in every respect, a better
+curacy; of his belonging to their dear Dr Shirley, and of dear, good Dr
+Shirley's being relieved from the duty which he could no longer get
+through without most injurious fatigue, had been a great deal, even to
+Louisa, but had been almost everything to Henrietta.  When he came
+back, alas!  the zeal of the business was gone by.  Louisa could not
+listen at all to his account of a conversation which he had just held
+with Dr Shirley: she was at a window, looking out for Captain
+Wentworth; and even Henrietta had at best only a divided attention to
+give, and seemed to have forgotten all the former doubt and solicitude
+of the negotiation.
+
+"Well, I am very glad indeed:  but I always thought you would have it;
+I always thought you sure.  It did not appear to me that--in short, you
+know, Dr Shirley must have a curate, and you had secured his promise.
+Is he coming, Louisa?"
+
+One morning, very soon after the dinner at the Musgroves, at which Anne
+had not been present, Captain Wentworth walked into the drawing-room at
+the Cottage, where were only herself and the little invalid Charles,
+who was lying on the sofa.
+
+The surprise of finding himself almost alone with Anne Elliot, deprived
+his manners of their usual composure:  he started, and could only say,
+"I thought the Miss Musgroves had been here: Mrs Musgrove told me I
+should find them here," before he walked to the window to recollect
+himself, and feel how he ought to behave.
+
+"They are up stairs with my sister:  they will be down in a few
+moments, I dare say," had been Anne's reply, in all the confusion that
+was natural; and if the child had not called her to come and do
+something for him, she would have been out of the room the next moment,
+and released Captain Wentworth as well as herself.
+
+He continued at the window; and after calmly and politely saying, "I
+hope the little boy is better," was silent.
+
+She was obliged to kneel down by the sofa, and remain there to satisfy
+her patient; and thus they continued a few minutes, when, to her very
+great satisfaction, she heard some other person crossing the little
+vestibule.  She hoped, on turning her head, to see the master of the
+house; but it proved to be one much less calculated for making matters
+easy--Charles Hayter, probably not at all better pleased by the sight
+of Captain Wentworth than Captain Wentworth had been by the sight of
+Anne.
+
+She only attempted to say, "How do you do?  Will you not sit down?  The
+others will be here presently."
+
+Captain Wentworth, however, came from his window, apparently not
+ill-disposed for conversation; but Charles Hayter soon put an end to
+his attempts by seating himself near the table, and taking up the
+newspaper; and Captain Wentworth returned to his window.
+
+Another minute brought another addition.  The younger boy, a remarkable
+stout, forward child, of two years old, having got the door opened for
+him by some one without, made his determined appearance among them, and
+went straight to the sofa to see what was going on, and put in his
+claim to anything good that might be giving away.
+
+There being nothing to eat, he could only have some play; and as his
+aunt would not let him tease his sick brother, he began to fasten
+himself upon her, as she knelt, in such a way that, busy as she was
+about Charles, she could not shake him off.  She spoke to him, ordered,
+entreated, and insisted in vain.  Once she did contrive to push him
+away, but the boy had the greater pleasure in getting upon her back
+again directly.
+
+"Walter," said she, "get down this moment.  You are extremely
+troublesome.  I am very angry with you."
+
+"Walter," cried Charles Hayter, "why do you not do as you are bid?  Do
+not you hear your aunt speak?  Come to me, Walter, come to cousin
+Charles."
+
+But not a bit did Walter stir.
+
+In another moment, however, she found herself in the state of being
+released from him; some one was taking him from her, though he had bent
+down her head so much, that his little sturdy hands were unfastened
+from around her neck, and he was resolutely borne away, before she knew
+that Captain Wentworth had done it.
+
+Her sensations on the discovery made her perfectly speechless.  She
+could not even thank him.  She could only hang over little Charles,
+with most disordered feelings.  His kindness in stepping forward to her
+relief, the manner, the silence in which it had passed, the little
+particulars of the circumstance, with the conviction soon forced on her
+by the noise he was studiously making with the child, that he meant to
+avoid hearing her thanks, and rather sought to testify that her
+conversation was the last of his wants, produced such a confusion of
+varying, but very painful agitation, as she could not recover from,
+till enabled by the entrance of Mary and the Miss Musgroves to make
+over her little patient to their cares, and leave the room.  She could
+not stay.  It might have been an opportunity of watching the loves and
+jealousies of the four--they were now altogether; but she could stay
+for none of it.  It was evident that Charles Hayter was not well
+inclined towards Captain Wentworth.  She had a strong impression of his
+having said, in a vext tone of voice, after Captain Wentworth's
+interference, "You ought to have minded me, Walter; I told you not to
+teaze your aunt;" and could comprehend his regretting that Captain
+Wentworth should do what he ought to have done himself.  But neither
+Charles Hayter's feelings, nor anybody's feelings, could interest her,
+till she had a little better arranged her own.  She was ashamed of
+herself, quite ashamed of being so nervous, so overcome by such a
+trifle; but so it was, and it required a long application of solitude
+and reflection to recover her.
+
+
+
+Chapter 10
+
+
+Other opportunities of making her observations could not fail to occur.
+Anne had soon been in company with all the four together often enough
+to have an opinion, though too wise to acknowledge as much at home,
+where she knew it would have satisfied neither husband nor wife; for
+while she considered Louisa to be rather the favourite, she could not
+but think, as far as she might dare to judge from memory and
+experience, that Captain Wentworth was not in love with either.  They
+were more in love with him; yet there it was not love.  It was a little
+fever of admiration; but it might, probably must, end in love with
+some.  Charles Hayter seemed aware of being slighted, and yet Henrietta
+had sometimes the air of being divided between them.  Anne longed for
+the power of representing to them all what they were about, and of
+pointing out some of the evils they were exposing themselves to.  She
+did not attribute guile to any.  It was the highest satisfaction to her
+to believe Captain Wentworth not in the least aware of the pain he was
+occasioning.  There was no triumph, no pitiful triumph in his manner.
+He had, probably, never heard, and never thought of any claims of
+Charles Hayter.  He was only wrong in accepting the attentions (for
+accepting must be the word) of two young women at once.
+
+After a short struggle, however, Charles Hayter seemed to quit the
+field.  Three days had passed without his coming once to Uppercross; a
+most decided change.  He had even refused one regular invitation to
+dinner; and having been found on the occasion by Mr Musgrove with some
+large books before him, Mr and Mrs Musgrove were sure all could not be
+right, and talked, with grave faces, of his studying himself to death.
+It was Mary's hope and belief that he had received a positive dismissal
+from Henrietta, and her husband lived under the constant dependence of
+seeing him to-morrow.  Anne could only feel that Charles Hayter was
+wise.
+
+One morning, about this time Charles Musgrove and Captain Wentworth
+being gone a-shooting together, as the sisters in the Cottage were
+sitting quietly at work, they were visited at the window by the sisters
+from the Mansion-house.
+
+It was a very fine November day, and the Miss Musgroves came through
+the little grounds, and stopped for no other purpose than to say, that
+they were going to take a long walk, and therefore concluded Mary could
+not like to go with them; and when Mary immediately replied, with some
+jealousy at not being supposed a good walker, "Oh, yes, I should like
+to join you very much, I am very fond of a long walk;" Anne felt
+persuaded, by the looks of the two girls, that it was precisely what
+they did not wish, and admired again the sort of necessity which the
+family habits seemed to produce, of everything being to be
+communicated, and everything being to be done together, however
+undesired and inconvenient.  She tried to dissuade Mary from going, but
+in vain; and that being the case, thought it best to accept the Miss
+Musgroves' much more cordial invitation to herself to go likewise, as
+she might be useful in turning back with her sister, and lessening the
+interference in any plan of their own.
+
+"I cannot imagine why they should suppose I should not like a long
+walk," said Mary, as she went up stairs.  "Everybody is always
+supposing that I am not a good walker; and yet they would not have been
+pleased, if we had refused to join them.  When people come in this
+manner on purpose to ask us, how can one say no?"
+
+Just as they were setting off, the gentlemen returned.  They had taken
+out a young dog, who had spoilt their sport, and sent them back early.
+Their time and strength, and spirits, were, therefore, exactly ready
+for this walk, and they entered into it with pleasure.  Could Anne have
+foreseen such a junction, she would have staid at home; but, from some
+feelings of interest and curiosity, she fancied now that it was too
+late to retract, and the whole six set forward together in the
+direction chosen by the Miss Musgroves, who evidently considered the
+walk as under their guidance.
+
+Anne's object was, not to be in the way of anybody; and where the
+narrow paths across the fields made many separations necessary, to keep
+with her brother and sister.  Her pleasure in the walk must arise from
+the exercise and the day, from the view of the last smiles of the year
+upon the tawny leaves, and withered hedges, and from repeating to
+herself some few of the thousand poetical descriptions extant of
+autumn, that season of peculiar and inexhaustible influence on the mind
+of taste and tenderness, that season which had drawn from every poet,
+worthy of being read, some attempt at description, or some lines of
+feeling.  She occupied her mind as much as possible in such like
+musings and quotations; but it was not possible, that when within reach
+of Captain Wentworth's conversation with either of the Miss Musgroves,
+she should not try to hear it; yet she caught little very remarkable.
+It was mere lively chat, such as any young persons, on an intimate
+footing, might fall into.  He was more engaged with Louisa than with
+Henrietta.  Louisa certainly put more forward for his notice than her
+sister.  This distinction appeared to increase, and there was one
+speech of Louisa's which struck her.  After one of the many praises of
+the day, which were continually bursting forth, Captain Wentworth
+added:--
+
+"What glorious weather for the Admiral and my sister!  They meant to
+take a long drive this morning; perhaps we may hail them from some of
+these hills.  They talked of coming into this side of the country.  I
+wonder whereabouts they will upset to-day.  Oh! it does happen very
+often, I assure you; but my sister makes nothing of it; she would as
+lieve be tossed out as not."
+
+"Ah! You make the most of it, I know," cried Louisa, "but if it were
+really so, I should do just the same in her place.  If I loved a man,
+as she loves the Admiral, I would always be with him, nothing should
+ever separate us, and I would rather be overturned by him, than driven
+safely by anybody else."
+
+It was spoken with enthusiasm.
+
+"Had you?" cried he, catching the same tone; "I honour you!" And there
+was silence between them for a little while.
+
+Anne could not immediately fall into a quotation again.  The sweet
+scenes of autumn were for a while put by, unless some tender sonnet,
+fraught with the apt analogy of the declining year, with declining
+happiness, and the images of youth and hope, and spring, all gone
+together, blessed her memory.  She roused herself to say, as they
+struck by order into another path, "Is not this one of the ways to
+Winthrop?" But nobody heard, or, at least, nobody answered her.
+
+Winthrop, however, or its environs--for young men are, sometimes to be
+met with, strolling about near home--was their destination; and after
+another half mile of gradual ascent through large enclosures, where the
+ploughs at work, and the fresh made path spoke the farmer counteracting
+the sweets of poetical despondence, and meaning to have spring again,
+they gained the summit of the most considerable hill, which parted
+Uppercross and Winthrop, and soon commanded a full view of the latter,
+at the foot of the hill on the other side.
+
+Winthrop, without beauty and without dignity, was stretched before them;
+an indifferent house, standing low, and hemmed in by the barns and
+buildings of a farm-yard.
+
+Mary exclaimed, "Bless me! here is Winthrop.  I declare I had no idea!
+Well now, I think we had better turn back; I am excessively tired."
+
+Henrietta, conscious and ashamed, and seeing no cousin Charles walking
+along any path, or leaning against any gate, was ready to do as Mary
+wished; but "No!" said Charles Musgrove, and "No, no!" cried Louisa
+more eagerly, and taking her sister aside, seemed to be arguing the
+matter warmly.
+
+Charles, in the meanwhile, was very decidedly declaring his resolution
+of calling on his aunt, now that he was so near; and very evidently,
+though more fearfully, trying to induce his wife to go too.  But this
+was one of the points on which the lady shewed her strength; and when
+he recommended the advantage of resting herself a quarter of an hour at
+Winthrop, as she felt so tired, she resolutely answered, "Oh! no,
+indeed! walking up that hill again would do her more harm than any
+sitting down could do her good;" and, in short, her look and manner
+declared, that go she would not.
+
+After a little succession of these sort of debates and consultations,
+it was settled between Charles and his two sisters, that he and
+Henrietta should just run down for a few minutes, to see their aunt and
+cousins, while the rest of the party waited for them at the top of the
+hill.  Louisa seemed the principal arranger of the plan; and, as she
+went a little way with them, down the hill, still talking to Henrietta,
+Mary took the opportunity of looking scornfully around her, and saying
+to Captain Wentworth--
+
+"It is very unpleasant, having such connexions!  But, I assure you, I
+have never been in the house above twice in my life."
+
+She received no other answer, than an artificial, assenting smile,
+followed by a contemptuous glance, as he turned away, which Anne
+perfectly knew the meaning of.
+
+The brow of the hill, where they remained, was a cheerful spot: Louisa
+returned; and Mary, finding a comfortable seat for herself on the step
+of a stile, was very well satisfied so long as the others all stood
+about her; but when Louisa drew Captain Wentworth away, to try for a
+gleaning of nuts in an adjoining hedge-row, and they were gone by
+degrees quite out of sight and sound, Mary was happy no longer; she
+quarrelled with her own seat, was sure Louisa had got a much better
+somewhere, and nothing could prevent her from going to look for a
+better also.  She turned through the same gate, but could not see them.
+Anne found a nice seat for her, on a dry sunny bank, under the
+hedge-row, in which she had no doubt of their still being, in some spot
+or other.  Mary sat down for a moment, but it would not do; she was
+sure Louisa had found a better seat somewhere else, and she would go on
+till she overtook her.
+
+Anne, really tired herself, was glad to sit down; and she very soon
+heard Captain Wentworth and Louisa in the hedge-row, behind her, as if
+making their way back along the rough, wild sort of channel, down the
+centre.  They were speaking as they drew near.  Louisa's voice was the
+first distinguished.  She seemed to be in the middle of some eager
+speech.  What Anne first heard was--
+
+"And so, I made her go.  I could not bear that she should be frightened
+from the visit by such nonsense.  What! would I be turned back from
+doing a thing that I had determined to do, and that I knew to be right,
+by the airs and interference of such a person, or of any person I may
+say?  No, I have no idea of being so easily persuaded.  When I have
+made up my mind, I have made it; and Henrietta seemed entirely to have
+made up hers to call at Winthrop to-day; and yet, she was as near
+giving it up, out of nonsensical complaisance!"
+
+"She would have turned back then, but for you?"
+
+"She would indeed.  I am almost ashamed to say it."
+
+"Happy for her, to have such a mind as yours at hand!  After the hints
+you gave just now, which did but confirm my own observations, the last
+time I was in company with him,  I need not affect to have no
+comprehension of what is going on.  I see that more than a mere dutiful
+morning visit to your aunt was in question; and woe betide him, and her
+too, when it comes to things of consequence, when they are placed in
+circumstances requiring fortitude and strength of mind, if she have not
+resolution enough to resist idle interference in such a trifle as this.
+Your sister is an amiable creature; but yours is the character of
+decision and firmness, I see.  If you value her conduct or happiness,
+infuse as much of your own spirit into her as you can.  But this, no
+doubt, you have been always doing.  It is the worst evil of too
+yielding and indecisive a character, that no influence over it can be
+depended on.  You are never sure of a good impression being durable;
+everybody may sway it.  Let those who would be happy be firm.  Here is
+a nut," said he, catching one down from an upper bough, "to exemplify:
+a beautiful glossy nut, which, blessed with original strength, has
+outlived all the storms of autumn.  Not a puncture, not a weak spot
+anywhere.  This nut," he continued, with playful solemnity, "while so
+many of his brethren have fallen and been trodden under foot, is still
+in possession of all the happiness that a hazel nut can be supposed
+capable of."  Then returning to his former earnest tone--"My first
+wish for all whom I am interested in, is that they should be firm.  If
+Louisa Musgrove would be beautiful and happy in her November of life,
+she will cherish all her present powers of mind."
+
+He had done, and was unanswered.  It would have surprised Anne if
+Louisa could have readily answered such a speech:  words of such
+interest, spoken with such serious warmth!  She could imagine what
+Louisa was feeling.  For herself, she feared to move, lest she should
+be seen.  While she remained, a bush of low rambling holly protected
+her, and they were moving on.  Before they were beyond her hearing,
+however, Louisa spoke again.
+
+"Mary is good-natured enough in many respects," said she; "but she does
+sometimes provoke me excessively, by her nonsense and pride--the Elliot
+pride.  She has a great deal too much of the Elliot pride.  We do so
+wish that Charles had married Anne instead.  I suppose you know he
+wanted to marry Anne?"
+
+After a moment's pause, Captain Wentworth said--
+
+"Do you mean that she refused him?"
+
+"Oh! yes; certainly."
+
+"When did that happen?"
+
+"I do not exactly know, for Henrietta and I were at school at the time;
+but I believe about a year before he married Mary.  I wish she had
+accepted him.  We should all have liked her a great deal better; and
+papa and mamma always think it was her great friend Lady Russell's
+doing, that she did not.  They think Charles might not be learned and
+bookish enough to please Lady Russell, and that therefore, she
+persuaded Anne to refuse him."
+
+The sounds were retreating, and Anne distinguished no more.  Her own
+emotions still kept her fixed.  She had much to recover from, before
+she could move.  The listener's proverbial fate was not absolutely
+hers; she had heard no evil of herself, but she had heard a great deal
+of very painful import.  She saw how her own character was considered
+by Captain Wentworth, and there had been just that degree of feeling
+and curiosity about her in his manner which must give her extreme
+agitation.
+
+As soon as she could, she went after Mary, and having found, and walked
+back with her to their former station, by the stile, felt some comfort
+in their whole party being immediately afterwards collected, and once
+more in motion together.  Her spirits wanted the solitude and silence
+which only numbers could give.
+
+Charles and Henrietta returned, bringing, as may be conjectured,
+Charles Hayter with them.  The minutiae of the business Anne could not
+attempt to understand; even Captain Wentworth did not seem admitted to
+perfect confidence here; but that there had been a withdrawing on the
+gentleman's side, and a relenting on the lady's, and that they were now
+very glad to be together again, did not admit a doubt.  Henrietta
+looked a little ashamed, but very well pleased;--Charles Hayter
+exceedingly happy:  and they were devoted to each other almost from the
+first instant of their all setting forward for Uppercross.
+
+Everything now marked out Louisa for Captain Wentworth; nothing could
+be plainer; and where many divisions were necessary, or even where they
+were not, they walked side by side nearly as much as the other two.  In
+a long strip of meadow land, where there was ample space for all, they
+were thus divided, forming three distinct parties; and to that party of
+the three which boasted least animation, and least complaisance, Anne
+necessarily belonged.  She joined Charles and Mary, and was tired
+enough to be very glad of Charles's other arm; but Charles, though in
+very good humour with her, was out of temper with his wife.  Mary had
+shewn herself disobliging to him, and was now to reap the consequence,
+which consequence was his dropping her arm almost every moment to cut
+off the heads of some nettles in the hedge with his switch; and when
+Mary began to complain of it, and lament her being ill-used, according
+to custom, in being on the hedge side, while Anne was never incommoded
+on the other, he dropped the arms of both to hunt after a weasel which
+he had a momentary glance of, and they could hardly get him along at
+all.
+
+This long meadow bordered a lane, which their footpath, at the end of
+it was to cross, and when the party had all reached the gate of exit,
+the carriage advancing in the same direction, which had been some time
+heard, was just coming up, and proved to be Admiral Croft's gig.  He
+and his wife had taken their intended drive, and were returning home.
+Upon hearing how long a walk the young people had engaged in, they
+kindly offered a seat to any lady who might be particularly tired; it
+would save her a full mile, and they were going through Uppercross.
+The invitation was general, and generally declined.  The Miss Musgroves
+were not at all tired, and Mary was either offended, by not being asked
+before any of the others, or what Louisa called the Elliot pride could
+not endure to make a third in a one horse chaise.
+
+The walking party had crossed the lane, and were surmounting an
+opposite stile, and the Admiral was putting his horse in motion again,
+when Captain Wentworth cleared the hedge in a moment to say something
+to his sister.  The something might be guessed by its effects.
+
+"Miss Elliot, I am sure you are tired," cried Mrs Croft.  "Do let us
+have the pleasure of taking you home.  Here is excellent room for
+three, I assure you.  If we were all like you, I believe we might sit
+four.  You must, indeed, you must."
+
+Anne was still in the lane; and though instinctively beginning to
+decline, she was not allowed to proceed.  The Admiral's kind urgency
+came in support of his wife's; they would not be refused; they
+compressed themselves into the smallest possible space to leave her a
+corner, and Captain Wentworth, without saying a word, turned to her,
+and quietly obliged her to be assisted into the carriage.
+
+Yes; he had done it.  She was in the carriage, and felt that he had
+placed her there, that his will and his hands had done it, that she
+owed it to his perception of her fatigue, and his resolution to give
+her rest.  She was very much affected by the view of his disposition
+towards her, which all these things made apparent.  This little
+circumstance seemed the completion of all that had gone before.  She
+understood him.  He could not forgive her, but he could not be
+unfeeling.  Though condemning her for the past, and considering it with
+high and unjust resentment, though perfectly careless of her, and
+though becoming attached to another, still he could not see her suffer,
+without the desire of giving her relief.  It was a remainder of former
+sentiment; it was an impulse of pure, though unacknowledged friendship;
+it was a proof of his own warm and amiable heart, which she could not
+contemplate without emotions so compounded of pleasure and pain, that
+she knew not which prevailed.
+
+Her answers to the kindness and the remarks of her companions were at
+first unconsciously given.  They had travelled half their way along the
+rough lane, before she was quite awake to what they said.  She then
+found them talking of "Frederick."
+
+"He certainly means to have one or other of those two girls, Sophy,"
+said the Admiral; "but there is no saying which.  He has been running
+after them, too, long enough, one would think, to make up his mind.
+Ay, this comes of the peace.  If it were war now, he would have settled
+it long ago.  We sailors, Miss Elliot, cannot afford to make long
+courtships in time of war.  How many days was it, my dear, between the
+first time of my seeing you and our sitting down together in our
+lodgings at North Yarmouth?"
+
+"We had better not talk about it, my dear," replied Mrs Croft,
+pleasantly; "for if Miss Elliot were to hear how soon we came to an
+understanding, she would never be persuaded that we could be happy
+together.  I had known you by character, however, long before."
+
+"Well, and I had heard of you as a very pretty girl, and what were we
+to wait for besides?  I do not like having such things so long in hand.
+I wish Frederick would spread a little more canvass, and bring us home
+one of these young ladies to Kellynch.  Then there would always be
+company for them.  And very nice young ladies they both are; I hardly
+know one from the other."
+
+"Very good humoured, unaffected girls, indeed," said Mrs Croft, in a
+tone of calmer praise, such as made Anne suspect that her keener powers
+might not consider either of them as quite worthy of her brother; "and
+a very respectable family.  One could not be connected with better
+people.  My dear Admiral, that post!  we shall certainly take that
+post."
+
+But by coolly giving the reins a better direction herself they happily
+passed the danger; and by once afterwards judiciously putting out her
+hand they neither fell into a rut, nor ran foul of a dung-cart; and
+Anne, with some amusement at their style of driving, which she imagined
+no bad representation of the general guidance of their affairs, found
+herself safely deposited by them at the Cottage.
+
+
+
+Chapter 11
+
+
+The time now approached for Lady Russell's return:  the day was even
+fixed; and Anne, being engaged to join her as soon as she was
+resettled, was looking forward to an early removal to Kellynch, and
+beginning to think how her own comfort was likely to be affected by it.
+
+It would place her in the same village with Captain Wentworth, within
+half a mile of him; they would have to frequent the same church, and
+there must be intercourse between the two families.  This was against
+her; but on the other hand, he spent so much of his time at Uppercross,
+that in removing thence she might be considered rather as leaving him
+behind, than as going towards him; and, upon the whole, she believed
+she must, on this interesting question, be the gainer, almost as
+certainly as in her change of domestic society, in leaving poor Mary
+for Lady Russell.
+
+She wished it might be possible for her to avoid ever seeing Captain
+Wentworth at the Hall:  those rooms had witnessed former meetings which
+would be brought too painfully before her; but she was yet more anxious
+for the possibility of Lady Russell and Captain Wentworth never meeting
+anywhere.  They did not like each other, and no renewal of acquaintance
+now could do any good; and were Lady Russell to see them together, she
+might think that he had too much self-possession, and she too little.
+
+These points formed her chief solicitude in anticipating her removal
+from Uppercross, where she felt she had been stationed quite long
+enough.  Her usefulness to little Charles would always give some
+sweetness to the memory of her two months' visit there, but he was
+gaining strength apace, and she had nothing else to stay for.
+
+The conclusion of her visit, however, was diversified in a way which
+she had not at all imagined.  Captain Wentworth, after being unseen and
+unheard of at Uppercross for two whole days, appeared again among them
+to justify himself by a relation of what had kept him away.
+
+A letter from his friend, Captain Harville, having found him out at
+last, had brought intelligence of Captain Harville's being settled with
+his family at Lyme for the winter; of their being therefore, quite
+unknowingly, within twenty miles of each other.  Captain Harville had
+never been in good health since a severe wound which he received two
+years before, and Captain Wentworth's anxiety to see him had determined
+him to go immediately to Lyme.  He had been there for four-and-twenty
+hours.  His acquittal was complete, his friendship warmly honoured, a
+lively interest excited for his friend, and his description of the fine
+country about Lyme so feelingly attended to by the party, that an
+earnest desire to see Lyme themselves, and a project for going thither
+was the consequence.
+
+The young people were all wild to see Lyme.  Captain Wentworth talked
+of going there again himself, it was only seventeen miles from
+Uppercross; though November, the weather was by no means bad; and, in
+short, Louisa, who was the most eager of the eager, having formed the
+resolution to go, and besides the pleasure of doing as she liked, being
+now armed with the idea of merit in maintaining her own way, bore down
+all the wishes of her father and mother for putting it off till summer;
+and to Lyme they were to go--Charles, Mary, Anne, Henrietta, Louisa,
+and Captain Wentworth.
+
+The first heedless scheme had been to go in the morning and return at
+night; but to this Mr Musgrove, for the sake of his horses, would not
+consent; and when it came to be rationally considered, a day in the
+middle of November would not leave much time for seeing a new place,
+after deducting seven hours, as the nature of the country required, for
+going and returning.  They were, consequently, to stay the night there,
+and not to be expected back till the next day's dinner.  This was felt
+to be a considerable amendment; and though they all met at the Great
+House at rather an early breakfast hour, and set off very punctually,
+it was so much past noon before the two carriages, Mr Musgrove's coach
+containing the four ladies, and Charles's curricle, in which he drove
+Captain Wentworth, were descending the long hill into Lyme, and
+entering upon the still steeper street of the town itself, that it was
+very evident they would not have more than time for looking about them,
+before the light and warmth of the day were gone.
+
+After securing accommodations, and ordering a dinner at one of the
+inns, the next thing to be done was unquestionably to walk directly
+down to the sea.  They were come too late in the year for any amusement
+or variety which Lyme, as a public place, might offer.  The rooms were
+shut up, the lodgers almost all gone, scarcely any family but of the
+residents left; and, as there is nothing to admire in the buildings
+themselves, the remarkable situation of the town, the principal street
+almost hurrying into the water, the walk to the Cobb, skirting round
+the pleasant little bay, which, in the season, is animated with bathing
+machines and company; the Cobb itself, its old wonders and new
+improvements, with the very beautiful line of cliffs stretching out to
+the east of the town, are what the stranger's eye will seek; and a very
+strange stranger it must be, who does not see charms in the immediate
+environs of Lyme, to make him wish to know it better.  The scenes in
+its neighbourhood, Charmouth, with its high grounds and extensive
+sweeps of country, and still more, its sweet, retired bay, backed by
+dark cliffs, where fragments of low rock among the sands, make it the
+happiest spot for watching the flow of the tide, for sitting in
+unwearied contemplation; the woody varieties of the cheerful village of
+Up Lyme; and, above all, Pinny, with its green chasms between romantic
+rocks, where the scattered forest trees and orchards of luxuriant
+growth, declare that many a generation must have passed away since the
+first partial falling of the cliff prepared the ground for such a
+state, where a scene so wonderful and so lovely is exhibited, as may
+more than equal any of the resembling scenes of the far-famed Isle of
+Wight:  these places must be visited, and visited again, to make the
+worth of Lyme understood.
+
+The party from Uppercross passing down by the now deserted and
+melancholy looking rooms, and still descending, soon found themselves
+on the sea-shore; and lingering only, as all must linger and gaze on a
+first return to the sea, who ever deserved to look on it at all,
+proceeded towards the Cobb, equally their object in itself and on
+Captain Wentworth's account:  for in a small house, near the foot of an
+old pier of unknown date, were the Harvilles settled.  Captain
+Wentworth turned in to call on his friend; the others walked on, and he
+was to join them on the Cobb.
+
+They were by no means tired of wondering and admiring; and not even
+Louisa seemed to feel that they had parted with Captain Wentworth long,
+when they saw him coming after them, with three companions, all well
+known already, by description, to be Captain and Mrs Harville, and a
+Captain Benwick, who was staying with them.
+
+Captain Benwick had some time ago been first lieutenant of the Laconia;
+and the account which Captain Wentworth had given of him, on his return
+from Lyme before, his warm praise of him as an excellent young man and
+an officer, whom he had always valued highly, which must have stamped
+him well in the esteem of every listener, had been followed by a little
+history of his private life, which rendered him perfectly interesting
+in the eyes of all the ladies.  He had been engaged to Captain
+Harville's sister, and was now mourning her loss.  They had been a year
+or two waiting for fortune and promotion.  Fortune came, his
+prize-money as lieutenant being great; promotion, too, came at last;
+but Fanny Harville did not live to know it.  She had died the preceding
+summer while he was at sea.  Captain Wentworth believed it impossible
+for man to be more attached to woman than poor Benwick had been to
+Fanny Harville, or to be more deeply afflicted under the dreadful
+change.  He considered his disposition as of the sort which must suffer
+heavily, uniting very strong feelings with quiet, serious, and retiring
+manners, and a decided taste for reading, and sedentary pursuits.  To
+finish the interest of the story, the friendship between him and the
+Harvilles seemed, if possible, augmented by the event which closed all
+their views of alliance, and Captain Benwick was now living with them
+entirely.  Captain Harville had taken his present house for half a
+year; his taste, and his health, and his fortune, all directing him to
+a residence inexpensive, and by the sea; and the grandeur of the
+country, and the retirement of Lyme in the winter, appeared exactly
+adapted to Captain Benwick's state of mind.  The sympathy and good-will
+excited towards Captain Benwick was very great.
+
+"And yet," said Anne to herself, as they now moved forward to meet the
+party, "he has not, perhaps, a more sorrowing heart than I have.  I
+cannot believe his prospects so blighted for ever.  He is younger than
+I am; younger in feeling, if not in fact; younger as a man.  He will
+rally again, and be happy with another."
+
+They all met, and were introduced.  Captain Harville was a tall, dark
+man, with a sensible, benevolent countenance; a little lame; and from
+strong features and want of health, looking much older than Captain
+Wentworth.  Captain Benwick looked, and was, the youngest of the three,
+and, compared with either of them, a little man.  He had a pleasing
+face and a melancholy air, just as he ought to have, and drew back from
+conversation.
+
+Captain Harville, though not equalling Captain Wentworth in manners,
+was a perfect gentleman, unaffected, warm, and obliging.  Mrs Harville,
+a degree less polished than her husband, seemed, however, to have the
+same good feelings; and nothing could be more pleasant than their
+desire of considering the whole party as friends of their own, because
+the friends of Captain Wentworth, or more kindly hospitable than their
+entreaties for their all promising to dine with them.  The dinner,
+already ordered at the inn, was at last, though unwillingly, accepted
+as a excuse; but they seemed almost hurt that Captain Wentworth should
+have brought any such party to Lyme, without considering it as a thing
+of course that they should dine with them.
+
+There was so much attachment to Captain Wentworth in all this, and such
+a bewitching charm in a degree of hospitality so uncommon, so unlike
+the usual style of give-and-take invitations, and dinners of formality
+and display, that Anne felt her spirits not likely to be benefited by
+an increasing acquaintance among his brother-officers.  "These would
+have been all my friends," was her thought; and she had to struggle
+against a great tendency to lowness.
+
+On quitting the Cobb, they all went in-doors with their new friends,
+and found rooms so small as none but those who invite from the heart
+could think capable of accommodating so many.  Anne had a moment's
+astonishment on the subject herself; but it was soon lost in the
+pleasanter feelings which sprang from the sight of all the ingenious
+contrivances and nice arrangements of Captain Harville, to turn the
+actual space to the best account, to supply the deficiencies of
+lodging-house furniture, and defend the windows and doors against the
+winter storms to be expected.  The varieties in the fitting-up of the
+rooms, where the common necessaries provided by the owner, in the
+common indifferent plight, were contrasted with some few articles of a
+rare species of wood, excellently worked up, and with something curious
+and valuable from all the distant countries Captain Harville had
+visited, were more than amusing to Anne; connected as it all was with
+his profession, the fruit of its labours, the effect of its influence
+on his habits, the picture of repose and domestic happiness it
+presented, made it to her a something more, or less, than gratification.
+
+Captain Harville was no reader; but he had contrived excellent
+accommodations, and fashioned very pretty shelves, for a tolerable
+collection of well-bound volumes, the property of Captain Benwick.  His
+lameness prevented him from taking much exercise; but a mind of
+usefulness and ingenuity seemed to furnish him with constant employment
+within.  He drew, he varnished, he carpentered, he glued; he made toys
+for the children; he fashioned new netting-needles and pins with
+improvements; and if everything else was done, sat down to his large
+fishing-net at one corner of the room.
+
+Anne thought she left great happiness behind her when they quitted the
+house; and Louisa, by whom she found herself walking, burst forth into
+raptures of admiration and delight on the character of the navy; their
+friendliness, their brotherliness, their openness, their uprightness;
+protesting that she was convinced of sailors having more worth and
+warmth than any other set of men in England; that they only knew how to
+live, and they only deserved to be respected and loved.
+
+They went back to dress and dine; and so well had the scheme answered
+already, that nothing was found amiss; though its being "so entirely
+out of season," and the "no thoroughfare of Lyme," and the "no
+expectation of company," had brought many apologies from the heads of
+the inn.
+
+Anne found herself by this time growing so much more hardened to being
+in Captain Wentworth's company than she had at first imagined could
+ever be, that the sitting down to the same table with him now, and the
+interchange of the common civilities attending on it (they never got
+beyond), was become a mere nothing.
+
+The nights were too dark for the ladies to meet again till the morrow,
+but Captain Harville had promised them a visit in the evening; and he
+came, bringing his friend also, which was more than had been expected,
+it having been agreed that Captain Benwick had all the appearance of
+being oppressed by the presence of so many strangers.  He ventured
+among them again, however, though his spirits certainly did not seem
+fit for the mirth of the party in general.
+
+While Captains Wentworth and Harville led the talk on one side of the
+room, and by recurring to former days, supplied anecdotes in abundance
+to occupy and entertain the others, it fell to Anne's lot to be placed
+rather apart with Captain Benwick; and a very good impulse of her
+nature obliged her to begin an acquaintance with him.  He was shy, and
+disposed to abstraction; but the engaging mildness of her countenance,
+and gentleness of her manners, soon had their effect; and Anne was well
+repaid the first trouble of exertion.  He was evidently a young man of
+considerable taste in reading, though principally in poetry; and
+besides the persuasion of having given him at least an evening's
+indulgence in the discussion of subjects, which his usual companions
+had probably no concern in, she had the hope of being of real use to
+him in some suggestions as to the duty and benefit of struggling
+against affliction, which had naturally grown out of their
+conversation.  For, though shy, he did not seem reserved; it had rather
+the appearance of feelings glad to burst their usual restraints; and
+having talked of poetry, the richness of the present age, and gone
+through a brief comparison of opinion as to the first-rate poets,
+trying to ascertain whether Marmion or The Lady of the Lake were to be
+preferred, and how ranked the Giaour and The Bride of Abydos; and
+moreover, how the Giaour was to be pronounced, he showed himself so
+intimately acquainted with all the tenderest songs of the one poet, and
+all the impassioned descriptions of hopeless agony of the other; he
+repeated, with such tremulous feeling, the various lines which imaged a
+broken heart, or a mind destroyed by wretchedness, and looked so
+entirely as if he meant to be understood, that she ventured to hope he
+did not always read only poetry, and to say, that she thought it was
+the misfortune of poetry to be seldom safely enjoyed by those who
+enjoyed it completely; and that the strong feelings which alone could
+estimate it truly were the very feelings which ought to taste it but
+sparingly.
+
+His looks shewing him not pained, but pleased with this allusion to his
+situation, she was emboldened to go on; and feeling in herself the
+right of seniority of mind, she ventured to recommend a larger
+allowance of prose in his daily study; and on being requested to
+particularize, mentioned such works of our best moralists, such
+collections of the finest letters, such memoirs of characters of worth
+and suffering, as occurred to her at the moment as calculated to rouse
+and fortify the mind by the highest precepts, and the strongest
+examples of moral and religious endurances.
+
+Captain Benwick listened attentively, and seemed grateful for the
+interest implied; and though with a shake of the head, and sighs which
+declared his little faith in the efficacy of any books on grief like
+his, noted down the names of those she recommended, and promised to
+procure and read them.
+
+When the evening was over, Anne could not but be amused at the idea of
+her coming to Lyme to preach patience and resignation to a young man
+whom she had never seen before; nor could she help fearing, on more
+serious reflection, that, like many other great moralists and
+preachers, she had been eloquent on a point in which her own conduct
+would ill bear examination.
+
+
+
+Chapter 12
+
+
+Anne and Henrietta, finding themselves the earliest of the party the
+next morning, agreed to stroll down to the sea before breakfast.  They
+went to the sands, to watch the flowing of the tide, which a fine
+south-easterly breeze was bringing in with all the grandeur which so
+flat a shore admitted.  They praised the morning; gloried in the sea;
+sympathized in the delight of the fresh-feeling breeze--and were
+silent; till Henrietta suddenly began again with--
+
+"Oh! yes,--I am quite convinced that, with very few exceptions, the
+sea-air always does good.  There can be no doubt of its having been of
+the greatest service to Dr Shirley, after his illness, last spring
+twelve-month.  He declares himself, that coming to Lyme for a month,
+did him more good than all the medicine he took; and, that being by the
+sea, always makes him feel young again.  Now, I cannot help thinking it
+a pity that he does not live entirely by the sea.  I do think he had
+better leave Uppercross entirely, and fix at Lyme.  Do not you, Anne?
+Do not you agree with me, that it is the best thing he could do, both
+for himself and Mrs Shirley?  She has cousins here, you know, and many
+acquaintance, which would make it cheerful for her, and I am sure she
+would be glad to get to a place where she could have medical attendance
+at hand, in case of his having another seizure.  Indeed I think it
+quite melancholy to have such excellent people as Dr and Mrs Shirley,
+who have been doing good all their lives, wearing out their last days
+in a place like Uppercross, where, excepting our family, they seem shut
+out from all the world.  I wish his friends would propose it to him.  I
+really think they ought.  And, as to procuring a dispensation, there
+could be no difficulty at his time of life, and with his character.  My
+only doubt is, whether anything could persuade him to leave his parish.
+He is so very strict and scrupulous in his notions; over-scrupulous I
+must say.  Do not you think, Anne, it is being over-scrupulous?  Do not
+you think it is quite a mistaken point of conscience, when a clergyman
+sacrifices his health for the sake of duties, which may be just as well
+performed by another person?  And at Lyme too, only seventeen miles
+off, he would be near enough to hear, if people thought there was
+anything to complain of."
+
+Anne smiled more than once to herself during this speech, and entered
+into the subject, as ready to do good by entering into the feelings of
+a young lady as of a young man, though here it was good of a lower
+standard, for what could be offered but general acquiescence?  She said
+all that was reasonable and proper on the business; felt the claims of
+Dr Shirley to repose as she ought; saw how very desirable it was that
+he should have some active, respectable young man, as a resident
+curate, and was even courteous enough to hint at the advantage of such
+resident curate's being married.
+
+"I wish," said Henrietta, very well pleased with her companion, "I wish
+Lady Russell lived at Uppercross, and were intimate with Dr Shirley.  I
+have always heard of Lady Russell as a woman of the greatest influence
+with everybody!  I always look upon her as able to persuade a person to
+anything!  I am afraid of her, as I have told you before, quite afraid
+of her, because she is so very clever; but I respect her amazingly, and
+wish we had such a neighbour at Uppercross."
+
+Anne was amused by Henrietta's manner of being grateful, and amused
+also that the course of events and the new interests of Henrietta's
+views should have placed her friend at all in favour with any of the
+Musgrove family; she had only time, however, for a general answer, and
+a wish that such another woman were at Uppercross, before all subjects
+suddenly ceased, on seeing Louisa and Captain Wentworth coming towards
+them.  They came also for a stroll till breakfast was likely to be
+ready; but Louisa recollecting, immediately afterwards that she had
+something to procure at a shop, invited them all to go back with her
+into the town.  They were all at her disposal.
+
+When they came to the steps, leading upwards from the beach, a
+gentleman, at the same moment preparing to come down, politely drew
+back, and stopped to give them way.  They ascended and passed him; and
+as they passed, Anne's face caught his eye, and he looked at her with a
+degree of earnest admiration, which she could not be insensible of.
+She was looking remarkably well; her very regular, very pretty
+features, having the bloom and freshness of youth restored by the fine
+wind which had been blowing on her complexion, and by the animation of
+eye which it had also produced.  It was evident that the gentleman,
+(completely a gentleman in manner) admired her exceedingly.  Captain
+Wentworth looked round at her instantly in a way which shewed his
+noticing of it.  He gave her a momentary glance, a glance of
+brightness, which seemed to say, "That man is struck with you, and even
+I, at this moment, see something like Anne Elliot again."
+
+After attending Louisa through her business, and loitering about a
+little longer, they returned to the inn; and Anne, in passing
+afterwards quickly from her own chamber to their dining-room, had
+nearly run against the very same gentleman, as he came out of an
+adjoining apartment.  She had before conjectured him to be a stranger
+like themselves, and determined that a well-looking groom, who was
+strolling about near the two inns as they came back, should be his
+servant.  Both master and man being in mourning assisted the idea.  It
+was now proved that he belonged to the same inn as themselves; and this
+second meeting, short as it was, also proved again by the gentleman's
+looks, that he thought hers very lovely, and by the readiness and
+propriety of his apologies, that he was a man of exceedingly good
+manners.  He seemed about thirty, and though not handsome, had an
+agreeable person.  Anne felt that she should like to know who he was.
+
+They had nearly done breakfast, when the sound of a carriage, (almost
+the first they had heard since entering Lyme) drew half the party to
+the window.  It was a gentleman's carriage, a curricle, but only coming
+round from the stable-yard to the front door; somebody must be going
+away.  It was driven by a servant in mourning.
+
+The word curricle made Charles Musgrove jump up that he might compare
+it with his own; the servant in mourning roused Anne's curiosity, and
+the whole six were collected to look, by the time the owner of the
+curricle was to be seen issuing from the door amidst the bows and
+civilities of the household, and taking his seat, to drive off.
+
+"Ah!" cried Captain Wentworth, instantly, and with half a glance at
+Anne, "it is the very man we passed."
+
+The Miss Musgroves agreed to it; and having all kindly watched him as
+far up the hill as they could, they returned to the breakfast table.
+The waiter came into the room soon afterwards.
+
+"Pray," said Captain Wentworth, immediately, "can you tell us the name
+of the gentleman who is just gone away?"
+
+"Yes, Sir, a Mr Elliot, a gentleman of large fortune, came in last
+night from Sidmouth.  Dare say you heard the carriage, sir, while you
+were at dinner; and going on now for Crewkherne, in his way to Bath and
+London."
+
+"Elliot!"  Many had looked on each other, and many had repeated the
+name, before all this had been got through, even by the smart rapidity
+of a waiter.
+
+"Bless me!" cried Mary; "it must be our cousin; it must be our Mr
+Elliot, it must, indeed!  Charles, Anne, must not it?  In mourning, you
+see, just as our Mr Elliot must be.  How very extraordinary!  In the
+very same inn with us!  Anne, must not it be our Mr Elliot?  my
+father's next heir?  Pray sir," turning to the waiter, "did not you
+hear, did not his servant say whether he belonged to the Kellynch
+family?"
+
+"No, ma'am, he did not mention no particular family; but he said his
+master was a very rich gentleman, and would be a baronight some day."
+
+"There! you see!" cried Mary in an ecstasy, "just as I said!  Heir to
+Sir Walter Elliot!  I was sure that would come out, if it was so.
+Depend upon it, that is a circumstance which his servants take care to
+publish, wherever he goes.  But, Anne, only conceive how extraordinary!
+I wish I had looked at him more.  I wish we had been aware in time, who
+it was, that he might have been introduced to us.  What a pity that we
+should not have been introduced to each other!  Do you think he had the
+Elliot countenance?  I hardly looked at him, I was looking at the
+horses; but I think he had something of the Elliot countenance, I
+wonder the arms did not strike me!  Oh! the great-coat was hanging over
+the panel, and hid the arms, so it did; otherwise, I am sure, I should
+have observed them, and the livery too; if the servant had not been in
+mourning, one should have known him by the livery."
+
+"Putting all these very extraordinary circumstances together," said
+Captain Wentworth, "we must consider it to be the arrangement of
+Providence, that you should not be introduced to your cousin."
+
+When she could command Mary's attention, Anne quietly tried to convince
+her that their father and Mr Elliot had not, for many years, been on
+such terms as to make the power of attempting an introduction at all
+desirable.
+
+At the same time, however, it was a secret gratification to herself to
+have seen her cousin, and to know that the future owner of Kellynch was
+undoubtedly a gentleman, and had an air of good sense.  She would not,
+upon any account, mention her having met with him the second time;
+luckily Mary did not much attend to their having passed close by him in
+their earlier walk, but she would have felt quite ill-used by Anne's
+having actually run against him in the passage, and received his very
+polite excuses, while she had never been near him at all; no, that
+cousinly little interview must remain a perfect secret.
+
+"Of course," said Mary, "you will mention our seeing Mr Elliot, the
+next time you write to Bath.  I think my father certainly ought to hear
+of it; do mention all about him."
+
+Anne avoided a direct reply, but it was just the circumstance which she
+considered as not merely unnecessary to be communicated, but as what
+ought to be suppressed.  The offence which had been given her father,
+many years back, she knew; Elizabeth's particular share in it she
+suspected; and that Mr Elliot's idea always produced irritation in both
+was beyond a doubt.  Mary never wrote to Bath herself; all the toil of
+keeping up a slow and unsatisfactory correspondence with Elizabeth fell
+on Anne.
+
+Breakfast had not been long over, when they were joined by Captain and
+Mrs Harville and Captain Benwick; with whom they had appointed to take
+their last walk about Lyme.  They ought to be setting off for
+Uppercross by one, and in the meanwhile were to be all together, and
+out of doors as long as they could.
+
+Anne found Captain Benwick getting near her, as soon as they were all
+fairly in the street.  Their conversation the preceding evening did not
+disincline him to seek her again; and they walked together some time,
+talking as before of Mr Scott and Lord Byron, and still as unable as
+before, and as unable as any other two readers, to think exactly alike
+of the merits of either, till something occasioned an almost general
+change amongst their party, and instead of Captain Benwick, she had
+Captain Harville by her side.
+
+"Miss Elliot," said he, speaking rather low, "you have done a good deed
+in making that poor fellow talk so much.  I wish he could have such
+company oftener.  It is bad for him, I know, to be shut up as he is;
+but what can we do?  We cannot part."
+
+"No," said Anne, "that I can easily believe to be impossible; but in
+time, perhaps--we know what time does in every case of affliction, and
+you must remember, Captain Harville, that your friend may yet be called
+a young mourner--only last summer, I understand."
+
+"Ay, true enough," (with a deep sigh) "only June."
+
+"And not known to him, perhaps, so soon."
+
+"Not till the first week of August, when he came home from the Cape,
+just made into the Grappler.  I was at Plymouth dreading to hear of
+him; he sent in letters, but the Grappler was under orders for
+Portsmouth.  There the news must follow him, but who was to tell it?
+not I.  I would as soon have been run up to the yard-arm.  Nobody could
+do it, but that good fellow" (pointing to Captain Wentworth.)  "The
+Laconia had come into Plymouth the week before; no danger of her being
+sent to sea again.  He stood his chance for the rest; wrote up for
+leave of absence, but without waiting the return, travelled night and
+day till he got to Portsmouth, rowed off to the Grappler that instant,
+and never left the poor fellow for a week.  That's what he did, and
+nobody else could have saved poor James.  You may think, Miss Elliot,
+whether he is dear to us!"
+
+Anne did think on the question with perfect decision, and said as much
+in reply as her own feeling could accomplish, or as his seemed able to
+bear, for he was too much affected to renew the subject, and when he
+spoke again, it was of something totally different.
+
+Mrs Harville's giving it as her opinion that her husband would have
+quite walking enough by the time he reached home, determined the
+direction of all the party in what was to be their last walk; they
+would accompany them to their door, and then return and set off
+themselves.  By all their calculations there was just time for this;
+but as they drew near the Cobb, there was such a general wish to walk
+along it once more, all were so inclined, and Louisa soon grew so
+determined, that the difference of a quarter of an hour, it was found,
+would be no difference at all; so with all the kind leave-taking, and
+all the kind interchange of invitations and promises which may be
+imagined, they parted from Captain and Mrs Harville at their own door,
+and still accompanied by Captain Benwick, who seemed to cling to them
+to the last, proceeded to make the proper adieus to the Cobb.
+
+Anne found Captain Benwick again drawing near her.  Lord Byron's "dark
+blue seas" could not fail of being brought forward by their present
+view, and she gladly gave him all her attention as long as attention
+was possible.  It was soon drawn, perforce another way.
+
+There was too much wind to make the high part of the new Cobb pleasant
+for the ladies, and they agreed to get down the steps to the lower, and
+all were contented to pass quietly and carefully down the steep flight,
+excepting Louisa; she must be jumped down them by Captain Wentworth.
+In all their walks, he had had to jump her from the stiles; the
+sensation was delightful to her.  The hardness of the pavement for her
+feet, made him less willing upon the present occasion; he did it,
+however.  She was safely down, and instantly, to show her enjoyment,
+ran up the steps to be jumped down again.  He advised her against it,
+thought the jar too great; but no, he reasoned and talked in vain, she
+smiled and said, "I am determined I will:" he put out his hands; she
+was too precipitate by half a second, she fell on the pavement on the
+Lower Cobb, and was taken up lifeless!  There was no wound, no blood,
+no visible bruise; but her eyes were closed, she breathed not, her face
+was like death.  The horror of the moment to all who stood around!
+
+Captain Wentworth, who had caught her up, knelt with her in his arms,
+looking on her with a face as pallid as her own, in an agony of
+silence.  "She is dead! she is dead!" screamed Mary, catching hold of
+her husband, and contributing with his own horror to make him
+immoveable; and in another moment, Henrietta, sinking under the
+conviction, lost her senses too, and would have fallen on the steps,
+but for Captain Benwick and Anne, who caught and supported her between
+them.
+
+"Is there no one to help me?" were the first words which burst from
+Captain Wentworth, in a tone of despair, and as if all his own strength
+were gone.
+
+"Go to him, go to him," cried Anne, "for heaven's sake go to him.  I
+can support her myself.  Leave me, and go to him.  Rub her hands, rub
+her temples; here are salts; take them, take them."
+
+Captain Benwick obeyed, and Charles at the same moment, disengaging
+himself from his wife, they were both with him; and Louisa was raised
+up and supported more firmly between them, and everything was done that
+Anne had prompted, but in vain; while Captain Wentworth, staggering
+against the wall for his support, exclaimed in the bitterest agony--
+
+"Oh God! her father and mother!"
+
+"A surgeon!" said Anne.
+
+He caught the word; it seemed to rouse him at once, and saying only--
+"True, true, a surgeon this instant," was darting away, when Anne
+eagerly suggested--
+
+"Captain Benwick, would not it be better for Captain Benwick?  He knows
+where a surgeon is to be found."
+
+Every one capable of thinking felt the advantage of the idea, and in a
+moment (it was all done in rapid moments) Captain Benwick had resigned
+the poor corpse-like  figure entirely to the brother's care, and was
+off for the town with the utmost rapidity.
+
+As to the wretched party left behind, it could scarcely be said which
+of the three, who were completely rational, was suffering most: Captain
+Wentworth, Anne, or Charles, who, really a very affectionate brother,
+hung over Louisa with sobs of grief, and could only turn his eyes from
+one sister, to see the other in a state as insensible, or to witness
+the hysterical agitations of his wife, calling on him for help which he
+could not give.
+
+Anne, attending with all the strength and zeal, and thought, which
+instinct supplied, to Henrietta, still tried, at intervals, to suggest
+comfort to the others, tried to quiet Mary, to animate Charles, to
+assuage the feelings of Captain Wentworth.  Both seemed to look to her
+for directions.
+
+"Anne, Anne," cried Charles, "What is to be done next?  What, in
+heaven's name, is to be done next?"
+
+Captain Wentworth's eyes were also turned towards her.
+
+"Had not she better be carried to the inn?  Yes, I am sure: carry her
+gently to the inn."
+
+"Yes, yes, to the inn," repeated Captain Wentworth, comparatively
+collected, and eager to be doing something.  "I will carry her myself.
+Musgrove, take care of the others."
+
+By this time the report of the accident had spread among the workmen
+and boatmen about the Cobb, and many were collected near them, to be
+useful if wanted, at any rate, to enjoy the sight of a dead young lady,
+nay, two dead young ladies, for it proved twice as fine as the first
+report.  To some of the best-looking of these good people Henrietta was
+consigned, for, though partially revived, she was quite helpless; and
+in this manner, Anne walking by her side, and Charles attending to his
+wife, they set forward, treading back with feelings unutterable, the
+ground, which so lately, so very lately, and so light of heart, they
+had passed along.
+
+They were not off the Cobb, before the Harvilles met them.  Captain
+Benwick had been seen flying by their house, with a countenance which
+showed something to be wrong; and they had set off immediately,
+informed and directed as they passed, towards the spot.  Shocked as
+Captain Harville was, he brought senses and nerves that could be
+instantly useful; and a look between him and his wife decided what was
+to be done.  She must be taken to their house; all must go to their
+house; and await the surgeon's arrival there.  They would not listen to
+scruples:  he was obeyed; they were all beneath his roof; and while
+Louisa, under Mrs Harville's direction, was conveyed up stairs, and
+given possession of her own bed, assistance, cordials, restoratives
+were supplied by her husband to all who needed them.
+
+Louisa had once opened her eyes, but soon closed them again, without
+apparent consciousness.  This had been a proof of life, however, of
+service to her sister; and Henrietta, though perfectly incapable of
+being in the same room with Louisa, was kept, by the agitation of hope
+and fear, from a return of her own insensibility.  Mary, too, was
+growing calmer.
+
+The surgeon was with them almost before it had seemed possible.  They
+were sick with horror, while he examined; but he was not hopeless.  The
+head had received a severe contusion, but he had seen greater injuries
+recovered from:  he was by no means hopeless; he spoke cheerfully.
+
+That he did not regard it as a desperate case, that he did not say a
+few hours must end it, was at first felt, beyond the hope of most; and
+the ecstasy of such a reprieve, the rejoicing, deep and silent, after a
+few fervent ejaculations of gratitude to Heaven had been offered, may
+be conceived.
+
+The tone, the look, with which "Thank God!" was uttered by Captain
+Wentworth, Anne was sure could never be forgotten by her; nor the sight
+of him afterwards, as he sat near a table, leaning over it with folded
+arms and face concealed, as if overpowered by the various feelings of
+his soul, and trying by prayer and reflection to calm them.
+
+Louisa's limbs had escaped.  There was no injury but to the head.
+
+It now became necessary for the party to consider what was best to be
+done, as to their general situation.  They were now able to speak to
+each other and consult.  That Louisa must remain where she was, however
+distressing to her friends to be involving the Harvilles in such
+trouble, did not admit a doubt.  Her removal was impossible.  The
+Harvilles silenced all scruples; and, as much as they could, all
+gratitude.  They had looked forward and arranged everything before the
+others began to reflect.  Captain Benwick must give up his room to
+them, and get another bed elsewhere; and the whole was settled.  They
+were only concerned that the house could accommodate no more; and yet
+perhaps, by "putting the children away in the maid's room, or swinging
+a cot somewhere," they could hardly bear to think of not finding room
+for two or three besides, supposing they might wish to stay; though,
+with regard to any attendance on Miss Musgrove, there need not be the
+least uneasiness in leaving her to Mrs Harville's care entirely.  Mrs
+Harville was a very experienced nurse, and her nursery-maid, who had
+lived with her long, and gone about with her everywhere, was just such
+another.  Between these two, she could want no possible attendance by
+day or night.  And all this was said with a truth and sincerity of
+feeling irresistible.
+
+Charles, Henrietta, and Captain Wentworth were the three in
+consultation, and for a little while it was only an interchange of
+perplexity and terror.  "Uppercross, the necessity of some one's going
+to Uppercross; the news to be conveyed; how it could be broken to Mr
+and Mrs Musgrove; the lateness of the morning; an hour already gone
+since they ought to have been off; the impossibility of being in
+tolerable time." At first, they were capable of nothing more to the
+purpose than such exclamations; but, after a while, Captain Wentworth,
+exerting himself, said--
+
+"We must be decided, and without the loss of another minute.  Every
+minute is valuable.  Some one must resolve on being off for Uppercross
+instantly.  Musgrove, either you or I must go."
+
+Charles agreed, but declared his resolution of not going away.  He
+would be as little incumbrance as possible to Captain and Mrs Harville;
+but as to leaving his sister in such a state, he neither ought, nor
+would.  So far it was decided; and Henrietta at first declared the
+same.  She, however, was soon persuaded to think differently.  The
+usefulness of her staying!  She who had not been able to remain in
+Louisa's room, or to look at her, without sufferings which made her
+worse than helpless!  She was forced to acknowledge that she could do
+no good, yet was still unwilling to be away, till, touched by the
+thought of her father and mother, she gave it up; she consented, she
+was anxious to be at home.
+
+The plan had reached this point, when Anne, coming quietly down from
+Louisa's room, could not but hear what followed, for the parlour door
+was open.
+
+"Then it is settled, Musgrove," cried Captain Wentworth, "that you
+stay, and that I take care of your sister home.  But as to the rest, as
+to the others, if one stays to assist Mrs Harville, I think it need be
+only one.  Mrs Charles Musgrove will, of course, wish to get back to
+her children; but if Anne will stay, no one so proper, so capable as
+Anne."
+
+She paused a moment to recover from the emotion of hearing herself so
+spoken of.  The other two warmly agreed with what he said, and she then
+appeared.
+
+"You will stay, I am sure; you will stay and nurse her;" cried he,
+turning to her and speaking with a glow, and yet a gentleness, which
+seemed almost restoring the past.  She coloured deeply, and he
+recollected himself and moved away.  She expressed herself most
+willing, ready, happy to remain.  "It was what she had been thinking
+of, and wishing to be allowed to do.  A bed on the floor in Louisa's
+room would be sufficient for her, if Mrs Harville would but think so."
+
+One thing more, and all seemed arranged.  Though it was rather
+desirable that Mr and Mrs Musgrove should be previously alarmed by some
+share of delay; yet the time required by the Uppercross horses to take
+them back, would be a dreadful extension of suspense; and Captain
+Wentworth proposed, and Charles Musgrove agreed, that it would be much
+better for him to take a chaise from the inn, and leave Mr Musgrove's
+carriage and horses to be sent home the next morning early, when there
+would be the farther advantage of sending an account of Louisa's night.
+
+Captain Wentworth now hurried off to get everything ready on his part,
+and to be soon followed by the two ladies.  When the plan was made
+known to Mary, however, there was an end of all peace in it.  She was
+so wretched and so vehement, complained so much of injustice in being
+expected to go away instead of Anne; Anne, who was nothing to Louisa,
+while she was her sister, and had the best right to stay in Henrietta's
+stead!  Why was not she to be as useful as Anne?  And to go home
+without Charles, too, without her husband!  No, it was too unkind.  And
+in short, she said more than her husband could long withstand, and as
+none of the others could oppose when he gave way, there was no help for
+it; the change of Mary for Anne was inevitable.
+
+Anne had never submitted more reluctantly to the jealous and
+ill-judging claims of Mary; but so it must be, and they set off for the
+town, Charles taking care of his sister, and Captain Benwick attending
+to her.  She gave a moment's recollection, as they hurried along, to
+the little circumstances which the same spots had witnessed earlier in
+the morning.  There she had listened to Henrietta's schemes for Dr
+Shirley's leaving Uppercross; farther on, she had first seen Mr Elliot;
+a moment seemed all that could now be given to any one but Louisa, or
+those who were wrapt up in her welfare.
+
+Captain Benwick was most considerately attentive to her; and, united as
+they all seemed by the distress of the day, she felt an increasing
+degree of good-will towards him, and a pleasure even in thinking that
+it might, perhaps, be the occasion of continuing their acquaintance.
+
+Captain Wentworth was on the watch for them, and a chaise and four in
+waiting, stationed for their convenience in the lowest part of the
+street; but his evident surprise and vexation at the substitution of
+one sister for the other, the change in his countenance, the
+astonishment, the expressions begun and suppressed, with which Charles
+was listened to, made but a mortifying reception of Anne; or must at
+least convince her that she was valued only as she could be useful to
+Louisa.
+
+She endeavoured to be composed, and to be just.  Without emulating the
+feelings of an Emma towards her Henry, she would have attended on
+Louisa with a zeal above the common claims of regard, for his sake; and
+she hoped he would not long be so unjust as to suppose she would shrink
+unnecessarily from the office of a friend.
+
+In the meanwhile she was in the carriage.  He had handed them both in,
+and placed himself between them; and in this manner, under these
+circumstances, full of astonishment and emotion to Anne, she quitted
+Lyme.  How the long stage would pass; how it was to affect their
+manners; what was to be their sort of intercourse, she could not
+foresee.  It was all quite natural, however.  He was devoted to
+Henrietta; always turning towards her; and when he spoke at all, always
+with the view of supporting her hopes and raising her spirits.  In
+general, his voice and manner were studiously calm.  To spare Henrietta
+from agitation seemed the governing principle.  Once only, when she had
+been grieving over the last ill-judged, ill-fated walk to the Cobb,
+bitterly lamenting that it ever had been thought of, he burst forth, as
+if wholly overcome--
+
+"Don't talk of it, don't talk of it," he cried.  "Oh God! that I had
+not given way to her at the fatal moment!  Had I done as I ought!  But
+so eager and so resolute! Dear, sweet Louisa!"
+
+Anne wondered whether it ever occurred to him now, to question the
+justness of his own previous opinion as to the universal felicity and
+advantage of firmness of character; and whether it might not strike him
+that, like all other qualities of the mind, it should have its
+proportions and limits.  She thought it could scarcely escape him to
+feel that a persuadable temper might sometimes be as much in favour of
+happiness as a very resolute character.
+
+They got on fast.  Anne was astonished to recognise the same hills and
+the same objects so soon.  Their actual speed, heightened by some dread
+of the conclusion, made the road appear but half as long as on the day
+before.  It was growing quite dusk, however, before they were in the
+neighbourhood of Uppercross, and there had been total silence among
+them for some time, Henrietta leaning back in the corner, with a shawl
+over her face, giving the hope of her having cried herself to sleep;
+when, as they were going up their last hill, Anne found herself all at
+once addressed by Captain Wentworth.  In a low, cautious voice, he
+said:--
+
+"I have been considering what we had best do.  She must not appear at
+first.  She could not stand it.  I have been thinking whether you had
+not better remain in the carriage with her, while I go in and break it
+to Mr and Mrs Musgrove.  Do you think this is a good plan?"
+
+She did:  he was satisfied, and said no more.  But the remembrance of
+the appeal remained a pleasure to her, as a proof of friendship, and of
+deference for her judgement, a great pleasure; and when it became a
+sort of parting proof, its value did not lessen.
+
+When the distressing communication at Uppercross was over, and he had
+seen the father and mother quite as composed as could be hoped, and the
+daughter all the better for being with them, he announced his intention
+of returning in the same carriage to Lyme; and when the horses were
+baited, he was off.
+
+(End of volume one.)
+
+
+
+Chapter 13
+
+
+The remainder of Anne's time at Uppercross, comprehending only two
+days, was spent entirely at the Mansion House; and she had the
+satisfaction of knowing herself extremely useful there, both as an
+immediate companion, and as assisting in all those arrangements for the
+future, which, in Mr and Mrs Musgrove's distressed state of spirits,
+would have been difficulties.
+
+They had an early account from Lyme the next morning.  Louisa was much
+the same.  No symptoms worse than before had appeared.  Charles came a
+few hours afterwards, to bring a later and more particular account.  He
+was tolerably cheerful.  A speedy cure must not be hoped, but
+everything was going on as well as the nature of the case admitted.  In
+speaking of the Harvilles, he seemed unable to satisfy his own sense of
+their kindness, especially of Mrs Harville's exertions as a nurse.
+"She really left nothing for Mary to do.  He and Mary had been
+persuaded to go early to their inn last night.  Mary had been
+hysterical again this morning.  When he came away, she was going to
+walk out with Captain Benwick, which, he hoped, would do her good.  He
+almost wished she had been prevailed on to come home the day before;
+but the truth was, that Mrs Harville left nothing for anybody to do."
+
+Charles was to return to Lyme the same afternoon, and his father had at
+first half a mind to go with him, but the ladies could not consent.  It
+would be going only to multiply trouble to the others, and increase his
+own distress; and a much better scheme followed and was acted upon.  A
+chaise was sent for from Crewkherne, and Charles conveyed back a far
+more useful person in the old nursery-maid of the family, one who
+having brought up all the children, and seen the very last, the
+lingering and long-petted Master Harry, sent to school after his
+brothers, was now living in her deserted nursery to mend stockings and
+dress all the blains and bruises she could get near her, and who,
+consequently, was only too happy in being allowed to go and help nurse
+dear Miss Louisa.  Vague wishes of getting Sarah thither, had occurred
+before to Mrs Musgrove and Henrietta; but without Anne, it would hardly
+have been resolved on, and found practicable so soon.
+
+They were indebted, the next day, to Charles Hayter, for all the minute
+knowledge of Louisa, which it was so essential to obtain every
+twenty-four hours.  He made it his business to go to Lyme, and his
+account was still encouraging.  The intervals of sense and
+consciousness were believed to be stronger.  Every report agreed in
+Captain Wentworth's appearing fixed in Lyme.
+
+Anne was to leave them on the morrow, an event which they all dreaded.
+"What should they do without her?  They were wretched comforters for
+one another."  And so much was said in this way, that Anne thought she
+could not do better than impart among them the general inclination to
+which she was privy, and persuaded them all to go to Lyme at once.  She
+had little difficulty; it was soon determined that they would go; go
+to-morrow, fix themselves at the inn, or get into lodgings, as it
+suited, and there remain till dear Louisa could be moved.  They must be
+taking off some trouble from the good people she was with; they might
+at least relieve Mrs Harville from the care of her own children; and in
+short, they were so happy in the decision, that Anne was delighted with
+what she had done, and felt that she could not spend her last morning
+at Uppercross better than in assisting their preparations, and sending
+them off at an early hour, though her being left to the solitary range
+of the house was the consequence.
+
+She was the last, excepting the little boys at the cottage, she was the
+very last, the only remaining one of all that had filled and animated
+both houses, of all that had given Uppercross its cheerful character.
+A few days had made a change indeed!
+
+If Louisa recovered, it would all be well again.  More than former
+happiness would be restored.  There could not be a doubt, to her mind
+there was none, of what would follow her recovery.  A few months hence,
+and the room now so deserted, occupied but by her silent, pensive self,
+might be filled again with all that was happy and gay, all that was
+glowing and bright in prosperous love, all that was most unlike Anne
+Elliot!
+
+An hour's complete leisure for such reflections as these, on a dark
+November day, a small thick rain almost blotting out the very few
+objects ever to be discerned from the windows, was enough to make the
+sound of Lady Russell's carriage exceedingly welcome; and yet, though
+desirous to be gone, she could not quit the Mansion House, or look an
+adieu to the Cottage, with its black, dripping and comfortless veranda,
+or even notice through the misty glasses the last humble tenements of
+the village, without a saddened heart.  Scenes had passed in Uppercross
+which made it precious.  It stood the record of many sensations of
+pain, once severe, but now softened; and of some instances of relenting
+feeling, some breathings of friendship and reconciliation, which could
+never be looked for again, and which could never cease to be dear.  She
+left it all behind her, all but the recollection that such things had
+been.
+
+Anne had never entered Kellynch since her quitting Lady Russell's house
+in September.  It had not been necessary, and the few occasions of its
+being possible for her to go to the Hall she had contrived to evade and
+escape from.  Her first return was to resume her place in the modern
+and elegant apartments of the Lodge, and to gladden the eyes of its
+mistress.
+
+There was some anxiety mixed with Lady Russell's joy in meeting her.
+She knew who had been frequenting Uppercross.  But happily, either Anne
+was improved in plumpness and looks, or Lady Russell fancied her so;
+and Anne, in receiving her compliments on the occasion, had the
+amusement of connecting them with the silent admiration of her cousin,
+and of hoping that she was to be blessed with a second spring of youth
+and beauty.
+
+When they came to converse, she was soon sensible of some mental
+change.  The subjects of which her heart had been full on leaving
+Kellynch, and which she had felt slighted, and been compelled to
+smother among the Musgroves, were now become but of secondary interest.
+She had lately lost sight even of her father and sister and Bath.
+Their concerns had been sunk under those of Uppercross; and when Lady
+Russell reverted to their former hopes and fears, and spoke her
+satisfaction in the house in Camden Place, which had been taken, and
+her regret that Mrs Clay should still be with them, Anne would have
+been ashamed to have it known how much more she was thinking of Lyme
+and Louisa Musgrove, and all her acquaintance there; how much more
+interesting to her was the home and the friendship of the Harvilles and
+Captain Benwick, than her own father's house in Camden Place, or her
+own sister's intimacy with Mrs Clay.  She was actually forced to exert
+herself to meet Lady Russell with anything like the appearance of equal
+solicitude, on topics which had by nature the first claim on her.
+
+There was a little awkwardness at first in their discourse on another
+subject.  They must speak of the accident at Lyme.  Lady Russell had
+not been arrived five minutes the day before, when a full account of
+the whole had burst on her; but still it must be talked of, she must
+make enquiries, she must regret the imprudence, lament the result, and
+Captain Wentworth's name must be mentioned by both.  Anne was conscious
+of not doing it so well as Lady Russell.  She could not speak the name,
+and look straight forward to Lady Russell's eye, till she had adopted
+the expedient of telling her briefly what she thought of the attachment
+between him and Louisa.  When this was told, his name distressed her no
+longer.
+
+Lady Russell had only to listen composedly, and wish them happy, but
+internally her heart revelled in angry pleasure, in pleased contempt,
+that the man who at twenty-three had seemed to understand somewhat of
+the value of an Anne Elliot, should, eight years afterwards, be charmed
+by a Louisa Musgrove.
+
+The first three or four days passed most quietly, with no circumstance
+to mark them excepting the receipt of a note or two from Lyme, which
+found their way to Anne, she could not tell how, and brought a rather
+improving account of Louisa.  At the end of that period, Lady Russell's
+politeness could repose no longer, and the fainter self-threatenings of
+the past became in a decided tone, "I must call on Mrs Croft; I really
+must call upon her soon.  Anne, have you courage to go with me, and pay
+a visit in that house?  It will be some trial to us both."
+
+Anne did not shrink from it; on the contrary, she truly felt as she
+said, in observing--
+
+"I think you are very likely to suffer the most of the two; your
+feelings are less reconciled to the change than mine.  By remaining in
+the neighbourhood, I am become inured to it."
+
+She could have said more on the subject; for she had in fact so high an
+opinion of the Crofts, and considered her father so very fortunate in
+his tenants, felt the parish to be so sure of a good example, and the
+poor of the best attention and relief, that however sorry and ashamed
+for the necessity of the removal, she could not but in conscience feel
+that they were gone who deserved not to stay, and that Kellynch Hall
+had passed into better hands than its owners'.  These convictions must
+unquestionably have their own pain, and severe was its kind; but they
+precluded that pain which Lady Russell would suffer in entering the
+house again, and returning through the well-known apartments.
+
+In such moments Anne had no power of saying to herself, "These rooms
+ought to belong only to us.  Oh, how fallen in their destination!  How
+unworthily occupied!  An ancient family to be so driven away!
+Strangers filling their place!" No, except when she thought of her
+mother, and remembered where she had been used to sit and preside, she
+had no sigh of that description to heave.
+
+Mrs Croft always met her with a kindness which gave her the pleasure of
+fancying herself a favourite, and on the present occasion, receiving
+her in that house, there was particular attention.
+
+The sad accident at Lyme was soon the prevailing topic, and on
+comparing their latest accounts of the invalid, it appeared that each
+lady dated her intelligence from the same hour of yestermorn; that
+Captain Wentworth had been in Kellynch yesterday (the first time since
+the accident), had brought Anne the last note, which she had not been
+able to trace the exact steps of; had staid a few hours and then
+returned again to Lyme, and without any present intention of quitting
+it any more.  He had enquired after her, she found, particularly; had
+expressed his hope of Miss Elliot's not being the worse for her
+exertions, and had spoken of those exertions as great.  This was
+handsome, and gave her more pleasure than almost anything else could
+have done.
+
+As to the sad catastrophe itself, it could be canvassed only in one
+style by a couple of steady, sensible women, whose judgements had to
+work on ascertained events; and it was perfectly decided that it had
+been the consequence of much thoughtlessness and much imprudence; that
+its effects were most alarming, and that it was frightful to think, how
+long Miss Musgrove's recovery might yet be doubtful, and how liable she
+would still remain to suffer from the concussion hereafter!  The
+Admiral wound it up summarily by exclaiming--
+
+"Ay, a very bad business indeed.  A new sort of way this, for a young
+fellow to be making love, by breaking his mistress's head, is not it,
+Miss Elliot?  This is breaking a head and giving a plaster, truly!"
+
+Admiral Croft's manners were not quite of the tone to suit Lady
+Russell, but they delighted Anne.  His goodness of heart and simplicity
+of character were irresistible.
+
+"Now, this must be very bad for you," said he, suddenly rousing from a
+little reverie, "to be coming and finding us here.  I had not
+recollected it before, I declare, but it must be very bad.  But now, do
+not stand upon ceremony.  Get up and go over all the rooms in the house
+if you like it."
+
+"Another time, Sir, I thank you, not now."
+
+"Well, whenever it suits you.  You can slip in from the shrubbery at
+any time; and there you will find we keep our umbrellas hanging up by
+that door.  A good place is not it?  But," (checking himself), "you
+will not think it a good place, for yours were always kept in the
+butler's room.  Ay, so it always is, I believe.  One man's ways may be
+as good as another's, but we all like our own best.  And so you must
+judge for yourself, whether it would be better for you to go about the
+house or not."
+
+Anne, finding she might decline it, did so, very gratefully.
+
+"We have made very few changes either," continued the Admiral, after
+thinking a moment.  "Very few.  We told you about the laundry-door, at
+Uppercross.  That has been a very great improvement.  The wonder was,
+how any family upon earth could bear with the inconvenience of its
+opening as it did, so long!  You will tell Sir Walter what we have
+done, and that Mr Shepherd thinks it the greatest improvement the house
+ever had.  Indeed, I must do ourselves the justice to say, that the few
+alterations we have made have been all very much for the better.  My
+wife should have the credit of them, however.  I have done very little
+besides sending away some of the large looking-glasses from my
+dressing-room, which was your father's.  A very good man, and very much
+the gentleman I am sure: but I should think, Miss Elliot," (looking
+with serious reflection), "I should think he must be rather a dressy
+man for his time of life.  Such a number of looking-glasses! oh Lord!
+there was no getting away from one's self.  So I got Sophy to lend me a
+hand, and we soon shifted their quarters; and now I am quite snug, with
+my little shaving glass in one corner, and another great thing that I
+never go near."
+
+Anne, amused in spite of herself, was rather distressed for an answer,
+and the Admiral, fearing he might not have been civil enough, took up
+the subject again, to say--
+
+"The next time you write to your good father, Miss Elliot, pray give
+him my compliments and Mrs Croft's, and say that we are settled here
+quite to our liking, and have no fault at all to find with the place.
+The breakfast-room chimney smokes a little, I grant you, but it is only
+when the wind is due north and blows hard, which may not happen three
+times a winter.  And take it altogether, now that we have been into
+most of the houses hereabouts and can judge, there is not one that we
+like better than this.  Pray say so, with my compliments.  He will be
+glad to hear it."
+
+Lady Russell and Mrs Croft were very well pleased with each other: but
+the acquaintance which this visit began was fated not to proceed far at
+present; for when it was returned, the Crofts announced themselves to
+be going away for a few weeks, to visit their connexions in the north
+of the county, and probably might not be at home again before Lady
+Russell would be removing to Bath.
+
+So ended all danger to Anne of meeting Captain Wentworth at Kellynch
+Hall, or of seeing him in company with her friend.  Everything was safe
+enough, and she smiled over the many anxious feelings she had wasted on
+the subject.
+
+
+
+Chapter 14
+
+
+Though Charles and Mary had remained at Lyme much longer after Mr and
+Mrs Musgrove's going than Anne conceived they could have been at all
+wanted, they were yet the first of the family to be at home again; and
+as soon as possible after their return to Uppercross they drove over to
+the Lodge.  They had left Louisa beginning to sit up; but her head,
+though clear, was exceedingly weak, and her nerves susceptible to the
+highest extreme of tenderness; and though she might be pronounced to be
+altogether doing very well, it was still impossible to say when she
+might be able to bear the removal home; and her father and mother, who
+must return in time to receive their younger children for the Christmas
+holidays, had hardly a hope of being allowed to bring her with them.
+
+They had been all in lodgings together.  Mrs Musgrove had got Mrs
+Harville's children away as much as she could, every possible supply
+from Uppercross had been furnished, to lighten the inconvenience to the
+Harvilles, while the Harvilles had been wanting them to come to dinner
+every day; and in short, it seemed to have been only a struggle on each
+side as to which should be most disinterested and hospitable.
+
+Mary had had her evils; but upon the whole, as was evident by her
+staying so long, she had found more to enjoy than to suffer.  Charles
+Hayter had been at Lyme oftener than suited her; and when they dined
+with the Harvilles there had been only a maid-servant to wait, and at
+first Mrs Harville had always given Mrs Musgrove precedence; but then,
+she had received so very handsome an apology from her on finding out
+whose daughter she was, and there had been so much going on every day,
+there had been so many walks between their lodgings and the Harvilles,
+and she had got books from the library, and changed them so often, that
+the balance had certainly been much in favour of Lyme.  She had been
+taken to Charmouth too, and she had bathed, and she had gone to church,
+and there were a great many more people to look at in the church at
+Lyme than at Uppercross; and all this, joined to the sense of being so
+very useful, had made really an agreeable fortnight.
+
+Anne enquired after Captain Benwick. Mary's face was clouded directly.
+Charles laughed.
+
+"Oh! Captain Benwick is very well, I believe, but he is a very odd
+young man.  I do not know what he would be at.  We asked him to come
+home with us for a day or two:  Charles undertook to give him some
+shooting, and he seemed quite delighted, and, for my part, I thought it
+was all settled; when behold! on Tuesday night, he made a very awkward
+sort of excuse; 'he never shot' and he had 'been quite misunderstood,'
+and he had promised this and he had promised that, and the end of it
+was, I found, that he did not mean to come.  I suppose he was afraid of
+finding it dull; but upon my word I should have thought we were lively
+enough at the Cottage for such a heart-broken man as Captain Benwick."
+
+Charles laughed again and said, "Now Mary, you know very well how it
+really was.  It was all your doing," (turning to Anne.) "He fancied
+that if he went with us, he should find you close by: he fancied
+everybody to be living in Uppercross; and when he discovered that Lady
+Russell lived three miles off, his heart failed him, and he had not
+courage to come.  That is the fact, upon my honour. Mary knows it is."
+
+But Mary did not give into it very graciously, whether from not
+considering Captain Benwick entitled by birth and situation to be in
+love with an Elliot, or from not wanting to believe Anne a greater
+attraction to Uppercross than herself, must be left to be guessed.
+Anne's good-will, however, was not to be lessened by what she heard.
+She boldly acknowledged herself flattered, and continued her enquiries.
+
+"Oh! he talks of you," cried Charles, "in such terms--" Mary
+interrupted him. "I declare, Charles, I never heard him mention Anne
+twice all the time I was there.  I declare, Anne, he never talks of you
+at all."
+
+"No," admitted Charles, "I do not know that he ever does, in a general
+way; but however, it is a very clear thing that he admires you
+exceedingly.  His head is full of some books that he is reading upon
+your recommendation, and he wants to talk to you about them; he has
+found out something or other in one of them which he thinks--oh! I
+cannot pretend to remember it, but it was something very fine--I
+overheard him telling Henrietta all about it; and then 'Miss Elliot'
+was spoken of in the highest terms!  Now Mary, I declare it was so, I
+heard it myself, and you were in the other room.  'Elegance, sweetness,
+beauty.' Oh! there was no end of Miss Elliot's charms."
+
+"And I am sure," cried Mary, warmly, "it was a very little to his
+credit, if he did.  Miss Harville only died last June.  Such a heart is
+very little worth having; is it, Lady Russell?  I am sure you will
+agree with me."
+
+"I must see Captain Benwick before I decide," said Lady Russell,
+smiling.
+
+"And that you are very likely to do very soon, I can tell you, ma'am,"
+said Charles.  "Though he had not nerves for coming away with us, and
+setting off again afterwards to pay a formal visit here, he will make
+his way over to Kellynch one day by himself, you may depend on it.  I
+told him the distance and the road, and I told him of the church's
+being so very well worth seeing; for as he has a taste for those sort
+of things, I thought that would be a good excuse, and he listened with
+all his understanding and soul; and I am sure from his manner that you
+will have him calling here soon.  So, I give you notice, Lady Russell."
+
+"Any acquaintance of Anne's will always be welcome to me," was Lady
+Russell's kind answer.
+
+"Oh! as to being Anne's acquaintance," said Mary, "I think he is rather
+my acquaintance, for I have been seeing him every day this last
+fortnight."
+
+"Well, as your joint acquaintance, then, I shall be very happy to see
+Captain Benwick."
+
+"You will not find anything very agreeable in him, I assure you, ma'am.
+He is one of the dullest young men that ever lived.  He has walked with
+me, sometimes, from one end of the sands to the other, without saying a
+word.  He is not at all a well-bred young man.  I am sure you will not
+like him."
+
+"There we differ, Mary," said Anne.  "I think Lady Russell would like
+him.  I think she would be so much pleased with his mind, that she
+would very soon see no deficiency in his manner."
+
+"So do I, Anne," said Charles.  "I am sure Lady Russell would like him.
+He is just Lady Russell's sort.  Give him a book, and he will read all
+day long."
+
+"Yes, that he will!" exclaimed Mary, tauntingly.  "He will sit poring
+over his book, and not know when a person speaks to him, or when one
+drops one's scissors, or anything that happens.  Do you think Lady
+Russell would like that?"
+
+Lady Russell could not help laughing.  "Upon my word," said she, "I
+should not have supposed that my opinion of any one could have admitted
+of such difference of conjecture, steady and matter of fact as I may
+call myself.  I have really a curiosity to see the person who can give
+occasion to such directly opposite notions.  I wish he may be induced
+to call here.  And when he does, Mary, you may depend upon hearing my
+opinion; but I am determined not to judge him beforehand."
+
+"You will not like him, I will answer for it."
+
+Lady Russell began talking of something else.  Mary spoke with
+animation of their meeting with, or rather missing, Mr Elliot so
+extraordinarily.
+
+"He is a man," said Lady Russell, "whom I have no wish to see.  His
+declining to be on cordial terms with the head of his family, has left
+a very strong impression in his disfavour with me."
+
+This decision checked Mary's eagerness, and stopped her short in the
+midst of the Elliot countenance.
+
+With regard to Captain Wentworth, though Anne hazarded no enquiries,
+there was voluntary communication sufficient.  His spirits had been
+greatly recovering lately as might be expected.  As Louisa improved, he
+had improved, and he was now quite a different creature from what he
+had been the first week.  He had not seen Louisa; and was so extremely
+fearful of any ill consequence to her from an interview, that he did
+not press for it at all; and, on the contrary, seemed to have a plan of
+going away for a week or ten days, till her head was stronger.  He had
+talked of going down to Plymouth for a week, and wanted to persuade
+Captain Benwick to go with him; but, as Charles maintained to the last,
+Captain Benwick seemed much more disposed to ride over to Kellynch.
+
+There can be no doubt that Lady Russell and Anne were both occasionally
+thinking of Captain Benwick, from this time.  Lady Russell could not
+hear the door-bell without feeling that it might be his herald; nor
+could Anne return from any stroll of solitary indulgence in her
+father's grounds, or any visit of charity in the village, without
+wondering whether she might see him or hear of him.  Captain Benwick
+came not, however.  He was either less disposed for it than Charles had
+imagined, or he was too shy; and after giving him a week's indulgence,
+Lady Russell determined him to be unworthy of the interest which he had
+been beginning to excite.
+
+The Musgroves came back to receive their happy boys and girls from
+school, bringing with them Mrs Harville's little children, to improve
+the noise of Uppercross, and lessen that of Lyme.  Henrietta remained
+with Louisa; but all the rest of the family were again in their usual
+quarters.
+
+Lady Russell and Anne paid their compliments to them once, when Anne
+could not but feel that Uppercross was already quite alive again.
+Though neither Henrietta, nor Louisa, nor Charles Hayter, nor Captain
+Wentworth were there, the room presented as strong a contrast as could
+be wished to the last state she had seen it in.
+
+Immediately surrounding Mrs Musgrove were the little Harvilles, whom
+she was sedulously guarding from the tyranny of the two children from
+the Cottage, expressly arrived to amuse them.  On one side was a table
+occupied by some chattering girls, cutting up silk and gold paper; and
+on the other were tressels and trays, bending under the weight of brawn
+and cold pies, where riotous boys were holding high revel; the whole
+completed by a roaring Christmas fire, which seemed determined to be
+heard, in spite of all the noise of the others.  Charles and Mary also
+came in, of course, during their visit, and Mr Musgrove made a point of
+paying his respects to Lady Russell, and sat down close to her for ten
+minutes, talking with a very raised voice, but from the clamour of the
+children on his knees, generally in vain.  It was a fine family-piece.
+
+Anne, judging from her own temperament, would have deemed such a
+domestic hurricane a bad restorative of the nerves, which Louisa's
+illness must have so greatly shaken.  But Mrs Musgrove, who got Anne
+near her on purpose to thank her most cordially, again and again, for
+all her attentions to them, concluded a short recapitulation of what
+she had suffered herself by observing, with a happy glance round the
+room, that after all she had gone through, nothing was so likely to do
+her good as a little quiet cheerfulness at home.
+
+Louisa was now recovering apace.  Her mother could even think of her
+being able to join their party at home, before her brothers and sisters
+went to school again.  The Harvilles had promised to come with her and
+stay at Uppercross, whenever she returned.  Captain Wentworth was gone,
+for the present, to see his brother in Shropshire.
+
+"I hope I shall remember, in future," said Lady Russell, as soon as
+they were reseated in the carriage, "not to call at Uppercross in the
+Christmas holidays."
+
+Everybody has their taste in noises as well as in other matters; and
+sounds are quite innoxious, or most distressing, by their sort rather
+than their quantity.  When Lady Russell not long afterwards, was
+entering Bath on a wet afternoon, and driving through the long course
+of streets from the Old Bridge to Camden Place, amidst the dash of
+other carriages, the heavy rumble of carts and drays, the bawling of
+newspapermen, muffin-men and milkmen, and the ceaseless clink of
+pattens, she made no complaint.  No, these were noises which belonged
+to the winter pleasures; her spirits rose under their influence; and
+like Mrs Musgrove, she was feeling, though not saying, that after being
+long in the country, nothing could be so good for her as a little quiet
+cheerfulness.
+
+Anne did not share these feelings.  She persisted in a very determined,
+though very silent disinclination for Bath; caught the first dim view
+of the extensive buildings, smoking in rain, without any wish of seeing
+them better; felt their progress through the streets to be, however
+disagreeable, yet too rapid; for who would be glad to see her when she
+arrived?  And looked back, with fond regret, to the bustles of
+Uppercross and the seclusion of Kellynch.
+
+Elizabeth's last letter had communicated a piece of news of some
+interest.  Mr Elliot was in Bath.  He had called in Camden Place; had
+called a second time, a third; had been pointedly attentive.  If
+Elizabeth and her father did not deceive themselves, had been taking
+much pains to seek the acquaintance, and proclaim the value of the
+connection, as he had formerly taken pains to shew neglect.  This was
+very wonderful if it were true; and Lady Russell was in a state of very
+agreeable curiosity and perplexity about Mr Elliot, already recanting
+the sentiment she had so lately expressed to Mary, of his being "a man
+whom she had no wish to see."  She had a great wish to see him.  If he
+really sought to reconcile himself like a dutiful branch, he must be
+forgiven for having dismembered himself from the paternal tree.
+
+Anne was not animated to an equal pitch by the circumstance, but she
+felt that she would rather see Mr Elliot again than not, which was more
+than she could say for many other persons in Bath.
+
+She was put down in Camden Place; and Lady Russell then drove to her
+own lodgings, in Rivers Street.
+
+
+
+Chapter 15
+
+
+Sir Walter had taken a very good house in Camden Place, a lofty
+dignified situation, such as becomes a man of consequence; and both he
+and Elizabeth were settled there, much to their satisfaction.
+
+Anne entered it with a sinking heart, anticipating an imprisonment of
+many months, and anxiously saying to herself, "Oh! when shall I leave
+you again?"  A degree of unexpected cordiality, however, in the welcome
+she received, did her good.  Her father and sister were glad to see
+her, for the sake of shewing her the house and furniture, and met her
+with kindness.  Her making a fourth, when they sat down to dinner, was
+noticed as an advantage.
+
+Mrs Clay was very pleasant, and very smiling, but her courtesies and
+smiles were more a matter of course.  Anne had always felt that she
+would pretend what was proper on her arrival, but the complaisance of
+the others was unlooked for.  They were evidently in excellent spirits,
+and she was soon to listen to the causes.  They had no inclination to
+listen to her.  After laying out for some compliments of being deeply
+regretted in their old neighbourhood, which Anne could not pay, they
+had only a few faint enquiries to make, before the talk must be all
+their own.  Uppercross excited no interest, Kellynch very little: it
+was all Bath.
+
+They had the pleasure of assuring her that Bath more than answered
+their expectations in every respect.  Their house was undoubtedly the
+best in Camden Place; their drawing-rooms had many decided advantages
+over all the others which they had either seen or heard of, and the
+superiority was not less in the style of the fitting-up, or the taste
+of the furniture.  Their acquaintance was exceedingly sought after.
+Everybody was wanting to visit them.  They had drawn back from many
+introductions, and still were perpetually having cards left by people
+of whom they knew nothing.
+
+Here were funds of enjoyment.  Could Anne wonder that her father and
+sister were happy?  She might not wonder, but she must sigh that her
+father should feel no degradation in his change, should see nothing to
+regret in the duties and dignity of the resident landholder, should
+find so much to be vain of in the littlenesses of a town; and she must
+sigh, and smile, and wonder too, as Elizabeth threw open the
+folding-doors and walked with exultation from one drawing-room to the
+other, boasting of their space; at the possibility of that woman, who
+had been mistress of Kellynch Hall, finding extent to be proud of
+between two walls, perhaps thirty feet asunder.
+
+But this was not all which they had to make them happy.  They had Mr
+Elliot too.  Anne had a great deal to hear of Mr Elliot.  He was not
+only pardoned, they were delighted with him.  He had been in Bath about
+a fortnight; (he had passed through Bath in November, in his way to
+London, when the intelligence of Sir Walter's being settled there had
+of course reached him, though only twenty-four hours in the place, but
+he had not been able to avail himself of it;) but he had now been a
+fortnight in Bath, and his first object on arriving, had been to leave
+his card in Camden Place, following it up by such assiduous endeavours
+to meet, and when they did meet, by such great openness of conduct,
+such readiness to apologize for the past, such solicitude to be
+received as a relation again, that their former good understanding was
+completely re-established.
+
+They had not a fault to find in him.  He had explained away all the
+appearance of neglect on his own side.  It had originated in
+misapprehension entirely.  He had never had an idea of throwing himself
+off; he had feared that he was thrown off, but knew not why, and
+delicacy had kept him silent.  Upon the hint of having spoken
+disrespectfully or carelessly of the family and the family honours, he
+was quite indignant.  He, who had ever boasted of being an Elliot, and
+whose feelings, as to connection, were only too strict to suit the
+unfeudal tone of the present day.  He was astonished, indeed, but his
+character and general conduct must refute it.  He could refer Sir
+Walter to all who knew him; and certainly, the pains he had been taking
+on this, the first opportunity of reconciliation, to be restored to the
+footing of a relation and heir-presumptive, was a strong proof of his
+opinions on the subject.
+
+The circumstances of his marriage, too, were found to admit of much
+extenuation.  This was an article not to be entered on by himself; but
+a very intimate friend of his, a Colonel Wallis, a highly respectable
+man, perfectly the gentleman, (and not an ill-looking man, Sir Walter
+added), who was living in very good style in Marlborough Buildings, and
+had, at his own particular request, been admitted to their acquaintance
+through Mr Elliot, had mentioned one or two things relative to the
+marriage, which made a material difference in the discredit of it.
+
+Colonel Wallis had known Mr Elliot long, had been well acquainted also
+with his wife, had perfectly understood the whole story.  She was
+certainly not a woman of family, but well educated, accomplished, rich,
+and excessively in love with his friend.  There had been the charm.
+She had sought him.  Without that attraction, not all her money would
+have tempted Elliot, and Sir Walter was, moreover, assured of her
+having been a very fine woman.  Here was a great deal to soften the
+business.  A very fine woman with a large fortune, in love with him!
+Sir Walter seemed to admit it as complete apology; and though Elizabeth
+could not see the circumstance in quite so favourable a light, she
+allowed it be a great extenuation.
+
+Mr Elliot had called repeatedly, had dined with them once, evidently
+delighted by the distinction of being asked, for they gave no dinners
+in general; delighted, in short, by every proof of cousinly notice, and
+placing his whole happiness in being on intimate terms in Camden Place.
+
+Anne listened, but without quite understanding it.  Allowances, large
+allowances, she knew, must be made for the ideas of those who spoke.
+She heard it all under embellishment.  All that sounded extravagant or
+irrational in the progress of the reconciliation might have no origin
+but in the language of the relators.  Still, however, she had the
+sensation of there being something more than immediately appeared, in
+Mr Elliot's wishing, after an interval of so many years, to be well
+received by them.  In a worldly view, he had nothing to gain by being
+on terms with Sir Walter; nothing to risk by a state of variance.  In
+all probability he was already the richer of the two, and the Kellynch
+estate would as surely be his hereafter as the title.  A sensible man,
+and he had looked like a very sensible man, why should it be an object
+to him?  She could only offer one solution; it was, perhaps, for
+Elizabeth's sake.  There might really have been a liking formerly,
+though convenience and accident had drawn him a different way; and now
+that he could afford to please himself, he might mean to pay his
+addresses to her.  Elizabeth was certainly very handsome, with
+well-bred, elegant manners, and her character might never have been
+penetrated by Mr Elliot, knowing her but in public, and when very young
+himself.  How her temper and understanding might bear the investigation
+of his present keener time of life was another concern and rather a
+fearful one.  Most earnestly did she wish that he might not be too
+nice, or too observant if Elizabeth were his object; and that Elizabeth
+was disposed to believe herself so, and that her friend Mrs Clay was
+encouraging the idea, seemed apparent by a glance or two between them,
+while Mr Elliot's frequent visits were talked of.
+
+Anne mentioned the glimpses she had had of him at Lyme, but without
+being much attended to.  "Oh! yes, perhaps, it had been Mr Elliot.
+They did not know.  It might be him, perhaps."  They could not listen
+to her description of him.  They were describing him themselves; Sir
+Walter especially.  He did justice to his very gentlemanlike
+appearance, his air of elegance and fashion, his good shaped face, his
+sensible eye; but, at the same time, "must lament his being very much
+under-hung, a defect which time seemed to have increased; nor could he
+pretend to say that ten years had not altered almost every feature for
+the worse.  Mr Elliot appeared to think that he (Sir Walter) was
+looking exactly as he had done when they last parted;" but Sir Walter
+had "not been able to return the compliment entirely, which had
+embarrassed him.  He did not mean to complain, however.  Mr Elliot was
+better to look at than most men, and he had no objection to being seen
+with him anywhere."
+
+Mr Elliot, and his friends in Marlborough Buildings, were talked of the
+whole evening.  "Colonel Wallis had been so impatient to be introduced
+to them! and Mr Elliot so anxious that he should!" and there was a Mrs
+Wallis, at present known only to them by description, as she was in
+daily expectation of her confinement; but Mr Elliot spoke of her as "a
+most charming woman, quite worthy of being known in Camden Place," and
+as soon as she recovered they were to be acquainted.  Sir Walter
+thought much of Mrs Wallis; she was said to be an excessively pretty
+woman, beautiful.  "He longed to see her.  He hoped she might make some
+amends for the many very plain faces he was continually passing in the
+streets.  The worst of Bath was the number of its plain women.  He did
+not mean to say that there were no pretty women, but the number of the
+plain was out of all proportion.  He had frequently observed, as he
+walked, that one handsome face would be followed by thirty, or
+five-and-thirty frights; and once, as he had stood in a shop on Bond
+Street, he had counted eighty-seven women go by, one after another,
+without there being a tolerable face among them.  It had been a frosty
+morning, to be sure, a sharp frost, which hardly one woman in a
+thousand could stand the test of.  But still, there certainly were a
+dreadful multitude of ugly women in Bath; and as for the men!  they
+were infinitely worse.  Such scarecrows as the streets were full of!
+It was evident how little the women were used to the sight of anything
+tolerable, by the effect which a man of decent appearance produced.  He
+had never walked anywhere arm-in-arm with Colonel Wallis (who was a
+fine military figure, though sandy-haired) without observing that every
+woman's eye was upon him; every woman's eye was sure to be upon Colonel
+Wallis."  Modest Sir Walter!  He was not allowed to escape, however.
+His daughter and Mrs Clay united in hinting that Colonel Wallis's
+companion might have as good a figure as Colonel Wallis, and certainly
+was not sandy-haired.
+
+"How is Mary looking?" said Sir Walter, in the height of his good
+humour.  "The last time I saw her she had a red nose, but I hope that
+may not happen every day."
+
+"Oh! no, that must have been quite accidental.  In general she has been
+in very good health and very good looks since Michaelmas."
+
+"If I thought it would not tempt her to go out in sharp winds, and grow
+coarse, I would send her a new hat and pelisse."
+
+Anne was considering whether she should venture to suggest that a gown,
+or a cap, would not be liable to any such misuse, when a knock at the
+door suspended everything.  "A knock at the door! and so late!  It was
+ten o'clock.  Could it be Mr Elliot?  They knew he was to dine in
+Lansdown Crescent.  It was possible that he might stop in his way home
+to ask them how they did.  They could think of no one else.  Mrs Clay
+decidedly thought it Mr Elliot's knock."  Mrs Clay was right.  With all
+the state which a butler and foot-boy could give, Mr Elliot was ushered
+into the room.
+
+It was the same, the very same man, with no difference but of dress.
+Anne drew a little back, while the others received his compliments, and
+her sister his apologies for calling at so unusual an hour, but "he
+could not be so near without wishing to know that neither she nor her
+friend had taken cold the day before," &c. &c; which was all as
+politely done, and as politely taken, as possible, but her part must
+follow then.  Sir Walter talked of his youngest daughter; "Mr Elliot
+must give him leave to present him to his youngest daughter" (there was
+no occasion for remembering Mary); and Anne, smiling and blushing, very
+becomingly shewed to Mr Elliot the pretty features which he had by no
+means forgotten, and instantly saw, with amusement at his little start
+of surprise, that he had not been at all aware of who she was.  He
+looked completely astonished, but not more astonished than pleased; his
+eyes brightened! and with the most perfect alacrity he welcomed the
+relationship, alluded to the past, and entreated to be received as an
+acquaintance already.  He was quite as good-looking as he had appeared
+at Lyme, his countenance improved by speaking, and his manners were so
+exactly what they ought to be, so polished, so easy, so particularly
+agreeable, that she could compare them in excellence to only one
+person's manners.  They were not the same, but they were, perhaps,
+equally good.
+
+He sat down with them, and improved their conversation very much.
+There could be no doubt of his being a sensible man.  Ten minutes were
+enough to certify that.  His tone, his expressions, his choice of
+subject, his knowing where to stop; it was all the operation of a
+sensible, discerning mind.  As soon as he could, he began to talk to
+her of Lyme, wanting to compare opinions respecting the place, but
+especially wanting to speak of the circumstance of their happening to
+be guests in the same inn at the same time; to give his own route,
+understand something of hers, and regret that he should have lost such
+an opportunity of paying his respects to her.  She gave him a short
+account of her party and business at Lyme.  His regret increased as he
+listened.  He had spent his whole solitary evening in the room
+adjoining theirs; had heard voices, mirth continually; thought they
+must be a most delightful set of people, longed to be with them, but
+certainly without the smallest suspicion of his possessing the shadow
+of a right to introduce himself.  If he had but asked who the party
+were!  The name of Musgrove would have told him enough.  "Well, it
+would serve to cure him of an absurd practice of never asking a
+question at an inn, which he had adopted, when quite a young man, on
+the principal of its being very ungenteel to be curious.
+
+"The notions of a young man of one or two and twenty," said he, "as to
+what is necessary in manners to make him quite the thing, are more
+absurd, I believe, than those of any other set of beings in the world.
+The folly of the means they often employ is only to be equalled by the
+folly of what they have in view."
+
+But he must not be addressing his reflections to Anne alone: he knew
+it; he was soon diffused again among the others, and it was only at
+intervals that he could return to Lyme.
+
+His enquiries, however, produced at length an account of the scene she
+had been engaged in there, soon after his leaving the place.  Having
+alluded to "an accident,"  he must hear the whole.  When he questioned,
+Sir Walter and Elizabeth began to question also, but the difference in
+their manner of doing it could not be unfelt.  She could only compare
+Mr Elliot to Lady Russell, in the wish of really comprehending what had
+passed, and in the degree of concern for what she must have suffered in
+witnessing it.
+
+He staid an hour with them.  The elegant little clock on the mantel-piece
+had struck "eleven with its silver sounds," and the watchman was
+beginning to be heard at a distance telling the same tale, before Mr
+Elliot or any of them seemed to feel that he had been there long.
+
+Anne could not have supposed it possible that her first evening in
+Camden Place could have passed so well!
+
+
+
+Chapter 16
+
+
+There was one point which Anne, on returning to her family, would have
+been more thankful to ascertain even than Mr Elliot's being in love
+with Elizabeth, which was, her father's not being in love with Mrs
+Clay; and she was very far from easy about it, when she had been at
+home a few hours.  On going down to breakfast the next morning, she
+found there had just been a decent pretence on the lady's side of
+meaning to leave them.  She could imagine Mrs Clay to have said, that
+"now Miss Anne was come, she could not suppose herself at all wanted;"
+for Elizabeth was replying in a sort of whisper, "That must not be any
+reason, indeed.  I assure you I feel it none.  She is nothing to me,
+compared with you;"  and she was in full time to hear her father say,
+"My dear madam, this must not be.  As yet, you have seen nothing of
+Bath.  You have been here only to be useful.  You must not run away
+from us now.  You must stay to be acquainted with Mrs Wallis, the
+beautiful Mrs Wallis.  To your fine mind, I well know the sight of
+beauty is a real gratification."
+
+He spoke and looked so much in earnest, that Anne was not surprised to
+see Mrs Clay stealing a glance at Elizabeth and herself.  Her
+countenance, perhaps, might express some watchfulness; but the praise
+of the fine mind did not appear to excite a thought in her sister.  The
+lady could not but yield to such joint entreaties, and promise to stay.
+
+In the course of the same morning, Anne and her father chancing to be
+alone together, he began to compliment her on her improved looks; he
+thought her "less thin in her person, in her cheeks; her skin, her
+complexion, greatly improved; clearer, fresher.  Had she been using any
+thing in particular?"  "No, nothing."  "Merely Gowland," he supposed.
+"No, nothing at all."  "Ha! he was surprised at that;" and added,
+"certainly you cannot do better than to continue as you are; you cannot
+be better than well; or I should recommend Gowland, the constant use of
+Gowland, during the spring months.  Mrs Clay has been using it at my
+recommendation, and you see what it has done for her.  You see how it
+has carried away her freckles."
+
+If Elizabeth could but have heard this!  Such personal praise might
+have struck her, especially as it did not appear to Anne that the
+freckles were at all lessened.  But everything must take its chance.
+The evil of a marriage would be much diminished, if Elizabeth were also
+to marry.  As for herself, she might always command a home with Lady
+Russell.
+
+Lady Russell's composed mind and polite manners were put to some trial
+on this point, in her intercourse in Camden Place.  The sight of Mrs
+Clay in such favour, and of Anne so overlooked, was a perpetual
+provocation to her there; and vexed her as much when she was away, as a
+person in Bath who drinks the water, gets all the new publications, and
+has a very large acquaintance, has time to be vexed.
+
+As Mr Elliot became known to her, she grew more charitable, or more
+indifferent, towards the others.  His manners were an immediate
+recommendation; and on conversing with him she found the solid so fully
+supporting the superficial, that she was at first, as she told Anne,
+almost ready to exclaim, "Can this be Mr Elliot?" and could not
+seriously picture to herself a more agreeable or estimable man.
+Everything united in him; good understanding, correct opinions,
+knowledge of the world, and a warm heart.  He had strong feelings of
+family attachment and family honour, without pride or weakness; he
+lived with the liberality of a man of fortune, without display; he
+judged for himself in everything essential, without defying public
+opinion in any point of worldly decorum.  He was steady, observant,
+moderate, candid; never run away with by spirits or by selfishness,
+which fancied itself strong feeling; and yet, with a sensibility to
+what was amiable and lovely, and a value for all the felicities of
+domestic life, which characters of fancied enthusiasm and violent
+agitation seldom really possess.  She was sure that he had not been
+happy in marriage.  Colonel Wallis said it, and Lady Russell saw it;
+but it had been no unhappiness to sour his mind, nor (she began pretty
+soon to suspect) to prevent his thinking of a second choice.  Her
+satisfaction in Mr Elliot outweighed all the plague of Mrs Clay.
+
+It was now some years since Anne had begun to learn that she and her
+excellent friend could sometimes think differently; and it did not
+surprise her, therefore, that Lady Russell should see nothing
+suspicious or inconsistent, nothing to require more motives than
+appeared, in Mr Elliot's great desire of a reconciliation.  In Lady
+Russell's view, it was perfectly natural that Mr Elliot, at a mature
+time of life, should feel it a most desirable object, and what would
+very generally recommend him among all sensible people, to be on good
+terms with the head of his family; the simplest process in the world of
+time upon a head naturally clear, and only erring in the heyday of
+youth.  Anne presumed, however, still to smile about it, and at last to
+mention "Elizabeth."  Lady Russell listened, and looked, and made only
+this cautious reply:--"Elizabeth! very well; time will explain."
+
+It was a reference to the future, which Anne, after a little
+observation, felt she must submit to.  She could determine nothing at
+present.  In that house Elizabeth must be first; and she was in the
+habit of such general observance as "Miss Elliot," that any
+particularity of attention seemed almost impossible.  Mr Elliot, too,
+it must be remembered, had not been a widower seven months.  A little
+delay on his side might be very excusable.  In fact, Anne could never
+see the crape round his hat, without fearing that she was the
+inexcusable one, in attributing to him such imaginations; for though
+his marriage had not been very happy, still it had existed so many
+years that she could not comprehend a very rapid recovery from the
+awful impression of its being dissolved.
+
+However it might end, he was without any question their pleasantest
+acquaintance in Bath:  she saw nobody equal to him; and it was a great
+indulgence now and then to talk to him about Lyme, which he seemed to
+have as lively a wish to see again, and to see more of, as herself.
+They went through the particulars of their first meeting a great many
+times.  He gave her to understand that he had looked at her with some
+earnestness.  She knew it well; and she remembered another person's
+look also.
+
+They did not always think alike.  His value for rank and connexion she
+perceived was greater than hers.  It was not merely complaisance, it
+must be a liking to the cause, which made him enter warmly into her
+father and sister's solicitudes on a subject which she thought unworthy
+to excite them.  The Bath paper one morning announced the arrival of
+the Dowager Viscountess Dalrymple, and her daughter, the Honourable
+Miss Carteret; and all the comfort of No. --, Camden Place, was swept
+away for many days; for the Dalrymples (in Anne's opinion, most
+unfortunately) were cousins of the Elliots; and the agony was how to
+introduce themselves properly.
+
+Anne had never seen her father and sister before in contact with
+nobility, and she must acknowledge herself disappointed.  She had hoped
+better things from their high ideas of their own situation in life, and
+was reduced to form a wish which she had never foreseen; a wish that
+they had more pride; for "our cousins Lady Dalrymple and Miss
+Carteret;" "our cousins, the Dalrymples," sounded in her ears all day
+long.
+
+Sir Walter had once been in company with the late viscount, but had
+never seen any of the rest of the family; and the difficulties of the
+case arose from there having been a suspension of all intercourse by
+letters of ceremony, ever since the death of that said late viscount,
+when, in consequence of a dangerous illness of Sir Walter's at the same
+time, there had been an unlucky omission at Kellynch.  No letter of
+condolence had been sent to Ireland.  The neglect had been visited on
+the head of the sinner; for when poor Lady Elliot died herself, no
+letter of condolence was received at Kellynch, and, consequently, there
+was but too much reason to apprehend that the Dalrymples considered the
+relationship as closed.  How to have this anxious business set to
+rights, and be admitted as cousins again, was the question:  and it was
+a question which, in a more rational manner, neither Lady Russell nor
+Mr Elliot thought unimportant.  "Family connexions were always worth
+preserving, good company always worth seeking; Lady Dalrymple had taken
+a house, for three months, in Laura Place, and would be living in
+style.  She had been at Bath the year before, and Lady Russell had
+heard her spoken of as a charming woman.  It was very desirable that
+the connexion should be renewed, if it could be done, without any
+compromise of propriety on the side of the Elliots."
+
+Sir Walter, however, would choose his own means, and at last wrote a
+very fine letter of ample explanation, regret, and entreaty, to his
+right honourable cousin.  Neither Lady Russell nor Mr Elliot could
+admire the letter; but it did all that was wanted, in bringing three
+lines of scrawl from the Dowager Viscountess.  "She was very much
+honoured, and should be happy in their acquaintance." The toils of the
+business were over, the sweets began.  They visited in Laura Place,
+they had the cards of Dowager Viscountess Dalrymple, and the Honourable
+Miss Carteret, to be arranged wherever they might be most visible:  and
+"Our cousins in Laura Place,"--"Our cousin, Lady Dalrymple and Miss
+Carteret," were talked of to everybody.
+
+Anne was ashamed.  Had Lady Dalrymple and her daughter even been very
+agreeable, she would still have been ashamed of the agitation they
+created, but they were nothing.  There was no superiority of manner,
+accomplishment, or understanding.  Lady Dalrymple had acquired the name
+of "a charming woman," because she had a smile and a civil answer for
+everybody.  Miss Carteret, with still less to say, was so plain and so
+awkward, that she would never have been tolerated in Camden Place but
+for her birth.
+
+Lady Russell confessed she had expected something better; but yet "it
+was an acquaintance worth having;" and when Anne ventured to speak her
+opinion of them to Mr Elliot, he agreed to their being nothing in
+themselves, but still maintained that, as a family connexion, as good
+company, as those who would collect good company around them, they had
+their value.  Anne smiled and said,
+
+"My idea of good company, Mr Elliot, is the company of clever,
+well-informed people, who have a great deal of conversation; that is
+what I call good company."
+
+"You are mistaken," said he gently, "that is not good company; that is
+the best.  Good company requires only birth, education, and manners,
+and with regard to education is not very nice.  Birth and good manners
+are essential; but a little learning is by no means a dangerous thing
+in good company; on the contrary, it will do very well.  My cousin Anne
+shakes her head.  She is not satisfied.  She is fastidious.  My dear
+cousin" (sitting down by her), "you have a better right to be
+fastidious than almost any other woman I know; but will it answer?
+Will it make you happy?  Will it not be wiser to accept the society of
+those good ladies in Laura Place, and enjoy all the advantages of the
+connexion as far as possible?  You may depend upon it, that they will
+move in the first set in Bath this winter, and as rank is rank, your
+being known to be related to them will have its use in fixing your
+family (our family let me say) in that degree of consideration which we
+must all wish for."
+
+"Yes," sighed Anne, "we shall, indeed, be known to be related to them!"
+then recollecting herself, and not wishing to be answered, she added,
+"I certainly do think there has been by far too much trouble taken to
+procure the acquaintance.  I suppose" (smiling) "I have more pride than
+any of you; but I confess it does vex me, that we should be so
+solicitous to have the relationship acknowledged, which we may be very
+sure is a matter of perfect indifference to them."
+
+"Pardon me, dear cousin, you are unjust in your own claims.  In London,
+perhaps, in your present quiet style of living, it might be as you say:
+but in Bath; Sir Walter Elliot and his family will always be worth
+knowing:  always acceptable as acquaintance."
+
+"Well," said Anne, "I certainly am proud, too proud to enjoy a welcome
+which depends so entirely upon place."
+
+"I love your indignation," said he; "it is very natural.  But here you
+are in Bath, and the object is to be established here with all the
+credit and dignity which ought to belong to Sir Walter Elliot.  You
+talk of being proud; I am called proud, I know, and I shall not wish to
+believe myself otherwise; for our pride, if investigated, would have
+the same object, I have no doubt, though the kind may seem a little
+different.  In one point, I am sure, my dear cousin," (he continued,
+speaking lower, though there was no one else in the room) "in one
+point, I am sure, we must feel alike.  We must feel that every addition
+to your father's society, among his equals or superiors, may be of use
+in diverting his thoughts from those who are beneath him."
+
+He looked, as he spoke, to the seat which Mrs Clay had been lately
+occupying:  a sufficient explanation of what he particularly meant; and
+though Anne could not believe in their having the same sort of pride,
+she was pleased with him for not liking Mrs Clay; and her conscience
+admitted that his wishing to promote her father's getting great
+acquaintance was more than excusable in the view of defeating her.
+
+
+
+Chapter 17
+
+
+While Sir Walter and Elizabeth were assiduously pushing their good
+fortune in Laura Place, Anne was renewing an acquaintance of a very
+different description.
+
+She had called on her former governess, and had heard from her of there
+being an old school-fellow in Bath, who had the two strong claims on
+her attention of past kindness and present suffering.  Miss Hamilton,
+now Mrs Smith, had shewn her kindness in one of those periods of her
+life when it had been most valuable.  Anne had gone unhappy to school,
+grieving for the loss of a mother whom she had dearly loved, feeling
+her separation from home, and suffering as a girl of fourteen, of
+strong sensibility and not high spirits, must suffer at such a time;
+and Miss Hamilton, three years older than herself, but still from the
+want of near relations and a settled home, remaining another year at
+school, had been useful and good to her in a way which had considerably
+lessened her misery, and could never be remembered with indifference.
+
+Miss Hamilton had left school, had married not long afterwards, was
+said to have married a man of fortune, and this was all that Anne had
+known of her, till now that their governess's account brought her
+situation forward in a more decided but very different form.
+
+She was a widow and poor.  Her husband had been extravagant; and at his
+death, about two years before, had left his affairs dreadfully
+involved.  She had had difficulties of every sort to contend with, and
+in addition to these distresses had been afflicted with a severe
+rheumatic fever, which, finally settling in her legs, had made her for
+the present a cripple.  She had come to Bath on that account, and was
+now in lodgings near the hot baths, living in a very humble way, unable
+even to afford herself the comfort of a servant, and of course almost
+excluded from society.
+
+Their mutual friend answered for the satisfaction which a visit from
+Miss Elliot would give Mrs Smith, and Anne therefore lost no time in
+going.  She mentioned nothing of what she had heard, or what she
+intended, at home.  It would excite no proper interest there.  She only
+consulted Lady Russell, who entered thoroughly into her sentiments, and
+was most happy to convey her as near to Mrs Smith's lodgings in
+Westgate Buildings, as Anne chose to be taken.
+
+The visit was paid, their acquaintance re-established, their interest
+in each other more than re-kindled.  The first ten minutes had its
+awkwardness and its emotion.  Twelve years were gone since they had
+parted, and each presented a somewhat different person from what the
+other had imagined.  Twelve years had changed Anne from the blooming,
+silent, unformed girl of fifteen, to the elegant little woman of
+seven-and-twenty, with every beauty except bloom, and with manners as
+consciously right as they were invariably gentle; and twelve years had
+transformed the fine-looking, well-grown Miss Hamilton, in all the glow
+of health and confidence of superiority, into a poor, infirm, helpless
+widow, receiving the visit of her former protegee as a favour; but all
+that was uncomfortable in the meeting had soon passed away, and left
+only the interesting charm of remembering former partialities and
+talking over old times.
+
+Anne found in Mrs Smith the good sense and agreeable manners which she
+had almost ventured to depend on, and a disposition to converse and be
+cheerful beyond her expectation.  Neither the dissipations of the
+past--and she had lived very much in the world--nor the restrictions of
+the present, neither sickness nor sorrow seemed to have closed her
+heart or ruined her spirits.
+
+In the course of a second visit she talked with great openness, and
+Anne's astonishment increased.  She could scarcely imagine a more
+cheerless situation in itself than Mrs Smith's.  She had been very fond
+of her husband:  she had buried him.  She had been used to affluence:
+it was gone.  She had no child to connect her with life and happiness
+again, no relations to assist in the arrangement of perplexed affairs,
+no health to make all the rest supportable.  Her accommodations were
+limited to a noisy parlour, and a dark bedroom behind, with no
+possibility of moving from one to the other without assistance, which
+there was only one servant in the house to afford, and she never
+quitted the house but to be conveyed into the warm bath.  Yet, in spite
+of all this, Anne had reason to believe that she had moments only of
+languor and depression, to hours of occupation and enjoyment.  How
+could it be?  She watched, observed, reflected, and finally determined
+that this was not a case of fortitude or of resignation only.  A
+submissive spirit might be patient, a strong understanding would supply
+resolution, but here was something more; here was that elasticity of
+mind, that disposition to be comforted, that power of turning readily
+from evil to good, and of finding employment which carried her out of
+herself, which was from nature alone.  It was the choicest gift of
+Heaven; and Anne viewed her friend as one of those instances in which,
+by a merciful appointment, it seems designed to counterbalance almost
+every other want.
+
+There had been a time, Mrs Smith told her, when her spirits had nearly
+failed.  She could not call herself an invalid now, compared with her
+state on first reaching Bath.  Then she had, indeed, been a pitiable
+object; for she had caught cold on the journey, and had hardly taken
+possession of her lodgings before she was again confined to her bed and
+suffering under severe and constant pain; and all this among strangers,
+with the absolute necessity of having a regular nurse, and finances at
+that moment particularly unfit to meet any extraordinary expense.  She
+had weathered it, however, and could truly say that it had done her
+good.  It had increased her comforts by making her feel herself to be
+in good hands.  She had seen too much of the world, to expect sudden or
+disinterested attachment anywhere, but her illness had proved to her
+that her landlady had a character to preserve, and would not use her
+ill; and she had been particularly fortunate in her nurse, as a sister
+of her landlady, a nurse by profession, and who had always a home in
+that house when unemployed, chanced to be at liberty just in time to
+attend her.  "And she," said Mrs Smith, "besides nursing me most
+admirably, has really proved an invaluable acquaintance.  As soon as I
+could use my hands she taught me to knit, which has been a great
+amusement; and she put me in the way of making these little
+thread-cases, pin-cushions and card-racks, which you always find me so
+busy about, and which supply me with the means of doing a little good
+to one or two very poor families in this neighbourhood.  She had a
+large acquaintance, of course professionally, among those who can
+afford to buy, and she disposes of my merchandise.  She always takes
+the right time for applying.  Everybody's heart is open, you know, when
+they have recently escaped from severe pain, or are recovering the
+blessing of health, and Nurse Rooke thoroughly understands when to
+speak.  She is a shrewd, intelligent, sensible woman.  Hers is a line
+for seeing human nature; and she has a fund of good sense and
+observation, which, as a companion, make her infinitely superior to
+thousands of those who having only received 'the best education in the
+world,' know nothing worth attending to.  Call it gossip, if you will,
+but when Nurse Rooke has half an hour's leisure to bestow on me, she is
+sure to have something to relate that is entertaining and profitable:
+something that makes one know one's species better.  One likes to hear
+what is going on, to be au fait as to the newest modes of being
+trifling and silly.  To me, who live so much alone, her conversation, I
+assure you, is a treat."
+
+Anne, far from wishing to cavil at the pleasure, replied, "I can easily
+believe it.  Women of that class have great opportunities, and if they
+are intelligent may be well worth listening to.  Such varieties of
+human nature as they are in the habit of witnessing!  And it is not
+merely in its follies, that they are well read; for they see it
+occasionally under every circumstance that can be most interesting or
+affecting.  What instances must pass before them of ardent,
+disinterested, self-denying attachment, of heroism, fortitude,
+patience, resignation:  of all the conflicts and all the sacrifices
+that ennoble us most.  A sick chamber may often furnish the worth of
+volumes."
+
+"Yes," said Mrs Smith more doubtingly, "sometimes it may, though I fear
+its lessons are not often in the elevated style you describe.  Here and
+there, human nature may be great in times of trial; but generally
+speaking, it is its weakness and not its strength that appears in a
+sick chamber:  it is selfishness and impatience rather than generosity
+and fortitude, that one hears of.  There is so little real friendship
+in the world! and unfortunately" (speaking low and tremulously) "there
+are so many who forget to think seriously till it is almost too late."
+
+Anne saw the misery of such feelings.  The husband had not been what he
+ought, and the wife had been led among that part of mankind which made
+her think worse of the world than she hoped it deserved.  It was but a
+passing emotion however with Mrs Smith; she shook it off, and soon
+added in a different tone--
+
+"I do not suppose the situation my friend Mrs Rooke is in at present,
+will furnish much either to interest or edify me.  She is only nursing
+Mrs Wallis of Marlborough Buildings; a mere pretty, silly, expensive,
+fashionable woman, I believe; and of course will have nothing to report
+but of lace and finery.  I mean to make my profit of Mrs Wallis,
+however.  She has plenty of money, and I intend she shall buy all the
+high-priced things I have in hand now."
+
+Anne had called several times on her friend, before the existence of
+such a person was known in Camden Place.  At last, it became necessary
+to speak of her. Sir Walter, Elizabeth and Mrs Clay, returned one
+morning from Laura Place, with a sudden invitation from Lady Dalrymple
+for the same evening, and Anne was already engaged, to spend that
+evening in Westgate Buildings.  She was not sorry for the excuse.  They
+were only asked, she was sure, because Lady Dalrymple being kept at
+home by a bad cold, was glad to make use of the relationship which had
+been so pressed on her; and she declined on her own account with great
+alacrity--"She was engaged to spend the evening with an old
+schoolfellow."  They were not much interested in anything relative to
+Anne; but still there were questions enough asked, to make it
+understood what this old schoolfellow was; and Elizabeth was
+disdainful, and Sir Walter severe.
+
+"Westgate Buildings!" said he, "and who is Miss Anne Elliot to be
+visiting in Westgate Buildings?  A Mrs Smith.  A widow Mrs Smith; and
+who was her husband?  One of five thousand Mr Smiths whose names are to
+be met with everywhere.  And what is her attraction?  That she is old
+and sickly.  Upon my word, Miss Anne Elliot, you have the most
+extraordinary taste!  Everything that revolts other people, low
+company, paltry rooms, foul air, disgusting associations are inviting
+to you.  But surely you may put off this old lady till to-morrow:  she
+is not so near her end, I presume, but that she may hope to see another
+day.  What is her age?  Forty?"
+
+"No, sir, she is not one-and-thirty; but I do not think I can put off
+my engagement, because it is the only evening for some time which will
+at once suit her and myself.  She goes into the warm bath to-morrow,
+and for the rest of the week, you know, we are engaged."
+
+"But what does Lady Russell think of this acquaintance?" asked
+Elizabeth.
+
+"She sees nothing to blame in it," replied Anne; "on the contrary, she
+approves it, and has generally taken me when I have called on Mrs
+Smith."
+
+"Westgate Buildings must have been rather surprised by the appearance
+of a carriage drawn up near its pavement," observed Sir Walter.  "Sir
+Henry Russell's widow, indeed, has no honours to distinguish her arms,
+but still it is a handsome equipage, and no doubt is well known to
+convey a Miss Elliot.  A widow Mrs Smith lodging in Westgate Buildings!
+A poor widow barely able to live, between thirty and forty; a mere Mrs
+Smith, an every-day Mrs Smith, of all people and all names in the
+world, to be the chosen friend of Miss Anne Elliot, and to be preferred
+by her to her own family connections among the nobility of England and
+Ireland!  Mrs Smith!  Such a name!"
+
+Mrs Clay, who had been present while all this passed, now thought it
+advisable to leave the room, and Anne could have said much, and did
+long to say a little in defence of her friend's not very dissimilar
+claims to theirs, but her sense of personal respect to her father
+prevented her.  She made no reply.  She left it to himself to
+recollect, that Mrs Smith was not the only widow in Bath between thirty
+and forty, with little to live on, and no surname of dignity.
+
+Anne kept her appointment; the others kept theirs, and of course she
+heard the next morning that they had had a delightful evening.  She had
+been the only one of the set absent, for Sir Walter and Elizabeth had
+not only been quite at her ladyship's service themselves, but had
+actually been happy to be employed by her in collecting others, and had
+been at the trouble of inviting both Lady Russell and Mr Elliot; and Mr
+Elliot had made a point of leaving Colonel Wallis early, and Lady
+Russell had fresh arranged all her evening engagements in order to wait
+on her.  Anne had the whole history of all that such an evening could
+supply from Lady Russell.  To her, its greatest interest must be, in
+having been very much talked of between her friend and Mr Elliot; in
+having been wished for, regretted, and at the same time honoured for
+staying away in such a cause.  Her kind, compassionate visits to this
+old schoolfellow, sick and reduced, seemed to have quite delighted Mr
+Elliot.  He thought her a most extraordinary young woman; in her
+temper, manners, mind, a model of female excellence.  He could meet
+even Lady Russell in a discussion of her merits; and Anne could not be
+given to understand so much by her friend, could not know herself to be
+so highly rated by a sensible man, without many of those agreeable
+sensations which her friend meant to create.
+
+Lady Russell was now perfectly decided in her opinion of Mr Elliot.
+She was as much convinced of his meaning to gain Anne in time as of his
+deserving her, and was beginning to calculate the number of weeks which
+would free him from all the remaining restraints of widowhood, and
+leave him at liberty to exert his most open powers of pleasing.  She
+would not speak to Anne with half the certainty she felt on the
+subject, she would venture on little more than hints of what might be
+hereafter, of a possible attachment on his side, of the desirableness
+of the alliance, supposing such attachment to be real and returned.
+Anne heard her, and made no violent exclamations; she only smiled,
+blushed, and gently shook her head.
+
+"I am no match-maker, as you well know," said Lady Russell, "being much
+too well aware of the uncertainty of all human events and calculations.
+I only mean that if Mr Elliot should some time hence pay his addresses
+to you, and if you should be disposed to accept him, I think there
+would be every possibility of your being happy together.  A most
+suitable connection everybody must consider it, but I think it might be
+a very happy one."
+
+"Mr Elliot is an exceedingly agreeable man, and in many respects I
+think highly of him," said Anne; "but we should not suit."
+
+Lady Russell let this pass, and only said in rejoinder, "I own that to
+be able to regard you as the future mistress of Kellynch, the future
+Lady Elliot, to look forward and see you occupying your dear mother's
+place, succeeding to all her rights, and all her popularity, as well as
+to all her virtues, would be the highest possible gratification to me.
+You are your mother's self in countenance and disposition; and if I
+might be allowed to fancy you such as she was, in situation and name,
+and home, presiding and blessing in the same spot, and only superior to
+her in being more highly valued!  My dearest Anne, it would give me
+more delight than is often felt at my time of life!"
+
+Anne was obliged to turn away, to rise, to walk to a distant table,
+and, leaning there in pretended employment, try to subdue the feelings
+this picture excited.  For a few moments her imagination and her heart
+were bewitched.  The idea of becoming what her mother had been; of
+having the precious name of "Lady Elliot" first revived in herself; of
+being restored to Kellynch, calling it her home again, her home for
+ever, was a charm which she could not immediately resist.  Lady Russell
+said not another word, willing to leave the matter to its own
+operation; and believing that, could Mr Elliot at that moment with
+propriety have spoken for himself!--she believed, in short, what Anne
+did not believe.  The same image of Mr Elliot speaking for himself
+brought Anne to composure again.  The charm of Kellynch and of "Lady
+Elliot" all faded away.  She never could accept him.  And it was not
+only that her feelings were still adverse to any man save one; her
+judgement, on a serious consideration of the possibilities of such a
+case was against Mr Elliot.
+
+Though they had now been acquainted a month, she could not be satisfied
+that she really knew his character.  That he was a sensible man, an
+agreeable man, that he talked well, professed good opinions, seemed to
+judge properly and as a man of principle, this was all clear enough.
+He certainly knew what was right, nor could she fix on any one article
+of moral duty evidently transgressed; but yet she would have been
+afraid to answer for his conduct.  She distrusted the past, if not the
+present.  The names which occasionally dropt of former associates, the
+allusions to former practices and pursuits, suggested suspicions not
+favourable of what he had been.  She saw that there had been bad
+habits; that Sunday travelling had been a common thing; that there had
+been a period of his life (and probably not a short one) when he had
+been, at least, careless in all serious matters; and, though he might
+now think very differently, who could answer for the true sentiments of
+a clever, cautious man, grown old enough to appreciate a fair
+character?  How could it ever be ascertained that his mind was truly
+cleansed?
+
+Mr Elliot was rational, discreet, polished, but he was not open.  There
+was never any burst of feeling, any warmth of indignation or delight,
+at the evil or good of others.  This, to Anne, was a decided
+imperfection.  Her early impressions were incurable.  She prized the
+frank, the open-hearted, the eager character beyond all others.  Warmth
+and enthusiasm did captivate her still.  She felt that she could so
+much more depend upon the sincerity of those who sometimes looked or
+said a careless or a hasty thing, than of those whose presence of mind
+never varied, whose tongue never slipped.
+
+Mr Elliot was too generally agreeable.  Various as were the tempers in
+her father's house, he pleased them all.  He endured too well, stood
+too well with every body.  He had spoken to her with some degree of
+openness of Mrs Clay; had appeared completely to see what Mrs Clay was
+about, and to hold her in contempt; and yet Mrs Clay found him as
+agreeable as any body.
+
+Lady Russell saw either less or more than her young friend, for she saw
+nothing to excite distrust.  She could not imagine a man more exactly
+what he ought to be than Mr Elliot; nor did she ever enjoy a sweeter
+feeling than the hope of seeing him receive the hand of her beloved
+Anne in Kellynch church, in the course of the following autumn.
+
+
+
+Chapter 18
+
+
+It was the beginning of February; and Anne, having been a month in
+Bath, was growing very eager for news from Uppercross and Lyme.  She
+wanted to hear much more than Mary had communicated.  It was three
+weeks since she had heard at all.  She only knew that Henrietta was at
+home again; and that Louisa, though considered to be recovering fast,
+was still in Lyme; and she was thinking of them all very intently one
+evening, when a thicker letter than usual from Mary was delivered to
+her; and, to quicken the pleasure and surprise, with Admiral and Mrs
+Croft's compliments.
+
+The Crofts must be in Bath!  A circumstance to interest her.  They were
+people whom her heart turned to very naturally.
+
+"What is this?" cried Sir Walter.  "The Crofts have arrived in Bath?
+The Crofts who rent Kellynch?  What have they brought you?"
+
+"A letter from Uppercross Cottage, Sir."
+
+"Oh! those letters are convenient passports.  They secure an
+introduction.  I should have visited Admiral Croft, however, at any
+rate.  I know what is due to my tenant."
+
+Anne could listen no longer; she could not even have told how the poor
+Admiral's complexion escaped; her letter engrossed her.  It had been
+begun several days back.
+
+
+"February 1st.
+
+"My dear Anne,--I make no apology for my silence, because I know how
+little people think of letters in such a place as Bath.  You must be a
+great deal too happy to care for Uppercross, which, as you well know,
+affords little to write about.  We have had a very dull Christmas; Mr
+and Mrs Musgrove have not had one dinner party all the holidays.  I do
+not reckon the Hayters as anybody.  The holidays, however, are over at
+last:  I believe no children ever had such long ones.  I am sure I had
+not.  The house was cleared yesterday, except of the little Harvilles;
+but you will be surprised to hear they have never gone home.  Mrs
+Harville must be an odd mother to part with them so long.  I do not
+understand it.  They are not at all nice children, in my opinion; but
+Mrs Musgrove seems to like them quite as well, if not better, than her
+grandchildren.  What dreadful weather we have had!  It may not be felt
+in Bath, with your nice pavements; but in the country it is of some
+consequence.  I have not had a creature call on me since the second
+week in January, except Charles Hayter, who had been calling much
+oftener than was welcome.  Between ourselves, I think it a great pity
+Henrietta did not remain at Lyme as long as Louisa; it would have kept
+her a little out of his way.  The carriage is gone to-day, to bring
+Louisa and the Harvilles to-morrow.  We are not asked to dine with
+them, however, till the day after, Mrs Musgrove is so afraid of her
+being fatigued by the journey, which is not very likely, considering
+the care that will be taken of her; and it would be much more
+convenient to me to dine there to-morrow.  I am glad you find Mr Elliot
+so agreeable, and wish I could be acquainted with him too; but I have
+my usual luck:  I am always out of the way when any thing desirable is
+going on; always the last of my family to be noticed.  What an immense
+time Mrs Clay has been staying with Elizabeth!  Does she never mean to
+go away?  But perhaps if she were to leave the room vacant, we might
+not be invited.  Let me know what you think of this.  I do not expect
+my children to be asked, you know.  I can leave them at the Great House
+very well, for a month or six weeks.  I have this moment heard that the
+Crofts are going to Bath almost immediately; they think the Admiral
+gouty.  Charles heard it quite by chance; they have not had the
+civility to give me any notice, or of offering to take anything.  I do
+not think they improve at all as neighbours.  We see nothing of them,
+and this is really an instance of gross inattention.  Charles joins me
+in love, and everything proper.  Yours affectionately,
+
+"Mary M---.
+
+"I am sorry to say that I am very far from well; and Jemima has just
+told me that the butcher says there is a bad sore-throat very much
+about.  I dare say I shall catch it; and my sore-throats, you know, are
+always worse than anybody's."
+
+
+So ended the first part, which had been afterwards put into an
+envelope, containing nearly as much more.
+
+
+"I kept my letter open, that I might send you word how Louisa bore her
+journey, and now I am extremely glad I did, having a great deal to add.
+In the first place, I had a note from Mrs Croft yesterday, offering to
+convey anything to you; a very kind, friendly note indeed, addressed to
+me, just as it ought; I shall therefore be able to make my letter as
+long as I like.  The Admiral does not seem very ill, and I sincerely
+hope Bath will do him all the good he wants.  I shall be truly glad to
+have them back again.  Our neighbourhood cannot spare such a pleasant
+family.  But now for Louisa.  I have something to communicate that will
+astonish you not a little.  She and the Harvilles came on Tuesday very
+safely, and in the evening we went to ask her how she did, when we were
+rather surprised not to find Captain Benwick of the party, for he had
+been invited as well as the Harvilles; and what do you think was the
+reason?  Neither more nor less than his being in love with Louisa, and
+not choosing to venture to Uppercross till he had had an answer from Mr
+Musgrove; for it was all settled between him and her before she came
+away, and he had written to her father by Captain Harville.  True, upon
+my honour!  Are not you astonished?  I shall be surprised at least if
+you ever received a hint of it, for I never did.  Mrs Musgrove protests
+solemnly that she knew nothing of the matter.  We are all very well
+pleased, however, for though it is not equal to her marrying Captain
+Wentworth, it is infinitely better than Charles Hayter; and Mr Musgrove
+has written his consent, and Captain Benwick is expected to-day.  Mrs
+Harville says her husband feels a good deal on his poor sister's
+account; but, however, Louisa is a great favourite with both.  Indeed,
+Mrs Harville and I quite agree that we love her the better for having
+nursed her.  Charles wonders what Captain Wentworth will say; but if
+you remember, I never thought him attached to Louisa; I never could see
+anything of it.  And this is the end, you see, of Captain Benwick's
+being supposed to be an admirer of yours.  How Charles could take such
+a thing into his head was always incomprehensible to me.  I hope he
+will be more agreeable now.  Certainly not a great match for Louisa
+Musgrove, but a million times better than marrying among the Hayters."
+
+
+Mary need not have feared her sister's being in any degree prepared for
+the news.  She had never in her life been more astonished.  Captain
+Benwick and Louisa Musgrove!  It was almost too wonderful for belief,
+and it was with the greatest effort that she could remain in the room,
+preserve an air of calmness, and answer the common questions of the
+moment.  Happily for her, they were not many.  Sir Walter wanted to
+know whether the Crofts travelled with four horses, and whether they
+were likely to be situated in such a part of Bath as it might suit Miss
+Elliot and himself to visit in; but had little curiosity beyond.
+
+"How is Mary?" said Elizabeth; and without waiting for an answer, "And
+pray what brings the Crofts to Bath?"
+
+"They come on the Admiral's account.  He is thought to be gouty."
+
+"Gout and decrepitude!" said Sir Walter.  "Poor old gentleman."
+
+"Have they any acquaintance here?" asked Elizabeth.
+
+"I do not know; but I can hardly suppose that, at Admiral Croft's time
+of life, and in his profession, he should not have many acquaintance in
+such a place as this."
+
+"I suspect," said Sir Walter coolly, "that Admiral Croft will be best
+known in Bath as the renter of Kellynch Hall.  Elizabeth, may we
+venture to present him and his wife in Laura Place?"
+
+"Oh, no! I think not.  Situated as we are with Lady Dalrymple, cousins,
+we ought to be very careful not to embarrass her with acquaintance she
+might not approve.  If we were not related, it would not signify; but
+as cousins, she would feel scrupulous as to any proposal of ours.  We
+had better leave the Crofts to find their own level.  There are several
+odd-looking men walking about here, who, I am told, are sailors.  The
+Crofts will associate with them."
+
+This was Sir Walter and Elizabeth's share of interest in the letter;
+when Mrs Clay had paid her tribute of more decent attention, in an
+enquiry after Mrs Charles Musgrove, and her fine little boys, Anne was
+at liberty.
+
+In her own room, she tried to comprehend it.  Well might Charles wonder
+how Captain Wentworth would feel!  Perhaps he had quitted the field,
+had given Louisa up, had ceased to love, had found he did not love her.
+She could not endure the idea of treachery or levity, or anything akin
+to ill usage between him and his friend.  She could not endure that
+such a friendship as theirs should be severed unfairly.
+
+Captain Benwick and Louisa Musgrove!  The high-spirited, joyous-talking
+Louisa Musgrove, and the dejected, thinking, feeling, reading, Captain
+Benwick, seemed each of them everything that would not suit the other.
+Their minds most dissimilar!  Where could have been the attraction?
+The answer soon presented itself.  It had been in situation.  They had
+been thrown together several weeks; they had been living in the same
+small family party:  since Henrietta's coming away, they must have been
+depending almost entirely on each other, and Louisa, just recovering
+from illness, had been in an interesting state, and Captain Benwick was
+not inconsolable.  That was a point which Anne had not been able to
+avoid suspecting before; and instead of drawing the same conclusion as
+Mary, from the present course of events, they served only to confirm
+the idea of his having felt some dawning of tenderness toward herself.
+She did not mean, however, to derive much more from it to gratify her
+vanity, than Mary might have allowed.  She was persuaded that any
+tolerably pleasing young woman who had listened and seemed to feel for
+him would have received the same compliment.  He had an affectionate
+heart.  He must love somebody.
+
+She saw no reason against their being happy.  Louisa had fine naval
+fervour to begin with, and they would soon grow more alike.  He would
+gain cheerfulness, and she would learn to be an enthusiast for Scott
+and Lord Byron; nay, that was probably learnt already; of course they
+had fallen in love over poetry.  The idea of Louisa Musgrove turned
+into a person of literary taste, and sentimental reflection was
+amusing, but she had no doubt of its being so.  The day at Lyme, the
+fall from the Cobb, might influence her health, her nerves, her
+courage, her character to the end of her life, as thoroughly as it
+appeared to have influenced her fate.
+
+The conclusion of the whole was, that if the woman who had been
+sensible of Captain Wentworth's merits could be allowed to prefer
+another man, there was nothing in the engagement to excite lasting
+wonder; and if Captain Wentworth lost no friend by it, certainly
+nothing to be regretted.  No, it was not regret which made Anne's heart
+beat in spite of herself, and brought the colour into her cheeks when
+she thought of Captain Wentworth unshackled and free.  She had some
+feelings which she was ashamed to investigate.  They were too much like
+joy, senseless joy!
+
+She longed to see the Crofts; but when the meeting took place, it was
+evident that no rumour of the news had yet reached them.  The visit of
+ceremony was paid and returned; and Louisa Musgrove was mentioned, and
+Captain Benwick, too, without even half a smile.
+
+The Crofts had placed themselves in lodgings in Gay Street, perfectly
+to Sir Walter's satisfaction.  He was not at all ashamed of the
+acquaintance, and did, in fact, think and talk a great deal more about
+the Admiral, than the Admiral ever thought or talked about him.
+
+The Crofts knew quite as many people in Bath as they wished for, and
+considered their intercourse with the Elliots as a mere matter of form,
+and not in the least likely to afford them any pleasure.  They brought
+with them their country habit of being almost always together.  He was
+ordered to walk to keep off the gout, and Mrs Croft seemed to go shares
+with him in everything, and to walk for her life to do him good.  Anne
+saw them wherever she went.  Lady Russell took her out in her carriage
+almost every morning, and she never failed to think of them, and never
+failed to see them.  Knowing their feelings as she did, it was a most
+attractive picture of happiness to her.  She always watched them as
+long as she could, delighted to fancy she understood what they might be
+talking of, as they walked along in happy independence, or equally
+delighted to see the Admiral's hearty shake of the hand when he
+encountered an old friend, and observe their eagerness of conversation
+when occasionally forming into a little knot of the navy, Mrs Croft
+looking as intelligent and keen as any of the officers around her.
+
+Anne was too much engaged with Lady Russell to be often walking
+herself; but it so happened that one morning, about a week or ten days
+after the Croft's arrival, it suited her best to leave her friend, or
+her friend's carriage, in the lower part of the town, and return alone
+to Camden Place, and in walking up Milsom Street she had the good
+fortune to meet with the Admiral.  He was standing by himself at a
+printshop window, with his hands behind him, in earnest contemplation
+of some print, and she not only might have passed him unseen, but was
+obliged to touch as well as address him before she could catch his
+notice.  When he did perceive and acknowledge her, however, it was done
+with all his usual frankness and good humour.  "Ha! is it you?  Thank
+you, thank you.  This is treating me like a friend.  Here I am, you
+see, staring at a picture.  I can never get by this shop without
+stopping.  But what a thing here is, by way of a boat!  Do look at it.
+Did you ever see the like?  What queer fellows your fine painters must
+be, to think that anybody would venture their lives in such a shapeless
+old cockleshell as that?  And yet here are two gentlemen stuck up in it
+mightily at their ease, and looking about them at the rocks and
+mountains, as if they were not to be upset the next moment, which they
+certainly must be.  I wonder where that boat was built!" (laughing
+heartily); "I would not venture over a horsepond in it.  Well,"
+(turning away), "now, where are you bound?  Can I go anywhere for you,
+or with you?  Can I be of any use?"
+
+"None, I thank you, unless you will give me the pleasure of your
+company the little way our road lies together.  I am going home."
+
+
+"That I will, with all my heart, and farther, too.  Yes, yes we will
+have a snug walk together, and I have something to tell you as we go
+along.  There, take my arm; that's right; I do not feel comfortable if
+I have not a woman there.  Lord! what a boat it is!" taking a last look
+at the picture, as they began to be in motion.
+
+"Did you say that you had something to tell me, sir?"
+
+"Yes, I have, presently.  But here comes a friend, Captain Brigden; I
+shall only say, 'How d'ye do?' as we pass, however.  I shall not stop.
+'How d'ye do?'  Brigden stares to see anybody with me but my wife.
+She, poor soul, is tied by the leg.  She has a blister on one of her
+heels, as large as a three-shilling piece.  If you look across the
+street, you will see Admiral Brand coming down and his brother.  Shabby
+fellows, both of them!  I am glad they are not on this side of the way.
+Sophy cannot bear them.  They played me a pitiful trick once: got away
+with some of my best men.  I will tell you the whole story another
+time.  There comes old Sir Archibald Drew and his grandson.  Look, he
+sees us; he kisses his hand to you; he takes you for my wife.  Ah! the
+peace has come too soon for that younker.  Poor old Sir Archibald!  How
+do you like Bath, Miss Elliot?  It suits us very well.  We are always
+meeting with some old friend or other; the streets full of them every
+morning; sure to have plenty of chat; and then we get away from them
+all, and shut ourselves in our lodgings, and draw in our chairs, and
+are as snug as if we were at Kellynch, ay, or as we used to be even at
+North Yarmouth and Deal.  We do not like our lodgings here the worse, I
+can tell you, for putting us in mind of those we first had at North
+Yarmouth.  The wind blows through one of the cupboards just in the same
+way."
+
+When they were got a little farther, Anne ventured to press again for
+what he had to communicate.  She hoped when clear of Milsom Street to
+have her curiosity gratified; but she was still obliged to wait, for
+the Admiral had made up his mind not to begin till they had gained the
+greater space and quiet of Belmont; and as she was not really Mrs
+Croft, she must let him have his own way.  As soon as they were fairly
+ascending Belmont, he began--
+
+"Well, now you shall hear something that will surprise you.  But first
+of all, you must tell me the name of the young lady I am going to talk
+about.  That young lady, you know, that we have all been so concerned
+for.  The Miss Musgrove, that all this has been happening to.  Her
+Christian name:  I always forget her Christian name."
+
+Anne had been ashamed to appear to comprehend so soon as she really
+did; but now she could safely suggest the name of "Louisa."
+
+"Ay, ay, Miss Louisa Musgrove, that is the name.  I wish young ladies
+had not such a number of fine Christian names.  I should never be out
+if they were all Sophys, or something of that sort.  Well, this Miss
+Louisa, we all thought, you know, was to marry Frederick.  He was
+courting her week after week.  The only wonder was, what they could be
+waiting for, till the business at Lyme came; then, indeed, it was clear
+enough that they must wait till her brain was set to right.  But even
+then there was something odd in their way of going on.  Instead of
+staying at Lyme, he went off to Plymouth, and then he went off to see
+Edward.  When we came back from Minehead he was gone down to Edward's,
+and there he has been ever since.  We have seen nothing of him since
+November.  Even Sophy could not understand it.  But now, the matter has
+taken the strangest turn of all; for this young lady, the same Miss
+Musgrove, instead of being to marry Frederick, is to marry James
+Benwick.  You know James Benwick."
+
+"A little.  I am a little acquainted with Captain Benwick."
+
+"Well, she is to marry him.  Nay, most likely they are married already,
+for I do not know what they should wait for."
+
+"I thought Captain Benwick a very pleasing young man," said Anne, "and
+I understand that he bears an excellent character."
+
+"Oh! yes, yes, there is not a word to be said against James Benwick.
+He is only a commander, it is true, made last summer, and these are bad
+times for getting on, but he has not another fault that I know of.  An
+excellent, good-hearted fellow, I assure you; a very active, zealous
+officer too, which is more than you would think for, perhaps, for that
+soft sort of manner does not do him justice."
+
+"Indeed you are mistaken there, sir; I should never augur want of
+spirit from Captain Benwick's manners.  I thought them particularly
+pleasing, and I will answer for it, they would generally please."
+
+"Well, well, ladies are the best judges; but James Benwick is rather
+too piano for me; and though very likely it is all our partiality,
+Sophy and I cannot help thinking Frederick's manners better than his.
+There is something about Frederick more to our taste."
+
+Anne was caught.  She had only meant to oppose the too common idea of
+spirit and gentleness being incompatible with each other, not at all to
+represent Captain Benwick's manners as the very best that could
+possibly be; and, after a little hesitation, she was beginning to say,
+"I was not entering into any comparison of the two friends," but the
+Admiral interrupted her with--
+
+"And the thing is certainly true.  It is not a mere bit of gossip.  We
+have it from Frederick himself.  His sister had a letter from him
+yesterday, in which he tells us of it, and he had just had it in a
+letter from Harville, written upon the spot, from Uppercross.  I fancy
+they are all at Uppercross."
+
+This was an opportunity which Anne could not resist; she said,
+therefore, "I hope, Admiral, I hope there is nothing in the style of
+Captain Wentworth's letter to make you and Mrs Croft particularly
+uneasy.  It did seem, last autumn, as if there were an attachment
+between him and Louisa Musgrove; but I hope it may be understood to
+have worn out on each side equally, and without violence.  I hope his
+letter does not breathe the spirit of an ill-used man."
+
+"Not at all, not at all; there is not an oath or a murmur from
+beginning to end."
+
+Anne looked down to hide her smile.
+
+"No, no; Frederick is not a man to whine and complain; he has too much
+spirit for that.  If the girl likes another man better, it is very fit
+she should have him."
+
+"Certainly.  But what I mean is, that I hope there is nothing in
+Captain Wentworth's manner of writing to make you suppose he thinks
+himself ill-used by his friend, which might appear, you know, without
+its being absolutely said.  I should be very sorry that such a
+friendship as has subsisted between him and Captain Benwick should be
+destroyed, or even wounded, by a circumstance of this sort."
+
+"Yes, yes, I understand you.  But there is nothing at all of that
+nature in the letter.  He does not give the least fling at Benwick;
+does not so much as say, 'I wonder at it, I have a reason of my own for
+wondering at it.'  No, you would not guess, from his way of writing,
+that he had ever thought of this Miss (what's her name?) for himself.
+He very handsomely hopes they will be happy together; and there is
+nothing very unforgiving in that, I think."
+
+Anne did not receive the perfect conviction which the Admiral meant to
+convey, but it would have been useless to press the enquiry farther.
+She therefore satisfied herself with common-place remarks or quiet
+attention, and the Admiral had it all his own way.
+
+"Poor Frederick!" said he at last.  "Now he must begin all over again
+with somebody else.  I think we must get him to Bath.  Sophy must
+write, and beg him to come to Bath.  Here are pretty girls enough, I am
+sure.  It would be of no use to go to Uppercross again, for that other
+Miss Musgrove, I find, is bespoke by her cousin, the young parson.  Do
+not you think, Miss Elliot, we had better try to get him to Bath?"
+
+
+
+Chapter 19
+
+
+While Admiral Croft was taking this walk with Anne, and expressing his
+wish of getting Captain Wentworth to Bath, Captain Wentworth was
+already on his way thither.  Before Mrs Croft had written, he was
+arrived, and the very next time Anne walked out, she saw him.
+
+Mr Elliot was attending his two cousins and Mrs Clay.  They were in
+Milsom Street.  It began to rain, not much, but enough to make shelter
+desirable for women, and quite enough to make it very desirable for
+Miss Elliot to have the advantage of being conveyed home in Lady
+Dalrymple's carriage, which was seen waiting at a little distance; she,
+Anne, and Mrs Clay, therefore, turned into Molland's, while Mr Elliot
+stepped to Lady Dalrymple, to request her assistance.  He soon joined
+them again, successful, of course; Lady Dalrymple would be most happy
+to take them home, and would call for them in a few minutes.
+
+Her ladyship's carriage was a barouche, and did not hold more than four
+with any comfort.  Miss Carteret was with her mother; consequently it
+was not reasonable to expect accommodation for all the three Camden
+Place ladies.  There could be no doubt as to Miss Elliot.  Whoever
+suffered inconvenience, she must suffer none, but it occupied a little
+time to settle the point of civility between the other two.  The rain
+was a mere trifle, and Anne was most sincere in preferring a walk with
+Mr Elliot.  But the rain was also a mere trifle to Mrs Clay; she would
+hardly allow it even to drop at all, and her boots were so thick! much
+thicker than Miss Anne's; and, in short, her civility rendered her
+quite as anxious to be left to walk with Mr Elliot as Anne could be,
+and it was discussed between them with a generosity so polite and so
+determined, that the others were obliged to settle it for them; Miss
+Elliot maintaining that Mrs Clay had a little cold already, and Mr
+Elliot deciding on appeal, that his cousin Anne's boots were rather the
+thickest.
+
+It was fixed accordingly, that Mrs Clay should be of the party in the
+carriage; and they had just reached this point, when Anne, as she sat
+near the window, descried, most decidedly and distinctly, Captain
+Wentworth walking down the street.
+
+Her start was perceptible only to herself; but she instantly felt that
+she was the greatest simpleton in the world, the most unaccountable and
+absurd!  For a few minutes she saw nothing before her; it was all
+confusion.  She was lost, and when she had scolded back her senses, she
+found the others still waiting for the carriage, and Mr Elliot (always
+obliging) just setting off for Union Street on a commission of Mrs
+Clay's.
+
+She now felt a great inclination to go to the outer door; she wanted to
+see if it rained.  Why was she to suspect herself of another motive?
+Captain Wentworth must be out of sight.  She left her seat, she would
+go; one half of her should not be always so much wiser than the other
+half, or always suspecting the other of being worse than it was.  She
+would see if it rained.  She was sent back, however, in a moment by the
+entrance of Captain Wentworth himself, among a party of gentlemen and
+ladies, evidently his acquaintance, and whom he must have joined a
+little below Milsom Street.  He was more obviously struck and confused
+by the sight of her than she had ever observed before; he looked quite
+red.  For the first time, since their renewed acquaintance, she felt
+that she was betraying the least sensibility of the two.  She had the
+advantage of him in the preparation of the last few moments.  All the
+overpowering, blinding, bewildering, first effects of strong surprise
+were over with her.  Still, however, she had enough to feel!  It was
+agitation, pain, pleasure, a something between delight and misery.
+
+He spoke to her, and then turned away.  The character of his manner was
+embarrassment.  She could not have called it either cold or friendly,
+or anything so certainly as embarrassed.
+
+After a short interval, however, he came towards her, and spoke again.
+Mutual enquiries on common subjects passed:  neither of them, probably,
+much the wiser for what they heard, and Anne continuing fully sensible
+of his being less at ease than formerly.  They had by dint of being so
+very much together, got to speak to each other with a considerable
+portion of apparent indifference and calmness; but he could not do it
+now.  Time had changed him, or Louisa had changed him.  There was
+consciousness of some sort or other.  He looked very well, not as if he
+had been suffering in health or spirits, and he talked of Uppercross,
+of the Musgroves, nay, even of Louisa, and had even a momentary look of
+his own arch significance as he named her; but yet it was Captain
+Wentworth not comfortable, not easy, not able to feign that he was.
+
+It did not surprise, but it grieved Anne to observe that Elizabeth
+would not know him.  She saw that he saw Elizabeth, that Elizabeth saw
+him, that there was complete internal recognition on each side; she was
+convinced that he was ready to be acknowledged as an acquaintance,
+expecting it, and she had the pain of seeing her sister turn away with
+unalterable coldness.
+
+Lady Dalrymple's carriage, for which Miss Elliot was growing very
+impatient, now drew up; the servant came in to announce it.  It was
+beginning to rain again, and altogether there was a delay, and a
+bustle, and a talking, which must make all the little crowd in the shop
+understand that Lady Dalrymple was calling to convey Miss Elliot.  At
+last Miss Elliot and her friend, unattended but by the servant, (for
+there was no cousin returned), were walking off; and Captain Wentworth,
+watching them, turned again to Anne, and by manner, rather than words,
+was offering his services to her.
+
+"I am much obliged to you," was her answer, "but I am not going with
+them.  The carriage would not accommodate so many.  I walk:  I prefer
+walking."
+
+"But it rains."
+
+"Oh! very little,  Nothing that I regard."
+
+After a moment's pause he said:  "Though I came only yesterday, I have
+equipped myself properly for Bath already, you see," (pointing to a new
+umbrella); "I wish you would make use of it, if you are determined to
+walk; though I think it would be more prudent to let me get you a
+chair."
+
+She was very much obliged to him, but declined it all, repeating her
+conviction, that the rain would come to nothing at present, and adding,
+"I am only waiting for Mr Elliot.  He will be here in a moment, I am
+sure."
+
+She had hardly spoken the words when Mr Elliot walked in.  Captain
+Wentworth recollected him perfectly.  There was no difference between
+him and the man who had stood on the steps at Lyme, admiring Anne as
+she passed, except in the air and look and manner of the privileged
+relation and friend.  He came in with eagerness, appeared to see and
+think only of her, apologised for his stay, was grieved to have kept
+her waiting, and anxious to get her away without further loss of time
+and before the rain increased; and in another moment they walked off
+together, her arm under his, a gentle and embarrassed glance, and a
+"Good morning to you!" being all that she had time for, as she passed
+away.
+
+As soon as they were out of sight, the ladies of Captain Wentworth's
+party began talking of them.
+
+"Mr Elliot does not dislike his cousin, I fancy?"
+
+"Oh! no, that is clear enough.  One can guess what will happen there.
+He is always with them; half lives in the family, I believe.  What a
+very good-looking man!"
+
+"Yes, and Miss Atkinson, who dined with him once at the Wallises, says
+he is the most agreeable man she ever was in company with."
+
+"She is pretty, I think; Anne Elliot; very pretty, when one comes to
+look at her.  It is not the fashion to say so, but I confess I admire
+her more than her sister."
+
+"Oh! so do I."
+
+"And so do I.  No comparison.  But the men are all wild after Miss
+Elliot.  Anne is too delicate for them."
+
+Anne would have been particularly obliged to her cousin, if he would
+have walked by her side all the way to Camden Place, without saying a
+word.  She had never found it so difficult to listen to him, though
+nothing could exceed his solicitude and care, and though his subjects
+were principally such as were wont to be always interesting: praise,
+warm, just, and discriminating, of Lady Russell, and insinuations
+highly rational against Mrs Clay.  But just now she could think only of
+Captain Wentworth.  She could not understand his present feelings,
+whether he were really suffering much from disappointment or not; and
+till that point were settled, she could not be quite herself.
+
+She hoped to be wise and reasonable in time; but alas! alas!  she must
+confess to herself that she was not wise yet.
+
+Another circumstance very essential for her to know, was how long he
+meant to be in Bath; he had not mentioned it, or she could not
+recollect it.  He might be only passing through.  But it was more
+probable that he should be come to stay.  In that case, so liable as
+every body was to meet every body in Bath, Lady Russell would in all
+likelihood see him somewhere.  Would she recollect him?  How would it
+all be?
+
+She had already been obliged to tell Lady Russell that Louisa Musgrove
+was to marry Captain Benwick.  It had cost her something to encounter
+Lady Russell's surprise; and now, if she were by any chance to be
+thrown into company with Captain Wentworth, her imperfect knowledge of
+the matter might add another shade of prejudice against him.
+
+The following morning Anne was out with her friend, and for the first
+hour, in an incessant and fearful sort of watch for him in vain; but at
+last, in returning down Pulteney Street, she distinguished him on the
+right hand pavement at such a distance as to have him in view the
+greater part of the street.  There were many other men about him, many
+groups walking the same way, but there was no mistaking him.  She
+looked instinctively at Lady Russell; but not from any mad idea of her
+recognising him so soon as she did herself.  No, it was not to be
+supposed that Lady Russell would perceive him till they were nearly
+opposite.  She looked at her however, from time to time, anxiously; and
+when the moment approached which must point him out, though not daring
+to look again (for her own countenance she knew was unfit to be seen),
+she was yet perfectly conscious of Lady Russell's eyes being turned
+exactly in the direction for him--of her being, in short, intently
+observing him.  She could thoroughly comprehend the sort of fascination
+he must possess over Lady Russell's mind, the difficulty it must be for
+her to withdraw her eyes, the astonishment she must be feeling that
+eight or nine years should have passed over him, and in foreign climes
+and in active service too, without robbing him of one personal grace!
+
+At last, Lady Russell drew back her head.  "Now, how would she speak of
+him?"
+
+"You will wonder," said she, "what has been fixing my eye so long; but
+I was looking after some window-curtains, which Lady Alicia and Mrs
+Frankland were telling me of last night.  They described the
+drawing-room window-curtains of one of the houses on this side of the
+way, and this part of the street, as being the handsomest and best hung
+of any in Bath, but could not recollect the exact number, and I have
+been trying to find out which it could be; but I confess I can see no
+curtains hereabouts that answer their description."
+
+Anne sighed and blushed and smiled, in pity and disdain, either at her
+friend or herself.  The part which provoked her most, was that in all
+this waste of foresight and caution, she should have lost the right
+moment for seeing whether he saw them.
+
+A day or two passed without producing anything.  The theatre or the
+rooms, where he was most likely to be, were not fashionable enough for
+the Elliots, whose evening amusements were solely in the elegant
+stupidity of private parties, in which they were getting more and more
+engaged; and Anne, wearied of such a state of stagnation, sick of
+knowing nothing, and fancying herself stronger because her strength was
+not tried, was quite impatient for the concert evening.  It was a
+concert for the benefit of a person patronised by Lady Dalrymple.  Of
+course they must attend.  It was really expected to be a good one, and
+Captain Wentworth was very fond of music.  If she could only have a few
+minutes conversation with him again, she fancied she should be
+satisfied; and as to the power of addressing him, she felt all over
+courage if the opportunity occurred.  Elizabeth had turned from him,
+Lady Russell overlooked him; her nerves were strengthened by these
+circumstances; she felt that she owed him attention.
+
+She had once partly promised Mrs Smith to spend the evening with her;
+but in a short hurried call she excused herself and put it off, with
+the more decided promise of a longer visit on the morrow.  Mrs Smith
+gave a most good-humoured acquiescence.
+
+"By all means," said she; "only tell me all about it, when you do come.
+Who is your party?"
+
+Anne named them all.  Mrs Smith made no reply; but when she was leaving
+her said, and with an expression half serious, half arch, "Well, I
+heartily wish your concert may answer; and do not fail me to-morrow if
+you can come; for I begin to have a foreboding that I may not have many
+more visits from you."
+
+Anne was startled and confused; but after standing in a moment's
+suspense, was obliged, and not sorry to be obliged, to hurry away.
+
+
+
+Chapter 20
+
+
+Sir Walter, his two daughters, and Mrs Clay, were the earliest of all
+their party at the rooms in the evening; and as Lady Dalrymple must be
+waited for, they took their station by one of the fires in the Octagon
+Room.  But hardly were they so settled, when the door opened again, and
+Captain Wentworth walked in alone.  Anne was the nearest to him, and
+making yet a little advance, she instantly spoke.  He was preparing
+only to bow and pass on, but her gentle "How do you do?" brought him
+out of the straight line to stand near her, and make enquiries in
+return, in spite of the formidable father and sister in the back
+ground.  Their being in the back ground was a support to Anne; she knew
+nothing of their looks, and felt equal to everything which she believed
+right to be done.
+
+While they were speaking, a whispering between her father and Elizabeth
+caught her ear.  She could not distinguish, but she must guess the
+subject; and on Captain Wentworth's making a distant bow, she
+comprehended that her father had judged so well as to give him that
+simple acknowledgement of acquaintance, and she was just in time by a
+side glance to see a slight curtsey from Elizabeth herself.  This,
+though late, and reluctant, and ungracious, was yet better than
+nothing, and her spirits improved.
+
+After talking, however, of the weather, and Bath, and the concert,
+their conversation began to flag, and so little was said at last, that
+she was expecting him to go every moment, but he did not; he seemed in
+no hurry to leave her; and presently with renewed spirit, with a little
+smile, a little glow, he said--
+
+"I have hardly seen you since our day at Lyme.  I am afraid you must
+have suffered from the shock, and the more from its not overpowering
+you at the time."
+
+She assured him that she had not.
+
+"It was a frightful hour," said he, "a frightful day!" and he passed
+his hand across his eyes, as if the remembrance were still too painful,
+but in a moment, half smiling again, added, "The day has produced some
+effects however; has had some consequences which must be considered as
+the very reverse of frightful.  When you had the presence of mind to
+suggest that Benwick would be the properest person to fetch a surgeon,
+you could have little idea of his being eventually one of those most
+concerned in her recovery."
+
+"Certainly I could have none.  But it appears--I should hope it would
+be a very happy match.  There are on both sides good principles and
+good temper."
+
+"Yes," said he, looking not exactly forward; "but there, I think, ends
+the resemblance.  With all my soul I wish them happy, and rejoice over
+every circumstance in favour of it.  They have no difficulties to
+contend with at home, no opposition, no caprice, no delays.  The
+Musgroves are behaving like themselves, most honourably and kindly,
+only anxious with true parental hearts to promote their daughter's
+comfort.  All this is much, very much in favour of their happiness;
+more than perhaps--"
+
+He stopped.  A sudden recollection seemed to occur, and to give him
+some taste of that emotion which was reddening Anne's cheeks and fixing
+her eyes on the ground.  After clearing his throat, however, he
+proceeded thus--
+
+"I confess that I do think there is a disparity, too great a disparity,
+and in a point no less essential than mind.  I regard Louisa Musgrove
+as a very amiable, sweet-tempered girl, and not deficient in
+understanding, but Benwick is something more.  He is a clever man, a
+reading man; and I confess, that I do consider his attaching himself to
+her with some surprise.  Had it been the effect of gratitude, had he
+learnt to love her, because he believed her to be preferring him, it
+would have been another thing.  But I have no reason to suppose it so.
+It seems, on the contrary, to have been a perfectly spontaneous,
+untaught feeling on his side, and this surprises me.  A man like him,
+in his situation! with a heart pierced, wounded, almost broken!  Fanny
+Harville was a very superior creature, and his attachment to her was
+indeed attachment.  A man does not recover from such a devotion of the
+heart to such a woman.  He ought not; he does not."
+
+Either from the consciousness, however, that his friend had recovered,
+or from other consciousness, he went no farther; and Anne who, in spite
+of the agitated voice in which the latter part had been uttered, and in
+spite of all the various noises of the room, the almost ceaseless slam
+of the door, and ceaseless buzz of persons walking through, had
+distinguished every word, was struck, gratified, confused, and
+beginning to breathe very quick, and feel an hundred things in a
+moment.  It was impossible for her to enter on such a subject; and yet,
+after a pause, feeling the necessity of speaking, and having not the
+smallest wish for a total change, she only deviated so far as to say--
+
+"You were a good while at Lyme, I think?"
+
+"About a fortnight.  I could not leave it till Louisa's doing well was
+quite ascertained.  I had been too deeply concerned in the mischief to
+be soon at peace.  It had been my doing, solely mine.  She would not
+have been obstinate if I had not been weak.  The country round Lyme is
+very fine.  I walked and rode a great deal; and the more I saw, the
+more I found to admire."
+
+"I should very much like to see Lyme again," said Anne.
+
+"Indeed!  I should not have supposed that you could have found anything
+in Lyme to inspire such a feeling.  The horror and distress you were
+involved in, the stretch of mind, the wear of spirits!  I should have
+thought your last impressions of Lyme must have been strong disgust."
+
+"The last hours were certainly very painful," replied Anne; "but when
+pain is over, the remembrance of it often becomes a pleasure.  One does
+not love a place the less for having suffered in it, unless it has been
+all suffering, nothing but suffering, which was by no means the case at
+Lyme.  We were only in anxiety and distress during the last two hours,
+and previously there had been a great deal of enjoyment.  So much
+novelty and beauty! I have travelled so little, that every fresh place
+would be interesting to me; but there is real beauty at Lyme; and in
+short" (with a faint blush at some recollections), "altogether my
+impressions of the place are very agreeable."
+
+As she ceased, the entrance door opened again, and the very party
+appeared for whom they were waiting.  "Lady Dalrymple, Lady Dalrymple,"
+was the rejoicing sound; and with all the eagerness compatible with
+anxious elegance, Sir Walter and his two ladies stepped forward to meet
+her.  Lady Dalrymple and Miss Carteret, escorted by Mr Elliot and
+Colonel Wallis, who had happened to arrive nearly at the same instant,
+advanced into the room.  The others joined them, and it was a group in
+which Anne found herself also necessarily included.  She was divided
+from Captain Wentworth.  Their interesting, almost too interesting
+conversation must be broken up for a time, but slight was the penance
+compared with the happiness which brought it on!  She had learnt, in
+the last ten minutes, more of his feelings towards Louisa, more of all
+his feelings than she dared to think of; and she gave herself up to the
+demands of the party, to the needful civilities of the moment, with
+exquisite, though agitated sensations.  She was in good humour with
+all.  She had received ideas which disposed her to be courteous and
+kind to all, and to pity every one, as being less happy than herself.
+
+The delightful emotions were a little subdued, when on stepping back
+from the group, to be joined again by Captain Wentworth, she saw that
+he was gone.  She was just in time to see him turn into the Concert
+Room.  He was gone; he had disappeared, she felt a moment's regret.
+But "they should meet again.  He would look for her, he would find her
+out before the evening were over, and at present, perhaps, it was as
+well to be asunder.  She was in need of a little interval for
+recollection."
+
+Upon Lady Russell's appearance soon afterwards, the whole party was
+collected, and all that remained was to marshal themselves, and proceed
+into the Concert Room; and be of all the consequence in their power,
+draw as many eyes, excite as many whispers, and disturb as many people
+as they could.
+
+Very, very happy were both Elizabeth and Anne Elliot as they walked in.
+Elizabeth arm in arm with Miss Carteret, and looking on the broad back
+of the dowager Viscountess Dalrymple before her, had nothing to wish
+for which did not seem within her reach; and Anne--but it would be an
+insult to the nature of Anne's felicity, to draw any comparison between
+it and her sister's; the origin of one all selfish vanity, of the other
+all generous attachment.
+
+Anne saw nothing, thought nothing of the brilliancy of the room.  Her
+happiness was from within.  Her eyes were bright and her cheeks glowed;
+but she knew nothing about it.  She was thinking only of the last half
+hour, and as they passed to their seats, her mind took a hasty range
+over it.  His choice of subjects, his expressions, and still more his
+manner and look, had been such as she could see in only one light.  His
+opinion of Louisa Musgrove's inferiority, an opinion which he had
+seemed solicitous to give, his wonder at Captain Benwick, his feelings
+as to a first, strong attachment; sentences begun which he could not
+finish, his half averted eyes and more than half expressive glance,
+all, all declared that he had a heart returning to her at least; that
+anger, resentment, avoidance, were no more; and that they were
+succeeded, not merely by friendship and regard, but by the tenderness
+of the past.  Yes, some share of the tenderness of the past.  She could
+not contemplate the change as implying less.  He must love her.
+
+These were thoughts, with their attendant visions, which occupied and
+flurried her too much to leave her any power of observation; and she
+passed along the room without having a glimpse of him, without even
+trying to discern him.  When their places were determined on, and they
+were all properly arranged, she looked round to see if he should happen
+to be in the same part of the room, but he was not; her eye could not
+reach him; and the concert being just opening, she must consent for a
+time to be happy in a humbler way.
+
+The party was divided and disposed of on two contiguous benches: Anne
+was among those on the foremost, and Mr Elliot had manoeuvred so well,
+with the assistance of his friend Colonel Wallis, as to have a seat by
+her.  Miss Elliot, surrounded by her cousins, and the principal object
+of Colonel Wallis's gallantry, was quite contented.
+
+Anne's mind was in a most favourable state for the entertainment of the
+evening; it was just occupation enough:  she had feelings for the
+tender, spirits for the gay, attention for the scientific, and patience
+for the wearisome; and had never liked a concert better, at least
+during the first act.  Towards the close of it, in the interval
+succeeding an Italian song, she explained the words of the song to Mr
+Elliot.  They had a concert bill between them.
+
+"This," said she, "is nearly the sense, or rather the meaning of the
+words, for certainly the sense of an Italian love-song must not be
+talked of, but it is as nearly the meaning as I can give; for I do not
+pretend to understand the language.  I am a very poor Italian scholar."
+
+"Yes, yes, I see you are.  I see you know nothing of the matter.  You
+have only knowledge enough of the language to translate at sight these
+inverted, transposed, curtailed Italian lines, into clear,
+comprehensible, elegant English.  You need not say anything more of
+your ignorance.  Here is complete proof."
+
+"I will not oppose such kind politeness; but I should be sorry to be
+examined by a real proficient."
+
+"I have not had the pleasure of visiting in Camden Place so long,"
+replied he, "without knowing something of Miss Anne Elliot; and I do
+regard her as one who is too modest for the world in general to be
+aware of half her accomplishments, and too highly accomplished for
+modesty to be natural in any other woman."
+
+"For shame! for shame! this is too much flattery.  I forget what we are
+to have next," turning to the bill.
+
+"Perhaps," said Mr Elliot, speaking low, "I have had a longer
+acquaintance with your character than you are aware of."
+
+"Indeed!  How so?  You can have been acquainted with it only since I
+came to Bath, excepting as you might hear me previously spoken of in my
+own family."
+
+"I knew you by report long before you came to Bath.  I had heard you
+described by those who knew you intimately.  I have been acquainted
+with you by character many years.  Your person, your disposition,
+accomplishments, manner; they were all present to me."
+
+Mr Elliot was not disappointed in the interest he hoped to raise.  No
+one can withstand the charm of such a mystery.  To have been described
+long ago to a recent acquaintance, by nameless people, is irresistible;
+and Anne was all curiosity.  She wondered, and questioned him eagerly;
+but in vain.  He delighted in being asked, but he would not tell.
+
+"No, no, some time or other, perhaps, but not now.  He would mention no
+names now; but such, he could assure her, had been the fact.  He had
+many years ago received such a description of Miss Anne Elliot as had
+inspired him with the highest idea of her merit, and excited the
+warmest curiosity to know her."
+
+Anne could think of no one so likely to have spoken with partiality of
+her many years ago as the Mr Wentworth of Monkford, Captain Wentworth's
+brother.  He might have been in Mr Elliot's company, but she had not
+courage to ask the question.
+
+"The name of Anne Elliot," said he, "has long had an interesting sound
+to me.  Very long has it possessed a charm over my fancy; and, if I
+dared, I would breathe my wishes that the name might never change."
+
+Such, she believed, were his words; but scarcely had she received their
+sound, than her attention was caught by other sounds immediately behind
+her, which rendered every thing else trivial.  Her father and Lady
+Dalrymple were speaking.
+
+"A well-looking man," said Sir Walter, "a very well-looking man."
+
+"A very fine young man indeed!" said Lady Dalrymple.  "More air than
+one often sees in Bath.  Irish, I dare say."
+
+"No, I just know his name.  A bowing acquaintance.  Wentworth; Captain
+Wentworth of the navy.  His sister married my tenant in Somersetshire,
+the Croft, who rents Kellynch."
+
+Before Sir Walter had reached this point, Anne's eyes had caught the
+right direction, and distinguished Captain Wentworth standing among a
+cluster of men at a little distance.  As her eyes fell on him, his
+seemed to be withdrawn from her.  It had that appearance.  It seemed as
+if she had been one moment too late; and as long as she dared observe,
+he did not look again:  but the performance was recommencing, and she
+was forced to seem to restore her attention to the orchestra and look
+straight forward.
+
+When she could give another glance, he had moved away.  He could not
+have come nearer to her if he would; she was so surrounded and shut in:
+but she would rather have caught his eye.
+
+Mr Elliot's speech, too, distressed her.  She had no longer any
+inclination to talk to him.  She wished him not so near her.
+
+The first act was over.  Now she hoped for some beneficial change; and,
+after a period of nothing-saying amongst the party, some of them did
+decide on going in quest of tea.  Anne was one of the few who did not
+choose to move.  She remained in her seat, and so did Lady Russell; but
+she had the pleasure of getting rid of Mr Elliot; and she did not mean,
+whatever she might feel on Lady Russell's account, to shrink from
+conversation with Captain Wentworth, if he gave her the opportunity.
+She was persuaded by Lady Russell's countenance that she had seen him.
+
+He did not come however.  Anne sometimes fancied she discerned him at a
+distance, but he never came.  The anxious interval wore away
+unproductively.  The others returned, the room filled again, benches
+were reclaimed and repossessed, and another hour of pleasure or of
+penance was to be sat out, another hour of music was to give delight or
+the gapes, as real or affected taste for it prevailed.  To Anne, it
+chiefly wore the prospect of an hour of agitation.  She could not quit
+that room in peace without seeing Captain Wentworth once more, without
+the interchange of one friendly look.
+
+In re-settling themselves there were now many changes, the result of
+which was favourable for her.  Colonel Wallis declined sitting down
+again, and Mr Elliot was invited by Elizabeth and Miss Carteret, in a
+manner not to be refused, to sit between them; and by some other
+removals, and a little scheming of her own,  Anne was enabled to place
+herself much nearer the end of the bench than she had been before, much
+more within reach of a passer-by.  She could not do so, without
+comparing herself with Miss Larolles, the inimitable Miss Larolles; but
+still she did it, and not with much happier effect; though by what
+seemed prosperity in the shape of an early abdication in her next
+neighbours, she found herself at the very end of the bench before the
+concert closed.
+
+Such was her situation, with a vacant space at hand, when Captain
+Wentworth was again in sight.  She saw him not far off.  He saw her
+too; yet he looked grave, and seemed irresolute, and only by very slow
+degrees came at last near enough to speak to her.  She felt that
+something must be the matter.  The change was indubitable.  The
+difference between his present air and what it had been in the Octagon
+Room was strikingly great.  Why was it?  She thought of her father, of
+Lady Russell.  Could there have been any unpleasant glances?  He began
+by speaking of the concert gravely, more like the Captain Wentworth of
+Uppercross; owned himself disappointed, had expected singing; and in
+short, must confess that he should not be sorry when it was over.  Anne
+replied, and spoke in defence of the performance so well, and yet in
+allowance for his feelings so pleasantly, that his countenance
+improved, and he replied again with almost a smile.  They talked for a
+few minutes more; the improvement held; he even looked down towards the
+bench, as if he saw a place on it well worth occupying; when at that
+moment a touch on her shoulder obliged Anne to turn round.  It came
+from Mr Elliot.  He begged her pardon, but she must be applied to, to
+explain Italian again.  Miss Carteret was very anxious to have a
+general idea of what was next to be sung.  Anne could not refuse; but
+never had she sacrificed to politeness with a more suffering spirit.
+
+A few minutes, though as few as possible, were inevitably consumed; and
+when her own mistress again, when able to turn and look as she had done
+before, she found herself accosted by Captain Wentworth, in a reserved
+yet hurried sort of farewell.  "He must wish her good night; he was
+going; he should get home as fast as he could."
+
+"Is not this song worth staying for?" said Anne, suddenly struck by an
+idea which made her yet more anxious to be encouraging.
+
+"No!" he replied impressively, "there is nothing worth my staying for;"
+and he was gone directly.
+
+Jealousy of Mr Elliot!  It was the only intelligible motive.  Captain
+Wentworth jealous of her affection!  Could she have believed it a week
+ago; three hours ago!  For a moment the gratification was exquisite.
+But, alas! there were very different thoughts to succeed.  How was such
+jealousy to be quieted?  How was the truth to reach him?  How, in all
+the peculiar disadvantages of their respective situations, would he
+ever learn of her real sentiments?  It was misery to think of Mr
+Elliot's attentions.  Their evil was incalculable.
+
+
+
+Chapter 21
+
+
+Anne recollected with pleasure the next morning her promise of going to
+Mrs Smith, meaning that it should engage her from home at the time when
+Mr Elliot would be most likely to call; for to avoid Mr Elliot was
+almost a first object.
+
+She felt a great deal of good-will towards him.  In spite of the
+mischief of his attentions, she owed him gratitude and regard, perhaps
+compassion.  She could not help thinking much of the extraordinary
+circumstances attending their acquaintance, of the right which he
+seemed to have to interest her, by everything in situation, by his own
+sentiments, by his early prepossession.  It was altogether very
+extraordinary; flattering, but painful.  There was much to regret.  How
+she might have felt had there been no Captain Wentworth in the case,
+was not worth enquiry; for there was a Captain Wentworth; and be the
+conclusion of the present suspense good or bad, her affection would be
+his for ever.  Their union, she believed, could not divide her more
+from other men, than their final separation.
+
+Prettier musings of high-wrought love and eternal constancy, could
+never have passed along the streets of Bath, than Anne was sporting
+with from Camden Place to Westgate Buildings.  It was almost enough to
+spread purification and perfume all the way.
+
+She was sure of a pleasant reception; and her friend seemed this
+morning particularly obliged to her for coming, seemed hardly to have
+expected her, though it had been an appointment.
+
+An account of the concert was immediately claimed; and Anne's
+recollections of the concert were quite happy enough to animate her
+features and make her rejoice to talk of it.  All that she could tell
+she told most gladly, but the all was little for one who had been
+there, and unsatisfactory for such an enquirer as Mrs Smith, who had
+already heard, through the short cut of a laundress and a waiter,
+rather more of the general success and produce of the evening than Anne
+could relate, and who now asked in vain for several particulars of the
+company.  Everybody of any consequence or notoriety in Bath was well
+know by name to Mrs Smith.
+
+"The little Durands were there, I conclude," said she, "with their
+mouths open to catch the music, like unfledged sparrows ready to be
+fed.  They never miss a concert."
+
+"Yes; I did not see them myself, but I heard Mr Elliot say they were in
+the room."
+
+"The Ibbotsons, were they there? and the two new beauties, with the
+tall Irish officer, who is talked of for one of them."
+
+"I do not know.  I do not think they were."
+
+"Old Lady Mary Maclean?  I need not ask after her.  She never misses, I
+know; and you must have seen her.  She must have been in your own
+circle; for as you went with Lady Dalrymple, you were in the seats of
+grandeur, round the orchestra, of course."
+
+"No, that was what I dreaded.  It would have been very unpleasant to me
+in every respect.  But happily Lady Dalrymple always chooses to be
+farther off; and we were exceedingly well placed, that is, for hearing;
+I must not say for seeing, because I appear to have seen very little."
+
+"Oh! you saw enough for your own amusement.  I can understand.  There
+is a sort of domestic enjoyment to be known even in a crowd, and this
+you had.  You were a large party in yourselves, and you wanted nothing
+beyond."
+
+"But I ought to have looked about me more," said Anne, conscious while
+she spoke that there had in fact been no want of looking about, that
+the object only had been deficient.
+
+"No, no; you were better employed.  You need not tell me that you had a
+pleasant evening.  I see it in your eye.  I perfectly see how the hours
+passed:  that you had always something agreeable to listen to.  In the
+intervals of the concert it was conversation."
+
+Anne half smiled and said, "Do you see that in my eye?"
+
+"Yes, I do.  Your countenance perfectly informs me that you were in
+company last night with the person whom you think the most agreeable in
+the world, the person who interests you at this present time more than
+all the rest of the world put together."
+
+A blush overspread Anne's cheeks.  She could say nothing.
+
+"And such being the case," continued Mrs Smith, after a short pause, "I
+hope you believe that I do know how to value your kindness in coming to
+me this morning.  It is really very good of you to come and sit with
+me, when you must have so many pleasanter demands upon your time."
+
+Anne heard nothing of this.  She was still in the astonishment and
+confusion excited by her friend's penetration, unable to imagine how
+any report of Captain Wentworth could have reached her.  After another
+short silence--
+
+"Pray," said Mrs Smith, "is Mr Elliot aware of your acquaintance with
+me?  Does he know that I am in Bath?"
+
+"Mr Elliot!" repeated Anne, looking up surprised.  A moment's
+reflection shewed her the mistake she had been under.  She caught it
+instantaneously; and recovering her courage with the feeling of safety,
+soon added, more composedly, "Are you acquainted with Mr Elliot?"
+
+"I have been a good deal acquainted with him," replied Mrs Smith,
+gravely, "but it seems worn out now.  It is a great while since we met."
+
+"I was not at all aware of this.  You never mentioned it before.  Had I
+known it, I would have had the pleasure of talking to him about you."
+
+"To confess the truth," said Mrs Smith, assuming her usual air of
+cheerfulness, "that is exactly the pleasure I want you to have.  I want
+you to talk about me to Mr Elliot.  I want your interest with him.  He
+can be of essential service to me; and if you would have the goodness,
+my dear Miss Elliot, to make it an object to yourself, of course it is
+done."
+
+"I should be extremely happy; I hope you cannot doubt my willingness to
+be of even the slightest use to you," replied Anne; "but I suspect that
+you are considering me as having a higher claim on Mr Elliot, a greater
+right to influence him, than is really the case.  I am sure you have,
+somehow or other, imbibed such a notion.  You must consider me only as
+Mr Elliot's relation.  If in that light there is anything which you
+suppose his cousin might fairly ask of him, I beg you would not
+hesitate to employ me."
+
+Mrs Smith gave her a penetrating glance, and then, smiling, said--
+
+"I have been a little premature, I perceive; I beg your pardon.  I
+ought to have waited for official information.  But now, my dear Miss
+Elliot, as an old friend, do give me a hint as to when I may speak.
+Next week?  To be sure by next week I may be allowed to think it all
+settled, and build my own selfish schemes on Mr Elliot's good fortune."
+
+"No," replied Anne, "nor next week, nor next, nor next.  I assure you
+that nothing of the sort you are thinking of will be settled any week.
+I am not going to marry Mr Elliot.  I should like to know why you
+imagine I am?"
+
+Mrs Smith looked at her again, looked earnestly, smiled, shook her
+head, and exclaimed--
+
+"Now, how I do wish I understood you!  How I do wish I knew what you
+were at!  I have a great idea that you do not design to be cruel, when
+the right moment occurs.  Till it does come, you know, we women never
+mean to have anybody.  It is a thing of course among us, that every man
+is refused, till he offers.  But why should you be cruel?  Let me plead
+for my--present friend I cannot call him, but for my former friend.
+Where can you look for a more suitable match?  Where could you expect a
+more gentlemanlike, agreeable man?  Let me recommend Mr Elliot.  I am
+sure you hear nothing but good of him from Colonel Wallis; and who can
+know him better than Colonel Wallis?"
+
+"My dear Mrs Smith, Mr Elliot's wife has not been dead much above half
+a year.  He ought not to be supposed to be paying his addresses to any
+one."
+
+"Oh! if these are your only objections," cried Mrs Smith, archly, "Mr
+Elliot is safe, and I shall give myself no more trouble about him.  Do
+not forget me when you are married, that's all.  Let him know me to be
+a friend of yours, and then he will think little of the trouble
+required, which it is very natural for him now, with so many affairs
+and engagements of his own, to avoid and get rid of as he can; very
+natural, perhaps.  Ninety-nine out of a hundred would do the same.  Of
+course, he cannot be aware of the importance to me.  Well, my dear Miss
+Elliot, I hope and trust you will be very happy.  Mr Elliot has sense
+to understand the value of such a woman.  Your peace will not be
+shipwrecked as mine has been.  You are safe in all worldly matters, and
+safe in his character.  He will not be led astray; he will not be
+misled by others to his ruin."
+
+"No," said Anne, "I can readily believe all that of my cousin.  He
+seems to have a calm decided temper, not at all open to dangerous
+impressions.  I consider him with great respect.  I have no reason,
+from any thing that has fallen within my observation, to do otherwise.
+But I have not known him long; and he is not a man, I think, to be
+known intimately soon.  Will not this manner of speaking of him, Mrs
+Smith, convince you that he is nothing to me?  Surely this must be calm
+enough.  And, upon my word, he is nothing to me.  Should he ever
+propose to me (which I have very little reason to imagine he has any
+thought of doing), I shall not accept him.  I assure you I shall not.
+I assure you, Mr Elliot had not the share which you have been
+supposing, in whatever pleasure the concert of last night might afford:
+not Mr Elliot; it is not Mr Elliot that--"
+
+She stopped, regretting with a deep blush that she had implied so much;
+but less would hardly have been sufficient.  Mrs Smith would hardly
+have believed so soon in Mr Elliot's failure, but from the perception
+of there being a somebody else.  As it was, she instantly submitted,
+and with all the semblance of seeing nothing beyond; and Anne, eager to
+escape farther notice, was impatient to know why Mrs Smith should have
+fancied she was to marry Mr Elliot; where she could have received the
+idea, or from whom she could have heard it.
+
+"Do tell me how it first came into your head."
+
+"It first came into my head," replied Mrs Smith, "upon finding how much
+you were together, and feeling it to be the most probable thing in the
+world to be wished for by everybody belonging to either of you; and you
+may depend upon it that all your acquaintance have disposed of you in
+the same way.  But I never heard it spoken of till two days ago."
+
+"And has it indeed been spoken of?"
+
+"Did you observe the woman who opened the door to you when you called
+yesterday?"
+
+"No.  Was not it Mrs Speed, as usual, or the maid?  I observed no one
+in particular."
+
+"It was my friend Mrs Rooke; Nurse Rooke; who, by-the-bye, had a great
+curiosity to see you, and was delighted to be in the way to let you in.
+She came away from Marlborough Buildings only on Sunday; and she it was
+who told me you were to marry Mr Elliot.  She had had it from Mrs
+Wallis herself, which did not seem bad authority.  She sat an hour with
+me on Monday evening, and gave me the whole history." "The whole
+history," repeated Anne, laughing.  "She could not make a very long
+history, I think, of one such little article of unfounded news."
+
+Mrs Smith said nothing.
+
+"But," continued Anne, presently, "though there is no truth in my
+having this claim on Mr Elliot, I should be extremely happy to be of
+use to you in any way that I could.  Shall I mention to him your being
+in Bath?  Shall I take any message?"
+
+"No, I thank you:  no, certainly not.  In the warmth of the moment, and
+under a mistaken impression, I might, perhaps, have endeavoured to
+interest you in some circumstances; but not now.  No, I thank you, I
+have nothing to trouble you with."
+
+"I think you spoke of having known Mr Elliot many years?"
+
+"I did."
+
+"Not before he was married, I suppose?"
+
+"Yes; he was not married when I knew him first."
+
+"And--were you much acquainted?"
+
+"Intimately."
+
+"Indeed!  Then do tell me what he was at that time of life.  I have a
+great curiosity to know what Mr Elliot was as a very young man.  Was he
+at all such as he appears now?"
+
+"I have not seen Mr Elliot these three years," was Mrs Smith's answer,
+given so gravely that it was impossible to pursue the subject farther;
+and Anne felt that she had gained nothing but an increase of curiosity.
+They were both silent:  Mrs Smith very thoughtful.  At last--
+
+"I beg your pardon, my dear Miss Elliot," she cried, in her natural
+tone of cordiality, "I beg your pardon for the short answers I have
+been giving you, but I have been uncertain what I ought to do.  I have
+been doubting and considering as to what I ought to tell you.  There
+were many things to be taken into the account.  One hates to be
+officious, to be giving bad impressions, making mischief.  Even the
+smooth surface of family-union seems worth preserving, though there may
+be nothing durable beneath.  However, I have determined; I think I am
+right; I think you ought to be made acquainted with Mr Elliot's real
+character.  Though I fully believe that, at present, you have not the
+smallest intention of accepting him, there is no saying what may
+happen.  You might, some time or other, be differently affected towards
+him.  Hear the truth, therefore, now, while you are unprejudiced.  Mr
+Elliot is a man without heart or conscience; a designing, wary,
+cold-blooded being, who thinks only of himself; whom for his own
+interest or ease, would be guilty of any cruelty, or any treachery,
+that could be perpetrated without risk of his general character.  He
+has no feeling for others.  Those whom he has been the chief cause of
+leading into ruin, he can neglect and desert without the smallest
+compunction.  He is totally beyond the reach of any sentiment of
+justice or compassion.  Oh! he is black at heart, hollow and black!"
+
+Anne's astonished air, and exclamation of wonder, made her pause, and
+in a calmer manner, she added,
+
+"My expressions startle you.  You must allow for an injured, angry
+woman.  But I will try to command myself.  I will not abuse him.  I
+will only tell you what I have found him.  Facts shall speak.  He was
+the intimate friend of my dear husband, who trusted and loved him, and
+thought him as good as himself.  The intimacy had been formed before
+our marriage.  I found them most intimate friends; and I, too, became
+excessively pleased with Mr Elliot, and entertained the highest opinion
+of him.  At nineteen, you know, one does not think very seriously; but
+Mr Elliot appeared to me quite as good as others, and much more
+agreeable than most others, and we were almost always together.  We
+were principally in town, living in very good style.  He was then the
+inferior in circumstances; he was then the poor one; he had chambers in
+the Temple, and it was as much as he could do to support the appearance
+of a gentleman.  He had always a home with us whenever he chose it; he
+was always welcome; he was like a brother.  My poor Charles, who had
+the finest, most generous spirit in the world, would have divided his
+last farthing with him; and I know that his purse was open to him; I
+know that he often assisted him."
+
+"This must have been about that very period of Mr Elliot's life," said
+Anne, "which has always excited my particular curiosity.  It must have
+been about the same time that he became known to my father and sister.
+I never knew him myself; I only heard of him; but there was a something
+in his conduct then, with regard to my father and sister, and
+afterwards in the circumstances of his marriage, which I never could
+quite reconcile with present times.  It seemed to announce a different
+sort of man."
+
+"I know it all, I know it all," cried Mrs Smith.  "He had been
+introduced to Sir Walter and your sister before I was acquainted with
+him, but I heard him speak of them for ever.  I know he was invited and
+encouraged, and I know he did not choose to go.  I can satisfy you,
+perhaps, on points which you would little expect; and as to his
+marriage, I knew all about it at the time.  I was privy to all the fors
+and againsts; I was the friend to whom he confided his hopes and plans;
+and though I did not know his wife previously, her inferior situation
+in society, indeed, rendered that impossible, yet I knew her all her
+life afterwards, or at least till within the last two years of her
+life, and can answer any question you may wish to put."
+
+"Nay," said Anne, "I have no particular enquiry to make about her.  I
+have always understood they were not a happy couple.  But I should like
+to know why, at that time of his life, he should slight my father's
+acquaintance as he did.  My father was certainly disposed to take very
+kind and proper notice of him.  Why did Mr Elliot draw back?"
+
+"Mr Elliot," replied Mrs Smith, "at that period of his life, had one
+object in view:  to make his fortune, and by a rather quicker process
+than the law.  He was determined to make it by marriage.  He was
+determined, at least, not to mar it by an imprudent marriage; and I
+know it was his belief (whether justly or not, of course I cannot
+decide), that your father and sister, in their civilities and
+invitations, were designing a match between the heir and the young
+lady, and it was impossible that such a match should have answered his
+ideas of wealth and independence.  That was his motive for drawing
+back, I can assure you.  He told me the whole story.  He had no
+concealments with me.  It was curious, that having just left you behind
+me in Bath, my first and principal acquaintance on marrying should be
+your cousin; and that, through him, I should be continually hearing of
+your father and sister.  He described one Miss Elliot, and I thought
+very affectionately of the other."
+
+"Perhaps," cried Anne, struck by a sudden idea, "you sometimes spoke of
+me to Mr Elliot?"
+
+"To be sure I did; very often.  I used to boast of my own Anne Elliot,
+and vouch for your being a very different creature from--"
+
+She checked herself just in time.
+
+"This accounts for something which Mr Elliot said last night," cried
+Anne.  "This explains it.  I found he had been used to hear of me.  I
+could not comprehend how.  What wild imaginations one forms where dear
+self is concerned!  How sure to be mistaken!  But I beg your pardon; I
+have interrupted you.  Mr Elliot married then completely for money?
+The circumstances, probably, which first opened your eyes to his
+character."
+
+Mrs Smith hesitated a little here.  "Oh! those things are too common.
+When one lives in the world, a man or woman's marrying for money is too
+common to strike one as it ought.  I was very young, and associated
+only with the young, and we were a thoughtless, gay set, without any
+strict rules of conduct.  We lived for enjoyment.  I think differently
+now; time and sickness and sorrow have given me other notions; but at
+that period I must own I saw nothing reprehensible in what Mr Elliot
+was doing.  'To do the best for himself,' passed as a duty."
+
+"But was not she a very low woman?"
+
+"Yes; which I objected to, but he would not regard.  Money, money, was
+all that he wanted.  Her father was a grazier, her grandfather had been
+a butcher, but that was all nothing.  She was a fine woman, had had a
+decent education, was brought forward by some cousins, thrown by chance
+into Mr Elliot's company, and fell in love with him; and not a
+difficulty or a scruple was there on his side, with respect to her
+birth.  All his caution was spent in being secured of the real amount
+of her fortune, before he committed himself.  Depend upon it, whatever
+esteem Mr Elliot may have for his own situation in life now, as a young
+man he had not the smallest value for it.  His chance for the Kellynch
+estate was something, but all the honour of the family he held as cheap
+as dirt.  I have often heard him declare, that if baronetcies were
+saleable, anybody should have his for fifty pounds, arms and motto,
+name and livery included; but I will not pretend to repeat half that I
+used to hear him say on that subject.  It would not be fair; and yet
+you ought to have proof, for what is all this but assertion, and you
+shall have proof."
+
+"Indeed, my dear Mrs Smith, I want none," cried Anne.  "You have
+asserted nothing contradictory to what Mr Elliot appeared to be some
+years ago.  This is all in confirmation, rather, of what we used to
+hear and believe.  I am more curious to know why he should be so
+different now."
+
+"But for my satisfaction, if you will have the goodness to ring for
+Mary; stay:  I am sure you will have the still greater goodness of
+going yourself into my bedroom, and bringing me the small inlaid box
+which you will find on the upper shelf of the closet."
+
+Anne, seeing her friend to be earnestly bent on it, did as she was
+desired.  The box was brought and placed before her, and Mrs Smith,
+sighing over it as she unlocked it, said--
+
+"This is full of papers belonging to him, to my husband; a small
+portion only of what I had to look over when I lost him.  The letter I
+am looking for was one written by Mr Elliot to him before our marriage,
+and happened to be saved; why, one can hardly imagine.  But he was
+careless and immethodical, like other men, about those things; and when
+I came to examine his papers, I found it with others still more
+trivial, from different people scattered here and there, while many
+letters and memorandums of real importance had been destroyed.  Here it
+is; I would not burn it, because being even then very little satisfied
+with Mr Elliot, I was determined to preserve every document of former
+intimacy.  I have now another motive for being glad that I can produce
+it."
+
+This was the letter, directed to "Charles Smith, Esq. Tunbridge Wells,"
+and dated from London, as far back as July, 1803:--
+
+"Dear Smith,--I have received yours.  Your kindness almost overpowers
+me.  I wish nature had made such hearts as yours more common, but I
+have lived three-and-twenty years in the world, and have seen none like
+it.  At present, believe me, I have no need of your services, being in
+cash again.  Give me joy:  I have got rid of Sir Walter and Miss.  They
+are gone back to Kellynch, and almost made me swear to visit them this
+summer; but my first visit to Kellynch will be with a surveyor, to tell
+me how to bring it with best advantage to the hammer.  The baronet,
+nevertheless, is not unlikely to marry again; he is quite fool enough.
+If he does, however, they will leave me in peace, which may be a decent
+equivalent  for the reversion.  He is worse than last year.
+
+"I wish I had any name but Elliot.  I am sick of it.  The name of
+Walter I can drop, thank God! and I desire you will never insult me
+with my second W. again, meaning, for the rest of my life, to be only
+yours truly,--Wm. Elliot."
+
+Such a letter could not be read without putting Anne in a glow; and Mrs
+Smith, observing the high colour in her face, said--
+
+"The language, I know, is highly disrespectful.  Though I have forgot
+the exact terms, I have a perfect impression of the general meaning.
+But it shows you the man.  Mark his professions to my poor husband.
+Can any thing be stronger?"
+
+Anne could not immediately get over the shock and mortification of
+finding such words applied to her father.  She was obliged to recollect
+that her seeing the letter was a violation of the laws of honour, that
+no one ought to be judged or to be known by such testimonies, that no
+private correspondence could bear the eye of others, before she could
+recover calmness enough to return the letter which she had been
+meditating over, and say--
+
+"Thank you.  This is full proof undoubtedly; proof of every thing you
+were saying.  But why be acquainted with us now?"
+
+"I can explain this too," cried Mrs Smith, smiling.
+
+"Can you really?"
+
+"Yes.  I have shewn you Mr Elliot as he was a dozen years ago, and I
+will shew him as he is now.  I cannot produce written proof again, but
+I can give as authentic oral testimony as you can desire, of what he is
+now wanting, and what he is now doing.  He is no hypocrite now.  He
+truly wants to marry you.  His present attentions to your family are
+very sincere:  quite from the heart.  I will give you my authority: his
+friend Colonel Wallis."
+
+"Colonel Wallis! you are acquainted with him?"
+
+"No.  It does not come to me in quite so direct a line as that; it
+takes a bend or two, but nothing of consequence.  The stream is as good
+as at first; the little rubbish it collects in the turnings is easily
+moved away.  Mr Elliot talks unreservedly to Colonel Wallis of his
+views on you, which said Colonel Wallis, I imagine to be, in himself, a
+sensible, careful, discerning sort of character; but Colonel Wallis has
+a very pretty silly wife, to whom he tells things which he had better
+not, and he repeats it all to her.  She in the overflowing spirits of
+her recovery, repeats it all to her nurse; and the nurse  knowing my
+acquaintance with you, very naturally brings it all to me.  On Monday
+evening, my good friend Mrs Rooke let me thus much into the secrets of
+Marlborough Buildings.  When I talked of a whole history, therefore,
+you see I was not romancing so much as you supposed."
+
+"My dear Mrs Smith, your authority is deficient.  This will not do.  Mr
+Elliot's having any views on me will not in the least account for the
+efforts he made towards a reconciliation with my father.  That was all
+prior to my coming to Bath.  I found them on the most friendly terms
+when I arrived."
+
+"I know you did; I know it all perfectly, but--"
+
+"Indeed, Mrs Smith, we must not expect to get real information in such
+a line.  Facts or opinions which are to pass through the hands of so
+many, to be misconceived by folly in one, and ignorance in another, can
+hardly have much truth left."
+
+"Only give me a hearing.  You will soon be able to judge of the general
+credit due, by listening to some particulars which you can yourself
+immediately contradict or confirm.  Nobody supposes that you were his
+first inducement.  He had seen you indeed, before he came to Bath, and
+admired you, but without knowing it to be you.  So says my historian,
+at least.  Is this true?  Did he see you last summer or autumn,
+'somewhere down in the west,' to use her own words, without knowing it
+to be you?"
+
+"He certainly did.  So far it is very true.  At Lyme.  I happened to be
+at Lyme."
+
+"Well," continued Mrs Smith, triumphantly, "grant my friend the credit
+due to the establishment of the first point asserted.  He saw you then
+at Lyme, and liked you so well as to be exceedingly pleased to meet
+with you again in Camden Place, as Miss Anne Elliot, and from that
+moment, I have no doubt, had a double motive in his visits there.  But
+there was another, and an earlier, which I will now explain.  If there
+is anything in my story which you know to be either false or
+improbable, stop me.  My account states, that your sister's friend, the
+lady now staying with you, whom I have heard you mention, came to Bath
+with Miss Elliot and Sir Walter as long ago as September (in short when
+they first came themselves), and has been staying there ever since;
+that she is a clever, insinuating, handsome woman, poor and plausible,
+and altogether such in situation and manner, as to give a general idea,
+among Sir Walter's acquaintance, of her meaning to be Lady Elliot, and
+as general a surprise that Miss Elliot should be apparently, blind to
+the danger."
+
+Here Mrs Smith paused a moment; but Anne had not a word to say, and she
+continued--
+
+"This was the light in which it appeared to those who knew the family,
+long before you returned to it; and Colonel Wallis had his eye upon
+your father enough to be sensible of it, though he did not then visit
+in Camden Place; but his regard for Mr Elliot gave him an interest in
+watching all that was going on there, and when Mr Elliot came to Bath
+for a day or two, as he happened to do a little before Christmas,
+Colonel Wallis made him acquainted with the appearance of things, and
+the reports beginning to prevail.  Now you are to understand, that time
+had worked a very material change in Mr Elliot's opinions as to the
+value of a baronetcy.  Upon all points of blood and connexion he is a
+completely altered man.  Having long had as much money as he could
+spend, nothing to wish for on the side of avarice or indulgence, he has
+been gradually learning to pin his happiness upon the consequence he is
+heir to.  I thought it coming on before our acquaintance ceased, but it
+is now a confirmed feeling.  He cannot bear the idea of not being Sir
+William.  You may guess, therefore, that the news he heard from his
+friend could not be very agreeable, and you may guess what it produced;
+the resolution of coming back to Bath as soon as possible, and of
+fixing himself here for a time, with the view of renewing his former
+acquaintance, and recovering such a footing in the family as might give
+him the means of ascertaining the degree of his danger, and of
+circumventing the lady if he found it material.  This was agreed upon
+between the two friends as the only thing to be done; and Colonel
+Wallis was to assist in every way that he could.  He was to be
+introduced, and Mrs Wallis was to be introduced, and everybody was to
+be introduced.  Mr Elliot came back accordingly; and on application was
+forgiven, as you know, and re-admitted into the family; and there it
+was his constant object, and his only object (till your arrival added
+another motive), to watch Sir Walter and Mrs Clay.  He omitted no
+opportunity of being with them, threw himself in their way, called at
+all hours; but I need not be particular on this subject.  You can
+imagine what an artful man would do; and with this guide, perhaps, may
+recollect what you have seen him do."
+
+"Yes," said Anne, "you tell me nothing which does not accord with what
+I have known, or could imagine.  There is always something offensive in
+the details of cunning.  The manoeuvres of selfishness and duplicity
+must ever be revolting, but I have heard nothing which really surprises
+me.  I know those who would be shocked by such a representation of Mr
+Elliot, who would have difficulty in believing it; but I have never
+been satisfied.  I have always wanted some other motive for his conduct
+than appeared.  I should like to know his present opinion, as to the
+probability of the event he has been in dread of; whether he considers
+the danger to be lessening or not."
+
+"Lessening, I understand," replied Mrs Smith.  "He thinks Mrs Clay
+afraid of him, aware that he sees through her, and not daring to
+proceed as she might do in his absence.  But since he must be absent
+some time or other, I do not perceive how he can ever be secure while
+she holds her present influence.  Mrs Wallis has an amusing idea, as
+nurse tells me, that it is to be put into the marriage articles when
+you and Mr Elliot marry, that your father is not to marry Mrs Clay.  A
+scheme, worthy of Mrs Wallis's understanding, by all accounts; but my
+sensible nurse Rooke sees the absurdity of it.  'Why, to be sure,
+ma'am,' said she, 'it would not prevent his marrying anybody else.'
+And, indeed, to own the truth, I do not think nurse, in her heart, is a
+very strenuous opposer of Sir Walter's making a second match.  She must
+be allowed to be a favourer of matrimony, you know; and (since self
+will intrude) who can say that she may not have some flying visions of
+attending the next Lady Elliot, through Mrs Wallis's recommendation?"
+
+"I am very glad to know all this," said Anne, after a little
+thoughtfulness.  "It will be more painful to me in some respects to be
+in company with him, but I shall know better what to do.  My line of
+conduct will be more direct.  Mr Elliot is evidently a disingenuous,
+artificial, worldly man, who has never had any better principle to
+guide him than selfishness."
+
+But Mr Elliot was not done with.  Mrs Smith had been carried away from
+her first direction, and Anne had forgotten, in the interest of her own
+family concerns, how much had been originally implied against him; but
+her attention was now called to the explanation of those first hints,
+and she listened to a recital which, if it did not perfectly justify
+the unqualified bitterness of Mrs Smith, proved him to have been very
+unfeeling in his conduct towards her; very deficient both in justice
+and compassion.
+
+She learned that (the intimacy between them continuing unimpaired by Mr
+Elliot's marriage) they had been as before always together, and Mr
+Elliot had led his friend into expenses much beyond his fortune.  Mrs
+Smith did not want to take blame to herself, and was most tender of
+throwing any on her husband; but Anne could collect that their income
+had never been equal to their style of living, and that from the first
+there had been a great deal of general and joint extravagance.  From
+his wife's account of him she could discern Mr Smith to have been a man
+of warm feelings, easy temper, careless habits, and not strong
+understanding, much more amiable than his friend, and very unlike him,
+led by him, and probably despised by him.  Mr Elliot, raised by his
+marriage to great affluence, and disposed to every gratification of
+pleasure and vanity which could be commanded without involving himself,
+(for with all his self-indulgence he had become a prudent man), and
+beginning to be rich, just as his friend ought to have found himself to
+be poor, seemed to have had no concern at all for that friend's
+probable finances, but, on the contrary, had been prompting and
+encouraging expenses which could end only in ruin; and the Smiths
+accordingly had been ruined.
+
+The husband had died just in time to be spared the full knowledge of
+it.  They had previously known embarrassments enough to try the
+friendship of their friends, and to prove that Mr Elliot's had better
+not be tried; but it was not till his death that the wretched state of
+his affairs was fully known.  With a confidence in Mr Elliot's regard,
+more creditable to his feelings than his judgement, Mr Smith had
+appointed him the executor of his will; but Mr Elliot would not act,
+and the difficulties and distress which this refusal had heaped on her,
+in addition to the inevitable sufferings of her situation, had been
+such as could not be related without anguish of spirit, or listened to
+without corresponding indignation.
+
+Anne was shewn some letters of his on the occasion, answers to urgent
+applications from Mrs Smith, which all breathed the same stern
+resolution of not engaging in a fruitless trouble, and, under a cold
+civility, the same hard-hearted indifference to any of the evils it
+might bring on her.  It was a dreadful picture of ingratitude and
+inhumanity; and Anne felt, at some moments, that no flagrant open crime
+could have been worse.  She had a great deal to listen to; all the
+particulars of past sad scenes, all the minutiae of distress upon
+distress, which in former conversations had been merely hinted at, were
+dwelt on now with a natural indulgence.  Anne could perfectly
+comprehend the exquisite relief, and was only the more inclined to
+wonder at the composure of her friend's usual state of mind.
+
+There was one circumstance in the history of her grievances of
+particular irritation.  She had good reason to believe that some
+property of her husband in the West Indies, which had been for many
+years under a sort of sequestration for the payment of its own
+incumbrances, might be recoverable by proper measures; and this
+property, though not large, would be enough to make her comparatively
+rich.  But there was nobody to stir in it.  Mr Elliot would do nothing,
+and she could do nothing herself, equally disabled from personal
+exertion by her state of bodily weakness, and from employing others by
+her want of money.  She had no natural connexions to assist her even
+with their counsel, and she could not afford to purchase the assistance
+of the law.  This was a cruel aggravation of actually straitened means.
+To feel that she ought to be in better circumstances, that a little
+trouble in the right place might do it, and to fear that delay might be
+even weakening her claims, was hard to bear.
+
+It was on this point that she had hoped to engage Anne's good offices
+with Mr Elliot.  She had previously, in the anticipation of their
+marriage, been very apprehensive of losing her friend by it; but on
+being assured that he could have made no attempt of that nature, since
+he did not even know her to be in Bath, it immediately occurred, that
+something might be done in her favour by the influence of the woman he
+loved, and she had been hastily preparing to interest Anne's feelings,
+as far as the observances due to Mr Elliot's character would allow,
+when Anne's refutation of the supposed engagement changed the face of
+everything; and while it took from her the new-formed hope of
+succeeding in the object of her first anxiety, left her at least the
+comfort of telling the whole story her own way.
+
+After listening to this full description of Mr Elliot, Anne could not
+but express some surprise at Mrs Smith's having spoken of him so
+favourably in the beginning of their conversation.  "She had seemed to
+recommend and praise him!"
+
+"My dear," was Mrs Smith's reply, "there was nothing else to be done.
+I considered your marrying him as certain, though he might not yet have
+made the offer, and I could no more speak the truth of him, than if he
+had been your husband.  My heart bled for you, as I talked of
+happiness; and yet he is sensible, he is agreeable, and with such a
+woman as you, it was not absolutely hopeless.  He was very unkind to
+his first wife.  They were wretched together.  But she was too ignorant
+and giddy for respect, and he had never loved her.  I was willing to
+hope that you must fare better."
+
+Anne could just acknowledge within herself such a possibility of having
+been induced to marry him, as made her shudder at the idea of the
+misery which must have followed.  It was just possible that she might
+have been persuaded by Lady Russell!  And under such a supposition,
+which would have been most miserable, when time had disclosed all, too
+late?
+
+It was very desirable that Lady Russell should be no longer deceived;
+and one of the concluding arrangements of this important conference,
+which carried them through the greater part of the morning, was, that
+Anne had full liberty to communicate to her friend everything relative
+to Mrs Smith, in which his conduct was involved.
+
+
+
+Chapter 22
+
+
+Anne went home to think over all that she had heard.  In one point, her
+feelings were relieved by this knowledge of Mr Elliot.  There was no
+longer anything of tenderness due to him.  He stood as opposed to
+Captain Wentworth, in all his own unwelcome obtrusiveness; and the evil
+of his attentions last night, the irremediable mischief he might have
+done, was considered with sensations unqualified, unperplexed.  Pity
+for him was all over.  But this was the only point of relief.  In every
+other respect, in looking around her, or penetrating forward, she saw
+more to distrust and to apprehend.  She was concerned for the
+disappointment and pain Lady Russell would be feeling; for the
+mortifications which must be hanging over her father and sister, and
+had all the distress of foreseeing many evils, without knowing how to
+avert any one of them.  She was most thankful for her own knowledge of
+him.  She had never considered herself as entitled to reward for not
+slighting an old friend like Mrs Smith, but here was a reward indeed
+springing from it!  Mrs Smith had been able to tell her what no one
+else could have done.  Could the knowledge have been extended through
+her family?  But this was a vain idea.  She must talk to Lady Russell,
+tell her, consult with her, and having done her best, wait the event
+with as much composure as possible; and after all, her greatest want of
+composure would be in that quarter of the mind which could not be
+opened to Lady Russell; in that flow of anxieties and fears which must
+be all to herself.
+
+
+She found, on reaching home, that she had, as she intended, escaped
+seeing Mr Elliot; that he had called and paid them a long morning
+visit; but hardly had she congratulated herself, and felt safe, when
+she heard that he was coming again in the evening.
+
+"I had not the smallest intention of asking him," said Elizabeth, with
+affected carelessness, "but he gave so many hints; so Mrs Clay says, at
+least."
+
+"Indeed, I do say it.  I never saw anybody in my life spell harder for
+an invitation.  Poor man!  I was really in pain for him; for your
+hard-hearted sister, Miss Anne, seems bent on cruelty."
+
+"Oh!" cried Elizabeth, "I have been rather too much used to the game to
+be soon overcome by a gentleman's hints.  However, when I found how
+excessively he was regretting that he should miss my father this
+morning, I gave way immediately, for I would never really omit an
+opportunity of bringing him and Sir Walter together.  They appear to so
+much advantage in company with each other.  Each behaving so
+pleasantly.  Mr Elliot looking up with so much respect."
+
+"Quite delightful!" cried Mrs Clay, not daring, however, to turn her
+eyes towards Anne.  "Exactly like father and son!  Dear Miss Elliot,
+may I not say father and son?"
+
+"Oh! I lay no embargo on any body's words.  If you will have such
+ideas!  But, upon my word, I am scarcely sensible of his attentions
+being beyond those of other men."
+
+"My dear Miss Elliot!" exclaimed Mrs Clay, lifting her hands and eyes,
+and sinking all the rest of her astonishment in a convenient silence.
+
+"Well, my dear Penelope, you need not be so alarmed about him.  I did
+invite him, you know.  I sent him away with smiles.  When I found he
+was really going to his friends at Thornberry Park for the whole day
+to-morrow, I had compassion on him."
+
+Anne admired the good acting of the friend, in being able to shew such
+pleasure as she did, in the expectation and in the actual arrival of
+the very person whose presence must really be interfering with her
+prime object.  It was impossible but that Mrs Clay must hate the sight
+of Mr Elliot; and yet she could assume a most obliging, placid look,
+and appear quite satisfied with the curtailed license of devoting
+herself only half as much to Sir Walter as she would have done
+otherwise.
+
+To Anne herself it was most distressing to see Mr Elliot enter the
+room; and quite painful to have him approach and speak to her.  She had
+been used before to feel that he could not be always quite sincere, but
+now she saw insincerity in everything.  His attentive deference to her
+father, contrasted with his former language, was odious; and when she
+thought of his cruel conduct towards Mrs Smith, she could hardly bear
+the sight of his present smiles and mildness, or the sound of his
+artificial good sentiments.
+
+She meant to avoid any such alteration of manners as might provoke a
+remonstrance on his side.  It was a great object to her to escape all
+enquiry or eclat; but it was her intention to be as decidedly cool to
+him as might be compatible with their relationship; and to retrace, as
+quietly as she could, the few steps of unnecessary intimacy she had
+been gradually led along.  She was accordingly more guarded, and more
+cool, than she had been the night before.
+
+He wanted to animate her curiosity again as to how and where he could
+have heard her formerly praised; wanted very much to be gratified by
+more solicitation; but the charm was broken: he found that the heat and
+animation of a public room was necessary to kindle his modest cousin's
+vanity; he found, at least, that it was not to be done now, by any of
+those attempts which he could hazard among the too-commanding claims of
+the others.  He little surmised that it was a subject acting now
+exactly against his interest, bringing immediately to her thoughts all
+those parts of his conduct which were least excusable.
+
+She had some satisfaction in finding that he was really going out of
+Bath the next morning, going early, and that he would be gone the
+greater part of two days.  He was invited again to Camden Place the
+very evening of his return; but from Thursday to Saturday evening his
+absence was certain.  It was bad enough that a Mrs Clay should be
+always before her; but that a deeper hypocrite should be added to their
+party, seemed the destruction of everything like peace and comfort.  It
+was so humiliating to reflect on the constant deception practised on
+her father and Elizabeth; to consider the various sources of
+mortification preparing for them!  Mrs Clay's selfishness was not so
+complicate nor so revolting as his; and Anne would have compounded for
+the marriage at once, with all its evils, to be clear of Mr Elliot's
+subtleties in endeavouring to prevent it.
+
+On Friday morning she meant to go very early to Lady Russell, and
+accomplish the necessary communication; and she would have gone
+directly after breakfast, but that Mrs Clay was also going out on some
+obliging purpose of saving her sister trouble, which determined her to
+wait till she might be safe from such a companion.  She saw Mrs Clay
+fairly off, therefore, before she began to talk of spending the morning
+in Rivers Street.
+
+"Very well," said Elizabeth, "I have nothing to send but my love.  Oh!
+you may as well take back that tiresome book she would lend me, and
+pretend I have read it through.  I really cannot be plaguing myself for
+ever with all the new poems and states of the nation that come out.
+Lady Russell quite bores one with her new publications.  You need not
+tell her so, but I thought her dress hideous the other night.  I used
+to think she had some taste in dress, but I was ashamed of her at the
+concert.  Something so formal and _arrang�_ in her air!  and she sits so
+upright!  My best love, of course."
+
+"And mine," added Sir Walter.  "Kindest regards.  And you may say, that
+I mean to call upon her soon.  Make a civil message; but I shall only
+leave my card.  Morning visits are never fair by women at her time of
+life, who make themselves up so little.  If she would only wear rouge
+she would not be afraid of being seen; but last time I called, I
+observed the blinds were let down immediately."
+
+While her father spoke, there was a knock at the door.  Who could it
+be?  Anne, remembering the preconcerted visits, at all hours, of Mr
+Elliot, would have expected him, but for his known engagement seven
+miles off.  After the usual period of suspense, the usual sounds of
+approach were heard, and "Mr and Mrs Charles Musgrove" were ushered
+into the room.
+
+Surprise was the strongest emotion raised by their appearance; but Anne
+was really glad to see them; and the others were not so sorry but that
+they could put on a decent air of welcome; and as soon as it became
+clear that these, their nearest relations, were not arrived with any
+views of accommodation in that house, Sir Walter and Elizabeth were
+able to rise in cordiality, and do the honours of it very well.  They
+were come to Bath for a few days with Mrs Musgrove, and were at the
+White Hart.  So much was pretty soon understood; but till Sir Walter
+and Elizabeth were walking Mary into the other drawing-room, and
+regaling themselves with her admiration, Anne could not draw upon
+Charles's brain for a regular history of their coming, or an
+explanation of some smiling hints of particular business, which had
+been ostentatiously dropped by Mary, as well as of some apparent
+confusion as to whom their party consisted of.
+
+She then found that it consisted of Mrs Musgrove, Henrietta, and
+Captain Harville, beside their two selves.  He gave her a very plain,
+intelligible account of the whole; a narration in which she saw a great
+deal of most characteristic proceeding.  The scheme had received its
+first impulse by Captain Harville's wanting to come to Bath on
+business.  He had begun to talk of it a week ago; and by way of doing
+something, as shooting was over, Charles had proposed coming with him,
+and Mrs Harville had seemed to like the idea of it very much, as an
+advantage to her husband; but Mary could not bear to be left, and had
+made herself so unhappy about it, that for a day or two everything
+seemed to be in suspense, or at an end.  But then, it had been taken up
+by his father and mother.  His mother had some old friends in Bath whom
+she wanted to see; it was thought a good opportunity for Henrietta to
+come and buy wedding-clothes for herself and her sister; and, in short,
+it ended in being his mother's party, that everything might be
+comfortable and easy to Captain Harville; and he and Mary were included
+in it by way of general convenience.  They had arrived late the night
+before.  Mrs Harville, her children, and Captain Benwick, remained with
+Mr Musgrove and Louisa at Uppercross.
+
+Anne's only surprise was, that affairs should be in forwardness enough
+for Henrietta's wedding-clothes to be talked of.  She had imagined such
+difficulties of fortune to exist there as must prevent the marriage
+from being near at hand; but she learned from Charles that, very
+recently, (since Mary's last letter to herself), Charles Hayter had
+been applied to by a friend to hold a living for a youth who could not
+possibly claim it under many years; and that on the strength of his
+present income, with almost a certainty of something more permanent
+long before the term in question, the two families had consented to the
+young people's wishes, and that their marriage was likely to take place
+in a few months, quite as soon as Louisa's.  "And a very good living it
+was," Charles added:  "only five-and-twenty miles from Uppercross, and
+in a very fine country: fine part of Dorsetshire.  In the centre of
+some of the best preserves in the kingdom, surrounded by three great
+proprietors, each more careful and jealous than the other; and to two
+of the three at least, Charles Hayter might get a special
+recommendation.  Not that he will value it as he ought," he observed,
+"Charles is too cool about sporting. That's the worst of him."
+
+"I am extremely glad, indeed," cried Anne, "particularly glad that this
+should happen; and that of two sisters, who both deserve equally well,
+and who have always been such good friends, the pleasant prospect of
+one should not be dimming those of the other--that they should be so
+equal in their prosperity and comfort.  I hope your father and mother
+are quite happy with regard to both."
+
+"Oh! yes.  My father would be well pleased if the gentlemen were
+richer, but he has no other fault to find.  Money, you know, coming
+down with money--two daughters at once--it cannot be a very agreeable
+operation, and it streightens him as to many things.  However, I do not
+mean to say they have not a right to it.  It is very fit they should
+have daughters' shares; and I am sure he has always been a very kind,
+liberal father to me.  Mary does not above half like Henrietta's match.
+She never did, you know.  But she does not do him justice, nor think
+enough about Winthrop.  I cannot make her attend to the value of the
+property.  It is a very fair match, as times go; and I have liked
+Charles Hayter all my life, and I shall not leave off now."
+
+"Such excellent parents as Mr and Mrs Musgrove," exclaimed Anne,
+"should be happy in their children's marriages.  They do everything to
+confer happiness, I am sure.  What a blessing to young people to be in
+such hands!  Your father and mother seem so totally free from all those
+ambitious feelings which have led to so much misconduct and misery,
+both in young and old.  I hope you think Louisa perfectly recovered
+now?"
+
+He answered rather hesitatingly, "Yes, I believe I do; very much
+recovered; but she is altered; there is no running or jumping about, no
+laughing or dancing; it is quite different.  If one happens only to
+shut the door a little hard, she starts and wriggles like a young
+dab-chick in the water; and Benwick sits at her elbow, reading verses,
+or whispering to her, all day long."
+
+Anne could not help laughing.  "That cannot be much to your taste, I
+know," said she; "but I do believe him to be an excellent young man."
+
+"To be sure he is.  Nobody doubts it; and I hope you do not think I am
+so illiberal as to want every man to have the same objects and
+pleasures as myself.  I have a great value for Benwick; and when one
+can but get him to talk, he has plenty to say.  His reading has done
+him no harm, for he has fought as well as read.  He is a brave fellow.
+I got more acquainted with him last Monday than ever I did before.  We
+had a famous set-to at rat-hunting all the morning in my father's great
+barns; and he played his part so well that I have liked him the better
+ever since."
+
+Here they were interrupted by the absolute necessity of Charles's
+following the others to admire mirrors and china; but Anne had heard
+enough to understand the present state of Uppercross, and rejoice in
+its happiness; and though she sighed as she rejoiced, her sigh had none
+of the ill-will of envy in it.  She would certainly have risen to their
+blessings if she could, but she did not want to lessen theirs.
+
+The visit passed off altogether in high good humour.  Mary was in
+excellent spirits, enjoying the gaiety and the change, and so well
+satisfied with the journey in her mother-in-law's carriage with four
+horses, and with her own complete independence of Camden Place, that
+she was exactly in a temper to admire everything as she ought, and
+enter most readily into all the superiorities of the house, as they
+were detailed to her.  She had no demands on her father or sister, and
+her consequence was just enough increased by their handsome
+drawing-rooms.
+
+Elizabeth was, for a short time, suffering a good deal.  She felt that
+Mrs Musgrove and all her party ought to be asked to dine with them; but
+she could not bear to have the difference of style, the reduction of
+servants, which a dinner must betray, witnessed by those who had been
+always so inferior to the Elliots of Kellynch.  It was a struggle
+between propriety and vanity; but vanity got the better, and then
+Elizabeth was happy again.  These were her internal persuasions: "Old
+fashioned notions; country hospitality; we do not profess to give
+dinners; few people in Bath do; Lady Alicia never does; did not even
+ask her own sister's family, though they were here a month: and I dare
+say it would be very inconvenient to Mrs Musgrove; put her quite out of
+her way.  I am sure she would rather not come; she cannot feel easy
+with us.  I will ask them all for an evening; that will be much better;
+that will be a novelty and a treat.  They have not seen two such
+drawing rooms before.  They will be delighted to come to-morrow
+evening.  It shall be a regular party, small, but most elegant."  And
+this satisfied Elizabeth:  and when the invitation was given to the two
+present, and promised for the absent, Mary was as completely satisfied.
+She was particularly asked to meet Mr Elliot, and be introduced to Lady
+Dalrymple and Miss Carteret, who were fortunately already engaged to
+come; and she could not have received a more gratifying attention.
+Miss Elliot was to have the honour of calling on Mrs Musgrove in the
+course of the morning; and Anne walked off with Charles and Mary, to go
+and see her and Henrietta directly.
+
+Her plan of sitting with Lady Russell must give way for the present.
+They all three called in Rivers Street for a couple of minutes; but
+Anne convinced herself that a day's delay of the intended communication
+could be of no consequence, and hastened forward to the White Hart, to
+see again the friends and companions of the last autumn, with an
+eagerness of good-will which many associations contributed to form.
+
+They found Mrs Musgrove and her daughter within, and by themselves, and
+Anne had the kindest welcome from each.  Henrietta was exactly in that
+state of recently-improved views, of fresh-formed happiness, which made
+her full of regard and interest for everybody she had ever liked before
+at all; and Mrs Musgrove's real affection had been won by her
+usefulness when they were in distress.  It was a heartiness, and a
+warmth, and a sincerity which Anne delighted in the more, from the sad
+want of such blessings at home.  She was entreated to give them as much
+of her time as possible, invited for every day and all day long, or
+rather claimed as part of the family; and, in return, she naturally
+fell into all her wonted ways of attention and assistance, and on
+Charles's leaving them together, was listening to Mrs Musgrove's
+history of Louisa, and to Henrietta's of herself, giving opinions on
+business, and recommendations to shops; with intervals of every help
+which Mary required, from altering her ribbon to settling her accounts;
+from finding her keys, and assorting her trinkets, to trying to
+convince her that she was not ill-used by anybody; which Mary, well
+amused as she generally was, in her station at a window overlooking the
+entrance to the Pump Room, could not but have her moments of imagining.
+
+A morning of thorough confusion was to be expected.  A large party in
+an hotel ensured a quick-changing, unsettled scene.  One five minutes
+brought a note, the next a parcel; and Anne had not been there half an
+hour, when their dining-room, spacious as it was, seemed more than half
+filled:  a party of steady old friends were seated around Mrs Musgrove,
+and Charles came back with Captains Harville and Wentworth.  The
+appearance of the latter could not be more than the surprise of the
+moment.  It was impossible for her to have forgotten to feel that this
+arrival of their common friends must be soon bringing them together
+again.  Their last meeting had been most important in opening his
+feelings; she had derived from it a delightful conviction; but she
+feared from his looks, that the same unfortunate persuasion, which had
+hastened him away from the Concert Room, still governed.  He did not
+seem to want to be near enough for conversation.
+
+She tried to be calm, and leave things to take their course, and tried
+to dwell much on this argument of rational dependence:--"Surely, if
+there be constant attachment on each side, our hearts must understand
+each other ere long.  We are not boy and girl, to be captiously
+irritable, misled by every moment's inadvertence, and wantonly playing
+with our own happiness."  And yet, a few minutes afterwards, she felt
+as if their being in company with each other, under their present
+circumstances, could only be exposing them to inadvertencies and
+misconstructions of the most mischievous kind.
+
+"Anne," cried Mary, still at her window, "there is Mrs Clay, I am sure,
+standing under the colonnade, and a gentleman with her.  I saw them
+turn the corner from Bath Street just now.  They seemed deep in talk.
+Who is it?  Come, and tell me.  Good heavens! I recollect.  It is Mr
+Elliot himself."
+
+"No," cried Anne, quickly, "it cannot be Mr Elliot, I assure you.  He
+was to leave Bath at nine this morning, and does not come back till
+to-morrow."
+
+As she spoke, she felt that Captain Wentworth was looking at her, the
+consciousness of which vexed and embarrassed her, and made her regret
+that she had said so much, simple as it was.
+
+Mary, resenting that she should be supposed not to know her own cousin,
+began talking very warmly about the family features, and protesting
+still more positively that it was Mr Elliot, calling again upon Anne to
+come and look for herself, but Anne did not mean to stir, and tried to
+be cool and unconcerned.  Her distress returned, however, on perceiving
+smiles and intelligent glances pass between two or three of the lady
+visitors, as if they believed themselves quite in the secret.  It was
+evident that the report concerning her had spread, and a short pause
+succeeded, which seemed to ensure that it would now spread farther.
+
+"Do come, Anne," cried Mary, "come and look yourself.  You will be too
+late if you do not make haste.  They are parting; they are shaking
+hands.  He is turning away.  Not know Mr Elliot, indeed!  You seem to
+have forgot all about Lyme."
+
+To pacify Mary, and perhaps screen her own embarrassment, Anne did move
+quietly to the window.  She was just in time to ascertain that it
+really was Mr Elliot, which she had never believed, before he
+disappeared on one side, as Mrs Clay walked quickly off on the other;
+and checking the surprise which she could not but feel at such an
+appearance of friendly conference between two persons of totally
+opposite interest, she calmly said, "Yes, it is Mr Elliot, certainly.
+He has changed his hour of going, I suppose, that is all, or I may be
+mistaken, I might not attend;" and walked back to her chair,
+recomposed, and with the comfortable hope of having acquitted herself
+well.
+
+The visitors took their leave; and Charles, having civilly seen them
+off, and then made a face at them, and abused them for coming, began
+with--
+
+"Well, mother, I have done something for you that you will like.  I
+have been to the theatre, and secured a box for to-morrow night.  A'n't
+I a good boy?  I know you love a play; and there is room for us all.
+It holds nine.  I have engaged Captain Wentworth.  Anne will not be
+sorry to join us, I am sure.  We all like a play.  Have not I done
+well, mother?"
+
+Mrs Musgrove was good humouredly beginning to express her perfect
+readiness for the play, if Henrietta and all the others liked it, when
+Mary eagerly interrupted her by exclaiming--
+
+"Good heavens, Charles! how can you think of such a thing?  Take a box
+for to-morrow night!  Have you forgot that we are engaged to Camden
+Place to-morrow night? and that we were most particularly asked to meet
+Lady Dalrymple and her daughter, and Mr Elliot, and all the principal
+family connexions, on purpose to be introduced to them?  How can you be
+so forgetful?"
+
+"Phoo! phoo!" replied Charles, "what's an evening party?  Never worth
+remembering.  Your father might have asked us to dinner, I think, if he
+had wanted to see us.  You may do as you like, but I shall go to the
+play."
+
+"Oh! Charles, I declare it will be too abominable if you do, when you
+promised to go."
+
+"No, I did not promise.  I only smirked and bowed, and said the word
+'happy.'  There was no promise."
+
+"But you must go, Charles.  It would be unpardonable to fail.  We were
+asked on purpose to be introduced.  There was always such a great
+connexion between the Dalrymples and ourselves.  Nothing ever happened
+on either side that was not announced immediately.  We are quite near
+relations, you know; and Mr Elliot too, whom you ought so particularly
+to be acquainted with!  Every attention is due to Mr Elliot.  Consider,
+my father's heir:  the future representative of the family."
+
+"Don't talk to me about heirs and representatives," cried Charles.  "I
+am not one of those who neglect the reigning power to bow to the rising
+sun.  If I would not go for the sake of your father, I should think it
+scandalous to go for the sake of his heir.  What is Mr Elliot to me?"
+The careless expression was life to Anne, who saw that Captain
+Wentworth was all attention, looking and listening with his whole soul;
+and that the last words brought his enquiring eyes from Charles to
+herself.
+
+Charles and Mary still talked on in the same style; he, half serious
+and half jesting, maintaining the scheme for the play, and she,
+invariably serious, most warmly opposing it, and not omitting to make
+it known that, however determined to go to Camden Place herself, she
+should not think herself very well used, if they went to the play
+without her.  Mrs Musgrove interposed.
+
+"We had better put it off.  Charles, you had much better go back and
+change the box for Tuesday.  It would be a pity to be divided, and we
+should be losing Miss Anne, too, if there is a party at her father's;
+and I am sure neither Henrietta nor I should care at all for the play,
+if Miss Anne could not be with us."
+
+Anne felt truly obliged to her for such kindness; and quite as much so
+for the opportunity it gave her of decidedly saying--
+
+"If it depended only on my inclination, ma'am, the party at home
+(excepting on Mary's account) would not be the smallest impediment.  I
+have no pleasure in the sort of meeting, and should be too happy to
+change it for a play, and with you.  But, it had better not be
+attempted, perhaps."  She had spoken it; but she trembled when it was
+done, conscious that her words were listened to, and daring not even to
+try to observe their effect.
+
+It was soon generally agreed that Tuesday should be the day; Charles
+only reserving the advantage of still teasing his wife, by persisting
+that he would go to the play to-morrow if nobody else would.
+
+Captain Wentworth left his seat, and walked to the fire-place; probably
+for the sake of walking away from it soon afterwards, and taking a
+station, with less bare-faced design, by Anne.
+
+"You have not been long enough in Bath," said he, "to enjoy the evening
+parties of the place."
+
+"Oh! no.  The usual character of them has nothing for me.  I am no
+card-player."
+
+"You were not formerly, I know.  You did not use to like cards; but
+time makes many changes."
+
+"I am not yet so much changed," cried Anne, and stopped, fearing she
+hardly knew what misconstruction.  After waiting a few moments he said,
+and as if it were the result of immediate feeling, "It is a period,
+indeed!  Eight years and a half is a period."
+
+Whether he would have proceeded farther was left to Anne's imagination
+to ponder over in a calmer hour; for while still hearing the sounds he
+had uttered, she was startled to other subjects by Henrietta, eager to
+make use of the present leisure for getting out, and calling on her
+companions to lose no time, lest somebody else should come in.
+
+They were obliged to move.  Anne talked of being perfectly ready, and
+tried to look it; but she felt that could Henrietta have known the
+regret and reluctance of her heart in quitting that chair, in preparing
+to quit the room, she would have found, in all her own sensations for
+her cousin, in the very security of his affection, wherewith to pity
+her.
+
+Their preparations, however, were stopped short.  Alarming sounds were
+heard; other visitors approached, and the door was thrown open for Sir
+Walter and Miss Elliot, whose entrance seemed to give a general chill.
+Anne felt an instant oppression, and wherever she looked saw symptoms
+of the same.  The comfort, the freedom, the gaiety of the room was
+over, hushed into cold composure, determined silence, or insipid talk,
+to meet the heartless elegance of her father and sister.  How
+mortifying to feel that it was so!
+
+Her jealous eye was satisfied in one particular.  Captain Wentworth was
+acknowledged again by each, by Elizabeth more graciously than before.
+She even addressed him once, and looked at him more than once.
+Elizabeth was, in fact, revolving a great measure.  The sequel
+explained it.  After the waste of a few minutes in saying the proper
+nothings, she began to give the invitation which was to comprise all
+the remaining dues of the Musgroves.  "To-morrow evening, to meet a few
+friends:  no formal party." It was all said very gracefully, and the
+cards with which she had provided herself, the "Miss Elliot at home,"
+were laid on the table, with a courteous, comprehensive smile to all,
+and one smile and one card more decidedly for Captain Wentworth.  The
+truth was, that Elizabeth had been long enough in Bath to understand
+the importance of a man of such an air and appearance as his.  The past
+was nothing.  The present was that Captain Wentworth would move about
+well in her drawing-room.  The card was pointedly given, and Sir Walter
+and Elizabeth arose and disappeared.
+
+The interruption had been short, though severe, and ease and animation
+returned to most of those they left as the door shut them out, but not
+to Anne.  She could think only of the invitation she had with such
+astonishment witnessed, and of the manner in which it had been
+received; a manner of doubtful meaning, of surprise rather than
+gratification, of polite acknowledgement rather than acceptance.  She
+knew him; she saw disdain in his eye, and could not venture to believe
+that he had determined to accept such an offering, as an atonement for
+all the insolence of the past.  Her spirits sank.  He held the card in
+his hand after they were gone, as if deeply considering it.
+
+"Only think of Elizabeth's including everybody!" whispered Mary very
+audibly.  "I do not wonder Captain Wentworth is delighted!  You see he
+cannot put the card out of his hand."
+
+Anne caught his eye, saw his cheeks glow, and his mouth form itself
+into a momentary expression of contempt, and turned away, that she
+might neither see nor hear more to vex her.
+
+The party separated.  The gentlemen had their own pursuits, the ladies
+proceeded on their own business, and they met no more while Anne
+belonged to them.  She was earnestly begged to return and dine, and
+give them all the rest of the day, but her spirits had been so long
+exerted that at present she felt unequal to more, and fit only for
+home, where she might be sure of being as silent as she chose.
+
+Promising to be with them the whole of the following morning,
+therefore, she closed the fatigues of the present by a toilsome walk to
+Camden Place, there to spend the evening chiefly in listening to the
+busy arrangements of Elizabeth and Mrs Clay for the morrow's party, the
+frequent enumeration of the persons invited, and the continually
+improving detail of all the embellishments which were to make it the
+most completely elegant of its kind in Bath, while harassing herself
+with the never-ending question, of whether Captain Wentworth would come
+or not?  They were reckoning him as certain, but with her it was a
+gnawing solicitude never appeased for five minutes together.  She
+generally thought he would come, because she generally thought he
+ought; but it was a case which she could not so shape into any positive
+act of duty or discretion, as inevitably to defy the suggestions of
+very opposite feelings.
+
+She only roused herself from the broodings of this restless agitation,
+to let Mrs Clay know that she had been seen with Mr Elliot three hours
+after his being supposed to be out of Bath, for having watched in vain
+for some intimation of the interview from the lady herself, she
+determined to mention it, and it seemed to her there was guilt in Mrs
+Clay's face as she listened.  It was transient: cleared away in an
+instant; but Anne could imagine she read there the consciousness of
+having, by some complication of mutual trick, or some overbearing
+authority of his, been obliged to attend (perhaps for half an hour) to
+his lectures and restrictions on her designs on Sir Walter.  She
+exclaimed, however, with a very tolerable imitation of nature:--
+
+"Oh! dear! very true.  Only think, Miss Elliot, to my great surprise I
+met with Mr Elliot in Bath Street.  I was never more astonished.  He
+turned back and walked with me to the Pump Yard.  He had been prevented
+setting off for Thornberry, but I really forget by what; for I was in a
+hurry, and could not much attend, and I can only answer for his being
+determined not to be delayed in his return.  He wanted to know how
+early he might be admitted to-morrow.  He was full of 'to-morrow,' and
+it is very evident that I have been full of it too, ever since I
+entered the house, and learnt the extension of your plan and all that
+had happened, or my seeing him could never have gone so entirely out of
+my head."
+
+
+
+Chapter 23
+
+
+One day only had passed since Anne's conversation with Mrs Smith; but a
+keener interest had succeeded, and she was now so little touched by Mr
+Elliot's conduct, except by its effects in one quarter, that it became
+a matter of course the next morning, still to defer her explanatory
+visit in Rivers Street.  She had promised to be with the Musgroves from
+breakfast to dinner.  Her faith was plighted, and Mr Elliot's
+character, like the Sultaness Scheherazade's head, must live another
+day.
+
+She could not keep her appointment punctually, however; the weather was
+unfavourable, and she had grieved over the rain on her friends'
+account, and felt it very much on her own, before she was able to
+attempt the walk.  When she reached the White Hart, and made her way to
+the proper apartment, she found herself neither arriving quite in time,
+nor the first to arrive.  The party before her were, Mrs Musgrove,
+talking to Mrs Croft, and Captain Harville to Captain Wentworth; and
+she immediately heard that Mary and Henrietta, too impatient to wait,
+had gone out the moment it had cleared, but would be back again soon,
+and that the strictest injunctions had been left with Mrs Musgrove to
+keep her there till they returned.  She had only to submit, sit down,
+be outwardly composed, and feel herself plunged at once in all the
+agitations which she had merely laid her account of tasting a little
+before the morning closed.  There was no delay, no waste of time.  She
+was deep in the happiness of such misery, or the misery of such
+happiness, instantly.  Two minutes after her entering the room, Captain
+Wentworth said--
+
+"We will write the letter we were talking of, Harville, now, if you
+will give me materials."
+
+Materials were at hand, on a separate table; he went to it, and nearly
+turning his back to them all, was engrossed by writing.
+
+Mrs Musgrove was giving Mrs Croft the history of her eldest daughter's
+engagement, and just in that inconvenient tone of voice which was
+perfectly audible while it pretended to be a whisper.  Anne felt that
+she did not belong to the conversation, and yet, as Captain Harville
+seemed thoughtful and not disposed to talk, she could not avoid hearing
+many undesirable particulars; such as, "how Mr Musgrove and my brother
+Hayter had met again and again to talk it over; what my brother Hayter
+had said one day, and what Mr Musgrove had proposed the next, and what
+had occurred to my sister Hayter, and what the young people had wished,
+and what I said at first I never could consent to, but was afterwards
+persuaded to think might do very well," and a great deal in the same
+style of open-hearted communication:  minutiae which, even with every
+advantage of taste and delicacy, which good Mrs Musgrove could not
+give, could be properly interesting only to the principals.  Mrs Croft
+was attending with great good-humour, and whenever she spoke at all, it
+was very sensibly.  Anne hoped the gentlemen might each be too much
+self-occupied to hear.
+
+"And so, ma'am, all these thing considered," said Mrs Musgrove, in her
+powerful whisper, "though we could have wished it different, yet,
+altogether, we did not think it fair to stand out any longer, for
+Charles Hayter was quite wild about it, and Henrietta was pretty near
+as bad; and so we thought they had better marry at once, and make the
+best of it, as many others have done before them.  At any rate, said I,
+it will be better than a long engagement."
+
+"That is precisely what I was going to observe," cried Mrs Croft.  "I
+would rather have young people settle on a small income at once, and
+have to struggle with a few difficulties together, than be involved in
+a long engagement.  I always think that no mutual--"
+
+"Oh! dear Mrs Croft," cried Mrs Musgrove, unable to let her finish her
+speech, "there is nothing I so abominate for young people as a long
+engagement.  It is what I always protested against for my children.  It
+is all very well, I used to say, for young people to be engaged, if
+there is a certainty of their being able to marry in six months, or
+even in twelve; but a long engagement--"
+
+"Yes, dear ma'am," said Mrs Croft, "or an uncertain engagement, an
+engagement which may be long.  To begin without knowing that at such a
+time there will be the means of marrying, I hold to be very unsafe and
+unwise, and what I think all parents should prevent as far as they can."
+
+Anne found an unexpected interest here.  She felt its application to
+herself, felt it in a nervous thrill all over her; and at the same
+moment that her eyes instinctively glanced towards the distant table,
+Captain Wentworth's pen ceased to move, his head was raised, pausing,
+listening, and he turned round the next instant to give a look, one
+quick, conscious look at her.
+
+The two ladies continued to talk, to re-urge the same admitted truths,
+and enforce them with such examples of the ill effect of a contrary
+practice as had fallen within their observation, but Anne heard nothing
+distinctly; it was only a buzz of words in her ear, her mind was in
+confusion.
+
+Captain Harville, who had in truth been hearing none of it, now left
+his seat, and moved to a window, and Anne seeming to watch him, though
+it was from thorough absence of mind, became gradually sensible that he
+was inviting her to join him where he stood.  He looked at her with a
+smile, and a little motion of the head, which expressed, "Come to me, I
+have something to say;" and the unaffected, easy kindness of manner
+which denoted the feelings of an older acquaintance than he really was,
+strongly enforced the invitation.  She roused herself and went to him.
+The window at which he stood was at the other end of the room from
+where the two ladies were sitting, and though nearer to Captain
+Wentworth's table, not very near.  As she joined him, Captain
+Harville's countenance re-assumed the serious, thoughtful expression
+which seemed its natural character.
+
+"Look here," said he, unfolding a parcel in his hand, and displaying a
+small miniature painting, "do you know who that is?"
+
+"Certainly:  Captain Benwick."
+
+"Yes, and you may guess who it is for.  But," (in a deep tone,) "it was
+not done for her.  Miss Elliot, do you remember our walking together at
+Lyme, and grieving for him?  I little thought then--but no matter.
+This was drawn at the Cape.  He met with a clever young German artist
+at the Cape, and in compliance with a promise to my poor sister, sat to
+him, and was bringing it home for her; and I have now the charge of
+getting it properly set for another!  It was a commission to me!  But
+who else was there to employ?  I hope I can allow for him.  I am not
+sorry, indeed, to make it over to another.  He undertakes it;" (looking
+towards Captain Wentworth,) "he is writing about it now."  And with a
+quivering lip he wound up the whole by adding, "Poor Fanny! she would
+not have forgotten him so soon!"
+
+"No," replied Anne, in a low, feeling voice. "That I can easily
+believe."
+
+"It was not in her nature.  She doted on him."
+
+"It would not be the nature of any woman who truly loved."
+
+Captain Harville smiled, as much as to say, "Do you claim that for your
+sex?" and she answered the question, smiling also, "Yes.  We certainly
+do not forget you as soon as you forget us.  It is, perhaps, our fate
+rather than our merit.  We cannot help ourselves.  We live at home,
+quiet, confined, and our feelings prey upon us.  You are forced on
+exertion.  You have always a profession, pursuits, business of some
+sort or other, to take you back into the world immediately, and
+continual occupation and change soon weaken impressions."
+
+"Granting your assertion that the world does all this so soon for men
+(which, however, I do not think I shall grant), it does not apply to
+Benwick.  He has not been forced upon any exertion.  The peace turned
+him on shore at the very moment, and he has been living with us, in our
+little family circle, ever since."
+
+"True," said Anne, "very true; I did not recollect; but what shall we
+say now, Captain Harville?  If the change be not from outward
+circumstances, it must be from within; it must be nature, man's nature,
+which has done the business for Captain Benwick."
+
+"No, no, it is not man's nature.  I will not allow it to be more man's
+nature than woman's to be inconstant and forget those they do love, or
+have loved.  I believe the reverse.  I believe in a true analogy
+between our bodily frames and our mental; and that as our bodies are
+the strongest, so are our feelings; capable of bearing most rough
+usage, and riding out the heaviest weather."
+
+"Your feelings may be the strongest," replied Anne, "but the same
+spirit of analogy will authorise me to assert that ours are the most
+tender.  Man is more robust than woman, but he is not longer lived;
+which exactly explains my view of the nature of their attachments.
+Nay, it would be too hard upon you, if it were otherwise.  You have
+difficulties, and privations, and dangers enough to struggle with.  You
+are always labouring and toiling, exposed to every risk and hardship.
+Your home, country, friends, all quitted.  Neither time, nor health,
+nor life, to be called your own.  It would be hard, indeed" (with a
+faltering voice), "if woman's feelings were to be added to all this."
+
+"We shall never agree upon this question," Captain Harville was
+beginning to say, when a slight noise called their attention to Captain
+Wentworth's hitherto perfectly quiet division of the room.  It was
+nothing more than that his pen had fallen down; but Anne was startled
+at finding him nearer than she had supposed, and half inclined to
+suspect that the pen had only fallen because he had been occupied by
+them, striving to catch sounds, which yet she did not think he could
+have caught.
+
+"Have you finished your letter?" said Captain Harville.
+
+"Not quite, a few lines more.  I shall have done in five minutes."
+
+"There is no hurry on my side.  I am only ready whenever you are.  I am
+in very good anchorage here," (smiling at Anne,) "well supplied, and
+want for nothing.  No hurry for a signal at all.  Well, Miss Elliot,"
+(lowering his voice,) "as I was saying we shall never agree, I suppose,
+upon this point.  No man and woman, would, probably.  But let me
+observe that all histories are against you--all stories, prose and
+verse.  If I had such a memory as Benwick, I could bring you fifty
+quotations in a moment on my side the argument, and I do not think I
+ever opened a book in my life which had not something to say upon
+woman's inconstancy.  Songs and proverbs, all talk of woman's
+fickleness.  But perhaps you will say, these were all written by men."
+
+"Perhaps I shall.  Yes, yes, if you please, no reference to examples in
+books.  Men have had every advantage of us in telling their own story.
+Education has been theirs in so much higher a degree; the pen has been
+in their hands.  I will not allow books to prove anything."
+
+"But how shall we prove anything?"
+
+"We never shall.  We never can expect to prove any thing upon such a
+point.  It is a difference of opinion which does not admit of proof.
+We each begin, probably, with a little bias towards our own sex; and
+upon that bias build every circumstance in favour of it which has
+occurred within our own circle; many of which circumstances (perhaps
+those very cases which strike us the most) may be precisely such as
+cannot be brought forward without betraying a confidence, or in some
+respect saying what should not be said."
+
+"Ah!" cried Captain Harville, in a tone of strong feeling, "if I could
+but make you comprehend what a man suffers when he takes a last look at
+his wife and children, and watches the boat that he has sent them off
+in, as long as it is in sight, and then turns away and says, 'God knows
+whether we ever meet again!' And then, if I could convey to you the
+glow of his soul when he does see them again; when, coming back after a
+twelvemonth's absence, perhaps, and obliged to put into another port,
+he calculates how soon it be possible to get them there, pretending to
+deceive himself, and saying, 'They cannot be here till such a day,' but
+all the while hoping for them twelve hours sooner, and seeing them
+arrive at last, as if Heaven had given them wings, by many hours sooner
+still!  If I could explain to you all this, and all that a man can bear
+and do, and glories to do, for the sake of these treasures of his
+existence!  I speak, you know, only of such men as have hearts!"
+pressing his own with emotion.
+
+"Oh!" cried Anne eagerly, "I hope I do justice to all that is felt by
+you, and by those who resemble you.  God forbid that I should
+undervalue the warm and faithful feelings of any of my
+fellow-creatures!  I should deserve utter contempt if I dared to
+suppose that true attachment and constancy were known only by woman.
+No, I believe you capable of everything great and good in your married
+lives.  I believe you equal to every important exertion, and to every
+domestic forbearance, so long as--if I may be allowed the
+expression--so long as you have an object.  I mean while the woman you
+love lives, and lives for you.  All the privilege I claim for my own
+sex (it is not a very enviable one; you need not covet it), is that of
+loving longest, when existence or when hope is gone."
+
+She could not immediately have uttered another sentence; her heart was
+too full, her breath too much oppressed.
+
+"You are a good soul," cried Captain Harville, putting his hand on her
+arm, quite affectionately.  "There is no quarrelling with you.  And
+when I think of Benwick, my tongue is tied."
+
+Their attention was called towards the others.  Mrs Croft was taking
+leave.
+
+"Here, Frederick, you and I part company, I believe," said she.  "I am
+going home, and you have an engagement with your friend.  To-night we
+may have the pleasure of all meeting again at your party," (turning to
+Anne.)  "We had your sister's card yesterday, and I understood
+Frederick had a card too, though I did not see it; and you are
+disengaged, Frederick, are you not, as well as ourselves?"
+
+Captain Wentworth was folding up a letter in great haste, and either
+could not or would not answer fully.
+
+"Yes," said he, "very true; here we separate, but Harville and I shall
+soon be after you; that is, Harville, if you are ready, I am in half a
+minute.  I know you will not be sorry to be off.  I shall be at your
+service in half a minute."
+
+Mrs Croft left them, and Captain Wentworth, having sealed his letter
+with great rapidity, was indeed ready, and had even a hurried, agitated
+air, which shewed impatience to be gone.  Anne knew not how to
+understand it.  She had the kindest "Good morning, God bless you!" from
+Captain Harville, but from him not a word, nor a look!  He had passed
+out of the room without a look!
+
+She had only time, however, to move closer to the table where he had
+been writing, when footsteps were heard returning; the door opened, it
+was himself.  He begged their pardon, but he had forgotten his gloves,
+and instantly crossing the room to the writing table, he drew out a
+letter from under the scattered paper, placed it before Anne with eyes
+of glowing entreaty fixed on her for a time, and hastily collecting his
+gloves, was again out of the room, almost before Mrs Musgrove was aware
+of his being in it: the work of an instant!
+
+The revolution which one instant had made in Anne, was almost beyond
+expression.  The letter, with a direction hardly legible, to "Miss A.
+E.--," was evidently the one which he had been folding so hastily.
+While supposed to be writing only to Captain Benwick, he had been also
+addressing her!  On the contents of that letter depended all which this
+world could do for her.  Anything was possible, anything might be
+defied rather than suspense.  Mrs Musgrove had little arrangements of
+her own at her own table; to their protection she must trust, and
+sinking into the chair which he had occupied, succeeding to the very
+spot where he had leaned and written, her eyes devoured the following
+words:
+
+
+"I can listen no longer in silence.  I must speak to you by such means
+as are within my reach.  You pierce my soul.  I am half agony, half
+hope.  Tell me not that I am too late, that such precious feelings are
+gone for ever.  I offer myself to you again with a heart even more your
+own than when you almost broke it, eight years and a half ago.  Dare
+not say that man forgets sooner than  woman, that his love has an
+earlier death.  I have loved none but you.  Unjust I may have been,
+weak and resentful I have been, but never inconstant.  You alone have
+brought me to Bath.  For you alone, I think and plan.  Have you not
+seen this?  Can you fail to have understood my wishes?  I had not
+waited even these ten days, could I have read your feelings, as I think
+you must have penetrated mine.  I can hardly write.  I am every instant
+hearing something which overpowers me.  You sink your voice, but I can
+distinguish the tones of that voice when they would be lost on others.
+Too good, too excellent creature!  You do us justice, indeed.  You do
+believe that there is true attachment and constancy among men.  Believe
+it to be most fervent, most undeviating, in F. W.
+
+"I must go, uncertain of my fate; but I shall return hither, or follow
+your party, as soon as possible.  A word, a look, will be enough to
+decide whether I enter your father's house this evening or never."
+
+
+Such a letter was not to be soon recovered from.  Half an hour's
+solitude and reflection might have tranquillized her; but the ten
+minutes only which now passed before she was interrupted, with all the
+restraints of her situation, could do nothing towards tranquillity.
+Every moment rather brought fresh agitation.  It was overpowering
+happiness.  And before she was beyond the first stage of full
+sensation, Charles, Mary, and Henrietta all came in.
+
+The absolute necessity of seeming like herself produced then an
+immediate struggle; but after a while she could do no more.  She began
+not to understand a word they said, and was obliged to plead
+indisposition and excuse herself.  They could then see that she looked
+very ill, were shocked and concerned, and would not stir without her
+for the world.  This was dreadful.  Would they only have gone away, and
+left her in the quiet possession of that room it would have been her
+cure; but to have them all standing or waiting around her was
+distracting, and in desperation, she said she would go home.
+
+"By all means, my dear," cried Mrs Musgrove, "go home directly, and
+take care of yourself, that you may be fit for the evening.  I wish
+Sarah was here to doctor you, but I am no doctor myself.  Charles, ring
+and order a chair.  She must not walk."
+
+But the chair would never do.  Worse than all!  To lose the possibility
+of speaking two words to Captain Wentworth in the course of her quiet,
+solitary progress up the town (and she felt almost certain of meeting
+him) could not be borne.  The chair was earnestly protested against,
+and Mrs Musgrove, who thought only of one sort of illness, having
+assured herself with some anxiety, that there had been no fall in the
+case; that Anne had not at any time lately slipped down, and got a blow
+on her head; that she was perfectly convinced of having had no fall;
+could part with her cheerfully, and depend on finding her better at
+night.
+
+Anxious to omit no possible precaution, Anne struggled, and said--
+
+"I am afraid, ma'am, that it is not perfectly understood.  Pray be so
+good as to mention to the other gentlemen that we hope to see your
+whole party this evening.  I am afraid there had been some mistake; and
+I wish you particularly to assure Captain Harville and Captain
+Wentworth, that we hope to see them both."
+
+"Oh! my dear, it is quite understood, I give you my word.  Captain
+Harville has no thought but of going."
+
+"Do you think so?  But I am afraid; and I should be so very sorry.
+Will you promise me to mention it, when you see them again?  You will
+see them both this morning, I dare say.  Do promise me."
+
+"To be sure I will, if you wish it.  Charles, if you see Captain
+Harville anywhere, remember to give Miss Anne's message.  But indeed,
+my dear, you need not be uneasy.  Captain Harville holds himself quite
+engaged, I'll answer for it; and Captain Wentworth the same, I dare
+say."
+
+Anne could do no more; but her heart prophesied some mischance to damp
+the perfection of her felicity.  It could not be very lasting, however.
+Even if he did not come to Camden Place himself, it would be in her
+power to send an intelligible sentence by Captain Harville.  Another
+momentary vexation occurred.  Charles, in his real concern and good
+nature, would go home with her; there was no preventing him.  This was
+almost cruel.  But she could not be long ungrateful; he was sacrificing
+an engagement at a gunsmith's, to be of use to her; and she set off
+with him, with no feeling but gratitude apparent.
+
+They were on Union Street, when a quicker step behind, a something of
+familiar sound, gave her two moments' preparation for the sight of
+Captain Wentworth.  He joined them; but, as if irresolute whether to
+join or to pass on, said nothing, only looked.  Anne could command
+herself enough to receive that look, and not repulsively.  The cheeks
+which had been pale now glowed, and the movements which had hesitated
+were decided.  He walked by her side.  Presently, struck by a sudden
+thought, Charles said--
+
+"Captain Wentworth, which way are you going?  Only to Gay Street, or
+farther up the town?"
+
+"I hardly know," replied Captain Wentworth, surprised.
+
+"Are you going as high as Belmont?  Are you going near Camden Place?
+Because, if you are, I shall have no scruple in asking you to take my
+place, and give Anne your arm to her father's door.  She is rather done
+for this morning, and must not go so far without help, and I ought to
+be at that fellow's in the Market Place.  He promised me the sight of a
+capital gun he is just going to send off; said he would keep it
+unpacked to the last possible moment, that I might see it; and if I do
+not turn back now, I have no chance.  By his description, a good deal
+like the second size double-barrel of mine, which you shot with one day
+round Winthrop."
+
+There could not be an objection.  There could be only the most proper
+alacrity, a most obliging compliance for public view; and smiles reined
+in and spirits dancing in private rapture.  In half a minute Charles
+was at the bottom of Union Street again, and the other two proceeding
+together:  and soon words enough had passed between them to decide
+their direction towards the comparatively quiet and retired gravel
+walk, where the power of conversation would make the present hour a
+blessing indeed, and prepare it for all the immortality which the
+happiest recollections of their own future lives could bestow.  There
+they exchanged again those feelings and those promises which had once
+before seemed to secure everything, but which had been followed by so
+many, many years of division and estrangement.  There they returned
+again into the past, more exquisitely happy, perhaps, in their
+re-union, than when it had been first projected; more tender, more
+tried, more fixed in a knowledge of each other's character, truth, and
+attachment; more equal to act, more justified in acting.  And there, as
+they slowly paced the gradual ascent, heedless of every group around
+them, seeing neither sauntering politicians, bustling housekeepers,
+flirting girls, nor nursery-maids and children, they could indulge in
+those retrospections and acknowledgements, and especially in those
+explanations of what had directly preceded the present moment, which
+were so poignant and so ceaseless in interest.  All the little
+variations of the last week were gone through; and of yesterday and
+today there could scarcely be an end.
+
+She had not mistaken him.  Jealousy of Mr Elliot had been the retarding
+weight, the doubt, the torment.  That had begun to operate in the very
+hour of first meeting her in Bath; that had returned, after a short
+suspension, to ruin the concert; and that had influenced him in
+everything he had said and done, or omitted to say and do, in the last
+four-and-twenty hours.  It had been gradually yielding to the better
+hopes which her looks, or words, or actions occasionally encouraged; it
+had been vanquished at last by those sentiments and those tones which
+had reached him while she talked with Captain Harville; and under the
+irresistible governance of which he had seized a sheet of paper, and
+poured out his feelings.
+
+Of what he had then written, nothing was to be retracted or qualified.
+He persisted in having loved none but her.  She had never been
+supplanted.  He never even believed himself to see her equal.  Thus
+much indeed he was obliged to acknowledge:  that he had been constant
+unconsciously, nay unintentionally; that he had meant to forget her,
+and believed it to be done.  He had imagined himself indifferent, when
+he had only been angry; and he had been unjust to her merits, because
+he had been a sufferer from them.  Her character was now fixed on his
+mind as perfection itself, maintaining the loveliest medium of
+fortitude and gentleness; but he was obliged to acknowledge that only
+at Uppercross had he learnt to do her justice, and only at Lyme had he
+begun to understand himself.  At Lyme, he had received lessons of more
+than one sort.  The passing admiration of Mr Elliot had at least roused
+him, and the scenes on the Cobb and at Captain Harville's had fixed her
+superiority.
+
+In his preceding attempts to attach himself to Louisa Musgrove (the
+attempts of angry pride), he protested that he had for ever felt it to
+be impossible; that he had not cared, could not care, for Louisa;
+though till that day, till the leisure for reflection which followed
+it, he had not understood the perfect excellence of the mind with which
+Louisa's could so ill bear a comparison, or the perfect unrivalled hold
+it possessed over his own.  There, he had learnt to distinguish between
+the steadiness of principle and the obstinacy of self-will, between the
+darings of heedlessness and the resolution of a collected mind.  There
+he had seen everything to exalt in his estimation the woman he had
+lost; and there begun to deplore the pride, the folly, the madness of
+resentment, which had kept him from trying to regain her when thrown in
+his way.
+
+From that period his penance had become severe.  He had no sooner been
+free from the horror and remorse attending the first few days of
+Louisa's accident, no sooner begun to feel himself alive again, than he
+had begun to feel himself, though alive, not at liberty.
+
+"I found," said he, "that I was considered by Harville an engaged man!
+That neither Harville nor his wife entertained a doubt of our mutual
+attachment.  I was startled and shocked.  To a degree, I could
+contradict this instantly; but, when I began to reflect that others
+might have felt the same--her own family, nay, perhaps herself--I was
+no longer at my own disposal.  I was hers in honour if she wished it.
+I had been unguarded.  I had not thought seriously on this subject
+before.  I had not considered that my excessive intimacy must have its
+danger of ill consequence in many ways; and that I had no right to be
+trying whether I could attach myself to either of the girls, at the
+risk of raising even an unpleasant report, were there no other ill
+effects.  I had been grossly wrong, and must abide the consequences."
+
+He found too late, in short, that he had entangled himself; and that
+precisely as he became fully satisfied of his not caring for Louisa at
+all, he must regard himself as bound to her, if her sentiments for him
+were what the Harvilles supposed.  It determined him to leave Lyme, and
+await her complete recovery elsewhere.  He would gladly weaken, by any
+fair means, whatever feelings or speculations concerning him might
+exist; and he went, therefore, to his brother's, meaning after a while
+to return to Kellynch, and act as circumstances might require.
+
+"I was six weeks with Edward," said he, "and saw him happy.  I could
+have no other pleasure.  I deserved none.  He enquired after you very
+particularly; asked even if you were personally altered, little
+suspecting that to my eye you could never alter."
+
+Anne smiled, and let it pass.  It was too pleasing a blunder for a
+reproach.  It is something for a woman to be assured, in her
+eight-and-twentieth year, that she has not lost one charm of earlier
+youth; but the value of such homage was inexpressibly increased to
+Anne, by comparing it with former words, and feeling it to be the
+result, not the cause of a revival of his warm attachment.
+
+He had remained in Shropshire, lamenting the blindness of his own
+pride, and the blunders of his own calculations, till at once released
+from Louisa by the astonishing and felicitous intelligence of her
+engagement with Benwick.
+
+"Here," said he, "ended the worst of my state; for now I could at least
+put myself in the way of happiness; I could exert myself; I could do
+something.  But to be waiting so long in inaction, and waiting only for
+evil, had been dreadful.  Within the first five minutes I said, 'I will
+be at Bath on Wednesday,' and I was.  Was it unpardonable to think it
+worth my while to come? and to arrive with some degree of hope?  You
+were single.  It was possible that you might retain the feelings of the
+past, as I did; and one encouragement happened to be mine.  I could
+never doubt that you would be loved and sought by others, but I knew to
+a certainty that you had refused one man, at least, of better
+pretensions than myself; and I could not help often saying, 'Was this
+for me?'"
+
+Their first meeting in Milsom Street afforded much to be said, but the
+concert still more.  That evening seemed to be made up of exquisite
+moments.  The moment of her stepping forward in the Octagon Room to
+speak to him:  the moment of Mr Elliot's appearing and tearing her
+away, and one or two subsequent moments, marked by returning hope or
+increasing despondency, were dwelt on with energy.
+
+"To see you," cried he, "in the midst of those who could not be my
+well-wishers; to see your cousin close by you, conversing and smiling,
+and feel all the horrible eligibilities and proprieties of the match!
+To consider it as the certain wish of every being who could hope to
+influence you!  Even if your own feelings were reluctant or
+indifferent, to consider what powerful supports would be his!  Was it
+not enough to make the fool of me which I appeared?  How could I look
+on without agony?  Was not the very sight of the friend who sat behind
+you, was not the recollection of what had been, the knowledge of her
+influence, the indelible, immoveable impression of what persuasion had
+once done--was it not all against me?"
+
+"You should have distinguished," replied Anne.  "You should not have
+suspected me now; the case is so different, and my age is so different.
+If I was wrong in yielding to persuasion once, remember that it was to
+persuasion exerted on the side of safety, not of risk.  When I yielded,
+I thought it was to duty, but no duty could be called in aid here.  In
+marrying a man indifferent to me, all risk would have been incurred,
+and all duty violated."
+
+"Perhaps I ought to have reasoned thus," he replied, "but I could not.
+I could not derive benefit from the late knowledge I had acquired of
+your character.  I could not bring it into play; it was overwhelmed,
+buried, lost in those earlier feelings which I had been smarting under
+year after year.  I could think of you only as one who had yielded, who
+had given me up, who had been influenced by any one rather than by me.
+I saw you with the very person who had guided you in that year of
+misery.  I had no reason to believe her of less authority now.  The
+force of habit was to be added."
+
+"I should have thought," said Anne, "that my manner to yourself might
+have spared you much or all of this."
+
+"No, no! your manner might be only the ease which your engagement to
+another man would give.  I left you in this belief; and yet, I was
+determined to see you again.  My spirits rallied with the morning, and
+I felt that I had still a motive for remaining here."
+
+At last Anne was at home again, and happier than any one in that house
+could have conceived.  All the surprise and suspense, and every other
+painful part of the morning dissipated by this conversation, she
+re-entered the house so happy as to be obliged to find an alloy in some
+momentary apprehensions of its being impossible to last.  An interval
+of meditation, serious and grateful, was the best corrective of
+everything dangerous in such high-wrought felicity; and she went to her
+room, and grew steadfast and fearless in the thankfulness of her
+enjoyment.
+
+The evening came, the drawing-rooms were lighted up, the company
+assembled.  It was but a card party, it was but a mixture of those who
+had never met before, and those who met too often; a commonplace
+business, too numerous for intimacy, too small for variety; but Anne
+had never found an evening shorter.  Glowing and lovely in sensibility
+and happiness, and more generally admired than she thought about or
+cared for, she had cheerful or forbearing feelings for every creature
+around her.  Mr Elliot was there; she avoided, but she could pity him.
+The Wallises, she had amusement in understanding them.  Lady Dalrymple
+and Miss Carteret--they would soon be innoxious cousins to her.  She
+cared not for Mrs Clay, and had nothing to blush for in the public
+manners of her father and sister.  With the Musgroves, there was the
+happy chat of perfect ease; with Captain Harville, the kind-hearted
+intercourse of brother and sister; with Lady Russell, attempts at
+conversation, which a delicious consciousness cut short; with Admiral
+and Mrs Croft, everything of peculiar cordiality and fervent interest,
+which the same consciousness sought to conceal; and with Captain
+Wentworth, some moments of communications continually occurring, and
+always the hope of more, and always the knowledge of his being there.
+
+It was in one of these short meetings, each apparently occupied in
+admiring a fine display of greenhouse plants, that she said--
+
+"I have been thinking over the past, and trying impartially to judge of
+the right and wrong, I mean with regard to myself; and I must believe
+that I was right, much as I suffered from it, that I was perfectly
+right in being guided by the friend whom you will love better than you
+do now.  To me, she was in the place of a parent.  Do not mistake me,
+however.  I am not saying that she did not err in her advice.  It was,
+perhaps, one of those cases in which advice is good or bad only as the
+event decides; and for myself, I certainly never should, in any
+circumstance of tolerable similarity, give such advice.  But I mean,
+that I was right in submitting to her, and that if I had done
+otherwise, I should have suffered more in continuing the engagement
+than I did even in giving it up, because I should have suffered in my
+conscience.  I have now, as far as such a sentiment is allowable in
+human nature, nothing to reproach myself with; and if I mistake not, a
+strong sense of duty is no bad part of a woman's portion."
+
+He looked at her, looked at Lady Russell, and looking again at her,
+replied, as if in cool deliberation--
+
+"Not yet.  But there are hopes of her being forgiven in time.  I trust
+to being in charity with her soon.  But I too have been thinking over
+the past, and a  question has suggested itself, whether there may not
+have been one person more my enemy even than that lady?  My own self.
+Tell me if, when I returned to England in the year eight, with a few
+thousand pounds, and was posted into the Laconia, if I had then written
+to you, would you have answered my letter?  Would you, in short, have
+renewed the engagement then?"
+
+"Would I!" was all her answer; but the accent was decisive enough.
+
+"Good God!" he cried, "you would!  It is not that I did not think of
+it, or desire it, as what could alone crown all my other success; but I
+was proud, too proud to ask again.  I did not understand you.  I shut
+my eyes, and would not understand you, or do you justice.  This is a
+recollection which ought to make me forgive every one sooner than
+myself.  Six years of separation and suffering might have been spared.
+It is a sort of pain, too, which is new to me.  I have been used to the
+gratification of believing myself to earn every blessing that I
+enjoyed.  I have valued myself on honourable toils and just rewards.
+Like other great men under reverses," he added, with a smile. "I must
+endeavour to subdue my mind to my fortune.  I must learn to brook being
+happier than I deserve."
+
+
+
+Chapter 24
+
+
+Who can be in doubt of what followed?  When any two young people take
+it into their heads to marry, they are pretty sure by perseverance to
+carry their point, be they ever so poor, or ever so imprudent, or ever
+so little likely to be necessary to each other's ultimate comfort.
+This may be bad morality to conclude with, but I believe it to be
+truth; and if such parties succeed, how should a Captain Wentworth and
+an Anne Elliot, with the advantage of maturity of mind, consciousness
+of right, and one independent fortune between them, fail of bearing
+down every opposition?  They might in fact, have borne down a great
+deal more than they met with, for there was little to distress them
+beyond the want of graciousness and warmth.  Sir Walter made no
+objection, and Elizabeth did nothing worse than look cold and
+unconcerned.  Captain Wentworth, with five-and-twenty thousand pounds,
+and as high in his profession as merit and activity could place him,
+was no longer nobody.  He was now esteemed quite worthy to address the
+daughter of a foolish, spendthrift baronet, who had not had principle
+or sense enough to maintain himself in the situation in which
+Providence had placed him, and who could give his daughter at present
+but a small part of the share of ten thousand pounds which must be hers
+hereafter.
+
+Sir Walter, indeed, though he had no affection for Anne, and no vanity
+flattered, to make him really happy on the occasion, was very far from
+thinking it a bad match for her.  On the contrary, when he saw more of
+Captain Wentworth, saw him repeatedly by daylight, and eyed him well,
+he was very much struck by his personal claims, and felt that his
+superiority of appearance might be not unfairly balanced against her
+superiority of rank; and all this, assisted by his well-sounding name,
+enabled Sir Walter at last to prepare his pen, with a very good grace,
+for the insertion of the marriage in the volume of honour.
+
+The only one among them, whose opposition of feeling could excite any
+serious anxiety was Lady Russell.  Anne knew that Lady Russell must be
+suffering some pain in understanding and relinquishing Mr Elliot, and
+be making some struggles to become truly acquainted with, and do
+justice to Captain Wentworth.  This however was what Lady Russell had
+now to do.  She must learn to feel that she had been mistaken with
+regard to both; that she had been unfairly influenced by appearances in
+each; that because Captain Wentworth's manners had not suited her own
+ideas, she had been too quick in suspecting them to indicate a
+character of dangerous impetuosity; and that because Mr Elliot's
+manners had precisely pleased her in their propriety and correctness,
+their general politeness and suavity, she had been too quick in
+receiving them as the certain result of the most correct opinions and
+well-regulated mind.  There was nothing less for Lady Russell to do,
+than to admit that she had been pretty completely wrong, and to take up
+a new set of opinions and of hopes.
+
+There is a quickness of perception in some, a nicety in the discernment
+of character, a natural penetration, in short, which no experience in
+others can equal, and Lady Russell had been less gifted in this part of
+understanding than her young friend.  But she was a very good woman,
+and if her second object was to be sensible and well-judging, her first
+was to see Anne happy.  She loved Anne better than she loved her own
+abilities; and when the awkwardness of the beginning was over, found
+little hardship in attaching herself as a mother to the man who was
+securing the happiness of her other child.
+
+Of all the family, Mary was probably the one most immediately gratified
+by the circumstance.  It was creditable to have a sister married, and
+she might flatter herself with having been greatly instrumental to the
+connexion, by keeping Anne with her in the autumn; and as her own
+sister must be better than her husband's sisters, it was very agreeable
+that Captain Wentworth should be a richer man than either Captain
+Benwick or Charles Hayter.  She had something to suffer, perhaps, when
+they came into contact again, in seeing Anne restored to the rights of
+seniority, and the mistress of a very pretty landaulette; but she had a
+future to look forward to, of powerful consolation.  Anne had no
+Uppercross Hall before her, no landed estate, no headship of a family;
+and if they could but keep Captain Wentworth from being made a baronet,
+she would not change situations with Anne.
+
+It would be well for the eldest sister if she were equally satisfied
+with her situation, for a change is not very probable there.  She had
+soon the mortification of seeing Mr Elliot withdraw, and no one of
+proper condition has since presented himself to raise even the
+unfounded hopes which sunk with him.
+
+The news of his cousin Anne's engagement burst on Mr Elliot most
+unexpectedly.  It deranged his best plan of domestic happiness, his
+best hope of keeping Sir Walter single by the watchfulness which a
+son-in-law's rights would have given.  But, though discomfited and
+disappointed, he could still do something for his own interest and his
+own enjoyment.  He soon quitted Bath; and on Mrs Clay's quitting it
+soon afterwards, and being next heard of as established under his
+protection in London, it was evident how double a game he had been
+playing, and how determined he was to save himself from being cut out
+by one artful woman, at least.
+
+Mrs Clay's affections had overpowered her interest, and she had
+sacrificed, for the young man's sake, the possibility of scheming
+longer for Sir Walter.  She has abilities, however, as well as
+affections; and it is now a doubtful point whether his cunning, or
+hers, may finally carry the day; whether, after preventing her from
+being the wife of Sir Walter, he may not be wheedled and caressed at
+last into making her the wife of Sir William.
+
+It cannot be doubted that Sir Walter and Elizabeth were shocked and
+mortified by the loss of their companion, and the discovery of their
+deception in her.  They had their great cousins, to be sure, to resort
+to for comfort; but they must long feel that to flatter and follow
+others, without being flattered and followed in turn, is but a state of
+half enjoyment.
+
+Anne, satisfied at a very early period of Lady Russell's meaning to
+love Captain Wentworth as she ought, had no other alloy to the
+happiness of her prospects than what arose from the consciousness of
+having no relations to bestow on him which a man of sense could value.
+There she felt her own inferiority very keenly.  The disproportion in
+their fortune was nothing; it did not give her a moment's regret; but
+to have no family to receive and estimate him properly, nothing of
+respectability, of harmony, of good will to offer in return for all the
+worth and all the prompt welcome which met her in his brothers and
+sisters, was a source of as lively pain as her mind could well be
+sensible of under circumstances of otherwise strong felicity.  She had
+but two friends in the world to add to his list, Lady Russell and Mrs
+Smith.  To those, however, he was very well disposed to attach himself.
+Lady Russell, in spite of all her former transgressions, he could now
+value from his heart.  While he was not obliged to say that he believed
+her to have been right in originally dividing them, he was ready to say
+almost everything else in her favour, and as for Mrs Smith, she had
+claims of various kinds to recommend her quickly and permanently.
+
+Her recent good offices by Anne had been enough in themselves, and
+their marriage, instead of depriving her of one friend, secured her
+two.  She was their earliest visitor in their settled life; and Captain
+Wentworth, by putting her in the way of recovering her husband's
+property in the West Indies, by writing for her, acting for her, and
+seeing her through all the petty difficulties of the case with the
+activity and exertion of a fearless man and a determined friend, fully
+requited the services which she had rendered, or ever meant to render,
+to his wife.
+
+Mrs Smith's enjoyments were not spoiled by this improvement of income,
+with some improvement of health, and the acquisition of such friends to
+be often with, for her cheerfulness and mental alacrity did not fail
+her; and while these prime supplies of good remained, she might have
+bid defiance even to greater accessions of worldly prosperity.  She
+might have been absolutely rich and perfectly healthy, and yet be
+happy.  Her spring of felicity was in the glow of her spirits, as her
+friend Anne's was in the warmth of her heart.  Anne was tenderness
+itself, and she had the full worth of it in Captain Wentworth's
+affection.  His profession was all that could ever make her friends
+wish that tenderness less, the dread of a future war all that could dim
+her sunshine.  She gloried in being a sailor's wife, but she must pay
+the tax of quick alarm for belonging to that profession which is, if
+possible, more distinguished in its domestic virtues than in its
+national importance.
+
+
+
+Finis
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
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+The Project Gutenberg EBook of Persuasion, by Jane Austen
+
+This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with
+almost no restrictions whatsoever.  You may copy it, give it away or
+re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included
+with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org
+
+
+Title: Persuasion
+
+Author: Jane Austen
+
+Release Date: June 5, 2008 [EBook #105]
+Last Updated: February 15, 2015
+
+Language: English
+
+Character set encoding: ASCII
+
+*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK PERSUASION ***
+
+
+
+
+Produced by Sharon Partridge and Martin Ward. HTML version
+by Al Haines.
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+Persuasion
+
+
+by
+
+Jane Austen
+
+(1818)
+
+
+
+
+Chapter 1
+
+
+Sir Walter Elliot, of Kellynch Hall, in Somersetshire, was a man who,
+for his own amusement, never took up any book but the Baronetage; there
+he found occupation for an idle hour, and consolation in a distressed
+one; there his faculties were roused into admiration and respect, by
+contemplating the limited remnant of the earliest patents; there any
+unwelcome sensations, arising from domestic affairs changed naturally
+into pity and contempt as he turned over the almost endless creations
+of the last century; and there, if every other leaf were powerless, he
+could read his own history with an interest which never failed.  This
+was the page at which the favourite volume always opened:
+
+           "ELLIOT OF KELLYNCH HALL.
+
+"Walter Elliot, born March 1, 1760, married, July 15, 1784, Elizabeth,
+daughter of James Stevenson, Esq. of South Park, in the county of
+Gloucester, by which lady (who died 1800) he has issue Elizabeth, born
+June 1, 1785; Anne, born August 9, 1787; a still-born son, November 5,
+1789; Mary, born November 20, 1791."
+
+Precisely such had the paragraph originally stood from the printer's
+hands; but Sir Walter had improved it by adding, for the information of
+himself and his family, these words, after the date of Mary's birth--
+"Married, December 16, 1810, Charles, son and heir of Charles Musgrove,
+Esq. of Uppercross, in the county of Somerset," and by inserting most
+accurately the day of the month on which he had lost his wife.
+
+Then followed the history and rise of the ancient and respectable
+family, in the usual terms; how it had been first settled in Cheshire;
+how mentioned in Dugdale, serving the office of high sheriff,
+representing a borough in three successive parliaments, exertions of
+loyalty, and dignity of baronet, in the first year of Charles II, with
+all the Marys and Elizabeths they had married; forming altogether two
+handsome duodecimo pages, and concluding with the arms and
+motto:--"Principal seat, Kellynch Hall, in the county of Somerset," and
+Sir Walter's handwriting again in this finale:--
+
+"Heir presumptive, William Walter Elliot, Esq., great grandson of the
+second Sir Walter."
+
+Vanity was the beginning and the end of Sir Walter Elliot's character;
+vanity of person and of situation.  He had been remarkably handsome in
+his youth; and, at fifty-four, was still a very fine man.  Few women
+could think more of their personal appearance than he did, nor could
+the valet of any new made lord be more delighted with the place he held
+in society.  He considered the blessing of beauty as inferior only to
+the blessing of a baronetcy; and the Sir Walter Elliot, who united
+these gifts, was the constant object of his warmest respect and
+devotion.
+
+His good looks and his rank had one fair claim on his attachment; since
+to them he must have owed a wife of very superior character to any
+thing deserved by his own.  Lady Elliot had been an excellent woman,
+sensible and amiable; whose judgement and conduct, if they might be
+pardoned the youthful infatuation which made her Lady Elliot, had never
+required indulgence afterwards.--She had humoured, or softened, or
+concealed his failings, and promoted his real respectability for
+seventeen years; and though not the very happiest being in the world
+herself, had found enough in her duties, her friends, and her children,
+to attach her to life, and make it no matter of indifference to her
+when she was called on to quit them.--Three girls, the two eldest
+sixteen and fourteen, was an awful legacy for a mother to bequeath, an
+awful charge rather, to confide to the authority and guidance of a
+conceited, silly father.  She had, however, one very intimate friend, a
+sensible, deserving woman, who had been brought, by strong attachment
+to herself, to settle close by her, in the village of Kellynch; and on
+her kindness and advice, Lady Elliot mainly relied for the best help
+and maintenance of the good principles and instruction which she had
+been anxiously giving her daughters.
+
+This friend, and Sir Walter, did not marry, whatever might have been
+anticipated on that head by their acquaintance.  Thirteen years had
+passed away since Lady Elliot's death, and they were still near
+neighbours and intimate friends, and one remained a widower, the other
+a widow.
+
+That Lady Russell, of steady age and character, and extremely well
+provided for, should have no thought of a second marriage, needs no
+apology to the public, which is rather apt to be unreasonably
+discontented when a woman does marry again, than when she does not; but
+Sir Walter's continuing in singleness requires explanation.  Be it
+known then, that Sir Walter, like a good father, (having met with one
+or two private disappointments in very unreasonable applications),
+prided himself on remaining single for his dear daughters' sake.  For
+one daughter, his eldest, he would really have given up any thing,
+which he had not been very much tempted to do.  Elizabeth had
+succeeded, at sixteen, to all that was possible, of her mother's rights
+and consequence; and being very handsome, and very like himself, her
+influence had always been great, and they had gone on together most
+happily.  His two other children were of very inferior value.  Mary had
+acquired a little artificial importance, by becoming Mrs Charles
+Musgrove; but Anne, with an elegance of mind and sweetness of
+character, which must have placed her high with any people of real
+understanding, was nobody with either father or sister; her word had no
+weight, her convenience was always to give way--she was only Anne.
+
+To Lady Russell, indeed, she was a most dear and highly valued
+god-daughter, favourite, and friend.  Lady Russell loved them all; but
+it was only in Anne that she could fancy the mother to revive again.
+
+A few years before, Anne Elliot had been a very pretty girl, but her
+bloom had vanished early; and as even in its height, her father had
+found little to admire in her, (so totally different were her delicate
+features and mild dark eyes from his own), there could be nothing in
+them, now that she was faded and thin, to excite his esteem. He had
+never indulged much hope, he had now none, of ever reading her name in
+any other page of his favourite work.  All equality of alliance must
+rest with Elizabeth, for Mary had merely connected herself with an old
+country family of respectability and large fortune, and had therefore
+given all the honour and received none: Elizabeth would, one day or
+other, marry suitably.
+
+It sometimes happens that a woman is handsomer at twenty-nine than she
+was ten years before; and, generally speaking, if there has been
+neither ill health nor anxiety, it is a time of life at which scarcely
+any charm is lost.  It was so with Elizabeth, still the same handsome
+Miss Elliot that she had begun to be thirteen years ago, and Sir Walter
+might be excused, therefore, in forgetting her age, or, at least, be
+deemed only half a fool, for thinking himself and Elizabeth as blooming
+as ever, amidst the wreck of the good looks of everybody else; for he
+could plainly see how old all the rest of his family and acquaintance
+were growing.  Anne haggard, Mary coarse, every face in the
+neighbourhood worsting, and the rapid increase of the crow's foot about
+Lady Russell's temples had long been a distress to him.
+
+Elizabeth did not quite equal her father in personal contentment.
+Thirteen years had seen her mistress of Kellynch Hall, presiding and
+directing with a self-possession and decision which could never have
+given the idea of her being younger than she was.  For thirteen years
+had she been doing the honours, and laying down the domestic law at
+home, and leading the way to the chaise and four, and walking
+immediately after Lady Russell out of all the drawing-rooms and
+dining-rooms in the country.  Thirteen winters' revolving frosts had
+seen her opening every ball of credit which a scanty neighbourhood
+afforded, and thirteen springs shewn their blossoms, as she travelled
+up to London with her father, for a few weeks' annual enjoyment of the
+great world.  She had the remembrance of all this, she had the
+consciousness of being nine-and-twenty to give her some regrets and
+some apprehensions; she was fully satisfied of being still quite as
+handsome as ever, but she felt her approach to the years of danger, and
+would have rejoiced to be certain of being properly solicited by
+baronet-blood within the next twelvemonth or two.  Then might she again
+take up the book of books with as much enjoyment as in her early youth,
+but now she liked it not.  Always to be presented with the date of her
+own birth and see no marriage follow but that of a youngest sister,
+made the book an evil; and more than once, when her father had left it
+open on the table near her, had she closed it, with averted eyes, and
+pushed it away.
+
+She had had a disappointment, moreover, which that book, and especially
+the history of her own family, must ever present the remembrance of.
+The heir presumptive, the very William Walter Elliot, Esq., whose
+rights had been so generously supported by her father, had disappointed
+her.
+
+She had, while a very young girl, as soon as she had known him to be,
+in the event of her having no brother, the future baronet, meant to
+marry him, and her father had always meant that she should.  He had not
+been known to them as a boy; but soon after Lady Elliot's death, Sir
+Walter had sought the acquaintance, and though his overtures had not
+been met with any warmth, he had persevered in seeking it, making
+allowance for the modest drawing-back of youth; and, in one of their
+spring excursions to London, when Elizabeth was in her first bloom, Mr
+Elliot had been forced into the introduction.
+
+He was at that time a very young man, just engaged in the study of the
+law; and Elizabeth found him extremely agreeable, and every plan in his
+favour was confirmed.  He was invited to Kellynch Hall; he was talked
+of and expected all the rest of the year; but he never came.  The
+following spring he was seen again in town, found equally agreeable,
+again encouraged, invited, and expected, and again he did not come; and
+the next tidings were that he was married.  Instead of pushing his
+fortune in the line marked out for the heir of the house of Elliot, he
+had purchased independence by uniting himself to a rich woman of
+inferior birth.
+
+Sir Walter had resented it.  As the head of the house, he felt that he
+ought to have been consulted, especially after taking the young man so
+publicly by the hand; "For they must have been seen together," he
+observed, "once at Tattersall's, and twice in the lobby of the House of
+Commons."  His disapprobation was expressed, but apparently very little
+regarded.  Mr Elliot had attempted no apology, and shewn himself as
+unsolicitous of being longer noticed by the family, as Sir Walter
+considered him unworthy of it:  all acquaintance between them had
+ceased.
+
+This very awkward history of Mr Elliot was still, after an interval of
+several years, felt with anger by Elizabeth, who had liked the man for
+himself, and still more for being her father's heir, and whose strong
+family pride could see only in him a proper match for Sir Walter
+Elliot's eldest daughter.  There was not a baronet from A to Z whom her
+feelings could have so willingly acknowledged as an equal.  Yet so
+miserably had he conducted himself, that though she was at this present
+time (the summer of 1814) wearing black ribbons for his wife, she could
+not admit him to be worth thinking of again.  The disgrace of his first
+marriage might, perhaps, as there was no reason to suppose it
+perpetuated by offspring, have been got over, had he not done worse;
+but he had, as by the accustomary intervention of kind friends, they
+had been informed, spoken most disrespectfully of them all, most
+slightingly and contemptuously of the very blood he belonged to, and
+the honours which were hereafter to be his own.  This could not be
+pardoned.
+
+Such were Elizabeth Elliot's sentiments and sensations; such the cares
+to alloy, the agitations to vary, the sameness and the elegance, the
+prosperity and the nothingness of her scene of life; such the feelings
+to give interest to a long, uneventful residence in one country circle,
+to fill the vacancies which there were no habits of utility abroad, no
+talents or accomplishments for home, to occupy.
+
+But now, another occupation and solicitude of mind was beginning to be
+added to these.  Her father was growing distressed for money.  She
+knew, that when he now took up the Baronetage, it was to drive the
+heavy bills of his tradespeople, and the unwelcome hints of Mr
+Shepherd, his agent, from his thoughts.  The Kellynch property was
+good, but not equal to Sir Walter's apprehension of the state required
+in its possessor.  While Lady Elliot lived, there had been method,
+moderation, and economy, which had just kept him within his income; but
+with her had died all such right-mindedness, and from that period he
+had been constantly exceeding it.  It had not been possible for him to
+spend less; he had done nothing but what Sir Walter Elliot was
+imperiously called on to do; but blameless as he was, he was not only
+growing dreadfully in debt, but was hearing of it so often, that it
+became vain to attempt concealing it longer, even partially, from his
+daughter.  He had given her some hints of it the last spring in town;
+he had gone so far even as to say, "Can we retrench?  Does it occur to
+you that there is any one article in which we can retrench?" and
+Elizabeth, to do her justice, had, in the first ardour of female alarm,
+set seriously to think what could be done, and had finally proposed
+these two branches of economy, to cut off some unnecessary charities,
+and to refrain from new furnishing the drawing-room; to which
+expedients she afterwards added the happy thought of their taking no
+present down to Anne, as had been the usual yearly custom.  But these
+measures, however good in themselves, were insufficient for the real
+extent of the evil, the whole of which Sir Walter found himself obliged
+to confess to her soon afterwards.  Elizabeth had nothing to propose of
+deeper efficacy.  She felt herself ill-used and unfortunate, as did her
+father; and they were neither of them able to devise any means of
+lessening their expenses without compromising their dignity, or
+relinquishing their comforts in a way not to be borne.
+
+There was only a small part of his estate that Sir Walter could dispose
+of; but had every acre been alienable, it would have made no
+difference.  He had condescended to mortgage as far as he had the
+power, but he would never condescend to sell.  No; he would never
+disgrace his name so far.  The Kellynch estate should be transmitted
+whole and entire, as he had received it.
+
+Their two confidential friends, Mr Shepherd, who lived in the
+neighbouring market town, and Lady Russell, were called to advise them;
+and both father and daughter seemed to expect that something should be
+struck out by one or the other to remove their embarrassments and
+reduce their expenditure, without involving the loss of any indulgence
+of taste or pride.
+
+
+
+Chapter 2
+
+
+Mr Shepherd, a civil, cautious lawyer, who, whatever might be his hold
+or his views on Sir Walter, would rather have the disagreeable prompted
+by anybody else, excused himself from offering the slightest hint, and
+only begged leave to recommend an implicit reference to the excellent
+judgement of Lady Russell, from whose known good sense he fully
+expected to have just such resolute measures advised as he meant to see
+finally adopted.
+
+Lady Russell was most anxiously zealous on the subject, and gave it
+much serious consideration.  She was a woman rather of sound than of
+quick abilities, whose difficulties in coming to any decision in this
+instance were great, from the opposition of two leading principles.
+She was of strict integrity herself, with a delicate sense of honour;
+but she was as desirous of saving Sir Walter's feelings, as solicitous
+for the credit of the family, as aristocratic in her ideas of what was
+due to them, as anybody of sense and honesty could well be.  She was a
+benevolent, charitable, good woman, and capable of strong attachments,
+most correct in her conduct, strict in her notions of decorum, and with
+manners that were held a standard of good-breeding.  She had a
+cultivated mind, and was, generally speaking, rational and consistent;
+but she had prejudices on the side of ancestry; she had a value for
+rank and consequence, which blinded her a little to the faults of those
+who possessed them.  Herself the widow of only a knight, she gave the
+dignity of a baronet all its due; and Sir Walter, independent of his
+claims as an old acquaintance, an attentive neighbour, an obliging
+landlord, the husband of her very dear friend, the father of Anne and
+her sisters, was, as being Sir Walter, in her apprehension, entitled to
+a great deal of compassion and consideration under his present
+difficulties.
+
+They must retrench; that did not admit of a doubt.  But she was very
+anxious to have it done with the least possible pain to him and
+Elizabeth. She drew up plans of economy, she made exact calculations,
+and she did what nobody else thought of doing:  she consulted Anne, who
+never seemed considered by the others as having any interest in the
+question. She consulted, and in a degree was influenced by her in
+marking out the scheme of retrenchment which was at last submitted to
+Sir Walter. Every emendation of Anne's had been on the side of honesty
+against importance.  She wanted more vigorous measures, a more complete
+reformation, a quicker release from debt, a much higher tone of
+indifference for everything but justice and equity.
+
+"If we can persuade your father to all this," said Lady Russell,
+looking over her paper, "much may be done.  If he will adopt these
+regulations, in seven years he will be clear; and I hope we may be able
+to convince him and Elizabeth, that Kellynch Hall has a respectability
+in itself which cannot be affected by these reductions; and that the
+true dignity of Sir Walter Elliot will be very far from lessened in the
+eyes of sensible people, by acting like a man of principle.  What will
+he be doing, in fact, but what very many of our first families have
+done, or ought to do?  There will be nothing singular in his case; and
+it is singularity which often makes the worst part of our suffering, as
+it always does of our conduct.  I have great hope of prevailing.  We
+must be serious and decided; for after all, the person who has
+contracted debts must pay them; and though a great deal is due to the
+feelings of the gentleman, and the head of a house, like your father,
+there is still more due to the character of an honest man."
+
+This was the principle on which Anne wanted her father to be
+proceeding, his friends to be urging him.  She considered it as an act
+of indispensable duty to clear away the claims of creditors with all
+the expedition which the most comprehensive retrenchments could secure,
+and saw no dignity in anything short of it.  She wanted it to be
+prescribed, and felt as a duty.  She rated Lady Russell's influence
+highly; and as to the severe degree of self-denial which her own
+conscience prompted, she believed there might be little more difficulty
+in persuading them to a complete, than to half a reformation.  Her
+knowledge of her father and Elizabeth inclined her to think that the
+sacrifice of one pair of horses would be hardly less painful than of
+both, and so on, through the whole list of Lady Russell's too gentle
+reductions.
+
+How Anne's more rigid requisitions might have been taken is of little
+consequence.  Lady Russell's had no success at all: could not be put up
+with, were not to be borne. "What! every comfort of life knocked off!
+Journeys, London, servants, horses, table--contractions and
+restrictions every where!  To live no longer with the decencies even of
+a private gentleman!  No, he would sooner quit Kellynch Hall at once,
+than remain in it on such disgraceful terms."
+
+"Quit Kellynch Hall."  The hint was immediately taken up by Mr
+Shepherd, whose interest was involved in the reality of Sir Walter's
+retrenching, and who was perfectly persuaded that nothing would be done
+without a change of abode.  "Since the idea had been started in the
+very quarter which ought to dictate, he had no scruple," he said, "in
+confessing his judgement to be entirely on that side.  It did not
+appear to him that Sir Walter could materially alter his style of
+living in a house which had such a character of hospitality and ancient
+dignity to support.  In any other place Sir Walter might judge for
+himself; and would be looked up to, as regulating the modes of life in
+whatever way he might choose to model his household."
+
+Sir Walter would quit Kellynch Hall; and after a very few days more of
+doubt and indecision, the great question of whither he should go was
+settled, and the first outline of this important change made out.
+
+There had been three alternatives, London, Bath, or another house in
+the country.  All Anne's wishes had been for the latter.  A small house
+in their own neighbourhood, where they might still have Lady Russell's
+society, still be near Mary, and still have the pleasure of sometimes
+seeing the lawns and groves of Kellynch, was the object of her
+ambition.  But the usual fate of Anne attended her, in having something
+very opposite from her inclination fixed on.  She disliked Bath, and
+did not think it agreed with her; and Bath was to be her home.
+
+Sir Walter had at first thought more of London; but Mr Shepherd felt
+that he could not be trusted in London, and had been skilful enough to
+dissuade him from it, and make Bath preferred.  It was a much safer
+place for a gentleman in his predicament:  he might there be important
+at comparatively little expense.  Two material advantages of Bath over
+London had of course been given all their weight:  its more convenient
+distance from Kellynch, only fifty miles, and Lady Russell's spending
+some part of every winter there; and to the very great satisfaction of
+Lady Russell, whose first views on the projected change had been for
+Bath, Sir Walter and Elizabeth were induced to believe that they should
+lose neither consequence nor enjoyment by settling there.
+
+Lady Russell felt obliged to oppose her dear Anne's known wishes.  It
+would be too much to expect Sir Walter to descend into a small house in
+his own neighbourhood.  Anne herself would have found the
+mortifications of it more than she foresaw, and to Sir Walter's
+feelings they must have been dreadful.  And with regard to Anne's
+dislike of Bath, she considered it as a prejudice and mistake arising,
+first, from the circumstance of her having been three years at school
+there, after her mother's death; and secondly, from her happening to be
+not in perfectly good spirits the only winter which she had afterwards
+spent there with herself.
+
+Lady Russell was fond of Bath, in short, and disposed to think it must
+suit them all; and as to her young friend's health, by passing all the
+warm months with her at Kellynch Lodge, every danger would be avoided;
+and it was in fact, a change which must do both health and spirits
+good.  Anne had been too little from home, too little seen. Her spirits
+were not high.  A larger society would improve them.  She wanted her to
+be more known.
+
+The undesirableness of any other house in the same neighbourhood for
+Sir Walter was certainly much strengthened by one part, and a very
+material part of the scheme, which had been happily engrafted on the
+beginning.  He was not only to quit his home, but to see it in the
+hands of others; a trial of fortitude, which stronger heads than Sir
+Walter's have found too much.  Kellynch Hall was to be let.  This,
+however, was a profound secret, not to be breathed beyond their own
+circle.
+
+Sir Walter could not have borne the degradation of being known to
+design letting his house.  Mr Shepherd had once mentioned the word
+"advertise," but never dared approach it again.  Sir Walter spurned the
+idea of its being offered in any manner; forbad the slightest hint
+being dropped of his having such an intention; and it was only on the
+supposition of his being spontaneously solicited by some most
+unexceptionable applicant, on his own terms, and as a great favour,
+that he would let it at all.
+
+How quick come the reasons for approving what we like!  Lady Russell
+had another excellent one at hand, for being extremely glad that Sir
+Walter and his family were to remove from the country.  Elizabeth had
+been lately forming an intimacy, which she wished to see interrupted.
+It was with the daughter of Mr Shepherd, who had returned, after an
+unprosperous marriage, to her father's house, with the additional
+burden of two children.  She was a clever young woman, who understood
+the art of pleasing--the art of pleasing, at least, at Kellynch Hall;
+and who had made herself so acceptable to Miss Elliot, as to have been
+already staying there more than once, in spite of all that Lady
+Russell, who thought it a friendship quite out of place, could hint of
+caution and reserve.
+
+Lady Russell, indeed, had scarcely any influence with Elizabeth, and
+seemed to love her, rather because she would love her, than because
+Elizabeth deserved it.  She had never received from her more than
+outward attention, nothing beyond the observances of complaisance; had
+never succeeded in any point which she wanted to carry, against
+previous inclination.  She had been repeatedly very earnest in trying
+to get Anne included in the visit to London, sensibly open to all the
+injustice and all the discredit of the selfish arrangements which shut
+her out, and on many lesser occasions had endeavoured to give Elizabeth
+the advantage of her own better judgement and experience; but always in
+vain:  Elizabeth would go her own way; and never had she pursued it in
+more decided opposition to Lady Russell than in this selection of Mrs
+Clay; turning from the society of so deserving a sister, to bestow her
+affection and confidence on one who ought to have been nothing to her
+but the object of distant civility.
+
+From situation, Mrs Clay was, in Lady Russell's estimate, a very
+unequal, and in her character she believed a very dangerous companion;
+and a removal that would leave Mrs Clay behind, and bring a choice of
+more suitable intimates within Miss Elliot's reach, was therefore an
+object of first-rate importance.
+
+
+
+Chapter 3
+
+
+"I must take leave to observe, Sir Walter," said Mr Shepherd one
+morning at Kellynch Hall, as he laid down the newspaper, "that the
+present juncture is much in our favour.  This peace will be turning all
+our rich naval officers ashore.  They will be all wanting a home.
+Could not be a better time, Sir Walter, for having a choice of tenants,
+very responsible tenants.  Many a noble fortune has been made during
+the war.  If a rich admiral were to come in our way, Sir Walter--"
+
+"He would be a very lucky man, Shepherd," replied Sir Walter; "that's
+all I have to remark.  A prize indeed would Kellynch Hall be to him;
+rather the greatest prize of all, let him have taken ever so many
+before; hey, Shepherd?"
+
+Mr Shepherd laughed, as he knew he must, at this wit, and then added--
+
+"I presume to observe, Sir Walter, that, in the way of business,
+gentlemen of the navy are well to deal with.  I have had a little
+knowledge of their methods of doing business; and I am free to confess
+that they have very liberal notions, and are as likely to make
+desirable tenants as any set of people one should meet with.
+Therefore, Sir Walter, what I would take leave to suggest is, that if
+in consequence of any rumours getting abroad of your intention; which
+must be contemplated as a possible thing, because we know how difficult
+it is to keep the actions and designs of one part of the world from the
+notice and curiosity of the other; consequence has its tax; I, John
+Shepherd, might conceal any family-matters that I chose, for nobody
+would think it worth their while to observe me; but Sir Walter Elliot
+has eyes upon him which it may be very difficult to elude; and
+therefore, thus much I venture upon, that it will not greatly surprise
+me if, with all our caution, some rumour of the truth should get
+abroad; in the supposition of which, as I was going to observe, since
+applications will unquestionably follow, I should think any from our
+wealthy naval commanders particularly worth attending to; and beg leave
+to add, that two hours will bring me over at any time, to save you the
+trouble of replying."
+
+Sir Walter only nodded.  But soon afterwards, rising and pacing the
+room, he observed sarcastically--
+
+"There are few among the gentlemen of the navy, I imagine, who would
+not be surprised to find themselves in a house of this description."
+
+"They would look around them, no doubt, and bless their good fortune,"
+said Mrs Clay, for Mrs Clay was present:  her father had driven her
+over, nothing being of so much use to Mrs Clay's health as a drive to
+Kellynch: "but I quite agree with my father in thinking a sailor might
+be a very desirable tenant.  I have known a good deal of the
+profession; and besides their liberality, they are so neat and careful
+in all their ways!  These valuable pictures of yours, Sir Walter, if
+you chose to leave them, would be perfectly safe.  Everything in and
+about the house would be taken such excellent care of!  The gardens and
+shrubberies would be kept in almost as high order as they are now.  You
+need not be afraid, Miss Elliot, of your own sweet flower gardens being
+neglected."
+
+"As to all that," rejoined Sir Walter coolly, "supposing I were induced
+to let my house, I have by no means made up my mind as to the
+privileges to be annexed to it.  I am not particularly disposed to
+favour a tenant.  The park would be open to him of course, and few navy
+officers, or men of any other description, can have had such a range;
+but what restrictions I might impose on the use of the
+pleasure-grounds, is another thing.  I am not fond of the idea of my
+shrubberies being always approachable; and I should recommend Miss
+Elliot to be on her guard with respect to her flower garden.  I am very
+little disposed to grant a tenant of Kellynch Hall any extraordinary
+favour, I assure you, be he sailor or soldier."
+
+After a short pause, Mr Shepherd presumed to say--
+
+"In all these cases, there are established usages which make everything
+plain and easy between landlord and tenant.  Your interest, Sir Walter,
+is in pretty safe hands.  Depend upon me for taking care that no tenant
+has more than his just rights.  I venture to hint, that Sir Walter
+Elliot cannot be half so jealous for his own, as John Shepherd will be
+for him."
+
+Here Anne spoke--
+
+"The navy, I think, who have done so much for us, have at least an
+equal claim with any other set of men, for all the comforts and all the
+privileges which any home can give.  Sailors work hard enough for their
+comforts, we must all allow."
+
+"Very true, very true.  What Miss Anne says, is very true," was Mr
+Shepherd's rejoinder, and "Oh! certainly," was his daughter's; but Sir
+Walter's remark was, soon afterwards--
+
+"The profession has its utility, but I should be sorry to see any
+friend of mine belonging to it."
+
+"Indeed!" was the reply, and with a look of surprise.
+
+"Yes; it is in two points offensive to me; I have two strong grounds of
+objection to it.  First, as being the means of bringing persons of
+obscure birth into undue distinction, and raising men to honours which
+their fathers and grandfathers never dreamt of; and secondly, as it
+cuts up a man's youth and vigour most horribly; a sailor grows old
+sooner than any other man.  I have observed it all my life.  A man is
+in greater danger in the navy of being insulted by the rise of one
+whose father, his father might have disdained to speak to, and of
+becoming prematurely an object of disgust himself, than in any other
+line.  One day last spring, in town, I was in company with two men,
+striking instances of what I am talking of; Lord St Ives, whose father
+we all know to have been a country curate, without bread to eat; I was
+to give place to Lord St Ives, and a certain Admiral Baldwin, the most
+deplorable-looking personage you can imagine; his face the colour of
+mahogany, rough and rugged to the last degree; all lines and wrinkles,
+nine grey hairs of a side, and nothing but a dab of powder at top.  'In
+the name of heaven, who is that old fellow?' said I to a friend of mine
+who was standing near, (Sir Basil Morley).  'Old fellow!' cried Sir
+Basil, 'it is Admiral Baldwin.  What do you take his age to be?'
+'Sixty,' said I, 'or perhaps sixty-two.' 'Forty,' replied Sir Basil,
+'forty, and no more.'  Picture to yourselves my amazement; I shall not
+easily forget Admiral Baldwin.  I never saw quite so wretched an
+example of what a sea-faring life can do; but to a degree, I know it is
+the same with them all:  they are all knocked about, and exposed to
+every climate, and every weather, till they are not fit to be seen.  It
+is a pity they are not knocked on the head at once, before they reach
+Admiral Baldwin's age."
+
+"Nay, Sir Walter," cried Mrs Clay, "this is being severe indeed.  Have
+a little mercy on the poor men.  We are not all born to be handsome.
+The sea is no beautifier, certainly; sailors do grow old betimes; I
+have observed it; they soon lose the look of youth.  But then, is not
+it the same with many other professions, perhaps most other?  Soldiers,
+in active service, are not at all better off:  and even in the quieter
+professions, there is a toil and a labour of the mind, if not of the
+body, which seldom leaves a man's looks to the natural effect of time.
+The lawyer plods, quite care-worn; the physician is up at all hours,
+and travelling in all weather; and even the clergyman--" she stopt a
+moment to consider what might do for the clergyman;--"and even the
+clergyman, you know is obliged to go into infected rooms, and expose
+his health and looks to all the injury of a poisonous atmosphere.  In
+fact, as I have long been convinced, though every profession is
+necessary and honourable in its turn, it is only the lot of those who
+are not obliged to follow any, who can live in a regular way, in the
+country, choosing their own hours, following their own pursuits, and
+living on their own property, without the torment of trying for more;
+it is only their lot, I say, to hold the blessings of health and a good
+appearance to the utmost: I know no other set of men but what lose
+something of their personableness when they cease to be quite young."
+
+It seemed as if Mr Shepherd, in this anxiety to bespeak Sir Walter's
+good will towards a naval officer as tenant, had been gifted with
+foresight; for the very first application for the house was from an
+Admiral Croft, with whom he shortly afterwards fell into company in
+attending the quarter sessions at Taunton; and indeed, he had received
+a hint of the Admiral from a London correspondent.  By the report which
+he hastened over to Kellynch to make, Admiral Croft was a native of
+Somersetshire, who having acquired a very handsome fortune, was wishing
+to settle in his own country, and had come down to Taunton in order to
+look at some advertised places in that immediate neighbourhood, which,
+however, had not suited him; that accidentally hearing--(it was just as
+he had foretold, Mr Shepherd observed, Sir Walter's concerns could not
+be kept a secret,)--accidentally hearing of the possibility of
+Kellynch Hall being to let, and understanding his (Mr Shepherd's)
+connection with the owner, he had introduced himself to him in order to
+make particular inquiries, and had, in the course of a pretty long
+conference, expressed as strong an inclination for the place as a man
+who knew it only by description could feel; and given Mr Shepherd, in
+his explicit account of himself, every proof of his being a most
+responsible, eligible tenant.
+
+"And who is Admiral Croft?" was Sir Walter's cold suspicious inquiry.
+
+Mr Shepherd answered for his being of a gentleman's family, and
+mentioned a place; and Anne, after the little pause which followed,
+added--
+
+"He is a rear admiral of the white.  He was in the Trafalgar action,
+and has been in the East Indies since; he was stationed there, I
+believe, several years."
+
+"Then I take it for granted," observed Sir Walter, "that his face is
+about as orange as the cuffs and capes of my livery."
+
+Mr Shepherd hastened to assure him, that Admiral Croft was a very hale,
+hearty, well-looking man, a little weather-beaten, to be sure, but not
+much, and quite the gentleman in all his notions and behaviour; not
+likely to make the smallest difficulty about terms, only wanted a
+comfortable home, and to get into it as soon as possible; knew he must
+pay for his convenience; knew what rent a ready-furnished house of that
+consequence might fetch; should not have been surprised if Sir Walter
+had asked more; had inquired about the manor; would be glad of the
+deputation, certainly, but made no great point of it; said he sometimes
+took out a gun, but never killed; quite the gentleman.
+
+Mr Shepherd was eloquent on the subject; pointing out all the
+circumstances of the Admiral's family, which made him peculiarly
+desirable as a tenant.  He was a married man, and without children; the
+very state to be wished for.  A house was never taken good care of, Mr
+Shepherd observed, without a lady: he did not know, whether furniture
+might not be in danger of suffering as much where there was no lady, as
+where there were many children.  A lady, without a family, was the very
+best preserver of furniture in the world.  He had seen Mrs Croft, too;
+she was at Taunton with the admiral, and had been present almost all
+the time they were talking the matter over.
+
+"And a very well-spoken, genteel, shrewd lady, she seemed to be,"
+continued he; "asked more questions about the house, and terms, and
+taxes, than the Admiral himself, and seemed more conversant with
+business; and moreover, Sir Walter, I found she was not quite
+unconnected in this country, any more than her husband; that is to say,
+she is sister to a gentleman who did live amongst us once; she told me
+so herself: sister to the gentleman who lived a few years back at
+Monkford. Bless me! what was his name? At this moment I cannot
+recollect his name, though I have heard it so lately. Penelope, my
+dear, can you help me to the name of the gentleman who lived at
+Monkford: Mrs Croft's brother?"
+
+But Mrs Clay was talking so eagerly with Miss Elliot, that she did not
+hear the appeal.
+
+"I have no conception whom you can mean, Shepherd; I remember no
+gentleman resident at Monkford since the time of old Governor Trent."
+
+"Bless me! how very odd!  I shall forget my own name soon, I suppose.
+A name that I am so very well acquainted with; knew the gentleman so
+well by sight; seen him a hundred times; came to consult me once, I
+remember, about a trespass of one of his neighbours; farmer's man
+breaking into his orchard; wall torn down; apples stolen; caught in the
+fact; and afterwards, contrary to my judgement, submitted to an
+amicable compromise.  Very odd indeed!"
+
+After waiting another moment--
+
+"You mean Mr Wentworth, I suppose?" said Anne.
+
+Mr Shepherd was all gratitude.
+
+"Wentworth was the very name!  Mr Wentworth was the very man.  He had
+the curacy of Monkford, you know, Sir Walter, some time back, for two
+or three years.  Came there about the year ---5, I take it.  You
+remember him, I am sure."
+
+"Wentworth?  Oh! ay,--Mr Wentworth, the curate of Monkford.  You misled
+me by the term gentleman.  I thought you were speaking of some man of
+property:  Mr Wentworth was nobody, I remember; quite unconnected;
+nothing to do with the Strafford family.  One wonders how the names of
+many of our nobility become so common."
+
+As Mr Shepherd perceived that this connexion of the Crofts did them no
+service with Sir Walter, he mentioned it no more; returning, with all
+his zeal, to dwell on the circumstances more indisputably in their
+favour; their age, and number, and fortune; the high idea they had
+formed of Kellynch Hall, and extreme solicitude for the advantage of
+renting it; making it appear as if they ranked nothing beyond the
+happiness of being the tenants of Sir Walter Elliot: an extraordinary
+taste, certainly, could they have been supposed in the secret of Sir
+Walter's estimate of the dues of a tenant.
+
+It succeeded, however; and though Sir Walter must ever look with an
+evil eye on anyone intending to inhabit that house, and think them
+infinitely too well off in being permitted to rent it on the highest
+terms, he was talked into allowing Mr Shepherd to proceed in the
+treaty, and authorising him to wait on Admiral Croft, who still
+remained at Taunton, and fix a day for the house being seen.
+
+Sir Walter was not very wise; but still he had experience enough of the
+world to feel, that a more unobjectionable tenant, in all essentials,
+than Admiral Croft bid fair to be, could hardly offer.  So far went his
+understanding; and his vanity supplied a little additional soothing, in
+the Admiral's situation in life, which was just high enough, and not
+too high.  "I have let my house to Admiral Croft," would sound
+extremely well; very much better than to any mere Mr--; a Mr (save,
+perhaps, some half dozen in the nation,) always needs a note of
+explanation.  An admiral speaks his own consequence, and, at the same
+time, can never make a baronet look small.  In all their dealings and
+intercourse, Sir Walter Elliot must ever have the precedence.
+
+Nothing could be done without a reference to Elizabeth: but her
+inclination was growing so strong for a removal, that she was happy to
+have it fixed and expedited by a tenant at hand; and not a word to
+suspend decision was uttered by her.
+
+Mr Shepherd was completely empowered to act; and no sooner had such an
+end been reached, than Anne, who had been a most attentive listener to
+the whole, left the room, to seek the comfort of cool air for her
+flushed cheeks; and as she walked along a favourite grove, said, with a
+gentle sigh, "A few months more, and he, perhaps, may be walking here."
+
+
+
+Chapter 4
+
+
+He was not Mr Wentworth, the former curate of Monkford, however
+suspicious appearances may be, but a Captain Frederick Wentworth, his
+brother, who being made commander in consequence of the action off St
+Domingo, and not immediately employed, had come into Somersetshire, in
+the summer of 1806; and having no parent living, found a home for half
+a year at Monkford.  He was, at that time, a remarkably fine young man,
+with a great deal of intelligence, spirit, and brilliancy; and Anne an
+extremely pretty girl, with gentleness, modesty, taste, and feeling.
+Half the sum of attraction, on either side, might have been enough, for
+he had nothing to do, and she had hardly anybody to love; but the
+encounter of such lavish recommendations could not fail.  They were
+gradually acquainted, and when acquainted, rapidly and deeply in love.
+It would be difficult to say which had seen highest perfection in the
+other, or which had been the happiest: she, in receiving his
+declarations and proposals, or he in having them accepted.
+
+A short period of exquisite felicity followed, and but a short one.
+Troubles soon arose.  Sir Walter, on being applied to, without actually
+withholding his consent, or saying it should never be, gave it all the
+negative of great astonishment, great coldness, great silence, and a
+professed resolution of doing nothing for his daughter.  He thought it
+a very degrading alliance; and Lady Russell, though with more tempered
+and pardonable pride, received it as a most unfortunate one.
+
+Anne Elliot, with all her claims of birth, beauty, and mind, to throw
+herself away at nineteen; involve herself at nineteen in an engagement
+with a young man, who had nothing but himself to recommend him, and no
+hopes of attaining affluence, but in the chances of a most uncertain
+profession, and no connexions to secure even his farther rise in the
+profession, would be, indeed, a throwing away, which she grieved to
+think of!  Anne Elliot, so young; known to so few, to be snatched off
+by a stranger without alliance or fortune; or rather sunk by him into a
+state of most wearing, anxious, youth-killing dependence!  It must not
+be, if by any fair interference of friendship, any representations from
+one who had almost a mother's love, and mother's rights, it would be
+prevented.
+
+Captain Wentworth had no fortune.  He had been lucky in his profession;
+but spending freely, what had come freely, had realized nothing.  But
+he was confident that he should soon be rich: full of life and ardour,
+he knew that he should soon have a ship, and soon be on a station that
+would lead to everything he wanted.  He had always been lucky; he knew
+he should be so still.  Such confidence, powerful in its own warmth,
+and bewitching in the wit which often expressed it, must have been
+enough for Anne; but Lady Russell saw it very differently.  His
+sanguine temper, and fearlessness of mind, operated very differently on
+her.  She saw in it but an aggravation of the evil.  It only added a
+dangerous character to himself.  He was brilliant, he was headstrong.
+Lady Russell had little taste for wit, and of anything approaching to
+imprudence a horror.  She deprecated the connexion in every light.
+
+Such opposition, as these feelings produced, was more than Anne could
+combat.  Young and gentle as she was, it might yet have been possible
+to withstand her father's ill-will, though unsoftened by one kind word
+or look on the part of her sister; but Lady Russell, whom she had
+always loved and relied on, could not, with such steadiness of opinion,
+and such tenderness of manner, be continually advising her in vain.
+She was persuaded to believe the engagement a wrong thing:  indiscreet,
+improper, hardly capable of success, and not deserving it.  But it was
+not a merely selfish caution, under which she acted, in putting an end
+to it.  Had she not imagined herself consulting his good, even more
+than her own, she could hardly have given him up.  The belief of being
+prudent, and self-denying, principally for his advantage, was her chief
+consolation, under the misery of a parting, a final parting; and every
+consolation was required, for she had to encounter all the additional
+pain of opinions, on his side, totally unconvinced and unbending, and
+of his feeling himself ill used by so forced a relinquishment.  He had
+left the country in consequence.
+
+A few months had seen the beginning and the end of their acquaintance;
+but not with a few months ended Anne's share of suffering from it.  Her
+attachment and regrets had, for a long time, clouded every enjoyment of
+youth, and an early loss of bloom and spirits had been their lasting
+effect.
+
+More than seven years were gone since this little history of sorrowful
+interest had reached its close; and time had softened down much,
+perhaps nearly all of peculiar attachment to him, but she had been too
+dependent on time alone; no aid had been given in change of place
+(except in one visit to Bath soon after the rupture), or in any novelty
+or enlargement of society.  No one had ever come within the Kellynch
+circle, who could bear a comparison with Frederick Wentworth, as he
+stood in her memory.  No second attachment, the only thoroughly
+natural, happy, and sufficient cure, at her time of life, had been
+possible to the nice tone of her mind, the fastidiousness of her taste,
+in the small limits of the society around them.  She had been
+solicited, when about two-and-twenty, to change her name, by the young
+man, who not long afterwards found a more willing mind in her younger
+sister; and Lady Russell had lamented her refusal; for Charles Musgrove
+was the eldest son of a man, whose landed property and general
+importance were second in that country, only to Sir Walter's, and of
+good character and appearance; and however Lady Russell might have
+asked yet for something more, while Anne was nineteen, she would have
+rejoiced to see her at twenty-two so respectably removed from the
+partialities and injustice of her father's house, and settled so
+permanently near herself.  But in this case, Anne had left nothing for
+advice to do; and though Lady Russell, as satisfied as ever with her
+own discretion, never wished the past undone, she began now to have the
+anxiety which borders on hopelessness for Anne's being tempted, by some
+man of talents and independence, to enter a state for which she held
+her to be peculiarly fitted by her warm affections and domestic habits.
+
+They knew not each other's opinion, either its constancy or its change,
+on the one leading point of Anne's conduct, for the subject was never
+alluded to; but Anne, at seven-and-twenty, thought very differently
+from what she had been made to think at nineteen.  She did not blame
+Lady Russell, she did not blame herself for having been guided by her;
+but she felt that were any young person, in similar circumstances, to
+apply to her for counsel, they would never receive any of such certain
+immediate wretchedness, such uncertain future good.  She was persuaded
+that under every disadvantage of disapprobation at home, and every
+anxiety attending his profession, all their probable fears, delays, and
+disappointments, she should yet have been a happier woman in
+maintaining the engagement, than she had been in the sacrifice of it;
+and this, she fully believed, had the usual share, had even more than
+the usual share of all such solicitudes and suspense been theirs,
+without reference to the actual results of their case, which, as it
+happened, would have bestowed earlier prosperity than could be
+reasonably calculated on.  All his sanguine expectations, all his
+confidence had been justified.  His genius and ardour had seemed to
+foresee and to command his prosperous path.  He had, very soon after
+their engagement ceased, got employ: and all that he had told her would
+follow, had taken place.  He had distinguished himself, and early
+gained the other step in rank, and must now, by successive captures,
+have made a handsome fortune.  She had only navy lists and newspapers
+for her authority, but she could not doubt his being rich; and, in
+favour of his constancy, she had no reason to believe him married.
+
+How eloquent could Anne Elliot have been! how eloquent, at least, were
+her wishes on the side of early warm attachment, and a cheerful
+confidence in futurity, against that over-anxious caution which seems
+to insult exertion and distrust Providence!  She had been forced into
+prudence in her youth, she learned romance as she grew older: the
+natural sequel of an unnatural beginning.
+
+With all these circumstances, recollections and feelings, she could not
+hear that Captain Wentworth's sister was likely to live at Kellynch
+without a revival of former pain; and many a stroll, and many a sigh,
+were necessary to dispel the agitation of the idea.  She often told
+herself it was folly, before she could harden her nerves sufficiently
+to feel the continual discussion of the Crofts and their business no
+evil.  She was assisted, however, by that perfect indifference and
+apparent unconsciousness, among the only three of her own friends in
+the secret of the past, which seemed almost to deny any recollection of
+it.  She could do justice to the superiority of Lady Russell's motives
+in this, over those of her father and Elizabeth; she could honour all
+the better feelings of her calmness; but the general air of oblivion
+among them was highly important from whatever it sprung; and in the
+event of Admiral Croft's really taking Kellynch Hall, she rejoiced anew
+over the conviction which had always been most grateful to her, of the
+past being known to those three only among her connexions, by whom no
+syllable, she believed, would ever be whispered, and in the trust that
+among his, the brother only with whom he had been residing, had
+received any information of their short-lived engagement.  That brother
+had been long removed from the country and being a sensible man, and,
+moreover, a single man at the time, she had a fond dependence on no
+human creature's having heard of it from him.
+
+The sister, Mrs Croft, had then been out of England, accompanying her
+husband on a foreign station, and her own sister, Mary, had been at
+school while it all occurred; and never admitted by the pride of some,
+and the delicacy of others, to the smallest knowledge of it afterwards.
+
+With these supports, she hoped that the acquaintance between herself
+and the Crofts, which, with Lady Russell, still resident in Kellynch,
+and Mary fixed only three miles off, must be anticipated, need not
+involve any particular awkwardness.
+
+
+
+Chapter 5
+
+
+On the morning appointed for Admiral and Mrs Croft's seeing Kellynch
+Hall, Anne found it most natural to take her almost daily walk to Lady
+Russell's, and keep out of the way till all was over; when she found it
+most natural to be sorry that she had missed the opportunity of seeing
+them.
+
+This meeting of the two parties proved highly satisfactory, and decided
+the whole business at once.  Each lady was previously well disposed for
+an agreement, and saw nothing, therefore, but good manners in the
+other; and with regard to the gentlemen, there was such an hearty good
+humour, such an open, trusting liberality on the Admiral's side, as
+could not but influence Sir Walter, who had besides been flattered into
+his very best and most polished behaviour by Mr Shepherd's assurances
+of his being known, by report, to the Admiral, as a model of good
+breeding.
+
+The house and grounds, and furniture, were approved, the Crofts were
+approved, terms, time, every thing, and every body, was right; and Mr
+Shepherd's clerks were set to work, without there having been a single
+preliminary difference to modify of all that "This indenture sheweth."
+
+Sir Walter, without hesitation, declared the Admiral to be the
+best-looking sailor he had ever met with, and went so far as to say,
+that if his own man might have had the arranging of his hair, he should
+not be ashamed of being seen with him any where; and the Admiral, with
+sympathetic cordiality, observed to his wife as they drove back through
+the park, "I thought we should soon come to a deal, my dear, in spite
+of what they told us at Taunton.  The Baronet will never set the Thames
+on fire, but there seems to be no harm in him."--reciprocal
+compliments, which would have been esteemed about equal.
+
+The Crofts were to have possession at Michaelmas; and as Sir Walter
+proposed removing to Bath in the course of the preceding month, there
+was no time to be lost in making every dependent arrangement.
+
+Lady Russell, convinced that Anne would not be allowed to be of any
+use, or any importance, in the choice of the house which they were
+going to secure, was very unwilling to have her hurried away so soon,
+and wanted to make it possible for her to stay behind till she might
+convey her to Bath herself after Christmas; but having engagements of
+her own which must take her from Kellynch for several weeks, she was
+unable to give the full invitation she wished, and Anne though dreading
+the possible heats of September in all the white glare of Bath, and
+grieving to forego all the influence so sweet and so sad of the
+autumnal months in the country, did not think that, everything
+considered, she wished to remain.  It would be most right, and most
+wise, and, therefore must involve least suffering to go with the others.
+
+Something occurred, however, to give her a different duty.  Mary, often
+a little unwell, and always thinking a great deal of her own
+complaints, and always in the habit of claiming Anne when anything was
+the matter, was indisposed; and foreseeing that she should not have a
+day's health all the autumn, entreated, or rather required her, for it
+was hardly entreaty, to come to Uppercross Cottage, and bear her
+company as long as she should want her, instead of going to Bath.
+
+"I cannot possibly do without Anne," was Mary's reasoning; and
+Elizabeth's reply was, "Then I am sure Anne had better stay, for nobody
+will want her in Bath."
+
+To be claimed as a good, though in an improper style, is at least
+better than being rejected as no good at all; and Anne, glad to be
+thought of some use, glad to have anything marked out as a duty, and
+certainly not sorry to have the scene of it in the country, and her own
+dear country, readily agreed to stay.
+
+This invitation of Mary's removed all Lady Russell's difficulties, and
+it was consequently soon settled that Anne should not go to Bath till
+Lady Russell took her, and that all the intervening time should be
+divided between Uppercross Cottage and Kellynch Lodge.
+
+So far all was perfectly right; but Lady Russell was almost startled by
+the wrong of one part of the Kellynch Hall plan, when it burst on her,
+which was, Mrs Clay's being engaged to go to Bath with Sir Walter and
+Elizabeth, as a most important and valuable assistant to the latter in
+all the business before her.  Lady Russell was extremely sorry that
+such a measure should have been resorted to at all, wondered, grieved,
+and feared; and the affront it contained to Anne, in Mrs Clay's being
+of so much use, while Anne could be of none, was a very sore
+aggravation.
+
+Anne herself was become hardened to such affronts; but she felt the
+imprudence of the arrangement quite as keenly as Lady Russell.  With a
+great deal of quiet observation, and a knowledge, which she often
+wished less, of her father's character, she was sensible that results
+the most serious to his family from the intimacy were more than
+possible.  She did not imagine that her father had at present an idea
+of the kind.  Mrs Clay had freckles, and a projecting tooth, and a
+clumsy wrist, which he was continually making severe remarks upon, in
+her absence; but she was young, and certainly altogether well-looking,
+and possessed, in an acute mind and assiduous pleasing manners,
+infinitely more dangerous attractions than any merely personal might
+have been.  Anne was so impressed by the degree of their danger, that
+she could not excuse herself from trying to make it perceptible to her
+sister.  She had little hope of success; but Elizabeth, who in the
+event of such a reverse would be so much more to be pitied than
+herself, should never, she thought, have reason to reproach her for
+giving no warning.
+
+She spoke, and seemed only to offend.  Elizabeth could not conceive how
+such an absurd suspicion should occur to her, and indignantly answered
+for each party's perfectly knowing their situation.
+
+"Mrs Clay," said she, warmly, "never forgets who she is; and as I am
+rather better acquainted with her sentiments than you can be, I can
+assure you, that upon the subject of marriage they are particularly
+nice, and that she reprobates all inequality of condition and rank more
+strongly than most people.  And as to my father, I really should not
+have thought that he, who has kept himself single so long for our
+sakes, need be suspected now.  If Mrs Clay were a very beautiful woman,
+I grant you, it might be wrong to have her so much with me; not that
+anything in the world, I am sure, would induce my father to make a
+degrading match, but he might be rendered unhappy.  But poor Mrs Clay
+who, with all her merits, can never have been reckoned tolerably
+pretty, I really think poor Mrs Clay may be staying here in perfect
+safety.  One would imagine you had never heard my father speak of her
+personal misfortunes, though I know you must fifty times.  That tooth
+of her's and those freckles.  Freckles do not disgust me so very much
+as they do him.  I have known a face not materially disfigured by a
+few, but he abominates them.  You must have heard him notice Mrs Clay's
+freckles."
+
+"There is hardly any personal defect," replied Anne, "which an
+agreeable manner might not gradually reconcile one to."
+
+"I think very differently," answered Elizabeth, shortly; "an agreeable
+manner may set off handsome features, but can never alter plain ones.
+However, at any rate, as I have a great deal more at stake on this
+point than anybody else can have, I think it rather unnecessary in you
+to be advising me."
+
+Anne had done; glad that it was over, and not absolutely hopeless of
+doing good.  Elizabeth, though resenting the suspicion, might yet be
+made observant by it.
+
+The last office of the four carriage-horses was to draw Sir Walter,
+Miss Elliot, and Mrs Clay to Bath. The party drove off in very good
+spirits; Sir Walter prepared with condescending bows for all the
+afflicted tenantry and cottagers who might have had a hint to show
+themselves, and Anne walked up at the same time, in a sort of desolate
+tranquillity, to the Lodge, where she was to spend the first week.
+
+Her friend was not in better spirits than herself. Lady Russell felt
+this break-up of the family exceedingly.  Their respectability was as
+dear to her as her own, and a daily intercourse had become precious by
+habit.  It was painful to look upon their deserted grounds, and still
+worse to anticipate the new hands they were to fall into; and to escape
+the solitariness and the melancholy of so altered a village, and be out
+of the way when Admiral and Mrs Croft first arrived, she had determined
+to make her own absence from home begin when she must give up Anne.
+Accordingly their removal was made together, and Anne was set down at
+Uppercross Cottage, in the first stage of Lady Russell's journey.
+
+Uppercross was a moderate-sized village, which a few years back had
+been completely in the old English style, containing only two houses
+superior in appearance to those of the yeomen and labourers; the
+mansion of the squire, with its high walls, great gates, and old trees,
+substantial and unmodernized, and the compact, tight parsonage,
+enclosed in its own neat garden, with a vine and a pear-tree trained
+round its casements; but upon the marriage of the young 'squire, it had
+received the improvement of a farm-house elevated into a cottage, for
+his residence, and Uppercross Cottage, with its veranda, French
+windows, and other prettiness, was quite as likely to catch the
+traveller's eye as the more consistent and considerable aspect and
+premises of the Great House, about a quarter of a mile farther on.
+
+Here Anne had often been staying. She knew the ways of Uppercross as
+well as those of Kellynch. The two families were so continually
+meeting, so much in the habit of running in and out of each other's
+house at all hours, that it was rather a surprise to her to find Mary
+alone; but being alone, her being unwell and out of spirits was almost
+a matter of course. Though better endowed than the elder sister, Mary
+had not Anne's understanding nor temper. While well, and happy, and
+properly attended to, she had great good humour and excellent spirits;
+but any indisposition sunk her completely. She had no resources for
+solitude; and inheriting a considerable share of the Elliot
+self-importance, was very prone to add to every other distress that of
+fancying herself neglected and ill-used. In person, she was inferior to
+both sisters, and had, even in her bloom, only reached the dignity of
+being "a fine girl." She was now lying on the faded sofa of the pretty
+little drawing-room, the once elegant furniture of which had been
+gradually growing shabby, under the influence of four summers and two
+children; and, on Anne's appearing, greeted her with--
+
+"So, you are come at last!  I began to think I should never see you.  I
+am so ill I can hardly speak.  I have not seen a creature the whole
+morning!"
+
+"I am sorry to find you unwell," replied Anne.  "You sent me such a
+good account of yourself on Thursday!"
+
+"Yes, I made the best of it; I always do:  but I was very far from well
+at the time; and I do not think I ever was so ill in my life as I have
+been all this morning:  very unfit to be left alone, I am sure.
+Suppose I were to be seized of a sudden in some dreadful way, and not
+able to ring the bell!  So, Lady Russell would not get out.  I do not
+think she has been in this house three times this summer."
+
+Anne said what was proper, and enquired after her husband.  "Oh!
+Charles is out shooting.  I have not seen him since seven o'clock.  He
+would go, though I told him how ill I was.  He said he should not stay
+out long; but he has never come back, and now it is almost one.  I
+assure you, I have not seen a soul this whole long morning."
+
+"You have had your little boys with you?"
+
+"Yes, as long as I could bear their noise; but they are so unmanageable
+that they do me more harm than good.  Little Charles does not mind a
+word I say, and Walter is growing quite as bad."
+
+"Well, you will soon be better now," replied Anne, cheerfully.  "You
+know I always cure you when I come.  How are your neighbours at the
+Great House?"
+
+"I can give you no account of them.  I have not seen one of them
+to-day, except Mr Musgrove, who just stopped and spoke through the
+window, but without getting off his horse; and though I told him how
+ill I was, not one of them have been near me.  It did not happen to
+suit the Miss Musgroves, I suppose, and they never put themselves out
+of their way."
+
+"You will see them yet, perhaps, before the morning is gone.  It is
+early."
+
+"I never want them, I assure you.  They talk and laugh a great deal too
+much for me.  Oh! Anne, I am so very unwell!  It was quite unkind of
+you not to come on Thursday."
+
+"My dear Mary, recollect what a comfortable account you sent me of
+yourself!  You wrote in the cheerfullest manner, and said you were
+perfectly well, and in no hurry for me; and that being the case, you
+must be aware that my wish would be to remain with Lady Russell to the
+last: and besides what I felt on her account, I have really been so
+busy, have had so much to do, that I could not very conveniently have
+left Kellynch sooner."
+
+"Dear me! what can you possibly have to do?"
+
+"A great many things, I assure you.  More than I can recollect in a
+moment; but I can tell you some.  I have been making a duplicate of the
+catalogue of my father's books and pictures.  I have been several times
+in the garden with Mackenzie, trying to understand, and make him
+understand, which of Elizabeth's plants are for Lady Russell.  I have
+had all my own little concerns to arrange, books and music to divide,
+and all my trunks to repack, from not having understood in time what
+was intended as to the waggons: and one thing I have had to do, Mary,
+of a more trying nature: going to almost every house in the parish, as
+a sort of take-leave.  I was told that they wished it.  But all these
+things took up a great deal of time."
+
+"Oh! well!" and after a moment's pause, "but you have never asked me
+one word about our dinner at the Pooles yesterday."
+
+"Did you go then?  I have made no enquiries, because I concluded you
+must have been obliged to give up the party."
+
+"Oh yes! I went.  I was very well yesterday; nothing at all the matter
+with me till this morning.  It would have been strange if I had not
+gone."
+
+"I am very glad you were well enough, and I hope you had a pleasant
+party."
+
+"Nothing remarkable.  One always knows beforehand what the dinner will
+be, and who will be there; and it is so very uncomfortable not having a
+carriage of one's own.  Mr and Mrs Musgrove took me, and we were so
+crowded!  They are both so very large, and take up so much room; and Mr
+Musgrove always sits forward.  So, there was I, crowded into the back
+seat with Henrietta and Louisa; and I think it very likely that my
+illness to-day may be owing to it."
+
+A little further perseverance in patience and forced cheerfulness on
+Anne's side produced nearly a cure on Mary's.  She could soon sit
+upright on the sofa, and began to hope she might be able to leave it by
+dinner-time.  Then, forgetting to think of it, she was at the other end
+of the room, beautifying a nosegay; then, she ate her cold meat; and
+then she was well enough to propose a little walk.
+
+"Where shall we go?" said she, when they were ready.  "I suppose you
+will not like to call at the Great House before they have been to see
+you?"
+
+"I have not the smallest objection on that account," replied Anne.  "I
+should never think of standing on such ceremony with people I know so
+well as Mrs and the Miss Musgroves."
+
+"Oh! but they ought to call upon you as soon as possible.  They ought
+to feel what is due to you as my sister.  However, we may as well go
+and sit with them a little  while, and when we have that over, we can
+enjoy our walk."
+
+Anne had always thought such a style of intercourse highly imprudent;
+but she had ceased to endeavour to check it, from believing that,
+though there were on each side continual subjects of offence, neither
+family could now do without it.  To the Great House accordingly they
+went, to sit the full half hour in the old-fashioned square parlour,
+with a small carpet and shining floor, to which the present daughters
+of the house were gradually giving the proper air of confusion by a
+grand piano-forte and a harp, flower-stands and little tables placed in
+every direction.  Oh! could the originals of the portraits against the
+wainscot, could the gentlemen in brown velvet and the ladies in blue
+satin have seen what was going on, have been conscious of such an
+overthrow of all order and neatness!  The portraits themselves seemed
+to be staring in astonishment.
+
+The Musgroves, like their houses, were in a state of alteration,
+perhaps of improvement.  The father and mother were in the old English
+style, and the young people in the new.  Mr and Mrs Musgrove were a
+very good sort of people; friendly and hospitable, not much educated,
+and not at all elegant.  Their children had more modern minds and
+manners.  There was a numerous family; but the only two grown up,
+excepting Charles, were Henrietta and Louisa, young ladies of nineteen
+and twenty, who had brought from school at Exeter all the usual stock
+of accomplishments, and were now like thousands of other young ladies,
+living to be fashionable, happy, and merry.  Their dress had every
+advantage, their faces were rather pretty, their spirits extremely
+good, their manner unembarrassed and pleasant; they were of consequence
+at home, and favourites abroad.  Anne always contemplated them as some
+of the happiest creatures of her acquaintance; but still, saved as we
+all are, by some comfortable feeling of superiority from wishing for
+the possibility of exchange, she would not have given up her own more
+elegant and cultivated mind for all their enjoyments; and envied them
+nothing but that seemingly perfect good understanding and agreement
+together, that good-humoured mutual affection, of which she had known
+so little herself with either of her sisters.
+
+They were received with great cordiality.  Nothing seemed amiss on the
+side of the Great House family, which was generally, as Anne very well
+knew, the least to blame.  The half hour was chatted away pleasantly
+enough; and she was not at all surprised, at the end of it, to have
+their walking party joined by both the Miss Musgroves, at Mary's
+particular invitation.
+
+
+
+Chapter 6
+
+
+Anne had not wanted this visit to Uppercross, to learn that a removal
+from one set of people to another, though at a distance of only three
+miles, will often include a total change of conversation, opinion, and
+idea.  She had never been staying there before, without being struck by
+it, or without wishing that other Elliots could have her advantage in
+seeing how unknown, or unconsidered there, were the affairs which at
+Kellynch Hall were treated as of such general publicity and pervading
+interest; yet, with all this experience, she believed she must now
+submit to feel that another lesson, in the art of knowing our own
+nothingness beyond our own circle, was become necessary for her; for
+certainly, coming as she did, with a heart full of the subject which
+had been completely occupying both houses in Kellynch for many weeks,
+she had expected rather more curiosity and sympathy than she found in
+the separate but very similar remark of Mr and Mrs Musgrove: "So, Miss
+Anne, Sir Walter and your sister are gone; and what part of Bath do you
+think they will settle in?" and this, without much waiting for an
+answer; or in the young ladies' addition of, "I hope we shall be in
+Bath in the winter; but remember, papa, if we do go, we must be in a
+good situation:  none of your Queen Squares for us!" or in the anxious
+supplement from Mary, of--"Upon my word, I shall be pretty well off,
+when you are all gone away to be happy at Bath!"
+
+She could only resolve to avoid such self-delusion in future, and think
+with heightened gratitude of the extraordinary blessing of having one
+such truly sympathising friend as Lady Russell.
+
+The Mr Musgroves had their own game to guard, and to destroy, their own
+horses, dogs, and newspapers to engage them, and the females were fully
+occupied in all the other common subjects of housekeeping, neighbours,
+dress, dancing, and music.  She acknowledged it to be very fitting,
+that every little social commonwealth should dictate its own matters of
+discourse; and hoped, ere long, to become a not unworthy member of the
+one she was now transplanted into.  With the prospect of spending at
+least two months at Uppercross, it was highly incumbent on her to
+clothe her imagination, her memory, and all her ideas in as much of
+Uppercross as possible.
+
+She had no dread of these two months.  Mary was not so repulsive and
+unsisterly as Elizabeth, nor so inaccessible to all influence of hers;
+neither was there anything among the other component parts of the
+cottage inimical to comfort.  She was always on friendly terms with her
+brother-in-law; and in the children, who loved her nearly as well, and
+respected her a great deal more than their mother, she had an object of
+interest, amusement, and wholesome exertion.
+
+Charles Musgrove was civil and agreeable; in sense and temper he was
+undoubtedly superior to his wife, but not of powers, or conversation,
+or grace, to make the past, as they were connected together, at all a
+dangerous contemplation; though, at the same time, Anne could believe,
+with Lady Russell, that a more equal match might have greatly improved
+him; and that a woman of real understanding might have given more
+consequence to his character, and more usefulness, rationality, and
+elegance to his habits and pursuits.  As it was, he did nothing with
+much zeal, but sport; and his time was otherwise trifled away, without
+benefit from books or anything else.  He had very good spirits, which
+never seemed much affected by his wife's occasional lowness, bore with
+her unreasonableness sometimes to Anne's admiration, and upon the
+whole, though there was very often a little disagreement (in which she
+had sometimes more share than she wished, being appealed to by both
+parties), they might pass for a happy couple.  They were always
+perfectly agreed in the want of more money, and a strong inclination
+for a handsome present from his father; but here, as on most topics, he
+had the superiority, for while Mary thought it a great shame that such
+a present was not made, he always contended for his father's having
+many other uses for his money, and a right to spend it as he liked.
+
+As to the management of their children, his theory was much better than
+his wife's, and his practice not so bad.  "I could manage them very
+well, if it were not for Mary's interference," was what Anne often
+heard him say, and had a good deal of faith in; but when listening in
+turn to Mary's reproach of "Charles spoils the children so that I
+cannot get them into any order," she never had the smallest temptation
+to say, "Very true."
+
+One of the least agreeable circumstances of her residence there was her
+being treated with too much confidence by all parties, and being too
+much in the secret of the complaints of each house.  Known to have some
+influence with her sister, she was continually requested, or at least
+receiving hints to exert it, beyond what was practicable.  "I wish you
+could persuade Mary not to be always fancying herself ill," was
+Charles's language; and, in an unhappy mood, thus spoke Mary: "I do
+believe if Charles were to see me dying, he would not think there was
+anything the matter with me.  I am sure, Anne, if you would, you might
+persuade him that I really am very ill--a great deal worse than I ever
+own."
+
+Mary's declaration was, "I hate sending the children to the Great
+House, though their grandmamma is always wanting to see them, for she
+humours and indulges them to such a degree, and gives them so much
+trash and sweet things, that they are sure to come back sick and cross
+for the rest of the day."  And Mrs Musgrove took the first opportunity
+of being alone with Anne, to say, "Oh! Miss Anne, I cannot help wishing
+Mrs Charles had a little of your method with those children.  They are
+quite different creatures with you!  But to be sure, in general they
+are so spoilt!  It is a pity you cannot put your sister in the way of
+managing them.  They are as fine healthy children as ever were seen,
+poor little dears! without partiality; but Mrs Charles knows no more
+how they should be treated--!  Bless me! how troublesome they are
+sometimes.  I assure you, Miss Anne, it prevents my wishing to see them
+at our house so often as I otherwise should.  I believe Mrs Charles is
+not quite pleased with my not inviting them oftener; but you know it is
+very bad to have children with one that one is obligated to be checking
+every moment; "don't do this," and "don't do that;" or that one can
+only keep in tolerable order by more cake than is good for them."
+
+She had this communication, moreover, from Mary.  "Mrs Musgrove thinks
+all her servants so steady, that it would be high treason to call it in
+question; but I am sure, without exaggeration, that her upper
+house-maid and laundry-maid, instead of being in their business, are
+gadding about the village, all day long.  I meet them wherever I go;
+and I declare, I never go twice into my nursery without seeing
+something of them.  If Jemima were not the trustiest, steadiest
+creature in the world, it would be enough to spoil her; for she tells
+me, they are always tempting her to take a walk with them." And on Mrs
+Musgrove's side, it was, "I make a rule of never interfering in any of
+my daughter-in-law's concerns, for I know it would not do; but I shall
+tell you, Miss Anne, because you may be able to set things to rights,
+that I have no very good opinion of Mrs Charles's nursery-maid: I hear
+strange stories of her; she is always upon the gad; and from my own
+knowledge, I can declare, she is such a fine-dressing lady, that she is
+enough to ruin any servants she comes near.  Mrs Charles quite swears
+by her, I know; but I just give you this hint, that you may be upon the
+watch; because, if you see anything amiss, you need not be afraid of
+mentioning it."
+
+Again, it was Mary's complaint, that Mrs Musgrove was very apt not to
+give her the precedence that was her due, when they dined at the Great
+House with other families; and she did not see any reason why she was
+to be considered so much at home as to lose her place.  And one day
+when Anne was walking with only the Musgroves, one of them after
+talking of rank, people of rank, and jealousy of rank, said, "I have no
+scruple of observing to you, how nonsensical some persons are about
+their place, because all the world knows how easy and indifferent you
+are about it; but I wish anybody could give Mary a hint that it would
+be a great deal better if she were not so very tenacious, especially if
+she would not be always putting herself forward to take place of mamma.
+Nobody doubts her right to have precedence of mamma, but it would be
+more becoming in her not to be always insisting on it.  It is not that
+mamma cares about it the least in the world, but I know it is taken
+notice of by many persons."
+
+How was Anne to set all these matters to rights?  She could do little
+more than listen patiently, soften every grievance, and excuse each to
+the other; give them all hints of the forbearance necessary between
+such near neighbours, and make those hints broadest which were meant
+for her sister's benefit.
+
+In all other respects, her visit began and proceeded very well.  Her
+own spirits improved by change of place and subject, by being removed
+three miles from Kellynch; Mary's ailments lessened by having a
+constant companion, and their daily intercourse with the other family,
+since there was neither superior affection, confidence, nor employment
+in the cottage, to be interrupted by it, was rather an advantage.  It
+was certainly carried nearly as far as possible, for they met every
+morning, and hardly ever spent an evening asunder; but she believed
+they should not have done so well without the sight of Mr and Mrs
+Musgrove's respectable forms in the usual places, or without the
+talking, laughing, and singing of their daughters.
+
+She played a great deal better than either of the Miss Musgroves, but
+having no voice, no knowledge of the harp, and no fond parents, to sit
+by and fancy themselves delighted, her performance was little thought
+of, only out of civility, or to refresh the others, as she was well
+aware.  She knew that when she played she was giving pleasure only to
+herself; but this was no new sensation.  Excepting one short period of
+her life, she had never, since the age of fourteen, never since the
+loss of her dear mother, known the happiness of being listened to, or
+encouraged by any just appreciation or real taste.  In music she had
+been always used to feel alone in the world; and Mr and Mrs Musgrove's
+fond partiality for their own daughters' performance, and total
+indifference to any other person's, gave her much more pleasure for
+their sakes, than mortification for her own.
+
+The party at the Great House was sometimes increased by other company.
+The neighbourhood was not large, but the Musgroves were visited by
+everybody, and had more dinner-parties, and more callers, more visitors
+by invitation and by chance, than any other family.  They were more
+completely popular.
+
+The girls were wild for dancing; and the evenings ended, occasionally,
+in an unpremeditated little ball.  There was a family of cousins within
+a walk of Uppercross, in less affluent circumstances, who depended on
+the Musgroves for all their pleasures:  they would come at any time,
+and help play at anything, or dance anywhere; and Anne, very much
+preferring the office of musician to a more active post, played country
+dances to them by the hour together; a kindness which always
+recommended her musical powers to the notice of Mr and Mrs Musgrove
+more than anything else, and often drew this compliment;--"Well done,
+Miss Anne! very well done indeed!  Lord bless me!  how those little
+fingers of yours fly about!"
+
+So passed the first three weeks.  Michaelmas came; and now Anne's heart
+must be in Kellynch again.  A beloved home made over to others; all the
+precious rooms and furniture, groves, and prospects, beginning to own
+other eyes and other limbs!  She could not think of much else on the
+29th of September; and she had this sympathetic touch in the evening
+from Mary, who, on having occasion to note down the day of the month,
+exclaimed, "Dear me, is not this the day the Crofts were to come to
+Kellynch?  I am glad I did not think of it before.  How low it makes
+me!"
+
+The Crofts took possession with true naval alertness, and were to be
+visited.  Mary deplored the necessity for herself.  "Nobody knew how
+much she should suffer.  She should put it off as long as she could;"
+but was not easy till she had talked Charles into driving her over on
+an early day, and was in a very animated, comfortable state of
+imaginary agitation, when she came back.  Anne had very sincerely
+rejoiced in there being no means of her going.  She wished, however to
+see the Crofts, and was glad to be within when the visit was returned.
+They came:  the master of the house was not at home, but the two
+sisters were together; and as it chanced that Mrs Croft fell to the
+share of Anne, while the Admiral sat by Mary, and made himself very
+agreeable by his good-humoured notice of her little boys, she was well
+able to watch for a likeness, and if it failed her in the features, to
+catch it in the voice, or in the turn of sentiment and expression.
+
+Mrs Croft, though neither tall nor fat, had a squareness, uprightness,
+and vigour of form, which gave importance to her person.  She had
+bright dark eyes, good teeth, and altogether an agreeable face; though
+her reddened and weather-beaten complexion, the consequence of her
+having been almost as much at sea as her husband, made her seem to have
+lived some years longer in the world than her real eight-and-thirty.
+Her manners were open, easy, and decided, like one who had no distrust
+of herself, and no doubts of what to do; without any approach to
+coarseness, however, or any want of good humour.  Anne gave her credit,
+indeed, for feelings of great consideration towards herself, in all
+that related to Kellynch, and it pleased her: especially, as she had
+satisfied herself in the very first half minute, in the instant even of
+introduction, that there was not the smallest symptom of any knowledge
+or suspicion on Mrs Croft's side, to give a bias of any sort.  She was
+quite easy on that head, and consequently full of strength and courage,
+till for a moment electrified by Mrs Croft's suddenly saying,--
+
+"It was you, and not your sister, I find, that my brother had the
+pleasure of being acquainted with, when he was in this country."
+
+Anne hoped she had outlived the age of blushing; but the age of emotion
+she certainly had not.
+
+"Perhaps you may not have heard that he is married?" added Mrs Croft.
+
+She could now answer as she ought; and was happy to feel, when Mrs
+Croft's next words explained it to be Mr Wentworth of whom she spoke,
+that she had said nothing which might not do for either brother. She
+immediately felt how reasonable it was, that Mrs Croft should be
+thinking and speaking of Edward, and not of Frederick; and with shame
+at her own forgetfulness applied herself to the knowledge of their
+former neighbour's present state with proper interest.
+
+The rest was all tranquillity; till, just as they were moving, she
+heard the Admiral say to Mary--
+
+"We are expecting a brother of Mrs Croft's here soon; I dare say you
+know him by name."
+
+He was cut short by the eager attacks of the little boys, clinging to
+him like an old friend, and declaring he should not go; and being too
+much engrossed by proposals of carrying them away in his coat pockets,
+&c., to have another moment for finishing or recollecting what he had
+begun, Anne was left to persuade herself, as well as she could, that
+the same brother must still be in question.  She could not, however,
+reach such a degree of certainty, as not to be anxious to hear whether
+anything had been said on the subject at the other house, where the
+Crofts had previously been calling.
+
+The folks of the Great House were to spend the evening of this day at
+the Cottage; and it being now too late in the year for such visits to
+be made on foot, the coach was beginning to be listened for, when the
+youngest Miss Musgrove walked in.  That she was coming to apologize,
+and that they should have to spend the evening by themselves, was the
+first black idea; and Mary was quite ready to be affronted, when Louisa
+made all right by saying, that she only came on foot, to leave more
+room for the harp, which was bringing in the carriage.
+
+"And I will tell you our reason," she added, "and all about it.  I am
+come on to give you notice, that papa and mamma are out of spirits this
+evening, especially mamma; she is thinking so much of poor Richard!
+And we agreed it would be best to have the harp, for it seems to amuse
+her more than the piano-forte.  I will tell you why she is out of
+spirits.  When the Crofts called this morning, (they called here
+afterwards, did not they?), they happened to say, that her brother,
+Captain Wentworth, is just returned to England, or paid off, or
+something, and is coming to see them almost directly; and most
+unluckily it came into mamma's head, when they were gone, that
+Wentworth, or something very like it, was the name of poor Richard's
+captain at one time; I do not know when or where, but a great while
+before he died, poor fellow!  And upon looking over his letters and
+things, she found it was so, and is perfectly sure that this must be
+the very man, and her head is quite full of it, and of poor Richard!
+So we must be as merry as we can, that she may not be dwelling upon
+such gloomy things."
+
+The real circumstances of this pathetic piece of family history were,
+that the Musgroves had had the ill fortune of a very troublesome,
+hopeless son; and the good fortune to lose him before he reached his
+twentieth year; that he had been sent to sea because he was stupid and
+unmanageable on shore; that he had been very little cared for at any
+time by his family, though quite as much as he deserved; seldom heard
+of, and scarcely at all regretted, when the intelligence of his death
+abroad had worked its way to Uppercross, two years before.
+
+He had, in fact, though his sisters were now doing all they could for
+him, by calling him "poor Richard," been nothing better than a
+thick-headed, unfeeling, unprofitable Dick Musgrove, who had never done
+anything to entitle himself to more than the abbreviation of his name,
+living or dead.
+
+He had been several years at sea, and had, in the course of those
+removals to which all midshipmen are liable, and especially such
+midshipmen as every captain wishes to get rid of, been six months on
+board Captain Frederick Wentworth's frigate, the Laconia; and from the
+Laconia he had, under the influence of his captain, written the only
+two letters which his father and mother had ever received from him
+during the whole of his absence; that is to say, the only two
+disinterested letters; all the rest had been mere applications for
+money.
+
+In each letter he had spoken well of his captain; but yet, so little
+were they in the habit of attending to such matters, so unobservant and
+incurious were they as to the names of men or ships, that it had made
+scarcely any impression at the time; and that Mrs Musgrove should have
+been suddenly struck, this very day, with a recollection of the name of
+Wentworth, as connected with her son, seemed one of those extraordinary
+bursts of mind which do sometimes occur.
+
+She had gone to her letters, and found it all as she supposed; and the
+re-perusal of these letters, after so long an interval, her poor son
+gone for ever, and all the strength of his faults forgotten, had
+affected her spirits exceedingly, and thrown her into greater grief for
+him than she had known on first hearing of his death.  Mr Musgrove was,
+in a lesser degree, affected likewise; and when they reached the
+cottage, they were evidently in want, first, of being listened to anew
+on this subject, and afterwards, of all the relief which cheerful
+companions could give them.
+
+To hear them talking so much of Captain Wentworth, repeating his name
+so often, puzzling over past years, and at last ascertaining that it
+might, that it probably would, turn out to be the very same Captain
+Wentworth whom they recollected meeting, once or twice, after their
+coming back from Clifton--a very fine young man--but they could not say
+whether it was seven or eight years ago, was a new sort of trial to
+Anne's nerves.  She found, however, that it was one to which she must
+inure herself.  Since he actually was expected in the country, she must
+teach herself to be insensible on such points.  And not only did it
+appear that he was expected, and speedily, but the Musgroves, in their
+warm gratitude for the kindness he had shewn poor Dick, and very high
+respect for his character, stamped as it was by poor Dick's having been
+six months under his care, and mentioning him in strong, though not
+perfectly well-spelt praise, as "a fine dashing felow, only two
+perticular about the schoolmaster," were bent on introducing
+themselves, and seeking his acquaintance, as soon as they could hear of
+his arrival.
+
+The resolution of doing so helped to form the comfort of their evening.
+
+
+
+Chapter 7
+
+
+A very few days more, and Captain Wentworth was known to be at
+Kellynch, and Mr Musgrove had called on him, and come back warm in his
+praise, and he was engaged with the Crofts to dine at Uppercross, by
+the end of another week.  It had been a great disappointment to Mr
+Musgrove to find that no earlier day could be fixed, so impatient was
+he to shew his gratitude, by seeing Captain Wentworth under his own
+roof, and welcoming him to all that was strongest and best in his
+cellars.  But a week must pass; only a week, in Anne's reckoning, and
+then, she supposed, they must meet; and soon she began to wish that she
+could feel secure even for a week.
+
+Captain Wentworth made a very early return to Mr Musgrove's civility,
+and she was all but calling there in the same half hour.  She and Mary
+were actually setting forward for the Great House, where, as she
+afterwards learnt, they must inevitably have found him, when they were
+stopped by the eldest boy's being at that moment brought home in
+consequence of a bad fall.  The child's situation put the visit
+entirely aside; but she could not hear of her escape with indifference,
+even in the midst of the serious anxiety which they afterwards felt on
+his account.
+
+His collar-bone was found to be dislocated, and such injury received in
+the back, as roused the most alarming ideas.  It was an afternoon of
+distress, and Anne had every thing to do at once; the apothecary to
+send for, the father to have pursued and informed, the mother to
+support and keep from hysterics, the servants to control, the youngest
+child to banish, and the poor suffering one to attend and soothe;
+besides sending, as soon as she recollected it, proper notice to the
+other house, which brought her an accession rather of frightened,
+enquiring companions, than of very useful assistants.
+
+Her brother's return was the first comfort; he could take best care of
+his wife; and the second blessing was the arrival of the apothecary.
+Till he came and had examined the child, their apprehensions were the
+worse for being vague; they suspected great injury, but knew not where;
+but now the collar-bone was soon replaced, and though Mr Robinson felt
+and felt, and rubbed, and looked grave, and spoke low words both to the
+father and the aunt, still they were all to hope the best, and to be
+able to part and eat their dinner in tolerable ease of mind; and then
+it was, just before they parted, that the two young aunts were able so
+far to digress from their nephew's state, as to give the information of
+Captain Wentworth's visit; staying five minutes behind their father and
+mother, to endeavour to express how perfectly delighted they were with
+him, how much handsomer, how infinitely more agreeable they thought him
+than any individual among their male acquaintance, who had been at all
+a favourite before.  How glad they had been to hear papa invite him to
+stay dinner, how sorry when he said it was quite out of his power, and
+how glad again when he had promised in reply to papa and mamma's
+farther pressing invitations to come and dine with them on the
+morrow--actually on the morrow; and he had promised it in so pleasant a
+manner, as if he felt all the motive of their attention just as he
+ought.  And in short, he had looked and said everything with such
+exquisite grace, that they could assure them all, their heads were both
+turned by him; and off they ran, quite as full of glee as of love, and
+apparently more full of Captain Wentworth than of little Charles.
+
+The same story and the same raptures were repeated, when the two girls
+came with their father, through the gloom of the evening, to make
+enquiries; and Mr Musgrove, no longer under the first uneasiness about
+his heir, could add his confirmation and praise, and hope there would
+be now no occasion for putting Captain Wentworth off, and only be sorry
+to think that the cottage party, probably, would not like to leave the
+little boy, to give him the meeting.  "Oh no; as to leaving the little
+boy," both father and mother were in much too strong and recent alarm
+to bear the thought; and Anne, in the joy of the escape, could not help
+adding her warm protestations to theirs.
+
+Charles Musgrove, indeed, afterwards, shewed more of inclination; "the
+child was going on so well, and he wished so much to be introduced to
+Captain Wentworth, that, perhaps, he might join them in the evening; he
+would not dine from home, but he might walk in for half an hour." But
+in this he was eagerly opposed by his wife, with "Oh! no, indeed,
+Charles, I cannot bear to have you go away.  Only think if anything
+should happen?"
+
+The child had a good night, and was going on well the next day.  It
+must be a work of time to ascertain that no injury had been done to the
+spine; but Mr Robinson found nothing to increase alarm, and Charles
+Musgrove began, consequently, to feel no necessity for longer
+confinement.  The child was to be kept in bed and amused as quietly as
+possible; but what was there for a father to do?  This was quite a
+female case, and it would be highly absurd in him, who could be of no
+use at home, to shut himself up.  His father very much wished him to
+meet Captain Wentworth, and there being no sufficient reason against
+it, he ought to go; and it ended in his making a bold, public
+declaration, when he came in from shooting, of his meaning to dress
+directly, and dine at the other house.
+
+"Nothing can be going on better than the child," said he; "so I told my
+father, just now, that I would come, and he thought me quite right.
+Your sister being with you, my love, I have no scruple at all.  You
+would not like to leave him yourself, but you see I can be of no use.
+Anne will send for me if anything is the matter."
+
+Husbands and wives generally understand when opposition will be vain.
+Mary knew, from Charles's manner of speaking, that he was quite
+determined on going, and that it would be of no use to teaze him.  She
+said nothing, therefore, till he was out of the room, but as soon as
+there was only Anne to hear--
+
+"So you and I are to be left to shift by ourselves, with this poor sick
+child; and not a creature coming near us all the evening!  I knew how
+it would be.  This is always my luck.  If there is anything
+disagreeable going on men are always sure to get out of it, and Charles
+is as bad as any of them.  Very unfeeling!  I must say it is very
+unfeeling of him to be running away from his poor little boy.  Talks of
+his being going on so well!  How does he know that he is going on well,
+or that there may not be a sudden change half an hour hence?  I did not
+think Charles would have been so unfeeling.  So here he is to go away
+and enjoy himself, and because I am the poor mother, I am not to be
+allowed to stir; and yet, I am sure, I am more unfit than anybody else
+to be about the child.  My being the mother is the very reason why my
+feelings should not be tried.  I am not at all equal to it.  You saw
+how hysterical I was yesterday."
+
+"But that was only the effect of the suddenness of your alarm--of the
+shock.  You will not be hysterical again.  I dare say we shall have
+nothing to distress us.  I perfectly understand Mr Robinson's
+directions, and have no fears; and indeed, Mary, I cannot wonder at
+your husband.  Nursing does not belong to a man; it is not his
+province.  A sick child is always the mother's property:  her own
+feelings generally make it so."
+
+"I hope I am as fond of my child as any mother, but I do not know that
+I am of any more use in the sick-room than Charles, for I cannot be
+always scolding and teazing the poor child when it is ill; and you saw,
+this morning, that if I told him to keep quiet, he was sure to begin
+kicking about.  I have not nerves for the sort of thing."
+
+"But, could you be comfortable yourself, to be spending the whole
+evening away from the poor boy?"
+
+"Yes; you see his papa can, and why should not I?  Jemima is so
+careful; and she could send us word every hour how he was.  I really
+think Charles might as well have told his father we would all come.  I
+am not more alarmed about little Charles now than he is.  I was
+dreadfully alarmed yesterday, but the case is very different to-day."
+
+"Well, if you do not think it too late to give notice for yourself,
+suppose you were to go, as well as your husband.  Leave little Charles
+to my care.  Mr and Mrs Musgrove cannot think it wrong while I remain
+with him."
+
+"Are you serious?" cried Mary, her eyes brightening.  "Dear me!  that's
+a very good thought, very good, indeed.  To be sure, I may just as well
+go as not, for I am of no use at home--am I?  and it only harasses me.
+You, who have not a mother's feelings, are a great deal the properest
+person.  You can make little Charles do anything; he always minds you
+at a word.  It will be a great deal better than leaving him only with
+Jemima.  Oh! I shall certainly go; I am sure I ought if I can, quite as
+much as Charles, for they want me excessively to be acquainted with
+Captain Wentworth, and I know you do not mind being left alone.  An
+excellent thought of yours, indeed, Anne.  I will go and tell Charles,
+and get ready directly.  You can send for us, you know, at a moment's
+notice, if anything is the matter; but I dare say there will be nothing
+to alarm you.  I should not go, you may be sure, if I did not feel
+quite at ease about my dear child."
+
+The next moment she was tapping at her husband's dressing-room door,
+and as Anne followed her up stairs, she was in time for the whole
+conversation, which began with Mary's saying, in a tone of great
+exultation--
+
+"I mean to go with you, Charles, for I am of no more use at home than
+you are.  If I were to shut myself up for ever with the child, I should
+not be able to persuade him to do anything he did not like.  Anne will
+stay; Anne undertakes to stay at home and take care of him.  It is
+Anne's own proposal, and so I shall go with you, which will be a great
+deal better, for I have not dined at the other house since Tuesday."
+
+"This is very kind of Anne," was her husband's answer, "and I should be
+very glad to have you go; but it seems rather hard that she should be
+left at home by herself, to nurse our sick child."
+
+Anne was now at hand to take up her own cause, and the sincerity of her
+manner being soon sufficient to convince him, where conviction was at
+least very agreeable, he had no farther scruples as to her being left
+to dine alone, though he still wanted her to join them in the evening,
+when the child might be at rest for the night, and kindly urged her to
+let him come and fetch her, but she was quite unpersuadable; and this
+being the case, she had ere long the pleasure of seeing them set off
+together in high spirits.  They were gone, she hoped, to be happy,
+however oddly constructed such happiness might seem; as for herself,
+she was left with as many sensations of comfort, as were, perhaps, ever
+likely to be hers.  She knew herself to be of the first utility to the
+child; and what was it to her if Frederick Wentworth were only half a
+mile distant, making himself agreeable to others?
+
+She would have liked to know how he felt as to a meeting.  Perhaps
+indifferent, if indifference could exist under such circumstances.  He
+must be either indifferent or unwilling.  Had he wished ever to see her
+again, he need not have waited till this time; he would have done what
+she could not but believe that in his place she should have done long
+ago, when events had been early giving him the independence which alone
+had been wanting.
+
+Her brother and sister came back delighted with their new acquaintance,
+and their visit in general.  There had been music, singing, talking,
+laughing, all that was most agreeable; charming manners in Captain
+Wentworth, no shyness or reserve; they seemed all to know each other
+perfectly, and he was coming the very next morning to shoot with
+Charles.  He was to come to breakfast, but not at the Cottage, though
+that had been proposed at first; but then he had been pressed to come
+to the Great House instead, and he seemed afraid of being in Mrs
+Charles Musgrove's way, on account of the child, and therefore,
+somehow, they hardly knew how, it ended in Charles's being to meet him
+to breakfast at his father's.
+
+Anne understood it.  He wished to avoid seeing her.  He had inquired
+after her, she found, slightly, as might suit a former slight
+acquaintance, seeming to acknowledge such as she had acknowledged,
+actuated, perhaps, by the same view of escaping introduction when they
+were to meet.
+
+The morning hours of the Cottage were always later than those of the
+other house, and on the morrow the difference was so great that Mary
+and Anne were not more than beginning breakfast when Charles came in to
+say that they were just setting off, that he was come for his dogs,
+that his sisters were following with Captain Wentworth; his sisters
+meaning to visit Mary and the child, and Captain Wentworth proposing
+also to wait on her for a few minutes if not inconvenient; and though
+Charles had answered for the child's being in no such state as could
+make it inconvenient, Captain Wentworth would not be satisfied without
+his running on to give notice.
+
+Mary, very much gratified by this attention, was delighted to receive
+him, while a thousand feelings rushed on Anne, of which this was the
+most consoling, that it would soon be over.  And it was soon over.  In
+two minutes after Charles's preparation, the others appeared; they were
+in the drawing-room.  Her eye half met Captain Wentworth's, a bow, a
+curtsey passed; she heard his voice; he talked to Mary, said all that
+was right, said something to the Miss Musgroves, enough to mark an easy
+footing; the room seemed full, full of persons and voices, but a few
+minutes ended it.  Charles shewed himself at the window, all was ready,
+their visitor had bowed and was gone, the Miss Musgroves were gone too,
+suddenly resolving to walk to the end of the village with the
+sportsmen:  the room was cleared, and Anne might finish her breakfast
+as she could.
+
+"It is over! it is over!" she repeated to herself again and again, in
+nervous gratitude.  "The worst is over!"
+
+Mary talked, but she could not attend.  She had seen him.  They had
+met.  They had been once more in the same room.
+
+Soon, however, she began to reason with herself, and try to be feeling
+less.  Eight years, almost eight years had passed, since all had been
+given up.  How absurd to be resuming the agitation which such an
+interval had banished into distance and indistinctness!  What might not
+eight years do?  Events of every description, changes, alienations,
+removals--all, all must be comprised in it, and oblivion of the past--
+how natural, how certain too!  It included nearly a third part of her
+own life.
+
+Alas! with all her reasoning, she found, that to retentive feelings
+eight years may be little more than nothing.
+
+Now, how were his sentiments to be read?  Was this like wishing to
+avoid her?  And the next moment she was hating herself for the folly
+which asked the question.
+
+On one other question which perhaps her utmost wisdom might not have
+prevented, she was soon spared all suspense; for, after the Miss
+Musgroves had returned and finished their visit at the Cottage she had
+this spontaneous information from Mary:--
+
+"Captain Wentworth is not very gallant by you, Anne, though he was so
+attentive to me.  Henrietta asked him what he thought of you, when they
+went away, and he said, 'You were so altered he should not have known
+you again.'"
+
+Mary had no feelings to make her respect her sister's in a common way,
+but she was perfectly unsuspicious of being inflicting any peculiar
+wound.
+
+"Altered beyond his knowledge."  Anne fully submitted, in silent, deep
+mortification.  Doubtless it was so, and she could take no revenge, for
+he was not altered, or not for the worse.  She had already acknowledged
+it to herself, and she could not think differently, let him think of
+her as he would.  No:  the years which had destroyed her youth and
+bloom had only given him a more glowing, manly, open look, in no
+respect lessening his personal advantages.  She had seen the same
+Frederick Wentworth.
+
+"So altered that he should not have known her again!"  These were words
+which could not but dwell with her.  Yet she soon began to rejoice that
+she had heard them.  They were of sobering tendency; they allayed
+agitation; they composed, and consequently must make her happier.
+
+Frederick Wentworth had used such words, or something like them, but
+without an idea that they would be carried round to her.  He had
+thought her wretchedly altered, and in the first moment of appeal, had
+spoken as he felt.  He had not forgiven Anne Elliot.  She had used him
+ill, deserted and disappointed him; and worse, she had shewn a
+feebleness of character in doing so, which his own decided, confident
+temper could not endure.  She had given him up to oblige others.  It
+had been the effect of over-persuasion.  It had been weakness and
+timidity.
+
+He had been most warmly attached to her, and had never seen a woman
+since whom he thought her equal; but, except from some natural
+sensation of curiosity, he had no desire of meeting her again.  Her
+power with him was gone for ever.
+
+It was now his object to marry.  He was rich, and being turned on
+shore, fully intended to settle as soon as he could be properly
+tempted; actually looking round, ready to fall in love with all the
+speed which a clear head and a quick taste could allow.  He had a heart
+for either of the Miss Musgroves, if they could catch it; a heart, in
+short, for any pleasing young woman who came in his way, excepting Anne
+Elliot.  This was his only secret exception, when he said to his
+sister, in answer to her suppositions:--
+
+"Yes, here I am, Sophia, quite ready to make a foolish match.  Anybody
+between fifteen and thirty may have me for asking.  A little beauty,
+and a few smiles, and a few compliments to the navy, and I am a lost
+man.  Should not this be enough for a sailor, who has had no society
+among women to make him nice?"
+
+He said it, she knew, to be contradicted.  His bright proud eye spoke
+the conviction that he was nice; and Anne Elliot was not out of his
+thoughts, when he more seriously described the woman he should wish to
+meet with.  "A strong mind, with sweetness of manner," made the first
+and the last of the description.
+
+"That is the woman I want," said he.  "Something a little inferior I
+shall of course put up with, but it must not be much.  If I am a fool,
+I shall be a fool indeed, for I have thought on the subject more than
+most men."
+
+
+
+Chapter 8
+
+
+From this time Captain Wentworth and Anne Elliot were repeatedly in the
+same circle.  They were soon dining in company together at Mr
+Musgrove's, for the little boy's state could no longer supply his aunt
+with a pretence for absenting herself; and this was but the beginning
+of other dinings and other meetings.
+
+Whether former feelings were to be renewed must be brought to the
+proof; former times must undoubtedly be brought to the recollection of
+each; they could not but be reverted to; the year of their engagement
+could not but be named by him, in the little narratives or descriptions
+which conversation called forth.  His profession qualified him, his
+disposition lead him, to talk; and "That was in the year six;" "That
+happened before I went to sea in the year six," occurred in the course
+of the first evening they spent together: and though his voice did not
+falter, and though she had no reason to suppose his eye wandering
+towards her while he spoke, Anne felt the utter impossibility, from her
+knowledge of his mind, that he could be unvisited by remembrance any
+more than herself.  There must be the same immediate association of
+thought, though she was very far from conceiving it to be of equal pain.
+
+They had no conversation together, no intercourse but what the
+commonest civility required.  Once so much to each other!  Now nothing!
+There had been a time, when of all the large party now filling the
+drawing-room at Uppercross, they would have found it most difficult to
+cease to speak to one another.  With the exception, perhaps, of Admiral
+and Mrs Croft, who seemed particularly attached and happy, (Anne could
+allow no other exceptions even among the married couples), there could
+have been no two hearts so open, no tastes so similar, no feelings so
+in unison, no countenances so beloved.  Now they were as strangers;
+nay, worse than strangers, for they could never become acquainted.  It
+was a perpetual estrangement.
+
+When he talked, she heard the same voice, and discerned the same mind.
+There was a very general ignorance of all naval matters throughout the
+party; and he was very much questioned, and especially by the two Miss
+Musgroves, who seemed hardly to have any eyes but for him, as to the
+manner of living on board, daily regulations, food, hours, &c., and
+their surprise at his accounts, at learning the degree of accommodation
+and arrangement which was practicable, drew from him some pleasant
+ridicule, which reminded Anne of the early days when she too had been
+ignorant, and she too had been accused of supposing sailors to be
+living on board without anything to eat, or any cook to dress it if
+there were, or any servant to wait, or any knife and fork to use.
+
+From thus listening and thinking, she was roused by a whisper of Mrs
+Musgrove's who, overcome by fond regrets, could not help saying--
+
+"Ah! Miss Anne, if it had pleased Heaven to spare my poor son, I dare
+say he would have been just such another by this time."
+
+Anne suppressed a smile, and listened kindly, while Mrs Musgrove
+relieved her heart a little more; and for a few minutes, therefore,
+could not keep pace with the conversation of the others.
+
+When she could let her attention take its natural course again, she
+found the Miss Musgroves just fetching the Navy List (their own navy
+list, the first that had ever been at Uppercross), and sitting down
+together to pore over it, with the professed view of finding out the
+ships that Captain Wentworth had commanded.
+
+"Your first was the Asp, I remember; we will look for the Asp."
+
+"You will not find her there.  Quite worn out and broken up.  I was the
+last man who commanded her.  Hardly fit for service then.  Reported fit
+for home service for a year or two, and so I was sent off to the West
+Indies."
+
+The girls looked all amazement.
+
+"The Admiralty," he continued, "entertain themselves now and then, with
+sending a few hundred men to sea, in a ship not fit to be employed.
+But they have a great many to provide for; and among the thousands that
+may just as well go to the bottom as not, it is impossible for them to
+distinguish the very set who may be least missed."
+
+"Phoo! phoo!" cried the Admiral, "what stuff these young fellows talk!
+Never was a better sloop than the Asp in her day.  For an old built
+sloop, you would not see her equal.  Lucky fellow to get her!  He knows
+there must have been twenty better men than himself applying for her at
+the same time.  Lucky fellow to get anything so soon, with no more
+interest than his."
+
+"I felt my luck, Admiral, I assure you;" replied Captain Wentworth,
+seriously.  "I was as well satisfied with my appointment as you can
+desire.  It was a great object with me at that time to be at sea; a
+very great object, I wanted to be doing something."
+
+"To be sure you did.  What should a young fellow like you do ashore for
+half a year together?  If a man had not a wife, he soon wants to be
+afloat again."
+
+"But, Captain Wentworth," cried Louisa, "how vexed you must have been
+when you came to the Asp, to see what an old thing they had given you."
+
+"I knew pretty well what she was before that day;" said he, smiling.
+"I had no more discoveries to make than you would have as to the
+fashion and strength of any old pelisse, which you had seen lent about
+among half your acquaintance ever since you could remember, and which
+at last, on some very wet day, is lent to yourself.  Ah! she was a dear
+old Asp to me.  She did all that I wanted.  I knew she would.  I knew
+that we should either go to the bottom together, or that she would be
+the making of me; and I never had two days of foul weather all the time
+I was at sea in her; and after taking privateers enough to be very
+entertaining, I had the good luck in my passage home the next autumn,
+to fall in with the very French frigate I wanted.  I brought her into
+Plymouth; and here another instance of luck.  We had not been six hours
+in the Sound, when a gale came on, which lasted four days and nights,
+and which would have done for poor old Asp in half the time; our touch
+with the Great Nation not having much improved our condition.
+Four-and-twenty hours later, and I should only have been a gallant
+Captain Wentworth, in a small paragraph at one corner of the
+newspapers; and being lost in only a sloop, nobody would have thought
+about me." Anne's shudderings were to herself alone; but the Miss
+Musgroves could be as open as they were sincere, in their exclamations
+of pity and horror.
+
+"And so then, I suppose," said Mrs Musgrove, in a low voice, as if
+thinking aloud, "so then he went away to the Laconia, and there he met
+with our poor boy. Charles, my dear," (beckoning him to her), "do ask
+Captain Wentworth where it was he first met with your poor brother.  I
+always forgot."
+
+"It was at Gibraltar, mother, I know.  Dick had been left ill at
+Gibraltar, with a recommendation from his former captain to Captain
+Wentworth."
+
+"Oh! but, Charles, tell Captain Wentworth, he need not be afraid of
+mentioning poor Dick before me, for it would be rather a pleasure to
+hear him talked of by such a good friend."
+
+Charles, being somewhat more mindful of the probabilities of the case,
+only nodded in reply, and walked away.
+
+The girls were now hunting for the Laconia; and Captain Wentworth could
+not deny himself the pleasure of taking the precious volume into his
+own hands to save them the trouble, and once more read aloud the little
+statement of her name and rate, and present non-commissioned class,
+observing over it that she too had been one of the best friends man
+ever had.
+
+"Ah! those were pleasant days when I had the Laconia!  How fast I made
+money in her.  A friend of mine and I had such a lovely cruise together
+off the Western Islands.  Poor Harville, sister!  You know how much he
+wanted money:  worse than myself.  He had a wife.  Excellent fellow.  I
+shall never forget his happiness.  He felt it all, so much for her
+sake.  I wished for him again the next summer, when I had still the
+same luck in the Mediterranean."
+
+"And I am sure, Sir," said Mrs Musgrove, "it was a lucky day for us,
+when you were put captain into that ship.  We shall never forget what
+you did."
+
+Her feelings made her speak low; and Captain Wentworth, hearing only in
+part, and probably not having Dick Musgrove at all near his thoughts,
+looked rather in suspense, and as if waiting for more.
+
+"My brother," whispered one of the girls; "mamma is thinking of poor
+Richard."
+
+"Poor dear fellow!" continued Mrs Musgrove; "he was grown so steady,
+and such an excellent correspondent, while he was under your care!  Ah!
+it would have been a happy thing, if he had never left you.  I assure
+you, Captain Wentworth, we are very sorry he ever left you."
+
+There was a momentary expression in Captain Wentworth's face at this
+speech, a certain glance of his bright eye, and curl of his handsome
+mouth, which convinced Anne, that instead of sharing in Mrs Musgrove's
+kind wishes, as to her son, he had probably been at some pains to get
+rid of him; but it was too transient an indulgence of self-amusement to
+be detected by any who understood him less than herself; in another
+moment he was perfectly collected and serious, and almost instantly
+afterwards coming up to the sofa, on which she and Mrs Musgrove were
+sitting, took a place by the latter, and entered into conversation with
+her, in a low voice, about her son, doing it with so much sympathy and
+natural grace, as shewed the kindest consideration for all that was
+real and unabsurd in the parent's feelings.
+
+They were actually on the same sofa, for Mrs Musgrove had most readily
+made room for him; they were divided only by Mrs Musgrove.  It was no
+insignificant barrier, indeed.  Mrs Musgrove was of a comfortable,
+substantial size, infinitely more fitted by nature to express good
+cheer and good humour, than tenderness and sentiment; and while the
+agitations of Anne's slender form, and pensive face, may be considered
+as very completely screened, Captain Wentworth should be allowed some
+credit for the self-command with which he attended to her large fat
+sighings over the destiny of a son, whom alive nobody had cared for.
+
+Personal size and mental sorrow have certainly no necessary
+proportions.  A large bulky figure has as good a right to be in deep
+affliction, as the most graceful set of limbs in the world.  But, fair
+or not fair, there are unbecoming conjunctions, which reason will
+patronize in vain--which taste cannot tolerate--which ridicule will
+seize.
+
+The Admiral, after taking two or three refreshing turns about the room
+with his hands behind him, being called to order by his wife, now came
+up to Captain Wentworth, and without any observation of what he might
+be interrupting, thinking only of his own thoughts, began with--
+
+"If you had been a week later at Lisbon, last spring, Frederick, you
+would have been asked to give a passage to Lady Mary Grierson and her
+daughters."
+
+"Should I?  I am glad I was not a week later then."
+
+The Admiral abused him for his want of gallantry.  He defended himself;
+though professing that he would never willingly admit any ladies on
+board a ship of his, excepting for a ball, or a visit, which a few
+hours might comprehend.
+
+"But, if I know myself," said he, "this is from no want of gallantry
+towards them.  It is rather from feeling how impossible it is, with all
+one's efforts, and all one's sacrifices, to make the accommodations on
+board such as women ought to have.  There can be no want of gallantry,
+Admiral, in rating the claims of women to every personal comfort high,
+and this is what I do.  I hate to hear of women on board, or to see
+them on board; and no ship under my command shall ever convey a family
+of ladies anywhere, if I can help it."
+
+This brought his sister upon him.
+
+"Oh! Frederick!  But I cannot believe it of you.--All idle
+refinement!--Women may be as comfortable on board, as in the best house
+in England.  I believe I have lived as much on board as most women, and
+I know nothing superior to the accommodations of a man-of-war.  I
+declare I have not a comfort or an indulgence about me, even at
+Kellynch Hall," (with a kind bow to Anne), "beyond what I always had in
+most of the ships I have lived in; and they have been five altogether."
+
+"Nothing to the purpose," replied her brother.  "You were living with
+your husband, and were the only woman on board."
+
+"But you, yourself, brought Mrs Harville, her sister, her cousin, and
+three children, round from Portsmouth to Plymouth.  Where was this
+superfine, extraordinary sort of gallantry of yours then?"
+
+"All merged in my friendship, Sophia.  I would assist any brother
+officer's wife that I could, and I would bring anything of Harville's
+from the world's end, if he wanted it.  But do not imagine that I did
+not feel it an evil in itself."
+
+"Depend upon it, they were all perfectly comfortable."
+
+"I might not like them the better for that perhaps.  Such a number of
+women and children have no right to be comfortable on board."
+
+"My dear Frederick, you are talking quite idly.  Pray, what would
+become of us poor sailors' wives, who often want to be conveyed to one
+port or another, after our husbands, if everybody had your feelings?"
+
+"My feelings, you see, did not prevent my taking Mrs Harville and all
+her family to Plymouth."
+
+"But I hate to hear you talking so like a fine gentleman, and as if
+women were all fine ladies, instead of rational creatures.  We none of
+us expect to be in smooth water all our days."
+
+"Ah! my dear," said the Admiral, "when he had got a wife, he will sing
+a different tune.  When he is married, if we have the good luck to live
+to another war, we shall see him do as you and I, and a great many
+others, have done.  We shall have him very thankful to anybody that
+will bring him his wife."
+
+"Ay, that we shall."
+
+"Now I have done," cried Captain Wentworth.  "When once married people
+begin to attack me with,--'Oh! you will think very differently, when
+you are married.'  I can only say, 'No, I shall not;' and then they say
+again, 'Yes, you will,' and there is an end of it."
+
+He got up and moved away.
+
+"What a great traveller you must have been, ma'am!" said Mrs Musgrove
+to Mrs Croft.
+
+"Pretty well, ma'am in the fifteen years of my marriage; though many
+women have done more.  I have crossed the Atlantic four times, and have
+been once to the East Indies, and back again, and only once; besides
+being in different places about home: Cork, and Lisbon, and Gibraltar.
+But I never went beyond the Streights, and never was in the West
+Indies.  We do not call Bermuda or Bahama, you know, the West Indies."
+
+Mrs Musgrove had not a word to say in dissent; she could not accuse
+herself of having ever called them anything in the whole course of her
+life.
+
+"And I do assure you, ma'am," pursued Mrs Croft, "that nothing can
+exceed the accommodations of a man-of-war; I speak, you know, of the
+higher rates.  When you come to a frigate, of course, you are more
+confined; though any reasonable woman may be perfectly happy in one of
+them; and I can safely say, that the happiest part of my life has been
+spent on board a ship.  While we were together, you know, there was
+nothing to be feared.  Thank God!  I have always been blessed with
+excellent health, and no climate disagrees with me.  A little
+disordered always the first twenty-four hours of going to sea, but
+never knew what sickness was afterwards.  The only time I ever really
+suffered in body or mind, the only time that I ever fancied myself
+unwell, or had any ideas of danger, was the winter that I passed by
+myself at Deal, when the Admiral (Captain Croft then) was in the North
+Seas.  I lived in perpetual fright at that time, and had all manner of
+imaginary complaints from not knowing what to do with myself, or when I
+should hear from him next; but as long as we could be together, nothing
+ever ailed me, and I never met with the smallest inconvenience."
+
+"Aye, to be sure.  Yes, indeed, oh yes!  I am quite of your opinion,
+Mrs Croft," was Mrs Musgrove's hearty answer.  "There is nothing so bad
+as a separation.  I am quite of your opinion.  I know what it is, for
+Mr Musgrove always attends the assizes, and I am so glad when they are
+over, and he is safe back again."
+
+The evening ended with dancing.  On its being proposed, Anne offered
+her services, as usual; and though her eyes would sometimes fill with
+tears as she sat at the instrument, she was extremely glad to be
+employed, and desired nothing in return but to be unobserved.
+
+It was a merry, joyous party, and no one seemed in higher spirits than
+Captain Wentworth.  She felt that he had every thing to elevate him
+which general attention and deference, and especially the attention of
+all the young women, could do.  The Miss Hayters, the females of the
+family of cousins already mentioned, were apparently admitted to the
+honour of being in love with him; and as for Henrietta and Louisa, they
+both seemed so entirely occupied by him, that nothing but the continued
+appearance of the most perfect good-will between themselves could have
+made it credible that they were not decided rivals.  If he were a
+little spoilt by such universal, such eager admiration, who could
+wonder?
+
+These were some of the thoughts which occupied Anne, while her fingers
+were mechanically at work, proceeding for half an hour together,
+equally without error, and without consciousness.  Once she felt that
+he was looking at herself,  observing her altered features, perhaps,
+trying to trace in them the ruins of the face which had once charmed
+him; and once she knew that he must have spoken of her; she was hardly
+aware of it, till she heard the answer; but then she was sure of his
+having asked his partner whether Miss Elliot never danced?  The answer
+was, "Oh, no; never; she has quite given up dancing.  She had rather
+play.  She is never tired of playing."  Once, too, he spoke to her.
+She had left the instrument on the dancing being over, and he had sat
+down to try to make out an air which he wished to give the Miss
+Musgroves an idea of.  Unintentionally she returned to that part of the
+room; he saw her, and, instantly rising, said, with studied politeness--
+
+"I beg your pardon, madam, this is your seat;" and though she
+immediately drew back with a decided negative, he was not to be induced
+to sit down again.
+
+Anne did not wish for more of such looks and speeches.  His cold
+politeness, his ceremonious grace, were worse than anything.
+
+
+
+Chapter 9
+
+
+Captain Wentworth was come to Kellynch as to a home, to stay as long as
+he liked, being as thoroughly the object of the Admiral's fraternal
+kindness as of his wife's.  He had intended, on first arriving, to
+proceed very soon into Shropshire, and visit the brother settled in
+that country, but the attractions of Uppercross induced him to put this
+off.  There was so much of friendliness, and of flattery, and of
+everything most bewitching in his reception there; the old were so
+hospitable, the young so agreeable, that he could not but resolve to
+remain where he was, and take all the charms and perfections of
+Edward's wife upon credit a little longer.
+
+It was soon Uppercross with him almost every day.  The Musgroves could
+hardly be more ready to invite than he to come, particularly in the
+morning, when he had no companion at home, for the Admiral and Mrs
+Croft were generally out of doors together, interesting themselves in
+their new possessions, their grass, and their sheep, and dawdling about
+in a way not endurable to a third person, or driving out in a gig,
+lately added to their establishment.
+
+Hitherto there had been but one opinion of Captain Wentworth among the
+Musgroves and their dependencies.  It was unvarying, warm admiration
+everywhere; but this intimate footing was not more than established,
+when a certain Charles Hayter returned among them, to be a good deal
+disturbed by it, and to think Captain Wentworth very much in the way.
+
+Charles Hayter was the eldest of all the cousins, and a very amiable,
+pleasing young man, between whom and Henrietta there had been a
+considerable appearance of attachment previous to Captain Wentworth's
+introduction.  He was in orders; and having a curacy in the
+neighbourhood, where residence was not required, lived at his father's
+house, only two miles from Uppercross.  A short absence from home had
+left his fair one unguarded by his attentions at this critical period,
+and when he came back he had the pain of finding very altered manners,
+and of seeing Captain Wentworth.
+
+Mrs Musgrove and Mrs Hayter were sisters.  They had each had money, but
+their marriages had made a material difference in their degree of
+consequence.  Mr Hayter had some property of his own, but it was
+insignificant compared with Mr Musgrove's; and while the Musgroves were
+in the first class of society in the country, the young Hayters would,
+from their parents' inferior, retired, and unpolished way of living,
+and their own defective education, have been hardly in any class at
+all, but for their connexion with Uppercross, this eldest son of course
+excepted, who had chosen to be a scholar and a gentleman, and who was
+very superior in cultivation and manners to all the rest.
+
+The two families had always been on excellent terms, there being no
+pride on one side, and no envy on the other, and only such a
+consciousness of superiority in the Miss Musgroves, as made them
+pleased to improve their cousins.  Charles's attentions to Henrietta
+had been observed by her father and mother without any disapprobation.
+"It would not be a great match for her; but if Henrietta liked him,"--
+and Henrietta did seem to like him.
+
+Henrietta fully thought so herself, before Captain Wentworth came; but
+from that time Cousin Charles had been very much forgotten.
+
+Which of the two sisters was preferred by Captain Wentworth was as yet
+quite doubtful, as far as Anne's observation reached.  Henrietta was
+perhaps the prettiest, Louisa had the higher spirits; and she knew not
+now, whether the more gentle or the more lively character were most
+likely to attract him.
+
+Mr and Mrs Musgrove, either from seeing little, or from an entire
+confidence in the discretion of both their daughters, and of all the
+young men who came near them, seemed to leave everything to take its
+chance.  There was not the smallest appearance of solicitude or remark
+about them in the Mansion-house; but it was different at the Cottage:
+the young couple there were more disposed to speculate and wonder; and
+Captain Wentworth had not been above four or five times in the Miss
+Musgroves' company, and Charles Hayter had but just reappeared, when
+Anne had to listen to the opinions of her brother and sister, as to
+which was the one liked best.  Charles gave it for Louisa, Mary for
+Henrietta, but quite agreeing that to have him marry either could be
+extremely delightful.
+
+Charles "had never seen a pleasanter man in his life; and from what he
+had once heard Captain Wentworth himself say, was very sure that he had
+not made less than twenty thousand pounds by the war.  Here was a
+fortune at once; besides which, there would be the chance of what might
+be done in any future war; and he was sure Captain Wentworth was as
+likely a man to distinguish himself as any officer in the navy.  Oh! it
+would be a capital match for either of his sisters."
+
+"Upon my word it would," replied Mary.  "Dear me!  If he should rise to
+any very great honours!  If he should ever be made a baronet!  'Lady
+Wentworth' sounds very well.  That would be a noble thing, indeed, for
+Henrietta!  She would take place of me then, and Henrietta would not
+dislike that.  Sir Frederick and Lady Wentworth!  It would be but a new
+creation, however, and I never think much of your new creations."
+
+It suited Mary best to think Henrietta the one preferred on the very
+account of Charles Hayter, whose pretensions she wished to see put an
+end to.  She looked down very decidedly upon the Hayters, and thought
+it would be quite a misfortune to have the existing connection between
+the families renewed--very sad for herself and her children.
+
+"You know," said she, "I cannot think him at all a fit match for
+Henrietta; and considering the alliances which the Musgroves have made,
+she has no right to throw herself away.  I do not think any young woman
+has a right to make a choice that may be disagreeable and inconvenient
+to the principal part of her family, and be giving bad connections to
+those who have not been used to them.  And, pray, who is Charles
+Hayter?  Nothing but a country curate.  A most improper match for Miss
+Musgrove of Uppercross."
+
+Her husband, however, would not agree with her here; for besides having
+a regard for his cousin, Charles Hayter was an eldest son, and he saw
+things as an eldest son himself.
+
+"Now you are talking nonsense, Mary," was therefore his answer.  "It
+would not be a great match for Henrietta, but Charles has a very fair
+chance, through the Spicers, of getting something from the Bishop in
+the course of a year or two; and you will please to remember, that he
+is the eldest son; whenever my uncle dies, he steps into very pretty
+property.  The estate at Winthrop is not less than two hundred and
+fifty acres, besides the farm near Taunton, which is some of the best
+land in the country.  I grant you, that any of them but Charles would
+be a very shocking match for Henrietta, and indeed it could not be; he
+is the only one that could be possible; but he is a very good-natured,
+good sort of a fellow; and whenever Winthrop comes into his hands, he
+will make a different sort of place of it, and live in a very different
+sort of way; and with that property, he will never be a contemptible
+man--good, freehold property.  No, no; Henrietta might do worse than
+marry Charles Hayter; and if she has him, and Louisa can get Captain
+Wentworth, I shall be very well satisfied."
+
+"Charles may say what he pleases," cried Mary to Anne, as soon as he
+was out of the room, "but it would be shocking to have Henrietta marry
+Charles Hayter; a very bad thing for her, and still worse for me; and
+therefore it is very much to be wished that Captain Wentworth may soon
+put him quite out of her head, and I have very little doubt that he
+has.  She took hardly any notice of Charles Hayter yesterday.  I wish
+you had been there to see her behaviour.  And as to Captain Wentworth's
+liking Louisa as well as Henrietta, it is nonsense to say so; for he
+certainly does like Henrietta a great deal the best.  But Charles is so
+positive!  I wish you had been with us yesterday, for then you might
+have decided between us; and I am sure you would have thought as I did,
+unless you had been determined to give it against me."
+
+A dinner at Mr Musgrove's had been the occasion when all these things
+should have been seen by Anne; but she had staid at home, under the
+mixed plea of a headache of her own, and some return of indisposition
+in little Charles.  She had thought only of avoiding Captain Wentworth;
+but an escape from being appealed to as umpire was now added to the
+advantages of a quiet evening.
+
+As to Captain Wentworth's views, she deemed it of more consequence that
+he should know his own mind early enough not to be endangering the
+happiness of either sister, or impeaching his own honour, than that he
+should prefer Henrietta to Louisa, or Louisa to Henrietta.  Either of
+them would, in all probability, make him an affectionate, good-humoured
+wife.  With regard to Charles Hayter, she had delicacy which must be
+pained by any lightness of conduct in a well-meaning young woman, and a
+heart to sympathize in any of the sufferings it occasioned; but if
+Henrietta found herself mistaken in the nature of her feelings, the
+alteration could not be understood too soon.
+
+Charles Hayter had met with much to disquiet and mortify him in his
+cousin's behaviour.  She had too old a regard for him to be so wholly
+estranged as might in two meetings extinguish every past hope, and
+leave him nothing to do but to keep away from Uppercross:  but there
+was such a change as became very alarming, when such a man as Captain
+Wentworth was to be regarded as the probable cause.  He had been absent
+only two Sundays, and when they parted, had left her interested, even
+to the height of his wishes, in his prospect of soon quitting his
+present curacy, and obtaining that of Uppercross instead.  It had then
+seemed the object nearest her heart, that Dr Shirley, the rector, who
+for more than forty years had been zealously discharging all the duties
+of his office, but was now growing too infirm for many of them, should
+be quite fixed on engaging a curate; should make his curacy quite as
+good as he could afford, and should give Charles Hayter the promise of
+it.  The advantage of his having to come only to Uppercross, instead of
+going six miles another way; of his having, in every respect, a better
+curacy; of his belonging to their dear Dr Shirley, and of dear, good Dr
+Shirley's being relieved from the duty which he could no longer get
+through without most injurious fatigue, had been a great deal, even to
+Louisa, but had been almost everything to Henrietta.  When he came
+back, alas!  the zeal of the business was gone by.  Louisa could not
+listen at all to his account of a conversation which he had just held
+with Dr Shirley: she was at a window, looking out for Captain
+Wentworth; and even Henrietta had at best only a divided attention to
+give, and seemed to have forgotten all the former doubt and solicitude
+of the negotiation.
+
+"Well, I am very glad indeed:  but I always thought you would have it;
+I always thought you sure.  It did not appear to me that--in short, you
+know, Dr Shirley must have a curate, and you had secured his promise.
+Is he coming, Louisa?"
+
+One morning, very soon after the dinner at the Musgroves, at which Anne
+had not been present, Captain Wentworth walked into the drawing-room at
+the Cottage, where were only herself and the little invalid Charles,
+who was lying on the sofa.
+
+The surprise of finding himself almost alone with Anne Elliot, deprived
+his manners of their usual composure:  he started, and could only say,
+"I thought the Miss Musgroves had been here: Mrs Musgrove told me I
+should find them here," before he walked to the window to recollect
+himself, and feel how he ought to behave.
+
+"They are up stairs with my sister:  they will be down in a few
+moments, I dare say," had been Anne's reply, in all the confusion that
+was natural; and if the child had not called her to come and do
+something for him, she would have been out of the room the next moment,
+and released Captain Wentworth as well as herself.
+
+He continued at the window; and after calmly and politely saying, "I
+hope the little boy is better," was silent.
+
+She was obliged to kneel down by the sofa, and remain there to satisfy
+her patient; and thus they continued a few minutes, when, to her very
+great satisfaction, she heard some other person crossing the little
+vestibule.  She hoped, on turning her head, to see the master of the
+house; but it proved to be one much less calculated for making matters
+easy--Charles Hayter, probably not at all better pleased by the sight
+of Captain Wentworth than Captain Wentworth had been by the sight of
+Anne.
+
+She only attempted to say, "How do you do?  Will you not sit down?  The
+others will be here presently."
+
+Captain Wentworth, however, came from his window, apparently not
+ill-disposed for conversation; but Charles Hayter soon put an end to
+his attempts by seating himself near the table, and taking up the
+newspaper; and Captain Wentworth returned to his window.
+
+Another minute brought another addition.  The younger boy, a remarkable
+stout, forward child, of two years old, having got the door opened for
+him by some one without, made his determined appearance among them, and
+went straight to the sofa to see what was going on, and put in his
+claim to anything good that might be giving away.
+
+There being nothing to eat, he could only have some play; and as his
+aunt would not let him tease his sick brother, he began to fasten
+himself upon her, as she knelt, in such a way that, busy as she was
+about Charles, she could not shake him off.  She spoke to him, ordered,
+entreated, and insisted in vain.  Once she did contrive to push him
+away, but the boy had the greater pleasure in getting upon her back
+again directly.
+
+"Walter," said she, "get down this moment.  You are extremely
+troublesome.  I am very angry with you."
+
+"Walter," cried Charles Hayter, "why do you not do as you are bid?  Do
+not you hear your aunt speak?  Come to me, Walter, come to cousin
+Charles."
+
+But not a bit did Walter stir.
+
+In another moment, however, she found herself in the state of being
+released from him; some one was taking him from her, though he had bent
+down her head so much, that his little sturdy hands were unfastened
+from around her neck, and he was resolutely borne away, before she knew
+that Captain Wentworth had done it.
+
+Her sensations on the discovery made her perfectly speechless.  She
+could not even thank him.  She could only hang over little Charles,
+with most disordered feelings.  His kindness in stepping forward to her
+relief, the manner, the silence in which it had passed, the little
+particulars of the circumstance, with the conviction soon forced on her
+by the noise he was studiously making with the child, that he meant to
+avoid hearing her thanks, and rather sought to testify that her
+conversation was the last of his wants, produced such a confusion of
+varying, but very painful agitation, as she could not recover from,
+till enabled by the entrance of Mary and the Miss Musgroves to make
+over her little patient to their cares, and leave the room.  She could
+not stay.  It might have been an opportunity of watching the loves and
+jealousies of the four--they were now altogether; but she could stay
+for none of it.  It was evident that Charles Hayter was not well
+inclined towards Captain Wentworth.  She had a strong impression of his
+having said, in a vext tone of voice, after Captain Wentworth's
+interference, "You ought to have minded me, Walter; I told you not to
+teaze your aunt;" and could comprehend his regretting that Captain
+Wentworth should do what he ought to have done himself.  But neither
+Charles Hayter's feelings, nor anybody's feelings, could interest her,
+till she had a little better arranged her own.  She was ashamed of
+herself, quite ashamed of being so nervous, so overcome by such a
+trifle; but so it was, and it required a long application of solitude
+and reflection to recover her.
+
+
+
+Chapter 10
+
+
+Other opportunities of making her observations could not fail to occur.
+Anne had soon been in company with all the four together often enough
+to have an opinion, though too wise to acknowledge as much at home,
+where she knew it would have satisfied neither husband nor wife; for
+while she considered Louisa to be rather the favourite, she could not
+but think, as far as she might dare to judge from memory and
+experience, that Captain Wentworth was not in love with either.  They
+were more in love with him; yet there it was not love.  It was a little
+fever of admiration; but it might, probably must, end in love with
+some.  Charles Hayter seemed aware of being slighted, and yet Henrietta
+had sometimes the air of being divided between them.  Anne longed for
+the power of representing to them all what they were about, and of
+pointing out some of the evils they were exposing themselves to.  She
+did not attribute guile to any.  It was the highest satisfaction to her
+to believe Captain Wentworth not in the least aware of the pain he was
+occasioning.  There was no triumph, no pitiful triumph in his manner.
+He had, probably, never heard, and never thought of any claims of
+Charles Hayter.  He was only wrong in accepting the attentions (for
+accepting must be the word) of two young women at once.
+
+After a short struggle, however, Charles Hayter seemed to quit the
+field.  Three days had passed without his coming once to Uppercross; a
+most decided change.  He had even refused one regular invitation to
+dinner; and having been found on the occasion by Mr Musgrove with some
+large books before him, Mr and Mrs Musgrove were sure all could not be
+right, and talked, with grave faces, of his studying himself to death.
+It was Mary's hope and belief that he had received a positive dismissal
+from Henrietta, and her husband lived under the constant dependence of
+seeing him to-morrow.  Anne could only feel that Charles Hayter was
+wise.
+
+One morning, about this time Charles Musgrove and Captain Wentworth
+being gone a-shooting together, as the sisters in the Cottage were
+sitting quietly at work, they were visited at the window by the sisters
+from the Mansion-house.
+
+It was a very fine November day, and the Miss Musgroves came through
+the little grounds, and stopped for no other purpose than to say, that
+they were going to take a long walk, and therefore concluded Mary could
+not like to go with them; and when Mary immediately replied, with some
+jealousy at not being supposed a good walker, "Oh, yes, I should like
+to join you very much, I am very fond of a long walk;" Anne felt
+persuaded, by the looks of the two girls, that it was precisely what
+they did not wish, and admired again the sort of necessity which the
+family habits seemed to produce, of everything being to be
+communicated, and everything being to be done together, however
+undesired and inconvenient.  She tried to dissuade Mary from going, but
+in vain; and that being the case, thought it best to accept the Miss
+Musgroves' much more cordial invitation to herself to go likewise, as
+she might be useful in turning back with her sister, and lessening the
+interference in any plan of their own.
+
+"I cannot imagine why they should suppose I should not like a long
+walk," said Mary, as she went up stairs.  "Everybody is always
+supposing that I am not a good walker; and yet they would not have been
+pleased, if we had refused to join them.  When people come in this
+manner on purpose to ask us, how can one say no?"
+
+Just as they were setting off, the gentlemen returned.  They had taken
+out a young dog, who had spoilt their sport, and sent them back early.
+Their time and strength, and spirits, were, therefore, exactly ready
+for this walk, and they entered into it with pleasure.  Could Anne have
+foreseen such a junction, she would have staid at home; but, from some
+feelings of interest and curiosity, she fancied now that it was too
+late to retract, and the whole six set forward together in the
+direction chosen by the Miss Musgroves, who evidently considered the
+walk as under their guidance.
+
+Anne's object was, not to be in the way of anybody; and where the
+narrow paths across the fields made many separations necessary, to keep
+with her brother and sister.  Her pleasure in the walk must arise from
+the exercise and the day, from the view of the last smiles of the year
+upon the tawny leaves, and withered hedges, and from repeating to
+herself some few of the thousand poetical descriptions extant of
+autumn, that season of peculiar and inexhaustible influence on the mind
+of taste and tenderness, that season which had drawn from every poet,
+worthy of being read, some attempt at description, or some lines of
+feeling.  She occupied her mind as much as possible in such like
+musings and quotations; but it was not possible, that when within reach
+of Captain Wentworth's conversation with either of the Miss Musgroves,
+she should not try to hear it; yet she caught little very remarkable.
+It was mere lively chat, such as any young persons, on an intimate
+footing, might fall into.  He was more engaged with Louisa than with
+Henrietta.  Louisa certainly put more forward for his notice than her
+sister.  This distinction appeared to increase, and there was one
+speech of Louisa's which struck her.  After one of the many praises of
+the day, which were continually bursting forth, Captain Wentworth
+added:--
+
+"What glorious weather for the Admiral and my sister!  They meant to
+take a long drive this morning; perhaps we may hail them from some of
+these hills.  They talked of coming into this side of the country.  I
+wonder whereabouts they will upset to-day.  Oh! it does happen very
+often, I assure you; but my sister makes nothing of it; she would as
+lieve be tossed out as not."
+
+"Ah! You make the most of it, I know," cried Louisa, "but if it were
+really so, I should do just the same in her place.  If I loved a man,
+as she loves the Admiral, I would always be with him, nothing should
+ever separate us, and I would rather be overturned by him, than driven
+safely by anybody else."
+
+It was spoken with enthusiasm.
+
+"Had you?" cried he, catching the same tone; "I honour you!" And there
+was silence between them for a little while.
+
+Anne could not immediately fall into a quotation again.  The sweet
+scenes of autumn were for a while put by, unless some tender sonnet,
+fraught with the apt analogy of the declining year, with declining
+happiness, and the images of youth and hope, and spring, all gone
+together, blessed her memory.  She roused herself to say, as they
+struck by order into another path, "Is not this one of the ways to
+Winthrop?" But nobody heard, or, at least, nobody answered her.
+
+Winthrop, however, or its environs--for young men are, sometimes to be
+met with, strolling about near home--was their destination; and after
+another half mile of gradual ascent through large enclosures, where the
+ploughs at work, and the fresh made path spoke the farmer counteracting
+the sweets of poetical despondence, and meaning to have spring again,
+they gained the summit of the most considerable hill, which parted
+Uppercross and Winthrop, and soon commanded a full view of the latter,
+at the foot of the hill on the other side.
+
+Winthrop, without beauty and without dignity, was stretched before them;
+an indifferent house, standing low, and hemmed in by the barns and
+buildings of a farm-yard.
+
+Mary exclaimed, "Bless me! here is Winthrop.  I declare I had no idea!
+Well now, I think we had better turn back; I am excessively tired."
+
+Henrietta, conscious and ashamed, and seeing no cousin Charles walking
+along any path, or leaning against any gate, was ready to do as Mary
+wished; but "No!" said Charles Musgrove, and "No, no!" cried Louisa
+more eagerly, and taking her sister aside, seemed to be arguing the
+matter warmly.
+
+Charles, in the meanwhile, was very decidedly declaring his resolution
+of calling on his aunt, now that he was so near; and very evidently,
+though more fearfully, trying to induce his wife to go too.  But this
+was one of the points on which the lady shewed her strength; and when
+he recommended the advantage of resting herself a quarter of an hour at
+Winthrop, as she felt so tired, she resolutely answered, "Oh! no,
+indeed! walking up that hill again would do her more harm than any
+sitting down could do her good;" and, in short, her look and manner
+declared, that go she would not.
+
+After a little succession of these sort of debates and consultations,
+it was settled between Charles and his two sisters, that he and
+Henrietta should just run down for a few minutes, to see their aunt and
+cousins, while the rest of the party waited for them at the top of the
+hill.  Louisa seemed the principal arranger of the plan; and, as she
+went a little way with them, down the hill, still talking to Henrietta,
+Mary took the opportunity of looking scornfully around her, and saying
+to Captain Wentworth--
+
+"It is very unpleasant, having such connexions!  But, I assure you, I
+have never been in the house above twice in my life."
+
+She received no other answer, than an artificial, assenting smile,
+followed by a contemptuous glance, as he turned away, which Anne
+perfectly knew the meaning of.
+
+The brow of the hill, where they remained, was a cheerful spot: Louisa
+returned; and Mary, finding a comfortable seat for herself on the step
+of a stile, was very well satisfied so long as the others all stood
+about her; but when Louisa drew Captain Wentworth away, to try for a
+gleaning of nuts in an adjoining hedge-row, and they were gone by
+degrees quite out of sight and sound, Mary was happy no longer; she
+quarrelled with her own seat, was sure Louisa had got a much better
+somewhere, and nothing could prevent her from going to look for a
+better also.  She turned through the same gate, but could not see them.
+Anne found a nice seat for her, on a dry sunny bank, under the
+hedge-row, in which she had no doubt of their still being, in some spot
+or other.  Mary sat down for a moment, but it would not do; she was
+sure Louisa had found a better seat somewhere else, and she would go on
+till she overtook her.
+
+Anne, really tired herself, was glad to sit down; and she very soon
+heard Captain Wentworth and Louisa in the hedge-row, behind her, as if
+making their way back along the rough, wild sort of channel, down the
+centre.  They were speaking as they drew near.  Louisa's voice was the
+first distinguished.  She seemed to be in the middle of some eager
+speech.  What Anne first heard was--
+
+"And so, I made her go.  I could not bear that she should be frightened
+from the visit by such nonsense.  What! would I be turned back from
+doing a thing that I had determined to do, and that I knew to be right,
+by the airs and interference of such a person, or of any person I may
+say?  No, I have no idea of being so easily persuaded.  When I have
+made up my mind, I have made it; and Henrietta seemed entirely to have
+made up hers to call at Winthrop to-day; and yet, she was as near
+giving it up, out of nonsensical complaisance!"
+
+"She would have turned back then, but for you?"
+
+"She would indeed.  I am almost ashamed to say it."
+
+"Happy for her, to have such a mind as yours at hand!  After the hints
+you gave just now, which did but confirm my own observations, the last
+time I was in company with him,  I need not affect to have no
+comprehension of what is going on.  I see that more than a mere dutiful
+morning visit to your aunt was in question; and woe betide him, and her
+too, when it comes to things of consequence, when they are placed in
+circumstances requiring fortitude and strength of mind, if she have not
+resolution enough to resist idle interference in such a trifle as this.
+Your sister is an amiable creature; but yours is the character of
+decision and firmness, I see.  If you value her conduct or happiness,
+infuse as much of your own spirit into her as you can.  But this, no
+doubt, you have been always doing.  It is the worst evil of too
+yielding and indecisive a character, that no influence over it can be
+depended on.  You are never sure of a good impression being durable;
+everybody may sway it.  Let those who would be happy be firm.  Here is
+a nut," said he, catching one down from an upper bough, "to exemplify:
+a beautiful glossy nut, which, blessed with original strength, has
+outlived all the storms of autumn.  Not a puncture, not a weak spot
+anywhere.  This nut," he continued, with playful solemnity, "while so
+many of his brethren have fallen and been trodden under foot, is still
+in possession of all the happiness that a hazel nut can be supposed
+capable of."  Then returning to his former earnest tone--"My first
+wish for all whom I am interested in, is that they should be firm.  If
+Louisa Musgrove would be beautiful and happy in her November of life,
+she will cherish all her present powers of mind."
+
+He had done, and was unanswered.  It would have surprised Anne if
+Louisa could have readily answered such a speech:  words of such
+interest, spoken with such serious warmth!  She could imagine what
+Louisa was feeling.  For herself, she feared to move, lest she should
+be seen.  While she remained, a bush of low rambling holly protected
+her, and they were moving on.  Before they were beyond her hearing,
+however, Louisa spoke again.
+
+"Mary is good-natured enough in many respects," said she; "but she does
+sometimes provoke me excessively, by her nonsense and pride--the Elliot
+pride.  She has a great deal too much of the Elliot pride.  We do so
+wish that Charles had married Anne instead.  I suppose you know he
+wanted to marry Anne?"
+
+After a moment's pause, Captain Wentworth said--
+
+"Do you mean that she refused him?"
+
+"Oh! yes; certainly."
+
+"When did that happen?"
+
+"I do not exactly know, for Henrietta and I were at school at the time;
+but I believe about a year before he married Mary.  I wish she had
+accepted him.  We should all have liked her a great deal better; and
+papa and mamma always think it was her great friend Lady Russell's
+doing, that she did not.  They think Charles might not be learned and
+bookish enough to please Lady Russell, and that therefore, she
+persuaded Anne to refuse him."
+
+The sounds were retreating, and Anne distinguished no more.  Her own
+emotions still kept her fixed.  She had much to recover from, before
+she could move.  The listener's proverbial fate was not absolutely
+hers; she had heard no evil of herself, but she had heard a great deal
+of very painful import.  She saw how her own character was considered
+by Captain Wentworth, and there had been just that degree of feeling
+and curiosity about her in his manner which must give her extreme
+agitation.
+
+As soon as she could, she went after Mary, and having found, and walked
+back with her to their former station, by the stile, felt some comfort
+in their whole party being immediately afterwards collected, and once
+more in motion together.  Her spirits wanted the solitude and silence
+which only numbers could give.
+
+Charles and Henrietta returned, bringing, as may be conjectured,
+Charles Hayter with them.  The minutiae of the business Anne could not
+attempt to understand; even Captain Wentworth did not seem admitted to
+perfect confidence here; but that there had been a withdrawing on the
+gentleman's side, and a relenting on the lady's, and that they were now
+very glad to be together again, did not admit a doubt.  Henrietta
+looked a little ashamed, but very well pleased;--Charles Hayter
+exceedingly happy:  and they were devoted to each other almost from the
+first instant of their all setting forward for Uppercross.
+
+Everything now marked out Louisa for Captain Wentworth; nothing could
+be plainer; and where many divisions were necessary, or even where they
+were not, they walked side by side nearly as much as the other two.  In
+a long strip of meadow land, where there was ample space for all, they
+were thus divided, forming three distinct parties; and to that party of
+the three which boasted least animation, and least complaisance, Anne
+necessarily belonged.  She joined Charles and Mary, and was tired
+enough to be very glad of Charles's other arm; but Charles, though in
+very good humour with her, was out of temper with his wife.  Mary had
+shewn herself disobliging to him, and was now to reap the consequence,
+which consequence was his dropping her arm almost every moment to cut
+off the heads of some nettles in the hedge with his switch; and when
+Mary began to complain of it, and lament her being ill-used, according
+to custom, in being on the hedge side, while Anne was never incommoded
+on the other, he dropped the arms of both to hunt after a weasel which
+he had a momentary glance of, and they could hardly get him along at
+all.
+
+This long meadow bordered a lane, which their footpath, at the end of
+it was to cross, and when the party had all reached the gate of exit,
+the carriage advancing in the same direction, which had been some time
+heard, was just coming up, and proved to be Admiral Croft's gig.  He
+and his wife had taken their intended drive, and were returning home.
+Upon hearing how long a walk the young people had engaged in, they
+kindly offered a seat to any lady who might be particularly tired; it
+would save her a full mile, and they were going through Uppercross.
+The invitation was general, and generally declined.  The Miss Musgroves
+were not at all tired, and Mary was either offended, by not being asked
+before any of the others, or what Louisa called the Elliot pride could
+not endure to make a third in a one horse chaise.
+
+The walking party had crossed the lane, and were surmounting an
+opposite stile, and the Admiral was putting his horse in motion again,
+when Captain Wentworth cleared the hedge in a moment to say something
+to his sister.  The something might be guessed by its effects.
+
+"Miss Elliot, I am sure you are tired," cried Mrs Croft.  "Do let us
+have the pleasure of taking you home.  Here is excellent room for
+three, I assure you.  If we were all like you, I believe we might sit
+four.  You must, indeed, you must."
+
+Anne was still in the lane; and though instinctively beginning to
+decline, she was not allowed to proceed.  The Admiral's kind urgency
+came in support of his wife's; they would not be refused; they
+compressed themselves into the smallest possible space to leave her a
+corner, and Captain Wentworth, without saying a word, turned to her,
+and quietly obliged her to be assisted into the carriage.
+
+Yes; he had done it.  She was in the carriage, and felt that he had
+placed her there, that his will and his hands had done it, that she
+owed it to his perception of her fatigue, and his resolution to give
+her rest.  She was very much affected by the view of his disposition
+towards her, which all these things made apparent.  This little
+circumstance seemed the completion of all that had gone before.  She
+understood him.  He could not forgive her, but he could not be
+unfeeling.  Though condemning her for the past, and considering it with
+high and unjust resentment, though perfectly careless of her, and
+though becoming attached to another, still he could not see her suffer,
+without the desire of giving her relief.  It was a remainder of former
+sentiment; it was an impulse of pure, though unacknowledged friendship;
+it was a proof of his own warm and amiable heart, which she could not
+contemplate without emotions so compounded of pleasure and pain, that
+she knew not which prevailed.
+
+Her answers to the kindness and the remarks of her companions were at
+first unconsciously given.  They had travelled half their way along the
+rough lane, before she was quite awake to what they said.  She then
+found them talking of "Frederick."
+
+"He certainly means to have one or other of those two girls, Sophy,"
+said the Admiral; "but there is no saying which.  He has been running
+after them, too, long enough, one would think, to make up his mind.
+Ay, this comes of the peace.  If it were war now, he would have settled
+it long ago.  We sailors, Miss Elliot, cannot afford to make long
+courtships in time of war.  How many days was it, my dear, between the
+first time of my seeing you and our sitting down together in our
+lodgings at North Yarmouth?"
+
+"We had better not talk about it, my dear," replied Mrs Croft,
+pleasantly; "for if Miss Elliot were to hear how soon we came to an
+understanding, she would never be persuaded that we could be happy
+together.  I had known you by character, however, long before."
+
+"Well, and I had heard of you as a very pretty girl, and what were we
+to wait for besides?  I do not like having such things so long in hand.
+I wish Frederick would spread a little more canvass, and bring us home
+one of these young ladies to Kellynch.  Then there would always be
+company for them.  And very nice young ladies they both are; I hardly
+know one from the other."
+
+"Very good humoured, unaffected girls, indeed," said Mrs Croft, in a
+tone of calmer praise, such as made Anne suspect that her keener powers
+might not consider either of them as quite worthy of her brother; "and
+a very respectable family.  One could not be connected with better
+people.  My dear Admiral, that post!  we shall certainly take that
+post."
+
+But by coolly giving the reins a better direction herself they happily
+passed the danger; and by once afterwards judiciously putting out her
+hand they neither fell into a rut, nor ran foul of a dung-cart; and
+Anne, with some amusement at their style of driving, which she imagined
+no bad representation of the general guidance of their affairs, found
+herself safely deposited by them at the Cottage.
+
+
+
+Chapter 11
+
+
+The time now approached for Lady Russell's return:  the day was even
+fixed; and Anne, being engaged to join her as soon as she was
+resettled, was looking forward to an early removal to Kellynch, and
+beginning to think how her own comfort was likely to be affected by it.
+
+It would place her in the same village with Captain Wentworth, within
+half a mile of him; they would have to frequent the same church, and
+there must be intercourse between the two families.  This was against
+her; but on the other hand, he spent so much of his time at Uppercross,
+that in removing thence she might be considered rather as leaving him
+behind, than as going towards him; and, upon the whole, she believed
+she must, on this interesting question, be the gainer, almost as
+certainly as in her change of domestic society, in leaving poor Mary
+for Lady Russell.
+
+She wished it might be possible for her to avoid ever seeing Captain
+Wentworth at the Hall:  those rooms had witnessed former meetings which
+would be brought too painfully before her; but she was yet more anxious
+for the possibility of Lady Russell and Captain Wentworth never meeting
+anywhere.  They did not like each other, and no renewal of acquaintance
+now could do any good; and were Lady Russell to see them together, she
+might think that he had too much self-possession, and she too little.
+
+These points formed her chief solicitude in anticipating her removal
+from Uppercross, where she felt she had been stationed quite long
+enough.  Her usefulness to little Charles would always give some
+sweetness to the memory of her two months' visit there, but he was
+gaining strength apace, and she had nothing else to stay for.
+
+The conclusion of her visit, however, was diversified in a way which
+she had not at all imagined.  Captain Wentworth, after being unseen and
+unheard of at Uppercross for two whole days, appeared again among them
+to justify himself by a relation of what had kept him away.
+
+A letter from his friend, Captain Harville, having found him out at
+last, had brought intelligence of Captain Harville's being settled with
+his family at Lyme for the winter; of their being therefore, quite
+unknowingly, within twenty miles of each other.  Captain Harville had
+never been in good health since a severe wound which he received two
+years before, and Captain Wentworth's anxiety to see him had determined
+him to go immediately to Lyme.  He had been there for four-and-twenty
+hours.  His acquittal was complete, his friendship warmly honoured, a
+lively interest excited for his friend, and his description of the fine
+country about Lyme so feelingly attended to by the party, that an
+earnest desire to see Lyme themselves, and a project for going thither
+was the consequence.
+
+The young people were all wild to see Lyme.  Captain Wentworth talked
+of going there again himself, it was only seventeen miles from
+Uppercross; though November, the weather was by no means bad; and, in
+short, Louisa, who was the most eager of the eager, having formed the
+resolution to go, and besides the pleasure of doing as she liked, being
+now armed with the idea of merit in maintaining her own way, bore down
+all the wishes of her father and mother for putting it off till summer;
+and to Lyme they were to go--Charles, Mary, Anne, Henrietta, Louisa,
+and Captain Wentworth.
+
+The first heedless scheme had been to go in the morning and return at
+night; but to this Mr Musgrove, for the sake of his horses, would not
+consent; and when it came to be rationally considered, a day in the
+middle of November would not leave much time for seeing a new place,
+after deducting seven hours, as the nature of the country required, for
+going and returning.  They were, consequently, to stay the night there,
+and not to be expected back till the next day's dinner.  This was felt
+to be a considerable amendment; and though they all met at the Great
+House at rather an early breakfast hour, and set off very punctually,
+it was so much past noon before the two carriages, Mr Musgrove's coach
+containing the four ladies, and Charles's curricle, in which he drove
+Captain Wentworth, were descending the long hill into Lyme, and
+entering upon the still steeper street of the town itself, that it was
+very evident they would not have more than time for looking about them,
+before the light and warmth of the day were gone.
+
+After securing accommodations, and ordering a dinner at one of the
+inns, the next thing to be done was unquestionably to walk directly
+down to the sea.  They were come too late in the year for any amusement
+or variety which Lyme, as a public place, might offer.  The rooms were
+shut up, the lodgers almost all gone, scarcely any family but of the
+residents left; and, as there is nothing to admire in the buildings
+themselves, the remarkable situation of the town, the principal street
+almost hurrying into the water, the walk to the Cobb, skirting round
+the pleasant little bay, which, in the season, is animated with bathing
+machines and company; the Cobb itself, its old wonders and new
+improvements, with the very beautiful line of cliffs stretching out to
+the east of the town, are what the stranger's eye will seek; and a very
+strange stranger it must be, who does not see charms in the immediate
+environs of Lyme, to make him wish to know it better.  The scenes in
+its neighbourhood, Charmouth, with its high grounds and extensive
+sweeps of country, and still more, its sweet, retired bay, backed by
+dark cliffs, where fragments of low rock among the sands, make it the
+happiest spot for watching the flow of the tide, for sitting in
+unwearied contemplation; the woody varieties of the cheerful village of
+Up Lyme; and, above all, Pinny, with its green chasms between romantic
+rocks, where the scattered forest trees and orchards of luxuriant
+growth, declare that many a generation must have passed away since the
+first partial falling of the cliff prepared the ground for such a
+state, where a scene so wonderful and so lovely is exhibited, as may
+more than equal any of the resembling scenes of the far-famed Isle of
+Wight:  these places must be visited, and visited again, to make the
+worth of Lyme understood.
+
+The party from Uppercross passing down by the now deserted and
+melancholy looking rooms, and still descending, soon found themselves
+on the sea-shore; and lingering only, as all must linger and gaze on a
+first return to the sea, who ever deserved to look on it at all,
+proceeded towards the Cobb, equally their object in itself and on
+Captain Wentworth's account:  for in a small house, near the foot of an
+old pier of unknown date, were the Harvilles settled.  Captain
+Wentworth turned in to call on his friend; the others walked on, and he
+was to join them on the Cobb.
+
+They were by no means tired of wondering and admiring; and not even
+Louisa seemed to feel that they had parted with Captain Wentworth long,
+when they saw him coming after them, with three companions, all well
+known already, by description, to be Captain and Mrs Harville, and a
+Captain Benwick, who was staying with them.
+
+Captain Benwick had some time ago been first lieutenant of the Laconia;
+and the account which Captain Wentworth had given of him, on his return
+from Lyme before, his warm praise of him as an excellent young man and
+an officer, whom he had always valued highly, which must have stamped
+him well in the esteem of every listener, had been followed by a little
+history of his private life, which rendered him perfectly interesting
+in the eyes of all the ladies.  He had been engaged to Captain
+Harville's sister, and was now mourning her loss.  They had been a year
+or two waiting for fortune and promotion.  Fortune came, his
+prize-money as lieutenant being great; promotion, too, came at last;
+but Fanny Harville did not live to know it.  She had died the preceding
+summer while he was at sea.  Captain Wentworth believed it impossible
+for man to be more attached to woman than poor Benwick had been to
+Fanny Harville, or to be more deeply afflicted under the dreadful
+change.  He considered his disposition as of the sort which must suffer
+heavily, uniting very strong feelings with quiet, serious, and retiring
+manners, and a decided taste for reading, and sedentary pursuits.  To
+finish the interest of the story, the friendship between him and the
+Harvilles seemed, if possible, augmented by the event which closed all
+their views of alliance, and Captain Benwick was now living with them
+entirely.  Captain Harville had taken his present house for half a
+year; his taste, and his health, and his fortune, all directing him to
+a residence inexpensive, and by the sea; and the grandeur of the
+country, and the retirement of Lyme in the winter, appeared exactly
+adapted to Captain Benwick's state of mind.  The sympathy and good-will
+excited towards Captain Benwick was very great.
+
+"And yet," said Anne to herself, as they now moved forward to meet the
+party, "he has not, perhaps, a more sorrowing heart than I have.  I
+cannot believe his prospects so blighted for ever.  He is younger than
+I am; younger in feeling, if not in fact; younger as a man.  He will
+rally again, and be happy with another."
+
+They all met, and were introduced.  Captain Harville was a tall, dark
+man, with a sensible, benevolent countenance; a little lame; and from
+strong features and want of health, looking much older than Captain
+Wentworth.  Captain Benwick looked, and was, the youngest of the three,
+and, compared with either of them, a little man.  He had a pleasing
+face and a melancholy air, just as he ought to have, and drew back from
+conversation.
+
+Captain Harville, though not equalling Captain Wentworth in manners,
+was a perfect gentleman, unaffected, warm, and obliging.  Mrs Harville,
+a degree less polished than her husband, seemed, however, to have the
+same good feelings; and nothing could be more pleasant than their
+desire of considering the whole party as friends of their own, because
+the friends of Captain Wentworth, or more kindly hospitable than their
+entreaties for their all promising to dine with them.  The dinner,
+already ordered at the inn, was at last, though unwillingly, accepted
+as a excuse; but they seemed almost hurt that Captain Wentworth should
+have brought any such party to Lyme, without considering it as a thing
+of course that they should dine with them.
+
+There was so much attachment to Captain Wentworth in all this, and such
+a bewitching charm in a degree of hospitality so uncommon, so unlike
+the usual style of give-and-take invitations, and dinners of formality
+and display, that Anne felt her spirits not likely to be benefited by
+an increasing acquaintance among his brother-officers.  "These would
+have been all my friends," was her thought; and she had to struggle
+against a great tendency to lowness.
+
+On quitting the Cobb, they all went in-doors with their new friends,
+and found rooms so small as none but those who invite from the heart
+could think capable of accommodating so many.  Anne had a moment's
+astonishment on the subject herself; but it was soon lost in the
+pleasanter feelings which sprang from the sight of all the ingenious
+contrivances and nice arrangements of Captain Harville, to turn the
+actual space to the best account, to supply the deficiencies of
+lodging-house furniture, and defend the windows and doors against the
+winter storms to be expected.  The varieties in the fitting-up of the
+rooms, where the common necessaries provided by the owner, in the
+common indifferent plight, were contrasted with some few articles of a
+rare species of wood, excellently worked up, and with something curious
+and valuable from all the distant countries Captain Harville had
+visited, were more than amusing to Anne; connected as it all was with
+his profession, the fruit of its labours, the effect of its influence
+on his habits, the picture of repose and domestic happiness it
+presented, made it to her a something more, or less, than gratification.
+
+Captain Harville was no reader; but he had contrived excellent
+accommodations, and fashioned very pretty shelves, for a tolerable
+collection of well-bound volumes, the property of Captain Benwick.  His
+lameness prevented him from taking much exercise; but a mind of
+usefulness and ingenuity seemed to furnish him with constant employment
+within.  He drew, he varnished, he carpentered, he glued; he made toys
+for the children; he fashioned new netting-needles and pins with
+improvements; and if everything else was done, sat down to his large
+fishing-net at one corner of the room.
+
+Anne thought she left great happiness behind her when they quitted the
+house; and Louisa, by whom she found herself walking, burst forth into
+raptures of admiration and delight on the character of the navy; their
+friendliness, their brotherliness, their openness, their uprightness;
+protesting that she was convinced of sailors having more worth and
+warmth than any other set of men in England; that they only knew how to
+live, and they only deserved to be respected and loved.
+
+They went back to dress and dine; and so well had the scheme answered
+already, that nothing was found amiss; though its being "so entirely
+out of season," and the "no thoroughfare of Lyme," and the "no
+expectation of company," had brought many apologies from the heads of
+the inn.
+
+Anne found herself by this time growing so much more hardened to being
+in Captain Wentworth's company than she had at first imagined could
+ever be, that the sitting down to the same table with him now, and the
+interchange of the common civilities attending on it (they never got
+beyond), was become a mere nothing.
+
+The nights were too dark for the ladies to meet again till the morrow,
+but Captain Harville had promised them a visit in the evening; and he
+came, bringing his friend also, which was more than had been expected,
+it having been agreed that Captain Benwick had all the appearance of
+being oppressed by the presence of so many strangers.  He ventured
+among them again, however, though his spirits certainly did not seem
+fit for the mirth of the party in general.
+
+While Captains Wentworth and Harville led the talk on one side of the
+room, and by recurring to former days, supplied anecdotes in abundance
+to occupy and entertain the others, it fell to Anne's lot to be placed
+rather apart with Captain Benwick; and a very good impulse of her
+nature obliged her to begin an acquaintance with him.  He was shy, and
+disposed to abstraction; but the engaging mildness of her countenance,
+and gentleness of her manners, soon had their effect; and Anne was well
+repaid the first trouble of exertion.  He was evidently a young man of
+considerable taste in reading, though principally in poetry; and
+besides the persuasion of having given him at least an evening's
+indulgence in the discussion of subjects, which his usual companions
+had probably no concern in, she had the hope of being of real use to
+him in some suggestions as to the duty and benefit of struggling
+against affliction, which had naturally grown out of their
+conversation.  For, though shy, he did not seem reserved; it had rather
+the appearance of feelings glad to burst their usual restraints; and
+having talked of poetry, the richness of the present age, and gone
+through a brief comparison of opinion as to the first-rate poets,
+trying to ascertain whether Marmion or The Lady of the Lake were to be
+preferred, and how ranked the Giaour and The Bride of Abydos; and
+moreover, how the Giaour was to be pronounced, he showed himself so
+intimately acquainted with all the tenderest songs of the one poet, and
+all the impassioned descriptions of hopeless agony of the other; he
+repeated, with such tremulous feeling, the various lines which imaged a
+broken heart, or a mind destroyed by wretchedness, and looked so
+entirely as if he meant to be understood, that she ventured to hope he
+did not always read only poetry, and to say, that she thought it was
+the misfortune of poetry to be seldom safely enjoyed by those who
+enjoyed it completely; and that the strong feelings which alone could
+estimate it truly were the very feelings which ought to taste it but
+sparingly.
+
+His looks shewing him not pained, but pleased with this allusion to his
+situation, she was emboldened to go on; and feeling in herself the
+right of seniority of mind, she ventured to recommend a larger
+allowance of prose in his daily study; and on being requested to
+particularize, mentioned such works of our best moralists, such
+collections of the finest letters, such memoirs of characters of worth
+and suffering, as occurred to her at the moment as calculated to rouse
+and fortify the mind by the highest precepts, and the strongest
+examples of moral and religious endurances.
+
+Captain Benwick listened attentively, and seemed grateful for the
+interest implied; and though with a shake of the head, and sighs which
+declared his little faith in the efficacy of any books on grief like
+his, noted down the names of those she recommended, and promised to
+procure and read them.
+
+When the evening was over, Anne could not but be amused at the idea of
+her coming to Lyme to preach patience and resignation to a young man
+whom she had never seen before; nor could she help fearing, on more
+serious reflection, that, like many other great moralists and
+preachers, she had been eloquent on a point in which her own conduct
+would ill bear examination.
+
+
+
+Chapter 12
+
+
+Anne and Henrietta, finding themselves the earliest of the party the
+next morning, agreed to stroll down to the sea before breakfast.  They
+went to the sands, to watch the flowing of the tide, which a fine
+south-easterly breeze was bringing in with all the grandeur which so
+flat a shore admitted.  They praised the morning; gloried in the sea;
+sympathized in the delight of the fresh-feeling breeze--and were
+silent; till Henrietta suddenly began again with--
+
+"Oh! yes,--I am quite convinced that, with very few exceptions, the
+sea-air always does good.  There can be no doubt of its having been of
+the greatest service to Dr Shirley, after his illness, last spring
+twelve-month.  He declares himself, that coming to Lyme for a month,
+did him more good than all the medicine he took; and, that being by the
+sea, always makes him feel young again.  Now, I cannot help thinking it
+a pity that he does not live entirely by the sea.  I do think he had
+better leave Uppercross entirely, and fix at Lyme.  Do not you, Anne?
+Do not you agree with me, that it is the best thing he could do, both
+for himself and Mrs Shirley?  She has cousins here, you know, and many
+acquaintance, which would make it cheerful for her, and I am sure she
+would be glad to get to a place where she could have medical attendance
+at hand, in case of his having another seizure.  Indeed I think it
+quite melancholy to have such excellent people as Dr and Mrs Shirley,
+who have been doing good all their lives, wearing out their last days
+in a place like Uppercross, where, excepting our family, they seem shut
+out from all the world.  I wish his friends would propose it to him.  I
+really think they ought.  And, as to procuring a dispensation, there
+could be no difficulty at his time of life, and with his character.  My
+only doubt is, whether anything could persuade him to leave his parish.
+He is so very strict and scrupulous in his notions; over-scrupulous I
+must say.  Do not you think, Anne, it is being over-scrupulous?  Do not
+you think it is quite a mistaken point of conscience, when a clergyman
+sacrifices his health for the sake of duties, which may be just as well
+performed by another person?  And at Lyme too, only seventeen miles
+off, he would be near enough to hear, if people thought there was
+anything to complain of."
+
+Anne smiled more than once to herself during this speech, and entered
+into the subject, as ready to do good by entering into the feelings of
+a young lady as of a young man, though here it was good of a lower
+standard, for what could be offered but general acquiescence?  She said
+all that was reasonable and proper on the business; felt the claims of
+Dr Shirley to repose as she ought; saw how very desirable it was that
+he should have some active, respectable young man, as a resident
+curate, and was even courteous enough to hint at the advantage of such
+resident curate's being married.
+
+"I wish," said Henrietta, very well pleased with her companion, "I wish
+Lady Russell lived at Uppercross, and were intimate with Dr Shirley.  I
+have always heard of Lady Russell as a woman of the greatest influence
+with everybody!  I always look upon her as able to persuade a person to
+anything!  I am afraid of her, as I have told you before, quite afraid
+of her, because she is so very clever; but I respect her amazingly, and
+wish we had such a neighbour at Uppercross."
+
+Anne was amused by Henrietta's manner of being grateful, and amused
+also that the course of events and the new interests of Henrietta's
+views should have placed her friend at all in favour with any of the
+Musgrove family; she had only time, however, for a general answer, and
+a wish that such another woman were at Uppercross, before all subjects
+suddenly ceased, on seeing Louisa and Captain Wentworth coming towards
+them.  They came also for a stroll till breakfast was likely to be
+ready; but Louisa recollecting, immediately afterwards that she had
+something to procure at a shop, invited them all to go back with her
+into the town.  They were all at her disposal.
+
+When they came to the steps, leading upwards from the beach, a
+gentleman, at the same moment preparing to come down, politely drew
+back, and stopped to give them way.  They ascended and passed him; and
+as they passed, Anne's face caught his eye, and he looked at her with a
+degree of earnest admiration, which she could not be insensible of.
+She was looking remarkably well; her very regular, very pretty
+features, having the bloom and freshness of youth restored by the fine
+wind which had been blowing on her complexion, and by the animation of
+eye which it had also produced.  It was evident that the gentleman,
+(completely a gentleman in manner) admired her exceedingly.  Captain
+Wentworth looked round at her instantly in a way which shewed his
+noticing of it.  He gave her a momentary glance, a glance of
+brightness, which seemed to say, "That man is struck with you, and even
+I, at this moment, see something like Anne Elliot again."
+
+After attending Louisa through her business, and loitering about a
+little longer, they returned to the inn; and Anne, in passing
+afterwards quickly from her own chamber to their dining-room, had
+nearly run against the very same gentleman, as he came out of an
+adjoining apartment.  She had before conjectured him to be a stranger
+like themselves, and determined that a well-looking groom, who was
+strolling about near the two inns as they came back, should be his
+servant.  Both master and man being in mourning assisted the idea.  It
+was now proved that he belonged to the same inn as themselves; and this
+second meeting, short as it was, also proved again by the gentleman's
+looks, that he thought hers very lovely, and by the readiness and
+propriety of his apologies, that he was a man of exceedingly good
+manners.  He seemed about thirty, and though not handsome, had an
+agreeable person.  Anne felt that she should like to know who he was.
+
+They had nearly done breakfast, when the sound of a carriage, (almost
+the first they had heard since entering Lyme) drew half the party to
+the window.  It was a gentleman's carriage, a curricle, but only coming
+round from the stable-yard to the front door; somebody must be going
+away.  It was driven by a servant in mourning.
+
+The word curricle made Charles Musgrove jump up that he might compare
+it with his own; the servant in mourning roused Anne's curiosity, and
+the whole six were collected to look, by the time the owner of the
+curricle was to be seen issuing from the door amidst the bows and
+civilities of the household, and taking his seat, to drive off.
+
+"Ah!" cried Captain Wentworth, instantly, and with half a glance at
+Anne, "it is the very man we passed."
+
+The Miss Musgroves agreed to it; and having all kindly watched him as
+far up the hill as they could, they returned to the breakfast table.
+The waiter came into the room soon afterwards.
+
+"Pray," said Captain Wentworth, immediately, "can you tell us the name
+of the gentleman who is just gone away?"
+
+"Yes, Sir, a Mr Elliot, a gentleman of large fortune, came in last
+night from Sidmouth.  Dare say you heard the carriage, sir, while you
+were at dinner; and going on now for Crewkherne, in his way to Bath and
+London."
+
+"Elliot!"  Many had looked on each other, and many had repeated the
+name, before all this had been got through, even by the smart rapidity
+of a waiter.
+
+"Bless me!" cried Mary; "it must be our cousin; it must be our Mr
+Elliot, it must, indeed!  Charles, Anne, must not it?  In mourning, you
+see, just as our Mr Elliot must be.  How very extraordinary!  In the
+very same inn with us!  Anne, must not it be our Mr Elliot?  my
+father's next heir?  Pray sir," turning to the waiter, "did not you
+hear, did not his servant say whether he belonged to the Kellynch
+family?"
+
+"No, ma'am, he did not mention no particular family; but he said his
+master was a very rich gentleman, and would be a baronight some day."
+
+"There! you see!" cried Mary in an ecstasy, "just as I said!  Heir to
+Sir Walter Elliot!  I was sure that would come out, if it was so.
+Depend upon it, that is a circumstance which his servants take care to
+publish, wherever he goes.  But, Anne, only conceive how extraordinary!
+I wish I had looked at him more.  I wish we had been aware in time, who
+it was, that he might have been introduced to us.  What a pity that we
+should not have been introduced to each other!  Do you think he had the
+Elliot countenance?  I hardly looked at him, I was looking at the
+horses; but I think he had something of the Elliot countenance, I
+wonder the arms did not strike me!  Oh! the great-coat was hanging over
+the panel, and hid the arms, so it did; otherwise, I am sure, I should
+have observed them, and the livery too; if the servant had not been in
+mourning, one should have known him by the livery."
+
+"Putting all these very extraordinary circumstances together," said
+Captain Wentworth, "we must consider it to be the arrangement of
+Providence, that you should not be introduced to your cousin."
+
+When she could command Mary's attention, Anne quietly tried to convince
+her that their father and Mr Elliot had not, for many years, been on
+such terms as to make the power of attempting an introduction at all
+desirable.
+
+At the same time, however, it was a secret gratification to herself to
+have seen her cousin, and to know that the future owner of Kellynch was
+undoubtedly a gentleman, and had an air of good sense.  She would not,
+upon any account, mention her having met with him the second time;
+luckily Mary did not much attend to their having passed close by him in
+their earlier walk, but she would have felt quite ill-used by Anne's
+having actually run against him in the passage, and received his very
+polite excuses, while she had never been near him at all; no, that
+cousinly little interview must remain a perfect secret.
+
+"Of course," said Mary, "you will mention our seeing Mr Elliot, the
+next time you write to Bath.  I think my father certainly ought to hear
+of it; do mention all about him."
+
+Anne avoided a direct reply, but it was just the circumstance which she
+considered as not merely unnecessary to be communicated, but as what
+ought to be suppressed.  The offence which had been given her father,
+many years back, she knew; Elizabeth's particular share in it she
+suspected; and that Mr Elliot's idea always produced irritation in both
+was beyond a doubt.  Mary never wrote to Bath herself; all the toil of
+keeping up a slow and unsatisfactory correspondence with Elizabeth fell
+on Anne.
+
+Breakfast had not been long over, when they were joined by Captain and
+Mrs Harville and Captain Benwick; with whom they had appointed to take
+their last walk about Lyme.  They ought to be setting off for
+Uppercross by one, and in the meanwhile were to be all together, and
+out of doors as long as they could.
+
+Anne found Captain Benwick getting near her, as soon as they were all
+fairly in the street.  Their conversation the preceding evening did not
+disincline him to seek her again; and they walked together some time,
+talking as before of Mr Scott and Lord Byron, and still as unable as
+before, and as unable as any other two readers, to think exactly alike
+of the merits of either, till something occasioned an almost general
+change amongst their party, and instead of Captain Benwick, she had
+Captain Harville by her side.
+
+"Miss Elliot," said he, speaking rather low, "you have done a good deed
+in making that poor fellow talk so much.  I wish he could have such
+company oftener.  It is bad for him, I know, to be shut up as he is;
+but what can we do?  We cannot part."
+
+"No," said Anne, "that I can easily believe to be impossible; but in
+time, perhaps--we know what time does in every case of affliction, and
+you must remember, Captain Harville, that your friend may yet be called
+a young mourner--only last summer, I understand."
+
+"Ay, true enough," (with a deep sigh) "only June."
+
+"And not known to him, perhaps, so soon."
+
+"Not till the first week of August, when he came home from the Cape,
+just made into the Grappler.  I was at Plymouth dreading to hear of
+him; he sent in letters, but the Grappler was under orders for
+Portsmouth.  There the news must follow him, but who was to tell it?
+not I.  I would as soon have been run up to the yard-arm.  Nobody could
+do it, but that good fellow" (pointing to Captain Wentworth.)  "The
+Laconia had come into Plymouth the week before; no danger of her being
+sent to sea again.  He stood his chance for the rest; wrote up for
+leave of absence, but without waiting the return, travelled night and
+day till he got to Portsmouth, rowed off to the Grappler that instant,
+and never left the poor fellow for a week.  That's what he did, and
+nobody else could have saved poor James.  You may think, Miss Elliot,
+whether he is dear to us!"
+
+Anne did think on the question with perfect decision, and said as much
+in reply as her own feeling could accomplish, or as his seemed able to
+bear, for he was too much affected to renew the subject, and when he
+spoke again, it was of something totally different.
+
+Mrs Harville's giving it as her opinion that her husband would have
+quite walking enough by the time he reached home, determined the
+direction of all the party in what was to be their last walk; they
+would accompany them to their door, and then return and set off
+themselves.  By all their calculations there was just time for this;
+but as they drew near the Cobb, there was such a general wish to walk
+along it once more, all were so inclined, and Louisa soon grew so
+determined, that the difference of a quarter of an hour, it was found,
+would be no difference at all; so with all the kind leave-taking, and
+all the kind interchange of invitations and promises which may be
+imagined, they parted from Captain and Mrs Harville at their own door,
+and still accompanied by Captain Benwick, who seemed to cling to them
+to the last, proceeded to make the proper adieus to the Cobb.
+
+Anne found Captain Benwick again drawing near her.  Lord Byron's "dark
+blue seas" could not fail of being brought forward by their present
+view, and she gladly gave him all her attention as long as attention
+was possible.  It was soon drawn, perforce another way.
+
+There was too much wind to make the high part of the new Cobb pleasant
+for the ladies, and they agreed to get down the steps to the lower, and
+all were contented to pass quietly and carefully down the steep flight,
+excepting Louisa; she must be jumped down them by Captain Wentworth.
+In all their walks, he had had to jump her from the stiles; the
+sensation was delightful to her.  The hardness of the pavement for her
+feet, made him less willing upon the present occasion; he did it,
+however.  She was safely down, and instantly, to show her enjoyment,
+ran up the steps to be jumped down again.  He advised her against it,
+thought the jar too great; but no, he reasoned and talked in vain, she
+smiled and said, "I am determined I will:" he put out his hands; she
+was too precipitate by half a second, she fell on the pavement on the
+Lower Cobb, and was taken up lifeless!  There was no wound, no blood,
+no visible bruise; but her eyes were closed, she breathed not, her face
+was like death.  The horror of the moment to all who stood around!
+
+Captain Wentworth, who had caught her up, knelt with her in his arms,
+looking on her with a face as pallid as her own, in an agony of
+silence.  "She is dead! she is dead!" screamed Mary, catching hold of
+her husband, and contributing with his own horror to make him
+immoveable; and in another moment, Henrietta, sinking under the
+conviction, lost her senses too, and would have fallen on the steps,
+but for Captain Benwick and Anne, who caught and supported her between
+them.
+
+"Is there no one to help me?" were the first words which burst from
+Captain Wentworth, in a tone of despair, and as if all his own strength
+were gone.
+
+"Go to him, go to him," cried Anne, "for heaven's sake go to him.  I
+can support her myself.  Leave me, and go to him.  Rub her hands, rub
+her temples; here are salts; take them, take them."
+
+Captain Benwick obeyed, and Charles at the same moment, disengaging
+himself from his wife, they were both with him; and Louisa was raised
+up and supported more firmly between them, and everything was done that
+Anne had prompted, but in vain; while Captain Wentworth, staggering
+against the wall for his support, exclaimed in the bitterest agony--
+
+"Oh God! her father and mother!"
+
+"A surgeon!" said Anne.
+
+He caught the word; it seemed to rouse him at once, and saying only--
+"True, true, a surgeon this instant," was darting away, when Anne
+eagerly suggested--
+
+"Captain Benwick, would not it be better for Captain Benwick?  He knows
+where a surgeon is to be found."
+
+Every one capable of thinking felt the advantage of the idea, and in a
+moment (it was all done in rapid moments) Captain Benwick had resigned
+the poor corpse-like  figure entirely to the brother's care, and was
+off for the town with the utmost rapidity.
+
+As to the wretched party left behind, it could scarcely be said which
+of the three, who were completely rational, was suffering most: Captain
+Wentworth, Anne, or Charles, who, really a very affectionate brother,
+hung over Louisa with sobs of grief, and could only turn his eyes from
+one sister, to see the other in a state as insensible, or to witness
+the hysterical agitations of his wife, calling on him for help which he
+could not give.
+
+Anne, attending with all the strength and zeal, and thought, which
+instinct supplied, to Henrietta, still tried, at intervals, to suggest
+comfort to the others, tried to quiet Mary, to animate Charles, to
+assuage the feelings of Captain Wentworth.  Both seemed to look to her
+for directions.
+
+"Anne, Anne," cried Charles, "What is to be done next?  What, in
+heaven's name, is to be done next?"
+
+Captain Wentworth's eyes were also turned towards her.
+
+"Had not she better be carried to the inn?  Yes, I am sure: carry her
+gently to the inn."
+
+"Yes, yes, to the inn," repeated Captain Wentworth, comparatively
+collected, and eager to be doing something.  "I will carry her myself.
+Musgrove, take care of the others."
+
+By this time the report of the accident had spread among the workmen
+and boatmen about the Cobb, and many were collected near them, to be
+useful if wanted, at any rate, to enjoy the sight of a dead young lady,
+nay, two dead young ladies, for it proved twice as fine as the first
+report.  To some of the best-looking of these good people Henrietta was
+consigned, for, though partially revived, she was quite helpless; and
+in this manner, Anne walking by her side, and Charles attending to his
+wife, they set forward, treading back with feelings unutterable, the
+ground, which so lately, so very lately, and so light of heart, they
+had passed along.
+
+They were not off the Cobb, before the Harvilles met them.  Captain
+Benwick had been seen flying by their house, with a countenance which
+showed something to be wrong; and they had set off immediately,
+informed and directed as they passed, towards the spot.  Shocked as
+Captain Harville was, he brought senses and nerves that could be
+instantly useful; and a look between him and his wife decided what was
+to be done.  She must be taken to their house; all must go to their
+house; and await the surgeon's arrival there.  They would not listen to
+scruples:  he was obeyed; they were all beneath his roof; and while
+Louisa, under Mrs Harville's direction, was conveyed up stairs, and
+given possession of her own bed, assistance, cordials, restoratives
+were supplied by her husband to all who needed them.
+
+Louisa had once opened her eyes, but soon closed them again, without
+apparent consciousness.  This had been a proof of life, however, of
+service to her sister; and Henrietta, though perfectly incapable of
+being in the same room with Louisa, was kept, by the agitation of hope
+and fear, from a return of her own insensibility.  Mary, too, was
+growing calmer.
+
+The surgeon was with them almost before it had seemed possible.  They
+were sick with horror, while he examined; but he was not hopeless.  The
+head had received a severe contusion, but he had seen greater injuries
+recovered from:  he was by no means hopeless; he spoke cheerfully.
+
+That he did not regard it as a desperate case, that he did not say a
+few hours must end it, was at first felt, beyond the hope of most; and
+the ecstasy of such a reprieve, the rejoicing, deep and silent, after a
+few fervent ejaculations of gratitude to Heaven had been offered, may
+be conceived.
+
+The tone, the look, with which "Thank God!" was uttered by Captain
+Wentworth, Anne was sure could never be forgotten by her; nor the sight
+of him afterwards, as he sat near a table, leaning over it with folded
+arms and face concealed, as if overpowered by the various feelings of
+his soul, and trying by prayer and reflection to calm them.
+
+Louisa's limbs had escaped.  There was no injury but to the head.
+
+It now became necessary for the party to consider what was best to be
+done, as to their general situation.  They were now able to speak to
+each other and consult.  That Louisa must remain where she was, however
+distressing to her friends to be involving the Harvilles in such
+trouble, did not admit a doubt.  Her removal was impossible.  The
+Harvilles silenced all scruples; and, as much as they could, all
+gratitude.  They had looked forward and arranged everything before the
+others began to reflect.  Captain Benwick must give up his room to
+them, and get another bed elsewhere; and the whole was settled.  They
+were only concerned that the house could accommodate no more; and yet
+perhaps, by "putting the children away in the maid's room, or swinging
+a cot somewhere," they could hardly bear to think of not finding room
+for two or three besides, supposing they might wish to stay; though,
+with regard to any attendance on Miss Musgrove, there need not be the
+least uneasiness in leaving her to Mrs Harville's care entirely.  Mrs
+Harville was a very experienced nurse, and her nursery-maid, who had
+lived with her long, and gone about with her everywhere, was just such
+another.  Between these two, she could want no possible attendance by
+day or night.  And all this was said with a truth and sincerity of
+feeling irresistible.
+
+Charles, Henrietta, and Captain Wentworth were the three in
+consultation, and for a little while it was only an interchange of
+perplexity and terror.  "Uppercross, the necessity of some one's going
+to Uppercross; the news to be conveyed; how it could be broken to Mr
+and Mrs Musgrove; the lateness of the morning; an hour already gone
+since they ought to have been off; the impossibility of being in
+tolerable time." At first, they were capable of nothing more to the
+purpose than such exclamations; but, after a while, Captain Wentworth,
+exerting himself, said--
+
+"We must be decided, and without the loss of another minute.  Every
+minute is valuable.  Some one must resolve on being off for Uppercross
+instantly.  Musgrove, either you or I must go."
+
+Charles agreed, but declared his resolution of not going away.  He
+would be as little incumbrance as possible to Captain and Mrs Harville;
+but as to leaving his sister in such a state, he neither ought, nor
+would.  So far it was decided; and Henrietta at first declared the
+same.  She, however, was soon persuaded to think differently.  The
+usefulness of her staying!  She who had not been able to remain in
+Louisa's room, or to look at her, without sufferings which made her
+worse than helpless!  She was forced to acknowledge that she could do
+no good, yet was still unwilling to be away, till, touched by the
+thought of her father and mother, she gave it up; she consented, she
+was anxious to be at home.
+
+The plan had reached this point, when Anne, coming quietly down from
+Louisa's room, could not but hear what followed, for the parlour door
+was open.
+
+"Then it is settled, Musgrove," cried Captain Wentworth, "that you
+stay, and that I take care of your sister home.  But as to the rest, as
+to the others, if one stays to assist Mrs Harville, I think it need be
+only one.  Mrs Charles Musgrove will, of course, wish to get back to
+her children; but if Anne will stay, no one so proper, so capable as
+Anne."
+
+She paused a moment to recover from the emotion of hearing herself so
+spoken of.  The other two warmly agreed with what he said, and she then
+appeared.
+
+"You will stay, I am sure; you will stay and nurse her;" cried he,
+turning to her and speaking with a glow, and yet a gentleness, which
+seemed almost restoring the past.  She coloured deeply, and he
+recollected himself and moved away.  She expressed herself most
+willing, ready, happy to remain.  "It was what she had been thinking
+of, and wishing to be allowed to do.  A bed on the floor in Louisa's
+room would be sufficient for her, if Mrs Harville would but think so."
+
+One thing more, and all seemed arranged.  Though it was rather
+desirable that Mr and Mrs Musgrove should be previously alarmed by some
+share of delay; yet the time required by the Uppercross horses to take
+them back, would be a dreadful extension of suspense; and Captain
+Wentworth proposed, and Charles Musgrove agreed, that it would be much
+better for him to take a chaise from the inn, and leave Mr Musgrove's
+carriage and horses to be sent home the next morning early, when there
+would be the farther advantage of sending an account of Louisa's night.
+
+Captain Wentworth now hurried off to get everything ready on his part,
+and to be soon followed by the two ladies.  When the plan was made
+known to Mary, however, there was an end of all peace in it.  She was
+so wretched and so vehement, complained so much of injustice in being
+expected to go away instead of Anne; Anne, who was nothing to Louisa,
+while she was her sister, and had the best right to stay in Henrietta's
+stead!  Why was not she to be as useful as Anne?  And to go home
+without Charles, too, without her husband!  No, it was too unkind.  And
+in short, she said more than her husband could long withstand, and as
+none of the others could oppose when he gave way, there was no help for
+it; the change of Mary for Anne was inevitable.
+
+Anne had never submitted more reluctantly to the jealous and
+ill-judging claims of Mary; but so it must be, and they set off for the
+town, Charles taking care of his sister, and Captain Benwick attending
+to her.  She gave a moment's recollection, as they hurried along, to
+the little circumstances which the same spots had witnessed earlier in
+the morning.  There she had listened to Henrietta's schemes for Dr
+Shirley's leaving Uppercross; farther on, she had first seen Mr Elliot;
+a moment seemed all that could now be given to any one but Louisa, or
+those who were wrapt up in her welfare.
+
+Captain Benwick was most considerately attentive to her; and, united as
+they all seemed by the distress of the day, she felt an increasing
+degree of good-will towards him, and a pleasure even in thinking that
+it might, perhaps, be the occasion of continuing their acquaintance.
+
+Captain Wentworth was on the watch for them, and a chaise and four in
+waiting, stationed for their convenience in the lowest part of the
+street; but his evident surprise and vexation at the substitution of
+one sister for the other, the change in his countenance, the
+astonishment, the expressions begun and suppressed, with which Charles
+was listened to, made but a mortifying reception of Anne; or must at
+least convince her that she was valued only as she could be useful to
+Louisa.
+
+She endeavoured to be composed, and to be just.  Without emulating the
+feelings of an Emma towards her Henry, she would have attended on
+Louisa with a zeal above the common claims of regard, for his sake; and
+she hoped he would not long be so unjust as to suppose she would shrink
+unnecessarily from the office of a friend.
+
+In the meanwhile she was in the carriage.  He had handed them both in,
+and placed himself between them; and in this manner, under these
+circumstances, full of astonishment and emotion to Anne, she quitted
+Lyme.  How the long stage would pass; how it was to affect their
+manners; what was to be their sort of intercourse, she could not
+foresee.  It was all quite natural, however.  He was devoted to
+Henrietta; always turning towards her; and when he spoke at all, always
+with the view of supporting her hopes and raising her spirits.  In
+general, his voice and manner were studiously calm.  To spare Henrietta
+from agitation seemed the governing principle.  Once only, when she had
+been grieving over the last ill-judged, ill-fated walk to the Cobb,
+bitterly lamenting that it ever had been thought of, he burst forth, as
+if wholly overcome--
+
+"Don't talk of it, don't talk of it," he cried.  "Oh God! that I had
+not given way to her at the fatal moment!  Had I done as I ought!  But
+so eager and so resolute! Dear, sweet Louisa!"
+
+Anne wondered whether it ever occurred to him now, to question the
+justness of his own previous opinion as to the universal felicity and
+advantage of firmness of character; and whether it might not strike him
+that, like all other qualities of the mind, it should have its
+proportions and limits.  She thought it could scarcely escape him to
+feel that a persuadable temper might sometimes be as much in favour of
+happiness as a very resolute character.
+
+They got on fast.  Anne was astonished to recognise the same hills and
+the same objects so soon.  Their actual speed, heightened by some dread
+of the conclusion, made the road appear but half as long as on the day
+before.  It was growing quite dusk, however, before they were in the
+neighbourhood of Uppercross, and there had been total silence among
+them for some time, Henrietta leaning back in the corner, with a shawl
+over her face, giving the hope of her having cried herself to sleep;
+when, as they were going up their last hill, Anne found herself all at
+once addressed by Captain Wentworth.  In a low, cautious voice, he
+said:--
+
+"I have been considering what we had best do.  She must not appear at
+first.  She could not stand it.  I have been thinking whether you had
+not better remain in the carriage with her, while I go in and break it
+to Mr and Mrs Musgrove.  Do you think this is a good plan?"
+
+She did:  he was satisfied, and said no more.  But the remembrance of
+the appeal remained a pleasure to her, as a proof of friendship, and of
+deference for her judgement, a great pleasure; and when it became a
+sort of parting proof, its value did not lessen.
+
+When the distressing communication at Uppercross was over, and he had
+seen the father and mother quite as composed as could be hoped, and the
+daughter all the better for being with them, he announced his intention
+of returning in the same carriage to Lyme; and when the horses were
+baited, he was off.
+
+(End of volume one.)
+
+
+
+Chapter 13
+
+
+The remainder of Anne's time at Uppercross, comprehending only two
+days, was spent entirely at the Mansion House; and she had the
+satisfaction of knowing herself extremely useful there, both as an
+immediate companion, and as assisting in all those arrangements for the
+future, which, in Mr and Mrs Musgrove's distressed state of spirits,
+would have been difficulties.
+
+They had an early account from Lyme the next morning.  Louisa was much
+the same.  No symptoms worse than before had appeared.  Charles came a
+few hours afterwards, to bring a later and more particular account.  He
+was tolerably cheerful.  A speedy cure must not be hoped, but
+everything was going on as well as the nature of the case admitted.  In
+speaking of the Harvilles, he seemed unable to satisfy his own sense of
+their kindness, especially of Mrs Harville's exertions as a nurse.
+"She really left nothing for Mary to do.  He and Mary had been
+persuaded to go early to their inn last night.  Mary had been
+hysterical again this morning.  When he came away, she was going to
+walk out with Captain Benwick, which, he hoped, would do her good.  He
+almost wished she had been prevailed on to come home the day before;
+but the truth was, that Mrs Harville left nothing for anybody to do."
+
+Charles was to return to Lyme the same afternoon, and his father had at
+first half a mind to go with him, but the ladies could not consent.  It
+would be going only to multiply trouble to the others, and increase his
+own distress; and a much better scheme followed and was acted upon.  A
+chaise was sent for from Crewkherne, and Charles conveyed back a far
+more useful person in the old nursery-maid of the family, one who
+having brought up all the children, and seen the very last, the
+lingering and long-petted Master Harry, sent to school after his
+brothers, was now living in her deserted nursery to mend stockings and
+dress all the blains and bruises she could get near her, and who,
+consequently, was only too happy in being allowed to go and help nurse
+dear Miss Louisa.  Vague wishes of getting Sarah thither, had occurred
+before to Mrs Musgrove and Henrietta; but without Anne, it would hardly
+have been resolved on, and found practicable so soon.
+
+They were indebted, the next day, to Charles Hayter, for all the minute
+knowledge of Louisa, which it was so essential to obtain every
+twenty-four hours.  He made it his business to go to Lyme, and his
+account was still encouraging.  The intervals of sense and
+consciousness were believed to be stronger.  Every report agreed in
+Captain Wentworth's appearing fixed in Lyme.
+
+Anne was to leave them on the morrow, an event which they all dreaded.
+"What should they do without her?  They were wretched comforters for
+one another."  And so much was said in this way, that Anne thought she
+could not do better than impart among them the general inclination to
+which she was privy, and persuaded them all to go to Lyme at once.  She
+had little difficulty; it was soon determined that they would go; go
+to-morrow, fix themselves at the inn, or get into lodgings, as it
+suited, and there remain till dear Louisa could be moved.  They must be
+taking off some trouble from the good people she was with; they might
+at least relieve Mrs Harville from the care of her own children; and in
+short, they were so happy in the decision, that Anne was delighted with
+what she had done, and felt that she could not spend her last morning
+at Uppercross better than in assisting their preparations, and sending
+them off at an early hour, though her being left to the solitary range
+of the house was the consequence.
+
+She was the last, excepting the little boys at the cottage, she was the
+very last, the only remaining one of all that had filled and animated
+both houses, of all that had given Uppercross its cheerful character.
+A few days had made a change indeed!
+
+If Louisa recovered, it would all be well again.  More than former
+happiness would be restored.  There could not be a doubt, to her mind
+there was none, of what would follow her recovery.  A few months hence,
+and the room now so deserted, occupied but by her silent, pensive self,
+might be filled again with all that was happy and gay, all that was
+glowing and bright in prosperous love, all that was most unlike Anne
+Elliot!
+
+An hour's complete leisure for such reflections as these, on a dark
+November day, a small thick rain almost blotting out the very few
+objects ever to be discerned from the windows, was enough to make the
+sound of Lady Russell's carriage exceedingly welcome; and yet, though
+desirous to be gone, she could not quit the Mansion House, or look an
+adieu to the Cottage, with its black, dripping and comfortless veranda,
+or even notice through the misty glasses the last humble tenements of
+the village, without a saddened heart.  Scenes had passed in Uppercross
+which made it precious.  It stood the record of many sensations of
+pain, once severe, but now softened; and of some instances of relenting
+feeling, some breathings of friendship and reconciliation, which could
+never be looked for again, and which could never cease to be dear.  She
+left it all behind her, all but the recollection that such things had
+been.
+
+Anne had never entered Kellynch since her quitting Lady Russell's house
+in September.  It had not been necessary, and the few occasions of its
+being possible for her to go to the Hall she had contrived to evade and
+escape from.  Her first return was to resume her place in the modern
+and elegant apartments of the Lodge, and to gladden the eyes of its
+mistress.
+
+There was some anxiety mixed with Lady Russell's joy in meeting her.
+She knew who had been frequenting Uppercross.  But happily, either Anne
+was improved in plumpness and looks, or Lady Russell fancied her so;
+and Anne, in receiving her compliments on the occasion, had the
+amusement of connecting them with the silent admiration of her cousin,
+and of hoping that she was to be blessed with a second spring of youth
+and beauty.
+
+When they came to converse, she was soon sensible of some mental
+change.  The subjects of which her heart had been full on leaving
+Kellynch, and which she had felt slighted, and been compelled to
+smother among the Musgroves, were now become but of secondary interest.
+She had lately lost sight even of her father and sister and Bath.
+Their concerns had been sunk under those of Uppercross; and when Lady
+Russell reverted to their former hopes and fears, and spoke her
+satisfaction in the house in Camden Place, which had been taken, and
+her regret that Mrs Clay should still be with them, Anne would have
+been ashamed to have it known how much more she was thinking of Lyme
+and Louisa Musgrove, and all her acquaintance there; how much more
+interesting to her was the home and the friendship of the Harvilles and
+Captain Benwick, than her own father's house in Camden Place, or her
+own sister's intimacy with Mrs Clay.  She was actually forced to exert
+herself to meet Lady Russell with anything like the appearance of equal
+solicitude, on topics which had by nature the first claim on her.
+
+There was a little awkwardness at first in their discourse on another
+subject.  They must speak of the accident at Lyme.  Lady Russell had
+not been arrived five minutes the day before, when a full account of
+the whole had burst on her; but still it must be talked of, she must
+make enquiries, she must regret the imprudence, lament the result, and
+Captain Wentworth's name must be mentioned by both.  Anne was conscious
+of not doing it so well as Lady Russell.  She could not speak the name,
+and look straight forward to Lady Russell's eye, till she had adopted
+the expedient of telling her briefly what she thought of the attachment
+between him and Louisa.  When this was told, his name distressed her no
+longer.
+
+Lady Russell had only to listen composedly, and wish them happy, but
+internally her heart revelled in angry pleasure, in pleased contempt,
+that the man who at twenty-three had seemed to understand somewhat of
+the value of an Anne Elliot, should, eight years afterwards, be charmed
+by a Louisa Musgrove.
+
+The first three or four days passed most quietly, with no circumstance
+to mark them excepting the receipt of a note or two from Lyme, which
+found their way to Anne, she could not tell how, and brought a rather
+improving account of Louisa.  At the end of that period, Lady Russell's
+politeness could repose no longer, and the fainter self-threatenings of
+the past became in a decided tone, "I must call on Mrs Croft; I really
+must call upon her soon.  Anne, have you courage to go with me, and pay
+a visit in that house?  It will be some trial to us both."
+
+Anne did not shrink from it; on the contrary, she truly felt as she
+said, in observing--
+
+"I think you are very likely to suffer the most of the two; your
+feelings are less reconciled to the change than mine.  By remaining in
+the neighbourhood, I am become inured to it."
+
+She could have said more on the subject; for she had in fact so high an
+opinion of the Crofts, and considered her father so very fortunate in
+his tenants, felt the parish to be so sure of a good example, and the
+poor of the best attention and relief, that however sorry and ashamed
+for the necessity of the removal, she could not but in conscience feel
+that they were gone who deserved not to stay, and that Kellynch Hall
+had passed into better hands than its owners'.  These convictions must
+unquestionably have their own pain, and severe was its kind; but they
+precluded that pain which Lady Russell would suffer in entering the
+house again, and returning through the well-known apartments.
+
+In such moments Anne had no power of saying to herself, "These rooms
+ought to belong only to us.  Oh, how fallen in their destination!  How
+unworthily occupied!  An ancient family to be so driven away!
+Strangers filling their place!" No, except when she thought of her
+mother, and remembered where she had been used to sit and preside, she
+had no sigh of that description to heave.
+
+Mrs Croft always met her with a kindness which gave her the pleasure of
+fancying herself a favourite, and on the present occasion, receiving
+her in that house, there was particular attention.
+
+The sad accident at Lyme was soon the prevailing topic, and on
+comparing their latest accounts of the invalid, it appeared that each
+lady dated her intelligence from the same hour of yestermorn; that
+Captain Wentworth had been in Kellynch yesterday (the first time since
+the accident), had brought Anne the last note, which she had not been
+able to trace the exact steps of; had staid a few hours and then
+returned again to Lyme, and without any present intention of quitting
+it any more.  He had enquired after her, she found, particularly; had
+expressed his hope of Miss Elliot's not being the worse for her
+exertions, and had spoken of those exertions as great.  This was
+handsome, and gave her more pleasure than almost anything else could
+have done.
+
+As to the sad catastrophe itself, it could be canvassed only in one
+style by a couple of steady, sensible women, whose judgements had to
+work on ascertained events; and it was perfectly decided that it had
+been the consequence of much thoughtlessness and much imprudence; that
+its effects were most alarming, and that it was frightful to think, how
+long Miss Musgrove's recovery might yet be doubtful, and how liable she
+would still remain to suffer from the concussion hereafter!  The
+Admiral wound it up summarily by exclaiming--
+
+"Ay, a very bad business indeed.  A new sort of way this, for a young
+fellow to be making love, by breaking his mistress's head, is not it,
+Miss Elliot?  This is breaking a head and giving a plaster, truly!"
+
+Admiral Croft's manners were not quite of the tone to suit Lady
+Russell, but they delighted Anne.  His goodness of heart and simplicity
+of character were irresistible.
+
+"Now, this must be very bad for you," said he, suddenly rousing from a
+little reverie, "to be coming and finding us here.  I had not
+recollected it before, I declare, but it must be very bad.  But now, do
+not stand upon ceremony.  Get up and go over all the rooms in the house
+if you like it."
+
+"Another time, Sir, I thank you, not now."
+
+"Well, whenever it suits you.  You can slip in from the shrubbery at
+any time; and there you will find we keep our umbrellas hanging up by
+that door.  A good place is not it?  But," (checking himself), "you
+will not think it a good place, for yours were always kept in the
+butler's room.  Ay, so it always is, I believe.  One man's ways may be
+as good as another's, but we all like our own best.  And so you must
+judge for yourself, whether it would be better for you to go about the
+house or not."
+
+Anne, finding she might decline it, did so, very gratefully.
+
+"We have made very few changes either," continued the Admiral, after
+thinking a moment.  "Very few.  We told you about the laundry-door, at
+Uppercross.  That has been a very great improvement.  The wonder was,
+how any family upon earth could bear with the inconvenience of its
+opening as it did, so long!  You will tell Sir Walter what we have
+done, and that Mr Shepherd thinks it the greatest improvement the house
+ever had.  Indeed, I must do ourselves the justice to say, that the few
+alterations we have made have been all very much for the better.  My
+wife should have the credit of them, however.  I have done very little
+besides sending away some of the large looking-glasses from my
+dressing-room, which was your father's.  A very good man, and very much
+the gentleman I am sure: but I should think, Miss Elliot," (looking
+with serious reflection), "I should think he must be rather a dressy
+man for his time of life.  Such a number of looking-glasses! oh Lord!
+there was no getting away from one's self.  So I got Sophy to lend me a
+hand, and we soon shifted their quarters; and now I am quite snug, with
+my little shaving glass in one corner, and another great thing that I
+never go near."
+
+Anne, amused in spite of herself, was rather distressed for an answer,
+and the Admiral, fearing he might not have been civil enough, took up
+the subject again, to say--
+
+"The next time you write to your good father, Miss Elliot, pray give
+him my compliments and Mrs Croft's, and say that we are settled here
+quite to our liking, and have no fault at all to find with the place.
+The breakfast-room chimney smokes a little, I grant you, but it is only
+when the wind is due north and blows hard, which may not happen three
+times a winter.  And take it altogether, now that we have been into
+most of the houses hereabouts and can judge, there is not one that we
+like better than this.  Pray say so, with my compliments.  He will be
+glad to hear it."
+
+Lady Russell and Mrs Croft were very well pleased with each other: but
+the acquaintance which this visit began was fated not to proceed far at
+present; for when it was returned, the Crofts announced themselves to
+be going away for a few weeks, to visit their connexions in the north
+of the county, and probably might not be at home again before Lady
+Russell would be removing to Bath.
+
+So ended all danger to Anne of meeting Captain Wentworth at Kellynch
+Hall, or of seeing him in company with her friend.  Everything was safe
+enough, and she smiled over the many anxious feelings she had wasted on
+the subject.
+
+
+
+Chapter 14
+
+
+Though Charles and Mary had remained at Lyme much longer after Mr and
+Mrs Musgrove's going than Anne conceived they could have been at all
+wanted, they were yet the first of the family to be at home again; and
+as soon as possible after their return to Uppercross they drove over to
+the Lodge.  They had left Louisa beginning to sit up; but her head,
+though clear, was exceedingly weak, and her nerves susceptible to the
+highest extreme of tenderness; and though she might be pronounced to be
+altogether doing very well, it was still impossible to say when she
+might be able to bear the removal home; and her father and mother, who
+must return in time to receive their younger children for the Christmas
+holidays, had hardly a hope of being allowed to bring her with them.
+
+They had been all in lodgings together.  Mrs Musgrove had got Mrs
+Harville's children away as much as she could, every possible supply
+from Uppercross had been furnished, to lighten the inconvenience to the
+Harvilles, while the Harvilles had been wanting them to come to dinner
+every day; and in short, it seemed to have been only a struggle on each
+side as to which should be most disinterested and hospitable.
+
+Mary had had her evils; but upon the whole, as was evident by her
+staying so long, she had found more to enjoy than to suffer.  Charles
+Hayter had been at Lyme oftener than suited her; and when they dined
+with the Harvilles there had been only a maid-servant to wait, and at
+first Mrs Harville had always given Mrs Musgrove precedence; but then,
+she had received so very handsome an apology from her on finding out
+whose daughter she was, and there had been so much going on every day,
+there had been so many walks between their lodgings and the Harvilles,
+and she had got books from the library, and changed them so often, that
+the balance had certainly been much in favour of Lyme.  She had been
+taken to Charmouth too, and she had bathed, and she had gone to church,
+and there were a great many more people to look at in the church at
+Lyme than at Uppercross; and all this, joined to the sense of being so
+very useful, had made really an agreeable fortnight.
+
+Anne enquired after Captain Benwick. Mary's face was clouded directly.
+Charles laughed.
+
+"Oh! Captain Benwick is very well, I believe, but he is a very odd
+young man.  I do not know what he would be at.  We asked him to come
+home with us for a day or two:  Charles undertook to give him some
+shooting, and he seemed quite delighted, and, for my part, I thought it
+was all settled; when behold! on Tuesday night, he made a very awkward
+sort of excuse; 'he never shot' and he had 'been quite misunderstood,'
+and he had promised this and he had promised that, and the end of it
+was, I found, that he did not mean to come.  I suppose he was afraid of
+finding it dull; but upon my word I should have thought we were lively
+enough at the Cottage for such a heart-broken man as Captain Benwick."
+
+Charles laughed again and said, "Now Mary, you know very well how it
+really was.  It was all your doing," (turning to Anne.) "He fancied
+that if he went with us, he should find you close by: he fancied
+everybody to be living in Uppercross; and when he discovered that Lady
+Russell lived three miles off, his heart failed him, and he had not
+courage to come.  That is the fact, upon my honour. Mary knows it is."
+
+But Mary did not give into it very graciously, whether from not
+considering Captain Benwick entitled by birth and situation to be in
+love with an Elliot, or from not wanting to believe Anne a greater
+attraction to Uppercross than herself, must be left to be guessed.
+Anne's good-will, however, was not to be lessened by what she heard.
+She boldly acknowledged herself flattered, and continued her enquiries.
+
+"Oh! he talks of you," cried Charles, "in such terms--" Mary
+interrupted him. "I declare, Charles, I never heard him mention Anne
+twice all the time I was there.  I declare, Anne, he never talks of you
+at all."
+
+"No," admitted Charles, "I do not know that he ever does, in a general
+way; but however, it is a very clear thing that he admires you
+exceedingly.  His head is full of some books that he is reading upon
+your recommendation, and he wants to talk to you about them; he has
+found out something or other in one of them which he thinks--oh! I
+cannot pretend to remember it, but it was something very fine--I
+overheard him telling Henrietta all about it; and then 'Miss Elliot'
+was spoken of in the highest terms!  Now Mary, I declare it was so, I
+heard it myself, and you were in the other room.  'Elegance, sweetness,
+beauty.' Oh! there was no end of Miss Elliot's charms."
+
+"And I am sure," cried Mary, warmly, "it was a very little to his
+credit, if he did.  Miss Harville only died last June.  Such a heart is
+very little worth having; is it, Lady Russell?  I am sure you will
+agree with me."
+
+"I must see Captain Benwick before I decide," said Lady Russell,
+smiling.
+
+"And that you are very likely to do very soon, I can tell you, ma'am,"
+said Charles.  "Though he had not nerves for coming away with us, and
+setting off again afterwards to pay a formal visit here, he will make
+his way over to Kellynch one day by himself, you may depend on it.  I
+told him the distance and the road, and I told him of the church's
+being so very well worth seeing; for as he has a taste for those sort
+of things, I thought that would be a good excuse, and he listened with
+all his understanding and soul; and I am sure from his manner that you
+will have him calling here soon.  So, I give you notice, Lady Russell."
+
+"Any acquaintance of Anne's will always be welcome to me," was Lady
+Russell's kind answer.
+
+"Oh! as to being Anne's acquaintance," said Mary, "I think he is rather
+my acquaintance, for I have been seeing him every day this last
+fortnight."
+
+"Well, as your joint acquaintance, then, I shall be very happy to see
+Captain Benwick."
+
+"You will not find anything very agreeable in him, I assure you, ma'am.
+He is one of the dullest young men that ever lived.  He has walked with
+me, sometimes, from one end of the sands to the other, without saying a
+word.  He is not at all a well-bred young man.  I am sure you will not
+like him."
+
+"There we differ, Mary," said Anne.  "I think Lady Russell would like
+him.  I think she would be so much pleased with his mind, that she
+would very soon see no deficiency in his manner."
+
+"So do I, Anne," said Charles.  "I am sure Lady Russell would like him.
+He is just Lady Russell's sort.  Give him a book, and he will read all
+day long."
+
+"Yes, that he will!" exclaimed Mary, tauntingly.  "He will sit poring
+over his book, and not know when a person speaks to him, or when one
+drops one's scissors, or anything that happens.  Do you think Lady
+Russell would like that?"
+
+Lady Russell could not help laughing.  "Upon my word," said she, "I
+should not have supposed that my opinion of any one could have admitted
+of such difference of conjecture, steady and matter of fact as I may
+call myself.  I have really a curiosity to see the person who can give
+occasion to such directly opposite notions.  I wish he may be induced
+to call here.  And when he does, Mary, you may depend upon hearing my
+opinion; but I am determined not to judge him beforehand."
+
+"You will not like him, I will answer for it."
+
+Lady Russell began talking of something else.  Mary spoke with
+animation of their meeting with, or rather missing, Mr Elliot so
+extraordinarily.
+
+"He is a man," said Lady Russell, "whom I have no wish to see.  His
+declining to be on cordial terms with the head of his family, has left
+a very strong impression in his disfavour with me."
+
+This decision checked Mary's eagerness, and stopped her short in the
+midst of the Elliot countenance.
+
+With regard to Captain Wentworth, though Anne hazarded no enquiries,
+there was voluntary communication sufficient.  His spirits had been
+greatly recovering lately as might be expected.  As Louisa improved, he
+had improved, and he was now quite a different creature from what he
+had been the first week.  He had not seen Louisa; and was so extremely
+fearful of any ill consequence to her from an interview, that he did
+not press for it at all; and, on the contrary, seemed to have a plan of
+going away for a week or ten days, till her head was stronger.  He had
+talked of going down to Plymouth for a week, and wanted to persuade
+Captain Benwick to go with him; but, as Charles maintained to the last,
+Captain Benwick seemed much more disposed to ride over to Kellynch.
+
+There can be no doubt that Lady Russell and Anne were both occasionally
+thinking of Captain Benwick, from this time.  Lady Russell could not
+hear the door-bell without feeling that it might be his herald; nor
+could Anne return from any stroll of solitary indulgence in her
+father's grounds, or any visit of charity in the village, without
+wondering whether she might see him or hear of him.  Captain Benwick
+came not, however.  He was either less disposed for it than Charles had
+imagined, or he was too shy; and after giving him a week's indulgence,
+Lady Russell determined him to be unworthy of the interest which he had
+been beginning to excite.
+
+The Musgroves came back to receive their happy boys and girls from
+school, bringing with them Mrs Harville's little children, to improve
+the noise of Uppercross, and lessen that of Lyme.  Henrietta remained
+with Louisa; but all the rest of the family were again in their usual
+quarters.
+
+Lady Russell and Anne paid their compliments to them once, when Anne
+could not but feel that Uppercross was already quite alive again.
+Though neither Henrietta, nor Louisa, nor Charles Hayter, nor Captain
+Wentworth were there, the room presented as strong a contrast as could
+be wished to the last state she had seen it in.
+
+Immediately surrounding Mrs Musgrove were the little Harvilles, whom
+she was sedulously guarding from the tyranny of the two children from
+the Cottage, expressly arrived to amuse them.  On one side was a table
+occupied by some chattering girls, cutting up silk and gold paper; and
+on the other were tressels and trays, bending under the weight of brawn
+and cold pies, where riotous boys were holding high revel; the whole
+completed by a roaring Christmas fire, which seemed determined to be
+heard, in spite of all the noise of the others.  Charles and Mary also
+came in, of course, during their visit, and Mr Musgrove made a point of
+paying his respects to Lady Russell, and sat down close to her for ten
+minutes, talking with a very raised voice, but from the clamour of the
+children on his knees, generally in vain.  It was a fine family-piece.
+
+Anne, judging from her own temperament, would have deemed such a
+domestic hurricane a bad restorative of the nerves, which Louisa's
+illness must have so greatly shaken.  But Mrs Musgrove, who got Anne
+near her on purpose to thank her most cordially, again and again, for
+all her attentions to them, concluded a short recapitulation of what
+she had suffered herself by observing, with a happy glance round the
+room, that after all she had gone through, nothing was so likely to do
+her good as a little quiet cheerfulness at home.
+
+Louisa was now recovering apace.  Her mother could even think of her
+being able to join their party at home, before her brothers and sisters
+went to school again.  The Harvilles had promised to come with her and
+stay at Uppercross, whenever she returned.  Captain Wentworth was gone,
+for the present, to see his brother in Shropshire.
+
+"I hope I shall remember, in future," said Lady Russell, as soon as
+they were reseated in the carriage, "not to call at Uppercross in the
+Christmas holidays."
+
+Everybody has their taste in noises as well as in other matters; and
+sounds are quite innoxious, or most distressing, by their sort rather
+than their quantity.  When Lady Russell not long afterwards, was
+entering Bath on a wet afternoon, and driving through the long course
+of streets from the Old Bridge to Camden Place, amidst the dash of
+other carriages, the heavy rumble of carts and drays, the bawling of
+newspapermen, muffin-men and milkmen, and the ceaseless clink of
+pattens, she made no complaint.  No, these were noises which belonged
+to the winter pleasures; her spirits rose under their influence; and
+like Mrs Musgrove, she was feeling, though not saying, that after being
+long in the country, nothing could be so good for her as a little quiet
+cheerfulness.
+
+Anne did not share these feelings.  She persisted in a very determined,
+though very silent disinclination for Bath; caught the first dim view
+of the extensive buildings, smoking in rain, without any wish of seeing
+them better; felt their progress through the streets to be, however
+disagreeable, yet too rapid; for who would be glad to see her when she
+arrived?  And looked back, with fond regret, to the bustles of
+Uppercross and the seclusion of Kellynch.
+
+Elizabeth's last letter had communicated a piece of news of some
+interest.  Mr Elliot was in Bath.  He had called in Camden Place; had
+called a second time, a third; had been pointedly attentive.  If
+Elizabeth and her father did not deceive themselves, had been taking
+much pains to seek the acquaintance, and proclaim the value of the
+connection, as he had formerly taken pains to shew neglect.  This was
+very wonderful if it were true; and Lady Russell was in a state of very
+agreeable curiosity and perplexity about Mr Elliot, already recanting
+the sentiment she had so lately expressed to Mary, of his being "a man
+whom she had no wish to see."  She had a great wish to see him.  If he
+really sought to reconcile himself like a dutiful branch, he must be
+forgiven for having dismembered himself from the paternal tree.
+
+Anne was not animated to an equal pitch by the circumstance, but she
+felt that she would rather see Mr Elliot again than not, which was more
+than she could say for many other persons in Bath.
+
+She was put down in Camden Place; and Lady Russell then drove to her
+own lodgings, in Rivers Street.
+
+
+
+Chapter 15
+
+
+Sir Walter had taken a very good house in Camden Place, a lofty
+dignified situation, such as becomes a man of consequence; and both he
+and Elizabeth were settled there, much to their satisfaction.
+
+Anne entered it with a sinking heart, anticipating an imprisonment of
+many months, and anxiously saying to herself, "Oh! when shall I leave
+you again?"  A degree of unexpected cordiality, however, in the welcome
+she received, did her good.  Her father and sister were glad to see
+her, for the sake of shewing her the house and furniture, and met her
+with kindness.  Her making a fourth, when they sat down to dinner, was
+noticed as an advantage.
+
+Mrs Clay was very pleasant, and very smiling, but her courtesies and
+smiles were more a matter of course.  Anne had always felt that she
+would pretend what was proper on her arrival, but the complaisance of
+the others was unlooked for.  They were evidently in excellent spirits,
+and she was soon to listen to the causes.  They had no inclination to
+listen to her.  After laying out for some compliments of being deeply
+regretted in their old neighbourhood, which Anne could not pay, they
+had only a few faint enquiries to make, before the talk must be all
+their own.  Uppercross excited no interest, Kellynch very little: it
+was all Bath.
+
+They had the pleasure of assuring her that Bath more than answered
+their expectations in every respect.  Their house was undoubtedly the
+best in Camden Place; their drawing-rooms had many decided advantages
+over all the others which they had either seen or heard of, and the
+superiority was not less in the style of the fitting-up, or the taste
+of the furniture.  Their acquaintance was exceedingly sought after.
+Everybody was wanting to visit them.  They had drawn back from many
+introductions, and still were perpetually having cards left by people
+of whom they knew nothing.
+
+Here were funds of enjoyment.  Could Anne wonder that her father and
+sister were happy?  She might not wonder, but she must sigh that her
+father should feel no degradation in his change, should see nothing to
+regret in the duties and dignity of the resident landholder, should
+find so much to be vain of in the littlenesses of a town; and she must
+sigh, and smile, and wonder too, as Elizabeth threw open the
+folding-doors and walked with exultation from one drawing-room to the
+other, boasting of their space; at the possibility of that woman, who
+had been mistress of Kellynch Hall, finding extent to be proud of
+between two walls, perhaps thirty feet asunder.
+
+But this was not all which they had to make them happy.  They had Mr
+Elliot too.  Anne had a great deal to hear of Mr Elliot.  He was not
+only pardoned, they were delighted with him.  He had been in Bath about
+a fortnight; (he had passed through Bath in November, in his way to
+London, when the intelligence of Sir Walter's being settled there had
+of course reached him, though only twenty-four hours in the place, but
+he had not been able to avail himself of it;) but he had now been a
+fortnight in Bath, and his first object on arriving, had been to leave
+his card in Camden Place, following it up by such assiduous endeavours
+to meet, and when they did meet, by such great openness of conduct,
+such readiness to apologize for the past, such solicitude to be
+received as a relation again, that their former good understanding was
+completely re-established.
+
+They had not a fault to find in him.  He had explained away all the
+appearance of neglect on his own side.  It had originated in
+misapprehension entirely.  He had never had an idea of throwing himself
+off; he had feared that he was thrown off, but knew not why, and
+delicacy had kept him silent.  Upon the hint of having spoken
+disrespectfully or carelessly of the family and the family honours, he
+was quite indignant.  He, who had ever boasted of being an Elliot, and
+whose feelings, as to connection, were only too strict to suit the
+unfeudal tone of the present day.  He was astonished, indeed, but his
+character and general conduct must refute it.  He could refer Sir
+Walter to all who knew him; and certainly, the pains he had been taking
+on this, the first opportunity of reconciliation, to be restored to the
+footing of a relation and heir-presumptive, was a strong proof of his
+opinions on the subject.
+
+The circumstances of his marriage, too, were found to admit of much
+extenuation.  This was an article not to be entered on by himself; but
+a very intimate friend of his, a Colonel Wallis, a highly respectable
+man, perfectly the gentleman, (and not an ill-looking man, Sir Walter
+added), who was living in very good style in Marlborough Buildings, and
+had, at his own particular request, been admitted to their acquaintance
+through Mr Elliot, had mentioned one or two things relative to the
+marriage, which made a material difference in the discredit of it.
+
+Colonel Wallis had known Mr Elliot long, had been well acquainted also
+with his wife, had perfectly understood the whole story.  She was
+certainly not a woman of family, but well educated, accomplished, rich,
+and excessively in love with his friend.  There had been the charm.
+She had sought him.  Without that attraction, not all her money would
+have tempted Elliot, and Sir Walter was, moreover, assured of her
+having been a very fine woman.  Here was a great deal to soften the
+business.  A very fine woman with a large fortune, in love with him!
+Sir Walter seemed to admit it as complete apology; and though Elizabeth
+could not see the circumstance in quite so favourable a light, she
+allowed it be a great extenuation.
+
+Mr Elliot had called repeatedly, had dined with them once, evidently
+delighted by the distinction of being asked, for they gave no dinners
+in general; delighted, in short, by every proof of cousinly notice, and
+placing his whole happiness in being on intimate terms in Camden Place.
+
+Anne listened, but without quite understanding it.  Allowances, large
+allowances, she knew, must be made for the ideas of those who spoke.
+She heard it all under embellishment.  All that sounded extravagant or
+irrational in the progress of the reconciliation might have no origin
+but in the language of the relators.  Still, however, she had the
+sensation of there being something more than immediately appeared, in
+Mr Elliot's wishing, after an interval of so many years, to be well
+received by them.  In a worldly view, he had nothing to gain by being
+on terms with Sir Walter; nothing to risk by a state of variance.  In
+all probability he was already the richer of the two, and the Kellynch
+estate would as surely be his hereafter as the title.  A sensible man,
+and he had looked like a very sensible man, why should it be an object
+to him?  She could only offer one solution; it was, perhaps, for
+Elizabeth's sake.  There might really have been a liking formerly,
+though convenience and accident had drawn him a different way; and now
+that he could afford to please himself, he might mean to pay his
+addresses to her.  Elizabeth was certainly very handsome, with
+well-bred, elegant manners, and her character might never have been
+penetrated by Mr Elliot, knowing her but in public, and when very young
+himself.  How her temper and understanding might bear the investigation
+of his present keener time of life was another concern and rather a
+fearful one.  Most earnestly did she wish that he might not be too
+nice, or too observant if Elizabeth were his object; and that Elizabeth
+was disposed to believe herself so, and that her friend Mrs Clay was
+encouraging the idea, seemed apparent by a glance or two between them,
+while Mr Elliot's frequent visits were talked of.
+
+Anne mentioned the glimpses she had had of him at Lyme, but without
+being much attended to.  "Oh! yes, perhaps, it had been Mr Elliot.
+They did not know.  It might be him, perhaps."  They could not listen
+to her description of him.  They were describing him themselves; Sir
+Walter especially.  He did justice to his very gentlemanlike
+appearance, his air of elegance and fashion, his good shaped face, his
+sensible eye; but, at the same time, "must lament his being very much
+under-hung, a defect which time seemed to have increased; nor could he
+pretend to say that ten years had not altered almost every feature for
+the worse.  Mr Elliot appeared to think that he (Sir Walter) was
+looking exactly as he had done when they last parted;" but Sir Walter
+had "not been able to return the compliment entirely, which had
+embarrassed him.  He did not mean to complain, however.  Mr Elliot was
+better to look at than most men, and he had no objection to being seen
+with him anywhere."
+
+Mr Elliot, and his friends in Marlborough Buildings, were talked of the
+whole evening.  "Colonel Wallis had been so impatient to be introduced
+to them! and Mr Elliot so anxious that he should!" and there was a Mrs
+Wallis, at present known only to them by description, as she was in
+daily expectation of her confinement; but Mr Elliot spoke of her as "a
+most charming woman, quite worthy of being known in Camden Place," and
+as soon as she recovered they were to be acquainted.  Sir Walter
+thought much of Mrs Wallis; she was said to be an excessively pretty
+woman, beautiful.  "He longed to see her.  He hoped she might make some
+amends for the many very plain faces he was continually passing in the
+streets.  The worst of Bath was the number of its plain women.  He did
+not mean to say that there were no pretty women, but the number of the
+plain was out of all proportion.  He had frequently observed, as he
+walked, that one handsome face would be followed by thirty, or
+five-and-thirty frights; and once, as he had stood in a shop on Bond
+Street, he had counted eighty-seven women go by, one after another,
+without there being a tolerable face among them.  It had been a frosty
+morning, to be sure, a sharp frost, which hardly one woman in a
+thousand could stand the test of.  But still, there certainly were a
+dreadful multitude of ugly women in Bath; and as for the men!  they
+were infinitely worse.  Such scarecrows as the streets were full of!
+It was evident how little the women were used to the sight of anything
+tolerable, by the effect which a man of decent appearance produced.  He
+had never walked anywhere arm-in-arm with Colonel Wallis (who was a
+fine military figure, though sandy-haired) without observing that every
+woman's eye was upon him; every woman's eye was sure to be upon Colonel
+Wallis."  Modest Sir Walter!  He was not allowed to escape, however.
+His daughter and Mrs Clay united in hinting that Colonel Wallis's
+companion might have as good a figure as Colonel Wallis, and certainly
+was not sandy-haired.
+
+"How is Mary looking?" said Sir Walter, in the height of his good
+humour.  "The last time I saw her she had a red nose, but I hope that
+may not happen every day."
+
+"Oh! no, that must have been quite accidental.  In general she has been
+in very good health and very good looks since Michaelmas."
+
+"If I thought it would not tempt her to go out in sharp winds, and grow
+coarse, I would send her a new hat and pelisse."
+
+Anne was considering whether she should venture to suggest that a gown,
+or a cap, would not be liable to any such misuse, when a knock at the
+door suspended everything.  "A knock at the door! and so late!  It was
+ten o'clock.  Could it be Mr Elliot?  They knew he was to dine in
+Lansdown Crescent.  It was possible that he might stop in his way home
+to ask them how they did.  They could think of no one else.  Mrs Clay
+decidedly thought it Mr Elliot's knock."  Mrs Clay was right.  With all
+the state which a butler and foot-boy could give, Mr Elliot was ushered
+into the room.
+
+It was the same, the very same man, with no difference but of dress.
+Anne drew a little back, while the others received his compliments, and
+her sister his apologies for calling at so unusual an hour, but "he
+could not be so near without wishing to know that neither she nor her
+friend had taken cold the day before," &c. &c; which was all as
+politely done, and as politely taken, as possible, but her part must
+follow then.  Sir Walter talked of his youngest daughter; "Mr Elliot
+must give him leave to present him to his youngest daughter" (there was
+no occasion for remembering Mary); and Anne, smiling and blushing, very
+becomingly shewed to Mr Elliot the pretty features which he had by no
+means forgotten, and instantly saw, with amusement at his little start
+of surprise, that he had not been at all aware of who she was.  He
+looked completely astonished, but not more astonished than pleased; his
+eyes brightened! and with the most perfect alacrity he welcomed the
+relationship, alluded to the past, and entreated to be received as an
+acquaintance already.  He was quite as good-looking as he had appeared
+at Lyme, his countenance improved by speaking, and his manners were so
+exactly what they ought to be, so polished, so easy, so particularly
+agreeable, that she could compare them in excellence to only one
+person's manners.  They were not the same, but they were, perhaps,
+equally good.
+
+He sat down with them, and improved their conversation very much.
+There could be no doubt of his being a sensible man.  Ten minutes were
+enough to certify that.  His tone, his expressions, his choice of
+subject, his knowing where to stop; it was all the operation of a
+sensible, discerning mind.  As soon as he could, he began to talk to
+her of Lyme, wanting to compare opinions respecting the place, but
+especially wanting to speak of the circumstance of their happening to
+be guests in the same inn at the same time; to give his own route,
+understand something of hers, and regret that he should have lost such
+an opportunity of paying his respects to her.  She gave him a short
+account of her party and business at Lyme.  His regret increased as he
+listened.  He had spent his whole solitary evening in the room
+adjoining theirs; had heard voices, mirth continually; thought they
+must be a most delightful set of people, longed to be with them, but
+certainly without the smallest suspicion of his possessing the shadow
+of a right to introduce himself.  If he had but asked who the party
+were!  The name of Musgrove would have told him enough.  "Well, it
+would serve to cure him of an absurd practice of never asking a
+question at an inn, which he had adopted, when quite a young man, on
+the principal of its being very ungenteel to be curious.
+
+"The notions of a young man of one or two and twenty," said he, "as to
+what is necessary in manners to make him quite the thing, are more
+absurd, I believe, than those of any other set of beings in the world.
+The folly of the means they often employ is only to be equalled by the
+folly of what they have in view."
+
+But he must not be addressing his reflections to Anne alone: he knew
+it; he was soon diffused again among the others, and it was only at
+intervals that he could return to Lyme.
+
+His enquiries, however, produced at length an account of the scene she
+had been engaged in there, soon after his leaving the place.  Having
+alluded to "an accident,"  he must hear the whole.  When he questioned,
+Sir Walter and Elizabeth began to question also, but the difference in
+their manner of doing it could not be unfelt.  She could only compare
+Mr Elliot to Lady Russell, in the wish of really comprehending what had
+passed, and in the degree of concern for what she must have suffered in
+witnessing it.
+
+He staid an hour with them.  The elegant little clock on the mantel-piece
+had struck "eleven with its silver sounds," and the watchman was
+beginning to be heard at a distance telling the same tale, before Mr
+Elliot or any of them seemed to feel that he had been there long.
+
+Anne could not have supposed it possible that her first evening in
+Camden Place could have passed so well!
+
+
+
+Chapter 16
+
+
+There was one point which Anne, on returning to her family, would have
+been more thankful to ascertain even than Mr Elliot's being in love
+with Elizabeth, which was, her father's not being in love with Mrs
+Clay; and she was very far from easy about it, when she had been at
+home a few hours.  On going down to breakfast the next morning, she
+found there had just been a decent pretence on the lady's side of
+meaning to leave them.  She could imagine Mrs Clay to have said, that
+"now Miss Anne was come, she could not suppose herself at all wanted;"
+for Elizabeth was replying in a sort of whisper, "That must not be any
+reason, indeed.  I assure you I feel it none.  She is nothing to me,
+compared with you;"  and she was in full time to hear her father say,
+"My dear madam, this must not be.  As yet, you have seen nothing of
+Bath.  You have been here only to be useful.  You must not run away
+from us now.  You must stay to be acquainted with Mrs Wallis, the
+beautiful Mrs Wallis.  To your fine mind, I well know the sight of
+beauty is a real gratification."
+
+He spoke and looked so much in earnest, that Anne was not surprised to
+see Mrs Clay stealing a glance at Elizabeth and herself.  Her
+countenance, perhaps, might express some watchfulness; but the praise
+of the fine mind did not appear to excite a thought in her sister.  The
+lady could not but yield to such joint entreaties, and promise to stay.
+
+In the course of the same morning, Anne and her father chancing to be
+alone together, he began to compliment her on her improved looks; he
+thought her "less thin in her person, in her cheeks; her skin, her
+complexion, greatly improved; clearer, fresher.  Had she been using any
+thing in particular?"  "No, nothing."  "Merely Gowland," he supposed.
+"No, nothing at all."  "Ha! he was surprised at that;" and added,
+"certainly you cannot do better than to continue as you are; you cannot
+be better than well; or I should recommend Gowland, the constant use of
+Gowland, during the spring months.  Mrs Clay has been using it at my
+recommendation, and you see what it has done for her.  You see how it
+has carried away her freckles."
+
+If Elizabeth could but have heard this!  Such personal praise might
+have struck her, especially as it did not appear to Anne that the
+freckles were at all lessened.  But everything must take its chance.
+The evil of a marriage would be much diminished, if Elizabeth were also
+to marry.  As for herself, she might always command a home with Lady
+Russell.
+
+Lady Russell's composed mind and polite manners were put to some trial
+on this point, in her intercourse in Camden Place.  The sight of Mrs
+Clay in such favour, and of Anne so overlooked, was a perpetual
+provocation to her there; and vexed her as much when she was away, as a
+person in Bath who drinks the water, gets all the new publications, and
+has a very large acquaintance, has time to be vexed.
+
+As Mr Elliot became known to her, she grew more charitable, or more
+indifferent, towards the others.  His manners were an immediate
+recommendation; and on conversing with him she found the solid so fully
+supporting the superficial, that she was at first, as she told Anne,
+almost ready to exclaim, "Can this be Mr Elliot?" and could not
+seriously picture to herself a more agreeable or estimable man.
+Everything united in him; good understanding, correct opinions,
+knowledge of the world, and a warm heart.  He had strong feelings of
+family attachment and family honour, without pride or weakness; he
+lived with the liberality of a man of fortune, without display; he
+judged for himself in everything essential, without defying public
+opinion in any point of worldly decorum.  He was steady, observant,
+moderate, candid; never run away with by spirits or by selfishness,
+which fancied itself strong feeling; and yet, with a sensibility to
+what was amiable and lovely, and a value for all the felicities of
+domestic life, which characters of fancied enthusiasm and violent
+agitation seldom really possess.  She was sure that he had not been
+happy in marriage.  Colonel Wallis said it, and Lady Russell saw it;
+but it had been no unhappiness to sour his mind, nor (she began pretty
+soon to suspect) to prevent his thinking of a second choice.  Her
+satisfaction in Mr Elliot outweighed all the plague of Mrs Clay.
+
+It was now some years since Anne had begun to learn that she and her
+excellent friend could sometimes think differently; and it did not
+surprise her, therefore, that Lady Russell should see nothing
+suspicious or inconsistent, nothing to require more motives than
+appeared, in Mr Elliot's great desire of a reconciliation.  In Lady
+Russell's view, it was perfectly natural that Mr Elliot, at a mature
+time of life, should feel it a most desirable object, and what would
+very generally recommend him among all sensible people, to be on good
+terms with the head of his family; the simplest process in the world of
+time upon a head naturally clear, and only erring in the heyday of
+youth.  Anne presumed, however, still to smile about it, and at last to
+mention "Elizabeth."  Lady Russell listened, and looked, and made only
+this cautious reply:--"Elizabeth! very well; time will explain."
+
+It was a reference to the future, which Anne, after a little
+observation, felt she must submit to.  She could determine nothing at
+present.  In that house Elizabeth must be first; and she was in the
+habit of such general observance as "Miss Elliot," that any
+particularity of attention seemed almost impossible.  Mr Elliot, too,
+it must be remembered, had not been a widower seven months.  A little
+delay on his side might be very excusable.  In fact, Anne could never
+see the crape round his hat, without fearing that she was the
+inexcusable one, in attributing to him such imaginations; for though
+his marriage had not been very happy, still it had existed so many
+years that she could not comprehend a very rapid recovery from the
+awful impression of its being dissolved.
+
+However it might end, he was without any question their pleasantest
+acquaintance in Bath:  she saw nobody equal to him; and it was a great
+indulgence now and then to talk to him about Lyme, which he seemed to
+have as lively a wish to see again, and to see more of, as herself.
+They went through the particulars of their first meeting a great many
+times.  He gave her to understand that he had looked at her with some
+earnestness.  She knew it well; and she remembered another person's
+look also.
+
+They did not always think alike.  His value for rank and connexion she
+perceived was greater than hers.  It was not merely complaisance, it
+must be a liking to the cause, which made him enter warmly into her
+father and sister's solicitudes on a subject which she thought unworthy
+to excite them.  The Bath paper one morning announced the arrival of
+the Dowager Viscountess Dalrymple, and her daughter, the Honourable
+Miss Carteret; and all the comfort of No. --, Camden Place, was swept
+away for many days; for the Dalrymples (in Anne's opinion, most
+unfortunately) were cousins of the Elliots; and the agony was how to
+introduce themselves properly.
+
+Anne had never seen her father and sister before in contact with
+nobility, and she must acknowledge herself disappointed.  She had hoped
+better things from their high ideas of their own situation in life, and
+was reduced to form a wish which she had never foreseen; a wish that
+they had more pride; for "our cousins Lady Dalrymple and Miss
+Carteret;" "our cousins, the Dalrymples," sounded in her ears all day
+long.
+
+Sir Walter had once been in company with the late viscount, but had
+never seen any of the rest of the family; and the difficulties of the
+case arose from there having been a suspension of all intercourse by
+letters of ceremony, ever since the death of that said late viscount,
+when, in consequence of a dangerous illness of Sir Walter's at the same
+time, there had been an unlucky omission at Kellynch.  No letter of
+condolence had been sent to Ireland.  The neglect had been visited on
+the head of the sinner; for when poor Lady Elliot died herself, no
+letter of condolence was received at Kellynch, and, consequently, there
+was but too much reason to apprehend that the Dalrymples considered the
+relationship as closed.  How to have this anxious business set to
+rights, and be admitted as cousins again, was the question:  and it was
+a question which, in a more rational manner, neither Lady Russell nor
+Mr Elliot thought unimportant.  "Family connexions were always worth
+preserving, good company always worth seeking; Lady Dalrymple had taken
+a house, for three months, in Laura Place, and would be living in
+style.  She had been at Bath the year before, and Lady Russell had
+heard her spoken of as a charming woman.  It was very desirable that
+the connexion should be renewed, if it could be done, without any
+compromise of propriety on the side of the Elliots."
+
+Sir Walter, however, would choose his own means, and at last wrote a
+very fine letter of ample explanation, regret, and entreaty, to his
+right honourable cousin.  Neither Lady Russell nor Mr Elliot could
+admire the letter; but it did all that was wanted, in bringing three
+lines of scrawl from the Dowager Viscountess.  "She was very much
+honoured, and should be happy in their acquaintance." The toils of the
+business were over, the sweets began.  They visited in Laura Place,
+they had the cards of Dowager Viscountess Dalrymple, and the Honourable
+Miss Carteret, to be arranged wherever they might be most visible:  and
+"Our cousins in Laura Place,"--"Our cousin, Lady Dalrymple and Miss
+Carteret," were talked of to everybody.
+
+Anne was ashamed.  Had Lady Dalrymple and her daughter even been very
+agreeable, she would still have been ashamed of the agitation they
+created, but they were nothing.  There was no superiority of manner,
+accomplishment, or understanding.  Lady Dalrymple had acquired the name
+of "a charming woman," because she had a smile and a civil answer for
+everybody.  Miss Carteret, with still less to say, was so plain and so
+awkward, that she would never have been tolerated in Camden Place but
+for her birth.
+
+Lady Russell confessed she had expected something better; but yet "it
+was an acquaintance worth having;" and when Anne ventured to speak her
+opinion of them to Mr Elliot, he agreed to their being nothing in
+themselves, but still maintained that, as a family connexion, as good
+company, as those who would collect good company around them, they had
+their value.  Anne smiled and said,
+
+"My idea of good company, Mr Elliot, is the company of clever,
+well-informed people, who have a great deal of conversation; that is
+what I call good company."
+
+"You are mistaken," said he gently, "that is not good company; that is
+the best.  Good company requires only birth, education, and manners,
+and with regard to education is not very nice.  Birth and good manners
+are essential; but a little learning is by no means a dangerous thing
+in good company; on the contrary, it will do very well.  My cousin Anne
+shakes her head.  She is not satisfied.  She is fastidious.  My dear
+cousin" (sitting down by her), "you have a better right to be
+fastidious than almost any other woman I know; but will it answer?
+Will it make you happy?  Will it not be wiser to accept the society of
+those good ladies in Laura Place, and enjoy all the advantages of the
+connexion as far as possible?  You may depend upon it, that they will
+move in the first set in Bath this winter, and as rank is rank, your
+being known to be related to them will have its use in fixing your
+family (our family let me say) in that degree of consideration which we
+must all wish for."
+
+"Yes," sighed Anne, "we shall, indeed, be known to be related to them!"
+then recollecting herself, and not wishing to be answered, she added,
+"I certainly do think there has been by far too much trouble taken to
+procure the acquaintance.  I suppose" (smiling) "I have more pride than
+any of you; but I confess it does vex me, that we should be so
+solicitous to have the relationship acknowledged, which we may be very
+sure is a matter of perfect indifference to them."
+
+"Pardon me, dear cousin, you are unjust in your own claims.  In London,
+perhaps, in your present quiet style of living, it might be as you say:
+but in Bath; Sir Walter Elliot and his family will always be worth
+knowing:  always acceptable as acquaintance."
+
+"Well," said Anne, "I certainly am proud, too proud to enjoy a welcome
+which depends so entirely upon place."
+
+"I love your indignation," said he; "it is very natural.  But here you
+are in Bath, and the object is to be established here with all the
+credit and dignity which ought to belong to Sir Walter Elliot.  You
+talk of being proud; I am called proud, I know, and I shall not wish to
+believe myself otherwise; for our pride, if investigated, would have
+the same object, I have no doubt, though the kind may seem a little
+different.  In one point, I am sure, my dear cousin," (he continued,
+speaking lower, though there was no one else in the room) "in one
+point, I am sure, we must feel alike.  We must feel that every addition
+to your father's society, among his equals or superiors, may be of use
+in diverting his thoughts from those who are beneath him."
+
+He looked, as he spoke, to the seat which Mrs Clay had been lately
+occupying:  a sufficient explanation of what he particularly meant; and
+though Anne could not believe in their having the same sort of pride,
+she was pleased with him for not liking Mrs Clay; and her conscience
+admitted that his wishing to promote her father's getting great
+acquaintance was more than excusable in the view of defeating her.
+
+
+
+Chapter 17
+
+
+While Sir Walter and Elizabeth were assiduously pushing their good
+fortune in Laura Place, Anne was renewing an acquaintance of a very
+different description.
+
+She had called on her former governess, and had heard from her of there
+being an old school-fellow in Bath, who had the two strong claims on
+her attention of past kindness and present suffering.  Miss Hamilton,
+now Mrs Smith, had shewn her kindness in one of those periods of her
+life when it had been most valuable.  Anne had gone unhappy to school,
+grieving for the loss of a mother whom she had dearly loved, feeling
+her separation from home, and suffering as a girl of fourteen, of
+strong sensibility and not high spirits, must suffer at such a time;
+and Miss Hamilton, three years older than herself, but still from the
+want of near relations and a settled home, remaining another year at
+school, had been useful and good to her in a way which had considerably
+lessened her misery, and could never be remembered with indifference.
+
+Miss Hamilton had left school, had married not long afterwards, was
+said to have married a man of fortune, and this was all that Anne had
+known of her, till now that their governess's account brought her
+situation forward in a more decided but very different form.
+
+She was a widow and poor.  Her husband had been extravagant; and at his
+death, about two years before, had left his affairs dreadfully
+involved.  She had had difficulties of every sort to contend with, and
+in addition to these distresses had been afflicted with a severe
+rheumatic fever, which, finally settling in her legs, had made her for
+the present a cripple.  She had come to Bath on that account, and was
+now in lodgings near the hot baths, living in a very humble way, unable
+even to afford herself the comfort of a servant, and of course almost
+excluded from society.
+
+Their mutual friend answered for the satisfaction which a visit from
+Miss Elliot would give Mrs Smith, and Anne therefore lost no time in
+going.  She mentioned nothing of what she had heard, or what she
+intended, at home.  It would excite no proper interest there.  She only
+consulted Lady Russell, who entered thoroughly into her sentiments, and
+was most happy to convey her as near to Mrs Smith's lodgings in
+Westgate Buildings, as Anne chose to be taken.
+
+The visit was paid, their acquaintance re-established, their interest
+in each other more than re-kindled.  The first ten minutes had its
+awkwardness and its emotion.  Twelve years were gone since they had
+parted, and each presented a somewhat different person from what the
+other had imagined.  Twelve years had changed Anne from the blooming,
+silent, unformed girl of fifteen, to the elegant little woman of
+seven-and-twenty, with every beauty except bloom, and with manners as
+consciously right as they were invariably gentle; and twelve years had
+transformed the fine-looking, well-grown Miss Hamilton, in all the glow
+of health and confidence of superiority, into a poor, infirm, helpless
+widow, receiving the visit of her former protegee as a favour; but all
+that was uncomfortable in the meeting had soon passed away, and left
+only the interesting charm of remembering former partialities and
+talking over old times.
+
+Anne found in Mrs Smith the good sense and agreeable manners which she
+had almost ventured to depend on, and a disposition to converse and be
+cheerful beyond her expectation.  Neither the dissipations of the
+past--and she had lived very much in the world--nor the restrictions of
+the present, neither sickness nor sorrow seemed to have closed her
+heart or ruined her spirits.
+
+In the course of a second visit she talked with great openness, and
+Anne's astonishment increased.  She could scarcely imagine a more
+cheerless situation in itself than Mrs Smith's.  She had been very fond
+of her husband:  she had buried him.  She had been used to affluence:
+it was gone.  She had no child to connect her with life and happiness
+again, no relations to assist in the arrangement of perplexed affairs,
+no health to make all the rest supportable.  Her accommodations were
+limited to a noisy parlour, and a dark bedroom behind, with no
+possibility of moving from one to the other without assistance, which
+there was only one servant in the house to afford, and she never
+quitted the house but to be conveyed into the warm bath.  Yet, in spite
+of all this, Anne had reason to believe that she had moments only of
+languor and depression, to hours of occupation and enjoyment.  How
+could it be?  She watched, observed, reflected, and finally determined
+that this was not a case of fortitude or of resignation only.  A
+submissive spirit might be patient, a strong understanding would supply
+resolution, but here was something more; here was that elasticity of
+mind, that disposition to be comforted, that power of turning readily
+from evil to good, and of finding employment which carried her out of
+herself, which was from nature alone.  It was the choicest gift of
+Heaven; and Anne viewed her friend as one of those instances in which,
+by a merciful appointment, it seems designed to counterbalance almost
+every other want.
+
+There had been a time, Mrs Smith told her, when her spirits had nearly
+failed.  She could not call herself an invalid now, compared with her
+state on first reaching Bath.  Then she had, indeed, been a pitiable
+object; for she had caught cold on the journey, and had hardly taken
+possession of her lodgings before she was again confined to her bed and
+suffering under severe and constant pain; and all this among strangers,
+with the absolute necessity of having a regular nurse, and finances at
+that moment particularly unfit to meet any extraordinary expense.  She
+had weathered it, however, and could truly say that it had done her
+good.  It had increased her comforts by making her feel herself to be
+in good hands.  She had seen too much of the world, to expect sudden or
+disinterested attachment anywhere, but her illness had proved to her
+that her landlady had a character to preserve, and would not use her
+ill; and she had been particularly fortunate in her nurse, as a sister
+of her landlady, a nurse by profession, and who had always a home in
+that house when unemployed, chanced to be at liberty just in time to
+attend her.  "And she," said Mrs Smith, "besides nursing me most
+admirably, has really proved an invaluable acquaintance.  As soon as I
+could use my hands she taught me to knit, which has been a great
+amusement; and she put me in the way of making these little
+thread-cases, pin-cushions and card-racks, which you always find me so
+busy about, and which supply me with the means of doing a little good
+to one or two very poor families in this neighbourhood.  She had a
+large acquaintance, of course professionally, among those who can
+afford to buy, and she disposes of my merchandise.  She always takes
+the right time for applying.  Everybody's heart is open, you know, when
+they have recently escaped from severe pain, or are recovering the
+blessing of health, and Nurse Rooke thoroughly understands when to
+speak.  She is a shrewd, intelligent, sensible woman.  Hers is a line
+for seeing human nature; and she has a fund of good sense and
+observation, which, as a companion, make her infinitely superior to
+thousands of those who having only received 'the best education in the
+world,' know nothing worth attending to.  Call it gossip, if you will,
+but when Nurse Rooke has half an hour's leisure to bestow on me, she is
+sure to have something to relate that is entertaining and profitable:
+something that makes one know one's species better.  One likes to hear
+what is going on, to be au fait as to the newest modes of being
+trifling and silly.  To me, who live so much alone, her conversation, I
+assure you, is a treat."
+
+Anne, far from wishing to cavil at the pleasure, replied, "I can easily
+believe it.  Women of that class have great opportunities, and if they
+are intelligent may be well worth listening to.  Such varieties of
+human nature as they are in the habit of witnessing!  And it is not
+merely in its follies, that they are well read; for they see it
+occasionally under every circumstance that can be most interesting or
+affecting.  What instances must pass before them of ardent,
+disinterested, self-denying attachment, of heroism, fortitude,
+patience, resignation:  of all the conflicts and all the sacrifices
+that ennoble us most.  A sick chamber may often furnish the worth of
+volumes."
+
+"Yes," said Mrs Smith more doubtingly, "sometimes it may, though I fear
+its lessons are not often in the elevated style you describe.  Here and
+there, human nature may be great in times of trial; but generally
+speaking, it is its weakness and not its strength that appears in a
+sick chamber:  it is selfishness and impatience rather than generosity
+and fortitude, that one hears of.  There is so little real friendship
+in the world! and unfortunately" (speaking low and tremulously) "there
+are so many who forget to think seriously till it is almost too late."
+
+Anne saw the misery of such feelings.  The husband had not been what he
+ought, and the wife had been led among that part of mankind which made
+her think worse of the world than she hoped it deserved.  It was but a
+passing emotion however with Mrs Smith; she shook it off, and soon
+added in a different tone--
+
+"I do not suppose the situation my friend Mrs Rooke is in at present,
+will furnish much either to interest or edify me.  She is only nursing
+Mrs Wallis of Marlborough Buildings; a mere pretty, silly, expensive,
+fashionable woman, I believe; and of course will have nothing to report
+but of lace and finery.  I mean to make my profit of Mrs Wallis,
+however.  She has plenty of money, and I intend she shall buy all the
+high-priced things I have in hand now."
+
+Anne had called several times on her friend, before the existence of
+such a person was known in Camden Place.  At last, it became necessary
+to speak of her. Sir Walter, Elizabeth and Mrs Clay, returned one
+morning from Laura Place, with a sudden invitation from Lady Dalrymple
+for the same evening, and Anne was already engaged, to spend that
+evening in Westgate Buildings.  She was not sorry for the excuse.  They
+were only asked, she was sure, because Lady Dalrymple being kept at
+home by a bad cold, was glad to make use of the relationship which had
+been so pressed on her; and she declined on her own account with great
+alacrity--"She was engaged to spend the evening with an old
+schoolfellow."  They were not much interested in anything relative to
+Anne; but still there were questions enough asked, to make it
+understood what this old schoolfellow was; and Elizabeth was
+disdainful, and Sir Walter severe.
+
+"Westgate Buildings!" said he, "and who is Miss Anne Elliot to be
+visiting in Westgate Buildings?  A Mrs Smith.  A widow Mrs Smith; and
+who was her husband?  One of five thousand Mr Smiths whose names are to
+be met with everywhere.  And what is her attraction?  That she is old
+and sickly.  Upon my word, Miss Anne Elliot, you have the most
+extraordinary taste!  Everything that revolts other people, low
+company, paltry rooms, foul air, disgusting associations are inviting
+to you.  But surely you may put off this old lady till to-morrow:  she
+is not so near her end, I presume, but that she may hope to see another
+day.  What is her age?  Forty?"
+
+"No, sir, she is not one-and-thirty; but I do not think I can put off
+my engagement, because it is the only evening for some time which will
+at once suit her and myself.  She goes into the warm bath to-morrow,
+and for the rest of the week, you know, we are engaged."
+
+"But what does Lady Russell think of this acquaintance?" asked
+Elizabeth.
+
+"She sees nothing to blame in it," replied Anne; "on the contrary, she
+approves it, and has generally taken me when I have called on Mrs
+Smith."
+
+"Westgate Buildings must have been rather surprised by the appearance
+of a carriage drawn up near its pavement," observed Sir Walter.  "Sir
+Henry Russell's widow, indeed, has no honours to distinguish her arms,
+but still it is a handsome equipage, and no doubt is well known to
+convey a Miss Elliot.  A widow Mrs Smith lodging in Westgate Buildings!
+A poor widow barely able to live, between thirty and forty; a mere Mrs
+Smith, an every-day Mrs Smith, of all people and all names in the
+world, to be the chosen friend of Miss Anne Elliot, and to be preferred
+by her to her own family connections among the nobility of England and
+Ireland!  Mrs Smith!  Such a name!"
+
+Mrs Clay, who had been present while all this passed, now thought it
+advisable to leave the room, and Anne could have said much, and did
+long to say a little in defence of her friend's not very dissimilar
+claims to theirs, but her sense of personal respect to her father
+prevented her.  She made no reply.  She left it to himself to
+recollect, that Mrs Smith was not the only widow in Bath between thirty
+and forty, with little to live on, and no surname of dignity.
+
+Anne kept her appointment; the others kept theirs, and of course she
+heard the next morning that they had had a delightful evening.  She had
+been the only one of the set absent, for Sir Walter and Elizabeth had
+not only been quite at her ladyship's service themselves, but had
+actually been happy to be employed by her in collecting others, and had
+been at the trouble of inviting both Lady Russell and Mr Elliot; and Mr
+Elliot had made a point of leaving Colonel Wallis early, and Lady
+Russell had fresh arranged all her evening engagements in order to wait
+on her.  Anne had the whole history of all that such an evening could
+supply from Lady Russell.  To her, its greatest interest must be, in
+having been very much talked of between her friend and Mr Elliot; in
+having been wished for, regretted, and at the same time honoured for
+staying away in such a cause.  Her kind, compassionate visits to this
+old schoolfellow, sick and reduced, seemed to have quite delighted Mr
+Elliot.  He thought her a most extraordinary young woman; in her
+temper, manners, mind, a model of female excellence.  He could meet
+even Lady Russell in a discussion of her merits; and Anne could not be
+given to understand so much by her friend, could not know herself to be
+so highly rated by a sensible man, without many of those agreeable
+sensations which her friend meant to create.
+
+Lady Russell was now perfectly decided in her opinion of Mr Elliot.
+She was as much convinced of his meaning to gain Anne in time as of his
+deserving her, and was beginning to calculate the number of weeks which
+would free him from all the remaining restraints of widowhood, and
+leave him at liberty to exert his most open powers of pleasing.  She
+would not speak to Anne with half the certainty she felt on the
+subject, she would venture on little more than hints of what might be
+hereafter, of a possible attachment on his side, of the desirableness
+of the alliance, supposing such attachment to be real and returned.
+Anne heard her, and made no violent exclamations; she only smiled,
+blushed, and gently shook her head.
+
+"I am no match-maker, as you well know," said Lady Russell, "being much
+too well aware of the uncertainty of all human events and calculations.
+I only mean that if Mr Elliot should some time hence pay his addresses
+to you, and if you should be disposed to accept him, I think there
+would be every possibility of your being happy together.  A most
+suitable connection everybody must consider it, but I think it might be
+a very happy one."
+
+"Mr Elliot is an exceedingly agreeable man, and in many respects I
+think highly of him," said Anne; "but we should not suit."
+
+Lady Russell let this pass, and only said in rejoinder, "I own that to
+be able to regard you as the future mistress of Kellynch, the future
+Lady Elliot, to look forward and see you occupying your dear mother's
+place, succeeding to all her rights, and all her popularity, as well as
+to all her virtues, would be the highest possible gratification to me.
+You are your mother's self in countenance and disposition; and if I
+might be allowed to fancy you such as she was, in situation and name,
+and home, presiding and blessing in the same spot, and only superior to
+her in being more highly valued!  My dearest Anne, it would give me
+more delight than is often felt at my time of life!"
+
+Anne was obliged to turn away, to rise, to walk to a distant table,
+and, leaning there in pretended employment, try to subdue the feelings
+this picture excited.  For a few moments her imagination and her heart
+were bewitched.  The idea of becoming what her mother had been; of
+having the precious name of "Lady Elliot" first revived in herself; of
+being restored to Kellynch, calling it her home again, her home for
+ever, was a charm which she could not immediately resist.  Lady Russell
+said not another word, willing to leave the matter to its own
+operation; and believing that, could Mr Elliot at that moment with
+propriety have spoken for himself!--she believed, in short, what Anne
+did not believe.  The same image of Mr Elliot speaking for himself
+brought Anne to composure again.  The charm of Kellynch and of "Lady
+Elliot" all faded away.  She never could accept him.  And it was not
+only that her feelings were still adverse to any man save one; her
+judgement, on a serious consideration of the possibilities of such a
+case was against Mr Elliot.
+
+Though they had now been acquainted a month, she could not be satisfied
+that she really knew his character.  That he was a sensible man, an
+agreeable man, that he talked well, professed good opinions, seemed to
+judge properly and as a man of principle, this was all clear enough.
+He certainly knew what was right, nor could she fix on any one article
+of moral duty evidently transgressed; but yet she would have been
+afraid to answer for his conduct.  She distrusted the past, if not the
+present.  The names which occasionally dropt of former associates, the
+allusions to former practices and pursuits, suggested suspicions not
+favourable of what he had been.  She saw that there had been bad
+habits; that Sunday travelling had been a common thing; that there had
+been a period of his life (and probably not a short one) when he had
+been, at least, careless in all serious matters; and, though he might
+now think very differently, who could answer for the true sentiments of
+a clever, cautious man, grown old enough to appreciate a fair
+character?  How could it ever be ascertained that his mind was truly
+cleansed?
+
+Mr Elliot was rational, discreet, polished, but he was not open.  There
+was never any burst of feeling, any warmth of indignation or delight,
+at the evil or good of others.  This, to Anne, was a decided
+imperfection.  Her early impressions were incurable.  She prized the
+frank, the open-hearted, the eager character beyond all others.  Warmth
+and enthusiasm did captivate her still.  She felt that she could so
+much more depend upon the sincerity of those who sometimes looked or
+said a careless or a hasty thing, than of those whose presence of mind
+never varied, whose tongue never slipped.
+
+Mr Elliot was too generally agreeable.  Various as were the tempers in
+her father's house, he pleased them all.  He endured too well, stood
+too well with every body.  He had spoken to her with some degree of
+openness of Mrs Clay; had appeared completely to see what Mrs Clay was
+about, and to hold her in contempt; and yet Mrs Clay found him as
+agreeable as any body.
+
+Lady Russell saw either less or more than her young friend, for she saw
+nothing to excite distrust.  She could not imagine a man more exactly
+what he ought to be than Mr Elliot; nor did she ever enjoy a sweeter
+feeling than the hope of seeing him receive the hand of her beloved
+Anne in Kellynch church, in the course of the following autumn.
+
+
+
+Chapter 18
+
+
+It was the beginning of February; and Anne, having been a month in
+Bath, was growing very eager for news from Uppercross and Lyme.  She
+wanted to hear much more than Mary had communicated.  It was three
+weeks since she had heard at all.  She only knew that Henrietta was at
+home again; and that Louisa, though considered to be recovering fast,
+was still in Lyme; and she was thinking of them all very intently one
+evening, when a thicker letter than usual from Mary was delivered to
+her; and, to quicken the pleasure and surprise, with Admiral and Mrs
+Croft's compliments.
+
+The Crofts must be in Bath!  A circumstance to interest her.  They were
+people whom her heart turned to very naturally.
+
+"What is this?" cried Sir Walter.  "The Crofts have arrived in Bath?
+The Crofts who rent Kellynch?  What have they brought you?"
+
+"A letter from Uppercross Cottage, Sir."
+
+"Oh! those letters are convenient passports.  They secure an
+introduction.  I should have visited Admiral Croft, however, at any
+rate.  I know what is due to my tenant."
+
+Anne could listen no longer; she could not even have told how the poor
+Admiral's complexion escaped; her letter engrossed her.  It had been
+begun several days back.
+
+
+"February 1st.
+
+"My dear Anne,--I make no apology for my silence, because I know how
+little people think of letters in such a place as Bath.  You must be a
+great deal too happy to care for Uppercross, which, as you well know,
+affords little to write about.  We have had a very dull Christmas; Mr
+and Mrs Musgrove have not had one dinner party all the holidays.  I do
+not reckon the Hayters as anybody.  The holidays, however, are over at
+last:  I believe no children ever had such long ones.  I am sure I had
+not.  The house was cleared yesterday, except of the little Harvilles;
+but you will be surprised to hear they have never gone home.  Mrs
+Harville must be an odd mother to part with them so long.  I do not
+understand it.  They are not at all nice children, in my opinion; but
+Mrs Musgrove seems to like them quite as well, if not better, than her
+grandchildren.  What dreadful weather we have had!  It may not be felt
+in Bath, with your nice pavements; but in the country it is of some
+consequence.  I have not had a creature call on me since the second
+week in January, except Charles Hayter, who had been calling much
+oftener than was welcome.  Between ourselves, I think it a great pity
+Henrietta did not remain at Lyme as long as Louisa; it would have kept
+her a little out of his way.  The carriage is gone to-day, to bring
+Louisa and the Harvilles to-morrow.  We are not asked to dine with
+them, however, till the day after, Mrs Musgrove is so afraid of her
+being fatigued by the journey, which is not very likely, considering
+the care that will be taken of her; and it would be much more
+convenient to me to dine there to-morrow.  I am glad you find Mr Elliot
+so agreeable, and wish I could be acquainted with him too; but I have
+my usual luck:  I am always out of the way when any thing desirable is
+going on; always the last of my family to be noticed.  What an immense
+time Mrs Clay has been staying with Elizabeth!  Does she never mean to
+go away?  But perhaps if she were to leave the room vacant, we might
+not be invited.  Let me know what you think of this.  I do not expect
+my children to be asked, you know.  I can leave them at the Great House
+very well, for a month or six weeks.  I have this moment heard that the
+Crofts are going to Bath almost immediately; they think the Admiral
+gouty.  Charles heard it quite by chance; they have not had the
+civility to give me any notice, or of offering to take anything.  I do
+not think they improve at all as neighbours.  We see nothing of them,
+and this is really an instance of gross inattention.  Charles joins me
+in love, and everything proper.  Yours affectionately,
+
+"Mary M---.
+
+"I am sorry to say that I am very far from well; and Jemima has just
+told me that the butcher says there is a bad sore-throat very much
+about.  I dare say I shall catch it; and my sore-throats, you know, are
+always worse than anybody's."
+
+
+So ended the first part, which had been afterwards put into an
+envelope, containing nearly as much more.
+
+
+"I kept my letter open, that I might send you word how Louisa bore her
+journey, and now I am extremely glad I did, having a great deal to add.
+In the first place, I had a note from Mrs Croft yesterday, offering to
+convey anything to you; a very kind, friendly note indeed, addressed to
+me, just as it ought; I shall therefore be able to make my letter as
+long as I like.  The Admiral does not seem very ill, and I sincerely
+hope Bath will do him all the good he wants.  I shall be truly glad to
+have them back again.  Our neighbourhood cannot spare such a pleasant
+family.  But now for Louisa.  I have something to communicate that will
+astonish you not a little.  She and the Harvilles came on Tuesday very
+safely, and in the evening we went to ask her how she did, when we were
+rather surprised not to find Captain Benwick of the party, for he had
+been invited as well as the Harvilles; and what do you think was the
+reason?  Neither more nor less than his being in love with Louisa, and
+not choosing to venture to Uppercross till he had had an answer from Mr
+Musgrove; for it was all settled between him and her before she came
+away, and he had written to her father by Captain Harville.  True, upon
+my honour!  Are not you astonished?  I shall be surprised at least if
+you ever received a hint of it, for I never did.  Mrs Musgrove protests
+solemnly that she knew nothing of the matter.  We are all very well
+pleased, however, for though it is not equal to her marrying Captain
+Wentworth, it is infinitely better than Charles Hayter; and Mr Musgrove
+has written his consent, and Captain Benwick is expected to-day.  Mrs
+Harville says her husband feels a good deal on his poor sister's
+account; but, however, Louisa is a great favourite with both.  Indeed,
+Mrs Harville and I quite agree that we love her the better for having
+nursed her.  Charles wonders what Captain Wentworth will say; but if
+you remember, I never thought him attached to Louisa; I never could see
+anything of it.  And this is the end, you see, of Captain Benwick's
+being supposed to be an admirer of yours.  How Charles could take such
+a thing into his head was always incomprehensible to me.  I hope he
+will be more agreeable now.  Certainly not a great match for Louisa
+Musgrove, but a million times better than marrying among the Hayters."
+
+
+Mary need not have feared her sister's being in any degree prepared for
+the news.  She had never in her life been more astonished.  Captain
+Benwick and Louisa Musgrove!  It was almost too wonderful for belief,
+and it was with the greatest effort that she could remain in the room,
+preserve an air of calmness, and answer the common questions of the
+moment.  Happily for her, they were not many.  Sir Walter wanted to
+know whether the Crofts travelled with four horses, and whether they
+were likely to be situated in such a part of Bath as it might suit Miss
+Elliot and himself to visit in; but had little curiosity beyond.
+
+"How is Mary?" said Elizabeth; and without waiting for an answer, "And
+pray what brings the Crofts to Bath?"
+
+"They come on the Admiral's account.  He is thought to be gouty."
+
+"Gout and decrepitude!" said Sir Walter.  "Poor old gentleman."
+
+"Have they any acquaintance here?" asked Elizabeth.
+
+"I do not know; but I can hardly suppose that, at Admiral Croft's time
+of life, and in his profession, he should not have many acquaintance in
+such a place as this."
+
+"I suspect," said Sir Walter coolly, "that Admiral Croft will be best
+known in Bath as the renter of Kellynch Hall.  Elizabeth, may we
+venture to present him and his wife in Laura Place?"
+
+"Oh, no! I think not.  Situated as we are with Lady Dalrymple, cousins,
+we ought to be very careful not to embarrass her with acquaintance she
+might not approve.  If we were not related, it would not signify; but
+as cousins, she would feel scrupulous as to any proposal of ours.  We
+had better leave the Crofts to find their own level.  There are several
+odd-looking men walking about here, who, I am told, are sailors.  The
+Crofts will associate with them."
+
+This was Sir Walter and Elizabeth's share of interest in the letter;
+when Mrs Clay had paid her tribute of more decent attention, in an
+enquiry after Mrs Charles Musgrove, and her fine little boys, Anne was
+at liberty.
+
+In her own room, she tried to comprehend it.  Well might Charles wonder
+how Captain Wentworth would feel!  Perhaps he had quitted the field,
+had given Louisa up, had ceased to love, had found he did not love her.
+She could not endure the idea of treachery or levity, or anything akin
+to ill usage between him and his friend.  She could not endure that
+such a friendship as theirs should be severed unfairly.
+
+Captain Benwick and Louisa Musgrove!  The high-spirited, joyous-talking
+Louisa Musgrove, and the dejected, thinking, feeling, reading, Captain
+Benwick, seemed each of them everything that would not suit the other.
+Their minds most dissimilar!  Where could have been the attraction?
+The answer soon presented itself.  It had been in situation.  They had
+been thrown together several weeks; they had been living in the same
+small family party:  since Henrietta's coming away, they must have been
+depending almost entirely on each other, and Louisa, just recovering
+from illness, had been in an interesting state, and Captain Benwick was
+not inconsolable.  That was a point which Anne had not been able to
+avoid suspecting before; and instead of drawing the same conclusion as
+Mary, from the present course of events, they served only to confirm
+the idea of his having felt some dawning of tenderness toward herself.
+She did not mean, however, to derive much more from it to gratify her
+vanity, than Mary might have allowed.  She was persuaded that any
+tolerably pleasing young woman who had listened and seemed to feel for
+him would have received the same compliment.  He had an affectionate
+heart.  He must love somebody.
+
+She saw no reason against their being happy.  Louisa had fine naval
+fervour to begin with, and they would soon grow more alike.  He would
+gain cheerfulness, and she would learn to be an enthusiast for Scott
+and Lord Byron; nay, that was probably learnt already; of course they
+had fallen in love over poetry.  The idea of Louisa Musgrove turned
+into a person of literary taste, and sentimental reflection was
+amusing, but she had no doubt of its being so.  The day at Lyme, the
+fall from the Cobb, might influence her health, her nerves, her
+courage, her character to the end of her life, as thoroughly as it
+appeared to have influenced her fate.
+
+The conclusion of the whole was, that if the woman who had been
+sensible of Captain Wentworth's merits could be allowed to prefer
+another man, there was nothing in the engagement to excite lasting
+wonder; and if Captain Wentworth lost no friend by it, certainly
+nothing to be regretted.  No, it was not regret which made Anne's heart
+beat in spite of herself, and brought the colour into her cheeks when
+she thought of Captain Wentworth unshackled and free.  She had some
+feelings which she was ashamed to investigate.  They were too much like
+joy, senseless joy!
+
+She longed to see the Crofts; but when the meeting took place, it was
+evident that no rumour of the news had yet reached them.  The visit of
+ceremony was paid and returned; and Louisa Musgrove was mentioned, and
+Captain Benwick, too, without even half a smile.
+
+The Crofts had placed themselves in lodgings in Gay Street, perfectly
+to Sir Walter's satisfaction.  He was not at all ashamed of the
+acquaintance, and did, in fact, think and talk a great deal more about
+the Admiral, than the Admiral ever thought or talked about him.
+
+The Crofts knew quite as many people in Bath as they wished for, and
+considered their intercourse with the Elliots as a mere matter of form,
+and not in the least likely to afford them any pleasure.  They brought
+with them their country habit of being almost always together.  He was
+ordered to walk to keep off the gout, and Mrs Croft seemed to go shares
+with him in everything, and to walk for her life to do him good.  Anne
+saw them wherever she went.  Lady Russell took her out in her carriage
+almost every morning, and she never failed to think of them, and never
+failed to see them.  Knowing their feelings as she did, it was a most
+attractive picture of happiness to her.  She always watched them as
+long as she could, delighted to fancy she understood what they might be
+talking of, as they walked along in happy independence, or equally
+delighted to see the Admiral's hearty shake of the hand when he
+encountered an old friend, and observe their eagerness of conversation
+when occasionally forming into a little knot of the navy, Mrs Croft
+looking as intelligent and keen as any of the officers around her.
+
+Anne was too much engaged with Lady Russell to be often walking
+herself; but it so happened that one morning, about a week or ten days
+after the Croft's arrival, it suited her best to leave her friend, or
+her friend's carriage, in the lower part of the town, and return alone
+to Camden Place, and in walking up Milsom Street she had the good
+fortune to meet with the Admiral.  He was standing by himself at a
+printshop window, with his hands behind him, in earnest contemplation
+of some print, and she not only might have passed him unseen, but was
+obliged to touch as well as address him before she could catch his
+notice.  When he did perceive and acknowledge her, however, it was done
+with all his usual frankness and good humour.  "Ha! is it you?  Thank
+you, thank you.  This is treating me like a friend.  Here I am, you
+see, staring at a picture.  I can never get by this shop without
+stopping.  But what a thing here is, by way of a boat!  Do look at it.
+Did you ever see the like?  What queer fellows your fine painters must
+be, to think that anybody would venture their lives in such a shapeless
+old cockleshell as that?  And yet here are two gentlemen stuck up in it
+mightily at their ease, and looking about them at the rocks and
+mountains, as if they were not to be upset the next moment, which they
+certainly must be.  I wonder where that boat was built!" (laughing
+heartily); "I would not venture over a horsepond in it.  Well,"
+(turning away), "now, where are you bound?  Can I go anywhere for you,
+or with you?  Can I be of any use?"
+
+"None, I thank you, unless you will give me the pleasure of your
+company the little way our road lies together.  I am going home."
+
+
+"That I will, with all my heart, and farther, too.  Yes, yes we will
+have a snug walk together, and I have something to tell you as we go
+along.  There, take my arm; that's right; I do not feel comfortable if
+I have not a woman there.  Lord! what a boat it is!" taking a last look
+at the picture, as they began to be in motion.
+
+"Did you say that you had something to tell me, sir?"
+
+"Yes, I have, presently.  But here comes a friend, Captain Brigden; I
+shall only say, 'How d'ye do?' as we pass, however.  I shall not stop.
+'How d'ye do?'  Brigden stares to see anybody with me but my wife.
+She, poor soul, is tied by the leg.  She has a blister on one of her
+heels, as large as a three-shilling piece.  If you look across the
+street, you will see Admiral Brand coming down and his brother.  Shabby
+fellows, both of them!  I am glad they are not on this side of the way.
+Sophy cannot bear them.  They played me a pitiful trick once: got away
+with some of my best men.  I will tell you the whole story another
+time.  There comes old Sir Archibald Drew and his grandson.  Look, he
+sees us; he kisses his hand to you; he takes you for my wife.  Ah! the
+peace has come too soon for that younker.  Poor old Sir Archibald!  How
+do you like Bath, Miss Elliot?  It suits us very well.  We are always
+meeting with some old friend or other; the streets full of them every
+morning; sure to have plenty of chat; and then we get away from them
+all, and shut ourselves in our lodgings, and draw in our chairs, and
+are as snug as if we were at Kellynch, ay, or as we used to be even at
+North Yarmouth and Deal.  We do not like our lodgings here the worse, I
+can tell you, for putting us in mind of those we first had at North
+Yarmouth.  The wind blows through one of the cupboards just in the same
+way."
+
+When they were got a little farther, Anne ventured to press again for
+what he had to communicate.  She hoped when clear of Milsom Street to
+have her curiosity gratified; but she was still obliged to wait, for
+the Admiral had made up his mind not to begin till they had gained the
+greater space and quiet of Belmont; and as she was not really Mrs
+Croft, she must let him have his own way.  As soon as they were fairly
+ascending Belmont, he began--
+
+"Well, now you shall hear something that will surprise you.  But first
+of all, you must tell me the name of the young lady I am going to talk
+about.  That young lady, you know, that we have all been so concerned
+for.  The Miss Musgrove, that all this has been happening to.  Her
+Christian name:  I always forget her Christian name."
+
+Anne had been ashamed to appear to comprehend so soon as she really
+did; but now she could safely suggest the name of "Louisa."
+
+"Ay, ay, Miss Louisa Musgrove, that is the name.  I wish young ladies
+had not such a number of fine Christian names.  I should never be out
+if they were all Sophys, or something of that sort.  Well, this Miss
+Louisa, we all thought, you know, was to marry Frederick.  He was
+courting her week after week.  The only wonder was, what they could be
+waiting for, till the business at Lyme came; then, indeed, it was clear
+enough that they must wait till her brain was set to right.  But even
+then there was something odd in their way of going on.  Instead of
+staying at Lyme, he went off to Plymouth, and then he went off to see
+Edward.  When we came back from Minehead he was gone down to Edward's,
+and there he has been ever since.  We have seen nothing of him since
+November.  Even Sophy could not understand it.  But now, the matter has
+taken the strangest turn of all; for this young lady, the same Miss
+Musgrove, instead of being to marry Frederick, is to marry James
+Benwick.  You know James Benwick."
+
+"A little.  I am a little acquainted with Captain Benwick."
+
+"Well, she is to marry him.  Nay, most likely they are married already,
+for I do not know what they should wait for."
+
+"I thought Captain Benwick a very pleasing young man," said Anne, "and
+I understand that he bears an excellent character."
+
+"Oh! yes, yes, there is not a word to be said against James Benwick.
+He is only a commander, it is true, made last summer, and these are bad
+times for getting on, but he has not another fault that I know of.  An
+excellent, good-hearted fellow, I assure you; a very active, zealous
+officer too, which is more than you would think for, perhaps, for that
+soft sort of manner does not do him justice."
+
+"Indeed you are mistaken there, sir; I should never augur want of
+spirit from Captain Benwick's manners.  I thought them particularly
+pleasing, and I will answer for it, they would generally please."
+
+"Well, well, ladies are the best judges; but James Benwick is rather
+too piano for me; and though very likely it is all our partiality,
+Sophy and I cannot help thinking Frederick's manners better than his.
+There is something about Frederick more to our taste."
+
+Anne was caught.  She had only meant to oppose the too common idea of
+spirit and gentleness being incompatible with each other, not at all to
+represent Captain Benwick's manners as the very best that could
+possibly be; and, after a little hesitation, she was beginning to say,
+"I was not entering into any comparison of the two friends," but the
+Admiral interrupted her with--
+
+"And the thing is certainly true.  It is not a mere bit of gossip.  We
+have it from Frederick himself.  His sister had a letter from him
+yesterday, in which he tells us of it, and he had just had it in a
+letter from Harville, written upon the spot, from Uppercross.  I fancy
+they are all at Uppercross."
+
+This was an opportunity which Anne could not resist; she said,
+therefore, "I hope, Admiral, I hope there is nothing in the style of
+Captain Wentworth's letter to make you and Mrs Croft particularly
+uneasy.  It did seem, last autumn, as if there were an attachment
+between him and Louisa Musgrove; but I hope it may be understood to
+have worn out on each side equally, and without violence.  I hope his
+letter does not breathe the spirit of an ill-used man."
+
+"Not at all, not at all; there is not an oath or a murmur from
+beginning to end."
+
+Anne looked down to hide her smile.
+
+"No, no; Frederick is not a man to whine and complain; he has too much
+spirit for that.  If the girl likes another man better, it is very fit
+she should have him."
+
+"Certainly.  But what I mean is, that I hope there is nothing in
+Captain Wentworth's manner of writing to make you suppose he thinks
+himself ill-used by his friend, which might appear, you know, without
+its being absolutely said.  I should be very sorry that such a
+friendship as has subsisted between him and Captain Benwick should be
+destroyed, or even wounded, by a circumstance of this sort."
+
+"Yes, yes, I understand you.  But there is nothing at all of that
+nature in the letter.  He does not give the least fling at Benwick;
+does not so much as say, 'I wonder at it, I have a reason of my own for
+wondering at it.'  No, you would not guess, from his way of writing,
+that he had ever thought of this Miss (what's her name?) for himself.
+He very handsomely hopes they will be happy together; and there is
+nothing very unforgiving in that, I think."
+
+Anne did not receive the perfect conviction which the Admiral meant to
+convey, but it would have been useless to press the enquiry farther.
+She therefore satisfied herself with common-place remarks or quiet
+attention, and the Admiral had it all his own way.
+
+"Poor Frederick!" said he at last.  "Now he must begin all over again
+with somebody else.  I think we must get him to Bath.  Sophy must
+write, and beg him to come to Bath.  Here are pretty girls enough, I am
+sure.  It would be of no use to go to Uppercross again, for that other
+Miss Musgrove, I find, is bespoke by her cousin, the young parson.  Do
+not you think, Miss Elliot, we had better try to get him to Bath?"
+
+
+
+Chapter 19
+
+
+While Admiral Croft was taking this walk with Anne, and expressing his
+wish of getting Captain Wentworth to Bath, Captain Wentworth was
+already on his way thither.  Before Mrs Croft had written, he was
+arrived, and the very next time Anne walked out, she saw him.
+
+Mr Elliot was attending his two cousins and Mrs Clay.  They were in
+Milsom Street.  It began to rain, not much, but enough to make shelter
+desirable for women, and quite enough to make it very desirable for
+Miss Elliot to have the advantage of being conveyed home in Lady
+Dalrymple's carriage, which was seen waiting at a little distance; she,
+Anne, and Mrs Clay, therefore, turned into Molland's, while Mr Elliot
+stepped to Lady Dalrymple, to request her assistance.  He soon joined
+them again, successful, of course; Lady Dalrymple would be most happy
+to take them home, and would call for them in a few minutes.
+
+Her ladyship's carriage was a barouche, and did not hold more than four
+with any comfort.  Miss Carteret was with her mother; consequently it
+was not reasonable to expect accommodation for all the three Camden
+Place ladies.  There could be no doubt as to Miss Elliot.  Whoever
+suffered inconvenience, she must suffer none, but it occupied a little
+time to settle the point of civility between the other two.  The rain
+was a mere trifle, and Anne was most sincere in preferring a walk with
+Mr Elliot.  But the rain was also a mere trifle to Mrs Clay; she would
+hardly allow it even to drop at all, and her boots were so thick! much
+thicker than Miss Anne's; and, in short, her civility rendered her
+quite as anxious to be left to walk with Mr Elliot as Anne could be,
+and it was discussed between them with a generosity so polite and so
+determined, that the others were obliged to settle it for them; Miss
+Elliot maintaining that Mrs Clay had a little cold already, and Mr
+Elliot deciding on appeal, that his cousin Anne's boots were rather the
+thickest.
+
+It was fixed accordingly, that Mrs Clay should be of the party in the
+carriage; and they had just reached this point, when Anne, as she sat
+near the window, descried, most decidedly and distinctly, Captain
+Wentworth walking down the street.
+
+Her start was perceptible only to herself; but she instantly felt that
+she was the greatest simpleton in the world, the most unaccountable and
+absurd!  For a few minutes she saw nothing before her; it was all
+confusion.  She was lost, and when she had scolded back her senses, she
+found the others still waiting for the carriage, and Mr Elliot (always
+obliging) just setting off for Union Street on a commission of Mrs
+Clay's.
+
+She now felt a great inclination to go to the outer door; she wanted to
+see if it rained.  Why was she to suspect herself of another motive?
+Captain Wentworth must be out of sight.  She left her seat, she would
+go; one half of her should not be always so much wiser than the other
+half, or always suspecting the other of being worse than it was.  She
+would see if it rained.  She was sent back, however, in a moment by the
+entrance of Captain Wentworth himself, among a party of gentlemen and
+ladies, evidently his acquaintance, and whom he must have joined a
+little below Milsom Street.  He was more obviously struck and confused
+by the sight of her than she had ever observed before; he looked quite
+red.  For the first time, since their renewed acquaintance, she felt
+that she was betraying the least sensibility of the two.  She had the
+advantage of him in the preparation of the last few moments.  All the
+overpowering, blinding, bewildering, first effects of strong surprise
+were over with her.  Still, however, she had enough to feel!  It was
+agitation, pain, pleasure, a something between delight and misery.
+
+He spoke to her, and then turned away.  The character of his manner was
+embarrassment.  She could not have called it either cold or friendly,
+or anything so certainly as embarrassed.
+
+After a short interval, however, he came towards her, and spoke again.
+Mutual enquiries on common subjects passed:  neither of them, probably,
+much the wiser for what they heard, and Anne continuing fully sensible
+of his being less at ease than formerly.  They had by dint of being so
+very much together, got to speak to each other with a considerable
+portion of apparent indifference and calmness; but he could not do it
+now.  Time had changed him, or Louisa had changed him.  There was
+consciousness of some sort or other.  He looked very well, not as if he
+had been suffering in health or spirits, and he talked of Uppercross,
+of the Musgroves, nay, even of Louisa, and had even a momentary look of
+his own arch significance as he named her; but yet it was Captain
+Wentworth not comfortable, not easy, not able to feign that he was.
+
+It did not surprise, but it grieved Anne to observe that Elizabeth
+would not know him.  She saw that he saw Elizabeth, that Elizabeth saw
+him, that there was complete internal recognition on each side; she was
+convinced that he was ready to be acknowledged as an acquaintance,
+expecting it, and she had the pain of seeing her sister turn away with
+unalterable coldness.
+
+Lady Dalrymple's carriage, for which Miss Elliot was growing very
+impatient, now drew up; the servant came in to announce it.  It was
+beginning to rain again, and altogether there was a delay, and a
+bustle, and a talking, which must make all the little crowd in the shop
+understand that Lady Dalrymple was calling to convey Miss Elliot.  At
+last Miss Elliot and her friend, unattended but by the servant, (for
+there was no cousin returned), were walking off; and Captain Wentworth,
+watching them, turned again to Anne, and by manner, rather than words,
+was offering his services to her.
+
+"I am much obliged to you," was her answer, "but I am not going with
+them.  The carriage would not accommodate so many.  I walk:  I prefer
+walking."
+
+"But it rains."
+
+"Oh! very little,  Nothing that I regard."
+
+After a moment's pause he said:  "Though I came only yesterday, I have
+equipped myself properly for Bath already, you see," (pointing to a new
+umbrella); "I wish you would make use of it, if you are determined to
+walk; though I think it would be more prudent to let me get you a
+chair."
+
+She was very much obliged to him, but declined it all, repeating her
+conviction, that the rain would come to nothing at present, and adding,
+"I am only waiting for Mr Elliot.  He will be here in a moment, I am
+sure."
+
+She had hardly spoken the words when Mr Elliot walked in.  Captain
+Wentworth recollected him perfectly.  There was no difference between
+him and the man who had stood on the steps at Lyme, admiring Anne as
+she passed, except in the air and look and manner of the privileged
+relation and friend.  He came in with eagerness, appeared to see and
+think only of her, apologised for his stay, was grieved to have kept
+her waiting, and anxious to get her away without further loss of time
+and before the rain increased; and in another moment they walked off
+together, her arm under his, a gentle and embarrassed glance, and a
+"Good morning to you!" being all that she had time for, as she passed
+away.
+
+As soon as they were out of sight, the ladies of Captain Wentworth's
+party began talking of them.
+
+"Mr Elliot does not dislike his cousin, I fancy?"
+
+"Oh! no, that is clear enough.  One can guess what will happen there.
+He is always with them; half lives in the family, I believe.  What a
+very good-looking man!"
+
+"Yes, and Miss Atkinson, who dined with him once at the Wallises, says
+he is the most agreeable man she ever was in company with."
+
+"She is pretty, I think; Anne Elliot; very pretty, when one comes to
+look at her.  It is not the fashion to say so, but I confess I admire
+her more than her sister."
+
+"Oh! so do I."
+
+"And so do I.  No comparison.  But the men are all wild after Miss
+Elliot.  Anne is too delicate for them."
+
+Anne would have been particularly obliged to her cousin, if he would
+have walked by her side all the way to Camden Place, without saying a
+word.  She had never found it so difficult to listen to him, though
+nothing could exceed his solicitude and care, and though his subjects
+were principally such as were wont to be always interesting: praise,
+warm, just, and discriminating, of Lady Russell, and insinuations
+highly rational against Mrs Clay.  But just now she could think only of
+Captain Wentworth.  She could not understand his present feelings,
+whether he were really suffering much from disappointment or not; and
+till that point were settled, she could not be quite herself.
+
+She hoped to be wise and reasonable in time; but alas! alas!  she must
+confess to herself that she was not wise yet.
+
+Another circumstance very essential for her to know, was how long he
+meant to be in Bath; he had not mentioned it, or she could not
+recollect it.  He might be only passing through.  But it was more
+probable that he should be come to stay.  In that case, so liable as
+every body was to meet every body in Bath, Lady Russell would in all
+likelihood see him somewhere.  Would she recollect him?  How would it
+all be?
+
+She had already been obliged to tell Lady Russell that Louisa Musgrove
+was to marry Captain Benwick.  It had cost her something to encounter
+Lady Russell's surprise; and now, if she were by any chance to be
+thrown into company with Captain Wentworth, her imperfect knowledge of
+the matter might add another shade of prejudice against him.
+
+The following morning Anne was out with her friend, and for the first
+hour, in an incessant and fearful sort of watch for him in vain; but at
+last, in returning down Pulteney Street, she distinguished him on the
+right hand pavement at such a distance as to have him in view the
+greater part of the street.  There were many other men about him, many
+groups walking the same way, but there was no mistaking him.  She
+looked instinctively at Lady Russell; but not from any mad idea of her
+recognising him so soon as she did herself.  No, it was not to be
+supposed that Lady Russell would perceive him till they were nearly
+opposite.  She looked at her however, from time to time, anxiously; and
+when the moment approached which must point him out, though not daring
+to look again (for her own countenance she knew was unfit to be seen),
+she was yet perfectly conscious of Lady Russell's eyes being turned
+exactly in the direction for him--of her being, in short, intently
+observing him.  She could thoroughly comprehend the sort of fascination
+he must possess over Lady Russell's mind, the difficulty it must be for
+her to withdraw her eyes, the astonishment she must be feeling that
+eight or nine years should have passed over him, and in foreign climes
+and in active service too, without robbing him of one personal grace!
+
+At last, Lady Russell drew back her head.  "Now, how would she speak of
+him?"
+
+"You will wonder," said she, "what has been fixing my eye so long; but
+I was looking after some window-curtains, which Lady Alicia and Mrs
+Frankland were telling me of last night.  They described the
+drawing-room window-curtains of one of the houses on this side of the
+way, and this part of the street, as being the handsomest and best hung
+of any in Bath, but could not recollect the exact number, and I have
+been trying to find out which it could be; but I confess I can see no
+curtains hereabouts that answer their description."
+
+Anne sighed and blushed and smiled, in pity and disdain, either at her
+friend or herself.  The part which provoked her most, was that in all
+this waste of foresight and caution, she should have lost the right
+moment for seeing whether he saw them.
+
+A day or two passed without producing anything.  The theatre or the
+rooms, where he was most likely to be, were not fashionable enough for
+the Elliots, whose evening amusements were solely in the elegant
+stupidity of private parties, in which they were getting more and more
+engaged; and Anne, wearied of such a state of stagnation, sick of
+knowing nothing, and fancying herself stronger because her strength was
+not tried, was quite impatient for the concert evening.  It was a
+concert for the benefit of a person patronised by Lady Dalrymple.  Of
+course they must attend.  It was really expected to be a good one, and
+Captain Wentworth was very fond of music.  If she could only have a few
+minutes conversation with him again, she fancied she should be
+satisfied; and as to the power of addressing him, she felt all over
+courage if the opportunity occurred.  Elizabeth had turned from him,
+Lady Russell overlooked him; her nerves were strengthened by these
+circumstances; she felt that she owed him attention.
+
+She had once partly promised Mrs Smith to spend the evening with her;
+but in a short hurried call she excused herself and put it off, with
+the more decided promise of a longer visit on the morrow.  Mrs Smith
+gave a most good-humoured acquiescence.
+
+"By all means," said she; "only tell me all about it, when you do come.
+Who is your party?"
+
+Anne named them all.  Mrs Smith made no reply; but when she was leaving
+her said, and with an expression half serious, half arch, "Well, I
+heartily wish your concert may answer; and do not fail me to-morrow if
+you can come; for I begin to have a foreboding that I may not have many
+more visits from you."
+
+Anne was startled and confused; but after standing in a moment's
+suspense, was obliged, and not sorry to be obliged, to hurry away.
+
+
+
+Chapter 20
+
+
+Sir Walter, his two daughters, and Mrs Clay, were the earliest of all
+their party at the rooms in the evening; and as Lady Dalrymple must be
+waited for, they took their station by one of the fires in the Octagon
+Room.  But hardly were they so settled, when the door opened again, and
+Captain Wentworth walked in alone.  Anne was the nearest to him, and
+making yet a little advance, she instantly spoke.  He was preparing
+only to bow and pass on, but her gentle "How do you do?" brought him
+out of the straight line to stand near her, and make enquiries in
+return, in spite of the formidable father and sister in the back
+ground.  Their being in the back ground was a support to Anne; she knew
+nothing of their looks, and felt equal to everything which she believed
+right to be done.
+
+While they were speaking, a whispering between her father and Elizabeth
+caught her ear.  She could not distinguish, but she must guess the
+subject; and on Captain Wentworth's making a distant bow, she
+comprehended that her father had judged so well as to give him that
+simple acknowledgement of acquaintance, and she was just in time by a
+side glance to see a slight curtsey from Elizabeth herself.  This,
+though late, and reluctant, and ungracious, was yet better than
+nothing, and her spirits improved.
+
+After talking, however, of the weather, and Bath, and the concert,
+their conversation began to flag, and so little was said at last, that
+she was expecting him to go every moment, but he did not; he seemed in
+no hurry to leave her; and presently with renewed spirit, with a little
+smile, a little glow, he said--
+
+"I have hardly seen you since our day at Lyme.  I am afraid you must
+have suffered from the shock, and the more from its not overpowering
+you at the time."
+
+She assured him that she had not.
+
+"It was a frightful hour," said he, "a frightful day!" and he passed
+his hand across his eyes, as if the remembrance were still too painful,
+but in a moment, half smiling again, added, "The day has produced some
+effects however; has had some consequences which must be considered as
+the very reverse of frightful.  When you had the presence of mind to
+suggest that Benwick would be the properest person to fetch a surgeon,
+you could have little idea of his being eventually one of those most
+concerned in her recovery."
+
+"Certainly I could have none.  But it appears--I should hope it would
+be a very happy match.  There are on both sides good principles and
+good temper."
+
+"Yes," said he, looking not exactly forward; "but there, I think, ends
+the resemblance.  With all my soul I wish them happy, and rejoice over
+every circumstance in favour of it.  They have no difficulties to
+contend with at home, no opposition, no caprice, no delays.  The
+Musgroves are behaving like themselves, most honourably and kindly,
+only anxious with true parental hearts to promote their daughter's
+comfort.  All this is much, very much in favour of their happiness;
+more than perhaps--"
+
+He stopped.  A sudden recollection seemed to occur, and to give him
+some taste of that emotion which was reddening Anne's cheeks and fixing
+her eyes on the ground.  After clearing his throat, however, he
+proceeded thus--
+
+"I confess that I do think there is a disparity, too great a disparity,
+and in a point no less essential than mind.  I regard Louisa Musgrove
+as a very amiable, sweet-tempered girl, and not deficient in
+understanding, but Benwick is something more.  He is a clever man, a
+reading man; and I confess, that I do consider his attaching himself to
+her with some surprise.  Had it been the effect of gratitude, had he
+learnt to love her, because he believed her to be preferring him, it
+would have been another thing.  But I have no reason to suppose it so.
+It seems, on the contrary, to have been a perfectly spontaneous,
+untaught feeling on his side, and this surprises me.  A man like him,
+in his situation! with a heart pierced, wounded, almost broken!  Fanny
+Harville was a very superior creature, and his attachment to her was
+indeed attachment.  A man does not recover from such a devotion of the
+heart to such a woman.  He ought not; he does not."
+
+Either from the consciousness, however, that his friend had recovered,
+or from other consciousness, he went no farther; and Anne who, in spite
+of the agitated voice in which the latter part had been uttered, and in
+spite of all the various noises of the room, the almost ceaseless slam
+of the door, and ceaseless buzz of persons walking through, had
+distinguished every word, was struck, gratified, confused, and
+beginning to breathe very quick, and feel an hundred things in a
+moment.  It was impossible for her to enter on such a subject; and yet,
+after a pause, feeling the necessity of speaking, and having not the
+smallest wish for a total change, she only deviated so far as to say--
+
+"You were a good while at Lyme, I think?"
+
+"About a fortnight.  I could not leave it till Louisa's doing well was
+quite ascertained.  I had been too deeply concerned in the mischief to
+be soon at peace.  It had been my doing, solely mine.  She would not
+have been obstinate if I had not been weak.  The country round Lyme is
+very fine.  I walked and rode a great deal; and the more I saw, the
+more I found to admire."
+
+"I should very much like to see Lyme again," said Anne.
+
+"Indeed!  I should not have supposed that you could have found anything
+in Lyme to inspire such a feeling.  The horror and distress you were
+involved in, the stretch of mind, the wear of spirits!  I should have
+thought your last impressions of Lyme must have been strong disgust."
+
+"The last hours were certainly very painful," replied Anne; "but when
+pain is over, the remembrance of it often becomes a pleasure.  One does
+not love a place the less for having suffered in it, unless it has been
+all suffering, nothing but suffering, which was by no means the case at
+Lyme.  We were only in anxiety and distress during the last two hours,
+and previously there had been a great deal of enjoyment.  So much
+novelty and beauty! I have travelled so little, that every fresh place
+would be interesting to me; but there is real beauty at Lyme; and in
+short" (with a faint blush at some recollections), "altogether my
+impressions of the place are very agreeable."
+
+As she ceased, the entrance door opened again, and the very party
+appeared for whom they were waiting.  "Lady Dalrymple, Lady Dalrymple,"
+was the rejoicing sound; and with all the eagerness compatible with
+anxious elegance, Sir Walter and his two ladies stepped forward to meet
+her.  Lady Dalrymple and Miss Carteret, escorted by Mr Elliot and
+Colonel Wallis, who had happened to arrive nearly at the same instant,
+advanced into the room.  The others joined them, and it was a group in
+which Anne found herself also necessarily included.  She was divided
+from Captain Wentworth.  Their interesting, almost too interesting
+conversation must be broken up for a time, but slight was the penance
+compared with the happiness which brought it on!  She had learnt, in
+the last ten minutes, more of his feelings towards Louisa, more of all
+his feelings than she dared to think of; and she gave herself up to the
+demands of the party, to the needful civilities of the moment, with
+exquisite, though agitated sensations.  She was in good humour with
+all.  She had received ideas which disposed her to be courteous and
+kind to all, and to pity every one, as being less happy than herself.
+
+The delightful emotions were a little subdued, when on stepping back
+from the group, to be joined again by Captain Wentworth, she saw that
+he was gone.  She was just in time to see him turn into the Concert
+Room.  He was gone; he had disappeared, she felt a moment's regret.
+But "they should meet again.  He would look for her, he would find her
+out before the evening were over, and at present, perhaps, it was as
+well to be asunder.  She was in need of a little interval for
+recollection."
+
+Upon Lady Russell's appearance soon afterwards, the whole party was
+collected, and all that remained was to marshal themselves, and proceed
+into the Concert Room; and be of all the consequence in their power,
+draw as many eyes, excite as many whispers, and disturb as many people
+as they could.
+
+Very, very happy were both Elizabeth and Anne Elliot as they walked in.
+Elizabeth arm in arm with Miss Carteret, and looking on the broad back
+of the dowager Viscountess Dalrymple before her, had nothing to wish
+for which did not seem within her reach; and Anne--but it would be an
+insult to the nature of Anne's felicity, to draw any comparison between
+it and her sister's; the origin of one all selfish vanity, of the other
+all generous attachment.
+
+Anne saw nothing, thought nothing of the brilliancy of the room.  Her
+happiness was from within.  Her eyes were bright and her cheeks glowed;
+but she knew nothing about it.  She was thinking only of the last half
+hour, and as they passed to their seats, her mind took a hasty range
+over it.  His choice of subjects, his expressions, and still more his
+manner and look, had been such as she could see in only one light.  His
+opinion of Louisa Musgrove's inferiority, an opinion which he had
+seemed solicitous to give, his wonder at Captain Benwick, his feelings
+as to a first, strong attachment; sentences begun which he could not
+finish, his half averted eyes and more than half expressive glance,
+all, all declared that he had a heart returning to her at least; that
+anger, resentment, avoidance, were no more; and that they were
+succeeded, not merely by friendship and regard, but by the tenderness
+of the past.  Yes, some share of the tenderness of the past.  She could
+not contemplate the change as implying less.  He must love her.
+
+These were thoughts, with their attendant visions, which occupied and
+flurried her too much to leave her any power of observation; and she
+passed along the room without having a glimpse of him, without even
+trying to discern him.  When their places were determined on, and they
+were all properly arranged, she looked round to see if he should happen
+to be in the same part of the room, but he was not; her eye could not
+reach him; and the concert being just opening, she must consent for a
+time to be happy in a humbler way.
+
+The party was divided and disposed of on two contiguous benches: Anne
+was among those on the foremost, and Mr Elliot had manoeuvred so well,
+with the assistance of his friend Colonel Wallis, as to have a seat by
+her.  Miss Elliot, surrounded by her cousins, and the principal object
+of Colonel Wallis's gallantry, was quite contented.
+
+Anne's mind was in a most favourable state for the entertainment of the
+evening; it was just occupation enough:  she had feelings for the
+tender, spirits for the gay, attention for the scientific, and patience
+for the wearisome; and had never liked a concert better, at least
+during the first act.  Towards the close of it, in the interval
+succeeding an Italian song, she explained the words of the song to Mr
+Elliot.  They had a concert bill between them.
+
+"This," said she, "is nearly the sense, or rather the meaning of the
+words, for certainly the sense of an Italian love-song must not be
+talked of, but it is as nearly the meaning as I can give; for I do not
+pretend to understand the language.  I am a very poor Italian scholar."
+
+"Yes, yes, I see you are.  I see you know nothing of the matter.  You
+have only knowledge enough of the language to translate at sight these
+inverted, transposed, curtailed Italian lines, into clear,
+comprehensible, elegant English.  You need not say anything more of
+your ignorance.  Here is complete proof."
+
+"I will not oppose such kind politeness; but I should be sorry to be
+examined by a real proficient."
+
+"I have not had the pleasure of visiting in Camden Place so long,"
+replied he, "without knowing something of Miss Anne Elliot; and I do
+regard her as one who is too modest for the world in general to be
+aware of half her accomplishments, and too highly accomplished for
+modesty to be natural in any other woman."
+
+"For shame! for shame! this is too much flattery.  I forget what we are
+to have next," turning to the bill.
+
+"Perhaps," said Mr Elliot, speaking low, "I have had a longer
+acquaintance with your character than you are aware of."
+
+"Indeed!  How so?  You can have been acquainted with it only since I
+came to Bath, excepting as you might hear me previously spoken of in my
+own family."
+
+"I knew you by report long before you came to Bath.  I had heard you
+described by those who knew you intimately.  I have been acquainted
+with you by character many years.  Your person, your disposition,
+accomplishments, manner; they were all present to me."
+
+Mr Elliot was not disappointed in the interest he hoped to raise.  No
+one can withstand the charm of such a mystery.  To have been described
+long ago to a recent acquaintance, by nameless people, is irresistible;
+and Anne was all curiosity.  She wondered, and questioned him eagerly;
+but in vain.  He delighted in being asked, but he would not tell.
+
+"No, no, some time or other, perhaps, but not now.  He would mention no
+names now; but such, he could assure her, had been the fact.  He had
+many years ago received such a description of Miss Anne Elliot as had
+inspired him with the highest idea of her merit, and excited the
+warmest curiosity to know her."
+
+Anne could think of no one so likely to have spoken with partiality of
+her many years ago as the Mr Wentworth of Monkford, Captain Wentworth's
+brother.  He might have been in Mr Elliot's company, but she had not
+courage to ask the question.
+
+"The name of Anne Elliot," said he, "has long had an interesting sound
+to me.  Very long has it possessed a charm over my fancy; and, if I
+dared, I would breathe my wishes that the name might never change."
+
+Such, she believed, were his words; but scarcely had she received their
+sound, than her attention was caught by other sounds immediately behind
+her, which rendered every thing else trivial.  Her father and Lady
+Dalrymple were speaking.
+
+"A well-looking man," said Sir Walter, "a very well-looking man."
+
+"A very fine young man indeed!" said Lady Dalrymple.  "More air than
+one often sees in Bath.  Irish, I dare say."
+
+"No, I just know his name.  A bowing acquaintance.  Wentworth; Captain
+Wentworth of the navy.  His sister married my tenant in Somersetshire,
+the Croft, who rents Kellynch."
+
+Before Sir Walter had reached this point, Anne's eyes had caught the
+right direction, and distinguished Captain Wentworth standing among a
+cluster of men at a little distance.  As her eyes fell on him, his
+seemed to be withdrawn from her.  It had that appearance.  It seemed as
+if she had been one moment too late; and as long as she dared observe,
+he did not look again:  but the performance was recommencing, and she
+was forced to seem to restore her attention to the orchestra and look
+straight forward.
+
+When she could give another glance, he had moved away.  He could not
+have come nearer to her if he would; she was so surrounded and shut in:
+but she would rather have caught his eye.
+
+Mr Elliot's speech, too, distressed her.  She had no longer any
+inclination to talk to him.  She wished him not so near her.
+
+The first act was over.  Now she hoped for some beneficial change; and,
+after a period of nothing-saying amongst the party, some of them did
+decide on going in quest of tea.  Anne was one of the few who did not
+choose to move.  She remained in her seat, and so did Lady Russell; but
+she had the pleasure of getting rid of Mr Elliot; and she did not mean,
+whatever she might feel on Lady Russell's account, to shrink from
+conversation with Captain Wentworth, if he gave her the opportunity.
+She was persuaded by Lady Russell's countenance that she had seen him.
+
+He did not come however.  Anne sometimes fancied she discerned him at a
+distance, but he never came.  The anxious interval wore away
+unproductively.  The others returned, the room filled again, benches
+were reclaimed and repossessed, and another hour of pleasure or of
+penance was to be sat out, another hour of music was to give delight or
+the gapes, as real or affected taste for it prevailed.  To Anne, it
+chiefly wore the prospect of an hour of agitation.  She could not quit
+that room in peace without seeing Captain Wentworth once more, without
+the interchange of one friendly look.
+
+In re-settling themselves there were now many changes, the result of
+which was favourable for her.  Colonel Wallis declined sitting down
+again, and Mr Elliot was invited by Elizabeth and Miss Carteret, in a
+manner not to be refused, to sit between them; and by some other
+removals, and a little scheming of her own,  Anne was enabled to place
+herself much nearer the end of the bench than she had been before, much
+more within reach of a passer-by.  She could not do so, without
+comparing herself with Miss Larolles, the inimitable Miss Larolles; but
+still she did it, and not with much happier effect; though by what
+seemed prosperity in the shape of an early abdication in her next
+neighbours, she found herself at the very end of the bench before the
+concert closed.
+
+Such was her situation, with a vacant space at hand, when Captain
+Wentworth was again in sight.  She saw him not far off.  He saw her
+too; yet he looked grave, and seemed irresolute, and only by very slow
+degrees came at last near enough to speak to her.  She felt that
+something must be the matter.  The change was indubitable.  The
+difference between his present air and what it had been in the Octagon
+Room was strikingly great.  Why was it?  She thought of her father, of
+Lady Russell.  Could there have been any unpleasant glances?  He began
+by speaking of the concert gravely, more like the Captain Wentworth of
+Uppercross; owned himself disappointed, had expected singing; and in
+short, must confess that he should not be sorry when it was over.  Anne
+replied, and spoke in defence of the performance so well, and yet in
+allowance for his feelings so pleasantly, that his countenance
+improved, and he replied again with almost a smile.  They talked for a
+few minutes more; the improvement held; he even looked down towards the
+bench, as if he saw a place on it well worth occupying; when at that
+moment a touch on her shoulder obliged Anne to turn round.  It came
+from Mr Elliot.  He begged her pardon, but she must be applied to, to
+explain Italian again.  Miss Carteret was very anxious to have a
+general idea of what was next to be sung.  Anne could not refuse; but
+never had she sacrificed to politeness with a more suffering spirit.
+
+A few minutes, though as few as possible, were inevitably consumed; and
+when her own mistress again, when able to turn and look as she had done
+before, she found herself accosted by Captain Wentworth, in a reserved
+yet hurried sort of farewell.  "He must wish her good night; he was
+going; he should get home as fast as he could."
+
+"Is not this song worth staying for?" said Anne, suddenly struck by an
+idea which made her yet more anxious to be encouraging.
+
+"No!" he replied impressively, "there is nothing worth my staying for;"
+and he was gone directly.
+
+Jealousy of Mr Elliot!  It was the only intelligible motive.  Captain
+Wentworth jealous of her affection!  Could she have believed it a week
+ago; three hours ago!  For a moment the gratification was exquisite.
+But, alas! there were very different thoughts to succeed.  How was such
+jealousy to be quieted?  How was the truth to reach him?  How, in all
+the peculiar disadvantages of their respective situations, would he
+ever learn of her real sentiments?  It was misery to think of Mr
+Elliot's attentions.  Their evil was incalculable.
+
+
+
+Chapter 21
+
+
+Anne recollected with pleasure the next morning her promise of going to
+Mrs Smith, meaning that it should engage her from home at the time when
+Mr Elliot would be most likely to call; for to avoid Mr Elliot was
+almost a first object.
+
+She felt a great deal of good-will towards him.  In spite of the
+mischief of his attentions, she owed him gratitude and regard, perhaps
+compassion.  She could not help thinking much of the extraordinary
+circumstances attending their acquaintance, of the right which he
+seemed to have to interest her, by everything in situation, by his own
+sentiments, by his early prepossession.  It was altogether very
+extraordinary; flattering, but painful.  There was much to regret.  How
+she might have felt had there been no Captain Wentworth in the case,
+was not worth enquiry; for there was a Captain Wentworth; and be the
+conclusion of the present suspense good or bad, her affection would be
+his for ever.  Their union, she believed, could not divide her more
+from other men, than their final separation.
+
+Prettier musings of high-wrought love and eternal constancy, could
+never have passed along the streets of Bath, than Anne was sporting
+with from Camden Place to Westgate Buildings.  It was almost enough to
+spread purification and perfume all the way.
+
+She was sure of a pleasant reception; and her friend seemed this
+morning particularly obliged to her for coming, seemed hardly to have
+expected her, though it had been an appointment.
+
+An account of the concert was immediately claimed; and Anne's
+recollections of the concert were quite happy enough to animate her
+features and make her rejoice to talk of it.  All that she could tell
+she told most gladly, but the all was little for one who had been
+there, and unsatisfactory for such an enquirer as Mrs Smith, who had
+already heard, through the short cut of a laundress and a waiter,
+rather more of the general success and produce of the evening than Anne
+could relate, and who now asked in vain for several particulars of the
+company.  Everybody of any consequence or notoriety in Bath was well
+know by name to Mrs Smith.
+
+"The little Durands were there, I conclude," said she, "with their
+mouths open to catch the music, like unfledged sparrows ready to be
+fed.  They never miss a concert."
+
+"Yes; I did not see them myself, but I heard Mr Elliot say they were in
+the room."
+
+"The Ibbotsons, were they there? and the two new beauties, with the
+tall Irish officer, who is talked of for one of them."
+
+"I do not know.  I do not think they were."
+
+"Old Lady Mary Maclean?  I need not ask after her.  She never misses, I
+know; and you must have seen her.  She must have been in your own
+circle; for as you went with Lady Dalrymple, you were in the seats of
+grandeur, round the orchestra, of course."
+
+"No, that was what I dreaded.  It would have been very unpleasant to me
+in every respect.  But happily Lady Dalrymple always chooses to be
+farther off; and we were exceedingly well placed, that is, for hearing;
+I must not say for seeing, because I appear to have seen very little."
+
+"Oh! you saw enough for your own amusement.  I can understand.  There
+is a sort of domestic enjoyment to be known even in a crowd, and this
+you had.  You were a large party in yourselves, and you wanted nothing
+beyond."
+
+"But I ought to have looked about me more," said Anne, conscious while
+she spoke that there had in fact been no want of looking about, that
+the object only had been deficient.
+
+"No, no; you were better employed.  You need not tell me that you had a
+pleasant evening.  I see it in your eye.  I perfectly see how the hours
+passed:  that you had always something agreeable to listen to.  In the
+intervals of the concert it was conversation."
+
+Anne half smiled and said, "Do you see that in my eye?"
+
+"Yes, I do.  Your countenance perfectly informs me that you were in
+company last night with the person whom you think the most agreeable in
+the world, the person who interests you at this present time more than
+all the rest of the world put together."
+
+A blush overspread Anne's cheeks.  She could say nothing.
+
+"And such being the case," continued Mrs Smith, after a short pause, "I
+hope you believe that I do know how to value your kindness in coming to
+me this morning.  It is really very good of you to come and sit with
+me, when you must have so many pleasanter demands upon your time."
+
+Anne heard nothing of this.  She was still in the astonishment and
+confusion excited by her friend's penetration, unable to imagine how
+any report of Captain Wentworth could have reached her.  After another
+short silence--
+
+"Pray," said Mrs Smith, "is Mr Elliot aware of your acquaintance with
+me?  Does he know that I am in Bath?"
+
+"Mr Elliot!" repeated Anne, looking up surprised.  A moment's
+reflection shewed her the mistake she had been under.  She caught it
+instantaneously; and recovering her courage with the feeling of safety,
+soon added, more composedly, "Are you acquainted with Mr Elliot?"
+
+"I have been a good deal acquainted with him," replied Mrs Smith,
+gravely, "but it seems worn out now.  It is a great while since we met."
+
+"I was not at all aware of this.  You never mentioned it before.  Had I
+known it, I would have had the pleasure of talking to him about you."
+
+"To confess the truth," said Mrs Smith, assuming her usual air of
+cheerfulness, "that is exactly the pleasure I want you to have.  I want
+you to talk about me to Mr Elliot.  I want your interest with him.  He
+can be of essential service to me; and if you would have the goodness,
+my dear Miss Elliot, to make it an object to yourself, of course it is
+done."
+
+"I should be extremely happy; I hope you cannot doubt my willingness to
+be of even the slightest use to you," replied Anne; "but I suspect that
+you are considering me as having a higher claim on Mr Elliot, a greater
+right to influence him, than is really the case.  I am sure you have,
+somehow or other, imbibed such a notion.  You must consider me only as
+Mr Elliot's relation.  If in that light there is anything which you
+suppose his cousin might fairly ask of him, I beg you would not
+hesitate to employ me."
+
+Mrs Smith gave her a penetrating glance, and then, smiling, said--
+
+"I have been a little premature, I perceive; I beg your pardon.  I
+ought to have waited for official information.  But now, my dear Miss
+Elliot, as an old friend, do give me a hint as to when I may speak.
+Next week?  To be sure by next week I may be allowed to think it all
+settled, and build my own selfish schemes on Mr Elliot's good fortune."
+
+"No," replied Anne, "nor next week, nor next, nor next.  I assure you
+that nothing of the sort you are thinking of will be settled any week.
+I am not going to marry Mr Elliot.  I should like to know why you
+imagine I am?"
+
+Mrs Smith looked at her again, looked earnestly, smiled, shook her
+head, and exclaimed--
+
+"Now, how I do wish I understood you!  How I do wish I knew what you
+were at!  I have a great idea that you do not design to be cruel, when
+the right moment occurs.  Till it does come, you know, we women never
+mean to have anybody.  It is a thing of course among us, that every man
+is refused, till he offers.  But why should you be cruel?  Let me plead
+for my--present friend I cannot call him, but for my former friend.
+Where can you look for a more suitable match?  Where could you expect a
+more gentlemanlike, agreeable man?  Let me recommend Mr Elliot.  I am
+sure you hear nothing but good of him from Colonel Wallis; and who can
+know him better than Colonel Wallis?"
+
+"My dear Mrs Smith, Mr Elliot's wife has not been dead much above half
+a year.  He ought not to be supposed to be paying his addresses to any
+one."
+
+"Oh! if these are your only objections," cried Mrs Smith, archly, "Mr
+Elliot is safe, and I shall give myself no more trouble about him.  Do
+not forget me when you are married, that's all.  Let him know me to be
+a friend of yours, and then he will think little of the trouble
+required, which it is very natural for him now, with so many affairs
+and engagements of his own, to avoid and get rid of as he can; very
+natural, perhaps.  Ninety-nine out of a hundred would do the same.  Of
+course, he cannot be aware of the importance to me.  Well, my dear Miss
+Elliot, I hope and trust you will be very happy.  Mr Elliot has sense
+to understand the value of such a woman.  Your peace will not be
+shipwrecked as mine has been.  You are safe in all worldly matters, and
+safe in his character.  He will not be led astray; he will not be
+misled by others to his ruin."
+
+"No," said Anne, "I can readily believe all that of my cousin.  He
+seems to have a calm decided temper, not at all open to dangerous
+impressions.  I consider him with great respect.  I have no reason,
+from any thing that has fallen within my observation, to do otherwise.
+But I have not known him long; and he is not a man, I think, to be
+known intimately soon.  Will not this manner of speaking of him, Mrs
+Smith, convince you that he is nothing to me?  Surely this must be calm
+enough.  And, upon my word, he is nothing to me.  Should he ever
+propose to me (which I have very little reason to imagine he has any
+thought of doing), I shall not accept him.  I assure you I shall not.
+I assure you, Mr Elliot had not the share which you have been
+supposing, in whatever pleasure the concert of last night might afford:
+not Mr Elliot; it is not Mr Elliot that--"
+
+She stopped, regretting with a deep blush that she had implied so much;
+but less would hardly have been sufficient.  Mrs Smith would hardly
+have believed so soon in Mr Elliot's failure, but from the perception
+of there being a somebody else.  As it was, she instantly submitted,
+and with all the semblance of seeing nothing beyond; and Anne, eager to
+escape farther notice, was impatient to know why Mrs Smith should have
+fancied she was to marry Mr Elliot; where she could have received the
+idea, or from whom she could have heard it.
+
+"Do tell me how it first came into your head."
+
+"It first came into my head," replied Mrs Smith, "upon finding how much
+you were together, and feeling it to be the most probable thing in the
+world to be wished for by everybody belonging to either of you; and you
+may depend upon it that all your acquaintance have disposed of you in
+the same way.  But I never heard it spoken of till two days ago."
+
+"And has it indeed been spoken of?"
+
+"Did you observe the woman who opened the door to you when you called
+yesterday?"
+
+"No.  Was not it Mrs Speed, as usual, or the maid?  I observed no one
+in particular."
+
+"It was my friend Mrs Rooke; Nurse Rooke; who, by-the-bye, had a great
+curiosity to see you, and was delighted to be in the way to let you in.
+She came away from Marlborough Buildings only on Sunday; and she it was
+who told me you were to marry Mr Elliot.  She had had it from Mrs
+Wallis herself, which did not seem bad authority.  She sat an hour with
+me on Monday evening, and gave me the whole history." "The whole
+history," repeated Anne, laughing.  "She could not make a very long
+history, I think, of one such little article of unfounded news."
+
+Mrs Smith said nothing.
+
+"But," continued Anne, presently, "though there is no truth in my
+having this claim on Mr Elliot, I should be extremely happy to be of
+use to you in any way that I could.  Shall I mention to him your being
+in Bath?  Shall I take any message?"
+
+"No, I thank you:  no, certainly not.  In the warmth of the moment, and
+under a mistaken impression, I might, perhaps, have endeavoured to
+interest you in some circumstances; but not now.  No, I thank you, I
+have nothing to trouble you with."
+
+"I think you spoke of having known Mr Elliot many years?"
+
+"I did."
+
+"Not before he was married, I suppose?"
+
+"Yes; he was not married when I knew him first."
+
+"And--were you much acquainted?"
+
+"Intimately."
+
+"Indeed!  Then do tell me what he was at that time of life.  I have a
+great curiosity to know what Mr Elliot was as a very young man.  Was he
+at all such as he appears now?"
+
+"I have not seen Mr Elliot these three years," was Mrs Smith's answer,
+given so gravely that it was impossible to pursue the subject farther;
+and Anne felt that she had gained nothing but an increase of curiosity.
+They were both silent:  Mrs Smith very thoughtful.  At last--
+
+"I beg your pardon, my dear Miss Elliot," she cried, in her natural
+tone of cordiality, "I beg your pardon for the short answers I have
+been giving you, but I have been uncertain what I ought to do.  I have
+been doubting and considering as to what I ought to tell you.  There
+were many things to be taken into the account.  One hates to be
+officious, to be giving bad impressions, making mischief.  Even the
+smooth surface of family-union seems worth preserving, though there may
+be nothing durable beneath.  However, I have determined; I think I am
+right; I think you ought to be made acquainted with Mr Elliot's real
+character.  Though I fully believe that, at present, you have not the
+smallest intention of accepting him, there is no saying what may
+happen.  You might, some time or other, be differently affected towards
+him.  Hear the truth, therefore, now, while you are unprejudiced.  Mr
+Elliot is a man without heart or conscience; a designing, wary,
+cold-blooded being, who thinks only of himself; whom for his own
+interest or ease, would be guilty of any cruelty, or any treachery,
+that could be perpetrated without risk of his general character.  He
+has no feeling for others.  Those whom he has been the chief cause of
+leading into ruin, he can neglect and desert without the smallest
+compunction.  He is totally beyond the reach of any sentiment of
+justice or compassion.  Oh! he is black at heart, hollow and black!"
+
+Anne's astonished air, and exclamation of wonder, made her pause, and
+in a calmer manner, she added,
+
+"My expressions startle you.  You must allow for an injured, angry
+woman.  But I will try to command myself.  I will not abuse him.  I
+will only tell you what I have found him.  Facts shall speak.  He was
+the intimate friend of my dear husband, who trusted and loved him, and
+thought him as good as himself.  The intimacy had been formed before
+our marriage.  I found them most intimate friends; and I, too, became
+excessively pleased with Mr Elliot, and entertained the highest opinion
+of him.  At nineteen, you know, one does not think very seriously; but
+Mr Elliot appeared to me quite as good as others, and much more
+agreeable than most others, and we were almost always together.  We
+were principally in town, living in very good style.  He was then the
+inferior in circumstances; he was then the poor one; he had chambers in
+the Temple, and it was as much as he could do to support the appearance
+of a gentleman.  He had always a home with us whenever he chose it; he
+was always welcome; he was like a brother.  My poor Charles, who had
+the finest, most generous spirit in the world, would have divided his
+last farthing with him; and I know that his purse was open to him; I
+know that he often assisted him."
+
+"This must have been about that very period of Mr Elliot's life," said
+Anne, "which has always excited my particular curiosity.  It must have
+been about the same time that he became known to my father and sister.
+I never knew him myself; I only heard of him; but there was a something
+in his conduct then, with regard to my father and sister, and
+afterwards in the circumstances of his marriage, which I never could
+quite reconcile with present times.  It seemed to announce a different
+sort of man."
+
+"I know it all, I know it all," cried Mrs Smith.  "He had been
+introduced to Sir Walter and your sister before I was acquainted with
+him, but I heard him speak of them for ever.  I know he was invited and
+encouraged, and I know he did not choose to go.  I can satisfy you,
+perhaps, on points which you would little expect; and as to his
+marriage, I knew all about it at the time.  I was privy to all the fors
+and againsts; I was the friend to whom he confided his hopes and plans;
+and though I did not know his wife previously, her inferior situation
+in society, indeed, rendered that impossible, yet I knew her all her
+life afterwards, or at least till within the last two years of her
+life, and can answer any question you may wish to put."
+
+"Nay," said Anne, "I have no particular enquiry to make about her.  I
+have always understood they were not a happy couple.  But I should like
+to know why, at that time of his life, he should slight my father's
+acquaintance as he did.  My father was certainly disposed to take very
+kind and proper notice of him.  Why did Mr Elliot draw back?"
+
+"Mr Elliot," replied Mrs Smith, "at that period of his life, had one
+object in view:  to make his fortune, and by a rather quicker process
+than the law.  He was determined to make it by marriage.  He was
+determined, at least, not to mar it by an imprudent marriage; and I
+know it was his belief (whether justly or not, of course I cannot
+decide), that your father and sister, in their civilities and
+invitations, were designing a match between the heir and the young
+lady, and it was impossible that such a match should have answered his
+ideas of wealth and independence.  That was his motive for drawing
+back, I can assure you.  He told me the whole story.  He had no
+concealments with me.  It was curious, that having just left you behind
+me in Bath, my first and principal acquaintance on marrying should be
+your cousin; and that, through him, I should be continually hearing of
+your father and sister.  He described one Miss Elliot, and I thought
+very affectionately of the other."
+
+"Perhaps," cried Anne, struck by a sudden idea, "you sometimes spoke of
+me to Mr Elliot?"
+
+"To be sure I did; very often.  I used to boast of my own Anne Elliot,
+and vouch for your being a very different creature from--"
+
+She checked herself just in time.
+
+"This accounts for something which Mr Elliot said last night," cried
+Anne.  "This explains it.  I found he had been used to hear of me.  I
+could not comprehend how.  What wild imaginations one forms where dear
+self is concerned!  How sure to be mistaken!  But I beg your pardon; I
+have interrupted you.  Mr Elliot married then completely for money?
+The circumstances, probably, which first opened your eyes to his
+character."
+
+Mrs Smith hesitated a little here.  "Oh! those things are too common.
+When one lives in the world, a man or woman's marrying for money is too
+common to strike one as it ought.  I was very young, and associated
+only with the young, and we were a thoughtless, gay set, without any
+strict rules of conduct.  We lived for enjoyment.  I think differently
+now; time and sickness and sorrow have given me other notions; but at
+that period I must own I saw nothing reprehensible in what Mr Elliot
+was doing.  'To do the best for himself,' passed as a duty."
+
+"But was not she a very low woman?"
+
+"Yes; which I objected to, but he would not regard.  Money, money, was
+all that he wanted.  Her father was a grazier, her grandfather had been
+a butcher, but that was all nothing.  She was a fine woman, had had a
+decent education, was brought forward by some cousins, thrown by chance
+into Mr Elliot's company, and fell in love with him; and not a
+difficulty or a scruple was there on his side, with respect to her
+birth.  All his caution was spent in being secured of the real amount
+of her fortune, before he committed himself.  Depend upon it, whatever
+esteem Mr Elliot may have for his own situation in life now, as a young
+man he had not the smallest value for it.  His chance for the Kellynch
+estate was something, but all the honour of the family he held as cheap
+as dirt.  I have often heard him declare, that if baronetcies were
+saleable, anybody should have his for fifty pounds, arms and motto,
+name and livery included; but I will not pretend to repeat half that I
+used to hear him say on that subject.  It would not be fair; and yet
+you ought to have proof, for what is all this but assertion, and you
+shall have proof."
+
+"Indeed, my dear Mrs Smith, I want none," cried Anne.  "You have
+asserted nothing contradictory to what Mr Elliot appeared to be some
+years ago.  This is all in confirmation, rather, of what we used to
+hear and believe.  I am more curious to know why he should be so
+different now."
+
+"But for my satisfaction, if you will have the goodness to ring for
+Mary; stay:  I am sure you will have the still greater goodness of
+going yourself into my bedroom, and bringing me the small inlaid box
+which you will find on the upper shelf of the closet."
+
+Anne, seeing her friend to be earnestly bent on it, did as she was
+desired.  The box was brought and placed before her, and Mrs Smith,
+sighing over it as she unlocked it, said--
+
+"This is full of papers belonging to him, to my husband; a small
+portion only of what I had to look over when I lost him.  The letter I
+am looking for was one written by Mr Elliot to him before our marriage,
+and happened to be saved; why, one can hardly imagine.  But he was
+careless and immethodical, like other men, about those things; and when
+I came to examine his papers, I found it with others still more
+trivial, from different people scattered here and there, while many
+letters and memorandums of real importance had been destroyed.  Here it
+is; I would not burn it, because being even then very little satisfied
+with Mr Elliot, I was determined to preserve every document of former
+intimacy.  I have now another motive for being glad that I can produce
+it."
+
+This was the letter, directed to "Charles Smith, Esq. Tunbridge Wells,"
+and dated from London, as far back as July, 1803:--
+
+"Dear Smith,--I have received yours.  Your kindness almost overpowers
+me.  I wish nature had made such hearts as yours more common, but I
+have lived three-and-twenty years in the world, and have seen none like
+it.  At present, believe me, I have no need of your services, being in
+cash again.  Give me joy:  I have got rid of Sir Walter and Miss.  They
+are gone back to Kellynch, and almost made me swear to visit them this
+summer; but my first visit to Kellynch will be with a surveyor, to tell
+me how to bring it with best advantage to the hammer.  The baronet,
+nevertheless, is not unlikely to marry again; he is quite fool enough.
+If he does, however, they will leave me in peace, which may be a decent
+equivalent  for the reversion.  He is worse than last year.
+
+"I wish I had any name but Elliot.  I am sick of it.  The name of
+Walter I can drop, thank God! and I desire you will never insult me
+with my second W. again, meaning, for the rest of my life, to be only
+yours truly,--Wm. Elliot."
+
+Such a letter could not be read without putting Anne in a glow; and Mrs
+Smith, observing the high colour in her face, said--
+
+"The language, I know, is highly disrespectful.  Though I have forgot
+the exact terms, I have a perfect impression of the general meaning.
+But it shows you the man.  Mark his professions to my poor husband.
+Can any thing be stronger?"
+
+Anne could not immediately get over the shock and mortification of
+finding such words applied to her father.  She was obliged to recollect
+that her seeing the letter was a violation of the laws of honour, that
+no one ought to be judged or to be known by such testimonies, that no
+private correspondence could bear the eye of others, before she could
+recover calmness enough to return the letter which she had been
+meditating over, and say--
+
+"Thank you.  This is full proof undoubtedly; proof of every thing you
+were saying.  But why be acquainted with us now?"
+
+"I can explain this too," cried Mrs Smith, smiling.
+
+"Can you really?"
+
+"Yes.  I have shewn you Mr Elliot as he was a dozen years ago, and I
+will shew him as he is now.  I cannot produce written proof again, but
+I can give as authentic oral testimony as you can desire, of what he is
+now wanting, and what he is now doing.  He is no hypocrite now.  He
+truly wants to marry you.  His present attentions to your family are
+very sincere:  quite from the heart.  I will give you my authority: his
+friend Colonel Wallis."
+
+"Colonel Wallis! you are acquainted with him?"
+
+"No.  It does not come to me in quite so direct a line as that; it
+takes a bend or two, but nothing of consequence.  The stream is as good
+as at first; the little rubbish it collects in the turnings is easily
+moved away.  Mr Elliot talks unreservedly to Colonel Wallis of his
+views on you, which said Colonel Wallis, I imagine to be, in himself, a
+sensible, careful, discerning sort of character; but Colonel Wallis has
+a very pretty silly wife, to whom he tells things which he had better
+not, and he repeats it all to her.  She in the overflowing spirits of
+her recovery, repeats it all to her nurse; and the nurse  knowing my
+acquaintance with you, very naturally brings it all to me.  On Monday
+evening, my good friend Mrs Rooke let me thus much into the secrets of
+Marlborough Buildings.  When I talked of a whole history, therefore,
+you see I was not romancing so much as you supposed."
+
+"My dear Mrs Smith, your authority is deficient.  This will not do.  Mr
+Elliot's having any views on me will not in the least account for the
+efforts he made towards a reconciliation with my father.  That was all
+prior to my coming to Bath.  I found them on the most friendly terms
+when I arrived."
+
+"I know you did; I know it all perfectly, but--"
+
+"Indeed, Mrs Smith, we must not expect to get real information in such
+a line.  Facts or opinions which are to pass through the hands of so
+many, to be misconceived by folly in one, and ignorance in another, can
+hardly have much truth left."
+
+"Only give me a hearing.  You will soon be able to judge of the general
+credit due, by listening to some particulars which you can yourself
+immediately contradict or confirm.  Nobody supposes that you were his
+first inducement.  He had seen you indeed, before he came to Bath, and
+admired you, but without knowing it to be you.  So says my historian,
+at least.  Is this true?  Did he see you last summer or autumn,
+'somewhere down in the west,' to use her own words, without knowing it
+to be you?"
+
+"He certainly did.  So far it is very true.  At Lyme.  I happened to be
+at Lyme."
+
+"Well," continued Mrs Smith, triumphantly, "grant my friend the credit
+due to the establishment of the first point asserted.  He saw you then
+at Lyme, and liked you so well as to be exceedingly pleased to meet
+with you again in Camden Place, as Miss Anne Elliot, and from that
+moment, I have no doubt, had a double motive in his visits there.  But
+there was another, and an earlier, which I will now explain.  If there
+is anything in my story which you know to be either false or
+improbable, stop me.  My account states, that your sister's friend, the
+lady now staying with you, whom I have heard you mention, came to Bath
+with Miss Elliot and Sir Walter as long ago as September (in short when
+they first came themselves), and has been staying there ever since;
+that she is a clever, insinuating, handsome woman, poor and plausible,
+and altogether such in situation and manner, as to give a general idea,
+among Sir Walter's acquaintance, of her meaning to be Lady Elliot, and
+as general a surprise that Miss Elliot should be apparently, blind to
+the danger."
+
+Here Mrs Smith paused a moment; but Anne had not a word to say, and she
+continued--
+
+"This was the light in which it appeared to those who knew the family,
+long before you returned to it; and Colonel Wallis had his eye upon
+your father enough to be sensible of it, though he did not then visit
+in Camden Place; but his regard for Mr Elliot gave him an interest in
+watching all that was going on there, and when Mr Elliot came to Bath
+for a day or two, as he happened to do a little before Christmas,
+Colonel Wallis made him acquainted with the appearance of things, and
+the reports beginning to prevail.  Now you are to understand, that time
+had worked a very material change in Mr Elliot's opinions as to the
+value of a baronetcy.  Upon all points of blood and connexion he is a
+completely altered man.  Having long had as much money as he could
+spend, nothing to wish for on the side of avarice or indulgence, he has
+been gradually learning to pin his happiness upon the consequence he is
+heir to.  I thought it coming on before our acquaintance ceased, but it
+is now a confirmed feeling.  He cannot bear the idea of not being Sir
+William.  You may guess, therefore, that the news he heard from his
+friend could not be very agreeable, and you may guess what it produced;
+the resolution of coming back to Bath as soon as possible, and of
+fixing himself here for a time, with the view of renewing his former
+acquaintance, and recovering such a footing in the family as might give
+him the means of ascertaining the degree of his danger, and of
+circumventing the lady if he found it material.  This was agreed upon
+between the two friends as the only thing to be done; and Colonel
+Wallis was to assist in every way that he could.  He was to be
+introduced, and Mrs Wallis was to be introduced, and everybody was to
+be introduced.  Mr Elliot came back accordingly; and on application was
+forgiven, as you know, and re-admitted into the family; and there it
+was his constant object, and his only object (till your arrival added
+another motive), to watch Sir Walter and Mrs Clay.  He omitted no
+opportunity of being with them, threw himself in their way, called at
+all hours; but I need not be particular on this subject.  You can
+imagine what an artful man would do; and with this guide, perhaps, may
+recollect what you have seen him do."
+
+"Yes," said Anne, "you tell me nothing which does not accord with what
+I have known, or could imagine.  There is always something offensive in
+the details of cunning.  The manoeuvres of selfishness and duplicity
+must ever be revolting, but I have heard nothing which really surprises
+me.  I know those who would be shocked by such a representation of Mr
+Elliot, who would have difficulty in believing it; but I have never
+been satisfied.  I have always wanted some other motive for his conduct
+than appeared.  I should like to know his present opinion, as to the
+probability of the event he has been in dread of; whether he considers
+the danger to be lessening or not."
+
+"Lessening, I understand," replied Mrs Smith.  "He thinks Mrs Clay
+afraid of him, aware that he sees through her, and not daring to
+proceed as she might do in his absence.  But since he must be absent
+some time or other, I do not perceive how he can ever be secure while
+she holds her present influence.  Mrs Wallis has an amusing idea, as
+nurse tells me, that it is to be put into the marriage articles when
+you and Mr Elliot marry, that your father is not to marry Mrs Clay.  A
+scheme, worthy of Mrs Wallis's understanding, by all accounts; but my
+sensible nurse Rooke sees the absurdity of it.  'Why, to be sure,
+ma'am,' said she, 'it would not prevent his marrying anybody else.'
+And, indeed, to own the truth, I do not think nurse, in her heart, is a
+very strenuous opposer of Sir Walter's making a second match.  She must
+be allowed to be a favourer of matrimony, you know; and (since self
+will intrude) who can say that she may not have some flying visions of
+attending the next Lady Elliot, through Mrs Wallis's recommendation?"
+
+"I am very glad to know all this," said Anne, after a little
+thoughtfulness.  "It will be more painful to me in some respects to be
+in company with him, but I shall know better what to do.  My line of
+conduct will be more direct.  Mr Elliot is evidently a disingenuous,
+artificial, worldly man, who has never had any better principle to
+guide him than selfishness."
+
+But Mr Elliot was not done with.  Mrs Smith had been carried away from
+her first direction, and Anne had forgotten, in the interest of her own
+family concerns, how much had been originally implied against him; but
+her attention was now called to the explanation of those first hints,
+and she listened to a recital which, if it did not perfectly justify
+the unqualified bitterness of Mrs Smith, proved him to have been very
+unfeeling in his conduct towards her; very deficient both in justice
+and compassion.
+
+She learned that (the intimacy between them continuing unimpaired by Mr
+Elliot's marriage) they had been as before always together, and Mr
+Elliot had led his friend into expenses much beyond his fortune.  Mrs
+Smith did not want to take blame to herself, and was most tender of
+throwing any on her husband; but Anne could collect that their income
+had never been equal to their style of living, and that from the first
+there had been a great deal of general and joint extravagance.  From
+his wife's account of him she could discern Mr Smith to have been a man
+of warm feelings, easy temper, careless habits, and not strong
+understanding, much more amiable than his friend, and very unlike him,
+led by him, and probably despised by him.  Mr Elliot, raised by his
+marriage to great affluence, and disposed to every gratification of
+pleasure and vanity which could be commanded without involving himself,
+(for with all his self-indulgence he had become a prudent man), and
+beginning to be rich, just as his friend ought to have found himself to
+be poor, seemed to have had no concern at all for that friend's
+probable finances, but, on the contrary, had been prompting and
+encouraging expenses which could end only in ruin; and the Smiths
+accordingly had been ruined.
+
+The husband had died just in time to be spared the full knowledge of
+it.  They had previously known embarrassments enough to try the
+friendship of their friends, and to prove that Mr Elliot's had better
+not be tried; but it was not till his death that the wretched state of
+his affairs was fully known.  With a confidence in Mr Elliot's regard,
+more creditable to his feelings than his judgement, Mr Smith had
+appointed him the executor of his will; but Mr Elliot would not act,
+and the difficulties and distress which this refusal had heaped on her,
+in addition to the inevitable sufferings of her situation, had been
+such as could not be related without anguish of spirit, or listened to
+without corresponding indignation.
+
+Anne was shewn some letters of his on the occasion, answers to urgent
+applications from Mrs Smith, which all breathed the same stern
+resolution of not engaging in a fruitless trouble, and, under a cold
+civility, the same hard-hearted indifference to any of the evils it
+might bring on her.  It was a dreadful picture of ingratitude and
+inhumanity; and Anne felt, at some moments, that no flagrant open crime
+could have been worse.  She had a great deal to listen to; all the
+particulars of past sad scenes, all the minutiae of distress upon
+distress, which in former conversations had been merely hinted at, were
+dwelt on now with a natural indulgence.  Anne could perfectly
+comprehend the exquisite relief, and was only the more inclined to
+wonder at the composure of her friend's usual state of mind.
+
+There was one circumstance in the history of her grievances of
+particular irritation.  She had good reason to believe that some
+property of her husband in the West Indies, which had been for many
+years under a sort of sequestration for the payment of its own
+incumbrances, might be recoverable by proper measures; and this
+property, though not large, would be enough to make her comparatively
+rich.  But there was nobody to stir in it.  Mr Elliot would do nothing,
+and she could do nothing herself, equally disabled from personal
+exertion by her state of bodily weakness, and from employing others by
+her want of money.  She had no natural connexions to assist her even
+with their counsel, and she could not afford to purchase the assistance
+of the law.  This was a cruel aggravation of actually straitened means.
+To feel that she ought to be in better circumstances, that a little
+trouble in the right place might do it, and to fear that delay might be
+even weakening her claims, was hard to bear.
+
+It was on this point that she had hoped to engage Anne's good offices
+with Mr Elliot.  She had previously, in the anticipation of their
+marriage, been very apprehensive of losing her friend by it; but on
+being assured that he could have made no attempt of that nature, since
+he did not even know her to be in Bath, it immediately occurred, that
+something might be done in her favour by the influence of the woman he
+loved, and she had been hastily preparing to interest Anne's feelings,
+as far as the observances due to Mr Elliot's character would allow,
+when Anne's refutation of the supposed engagement changed the face of
+everything; and while it took from her the new-formed hope of
+succeeding in the object of her first anxiety, left her at least the
+comfort of telling the whole story her own way.
+
+After listening to this full description of Mr Elliot, Anne could not
+but express some surprise at Mrs Smith's having spoken of him so
+favourably in the beginning of their conversation.  "She had seemed to
+recommend and praise him!"
+
+"My dear," was Mrs Smith's reply, "there was nothing else to be done.
+I considered your marrying him as certain, though he might not yet have
+made the offer, and I could no more speak the truth of him, than if he
+had been your husband.  My heart bled for you, as I talked of
+happiness; and yet he is sensible, he is agreeable, and with such a
+woman as you, it was not absolutely hopeless.  He was very unkind to
+his first wife.  They were wretched together.  But she was too ignorant
+and giddy for respect, and he had never loved her.  I was willing to
+hope that you must fare better."
+
+Anne could just acknowledge within herself such a possibility of having
+been induced to marry him, as made her shudder at the idea of the
+misery which must have followed.  It was just possible that she might
+have been persuaded by Lady Russell!  And under such a supposition,
+which would have been most miserable, when time had disclosed all, too
+late?
+
+It was very desirable that Lady Russell should be no longer deceived;
+and one of the concluding arrangements of this important conference,
+which carried them through the greater part of the morning, was, that
+Anne had full liberty to communicate to her friend everything relative
+to Mrs Smith, in which his conduct was involved.
+
+
+
+Chapter 22
+
+
+Anne went home to think over all that she had heard.  In one point, her
+feelings were relieved by this knowledge of Mr Elliot.  There was no
+longer anything of tenderness due to him.  He stood as opposed to
+Captain Wentworth, in all his own unwelcome obtrusiveness; and the evil
+of his attentions last night, the irremediable mischief he might have
+done, was considered with sensations unqualified, unperplexed.  Pity
+for him was all over.  But this was the only point of relief.  In every
+other respect, in looking around her, or penetrating forward, she saw
+more to distrust and to apprehend.  She was concerned for the
+disappointment and pain Lady Russell would be feeling; for the
+mortifications which must be hanging over her father and sister, and
+had all the distress of foreseeing many evils, without knowing how to
+avert any one of them.  She was most thankful for her own knowledge of
+him.  She had never considered herself as entitled to reward for not
+slighting an old friend like Mrs Smith, but here was a reward indeed
+springing from it!  Mrs Smith had been able to tell her what no one
+else could have done.  Could the knowledge have been extended through
+her family?  But this was a vain idea.  She must talk to Lady Russell,
+tell her, consult with her, and having done her best, wait the event
+with as much composure as possible; and after all, her greatest want of
+composure would be in that quarter of the mind which could not be
+opened to Lady Russell; in that flow of anxieties and fears which must
+be all to herself.
+
+
+She found, on reaching home, that she had, as she intended, escaped
+seeing Mr Elliot; that he had called and paid them a long morning
+visit; but hardly had she congratulated herself, and felt safe, when
+she heard that he was coming again in the evening.
+
+"I had not the smallest intention of asking him," said Elizabeth, with
+affected carelessness, "but he gave so many hints; so Mrs Clay says, at
+least."
+
+"Indeed, I do say it.  I never saw anybody in my life spell harder for
+an invitation.  Poor man!  I was really in pain for him; for your
+hard-hearted sister, Miss Anne, seems bent on cruelty."
+
+"Oh!" cried Elizabeth, "I have been rather too much used to the game to
+be soon overcome by a gentleman's hints.  However, when I found how
+excessively he was regretting that he should miss my father this
+morning, I gave way immediately, for I would never really omit an
+opportunity of bringing him and Sir Walter together.  They appear to so
+much advantage in company with each other.  Each behaving so
+pleasantly.  Mr Elliot looking up with so much respect."
+
+"Quite delightful!" cried Mrs Clay, not daring, however, to turn her
+eyes towards Anne.  "Exactly like father and son!  Dear Miss Elliot,
+may I not say father and son?"
+
+"Oh! I lay no embargo on any body's words.  If you will have such
+ideas!  But, upon my word, I am scarcely sensible of his attentions
+being beyond those of other men."
+
+"My dear Miss Elliot!" exclaimed Mrs Clay, lifting her hands and eyes,
+and sinking all the rest of her astonishment in a convenient silence.
+
+"Well, my dear Penelope, you need not be so alarmed about him.  I did
+invite him, you know.  I sent him away with smiles.  When I found he
+was really going to his friends at Thornberry Park for the whole day
+to-morrow, I had compassion on him."
+
+Anne admired the good acting of the friend, in being able to shew such
+pleasure as she did, in the expectation and in the actual arrival of
+the very person whose presence must really be interfering with her
+prime object.  It was impossible but that Mrs Clay must hate the sight
+of Mr Elliot; and yet she could assume a most obliging, placid look,
+and appear quite satisfied with the curtailed license of devoting
+herself only half as much to Sir Walter as she would have done
+otherwise.
+
+To Anne herself it was most distressing to see Mr Elliot enter the
+room; and quite painful to have him approach and speak to her.  She had
+been used before to feel that he could not be always quite sincere, but
+now she saw insincerity in everything.  His attentive deference to her
+father, contrasted with his former language, was odious; and when she
+thought of his cruel conduct towards Mrs Smith, she could hardly bear
+the sight of his present smiles and mildness, or the sound of his
+artificial good sentiments.
+
+She meant to avoid any such alteration of manners as might provoke a
+remonstrance on his side.  It was a great object to her to escape all
+enquiry or eclat; but it was her intention to be as decidedly cool to
+him as might be compatible with their relationship; and to retrace, as
+quietly as she could, the few steps of unnecessary intimacy she had
+been gradually led along.  She was accordingly more guarded, and more
+cool, than she had been the night before.
+
+He wanted to animate her curiosity again as to how and where he could
+have heard her formerly praised; wanted very much to be gratified by
+more solicitation; but the charm was broken: he found that the heat and
+animation of a public room was necessary to kindle his modest cousin's
+vanity; he found, at least, that it was not to be done now, by any of
+those attempts which he could hazard among the too-commanding claims of
+the others.  He little surmised that it was a subject acting now
+exactly against his interest, bringing immediately to her thoughts all
+those parts of his conduct which were least excusable.
+
+She had some satisfaction in finding that he was really going out of
+Bath the next morning, going early, and that he would be gone the
+greater part of two days.  He was invited again to Camden Place the
+very evening of his return; but from Thursday to Saturday evening his
+absence was certain.  It was bad enough that a Mrs Clay should be
+always before her; but that a deeper hypocrite should be added to their
+party, seemed the destruction of everything like peace and comfort.  It
+was so humiliating to reflect on the constant deception practised on
+her father and Elizabeth; to consider the various sources of
+mortification preparing for them!  Mrs Clay's selfishness was not so
+complicate nor so revolting as his; and Anne would have compounded for
+the marriage at once, with all its evils, to be clear of Mr Elliot's
+subtleties in endeavouring to prevent it.
+
+On Friday morning she meant to go very early to Lady Russell, and
+accomplish the necessary communication; and she would have gone
+directly after breakfast, but that Mrs Clay was also going out on some
+obliging purpose of saving her sister trouble, which determined her to
+wait till she might be safe from such a companion.  She saw Mrs Clay
+fairly off, therefore, before she began to talk of spending the morning
+in Rivers Street.
+
+"Very well," said Elizabeth, "I have nothing to send but my love.  Oh!
+you may as well take back that tiresome book she would lend me, and
+pretend I have read it through.  I really cannot be plaguing myself for
+ever with all the new poems and states of the nation that come out.
+Lady Russell quite bores one with her new publications.  You need not
+tell her so, but I thought her dress hideous the other night.  I used
+to think she had some taste in dress, but I was ashamed of her at the
+concert.  Something so formal and arrange in her air!  and she sits so
+upright!  My best love, of course."
+
+"And mine," added Sir Walter.  "Kindest regards.  And you may say, that
+I mean to call upon her soon.  Make a civil message; but I shall only
+leave my card.  Morning visits are never fair by women at her time of
+life, who make themselves up so little.  If she would only wear rouge
+she would not be afraid of being seen; but last time I called, I
+observed the blinds were let down immediately."
+
+While her father spoke, there was a knock at the door.  Who could it
+be?  Anne, remembering the preconcerted visits, at all hours, of Mr
+Elliot, would have expected him, but for his known engagement seven
+miles off.  After the usual period of suspense, the usual sounds of
+approach were heard, and "Mr and Mrs Charles Musgrove" were ushered
+into the room.
+
+Surprise was the strongest emotion raised by their appearance; but Anne
+was really glad to see them; and the others were not so sorry but that
+they could put on a decent air of welcome; and as soon as it became
+clear that these, their nearest relations, were not arrived with any
+views of accommodation in that house, Sir Walter and Elizabeth were
+able to rise in cordiality, and do the honours of it very well.  They
+were come to Bath for a few days with Mrs Musgrove, and were at the
+White Hart.  So much was pretty soon understood; but till Sir Walter
+and Elizabeth were walking Mary into the other drawing-room, and
+regaling themselves with her admiration, Anne could not draw upon
+Charles's brain for a regular history of their coming, or an
+explanation of some smiling hints of particular business, which had
+been ostentatiously dropped by Mary, as well as of some apparent
+confusion as to whom their party consisted of.
+
+She then found that it consisted of Mrs Musgrove, Henrietta, and
+Captain Harville, beside their two selves.  He gave her a very plain,
+intelligible account of the whole; a narration in which she saw a great
+deal of most characteristic proceeding.  The scheme had received its
+first impulse by Captain Harville's wanting to come to Bath on
+business.  He had begun to talk of it a week ago; and by way of doing
+something, as shooting was over, Charles had proposed coming with him,
+and Mrs Harville had seemed to like the idea of it very much, as an
+advantage to her husband; but Mary could not bear to be left, and had
+made herself so unhappy about it, that for a day or two everything
+seemed to be in suspense, or at an end.  But then, it had been taken up
+by his father and mother.  His mother had some old friends in Bath whom
+she wanted to see; it was thought a good opportunity for Henrietta to
+come and buy wedding-clothes for herself and her sister; and, in short,
+it ended in being his mother's party, that everything might be
+comfortable and easy to Captain Harville; and he and Mary were included
+in it by way of general convenience.  They had arrived late the night
+before.  Mrs Harville, her children, and Captain Benwick, remained with
+Mr Musgrove and Louisa at Uppercross.
+
+Anne's only surprise was, that affairs should be in forwardness enough
+for Henrietta's wedding-clothes to be talked of.  She had imagined such
+difficulties of fortune to exist there as must prevent the marriage
+from being near at hand; but she learned from Charles that, very
+recently, (since Mary's last letter to herself), Charles Hayter had
+been applied to by a friend to hold a living for a youth who could not
+possibly claim it under many years; and that on the strength of his
+present income, with almost a certainty of something more permanent
+long before the term in question, the two families had consented to the
+young people's wishes, and that their marriage was likely to take place
+in a few months, quite as soon as Louisa's.  "And a very good living it
+was," Charles added:  "only five-and-twenty miles from Uppercross, and
+in a very fine country: fine part of Dorsetshire.  In the centre of
+some of the best preserves in the kingdom, surrounded by three great
+proprietors, each more careful and jealous than the other; and to two
+of the three at least, Charles Hayter might get a special
+recommendation.  Not that he will value it as he ought," he observed,
+"Charles is too cool about sporting. That's the worst of him."
+
+"I am extremely glad, indeed," cried Anne, "particularly glad that this
+should happen; and that of two sisters, who both deserve equally well,
+and who have always been such good friends, the pleasant prospect of
+one should not be dimming those of the other--that they should be so
+equal in their prosperity and comfort.  I hope your father and mother
+are quite happy with regard to both."
+
+"Oh! yes.  My father would be well pleased if the gentlemen were
+richer, but he has no other fault to find.  Money, you know, coming
+down with money--two daughters at once--it cannot be a very agreeable
+operation, and it streightens him as to many things.  However, I do not
+mean to say they have not a right to it.  It is very fit they should
+have daughters' shares; and I am sure he has always been a very kind,
+liberal father to me.  Mary does not above half like Henrietta's match.
+She never did, you know.  But she does not do him justice, nor think
+enough about Winthrop.  I cannot make her attend to the value of the
+property.  It is a very fair match, as times go; and I have liked
+Charles Hayter all my life, and I shall not leave off now."
+
+"Such excellent parents as Mr and Mrs Musgrove," exclaimed Anne,
+"should be happy in their children's marriages.  They do everything to
+confer happiness, I am sure.  What a blessing to young people to be in
+such hands!  Your father and mother seem so totally free from all those
+ambitious feelings which have led to so much misconduct and misery,
+both in young and old.  I hope you think Louisa perfectly recovered
+now?"
+
+He answered rather hesitatingly, "Yes, I believe I do; very much
+recovered; but she is altered; there is no running or jumping about, no
+laughing or dancing; it is quite different.  If one happens only to
+shut the door a little hard, she starts and wriggles like a young
+dab-chick in the water; and Benwick sits at her elbow, reading verses,
+or whispering to her, all day long."
+
+Anne could not help laughing.  "That cannot be much to your taste, I
+know," said she; "but I do believe him to be an excellent young man."
+
+"To be sure he is.  Nobody doubts it; and I hope you do not think I am
+so illiberal as to want every man to have the same objects and
+pleasures as myself.  I have a great value for Benwick; and when one
+can but get him to talk, he has plenty to say.  His reading has done
+him no harm, for he has fought as well as read.  He is a brave fellow.
+I got more acquainted with him last Monday than ever I did before.  We
+had a famous set-to at rat-hunting all the morning in my father's great
+barns; and he played his part so well that I have liked him the better
+ever since."
+
+Here they were interrupted by the absolute necessity of Charles's
+following the others to admire mirrors and china; but Anne had heard
+enough to understand the present state of Uppercross, and rejoice in
+its happiness; and though she sighed as she rejoiced, her sigh had none
+of the ill-will of envy in it.  She would certainly have risen to their
+blessings if she could, but she did not want to lessen theirs.
+
+The visit passed off altogether in high good humour.  Mary was in
+excellent spirits, enjoying the gaiety and the change, and so well
+satisfied with the journey in her mother-in-law's carriage with four
+horses, and with her own complete independence of Camden Place, that
+she was exactly in a temper to admire everything as she ought, and
+enter most readily into all the superiorities of the house, as they
+were detailed to her.  She had no demands on her father or sister, and
+her consequence was just enough increased by their handsome
+drawing-rooms.
+
+Elizabeth was, for a short time, suffering a good deal.  She felt that
+Mrs Musgrove and all her party ought to be asked to dine with them; but
+she could not bear to have the difference of style, the reduction of
+servants, which a dinner must betray, witnessed by those who had been
+always so inferior to the Elliots of Kellynch.  It was a struggle
+between propriety and vanity; but vanity got the better, and then
+Elizabeth was happy again.  These were her internal persuasions: "Old
+fashioned notions; country hospitality; we do not profess to give
+dinners; few people in Bath do; Lady Alicia never does; did not even
+ask her own sister's family, though they were here a month: and I dare
+say it would be very inconvenient to Mrs Musgrove; put her quite out of
+her way.  I am sure she would rather not come; she cannot feel easy
+with us.  I will ask them all for an evening; that will be much better;
+that will be a novelty and a treat.  They have not seen two such
+drawing rooms before.  They will be delighted to come to-morrow
+evening.  It shall be a regular party, small, but most elegant."  And
+this satisfied Elizabeth:  and when the invitation was given to the two
+present, and promised for the absent, Mary was as completely satisfied.
+She was particularly asked to meet Mr Elliot, and be introduced to Lady
+Dalrymple and Miss Carteret, who were fortunately already engaged to
+come; and she could not have received a more gratifying attention.
+Miss Elliot was to have the honour of calling on Mrs Musgrove in the
+course of the morning; and Anne walked off with Charles and Mary, to go
+and see her and Henrietta directly.
+
+Her plan of sitting with Lady Russell must give way for the present.
+They all three called in Rivers Street for a couple of minutes; but
+Anne convinced herself that a day's delay of the intended communication
+could be of no consequence, and hastened forward to the White Hart, to
+see again the friends and companions of the last autumn, with an
+eagerness of good-will which many associations contributed to form.
+
+They found Mrs Musgrove and her daughter within, and by themselves, and
+Anne had the kindest welcome from each.  Henrietta was exactly in that
+state of recently-improved views, of fresh-formed happiness, which made
+her full of regard and interest for everybody she had ever liked before
+at all; and Mrs Musgrove's real affection had been won by her
+usefulness when they were in distress.  It was a heartiness, and a
+warmth, and a sincerity which Anne delighted in the more, from the sad
+want of such blessings at home.  She was entreated to give them as much
+of her time as possible, invited for every day and all day long, or
+rather claimed as part of the family; and, in return, she naturally
+fell into all her wonted ways of attention and assistance, and on
+Charles's leaving them together, was listening to Mrs Musgrove's
+history of Louisa, and to Henrietta's of herself, giving opinions on
+business, and recommendations to shops; with intervals of every help
+which Mary required, from altering her ribbon to settling her accounts;
+from finding her keys, and assorting her trinkets, to trying to
+convince her that she was not ill-used by anybody; which Mary, well
+amused as she generally was, in her station at a window overlooking the
+entrance to the Pump Room, could not but have her moments of imagining.
+
+A morning of thorough confusion was to be expected.  A large party in
+an hotel ensured a quick-changing, unsettled scene.  One five minutes
+brought a note, the next a parcel; and Anne had not been there half an
+hour, when their dining-room, spacious as it was, seemed more than half
+filled:  a party of steady old friends were seated around Mrs Musgrove,
+and Charles came back with Captains Harville and Wentworth.  The
+appearance of the latter could not be more than the surprise of the
+moment.  It was impossible for her to have forgotten to feel that this
+arrival of their common friends must be soon bringing them together
+again.  Their last meeting had been most important in opening his
+feelings; she had derived from it a delightful conviction; but she
+feared from his looks, that the same unfortunate persuasion, which had
+hastened him away from the Concert Room, still governed.  He did not
+seem to want to be near enough for conversation.
+
+She tried to be calm, and leave things to take their course, and tried
+to dwell much on this argument of rational dependence:--"Surely, if
+there be constant attachment on each side, our hearts must understand
+each other ere long.  We are not boy and girl, to be captiously
+irritable, misled by every moment's inadvertence, and wantonly playing
+with our own happiness."  And yet, a few minutes afterwards, she felt
+as if their being in company with each other, under their present
+circumstances, could only be exposing them to inadvertencies and
+misconstructions of the most mischievous kind.
+
+"Anne," cried Mary, still at her window, "there is Mrs Clay, I am sure,
+standing under the colonnade, and a gentleman with her.  I saw them
+turn the corner from Bath Street just now.  They seemed deep in talk.
+Who is it?  Come, and tell me.  Good heavens! I recollect.  It is Mr
+Elliot himself."
+
+"No," cried Anne, quickly, "it cannot be Mr Elliot, I assure you.  He
+was to leave Bath at nine this morning, and does not come back till
+to-morrow."
+
+As she spoke, she felt that Captain Wentworth was looking at her, the
+consciousness of which vexed and embarrassed her, and made her regret
+that she had said so much, simple as it was.
+
+Mary, resenting that she should be supposed not to know her own cousin,
+began talking very warmly about the family features, and protesting
+still more positively that it was Mr Elliot, calling again upon Anne to
+come and look for herself, but Anne did not mean to stir, and tried to
+be cool and unconcerned.  Her distress returned, however, on perceiving
+smiles and intelligent glances pass between two or three of the lady
+visitors, as if they believed themselves quite in the secret.  It was
+evident that the report concerning her had spread, and a short pause
+succeeded, which seemed to ensure that it would now spread farther.
+
+"Do come, Anne," cried Mary, "come and look yourself.  You will be too
+late if you do not make haste.  They are parting; they are shaking
+hands.  He is turning away.  Not know Mr Elliot, indeed!  You seem to
+have forgot all about Lyme."
+
+To pacify Mary, and perhaps screen her own embarrassment, Anne did move
+quietly to the window.  She was just in time to ascertain that it
+really was Mr Elliot, which she had never believed, before he
+disappeared on one side, as Mrs Clay walked quickly off on the other;
+and checking the surprise which she could not but feel at such an
+appearance of friendly conference between two persons of totally
+opposite interest, she calmly said, "Yes, it is Mr Elliot, certainly.
+He has changed his hour of going, I suppose, that is all, or I may be
+mistaken, I might not attend;" and walked back to her chair,
+recomposed, and with the comfortable hope of having acquitted herself
+well.
+
+The visitors took their leave; and Charles, having civilly seen them
+off, and then made a face at them, and abused them for coming, began
+with--
+
+"Well, mother, I have done something for you that you will like.  I
+have been to the theatre, and secured a box for to-morrow night.  A'n't
+I a good boy?  I know you love a play; and there is room for us all.
+It holds nine.  I have engaged Captain Wentworth.  Anne will not be
+sorry to join us, I am sure.  We all like a play.  Have not I done
+well, mother?"
+
+Mrs Musgrove was good humouredly beginning to express her perfect
+readiness for the play, if Henrietta and all the others liked it, when
+Mary eagerly interrupted her by exclaiming--
+
+"Good heavens, Charles! how can you think of such a thing?  Take a box
+for to-morrow night!  Have you forgot that we are engaged to Camden
+Place to-morrow night? and that we were most particularly asked to meet
+Lady Dalrymple and her daughter, and Mr Elliot, and all the principal
+family connexions, on purpose to be introduced to them?  How can you be
+so forgetful?"
+
+"Phoo! phoo!" replied Charles, "what's an evening party?  Never worth
+remembering.  Your father might have asked us to dinner, I think, if he
+had wanted to see us.  You may do as you like, but I shall go to the
+play."
+
+"Oh! Charles, I declare it will be too abominable if you do, when you
+promised to go."
+
+"No, I did not promise.  I only smirked and bowed, and said the word
+'happy.'  There was no promise."
+
+"But you must go, Charles.  It would be unpardonable to fail.  We were
+asked on purpose to be introduced.  There was always such a great
+connexion between the Dalrymples and ourselves.  Nothing ever happened
+on either side that was not announced immediately.  We are quite near
+relations, you know; and Mr Elliot too, whom you ought so particularly
+to be acquainted with!  Every attention is due to Mr Elliot.  Consider,
+my father's heir:  the future representative of the family."
+
+"Don't talk to me about heirs and representatives," cried Charles.  "I
+am not one of those who neglect the reigning power to bow to the rising
+sun.  If I would not go for the sake of your father, I should think it
+scandalous to go for the sake of his heir.  What is Mr Elliot to me?"
+The careless expression was life to Anne, who saw that Captain
+Wentworth was all attention, looking and listening with his whole soul;
+and that the last words brought his enquiring eyes from Charles to
+herself.
+
+Charles and Mary still talked on in the same style; he, half serious
+and half jesting, maintaining the scheme for the play, and she,
+invariably serious, most warmly opposing it, and not omitting to make
+it known that, however determined to go to Camden Place herself, she
+should not think herself very well used, if they went to the play
+without her.  Mrs Musgrove interposed.
+
+"We had better put it off.  Charles, you had much better go back and
+change the box for Tuesday.  It would be a pity to be divided, and we
+should be losing Miss Anne, too, if there is a party at her father's;
+and I am sure neither Henrietta nor I should care at all for the play,
+if Miss Anne could not be with us."
+
+Anne felt truly obliged to her for such kindness; and quite as much so
+for the opportunity it gave her of decidedly saying--
+
+"If it depended only on my inclination, ma'am, the party at home
+(excepting on Mary's account) would not be the smallest impediment.  I
+have no pleasure in the sort of meeting, and should be too happy to
+change it for a play, and with you.  But, it had better not be
+attempted, perhaps."  She had spoken it; but she trembled when it was
+done, conscious that her words were listened to, and daring not even to
+try to observe their effect.
+
+It was soon generally agreed that Tuesday should be the day; Charles
+only reserving the advantage of still teasing his wife, by persisting
+that he would go to the play to-morrow if nobody else would.
+
+Captain Wentworth left his seat, and walked to the fire-place; probably
+for the sake of walking away from it soon afterwards, and taking a
+station, with less bare-faced design, by Anne.
+
+"You have not been long enough in Bath," said he, "to enjoy the evening
+parties of the place."
+
+"Oh! no.  The usual character of them has nothing for me.  I am no
+card-player."
+
+"You were not formerly, I know.  You did not use to like cards; but
+time makes many changes."
+
+"I am not yet so much changed," cried Anne, and stopped, fearing she
+hardly knew what misconstruction.  After waiting a few moments he said,
+and as if it were the result of immediate feeling, "It is a period,
+indeed!  Eight years and a half is a period."
+
+Whether he would have proceeded farther was left to Anne's imagination
+to ponder over in a calmer hour; for while still hearing the sounds he
+had uttered, she was startled to other subjects by Henrietta, eager to
+make use of the present leisure for getting out, and calling on her
+companions to lose no time, lest somebody else should come in.
+
+They were obliged to move.  Anne talked of being perfectly ready, and
+tried to look it; but she felt that could Henrietta have known the
+regret and reluctance of her heart in quitting that chair, in preparing
+to quit the room, she would have found, in all her own sensations for
+her cousin, in the very security of his affection, wherewith to pity
+her.
+
+Their preparations, however, were stopped short.  Alarming sounds were
+heard; other visitors approached, and the door was thrown open for Sir
+Walter and Miss Elliot, whose entrance seemed to give a general chill.
+Anne felt an instant oppression, and wherever she looked saw symptoms
+of the same.  The comfort, the freedom, the gaiety of the room was
+over, hushed into cold composure, determined silence, or insipid talk,
+to meet the heartless elegance of her father and sister.  How
+mortifying to feel that it was so!
+
+Her jealous eye was satisfied in one particular.  Captain Wentworth was
+acknowledged again by each, by Elizabeth more graciously than before.
+She even addressed him once, and looked at him more than once.
+Elizabeth was, in fact, revolving a great measure.  The sequel
+explained it.  After the waste of a few minutes in saying the proper
+nothings, she began to give the invitation which was to comprise all
+the remaining dues of the Musgroves.  "To-morrow evening, to meet a few
+friends:  no formal party." It was all said very gracefully, and the
+cards with which she had provided herself, the "Miss Elliot at home,"
+were laid on the table, with a courteous, comprehensive smile to all,
+and one smile and one card more decidedly for Captain Wentworth.  The
+truth was, that Elizabeth had been long enough in Bath to understand
+the importance of a man of such an air and appearance as his.  The past
+was nothing.  The present was that Captain Wentworth would move about
+well in her drawing-room.  The card was pointedly given, and Sir Walter
+and Elizabeth arose and disappeared.
+
+The interruption had been short, though severe, and ease and animation
+returned to most of those they left as the door shut them out, but not
+to Anne.  She could think only of the invitation she had with such
+astonishment witnessed, and of the manner in which it had been
+received; a manner of doubtful meaning, of surprise rather than
+gratification, of polite acknowledgement rather than acceptance.  She
+knew him; she saw disdain in his eye, and could not venture to believe
+that he had determined to accept such an offering, as an atonement for
+all the insolence of the past.  Her spirits sank.  He held the card in
+his hand after they were gone, as if deeply considering it.
+
+"Only think of Elizabeth's including everybody!" whispered Mary very
+audibly.  "I do not wonder Captain Wentworth is delighted!  You see he
+cannot put the card out of his hand."
+
+Anne caught his eye, saw his cheeks glow, and his mouth form itself
+into a momentary expression of contempt, and turned away, that she
+might neither see nor hear more to vex her.
+
+The party separated.  The gentlemen had their own pursuits, the ladies
+proceeded on their own business, and they met no more while Anne
+belonged to them.  She was earnestly begged to return and dine, and
+give them all the rest of the day, but her spirits had been so long
+exerted that at present she felt unequal to more, and fit only for
+home, where she might be sure of being as silent as she chose.
+
+Promising to be with them the whole of the following morning,
+therefore, she closed the fatigues of the present by a toilsome walk to
+Camden Place, there to spend the evening chiefly in listening to the
+busy arrangements of Elizabeth and Mrs Clay for the morrow's party, the
+frequent enumeration of the persons invited, and the continually
+improving detail of all the embellishments which were to make it the
+most completely elegant of its kind in Bath, while harassing herself
+with the never-ending question, of whether Captain Wentworth would come
+or not?  They were reckoning him as certain, but with her it was a
+gnawing solicitude never appeased for five minutes together.  She
+generally thought he would come, because she generally thought he
+ought; but it was a case which she could not so shape into any positive
+act of duty or discretion, as inevitably to defy the suggestions of
+very opposite feelings.
+
+She only roused herself from the broodings of this restless agitation,
+to let Mrs Clay know that she had been seen with Mr Elliot three hours
+after his being supposed to be out of Bath, for having watched in vain
+for some intimation of the interview from the lady herself, she
+determined to mention it, and it seemed to her there was guilt in Mrs
+Clay's face as she listened.  It was transient: cleared away in an
+instant; but Anne could imagine she read there the consciousness of
+having, by some complication of mutual trick, or some overbearing
+authority of his, been obliged to attend (perhaps for half an hour) to
+his lectures and restrictions on her designs on Sir Walter.  She
+exclaimed, however, with a very tolerable imitation of nature:--
+
+"Oh! dear! very true.  Only think, Miss Elliot, to my great surprise I
+met with Mr Elliot in Bath Street.  I was never more astonished.  He
+turned back and walked with me to the Pump Yard.  He had been prevented
+setting off for Thornberry, but I really forget by what; for I was in a
+hurry, and could not much attend, and I can only answer for his being
+determined not to be delayed in his return.  He wanted to know how
+early he might be admitted to-morrow.  He was full of 'to-morrow,' and
+it is very evident that I have been full of it too, ever since I
+entered the house, and learnt the extension of your plan and all that
+had happened, or my seeing him could never have gone so entirely out of
+my head."
+
+
+
+Chapter 23
+
+
+One day only had passed since Anne's conversation with Mrs Smith; but a
+keener interest had succeeded, and she was now so little touched by Mr
+Elliot's conduct, except by its effects in one quarter, that it became
+a matter of course the next morning, still to defer her explanatory
+visit in Rivers Street.  She had promised to be with the Musgroves from
+breakfast to dinner.  Her faith was plighted, and Mr Elliot's
+character, like the Sultaness Scheherazade's head, must live another
+day.
+
+She could not keep her appointment punctually, however; the weather was
+unfavourable, and she had grieved over the rain on her friends'
+account, and felt it very much on her own, before she was able to
+attempt the walk.  When she reached the White Hart, and made her way to
+the proper apartment, she found herself neither arriving quite in time,
+nor the first to arrive.  The party before her were, Mrs Musgrove,
+talking to Mrs Croft, and Captain Harville to Captain Wentworth; and
+she immediately heard that Mary and Henrietta, too impatient to wait,
+had gone out the moment it had cleared, but would be back again soon,
+and that the strictest injunctions had been left with Mrs Musgrove to
+keep her there till they returned.  She had only to submit, sit down,
+be outwardly composed, and feel herself plunged at once in all the
+agitations which she had merely laid her account of tasting a little
+before the morning closed.  There was no delay, no waste of time.  She
+was deep in the happiness of such misery, or the misery of such
+happiness, instantly.  Two minutes after her entering the room, Captain
+Wentworth said--
+
+"We will write the letter we were talking of, Harville, now, if you
+will give me materials."
+
+Materials were at hand, on a separate table; he went to it, and nearly
+turning his back to them all, was engrossed by writing.
+
+Mrs Musgrove was giving Mrs Croft the history of her eldest daughter's
+engagement, and just in that inconvenient tone of voice which was
+perfectly audible while it pretended to be a whisper.  Anne felt that
+she did not belong to the conversation, and yet, as Captain Harville
+seemed thoughtful and not disposed to talk, she could not avoid hearing
+many undesirable particulars; such as, "how Mr Musgrove and my brother
+Hayter had met again and again to talk it over; what my brother Hayter
+had said one day, and what Mr Musgrove had proposed the next, and what
+had occurred to my sister Hayter, and what the young people had wished,
+and what I said at first I never could consent to, but was afterwards
+persuaded to think might do very well," and a great deal in the same
+style of open-hearted communication:  minutiae which, even with every
+advantage of taste and delicacy, which good Mrs Musgrove could not
+give, could be properly interesting only to the principals.  Mrs Croft
+was attending with great good-humour, and whenever she spoke at all, it
+was very sensibly.  Anne hoped the gentlemen might each be too much
+self-occupied to hear.
+
+"And so, ma'am, all these thing considered," said Mrs Musgrove, in her
+powerful whisper, "though we could have wished it different, yet,
+altogether, we did not think it fair to stand out any longer, for
+Charles Hayter was quite wild about it, and Henrietta was pretty near
+as bad; and so we thought they had better marry at once, and make the
+best of it, as many others have done before them.  At any rate, said I,
+it will be better than a long engagement."
+
+"That is precisely what I was going to observe," cried Mrs Croft.  "I
+would rather have young people settle on a small income at once, and
+have to struggle with a few difficulties together, than be involved in
+a long engagement.  I always think that no mutual--"
+
+"Oh! dear Mrs Croft," cried Mrs Musgrove, unable to let her finish her
+speech, "there is nothing I so abominate for young people as a long
+engagement.  It is what I always protested against for my children.  It
+is all very well, I used to say, for young people to be engaged, if
+there is a certainty of their being able to marry in six months, or
+even in twelve; but a long engagement--"
+
+"Yes, dear ma'am," said Mrs Croft, "or an uncertain engagement, an
+engagement which may be long.  To begin without knowing that at such a
+time there will be the means of marrying, I hold to be very unsafe and
+unwise, and what I think all parents should prevent as far as they can."
+
+Anne found an unexpected interest here.  She felt its application to
+herself, felt it in a nervous thrill all over her; and at the same
+moment that her eyes instinctively glanced towards the distant table,
+Captain Wentworth's pen ceased to move, his head was raised, pausing,
+listening, and he turned round the next instant to give a look, one
+quick, conscious look at her.
+
+The two ladies continued to talk, to re-urge the same admitted truths,
+and enforce them with such examples of the ill effect of a contrary
+practice as had fallen within their observation, but Anne heard nothing
+distinctly; it was only a buzz of words in her ear, her mind was in
+confusion.
+
+Captain Harville, who had in truth been hearing none of it, now left
+his seat, and moved to a window, and Anne seeming to watch him, though
+it was from thorough absence of mind, became gradually sensible that he
+was inviting her to join him where he stood.  He looked at her with a
+smile, and a little motion of the head, which expressed, "Come to me, I
+have something to say;" and the unaffected, easy kindness of manner
+which denoted the feelings of an older acquaintance than he really was,
+strongly enforced the invitation.  She roused herself and went to him.
+The window at which he stood was at the other end of the room from
+where the two ladies were sitting, and though nearer to Captain
+Wentworth's table, not very near.  As she joined him, Captain
+Harville's countenance re-assumed the serious, thoughtful expression
+which seemed its natural character.
+
+"Look here," said he, unfolding a parcel in his hand, and displaying a
+small miniature painting, "do you know who that is?"
+
+"Certainly:  Captain Benwick."
+
+"Yes, and you may guess who it is for.  But," (in a deep tone,) "it was
+not done for her.  Miss Elliot, do you remember our walking together at
+Lyme, and grieving for him?  I little thought then--but no matter.
+This was drawn at the Cape.  He met with a clever young German artist
+at the Cape, and in compliance with a promise to my poor sister, sat to
+him, and was bringing it home for her; and I have now the charge of
+getting it properly set for another!  It was a commission to me!  But
+who else was there to employ?  I hope I can allow for him.  I am not
+sorry, indeed, to make it over to another.  He undertakes it;" (looking
+towards Captain Wentworth,) "he is writing about it now."  And with a
+quivering lip he wound up the whole by adding, "Poor Fanny! she would
+not have forgotten him so soon!"
+
+"No," replied Anne, in a low, feeling voice. "That I can easily
+believe."
+
+"It was not in her nature.  She doted on him."
+
+"It would not be the nature of any woman who truly loved."
+
+Captain Harville smiled, as much as to say, "Do you claim that for your
+sex?" and she answered the question, smiling also, "Yes.  We certainly
+do not forget you as soon as you forget us.  It is, perhaps, our fate
+rather than our merit.  We cannot help ourselves.  We live at home,
+quiet, confined, and our feelings prey upon us.  You are forced on
+exertion.  You have always a profession, pursuits, business of some
+sort or other, to take you back into the world immediately, and
+continual occupation and change soon weaken impressions."
+
+"Granting your assertion that the world does all this so soon for men
+(which, however, I do not think I shall grant), it does not apply to
+Benwick.  He has not been forced upon any exertion.  The peace turned
+him on shore at the very moment, and he has been living with us, in our
+little family circle, ever since."
+
+"True," said Anne, "very true; I did not recollect; but what shall we
+say now, Captain Harville?  If the change be not from outward
+circumstances, it must be from within; it must be nature, man's nature,
+which has done the business for Captain Benwick."
+
+"No, no, it is not man's nature.  I will not allow it to be more man's
+nature than woman's to be inconstant and forget those they do love, or
+have loved.  I believe the reverse.  I believe in a true analogy
+between our bodily frames and our mental; and that as our bodies are
+the strongest, so are our feelings; capable of bearing most rough
+usage, and riding out the heaviest weather."
+
+"Your feelings may be the strongest," replied Anne, "but the same
+spirit of analogy will authorise me to assert that ours are the most
+tender.  Man is more robust than woman, but he is not longer lived;
+which exactly explains my view of the nature of their attachments.
+Nay, it would be too hard upon you, if it were otherwise.  You have
+difficulties, and privations, and dangers enough to struggle with.  You
+are always labouring and toiling, exposed to every risk and hardship.
+Your home, country, friends, all quitted.  Neither time, nor health,
+nor life, to be called your own.  It would be hard, indeed" (with a
+faltering voice), "if woman's feelings were to be added to all this."
+
+"We shall never agree upon this question," Captain Harville was
+beginning to say, when a slight noise called their attention to Captain
+Wentworth's hitherto perfectly quiet division of the room.  It was
+nothing more than that his pen had fallen down; but Anne was startled
+at finding him nearer than she had supposed, and half inclined to
+suspect that the pen had only fallen because he had been occupied by
+them, striving to catch sounds, which yet she did not think he could
+have caught.
+
+"Have you finished your letter?" said Captain Harville.
+
+"Not quite, a few lines more.  I shall have done in five minutes."
+
+"There is no hurry on my side.  I am only ready whenever you are.  I am
+in very good anchorage here," (smiling at Anne,) "well supplied, and
+want for nothing.  No hurry for a signal at all.  Well, Miss Elliot,"
+(lowering his voice,) "as I was saying we shall never agree, I suppose,
+upon this point.  No man and woman, would, probably.  But let me
+observe that all histories are against you--all stories, prose and
+verse.  If I had such a memory as Benwick, I could bring you fifty
+quotations in a moment on my side the argument, and I do not think I
+ever opened a book in my life which had not something to say upon
+woman's inconstancy.  Songs and proverbs, all talk of woman's
+fickleness.  But perhaps you will say, these were all written by men."
+
+"Perhaps I shall.  Yes, yes, if you please, no reference to examples in
+books.  Men have had every advantage of us in telling their own story.
+Education has been theirs in so much higher a degree; the pen has been
+in their hands.  I will not allow books to prove anything."
+
+"But how shall we prove anything?"
+
+"We never shall.  We never can expect to prove any thing upon such a
+point.  It is a difference of opinion which does not admit of proof.
+We each begin, probably, with a little bias towards our own sex; and
+upon that bias build every circumstance in favour of it which has
+occurred within our own circle; many of which circumstances (perhaps
+those very cases which strike us the most) may be precisely such as
+cannot be brought forward without betraying a confidence, or in some
+respect saying what should not be said."
+
+"Ah!" cried Captain Harville, in a tone of strong feeling, "if I could
+but make you comprehend what a man suffers when he takes a last look at
+his wife and children, and watches the boat that he has sent them off
+in, as long as it is in sight, and then turns away and says, 'God knows
+whether we ever meet again!' And then, if I could convey to you the
+glow of his soul when he does see them again; when, coming back after a
+twelvemonth's absence, perhaps, and obliged to put into another port,
+he calculates how soon it be possible to get them there, pretending to
+deceive himself, and saying, 'They cannot be here till such a day,' but
+all the while hoping for them twelve hours sooner, and seeing them
+arrive at last, as if Heaven had given them wings, by many hours sooner
+still!  If I could explain to you all this, and all that a man can bear
+and do, and glories to do, for the sake of these treasures of his
+existence!  I speak, you know, only of such men as have hearts!"
+pressing his own with emotion.
+
+"Oh!" cried Anne eagerly, "I hope I do justice to all that is felt by
+you, and by those who resemble you.  God forbid that I should
+undervalue the warm and faithful feelings of any of my
+fellow-creatures!  I should deserve utter contempt if I dared to
+suppose that true attachment and constancy were known only by woman.
+No, I believe you capable of everything great and good in your married
+lives.  I believe you equal to every important exertion, and to every
+domestic forbearance, so long as--if I may be allowed the
+expression--so long as you have an object.  I mean while the woman you
+love lives, and lives for you.  All the privilege I claim for my own
+sex (it is not a very enviable one; you need not covet it), is that of
+loving longest, when existence or when hope is gone."
+
+She could not immediately have uttered another sentence; her heart was
+too full, her breath too much oppressed.
+
+"You are a good soul," cried Captain Harville, putting his hand on her
+arm, quite affectionately.  "There is no quarrelling with you.  And
+when I think of Benwick, my tongue is tied."
+
+Their attention was called towards the others.  Mrs Croft was taking
+leave.
+
+"Here, Frederick, you and I part company, I believe," said she.  "I am
+going home, and you have an engagement with your friend.  To-night we
+may have the pleasure of all meeting again at your party," (turning to
+Anne.)  "We had your sister's card yesterday, and I understood
+Frederick had a card too, though I did not see it; and you are
+disengaged, Frederick, are you not, as well as ourselves?"
+
+Captain Wentworth was folding up a letter in great haste, and either
+could not or would not answer fully.
+
+"Yes," said he, "very true; here we separate, but Harville and I shall
+soon be after you; that is, Harville, if you are ready, I am in half a
+minute.  I know you will not be sorry to be off.  I shall be at your
+service in half a minute."
+
+Mrs Croft left them, and Captain Wentworth, having sealed his letter
+with great rapidity, was indeed ready, and had even a hurried, agitated
+air, which shewed impatience to be gone.  Anne knew not how to
+understand it.  She had the kindest "Good morning, God bless you!" from
+Captain Harville, but from him not a word, nor a look!  He had passed
+out of the room without a look!
+
+She had only time, however, to move closer to the table where he had
+been writing, when footsteps were heard returning; the door opened, it
+was himself.  He begged their pardon, but he had forgotten his gloves,
+and instantly crossing the room to the writing table, he drew out a
+letter from under the scattered paper, placed it before Anne with eyes
+of glowing entreaty fixed on her for a time, and hastily collecting his
+gloves, was again out of the room, almost before Mrs Musgrove was aware
+of his being in it: the work of an instant!
+
+The revolution which one instant had made in Anne, was almost beyond
+expression.  The letter, with a direction hardly legible, to "Miss A.
+E.--," was evidently the one which he had been folding so hastily.
+While supposed to be writing only to Captain Benwick, he had been also
+addressing her!  On the contents of that letter depended all which this
+world could do for her.  Anything was possible, anything might be
+defied rather than suspense.  Mrs Musgrove had little arrangements of
+her own at her own table; to their protection she must trust, and
+sinking into the chair which he had occupied, succeeding to the very
+spot where he had leaned and written, her eyes devoured the following
+words:
+
+
+"I can listen no longer in silence.  I must speak to you by such means
+as are within my reach.  You pierce my soul.  I am half agony, half
+hope.  Tell me not that I am too late, that such precious feelings are
+gone for ever.  I offer myself to you again with a heart even more your
+own than when you almost broke it, eight years and a half ago.  Dare
+not say that man forgets sooner than  woman, that his love has an
+earlier death.  I have loved none but you.  Unjust I may have been,
+weak and resentful I have been, but never inconstant.  You alone have
+brought me to Bath.  For you alone, I think and plan.  Have you not
+seen this?  Can you fail to have understood my wishes?  I had not
+waited even these ten days, could I have read your feelings, as I think
+you must have penetrated mine.  I can hardly write.  I am every instant
+hearing something which overpowers me.  You sink your voice, but I can
+distinguish the tones of that voice when they would be lost on others.
+Too good, too excellent creature!  You do us justice, indeed.  You do
+believe that there is true attachment and constancy among men.  Believe
+it to be most fervent, most undeviating, in F. W.
+
+"I must go, uncertain of my fate; but I shall return hither, or follow
+your party, as soon as possible.  A word, a look, will be enough to
+decide whether I enter your father's house this evening or never."
+
+
+Such a letter was not to be soon recovered from.  Half an hour's
+solitude and reflection might have tranquillized her; but the ten
+minutes only which now passed before she was interrupted, with all the
+restraints of her situation, could do nothing towards tranquillity.
+Every moment rather brought fresh agitation.  It was overpowering
+happiness.  And before she was beyond the first stage of full
+sensation, Charles, Mary, and Henrietta all came in.
+
+The absolute necessity of seeming like herself produced then an
+immediate struggle; but after a while she could do no more.  She began
+not to understand a word they said, and was obliged to plead
+indisposition and excuse herself.  They could then see that she looked
+very ill, were shocked and concerned, and would not stir without her
+for the world.  This was dreadful.  Would they only have gone away, and
+left her in the quiet possession of that room it would have been her
+cure; but to have them all standing or waiting around her was
+distracting, and in desperation, she said she would go home.
+
+"By all means, my dear," cried Mrs Musgrove, "go home directly, and
+take care of yourself, that you may be fit for the evening.  I wish
+Sarah was here to doctor you, but I am no doctor myself.  Charles, ring
+and order a chair.  She must not walk."
+
+But the chair would never do.  Worse than all!  To lose the possibility
+of speaking two words to Captain Wentworth in the course of her quiet,
+solitary progress up the town (and she felt almost certain of meeting
+him) could not be borne.  The chair was earnestly protested against,
+and Mrs Musgrove, who thought only of one sort of illness, having
+assured herself with some anxiety, that there had been no fall in the
+case; that Anne had not at any time lately slipped down, and got a blow
+on her head; that she was perfectly convinced of having had no fall;
+could part with her cheerfully, and depend on finding her better at
+night.
+
+Anxious to omit no possible precaution, Anne struggled, and said--
+
+"I am afraid, ma'am, that it is not perfectly understood.  Pray be so
+good as to mention to the other gentlemen that we hope to see your
+whole party this evening.  I am afraid there had been some mistake; and
+I wish you particularly to assure Captain Harville and Captain
+Wentworth, that we hope to see them both."
+
+"Oh! my dear, it is quite understood, I give you my word.  Captain
+Harville has no thought but of going."
+
+"Do you think so?  But I am afraid; and I should be so very sorry.
+Will you promise me to mention it, when you see them again?  You will
+see them both this morning, I dare say.  Do promise me."
+
+"To be sure I will, if you wish it.  Charles, if you see Captain
+Harville anywhere, remember to give Miss Anne's message.  But indeed,
+my dear, you need not be uneasy.  Captain Harville holds himself quite
+engaged, I'll answer for it; and Captain Wentworth the same, I dare
+say."
+
+Anne could do no more; but her heart prophesied some mischance to damp
+the perfection of her felicity.  It could not be very lasting, however.
+Even if he did not come to Camden Place himself, it would be in her
+power to send an intelligible sentence by Captain Harville.  Another
+momentary vexation occurred.  Charles, in his real concern and good
+nature, would go home with her; there was no preventing him.  This was
+almost cruel.  But she could not be long ungrateful; he was sacrificing
+an engagement at a gunsmith's, to be of use to her; and she set off
+with him, with no feeling but gratitude apparent.
+
+They were on Union Street, when a quicker step behind, a something of
+familiar sound, gave her two moments' preparation for the sight of
+Captain Wentworth.  He joined them; but, as if irresolute whether to
+join or to pass on, said nothing, only looked.  Anne could command
+herself enough to receive that look, and not repulsively.  The cheeks
+which had been pale now glowed, and the movements which had hesitated
+were decided.  He walked by her side.  Presently, struck by a sudden
+thought, Charles said--
+
+"Captain Wentworth, which way are you going?  Only to Gay Street, or
+farther up the town?"
+
+"I hardly know," replied Captain Wentworth, surprised.
+
+"Are you going as high as Belmont?  Are you going near Camden Place?
+Because, if you are, I shall have no scruple in asking you to take my
+place, and give Anne your arm to her father's door.  She is rather done
+for this morning, and must not go so far without help, and I ought to
+be at that fellow's in the Market Place.  He promised me the sight of a
+capital gun he is just going to send off; said he would keep it
+unpacked to the last possible moment, that I might see it; and if I do
+not turn back now, I have no chance.  By his description, a good deal
+like the second size double-barrel of mine, which you shot with one day
+round Winthrop."
+
+There could not be an objection.  There could be only the most proper
+alacrity, a most obliging compliance for public view; and smiles reined
+in and spirits dancing in private rapture.  In half a minute Charles
+was at the bottom of Union Street again, and the other two proceeding
+together:  and soon words enough had passed between them to decide
+their direction towards the comparatively quiet and retired gravel
+walk, where the power of conversation would make the present hour a
+blessing indeed, and prepare it for all the immortality which the
+happiest recollections of their own future lives could bestow.  There
+they exchanged again those feelings and those promises which had once
+before seemed to secure everything, but which had been followed by so
+many, many years of division and estrangement.  There they returned
+again into the past, more exquisitely happy, perhaps, in their
+re-union, than when it had been first projected; more tender, more
+tried, more fixed in a knowledge of each other's character, truth, and
+attachment; more equal to act, more justified in acting.  And there, as
+they slowly paced the gradual ascent, heedless of every group around
+them, seeing neither sauntering politicians, bustling housekeepers,
+flirting girls, nor nursery-maids and children, they could indulge in
+those retrospections and acknowledgements, and especially in those
+explanations of what had directly preceded the present moment, which
+were so poignant and so ceaseless in interest.  All the little
+variations of the last week were gone through; and of yesterday and
+today there could scarcely be an end.
+
+She had not mistaken him.  Jealousy of Mr Elliot had been the retarding
+weight, the doubt, the torment.  That had begun to operate in the very
+hour of first meeting her in Bath; that had returned, after a short
+suspension, to ruin the concert; and that had influenced him in
+everything he had said and done, or omitted to say and do, in the last
+four-and-twenty hours.  It had been gradually yielding to the better
+hopes which her looks, or words, or actions occasionally encouraged; it
+had been vanquished at last by those sentiments and those tones which
+had reached him while she talked with Captain Harville; and under the
+irresistible governance of which he had seized a sheet of paper, and
+poured out his feelings.
+
+Of what he had then written, nothing was to be retracted or qualified.
+He persisted in having loved none but her.  She had never been
+supplanted.  He never even believed himself to see her equal.  Thus
+much indeed he was obliged to acknowledge:  that he had been constant
+unconsciously, nay unintentionally; that he had meant to forget her,
+and believed it to be done.  He had imagined himself indifferent, when
+he had only been angry; and he had been unjust to her merits, because
+he had been a sufferer from them.  Her character was now fixed on his
+mind as perfection itself, maintaining the loveliest medium of
+fortitude and gentleness; but he was obliged to acknowledge that only
+at Uppercross had he learnt to do her justice, and only at Lyme had he
+begun to understand himself.  At Lyme, he had received lessons of more
+than one sort.  The passing admiration of Mr Elliot had at least roused
+him, and the scenes on the Cobb and at Captain Harville's had fixed her
+superiority.
+
+In his preceding attempts to attach himself to Louisa Musgrove (the
+attempts of angry pride), he protested that he had for ever felt it to
+be impossible; that he had not cared, could not care, for Louisa;
+though till that day, till the leisure for reflection which followed
+it, he had not understood the perfect excellence of the mind with which
+Louisa's could so ill bear a comparison, or the perfect unrivalled hold
+it possessed over his own.  There, he had learnt to distinguish between
+the steadiness of principle and the obstinacy of self-will, between the
+darings of heedlessness and the resolution of a collected mind.  There
+he had seen everything to exalt in his estimation the woman he had
+lost; and there begun to deplore the pride, the folly, the madness of
+resentment, which had kept him from trying to regain her when thrown in
+his way.
+
+From that period his penance had become severe.  He had no sooner been
+free from the horror and remorse attending the first few days of
+Louisa's accident, no sooner begun to feel himself alive again, than he
+had begun to feel himself, though alive, not at liberty.
+
+"I found," said he, "that I was considered by Harville an engaged man!
+That neither Harville nor his wife entertained a doubt of our mutual
+attachment.  I was startled and shocked.  To a degree, I could
+contradict this instantly; but, when I began to reflect that others
+might have felt the same--her own family, nay, perhaps herself--I was
+no longer at my own disposal.  I was hers in honour if she wished it.
+I had been unguarded.  I had not thought seriously on this subject
+before.  I had not considered that my excessive intimacy must have its
+danger of ill consequence in many ways; and that I had no right to be
+trying whether I could attach myself to either of the girls, at the
+risk of raising even an unpleasant report, were there no other ill
+effects.  I had been grossly wrong, and must abide the consequences."
+
+He found too late, in short, that he had entangled himself; and that
+precisely as he became fully satisfied of his not caring for Louisa at
+all, he must regard himself as bound to her, if her sentiments for him
+were what the Harvilles supposed.  It determined him to leave Lyme, and
+await her complete recovery elsewhere.  He would gladly weaken, by any
+fair means, whatever feelings or speculations concerning him might
+exist; and he went, therefore, to his brother's, meaning after a while
+to return to Kellynch, and act as circumstances might require.
+
+"I was six weeks with Edward," said he, "and saw him happy.  I could
+have no other pleasure.  I deserved none.  He enquired after you very
+particularly; asked even if you were personally altered, little
+suspecting that to my eye you could never alter."
+
+Anne smiled, and let it pass.  It was too pleasing a blunder for a
+reproach.  It is something for a woman to be assured, in her
+eight-and-twentieth year, that she has not lost one charm of earlier
+youth; but the value of such homage was inexpressibly increased to
+Anne, by comparing it with former words, and feeling it to be the
+result, not the cause of a revival of his warm attachment.
+
+He had remained in Shropshire, lamenting the blindness of his own
+pride, and the blunders of his own calculations, till at once released
+from Louisa by the astonishing and felicitous intelligence of her
+engagement with Benwick.
+
+"Here," said he, "ended the worst of my state; for now I could at least
+put myself in the way of happiness; I could exert myself; I could do
+something.  But to be waiting so long in inaction, and waiting only for
+evil, had been dreadful.  Within the first five minutes I said, 'I will
+be at Bath on Wednesday,' and I was.  Was it unpardonable to think it
+worth my while to come? and to arrive with some degree of hope?  You
+were single.  It was possible that you might retain the feelings of the
+past, as I did; and one encouragement happened to be mine.  I could
+never doubt that you would be loved and sought by others, but I knew to
+a certainty that you had refused one man, at least, of better
+pretensions than myself; and I could not help often saying, 'Was this
+for me?'"
+
+Their first meeting in Milsom Street afforded much to be said, but the
+concert still more.  That evening seemed to be made up of exquisite
+moments.  The moment of her stepping forward in the Octagon Room to
+speak to him:  the moment of Mr Elliot's appearing and tearing her
+away, and one or two subsequent moments, marked by returning hope or
+increasing despondency, were dwelt on with energy.
+
+"To see you," cried he, "in the midst of those who could not be my
+well-wishers; to see your cousin close by you, conversing and smiling,
+and feel all the horrible eligibilities and proprieties of the match!
+To consider it as the certain wish of every being who could hope to
+influence you!  Even if your own feelings were reluctant or
+indifferent, to consider what powerful supports would be his!  Was it
+not enough to make the fool of me which I appeared?  How could I look
+on without agony?  Was not the very sight of the friend who sat behind
+you, was not the recollection of what had been, the knowledge of her
+influence, the indelible, immoveable impression of what persuasion had
+once done--was it not all against me?"
+
+"You should have distinguished," replied Anne.  "You should not have
+suspected me now; the case is so different, and my age is so different.
+If I was wrong in yielding to persuasion once, remember that it was to
+persuasion exerted on the side of safety, not of risk.  When I yielded,
+I thought it was to duty, but no duty could be called in aid here.  In
+marrying a man indifferent to me, all risk would have been incurred,
+and all duty violated."
+
+"Perhaps I ought to have reasoned thus," he replied, "but I could not.
+I could not derive benefit from the late knowledge I had acquired of
+your character.  I could not bring it into play; it was overwhelmed,
+buried, lost in those earlier feelings which I had been smarting under
+year after year.  I could think of you only as one who had yielded, who
+had given me up, who had been influenced by any one rather than by me.
+I saw you with the very person who had guided you in that year of
+misery.  I had no reason to believe her of less authority now.  The
+force of habit was to be added."
+
+"I should have thought," said Anne, "that my manner to yourself might
+have spared you much or all of this."
+
+"No, no! your manner might be only the ease which your engagement to
+another man would give.  I left you in this belief; and yet, I was
+determined to see you again.  My spirits rallied with the morning, and
+I felt that I had still a motive for remaining here."
+
+At last Anne was at home again, and happier than any one in that house
+could have conceived.  All the surprise and suspense, and every other
+painful part of the morning dissipated by this conversation, she
+re-entered the house so happy as to be obliged to find an alloy in some
+momentary apprehensions of its being impossible to last.  An interval
+of meditation, serious and grateful, was the best corrective of
+everything dangerous in such high-wrought felicity; and she went to her
+room, and grew steadfast and fearless in the thankfulness of her
+enjoyment.
+
+The evening came, the drawing-rooms were lighted up, the company
+assembled.  It was but a card party, it was but a mixture of those who
+had never met before, and those who met too often; a commonplace
+business, too numerous for intimacy, too small for variety; but Anne
+had never found an evening shorter.  Glowing and lovely in sensibility
+and happiness, and more generally admired than she thought about or
+cared for, she had cheerful or forbearing feelings for every creature
+around her.  Mr Elliot was there; she avoided, but she could pity him.
+The Wallises, she had amusement in understanding them.  Lady Dalrymple
+and Miss Carteret--they would soon be innoxious cousins to her.  She
+cared not for Mrs Clay, and had nothing to blush for in the public
+manners of her father and sister.  With the Musgroves, there was the
+happy chat of perfect ease; with Captain Harville, the kind-hearted
+intercourse of brother and sister; with Lady Russell, attempts at
+conversation, which a delicious consciousness cut short; with Admiral
+and Mrs Croft, everything of peculiar cordiality and fervent interest,
+which the same consciousness sought to conceal; and with Captain
+Wentworth, some moments of communications continually occurring, and
+always the hope of more, and always the knowledge of his being there.
+
+It was in one of these short meetings, each apparently occupied in
+admiring a fine display of greenhouse plants, that she said--
+
+"I have been thinking over the past, and trying impartially to judge of
+the right and wrong, I mean with regard to myself; and I must believe
+that I was right, much as I suffered from it, that I was perfectly
+right in being guided by the friend whom you will love better than you
+do now.  To me, she was in the place of a parent.  Do not mistake me,
+however.  I am not saying that she did not err in her advice.  It was,
+perhaps, one of those cases in which advice is good or bad only as the
+event decides; and for myself, I certainly never should, in any
+circumstance of tolerable similarity, give such advice.  But I mean,
+that I was right in submitting to her, and that if I had done
+otherwise, I should have suffered more in continuing the engagement
+than I did even in giving it up, because I should have suffered in my
+conscience.  I have now, as far as such a sentiment is allowable in
+human nature, nothing to reproach myself with; and if I mistake not, a
+strong sense of duty is no bad part of a woman's portion."
+
+He looked at her, looked at Lady Russell, and looking again at her,
+replied, as if in cool deliberation--
+
+"Not yet.  But there are hopes of her being forgiven in time.  I trust
+to being in charity with her soon.  But I too have been thinking over
+the past, and a  question has suggested itself, whether there may not
+have been one person more my enemy even than that lady?  My own self.
+Tell me if, when I returned to England in the year eight, with a few
+thousand pounds, and was posted into the Laconia, if I had then written
+to you, would you have answered my letter?  Would you, in short, have
+renewed the engagement then?"
+
+"Would I!" was all her answer; but the accent was decisive enough.
+
+"Good God!" he cried, "you would!  It is not that I did not think of
+it, or desire it, as what could alone crown all my other success; but I
+was proud, too proud to ask again.  I did not understand you.  I shut
+my eyes, and would not understand you, or do you justice.  This is a
+recollection which ought to make me forgive every one sooner than
+myself.  Six years of separation and suffering might have been spared.
+It is a sort of pain, too, which is new to me.  I have been used to the
+gratification of believing myself to earn every blessing that I
+enjoyed.  I have valued myself on honourable toils and just rewards.
+Like other great men under reverses," he added, with a smile. "I must
+endeavour to subdue my mind to my fortune.  I must learn to brook being
+happier than I deserve."
+
+
+
+Chapter 24
+
+
+Who can be in doubt of what followed?  When any two young people take
+it into their heads to marry, they are pretty sure by perseverance to
+carry their point, be they ever so poor, or ever so imprudent, or ever
+so little likely to be necessary to each other's ultimate comfort.
+This may be bad morality to conclude with, but I believe it to be
+truth; and if such parties succeed, how should a Captain Wentworth and
+an Anne Elliot, with the advantage of maturity of mind, consciousness
+of right, and one independent fortune between them, fail of bearing
+down every opposition?  They might in fact, have borne down a great
+deal more than they met with, for there was little to distress them
+beyond the want of graciousness and warmth.  Sir Walter made no
+objection, and Elizabeth did nothing worse than look cold and
+unconcerned.  Captain Wentworth, with five-and-twenty thousand pounds,
+and as high in his profession as merit and activity could place him,
+was no longer nobody.  He was now esteemed quite worthy to address the
+daughter of a foolish, spendthrift baronet, who had not had principle
+or sense enough to maintain himself in the situation in which
+Providence had placed him, and who could give his daughter at present
+but a small part of the share of ten thousand pounds which must be hers
+hereafter.
+
+Sir Walter, indeed, though he had no affection for Anne, and no vanity
+flattered, to make him really happy on the occasion, was very far from
+thinking it a bad match for her.  On the contrary, when he saw more of
+Captain Wentworth, saw him repeatedly by daylight, and eyed him well,
+he was very much struck by his personal claims, and felt that his
+superiority of appearance might be not unfairly balanced against her
+superiority of rank; and all this, assisted by his well-sounding name,
+enabled Sir Walter at last to prepare his pen, with a very good grace,
+for the insertion of the marriage in the volume of honour.
+
+The only one among them, whose opposition of feeling could excite any
+serious anxiety was Lady Russell.  Anne knew that Lady Russell must be
+suffering some pain in understanding and relinquishing Mr Elliot, and
+be making some struggles to become truly acquainted with, and do
+justice to Captain Wentworth.  This however was what Lady Russell had
+now to do.  She must learn to feel that she had been mistaken with
+regard to both; that she had been unfairly influenced by appearances in
+each; that because Captain Wentworth's manners had not suited her own
+ideas, she had been too quick in suspecting them to indicate a
+character of dangerous impetuosity; and that because Mr Elliot's
+manners had precisely pleased her in their propriety and correctness,
+their general politeness and suavity, she had been too quick in
+receiving them as the certain result of the most correct opinions and
+well-regulated mind.  There was nothing less for Lady Russell to do,
+than to admit that she had been pretty completely wrong, and to take up
+a new set of opinions and of hopes.
+
+There is a quickness of perception in some, a nicety in the discernment
+of character, a natural penetration, in short, which no experience in
+others can equal, and Lady Russell had been less gifted in this part of
+understanding than her young friend.  But she was a very good woman,
+and if her second object was to be sensible and well-judging, her first
+was to see Anne happy.  She loved Anne better than she loved her own
+abilities; and when the awkwardness of the beginning was over, found
+little hardship in attaching herself as a mother to the man who was
+securing the happiness of her other child.
+
+Of all the family, Mary was probably the one most immediately gratified
+by the circumstance.  It was creditable to have a sister married, and
+she might flatter herself with having been greatly instrumental to the
+connexion, by keeping Anne with her in the autumn; and as her own
+sister must be better than her husband's sisters, it was very agreeable
+that Captain Wentworth should be a richer man than either Captain
+Benwick or Charles Hayter.  She had something to suffer, perhaps, when
+they came into contact again, in seeing Anne restored to the rights of
+seniority, and the mistress of a very pretty landaulette; but she had a
+future to look forward to, of powerful consolation.  Anne had no
+Uppercross Hall before her, no landed estate, no headship of a family;
+and if they could but keep Captain Wentworth from being made a baronet,
+she would not change situations with Anne.
+
+It would be well for the eldest sister if she were equally satisfied
+with her situation, for a change is not very probable there.  She had
+soon the mortification of seeing Mr Elliot withdraw, and no one of
+proper condition has since presented himself to raise even the
+unfounded hopes which sunk with him.
+
+The news of his cousin Anne's engagement burst on Mr Elliot most
+unexpectedly.  It deranged his best plan of domestic happiness, his
+best hope of keeping Sir Walter single by the watchfulness which a
+son-in-law's rights would have given.  But, though discomfited and
+disappointed, he could still do something for his own interest and his
+own enjoyment.  He soon quitted Bath; and on Mrs Clay's quitting it
+soon afterwards, and being next heard of as established under his
+protection in London, it was evident how double a game he had been
+playing, and how determined he was to save himself from being cut out
+by one artful woman, at least.
+
+Mrs Clay's affections had overpowered her interest, and she had
+sacrificed, for the young man's sake, the possibility of scheming
+longer for Sir Walter.  She has abilities, however, as well as
+affections; and it is now a doubtful point whether his cunning, or
+hers, may finally carry the day; whether, after preventing her from
+being the wife of Sir Walter, he may not be wheedled and caressed at
+last into making her the wife of Sir William.
+
+It cannot be doubted that Sir Walter and Elizabeth were shocked and
+mortified by the loss of their companion, and the discovery of their
+deception in her.  They had their great cousins, to be sure, to resort
+to for comfort; but they must long feel that to flatter and follow
+others, without being flattered and followed in turn, is but a state of
+half enjoyment.
+
+Anne, satisfied at a very early period of Lady Russell's meaning to
+love Captain Wentworth as she ought, had no other alloy to the
+happiness of her prospects than what arose from the consciousness of
+having no relations to bestow on him which a man of sense could value.
+There she felt her own inferiority very keenly.  The disproportion in
+their fortune was nothing; it did not give her a moment's regret; but
+to have no family to receive and estimate him properly, nothing of
+respectability, of harmony, of good will to offer in return for all the
+worth and all the prompt welcome which met her in his brothers and
+sisters, was a source of as lively pain as her mind could well be
+sensible of under circumstances of otherwise strong felicity.  She had
+but two friends in the world to add to his list, Lady Russell and Mrs
+Smith.  To those, however, he was very well disposed to attach himself.
+Lady Russell, in spite of all her former transgressions, he could now
+value from his heart.  While he was not obliged to say that he believed
+her to have been right in originally dividing them, he was ready to say
+almost everything else in her favour, and as for Mrs Smith, she had
+claims of various kinds to recommend her quickly and permanently.
+
+Her recent good offices by Anne had been enough in themselves, and
+their marriage, instead of depriving her of one friend, secured her
+two.  She was their earliest visitor in their settled life; and Captain
+Wentworth, by putting her in the way of recovering her husband's
+property in the West Indies, by writing for her, acting for her, and
+seeing her through all the petty difficulties of the case with the
+activity and exertion of a fearless man and a determined friend, fully
+requited the services which she had rendered, or ever meant to render,
+to his wife.
+
+Mrs Smith's enjoyments were not spoiled by this improvement of income,
+with some improvement of health, and the acquisition of such friends to
+be often with, for her cheerfulness and mental alacrity did not fail
+her; and while these prime supplies of good remained, she might have
+bid defiance even to greater accessions of worldly prosperity.  She
+might have been absolutely rich and perfectly healthy, and yet be
+happy.  Her spring of felicity was in the glow of her spirits, as her
+friend Anne's was in the warmth of her heart.  Anne was tenderness
+itself, and she had the full worth of it in Captain Wentworth's
+affection.  His profession was all that could ever make her friends
+wish that tenderness less, the dread of a future war all that could dim
+her sunshine.  She gloried in being a sailor's wife, but she must pay
+the tax of quick alarm for belonging to that profession which is, if
+possible, more distinguished in its domestic virtues than in its
+national importance.
+
+
+
+Finis
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
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+The Project Gutenberg eBook of Persuasion, by Jane Austen
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+most other parts of the world at no cost and with almost no restrictions
+whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or re-use it under the terms
+of the Project Gutenberg License included with this eBook or online at
+www.gutenberg.org. If you are not located in the United States, you
+will have to check the laws of the country where you are located before
+using this eBook.
+
+Title: Persuasion
+
+Author: Jane Austen
+
+Release Date: February, 1994 [eBook #105]
+[Most recently updated: August 31, 2022]
+
+Language: English
+
+Character set encoding: UTF-8
+
+Produced by: Sharon Partridge and Martin Ward
+
+*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK PERSUASION ***
+
+
+
+
+Persuasion
+
+by Jane Austen
+
+(1818)
+
+
+Contents
+
+ CHAPTER I.
+ CHAPTER II.
+ CHAPTER III.
+ CHAPTER IV.
+ CHAPTER V.
+ CHAPTER VI.
+ CHAPTER VII.
+ CHAPTER VIII.
+ CHAPTER IX.
+ CHAPTER X.
+ CHAPTER XI.
+ CHAPTER XII.
+ CHAPTER XIII.
+ CHAPTER XIV.
+ CHAPTER XV.
+ CHAPTER XVI.
+ CHAPTER XVII.
+ CHAPTER XVIII.
+ CHAPTER XIX.
+ CHAPTER XX.
+ CHAPTER XXI.
+ CHAPTER XXII.
+ CHAPTER XXIII.
+ CHAPTER XXIV.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER I.
+
+
+Sir Walter Elliot, of Kellynch Hall, in Somersetshire, was a man who,
+for his own amusement, never took up any book but the Baronetage; there
+he found occupation for an idle hour, and consolation in a distressed
+one; there his faculties were roused into admiration and respect, by
+contemplating the limited remnant of the earliest patents; there any
+unwelcome sensations, arising from domestic affairs changed naturally
+into pity and contempt as he turned over the almost endless creations
+of the last century; and there, if every other leaf were powerless, he
+could read his own history with an interest which never failed. This
+was the page at which the favourite volume always opened:
+
+“ELLIOT OF KELLYNCH HALL.
+
+
+“Walter Elliot, born March 1, 1760, married, July 15, 1784, Elizabeth,
+daughter of James Stevenson, Esq. of South Park, in the county of
+Gloucester, by which lady (who died 1800) he has issue Elizabeth, born
+June 1, 1785; Anne, born August 9, 1787; a still-born son, November 5,
+1789; Mary, born November 20, 1791.”
+
+Precisely such had the paragraph originally stood from the printer’s
+hands; but Sir Walter had improved it by adding, for the information of
+himself and his family, these words, after the date of Mary’s
+birth—“Married, December 16, 1810, Charles, son and heir of Charles
+Musgrove, Esq. of Uppercross, in the county of Somerset,” and by
+inserting most accurately the day of the month on which he had lost his
+wife.
+
+Then followed the history and rise of the ancient and respectable
+family, in the usual terms; how it had been first settled in Cheshire;
+how mentioned in Dugdale, serving the office of high sheriff,
+representing a borough in three successive parliaments, exertions of
+loyalty, and dignity of baronet, in the first year of Charles II, with
+all the Marys and Elizabeths they had married; forming altogether two
+handsome duodecimo pages, and concluding with the arms and
+motto:—“Principal seat, Kellynch Hall, in the county of Somerset,” and
+Sir Walter’s handwriting again in this finale:—
+
+“Heir presumptive, William Walter Elliot, Esq., great grandson of the
+second Sir Walter.”
+
+Vanity was the beginning and the end of Sir Walter Elliot’s character;
+vanity of person and of situation. He had been remarkably handsome in
+his youth; and, at fifty-four, was still a very fine man. Few women
+could think more of their personal appearance than he did, nor could
+the valet of any new made lord be more delighted with the place he held
+in society. He considered the blessing of beauty as inferior only to
+the blessing of a baronetcy; and the Sir Walter Elliot, who united
+these gifts, was the constant object of his warmest respect and
+devotion.
+
+His good looks and his rank had one fair claim on his attachment; since
+to them he must have owed a wife of very superior character to any
+thing deserved by his own. Lady Elliot had been an excellent woman,
+sensible and amiable; whose judgement and conduct, if they might be
+pardoned the youthful infatuation which made her Lady Elliot, had never
+required indulgence afterwards.—She had humoured, or softened, or
+concealed his failings, and promoted his real respectability for
+seventeen years; and though not the very happiest being in the world
+herself, had found enough in her duties, her friends, and her children,
+to attach her to life, and make it no matter of indifference to her
+when she was called on to quit them.—Three girls, the two eldest
+sixteen and fourteen, was an awful legacy for a mother to bequeath, an
+awful charge rather, to confide to the authority and guidance of a
+conceited, silly father. She had, however, one very intimate friend, a
+sensible, deserving woman, who had been brought, by strong attachment
+to herself, to settle close by her, in the village of Kellynch; and on
+her kindness and advice, Lady Elliot mainly relied for the best help
+and maintenance of the good principles and instruction which she had
+been anxiously giving her daughters.
+
+This friend, and Sir Walter, did not marry, whatever might have been
+anticipated on that head by their acquaintance. Thirteen years had
+passed away since Lady Elliot’s death, and they were still near
+neighbours and intimate friends, and one remained a widower, the other
+a widow.
+
+That Lady Russell, of steady age and character, and extremely well
+provided for, should have no thought of a second marriage, needs no
+apology to the public, which is rather apt to be unreasonably
+discontented when a woman _does_ marry again, than when she does _not;_
+but Sir Walter’s continuing in singleness requires explanation. Be it
+known then, that Sir Walter, like a good father, (having met with one
+or two private disappointments in very unreasonable applications),
+prided himself on remaining single for his dear daughters’ sake. For
+one daughter, his eldest, he would really have given up any thing,
+which he had not been very much tempted to do. Elizabeth had succeeded,
+at sixteen, to all that was possible, of her mother’s rights and
+consequence; and being very handsome, and very like himself, her
+influence had always been great, and they had gone on together most
+happily. His two other children were of very inferior value. Mary had
+acquired a little artificial importance, by becoming Mrs Charles
+Musgrove; but Anne, with an elegance of mind and sweetness of
+character, which must have placed her high with any people of real
+understanding, was nobody with either father or sister; her word had no
+weight, her convenience was always to give way—she was only Anne.
+
+To Lady Russell, indeed, she was a most dear and highly valued
+god-daughter, favourite, and friend. Lady Russell loved them all; but
+it was only in Anne that she could fancy the mother to revive again.
+
+A few years before, Anne Elliot had been a very pretty girl, but her
+bloom had vanished early; and as even in its height, her father had
+found little to admire in her, (so totally different were her delicate
+features and mild dark eyes from his own), there could be nothing in
+them, now that she was faded and thin, to excite his esteem. He had
+never indulged much hope, he had now none, of ever reading her name in
+any other page of his favourite work. All equality of alliance must
+rest with Elizabeth, for Mary had merely connected herself with an old
+country family of respectability and large fortune, and had therefore
+_given_ all the honour and received none: Elizabeth would, one day or
+other, marry suitably.
+
+It sometimes happens that a woman is handsomer at twenty-nine than she
+was ten years before; and, generally speaking, if there has been
+neither ill health nor anxiety, it is a time of life at which scarcely
+any charm is lost. It was so with Elizabeth, still the same handsome
+Miss Elliot that she had begun to be thirteen years ago, and Sir Walter
+might be excused, therefore, in forgetting her age, or, at least, be
+deemed only half a fool, for thinking himself and Elizabeth as blooming
+as ever, amidst the wreck of the good looks of everybody else; for he
+could plainly see how old all the rest of his family and acquaintance
+were growing. Anne haggard, Mary coarse, every face in the
+neighbourhood worsting, and the rapid increase of the crow’s foot about
+Lady Russell’s temples had long been a distress to him.
+
+Elizabeth did not quite equal her father in personal contentment.
+Thirteen years had seen her mistress of Kellynch Hall, presiding and
+directing with a self-possession and decision which could never have
+given the idea of her being younger than she was. For thirteen years
+had she been doing the honours, and laying down the domestic law at
+home, and leading the way to the chaise and four, and walking
+immediately after Lady Russell out of all the drawing-rooms and
+dining-rooms in the country. Thirteen winters’ revolving frosts had
+seen her opening every ball of credit which a scanty neighbourhood
+afforded, and thirteen springs shewn their blossoms, as she travelled
+up to London with her father, for a few weeks’ annual enjoyment of the
+great world. She had the remembrance of all this, she had the
+consciousness of being nine-and-twenty to give her some regrets and
+some apprehensions; she was fully satisfied of being still quite as
+handsome as ever, but she felt her approach to the years of danger, and
+would have rejoiced to be certain of being properly solicited by
+baronet-blood within the next twelvemonth or two. Then might she again
+take up the book of books with as much enjoyment as in her early youth,
+but now she liked it not. Always to be presented with the date of her
+own birth and see no marriage follow but that of a youngest sister,
+made the book an evil; and more than once, when her father had left it
+open on the table near her, had she closed it, with averted eyes, and
+pushed it away.
+
+She had had a disappointment, moreover, which that book, and especially
+the history of her own family, must ever present the remembrance of.
+The heir presumptive, the very William Walter Elliot, Esq., whose
+rights had been so generously supported by her father, had disappointed
+her.
+
+She had, while a very young girl, as soon as she had known him to be,
+in the event of her having no brother, the future baronet, meant to
+marry him, and her father had always meant that she should. He had not
+been known to them as a boy; but soon after Lady Elliot’s death, Sir
+Walter had sought the acquaintance, and though his overtures had not
+been met with any warmth, he had persevered in seeking it, making
+allowance for the modest drawing-back of youth; and, in one of their
+spring excursions to London, when Elizabeth was in her first bloom, Mr
+Elliot had been forced into the introduction.
+
+He was at that time a very young man, just engaged in the study of the
+law; and Elizabeth found him extremely agreeable, and every plan in his
+favour was confirmed. He was invited to Kellynch Hall; he was talked of
+and expected all the rest of the year; but he never came. The following
+spring he was seen again in town, found equally agreeable, again
+encouraged, invited, and expected, and again he did not come; and the
+next tidings were that he was married. Instead of pushing his fortune
+in the line marked out for the heir of the house of Elliot, he had
+purchased independence by uniting himself to a rich woman of inferior
+birth.
+
+Sir Walter had resented it. As the head of the house, he felt that he
+ought to have been consulted, especially after taking the young man so
+publicly by the hand; “For they must have been seen together,” he
+observed, “once at Tattersall’s, and twice in the lobby of the House of
+Commons.” His disapprobation was expressed, but apparently very little
+regarded. Mr Elliot had attempted no apology, and shewn himself as
+unsolicitous of being longer noticed by the family, as Sir Walter
+considered him unworthy of it: all acquaintance between them had
+ceased.
+
+This very awkward history of Mr Elliot was still, after an interval of
+several years, felt with anger by Elizabeth, who had liked the man for
+himself, and still more for being her father’s heir, and whose strong
+family pride could see only in _him_ a proper match for Sir Walter
+Elliot’s eldest daughter. There was not a baronet from A to Z whom her
+feelings could have so willingly acknowledged as an equal. Yet so
+miserably had he conducted himself, that though she was at this present
+time (the summer of 1814) wearing black ribbons for his wife, she could
+not admit him to be worth thinking of again. The disgrace of his first
+marriage might, perhaps, as there was no reason to suppose it
+perpetuated by offspring, have been got over, had he not done worse;
+but he had, as by the accustomary intervention of kind friends, they
+had been informed, spoken most disrespectfully of them all, most
+slightingly and contemptuously of the very blood he belonged to, and
+the honours which were hereafter to be his own. This could not be
+pardoned.
+
+Such were Elizabeth Elliot’s sentiments and sensations; such the cares
+to alloy, the agitations to vary, the sameness and the elegance, the
+prosperity and the nothingness of her scene of life; such the feelings
+to give interest to a long, uneventful residence in one country circle,
+to fill the vacancies which there were no habits of utility abroad, no
+talents or accomplishments for home, to occupy.
+
+But now, another occupation and solicitude of mind was beginning to be
+added to these. Her father was growing distressed for money. She knew,
+that when he now took up the Baronetage, it was to drive the heavy
+bills of his tradespeople, and the unwelcome hints of Mr Shepherd, his
+agent, from his thoughts. The Kellynch property was good, but not equal
+to Sir Walter’s apprehension of the state required in its possessor.
+While Lady Elliot lived, there had been method, moderation, and
+economy, which had just kept him within his income; but with her had
+died all such right-mindedness, and from that period he had been
+constantly exceeding it. It had not been possible for him to spend
+less; he had done nothing but what Sir Walter Elliot was imperiously
+called on to do; but blameless as he was, he was not only growing
+dreadfully in debt, but was hearing of it so often, that it became vain
+to attempt concealing it longer, even partially, from his daughter. He
+had given her some hints of it the last spring in town; he had gone so
+far even as to say, “Can we retrench? Does it occur to you that there
+is any one article in which we can retrench?” and Elizabeth, to do her
+justice, had, in the first ardour of female alarm, set seriously to
+think what could be done, and had finally proposed these two branches
+of economy, to cut off some unnecessary charities, and to refrain from
+new furnishing the drawing-room; to which expedients she afterwards
+added the happy thought of their taking no present down to Anne, as had
+been the usual yearly custom. But these measures, however good in
+themselves, were insufficient for the real extent of the evil, the
+whole of which Sir Walter found himself obliged to confess to her soon
+afterwards. Elizabeth had nothing to propose of deeper efficacy. She
+felt herself ill-used and unfortunate, as did her father; and they were
+neither of them able to devise any means of lessening their expenses
+without compromising their dignity, or relinquishing their comforts in
+a way not to be borne.
+
+There was only a small part of his estate that Sir Walter could dispose
+of; but had every acre been alienable, it would have made no
+difference. He had condescended to mortgage as far as he had the power,
+but he would never condescend to sell. No; he would never disgrace his
+name so far. The Kellynch estate should be transmitted whole and
+entire, as he had received it.
+
+Their two confidential friends, Mr Shepherd, who lived in the
+neighbouring market town, and Lady Russell, were called to advise them;
+and both father and daughter seemed to expect that something should be
+struck out by one or the other to remove their embarrassments and
+reduce their expenditure, without involving the loss of any indulgence
+of taste or pride.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER II.
+
+
+Mr Shepherd, a civil, cautious lawyer, who, whatever might be his hold
+or his views on Sir Walter, would rather have the _disagreeable_
+prompted by anybody else, excused himself from offering the slightest
+hint, and only begged leave to recommend an implicit reference to the
+excellent judgement of Lady Russell, from whose known good sense he
+fully expected to have just such resolute measures advised as he meant
+to see finally adopted.
+
+Lady Russell was most anxiously zealous on the subject, and gave it
+much serious consideration. She was a woman rather of sound than of
+quick abilities, whose difficulties in coming to any decision in this
+instance were great, from the opposition of two leading principles. She
+was of strict integrity herself, with a delicate sense of honour; but
+she was as desirous of saving Sir Walter’s feelings, as solicitous for
+the credit of the family, as aristocratic in her ideas of what was due
+to them, as anybody of sense and honesty could well be. She was a
+benevolent, charitable, good woman, and capable of strong attachments,
+most correct in her conduct, strict in her notions of decorum, and with
+manners that were held a standard of good-breeding. She had a
+cultivated mind, and was, generally speaking, rational and
+consistent—but she had prejudices on the side of ancestry; she had a
+value for rank and consequence, which blinded her a little to the
+faults of those who possessed them. Herself the widow of only a knight,
+she gave the dignity of a baronet all its due; and Sir Walter,
+independent of his claims as an old acquaintance, an attentive
+neighbour, an obliging landlord, the husband of her very dear friend,
+the father of Anne and her sisters, was, as being Sir Walter, in her
+apprehension, entitled to a great deal of compassion and consideration
+under his present difficulties.
+
+They must retrench; that did not admit of a doubt. But she was very
+anxious to have it done with the least possible pain to him and
+Elizabeth. She drew up plans of economy, she made exact calculations,
+and she did what nobody else thought of doing: she consulted Anne, who
+never seemed considered by the others as having any interest in the
+question. She consulted, and in a degree was influenced by her in
+marking out the scheme of retrenchment which was at last submitted to
+Sir Walter. Every emendation of Anne’s had been on the side of honesty
+against importance. She wanted more vigorous measures, a more complete
+reformation, a quicker release from debt, a much higher tone of
+indifference for everything but justice and equity.
+
+“If we can persuade your father to all this,” said Lady Russell,
+looking over her paper, “much may be done. If he will adopt these
+regulations, in seven years he will be clear; and I hope we may be able
+to convince him and Elizabeth, that Kellynch Hall has a respectability
+in itself which cannot be affected by these reductions; and that the
+true dignity of Sir Walter Elliot will be very far from lessened in the
+eyes of sensible people, by acting like a man of principle. What will
+he be doing, in fact, but what very many of our first families have
+done, or ought to do? There will be nothing singular in his case; and
+it is singularity which often makes the worst part of our suffering, as
+it always does of our conduct. I have great hope of prevailing. We must
+be serious and decided; for after all, the person who has contracted
+debts must pay them; and though a great deal is due to the feelings of
+the gentleman, and the head of a house, like your father, there is
+still more due to the character of an honest man.”
+
+This was the principle on which Anne wanted her father to be
+proceeding, his friends to be urging him. She considered it as an act
+of indispensable duty to clear away the claims of creditors with all
+the expedition which the most comprehensive retrenchments could secure,
+and saw no dignity in anything short of it. She wanted it to be
+prescribed, and felt as a duty. She rated Lady Russell’s influence
+highly; and as to the severe degree of self-denial which her own
+conscience prompted, she believed there might be little more difficulty
+in persuading them to a complete, than to half a reformation. Her
+knowledge of her father and Elizabeth inclined her to think that the
+sacrifice of one pair of horses would be hardly less painful than of
+both, and so on, through the whole list of Lady Russell’s too gentle
+reductions.
+
+How Anne’s more rigid requisitions might have been taken is of little
+consequence. Lady Russell’s had no success at all: could not be put up
+with, were not to be borne. “What! every comfort of life knocked off!
+Journeys, London, servants, horses, table—contractions and restrictions
+every where! To live no longer with the decencies even of a private
+gentleman! No, he would sooner quit Kellynch Hall at once, than remain
+in it on such disgraceful terms.”
+
+“Quit Kellynch Hall.” The hint was immediately taken up by Mr Shepherd,
+whose interest was involved in the reality of Sir Walter’s retrenching,
+and who was perfectly persuaded that nothing would be done without a
+change of abode. “Since the idea had been started in the very quarter
+which ought to dictate, he had no scruple,” he said, “in confessing his
+judgement to be entirely on that side. It did not appear to him that
+Sir Walter could materially alter his style of living in a house which
+had such a character of hospitality and ancient dignity to support. In
+any other place Sir Walter might judge for himself; and would be looked
+up to, as regulating the modes of life in whatever way he might choose
+to model his household.”
+
+Sir Walter would quit Kellynch Hall; and after a very few days more of
+doubt and indecision, the great question of whither he should go was
+settled, and the first outline of this important change made out.
+
+There had been three alternatives, London, Bath, or another house in
+the country. All Anne’s wishes had been for the latter. A small house
+in their own neighbourhood, where they might still have Lady Russell’s
+society, still be near Mary, and still have the pleasure of sometimes
+seeing the lawns and groves of Kellynch, was the object of her
+ambition. But the usual fate of Anne attended her, in having something
+very opposite from her inclination fixed on. She disliked Bath, and did
+not think it agreed with her; and Bath was to be her home.
+
+Sir Walter had at first thought more of London; but Mr Shepherd felt
+that he could not be trusted in London, and had been skilful enough to
+dissuade him from it, and make Bath preferred. It was a much safer
+place for a gentleman in his predicament: he might there be important
+at comparatively little expense. Two material advantages of Bath over
+London had of course been given all their weight: its more convenient
+distance from Kellynch, only fifty miles, and Lady Russell’s spending
+some part of every winter there; and to the very great satisfaction of
+Lady Russell, whose first views on the projected change had been for
+Bath, Sir Walter and Elizabeth were induced to believe that they should
+lose neither consequence nor enjoyment by settling there.
+
+Lady Russell felt obliged to oppose her dear Anne’s known wishes. It
+would be too much to expect Sir Walter to descend into a small house in
+his own neighbourhood. Anne herself would have found the mortifications
+of it more than she foresaw, and to Sir Walter’s feelings they must
+have been dreadful. And with regard to Anne’s dislike of Bath, she
+considered it as a prejudice and mistake arising, first, from the
+circumstance of her having been three years at school there, after her
+mother’s death; and secondly, from her happening to be not in perfectly
+good spirits the only winter which she had afterwards spent there with
+herself.
+
+Lady Russell was fond of Bath, in short, and disposed to think it must
+suit them all; and as to her young friend’s health, by passing all the
+warm months with her at Kellynch Lodge, every danger would be avoided;
+and it was in fact, a change which must do both health and spirits
+good. Anne had been too little from home, too little seen. Her spirits
+were not high. A larger society would improve them. She wanted her to
+be more known.
+
+The undesirableness of any other house in the same neighbourhood for
+Sir Walter was certainly much strengthened by one part, and a very
+material part of the scheme, which had been happily engrafted on the
+beginning. He was not only to quit his home, but to see it in the hands
+of others; a trial of fortitude, which stronger heads than Sir Walter’s
+have found too much. Kellynch Hall was to be let. This, however, was a
+profound secret, not to be breathed beyond their own circle.
+
+Sir Walter could not have borne the degradation of being known to
+design letting his house. Mr Shepherd had once mentioned the word
+“advertise,” but never dared approach it again. Sir Walter spurned the
+idea of its being offered in any manner; forbad the slightest hint
+being dropped of his having such an intention; and it was only on the
+supposition of his being spontaneously solicited by some most
+unexceptionable applicant, on his own terms, and as a great favour,
+that he would let it at all.
+
+How quick come the reasons for approving what we like! Lady Russell had
+another excellent one at hand, for being extremely glad that Sir Walter
+and his family were to remove from the country. Elizabeth had been
+lately forming an intimacy, which she wished to see interrupted. It was
+with the daughter of Mr Shepherd, who had returned, after an
+unprosperous marriage, to her father’s house, with the additional
+burden of two children. She was a clever young woman, who understood
+the art of pleasing—the art of pleasing, at least, at Kellynch Hall;
+and who had made herself so acceptable to Miss Elliot, as to have been
+already staying there more than once, in spite of all that Lady
+Russell, who thought it a friendship quite out of place, could hint of
+caution and reserve.
+
+Lady Russell, indeed, had scarcely any influence with Elizabeth, and
+seemed to love her, rather because she would love her, than because
+Elizabeth deserved it. She had never received from her more than
+outward attention, nothing beyond the observances of complaisance; had
+never succeeded in any point which she wanted to carry, against
+previous inclination. She had been repeatedly very earnest in trying to
+get Anne included in the visit to London, sensibly open to all the
+injustice and all the discredit of the selfish arrangements which shut
+her out, and on many lesser occasions had endeavoured to give Elizabeth
+the advantage of her own better judgement and experience; but always in
+vain: Elizabeth would go her own way; and never had she pursued it in
+more decided opposition to Lady Russell than in this selection of Mrs
+Clay; turning from the society of so deserving a sister, to bestow her
+affection and confidence on one who ought to have been nothing to her
+but the object of distant civility.
+
+From situation, Mrs Clay was, in Lady Russell’s estimate, a very
+unequal, and in her character she believed a very dangerous companion;
+and a removal that would leave Mrs Clay behind, and bring a choice of
+more suitable intimates within Miss Elliot’s reach, was therefore an
+object of first-rate importance.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER III.
+
+
+“I must take leave to observe, Sir Walter,” said Mr Shepherd one
+morning at Kellynch Hall, as he laid down the newspaper, “that the
+present juncture is much in our favour. This peace will be turning all
+our rich naval officers ashore. They will be all wanting a home. Could
+not be a better time, Sir Walter, for having a choice of tenants, very
+responsible tenants. Many a noble fortune has been made during the war.
+If a rich admiral were to come in our way, Sir Walter—”
+
+“He would be a very lucky man, Shepherd,” replied Sir Walter; “that’s
+all I have to remark. A prize indeed would Kellynch Hall be to him;
+rather the greatest prize of all, let him have taken ever so many
+before; hey, Shepherd?”
+
+Mr Shepherd laughed, as he knew he must, at this wit, and then added—
+
+“I presume to observe, Sir Walter, that, in the way of business,
+gentlemen of the navy are well to deal with. I have had a little
+knowledge of their methods of doing business; and I am free to confess
+that they have very liberal notions, and are as likely to make
+desirable tenants as any set of people one should meet with. Therefore,
+Sir Walter, what I would take leave to suggest is, that if in
+consequence of any rumours getting abroad of your intention; which must
+be contemplated as a possible thing, because we know how difficult it
+is to keep the actions and designs of one part of the world from the
+notice and curiosity of the other; consequence has its tax; I, John
+Shepherd, might conceal any family-matters that I chose, for nobody
+would think it worth their while to observe me; but Sir Walter Elliot
+has eyes upon him which it may be very difficult to elude; and
+therefore, thus much I venture upon, that it will not greatly surprise
+me if, with all our caution, some rumour of the truth should get
+abroad; in the supposition of which, as I was going to observe, since
+applications will unquestionably follow, I should think any from our
+wealthy naval commanders particularly worth attending to; and beg leave
+to add, that two hours will bring me over at any time, to save you the
+trouble of replying.”
+
+Sir Walter only nodded. But soon afterwards, rising and pacing the
+room, he observed sarcastically—
+
+“There are few among the gentlemen of the navy, I imagine, who would
+not be surprised to find themselves in a house of this description.”
+
+“They would look around them, no doubt, and bless their good fortune,”
+said Mrs Clay, for Mrs Clay was present: her father had driven her
+over, nothing being of so much use to Mrs Clay’s health as a drive to
+Kellynch: “but I quite agree with my father in thinking a sailor might
+be a very desirable tenant. I have known a good deal of the profession;
+and besides their liberality, they are so neat and careful in all their
+ways! These valuable pictures of yours, Sir Walter, if you chose to
+leave them, would be perfectly safe. Everything in and about the house
+would be taken such excellent care of! The gardens and shrubberies
+would be kept in almost as high order as they are now. You need not be
+afraid, Miss Elliot, of your own sweet flower gardens being neglected.”
+
+“As to all that,” rejoined Sir Walter coolly, “supposing I were induced
+to let my house, I have by no means made up my mind as to the
+privileges to be annexed to it. I am not particularly disposed to
+favour a tenant. The park would be open to him of course, and few navy
+officers, or men of any other description, can have had such a range;
+but what restrictions I might impose on the use of the
+pleasure-grounds, is another thing. I am not fond of the idea of my
+shrubberies being always approachable; and I should recommend Miss
+Elliot to be on her guard with respect to her flower garden. I am very
+little disposed to grant a tenant of Kellynch Hall any extraordinary
+favour, I assure you, be he sailor or soldier.”
+
+After a short pause, Mr Shepherd presumed to say—
+
+“In all these cases, there are established usages which make everything
+plain and easy between landlord and tenant. Your interest, Sir Walter,
+is in pretty safe hands. Depend upon me for taking care that no tenant
+has more than his just rights. I venture to hint, that Sir Walter
+Elliot cannot be half so jealous for his own, as John Shepherd will be
+for him.”
+
+Here Anne spoke—
+
+“The navy, I think, who have done so much for us, have at least an
+equal claim with any other set of men, for all the comforts and all the
+privileges which any home can give. Sailors work hard enough for their
+comforts, we must all allow.”
+
+“Very true, very true. What Miss Anne says, is very true,” was Mr
+Shepherd’s rejoinder, and “Oh! certainly,” was his daughter’s; but Sir
+Walter’s remark was, soon afterwards—
+
+“The profession has its utility, but I should be sorry to see any
+friend of mine belonging to it.”
+
+“Indeed!” was the reply, and with a look of surprise.
+
+“Yes; it is in two points offensive to me; I have two strong grounds of
+objection to it. First, as being the means of bringing persons of
+obscure birth into undue distinction, and raising men to honours which
+their fathers and grandfathers never dreamt of; and secondly, as it
+cuts up a man’s youth and vigour most horribly; a sailor grows old
+sooner than any other man. I have observed it all my life. A man is in
+greater danger in the navy of being insulted by the rise of one whose
+father, his father might have disdained to speak to, and of becoming
+prematurely an object of disgust himself, than in any other line. One
+day last spring, in town, I was in company with two men, striking
+instances of what I am talking of; Lord St Ives, whose father we all
+know to have been a country curate, without bread to eat; I was to give
+place to Lord St Ives, and a certain Admiral Baldwin, the most
+deplorable-looking personage you can imagine; his face the colour of
+mahogany, rough and rugged to the last degree; all lines and wrinkles,
+nine grey hairs of a side, and nothing but a dab of powder at top. ‘In
+the name of heaven, who is that old fellow?’ said I to a friend of mine
+who was standing near, (Sir Basil Morley). ‘Old fellow!’ cried Sir
+Basil, ‘it is Admiral Baldwin. What do you take his age to be?’
+‘Sixty,’ said I, ‘or perhaps sixty-two.’ ‘Forty,’ replied Sir Basil,
+‘forty, and no more.’ Picture to yourselves my amazement; I shall not
+easily forget Admiral Baldwin. I never saw quite so wretched an example
+of what a sea-faring life can do; but to a degree, I know it is the
+same with them all: they are all knocked about, and exposed to every
+climate, and every weather, till they are not fit to be seen. It is a
+pity they are not knocked on the head at once, before they reach
+Admiral Baldwin’s age.”
+
+“Nay, Sir Walter,” cried Mrs Clay, “this is being severe indeed. Have a
+little mercy on the poor men. We are not all born to be handsome. The
+sea is no beautifier, certainly; sailors do grow old betimes; I have
+observed it; they soon lose the look of youth. But then, is not it the
+same with many other professions, perhaps most other? Soldiers, in
+active service, are not at all better off: and even in the quieter
+professions, there is a toil and a labour of the mind, if not of the
+body, which seldom leaves a man’s looks to the natural effect of time.
+The lawyer plods, quite care-worn; the physician is up at all hours,
+and travelling in all weather; and even the clergyman—” she stopt a
+moment to consider what might do for the clergyman;—“and even the
+clergyman, you know is obliged to go into infected rooms, and expose
+his health and looks to all the injury of a poisonous atmosphere. In
+fact, as I have long been convinced, though every profession is
+necessary and honourable in its turn, it is only the lot of those who
+are not obliged to follow any, who can live in a regular way, in the
+country, choosing their own hours, following their own pursuits, and
+living on their own property, without the torment of trying for more;
+it is only _their_ lot, I say, to hold the blessings of health and a
+good appearance to the utmost: I know no other set of men but what lose
+something of their personableness when they cease to be quite young.”
+
+It seemed as if Mr Shepherd, in this anxiety to bespeak Sir Walter’s
+good will towards a naval officer as tenant, had been gifted with
+foresight; for the very first application for the house was from an
+Admiral Croft, with whom he shortly afterwards fell into company in
+attending the quarter sessions at Taunton; and indeed, he had received
+a hint of the Admiral from a London correspondent. By the report which
+he hastened over to Kellynch to make, Admiral Croft was a native of
+Somersetshire, who having acquired a very handsome fortune, was wishing
+to settle in his own country, and had come down to Taunton in order to
+look at some advertised places in that immediate neighbourhood, which,
+however, had not suited him; that accidentally hearing—(it was just as
+he had foretold, Mr Shepherd observed, Sir Walter’s concerns could not
+be kept a secret,)—accidentally hearing of the possibility of Kellynch
+Hall being to let, and understanding his (Mr Shepherd’s) connection
+with the owner, he had introduced himself to him in order to make
+particular inquiries, and had, in the course of a pretty long
+conference, expressed as strong an inclination for the place as a man
+who knew it only by description could feel; and given Mr Shepherd, in
+his explicit account of himself, every proof of his being a most
+responsible, eligible tenant.
+
+“And who is Admiral Croft?” was Sir Walter’s cold suspicious inquiry.
+
+Mr Shepherd answered for his being of a gentleman’s family, and
+mentioned a place; and Anne, after the little pause which followed,
+added—
+
+“He is a rear admiral of the white. He was in the Trafalgar action, and
+has been in the East Indies since; he was stationed there, I believe,
+several years.”
+
+“Then I take it for granted,” observed Sir Walter, “that his face is
+about as orange as the cuffs and capes of my livery.”
+
+Mr Shepherd hastened to assure him, that Admiral Croft was a very hale,
+hearty, well-looking man, a little weather-beaten, to be sure, but not
+much, and quite the gentleman in all his notions and behaviour; not
+likely to make the smallest difficulty about terms, only wanted a
+comfortable home, and to get into it as soon as possible; knew he must
+pay for his convenience; knew what rent a ready-furnished house of that
+consequence might fetch; should not have been surprised if Sir Walter
+had asked more; had inquired about the manor; would be glad of the
+deputation, certainly, but made no great point of it; said he sometimes
+took out a gun, but never killed; quite the gentleman.
+
+Mr Shepherd was eloquent on the subject; pointing out all the
+circumstances of the Admiral’s family, which made him peculiarly
+desirable as a tenant. He was a married man, and without children; the
+very state to be wished for. A house was never taken good care of, Mr
+Shepherd observed, without a lady: he did not know, whether furniture
+might not be in danger of suffering as much where there was no lady, as
+where there were many children. A lady, without a family, was the very
+best preserver of furniture in the world. He had seen Mrs Croft, too;
+she was at Taunton with the admiral, and had been present almost all
+the time they were talking the matter over.
+
+“And a very well-spoken, genteel, shrewd lady, she seemed to be,”
+continued he; “asked more questions about the house, and terms, and
+taxes, than the Admiral himself, and seemed more conversant with
+business; and moreover, Sir Walter, I found she was not quite
+unconnected in this country, any more than her husband; that is to say,
+she is sister to a gentleman who did live amongst us once; she told me
+so herself: sister to the gentleman who lived a few years back at
+Monkford. Bless me! what was his name? At this moment I cannot
+recollect his name, though I have heard it so lately. Penelope, my
+dear, can you help me to the name of the gentleman who lived at
+Monkford: Mrs Croft’s brother?”
+
+But Mrs Clay was talking so eagerly with Miss Elliot, that she did not
+hear the appeal.
+
+“I have no conception whom you can mean, Shepherd; I remember no
+gentleman resident at Monkford since the time of old Governor Trent.”
+
+“Bless me! how very odd! I shall forget my own name soon, I suppose. A
+name that I am so very well acquainted with; knew the gentleman so well
+by sight; seen him a hundred times; came to consult me once, I
+remember, about a trespass of one of his neighbours; farmer’s man
+breaking into his orchard; wall torn down; apples stolen; caught in the
+fact; and afterwards, contrary to my judgement, submitted to an
+amicable compromise. Very odd indeed!”
+
+After waiting another moment—
+
+“You mean Mr Wentworth, I suppose?” said Anne.
+
+Mr Shepherd was all gratitude.
+
+“Wentworth was the very name! Mr Wentworth was the very man. He had the
+curacy of Monkford, you know, Sir Walter, some time back, for two or
+three years. Came there about the year —-5, I take it. You remember
+him, I am sure.”
+
+“Wentworth? Oh! ay,—Mr Wentworth, the curate of Monkford. You misled me
+by the term _gentleman_. I thought you were speaking of some man of
+property: Mr Wentworth was nobody, I remember; quite unconnected;
+nothing to do with the Strafford family. One wonders how the names of
+many of our nobility become so common.”
+
+As Mr Shepherd perceived that this connexion of the Crofts did them no
+service with Sir Walter, he mentioned it no more; returning, with all
+his zeal, to dwell on the circumstances more indisputably in their
+favour; their age, and number, and fortune; the high idea they had
+formed of Kellynch Hall, and extreme solicitude for the advantage of
+renting it; making it appear as if they ranked nothing beyond the
+happiness of being the tenants of Sir Walter Elliot: an extraordinary
+taste, certainly, could they have been supposed in the secret of Sir
+Walter’s estimate of the dues of a tenant.
+
+It succeeded, however; and though Sir Walter must ever look with an
+evil eye on anyone intending to inhabit that house, and think them
+infinitely too well off in being permitted to rent it on the highest
+terms, he was talked into allowing Mr Shepherd to proceed in the
+treaty, and authorising him to wait on Admiral Croft, who still
+remained at Taunton, and fix a day for the house being seen.
+
+Sir Walter was not very wise; but still he had experience enough of the
+world to feel, that a more unobjectionable tenant, in all essentials,
+than Admiral Croft bid fair to be, could hardly offer. So far went his
+understanding; and his vanity supplied a little additional soothing, in
+the Admiral’s situation in life, which was just high enough, and not
+too high. “I have let my house to Admiral Croft,” would sound extremely
+well; very much better than to any mere _Mr._——; a _Mr._ (save,
+perhaps, some half dozen in the nation,) always needs a note of
+explanation. An admiral speaks his own consequence, and, at the same
+time, can never make a baronet look small. In all their dealings and
+intercourse, Sir Walter Elliot must ever have the precedence.
+
+Nothing could be done without a reference to Elizabeth: but her
+inclination was growing so strong for a removal, that she was happy to
+have it fixed and expedited by a tenant at hand; and not a word to
+suspend decision was uttered by her.
+
+Mr Shepherd was completely empowered to act; and no sooner had such an
+end been reached, than Anne, who had been a most attentive listener to
+the whole, left the room, to seek the comfort of cool air for her
+flushed cheeks; and as she walked along a favourite grove, said, with a
+gentle sigh, “A few months more, and _he_, perhaps, may be walking
+here.”
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER IV.
+
+
+_He_ was not Mr Wentworth, the former curate of Monkford, however
+suspicious appearances may be, but a Captain Frederick Wentworth, his
+brother, who being made commander in consequence of the action off St
+Domingo, and not immediately employed, had come into Somersetshire, in
+the summer of 1806; and having no parent living, found a home for half
+a year at Monkford. He was, at that time, a remarkably fine young man,
+with a great deal of intelligence, spirit, and brilliancy; and Anne an
+extremely pretty girl, with gentleness, modesty, taste, and feeling.
+Half the sum of attraction, on either side, might have been enough, for
+he had nothing to do, and she had hardly anybody to love; but the
+encounter of such lavish recommendations could not fail. They were
+gradually acquainted, and when acquainted, rapidly and deeply in love.
+It would be difficult to say which had seen highest perfection in the
+other, or which had been the happiest: she, in receiving his
+declarations and proposals, or he in having them accepted.
+
+A short period of exquisite felicity followed, and but a short one.
+Troubles soon arose. Sir Walter, on being applied to, without actually
+withholding his consent, or saying it should never be, gave it all the
+negative of great astonishment, great coldness, great silence, and a
+professed resolution of doing nothing for his daughter. He thought it a
+very degrading alliance; and Lady Russell, though with more tempered
+and pardonable pride, received it as a most unfortunate one.
+
+Anne Elliot, with all her claims of birth, beauty, and mind, to throw
+herself away at nineteen; involve herself at nineteen in an engagement
+with a young man, who had nothing but himself to recommend him, and no
+hopes of attaining affluence, but in the chances of a most uncertain
+profession, and no connexions to secure even his farther rise in the
+profession, would be, indeed, a throwing away, which she grieved to
+think of! Anne Elliot, so young; known to so few, to be snatched off by
+a stranger without alliance or fortune; or rather sunk by him into a
+state of most wearing, anxious, youth-killing dependence! It must not
+be, if by any fair interference of friendship, any representations from
+one who had almost a mother’s love, and mother’s rights, it would be
+prevented.
+
+Captain Wentworth had no fortune. He had been lucky in his profession;
+but spending freely, what had come freely, had realized nothing. But he
+was confident that he should soon be rich: full of life and ardour, he
+knew that he should soon have a ship, and soon be on a station that
+would lead to everything he wanted. He had always been lucky; he knew
+he should be so still. Such confidence, powerful in its own warmth, and
+bewitching in the wit which often expressed it, must have been enough
+for Anne; but Lady Russell saw it very differently. His sanguine
+temper, and fearlessness of mind, operated very differently on her. She
+saw in it but an aggravation of the evil. It only added a dangerous
+character to himself. He was brilliant, he was headstrong. Lady Russell
+had little taste for wit, and of anything approaching to imprudence a
+horror. She deprecated the connexion in every light.
+
+Such opposition, as these feelings produced, was more than Anne could
+combat. Young and gentle as she was, it might yet have been possible to
+withstand her father’s ill-will, though unsoftened by one kind word or
+look on the part of her sister; but Lady Russell, whom she had always
+loved and relied on, could not, with such steadiness of opinion, and
+such tenderness of manner, be continually advising her in vain. She was
+persuaded to believe the engagement a wrong thing: indiscreet,
+improper, hardly capable of success, and not deserving it. But it was
+not a merely selfish caution, under which she acted, in putting an end
+to it. Had she not imagined herself consulting his good, even more than
+her own, she could hardly have given him up. The belief of being
+prudent, and self-denying, principally for _his_ advantage, was her
+chief consolation, under the misery of a parting, a final parting; and
+every consolation was required, for she had to encounter all the
+additional pain of opinions, on his side, totally unconvinced and
+unbending, and of his feeling himself ill used by so forced a
+relinquishment. He had left the country in consequence.
+
+A few months had seen the beginning and the end of their acquaintance;
+but not with a few months ended Anne’s share of suffering from it. Her
+attachment and regrets had, for a long time, clouded every enjoyment of
+youth, and an early loss of bloom and spirits had been their lasting
+effect.
+
+More than seven years were gone since this little history of sorrowful
+interest had reached its close; and time had softened down much,
+perhaps nearly all of peculiar attachment to him, but she had been too
+dependent on time alone; no aid had been given in change of place
+(except in one visit to Bath soon after the rupture), or in any novelty
+or enlargement of society. No one had ever come within the Kellynch
+circle, who could bear a comparison with Frederick Wentworth, as he
+stood in her memory. No second attachment, the only thoroughly natural,
+happy, and sufficient cure, at her time of life, had been possible to
+the nice tone of her mind, the fastidiousness of her taste, in the
+small limits of the society around them. She had been solicited, when
+about two-and-twenty, to change her name, by the young man, who not
+long afterwards found a more willing mind in her younger sister; and
+Lady Russell had lamented her refusal; for Charles Musgrove was the
+eldest son of a man, whose landed property and general importance were
+second in that country, only to Sir Walter’s, and of good character and
+appearance; and however Lady Russell might have asked yet for something
+more, while Anne was nineteen, she would have rejoiced to see her at
+twenty-two so respectably removed from the partialities and injustice
+of her father’s house, and settled so permanently near herself. But in
+this case, Anne had left nothing for advice to do; and though Lady
+Russell, as satisfied as ever with her own discretion, never wished the
+past undone, she began now to have the anxiety which borders on
+hopelessness for Anne’s being tempted, by some man of talents and
+independence, to enter a state for which she held her to be peculiarly
+fitted by her warm affections and domestic habits.
+
+They knew not each other’s opinion, either its constancy or its change,
+on the one leading point of Anne’s conduct, for the subject was never
+alluded to; but Anne, at seven-and-twenty, thought very differently
+from what she had been made to think at nineteen. She did not blame
+Lady Russell, she did not blame herself for having been guided by her;
+but she felt that were any young person, in similar circumstances, to
+apply to her for counsel, they would never receive any of such certain
+immediate wretchedness, such uncertain future good. She was persuaded
+that under every disadvantage of disapprobation at home, and every
+anxiety attending his profession, all their probable fears, delays, and
+disappointments, she should yet have been a happier woman in
+maintaining the engagement, than she had been in the sacrifice of it;
+and this, she fully believed, had the usual share, had even more than
+the usual share of all such solicitudes and suspense been theirs,
+without reference to the actual results of their case, which, as it
+happened, would have bestowed earlier prosperity than could be
+reasonably calculated on. All his sanguine expectations, all his
+confidence had been justified. His genius and ardour had seemed to
+foresee and to command his prosperous path. He had, very soon after
+their engagement ceased, got employ: and all that he had told her would
+follow, had taken place. He had distinguished himself, and early gained
+the other step in rank, and must now, by successive captures, have made
+a handsome fortune. She had only navy lists and newspapers for her
+authority, but she could not doubt his being rich; and, in favour of
+his constancy, she had no reason to believe him married.
+
+How eloquent could Anne Elliot have been! how eloquent, at least, were
+her wishes on the side of early warm attachment, and a cheerful
+confidence in futurity, against that over-anxious caution which seems
+to insult exertion and distrust Providence! She had been forced into
+prudence in her youth, she learned romance as she grew older: the
+natural sequel of an unnatural beginning.
+
+With all these circumstances, recollections and feelings, she could not
+hear that Captain Wentworth’s sister was likely to live at Kellynch
+without a revival of former pain; and many a stroll, and many a sigh,
+were necessary to dispel the agitation of the idea. She often told
+herself it was folly, before she could harden her nerves sufficiently
+to feel the continual discussion of the Crofts and their business no
+evil. She was assisted, however, by that perfect indifference and
+apparent unconsciousness, among the only three of her own friends in
+the secret of the past, which seemed almost to deny any recollection of
+it. She could do justice to the superiority of Lady Russell’s motives
+in this, over those of her father and Elizabeth; she could honour all
+the better feelings of her calmness; but the general air of oblivion
+among them was highly important from whatever it sprung; and in the
+event of Admiral Croft’s really taking Kellynch Hall, she rejoiced anew
+over the conviction which had always been most grateful to her, of the
+past being known to those three only among her connexions, by whom no
+syllable, she believed, would ever be whispered, and in the trust that
+among his, the brother only with whom he had been residing, had
+received any information of their short-lived engagement. That brother
+had been long removed from the country and being a sensible man, and,
+moreover, a single man at the time, she had a fond dependence on no
+human creature’s having heard of it from him.
+
+The sister, Mrs Croft, had then been out of England, accompanying her
+husband on a foreign station, and her own sister, Mary, had been at
+school while it all occurred; and never admitted by the pride of some,
+and the delicacy of others, to the smallest knowledge of it afterwards.
+
+With these supports, she hoped that the acquaintance between herself
+and the Crofts, which, with Lady Russell, still resident in Kellynch,
+and Mary fixed only three miles off, must be anticipated, need not
+involve any particular awkwardness.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER V.
+
+
+On the morning appointed for Admiral and Mrs Croft’s seeing Kellynch
+Hall, Anne found it most natural to take her almost daily walk to Lady
+Russell’s, and keep out of the way till all was over; when she found it
+most natural to be sorry that she had missed the opportunity of seeing
+them.
+
+This meeting of the two parties proved highly satisfactory, and decided
+the whole business at once. Each lady was previously well disposed for
+an agreement, and saw nothing, therefore, but good manners in the
+other; and with regard to the gentlemen, there was such an hearty good
+humour, such an open, trusting liberality on the Admiral’s side, as
+could not but influence Sir Walter, who had besides been flattered into
+his very best and most polished behaviour by Mr Shepherd’s assurances
+of his being known, by report, to the Admiral, as a model of good
+breeding.
+
+The house and grounds, and furniture, were approved, the Crofts were
+approved, terms, time, every thing, and every body, was right; and Mr
+Shepherd’s clerks were set to work, without there having been a single
+preliminary difference to modify of all that “This indenture sheweth.”
+
+Sir Walter, without hesitation, declared the Admiral to be the
+best-looking sailor he had ever met with, and went so far as to say,
+that if his own man might have had the arranging of his hair, he should
+not be ashamed of being seen with him any where; and the Admiral, with
+sympathetic cordiality, observed to his wife as they drove back through
+the park, “I thought we should soon come to a deal, my dear, in spite
+of what they told us at Taunton. The Baronet will never set the Thames
+on fire, but there seems to be no harm in him.”—reciprocal compliments,
+which would have been esteemed about equal.
+
+The Crofts were to have possession at Michaelmas; and as Sir Walter
+proposed removing to Bath in the course of the preceding month, there
+was no time to be lost in making every dependent arrangement.
+
+Lady Russell, convinced that Anne would not be allowed to be of any
+use, or any importance, in the choice of the house which they were
+going to secure, was very unwilling to have her hurried away so soon,
+and wanted to make it possible for her to stay behind till she might
+convey her to Bath herself after Christmas; but having engagements of
+her own which must take her from Kellynch for several weeks, she was
+unable to give the full invitation she wished, and Anne though dreading
+the possible heats of September in all the white glare of Bath, and
+grieving to forego all the influence so sweet and so sad of the
+autumnal months in the country, did not think that, everything
+considered, she wished to remain. It would be most right, and most
+wise, and, therefore must involve least suffering to go with the
+others.
+
+Something occurred, however, to give her a different duty. Mary, often
+a little unwell, and always thinking a great deal of her own
+complaints, and always in the habit of claiming Anne when anything was
+the matter, was indisposed; and foreseeing that she should not have a
+day’s health all the autumn, entreated, or rather required her, for it
+was hardly entreaty, to come to Uppercross Cottage, and bear her
+company as long as she should want her, instead of going to Bath.
+
+“I cannot possibly do without Anne,” was Mary’s reasoning; and
+Elizabeth’s reply was, “Then I am sure Anne had better stay, for nobody
+will want her in Bath.”
+
+To be claimed as a good, though in an improper style, is at least
+better than being rejected as no good at all; and Anne, glad to be
+thought of some use, glad to have anything marked out as a duty, and
+certainly not sorry to have the scene of it in the country, and her own
+dear country, readily agreed to stay.
+
+This invitation of Mary’s removed all Lady Russell’s difficulties, and
+it was consequently soon settled that Anne should not go to Bath till
+Lady Russell took her, and that all the intervening time should be
+divided between Uppercross Cottage and Kellynch Lodge.
+
+So far all was perfectly right; but Lady Russell was almost startled by
+the wrong of one part of the Kellynch Hall plan, when it burst on her,
+which was, Mrs Clay’s being engaged to go to Bath with Sir Walter and
+Elizabeth, as a most important and valuable assistant to the latter in
+all the business before her. Lady Russell was extremely sorry that such
+a measure should have been resorted to at all, wondered, grieved, and
+feared; and the affront it contained to Anne, in Mrs Clay’s being of so
+much use, while Anne could be of none, was a very sore aggravation.
+
+Anne herself was become hardened to such affronts; but she felt the
+imprudence of the arrangement quite as keenly as Lady Russell. With a
+great deal of quiet observation, and a knowledge, which she often
+wished less, of her father’s character, she was sensible that results
+the most serious to his family from the intimacy were more than
+possible. She did not imagine that her father had at present an idea of
+the kind. Mrs Clay had freckles, and a projecting tooth, and a clumsy
+wrist, which he was continually making severe remarks upon, in her
+absence; but she was young, and certainly altogether well-looking, and
+possessed, in an acute mind and assiduous pleasing manners, infinitely
+more dangerous attractions than any merely personal might have been.
+Anne was so impressed by the degree of their danger, that she could not
+excuse herself from trying to make it perceptible to her sister. She
+had little hope of success; but Elizabeth, who in the event of such a
+reverse would be so much more to be pitied than herself, should never,
+she thought, have reason to reproach her for giving no warning.
+
+She spoke, and seemed only to offend. Elizabeth could not conceive how
+such an absurd suspicion should occur to her, and indignantly answered
+for each party’s perfectly knowing their situation.
+
+“Mrs Clay,” said she, warmly, “never forgets who she is; and as I am
+rather better acquainted with her sentiments than you can be, I can
+assure you, that upon the subject of marriage they are particularly
+nice, and that she reprobates all inequality of condition and rank more
+strongly than most people. And as to my father, I really should not
+have thought that he, who has kept himself single so long for our
+sakes, need be suspected now. If Mrs Clay were a very beautiful woman,
+I grant you, it might be wrong to have her so much with me; not that
+anything in the world, I am sure, would induce my father to make a
+degrading match, but he might be rendered unhappy. But poor Mrs Clay
+who, with all her merits, can never have been reckoned tolerably
+pretty, I really think poor Mrs Clay may be staying here in perfect
+safety. One would imagine you had never heard my father speak of her
+personal misfortunes, though I know you must fifty times. That tooth of
+her’s and those freckles. Freckles do not disgust me so very much as
+they do him. I have known a face not materially disfigured by a few,
+but he abominates them. You must have heard him notice Mrs Clay’s
+freckles.”
+
+“There is hardly any personal defect,” replied Anne, “which an
+agreeable manner might not gradually reconcile one to.”
+
+“I think very differently,” answered Elizabeth, shortly; “an agreeable
+manner may set off handsome features, but can never alter plain ones.
+However, at any rate, as I have a great deal more at stake on this
+point than anybody else can have, I think it rather unnecessary in you
+to be advising me.”
+
+Anne had done; glad that it was over, and not absolutely hopeless of
+doing good. Elizabeth, though resenting the suspicion, might yet be
+made observant by it.
+
+The last office of the four carriage-horses was to draw Sir Walter,
+Miss Elliot, and Mrs Clay to Bath. The party drove off in very good
+spirits; Sir Walter prepared with condescending bows for all the
+afflicted tenantry and cottagers who might have had a hint to show
+themselves, and Anne walked up at the same time, in a sort of desolate
+tranquillity, to the Lodge, where she was to spend the first week.
+
+Her friend was not in better spirits than herself. Lady Russell felt
+this break-up of the family exceedingly. Their respectability was as
+dear to her as her own, and a daily intercourse had become precious by
+habit. It was painful to look upon their deserted grounds, and still
+worse to anticipate the new hands they were to fall into; and to escape
+the solitariness and the melancholy of so altered a village, and be out
+of the way when Admiral and Mrs Croft first arrived, she had determined
+to make her own absence from home begin when she must give up Anne.
+Accordingly their removal was made together, and Anne was set down at
+Uppercross Cottage, in the first stage of Lady Russell’s journey.
+
+Uppercross was a moderate-sized village, which a few years back had
+been completely in the old English style, containing only two houses
+superior in appearance to those of the yeomen and labourers; the
+mansion of the squire, with its high walls, great gates, and old trees,
+substantial and unmodernized, and the compact, tight parsonage,
+enclosed in its own neat garden, with a vine and a pear-tree trained
+round its casements; but upon the marriage of the young ’squire, it had
+received the improvement of a farm-house elevated into a cottage, for
+his residence, and Uppercross Cottage, with its veranda, French
+windows, and other prettiness, was quite as likely to catch the
+traveller’s eye as the more consistent and considerable aspect and
+premises of the Great House, about a quarter of a mile farther on.
+
+Here Anne had often been staying. She knew the ways of Uppercross as
+well as those of Kellynch. The two families were so continually
+meeting, so much in the habit of running in and out of each other’s
+house at all hours, that it was rather a surprise to her to find Mary
+alone; but being alone, her being unwell and out of spirits was almost
+a matter of course. Though better endowed than the elder sister, Mary
+had not Anne’s understanding nor temper. While well, and happy, and
+properly attended to, she had great good humour and excellent spirits;
+but any indisposition sunk her completely. She had no resources for
+solitude; and inheriting a considerable share of the Elliot
+self-importance, was very prone to add to every other distress that of
+fancying herself neglected and ill-used. In person, she was inferior to
+both sisters, and had, even in her bloom, only reached the dignity of
+being “a fine girl.” She was now lying on the faded sofa of the pretty
+little drawing-room, the once elegant furniture of which had been
+gradually growing shabby, under the influence of four summers and two
+children; and, on Anne’s appearing, greeted her with—
+
+“So, you are come at last! I began to think I should never see you. I
+am so ill I can hardly speak. I have not seen a creature the whole
+morning!”
+
+“I am sorry to find you unwell,” replied Anne. “You sent me such a good
+account of yourself on Thursday!”
+
+“Yes, I made the best of it; I always do: but I was very far from well
+at the time; and I do not think I ever was so ill in my life as I have
+been all this morning: very unfit to be left alone, I am sure. Suppose
+I were to be seized of a sudden in some dreadful way, and not able to
+ring the bell! So, Lady Russell would not get out. I do not think she
+has been in this house three times this summer.”
+
+Anne said what was proper, and enquired after her husband. “Oh! Charles
+is out shooting. I have not seen him since seven o’clock. He would go,
+though I told him how ill I was. He said he should not stay out long;
+but he has never come back, and now it is almost one. I assure you, I
+have not seen a soul this whole long morning.”
+
+“You have had your little boys with you?”
+
+“Yes, as long as I could bear their noise; but they are so unmanageable
+that they do me more harm than good. Little Charles does not mind a
+word I say, and Walter is growing quite as bad.”
+
+“Well, you will soon be better now,” replied Anne, cheerfully. “You
+know I always cure you when I come. How are your neighbours at the
+Great House?”
+
+“I can give you no account of them. I have not seen one of them to-day,
+except Mr Musgrove, who just stopped and spoke through the window, but
+without getting off his horse; and though I told him how ill I was, not
+one of them have been near me. It did not happen to suit the Miss
+Musgroves, I suppose, and they never put themselves out of their way.”
+
+“You will see them yet, perhaps, before the morning is gone. It is
+early.”
+
+“I never want them, I assure you. They talk and laugh a great deal too
+much for me. Oh! Anne, I am so very unwell! It was quite unkind of you
+not to come on Thursday.”
+
+“My dear Mary, recollect what a comfortable account you sent me of
+yourself! You wrote in the cheerfullest manner, and said you were
+perfectly well, and in no hurry for me; and that being the case, you
+must be aware that my wish would be to remain with Lady Russell to the
+last: and besides what I felt on her account, I have really been so
+busy, have had so much to do, that I could not very conveniently have
+left Kellynch sooner.”
+
+“Dear me! what can _you_ possibly have to do?”
+
+“A great many things, I assure you. More than I can recollect in a
+moment; but I can tell you some. I have been making a duplicate of the
+catalogue of my father’s books and pictures. I have been several times
+in the garden with Mackenzie, trying to understand, and make him
+understand, which of Elizabeth’s plants are for Lady Russell. I have
+had all my own little concerns to arrange, books and music to divide,
+and all my trunks to repack, from not having understood in time what
+was intended as to the waggons: and one thing I have had to do, Mary,
+of a more trying nature: going to almost every house in the parish, as
+a sort of take-leave. I was told that they wished it. But all these
+things took up a great deal of time.”
+
+“Oh! well!” and after a moment’s pause, “but you have never asked me
+one word about our dinner at the Pooles yesterday.”
+
+“Did you go then? I have made no enquiries, because I concluded you
+must have been obliged to give up the party.”
+
+“Oh yes! I went. I was very well yesterday; nothing at all the matter
+with me till this morning. It would have been strange if I had not
+gone.”
+
+“I am very glad you were well enough, and I hope you had a pleasant
+party.”
+
+“Nothing remarkable. One always knows beforehand what the dinner will
+be, and who will be there; and it is so very uncomfortable not having a
+carriage of one’s own. Mr and Mrs Musgrove took me, and we were so
+crowded! They are both so very large, and take up so much room; and Mr
+Musgrove always sits forward. So, there was I, crowded into the back
+seat with Henrietta and Louisa; and I think it very likely that my
+illness to-day may be owing to it.”
+
+A little further perseverance in patience and forced cheerfulness on
+Anne’s side produced nearly a cure on Mary’s. She could soon sit
+upright on the sofa, and began to hope she might be able to leave it by
+dinner-time. Then, forgetting to think of it, she was at the other end
+of the room, beautifying a nosegay; then, she ate her cold meat; and
+then she was well enough to propose a little walk.
+
+“Where shall we go?” said she, when they were ready. “I suppose you
+will not like to call at the Great House before they have been to see
+you?”
+
+“I have not the smallest objection on that account,” replied Anne. “I
+should never think of standing on such ceremony with people I know so
+well as Mrs and the Miss Musgroves.”
+
+“Oh! but they ought to call upon you as soon as possible. They ought to
+feel what is due to you as _my_ sister. However, we may as well go and
+sit with them a little while, and when we have that over, we can enjoy
+our walk.”
+
+Anne had always thought such a style of intercourse highly imprudent;
+but she had ceased to endeavour to check it, from believing that,
+though there were on each side continual subjects of offence, neither
+family could now do without it. To the Great House accordingly they
+went, to sit the full half hour in the old-fashioned square parlour,
+with a small carpet and shining floor, to which the present daughters
+of the house were gradually giving the proper air of confusion by a
+grand piano-forte and a harp, flower-stands and little tables placed in
+every direction. Oh! could the originals of the portraits against the
+wainscot, could the gentlemen in brown velvet and the ladies in blue
+satin have seen what was going on, have been conscious of such an
+overthrow of all order and neatness! The portraits themselves seemed to
+be staring in astonishment.
+
+The Musgroves, like their houses, were in a state of alteration,
+perhaps of improvement. The father and mother were in the old English
+style, and the young people in the new. Mr and Mrs Musgrove were a very
+good sort of people; friendly and hospitable, not much educated, and
+not at all elegant. Their children had more modern minds and manners.
+There was a numerous family; but the only two grown up, excepting
+Charles, were Henrietta and Louisa, young ladies of nineteen and
+twenty, who had brought from school at Exeter all the usual stock of
+accomplishments, and were now like thousands of other young ladies,
+living to be fashionable, happy, and merry. Their dress had every
+advantage, their faces were rather pretty, their spirits extremely
+good, their manner unembarrassed and pleasant; they were of consequence
+at home, and favourites abroad. Anne always contemplated them as some
+of the happiest creatures of her acquaintance; but still, saved as we
+all are, by some comfortable feeling of superiority from wishing for
+the possibility of exchange, she would not have given up her own more
+elegant and cultivated mind for all their enjoyments; and envied them
+nothing but that seemingly perfect good understanding and agreement
+together, that good-humoured mutual affection, of which she had known
+so little herself with either of her sisters.
+
+They were received with great cordiality. Nothing seemed amiss on the
+side of the Great House family, which was generally, as Anne very well
+knew, the least to blame. The half hour was chatted away pleasantly
+enough; and she was not at all surprised, at the end of it, to have
+their walking party joined by both the Miss Musgroves, at Mary’s
+particular invitation.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VI.
+
+
+Anne had not wanted this visit to Uppercross, to learn that a removal
+from one set of people to another, though at a distance of only three
+miles, will often include a total change of conversation, opinion, and
+idea. She had never been staying there before, without being struck by
+it, or without wishing that other Elliots could have her advantage in
+seeing how unknown, or unconsidered there, were the affairs which at
+Kellynch Hall were treated as of such general publicity and pervading
+interest; yet, with all this experience, she believed she must now
+submit to feel that another lesson, in the art of knowing our own
+nothingness beyond our own circle, was become necessary for her; for
+certainly, coming as she did, with a heart full of the subject which
+had been completely occupying both houses in Kellynch for many weeks,
+she had expected rather more curiosity and sympathy than she found in
+the separate but very similar remark of Mr and Mrs Musgrove: “So, Miss
+Anne, Sir Walter and your sister are gone; and what part of Bath do you
+think they will settle in?” and this, without much waiting for an
+answer; or in the young ladies’ addition of, “I hope _we_ shall be in
+Bath in the winter; but remember, papa, if we do go, we must be in a
+good situation: none of your Queen Squares for us!” or in the anxious
+supplement from Mary, of—“Upon my word, I shall be pretty well off,
+when you are all gone away to be happy at Bath!”
+
+She could only resolve to avoid such self-delusion in future, and think
+with heightened gratitude of the extraordinary blessing of having one
+such truly sympathising friend as Lady Russell.
+
+The Mr Musgroves had their own game to guard, and to destroy, their own
+horses, dogs, and newspapers to engage them, and the females were fully
+occupied in all the other common subjects of housekeeping, neighbours,
+dress, dancing, and music. She acknowledged it to be very fitting, that
+every little social commonwealth should dictate its own matters of
+discourse; and hoped, ere long, to become a not unworthy member of the
+one she was now transplanted into. With the prospect of spending at
+least two months at Uppercross, it was highly incumbent on her to
+clothe her imagination, her memory, and all her ideas in as much of
+Uppercross as possible.
+
+She had no dread of these two months. Mary was not so repulsive and
+unsisterly as Elizabeth, nor so inaccessible to all influence of hers;
+neither was there anything among the other component parts of the
+cottage inimical to comfort. She was always on friendly terms with her
+brother-in-law; and in the children, who loved her nearly as well, and
+respected her a great deal more than their mother, she had an object of
+interest, amusement, and wholesome exertion.
+
+Charles Musgrove was civil and agreeable; in sense and temper he was
+undoubtedly superior to his wife, but not of powers, or conversation,
+or grace, to make the past, as they were connected together, at all a
+dangerous contemplation; though, at the same time, Anne could believe,
+with Lady Russell, that a more equal match might have greatly improved
+him; and that a woman of real understanding might have given more
+consequence to his character, and more usefulness, rationality, and
+elegance to his habits and pursuits. As it was, he did nothing with
+much zeal, but sport; and his time was otherwise trifled away, without
+benefit from books or anything else. He had very good spirits, which
+never seemed much affected by his wife’s occasional lowness, bore with
+her unreasonableness sometimes to Anne’s admiration, and upon the
+whole, though there was very often a little disagreement (in which she
+had sometimes more share than she wished, being appealed to by both
+parties), they might pass for a happy couple. They were always
+perfectly agreed in the want of more money, and a strong inclination
+for a handsome present from his father; but here, as on most topics, he
+had the superiority, for while Mary thought it a great shame that such
+a present was not made, he always contended for his father’s having
+many other uses for his money, and a right to spend it as he liked.
+
+As to the management of their children, his theory was much better than
+his wife’s, and his practice not so bad. “I could manage them very
+well, if it were not for Mary’s interference,” was what Anne often
+heard him say, and had a good deal of faith in; but when listening in
+turn to Mary’s reproach of “Charles spoils the children so that I
+cannot get them into any order,” she never had the smallest temptation
+to say, “Very true.”
+
+One of the least agreeable circumstances of her residence there was her
+being treated with too much confidence by all parties, and being too
+much in the secret of the complaints of each house. Known to have some
+influence with her sister, she was continually requested, or at least
+receiving hints to exert it, beyond what was practicable. “I wish you
+could persuade Mary not to be always fancying herself ill,” was
+Charles’s language; and, in an unhappy mood, thus spoke Mary: “I do
+believe if Charles were to see me dying, he would not think there was
+anything the matter with me. I am sure, Anne, if you would, you might
+persuade him that I really am very ill—a great deal worse than I ever
+own.”
+
+Mary’s declaration was, “I hate sending the children to the Great
+House, though their grandmamma is always wanting to see them, for she
+humours and indulges them to such a degree, and gives them so much
+trash and sweet things, that they are sure to come back sick and cross
+for the rest of the day.” And Mrs Musgrove took the first opportunity
+of being alone with Anne, to say, “Oh! Miss Anne, I cannot help wishing
+Mrs Charles had a little of your method with those children. They are
+quite different creatures with you! But to be sure, in general they are
+so spoilt! It is a pity you cannot put your sister in the way of
+managing them. They are as fine healthy children as ever were seen,
+poor little dears! without partiality; but Mrs Charles knows no more
+how they should be treated—! Bless me! how troublesome they are
+sometimes. I assure you, Miss Anne, it prevents my wishing to see them
+at our house so often as I otherwise should. I believe Mrs Charles is
+not quite pleased with my not inviting them oftener; but you know it is
+very bad to have children with one that one is obligated to be checking
+every moment; “don’t do this,” and “don’t do that;” or that one can
+only keep in tolerable order by more cake than is good for them.”
+
+She had this communication, moreover, from Mary. “Mrs Musgrove thinks
+all her servants so steady, that it would be high treason to call it in
+question; but I am sure, without exaggeration, that her upper
+house-maid and laundry-maid, instead of being in their business, are
+gadding about the village, all day long. I meet them wherever I go; and
+I declare, I never go twice into my nursery without seeing something of
+them. If Jemima were not the trustiest, steadiest creature in the
+world, it would be enough to spoil her; for she tells me, they are
+always tempting her to take a walk with them.” And on Mrs Musgrove’s
+side, it was, “I make a rule of never interfering in any of my
+daughter-in-law’s concerns, for I know it would not do; but I shall
+tell _you_, Miss Anne, because you may be able to set things to rights,
+that I have no very good opinion of Mrs Charles’s nursery-maid: I hear
+strange stories of her; she is always upon the gad; and from my own
+knowledge, I can declare, she is such a fine-dressing lady, that she is
+enough to ruin any servants she comes near. Mrs Charles quite swears by
+her, I know; but I just give you this hint, that you may be upon the
+watch; because, if you see anything amiss, you need not be afraid of
+mentioning it.”
+
+Again, it was Mary’s complaint, that Mrs Musgrove was very apt not to
+give her the precedence that was her due, when they dined at the Great
+House with other families; and she did not see any reason why she was
+to be considered so much at home as to lose her place. And one day when
+Anne was walking with only the Musgroves, one of them after talking of
+rank, people of rank, and jealousy of rank, said, “I have no scruple of
+observing to _you_, how nonsensical some persons are about their place,
+because all the world knows how easy and indifferent you are about it;
+but I wish anybody could give Mary a hint that it would be a great deal
+better if she were not so very tenacious, especially if she would not
+be always putting herself forward to take place of mamma. Nobody doubts
+her right to have precedence of mamma, but it would be more becoming in
+her not to be always insisting on it. It is not that mamma cares about
+it the least in the world, but I know it is taken notice of by many
+persons.”
+
+How was Anne to set all these matters to rights? She could do little
+more than listen patiently, soften every grievance, and excuse each to
+the other; give them all hints of the forbearance necessary between
+such near neighbours, and make those hints broadest which were meant
+for her sister’s benefit.
+
+In all other respects, her visit began and proceeded very well. Her own
+spirits improved by change of place and subject, by being removed three
+miles from Kellynch; Mary’s ailments lessened by having a constant
+companion, and their daily intercourse with the other family, since
+there was neither superior affection, confidence, nor employment in the
+cottage, to be interrupted by it, was rather an advantage. It was
+certainly carried nearly as far as possible, for they met every
+morning, and hardly ever spent an evening asunder; but she believed
+they should not have done so well without the sight of Mr and Mrs
+Musgrove’s respectable forms in the usual places, or without the
+talking, laughing, and singing of their daughters.
+
+She played a great deal better than either of the Miss Musgroves, but
+having no voice, no knowledge of the harp, and no fond parents, to sit
+by and fancy themselves delighted, her performance was little thought
+of, only out of civility, or to refresh the others, as she was well
+aware. She knew that when she played she was giving pleasure only to
+herself; but this was no new sensation. Excepting one short period of
+her life, she had never, since the age of fourteen, never since the
+loss of her dear mother, known the happiness of being listened to, or
+encouraged by any just appreciation or real taste. In music she had
+been always used to feel alone in the world; and Mr and Mrs Musgrove’s
+fond partiality for their own daughters’ performance, and total
+indifference to any other person’s, gave her much more pleasure for
+their sakes, than mortification for her own.
+
+The party at the Great House was sometimes increased by other company.
+The neighbourhood was not large, but the Musgroves were visited by
+everybody, and had more dinner-parties, and more callers, more visitors
+by invitation and by chance, than any other family. They were more
+completely popular.
+
+The girls were wild for dancing; and the evenings ended, occasionally,
+in an unpremeditated little ball. There was a family of cousins within
+a walk of Uppercross, in less affluent circumstances, who depended on
+the Musgroves for all their pleasures: they would come at any time, and
+help play at anything, or dance anywhere; and Anne, very much
+preferring the office of musician to a more active post, played country
+dances to them by the hour together; a kindness which always
+recommended her musical powers to the notice of Mr and Mrs Musgrove
+more than anything else, and often drew this compliment;—“Well done,
+Miss Anne! very well done indeed! Lord bless me! how those little
+fingers of yours fly about!”
+
+So passed the first three weeks. Michaelmas came; and now Anne’s heart
+must be in Kellynch again. A beloved home made over to others; all the
+precious rooms and furniture, groves, and prospects, beginning to own
+other eyes and other limbs! She could not think of much else on the
+29th of September; and she had this sympathetic touch in the evening
+from Mary, who, on having occasion to note down the day of the month,
+exclaimed, “Dear me, is not this the day the Crofts were to come to
+Kellynch? I am glad I did not think of it before. How low it makes me!”
+
+The Crofts took possession with true naval alertness, and were to be
+visited. Mary deplored the necessity for herself. “Nobody knew how much
+she should suffer. She should put it off as long as she could;” but was
+not easy till she had talked Charles into driving her over on an early
+day, and was in a very animated, comfortable state of imaginary
+agitation, when she came back. Anne had very sincerely rejoiced in
+there being no means of her going. She wished, however to see the
+Crofts, and was glad to be within when the visit was returned. They
+came: the master of the house was not at home, but the two sisters were
+together; and as it chanced that Mrs Croft fell to the share of Anne,
+while the Admiral sat by Mary, and made himself very agreeable by his
+good-humoured notice of her little boys, she was well able to watch for
+a likeness, and if it failed her in the features, to catch it in the
+voice, or in the turn of sentiment and expression.
+
+Mrs Croft, though neither tall nor fat, had a squareness, uprightness,
+and vigour of form, which gave importance to her person. She had bright
+dark eyes, good teeth, and altogether an agreeable face; though her
+reddened and weather-beaten complexion, the consequence of her having
+been almost as much at sea as her husband, made her seem to have lived
+some years longer in the world than her real eight-and-thirty. Her
+manners were open, easy, and decided, like one who had no distrust of
+herself, and no doubts of what to do; without any approach to
+coarseness, however, or any want of good humour. Anne gave her credit,
+indeed, for feelings of great consideration towards herself, in all
+that related to Kellynch, and it pleased her: especially, as she had
+satisfied herself in the very first half minute, in the instant even of
+introduction, that there was not the smallest symptom of any knowledge
+or suspicion on Mrs Croft’s side, to give a bias of any sort. She was
+quite easy on that head, and consequently full of strength and courage,
+till for a moment electrified by Mrs Croft’s suddenly saying,—
+
+“It was you, and not your sister, I find, that my brother had the
+pleasure of being acquainted with, when he was in this country.”
+
+Anne hoped she had outlived the age of blushing; but the age of emotion
+she certainly had not.
+
+“Perhaps you may not have heard that he is married?” added Mrs Croft.
+
+She could now answer as she ought; and was happy to feel, when Mrs
+Croft’s next words explained it to be Mr Wentworth of whom she spoke,
+that she had said nothing which might not do for either brother. She
+immediately felt how reasonable it was, that Mrs Croft should be
+thinking and speaking of Edward, and not of Frederick; and with shame
+at her own forgetfulness applied herself to the knowledge of their
+former neighbour’s present state with proper interest.
+
+The rest was all tranquillity; till, just as they were moving, she
+heard the Admiral say to Mary—
+
+“We are expecting a brother of Mrs Croft’s here soon; I dare say you
+know him by name.”
+
+He was cut short by the eager attacks of the little boys, clinging to
+him like an old friend, and declaring he should not go; and being too
+much engrossed by proposals of carrying them away in his coat pockets,
+&c., to have another moment for finishing or recollecting what he had
+begun, Anne was left to persuade herself, as well as she could, that
+the same brother must still be in question. She could not, however,
+reach such a degree of certainty, as not to be anxious to hear whether
+anything had been said on the subject at the other house, where the
+Crofts had previously been calling.
+
+The folks of the Great House were to spend the evening of this day at
+the Cottage; and it being now too late in the year for such visits to
+be made on foot, the coach was beginning to be listened for, when the
+youngest Miss Musgrove walked in. That she was coming to apologize, and
+that they should have to spend the evening by themselves, was the first
+black idea; and Mary was quite ready to be affronted, when Louisa made
+all right by saying, that she only came on foot, to leave more room for
+the harp, which was bringing in the carriage.
+
+“And I will tell you our reason,” she added, “and all about it. I am
+come on to give you notice, that papa and mamma are out of spirits this
+evening, especially mamma; she is thinking so much of poor Richard! And
+we agreed it would be best to have the harp, for it seems to amuse her
+more than the piano-forte. I will tell you why she is out of spirits.
+When the Crofts called this morning, (they called here afterwards, did
+not they?), they happened to say, that her brother, Captain Wentworth,
+is just returned to England, or paid off, or something, and is coming
+to see them almost directly; and most unluckily it came into mamma’s
+head, when they were gone, that Wentworth, or something very like it,
+was the name of poor Richard’s captain at one time; I do not know when
+or where, but a great while before he died, poor fellow! And upon
+looking over his letters and things, she found it was so, and is
+perfectly sure that this must be the very man, and her head is quite
+full of it, and of poor Richard! So we must be as merry as we can, that
+she may not be dwelling upon such gloomy things.”
+
+The real circumstances of this pathetic piece of family history were,
+that the Musgroves had had the ill fortune of a very troublesome,
+hopeless son; and the good fortune to lose him before he reached his
+twentieth year; that he had been sent to sea because he was stupid and
+unmanageable on shore; that he had been very little cared for at any
+time by his family, though quite as much as he deserved; seldom heard
+of, and scarcely at all regretted, when the intelligence of his death
+abroad had worked its way to Uppercross, two years before.
+
+He had, in fact, though his sisters were now doing all they could for
+him, by calling him “poor Richard,” been nothing better than a
+thick-headed, unfeeling, unprofitable Dick Musgrove, who had never done
+anything to entitle himself to more than the abbreviation of his name,
+living or dead.
+
+He had been several years at sea, and had, in the course of those
+removals to which all midshipmen are liable, and especially such
+midshipmen as every captain wishes to get rid of, been six months on
+board Captain Frederick Wentworth’s frigate, the Laconia; and from the
+Laconia he had, under the influence of his captain, written the only
+two letters which his father and mother had ever received from him
+during the whole of his absence; that is to say, the only two
+disinterested letters; all the rest had been mere applications for
+money.
+
+In each letter he had spoken well of his captain; but yet, so little
+were they in the habit of attending to such matters, so unobservant and
+incurious were they as to the names of men or ships, that it had made
+scarcely any impression at the time; and that Mrs Musgrove should have
+been suddenly struck, this very day, with a recollection of the name of
+Wentworth, as connected with her son, seemed one of those extraordinary
+bursts of mind which do sometimes occur.
+
+She had gone to her letters, and found it all as she supposed; and the
+re-perusal of these letters, after so long an interval, her poor son
+gone for ever, and all the strength of his faults forgotten, had
+affected her spirits exceedingly, and thrown her into greater grief for
+him than she had known on first hearing of his death. Mr Musgrove was,
+in a lesser degree, affected likewise; and when they reached the
+cottage, they were evidently in want, first, of being listened to anew
+on this subject, and afterwards, of all the relief which cheerful
+companions could give them.
+
+To hear them talking so much of Captain Wentworth, repeating his name
+so often, puzzling over past years, and at last ascertaining that it
+_might_, that it probably _would_, turn out to be the very same Captain
+Wentworth whom they recollected meeting, once or twice, after their
+coming back from Clifton—a very fine young man—but they could not say
+whether it was seven or eight years ago, was a new sort of trial to
+Anne’s nerves. She found, however, that it was one to which she must
+inure herself. Since he actually was expected in the country, she must
+teach herself to be insensible on such points. And not only did it
+appear that he was expected, and speedily, but the Musgroves, in their
+warm gratitude for the kindness he had shewn poor Dick, and very high
+respect for his character, stamped as it was by poor Dick’s having been
+six months under his care, and mentioning him in strong, though not
+perfectly well-spelt praise, as “a fine dashing felow, only two
+perticular about the schoolmaster,” were bent on introducing
+themselves, and seeking his acquaintance, as soon as they could hear of
+his arrival.
+
+The resolution of doing so helped to form the comfort of their evening.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VII.
+
+
+A very few days more, and Captain Wentworth was known to be at
+Kellynch, and Mr Musgrove had called on him, and come back warm in his
+praise, and he was engaged with the Crofts to dine at Uppercross, by
+the end of another week. It had been a great disappointment to Mr
+Musgrove to find that no earlier day could be fixed, so impatient was
+he to shew his gratitude, by seeing Captain Wentworth under his own
+roof, and welcoming him to all that was strongest and best in his
+cellars. But a week must pass; only a week, in Anne’s reckoning, and
+then, she supposed, they must meet; and soon she began to wish that she
+could feel secure even for a week.
+
+Captain Wentworth made a very early return to Mr Musgrove’s civility,
+and she was all but calling there in the same half hour. She and Mary
+were actually setting forward for the Great House, where, as she
+afterwards learnt, they must inevitably have found him, when they were
+stopped by the eldest boy’s being at that moment brought home in
+consequence of a bad fall. The child’s situation put the visit entirely
+aside; but she could not hear of her escape with indifference, even in
+the midst of the serious anxiety which they afterwards felt on his
+account.
+
+His collar-bone was found to be dislocated, and such injury received in
+the back, as roused the most alarming ideas. It was an afternoon of
+distress, and Anne had every thing to do at once; the apothecary to
+send for, the father to have pursued and informed, the mother to
+support and keep from hysterics, the servants to control, the youngest
+child to banish, and the poor suffering one to attend and soothe;
+besides sending, as soon as she recollected it, proper notice to the
+other house, which brought her an accession rather of frightened,
+enquiring companions, than of very useful assistants.
+
+Her brother’s return was the first comfort; he could take best care of
+his wife; and the second blessing was the arrival of the apothecary.
+Till he came and had examined the child, their apprehensions were the
+worse for being vague; they suspected great injury, but knew not where;
+but now the collar-bone was soon replaced, and though Mr Robinson felt
+and felt, and rubbed, and looked grave, and spoke low words both to the
+father and the aunt, still they were all to hope the best, and to be
+able to part and eat their dinner in tolerable ease of mind; and then
+it was, just before they parted, that the two young aunts were able so
+far to digress from their nephew’s state, as to give the information of
+Captain Wentworth’s visit; staying five minutes behind their father and
+mother, to endeavour to express how perfectly delighted they were with
+him, how much handsomer, how infinitely more agreeable they thought him
+than any individual among their male acquaintance, who had been at all
+a favourite before. How glad they had been to hear papa invite him to
+stay dinner, how sorry when he said it was quite out of his power, and
+how glad again when he had promised in reply to papa and mamma’s
+farther pressing invitations to come and dine with them on the
+morrow—actually on the morrow; and he had promised it in so pleasant a
+manner, as if he felt all the motive of their attention just as he
+ought. And in short, he had looked and said everything with such
+exquisite grace, that they could assure them all, their heads were both
+turned by him; and off they ran, quite as full of glee as of love, and
+apparently more full of Captain Wentworth than of little Charles.
+
+The same story and the same raptures were repeated, when the two girls
+came with their father, through the gloom of the evening, to make
+enquiries; and Mr Musgrove, no longer under the first uneasiness about
+his heir, could add his confirmation and praise, and hope there would
+be now no occasion for putting Captain Wentworth off, and only be sorry
+to think that the cottage party, probably, would not like to leave the
+little boy, to give him the meeting. “Oh no; as to leaving the little
+boy,” both father and mother were in much too strong and recent alarm
+to bear the thought; and Anne, in the joy of the escape, could not help
+adding her warm protestations to theirs.
+
+Charles Musgrove, indeed, afterwards, shewed more of inclination; “the
+child was going on so well, and he wished so much to be introduced to
+Captain Wentworth, that, perhaps, he might join them in the evening; he
+would not dine from home, but he might walk in for half an hour.” But
+in this he was eagerly opposed by his wife, with “Oh! no, indeed,
+Charles, I cannot bear to have you go away. Only think if anything
+should happen?”
+
+The child had a good night, and was going on well the next day. It must
+be a work of time to ascertain that no injury had been done to the
+spine; but Mr Robinson found nothing to increase alarm, and Charles
+Musgrove began, consequently, to feel no necessity for longer
+confinement. The child was to be kept in bed and amused as quietly as
+possible; but what was there for a father to do? This was quite a
+female case, and it would be highly absurd in him, who could be of no
+use at home, to shut himself up. His father very much wished him to
+meet Captain Wentworth, and there being no sufficient reason against
+it, he ought to go; and it ended in his making a bold, public
+declaration, when he came in from shooting, of his meaning to dress
+directly, and dine at the other house.
+
+“Nothing can be going on better than the child,” said he; “so I told my
+father, just now, that I would come, and he thought me quite right.
+Your sister being with you, my love, I have no scruple at all. You
+would not like to leave him yourself, but you see I can be of no use.
+Anne will send for me if anything is the matter.”
+
+Husbands and wives generally understand when opposition will be vain.
+Mary knew, from Charles’s manner of speaking, that he was quite
+determined on going, and that it would be of no use to teaze him. She
+said nothing, therefore, till he was out of the room, but as soon as
+there was only Anne to hear—
+
+“So you and I are to be left to shift by ourselves, with this poor sick
+child; and not a creature coming near us all the evening! I knew how it
+would be. This is always my luck. If there is anything disagreeable
+going on men are always sure to get out of it, and Charles is as bad as
+any of them. Very unfeeling! I must say it is very unfeeling of him to
+be running away from his poor little boy. Talks of his being going on
+so well! How does he know that he is going on well, or that there may
+not be a sudden change half an hour hence? I did not think Charles
+would have been so unfeeling. So here he is to go away and enjoy
+himself, and because I am the poor mother, I am not to be allowed to
+stir; and yet, I am sure, I am more unfit than anybody else to be about
+the child. My being the mother is the very reason why my feelings
+should not be tried. I am not at all equal to it. You saw how
+hysterical I was yesterday.”
+
+“But that was only the effect of the suddenness of your alarm—of the
+shock. You will not be hysterical again. I dare say we shall have
+nothing to distress us. I perfectly understand Mr Robinson’s
+directions, and have no fears; and indeed, Mary, I cannot wonder at
+your husband. Nursing does not belong to a man; it is not his province.
+A sick child is always the mother’s property: her own feelings
+generally make it so.”
+
+“I hope I am as fond of my child as any mother, but I do not know that
+I am of any more use in the sick-room than Charles, for I cannot be
+always scolding and teazing the poor child when it is ill; and you saw,
+this morning, that if I told him to keep quiet, he was sure to begin
+kicking about. I have not nerves for the sort of thing.”
+
+“But, could you be comfortable yourself, to be spending the whole
+evening away from the poor boy?”
+
+“Yes; you see his papa can, and why should not I? Jemima is so careful;
+and she could send us word every hour how he was. I really think
+Charles might as well have told his father we would all come. I am not
+more alarmed about little Charles now than he is. I was dreadfully
+alarmed yesterday, but the case is very different to-day.”
+
+“Well, if you do not think it too late to give notice for yourself,
+suppose you were to go, as well as your husband. Leave little Charles
+to my care. Mr and Mrs Musgrove cannot think it wrong while I remain
+with him.”
+
+“Are you serious?” cried Mary, her eyes brightening. “Dear me! that’s a
+very good thought, very good, indeed. To be sure, I may just as well go
+as not, for I am of no use at home—am I? and it only harasses me. You,
+who have not a mother’s feelings, are a great deal the properest
+person. You can make little Charles do anything; he always minds you at
+a word. It will be a great deal better than leaving him only with
+Jemima. Oh! I shall certainly go; I am sure I ought if I can, quite as
+much as Charles, for they want me excessively to be acquainted with
+Captain Wentworth, and I know you do not mind being left alone. An
+excellent thought of yours, indeed, Anne. I will go and tell Charles,
+and get ready directly. You can send for us, you know, at a moment’s
+notice, if anything is the matter; but I dare say there will be nothing
+to alarm you. I should not go, you may be sure, if I did not feel quite
+at ease about my dear child.”
+
+The next moment she was tapping at her husband’s dressing-room door,
+and as Anne followed her up stairs, she was in time for the whole
+conversation, which began with Mary’s saying, in a tone of great
+exultation—
+
+“I mean to go with you, Charles, for I am of no more use at home than
+you are. If I were to shut myself up for ever with the child, I should
+not be able to persuade him to do anything he did not like. Anne will
+stay; Anne undertakes to stay at home and take care of him. It is
+Anne’s own proposal, and so I shall go with you, which will be a great
+deal better, for I have not dined at the other house since Tuesday.”
+
+“This is very kind of Anne,” was her husband’s answer, “and I should be
+very glad to have you go; but it seems rather hard that she should be
+left at home by herself, to nurse our sick child.”
+
+Anne was now at hand to take up her own cause, and the sincerity of her
+manner being soon sufficient to convince him, where conviction was at
+least very agreeable, he had no farther scruples as to her being left
+to dine alone, though he still wanted her to join them in the evening,
+when the child might be at rest for the night, and kindly urged her to
+let him come and fetch her, but she was quite unpersuadable; and this
+being the case, she had ere long the pleasure of seeing them set off
+together in high spirits. They were gone, she hoped, to be happy,
+however oddly constructed such happiness might seem; as for herself,
+she was left with as many sensations of comfort, as were, perhaps, ever
+likely to be hers. She knew herself to be of the first utility to the
+child; and what was it to her if Frederick Wentworth were only half a
+mile distant, making himself agreeable to others?
+
+She would have liked to know how he felt as to a meeting. Perhaps
+indifferent, if indifference could exist under such circumstances. He
+must be either indifferent or unwilling. Had he wished ever to see her
+again, he need not have waited till this time; he would have done what
+she could not but believe that in his place she should have done long
+ago, when events had been early giving him the independence which alone
+had been wanting.
+
+Her brother and sister came back delighted with their new acquaintance,
+and their visit in general. There had been music, singing, talking,
+laughing, all that was most agreeable; charming manners in Captain
+Wentworth, no shyness or reserve; they seemed all to know each other
+perfectly, and he was coming the very next morning to shoot with
+Charles. He was to come to breakfast, but not at the Cottage, though
+that had been proposed at first; but then he had been pressed to come
+to the Great House instead, and he seemed afraid of being in Mrs
+Charles Musgrove’s way, on account of the child, and therefore,
+somehow, they hardly knew how, it ended in Charles’s being to meet him
+to breakfast at his father’s.
+
+Anne understood it. He wished to avoid seeing her. He had inquired
+after her, she found, slightly, as might suit a former slight
+acquaintance, seeming to acknowledge such as she had acknowledged,
+actuated, perhaps, by the same view of escaping introduction when they
+were to meet.
+
+The morning hours of the Cottage were always later than those of the
+other house, and on the morrow the difference was so great that Mary
+and Anne were not more than beginning breakfast when Charles came in to
+say that they were just setting off, that he was come for his dogs,
+that his sisters were following with Captain Wentworth; his sisters
+meaning to visit Mary and the child, and Captain Wentworth proposing
+also to wait on her for a few minutes if not inconvenient; and though
+Charles had answered for the child’s being in no such state as could
+make it inconvenient, Captain Wentworth would not be satisfied without
+his running on to give notice.
+
+Mary, very much gratified by this attention, was delighted to receive
+him, while a thousand feelings rushed on Anne, of which this was the
+most consoling, that it would soon be over. And it was soon over. In
+two minutes after Charles’s preparation, the others appeared; they were
+in the drawing-room. Her eye half met Captain Wentworth’s, a bow, a
+curtsey passed; she heard his voice; he talked to Mary, said all that
+was right, said something to the Miss Musgroves, enough to mark an easy
+footing; the room seemed full, full of persons and voices, but a few
+minutes ended it. Charles shewed himself at the window, all was ready,
+their visitor had bowed and was gone, the Miss Musgroves were gone too,
+suddenly resolving to walk to the end of the village with the
+sportsmen: the room was cleared, and Anne might finish her breakfast as
+she could.
+
+“It is over! it is over!” she repeated to herself again and again, in
+nervous gratitude. “The worst is over!”
+
+Mary talked, but she could not attend. She had seen him. They had met.
+They had been once more in the same room.
+
+Soon, however, she began to reason with herself, and try to be feeling
+less. Eight years, almost eight years had passed, since all had been
+given up. How absurd to be resuming the agitation which such an
+interval had banished into distance and indistinctness! What might not
+eight years do? Events of every description, changes, alienations,
+removals—all, all must be comprised in it, and oblivion of the past—
+how natural, how certain too! It included nearly a third part of her
+own life.
+
+Alas! with all her reasoning, she found, that to retentive feelings
+eight years may be little more than nothing.
+
+Now, how were his sentiments to be read? Was this like wishing to avoid
+her? And the next moment she was hating herself for the folly which
+asked the question.
+
+On one other question which perhaps her utmost wisdom might not have
+prevented, she was soon spared all suspense; for, after the Miss
+Musgroves had returned and finished their visit at the Cottage she had
+this spontaneous information from Mary:—
+
+“Captain Wentworth is not very gallant by you, Anne, though he was so
+attentive to me. Henrietta asked him what he thought of you, when they
+went away, and he said, ‘You were so altered he should not have known
+you again.’”
+
+Mary had no feelings to make her respect her sister’s in a common way,
+but she was perfectly unsuspicious of being inflicting any peculiar
+wound.
+
+“Altered beyond his knowledge.” Anne fully submitted, in silent, deep
+mortification. Doubtless it was so, and she could take no revenge, for
+he was not altered, or not for the worse. She had already acknowledged
+it to herself, and she could not think differently, let him think of
+her as he would. No: the years which had destroyed her youth and bloom
+had only given him a more glowing, manly, open look, in no respect
+lessening his personal advantages. She had seen the same Frederick
+Wentworth.
+
+“So altered that he should not have known her again!” These were words
+which could not but dwell with her. Yet she soon began to rejoice that
+she had heard them. They were of sobering tendency; they allayed
+agitation; they composed, and consequently must make her happier.
+
+Frederick Wentworth had used such words, or something like them, but
+without an idea that they would be carried round to her. He had thought
+her wretchedly altered, and in the first moment of appeal, had spoken
+as he felt. He had not forgiven Anne Elliot. She had used him ill,
+deserted and disappointed him; and worse, she had shewn a feebleness of
+character in doing so, which his own decided, confident temper could
+not endure. She had given him up to oblige others. It had been the
+effect of over-persuasion. It had been weakness and timidity.
+
+He had been most warmly attached to her, and had never seen a woman
+since whom he thought her equal; but, except from some natural
+sensation of curiosity, he had no desire of meeting her again. Her
+power with him was gone for ever.
+
+It was now his object to marry. He was rich, and being turned on shore,
+fully intended to settle as soon as he could be properly tempted;
+actually looking round, ready to fall in love with all the speed which
+a clear head and a quick taste could allow. He had a heart for either
+of the Miss Musgroves, if they could catch it; a heart, in short, for
+any pleasing young woman who came in his way, excepting Anne Elliot.
+This was his only secret exception, when he said to his sister, in
+answer to her suppositions:—
+
+“Yes, here I am, Sophia, quite ready to make a foolish match. Anybody
+between fifteen and thirty may have me for asking. A little beauty, and
+a few smiles, and a few compliments to the navy, and I am a lost man.
+Should not this be enough for a sailor, who has had no society among
+women to make him nice?”
+
+He said it, she knew, to be contradicted. His bright proud eye spoke
+the conviction that he was nice; and Anne Elliot was not out of his
+thoughts, when he more seriously described the woman he should wish to
+meet with. “A strong mind, with sweetness of manner,” made the first
+and the last of the description.
+
+“That is the woman I want,” said he. “Something a little inferior I
+shall of course put up with, but it must not be much. If I am a fool, I
+shall be a fool indeed, for I have thought on the subject more than
+most men.”
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VIII.
+
+
+From this time Captain Wentworth and Anne Elliot were repeatedly in the
+same circle. They were soon dining in company together at Mr
+Musgrove’s, for the little boy’s state could no longer supply his aunt
+with a pretence for absenting herself; and this was but the beginning
+of other dinings and other meetings.
+
+Whether former feelings were to be renewed must be brought to the
+proof; former times must undoubtedly be brought to the recollection of
+each; _they_ could not but be reverted to; the year of their engagement
+could not but be named by him, in the little narratives or descriptions
+which conversation called forth. His profession qualified him, his
+disposition lead him, to talk; and “_That_ was in the year six;”
+“_That_ happened before I went to sea in the year six,” occurred in the
+course of the first evening they spent together: and though his voice
+did not falter, and though she had no reason to suppose his eye
+wandering towards her while he spoke, Anne felt the utter
+impossibility, from her knowledge of his mind, that he could be
+unvisited by remembrance any more than herself. There must be the same
+immediate association of thought, though she was very far from
+conceiving it to be of equal pain.
+
+They had no conversation together, no intercourse but what the
+commonest civility required. Once so much to each other! Now nothing!
+There _had_ been a time, when of all the large party now filling the
+drawing-room at Uppercross, they would have found it most difficult to
+cease to speak to one another. With the exception, perhaps, of Admiral
+and Mrs Croft, who seemed particularly attached and happy, (Anne could
+allow no other exceptions even among the married couples), there could
+have been no two hearts so open, no tastes so similar, no feelings so
+in unison, no countenances so beloved. Now they were as strangers; nay,
+worse than strangers, for they could never become acquainted. It was a
+perpetual estrangement.
+
+When he talked, she heard the same voice, and discerned the same mind.
+There was a very general ignorance of all naval matters throughout the
+party; and he was very much questioned, and especially by the two Miss
+Musgroves, who seemed hardly to have any eyes but for him, as to the
+manner of living on board, daily regulations, food, hours, &c., and
+their surprise at his accounts, at learning the degree of accommodation
+and arrangement which was practicable, drew from him some pleasant
+ridicule, which reminded Anne of the early days when she too had been
+ignorant, and she too had been accused of supposing sailors to be
+living on board without anything to eat, or any cook to dress it if
+there were, or any servant to wait, or any knife and fork to use.
+
+From thus listening and thinking, she was roused by a whisper of Mrs
+Musgrove’s who, overcome by fond regrets, could not help saying—
+
+“Ah! Miss Anne, if it had pleased Heaven to spare my poor son, I dare
+say he would have been just such another by this time.”
+
+Anne suppressed a smile, and listened kindly, while Mrs Musgrove
+relieved her heart a little more; and for a few minutes, therefore,
+could not keep pace with the conversation of the others.
+
+When she could let her attention take its natural course again, she
+found the Miss Musgroves just fetching the Navy List (their own navy
+list, the first that had ever been at Uppercross), and sitting down
+together to pore over it, with the professed view of finding out the
+ships that Captain Wentworth had commanded.
+
+“Your first was the Asp, I remember; we will look for the Asp.”
+
+“You will not find her there. Quite worn out and broken up. I was the
+last man who commanded her. Hardly fit for service then. Reported fit
+for home service for a year or two, and so I was sent off to the West
+Indies.”
+
+The girls looked all amazement.
+
+“The Admiralty,” he continued, “entertain themselves now and then, with
+sending a few hundred men to sea, in a ship not fit to be employed. But
+they have a great many to provide for; and among the thousands that may
+just as well go to the bottom as not, it is impossible for them to
+distinguish the very set who may be least missed.”
+
+“Phoo! phoo!” cried the Admiral, “what stuff these young fellows talk!
+Never was a better sloop than the Asp in her day. For an old built
+sloop, you would not see her equal. Lucky fellow to get her! He knows
+there must have been twenty better men than himself applying for her at
+the same time. Lucky fellow to get anything so soon, with no more
+interest than his.”
+
+“I felt my luck, Admiral, I assure you;” replied Captain Wentworth,
+seriously. “I was as well satisfied with my appointment as you can
+desire. It was a great object with me at that time to be at sea; a very
+great object, I wanted to be doing something.”
+
+“To be sure you did. What should a young fellow like you do ashore for
+half a year together? If a man had not a wife, he soon wants to be
+afloat again.”
+
+“But, Captain Wentworth,” cried Louisa, “how vexed you must have been
+when you came to the Asp, to see what an old thing they had given you.”
+
+“I knew pretty well what she was before that day;” said he, smiling. “I
+had no more discoveries to make than you would have as to the fashion
+and strength of any old pelisse, which you had seen lent about among
+half your acquaintance ever since you could remember, and which at
+last, on some very wet day, is lent to yourself. Ah! she was a dear old
+Asp to me. She did all that I wanted. I knew she would. I knew that we
+should either go to the bottom together, or that she would be the
+making of me; and I never had two days of foul weather all the time I
+was at sea in her; and after taking privateers enough to be very
+entertaining, I had the good luck in my passage home the next autumn,
+to fall in with the very French frigate I wanted. I brought her into
+Plymouth; and here another instance of luck. We had not been six hours
+in the Sound, when a gale came on, which lasted four days and nights,
+and which would have done for poor old Asp in half the time; our touch
+with the Great Nation not having much improved our condition.
+Four-and-twenty hours later, and I should only have been a gallant
+Captain Wentworth, in a small paragraph at one corner of the
+newspapers; and being lost in only a sloop, nobody would have thought
+about me.” Anne’s shudderings were to herself alone; but the Miss
+Musgroves could be as open as they were sincere, in their exclamations
+of pity and horror.
+
+“And so then, I suppose,” said Mrs Musgrove, in a low voice, as if
+thinking aloud, “so then he went away to the Laconia, and there he met
+with our poor boy. Charles, my dear,” (beckoning him to her), “do ask
+Captain Wentworth where it was he first met with your poor brother. I
+always forgot.”
+
+“It was at Gibraltar, mother, I know. Dick had been left ill at
+Gibraltar, with a recommendation from his former captain to Captain
+Wentworth.”
+
+“Oh! but, Charles, tell Captain Wentworth, he need not be afraid of
+mentioning poor Dick before me, for it would be rather a pleasure to
+hear him talked of by such a good friend.”
+
+Charles, being somewhat more mindful of the probabilities of the case,
+only nodded in reply, and walked away.
+
+The girls were now hunting for the Laconia; and Captain Wentworth could
+not deny himself the pleasure of taking the precious volume into his
+own hands to save them the trouble, and once more read aloud the little
+statement of her name and rate, and present non-commissioned class,
+observing over it that she too had been one of the best friends man
+ever had.
+
+“Ah! those were pleasant days when I had the Laconia! How fast I made
+money in her. A friend of mine and I had such a lovely cruise together
+off the Western Islands. Poor Harville, sister! You know how much he
+wanted money: worse than myself. He had a wife. Excellent fellow. I
+shall never forget his happiness. He felt it all, so much for her sake.
+I wished for him again the next summer, when I had still the same luck
+in the Mediterranean.”
+
+“And I am sure, Sir,” said Mrs Musgrove, “it was a lucky day for _us_,
+when you were put captain into that ship. _We_ shall never forget what
+you did.”
+
+Her feelings made her speak low; and Captain Wentworth, hearing only in
+part, and probably not having Dick Musgrove at all near his thoughts,
+looked rather in suspense, and as if waiting for more.
+
+“My brother,” whispered one of the girls; “mamma is thinking of poor
+Richard.”
+
+“Poor dear fellow!” continued Mrs Musgrove; “he was grown so steady,
+and such an excellent correspondent, while he was under your care! Ah!
+it would have been a happy thing, if he had never left you. I assure
+you, Captain Wentworth, we are very sorry he ever left you.”
+
+There was a momentary expression in Captain Wentworth’s face at this
+speech, a certain glance of his bright eye, and curl of his handsome
+mouth, which convinced Anne, that instead of sharing in Mrs Musgrove’s
+kind wishes, as to her son, he had probably been at some pains to get
+rid of him; but it was too transient an indulgence of self-amusement to
+be detected by any who understood him less than herself; in another
+moment he was perfectly collected and serious, and almost instantly
+afterwards coming up to the sofa, on which she and Mrs Musgrove were
+sitting, took a place by the latter, and entered into conversation with
+her, in a low voice, about her son, doing it with so much sympathy and
+natural grace, as shewed the kindest consideration for all that was
+real and unabsurd in the parent’s feelings.
+
+They were actually on the same sofa, for Mrs Musgrove had most readily
+made room for him; they were divided only by Mrs Musgrove. It was no
+insignificant barrier, indeed. Mrs Musgrove was of a comfortable,
+substantial size, infinitely more fitted by nature to express good
+cheer and good humour, than tenderness and sentiment; and while the
+agitations of Anne’s slender form, and pensive face, may be considered
+as very completely screened, Captain Wentworth should be allowed some
+credit for the self-command with which he attended to her large fat
+sighings over the destiny of a son, whom alive nobody had cared for.
+
+Personal size and mental sorrow have certainly no necessary
+proportions. A large bulky figure has as good a right to be in deep
+affliction, as the most graceful set of limbs in the world. But, fair
+or not fair, there are unbecoming conjunctions, which reason will
+patronize in vain—which taste cannot tolerate—which ridicule will
+seize.
+
+The Admiral, after taking two or three refreshing turns about the room
+with his hands behind him, being called to order by his wife, now came
+up to Captain Wentworth, and without any observation of what he might
+be interrupting, thinking only of his own thoughts, began with—
+
+“If you had been a week later at Lisbon, last spring, Frederick, you
+would have been asked to give a passage to Lady Mary Grierson and her
+daughters.”
+
+“Should I? I am glad I was not a week later then.”
+
+The Admiral abused him for his want of gallantry. He defended himself;
+though professing that he would never willingly admit any ladies on
+board a ship of his, excepting for a ball, or a visit, which a few
+hours might comprehend.
+
+“But, if I know myself,” said he, “this is from no want of gallantry
+towards them. It is rather from feeling how impossible it is, with all
+one’s efforts, and all one’s sacrifices, to make the accommodations on
+board such as women ought to have. There can be no want of gallantry,
+Admiral, in rating the claims of women to every personal comfort
+_high_, and this is what I do. I hate to hear of women on board, or to
+see them on board; and no ship under my command shall ever convey a
+family of ladies anywhere, if I can help it.”
+
+This brought his sister upon him.
+
+“Oh! Frederick! But I cannot believe it of you.—All idle
+refinement!—Women may be as comfortable on board, as in the best house
+in England. I believe I have lived as much on board as most women, and
+I know nothing superior to the accommodations of a man-of-war. I
+declare I have not a comfort or an indulgence about me, even at
+Kellynch Hall,” (with a kind bow to Anne), “beyond what I always had in
+most of the ships I have lived in; and they have been five altogether.”
+
+“Nothing to the purpose,” replied her brother. “You were living with
+your husband, and were the only woman on board.”
+
+“But you, yourself, brought Mrs Harville, her sister, her cousin, and
+three children, round from Portsmouth to Plymouth. Where was this
+superfine, extraordinary sort of gallantry of yours then?”
+
+“All merged in my friendship, Sophia. I would assist any brother
+officer’s wife that I could, and I would bring anything of Harville’s
+from the world’s end, if he wanted it. But do not imagine that I did
+not feel it an evil in itself.”
+
+“Depend upon it, they were all perfectly comfortable.”
+
+“I might not like them the better for that perhaps. Such a number of
+women and children have no _right_ to be comfortable on board.”
+
+“My dear Frederick, you are talking quite idly. Pray, what would become
+of us poor sailors’ wives, who often want to be conveyed to one port or
+another, after our husbands, if everybody had your feelings?”
+
+“My feelings, you see, did not prevent my taking Mrs Harville and all
+her family to Plymouth.”
+
+“But I hate to hear you talking so like a fine gentleman, and as if
+women were all fine ladies, instead of rational creatures. We none of
+us expect to be in smooth water all our days.”
+
+“Ah! my dear,” said the Admiral, “when he had got a wife, he will sing
+a different tune. When he is married, if we have the good luck to live
+to another war, we shall see him do as you and I, and a great many
+others, have done. We shall have him very thankful to anybody that will
+bring him his wife.”
+
+“Ay, that we shall.”
+
+“Now I have done,” cried Captain Wentworth. “When once married people
+begin to attack me with,—‘Oh! you will think very differently, when you
+are married.’ I can only say, ‘No, I shall not;’ and then they say
+again, ‘Yes, you will,’ and there is an end of it.”
+
+He got up and moved away.
+
+“What a great traveller you must have been, ma’am!” said Mrs Musgrove
+to Mrs Croft.
+
+“Pretty well, ma’am in the fifteen years of my marriage; though many
+women have done more. I have crossed the Atlantic four times, and have
+been once to the East Indies, and back again, and only once; besides
+being in different places about home: Cork, and Lisbon, and Gibraltar.
+But I never went beyond the Streights, and never was in the West
+Indies. We do not call Bermuda or Bahama, you know, the West Indies.”
+
+Mrs Musgrove had not a word to say in dissent; she could not accuse
+herself of having ever called them anything in the whole course of her
+life.
+
+“And I do assure you, ma’am,” pursued Mrs Croft, “that nothing can
+exceed the accommodations of a man-of-war; I speak, you know, of the
+higher rates. When you come to a frigate, of course, you are more
+confined; though any reasonable woman may be perfectly happy in one of
+them; and I can safely say, that the happiest part of my life has been
+spent on board a ship. While we were together, you know, there was
+nothing to be feared. Thank God! I have always been blessed with
+excellent health, and no climate disagrees with me. A little disordered
+always the first twenty-four hours of going to sea, but never knew what
+sickness was afterwards. The only time I ever really suffered in body
+or mind, the only time that I ever fancied myself unwell, or had any
+ideas of danger, was the winter that I passed by myself at Deal, when
+the Admiral (_Captain_ Croft then) was in the North Seas. I lived in
+perpetual fright at that time, and had all manner of imaginary
+complaints from not knowing what to do with myself, or when I should
+hear from him next; but as long as we could be together, nothing ever
+ailed me, and I never met with the smallest inconvenience.”
+
+“Aye, to be sure. Yes, indeed, oh yes! I am quite of your opinion, Mrs
+Croft,” was Mrs Musgrove’s hearty answer. “There is nothing so bad as a
+separation. I am quite of your opinion. _I_ know what it is, for Mr
+Musgrove always attends the assizes, and I am so glad when they are
+over, and he is safe back again.”
+
+The evening ended with dancing. On its being proposed, Anne offered her
+services, as usual; and though her eyes would sometimes fill with tears
+as she sat at the instrument, she was extremely glad to be employed,
+and desired nothing in return but to be unobserved.
+
+It was a merry, joyous party, and no one seemed in higher spirits than
+Captain Wentworth. She felt that he had every thing to elevate him
+which general attention and deference, and especially the attention of
+all the young women, could do. The Miss Hayters, the females of the
+family of cousins already mentioned, were apparently admitted to the
+honour of being in love with him; and as for Henrietta and Louisa, they
+both seemed so entirely occupied by him, that nothing but the continued
+appearance of the most perfect good-will between themselves could have
+made it credible that they were not decided rivals. If he were a little
+spoilt by such universal, such eager admiration, who could wonder?
+
+These were some of the thoughts which occupied Anne, while her fingers
+were mechanically at work, proceeding for half an hour together,
+equally without error, and without consciousness. _Once_ she felt that
+he was looking at herself, observing her altered features, perhaps,
+trying to trace in them the ruins of the face which had once charmed
+him; and _once_ she knew that he must have spoken of her; she was
+hardly aware of it, till she heard the answer; but then she was sure of
+his having asked his partner whether Miss Elliot never danced? The
+answer was, “Oh, no; never; she has quite given up dancing. She had
+rather play. She is never tired of playing.” Once, too, he spoke to
+her. She had left the instrument on the dancing being over, and he had
+sat down to try to make out an air which he wished to give the Miss
+Musgroves an idea of. Unintentionally she returned to that part of the
+room; he saw her, and, instantly rising, said, with studied politeness—
+
+“I beg your pardon, madam, this is your seat;” and though she
+immediately drew back with a decided negative, he was not to be induced
+to sit down again.
+
+Anne did not wish for more of such looks and speeches. His cold
+politeness, his ceremonious grace, were worse than anything.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER IX.
+
+
+Captain Wentworth was come to Kellynch as to a home, to stay as long as
+he liked, being as thoroughly the object of the Admiral’s fraternal
+kindness as of his wife’s. He had intended, on first arriving, to
+proceed very soon into Shropshire, and visit the brother settled in
+that country, but the attractions of Uppercross induced him to put this
+off. There was so much of friendliness, and of flattery, and of
+everything most bewitching in his reception there; the old were so
+hospitable, the young so agreeable, that he could not but resolve to
+remain where he was, and take all the charms and perfections of
+Edward’s wife upon credit a little longer.
+
+It was soon Uppercross with him almost every day. The Musgroves could
+hardly be more ready to invite than he to come, particularly in the
+morning, when he had no companion at home, for the Admiral and Mrs
+Croft were generally out of doors together, interesting themselves in
+their new possessions, their grass, and their sheep, and dawdling about
+in a way not endurable to a third person, or driving out in a gig,
+lately added to their establishment.
+
+Hitherto there had been but one opinion of Captain Wentworth among the
+Musgroves and their dependencies. It was unvarying, warm admiration
+everywhere; but this intimate footing was not more than established,
+when a certain Charles Hayter returned among them, to be a good deal
+disturbed by it, and to think Captain Wentworth very much in the way.
+
+Charles Hayter was the eldest of all the cousins, and a very amiable,
+pleasing young man, between whom and Henrietta there had been a
+considerable appearance of attachment previous to Captain Wentworth’s
+introduction. He was in orders; and having a curacy in the
+neighbourhood, where residence was not required, lived at his father’s
+house, only two miles from Uppercross. A short absence from home had
+left his fair one unguarded by his attentions at this critical period,
+and when he came back he had the pain of finding very altered manners,
+and of seeing Captain Wentworth.
+
+Mrs Musgrove and Mrs Hayter were sisters. They had each had money, but
+their marriages had made a material difference in their degree of
+consequence. Mr Hayter had some property of his own, but it was
+insignificant compared with Mr Musgrove’s; and while the Musgroves were
+in the first class of society in the country, the young Hayters would,
+from their parents’ inferior, retired, and unpolished way of living,
+and their own defective education, have been hardly in any class at
+all, but for their connexion with Uppercross, this eldest son of course
+excepted, who had chosen to be a scholar and a gentleman, and who was
+very superior in cultivation and manners to all the rest.
+
+The two families had always been on excellent terms, there being no
+pride on one side, and no envy on the other, and only such a
+consciousness of superiority in the Miss Musgroves, as made them
+pleased to improve their cousins. Charles’s attentions to Henrietta had
+been observed by her father and mother without any disapprobation. “It
+would not be a great match for her; but if Henrietta liked him,”—and
+Henrietta _did_ seem to like him.
+
+Henrietta fully thought so herself, before Captain Wentworth came; but
+from that time Cousin Charles had been very much forgotten.
+
+Which of the two sisters was preferred by Captain Wentworth was as yet
+quite doubtful, as far as Anne’s observation reached. Henrietta was
+perhaps the prettiest, Louisa had the higher spirits; and she knew not
+_now_, whether the more gentle or the more lively character were most
+likely to attract him.
+
+Mr and Mrs Musgrove, either from seeing little, or from an entire
+confidence in the discretion of both their daughters, and of all the
+young men who came near them, seemed to leave everything to take its
+chance. There was not the smallest appearance of solicitude or remark
+about them in the Mansion-house; but it was different at the Cottage:
+the young couple there were more disposed to speculate and wonder; and
+Captain Wentworth had not been above four or five times in the Miss
+Musgroves’ company, and Charles Hayter had but just reappeared, when
+Anne had to listen to the opinions of her brother and sister, as to
+_which_ was the one liked best. Charles gave it for Louisa, Mary for
+Henrietta, but quite agreeing that to have him marry either could be
+extremely delightful.
+
+Charles “had never seen a pleasanter man in his life; and from what he
+had once heard Captain Wentworth himself say, was very sure that he had
+not made less than twenty thousand pounds by the war. Here was a
+fortune at once; besides which, there would be the chance of what might
+be done in any future war; and he was sure Captain Wentworth was as
+likely a man to distinguish himself as any officer in the navy. Oh! it
+would be a capital match for either of his sisters.”
+
+“Upon my word it would,” replied Mary. “Dear me! If he should rise to
+any very great honours! If he should ever be made a baronet! ‘Lady
+Wentworth’ sounds very well. That would be a noble thing, indeed, for
+Henrietta! She would take place of me then, and Henrietta would not
+dislike that. Sir Frederick and Lady Wentworth! It would be but a new
+creation, however, and I never think much of your new creations.”
+
+It suited Mary best to think Henrietta the one preferred on the very
+account of Charles Hayter, whose pretensions she wished to see put an
+end to. She looked down very decidedly upon the Hayters, and thought it
+would be quite a misfortune to have the existing connection between the
+families renewed—very sad for herself and her children.
+
+“You know,” said she, “I cannot think him at all a fit match for
+Henrietta; and considering the alliances which the Musgroves have made,
+she has no right to throw herself away. I do not think any young woman
+has a right to make a choice that may be disagreeable and inconvenient
+to the _principal_ part of her family, and be giving bad connections to
+those who have not been used to them. And, pray, who is Charles Hayter?
+Nothing but a country curate. A most improper match for Miss Musgrove
+of Uppercross.”
+
+Her husband, however, would not agree with her here; for besides having
+a regard for his cousin, Charles Hayter was an eldest son, and he saw
+things as an eldest son himself.
+
+“Now you are talking nonsense, Mary,” was therefore his answer. “It
+would not be a _great_ match for Henrietta, but Charles has a very fair
+chance, through the Spicers, of getting something from the Bishop in
+the course of a year or two; and you will please to remember, that he
+is the eldest son; whenever my uncle dies, he steps into very pretty
+property. The estate at Winthrop is not less than two hundred and fifty
+acres, besides the farm near Taunton, which is some of the best land in
+the country. I grant you, that any of them but Charles would be a very
+shocking match for Henrietta, and indeed it could not be; he is the
+only one that could be possible; but he is a very good-natured, good
+sort of a fellow; and whenever Winthrop comes into his hands, he will
+make a different sort of place of it, and live in a very different sort
+of way; and with that property, he will never be a contemptible
+man—good, freehold property. No, no; Henrietta might do worse than
+marry Charles Hayter; and if she has him, and Louisa can get Captain
+Wentworth, I shall be very well satisfied.”
+
+“Charles may say what he pleases,” cried Mary to Anne, as soon as he
+was out of the room, “but it would be shocking to have Henrietta marry
+Charles Hayter; a very bad thing for _her_, and still worse for _me;_
+and therefore it is very much to be wished that Captain Wentworth may
+soon put him quite out of her head, and I have very little doubt that
+he has. She took hardly any notice of Charles Hayter yesterday. I wish
+you had been there to see her behaviour. And as to Captain Wentworth’s
+liking Louisa as well as Henrietta, it is nonsense to say so; for he
+certainly _does_ like Henrietta a great deal the best. But Charles is
+so positive! I wish you had been with us yesterday, for then you might
+have decided between us; and I am sure you would have thought as I did,
+unless you had been determined to give it against me.”
+
+A dinner at Mr Musgrove’s had been the occasion when all these things
+should have been seen by Anne; but she had staid at home, under the
+mixed plea of a headache of her own, and some return of indisposition
+in little Charles. She had thought only of avoiding Captain Wentworth;
+but an escape from being appealed to as umpire was now added to the
+advantages of a quiet evening.
+
+As to Captain Wentworth’s views, she deemed it of more consequence that
+he should know his own mind early enough not to be endangering the
+happiness of either sister, or impeaching his own honour, than that he
+should prefer Henrietta to Louisa, or Louisa to Henrietta. Either of
+them would, in all probability, make him an affectionate, good-humoured
+wife. With regard to Charles Hayter, she had delicacy which must be
+pained by any lightness of conduct in a well-meaning young woman, and a
+heart to sympathize in any of the sufferings it occasioned; but if
+Henrietta found herself mistaken in the nature of her feelings, the
+alteration could not be understood too soon.
+
+Charles Hayter had met with much to disquiet and mortify him in his
+cousin’s behaviour. She had too old a regard for him to be so wholly
+estranged as might in two meetings extinguish every past hope, and
+leave him nothing to do but to keep away from Uppercross: but there was
+such a change as became very alarming, when such a man as Captain
+Wentworth was to be regarded as the probable cause. He had been absent
+only two Sundays, and when they parted, had left her interested, even
+to the height of his wishes, in his prospect of soon quitting his
+present curacy, and obtaining that of Uppercross instead. It had then
+seemed the object nearest her heart, that Dr Shirley, the rector, who
+for more than forty years had been zealously discharging all the duties
+of his office, but was now growing too infirm for many of them, should
+be quite fixed on engaging a curate; should make his curacy quite as
+good as he could afford, and should give Charles Hayter the promise of
+it. The advantage of his having to come only to Uppercross, instead of
+going six miles another way; of his having, in every respect, a better
+curacy; of his belonging to their dear Dr Shirley, and of dear, good Dr
+Shirley’s being relieved from the duty which he could no longer get
+through without most injurious fatigue, had been a great deal, even to
+Louisa, but had been almost everything to Henrietta. When he came back,
+alas! the zeal of the business was gone by. Louisa could not listen at
+all to his account of a conversation which he had just held with Dr
+Shirley: she was at a window, looking out for Captain Wentworth; and
+even Henrietta had at best only a divided attention to give, and seemed
+to have forgotten all the former doubt and solicitude of the
+negotiation.
+
+“Well, I am very glad indeed: but I always thought you would have it; I
+always thought you sure. It did not appear to me that—in short, you
+know, Dr Shirley _must_ have a curate, and you had secured his promise.
+Is he coming, Louisa?”
+
+One morning, very soon after the dinner at the Musgroves, at which Anne
+had not been present, Captain Wentworth walked into the drawing-room at
+the Cottage, where were only herself and the little invalid Charles,
+who was lying on the sofa.
+
+The surprise of finding himself almost alone with Anne Elliot, deprived
+his manners of their usual composure: he started, and could only say,
+“I thought the Miss Musgroves had been here: Mrs Musgrove told me I
+should find them here,” before he walked to the window to recollect
+himself, and feel how he ought to behave.
+
+“They are up stairs with my sister: they will be down in a few moments,
+I dare say,” had been Anne’s reply, in all the confusion that was
+natural; and if the child had not called her to come and do something
+for him, she would have been out of the room the next moment, and
+released Captain Wentworth as well as herself.
+
+He continued at the window; and after calmly and politely saying, “I
+hope the little boy is better,” was silent.
+
+She was obliged to kneel down by the sofa, and remain there to satisfy
+her patient; and thus they continued a few minutes, when, to her very
+great satisfaction, she heard some other person crossing the little
+vestibule. She hoped, on turning her head, to see the master of the
+house; but it proved to be one much less calculated for making matters
+easy—Charles Hayter, probably not at all better pleased by the sight of
+Captain Wentworth than Captain Wentworth had been by the sight of Anne.
+
+She only attempted to say, “How do you do? Will you not sit down? The
+others will be here presently.”
+
+Captain Wentworth, however, came from his window, apparently not
+ill-disposed for conversation; but Charles Hayter soon put an end to
+his attempts by seating himself near the table, and taking up the
+newspaper; and Captain Wentworth returned to his window.
+
+Another minute brought another addition. The younger boy, a remarkable
+stout, forward child, of two years old, having got the door opened for
+him by some one without, made his determined appearance among them, and
+went straight to the sofa to see what was going on, and put in his
+claim to anything good that might be giving away.
+
+There being nothing to eat, he could only have some play; and as his
+aunt would not let him tease his sick brother, he began to fasten
+himself upon her, as she knelt, in such a way that, busy as she was
+about Charles, she could not shake him off. She spoke to him, ordered,
+entreated, and insisted in vain. Once she did contrive to push him
+away, but the boy had the greater pleasure in getting upon her back
+again directly.
+
+“Walter,” said she, “get down this moment. You are extremely
+troublesome. I am very angry with you.”
+
+“Walter,” cried Charles Hayter, “why do you not do as you are bid? Do
+not you hear your aunt speak? Come to me, Walter, come to cousin
+Charles.”
+
+But not a bit did Walter stir.
+
+In another moment, however, she found herself in the state of being
+released from him; some one was taking him from her, though he had bent
+down her head so much, that his little sturdy hands were unfastened
+from around her neck, and he was resolutely borne away, before she knew
+that Captain Wentworth had done it.
+
+Her sensations on the discovery made her perfectly speechless. She
+could not even thank him. She could only hang over little Charles, with
+most disordered feelings. His kindness in stepping forward to her
+relief, the manner, the silence in which it had passed, the little
+particulars of the circumstance, with the conviction soon forced on her
+by the noise he was studiously making with the child, that he meant to
+avoid hearing her thanks, and rather sought to testify that her
+conversation was the last of his wants, produced such a confusion of
+varying, but very painful agitation, as she could not recover from,
+till enabled by the entrance of Mary and the Miss Musgroves to make
+over her little patient to their cares, and leave the room. She could
+not stay. It might have been an opportunity of watching the loves and
+jealousies of the four—they were now altogether; but she could stay for
+none of it. It was evident that Charles Hayter was not well inclined
+towards Captain Wentworth. She had a strong impression of his having
+said, in a vext tone of voice, after Captain Wentworth’s interference,
+“You ought to have minded _me_, Walter; I told you not to teaze your
+aunt;” and could comprehend his regretting that Captain Wentworth
+should do what he ought to have done himself. But neither Charles
+Hayter’s feelings, nor anybody’s feelings, could interest her, till she
+had a little better arranged her own. She was ashamed of herself, quite
+ashamed of being so nervous, so overcome by such a trifle; but so it
+was, and it required a long application of solitude and reflection to
+recover her.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER X.
+
+
+Other opportunities of making her observations could not fail to occur.
+Anne had soon been in company with all the four together often enough
+to have an opinion, though too wise to acknowledge as much at home,
+where she knew it would have satisfied neither husband nor wife; for
+while she considered Louisa to be rather the favourite, she could not
+but think, as far as she might dare to judge from memory and
+experience, that Captain Wentworth was not in love with either. They
+were more in love with him; yet there it was not love. It was a little
+fever of admiration; but it might, probably must, end in love with
+some. Charles Hayter seemed aware of being slighted, and yet Henrietta
+had sometimes the air of being divided between them. Anne longed for
+the power of representing to them all what they were about, and of
+pointing out some of the evils they were exposing themselves to. She
+did not attribute guile to any. It was the highest satisfaction to her
+to believe Captain Wentworth not in the least aware of the pain he was
+occasioning. There was no triumph, no pitiful triumph in his manner. He
+had, probably, never heard, and never thought of any claims of Charles
+Hayter. He was only wrong in accepting the attentions (for accepting
+must be the word) of two young women at once.
+
+After a short struggle, however, Charles Hayter seemed to quit the
+field. Three days had passed without his coming once to Uppercross; a
+most decided change. He had even refused one regular invitation to
+dinner; and having been found on the occasion by Mr Musgrove with some
+large books before him, Mr and Mrs Musgrove were sure all could not be
+right, and talked, with grave faces, of his studying himself to death.
+It was Mary’s hope and belief that he had received a positive dismissal
+from Henrietta, and her husband lived under the constant dependence of
+seeing him to-morrow. Anne could only feel that Charles Hayter was
+wise.
+
+One morning, about this time Charles Musgrove and Captain Wentworth
+being gone a-shooting together, as the sisters in the Cottage were
+sitting quietly at work, they were visited at the window by the sisters
+from the Mansion-house.
+
+It was a very fine November day, and the Miss Musgroves came through
+the little grounds, and stopped for no other purpose than to say, that
+they were going to take a _long_ walk, and, therefore, concluded Mary
+could not like to go with them; and when Mary immediately replied, with
+some jealousy at not being supposed a good walker, “Oh, yes, I should
+like to join you very much, I am very fond of a long walk;” Anne felt
+persuaded, by the looks of the two girls, that it was precisely what
+they did not wish, and admired again the sort of necessity which the
+family habits seemed to produce, of everything being to be
+communicated, and everything being to be done together, however
+undesired and inconvenient. She tried to dissuade Mary from going, but
+in vain; and that being the case, thought it best to accept the Miss
+Musgroves’ much more cordial invitation to herself to go likewise, as
+she might be useful in turning back with her sister, and lessening the
+interference in any plan of their own.
+
+“I cannot imagine why they should suppose I should not like a long
+walk,” said Mary, as she went up stairs. “Everybody is always supposing
+that I am not a good walker; and yet they would not have been pleased,
+if we had refused to join them. When people come in this manner on
+purpose to ask us, how can one say no?”
+
+Just as they were setting off, the gentlemen returned. They had taken
+out a young dog, who had spoilt their sport, and sent them back early.
+Their time and strength, and spirits, were, therefore, exactly ready
+for this walk, and they entered into it with pleasure. Could Anne have
+foreseen such a junction, she would have staid at home; but, from some
+feelings of interest and curiosity, she fancied now that it was too
+late to retract, and the whole six set forward together in the
+direction chosen by the Miss Musgroves, who evidently considered the
+walk as under their guidance.
+
+Anne’s object was, not to be in the way of anybody; and where the
+narrow paths across the fields made many separations necessary, to keep
+with her brother and sister. Her _pleasure_ in the walk must arise from
+the exercise and the day, from the view of the last smiles of the year
+upon the tawny leaves, and withered hedges, and from repeating to
+herself some few of the thousand poetical descriptions extant of
+autumn, that season of peculiar and inexhaustible influence on the mind
+of taste and tenderness, that season which had drawn from every poet,
+worthy of being read, some attempt at description, or some lines of
+feeling. She occupied her mind as much as possible in such like musings
+and quotations; but it was not possible, that when within reach of
+Captain Wentworth’s conversation with either of the Miss Musgroves, she
+should not try to hear it; yet she caught little very remarkable. It
+was mere lively chat, such as any young persons, on an intimate
+footing, might fall into. He was more engaged with Louisa than with
+Henrietta. Louisa certainly put more forward for his notice than her
+sister. This distinction appeared to increase, and there was one speech
+of Louisa’s which struck her. After one of the many praises of the day,
+which were continually bursting forth, Captain Wentworth added:—
+
+“What glorious weather for the Admiral and my sister! They meant to
+take a long drive this morning; perhaps we may hail them from some of
+these hills. They talked of coming into this side of the country. I
+wonder whereabouts they will upset to-day. Oh! it does happen very
+often, I assure you; but my sister makes nothing of it; she would as
+lieve be tossed out as not.”
+
+“Ah! You make the most of it, I know,” cried Louisa, “but if it were
+really so, I should do just the same in her place. If I loved a man, as
+she loves the Admiral, I would always be with him, nothing should ever
+separate us, and I would rather be overturned by him, than driven
+safely by anybody else.”
+
+It was spoken with enthusiasm.
+
+“Had you?” cried he, catching the same tone; “I honour you!” And there
+was silence between them for a little while.
+
+Anne could not immediately fall into a quotation again. The sweet
+scenes of autumn were for a while put by, unless some tender sonnet,
+fraught with the apt analogy of the declining year, with declining
+happiness, and the images of youth and hope, and spring, all gone
+together, blessed her memory. She roused herself to say, as they struck
+by order into another path, “Is not this one of the ways to Winthrop?”
+But nobody heard, or, at least, nobody answered her.
+
+Winthrop, however, or its environs—for young men are, sometimes to be
+met with, strolling about near home—was their destination; and after
+another half mile of gradual ascent through large enclosures, where the
+ploughs at work, and the fresh made path spoke the farmer counteracting
+the sweets of poetical despondence, and meaning to have spring again,
+they gained the summit of the most considerable hill, which parted
+Uppercross and Winthrop, and soon commanded a full view of the latter,
+at the foot of the hill on the other side.
+
+Winthrop, without beauty and without dignity, was stretched before
+them; an indifferent house, standing low, and hemmed in by the barns
+and buildings of a farm-yard.
+
+Mary exclaimed, “Bless me! here is Winthrop. I declare I had no idea!
+Well now, I think we had better turn back; I am excessively tired.”
+
+Henrietta, conscious and ashamed, and seeing no cousin Charles walking
+along any path, or leaning against any gate, was ready to do as Mary
+wished; but “No!” said Charles Musgrove, and “No, no!” cried Louisa
+more eagerly, and taking her sister aside, seemed to be arguing the
+matter warmly.
+
+Charles, in the meanwhile, was very decidedly declaring his resolution
+of calling on his aunt, now that he was so near; and very evidently,
+though more fearfully, trying to induce his wife to go too. But this
+was one of the points on which the lady shewed her strength; and when
+he recommended the advantage of resting herself a quarter of an hour at
+Winthrop, as she felt so tired, she resolutely answered, “Oh! no,
+indeed! walking up that hill again would do her more harm than any
+sitting down could do her good;” and, in short, her look and manner
+declared, that go she would not.
+
+After a little succession of these sort of debates and consultations,
+it was settled between Charles and his two sisters, that he and
+Henrietta should just run down for a few minutes, to see their aunt and
+cousins, while the rest of the party waited for them at the top of the
+hill. Louisa seemed the principal arranger of the plan; and, as she
+went a little way with them, down the hill, still talking to Henrietta,
+Mary took the opportunity of looking scornfully around her, and saying
+to Captain Wentworth—
+
+“It is very unpleasant, having such connexions! But, I assure you, I
+have never been in the house above twice in my life.”
+
+She received no other answer, than an artificial, assenting smile,
+followed by a contemptuous glance, as he turned away, which Anne
+perfectly knew the meaning of.
+
+The brow of the hill, where they remained, was a cheerful spot: Louisa
+returned; and Mary, finding a comfortable seat for herself on the step
+of a stile, was very well satisfied so long as the others all stood
+about her; but when Louisa drew Captain Wentworth away, to try for a
+gleaning of nuts in an adjoining hedge-row, and they were gone by
+degrees quite out of sight and sound, Mary was happy no longer; she
+quarrelled with her own seat, was sure Louisa had got a much better
+somewhere, and nothing could prevent her from going to look for a
+better also. She turned through the same gate, but could not see them.
+Anne found a nice seat for her, on a dry sunny bank, under the
+hedge-row, in which she had no doubt of their still being, in some spot
+or other. Mary sat down for a moment, but it would not do; she was sure
+Louisa had found a better seat somewhere else, and she would go on till
+she overtook her.
+
+Anne, really tired herself, was glad to sit down; and she very soon
+heard Captain Wentworth and Louisa in the hedge-row, behind her, as if
+making their way back along the rough, wild sort of channel, down the
+centre. They were speaking as they drew near. Louisa’s voice was the
+first distinguished. She seemed to be in the middle of some eager
+speech. What Anne first heard was—
+
+“And so, I made her go. I could not bear that she should be frightened
+from the visit by such nonsense. What! would I be turned back from
+doing a thing that I had determined to do, and that I knew to be right,
+by the airs and interference of such a person, or of any person I may
+say? No, I have no idea of being so easily persuaded. When I have made
+up my mind, I have made it; and Henrietta seemed entirely to have made
+up hers to call at Winthrop to-day; and yet, she was as near giving it
+up, out of nonsensical complaisance!”
+
+“She would have turned back then, but for you?”
+
+“She would indeed. I am almost ashamed to say it.”
+
+“Happy for her, to have such a mind as yours at hand! After the hints
+you gave just now, which did but confirm my own observations, the last
+time I was in company with him, I need not affect to have no
+comprehension of what is going on. I see that more than a mere dutiful
+morning visit to your aunt was in question; and woe betide him, and her
+too, when it comes to things of consequence, when they are placed in
+circumstances requiring fortitude and strength of mind, if she have not
+resolution enough to resist idle interference in such a trifle as this.
+Your sister is an amiable creature; but _yours_ is the character of
+decision and firmness, I see. If you value her conduct or happiness,
+infuse as much of your own spirit into her as you can. But this, no
+doubt, you have been always doing. It is the worst evil of too yielding
+and indecisive a character, that no influence over it can be depended
+on. You are never sure of a good impression being durable; everybody
+may sway it. Let those who would be happy be firm. Here is a nut,” said
+he, catching one down from an upper bough, “to exemplify: a beautiful
+glossy nut, which, blessed with original strength, has outlived all the
+storms of autumn. Not a puncture, not a weak spot anywhere. This nut,”
+he continued, with playful solemnity, “while so many of his brethren
+have fallen and been trodden under foot, is still in possession of all
+the happiness that a hazel nut can be supposed capable of.” Then
+returning to his former earnest tone—“My first wish for all whom I am
+interested in, is that they should be firm. If Louisa Musgrove would be
+beautiful and happy in her November of life, she will cherish all her
+present powers of mind.”
+
+He had done, and was unanswered. It would have surprised Anne if Louisa
+could have readily answered such a speech: words of such interest,
+spoken with such serious warmth! She could imagine what Louisa was
+feeling. For herself, she feared to move, lest she should be seen.
+While she remained, a bush of low rambling holly protected her, and
+they were moving on. Before they were beyond her hearing, however,
+Louisa spoke again.
+
+“Mary is good-natured enough in many respects,” said she; “but she does
+sometimes provoke me excessively, by her nonsense and pride—the Elliot
+pride. She has a great deal too much of the Elliot pride. We do so wish
+that Charles had married Anne instead. I suppose you know he wanted to
+marry Anne?”
+
+After a moment’s pause, Captain Wentworth said—
+
+“Do you mean that she refused him?”
+
+“Oh! yes; certainly.”
+
+“When did that happen?”
+
+“I do not exactly know, for Henrietta and I were at school at the time;
+but I believe about a year before he married Mary. I wish she had
+accepted him. We should all have liked her a great deal better; and
+papa and mamma always think it was her great friend Lady Russell’s
+doing, that she did not. They think Charles might not be learned and
+bookish enough to please Lady Russell, and that therefore, she
+persuaded Anne to refuse him.”
+
+The sounds were retreating, and Anne distinguished no more. Her own
+emotions still kept her fixed. She had much to recover from, before she
+could move. The listener’s proverbial fate was not absolutely hers; she
+had heard no evil of herself, but she had heard a great deal of very
+painful import. She saw how her own character was considered by Captain
+Wentworth, and there had been just that degree of feeling and curiosity
+about her in his manner which must give her extreme agitation.
+
+As soon as she could, she went after Mary, and having found, and walked
+back with her to their former station, by the stile, felt some comfort
+in their whole party being immediately afterwards collected, and once
+more in motion together. Her spirits wanted the solitude and silence
+which only numbers could give.
+
+Charles and Henrietta returned, bringing, as may be conjectured,
+Charles Hayter with them. The minutiae of the business Anne could not
+attempt to understand; even Captain Wentworth did not seem admitted to
+perfect confidence here; but that there had been a withdrawing on the
+gentleman’s side, and a relenting on the lady’s, and that they were now
+very glad to be together again, did not admit a doubt. Henrietta looked
+a little ashamed, but very well pleased;—Charles Hayter exceedingly
+happy: and they were devoted to each other almost from the first
+instant of their all setting forward for Uppercross.
+
+Everything now marked out Louisa for Captain Wentworth; nothing could
+be plainer; and where many divisions were necessary, or even where they
+were not, they walked side by side nearly as much as the other two. In
+a long strip of meadow land, where there was ample space for all, they
+were thus divided, forming three distinct parties; and to that party of
+the three which boasted least animation, and least complaisance, Anne
+necessarily belonged. She joined Charles and Mary, and was tired enough
+to be very glad of Charles’s other arm; but Charles, though in very
+good humour with her, was out of temper with his wife. Mary had shewn
+herself disobliging to him, and was now to reap the consequence, which
+consequence was his dropping her arm almost every moment to cut off the
+heads of some nettles in the hedge with his switch; and when Mary began
+to complain of it, and lament her being ill-used, according to custom,
+in being on the hedge side, while Anne was never incommoded on the
+other, he dropped the arms of both to hunt after a weasel which he had
+a momentary glance of, and they could hardly get him along at all.
+
+This long meadow bordered a lane, which their footpath, at the end of
+it was to cross, and when the party had all reached the gate of exit,
+the carriage advancing in the same direction, which had been some time
+heard, was just coming up, and proved to be Admiral Croft’s gig. He and
+his wife had taken their intended drive, and were returning home. Upon
+hearing how long a walk the young people had engaged in, they kindly
+offered a seat to any lady who might be particularly tired; it would
+save her a full mile, and they were going through Uppercross. The
+invitation was general, and generally declined. The Miss Musgroves were
+not at all tired, and Mary was either offended, by not being asked
+before any of the others, or what Louisa called the Elliot pride could
+not endure to make a third in a one horse chaise.
+
+The walking party had crossed the lane, and were surmounting an
+opposite stile, and the Admiral was putting his horse in motion again,
+when Captain Wentworth cleared the hedge in a moment to say something
+to his sister. The something might be guessed by its effects.
+
+“Miss Elliot, I am sure _you_ are tired,” cried Mrs Croft. “Do let us
+have the pleasure of taking you home. Here is excellent room for three,
+I assure you. If we were all like you, I believe we might sit four. You
+must, indeed, you must.”
+
+Anne was still in the lane; and though instinctively beginning to
+decline, she was not allowed to proceed. The Admiral’s kind urgency
+came in support of his wife’s; they would not be refused; they
+compressed themselves into the smallest possible space to leave her a
+corner, and Captain Wentworth, without saying a word, turned to her,
+and quietly obliged her to be assisted into the carriage.
+
+Yes; he had done it. She was in the carriage, and felt that he had
+placed her there, that his will and his hands had done it, that she
+owed it to his perception of her fatigue, and his resolution to give
+her rest. She was very much affected by the view of his disposition
+towards her, which all these things made apparent. This little
+circumstance seemed the completion of all that had gone before. She
+understood him. He could not forgive her, but he could not be
+unfeeling. Though condemning her for the past, and considering it with
+high and unjust resentment, though perfectly careless of her, and
+though becoming attached to another, still he could not see her suffer,
+without the desire of giving her relief. It was a remainder of former
+sentiment; it was an impulse of pure, though unacknowledged friendship;
+it was a proof of his own warm and amiable heart, which she could not
+contemplate without emotions so compounded of pleasure and pain, that
+she knew not which prevailed.
+
+Her answers to the kindness and the remarks of her companions were at
+first unconsciously given. They had travelled half their way along the
+rough lane, before she was quite awake to what they said. She then
+found them talking of “Frederick.”
+
+“He certainly means to have one or other of those two girls, Sophy,”
+said the Admiral; “but there is no saying which. He has been running
+after them, too, long enough, one would think, to make up his mind. Ay,
+this comes of the peace. If it were war now, he would have settled it
+long ago. We sailors, Miss Elliot, cannot afford to make long
+courtships in time of war. How many days was it, my dear, between the
+first time of my seeing you and our sitting down together in our
+lodgings at North Yarmouth?”
+
+“We had better not talk about it, my dear,” replied Mrs Croft,
+pleasantly; “for if Miss Elliot were to hear how soon we came to an
+understanding, she would never be persuaded that we could be happy
+together. I had known you by character, however, long before.”
+
+“Well, and I had heard of you as a very pretty girl, and what were we
+to wait for besides? I do not like having such things so long in hand.
+I wish Frederick would spread a little more canvass, and bring us home
+one of these young ladies to Kellynch. Then there would always be
+company for them. And very nice young ladies they both are; I hardly
+know one from the other.”
+
+“Very good humoured, unaffected girls, indeed,” said Mrs Croft, in a
+tone of calmer praise, such as made Anne suspect that her keener powers
+might not consider either of them as quite worthy of her brother; “and
+a very respectable family. One could not be connected with better
+people. My dear Admiral, that post! we shall certainly take that post.”
+
+But by coolly giving the reins a better direction herself they happily
+passed the danger; and by once afterwards judiciously putting out her
+hand they neither fell into a rut, nor ran foul of a dung-cart; and
+Anne, with some amusement at their style of driving, which she imagined
+no bad representation of the general guidance of their affairs, found
+herself safely deposited by them at the Cottage.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XI.
+
+
+The time now approached for Lady Russell’s return: the day was even
+fixed; and Anne, being engaged to join her as soon as she was
+resettled, was looking forward to an early removal to Kellynch, and
+beginning to think how her own comfort was likely to be affected by it.
+
+It would place her in the same village with Captain Wentworth, within
+half a mile of him; they would have to frequent the same church, and
+there must be intercourse between the two families. This was against
+her; but on the other hand, he spent so much of his time at Uppercross,
+that in removing thence she might be considered rather as leaving him
+behind, than as going towards him; and, upon the whole, she believed
+she must, on this interesting question, be the gainer, almost as
+certainly as in her change of domestic society, in leaving poor Mary
+for Lady Russell.
+
+She wished it might be possible for her to avoid ever seeing Captain
+Wentworth at the Hall: those rooms had witnessed former meetings which
+would be brought too painfully before her; but she was yet more anxious
+for the possibility of Lady Russell and Captain Wentworth never meeting
+anywhere. They did not like each other, and no renewal of acquaintance
+now could do any good; and were Lady Russell to see them together, she
+might think that he had too much self-possession, and she too little.
+
+These points formed her chief solicitude in anticipating her removal
+from Uppercross, where she felt she had been stationed quite long
+enough. Her usefulness to little Charles would always give some
+sweetness to the memory of her two months’ visit there, but he was
+gaining strength apace, and she had nothing else to stay for.
+
+The conclusion of her visit, however, was diversified in a way which
+she had not at all imagined. Captain Wentworth, after being unseen and
+unheard of at Uppercross for two whole days, appeared again among them
+to justify himself by a relation of what had kept him away.
+
+A letter from his friend, Captain Harville, having found him out at
+last, had brought intelligence of Captain Harville’s being settled with
+his family at Lyme for the winter; of their being therefore, quite
+unknowingly, within twenty miles of each other. Captain Harville had
+never been in good health since a severe wound which he received two
+years before, and Captain Wentworth’s anxiety to see him had determined
+him to go immediately to Lyme. He had been there for four-and-twenty
+hours. His acquittal was complete, his friendship warmly honoured, a
+lively interest excited for his friend, and his description of the fine
+country about Lyme so feelingly attended to by the party, that an
+earnest desire to see Lyme themselves, and a project for going thither
+was the consequence.
+
+The young people were all wild to see Lyme. Captain Wentworth talked of
+going there again himself, it was only seventeen miles from Uppercross;
+though November, the weather was by no means bad; and, in short,
+Louisa, who was the most eager of the eager, having formed the
+resolution to go, and besides the pleasure of doing as she liked, being
+now armed with the idea of merit in maintaining her own way, bore down
+all the wishes of her father and mother for putting it off till summer;
+and to Lyme they were to go—Charles, Mary, Anne, Henrietta, Louisa, and
+Captain Wentworth.
+
+The first heedless scheme had been to go in the morning and return at
+night; but to this Mr Musgrove, for the sake of his horses, would not
+consent; and when it came to be rationally considered, a day in the
+middle of November would not leave much time for seeing a new place,
+after deducting seven hours, as the nature of the country required, for
+going and returning. They were, consequently, to stay the night there,
+and not to be expected back till the next day’s dinner. This was felt
+to be a considerable amendment; and though they all met at the Great
+House at rather an early breakfast hour, and set off very punctually,
+it was so much past noon before the two carriages, Mr Musgrove’s coach
+containing the four ladies, and Charles’s curricle, in which he drove
+Captain Wentworth, were descending the long hill into Lyme, and
+entering upon the still steeper street of the town itself, that it was
+very evident they would not have more than time for looking about them,
+before the light and warmth of the day were gone.
+
+After securing accommodations, and ordering a dinner at one of the
+inns, the next thing to be done was unquestionably to walk directly
+down to the sea. They were come too late in the year for any amusement
+or variety which Lyme, as a public place, might offer. The rooms were
+shut up, the lodgers almost all gone, scarcely any family but of the
+residents left; and, as there is nothing to admire in the buildings
+themselves, the remarkable situation of the town, the principal street
+almost hurrying into the water, the walk to the Cobb, skirting round
+the pleasant little bay, which, in the season, is animated with bathing
+machines and company; the Cobb itself, its old wonders and new
+improvements, with the very beautiful line of cliffs stretching out to
+the east of the town, are what the stranger’s eye will seek; and a very
+strange stranger it must be, who does not see charms in the immediate
+environs of Lyme, to make him wish to know it better. The scenes in its
+neighbourhood, Charmouth, with its high grounds and extensive sweeps of
+country, and still more, its sweet, retired bay, backed by dark cliffs,
+where fragments of low rock among the sands, make it the happiest spot
+for watching the flow of the tide, for sitting in unwearied
+contemplation; the woody varieties of the cheerful village of Up Lyme;
+and, above all, Pinny, with its green chasms between romantic rocks,
+where the scattered forest trees and orchards of luxuriant growth,
+declare that many a generation must have passed away since the first
+partial falling of the cliff prepared the ground for such a state,
+where a scene so wonderful and so lovely is exhibited, as may more than
+equal any of the resembling scenes of the far-famed Isle of Wight:
+these places must be visited, and visited again, to make the worth of
+Lyme understood.
+
+The party from Uppercross passing down by the now deserted and
+melancholy looking rooms, and still descending, soon found themselves
+on the sea-shore; and lingering only, as all must linger and gaze on a
+first return to the sea, who ever deserved to look on it at all,
+proceeded towards the Cobb, equally their object in itself and on
+Captain Wentworth’s account: for in a small house, near the foot of an
+old pier of unknown date, were the Harvilles settled. Captain Wentworth
+turned in to call on his friend; the others walked on, and he was to
+join them on the Cobb.
+
+They were by no means tired of wondering and admiring; and not even
+Louisa seemed to feel that they had parted with Captain Wentworth long,
+when they saw him coming after them, with three companions, all well
+known already, by description, to be Captain and Mrs Harville, and a
+Captain Benwick, who was staying with them.
+
+Captain Benwick had some time ago been first lieutenant of the Laconia;
+and the account which Captain Wentworth had given of him, on his return
+from Lyme before, his warm praise of him as an excellent young man and
+an officer, whom he had always valued highly, which must have stamped
+him well in the esteem of every listener, had been followed by a little
+history of his private life, which rendered him perfectly interesting
+in the eyes of all the ladies. He had been engaged to Captain
+Harville’s sister, and was now mourning her loss. They had been a year
+or two waiting for fortune and promotion. Fortune came, his prize-money
+as lieutenant being great; promotion, too, came at _last;_ but Fanny
+Harville did not live to know it. She had died the preceding summer
+while he was at sea. Captain Wentworth believed it impossible for man
+to be more attached to woman than poor Benwick had been to Fanny
+Harville, or to be more deeply afflicted under the dreadful change. He
+considered his disposition as of the sort which must suffer heavily,
+uniting very strong feelings with quiet, serious, and retiring manners,
+and a decided taste for reading, and sedentary pursuits. To finish the
+interest of the story, the friendship between him and the Harvilles
+seemed, if possible, augmented by the event which closed all their
+views of alliance, and Captain Benwick was now living with them
+entirely. Captain Harville had taken his present house for half a year;
+his taste, and his health, and his fortune, all directing him to a
+residence inexpensive, and by the sea; and the grandeur of the country,
+and the retirement of Lyme in the winter, appeared exactly adapted to
+Captain Benwick’s state of mind. The sympathy and good-will excited
+towards Captain Benwick was very great.
+
+“And yet,” said Anne to herself, as they now moved forward to meet the
+party, “he has not, perhaps, a more sorrowing heart than I have. I
+cannot believe his prospects so blighted for ever. He is younger than I
+am; younger in feeling, if not in fact; younger as a man. He will rally
+again, and be happy with another.”
+
+They all met, and were introduced. Captain Harville was a tall, dark
+man, with a sensible, benevolent countenance; a little lame; and from
+strong features and want of health, looking much older than Captain
+Wentworth. Captain Benwick looked, and was, the youngest of the three,
+and, compared with either of them, a little man. He had a pleasing face
+and a melancholy air, just as he ought to have, and drew back from
+conversation.
+
+Captain Harville, though not equalling Captain Wentworth in manners,
+was a perfect gentleman, unaffected, warm, and obliging. Mrs Harville,
+a degree less polished than her husband, seemed, however, to have the
+same good feelings; and nothing could be more pleasant than their
+desire of considering the whole party as friends of their own, because
+the friends of Captain Wentworth, or more kindly hospitable than their
+entreaties for their all promising to dine with them. The dinner,
+already ordered at the inn, was at last, though unwillingly, accepted
+as a excuse; but they seemed almost hurt that Captain Wentworth should
+have brought any such party to Lyme, without considering it as a thing
+of course that they should dine with them.
+
+There was so much attachment to Captain Wentworth in all this, and such
+a bewitching charm in a degree of hospitality so uncommon, so unlike
+the usual style of give-and-take invitations, and dinners of formality
+and display, that Anne felt her spirits not likely to be benefited by
+an increasing acquaintance among his brother-officers. “These would
+have been all my friends,” was her thought; and she had to struggle
+against a great tendency to lowness.
+
+On quitting the Cobb, they all went in-doors with their new friends,
+and found rooms so small as none but those who invite from the heart
+could think capable of accommodating so many. Anne had a moment’s
+astonishment on the subject herself; but it was soon lost in the
+pleasanter feelings which sprang from the sight of all the ingenious
+contrivances and nice arrangements of Captain Harville, to turn the
+actual space to the best account, to supply the deficiencies of
+lodging-house furniture, and defend the windows and doors against the
+winter storms to be expected. The varieties in the fitting-up of the
+rooms, where the common necessaries provided by the owner, in the
+common indifferent plight, were contrasted with some few articles of a
+rare species of wood, excellently worked up, and with something curious
+and valuable from all the distant countries Captain Harville had
+visited, were more than amusing to Anne; connected as it all was with
+his profession, the fruit of its labours, the effect of its influence
+on his habits, the picture of repose and domestic happiness it
+presented, made it to her a something more, or less, than
+gratification.
+
+Captain Harville was no reader; but he had contrived excellent
+accommodations, and fashioned very pretty shelves, for a tolerable
+collection of well-bound volumes, the property of Captain Benwick. His
+lameness prevented him from taking much exercise; but a mind of
+usefulness and ingenuity seemed to furnish him with constant employment
+within. He drew, he varnished, he carpentered, he glued; he made toys
+for the children; he fashioned new netting-needles and pins with
+improvements; and if everything else was done, sat down to his large
+fishing-net at one corner of the room.
+
+Anne thought she left great happiness behind her when they quitted the
+house; and Louisa, by whom she found herself walking, burst forth into
+raptures of admiration and delight on the character of the navy; their
+friendliness, their brotherliness, their openness, their uprightness;
+protesting that she was convinced of sailors having more worth and
+warmth than any other set of men in England; that they only knew how to
+live, and they only deserved to be respected and loved.
+
+They went back to dress and dine; and so well had the scheme answered
+already, that nothing was found amiss; though its being “so entirely
+out of season,” and the “no thoroughfare of Lyme,” and the “no
+expectation of company,” had brought many apologies from the heads of
+the inn.
+
+Anne found herself by this time growing so much more hardened to being
+in Captain Wentworth’s company than she had at first imagined could
+ever be, that the sitting down to the same table with him now, and the
+interchange of the common civilities attending on it (they never got
+beyond), was become a mere nothing.
+
+The nights were too dark for the ladies to meet again till the morrow,
+but Captain Harville had promised them a visit in the evening; and he
+came, bringing his friend also, which was more than had been expected,
+it having been agreed that Captain Benwick had all the appearance of
+being oppressed by the presence of so many strangers. He ventured among
+them again, however, though his spirits certainly did not seem fit for
+the mirth of the party in general.
+
+While Captains Wentworth and Harville led the talk on one side of the
+room, and by recurring to former days, supplied anecdotes in abundance
+to occupy and entertain the others, it fell to Anne’s lot to be placed
+rather apart with Captain Benwick; and a very good impulse of her
+nature obliged her to begin an acquaintance with him. He was shy, and
+disposed to abstraction; but the engaging mildness of her countenance,
+and gentleness of her manners, soon had their effect; and Anne was well
+repaid the first trouble of exertion. He was evidently a young man of
+considerable taste in reading, though principally in poetry; and
+besides the persuasion of having given him at least an evening’s
+indulgence in the discussion of subjects, which his usual companions
+had probably no concern in, she had the hope of being of real use to
+him in some suggestions as to the duty and benefit of struggling
+against affliction, which had naturally grown out of their
+conversation. For, though shy, he did not seem reserved; it had rather
+the appearance of feelings glad to burst their usual restraints; and
+having talked of poetry, the richness of the present age, and gone
+through a brief comparison of opinion as to the first-rate poets,
+trying to ascertain whether _Marmion_ or _The Lady of the Lake_ were to
+be preferred, and how ranked the _Giaour_ and _The Bride of Abydos;_
+and moreover, how the _Giaour_ was to be pronounced, he showed himself
+so intimately acquainted with all the tenderest songs of the one poet,
+and all the impassioned descriptions of hopeless agony of the other; he
+repeated, with such tremulous feeling, the various lines which imaged a
+broken heart, or a mind destroyed by wretchedness, and looked so
+entirely as if he meant to be understood, that she ventured to hope he
+did not always read only poetry, and to say, that she thought it was
+the misfortune of poetry to be seldom safely enjoyed by those who
+enjoyed it completely; and that the strong feelings which alone could
+estimate it truly were the very feelings which ought to taste it but
+sparingly.
+
+His looks shewing him not pained, but pleased with this allusion to his
+situation, she was emboldened to go on; and feeling in herself the
+right of seniority of mind, she ventured to recommend a larger
+allowance of prose in his daily study; and on being requested to
+particularize, mentioned such works of our best moralists, such
+collections of the finest letters, such memoirs of characters of worth
+and suffering, as occurred to her at the moment as calculated to rouse
+and fortify the mind by the highest precepts, and the strongest
+examples of moral and religious endurances.
+
+Captain Benwick listened attentively, and seemed grateful for the
+interest implied; and though with a shake of the head, and sighs which
+declared his little faith in the efficacy of any books on grief like
+his, noted down the names of those she recommended, and promised to
+procure and read them.
+
+When the evening was over, Anne could not but be amused at the idea of
+her coming to Lyme to preach patience and resignation to a young man
+whom she had never seen before; nor could she help fearing, on more
+serious reflection, that, like many other great moralists and
+preachers, she had been eloquent on a point in which her own conduct
+would ill bear examination.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XII.
+
+
+Anne and Henrietta, finding themselves the earliest of the party the
+next morning, agreed to stroll down to the sea before breakfast. They
+went to the sands, to watch the flowing of the tide, which a fine
+south-easterly breeze was bringing in with all the grandeur which so
+flat a shore admitted. They praised the morning; gloried in the sea;
+sympathized in the delight of the fresh-feeling breeze—and were silent;
+till Henrietta suddenly began again with—
+
+“Oh! yes,—I am quite convinced that, with very few exceptions, the
+sea-air always does good. There can be no doubt of its having been of
+the greatest service to Dr Shirley, after his illness, last spring
+twelve-month. He declares himself, that coming to Lyme for a month, did
+him more good than all the medicine he took; and, that being by the
+sea, always makes him feel young again. Now, I cannot help thinking it
+a pity that he does not live entirely by the sea. I do think he had
+better leave Uppercross entirely, and fix at Lyme. Do not you, Anne? Do
+not you agree with me, that it is the best thing he could do, both for
+himself and Mrs Shirley? She has cousins here, you know, and many
+acquaintance, which would make it cheerful for her, and I am sure she
+would be glad to get to a place where she could have medical attendance
+at hand, in case of his having another seizure. Indeed I think it quite
+melancholy to have such excellent people as Dr and Mrs Shirley, who
+have been doing good all their lives, wearing out their last days in a
+place like Uppercross, where, excepting our family, they seem shut out
+from all the world. I wish his friends would propose it to him. I
+really think they ought. And, as to procuring a dispensation, there
+could be no difficulty at his time of life, and with his character. My
+only doubt is, whether anything could persuade him to leave his parish.
+He is so very strict and scrupulous in his notions; over-scrupulous I
+must say. Do not you think, Anne, it is being over-scrupulous? Do not
+you think it is quite a mistaken point of conscience, when a clergyman
+sacrifices his health for the sake of duties, which may be just as well
+performed by another person? And at Lyme too, only seventeen miles off,
+he would be near enough to hear, if people thought there was anything
+to complain of.”
+
+Anne smiled more than once to herself during this speech, and entered
+into the subject, as ready to do good by entering into the feelings of
+a young lady as of a young man, though here it was good of a lower
+standard, for what could be offered but general acquiescence? She said
+all that was reasonable and proper on the business; felt the claims of
+Dr Shirley to repose as she ought; saw how very desirable it was that
+he should have some active, respectable young man, as a resident
+curate, and was even courteous enough to hint at the advantage of such
+resident curate’s being married.
+
+“I wish,” said Henrietta, very well pleased with her companion, “I wish
+Lady Russell lived at Uppercross, and were intimate with Dr Shirley. I
+have always heard of Lady Russell as a woman of the greatest influence
+with everybody! I always look upon her as able to persuade a person to
+anything! I am afraid of her, as I have told you before, quite afraid
+of her, because she is so very clever; but I respect her amazingly, and
+wish we had such a neighbour at Uppercross.”
+
+Anne was amused by Henrietta’s manner of being grateful, and amused
+also that the course of events and the new interests of Henrietta’s
+views should have placed her friend at all in favour with any of the
+Musgrove family; she had only time, however, for a general answer, and
+a wish that such another woman were at Uppercross, before all subjects
+suddenly ceased, on seeing Louisa and Captain Wentworth coming towards
+them. They came also for a stroll till breakfast was likely to be
+ready; but Louisa recollecting, immediately afterwards that she had
+something to procure at a shop, invited them all to go back with her
+into the town. They were all at her disposal.
+
+When they came to the steps, leading upwards from the beach, a
+gentleman, at the same moment preparing to come down, politely drew
+back, and stopped to give them way. They ascended and passed him; and
+as they passed, Anne’s face caught his eye, and he looked at her with a
+degree of earnest admiration, which she could not be insensible of. She
+was looking remarkably well; her very regular, very pretty features,
+having the bloom and freshness of youth restored by the fine wind which
+had been blowing on her complexion, and by the animation of eye which
+it had also produced. It was evident that the gentleman, (completely a
+gentleman in manner) admired her exceedingly. Captain Wentworth looked
+round at her instantly in a way which shewed his noticing of it. He
+gave her a momentary glance, a glance of brightness, which seemed to
+say, “That man is struck with you, and even I, at this moment, see
+something like Anne Elliot again.”
+
+After attending Louisa through her business, and loitering about a
+little longer, they returned to the inn; and Anne, in passing
+afterwards quickly from her own chamber to their dining-room, had
+nearly run against the very same gentleman, as he came out of an
+adjoining apartment. She had before conjectured him to be a stranger
+like themselves, and determined that a well-looking groom, who was
+strolling about near the two inns as they came back, should be his
+servant. Both master and man being in mourning assisted the idea. It
+was now proved that he belonged to the same inn as themselves; and this
+second meeting, short as it was, also proved again by the gentleman’s
+looks, that he thought hers very lovely, and by the readiness and
+propriety of his apologies, that he was a man of exceedingly good
+manners. He seemed about thirty, and though not handsome, had an
+agreeable person. Anne felt that she should like to know who he was.
+
+They had nearly done breakfast, when the sound of a carriage, (almost
+the first they had heard since entering Lyme) drew half the party to
+the window. It was a gentleman’s carriage, a curricle, but only coming
+round from the stable-yard to the front door; somebody must be going
+away. It was driven by a servant in mourning.
+
+The word curricle made Charles Musgrove jump up that he might compare
+it with his own; the servant in mourning roused Anne’s curiosity, and
+the whole six were collected to look, by the time the owner of the
+curricle was to be seen issuing from the door amidst the bows and
+civilities of the household, and taking his seat, to drive off.
+
+“Ah!” cried Captain Wentworth, instantly, and with half a glance at
+Anne, “it is the very man we passed.”
+
+The Miss Musgroves agreed to it; and having all kindly watched him as
+far up the hill as they could, they returned to the breakfast table.
+The waiter came into the room soon afterwards.
+
+“Pray,” said Captain Wentworth, immediately, “can you tell us the name
+of the gentleman who is just gone away?”
+
+“Yes, Sir, a Mr Elliot, a gentleman of large fortune, came in last
+night from Sidmouth. Dare say you heard the carriage, sir, while you
+were at dinner; and going on now for Crewkherne, in his way to Bath and
+London.”
+
+“Elliot!” Many had looked on each other, and many had repeated the
+name, before all this had been got through, even by the smart rapidity
+of a waiter.
+
+“Bless me!” cried Mary; “it must be our cousin; it must be our Mr
+Elliot, it must, indeed! Charles, Anne, must not it? In mourning, you
+see, just as our Mr Elliot must be. How very extraordinary! In the very
+same inn with us! Anne, must not it be our Mr Elliot? my father’s next
+heir? Pray sir,” turning to the waiter, “did not you hear, did not his
+servant say whether he belonged to the Kellynch family?”
+
+“No, ma’am, he did not mention no particular family; but he said his
+master was a very rich gentleman, and would be a baronight some day.”
+
+“There! you see!” cried Mary in an ecstasy, “just as I said! Heir to
+Sir Walter Elliot! I was sure that would come out, if it was so. Depend
+upon it, that is a circumstance which his servants take care to
+publish, wherever he goes. But, Anne, only conceive how extraordinary!
+I wish I had looked at him more. I wish we had been aware in time, who
+it was, that he might have been introduced to us. What a pity that we
+should not have been introduced to each other! Do you think he had the
+Elliot countenance? I hardly looked at him, I was looking at the
+horses; but I think he had something of the Elliot countenance, I
+wonder the arms did not strike me! Oh! the great-coat was hanging over
+the panel, and hid the arms, so it did; otherwise, I am sure, I should
+have observed them, and the livery too; if the servant had not been in
+mourning, one should have known him by the livery.”
+
+“Putting all these very extraordinary circumstances together,” said
+Captain Wentworth, “we must consider it to be the arrangement of
+Providence, that you should not be introduced to your cousin.”
+
+When she could command Mary’s attention, Anne quietly tried to convince
+her that their father and Mr Elliot had not, for many years, been on
+such terms as to make the power of attempting an introduction at all
+desirable.
+
+At the same time, however, it was a secret gratification to herself to
+have seen her cousin, and to know that the future owner of Kellynch was
+undoubtedly a gentleman, and had an air of good sense. She would not,
+upon any account, mention her having met with him the second time;
+luckily Mary did not much attend to their having passed close by him in
+their earlier walk, but she would have felt quite ill-used by Anne’s
+having actually run against him in the passage, and received his very
+polite excuses, while she had never been near him at all; no, that
+cousinly little interview must remain a perfect secret.
+
+“Of course,” said Mary, “you will mention our seeing Mr Elliot, the
+next time you write to Bath. I think my father certainly ought to hear
+of it; do mention all about him.”
+
+Anne avoided a direct reply, but it was just the circumstance which she
+considered as not merely unnecessary to be communicated, but as what
+ought to be suppressed. The offence which had been given her father,
+many years back, she knew; Elizabeth’s particular share in it she
+suspected; and that Mr Elliot’s idea always produced irritation in both
+was beyond a doubt. Mary never wrote to Bath herself; all the toil of
+keeping up a slow and unsatisfactory correspondence with Elizabeth fell
+on Anne.
+
+Breakfast had not been long over, when they were joined by Captain and
+Mrs Harville and Captain Benwick; with whom they had appointed to take
+their last walk about Lyme. They ought to be setting off for Uppercross
+by one, and in the meanwhile were to be all together, and out of doors
+as long as they could.
+
+Anne found Captain Benwick getting near her, as soon as they were all
+fairly in the street. Their conversation the preceding evening did not
+disincline him to seek her again; and they walked together some time,
+talking as before of Mr Scott and Lord Byron, and still as unable as
+before, and as unable as any other two readers, to think exactly alike
+of the merits of either, till something occasioned an almost general
+change amongst their party, and instead of Captain Benwick, she had
+Captain Harville by her side.
+
+“Miss Elliot,” said he, speaking rather low, “you have done a good deed
+in making that poor fellow talk so much. I wish he could have such
+company oftener. It is bad for him, I know, to be shut up as he is; but
+what can we do? We cannot part.”
+
+“No,” said Anne, “that I can easily believe to be impossible; but in
+time, perhaps—we know what time does in every case of affliction, and
+you must remember, Captain Harville, that your friend may yet be called
+a young mourner—only last summer, I understand.”
+
+“Ay, true enough,” (with a deep sigh) “only June.”
+
+“And not known to him, perhaps, so soon.”
+
+“Not till the first week of August, when he came home from the Cape,
+just made into the Grappler. I was at Plymouth dreading to hear of him;
+he sent in letters, but the Grappler was under orders for Portsmouth.
+There the news must follow him, but who was to tell it? not I. I would
+as soon have been run up to the yard-arm. Nobody could do it, but that
+good fellow” (pointing to Captain Wentworth.) “The Laconia had come
+into Plymouth the week before; no danger of her being sent to sea
+again. He stood his chance for the rest; wrote up for leave of absence,
+but without waiting the return, travelled night and day till he got to
+Portsmouth, rowed off to the Grappler that instant, and never left the
+poor fellow for a week. That’s what he did, and nobody else could have
+saved poor James. You may think, Miss Elliot, whether he is dear to
+us!”
+
+Anne did think on the question with perfect decision, and said as much
+in reply as her own feeling could accomplish, or as his seemed able to
+bear, for he was too much affected to renew the subject, and when he
+spoke again, it was of something totally different.
+
+Mrs Harville’s giving it as her opinion that her husband would have
+quite walking enough by the time he reached home, determined the
+direction of all the party in what was to be their last walk; they
+would accompany them to their door, and then return and set off
+themselves. By all their calculations there was just time for this; but
+as they drew near the Cobb, there was such a general wish to walk along
+it once more, all were so inclined, and Louisa soon grew so determined,
+that the difference of a quarter of an hour, it was found, would be no
+difference at all; so with all the kind leave-taking, and all the kind
+interchange of invitations and promises which may be imagined, they
+parted from Captain and Mrs Harville at their own door, and still
+accompanied by Captain Benwick, who seemed to cling to them to the
+last, proceeded to make the proper adieus to the Cobb.
+
+Anne found Captain Benwick again drawing near her. Lord Byron’s “dark
+blue seas” could not fail of being brought forward by their present
+view, and she gladly gave him all her attention as long as attention
+was possible. It was soon drawn, perforce another way.
+
+There was too much wind to make the high part of the new Cobb pleasant
+for the ladies, and they agreed to get down the steps to the lower, and
+all were contented to pass quietly and carefully down the steep flight,
+excepting Louisa; she must be jumped down them by Captain Wentworth. In
+all their walks, he had had to jump her from the stiles; the sensation
+was delightful to her. The hardness of the pavement for her feet, made
+him less willing upon the present occasion; he did it, however. She was
+safely down, and instantly, to show her enjoyment, ran up the steps to
+be jumped down again. He advised her against it, thought the jar too
+great; but no, he reasoned and talked in vain, she smiled and said, “I
+am determined I will:” he put out his hands; she was too precipitate by
+half a second, she fell on the pavement on the Lower Cobb, and was
+taken up lifeless! There was no wound, no blood, no visible bruise; but
+her eyes were closed, she breathed not, her face was like death. The
+horror of the moment to all who stood around!
+
+Captain Wentworth, who had caught her up, knelt with her in his arms,
+looking on her with a face as pallid as her own, in an agony of
+silence. “She is dead! she is dead!” screamed Mary, catching hold of
+her husband, and contributing with his own horror to make him
+immoveable; and in another moment, Henrietta, sinking under the
+conviction, lost her senses too, and would have fallen on the steps,
+but for Captain Benwick and Anne, who caught and supported her between
+them.
+
+“Is there no one to help me?” were the first words which burst from
+Captain Wentworth, in a tone of despair, and as if all his own strength
+were gone.
+
+“Go to him, go to him,” cried Anne, “for heaven’s sake go to him. I can
+support her myself. Leave me, and go to him. Rub her hands, rub her
+temples; here are salts; take them, take them.”
+
+Captain Benwick obeyed, and Charles at the same moment, disengaging
+himself from his wife, they were both with him; and Louisa was raised
+up and supported more firmly between them, and everything was done that
+Anne had prompted, but in vain; while Captain Wentworth, staggering
+against the wall for his support, exclaimed in the bitterest agony—
+
+“Oh God! her father and mother!”
+
+“A surgeon!” said Anne.
+
+He caught the word; it seemed to rouse him at once, and saying
+only—“True, true, a surgeon this instant,” was darting away, when Anne
+eagerly suggested—
+
+“Captain Benwick, would not it be better for Captain Benwick? He knows
+where a surgeon is to be found.”
+
+Every one capable of thinking felt the advantage of the idea, and in a
+moment (it was all done in rapid moments) Captain Benwick had resigned
+the poor corpse-like figure entirely to the brother’s care, and was off
+for the town with the utmost rapidity.
+
+As to the wretched party left behind, it could scarcely be said which
+of the three, who were completely rational, was suffering most: Captain
+Wentworth, Anne, or Charles, who, really a very affectionate brother,
+hung over Louisa with sobs of grief, and could only turn his eyes from
+one sister, to see the other in a state as insensible, or to witness
+the hysterical agitations of his wife, calling on him for help which he
+could not give.
+
+Anne, attending with all the strength and zeal, and thought, which
+instinct supplied, to Henrietta, still tried, at intervals, to suggest
+comfort to the others, tried to quiet Mary, to animate Charles, to
+assuage the feelings of Captain Wentworth. Both seemed to look to her
+for directions.
+
+“Anne, Anne,” cried Charles, “What is to be done next? What, in
+heaven’s name, is to be done next?”
+
+Captain Wentworth’s eyes were also turned towards her.
+
+“Had not she better be carried to the inn? Yes, I am sure: carry her
+gently to the inn.”
+
+“Yes, yes, to the inn,” repeated Captain Wentworth, comparatively
+collected, and eager to be doing something. “I will carry her myself.
+Musgrove, take care of the others.”
+
+By this time the report of the accident had spread among the workmen
+and boatmen about the Cobb, and many were collected near them, to be
+useful if wanted, at any rate, to enjoy the sight of a dead young lady,
+nay, two dead young ladies, for it proved twice as fine as the first
+report. To some of the best-looking of these good people Henrietta was
+consigned, for, though partially revived, she was quite helpless; and
+in this manner, Anne walking by her side, and Charles attending to his
+wife, they set forward, treading back with feelings unutterable, the
+ground, which so lately, so very lately, and so light of heart, they
+had passed along.
+
+They were not off the Cobb, before the Harvilles met them. Captain
+Benwick had been seen flying by their house, with a countenance which
+showed something to be wrong; and they had set off immediately,
+informed and directed as they passed, towards the spot. Shocked as
+Captain Harville was, he brought senses and nerves that could be
+instantly useful; and a look between him and his wife decided what was
+to be done. She must be taken to their house; all must go to their
+house; and await the surgeon’s arrival there. They would not listen to
+scruples: he was obeyed; they were all beneath his roof; and while
+Louisa, under Mrs Harville’s direction, was conveyed up stairs, and
+given possession of her own bed, assistance, cordials, restoratives
+were supplied by her husband to all who needed them.
+
+Louisa had once opened her eyes, but soon closed them again, without
+apparent consciousness. This had been a proof of life, however, of
+service to her sister; and Henrietta, though perfectly incapable of
+being in the same room with Louisa, was kept, by the agitation of hope
+and fear, from a return of her own insensibility. Mary, too, was
+growing calmer.
+
+The surgeon was with them almost before it had seemed possible. They
+were sick with horror, while he examined; but he was not hopeless. The
+head had received a severe contusion, but he had seen greater injuries
+recovered from: he was by no means hopeless; he spoke cheerfully.
+
+That he did not regard it as a desperate case, that he did not say a
+few hours must end it, was at first felt, beyond the hope of most; and
+the ecstasy of such a reprieve, the rejoicing, deep and silent, after a
+few fervent ejaculations of gratitude to Heaven had been offered, may
+be conceived.
+
+The tone, the look, with which “Thank God!” was uttered by Captain
+Wentworth, Anne was sure could never be forgotten by her; nor the sight
+of him afterwards, as he sat near a table, leaning over it with folded
+arms and face concealed, as if overpowered by the various feelings of
+his soul, and trying by prayer and reflection to calm them.
+
+Louisa’s limbs had escaped. There was no injury but to the head.
+
+It now became necessary for the party to consider what was best to be
+done, as to their general situation. They were now able to speak to
+each other and consult. That Louisa must remain where she was, however
+distressing to her friends to be involving the Harvilles in such
+trouble, did not admit a doubt. Her removal was impossible. The
+Harvilles silenced all scruples; and, as much as they could, all
+gratitude. They had looked forward and arranged everything before the
+others began to reflect. Captain Benwick must give up his room to them,
+and get another bed elsewhere; and the whole was settled. They were
+only concerned that the house could accommodate no more; and yet
+perhaps, by “putting the children away in the maid’s room, or swinging
+a cot somewhere,” they could hardly bear to think of not finding room
+for two or three besides, supposing they might wish to stay; though,
+with regard to any attendance on Miss Musgrove, there need not be the
+least uneasiness in leaving her to Mrs Harville’s care entirely. Mrs
+Harville was a very experienced nurse, and her nursery-maid, who had
+lived with her long, and gone about with her everywhere, was just such
+another. Between these two, she could want no possible attendance by
+day or night. And all this was said with a truth and sincerity of
+feeling irresistible.
+
+Charles, Henrietta, and Captain Wentworth were the three in
+consultation, and for a little while it was only an interchange of
+perplexity and terror. “Uppercross, the necessity of some one’s going
+to Uppercross; the news to be conveyed; how it could be broken to Mr
+and Mrs Musgrove; the lateness of the morning; an hour already gone
+since they ought to have been off; the impossibility of being in
+tolerable time.” At first, they were capable of nothing more to the
+purpose than such exclamations; but, after a while, Captain Wentworth,
+exerting himself, said—
+
+“We must be decided, and without the loss of another minute. Every
+minute is valuable. Some one must resolve on being off for Uppercross
+instantly. Musgrove, either you or I must go.”
+
+Charles agreed, but declared his resolution of not going away. He would
+be as little incumbrance as possible to Captain and Mrs Harville; but
+as to leaving his sister in such a state, he neither ought, nor would.
+So far it was decided; and Henrietta at first declared the same. She,
+however, was soon persuaded to think differently. The usefulness of her
+staying! She who had not been able to remain in Louisa’s room, or to
+look at her, without sufferings which made her worse than helpless! She
+was forced to acknowledge that she could do no good, yet was still
+unwilling to be away, till, touched by the thought of her father and
+mother, she gave it up; she consented, she was anxious to be at home.
+
+The plan had reached this point, when Anne, coming quietly down from
+Louisa’s room, could not but hear what followed, for the parlour door
+was open.
+
+“Then it is settled, Musgrove,” cried Captain Wentworth, “that you
+stay, and that I take care of your sister home. But as to the rest, as
+to the others, if one stays to assist Mrs Harville, I think it need be
+only one. Mrs Charles Musgrove will, of course, wish to get back to her
+children; but if Anne will stay, no one so proper, so capable as Anne.”
+
+She paused a moment to recover from the emotion of hearing herself so
+spoken of. The other two warmly agreed with what he said, and she then
+appeared.
+
+“You will stay, I am sure; you will stay and nurse her;” cried he,
+turning to her and speaking with a glow, and yet a gentleness, which
+seemed almost restoring the past. She coloured deeply, and he
+recollected himself and moved away. She expressed herself most willing,
+ready, happy to remain. “It was what she had been thinking of, and
+wishing to be allowed to do. A bed on the floor in Louisa’s room would
+be sufficient for her, if Mrs Harville would but think so.”
+
+One thing more, and all seemed arranged. Though it was rather desirable
+that Mr and Mrs Musgrove should be previously alarmed by some share of
+delay; yet the time required by the Uppercross horses to take them
+back, would be a dreadful extension of suspense; and Captain Wentworth
+proposed, and Charles Musgrove agreed, that it would be much better for
+him to take a chaise from the inn, and leave Mr Musgrove’s carriage and
+horses to be sent home the next morning early, when there would be the
+farther advantage of sending an account of Louisa’s night.
+
+Captain Wentworth now hurried off to get everything ready on his part,
+and to be soon followed by the two ladies. When the plan was made known
+to Mary, however, there was an end of all peace in it. She was so
+wretched and so vehement, complained so much of injustice in being
+expected to go away instead of Anne; Anne, who was nothing to Louisa,
+while she was her sister, and had the best right to stay in Henrietta’s
+stead! Why was not she to be as useful as Anne? And to go home without
+Charles, too, without her husband! No, it was too unkind. And in short,
+she said more than her husband could long withstand, and as none of the
+others could oppose when he gave way, there was no help for it; the
+change of Mary for Anne was inevitable.
+
+Anne had never submitted more reluctantly to the jealous and
+ill-judging claims of Mary; but so it must be, and they set off for the
+town, Charles taking care of his sister, and Captain Benwick attending
+to her. She gave a moment’s recollection, as they hurried along, to the
+little circumstances which the same spots had witnessed earlier in the
+morning. There she had listened to Henrietta’s schemes for Dr Shirley’s
+leaving Uppercross; farther on, she had first seen Mr Elliot; a moment
+seemed all that could now be given to any one but Louisa, or those who
+were wrapt up in her welfare.
+
+Captain Benwick was most considerately attentive to her; and, united as
+they all seemed by the distress of the day, she felt an increasing
+degree of good-will towards him, and a pleasure even in thinking that
+it might, perhaps, be the occasion of continuing their acquaintance.
+
+Captain Wentworth was on the watch for them, and a chaise and four in
+waiting, stationed for their convenience in the lowest part of the
+street; but his evident surprise and vexation at the substitution of
+one sister for the other, the change in his countenance, the
+astonishment, the expressions begun and suppressed, with which Charles
+was listened to, made but a mortifying reception of Anne; or must at
+least convince her that she was valued only as she could be useful to
+Louisa.
+
+She endeavoured to be composed, and to be just. Without emulating the
+feelings of an Emma towards her Henry, she would have attended on
+Louisa with a zeal above the common claims of regard, for his sake; and
+she hoped he would not long be so unjust as to suppose she would shrink
+unnecessarily from the office of a friend.
+
+In the meanwhile she was in the carriage. He had handed them both in,
+and placed himself between them; and in this manner, under these
+circumstances, full of astonishment and emotion to Anne, she quitted
+Lyme. How the long stage would pass; how it was to affect their
+manners; what was to be their sort of intercourse, she could not
+foresee. It was all quite natural, however. He was devoted to
+Henrietta; always turning towards her; and when he spoke at all, always
+with the view of supporting her hopes and raising her spirits. In
+general, his voice and manner were studiously calm. To spare Henrietta
+from agitation seemed the governing principle. Once only, when she had
+been grieving over the last ill-judged, ill-fated walk to the Cobb,
+bitterly lamenting that it ever had been thought of, he burst forth, as
+if wholly overcome—
+
+“Don’t talk of it, don’t talk of it,” he cried. “Oh God! that I had not
+given way to her at the fatal moment! Had I done as I ought! But so
+eager and so resolute! Dear, sweet Louisa!”
+
+Anne wondered whether it ever occurred to him now, to question the
+justness of his own previous opinion as to the universal felicity and
+advantage of firmness of character; and whether it might not strike him
+that, like all other qualities of the mind, it should have its
+proportions and limits. She thought it could scarcely escape him to
+feel that a persuadable temper might sometimes be as much in favour of
+happiness as a very resolute character.
+
+They got on fast. Anne was astonished to recognise the same hills and
+the same objects so soon. Their actual speed, heightened by some dread
+of the conclusion, made the road appear but half as long as on the day
+before. It was growing quite dusk, however, before they were in the
+neighbourhood of Uppercross, and there had been total silence among
+them for some time, Henrietta leaning back in the corner, with a shawl
+over her face, giving the hope of her having cried herself to sleep;
+when, as they were going up their last hill, Anne found herself all at
+once addressed by Captain Wentworth. In a low, cautious voice, he
+said:—
+
+“I have been considering what we had best do. She must not appear at
+first. She could not stand it. I have been thinking whether you had not
+better remain in the carriage with her, while I go in and break it to
+Mr and Mrs Musgrove. Do you think this is a good plan?”
+
+She did: he was satisfied, and said no more. But the remembrance of the
+appeal remained a pleasure to her, as a proof of friendship, and of
+deference for her judgement, a great pleasure; and when it became a
+sort of parting proof, its value did not lessen.
+
+When the distressing communication at Uppercross was over, and he had
+seen the father and mother quite as composed as could be hoped, and the
+daughter all the better for being with them, he announced his intention
+of returning in the same carriage to Lyme; and when the horses were
+baited, he was off.
+
+(End of volume one.)
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XIII.
+
+
+The remainder of Anne’s time at Uppercross, comprehending only two
+days, was spent entirely at the Mansion House; and she had the
+satisfaction of knowing herself extremely useful there, both as an
+immediate companion, and as assisting in all those arrangements for the
+future, which, in Mr and Mrs Musgrove’s distressed state of spirits,
+would have been difficulties.
+
+They had an early account from Lyme the next morning. Louisa was much
+the same. No symptoms worse than before had appeared. Charles came a
+few hours afterwards, to bring a later and more particular account. He
+was tolerably cheerful. A speedy cure must not be hoped, but everything
+was going on as well as the nature of the case admitted. In speaking of
+the Harvilles, he seemed unable to satisfy his own sense of their
+kindness, especially of Mrs Harville’s exertions as a nurse. “She
+really left nothing for Mary to do. He and Mary had been persuaded to
+go early to their inn last night. Mary had been hysterical again this
+morning. When he came away, she was going to walk out with Captain
+Benwick, which, he hoped, would do her good. He almost wished she had
+been prevailed on to come home the day before; but the truth was, that
+Mrs Harville left nothing for anybody to do.”
+
+Charles was to return to Lyme the same afternoon, and his father had at
+first half a mind to go with him, but the ladies could not consent. It
+would be going only to multiply trouble to the others, and increase his
+own distress; and a much better scheme followed and was acted upon. A
+chaise was sent for from Crewkherne, and Charles conveyed back a far
+more useful person in the old nursery-maid of the family, one who
+having brought up all the children, and seen the very last, the
+lingering and long-petted Master Harry, sent to school after his
+brothers, was now living in her deserted nursery to mend stockings and
+dress all the blains and bruises she could get near her, and who,
+consequently, was only too happy in being allowed to go and help nurse
+dear Miss Louisa. Vague wishes of getting Sarah thither, had occurred
+before to Mrs Musgrove and Henrietta; but without Anne, it would hardly
+have been resolved on, and found practicable so soon.
+
+They were indebted, the next day, to Charles Hayter, for all the minute
+knowledge of Louisa, which it was so essential to obtain every
+twenty-four hours. He made it his business to go to Lyme, and his
+account was still encouraging. The intervals of sense and consciousness
+were believed to be stronger. Every report agreed in Captain
+Wentworth’s appearing fixed in Lyme.
+
+Anne was to leave them on the morrow, an event which they all dreaded.
+“What should they do without her? They were wretched comforters for one
+another.” And so much was said in this way, that Anne thought she could
+not do better than impart among them the general inclination to which
+she was privy, and persuaded them all to go to Lyme at once. She had
+little difficulty; it was soon determined that they would go; go
+to-morrow, fix themselves at the inn, or get into lodgings, as it
+suited, and there remain till dear Louisa could be moved. They must be
+taking off some trouble from the good people she was with; they might
+at least relieve Mrs Harville from the care of her own children; and in
+short, they were so happy in the decision, that Anne was delighted with
+what she had done, and felt that she could not spend her last morning
+at Uppercross better than in assisting their preparations, and sending
+them off at an early hour, though her being left to the solitary range
+of the house was the consequence.
+
+She was the last, excepting the little boys at the cottage, she was the
+very last, the only remaining one of all that had filled and animated
+both houses, of all that had given Uppercross its cheerful character. A
+few days had made a change indeed!
+
+If Louisa recovered, it would all be well again. More than former
+happiness would be restored. There could not be a doubt, to her mind
+there was none, of what would follow her recovery. A few months hence,
+and the room now so deserted, occupied but by her silent, pensive self,
+might be filled again with all that was happy and gay, all that was
+glowing and bright in prosperous love, all that was most unlike Anne
+Elliot!
+
+An hour’s complete leisure for such reflections as these, on a dark
+November day, a small thick rain almost blotting out the very few
+objects ever to be discerned from the windows, was enough to make the
+sound of Lady Russell’s carriage exceedingly welcome; and yet, though
+desirous to be gone, she could not quit the Mansion House, or look an
+adieu to the Cottage, with its black, dripping and comfortless veranda,
+or even notice through the misty glasses the last humble tenements of
+the village, without a saddened heart. Scenes had passed in Uppercross
+which made it precious. It stood the record of many sensations of pain,
+once severe, but now softened; and of some instances of relenting
+feeling, some breathings of friendship and reconciliation, which could
+never be looked for again, and which could never cease to be dear. She
+left it all behind her, all but the recollection that such things had
+been.
+
+Anne had never entered Kellynch since her quitting Lady Russell’s house
+in September. It had not been necessary, and the few occasions of its
+being possible for her to go to the Hall she had contrived to evade and
+escape from. Her first return was to resume her place in the modern and
+elegant apartments of the Lodge, and to gladden the eyes of its
+mistress.
+
+There was some anxiety mixed with Lady Russell’s joy in meeting her.
+She knew who had been frequenting Uppercross. But happily, either Anne
+was improved in plumpness and looks, or Lady Russell fancied her so;
+and Anne, in receiving her compliments on the occasion, had the
+amusement of connecting them with the silent admiration of her cousin,
+and of hoping that she was to be blessed with a second spring of youth
+and beauty.
+
+When they came to converse, she was soon sensible of some mental
+change. The subjects of which her heart had been full on leaving
+Kellynch, and which she had felt slighted, and been compelled to
+smother among the Musgroves, were now become but of secondary interest.
+She had lately lost sight even of her father and sister and Bath. Their
+concerns had been sunk under those of Uppercross; and when Lady Russell
+reverted to their former hopes and fears, and spoke her satisfaction in
+the house in Camden Place, which had been taken, and her regret that
+Mrs Clay should still be with them, Anne would have been ashamed to
+have it known how much more she was thinking of Lyme and Louisa
+Musgrove, and all her acquaintance there; how much more interesting to
+her was the home and the friendship of the Harvilles and Captain
+Benwick, than her own father’s house in Camden Place, or her own
+sister’s intimacy with Mrs Clay. She was actually forced to exert
+herself to meet Lady Russell with anything like the appearance of equal
+solicitude, on topics which had by nature the first claim on her.
+
+There was a little awkwardness at first in their discourse on another
+subject. They must speak of the accident at Lyme. Lady Russell had not
+been arrived five minutes the day before, when a full account of the
+whole had burst on her; but still it must be talked of, she must make
+enquiries, she must regret the imprudence, lament the result, and
+Captain Wentworth’s name must be mentioned by both. Anne was conscious
+of not doing it so well as Lady Russell. She could not speak the name,
+and look straight forward to Lady Russell’s eye, till she had adopted
+the expedient of telling her briefly what she thought of the attachment
+between him and Louisa. When this was told, his name distressed her no
+longer.
+
+Lady Russell had only to listen composedly, and wish them happy, but
+internally her heart revelled in angry pleasure, in pleased contempt,
+that the man who at twenty-three had seemed to understand somewhat of
+the value of an Anne Elliot, should, eight years afterwards, be charmed
+by a Louisa Musgrove.
+
+The first three or four days passed most quietly, with no circumstance
+to mark them excepting the receipt of a note or two from Lyme, which
+found their way to Anne, she could not tell how, and brought a rather
+improving account of Louisa. At the end of that period, Lady Russell’s
+politeness could repose no longer, and the fainter self-threatenings of
+the past became in a decided tone, “I must call on Mrs Croft; I really
+must call upon her soon. Anne, have you courage to go with me, and pay
+a visit in that house? It will be some trial to us both.”
+
+Anne did not shrink from it; on the contrary, she truly felt as she
+said, in observing—
+
+“I think you are very likely to suffer the most of the two; your
+feelings are less reconciled to the change than mine. By remaining in
+the neighbourhood, I am become inured to it.”
+
+She could have said more on the subject; for she had in fact so high an
+opinion of the Crofts, and considered her father so very fortunate in
+his tenants, felt the parish to be so sure of a good example, and the
+poor of the best attention and relief, that however sorry and ashamed
+for the necessity of the removal, she could not but in conscience feel
+that they were gone who deserved not to stay, and that Kellynch Hall
+had passed into better hands than its owners’. These convictions must
+unquestionably have their own pain, and severe was its kind; but they
+precluded that pain which Lady Russell would suffer in entering the
+house again, and returning through the well-known apartments.
+
+In such moments Anne had no power of saying to herself, “These rooms
+ought to belong only to us. Oh, how fallen in their destination! How
+unworthily occupied! An ancient family to be so driven away! Strangers
+filling their place!” No, except when she thought of her mother, and
+remembered where she had been used to sit and preside, she had no sigh
+of that description to heave.
+
+Mrs Croft always met her with a kindness which gave her the pleasure of
+fancying herself a favourite, and on the present occasion, receiving
+her in that house, there was particular attention.
+
+The sad accident at Lyme was soon the prevailing topic, and on
+comparing their latest accounts of the invalid, it appeared that each
+lady dated her intelligence from the same hour of yestermorn; that
+Captain Wentworth had been in Kellynch yesterday (the first time since
+the accident), had brought Anne the last note, which she had not been
+able to trace the exact steps of; had staid a few hours and then
+returned again to Lyme, and without any present intention of quitting
+it any more. He had enquired after her, she found, particularly; had
+expressed his hope of Miss Elliot’s not being the worse for her
+exertions, and had spoken of those exertions as great. This was
+handsome, and gave her more pleasure than almost anything else could
+have done.
+
+As to the sad catastrophe itself, it could be canvassed only in one
+style by a couple of steady, sensible women, whose judgements had to
+work on ascertained events; and it was perfectly decided that it had
+been the consequence of much thoughtlessness and much imprudence; that
+its effects were most alarming, and that it was frightful to think, how
+long Miss Musgrove’s recovery might yet be doubtful, and how liable she
+would still remain to suffer from the concussion hereafter! The Admiral
+wound it up summarily by exclaiming—
+
+“Ay, a very bad business indeed. A new sort of way this, for a young
+fellow to be making love, by breaking his mistress’s head, is not it,
+Miss Elliot? This is breaking a head and giving a plaster, truly!”
+
+Admiral Croft’s manners were not quite of the tone to suit Lady
+Russell, but they delighted Anne. His goodness of heart and simplicity
+of character were irresistible.
+
+“Now, this must be very bad for you,” said he, suddenly rousing from a
+little reverie, “to be coming and finding us here. I had not
+recollected it before, I declare, but it must be very bad. But now, do
+not stand upon ceremony. Get up and go over all the rooms in the house
+if you like it.”
+
+“Another time, Sir, I thank you, not now.”
+
+“Well, whenever it suits you. You can slip in from the shrubbery at any
+time; and there you will find we keep our umbrellas hanging up by that
+door. A good place is not it? But,” (checking himself), “you will not
+think it a good place, for yours were always kept in the butler’s room.
+Ay, so it always is, I believe. One man’s ways may be as good as
+another’s, but we all like our own best. And so you must judge for
+yourself, whether it would be better for you to go about the house or
+not.”
+
+Anne, finding she might decline it, did so, very gratefully.
+
+“We have made very few changes either,” continued the Admiral, after
+thinking a moment. “Very few. We told you about the laundry-door, at
+Uppercross. That has been a very great improvement. The wonder was, how
+any family upon earth could bear with the inconvenience of its opening
+as it did, so long! You will tell Sir Walter what we have done, and
+that Mr Shepherd thinks it the greatest improvement the house ever had.
+Indeed, I must do ourselves the justice to say, that the few
+alterations we have made have been all very much for the better. My
+wife should have the credit of them, however. I have done very little
+besides sending away some of the large looking-glasses from my
+dressing-room, which was your father’s. A very good man, and very much
+the gentleman I am sure: but I should think, Miss Elliot,” (looking
+with serious reflection), “I should think he must be rather a dressy
+man for his time of life. Such a number of looking-glasses! oh Lord!
+there was no getting away from one’s self. So I got Sophy to lend me a
+hand, and we soon shifted their quarters; and now I am quite snug, with
+my little shaving glass in one corner, and another great thing that I
+never go near.”
+
+Anne, amused in spite of herself, was rather distressed for an answer,
+and the Admiral, fearing he might not have been civil enough, took up
+the subject again, to say—
+
+“The next time you write to your good father, Miss Elliot, pray give
+him my compliments and Mrs Croft’s, and say that we are settled here
+quite to our liking, and have no fault at all to find with the place.
+The breakfast-room chimney smokes a little, I grant you, but it is only
+when the wind is due north and blows hard, which may not happen three
+times a winter. And take it altogether, now that we have been into most
+of the houses hereabouts and can judge, there is not one that we like
+better than this. Pray say so, with my compliments. He will be glad to
+hear it.”
+
+Lady Russell and Mrs Croft were very well pleased with each other: but
+the acquaintance which this visit began was fated not to proceed far at
+present; for when it was returned, the Crofts announced themselves to
+be going away for a few weeks, to visit their connexions in the north
+of the county, and probably might not be at home again before Lady
+Russell would be removing to Bath.
+
+So ended all danger to Anne of meeting Captain Wentworth at Kellynch
+Hall, or of seeing him in company with her friend. Everything was safe
+enough, and she smiled over the many anxious feelings she had wasted on
+the subject.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XIV.
+
+
+Though Charles and Mary had remained at Lyme much longer after Mr and
+Mrs Musgrove’s going than Anne conceived they could have been at all
+wanted, they were yet the first of the family to be at home again; and
+as soon as possible after their return to Uppercross they drove over to
+the Lodge. They had left Louisa beginning to sit up; but her head,
+though clear, was exceedingly weak, and her nerves susceptible to the
+highest extreme of tenderness; and though she might be pronounced to be
+altogether doing very well, it was still impossible to say when she
+might be able to bear the removal home; and her father and mother, who
+must return in time to receive their younger children for the Christmas
+holidays, had hardly a hope of being allowed to bring her with them.
+
+They had been all in lodgings together. Mrs Musgrove had got Mrs
+Harville’s children away as much as she could, every possible supply
+from Uppercross had been furnished, to lighten the inconvenience to the
+Harvilles, while the Harvilles had been wanting them to come to dinner
+every day; and in short, it seemed to have been only a struggle on each
+side as to which should be most disinterested and hospitable.
+
+Mary had had her evils; but upon the whole, as was evident by her
+staying so long, she had found more to enjoy than to suffer. Charles
+Hayter had been at Lyme oftener than suited her; and when they dined
+with the Harvilles there had been only a maid-servant to wait, and at
+first Mrs Harville had always given Mrs Musgrove precedence; but then,
+she had received so very handsome an apology from her on finding out
+whose daughter she was, and there had been so much going on every day,
+there had been so many walks between their lodgings and the Harvilles,
+and she had got books from the library, and changed them so often, that
+the balance had certainly been much in favour of Lyme. She had been
+taken to Charmouth too, and she had bathed, and she had gone to church,
+and there were a great many more people to look at in the church at
+Lyme than at Uppercross; and all this, joined to the sense of being so
+very useful, had made really an agreeable fortnight.
+
+Anne enquired after Captain Benwick. Mary’s face was clouded directly.
+Charles laughed.
+
+“Oh! Captain Benwick is very well, I believe, but he is a very odd
+young man. I do not know what he would be at. We asked him to come home
+with us for a day or two: Charles undertook to give him some shooting,
+and he seemed quite delighted, and, for my part, I thought it was all
+settled; when behold! on Tuesday night, he made a very awkward sort of
+excuse; ‘he never shot’ and he had ‘been quite misunderstood,’ and he
+had promised this and he had promised that, and the end of it was, I
+found, that he did not mean to come. I suppose he was afraid of finding
+it dull; but upon my word I should have thought we were lively enough
+at the Cottage for such a heart-broken man as Captain Benwick.”
+
+Charles laughed again and said, “Now Mary, you know very well how it
+really was. It was all your doing,” (turning to Anne.) “He fancied that
+if he went with us, he should find you close by: he fancied everybody
+to be living in Uppercross; and when he discovered that Lady Russell
+lived three miles off, his heart failed him, and he had not courage to
+come. That is the fact, upon my honour. Mary knows it is.”
+
+But Mary did not give into it very graciously, whether from not
+considering Captain Benwick entitled by birth and situation to be in
+love with an Elliot, or from not wanting to believe Anne a greater
+attraction to Uppercross than herself, must be left to be guessed.
+Anne’s good-will, however, was not to be lessened by what she heard.
+She boldly acknowledged herself flattered, and continued her enquiries.
+
+“Oh! he talks of you,” cried Charles, “in such terms—” Mary interrupted
+him. “I declare, Charles, I never heard him mention Anne twice all the
+time I was there. I declare, Anne, he never talks of you at all.”
+
+“No,” admitted Charles, “I do not know that he ever does, in a general
+way; but however, it is a very clear thing that he admires you
+exceedingly. His head is full of some books that he is reading upon
+your recommendation, and he wants to talk to you about them; he has
+found out something or other in one of them which he thinks—oh! I
+cannot pretend to remember it, but it was something very fine—I
+overheard him telling Henrietta all about it; and then ‘Miss Elliot’
+was spoken of in the highest terms! Now Mary, I declare it was so, I
+heard it myself, and you were in the other room. ‘Elegance, sweetness,
+beauty.’ Oh! there was no end of Miss Elliot’s charms.”
+
+“And I am sure,” cried Mary, warmly, “it was a very little to his
+credit, if he did. Miss Harville only died last June. Such a heart is
+very little worth having; is it, Lady Russell? I am sure you will agree
+with me.”
+
+“I must see Captain Benwick before I decide,” said Lady Russell,
+smiling.
+
+“And that you are very likely to do very soon, I can tell you, ma’am,”
+said Charles. “Though he had not nerves for coming away with us, and
+setting off again afterwards to pay a formal visit here, he will make
+his way over to Kellynch one day by himself, you may depend on it. I
+told him the distance and the road, and I told him of the church’s
+being so very well worth seeing; for as he has a taste for those sort
+of things, I thought that would be a good excuse, and he listened with
+all his understanding and soul; and I am sure from his manner that you
+will have him calling here soon. So, I give you notice, Lady Russell.”
+
+“Any acquaintance of Anne’s will always be welcome to me,” was Lady
+Russell’s kind answer.
+
+“Oh! as to being Anne’s acquaintance,” said Mary, “I think he is rather
+my acquaintance, for I have been seeing him every day this last
+fortnight.”
+
+“Well, as your joint acquaintance, then, I shall be very happy to see
+Captain Benwick.”
+
+“You will not find anything very agreeable in him, I assure you, ma’am.
+He is one of the dullest young men that ever lived. He has walked with
+me, sometimes, from one end of the sands to the other, without saying a
+word. He is not at all a well-bred young man. I am sure you will not
+like him.”
+
+“There we differ, Mary,” said Anne. “I think Lady Russell would like
+him. I think she would be so much pleased with his mind, that she would
+very soon see no deficiency in his manner.”
+
+“So do I, Anne,” said Charles. “I am sure Lady Russell would like him.
+He is just Lady Russell’s sort. Give him a book, and he will read all
+day long.”
+
+“Yes, that he will!” exclaimed Mary, tauntingly. “He will sit poring
+over his book, and not know when a person speaks to him, or when one
+drops one’s scissors, or anything that happens. Do you think Lady
+Russell would like that?”
+
+Lady Russell could not help laughing. “Upon my word,” said she, “I
+should not have supposed that my opinion of any one could have admitted
+of such difference of conjecture, steady and matter of fact as I may
+call myself. I have really a curiosity to see the person who can give
+occasion to such directly opposite notions. I wish he may be induced to
+call here. And when he does, Mary, you may depend upon hearing my
+opinion; but I am determined not to judge him beforehand.”
+
+“You will not like him, I will answer for it.”
+
+Lady Russell began talking of something else. Mary spoke with animation
+of their meeting with, or rather missing, Mr Elliot so extraordinarily.
+
+“He is a man,” said Lady Russell, “whom I have no wish to see. His
+declining to be on cordial terms with the head of his family, has left
+a very strong impression in his disfavour with me.”
+
+This decision checked Mary’s eagerness, and stopped her short in the
+midst of the Elliot countenance.
+
+With regard to Captain Wentworth, though Anne hazarded no enquiries,
+there was voluntary communication sufficient. His spirits had been
+greatly recovering lately as might be expected. As Louisa improved, he
+had improved, and he was now quite a different creature from what he
+had been the first week. He had not seen Louisa; and was so extremely
+fearful of any ill consequence to her from an interview, that he did
+not press for it at all; and, on the contrary, seemed to have a plan of
+going away for a week or ten days, till her head was stronger. He had
+talked of going down to Plymouth for a week, and wanted to persuade
+Captain Benwick to go with him; but, as Charles maintained to the last,
+Captain Benwick seemed much more disposed to ride over to Kellynch.
+
+There can be no doubt that Lady Russell and Anne were both occasionally
+thinking of Captain Benwick, from this time. Lady Russell could not
+hear the door-bell without feeling that it might be his herald; nor
+could Anne return from any stroll of solitary indulgence in her
+father’s grounds, or any visit of charity in the village, without
+wondering whether she might see him or hear of him. Captain Benwick
+came not, however. He was either less disposed for it than Charles had
+imagined, or he was too shy; and after giving him a week’s indulgence,
+Lady Russell determined him to be unworthy of the interest which he had
+been beginning to excite.
+
+The Musgroves came back to receive their happy boys and girls from
+school, bringing with them Mrs Harville’s little children, to improve
+the noise of Uppercross, and lessen that of Lyme. Henrietta remained
+with Louisa; but all the rest of the family were again in their usual
+quarters.
+
+Lady Russell and Anne paid their compliments to them once, when Anne
+could not but feel that Uppercross was already quite alive again.
+Though neither Henrietta, nor Louisa, nor Charles Hayter, nor Captain
+Wentworth were there, the room presented as strong a contrast as could
+be wished to the last state she had seen it in.
+
+Immediately surrounding Mrs Musgrove were the little Harvilles, whom
+she was sedulously guarding from the tyranny of the two children from
+the Cottage, expressly arrived to amuse them. On one side was a table
+occupied by some chattering girls, cutting up silk and gold paper; and
+on the other were tressels and trays, bending under the weight of brawn
+and cold pies, where riotous boys were holding high revel; the whole
+completed by a roaring Christmas fire, which seemed determined to be
+heard, in spite of all the noise of the others. Charles and Mary also
+came in, of course, during their visit, and Mr Musgrove made a point of
+paying his respects to Lady Russell, and sat down close to her for ten
+minutes, talking with a very raised voice, but from the clamour of the
+children on his knees, generally in vain. It was a fine family-piece.
+
+Anne, judging from her own temperament, would have deemed such a
+domestic hurricane a bad restorative of the nerves, which Louisa’s
+illness must have so greatly shaken. But Mrs Musgrove, who got Anne
+near her on purpose to thank her most cordially, again and again, for
+all her attentions to them, concluded a short recapitulation of what
+she had suffered herself by observing, with a happy glance round the
+room, that after all she had gone through, nothing was so likely to do
+her good as a little quiet cheerfulness at home.
+
+Louisa was now recovering apace. Her mother could even think of her
+being able to join their party at home, before her brothers and sisters
+went to school again. The Harvilles had promised to come with her and
+stay at Uppercross, whenever she returned. Captain Wentworth was gone,
+for the present, to see his brother in Shropshire.
+
+“I hope I shall remember, in future,” said Lady Russell, as soon as
+they were reseated in the carriage, “not to call at Uppercross in the
+Christmas holidays.”
+
+Everybody has their taste in noises as well as in other matters; and
+sounds are quite innoxious, or most distressing, by their sort rather
+than their quantity. When Lady Russell not long afterwards, was
+entering Bath on a wet afternoon, and driving through the long course
+of streets from the Old Bridge to Camden Place, amidst the dash of
+other carriages, the heavy rumble of carts and drays, the bawling of
+newspapermen, muffin-men and milkmen, and the ceaseless clink of
+pattens, she made no complaint. No, these were noises which belonged to
+the winter pleasures; her spirits rose under their influence; and like
+Mrs Musgrove, she was feeling, though not saying, that after being long
+in the country, nothing could be so good for her as a little quiet
+cheerfulness.
+
+Anne did not share these feelings. She persisted in a very determined,
+though very silent disinclination for Bath; caught the first dim view
+of the extensive buildings, smoking in rain, without any wish of seeing
+them better; felt their progress through the streets to be, however
+disagreeable, yet too rapid; for who would be glad to see her when she
+arrived? And looked back, with fond regret, to the bustles of
+Uppercross and the seclusion of Kellynch.
+
+Elizabeth’s last letter had communicated a piece of news of some
+interest. Mr Elliot was in Bath. He had called in Camden Place; had
+called a second time, a third; had been pointedly attentive. If
+Elizabeth and her father did not deceive themselves, had been taking
+much pains to seek the acquaintance, and proclaim the value of the
+connection, as he had formerly taken pains to shew neglect. This was
+very wonderful if it were true; and Lady Russell was in a state of very
+agreeable curiosity and perplexity about Mr Elliot, already recanting
+the sentiment she had so lately expressed to Mary, of his being “a man
+whom she had no wish to see.” She had a great wish to see him. If he
+really sought to reconcile himself like a dutiful branch, he must be
+forgiven for having dismembered himself from the paternal tree.
+
+Anne was not animated to an equal pitch by the circumstance, but she
+felt that she would rather see Mr Elliot again than not, which was more
+than she could say for many other persons in Bath.
+
+She was put down in Camden Place; and Lady Russell then drove to her
+own lodgings, in Rivers Street.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XV.
+
+
+Sir Walter had taken a very good house in Camden Place, a lofty
+dignified situation, such as becomes a man of consequence; and both he
+and Elizabeth were settled there, much to their satisfaction.
+
+Anne entered it with a sinking heart, anticipating an imprisonment of
+many months, and anxiously saying to herself, “Oh! when shall I leave
+you again?” A degree of unexpected cordiality, however, in the welcome
+she received, did her good. Her father and sister were glad to see her,
+for the sake of shewing her the house and furniture, and met her with
+kindness. Her making a fourth, when they sat down to dinner, was
+noticed as an advantage.
+
+Mrs Clay was very pleasant, and very smiling, but her courtesies and
+smiles were more a matter of course. Anne had always felt that she
+would pretend what was proper on her arrival, but the complaisance of
+the others was unlooked for. They were evidently in excellent spirits,
+and she was soon to listen to the causes. They had no inclination to
+listen to her. After laying out for some compliments of being deeply
+regretted in their old neighbourhood, which Anne could not pay, they
+had only a few faint enquiries to make, before the talk must be all
+their own. Uppercross excited no interest, Kellynch very little: it was
+all Bath.
+
+They had the pleasure of assuring her that Bath more than answered
+their expectations in every respect. Their house was undoubtedly the
+best in Camden Place; their drawing-rooms had many decided advantages
+over all the others which they had either seen or heard of, and the
+superiority was not less in the style of the fitting-up, or the taste
+of the furniture. Their acquaintance was exceedingly sought after.
+Everybody was wanting to visit them. They had drawn back from many
+introductions, and still were perpetually having cards left by people
+of whom they knew nothing.
+
+Here were funds of enjoyment. Could Anne wonder that her father and
+sister were happy? She might not wonder, but she must sigh that her
+father should feel no degradation in his change, should see nothing to
+regret in the duties and dignity of the resident landholder, should
+find so much to be vain of in the littlenesses of a town; and she must
+sigh, and smile, and wonder too, as Elizabeth threw open the
+folding-doors and walked with exultation from one drawing-room to the
+other, boasting of their space; at the possibility of that woman, who
+had been mistress of Kellynch Hall, finding extent to be proud of
+between two walls, perhaps thirty feet asunder.
+
+But this was not all which they had to make them happy. They had Mr
+Elliot too. Anne had a great deal to hear of Mr Elliot. He was not only
+pardoned, they were delighted with him. He had been in Bath about a
+fortnight; (he had passed through Bath in November, in his way to
+London, when the intelligence of Sir Walter’s being settled there had
+of course reached him, though only twenty-four hours in the place, but
+he had not been able to avail himself of it;) but he had now been a
+fortnight in Bath, and his first object on arriving, had been to leave
+his card in Camden Place, following it up by such assiduous endeavours
+to meet, and when they did meet, by such great openness of conduct,
+such readiness to apologize for the past, such solicitude to be
+received as a relation again, that their former good understanding was
+completely re-established.
+
+They had not a fault to find in him. He had explained away all the
+appearance of neglect on his own side. It had originated in
+misapprehension entirely. He had never had an idea of throwing himself
+off; he had feared that he was thrown off, but knew not why, and
+delicacy had kept him silent. Upon the hint of having spoken
+disrespectfully or carelessly of the family and the family honours, he
+was quite indignant. He, who had ever boasted of being an Elliot, and
+whose feelings, as to connection, were only too strict to suit the
+unfeudal tone of the present day. He was astonished, indeed, but his
+character and general conduct must refute it. He could refer Sir Walter
+to all who knew him; and certainly, the pains he had been taking on
+this, the first opportunity of reconciliation, to be restored to the
+footing of a relation and heir-presumptive, was a strong proof of his
+opinions on the subject.
+
+The circumstances of his marriage, too, were found to admit of much
+extenuation. This was an article not to be entered on by himself; but a
+very intimate friend of his, a Colonel Wallis, a highly respectable
+man, perfectly the gentleman, (and not an ill-looking man, Sir Walter
+added), who was living in very good style in Marlborough Buildings, and
+had, at his own particular request, been admitted to their acquaintance
+through Mr Elliot, had mentioned one or two things relative to the
+marriage, which made a material difference in the discredit of it.
+
+Colonel Wallis had known Mr Elliot long, had been well acquainted also
+with his wife, had perfectly understood the whole story. She was
+certainly not a woman of family, but well educated, accomplished, rich,
+and excessively in love with his friend. There had been the charm. She
+had sought him. Without that attraction, not all her money would have
+tempted Elliot, and Sir Walter was, moreover, assured of her having
+been a very fine woman. Here was a great deal to soften the business. A
+very fine woman with a large fortune, in love with him! Sir Walter
+seemed to admit it as complete apology; and though Elizabeth could not
+see the circumstance in quite so favourable a light, she allowed it be
+a great extenuation.
+
+Mr Elliot had called repeatedly, had dined with them once, evidently
+delighted by the distinction of being asked, for they gave no dinners
+in general; delighted, in short, by every proof of cousinly notice, and
+placing his whole happiness in being on intimate terms in Camden Place.
+
+Anne listened, but without quite understanding it. Allowances, large
+allowances, she knew, must be made for the ideas of those who spoke.
+She heard it all under embellishment. All that sounded extravagant or
+irrational in the progress of the reconciliation might have no origin
+but in the language of the relators. Still, however, she had the
+sensation of there being something more than immediately appeared, in
+Mr Elliot’s wishing, after an interval of so many years, to be well
+received by them. In a worldly view, he had nothing to gain by being on
+terms with Sir Walter; nothing to risk by a state of variance. In all
+probability he was already the richer of the two, and the Kellynch
+estate would as surely be his hereafter as the title. A sensible man,
+and he had looked like a very sensible man, why should it be an object
+to him? She could only offer one solution; it was, perhaps, for
+Elizabeth’s sake. There might really have been a liking formerly,
+though convenience and accident had drawn him a different way; and now
+that he could afford to please himself, he might mean to pay his
+addresses to her. Elizabeth was certainly very handsome, with
+well-bred, elegant manners, and her character might never have been
+penetrated by Mr Elliot, knowing her but in public, and when very young
+himself. How her temper and understanding might bear the investigation
+of his present keener time of life was another concern and rather a
+fearful one. Most earnestly did she wish that he might not be too nice,
+or too observant if Elizabeth were his object; and that Elizabeth was
+disposed to believe herself so, and that her friend Mrs Clay was
+encouraging the idea, seemed apparent by a glance or two between them,
+while Mr Elliot’s frequent visits were talked of.
+
+Anne mentioned the glimpses she had had of him at Lyme, but without
+being much attended to. “Oh! yes, perhaps, it had been Mr Elliot. They
+did not know. It might be him, perhaps.” They could not listen to her
+description of him. They were describing him themselves; Sir Walter
+especially. He did justice to his very gentlemanlike appearance, his
+air of elegance and fashion, his good shaped face, his sensible eye;
+but, at the same time, “must lament his being very much under-hung, a
+defect which time seemed to have increased; nor could he pretend to say
+that ten years had not altered almost every feature for the worse. Mr
+Elliot appeared to think that he (Sir Walter) was looking exactly as he
+had done when they last parted;” but Sir Walter had “not been able to
+return the compliment entirely, which had embarrassed him. He did not
+mean to complain, however. Mr Elliot was better to look at than most
+men, and he had no objection to being seen with him anywhere.”
+
+Mr Elliot, and his friends in Marlborough Buildings, were talked of the
+whole evening. “Colonel Wallis had been so impatient to be introduced
+to them! and Mr Elliot so anxious that he should!” and there was a Mrs
+Wallis, at present known only to them by description, as she was in
+daily expectation of her confinement; but Mr Elliot spoke of her as “a
+most charming woman, quite worthy of being known in Camden Place,” and
+as soon as she recovered they were to be acquainted. Sir Walter thought
+much of Mrs Wallis; she was said to be an excessively pretty woman,
+beautiful. “He longed to see her. He hoped she might make some amends
+for the many very plain faces he was continually passing in the
+streets. The worst of Bath was the number of its plain women. He did
+not mean to say that there were no pretty women, but the number of the
+plain was out of all proportion. He had frequently observed, as he
+walked, that one handsome face would be followed by thirty, or
+five-and-thirty frights; and once, as he had stood in a shop on Bond
+Street, he had counted eighty-seven women go by, one after another,
+without there being a tolerable face among them. It had been a frosty
+morning, to be sure, a sharp frost, which hardly one woman in a
+thousand could stand the test of. But still, there certainly were a
+dreadful multitude of ugly women in Bath; and as for the men! they were
+infinitely worse. Such scarecrows as the streets were full of! It was
+evident how little the women were used to the sight of anything
+tolerable, by the effect which a man of decent appearance produced. He
+had never walked anywhere arm-in-arm with Colonel Wallis (who was a
+fine military figure, though sandy-haired) without observing that every
+woman’s eye was upon him; every woman’s eye was sure to be upon Colonel
+Wallis.” Modest Sir Walter! He was not allowed to escape, however. His
+daughter and Mrs Clay united in hinting that Colonel Wallis’s companion
+might have as good a figure as Colonel Wallis, and certainly was not
+sandy-haired.
+
+“How is Mary looking?” said Sir Walter, in the height of his good
+humour. “The last time I saw her she had a red nose, but I hope that
+may not happen every day.”
+
+“Oh! no, that must have been quite accidental. In general she has been
+in very good health and very good looks since Michaelmas.”
+
+“If I thought it would not tempt her to go out in sharp winds, and grow
+coarse, I would send her a new hat and pelisse.”
+
+Anne was considering whether she should venture to suggest that a gown,
+or a cap, would not be liable to any such misuse, when a knock at the
+door suspended everything. “A knock at the door! and so late! It was
+ten o’clock. Could it be Mr Elliot? They knew he was to dine in
+Lansdown Crescent. It was possible that he might stop in his way home
+to ask them how they did. They could think of no one else. Mrs Clay
+decidedly thought it Mr Elliot’s knock.” Mrs Clay was right. With all
+the state which a butler and foot-boy could give, Mr Elliot was ushered
+into the room.
+
+It was the same, the very same man, with no difference but of dress.
+Anne drew a little back, while the others received his compliments, and
+her sister his apologies for calling at so unusual an hour, but “he
+could not be so near without wishing to know that neither she nor her
+friend had taken cold the day before,” &c. &c; which was all as
+politely done, and as politely taken, as possible, but her part must
+follow then. Sir Walter talked of his youngest daughter; “Mr Elliot
+must give him leave to present him to his youngest daughter” (there was
+no occasion for remembering Mary); and Anne, smiling and blushing, very
+becomingly shewed to Mr Elliot the pretty features which he had by no
+means forgotten, and instantly saw, with amusement at his little start
+of surprise, that he had not been at all aware of who she was. He
+looked completely astonished, but not more astonished than pleased; his
+eyes brightened! and with the most perfect alacrity he welcomed the
+relationship, alluded to the past, and entreated to be received as an
+acquaintance already. He was quite as good-looking as he had appeared
+at Lyme, his countenance improved by speaking, and his manners were so
+exactly what they ought to be, so polished, so easy, so particularly
+agreeable, that she could compare them in excellence to only one
+person’s manners. They were not the same, but they were, perhaps,
+equally good.
+
+He sat down with them, and improved their conversation very much. There
+could be no doubt of his being a sensible man. Ten minutes were enough
+to certify that. His tone, his expressions, his choice of subject, his
+knowing where to stop; it was all the operation of a sensible,
+discerning mind. As soon as he could, he began to talk to her of Lyme,
+wanting to compare opinions respecting the place, but especially
+wanting to speak of the circumstance of their happening to be guests in
+the same inn at the same time; to give his own route, understand
+something of hers, and regret that he should have lost such an
+opportunity of paying his respects to her. She gave him a short account
+of her party and business at Lyme. His regret increased as he listened.
+He had spent his whole solitary evening in the room adjoining theirs;
+had heard voices, mirth continually; thought they must be a most
+delightful set of people, longed to be with them, but certainly without
+the smallest suspicion of his possessing the shadow of a right to
+introduce himself. If he had but asked who the party were! The name of
+Musgrove would have told him enough. “Well, it would serve to cure him
+of an absurd practice of never asking a question at an inn, which he
+had adopted, when quite a young man, on the principal of its being very
+ungenteel to be curious.
+
+“The notions of a young man of one or two and twenty,” said he, “as to
+what is necessary in manners to make him quite the thing, are more
+absurd, I believe, than those of any other set of beings in the world.
+The folly of the means they often employ is only to be equalled by the
+folly of what they have in view.”
+
+But he must not be addressing his reflections to Anne alone: he knew
+it; he was soon diffused again among the others, and it was only at
+intervals that he could return to Lyme.
+
+His enquiries, however, produced at length an account of the scene she
+had been engaged in there, soon after his leaving the place. Having
+alluded to “an accident,” he must hear the whole. When he questioned,
+Sir Walter and Elizabeth began to question also, but the difference in
+their manner of doing it could not be unfelt. She could only compare Mr
+Elliot to Lady Russell, in the wish of really comprehending what had
+passed, and in the degree of concern for what she must have suffered in
+witnessing it.
+
+He staid an hour with them. The elegant little clock on the
+mantel-piece had struck “eleven with its silver sounds,” and the
+watchman was beginning to be heard at a distance telling the same tale,
+before Mr Elliot or any of them seemed to feel that he had been there
+long.
+
+Anne could not have supposed it possible that her first evening in
+Camden Place could have passed so well!
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XVI.
+
+
+There was one point which Anne, on returning to her family, would have
+been more thankful to ascertain even than Mr Elliot’s being in love
+with Elizabeth, which was, her father’s not being in love with Mrs
+Clay; and she was very far from easy about it, when she had been at
+home a few hours. On going down to breakfast the next morning, she
+found there had just been a decent pretence on the lady’s side of
+meaning to leave them. She could imagine Mrs Clay to have said, that
+“now Miss Anne was come, she could not suppose herself at all wanted;”
+for Elizabeth was replying in a sort of whisper, “That must not be any
+reason, indeed. I assure you I feel it none. She is nothing to me,
+compared with you;” and she was in full time to hear her father say,
+“My dear madam, this must not be. As yet, you have seen nothing of
+Bath. You have been here only to be useful. You must not run away from
+us now. You must stay to be acquainted with Mrs Wallis, the beautiful
+Mrs Wallis. To your fine mind, I well know the sight of beauty is a
+real gratification.”
+
+He spoke and looked so much in earnest, that Anne was not surprised to
+see Mrs Clay stealing a glance at Elizabeth and herself. Her
+countenance, perhaps, might express some watchfulness; but the praise
+of the fine mind did not appear to excite a thought in her sister. The
+lady could not but yield to such joint entreaties, and promise to stay.
+
+In the course of the same morning, Anne and her father chancing to be
+alone together, he began to compliment her on her improved looks; he
+thought her “less thin in her person, in her cheeks; her skin, her
+complexion, greatly improved; clearer, fresher. Had she been using any
+thing in particular?” “No, nothing.” “Merely Gowland,” he supposed.
+“No, nothing at all.” “Ha! he was surprised at that;” and added,
+“certainly you cannot do better than to continue as you are; you cannot
+be better than well; or I should recommend Gowland, the constant use of
+Gowland, during the spring months. Mrs Clay has been using it at my
+recommendation, and you see what it has done for her. You see how it
+has carried away her freckles.”
+
+If Elizabeth could but have heard this! Such personal praise might have
+struck her, especially as it did not appear to Anne that the freckles
+were at all lessened. But everything must take its chance. The evil of
+a marriage would be much diminished, if Elizabeth were also to marry.
+As for herself, she might always command a home with Lady Russell.
+
+Lady Russell’s composed mind and polite manners were put to some trial
+on this point, in her intercourse in Camden Place. The sight of Mrs
+Clay in such favour, and of Anne so overlooked, was a perpetual
+provocation to her there; and vexed her as much when she was away, as a
+person in Bath who drinks the water, gets all the new publications, and
+has a very large acquaintance, has time to be vexed.
+
+As Mr Elliot became known to her, she grew more charitable, or more
+indifferent, towards the others. His manners were an immediate
+recommendation; and on conversing with him she found the solid so fully
+supporting the superficial, that she was at first, as she told Anne,
+almost ready to exclaim, “Can this be Mr Elliot?” and could not
+seriously picture to herself a more agreeable or estimable man.
+Everything united in him; good understanding, correct opinions,
+knowledge of the world, and a warm heart. He had strong feelings of
+family attachment and family honour, without pride or weakness; he
+lived with the liberality of a man of fortune, without display; he
+judged for himself in everything essential, without defying public
+opinion in any point of worldly decorum. He was steady, observant,
+moderate, candid; never run away with by spirits or by selfishness,
+which fancied itself strong feeling; and yet, with a sensibility to
+what was amiable and lovely, and a value for all the felicities of
+domestic life, which characters of fancied enthusiasm and violent
+agitation seldom really possess. She was sure that he had not been
+happy in marriage. Colonel Wallis said it, and Lady Russell saw it; but
+it had been no unhappiness to sour his mind, nor (she began pretty soon
+to suspect) to prevent his thinking of a second choice. Her
+satisfaction in Mr Elliot outweighed all the plague of Mrs Clay.
+
+It was now some years since Anne had begun to learn that she and her
+excellent friend could sometimes think differently; and it did not
+surprise her, therefore, that Lady Russell should see nothing
+suspicious or inconsistent, nothing to require more motives than
+appeared, in Mr Elliot’s great desire of a reconciliation. In Lady
+Russell’s view, it was perfectly natural that Mr Elliot, at a mature
+time of life, should feel it a most desirable object, and what would
+very generally recommend him among all sensible people, to be on good
+terms with the head of his family; the simplest process in the world of
+time upon a head naturally clear, and only erring in the heyday of
+youth. Anne presumed, however, still to smile about it, and at last to
+mention “Elizabeth.” Lady Russell listened, and looked, and made only
+this cautious reply:—“Elizabeth! very well; time will explain.”
+
+It was a reference to the future, which Anne, after a little
+observation, felt she must submit to. She could determine nothing at
+present. In that house Elizabeth must be first; and she was in the
+habit of such general observance as “Miss Elliot,” that any
+particularity of attention seemed almost impossible. Mr Elliot, too, it
+must be remembered, had not been a widower seven months. A little delay
+on his side might be very excusable. In fact, Anne could never see the
+crape round his hat, without fearing that she was the inexcusable one,
+in attributing to him such imaginations; for though his marriage had
+not been very happy, still it had existed so many years that she could
+not comprehend a very rapid recovery from the awful impression of its
+being dissolved.
+
+However it might end, he was without any question their pleasantest
+acquaintance in Bath: she saw nobody equal to him; and it was a great
+indulgence now and then to talk to him about Lyme, which he seemed to
+have as lively a wish to see again, and to see more of, as herself.
+They went through the particulars of their first meeting a great many
+times. He gave her to understand that he had looked at her with some
+earnestness. She knew it well; and she remembered another person’s look
+also.
+
+They did not always think alike. His value for rank and connexion she
+perceived was greater than hers. It was not merely complaisance, it
+must be a liking to the cause, which made him enter warmly into her
+father and sister’s solicitudes on a subject which she thought unworthy
+to excite them. The Bath paper one morning announced the arrival of the
+Dowager Viscountess Dalrymple, and her daughter, the Honourable Miss
+Carteret; and all the comfort of No. —, Camden Place, was swept away
+for many days; for the Dalrymples (in Anne’s opinion, most
+unfortunately) were cousins of the Elliots; and the agony was how to
+introduce themselves properly.
+
+Anne had never seen her father and sister before in contact with
+nobility, and she must acknowledge herself disappointed. She had hoped
+better things from their high ideas of their own situation in life, and
+was reduced to form a wish which she had never foreseen; a wish that
+they had more pride; for “our cousins Lady Dalrymple and Miss
+Carteret;” “our cousins, the Dalrymples,” sounded in her ears all day
+long.
+
+Sir Walter had once been in company with the late viscount, but had
+never seen any of the rest of the family; and the difficulties of the
+case arose from there having been a suspension of all intercourse by
+letters of ceremony, ever since the death of that said late viscount,
+when, in consequence of a dangerous illness of Sir Walter’s at the same
+time, there had been an unlucky omission at Kellynch. No letter of
+condolence had been sent to Ireland. The neglect had been visited on
+the head of the sinner; for when poor Lady Elliot died herself, no
+letter of condolence was received at Kellynch, and, consequently, there
+was but too much reason to apprehend that the Dalrymples considered the
+relationship as closed. How to have this anxious business set to
+rights, and be admitted as cousins again, was the question: and it was
+a question which, in a more rational manner, neither Lady Russell nor
+Mr Elliot thought unimportant. “Family connexions were always worth
+preserving, good company always worth seeking; Lady Dalrymple had taken
+a house, for three months, in Laura Place, and would be living in
+style. She had been at Bath the year before, and Lady Russell had heard
+her spoken of as a charming woman. It was very desirable that the
+connexion should be renewed, if it could be done, without any
+compromise of propriety on the side of the Elliots.”
+
+Sir Walter, however, would choose his own means, and at last wrote a
+very fine letter of ample explanation, regret, and entreaty, to his
+right honourable cousin. Neither Lady Russell nor Mr Elliot could
+admire the letter; but it did all that was wanted, in bringing three
+lines of scrawl from the Dowager Viscountess. “She was very much
+honoured, and should be happy in their acquaintance.” The toils of the
+business were over, the sweets began. They visited in Laura Place, they
+had the cards of Dowager Viscountess Dalrymple, and the Honourable Miss
+Carteret, to be arranged wherever they might be most visible: and “Our
+cousins in Laura Place,”—“Our cousin, Lady Dalrymple and Miss
+Carteret,” were talked of to everybody.
+
+Anne was ashamed. Had Lady Dalrymple and her daughter even been very
+agreeable, she would still have been ashamed of the agitation they
+created, but they were nothing. There was no superiority of manner,
+accomplishment, or understanding. Lady Dalrymple had acquired the name
+of “a charming woman,” because she had a smile and a civil answer for
+everybody. Miss Carteret, with still less to say, was so plain and so
+awkward, that she would never have been tolerated in Camden Place but
+for her birth.
+
+Lady Russell confessed she had expected something better; but yet “it
+was an acquaintance worth having;” and when Anne ventured to speak her
+opinion of them to Mr Elliot, he agreed to their being nothing in
+themselves, but still maintained that, as a family connexion, as good
+company, as those who would collect good company around them, they had
+their value. Anne smiled and said,
+
+“My idea of good company, Mr Elliot, is the company of clever,
+well-informed people, who have a great deal of conversation; that is
+what I call good company.”
+
+“You are mistaken,” said he gently, “that is not good company; that is
+the best. Good company requires only birth, education, and manners, and
+with regard to education is not very nice. Birth and good manners are
+essential; but a little learning is by no means a dangerous thing in
+good company; on the contrary, it will do very well. My cousin Anne
+shakes her head. She is not satisfied. She is fastidious. My dear
+cousin” (sitting down by her), “you have a better right to be
+fastidious than almost any other woman I know; but will it answer? Will
+it make you happy? Will it not be wiser to accept the society of those
+good ladies in Laura Place, and enjoy all the advantages of the
+connexion as far as possible? You may depend upon it, that they will
+move in the first set in Bath this winter, and as rank is rank, your
+being known to be related to them will have its use in fixing your
+family (our family let me say) in that degree of consideration which we
+must all wish for.”
+
+“Yes,” sighed Anne, “we shall, indeed, be known to be related to them!”
+then recollecting herself, and not wishing to be answered, she added,
+“I certainly do think there has been by far too much trouble taken to
+procure the acquaintance. I suppose” (smiling) “I have more pride than
+any of you; but I confess it does vex me, that we should be so
+solicitous to have the relationship acknowledged, which we may be very
+sure is a matter of perfect indifference to them.”
+
+“Pardon me, dear cousin, you are unjust in your own claims. In London,
+perhaps, in your present quiet style of living, it might be as you say:
+but in Bath; Sir Walter Elliot and his family will always be worth
+knowing: always acceptable as acquaintance.”
+
+“Well,” said Anne, “I certainly am proud, too proud to enjoy a welcome
+which depends so entirely upon place.”
+
+“I love your indignation,” said he; “it is very natural. But here you
+are in Bath, and the object is to be established here with all the
+credit and dignity which ought to belong to Sir Walter Elliot. You talk
+of being proud; I am called proud, I know, and I shall not wish to
+believe myself otherwise; for our pride, if investigated, would have
+the same object, I have no doubt, though the kind may seem a little
+different. In one point, I am sure, my dear cousin,” (he continued,
+speaking lower, though there was no one else in the room) “in one
+point, I am sure, we must feel alike. We must feel that every addition
+to your father’s society, among his equals or superiors, may be of use
+in diverting his thoughts from those who are beneath him.”
+
+He looked, as he spoke, to the seat which Mrs Clay had been lately
+occupying: a sufficient explanation of what he particularly meant; and
+though Anne could not believe in their having the same sort of pride,
+she was pleased with him for not liking Mrs Clay; and her conscience
+admitted that his wishing to promote her father’s getting great
+acquaintance was more than excusable in the view of defeating her.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XVII.
+
+
+While Sir Walter and Elizabeth were assiduously pushing their good
+fortune in Laura Place, Anne was renewing an acquaintance of a very
+different description.
+
+She had called on her former governess, and had heard from her of there
+being an old school-fellow in Bath, who had the two strong claims on
+her attention of past kindness and present suffering. Miss Hamilton,
+now Mrs Smith, had shewn her kindness in one of those periods of her
+life when it had been most valuable. Anne had gone unhappy to school,
+grieving for the loss of a mother whom she had dearly loved, feeling
+her separation from home, and suffering as a girl of fourteen, of
+strong sensibility and not high spirits, must suffer at such a time;
+and Miss Hamilton, three years older than herself, but still from the
+want of near relations and a settled home, remaining another year at
+school, had been useful and good to her in a way which had considerably
+lessened her misery, and could never be remembered with indifference.
+
+Miss Hamilton had left school, had married not long afterwards, was
+said to have married a man of fortune, and this was all that Anne had
+known of her, till now that their governess’s account brought her
+situation forward in a more decided but very different form.
+
+She was a widow and poor. Her husband had been extravagant; and at his
+death, about two years before, had left his affairs dreadfully
+involved. She had had difficulties of every sort to contend with, and
+in addition to these distresses had been afflicted with a severe
+rheumatic fever, which, finally settling in her legs, had made her for
+the present a cripple. She had come to Bath on that account, and was
+now in lodgings near the hot baths, living in a very humble way, unable
+even to afford herself the comfort of a servant, and of course almost
+excluded from society.
+
+Their mutual friend answered for the satisfaction which a visit from
+Miss Elliot would give Mrs Smith, and Anne therefore lost no time in
+going. She mentioned nothing of what she had heard, or what she
+intended, at home. It would excite no proper interest there. She only
+consulted Lady Russell, who entered thoroughly into her sentiments, and
+was most happy to convey her as near to Mrs Smith’s lodgings in
+Westgate Buildings, as Anne chose to be taken.
+
+The visit was paid, their acquaintance re-established, their interest
+in each other more than re-kindled. The first ten minutes had its
+awkwardness and its emotion. Twelve years were gone since they had
+parted, and each presented a somewhat different person from what the
+other had imagined. Twelve years had changed Anne from the blooming,
+silent, unformed girl of fifteen, to the elegant little woman of
+seven-and-twenty, with every beauty except bloom, and with manners as
+consciously right as they were invariably gentle; and twelve years had
+transformed the fine-looking, well-grown Miss Hamilton, in all the glow
+of health and confidence of superiority, into a poor, infirm, helpless
+widow, receiving the visit of her former protegee as a favour; but all
+that was uncomfortable in the meeting had soon passed away, and left
+only the interesting charm of remembering former partialities and
+talking over old times.
+
+Anne found in Mrs Smith the good sense and agreeable manners which she
+had almost ventured to depend on, and a disposition to converse and be
+cheerful beyond her expectation. Neither the dissipations of the
+past—and she had lived very much in the world—nor the restrictions of
+the present, neither sickness nor sorrow seemed to have closed her
+heart or ruined her spirits.
+
+In the course of a second visit she talked with great openness, and
+Anne’s astonishment increased. She could scarcely imagine a more
+cheerless situation in itself than Mrs Smith’s. She had been very fond
+of her husband: she had buried him. She had been used to affluence: it
+was gone. She had no child to connect her with life and happiness
+again, no relations to assist in the arrangement of perplexed affairs,
+no health to make all the rest supportable. Her accommodations were
+limited to a noisy parlour, and a dark bedroom behind, with no
+possibility of moving from one to the other without assistance, which
+there was only one servant in the house to afford, and she never
+quitted the house but to be conveyed into the warm bath. Yet, in spite
+of all this, Anne had reason to believe that she had moments only of
+languor and depression, to hours of occupation and enjoyment. How could
+it be? She watched, observed, reflected, and finally determined that
+this was not a case of fortitude or of resignation only. A submissive
+spirit might be patient, a strong understanding would supply
+resolution, but here was something more; here was that elasticity of
+mind, that disposition to be comforted, that power of turning readily
+from evil to good, and of finding employment which carried her out of
+herself, which was from nature alone. It was the choicest gift of
+Heaven; and Anne viewed her friend as one of those instances in which,
+by a merciful appointment, it seems designed to counterbalance almost
+every other want.
+
+There had been a time, Mrs Smith told her, when her spirits had nearly
+failed. She could not call herself an invalid now, compared with her
+state on first reaching Bath. Then she had, indeed, been a pitiable
+object; for she had caught cold on the journey, and had hardly taken
+possession of her lodgings before she was again confined to her bed and
+suffering under severe and constant pain; and all this among strangers,
+with the absolute necessity of having a regular nurse, and finances at
+that moment particularly unfit to meet any extraordinary expense. She
+had weathered it, however, and could truly say that it had done her
+good. It had increased her comforts by making her feel herself to be in
+good hands. She had seen too much of the world, to expect sudden or
+disinterested attachment anywhere, but her illness had proved to her
+that her landlady had a character to preserve, and would not use her
+ill; and she had been particularly fortunate in her nurse, as a sister
+of her landlady, a nurse by profession, and who had always a home in
+that house when unemployed, chanced to be at liberty just in time to
+attend her. “And she,” said Mrs Smith, “besides nursing me most
+admirably, has really proved an invaluable acquaintance. As soon as I
+could use my hands she taught me to knit, which has been a great
+amusement; and she put me in the way of making these little
+thread-cases, pin-cushions and card-racks, which you always find me so
+busy about, and which supply me with the means of doing a little good
+to one or two very poor families in this neighbourhood. She had a large
+acquaintance, of course professionally, among those who can afford to
+buy, and she disposes of my merchandise. She always takes the right
+time for applying. Everybody’s heart is open, you know, when they have
+recently escaped from severe pain, or are recovering the blessing of
+health, and Nurse Rooke thoroughly understands when to speak. She is a
+shrewd, intelligent, sensible woman. Hers is a line for seeing human
+nature; and she has a fund of good sense and observation, which, as a
+companion, make her infinitely superior to thousands of those who
+having only received ‘the best education in the world,’ know nothing
+worth attending to. Call it gossip, if you will, but when Nurse Rooke
+has half an hour’s leisure to bestow on me, she is sure to have
+something to relate that is entertaining and profitable: something that
+makes one know one’s species better. One likes to hear what is going
+on, to be _au fait_ as to the newest modes of being trifling and silly.
+To me, who live so much alone, her conversation, I assure you, is a
+treat.”
+
+Anne, far from wishing to cavil at the pleasure, replied, “I can easily
+believe it. Women of that class have great opportunities, and if they
+are intelligent may be well worth listening to. Such varieties of human
+nature as they are in the habit of witnessing! And it is not merely in
+its follies, that they are well read; for they see it occasionally
+under every circumstance that can be most interesting or affecting.
+What instances must pass before them of ardent, disinterested,
+self-denying attachment, of heroism, fortitude, patience, resignation:
+of all the conflicts and all the sacrifices that ennoble us most. A
+sick chamber may often furnish the worth of volumes.”
+
+“Yes,” said Mrs Smith more doubtingly, “sometimes it may, though I fear
+its lessons are not often in the elevated style you describe. Here and
+there, human nature may be great in times of trial; but generally
+speaking, it is its weakness and not its strength that appears in a
+sick chamber: it is selfishness and impatience rather than generosity
+and fortitude, that one hears of. There is so little real friendship in
+the world! and unfortunately” (speaking low and tremulously) “there are
+so many who forget to think seriously till it is almost too late.”
+
+Anne saw the misery of such feelings. The husband had not been what he
+ought, and the wife had been led among that part of mankind which made
+her think worse of the world than she hoped it deserved. It was but a
+passing emotion however with Mrs Smith; she shook it off, and soon
+added in a different tone—
+
+“I do not suppose the situation my friend Mrs Rooke is in at present,
+will furnish much either to interest or edify me. She is only nursing
+Mrs Wallis of Marlborough Buildings; a mere pretty, silly, expensive,
+fashionable woman, I believe; and of course will have nothing to report
+but of lace and finery. I mean to make my profit of Mrs Wallis,
+however. She has plenty of money, and I intend she shall buy all the
+high-priced things I have in hand now.”
+
+Anne had called several times on her friend, before the existence of
+such a person was known in Camden Place. At last, it became necessary
+to speak of her. Sir Walter, Elizabeth and Mrs Clay, returned one
+morning from Laura Place, with a sudden invitation from Lady Dalrymple
+for the same evening, and Anne was already engaged, to spend that
+evening in Westgate Buildings. She was not sorry for the excuse. They
+were only asked, she was sure, because Lady Dalrymple being kept at
+home by a bad cold, was glad to make use of the relationship which had
+been so pressed on her; and she declined on her own account with great
+alacrity—“She was engaged to spend the evening with an old
+schoolfellow.” They were not much interested in anything relative to
+Anne; but still there were questions enough asked, to make it
+understood what this old schoolfellow was; and Elizabeth was
+disdainful, and Sir Walter severe.
+
+“Westgate Buildings!” said he, “and who is Miss Anne Elliot to be
+visiting in Westgate Buildings? A Mrs Smith. A widow Mrs Smith; and who
+was her husband? One of five thousand Mr Smiths whose names are to be
+met with everywhere. And what is her attraction? That she is old and
+sickly. Upon my word, Miss Anne Elliot, you have the most extraordinary
+taste! Everything that revolts other people, low company, paltry rooms,
+foul air, disgusting associations are inviting to you. But surely you
+may put off this old lady till to-morrow: she is not so near her end, I
+presume, but that she may hope to see another day. What is her age?
+Forty?”
+
+“No, sir, she is not one-and-thirty; but I do not think I can put off
+my engagement, because it is the only evening for some time which will
+at once suit her and myself. She goes into the warm bath to-morrow, and
+for the rest of the week, you know, we are engaged.”
+
+“But what does Lady Russell think of this acquaintance?” asked
+Elizabeth.
+
+“She sees nothing to blame in it,” replied Anne; “on the contrary, she
+approves it, and has generally taken me when I have called on Mrs
+Smith.”
+
+“Westgate Buildings must have been rather surprised by the appearance
+of a carriage drawn up near its pavement,” observed Sir Walter. “Sir
+Henry Russell’s widow, indeed, has no honours to distinguish her arms,
+but still it is a handsome equipage, and no doubt is well known to
+convey a Miss Elliot. A widow Mrs Smith lodging in Westgate Buildings!
+A poor widow barely able to live, between thirty and forty; a mere Mrs
+Smith, an every-day Mrs Smith, of all people and all names in the
+world, to be the chosen friend of Miss Anne Elliot, and to be preferred
+by her to her own family connections among the nobility of England and
+Ireland! Mrs Smith! Such a name!”
+
+Mrs Clay, who had been present while all this passed, now thought it
+advisable to leave the room, and Anne could have said much, and did
+long to say a little in defence of _her_ friend’s not very dissimilar
+claims to theirs, but her sense of personal respect to her father
+prevented her. She made no reply. She left it to himself to recollect,
+that Mrs Smith was not the only widow in Bath between thirty and forty,
+with little to live on, and no surname of dignity.
+
+Anne kept her appointment; the others kept theirs, and of course she
+heard the next morning that they had had a delightful evening. She had
+been the only one of the set absent, for Sir Walter and Elizabeth had
+not only been quite at her ladyship’s service themselves, but had
+actually been happy to be employed by her in collecting others, and had
+been at the trouble of inviting both Lady Russell and Mr Elliot; and Mr
+Elliot had made a point of leaving Colonel Wallis early, and Lady
+Russell had fresh arranged all her evening engagements in order to wait
+on her. Anne had the whole history of all that such an evening could
+supply from Lady Russell. To her, its greatest interest must be, in
+having been very much talked of between her friend and Mr Elliot; in
+having been wished for, regretted, and at the same time honoured for
+staying away in such a cause. Her kind, compassionate visits to this
+old schoolfellow, sick and reduced, seemed to have quite delighted Mr
+Elliot. He thought her a most extraordinary young woman; in her temper,
+manners, mind, a model of female excellence. He could meet even Lady
+Russell in a discussion of her merits; and Anne could not be given to
+understand so much by her friend, could not know herself to be so
+highly rated by a sensible man, without many of those agreeable
+sensations which her friend meant to create.
+
+Lady Russell was now perfectly decided in her opinion of Mr Elliot. She
+was as much convinced of his meaning to gain Anne in time as of his
+deserving her, and was beginning to calculate the number of weeks which
+would free him from all the remaining restraints of widowhood, and
+leave him at liberty to exert his most open powers of pleasing. She
+would not speak to Anne with half the certainty she felt on the
+subject, she would venture on little more than hints of what might be
+hereafter, of a possible attachment on his side, of the desirableness
+of the alliance, supposing such attachment to be real and returned.
+Anne heard her, and made no violent exclamations; she only smiled,
+blushed, and gently shook her head.
+
+“I am no match-maker, as you well know,” said Lady Russell, “being much
+too well aware of the uncertainty of all human events and calculations.
+I only mean that if Mr Elliot should some time hence pay his addresses
+to you, and if you should be disposed to accept him, I think there
+would be every possibility of your being happy together. A most
+suitable connection everybody must consider it, but I think it might be
+a very happy one.”
+
+“Mr Elliot is an exceedingly agreeable man, and in many respects I
+think highly of him,” said Anne; “but we should not suit.”
+
+Lady Russell let this pass, and only said in rejoinder, “I own that to
+be able to regard you as the future mistress of Kellynch, the future
+Lady Elliot, to look forward and see you occupying your dear mother’s
+place, succeeding to all her rights, and all her popularity, as well as
+to all her virtues, would be the highest possible gratification to me.
+You are your mother’s self in countenance and disposition; and if I
+might be allowed to fancy you such as she was, in situation and name,
+and home, presiding and blessing in the same spot, and only superior to
+her in being more highly valued! My dearest Anne, it would give me more
+delight than is often felt at my time of life!”
+
+Anne was obliged to turn away, to rise, to walk to a distant table,
+and, leaning there in pretended employment, try to subdue the feelings
+this picture excited. For a few moments her imagination and her heart
+were bewitched. The idea of becoming what her mother had been; of
+having the precious name of “Lady Elliot” first revived in herself; of
+being restored to Kellynch, calling it her home again, her home for
+ever, was a charm which she could not immediately resist. Lady Russell
+said not another word, willing to leave the matter to its own
+operation; and believing that, could Mr Elliot at that moment with
+propriety have spoken for himself!—she believed, in short, what Anne
+did not believe. The same image of Mr Elliot speaking for himself
+brought Anne to composure again. The charm of Kellynch and of “Lady
+Elliot” all faded away. She never could accept him. And it was not only
+that her feelings were still adverse to any man save one; her
+judgement, on a serious consideration of the possibilities of such a
+case, was against Mr Elliot.
+
+Though they had now been acquainted a month, she could not be satisfied
+that she really knew his character. That he was a sensible man, an
+agreeable man, that he talked well, professed good opinions, seemed to
+judge properly and as a man of principle, this was all clear enough. He
+certainly knew what was right, nor could she fix on any one article of
+moral duty evidently transgressed; but yet she would have been afraid
+to answer for his conduct. She distrusted the past, if not the present.
+The names which occasionally dropt of former associates, the allusions
+to former practices and pursuits, suggested suspicions not favourable
+of what he had been. She saw that there had been bad habits; that
+Sunday travelling had been a common thing; that there had been a period
+of his life (and probably not a short one) when he had been, at least,
+careless in all serious matters; and, though he might now think very
+differently, who could answer for the true sentiments of a clever,
+cautious man, grown old enough to appreciate a fair character? How
+could it ever be ascertained that his mind was truly cleansed?
+
+Mr Elliot was rational, discreet, polished, but he was not open. There
+was never any burst of feeling, any warmth of indignation or delight,
+at the evil or good of others. This, to Anne, was a decided
+imperfection. Her early impressions were incurable. She prized the
+frank, the open-hearted, the eager character beyond all others. Warmth
+and enthusiasm did captivate her still. She felt that she could so much
+more depend upon the sincerity of those who sometimes looked or said a
+careless or a hasty thing, than of those whose presence of mind never
+varied, whose tongue never slipped.
+
+Mr Elliot was too generally agreeable. Various as were the tempers in
+her father’s house, he pleased them all. He endured too well, stood too
+well with every body. He had spoken to her with some degree of openness
+of Mrs Clay; had appeared completely to see what Mrs Clay was about,
+and to hold her in contempt; and yet Mrs Clay found him as agreeable as
+any body.
+
+Lady Russell saw either less or more than her young friend, for she saw
+nothing to excite distrust. She could not imagine a man more exactly
+what he ought to be than Mr Elliot; nor did she ever enjoy a sweeter
+feeling than the hope of seeing him receive the hand of her beloved
+Anne in Kellynch church, in the course of the following autumn.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XVIII.
+
+
+It was the beginning of February; and Anne, having been a month in
+Bath, was growing very eager for news from Uppercross and Lyme. She
+wanted to hear much more than Mary had communicated. It was three weeks
+since she had heard at all. She only knew that Henrietta was at home
+again; and that Louisa, though considered to be recovering fast, was
+still in Lyme; and she was thinking of them all very intently one
+evening, when a thicker letter than usual from Mary was delivered to
+her; and, to quicken the pleasure and surprise, with Admiral and Mrs
+Croft’s compliments.
+
+The Crofts must be in Bath! A circumstance to interest her. They were
+people whom her heart turned to very naturally.
+
+“What is this?” cried Sir Walter. “The Crofts have arrived in Bath? The
+Crofts who rent Kellynch? What have they brought you?”
+
+“A letter from Uppercross Cottage, Sir.”
+
+“Oh! those letters are convenient passports. They secure an
+introduction. I should have visited Admiral Croft, however, at any
+rate. I know what is due to my tenant.”
+
+Anne could listen no longer; she could not even have told how the poor
+Admiral’s complexion escaped; her letter engrossed her. It had been
+begun several days back.
+
+“February 1st.
+
+
+“MY DEAR ANNE,
+
+I make no apology for my silence, because I know how little people
+think of letters in such a place as Bath. You must be a great deal too
+happy to care for Uppercross, which, as you well know, affords little
+to write about. We have had a very dull Christmas; Mr and Mrs Musgrove
+have not had one dinner party all the holidays. I do not reckon the
+Hayters as anybody. The holidays, however, are over at last: I believe
+no children ever had such long ones. I am sure I had not. The house was
+cleared yesterday, except of the little Harvilles; but you will be
+surprised to hear they have never gone home. Mrs Harville must be an
+odd mother to part with them so long. I do not understand it. They are
+not at all nice children, in my opinion; but Mrs Musgrove seems to like
+them quite as well, if not better, than her grandchildren. What
+dreadful weather we have had! It may not be felt in Bath, with your
+nice pavements; but in the country it is of some consequence. I have
+not had a creature call on me since the second week in January, except
+Charles Hayter, who had been calling much oftener than was welcome.
+Between ourselves, I think it a great pity Henrietta did not remain at
+Lyme as long as Louisa; it would have kept her a little out of his way.
+The carriage is gone to-day, to bring Louisa and the Harvilles
+to-morrow. We are not asked to dine with them, however, till the day
+after, Mrs Musgrove is so afraid of her being fatigued by the journey,
+which is not very likely, considering the care that will be taken of
+her; and it would be much more convenient to me to dine there
+to-morrow. I am glad you find Mr Elliot so agreeable, and wish I could
+be acquainted with him too; but I have my usual luck: I am always out
+of the way when any thing desirable is going on; always the last of my
+family to be noticed. What an immense time Mrs Clay has been staying
+with Elizabeth! Does she never mean to go away? But perhaps if she were
+to leave the room vacant, we might not be invited. Let me know what you
+think of this. I do not expect my children to be asked, you know. I can
+leave them at the Great House very well, for a month or six weeks. I
+have this moment heard that the Crofts are going to Bath almost
+immediately; they think the Admiral gouty. Charles heard it quite by
+chance; they have not had the civility to give me any notice, or of
+offering to take anything. I do not think they improve at all as
+neighbours. We see nothing of them, and this is really an instance of
+gross inattention. Charles joins me in love, and everything proper.
+Yours affectionately,
+
+“MARY M——.”
+
+
+“I am sorry to say that I am very far from well; and Jemima has just
+told me that the butcher says there is a bad sore-throat very much
+about. I dare say I shall catch it; and my sore-throats, you know, are
+always worse than anybody’s.”
+
+So ended the first part, which had been afterwards put into an
+envelope, containing nearly as much more.
+
+“I kept my letter open, that I might send you word how Louisa bore her
+journey, and now I am extremely glad I did, having a great deal to add.
+In the first place, I had a note from Mrs Croft yesterday, offering to
+convey anything to you; a very kind, friendly note indeed, addressed to
+me, just as it ought; I shall therefore be able to make my letter as
+long as I like. The Admiral does not seem very ill, and I sincerely
+hope Bath will do him all the good he wants. I shall be truly glad to
+have them back again. Our neighbourhood cannot spare such a pleasant
+family. But now for Louisa. I have something to communicate that will
+astonish you not a little. She and the Harvilles came on Tuesday very
+safely, and in the evening we went to ask her how she did, when we were
+rather surprised not to find Captain Benwick of the party, for he had
+been invited as well as the Harvilles; and what do you think was the
+reason? Neither more nor less than his being in love with Louisa, and
+not choosing to venture to Uppercross till he had had an answer from Mr
+Musgrove; for it was all settled between him and her before she came
+away, and he had written to her father by Captain Harville. True, upon
+my honour! Are not you astonished? I shall be surprised at least if you
+ever received a hint of it, for I never did. Mrs Musgrove protests
+solemnly that she knew nothing of the matter. We are all very well
+pleased, however, for though it is not equal to her marrying Captain
+Wentworth, it is infinitely better than Charles Hayter; and Mr Musgrove
+has written his consent, and Captain Benwick is expected to-day. Mrs
+Harville says her husband feels a good deal on his poor sister’s
+account; but, however, Louisa is a great favourite with both. Indeed,
+Mrs Harville and I quite agree that we love her the better for having
+nursed her. Charles wonders what Captain Wentworth will say; but if you
+remember, I never thought him attached to Louisa; I never could see
+anything of it. And this is the end, you see, of Captain Benwick’s
+being supposed to be an admirer of yours. How Charles could take such a
+thing into his head was always incomprehensible to me. I hope he will
+be more agreeable now. Certainly not a great match for Louisa Musgrove,
+but a million times better than marrying among the Hayters.”
+
+Mary need not have feared her sister’s being in any degree prepared for
+the news. She had never in her life been more astonished. Captain
+Benwick and Louisa Musgrove! It was almost too wonderful for belief,
+and it was with the greatest effort that she could remain in the room,
+preserve an air of calmness, and answer the common questions of the
+moment. Happily for her, they were not many. Sir Walter wanted to know
+whether the Crofts travelled with four horses, and whether they were
+likely to be situated in such a part of Bath as it might suit Miss
+Elliot and himself to visit in; but had little curiosity beyond.
+
+“How is Mary?” said Elizabeth; and without waiting for an answer, “And
+pray what brings the Crofts to Bath?”
+
+“They come on the Admiral’s account. He is thought to be gouty.”
+
+“Gout and decrepitude!” said Sir Walter. “Poor old gentleman.”
+
+“Have they any acquaintance here?” asked Elizabeth.
+
+“I do not know; but I can hardly suppose that, at Admiral Croft’s time
+of life, and in his profession, he should not have many acquaintance in
+such a place as this.”
+
+“I suspect,” said Sir Walter coolly, “that Admiral Croft will be best
+known in Bath as the renter of Kellynch Hall. Elizabeth, may we venture
+to present him and his wife in Laura Place?”
+
+“Oh, no! I think not. Situated as we are with Lady Dalrymple, cousins,
+we ought to be very careful not to embarrass her with acquaintance she
+might not approve. If we were not related, it would not signify; but as
+cousins, she would feel scrupulous as to any proposal of ours. We had
+better leave the Crofts to find their own level. There are several
+odd-looking men walking about here, who, I am told, are sailors. The
+Crofts will associate with them.”
+
+This was Sir Walter and Elizabeth’s share of interest in the letter;
+when Mrs Clay had paid her tribute of more decent attention, in an
+enquiry after Mrs Charles Musgrove, and her fine little boys, Anne was
+at liberty.
+
+In her own room, she tried to comprehend it. Well might Charles wonder
+how Captain Wentworth would feel! Perhaps he had quitted the field, had
+given Louisa up, had ceased to love, had found he did not love her. She
+could not endure the idea of treachery or levity, or anything akin to
+ill usage between him and his friend. She could not endure that such a
+friendship as theirs should be severed unfairly.
+
+Captain Benwick and Louisa Musgrove! The high-spirited, joyous-talking
+Louisa Musgrove, and the dejected, thinking, feeling, reading, Captain
+Benwick, seemed each of them everything that would not suit the other.
+Their minds most dissimilar! Where could have been the attraction? The
+answer soon presented itself. It had been in situation. They had been
+thrown together several weeks; they had been living in the same small
+family party: since Henrietta’s coming away, they must have been
+depending almost entirely on each other, and Louisa, just recovering
+from illness, had been in an interesting state, and Captain Benwick was
+not inconsolable. That was a point which Anne had not been able to
+avoid suspecting before; and instead of drawing the same conclusion as
+Mary, from the present course of events, they served only to confirm
+the idea of his having felt some dawning of tenderness toward herself.
+She did not mean, however, to derive much more from it to gratify her
+vanity, than Mary might have allowed. She was persuaded that any
+tolerably pleasing young woman who had listened and seemed to feel for
+him would have received the same compliment. He had an affectionate
+heart. He must love somebody.
+
+She saw no reason against their being happy. Louisa had fine naval
+fervour to begin with, and they would soon grow more alike. He would
+gain cheerfulness, and she would learn to be an enthusiast for Scott
+and Lord Byron; nay, that was probably learnt already; of course they
+had fallen in love over poetry. The idea of Louisa Musgrove turned into
+a person of literary taste, and sentimental reflection was amusing, but
+she had no doubt of its being so. The day at Lyme, the fall from the
+Cobb, might influence her health, her nerves, her courage, her
+character to the end of her life, as thoroughly as it appeared to have
+influenced her fate.
+
+The conclusion of the whole was, that if the woman who had been
+sensible of Captain Wentworth’s merits could be allowed to prefer
+another man, there was nothing in the engagement to excite lasting
+wonder; and if Captain Wentworth lost no friend by it, certainly
+nothing to be regretted. No, it was not regret which made Anne’s heart
+beat in spite of herself, and brought the colour into her cheeks when
+she thought of Captain Wentworth unshackled and free. She had some
+feelings which she was ashamed to investigate. They were too much like
+joy, senseless joy!
+
+She longed to see the Crofts; but when the meeting took place, it was
+evident that no rumour of the news had yet reached them. The visit of
+ceremony was paid and returned; and Louisa Musgrove was mentioned, and
+Captain Benwick, too, without even half a smile.
+
+The Crofts had placed themselves in lodgings in Gay Street, perfectly
+to Sir Walter’s satisfaction. He was not at all ashamed of the
+acquaintance, and did, in fact, think and talk a great deal more about
+the Admiral, than the Admiral ever thought or talked about him.
+
+The Crofts knew quite as many people in Bath as they wished for, and
+considered their intercourse with the Elliots as a mere matter of form,
+and not in the least likely to afford them any pleasure. They brought
+with them their country habit of being almost always together. He was
+ordered to walk to keep off the gout, and Mrs Croft seemed to go shares
+with him in everything, and to walk for her life to do him good. Anne
+saw them wherever she went. Lady Russell took her out in her carriage
+almost every morning, and she never failed to think of them, and never
+failed to see them. Knowing their feelings as she did, it was a most
+attractive picture of happiness to her. She always watched them as long
+as she could, delighted to fancy she understood what they might be
+talking of, as they walked along in happy independence, or equally
+delighted to see the Admiral’s hearty shake of the hand when he
+encountered an old friend, and observe their eagerness of conversation
+when occasionally forming into a little knot of the navy, Mrs Croft
+looking as intelligent and keen as any of the officers around her.
+
+Anne was too much engaged with Lady Russell to be often walking
+herself; but it so happened that one morning, about a week or ten days
+after the Croft’s arrival, it suited her best to leave her friend, or
+her friend’s carriage, in the lower part of the town, and return alone
+to Camden Place, and in walking up Milsom Street she had the good
+fortune to meet with the Admiral. He was standing by himself at a
+printshop window, with his hands behind him, in earnest contemplation
+of some print, and she not only might have passed him unseen, but was
+obliged to touch as well as address him before she could catch his
+notice. When he did perceive and acknowledge her, however, it was done
+with all his usual frankness and good humour. “Ha! is it you? Thank
+you, thank you. This is treating me like a friend. Here I am, you see,
+staring at a picture. I can never get by this shop without stopping.
+But what a thing here is, by way of a boat! Do look at it. Did you ever
+see the like? What queer fellows your fine painters must be, to think
+that anybody would venture their lives in such a shapeless old
+cockleshell as that? And yet here are two gentlemen stuck up in it
+mightily at their ease, and looking about them at the rocks and
+mountains, as if they were not to be upset the next moment, which they
+certainly must be. I wonder where that boat was built!” (laughing
+heartily); “I would not venture over a horsepond in it. Well,” (turning
+away), “now, where are you bound? Can I go anywhere for you, or with
+you? Can I be of any use?”
+
+“None, I thank you, unless you will give me the pleasure of your
+company the little way our road lies together. I am going home.”
+
+“That I will, with all my heart, and farther, too. Yes, yes we will
+have a snug walk together, and I have something to tell you as we go
+along. There, take my arm; that’s right; I do not feel comfortable if I
+have not a woman there. Lord! what a boat it is!” taking a last look at
+the picture, as they began to be in motion.
+
+“Did you say that you had something to tell me, sir?”
+
+“Yes, I have, presently. But here comes a friend, Captain Brigden; I
+shall only say, ‘How d’ye do?’ as we pass, however. I shall not stop.
+‘How d’ye do?’ Brigden stares to see anybody with me but my wife. She,
+poor soul, is tied by the leg. She has a blister on one of her heels,
+as large as a three-shilling piece. If you look across the street, you
+will see Admiral Brand coming down and his brother. Shabby fellows,
+both of them! I am glad they are not on this side of the way. Sophy
+cannot bear them. They played me a pitiful trick once: got away with
+some of my best men. I will tell you the whole story another time.
+There comes old Sir Archibald Drew and his grandson. Look, he sees us;
+he kisses his hand to you; he takes you for my wife. Ah! the peace has
+come too soon for that younker. Poor old Sir Archibald! How do you like
+Bath, Miss Elliot? It suits us very well. We are always meeting with
+some old friend or other; the streets full of them every morning; sure
+to have plenty of chat; and then we get away from them all, and shut
+ourselves in our lodgings, and draw in our chairs, and are as snug as
+if we were at Kellynch, ay, or as we used to be even at North Yarmouth
+and Deal. We do not like our lodgings here the worse, I can tell you,
+for putting us in mind of those we first had at North Yarmouth. The
+wind blows through one of the cupboards just in the same way.”
+
+When they were got a little farther, Anne ventured to press again for
+what he had to communicate. She hoped when clear of Milsom Street to
+have her curiosity gratified; but she was still obliged to wait, for
+the Admiral had made up his mind not to begin till they had gained the
+greater space and quiet of Belmont; and as she was not really Mrs
+Croft, she must let him have his own way. As soon as they were fairly
+ascending Belmont, he began—
+
+“Well, now you shall hear something that will surprise you. But first
+of all, you must tell me the name of the young lady I am going to talk
+about. That young lady, you know, that we have all been so concerned
+for. The Miss Musgrove, that all this has been happening to. Her
+Christian name: I always forget her Christian name.”
+
+Anne had been ashamed to appear to comprehend so soon as she really
+did; but now she could safely suggest the name of “Louisa.”
+
+“Ay, ay, Miss Louisa Musgrove, that is the name. I wish young ladies
+had not such a number of fine Christian names. I should never be out if
+they were all Sophys, or something of that sort. Well, this Miss
+Louisa, we all thought, you know, was to marry Frederick. He was
+courting her week after week. The only wonder was, what they could be
+waiting for, till the business at Lyme came; then, indeed, it was clear
+enough that they must wait till her brain was set to right. But even
+then there was something odd in their way of going on. Instead of
+staying at Lyme, he went off to Plymouth, and then he went off to see
+Edward. When we came back from Minehead he was gone down to Edward’s,
+and there he has been ever since. We have seen nothing of him since
+November. Even Sophy could not understand it. But now, the matter has
+taken the strangest turn of all; for this young lady, the same Miss
+Musgrove, instead of being to marry Frederick, is to marry James
+Benwick. You know James Benwick.”
+
+“A little. I am a little acquainted with Captain Benwick.”
+
+“Well, she is to marry him. Nay, most likely they are married already,
+for I do not know what they should wait for.”
+
+“I thought Captain Benwick a very pleasing young man,” said Anne, “and
+I understand that he bears an excellent character.”
+
+“Oh! yes, yes, there is not a word to be said against James Benwick. He
+is only a commander, it is true, made last summer, and these are bad
+times for getting on, but he has not another fault that I know of. An
+excellent, good-hearted fellow, I assure you; a very active, zealous
+officer too, which is more than you would think for, perhaps, for that
+soft sort of manner does not do him justice.”
+
+“Indeed you are mistaken there, sir; I should never augur want of
+spirit from Captain Benwick’s manners. I thought them particularly
+pleasing, and I will answer for it, they would generally please.”
+
+“Well, well, ladies are the best judges; but James Benwick is rather
+too piano for me; and though very likely it is all our partiality,
+Sophy and I cannot help thinking Frederick’s manners better than his.
+There is something about Frederick more to our taste.”
+
+Anne was caught. She had only meant to oppose the too common idea of
+spirit and gentleness being incompatible with each other, not at all to
+represent Captain Benwick’s manners as the very best that could
+possibly be; and, after a little hesitation, she was beginning to say,
+“I was not entering into any comparison of the two friends,” but the
+Admiral interrupted her with—
+
+“And the thing is certainly true. It is not a mere bit of gossip. We
+have it from Frederick himself. His sister had a letter from him
+yesterday, in which he tells us of it, and he had just had it in a
+letter from Harville, written upon the spot, from Uppercross. I fancy
+they are all at Uppercross.”
+
+This was an opportunity which Anne could not resist; she said,
+therefore, “I hope, Admiral, I hope there is nothing in the style of
+Captain Wentworth’s letter to make you and Mrs Croft particularly
+uneasy. It did seem, last autumn, as if there were an attachment
+between him and Louisa Musgrove; but I hope it may be understood to
+have worn out on each side equally, and without violence. I hope his
+letter does not breathe the spirit of an ill-used man.”
+
+“Not at all, not at all; there is not an oath or a murmur from
+beginning to end.”
+
+Anne looked down to hide her smile.
+
+“No, no; Frederick is not a man to whine and complain; he has too much
+spirit for that. If the girl likes another man better, it is very fit
+she should have him.”
+
+“Certainly. But what I mean is, that I hope there is nothing in Captain
+Wentworth’s manner of writing to make you suppose he thinks himself
+ill-used by his friend, which might appear, you know, without its being
+absolutely said. I should be very sorry that such a friendship as has
+subsisted between him and Captain Benwick should be destroyed, or even
+wounded, by a circumstance of this sort.”
+
+“Yes, yes, I understand you. But there is nothing at all of that nature
+in the letter. He does not give the least fling at Benwick; does not so
+much as say, ‘I wonder at it, I have a reason of my own for wondering
+at it.’ No, you would not guess, from his way of writing, that he had
+ever thought of this Miss (what’s her name?) for himself. He very
+handsomely hopes they will be happy together; and there is nothing very
+unforgiving in that, I think.”
+
+Anne did not receive the perfect conviction which the Admiral meant to
+convey, but it would have been useless to press the enquiry farther.
+She therefore satisfied herself with common-place remarks or quiet
+attention, and the Admiral had it all his own way.
+
+“Poor Frederick!” said he at last. “Now he must begin all over again
+with somebody else. I think we must get him to Bath. Sophy must write,
+and beg him to come to Bath. Here are pretty girls enough, I am sure.
+It would be of no use to go to Uppercross again, for that other Miss
+Musgrove, I find, is bespoke by her cousin, the young parson. Do not
+you think, Miss Elliot, we had better try to get him to Bath?”
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XIX.
+
+
+While Admiral Croft was taking this walk with Anne, and expressing his
+wish of getting Captain Wentworth to Bath, Captain Wentworth was
+already on his way thither. Before Mrs Croft had written, he was
+arrived, and the very next time Anne walked out, she saw him.
+
+Mr Elliot was attending his two cousins and Mrs Clay. They were in
+Milsom Street. It began to rain, not much, but enough to make shelter
+desirable for women, and quite enough to make it very desirable for
+Miss Elliot to have the advantage of being conveyed home in Lady
+Dalrymple’s carriage, which was seen waiting at a little distance; she,
+Anne, and Mrs Clay, therefore, turned into Molland’s, while Mr Elliot
+stepped to Lady Dalrymple, to request her assistance. He soon joined
+them again, successful, of course; Lady Dalrymple would be most happy
+to take them home, and would call for them in a few minutes.
+
+Her ladyship’s carriage was a barouche, and did not hold more than four
+with any comfort. Miss Carteret was with her mother; consequently it
+was not reasonable to expect accommodation for all the three Camden
+Place ladies. There could be no doubt as to Miss Elliot. Whoever
+suffered inconvenience, she must suffer none, but it occupied a little
+time to settle the point of civility between the other two. The rain
+was a mere trifle, and Anne was most sincere in preferring a walk with
+Mr Elliot. But the rain was also a mere trifle to Mrs Clay; she would
+hardly allow it even to drop at all, and her boots were so thick! much
+thicker than Miss Anne’s; and, in short, her civility rendered her
+quite as anxious to be left to walk with Mr Elliot as Anne could be,
+and it was discussed between them with a generosity so polite and so
+determined, that the others were obliged to settle it for them; Miss
+Elliot maintaining that Mrs Clay had a little cold already, and Mr
+Elliot deciding on appeal, that his cousin Anne’s boots were rather the
+thickest.
+
+It was fixed accordingly, that Mrs Clay should be of the party in the
+carriage; and they had just reached this point, when Anne, as she sat
+near the window, descried, most decidedly and distinctly, Captain
+Wentworth walking down the street.
+
+Her start was perceptible only to herself; but she instantly felt that
+she was the greatest simpleton in the world, the most unaccountable and
+absurd! For a few minutes she saw nothing before her; it was all
+confusion. She was lost, and when she had scolded back her senses, she
+found the others still waiting for the carriage, and Mr Elliot (always
+obliging) just setting off for Union Street on a commission of Mrs
+Clay’s.
+
+She now felt a great inclination to go to the outer door; she wanted to
+see if it rained. Why was she to suspect herself of another motive?
+Captain Wentworth must be out of sight. She left her seat, she would
+go; one half of her should not be always so much wiser than the other
+half, or always suspecting the other of being worse than it was. She
+would see if it rained. She was sent back, however, in a moment by the
+entrance of Captain Wentworth himself, among a party of gentlemen and
+ladies, evidently his acquaintance, and whom he must have joined a
+little below Milsom Street. He was more obviously struck and confused
+by the sight of her than she had ever observed before; he looked quite
+red. For the first time, since their renewed acquaintance, she felt
+that she was betraying the least sensibility of the two. She had the
+advantage of him in the preparation of the last few moments. All the
+overpowering, blinding, bewildering, first effects of strong surprise
+were over with her. Still, however, she had enough to feel! It was
+agitation, pain, pleasure, a something between delight and misery.
+
+He spoke to her, and then turned away. The character of his manner was
+embarrassment. She could not have called it either cold or friendly, or
+anything so certainly as embarrassed.
+
+After a short interval, however, he came towards her, and spoke again.
+Mutual enquiries on common subjects passed: neither of them, probably,
+much the wiser for what they heard, and Anne continuing fully sensible
+of his being less at ease than formerly. They had by dint of being so
+very much together, got to speak to each other with a considerable
+portion of apparent indifference and calmness; but he could not do it
+now. Time had changed him, or Louisa had changed him. There was
+consciousness of some sort or other. He looked very well, not as if he
+had been suffering in health or spirits, and he talked of Uppercross,
+of the Musgroves, nay, even of Louisa, and had even a momentary look of
+his own arch significance as he named her; but yet it was Captain
+Wentworth not comfortable, not easy, not able to feign that he was.
+
+It did not surprise, but it grieved Anne to observe that Elizabeth
+would not know him. She saw that he saw Elizabeth, that Elizabeth saw
+him, that there was complete internal recognition on each side; she was
+convinced that he was ready to be acknowledged as an acquaintance,
+expecting it, and she had the pain of seeing her sister turn away with
+unalterable coldness.
+
+Lady Dalrymple’s carriage, for which Miss Elliot was growing very
+impatient, now drew up; the servant came in to announce it. It was
+beginning to rain again, and altogether there was a delay, and a
+bustle, and a talking, which must make all the little crowd in the shop
+understand that Lady Dalrymple was calling to convey Miss Elliot. At
+last Miss Elliot and her friend, unattended but by the servant, (for
+there was no cousin returned), were walking off; and Captain Wentworth,
+watching them, turned again to Anne, and by manner, rather than words,
+was offering his services to her.
+
+“I am much obliged to you,” was her answer, “but I am not going with
+them. The carriage would not accommodate so many. I walk: I prefer
+walking.”
+
+“But it rains.”
+
+“Oh! very little, Nothing that I regard.”
+
+After a moment’s pause he said: “Though I came only yesterday, I have
+equipped myself properly for Bath already, you see,” (pointing to a new
+umbrella); “I wish you would make use of it, if you are determined to
+walk; though I think it would be more prudent to let me get you a
+chair.”
+
+She was very much obliged to him, but declined it all, repeating her
+conviction, that the rain would come to nothing at present, and adding,
+“I am only waiting for Mr Elliot. He will be here in a moment, I am
+sure.”
+
+She had hardly spoken the words when Mr Elliot walked in. Captain
+Wentworth recollected him perfectly. There was no difference between
+him and the man who had stood on the steps at Lyme, admiring Anne as
+she passed, except in the air and look and manner of the privileged
+relation and friend. He came in with eagerness, appeared to see and
+think only of her, apologised for his stay, was grieved to have kept
+her waiting, and anxious to get her away without further loss of time
+and before the rain increased; and in another moment they walked off
+together, her arm under his, a gentle and embarrassed glance, and a
+“Good morning to you!” being all that she had time for, as she passed
+away.
+
+As soon as they were out of sight, the ladies of Captain Wentworth’s
+party began talking of them.
+
+“Mr Elliot does not dislike his cousin, I fancy?”
+
+“Oh! no, that is clear enough. One can guess what will happen there. He
+is always with them; half lives in the family, I believe. What a very
+good-looking man!”
+
+“Yes, and Miss Atkinson, who dined with him once at the Wallises, says
+he is the most agreeable man she ever was in company with.”
+
+“She is pretty, I think; Anne Elliot; very pretty, when one comes to
+look at her. It is not the fashion to say so, but I confess I admire
+her more than her sister.”
+
+“Oh! so do I.”
+
+“And so do I. No comparison. But the men are all wild after Miss
+Elliot. Anne is too delicate for them.”
+
+Anne would have been particularly obliged to her cousin, if he would
+have walked by her side all the way to Camden Place, without saying a
+word. She had never found it so difficult to listen to him, though
+nothing could exceed his solicitude and care, and though his subjects
+were principally such as were wont to be always interesting: praise,
+warm, just, and discriminating, of Lady Russell, and insinuations
+highly rational against Mrs Clay. But just now she could think only of
+Captain Wentworth. She could not understand his present feelings,
+whether he were really suffering much from disappointment or not; and
+till that point were settled, she could not be quite herself.
+
+She hoped to be wise and reasonable in time; but alas! alas! she must
+confess to herself that she was not wise yet.
+
+Another circumstance very essential for her to know, was how long he
+meant to be in Bath; he had not mentioned it, or she could not
+recollect it. He might be only passing through. But it was more
+probable that he should be come to stay. In that case, so liable as
+every body was to meet every body in Bath, Lady Russell would in all
+likelihood see him somewhere. Would she recollect him? How would it all
+be?
+
+She had already been obliged to tell Lady Russell that Louisa Musgrove
+was to marry Captain Benwick. It had cost her something to encounter
+Lady Russell’s surprise; and now, if she were by any chance to be
+thrown into company with Captain Wentworth, her imperfect knowledge of
+the matter might add another shade of prejudice against him.
+
+The following morning Anne was out with her friend, and for the first
+hour, in an incessant and fearful sort of watch for him in vain; but at
+last, in returning down Pulteney Street, she distinguished him on the
+right hand pavement at such a distance as to have him in view the
+greater part of the street. There were many other men about him, many
+groups walking the same way, but there was no mistaking him. She looked
+instinctively at Lady Russell; but not from any mad idea of her
+recognising him so soon as she did herself. No, it was not to be
+supposed that Lady Russell would perceive him till they were nearly
+opposite. She looked at her however, from time to time, anxiously; and
+when the moment approached which must point him out, though not daring
+to look again (for her own countenance she knew was unfit to be seen),
+she was yet perfectly conscious of Lady Russell’s eyes being turned
+exactly in the direction for him—of her being, in short, intently
+observing him. She could thoroughly comprehend the sort of fascination
+he must possess over Lady Russell’s mind, the difficulty it must be for
+her to withdraw her eyes, the astonishment she must be feeling that
+eight or nine years should have passed over him, and in foreign climes
+and in active service too, without robbing him of one personal grace!
+
+At last, Lady Russell drew back her head. “Now, how would she speak of
+him?”
+
+“You will wonder,” said she, “what has been fixing my eye so long; but
+I was looking after some window-curtains, which Lady Alicia and Mrs
+Frankland were telling me of last night. They described the
+drawing-room window-curtains of one of the houses on this side of the
+way, and this part of the street, as being the handsomest and best hung
+of any in Bath, but could not recollect the exact number, and I have
+been trying to find out which it could be; but I confess I can see no
+curtains hereabouts that answer their description.”
+
+Anne sighed and blushed and smiled, in pity and disdain, either at her
+friend or herself. The part which provoked her most, was that in all
+this waste of foresight and caution, she should have lost the right
+moment for seeing whether he saw them.
+
+A day or two passed without producing anything. The theatre or the
+rooms, where he was most likely to be, were not fashionable enough for
+the Elliots, whose evening amusements were solely in the elegant
+stupidity of private parties, in which they were getting more and more
+engaged; and Anne, wearied of such a state of stagnation, sick of
+knowing nothing, and fancying herself stronger because her strength was
+not tried, was quite impatient for the concert evening. It was a
+concert for the benefit of a person patronised by Lady Dalrymple. Of
+course they must attend. It was really expected to be a good one, and
+Captain Wentworth was very fond of music. If she could only have a few
+minutes conversation with him again, she fancied she should be
+satisfied; and as to the power of addressing him, she felt all over
+courage if the opportunity occurred. Elizabeth had turned from him,
+Lady Russell overlooked him; her nerves were strengthened by these
+circumstances; she felt that she owed him attention.
+
+She had once partly promised Mrs Smith to spend the evening with her;
+but in a short hurried call she excused herself and put it off, with
+the more decided promise of a longer visit on the morrow. Mrs Smith
+gave a most good-humoured acquiescence.
+
+“By all means,” said she; “only tell me all about it, when you do come.
+Who is your party?”
+
+Anne named them all. Mrs Smith made no reply; but when she was leaving
+her said, and with an expression half serious, half arch, “Well, I
+heartily wish your concert may answer; and do not fail me to-morrow if
+you can come; for I begin to have a foreboding that I may not have many
+more visits from you.”
+
+Anne was startled and confused; but after standing in a moment’s
+suspense, was obliged, and not sorry to be obliged, to hurry away.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XX.
+
+
+Sir Walter, his two daughters, and Mrs Clay, were the earliest of all
+their party at the rooms in the evening; and as Lady Dalrymple must be
+waited for, they took their station by one of the fires in the Octagon
+Room. But hardly were they so settled, when the door opened again, and
+Captain Wentworth walked in alone. Anne was the nearest to him, and
+making yet a little advance, she instantly spoke. He was preparing only
+to bow and pass on, but her gentle “How do you do?” brought him out of
+the straight line to stand near her, and make enquiries in return, in
+spite of the formidable father and sister in the back ground. Their
+being in the back ground was a support to Anne; she knew nothing of
+their looks, and felt equal to everything which she believed right to
+be done.
+
+While they were speaking, a whispering between her father and Elizabeth
+caught her ear. She could not distinguish, but she must guess the
+subject; and on Captain Wentworth’s making a distant bow, she
+comprehended that her father had judged so well as to give him that
+simple acknowledgement of acquaintance, and she was just in time by a
+side glance to see a slight curtsey from Elizabeth herself. This,
+though late, and reluctant, and ungracious, was yet better than
+nothing, and her spirits improved.
+
+After talking, however, of the weather, and Bath, and the concert,
+their conversation began to flag, and so little was said at last, that
+she was expecting him to go every moment, but he did not; he seemed in
+no hurry to leave her; and presently with renewed spirit, with a little
+smile, a little glow, he said—
+
+“I have hardly seen you since our day at Lyme. I am afraid you must
+have suffered from the shock, and the more from its not overpowering
+you at the time.”
+
+She assured him that she had not.
+
+“It was a frightful hour,” said he, “a frightful day!” and he passed
+his hand across his eyes, as if the remembrance were still too painful,
+but in a moment, half smiling again, added, “The day has produced some
+effects however; has had some consequences which must be considered as
+the very reverse of frightful. When you had the presence of mind to
+suggest that Benwick would be the properest person to fetch a surgeon,
+you could have little idea of his being eventually one of those most
+concerned in her recovery.”
+
+“Certainly I could have none. But it appears—I should hope it would be
+a very happy match. There are on both sides good principles and good
+temper.”
+
+“Yes,” said he, looking not exactly forward; “but there, I think, ends
+the resemblance. With all my soul I wish them happy, and rejoice over
+every circumstance in favour of it. They have no difficulties to
+contend with at home, no opposition, no caprice, no delays. The
+Musgroves are behaving like themselves, most honourably and kindly,
+only anxious with true parental hearts to promote their daughter’s
+comfort. All this is much, very much in favour of their happiness; more
+than perhaps—”
+
+He stopped. A sudden recollection seemed to occur, and to give him some
+taste of that emotion which was reddening Anne’s cheeks and fixing her
+eyes on the ground. After clearing his throat, however, he proceeded
+thus—
+
+“I confess that I do think there is a disparity, too great a disparity,
+and in a point no less essential than mind. I regard Louisa Musgrove as
+a very amiable, sweet-tempered girl, and not deficient in
+understanding, but Benwick is something more. He is a clever man, a
+reading man; and I confess, that I do consider his attaching himself to
+her with some surprise. Had it been the effect of gratitude, had he
+learnt to love her, because he believed her to be preferring him, it
+would have been another thing. But I have no reason to suppose it so.
+It seems, on the contrary, to have been a perfectly spontaneous,
+untaught feeling on his side, and this surprises me. A man like him, in
+his situation! with a heart pierced, wounded, almost broken! Fanny
+Harville was a very superior creature, and his attachment to her was
+indeed attachment. A man does not recover from such a devotion of the
+heart to such a woman. He ought not; he does not.”
+
+Either from the consciousness, however, that his friend had recovered,
+or from other consciousness, he went no farther; and Anne who, in spite
+of the agitated voice in which the latter part had been uttered, and in
+spite of all the various noises of the room, the almost ceaseless slam
+of the door, and ceaseless buzz of persons walking through, had
+distinguished every word, was struck, gratified, confused, and
+beginning to breathe very quick, and feel an hundred things in a
+moment. It was impossible for her to enter on such a subject; and yet,
+after a pause, feeling the necessity of speaking, and having not the
+smallest wish for a total change, she only deviated so far as to say—
+
+“You were a good while at Lyme, I think?”
+
+“About a fortnight. I could not leave it till Louisa’s doing well was
+quite ascertained. I had been too deeply concerned in the mischief to
+be soon at peace. It had been my doing, solely mine. She would not have
+been obstinate if I had not been weak. The country round Lyme is very
+fine. I walked and rode a great deal; and the more I saw, the more I
+found to admire.”
+
+“I should very much like to see Lyme again,” said Anne.
+
+“Indeed! I should not have supposed that you could have found anything
+in Lyme to inspire such a feeling. The horror and distress you were
+involved in, the stretch of mind, the wear of spirits! I should have
+thought your last impressions of Lyme must have been strong disgust.”
+
+“The last hours were certainly very painful,” replied Anne; “but when
+pain is over, the remembrance of it often becomes a pleasure. One does
+not love a place the less for having suffered in it, unless it has been
+all suffering, nothing but suffering, which was by no means the case at
+Lyme. We were only in anxiety and distress during the last two hours,
+and previously there had been a great deal of enjoyment. So much
+novelty and beauty! I have travelled so little, that every fresh place
+would be interesting to me; but there is real beauty at Lyme; and in
+short” (with a faint blush at some recollections), “altogether my
+impressions of the place are very agreeable.”
+
+As she ceased, the entrance door opened again, and the very party
+appeared for whom they were waiting. “Lady Dalrymple, Lady Dalrymple,”
+was the rejoicing sound; and with all the eagerness compatible with
+anxious elegance, Sir Walter and his two ladies stepped forward to meet
+her. Lady Dalrymple and Miss Carteret, escorted by Mr Elliot and
+Colonel Wallis, who had happened to arrive nearly at the same instant,
+advanced into the room. The others joined them, and it was a group in
+which Anne found herself also necessarily included. She was divided
+from Captain Wentworth. Their interesting, almost too interesting
+conversation must be broken up for a time, but slight was the penance
+compared with the happiness which brought it on! She had learnt, in the
+last ten minutes, more of his feelings towards Louisa, more of all his
+feelings than she dared to think of; and she gave herself up to the
+demands of the party, to the needful civilities of the moment, with
+exquisite, though agitated sensations. She was in good humour with all.
+She had received ideas which disposed her to be courteous and kind to
+all, and to pity every one, as being less happy than herself.
+
+The delightful emotions were a little subdued, when on stepping back
+from the group, to be joined again by Captain Wentworth, she saw that
+he was gone. She was just in time to see him turn into the Concert
+Room. He was gone; he had disappeared, she felt a moment’s regret. But
+“they should meet again. He would look for her, he would find her out
+before the evening were over, and at present, perhaps, it was as well
+to be asunder. She was in need of a little interval for recollection.”
+
+Upon Lady Russell’s appearance soon afterwards, the whole party was
+collected, and all that remained was to marshal themselves, and proceed
+into the Concert Room; and be of all the consequence in their power,
+draw as many eyes, excite as many whispers, and disturb as many people
+as they could.
+
+Very, very happy were both Elizabeth and Anne Elliot as they walked in.
+Elizabeth arm in arm with Miss Carteret, and looking on the broad back
+of the dowager Viscountess Dalrymple before her, had nothing to wish
+for which did not seem within her reach; and Anne—but it would be an
+insult to the nature of Anne’s felicity, to draw any comparison between
+it and her sister’s; the origin of one all selfish vanity, of the other
+all generous attachment.
+
+Anne saw nothing, thought nothing of the brilliancy of the room. Her
+happiness was from within. Her eyes were bright and her cheeks glowed;
+but she knew nothing about it. She was thinking only of the last half
+hour, and as they passed to their seats, her mind took a hasty range
+over it. His choice of subjects, his expressions, and still more his
+manner and look, had been such as she could see in only one light. His
+opinion of Louisa Musgrove’s inferiority, an opinion which he had
+seemed solicitous to give, his wonder at Captain Benwick, his feelings
+as to a first, strong attachment; sentences begun which he could not
+finish, his half averted eyes and more than half expressive glance,
+all, all declared that he had a heart returning to her at least; that
+anger, resentment, avoidance, were no more; and that they were
+succeeded, not merely by friendship and regard, but by the tenderness
+of the past. Yes, some share of the tenderness of the past. She could
+not contemplate the change as implying less. He must love her.
+
+These were thoughts, with their attendant visions, which occupied and
+flurried her too much to leave her any power of observation; and she
+passed along the room without having a glimpse of him, without even
+trying to discern him. When their places were determined on, and they
+were all properly arranged, she looked round to see if he should happen
+to be in the same part of the room, but he was not; her eye could not
+reach him; and the concert being just opening, she must consent for a
+time to be happy in a humbler way.
+
+The party was divided and disposed of on two contiguous benches: Anne
+was among those on the foremost, and Mr Elliot had manœuvred so well,
+with the assistance of his friend Colonel Wallis, as to have a seat by
+her. Miss Elliot, surrounded by her cousins, and the principal object
+of Colonel Wallis’s gallantry, was quite contented.
+
+Anne’s mind was in a most favourable state for the entertainment of the
+evening; it was just occupation enough: she had feelings for the
+tender, spirits for the gay, attention for the scientific, and patience
+for the wearisome; and had never liked a concert better, at least
+during the first act. Towards the close of it, in the interval
+succeeding an Italian song, she explained the words of the song to Mr
+Elliot. They had a concert bill between them.
+
+“This,” said she, “is nearly the sense, or rather the meaning of the
+words, for certainly the sense of an Italian love-song must not be
+talked of, but it is as nearly the meaning as I can give; for I do not
+pretend to understand the language. I am a very poor Italian scholar.”
+
+“Yes, yes, I see you are. I see you know nothing of the matter. You
+have only knowledge enough of the language to translate at sight these
+inverted, transposed, curtailed Italian lines, into clear,
+comprehensible, elegant English. You need not say anything more of your
+ignorance. Here is complete proof.”
+
+“I will not oppose such kind politeness; but I should be sorry to be
+examined by a real proficient.”
+
+“I have not had the pleasure of visiting in Camden Place so long,”
+replied he, “without knowing something of Miss Anne Elliot; and I do
+regard her as one who is too modest for the world in general to be
+aware of half her accomplishments, and too highly accomplished for
+modesty to be natural in any other woman.”
+
+“For shame! for shame! this is too much flattery. I forget what we are
+to have next,” turning to the bill.
+
+“Perhaps,” said Mr Elliot, speaking low, “I have had a longer
+acquaintance with your character than you are aware of.”
+
+“Indeed! How so? You can have been acquainted with it only since I came
+to Bath, excepting as you might hear me previously spoken of in my own
+family.”
+
+“I knew you by report long before you came to Bath. I had heard you
+described by those who knew you intimately. I have been acquainted with
+you by character many years. Your person, your disposition,
+accomplishments, manner; they were all present to me.”
+
+Mr Elliot was not disappointed in the interest he hoped to raise. No
+one can withstand the charm of such a mystery. To have been described
+long ago to a recent acquaintance, by nameless people, is irresistible;
+and Anne was all curiosity. She wondered, and questioned him eagerly;
+but in vain. He delighted in being asked, but he would not tell.
+
+“No, no, some time or other, perhaps, but not now. He would mention no
+names now; but such, he could assure her, had been the fact. He had
+many years ago received such a description of Miss Anne Elliot as had
+inspired him with the highest idea of her merit, and excited the
+warmest curiosity to know her.”
+
+Anne could think of no one so likely to have spoken with partiality of
+her many years ago as the Mr Wentworth of Monkford, Captain Wentworth’s
+brother. He might have been in Mr Elliot’s company, but she had not
+courage to ask the question.
+
+“The name of Anne Elliot,” said he, “has long had an interesting sound
+to me. Very long has it possessed a charm over my fancy; and, if I
+dared, I would breathe my wishes that the name might never change.”
+
+Such, she believed, were his words; but scarcely had she received their
+sound, than her attention was caught by other sounds immediately behind
+her, which rendered every thing else trivial. Her father and Lady
+Dalrymple were speaking.
+
+“A well-looking man,” said Sir Walter, “a very well-looking man.”
+
+“A very fine young man indeed!” said Lady Dalrymple. “More air than one
+often sees in Bath. Irish, I dare say.”
+
+“No, I just know his name. A bowing acquaintance. Wentworth; Captain
+Wentworth of the navy. His sister married my tenant in Somersetshire,
+the Croft, who rents Kellynch.”
+
+Before Sir Walter had reached this point, Anne’s eyes had caught the
+right direction, and distinguished Captain Wentworth standing among a
+cluster of men at a little distance. As her eyes fell on him, his
+seemed to be withdrawn from her. It had that appearance. It seemed as
+if she had been one moment too late; and as long as she dared observe,
+he did not look again: but the performance was recommencing, and she
+was forced to seem to restore her attention to the orchestra and look
+straight forward.
+
+When she could give another glance, he had moved away. He could not
+have come nearer to her if he would; she was so surrounded and shut in:
+but she would rather have caught his eye.
+
+Mr Elliot’s speech, too, distressed her. She had no longer any
+inclination to talk to him. She wished him not so near her.
+
+The first act was over. Now she hoped for some beneficial change; and,
+after a period of nothing-saying amongst the party, some of them did
+decide on going in quest of tea. Anne was one of the few who did not
+choose to move. She remained in her seat, and so did Lady Russell; but
+she had the pleasure of getting rid of Mr Elliot; and she did not mean,
+whatever she might feel on Lady Russell’s account, to shrink from
+conversation with Captain Wentworth, if he gave her the opportunity.
+She was persuaded by Lady Russell’s countenance that she had seen him.
+
+He did not come however. Anne sometimes fancied she discerned him at a
+distance, but he never came. The anxious interval wore away
+unproductively. The others returned, the room filled again, benches
+were reclaimed and repossessed, and another hour of pleasure or of
+penance was to be sat out, another hour of music was to give delight or
+the gapes, as real or affected taste for it prevailed. To Anne, it
+chiefly wore the prospect of an hour of agitation. She could not quit
+that room in peace without seeing Captain Wentworth once more, without
+the interchange of one friendly look.
+
+In re-settling themselves there were now many changes, the result of
+which was favourable for her. Colonel Wallis declined sitting down
+again, and Mr Elliot was invited by Elizabeth and Miss Carteret, in a
+manner not to be refused, to sit between them; and by some other
+removals, and a little scheming of her own, Anne was enabled to place
+herself much nearer the end of the bench than she had been before, much
+more within reach of a passer-by. She could not do so, without
+comparing herself with Miss Larolles, the inimitable Miss Larolles; but
+still she did it, and not with much happier effect; though by what
+seemed prosperity in the shape of an early abdication in her next
+neighbours, she found herself at the very end of the bench before the
+concert closed.
+
+Such was her situation, with a vacant space at hand, when Captain
+Wentworth was again in sight. She saw him not far off. He saw her too;
+yet he looked grave, and seemed irresolute, and only by very slow
+degrees came at last near enough to speak to her. She felt that
+something must be the matter. The change was indubitable. The
+difference between his present air and what it had been in the Octagon
+Room was strikingly great. Why was it? She thought of her father, of
+Lady Russell. Could there have been any unpleasant glances? He began by
+speaking of the concert gravely, more like the Captain Wentworth of
+Uppercross; owned himself disappointed, had expected singing; and in
+short, must confess that he should not be sorry when it was over. Anne
+replied, and spoke in defence of the performance so well, and yet in
+allowance for his feelings so pleasantly, that his countenance
+improved, and he replied again with almost a smile. They talked for a
+few minutes more; the improvement held; he even looked down towards the
+bench, as if he saw a place on it well worth occupying; when at that
+moment a touch on her shoulder obliged Anne to turn round. It came from
+Mr Elliot. He begged her pardon, but she must be applied to, to explain
+Italian again. Miss Carteret was very anxious to have a general idea of
+what was next to be sung. Anne could not refuse; but never had she
+sacrificed to politeness with a more suffering spirit.
+
+A few minutes, though as few as possible, were inevitably consumed; and
+when her own mistress again, when able to turn and look as she had done
+before, she found herself accosted by Captain Wentworth, in a reserved
+yet hurried sort of farewell. “He must wish her good night; he was
+going; he should get home as fast as he could.”
+
+“Is not this song worth staying for?” said Anne, suddenly struck by an
+idea which made her yet more anxious to be encouraging.
+
+“No!” he replied impressively, “there is nothing worth my staying for;”
+and he was gone directly.
+
+Jealousy of Mr Elliot! It was the only intelligible motive. Captain
+Wentworth jealous of her affection! Could she have believed it a week
+ago; three hours ago! For a moment the gratification was exquisite.
+But, alas! there were very different thoughts to succeed. How was such
+jealousy to be quieted? How was the truth to reach him? How, in all the
+peculiar disadvantages of their respective situations, would he ever
+learn of her real sentiments? It was misery to think of Mr Elliot’s
+attentions. Their evil was incalculable.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXI.
+
+
+Anne recollected with pleasure the next morning her promise of going to
+Mrs Smith, meaning that it should engage her from home at the time when
+Mr Elliot would be most likely to call; for to avoid Mr Elliot was
+almost a first object.
+
+She felt a great deal of good-will towards him. In spite of the
+mischief of his attentions, she owed him gratitude and regard, perhaps
+compassion. She could not help thinking much of the extraordinary
+circumstances attending their acquaintance, of the right which he
+seemed to have to interest her, by everything in situation, by his own
+sentiments, by his early prepossession. It was altogether very
+extraordinary; flattering, but painful. There was much to regret. How
+she might have felt had there been no Captain Wentworth in the case,
+was not worth enquiry; for there was a Captain Wentworth; and be the
+conclusion of the present suspense good or bad, her affection would be
+his for ever. Their union, she believed, could not divide her more from
+other men, than their final separation.
+
+Prettier musings of high-wrought love and eternal constancy, could
+never have passed along the streets of Bath, than Anne was sporting
+with from Camden Place to Westgate Buildings. It was almost enough to
+spread purification and perfume all the way.
+
+She was sure of a pleasant reception; and her friend seemed this
+morning particularly obliged to her for coming, seemed hardly to have
+expected her, though it had been an appointment.
+
+An account of the concert was immediately claimed; and Anne’s
+recollections of the concert were quite happy enough to animate her
+features and make her rejoice to talk of it. All that she could tell
+she told most gladly, but the all was little for one who had been
+there, and unsatisfactory for such an enquirer as Mrs Smith, who had
+already heard, through the short cut of a laundress and a waiter,
+rather more of the general success and produce of the evening than Anne
+could relate, and who now asked in vain for several particulars of the
+company. Everybody of any consequence or notoriety in Bath was well
+know by name to Mrs Smith.
+
+“The little Durands were there, I conclude,” said she, “with their
+mouths open to catch the music, like unfledged sparrows ready to be
+fed. They never miss a concert.”
+
+“Yes; I did not see them myself, but I heard Mr Elliot say they were in
+the room.”
+
+“The Ibbotsons, were they there? and the two new beauties, with the
+tall Irish officer, who is talked of for one of them.”
+
+“I do not know. I do not think they were.”
+
+“Old Lady Mary Maclean? I need not ask after her. She never misses, I
+know; and you must have seen her. She must have been in your own
+circle; for as you went with Lady Dalrymple, you were in the seats of
+grandeur, round the orchestra, of course.”
+
+“No, that was what I dreaded. It would have been very unpleasant to me
+in every respect. But happily Lady Dalrymple always chooses to be
+farther off; and we were exceedingly well placed, that is, for hearing;
+I must not say for seeing, because I appear to have seen very little.”
+
+“Oh! you saw enough for your own amusement. I can understand. There is
+a sort of domestic enjoyment to be known even in a crowd, and this you
+had. You were a large party in yourselves, and you wanted nothing
+beyond.”
+
+“But I ought to have looked about me more,” said Anne, conscious while
+she spoke that there had in fact been no want of looking about, that
+the object only had been deficient.
+
+“No, no; you were better employed. You need not tell me that you had a
+pleasant evening. I see it in your eye. I perfectly see how the hours
+passed: that you had always something agreeable to listen to. In the
+intervals of the concert it was conversation.”
+
+Anne half smiled and said, “Do you see that in my eye?”
+
+“Yes, I do. Your countenance perfectly informs me that you were in
+company last night with the person whom you think the most agreeable in
+the world, the person who interests you at this present time more than
+all the rest of the world put together.”
+
+A blush overspread Anne’s cheeks. She could say nothing.
+
+“And such being the case,” continued Mrs Smith, after a short pause, “I
+hope you believe that I do know how to value your kindness in coming to
+me this morning. It is really very good of you to come and sit with me,
+when you must have so many pleasanter demands upon your time.”
+
+Anne heard nothing of this. She was still in the astonishment and
+confusion excited by her friend’s penetration, unable to imagine how
+any report of Captain Wentworth could have reached her. After another
+short silence—
+
+“Pray,” said Mrs Smith, “is Mr Elliot aware of your acquaintance with
+me? Does he know that I am in Bath?”
+
+“Mr Elliot!” repeated Anne, looking up surprised. A moment’s reflection
+shewed her the mistake she had been under. She caught it
+instantaneously; and recovering her courage with the feeling of safety,
+soon added, more composedly, “Are you acquainted with Mr Elliot?”
+
+“I have been a good deal acquainted with him,” replied Mrs Smith,
+gravely, “but it seems worn out now. It is a great while since we met.”
+
+“I was not at all aware of this. You never mentioned it before. Had I
+known it, I would have had the pleasure of talking to him about you.”
+
+“To confess the truth,” said Mrs Smith, assuming her usual air of
+cheerfulness, “that is exactly the pleasure I want you to have. I want
+you to talk about me to Mr Elliot. I want your interest with him. He
+can be of essential service to me; and if you would have the goodness,
+my dear Miss Elliot, to make it an object to yourself, of course it is
+done.”
+
+“I should be extremely happy; I hope you cannot doubt my willingness to
+be of even the slightest use to you,” replied Anne; “but I suspect that
+you are considering me as having a higher claim on Mr Elliot, a greater
+right to influence him, than is really the case. I am sure you have,
+somehow or other, imbibed such a notion. You must consider me only as
+Mr Elliot’s relation. If in that light there is anything which you
+suppose his cousin might fairly ask of him, I beg you would not
+hesitate to employ me.”
+
+Mrs Smith gave her a penetrating glance, and then, smiling, said—
+
+“I have been a little premature, I perceive; I beg your pardon. I ought
+to have waited for official information. But now, my dear Miss Elliot,
+as an old friend, do give me a hint as to when I may speak. Next week?
+To be sure by next week I may be allowed to think it all settled, and
+build my own selfish schemes on Mr Elliot’s good fortune.”
+
+“No,” replied Anne, “nor next week, nor next, nor next. I assure you
+that nothing of the sort you are thinking of will be settled any week.
+I am not going to marry Mr Elliot. I should like to know why you
+imagine I am?”
+
+Mrs Smith looked at her again, looked earnestly, smiled, shook her
+head, and exclaimed—
+
+“Now, how I do wish I understood you! How I do wish I knew what you
+were at! I have a great idea that you do not design to be cruel, when
+the right moment occurs. Till it does come, you know, we women never
+mean to have anybody. It is a thing of course among us, that every man
+is refused, till he offers. But why should you be cruel? Let me plead
+for my—present friend I cannot call him, but for my former friend.
+Where can you look for a more suitable match? Where could you expect a
+more gentlemanlike, agreeable man? Let me recommend Mr Elliot. I am
+sure you hear nothing but good of him from Colonel Wallis; and who can
+know him better than Colonel Wallis?”
+
+“My dear Mrs Smith, Mr Elliot’s wife has not been dead much above half
+a year. He ought not to be supposed to be paying his addresses to any
+one.”
+
+“Oh! if these are your only objections,” cried Mrs Smith, archly, “Mr
+Elliot is safe, and I shall give myself no more trouble about him. Do
+not forget me when you are married, that’s all. Let him know me to be a
+friend of yours, and then he will think little of the trouble required,
+which it is very natural for him now, with so many affairs and
+engagements of his own, to avoid and get rid of as he can; very
+natural, perhaps. Ninety-nine out of a hundred would do the same. Of
+course, he cannot be aware of the importance to me. Well, my dear Miss
+Elliot, I hope and trust you will be very happy. Mr Elliot has sense to
+understand the value of such a woman. Your peace will not be
+shipwrecked as mine has been. You are safe in all worldly matters, and
+safe in his character. He will not be led astray; he will not be misled
+by others to his ruin.”
+
+“No,” said Anne, “I can readily believe all that of my cousin. He seems
+to have a calm decided temper, not at all open to dangerous
+impressions. I consider him with great respect. I have no reason, from
+any thing that has fallen within my observation, to do otherwise. But I
+have not known him long; and he is not a man, I think, to be known
+intimately soon. Will not this manner of speaking of him, Mrs Smith,
+convince you that he is nothing to me? Surely this must be calm enough.
+And, upon my word, he is nothing to me. Should he ever propose to me
+(which I have very little reason to imagine he has any thought of
+doing), I shall not accept him. I assure you I shall not. I assure you,
+Mr Elliot had not the share which you have been supposing, in whatever
+pleasure the concert of last night might afford: not Mr Elliot; it is
+not Mr Elliot that—”
+
+She stopped, regretting with a deep blush that she had implied so much;
+but less would hardly have been sufficient. Mrs Smith would hardly have
+believed so soon in Mr Elliot’s failure, but from the perception of
+there being a somebody else. As it was, she instantly submitted, and
+with all the semblance of seeing nothing beyond; and Anne, eager to
+escape farther notice, was impatient to know why Mrs Smith should have
+fancied she was to marry Mr Elliot; where she could have received the
+idea, or from whom she could have heard it.
+
+“Do tell me how it first came into your head.”
+
+“It first came into my head,” replied Mrs Smith, “upon finding how much
+you were together, and feeling it to be the most probable thing in the
+world to be wished for by everybody belonging to either of you; and you
+may depend upon it that all your acquaintance have disposed of you in
+the same way. But I never heard it spoken of till two days ago.”
+
+“And has it indeed been spoken of?”
+
+“Did you observe the woman who opened the door to you when you called
+yesterday?”
+
+“No. Was not it Mrs Speed, as usual, or the maid? I observed no one in
+particular.”
+
+“It was my friend Mrs Rooke; Nurse Rooke; who, by-the-bye, had a great
+curiosity to see you, and was delighted to be in the way to let you in.
+She came away from Marlborough Buildings only on Sunday; and she it was
+who told me you were to marry Mr Elliot. She had had it from Mrs Wallis
+herself, which did not seem bad authority. She sat an hour with me on
+Monday evening, and gave me the whole history.” “The whole history,”
+repeated Anne, laughing. “She could not make a very long history, I
+think, of one such little article of unfounded news.”
+
+Mrs Smith said nothing.
+
+“But,” continued Anne, presently, “though there is no truth in my
+having this claim on Mr Elliot, I should be extremely happy to be of
+use to you in any way that I could. Shall I mention to him your being
+in Bath? Shall I take any message?”
+
+“No, I thank you: no, certainly not. In the warmth of the moment, and
+under a mistaken impression, I might, perhaps, have endeavoured to
+interest you in some circumstances; but not now. No, I thank you, I
+have nothing to trouble you with.”
+
+“I think you spoke of having known Mr Elliot many years?”
+
+“I did.”
+
+“Not before he was married, I suppose?”
+
+“Yes; he was not married when I knew him first.”
+
+“And—were you much acquainted?”
+
+“Intimately.”
+
+“Indeed! Then do tell me what he was at that time of life. I have a
+great curiosity to know what Mr Elliot was as a very young man. Was he
+at all such as he appears now?”
+
+“I have not seen Mr Elliot these three years,” was Mrs Smith’s answer,
+given so gravely that it was impossible to pursue the subject farther;
+and Anne felt that she had gained nothing but an increase of curiosity.
+They were both silent: Mrs Smith very thoughtful. At last—
+
+“I beg your pardon, my dear Miss Elliot,” she cried, in her natural
+tone of cordiality, “I beg your pardon for the short answers I have
+been giving you, but I have been uncertain what I ought to do. I have
+been doubting and considering as to what I ought to tell you. There
+were many things to be taken into the account. One hates to be
+officious, to be giving bad impressions, making mischief. Even the
+smooth surface of family-union seems worth preserving, though there may
+be nothing durable beneath. However, I have determined; I think I am
+right; I think you ought to be made acquainted with Mr Elliot’s real
+character. Though I fully believe that, at present, you have not the
+smallest intention of accepting him, there is no saying what may
+happen. You might, some time or other, be differently affected towards
+him. Hear the truth, therefore, now, while you are unprejudiced. Mr
+Elliot is a man without heart or conscience; a designing, wary,
+cold-blooded being, who thinks only of himself; whom for his own
+interest or ease, would be guilty of any cruelty, or any treachery,
+that could be perpetrated without risk of his general character. He has
+no feeling for others. Those whom he has been the chief cause of
+leading into ruin, he can neglect and desert without the smallest
+compunction. He is totally beyond the reach of any sentiment of justice
+or compassion. Oh! he is black at heart, hollow and black!”
+
+Anne’s astonished air, and exclamation of wonder, made her pause, and
+in a calmer manner, she added,
+
+“My expressions startle you. You must allow for an injured, angry
+woman. But I will try to command myself. I will not abuse him. I will
+only tell you what I have found him. Facts shall speak. He was the
+intimate friend of my dear husband, who trusted and loved him, and
+thought him as good as himself. The intimacy had been formed before our
+marriage. I found them most intimate friends; and I, too, became
+excessively pleased with Mr Elliot, and entertained the highest opinion
+of him. At nineteen, you know, one does not think very seriously; but
+Mr Elliot appeared to me quite as good as others, and much more
+agreeable than most others, and we were almost always together. We were
+principally in town, living in very good style. He was then the
+inferior in circumstances; he was then the poor one; he had chambers in
+the Temple, and it was as much as he could do to support the appearance
+of a gentleman. He had always a home with us whenever he chose it; he
+was always welcome; he was like a brother. My poor Charles, who had the
+finest, most generous spirit in the world, would have divided his last
+farthing with him; and I know that his purse was open to him; I know
+that he often assisted him.”
+
+“This must have been about that very period of Mr Elliot’s life,” said
+Anne, “which has always excited my particular curiosity. It must have
+been about the same time that he became known to my father and sister.
+I never knew him myself; I only heard of him; but there was a something
+in his conduct then, with regard to my father and sister, and
+afterwards in the circumstances of his marriage, which I never could
+quite reconcile with present times. It seemed to announce a different
+sort of man.”
+
+“I know it all, I know it all,” cried Mrs Smith. “He had been
+introduced to Sir Walter and your sister before I was acquainted with
+him, but I heard him speak of them for ever. I know he was invited and
+encouraged, and I know he did not choose to go. I can satisfy you,
+perhaps, on points which you would little expect; and as to his
+marriage, I knew all about it at the time. I was privy to all the fors
+and againsts; I was the friend to whom he confided his hopes and plans;
+and though I did not know his wife previously, her inferior situation
+in society, indeed, rendered that impossible, yet I knew her all her
+life afterwards, or at least till within the last two years of her
+life, and can answer any question you may wish to put.”
+
+“Nay,” said Anne, “I have no particular enquiry to make about her. I
+have always understood they were not a happy couple. But I should like
+to know why, at that time of his life, he should slight my father’s
+acquaintance as he did. My father was certainly disposed to take very
+kind and proper notice of him. Why did Mr Elliot draw back?”
+
+“Mr Elliot,” replied Mrs Smith, “at that period of his life, had one
+object in view: to make his fortune, and by a rather quicker process
+than the law. He was determined to make it by marriage. He was
+determined, at least, not to mar it by an imprudent marriage; and I
+know it was his belief (whether justly or not, of course I cannot
+decide), that your father and sister, in their civilities and
+invitations, were designing a match between the heir and the young
+lady, and it was impossible that such a match should have answered his
+ideas of wealth and independence. That was his motive for drawing back,
+I can assure you. He told me the whole story. He had no concealments
+with me. It was curious, that having just left you behind me in Bath,
+my first and principal acquaintance on marrying should be your cousin;
+and that, through him, I should be continually hearing of your father
+and sister. He described one Miss Elliot, and I thought very
+affectionately of the other.”
+
+“Perhaps,” cried Anne, struck by a sudden idea, “you sometimes spoke of
+me to Mr Elliot?”
+
+“To be sure I did; very often. I used to boast of my own Anne Elliot,
+and vouch for your being a very different creature from—”
+
+She checked herself just in time.
+
+“This accounts for something which Mr Elliot said last night,” cried
+Anne. “This explains it. I found he had been used to hear of me. I
+could not comprehend how. What wild imaginations one forms where dear
+self is concerned! How sure to be mistaken! But I beg your pardon; I
+have interrupted you. Mr Elliot married then completely for money? The
+circumstances, probably, which first opened your eyes to his
+character.”
+
+Mrs Smith hesitated a little here. “Oh! those things are too common.
+When one lives in the world, a man or woman’s marrying for money is too
+common to strike one as it ought. I was very young, and associated only
+with the young, and we were a thoughtless, gay set, without any strict
+rules of conduct. We lived for enjoyment. I think differently now; time
+and sickness and sorrow have given me other notions; but at that period
+I must own I saw nothing reprehensible in what Mr Elliot was doing. ‘To
+do the best for himself,’ passed as a duty.”
+
+“But was not she a very low woman?”
+
+“Yes; which I objected to, but he would not regard. Money, money, was
+all that he wanted. Her father was a grazier, her grandfather had been
+a butcher, but that was all nothing. She was a fine woman, had had a
+decent education, was brought forward by some cousins, thrown by chance
+into Mr Elliot’s company, and fell in love with him; and not a
+difficulty or a scruple was there on his side, with respect to her
+birth. All his caution was spent in being secured of the real amount of
+her fortune, before he committed himself. Depend upon it, whatever
+esteem Mr Elliot may have for his own situation in life now, as a young
+man he had not the smallest value for it. His chance for the Kellynch
+estate was something, but all the honour of the family he held as cheap
+as dirt. I have often heard him declare, that if baronetcies were
+saleable, anybody should have his for fifty pounds, arms and motto,
+name and livery included; but I will not pretend to repeat half that I
+used to hear him say on that subject. It would not be fair; and yet you
+ought to have proof, for what is all this but assertion, and you shall
+have proof.”
+
+“Indeed, my dear Mrs Smith, I want none,” cried Anne. “You have
+asserted nothing contradictory to what Mr Elliot appeared to be some
+years ago. This is all in confirmation, rather, of what we used to hear
+and believe. I am more curious to know why he should be so different
+now.”
+
+“But for my satisfaction, if you will have the goodness to ring for
+Mary; stay: I am sure you will have the still greater goodness of going
+yourself into my bedroom, and bringing me the small inlaid box which
+you will find on the upper shelf of the closet.”
+
+Anne, seeing her friend to be earnestly bent on it, did as she was
+desired. The box was brought and placed before her, and Mrs Smith,
+sighing over it as she unlocked it, said—
+
+“This is full of papers belonging to him, to my husband; a small
+portion only of what I had to look over when I lost him. The letter I
+am looking for was one written by Mr Elliot to him before our marriage,
+and happened to be saved; why, one can hardly imagine. But he was
+careless and immethodical, like other men, about those things; and when
+I came to examine his papers, I found it with others still more
+trivial, from different people scattered here and there, while many
+letters and memorandums of real importance had been destroyed. Here it
+is; I would not burn it, because being even then very little satisfied
+with Mr Elliot, I was determined to preserve every document of former
+intimacy. I have now another motive for being glad that I can produce
+it.”
+
+This was the letter, directed to “Charles Smith, Esq. Tunbridge Wells,”
+and dated from London, as far back as July, 1803:—
+
+
+“Dear Smith,
+
+“I have received yours. Your kindness almost overpowers me. I wish
+nature had made such hearts as yours more common, but I have lived
+three-and-twenty years in the world, and have seen none like it. At
+present, believe me, I have no need of your services, being in cash
+again. Give me joy: I have got rid of Sir Walter and Miss. They are
+gone back to Kellynch, and almost made me swear to visit them this
+summer; but my first visit to Kellynch will be with a surveyor, to tell
+me how to bring it with best advantage to the hammer. The baronet,
+nevertheless, is not unlikely to marry again; he is quite fool enough.
+If he does, however, they will leave me in peace, which may be a decent
+equivalent for the reversion. He is worse than last year.
+
+“I wish I had any name but Elliot. I am sick of it. The name of Walter
+I can drop, thank God! and I desire you will never insult me with my
+second W. again, meaning, for the rest of my life, to be only yours
+truly,
+
+“WM. ELLIOT.”
+
+
+Such a letter could not be read without putting Anne in a glow; and Mrs
+Smith, observing the high colour in her face, said—
+
+“The language, I know, is highly disrespectful. Though I have forgot
+the exact terms, I have a perfect impression of the general meaning.
+But it shows you the man. Mark his professions to my poor husband. Can
+any thing be stronger?”
+
+Anne could not immediately get over the shock and mortification of
+finding such words applied to her father. She was obliged to recollect
+that her seeing the letter was a violation of the laws of honour, that
+no one ought to be judged or to be known by such testimonies, that no
+private correspondence could bear the eye of others, before she could
+recover calmness enough to return the letter which she had been
+meditating over, and say—
+
+“Thank you. This is full proof undoubtedly; proof of every thing you
+were saying. But why be acquainted with us now?”
+
+“I can explain this too,” cried Mrs Smith, smiling.
+
+“Can you really?”
+
+“Yes. I have shewn you Mr Elliot as he was a dozen years ago, and I
+will shew him as he is now. I cannot produce written proof again, but I
+can give as authentic oral testimony as you can desire, of what he is
+now wanting, and what he is now doing. He is no hypocrite now. He truly
+wants to marry you. His present attentions to your family are very
+sincere: quite from the heart. I will give you my authority: his friend
+Colonel Wallis.”
+
+“Colonel Wallis! you are acquainted with him?”
+
+“No. It does not come to me in quite so direct a line as that; it takes
+a bend or two, but nothing of consequence. The stream is as good as at
+first; the little rubbish it collects in the turnings is easily moved
+away. Mr Elliot talks unreservedly to Colonel Wallis of his views on
+you, which said Colonel Wallis, I imagine to be, in himself, a
+sensible, careful, discerning sort of character; but Colonel Wallis has
+a very pretty silly wife, to whom he tells things which he had better
+not, and he repeats it all to her. She in the overflowing spirits of
+her recovery, repeats it all to her nurse; and the nurse knowing my
+acquaintance with you, very naturally brings it all to me. On Monday
+evening, my good friend Mrs Rooke let me thus much into the secrets of
+Marlborough Buildings. When I talked of a whole history, therefore, you
+see I was not romancing so much as you supposed.”
+
+“My dear Mrs Smith, your authority is deficient. This will not do. Mr
+Elliot’s having any views on me will not in the least account for the
+efforts he made towards a reconciliation with my father. That was all
+prior to my coming to Bath. I found them on the most friendly terms
+when I arrived.”
+
+“I know you did; I know it all perfectly, but—”
+
+“Indeed, Mrs Smith, we must not expect to get real information in such
+a line. Facts or opinions which are to pass through the hands of so
+many, to be misconceived by folly in one, and ignorance in another, can
+hardly have much truth left.”
+
+“Only give me a hearing. You will soon be able to judge of the general
+credit due, by listening to some particulars which you can yourself
+immediately contradict or confirm. Nobody supposes that you were his
+first inducement. He had seen you indeed, before he came to Bath, and
+admired you, but without knowing it to be you. So says my historian, at
+least. Is this true? Did he see you last summer or autumn, ‘somewhere
+down in the west,’ to use her own words, without knowing it to be you?”
+
+“He certainly did. So far it is very true. At Lyme. I happened to be at
+Lyme.”
+
+“Well,” continued Mrs Smith, triumphantly, “grant my friend the credit
+due to the establishment of the first point asserted. He saw you then
+at Lyme, and liked you so well as to be exceedingly pleased to meet
+with you again in Camden Place, as Miss Anne Elliot, and from that
+moment, I have no doubt, had a double motive in his visits there. But
+there was another, and an earlier, which I will now explain. If there
+is anything in my story which you know to be either false or
+improbable, stop me. My account states, that your sister’s friend, the
+lady now staying with you, whom I have heard you mention, came to Bath
+with Miss Elliot and Sir Walter as long ago as September (in short when
+they first came themselves), and has been staying there ever since;
+that she is a clever, insinuating, handsome woman, poor and plausible,
+and altogether such in situation and manner, as to give a general idea,
+among Sir Walter’s acquaintance, of her meaning to be Lady Elliot, and
+as general a surprise that Miss Elliot should be apparently, blind to
+the danger.”
+
+Here Mrs Smith paused a moment; but Anne had not a word to say, and she
+continued—
+
+“This was the light in which it appeared to those who knew the family,
+long before you returned to it; and Colonel Wallis had his eye upon
+your father enough to be sensible of it, though he did not then visit
+in Camden Place; but his regard for Mr Elliot gave him an interest in
+watching all that was going on there, and when Mr Elliot came to Bath
+for a day or two, as he happened to do a little before Christmas,
+Colonel Wallis made him acquainted with the appearance of things, and
+the reports beginning to prevail. Now you are to understand, that time
+had worked a very material change in Mr Elliot’s opinions as to the
+value of a baronetcy. Upon all points of blood and connexion he is a
+completely altered man. Having long had as much money as he could
+spend, nothing to wish for on the side of avarice or indulgence, he has
+been gradually learning to pin his happiness upon the consequence he is
+heir to. I thought it coming on before our acquaintance ceased, but it
+is now a confirmed feeling. He cannot bear the idea of not being Sir
+William. You may guess, therefore, that the news he heard from his
+friend could not be very agreeable, and you may guess what it produced;
+the resolution of coming back to Bath as soon as possible, and of
+fixing himself here for a time, with the view of renewing his former
+acquaintance, and recovering such a footing in the family as might give
+him the means of ascertaining the degree of his danger, and of
+circumventing the lady if he found it material. This was agreed upon
+between the two friends as the only thing to be done; and Colonel
+Wallis was to assist in every way that he could. He was to be
+introduced, and Mrs Wallis was to be introduced, and everybody was to
+be introduced. Mr Elliot came back accordingly; and on application was
+forgiven, as you know, and re-admitted into the family; and there it
+was his constant object, and his only object (till your arrival added
+another motive), to watch Sir Walter and Mrs Clay. He omitted no
+opportunity of being with them, threw himself in their way, called at
+all hours; but I need not be particular on this subject. You can
+imagine what an artful man would do; and with this guide, perhaps, may
+recollect what you have seen him do.”
+
+“Yes,” said Anne, “you tell me nothing which does not accord with what
+I have known, or could imagine. There is always something offensive in
+the details of cunning. The manœuvres of selfishness and duplicity must
+ever be revolting, but I have heard nothing which really surprises me.
+I know those who would be shocked by such a representation of Mr
+Elliot, who would have difficulty in believing it; but I have never
+been satisfied. I have always wanted some other motive for his conduct
+than appeared. I should like to know his present opinion, as to the
+probability of the event he has been in dread of; whether he considers
+the danger to be lessening or not.”
+
+“Lessening, I understand,” replied Mrs Smith. “He thinks Mrs Clay
+afraid of him, aware that he sees through her, and not daring to
+proceed as she might do in his absence. But since he must be absent
+some time or other, I do not perceive how he can ever be secure while
+she holds her present influence. Mrs Wallis has an amusing idea, as
+nurse tells me, that it is to be put into the marriage articles when
+you and Mr Elliot marry, that your father is not to marry Mrs Clay. A
+scheme, worthy of Mrs Wallis’s understanding, by all accounts; but my
+sensible nurse Rooke sees the absurdity of it. ‘Why, to be sure,
+ma’am,’ said she, ‘it would not prevent his marrying anybody else.’
+And, indeed, to own the truth, I do not think nurse, in her heart, is a
+very strenuous opposer of Sir Walter’s making a second match. She must
+be allowed to be a favourer of matrimony, you know; and (since self
+will intrude) who can say that she may not have some flying visions of
+attending the next Lady Elliot, through Mrs Wallis’s recommendation?”
+
+“I am very glad to know all this,” said Anne, after a little
+thoughtfulness. “It will be more painful to me in some respects to be
+in company with him, but I shall know better what to do. My line of
+conduct will be more direct. Mr Elliot is evidently a disingenuous,
+artificial, worldly man, who has never had any better principle to
+guide him than selfishness.”
+
+But Mr Elliot was not done with. Mrs Smith had been carried away from
+her first direction, and Anne had forgotten, in the interest of her own
+family concerns, how much had been originally implied against him; but
+her attention was now called to the explanation of those first hints,
+and she listened to a recital which, if it did not perfectly justify
+the unqualified bitterness of Mrs Smith, proved him to have been very
+unfeeling in his conduct towards her; very deficient both in justice
+and compassion.
+
+She learned that (the intimacy between them continuing unimpaired by Mr
+Elliot’s marriage) they had been as before always together, and Mr
+Elliot had led his friend into expenses much beyond his fortune. Mrs
+Smith did not want to take blame to herself, and was most tender of
+throwing any on her husband; but Anne could collect that their income
+had never been equal to their style of living, and that from the first
+there had been a great deal of general and joint extravagance. From his
+wife’s account of him she could discern Mr Smith to have been a man of
+warm feelings, easy temper, careless habits, and not strong
+understanding, much more amiable than his friend, and very unlike him,
+led by him, and probably despised by him. Mr Elliot, raised by his
+marriage to great affluence, and disposed to every gratification of
+pleasure and vanity which could be commanded without involving himself,
+(for with all his self-indulgence he had become a prudent man), and
+beginning to be rich, just as his friend ought to have found himself to
+be poor, seemed to have had no concern at all for that friend’s
+probable finances, but, on the contrary, had been prompting and
+encouraging expenses which could end only in ruin; and the Smiths
+accordingly had been ruined.
+
+The husband had died just in time to be spared the full knowledge of
+it. They had previously known embarrassments enough to try the
+friendship of their friends, and to prove that Mr Elliot’s had better
+not be tried; but it was not till his death that the wretched state of
+his affairs was fully known. With a confidence in Mr Elliot’s regard,
+more creditable to his feelings than his judgement, Mr Smith had
+appointed him the executor of his will; but Mr Elliot would not act,
+and the difficulties and distress which this refusal had heaped on her,
+in addition to the inevitable sufferings of her situation, had been
+such as could not be related without anguish of spirit, or listened to
+without corresponding indignation.
+
+Anne was shewn some letters of his on the occasion, answers to urgent
+applications from Mrs Smith, which all breathed the same stern
+resolution of not engaging in a fruitless trouble, and, under a cold
+civility, the same hard-hearted indifference to any of the evils it
+might bring on her. It was a dreadful picture of ingratitude and
+inhumanity; and Anne felt, at some moments, that no flagrant open crime
+could have been worse. She had a great deal to listen to; all the
+particulars of past sad scenes, all the minutiae of distress upon
+distress, which in former conversations had been merely hinted at, were
+dwelt on now with a natural indulgence. Anne could perfectly comprehend
+the exquisite relief, and was only the more inclined to wonder at the
+composure of her friend’s usual state of mind.
+
+There was one circumstance in the history of her grievances of
+particular irritation. She had good reason to believe that some
+property of her husband in the West Indies, which had been for many
+years under a sort of sequestration for the payment of its own
+incumbrances, might be recoverable by proper measures; and this
+property, though not large, would be enough to make her comparatively
+rich. But there was nobody to stir in it. Mr Elliot would do nothing,
+and she could do nothing herself, equally disabled from personal
+exertion by her state of bodily weakness, and from employing others by
+her want of money. She had no natural connexions to assist her even
+with their counsel, and she could not afford to purchase the assistance
+of the law. This was a cruel aggravation of actually straitened means.
+To feel that she ought to be in better circumstances, that a little
+trouble in the right place might do it, and to fear that delay might be
+even weakening her claims, was hard to bear.
+
+It was on this point that she had hoped to engage Anne’s good offices
+with Mr Elliot. She had previously, in the anticipation of their
+marriage, been very apprehensive of losing her friend by it; but on
+being assured that he could have made no attempt of that nature, since
+he did not even know her to be in Bath, it immediately occurred, that
+something might be done in her favour by the influence of the woman he
+loved, and she had been hastily preparing to interest Anne’s feelings,
+as far as the observances due to Mr Elliot’s character would allow,
+when Anne’s refutation of the supposed engagement changed the face of
+everything; and while it took from her the new-formed hope of
+succeeding in the object of her first anxiety, left her at least the
+comfort of telling the whole story her own way.
+
+After listening to this full description of Mr Elliot, Anne could not
+but express some surprise at Mrs Smith’s having spoken of him so
+favourably in the beginning of their conversation. “She had seemed to
+recommend and praise him!”
+
+“My dear,” was Mrs Smith’s reply, “there was nothing else to be done. I
+considered your marrying him as certain, though he might not yet have
+made the offer, and I could no more speak the truth of him, than if he
+had been your husband. My heart bled for you, as I talked of happiness;
+and yet he is sensible, he is agreeable, and with such a woman as you,
+it was not absolutely hopeless. He was very unkind to his first wife.
+They were wretched together. But she was too ignorant and giddy for
+respect, and he had never loved her. I was willing to hope that you
+must fare better.”
+
+Anne could just acknowledge within herself such a possibility of having
+been induced to marry him, as made her shudder at the idea of the
+misery which must have followed. It was just possible that she might
+have been persuaded by Lady Russell! And under such a supposition,
+which would have been most miserable, when time had disclosed all, too
+late?
+
+It was very desirable that Lady Russell should be no longer deceived;
+and one of the concluding arrangements of this important conference,
+which carried them through the greater part of the morning, was, that
+Anne had full liberty to communicate to her friend everything relative
+to Mrs Smith, in which his conduct was involved.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXII.
+
+
+Anne went home to think over all that she had heard. In one point, her
+feelings were relieved by this knowledge of Mr Elliot. There was no
+longer anything of tenderness due to him. He stood as opposed to
+Captain Wentworth, in all his own unwelcome obtrusiveness; and the evil
+of his attentions last night, the irremediable mischief he might have
+done, was considered with sensations unqualified, unperplexed. Pity for
+him was all over. But this was the only point of relief. In every other
+respect, in looking around her, or penetrating forward, she saw more to
+distrust and to apprehend. She was concerned for the disappointment and
+pain Lady Russell would be feeling; for the mortifications which must
+be hanging over her father and sister, and had all the distress of
+foreseeing many evils, without knowing how to avert any one of them.
+She was most thankful for her own knowledge of him. She had never
+considered herself as entitled to reward for not slighting an old
+friend like Mrs Smith, but here was a reward indeed springing from it!
+Mrs Smith had been able to tell her what no one else could have done.
+Could the knowledge have been extended through her family? But this was
+a vain idea. She must talk to Lady Russell, tell her, consult with her,
+and having done her best, wait the event with as much composure as
+possible; and after all, her greatest want of composure would be in
+that quarter of the mind which could not be opened to Lady Russell; in
+that flow of anxieties and fears which must be all to herself.
+
+She found, on reaching home, that she had, as she intended, escaped
+seeing Mr Elliot; that he had called and paid them a long morning
+visit; but hardly had she congratulated herself, and felt safe, when
+she heard that he was coming again in the evening.
+
+“I had not the smallest intention of asking him,” said Elizabeth, with
+affected carelessness, “but he gave so many hints; so Mrs Clay says, at
+least.”
+
+“Indeed, I do say it. I never saw anybody in my life spell harder for
+an invitation. Poor man! I was really in pain for him; for your
+hard-hearted sister, Miss Anne, seems bent on cruelty.”
+
+“Oh!” cried Elizabeth, “I have been rather too much used to the game to
+be soon overcome by a gentleman’s hints. However, when I found how
+excessively he was regretting that he should miss my father this
+morning, I gave way immediately, for I would never really omit an
+opportunity of bringing him and Sir Walter together. They appear to so
+much advantage in company with each other. Each behaving so pleasantly.
+Mr Elliot looking up with so much respect.”
+
+“Quite delightful!” cried Mrs Clay, not daring, however, to turn her
+eyes towards Anne. “Exactly like father and son! Dear Miss Elliot, may
+I not say father and son?”
+
+“Oh! I lay no embargo on any body’s words. If you will have such ideas!
+But, upon my word, I am scarcely sensible of his attentions being
+beyond those of other men.”
+
+“My dear Miss Elliot!” exclaimed Mrs Clay, lifting her hands and eyes,
+and sinking all the rest of her astonishment in a convenient silence.
+
+“Well, my dear Penelope, you need not be so alarmed about him. I did
+invite him, you know. I sent him away with smiles. When I found he was
+really going to his friends at Thornberry Park for the whole day
+to-morrow, I had compassion on him.”
+
+Anne admired the good acting of the friend, in being able to shew such
+pleasure as she did, in the expectation and in the actual arrival of
+the very person whose presence must really be interfering with her
+prime object. It was impossible but that Mrs Clay must hate the sight
+of Mr Elliot; and yet she could assume a most obliging, placid look,
+and appear quite satisfied with the curtailed license of devoting
+herself only half as much to Sir Walter as she would have done
+otherwise.
+
+To Anne herself it was most distressing to see Mr Elliot enter the
+room; and quite painful to have him approach and speak to her. She had
+been used before to feel that he could not be always quite sincere, but
+now she saw insincerity in everything. His attentive deference to her
+father, contrasted with his former language, was odious; and when she
+thought of his cruel conduct towards Mrs Smith, she could hardly bear
+the sight of his present smiles and mildness, or the sound of his
+artificial good sentiments.
+
+She meant to avoid any such alteration of manners as might provoke a
+remonstrance on his side. It was a great object to her to escape all
+enquiry or eclat; but it was her intention to be as decidedly cool to
+him as might be compatible with their relationship; and to retrace, as
+quietly as she could, the few steps of unnecessary intimacy she had
+been gradually led along. She was accordingly more guarded, and more
+cool, than she had been the night before.
+
+He wanted to animate her curiosity again as to how and where he could
+have heard her formerly praised; wanted very much to be gratified by
+more solicitation; but the charm was broken: he found that the heat and
+animation of a public room was necessary to kindle his modest cousin’s
+vanity; he found, at least, that it was not to be done now, by any of
+those attempts which he could hazard among the too-commanding claims of
+the others. He little surmised that it was a subject acting now exactly
+against his interest, bringing immediately to her thoughts all those
+parts of his conduct which were least excusable.
+
+She had some satisfaction in finding that he was really going out of
+Bath the next morning, going early, and that he would be gone the
+greater part of two days. He was invited again to Camden Place the very
+evening of his return; but from Thursday to Saturday evening his
+absence was certain. It was bad enough that a Mrs Clay should be always
+before her; but that a deeper hypocrite should be added to their party,
+seemed the destruction of everything like peace and comfort. It was so
+humiliating to reflect on the constant deception practised on her
+father and Elizabeth; to consider the various sources of mortification
+preparing for them! Mrs Clay’s selfishness was not so complicate nor so
+revolting as his; and Anne would have compounded for the marriage at
+once, with all its evils, to be clear of Mr Elliot’s subtleties in
+endeavouring to prevent it.
+
+On Friday morning she meant to go very early to Lady Russell, and
+accomplish the necessary communication; and she would have gone
+directly after breakfast, but that Mrs Clay was also going out on some
+obliging purpose of saving her sister trouble, which determined her to
+wait till she might be safe from such a companion. She saw Mrs Clay
+fairly off, therefore, before she began to talk of spending the morning
+in Rivers Street.
+
+“Very well,” said Elizabeth, “I have nothing to send but my love. Oh!
+you may as well take back that tiresome book she would lend me, and
+pretend I have read it through. I really cannot be plaguing myself for
+ever with all the new poems and states of the nation that come out.
+Lady Russell quite bores one with her new publications. You need not
+tell her so, but I thought her dress hideous the other night. I used to
+think she had some taste in dress, but I was ashamed of her at the
+concert. Something so formal and _arrangé_ in her air! and she sits so
+upright! My best love, of course.”
+
+“And mine,” added Sir Walter. “Kindest regards. And you may say, that I
+mean to call upon her soon. Make a civil message; but I shall only
+leave my card. Morning visits are never fair by women at her time of
+life, who make themselves up so little. If she would only wear rouge
+she would not be afraid of being seen; but last time I called, I
+observed the blinds were let down immediately.”
+
+While her father spoke, there was a knock at the door. Who could it be?
+Anne, remembering the preconcerted visits, at all hours, of Mr Elliot,
+would have expected him, but for his known engagement seven miles off.
+After the usual period of suspense, the usual sounds of approach were
+heard, and “Mr and Mrs Charles Musgrove” were ushered into the room.
+
+Surprise was the strongest emotion raised by their appearance; but Anne
+was really glad to see them; and the others were not so sorry but that
+they could put on a decent air of welcome; and as soon as it became
+clear that these, their nearest relations, were not arrived with any
+views of accommodation in that house, Sir Walter and Elizabeth were
+able to rise in cordiality, and do the honours of it very well. They
+were come to Bath for a few days with Mrs Musgrove, and were at the
+White Hart. So much was pretty soon understood; but till Sir Walter and
+Elizabeth were walking Mary into the other drawing-room, and regaling
+themselves with her admiration, Anne could not draw upon Charles’s
+brain for a regular history of their coming, or an explanation of some
+smiling hints of particular business, which had been ostentatiously
+dropped by Mary, as well as of some apparent confusion as to whom their
+party consisted of.
+
+She then found that it consisted of Mrs Musgrove, Henrietta, and
+Captain Harville, beside their two selves. He gave her a very plain,
+intelligible account of the whole; a narration in which she saw a great
+deal of most characteristic proceeding. The scheme had received its
+first impulse by Captain Harville’s wanting to come to Bath on
+business. He had begun to talk of it a week ago; and by way of doing
+something, as shooting was over, Charles had proposed coming with him,
+and Mrs Harville had seemed to like the idea of it very much, as an
+advantage to her husband; but Mary could not bear to be left, and had
+made herself so unhappy about it, that for a day or two everything
+seemed to be in suspense, or at an end. But then, it had been taken up
+by his father and mother. His mother had some old friends in Bath whom
+she wanted to see; it was thought a good opportunity for Henrietta to
+come and buy wedding-clothes for herself and her sister; and, in short,
+it ended in being his mother’s party, that everything might be
+comfortable and easy to Captain Harville; and he and Mary were included
+in it by way of general convenience. They had arrived late the night
+before. Mrs Harville, her children, and Captain Benwick, remained with
+Mr Musgrove and Louisa at Uppercross.
+
+Anne’s only surprise was, that affairs should be in forwardness enough
+for Henrietta’s wedding-clothes to be talked of. She had imagined such
+difficulties of fortune to exist there as must prevent the marriage
+from being near at hand; but she learned from Charles that, very
+recently, (since Mary’s last letter to herself), Charles Hayter had
+been applied to by a friend to hold a living for a youth who could not
+possibly claim it under many years; and that on the strength of his
+present income, with almost a certainty of something more permanent
+long before the term in question, the two families had consented to the
+young people’s wishes, and that their marriage was likely to take place
+in a few months, quite as soon as Louisa’s. “And a very good living it
+was,” Charles added: “only five-and-twenty miles from Uppercross, and
+in a very fine country: fine part of Dorsetshire. In the centre of some
+of the best preserves in the kingdom, surrounded by three great
+proprietors, each more careful and jealous than the other; and to two
+of the three at least, Charles Hayter might get a special
+recommendation. Not that he will value it as he ought,” he observed,
+“Charles is too cool about sporting. That’s the worst of him.”
+
+“I am extremely glad, indeed,” cried Anne, “particularly glad that this
+should happen; and that of two sisters, who both deserve equally well,
+and who have always been such good friends, the pleasant prospect of
+one should not be dimming those of the other—that they should be so
+equal in their prosperity and comfort. I hope your father and mother
+are quite happy with regard to both.”
+
+“Oh! yes. My father would be well pleased if the gentlemen were richer,
+but he has no other fault to find. Money, you know, coming down with
+money—two daughters at once—it cannot be a very agreeable operation,
+and it streightens him as to many things. However, I do not mean to say
+they have not a right to it. It is very fit they should have daughters’
+shares; and I am sure he has always been a very kind, liberal father to
+me. Mary does not above half like Henrietta’s match. She never did, you
+know. But she does not do him justice, nor think enough about Winthrop.
+I cannot make her attend to the value of the property. It is a very
+fair match, as times go; and I have liked Charles Hayter all my life,
+and I shall not leave off now.”
+
+“Such excellent parents as Mr and Mrs Musgrove,” exclaimed Anne,
+“should be happy in their children’s marriages. They do everything to
+confer happiness, I am sure. What a blessing to young people to be in
+such hands! Your father and mother seem so totally free from all those
+ambitious feelings which have led to so much misconduct and misery,
+both in young and old. I hope you think Louisa perfectly recovered
+now?”
+
+He answered rather hesitatingly, “Yes, I believe I do; very much
+recovered; but she is altered; there is no running or jumping about, no
+laughing or dancing; it is quite different. If one happens only to shut
+the door a little hard, she starts and wriggles like a young dab-chick
+in the water; and Benwick sits at her elbow, reading verses, or
+whispering to her, all day long.”
+
+Anne could not help laughing. “That cannot be much to your taste, I
+know,” said she; “but I do believe him to be an excellent young man.”
+
+“To be sure he is. Nobody doubts it; and I hope you do not think I am
+so illiberal as to want every man to have the same objects and
+pleasures as myself. I have a great value for Benwick; and when one can
+but get him to talk, he has plenty to say. His reading has done him no
+harm, for he has fought as well as read. He is a brave fellow. I got
+more acquainted with him last Monday than ever I did before. We had a
+famous set-to at rat-hunting all the morning in my father’s great
+barns; and he played his part so well that I have liked him the better
+ever since.”
+
+Here they were interrupted by the absolute necessity of Charles’s
+following the others to admire mirrors and china; but Anne had heard
+enough to understand the present state of Uppercross, and rejoice in
+its happiness; and though she sighed as she rejoiced, her sigh had none
+of the ill-will of envy in it. She would certainly have risen to their
+blessings if she could, but she did not want to lessen theirs.
+
+The visit passed off altogether in high good humour. Mary was in
+excellent spirits, enjoying the gaiety and the change, and so well
+satisfied with the journey in her mother-in-law’s carriage with four
+horses, and with her own complete independence of Camden Place, that
+she was exactly in a temper to admire everything as she ought, and
+enter most readily into all the superiorities of the house, as they
+were detailed to her. She had no demands on her father or sister, and
+her consequence was just enough increased by their handsome
+drawing-rooms.
+
+Elizabeth was, for a short time, suffering a good deal. She felt that
+Mrs Musgrove and all her party ought to be asked to dine with them; but
+she could not bear to have the difference of style, the reduction of
+servants, which a dinner must betray, witnessed by those who had been
+always so inferior to the Elliots of Kellynch. It was a struggle
+between propriety and vanity; but vanity got the better, and then
+Elizabeth was happy again. These were her internal persuasions: “Old
+fashioned notions; country hospitality; we do not profess to give
+dinners; few people in Bath do; Lady Alicia never does; did not even
+ask her own sister’s family, though they were here a month: and I dare
+say it would be very inconvenient to Mrs Musgrove; put her quite out of
+her way. I am sure she would rather not come; she cannot feel easy with
+us. I will ask them all for an evening; that will be much better; that
+will be a novelty and a treat. They have not seen two such drawing
+rooms before. They will be delighted to come to-morrow evening. It
+shall be a regular party, small, but most elegant.” And this satisfied
+Elizabeth: and when the invitation was given to the two present, and
+promised for the absent, Mary was as completely satisfied. She was
+particularly asked to meet Mr Elliot, and be introduced to Lady
+Dalrymple and Miss Carteret, who were fortunately already engaged to
+come; and she could not have received a more gratifying attention. Miss
+Elliot was to have the honour of calling on Mrs Musgrove in the course
+of the morning; and Anne walked off with Charles and Mary, to go and
+see her and Henrietta directly.
+
+Her plan of sitting with Lady Russell must give way for the present.
+They all three called in Rivers Street for a couple of minutes; but
+Anne convinced herself that a day’s delay of the intended communication
+could be of no consequence, and hastened forward to the White Hart, to
+see again the friends and companions of the last autumn, with an
+eagerness of good-will which many associations contributed to form.
+
+They found Mrs Musgrove and her daughter within, and by themselves, and
+Anne had the kindest welcome from each. Henrietta was exactly in that
+state of recently-improved views, of fresh-formed happiness, which made
+her full of regard and interest for everybody she had ever liked before
+at all; and Mrs Musgrove’s real affection had been won by her
+usefulness when they were in distress. It was a heartiness, and a
+warmth, and a sincerity which Anne delighted in the more, from the sad
+want of such blessings at home. She was entreated to give them as much
+of her time as possible, invited for every day and all day long, or
+rather claimed as part of the family; and, in return, she naturally
+fell into all her wonted ways of attention and assistance, and on
+Charles’s leaving them together, was listening to Mrs Musgrove’s
+history of Louisa, and to Henrietta’s of herself, giving opinions on
+business, and recommendations to shops; with intervals of every help
+which Mary required, from altering her ribbon to settling her accounts;
+from finding her keys, and assorting her trinkets, to trying to
+convince her that she was not ill-used by anybody; which Mary, well
+amused as she generally was, in her station at a window overlooking the
+entrance to the Pump Room, could not but have her moments of imagining.
+
+A morning of thorough confusion was to be expected. A large party in an
+hotel ensured a quick-changing, unsettled scene. One five minutes
+brought a note, the next a parcel; and Anne had not been there half an
+hour, when their dining-room, spacious as it was, seemed more than half
+filled: a party of steady old friends were seated around Mrs Musgrove,
+and Charles came back with Captains Harville and Wentworth. The
+appearance of the latter could not be more than the surprise of the
+moment. It was impossible for her to have forgotten to feel that this
+arrival of their common friends must be soon bringing them together
+again. Their last meeting had been most important in opening his
+feelings; she had derived from it a delightful conviction; but she
+feared from his looks, that the same unfortunate persuasion, which had
+hastened him away from the Concert Room, still governed. He did not
+seem to want to be near enough for conversation.
+
+She tried to be calm, and leave things to take their course, and tried
+to dwell much on this argument of rational dependence:—“Surely, if
+there be constant attachment on each side, our hearts must understand
+each other ere long. We are not boy and girl, to be captiously
+irritable, misled by every moment’s inadvertence, and wantonly playing
+with our own happiness.” And yet, a few minutes afterwards, she felt as
+if their being in company with each other, under their present
+circumstances, could only be exposing them to inadvertencies and
+misconstructions of the most mischievous kind.
+
+“Anne,” cried Mary, still at her window, “there is Mrs Clay, I am sure,
+standing under the colonnade, and a gentleman with her. I saw them turn
+the corner from Bath Street just now. They seemed deep in talk. Who is
+it? Come, and tell me. Good heavens! I recollect. It is Mr Elliot
+himself.”
+
+“No,” cried Anne, quickly, “it cannot be Mr Elliot, I assure you. He
+was to leave Bath at nine this morning, and does not come back till
+to-morrow.”
+
+As she spoke, she felt that Captain Wentworth was looking at her, the
+consciousness of which vexed and embarrassed her, and made her regret
+that she had said so much, simple as it was.
+
+Mary, resenting that she should be supposed not to know her own cousin,
+began talking very warmly about the family features, and protesting
+still more positively that it was Mr Elliot, calling again upon Anne to
+come and look for herself, but Anne did not mean to stir, and tried to
+be cool and unconcerned. Her distress returned, however, on perceiving
+smiles and intelligent glances pass between two or three of the lady
+visitors, as if they believed themselves quite in the secret. It was
+evident that the report concerning her had spread, and a short pause
+succeeded, which seemed to ensure that it would now spread farther.
+
+“Do come, Anne,” cried Mary, “come and look yourself. You will be too
+late if you do not make haste. They are parting; they are shaking
+hands. He is turning away. Not know Mr Elliot, indeed! You seem to have
+forgot all about Lyme.”
+
+To pacify Mary, and perhaps screen her own embarrassment, Anne did move
+quietly to the window. She was just in time to ascertain that it really
+was Mr Elliot, which she had never believed, before he disappeared on
+one side, as Mrs Clay walked quickly off on the other; and checking the
+surprise which she could not but feel at such an appearance of friendly
+conference between two persons of totally opposite interest, she calmly
+said, “Yes, it is Mr Elliot, certainly. He has changed his hour of
+going, I suppose, that is all, or I may be mistaken, I might not
+attend;” and walked back to her chair, recomposed, and with the
+comfortable hope of having acquitted herself well.
+
+The visitors took their leave; and Charles, having civilly seen them
+off, and then made a face at them, and abused them for coming, began
+with—
+
+“Well, mother, I have done something for you that you will like. I have
+been to the theatre, and secured a box for to-morrow night. A’n’t I a
+good boy? I know you love a play; and there is room for us all. It
+holds nine. I have engaged Captain Wentworth. Anne will not be sorry to
+join us, I am sure. We all like a play. Have not I done well, mother?”
+
+Mrs Musgrove was good humouredly beginning to express her perfect
+readiness for the play, if Henrietta and all the others liked it, when
+Mary eagerly interrupted her by exclaiming—
+
+“Good heavens, Charles! how can you think of such a thing? Take a box
+for to-morrow night! Have you forgot that we are engaged to Camden
+Place to-morrow night? and that we were most particularly asked to meet
+Lady Dalrymple and her daughter, and Mr Elliot, and all the principal
+family connexions, on purpose to be introduced to them? How can you be
+so forgetful?”
+
+“Phoo! phoo!” replied Charles, “what’s an evening party? Never worth
+remembering. Your father might have asked us to dinner, I think, if he
+had wanted to see us. You may do as you like, but I shall go to the
+play.”
+
+“Oh! Charles, I declare it will be too abominable if you do, when you
+promised to go.”
+
+“No, I did not promise. I only smirked and bowed, and said the word
+‘happy.’ There was no promise.”
+
+“But you must go, Charles. It would be unpardonable to fail. We were
+asked on purpose to be introduced. There was always such a great
+connexion between the Dalrymples and ourselves. Nothing ever happened
+on either side that was not announced immediately. We are quite near
+relations, you know; and Mr Elliot too, whom you ought so particularly
+to be acquainted with! Every attention is due to Mr Elliot. Consider,
+my father’s heir: the future representative of the family.”
+
+“Don’t talk to me about heirs and representatives,” cried Charles. “I
+am not one of those who neglect the reigning power to bow to the rising
+sun. If I would not go for the sake of your father, I should think it
+scandalous to go for the sake of his heir. What is Mr Elliot to me?”
+The careless expression was life to Anne, who saw that Captain
+Wentworth was all attention, looking and listening with his whole soul;
+and that the last words brought his enquiring eyes from Charles to
+herself.
+
+Charles and Mary still talked on in the same style; he, half serious
+and half jesting, maintaining the scheme for the play, and she,
+invariably serious, most warmly opposing it, and not omitting to make
+it known that, however determined to go to Camden Place herself, she
+should not think herself very well used, if they went to the play
+without her. Mrs Musgrove interposed.
+
+“We had better put it off. Charles, you had much better go back and
+change the box for Tuesday. It would be a pity to be divided, and we
+should be losing Miss Anne, too, if there is a party at her father’s;
+and I am sure neither Henrietta nor I should care at all for the play,
+if Miss Anne could not be with us.”
+
+Anne felt truly obliged to her for such kindness; and quite as much so
+for the opportunity it gave her of decidedly saying—
+
+“If it depended only on my inclination, ma’am, the party at home
+(excepting on Mary’s account) would not be the smallest impediment. I
+have no pleasure in the sort of meeting, and should be too happy to
+change it for a play, and with you. But, it had better not be
+attempted, perhaps.” She had spoken it; but she trembled when it was
+done, conscious that her words were listened to, and daring not even to
+try to observe their effect.
+
+It was soon generally agreed that Tuesday should be the day; Charles
+only reserving the advantage of still teasing his wife, by persisting
+that he would go to the play to-morrow if nobody else would.
+
+Captain Wentworth left his seat, and walked to the fire-place; probably
+for the sake of walking away from it soon afterwards, and taking a
+station, with less bare-faced design, by Anne.
+
+“You have not been long enough in Bath,” said he, “to enjoy the evening
+parties of the place.”
+
+“Oh! no. The usual character of them has nothing for me. I am no
+card-player.”
+
+“You were not formerly, I know. You did not use to like cards; but time
+makes many changes.”
+
+“I am not yet so much changed,” cried Anne, and stopped, fearing she
+hardly knew what misconstruction. After waiting a few moments he said,
+and as if it were the result of immediate feeling, “It is a period,
+indeed! Eight years and a half is a period.”
+
+Whether he would have proceeded farther was left to Anne’s imagination
+to ponder over in a calmer hour; for while still hearing the sounds he
+had uttered, she was startled to other subjects by Henrietta, eager to
+make use of the present leisure for getting out, and calling on her
+companions to lose no time, lest somebody else should come in.
+
+They were obliged to move. Anne talked of being perfectly ready, and
+tried to look it; but she felt that could Henrietta have known the
+regret and reluctance of her heart in quitting that chair, in preparing
+to quit the room, she would have found, in all her own sensations for
+her cousin, in the very security of his affection, wherewith to pity
+her.
+
+Their preparations, however, were stopped short. Alarming sounds were
+heard; other visitors approached, and the door was thrown open for Sir
+Walter and Miss Elliot, whose entrance seemed to give a general chill.
+Anne felt an instant oppression, and wherever she looked saw symptoms
+of the same. The comfort, the freedom, the gaiety of the room was over,
+hushed into cold composure, determined silence, or insipid talk, to
+meet the heartless elegance of her father and sister. How mortifying to
+feel that it was so!
+
+Her jealous eye was satisfied in one particular. Captain Wentworth was
+acknowledged again by each, by Elizabeth more graciously than before.
+She even addressed him once, and looked at him more than once.
+Elizabeth was, in fact, revolving a great measure. The sequel explained
+it. After the waste of a few minutes in saying the proper nothings, she
+began to give the invitation which was to comprise all the remaining
+dues of the Musgroves. “To-morrow evening, to meet a few friends: no
+formal party.” It was all said very gracefully, and the cards with
+which she had provided herself, the “Miss Elliot at home,” were laid on
+the table, with a courteous, comprehensive smile to all, and one smile
+and one card more decidedly for Captain Wentworth. The truth was, that
+Elizabeth had been long enough in Bath to understand the importance of
+a man of such an air and appearance as his. The past was nothing. The
+present was that Captain Wentworth would move about well in her
+drawing-room. The card was pointedly given, and Sir Walter and
+Elizabeth arose and disappeared.
+
+The interruption had been short, though severe, and ease and animation
+returned to most of those they left as the door shut them out, but not
+to Anne. She could think only of the invitation she had with such
+astonishment witnessed, and of the manner in which it had been
+received; a manner of doubtful meaning, of surprise rather than
+gratification, of polite acknowledgement rather than acceptance. She
+knew him; she saw disdain in his eye, and could not venture to believe
+that he had determined to accept such an offering, as an atonement for
+all the insolence of the past. Her spirits sank. He held the card in
+his hand after they were gone, as if deeply considering it.
+
+“Only think of Elizabeth’s including everybody!” whispered Mary very
+audibly. “I do not wonder Captain Wentworth is delighted! You see he
+cannot put the card out of his hand.”
+
+Anne caught his eye, saw his cheeks glow, and his mouth form itself
+into a momentary expression of contempt, and turned away, that she
+might neither see nor hear more to vex her.
+
+The party separated. The gentlemen had their own pursuits, the ladies
+proceeded on their own business, and they met no more while Anne
+belonged to them. She was earnestly begged to return and dine, and give
+them all the rest of the day, but her spirits had been so long exerted
+that at present she felt unequal to more, and fit only for home, where
+she might be sure of being as silent as she chose.
+
+Promising to be with them the whole of the following morning,
+therefore, she closed the fatigues of the present by a toilsome walk to
+Camden Place, there to spend the evening chiefly in listening to the
+busy arrangements of Elizabeth and Mrs Clay for the morrow’s party, the
+frequent enumeration of the persons invited, and the continually
+improving detail of all the embellishments which were to make it the
+most completely elegant of its kind in Bath, while harassing herself
+with the never-ending question, of whether Captain Wentworth would come
+or not? They were reckoning him as certain, but with her it was a
+gnawing solicitude never appeased for five minutes together. She
+generally thought he would come, because she generally thought he
+ought; but it was a case which she could not so shape into any positive
+act of duty or discretion, as inevitably to defy the suggestions of
+very opposite feelings.
+
+She only roused herself from the broodings of this restless agitation,
+to let Mrs Clay know that she had been seen with Mr Elliot three hours
+after his being supposed to be out of Bath, for having watched in vain
+for some intimation of the interview from the lady herself, she
+determined to mention it, and it seemed to her there was guilt in Mrs
+Clay’s face as she listened. It was transient: cleared away in an
+instant; but Anne could imagine she read there the consciousness of
+having, by some complication of mutual trick, or some overbearing
+authority of his, been obliged to attend (perhaps for half an hour) to
+his lectures and restrictions on her designs on Sir Walter. She
+exclaimed, however, with a very tolerable imitation of nature:—
+
+“Oh! dear! very true. Only think, Miss Elliot, to my great surprise I
+met with Mr Elliot in Bath Street. I was never more astonished. He
+turned back and walked with me to the Pump Yard. He had been prevented
+setting off for Thornberry, but I really forget by what; for I was in a
+hurry, and could not much attend, and I can only answer for his being
+determined not to be delayed in his return. He wanted to know how early
+he might be admitted to-morrow. He was full of ‘to-morrow,’ and it is
+very evident that I have been full of it too, ever since I entered the
+house, and learnt the extension of your plan and all that had happened,
+or my seeing him could never have gone so entirely out of my head.”
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXIII.
+
+
+One day only had passed since Anne’s conversation with Mrs Smith; but a
+keener interest had succeeded, and she was now so little touched by Mr
+Elliot’s conduct, except by its effects in one quarter, that it became
+a matter of course the next morning, still to defer her explanatory
+visit in Rivers Street. She had promised to be with the Musgroves from
+breakfast to dinner. Her faith was plighted, and Mr Elliot’s character,
+like the Sultaness Scheherazade’s head, must live another day.
+
+She could not keep her appointment punctually, however; the weather was
+unfavourable, and she had grieved over the rain on her friends’
+account, and felt it very much on her own, before she was able to
+attempt the walk. When she reached the White Hart, and made her way to
+the proper apartment, she found herself neither arriving quite in time,
+nor the first to arrive. The party before her were, Mrs Musgrove,
+talking to Mrs Croft, and Captain Harville to Captain Wentworth; and
+she immediately heard that Mary and Henrietta, too impatient to wait,
+had gone out the moment it had cleared, but would be back again soon,
+and that the strictest injunctions had been left with Mrs Musgrove to
+keep her there till they returned. She had only to submit, sit down, be
+outwardly composed, and feel herself plunged at once in all the
+agitations which she had merely laid her account of tasting a little
+before the morning closed. There was no delay, no waste of time. She
+was deep in the happiness of such misery, or the misery of such
+happiness, instantly. Two minutes after her entering the room, Captain
+Wentworth said—
+
+“We will write the letter we were talking of, Harville, now, if you
+will give me materials.”
+
+Materials were at hand, on a separate table; he went to it, and nearly
+turning his back to them all, was engrossed by writing.
+
+Mrs Musgrove was giving Mrs Croft the history of her eldest daughter’s
+engagement, and just in that inconvenient tone of voice which was
+perfectly audible while it pretended to be a whisper. Anne felt that
+she did not belong to the conversation, and yet, as Captain Harville
+seemed thoughtful and not disposed to talk, she could not avoid hearing
+many undesirable particulars; such as, “how Mr Musgrove and my brother
+Hayter had met again and again to talk it over; what my brother Hayter
+had said one day, and what Mr Musgrove had proposed the next, and what
+had occurred to my sister Hayter, and what the young people had wished,
+and what I said at first I never could consent to, but was afterwards
+persuaded to think might do very well,” and a great deal in the same
+style of open-hearted communication: minutiae which, even with every
+advantage of taste and delicacy, which good Mrs Musgrove could not
+give, could be properly interesting only to the principals. Mrs Croft
+was attending with great good-humour, and whenever she spoke at all, it
+was very sensibly. Anne hoped the gentlemen might each be too much
+self-occupied to hear.
+
+“And so, ma’am, all these thing considered,” said Mrs Musgrove, in her
+powerful whisper, “though we could have wished it different, yet,
+altogether, we did not think it fair to stand out any longer, for
+Charles Hayter was quite wild about it, and Henrietta was pretty near
+as bad; and so we thought they had better marry at once, and make the
+best of it, as many others have done before them. At any rate, said I,
+it will be better than a long engagement.”
+
+“That is precisely what I was going to observe,” cried Mrs Croft. “I
+would rather have young people settle on a small income at once, and
+have to struggle with a few difficulties together, than be involved in
+a long engagement. I always think that no mutual—”
+
+“Oh! dear Mrs Croft,” cried Mrs Musgrove, unable to let her finish her
+speech, “there is nothing I so abominate for young people as a long
+engagement. It is what I always protested against for my children. It
+is all very well, I used to say, for young people to be engaged, if
+there is a certainty of their being able to marry in six months, or
+even in twelve; but a long engagement—”
+
+“Yes, dear ma’am,” said Mrs Croft, “or an uncertain engagement, an
+engagement which may be long. To begin without knowing that at such a
+time there will be the means of marrying, I hold to be very unsafe and
+unwise, and what I think all parents should prevent as far as they
+can.”
+
+Anne found an unexpected interest here. She felt its application to
+herself, felt it in a nervous thrill all over her; and at the same
+moment that her eyes instinctively glanced towards the distant table,
+Captain Wentworth’s pen ceased to move, his head was raised, pausing,
+listening, and he turned round the next instant to give a look, one
+quick, conscious look at her.
+
+The two ladies continued to talk, to re-urge the same admitted truths,
+and enforce them with such examples of the ill effect of a contrary
+practice as had fallen within their observation, but Anne heard nothing
+distinctly; it was only a buzz of words in her ear, her mind was in
+confusion.
+
+Captain Harville, who had in truth been hearing none of it, now left
+his seat, and moved to a window, and Anne seeming to watch him, though
+it was from thorough absence of mind, became gradually sensible that he
+was inviting her to join him where he stood. He looked at her with a
+smile, and a little motion of the head, which expressed, “Come to me, I
+have something to say;” and the unaffected, easy kindness of manner
+which denoted the feelings of an older acquaintance than he really was,
+strongly enforced the invitation. She roused herself and went to him.
+The window at which he stood was at the other end of the room from
+where the two ladies were sitting, and though nearer to Captain
+Wentworth’s table, not very near. As she joined him, Captain Harville’s
+countenance re-assumed the serious, thoughtful expression which seemed
+its natural character.
+
+“Look here,” said he, unfolding a parcel in his hand, and displaying a
+small miniature painting, “do you know who that is?”
+
+“Certainly: Captain Benwick.”
+
+“Yes, and you may guess who it is for. But,” (in a deep tone,) “it was
+not done for her. Miss Elliot, do you remember our walking together at
+Lyme, and grieving for him? I little thought then—but no matter. This
+was drawn at the Cape. He met with a clever young German artist at the
+Cape, and in compliance with a promise to my poor sister, sat to him,
+and was bringing it home for her; and I have now the charge of getting
+it properly set for another! It was a commission to me! But who else
+was there to employ? I hope I can allow for him. I am not sorry,
+indeed, to make it over to another. He undertakes it;” (looking towards
+Captain Wentworth,) “he is writing about it now.” And with a quivering
+lip he wound up the whole by adding, “Poor Fanny! she would not have
+forgotten him so soon!”
+
+“No,” replied Anne, in a low, feeling voice. “That I can easily
+believe.”
+
+“It was not in her nature. She doted on him.”
+
+“It would not be the nature of any woman who truly loved.”
+
+Captain Harville smiled, as much as to say, “Do you claim that for your
+sex?” and she answered the question, smiling also, “Yes. We certainly
+do not forget you as soon as you forget us. It is, perhaps, our fate
+rather than our merit. We cannot help ourselves. We live at home,
+quiet, confined, and our feelings prey upon us. You are forced on
+exertion. You have always a profession, pursuits, business of some sort
+or other, to take you back into the world immediately, and continual
+occupation and change soon weaken impressions.”
+
+“Granting your assertion that the world does all this so soon for men
+(which, however, I do not think I shall grant), it does not apply to
+Benwick. He has not been forced upon any exertion. The peace turned him
+on shore at the very moment, and he has been living with us, in our
+little family circle, ever since.”
+
+“True,” said Anne, “very true; I did not recollect; but what shall we
+say now, Captain Harville? If the change be not from outward
+circumstances, it must be from within; it must be nature, man’s nature,
+which has done the business for Captain Benwick.”
+
+“No, no, it is not man’s nature. I will not allow it to be more man’s
+nature than woman’s to be inconstant and forget those they do love, or
+have loved. I believe the reverse. I believe in a true analogy between
+our bodily frames and our mental; and that as our bodies are the
+strongest, so are our feelings; capable of bearing most rough usage,
+and riding out the heaviest weather.”
+
+“Your feelings may be the strongest,” replied Anne, “but the same
+spirit of analogy will authorise me to assert that ours are the most
+tender. Man is more robust than woman, but he is not longer lived;
+which exactly explains my view of the nature of their attachments. Nay,
+it would be too hard upon you, if it were otherwise. You have
+difficulties, and privations, and dangers enough to struggle with. You
+are always labouring and toiling, exposed to every risk and hardship.
+Your home, country, friends, all quitted. Neither time, nor health, nor
+life, to be called your own. It would be hard, indeed” (with a
+faltering voice), “if woman’s feelings were to be added to all this.”
+
+“We shall never agree upon this question,” Captain Harville was
+beginning to say, when a slight noise called their attention to Captain
+Wentworth’s hitherto perfectly quiet division of the room. It was
+nothing more than that his pen had fallen down; but Anne was startled
+at finding him nearer than she had supposed, and half inclined to
+suspect that the pen had only fallen because he had been occupied by
+them, striving to catch sounds, which yet she did not think he could
+have caught.
+
+“Have you finished your letter?” said Captain Harville.
+
+“Not quite, a few lines more. I shall have done in five minutes.”
+
+“There is no hurry on my side. I am only ready whenever you are. I am
+in very good anchorage here,” (smiling at Anne,) “well supplied, and
+want for nothing. No hurry for a signal at all. Well, Miss Elliot,”
+(lowering his voice,) “as I was saying we shall never agree, I suppose,
+upon this point. No man and woman, would, probably. But let me observe
+that all histories are against you—all stories, prose and verse. If I
+had such a memory as Benwick, I could bring you fifty quotations in a
+moment on my side the argument, and I do not think I ever opened a book
+in my life which had not something to say upon woman’s inconstancy.
+Songs and proverbs, all talk of woman’s fickleness. But perhaps you
+will say, these were all written by men.”
+
+“Perhaps I shall. Yes, yes, if you please, no reference to examples in
+books. Men have had every advantage of us in telling their own story.
+Education has been theirs in so much higher a degree; the pen has been
+in their hands. I will not allow books to prove anything.”
+
+“But how shall we prove anything?”
+
+“We never shall. We never can expect to prove any thing upon such a
+point. It is a difference of opinion which does not admit of proof. We
+each begin, probably, with a little bias towards our own sex; and upon
+that bias build every circumstance in favour of it which has occurred
+within our own circle; many of which circumstances (perhaps those very
+cases which strike us the most) may be precisely such as cannot be
+brought forward without betraying a confidence, or in some respect
+saying what should not be said.”
+
+“Ah!” cried Captain Harville, in a tone of strong feeling, “if I could
+but make you comprehend what a man suffers when he takes a last look at
+his wife and children, and watches the boat that he has sent them off
+in, as long as it is in sight, and then turns away and says, ‘God knows
+whether we ever meet again!’ And then, if I could convey to you the
+glow of his soul when he does see them again; when, coming back after a
+twelvemonth’s absence, perhaps, and obliged to put into another port,
+he calculates how soon it be possible to get them there, pretending to
+deceive himself, and saying, ‘They cannot be here till such a day,’ but
+all the while hoping for them twelve hours sooner, and seeing them
+arrive at last, as if Heaven had given them wings, by many hours sooner
+still! If I could explain to you all this, and all that a man can bear
+and do, and glories to do, for the sake of these treasures of his
+existence! I speak, you know, only of such men as have hearts!”
+pressing his own with emotion.
+
+“Oh!” cried Anne eagerly, “I hope I do justice to all that is felt by
+you, and by those who resemble you. God forbid that I should undervalue
+the warm and faithful feelings of any of my fellow-creatures! I should
+deserve utter contempt if I dared to suppose that true attachment and
+constancy were known only by woman. No, I believe you capable of
+everything great and good in your married lives. I believe you equal to
+every important exertion, and to every domestic forbearance, so long
+as—if I may be allowed the expression—so long as you have an object. I
+mean while the woman you love lives, and lives for you. All the
+privilege I claim for my own sex (it is not a very enviable one; you
+need not covet it), is that of loving longest, when existence or when
+hope is gone.”
+
+She could not immediately have uttered another sentence; her heart was
+too full, her breath too much oppressed.
+
+“You are a good soul,” cried Captain Harville, putting his hand on her
+arm, quite affectionately. “There is no quarrelling with you. And when
+I think of Benwick, my tongue is tied.”
+
+Their attention was called towards the others. Mrs Croft was taking
+leave.
+
+“Here, Frederick, you and I part company, I believe,” said she. “I am
+going home, and you have an engagement with your friend. To-night we
+may have the pleasure of all meeting again at your party,” (turning to
+Anne.) “We had your sister’s card yesterday, and I understood Frederick
+had a card too, though I did not see it; and you are disengaged,
+Frederick, are you not, as well as ourselves?”
+
+Captain Wentworth was folding up a letter in great haste, and either
+could not or would not answer fully.
+
+“Yes,” said he, “very true; here we separate, but Harville and I shall
+soon be after you; that is, Harville, if you are ready, I am in half a
+minute. I know you will not be sorry to be off. I shall be at your
+service in half a minute.”
+
+Mrs Croft left them, and Captain Wentworth, having sealed his letter
+with great rapidity, was indeed ready, and had even a hurried, agitated
+air, which shewed impatience to be gone. Anne knew not how to
+understand it. She had the kindest “Good morning, God bless you!” from
+Captain Harville, but from him not a word, nor a look! He had passed
+out of the room without a look!
+
+She had only time, however, to move closer to the table where he had
+been writing, when footsteps were heard returning; the door opened, it
+was himself. He begged their pardon, but he had forgotten his gloves,
+and instantly crossing the room to the writing table, he drew out a
+letter from under the scattered paper, placed it before Anne with eyes
+of glowing entreaty fixed on her for a time, and hastily collecting his
+gloves, was again out of the room, almost before Mrs Musgrove was aware
+of his being in it: the work of an instant!
+
+The revolution which one instant had made in Anne, was almost beyond
+expression. The letter, with a direction hardly legible, to “Miss A.
+E.—,” was evidently the one which he had been folding so hastily. While
+supposed to be writing only to Captain Benwick, he had been also
+addressing her! On the contents of that letter depended all which this
+world could do for her. Anything was possible, anything might be defied
+rather than suspense. Mrs Musgrove had little arrangements of her own
+at her own table; to their protection she must trust, and sinking into
+the chair which he had occupied, succeeding to the very spot where he
+had leaned and written, her eyes devoured the following words:
+
+“I can listen no longer in silence. I must speak to you by such means
+as are within my reach. You pierce my soul. I am half agony, half hope.
+Tell me not that I am too late, that such precious feelings are gone
+for ever. I offer myself to you again with a heart even more your own
+than when you almost broke it, eight years and a half ago. Dare not say
+that man forgets sooner than woman, that his love has an earlier death.
+I have loved none but you. Unjust I may have been, weak and resentful I
+have been, but never inconstant. You alone have brought me to Bath. For
+you alone, I think and plan. Have you not seen this? Can you fail to
+have understood my wishes? I had not waited even these ten days, could
+I have read your feelings, as I think you must have penetrated mine. I
+can hardly write. I am every instant hearing something which overpowers
+me. You sink your voice, but I can distinguish the tones of that voice
+when they would be lost on others. Too good, too excellent creature!
+You do us justice, indeed. You do believe that there is true attachment
+and constancy among men. Believe it to be most fervent, most
+undeviating, in
+
+
+F. W.
+
+
+“I must go, uncertain of my fate; but I shall return hither, or follow
+your party, as soon as possible. A word, a look, will be enough to
+decide whether I enter your father’s house this evening or never.”
+
+
+Such a letter was not to be soon recovered from. Half an hour’s
+solitude and reflection might have tranquillized her; but the ten
+minutes only which now passed before she was interrupted, with all the
+restraints of her situation, could do nothing towards tranquillity.
+Every moment rather brought fresh agitation. It was overpowering
+happiness. And before she was beyond the first stage of full sensation,
+Charles, Mary, and Henrietta all came in.
+
+The absolute necessity of seeming like herself produced then an
+immediate struggle; but after a while she could do no more. She began
+not to understand a word they said, and was obliged to plead
+indisposition and excuse herself. They could then see that she looked
+very ill, were shocked and concerned, and would not stir without her
+for the world. This was dreadful. Would they only have gone away, and
+left her in the quiet possession of that room it would have been her
+cure; but to have them all standing or waiting around her was
+distracting, and in desperation, she said she would go home.
+
+“By all means, my dear,” cried Mrs Musgrove, “go home directly, and
+take care of yourself, that you may be fit for the evening. I wish
+Sarah was here to doctor you, but I am no doctor myself. Charles, ring
+and order a chair. She must not walk.”
+
+But the chair would never do. Worse than all! To lose the possibility
+of speaking two words to Captain Wentworth in the course of her quiet,
+solitary progress up the town (and she felt almost certain of meeting
+him) could not be borne. The chair was earnestly protested against, and
+Mrs Musgrove, who thought only of one sort of illness, having assured
+herself with some anxiety, that there had been no fall in the case;
+that Anne had not at any time lately slipped down, and got a blow on
+her head; that she was perfectly convinced of having had no fall; could
+part with her cheerfully, and depend on finding her better at night.
+
+Anxious to omit no possible precaution, Anne struggled, and said—
+
+“I am afraid, ma’am, that it is not perfectly understood. Pray be so
+good as to mention to the other gentlemen that we hope to see your
+whole party this evening. I am afraid there had been some mistake; and
+I wish you particularly to assure Captain Harville and Captain
+Wentworth, that we hope to see them both.”
+
+“Oh! my dear, it is quite understood, I give you my word. Captain
+Harville has no thought but of going.”
+
+“Do you think so? But I am afraid; and I should be so very sorry. Will
+you promise me to mention it, when you see them again? You will see
+them both this morning, I dare say. Do promise me.”
+
+“To be sure I will, if you wish it. Charles, if you see Captain
+Harville anywhere, remember to give Miss Anne’s message. But indeed, my
+dear, you need not be uneasy. Captain Harville holds himself quite
+engaged, I’ll answer for it; and Captain Wentworth the same, I dare
+say.”
+
+Anne could do no more; but her heart prophesied some mischance to damp
+the perfection of her felicity. It could not be very lasting, however.
+Even if he did not come to Camden Place himself, it would be in her
+power to send an intelligible sentence by Captain Harville. Another
+momentary vexation occurred. Charles, in his real concern and good
+nature, would go home with her; there was no preventing him. This was
+almost cruel. But she could not be long ungrateful; he was sacrificing
+an engagement at a gunsmith’s, to be of use to her; and she set off
+with him, with no feeling but gratitude apparent.
+
+They were on Union Street, when a quicker step behind, a something of
+familiar sound, gave her two moments’ preparation for the sight of
+Captain Wentworth. He joined them; but, as if irresolute whether to
+join or to pass on, said nothing, only looked. Anne could command
+herself enough to receive that look, and not repulsively. The cheeks
+which had been pale now glowed, and the movements which had hesitated
+were decided. He walked by her side. Presently, struck by a sudden
+thought, Charles said—
+
+“Captain Wentworth, which way are you going? Only to Gay Street, or
+farther up the town?”
+
+“I hardly know,” replied Captain Wentworth, surprised.
+
+“Are you going as high as Belmont? Are you going near Camden Place?
+Because, if you are, I shall have no scruple in asking you to take my
+place, and give Anne your arm to her father’s door. She is rather done
+for this morning, and must not go so far without help, and I ought to
+be at that fellow’s in the Market Place. He promised me the sight of a
+capital gun he is just going to send off; said he would keep it
+unpacked to the last possible moment, that I might see it; and if I do
+not turn back now, I have no chance. By his description, a good deal
+like the second size double-barrel of mine, which you shot with one day
+round Winthrop.”
+
+There could not be an objection. There could be only the most proper
+alacrity, a most obliging compliance for public view; and smiles reined
+in and spirits dancing in private rapture. In half a minute Charles was
+at the bottom of Union Street again, and the other two proceeding
+together: and soon words enough had passed between them to decide their
+direction towards the comparatively quiet and retired gravel walk,
+where the power of conversation would make the present hour a blessing
+indeed, and prepare it for all the immortality which the happiest
+recollections of their own future lives could bestow. There they
+exchanged again those feelings and those promises which had once before
+seemed to secure everything, but which had been followed by so many,
+many years of division and estrangement. There they returned again into
+the past, more exquisitely happy, perhaps, in their re-union, than when
+it had been first projected; more tender, more tried, more fixed in a
+knowledge of each other’s character, truth, and attachment; more equal
+to act, more justified in acting. And there, as they slowly paced the
+gradual ascent, heedless of every group around them, seeing neither
+sauntering politicians, bustling housekeepers, flirting girls, nor
+nursery-maids and children, they could indulge in those retrospections
+and acknowledgements, and especially in those explanations of what had
+directly preceded the present moment, which were so poignant and so
+ceaseless in interest. All the little variations of the last week were
+gone through; and of yesterday and today there could scarcely be an
+end.
+
+She had not mistaken him. Jealousy of Mr Elliot had been the retarding
+weight, the doubt, the torment. That had begun to operate in the very
+hour of first meeting her in Bath; that had returned, after a short
+suspension, to ruin the concert; and that had influenced him in
+everything he had said and done, or omitted to say and do, in the last
+four-and-twenty hours. It had been gradually yielding to the better
+hopes which her looks, or words, or actions occasionally encouraged; it
+had been vanquished at last by those sentiments and those tones which
+had reached him while she talked with Captain Harville; and under the
+irresistible governance of which he had seized a sheet of paper, and
+poured out his feelings.
+
+Of what he had then written, nothing was to be retracted or qualified.
+He persisted in having loved none but her. She had never been
+supplanted. He never even believed himself to see her equal. Thus much
+indeed he was obliged to acknowledge: that he had been constant
+unconsciously, nay unintentionally; that he had meant to forget her,
+and believed it to be done. He had imagined himself indifferent, when
+he had only been angry; and he had been unjust to her merits, because
+he had been a sufferer from them. Her character was now fixed on his
+mind as perfection itself, maintaining the loveliest medium of
+fortitude and gentleness; but he was obliged to acknowledge that only
+at Uppercross had he learnt to do her justice, and only at Lyme had he
+begun to understand himself. At Lyme, he had received lessons of more
+than one sort. The passing admiration of Mr Elliot had at least roused
+him, and the scenes on the Cobb and at Captain Harville’s had fixed her
+superiority.
+
+In his preceding attempts to attach himself to Louisa Musgrove (the
+attempts of angry pride), he protested that he had for ever felt it to
+be impossible; that he had not cared, could not care, for Louisa;
+though till that day, till the leisure for reflection which followed
+it, he had not understood the perfect excellence of the mind with which
+Louisa’s could so ill bear a comparison, or the perfect unrivalled hold
+it possessed over his own. There, he had learnt to distinguish between
+the steadiness of principle and the obstinacy of self-will, between the
+darings of heedlessness and the resolution of a collected mind. There
+he had seen everything to exalt in his estimation the woman he had
+lost; and there begun to deplore the pride, the folly, the madness of
+resentment, which had kept him from trying to regain her when thrown in
+his way.
+
+From that period his penance had become severe. He had no sooner been
+free from the horror and remorse attending the first few days of
+Louisa’s accident, no sooner begun to feel himself alive again, than he
+had begun to feel himself, though alive, not at liberty.
+
+“I found,” said he, “that I was considered by Harville an engaged man!
+That neither Harville nor his wife entertained a doubt of our mutual
+attachment. I was startled and shocked. To a degree, I could contradict
+this instantly; but, when I began to reflect that others might have
+felt the same—her own family, nay, perhaps herself—I was no longer at
+my own disposal. I was hers in honour if she wished it. I had been
+unguarded. I had not thought seriously on this subject before. I had
+not considered that my excessive intimacy must have its danger of ill
+consequence in many ways; and that I had no right to be trying whether
+I could attach myself to either of the girls, at the risk of raising
+even an unpleasant report, were there no other ill effects. I had been
+grossly wrong, and must abide the consequences.”
+
+He found too late, in short, that he had entangled himself; and that
+precisely as he became fully satisfied of his not caring for Louisa at
+all, he must regard himself as bound to her, if her sentiments for him
+were what the Harvilles supposed. It determined him to leave Lyme, and
+await her complete recovery elsewhere. He would gladly weaken, by any
+fair means, whatever feelings or speculations concerning him might
+exist; and he went, therefore, to his brother’s, meaning after a while
+to return to Kellynch, and act as circumstances might require.
+
+“I was six weeks with Edward,” said he, “and saw him happy. I could
+have no other pleasure. I deserved none. He enquired after you very
+particularly; asked even if you were personally altered, little
+suspecting that to my eye you could never alter.”
+
+Anne smiled, and let it pass. It was too pleasing a blunder for a
+reproach. It is something for a woman to be assured, in her
+eight-and-twentieth year, that she has not lost one charm of earlier
+youth; but the value of such homage was inexpressibly increased to
+Anne, by comparing it with former words, and feeling it to be the
+result, not the cause of a revival of his warm attachment.
+
+He had remained in Shropshire, lamenting the blindness of his own
+pride, and the blunders of his own calculations, till at once released
+from Louisa by the astonishing and felicitous intelligence of her
+engagement with Benwick.
+
+“Here,” said he, “ended the worst of my state; for now I could at least
+put myself in the way of happiness; I could exert myself; I could do
+something. But to be waiting so long in inaction, and waiting only for
+evil, had been dreadful. Within the first five minutes I said, ‘I will
+be at Bath on Wednesday,’ and I was. Was it unpardonable to think it
+worth my while to come? and to arrive with some degree of hope? You
+were single. It was possible that you might retain the feelings of the
+past, as I did; and one encouragement happened to be mine. I could
+never doubt that you would be loved and sought by others, but I knew to
+a certainty that you had refused one man, at least, of better
+pretensions than myself; and I could not help often saying, ‘Was this
+for me?’”
+
+Their first meeting in Milsom Street afforded much to be said, but the
+concert still more. That evening seemed to be made up of exquisite
+moments. The moment of her stepping forward in the Octagon Room to
+speak to him: the moment of Mr Elliot’s appearing and tearing her away,
+and one or two subsequent moments, marked by returning hope or
+increasing despondency, were dwelt on with energy.
+
+“To see you,” cried he, “in the midst of those who could not be my
+well-wishers; to see your cousin close by you, conversing and smiling,
+and feel all the horrible eligibilities and proprieties of the match!
+To consider it as the certain wish of every being who could hope to
+influence you! Even if your own feelings were reluctant or indifferent,
+to consider what powerful supports would be his! Was it not enough to
+make the fool of me which I appeared? How could I look on without
+agony? Was not the very sight of the friend who sat behind you, was not
+the recollection of what had been, the knowledge of her influence, the
+indelible, immoveable impression of what persuasion had once done—was
+it not all against me?”
+
+“You should have distinguished,” replied Anne. “You should not have
+suspected me now; the case is so different, and my age is so different.
+If I was wrong in yielding to persuasion once, remember that it was to
+persuasion exerted on the side of safety, not of risk. When I yielded,
+I thought it was to duty, but no duty could be called in aid here. In
+marrying a man indifferent to me, all risk would have been incurred,
+and all duty violated.”
+
+“Perhaps I ought to have reasoned thus,” he replied, “but I could not.
+I could not derive benefit from the late knowledge I had acquired of
+your character. I could not bring it into play; it was overwhelmed,
+buried, lost in those earlier feelings which I had been smarting under
+year after year. I could think of you only as one who had yielded, who
+had given me up, who had been influenced by any one rather than by me.
+I saw you with the very person who had guided you in that year of
+misery. I had no reason to believe her of less authority now. The force
+of habit was to be added.”
+
+“I should have thought,” said Anne, “that my manner to yourself might
+have spared you much or all of this.”
+
+“No, no! your manner might be only the ease which your engagement to
+another man would give. I left you in this belief; and yet, I was
+determined to see you again. My spirits rallied with the morning, and I
+felt that I had still a motive for remaining here.”
+
+At last Anne was at home again, and happier than any one in that house
+could have conceived. All the surprise and suspense, and every other
+painful part of the morning dissipated by this conversation, she
+re-entered the house so happy as to be obliged to find an alloy in some
+momentary apprehensions of its being impossible to last. An interval of
+meditation, serious and grateful, was the best corrective of everything
+dangerous in such high-wrought felicity; and she went to her room, and
+grew steadfast and fearless in the thankfulness of her enjoyment.
+
+The evening came, the drawing-rooms were lighted up, the company
+assembled. It was but a card party, it was but a mixture of those who
+had never met before, and those who met too often; a commonplace
+business, too numerous for intimacy, too small for variety; but Anne
+had never found an evening shorter. Glowing and lovely in sensibility
+and happiness, and more generally admired than she thought about or
+cared for, she had cheerful or forbearing feelings for every creature
+around her. Mr Elliot was there; she avoided, but she could pity him.
+The Wallises, she had amusement in understanding them. Lady Dalrymple
+and Miss Carteret—they would soon be innoxious cousins to her. She
+cared not for Mrs Clay, and had nothing to blush for in the public
+manners of her father and sister. With the Musgroves, there was the
+happy chat of perfect ease; with Captain Harville, the kind-hearted
+intercourse of brother and sister; with Lady Russell, attempts at
+conversation, which a delicious consciousness cut short; with Admiral
+and Mrs Croft, everything of peculiar cordiality and fervent interest,
+which the same consciousness sought to conceal; and with Captain
+Wentworth, some moments of communications continually occurring, and
+always the hope of more, and always the knowledge of his being there.
+
+It was in one of these short meetings, each apparently occupied in
+admiring a fine display of greenhouse plants, that she said—
+
+“I have been thinking over the past, and trying impartially to judge of
+the right and wrong, I mean with regard to myself; and I must believe
+that I was right, much as I suffered from it, that I was perfectly
+right in being guided by the friend whom you will love better than you
+do now. To me, she was in the place of a parent. Do not mistake me,
+however. I am not saying that she did not err in her advice. It was,
+perhaps, one of those cases in which advice is good or bad only as the
+event decides; and for myself, I certainly never should, in any
+circumstance of tolerable similarity, give such advice. But I mean,
+that I was right in submitting to her, and that if I had done
+otherwise, I should have suffered more in continuing the engagement
+than I did even in giving it up, because I should have suffered in my
+conscience. I have now, as far as such a sentiment is allowable in
+human nature, nothing to reproach myself with; and if I mistake not, a
+strong sense of duty is no bad part of a woman’s portion.”
+
+He looked at her, looked at Lady Russell, and looking again at her,
+replied, as if in cool deliberation—
+
+“Not yet. But there are hopes of her being forgiven in time. I trust to
+being in charity with her soon. But I too have been thinking over the
+past, and a question has suggested itself, whether there may not have
+been one person more my enemy even than that lady? My own self. Tell me
+if, when I returned to England in the year eight, with a few thousand
+pounds, and was posted into the Laconia, if I had then written to you,
+would you have answered my letter? Would you, in short, have renewed
+the engagement then?”
+
+“Would I!” was all her answer; but the accent was decisive enough.
+
+“Good God!” he cried, “you would! It is not that I did not think of it,
+or desire it, as what could alone crown all my other success; but I was
+proud, too proud to ask again. I did not understand you. I shut my
+eyes, and would not understand you, or do you justice. This is a
+recollection which ought to make me forgive every one sooner than
+myself. Six years of separation and suffering might have been spared.
+It is a sort of pain, too, which is new to me. I have been used to the
+gratification of believing myself to earn every blessing that I
+enjoyed. I have valued myself on honourable toils and just rewards.
+Like other great men under reverses,” he added, with a smile. “I must
+endeavour to subdue my mind to my fortune. I must learn to brook being
+happier than I deserve.”
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXIV.
+
+
+Who can be in doubt of what followed? When any two young people take it
+into their heads to marry, they are pretty sure by perseverance to
+carry their point, be they ever so poor, or ever so imprudent, or ever
+so little likely to be necessary to each other’s ultimate comfort. This
+may be bad morality to conclude with, but I believe it to be truth; and
+if such parties succeed, how should a Captain Wentworth and an Anne
+Elliot, with the advantage of maturity of mind, consciousness of right,
+and one independent fortune between them, fail of bearing down every
+opposition? They might in fact, have borne down a great deal more than
+they met with, for there was little to distress them beyond the want of
+graciousness and warmth. Sir Walter made no objection, and Elizabeth
+did nothing worse than look cold and unconcerned. Captain Wentworth,
+with five-and-twenty thousand pounds, and as high in his profession as
+merit and activity could place him, was no longer nobody. He was now
+esteemed quite worthy to address the daughter of a foolish, spendthrift
+baronet, who had not had principle or sense enough to maintain himself
+in the situation in which Providence had placed him, and who could give
+his daughter at present but a small part of the share of ten thousand
+pounds which must be hers hereafter.
+
+Sir Walter, indeed, though he had no affection for Anne, and no vanity
+flattered, to make him really happy on the occasion, was very far from
+thinking it a bad match for her. On the contrary, when he saw more of
+Captain Wentworth, saw him repeatedly by daylight, and eyed him well,
+he was very much struck by his personal claims, and felt that his
+superiority of appearance might be not unfairly balanced against her
+superiority of rank; and all this, assisted by his well-sounding name,
+enabled Sir Walter at last to prepare his pen, with a very good grace,
+for the insertion of the marriage in the volume of honour.
+
+The only one among them, whose opposition of feeling could excite any
+serious anxiety was Lady Russell. Anne knew that Lady Russell must be
+suffering some pain in understanding and relinquishing Mr Elliot, and
+be making some struggles to become truly acquainted with, and do
+justice to Captain Wentworth. This however was what Lady Russell had
+now to do. She must learn to feel that she had been mistaken with
+regard to both; that she had been unfairly influenced by appearances in
+each; that because Captain Wentworth’s manners had not suited her own
+ideas, she had been too quick in suspecting them to indicate a
+character of dangerous impetuosity; and that because Mr Elliot’s
+manners had precisely pleased her in their propriety and correctness,
+their general politeness and suavity, she had been too quick in
+receiving them as the certain result of the most correct opinions and
+well-regulated mind. There was nothing less for Lady Russell to do,
+than to admit that she had been pretty completely wrong, and to take up
+a new set of opinions and of hopes.
+
+There is a quickness of perception in some, a nicety in the discernment
+of character, a natural penetration, in short, which no experience in
+others can equal, and Lady Russell had been less gifted in this part of
+understanding than her young friend. But she was a very good woman, and
+if her second object was to be sensible and well-judging, her first was
+to see Anne happy. She loved Anne better than she loved her own
+abilities; and when the awkwardness of the beginning was over, found
+little hardship in attaching herself as a mother to the man who was
+securing the happiness of her other child.
+
+Of all the family, Mary was probably the one most immediately gratified
+by the circumstance. It was creditable to have a sister married, and
+she might flatter herself with having been greatly instrumental to the
+connexion, by keeping Anne with her in the autumn; and as her own
+sister must be better than her husband’s sisters, it was very agreeable
+that Captain Wentworth should be a richer man than either Captain
+Benwick or Charles Hayter. She had something to suffer, perhaps, when
+they came into contact again, in seeing Anne restored to the rights of
+seniority, and the mistress of a very pretty landaulette; but she had a
+future to look forward to, of powerful consolation. Anne had no
+Uppercross Hall before her, no landed estate, no headship of a family;
+and if they could but keep Captain Wentworth from being made a baronet,
+she would not change situations with Anne.
+
+It would be well for the eldest sister if she were equally satisfied
+with her situation, for a change is not very probable there. She had
+soon the mortification of seeing Mr Elliot withdraw, and no one of
+proper condition has since presented himself to raise even the
+unfounded hopes which sunk with him.
+
+The news of his cousin Anne’s engagement burst on Mr Elliot most
+unexpectedly. It deranged his best plan of domestic happiness, his best
+hope of keeping Sir Walter single by the watchfulness which a
+son-in-law’s rights would have given. But, though discomfited and
+disappointed, he could still do something for his own interest and his
+own enjoyment. He soon quitted Bath; and on Mrs Clay’s quitting it soon
+afterwards, and being next heard of as established under his protection
+in London, it was evident how double a game he had been playing, and
+how determined he was to save himself from being cut out by one artful
+woman, at least.
+
+Mrs Clay’s affections had overpowered her interest, and she had
+sacrificed, for the young man’s sake, the possibility of scheming
+longer for Sir Walter. She has abilities, however, as well as
+affections; and it is now a doubtful point whether his cunning, or
+hers, may finally carry the day; whether, after preventing her from
+being the wife of Sir Walter, he may not be wheedled and caressed at
+last into making her the wife of Sir William.
+
+It cannot be doubted that Sir Walter and Elizabeth were shocked and
+mortified by the loss of their companion, and the discovery of their
+deception in her. They had their great cousins, to be sure, to resort
+to for comfort; but they must long feel that to flatter and follow
+others, without being flattered and followed in turn, is but a state of
+half enjoyment.
+
+Anne, satisfied at a very early period of Lady Russell’s meaning to
+love Captain Wentworth as she ought, had no other alloy to the
+happiness of her prospects than what arose from the consciousness of
+having no relations to bestow on him which a man of sense could value.
+There she felt her own inferiority very keenly. The disproportion in
+their fortune was nothing; it did not give her a moment’s regret; but
+to have no family to receive and estimate him properly, nothing of
+respectability, of harmony, of good will to offer in return for all the
+worth and all the prompt welcome which met her in his brothers and
+sisters, was a source of as lively pain as her mind could well be
+sensible of under circumstances of otherwise strong felicity. She had
+but two friends in the world to add to his list, Lady Russell and Mrs
+Smith. To those, however, he was very well disposed to attach himself.
+Lady Russell, in spite of all her former transgressions, he could now
+value from his heart. While he was not obliged to say that he believed
+her to have been right in originally dividing them, he was ready to say
+almost everything else in her favour, and as for Mrs Smith, she had
+claims of various kinds to recommend her quickly and permanently.
+
+Her recent good offices by Anne had been enough in themselves, and
+their marriage, instead of depriving her of one friend, secured her
+two. She was their earliest visitor in their settled life; and Captain
+Wentworth, by putting her in the way of recovering her husband’s
+property in the West Indies, by writing for her, acting for her, and
+seeing her through all the petty difficulties of the case with the
+activity and exertion of a fearless man and a determined friend, fully
+requited the services which she had rendered, or ever meant to render,
+to his wife.
+
+Mrs Smith’s enjoyments were not spoiled by this improvement of income,
+with some improvement of health, and the acquisition of such friends to
+be often with, for her cheerfulness and mental alacrity did not fail
+her; and while these prime supplies of good remained, she might have
+bid defiance even to greater accessions of worldly prosperity. She
+might have been absolutely rich and perfectly healthy, and yet be
+happy. Her spring of felicity was in the glow of her spirits, as her
+friend Anne’s was in the warmth of her heart. Anne was tenderness
+itself, and she had the full worth of it in Captain Wentworth’s
+affection. His profession was all that could ever make her friends wish
+that tenderness less, the dread of a future war all that could dim her
+sunshine. She gloried in being a sailor’s wife, but she must pay the
+tax of quick alarm for belonging to that profession which is, if
+possible, more distinguished in its domestic virtues than in its
+national importance.
+
+Finis
+
+
+
+
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diff --git a/old/old/2022-08-31 105-h.htm b/old/old/2022-08-31 105-h.htm
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+<head>
+<meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html;charset=utf-8" />
+<meta http-equiv="Content-Style-Type" content="text/css" />
+<title>The Project Gutenberg eBook of Persuasion, by Jane Austen</title>
+
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+<div style='text-align:center; font-size:1.2em; font-weight:bold'>The Project Gutenberg eBook of Persuasion, by Jane Austen</div>
+<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'>
+This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere in the United States and
+most other parts of the world at no cost and with almost no restrictions
+whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or re-use it under the terms
+of the Project Gutenberg License included with this eBook or online
+at <a href="https://www.gutenberg.org">www.gutenberg.org</a>. If you
+are not located in the United States, you will have to check the laws of the
+country where you are located before using this eBook.
+</div>
+<div style='display:block; margin-top:1em; margin-bottom:1em; margin-left:2em; text-indent:-2em'>Title: Persuasion</div>
+<div style='display:block; margin-top:1em; margin-bottom:1em; margin-left:2em; text-indent:-2em'>Author: Jane Austen</div>
+<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'>Release Date: February, 1994 [eBook #105]<br />
+[Most recently updated: August 31, 2022]</div>
+<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'>Language: English</div>
+<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'>Character set encoding: UTF-8</div>
+<div style='display:block; margin-left:2em; text-indent:-2em'>Produced by: Sharon Partridge and Martin Ward</div>
+<div style='margin-top:2em; margin-bottom:4em'>*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK PERSUASION ***</div>
+
+<h1>Persuasion</h1>
+
+<h2 class="no-break">by Jane Austen</h2>
+
+<h3>(1818)</h3>
+
+<hr />
+
+<h2>Contents</h2>
+
+<table summary="" style="">
+
+<tr>
+<td> <a href="#chap01">CHAPTER I.</a></td>
+</tr>
+
+<tr>
+<td> <a href="#chap02">CHAPTER II.</a></td>
+</tr>
+
+<tr>
+<td> <a href="#chap03">CHAPTER III.</a></td>
+</tr>
+
+<tr>
+<td> <a href="#chap04">CHAPTER IV.</a></td>
+</tr>
+
+<tr>
+<td> <a href="#chap05">CHAPTER V.</a></td>
+</tr>
+
+<tr>
+<td> <a href="#chap06">CHAPTER VI.</a></td>
+</tr>
+
+<tr>
+<td> <a href="#chap07">CHAPTER VII.</a></td>
+</tr>
+
+<tr>
+<td> <a href="#chap08">CHAPTER VIII.</a></td>
+</tr>
+
+<tr>
+<td> <a href="#chap09">CHAPTER IX.</a></td>
+</tr>
+
+<tr>
+<td> <a href="#chap10">CHAPTER X.</a></td>
+</tr>
+
+<tr>
+<td> <a href="#chap11">CHAPTER XI.</a></td>
+</tr>
+
+<tr>
+<td> <a href="#chap12">CHAPTER XII.</a></td>
+</tr>
+
+<tr>
+<td> <a href="#chap13">CHAPTER XIII.</a></td>
+</tr>
+
+<tr>
+<td> <a href="#chap14">CHAPTER XIV.</a></td>
+</tr>
+
+<tr>
+<td> <a href="#chap15">CHAPTER XV.</a></td>
+</tr>
+
+<tr>
+<td> <a href="#chap16">CHAPTER XVI.</a></td>
+</tr>
+
+<tr>
+<td> <a href="#chap17">CHAPTER XVII.</a></td>
+</tr>
+
+<tr>
+<td> <a href="#chap18">CHAPTER XVIII.</a></td>
+</tr>
+
+<tr>
+<td> <a href="#chap19">CHAPTER XIX.</a></td>
+</tr>
+
+<tr>
+<td> <a href="#chap20">CHAPTER XX.</a></td>
+</tr>
+
+<tr>
+<td> <a href="#chap21">CHAPTER XXI.</a></td>
+</tr>
+
+<tr>
+<td> <a href="#chap22">CHAPTER XXII.</a></td>
+</tr>
+
+<tr>
+<td> <a href="#chap23">CHAPTER XXIII.</a></td>
+</tr>
+
+<tr>
+<td> <a href="#chap24">CHAPTER XXIV.</a></td>
+</tr>
+
+</table>
+
+<div class="chapter">
+
+<h2><a name="chap01"></a>CHAPTER I.</h2>
+
+<p>
+Sir Walter Elliot, of Kellynch Hall, in Somersetshire, was a man who, for his
+own amusement, never took up any book but the Baronetage; there he found
+occupation for an idle hour, and consolation in a distressed one; there his
+faculties were roused into admiration and respect, by contemplating the limited
+remnant of the earliest patents; there any unwelcome sensations, arising from
+domestic affairs changed naturally into pity and contempt as he turned over the
+almost endless creations of the last century; and there, if every other leaf
+were powerless, he could read his own history with an interest which never
+failed. This was the page at which the favourite volume always opened:
+</p>
+
+<p class="center">
+&ldquo;ELLIOT OF KELLYNCH HALL.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Walter Elliot, born March 1, 1760, married, July 15, 1784, Elizabeth,
+daughter of James Stevenson, Esq. of South Park, in the county of Gloucester,
+by which lady (who died 1800) he has issue Elizabeth, born June 1, 1785; Anne,
+born August 9, 1787; a still-born son, November 5, 1789; Mary, born November
+20, 1791.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Precisely such had the paragraph originally stood from the printer&rsquo;s
+hands; but Sir Walter had improved it by adding, for the information of himself
+and his family, these words, after the date of Mary&rsquo;s
+birth&mdash;&ldquo;Married, December 16, 1810, Charles, son and heir of Charles
+Musgrove, Esq. of Uppercross, in the county of Somerset,&rdquo; and by
+inserting most accurately the day of the month on which he had lost his wife.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Then followed the history and rise of the ancient and respectable family, in
+the usual terms; how it had been first settled in Cheshire; how mentioned in
+Dugdale, serving the office of high sheriff, representing a borough in three
+successive parliaments, exertions of loyalty, and dignity of baronet, in the
+first year of Charles II, with all the Marys and Elizabeths they had married;
+forming altogether two handsome duodecimo pages, and concluding with the arms
+and motto:&mdash;&ldquo;Principal seat, Kellynch Hall, in the county of
+Somerset,&rdquo; and Sir Walter&rsquo;s handwriting again in this
+finale:&mdash;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Heir presumptive, William Walter Elliot, Esq., great grandson of the
+second Sir Walter.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Vanity was the beginning and the end of Sir Walter Elliot&rsquo;s character;
+vanity of person and of situation. He had been remarkably handsome in his
+youth; and, at fifty-four, was still a very fine man. Few women could think
+more of their personal appearance than he did, nor could the valet of any new
+made lord be more delighted with the place he held in society. He considered
+the blessing of beauty as inferior only to the blessing of a baronetcy; and the
+Sir Walter Elliot, who united these gifts, was the constant object of his
+warmest respect and devotion.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+His good looks and his rank had one fair claim on his attachment; since to them
+he must have owed a wife of very superior character to any thing deserved by
+his own. Lady Elliot had been an excellent woman, sensible and amiable; whose
+judgement and conduct, if they might be pardoned the youthful infatuation which
+made her Lady Elliot, had never required indulgence afterwards.&mdash;She had
+humoured, or softened, or concealed his failings, and promoted his real
+respectability for seventeen years; and though not the very happiest being in
+the world herself, had found enough in her duties, her friends, and her
+children, to attach her to life, and make it no matter of indifference to her
+when she was called on to quit them.&mdash;Three girls, the two eldest sixteen
+and fourteen, was an awful legacy for a mother to bequeath, an awful charge
+rather, to confide to the authority and guidance of a conceited, silly father.
+She had, however, one very intimate friend, a sensible, deserving woman, who
+had been brought, by strong attachment to herself, to settle close by her, in
+the village of Kellynch; and on her kindness and advice, Lady Elliot mainly
+relied for the best help and maintenance of the good principles and instruction
+which she had been anxiously giving her daughters.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+This friend, and Sir Walter, did not marry, whatever might have been
+anticipated on that head by their acquaintance. Thirteen years had passed away
+since Lady Elliot&rsquo;s death, and they were still near neighbours and
+intimate friends, and one remained a widower, the other a widow.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+That Lady Russell, of steady age and character, and extremely well provided
+for, should have no thought of a second marriage, needs no apology to the
+public, which is rather apt to be unreasonably discontented when a woman
+<i>does</i> marry again, than when she does <i>not;</i> but Sir Walter&rsquo;s
+continuing in singleness requires explanation. Be it known then, that Sir
+Walter, like a good father, (having met with one or two private disappointments
+in very unreasonable applications), prided himself on remaining single for his
+dear daughters&rsquo; sake. For one daughter, his eldest, he would really have
+given up any thing, which he had not been very much tempted to do. Elizabeth
+had succeeded, at sixteen, to all that was possible, of her mother&rsquo;s
+rights and consequence; and being very handsome, and very like himself, her
+influence had always been great, and they had gone on together most happily.
+His two other children were of very inferior value. Mary had acquired a little
+artificial importance, by becoming Mrs Charles Musgrove; but Anne, with an
+elegance of mind and sweetness of character, which must have placed her high
+with any people of real understanding, was nobody with either father or sister;
+her word had no weight, her convenience was always to give way&mdash;she was
+only Anne.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+To Lady Russell, indeed, she was a most dear and highly valued god-daughter,
+favourite, and friend. Lady Russell loved them all; but it was only in Anne
+that she could fancy the mother to revive again.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+A few years before, Anne Elliot had been a very pretty girl, but her bloom had
+vanished early; and as even in its height, her father had found little to
+admire in her, (so totally different were her delicate features and mild dark
+eyes from his own), there could be nothing in them, now that she was faded and
+thin, to excite his esteem. He had never indulged much hope, he had now none,
+of ever reading her name in any other page of his favourite work. All equality
+of alliance must rest with Elizabeth, for Mary had merely connected herself
+with an old country family of respectability and large fortune, and had
+therefore <i>given</i> all the honour and received none: Elizabeth would, one
+day or other, marry suitably.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+It sometimes happens that a woman is handsomer at twenty-nine than she was ten
+years before; and, generally speaking, if there has been neither ill health nor
+anxiety, it is a time of life at which scarcely any charm is lost. It was so
+with Elizabeth, still the same handsome Miss Elliot that she had begun to be
+thirteen years ago, and Sir Walter might be excused, therefore, in forgetting
+her age, or, at least, be deemed only half a fool, for thinking himself and
+Elizabeth as blooming as ever, amidst the wreck of the good looks of everybody
+else; for he could plainly see how old all the rest of his family and
+acquaintance were growing. Anne haggard, Mary coarse, every face in the
+neighbourhood worsting, and the rapid increase of the crow&rsquo;s foot about
+Lady Russell&rsquo;s temples had long been a distress to him.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Elizabeth did not quite equal her father in personal contentment. Thirteen
+years had seen her mistress of Kellynch Hall, presiding and directing with a
+self-possession and decision which could never have given the idea of her being
+younger than she was. For thirteen years had she been doing the honours, and
+laying down the domestic law at home, and leading the way to the chaise and
+four, and walking immediately after Lady Russell out of all the drawing-rooms
+and dining-rooms in the country. Thirteen winters&rsquo; revolving frosts had
+seen her opening every ball of credit which a scanty neighbourhood afforded,
+and thirteen springs shewn their blossoms, as she travelled up to London with
+her father, for a few weeks&rsquo; annual enjoyment of the great world. She had
+the remembrance of all this, she had the consciousness of being nine-and-twenty
+to give her some regrets and some apprehensions; she was fully satisfied of
+being still quite as handsome as ever, but she felt her approach to the years
+of danger, and would have rejoiced to be certain of being properly solicited by
+baronet-blood within the next twelvemonth or two. Then might she again take up
+the book of books with as much enjoyment as in her early youth, but now she
+liked it not. Always to be presented with the date of her own birth and see no
+marriage follow but that of a youngest sister, made the book an evil; and more
+than once, when her father had left it open on the table near her, had she
+closed it, with averted eyes, and pushed it away.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+She had had a disappointment, moreover, which that book, and especially the
+history of her own family, must ever present the remembrance of. The heir
+presumptive, the very William Walter Elliot, Esq., whose rights had been so
+generously supported by her father, had disappointed her.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+She had, while a very young girl, as soon as she had known him to be, in the
+event of her having no brother, the future baronet, meant to marry him, and her
+father had always meant that she should. He had not been known to them as a
+boy; but soon after Lady Elliot&rsquo;s death, Sir Walter had sought the
+acquaintance, and though his overtures had not been met with any warmth, he had
+persevered in seeking it, making allowance for the modest drawing-back of
+youth; and, in one of their spring excursions to London, when Elizabeth was in
+her first bloom, Mr Elliot had been forced into the introduction.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+He was at that time a very young man, just engaged in the study of the law; and
+Elizabeth found him extremely agreeable, and every plan in his favour was
+confirmed. He was invited to Kellynch Hall; he was talked of and expected all
+the rest of the year; but he never came. The following spring he was seen again
+in town, found equally agreeable, again encouraged, invited, and expected, and
+again he did not come; and the next tidings were that he was married. Instead
+of pushing his fortune in the line marked out for the heir of the house of
+Elliot, he had purchased independence by uniting himself to a rich woman of
+inferior birth.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Sir Walter had resented it. As the head of the house, he felt that he ought to
+have been consulted, especially after taking the young man so publicly by the
+hand; &ldquo;For they must have been seen together,&rdquo; he observed,
+&ldquo;once at Tattersall&rsquo;s, and twice in the lobby of the House of
+Commons.&rdquo; His disapprobation was expressed, but apparently very little
+regarded. Mr Elliot had attempted no apology, and shewn himself as unsolicitous
+of being longer noticed by the family, as Sir Walter considered him unworthy of
+it: all acquaintance between them had ceased.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+This very awkward history of Mr Elliot was still, after an interval of several
+years, felt with anger by Elizabeth, who had liked the man for himself, and
+still more for being her father&rsquo;s heir, and whose strong family pride
+could see only in <i>him</i> a proper match for Sir Walter Elliot&rsquo;s
+eldest daughter. There was not a baronet from A to Z whom her feelings could
+have so willingly acknowledged as an equal. Yet so miserably had he conducted
+himself, that though she was at this present time (the summer of 1814) wearing
+black ribbons for his wife, she could not admit him to be worth thinking of
+again. The disgrace of his first marriage might, perhaps, as there was no
+reason to suppose it perpetuated by offspring, have been got over, had he not
+done worse; but he had, as by the accustomary intervention of kind friends,
+they had been informed, spoken most disrespectfully of them all, most
+slightingly and contemptuously of the very blood he belonged to, and the
+honours which were hereafter to be his own. This could not be pardoned.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Such were Elizabeth Elliot&rsquo;s sentiments and sensations; such the cares to
+alloy, the agitations to vary, the sameness and the elegance, the prosperity
+and the nothingness of her scene of life; such the feelings to give interest to
+a long, uneventful residence in one country circle, to fill the vacancies which
+there were no habits of utility abroad, no talents or accomplishments for home,
+to occupy.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+But now, another occupation and solicitude of mind was beginning to be added to
+these. Her father was growing distressed for money. She knew, that when he now
+took up the Baronetage, it was to drive the heavy bills of his tradespeople,
+and the unwelcome hints of Mr Shepherd, his agent, from his thoughts. The
+Kellynch property was good, but not equal to Sir Walter&rsquo;s apprehension of
+the state required in its possessor. While Lady Elliot lived, there had been
+method, moderation, and economy, which had just kept him within his income; but
+with her had died all such right-mindedness, and from that period he had been
+constantly exceeding it. It had not been possible for him to spend less; he had
+done nothing but what Sir Walter Elliot was imperiously called on to do; but
+blameless as he was, he was not only growing dreadfully in debt, but was
+hearing of it so often, that it became vain to attempt concealing it longer,
+even partially, from his daughter. He had given her some hints of it the last
+spring in town; he had gone so far even as to say, &ldquo;Can we retrench? Does
+it occur to you that there is any one article in which we can retrench?&rdquo;
+and Elizabeth, to do her justice, had, in the first ardour of female alarm, set
+seriously to think what could be done, and had finally proposed these two
+branches of economy, to cut off some unnecessary charities, and to refrain from
+new furnishing the drawing-room; to which expedients she afterwards added the
+happy thought of their taking no present down to Anne, as had been the usual
+yearly custom. But these measures, however good in themselves, were
+insufficient for the real extent of the evil, the whole of which Sir Walter
+found himself obliged to confess to her soon afterwards. Elizabeth had nothing
+to propose of deeper efficacy. She felt herself ill-used and unfortunate, as
+did her father; and they were neither of them able to devise any means of
+lessening their expenses without compromising their dignity, or relinquishing
+their comforts in a way not to be borne.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+There was only a small part of his estate that Sir Walter could dispose of; but
+had every acre been alienable, it would have made no difference. He had
+condescended to mortgage as far as he had the power, but he would never
+condescend to sell. No; he would never disgrace his name so far. The Kellynch
+estate should be transmitted whole and entire, as he had received it.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Their two confidential friends, Mr Shepherd, who lived in the neighbouring
+market town, and Lady Russell, were called to advise them; and both father and
+daughter seemed to expect that something should be struck out by one or the
+other to remove their embarrassments and reduce their expenditure, without
+involving the loss of any indulgence of taste or pride.
+</p>
+
+</div><!--end chapter-->
+
+<div class="chapter">
+
+<h2><a name="chap02"></a>CHAPTER II.</h2>
+
+<p>
+Mr Shepherd, a civil, cautious lawyer, who, whatever might be his hold or his
+views on Sir Walter, would rather have the <i>disagreeable</i> prompted by
+anybody else, excused himself from offering the slightest hint, and only begged
+leave to recommend an implicit reference to the excellent judgement of Lady
+Russell, from whose known good sense he fully expected to have just such
+resolute measures advised as he meant to see finally adopted.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Lady Russell was most anxiously zealous on the subject, and gave it much
+serious consideration. She was a woman rather of sound than of quick abilities,
+whose difficulties in coming to any decision in this instance were great, from
+the opposition of two leading principles. She was of strict integrity herself,
+with a delicate sense of honour; but she was as desirous of saving Sir
+Walter&rsquo;s feelings, as solicitous for the credit of the family, as
+aristocratic in her ideas of what was due to them, as anybody of sense and
+honesty could well be. She was a benevolent, charitable, good woman, and
+capable of strong attachments, most correct in her conduct, strict in her
+notions of decorum, and with manners that were held a standard of
+good-breeding. She had a cultivated mind, and was, generally speaking, rational
+and consistent&mdash;but she had prejudices on the side of ancestry; she had a
+value for rank and consequence, which blinded her a little to the faults of
+those who possessed them. Herself the widow of only a knight, she gave the
+dignity of a baronet all its due; and Sir Walter, independent of his claims as
+an old acquaintance, an attentive neighbour, an obliging landlord, the husband
+of her very dear friend, the father of Anne and her sisters, was, as being Sir
+Walter, in her apprehension, entitled to a great deal of compassion and
+consideration under his present difficulties.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+They must retrench; that did not admit of a doubt. But she was very anxious to
+have it done with the least possible pain to him and Elizabeth. She drew up
+plans of economy, she made exact calculations, and she did what nobody else
+thought of doing: she consulted Anne, who never seemed considered by the others
+as having any interest in the question. She consulted, and in a degree was
+influenced by her in marking out the scheme of retrenchment which was at last
+submitted to Sir Walter. Every emendation of Anne&rsquo;s had been on the side
+of honesty against importance. She wanted more vigorous measures, a more
+complete reformation, a quicker release from debt, a much higher tone of
+indifference for everything but justice and equity.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;If we can persuade your father to all this,&rdquo; said Lady Russell,
+looking over her paper, &ldquo;much may be done. If he will adopt these
+regulations, in seven years he will be clear; and I hope we may be able to
+convince him and Elizabeth, that Kellynch Hall has a respectability in itself
+which cannot be affected by these reductions; and that the true dignity of Sir
+Walter Elliot will be very far from lessened in the eyes of sensible people, by
+acting like a man of principle. What will he be doing, in fact, but what very
+many of our first families have done, or ought to do? There will be nothing
+singular in his case; and it is singularity which often makes the worst part of
+our suffering, as it always does of our conduct. I have great hope of
+prevailing. We must be serious and decided; for after all, the person who has
+contracted debts must pay them; and though a great deal is due to the feelings
+of the gentleman, and the head of a house, like your father, there is still
+more due to the character of an honest man.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+This was the principle on which Anne wanted her father to be proceeding, his
+friends to be urging him. She considered it as an act of indispensable duty to
+clear away the claims of creditors with all the expedition which the most
+comprehensive retrenchments could secure, and saw no dignity in anything short
+of it. She wanted it to be prescribed, and felt as a duty. She rated Lady
+Russell&rsquo;s influence highly; and as to the severe degree of self-denial
+which her own conscience prompted, she believed there might be little more
+difficulty in persuading them to a complete, than to half a reformation. Her
+knowledge of her father and Elizabeth inclined her to think that the sacrifice
+of one pair of horses would be hardly less painful than of both, and so on,
+through the whole list of Lady Russell&rsquo;s too gentle reductions.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+How Anne&rsquo;s more rigid requisitions might have been taken is of little
+consequence. Lady Russell&rsquo;s had no success at all: could not be put up
+with, were not to be borne. &ldquo;What! every comfort of life knocked off!
+Journeys, London, servants, horses, table&mdash;contractions and restrictions
+every where! To live no longer with the decencies even of a private gentleman!
+No, he would sooner quit Kellynch Hall at once, than remain in it on such
+disgraceful terms.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Quit Kellynch Hall.&rdquo; The hint was immediately taken up by Mr
+Shepherd, whose interest was involved in the reality of Sir Walter&rsquo;s
+retrenching, and who was perfectly persuaded that nothing would be done without
+a change of abode. &ldquo;Since the idea had been started in the very quarter
+which ought to dictate, he had no scruple,&rdquo; he said, &ldquo;in confessing
+his judgement to be entirely on that side. It did not appear to him that Sir
+Walter could materially alter his style of living in a house which had such a
+character of hospitality and ancient dignity to support. In any other place Sir
+Walter might judge for himself; and would be looked up to, as regulating the
+modes of life in whatever way he might choose to model his household.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Sir Walter would quit Kellynch Hall; and after a very few days more of doubt
+and indecision, the great question of whither he should go was settled, and the
+first outline of this important change made out.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+There had been three alternatives, London, Bath, or another house in the
+country. All Anne&rsquo;s wishes had been for the latter. A small house in
+their own neighbourhood, where they might still have Lady Russell&rsquo;s
+society, still be near Mary, and still have the pleasure of sometimes seeing
+the lawns and groves of Kellynch, was the object of her ambition. But the usual
+fate of Anne attended her, in having something very opposite from her
+inclination fixed on. She disliked Bath, and did not think it agreed with her;
+and Bath was to be her home.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Sir Walter had at first thought more of London; but Mr Shepherd felt that he
+could not be trusted in London, and had been skilful enough to dissuade him
+from it, and make Bath preferred. It was a much safer place for a gentleman in
+his predicament: he might there be important at comparatively little expense.
+Two material advantages of Bath over London had of course been given all their
+weight: its more convenient distance from Kellynch, only fifty miles, and Lady
+Russell&rsquo;s spending some part of every winter there; and to the very great
+satisfaction of Lady Russell, whose first views on the projected change had
+been for Bath, Sir Walter and Elizabeth were induced to believe that they
+should lose neither consequence nor enjoyment by settling there.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Lady Russell felt obliged to oppose her dear Anne&rsquo;s known wishes. It
+would be too much to expect Sir Walter to descend into a small house in his own
+neighbourhood. Anne herself would have found the mortifications of it more than
+she foresaw, and to Sir Walter&rsquo;s feelings they must have been dreadful.
+And with regard to Anne&rsquo;s dislike of Bath, she considered it as a
+prejudice and mistake arising, first, from the circumstance of her having been
+three years at school there, after her mother&rsquo;s death; and secondly, from
+her happening to be not in perfectly good spirits the only winter which she had
+afterwards spent there with herself.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Lady Russell was fond of Bath, in short, and disposed to think it must suit
+them all; and as to her young friend&rsquo;s health, by passing all the warm
+months with her at Kellynch Lodge, every danger would be avoided; and it was in
+fact, a change which must do both health and spirits good. Anne had been too
+little from home, too little seen. Her spirits were not high. A larger society
+would improve them. She wanted her to be more known.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The undesirableness of any other house in the same neighbourhood for Sir Walter
+was certainly much strengthened by one part, and a very material part of the
+scheme, which had been happily engrafted on the beginning. He was not only to
+quit his home, but to see it in the hands of others; a trial of fortitude,
+which stronger heads than Sir Walter&rsquo;s have found too much. Kellynch Hall
+was to be let. This, however, was a profound secret, not to be breathed beyond
+their own circle.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Sir Walter could not have borne the degradation of being known to design
+letting his house. Mr Shepherd had once mentioned the word
+&ldquo;advertise,&rdquo; but never dared approach it again. Sir Walter spurned
+the idea of its being offered in any manner; forbad the slightest hint being
+dropped of his having such an intention; and it was only on the supposition of
+his being spontaneously solicited by some most unexceptionable applicant, on
+his own terms, and as a great favour, that he would let it at all.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+How quick come the reasons for approving what we like! Lady Russell had another
+excellent one at hand, for being extremely glad that Sir Walter and his family
+were to remove from the country. Elizabeth had been lately forming an intimacy,
+which she wished to see interrupted. It was with the daughter of Mr Shepherd,
+who had returned, after an unprosperous marriage, to her father&rsquo;s house,
+with the additional burden of two children. She was a clever young woman, who
+understood the art of pleasing&mdash;the art of pleasing, at least, at Kellynch
+Hall; and who had made herself so acceptable to Miss Elliot, as to have been
+already staying there more than once, in spite of all that Lady Russell, who
+thought it a friendship quite out of place, could hint of caution and reserve.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Lady Russell, indeed, had scarcely any influence with Elizabeth, and seemed to
+love her, rather because she would love her, than because Elizabeth deserved
+it. She had never received from her more than outward attention, nothing beyond
+the observances of complaisance; had never succeeded in any point which she
+wanted to carry, against previous inclination. She had been repeatedly very
+earnest in trying to get Anne included in the visit to London, sensibly open to
+all the injustice and all the discredit of the selfish arrangements which shut
+her out, and on many lesser occasions had endeavoured to give Elizabeth the
+advantage of her own better judgement and experience; but always in vain:
+Elizabeth would go her own way; and never had she pursued it in more decided
+opposition to Lady Russell than in this selection of Mrs Clay; turning from the
+society of so deserving a sister, to bestow her affection and confidence on one
+who ought to have been nothing to her but the object of distant civility.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+From situation, Mrs Clay was, in Lady Russell&rsquo;s estimate, a very unequal,
+and in her character she believed a very dangerous companion; and a removal
+that would leave Mrs Clay behind, and bring a choice of more suitable intimates
+within Miss Elliot&rsquo;s reach, was therefore an object of first-rate
+importance.
+</p>
+
+</div><!--end chapter-->
+
+<div class="chapter">
+
+<h2><a name="chap03"></a>CHAPTER III.</h2>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;I must take leave to observe, Sir Walter,&rdquo; said Mr Shepherd one
+morning at Kellynch Hall, as he laid down the newspaper, &ldquo;that the
+present juncture is much in our favour. This peace will be turning all our rich
+naval officers ashore. They will be all wanting a home. Could not be a better
+time, Sir Walter, for having a choice of tenants, very responsible tenants.
+Many a noble fortune has been made during the war. If a rich admiral were to
+come in our way, Sir Walter&mdash;&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;He would be a very lucky man, Shepherd,&rdquo; replied Sir Walter;
+&ldquo;that&rsquo;s all I have to remark. A prize indeed would Kellynch Hall be
+to him; rather the greatest prize of all, let him have taken ever so many
+before; hey, Shepherd?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Mr Shepherd laughed, as he knew he must, at this wit, and then added&mdash;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;I presume to observe, Sir Walter, that, in the way of business,
+gentlemen of the navy are well to deal with. I have had a little knowledge of
+their methods of doing business; and I am free to confess that they have very
+liberal notions, and are as likely to make desirable tenants as any set of
+people one should meet with. Therefore, Sir Walter, what I would take leave to
+suggest is, that if in consequence of any rumours getting abroad of your
+intention; which must be contemplated as a possible thing, because we know how
+difficult it is to keep the actions and designs of one part of the world from
+the notice and curiosity of the other; consequence has its tax; I, John
+Shepherd, might conceal any family-matters that I chose, for nobody would think
+it worth their while to observe me; but Sir Walter Elliot has eyes upon him
+which it may be very difficult to elude; and therefore, thus much I venture
+upon, that it will not greatly surprise me if, with all our caution, some
+rumour of the truth should get abroad; in the supposition of which, as I was
+going to observe, since applications will unquestionably follow, I should think
+any from our wealthy naval commanders particularly worth attending to; and beg
+leave to add, that two hours will bring me over at any time, to save you the
+trouble of replying.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Sir Walter only nodded. But soon afterwards, rising and pacing the room, he
+observed sarcastically&mdash;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;There are few among the gentlemen of the navy, I imagine, who would not
+be surprised to find themselves in a house of this description.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;They would look around them, no doubt, and bless their good
+fortune,&rdquo; said Mrs Clay, for Mrs Clay was present: her father had driven
+her over, nothing being of so much use to Mrs Clay&rsquo;s health as a drive to
+Kellynch: &ldquo;but I quite agree with my father in thinking a sailor might be
+a very desirable tenant. I have known a good deal of the profession; and
+besides their liberality, they are so neat and careful in all their ways! These
+valuable pictures of yours, Sir Walter, if you chose to leave them, would be
+perfectly safe. Everything in and about the house would be taken such excellent
+care of! The gardens and shrubberies would be kept in almost as high order as
+they are now. You need not be afraid, Miss Elliot, of your own sweet flower
+gardens being neglected.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;As to all that,&rdquo; rejoined Sir Walter coolly, &ldquo;supposing I
+were induced to let my house, I have by no means made up my mind as to the
+privileges to be annexed to it. I am not particularly disposed to favour a
+tenant. The park would be open to him of course, and few navy officers, or men
+of any other description, can have had such a range; but what restrictions I
+might impose on the use of the pleasure-grounds, is another thing. I am not
+fond of the idea of my shrubberies being always approachable; and I should
+recommend Miss Elliot to be on her guard with respect to her flower garden. I
+am very little disposed to grant a tenant of Kellynch Hall any extraordinary
+favour, I assure you, be he sailor or soldier.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+After a short pause, Mr Shepherd presumed to say&mdash;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;In all these cases, there are established usages which make everything
+plain and easy between landlord and tenant. Your interest, Sir Walter, is in
+pretty safe hands. Depend upon me for taking care that no tenant has more than
+his just rights. I venture to hint, that Sir Walter Elliot cannot be half so
+jealous for his own, as John Shepherd will be for him.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Here Anne spoke&mdash;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;The navy, I think, who have done so much for us, have at least an equal
+claim with any other set of men, for all the comforts and all the privileges
+which any home can give. Sailors work hard enough for their comforts, we must
+all allow.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Very true, very true. What Miss Anne says, is very true,&rdquo; was Mr
+Shepherd&rsquo;s rejoinder, and &ldquo;Oh! certainly,&rdquo; was his
+daughter&rsquo;s; but Sir Walter&rsquo;s remark was, soon afterwards&mdash;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;The profession has its utility, but I should be sorry to see any friend
+of mine belonging to it.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Indeed!&rdquo; was the reply, and with a look of surprise.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Yes; it is in two points offensive to me; I have two strong grounds of
+objection to it. First, as being the means of bringing persons of obscure birth
+into undue distinction, and raising men to honours which their fathers and
+grandfathers never dreamt of; and secondly, as it cuts up a man&rsquo;s youth
+and vigour most horribly; a sailor grows old sooner than any other man. I have
+observed it all my life. A man is in greater danger in the navy of being
+insulted by the rise of one whose father, his father might have disdained to
+speak to, and of becoming prematurely an object of disgust himself, than in any
+other line. One day last spring, in town, I was in company with two men,
+striking instances of what I am talking of; Lord St Ives, whose father we all
+know to have been a country curate, without bread to eat; I was to give place
+to Lord St Ives, and a certain Admiral Baldwin, the most deplorable-looking
+personage you can imagine; his face the colour of mahogany, rough and rugged to
+the last degree; all lines and wrinkles, nine grey hairs of a side, and nothing
+but a dab of powder at top. &lsquo;In the name of heaven, who is that old
+fellow?&rsquo; said I to a friend of mine who was standing near, (Sir Basil
+Morley). &lsquo;Old fellow!&rsquo; cried Sir Basil, &lsquo;it is Admiral
+Baldwin. What do you take his age to be?&rsquo; &lsquo;Sixty,&rsquo; said I,
+&lsquo;or perhaps sixty-two.&rsquo; &lsquo;Forty,&rsquo; replied Sir Basil,
+&lsquo;forty, and no more.&rsquo; Picture to yourselves my amazement; I shall
+not easily forget Admiral Baldwin. I never saw quite so wretched an example of
+what a sea-faring life can do; but to a degree, I know it is the same with them
+all: they are all knocked about, and exposed to every climate, and every
+weather, till they are not fit to be seen. It is a pity they are not knocked on
+the head at once, before they reach Admiral Baldwin&rsquo;s age.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Nay, Sir Walter,&rdquo; cried Mrs Clay, &ldquo;this is being severe
+indeed. Have a little mercy on the poor men. We are not all born to be
+handsome. The sea is no beautifier, certainly; sailors do grow old betimes; I
+have observed it; they soon lose the look of youth. But then, is not it the
+same with many other professions, perhaps most other? Soldiers, in active
+service, are not at all better off: and even in the quieter professions, there
+is a toil and a labour of the mind, if not of the body, which seldom leaves a
+man&rsquo;s looks to the natural effect of time. The lawyer plods, quite
+care-worn; the physician is up at all hours, and travelling in all weather; and
+even the clergyman&mdash;&rdquo; she stopt a moment to consider what might do
+for the clergyman;&mdash;&ldquo;and even the clergyman, you know is obliged to
+go into infected rooms, and expose his health and looks to all the injury of a
+poisonous atmosphere. In fact, as I have long been convinced, though every
+profession is necessary and honourable in its turn, it is only the lot of those
+who are not obliged to follow any, who can live in a regular way, in the
+country, choosing their own hours, following their own pursuits, and living on
+their own property, without the torment of trying for more; it is only
+<i>their</i> lot, I say, to hold the blessings of health and a good appearance
+to the utmost: I know no other set of men but what lose something of their
+personableness when they cease to be quite young.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+It seemed as if Mr Shepherd, in this anxiety to bespeak Sir Walter&rsquo;s good
+will towards a naval officer as tenant, had been gifted with foresight; for the
+very first application for the house was from an Admiral Croft, with whom he
+shortly afterwards fell into company in attending the quarter sessions at
+Taunton; and indeed, he had received a hint of the Admiral from a London
+correspondent. By the report which he hastened over to Kellynch to make,
+Admiral Croft was a native of Somersetshire, who having acquired a very
+handsome fortune, was wishing to settle in his own country, and had come down
+to Taunton in order to look at some advertised places in that immediate
+neighbourhood, which, however, had not suited him; that accidentally
+hearing&mdash;(it was just as he had foretold, Mr Shepherd observed, Sir
+Walter&rsquo;s concerns could not be kept a secret,)&mdash;accidentally hearing
+of the possibility of Kellynch Hall being to let, and understanding his (Mr
+Shepherd&rsquo;s) connection with the owner, he had introduced himself to him
+in order to make particular inquiries, and had, in the course of a pretty long
+conference, expressed as strong an inclination for the place as a man who knew
+it only by description could feel; and given Mr Shepherd, in his explicit
+account of himself, every proof of his being a most responsible, eligible
+tenant.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;And who is Admiral Croft?&rdquo; was Sir Walter&rsquo;s cold suspicious
+inquiry.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Mr Shepherd answered for his being of a gentleman&rsquo;s family, and mentioned
+a place; and Anne, after the little pause which followed, added&mdash;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;He is a rear admiral of the white. He was in the Trafalgar action, and
+has been in the East Indies since; he was stationed there, I believe, several
+years.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Then I take it for granted,&rdquo; observed Sir Walter, &ldquo;that his
+face is about as orange as the cuffs and capes of my livery.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Mr Shepherd hastened to assure him, that Admiral Croft was a very hale, hearty,
+well-looking man, a little weather-beaten, to be sure, but not much, and quite
+the gentleman in all his notions and behaviour; not likely to make the smallest
+difficulty about terms, only wanted a comfortable home, and to get into it as
+soon as possible; knew he must pay for his convenience; knew what rent a
+ready-furnished house of that consequence might fetch; should not have been
+surprised if Sir Walter had asked more; had inquired about the manor; would be
+glad of the deputation, certainly, but made no great point of it; said he
+sometimes took out a gun, but never killed; quite the gentleman.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Mr Shepherd was eloquent on the subject; pointing out all the circumstances of
+the Admiral&rsquo;s family, which made him peculiarly desirable as a tenant. He
+was a married man, and without children; the very state to be wished for. A
+house was never taken good care of, Mr Shepherd observed, without a lady: he
+did not know, whether furniture might not be in danger of suffering as much
+where there was no lady, as where there were many children. A lady, without a
+family, was the very best preserver of furniture in the world. He had seen Mrs
+Croft, too; she was at Taunton with the admiral, and had been present almost
+all the time they were talking the matter over.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;And a very well-spoken, genteel, shrewd lady, she seemed to be,&rdquo;
+continued he; &ldquo;asked more questions about the house, and terms, and
+taxes, than the Admiral himself, and seemed more conversant with business; and
+moreover, Sir Walter, I found she was not quite unconnected in this country,
+any more than her husband; that is to say, she is sister to a gentleman who did
+live amongst us once; she told me so herself: sister to the gentleman who lived
+a few years back at Monkford. Bless me! what was his name? At this moment I
+cannot recollect his name, though I have heard it so lately. Penelope, my dear,
+can you help me to the name of the gentleman who lived at Monkford: Mrs
+Croft&rsquo;s brother?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+But Mrs Clay was talking so eagerly with Miss Elliot, that she did not hear the
+appeal.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;I have no conception whom you can mean, Shepherd; I remember no
+gentleman resident at Monkford since the time of old Governor Trent.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Bless me! how very odd! I shall forget my own name soon, I suppose. A
+name that I am so very well acquainted with; knew the gentleman so well by
+sight; seen him a hundred times; came to consult me once, I remember, about a
+trespass of one of his neighbours; farmer&rsquo;s man breaking into his
+orchard; wall torn down; apples stolen; caught in the fact; and afterwards,
+contrary to my judgement, submitted to an amicable compromise. Very odd
+indeed!&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+After waiting another moment&mdash;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;You mean Mr Wentworth, I suppose?&rdquo; said Anne.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Mr Shepherd was all gratitude.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Wentworth was the very name! Mr Wentworth was the very man. He had the
+curacy of Monkford, you know, Sir Walter, some time back, for two or three
+years. Came there about the year &mdash;-5, I take it. You remember him, I am
+sure.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Wentworth? Oh! ay,&mdash;Mr Wentworth, the curate of Monkford. You
+misled me by the term <i>gentleman</i>. I thought you were speaking of some man
+of property: Mr Wentworth was nobody, I remember; quite unconnected; nothing to
+do with the Strafford family. One wonders how the names of many of our nobility
+become so common.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+As Mr Shepherd perceived that this connexion of the Crofts did them no service
+with Sir Walter, he mentioned it no more; returning, with all his zeal, to
+dwell on the circumstances more indisputably in their favour; their age, and
+number, and fortune; the high idea they had formed of Kellynch Hall, and
+extreme solicitude for the advantage of renting it; making it appear as if they
+ranked nothing beyond the happiness of being the tenants of Sir Walter Elliot:
+an extraordinary taste, certainly, could they have been supposed in the secret
+of Sir Walter&rsquo;s estimate of the dues of a tenant.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+It succeeded, however; and though Sir Walter must ever look with an evil eye on
+anyone intending to inhabit that house, and think them infinitely too well off
+in being permitted to rent it on the highest terms, he was talked into allowing
+Mr Shepherd to proceed in the treaty, and authorising him to wait on Admiral
+Croft, who still remained at Taunton, and fix a day for the house being seen.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Sir Walter was not very wise; but still he had experience enough of the world
+to feel, that a more unobjectionable tenant, in all essentials, than Admiral
+Croft bid fair to be, could hardly offer. So far went his understanding; and
+his vanity supplied a little additional soothing, in the Admiral&rsquo;s
+situation in life, which was just high enough, and not too high. &ldquo;I have
+let my house to Admiral Croft,&rdquo; would sound extremely well; very much
+better than to any mere <i>Mr.</i>&mdash;&mdash;; a <i>Mr.</i> (save, perhaps,
+some half dozen in the nation,) always needs a note of explanation. An admiral
+speaks his own consequence, and, at the same time, can never make a baronet
+look small. In all their dealings and intercourse, Sir Walter Elliot must ever
+have the precedence.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Nothing could be done without a reference to Elizabeth: but her inclination was
+growing so strong for a removal, that she was happy to have it fixed and
+expedited by a tenant at hand; and not a word to suspend decision was uttered
+by her.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Mr Shepherd was completely empowered to act; and no sooner had such an end been
+reached, than Anne, who had been a most attentive listener to the whole, left
+the room, to seek the comfort of cool air for her flushed cheeks; and as she
+walked along a favourite grove, said, with a gentle sigh, &ldquo;A few months
+more, and <i>he</i>, perhaps, may be walking here.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+</div><!--end chapter-->
+
+<div class="chapter">
+
+<h2><a name="chap04"></a>CHAPTER IV.</h2>
+
+<p>
+<i>He</i> was not Mr Wentworth, the former curate of Monkford, however
+suspicious appearances may be, but a Captain Frederick Wentworth, his brother,
+who being made commander in consequence of the action off St Domingo, and not
+immediately employed, had come into Somersetshire, in the summer of 1806; and
+having no parent living, found a home for half a year at Monkford. He was, at
+that time, a remarkably fine young man, with a great deal of intelligence,
+spirit, and brilliancy; and Anne an extremely pretty girl, with gentleness,
+modesty, taste, and feeling. Half the sum of attraction, on either side, might
+have been enough, for he had nothing to do, and she had hardly anybody to love;
+but the encounter of such lavish recommendations could not fail. They were
+gradually acquainted, and when acquainted, rapidly and deeply in love. It would
+be difficult to say which had seen highest perfection in the other, or which
+had been the happiest: she, in receiving his declarations and proposals, or he
+in having them accepted.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+A short period of exquisite felicity followed, and but a short one. Troubles
+soon arose. Sir Walter, on being applied to, without actually withholding his
+consent, or saying it should never be, gave it all the negative of great
+astonishment, great coldness, great silence, and a professed resolution of
+doing nothing for his daughter. He thought it a very degrading alliance; and
+Lady Russell, though with more tempered and pardonable pride, received it as a
+most unfortunate one.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Anne Elliot, with all her claims of birth, beauty, and mind, to throw herself
+away at nineteen; involve herself at nineteen in an engagement with a young
+man, who had nothing but himself to recommend him, and no hopes of attaining
+affluence, but in the chances of a most uncertain profession, and no connexions
+to secure even his farther rise in the profession, would be, indeed, a throwing
+away, which she grieved to think of! Anne Elliot, so young; known to so few, to
+be snatched off by a stranger without alliance or fortune; or rather sunk by
+him into a state of most wearing, anxious, youth-killing dependence! It must
+not be, if by any fair interference of friendship, any representations from one
+who had almost a mother&rsquo;s love, and mother&rsquo;s rights, it would be
+prevented.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Captain Wentworth had no fortune. He had been lucky in his profession; but
+spending freely, what had come freely, had realized nothing. But he was
+confident that he should soon be rich: full of life and ardour, he knew that he
+should soon have a ship, and soon be on a station that would lead to everything
+he wanted. He had always been lucky; he knew he should be so still. Such
+confidence, powerful in its own warmth, and bewitching in the wit which often
+expressed it, must have been enough for Anne; but Lady Russell saw it very
+differently. His sanguine temper, and fearlessness of mind, operated very
+differently on her. She saw in it but an aggravation of the evil. It only added
+a dangerous character to himself. He was brilliant, he was headstrong. Lady
+Russell had little taste for wit, and of anything approaching to imprudence a
+horror. She deprecated the connexion in every light.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Such opposition, as these feelings produced, was more than Anne could combat.
+Young and gentle as she was, it might yet have been possible to withstand her
+father&rsquo;s ill-will, though unsoftened by one kind word or look on the part
+of her sister; but Lady Russell, whom she had always loved and relied on, could
+not, with such steadiness of opinion, and such tenderness of manner, be
+continually advising her in vain. She was persuaded to believe the engagement a
+wrong thing: indiscreet, improper, hardly capable of success, and not deserving
+it. But it was not a merely selfish caution, under which she acted, in putting
+an end to it. Had she not imagined herself consulting his good, even more than
+her own, she could hardly have given him up. The belief of being prudent, and
+self-denying, principally for <i>his</i> advantage, was her chief consolation,
+under the misery of a parting, a final parting; and every consolation was
+required, for she had to encounter all the additional pain of opinions, on his
+side, totally unconvinced and unbending, and of his feeling himself ill used by
+so forced a relinquishment. He had left the country in consequence.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+A few months had seen the beginning and the end of their acquaintance; but not
+with a few months ended Anne&rsquo;s share of suffering from it. Her attachment
+and regrets had, for a long time, clouded every enjoyment of youth, and an
+early loss of bloom and spirits had been their lasting effect.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+More than seven years were gone since this little history of sorrowful interest
+had reached its close; and time had softened down much, perhaps nearly all of
+peculiar attachment to him, but she had been too dependent on time alone; no
+aid had been given in change of place (except in one visit to Bath soon after
+the rupture), or in any novelty or enlargement of society. No one had ever come
+within the Kellynch circle, who could bear a comparison with Frederick
+Wentworth, as he stood in her memory. No second attachment, the only thoroughly
+natural, happy, and sufficient cure, at her time of life, had been possible to
+the nice tone of her mind, the fastidiousness of her taste, in the small limits
+of the society around them. She had been solicited, when about two-and-twenty,
+to change her name, by the young man, who not long afterwards found a more
+willing mind in her younger sister; and Lady Russell had lamented her refusal;
+for Charles Musgrove was the eldest son of a man, whose landed property and
+general importance were second in that country, only to Sir Walter&rsquo;s, and
+of good character and appearance; and however Lady Russell might have asked yet
+for something more, while Anne was nineteen, she would have rejoiced to see her
+at twenty-two so respectably removed from the partialities and injustice of her
+father&rsquo;s house, and settled so permanently near herself. But in this
+case, Anne had left nothing for advice to do; and though Lady Russell, as
+satisfied as ever with her own discretion, never wished the past undone, she
+began now to have the anxiety which borders on hopelessness for Anne&rsquo;s
+being tempted, by some man of talents and independence, to enter a state for
+which she held her to be peculiarly fitted by her warm affections and domestic
+habits.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+They knew not each other&rsquo;s opinion, either its constancy or its change,
+on the one leading point of Anne&rsquo;s conduct, for the subject was never
+alluded to; but Anne, at seven-and-twenty, thought very differently from what
+she had been made to think at nineteen. She did not blame Lady Russell, she did
+not blame herself for having been guided by her; but she felt that were any
+young person, in similar circumstances, to apply to her for counsel, they would
+never receive any of such certain immediate wretchedness, such uncertain future
+good. She was persuaded that under every disadvantage of disapprobation at
+home, and every anxiety attending his profession, all their probable fears,
+delays, and disappointments, she should yet have been a happier woman in
+maintaining the engagement, than she had been in the sacrifice of it; and this,
+she fully believed, had the usual share, had even more than the usual share of
+all such solicitudes and suspense been theirs, without reference to the actual
+results of their case, which, as it happened, would have bestowed earlier
+prosperity than could be reasonably calculated on. All his sanguine
+expectations, all his confidence had been justified. His genius and ardour had
+seemed to foresee and to command his prosperous path. He had, very soon after
+their engagement ceased, got employ: and all that he had told her would follow,
+had taken place. He had distinguished himself, and early gained the other step
+in rank, and must now, by successive captures, have made a handsome fortune.
+She had only navy lists and newspapers for her authority, but she could not
+doubt his being rich; and, in favour of his constancy, she had no reason to
+believe him married.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+How eloquent could Anne Elliot have been! how eloquent, at least, were her
+wishes on the side of early warm attachment, and a cheerful confidence in
+futurity, against that over-anxious caution which seems to insult exertion and
+distrust Providence! She had been forced into prudence in her youth, she
+learned romance as she grew older: the natural sequel of an unnatural
+beginning.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+With all these circumstances, recollections and feelings, she could not hear
+that Captain Wentworth&rsquo;s sister was likely to live at Kellynch without a
+revival of former pain; and many a stroll, and many a sigh, were necessary to
+dispel the agitation of the idea. She often told herself it was folly, before
+she could harden her nerves sufficiently to feel the continual discussion of
+the Crofts and their business no evil. She was assisted, however, by that
+perfect indifference and apparent unconsciousness, among the only three of her
+own friends in the secret of the past, which seemed almost to deny any
+recollection of it. She could do justice to the superiority of Lady
+Russell&rsquo;s motives in this, over those of her father and Elizabeth; she
+could honour all the better feelings of her calmness; but the general air of
+oblivion among them was highly important from whatever it sprung; and in the
+event of Admiral Croft&rsquo;s really taking Kellynch Hall, she rejoiced anew
+over the conviction which had always been most grateful to her, of the past
+being known to those three only among her connexions, by whom no syllable, she
+believed, would ever be whispered, and in the trust that among his, the brother
+only with whom he had been residing, had received any information of their
+short-lived engagement. That brother had been long removed from the country and
+being a sensible man, and, moreover, a single man at the time, she had a fond
+dependence on no human creature&rsquo;s having heard of it from him.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The sister, Mrs Croft, had then been out of England, accompanying her husband
+on a foreign station, and her own sister, Mary, had been at school while it all
+occurred; and never admitted by the pride of some, and the delicacy of others,
+to the smallest knowledge of it afterwards.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+With these supports, she hoped that the acquaintance between herself and the
+Crofts, which, with Lady Russell, still resident in Kellynch, and Mary fixed
+only three miles off, must be anticipated, need not involve any particular
+awkwardness.
+</p>
+
+</div><!--end chapter-->
+
+<div class="chapter">
+
+<h2><a name="chap05"></a>CHAPTER V.</h2>
+
+<p>
+On the morning appointed for Admiral and Mrs Croft&rsquo;s seeing Kellynch
+Hall, Anne found it most natural to take her almost daily walk to Lady
+Russell&rsquo;s, and keep out of the way till all was over; when she found it
+most natural to be sorry that she had missed the opportunity of seeing them.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+This meeting of the two parties proved highly satisfactory, and decided the
+whole business at once. Each lady was previously well disposed for an
+agreement, and saw nothing, therefore, but good manners in the other; and with
+regard to the gentlemen, there was such an hearty good humour, such an open,
+trusting liberality on the Admiral&rsquo;s side, as could not but influence Sir
+Walter, who had besides been flattered into his very best and most polished
+behaviour by Mr Shepherd&rsquo;s assurances of his being known, by report, to
+the Admiral, as a model of good breeding.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The house and grounds, and furniture, were approved, the Crofts were approved,
+terms, time, every thing, and every body, was right; and Mr Shepherd&rsquo;s
+clerks were set to work, without there having been a single preliminary
+difference to modify of all that &ldquo;This indenture sheweth.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Sir Walter, without hesitation, declared the Admiral to be the best-looking
+sailor he had ever met with, and went so far as to say, that if his own man
+might have had the arranging of his hair, he should not be ashamed of being
+seen with him any where; and the Admiral, with sympathetic cordiality, observed
+to his wife as they drove back through the park, &ldquo;I thought we should
+soon come to a deal, my dear, in spite of what they told us at Taunton. The
+Baronet will never set the Thames on fire, but there seems to be no harm in
+him.&rdquo;&mdash;reciprocal compliments, which would have been esteemed about
+equal.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The Crofts were to have possession at Michaelmas; and as Sir Walter proposed
+removing to Bath in the course of the preceding month, there was no time to be
+lost in making every dependent arrangement.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Lady Russell, convinced that Anne would not be allowed to be of any use, or any
+importance, in the choice of the house which they were going to secure, was
+very unwilling to have her hurried away so soon, and wanted to make it possible
+for her to stay behind till she might convey her to Bath herself after
+Christmas; but having engagements of her own which must take her from Kellynch
+for several weeks, she was unable to give the full invitation she wished, and
+Anne though dreading the possible heats of September in all the white glare of
+Bath, and grieving to forego all the influence so sweet and so sad of the
+autumnal months in the country, did not think that, everything considered, she
+wished to remain. It would be most right, and most wise, and, therefore must
+involve least suffering to go with the others.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Something occurred, however, to give her a different duty. Mary, often a little
+unwell, and always thinking a great deal of her own complaints, and always in
+the habit of claiming Anne when anything was the matter, was indisposed; and
+foreseeing that she should not have a day&rsquo;s health all the autumn,
+entreated, or rather required her, for it was hardly entreaty, to come to
+Uppercross Cottage, and bear her company as long as she should want her,
+instead of going to Bath.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;I cannot possibly do without Anne,&rdquo; was Mary&rsquo;s reasoning;
+and Elizabeth&rsquo;s reply was, &ldquo;Then I am sure Anne had better stay,
+for nobody will want her in Bath.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+To be claimed as a good, though in an improper style, is at least better than
+being rejected as no good at all; and Anne, glad to be thought of some use,
+glad to have anything marked out as a duty, and certainly not sorry to have the
+scene of it in the country, and her own dear country, readily agreed to stay.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+This invitation of Mary&rsquo;s removed all Lady Russell&rsquo;s difficulties,
+and it was consequently soon settled that Anne should not go to Bath till Lady
+Russell took her, and that all the intervening time should be divided between
+Uppercross Cottage and Kellynch Lodge.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+So far all was perfectly right; but Lady Russell was almost startled by the
+wrong of one part of the Kellynch Hall plan, when it burst on her, which was,
+Mrs Clay&rsquo;s being engaged to go to Bath with Sir Walter and Elizabeth, as
+a most important and valuable assistant to the latter in all the business
+before her. Lady Russell was extremely sorry that such a measure should have
+been resorted to at all, wondered, grieved, and feared; and the affront it
+contained to Anne, in Mrs Clay&rsquo;s being of so much use, while Anne could
+be of none, was a very sore aggravation.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Anne herself was become hardened to such affronts; but she felt the imprudence
+of the arrangement quite as keenly as Lady Russell. With a great deal of quiet
+observation, and a knowledge, which she often wished less, of her
+father&rsquo;s character, she was sensible that results the most serious to his
+family from the intimacy were more than possible. She did not imagine that her
+father had at present an idea of the kind. Mrs Clay had freckles, and a
+projecting tooth, and a clumsy wrist, which he was continually making severe
+remarks upon, in her absence; but she was young, and certainly altogether
+well-looking, and possessed, in an acute mind and assiduous pleasing manners,
+infinitely more dangerous attractions than any merely personal might have been.
+Anne was so impressed by the degree of their danger, that she could not excuse
+herself from trying to make it perceptible to her sister. She had little hope
+of success; but Elizabeth, who in the event of such a reverse would be so much
+more to be pitied than herself, should never, she thought, have reason to
+reproach her for giving no warning.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+She spoke, and seemed only to offend. Elizabeth could not conceive how such an
+absurd suspicion should occur to her, and indignantly answered for each
+party&rsquo;s perfectly knowing their situation.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Mrs Clay,&rdquo; said she, warmly, &ldquo;never forgets who she is; and
+as I am rather better acquainted with her sentiments than you can be, I can
+assure you, that upon the subject of marriage they are particularly nice, and
+that she reprobates all inequality of condition and rank more strongly than
+most people. And as to my father, I really should not have thought that he, who
+has kept himself single so long for our sakes, need be suspected now. If Mrs
+Clay were a very beautiful woman, I grant you, it might be wrong to have her so
+much with me; not that anything in the world, I am sure, would induce my father
+to make a degrading match, but he might be rendered unhappy. But poor Mrs Clay
+who, with all her merits, can never have been reckoned tolerably pretty, I
+really think poor Mrs Clay may be staying here in perfect safety. One would
+imagine you had never heard my father speak of her personal misfortunes, though
+I know you must fifty times. That tooth of her&rsquo;s and those freckles.
+Freckles do not disgust me so very much as they do him. I have known a face not
+materially disfigured by a few, but he abominates them. You must have heard him
+notice Mrs Clay&rsquo;s freckles.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;There is hardly any personal defect,&rdquo; replied Anne, &ldquo;which
+an agreeable manner might not gradually reconcile one to.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;I think very differently,&rdquo; answered Elizabeth, shortly; &ldquo;an
+agreeable manner may set off handsome features, but can never alter plain ones.
+However, at any rate, as I have a great deal more at stake on this point than
+anybody else can have, I think it rather unnecessary in you to be advising
+me.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Anne had done; glad that it was over, and not absolutely hopeless of doing
+good. Elizabeth, though resenting the suspicion, might yet be made observant by
+it.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The last office of the four carriage-horses was to draw Sir Walter, Miss
+Elliot, and Mrs Clay to Bath. The party drove off in very good spirits; Sir
+Walter prepared with condescending bows for all the afflicted tenantry and
+cottagers who might have had a hint to show themselves, and Anne walked up at
+the same time, in a sort of desolate tranquillity, to the Lodge, where she was
+to spend the first week.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Her friend was not in better spirits than herself. Lady Russell felt this
+break-up of the family exceedingly. Their respectability was as dear to her as
+her own, and a daily intercourse had become precious by habit. It was painful
+to look upon their deserted grounds, and still worse to anticipate the new
+hands they were to fall into; and to escape the solitariness and the melancholy
+of so altered a village, and be out of the way when Admiral and Mrs Croft first
+arrived, she had determined to make her own absence from home begin when she
+must give up Anne. Accordingly their removal was made together, and Anne was
+set down at Uppercross Cottage, in the first stage of Lady Russell&rsquo;s
+journey.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Uppercross was a moderate-sized village, which a few years back had been
+completely in the old English style, containing only two houses superior in
+appearance to those of the yeomen and labourers; the mansion of the squire,
+with its high walls, great gates, and old trees, substantial and unmodernized,
+and the compact, tight parsonage, enclosed in its own neat garden, with a vine
+and a pear-tree trained round its casements; but upon the marriage of the young
+&rsquo;squire, it had received the improvement of a farm-house elevated into a
+cottage, for his residence, and Uppercross Cottage, with its veranda, French
+windows, and other prettiness, was quite as likely to catch the
+traveller&rsquo;s eye as the more consistent and considerable aspect and
+premises of the Great House, about a quarter of a mile farther on.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Here Anne had often been staying. She knew the ways of Uppercross as well as
+those of Kellynch. The two families were so continually meeting, so much in the
+habit of running in and out of each other&rsquo;s house at all hours, that it
+was rather a surprise to her to find Mary alone; but being alone, her being
+unwell and out of spirits was almost a matter of course. Though better endowed
+than the elder sister, Mary had not Anne&rsquo;s understanding nor temper.
+While well, and happy, and properly attended to, she had great good humour and
+excellent spirits; but any indisposition sunk her completely. She had no
+resources for solitude; and inheriting a considerable share of the Elliot
+self-importance, was very prone to add to every other distress that of fancying
+herself neglected and ill-used. In person, she was inferior to both sisters,
+and had, even in her bloom, only reached the dignity of being &ldquo;a fine
+girl.&rdquo; She was now lying on the faded sofa of the pretty little
+drawing-room, the once elegant furniture of which had been gradually growing
+shabby, under the influence of four summers and two children; and, on
+Anne&rsquo;s appearing, greeted her with&mdash;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;So, you are come at last! I began to think I should never see you. I am
+so ill I can hardly speak. I have not seen a creature the whole morning!&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;I am sorry to find you unwell,&rdquo; replied Anne. &ldquo;You sent me
+such a good account of yourself on Thursday!&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Yes, I made the best of it; I always do: but I was very far from well at
+the time; and I do not think I ever was so ill in my life as I have been all
+this morning: very unfit to be left alone, I am sure. Suppose I were to be
+seized of a sudden in some dreadful way, and not able to ring the bell! So,
+Lady Russell would not get out. I do not think she has been in this house three
+times this summer.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Anne said what was proper, and enquired after her husband. &ldquo;Oh! Charles
+is out shooting. I have not seen him since seven o&rsquo;clock. He would go,
+though I told him how ill I was. He said he should not stay out long; but he
+has never come back, and now it is almost one. I assure you, I have not seen a
+soul this whole long morning.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;You have had your little boys with you?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Yes, as long as I could bear their noise; but they are so unmanageable
+that they do me more harm than good. Little Charles does not mind a word I say,
+and Walter is growing quite as bad.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Well, you will soon be better now,&rdquo; replied Anne, cheerfully.
+&ldquo;You know I always cure you when I come. How are your neighbours at the
+Great House?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;I can give you no account of them. I have not seen one of them to-day,
+except Mr Musgrove, who just stopped and spoke through the window, but without
+getting off his horse; and though I told him how ill I was, not one of them
+have been near me. It did not happen to suit the Miss Musgroves, I suppose, and
+they never put themselves out of their way.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;You will see them yet, perhaps, before the morning is gone. It is
+early.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;I never want them, I assure you. They talk and laugh a great deal too
+much for me. Oh! Anne, I am so very unwell! It was quite unkind of you not to
+come on Thursday.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;My dear Mary, recollect what a comfortable account you sent me of
+yourself! You wrote in the cheerfullest manner, and said you were perfectly
+well, and in no hurry for me; and that being the case, you must be aware that
+my wish would be to remain with Lady Russell to the last: and besides what I
+felt on her account, I have really been so busy, have had so much to do, that I
+could not very conveniently have left Kellynch sooner.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Dear me! what can <i>you</i> possibly have to do?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;A great many things, I assure you. More than I can recollect in a
+moment; but I can tell you some. I have been making a duplicate of the
+catalogue of my father&rsquo;s books and pictures. I have been several times in
+the garden with Mackenzie, trying to understand, and make him understand, which
+of Elizabeth&rsquo;s plants are for Lady Russell. I have had all my own little
+concerns to arrange, books and music to divide, and all my trunks to repack,
+from not having understood in time what was intended as to the waggons: and one
+thing I have had to do, Mary, of a more trying nature: going to almost every
+house in the parish, as a sort of take-leave. I was told that they wished it.
+But all these things took up a great deal of time.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Oh! well!&rdquo; and after a moment&rsquo;s pause, &ldquo;but you have
+never asked me one word about our dinner at the Pooles yesterday.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Did you go then? I have made no enquiries, because I concluded you must
+have been obliged to give up the party.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Oh yes! I went. I was very well yesterday; nothing at all the matter
+with me till this morning. It would have been strange if I had not gone.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;I am very glad you were well enough, and I hope you had a pleasant
+party.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Nothing remarkable. One always knows beforehand what the dinner will be,
+and who will be there; and it is so very uncomfortable not having a carriage of
+one&rsquo;s own. Mr and Mrs Musgrove took me, and we were so crowded! They are
+both so very large, and take up so much room; and Mr Musgrove always sits
+forward. So, there was I, crowded into the back seat with Henrietta and Louisa;
+and I think it very likely that my illness to-day may be owing to it.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+A little further perseverance in patience and forced cheerfulness on
+Anne&rsquo;s side produced nearly a cure on Mary&rsquo;s. She could soon sit
+upright on the sofa, and began to hope she might be able to leave it by
+dinner-time. Then, forgetting to think of it, she was at the other end of the
+room, beautifying a nosegay; then, she ate her cold meat; and then she was well
+enough to propose a little walk.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Where shall we go?&rdquo; said she, when they were ready. &ldquo;I
+suppose you will not like to call at the Great House before they have been to
+see you?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;I have not the smallest objection on that account,&rdquo; replied Anne.
+&ldquo;I should never think of standing on such ceremony with people I know so
+well as Mrs and the Miss Musgroves.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Oh! but they ought to call upon you as soon as possible. They ought to
+feel what is due to you as <i>my</i> sister. However, we may as well go and sit
+with them a little while, and when we have that over, we can enjoy our
+walk.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Anne had always thought such a style of intercourse highly imprudent; but she
+had ceased to endeavour to check it, from believing that, though there were on
+each side continual subjects of offence, neither family could now do without
+it. To the Great House accordingly they went, to sit the full half hour in the
+old-fashioned square parlour, with a small carpet and shining floor, to which
+the present daughters of the house were gradually giving the proper air of
+confusion by a grand piano-forte and a harp, flower-stands and little tables
+placed in every direction. Oh! could the originals of the portraits against the
+wainscot, could the gentlemen in brown velvet and the ladies in blue satin have
+seen what was going on, have been conscious of such an overthrow of all order
+and neatness! The portraits themselves seemed to be staring in astonishment.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The Musgroves, like their houses, were in a state of alteration, perhaps of
+improvement. The father and mother were in the old English style, and the young
+people in the new. Mr and Mrs Musgrove were a very good sort of people;
+friendly and hospitable, not much educated, and not at all elegant. Their
+children had more modern minds and manners. There was a numerous family; but
+the only two grown up, excepting Charles, were Henrietta and Louisa, young
+ladies of nineteen and twenty, who had brought from school at Exeter all the
+usual stock of accomplishments, and were now like thousands of other young
+ladies, living to be fashionable, happy, and merry. Their dress had every
+advantage, their faces were rather pretty, their spirits extremely good, their
+manner unembarrassed and pleasant; they were of consequence at home, and
+favourites abroad. Anne always contemplated them as some of the happiest
+creatures of her acquaintance; but still, saved as we all are, by some
+comfortable feeling of superiority from wishing for the possibility of
+exchange, she would not have given up her own more elegant and cultivated mind
+for all their enjoyments; and envied them nothing but that seemingly perfect
+good understanding and agreement together, that good-humoured mutual affection,
+of which she had known so little herself with either of her sisters.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+They were received with great cordiality. Nothing seemed amiss on the side of
+the Great House family, which was generally, as Anne very well knew, the least
+to blame. The half hour was chatted away pleasantly enough; and she was not at
+all surprised, at the end of it, to have their walking party joined by both the
+Miss Musgroves, at Mary&rsquo;s particular invitation.
+</p>
+
+</div><!--end chapter-->
+
+<div class="chapter">
+
+<h2><a name="chap06"></a>CHAPTER VI.</h2>
+
+<p>
+Anne had not wanted this visit to Uppercross, to learn that a removal from one
+set of people to another, though at a distance of only three miles, will often
+include a total change of conversation, opinion, and idea. She had never been
+staying there before, without being struck by it, or without wishing that other
+Elliots could have her advantage in seeing how unknown, or unconsidered there,
+were the affairs which at Kellynch Hall were treated as of such general
+publicity and pervading interest; yet, with all this experience, she believed
+she must now submit to feel that another lesson, in the art of knowing our own
+nothingness beyond our own circle, was become necessary for her; for certainly,
+coming as she did, with a heart full of the subject which had been completely
+occupying both houses in Kellynch for many weeks, she had expected rather more
+curiosity and sympathy than she found in the separate but very similar remark
+of Mr and Mrs Musgrove: &ldquo;So, Miss Anne, Sir Walter and your sister are
+gone; and what part of Bath do you think they will settle in?&rdquo; and this,
+without much waiting for an answer; or in the young ladies&rsquo; addition of,
+&ldquo;I hope <i>we</i> shall be in Bath in the winter; but remember, papa, if
+we do go, we must be in a good situation: none of your Queen Squares for
+us!&rdquo; or in the anxious supplement from Mary, of&mdash;&ldquo;Upon my
+word, I shall be pretty well off, when you are all gone away to be happy at
+Bath!&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+She could only resolve to avoid such self-delusion in future, and think with
+heightened gratitude of the extraordinary blessing of having one such truly
+sympathising friend as Lady Russell.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The Mr Musgroves had their own game to guard, and to destroy, their own horses,
+dogs, and newspapers to engage them, and the females were fully occupied in all
+the other common subjects of housekeeping, neighbours, dress, dancing, and
+music. She acknowledged it to be very fitting, that every little social
+commonwealth should dictate its own matters of discourse; and hoped, ere long,
+to become a not unworthy member of the one she was now transplanted into. With
+the prospect of spending at least two months at Uppercross, it was highly
+incumbent on her to clothe her imagination, her memory, and all her ideas in as
+much of Uppercross as possible.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+She had no dread of these two months. Mary was not so repulsive and unsisterly
+as Elizabeth, nor so inaccessible to all influence of hers; neither was there
+anything among the other component parts of the cottage inimical to comfort.
+She was always on friendly terms with her brother-in-law; and in the children,
+who loved her nearly as well, and respected her a great deal more than their
+mother, she had an object of interest, amusement, and wholesome exertion.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Charles Musgrove was civil and agreeable; in sense and temper he was
+undoubtedly superior to his wife, but not of powers, or conversation, or grace,
+to make the past, as they were connected together, at all a dangerous
+contemplation; though, at the same time, Anne could believe, with Lady Russell,
+that a more equal match might have greatly improved him; and that a woman of
+real understanding might have given more consequence to his character, and more
+usefulness, rationality, and elegance to his habits and pursuits. As it was, he
+did nothing with much zeal, but sport; and his time was otherwise trifled away,
+without benefit from books or anything else. He had very good spirits, which
+never seemed much affected by his wife&rsquo;s occasional lowness, bore with
+her unreasonableness sometimes to Anne&rsquo;s admiration, and upon the whole,
+though there was very often a little disagreement (in which she had sometimes
+more share than she wished, being appealed to by both parties), they might pass
+for a happy couple. They were always perfectly agreed in the want of more
+money, and a strong inclination for a handsome present from his father; but
+here, as on most topics, he had the superiority, for while Mary thought it a
+great shame that such a present was not made, he always contended for his
+father&rsquo;s having many other uses for his money, and a right to spend it as
+he liked.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+As to the management of their children, his theory was much better than his
+wife&rsquo;s, and his practice not so bad. &ldquo;I could manage them very
+well, if it were not for Mary&rsquo;s interference,&rdquo; was what Anne often
+heard him say, and had a good deal of faith in; but when listening in turn to
+Mary&rsquo;s reproach of &ldquo;Charles spoils the children so that I cannot
+get them into any order,&rdquo; she never had the smallest temptation to say,
+&ldquo;Very true.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+One of the least agreeable circumstances of her residence there was her being
+treated with too much confidence by all parties, and being too much in the
+secret of the complaints of each house. Known to have some influence with her
+sister, she was continually requested, or at least receiving hints to exert it,
+beyond what was practicable. &ldquo;I wish you could persuade Mary not to be
+always fancying herself ill,&rdquo; was Charles&rsquo;s language; and, in an
+unhappy mood, thus spoke Mary: &ldquo;I do believe if Charles were to see me
+dying, he would not think there was anything the matter with me. I am sure,
+Anne, if you would, you might persuade him that I really am very ill&mdash;a
+great deal worse than I ever own.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Mary&rsquo;s declaration was, &ldquo;I hate sending the children to the Great
+House, though their grandmamma is always wanting to see them, for she humours
+and indulges them to such a degree, and gives them so much trash and sweet
+things, that they are sure to come back sick and cross for the rest of the
+day.&rdquo; And Mrs Musgrove took the first opportunity of being alone with
+Anne, to say, &ldquo;Oh! Miss Anne, I cannot help wishing Mrs Charles had a
+little of your method with those children. They are quite different creatures
+with you! But to be sure, in general they are so spoilt! It is a pity you
+cannot put your sister in the way of managing them. They are as fine healthy
+children as ever were seen, poor little dears! without partiality; but Mrs
+Charles knows no more how they should be treated&mdash;! Bless me! how
+troublesome they are sometimes. I assure you, Miss Anne, it prevents my wishing
+to see them at our house so often as I otherwise should. I believe Mrs Charles
+is not quite pleased with my not inviting them oftener; but you know it is very
+bad to have children with one that one is obligated to be checking every
+moment; &ldquo;don&rsquo;t do this,&rdquo; and &ldquo;don&rsquo;t do
+that;&rdquo; or that one can only keep in tolerable order by more cake than is
+good for them.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+She had this communication, moreover, from Mary. &ldquo;Mrs Musgrove thinks all
+her servants so steady, that it would be high treason to call it in question;
+but I am sure, without exaggeration, that her upper house-maid and
+laundry-maid, instead of being in their business, are gadding about the
+village, all day long. I meet them wherever I go; and I declare, I never go
+twice into my nursery without seeing something of them. If Jemima were not the
+trustiest, steadiest creature in the world, it would be enough to spoil her;
+for she tells me, they are always tempting her to take a walk with them.&rdquo;
+And on Mrs Musgrove&rsquo;s side, it was, &ldquo;I make a rule of never
+interfering in any of my daughter-in-law&rsquo;s concerns, for I know it would
+not do; but I shall tell <i>you</i>, Miss Anne, because you may be able to set
+things to rights, that I have no very good opinion of Mrs Charles&rsquo;s
+nursery-maid: I hear strange stories of her; she is always upon the gad; and
+from my own knowledge, I can declare, she is such a fine-dressing lady, that
+she is enough to ruin any servants she comes near. Mrs Charles quite swears by
+her, I know; but I just give you this hint, that you may be upon the watch;
+because, if you see anything amiss, you need not be afraid of mentioning
+it.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Again, it was Mary&rsquo;s complaint, that Mrs Musgrove was very apt not to
+give her the precedence that was her due, when they dined at the Great House
+with other families; and she did not see any reason why she was to be
+considered so much at home as to lose her place. And one day when Anne was
+walking with only the Musgroves, one of them after talking of rank, people of
+rank, and jealousy of rank, said, &ldquo;I have no scruple of observing to
+<i>you</i>, how nonsensical some persons are about their place, because all the
+world knows how easy and indifferent you are about it; but I wish anybody could
+give Mary a hint that it would be a great deal better if she were not so very
+tenacious, especially if she would not be always putting herself forward to
+take place of mamma. Nobody doubts her right to have precedence of mamma, but
+it would be more becoming in her not to be always insisting on it. It is not
+that mamma cares about it the least in the world, but I know it is taken notice
+of by many persons.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+How was Anne to set all these matters to rights? She could do little more than
+listen patiently, soften every grievance, and excuse each to the other; give
+them all hints of the forbearance necessary between such near neighbours, and
+make those hints broadest which were meant for her sister&rsquo;s benefit.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+In all other respects, her visit began and proceeded very well. Her own spirits
+improved by change of place and subject, by being removed three miles from
+Kellynch; Mary&rsquo;s ailments lessened by having a constant companion, and
+their daily intercourse with the other family, since there was neither superior
+affection, confidence, nor employment in the cottage, to be interrupted by it,
+was rather an advantage. It was certainly carried nearly as far as possible,
+for they met every morning, and hardly ever spent an evening asunder; but she
+believed they should not have done so well without the sight of Mr and Mrs
+Musgrove&rsquo;s respectable forms in the usual places, or without the talking,
+laughing, and singing of their daughters.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+She played a great deal better than either of the Miss Musgroves, but having no
+voice, no knowledge of the harp, and no fond parents, to sit by and fancy
+themselves delighted, her performance was little thought of, only out of
+civility, or to refresh the others, as she was well aware. She knew that when
+she played she was giving pleasure only to herself; but this was no new
+sensation. Excepting one short period of her life, she had never, since the age
+of fourteen, never since the loss of her dear mother, known the happiness of
+being listened to, or encouraged by any just appreciation or real taste. In
+music she had been always used to feel alone in the world; and Mr and Mrs
+Musgrove&rsquo;s fond partiality for their own daughters&rsquo; performance,
+and total indifference to any other person&rsquo;s, gave her much more pleasure
+for their sakes, than mortification for her own.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The party at the Great House was sometimes increased by other company. The
+neighbourhood was not large, but the Musgroves were visited by everybody, and
+had more dinner-parties, and more callers, more visitors by invitation and by
+chance, than any other family. They were more completely popular.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The girls were wild for dancing; and the evenings ended, occasionally, in an
+unpremeditated little ball. There was a family of cousins within a walk of
+Uppercross, in less affluent circumstances, who depended on the Musgroves for
+all their pleasures: they would come at any time, and help play at anything, or
+dance anywhere; and Anne, very much preferring the office of musician to a more
+active post, played country dances to them by the hour together; a kindness
+which always recommended her musical powers to the notice of Mr and Mrs
+Musgrove more than anything else, and often drew this
+compliment;&mdash;&ldquo;Well done, Miss Anne! very well done indeed! Lord
+bless me! how those little fingers of yours fly about!&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+So passed the first three weeks. Michaelmas came; and now Anne&rsquo;s heart
+must be in Kellynch again. A beloved home made over to others; all the precious
+rooms and furniture, groves, and prospects, beginning to own other eyes and
+other limbs! She could not think of much else on the 29th of September; and she
+had this sympathetic touch in the evening from Mary, who, on having occasion to
+note down the day of the month, exclaimed, &ldquo;Dear me, is not this the day
+the Crofts were to come to Kellynch? I am glad I did not think of it before.
+How low it makes me!&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The Crofts took possession with true naval alertness, and were to be visited.
+Mary deplored the necessity for herself. &ldquo;Nobody knew how much she should
+suffer. She should put it off as long as she could;&rdquo; but was not easy
+till she had talked Charles into driving her over on an early day, and was in a
+very animated, comfortable state of imaginary agitation, when she came back.
+Anne had very sincerely rejoiced in there being no means of her going. She
+wished, however to see the Crofts, and was glad to be within when the visit was
+returned. They came: the master of the house was not at home, but the two
+sisters were together; and as it chanced that Mrs Croft fell to the share of
+Anne, while the Admiral sat by Mary, and made himself very agreeable by his
+good-humoured notice of her little boys, she was well able to watch for a
+likeness, and if it failed her in the features, to catch it in the voice, or in
+the turn of sentiment and expression.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Mrs Croft, though neither tall nor fat, had a squareness, uprightness, and
+vigour of form, which gave importance to her person. She had bright dark eyes,
+good teeth, and altogether an agreeable face; though her reddened and
+weather-beaten complexion, the consequence of her having been almost as much at
+sea as her husband, made her seem to have lived some years longer in the world
+than her real eight-and-thirty. Her manners were open, easy, and decided, like
+one who had no distrust of herself, and no doubts of what to do; without any
+approach to coarseness, however, or any want of good humour. Anne gave her
+credit, indeed, for feelings of great consideration towards herself, in all
+that related to Kellynch, and it pleased her: especially, as she had satisfied
+herself in the very first half minute, in the instant even of introduction,
+that there was not the smallest symptom of any knowledge or suspicion on Mrs
+Croft&rsquo;s side, to give a bias of any sort. She was quite easy on that
+head, and consequently full of strength and courage, till for a moment
+electrified by Mrs Croft&rsquo;s suddenly saying,&mdash;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;It was you, and not your sister, I find, that my brother had the
+pleasure of being acquainted with, when he was in this country.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Anne hoped she had outlived the age of blushing; but the age of emotion she
+certainly had not.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Perhaps you may not have heard that he is married?&rdquo; added Mrs
+Croft.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+She could now answer as she ought; and was happy to feel, when Mrs
+Croft&rsquo;s next words explained it to be Mr Wentworth of whom she spoke,
+that she had said nothing which might not do for either brother. She
+immediately felt how reasonable it was, that Mrs Croft should be thinking and
+speaking of Edward, and not of Frederick; and with shame at her own
+forgetfulness applied herself to the knowledge of their former
+neighbour&rsquo;s present state with proper interest.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The rest was all tranquillity; till, just as they were moving, she heard the
+Admiral say to Mary&mdash;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;We are expecting a brother of Mrs Croft&rsquo;s here soon; I dare say
+you know him by name.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+He was cut short by the eager attacks of the little boys, clinging to him like
+an old friend, and declaring he should not go; and being too much engrossed by
+proposals of carrying them away in his coat pockets, &amp;c., to have another
+moment for finishing or recollecting what he had begun, Anne was left to
+persuade herself, as well as she could, that the same brother must still be in
+question. She could not, however, reach such a degree of certainty, as not to
+be anxious to hear whether anything had been said on the subject at the other
+house, where the Crofts had previously been calling.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The folks of the Great House were to spend the evening of this day at the
+Cottage; and it being now too late in the year for such visits to be made on
+foot, the coach was beginning to be listened for, when the youngest Miss
+Musgrove walked in. That she was coming to apologize, and that they should have
+to spend the evening by themselves, was the first black idea; and Mary was
+quite ready to be affronted, when Louisa made all right by saying, that she
+only came on foot, to leave more room for the harp, which was bringing in the
+carriage.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;And I will tell you our reason,&rdquo; she added, &ldquo;and all about
+it. I am come on to give you notice, that papa and mamma are out of spirits
+this evening, especially mamma; she is thinking so much of poor Richard! And we
+agreed it would be best to have the harp, for it seems to amuse her more than
+the piano-forte. I will tell you why she is out of spirits. When the Crofts
+called this morning, (they called here afterwards, did not they?), they
+happened to say, that her brother, Captain Wentworth, is just returned to
+England, or paid off, or something, and is coming to see them almost directly;
+and most unluckily it came into mamma&rsquo;s head, when they were gone, that
+Wentworth, or something very like it, was the name of poor Richard&rsquo;s
+captain at one time; I do not know when or where, but a great while before he
+died, poor fellow! And upon looking over his letters and things, she found it
+was so, and is perfectly sure that this must be the very man, and her head is
+quite full of it, and of poor Richard! So we must be as merry as we can, that
+she may not be dwelling upon such gloomy things.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The real circumstances of this pathetic piece of family history were, that the
+Musgroves had had the ill fortune of a very troublesome, hopeless son; and the
+good fortune to lose him before he reached his twentieth year; that he had been
+sent to sea because he was stupid and unmanageable on shore; that he had been
+very little cared for at any time by his family, though quite as much as he
+deserved; seldom heard of, and scarcely at all regretted, when the intelligence
+of his death abroad had worked its way to Uppercross, two years before.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+He had, in fact, though his sisters were now doing all they could for him, by
+calling him &ldquo;poor Richard,&rdquo; been nothing better than a
+thick-headed, unfeeling, unprofitable Dick Musgrove, who had never done
+anything to entitle himself to more than the abbreviation of his name, living
+or dead.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+He had been several years at sea, and had, in the course of those removals to
+which all midshipmen are liable, and especially such midshipmen as every
+captain wishes to get rid of, been six months on board Captain Frederick
+Wentworth&rsquo;s frigate, the Laconia; and from the Laconia he had, under the
+influence of his captain, written the only two letters which his father and
+mother had ever received from him during the whole of his absence; that is to
+say, the only two disinterested letters; all the rest had been mere
+applications for money.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+In each letter he had spoken well of his captain; but yet, so little were they
+in the habit of attending to such matters, so unobservant and incurious were
+they as to the names of men or ships, that it had made scarcely any impression
+at the time; and that Mrs Musgrove should have been suddenly struck, this very
+day, with a recollection of the name of Wentworth, as connected with her son,
+seemed one of those extraordinary bursts of mind which do sometimes occur.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+She had gone to her letters, and found it all as she supposed; and the
+re-perusal of these letters, after so long an interval, her poor son gone for
+ever, and all the strength of his faults forgotten, had affected her spirits
+exceedingly, and thrown her into greater grief for him than she had known on
+first hearing of his death. Mr Musgrove was, in a lesser degree, affected
+likewise; and when they reached the cottage, they were evidently in want,
+first, of being listened to anew on this subject, and afterwards, of all the
+relief which cheerful companions could give them.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+To hear them talking so much of Captain Wentworth, repeating his name so often,
+puzzling over past years, and at last ascertaining that it <i>might</i>, that
+it probably <i>would</i>, turn out to be the very same Captain Wentworth whom
+they recollected meeting, once or twice, after their coming back from
+Clifton&mdash;a very fine young man&mdash;but they could not say whether it was
+seven or eight years ago, was a new sort of trial to Anne&rsquo;s nerves. She
+found, however, that it was one to which she must inure herself. Since he
+actually was expected in the country, she must teach herself to be insensible
+on such points. And not only did it appear that he was expected, and speedily,
+but the Musgroves, in their warm gratitude for the kindness he had shewn poor
+Dick, and very high respect for his character, stamped as it was by poor
+Dick&rsquo;s having been six months under his care, and mentioning him in
+strong, though not perfectly well-spelt praise, as &ldquo;a fine dashing felow,
+only two perticular about the schoolmaster,&rdquo; were bent on introducing
+themselves, and seeking his acquaintance, as soon as they could hear of his
+arrival.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The resolution of doing so helped to form the comfort of their evening.
+</p>
+
+</div><!--end chapter-->
+
+<div class="chapter">
+
+<h2><a name="chap07"></a>CHAPTER VII.</h2>
+
+<p>
+A very few days more, and Captain Wentworth was known to be at Kellynch, and Mr
+Musgrove had called on him, and come back warm in his praise, and he was
+engaged with the Crofts to dine at Uppercross, by the end of another week. It
+had been a great disappointment to Mr Musgrove to find that no earlier day
+could be fixed, so impatient was he to shew his gratitude, by seeing Captain
+Wentworth under his own roof, and welcoming him to all that was strongest and
+best in his cellars. But a week must pass; only a week, in Anne&rsquo;s
+reckoning, and then, she supposed, they must meet; and soon she began to wish
+that she could feel secure even for a week.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Captain Wentworth made a very early return to Mr Musgrove&rsquo;s civility, and
+she was all but calling there in the same half hour. She and Mary were actually
+setting forward for the Great House, where, as she afterwards learnt, they must
+inevitably have found him, when they were stopped by the eldest boy&rsquo;s
+being at that moment brought home in consequence of a bad fall. The
+child&rsquo;s situation put the visit entirely aside; but she could not hear of
+her escape with indifference, even in the midst of the serious anxiety which
+they afterwards felt on his account.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+His collar-bone was found to be dislocated, and such injury received in the
+back, as roused the most alarming ideas. It was an afternoon of distress, and
+Anne had every thing to do at once; the apothecary to send for, the father to
+have pursued and informed, the mother to support and keep from hysterics, the
+servants to control, the youngest child to banish, and the poor suffering one
+to attend and soothe; besides sending, as soon as she recollected it, proper
+notice to the other house, which brought her an accession rather of frightened,
+enquiring companions, than of very useful assistants.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Her brother&rsquo;s return was the first comfort; he could take best care of
+his wife; and the second blessing was the arrival of the apothecary. Till he
+came and had examined the child, their apprehensions were the worse for being
+vague; they suspected great injury, but knew not where; but now the collar-bone
+was soon replaced, and though Mr Robinson felt and felt, and rubbed, and looked
+grave, and spoke low words both to the father and the aunt, still they were all
+to hope the best, and to be able to part and eat their dinner in tolerable ease
+of mind; and then it was, just before they parted, that the two young aunts
+were able so far to digress from their nephew&rsquo;s state, as to give the
+information of Captain Wentworth&rsquo;s visit; staying five minutes behind
+their father and mother, to endeavour to express how perfectly delighted they
+were with him, how much handsomer, how infinitely more agreeable they thought
+him than any individual among their male acquaintance, who had been at all a
+favourite before. How glad they had been to hear papa invite him to stay
+dinner, how sorry when he said it was quite out of his power, and how glad
+again when he had promised in reply to papa and mamma&rsquo;s farther pressing
+invitations to come and dine with them on the morrow&mdash;actually on the
+morrow; and he had promised it in so pleasant a manner, as if he felt all the
+motive of their attention just as he ought. And in short, he had looked and
+said everything with such exquisite grace, that they could assure them all,
+their heads were both turned by him; and off they ran, quite as full of glee as
+of love, and apparently more full of Captain Wentworth than of little Charles.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The same story and the same raptures were repeated, when the two girls came
+with their father, through the gloom of the evening, to make enquiries; and Mr
+Musgrove, no longer under the first uneasiness about his heir, could add his
+confirmation and praise, and hope there would be now no occasion for putting
+Captain Wentworth off, and only be sorry to think that the cottage party,
+probably, would not like to leave the little boy, to give him the meeting.
+&ldquo;Oh no; as to leaving the little boy,&rdquo; both father and mother were
+in much too strong and recent alarm to bear the thought; and Anne, in the joy
+of the escape, could not help adding her warm protestations to theirs.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Charles Musgrove, indeed, afterwards, shewed more of inclination; &ldquo;the
+child was going on so well, and he wished so much to be introduced to Captain
+Wentworth, that, perhaps, he might join them in the evening; he would not dine
+from home, but he might walk in for half an hour.&rdquo; But in this he was
+eagerly opposed by his wife, with &ldquo;Oh! no, indeed, Charles, I cannot bear
+to have you go away. Only think if anything should happen?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The child had a good night, and was going on well the next day. It must be a
+work of time to ascertain that no injury had been done to the spine; but Mr
+Robinson found nothing to increase alarm, and Charles Musgrove began,
+consequently, to feel no necessity for longer confinement. The child was to be
+kept in bed and amused as quietly as possible; but what was there for a father
+to do? This was quite a female case, and it would be highly absurd in him, who
+could be of no use at home, to shut himself up. His father very much wished him
+to meet Captain Wentworth, and there being no sufficient reason against it, he
+ought to go; and it ended in his making a bold, public declaration, when he
+came in from shooting, of his meaning to dress directly, and dine at the other
+house.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Nothing can be going on better than the child,&rdquo; said he; &ldquo;so
+I told my father, just now, that I would come, and he thought me quite right.
+Your sister being with you, my love, I have no scruple at all. You would not
+like to leave him yourself, but you see I can be of no use. Anne will send for
+me if anything is the matter.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Husbands and wives generally understand when opposition will be vain. Mary
+knew, from Charles&rsquo;s manner of speaking, that he was quite determined on
+going, and that it would be of no use to teaze him. She said nothing,
+therefore, till he was out of the room, but as soon as there was only Anne to
+hear&mdash;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;So you and I are to be left to shift by ourselves, with this poor sick
+child; and not a creature coming near us all the evening! I knew how it would
+be. This is always my luck. If there is anything disagreeable going on men are
+always sure to get out of it, and Charles is as bad as any of them. Very
+unfeeling! I must say it is very unfeeling of him to be running away from his
+poor little boy. Talks of his being going on so well! How does he know that he
+is going on well, or that there may not be a sudden change half an hour hence?
+I did not think Charles would have been so unfeeling. So here he is to go away
+and enjoy himself, and because I am the poor mother, I am not to be allowed to
+stir; and yet, I am sure, I am more unfit than anybody else to be about the
+child. My being the mother is the very reason why my feelings should not be
+tried. I am not at all equal to it. You saw how hysterical I was
+yesterday.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;But that was only the effect of the suddenness of your alarm&mdash;of
+the shock. You will not be hysterical again. I dare say we shall have nothing
+to distress us. I perfectly understand Mr Robinson&rsquo;s directions, and have
+no fears; and indeed, Mary, I cannot wonder at your husband. Nursing does not
+belong to a man; it is not his province. A sick child is always the
+mother&rsquo;s property: her own feelings generally make it so.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;I hope I am as fond of my child as any mother, but I do not know that I
+am of any more use in the sick-room than Charles, for I cannot be always
+scolding and teazing the poor child when it is ill; and you saw, this morning,
+that if I told him to keep quiet, he was sure to begin kicking about. I have
+not nerves for the sort of thing.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;But, could you be comfortable yourself, to be spending the whole evening
+away from the poor boy?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Yes; you see his papa can, and why should not I? Jemima is so careful;
+and she could send us word every hour how he was. I really think Charles might
+as well have told his father we would all come. I am not more alarmed about
+little Charles now than he is. I was dreadfully alarmed yesterday, but the case
+is very different to-day.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Well, if you do not think it too late to give notice for yourself,
+suppose you were to go, as well as your husband. Leave little Charles to my
+care. Mr and Mrs Musgrove cannot think it wrong while I remain with him.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Are you serious?&rdquo; cried Mary, her eyes brightening. &ldquo;Dear
+me! that&rsquo;s a very good thought, very good, indeed. To be sure, I may just
+as well go as not, for I am of no use at home&mdash;am I? and it only harasses
+me. You, who have not a mother&rsquo;s feelings, are a great deal the properest
+person. You can make little Charles do anything; he always minds you at a word.
+It will be a great deal better than leaving him only with Jemima. Oh! I shall
+certainly go; I am sure I ought if I can, quite as much as Charles, for they
+want me excessively to be acquainted with Captain Wentworth, and I know you do
+not mind being left alone. An excellent thought of yours, indeed, Anne. I will
+go and tell Charles, and get ready directly. You can send for us, you know, at
+a moment&rsquo;s notice, if anything is the matter; but I dare say there will
+be nothing to alarm you. I should not go, you may be sure, if I did not feel
+quite at ease about my dear child.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The next moment she was tapping at her husband&rsquo;s dressing-room door, and
+as Anne followed her up stairs, she was in time for the whole conversation,
+which began with Mary&rsquo;s saying, in a tone of great exultation&mdash;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;I mean to go with you, Charles, for I am of no more use at home than you
+are. If I were to shut myself up for ever with the child, I should not be able
+to persuade him to do anything he did not like. Anne will stay; Anne undertakes
+to stay at home and take care of him. It is Anne&rsquo;s own proposal, and so I
+shall go with you, which will be a great deal better, for I have not dined at
+the other house since Tuesday.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;This is very kind of Anne,&rdquo; was her husband&rsquo;s answer,
+&ldquo;and I should be very glad to have you go; but it seems rather hard that
+she should be left at home by herself, to nurse our sick child.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Anne was now at hand to take up her own cause, and the sincerity of her manner
+being soon sufficient to convince him, where conviction was at least very
+agreeable, he had no farther scruples as to her being left to dine alone,
+though he still wanted her to join them in the evening, when the child might be
+at rest for the night, and kindly urged her to let him come and fetch her, but
+she was quite unpersuadable; and this being the case, she had ere long the
+pleasure of seeing them set off together in high spirits. They were gone, she
+hoped, to be happy, however oddly constructed such happiness might seem; as for
+herself, she was left with as many sensations of comfort, as were, perhaps,
+ever likely to be hers. She knew herself to be of the first utility to the
+child; and what was it to her if Frederick Wentworth were only half a mile
+distant, making himself agreeable to others?
+</p>
+
+<p>
+She would have liked to know how he felt as to a meeting. Perhaps indifferent,
+if indifference could exist under such circumstances. He must be either
+indifferent or unwilling. Had he wished ever to see her again, he need not have
+waited till this time; he would have done what she could not but believe that
+in his place she should have done long ago, when events had been early giving
+him the independence which alone had been wanting.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Her brother and sister came back delighted with their new acquaintance, and
+their visit in general. There had been music, singing, talking, laughing, all
+that was most agreeable; charming manners in Captain Wentworth, no shyness or
+reserve; they seemed all to know each other perfectly, and he was coming the
+very next morning to shoot with Charles. He was to come to breakfast, but not
+at the Cottage, though that had been proposed at first; but then he had been
+pressed to come to the Great House instead, and he seemed afraid of being in
+Mrs Charles Musgrove&rsquo;s way, on account of the child, and therefore,
+somehow, they hardly knew how, it ended in Charles&rsquo;s being to meet him to
+breakfast at his father&rsquo;s.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Anne understood it. He wished to avoid seeing her. He had inquired after her,
+she found, slightly, as might suit a former slight acquaintance, seeming to
+acknowledge such as she had acknowledged, actuated, perhaps, by the same view
+of escaping introduction when they were to meet.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The morning hours of the Cottage were always later than those of the other
+house, and on the morrow the difference was so great that Mary and Anne were
+not more than beginning breakfast when Charles came in to say that they were
+just setting off, that he was come for his dogs, that his sisters were
+following with Captain Wentworth; his sisters meaning to visit Mary and the
+child, and Captain Wentworth proposing also to wait on her for a few minutes if
+not inconvenient; and though Charles had answered for the child&rsquo;s being
+in no such state as could make it inconvenient, Captain Wentworth would not be
+satisfied without his running on to give notice.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Mary, very much gratified by this attention, was delighted to receive him,
+while a thousand feelings rushed on Anne, of which this was the most consoling,
+that it would soon be over. And it was soon over. In two minutes after
+Charles&rsquo;s preparation, the others appeared; they were in the
+drawing-room. Her eye half met Captain Wentworth&rsquo;s, a bow, a curtsey
+passed; she heard his voice; he talked to Mary, said all that was right, said
+something to the Miss Musgroves, enough to mark an easy footing; the room
+seemed full, full of persons and voices, but a few minutes ended it. Charles
+shewed himself at the window, all was ready, their visitor had bowed and was
+gone, the Miss Musgroves were gone too, suddenly resolving to walk to the end
+of the village with the sportsmen: the room was cleared, and Anne might finish
+her breakfast as she could.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;It is over! it is over!&rdquo; she repeated to herself again and again,
+in nervous gratitude. &ldquo;The worst is over!&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Mary talked, but she could not attend. She had seen him. They had met. They had
+been once more in the same room.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Soon, however, she began to reason with herself, and try to be feeling less.
+Eight years, almost eight years had passed, since all had been given up. How
+absurd to be resuming the agitation which such an interval had banished into
+distance and indistinctness! What might not eight years do? Events of every
+description, changes, alienations, removals&mdash;all, all must be comprised in
+it, and oblivion of the past&mdash; how natural, how certain too! It included
+nearly a third part of her own life.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Alas! with all her reasoning, she found, that to retentive feelings eight years
+may be little more than nothing.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Now, how were his sentiments to be read? Was this like wishing to avoid her?
+And the next moment she was hating herself for the folly which asked the
+question.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+On one other question which perhaps her utmost wisdom might not have prevented,
+she was soon spared all suspense; for, after the Miss Musgroves had returned
+and finished their visit at the Cottage she had this spontaneous information
+from Mary:&mdash;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Captain Wentworth is not very gallant by you, Anne, though he was so
+attentive to me. Henrietta asked him what he thought of you, when they went
+away, and he said, &lsquo;You were so altered he should not have known you
+again.&rsquo;&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Mary had no feelings to make her respect her sister&rsquo;s in a common way,
+but she was perfectly unsuspicious of being inflicting any peculiar wound.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Altered beyond his knowledge.&rdquo; Anne fully submitted, in silent,
+deep mortification. Doubtless it was so, and she could take no revenge, for he
+was not altered, or not for the worse. She had already acknowledged it to
+herself, and she could not think differently, let him think of her as he would.
+No: the years which had destroyed her youth and bloom had only given him a more
+glowing, manly, open look, in no respect lessening his personal advantages. She
+had seen the same Frederick Wentworth.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;So altered that he should not have known her again!&rdquo; These were
+words which could not but dwell with her. Yet she soon began to rejoice that
+she had heard them. They were of sobering tendency; they allayed agitation;
+they composed, and consequently must make her happier.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Frederick Wentworth had used such words, or something like them, but without an
+idea that they would be carried round to her. He had thought her wretchedly
+altered, and in the first moment of appeal, had spoken as he felt. He had not
+forgiven Anne Elliot. She had used him ill, deserted and disappointed him; and
+worse, she had shewn a feebleness of character in doing so, which his own
+decided, confident temper could not endure. She had given him up to oblige
+others. It had been the effect of over-persuasion. It had been weakness and
+timidity.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+He had been most warmly attached to her, and had never seen a woman since whom
+he thought her equal; but, except from some natural sensation of curiosity, he
+had no desire of meeting her again. Her power with him was gone for ever.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+It was now his object to marry. He was rich, and being turned on shore, fully
+intended to settle as soon as he could be properly tempted; actually looking
+round, ready to fall in love with all the speed which a clear head and a quick
+taste could allow. He had a heart for either of the Miss Musgroves, if they
+could catch it; a heart, in short, for any pleasing young woman who came in his
+way, excepting Anne Elliot. This was his only secret exception, when he said to
+his sister, in answer to her suppositions:&mdash;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Yes, here I am, Sophia, quite ready to make a foolish match. Anybody
+between fifteen and thirty may have me for asking. A little beauty, and a few
+smiles, and a few compliments to the navy, and I am a lost man. Should not this
+be enough for a sailor, who has had no society among women to make him
+nice?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+He said it, she knew, to be contradicted. His bright proud eye spoke the
+conviction that he was nice; and Anne Elliot was not out of his thoughts, when
+he more seriously described the woman he should wish to meet with. &ldquo;A
+strong mind, with sweetness of manner,&rdquo; made the first and the last of
+the description.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;That is the woman I want,&rdquo; said he. &ldquo;Something a little
+inferior I shall of course put up with, but it must not be much. If I am a
+fool, I shall be a fool indeed, for I have thought on the subject more than
+most men.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+</div><!--end chapter-->
+
+<div class="chapter">
+
+<h2><a name="chap08"></a>CHAPTER VIII.</h2>
+
+<p>
+From this time Captain Wentworth and Anne Elliot were repeatedly in the same
+circle. They were soon dining in company together at Mr Musgrove&rsquo;s, for
+the little boy&rsquo;s state could no longer supply his aunt with a pretence
+for absenting herself; and this was but the beginning of other dinings and
+other meetings.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Whether former feelings were to be renewed must be brought to the proof; former
+times must undoubtedly be brought to the recollection of each; <i>they</i>
+could not but be reverted to; the year of their engagement could not but be
+named by him, in the little narratives or descriptions which conversation
+called forth. His profession qualified him, his disposition lead him, to talk;
+and &ldquo;<i>That</i> was in the year six;&rdquo; &ldquo;<i>That</i> happened
+before I went to sea in the year six,&rdquo; occurred in the course of the
+first evening they spent together: and though his voice did not falter, and
+though she had no reason to suppose his eye wandering towards her while he
+spoke, Anne felt the utter impossibility, from her knowledge of his mind, that
+he could be unvisited by remembrance any more than herself. There must be the
+same immediate association of thought, though she was very far from conceiving
+it to be of equal pain.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+They had no conversation together, no intercourse but what the commonest
+civility required. Once so much to each other! Now nothing! There <i>had</i>
+been a time, when of all the large party now filling the drawing-room at
+Uppercross, they would have found it most difficult to cease to speak to one
+another. With the exception, perhaps, of Admiral and Mrs Croft, who seemed
+particularly attached and happy, (Anne could allow no other exceptions even
+among the married couples), there could have been no two hearts so open, no
+tastes so similar, no feelings so in unison, no countenances so beloved. Now
+they were as strangers; nay, worse than strangers, for they could never become
+acquainted. It was a perpetual estrangement.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+When he talked, she heard the same voice, and discerned the same mind. There
+was a very general ignorance of all naval matters throughout the party; and he
+was very much questioned, and especially by the two Miss Musgroves, who seemed
+hardly to have any eyes but for him, as to the manner of living on board, daily
+regulations, food, hours, &amp;c., and their surprise at his accounts, at
+learning the degree of accommodation and arrangement which was practicable,
+drew from him some pleasant ridicule, which reminded Anne of the early days
+when she too had been ignorant, and she too had been accused of supposing
+sailors to be living on board without anything to eat, or any cook to dress it
+if there were, or any servant to wait, or any knife and fork to use.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+From thus listening and thinking, she was roused by a whisper of Mrs
+Musgrove&rsquo;s who, overcome by fond regrets, could not help saying&mdash;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Ah! Miss Anne, if it had pleased Heaven to spare my poor son, I dare say
+he would have been just such another by this time.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Anne suppressed a smile, and listened kindly, while Mrs Musgrove relieved her
+heart a little more; and for a few minutes, therefore, could not keep pace with
+the conversation of the others.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+When she could let her attention take its natural course again, she found the
+Miss Musgroves just fetching the Navy List (their own navy list, the first that
+had ever been at Uppercross), and sitting down together to pore over it, with
+the professed view of finding out the ships that Captain Wentworth had
+commanded.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Your first was the Asp, I remember; we will look for the Asp.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;You will not find her there. Quite worn out and broken up. I was the
+last man who commanded her. Hardly fit for service then. Reported fit for home
+service for a year or two, and so I was sent off to the West Indies.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The girls looked all amazement.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;The Admiralty,&rdquo; he continued, &ldquo;entertain themselves now and
+then, with sending a few hundred men to sea, in a ship not fit to be employed.
+But they have a great many to provide for; and among the thousands that may
+just as well go to the bottom as not, it is impossible for them to distinguish
+the very set who may be least missed.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Phoo! phoo!&rdquo; cried the Admiral, &ldquo;what stuff these young
+fellows talk! Never was a better sloop than the Asp in her day. For an old
+built sloop, you would not see her equal. Lucky fellow to get her! He knows
+there must have been twenty better men than himself applying for her at the
+same time. Lucky fellow to get anything so soon, with no more interest than
+his.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;I felt my luck, Admiral, I assure you;&rdquo; replied Captain Wentworth,
+seriously. &ldquo;I was as well satisfied with my appointment as you can
+desire. It was a great object with me at that time to be at sea; a very great
+object, I wanted to be doing something.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;To be sure you did. What should a young fellow like you do ashore for
+half a year together? If a man had not a wife, he soon wants to be afloat
+again.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;But, Captain Wentworth,&rdquo; cried Louisa, &ldquo;how vexed you must
+have been when you came to the Asp, to see what an old thing they had given
+you.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;I knew pretty well what she was before that day;&rdquo; said he,
+smiling. &ldquo;I had no more discoveries to make than you would have as to the
+fashion and strength of any old pelisse, which you had seen lent about among
+half your acquaintance ever since you could remember, and which at last, on
+some very wet day, is lent to yourself. Ah! she was a dear old Asp to me. She
+did all that I wanted. I knew she would. I knew that we should either go to the
+bottom together, or that she would be the making of me; and I never had two
+days of foul weather all the time I was at sea in her; and after taking
+privateers enough to be very entertaining, I had the good luck in my passage
+home the next autumn, to fall in with the very French frigate I wanted. I
+brought her into Plymouth; and here another instance of luck. We had not been
+six hours in the Sound, when a gale came on, which lasted four days and nights,
+and which would have done for poor old Asp in half the time; our touch with the
+Great Nation not having much improved our condition. Four-and-twenty hours
+later, and I should only have been a gallant Captain Wentworth, in a small
+paragraph at one corner of the newspapers; and being lost in only a sloop,
+nobody would have thought about me.&rdquo; Anne&rsquo;s shudderings were to
+herself alone; but the Miss Musgroves could be as open as they were sincere, in
+their exclamations of pity and horror.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;And so then, I suppose,&rdquo; said Mrs Musgrove, in a low voice, as if
+thinking aloud, &ldquo;so then he went away to the Laconia, and there he met
+with our poor boy. Charles, my dear,&rdquo; (beckoning him to her), &ldquo;do
+ask Captain Wentworth where it was he first met with your poor brother. I
+always forgot.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;It was at Gibraltar, mother, I know. Dick had been left ill at
+Gibraltar, with a recommendation from his former captain to Captain
+Wentworth.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Oh! but, Charles, tell Captain Wentworth, he need not be afraid of
+mentioning poor Dick before me, for it would be rather a pleasure to hear him
+talked of by such a good friend.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Charles, being somewhat more mindful of the probabilities of the case, only
+nodded in reply, and walked away.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The girls were now hunting for the Laconia; and Captain Wentworth could not
+deny himself the pleasure of taking the precious volume into his own hands to
+save them the trouble, and once more read aloud the little statement of her
+name and rate, and present non-commissioned class, observing over it that she
+too had been one of the best friends man ever had.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Ah! those were pleasant days when I had the Laconia! How fast I made
+money in her. A friend of mine and I had such a lovely cruise together off the
+Western Islands. Poor Harville, sister! You know how much he wanted money:
+worse than myself. He had a wife. Excellent fellow. I shall never forget his
+happiness. He felt it all, so much for her sake. I wished for him again the
+next summer, when I had still the same luck in the Mediterranean.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;And I am sure, Sir,&rdquo; said Mrs Musgrove, &ldquo;it was a lucky day
+for <i>us</i>, when you were put captain into that ship. <i>We</i> shall never
+forget what you did.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Her feelings made her speak low; and Captain Wentworth, hearing only in part,
+and probably not having Dick Musgrove at all near his thoughts, looked rather
+in suspense, and as if waiting for more.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;My brother,&rdquo; whispered one of the girls; &ldquo;mamma is thinking
+of poor Richard.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Poor dear fellow!&rdquo; continued Mrs Musgrove; &ldquo;he was grown so
+steady, and such an excellent correspondent, while he was under your care! Ah!
+it would have been a happy thing, if he had never left you. I assure you,
+Captain Wentworth, we are very sorry he ever left you.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+There was a momentary expression in Captain Wentworth&rsquo;s face at this
+speech, a certain glance of his bright eye, and curl of his handsome mouth,
+which convinced Anne, that instead of sharing in Mrs Musgrove&rsquo;s kind
+wishes, as to her son, he had probably been at some pains to get rid of him;
+but it was too transient an indulgence of self-amusement to be detected by any
+who understood him less than herself; in another moment he was perfectly
+collected and serious, and almost instantly afterwards coming up to the sofa,
+on which she and Mrs Musgrove were sitting, took a place by the latter, and
+entered into conversation with her, in a low voice, about her son, doing it
+with so much sympathy and natural grace, as shewed the kindest consideration
+for all that was real and unabsurd in the parent&rsquo;s feelings.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+They were actually on the same sofa, for Mrs Musgrove had most readily made
+room for him; they were divided only by Mrs Musgrove. It was no insignificant
+barrier, indeed. Mrs Musgrove was of a comfortable, substantial size,
+infinitely more fitted by nature to express good cheer and good humour, than
+tenderness and sentiment; and while the agitations of Anne&rsquo;s slender
+form, and pensive face, may be considered as very completely screened, Captain
+Wentworth should be allowed some credit for the self-command with which he
+attended to her large fat sighings over the destiny of a son, whom alive nobody
+had cared for.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Personal size and mental sorrow have certainly no necessary proportions. A
+large bulky figure has as good a right to be in deep affliction, as the most
+graceful set of limbs in the world. But, fair or not fair, there are unbecoming
+conjunctions, which reason will patronize in vain&mdash;which taste cannot
+tolerate&mdash;which ridicule will seize.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The Admiral, after taking two or three refreshing turns about the room with his
+hands behind him, being called to order by his wife, now came up to Captain
+Wentworth, and without any observation of what he might be interrupting,
+thinking only of his own thoughts, began with&mdash;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;If you had been a week later at Lisbon, last spring, Frederick, you
+would have been asked to give a passage to Lady Mary Grierson and her
+daughters.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Should I? I am glad I was not a week later then.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The Admiral abused him for his want of gallantry. He defended himself; though
+professing that he would never willingly admit any ladies on board a ship of
+his, excepting for a ball, or a visit, which a few hours might comprehend.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;But, if I know myself,&rdquo; said he, &ldquo;this is from no want of
+gallantry towards them. It is rather from feeling how impossible it is, with
+all one&rsquo;s efforts, and all one&rsquo;s sacrifices, to make the
+accommodations on board such as women ought to have. There can be no want of
+gallantry, Admiral, in rating the claims of women to every personal comfort
+<i>high</i>, and this is what I do. I hate to hear of women on board, or to see
+them on board; and no ship under my command shall ever convey a family of
+ladies anywhere, if I can help it.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+This brought his sister upon him.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Oh! Frederick! But I cannot believe it of you.&mdash;All idle
+refinement!&mdash;Women may be as comfortable on board, as in the best house in
+England. I believe I have lived as much on board as most women, and I know
+nothing superior to the accommodations of a man-of-war. I declare I have not a
+comfort or an indulgence about me, even at Kellynch Hall,&rdquo; (with a kind
+bow to Anne), &ldquo;beyond what I always had in most of the ships I have lived
+in; and they have been five altogether.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Nothing to the purpose,&rdquo; replied her brother. &ldquo;You were
+living with your husband, and were the only woman on board.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;But you, yourself, brought Mrs Harville, her sister, her cousin, and
+three children, round from Portsmouth to Plymouth. Where was this superfine,
+extraordinary sort of gallantry of yours then?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;All merged in my friendship, Sophia. I would assist any brother
+officer&rsquo;s wife that I could, and I would bring anything of
+Harville&rsquo;s from the world&rsquo;s end, if he wanted it. But do not
+imagine that I did not feel it an evil in itself.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Depend upon it, they were all perfectly comfortable.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;I might not like them the better for that perhaps. Such a number of
+women and children have no <i>right</i> to be comfortable on board.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;My dear Frederick, you are talking quite idly. Pray, what would become
+of us poor sailors&rsquo; wives, who often want to be conveyed to one port or
+another, after our husbands, if everybody had your feelings?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;My feelings, you see, did not prevent my taking Mrs Harville and all her
+family to Plymouth.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;But I hate to hear you talking so like a fine gentleman, and as if women
+were all fine ladies, instead of rational creatures. We none of us expect to be
+in smooth water all our days.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Ah! my dear,&rdquo; said the Admiral, &ldquo;when he had got a wife, he
+will sing a different tune. When he is married, if we have the good luck to
+live to another war, we shall see him do as you and I, and a great many others,
+have done. We shall have him very thankful to anybody that will bring him his
+wife.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Ay, that we shall.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Now I have done,&rdquo; cried Captain Wentworth. &ldquo;When once
+married people begin to attack me with,&mdash;&lsquo;Oh! you will think very
+differently, when you are married.&rsquo; I can only say, &lsquo;No, I shall
+not;&rsquo; and then they say again, &lsquo;Yes, you will,&rsquo; and there is
+an end of it.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+He got up and moved away.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;What a great traveller you must have been, ma&rsquo;am!&rdquo; said Mrs
+Musgrove to Mrs Croft.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Pretty well, ma&rsquo;am in the fifteen years of my marriage; though
+many women have done more. I have crossed the Atlantic four times, and have
+been once to the East Indies, and back again, and only once; besides being in
+different places about home: Cork, and Lisbon, and Gibraltar. But I never went
+beyond the Streights, and never was in the West Indies. We do not call Bermuda
+or Bahama, you know, the West Indies.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Mrs Musgrove had not a word to say in dissent; she could not accuse herself of
+having ever called them anything in the whole course of her life.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;And I do assure you, ma&rsquo;am,&rdquo; pursued Mrs Croft, &ldquo;that
+nothing can exceed the accommodations of a man-of-war; I speak, you know, of
+the higher rates. When you come to a frigate, of course, you are more confined;
+though any reasonable woman may be perfectly happy in one of them; and I can
+safely say, that the happiest part of my life has been spent on board a ship.
+While we were together, you know, there was nothing to be feared. Thank God! I
+have always been blessed with excellent health, and no climate disagrees with
+me. A little disordered always the first twenty-four hours of going to sea, but
+never knew what sickness was afterwards. The only time I ever really suffered
+in body or mind, the only time that I ever fancied myself unwell, or had any
+ideas of danger, was the winter that I passed by myself at Deal, when the
+Admiral (<i>Captain</i> Croft then) was in the North Seas. I lived in perpetual
+fright at that time, and had all manner of imaginary complaints from not
+knowing what to do with myself, or when I should hear from him next; but as
+long as we could be together, nothing ever ailed me, and I never met with the
+smallest inconvenience.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Aye, to be sure. Yes, indeed, oh yes! I am quite of your opinion, Mrs
+Croft,&rdquo; was Mrs Musgrove&rsquo;s hearty answer. &ldquo;There is nothing
+so bad as a separation. I am quite of your opinion. <i>I</i> know what it is,
+for Mr Musgrove always attends the assizes, and I am so glad when they are
+over, and he is safe back again.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The evening ended with dancing. On its being proposed, Anne offered her
+services, as usual; and though her eyes would sometimes fill with tears as she
+sat at the instrument, she was extremely glad to be employed, and desired
+nothing in return but to be unobserved.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+It was a merry, joyous party, and no one seemed in higher spirits than Captain
+Wentworth. She felt that he had every thing to elevate him which general
+attention and deference, and especially the attention of all the young women,
+could do. The Miss Hayters, the females of the family of cousins already
+mentioned, were apparently admitted to the honour of being in love with him;
+and as for Henrietta and Louisa, they both seemed so entirely occupied by him,
+that nothing but the continued appearance of the most perfect good-will between
+themselves could have made it credible that they were not decided rivals. If he
+were a little spoilt by such universal, such eager admiration, who could
+wonder?
+</p>
+
+<p>
+These were some of the thoughts which occupied Anne, while her fingers were
+mechanically at work, proceeding for half an hour together, equally without
+error, and without consciousness. <i>Once</i> she felt that he was looking at
+herself, observing her altered features, perhaps, trying to trace in them the
+ruins of the face which had once charmed him; and <i>once</i> she knew that he
+must have spoken of her; she was hardly aware of it, till she heard the answer;
+but then she was sure of his having asked his partner whether Miss Elliot never
+danced? The answer was, &ldquo;Oh, no; never; she has quite given up dancing.
+She had rather play. She is never tired of playing.&rdquo; Once, too, he spoke
+to her. She had left the instrument on the dancing being over, and he had sat
+down to try to make out an air which he wished to give the Miss Musgroves an
+idea of. Unintentionally she returned to that part of the room; he saw her,
+and, instantly rising, said, with studied politeness&mdash;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;I beg your pardon, madam, this is your seat;&rdquo; and though she
+immediately drew back with a decided negative, he was not to be induced to sit
+down again.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Anne did not wish for more of such looks and speeches. His cold politeness, his
+ceremonious grace, were worse than anything.
+</p>
+
+</div><!--end chapter-->
+
+<div class="chapter">
+
+<h2><a name="chap09"></a>CHAPTER IX.</h2>
+
+<p>
+Captain Wentworth was come to Kellynch as to a home, to stay as long as he
+liked, being as thoroughly the object of the Admiral&rsquo;s fraternal kindness
+as of his wife&rsquo;s. He had intended, on first arriving, to proceed very
+soon into Shropshire, and visit the brother settled in that country, but the
+attractions of Uppercross induced him to put this off. There was so much of
+friendliness, and of flattery, and of everything most bewitching in his
+reception there; the old were so hospitable, the young so agreeable, that he
+could not but resolve to remain where he was, and take all the charms and
+perfections of Edward&rsquo;s wife upon credit a little longer.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+It was soon Uppercross with him almost every day. The Musgroves could hardly be
+more ready to invite than he to come, particularly in the morning, when he had
+no companion at home, for the Admiral and Mrs Croft were generally out of doors
+together, interesting themselves in their new possessions, their grass, and
+their sheep, and dawdling about in a way not endurable to a third person, or
+driving out in a gig, lately added to their establishment.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Hitherto there had been but one opinion of Captain Wentworth among the
+Musgroves and their dependencies. It was unvarying, warm admiration everywhere;
+but this intimate footing was not more than established, when a certain Charles
+Hayter returned among them, to be a good deal disturbed by it, and to think
+Captain Wentworth very much in the way.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Charles Hayter was the eldest of all the cousins, and a very amiable, pleasing
+young man, between whom and Henrietta there had been a considerable appearance
+of attachment previous to Captain Wentworth&rsquo;s introduction. He was in
+orders; and having a curacy in the neighbourhood, where residence was not
+required, lived at his father&rsquo;s house, only two miles from Uppercross. A
+short absence from home had left his fair one unguarded by his attentions at
+this critical period, and when he came back he had the pain of finding very
+altered manners, and of seeing Captain Wentworth.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Mrs Musgrove and Mrs Hayter were sisters. They had each had money, but their
+marriages had made a material difference in their degree of consequence. Mr
+Hayter had some property of his own, but it was insignificant compared with Mr
+Musgrove&rsquo;s; and while the Musgroves were in the first class of society in
+the country, the young Hayters would, from their parents&rsquo; inferior,
+retired, and unpolished way of living, and their own defective education, have
+been hardly in any class at all, but for their connexion with Uppercross, this
+eldest son of course excepted, who had chosen to be a scholar and a gentleman,
+and who was very superior in cultivation and manners to all the rest.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The two families had always been on excellent terms, there being no pride on
+one side, and no envy on the other, and only such a consciousness of
+superiority in the Miss Musgroves, as made them pleased to improve their
+cousins. Charles&rsquo;s attentions to Henrietta had been observed by her
+father and mother without any disapprobation. &ldquo;It would not be a great
+match for her; but if Henrietta liked him,&rdquo;&mdash;and Henrietta
+<i>did</i> seem to like him.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Henrietta fully thought so herself, before Captain Wentworth came; but from
+that time Cousin Charles had been very much forgotten.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Which of the two sisters was preferred by Captain Wentworth was as yet quite
+doubtful, as far as Anne&rsquo;s observation reached. Henrietta was perhaps the
+prettiest, Louisa had the higher spirits; and she knew not <i>now</i>, whether
+the more gentle or the more lively character were most likely to attract him.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Mr and Mrs Musgrove, either from seeing little, or from an entire confidence in
+the discretion of both their daughters, and of all the young men who came near
+them, seemed to leave everything to take its chance. There was not the smallest
+appearance of solicitude or remark about them in the Mansion-house; but it was
+different at the Cottage: the young couple there were more disposed to
+speculate and wonder; and Captain Wentworth had not been above four or five
+times in the Miss Musgroves&rsquo; company, and Charles Hayter had but just
+reappeared, when Anne had to listen to the opinions of her brother and sister,
+as to <i>which</i> was the one liked best. Charles gave it for Louisa, Mary for
+Henrietta, but quite agreeing that to have him marry either could be extremely
+delightful.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Charles &ldquo;had never seen a pleasanter man in his life; and from what he
+had once heard Captain Wentworth himself say, was very sure that he had not
+made less than twenty thousand pounds by the war. Here was a fortune at once;
+besides which, there would be the chance of what might be done in any future
+war; and he was sure Captain Wentworth was as likely a man to distinguish
+himself as any officer in the navy. Oh! it would be a capital match for either
+of his sisters.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Upon my word it would,&rdquo; replied Mary. &ldquo;Dear me! If he should
+rise to any very great honours! If he should ever be made a baronet!
+&lsquo;Lady Wentworth&rsquo; sounds very well. That would be a noble thing,
+indeed, for Henrietta! She would take place of me then, and Henrietta would not
+dislike that. Sir Frederick and Lady Wentworth! It would be but a new creation,
+however, and I never think much of your new creations.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+It suited Mary best to think Henrietta the one preferred on the very account of
+Charles Hayter, whose pretensions she wished to see put an end to. She looked
+down very decidedly upon the Hayters, and thought it would be quite a
+misfortune to have the existing connection between the families
+renewed&mdash;very sad for herself and her children.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;You know,&rdquo; said she, &ldquo;I cannot think him at all a fit match
+for Henrietta; and considering the alliances which the Musgroves have made, she
+has no right to throw herself away. I do not think any young woman has a right
+to make a choice that may be disagreeable and inconvenient to the
+<i>principal</i> part of her family, and be giving bad connections to those who
+have not been used to them. And, pray, who is Charles Hayter? Nothing but a
+country curate. A most improper match for Miss Musgrove of Uppercross.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Her husband, however, would not agree with her here; for besides having a
+regard for his cousin, Charles Hayter was an eldest son, and he saw things as
+an eldest son himself.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Now you are talking nonsense, Mary,&rdquo; was therefore his answer.
+&ldquo;It would not be a <i>great</i> match for Henrietta, but Charles has a
+very fair chance, through the Spicers, of getting something from the Bishop in
+the course of a year or two; and you will please to remember, that he is the
+eldest son; whenever my uncle dies, he steps into very pretty property. The
+estate at Winthrop is not less than two hundred and fifty acres, besides the
+farm near Taunton, which is some of the best land in the country. I grant you,
+that any of them but Charles would be a very shocking match for Henrietta, and
+indeed it could not be; he is the only one that could be possible; but he is a
+very good-natured, good sort of a fellow; and whenever Winthrop comes into his
+hands, he will make a different sort of place of it, and live in a very
+different sort of way; and with that property, he will never be a contemptible
+man&mdash;good, freehold property. No, no; Henrietta might do worse than marry
+Charles Hayter; and if she has him, and Louisa can get Captain Wentworth, I
+shall be very well satisfied.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Charles may say what he pleases,&rdquo; cried Mary to Anne, as soon as
+he was out of the room, &ldquo;but it would be shocking to have Henrietta marry
+Charles Hayter; a very bad thing for <i>her</i>, and still worse for <i>me;</i>
+and therefore it is very much to be wished that Captain Wentworth may soon put
+him quite out of her head, and I have very little doubt that he has. She took
+hardly any notice of Charles Hayter yesterday. I wish you had been there to see
+her behaviour. And as to Captain Wentworth&rsquo;s liking Louisa as well as
+Henrietta, it is nonsense to say so; for he certainly <i>does</i> like
+Henrietta a great deal the best. But Charles is so positive! I wish you had
+been with us yesterday, for then you might have decided between us; and I am
+sure you would have thought as I did, unless you had been determined to give it
+against me.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+A dinner at Mr Musgrove&rsquo;s had been the occasion when all these things
+should have been seen by Anne; but she had staid at home, under the mixed plea
+of a headache of her own, and some return of indisposition in little Charles.
+She had thought only of avoiding Captain Wentworth; but an escape from being
+appealed to as umpire was now added to the advantages of a quiet evening.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+As to Captain Wentworth&rsquo;s views, she deemed it of more consequence that
+he should know his own mind early enough not to be endangering the happiness of
+either sister, or impeaching his own honour, than that he should prefer
+Henrietta to Louisa, or Louisa to Henrietta. Either of them would, in all
+probability, make him an affectionate, good-humoured wife. With regard to
+Charles Hayter, she had delicacy which must be pained by any lightness of
+conduct in a well-meaning young woman, and a heart to sympathize in any of the
+sufferings it occasioned; but if Henrietta found herself mistaken in the nature
+of her feelings, the alteration could not be understood too soon.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Charles Hayter had met with much to disquiet and mortify him in his
+cousin&rsquo;s behaviour. She had too old a regard for him to be so wholly
+estranged as might in two meetings extinguish every past hope, and leave him
+nothing to do but to keep away from Uppercross: but there was such a change as
+became very alarming, when such a man as Captain Wentworth was to be regarded
+as the probable cause. He had been absent only two Sundays, and when they
+parted, had left her interested, even to the height of his wishes, in his
+prospect of soon quitting his present curacy, and obtaining that of Uppercross
+instead. It had then seemed the object nearest her heart, that Dr Shirley, the
+rector, who for more than forty years had been zealously discharging all the
+duties of his office, but was now growing too infirm for many of them, should
+be quite fixed on engaging a curate; should make his curacy quite as good as he
+could afford, and should give Charles Hayter the promise of it. The advantage
+of his having to come only to Uppercross, instead of going six miles another
+way; of his having, in every respect, a better curacy; of his belonging to
+their dear Dr Shirley, and of dear, good Dr Shirley&rsquo;s being relieved from
+the duty which he could no longer get through without most injurious fatigue,
+had been a great deal, even to Louisa, but had been almost everything to
+Henrietta. When he came back, alas! the zeal of the business was gone by.
+Louisa could not listen at all to his account of a conversation which he had
+just held with Dr Shirley: she was at a window, looking out for Captain
+Wentworth; and even Henrietta had at best only a divided attention to give, and
+seemed to have forgotten all the former doubt and solicitude of the
+negotiation.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Well, I am very glad indeed: but I always thought you would have it; I
+always thought you sure. It did not appear to me that&mdash;in short, you know,
+Dr Shirley <i>must</i> have a curate, and you had secured his promise. Is he
+coming, Louisa?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+One morning, very soon after the dinner at the Musgroves, at which Anne had not
+been present, Captain Wentworth walked into the drawing-room at the Cottage,
+where were only herself and the little invalid Charles, who was lying on the
+sofa.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The surprise of finding himself almost alone with Anne Elliot, deprived his
+manners of their usual composure: he started, and could only say, &ldquo;I
+thought the Miss Musgroves had been here: Mrs Musgrove told me I should find
+them here,&rdquo; before he walked to the window to recollect himself, and feel
+how he ought to behave.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;They are up stairs with my sister: they will be down in a few moments, I
+dare say,&rdquo; had been Anne&rsquo;s reply, in all the confusion that was
+natural; and if the child had not called her to come and do something for him,
+she would have been out of the room the next moment, and released Captain
+Wentworth as well as herself.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+He continued at the window; and after calmly and politely saying, &ldquo;I hope
+the little boy is better,&rdquo; was silent.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+She was obliged to kneel down by the sofa, and remain there to satisfy her
+patient; and thus they continued a few minutes, when, to her very great
+satisfaction, she heard some other person crossing the little vestibule. She
+hoped, on turning her head, to see the master of the house; but it proved to be
+one much less calculated for making matters easy&mdash;Charles Hayter, probably
+not at all better pleased by the sight of Captain Wentworth than Captain
+Wentworth had been by the sight of Anne.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+She only attempted to say, &ldquo;How do you do? Will you not sit down? The
+others will be here presently.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Captain Wentworth, however, came from his window, apparently not ill-disposed
+for conversation; but Charles Hayter soon put an end to his attempts by seating
+himself near the table, and taking up the newspaper; and Captain Wentworth
+returned to his window.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Another minute brought another addition. The younger boy, a remarkable stout,
+forward child, of two years old, having got the door opened for him by some one
+without, made his determined appearance among them, and went straight to the
+sofa to see what was going on, and put in his claim to anything good that might
+be giving away.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+There being nothing to eat, he could only have some play; and as his aunt would
+not let him tease his sick brother, he began to fasten himself upon her, as she
+knelt, in such a way that, busy as she was about Charles, she could not shake
+him off. She spoke to him, ordered, entreated, and insisted in vain. Once she
+did contrive to push him away, but the boy had the greater pleasure in getting
+upon her back again directly.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Walter,&rdquo; said she, &ldquo;get down this moment. You are extremely
+troublesome. I am very angry with you.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Walter,&rdquo; cried Charles Hayter, &ldquo;why do you not do as you are
+bid? Do not you hear your aunt speak? Come to me, Walter, come to cousin
+Charles.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+But not a bit did Walter stir.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+In another moment, however, she found herself in the state of being released
+from him; some one was taking him from her, though he had bent down her head so
+much, that his little sturdy hands were unfastened from around her neck, and he
+was resolutely borne away, before she knew that Captain Wentworth had done it.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Her sensations on the discovery made her perfectly speechless. She could not
+even thank him. She could only hang over little Charles, with most disordered
+feelings. His kindness in stepping forward to her relief, the manner, the
+silence in which it had passed, the little particulars of the circumstance,
+with the conviction soon forced on her by the noise he was studiously making
+with the child, that he meant to avoid hearing her thanks, and rather sought to
+testify that her conversation was the last of his wants, produced such a
+confusion of varying, but very painful agitation, as she could not recover
+from, till enabled by the entrance of Mary and the Miss Musgroves to make over
+her little patient to their cares, and leave the room. She could not stay. It
+might have been an opportunity of watching the loves and jealousies of the
+four&mdash;they were now altogether; but she could stay for none of it. It was
+evident that Charles Hayter was not well inclined towards Captain Wentworth.
+She had a strong impression of his having said, in a vext tone of voice, after
+Captain Wentworth&rsquo;s interference, &ldquo;You ought to have minded
+<i>me</i>, Walter; I told you not to teaze your aunt;&rdquo; and could
+comprehend his regretting that Captain Wentworth should do what he ought to
+have done himself. But neither Charles Hayter&rsquo;s feelings, nor
+anybody&rsquo;s feelings, could interest her, till she had a little better
+arranged her own. She was ashamed of herself, quite ashamed of being so
+nervous, so overcome by such a trifle; but so it was, and it required a long
+application of solitude and reflection to recover her.
+</p>
+
+</div><!--end chapter-->
+
+<div class="chapter">
+
+<h2><a name="chap10"></a>CHAPTER X.</h2>
+
+<p>
+Other opportunities of making her observations could not fail to occur. Anne
+had soon been in company with all the four together often enough to have an
+opinion, though too wise to acknowledge as much at home, where she knew it
+would have satisfied neither husband nor wife; for while she considered Louisa
+to be rather the favourite, she could not but think, as far as she might dare
+to judge from memory and experience, that Captain Wentworth was not in love
+with either. They were more in love with him; yet there it was not love. It was
+a little fever of admiration; but it might, probably must, end in love with
+some. Charles Hayter seemed aware of being slighted, and yet Henrietta had
+sometimes the air of being divided between them. Anne longed for the power of
+representing to them all what they were about, and of pointing out some of the
+evils they were exposing themselves to. She did not attribute guile to any. It
+was the highest satisfaction to her to believe Captain Wentworth not in the
+least aware of the pain he was occasioning. There was no triumph, no pitiful
+triumph in his manner. He had, probably, never heard, and never thought of any
+claims of Charles Hayter. He was only wrong in accepting the attentions (for
+accepting must be the word) of two young women at once.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+After a short struggle, however, Charles Hayter seemed to quit the field. Three
+days had passed without his coming once to Uppercross; a most decided change.
+He had even refused one regular invitation to dinner; and having been found on
+the occasion by Mr Musgrove with some large books before him, Mr and Mrs
+Musgrove were sure all could not be right, and talked, with grave faces, of his
+studying himself to death. It was Mary&rsquo;s hope and belief that he had
+received a positive dismissal from Henrietta, and her husband lived under the
+constant dependence of seeing him to-morrow. Anne could only feel that Charles
+Hayter was wise.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+One morning, about this time Charles Musgrove and Captain Wentworth being gone
+a-shooting together, as the sisters in the Cottage were sitting quietly at
+work, they were visited at the window by the sisters from the Mansion-house.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+It was a very fine November day, and the Miss Musgroves came through the little
+grounds, and stopped for no other purpose than to say, that they were going to
+take a <i>long</i> walk, and, therefore, concluded Mary could not like to go
+with them; and when Mary immediately replied, with some jealousy at not being
+supposed a good walker, &ldquo;Oh, yes, I should like to join you very much, I
+am very fond of a long walk;&rdquo; Anne felt persuaded, by the looks of the
+two girls, that it was precisely what they did not wish, and admired again the
+sort of necessity which the family habits seemed to produce, of everything
+being to be communicated, and everything being to be done together, however
+undesired and inconvenient. She tried to dissuade Mary from going, but in vain;
+and that being the case, thought it best to accept the Miss Musgroves&rsquo;
+much more cordial invitation to herself to go likewise, as she might be useful
+in turning back with her sister, and lessening the interference in any plan of
+their own.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;I cannot imagine why they should suppose I should not like a long
+walk,&rdquo; said Mary, as she went up stairs. &ldquo;Everybody is always
+supposing that I am not a good walker; and yet they would not have been
+pleased, if we had refused to join them. When people come in this manner on
+purpose to ask us, how can one say no?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Just as they were setting off, the gentlemen returned. They had taken out a
+young dog, who had spoilt their sport, and sent them back early. Their time and
+strength, and spirits, were, therefore, exactly ready for this walk, and they
+entered into it with pleasure. Could Anne have foreseen such a junction, she
+would have staid at home; but, from some feelings of interest and curiosity,
+she fancied now that it was too late to retract, and the whole six set forward
+together in the direction chosen by the Miss Musgroves, who evidently
+considered the walk as under their guidance.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Anne&rsquo;s object was, not to be in the way of anybody; and where the narrow
+paths across the fields made many separations necessary, to keep with her
+brother and sister. Her <i>pleasure</i> in the walk must arise from the
+exercise and the day, from the view of the last smiles of the year upon the
+tawny leaves, and withered hedges, and from repeating to herself some few of
+the thousand poetical descriptions extant of autumn, that season of peculiar
+and inexhaustible influence on the mind of taste and tenderness, that season
+which had drawn from every poet, worthy of being read, some attempt at
+description, or some lines of feeling. She occupied her mind as much as
+possible in such like musings and quotations; but it was not possible, that
+when within reach of Captain Wentworth&rsquo;s conversation with either of the
+Miss Musgroves, she should not try to hear it; yet she caught little very
+remarkable. It was mere lively chat, such as any young persons, on an intimate
+footing, might fall into. He was more engaged with Louisa than with Henrietta.
+Louisa certainly put more forward for his notice than her sister. This
+distinction appeared to increase, and there was one speech of Louisa&rsquo;s
+which struck her. After one of the many praises of the day, which were
+continually bursting forth, Captain Wentworth added:&mdash;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;What glorious weather for the Admiral and my sister! They meant to take
+a long drive this morning; perhaps we may hail them from some of these hills.
+They talked of coming into this side of the country. I wonder whereabouts they
+will upset to-day. Oh! it does happen very often, I assure you; but my sister
+makes nothing of it; she would as lieve be tossed out as not.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Ah! You make the most of it, I know,&rdquo; cried Louisa, &ldquo;but if
+it were really so, I should do just the same in her place. If I loved a man, as
+she loves the Admiral, I would always be with him, nothing should ever separate
+us, and I would rather be overturned by him, than driven safely by anybody
+else.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+It was spoken with enthusiasm.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Had you?&rdquo; cried he, catching the same tone; &ldquo;I honour
+you!&rdquo; And there was silence between them for a little while.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Anne could not immediately fall into a quotation again. The sweet scenes of
+autumn were for a while put by, unless some tender sonnet, fraught with the apt
+analogy of the declining year, with declining happiness, and the images of
+youth and hope, and spring, all gone together, blessed her memory. She roused
+herself to say, as they struck by order into another path, &ldquo;Is not this
+one of the ways to Winthrop?&rdquo; But nobody heard, or, at least, nobody
+answered her.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Winthrop, however, or its environs&mdash;for young men are, sometimes to be met
+with, strolling about near home&mdash;was their destination; and after another
+half mile of gradual ascent through large enclosures, where the ploughs at
+work, and the fresh made path spoke the farmer counteracting the sweets of
+poetical despondence, and meaning to have spring again, they gained the summit
+of the most considerable hill, which parted Uppercross and Winthrop, and soon
+commanded a full view of the latter, at the foot of the hill on the other side.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Winthrop, without beauty and without dignity, was stretched before them; an
+indifferent house, standing low, and hemmed in by the barns and buildings of a
+farm-yard.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Mary exclaimed, &ldquo;Bless me! here is Winthrop. I declare I had no idea!
+Well now, I think we had better turn back; I am excessively tired.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Henrietta, conscious and ashamed, and seeing no cousin Charles walking along
+any path, or leaning against any gate, was ready to do as Mary wished; but
+&ldquo;No!&rdquo; said Charles Musgrove, and &ldquo;No, no!&rdquo; cried Louisa
+more eagerly, and taking her sister aside, seemed to be arguing the matter
+warmly.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Charles, in the meanwhile, was very decidedly declaring his resolution of
+calling on his aunt, now that he was so near; and very evidently, though more
+fearfully, trying to induce his wife to go too. But this was one of the points
+on which the lady shewed her strength; and when he recommended the advantage of
+resting herself a quarter of an hour at Winthrop, as she felt so tired, she
+resolutely answered, &ldquo;Oh! no, indeed! walking up that hill again would do
+her more harm than any sitting down could do her good;&rdquo; and, in short,
+her look and manner declared, that go she would not.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+After a little succession of these sort of debates and consultations, it was
+settled between Charles and his two sisters, that he and Henrietta should just
+run down for a few minutes, to see their aunt and cousins, while the rest of
+the party waited for them at the top of the hill. Louisa seemed the principal
+arranger of the plan; and, as she went a little way with them, down the hill,
+still talking to Henrietta, Mary took the opportunity of looking scornfully
+around her, and saying to Captain Wentworth&mdash;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;It is very unpleasant, having such connexions! But, I assure you, I have
+never been in the house above twice in my life.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+She received no other answer, than an artificial, assenting smile, followed by
+a contemptuous glance, as he turned away, which Anne perfectly knew the meaning
+of.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The brow of the hill, where they remained, was a cheerful spot: Louisa
+returned; and Mary, finding a comfortable seat for herself on the step of a
+stile, was very well satisfied so long as the others all stood about her; but
+when Louisa drew Captain Wentworth away, to try for a gleaning of nuts in an
+adjoining hedge-row, and they were gone by degrees quite out of sight and
+sound, Mary was happy no longer; she quarrelled with her own seat, was sure
+Louisa had got a much better somewhere, and nothing could prevent her from
+going to look for a better also. She turned through the same gate, but could
+not see them. Anne found a nice seat for her, on a dry sunny bank, under the
+hedge-row, in which she had no doubt of their still being, in some spot or
+other. Mary sat down for a moment, but it would not do; she was sure Louisa had
+found a better seat somewhere else, and she would go on till she overtook her.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Anne, really tired herself, was glad to sit down; and she very soon heard
+Captain Wentworth and Louisa in the hedge-row, behind her, as if making their
+way back along the rough, wild sort of channel, down the centre. They were
+speaking as they drew near. Louisa&rsquo;s voice was the first distinguished.
+She seemed to be in the middle of some eager speech. What Anne first heard
+was&mdash;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;And so, I made her go. I could not bear that she should be frightened
+from the visit by such nonsense. What! would I be turned back from doing a
+thing that I had determined to do, and that I knew to be right, by the airs and
+interference of such a person, or of any person I may say? No, I have no idea
+of being so easily persuaded. When I have made up my mind, I have made it; and
+Henrietta seemed entirely to have made up hers to call at Winthrop to-day; and
+yet, she was as near giving it up, out of nonsensical complaisance!&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;She would have turned back then, but for you?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;She would indeed. I am almost ashamed to say it.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Happy for her, to have such a mind as yours at hand! After the hints you
+gave just now, which did but confirm my own observations, the last time I was
+in company with him, I need not affect to have no comprehension of what is
+going on. I see that more than a mere dutiful morning visit to your aunt was in
+question; and woe betide him, and her too, when it comes to things of
+consequence, when they are placed in circumstances requiring fortitude and
+strength of mind, if she have not resolution enough to resist idle interference
+in such a trifle as this. Your sister is an amiable creature; but <i>yours</i>
+is the character of decision and firmness, I see. If you value her conduct or
+happiness, infuse as much of your own spirit into her as you can. But this, no
+doubt, you have been always doing. It is the worst evil of too yielding and
+indecisive a character, that no influence over it can be depended on. You are
+never sure of a good impression being durable; everybody may sway it. Let those
+who would be happy be firm. Here is a nut,&rdquo; said he, catching one down
+from an upper bough, &ldquo;to exemplify: a beautiful glossy nut, which,
+blessed with original strength, has outlived all the storms of autumn. Not a
+puncture, not a weak spot anywhere. This nut,&rdquo; he continued, with playful
+solemnity, &ldquo;while so many of his brethren have fallen and been trodden
+under foot, is still in possession of all the happiness that a hazel nut can be
+supposed capable of.&rdquo; Then returning to his former earnest
+tone&mdash;&ldquo;My first wish for all whom I am interested in, is that they
+should be firm. If Louisa Musgrove would be beautiful and happy in her November
+of life, she will cherish all her present powers of mind.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+He had done, and was unanswered. It would have surprised Anne if Louisa could
+have readily answered such a speech: words of such interest, spoken with such
+serious warmth! She could imagine what Louisa was feeling. For herself, she
+feared to move, lest she should be seen. While she remained, a bush of low
+rambling holly protected her, and they were moving on. Before they were beyond
+her hearing, however, Louisa spoke again.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Mary is good-natured enough in many respects,&rdquo; said she;
+&ldquo;but she does sometimes provoke me excessively, by her nonsense and
+pride&mdash;the Elliot pride. She has a great deal too much of the Elliot
+pride. We do so wish that Charles had married Anne instead. I suppose you know
+he wanted to marry Anne?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+After a moment&rsquo;s pause, Captain Wentworth said&mdash;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Do you mean that she refused him?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Oh! yes; certainly.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;When did that happen?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;I do not exactly know, for Henrietta and I were at school at the time;
+but I believe about a year before he married Mary. I wish she had accepted him.
+We should all have liked her a great deal better; and papa and mamma always
+think it was her great friend Lady Russell&rsquo;s doing, that she did not.
+They think Charles might not be learned and bookish enough to please Lady
+Russell, and that therefore, she persuaded Anne to refuse him.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The sounds were retreating, and Anne distinguished no more. Her own emotions
+still kept her fixed. She had much to recover from, before she could move. The
+listener&rsquo;s proverbial fate was not absolutely hers; she had heard no evil
+of herself, but she had heard a great deal of very painful import. She saw how
+her own character was considered by Captain Wentworth, and there had been just
+that degree of feeling and curiosity about her in his manner which must give
+her extreme agitation.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+As soon as she could, she went after Mary, and having found, and walked back
+with her to their former station, by the stile, felt some comfort in their
+whole party being immediately afterwards collected, and once more in motion
+together. Her spirits wanted the solitude and silence which only numbers could
+give.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Charles and Henrietta returned, bringing, as may be conjectured, Charles Hayter
+with them. The minutiae of the business Anne could not attempt to understand;
+even Captain Wentworth did not seem admitted to perfect confidence here; but
+that there had been a withdrawing on the gentleman&rsquo;s side, and a
+relenting on the lady&rsquo;s, and that they were now very glad to be together
+again, did not admit a doubt. Henrietta looked a little ashamed, but very well
+pleased;&mdash;Charles Hayter exceedingly happy: and they were devoted to each
+other almost from the first instant of their all setting forward for
+Uppercross.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Everything now marked out Louisa for Captain Wentworth; nothing could be
+plainer; and where many divisions were necessary, or even where they were not,
+they walked side by side nearly as much as the other two. In a long strip of
+meadow land, where there was ample space for all, they were thus divided,
+forming three distinct parties; and to that party of the three which boasted
+least animation, and least complaisance, Anne necessarily belonged. She joined
+Charles and Mary, and was tired enough to be very glad of Charles&rsquo;s other
+arm; but Charles, though in very good humour with her, was out of temper with
+his wife. Mary had shewn herself disobliging to him, and was now to reap the
+consequence, which consequence was his dropping her arm almost every moment to
+cut off the heads of some nettles in the hedge with his switch; and when Mary
+began to complain of it, and lament her being ill-used, according to custom, in
+being on the hedge side, while Anne was never incommoded on the other, he
+dropped the arms of both to hunt after a weasel which he had a momentary glance
+of, and they could hardly get him along at all.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+This long meadow bordered a lane, which their footpath, at the end of it was to
+cross, and when the party had all reached the gate of exit, the carriage
+advancing in the same direction, which had been some time heard, was just
+coming up, and proved to be Admiral Croft&rsquo;s gig. He and his wife had
+taken their intended drive, and were returning home. Upon hearing how long a
+walk the young people had engaged in, they kindly offered a seat to any lady
+who might be particularly tired; it would save her a full mile, and they were
+going through Uppercross. The invitation was general, and generally declined.
+The Miss Musgroves were not at all tired, and Mary was either offended, by not
+being asked before any of the others, or what Louisa called the Elliot pride
+could not endure to make a third in a one horse chaise.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The walking party had crossed the lane, and were surmounting an opposite stile,
+and the Admiral was putting his horse in motion again, when Captain Wentworth
+cleared the hedge in a moment to say something to his sister. The something
+might be guessed by its effects.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Miss Elliot, I am sure <i>you</i> are tired,&rdquo; cried Mrs Croft.
+&ldquo;Do let us have the pleasure of taking you home. Here is excellent room
+for three, I assure you. If we were all like you, I believe we might sit four.
+You must, indeed, you must.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Anne was still in the lane; and though instinctively beginning to decline, she
+was not allowed to proceed. The Admiral&rsquo;s kind urgency came in support of
+his wife&rsquo;s; they would not be refused; they compressed themselves into
+the smallest possible space to leave her a corner, and Captain Wentworth,
+without saying a word, turned to her, and quietly obliged her to be assisted
+into the carriage.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Yes; he had done it. She was in the carriage, and felt that he had placed her
+there, that his will and his hands had done it, that she owed it to his
+perception of her fatigue, and his resolution to give her rest. She was very
+much affected by the view of his disposition towards her, which all these
+things made apparent. This little circumstance seemed the completion of all
+that had gone before. She understood him. He could not forgive her, but he
+could not be unfeeling. Though condemning her for the past, and considering it
+with high and unjust resentment, though perfectly careless of her, and though
+becoming attached to another, still he could not see her suffer, without the
+desire of giving her relief. It was a remainder of former sentiment; it was an
+impulse of pure, though unacknowledged friendship; it was a proof of his own
+warm and amiable heart, which she could not contemplate without emotions so
+compounded of pleasure and pain, that she knew not which prevailed.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Her answers to the kindness and the remarks of her companions were at first
+unconsciously given. They had travelled half their way along the rough lane,
+before she was quite awake to what they said. She then found them talking of
+&ldquo;Frederick.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;He certainly means to have one or other of those two girls,
+Sophy,&rdquo; said the Admiral; &ldquo;but there is no saying which. He has
+been running after them, too, long enough, one would think, to make up his
+mind. Ay, this comes of the peace. If it were war now, he would have settled it
+long ago. We sailors, Miss Elliot, cannot afford to make long courtships in
+time of war. How many days was it, my dear, between the first time of my seeing
+you and our sitting down together in our lodgings at North Yarmouth?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;We had better not talk about it, my dear,&rdquo; replied Mrs Croft,
+pleasantly; &ldquo;for if Miss Elliot were to hear how soon we came to an
+understanding, she would never be persuaded that we could be happy together. I
+had known you by character, however, long before.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Well, and I had heard of you as a very pretty girl, and what were we to
+wait for besides? I do not like having such things so long in hand. I wish
+Frederick would spread a little more canvass, and bring us home one of these
+young ladies to Kellynch. Then there would always be company for them. And very
+nice young ladies they both are; I hardly know one from the other.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Very good humoured, unaffected girls, indeed,&rdquo; said Mrs Croft, in
+a tone of calmer praise, such as made Anne suspect that her keener powers might
+not consider either of them as quite worthy of her brother; &ldquo;and a very
+respectable family. One could not be connected with better people. My dear
+Admiral, that post! we shall certainly take that post.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+But by coolly giving the reins a better direction herself they happily passed
+the danger; and by once afterwards judiciously putting out her hand they
+neither fell into a rut, nor ran foul of a dung-cart; and Anne, with some
+amusement at their style of driving, which she imagined no bad representation
+of the general guidance of their affairs, found herself safely deposited by
+them at the Cottage.
+</p>
+
+</div><!--end chapter-->
+
+<div class="chapter">
+
+<h2><a name="chap11"></a>CHAPTER XI.</h2>
+
+<p>
+The time now approached for Lady Russell&rsquo;s return: the day was even
+fixed; and Anne, being engaged to join her as soon as she was resettled, was
+looking forward to an early removal to Kellynch, and beginning to think how her
+own comfort was likely to be affected by it.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+It would place her in the same village with Captain Wentworth, within half a
+mile of him; they would have to frequent the same church, and there must be
+intercourse between the two families. This was against her; but on the other
+hand, he spent so much of his time at Uppercross, that in removing thence she
+might be considered rather as leaving him behind, than as going towards him;
+and, upon the whole, she believed she must, on this interesting question, be
+the gainer, almost as certainly as in her change of domestic society, in
+leaving poor Mary for Lady Russell.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+She wished it might be possible for her to avoid ever seeing Captain Wentworth
+at the Hall: those rooms had witnessed former meetings which would be brought
+too painfully before her; but she was yet more anxious for the possibility of
+Lady Russell and Captain Wentworth never meeting anywhere. They did not like
+each other, and no renewal of acquaintance now could do any good; and were Lady
+Russell to see them together, she might think that he had too much
+self-possession, and she too little.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+These points formed her chief solicitude in anticipating her removal from
+Uppercross, where she felt she had been stationed quite long enough. Her
+usefulness to little Charles would always give some sweetness to the memory of
+her two months&rsquo; visit there, but he was gaining strength apace, and she
+had nothing else to stay for.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The conclusion of her visit, however, was diversified in a way which she had
+not at all imagined. Captain Wentworth, after being unseen and unheard of at
+Uppercross for two whole days, appeared again among them to justify himself by
+a relation of what had kept him away.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+A letter from his friend, Captain Harville, having found him out at last, had
+brought intelligence of Captain Harville&rsquo;s being settled with his family
+at Lyme for the winter; of their being therefore, quite unknowingly, within
+twenty miles of each other. Captain Harville had never been in good health
+since a severe wound which he received two years before, and Captain
+Wentworth&rsquo;s anxiety to see him had determined him to go immediately to
+Lyme. He had been there for four-and-twenty hours. His acquittal was complete,
+his friendship warmly honoured, a lively interest excited for his friend, and
+his description of the fine country about Lyme so feelingly attended to by the
+party, that an earnest desire to see Lyme themselves, and a project for going
+thither was the consequence.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The young people were all wild to see Lyme. Captain Wentworth talked of going
+there again himself, it was only seventeen miles from Uppercross; though
+November, the weather was by no means bad; and, in short, Louisa, who was the
+most eager of the eager, having formed the resolution to go, and besides the
+pleasure of doing as she liked, being now armed with the idea of merit in
+maintaining her own way, bore down all the wishes of her father and mother for
+putting it off till summer; and to Lyme they were to go&mdash;Charles, Mary,
+Anne, Henrietta, Louisa, and Captain Wentworth.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The first heedless scheme had been to go in the morning and return at night;
+but to this Mr Musgrove, for the sake of his horses, would not consent; and
+when it came to be rationally considered, a day in the middle of November would
+not leave much time for seeing a new place, after deducting seven hours, as the
+nature of the country required, for going and returning. They were,
+consequently, to stay the night there, and not to be expected back till the
+next day&rsquo;s dinner. This was felt to be a considerable amendment; and
+though they all met at the Great House at rather an early breakfast hour, and
+set off very punctually, it was so much past noon before the two carriages, Mr
+Musgrove&rsquo;s coach containing the four ladies, and Charles&rsquo;s
+curricle, in which he drove Captain Wentworth, were descending the long hill
+into Lyme, and entering upon the still steeper street of the town itself, that
+it was very evident they would not have more than time for looking about them,
+before the light and warmth of the day were gone.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+After securing accommodations, and ordering a dinner at one of the inns, the
+next thing to be done was unquestionably to walk directly down to the sea. They
+were come too late in the year for any amusement or variety which Lyme, as a
+public place, might offer. The rooms were shut up, the lodgers almost all gone,
+scarcely any family but of the residents left; and, as there is nothing to
+admire in the buildings themselves, the remarkable situation of the town, the
+principal street almost hurrying into the water, the walk to the Cobb, skirting
+round the pleasant little bay, which, in the season, is animated with bathing
+machines and company; the Cobb itself, its old wonders and new improvements,
+with the very beautiful line of cliffs stretching out to the east of the town,
+are what the stranger&rsquo;s eye will seek; and a very strange stranger it
+must be, who does not see charms in the immediate environs of Lyme, to make him
+wish to know it better. The scenes in its neighbourhood, Charmouth, with its
+high grounds and extensive sweeps of country, and still more, its sweet,
+retired bay, backed by dark cliffs, where fragments of low rock among the
+sands, make it the happiest spot for watching the flow of the tide, for sitting
+in unwearied contemplation; the woody varieties of the cheerful village of Up
+Lyme; and, above all, Pinny, with its green chasms between romantic rocks,
+where the scattered forest trees and orchards of luxuriant growth, declare that
+many a generation must have passed away since the first partial falling of the
+cliff prepared the ground for such a state, where a scene so wonderful and so
+lovely is exhibited, as may more than equal any of the resembling scenes of the
+far-famed Isle of Wight: these places must be visited, and visited again, to
+make the worth of Lyme understood.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The party from Uppercross passing down by the now deserted and melancholy
+looking rooms, and still descending, soon found themselves on the sea-shore;
+and lingering only, as all must linger and gaze on a first return to the sea,
+who ever deserved to look on it at all, proceeded towards the Cobb, equally
+their object in itself and on Captain Wentworth&rsquo;s account: for in a small
+house, near the foot of an old pier of unknown date, were the Harvilles
+settled. Captain Wentworth turned in to call on his friend; the others walked
+on, and he was to join them on the Cobb.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+They were by no means tired of wondering and admiring; and not even Louisa
+seemed to feel that they had parted with Captain Wentworth long, when they saw
+him coming after them, with three companions, all well known already, by
+description, to be Captain and Mrs Harville, and a Captain Benwick, who was
+staying with them.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Captain Benwick had some time ago been first lieutenant of the Laconia; and the
+account which Captain Wentworth had given of him, on his return from Lyme
+before, his warm praise of him as an excellent young man and an officer, whom
+he had always valued highly, which must have stamped him well in the esteem of
+every listener, had been followed by a little history of his private life,
+which rendered him perfectly interesting in the eyes of all the ladies. He had
+been engaged to Captain Harville&rsquo;s sister, and was now mourning her loss.
+They had been a year or two waiting for fortune and promotion. Fortune came,
+his prize-money as lieutenant being great; promotion, too, came at <i>last;</i>
+but Fanny Harville did not live to know it. She had died the preceding summer
+while he was at sea. Captain Wentworth believed it impossible for man to be
+more attached to woman than poor Benwick had been to Fanny Harville, or to be
+more deeply afflicted under the dreadful change. He considered his disposition
+as of the sort which must suffer heavily, uniting very strong feelings with
+quiet, serious, and retiring manners, and a decided taste for reading, and
+sedentary pursuits. To finish the interest of the story, the friendship between
+him and the Harvilles seemed, if possible, augmented by the event which closed
+all their views of alliance, and Captain Benwick was now living with them
+entirely. Captain Harville had taken his present house for half a year; his
+taste, and his health, and his fortune, all directing him to a residence
+inexpensive, and by the sea; and the grandeur of the country, and the
+retirement of Lyme in the winter, appeared exactly adapted to Captain
+Benwick&rsquo;s state of mind. The sympathy and good-will excited towards
+Captain Benwick was very great.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;And yet,&rdquo; said Anne to herself, as they now moved forward to meet
+the party, &ldquo;he has not, perhaps, a more sorrowing heart than I have. I
+cannot believe his prospects so blighted for ever. He is younger than I am;
+younger in feeling, if not in fact; younger as a man. He will rally again, and
+be happy with another.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+They all met, and were introduced. Captain Harville was a tall, dark man, with
+a sensible, benevolent countenance; a little lame; and from strong features and
+want of health, looking much older than Captain Wentworth. Captain Benwick
+looked, and was, the youngest of the three, and, compared with either of them,
+a little man. He had a pleasing face and a melancholy air, just as he ought to
+have, and drew back from conversation.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Captain Harville, though not equalling Captain Wentworth in manners, was a
+perfect gentleman, unaffected, warm, and obliging. Mrs Harville, a degree less
+polished than her husband, seemed, however, to have the same good feelings; and
+nothing could be more pleasant than their desire of considering the whole party
+as friends of their own, because the friends of Captain Wentworth, or more
+kindly hospitable than their entreaties for their all promising to dine with
+them. The dinner, already ordered at the inn, was at last, though unwillingly,
+accepted as a excuse; but they seemed almost hurt that Captain Wentworth should
+have brought any such party to Lyme, without considering it as a thing of
+course that they should dine with them.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+There was so much attachment to Captain Wentworth in all this, and such a
+bewitching charm in a degree of hospitality so uncommon, so unlike the usual
+style of give-and-take invitations, and dinners of formality and display, that
+Anne felt her spirits not likely to be benefited by an increasing acquaintance
+among his brother-officers. &ldquo;These would have been all my friends,&rdquo;
+was her thought; and she had to struggle against a great tendency to lowness.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+On quitting the Cobb, they all went in-doors with their new friends, and found
+rooms so small as none but those who invite from the heart could think capable
+of accommodating so many. Anne had a moment&rsquo;s astonishment on the subject
+herself; but it was soon lost in the pleasanter feelings which sprang from the
+sight of all the ingenious contrivances and nice arrangements of Captain
+Harville, to turn the actual space to the best account, to supply the
+deficiencies of lodging-house furniture, and defend the windows and doors
+against the winter storms to be expected. The varieties in the fitting-up of
+the rooms, where the common necessaries provided by the owner, in the common
+indifferent plight, were contrasted with some few articles of a rare species of
+wood, excellently worked up, and with something curious and valuable from all
+the distant countries Captain Harville had visited, were more than amusing to
+Anne; connected as it all was with his profession, the fruit of its labours,
+the effect of its influence on his habits, the picture of repose and domestic
+happiness it presented, made it to her a something more, or less, than
+gratification.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Captain Harville was no reader; but he had contrived excellent accommodations,
+and fashioned very pretty shelves, for a tolerable collection of well-bound
+volumes, the property of Captain Benwick. His lameness prevented him from
+taking much exercise; but a mind of usefulness and ingenuity seemed to furnish
+him with constant employment within. He drew, he varnished, he carpentered, he
+glued; he made toys for the children; he fashioned new netting-needles and pins
+with improvements; and if everything else was done, sat down to his large
+fishing-net at one corner of the room.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Anne thought she left great happiness behind her when they quitted the house;
+and Louisa, by whom she found herself walking, burst forth into raptures of
+admiration and delight on the character of the navy; their friendliness, their
+brotherliness, their openness, their uprightness; protesting that she was
+convinced of sailors having more worth and warmth than any other set of men in
+England; that they only knew how to live, and they only deserved to be
+respected and loved.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+They went back to dress and dine; and so well had the scheme answered already,
+that nothing was found amiss; though its being &ldquo;so entirely out of
+season,&rdquo; and the &ldquo;no thoroughfare of Lyme,&rdquo; and the &ldquo;no
+expectation of company,&rdquo; had brought many apologies from the heads of the
+inn.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Anne found herself by this time growing so much more hardened to being in
+Captain Wentworth&rsquo;s company than she had at first imagined could ever be,
+that the sitting down to the same table with him now, and the interchange of
+the common civilities attending on it (they never got beyond), was become a
+mere nothing.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The nights were too dark for the ladies to meet again till the morrow, but
+Captain Harville had promised them a visit in the evening; and he came,
+bringing his friend also, which was more than had been expected, it having been
+agreed that Captain Benwick had all the appearance of being oppressed by the
+presence of so many strangers. He ventured among them again, however, though
+his spirits certainly did not seem fit for the mirth of the party in general.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+While Captains Wentworth and Harville led the talk on one side of the room, and
+by recurring to former days, supplied anecdotes in abundance to occupy and
+entertain the others, it fell to Anne&rsquo;s lot to be placed rather apart
+with Captain Benwick; and a very good impulse of her nature obliged her to
+begin an acquaintance with him. He was shy, and disposed to abstraction; but
+the engaging mildness of her countenance, and gentleness of her manners, soon
+had their effect; and Anne was well repaid the first trouble of exertion. He
+was evidently a young man of considerable taste in reading, though principally
+in poetry; and besides the persuasion of having given him at least an
+evening&rsquo;s indulgence in the discussion of subjects, which his usual
+companions had probably no concern in, she had the hope of being of real use to
+him in some suggestions as to the duty and benefit of struggling against
+affliction, which had naturally grown out of their conversation. For, though
+shy, he did not seem reserved; it had rather the appearance of feelings glad to
+burst their usual restraints; and having talked of poetry, the richness of the
+present age, and gone through a brief comparison of opinion as to the
+first-rate poets, trying to ascertain whether <i>Marmion</i> or <i>The Lady of
+the Lake</i> were to be preferred, and how ranked the <i>Giaour</i> and <i>The
+Bride of Abydos;</i> and moreover, how the <i>Giaour</i> was to be pronounced,
+he showed himself so intimately acquainted with all the tenderest songs of the
+one poet, and all the impassioned descriptions of hopeless agony of the other;
+he repeated, with such tremulous feeling, the various lines which imaged a
+broken heart, or a mind destroyed by wretchedness, and looked so entirely as if
+he meant to be understood, that she ventured to hope he did not always read
+only poetry, and to say, that she thought it was the misfortune of poetry to be
+seldom safely enjoyed by those who enjoyed it completely; and that the strong
+feelings which alone could estimate it truly were the very feelings which ought
+to taste it but sparingly.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+His looks shewing him not pained, but pleased with this allusion to his
+situation, she was emboldened to go on; and feeling in herself the right of
+seniority of mind, she ventured to recommend a larger allowance of prose in his
+daily study; and on being requested to particularize, mentioned such works of
+our best moralists, such collections of the finest letters, such memoirs of
+characters of worth and suffering, as occurred to her at the moment as
+calculated to rouse and fortify the mind by the highest precepts, and the
+strongest examples of moral and religious endurances.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Captain Benwick listened attentively, and seemed grateful for the interest
+implied; and though with a shake of the head, and sighs which declared his
+little faith in the efficacy of any books on grief like his, noted down the
+names of those she recommended, and promised to procure and read them.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+When the evening was over, Anne could not but be amused at the idea of her
+coming to Lyme to preach patience and resignation to a young man whom she had
+never seen before; nor could she help fearing, on more serious reflection,
+that, like many other great moralists and preachers, she had been eloquent on a
+point in which her own conduct would ill bear examination.
+</p>
+
+</div><!--end chapter-->
+
+<div class="chapter">
+
+<h2><a name="chap12"></a>CHAPTER XII.</h2>
+
+<p>
+Anne and Henrietta, finding themselves the earliest of the party the next
+morning, agreed to stroll down to the sea before breakfast. They went to the
+sands, to watch the flowing of the tide, which a fine south-easterly breeze was
+bringing in with all the grandeur which so flat a shore admitted. They praised
+the morning; gloried in the sea; sympathized in the delight of the
+fresh-feeling breeze&mdash;and were silent; till Henrietta suddenly began again
+with&mdash;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Oh! yes,&mdash;I am quite convinced that, with very few exceptions, the
+sea-air always does good. There can be no doubt of its having been of the
+greatest service to Dr Shirley, after his illness, last spring twelve-month. He
+declares himself, that coming to Lyme for a month, did him more good than all
+the medicine he took; and, that being by the sea, always makes him feel young
+again. Now, I cannot help thinking it a pity that he does not live entirely by
+the sea. I do think he had better leave Uppercross entirely, and fix at Lyme.
+Do not you, Anne? Do not you agree with me, that it is the best thing he could
+do, both for himself and Mrs Shirley? She has cousins here, you know, and many
+acquaintance, which would make it cheerful for her, and I am sure she would be
+glad to get to a place where she could have medical attendance at hand, in case
+of his having another seizure. Indeed I think it quite melancholy to have such
+excellent people as Dr and Mrs Shirley, who have been doing good all their
+lives, wearing out their last days in a place like Uppercross, where, excepting
+our family, they seem shut out from all the world. I wish his friends would
+propose it to him. I really think they ought. And, as to procuring a
+dispensation, there could be no difficulty at his time of life, and with his
+character. My only doubt is, whether anything could persuade him to leave his
+parish. He is so very strict and scrupulous in his notions; over-scrupulous I
+must say. Do not you think, Anne, it is being over-scrupulous? Do not you think
+it is quite a mistaken point of conscience, when a clergyman sacrifices his
+health for the sake of duties, which may be just as well performed by another
+person? And at Lyme too, only seventeen miles off, he would be near enough to
+hear, if people thought there was anything to complain of.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Anne smiled more than once to herself during this speech, and entered into the
+subject, as ready to do good by entering into the feelings of a young lady as
+of a young man, though here it was good of a lower standard, for what could be
+offered but general acquiescence? She said all that was reasonable and proper
+on the business; felt the claims of Dr Shirley to repose as she ought; saw how
+very desirable it was that he should have some active, respectable young man,
+as a resident curate, and was even courteous enough to hint at the advantage of
+such resident curate&rsquo;s being married.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;I wish,&rdquo; said Henrietta, very well pleased with her companion,
+&ldquo;I wish Lady Russell lived at Uppercross, and were intimate with Dr
+Shirley. I have always heard of Lady Russell as a woman of the greatest
+influence with everybody! I always look upon her as able to persuade a person
+to anything! I am afraid of her, as I have told you before, quite afraid of
+her, because she is so very clever; but I respect her amazingly, and wish we
+had such a neighbour at Uppercross.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Anne was amused by Henrietta&rsquo;s manner of being grateful, and amused also
+that the course of events and the new interests of Henrietta&rsquo;s views
+should have placed her friend at all in favour with any of the Musgrove family;
+she had only time, however, for a general answer, and a wish that such another
+woman were at Uppercross, before all subjects suddenly ceased, on seeing Louisa
+and Captain Wentworth coming towards them. They came also for a stroll till
+breakfast was likely to be ready; but Louisa recollecting, immediately
+afterwards that she had something to procure at a shop, invited them all to go
+back with her into the town. They were all at her disposal.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+When they came to the steps, leading upwards from the beach, a gentleman, at
+the same moment preparing to come down, politely drew back, and stopped to give
+them way. They ascended and passed him; and as they passed, Anne&rsquo;s face
+caught his eye, and he looked at her with a degree of earnest admiration, which
+she could not be insensible of. She was looking remarkably well; her very
+regular, very pretty features, having the bloom and freshness of youth restored
+by the fine wind which had been blowing on her complexion, and by the animation
+of eye which it had also produced. It was evident that the gentleman,
+(completely a gentleman in manner) admired her exceedingly. Captain Wentworth
+looked round at her instantly in a way which shewed his noticing of it. He gave
+her a momentary glance, a glance of brightness, which seemed to say,
+&ldquo;That man is struck with you, and even I, at this moment, see something
+like Anne Elliot again.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+After attending Louisa through her business, and loitering about a little
+longer, they returned to the inn; and Anne, in passing afterwards quickly from
+her own chamber to their dining-room, had nearly run against the very same
+gentleman, as he came out of an adjoining apartment. She had before conjectured
+him to be a stranger like themselves, and determined that a well-looking groom,
+who was strolling about near the two inns as they came back, should be his
+servant. Both master and man being in mourning assisted the idea. It was now
+proved that he belonged to the same inn as themselves; and this second meeting,
+short as it was, also proved again by the gentleman&rsquo;s looks, that he
+thought hers very lovely, and by the readiness and propriety of his apologies,
+that he was a man of exceedingly good manners. He seemed about thirty, and
+though not handsome, had an agreeable person. Anne felt that she should like to
+know who he was.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+They had nearly done breakfast, when the sound of a carriage, (almost the first
+they had heard since entering Lyme) drew half the party to the window. It was a
+gentleman&rsquo;s carriage, a curricle, but only coming round from the
+stable-yard to the front door; somebody must be going away. It was driven by a
+servant in mourning.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The word curricle made Charles Musgrove jump up that he might compare it with
+his own; the servant in mourning roused Anne&rsquo;s curiosity, and the whole
+six were collected to look, by the time the owner of the curricle was to be
+seen issuing from the door amidst the bows and civilities of the household, and
+taking his seat, to drive off.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Ah!&rdquo; cried Captain Wentworth, instantly, and with half a glance at
+Anne, &ldquo;it is the very man we passed.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The Miss Musgroves agreed to it; and having all kindly watched him as far up
+the hill as they could, they returned to the breakfast table. The waiter came
+into the room soon afterwards.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Pray,&rdquo; said Captain Wentworth, immediately, &ldquo;can you tell us
+the name of the gentleman who is just gone away?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Yes, Sir, a Mr Elliot, a gentleman of large fortune, came in last night
+from Sidmouth. Dare say you heard the carriage, sir, while you were at dinner;
+and going on now for Crewkherne, in his way to Bath and London.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Elliot!&rdquo; Many had looked on each other, and many had repeated the
+name, before all this had been got through, even by the smart rapidity of a
+waiter.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Bless me!&rdquo; cried Mary; &ldquo;it must be our cousin; it must be
+our Mr Elliot, it must, indeed! Charles, Anne, must not it? In mourning, you
+see, just as our Mr Elliot must be. How very extraordinary! In the very same
+inn with us! Anne, must not it be our Mr Elliot? my father&rsquo;s next heir?
+Pray sir,&rdquo; turning to the waiter, &ldquo;did not you hear, did not his
+servant say whether he belonged to the Kellynch family?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;No, ma&rsquo;am, he did not mention no particular family; but he said
+his master was a very rich gentleman, and would be a baronight some day.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;There! you see!&rdquo; cried Mary in an ecstasy, &ldquo;just as I said!
+Heir to Sir Walter Elliot! I was sure that would come out, if it was so. Depend
+upon it, that is a circumstance which his servants take care to publish,
+wherever he goes. But, Anne, only conceive how extraordinary! I wish I had
+looked at him more. I wish we had been aware in time, who it was, that he might
+have been introduced to us. What a pity that we should not have been introduced
+to each other! Do you think he had the Elliot countenance? I hardly looked at
+him, I was looking at the horses; but I think he had something of the Elliot
+countenance, I wonder the arms did not strike me! Oh! the great-coat was
+hanging over the panel, and hid the arms, so it did; otherwise, I am sure, I
+should have observed them, and the livery too; if the servant had not been in
+mourning, one should have known him by the livery.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Putting all these very extraordinary circumstances together,&rdquo; said
+Captain Wentworth, &ldquo;we must consider it to be the arrangement of
+Providence, that you should not be introduced to your cousin.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+When she could command Mary&rsquo;s attention, Anne quietly tried to convince
+her that their father and Mr Elliot had not, for many years, been on such terms
+as to make the power of attempting an introduction at all desirable.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+At the same time, however, it was a secret gratification to herself to have
+seen her cousin, and to know that the future owner of Kellynch was undoubtedly
+a gentleman, and had an air of good sense. She would not, upon any account,
+mention her having met with him the second time; luckily Mary did not much
+attend to their having passed close by him in their earlier walk, but she would
+have felt quite ill-used by Anne&rsquo;s having actually run against him in the
+passage, and received his very polite excuses, while she had never been near
+him at all; no, that cousinly little interview must remain a perfect secret.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Of course,&rdquo; said Mary, &ldquo;you will mention our seeing Mr
+Elliot, the next time you write to Bath. I think my father certainly ought to
+hear of it; do mention all about him.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Anne avoided a direct reply, but it was just the circumstance which she
+considered as not merely unnecessary to be communicated, but as what ought to
+be suppressed. The offence which had been given her father, many years back,
+she knew; Elizabeth&rsquo;s particular share in it she suspected; and that Mr
+Elliot&rsquo;s idea always produced irritation in both was beyond a doubt. Mary
+never wrote to Bath herself; all the toil of keeping up a slow and
+unsatisfactory correspondence with Elizabeth fell on Anne.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Breakfast had not been long over, when they were joined by Captain and Mrs
+Harville and Captain Benwick; with whom they had appointed to take their last
+walk about Lyme. They ought to be setting off for Uppercross by one, and in the
+meanwhile were to be all together, and out of doors as long as they could.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Anne found Captain Benwick getting near her, as soon as they were all fairly in
+the street. Their conversation the preceding evening did not disincline him to
+seek her again; and they walked together some time, talking as before of Mr
+Scott and Lord Byron, and still as unable as before, and as unable as any other
+two readers, to think exactly alike of the merits of either, till something
+occasioned an almost general change amongst their party, and instead of Captain
+Benwick, she had Captain Harville by her side.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Miss Elliot,&rdquo; said he, speaking rather low, &ldquo;you have done a
+good deed in making that poor fellow talk so much. I wish he could have such
+company oftener. It is bad for him, I know, to be shut up as he is; but what
+can we do? We cannot part.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;No,&rdquo; said Anne, &ldquo;that I can easily believe to be impossible;
+but in time, perhaps&mdash;we know what time does in every case of affliction,
+and you must remember, Captain Harville, that your friend may yet be called a
+young mourner&mdash;only last summer, I understand.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Ay, true enough,&rdquo; (with a deep sigh) &ldquo;only June.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;And not known to him, perhaps, so soon.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Not till the first week of August, when he came home from the Cape, just
+made into the Grappler. I was at Plymouth dreading to hear of him; he sent in
+letters, but the Grappler was under orders for Portsmouth. There the news must
+follow him, but who was to tell it? not I. I would as soon have been run up to
+the yard-arm. Nobody could do it, but that good fellow&rdquo; (pointing to
+Captain Wentworth.) &ldquo;The Laconia had come into Plymouth the week before;
+no danger of her being sent to sea again. He stood his chance for the rest;
+wrote up for leave of absence, but without waiting the return, travelled night
+and day till he got to Portsmouth, rowed off to the Grappler that instant, and
+never left the poor fellow for a week. That&rsquo;s what he did, and nobody
+else could have saved poor James. You may think, Miss Elliot, whether he is
+dear to us!&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Anne did think on the question with perfect decision, and said as much in reply
+as her own feeling could accomplish, or as his seemed able to bear, for he was
+too much affected to renew the subject, and when he spoke again, it was of
+something totally different.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Mrs Harville&rsquo;s giving it as her opinion that her husband would have quite
+walking enough by the time he reached home, determined the direction of all the
+party in what was to be their last walk; they would accompany them to their
+door, and then return and set off themselves. By all their calculations there
+was just time for this; but as they drew near the Cobb, there was such a
+general wish to walk along it once more, all were so inclined, and Louisa soon
+grew so determined, that the difference of a quarter of an hour, it was found,
+would be no difference at all; so with all the kind leave-taking, and all the
+kind interchange of invitations and promises which may be imagined, they parted
+from Captain and Mrs Harville at their own door, and still accompanied by
+Captain Benwick, who seemed to cling to them to the last, proceeded to make the
+proper adieus to the Cobb.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Anne found Captain Benwick again drawing near her. Lord Byron&rsquo;s
+&ldquo;dark blue seas&rdquo; could not fail of being brought forward by their
+present view, and she gladly gave him all her attention as long as attention
+was possible. It was soon drawn, perforce another way.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+There was too much wind to make the high part of the new Cobb pleasant for the
+ladies, and they agreed to get down the steps to the lower, and all were
+contented to pass quietly and carefully down the steep flight, excepting
+Louisa; she must be jumped down them by Captain Wentworth. In all their walks,
+he had had to jump her from the stiles; the sensation was delightful to her.
+The hardness of the pavement for her feet, made him less willing upon the
+present occasion; he did it, however. She was safely down, and instantly, to
+show her enjoyment, ran up the steps to be jumped down again. He advised her
+against it, thought the jar too great; but no, he reasoned and talked in vain,
+she smiled and said, &ldquo;I am determined I will:&rdquo; he put out his
+hands; she was too precipitate by half a second, she fell on the pavement on
+the Lower Cobb, and was taken up lifeless! There was no wound, no blood, no
+visible bruise; but her eyes were closed, she breathed not, her face was like
+death. The horror of the moment to all who stood around!
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Captain Wentworth, who had caught her up, knelt with her in his arms, looking
+on her with a face as pallid as her own, in an agony of silence. &ldquo;She is
+dead! she is dead!&rdquo; screamed Mary, catching hold of her husband, and
+contributing with his own horror to make him immoveable; and in another moment,
+Henrietta, sinking under the conviction, lost her senses too, and would have
+fallen on the steps, but for Captain Benwick and Anne, who caught and supported
+her between them.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Is there no one to help me?&rdquo; were the first words which burst from
+Captain Wentworth, in a tone of despair, and as if all his own strength were
+gone.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Go to him, go to him,&rdquo; cried Anne, &ldquo;for heaven&rsquo;s sake
+go to him. I can support her myself. Leave me, and go to him. Rub her hands,
+rub her temples; here are salts; take them, take them.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Captain Benwick obeyed, and Charles at the same moment, disengaging himself
+from his wife, they were both with him; and Louisa was raised up and supported
+more firmly between them, and everything was done that Anne had prompted, but
+in vain; while Captain Wentworth, staggering against the wall for his support,
+exclaimed in the bitterest agony&mdash;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Oh God! her father and mother!&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;A surgeon!&rdquo; said Anne.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+He caught the word; it seemed to rouse him at once, and saying
+only&mdash;&ldquo;True, true, a surgeon this instant,&rdquo; was darting away,
+when Anne eagerly suggested&mdash;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Captain Benwick, would not it be better for Captain Benwick? He knows
+where a surgeon is to be found.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Every one capable of thinking felt the advantage of the idea, and in a moment
+(it was all done in rapid moments) Captain Benwick had resigned the poor
+corpse-like figure entirely to the brother&rsquo;s care, and was off for the
+town with the utmost rapidity.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+As to the wretched party left behind, it could scarcely be said which of the
+three, who were completely rational, was suffering most: Captain Wentworth,
+Anne, or Charles, who, really a very affectionate brother, hung over Louisa
+with sobs of grief, and could only turn his eyes from one sister, to see the
+other in a state as insensible, or to witness the hysterical agitations of his
+wife, calling on him for help which he could not give.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Anne, attending with all the strength and zeal, and thought, which instinct
+supplied, to Henrietta, still tried, at intervals, to suggest comfort to the
+others, tried to quiet Mary, to animate Charles, to assuage the feelings of
+Captain Wentworth. Both seemed to look to her for directions.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Anne, Anne,&rdquo; cried Charles, &ldquo;What is to be done next? What,
+in heaven&rsquo;s name, is to be done next?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Captain Wentworth&rsquo;s eyes were also turned towards her.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Had not she better be carried to the inn? Yes, I am sure: carry her
+gently to the inn.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Yes, yes, to the inn,&rdquo; repeated Captain Wentworth, comparatively
+collected, and eager to be doing something. &ldquo;I will carry her myself.
+Musgrove, take care of the others.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+By this time the report of the accident had spread among the workmen and
+boatmen about the Cobb, and many were collected near them, to be useful if
+wanted, at any rate, to enjoy the sight of a dead young lady, nay, two dead
+young ladies, for it proved twice as fine as the first report. To some of the
+best-looking of these good people Henrietta was consigned, for, though
+partially revived, she was quite helpless; and in this manner, Anne walking by
+her side, and Charles attending to his wife, they set forward, treading back
+with feelings unutterable, the ground, which so lately, so very lately, and so
+light of heart, they had passed along.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+They were not off the Cobb, before the Harvilles met them. Captain Benwick had
+been seen flying by their house, with a countenance which showed something to
+be wrong; and they had set off immediately, informed and directed as they
+passed, towards the spot. Shocked as Captain Harville was, he brought senses
+and nerves that could be instantly useful; and a look between him and his wife
+decided what was to be done. She must be taken to their house; all must go to
+their house; and await the surgeon&rsquo;s arrival there. They would not listen
+to scruples: he was obeyed; they were all beneath his roof; and while Louisa,
+under Mrs Harville&rsquo;s direction, was conveyed up stairs, and given
+possession of her own bed, assistance, cordials, restoratives were supplied by
+her husband to all who needed them.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Louisa had once opened her eyes, but soon closed them again, without apparent
+consciousness. This had been a proof of life, however, of service to her
+sister; and Henrietta, though perfectly incapable of being in the same room
+with Louisa, was kept, by the agitation of hope and fear, from a return of her
+own insensibility. Mary, too, was growing calmer.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The surgeon was with them almost before it had seemed possible. They were sick
+with horror, while he examined; but he was not hopeless. The head had received
+a severe contusion, but he had seen greater injuries recovered from: he was by
+no means hopeless; he spoke cheerfully.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+That he did not regard it as a desperate case, that he did not say a few hours
+must end it, was at first felt, beyond the hope of most; and the ecstasy of
+such a reprieve, the rejoicing, deep and silent, after a few fervent
+ejaculations of gratitude to Heaven had been offered, may be conceived.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The tone, the look, with which &ldquo;Thank God!&rdquo; was uttered by Captain
+Wentworth, Anne was sure could never be forgotten by her; nor the sight of him
+afterwards, as he sat near a table, leaning over it with folded arms and face
+concealed, as if overpowered by the various feelings of his soul, and trying by
+prayer and reflection to calm them.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Louisa&rsquo;s limbs had escaped. There was no injury but to the head.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+It now became necessary for the party to consider what was best to be done, as
+to their general situation. They were now able to speak to each other and
+consult. That Louisa must remain where she was, however distressing to her
+friends to be involving the Harvilles in such trouble, did not admit a doubt.
+Her removal was impossible. The Harvilles silenced all scruples; and, as much
+as they could, all gratitude. They had looked forward and arranged everything
+before the others began to reflect. Captain Benwick must give up his room to
+them, and get another bed elsewhere; and the whole was settled. They were only
+concerned that the house could accommodate no more; and yet perhaps, by
+&ldquo;putting the children away in the maid&rsquo;s room, or swinging a cot
+somewhere,&rdquo; they could hardly bear to think of not finding room for two
+or three besides, supposing they might wish to stay; though, with regard to any
+attendance on Miss Musgrove, there need not be the least uneasiness in leaving
+her to Mrs Harville&rsquo;s care entirely. Mrs Harville was a very experienced
+nurse, and her nursery-maid, who had lived with her long, and gone about with
+her everywhere, was just such another. Between these two, she could want no
+possible attendance by day or night. And all this was said with a truth and
+sincerity of feeling irresistible.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Charles, Henrietta, and Captain Wentworth were the three in consultation, and
+for a little while it was only an interchange of perplexity and terror.
+&ldquo;Uppercross, the necessity of some one&rsquo;s going to Uppercross; the
+news to be conveyed; how it could be broken to Mr and Mrs Musgrove; the
+lateness of the morning; an hour already gone since they ought to have been
+off; the impossibility of being in tolerable time.&rdquo; At first, they were
+capable of nothing more to the purpose than such exclamations; but, after a
+while, Captain Wentworth, exerting himself, said&mdash;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;We must be decided, and without the loss of another minute. Every minute
+is valuable. Some one must resolve on being off for Uppercross instantly.
+Musgrove, either you or I must go.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Charles agreed, but declared his resolution of not going away. He would be as
+little incumbrance as possible to Captain and Mrs Harville; but as to leaving
+his sister in such a state, he neither ought, nor would. So far it was decided;
+and Henrietta at first declared the same. She, however, was soon persuaded to
+think differently. The usefulness of her staying! She who had not been able to
+remain in Louisa&rsquo;s room, or to look at her, without sufferings which made
+her worse than helpless! She was forced to acknowledge that she could do no
+good, yet was still unwilling to be away, till, touched by the thought of her
+father and mother, she gave it up; she consented, she was anxious to be at
+home.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The plan had reached this point, when Anne, coming quietly down from
+Louisa&rsquo;s room, could not but hear what followed, for the parlour door was
+open.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Then it is settled, Musgrove,&rdquo; cried Captain Wentworth,
+&ldquo;that you stay, and that I take care of your sister home. But as to the
+rest, as to the others, if one stays to assist Mrs Harville, I think it need be
+only one. Mrs Charles Musgrove will, of course, wish to get back to her
+children; but if Anne will stay, no one so proper, so capable as Anne.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+She paused a moment to recover from the emotion of hearing herself so spoken
+of. The other two warmly agreed with what he said, and she then appeared.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;You will stay, I am sure; you will stay and nurse her;&rdquo; cried he,
+turning to her and speaking with a glow, and yet a gentleness, which seemed
+almost restoring the past. She coloured deeply, and he recollected himself and
+moved away. She expressed herself most willing, ready, happy to remain.
+&ldquo;It was what she had been thinking of, and wishing to be allowed to do. A
+bed on the floor in Louisa&rsquo;s room would be sufficient for her, if Mrs
+Harville would but think so.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+One thing more, and all seemed arranged. Though it was rather desirable that Mr
+and Mrs Musgrove should be previously alarmed by some share of delay; yet the
+time required by the Uppercross horses to take them back, would be a dreadful
+extension of suspense; and Captain Wentworth proposed, and Charles Musgrove
+agreed, that it would be much better for him to take a chaise from the inn, and
+leave Mr Musgrove&rsquo;s carriage and horses to be sent home the next morning
+early, when there would be the farther advantage of sending an account of
+Louisa&rsquo;s night.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Captain Wentworth now hurried off to get everything ready on his part, and to
+be soon followed by the two ladies. When the plan was made known to Mary,
+however, there was an end of all peace in it. She was so wretched and so
+vehement, complained so much of injustice in being expected to go away instead
+of Anne; Anne, who was nothing to Louisa, while she was her sister, and had the
+best right to stay in Henrietta&rsquo;s stead! Why was not she to be as useful
+as Anne? And to go home without Charles, too, without her husband! No, it was
+too unkind. And in short, she said more than her husband could long withstand,
+and as none of the others could oppose when he gave way, there was no help for
+it; the change of Mary for Anne was inevitable.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Anne had never submitted more reluctantly to the jealous and ill-judging claims
+of Mary; but so it must be, and they set off for the town, Charles taking care
+of his sister, and Captain Benwick attending to her. She gave a moment&rsquo;s
+recollection, as they hurried along, to the little circumstances which the same
+spots had witnessed earlier in the morning. There she had listened to
+Henrietta&rsquo;s schemes for Dr Shirley&rsquo;s leaving Uppercross; farther
+on, she had first seen Mr Elliot; a moment seemed all that could now be given
+to any one but Louisa, or those who were wrapt up in her welfare.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Captain Benwick was most considerately attentive to her; and, united as they
+all seemed by the distress of the day, she felt an increasing degree of
+good-will towards him, and a pleasure even in thinking that it might, perhaps,
+be the occasion of continuing their acquaintance.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Captain Wentworth was on the watch for them, and a chaise and four in waiting,
+stationed for their convenience in the lowest part of the street; but his
+evident surprise and vexation at the substitution of one sister for the other,
+the change in his countenance, the astonishment, the expressions begun and
+suppressed, with which Charles was listened to, made but a mortifying reception
+of Anne; or must at least convince her that she was valued only as she could be
+useful to Louisa.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+She endeavoured to be composed, and to be just. Without emulating the feelings
+of an Emma towards her Henry, she would have attended on Louisa with a zeal
+above the common claims of regard, for his sake; and she hoped he would not
+long be so unjust as to suppose she would shrink unnecessarily from the office
+of a friend.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+In the meanwhile she was in the carriage. He had handed them both in, and
+placed himself between them; and in this manner, under these circumstances,
+full of astonishment and emotion to Anne, she quitted Lyme. How the long stage
+would pass; how it was to affect their manners; what was to be their sort of
+intercourse, she could not foresee. It was all quite natural, however. He was
+devoted to Henrietta; always turning towards her; and when he spoke at all,
+always with the view of supporting her hopes and raising her spirits. In
+general, his voice and manner were studiously calm. To spare Henrietta from
+agitation seemed the governing principle. Once only, when she had been grieving
+over the last ill-judged, ill-fated walk to the Cobb, bitterly lamenting that
+it ever had been thought of, he burst forth, as if wholly overcome&mdash;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Don&rsquo;t talk of it, don&rsquo;t talk of it,&rdquo; he cried.
+&ldquo;Oh God! that I had not given way to her at the fatal moment! Had I done
+as I ought! But so eager and so resolute! Dear, sweet Louisa!&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Anne wondered whether it ever occurred to him now, to question the justness of
+his own previous opinion as to the universal felicity and advantage of firmness
+of character; and whether it might not strike him that, like all other
+qualities of the mind, it should have its proportions and limits. She thought
+it could scarcely escape him to feel that a persuadable temper might sometimes
+be as much in favour of happiness as a very resolute character.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+They got on fast. Anne was astonished to recognise the same hills and the same
+objects so soon. Their actual speed, heightened by some dread of the
+conclusion, made the road appear but half as long as on the day before. It was
+growing quite dusk, however, before they were in the neighbourhood of
+Uppercross, and there had been total silence among them for some time,
+Henrietta leaning back in the corner, with a shawl over her face, giving the
+hope of her having cried herself to sleep; when, as they were going up their
+last hill, Anne found herself all at once addressed by Captain Wentworth. In a
+low, cautious voice, he said:&mdash;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;I have been considering what we had best do. She must not appear at
+first. She could not stand it. I have been thinking whether you had not better
+remain in the carriage with her, while I go in and break it to Mr and Mrs
+Musgrove. Do you think this is a good plan?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+She did: he was satisfied, and said no more. But the remembrance of the appeal
+remained a pleasure to her, as a proof of friendship, and of deference for her
+judgement, a great pleasure; and when it became a sort of parting proof, its
+value did not lessen.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+When the distressing communication at Uppercross was over, and he had seen the
+father and mother quite as composed as could be hoped, and the daughter all the
+better for being with them, he announced his intention of returning in the same
+carriage to Lyme; and when the horses were baited, he was off.
+</p>
+
+<p class="center">
+(End of volume one.)
+</p>
+
+</div><!--end chapter-->
+
+<div class="chapter">
+
+<h2><a name="chap13"></a>CHAPTER XIII.</h2>
+
+<p>
+The remainder of Anne&rsquo;s time at Uppercross, comprehending only two days,
+was spent entirely at the Mansion House; and she had the satisfaction of
+knowing herself extremely useful there, both as an immediate companion, and as
+assisting in all those arrangements for the future, which, in Mr and Mrs
+Musgrove&rsquo;s distressed state of spirits, would have been difficulties.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+They had an early account from Lyme the next morning. Louisa was much the same.
+No symptoms worse than before had appeared. Charles came a few hours
+afterwards, to bring a later and more particular account. He was tolerably
+cheerful. A speedy cure must not be hoped, but everything was going on as well
+as the nature of the case admitted. In speaking of the Harvilles, he seemed
+unable to satisfy his own sense of their kindness, especially of Mrs
+Harville&rsquo;s exertions as a nurse. &ldquo;She really left nothing for Mary
+to do. He and Mary had been persuaded to go early to their inn last night. Mary
+had been hysterical again this morning. When he came away, she was going to
+walk out with Captain Benwick, which, he hoped, would do her good. He almost
+wished she had been prevailed on to come home the day before; but the truth
+was, that Mrs Harville left nothing for anybody to do.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Charles was to return to Lyme the same afternoon, and his father had at first
+half a mind to go with him, but the ladies could not consent. It would be going
+only to multiply trouble to the others, and increase his own distress; and a
+much better scheme followed and was acted upon. A chaise was sent for from
+Crewkherne, and Charles conveyed back a far more useful person in the old
+nursery-maid of the family, one who having brought up all the children, and
+seen the very last, the lingering and long-petted Master Harry, sent to school
+after his brothers, was now living in her deserted nursery to mend stockings
+and dress all the blains and bruises she could get near her, and who,
+consequently, was only too happy in being allowed to go and help nurse dear
+Miss Louisa. Vague wishes of getting Sarah thither, had occurred before to Mrs
+Musgrove and Henrietta; but without Anne, it would hardly have been resolved
+on, and found practicable so soon.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+They were indebted, the next day, to Charles Hayter, for all the minute
+knowledge of Louisa, which it was so essential to obtain every twenty-four
+hours. He made it his business to go to Lyme, and his account was still
+encouraging. The intervals of sense and consciousness were believed to be
+stronger. Every report agreed in Captain Wentworth&rsquo;s appearing fixed in
+Lyme.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Anne was to leave them on the morrow, an event which they all dreaded.
+&ldquo;What should they do without her? They were wretched comforters for one
+another.&rdquo; And so much was said in this way, that Anne thought she could
+not do better than impart among them the general inclination to which she was
+privy, and persuaded them all to go to Lyme at once. She had little difficulty;
+it was soon determined that they would go; go to-morrow, fix themselves at the
+inn, or get into lodgings, as it suited, and there remain till dear Louisa
+could be moved. They must be taking off some trouble from the good people she
+was with; they might at least relieve Mrs Harville from the care of her own
+children; and in short, they were so happy in the decision, that Anne was
+delighted with what she had done, and felt that she could not spend her last
+morning at Uppercross better than in assisting their preparations, and sending
+them off at an early hour, though her being left to the solitary range of the
+house was the consequence.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+She was the last, excepting the little boys at the cottage, she was the very
+last, the only remaining one of all that had filled and animated both houses,
+of all that had given Uppercross its cheerful character. A few days had made a
+change indeed!
+</p>
+
+<p>
+If Louisa recovered, it would all be well again. More than former happiness
+would be restored. There could not be a doubt, to her mind there was none, of
+what would follow her recovery. A few months hence, and the room now so
+deserted, occupied but by her silent, pensive self, might be filled again with
+all that was happy and gay, all that was glowing and bright in prosperous love,
+all that was most unlike Anne Elliot!
+</p>
+
+<p>
+An hour&rsquo;s complete leisure for such reflections as these, on a dark
+November day, a small thick rain almost blotting out the very few objects ever
+to be discerned from the windows, was enough to make the sound of Lady
+Russell&rsquo;s carriage exceedingly welcome; and yet, though desirous to be
+gone, she could not quit the Mansion House, or look an adieu to the Cottage,
+with its black, dripping and comfortless veranda, or even notice through the
+misty glasses the last humble tenements of the village, without a saddened
+heart. Scenes had passed in Uppercross which made it precious. It stood the
+record of many sensations of pain, once severe, but now softened; and of some
+instances of relenting feeling, some breathings of friendship and
+reconciliation, which could never be looked for again, and which could never
+cease to be dear. She left it all behind her, all but the recollection that
+such things had been.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Anne had never entered Kellynch since her quitting Lady Russell&rsquo;s house
+in September. It had not been necessary, and the few occasions of its being
+possible for her to go to the Hall she had contrived to evade and escape from.
+Her first return was to resume her place in the modern and elegant apartments
+of the Lodge, and to gladden the eyes of its mistress.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+There was some anxiety mixed with Lady Russell&rsquo;s joy in meeting her. She
+knew who had been frequenting Uppercross. But happily, either Anne was improved
+in plumpness and looks, or Lady Russell fancied her so; and Anne, in receiving
+her compliments on the occasion, had the amusement of connecting them with the
+silent admiration of her cousin, and of hoping that she was to be blessed with
+a second spring of youth and beauty.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+When they came to converse, she was soon sensible of some mental change. The
+subjects of which her heart had been full on leaving Kellynch, and which she
+had felt slighted, and been compelled to smother among the Musgroves, were now
+become but of secondary interest. She had lately lost sight even of her father
+and sister and Bath. Their concerns had been sunk under those of Uppercross;
+and when Lady Russell reverted to their former hopes and fears, and spoke her
+satisfaction in the house in Camden Place, which had been taken, and her regret
+that Mrs Clay should still be with them, Anne would have been ashamed to have
+it known how much more she was thinking of Lyme and Louisa Musgrove, and all
+her acquaintance there; how much more interesting to her was the home and the
+friendship of the Harvilles and Captain Benwick, than her own father&rsquo;s
+house in Camden Place, or her own sister&rsquo;s intimacy with Mrs Clay. She
+was actually forced to exert herself to meet Lady Russell with anything like
+the appearance of equal solicitude, on topics which had by nature the first
+claim on her.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+There was a little awkwardness at first in their discourse on another subject.
+They must speak of the accident at Lyme. Lady Russell had not been arrived five
+minutes the day before, when a full account of the whole had burst on her; but
+still it must be talked of, she must make enquiries, she must regret the
+imprudence, lament the result, and Captain Wentworth&rsquo;s name must be
+mentioned by both. Anne was conscious of not doing it so well as Lady Russell.
+She could not speak the name, and look straight forward to Lady Russell&rsquo;s
+eye, till she had adopted the expedient of telling her briefly what she thought
+of the attachment between him and Louisa. When this was told, his name
+distressed her no longer.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Lady Russell had only to listen composedly, and wish them happy, but internally
+her heart revelled in angry pleasure, in pleased contempt, that the man who at
+twenty-three had seemed to understand somewhat of the value of an Anne Elliot,
+should, eight years afterwards, be charmed by a Louisa Musgrove.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The first three or four days passed most quietly, with no circumstance to mark
+them excepting the receipt of a note or two from Lyme, which found their way to
+Anne, she could not tell how, and brought a rather improving account of Louisa.
+At the end of that period, Lady Russell&rsquo;s politeness could repose no
+longer, and the fainter self-threatenings of the past became in a decided tone,
+&ldquo;I must call on Mrs Croft; I really must call upon her soon. Anne, have
+you courage to go with me, and pay a visit in that house? It will be some trial
+to us both.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Anne did not shrink from it; on the contrary, she truly felt as she said, in
+observing&mdash;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;I think you are very likely to suffer the most of the two; your feelings
+are less reconciled to the change than mine. By remaining in the neighbourhood,
+I am become inured to it.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+She could have said more on the subject; for she had in fact so high an opinion
+of the Crofts, and considered her father so very fortunate in his tenants, felt
+the parish to be so sure of a good example, and the poor of the best attention
+and relief, that however sorry and ashamed for the necessity of the removal,
+she could not but in conscience feel that they were gone who deserved not to
+stay, and that Kellynch Hall had passed into better hands than its
+owners&rsquo;. These convictions must unquestionably have their own pain, and
+severe was its kind; but they precluded that pain which Lady Russell would
+suffer in entering the house again, and returning through the well-known
+apartments.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+In such moments Anne had no power of saying to herself, &ldquo;These rooms
+ought to belong only to us. Oh, how fallen in their destination! How unworthily
+occupied! An ancient family to be so driven away! Strangers filling their
+place!&rdquo; No, except when she thought of her mother, and remembered where
+she had been used to sit and preside, she had no sigh of that description to
+heave.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Mrs Croft always met her with a kindness which gave her the pleasure of
+fancying herself a favourite, and on the present occasion, receiving her in
+that house, there was particular attention.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The sad accident at Lyme was soon the prevailing topic, and on comparing their
+latest accounts of the invalid, it appeared that each lady dated her
+intelligence from the same hour of yestermorn; that Captain Wentworth had been
+in Kellynch yesterday (the first time since the accident), had brought Anne the
+last note, which she had not been able to trace the exact steps of; had staid a
+few hours and then returned again to Lyme, and without any present intention of
+quitting it any more. He had enquired after her, she found, particularly; had
+expressed his hope of Miss Elliot&rsquo;s not being the worse for her
+exertions, and had spoken of those exertions as great. This was handsome, and
+gave her more pleasure than almost anything else could have done.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+As to the sad catastrophe itself, it could be canvassed only in one style by a
+couple of steady, sensible women, whose judgements had to work on ascertained
+events; and it was perfectly decided that it had been the consequence of much
+thoughtlessness and much imprudence; that its effects were most alarming, and
+that it was frightful to think, how long Miss Musgrove&rsquo;s recovery might
+yet be doubtful, and how liable she would still remain to suffer from the
+concussion hereafter! The Admiral wound it up summarily by exclaiming&mdash;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Ay, a very bad business indeed. A new sort of way this, for a young
+fellow to be making love, by breaking his mistress&rsquo;s head, is not it,
+Miss Elliot? This is breaking a head and giving a plaster, truly!&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Admiral Croft&rsquo;s manners were not quite of the tone to suit Lady Russell,
+but they delighted Anne. His goodness of heart and simplicity of character were
+irresistible.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Now, this must be very bad for you,&rdquo; said he, suddenly rousing
+from a little reverie, &ldquo;to be coming and finding us here. I had not
+recollected it before, I declare, but it must be very bad. But now, do not
+stand upon ceremony. Get up and go over all the rooms in the house if you like
+it.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Another time, Sir, I thank you, not now.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Well, whenever it suits you. You can slip in from the shrubbery at any
+time; and there you will find we keep our umbrellas hanging up by that door. A
+good place is not it? But,&rdquo; (checking himself), &ldquo;you will not think
+it a good place, for yours were always kept in the butler&rsquo;s room. Ay, so
+it always is, I believe. One man&rsquo;s ways may be as good as
+another&rsquo;s, but we all like our own best. And so you must judge for
+yourself, whether it would be better for you to go about the house or
+not.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Anne, finding she might decline it, did so, very gratefully.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;We have made very few changes either,&rdquo; continued the Admiral,
+after thinking a moment. &ldquo;Very few. We told you about the laundry-door,
+at Uppercross. That has been a very great improvement. The wonder was, how any
+family upon earth could bear with the inconvenience of its opening as it did,
+so long! You will tell Sir Walter what we have done, and that Mr Shepherd
+thinks it the greatest improvement the house ever had. Indeed, I must do
+ourselves the justice to say, that the few alterations we have made have been
+all very much for the better. My wife should have the credit of them, however.
+I have done very little besides sending away some of the large looking-glasses
+from my dressing-room, which was your father&rsquo;s. A very good man, and very
+much the gentleman I am sure: but I should think, Miss Elliot,&rdquo; (looking
+with serious reflection), &ldquo;I should think he must be rather a dressy man
+for his time of life. Such a number of looking-glasses! oh Lord! there was no
+getting away from one&rsquo;s self. So I got Sophy to lend me a hand, and we
+soon shifted their quarters; and now I am quite snug, with my little shaving
+glass in one corner, and another great thing that I never go near.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Anne, amused in spite of herself, was rather distressed for an answer, and the
+Admiral, fearing he might not have been civil enough, took up the subject
+again, to say&mdash;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;The next time you write to your good father, Miss Elliot, pray give him
+my compliments and Mrs Croft&rsquo;s, and say that we are settled here quite to
+our liking, and have no fault at all to find with the place. The breakfast-room
+chimney smokes a little, I grant you, but it is only when the wind is due north
+and blows hard, which may not happen three times a winter. And take it
+altogether, now that we have been into most of the houses hereabouts and can
+judge, there is not one that we like better than this. Pray say so, with my
+compliments. He will be glad to hear it.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Lady Russell and Mrs Croft were very well pleased with each other: but the
+acquaintance which this visit began was fated not to proceed far at present;
+for when it was returned, the Crofts announced themselves to be going away for
+a few weeks, to visit their connexions in the north of the county, and probably
+might not be at home again before Lady Russell would be removing to Bath.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+So ended all danger to Anne of meeting Captain Wentworth at Kellynch Hall, or
+of seeing him in company with her friend. Everything was safe enough, and she
+smiled over the many anxious feelings she had wasted on the subject.
+</p>
+
+</div><!--end chapter-->
+
+<div class="chapter">
+
+<h2><a name="chap14"></a>CHAPTER XIV.</h2>
+
+<p>
+Though Charles and Mary had remained at Lyme much longer after Mr and Mrs
+Musgrove&rsquo;s going than Anne conceived they could have been at all wanted,
+they were yet the first of the family to be at home again; and as soon as
+possible after their return to Uppercross they drove over to the Lodge. They
+had left Louisa beginning to sit up; but her head, though clear, was
+exceedingly weak, and her nerves susceptible to the highest extreme of
+tenderness; and though she might be pronounced to be altogether doing very
+well, it was still impossible to say when she might be able to bear the removal
+home; and her father and mother, who must return in time to receive their
+younger children for the Christmas holidays, had hardly a hope of being allowed
+to bring her with them.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+They had been all in lodgings together. Mrs Musgrove had got Mrs
+Harville&rsquo;s children away as much as she could, every possible supply from
+Uppercross had been furnished, to lighten the inconvenience to the Harvilles,
+while the Harvilles had been wanting them to come to dinner every day; and in
+short, it seemed to have been only a struggle on each side as to which should
+be most disinterested and hospitable.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Mary had had her evils; but upon the whole, as was evident by her staying so
+long, she had found more to enjoy than to suffer. Charles Hayter had been at
+Lyme oftener than suited her; and when they dined with the Harvilles there had
+been only a maid-servant to wait, and at first Mrs Harville had always given
+Mrs Musgrove precedence; but then, she had received so very handsome an apology
+from her on finding out whose daughter she was, and there had been so much
+going on every day, there had been so many walks between their lodgings and the
+Harvilles, and she had got books from the library, and changed them so often,
+that the balance had certainly been much in favour of Lyme. She had been taken
+to Charmouth too, and she had bathed, and she had gone to church, and there
+were a great many more people to look at in the church at Lyme than at
+Uppercross; and all this, joined to the sense of being so very useful, had made
+really an agreeable fortnight.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Anne enquired after Captain Benwick. Mary&rsquo;s face was clouded directly.
+Charles laughed.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Oh! Captain Benwick is very well, I believe, but he is a very odd young
+man. I do not know what he would be at. We asked him to come home with us for a
+day or two: Charles undertook to give him some shooting, and he seemed quite
+delighted, and, for my part, I thought it was all settled; when behold! on
+Tuesday night, he made a very awkward sort of excuse; &lsquo;he never
+shot&rsquo; and he had &lsquo;been quite misunderstood,&rsquo; and he had
+promised this and he had promised that, and the end of it was, I found, that he
+did not mean to come. I suppose he was afraid of finding it dull; but upon my
+word I should have thought we were lively enough at the Cottage for such a
+heart-broken man as Captain Benwick.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Charles laughed again and said, &ldquo;Now Mary, you know very well how it
+really was. It was all your doing,&rdquo; (turning to Anne.) &ldquo;He fancied
+that if he went with us, he should find you close by: he fancied everybody to
+be living in Uppercross; and when he discovered that Lady Russell lived three
+miles off, his heart failed him, and he had not courage to come. That is the
+fact, upon my honour. Mary knows it is.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+But Mary did not give into it very graciously, whether from not considering
+Captain Benwick entitled by birth and situation to be in love with an Elliot,
+or from not wanting to believe Anne a greater attraction to Uppercross than
+herself, must be left to be guessed. Anne&rsquo;s good-will, however, was not
+to be lessened by what she heard. She boldly acknowledged herself flattered,
+and continued her enquiries.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Oh! he talks of you,&rdquo; cried Charles, &ldquo;in such
+terms&mdash;&rdquo; Mary interrupted him. &ldquo;I declare, Charles, I never
+heard him mention Anne twice all the time I was there. I declare, Anne, he
+never talks of you at all.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;No,&rdquo; admitted Charles, &ldquo;I do not know that he ever does, in
+a general way; but however, it is a very clear thing that he admires you
+exceedingly. His head is full of some books that he is reading upon your
+recommendation, and he wants to talk to you about them; he has found out
+something or other in one of them which he thinks&mdash;oh! I cannot pretend to
+remember it, but it was something very fine&mdash;I overheard him telling
+Henrietta all about it; and then &lsquo;Miss Elliot&rsquo; was spoken of in the
+highest terms! Now Mary, I declare it was so, I heard it myself, and you were
+in the other room. &lsquo;Elegance, sweetness, beauty.&rsquo; Oh! there was no
+end of Miss Elliot&rsquo;s charms.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;And I am sure,&rdquo; cried Mary, warmly, &ldquo;it was a very little to
+his credit, if he did. Miss Harville only died last June. Such a heart is very
+little worth having; is it, Lady Russell? I am sure you will agree with
+me.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;I must see Captain Benwick before I decide,&rdquo; said Lady Russell,
+smiling.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;And that you are very likely to do very soon, I can tell you,
+ma&rsquo;am,&rdquo; said Charles. &ldquo;Though he had not nerves for coming
+away with us, and setting off again afterwards to pay a formal visit here, he
+will make his way over to Kellynch one day by himself, you may depend on it. I
+told him the distance and the road, and I told him of the church&rsquo;s being
+so very well worth seeing; for as he has a taste for those sort of things, I
+thought that would be a good excuse, and he listened with all his understanding
+and soul; and I am sure from his manner that you will have him calling here
+soon. So, I give you notice, Lady Russell.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Any acquaintance of Anne&rsquo;s will always be welcome to me,&rdquo;
+was Lady Russell&rsquo;s kind answer.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Oh! as to being Anne&rsquo;s acquaintance,&rdquo; said Mary, &ldquo;I
+think he is rather my acquaintance, for I have been seeing him every day this
+last fortnight.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Well, as your joint acquaintance, then, I shall be very happy to see
+Captain Benwick.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;You will not find anything very agreeable in him, I assure you,
+ma&rsquo;am. He is one of the dullest young men that ever lived. He has walked
+with me, sometimes, from one end of the sands to the other, without saying a
+word. He is not at all a well-bred young man. I am sure you will not like
+him.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;There we differ, Mary,&rdquo; said Anne. &ldquo;I think Lady Russell
+would like him. I think she would be so much pleased with his mind, that she
+would very soon see no deficiency in his manner.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;So do I, Anne,&rdquo; said Charles. &ldquo;I am sure Lady Russell would
+like him. He is just Lady Russell&rsquo;s sort. Give him a book, and he will
+read all day long.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Yes, that he will!&rdquo; exclaimed Mary, tauntingly. &ldquo;He will sit
+poring over his book, and not know when a person speaks to him, or when one
+drops one&rsquo;s scissors, or anything that happens. Do you think Lady Russell
+would like that?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Lady Russell could not help laughing. &ldquo;Upon my word,&rdquo; said she,
+&ldquo;I should not have supposed that my opinion of any one could have
+admitted of such difference of conjecture, steady and matter of fact as I may
+call myself. I have really a curiosity to see the person who can give occasion
+to such directly opposite notions. I wish he may be induced to call here. And
+when he does, Mary, you may depend upon hearing my opinion; but I am determined
+not to judge him beforehand.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;You will not like him, I will answer for it.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Lady Russell began talking of something else. Mary spoke with animation of
+their meeting with, or rather missing, Mr Elliot so extraordinarily.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;He is a man,&rdquo; said Lady Russell, &ldquo;whom I have no wish to
+see. His declining to be on cordial terms with the head of his family, has left
+a very strong impression in his disfavour with me.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+This decision checked Mary&rsquo;s eagerness, and stopped her short in the
+midst of the Elliot countenance.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+With regard to Captain Wentworth, though Anne hazarded no enquiries, there was
+voluntary communication sufficient. His spirits had been greatly recovering
+lately as might be expected. As Louisa improved, he had improved, and he was
+now quite a different creature from what he had been the first week. He had not
+seen Louisa; and was so extremely fearful of any ill consequence to her from an
+interview, that he did not press for it at all; and, on the contrary, seemed to
+have a plan of going away for a week or ten days, till her head was stronger.
+He had talked of going down to Plymouth for a week, and wanted to persuade
+Captain Benwick to go with him; but, as Charles maintained to the last, Captain
+Benwick seemed much more disposed to ride over to Kellynch.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+There can be no doubt that Lady Russell and Anne were both occasionally
+thinking of Captain Benwick, from this time. Lady Russell could not hear the
+door-bell without feeling that it might be his herald; nor could Anne return
+from any stroll of solitary indulgence in her father&rsquo;s grounds, or any
+visit of charity in the village, without wondering whether she might see him or
+hear of him. Captain Benwick came not, however. He was either less disposed for
+it than Charles had imagined, or he was too shy; and after giving him a
+week&rsquo;s indulgence, Lady Russell determined him to be unworthy of the
+interest which he had been beginning to excite.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The Musgroves came back to receive their happy boys and girls from school,
+bringing with them Mrs Harville&rsquo;s little children, to improve the noise
+of Uppercross, and lessen that of Lyme. Henrietta remained with Louisa; but all
+the rest of the family were again in their usual quarters.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Lady Russell and Anne paid their compliments to them once, when Anne could not
+but feel that Uppercross was already quite alive again. Though neither
+Henrietta, nor Louisa, nor Charles Hayter, nor Captain Wentworth were there,
+the room presented as strong a contrast as could be wished to the last state
+she had seen it in.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Immediately surrounding Mrs Musgrove were the little Harvilles, whom she was
+sedulously guarding from the tyranny of the two children from the Cottage,
+expressly arrived to amuse them. On one side was a table occupied by some
+chattering girls, cutting up silk and gold paper; and on the other were
+tressels and trays, bending under the weight of brawn and cold pies, where
+riotous boys were holding high revel; the whole completed by a roaring
+Christmas fire, which seemed determined to be heard, in spite of all the noise
+of the others. Charles and Mary also came in, of course, during their visit,
+and Mr Musgrove made a point of paying his respects to Lady Russell, and sat
+down close to her for ten minutes, talking with a very raised voice, but from
+the clamour of the children on his knees, generally in vain. It was a fine
+family-piece.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Anne, judging from her own temperament, would have deemed such a domestic
+hurricane a bad restorative of the nerves, which Louisa&rsquo;s illness must
+have so greatly shaken. But Mrs Musgrove, who got Anne near her on purpose to
+thank her most cordially, again and again, for all her attentions to them,
+concluded a short recapitulation of what she had suffered herself by observing,
+with a happy glance round the room, that after all she had gone through,
+nothing was so likely to do her good as a little quiet cheerfulness at home.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Louisa was now recovering apace. Her mother could even think of her being able
+to join their party at home, before her brothers and sisters went to school
+again. The Harvilles had promised to come with her and stay at Uppercross,
+whenever she returned. Captain Wentworth was gone, for the present, to see his
+brother in Shropshire.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;I hope I shall remember, in future,&rdquo; said Lady Russell, as soon as
+they were reseated in the carriage, &ldquo;not to call at Uppercross in the
+Christmas holidays.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Everybody has their taste in noises as well as in other matters; and sounds are
+quite innoxious, or most distressing, by their sort rather than their quantity.
+When Lady Russell not long afterwards, was entering Bath on a wet afternoon,
+and driving through the long course of streets from the Old Bridge to Camden
+Place, amidst the dash of other carriages, the heavy rumble of carts and drays,
+the bawling of newspapermen, muffin-men and milkmen, and the ceaseless clink of
+pattens, she made no complaint. No, these were noises which belonged to the
+winter pleasures; her spirits rose under their influence; and like Mrs
+Musgrove, she was feeling, though not saying, that after being long in the
+country, nothing could be so good for her as a little quiet cheerfulness.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Anne did not share these feelings. She persisted in a very determined, though
+very silent disinclination for Bath; caught the first dim view of the extensive
+buildings, smoking in rain, without any wish of seeing them better; felt their
+progress through the streets to be, however disagreeable, yet too rapid; for
+who would be glad to see her when she arrived? And looked back, with fond
+regret, to the bustles of Uppercross and the seclusion of Kellynch.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Elizabeth&rsquo;s last letter had communicated a piece of news of some
+interest. Mr Elliot was in Bath. He had called in Camden Place; had called a
+second time, a third; had been pointedly attentive. If Elizabeth and her father
+did not deceive themselves, had been taking much pains to seek the
+acquaintance, and proclaim the value of the connection, as he had formerly
+taken pains to shew neglect. This was very wonderful if it were true; and Lady
+Russell was in a state of very agreeable curiosity and perplexity about Mr
+Elliot, already recanting the sentiment she had so lately expressed to Mary, of
+his being &ldquo;a man whom she had no wish to see.&rdquo; She had a great wish
+to see him. If he really sought to reconcile himself like a dutiful branch, he
+must be forgiven for having dismembered himself from the paternal tree.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Anne was not animated to an equal pitch by the circumstance, but she felt that
+she would rather see Mr Elliot again than not, which was more than she could
+say for many other persons in Bath.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+She was put down in Camden Place; and Lady Russell then drove to her own
+lodgings, in Rivers Street.
+</p>
+
+</div><!--end chapter-->
+
+<div class="chapter">
+
+<h2><a name="chap15"></a>CHAPTER XV.</h2>
+
+<p>
+Sir Walter had taken a very good house in Camden Place, a lofty dignified
+situation, such as becomes a man of consequence; and both he and Elizabeth were
+settled there, much to their satisfaction.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Anne entered it with a sinking heart, anticipating an imprisonment of many
+months, and anxiously saying to herself, &ldquo;Oh! when shall I leave you
+again?&rdquo; A degree of unexpected cordiality, however, in the welcome she
+received, did her good. Her father and sister were glad to see her, for the
+sake of shewing her the house and furniture, and met her with kindness. Her
+making a fourth, when they sat down to dinner, was noticed as an advantage.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Mrs Clay was very pleasant, and very smiling, but her courtesies and smiles
+were more a matter of course. Anne had always felt that she would pretend what
+was proper on her arrival, but the complaisance of the others was unlooked for.
+They were evidently in excellent spirits, and she was soon to listen to the
+causes. They had no inclination to listen to her. After laying out for some
+compliments of being deeply regretted in their old neighbourhood, which Anne
+could not pay, they had only a few faint enquiries to make, before the talk
+must be all their own. Uppercross excited no interest, Kellynch very little: it
+was all Bath.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+They had the pleasure of assuring her that Bath more than answered their
+expectations in every respect. Their house was undoubtedly the best in Camden
+Place; their drawing-rooms had many decided advantages over all the others
+which they had either seen or heard of, and the superiority was not less in the
+style of the fitting-up, or the taste of the furniture. Their acquaintance was
+exceedingly sought after. Everybody was wanting to visit them. They had drawn
+back from many introductions, and still were perpetually having cards left by
+people of whom they knew nothing.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Here were funds of enjoyment. Could Anne wonder that her father and sister were
+happy? She might not wonder, but she must sigh that her father should feel no
+degradation in his change, should see nothing to regret in the duties and
+dignity of the resident landholder, should find so much to be vain of in the
+littlenesses of a town; and she must sigh, and smile, and wonder too, as
+Elizabeth threw open the folding-doors and walked with exultation from one
+drawing-room to the other, boasting of their space; at the possibility of that
+woman, who had been mistress of Kellynch Hall, finding extent to be proud of
+between two walls, perhaps thirty feet asunder.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+But this was not all which they had to make them happy. They had Mr Elliot too.
+Anne had a great deal to hear of Mr Elliot. He was not only pardoned, they were
+delighted with him. He had been in Bath about a fortnight; (he had passed
+through Bath in November, in his way to London, when the intelligence of Sir
+Walter&rsquo;s being settled there had of course reached him, though only
+twenty-four hours in the place, but he had not been able to avail himself of
+it;) but he had now been a fortnight in Bath, and his first object on arriving,
+had been to leave his card in Camden Place, following it up by such assiduous
+endeavours to meet, and when they did meet, by such great openness of conduct,
+such readiness to apologize for the past, such solicitude to be received as a
+relation again, that their former good understanding was completely
+re-established.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+They had not a fault to find in him. He had explained away all the appearance
+of neglect on his own side. It had originated in misapprehension entirely. He
+had never had an idea of throwing himself off; he had feared that he was thrown
+off, but knew not why, and delicacy had kept him silent. Upon the hint of
+having spoken disrespectfully or carelessly of the family and the family
+honours, he was quite indignant. He, who had ever boasted of being an Elliot,
+and whose feelings, as to connection, were only too strict to suit the unfeudal
+tone of the present day. He was astonished, indeed, but his character and
+general conduct must refute it. He could refer Sir Walter to all who knew him;
+and certainly, the pains he had been taking on this, the first opportunity of
+reconciliation, to be restored to the footing of a relation and
+heir-presumptive, was a strong proof of his opinions on the subject.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The circumstances of his marriage, too, were found to admit of much
+extenuation. This was an article not to be entered on by himself; but a very
+intimate friend of his, a Colonel Wallis, a highly respectable man, perfectly
+the gentleman, (and not an ill-looking man, Sir Walter added), who was living
+in very good style in Marlborough Buildings, and had, at his own particular
+request, been admitted to their acquaintance through Mr Elliot, had mentioned
+one or two things relative to the marriage, which made a material difference in
+the discredit of it.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Colonel Wallis had known Mr Elliot long, had been well acquainted also with his
+wife, had perfectly understood the whole story. She was certainly not a woman
+of family, but well educated, accomplished, rich, and excessively in love with
+his friend. There had been the charm. She had sought him. Without that
+attraction, not all her money would have tempted Elliot, and Sir Walter was,
+moreover, assured of her having been a very fine woman. Here was a great deal
+to soften the business. A very fine woman with a large fortune, in love with
+him! Sir Walter seemed to admit it as complete apology; and though Elizabeth
+could not see the circumstance in quite so favourable a light, she allowed it
+be a great extenuation.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Mr Elliot had called repeatedly, had dined with them once, evidently delighted
+by the distinction of being asked, for they gave no dinners in general;
+delighted, in short, by every proof of cousinly notice, and placing his whole
+happiness in being on intimate terms in Camden Place.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Anne listened, but without quite understanding it. Allowances, large
+allowances, she knew, must be made for the ideas of those who spoke. She heard
+it all under embellishment. All that sounded extravagant or irrational in the
+progress of the reconciliation might have no origin but in the language of the
+relators. Still, however, she had the sensation of there being something more
+than immediately appeared, in Mr Elliot&rsquo;s wishing, after an interval of
+so many years, to be well received by them. In a worldly view, he had nothing
+to gain by being on terms with Sir Walter; nothing to risk by a state of
+variance. In all probability he was already the richer of the two, and the
+Kellynch estate would as surely be his hereafter as the title. A sensible man,
+and he had looked like a very sensible man, why should it be an object to him?
+She could only offer one solution; it was, perhaps, for Elizabeth&rsquo;s sake.
+There might really have been a liking formerly, though convenience and accident
+had drawn him a different way; and now that he could afford to please himself,
+he might mean to pay his addresses to her. Elizabeth was certainly very
+handsome, with well-bred, elegant manners, and her character might never have
+been penetrated by Mr Elliot, knowing her but in public, and when very young
+himself. How her temper and understanding might bear the investigation of his
+present keener time of life was another concern and rather a fearful one. Most
+earnestly did she wish that he might not be too nice, or too observant if
+Elizabeth were his object; and that Elizabeth was disposed to believe herself
+so, and that her friend Mrs Clay was encouraging the idea, seemed apparent by a
+glance or two between them, while Mr Elliot&rsquo;s frequent visits were talked
+of.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Anne mentioned the glimpses she had had of him at Lyme, but without being much
+attended to. &ldquo;Oh! yes, perhaps, it had been Mr Elliot. They did not know.
+It might be him, perhaps.&rdquo; They could not listen to her description of
+him. They were describing him themselves; Sir Walter especially. He did justice
+to his very gentlemanlike appearance, his air of elegance and fashion, his good
+shaped face, his sensible eye; but, at the same time, &ldquo;must lament his
+being very much under-hung, a defect which time seemed to have increased; nor
+could he pretend to say that ten years had not altered almost every feature for
+the worse. Mr Elliot appeared to think that he (Sir Walter) was looking exactly
+as he had done when they last parted;&rdquo; but Sir Walter had &ldquo;not been
+able to return the compliment entirely, which had embarrassed him. He did not
+mean to complain, however. Mr Elliot was better to look at than most men, and
+he had no objection to being seen with him anywhere.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Mr Elliot, and his friends in Marlborough Buildings, were talked of the whole
+evening. &ldquo;Colonel Wallis had been so impatient to be introduced to them!
+and Mr Elliot so anxious that he should!&rdquo; and there was a Mrs Wallis, at
+present known only to them by description, as she was in daily expectation of
+her confinement; but Mr Elliot spoke of her as &ldquo;a most charming woman,
+quite worthy of being known in Camden Place,&rdquo; and as soon as she
+recovered they were to be acquainted. Sir Walter thought much of Mrs Wallis;
+she was said to be an excessively pretty woman, beautiful. &ldquo;He longed to
+see her. He hoped she might make some amends for the many very plain faces he
+was continually passing in the streets. The worst of Bath was the number of its
+plain women. He did not mean to say that there were no pretty women, but the
+number of the plain was out of all proportion. He had frequently observed, as
+he walked, that one handsome face would be followed by thirty, or
+five-and-thirty frights; and once, as he had stood in a shop on Bond Street, he
+had counted eighty-seven women go by, one after another, without there being a
+tolerable face among them. It had been a frosty morning, to be sure, a sharp
+frost, which hardly one woman in a thousand could stand the test of. But still,
+there certainly were a dreadful multitude of ugly women in Bath; and as for the
+men! they were infinitely worse. Such scarecrows as the streets were full of!
+It was evident how little the women were used to the sight of anything
+tolerable, by the effect which a man of decent appearance produced. He had
+never walked anywhere arm-in-arm with Colonel Wallis (who was a fine military
+figure, though sandy-haired) without observing that every woman&rsquo;s eye was
+upon him; every woman&rsquo;s eye was sure to be upon Colonel Wallis.&rdquo;
+Modest Sir Walter! He was not allowed to escape, however. His daughter and Mrs
+Clay united in hinting that Colonel Wallis&rsquo;s companion might have as good
+a figure as Colonel Wallis, and certainly was not sandy-haired.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;How is Mary looking?&rdquo; said Sir Walter, in the height of his good
+humour. &ldquo;The last time I saw her she had a red nose, but I hope that may
+not happen every day.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Oh! no, that must have been quite accidental. In general she has been in
+very good health and very good looks since Michaelmas.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;If I thought it would not tempt her to go out in sharp winds, and grow
+coarse, I would send her a new hat and pelisse.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Anne was considering whether she should venture to suggest that a gown, or a
+cap, would not be liable to any such misuse, when a knock at the door suspended
+everything. &ldquo;A knock at the door! and so late! It was ten o&rsquo;clock.
+Could it be Mr Elliot? They knew he was to dine in Lansdown Crescent. It was
+possible that he might stop in his way home to ask them how they did. They
+could think of no one else. Mrs Clay decidedly thought it Mr Elliot&rsquo;s
+knock.&rdquo; Mrs Clay was right. With all the state which a butler and
+foot-boy could give, Mr Elliot was ushered into the room.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+It was the same, the very same man, with no difference but of dress. Anne drew
+a little back, while the others received his compliments, and her sister his
+apologies for calling at so unusual an hour, but &ldquo;he could not be so near
+without wishing to know that neither she nor her friend had taken cold the day
+before,&rdquo; &amp;c. &amp;c; which was all as politely done, and as politely
+taken, as possible, but her part must follow then. Sir Walter talked of his
+youngest daughter; &ldquo;Mr Elliot must give him leave to present him to his
+youngest daughter&rdquo; (there was no occasion for remembering Mary); and
+Anne, smiling and blushing, very becomingly shewed to Mr Elliot the pretty
+features which he had by no means forgotten, and instantly saw, with amusement
+at his little start of surprise, that he had not been at all aware of who she
+was. He looked completely astonished, but not more astonished than pleased; his
+eyes brightened! and with the most perfect alacrity he welcomed the
+relationship, alluded to the past, and entreated to be received as an
+acquaintance already. He was quite as good-looking as he had appeared at Lyme,
+his countenance improved by speaking, and his manners were so exactly what they
+ought to be, so polished, so easy, so particularly agreeable, that she could
+compare them in excellence to only one person&rsquo;s manners. They were not
+the same, but they were, perhaps, equally good.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+He sat down with them, and improved their conversation very much. There could
+be no doubt of his being a sensible man. Ten minutes were enough to certify
+that. His tone, his expressions, his choice of subject, his knowing where to
+stop; it was all the operation of a sensible, discerning mind. As soon as he
+could, he began to talk to her of Lyme, wanting to compare opinions respecting
+the place, but especially wanting to speak of the circumstance of their
+happening to be guests in the same inn at the same time; to give his own route,
+understand something of hers, and regret that he should have lost such an
+opportunity of paying his respects to her. She gave him a short account of her
+party and business at Lyme. His regret increased as he listened. He had spent
+his whole solitary evening in the room adjoining theirs; had heard voices,
+mirth continually; thought they must be a most delightful set of people, longed
+to be with them, but certainly without the smallest suspicion of his possessing
+the shadow of a right to introduce himself. If he had but asked who the party
+were! The name of Musgrove would have told him enough. &ldquo;Well, it would
+serve to cure him of an absurd practice of never asking a question at an inn,
+which he had adopted, when quite a young man, on the principal of its being
+very ungenteel to be curious.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;The notions of a young man of one or two and twenty,&rdquo; said he,
+&ldquo;as to what is necessary in manners to make him quite the thing, are more
+absurd, I believe, than those of any other set of beings in the world. The
+folly of the means they often employ is only to be equalled by the folly of
+what they have in view.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+But he must not be addressing his reflections to Anne alone: he knew it; he was
+soon diffused again among the others, and it was only at intervals that he
+could return to Lyme.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+His enquiries, however, produced at length an account of the scene she had been
+engaged in there, soon after his leaving the place. Having alluded to &ldquo;an
+accident,&rdquo; he must hear the whole. When he questioned, Sir Walter and
+Elizabeth began to question also, but the difference in their manner of doing
+it could not be unfelt. She could only compare Mr Elliot to Lady Russell, in
+the wish of really comprehending what had passed, and in the degree of concern
+for what she must have suffered in witnessing it.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+He staid an hour with them. The elegant little clock on the mantel-piece had
+struck &ldquo;eleven with its silver sounds,&rdquo; and the watchman was
+beginning to be heard at a distance telling the same tale, before Mr Elliot or
+any of them seemed to feel that he had been there long.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Anne could not have supposed it possible that her first evening in Camden Place
+could have passed so well!
+</p>
+
+</div><!--end chapter-->
+
+<div class="chapter">
+
+<h2><a name="chap16"></a>CHAPTER XVI.</h2>
+
+<p>
+There was one point which Anne, on returning to her family, would have been
+more thankful to ascertain even than Mr Elliot&rsquo;s being in love with
+Elizabeth, which was, her father&rsquo;s not being in love with Mrs Clay; and
+she was very far from easy about it, when she had been at home a few hours. On
+going down to breakfast the next morning, she found there had just been a
+decent pretence on the lady&rsquo;s side of meaning to leave them. She could
+imagine Mrs Clay to have said, that &ldquo;now Miss Anne was come, she could
+not suppose herself at all wanted;&rdquo; for Elizabeth was replying in a sort
+of whisper, &ldquo;That must not be any reason, indeed. I assure you I feel it
+none. She is nothing to me, compared with you;&rdquo; and she was in full time
+to hear her father say, &ldquo;My dear madam, this must not be. As yet, you
+have seen nothing of Bath. You have been here only to be useful. You must not
+run away from us now. You must stay to be acquainted with Mrs Wallis, the
+beautiful Mrs Wallis. To your fine mind, I well know the sight of beauty is a
+real gratification.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+He spoke and looked so much in earnest, that Anne was not surprised to see Mrs
+Clay stealing a glance at Elizabeth and herself. Her countenance, perhaps,
+might express some watchfulness; but the praise of the fine mind did not appear
+to excite a thought in her sister. The lady could not but yield to such joint
+entreaties, and promise to stay.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+In the course of the same morning, Anne and her father chancing to be alone
+together, he began to compliment her on her improved looks; he thought her
+&ldquo;less thin in her person, in her cheeks; her skin, her complexion,
+greatly improved; clearer, fresher. Had she been using any thing in
+particular?&rdquo; &ldquo;No, nothing.&rdquo; &ldquo;Merely Gowland,&rdquo; he
+supposed. &ldquo;No, nothing at all.&rdquo; &ldquo;Ha! he was surprised at
+that;&rdquo; and added, &ldquo;certainly you cannot do better than to continue
+as you are; you cannot be better than well; or I should recommend Gowland, the
+constant use of Gowland, during the spring months. Mrs Clay has been using it
+at my recommendation, and you see what it has done for her. You see how it has
+carried away her freckles.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+If Elizabeth could but have heard this! Such personal praise might have struck
+her, especially as it did not appear to Anne that the freckles were at all
+lessened. But everything must take its chance. The evil of a marriage would be
+much diminished, if Elizabeth were also to marry. As for herself, she might
+always command a home with Lady Russell.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Lady Russell&rsquo;s composed mind and polite manners were put to some trial on
+this point, in her intercourse in Camden Place. The sight of Mrs Clay in such
+favour, and of Anne so overlooked, was a perpetual provocation to her there;
+and vexed her as much when she was away, as a person in Bath who drinks the
+water, gets all the new publications, and has a very large acquaintance, has
+time to be vexed.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+As Mr Elliot became known to her, she grew more charitable, or more
+indifferent, towards the others. His manners were an immediate recommendation;
+and on conversing with him she found the solid so fully supporting the
+superficial, that she was at first, as she told Anne, almost ready to exclaim,
+&ldquo;Can this be Mr Elliot?&rdquo; and could not seriously picture to herself
+a more agreeable or estimable man. Everything united in him; good
+understanding, correct opinions, knowledge of the world, and a warm heart. He
+had strong feelings of family attachment and family honour, without pride or
+weakness; he lived with the liberality of a man of fortune, without display; he
+judged for himself in everything essential, without defying public opinion in
+any point of worldly decorum. He was steady, observant, moderate, candid; never
+run away with by spirits or by selfishness, which fancied itself strong
+feeling; and yet, with a sensibility to what was amiable and lovely, and a
+value for all the felicities of domestic life, which characters of fancied
+enthusiasm and violent agitation seldom really possess. She was sure that he
+had not been happy in marriage. Colonel Wallis said it, and Lady Russell saw
+it; but it had been no unhappiness to sour his mind, nor (she began pretty soon
+to suspect) to prevent his thinking of a second choice. Her satisfaction in Mr
+Elliot outweighed all the plague of Mrs Clay.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+It was now some years since Anne had begun to learn that she and her excellent
+friend could sometimes think differently; and it did not surprise her,
+therefore, that Lady Russell should see nothing suspicious or inconsistent,
+nothing to require more motives than appeared, in Mr Elliot&rsquo;s great
+desire of a reconciliation. In Lady Russell&rsquo;s view, it was perfectly
+natural that Mr Elliot, at a mature time of life, should feel it a most
+desirable object, and what would very generally recommend him among all
+sensible people, to be on good terms with the head of his family; the simplest
+process in the world of time upon a head naturally clear, and only erring in
+the heyday of youth. Anne presumed, however, still to smile about it, and at
+last to mention &ldquo;Elizabeth.&rdquo; Lady Russell listened, and looked, and
+made only this cautious reply:&mdash;&ldquo;Elizabeth! very well; time will
+explain.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+It was a reference to the future, which Anne, after a little observation, felt
+she must submit to. She could determine nothing at present. In that house
+Elizabeth must be first; and she was in the habit of such general observance as
+&ldquo;Miss Elliot,&rdquo; that any particularity of attention seemed almost
+impossible. Mr Elliot, too, it must be remembered, had not been a widower seven
+months. A little delay on his side might be very excusable. In fact, Anne could
+never see the crape round his hat, without fearing that she was the inexcusable
+one, in attributing to him such imaginations; for though his marriage had not
+been very happy, still it had existed so many years that she could not
+comprehend a very rapid recovery from the awful impression of its being
+dissolved.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+However it might end, he was without any question their pleasantest
+acquaintance in Bath: she saw nobody equal to him; and it was a great
+indulgence now and then to talk to him about Lyme, which he seemed to have as
+lively a wish to see again, and to see more of, as herself. They went through
+the particulars of their first meeting a great many times. He gave her to
+understand that he had looked at her with some earnestness. She knew it well;
+and she remembered another person&rsquo;s look also.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+They did not always think alike. His value for rank and connexion she perceived
+was greater than hers. It was not merely complaisance, it must be a liking to
+the cause, which made him enter warmly into her father and sister&rsquo;s
+solicitudes on a subject which she thought unworthy to excite them. The Bath
+paper one morning announced the arrival of the Dowager Viscountess Dalrymple,
+and her daughter, the Honourable Miss Carteret; and all the comfort of No.
+&mdash;, Camden Place, was swept away for many days; for the Dalrymples (in
+Anne&rsquo;s opinion, most unfortunately) were cousins of the Elliots; and the
+agony was how to introduce themselves properly.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Anne had never seen her father and sister before in contact with nobility, and
+she must acknowledge herself disappointed. She had hoped better things from
+their high ideas of their own situation in life, and was reduced to form a wish
+which she had never foreseen; a wish that they had more pride; for &ldquo;our
+cousins Lady Dalrymple and Miss Carteret;&rdquo; &ldquo;our cousins, the
+Dalrymples,&rdquo; sounded in her ears all day long.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Sir Walter had once been in company with the late viscount, but had never seen
+any of the rest of the family; and the difficulties of the case arose from
+there having been a suspension of all intercourse by letters of ceremony, ever
+since the death of that said late viscount, when, in consequence of a dangerous
+illness of Sir Walter&rsquo;s at the same time, there had been an unlucky
+omission at Kellynch. No letter of condolence had been sent to Ireland. The
+neglect had been visited on the head of the sinner; for when poor Lady Elliot
+died herself, no letter of condolence was received at Kellynch, and,
+consequently, there was but too much reason to apprehend that the Dalrymples
+considered the relationship as closed. How to have this anxious business set to
+rights, and be admitted as cousins again, was the question: and it was a
+question which, in a more rational manner, neither Lady Russell nor Mr Elliot
+thought unimportant. &ldquo;Family connexions were always worth preserving,
+good company always worth seeking; Lady Dalrymple had taken a house, for three
+months, in Laura Place, and would be living in style. She had been at Bath the
+year before, and Lady Russell had heard her spoken of as a charming woman. It
+was very desirable that the connexion should be renewed, if it could be done,
+without any compromise of propriety on the side of the Elliots.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Sir Walter, however, would choose his own means, and at last wrote a very fine
+letter of ample explanation, regret, and entreaty, to his right honourable
+cousin. Neither Lady Russell nor Mr Elliot could admire the letter; but it did
+all that was wanted, in bringing three lines of scrawl from the Dowager
+Viscountess. &ldquo;She was very much honoured, and should be happy in their
+acquaintance.&rdquo; The toils of the business were over, the sweets began.
+They visited in Laura Place, they had the cards of Dowager Viscountess
+Dalrymple, and the Honourable Miss Carteret, to be arranged wherever they might
+be most visible: and &ldquo;Our cousins in Laura Place,&rdquo;&mdash;&ldquo;Our
+cousin, Lady Dalrymple and Miss Carteret,&rdquo; were talked of to everybody.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Anne was ashamed. Had Lady Dalrymple and her daughter even been very agreeable,
+she would still have been ashamed of the agitation they created, but they were
+nothing. There was no superiority of manner, accomplishment, or understanding.
+Lady Dalrymple had acquired the name of &ldquo;a charming woman,&rdquo; because
+she had a smile and a civil answer for everybody. Miss Carteret, with still
+less to say, was so plain and so awkward, that she would never have been
+tolerated in Camden Place but for her birth.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Lady Russell confessed she had expected something better; but yet &ldquo;it was
+an acquaintance worth having;&rdquo; and when Anne ventured to speak her
+opinion of them to Mr Elliot, he agreed to their being nothing in themselves,
+but still maintained that, as a family connexion, as good company, as those who
+would collect good company around them, they had their value. Anne smiled and
+said,
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;My idea of good company, Mr Elliot, is the company of clever,
+well-informed people, who have a great deal of conversation; that is what I
+call good company.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;You are mistaken,&rdquo; said he gently, &ldquo;that is not good
+company; that is the best. Good company requires only birth, education, and
+manners, and with regard to education is not very nice. Birth and good manners
+are essential; but a little learning is by no means a dangerous thing in good
+company; on the contrary, it will do very well. My cousin Anne shakes her head.
+She is not satisfied. She is fastidious. My dear cousin&rdquo; (sitting down by
+her), &ldquo;you have a better right to be fastidious than almost any other
+woman I know; but will it answer? Will it make you happy? Will it not be wiser
+to accept the society of those good ladies in Laura Place, and enjoy all the
+advantages of the connexion as far as possible? You may depend upon it, that
+they will move in the first set in Bath this winter, and as rank is rank, your
+being known to be related to them will have its use in fixing your family (our
+family let me say) in that degree of consideration which we must all wish
+for.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Yes,&rdquo; sighed Anne, &ldquo;we shall, indeed, be known to be related
+to them!&rdquo; then recollecting herself, and not wishing to be answered, she
+added, &ldquo;I certainly do think there has been by far too much trouble taken
+to procure the acquaintance. I suppose&rdquo; (smiling) &ldquo;I have more
+pride than any of you; but I confess it does vex me, that we should be so
+solicitous to have the relationship acknowledged, which we may be very sure is
+a matter of perfect indifference to them.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Pardon me, dear cousin, you are unjust in your own claims. In London,
+perhaps, in your present quiet style of living, it might be as you say: but in
+Bath; Sir Walter Elliot and his family will always be worth knowing: always
+acceptable as acquaintance.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Well,&rdquo; said Anne, &ldquo;I certainly am proud, too proud to enjoy
+a welcome which depends so entirely upon place.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;I love your indignation,&rdquo; said he; &ldquo;it is very natural. But
+here you are in Bath, and the object is to be established here with all the
+credit and dignity which ought to belong to Sir Walter Elliot. You talk of
+being proud; I am called proud, I know, and I shall not wish to believe myself
+otherwise; for our pride, if investigated, would have the same object, I have
+no doubt, though the kind may seem a little different. In one point, I am sure,
+my dear cousin,&rdquo; (he continued, speaking lower, though there was no one
+else in the room) &ldquo;in one point, I am sure, we must feel alike. We must
+feel that every addition to your father&rsquo;s society, among his equals or
+superiors, may be of use in diverting his thoughts from those who are beneath
+him.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+He looked, as he spoke, to the seat which Mrs Clay had been lately occupying: a
+sufficient explanation of what he particularly meant; and though Anne could not
+believe in their having the same sort of pride, she was pleased with him for
+not liking Mrs Clay; and her conscience admitted that his wishing to promote
+her father&rsquo;s getting great acquaintance was more than excusable in the
+view of defeating her.
+</p>
+
+</div><!--end chapter-->
+
+<div class="chapter">
+
+<h2><a name="chap17"></a>CHAPTER XVII.</h2>
+
+<p>
+While Sir Walter and Elizabeth were assiduously pushing their good fortune in
+Laura Place, Anne was renewing an acquaintance of a very different description.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+She had called on her former governess, and had heard from her of there being
+an old school-fellow in Bath, who had the two strong claims on her attention of
+past kindness and present suffering. Miss Hamilton, now Mrs Smith, had shewn
+her kindness in one of those periods of her life when it had been most
+valuable. Anne had gone unhappy to school, grieving for the loss of a mother
+whom she had dearly loved, feeling her separation from home, and suffering as a
+girl of fourteen, of strong sensibility and not high spirits, must suffer at
+such a time; and Miss Hamilton, three years older than herself, but still from
+the want of near relations and a settled home, remaining another year at
+school, had been useful and good to her in a way which had considerably
+lessened her misery, and could never be remembered with indifference.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Miss Hamilton had left school, had married not long afterwards, was said to
+have married a man of fortune, and this was all that Anne had known of her,
+till now that their governess&rsquo;s account brought her situation forward in
+a more decided but very different form.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+She was a widow and poor. Her husband had been extravagant; and at his death,
+about two years before, had left his affairs dreadfully involved. She had had
+difficulties of every sort to contend with, and in addition to these distresses
+had been afflicted with a severe rheumatic fever, which, finally settling in
+her legs, had made her for the present a cripple. She had come to Bath on that
+account, and was now in lodgings near the hot baths, living in a very humble
+way, unable even to afford herself the comfort of a servant, and of course
+almost excluded from society.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Their mutual friend answered for the satisfaction which a visit from Miss
+Elliot would give Mrs Smith, and Anne therefore lost no time in going. She
+mentioned nothing of what she had heard, or what she intended, at home. It
+would excite no proper interest there. She only consulted Lady Russell, who
+entered thoroughly into her sentiments, and was most happy to convey her as
+near to Mrs Smith&rsquo;s lodgings in Westgate Buildings, as Anne chose to be
+taken.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The visit was paid, their acquaintance re-established, their interest in each
+other more than re-kindled. The first ten minutes had its awkwardness and its
+emotion. Twelve years were gone since they had parted, and each presented a
+somewhat different person from what the other had imagined. Twelve years had
+changed Anne from the blooming, silent, unformed girl of fifteen, to the
+elegant little woman of seven-and-twenty, with every beauty except bloom, and
+with manners as consciously right as they were invariably gentle; and twelve
+years had transformed the fine-looking, well-grown Miss Hamilton, in all the
+glow of health and confidence of superiority, into a poor, infirm, helpless
+widow, receiving the visit of her former protegee as a favour; but all that was
+uncomfortable in the meeting had soon passed away, and left only the
+interesting charm of remembering former partialities and talking over old
+times.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Anne found in Mrs Smith the good sense and agreeable manners which she had
+almost ventured to depend on, and a disposition to converse and be cheerful
+beyond her expectation. Neither the dissipations of the past&mdash;and she had
+lived very much in the world&mdash;nor the restrictions of the present, neither
+sickness nor sorrow seemed to have closed her heart or ruined her spirits.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+In the course of a second visit she talked with great openness, and
+Anne&rsquo;s astonishment increased. She could scarcely imagine a more
+cheerless situation in itself than Mrs Smith&rsquo;s. She had been very fond of
+her husband: she had buried him. She had been used to affluence: it was gone.
+She had no child to connect her with life and happiness again, no relations to
+assist in the arrangement of perplexed affairs, no health to make all the rest
+supportable. Her accommodations were limited to a noisy parlour, and a dark
+bedroom behind, with no possibility of moving from one to the other without
+assistance, which there was only one servant in the house to afford, and she
+never quitted the house but to be conveyed into the warm bath. Yet, in spite of
+all this, Anne had reason to believe that she had moments only of languor and
+depression, to hours of occupation and enjoyment. How could it be? She watched,
+observed, reflected, and finally determined that this was not a case of
+fortitude or of resignation only. A submissive spirit might be patient, a
+strong understanding would supply resolution, but here was something more; here
+was that elasticity of mind, that disposition to be comforted, that power of
+turning readily from evil to good, and of finding employment which carried her
+out of herself, which was from nature alone. It was the choicest gift of
+Heaven; and Anne viewed her friend as one of those instances in which, by a
+merciful appointment, it seems designed to counterbalance almost every other
+want.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+There had been a time, Mrs Smith told her, when her spirits had nearly failed.
+She could not call herself an invalid now, compared with her state on first
+reaching Bath. Then she had, indeed, been a pitiable object; for she had caught
+cold on the journey, and had hardly taken possession of her lodgings before she
+was again confined to her bed and suffering under severe and constant pain; and
+all this among strangers, with the absolute necessity of having a regular
+nurse, and finances at that moment particularly unfit to meet any extraordinary
+expense. She had weathered it, however, and could truly say that it had done
+her good. It had increased her comforts by making her feel herself to be in
+good hands. She had seen too much of the world, to expect sudden or
+disinterested attachment anywhere, but her illness had proved to her that her
+landlady had a character to preserve, and would not use her ill; and she had
+been particularly fortunate in her nurse, as a sister of her landlady, a nurse
+by profession, and who had always a home in that house when unemployed, chanced
+to be at liberty just in time to attend her. &ldquo;And she,&rdquo; said Mrs
+Smith, &ldquo;besides nursing me most admirably, has really proved an
+invaluable acquaintance. As soon as I could use my hands she taught me to knit,
+which has been a great amusement; and she put me in the way of making these
+little thread-cases, pin-cushions and card-racks, which you always find me so
+busy about, and which supply me with the means of doing a little good to one or
+two very poor families in this neighbourhood. She had a large acquaintance, of
+course professionally, among those who can afford to buy, and she disposes of
+my merchandise. She always takes the right time for applying. Everybody&rsquo;s
+heart is open, you know, when they have recently escaped from severe pain, or
+are recovering the blessing of health, and Nurse Rooke thoroughly understands
+when to speak. She is a shrewd, intelligent, sensible woman. Hers is a line for
+seeing human nature; and she has a fund of good sense and observation, which,
+as a companion, make her infinitely superior to thousands of those who having
+only received &lsquo;the best education in the world,&rsquo; know nothing worth
+attending to. Call it gossip, if you will, but when Nurse Rooke has half an
+hour&rsquo;s leisure to bestow on me, she is sure to have something to relate
+that is entertaining and profitable: something that makes one know one&rsquo;s
+species better. One likes to hear what is going on, to be <i>au fait</i> as to
+the newest modes of being trifling and silly. To me, who live so much alone,
+her conversation, I assure you, is a treat.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Anne, far from wishing to cavil at the pleasure, replied, &ldquo;I can easily
+believe it. Women of that class have great opportunities, and if they are
+intelligent may be well worth listening to. Such varieties of human nature as
+they are in the habit of witnessing! And it is not merely in its follies, that
+they are well read; for they see it occasionally under every circumstance that
+can be most interesting or affecting. What instances must pass before them of
+ardent, disinterested, self-denying attachment, of heroism, fortitude,
+patience, resignation: of all the conflicts and all the sacrifices that ennoble
+us most. A sick chamber may often furnish the worth of volumes.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Yes,&rdquo; said Mrs Smith more doubtingly, &ldquo;sometimes it may,
+though I fear its lessons are not often in the elevated style you describe.
+Here and there, human nature may be great in times of trial; but generally
+speaking, it is its weakness and not its strength that appears in a sick
+chamber: it is selfishness and impatience rather than generosity and fortitude,
+that one hears of. There is so little real friendship in the world! and
+unfortunately&rdquo; (speaking low and tremulously) &ldquo;there are so many
+who forget to think seriously till it is almost too late.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Anne saw the misery of such feelings. The husband had not been what he ought,
+and the wife had been led among that part of mankind which made her think worse
+of the world than she hoped it deserved. It was but a passing emotion however
+with Mrs Smith; she shook it off, and soon added in a different tone&mdash;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;I do not suppose the situation my friend Mrs Rooke is in at present,
+will furnish much either to interest or edify me. She is only nursing Mrs
+Wallis of Marlborough Buildings; a mere pretty, silly, expensive, fashionable
+woman, I believe; and of course will have nothing to report but of lace and
+finery. I mean to make my profit of Mrs Wallis, however. She has plenty of
+money, and I intend she shall buy all the high-priced things I have in hand
+now.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Anne had called several times on her friend, before the existence of such a
+person was known in Camden Place. At last, it became necessary to speak of her.
+Sir Walter, Elizabeth and Mrs Clay, returned one morning from Laura Place, with
+a sudden invitation from Lady Dalrymple for the same evening, and Anne was
+already engaged, to spend that evening in Westgate Buildings. She was not sorry
+for the excuse. They were only asked, she was sure, because Lady Dalrymple
+being kept at home by a bad cold, was glad to make use of the relationship
+which had been so pressed on her; and she declined on her own account with
+great alacrity&mdash;&ldquo;She was engaged to spend the evening with an old
+schoolfellow.&rdquo; They were not much interested in anything relative to
+Anne; but still there were questions enough asked, to make it understood what
+this old schoolfellow was; and Elizabeth was disdainful, and Sir Walter severe.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Westgate Buildings!&rdquo; said he, &ldquo;and who is Miss Anne Elliot
+to be visiting in Westgate Buildings? A Mrs Smith. A widow Mrs Smith; and who
+was her husband? One of five thousand Mr Smiths whose names are to be met with
+everywhere. And what is her attraction? That she is old and sickly. Upon my
+word, Miss Anne Elliot, you have the most extraordinary taste! Everything that
+revolts other people, low company, paltry rooms, foul air, disgusting
+associations are inviting to you. But surely you may put off this old lady till
+to-morrow: she is not so near her end, I presume, but that she may hope to see
+another day. What is her age? Forty?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;No, sir, she is not one-and-thirty; but I do not think I can put off my
+engagement, because it is the only evening for some time which will at once
+suit her and myself. She goes into the warm bath to-morrow, and for the rest of
+the week, you know, we are engaged.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;But what does Lady Russell think of this acquaintance?&rdquo; asked
+Elizabeth.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;She sees nothing to blame in it,&rdquo; replied Anne; &ldquo;on the
+contrary, she approves it, and has generally taken me when I have called on Mrs
+Smith.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Westgate Buildings must have been rather surprised by the appearance of
+a carriage drawn up near its pavement,&rdquo; observed Sir Walter. &ldquo;Sir
+Henry Russell&rsquo;s widow, indeed, has no honours to distinguish her arms,
+but still it is a handsome equipage, and no doubt is well known to convey a
+Miss Elliot. A widow Mrs Smith lodging in Westgate Buildings! A poor widow
+barely able to live, between thirty and forty; a mere Mrs Smith, an every-day
+Mrs Smith, of all people and all names in the world, to be the chosen friend of
+Miss Anne Elliot, and to be preferred by her to her own family connections
+among the nobility of England and Ireland! Mrs Smith! Such a name!&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Mrs Clay, who had been present while all this passed, now thought it advisable
+to leave the room, and Anne could have said much, and did long to say a little
+in defence of <i>her</i> friend&rsquo;s not very dissimilar claims to theirs,
+but her sense of personal respect to her father prevented her. She made no
+reply. She left it to himself to recollect, that Mrs Smith was not the only
+widow in Bath between thirty and forty, with little to live on, and no surname
+of dignity.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Anne kept her appointment; the others kept theirs, and of course she heard the
+next morning that they had had a delightful evening. She had been the only one
+of the set absent, for Sir Walter and Elizabeth had not only been quite at her
+ladyship&rsquo;s service themselves, but had actually been happy to be employed
+by her in collecting others, and had been at the trouble of inviting both Lady
+Russell and Mr Elliot; and Mr Elliot had made a point of leaving Colonel Wallis
+early, and Lady Russell had fresh arranged all her evening engagements in order
+to wait on her. Anne had the whole history of all that such an evening could
+supply from Lady Russell. To her, its greatest interest must be, in having been
+very much talked of between her friend and Mr Elliot; in having been wished
+for, regretted, and at the same time honoured for staying away in such a cause.
+Her kind, compassionate visits to this old schoolfellow, sick and reduced,
+seemed to have quite delighted Mr Elliot. He thought her a most extraordinary
+young woman; in her temper, manners, mind, a model of female excellence. He
+could meet even Lady Russell in a discussion of her merits; and Anne could not
+be given to understand so much by her friend, could not know herself to be so
+highly rated by a sensible man, without many of those agreeable sensations
+which her friend meant to create.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Lady Russell was now perfectly decided in her opinion of Mr Elliot. She was as
+much convinced of his meaning to gain Anne in time as of his deserving her, and
+was beginning to calculate the number of weeks which would free him from all
+the remaining restraints of widowhood, and leave him at liberty to exert his
+most open powers of pleasing. She would not speak to Anne with half the
+certainty she felt on the subject, she would venture on little more than hints
+of what might be hereafter, of a possible attachment on his side, of the
+desirableness of the alliance, supposing such attachment to be real and
+returned. Anne heard her, and made no violent exclamations; she only smiled,
+blushed, and gently shook her head.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;I am no match-maker, as you well know,&rdquo; said Lady Russell,
+&ldquo;being much too well aware of the uncertainty of all human events and
+calculations. I only mean that if Mr Elliot should some time hence pay his
+addresses to you, and if you should be disposed to accept him, I think there
+would be every possibility of your being happy together. A most suitable
+connection everybody must consider it, but I think it might be a very happy
+one.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Mr Elliot is an exceedingly agreeable man, and in many respects I think
+highly of him,&rdquo; said Anne; &ldquo;but we should not suit.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Lady Russell let this pass, and only said in rejoinder, &ldquo;I own that to be
+able to regard you as the future mistress of Kellynch, the future Lady Elliot,
+to look forward and see you occupying your dear mother&rsquo;s place,
+succeeding to all her rights, and all her popularity, as well as to all her
+virtues, would be the highest possible gratification to me. You are your
+mother&rsquo;s self in countenance and disposition; and if I might be allowed
+to fancy you such as she was, in situation and name, and home, presiding and
+blessing in the same spot, and only superior to her in being more highly
+valued! My dearest Anne, it would give me more delight than is often felt at my
+time of life!&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Anne was obliged to turn away, to rise, to walk to a distant table, and,
+leaning there in pretended employment, try to subdue the feelings this picture
+excited. For a few moments her imagination and her heart were bewitched. The
+idea of becoming what her mother had been; of having the precious name of
+&ldquo;Lady Elliot&rdquo; first revived in herself; of being restored to
+Kellynch, calling it her home again, her home for ever, was a charm which she
+could not immediately resist. Lady Russell said not another word, willing to
+leave the matter to its own operation; and believing that, could Mr Elliot at
+that moment with propriety have spoken for himself!&mdash;she believed, in
+short, what Anne did not believe. The same image of Mr Elliot speaking for
+himself brought Anne to composure again. The charm of Kellynch and of
+&ldquo;Lady Elliot&rdquo; all faded away. She never could accept him. And it
+was not only that her feelings were still adverse to any man save one; her
+judgement, on a serious consideration of the possibilities of such a case, was
+against Mr Elliot.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Though they had now been acquainted a month, she could not be satisfied that
+she really knew his character. That he was a sensible man, an agreeable man,
+that he talked well, professed good opinions, seemed to judge properly and as a
+man of principle, this was all clear enough. He certainly knew what was right,
+nor could she fix on any one article of moral duty evidently transgressed; but
+yet she would have been afraid to answer for his conduct. She distrusted the
+past, if not the present. The names which occasionally dropt of former
+associates, the allusions to former practices and pursuits, suggested
+suspicions not favourable of what he had been. She saw that there had been bad
+habits; that Sunday travelling had been a common thing; that there had been a
+period of his life (and probably not a short one) when he had been, at least,
+careless in all serious matters; and, though he might now think very
+differently, who could answer for the true sentiments of a clever, cautious
+man, grown old enough to appreciate a fair character? How could it ever be
+ascertained that his mind was truly cleansed?
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Mr Elliot was rational, discreet, polished, but he was not open. There was
+never any burst of feeling, any warmth of indignation or delight, at the evil
+or good of others. This, to Anne, was a decided imperfection. Her early
+impressions were incurable. She prized the frank, the open-hearted, the eager
+character beyond all others. Warmth and enthusiasm did captivate her still. She
+felt that she could so much more depend upon the sincerity of those who
+sometimes looked or said a careless or a hasty thing, than of those whose
+presence of mind never varied, whose tongue never slipped.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Mr Elliot was too generally agreeable. Various as were the tempers in her
+father&rsquo;s house, he pleased them all. He endured too well, stood too well
+with every body. He had spoken to her with some degree of openness of Mrs Clay;
+had appeared completely to see what Mrs Clay was about, and to hold her in
+contempt; and yet Mrs Clay found him as agreeable as any body.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Lady Russell saw either less or more than her young friend, for she saw nothing
+to excite distrust. She could not imagine a man more exactly what he ought to
+be than Mr Elliot; nor did she ever enjoy a sweeter feeling than the hope of
+seeing him receive the hand of her beloved Anne in Kellynch church, in the
+course of the following autumn.
+</p>
+
+</div><!--end chapter-->
+
+<div class="chapter">
+
+<h2><a name="chap18"></a>CHAPTER XVIII.</h2>
+
+<p>
+It was the beginning of February; and Anne, having been a month in Bath, was
+growing very eager for news from Uppercross and Lyme. She wanted to hear much
+more than Mary had communicated. It was three weeks since she had heard at all.
+She only knew that Henrietta was at home again; and that Louisa, though
+considered to be recovering fast, was still in Lyme; and she was thinking of
+them all very intently one evening, when a thicker letter than usual from Mary
+was delivered to her; and, to quicken the pleasure and surprise, with Admiral
+and Mrs Croft&rsquo;s compliments.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The Crofts must be in Bath! A circumstance to interest her. They were people
+whom her heart turned to very naturally.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;What is this?&rdquo; cried Sir Walter. &ldquo;The Crofts have arrived in
+Bath? The Crofts who rent Kellynch? What have they brought you?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;A letter from Uppercross Cottage, Sir.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Oh! those letters are convenient passports. They secure an introduction.
+I should have visited Admiral Croft, however, at any rate. I know what is due
+to my tenant.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Anne could listen no longer; she could not even have told how the poor
+Admiral&rsquo;s complexion escaped; her letter engrossed her. It had been begun
+several days back.
+</p>
+
+<p class="right">
+&ldquo;February 1st.
+</p>
+
+<div class="letter">
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;<small>MY DEAR ANNE</small>,
+</p>
+
+<p>
+I make no apology for my silence, because I know how little people think of
+letters in such a place as Bath. You must be a great deal too happy to care for
+Uppercross, which, as you well know, affords little to write about. We have had
+a very dull Christmas; Mr and Mrs Musgrove have not had one dinner party all
+the holidays. I do not reckon the Hayters as anybody. The holidays, however,
+are over at last: I believe no children ever had such long ones. I am sure I
+had not. The house was cleared yesterday, except of the little Harvilles; but
+you will be surprised to hear they have never gone home. Mrs Harville must be
+an odd mother to part with them so long. I do not understand it. They are not
+at all nice children, in my opinion; but Mrs Musgrove seems to like them quite
+as well, if not better, than her grandchildren. What dreadful weather we have
+had! It may not be felt in Bath, with your nice pavements; but in the country
+it is of some consequence. I have not had a creature call on me since the
+second week in January, except Charles Hayter, who had been calling much
+oftener than was welcome. Between ourselves, I think it a great pity Henrietta
+did not remain at Lyme as long as Louisa; it would have kept her a little out
+of his way. The carriage is gone to-day, to bring Louisa and the Harvilles
+to-morrow. We are not asked to dine with them, however, till the day after, Mrs
+Musgrove is so afraid of her being fatigued by the journey, which is not very
+likely, considering the care that will be taken of her; and it would be much
+more convenient to me to dine there to-morrow. I am glad you find Mr Elliot so
+agreeable, and wish I could be acquainted with him too; but I have my usual
+luck: I am always out of the way when any thing desirable is going on; always
+the last of my family to be noticed. What an immense time Mrs Clay has been
+staying with Elizabeth! Does she never mean to go away? But perhaps if she were
+to leave the room vacant, we might not be invited. Let me know what you think
+of this. I do not expect my children to be asked, you know. I can leave them at
+the Great House very well, for a month or six weeks. I have this moment heard
+that the Crofts are going to Bath almost immediately; they think the Admiral
+gouty. Charles heard it quite by chance; they have not had the civility to give
+me any notice, or of offering to take anything. I do not think they improve at
+all as neighbours. We see nothing of them, and this is really an instance of
+gross inattention. Charles joins me in love, and everything proper. Yours
+affectionately,
+</p>
+
+</div>
+
+<p class="right">
+&ldquo;<small>MARY M</small>&mdash;&mdash;.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;I am sorry to say that I am very far from well; and Jemima has just told
+me that the butcher says there is a bad sore-throat very much about. I dare say
+I shall catch it; and my sore-throats, you know, are always worse than
+anybody&rsquo;s.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p class="p2">
+So ended the first part, which had been afterwards put into an envelope,
+containing nearly as much more.
+</p>
+
+<p class="p2">
+&ldquo;I kept my letter open, that I might send you word how Louisa bore her
+journey, and now I am extremely glad I did, having a great deal to add. In the
+first place, I had a note from Mrs Croft yesterday, offering to convey anything
+to you; a very kind, friendly note indeed, addressed to me, just as it ought; I
+shall therefore be able to make my letter as long as I like. The Admiral does
+not seem very ill, and I sincerely hope Bath will do him all the good he wants.
+I shall be truly glad to have them back again. Our neighbourhood cannot spare
+such a pleasant family. But now for Louisa. I have something to communicate
+that will astonish you not a little. She and the Harvilles came on Tuesday very
+safely, and in the evening we went to ask her how she did, when we were rather
+surprised not to find Captain Benwick of the party, for he had been invited as
+well as the Harvilles; and what do you think was the reason? Neither more nor
+less than his being in love with Louisa, and not choosing to venture to
+Uppercross till he had had an answer from Mr Musgrove; for it was all settled
+between him and her before she came away, and he had written to her father by
+Captain Harville. True, upon my honour! Are not you astonished? I shall be
+surprised at least if you ever received a hint of it, for I never did. Mrs
+Musgrove protests solemnly that she knew nothing of the matter. We are all very
+well pleased, however, for though it is not equal to her marrying Captain
+Wentworth, it is infinitely better than Charles Hayter; and Mr Musgrove has
+written his consent, and Captain Benwick is expected to-day. Mrs Harville says
+her husband feels a good deal on his poor sister&rsquo;s account; but, however,
+Louisa is a great favourite with both. Indeed, Mrs Harville and I quite agree
+that we love her the better for having nursed her. Charles wonders what Captain
+Wentworth will say; but if you remember, I never thought him attached to
+Louisa; I never could see anything of it. And this is the end, you see, of
+Captain Benwick&rsquo;s being supposed to be an admirer of yours. How Charles
+could take such a thing into his head was always incomprehensible to me. I hope
+he will be more agreeable now. Certainly not a great match for Louisa Musgrove,
+but a million times better than marrying among the Hayters.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p class="p2">
+Mary need not have feared her sister&rsquo;s being in any degree prepared for
+the news. She had never in her life been more astonished. Captain Benwick and
+Louisa Musgrove! It was almost too wonderful for belief, and it was with the
+greatest effort that she could remain in the room, preserve an air of calmness,
+and answer the common questions of the moment. Happily for her, they were not
+many. Sir Walter wanted to know whether the Crofts travelled with four horses,
+and whether they were likely to be situated in such a part of Bath as it might
+suit Miss Elliot and himself to visit in; but had little curiosity beyond.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;How is Mary?&rdquo; said Elizabeth; and without waiting for an answer,
+&ldquo;And pray what brings the Crofts to Bath?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;They come on the Admiral&rsquo;s account. He is thought to be
+gouty.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Gout and decrepitude!&rdquo; said Sir Walter. &ldquo;Poor old
+gentleman.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Have they any acquaintance here?&rdquo; asked Elizabeth.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;I do not know; but I can hardly suppose that, at Admiral Croft&rsquo;s
+time of life, and in his profession, he should not have many acquaintance in
+such a place as this.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;I suspect,&rdquo; said Sir Walter coolly, &ldquo;that Admiral Croft will
+be best known in Bath as the renter of Kellynch Hall. Elizabeth, may we venture
+to present him and his wife in Laura Place?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Oh, no! I think not. Situated as we are with Lady Dalrymple, cousins, we
+ought to be very careful not to embarrass her with acquaintance she might not
+approve. If we were not related, it would not signify; but as cousins, she
+would feel scrupulous as to any proposal of ours. We had better leave the
+Crofts to find their own level. There are several odd-looking men walking about
+here, who, I am told, are sailors. The Crofts will associate with them.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+This was Sir Walter and Elizabeth&rsquo;s share of interest in the letter; when
+Mrs Clay had paid her tribute of more decent attention, in an enquiry after Mrs
+Charles Musgrove, and her fine little boys, Anne was at liberty.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+In her own room, she tried to comprehend it. Well might Charles wonder how
+Captain Wentworth would feel! Perhaps he had quitted the field, had given
+Louisa up, had ceased to love, had found he did not love her. She could not
+endure the idea of treachery or levity, or anything akin to ill usage between
+him and his friend. She could not endure that such a friendship as theirs
+should be severed unfairly.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Captain Benwick and Louisa Musgrove! The high-spirited, joyous-talking Louisa
+Musgrove, and the dejected, thinking, feeling, reading, Captain Benwick, seemed
+each of them everything that would not suit the other. Their minds most
+dissimilar! Where could have been the attraction? The answer soon presented
+itself. It had been in situation. They had been thrown together several weeks;
+they had been living in the same small family party: since Henrietta&rsquo;s
+coming away, they must have been depending almost entirely on each other, and
+Louisa, just recovering from illness, had been in an interesting state, and
+Captain Benwick was not inconsolable. That was a point which Anne had not been
+able to avoid suspecting before; and instead of drawing the same conclusion as
+Mary, from the present course of events, they served only to confirm the idea
+of his having felt some dawning of tenderness toward herself. She did not mean,
+however, to derive much more from it to gratify her vanity, than Mary might
+have allowed. She was persuaded that any tolerably pleasing young woman who had
+listened and seemed to feel for him would have received the same compliment. He
+had an affectionate heart. He must love somebody.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+She saw no reason against their being happy. Louisa had fine naval fervour to
+begin with, and they would soon grow more alike. He would gain cheerfulness,
+and she would learn to be an enthusiast for Scott and Lord Byron; nay, that was
+probably learnt already; of course they had fallen in love over poetry. The
+idea of Louisa Musgrove turned into a person of literary taste, and sentimental
+reflection was amusing, but she had no doubt of its being so. The day at Lyme,
+the fall from the Cobb, might influence her health, her nerves, her courage,
+her character to the end of her life, as thoroughly as it appeared to have
+influenced her fate.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The conclusion of the whole was, that if the woman who had been sensible of
+Captain Wentworth&rsquo;s merits could be allowed to prefer another man, there
+was nothing in the engagement to excite lasting wonder; and if Captain
+Wentworth lost no friend by it, certainly nothing to be regretted. No, it was
+not regret which made Anne&rsquo;s heart beat in spite of herself, and brought
+the colour into her cheeks when she thought of Captain Wentworth unshackled and
+free. She had some feelings which she was ashamed to investigate. They were too
+much like joy, senseless joy!
+</p>
+
+<p>
+She longed to see the Crofts; but when the meeting took place, it was evident
+that no rumour of the news had yet reached them. The visit of ceremony was paid
+and returned; and Louisa Musgrove was mentioned, and Captain Benwick, too,
+without even half a smile.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The Crofts had placed themselves in lodgings in Gay Street, perfectly to Sir
+Walter&rsquo;s satisfaction. He was not at all ashamed of the acquaintance, and
+did, in fact, think and talk a great deal more about the Admiral, than the
+Admiral ever thought or talked about him.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The Crofts knew quite as many people in Bath as they wished for, and considered
+their intercourse with the Elliots as a mere matter of form, and not in the
+least likely to afford them any pleasure. They brought with them their country
+habit of being almost always together. He was ordered to walk to keep off the
+gout, and Mrs Croft seemed to go shares with him in everything, and to walk for
+her life to do him good. Anne saw them wherever she went. Lady Russell took her
+out in her carriage almost every morning, and she never failed to think of
+them, and never failed to see them. Knowing their feelings as she did, it was a
+most attractive picture of happiness to her. She always watched them as long as
+she could, delighted to fancy she understood what they might be talking of, as
+they walked along in happy independence, or equally delighted to see the
+Admiral&rsquo;s hearty shake of the hand when he encountered an old friend, and
+observe their eagerness of conversation when occasionally forming into a little
+knot of the navy, Mrs Croft looking as intelligent and keen as any of the
+officers around her.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Anne was too much engaged with Lady Russell to be often walking herself; but it
+so happened that one morning, about a week or ten days after the Croft&rsquo;s
+arrival, it suited her best to leave her friend, or her friend&rsquo;s
+carriage, in the lower part of the town, and return alone to Camden Place, and
+in walking up Milsom Street she had the good fortune to meet with the Admiral.
+He was standing by himself at a printshop window, with his hands behind him, in
+earnest contemplation of some print, and she not only might have passed him
+unseen, but was obliged to touch as well as address him before she could catch
+his notice. When he did perceive and acknowledge her, however, it was done with
+all his usual frankness and good humour. &ldquo;Ha! is it you? Thank you, thank
+you. This is treating me like a friend. Here I am, you see, staring at a
+picture. I can never get by this shop without stopping. But what a thing here
+is, by way of a boat! Do look at it. Did you ever see the like? What queer
+fellows your fine painters must be, to think that anybody would venture their
+lives in such a shapeless old cockleshell as that? And yet here are two
+gentlemen stuck up in it mightily at their ease, and looking about them at the
+rocks and mountains, as if they were not to be upset the next moment, which
+they certainly must be. I wonder where that boat was built!&rdquo; (laughing
+heartily); &ldquo;I would not venture over a horsepond in it. Well,&rdquo;
+(turning away), &ldquo;now, where are you bound? Can I go anywhere for you, or
+with you? Can I be of any use?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;None, I thank you, unless you will give me the pleasure of your company
+the little way our road lies together. I am going home.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;That I will, with all my heart, and farther, too. Yes, yes we will have
+a snug walk together, and I have something to tell you as we go along. There,
+take my arm; that&rsquo;s right; I do not feel comfortable if I have not a
+woman there. Lord! what a boat it is!&rdquo; taking a last look at the picture,
+as they began to be in motion.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Did you say that you had something to tell me, sir?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Yes, I have, presently. But here comes a friend, Captain Brigden; I
+shall only say, &lsquo;How d&rsquo;ye do?&rsquo; as we pass, however. I shall
+not stop. &lsquo;How d&rsquo;ye do?&rsquo; Brigden stares to see anybody with
+me but my wife. She, poor soul, is tied by the leg. She has a blister on one of
+her heels, as large as a three-shilling piece. If you look across the street,
+you will see Admiral Brand coming down and his brother. Shabby fellows, both of
+them! I am glad they are not on this side of the way. Sophy cannot bear them.
+They played me a pitiful trick once: got away with some of my best men. I will
+tell you the whole story another time. There comes old Sir Archibald Drew and
+his grandson. Look, he sees us; he kisses his hand to you; he takes you for my
+wife. Ah! the peace has come too soon for that younker. Poor old Sir Archibald!
+How do you like Bath, Miss Elliot? It suits us very well. We are always meeting
+with some old friend or other; the streets full of them every morning; sure to
+have plenty of chat; and then we get away from them all, and shut ourselves in
+our lodgings, and draw in our chairs, and are as snug as if we were at
+Kellynch, ay, or as we used to be even at North Yarmouth and Deal. We do not
+like our lodgings here the worse, I can tell you, for putting us in mind of
+those we first had at North Yarmouth. The wind blows through one of the
+cupboards just in the same way.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+When they were got a little farther, Anne ventured to press again for what he
+had to communicate. She hoped when clear of Milsom Street to have her curiosity
+gratified; but she was still obliged to wait, for the Admiral had made up his
+mind not to begin till they had gained the greater space and quiet of Belmont;
+and as she was not really Mrs Croft, she must let him have his own way. As soon
+as they were fairly ascending Belmont, he began&mdash;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Well, now you shall hear something that will surprise you. But first of
+all, you must tell me the name of the young lady I am going to talk about. That
+young lady, you know, that we have all been so concerned for. The Miss
+Musgrove, that all this has been happening to. Her Christian name: I always
+forget her Christian name.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Anne had been ashamed to appear to comprehend so soon as she really did; but
+now she could safely suggest the name of &ldquo;Louisa.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Ay, ay, Miss Louisa Musgrove, that is the name. I wish young ladies had
+not such a number of fine Christian names. I should never be out if they were
+all Sophys, or something of that sort. Well, this Miss Louisa, we all thought,
+you know, was to marry Frederick. He was courting her week after week. The only
+wonder was, what they could be waiting for, till the business at Lyme came;
+then, indeed, it was clear enough that they must wait till her brain was set to
+right. But even then there was something odd in their way of going on. Instead
+of staying at Lyme, he went off to Plymouth, and then he went off to see
+Edward. When we came back from Minehead he was gone down to Edward&rsquo;s, and
+there he has been ever since. We have seen nothing of him since November. Even
+Sophy could not understand it. But now, the matter has taken the strangest turn
+of all; for this young lady, the same Miss Musgrove, instead of being to marry
+Frederick, is to marry James Benwick. You know James Benwick.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;A little. I am a little acquainted with Captain Benwick.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Well, she is to marry him. Nay, most likely they are married already,
+for I do not know what they should wait for.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;I thought Captain Benwick a very pleasing young man,&rdquo; said Anne,
+&ldquo;and I understand that he bears an excellent character.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Oh! yes, yes, there is not a word to be said against James Benwick. He
+is only a commander, it is true, made last summer, and these are bad times for
+getting on, but he has not another fault that I know of. An excellent,
+good-hearted fellow, I assure you; a very active, zealous officer too, which is
+more than you would think for, perhaps, for that soft sort of manner does not
+do him justice.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Indeed you are mistaken there, sir; I should never augur want of spirit
+from Captain Benwick&rsquo;s manners. I thought them particularly pleasing, and
+I will answer for it, they would generally please.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Well, well, ladies are the best judges; but James Benwick is rather too
+piano for me; and though very likely it is all our partiality, Sophy and I
+cannot help thinking Frederick&rsquo;s manners better than his. There is
+something about Frederick more to our taste.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Anne was caught. She had only meant to oppose the too common idea of spirit and
+gentleness being incompatible with each other, not at all to represent Captain
+Benwick&rsquo;s manners as the very best that could possibly be; and, after a
+little hesitation, she was beginning to say, &ldquo;I was not entering into any
+comparison of the two friends,&rdquo; but the Admiral interrupted her
+with&mdash;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;And the thing is certainly true. It is not a mere bit of gossip. We have
+it from Frederick himself. His sister had a letter from him yesterday, in which
+he tells us of it, and he had just had it in a letter from Harville, written
+upon the spot, from Uppercross. I fancy they are all at Uppercross.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+This was an opportunity which Anne could not resist; she said, therefore,
+&ldquo;I hope, Admiral, I hope there is nothing in the style of Captain
+Wentworth&rsquo;s letter to make you and Mrs Croft particularly uneasy. It did
+seem, last autumn, as if there were an attachment between him and Louisa
+Musgrove; but I hope it may be understood to have worn out on each side
+equally, and without violence. I hope his letter does not breathe the spirit of
+an ill-used man.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Not at all, not at all; there is not an oath or a murmur from beginning
+to end.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Anne looked down to hide her smile.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;No, no; Frederick is not a man to whine and complain; he has too much
+spirit for that. If the girl likes another man better, it is very fit she
+should have him.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Certainly. But what I mean is, that I hope there is nothing in Captain
+Wentworth&rsquo;s manner of writing to make you suppose he thinks himself
+ill-used by his friend, which might appear, you know, without its being
+absolutely said. I should be very sorry that such a friendship as has subsisted
+between him and Captain Benwick should be destroyed, or even wounded, by a
+circumstance of this sort.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Yes, yes, I understand you. But there is nothing at all of that nature
+in the letter. He does not give the least fling at Benwick; does not so much as
+say, &lsquo;I wonder at it, I have a reason of my own for wondering at
+it.&rsquo; No, you would not guess, from his way of writing, that he had ever
+thought of this Miss (what&rsquo;s her name?) for himself. He very handsomely
+hopes they will be happy together; and there is nothing very unforgiving in
+that, I think.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Anne did not receive the perfect conviction which the Admiral meant to convey,
+but it would have been useless to press the enquiry farther. She therefore
+satisfied herself with common-place remarks or quiet attention, and the Admiral
+had it all his own way.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Poor Frederick!&rdquo; said he at last. &ldquo;Now he must begin all
+over again with somebody else. I think we must get him to Bath. Sophy must
+write, and beg him to come to Bath. Here are pretty girls enough, I am sure. It
+would be of no use to go to Uppercross again, for that other Miss Musgrove, I
+find, is bespoke by her cousin, the young parson. Do not you think, Miss
+Elliot, we had better try to get him to Bath?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+</div><!--end chapter-->
+
+<div class="chapter">
+
+<h2><a name="chap19"></a>CHAPTER XIX.</h2>
+
+<p>
+While Admiral Croft was taking this walk with Anne, and expressing his wish of
+getting Captain Wentworth to Bath, Captain Wentworth was already on his way
+thither. Before Mrs Croft had written, he was arrived, and the very next time
+Anne walked out, she saw him.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Mr Elliot was attending his two cousins and Mrs Clay. They were in Milsom
+Street. It began to rain, not much, but enough to make shelter desirable for
+women, and quite enough to make it very desirable for Miss Elliot to have the
+advantage of being conveyed home in Lady Dalrymple&rsquo;s carriage, which was
+seen waiting at a little distance; she, Anne, and Mrs Clay, therefore, turned
+into Molland&rsquo;s, while Mr Elliot stepped to Lady Dalrymple, to request her
+assistance. He soon joined them again, successful, of course; Lady Dalrymple
+would be most happy to take them home, and would call for them in a few
+minutes.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Her ladyship&rsquo;s carriage was a barouche, and did not hold more than four
+with any comfort. Miss Carteret was with her mother; consequently it was not
+reasonable to expect accommodation for all the three Camden Place ladies. There
+could be no doubt as to Miss Elliot. Whoever suffered inconvenience, she must
+suffer none, but it occupied a little time to settle the point of civility
+between the other two. The rain was a mere trifle, and Anne was most sincere in
+preferring a walk with Mr Elliot. But the rain was also a mere trifle to Mrs
+Clay; she would hardly allow it even to drop at all, and her boots were so
+thick! much thicker than Miss Anne&rsquo;s; and, in short, her civility
+rendered her quite as anxious to be left to walk with Mr Elliot as Anne could
+be, and it was discussed between them with a generosity so polite and so
+determined, that the others were obliged to settle it for them; Miss Elliot
+maintaining that Mrs Clay had a little cold already, and Mr Elliot deciding on
+appeal, that his cousin Anne&rsquo;s boots were rather the thickest.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+It was fixed accordingly, that Mrs Clay should be of the party in the carriage;
+and they had just reached this point, when Anne, as she sat near the window,
+descried, most decidedly and distinctly, Captain Wentworth walking down the
+street.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Her start was perceptible only to herself; but she instantly felt that she was
+the greatest simpleton in the world, the most unaccountable and absurd! For a
+few minutes she saw nothing before her; it was all confusion. She was lost, and
+when she had scolded back her senses, she found the others still waiting for
+the carriage, and Mr Elliot (always obliging) just setting off for Union Street
+on a commission of Mrs Clay&rsquo;s.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+She now felt a great inclination to go to the outer door; she wanted to see if
+it rained. Why was she to suspect herself of another motive? Captain Wentworth
+must be out of sight. She left her seat, she would go; one half of her should
+not be always so much wiser than the other half, or always suspecting the other
+of being worse than it was. She would see if it rained. She was sent back,
+however, in a moment by the entrance of Captain Wentworth himself, among a
+party of gentlemen and ladies, evidently his acquaintance, and whom he must
+have joined a little below Milsom Street. He was more obviously struck and
+confused by the sight of her than she had ever observed before; he looked quite
+red. For the first time, since their renewed acquaintance, she felt that she
+was betraying the least sensibility of the two. She had the advantage of him in
+the preparation of the last few moments. All the overpowering, blinding,
+bewildering, first effects of strong surprise were over with her. Still,
+however, she had enough to feel! It was agitation, pain, pleasure, a something
+between delight and misery.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+He spoke to her, and then turned away. The character of his manner was
+embarrassment. She could not have called it either cold or friendly, or
+anything so certainly as embarrassed.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+After a short interval, however, he came towards her, and spoke again. Mutual
+enquiries on common subjects passed: neither of them, probably, much the wiser
+for what they heard, and Anne continuing fully sensible of his being less at
+ease than formerly. They had by dint of being so very much together, got to
+speak to each other with a considerable portion of apparent indifference and
+calmness; but he could not do it now. Time had changed him, or Louisa had
+changed him. There was consciousness of some sort or other. He looked very
+well, not as if he had been suffering in health or spirits, and he talked of
+Uppercross, of the Musgroves, nay, even of Louisa, and had even a momentary
+look of his own arch significance as he named her; but yet it was Captain
+Wentworth not comfortable, not easy, not able to feign that he was.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+It did not surprise, but it grieved Anne to observe that Elizabeth would not
+know him. She saw that he saw Elizabeth, that Elizabeth saw him, that there was
+complete internal recognition on each side; she was convinced that he was ready
+to be acknowledged as an acquaintance, expecting it, and she had the pain of
+seeing her sister turn away with unalterable coldness.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Lady Dalrymple&rsquo;s carriage, for which Miss Elliot was growing very
+impatient, now drew up; the servant came in to announce it. It was beginning to
+rain again, and altogether there was a delay, and a bustle, and a talking,
+which must make all the little crowd in the shop understand that Lady Dalrymple
+was calling to convey Miss Elliot. At last Miss Elliot and her friend,
+unattended but by the servant, (for there was no cousin returned), were walking
+off; and Captain Wentworth, watching them, turned again to Anne, and by manner,
+rather than words, was offering his services to her.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;I am much obliged to you,&rdquo; was her answer, &ldquo;but I am not
+going with them. The carriage would not accommodate so many. I walk: I prefer
+walking.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;But it rains.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Oh! very little, Nothing that I regard.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+After a moment&rsquo;s pause he said: &ldquo;Though I came only yesterday, I
+have equipped myself properly for Bath already, you see,&rdquo; (pointing to a
+new umbrella); &ldquo;I wish you would make use of it, if you are determined to
+walk; though I think it would be more prudent to let me get you a chair.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+She was very much obliged to him, but declined it all, repeating her
+conviction, that the rain would come to nothing at present, and adding,
+&ldquo;I am only waiting for Mr Elliot. He will be here in a moment, I am
+sure.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+She had hardly spoken the words when Mr Elliot walked in. Captain Wentworth
+recollected him perfectly. There was no difference between him and the man who
+had stood on the steps at Lyme, admiring Anne as she passed, except in the air
+and look and manner of the privileged relation and friend. He came in with
+eagerness, appeared to see and think only of her, apologised for his stay, was
+grieved to have kept her waiting, and anxious to get her away without further
+loss of time and before the rain increased; and in another moment they walked
+off together, her arm under his, a gentle and embarrassed glance, and a
+&ldquo;Good morning to you!&rdquo; being all that she had time for, as she
+passed away.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+As soon as they were out of sight, the ladies of Captain Wentworth&rsquo;s
+party began talking of them.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Mr Elliot does not dislike his cousin, I fancy?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Oh! no, that is clear enough. One can guess what will happen there. He
+is always with them; half lives in the family, I believe. What a very
+good-looking man!&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Yes, and Miss Atkinson, who dined with him once at the Wallises, says he
+is the most agreeable man she ever was in company with.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;She is pretty, I think; Anne Elliot; very pretty, when one comes to look
+at her. It is not the fashion to say so, but I confess I admire her more than
+her sister.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Oh! so do I.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;And so do I. No comparison. But the men are all wild after Miss Elliot.
+Anne is too delicate for them.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Anne would have been particularly obliged to her cousin, if he would have
+walked by her side all the way to Camden Place, without saying a word. She had
+never found it so difficult to listen to him, though nothing could exceed his
+solicitude and care, and though his subjects were principally such as were wont
+to be always interesting: praise, warm, just, and discriminating, of Lady
+Russell, and insinuations highly rational against Mrs Clay. But just now she
+could think only of Captain Wentworth. She could not understand his present
+feelings, whether he were really suffering much from disappointment or not; and
+till that point were settled, she could not be quite herself.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+She hoped to be wise and reasonable in time; but alas! alas! she must confess
+to herself that she was not wise yet.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Another circumstance very essential for her to know, was how long he meant to
+be in Bath; he had not mentioned it, or she could not recollect it. He might be
+only passing through. But it was more probable that he should be come to stay.
+In that case, so liable as every body was to meet every body in Bath, Lady
+Russell would in all likelihood see him somewhere. Would she recollect him? How
+would it all be?
+</p>
+
+<p>
+She had already been obliged to tell Lady Russell that Louisa Musgrove was to
+marry Captain Benwick. It had cost her something to encounter Lady
+Russell&rsquo;s surprise; and now, if she were by any chance to be thrown into
+company with Captain Wentworth, her imperfect knowledge of the matter might add
+another shade of prejudice against him.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The following morning Anne was out with her friend, and for the first hour, in
+an incessant and fearful sort of watch for him in vain; but at last, in
+returning down Pulteney Street, she distinguished him on the right hand
+pavement at such a distance as to have him in view the greater part of the
+street. There were many other men about him, many groups walking the same way,
+but there was no mistaking him. She looked instinctively at Lady Russell; but
+not from any mad idea of her recognising him so soon as she did herself. No, it
+was not to be supposed that Lady Russell would perceive him till they were
+nearly opposite. She looked at her however, from time to time, anxiously; and
+when the moment approached which must point him out, though not daring to look
+again (for her own countenance she knew was unfit to be seen), she was yet
+perfectly conscious of Lady Russell&rsquo;s eyes being turned exactly in the
+direction for him&mdash;of her being, in short, intently observing him. She
+could thoroughly comprehend the sort of fascination he must possess over Lady
+Russell&rsquo;s mind, the difficulty it must be for her to withdraw her eyes,
+the astonishment she must be feeling that eight or nine years should have
+passed over him, and in foreign climes and in active service too, without
+robbing him of one personal grace!
+</p>
+
+<p>
+At last, Lady Russell drew back her head. &ldquo;Now, how would she speak of
+him?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;You will wonder,&rdquo; said she, &ldquo;what has been fixing my eye so
+long; but I was looking after some window-curtains, which Lady Alicia and Mrs
+Frankland were telling me of last night. They described the drawing-room
+window-curtains of one of the houses on this side of the way, and this part of
+the street, as being the handsomest and best hung of any in Bath, but could not
+recollect the exact number, and I have been trying to find out which it could
+be; but I confess I can see no curtains hereabouts that answer their
+description.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Anne sighed and blushed and smiled, in pity and disdain, either at her friend
+or herself. The part which provoked her most, was that in all this waste of
+foresight and caution, she should have lost the right moment for seeing whether
+he saw them.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+A day or two passed without producing anything. The theatre or the rooms, where
+he was most likely to be, were not fashionable enough for the Elliots, whose
+evening amusements were solely in the elegant stupidity of private parties, in
+which they were getting more and more engaged; and Anne, wearied of such a
+state of stagnation, sick of knowing nothing, and fancying herself stronger
+because her strength was not tried, was quite impatient for the concert
+evening. It was a concert for the benefit of a person patronised by Lady
+Dalrymple. Of course they must attend. It was really expected to be a good one,
+and Captain Wentworth was very fond of music. If she could only have a few
+minutes conversation with him again, she fancied she should be satisfied; and
+as to the power of addressing him, she felt all over courage if the opportunity
+occurred. Elizabeth had turned from him, Lady Russell overlooked him; her
+nerves were strengthened by these circumstances; she felt that she owed him
+attention.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+She had once partly promised Mrs Smith to spend the evening with her; but in a
+short hurried call she excused herself and put it off, with the more decided
+promise of a longer visit on the morrow. Mrs Smith gave a most good-humoured
+acquiescence.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;By all means,&rdquo; said she; &ldquo;only tell me all about it, when
+you do come. Who is your party?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Anne named them all. Mrs Smith made no reply; but when she was leaving her
+said, and with an expression half serious, half arch, &ldquo;Well, I heartily
+wish your concert may answer; and do not fail me to-morrow if you can come; for
+I begin to have a foreboding that I may not have many more visits from
+you.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Anne was startled and confused; but after standing in a moment&rsquo;s
+suspense, was obliged, and not sorry to be obliged, to hurry away.
+</p>
+
+</div><!--end chapter-->
+
+<div class="chapter">
+
+<h2><a name="chap20"></a>CHAPTER XX.</h2>
+
+<p>
+Sir Walter, his two daughters, and Mrs Clay, were the earliest of all their
+party at the rooms in the evening; and as Lady Dalrymple must be waited for,
+they took their station by one of the fires in the Octagon Room. But hardly
+were they so settled, when the door opened again, and Captain Wentworth walked
+in alone. Anne was the nearest to him, and making yet a little advance, she
+instantly spoke. He was preparing only to bow and pass on, but her gentle
+&ldquo;How do you do?&rdquo; brought him out of the straight line to stand near
+her, and make enquiries in return, in spite of the formidable father and sister
+in the back ground. Their being in the back ground was a support to Anne; she
+knew nothing of their looks, and felt equal to everything which she believed
+right to be done.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+While they were speaking, a whispering between her father and Elizabeth caught
+her ear. She could not distinguish, but she must guess the subject; and on
+Captain Wentworth&rsquo;s making a distant bow, she comprehended that her
+father had judged so well as to give him that simple acknowledgement of
+acquaintance, and she was just in time by a side glance to see a slight curtsey
+from Elizabeth herself. This, though late, and reluctant, and ungracious, was
+yet better than nothing, and her spirits improved.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+After talking, however, of the weather, and Bath, and the concert, their
+conversation began to flag, and so little was said at last, that she was
+expecting him to go every moment, but he did not; he seemed in no hurry to
+leave her; and presently with renewed spirit, with a little smile, a little
+glow, he said&mdash;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;I have hardly seen you since our day at Lyme. I am afraid you must have
+suffered from the shock, and the more from its not overpowering you at the
+time.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+She assured him that she had not.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;It was a frightful hour,&rdquo; said he, &ldquo;a frightful day!&rdquo;
+and he passed his hand across his eyes, as if the remembrance were still too
+painful, but in a moment, half smiling again, added, &ldquo;The day has
+produced some effects however; has had some consequences which must be
+considered as the very reverse of frightful. When you had the presence of mind
+to suggest that Benwick would be the properest person to fetch a surgeon, you
+could have little idea of his being eventually one of those most concerned in
+her recovery.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Certainly I could have none. But it appears&mdash;I should hope it would
+be a very happy match. There are on both sides good principles and good
+temper.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Yes,&rdquo; said he, looking not exactly forward; &ldquo;but there, I
+think, ends the resemblance. With all my soul I wish them happy, and rejoice
+over every circumstance in favour of it. They have no difficulties to contend
+with at home, no opposition, no caprice, no delays. The Musgroves are behaving
+like themselves, most honourably and kindly, only anxious with true parental
+hearts to promote their daughter&rsquo;s comfort. All this is much, very much
+in favour of their happiness; more than perhaps&mdash;&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+He stopped. A sudden recollection seemed to occur, and to give him some taste
+of that emotion which was reddening Anne&rsquo;s cheeks and fixing her eyes on
+the ground. After clearing his throat, however, he proceeded thus&mdash;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;I confess that I do think there is a disparity, too great a disparity,
+and in a point no less essential than mind. I regard Louisa Musgrove as a very
+amiable, sweet-tempered girl, and not deficient in understanding, but Benwick
+is something more. He is a clever man, a reading man; and I confess, that I do
+consider his attaching himself to her with some surprise. Had it been the
+effect of gratitude, had he learnt to love her, because he believed her to be
+preferring him, it would have been another thing. But I have no reason to
+suppose it so. It seems, on the contrary, to have been a perfectly spontaneous,
+untaught feeling on his side, and this surprises me. A man like him, in his
+situation! with a heart pierced, wounded, almost broken! Fanny Harville was a
+very superior creature, and his attachment to her was indeed attachment. A man
+does not recover from such a devotion of the heart to such a woman. He ought
+not; he does not.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Either from the consciousness, however, that his friend had recovered, or from
+other consciousness, he went no farther; and Anne who, in spite of the agitated
+voice in which the latter part had been uttered, and in spite of all the
+various noises of the room, the almost ceaseless slam of the door, and
+ceaseless buzz of persons walking through, had distinguished every word, was
+struck, gratified, confused, and beginning to breathe very quick, and feel an
+hundred things in a moment. It was impossible for her to enter on such a
+subject; and yet, after a pause, feeling the necessity of speaking, and having
+not the smallest wish for a total change, she only deviated so far as to
+say&mdash;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;You were a good while at Lyme, I think?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;About a fortnight. I could not leave it till Louisa&rsquo;s doing well
+was quite ascertained. I had been too deeply concerned in the mischief to be
+soon at peace. It had been my doing, solely mine. She would not have been
+obstinate if I had not been weak. The country round Lyme is very fine. I walked
+and rode a great deal; and the more I saw, the more I found to admire.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;I should very much like to see Lyme again,&rdquo; said Anne.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Indeed! I should not have supposed that you could have found anything in
+Lyme to inspire such a feeling. The horror and distress you were involved in,
+the stretch of mind, the wear of spirits! I should have thought your last
+impressions of Lyme must have been strong disgust.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;The last hours were certainly very painful,&rdquo; replied Anne;
+&ldquo;but when pain is over, the remembrance of it often becomes a pleasure.
+One does not love a place the less for having suffered in it, unless it has
+been all suffering, nothing but suffering, which was by no means the case at
+Lyme. We were only in anxiety and distress during the last two hours, and
+previously there had been a great deal of enjoyment. So much novelty and
+beauty! I have travelled so little, that every fresh place would be interesting
+to me; but there is real beauty at Lyme; and in short&rdquo; (with a faint
+blush at some recollections), &ldquo;altogether my impressions of the place are
+very agreeable.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+As she ceased, the entrance door opened again, and the very party appeared for
+whom they were waiting. &ldquo;Lady Dalrymple, Lady Dalrymple,&rdquo; was the
+rejoicing sound; and with all the eagerness compatible with anxious elegance,
+Sir Walter and his two ladies stepped forward to meet her. Lady Dalrymple and
+Miss Carteret, escorted by Mr Elliot and Colonel Wallis, who had happened to
+arrive nearly at the same instant, advanced into the room. The others joined
+them, and it was a group in which Anne found herself also necessarily included.
+She was divided from Captain Wentworth. Their interesting, almost too
+interesting conversation must be broken up for a time, but slight was the
+penance compared with the happiness which brought it on! She had learnt, in the
+last ten minutes, more of his feelings towards Louisa, more of all his feelings
+than she dared to think of; and she gave herself up to the demands of the
+party, to the needful civilities of the moment, with exquisite, though agitated
+sensations. She was in good humour with all. She had received ideas which
+disposed her to be courteous and kind to all, and to pity every one, as being
+less happy than herself.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The delightful emotions were a little subdued, when on stepping back from the
+group, to be joined again by Captain Wentworth, she saw that he was gone. She
+was just in time to see him turn into the Concert Room. He was gone; he had
+disappeared, she felt a moment&rsquo;s regret. But &ldquo;they should meet
+again. He would look for her, he would find her out before the evening were
+over, and at present, perhaps, it was as well to be asunder. She was in need of
+a little interval for recollection.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Upon Lady Russell&rsquo;s appearance soon afterwards, the whole party was
+collected, and all that remained was to marshal themselves, and proceed into
+the Concert Room; and be of all the consequence in their power, draw as many
+eyes, excite as many whispers, and disturb as many people as they could.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Very, very happy were both Elizabeth and Anne Elliot as they walked in.
+Elizabeth arm in arm with Miss Carteret, and looking on the broad back of the
+dowager Viscountess Dalrymple before her, had nothing to wish for which did not
+seem within her reach; and Anne&mdash;but it would be an insult to the nature
+of Anne&rsquo;s felicity, to draw any comparison between it and her
+sister&rsquo;s; the origin of one all selfish vanity, of the other all generous
+attachment.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Anne saw nothing, thought nothing of the brilliancy of the room. Her happiness
+was from within. Her eyes were bright and her cheeks glowed; but she knew
+nothing about it. She was thinking only of the last half hour, and as they
+passed to their seats, her mind took a hasty range over it. His choice of
+subjects, his expressions, and still more his manner and look, had been such as
+she could see in only one light. His opinion of Louisa Musgrove&rsquo;s
+inferiority, an opinion which he had seemed solicitous to give, his wonder at
+Captain Benwick, his feelings as to a first, strong attachment; sentences begun
+which he could not finish, his half averted eyes and more than half expressive
+glance, all, all declared that he had a heart returning to her at least; that
+anger, resentment, avoidance, were no more; and that they were succeeded, not
+merely by friendship and regard, but by the tenderness of the past. Yes, some
+share of the tenderness of the past. She could not contemplate the change as
+implying less. He must love her.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+These were thoughts, with their attendant visions, which occupied and flurried
+her too much to leave her any power of observation; and she passed along the
+room without having a glimpse of him, without even trying to discern him. When
+their places were determined on, and they were all properly arranged, she
+looked round to see if he should happen to be in the same part of the room, but
+he was not; her eye could not reach him; and the concert being just opening,
+she must consent for a time to be happy in a humbler way.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The party was divided and disposed of on two contiguous benches: Anne was among
+those on the foremost, and Mr Elliot had manœuvred so well, with the assistance
+of his friend Colonel Wallis, as to have a seat by her. Miss Elliot, surrounded
+by her cousins, and the principal object of Colonel Wallis&rsquo;s gallantry,
+was quite contented.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Anne&rsquo;s mind was in a most favourable state for the entertainment of the
+evening; it was just occupation enough: she had feelings for the tender,
+spirits for the gay, attention for the scientific, and patience for the
+wearisome; and had never liked a concert better, at least during the first act.
+Towards the close of it, in the interval succeeding an Italian song, she
+explained the words of the song to Mr Elliot. They had a concert bill between
+them.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;This,&rdquo; said she, &ldquo;is nearly the sense, or rather the meaning
+of the words, for certainly the sense of an Italian love-song must not be
+talked of, but it is as nearly the meaning as I can give; for I do not pretend
+to understand the language. I am a very poor Italian scholar.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Yes, yes, I see you are. I see you know nothing of the matter. You have
+only knowledge enough of the language to translate at sight these inverted,
+transposed, curtailed Italian lines, into clear, comprehensible, elegant
+English. You need not say anything more of your ignorance. Here is complete
+proof.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;I will not oppose such kind politeness; but I should be sorry to be
+examined by a real proficient.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;I have not had the pleasure of visiting in Camden Place so long,&rdquo;
+replied he, &ldquo;without knowing something of Miss Anne Elliot; and I do
+regard her as one who is too modest for the world in general to be aware of
+half her accomplishments, and too highly accomplished for modesty to be natural
+in any other woman.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;For shame! for shame! this is too much flattery. I forget what we are to
+have next,&rdquo; turning to the bill.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Perhaps,&rdquo; said Mr Elliot, speaking low, &ldquo;I have had a longer
+acquaintance with your character than you are aware of.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Indeed! How so? You can have been acquainted with it only since I came
+to Bath, excepting as you might hear me previously spoken of in my own
+family.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;I knew you by report long before you came to Bath. I had heard you
+described by those who knew you intimately. I have been acquainted with you by
+character many years. Your person, your disposition, accomplishments, manner;
+they were all present to me.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Mr Elliot was not disappointed in the interest he hoped to raise. No one can
+withstand the charm of such a mystery. To have been described long ago to a
+recent acquaintance, by nameless people, is irresistible; and Anne was all
+curiosity. She wondered, and questioned him eagerly; but in vain. He delighted
+in being asked, but he would not tell.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;No, no, some time or other, perhaps, but not now. He would mention no
+names now; but such, he could assure her, had been the fact. He had many years
+ago received such a description of Miss Anne Elliot as had inspired him with
+the highest idea of her merit, and excited the warmest curiosity to know
+her.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Anne could think of no one so likely to have spoken with partiality of her many
+years ago as the Mr Wentworth of Monkford, Captain Wentworth&rsquo;s brother.
+He might have been in Mr Elliot&rsquo;s company, but she had not courage to ask
+the question.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;The name of Anne Elliot,&rdquo; said he, &ldquo;has long had an
+interesting sound to me. Very long has it possessed a charm over my fancy; and,
+if I dared, I would breathe my wishes that the name might never change.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Such, she believed, were his words; but scarcely had she received their sound,
+than her attention was caught by other sounds immediately behind her, which
+rendered every thing else trivial. Her father and Lady Dalrymple were speaking.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;A well-looking man,&rdquo; said Sir Walter, &ldquo;a very well-looking
+man.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;A very fine young man indeed!&rdquo; said Lady Dalrymple. &ldquo;More
+air than one often sees in Bath. Irish, I dare say.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;No, I just know his name. A bowing acquaintance. Wentworth; Captain
+Wentworth of the navy. His sister married my tenant in Somersetshire, the
+Croft, who rents Kellynch.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Before Sir Walter had reached this point, Anne&rsquo;s eyes had caught the
+right direction, and distinguished Captain Wentworth standing among a cluster
+of men at a little distance. As her eyes fell on him, his seemed to be
+withdrawn from her. It had that appearance. It seemed as if she had been one
+moment too late; and as long as she dared observe, he did not look again: but
+the performance was recommencing, and she was forced to seem to restore her
+attention to the orchestra and look straight forward.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+When she could give another glance, he had moved away. He could not have come
+nearer to her if he would; she was so surrounded and shut in: but she would
+rather have caught his eye.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Mr Elliot&rsquo;s speech, too, distressed her. She had no longer any
+inclination to talk to him. She wished him not so near her.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The first act was over. Now she hoped for some beneficial change; and, after a
+period of nothing-saying amongst the party, some of them did decide on going in
+quest of tea. Anne was one of the few who did not choose to move. She remained
+in her seat, and so did Lady Russell; but she had the pleasure of getting rid
+of Mr Elliot; and she did not mean, whatever she might feel on Lady
+Russell&rsquo;s account, to shrink from conversation with Captain Wentworth, if
+he gave her the opportunity. She was persuaded by Lady Russell&rsquo;s
+countenance that she had seen him.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+He did not come however. Anne sometimes fancied she discerned him at a
+distance, but he never came. The anxious interval wore away unproductively. The
+others returned, the room filled again, benches were reclaimed and repossessed,
+and another hour of pleasure or of penance was to be sat out, another hour of
+music was to give delight or the gapes, as real or affected taste for it
+prevailed. To Anne, it chiefly wore the prospect of an hour of agitation. She
+could not quit that room in peace without seeing Captain Wentworth once more,
+without the interchange of one friendly look.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+In re-settling themselves there were now many changes, the result of which was
+favourable for her. Colonel Wallis declined sitting down again, and Mr Elliot
+was invited by Elizabeth and Miss Carteret, in a manner not to be refused, to
+sit between them; and by some other removals, and a little scheming of her own,
+Anne was enabled to place herself much nearer the end of the bench than she had
+been before, much more within reach of a passer-by. She could not do so,
+without comparing herself with Miss Larolles, the inimitable Miss Larolles; but
+still she did it, and not with much happier effect; though by what seemed
+prosperity in the shape of an early abdication in her next neighbours, she
+found herself at the very end of the bench before the concert closed.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Such was her situation, with a vacant space at hand, when Captain Wentworth was
+again in sight. She saw him not far off. He saw her too; yet he looked grave,
+and seemed irresolute, and only by very slow degrees came at last near enough
+to speak to her. She felt that something must be the matter. The change was
+indubitable. The difference between his present air and what it had been in the
+Octagon Room was strikingly great. Why was it? She thought of her father, of
+Lady Russell. Could there have been any unpleasant glances? He began by
+speaking of the concert gravely, more like the Captain Wentworth of Uppercross;
+owned himself disappointed, had expected singing; and in short, must confess
+that he should not be sorry when it was over. Anne replied, and spoke in
+defence of the performance so well, and yet in allowance for his feelings so
+pleasantly, that his countenance improved, and he replied again with almost a
+smile. They talked for a few minutes more; the improvement held; he even looked
+down towards the bench, as if he saw a place on it well worth occupying; when
+at that moment a touch on her shoulder obliged Anne to turn round. It came from
+Mr Elliot. He begged her pardon, but she must be applied to, to explain Italian
+again. Miss Carteret was very anxious to have a general idea of what was next
+to be sung. Anne could not refuse; but never had she sacrificed to politeness
+with a more suffering spirit.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+A few minutes, though as few as possible, were inevitably consumed; and when
+her own mistress again, when able to turn and look as she had done before, she
+found herself accosted by Captain Wentworth, in a reserved yet hurried sort of
+farewell. &ldquo;He must wish her good night; he was going; he should get home
+as fast as he could.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Is not this song worth staying for?&rdquo; said Anne, suddenly struck by
+an idea which made her yet more anxious to be encouraging.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;No!&rdquo; he replied impressively, &ldquo;there is nothing worth my
+staying for;&rdquo; and he was gone directly.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Jealousy of Mr Elliot! It was the only intelligible motive. Captain Wentworth
+jealous of her affection! Could she have believed it a week ago; three hours
+ago! For a moment the gratification was exquisite. But, alas! there were very
+different thoughts to succeed. How was such jealousy to be quieted? How was the
+truth to reach him? How, in all the peculiar disadvantages of their respective
+situations, would he ever learn of her real sentiments? It was misery to think
+of Mr Elliot&rsquo;s attentions. Their evil was incalculable.
+</p>
+
+</div><!--end chapter-->
+
+<div class="chapter">
+
+<h2><a name="chap21"></a>CHAPTER XXI.</h2>
+
+<p>
+Anne recollected with pleasure the next morning her promise of going to Mrs
+Smith, meaning that it should engage her from home at the time when Mr Elliot
+would be most likely to call; for to avoid Mr Elliot was almost a first object.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+She felt a great deal of good-will towards him. In spite of the mischief of his
+attentions, she owed him gratitude and regard, perhaps compassion. She could
+not help thinking much of the extraordinary circumstances attending their
+acquaintance, of the right which he seemed to have to interest her, by
+everything in situation, by his own sentiments, by his early prepossession. It
+was altogether very extraordinary; flattering, but painful. There was much to
+regret. How she might have felt had there been no Captain Wentworth in the
+case, was not worth enquiry; for there was a Captain Wentworth; and be the
+conclusion of the present suspense good or bad, her affection would be his for
+ever. Their union, she believed, could not divide her more from other men, than
+their final separation.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Prettier musings of high-wrought love and eternal constancy, could never have
+passed along the streets of Bath, than Anne was sporting with from Camden Place
+to Westgate Buildings. It was almost enough to spread purification and perfume
+all the way.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+She was sure of a pleasant reception; and her friend seemed this morning
+particularly obliged to her for coming, seemed hardly to have expected her,
+though it had been an appointment.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+An account of the concert was immediately claimed; and Anne&rsquo;s
+recollections of the concert were quite happy enough to animate her features
+and make her rejoice to talk of it. All that she could tell she told most
+gladly, but the all was little for one who had been there, and unsatisfactory
+for such an enquirer as Mrs Smith, who had already heard, through the short cut
+of a laundress and a waiter, rather more of the general success and produce of
+the evening than Anne could relate, and who now asked in vain for several
+particulars of the company. Everybody of any consequence or notoriety in Bath
+was well know by name to Mrs Smith.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;The little Durands were there, I conclude,&rdquo; said she, &ldquo;with
+their mouths open to catch the music, like unfledged sparrows ready to be fed.
+They never miss a concert.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Yes; I did not see them myself, but I heard Mr Elliot say they were in
+the room.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;The Ibbotsons, were they there? and the two new beauties, with the tall
+Irish officer, who is talked of for one of them.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;I do not know. I do not think they were.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Old Lady Mary Maclean? I need not ask after her. She never misses, I
+know; and you must have seen her. She must have been in your own circle; for as
+you went with Lady Dalrymple, you were in the seats of grandeur, round the
+orchestra, of course.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;No, that was what I dreaded. It would have been very unpleasant to me in
+every respect. But happily Lady Dalrymple always chooses to be farther off; and
+we were exceedingly well placed, that is, for hearing; I must not say for
+seeing, because I appear to have seen very little.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Oh! you saw enough for your own amusement. I can understand. There is a
+sort of domestic enjoyment to be known even in a crowd, and this you had. You
+were a large party in yourselves, and you wanted nothing beyond.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;But I ought to have looked about me more,&rdquo; said Anne, conscious
+while she spoke that there had in fact been no want of looking about, that the
+object only had been deficient.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;No, no; you were better employed. You need not tell me that you had a
+pleasant evening. I see it in your eye. I perfectly see how the hours passed:
+that you had always something agreeable to listen to. In the intervals of the
+concert it was conversation.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Anne half smiled and said, &ldquo;Do you see that in my eye?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Yes, I do. Your countenance perfectly informs me that you were in
+company last night with the person whom you think the most agreeable in the
+world, the person who interests you at this present time more than all the rest
+of the world put together.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+A blush overspread Anne&rsquo;s cheeks. She could say nothing.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;And such being the case,&rdquo; continued Mrs Smith, after a short
+pause, &ldquo;I hope you believe that I do know how to value your kindness in
+coming to me this morning. It is really very good of you to come and sit with
+me, when you must have so many pleasanter demands upon your time.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Anne heard nothing of this. She was still in the astonishment and confusion
+excited by her friend&rsquo;s penetration, unable to imagine how any report of
+Captain Wentworth could have reached her. After another short silence&mdash;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Pray,&rdquo; said Mrs Smith, &ldquo;is Mr Elliot aware of your
+acquaintance with me? Does he know that I am in Bath?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Mr Elliot!&rdquo; repeated Anne, looking up surprised. A moment&rsquo;s
+reflection shewed her the mistake she had been under. She caught it
+instantaneously; and recovering her courage with the feeling of safety, soon
+added, more composedly, &ldquo;Are you acquainted with Mr Elliot?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;I have been a good deal acquainted with him,&rdquo; replied Mrs Smith,
+gravely, &ldquo;but it seems worn out now. It is a great while since we
+met.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;I was not at all aware of this. You never mentioned it before. Had I
+known it, I would have had the pleasure of talking to him about you.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;To confess the truth,&rdquo; said Mrs Smith, assuming her usual air of
+cheerfulness, &ldquo;that is exactly the pleasure I want you to have. I want
+you to talk about me to Mr Elliot. I want your interest with him. He can be of
+essential service to me; and if you would have the goodness, my dear Miss
+Elliot, to make it an object to yourself, of course it is done.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;I should be extremely happy; I hope you cannot doubt my willingness to
+be of even the slightest use to you,&rdquo; replied Anne; &ldquo;but I suspect
+that you are considering me as having a higher claim on Mr Elliot, a greater
+right to influence him, than is really the case. I am sure you have, somehow or
+other, imbibed such a notion. You must consider me only as Mr Elliot&rsquo;s
+relation. If in that light there is anything which you suppose his cousin might
+fairly ask of him, I beg you would not hesitate to employ me.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Mrs Smith gave her a penetrating glance, and then, smiling, said&mdash;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;I have been a little premature, I perceive; I beg your pardon. I ought
+to have waited for official information. But now, my dear Miss Elliot, as an
+old friend, do give me a hint as to when I may speak. Next week? To be sure by
+next week I may be allowed to think it all settled, and build my own selfish
+schemes on Mr Elliot&rsquo;s good fortune.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;No,&rdquo; replied Anne, &ldquo;nor next week, nor next, nor next. I
+assure you that nothing of the sort you are thinking of will be settled any
+week. I am not going to marry Mr Elliot. I should like to know why you imagine
+I am?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Mrs Smith looked at her again, looked earnestly, smiled, shook her head, and
+exclaimed&mdash;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Now, how I do wish I understood you! How I do wish I knew what you were
+at! I have a great idea that you do not design to be cruel, when the right
+moment occurs. Till it does come, you know, we women never mean to have
+anybody. It is a thing of course among us, that every man is refused, till he
+offers. But why should you be cruel? Let me plead for my&mdash;present friend I
+cannot call him, but for my former friend. Where can you look for a more
+suitable match? Where could you expect a more gentlemanlike, agreeable man? Let
+me recommend Mr Elliot. I am sure you hear nothing but good of him from Colonel
+Wallis; and who can know him better than Colonel Wallis?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;My dear Mrs Smith, Mr Elliot&rsquo;s wife has not been dead much above
+half a year. He ought not to be supposed to be paying his addresses to any
+one.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Oh! if these are your only objections,&rdquo; cried Mrs Smith, archly,
+&ldquo;Mr Elliot is safe, and I shall give myself no more trouble about him. Do
+not forget me when you are married, that&rsquo;s all. Let him know me to be a
+friend of yours, and then he will think little of the trouble required, which
+it is very natural for him now, with so many affairs and engagements of his
+own, to avoid and get rid of as he can; very natural, perhaps. Ninety-nine out
+of a hundred would do the same. Of course, he cannot be aware of the importance
+to me. Well, my dear Miss Elliot, I hope and trust you will be very happy. Mr
+Elliot has sense to understand the value of such a woman. Your peace will not
+be shipwrecked as mine has been. You are safe in all worldly matters, and safe
+in his character. He will not be led astray; he will not be misled by others to
+his ruin.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;No,&rdquo; said Anne, &ldquo;I can readily believe all that of my
+cousin. He seems to have a calm decided temper, not at all open to dangerous
+impressions. I consider him with great respect. I have no reason, from any
+thing that has fallen within my observation, to do otherwise. But I have not
+known him long; and he is not a man, I think, to be known intimately soon. Will
+not this manner of speaking of him, Mrs Smith, convince you that he is nothing
+to me? Surely this must be calm enough. And, upon my word, he is nothing to me.
+Should he ever propose to me (which I have very little reason to imagine he has
+any thought of doing), I shall not accept him. I assure you I shall not. I
+assure you, Mr Elliot had not the share which you have been supposing, in
+whatever pleasure the concert of last night might afford: not Mr Elliot; it is
+not Mr Elliot that&mdash;&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+She stopped, regretting with a deep blush that she had implied so much; but
+less would hardly have been sufficient. Mrs Smith would hardly have believed so
+soon in Mr Elliot&rsquo;s failure, but from the perception of there being a
+somebody else. As it was, she instantly submitted, and with all the semblance
+of seeing nothing beyond; and Anne, eager to escape farther notice, was
+impatient to know why Mrs Smith should have fancied she was to marry Mr Elliot;
+where she could have received the idea, or from whom she could have heard it.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Do tell me how it first came into your head.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;It first came into my head,&rdquo; replied Mrs Smith, &ldquo;upon
+finding how much you were together, and feeling it to be the most probable
+thing in the world to be wished for by everybody belonging to either of you;
+and you may depend upon it that all your acquaintance have disposed of you in
+the same way. But I never heard it spoken of till two days ago.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;And has it indeed been spoken of?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Did you observe the woman who opened the door to you when you called
+yesterday?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;No. Was not it Mrs Speed, as usual, or the maid? I observed no one in
+particular.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;It was my friend Mrs Rooke; Nurse Rooke; who, by-the-bye, had a great
+curiosity to see you, and was delighted to be in the way to let you in. She
+came away from Marlborough Buildings only on Sunday; and she it was who told me
+you were to marry Mr Elliot. She had had it from Mrs Wallis herself, which did
+not seem bad authority. She sat an hour with me on Monday evening, and gave me
+the whole history.&rdquo; &ldquo;The whole history,&rdquo; repeated Anne,
+laughing. &ldquo;She could not make a very long history, I think, of one such
+little article of unfounded news.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Mrs Smith said nothing.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;But,&rdquo; continued Anne, presently, &ldquo;though there is no truth
+in my having this claim on Mr Elliot, I should be extremely happy to be of use
+to you in any way that I could. Shall I mention to him your being in Bath?
+Shall I take any message?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;No, I thank you: no, certainly not. In the warmth of the moment, and
+under a mistaken impression, I might, perhaps, have endeavoured to interest you
+in some circumstances; but not now. No, I thank you, I have nothing to trouble
+you with.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;I think you spoke of having known Mr Elliot many years?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;I did.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Not before he was married, I suppose?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Yes; he was not married when I knew him first.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;And&mdash;were you much acquainted?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Intimately.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Indeed! Then do tell me what he was at that time of life. I have a great
+curiosity to know what Mr Elliot was as a very young man. Was he at all such as
+he appears now?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;I have not seen Mr Elliot these three years,&rdquo; was Mrs
+Smith&rsquo;s answer, given so gravely that it was impossible to pursue the
+subject farther; and Anne felt that she had gained nothing but an increase of
+curiosity. They were both silent: Mrs Smith very thoughtful. At last&mdash;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;I beg your pardon, my dear Miss Elliot,&rdquo; she cried, in her natural
+tone of cordiality, &ldquo;I beg your pardon for the short answers I have been
+giving you, but I have been uncertain what I ought to do. I have been doubting
+and considering as to what I ought to tell you. There were many things to be
+taken into the account. One hates to be officious, to be giving bad
+impressions, making mischief. Even the smooth surface of family-union seems
+worth preserving, though there may be nothing durable beneath. However, I have
+determined; I think I am right; I think you ought to be made acquainted with Mr
+Elliot&rsquo;s real character. Though I fully believe that, at present, you
+have not the smallest intention of accepting him, there is no saying what may
+happen. You might, some time or other, be differently affected towards him.
+Hear the truth, therefore, now, while you are unprejudiced. Mr Elliot is a man
+without heart or conscience; a designing, wary, cold-blooded being, who thinks
+only of himself; whom for his own interest or ease, would be guilty of any
+cruelty, or any treachery, that could be perpetrated without risk of his
+general character. He has no feeling for others. Those whom he has been the
+chief cause of leading into ruin, he can neglect and desert without the
+smallest compunction. He is totally beyond the reach of any sentiment of
+justice or compassion. Oh! he is black at heart, hollow and black!&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Anne&rsquo;s astonished air, and exclamation of wonder, made her pause, and in
+a calmer manner, she added,
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;My expressions startle you. You must allow for an injured, angry woman.
+But I will try to command myself. I will not abuse him. I will only tell you
+what I have found him. Facts shall speak. He was the intimate friend of my dear
+husband, who trusted and loved him, and thought him as good as himself. The
+intimacy had been formed before our marriage. I found them most intimate
+friends; and I, too, became excessively pleased with Mr Elliot, and entertained
+the highest opinion of him. At nineteen, you know, one does not think very
+seriously; but Mr Elliot appeared to me quite as good as others, and much more
+agreeable than most others, and we were almost always together. We were
+principally in town, living in very good style. He was then the inferior in
+circumstances; he was then the poor one; he had chambers in the Temple, and it
+was as much as he could do to support the appearance of a gentleman. He had
+always a home with us whenever he chose it; he was always welcome; he was like
+a brother. My poor Charles, who had the finest, most generous spirit in the
+world, would have divided his last farthing with him; and I know that his purse
+was open to him; I know that he often assisted him.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;This must have been about that very period of Mr Elliot&rsquo;s
+life,&rdquo; said Anne, &ldquo;which has always excited my particular
+curiosity. It must have been about the same time that he became known to my
+father and sister. I never knew him myself; I only heard of him; but there was
+a something in his conduct then, with regard to my father and sister, and
+afterwards in the circumstances of his marriage, which I never could quite
+reconcile with present times. It seemed to announce a different sort of
+man.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;I know it all, I know it all,&rdquo; cried Mrs Smith. &ldquo;He had been
+introduced to Sir Walter and your sister before I was acquainted with him, but
+I heard him speak of them for ever. I know he was invited and encouraged, and I
+know he did not choose to go. I can satisfy you, perhaps, on points which you
+would little expect; and as to his marriage, I knew all about it at the time. I
+was privy to all the fors and againsts; I was the friend to whom he confided
+his hopes and plans; and though I did not know his wife previously, her
+inferior situation in society, indeed, rendered that impossible, yet I knew her
+all her life afterwards, or at least till within the last two years of her
+life, and can answer any question you may wish to put.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Nay,&rdquo; said Anne, &ldquo;I have no particular enquiry to make about
+her. I have always understood they were not a happy couple. But I should like
+to know why, at that time of his life, he should slight my father&rsquo;s
+acquaintance as he did. My father was certainly disposed to take very kind and
+proper notice of him. Why did Mr Elliot draw back?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Mr Elliot,&rdquo; replied Mrs Smith, &ldquo;at that period of his life,
+had one object in view: to make his fortune, and by a rather quicker process
+than the law. He was determined to make it by marriage. He was determined, at
+least, not to mar it by an imprudent marriage; and I know it was his belief
+(whether justly or not, of course I cannot decide), that your father and
+sister, in their civilities and invitations, were designing a match between the
+heir and the young lady, and it was impossible that such a match should have
+answered his ideas of wealth and independence. That was his motive for drawing
+back, I can assure you. He told me the whole story. He had no concealments with
+me. It was curious, that having just left you behind me in Bath, my first and
+principal acquaintance on marrying should be your cousin; and that, through
+him, I should be continually hearing of your father and sister. He described
+one Miss Elliot, and I thought very affectionately of the other.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Perhaps,&rdquo; cried Anne, struck by a sudden idea, &ldquo;you
+sometimes spoke of me to Mr Elliot?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;To be sure I did; very often. I used to boast of my own Anne Elliot, and
+vouch for your being a very different creature from&mdash;&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+She checked herself just in time.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;This accounts for something which Mr Elliot said last night,&rdquo;
+cried Anne. &ldquo;This explains it. I found he had been used to hear of me. I
+could not comprehend how. What wild imaginations one forms where dear self is
+concerned! How sure to be mistaken! But I beg your pardon; I have interrupted
+you. Mr Elliot married then completely for money? The circumstances, probably,
+which first opened your eyes to his character.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Mrs Smith hesitated a little here. &ldquo;Oh! those things are too common. When
+one lives in the world, a man or woman&rsquo;s marrying for money is too common
+to strike one as it ought. I was very young, and associated only with the
+young, and we were a thoughtless, gay set, without any strict rules of conduct.
+We lived for enjoyment. I think differently now; time and sickness and sorrow
+have given me other notions; but at that period I must own I saw nothing
+reprehensible in what Mr Elliot was doing. &lsquo;To do the best for
+himself,&rsquo; passed as a duty.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;But was not she a very low woman?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Yes; which I objected to, but he would not regard. Money, money, was all
+that he wanted. Her father was a grazier, her grandfather had been a butcher,
+but that was all nothing. She was a fine woman, had had a decent education, was
+brought forward by some cousins, thrown by chance into Mr Elliot&rsquo;s
+company, and fell in love with him; and not a difficulty or a scruple was there
+on his side, with respect to her birth. All his caution was spent in being
+secured of the real amount of her fortune, before he committed himself. Depend
+upon it, whatever esteem Mr Elliot may have for his own situation in life now,
+as a young man he had not the smallest value for it. His chance for the
+Kellynch estate was something, but all the honour of the family he held as
+cheap as dirt. I have often heard him declare, that if baronetcies were
+saleable, anybody should have his for fifty pounds, arms and motto, name and
+livery included; but I will not pretend to repeat half that I used to hear him
+say on that subject. It would not be fair; and yet you ought to have proof, for
+what is all this but assertion, and you shall have proof.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Indeed, my dear Mrs Smith, I want none,&rdquo; cried Anne. &ldquo;You
+have asserted nothing contradictory to what Mr Elliot appeared to be some years
+ago. This is all in confirmation, rather, of what we used to hear and believe.
+I am more curious to know why he should be so different now.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;But for my satisfaction, if you will have the goodness to ring for Mary;
+stay: I am sure you will have the still greater goodness of going yourself into
+my bedroom, and bringing me the small inlaid box which you will find on the
+upper shelf of the closet.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Anne, seeing her friend to be earnestly bent on it, did as she was desired. The
+box was brought and placed before her, and Mrs Smith, sighing over it as she
+unlocked it, said&mdash;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;This is full of papers belonging to him, to my husband; a small portion
+only of what I had to look over when I lost him. The letter I am looking for
+was one written by Mr Elliot to him before our marriage, and happened to be
+saved; why, one can hardly imagine. But he was careless and immethodical, like
+other men, about those things; and when I came to examine his papers, I found
+it with others still more trivial, from different people scattered here and
+there, while many letters and memorandums of real importance had been
+destroyed. Here it is; I would not burn it, because being even then very little
+satisfied with Mr Elliot, I was determined to preserve every document of former
+intimacy. I have now another motive for being glad that I can produce
+it.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+This was the letter, directed to &ldquo;Charles Smith, Esq. Tunbridge
+Wells,&rdquo; and dated from London, as far back as July, 1803:&mdash;
+</p>
+
+<div class="letter">
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Dear Smith,
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;I have received yours. Your kindness almost overpowers me. I wish nature
+had made such hearts as yours more common, but I have lived three-and-twenty
+years in the world, and have seen none like it. At present, believe me, I have
+no need of your services, being in cash again. Give me joy: I have got rid of
+Sir Walter and Miss. They are gone back to Kellynch, and almost made me swear
+to visit them this summer; but my first visit to Kellynch will be with a
+surveyor, to tell me how to bring it with best advantage to the hammer. The
+baronet, nevertheless, is not unlikely to marry again; he is quite fool enough.
+If he does, however, they will leave me in peace, which may be a decent
+equivalent for the reversion. He is worse than last year.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;I wish I had any name but Elliot. I am sick of it. The name of Walter I
+can drop, thank God! and I desire you will never insult me with my second W.
+again, meaning, for the rest of my life, to be only yours truly,
+</p>
+
+</div>
+
+<p class="right">
+&ldquo;W<small>M</small>. E<small>LLIOT</small>.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Such a letter could not be read without putting Anne in a glow; and Mrs Smith,
+observing the high colour in her face, said&mdash;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;The language, I know, is highly disrespectful. Though I have forgot the
+exact terms, I have a perfect impression of the general meaning. But it shows
+you the man. Mark his professions to my poor husband. Can any thing be
+stronger?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Anne could not immediately get over the shock and mortification of finding such
+words applied to her father. She was obliged to recollect that her seeing the
+letter was a violation of the laws of honour, that no one ought to be judged or
+to be known by such testimonies, that no private correspondence could bear the
+eye of others, before she could recover calmness enough to return the letter
+which she had been meditating over, and say&mdash;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Thank you. This is full proof undoubtedly; proof of every thing you were
+saying. But why be acquainted with us now?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;I can explain this too,&rdquo; cried Mrs Smith, smiling.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Can you really?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Yes. I have shewn you Mr Elliot as he was a dozen years ago, and I will
+shew him as he is now. I cannot produce written proof again, but I can give as
+authentic oral testimony as you can desire, of what he is now wanting, and what
+he is now doing. He is no hypocrite now. He truly wants to marry you. His
+present attentions to your family are very sincere: quite from the heart. I
+will give you my authority: his friend Colonel Wallis.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Colonel Wallis! you are acquainted with him?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;No. It does not come to me in quite so direct a line as that; it takes a
+bend or two, but nothing of consequence. The stream is as good as at first; the
+little rubbish it collects in the turnings is easily moved away. Mr Elliot
+talks unreservedly to Colonel Wallis of his views on you, which said Colonel
+Wallis, I imagine to be, in himself, a sensible, careful, discerning sort of
+character; but Colonel Wallis has a very pretty silly wife, to whom he tells
+things which he had better not, and he repeats it all to her. She in the
+overflowing spirits of her recovery, repeats it all to her nurse; and the nurse
+knowing my acquaintance with you, very naturally brings it all to me. On Monday
+evening, my good friend Mrs Rooke let me thus much into the secrets of
+Marlborough Buildings. When I talked of a whole history, therefore, you see I
+was not romancing so much as you supposed.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;My dear Mrs Smith, your authority is deficient. This will not do. Mr
+Elliot&rsquo;s having any views on me will not in the least account for the
+efforts he made towards a reconciliation with my father. That was all prior to
+my coming to Bath. I found them on the most friendly terms when I
+arrived.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;I know you did; I know it all perfectly, but&mdash;&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Indeed, Mrs Smith, we must not expect to get real information in such a
+line. Facts or opinions which are to pass through the hands of so many, to be
+misconceived by folly in one, and ignorance in another, can hardly have much
+truth left.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Only give me a hearing. You will soon be able to judge of the general
+credit due, by listening to some particulars which you can yourself immediately
+contradict or confirm. Nobody supposes that you were his first inducement. He
+had seen you indeed, before he came to Bath, and admired you, but without
+knowing it to be you. So says my historian, at least. Is this true? Did he see
+you last summer or autumn, &lsquo;somewhere down in the west,&rsquo; to use her
+own words, without knowing it to be you?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;He certainly did. So far it is very true. At Lyme. I happened to be at
+Lyme.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Well,&rdquo; continued Mrs Smith, triumphantly, &ldquo;grant my friend
+the credit due to the establishment of the first point asserted. He saw you
+then at Lyme, and liked you so well as to be exceedingly pleased to meet with
+you again in Camden Place, as Miss Anne Elliot, and from that moment, I have no
+doubt, had a double motive in his visits there. But there was another, and an
+earlier, which I will now explain. If there is anything in my story which you
+know to be either false or improbable, stop me. My account states, that your
+sister&rsquo;s friend, the lady now staying with you, whom I have heard you
+mention, came to Bath with Miss Elliot and Sir Walter as long ago as September
+(in short when they first came themselves), and has been staying there ever
+since; that she is a clever, insinuating, handsome woman, poor and plausible,
+and altogether such in situation and manner, as to give a general idea, among
+Sir Walter&rsquo;s acquaintance, of her meaning to be Lady Elliot, and as
+general a surprise that Miss Elliot should be apparently, blind to the
+danger.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Here Mrs Smith paused a moment; but Anne had not a word to say, and she
+continued&mdash;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;This was the light in which it appeared to those who knew the family,
+long before you returned to it; and Colonel Wallis had his eye upon your father
+enough to be sensible of it, though he did not then visit in Camden Place; but
+his regard for Mr Elliot gave him an interest in watching all that was going on
+there, and when Mr Elliot came to Bath for a day or two, as he happened to do a
+little before Christmas, Colonel Wallis made him acquainted with the appearance
+of things, and the reports beginning to prevail. Now you are to understand,
+that time had worked a very material change in Mr Elliot&rsquo;s opinions as to
+the value of a baronetcy. Upon all points of blood and connexion he is a
+completely altered man. Having long had as much money as he could spend,
+nothing to wish for on the side of avarice or indulgence, he has been gradually
+learning to pin his happiness upon the consequence he is heir to. I thought it
+coming on before our acquaintance ceased, but it is now a confirmed feeling. He
+cannot bear the idea of not being Sir William. You may guess, therefore, that
+the news he heard from his friend could not be very agreeable, and you may
+guess what it produced; the resolution of coming back to Bath as soon as
+possible, and of fixing himself here for a time, with the view of renewing his
+former acquaintance, and recovering such a footing in the family as might give
+him the means of ascertaining the degree of his danger, and of circumventing
+the lady if he found it material. This was agreed upon between the two friends
+as the only thing to be done; and Colonel Wallis was to assist in every way
+that he could. He was to be introduced, and Mrs Wallis was to be introduced,
+and everybody was to be introduced. Mr Elliot came back accordingly; and on
+application was forgiven, as you know, and re-admitted into the family; and
+there it was his constant object, and his only object (till your arrival added
+another motive), to watch Sir Walter and Mrs Clay. He omitted no opportunity of
+being with them, threw himself in their way, called at all hours; but I need
+not be particular on this subject. You can imagine what an artful man would do;
+and with this guide, perhaps, may recollect what you have seen him do.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Yes,&rdquo; said Anne, &ldquo;you tell me nothing which does not accord
+with what I have known, or could imagine. There is always something offensive
+in the details of cunning. The manœuvres of selfishness and duplicity must ever
+be revolting, but I have heard nothing which really surprises me. I know those
+who would be shocked by such a representation of Mr Elliot, who would have
+difficulty in believing it; but I have never been satisfied. I have always
+wanted some other motive for his conduct than appeared. I should like to know
+his present opinion, as to the probability of the event he has been in dread
+of; whether he considers the danger to be lessening or not.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Lessening, I understand,&rdquo; replied Mrs Smith. &ldquo;He thinks Mrs
+Clay afraid of him, aware that he sees through her, and not daring to proceed
+as she might do in his absence. But since he must be absent some time or other,
+I do not perceive how he can ever be secure while she holds her present
+influence. Mrs Wallis has an amusing idea, as nurse tells me, that it is to be
+put into the marriage articles when you and Mr Elliot marry, that your father
+is not to marry Mrs Clay. A scheme, worthy of Mrs Wallis&rsquo;s understanding,
+by all accounts; but my sensible nurse Rooke sees the absurdity of it.
+&lsquo;Why, to be sure, ma&rsquo;am,&rsquo; said she, &lsquo;it would not
+prevent his marrying anybody else.&rsquo; And, indeed, to own the truth, I do
+not think nurse, in her heart, is a very strenuous opposer of Sir
+Walter&rsquo;s making a second match. She must be allowed to be a favourer of
+matrimony, you know; and (since self will intrude) who can say that she may not
+have some flying visions of attending the next Lady Elliot, through Mrs
+Wallis&rsquo;s recommendation?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;I am very glad to know all this,&rdquo; said Anne, after a little
+thoughtfulness. &ldquo;It will be more painful to me in some respects to be in
+company with him, but I shall know better what to do. My line of conduct will
+be more direct. Mr Elliot is evidently a disingenuous, artificial, worldly man,
+who has never had any better principle to guide him than selfishness.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+But Mr Elliot was not done with. Mrs Smith had been carried away from her first
+direction, and Anne had forgotten, in the interest of her own family concerns,
+how much had been originally implied against him; but her attention was now
+called to the explanation of those first hints, and she listened to a recital
+which, if it did not perfectly justify the unqualified bitterness of Mrs Smith,
+proved him to have been very unfeeling in his conduct towards her; very
+deficient both in justice and compassion.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+She learned that (the intimacy between them continuing unimpaired by Mr
+Elliot&rsquo;s marriage) they had been as before always together, and Mr Elliot
+had led his friend into expenses much beyond his fortune. Mrs Smith did not
+want to take blame to herself, and was most tender of throwing any on her
+husband; but Anne could collect that their income had never been equal to their
+style of living, and that from the first there had been a great deal of general
+and joint extravagance. From his wife&rsquo;s account of him she could discern
+Mr Smith to have been a man of warm feelings, easy temper, careless habits, and
+not strong understanding, much more amiable than his friend, and very unlike
+him, led by him, and probably despised by him. Mr Elliot, raised by his
+marriage to great affluence, and disposed to every gratification of pleasure
+and vanity which could be commanded without involving himself, (for with all
+his self-indulgence he had become a prudent man), and beginning to be rich,
+just as his friend ought to have found himself to be poor, seemed to have had
+no concern at all for that friend&rsquo;s probable finances, but, on the
+contrary, had been prompting and encouraging expenses which could end only in
+ruin; and the Smiths accordingly had been ruined.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The husband had died just in time to be spared the full knowledge of it. They
+had previously known embarrassments enough to try the friendship of their
+friends, and to prove that Mr Elliot&rsquo;s had better not be tried; but it
+was not till his death that the wretched state of his affairs was fully known.
+With a confidence in Mr Elliot&rsquo;s regard, more creditable to his feelings
+than his judgement, Mr Smith had appointed him the executor of his will; but Mr
+Elliot would not act, and the difficulties and distress which this refusal had
+heaped on her, in addition to the inevitable sufferings of her situation, had
+been such as could not be related without anguish of spirit, or listened to
+without corresponding indignation.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Anne was shewn some letters of his on the occasion, answers to urgent
+applications from Mrs Smith, which all breathed the same stern resolution of
+not engaging in a fruitless trouble, and, under a cold civility, the same
+hard-hearted indifference to any of the evils it might bring on her. It was a
+dreadful picture of ingratitude and inhumanity; and Anne felt, at some moments,
+that no flagrant open crime could have been worse. She had a great deal to
+listen to; all the particulars of past sad scenes, all the minutiae of distress
+upon distress, which in former conversations had been merely hinted at, were
+dwelt on now with a natural indulgence. Anne could perfectly comprehend the
+exquisite relief, and was only the more inclined to wonder at the composure of
+her friend&rsquo;s usual state of mind.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+There was one circumstance in the history of her grievances of particular
+irritation. She had good reason to believe that some property of her husband in
+the West Indies, which had been for many years under a sort of sequestration
+for the payment of its own incumbrances, might be recoverable by proper
+measures; and this property, though not large, would be enough to make her
+comparatively rich. But there was nobody to stir in it. Mr Elliot would do
+nothing, and she could do nothing herself, equally disabled from personal
+exertion by her state of bodily weakness, and from employing others by her want
+of money. She had no natural connexions to assist her even with their counsel,
+and she could not afford to purchase the assistance of the law. This was a
+cruel aggravation of actually straitened means. To feel that she ought to be in
+better circumstances, that a little trouble in the right place might do it, and
+to fear that delay might be even weakening her claims, was hard to bear.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+It was on this point that she had hoped to engage Anne&rsquo;s good offices
+with Mr Elliot. She had previously, in the anticipation of their marriage, been
+very apprehensive of losing her friend by it; but on being assured that he
+could have made no attempt of that nature, since he did not even know her to be
+in Bath, it immediately occurred, that something might be done in her favour by
+the influence of the woman he loved, and she had been hastily preparing to
+interest Anne&rsquo;s feelings, as far as the observances due to Mr
+Elliot&rsquo;s character would allow, when Anne&rsquo;s refutation of the
+supposed engagement changed the face of everything; and while it took from her
+the new-formed hope of succeeding in the object of her first anxiety, left her
+at least the comfort of telling the whole story her own way.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+After listening to this full description of Mr Elliot, Anne could not but
+express some surprise at Mrs Smith&rsquo;s having spoken of him so favourably
+in the beginning of their conversation. &ldquo;She had seemed to recommend and
+praise him!&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;My dear,&rdquo; was Mrs Smith&rsquo;s reply, &ldquo;there was nothing
+else to be done. I considered your marrying him as certain, though he might not
+yet have made the offer, and I could no more speak the truth of him, than if he
+had been your husband. My heart bled for you, as I talked of happiness; and yet
+he is sensible, he is agreeable, and with such a woman as you, it was not
+absolutely hopeless. He was very unkind to his first wife. They were wretched
+together. But she was too ignorant and giddy for respect, and he had never
+loved her. I was willing to hope that you must fare better.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Anne could just acknowledge within herself such a possibility of having been
+induced to marry him, as made her shudder at the idea of the misery which must
+have followed. It was just possible that she might have been persuaded by Lady
+Russell! And under such a supposition, which would have been most miserable,
+when time had disclosed all, too late?
+</p>
+
+<p>
+It was very desirable that Lady Russell should be no longer deceived; and one
+of the concluding arrangements of this important conference, which carried them
+through the greater part of the morning, was, that Anne had full liberty to
+communicate to her friend everything relative to Mrs Smith, in which his
+conduct was involved.
+</p>
+
+</div><!--end chapter-->
+
+<div class="chapter">
+
+<h2><a name="chap22"></a>CHAPTER XXII.</h2>
+
+<p>
+Anne went home to think over all that she had heard. In one point, her feelings
+were relieved by this knowledge of Mr Elliot. There was no longer anything of
+tenderness due to him. He stood as opposed to Captain Wentworth, in all his own
+unwelcome obtrusiveness; and the evil of his attentions last night, the
+irremediable mischief he might have done, was considered with sensations
+unqualified, unperplexed. Pity for him was all over. But this was the only
+point of relief. In every other respect, in looking around her, or penetrating
+forward, she saw more to distrust and to apprehend. She was concerned for the
+disappointment and pain Lady Russell would be feeling; for the mortifications
+which must be hanging over her father and sister, and had all the distress of
+foreseeing many evils, without knowing how to avert any one of them. She was
+most thankful for her own knowledge of him. She had never considered herself as
+entitled to reward for not slighting an old friend like Mrs Smith, but here was
+a reward indeed springing from it! Mrs Smith had been able to tell her what no
+one else could have done. Could the knowledge have been extended through her
+family? But this was a vain idea. She must talk to Lady Russell, tell her,
+consult with her, and having done her best, wait the event with as much
+composure as possible; and after all, her greatest want of composure would be
+in that quarter of the mind which could not be opened to Lady Russell; in that
+flow of anxieties and fears which must be all to herself.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+She found, on reaching home, that she had, as she intended, escaped seeing Mr
+Elliot; that he had called and paid them a long morning visit; but hardly had
+she congratulated herself, and felt safe, when she heard that he was coming
+again in the evening.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;I had not the smallest intention of asking him,&rdquo; said Elizabeth,
+with affected carelessness, &ldquo;but he gave so many hints; so Mrs Clay says,
+at least.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Indeed, I do say it. I never saw anybody in my life spell harder for an
+invitation. Poor man! I was really in pain for him; for your hard-hearted
+sister, Miss Anne, seems bent on cruelty.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Oh!&rdquo; cried Elizabeth, &ldquo;I have been rather too much used to
+the game to be soon overcome by a gentleman&rsquo;s hints. However, when I
+found how excessively he was regretting that he should miss my father this
+morning, I gave way immediately, for I would never really omit an opportunity
+of bringing him and Sir Walter together. They appear to so much advantage in
+company with each other. Each behaving so pleasantly. Mr Elliot looking up with
+so much respect.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Quite delightful!&rdquo; cried Mrs Clay, not daring, however, to turn
+her eyes towards Anne. &ldquo;Exactly like father and son! Dear Miss Elliot,
+may I not say father and son?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Oh! I lay no embargo on any body&rsquo;s words. If you will have such
+ideas! But, upon my word, I am scarcely sensible of his attentions being beyond
+those of other men.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;My dear Miss Elliot!&rdquo; exclaimed Mrs Clay, lifting her hands and
+eyes, and sinking all the rest of her astonishment in a convenient silence.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Well, my dear Penelope, you need not be so alarmed about him. I did
+invite him, you know. I sent him away with smiles. When I found he was really
+going to his friends at Thornberry Park for the whole day to-morrow, I had
+compassion on him.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Anne admired the good acting of the friend, in being able to shew such pleasure
+as she did, in the expectation and in the actual arrival of the very person
+whose presence must really be interfering with her prime object. It was
+impossible but that Mrs Clay must hate the sight of Mr Elliot; and yet she
+could assume a most obliging, placid look, and appear quite satisfied with the
+curtailed license of devoting herself only half as much to Sir Walter as she
+would have done otherwise.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+To Anne herself it was most distressing to see Mr Elliot enter the room; and
+quite painful to have him approach and speak to her. She had been used before
+to feel that he could not be always quite sincere, but now she saw insincerity
+in everything. His attentive deference to her father, contrasted with his
+former language, was odious; and when she thought of his cruel conduct towards
+Mrs Smith, she could hardly bear the sight of his present smiles and mildness,
+or the sound of his artificial good sentiments.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+She meant to avoid any such alteration of manners as might provoke a
+remonstrance on his side. It was a great object to her to escape all enquiry or
+eclat; but it was her intention to be as decidedly cool to him as might be
+compatible with their relationship; and to retrace, as quietly as she could,
+the few steps of unnecessary intimacy she had been gradually led along. She was
+accordingly more guarded, and more cool, than she had been the night before.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+He wanted to animate her curiosity again as to how and where he could have
+heard her formerly praised; wanted very much to be gratified by more
+solicitation; but the charm was broken: he found that the heat and animation of
+a public room was necessary to kindle his modest cousin&rsquo;s vanity; he
+found, at least, that it was not to be done now, by any of those attempts which
+he could hazard among the too-commanding claims of the others. He little
+surmised that it was a subject acting now exactly against his interest,
+bringing immediately to her thoughts all those parts of his conduct which were
+least excusable.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+She had some satisfaction in finding that he was really going out of Bath the
+next morning, going early, and that he would be gone the greater part of two
+days. He was invited again to Camden Place the very evening of his return; but
+from Thursday to Saturday evening his absence was certain. It was bad enough
+that a Mrs Clay should be always before her; but that a deeper hypocrite should
+be added to their party, seemed the destruction of everything like peace and
+comfort. It was so humiliating to reflect on the constant deception practised
+on her father and Elizabeth; to consider the various sources of mortification
+preparing for them! Mrs Clay&rsquo;s selfishness was not so complicate nor so
+revolting as his; and Anne would have compounded for the marriage at once, with
+all its evils, to be clear of Mr Elliot&rsquo;s subtleties in endeavouring to
+prevent it.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+On Friday morning she meant to go very early to Lady Russell, and accomplish
+the necessary communication; and she would have gone directly after breakfast,
+but that Mrs Clay was also going out on some obliging purpose of saving her
+sister trouble, which determined her to wait till she might be safe from such a
+companion. She saw Mrs Clay fairly off, therefore, before she began to talk of
+spending the morning in Rivers Street.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Very well,&rdquo; said Elizabeth, &ldquo;I have nothing to send but my
+love. Oh! you may as well take back that tiresome book she would lend me, and
+pretend I have read it through. I really cannot be plaguing myself for ever
+with all the new poems and states of the nation that come out. Lady Russell
+quite bores one with her new publications. You need not tell her so, but I
+thought her dress hideous the other night. I used to think she had some taste
+in dress, but I was ashamed of her at the concert. Something so formal and
+<i>arrangé</i> in her air! and she sits so upright! My best love, of
+course.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;And mine,&rdquo; added Sir Walter. &ldquo;Kindest regards. And you may
+say, that I mean to call upon her soon. Make a civil message; but I shall only
+leave my card. Morning visits are never fair by women at her time of life, who
+make themselves up so little. If she would only wear rouge she would not be
+afraid of being seen; but last time I called, I observed the blinds were let
+down immediately.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+While her father spoke, there was a knock at the door. Who could it be? Anne,
+remembering the preconcerted visits, at all hours, of Mr Elliot, would have
+expected him, but for his known engagement seven miles off. After the usual
+period of suspense, the usual sounds of approach were heard, and &ldquo;Mr and
+Mrs Charles Musgrove&rdquo; were ushered into the room.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Surprise was the strongest emotion raised by their appearance; but Anne was
+really glad to see them; and the others were not so sorry but that they could
+put on a decent air of welcome; and as soon as it became clear that these,
+their nearest relations, were not arrived with any views of accommodation in
+that house, Sir Walter and Elizabeth were able to rise in cordiality, and do
+the honours of it very well. They were come to Bath for a few days with Mrs
+Musgrove, and were at the White Hart. So much was pretty soon understood; but
+till Sir Walter and Elizabeth were walking Mary into the other drawing-room,
+and regaling themselves with her admiration, Anne could not draw upon
+Charles&rsquo;s brain for a regular history of their coming, or an explanation
+of some smiling hints of particular business, which had been ostentatiously
+dropped by Mary, as well as of some apparent confusion as to whom their party
+consisted of.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+She then found that it consisted of Mrs Musgrove, Henrietta, and Captain
+Harville, beside their two selves. He gave her a very plain, intelligible
+account of the whole; a narration in which she saw a great deal of most
+characteristic proceeding. The scheme had received its first impulse by Captain
+Harville&rsquo;s wanting to come to Bath on business. He had begun to talk of
+it a week ago; and by way of doing something, as shooting was over, Charles had
+proposed coming with him, and Mrs Harville had seemed to like the idea of it
+very much, as an advantage to her husband; but Mary could not bear to be left,
+and had made herself so unhappy about it, that for a day or two everything
+seemed to be in suspense, or at an end. But then, it had been taken up by his
+father and mother. His mother had some old friends in Bath whom she wanted to
+see; it was thought a good opportunity for Henrietta to come and buy
+wedding-clothes for herself and her sister; and, in short, it ended in being
+his mother&rsquo;s party, that everything might be comfortable and easy to
+Captain Harville; and he and Mary were included in it by way of general
+convenience. They had arrived late the night before. Mrs Harville, her
+children, and Captain Benwick, remained with Mr Musgrove and Louisa at
+Uppercross.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Anne&rsquo;s only surprise was, that affairs should be in forwardness enough
+for Henrietta&rsquo;s wedding-clothes to be talked of. She had imagined such
+difficulties of fortune to exist there as must prevent the marriage from being
+near at hand; but she learned from Charles that, very recently, (since
+Mary&rsquo;s last letter to herself), Charles Hayter had been applied to by a
+friend to hold a living for a youth who could not possibly claim it under many
+years; and that on the strength of his present income, with almost a certainty
+of something more permanent long before the term in question, the two families
+had consented to the young people&rsquo;s wishes, and that their marriage was
+likely to take place in a few months, quite as soon as Louisa&rsquo;s.
+&ldquo;And a very good living it was,&rdquo; Charles added: &ldquo;only
+five-and-twenty miles from Uppercross, and in a very fine country: fine part of
+Dorsetshire. In the centre of some of the best preserves in the kingdom,
+surrounded by three great proprietors, each more careful and jealous than the
+other; and to two of the three at least, Charles Hayter might get a special
+recommendation. Not that he will value it as he ought,&rdquo; he observed,
+&ldquo;Charles is too cool about sporting. That&rsquo;s the worst of
+him.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;I am extremely glad, indeed,&rdquo; cried Anne, &ldquo;particularly glad
+that this should happen; and that of two sisters, who both deserve equally
+well, and who have always been such good friends, the pleasant prospect of one
+should not be dimming those of the other&mdash;that they should be so equal in
+their prosperity and comfort. I hope your father and mother are quite happy
+with regard to both.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Oh! yes. My father would be well pleased if the gentlemen were richer,
+but he has no other fault to find. Money, you know, coming down with
+money&mdash;two daughters at once&mdash;it cannot be a very agreeable
+operation, and it streightens him as to many things. However, I do not mean to
+say they have not a right to it. It is very fit they should have
+daughters&rsquo; shares; and I am sure he has always been a very kind, liberal
+father to me. Mary does not above half like Henrietta&rsquo;s match. She never
+did, you know. But she does not do him justice, nor think enough about
+Winthrop. I cannot make her attend to the value of the property. It is a very
+fair match, as times go; and I have liked Charles Hayter all my life, and I
+shall not leave off now.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Such excellent parents as Mr and Mrs Musgrove,&rdquo; exclaimed Anne,
+&ldquo;should be happy in their children&rsquo;s marriages. They do everything
+to confer happiness, I am sure. What a blessing to young people to be in such
+hands! Your father and mother seem so totally free from all those ambitious
+feelings which have led to so much misconduct and misery, both in young and
+old. I hope you think Louisa perfectly recovered now?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+He answered rather hesitatingly, &ldquo;Yes, I believe I do; very much
+recovered; but she is altered; there is no running or jumping about, no
+laughing or dancing; it is quite different. If one happens only to shut the
+door a little hard, she starts and wriggles like a young dab-chick in the
+water; and Benwick sits at her elbow, reading verses, or whispering to her, all
+day long.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Anne could not help laughing. &ldquo;That cannot be much to your taste, I
+know,&rdquo; said she; &ldquo;but I do believe him to be an excellent young
+man.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;To be sure he is. Nobody doubts it; and I hope you do not think I am so
+illiberal as to want every man to have the same objects and pleasures as
+myself. I have a great value for Benwick; and when one can but get him to talk,
+he has plenty to say. His reading has done him no harm, for he has fought as
+well as read. He is a brave fellow. I got more acquainted with him last Monday
+than ever I did before. We had a famous set-to at rat-hunting all the morning
+in my father&rsquo;s great barns; and he played his part so well that I have
+liked him the better ever since.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Here they were interrupted by the absolute necessity of Charles&rsquo;s
+following the others to admire mirrors and china; but Anne had heard enough to
+understand the present state of Uppercross, and rejoice in its happiness; and
+though she sighed as she rejoiced, her sigh had none of the ill-will of envy in
+it. She would certainly have risen to their blessings if she could, but she did
+not want to lessen theirs.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The visit passed off altogether in high good humour. Mary was in excellent
+spirits, enjoying the gaiety and the change, and so well satisfied with the
+journey in her mother-in-law&rsquo;s carriage with four horses, and with her
+own complete independence of Camden Place, that she was exactly in a temper to
+admire everything as she ought, and enter most readily into all the
+superiorities of the house, as they were detailed to her. She had no demands on
+her father or sister, and her consequence was just enough increased by their
+handsome drawing-rooms.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Elizabeth was, for a short time, suffering a good deal. She felt that Mrs
+Musgrove and all her party ought to be asked to dine with them; but she could
+not bear to have the difference of style, the reduction of servants, which a
+dinner must betray, witnessed by those who had been always so inferior to the
+Elliots of Kellynch. It was a struggle between propriety and vanity; but vanity
+got the better, and then Elizabeth was happy again. These were her internal
+persuasions: &ldquo;Old fashioned notions; country hospitality; we do not
+profess to give dinners; few people in Bath do; Lady Alicia never does; did not
+even ask her own sister&rsquo;s family, though they were here a month: and I
+dare say it would be very inconvenient to Mrs Musgrove; put her quite out of
+her way. I am sure she would rather not come; she cannot feel easy with us. I
+will ask them all for an evening; that will be much better; that will be a
+novelty and a treat. They have not seen two such drawing rooms before. They
+will be delighted to come to-morrow evening. It shall be a regular party,
+small, but most elegant.&rdquo; And this satisfied Elizabeth: and when the
+invitation was given to the two present, and promised for the absent, Mary was
+as completely satisfied. She was particularly asked to meet Mr Elliot, and be
+introduced to Lady Dalrymple and Miss Carteret, who were fortunately already
+engaged to come; and she could not have received a more gratifying attention.
+Miss Elliot was to have the honour of calling on Mrs Musgrove in the course of
+the morning; and Anne walked off with Charles and Mary, to go and see her and
+Henrietta directly.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Her plan of sitting with Lady Russell must give way for the present. They all
+three called in Rivers Street for a couple of minutes; but Anne convinced
+herself that a day&rsquo;s delay of the intended communication could be of no
+consequence, and hastened forward to the White Hart, to see again the friends
+and companions of the last autumn, with an eagerness of good-will which many
+associations contributed to form.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+They found Mrs Musgrove and her daughter within, and by themselves, and Anne
+had the kindest welcome from each. Henrietta was exactly in that state of
+recently-improved views, of fresh-formed happiness, which made her full of
+regard and interest for everybody she had ever liked before at all; and Mrs
+Musgrove&rsquo;s real affection had been won by her usefulness when they were
+in distress. It was a heartiness, and a warmth, and a sincerity which Anne
+delighted in the more, from the sad want of such blessings at home. She was
+entreated to give them as much of her time as possible, invited for every day
+and all day long, or rather claimed as part of the family; and, in return, she
+naturally fell into all her wonted ways of attention and assistance, and on
+Charles&rsquo;s leaving them together, was listening to Mrs Musgrove&rsquo;s
+history of Louisa, and to Henrietta&rsquo;s of herself, giving opinions on
+business, and recommendations to shops; with intervals of every help which Mary
+required, from altering her ribbon to settling her accounts; from finding her
+keys, and assorting her trinkets, to trying to convince her that she was not
+ill-used by anybody; which Mary, well amused as she generally was, in her
+station at a window overlooking the entrance to the Pump Room, could not but
+have her moments of imagining.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+A morning of thorough confusion was to be expected. A large party in an hotel
+ensured a quick-changing, unsettled scene. One five minutes brought a note, the
+next a parcel; and Anne had not been there half an hour, when their
+dining-room, spacious as it was, seemed more than half filled: a party of
+steady old friends were seated around Mrs Musgrove, and Charles came back with
+Captains Harville and Wentworth. The appearance of the latter could not be more
+than the surprise of the moment. It was impossible for her to have forgotten to
+feel that this arrival of their common friends must be soon bringing them
+together again. Their last meeting had been most important in opening his
+feelings; she had derived from it a delightful conviction; but she feared from
+his looks, that the same unfortunate persuasion, which had hastened him away
+from the Concert Room, still governed. He did not seem to want to be near
+enough for conversation.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+She tried to be calm, and leave things to take their course, and tried to dwell
+much on this argument of rational dependence:&mdash;&ldquo;Surely, if there be
+constant attachment on each side, our hearts must understand each other ere
+long. We are not boy and girl, to be captiously irritable, misled by every
+moment&rsquo;s inadvertence, and wantonly playing with our own
+happiness.&rdquo; And yet, a few minutes afterwards, she felt as if their being
+in company with each other, under their present circumstances, could only be
+exposing them to inadvertencies and misconstructions of the most mischievous
+kind.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Anne,&rdquo; cried Mary, still at her window, &ldquo;there is Mrs Clay,
+I am sure, standing under the colonnade, and a gentleman with her. I saw them
+turn the corner from Bath Street just now. They seemed deep in talk. Who is it?
+Come, and tell me. Good heavens! I recollect. It is Mr Elliot himself.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;No,&rdquo; cried Anne, quickly, &ldquo;it cannot be Mr Elliot, I assure
+you. He was to leave Bath at nine this morning, and does not come back till
+to-morrow.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+As she spoke, she felt that Captain Wentworth was looking at her, the
+consciousness of which vexed and embarrassed her, and made her regret that she
+had said so much, simple as it was.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Mary, resenting that she should be supposed not to know her own cousin, began
+talking very warmly about the family features, and protesting still more
+positively that it was Mr Elliot, calling again upon Anne to come and look for
+herself, but Anne did not mean to stir, and tried to be cool and unconcerned.
+Her distress returned, however, on perceiving smiles and intelligent glances
+pass between two or three of the lady visitors, as if they believed themselves
+quite in the secret. It was evident that the report concerning her had spread,
+and a short pause succeeded, which seemed to ensure that it would now spread
+farther.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Do come, Anne,&rdquo; cried Mary, &ldquo;come and look yourself. You
+will be too late if you do not make haste. They are parting; they are shaking
+hands. He is turning away. Not know Mr Elliot, indeed! You seem to have forgot
+all about Lyme.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+To pacify Mary, and perhaps screen her own embarrassment, Anne did move quietly
+to the window. She was just in time to ascertain that it really was Mr Elliot,
+which she had never believed, before he disappeared on one side, as Mrs Clay
+walked quickly off on the other; and checking the surprise which she could not
+but feel at such an appearance of friendly conference between two persons of
+totally opposite interest, she calmly said, &ldquo;Yes, it is Mr Elliot,
+certainly. He has changed his hour of going, I suppose, that is all, or I may
+be mistaken, I might not attend;&rdquo; and walked back to her chair,
+recomposed, and with the comfortable hope of having acquitted herself well.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The visitors took their leave; and Charles, having civilly seen them off, and
+then made a face at them, and abused them for coming, began with&mdash;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Well, mother, I have done something for you that you will like. I have
+been to the theatre, and secured a box for to-morrow night. A&rsquo;n&rsquo;t I
+a good boy? I know you love a play; and there is room for us all. It holds
+nine. I have engaged Captain Wentworth. Anne will not be sorry to join us, I am
+sure. We all like a play. Have not I done well, mother?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Mrs Musgrove was good humouredly beginning to express her perfect readiness for
+the play, if Henrietta and all the others liked it, when Mary eagerly
+interrupted her by exclaiming&mdash;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Good heavens, Charles! how can you think of such a thing? Take a box for
+to-morrow night! Have you forgot that we are engaged to Camden Place to-morrow
+night? and that we were most particularly asked to meet Lady Dalrymple and her
+daughter, and Mr Elliot, and all the principal family connexions, on purpose to
+be introduced to them? How can you be so forgetful?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Phoo! phoo!&rdquo; replied Charles, &ldquo;what&rsquo;s an evening
+party? Never worth remembering. Your father might have asked us to dinner, I
+think, if he had wanted to see us. You may do as you like, but I shall go to
+the play.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Oh! Charles, I declare it will be too abominable if you do, when you
+promised to go.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;No, I did not promise. I only smirked and bowed, and said the word
+&lsquo;happy.&rsquo; There was no promise.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;But you must go, Charles. It would be unpardonable to fail. We were
+asked on purpose to be introduced. There was always such a great connexion
+between the Dalrymples and ourselves. Nothing ever happened on either side that
+was not announced immediately. We are quite near relations, you know; and Mr
+Elliot too, whom you ought so particularly to be acquainted with! Every
+attention is due to Mr Elliot. Consider, my father&rsquo;s heir: the future
+representative of the family.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Don&rsquo;t talk to me about heirs and representatives,&rdquo; cried
+Charles. &ldquo;I am not one of those who neglect the reigning power to bow to
+the rising sun. If I would not go for the sake of your father, I should think
+it scandalous to go for the sake of his heir. What is Mr Elliot to me?&rdquo;
+The careless expression was life to Anne, who saw that Captain Wentworth was
+all attention, looking and listening with his whole soul; and that the last
+words brought his enquiring eyes from Charles to herself.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Charles and Mary still talked on in the same style; he, half serious and half
+jesting, maintaining the scheme for the play, and she, invariably serious, most
+warmly opposing it, and not omitting to make it known that, however determined
+to go to Camden Place herself, she should not think herself very well used, if
+they went to the play without her. Mrs Musgrove interposed.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;We had better put it off. Charles, you had much better go back and
+change the box for Tuesday. It would be a pity to be divided, and we should be
+losing Miss Anne, too, if there is a party at her father&rsquo;s; and I am sure
+neither Henrietta nor I should care at all for the play, if Miss Anne could not
+be with us.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Anne felt truly obliged to her for such kindness; and quite as much so for the
+opportunity it gave her of decidedly saying&mdash;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;If it depended only on my inclination, ma&rsquo;am, the party at home
+(excepting on Mary&rsquo;s account) would not be the smallest impediment. I
+have no pleasure in the sort of meeting, and should be too happy to change it
+for a play, and with you. But, it had better not be attempted, perhaps.&rdquo;
+She had spoken it; but she trembled when it was done, conscious that her words
+were listened to, and daring not even to try to observe their effect.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+It was soon generally agreed that Tuesday should be the day; Charles only
+reserving the advantage of still teasing his wife, by persisting that he would
+go to the play to-morrow if nobody else would.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Captain Wentworth left his seat, and walked to the fire-place; probably for the
+sake of walking away from it soon afterwards, and taking a station, with less
+bare-faced design, by Anne.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;You have not been long enough in Bath,&rdquo; said he, &ldquo;to enjoy
+the evening parties of the place.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Oh! no. The usual character of them has nothing for me. I am no
+card-player.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;You were not formerly, I know. You did not use to like cards; but time
+makes many changes.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;I am not yet so much changed,&rdquo; cried Anne, and stopped, fearing
+she hardly knew what misconstruction. After waiting a few moments he said, and
+as if it were the result of immediate feeling, &ldquo;It is a period, indeed!
+Eight years and a half is a period.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Whether he would have proceeded farther was left to Anne&rsquo;s imagination to
+ponder over in a calmer hour; for while still hearing the sounds he had
+uttered, she was startled to other subjects by Henrietta, eager to make use of
+the present leisure for getting out, and calling on her companions to lose no
+time, lest somebody else should come in.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+They were obliged to move. Anne talked of being perfectly ready, and tried to
+look it; but she felt that could Henrietta have known the regret and reluctance
+of her heart in quitting that chair, in preparing to quit the room, she would
+have found, in all her own sensations for her cousin, in the very security of
+his affection, wherewith to pity her.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Their preparations, however, were stopped short. Alarming sounds were heard;
+other visitors approached, and the door was thrown open for Sir Walter and Miss
+Elliot, whose entrance seemed to give a general chill. Anne felt an instant
+oppression, and wherever she looked saw symptoms of the same. The comfort, the
+freedom, the gaiety of the room was over, hushed into cold composure,
+determined silence, or insipid talk, to meet the heartless elegance of her
+father and sister. How mortifying to feel that it was so!
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Her jealous eye was satisfied in one particular. Captain Wentworth was
+acknowledged again by each, by Elizabeth more graciously than before. She even
+addressed him once, and looked at him more than once. Elizabeth was, in fact,
+revolving a great measure. The sequel explained it. After the waste of a few
+minutes in saying the proper nothings, she began to give the invitation which
+was to comprise all the remaining dues of the Musgroves. &ldquo;To-morrow
+evening, to meet a few friends: no formal party.&rdquo; It was all said very
+gracefully, and the cards with which she had provided herself, the &ldquo;Miss
+Elliot at home,&rdquo; were laid on the table, with a courteous, comprehensive
+smile to all, and one smile and one card more decidedly for Captain Wentworth.
+The truth was, that Elizabeth had been long enough in Bath to understand the
+importance of a man of such an air and appearance as his. The past was nothing.
+The present was that Captain Wentworth would move about well in her
+drawing-room. The card was pointedly given, and Sir Walter and Elizabeth arose
+and disappeared.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The interruption had been short, though severe, and ease and animation returned
+to most of those they left as the door shut them out, but not to Anne. She
+could think only of the invitation she had with such astonishment witnessed,
+and of the manner in which it had been received; a manner of doubtful meaning,
+of surprise rather than gratification, of polite acknowledgement rather than
+acceptance. She knew him; she saw disdain in his eye, and could not venture to
+believe that he had determined to accept such an offering, as an atonement for
+all the insolence of the past. Her spirits sank. He held the card in his hand
+after they were gone, as if deeply considering it.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Only think of Elizabeth&rsquo;s including everybody!&rdquo; whispered
+Mary very audibly. &ldquo;I do not wonder Captain Wentworth is delighted! You
+see he cannot put the card out of his hand.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Anne caught his eye, saw his cheeks glow, and his mouth form itself into a
+momentary expression of contempt, and turned away, that she might neither see
+nor hear more to vex her.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The party separated. The gentlemen had their own pursuits, the ladies proceeded
+on their own business, and they met no more while Anne belonged to them. She
+was earnestly begged to return and dine, and give them all the rest of the day,
+but her spirits had been so long exerted that at present she felt unequal to
+more, and fit only for home, where she might be sure of being as silent as she
+chose.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Promising to be with them the whole of the following morning, therefore, she
+closed the fatigues of the present by a toilsome walk to Camden Place, there to
+spend the evening chiefly in listening to the busy arrangements of Elizabeth
+and Mrs Clay for the morrow&rsquo;s party, the frequent enumeration of the
+persons invited, and the continually improving detail of all the embellishments
+which were to make it the most completely elegant of its kind in Bath, while
+harassing herself with the never-ending question, of whether Captain Wentworth
+would come or not? They were reckoning him as certain, but with her it was a
+gnawing solicitude never appeased for five minutes together. She generally
+thought he would come, because she generally thought he ought; but it was a
+case which she could not so shape into any positive act of duty or discretion,
+as inevitably to defy the suggestions of very opposite feelings.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+She only roused herself from the broodings of this restless agitation, to let
+Mrs Clay know that she had been seen with Mr Elliot three hours after his being
+supposed to be out of Bath, for having watched in vain for some intimation of
+the interview from the lady herself, she determined to mention it, and it
+seemed to her there was guilt in Mrs Clay&rsquo;s face as she listened. It was
+transient: cleared away in an instant; but Anne could imagine she read there
+the consciousness of having, by some complication of mutual trick, or some
+overbearing authority of his, been obliged to attend (perhaps for half an hour)
+to his lectures and restrictions on her designs on Sir Walter. She exclaimed,
+however, with a very tolerable imitation of nature:&mdash;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Oh! dear! very true. Only think, Miss Elliot, to my great surprise I met
+with Mr Elliot in Bath Street. I was never more astonished. He turned back and
+walked with me to the Pump Yard. He had been prevented setting off for
+Thornberry, but I really forget by what; for I was in a hurry, and could not
+much attend, and I can only answer for his being determined not to be delayed
+in his return. He wanted to know how early he might be admitted to-morrow. He
+was full of &lsquo;to-morrow,&rsquo; and it is very evident that I have been
+full of it too, ever since I entered the house, and learnt the extension of
+your plan and all that had happened, or my seeing him could never have gone so
+entirely out of my head.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+</div><!--end chapter-->
+
+<div class="chapter">
+
+<h2><a name="chap23"></a>CHAPTER XXIII.</h2>
+
+<p>
+One day only had passed since Anne&rsquo;s conversation with Mrs Smith; but a
+keener interest had succeeded, and she was now so little touched by Mr
+Elliot&rsquo;s conduct, except by its effects in one quarter, that it became a
+matter of course the next morning, still to defer her explanatory visit in
+Rivers Street. She had promised to be with the Musgroves from breakfast to
+dinner. Her faith was plighted, and Mr Elliot&rsquo;s character, like the
+Sultaness Scheherazade&rsquo;s head, must live another day.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+She could not keep her appointment punctually, however; the weather was
+unfavourable, and she had grieved over the rain on her friends&rsquo; account,
+and felt it very much on her own, before she was able to attempt the walk. When
+she reached the White Hart, and made her way to the proper apartment, she found
+herself neither arriving quite in time, nor the first to arrive. The party
+before her were, Mrs Musgrove, talking to Mrs Croft, and Captain Harville to
+Captain Wentworth; and she immediately heard that Mary and Henrietta, too
+impatient to wait, had gone out the moment it had cleared, but would be back
+again soon, and that the strictest injunctions had been left with Mrs Musgrove
+to keep her there till they returned. She had only to submit, sit down, be
+outwardly composed, and feel herself plunged at once in all the agitations
+which she had merely laid her account of tasting a little before the morning
+closed. There was no delay, no waste of time. She was deep in the happiness of
+such misery, or the misery of such happiness, instantly. Two minutes after her
+entering the room, Captain Wentworth said&mdash;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;We will write the letter we were talking of, Harville, now, if you will
+give me materials.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Materials were at hand, on a separate table; he went to it, and nearly turning
+his back to them all, was engrossed by writing.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Mrs Musgrove was giving Mrs Croft the history of her eldest daughter&rsquo;s
+engagement, and just in that inconvenient tone of voice which was perfectly
+audible while it pretended to be a whisper. Anne felt that she did not belong
+to the conversation, and yet, as Captain Harville seemed thoughtful and not
+disposed to talk, she could not avoid hearing many undesirable particulars;
+such as, &ldquo;how Mr Musgrove and my brother Hayter had met again and again
+to talk it over; what my brother Hayter had said one day, and what Mr Musgrove
+had proposed the next, and what had occurred to my sister Hayter, and what the
+young people had wished, and what I said at first I never could consent to, but
+was afterwards persuaded to think might do very well,&rdquo; and a great deal
+in the same style of open-hearted communication: minutiae which, even with
+every advantage of taste and delicacy, which good Mrs Musgrove could not give,
+could be properly interesting only to the principals. Mrs Croft was attending
+with great good-humour, and whenever she spoke at all, it was very sensibly.
+Anne hoped the gentlemen might each be too much self-occupied to hear.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;And so, ma&rsquo;am, all these thing considered,&rdquo; said Mrs
+Musgrove, in her powerful whisper, &ldquo;though we could have wished it
+different, yet, altogether, we did not think it fair to stand out any longer,
+for Charles Hayter was quite wild about it, and Henrietta was pretty near as
+bad; and so we thought they had better marry at once, and make the best of it,
+as many others have done before them. At any rate, said I, it will be better
+than a long engagement.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;That is precisely what I was going to observe,&rdquo; cried Mrs Croft.
+&ldquo;I would rather have young people settle on a small income at once, and
+have to struggle with a few difficulties together, than be involved in a long
+engagement. I always think that no mutual&mdash;&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Oh! dear Mrs Croft,&rdquo; cried Mrs Musgrove, unable to let her finish
+her speech, &ldquo;there is nothing I so abominate for young people as a long
+engagement. It is what I always protested against for my children. It is all
+very well, I used to say, for young people to be engaged, if there is a
+certainty of their being able to marry in six months, or even in twelve; but a
+long engagement&mdash;&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Yes, dear ma&rsquo;am,&rdquo; said Mrs Croft, &ldquo;or an uncertain
+engagement, an engagement which may be long. To begin without knowing that at
+such a time there will be the means of marrying, I hold to be very unsafe and
+unwise, and what I think all parents should prevent as far as they can.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Anne found an unexpected interest here. She felt its application to herself,
+felt it in a nervous thrill all over her; and at the same moment that her eyes
+instinctively glanced towards the distant table, Captain Wentworth&rsquo;s pen
+ceased to move, his head was raised, pausing, listening, and he turned round
+the next instant to give a look, one quick, conscious look at her.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The two ladies continued to talk, to re-urge the same admitted truths, and
+enforce them with such examples of the ill effect of a contrary practice as had
+fallen within their observation, but Anne heard nothing distinctly; it was only
+a buzz of words in her ear, her mind was in confusion.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Captain Harville, who had in truth been hearing none of it, now left his seat,
+and moved to a window, and Anne seeming to watch him, though it was from
+thorough absence of mind, became gradually sensible that he was inviting her to
+join him where he stood. He looked at her with a smile, and a little motion of
+the head, which expressed, &ldquo;Come to me, I have something to say;&rdquo;
+and the unaffected, easy kindness of manner which denoted the feelings of an
+older acquaintance than he really was, strongly enforced the invitation. She
+roused herself and went to him. The window at which he stood was at the other
+end of the room from where the two ladies were sitting, and though nearer to
+Captain Wentworth&rsquo;s table, not very near. As she joined him, Captain
+Harville&rsquo;s countenance re-assumed the serious, thoughtful expression
+which seemed its natural character.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Look here,&rdquo; said he, unfolding a parcel in his hand, and
+displaying a small miniature painting, &ldquo;do you know who that is?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Certainly: Captain Benwick.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Yes, and you may guess who it is for. But,&rdquo; (in a deep tone,)
+&ldquo;it was not done for her. Miss Elliot, do you remember our walking
+together at Lyme, and grieving for him? I little thought then&mdash;but no
+matter. This was drawn at the Cape. He met with a clever young German artist at
+the Cape, and in compliance with a promise to my poor sister, sat to him, and
+was bringing it home for her; and I have now the charge of getting it properly
+set for another! It was a commission to me! But who else was there to employ? I
+hope I can allow for him. I am not sorry, indeed, to make it over to another.
+He undertakes it;&rdquo; (looking towards Captain Wentworth,) &ldquo;he is
+writing about it now.&rdquo; And with a quivering lip he wound up the whole by
+adding, &ldquo;Poor Fanny! she would not have forgotten him so soon!&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;No,&rdquo; replied Anne, in a low, feeling voice. &ldquo;That I can
+easily believe.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;It was not in her nature. She doted on him.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;It would not be the nature of any woman who truly loved.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Captain Harville smiled, as much as to say, &ldquo;Do you claim that for your
+sex?&rdquo; and she answered the question, smiling also, &ldquo;Yes. We
+certainly do not forget you as soon as you forget us. It is, perhaps, our fate
+rather than our merit. We cannot help ourselves. We live at home, quiet,
+confined, and our feelings prey upon us. You are forced on exertion. You have
+always a profession, pursuits, business of some sort or other, to take you back
+into the world immediately, and continual occupation and change soon weaken
+impressions.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Granting your assertion that the world does all this so soon for men
+(which, however, I do not think I shall grant), it does not apply to Benwick.
+He has not been forced upon any exertion. The peace turned him on shore at the
+very moment, and he has been living with us, in our little family circle, ever
+since.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;True,&rdquo; said Anne, &ldquo;very true; I did not recollect; but what
+shall we say now, Captain Harville? If the change be not from outward
+circumstances, it must be from within; it must be nature, man&rsquo;s nature,
+which has done the business for Captain Benwick.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;No, no, it is not man&rsquo;s nature. I will not allow it to be more
+man&rsquo;s nature than woman&rsquo;s to be inconstant and forget those they do
+love, or have loved. I believe the reverse. I believe in a true analogy between
+our bodily frames and our mental; and that as our bodies are the strongest, so
+are our feelings; capable of bearing most rough usage, and riding out the
+heaviest weather.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Your feelings may be the strongest,&rdquo; replied Anne, &ldquo;but the
+same spirit of analogy will authorise me to assert that ours are the most
+tender. Man is more robust than woman, but he is not longer lived; which
+exactly explains my view of the nature of their attachments. Nay, it would be
+too hard upon you, if it were otherwise. You have difficulties, and privations,
+and dangers enough to struggle with. You are always labouring and toiling,
+exposed to every risk and hardship. Your home, country, friends, all quitted.
+Neither time, nor health, nor life, to be called your own. It would be hard,
+indeed&rdquo; (with a faltering voice), &ldquo;if woman&rsquo;s feelings were
+to be added to all this.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;We shall never agree upon this question,&rdquo; Captain Harville was
+beginning to say, when a slight noise called their attention to Captain
+Wentworth&rsquo;s hitherto perfectly quiet division of the room. It was nothing
+more than that his pen had fallen down; but Anne was startled at finding him
+nearer than she had supposed, and half inclined to suspect that the pen had
+only fallen because he had been occupied by them, striving to catch sounds,
+which yet she did not think he could have caught.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Have you finished your letter?&rdquo; said Captain Harville.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Not quite, a few lines more. I shall have done in five minutes.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;There is no hurry on my side. I am only ready whenever you are. I am in
+very good anchorage here,&rdquo; (smiling at Anne,) &ldquo;well supplied, and
+want for nothing. No hurry for a signal at all. Well, Miss Elliot,&rdquo;
+(lowering his voice,) &ldquo;as I was saying we shall never agree, I suppose,
+upon this point. No man and woman, would, probably. But let me observe that all
+histories are against you&mdash;all stories, prose and verse. If I had such a
+memory as Benwick, I could bring you fifty quotations in a moment on my side
+the argument, and I do not think I ever opened a book in my life which had not
+something to say upon woman&rsquo;s inconstancy. Songs and proverbs, all talk
+of woman&rsquo;s fickleness. But perhaps you will say, these were all written
+by men.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Perhaps I shall. Yes, yes, if you please, no reference to examples in
+books. Men have had every advantage of us in telling their own story. Education
+has been theirs in so much higher a degree; the pen has been in their hands. I
+will not allow books to prove anything.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;But how shall we prove anything?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;We never shall. We never can expect to prove any thing upon such a
+point. It is a difference of opinion which does not admit of proof. We each
+begin, probably, with a little bias towards our own sex; and upon that bias
+build every circumstance in favour of it which has occurred within our own
+circle; many of which circumstances (perhaps those very cases which strike us
+the most) may be precisely such as cannot be brought forward without betraying
+a confidence, or in some respect saying what should not be said.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Ah!&rdquo; cried Captain Harville, in a tone of strong feeling,
+&ldquo;if I could but make you comprehend what a man suffers when he takes a
+last look at his wife and children, and watches the boat that he has sent them
+off in, as long as it is in sight, and then turns away and says, &lsquo;God
+knows whether we ever meet again!&rsquo; And then, if I could convey to you the
+glow of his soul when he does see them again; when, coming back after a
+twelvemonth&rsquo;s absence, perhaps, and obliged to put into another port, he
+calculates how soon it be possible to get them there, pretending to deceive
+himself, and saying, &lsquo;They cannot be here till such a day,&rsquo; but all
+the while hoping for them twelve hours sooner, and seeing them arrive at last,
+as if Heaven had given them wings, by many hours sooner still! If I could
+explain to you all this, and all that a man can bear and do, and glories to do,
+for the sake of these treasures of his existence! I speak, you know, only of
+such men as have hearts!&rdquo; pressing his own with emotion.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Oh!&rdquo; cried Anne eagerly, &ldquo;I hope I do justice to all that is
+felt by you, and by those who resemble you. God forbid that I should undervalue
+the warm and faithful feelings of any of my fellow-creatures! I should deserve
+utter contempt if I dared to suppose that true attachment and constancy were
+known only by woman. No, I believe you capable of everything great and good in
+your married lives. I believe you equal to every important exertion, and to
+every domestic forbearance, so long as&mdash;if I may be allowed the
+expression&mdash;so long as you have an object. I mean while the woman you love
+lives, and lives for you. All the privilege I claim for my own sex (it is not a
+very enviable one; you need not covet it), is that of loving longest, when
+existence or when hope is gone.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+She could not immediately have uttered another sentence; her heart was too
+full, her breath too much oppressed.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;You are a good soul,&rdquo; cried Captain Harville, putting his hand on
+her arm, quite affectionately. &ldquo;There is no quarrelling with you. And
+when I think of Benwick, my tongue is tied.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Their attention was called towards the others. Mrs Croft was taking leave.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Here, Frederick, you and I part company, I believe,&rdquo; said she.
+&ldquo;I am going home, and you have an engagement with your friend. To-night
+we may have the pleasure of all meeting again at your party,&rdquo; (turning to
+Anne.) &ldquo;We had your sister&rsquo;s card yesterday, and I understood
+Frederick had a card too, though I did not see it; and you are disengaged,
+Frederick, are you not, as well as ourselves?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Captain Wentworth was folding up a letter in great haste, and either could not
+or would not answer fully.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Yes,&rdquo; said he, &ldquo;very true; here we separate, but Harville
+and I shall soon be after you; that is, Harville, if you are ready, I am in
+half a minute. I know you will not be sorry to be off. I shall be at your
+service in half a minute.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Mrs Croft left them, and Captain Wentworth, having sealed his letter with great
+rapidity, was indeed ready, and had even a hurried, agitated air, which shewed
+impatience to be gone. Anne knew not how to understand it. She had the kindest
+&ldquo;Good morning, God bless you!&rdquo; from Captain Harville, but from him
+not a word, nor a look! He had passed out of the room without a look!
+</p>
+
+<p>
+She had only time, however, to move closer to the table where he had been
+writing, when footsteps were heard returning; the door opened, it was himself.
+He begged their pardon, but he had forgotten his gloves, and instantly crossing
+the room to the writing table, he drew out a letter from under the scattered
+paper, placed it before Anne with eyes of glowing entreaty fixed on her for a
+time, and hastily collecting his gloves, was again out of the room, almost
+before Mrs Musgrove was aware of his being in it: the work of an instant!
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The revolution which one instant had made in Anne, was almost beyond
+expression. The letter, with a direction hardly legible, to &ldquo;Miss A.
+E.&mdash;,&rdquo; was evidently the one which he had been folding so hastily.
+While supposed to be writing only to Captain Benwick, he had been also
+addressing her! On the contents of that letter depended all which this world
+could do for her. Anything was possible, anything might be defied rather than
+suspense. Mrs Musgrove had little arrangements of her own at her own table; to
+their protection she must trust, and sinking into the chair which he had
+occupied, succeeding to the very spot where he had leaned and written, her eyes
+devoured the following words:
+</p>
+
+<p class="letter">
+&ldquo;I can listen no longer in silence. I must speak to you by such means as
+are within my reach. You pierce my soul. I am half agony, half hope. Tell me
+not that I am too late, that such precious feelings are gone for ever. I offer
+myself to you again with a heart even more your own than when you almost broke
+it, eight years and a half ago. Dare not say that man forgets sooner than
+woman, that his love has an earlier death. I have loved none but you. Unjust I
+may have been, weak and resentful I have been, but never inconstant. You alone
+have brought me to Bath. For you alone, I think and plan. Have you not seen
+this? Can you fail to have understood my wishes? I had not waited even these
+ten days, could I have read your feelings, as I think you must have penetrated
+mine. I can hardly write. I am every instant hearing something which overpowers
+me. You sink your voice, but I can distinguish the tones of that voice when
+they would be lost on others. Too good, too excellent creature! You do us
+justice, indeed. You do believe that there is true attachment and constancy
+among men. Believe it to be most fervent, most undeviating, in
+</p>
+
+<p class="right">
+F. W.
+</p>
+
+<p class="letter">
+&ldquo;I must go, uncertain of my fate; but I shall return hither, or follow
+your party, as soon as possible. A word, a look, will be enough to decide
+whether I enter your father&rsquo;s house this evening or never.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Such a letter was not to be soon recovered from. Half an hour&rsquo;s solitude
+and reflection might have tranquillized her; but the ten minutes only which now
+passed before she was interrupted, with all the restraints of her situation,
+could do nothing towards tranquillity. Every moment rather brought fresh
+agitation. It was overpowering happiness. And before she was beyond the first
+stage of full sensation, Charles, Mary, and Henrietta all came in.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The absolute necessity of seeming like herself produced then an immediate
+struggle; but after a while she could do no more. She began not to understand a
+word they said, and was obliged to plead indisposition and excuse herself. They
+could then see that she looked very ill, were shocked and concerned, and would
+not stir without her for the world. This was dreadful. Would they only have
+gone away, and left her in the quiet possession of that room it would have been
+her cure; but to have them all standing or waiting around her was distracting,
+and in desperation, she said she would go home.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;By all means, my dear,&rdquo; cried Mrs Musgrove, &ldquo;go home
+directly, and take care of yourself, that you may be fit for the evening. I
+wish Sarah was here to doctor you, but I am no doctor myself. Charles, ring and
+order a chair. She must not walk.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+But the chair would never do. Worse than all! To lose the possibility of
+speaking two words to Captain Wentworth in the course of her quiet, solitary
+progress up the town (and she felt almost certain of meeting him) could not be
+borne. The chair was earnestly protested against, and Mrs Musgrove, who thought
+only of one sort of illness, having assured herself with some anxiety, that
+there had been no fall in the case; that Anne had not at any time lately
+slipped down, and got a blow on her head; that she was perfectly convinced of
+having had no fall; could part with her cheerfully, and depend on finding her
+better at night.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Anxious to omit no possible precaution, Anne struggled, and said&mdash;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;I am afraid, ma&rsquo;am, that it is not perfectly understood. Pray be
+so good as to mention to the other gentlemen that we hope to see your whole
+party this evening. I am afraid there had been some mistake; and I wish you
+particularly to assure Captain Harville and Captain Wentworth, that we hope to
+see them both.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Oh! my dear, it is quite understood, I give you my word. Captain
+Harville has no thought but of going.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Do you think so? But I am afraid; and I should be so very sorry. Will
+you promise me to mention it, when you see them again? You will see them both
+this morning, I dare say. Do promise me.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;To be sure I will, if you wish it. Charles, if you see Captain Harville
+anywhere, remember to give Miss Anne&rsquo;s message. But indeed, my dear, you
+need not be uneasy. Captain Harville holds himself quite engaged, I&rsquo;ll
+answer for it; and Captain Wentworth the same, I dare say.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Anne could do no more; but her heart prophesied some mischance to damp the
+perfection of her felicity. It could not be very lasting, however. Even if he
+did not come to Camden Place himself, it would be in her power to send an
+intelligible sentence by Captain Harville. Another momentary vexation occurred.
+Charles, in his real concern and good nature, would go home with her; there was
+no preventing him. This was almost cruel. But she could not be long ungrateful;
+he was sacrificing an engagement at a gunsmith&rsquo;s, to be of use to her;
+and she set off with him, with no feeling but gratitude apparent.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+They were on Union Street, when a quicker step behind, a something of familiar
+sound, gave her two moments&rsquo; preparation for the sight of Captain
+Wentworth. He joined them; but, as if irresolute whether to join or to pass on,
+said nothing, only looked. Anne could command herself enough to receive that
+look, and not repulsively. The cheeks which had been pale now glowed, and the
+movements which had hesitated were decided. He walked by her side. Presently,
+struck by a sudden thought, Charles said&mdash;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Captain Wentworth, which way are you going? Only to Gay Street, or
+farther up the town?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;I hardly know,&rdquo; replied Captain Wentworth, surprised.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Are you going as high as Belmont? Are you going near Camden Place?
+Because, if you are, I shall have no scruple in asking you to take my place,
+and give Anne your arm to her father&rsquo;s door. She is rather done for this
+morning, and must not go so far without help, and I ought to be at that
+fellow&rsquo;s in the Market Place. He promised me the sight of a capital gun
+he is just going to send off; said he would keep it unpacked to the last
+possible moment, that I might see it; and if I do not turn back now, I have no
+chance. By his description, a good deal like the second size double-barrel of
+mine, which you shot with one day round Winthrop.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+There could not be an objection. There could be only the most proper alacrity,
+a most obliging compliance for public view; and smiles reined in and spirits
+dancing in private rapture. In half a minute Charles was at the bottom of Union
+Street again, and the other two proceeding together: and soon words enough had
+passed between them to decide their direction towards the comparatively quiet
+and retired gravel walk, where the power of conversation would make the present
+hour a blessing indeed, and prepare it for all the immortality which the
+happiest recollections of their own future lives could bestow. There they
+exchanged again those feelings and those promises which had once before seemed
+to secure everything, but which had been followed by so many, many years of
+division and estrangement. There they returned again into the past, more
+exquisitely happy, perhaps, in their re-union, than when it had been first
+projected; more tender, more tried, more fixed in a knowledge of each
+other&rsquo;s character, truth, and attachment; more equal to act, more
+justified in acting. And there, as they slowly paced the gradual ascent,
+heedless of every group around them, seeing neither sauntering politicians,
+bustling housekeepers, flirting girls, nor nursery-maids and children, they
+could indulge in those retrospections and acknowledgements, and especially in
+those explanations of what had directly preceded the present moment, which were
+so poignant and so ceaseless in interest. All the little variations of the last
+week were gone through; and of yesterday and today there could scarcely be an
+end.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+She had not mistaken him. Jealousy of Mr Elliot had been the retarding weight,
+the doubt, the torment. That had begun to operate in the very hour of first
+meeting her in Bath; that had returned, after a short suspension, to ruin the
+concert; and that had influenced him in everything he had said and done, or
+omitted to say and do, in the last four-and-twenty hours. It had been gradually
+yielding to the better hopes which her looks, or words, or actions occasionally
+encouraged; it had been vanquished at last by those sentiments and those tones
+which had reached him while she talked with Captain Harville; and under the
+irresistible governance of which he had seized a sheet of paper, and poured out
+his feelings.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Of what he had then written, nothing was to be retracted or qualified. He
+persisted in having loved none but her. She had never been supplanted. He never
+even believed himself to see her equal. Thus much indeed he was obliged to
+acknowledge: that he had been constant unconsciously, nay unintentionally; that
+he had meant to forget her, and believed it to be done. He had imagined himself
+indifferent, when he had only been angry; and he had been unjust to her merits,
+because he had been a sufferer from them. Her character was now fixed on his
+mind as perfection itself, maintaining the loveliest medium of fortitude and
+gentleness; but he was obliged to acknowledge that only at Uppercross had he
+learnt to do her justice, and only at Lyme had he begun to understand himself.
+At Lyme, he had received lessons of more than one sort. The passing admiration
+of Mr Elliot had at least roused him, and the scenes on the Cobb and at Captain
+Harville&rsquo;s had fixed her superiority.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+In his preceding attempts to attach himself to Louisa Musgrove (the attempts of
+angry pride), he protested that he had for ever felt it to be impossible; that
+he had not cared, could not care, for Louisa; though till that day, till the
+leisure for reflection which followed it, he had not understood the perfect
+excellence of the mind with which Louisa&rsquo;s could so ill bear a
+comparison, or the perfect unrivalled hold it possessed over his own. There, he
+had learnt to distinguish between the steadiness of principle and the obstinacy
+of self-will, between the darings of heedlessness and the resolution of a
+collected mind. There he had seen everything to exalt in his estimation the
+woman he had lost; and there begun to deplore the pride, the folly, the madness
+of resentment, which had kept him from trying to regain her when thrown in his
+way.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+From that period his penance had become severe. He had no sooner been free from
+the horror and remorse attending the first few days of Louisa&rsquo;s accident,
+no sooner begun to feel himself alive again, than he had begun to feel himself,
+though alive, not at liberty.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;I found,&rdquo; said he, &ldquo;that I was considered by Harville an
+engaged man! That neither Harville nor his wife entertained a doubt of our
+mutual attachment. I was startled and shocked. To a degree, I could contradict
+this instantly; but, when I began to reflect that others might have felt the
+same&mdash;her own family, nay, perhaps herself&mdash;I was no longer at my own
+disposal. I was hers in honour if she wished it. I had been unguarded. I had
+not thought seriously on this subject before. I had not considered that my
+excessive intimacy must have its danger of ill consequence in many ways; and
+that I had no right to be trying whether I could attach myself to either of the
+girls, at the risk of raising even an unpleasant report, were there no other
+ill effects. I had been grossly wrong, and must abide the consequences.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+He found too late, in short, that he had entangled himself; and that precisely
+as he became fully satisfied of his not caring for Louisa at all, he must
+regard himself as bound to her, if her sentiments for him were what the
+Harvilles supposed. It determined him to leave Lyme, and await her complete
+recovery elsewhere. He would gladly weaken, by any fair means, whatever
+feelings or speculations concerning him might exist; and he went, therefore, to
+his brother&rsquo;s, meaning after a while to return to Kellynch, and act as
+circumstances might require.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;I was six weeks with Edward,&rdquo; said he, &ldquo;and saw him happy. I
+could have no other pleasure. I deserved none. He enquired after you very
+particularly; asked even if you were personally altered, little suspecting that
+to my eye you could never alter.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Anne smiled, and let it pass. It was too pleasing a blunder for a reproach. It
+is something for a woman to be assured, in her eight-and-twentieth year, that
+she has not lost one charm of earlier youth; but the value of such homage was
+inexpressibly increased to Anne, by comparing it with former words, and feeling
+it to be the result, not the cause of a revival of his warm attachment.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+He had remained in Shropshire, lamenting the blindness of his own pride, and
+the blunders of his own calculations, till at once released from Louisa by the
+astonishing and felicitous intelligence of her engagement with Benwick.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Here,&rdquo; said he, &ldquo;ended the worst of my state; for now I
+could at least put myself in the way of happiness; I could exert myself; I
+could do something. But to be waiting so long in inaction, and waiting only for
+evil, had been dreadful. Within the first five minutes I said, &lsquo;I will be
+at Bath on Wednesday,&rsquo; and I was. Was it unpardonable to think it worth
+my while to come? and to arrive with some degree of hope? You were single. It
+was possible that you might retain the feelings of the past, as I did; and one
+encouragement happened to be mine. I could never doubt that you would be loved
+and sought by others, but I knew to a certainty that you had refused one man,
+at least, of better pretensions than myself; and I could not help often saying,
+&lsquo;Was this for me?&rsquo;&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Their first meeting in Milsom Street afforded much to be said, but the concert
+still more. That evening seemed to be made up of exquisite moments. The moment
+of her stepping forward in the Octagon Room to speak to him: the moment of Mr
+Elliot&rsquo;s appearing and tearing her away, and one or two subsequent
+moments, marked by returning hope or increasing despondency, were dwelt on with
+energy.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;To see you,&rdquo; cried he, &ldquo;in the midst of those who could not
+be my well-wishers; to see your cousin close by you, conversing and smiling,
+and feel all the horrible eligibilities and proprieties of the match! To
+consider it as the certain wish of every being who could hope to influence you!
+Even if your own feelings were reluctant or indifferent, to consider what
+powerful supports would be his! Was it not enough to make the fool of me which
+I appeared? How could I look on without agony? Was not the very sight of the
+friend who sat behind you, was not the recollection of what had been, the
+knowledge of her influence, the indelible, immoveable impression of what
+persuasion had once done&mdash;was it not all against me?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;You should have distinguished,&rdquo; replied Anne. &ldquo;You should
+not have suspected me now; the case is so different, and my age is so
+different. If I was wrong in yielding to persuasion once, remember that it was
+to persuasion exerted on the side of safety, not of risk. When I yielded, I
+thought it was to duty, but no duty could be called in aid here. In marrying a
+man indifferent to me, all risk would have been incurred, and all duty
+violated.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Perhaps I ought to have reasoned thus,&rdquo; he replied, &ldquo;but I
+could not. I could not derive benefit from the late knowledge I had acquired of
+your character. I could not bring it into play; it was overwhelmed, buried,
+lost in those earlier feelings which I had been smarting under year after year.
+I could think of you only as one who had yielded, who had given me up, who had
+been influenced by any one rather than by me. I saw you with the very person
+who had guided you in that year of misery. I had no reason to believe her of
+less authority now. The force of habit was to be added.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;I should have thought,&rdquo; said Anne, &ldquo;that my manner to
+yourself might have spared you much or all of this.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;No, no! your manner might be only the ease which your engagement to
+another man would give. I left you in this belief; and yet, I was determined to
+see you again. My spirits rallied with the morning, and I felt that I had still
+a motive for remaining here.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+At last Anne was at home again, and happier than any one in that house could
+have conceived. All the surprise and suspense, and every other painful part of
+the morning dissipated by this conversation, she re-entered the house so happy
+as to be obliged to find an alloy in some momentary apprehensions of its being
+impossible to last. An interval of meditation, serious and grateful, was the
+best corrective of everything dangerous in such high-wrought felicity; and she
+went to her room, and grew steadfast and fearless in the thankfulness of her
+enjoyment.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The evening came, the drawing-rooms were lighted up, the company assembled. It
+was but a card party, it was but a mixture of those who had never met before,
+and those who met too often; a commonplace business, too numerous for intimacy,
+too small for variety; but Anne had never found an evening shorter. Glowing and
+lovely in sensibility and happiness, and more generally admired than she
+thought about or cared for, she had cheerful or forbearing feelings for every
+creature around her. Mr Elliot was there; she avoided, but she could pity him.
+The Wallises, she had amusement in understanding them. Lady Dalrymple and Miss
+Carteret&mdash;they would soon be innoxious cousins to her. She cared not for
+Mrs Clay, and had nothing to blush for in the public manners of her father and
+sister. With the Musgroves, there was the happy chat of perfect ease; with
+Captain Harville, the kind-hearted intercourse of brother and sister; with Lady
+Russell, attempts at conversation, which a delicious consciousness cut short;
+with Admiral and Mrs Croft, everything of peculiar cordiality and fervent
+interest, which the same consciousness sought to conceal; and with Captain
+Wentworth, some moments of communications continually occurring, and always the
+hope of more, and always the knowledge of his being there.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+It was in one of these short meetings, each apparently occupied in admiring a
+fine display of greenhouse plants, that she said&mdash;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;I have been thinking over the past, and trying impartially to judge of
+the right and wrong, I mean with regard to myself; and I must believe that I
+was right, much as I suffered from it, that I was perfectly right in being
+guided by the friend whom you will love better than you do now. To me, she was
+in the place of a parent. Do not mistake me, however. I am not saying that she
+did not err in her advice. It was, perhaps, one of those cases in which advice
+is good or bad only as the event decides; and for myself, I certainly never
+should, in any circumstance of tolerable similarity, give such advice. But I
+mean, that I was right in submitting to her, and that if I had done otherwise,
+I should have suffered more in continuing the engagement than I did even in
+giving it up, because I should have suffered in my conscience. I have now, as
+far as such a sentiment is allowable in human nature, nothing to reproach
+myself with; and if I mistake not, a strong sense of duty is no bad part of a
+woman&rsquo;s portion.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+He looked at her, looked at Lady Russell, and looking again at her, replied, as
+if in cool deliberation&mdash;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Not yet. But there are hopes of her being forgiven in time. I trust to
+being in charity with her soon. But I too have been thinking over the past, and
+a question has suggested itself, whether there may not have been one person
+more my enemy even than that lady? My own self. Tell me if, when I returned to
+England in the year eight, with a few thousand pounds, and was posted into the
+Laconia, if I had then written to you, would you have answered my letter? Would
+you, in short, have renewed the engagement then?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Would I!&rdquo; was all her answer; but the accent was decisive enough.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Good God!&rdquo; he cried, &ldquo;you would! It is not that I did not
+think of it, or desire it, as what could alone crown all my other success; but
+I was proud, too proud to ask again. I did not understand you. I shut my eyes,
+and would not understand you, or do you justice. This is a recollection which
+ought to make me forgive every one sooner than myself. Six years of separation
+and suffering might have been spared. It is a sort of pain, too, which is new
+to me. I have been used to the gratification of believing myself to earn every
+blessing that I enjoyed. I have valued myself on honourable toils and just
+rewards. Like other great men under reverses,&rdquo; he added, with a smile.
+&ldquo;I must endeavour to subdue my mind to my fortune. I must learn to brook
+being happier than I deserve.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+</div><!--end chapter-->
+
+<div class="chapter">
+
+<h2><a name="chap24"></a>CHAPTER XXIV.</h2>
+
+<p>
+Who can be in doubt of what followed? When any two young people take it into
+their heads to marry, they are pretty sure by perseverance to carry their
+point, be they ever so poor, or ever so imprudent, or ever so little likely to
+be necessary to each other&rsquo;s ultimate comfort. This may be bad morality
+to conclude with, but I believe it to be truth; and if such parties succeed,
+how should a Captain Wentworth and an Anne Elliot, with the advantage of
+maturity of mind, consciousness of right, and one independent fortune between
+them, fail of bearing down every opposition? They might in fact, have borne
+down a great deal more than they met with, for there was little to distress
+them beyond the want of graciousness and warmth. Sir Walter made no objection,
+and Elizabeth did nothing worse than look cold and unconcerned. Captain
+Wentworth, with five-and-twenty thousand pounds, and as high in his profession
+as merit and activity could place him, was no longer nobody. He was now
+esteemed quite worthy to address the daughter of a foolish, spendthrift
+baronet, who had not had principle or sense enough to maintain himself in the
+situation in which Providence had placed him, and who could give his daughter
+at present but a small part of the share of ten thousand pounds which must be
+hers hereafter.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Sir Walter, indeed, though he had no affection for Anne, and no vanity
+flattered, to make him really happy on the occasion, was very far from thinking
+it a bad match for her. On the contrary, when he saw more of Captain Wentworth,
+saw him repeatedly by daylight, and eyed him well, he was very much struck by
+his personal claims, and felt that his superiority of appearance might be not
+unfairly balanced against her superiority of rank; and all this, assisted by
+his well-sounding name, enabled Sir Walter at last to prepare his pen, with a
+very good grace, for the insertion of the marriage in the volume of honour.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The only one among them, whose opposition of feeling could excite any serious
+anxiety was Lady Russell. Anne knew that Lady Russell must be suffering some
+pain in understanding and relinquishing Mr Elliot, and be making some struggles
+to become truly acquainted with, and do justice to Captain Wentworth. This
+however was what Lady Russell had now to do. She must learn to feel that she
+had been mistaken with regard to both; that she had been unfairly influenced by
+appearances in each; that because Captain Wentworth&rsquo;s manners had not
+suited her own ideas, she had been too quick in suspecting them to indicate a
+character of dangerous impetuosity; and that because Mr Elliot&rsquo;s manners
+had precisely pleased her in their propriety and correctness, their general
+politeness and suavity, she had been too quick in receiving them as the certain
+result of the most correct opinions and well-regulated mind. There was nothing
+less for Lady Russell to do, than to admit that she had been pretty completely
+wrong, and to take up a new set of opinions and of hopes.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+There is a quickness of perception in some, a nicety in the discernment of
+character, a natural penetration, in short, which no experience in others can
+equal, and Lady Russell had been less gifted in this part of understanding than
+her young friend. But she was a very good woman, and if her second object was
+to be sensible and well-judging, her first was to see Anne happy. She loved
+Anne better than she loved her own abilities; and when the awkwardness of the
+beginning was over, found little hardship in attaching herself as a mother to
+the man who was securing the happiness of her other child.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Of all the family, Mary was probably the one most immediately gratified by the
+circumstance. It was creditable to have a sister married, and she might flatter
+herself with having been greatly instrumental to the connexion, by keeping Anne
+with her in the autumn; and as her own sister must be better than her
+husband&rsquo;s sisters, it was very agreeable that Captain Wentworth should be
+a richer man than either Captain Benwick or Charles Hayter. She had something
+to suffer, perhaps, when they came into contact again, in seeing Anne restored
+to the rights of seniority, and the mistress of a very pretty landaulette; but
+she had a future to look forward to, of powerful consolation. Anne had no
+Uppercross Hall before her, no landed estate, no headship of a family; and if
+they could but keep Captain Wentworth from being made a baronet, she would not
+change situations with Anne.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+It would be well for the eldest sister if she were equally satisfied with her
+situation, for a change is not very probable there. She had soon the
+mortification of seeing Mr Elliot withdraw, and no one of proper condition has
+since presented himself to raise even the unfounded hopes which sunk with him.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The news of his cousin Anne&rsquo;s engagement burst on Mr Elliot most
+unexpectedly. It deranged his best plan of domestic happiness, his best hope of
+keeping Sir Walter single by the watchfulness which a son-in-law&rsquo;s rights
+would have given. But, though discomfited and disappointed, he could still do
+something for his own interest and his own enjoyment. He soon quitted Bath; and
+on Mrs Clay&rsquo;s quitting it soon afterwards, and being next heard of as
+established under his protection in London, it was evident how double a game he
+had been playing, and how determined he was to save himself from being cut out
+by one artful woman, at least.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Mrs Clay&rsquo;s affections had overpowered her interest, and she had
+sacrificed, for the young man&rsquo;s sake, the possibility of scheming longer
+for Sir Walter. She has abilities, however, as well as affections; and it is
+now a doubtful point whether his cunning, or hers, may finally carry the day;
+whether, after preventing her from being the wife of Sir Walter, he may not be
+wheedled and caressed at last into making her the wife of Sir William.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+It cannot be doubted that Sir Walter and Elizabeth were shocked and mortified
+by the loss of their companion, and the discovery of their deception in her.
+They had their great cousins, to be sure, to resort to for comfort; but they
+must long feel that to flatter and follow others, without being flattered and
+followed in turn, is but a state of half enjoyment.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Anne, satisfied at a very early period of Lady Russell&rsquo;s meaning to love
+Captain Wentworth as she ought, had no other alloy to the happiness of her
+prospects than what arose from the consciousness of having no relations to
+bestow on him which a man of sense could value. There she felt her own
+inferiority very keenly. The disproportion in their fortune was nothing; it did
+not give her a moment&rsquo;s regret; but to have no family to receive and
+estimate him properly, nothing of respectability, of harmony, of good will to
+offer in return for all the worth and all the prompt welcome which met her in
+his brothers and sisters, was a source of as lively pain as her mind could well
+be sensible of under circumstances of otherwise strong felicity. She had but
+two friends in the world to add to his list, Lady Russell and Mrs Smith. To
+those, however, he was very well disposed to attach himself. Lady Russell, in
+spite of all her former transgressions, he could now value from his heart.
+While he was not obliged to say that he believed her to have been right in
+originally dividing them, he was ready to say almost everything else in her
+favour, and as for Mrs Smith, she had claims of various kinds to recommend her
+quickly and permanently.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Her recent good offices by Anne had been enough in themselves, and their
+marriage, instead of depriving her of one friend, secured her two. She was
+their earliest visitor in their settled life; and Captain Wentworth, by putting
+her in the way of recovering her husband&rsquo;s property in the West Indies,
+by writing for her, acting for her, and seeing her through all the petty
+difficulties of the case with the activity and exertion of a fearless man and a
+determined friend, fully requited the services which she had rendered, or ever
+meant to render, to his wife.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Mrs Smith&rsquo;s enjoyments were not spoiled by this improvement of income,
+with some improvement of health, and the acquisition of such friends to be
+often with, for her cheerfulness and mental alacrity did not fail her; and
+while these prime supplies of good remained, she might have bid defiance even
+to greater accessions of worldly prosperity. She might have been absolutely
+rich and perfectly healthy, and yet be happy. Her spring of felicity was in the
+glow of her spirits, as her friend Anne&rsquo;s was in the warmth of her heart.
+Anne was tenderness itself, and she had the full worth of it in Captain
+Wentworth&rsquo;s affection. His profession was all that could ever make her
+friends wish that tenderness less, the dread of a future war all that could dim
+her sunshine. She gloried in being a sailor&rsquo;s wife, but she must pay the
+tax of quick alarm for belonging to that profession which is, if possible, more
+distinguished in its domestic virtues than in its national importance.
+</p>
+
+<p class="center">
+Finis
+</p>
+
+</div><!--end chapter-->
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diff --git a/old/old/persu10.txt b/old/old/persu10.txt
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..9701d1a
--- /dev/null
+++ b/old/old/persu10.txt
@@ -0,0 +1,8736 @@
+Please take a look at the important information in this header.
+We encourage you to keep this file on your own disk, keeping an
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+Persuasion, by Jane Austen
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+February, 1994  [Etext #105]
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+The Project Gutenberg Etext of Persuasion by Jane Austen
+
+
+
+
+
+
+Persuasion by Jane Austen (1818)
+
+
+
+
+Chapter 1
+
+
+Sir Walter Elliot, of Kellynch Hall, in Somersetshire, was a man who,
+for his own amusement, never took up any book but the Baronetage;
+there he found occupation for an idle hour, and consolation in a
+distressed one; there his faculties were roused into admiration and
+respect, by contemplating the limited remnant of the earliest patents;
+there any unwelcome sensations, arising from domestic affairs
+changed naturally into pity and contempt as he turned over
+the almost endless creations of the last century; and there,
+if every other leaf were powerless, he could read his own history
+with an interest which never failed.  This was the page at which
+the favorite volume always opened:
+
+		     "ELLIOT OF KELLYNCH HALL.
+"Walter Elliot, born March 1, 1760, married, July 15, 1784, Elizabeth,
+daughter of James Stevenson, Esq. of South Park, in the county of
+Gloucester, by which lady (who died 1800) he has issue Elizabeth,
+born June 1, 1785; Anne, born August 9, 1787; a still-born son,
+November 5, 1789; Mary, born November 20, 1791."
+
+Precisely such had the paragraph originally stood from the printer's hands;
+but Sir Walter had improved it by adding, for the information of
+himself and his family, these words, after the date of Mary's birth--
+"Married, December 16, 1810, Charles, son and heir of Charles
+Musgrove, Esq. of Uppercross, in the county of Somerset,"
+and by inserting most accurately the day of the month on which
+he had lost his wife.
+
+Then followed the history and rise of the ancient and respectable family,
+in the usual terms; how it had been first settled in Cheshire;
+how mentioned in Dugdale, serving the office of high sheriff,
+representing a borough in three successive parliaments,
+exertions of loyalty, and dignity of baronet, in the first year
+of Charles II, with all the Marys and Elizabeths they had married;
+forming altogether two handsome duodecimo pages, and concluding with
+the arms and motto:--"Principal seat, Kellynch Hall, in the county
+of Somerset," and Sir Walter's handwriting again in this finale:--
+
+"Heir presumptive, William Walter Elliot, Esq., great grandson of
+the second Sir Walter."
+
+Vanity was the beginning and the end of Sir Walter Elliot's character;
+vanity of person and of situation.  He had been remarkably handsome
+in his youth; and, at fifty-four, was still a very fine man. 
+Few women could think more of their personal appearance than he did,
+nor could the valet of any new made lord be more delighted with
+the place he held in society.  He considered the blessing of beauty
+as inferior only to the blessing of a baronetcy; and the Sir Walter Elliot,
+who united these gifts, was the constant object of his warmest respect
+and devotion. 
+
+His good looks and his rank had one fair claim on his attachment;
+since to them he must have owed a wife of very superior character
+to any thing deserved by his own.  Lady Elliot had been an excellent woman,
+sensible and amiable; whose judgement and conduct, if they might be
+pardoned the youthful infatuation which made her Lady Elliot,
+had never required indulgence afterwards.--She had humoured,
+or softened, or concealed his failings, and promoted his real
+respectability for seventeen years; and though not the very happiest
+being in the world herself, had found enough in her duties, her friends,
+and her children, to attach her to life, and make it no matter of
+indifference to her when she was called on to quit them. 
+--Three girls, the two eldest sixteen and fourteen, was an awful legacy
+for a mother to bequeath, an awful charge rather, to confide to
+the authority and guidance of a conceited, silly father. 
+She had, however, one very intimate friend, a sensible, deserving woman,
+who had been brought, by strong attachment to herself, to settle
+close by her, in the village of Kellynch; and on her kindness and advice,
+Lady Elliot mainly relied for the best help and maintenance of
+the good principles and instruction which she had been anxiously
+giving her daughters.
+
+This friend, and Sir Walter, did not marry, whatever might have been
+anticipated on that head by their acquaintance.  Thirteen years
+had passed away since Lady Elliot's death, and they were still
+near neighbours and intimate friends, and one remained a widower,
+the other a widow.
+
+That Lady Russell, of steady age and character, and extremely
+well provided for, should have no thought of a second marriage,
+needs no apology to the public, which is rather apt to be unreasonably
+discontented when a woman does marry again, than when she does not;
+but Sir Walter's continuing in singleness requires explanation. 
+Be it known then, that Sir Walter, like a good father, (having met with
+one or two private disappointments in very unreasonable applications),
+prided himself on remaining single for his dear daughters' sake. 
+For one daughter, his eldest, he would really have given up any thing,
+which he had not been very much tempted to do.  Elizabeth had succeeded,
+at sixteen, to all that was possible, of her mother's rights
+and consequence; and being very handsome, and very like himself,
+her influence had always been great, and they had gone on together
+most happily.  His two other children were of very inferior value. 
+Mary had acquired a little artificial importance, by becoming
+Mrs Charles Musgrove; but Anne, with an elegance of mind and sweetness
+of character, which must have placed her high with any people
+of real understanding, was nobody with either father or sister;
+her word had no weight, her convenience was always to give way--
+she was only Anne.
+
+To Lady Russell, indeed, she was a most dear and highly valued
+god-daughter, favourite, and friend.  Lady Russell loved them all;
+but it was only in Anne that she could fancy the mother to revive again.
+
+A few years before, Anne Elliot had been a very pretty girl,
+but her bloom had vanished early; and as even in its height,
+her father had found little to admire in her, (so totally different
+were her delicate features and mild dark eyes from his own),
+there could be nothing in them, now that she was faded and thin,
+to excite his esteem. He had never indulged much hope, he had now none,
+of ever reading her name in any other page of his favourite work. 
+All equality of alliance must rest with Elizabeth, for Mary had merely
+connected herself with an old country family of respectability and
+large fortune, and had therefore given all the honour and received none: 
+Elizabeth would, one day or other, marry suitably.
+
+It sometimes happens that a woman is handsomer at twenty-nine than
+she was ten years before; and, generally speaking, if there has been
+neither ill health nor anxiety, it is a time of life at which scarcely any
+charm is lost.  It was so with Elizabeth, still the same handsome
+Miss Elliot that she had begun to be thirteen years ago, and Sir Walter
+might be excused, therefore, in forgetting her age, or, at least,
+be deemed only half a fool, for thinking himself and Elizabeth
+as blooming as ever, amidst the wreck of the good looks of everybody else;
+for he could plainly see how old all the rest of his family and
+acquaintance were growing.  Anne haggard, Mary coarse, every face
+in the neighbourhood worsting, and the rapid increase of the crow's foot
+about Lady Russell's temples had long been a distress to him.
+
+Elizabeth did not quite equal her father in personal contentment.
+Thirteen years had seen her mistress of Kellynch Hall, presiding and
+directing with a self-possession and decision which could never have given
+the idea of her being younger than she was.  For thirteen years had
+she been doing the honours, and laying down the domestic law at home,
+and leading the way to the chaise and four, and walking immediately after
+Lady Russell out of all the drawing-rooms and dining-rooms in the country. 
+Thirteen winters' revolving frosts had seen her opening every ball
+of credit which a scanty neighbourhood afforded, and thirteen springs
+shewn their blossoms, as she travelled up to London with her father,
+for a few weeks' annual enjoyment of the great world.  She had
+the remembrance of all this, she had the consciousness of being
+nine-and-twenty to give her some regrets and some apprehensions;
+she was fully satisfied of being still quite as handsome as ever,
+but she felt her approach to the years of danger, and would have rejoiced
+to be certain of being properly solicited by baronet-blood within
+the next twelvemonth or two.  Then might she again take up
+the book of books with as much enjoyment as in her early youth,
+but now she liked it not.  Always to be presented with the date of
+her own birth and see no marriage follow but that of a youngest sister,
+made the book an evil; and more than once, when her father had left it
+open on the table near her, had she closed it, with averted eyes,
+and pushed it away.
+
+She had had a disappointment, moreover, which that book,
+and especially the history of her own family, must ever present
+the remembrance of.  The heir presumptive, the very William Walter
+Elliot, Esq., whose rights had been so generously supported
+by her father, had disappointed her.
+
+She had, while a very young girl, as soon as she had known him to be,
+in the event of her having no brother, the future baronet,
+meant to marry him, and her father had always meant that she should. 
+He had not been known to them as a boy; but soon after Lady Elliot's death,
+Sir Walter had sought the acquaintance, and though his overtures
+had not been met with any warmth, he had persevered in seeking it,
+making allowance for the modest drawing-back of youth; and, in one of
+their spring excursions to London, when Elizabeth was in her first bloom,
+Mr Elliot had been forced into the introduction.
+
+He was at that time a very young man, just engaged in the study of the law;
+and Elizabeth found him extremely agreeable, and every plan in his favour
+was confirmed.  He was invited to Kellynch Hall; he was talked of
+and expected all the rest of the year; but he never came. 
+The following spring he was seen again in town, found equally agreeable,
+again encouraged, invited, and expected, and again he did not come;
+and the next tidings were that he was married.  Instead of pushing
+his fortune in the line marked out for the heir of the house of Elliot,
+he had purchased independence by uniting himself to a rich woman
+of inferior birth.
+
+Sir Walter has resented it.  As the head of the house, he felt that
+he ought to have been consulted, especially after taking the young man
+so publicly by the hand; "For they must have been seen together,"
+he observed, "once at Tattersal's, and twice in the lobby of
+the House of Commons."  His disapprobation was expressed,
+but apparently very little regarded.  Mr Elliot had attempted no apology,
+and shewn himself as unsolicitous of being longer noticed by the family,
+as Sir Walter considered him unworthy of it:  all acquaintance between
+them had ceased.
+
+This very awkward history of Mr Elliot was still, after an interval
+of several years, felt with anger by Elizabeth, who had liked the man
+for himself, and still more for being her father's heir, and whose
+strong family pride could see only in him a proper match for Sir Walter
+Elliot's eldest daughter.  There was not a baronet from A to Z whom
+her feelings could have so willingly acknowledged as an equal. 
+Yet so miserably had he conducted himself, that though she was
+at this present time (the summer of 1814) wearing black ribbons
+for his wife, she could not admit him to be worth thinking of again. 
+The disgrace of his first marriage might, perhaps, as there was
+no reason to suppose it perpetuated by offspring, have been got over,
+had he not done worse; but he had, as by the accustomary intervention
+of kind friends, they had been informed, spoken most disrespectfully
+of them all, most slightingly and contemptuously of the very blood
+he belonged to, and the honours which were hereafter to be his own. 
+This could not be pardoned.
+
+Such were Elizabeth Elliot's sentiments and sensations; such the cares
+to alloy, the agitations to vary, the sameness and the elegance,
+the prosperity and the nothingness of her scene of life;
+such the feelings to give interest to a long, uneventful residence
+in one country circle, to fill the vacancies which there were no habits
+of utility abroad, no talents or accomplishments for home, to occupy.
+
+But now, another occupation and solicitude of mind was beginning to be
+added to these.  Her father was growing distressed for money. 
+She knew, that when he now took up the Baronetage, it was to drive
+the heavy bills of his tradespeople, and the unwelcome hints of
+Mr Shepherd, his agent, from his thoughts.  The Kellynch property was good,
+but not equal to Sir Walter's apprehension of the state required
+in its possessor.  While Lady Elliot lived, there had been method,
+moderation, and economy, which had just kept him within his income;
+but with her had died all such right-mindedness, and from that period
+he had been constantly exceeding it.  It had not been possible
+for him to spend less; he had done nothing but what Sir Walter Elliot
+was imperiously called on to do; but blameless as he was, he was
+not only growing dreadfully in debt, but was hearing of it so often,
+that it became vain to attempt concealing it longer, even partially,
+from his daughter.  He had given her some hints of it the last spring
+in town; he had gone so far even as to say, "Can we retrench? 
+Does it occur to you that there is any one article in which
+we can retrench?" and Elizabeth, to do her justice, had, in the first
+ardour of female alarm, set seriously to think what could be done,
+and had finally proposed these two branches of economy, to cut off
+some unnecessary charities, and to refrain from new furnishing
+the drawing-room; to which expedients she afterwards added
+the happy thought of their taking no present down to Anne,
+as had been the usual yearly custom.  But these measures,
+however good in themselves, were insufficient for the real extent
+of the evil, the whole of which Sir Walter found himself obliged
+to confess to her soon afterwards.  Elizabeth had nothing to propose
+of deeper efficacy.  She felt herself ill-used and unfortunate,
+as did her father; and they were neither of them able to devise
+any means of lessening their expenses without compromising their dignity,
+or relinquishing their comforts in a way not to be borne.
+
+There was only a small part of his estate that Sir Walter could dispose of;
+but had every acre been alienable, it would have made no difference. 
+He had condescended to mortgage as far as he had the power,
+but he would never condescend to sell.  No; he would never disgrace
+his name so far.  The Kellynch estate should be transmitted whole
+and entire, as he had received it.
+
+Their two confidential friends, Mr Shepherd, who lived in
+the neighbouring market town, and Lady Russell, were called to advise them;
+and both father and daughter seemed to expect that something should be
+struck out by one or the other to remove their embarrassments
+and reduce their expenditure, without involving the loss of
+any indulgence of taste or pride.
+
+
+
+Chapter 2
+
+
+Mr Shepherd, a civil, cautious lawyer, who, whatever might be his hold
+or his views on Sir Walter, would rather have the disagreeable
+prompted by anybody else, excused himself from offering the slightest hint,
+and only begged leave to recommend an implicit reference to
+the excellent judgement of Lady Russell, from whose known good sense
+he fully expected to have just such resolute measures advised as
+he meant to see finally adopted.
+
+Lady Russell was most anxiously zealous on the subject, and gave it
+much serious consideration.  She was a woman rather of sound than of
+quick abilities, whose difficulties in coming to any decision
+in this instance were great, from the opposition of two leading principles. 
+She was of strict integrity herself, with a delicate sense of honour;
+but she was as desirous of saving Sir Walter's feelings, as solicitous
+for the credit of the family, as aristocratic in her ideas of what
+was due to them, as anybody of sense and honesty could well be. 
+She was a benevolent, charitable, good woman, and capable of
+strong attachments, most correct in her conduct, strict in her notions
+of decorum, and with manners that were held a standard of good-breeding. 
+She had a cultivated mind, and was, generally speaking,
+rational and consistent; but she had prejudices on the side of ancestry;
+she had a value for rank and consequence, which blinded her a little
+to the faults of those who possessed them.  Herself the widow of
+only a knight, she gave the dignity of a baronet all its due;
+and Sir Walter, independent of his claims as an old acquaintance,
+an attentive neighbour, an obliging landlord, the husband of her
+very dear friend, the father of Anne and her sisters, was,
+as being Sir Walter, in her apprehension, entitled to a great deal
+of compassion and consideration under his present difficulties.
+
+They must retrench; that did not admit of a doubt.  But she was
+very anxious to have it done with the least possible pain to him
+and Elizabeth. She drew up plans of economy, she made exact calculations,
+and she did what nobody else thought of doing:  she consulted Anne,
+who never seemed considered by the others as having any interest
+in the question. She consulted, and in a degree was influenced by her
+in marking out the scheme of retrenchment which was at last submitted
+to Sir Walter. Every emendation of Anne's had been on the side of
+honesty against importance.  She wanted more vigorous measures,
+a more complete reformation, a quicker release from debt,
+a much higher tone of indifference for everything but justice and equity.
+
+"If we can persuade your father to all this," said Lady Russell,
+looking over her paper, "much may be done.  If he will adopt
+these regulations, in seven years he will be clear; and I hope
+we may be able to convince him and Elizabeth, that Kellynch Hall has
+a respectability in itself which cannot be affected by these reductions;
+and that the true dignity of Sir Walter Elliot will be very far from
+lessened in the eyes of sensible people, by acting like a man of principle. 
+What will he be doing, in fact, but what very many of our first families
+have done, or ought to do?  There will be nothing singular in his case;
+and it is singularity which often makes the worst part of our suffering,
+as it always does of our conduct.  I have great hope of prevailing. 
+We must be serious and decided; for after all, the person who
+has contracted debts must pay them; and though a great deal is due to
+the feelings of the gentleman, and the head of a house, like your father,
+there is still more due to the character of an honest man."
+
+This was the principle on which Anne wanted her father to be proceeding,
+his friends to be urging him.  She considered it as an act
+of indispensable duty to clear away the claims of creditors with
+all the expedition which the most comprehensive retrenchments
+could secure, and saw no dignity in anything short of it. 
+She wanted it to be prescribed, and felt as a duty.  She rated
+Lady Russell's influence highly; and as to the severe degree
+of self-denial which her own conscience prompted, she believed
+there might be little more difficulty in persuading them to a complete,
+than to half a reformation.  Her knowledge of her father
+and Elizabeth inclined her to think that the sacrifice of one pair
+of horses would be hardly less painful than of both, and so on,
+through the whole list of Lady Russell's too gentle reductions.
+
+How Anne's more rigid requisitions might have been taken
+is of little consequence.  Lady Russell's had no success at all:
+could not be put up with, were not to be borne. "What! every comfort
+of life knocked off!  Journeys, London, servants, horses, table--
+contractions and restrictions every where!  To live no longer
+with the decencies even of a private gentleman!  No, he would sooner
+quit Kellynch Hall at once, than remain in it on such disgraceful terms."
+
+"Quit Kellynch Hall."  The hint was immediately taken up by Mr Shepherd,
+whose interest was involved in the reality of Sir Walter's retrenching,
+and who was perfectly persuaded that nothing would be done without
+a change of abode.  "Since the idea had been started in the very quarter
+which ought to dictate, he had no scruple," he said, "in confessing
+his judgement to be entirely on that side.  It did not appear to him
+that Sir Walter could materially alter his style of living in a house
+which had such a character of hospitality and ancient dignity to support. 
+In any other place Sir Walter might judge for himself; and would
+be looked up to, as regulating the modes of life in whatever way
+he might choose to model his household." 
+
+Sir Walter would quit Kellynch Hall; and after a very few days more
+of doubt and indecision, the great question of whither he should go
+was settled, and the first outline of this important change made out.
+
+There had been three alternatives, London, Bath, or another house
+in the country.  All Anne's wishes had been for the latter. 
+A small house in their own neighbourhood, where they might still have
+Lady Russell's society, still be near Mary, and still have the pleasure
+of sometimes seeing the lawns and groves of Kellynch, was the object
+of her ambition.  But the usual fate of Anne attended her,
+in having something very opposite from her inclination fixed on. 
+She disliked Bath, and did not think it agreed with her;
+and Bath was to be her home.
+
+Sir Walter had at first thought more of London; but Mr Shepherd felt
+that he could not be trusted in London, and had been skillful enough
+to dissuade him from it, and make Bath preferred.  It was a much safer
+place for a gentleman in his predicament:  he might there be important
+at comparatively little expense.  Two material advantages of Bath
+over London had of course been given all their weight:  its more convenient
+distance from Kellynch, only fifty miles, and Lady Russell's spending
+some part of every winter there; and to the very great satisfaction
+of Lady Russell, whose first views on the projected change had been
+for Bath, Sir Walter and Elizabeth were induced to believe that
+they should lose neither consequence nor enjoyment by settling there.
+
+Lady Russell felt obliged to oppose her dear Anne's known wishes. 
+It would be too much to expect Sir Walter to descend into a small house
+in his own neighbourhood.  Anne herself would have found
+the mortifications of it more than she foresaw, and to Sir Walter's
+feelings they must have been dreadful.  And with regard to Anne's
+dislike of Bath, she considered it as a prejudice and mistake arising,
+first, from the circumstance of her having been three years
+at school there, after her mother's death; and secondly,
+from her happening to be not in perfectly good spirits the only winter
+which she had afterwards spent there with herself.
+
+Lady Russell was fond of Bath, in short, and disposed to think
+it must suit them all; and as to her young friend's health,
+by passing all the warm months with her at Kellynch Lodge,
+every danger would be avoided; and it was in fact, a change which must
+do both health and spirits good.  Anne had been too little from home,
+too little seen. Her spirits were not high.  A larger society
+would improve them.  She wanted her to be more known.
+
+The undesirableness of any other house in the same neighbourhood
+for Sir Walter was certainly much strengthened by one part,
+and a very material part of the scheme, which had been happily
+engrafted on the beginning.  He was not only to quit his home,
+but to see it in the hands of others; a trial of fortitude,
+which stronger heads than Sir Walter's have found too much. 
+Kellynch Hall was to be let.  This, however, was a profound secret,
+not to be breathed beyond their own circle.
+
+Sir Walter could not have borne the degradation of being known
+to design letting his house.  Mr Shepherd had once mentioned the word
+"advertise," but never dared approach it again.  Sir Walter spurned
+the idea of its being offered in any manner; forbad the slightest hint
+being dropped of his having such an intention; and it was only on
+the supposition of his being spontaneously solicited by some most
+unexceptionable applicant, on his own terms, and as a great favour,
+that he would let it at all.
+
+How quick come the reasons for approving what we like!  Lady Russell had
+another excellent one at hand, for being extremely glad that Sir Walter
+and his family were to remove from the country.  Elizabeth had been
+lately forming an intimacy, which she wished to see interrupted. 
+It was with the daughter of Mr Shepherd, who had returned,
+after an unprosperous marriage, to her father's house, with
+the additional burden of two children.  She was a clever young woman,
+who understood the art of pleasing--the art of pleasing, at least,
+at Kellynch Hall; and who had made herself so acceptable to Miss Elliot,
+as to have been already staying there more than once, in spite of all
+that Lady Russell, who thought it a friendship quite out of place,
+could hint of caution and reserve.
+
+Lady Russell, indeed, had scarcely any influence with Elizabeth,
+and seemed to love her, rather because she would love her,
+than because Elizabeth deserved it.  She had never received from her more
+than outward attention, nothing beyond the observances of complaisance;
+had never succeeded in any point which she wanted to carry,
+against previous inclination.  She had been repeatedly very earnest
+in trying to get Anne included in the visit to London, sensibly open
+to all the injustice and all the discredit of the selfish arrangements
+which shut her out, and on many lesser occasions had endeavoured
+to give Elizabeth the advantage of her own better judgement and experience;
+but always in vain:  Elizabeth would go her own way; and never had she
+pursued it in more decided opposition to Lady Russell than in
+this selection of Mrs Clay; turning from the society of so deserving
+a sister, to bestow her affection and confidence on one who ought
+to have been nothing to her but the object of distant civility.
+
+From situation, Mrs Clay was, in Lady Russell's estimate, a very unequal,
+and in her character she believed a very dangerous companion;
+and a removal that would leave Mrs Clay behind, and bring a choice
+of more suitable intimates within Miss Elliot's reach, was therefore
+an object of first-rate importance.
+
+
+
+Chapter 3
+
+
+"I must take leave to observe, Sir Walter," said Mr Shepherd
+one morning at Kellynch Hall, as he laid down the newspaper,
+"that the present juncture is much in our favour.  This peace will
+be turning all our rich naval officers ashore.  They will be
+all wanting a home.  Could not be a better time, Sir Walter,
+for having a choice of tenants, very responsible tenants. 
+Many a noble fortune has been made during the war.  If a rich admiral
+were to come in our way, Sir Walter--"
+
+"He would be a very lucky man, Shepherd," replied Sir Walter;
+"that's all I have to remark.  A prize indeed would Kellynch Hall
+be to him; rather the greatest prize of all, let him have taken
+ever so many before; hey, Shepherd?"
+
+Mr Shepherd laughed, as he knew he must, at this wit, and then added--
+
+"I presume to observe, Sir Walter, that, in the way of business,
+gentlemen of the navy are well to deal with.  I have had a little knowledge
+of their methods of doing business; and I am free to confess that they
+have very liberal notions, and are as likely to make desirable tenants
+as any set of people one should meet with.  Therefore, Sir Walter,
+what I would take leave to suggest is, that if in consequence of
+any rumours getting abroad of your intention; which must be contemplated
+as a possible thing, because we know how difficult it is to keep
+the actions and designs of one part of the world from the notice
+and curiosity of the other; consequence has its tax; I, John Shepherd,
+might conceal any family-matters that I chose, for nobody would think it
+worth their while to observe me; but Sir Walter Elliot has eyes upon him
+which it may be very difficult to elude; and therefore, thus much
+I venture upon, that it will not greatly surprise me if,
+with all our caution, some rumour of the truth should get abroad;
+in the supposition of which, as I was going to observe, since applications
+will unquestionably follow, I should think any from our wealthy
+naval commanders particularly worth attending to; and beg leave to add,
+that two hours will bring me over at any time, to save you
+the trouble of replying."
+
+Sir Walter only nodded.  But soon afterwards, rising and pacing the room,
+he observed sarcastically--
+
+"There are few among the gentlemen of the navy, I imagine, who would
+not be surprised to find themselves in a house of this description."
+
+"They would look around them, no doubt, and bless their good fortune,"
+said Mrs Clay, for Mrs Clay was present:  her father had driven her over,
+nothing being of so much use to Mrs Clay's health as a drive to Kellynch: 
+"but I quite agree with my father in thinking a sailor might be
+a very desirable tenant.  I have known a good deal of the profession;
+and besides their liberality, they are so neat and careful
+in all their ways!  These valuable pictures of yours, Sir Walter,
+if you chose to leave them, would be perfectly safe.  Everything in
+and about the house would be taken such excellent care of! 
+The gardens and shrubberies would be kept in almost as high order
+as they are now.  You need not be afraid, Miss Elliot, of your own
+sweet flower gardens being neglected."
+
+"As to all that," rejoined Sir Walter coolly, "supposing I were induced
+to let my house, I have by no means made up my mind as to the privileges
+to be annexed to it.  I am not particularly disposed to favour a tenant. 
+The park would be open to him of course, and few navy officers,
+or men of any other description, can have had such a range;
+but what restrictions I might impose on the use of the pleasure-grounds,
+is another thing.  I am not fond of the idea of my shrubberies being
+always approachable; and I should recommend Miss Elliot to be on her guard
+with respect to her flower garden.  I am very little disposed
+to grant a tenant of Kellynch Hall any extraordinary favour,
+I assure you, be he sailor or soldier."
+
+After a short pause, Mr Shepherd presumed to say--
+
+"In all these cases, there are established usages which
+make everything plain and easy between landlord and tenant. 
+Your interest, Sir Walter, is in pretty safe hands.  Depend upon me
+for taking care that no tenant has more than his just rights. 
+I venture to hint, that Sir Walter Elliot cannot be half so jealous
+for his own, as John Shepherd will be for him."
+
+Here Anne spoke--
+
+"The navy, I think, who have done so much for us, have at least
+an equal claim with any other set of men, for all the comforts and
+all the privileges which any home can give.  Sailors work hard enough
+for their comforts, we must all allow."
+
+"Very true, very true.  What Miss Anne says, is very true,"
+was Mr Shepherd's rejoinder, and "Oh! certainly," was his daughter's;
+but Sir Walter's remark was, soon afterwards--
+
+"The profession has its utility, but I should be sorry to see
+any friend of mine belonging to it."
+
+"Indeed!" was the reply, and with a look of surprise.
+
+"Yes; it is in two points offensive to me; I have two strong grounds
+of objection to it.  First, as being the means of bringing persons
+of obscure birth into undue distinction, and raising men to honours
+which their fathers and grandfathers never dreamt of; and secondly,
+as it cuts up a man's youth and vigour most horribly; a sailor grows old
+sooner than any other man.  I have observed it all my life. 
+A man is in greater danger in the navy of being insulted by the rise
+of one whose father, his father might have disdained to speak to,
+and of becoming prematurely an object of disgust himself, than in
+any other line.  One day last spring, in town, I was in company
+with two men, striking instances of what I am talking of;
+Lord St Ives, whose father we all know to have been a country curate,
+without bread to eat; I was to give place to Lord St Ives,
+and a certain Admiral Baldwin, the most deplorable-looking personage
+you can imagine; his face the colour of mahogany, rough and rugged
+to the last degree; all lines and wrinkles, nine grey hairs of a side,
+and nothing but a dab of powder at top.  `In the name of heaven,
+who is that old fellow?' said I to a friend of mine who was standing near,
+(Sir Basil Morley).  `Old fellow!' cried Sir Basil, `it is Admiral Baldwin. 
+What do you take his age to be?'  `Sixty,' said I, `or perhaps sixty-two.' 
+`Forty,' replied Sir Basil, `forty, and no more.'  Picture to yourselves
+my amazement; I shall not easily forget Admiral Baldwin. 
+I never saw quite so wretched an example of what a sea-faring life can do;
+but to a degree, I know it is the same with them all:  they are all
+knocked about, and exposed to every climate, and every weather,
+till they are not fit to be seen.  It is a pity they are not knocked
+on the head at once, before they reach Admiral Baldwin's age."
+
+"Nay, Sir Walter," cried Mrs Clay, "this is being severe indeed. 
+Have a little mercy on the poor men.  We are not all born to be handsome. 
+The sea is no beautifier, certainly; sailors do grow old betimes;
+I have observed it; they soon lose the look of youth.  But then,
+is not it the same with many other professions, perhaps most other? 
+Soldiers, in active service, are not at all better off:  and even in
+the quieter professions, there is a toil and a labour of the mind,
+if not of the body, which seldom leaves a man's looks to the natural
+effect of time.  The lawyer plods, quite care-worn; the physician
+is up at all hours, and travelling in all weather; and even
+the clergyman--" she stopt a moment to consider what might
+do for the clergyman;--"and even the clergyman, you know is obliged
+to go into infected rooms, and expose his health and looks to
+all the injury of a poisonous atmosphere.  In fact, as I have
+long been convinced, though every profession is necessary and honourable
+in its turn, it is only the lot of those who are not obliged to follow any,
+who can live in a regular way, in the country, choosing their own hours,
+following their own pursuits, and living on their own property,
+without the torment of trying for more; it is only their lot, I say,
+to hold the blessings of health and a good appearance to the utmost: 
+I know no other set of men but what lose something of their personableness
+when they cease to be quite young."
+
+It seemed as if Mr Shepherd, in this anxiety to bespeak
+Sir Walter's good will towards a naval officer as tenant,
+had been gifted with foresight; for the very first application
+for the house was from an Admiral Croft, with whom he shortly afterwards
+fell into company in attending the quarter sessions at Taunton; and indeed,
+he had received a hint of the Admiral from a London correspondent. 
+By the report which he hastened over to Kellynch to make,
+Admiral Croft was a native of Somersetshire, who having acquired
+a very handsome fortune, was wishing to settle in his own country,
+and had come down to Taunton in order to look at some advertised places
+in that immediate neighbourhood, which, however, had not suited him;
+that accidentally hearing--(it was just as he had foretold,
+Mr Shepherd observed, Sir Walter's concerns could not be kept a secret,)--
+accidentally hearing of the possibility of Kellynch Hall being to let,
+and understanding his (Mr Shepherd's) connection with the owner,
+he had introduced himself to him in order to make particular inquiries,
+and had, in the course of a pretty long conference, expressed as strong
+an inclination for the place as a man who knew it only by description
+could feel; and given Mr Shepherd, in his explicit account of himself,
+every proof of his being a most responsible, eligible tenant.
+
+"And who is Admiral Croft?" was Sir Walter's cold suspicious inquiry.
+
+Mr Shepherd answered for his being of a gentleman's family,
+and mentioned a place; and Anne, after the little pause which followed,
+added--
+
+"He is a rear admiral of the white.  He was in the Trafalgar action,
+and has been in the East Indies since; he was stationed there,
+I believe, several years."
+
+"Then I take it for granted," observed Sir Walter, "that his face
+is about as orange as the cuffs and capes of my livery."
+
+Mr Shepherd hastened to assure him, that Admiral Croft was a very hale,
+hearty, well-looking man, a little weather-beaten, to be sure,
+but not much, and quite the gentleman in all his notions and behaviour;
+not likely to make the smallest difficulty about terms, only wanted
+a comfortable home, and to get into it as soon as possible;
+knew he must pay for his convenience; knew what rent a ready-furnished
+house of that consequence might fetch; should not have been surprised
+if Sir Walter had asked more; had inquired about the manor;
+would be glad of the deputation, certainly, but made no great point of it;
+said he sometimes took out a gun, but never killed; quite the gentleman.
+
+Mr Shepherd was eloquent on the subject; pointing out all
+the circumstances of the Admiral's family, which made him
+peculiarly desirable as a tenant.  He was a married man,
+and without children; the very state to be wished for.  A house was
+never taken good care of, Mr Shepherd observed, without a lady: 
+he did not know, whether furniture might not be in danger of suffering
+as much where there was no lady, as where there were many children. 
+A lady, without a family, was the very best preserver of furniture
+in the world.  He had seen Mrs Croft, too; she was at Taunton
+with the admiral, and had been present almost all the time they were
+talking the matter over.
+
+"And a very well-spoken, genteel, shrewd lady, she seemed to be,"
+continued he; "asked more questions about the house, and terms,
+and taxes, than the Admiral himself, and seemed more conversant
+with business; and moreover, Sir Walter, I found she was not quite
+unconnected in this country, any more than her husband; that is to say,
+she is sister to a gentleman who did live amongst us once;
+she told me so herself:  sister to the gentleman who lived
+a few years back at Monkford.  Bless me! what was his name? 
+At this moment I cannot recollect his name, though I have heard it so lately. 
+Penelope, my dear, can you help me to the name of the gentleman
+who lived at Monkford:  Mrs Croft's brother?"
+
+But Mrs Clay was talking so eagerly with Miss Elliot, that she did not
+hear the appeal.
+
+"I have no conception whom you can mean, Shepherd; I remember
+no gentleman resident at Monkford since the time of old Governor Trent."
+
+"Bless me! how very odd!  I shall forget my own name soon, I suppose. 
+A name that I am so very well acquainted with; knew the gentleman
+so well by sight; seen him a hundred times; came to consult me once,
+I remember, about a trespass of one of his neighbours; farmer's man
+breaking into his orchard; wall torn down; apples stolen;
+caught in the fact; and afterwards, contrary to my judgement,
+submitted to an amicable compromise.  Very odd indeed!"
+
+After waiting another moment--
+
+"You mean Mr Wentworth, I suppose?" said Anne.
+
+Mr Shepherd was all gratitude. 
+
+"Wentworth was the very name!  Mr Wentworth was the very man. 
+He had the curacy of Monkford, you know, Sir Walter, some time back,
+for two or three years.  Came there about the year ---5, I take it. 
+You remember him, I am sure."
+
+"Wentworth?  Oh! ay,--Mr Wentworth, the curate of Monkford. 
+You misled me by the term gentleman.  I thought you were speaking of
+some man of property:  Mr Wentworth was nobody, I remember;
+quite unconnected; nothing to do with the Strafford family. 
+One wonders how the names of many of our nobility become so common."
+
+As Mr Shepherd perceived that this connexion of the Crofts did them
+no service with Sir Walter, he mentioned it no more; returning,
+with all his zeal, to dwell on the circumstances more indisputably
+in their favour; their age, and number, and fortune; the high idea
+they had formed of Kellynch Hall, and extreme solicitude for
+the advantage of renting it; making it appear as if they ranked
+nothing beyond the happiness of being the tenants of Sir Walter Elliot: 
+an extraordinary taste, certainly, could they have been supposed in
+the secret of Sir Walter's estimate of the dues of a tenant.
+
+It succeeded, however; and though Sir Walter must ever look with
+an evil eye on anyone intending to inhabit that house, and think them
+infinitely too well off in being permitted to rent it on the highest terms,
+he was talked into allowing Mr Shepherd to proceed in the treaty,
+and authorising him to wait on Admiral Croft, who still remained
+at Taunton, and fix a day for the house being seen.
+
+Sir Walter was not very wise; but still he had experience enough
+of the world to feel, that a more unobjectionable tenant,
+in all essentials, than Admiral Croft bid fair to be, could hardly offer. 
+So far went his understanding; and his vanity supplied a little
+additional soothing, in the Admiral's situation in life, which was just
+high enough, and not too high.  "I have let my house to Admiral Croft,"
+would sound extremely well; very much better than to any mere Mr--;
+a Mr (save, perhaps, some half dozen in the nation,) always needs
+a note of explanation.  An admiral speaks his own consequence,
+and, at the same time, can never make a baronet look small. 
+In all their dealings and intercourse, Sir Walter Elliot must ever
+have the precedence.
+
+Nothing could be done without a reference to Elizabeth: 
+but her inclination was growing so strong for a removal,
+that she was happy to have it fixed and expedited by a tenant at hand;
+and not a word to suspend decision was uttered by her.
+
+Mr Shepherd was completely empowered to act; and no sooner had
+such an end been reached, than Anne, who had been a most attentive listener
+to the whole, left the room, to seek the comfort of cool air for her
+flushed cheeks; and as she walked along a favourite grove, said,
+with a gentle sigh, "A few months more, and he, perhaps,
+may be walking here.
+
+
+
+Chapter 4
+
+
+He was not Mr Wentworth, the former curate of Monkford,
+however suspicious appearances may be, but a Captain Frederick Wentworth,
+his brother, who being made commander in consequence of the action
+off St Domingo, and not immediately employed, had come into Somersetshire,
+in the summer of 1806; and having no parent living, found a home
+for half a year at Monkford.  He was, at that time, a remarkably fine
+young man, with a great deal of intelligence, spirit, and brilliancy;
+and Anne an extremely pretty girl, with gentleness, modesty, taste,
+and feeling.  Half the sum of attraction, on either side, might have
+been enough, for he had nothing to do, and she had hardly anybody to love;
+but the encounter of such lavish recommendations could not fail. 
+They were gradually acquainted, and when acquainted, rapidly and
+deeply in love.  It would be difficult to say which had seen
+highest perfection in the other, or which had been the happiest: 
+she, in receiving his declarations and proposals, or he in
+having them accepted.
+
+A short period of exquisite felicity followed, and but a short one.
+Troubles soon arose.  Sir Walter, on being applied to, without actually
+withholding his consent, or saying it should never be, gave it all
+the negative of great astonishment, great coldness, great silence,
+and a professed resolution of doing nothing for his daughter. 
+He thought it a very degrading alliance; and Lady Russell, though with
+more tempered and pardonable pride, received it as a most unfortunate one.
+
+Anne Elliot, with all her claims of birth, beauty, and mind,
+to throw herself away at nineteen; involve herself at nineteen
+in an engagement with a young man, who had nothing but himself
+to recommend him, and no hopes of attaining affluence, but in the chances
+of a most uncertain profession, and no connexions to secure
+even his farther rise in the profession, would be, indeed, a throwing away,
+which she grieved to think of!  Anne Elliot, so young; known to so few,
+to be snatched off by a stranger without alliance or fortune;
+or rather sunk by him into a state of most wearing, anxious,
+youth-killing dependence!  It must not be, if by any fair interference
+of friendship, any representations from one who had almost a mother's love,
+and mother's rights, it would be prevented.
+
+Captain Wentworth had no fortune.  He had been lucky in his profession;
+but spending freely, what had come freely, had realized nothing. 
+But he was confident that he should soon be rich:  full of life and ardour,
+he knew that he should soon have a ship, and soon be on a station
+that would lead to everything he wanted.  He had always been lucky;
+he knew he knew he should be so still.  Such confidence, powerful
+in its own warmth, and bewitching in the wit which often expressed it,
+must have been enough for Anne; but Lady Russell saw it very differently. 
+His sanguine temper, and fearlessness of mind, operated very differently
+on her.  She saw in it but an aggravation of the evil.  It only added
+a dangerous character to himself.  He was brilliant, he was headstrong. 
+Lady Russell had little taste for wit, and of anything approaching to
+imprudence a horror.  She deprecated the connexion in every light.
+
+Such opposition, as these feelings produced, was more than
+Anne could combat.  Young and gentle as she was, it might yet
+have been possible to withstand her father's ill-will,
+though unsoftened by one kind word or look on the part of her sister;
+but Lady Russell, whom she had always loved and relied on, could not,
+with such steadiness of opinion, and such tenderness of manner,
+be continually advising her in vain.  She was persuaded to believe
+the engagement a wrong thing:  indiscreet, improper, hardly capable
+of success, and not deserving it.  But it was not a merely selfish caution,
+under which she acted, in putting an end to it.  Had she not
+imagined herself consulting his good, even more than her own,
+she could hardly have given him up.  The belief of being prudent,
+and self-denying, principally for his advantage, was her chief consolation,
+under the misery of a parting, a final parting; and every consolation
+was required, for she had to encounter all the additional pain of opinions,
+on his side, totally unconvinced and unbending, and of his feeling himself
+ill used by so forced a relinquishment.  He had left the country
+in consequence.
+
+A few months had seen the beginning and the end of their acquaintance;
+but not with a few months ended Anne's share of suffering from it. 
+Her attachment and regrets had, for a long time, clouded every
+enjoyment of youth, and an early loss of bloom and spirits
+had been their lasting effect.
+
+More than seven years were gone since this little history
+of sorrowful interest had reached its close; and time had
+softened down much, perhaps nearly all of peculiar attachment to him,
+but she had been too dependent on time alone; no aid had been given
+in change of place (except in one visit to Bath soon after the rupture),
+or in any novelty or enlargement of society.  No one had ever
+come within the Kellynch circle, who could bear a comparison with
+Frederick Wentworth, as he stood in her memory.  No second attachment,
+the only thoroughly natural, happy, and sufficient cure,
+at her time of life, had been possible to the nice tone of her mind,
+the fastidiousness of her taste, in the small limits of the society
+around them.  She had been solicited, when about two-and-twenty,
+to change her name, by the young man, who not long afterwards found
+a more willing mind in her younger sister; and Lady Russell had
+lamented her refusal; for Charles Musgrove was the eldest son of a man,
+whose landed property and general importance were second in that country,
+only to Sir Walter's, and of good character and appearance;
+and however Lady Russell might have asked yet for something more,
+while Anne was nineteen, she would have rejoiced to see her at twenty-two
+so respectably removed from the partialities and injustice of
+her father's house, and settled so permanently near herself. 
+But in this case, Anne had left nothing for advice to do;
+and though Lady Russell, as satisfied as ever with her own discretion,
+never wished the past undone, she began now to have the anxiety
+which borders on hopelessness for Anne's being tempted, by some man
+of talents and independence, to enter a state for which she held her
+to be peculiarly fitted by her warm affections and domestic habits.
+
+They knew not each other's opinion, either its constancy or its change,
+on the one leading point of Anne's conduct, for the subject was never
+alluded to; but Anne, at seven-and-twenty, thought very differently
+from what she had been made to think at nineteen.  She did not blame
+Lady Russell, she did not blame herself for having been guided by her;
+but she felt that were any young person, in similar circumstances,
+to apply to her for counsel, they would never receive any of such
+certain immediate wretchedness, such uncertain future good. 
+She was persuaded that under every disadvantage of disapprobation at home,
+and every anxiety attending his profession, all their probable fears,
+delays, and disappointments, she should yet have been a happier woman
+in maintaining the engagement, than she had been in the sacrifice of it;
+and this, she fully believed, had the usual share, had even more than
+the usual share of all such solicitudes and suspense been theirs,
+without reference to the actual results of their case, which,
+as it happened, would have bestowed earlier prosperity than
+could be reasonably calculated on.  All his sanguine expectations,
+all his confidence had been justified.  His genius and ardour
+had seemed to foresee and to command his prosperous path. 
+He had, very soon after their engagement ceased, got employ: 
+and all that he had told her would follow, had taken place. 
+He had distinguished himself, and early gained the other step in rank,
+and must now, by successive captures, have made a handsome fortune. 
+She had only navy lists and newspapers for her authority,
+but she could not doubt his being rich; and, in favour of his constancy,
+she had no reason to believe him married.
+
+How eloquent could Anne Elliot have been! how eloquent, at least,
+were her wishes on the side of early warm attachment, and a cheerful
+confidence in futurity, against that over-anxious caution which
+seems to insult exertion and distrust Providence!  She had been forced
+into prudence in her youth, she learned romance as she grew older: 
+the natural sequel of an unnatural beginning.
+
+With all these circumstances, recollections and feelings,
+she could not hear that Captain Wentworth's sister was likely
+to live at Kellynch without a revival of former pain; and many a stroll,
+and many a sigh, were necessary to dispel the agitation of the idea. 
+She often told herself it was folly, before she could harden her nerves
+sufficiently to feel the continual discussion of the Crofts
+and their business no evil.  She was assisted, however, by that
+perfect indifference and apparent unconsciousness, among the only three
+of her own friends in the secret of the past, which seemed almost to deny
+any recollection of it.  She could do justice to the superiority
+of Lady Russell's motives in this, over those of her father and Elizabeth;
+she could honour all the better feelings of her calmness;
+but the general air of oblivion among them was highly important
+from whatever it sprung; and in the event of Admiral Croft's really
+taking Kellynch Hall, she rejoiced anew over the conviction which
+had always been most grateful to her, of the past being known to
+those three only among her connexions, by whom no syllable,
+she believed, would ever be whispered, and in the trust that among his,
+the brother only with whom he had been residing, had received
+any information of their short-lived engagement.  That brother had been
+long removed from the country and being a sensible man, and, moreover,
+a single man at the time, she had a fond dependence on no human creature's
+having heard of it from him.
+
+The sister, Mrs Croft, had then been out of England, accompanying
+her husband on a foreign station, and her own sister, Mary,
+had been at school while it all occurred; and never admitted by
+the pride of some, and the delicacy of others, to the smallest knowledge
+of it afterwards.
+
+With these supports, she hoped that the acquaintance between herself
+and the Crofts, which, with Lady Russell, still resident in Kellynch,
+and Mary fixed only three miles off, must be anticipated,
+need not involve any particular awkwardness.
+
+
+
+Chapter 5
+
+
+On the morning appointed for Admiral and Mrs Croft's seeing Kellynch Hall,
+Anne found it most natural to take her almost daily walk to Lady Russell's,
+and keep out of the way till all was over; when she found it most natural
+to be sorry that she had missed the opportunity of seeing them.
+
+This meeting of the two parties proved highly satisfactory,
+and decided the whole business at once.  Each lady was previously
+well disposed for an agreement, and saw nothing, therefore,
+but good manners in the other; and with regard to the gentlemen,
+there was such an hearty good humour, such an open, trusting liberality
+on the Admiral's side, as could not but influence Sir Walter,
+who had besides been flattered into his very best and most polished
+behaviour by Mr Shepherd's assurances of his being known, by report,
+to the Admiral, as a model of good breeding.
+
+The house and grounds, and furniture, were approved, the Crofts
+were approved, terms, time, every thing, and every body, was right;
+and Mr Shepherd's clerks were set to work, without there having been
+a single preliminary difference to modify of all that
+"This indenture sheweth."
+
+Sir Walter, without hesitation, declared the Admiral to be
+the best-looking sailor he had ever met with, and went so far as to say,
+that if his own man might have had the arranging of his hair,
+he should not be ashamed of being seen with him any where;
+and the Admiral, with sympathetic cordiality, observed to his wife
+as they drove back through the park, "I thought we should soon
+come to a deal, my dear, in spite of what they told us at Taunton. 
+The Baronet will never set the Thames on fire, but there seems to be
+no harm in him."  reciprocal compliments, which would have been
+esteemed about equal.
+
+The Crofts were to have possession at Michaelmas; and as Sir Walter
+proposed removing to Bath in the course of the preceding month,
+there was no time to be lost in making every dependent arrangement.
+
+Lady Russell, convinced that Anne would not be allowed to be of any use,
+or any importance, in the choice of the house which they were
+going to secure, was very unwilling to have her hurried away so soon,
+and wanted to make it possible for her to stay behind till she might
+convey her to Bath herself after Christmas; but having engagements
+of her own which must take her from Kellynch for several weeks,
+she was unable to give the full invitation she wished, and Anne
+though dreading the possible heats of September in all the white glare
+of Bath, and grieving to forego all the influence so sweet and so sad
+of the autumnal months in the country, did not think that,
+everything considered, she wished to remain.  It would be most right,
+and most wise, and, therefore must involve least suffering
+to go with the others.
+
+Something occurred, however, to give her a different duty. 
+Mary, often a little unwell, and always thinking a great deal
+of her own complaints, and always in the habit of claiming Anne
+when anything was the matter, was indisposed; and foreseeing
+that she should not have a day's health all the autumn, entreated,
+or rather required her, for it was hardly entreaty, to come to
+Uppercross Cottage, and bear her company as long as she should want her,
+instead of going to Bath.
+
+"I cannot possibly do without Anne," was Mary's reasoning;
+and Elizabeth's reply was, "Then I am sure Anne had better stay,
+for nobody will want her in Bath."
+
+To be claimed as a good, though in an improper style, is at least
+better than being rejected as no good at all; and Anne, glad to
+be thought of some use, glad to have anything marked out as a duty,
+and certainly not sorry to have the scene of it in the country,
+and her own dear country, readily agreed to stay.
+
+This invitation of Mary's removed all Lady Russell's difficulties,
+and it was consequently soon settled that Anne should not go to Bath
+till Lady Russell took her, and that all the intervening time
+should be divided between Uppercross Cottage and Kellynch Lodge.
+
+So far all was perfectly right; but Lady Russell was almost startled
+by the wrong of one part of the Kellynch Hall plan, when it burst on her,
+which was, Mrs Clay's being engaged to go to Bath with Sir Walter
+and Elizabeth, as a most important and valuable assistant to the latter
+in all the business before her.  Lady Russell was extremely sorry
+that such a measure should have been resorted to at all, wondered,
+grieved, and feared; and the affront it contained to Anne,
+in Mrs Clay's being of so much use, while Anne could be of none,
+was a very sore aggravation.
+
+Anne herself was become hardened to such affronts; but she felt
+the imprudence of the arrangement quite as keenly as Lady Russell. 
+With a great deal of quiet observation, and a knowledge,
+which she often wished less, of her father's character, she was
+sensible that results the most serious to his family from the intimacy
+were more than possible.  She did not imagine that her father
+had at present an idea of the kind.  Mrs Clay had freckles,
+and a projecting tooth, and a clumsy wrist, which he was continually
+making severe remarks upon, in her absence; but she was young,
+and certainly altogether well-looking, and possessed, in an acute mind
+and assiduous pleasing manners, infinitely more dangerous attractions
+than any merely personal might have been.  Anne was so impressed
+by the degree of their danger, that she could not excuse herself
+from trying to make it perceptible to her sister.  She had little hope
+of success; but Elizabeth, who in the event of such a reverse would be
+so much more to be pitied than herself, should never, she thought,
+have reason to reproach her for giving no warning.
+
+She spoke, and seemed only to offend.  Elizabeth could not conceive
+how such an absurd suspicion should occur to her, and indignantly
+answered for each party's perfectly knowing their situation.
+
+"Mrs Clay," said she, warmly, "never forgets who she is;
+and as I am rather better acquainted with her sentiments than you can be,
+I can assure you, that upon the subject of marriage they are
+particularly nice, and that she reprobates all inequality of condition
+and rank more strongly than most people.  And as to my father,
+I really should not have thought that he, who has kept himself single
+so long for our sakes, need be suspected now.  If Mrs Clay were
+a very beautiful woman, I grant you, it might be wrong to have her
+so much with me; not that anything in the world, I am sure,
+would induce my father to make a degrading match, but he might
+be rendered unhappy.  But poor Mrs Clay who, with all her merits,
+can never have been reckoned tolerably pretty, I really think poor
+Mrs Clay may be staying here in perfect safety.  One would imagine
+you had never heard my father speak of her personal misfortunes,
+though I know you must fifty times.  That tooth of her's
+and those freckles.  Freckles do not disgust me so very much
+as they do him.  I have known a face not materially disfigured by a few,
+but he abominates them.  You must have heard him notice
+Mrs Clay's freckles."
+
+"There is hardly any personal defect," replied Anne,
+"which an agreeable manner might not gradually reconcile one to."
+
+"I think very differently," answered Elizabeth, shortly;
+"an agreeable manner may set off handsome features, but can never
+alter plain ones.  However, at any rate, as I have a great deal more
+at stake on this point than anybody else can have, I think it
+rather unnecessary in you to be advising me."
+
+Anne had done; glad that it was over, and not absolutely hopeless
+of doing good.  Elizabeth, though resenting the suspicion,
+might yet be made observant by it.
+
+The last office of the four carriage-horses was to draw Sir Walter,
+Miss Elliot, and Mrs Clay to Bath.  The party drove off
+in very good spirits;  Sir Walter prepared with condescending bows
+for all the afflicted tenantry and cottagers who might have had a hint
+to show themselves, and Anne walked up at the same time,
+in a sort of desolate tranquility, to the Lodge, where she was to spend
+the first week.
+
+Her friend was not in better spirits than herself. Lady Russell felt this
+break-up of the family exceedingly.  Their respectability was
+as dear to her as her own, and a daily intercourse had become
+precious by habit.  It was painful to look upon their deserted grounds,
+and still worse to anticipate the new hands they were to fall into;
+and to escape the solitariness and the melancholy of so altered a village,
+and be out of the way when Admiral and Mrs Croft first arrived,
+she had determined to make her own absence from home begin
+when she must give up Anne.  Accordingly their removal was made together,
+and Anne was set down at Uppercross Cottage, in the first stage
+of Lady Russell's journey.
+
+Uppercross was a moderate-sized village, which a few years back
+had been completely in the old English style, containing only
+two houses superior in appearance to those of the yeomen and labourers;
+the mansion of the squire, with its high walls, great gates, and old trees,
+substantial and unmodernized, and the compact, tight parsonage,
+enclosed in its own neat garden, with a vine and a pear-tree
+trained round its casements; but upon the marriage of the young 'squire,
+it had received the improvement of a farm-house elevated into a cottage,
+for his residence, and Uppercross Cottage, with its veranda,
+French windows, and other prettiness, was quite as likely to catch
+the traveller's eye as the more consistent and considerable aspect
+and premises of the Great House, about a quarter of a mile farther on.
+
+Here Anne had often been staying.  She knew the ways of Uppercross
+as well as those of Kellynch.  The two families were so continually meeting,
+so much in the habit of running in and out of each other's house
+at all hours, that it was rather a surprise to her to find Mary alone;
+but being alone, her being unwell and out of spirits was almost
+a matter of course.  Though better endowed than the elder sister,
+Mary had not Anne's understanding nor temper.  While well, and happy,
+and properly attended to, she had great good humour and excellent spirits;
+but any indisposition sunk her completely.  She had no resources
+for solitude; and inheriting a considerable share of the Elliot
+self-importance, was very prone to add to every other distress
+that of fancying herself neglected and ill-used.  In person, she was
+inferior to both sisters, and had, even in her bloom, only reached
+the dignity of being "a fine girl."  She was now lying on the faded sofa
+of the pretty little drawing-room, the once elegant furniture of which
+had been gradually growing shabby, under the influence of four summers
+and two children; and, on Anne's appearing, greeted her with--
+
+"So, you are come at last!  I began to think I should never see you. 
+I am so ill I can hardly speak.  I have not seen a creature
+the whole morning!"
+
+"I am sorry to find you unwell," replied Anne.  "You sent me
+such a good account of yourself on Thursday!"
+
+"Yes, I made the best of it; I always do:  but I was very far from well
+at the time; and I do not think I ever was so ill in my life
+as I have been all this morning:  very unfit to be left alone, I am sure. 
+Suppose I were to be seized of a sudden in some dreadful way,
+and not able to ring the bell!  So, Lady Russell would not get out. 
+I do not think she has been in this house three times this summer."
+
+Anne said what was proper, and enquired after her husband. 
+"Oh! Charles is out shooting.  I have not seen him since seven o'clock. 
+He would go, though I told him how ill I was.  He said he should not
+stay out long; but he has never come back, and now it is almost one. 
+I assure you, I have not seen a soul this whole long morning."
+
+"You have had your little boys with you?"
+
+"Yes, as long as I could bear their noise; but they are so unmanageable
+that they do me more harm than good.  Little Charles does not mind
+a word I say, and Walter is growing quite as bad."
+
+"Well, you will soon be better now," replied Anne, cheerfully. 
+"You know I always cure you when I come.  How are your neighbours
+at the Great House?"
+
+"I can give you no account of them.  I have not seen one of them to-day,
+except Mr Musgrove, who just stopped and spoke through the window,
+but without getting off his horse; and though I told him how ill I was,
+not one of them have been near me.  It did not happen to suit
+the Miss Musgroves, I suppose, and they never put themselves
+out of their way."
+
+"You will see them yet, perhaps, before the morning is gone. 
+It is early."
+
+"I never want them, I assure you.  They talk and laugh a great deal
+too much for me.  Oh! Anne, I am so very unwell!  It was quite unkind
+of you not to come on Thursday."
+
+"My dear Mary, recollect what a comfortable account you sent me of yourself! 
+You wrote in the cheerfullest manner, and said you were perfectly well,
+and in no hurry for me; and that being the case, you must be aware
+that my wish would be to remain with Lady Russell to the last: 
+and besides what I felt on her account, I have really been so busy,
+have had so much to do, that I could not very conveniently have
+left Kellynch sooner."
+
+"Dear me! what can you possibly have to do?"
+
+"A great many things, I assure you.  More than I can recollect
+in a moment; but I can tell you some.  I have been making
+a duplicate of the catalogue of my father's books and pictures. 
+I have been several times in the garden with Mackenzie,
+trying to understand, and make him understand, which of Elizabeth's plants
+are for Lady Russell.  I have had all my own little concerns
+to arrange, books and music to divide, and all my trunks to repack,
+from not having understood in time what was intended as to the waggons: 
+and one thing I have had to do, Mary, of a more trying nature: 
+going to almost every house in the parish, as a sort of take-leave. 
+I was told that they wished it.  But all these things took up
+a great deal of time."
+
+"Oh! well!" and after a moment's pause, "but you have never asked me
+one word about our dinner at the Pooles yesterday."
+
+"Did you go then?  I have made no enquiries, because I concluded
+you must have been obliged to give up the party."
+
+"Oh yes! I went.  I was very well yesterday; nothing at all
+the matter with me till this morning.  It would have been strange
+if I had not gone."
+
+"I am very glad you were well enough, and I hope you had a pleasant party."
+
+"Nothing remarkable.  One always knows beforehand what the dinner will be,
+and who will be there; and it is so very uncomfortable not having
+a carriage of one's own.  Mr and Mrs Musgrove took me, and we were
+so crowded!  They are both so very large, and take up so much room;
+and Mr Musgrove always sits forward.  So, there was I, crowded into
+the back seat with Henrietta and Louise; and I think it very likely
+that my illness to-day may be owing to it."
+
+A little further perseverance in patience and forced cheerfulness
+on Anne's side produced nearly a cure on Mary's.  She could soon
+sit upright on the sofa, and began to hope she might be able
+to leave it by dinner-time.  Then, forgetting to think of it,
+she was at the other end of the room, beautifying a nosegay;
+then, she ate her cold meat; and then she was well enough
+to propose a little walk.
+
+"Where shall we go?" said she, when they were ready.  "I suppose
+you will not like to call at the Great House before they have
+been to see you?"
+
+"I have not the smallest objection on that account," replied Anne. 
+"I should never think of standing on such ceremony with people I know
+so well as Mrs and the Miss Musgroves."
+
+"Oh! but they ought to call upon you as soon as possible. 
+They ought to feel what is due to you as my sister.  However,
+we may as well go and sit with them a little  while, and when we
+have that over, we can enjoy our walk."
+
+Anne had always thought such a style of intercourse highly imprudent;
+but she had ceased to endeavour to check it, from believing that,
+though there were on each side continual subjects of offence,
+neither family could now do without it.  To the Great House accordingly
+they went, to sit the full half hour in the old-fashioned square parlour,
+with a small carpet and shining floor, to which the present
+daughters of the house were gradually giving the proper air of confusion
+by a grand piano-forte and a harp, flower-stands and little tables
+placed in every direction.  Oh! could the originals of the portraits
+against the wainscot, could the gentlemen in brown velvet and
+the ladies in blue satin have seen what was going on, have been conscious
+of such an overthrow of all order and neatness!  The portraits themselves
+seemed to be staring in astonishment.
+
+The Musgroves, like their houses, were in a state of alteration,
+perhaps of improvement.  The father and mother were in the old
+English style, and the young people in the new.  Mr and Mrs Musgrove
+were a very good sort of people; friendly and hospitable,
+not much educated, and not at all elegant.  Their children had
+more modern minds and manners.  There was a numerous family;
+but the only two grown up, excepting Charles, were Henrietta and Louisa,
+young ladies of nineteen and twenty, who had brought from school at Exeter
+all the usual stock of accomplishments, and were now like thousands
+of other young ladies, living to be fashionable, happy, and merry. 
+Their dress had every advantage, their faces were rather pretty,
+their spirits extremely good, their manner unembarrassed and pleasant;
+they were of consequence at home, and favourites abroad. 
+Anne always contemplated them as some of the happiest creatures
+of her acquaintance; but still, saved as we all are, by some
+comfortable feeling of superiority from wishing for the possibility
+of exchange, she would not have given up her own more elegant
+and cultivated mind for all their enjoyments; and envied them nothing
+but that seemingly perfect good understanding and agreement together,
+that good-humoured mutual affection, of which she had known
+so little herself with either of her sisters.
+
+They were received with great cordiality.  Nothing seemed amiss
+on the side of the Great House family, which was generally,
+as Anne very well knew, the least to blame.  The half hour was
+chatted away pleasantly enough; and she was not at all surprised
+at the end of it, to have their walking party joined by both
+the Miss Musgroves, at Mary's particular invitation.
+
+
+
+Chapter 6
+
+
+Anne had not wanted this visit to Uppercross, to learn that a removal
+from one set of people to another, though at a distance of only three miles,
+will often include a total change of conversation, opinion, and idea. 
+She had never been staying there before, without being struck by it,
+or without wishing that other Elliots could have her advantage
+in seeing how unknown, or unconsidered there, were the affairs
+which at Kellynch Hall were treated as of such general publicity
+and pervading interest; yet, with all this experience, she believed
+she must now submit to feel that another lesson, in the art of knowing
+our own nothingness beyond our own circle, was become necessary for her;
+for certainly, coming as she did, with a heart full of the subject
+which had been completely occupying both houses in Kellynch for many weeks,
+she had expected rather more curiosity and sympathy than she found
+in the separate but very similar remark of Mr and Mrs Musgrove: 
+"So, Miss Anne, Sir Walter and your sister are gone; and what part of Bath
+do you think they will settle in?" and this, without much
+waiting for an answer; or in the young ladies' addition of,
+"I hope we shall be in Bath in the winter; but remember, papa,
+if we do go, we must be in a good situation:  none of your
+Queen Squares for us!" or in the anxious supplement from Mary, of--
+"Upon my word, I shall be pretty well off, when you are all gone away
+to be happy at Bath!"
+
+She could only resolve to avoid such self-delusion in future,
+and think with heightened gratitude of the extraordinary blessing
+of having one such truly sympathising friend as Lady Russell.
+
+The Mr Musgroves had their own game to guard, and to destroy,
+their own horses, dogs, and newspapers to engage them, and the females
+were fully occupied in all the other common subjects of housekeeping,
+neighbours, dress, dancing, and music.  She acknowledged it to be
+very fitting, that every little social commonwealth should dictate
+its own matters of discourse; and hoped, ere long, to become
+a not unworthy member of the one she was now transplanted into. 
+With the prospect of spending at least two months at Uppercross,
+it was highly incumbent on her to clothe her imagination, her memory,
+and all her ideas in as much of Uppercross as possible.
+
+She had no dread of these two months.  Mary was not so repulsive
+and unsisterly as Elizabeth, nor so inaccessible to all influence of hers;
+neither was there anything among the other component parts
+of the cottage inimical to comfort.  She was always on friendly terms
+with her brother-in-law; and in the children, who loved her nearly as well,
+and respected her a great deal more than their mother, she had
+an object of interest, amusement, and wholesome exertion.
+
+Charles Musgrove was civil and agreeable; in sense and temper he was
+undoubtedly superior to his wife, but not of powers, or conversation,
+or grace, to make the past, as they were connected together,
+at all a dangerous contemplation; though, at the same time,
+Anne could believe, with Lady Russell, that a more equal match
+might have greatly improved him; and that a woman of real understanding
+might have given more consequence to his character, and more usefulness,
+rationality, and elegance to his habits and pursuits.  As it was,
+he did nothing with much zeal, but sport; and his time was otherwise
+trifled away, without benefit from books or anything else. 
+He had very good spirits, which never seemed much affected by
+his wife's occasional lowness, bore with her unreasonableness
+sometimes to Anne's admiration, and upon the whole, though there was
+very often a little disagreement (in which she had sometimes more share
+than she wished, being appealed to by both parties), they might pass
+for a happy couple.  They were always perfectly agreed in the want
+of more money, and a strong inclination for a handsome present
+from his father; but here, as on most topics, he had the superiority,
+for while Mary thought it a great shame that such a present was not made,
+he always contended for his father's having many other uses for his money,
+and a right to spend it as he liked.
+
+As to the management of their children, his theory was much better
+than his wife's, and his practice not so bad.  "I could manage them
+very well, if it were not for Mary's interference," was what
+Anne often heard him say, and had a good deal of faith in;
+but when listening in turn to Mary's reproach of "Charles spoils
+the children so that I cannot get them into any order," she never had
+the smallest temptation to say, "Very true."
+
+One of the least agreeable circumstances of her residence there
+was her being treated with too much confidence by all parties,
+and being too much in the secret of the complaints of each house. 
+Known to have some influence with her sister, she was continually requested,
+or at least receiving hints to exert it, beyond what was practicable. 
+"I wish you could persuade Mary not to be always fancying herself ill,"
+was Charles's language; and, in an unhappy mood, thus spoke Mary: 
+"I do believe if Charles were to see me dying, he would not think
+there was anything the matter with me.  I am sure, Anne, if you would,
+you might persuade him that I really am very ill--a great deal worse
+than I ever own."
+
+Mary's declaration was, "I hate sending the children to the Great House,
+though their grandmamma is always wanting to see them, for she humours
+and indulges them to such a degree, and gives them so much trash
+and sweet things, that they are sure to come back sick and cross
+for the rest of the day."  And Mrs Musgrove took the first opportunity
+of being alone with Anne, to say, "Oh! Miss Anne, I cannot help wishing
+Mrs Charles had a little of your method with those children. 
+They are quite different creatures with you!  But to be sure,
+in general they are so spoilt!  It is a pity you cannot put your sister
+in the way of managing them.  They are as fine healthy children
+as ever were seen, poor little dears! without partiality;
+but Mrs Charles knows no more how they should be treated--! 
+Bless me! how troublesome they are sometimes.  I assure you, Miss Anne,
+it prevents my wishing to see them at our house so often as
+I otherwise should.  I believe Mrs Charles is not quite pleased
+with my not inviting them oftener; but you know it is very bad
+to have children with one that one is obligated to be checking
+every moment; "don't do this," and "don't do that;"  or that one can
+only keep in tolerable order by more cake than is good for them."
+
+She had this communication, moreover, from Mary.  "Mrs Musgrove thinks
+all her servants so steady, that it would be high treason
+to call it in question; but I am sure, without exaggeration,
+that her upper house-maid and laundry-maid, instead of being
+in their business, are gadding about the village, all day long. 
+I meet them wherever I go; and I declare, I never go twice into my nursery
+without seeing something of them.  If Jemima were not the trustiest,
+steadiest creature in the world, it would be enough to spoil her;
+for she tells me, they are always tempting her to take a walk with them." 
+And on Mrs Musgrove's side, it was, "I make a rule of never interfering
+in any of my daughter-in-law's concerns, for I know it would not do;
+but I shall tell you, Miss Anne, because you may be able to set things
+to rights, that I have no very good opinion of Mrs Charles's nursery-maid: 
+I hear strange stories of her; she is always upon the gad; and from
+my own knowledge, I can declare, she is such a fine-dressing lady,
+that she is enough to ruin any servants she comes near. 
+Mrs Charles quite swears by her, I know; but I just give you this hint,
+that you may be upon the watch; because, if you see anything amiss,
+you need not be afraid of mentioning it."
+
+Again, it was Mary's complaint, that Mrs Musgrove was very apt
+not to give her the precedence that was her due, when they dined
+at the Great House with other families; and she did not see any reason
+why she was to be considered so much at home as to lose her place. 
+And one day when Anne was walking with only the Musgroves, one of them
+after talking of rank, people of rank, and jealousy of rank, said,
+"I have no scruple of observing to you, how nonsensical some persons are
+about their place, because all the world knows how easy and indifferent
+you are about it; but I wish anybody could give Mary a hint that
+it would be a great deal better if she were not so very tenacious,
+especially if she would not be always putting herself forward to take
+place of mamma.  Nobody doubts her right to have precedence of mamma,
+but it would be more becoming in her not to be always insisting on it. 
+It is not that mamma cares about it the least in the world,
+but I know it is taken notice of by many persons."
+
+How was Anne to set all these matters to rights?  She could do little more
+than listen patiently, soften every grievance, and excuse each
+to the other; give them all hints of the forbearance necessary
+between such near neighbours, and make those hints broadest
+which were meant for her sister's benefit.
+
+In all other respects, her visit began and proceeded very well. 
+Her own spirits improved by change of place and subject,
+by being removed three miles from Kellynch; Mary's ailments lessened
+by having a constant companion, and their daily intercourse
+with the other family, since there was neither superior affection,
+confidence, nor employment in the cottage, to be interrupted by it,
+was rather an advantage.  It was certainly carried nearly as far as possible,
+for they met every morning, and hardly ever spent an evening asunder;
+but she believed they should not have done so well without the sight
+of Mr and Mrs Musgrove's respectable forms in the usual places,
+or without the talking, laughing, and singing of their daughters.
+
+She played a great deal better than either of the Miss Musgroves,
+but having no voice, no knowledge of the harp, and no fond parents,
+to sit by and fancy themselves delighted, her performance was
+little thought of, only out of civility, or to refresh the others,
+as she was well aware.  She knew that when she played she was
+giving pleasure only to herself; but this was no new sensation. 
+Excepting one short period of her life, she had never, since the age
+of fourteen, never since the loss of her dear mother, know the happiness
+of being listened to, or encouraged by any just appreciation or real taste. 
+In music she had been always used to feel alone in the world;
+and Mr and Mrs Musgrove's fond partiality for their own daughters'
+performance, and total indifference to any other person's,
+gave her much more pleasure for their sakes, than mortification
+for her own.
+
+The party at the Great House was sometimes increased by other company. 
+The neighbourhood was not large, but the Musgroves were visited
+by everybody, and had more dinner-parties, and more callers,
+more visitors by invitation and by chance, than any other family. 
+There were more completely popular.
+
+The girls were wild for dancing; and the evenings ended, occasionally,
+in an unpremeditated little ball.  There was a family of cousins
+within a walk of Uppercross, in less affluent circumstances,
+who depended on the Musgroves for all their pleasures:  they would come
+at any time, and help play at anything, or dance anywhere; and Anne,
+very much preferring the office of musician to a more active post,
+played country dances to them by the hour together; a kindness which
+always recommended her musical powers to the notice of Mr and Mrs Musgrove
+more than anything else, and often drew this compliment;--
+"Well done, Miss Anne! very well done indeed!  Lord bless me!
+how those little fingers of yours fly about!"
+
+So passed the first three weeks.  Michaelmas came; and now Anne's heart
+must be in Kellynch again.  A beloved home made over to others;
+all the precious rooms and furniture, groves, and prospects,
+beginning to own other eyes and other limbs!  She could not
+think of much else on the 29th of September; and she had this
+sympathetic touch in the evening from Mary, who, on having occasion
+to note down the day of the month, exclaimed, "Dear me, is not this
+the day the Crofts were to come to Kellynch?  I am glad I did not
+think of it before.  How low it makes me!"
+
+The Crofts took possession with true naval alertness, and were
+to be visited.  Mary deplored the necessity for herself. 
+"Nobody knew how much she should suffer.  She should put it off
+as long as she could;" but was not easy till she had talked Charles
+into driving her over on an early day, and was in a very animated,
+comfortable state of imaginary agitation, when she came back. 
+Anne had very sincerely rejoiced in there being no means of her going. 
+She wished, however to see the Crofts, and was glad to be within
+when the visit was returned.  They came:  the master of the house
+was not at home, but the two sisters were together; and as it chanced
+that Mrs Croft fell to the share of Anne, while the Admiral sat by Mary,
+and made himself very agreeable by his good-humoured notice
+of her little boys, she was well able to watch for a likeness,
+and if it failed her in the features, to catch it in the voice,
+or in the turn of sentiment and expression.
+
+Mrs Croft, though neither tall nor fat, had a squareness,
+uprightness, and vigour of form, which gave importance to her person. 
+She had bright dark eyes, good teeth, and altogether an agreeable face;
+though her reddened and weather-beaten complexion, the consequence
+of her having been almost as much at sea as her husband, made her seem to
+have lived some years longer in the world than her real eight-and-thirty. 
+Her manners were open, easy, and decided, like one who had
+no distrust of herself, and no doubts of what to do; without any
+approach to coarseness, however, or any want of good humour. 
+Anne gave her credit, indeed, for feelings of great consideration
+towards herself, in all that related to Kellynch, and it pleased her: 
+especially, as she had satisfied herself in the very first half minute,
+in the instant even of introduction, that there was not the smallest
+symptom of any knowledge or suspicion on Mrs Croft's side, to give a bias
+of any sort.  She was quite easy on that head, and consequently
+full of strength and courage, till for a moment electrified by
+Mrs Croft's suddenly saying,--
+
+"It was you, and not your sister, I find, that my brother had
+the pleasure of being acquainted with, when he was in this country."
+
+Anne hoped she had outlived the age of blushing; but the age of emotion
+she certainly had not.
+
+"Perhaps you may not have heard that he is married?" added Mrs Croft.
+
+She could now answer as she ought; and was happy to feel,
+when Mrs Croft's next words explained it to be Mr Wentworth
+of whom she spoke, that she had said nothing which might not do
+for either brother. She immediately felt how reasonable it was,
+that Mrs Croft should be thinking and speaking of Edward,
+and not of Frederick; and with shame at her own forgetfulness
+applied herself to the knowledge of their former neighbour's
+present state with proper interest.
+
+The rest was all tranquillity; till, just as they were moving,
+she heard the Admiral say to Mary--
+
+"We are expecting a brother of Mrs Croft's here soon; I dare say
+you know him by name."
+
+He was cut short by the eager attacks of the little boys,
+clinging to him like an old friend, and declaring he should not go;
+and being too much engrossed by proposals of carrying them away
+in his coat pockets, &c., to have another moment for finishing
+or recollecting what he had begun, Anne was left to persuade herself,
+as well as she could, that the same brother must still be in question. 
+She could not, however, reach such a degree of certainty,
+as not to be anxious to hear whether anything had been said on the subject
+at the other house, where the Crofts had previously been calling.
+
+The folks of the Great House were to spend the evening of this day
+at the Cottage; and it being now too late in the year for such visits
+to be made on foot, the coach was beginning to be listened for,
+when the youngest Miss Musgrove walked in.  That she was coming
+to apologize, and that they should have to spend the evening by themselves,
+was the first black idea; and Mary was quite ready to be affronted,
+when Louisa made all right by saying, that she only came on foot,
+to leave more room for the harp, which was bringing in the carriage.
+
+"And I will tell you our reason," she added, "and all about it. 
+I am come on to give you notice, that papa and mamma are
+out of spirits this evening, especially mamma; she is thinking so much
+of poor Richard!  And we agreed it would be best to have the harp,
+for it seems to amuse her more than the piano-forte.  I will tell you
+why she is out of spirits.  When the Crofts called this morning,
+(they called here afterwards, did not they?), they happened to say,
+that her brother, Captain Wentworth, is just returned to England,
+or paid off, or something, and is coming to see them almost directly;
+and most unluckily it came into mamma's head, when they were gone,
+that Wentworth, or something very like it, was the name of
+poor Richard's captain at one time; I do not know when or where,
+but a great while before he died, poor fellow!  And upon looking over
+his letters and things, she found it was so, and is perfectly sure
+that this must be the very man, and her head is quite full of it,
+and of poor Richard!  So we must be as merry as we can, that she may not
+be dwelling upon such gloomy things."
+
+The real circumstances of this pathetic piece of family history were,
+that the Musgroves had had the ill fortune of a very troublesome,
+hopeless son; and the good fortune to lose him before he reached
+his twentieth year; that he had been sent to sea because he was stupid
+and unmanageable on shore; that he had been very little cared for
+at any time by his family, though quite as much as he deserved;
+seldom heard of, and scarcely at all regretted, when the intelligence
+of his death abroad had worked its way to Uppercross, two years before.
+
+He had, in fact, though his sisters were now doing all they could for him,
+by calling him "poor Richard," been nothing better than a thick-headed,
+unfeeling, unprofitable Dick Musgrove, who had never done anything
+to entitle himself to more than the abbreviation of his name,
+living or dead.
+
+He had been several years at sea, and had, in the course of those removals
+to which all midshipmen are liable, and especially such midshipmen
+as every captain wishes to get rid of, been six months on board
+Captain Frederick Wentworth's frigate, the Laconia; and from the Laconia
+he had, under the influence of his captain, written the only two letters
+which his father and mother had ever received from him during the whole
+of his absence; that is to say, the only two disinterested letters;
+all the rest had been mere applications for money.
+
+In each letter he had spoken well of his captain; but yet,
+so little were they in the habit of attending to such matters,
+so unobservant and incurious were they as to the names of men or ships,
+that it had made scarcely any impression at the time; and that Mrs Musgrove
+should have been suddenly struck, this very day, with a recollection
+of the name of Wentworth, as connected with her son, seemed one of those
+extraordinary bursts of mind which do sometimes occur. 
+
+She had gone to her letters, and found it all as she supposed;
+and the re-perusal of these letters, after so long an interval,
+her poor son gone for ever, and all the strength of his faults forgotten,
+had affected her spirits exceedingly, and thrown her into
+greater grief for him than she had know on first hearing of his death. 
+Mr Musgrove was, in a lesser degree, affected likewise; and when
+they reached the cottage, they were evidently in want, first,
+of being listened to anew on this subject, and afterwards,
+of all the relief which cheerful companions could give them.
+
+To hear them talking so much of Captain Wentworth, repeating his name
+so often, puzzling over past years, and at last ascertaining that it might,
+that it probably would, turn out to be the very same Captain Wentworth
+whom they recollected meeting, once or twice, after their coming back
+from Clifton--a very fine young man--but they could not say whether
+it was seven or eight years ago, was a new sort of trial to Anne's nerves. 
+She found, however, that it was one to which she must inure herself. 
+Since he actually was expected in the country, she must teach herself
+to be insensible on such points.  And not only did it appear that
+he was expected, and speedily, but the Musgroves, in their warm gratitude
+for the kindness he had shewn poor Dick, and very high respect
+for his character, stamped as it was by poor Dick's having been
+six months under his care, and mentioning him in strong,
+though not perfectly well-spelt praise, as "a fine dashing felow,
+only two perticular about the schoolmaster," were bent on
+introducing themselves, and seeking his acquaintance, as soon as
+they could hear of his arrival.
+
+The resolution of doing so helped to form the comfort of their evening.
+
+
+
+Chapter 7
+
+
+A very few days more, and Captain Wentworth was known to be at Kellynch,
+and Mr Musgrove had called on him, and come back warm in his praise,
+and he was engaged with the Crofts to dine at Uppercross,
+by the end of another week.  It had been a great disappointment
+to Mr Musgrove to find that no earlier day could be fixed,
+so impatient was he to shew his gratitude, by seeing Captain Wentworth
+under his own roof, and welcoming him to all that was strongest
+and best in his cellars.  But a week must pass; only a week,
+in Anne's reckoning, and then, she supposed, they must meet;
+and soon she began to wish that she could feel secure even for a week.
+
+Captain Wentworth made a very early return to Mr Musgrove's civility,
+and she was all but calling there in the same half hour. 
+She and Mary were actually setting forward for the Great House,
+where, as she afterwards learnt, they must inevitably have found him,
+when they were stopped by the eldest boy's being at that moment
+brought home in consequence of a bad fall.  The child's situation
+put the visit entirely aside; but she could not hear of her escape
+with indifference, even in the midst of the serious anxiety
+which they afterwards felt on his account.
+
+His collar-bone was found to be dislocated, and such injury
+received in the back, as roused the most alarming ideas. 
+It was an afternoon of distress, and Anne had every thing to do at once;
+the apothecary to send for, the father to have pursued and informed,
+the mother to support and keep from hysterics, the servants to control,
+the youngest child to banish, and the poor suffering one to attend
+and soothe; besides sending, as soon as she recollected it,
+proper notice to the other house, which brought her an accession
+rather of frightened, enquiring companions, than of very useful assistants.
+
+Her brother's return was the first comfort; he could take best care
+of his wife; and the second blessing was the arrival of the apothecary. 
+Till he came and had examined the child, their apprehensions were
+the worse for being vague; they suspected great injury, but knew not where;
+but now the collar-bone was soon replaced, and though Mr Robinson
+felt and felt, and rubbed, and looked grave, and spoke low words
+both to the father and the aunt, still they were all to hope the best,
+and to be able to part and eat their dinner in tolerable ease of mind;
+and then it was, just before they parted, that the two young aunts
+were able so far to digress from their nephew's state, as to give
+the information of Captain Wentworth's visit; staying five minutes behind
+their father and mother, to endeavour to express how perfectly delighted
+they were with him, how much handsomer, how infinitely more agreeable
+they thought him than any individual among their male acquaintance,
+who had been at all a favourite before.  How glad they had been
+to hear papa invite him to stay dinner, how sorry when he said
+it was quite out of his power, and how glad again when he had promised
+in reply to papa and mamma's farther pressing invitations to come
+and dine with them on the morrow--actually on the morrow;
+and he had promised it in so pleasant a manner, as if he felt
+all the motive of their attention just as he ought.  And in short,
+he had looked and said everything with such exquisite grace,
+that they could assure them all, their heads were both turned by him;
+and off they ran, quite as full of glee as of love, and apparently
+more full of Captain Wentworth than of little Charles.
+
+The same story and the same raptures were repeated, when the two girls came
+with their father, through the gloom of the evening, to make enquiries;
+and Mr Musgrove, no longer under the first uneasiness about his heir,
+could add his confirmation and praise, and hope there would be now
+no occasion for putting Captain Wentworth off, and only be sorry to think
+that the cottage party, probably, would not like to leave the little boy,
+to give him the meeting.  "Oh no; as to leaving the little boy,"
+both father and mother were in much too strong and recent alarm
+to bear the thought; and Anne, in the joy of the escape,
+could not help adding her warm protestations to theirs.
+
+Charles Musgrove, indeed, afterwards, shewed more of inclination;
+"the child was going on so well, and he wished so much to be introduced
+to Captain Wentworth, that, perhaps, he might join them in the evening;
+he would not dine from home, but he might walk in for half an hour." 
+But in this he was eagerly opposed by his wife, with "Oh! no, indeed,
+Charles, I cannot bear to have you go away.  Only think if anything
+should happen?"
+
+The child had a good night, and was going on well the next day. 
+It must be a work of time to ascertain that no injury had been
+done to the spine; but Mr Robinson found nothing to increase alarm,
+and Charles Musgrove began, consequently, to feel no necessity
+for longer confinement.  The child was to be kept in bed and amused
+as quietly as possible; but what was there for a father to do? 
+This was quite a female case, and it would be highly absurd in him,
+who could be of no use at home, to shut himself up.  His father
+very much wished him to meet Captain Wentworth, and there being
+no sufficient reason against it, he ought to go; and it ended in his
+making a bold, public declaration, when he came in from shooting,
+of his meaning to dress directly, and dine at the other house.
+
+"Nothing can be going on better than the child," said he;
+"so I told my father, just now, that I would come, and he thought me
+quite right.  Your sister being with you, my love, I have no scruple at all. 
+You would not like to leave him yourself, but you see I can be of no use. 
+Anne will send for me if anything is the matter."
+
+Husbands and wives generally understand when opposition will be vain. 
+Mary knew, from Charles's manner of speaking, that he was
+quite determined on going, and that it would be of no use to teaze him. 
+She said nothing, therefore, till he was out of the room,
+but as soon as there was only Anne to hear--
+
+"So you and I are to be left to shift by ourselves, with this
+poor sick child; and not a creature coming near us all the evening! 
+I knew how it would be.  This is always my luck.  If there is
+anything disagreeable going on men are always sure to get out of it,
+and Charles is as bad as any of them.  Very unfeeling!  I must say
+it is very unfeeling of him to be running away from his poor little boy. 
+Talks of his being going on so well!  How does he know that he is
+going on well, or that there may not be a sudden change half an hour hence? 
+I did not think Charles would have been so unfeeling.  So here he is to
+go away and enjoy himself, and because I am the poor mother,
+I am not to be allowed to stir; and yet, I am sure, I am more unfit
+than anybody else to be about the child.  My being the mother
+is the very reason why my feelings should not be tried.  I am not at all
+equal to it.  You saw how hysterical I was yesterday."
+
+"But that was only the effect of the suddenness of your alarm--
+of the shock.  You will not be hysterical again.  I dare say we shall have
+nothing to distress us.  I perfectly understand Mr Robinson's directions,
+and have no fears; and indeed, Mary, I cannot wonder at your husband. 
+Nursing does not belong to a man; it is not his province. 
+A sick child is always the mother's property:  her own feelings
+generally make it so."
+
+"I hope I am as fond of my child as any mother, but I do not know
+that I am of any more use in the sick-room than Charles,
+for I cannot be always scolding and teazing the poor child when it is ill;
+and you saw, this morning, that if I told him to keep quiet,
+he was sure to begin kicking about.  I have not nerves
+for the sort of thing."
+
+"But, could you be comfortable yourself, to be spending
+the whole evening away from the poor boy?"
+
+"Yes; you see his papa can, and why should not I?  Jemima is so careful;
+and she could send us word every hour how he was.  I really think
+Charles might as well have told his father we would all come. 
+I am not more alarmed about little Charles now than he is. 
+I was dreadfully alarmed yesterday, but the case is very different to-day."
+
+"Well, if you do not think it too late to give notice for yourself,
+suppose you were to go, as well as your husband.  Leave little Charles
+to my care.  Mr and Mrs Musgrove cannot think it wrong while I remain
+with him."
+
+"Are you serious?" cried Mary, her eyes brightening.  "Dear me!
+that's a very good thought, very good, indeed.  To be sure,
+I may just as well go as not, for I am of no use at home--am I?
+and it only harasses me.  You, who have not a mother's feelings,
+are a great deal the properest person.  You can make little Charles
+do anything; he always minds you at a word.  It will be a great deal better
+than leaving him only with Jemima.  Oh! I shall certainly go;
+I am sure I ought if I can, quite as much as Charles, for they want me
+excessively to be acquainted with Captain Wentworth, and I know
+you do not mind being left alone.  An excellent thought of yours,
+indeed, Anne.  I will go and tell Charles, and get ready directly. 
+You can send for us, you know, at a moment's notice, if anything
+is the matter; but I dare say there will be nothing to alarm you. 
+I should not go, you may be sure, if I did not feel quite at ease
+about my dear child."
+
+The next moment she was tapping at her husband's dressing-room door,
+and as Anne followed her up stairs, she was in time for
+the whole conversation, which began with Mary's saying,
+in a tone of great exultation--
+
+"I mean to go with you, Charles, for I am of no more use at home
+than you are.  If I were to shut myself up for ever with the child,
+I should not be able to persuade him to do anything he did not like. 
+Anne will stay; Anne undertakes to stay at home and take care of him. 
+It is Anne's own proposal, and so I shall go with you, which will be
+a great deal better, for I have not dined at the other house since Tuesday."
+
+"This is very kind of Anne," was her husband's answer, "and I should be
+very glad to have you go; but it seems rather hard that she should be
+left at home by herself, to nurse our sick child."
+
+Anne was now at hand to take up her own cause, and the sincerity
+of her manner being soon sufficient to convince him, where conviction
+was at least very agreeable, he had no farther scruples as to her being
+left to dine alone, though he still wanted her to join them in the evening,
+when the child might be at rest for the night, and kindly urged her
+to let him come and fetch her, but she was quite unpersuadable;
+and this being the case, she had ere long the pleasure of seeing them
+set off together in high spirits.  They were gone, she hoped,
+to be happy, however oddly constructed such happiness might seem;
+as for herself, she was left with as many sensations of comfort,
+as were, perhaps, ever likely to be hers.  She knew herself to be
+of the first utility to the child; and what was it to her
+if Frederick Wentworth were only half a mile distant, making himself
+agreeable to others?
+
+She would have liked to know how he felt as to a meeting. 
+Perhaps indifferent, if indifference could exist under such circumstances. 
+He must be either indifferent or unwilling.  Had he wished
+ever to see her again, he need not have waited till this time;
+he would have done what she could not but believe that in his place
+she should have done long ago, when events had been early giving him
+the independence which alone had been wanting.
+
+Her brother and sister came back delighted with their new acquaintance,
+and their visit in general.  There had been music, singing,
+talking, laughing, all that was most agreeable; charming manners
+in Captain Wentworth, no shyness or reserve; they seemed all
+to know each other perfectly, and he was coming the very next morning
+to shoot with Charles.  He was to come to breakfast, but not at the Cottage,
+though that had been proposed at first; but then he had been pressed
+to come to the Great House instead, and he seemed afraid of being
+in Mrs Charles Musgrove's way, on account of the child, and therefore,
+somehow, they hardly knew how, it ended in Charles's being to meet him
+to breakfast at his father's.
+
+Anne understood it.  He wished to avoid seeing her.  He had inquired
+after her, she found, slightly, as might suit a former slight acquaintance,
+seeming to acknowledge such as she had acknowledged, actuated, perhaps,
+by the same view of escaping introduction when they were to meet.
+
+The morning hours of the Cottage were always later than those
+of the other house, and on the morrow the difference was so great
+that Mary and Anne were not more than beginning breakfast when
+Charles came in to say that they were just setting off, that he was
+come for his dogs, that his sisters were following with Captain Wentworth;
+his sisters meaning to visit Mary and the child, and Captain Wentworth
+proposing also to wait on her for a few minutes if not inconvenient;
+and though Charles had answered for the child's being in no such state
+as could make it inconvenient, Captain Wentworth would not be satisfied
+without his running on to give notice.
+
+Mary, very much gratified by this attention, was delighted to receive him,
+while a thousand feelings rushed on Anne, of which this was
+the most consoling, that it would soon be over.  And it was soon over. 
+In two minutes after Charles's preparation, the others appeared;
+they were in the drawing-room.  Her eye half met Captain Wentworth's,
+a bow, a curtsey passed; she heard his voice; he talked to Mary,
+said all that was right, said something to the Miss Musgroves,
+enough to mark an easy footing; the room seemed full, full of persons
+and voices, but a few minutes ended it.  Charles shewed himself
+at the window, all was ready, their visitor had bowed and was gone,
+the Miss Musgroves were gone too, suddenly resolving to walk
+to the end of the village with the sportsmen:  the room was cleared,
+and Anne might finish her breakfast as she could. 
+
+"It is over! it is over!" she repeated to herself again and again,
+in nervous gratitude.  "The worst is over!"
+
+Mary talked, but she could not attend.  She had seen him. 
+They had met.  They had been once more in the same room.
+
+Soon, however, she began to reason with herself, and try to be feeling less. 
+Eight years, almost eight years had passed, since all had been given up. 
+How absurd to be resuming the agitation which such an interval
+had banished into distance and indistinctness!  What might not
+eight years do?  Events of every description, changes, alienations,
+removals--all, all must be comprised in it, and oblivion of the past--
+how natural, how certain too!  It included nearly a third part
+of her own life.
+
+Alas! with all her reasoning, she found, that to retentive feelings
+eight years may be little more than nothing.
+
+Now, how were his sentiments to be read?  Was this like
+wishing to avoid her?  And the next moment she was hating herself
+for the folly which asked the question.
+
+On one other question which perhaps her utmost wisdom
+might not have prevented, she was soon spared all suspense;
+for, after the Miss Musgroves had returned and finished their visit
+at the Cottage she had this spontaneous information from Mary: --
+
+"Captain Wentworth is not very gallant by you, Anne, though he was
+so attentive to me.  Henrietta asked him what he thought of you,
+when they went away, and he said, `You were so altered he should not
+have known you again.'"
+
+Mary had no feelings to make her respect her sister's in a common way,
+but she was perfectly unsuspicious of being inflicting any peculiar wound.
+
+"Altered beyond his knowledge."  Anne fully submitted, in silent,
+deep mortification.  Doubtless it was so, and she could take no revenge,
+for he was not altered, or not for the worse.  She had already
+acknowledged it to herself, and she could not think differently,
+let him think of her as he would.  No:  the years which had destroyed
+her youth and bloom had only given him a more glowing, manly,
+open look, in no respect lessening his personal advantages. 
+She had seen the same Frederick Wentworth.
+
+"So altered that he should not have known her again!"  These were words
+which could not but dwell with her.  Yet she soon began to rejoice
+that she had heard them.  They were of sobering tendency;
+they allayed agitation; they composed, and consequently must
+make her happier.
+
+Frederick Wentworth had used such words, or something like them,
+but without an idea that they would be carried round to her. 
+He had thought her wretchedly altered, and in the first moment of appeal,
+had spoken as he felt.  He had not forgiven Anne Elliot. 
+She had used him ill, deserted and disappointed him; and worse,
+she had shewn a feebleness of character in doing so, which his own decided,
+confident temper could not endure.  She had given him up to oblige others. 
+It had been the effect of over-persuasion.  It had been
+weakness and timidity.
+
+He had been most warmly attached to her, and had never seen a woman since
+whom he thought her equal; but, except from some natural sensation
+of curiosity, he had no desire of meeting her again.  Her power with him
+was gone for ever.
+
+It was now his object to marry.  He was rich, and being turned on shore,
+fully intended to settle as soon as he could be properly tempted;
+actually looking round, ready to fall in love with all the speed
+which a clear head and a quick taste could allow.  He had a heart
+for either of the Miss Musgroves, if they could catch it; a heart,
+in short, for any pleasing young woman who came in his way,
+excepting Anne Elliot.  This was his only secret exception,
+when he said to his sister, in answer to her suppositions:--
+
+"Yes, here I am, Sophia, quite ready to make a foolish match. 
+Anybody between fifteen and thirty may have me for asking. 
+A little beauty, and a few smiles, and a few compliments to the navy,
+and I am a lost man.  Should not this be enough for a sailor,
+who has had no society among women to make him nice?"
+
+He said it, she knew, to be contradicted.  His bright proud eye
+spoke the conviction that he was nice; and Anne Elliot was
+not out of his thoughts, when he more seriously described
+the woman he should wish to meet with.  "A strong mind,
+with sweetness of manner," made the first and the last of the description. 
+
+"That is the woman I want," said he.  "Something a little inferior
+I shall of course put up with, but it must not be much.  If I am a fool,
+I shall be a fool indeed, for I have thought on the subject
+more than most men."
+
+
+
+Chapter 8
+
+
+From this time Captain Wentworth and Anne Elliot were repeatedly
+in the same circle.  They were soon dining in company together
+at Mr Musgrove's, for the little boy's state could no longer
+supply his aunt with a pretence for absenting herself; and this was
+but the beginning of other dinings and other meetings.
+
+Whether former feelings were to be renewed must be brought to the proof;
+former times must undoubtedly be brought to the recollection of each;
+they could not but be reverted to; the year of their engagement
+could not but be named by him, in the little narratives or descriptions
+which conversation called forth.  His profession qualified him,
+his disposition lead him, to talk; and "That was in the year six;"
+"That happened before I went to sea in the year six," occurred
+in the course of the first evening they spent together: 
+and though his voice did not falter, and though she had no reason
+to suppose his eye wandering towards her while he spoke,
+Anne felt the utter impossibility, from her knowledge of his mind,
+that he could be unvisited by remembrance any more than herself. 
+There must be the same immediate association of thought,
+though she was very far from conceiving it to be of equal pain.
+
+They had no conversation together, no intercourse but what
+the commonest civility required.  Once so much to each other! 
+Now nothing!  There had been a time, when of all the large party
+now filling the drawing-room at Uppercross, they would have found it
+most difficult to cease to speak to one another.  With the exception,
+perhaps, of Admiral and Mrs Croft, who seemed particularly attached
+and happy, (Anne could allow no other exceptions even among
+the married couples), there could have been no two hearts so open,
+no tastes so similar, no feelings so in unison, no countenances so beloved. 
+Now they were as strangers; nay, worse than strangers, for they could
+never become acquainted.  It was a perpetual estrangement.
+
+When he talked, she heard the same voice, and discerned the same mind. 
+There was a very general ignorance of all naval matters throughout the party;
+and he was very much questioned, and especially by the two Miss Musgroves,
+who seemed hardly to have any eyes but for him, as to the manner
+of living on board, daily regulations, food, hours, &c., and their surprise
+at his accounts, at learning the degree of accommodation and arrangement
+which was practicable, drew from him some pleasant ridicule,
+which reminded Anne of the early days when she too had been ignorant,
+and she too had been accused of supposing sailors to be living on board
+without anything to eat, or any cook to dress it if there were,
+or any servant to wait, or any knife and fork to use.
+
+From thus listening and thinking, she was roused by a whisper
+of Mrs Musgrove's who, overcome by fond regrets, could not help saying--
+
+"Ah! Miss Anne, if it had pleased Heaven to spare my poor son,
+I dare say he would have been just such another by this time."
+
+Anne suppressed a smile, and listened kindly, while Mrs Musgrove
+relieved her heart a little more; and for a few minutes, therefore,
+could not keep pace with the conversation of the others.
+
+When she could let her attention take its natural course again,
+she found the Miss Musgroves just fetching the Navy List
+(their own navy list, the first that had ever been at Uppercross),
+and sitting down together to pore over it, with the professed view
+of finding out the ships that Captain Wentworth had commanded.
+
+"Your first was the Asp, I remember; we will look for the Asp."
+
+"You will not find her there.  Quite worn out and broken up. 
+I was the last man who commanded her.  Hardly fit for service then. 
+Reported fit for home service for a year or two, and so I was sent off
+to the West Indies."
+
+The girls looked all amazement.
+
+"The Admiralty," he continued, "entertain themselves now and then,
+with sending a few hundred men to sea, in a ship not fit to be employed. 
+But they have a great many to provide for; and among the thousands
+that may just as well go to the bottom as not, it is impossible
+for them to distinguish the very set who may be least missed."
+
+"Phoo! phoo!" cried the Admiral, "what stuff these young fellows talk! 
+Never was a better sloop than the Asp in her day.  For an old built sloop,
+you would not see her equal.  Lucky fellow to get her!  He knows there
+must have been twenty better men than himself applying for her
+at the same time.  Lucky fellow to get anything so soon,
+with no more interest than his."
+
+"I felt my luck, Admiral, I assure you;" replied Captain Wentworth,
+seriously.  "I was as well satisfied with my appointment as you can desire. 
+It was a great object with me at that time to be at sea;
+a very great object, I wanted to be doing something."
+
+"To be sure you did.  What should a young fellow like you do ashore
+for half a year together?  If a man had not a wife, he soon wants
+to be afloat again."
+
+"But, Captain Wentworth," cried Louisa, "how vexed you must have been
+when you came to the Asp, to see what an old thing they had given you."
+
+"I knew pretty well what she was before that day;" said he, smiling. 
+"I had no more discoveries to make than you would have as to
+the fashion and strength of any old pelisse, which you had seen
+lent about among half your acquaintance ever since you could remember,
+and which at last, on some very wet day, is lent to yourself. 
+Ah! she was a dear old Asp to me.  She did all that I wanted. 
+I knew she would.  I knew that we should either go to the bottom together,
+or that she would be the making of me; and I never had two days
+of foul weather all the time I was at sea in her; and after
+taking privateers enough to be very entertaining, I had the good luck
+in my passage home the next autumn, to fall in with the very French frigate
+I wanted.  I brought her into Plymouth; and here another instance of luck. 
+We had not been six hours in the Sound, when a gale came on,
+which lasted four days and nights, and which would have done for
+poor old Asp in half the time; our touch with the Great Nation
+not having much improved our condition.  Four-and-twenty hours later,
+and I should only have been a gallant Captain Wentworth,
+in a small paragraph at one corner of the newspapers; and being lost
+in only a sloop, nobody would have thought about me." Anne's shudderings
+were to herself alone; but the Miss Musgroves could be as open
+as they were sincere, in their exclamations of pity and horror.
+
+"And so then, I suppose," said Mrs Musgrove, in a low voice,
+as if thinking aloud, "so then he went away to the Laconia, and there
+he met with our poor boy. Charles, my dear," (beckoning him to her),
+"do ask Captain Wentworth where it was he first met with your poor brother. 
+I always forgot."
+
+"It was at Gibraltar, mother, I know.  Dick had been left ill at Gibraltar,
+with a recommendation from his former captain to Captain Wentworth."
+
+"Oh! but, Charles, tell Captain Wentworth, he need not be afraid
+of mentioning poor Dick before me, for it would be rather a pleasure
+to hear him talked of by such a good friend."
+
+Charles, being somewhat more mindful of the probabilities of the case,
+only nodded in reply, and walked away.
+
+The girls were now hunting for the Laconia; and Captain Wentworth
+could not deny himself the pleasure of taking the precious volume
+into his own hands to save them the trouble, and once more read aloud
+the little statement of her name and rate, and present
+non-commissioned class, observing over it that she too had been
+one of the best friends man ever had.
+
+"Ah! those were pleasant days when I had the Laconia!  How fast I
+made money in her.  A friend of mine and I had such a lovely cruise
+together off the Western Islands.  Poor Harville, sister! 
+You know how much he wanted money:  worse than myself.  He had a wife. 
+Excellent fellow.  I shall never forget his happiness.  He felt it all,
+so much for her sake.  I wished for him again the next summer,
+when I had still the same luck in the Mediterranean."
+
+"And I am sure, Sir." said Mrs Musgrove, "it was a lucky day for us,
+when you were put captain into that ship.  We shall never forget
+what you did."
+
+Her feelings made her speak low; and Captain Wentworth,
+hearing only in part, and probably not having Dick Musgrove at all
+near his thoughts, looked rather in suspense, and as if waiting for more.
+
+"My brother," whispered one of the girls; "mamma is thinking
+of poor Richard."
+
+"Poor dear fellow!" continued Mrs Musgrove; "he was grown so steady,
+and such an excellent correspondent, while he was under your care! 
+Ah! it would have been a happy thing, if he had never left you. 
+I assure you, Captain Wentworth, we are very sorry he ever left you."
+
+There was a momentary expression in Captain Wentworth's face at this speech,
+a certain glance of his bright eye, and curl of his handsome mouth,
+which convinced Anne, that instead of sharing in Mrs Musgrove's kind wishes,
+as to her son, he had probably been at some pains to get rid of him;
+but it was too transient an indulgence of self-amusement to be detected
+by any who understood him less than herself; in another moment
+he was perfectly collected and serious, and almost instantly afterwards
+coming up to the sofa, on which she and Mrs Musgrove were sitting,
+took a place by the latter, and entered into conversation with her,
+in a low voice, about her son, doing it with so much sympathy
+and natural grace, as shewed the kindest consideration for all
+that was real and unabsurd in the parent's feelings.
+
+They were actually on the same sofa, for Mrs Musgrove had
+most readily made room for him; they were divided only by Mrs Musgrove. 
+It was no insignificant barrier, indeed.  Mrs Musgrove was of
+a comfortable, substantial size, infinitely more fitted by nature
+to express good cheer and good humour, than tenderness and sentiment;
+and while the agitations of Anne's slender form, and pensive face,
+may be considered as very completely screened, Captain Wentworth
+should be allowed some credit for the self-command with which
+he attended to her large fat sighings over the destiny of a son,
+whom alive nobody had cared for.
+
+Personal size and mental sorrow have certainly no necessary proportions. 
+A large bulky figure has as good a right to be in deep affliction,
+as the most graceful set of limbs in the world.  But, fair or not fair,
+there are unbecoming conjunctions, which reason will patronize in vain--
+which taste cannot tolerate--which ridicule will seize.
+
+The Admiral, after taking two or three refreshing turns about the room
+with his hands behind him, being called to order by his wife,
+now came up to Captain Wentworth, and without any observation
+of what he might be interrupting, thinking only of his own thoughts,
+began with--
+
+"If you had been a week later at Lisbon, last spring, Frederick,
+you would have been asked to give a passage to Lady Mary Grierson
+and her daughters."
+
+"Should I?  I am glad I was not a week later then."
+
+The Admiral abused him for his want of gallantry.  He defended himself;
+though professing that he would never willingly admit any ladies
+on board a ship of his, excepting for a ball, or a visit,
+which a few hours might comprehend.
+
+"But, if I know myself," said he, "this is from no want of gallantry
+towards them.  It is rather from feeling how impossible it is,
+with all one's efforts, and all one's sacrifices, to make
+the accommodations on board such as women ought to have. 
+There can be no want of gallantry, Admiral, in rating the claims of women
+to every personal comfort high, and this is what I do.  I hate to hear
+of women on board, or to see them on board; and no ship under my command
+shall ever convey a family of ladies anywhere, if I can help it."
+
+This brought his sister upon him.
+
+"Oh! Frederick!  But I cannot believe it of you. --All idle refinement!
+--Women may be as comfortable on board, as in the best house in England. 
+I believe I have lived as much on board as most women, and I know
+nothing superior to the accommodations of a man-of-war.  I declare
+I have not a comfort or an indulgence about me, even at Kellynch Hall,"
+(with a kind bow to Anne), "beyond what I always had in most of
+the ships I have lived in; and they have been five altogether."
+
+"Nothing to the purpose," replied her brother.  "You were living
+with your husband, and were the only woman on board."
+
+"But you, yourself, brought Mrs Harville, her sister, her cousin,
+and three children, round from Portsmouth to Plymouth.  Where was this
+superfine, extraordinary sort of gallantry of yours then?"
+
+"All merged in my friendship, Sophia.  I would assist any
+brother officer's wife that I could, and I would bring anything
+of Harville's from the world's end, if he wanted it.  But do not imagine
+that I did not feel it an evil in itself."
+
+"Depend upon it, they were all perfectly comfortable."
+
+"I might not like them the better for that perhaps.  Such a number
+of women and children have no right to be comfortable on board."
+
+"My dear Frederick, you are talking quite idly.  Pray, what would
+become of us poor sailors' wives, who often want to be conveyed to
+one port or another, after our husbands, if everybody had your feelings?"
+
+"My feelings, you see, did not prevent my taking Mrs Harville
+and all her family to Plymouth."
+
+"But I hate to hear you talking so like a fine gentleman,
+and as if women were all fine ladies, instead of rational creatures. 
+We none of us expect to be in smooth water all our days."
+
+"Ah! my dear," said the Admiral, "when he had got a wife,
+he will sing a different tune.  When he is married, if we have
+the good luck to live to another war, we shall see him do as you and I,
+and a great many others, have done.  We shall have him very thankful
+to anybody that will bring him his wife."
+
+"Ay, that we shall."
+
+"Now I have done," cried Captain Wentworth.  "When once married
+people begin to attack me with,--`Oh! you will think very differently,
+when you are married.'  I can only say, `No, I shall not;' and then
+they say again, `Yes, you will,' and there is an end of it."
+
+He got up and moved away.
+
+"What a great traveller you must have been, ma'am!" said Mrs Musgrove
+to Mrs Croft.
+
+"Pretty well, ma'am in the fifteen years of my marriage;
+though many women have done more.  I have crossed the Atlantic
+four times, and have been once to the East Indies, and back again,
+and only once; besides being in different places about home: 
+Cork, and Lisbon, and Gibraltar.  But I never went beyond the Streights,
+and never was in the West Indies.  We do not call Bermuda or Bahama,
+you know, the West Indies."
+
+Mrs Musgrove had not a word to say in dissent; she could not accuse herself
+of having ever called them anything in the whole course of her life.
+
+"And I do assure you, ma'am," pursued Mrs Croft, "that nothing can exceed
+the accommodations of a man-of-war; I speak, you know, of the higher rates. 
+When you come to a frigate, of course, you are more confined;
+though any reasonable woman may be perfectly happy in one of them;
+and I can safely say, that the happiest part of my life has been spent
+on board a ship.  While we were together, you know, there was nothing
+to be feared.  Thank God!  I have always been blessed with
+excellent health, and no climate disagrees with me.  A little disordered
+always the first twenty-four hours of going to sea, but never knew
+what sickness was afterwards.  The only time I ever really suffered
+in body or mind, the only time that I ever fancied myself unwell,
+or had any ideas of danger, was the winter that I passed by myself at Deal,
+when the Admiral (Captain Croft then) was in the North Seas. 
+I lived in perpetual fright at that time, and had all manner of
+imaginary complaints from not knowing what to do with myself,
+or when I should hear from him next; but as long as we could be together,
+nothing ever ailed me, and I never met with the smallest inconvenience."
+
+"Aye, to be sure.  Yes, indeed, oh yes!  I am quite of your opinion,
+Mrs Croft," was Mrs Musgrove's hearty answer.  "There is nothing so bad
+as a separation.  I am quite of your opinion.  I know what it is,
+for Mr Musgrove always attends the assizes, and I am so glad when
+they are over, and he is safe back again."
+
+The evening ended with dancing.  On its being proposed,
+Anne offered her services, as usual; and though her eyes would sometimes
+fill with tears as she sat at the instrument, she was extremely glad
+to be employed, and desired nothing in return but to be unobserved.
+
+It was a merry, joyous party, and no one seemed in higher spirits
+than Captain Wentworth.  She felt that he had every thing to elevate
+him which general attention and deference, and especially the attention
+of all the young women, could do.  The Miss Hayters, the females
+of the family of cousins already mentioned, were apparently admitted
+to the honour of being in love with him; and as for Henrietta and Louisa,
+they both seemed so entirely occupied by him, that nothing but
+the continued appearance of the most perfect good-will between themselves
+could have made it credible that they were not decided rivals. 
+If he were a little spoilt by such universal, such eager admiration,
+who could wonder?
+
+These were some of the thoughts which occupied Anne, while her fingers
+were mechanically at work, proceeding for half an hour together,
+equally without error, and without consciousness.  Once she felt
+that he was looking at herself,  observing her altered features,
+perhaps, trying to trace in them the ruins of the face which had once
+charmed him; and once she knew that he must have spoken of her;
+she was hardly aware of it, till she heard the answer; but then she was
+sure of his having asked his partner whether Miss Elliot never danced? 
+The answer was, "Oh, no; never; she has quite given up dancing. 
+She had rather play.  She is never tired of playing."  Once, too,
+he spoke to her.  She had left the instrument on the dancing being over,
+and he had sat down to try to make out an air which he wished
+to give the Miss Musgroves an idea of.  Unintentionally she returned
+to that part of the room; he saw her, and, instantly rising,
+said, with studied politeness--
+
+"I beg your pardon, madam, this is your seat;" and though she immediately
+drew back with a decided negative, he was not to be induced
+to sit down again.
+
+Anne did not wish for more of such looks and speeches. 
+His cold politeness, his ceremonious grace, were worse than anything.
+
+
+
+Chapter 9
+
+
+Captain Wentworth was come to Kellynch as to a home, to stay
+as long as he liked, being as thoroughly the object of
+the Admiral's fraternal kindness as of his wife's.  He had intended,
+on first arriving, to proceed very soon into Shropshire,
+and visit the brother settled in that country, but the attractions
+of Uppercross induced him to put this off.  There was so much
+of friendliness, and of flattery, and of everything most bewitching
+in his reception there; the old were so hospitable, the young so agreeable,
+that he could not but resolve to remain where he was, and take all
+the charms and perfections of Edward's wife upon credit a little longer.
+
+It was soon Uppercross with him almost every day.  The Musgroves
+could hardly be more ready to invite than he to come, particularly
+in the morning, when he had no companion at home, for the Admiral
+and Mrs Croft were generally out of doors together, interesting themselves
+in their new possessions, their grass, and their sheep, and dawdling about
+in a way not endurable to a third person, or driving out in a gig,
+lately added to their establishment.
+
+Hitherto there had been but one opinion of Captain Wentworth
+among the Musgroves and their dependencies.  It was unvarying,
+warm admiration everywhere; but this intimate footing was not more
+than established, when a certain Charles Hayter returned among them,
+to be a good deal disturbed by it, and to think Captain Wentworth
+very much in the way.
+
+Charles Hayter was the eldest of all the cousins, and a very amiable,
+pleasing young man, between whom and Henrietta there had been
+a considerable appearance of attachment previous to Captain Wentworth's
+introduction.  He was in orders; and having a curacy in the neighbourhood,
+where residence was not required, lived at his father's house,
+only two miles from Uppercross.  A short absence from home
+had left his fair one unguarded by his attentions at this critical period,
+and when he came back he had the pain of finding very altered manners,
+and of seeing Captain Wentworth.
+
+Mrs Musgrove and Mrs Hayter were sisters.  They had each had money,
+but their marriages had made a material difference in
+their degree of consequence.  Mr Hayter had some property of his own,
+but it was insignificant compared with Mr Musgrove's; and while
+the Musgroves were in the first class of society in the country,
+the young Hayters would, from their parents' inferior, retired,
+and unpolished way of living, and their own defective education,
+have been hardly in any class at all, but for their connexion
+with Uppercross, this eldest son of course excepted, who had chosen
+to be a scholar and a gentleman, and who was very superior
+in cultivation and manners to all the rest.
+
+The two families had always been on excellent terms, there being no pride
+on one side, and no envy on the other, and only such a consciousness
+of superiority in the Miss Musgroves, as made them pleased
+to improve their cousins.  Charles's attentions to Henrietta
+had been observed by her father and mother without any disapprobation. 
+"It would not be a great match for her; but if Henrietta liked him,"--
+and Henrietta did seem to like him.
+
+Henrietta fully thought so herself, before Captain Wentworth came;
+but from that time Cousin Charles had been very much forgotten.
+
+Which of the two sisters was preferred by Captain Wentworth was
+as yet quite doubtful, as far as Anne's observation reached. 
+Henrietta was perhaps the prettiest, Louisa had the higher spirits;
+and she knew not now, whether the more gentle or the more lively character
+were most likely to attract him.
+
+Mr and Mrs Musgrove, either from seeing little, or from
+an entire confidence in the discretion of both their daughters,
+and of all the young men who came near them, seemed to leave everything
+to take its chance.  There was not the smallest appearance of solicitude
+or remark about them in the Mansion-house; but it was different
+at the Cottage:  the young couple there were more disposed
+to speculate and wonder; and Captain Wentworth had not been above
+four or five times in the Miss Musgroves' company, and Charles Hayter
+had but just reappeared, when Anne had to listen to the opinions
+of her brother and sister, as to which was the one liked best. 
+Charles gave it for Louisa, Mary for Henrietta, but quite agreeing
+that to have him marry either could be extremely delightful.
+
+Charles "had never seen a pleasanter man in his life; and from what
+he had once heard Captain Wentworth himself say, was very sure that
+he had not made less than twenty thousand pounds by the war. 
+Here was a fortune at once; besides which, there would be the chance
+of what might be done in any future war; and he was sure Captain Wentworth
+was as likely a man to distinguish himself as any officer in the navy. 
+Oh! it would be a capital match for either of his sisters."
+
+"Upon my word it would," replied Mary.  "Dear me!  If he should
+rise to any very great honours!  If he should ever be made a baronet!
+`Lady Wentworth' sounds very well.  That would be a noble thing,
+indeed, for Henrietta!  She would take place of me then, and Henrietta
+would not dislike that.  Sir Frederick and Lady Wentworth! 
+It would be but a new creation, however, and I never think much
+of your new creations."
+
+It suited Mary best to think Henrietta the one preferred
+on the very account of Charles Hayter, whose pretensions she wished
+to see put an end to.  She looked down very decidedly upon the Hayters,
+and thought it would be quite a misfortune to have the existing connection
+between the families renewed--very sad for herself and her children.
+
+"You know," said she, "I cannot think him at all a fit match for Henrietta;
+and considering the alliances which the Musgroves have made,
+she has no right to throw herself away.  I do not think any young woman
+has a right to make a choice that may be disagreeable and inconvenient
+to the principal part of her family, and be giving bad connections
+to those who have not been used to them.  And, pray, who is Charles Hayter? 
+Nothing but a country curate.  A most improper match for Miss Musgrove
+of Uppercross.
+
+Her husband, however, would not agree with her here; for besides having
+a regard for his cousin, Charles Hayter was an eldest son,
+and he saw things as an eldest son himself.
+
+"Now you are taking nonsense, Mary," was therefore his answer. 
+"It would not be a great match for Henrietta, but Charles has
+a very fair chance, through the Spicers, of getting something from
+the Bishop in the course of a year or two; and you will please to remember,
+that he is the eldest son; whenever my uncle dies, he steps into very
+pretty property.  The estate at Winthrop is not less than
+two hundred and fifty acres, besides the farm near Taunton,
+which is some of the best land in the country.  I grant you,
+that any of them but Charles would be a very shocking match for Henrietta,
+and indeed it could not be; he is the only one that could be possible;
+but he is a very good-natured, good sort of a fellow; and whenever Winthrop
+comes into his hands, he will make a different sort of place of it,
+and live in a very different sort of way; and with that property,
+he will never be a contemptible man--good, freehold property.  No, no;
+Henrietta might do worse than marry Charles Hayter; and if she has him,
+and Louisa can get Captain Wentworth, I shall be very well satisfied."
+
+"Charles may say what he pleases," cried Mary to Anne, as soon as
+he was out of the room, "but it would be shocking to have Henrietta
+marry Charles Hayter; a very bad thing for her, and still worse
+for me; and therefore it is very much to be wished that Captain Wentworth
+may soon put him quite out of her head, and I have very little doubt
+that he has.  She took hardly any notice of Charles Hayter yesterday. 
+I wish you had been there to see her behaviour.  And as to
+Captain Wentworth's liking Louisa as well as Henrietta, it is nonsense
+to say so; for he certainly does like Henrietta a great deal the best. 
+But Charles is so positive!  I wish you had been with us yesterday,
+for then you might have decided between us; and I am sure you
+would have thought as I did, unless you had been determined
+to give it against me.
+
+A dinner at Mr Musgrove's had been the occasion when all these things
+should have been seen by Anne; but she had staid at home,
+under the mixed plea of a headache of her own, and some return
+of indisposition in little Charles.  She had thought only of avoiding
+Captain Wentworth; but an escape from being appealed to as umpire
+was now added to the advantages of a quiet evening.
+
+As to Captain Wentworth's views, she deemed it of more consequence
+that he should know his own mind early enough not to be endangering
+the happiness of either sister, or impeaching his own honour,
+than that he should prefer Henrietta to Louisa, or Louisa to Henrietta. 
+Either of them would, in all probability, make him an affectionate,
+good-humoured wife.  With regard to Charles Hayter, she had delicacy
+which must be pained by any lightness of conduct in a well-meaning
+young woman, and a heart to sympathize in any of the sufferings
+it occasioned; but if Henrietta found herself mistaken in the nature
+of her feelings, the alternation could not be understood too soon.
+
+Charles Hayter had met with much to disquiet and mortify him
+in his cousin's behaviour.  She had too old a regard for him
+to be so wholly estranged as might in two meetings extinguish
+every past hope, and leave him nothing to do but to keep away
+from Uppercross:  but there was such a change as became very alarming,
+when such a man as Captain Wentworth was to be regarded as
+the probable cause.  He had been absent only two Sundays,
+and when they parted, had left her interested, even to the height
+of his wishes, in his prospect of soon quitting his present curacy,
+and obtaining that of Uppercross instead.  It had then seemed the object
+nearest her heart, that Dr Shirley, the rector, who for more than
+forty years had been zealously discharging all the duties of his office,
+but was now growing too infirm for many of them, should be quite fixed
+on engaging a curate; should make his curacy quite as good
+as he could afford, and should give Charles Hayter the promise of it. 
+The advantage of his having to come only to Uppercross, instead of going
+six miles another way; of his having, in every respect, a better curacy;
+of his belonging to their dear Dr Shirley, and of dear, good Dr Shirley's
+being relieved from the duty which he could no longer get through
+without most injurious fatigue, had been a great deal, even to Louisa,
+but had been almost everything to Henrietta.  When he came back, alas!
+the zeal of the business was gone by.  Louisa could not listen at all
+to his account of a conversation which he had just held with Dr Shirley: 
+she was at a window, looking out for Captain Wentworth; and even Henrietta
+had at best only a divided attention to give, and seemed to have forgotten
+all the former doubt and solicitude of the negotiation.
+
+"Well, I am very glad indeed:  but I always thought you would have it;
+I always thought you sure.  It did not appear to me that--in short,
+you know, Dr Shirley must have a curate, and you had secured his promise. 
+Is he coming, Louisa?"
+
+One morning, very soon after the dinner at the Musgroves,
+at which Anne had not been present, Captain Wentworth walked into
+the drawing-room at the Cottage, where were only herself and the little
+invalid Charles, who was lying on the sofa.
+
+The surprise of finding himself almost alone with Anne Elliot,
+deprived his manners of their usual composure:  he started,
+and could only say, "I thought the Miss Musgroves had been here: 
+Mrs Musgrove told me I should find them here," before he walked
+to the window to recollect himself, and feel how he ought to behave.
+
+"They are up stairs with my sister:  they will be down in a few moments,
+I dare say," had been Anne's reply, in all the confusion that was natural;
+and if the child had not called her to come and do something for him,
+she would have been out of the room the next moment, and released
+Captain Wentworth as well as herself.
+
+He continued at the window; and after calmly and politely saying,
+"I hope the little boy is better," was silent.
+
+She was obliged to kneel down by the sofa, and remain there
+to satisfy her patient; and thus they continued a few minutes,
+when, to her very great satisfaction, she heard some other person
+crossing the little vestibule.  She hoped, on turning her head,
+to see the master of the house; but it proved to be one
+much less calculated for making matters easy--Charles Hayter,
+probably not at all better pleased by the sight of Captain Wentworth
+than Captain Wentworth had been by the sight of Anne.
+
+She only attempted to say, "How do you do?  Will you not sit down? 
+The others will be here presently."
+
+Captain Wentworth, however, came from his window, apparently
+not ill-disposed for conversation; but Charles Hayter soon put an end
+to his attempts by seating himself near the table, and taking up
+the newspaper; and Captain Wentworth returned to his window.
+
+Another minute brought another addition.  The younger boy,
+a remarkable stout, forward child, of two years old, having got the door
+opened for him by some one without, made his determined appearance
+among them, and went straight to the sofa to see what was going on,
+and put in his claim to anything good that might be giving away.
+
+There being nothing to eat, he could only have some play;
+and as his aunt would not let him tease his sick brother,
+he began to fasten himself upon her, as she knelt, in such a way that,
+busy as she was about Charles, she could not shake him off. 
+She spoke to him, ordered, entreated, and insisted in vain. 
+Once she did contrive to push him away, but the boy had
+the greater pleasure in getting upon her back again directly.
+
+"Walter," said she, "get down this moment.  You are extremely troublesome. 
+I am very angry with you."
+
+"Walter," cried Charles Hayter, "why do you not do as you are bid? 
+Do not you hear your aunt speak?  Come to me, Walter, come to
+cousin Charles."
+
+But not a bit did Walter stir.
+
+In another moment, however, she found herself in the state of
+being released from him; some one was taking him from her,
+though he had bent down her head so much, that his little sturdy hands
+were unfastened from around her neck, and he was resolutely borne away,
+before she knew that Captain Wentworth had done it.
+
+Her sensations on the discovery made her perfectly speechless. 
+She could not even thank him.  She could only hang over little Charles,
+with most disordered feelings.  His kindness in stepping forward
+to her relief, the manner, the silence in which it had passed,
+the little particulars of the circumstance, with the conviction soon
+forced on her by the noise he was studiously making with the child,
+that he meant to avoid hearing her thanks, and rather sought
+to testify that her conversation was the last of his wants,
+produced such a confusion of varying, but very painful agitation,
+as she could not recover from, till enabled by the entrance of Mary
+and the Miss Musgroves to make over her little patient to their cares,
+and leave the room.  She could not stay.  It might have been
+an opportunity of watching the loves and jealousies of the four--
+they were now altogether; but she could stay for none of it. 
+It was evident that Charles Hayter was not well inclined towards
+Captain Wentworth.  She had a strong impression of his having said,
+in a vext tone of voice, after Captain Wentworth's interference,
+"You ought to have minded me, Walter; I told you not to teaze your aunt;"
+and could comprehend his regretting that Captain Wentworth should do
+what he ought to have done himself.  But neither Charles Hayter's feelings,
+nor anybody's feelings, could interest her, till she had a little better
+arranged her own.  She was ashamed of herself, quite ashamed
+of being so nervous, so overcome by such a trifle; but so it was,
+and it required a long application of solitude and reflection
+to recover her.
+
+
+
+Chapter 10
+
+
+Other opportunities of making her observations could not fail to occur. 
+Anne had soon been in company with all the four together often enough
+to have an opinion, though too wise to acknowledge as much at home,
+where she knew it would have satisfied neither husband nor wife;
+for while she considered Louisa to be rather the favourite,
+she could not but think, as far as she might dare to judge from memory
+and experience, that Captain Wentworth was not in love with either. 
+They were more in love with him; yet there it was not love. 
+It was a little fever of admiration; but it might, probably must,
+end in love with some.  Charles Hayter seemed aware of being slighted,
+and yet Henrietta had sometimes the air of being divided between them. 
+Anne longed for the power of representing to them all what they were about,
+and of pointing out some of the evils they were exposing themselves to. 
+She did not attribute guile to any.  It was the highest satisfaction
+to her to believe Captain Wentworth not in the least aware
+of the pain he was occasioning.  There was no triumph, no pitiful triumph
+in his manner.  He had, probably, never heard, and never thought of
+any claims of Charles Hayter.  He was only wrong in accepting
+the attentions (for accepting must be the word) of two young women at once.
+
+After a short struggle, however, Charles Hayter seemed to quit the field. 
+Three days had passed without his coming once to Uppercross;
+a most decided change.  He had even refused one regular invitation to dinner;
+and having been found on the occasion by Mr Musgrove with some large books
+before him, Mr and Mrs Musgrove were sure all could not be right,
+and talked, with grave faces, of his studying himself to death. 
+It was Mary's hope and belief that he had received a positive dismissal
+from Henrietta, and her husband lived under the constant dependence
+of seeing him to-morrow.  Anne could only feel that Charles Hayter
+was wise.
+
+One morning, about this time Charles Musgrove and Captain Wentworth
+being gone a-shooting together, as the sisters in the Cottage
+were sitting quietly at work, they were visited at the window
+by the sisters from the Mansion-house.
+
+It was a very fine November day, and the Miss Musgroves came
+through the little grounds, and stopped for no other purpose than to say,
+that they were going to take a long walk, and therefore concluded
+Mary could not like to go with them; and when Mary immediately replied,
+with some jealousy at not being supposed a good walker, "Oh, yes,
+I should like to join you very much, I am very fond of a long walk;"
+Anne felt persuaded, by the looks of the two girls, that it was precisely
+what they did not wish, and admired again the sort of necessity
+which the family habits seemed to produce, of everything being
+to be communicated, and everything being to be done together,
+however undesired and inconvenient.  She tried to dissuade Mary from going,
+but in vain; and that being the case, thought it best to accept
+the Miss Musgroves' much more cordial invitation to herself to go likewise,
+as she might be useful in turning back with her sister, and lessening
+the interference in any plan of their own.
+
+"I cannot imagine why they should suppose I should not like a long walk,"
+said Mary, as she went up stairs.  "Everybody is always supposing
+that I am not a good walker; and yet they would not have been pleased,
+if we had refused to join them.  When people come in this manner
+on purpose to ask us, how can one say no?"
+
+Just as they were setting off, the gentlemen returned.  They had taken out
+a young dog, who had spoilt their sport, and sent them back early. 
+Their time and strength, and spirits, were, therefore, exactly ready
+for this walk, and they entered into it with pleasure.  Could Anne
+have foreseen such a junction, she would have staid at home; but,
+from some feelings of interest and curiosity, she fancied now that it was
+too late to retract, and the whole six set forward together
+in the direction chosen by the Miss Musgroves, who evidently
+considered the walk as under their guidance.
+
+Anne's object was, not to be in the way of anybody; and where
+the narrow paths across the fields made many separations necessary,
+to keep with her brother and sister.  Her pleasure in the walk
+must arise from the exercise and the day, from the view of
+the last smiles of the year upon the tawny leaves, and withered hedges,
+and from repeating to herself some few of the thousand poetical
+descriptions extant of autumn, that season of peculiar and
+inexhaustible influence on the mind of taste and tenderness,
+that season which had drawn from every poet, worthy of being read,
+some attempt at description, or some lines of feeling. 
+She occupied her mind as much as possible in such like musings
+and quotations; but it was not possible, that when within reach
+of Captain Wentworth's conversation with either of the Miss Musgroves,
+she should not try to hear it; yet she caught little very remarkable. 
+It was mere lively chat, such as any young persons, on an intimate footing,
+might fall into.  He was more engaged with Louisa than with Henrietta. 
+Louisa certainly put more forward for his notice than her sister. 
+This distinction appeared to increase, and there was one speech
+of Louisa's which struck her.  After one of the many praises of the day,
+which were continually bursting forth, Captain Wentworth added: --
+
+"What glorious weather for the Admiral and my sister!  They meant to take
+a long drive this morning; perhaps we may hail them from
+some of these hills.  They talked of coming into this side of the country. 
+I wonder whereabouts they will upset to-day.  Oh! it does happen
+very often, I assure you; but my sister makes nothing of it;
+she would as lieve be tossed out as not."
+
+"Ah! You make the most of it, I know," cried Louisa, "but if it were
+really so, I should do just the same in her place.  If I loved a man,
+as she loves the Admiral, I would always be with him, nothing should ever
+separate us, and I would rather be overturned by him, than driven safely
+by anybody else."
+
+It was spoken with enthusiasm.
+
+"Had you?" cried he, catching the same tone; "I honour you!" 
+And there was silence between them for a little while.
+
+Anne could not immediately fall into a quotation again.  The sweet scenes
+of autumn were for a while put by, unless some tender sonnet,
+fraught with the apt analogy of the declining year, with declining
+happiness, and the images of youth and hope, and spring, all gone together,
+blessed her memory.  She roused herself to say, as they struck by order
+into another path, "Is not this one of the ways to Winthrop?" 
+But nobody heard, or, at least, nobody answered her.
+
+Winthrop, however, or its environs--for young men are, sometimes
+to be met with, strolling about near home--was their destination;
+and after another half mile of gradual ascent through large enclosures,
+where the ploughs at work, and the fresh made path spoke the farmer
+counteracting the sweets of poetical despondence, and meaning
+to have spring again, they gained the summit of the most considerable hill,
+which parted Uppercross and Winthrop, and soon commanded a full view
+of the latter, at the foot of the hill on the other side.
+
+Winthrop, without beauty and without dignity, was stretched before them
+an indifferent house, standing low, and hemmed in by the barns and
+buildings of a farm-yard.
+
+Mary exclaimed, "Bless me! here is Winthrop.  I declare I had no idea! 
+Well now, I think we had better turn back; I am excessively tired."
+
+Henrietta, conscious and ashamed, and seeing no cousin Charles
+walking along any path, or leaning against any gate, was ready
+to do as Mary wished; but "No!" said Charles Musgrove, and "No, no!"
+cried Louisa more eagerly, and taking her sister aside, seemed to be
+arguing the matter warmly.
+
+Charles, in the meanwhile, was very decidedly declaring his resolution
+of calling on his aunt, now that he was so near; and very evidently,
+though more fearfully, trying to induce his wife to go too. 
+But this was one of the points on which the lady shewed her strength;
+and when he recommended the advantage of resting herself a quarter
+of an hour at Winthrop, as she felt so tired, she resolutely answered,
+"Oh! no, indeed! walking up that hill again would do her more harm
+than any sitting down could do her good;" and, in short,
+her look and manner declared, that go she would not.
+
+After a little succession of these sort of debates and consultations,
+it was settled between Charles and his two sisters, that he
+and Henrietta should just run down for a few minutes, to see their aunt
+and cousins, while the rest of the party waited for them at the top
+of the hill.  Louisa seemed the principal arranger of the plan;
+and, as she went a little way with them, down the hill, still talking
+to Henrietta, Mary took the opportunity of looking scornfully around her,
+and saying to Captain Wentworth--
+
+"It is very unpleasant, having such connexions!  But, I assure you,
+I have never been in the house above twice in my life."
+
+She received no other answer, than an artificial, assenting smile,
+followed by a contemptuous glance, as he turned away, which Anne
+perfectly knew the meaning of.
+
+The brow of the hill, where they remained, was a cheerful spot: 
+Louisa returned; and Mary, finding a comfortable seat for herself
+on the step of a stile, was very well satisfied so long as the others
+all stood about her; but when Louisa drew Captain Wentworth away,
+to try for a gleaning of nuts in an adjoining hedge-row,
+and they were gone by degrees quite out of sight and sound,
+Mary was happy no longer; she quarrelled with her own seat,
+was sure Louisa had got a much better somewhere, and nothing could
+prevent her from going to look for a better also.  She turned through
+the same gate, but could not see them.  Anne found a nice seat
+for her, on a dry sunny bank, under the hedge-row, in which
+she had no doubt of their still being, in some spot or other. 
+Mary sat down for a moment, but it would not do; she was sure Louisa
+had found a better seat somewhere else, and she would go on
+till she overtook her.
+
+Anne, really tired herself, was glad to sit down; and she very soon heard
+Captain Wentworth and Louisa in the hedge-row, behind her, as if
+making their way back along the rough, wild sort of channel, down the
+centre.  They were speaking as they drew near.  Louisa's voice was
+the first distinguished.  She seemed to be in the middle of some
+eager speech.  What Anne first heard was--
+
+"And so, I made her go.  I could not bear that she should be frightened
+from the visit by such nonsense.  What! would I be turned back from
+doing a thing that I had determined to do, and that I knew to be right,
+by the airs and interference of such a person, or of any person I may say? 
+No, I have no idea of being so easily persuaded.  When I have
+made up my mind, I have made it; and Henrietta seemed entirely
+to have made up hers to call at Winthrop to-day; and yet, she was as near
+giving it up, out of nonsensical complaisance!"
+
+"She would have turned back then, but for you?"
+
+"She would indeed.  I am almost ashamed to say it."
+
+"Happy for her, to have such a mind as yours at hand!  After the hints
+you gave just now, which did but confirm my own observations,
+the last time I was in company with him,  I need not affect
+to have no comprehension of what is going on.  I see that more than
+a mere dutiful morning visit to your aunt was in question;
+and woe betide him, and her too, when it comes to things of consequence,
+when they are placed in circumstances requiring fortitude and
+strength of mind, if she have not resolution enough to resist
+idle interference in such a trifle as this.  Your sister is
+an amiable creature; but yours is the character of decision and firmness,
+I see.  If you value her conduct or happiness, infuse as much
+of your own spirit into her as you can.  But this, no doubt,
+you have been always doing.  It is the worst evil of too yielding
+and indecisive a character, that no influence over it can be depended on. 
+You are never sure of a good impression being durable; everybody
+may sway it.  Let those who would be happy be firm.  Here is a nut,"
+said he, catching one down from an upper bough.  "to exemplify: 
+a beautiful glossy nut, which, blessed with original strength,
+has outlived all the storms of autumn.  Not a puncture, not
+a weak spot anywhere.  This nut," he continued, with playful solemnity,
+"while so many of his brethren have fallen and been trodden under foot,
+is still in possession of all the happiness that a hazel nut can be
+supposed capable of."  Then returning to his former earnest tone--
+"My first wish for all whom I am interested in, is that they should be firm. 
+If Louisa Musgrove would be beautiful and happy in her November of life,
+she will cherish all her present powers of mind."
+
+He had done, and was unanswered.  It would have surprised Anne if Louisa
+could have readily answered such a speech:  words of such interest,
+spoken with such serious warmth!  She could imagine what Louisa was feeling. 
+For herself, she feared to move, lest she should be seen. 
+While she remained, a bush of low rambling holly protected her,
+and they were moving on.  Before they were beyond her hearing,
+however, Louisa spoke again. 
+
+"Mary is good-natured enough in many respects," said she;
+"but she does sometimes provoke me excessively, by her nonsense
+and pride-- the Elliot pride.  She has a great deal too much
+of the Elliot pride.  We do so wish that Charles had married Anne instead. 
+I suppose you know he wanted to marry Anne?"
+
+After a moment's pause, Captain Wentworth said--
+
+"Do you mean that she refused him?"
+
+"Oh! yes; certainly."
+
+"When did that happen?"
+
+"I do not exactly know, for Henrietta and I were at school at the time;
+but I believe about a year before he married Mary.  I wish she had
+accepted him.  We should all have liked her a great deal better;
+and papa and mamma always think it was her great friend
+Lady Russell's doing, that she did not.  They think Charles
+might not be learned and bookish enough to please Lady Russell,
+and that therefore, she persuaded Anne to refuse him."
+
+The sounds were retreating, and Anne distinguished no more. 
+Her own emotions still kept her fixed.  She had much to recover from,
+before she could move.  The listener's proverbial fate was
+not absolutely hers; she had heard no evil of herself, but she had heard
+a great deal of very painful import.  She saw how her own character
+was considered by Captain Wentworth, and there had been just that degree
+of feeling and curiosity about her in his manner which must give her
+extreme agitation.
+
+As soon as she could, she went after Mary, and having found,
+and walked back with her to their former station, by the stile,
+felt some comfort in their whole party being immediately afterwards
+collected, and once more in motion together.  Her spirits wanted
+the solitude and silence which only numbers could give.
+
+Charles and Henrietta returned, bringing, as may be conjectured,
+Charles Hayter with them.  The minutiae of the business Anne
+could not attempt to understand; even Captain Wentworth did not seem
+admitted to perfect confidence here; but that there had been a withdrawing
+on the gentleman's side, and a relenting on the lady's, and that they
+were now very glad to be together again, did not admit a doubt. 
+Henrietta looked a little ashamed, but very well pleased;--
+Charles Hayter exceedingly happy:  and they were devoted to each other
+almost from the first instant of their all setting forward for Uppercross.
+
+Everything now marked out Louisa for Captain Wentworth;
+nothing could be plainer; and where many divisions were necessary,
+or even where they were not, they walked side by side nearly as much
+as the other two.  In a long strip of meadow land, where there was
+ample space for all, they were thus divided, forming three distinct parties;
+and to that party of the three which boasted least animation,
+and least complaisance, Anne necessarily belonged.  She joined Charles
+and Mary, and was tired enough to be very glad of Charles's other arm;
+but Charles, though in very good humour with her, was out of temper
+with his wife.  Mary had shewn herself disobliging to him,
+and was now to reap the consequence, which consequence was
+his dropping her arm almost every moment to cut off the heads
+of some nettles in the hedge with his switch; and when Mary began
+to complain of it, and lament her being ill-used, according to custom,
+in being on the hedge side, while Anne was never incommoded on the other,
+he dropped the arms of both to hunt after a weasel which he had
+a momentary glance of, and they could hardly get him along at all.
+
+This long meadow bordered a lane, which their footpath, at the end of it
+was to cross, and when the party had all reached the gate of exit,
+the carriage advancing in the same direction, which had been
+some time heard, was just coming up, and proved to be Admiral Croft's gig. 
+He and his wife had taken their intended drive, and were returning home. 
+Upon hearing how long a walk the young people had engaged in,
+they kindly offered a seat to any lady who might be particularly tired;
+it would save her a full mile, and they were going through Uppercross. 
+The invitation was general, and generally declined.  The Miss Musgroves
+were not at all tired, and Mary was either offended, by not being asked
+before any of the others, or what Louisa called the Elliot pride
+could not endure to make a third in a one horse chaise.
+
+The walking party had crossed the lane, and were surmounting an
+opposite stile, and the Admiral was putting his horse in motion again,
+when Captain Wentworth cleared the hedge in a moment to say something
+to his sister.  The something might be guessed by its effects.
+
+"Miss Elliot, I am sure you are tired," cried Mrs Croft. 
+"Do let us have the pleasure of taking you home.  Here is excellent room
+for three, I assure you.  If we were all like you, I believe we might
+sit four.  You must, indeed, you must."
+
+Anne was still in the lane; and though instinctively beginning to decline,
+she was not allowed to proceed.  The Admiral's kind urgency
+came in support of his wife's; they would not be refused;
+they compressed themselves into the smallest possible space
+to leave her a corner, and Captain Wentworth, without saying a word,
+turned to her, and quietly obliged her to be assisted into the carriage.
+
+Yes; he had done it.  She was in the carriage, and felt that he had
+placed her there, that his will and his hands had done it,
+that she owed it to his perception of her fatigue, and his resolution
+to give her rest.  She was very much affected by the view of
+his disposition towards her, which all these things made apparent. 
+This little circumstance seemed the completion of all that had gone before. 
+She understood him.  He could not forgive her, but he could not
+be unfeeling.  Though condemning her for the past, and considering it
+with high and unjust resentment, though perfectly careless of her,
+and though becoming attached to another, still he could not see her suffer,
+without the desire of giving her relief.  It was a remainder
+of former sentiment; it was an impulse of pure, though unacknowledged
+friendship; it was a proof of his own warm and amiable heart,
+which she could not contemplate without emotions so compounded
+of pleasure and pain, that she knew not which prevailed.
+
+Her answers to the kindness and the remarks of her companions
+were at first unconsciously given.  They had travelled half their way
+along the rough lane, before she was quite awake to what they said. 
+She then found them talking of "Frederick."
+
+"He certainly means to have one or other of those two girls, Sophy,"
+said the Admiral; "but there is no saying which.  He has been
+running after them, too, long enough, one would think, to make up his mind. 
+Ay, this comes of the peace.  If it were war now, he would have
+settled it long ago.  We sailors, Miss Elliot, cannot afford to make
+long courtships in time of war.  How many days was it, my dear,
+between the first time of my seeing you and our sitting down together
+in our lodgings at North Yarmouth?"
+
+"We had better not talk about it, my dear," replied Mrs Croft, pleasantly;
+"for if Miss Elliot were to hear how soon we came to an understanding,
+she would never be persuaded that we could be happy together. 
+I had known you by character, however, long before."
+
+"Well, and I had heard of you as a very pretty girl, and what were we
+to wait for besides?  I do not like having such things so long in hand. 
+I wish Frederick would spread a little more canvass, and bring us home
+one of these young ladies to Kellynch.  Then there would always
+be company for them.  And very nice young ladies they both are;
+I hardly know one from the other."
+
+"Very good humoured, unaffected girls, indeed," said Mrs Croft,
+in a tone of calmer praise, such as made Anne suspect that
+her keener powers might not consider either of them as quite worthy
+of her brother; "and a very respectable family.  One could not be
+connected with better people.  My dear Admiral, that post!
+we shall certainly take that post."
+
+But by coolly giving the reins a better direction herself they happily
+passed the danger; and by once afterwards judiciously putting out
+her hand they neither fell into a rut, nor ran foul of a dung-cart;
+and Anne, with some amusement at their style of driving,
+which she imagined no bad representation of the general guidance
+of their affairs, found herself safely deposited by them at the Cottage. 
+
+
+
+Chapter 11
+
+
+The time now approached for Lady Russell's return:  the day was even fixed;
+and Anne, being engaged to join her as soon as she was resettled,
+was looking forward to an early removal to Kellynch, and beginning
+to think how her own comfort was likely to be affected by it.
+
+It would place her in the same village with Captain Wentworth,
+within half a mile of him; they would have to frequent the same church,
+and there must be intercourse between the two families. 
+This was against her; but on the other hand, he spent so much of his time
+at Uppercross, that in removing thence she might be considered rather
+as leaving him behind, than as going towards him; and, upon the whole,
+she believed she must, on this interesting question, be the gainer,
+almost as certainly as in her change of domestic society,
+in leaving poor Mary for Lady Russell.
+
+She wished it might be possible for her to avoid ever seeing
+Captain Wentworth at the Hall:  those rooms had witnessed
+former meetings which would be brought too painfully before her;
+but she was yet more anxious for the possibility of Lady Russell and
+Captain Wentworth never meeting anywhere.  They did not like each other,
+and no renewal of acquaintance now could do any good; and were Lady Russell
+to see them together, she might think that he had too much self-possession,
+and she too little.
+
+These points formed her chief solicitude in anticipating
+her removal from Uppercross, where she felt she had been stationed
+quite long enough.  Her usefulness to little Charles would always
+give some sweetness to the memory of her two months' visit there,
+but he was gaining strength apace, and she had nothing else to stay for.
+
+The conclusion of her visit, however, was diversified in a way
+which she had not at all imagined.  Captain Wentworth, after being unseen
+and unheard of at Uppercross for two whole days, appeared again among them
+to justify himself by a relation of what had kept him away.
+
+A letter from his friend, Captain Harville, having found him out at last,
+had brought intelligence of Captain Harville's being settled
+with his family at Lyme for the winter; of their being therefore,
+quite unknowingly, within twenty miles of each other.  Captain Harville
+had never been in good health since a severe wound which he received
+two years before, and Captain Wentworth's anxiety to see him
+had determined him to go immediately to Lyme.  He had been there
+for four-and-twenty hours.  His acquittal was complete,
+his friendship warmly honoured, a lively interest excited for his friend,
+and his description of the fine country about Lyme so feelingly attended to
+by the party, that an earnest desire to see Lyme themselves,
+and a project for going thither was the consequence.
+
+The young people were all wild to see Lyme.  Captain Wentworth talked
+of going there again himself, it was only seventeen miles from Uppercross;
+though November, the weather was by no means bad; and, in short,
+Louisa, who was the most eager of the eager, having formed
+the resolution to go, and besides the pleasure of doing as she liked,
+being now armed with the idea of merit in maintaining her own way,
+bore down all the wishes of her father and mother for putting it off
+till summer; and to Lyme they were to go--Charles, Mary, Anne, Henrietta,
+Louisa, and Captain Wentworth.
+
+The first heedless scheme had been to go in the morning and return at night;
+but to this Mr Musgrove, for the sake of his horses, would not consent;
+and when it came to be rationally considered, a day in
+the middle of November would not leave much time for seeing a new place,
+after deducting seven hours, as the nature of the country required,
+for going and returning.  They were, consequently, to stay the night there,
+and not to be expected back till the next day's dinner.  This was felt
+to be a considerable amendment; and though they all met at the Great House
+at rather an early breakfast hour, and set off very punctually,
+it was so much past noon before the two carriages, Mr Musgrove's coach
+containing the four ladies, and Charles's curricle, in which
+he drove Captain Wentworth, were descending the long hill into Lyme,
+and entering upon the still steeper street of the town itself,
+that it was very evident they would not have more than time
+for looking about them, before the light and warmth of the day were gone.
+
+After securing accommodations, and ordering a dinner at one of the inns,
+the next thing to be done was unquestionably to walk directly
+down to the sea.  They were come too late in the year for any amusement
+or variety which Lyme, as a public place, might offer.  The rooms
+were shut up, the lodgers almost all gone, scarcely any family
+but of the residents left; and, as there is nothing to admire
+in the buildings themselves, the remarkable situation of the town,
+the principal street almost hurrying into the water, the walk to the Cobb,
+skirting round the pleasant little bay, which, in the season,
+is animated with bathing machines and company; the Cobb itself,
+its old wonders and new improvements, with the very beautiful
+line of cliffs stretching out to the east of the town, are what
+the stranger's eye will seek; and a very strange stranger it must be,
+who does not see charms in the immediate environs of Lyme,
+to make him wish to know it better.  The scenes in its neighbourhood,
+Charmouth, with its high grounds and extensive sweeps of country,
+and still more, its sweet, retired bay, backed by dark cliffs,
+where fragments of low rock among the sands, make it the happiest spot
+for watching the flow of the tide, for sitting in unwearied contemplation;
+the woody varieties of the cheerful village of Up Lyme; and, above all,
+Pinny, with its green chasms between romantic rocks, where
+the scattered forest trees and orchards of luxuriant growth,
+declare that many a generation must have passed away since the first
+partial falling of the cliff prepared the ground for such a state,
+where a scene so wonderful and so lovely is exhibited, as may
+more than equal any of the resembling scenes of the far-famed
+Isle of Wight:  these places must be visited, and visited again,
+to make the worth of Lyme understood.
+
+The party from Uppercross passing down by the now deserted
+and melancholy looking rooms, and still descending, soon found themselves
+on the sea-shore; and lingering only, as all must linger and gaze
+on a first return to the sea, who ever deserved to look on it at all,
+proceeded towards the Cobb, equally their object in itself
+and on Captain Wentworth's account:  for in a small house,
+near the foot of an old pier of unknown date, were the Harvilles settled. 
+Captain Wentworth turned in to call on his friend; the others walked on,
+and he was to join them on the Cobb.
+
+They were by no means tired of wondering and admiring; and not even Louisa
+seemed to feel that they had parted with Captain Wentworth long,
+when they saw him coming after them, with three companions,
+all well known already, by description, to be Captain and Mrs Harville,
+and a Captain Benwick, who was staying with them.
+
+Captain Benwick had some time ago been first lieutenant of the Laconia;
+and the account which Captain Wentworth had given of him,
+on his return from Lyme before, his warm praise of him as
+an excellent young man and an officer, whom he had always valued highly,
+which must have stamped him well in the esteem of every listener,
+had been followed by a little history of his private life,
+which rendered him perfectly interesting in the eyes of all the ladies. 
+He had been engaged to Captain Harville's sister, and was now
+mourning her loss.  They had been a year or two waiting for fortune
+and promotion.  Fortune came, his prize-money as lieutenant being great;
+promotion, too, came at last; but Fanny Harville did not live to know it. 
+She had died the preceding summer while he was at sea.  Captain Wentworth
+believed it impossible for man to be more attached to woman
+than poor Benwick had been to Fanny Harville, or to be more deeply
+afflicted under the dreadful change.  He considered his disposition
+as of the sort which must suffer heavily, uniting very strong feelings
+with quiet, serious, and retiring manners, and a decided taste for reading,
+and sedentary pursuits.  To finish the interest of the story,
+the friendship between him and the Harvilles seemed, if possible,
+augmented by the event which closed all their views of alliance,
+and Captain Benwick was now living with them entirely.  Captain Harville
+had taken his present house for half a year; his taste, and his health,
+and his fortune, all directing him to a residence inexpensive,
+and by the sea; and the grandeur of the country, and the retirement
+of Lyme in the winter, appeared exactly adapted to Captain Benwick's
+state of mind.  The sympathy and good-will excited towards Captain Benwick
+was very great.
+
+"And yet," said Anne to herself, as they now moved forward
+to meet the party, "he has not, perhaps, a more sorrowing heart
+than I have.  I cannot believe his prospects so blighted for ever. 
+He is younger than I am; younger in feeling, if not in fact;
+younger as a man.  He will rally again, and be happy with another."
+
+They all met, and were introduced.  Captain Harville was a tall,
+dark man, with a sensible, benevolent countenance; a little lame;
+and from strong features and want of health, looking much older
+than Captain Wentworth.  Captain Benwick looked, and was,
+the youngest of the three, and, compared with either of them,
+a little man.  He had a pleasing face and a melancholy air,
+just as he ought to have, and drew back from conversation.
+
+Captain Harville, though not equalling Captain Wentworth in manners,
+was a perfect gentleman, unaffected, warm, and obliging. 
+Mrs Harville, a degree less polished than her husband, seemed, however,
+to have the same good feelings; and nothing could be more pleasant
+than their desire of considering the whole party as friends of their own,
+because the friends of Captain Wentworth, or more kindly hospitable
+than their entreaties for their all promising to dine with them. 
+The dinner, already ordered at the inn, was at last, though unwillingly,
+accepted as a excuse; but they seemed almost hurt that Captain Wentworth
+should have brought any such party to Lyme, without considering it
+as a thing of course that they should dine with them.
+
+There was so much attachment to Captain Wentworth in all this,
+and such a bewitching charm in a degree of hospitality so uncommon,
+so unlike the usual style of give-and-take invitations, and dinners
+of formality and display, that Anne felt her spirits not likely to be
+benefited by an increasing acquaintance among his brother-officers. 
+"These would have been all my friends," was her thought;
+and she had to struggle against a great tendency to lowness.
+
+On quitting the Cobb, they all went in-doors with their new friends,
+and found rooms so small as none but those who invite from the heart
+could think capable of accommodating so many.  Anne had
+a moment's astonishment on the subject herself; but it was soon lost
+in the pleasanter feelings which sprang from the sight of all
+the ingenious contrivances and nice arrangements of Captain Harville,
+to turn the actual space to the best account, to supply the deficiencies
+of lodging-house furniture, and defend the windows and doors
+against the winter storms to be expected.  The varieties in
+the fitting-up of the rooms, where the common necessaries
+provided by the owner, in the common indifferent plight,
+were contrasted with some few articles of a rare species of wood,
+excellently worked up, and with something curious and valuable
+from all the distant countries Captain Harville had visited,
+were more than amusing to Anne; connected as it all was with his profession,
+the fruit of its labours, the effect of its influence on his habits,
+the picture of repose and domestic happiness it presented,
+made it to her a something more, or less, than gratification.
+
+Captain Harville was no reader; but he had contrived
+excellent accommodations, and fashioned very pretty shelves,
+for a tolerable collection of well-bound volumes, the property of
+Captain Benwick.  His lameness prevented him from taking much exercise;
+but a mind of usefulness and ingenuity seemed to furnish him with
+constant employment within.  He drew, he varnished, he carpentered,
+he glued; he made toys for the children; he fashioned new netting-needles
+and pins with improvements; and if everything else was done,
+sat down to his large fishing-net at one corner of the room.
+
+Anne thought she left great happiness behind her when they
+quitted the house; and Louisa, by whom she found herself walking,
+burst forth into raptures of admiration and delight on the character
+of the navy; their friendliness, their brotherliness, their openness,
+their uprightness; protesting that she was convinced of sailors having
+more worth and warmth than any other set of men in England;
+that they only knew how to live, and they only deserved to be
+respected and loved.
+
+They went back to dress and dine; and so well had the scheme
+answered already, that nothing was found amiss; though its being
+"so entirely out of season," and the "no thoroughfare of Lyme,"
+and the "no expectation of company," had brought many apologies
+from the heads of the inn.
+
+Anne found herself by this time growing so much more hardened
+to being in Captain Wentworth's company than she had at first imagined
+could ever be, that the sitting down to the same table with him now,
+and the interchange of the common civilities attending on it
+(they never got beyond), was become a mere nothing.
+
+The nights were too dark for the ladies to meet again till the morrow,
+but Captain Harville had promised them a visit in the evening;
+and he came, bringing his friend also, which was more than
+had been expected, it having been agreed that Captain Benwick
+had all the appearance of being oppressed by the presence of
+so many strangers.  He ventured among them again, however,
+though his spirits certainly did not seem fit for the mirth
+of the party in general.
+
+While Captains Wentworth and Harville led the talk on one side of the room,
+and by recurring to former days, supplied anecdotes in abundance
+to occupy and entertain the others, it fell to Anne's lot to be placed
+rather apart with Captain Benwick; and a very good impulse
+of her nature obliged her to begin an acquaintance with him. 
+He was shy, and disposed to abstraction; but the engaging mildness of
+her countenance, and gentleness of her manners, soon had their effect;
+and Anne was well repaid the first trouble of exertion. 
+He was evidently a young man of considerable taste in reading,
+though principally in poetry; and besides the persuasion of having
+given him at least an evening's indulgence in the discussion of subjects,
+which his usual companions had probably no concern in, she had the hope
+of being of real use to him in some suggestions as to the duty and
+benefit of struggling against affliction, which had naturally grown out
+of their conversation.  For, though shy, he did not seem reserved;
+it had rather the appearance of feelings glad to burst their
+usual restraints; and having talked of poetry, the richness of
+the present age, and gone through a brief comparison of opinion
+as to the first-rate poets, trying to ascertain whether Marmion
+or The Lady of the Lake were to be preferred, and how ranked the Giaour
+and The Bride of Abydos; and moreover, how the Giaour was to be pronounced,
+he showed himself so intimately acquainted with all the tenderest songs
+of the one poet, and all the impassioned descriptions of hopeless agony
+of the other; he repeated, with such tremulous feeling, the various lines
+which imaged a broken heart, or a mind destroyed by wretchedness,
+and looked so entirely as if he meant to be understood,
+that she ventured to hope he did not always read only poetry,
+and to say, that she thought it was the misfortune of poetry to be
+seldom safely enjoyed by those who enjoyed it completely;
+and that the strong feelings which alone could estimate it truly
+were the very feelings which ought to taste it but sparingly.
+
+His looks shewing him not pained, but pleased with this allusion
+to his situation, she was emboldened to go on; and feeling in herself
+the right of seniority of mind, she ventured to recommend
+a larger allowance of prose in his daily study; and on being requested
+to particularize, mentioned such works of our best moralists,
+such collections of the finest letters, such memoirs of characters
+of worth and suffering, as occurred to her at the moment
+as calculated to rouse and fortify the mind by the highest precepts,
+and the strongest examples of moral and religious endurances.
+
+Captain Benwick listened attentively, and seemed grateful for
+the interest implied; and though with a shake of the head,
+and sighs which declared his little faith in the efficacy of any books
+on grief like his, noted down the names of those she recommended,
+and promised to procure and read them.
+
+When the evening was over, Anne could not but be amused at the idea
+of her coming to Lyme to preach patience and resignation to a young man
+whom she had never seen before; nor could she help fearing,
+on more serious reflection, that, like many other great moralists
+and preachers, she had been eloquent on a point in which her own conduct
+would ill bear examination.
+
+
+
+Chapter 12
+
+
+Anne and Henrietta, finding themselves the earliest of the party
+the next morning, agreed to stroll down to the sea before breakfast. 
+They went to the sands, to watch the flowing of the tide,
+which a fine south-easterly breeze was bringing in with all the grandeur
+which so flat a shore admitted.  They praised the morning;
+gloried in the sea; sympathized in the delight of the fresh-feeling
+breeze--and were silent; till Henrietta suddenly began again with--
+
+"Oh! yes,--I am quite convinced that, with very few exceptions,
+the sea-air always does good.  There can be no doubt of its having been
+of the greatest service to Dr Shirley, after his illness,
+last spring twelve-month.  He declares himself, that coming to Lyme
+for a month, did him more good than all the medicine he took;
+and, that being by the sea, always makes him feel young again. 
+Now, I cannot help thinking it a pity that he does not live
+entirely by the sea.  I do think he had better leave Uppercross entirely,
+and fix at Lyme.  Do not you, Anne?  Do not you agree with me,
+that it is the best thing he could do, both for himself and Mrs Shirley? 
+She has cousins here, you know, and many acquaintance, which would
+make it cheerful for her, and I am sure she would be glad
+to get to a place where she could have medical attendance at hand,
+in case of his having another seizure.  Indeed I think it quite melancholy
+to have such excellent people as Dr and Mrs Shirley, who have been
+doing good all their lives, wearing out their last days in a place
+like Uppercross, where, excepting our family, they seem shut out
+from all the world.  I wish his friends would propose it to him. 
+I really think they ought.  And, as to procuring a dispensation,
+there could be no difficulty at his time of life, and with his character. 
+My only doubt is, whether anything could persuade him to leave his parish. 
+He is so very strict and scrupulous in his notions; over-scrupulous
+I must say.  Do not you think, Anne, it is being over-scrupulous? 
+Do not you think it is quite a mistaken point of conscience,
+when a clergyman sacrifices his health for the sake of duties,
+which may be just as well performed by another person?  And at Lyme too,
+only seventeen miles off, he would be near enough to hear,
+if people thought there was anything to complain of."
+
+Anne smiled more than once to herself during this speech,
+and entered into the subject, as ready to do good by entering into
+the feelings of a young lady as of a young man, though here it was good
+of a lower standard, for what could be offered but general acquiescence? 
+She said all that was reasonable and proper on the business;
+felt the claims of Dr Shirley to repose as she ought; saw how very
+desirable it was that he should have some active, respectable young man,
+as a resident curate, and was even courteous enough to hint at
+the advantage of such resident curate's being married.
+
+"I wish," said Henrietta, very well pleased with her companion,
+"I wish Lady Russell lived at Uppercross, and were intimate
+with Dr Shirley.  I have always heard of Lady Russell as a woman of
+the greatest influence with everybody!  I always look upon her as able
+to persuade a person to anything!  I am afraid of her, as I have
+told you before, quite afraid of her, because she is so very clever;
+but I respect her amazingly, and wish we had such a neighbour
+at Uppercross."
+
+Anne was amused by Henrietta's manner of being grateful,
+and amused also that the course of events and the new interests
+of Henrietta's views should have placed her friend at all in favour
+with any of the Musgrove family; she had only time, however,
+for a general answer, and a wish that such another woman
+were at Uppercross, before all subjects suddenly ceased,
+on seeing Louisa and Captain Wentworth coming towards them. 
+They came also for a stroll till breakfast was likely to be ready;
+but Louisa recollecting, immediately afterwards that she had something
+to procure at a shop, invited them all to go back with her into the town. 
+They were all at her disposal.
+
+When they came to the steps, leading upwards from the beach, a gentleman,
+at the same moment preparing to come down, politely drew back,
+and stopped to give them way.  They ascended and passed him;
+and as they passed, Anne's face caught his eye, and he looked at her
+with a degree of earnest admiration, which she could not be insensible of. 
+She was looking remarkably well; her very regular, very pretty features,
+having the bloom and freshness of youth restored by the fine wind
+which had been blowing on her complexion, and by the animation of eye
+which it had also produced.  It was evident that the gentleman,
+(completely a gentleman in manner) admired her exceedingly. 
+Captain Wentworth looked round at her instantly in a way which
+shewed his noticing of it.  He gave her a momentary glance,
+a glance of brightness, which seemed to say, "That man is struck with you,
+and even I, at this moment, see something like Anne Elliot again."
+
+After attending Louisa through her business, and loitering about
+a little longer, they returned to the inn; and Anne, in passing afterwards
+quickly from her own chamber to their dining-room, had nearly run against
+the very same gentleman, as he came out of an adjoining apartment. 
+She had before conjectured him to be a stranger like themselves,
+and determined that a well-looking groom, who was strolling about
+near the two inns as they came back, should be his servant. 
+Both master and man being in mourning assisted the idea.
+It was now proved that he belonged to the same inn as themselves;
+and this second meeting, short as it was, also proved again
+by the gentleman's looks, that he thought hers very lovely,
+and by the readiness and propriety of his apologies, that he was
+a man of exceedingly good manners.  He seemed about thirty,
+and though not handsome, had an agreeable person.  Anne felt that
+she should like to know who he was.
+
+They had nearly done breakfast, when the sound of a carriage,
+(almost the first they had heard since entering Lyme) drew half the party
+to the window.  It was a gentleman's carriage, a curricle,
+but only coming round from the stable-yard to the front door;
+somebody must be going away.  It was driven by a servant in mourning.
+
+The word curricle made Charles Musgrove jump up that he might
+compare it with his own; the servant in mourning roused Anne's curiosity,
+and the whole six were collected to look, by the time the owner
+of the curricle was to be seen issuing from the door amidst the bows
+and civilities of the household, and taking his seat, to drive off.
+
+"Ah!" cried Captain Wentworth, instantly, and with half a glance at Anne,
+"it is the very man we passed."
+
+The Miss Musgroves agreed to it; and having all kindly watched him
+as far up the hill as they could, they returned to the breakfast table. 
+The waiter came into the room soon afterwards.
+
+"Pray," said Captain Wentworth, immediately, "can you tell us the name
+of the gentleman who is just gone away?"
+
+"Yes, Sir, a Mr Elliot, a gentleman of large fortune, came in last night
+from Sidmouth.  Dare say you heard the carriage, sir, while you were
+at dinner; and going on now for Crewkherne, in his way to Bath
+and London."
+
+"Elliot!"  Many had looked on each other, and many had repeated the name,
+before all this had been got through, even by the smart rapidity
+of a waiter.
+
+"Bless me!" cried Mary; "it must be our cousin; it must be our Mr Elliot,
+it must, indeed!  Charles, Anne, must not it?  In mourning, you see,
+just as our Mr Elliot must be.  How very extraordinary! 
+In the very same inn with us!  Anne, must not it be our Mr Elliot?
+my father's next heir?  Pray sir," turning to the waiter,
+"did not you hear, did not his servant say whether he belonged
+to the Kellynch family?"
+
+"No, ma'am, he did not mention no particular family; but he said
+his master was a very rich gentleman, and would be a baronight some day."
+
+"There! you see!" cried Mary in an ecstasy, "just as I said! 
+Heir to Sir Walter Elliot!  I was sure that would come out,
+if it was so.  Depend upon it, that is a circumstance which his servants
+take care to publish, wherever he goes.  But, Anne, only conceive
+how extraordinary!  I wish I had looked at him more.  I wish we had
+been aware in time, who it was, that he might have been introduced to us. 
+What a pity that we should not have been introduced to each other! 
+Do you think he had the Elliot countenance?  I hardly looked at him,
+I was looking at the horses; but I think he had something
+of the Elliot countenance, I wonder the arms did not strike me! 
+Oh! the great-coat was hanging over the panel, and hid the arms,
+so it did; otherwise, I am sure, I should have observed them,
+and the livery too; if the servant had not been in mourning,
+one should have known him by the livery."
+
+"Putting all these very extraordinary circumstances together,"
+said Captain Wentworth, "we must consider it to be the arrangement
+of Providence, that you should not be introduced to your cousin."
+
+When she could command Mary's attention, Anne quietly tried
+to convince her that their father and Mr Elliot had not, for many years,
+been on such terms as to make the power of attempting an introduction
+at all desirable.
+
+At the same time, however, it was a secret gratification to herself
+to have seen her cousin, and to know that the future owner of Kellynch
+was undoubtedly a gentleman, and had an air of good sense. 
+She would not, upon any account, mention her having met with him
+the second time; luckily Mary did not much attend to their having
+passed close by him in their earlier walk, but she would have felt
+quite ill-used by Anne's having actually run against him in the passage,
+and received his very polite excuses, while she had never been
+near him at all; no, that cousinly little interview must remain
+a perfect secret.
+
+"Of course," said Mary, "you will mention our seeing Mr Elliot,
+the next time you write to Bath.  I think my father certainly
+ought to hear of it; do mention all about him."
+
+Anne avoided a direct reply, but it was just the circumstance
+which she considered as not merely unnecessary to be communicated,
+but as what ought to be suppressed.  The offence which had been given
+her father, many years back, she knew; Elizabeth's particular share in it
+she suspected; and that Mr Elliot's idea always produced irritation in both
+was beyond a doubt.  Mary never wrote to Bath herself; all the toil
+of keeping up a slow and unsatisfactory correspondence with Elizabeth
+fell on Anne.
+
+Breakfast had not been long over, when they were joined by Captain
+and Mrs Harville and Captain Benwick; with whom they had appointed
+to take their last walk about Lyme.  They ought to be setting off
+for Uppercross by one, and in the mean while were to be all together,
+and out of doors as long as they could.
+
+Anne found Captain Benwick getting near her, as soon as they were all
+fairly in the street.  Their conversation the preceding evening
+did not disincline him to seek her again; and they walked together
+some time, talking as before of Mr Scott and Lord Byron,
+and still as unable as before, and as unable as any other two readers,
+to think exactly alike of the merits of either, till something
+occasioned an almost general change amongst their party, and instead of
+Captain Benwick, she had Captain Harville by her side.
+
+"Miss Elliot," said he, speaking rather low, "you have done a good deed
+in making that poor fellow talk so much.  I wish he could have
+such company oftener.  It is bad for him, I know, to be shut up as he is;
+but what can we do?  We cannot part."
+
+"No," said Anne, "that I can easily believe to be impossible;
+but in time, perhaps--we know what time does in every case of affliction,
+and you must remember, Captain Harville, that your friend
+may yet be called a young mourner--only last summer, I understand."
+
+"Ay, true enough," (with a deep sigh) "only June."
+
+"And not known to him, perhaps, so soon."
+
+"Not till the first week of August, when he came home from the Cape,
+just made into the Grappler.  I was at Plymouth dreading to hear of him;
+he sent in letters, but the Grappler was under orders for Portsmouth. 
+There the news must follow him, but who was to tell it? not I. 
+I would as soon have been run up to the yard-arm.  Nobody could do it,
+but that good fellow" (pointing to Captain Wentworth.)  "The Laconia
+had come into Plymouth the week before; no danger of her
+being sent to sea again.  He stood his chance for the rest;
+wrote up for leave of absence, but without waiting the return,
+travelled night and day till he got to Portsmouth, rowed off
+to the Grappler that instant, and never left the poor fellow for a week. 
+That's what he did, and nobody else could have saved poor James. 
+You may think, Miss Elliot, whether he is dear to us!"
+
+Anne did think on the question with perfect decision, and said as much
+in reply as her own feeling could accomplish, or as his seemed
+able to bear, for he was too much affected to renew the subject,
+and when he spoke again, it was of something totally different.
+
+Mrs Harville's giving it as her opinion that her husband would have
+quite walking enough by the time he reached home, determined the direction
+of all the party in what was to be their last walk; they would
+accompany them to their door, and then return and set off themselves. 
+By all their calculations there was just time for this; but as they drew
+near the Cobb, there was such a general wish to walk along it once more,
+all were so inclined, and Louisa soon grew so determined,
+that the difference of a quarter of an hour, it was found,
+would be no difference at all; so with all the kind leave-taking,
+and all the kind interchange of invitations and promises which
+may be imagined, they parted from Captain and Mrs Harville
+at their own door, and still accompanied by Captain Benwick,
+who seemed to cling to them to the last, proceeded to make
+the proper adieus to the Cobb.
+
+Anne found Captain Benwick again drawing near her.  Lord Byron's
+"dark blue seas" could not fail of being brought forward by
+their present view, and she gladly gave him all her attention as long as
+attention was possible.  It was soon drawn, perforce another way.
+
+There was too much wind to make the high part of the new Cobb pleasant
+for the ladies, and they agreed to get down the steps to the lower,
+and all were contented to pass quietly and carefully down the steep flight,
+excepting Louisa; she must be jumped down them by Captain Wentworth. 
+In all their walks, he had had to jump her from the stiles;
+the sensation was delightful to her.  The hardness of the pavement
+for her feet, made him less willing upon the present occasion;
+he did it, however.  She was safely down, and instantly,
+to show her enjoyment, ran up the steps to be jumped down again. 
+He advised her against it, thought the jar too great; but no,
+he reasoned and talked in vain, she smiled and said, "I am determined
+I will:" he put out his hands; she was too precipitate by half a second,
+she fell on the pavement on the Lower Cobb, and was taken up lifeless! 
+There was no wound, no blood, no visible bruise; but her eyes were closed,
+she breathed not, her face was like death.  The horror of the moment
+to all who stood around!
+
+Captain Wentworth, who had caught her up, knelt with her in his arms,
+looking on her with a face as pallid as her own, in an agony of silence. 
+"She is dead! she is dead!" screamed Mary, catching hold of her
+husband, and contributing with his own horror to make him immoveable;
+and in another moment, Henrietta, sinking under the conviction, lost
+her senses too, and would have fallen on the steps, but for Captain
+Benwick and Anne, who caught and supported her between them.
+
+"Is there no one to help me?" were the first words which
+burst from Captain Wentworth, in a tone of despair, and as if
+all his own strength were gone.
+
+"Go to him, go to him," cried Anne, "for heaven's sake go to him. 
+I can support her myself.  Leave me, and go to him.  Rub her hands,
+rub her temples; here are salts; take them, take them."
+
+Captain Benwick obeyed, and Charles at the same moment,
+disengaging himself from his wife, they were both with him;
+and Louisa was raised up and supported more firmly between them,
+and everything was done that Anne had prompted, but in vain;
+while Captain Wentworth, staggering against the wall for his support,
+exclaimed in the bitterest agony--
+
+"Oh God! her father and mother!"
+
+"A surgeon!" said Anne.
+
+He caught the word; it seemed to rouse him at once, and saying only--
+"True, true, a surgeon this instant," was darting away,
+when Anne eagerly suggested--
+
+"Captain Benwick, would not it be better for Captain Benwick? 
+He knows where a surgeon is to be found."
+
+Every one capable of thinking felt the advantage of the idea,
+and in a moment (it was all done in rapid moments) Captain Benwick had
+resigned the poor corpse-like  figure entirely to the brother's care,
+and was off for the town with the utmost rapidity.
+
+As to the wretched party left behind, it could scarcely be said
+which of the three, who were completely rational, was suffering most: 
+Captain Wentworth, Anne, or Charles, who, really a very affectionate
+brother, hung over Louisa with sobs of grief, and could only turn his eyes
+from one sister, to see the other in a state as insensible,
+or to witness the hysterical agitations of his wife, calling on him
+for help which he could not give.
+
+Anne, attending with all the strength and zeal, and thought,
+which instinct supplied, to Henrietta, still tried, at intervals,
+to suggest comfort to the others, tried to quiet Mary, to animate Charles,
+to assuage the feelings of Captain Wentworth.  Both seemed to look to her
+for directions.
+
+"Anne, Anne," cried Charles, "What is to be done next? 
+What, in heaven's name, is to be done next?"
+
+Captain Wentworth's eyes were also turned towards her.
+
+"Had not she better be carried to the inn?  Yes, I am sure: 
+carry her gently to the inn."
+
+"Yes, yes, to the inn," repeated Captain Wentworth, comparatively
+collected, and eager to be doing something.  "I will carry her myself. 
+Musgrove, take care of the others."
+
+By this time the report of the accident had spread among the workmen
+and boatmen about the Cobb, and many were collected near them,
+to be useful if wanted, at any rate, to enjoy the sight of
+a dead young lady, nay, two dead young ladies, for it proved twice as fine
+as the first report.  To some of the best-looking of these good people
+Henrietta was consigned, for, though partially revived,
+she was quite helpless; and in this manner, Anne walking by her side,
+and Charles attending to his wife, they set forward, treading back
+with feelings unutterable, the ground, which so lately, so very lately,
+and so light of heart, they had passed along.
+
+They were not off the Cobb, before the Harvilles met them. 
+Captain Benwick had been seen flying by their house, with a countenance
+which showed something to be wrong; and they had set off immediately,
+informed and directed as they passed, towards the spot. 
+Shocked as Captain Harville was, he brought senses and nerves
+that could be instantly useful; and a look between him and his wife
+decided what was to be done.  She must be taken to their house;
+all must go to their house; and await the surgeon's arrival there. 
+They would not listen to scruples:  he was obeyed; they were all
+beneath his roof; and while Louisa, under Mrs Harville's direction,
+was conveyed up stairs, and given possession of her own bed,
+assistance, cordials, restoratives were supplied by her husband
+to all who needed them.
+
+Louisa had once opened her eyes, but soon closed them again,
+without apparent consciousness.  This had been a proof of life,
+however, of service to her sister; and Henrietta, though perfectly
+incapable of being in the same room with Louisa, was kept,
+by the agitation of hope and fear, from a return of her own insensibility. 
+Mary, too, was growing calmer.
+
+The surgeon was with them almost before it had seemed possible. 
+They were sick with horror, while he examined; but he was not hopeless. 
+The head had received a severe contusion, but he had seen greater injuries
+recovered from:  he was by no means hopeless; he spoke cheerfully.
+
+That he did not regard it as a desperate case, that he did not say
+a few hours must end it, was at first felt, beyond the hope of most;
+and the ecstasy of such a reprieve, the rejoicing, deep and silent,
+after a few fervent ejaculations of gratitude to Heaven had been offered,
+may be conceived.
+
+The tone, the look, with which "Thank God!" was uttered
+by Captain Wentworth, Anne was sure could never be forgotten by her;
+nor the sight of him afterwards, as he sat near a table, leaning over it
+with folded arms and face concealed, as if overpowered by
+the various feelings of his soul, and trying by prayer and reflection
+to calm them.
+
+Louisa's limbs had escaped.  There was no injury but to the head.
+
+It now became necessary for the party to consider what was best to be done,
+as to their general situation.  They were now able to speak to each other
+and consult.  That Louisa must remain where she was, however distressing
+to her friends to be involving the Harvilles in such trouble,
+did not admit a doubt.  Her removal was impossible.  The Harvilles
+silenced all scruples; and, as much as they could, all gratitude. 
+They had looked forward and arranged everything before the others
+began to reflect.  Captain Benwick must give up his room to them,
+and get another bed elsewhere; and the whole was settled. 
+They were only concerned that the house could accommodate no more;
+and yet perhaps, by "putting the children away in the maid's room,
+or swinging a cot somewhere," they could hardly bear to think of not
+finding room for two or three besides, supposing they might wish to stay;
+though, with regard to any attendance on Miss Musgrove, there need not be
+the least uneasiness in leaving her to Mrs Harville's care entirely. 
+Mrs Harville was a very experienced nurse, and her nursery-maid,
+who had lived with her long, and gone about with her everywhere,
+was just such another.  Between these two, she could want
+no possible attendance by day or night.  And all this was said
+with a truth and sincerity of feeling irresistible.
+
+Charles, Henrietta, and Captain Wentworth were the three in consultation,
+and for a little while it was only an interchange of perplexity and terror. 
+"Uppercross, the necessity of some one's going to Uppercross;
+the news to be conveyed; how it could be broken to Mr and Mrs Musgrove;
+the lateness of the morning; an hour already gone since they
+ought to have been off; the impossibility of being in tolerable time." 
+At first, they were capable of nothing more to the purpose
+than such exclamations; but, after a while, Captain Wentworth,
+exerting himself, said--
+
+"We must be decided, and without the loss of another minute. 
+Every minute is valuable.  Some one must resolve on being off
+for Uppercross instantly.  Musgrove, either you or I must go."
+
+Charles agreed, but declared his resolution of not going away. 
+He would be as little incumbrance as possible to Captain and Mrs Harville;
+but as to leaving his sister in such a state, he neither ought, nor would. 
+So far it was decided; and Henrietta at first declared the same. 
+She, however, was soon persuaded to think differently.  The usefulness
+of her staying!  She who had not been able to remain in Louisa's room,
+or to look at her, without sufferings which made her worse than helpless! 
+She was forced to acknowledge that she could do no good,
+yet was still unwilling to be away, till, touched by the thought
+of her father and mother, she gave it up; she consented,
+she was anxious to be at home.
+
+The plan had reached this point, when Anne, coming quietly
+down from Louisa's room, could not but hear what followed,
+for the parlour door was open.
+
+"Then it is settled, Musgrove," cried Captain Wentworth,
+"that you stay, and that I take care of your sister home. 
+But as to the rest, as to the others, if one stays to assist Mrs Harville,
+I think it need be only one.  Mrs Charles Musgrove will, of course,
+wish to get back to her children; but if Anne will stay, no one so proper,
+so capable as Anne."
+
+She paused a moment to recover from the emotion of hearing herself
+so spoken of.  The other two warmly agreed with what he said,
+and she then appeared.
+
+"You will stay, I am sure; you will stay and nurse her;" cried he,
+turning to her and speaking with a glow, and yet a gentleness,
+which seemed almost restoring the past.  She coloured deeply,
+and he recollected himself and moved away.  She expressed herself
+most willing, ready, happy to remain.  "It was what she had been
+thinking of, and wishing to be allowed to do.  A bed on the floor
+in Louisa's room would be sufficient for her, if Mrs Harville
+would but think so."
+
+One thing more, and all seemed arranged.  Though it was rather desirable
+that Mr and Mrs Musgrove should be previously alarmed by some
+share of delay; yet the time required by the Uppercross horses
+to take them back, would be a dreadful extension of suspense;
+and Captain Wentworth proposed, and Charles Musgrove agreed,
+that it would be much better for him to take a chaise from the inn,
+and leave Mr Musgrove's carriage and horses to be sent home
+the next morning early, when there would be the farther advantage
+of sending an account of Louisa's night.
+
+Captain Wentworth now hurried off to get everything ready on his part,
+and to be soon followed by the two ladies.  When the plan was
+made known to Mary, however, there was an end of all peace in it. 
+She was so wretched and so vehement, complained so much of injustice
+in being expected to go away instead of Anne; Anne, who was
+nothing to Louisa, while she was her sister, and had the best right
+to stay in Henrietta's stead!  Why was not she to be as useful as Anne? 
+And to go home without Charles, too, without her husband! 
+No, it was too unkind.  And in short, she said more than her husband
+could long withstand, and as none of the others could oppose
+when he gave way, there was no help for it; the change of Mary for Anne
+was inevitable.
+
+Anne had never submitted more reluctantly to the jealous
+and ill-judging claims of Mary; but so it must be, and they set off
+for the town, Charles taking care of his sister, and Captain Benwick
+attending to her.  She gave a moment's recollection, as they hurried along,
+to the little circumstances which the same spots had witnessed
+earlier in the morning.  There she had listened to Henrietta's schemes
+for Dr Shirley's leaving Uppercross; farther on, she had
+first seen Mr Elliot; a moment seemed all that could now be given
+to any one but Louisa, or those who were wrapt up in her welfare.
+
+Captain Benwick was most considerately attentive to her; and,
+united as they all seemed by the distress of the day, she felt
+an increasing degree of good-will towards him, and a pleasure even
+in thinking that it might, perhaps, be the occasion of continuing
+their acquaintance.
+
+Captain Wentworth was on the watch for them, and a chaise and four in waiting,
+stationed for their convenience in the lowest part of the street;
+but his evident surprise and vexation at the substitution of one sister
+for the other, the change in his countenance, the astonishment,
+the expressions begun and suppressed, with which Charles was listened to,
+made but a mortifying reception of Anne; or must at least convince her
+that she was valued only as she could be useful to Louisa.
+
+She endeavoured to be composed, and to be just.  Without emulating
+the feelings of an Emma towards her Henry, she would have
+attended on Louisa with a zeal above the common claims of regard,
+for his sake; and she hoped he would not long be so unjust
+as to suppose she would shrink unnecessarily from the office of a friend.
+
+In the mean while she was in the carriage.  He had handed them both in,
+and placed himself between them; and in this manner, under these
+circumstances, full of astonishment and emotion to Anne, she quitted Lyme. 
+How the long stage would pass; how it was to affect their manners;
+what was to be their sort of intercourse, she could not foresee. 
+It was all quite natural, however.  He was devoted to Henrietta;
+always turning towards her; and when he spoke at all, always with the view
+of supporting her hopes and raising her spirits.  In general,
+his voice and manner were studiously calm.  To spare Henrietta
+from agitation seemed the governing principle.  Once only,
+when she had been grieving over the last ill-judged, ill-fated
+walk to the Cobb, bitterly lamenting that it ever had been thought of,
+he burst forth, as if wholly overcome--
+
+"Don't talk of it, don't talk of it," he cried.  "Oh God! that I had
+not given way to her at the fatal moment!  Had I done as I ought! 
+But so eager and so resolute! Dear, sweet Louisa!"
+
+Anne wondered whether it ever occurred to him now, to question the justness
+of his own previous opinion as to the universal felicity and advantage
+of firmness of character; and whether it might not strike him that,
+like all other qualities of the mind, it should have its proportions
+and limits.  She thought it could scarcely escape him to feel
+that a persuadable temper might sometimes be as much in favour of happiness
+as a very resolute character.
+
+They got on fast.  Anne was astonished to recognise the same hills
+and the same objects so soon.  Their actual speed, heightened by
+some dread of the conclusion, made the road appear but half as long
+as on the day before.  It was growing quite dusk, however,
+before they were in the neighbourhood of Uppercross, and there had been
+total silence among them for some time, Henrietta leaning back
+in the corner, with a shawl over her face, giving the hope of her
+having cried herself to sleep; when, as they were going up their last hill,
+Anne found herself all at once addressed by Captain Wentworth. 
+In a low, cautious voice, he said: --
+
+"I have been considering what we had best do.  She must not
+appear at first.  She could not stand it.  I have been thinking whether
+you had not better remain in the carriage with her, while I go in
+and break it to Mr and Mrs Musgrove.  Do you think this is a good plan?"
+
+She did:  he was satisfied, and said no more.  But the remembrance
+of the appeal remained a pleasure to her, as a proof of friendship,
+and of deference for her judgement, a great pleasure; and when it became
+a sort of parting proof, its value did not lessen.
+
+When the distressing communication at Uppercross was over,
+and he had seen the father and mother quite as composed as could be hoped,
+and the daughter all the better for being with them, he announced
+his intention of returning in the same carriage to Lyme;
+and when the horses were baited, he was off.
+
+(End of volume one.)
+
+
+
+Chapter 13
+
+
+The remainder of Anne's time at Uppercross, comprehending only two days,
+was spent entirely at the Mansion House; and she had the satisfaction
+of knowing herself extremely useful there, both as an immediate companion,
+and as assisting in all those arrangements for the future, which,
+in Mr and Mrs Musgrove's distressed state of spirits, would have
+been difficulties.
+
+They had an early account from Lyme the next morning.  Louisa was
+much the same.  No symptoms worse than before had appeared. 
+Charles came a few hours afterwards, to bring a later and
+more particular account.  He was tolerably cheerful.  A speedy cure
+must not be hoped, but everything was going on as well
+as the nature of the case admitted.  In speaking of the Harvilles,
+he seemed unable to satisfy his own sense of their kindness,
+especially of Mrs Harville's exertions as a nurse.  "She really left
+nothing for Mary to do.  He and Mary had been persuaded to go early
+to their inn last night.  Mary had been hysterical again this morning. 
+When he came away, she was going to walk out with Captain Benwick,
+which, he hoped, would do her good.  He almost wished she had been
+prevailed on to come home the day before; but the truth was,
+that Mrs Harville left nothing for anybody to do."
+
+Charles was to return to Lyme the same afternoon, and his father
+had at first half a mind to go with him, but the ladies could not consent. 
+It would be going only to multiply trouble to the others,
+and increase his own distress; and a much better scheme followed
+and was acted upon.  A chaise was sent for from Crewkherne,
+and Charles conveyed back a far more useful person in the old nursery-maid
+of the family, one who having brought up all the children,
+and seen the very last, the lingering and long-petted Master Harry,
+sent to school after his brothers, was now living in her deserted nursery
+to mend stockings and dress all the blains and bruises she could
+get near her, and who, consequently, was only too happy in being
+allowed to go and help nurse dear Miss Louisa.  Vague wishes of
+getting Sarah thither, had occurred before to Mrs Musgrove and Henrietta;
+but without Anne, it would hardly have been resolved on,
+and found practicable so soon.
+
+They were indebted, the next day, to Charles Hayter, for all
+the minute knowledge of Louisa, which it was so essential to obtain
+every twenty-four hours.  He made it his business to go to Lyme,
+and his account was still encouraging.  The intervals of sense
+and consciousness were believed to be stronger.  Every report agreed
+in Captain Wentworth's appearing fixed in Lyme.
+
+Anne was to leave them on the morrow, an event which they all dreaded. 
+"What should they do without her?  They were wretched comforters
+for one another."  And so much was said in this way, that Anne thought
+she could not do better than impart among them the general inclination
+to which she was privy, and persuaded them all to go to Lyme at once. 
+She had little difficulty; it was soon determined that they would go;
+go to-morrow, fix themselves at the inn, or get into lodgings,
+as it suited, and there remain till dear Louisa could be moved. 
+They must be taking off some trouble from the good people she was with;
+they might at least relieve Mrs Harville from the care of her own children;
+and in short, they were so happy in the decision, that Anne was delighted
+with what she had done, and felt that she could not spend her
+last morning at Uppercross better than in assisting their preparations,
+and sending them off at an early hour, though her being left
+to the solitary range of the house was the consequence.
+
+She was the last, excepting the little boys at the cottage,
+she was the very last, the only remaining one of all that had filled
+and animated both houses, of all that had given Uppercross
+its cheerful character.  A few days had made a change indeed!
+
+If Louisa recovered, it would all be well again.  More than
+former happiness would be restored.  There could not be a doubt,
+to her mind there was none, of what would follow her recovery. 
+A few months hence, and the room now so deserted, occupied but by
+her silent, pensive self, might be filled again with all that was happy
+and gay, all that was glowing and bright in prosperous love,
+all that was most unlike Anne Elliot!
+
+An hour's complete leisure for such reflections as these,
+on a dark November day, a small thick rain almost blotting out
+the very few objects ever to be discerned from the windows, was enough
+to make the sound of Lady Russell's carriage exceedingly welcome;
+and yet, though desirous to be gone, she could not quit the Mansion House,
+or look an adieu to the Cottage, with its black, dripping and
+comfortless veranda, or even notice through the misty glasses
+the last humble tenements of the village, without a saddened heart. 
+Scenes had passed in Uppercross which made it precious. 
+It stood the record of many sensations of pain, once severe,
+but now softened; and of some instances of relenting feeling,
+some breathings of friendship and reconciliation, which could
+never be looked for again, and which could never cease to be dear. 
+She left it all behind her, all but the recollection that
+such things had been.
+
+Anne had never entered Kellynch since her quitting Lady Russell's house
+in September.  It had not been necessary, and the few occasions of
+its being possible for her to go to the Hall she had contrived to evade
+and escape from.  Her first return was to resume her place in the modern
+and elegant apartments of the Lodge, and to gladden the eyes
+of its mistress.
+
+There was some anxiety mixed with Lady Russell's joy in meeting her. 
+She knew who had been frequenting Uppercross.  But happily,
+either Anne was improved in plumpness and looks, or Lady Russell
+fancied her so; and Anne, in receiving her compliments on the occasion,
+had the amusement of connecting them with the silent admiration
+of her cousin, and of hoping that she was to be blessed with
+a second spring of youth and beauty.
+
+When they came to converse, she was soon sensible of some mental change. 
+The subjects of which her heart had been full on leaving Kellynch,
+and which she had felt slighted, and been compelled to smother
+among the Musgroves, were now become but of secondary interest. 
+She had lately lost sight even of her father and sister and Bath. 
+Their concerns had been sunk under those of Uppercross;
+and when Lady Russell reverted to their former hopes and fears,
+and spoke her satisfaction in the house in Camden Place,
+which had been taken, and her regret that Mrs Clay should still
+be with them, Anne would have been ashamed to have it known
+how much more she was thinking of Lyme and Louisa Musgrove,
+and all her acquaintance there; how much more interesting to her
+was the home and the friendship of the Harvilles and Captain Benwick,
+than her own father's house in Camden Place, or her own sister's intimacy
+with Mrs Clay.  She was actually forced to exert herself
+to meet Lady Russell with anything like the appearance of equal solicitude,
+on topics which had by nature the first claim on her.
+
+There was a little awkwardness at first in their discourse
+on another subject.  They must speak of the accident at Lyme. 
+Lady Russell had not been arrived five minutes the day before,
+when a full account of the whole had burst on her; but still it must
+be talked of, she must make enquiries, she must regret the imprudence,
+lament the result, and Captain Wentworth's name must be mentioned by both. 
+Anne was conscious of not doing it so well as Lady Russell. 
+She could not speak the name, and look straight forward to
+Lady Russell's eye, till she had adopted the expedient of telling her
+briefly what she thought of the attachment between him and Louisa. 
+When this was told, his name distressed her no longer.
+
+Lady Russell had only to listen composedly, and wish them happy,
+but internally her heart revelled in angry pleasure, in pleased contempt,
+that the man who at twenty-three had seemed to understand somewhat
+of the value of an Anne Elliot, should, eight years afterwards,
+be charmed by a Louisa Musgrove.
+
+The first three or four days passed most quietly, with no circumstance
+to mark them excepting the receipt of a note or two from Lyme,
+which found their way to Anne, she could not tell how, and brought
+a rather improving account of Louisa.  At the end of that period,
+Lady Russell's politeness could repose no longer, and the fainter
+self-threatenings of the past became in a decided tone,
+"I must call on Mrs Croft; I really must call upon her soon. 
+Anne, have you courage to go with me, and pay a visit in that house? 
+It will be some trial to us both."
+
+Anne did not shrink from it; on the contrary, she truly felt as she said,
+in observing--
+
+"I think you are very likely to suffer the most of the two;
+your feelings are less reconciled to the change than mine. 
+By remaining in the neighbourhood, I am become inured to it."
+
+She could have said more on the subject; for she had in fact
+so high an opinion of the Crofts, and considered her father
+so very fortunate in his tenants, felt the parish to be so sure
+of a good example, and the poor of the best attention and relief,
+that however sorry and ashamed for the necessity of the removal,
+she could not but in conscience feel that they were gone
+who deserved not to stay, and that Kellynch Hall had passed
+into better hands than its owners'.  These convictions must unquestionably
+have their own pain, and severe was its kind; but they precluded
+that pain which Lady Russell would suffer in entering the house again,
+and returning through the well-known apartments.
+
+In such moments Anne had no power of saying to herself,
+"These rooms ought to belong only to us.  Oh, how fallen
+in their destination!  How unworthily occupied!  An ancient family
+to be so driven away!  Strangers filling their place!" 
+No, except when she thought of her mother, and remembered where
+she had been used to sit and preside, she had no sigh of that description
+to heave.
+
+Mrs Croft always met her with a kindness which gave her the pleasure
+of fancying herself a favourite, and on the present occasion,
+receiving her in that house, there was particular attention.
+
+The sad accident at Lyme was soon the prevailing topic,
+and on comparing their latest accounts of the invalid, it appeared
+that each lady dated her intelligence from the same hour of yestermorn;
+that Captain Wentworth had been in Kellynch yesterday (the first time
+since the accident), had brought Anne the last note, which she had
+not been able to trace the exact steps of; had staid a few hours
+and then returned again to Lyme, and without any present intention
+of quitting it any more.  He had enquired after her, she found,
+particularly; had expressed his hope of Miss Elliot's not being
+the worse for her exertions, and had spoken of those exertions as great. 
+This was handsome, and gave her more pleasure than almost anything else
+could have done.
+
+As to the sad catastrophe itself, it could be canvassed only in one style
+by a couple of steady, sensible women, whose judgements had to work
+on ascertained events; and it was perfectly decided that it had been
+the consequence of much thoughtlessness and much imprudence;
+that its effects were most alarming, and that it was frightful to think,
+how long Miss Musgrove's recovery might yet be doubtful, and how liable
+she would still remain to suffer from the concussion hereafter! 
+The Admiral wound it up summarily by exclaiming--
+
+"Ay, a very bad business indeed.  A new sort of way this,
+for a young fellow to be making love, by breaking his mistress's head,
+is not it, Miss Elliot?  This is breaking a head and giving a plaster,
+truly!"
+
+Admiral Croft's manners were not quite of the tone to suit Lady Russell,
+but they delighted Anne.  His goodness of heart and simplicity
+of character were irresistible.
+
+"Now, this must be very bad for you," said he, suddenly rousing from
+a little reverie, "to be coming and finding us here.  I had not
+recollected it before, I declare, but it must be very bad. 
+But now, do not stand upon ceremony.  Get up and go over all the rooms
+in the house if you like it."
+
+"Another time, Sir, I thank you, not now."
+
+"Well, whenever it suits you.  You can slip in from the shrubbery
+at any time; and there you will find we keep our umbrellas hanging up
+by that door.  A good place is not it?  But," (checking himself),
+"you will not think it a good place, for yours were always kept
+in the butler's room.  Ay, so it always is, I believe. 
+One man's ways may be as good as another's, but we all like our own best. 
+And so you must judge for yourself, whether it would be better for you
+to go about the house or not."
+
+Anne, finding she might decline it, did so, very gratefully.
+
+"We have made very few changes either," continued the Admiral,
+after thinking a moment.  "Very few.  We told you about the laundry-door,
+at Uppercross.  That has been a very great improvement. 
+The wonder was, how any family upon earth could bear with the inconvenience
+of its opening as it did, so long!  You will tell Sir Walter
+what we have done, and that Mr Shepherd thinks it the greatest improvement
+the house ever had.  Indeed, I must do ourselves the justice to say,
+that the few alterations we have made have been all very much
+for the better.  My wife should have the credit of them, however. 
+I have done very little besides sending away some of the large
+looking-glasses from my dressing-room, which was your father's. 
+A very good man, and very much the gentleman I am sure: 
+but I should think, Miss Elliot," (looking with serious reflection),
+"I should think he must be rather a dressy man for his time of life. 
+Such a number of looking-glasses! oh Lord! there was no getting away
+from one's self.  So I got Sophy to lend me a hand, and we soon
+shifted their quarters; and now I am quite snug, with my
+little shaving glass in one corner, and another great thing
+that I never go near."
+
+Anne, amused in spite of herself, was rather distressed for an answer,
+and the Admiral, fearing he might not have been civil enough,
+took up the subject again, to say--
+
+"The next time you write to your good father, Miss Elliot,
+pray give him my compliments and Mrs Croft's, and say that we are
+settled here quite to our liking, and have no fault at all to find
+with the place.  The breakfast-room chimney smokes a little,
+I grant you, but it is only when the wind is due north and blows hard,
+which may not happen three times a winter.  And take it altogether,
+now that we have been into most of the houses hereabouts and can judge,
+there is not one that we like better than this.  Pray say so,
+with my compliments.  He will be glad to hear it."
+
+Lady Russell and Mrs Croft were very well pleased with each other: 
+but the acquaintance which this visit began was fated not to proceed
+far at present; for when it was returned, the Crofts announced
+themselves to be going away for a few weeks, to visit their connexions
+in the north of the county, and probably might not be at home again
+before Lady Russell would be removing to Bath.
+
+So ended all danger to Anne of meeting Captain Wentworth at Kellynch Hall,
+or of seeing him in company with her friend.  Everything was safe enough,
+and she smiled over the many anxious feelings she had wasted
+on the subject.
+
+
+
+Chapter 14
+
+
+Though Charles and Mary had remained at Lyme much longer after
+Mr and Mrs Musgrove's going than Anne conceived they could have been
+at all wanted, they were yet the first of the family to be at home again;
+and as soon as possible after their return to Uppercross
+they drove over to the Lodge.  They had left Louisa beginning to sit up;
+but her head, though clear, was exceedingly weak, and her nerves
+susceptible to the highest extreme of tenderness; and though
+she might be pronounced to be altogether doing very well,
+it was still impossible to say when she might be able to bear
+the removal home; and her father and mother, who must return
+in time to receive their younger children for the Christmas holidays,
+had hardly a hope of being allowed to bring her with them.
+
+They had been all in lodgings together.  Mrs Musgrove had
+got Mrs Harville's children away as much as she could, every possible
+supply from Uppercross had been furnished, to lighten the inconvenience
+to the Harvilles, while the Harvilles had been wanting them
+to come to dinner every day; and in short, it seemed to have been
+only a struggle on each side as to which should be most disinterested
+and hospitable.
+
+Mary had had her evils; but upon the whole, as was evident
+by her staying so long, she had found more to enjoy than to suffer. 
+Charles Hayter had been at Lyme oftener than suited her; and when
+they dined with the Harvilles there had been only a maid-servant to wait,
+and at first Mrs Harville had always given Mrs Musgrove precedence;
+but then, she had received so very handsome an apology from her
+on finding out whose daughter she was, and there had been so much
+going on every day, there had been so many walks between their lodgings
+and the Harvilles, and she had got books from the library,
+and changed them so often, that the balance had certainly been
+much in favour of Lyme.  She had been taken to Charmouth too,
+and she had bathed, and she had gone to church, and there were a great many
+more people to look at in the church at Lyme than at Uppercross;
+and all this, joined to the sense of being so very useful,
+had made really an agreeable fortnight.
+
+Anne enquired after Captain Benwick, Mary's face was clouded directly. 
+Charles laughed.
+
+"Oh! Captain Benwick is very well, I believe, but he is
+a very odd young man.  I do not know what he would be at. 
+We asked him to come home with us for a day or two:  Charles undertook
+to give him some shooting, and he seemed quite delighted, and, for my part,
+I thought it was all settled; when behold! on Tuesday night,
+he made a very awkward sort of excuse; `he never shot' and he had
+`been quite misunderstood,' and he had promised this and he had
+promised that, and the end of it was, I found, that he did not mean to come. 
+I suppose he was afraid of finding it dull; but upon my word
+I should have thought we were lively enough at the Cottage
+for such a heart-broken man as Captain Benwick."
+
+Charles laughed again and said, "Now Mary, you know very well
+how it really was.  It was all your doing," (turning to Anne.) 
+"He fancied that if he went with us, he should find you close by: 
+he fancied everybody to be living in Uppercross; and when he discovered
+that Lady Russell lived three miles off, his heart failed him,
+and he had not courage to come.  That is the fact, upon my honour,
+Mary knows it is."
+
+But Mary did not give into it very graciously, whether from
+not considering Captain Benwick entitled by birth and situation
+to be in love with an Elliot, or from not wanting to believe
+Anne a greater attraction to Uppercross than herself, must be
+left to be guessed.  Anne's good-will, however, was not to be lessened
+by what she heard.  She boldly acknowledged herself flattered,
+and continued her enquiries.
+
+"Oh! he talks of you," cried Charles, "in such terms--" 
+Mary interrupted him. "I declare, Charles, I never heard him
+mention Anne twice all the time I was there.  I declare, Anne,
+he never talks of you at all."
+
+"No," admitted Charles, "I do not know that he ever does, in a general
+way; but however, it is a very clear thing that he admires you exceedingly. 
+His head is full of some books that he is reading upon your recommendation,
+and he wants to talk to you about them; he has found out something or other
+in one of them which he thinks-- oh! I cannot pretend to remember it,
+but it was something very fine--I overheard him telling Henrietta
+all about it; and then `Miss Elliot' was spoken of in the highest terms! 
+Now Mary, I declare it was so, I heard it myself, and you were
+in the other room.  `Elegance, sweetness, beauty.' Oh! there was no end
+of Miss Elliot's charms."
+
+"And I am sure," cried Mary, warmly, "it was a very little to his credit,
+if he did.  Miss Harville only died last June.  Such a heart
+is very little worth having; is it, Lady Russell?  I am sure
+you will agree with me."
+
+"I must see Captain Benwick before I decide," said Lady Russell, smiling.
+
+"And that you are very likely to do very soon, I can tell you, ma'am,"
+said Charles.  "Though he had not nerves for coming away with us,
+and setting off again afterwards to pay a formal visit here,
+he will make his way over to Kellynch one day by himself,
+you may depend on it.  I told him the distance and the road,
+and I told him of the church's being so very well worth seeing;
+for as he has a taste for those sort of things, I thought that would
+be a good excuse, and he listened with all his understanding and soul;
+and I am sure from his manner that you will have him calling here soon. 
+So, I give you notice, Lady Russell."
+
+"Any acquaintance of Anne's will always be welcome to me,"
+was Lady Russell's kind answer.
+
+"Oh! as to being Anne's acquaintance," said Mary, "I think he is rather
+my acquaintance, for I have been seeing him every day this last fortnight."
+
+"Well, as your joint acquaintance, then, I shall be very happy
+to see Captain Benwick."
+
+"You will not find anything very agreeable in him, I assure you, ma'am. 
+He is one of the dullest young men that ever lived.  He has walked with me,
+sometimes, from one end of the sands to the other, without saying a word. 
+He is not at all a well-bred young man.  I am sure you will not like him."
+
+"There we differ, Mary," said Anne.  "I think Lady Russell would like him. 
+I think she would be so much pleased with his mind, that she would
+very soon see no deficiency in his manner."
+
+"So do I, Anne," said Charles.  "I am sure Lady Russell would like him. 
+He is just Lady Russell's sort.  Give him a book, and he will
+read all day long."
+
+"Yes, that he will!" exclaimed Mary, tauntingly.  "He will sit poring
+over his book, and not know when a person speaks to him, or when one
+drop's one's scissors, or anything that happens.  Do you think
+Lady Russell would like that?"
+
+Lady Russell could not help laughing.  "Upon my word," said she,
+"I should not have supposed that my opinion of any one could have
+admitted of such difference of conjecture, steady and matter of fact
+as I may call myself.  I have really a curiosity to see the person
+who can give occasion to such directly opposite notions. 
+I wish he may be induced to call here.  And when he does, Mary,
+you may depend upon hearing my opinion; but I am determined
+not to judge him beforehand."
+
+"You will not like him, I will answer for it."
+
+Lady Russell began talking of something else.  Mary spoke with animation
+of their meeting with, or rather missing, Mr Elliot so extraordinarily.
+
+"He is a man," said Lady Russell, "whom I have no wish to see. 
+His declining to be on cordial terms with the head of his family,
+has left a very strong impression in his disfavour with me."
+
+This decision checked Mary's eagerness, and stopped her short
+in the midst of the Elliot countenance.
+
+With regard to Captain Wentworth, though Anne hazarded no enquiries,
+there was voluntary communication sufficient.  His spirits had been
+greatly recovering lately as might be expected.  As Louisa improved,
+he had improved, and he was now quite a different creature
+from what he had been the first week.  He had not seen Louisa;
+and was so extremely fearful of any ill consequence to her
+from an interview, that he did not press for it at all; and,
+on the contrary, seemed to have a plan of going away for a week
+or ten days, till her head was stronger.  He had talked of going
+down to Plymouth for a week, and wanted to persuade Captain Benwick
+to go with him; but, as Charles maintained to the last, Captain Benwick
+seemed much more disposed to ride over to Kellynch.
+
+There can be no doubt that Lady Russell and Anne were both
+occasionally thinking of Captain Benwick, from this time. 
+Lady Russell could not hear the door-bell without feeling that it might
+be his herald; nor could Anne return from any stroll of solitary indulgence
+in her father's grounds, or any visit of charity in the village,
+without wondering whether she might see him or hear of him. 
+Captain Benwick came not, however.  He was either less disposed for it
+than Charles had imagined, or he was too shy; and after giving him
+a week's indulgence, Lady Russell determined him to be unworthy
+of the interest which he had been beginning to excite.
+
+The Musgroves came back to receive their happy boys and girls from school,
+bringing with them Mrs Harville's little children, to improve the noise
+of Uppercross, and lessen that of Lyme.  Henrietta remained with Louisa;
+but all the rest of the family were again in their usual quarters.
+
+Lady Russell and Anne paid their compliments to them once,
+when Anne could not but feel that Uppercross was already quite alive again. 
+Though neither Henrietta, nor Louisa, nor Charles Hayter,
+nor Captain Wentworth were there, the room presented as strong a contrast
+as could be wished to the last state she had seen it in.
+
+Immediately surrounding Mrs Musgrove were the little Harvilles,
+whom she was sedulously guarding from the tyranny of the two children
+from the Cottage, expressly arrived to amuse them.  On one side
+was a table occupied by some chattering girls, cutting up silk
+and gold paper; and on the other were tressels and trays,
+bending under the weight of brawn and cold pies, where riotous boys
+were holding high revel; the whole completed by a roaring Christmas fire,
+which seemed determined to be heard, in spite of all the noise
+of the others.  Charles and Mary also came in, of course,
+during their visit, and Mr Musgrove made a point of paying his respects
+to Lady Russell, and sat down close to her for ten minutes,
+talking with a very raised voice, but from the clamour of the children
+on his knees, generally in vain.  It was a fine family-piece.
+
+Anne, judging from her own temperament, would have deemed
+such a domestic hurricane a bad restorative of the nerves,
+which Louisa's illness must have so greatly shaken.  But Mrs Musgrove,
+who got Anne near her on purpose to thank her most cordially,
+again and again, for all her attentions to them, concluded
+a short recapitulation of what she had suffered herself by observing,
+with a happy glance round the room, that after all she had gone through,
+nothing was so likely to do her good as a little quiet cheerfulness
+at home.
+
+Louisa was now recovering apace.  Her mother could even think of her
+being able to join their party at home, before her brothers and sisters
+went to school again.  The Harvilles had promised to come with her
+and stay at Uppercross, whenever she returned.  Captain Wentworth was gone,
+for the present, to see his brother in Shropshire.
+
+"I hope I shall remember, in future," said Lady Russell, as soon as
+they were reseated in the carriage, "not to call at Uppercross
+in the Christmas holidays."
+
+Everybody has their taste in noises as well as in other matters;
+and sounds are quite innoxious, or most distressing, by their sort
+rather than their quantity.  When Lady Russell not long afterwards,
+was entering Bath on a wet afternoon, and driving through
+the long course of streets from the Old Bridge to Camden Place,
+amidst the dash of other carriages, the heavy rumble of carts and drays,
+the bawling of newspapermen, muffin-men and milkmen, and the ceaseless
+clink of pattens, she made no complaint.  No, these were noises
+which belonged to the winter pleasures; her spirits rose
+under their influence; and like Mrs Musgrove, she was feeling,
+though not saying, that after being long in the country, nothing could be
+so good for her as a little quiet cheerfulness.
+
+Anne did not share these feelings.  She persisted in a very determined,
+though very silent disinclination for Bath; caught the first dim view
+of the extensive buildings, smoking in rain, without any wish
+of seeing them better; felt their progress through the streets to be,
+however disagreeable, yet too rapid; for who would be glad to see her
+when she arrived?  And looked back, with fond regret, to the bustles
+of Uppercross and the seclusion of Kellynch.
+
+Elizabeth's last letter had communicated a piece of news of some interest. 
+Mr Elliot was in Bath.  He had called in Camden Place; had called
+a second time, a third; had been pointedly attentive.  If Elizabeth
+and her father did not deceive themselves, had been taking much pains
+to seek the acquaintance, and proclaim the value of the connection,
+as he had formerly taken pains to shew neglect.  This was very wonderful
+if it were true; and Lady Russell was in a state of very agreeable
+curiosity and perplexity about Mr Elliot, already recanting the sentiment
+she had so lately expressed to Mary, of his being "a man whom she had
+no wish to see."  She had a great wish to see him.  If he really sought
+to reconcile himself like a dutiful branch, he must be forgiven
+for having dismembered himself from the paternal tree.
+
+Anne was not animated to an equal pitch by the circumstance,
+but she felt that she would rather see Mr Elliot again than not,
+which was more than she could say for many other persons in Bath.
+
+She was put down in Camden Place; and Lady Russell then drove
+to her own lodgings, in Rivers Street.
+
+
+
+Chapter 15
+
+
+Sir Walter had taken a very good house in Camden Place,
+a lofty dignified situation, such as becomes a man of consequence;
+and both he and Elizabeth were settled there, much to their satisfaction.
+
+Anne entered it with a sinking heart, anticipating an imprisonment
+of many months, and anxiously saying to herself, "Oh! when shall I
+leave you again?"  A degree of unexpected cordiality, however,
+in the welcome she received, did her good.  Her father and sister
+were glad to see her, for the sake of shewing her the house and furniture,
+and met her with kindness.  Her making a fourth, when they
+sat down to dinner, was noticed as an advantage.
+
+Mrs Clay was very pleasant, and very smiling, but her courtesies and smiles
+were more a matter of course.  Anne had always felt that she would
+pretend what was proper on her arrival, but the complaisance of the others
+was unlooked for.  They were evidently in excellent spirits,
+and she was soon to listen to the causes.  They had no inclination
+to listen to her.  After laying out for some compliments of being
+deeply regretted in their old neighbourhood, which Anne could not pay,
+they had only a few faint enquiries to make, before the talk must be
+all their own.  Uppercross excited no interest, Kellynch very little: 
+it was all Bath.
+
+They had the pleasure of assuring her that Bath more than answered
+their expectations in every respect.  Their house was undoubtedly
+the best in Camden Place; their drawing-rooms had many decided advantages
+over all the others which they had either seen or heard of,
+and the superiority was not less in the style of the fitting-up,
+or the taste of the furniture.  Their acquaintance was
+exceedingly sought after.  Everybody was wanting to visit them. 
+They had drawn back from many introductions, and still were
+perpetually having cards left by people of whom they knew nothing.
+
+Here were funds of enjoyment.  Could Anne wonder that her father
+and sister were happy?  She might not wonder, but she must sigh
+that her father should feel no degradation in his change, should see
+nothing to regret in the duties and dignity of the resident landholder,
+should find so much to be vain of in the littlenesses of a town;
+and she must sigh, and smile, and wonder too, as Elizabeth threw open
+the folding-doors and walked with exultation from one drawing-room
+to the other, boasting of their space; at the possibility of that woman,
+who had been mistress of Kellynch Hall, finding extent to be proud of
+between two walls, perhaps thirty feet asunder.
+
+But this was not all which they had to make them happy. 
+They had Mr Elliot too.  Anne had a great deal to hear of Mr Elliot. 
+He was not only pardoned, they were delighted with him. 
+He had been in Bath about a fortnight; (he had passed through Bath
+in November, in his way to London, when the intelligence of
+Sir Walter's being settled there had of course reached him,
+though only twenty-four hours in the place, but he had not been able
+to avail himself of it;) but he had now been a fortnight in Bath,
+and his first object on arriving, had been to leave his card
+in Camden Place, following it up by such assiduous endeavours to meet,
+and when they did meet, by such great openness of conduct,
+such readiness to apologize for the past, such solicitude to be received
+as a relation again, that their former good understanding
+was completely re-established.
+
+They had not a fault to find in him.  He had explained away
+all the appearance of neglect on his own side.  It had originated
+in misapprehension entirely.  He had never had an idea of
+throwing himself off; he had feared that he was thrown off,
+but knew not why, and delicacy had kept him silent.  Upon the hint
+of having spoken disrespectfully or carelessly of the family
+and the family honours, he was quite indignant.  He, who had ever boasted
+of being an Elliot, and whose feelings, as to connection,
+were only too strict to suit the unfeudal tone of the present day. 
+He was astonished, indeed, but his character and general conduct
+must refute it.  He could refer Sir Walter to all who knew him;
+and certainly, the pains he had been taking on this, the first opportunity
+of reconciliation, to be restored to the footing of a relation
+and heir-presumptive, was a strong proof of his opinions on the subject.
+
+The circumstances of his marriage, too, were found to admit of
+much extenuation.  This was an article not to be entered on by himself;
+but a very intimate friend of his, a Colonel Wallis, a highly
+respectable man, perfectly the gentleman, (and not an ill-looking man,
+Sir Walter added), who was living in very good style in Marlborough
+Buildings, and had, at his own particular request, been admitted
+to their acquaintance through Mr Elliot, had mentioned one or two things
+relative to the marriage, which made a material difference
+in the discredit of it.
+
+Colonel Wallis had known Mr Elliot long, had been well acquainted
+also with his wife, had perfectly understood the whole story. 
+She was certainly not a woman of family, but well educated,
+accomplished, rich, and excessively in love with his friend. 
+There had been the charm.  She had sought him.  Without that attraction,
+not all her money would have tempted Elliot, and Sir Walter was,
+moreover, assured of her having been a very fine woman. 
+Here was a great deal to soften the business.  A very fine woman
+with a large fortune, in love with him!  Sir Walter seemed to admit it
+as complete apology; and though Elizabeth could not see the circumstance
+in quite so favourable a light, she allowed it be a great extenuation.
+
+Mr Elliot had called repeatedly, had dined with them once,
+evidently delighted by the distinction of being asked, for they
+gave no dinners in general; delighted, in short, by every proof
+of cousinly notice, and placing his whole happiness in being
+on intimate terms in Camden Place.
+
+Anne listened, but without quite understanding it.  Allowances,
+large allowances, she knew, must be made for the ideas of those who spoke. 
+She heard it all under embellishment.  All that sounded extravagant
+or irrational in the progress of the reconciliation might have no origin
+but in the language of the relators.  Still, however, she had
+the sensation of there being something more than immediately appeared,
+in Mr Elliot's wishing, after an interval of so many years,
+to be well received by them.  In a worldly view, he had nothing to gain
+by being on terms with Sir Walter; nothing to risk by a state of variance. 
+In all probability he was already the richer of the two,
+and the Kellynch estate would as surely be his hereafter as the title. 
+A sensible man, and he had looked like a very sensible man,
+why should it be an object to him?  She could only offer one solution;
+it was, perhaps, for Elizabeth's sake.  There might really have been
+a liking formerly, though convenience and accident had drawn him
+a different way; and now that he could afford to please himself,
+he might mean to pay his addresses to her.  Elizabeth was certainly
+very handsome, with well-bred, elegant manners, and her character
+might never have been penetrated by Mr Elliot, knowing her but in public,
+and when very young himself.  How her temper and understanding
+might bear the investigation of his present keener time of life
+was another concern and rather a fearful one.  Most earnestly did she wish
+that he might not be too nice, or too observant if Elizabeth
+were his object; and that Elizabeth was disposed to believe herself so,
+and that her friend Mrs Clay was encouraging the idea, seemed apparent
+by a glance or two between them, while Mr Elliot's frequent visits
+were talked of.
+
+Anne mentioned the glimpses she had had of him at Lyme, but without
+being much attended to.  "Oh! yes, perhaps, it had been Mr Elliot. 
+They did not know.  It might be him, perhaps."  They could not listen
+to her description of him.  They were describing him themselves;
+Sir Walter especially.  He did justice to his very gentlemanlike
+appearance, his air of elegance and fashion, his good shaped face,
+his sensible eye; but, at the same time, "must lament his being
+very much under-hung, a defect which time seemed to have increased;
+nor could he pretend to say that ten years had not altered
+almost every feature for the worse.  Mr Elliot appeared to think
+that he (Sir Walter) was looking exactly as he had done when
+they last parted;" but Sir Walter had "not been able to return
+the compliment entirely, which had embarrassed him.  He did not mean
+to complain, however.  Mr Elliot was better to look at than most men,
+and he had no objection to being seen with him anywhere."
+
+Mr Elliot, and his friends in Marlborough Buildings, were talked of
+the whole evening.  "Colonel Wallis had been so impatient to be
+introduced to them! and Mr Elliot so anxious that he should!"
+and there was a Mrs Wallis, at present known only to them by description,
+as she was in daily expectation of her confinement; but Mr Elliot
+spoke of her as "a most charming woman, quite worthy of being known
+in Camden Place," and as soon as she recovered they were to be acquainted. 
+Sir Walter thought much of Mrs Wallis; she was said to be
+an excessively pretty woman, beautiful.  "He longed to see her. 
+He hoped she might make some amends for the many very plain faces
+he was continually passing in the streets.  The worst of Bath was
+the number of its plain women.  He did not mean to say that there were
+no pretty women, but the number of the plain was out of all proportion. 
+He had frequently observed, as he walked, that one handsome face
+would be followed by thirty, or five-and-thirty frights; and once,
+as he had stood in a shop on Bond Street, he had counted
+eighty-seven women go by, one after another, without there being
+a tolerable face among them.  It had been a frosty morning,
+to be sure, a sharp frost, which hardly one woman in a thousand
+could stand the test of.  But still, there certainly were
+a dreadful multitude of ugly women in Bath; and as for the men!
+they were infinitely worse.  Such scarecrows as the streets were full of! 
+It was evident how little the women were used to the sight of anything
+tolerable, by the effect which a man of decent appearance produced. 
+He had never walked anywhere arm-in-arm with Colonel Wallis
+(who was a fine military figure, though sandy-haired) without observing
+that every woman's eye was upon him; every woman's eye was sure to be
+upon Colonel Wallis."  Modest Sir Walter!  He was not allowed
+to escape, however.  His daughter and Mrs Clay united in hinting
+that Colonel Wallis's companion might have as good a figure
+as Colonel Wallis, and certainly was not sandy-haired.
+
+"How is Mary looking?" said Sir Walter, in the height of his good humour. 
+"The last time I saw her she had a red nose, but I hope that may not
+happen every day."
+
+"Oh! no, that must have been quite accidental.  In general she has been
+in very good health and very good looks since Michaelmas."
+
+"If I thought it would not tempt her to go out in sharp winds,
+and grow coarse, I would send her a new hat and pelisse."
+
+Anne was considering whether she should venture to suggest that a gown,
+or a cap, would not be liable to any such misuse, when a knock at the door
+suspended everything.  "A knock at the door! and so late! 
+It was ten o'clock.  Could it be Mr Elliot?  They knew he was to dine
+in Lansdown Crescent.  It was possible that he might stop in his way home
+to ask them how they did.  They could think of no one else. 
+Mrs Clay decidedly thought it Mr Elliot's knock."  Mrs Clay was right. 
+With all the state which a butler and foot-boy could give,
+Mr Elliot was ushered into the room.
+
+It was the same, the very same man, with no difference but of dress. 
+Anne drew a little back, while the others received his compliments,
+and her sister his apologies for calling at so unusual an hour,
+but "he could not be so near without wishing to know that neither she
+nor her friend had taken cold the day before," &c. &c; which was
+all as politely done, and as politely taken, as possible, but her part
+must follow then.  Sir Walter talked of his youngest daughter;
+"Mr Elliot must give him leave to present him to his youngest daughter"
+(there was no occasion for remembering Mary); and Anne, smiling and
+blushing, very becomingly shewed to Mr Elliot the pretty features
+which he had by no means forgotten, and instantly saw, with amusement
+at his little start of surprise, that he had not been at all aware
+of who she was.  He looked completely astonished, but not more astonished
+than pleased; his eyes brightened! and with the most perfect alacrity
+he welcomed the relationship, alluded to the past, and entreated
+to be received as an acquaintance already.  He was quite as good-looking
+as he had appeared at Lyme, his countenance improved by speaking,
+and his manners were so exactly what they ought to be, so polished,
+so easy, so particularly agreeable, that she could compare them
+in excellence to only one person's manners.  They were not the same,
+but they were, perhaps, equally good.
+
+He sat down with them, and improved their conversation very much. 
+There could be no doubt of his being a sensible man.  Ten minutes
+were enough to certify that.  His tone, his expressions,
+his choice of subject, his knowing where to stop; it was all
+the operation of a sensible, discerning mind.  As soon as he could,
+he began to talk to her of Lyme, wanting to compare opinions
+respecting the place, but especially wanting to speak of the circumstance
+of their happening to be guests in the same inn at the same time;
+to give his own route, understand something of hers, and regret that
+he should have lost such an opportunity of paying his respects to her. 
+She gave him a short account of her party and business at Lyme. 
+His regret increased as he listened.  He had spent his whole
+solitary evening in the room adjoining theirs; had heard voices,
+mirth continually; thought they must be a most delightful set of people,
+longed to be with them, but certainly without the smallest suspicion
+of his possessing the shadow of a right to introduce himself. 
+If he had but asked who the party were!  The name of Musgrove would
+have told him enough.  "Well, it would serve to cure him of
+an absurd practice of never asking a question at an inn,
+which he had adopted, when quite a young man, on the principal
+of its being very ungenteel to be curious.
+
+"The notions of a young man of one or two and twenty," said he,
+"as to what is necessary in manners to make him quite the thing,
+are more absurd, I believe, than those of any other set of beings
+in the world.  The folly of the means they often employ
+is only to be equalled by the folly of what they have in view."
+
+But he must not be addressing his reflections to Anne alone: 
+he knew it; he was soon diffused again among the others,
+and it was only at intervals that he could return to Lyme.
+
+His enquiries, however, produced at length an account of the scene
+she had been engaged in there, soon after his leaving the place. 
+Having alluded to "an accident,"  he must hear the whole. 
+When he questioned, Sir Walter and Elizabeth began to question also,
+but the difference in their manner of doing it could not be unfelt. 
+She could only compare Mr Elliot to Lady Russell, in the wish
+of really comprehending what had passed, and in the degree of concern
+for what she must have suffered in witnessing it.
+
+He staid an hour with them.  The elegant little clock on the mantel-
+piece had struck "eleven with its silver sounds," and the watchman
+was beginning to be heard at a distance telling the same tale,
+before Mr Elliot or any of them seemed to feel that he had been there long.
+
+Anne could not have supposed it possible that her first evening in
+Camden Place could have passed so well!
+
+
+
+Chapter 16
+
+
+There was one point which Anne, on returning to her family,
+would have been more thankful to ascertain even than Mr Elliot's
+being in love with Elizabeth, which was, her father's not being
+in love with Mrs Clay; and she was very far from easy about it,
+when she had been at home a few hours.  On going down to breakfast
+the next morning, she found there had just been a decent pretence
+on the lady's side of meaning to leave them.  She could imagine Mrs Clay
+to have said, that "now Miss Anne was come, she could not suppose herself
+at all wanted;" for Elizabeth was replying in a sort of whisper,
+"That must not be any reason, indeed.  I assure you I feel it none. 
+She is nothing to me, compared with you;"  and she was in full time
+to hear her father say, "My dear madam, this must not be.  As yet,
+you have seen nothing of Bath.  You have been here only to be useful. 
+You must not run away from us now.  You must stay to be acquainted
+with Mrs Wallis, the beautiful Mrs Wallis.  To your fine mind,
+I well know the sight of beauty is a real gratification."
+
+He spoke and looked so much in earnest, that Anne was not surprised
+to see Mrs Clay stealing a glance at Elizabeth and herself. 
+Her countenance, perhaps, might express some watchfulness;
+but the praise of the fine mind did not appear to excite a thought
+in her sister.  The lady could not but yield to such joint entreaties,
+and promise to stay.
+
+In the course of the same morning, Anne and her father chancing to be
+alone together, he began to compliment her on her improved looks;
+he thought her "less thin in her person, in her cheeks; her skin,
+her complexion, greatly improved; clearer, fresher.  Had she been
+using any thing in particular?"  "No, nothing."  "Merely Gowland,"
+he supposed.  "No, nothing at all."  "Ha! he was surprised at that;"
+and added, "certainly you cannot do better than to continue as you are; 
+you cannot be better than well; or I should recommend Gowland,
+the constant use of Gowland, during the spring months.  Mrs Clay has been
+using it at my recommendation, and you see what it has done for her. 
+You see how it has carried away her freckles."
+
+If Elizabeth could but have heard this!  Such personal praise
+might have struck her, especially as it did not appear to Anne
+that the freckles were at all lessened.  But everything must
+take its chance.  The evil of a marriage would be much diminished,
+if Elizabeth were also to marry.  As for herself, she might always
+command a home with Lady Russell.
+
+Lady Russell's composed mind and polite manners were put to some trial
+on this point, in her intercourse in Camden Place.  The sight of Mrs Clay
+in such favour, and of Anne so overlooked, was a perpetual provocation
+to her there; and vexed her as much when she was away, as a person in Bath
+who drinks the water, gets all the new publications, and has
+a very large acquaintance, has time to be vexed.
+
+As Mr Elliot became known to her, she grew more charitable,
+or more indifferent, towards the others.  His manners were
+an immediate recommendation; and on conversing with him she found
+the solid so fully supporting the superficial, that she was at first,
+as she told Anne, almost ready to exclaim, "Can this be Mr Elliot?"
+and could not seriously picture to herself a more agreeable
+or estimable man.  Everything united in him; good understanding,
+correct opinions, knowledge of the world, and a warm heart. 
+He had strong feelings of family attachment and family honour,
+without pride or weakness; he lived with the liberality of a man of fortune,
+without display; he judged for himself in everything essential,
+without defying public opinion in any point of worldly decorum. 
+He was steady, observant, moderate, candid; never run away with by spirits
+or by selfishness, which fancied itself strong feeling; and yet,
+with a sensibility to what was amiable and lovely, and a value
+for all the felicities of domestic life, which characters of
+fancied enthusiasm and violent agitation seldom really possess. 
+She was sure that he had not been happy in marriage.  Colonel Wallis
+said it, and Lady Russell saw it; but it had been no unhappiness
+to sour his mind, nor (she began pretty soon to suspect) to prevent his
+thinking of a second choice.  Her satisfaction in Mr Elliot
+outweighed all the plague of Mrs Clay.
+
+It was now some years since Anne had begun to learn that she
+and her excellent friend could sometimes think differently;
+and it did not surprise her, therefore, that Lady Russell
+should see nothing suspicious or inconsistent, nothing to require
+more motives than appeared, in Mr Elliot's great desire of a reconciliation. 
+In Lady Russell's view, it was perfectly natural that Mr Elliot,
+at a mature time of life, should feel it a most desirable object,
+and what would very generally recommend him among all sensible people,
+to be on good terms with the head of his family; the simplest process
+in the world of time upon a head naturally clear, and only erring
+in the heyday of youth.  Anne presumed, however, still to smile about it,
+and at last to mention "Elizabeth."  Lady Russell listened, and looked,
+and made only this cautious reply:-- "Elizabeth! very well;
+time will explain."
+
+It was a reference to the future, which Anne, after a little observation,
+felt she must submit to.  She could determine nothing at present. 
+In that house Elizabeth must be first; and she was in the habit
+of such general observance as "Miss Elliot," that any particularity
+of attention seemed almost impossible.  Mr Elliot, too,
+it must be remembered, had not been a widower seven months. 
+A little delay on his side might be very excusable.  In fact,
+Anne could never see the crape round his hat, without fearing that
+she was the inexcusable one, in attributing to him such imaginations;
+for though his marriage had not been very happy, still it had existed
+so many years that she could not comprehend a very rapid recovery
+from the awful impression of its being dissolved.
+
+However it might end, he was without any question their
+pleasantest acquaintance in Bath:  she saw nobody equal to him;
+and it was a great indulgence now and then to talk to him about Lyme,
+which he seemed to have as lively a wish to see again, and to see more of,
+as herself.  They went through the particulars of their first meeting
+a great many times.  He gave her to understand that he had
+looked at her with some earnestness.  She knew it well;
+and she remembered another person's look also.
+
+They did not always think alike.  His value for rank and connexion
+she perceived was greater than hers.  It was not merely complaisance,
+it must be a liking to the cause, which made him enter warmly
+into her father and sister's solicitudes on a subject which
+she thought unworthy to excite them.  The Bath paper one morning
+announced the arrival of the Dowager Viscountess Dalrymple,
+and her daughter, the Honourable Miss Carteret; and all the comfort
+of No. --, Camden Place, was swept away for many days; for the Dalrymples
+(in Anne's opinion, most unfortunately) were cousins of the Elliots;
+and the agony was how to introduce themselves properly.
+
+Anne had never seen her father and sister before in contact with nobility,
+and she must acknowledge herself disappointed.  She had hoped
+better things from their high ideas of their own situation in life,
+and was reduced to form a wish which she had never foreseen;
+a wish that they had more pride; for "our cousins Lady Dalrymple
+and Miss Carteret;" "our cousins, the Dalrymples," sounded in her ears
+all day long.
+
+Sir Walter had once been in company with the late viscount,
+but had never seen any of the rest of the family; and the difficulties
+of the case arose from there having been a suspension of all intercourse
+by letters of ceremony, ever since the death of that said late viscount,
+when, in consequence of a dangerous illness of Sir Walter's
+at the same time, there had been an unlucky omission at Kellynch. 
+No letter of condolence had been sent to Ireland.  The neglect
+had been visited on the head of the sinner; for when poor Lady Elliot
+died herself, no letter of condolence was received at Kellynch,
+and, consequently, there was but too much reason to apprehend
+that the Dalrymples considered the relationship as closed. 
+How to have this anxious business set to rights, and be admitted
+as cousins again, was the question:  and it was a question which,
+in a more rational manner, neither Lady Russell nor Mr Elliot
+thought unimportant.  "Family connexions were always worth preserving,
+good company always worth seeking; Lady Dalrymple had taken a house,
+for three months, in Laura Place, and would be living in style. 
+She had been at Bath the year before, and Lady Russell had heard her
+spoken of as a charming woman.  It was very desirable that
+the connexion should be renewed, if it could be done, without any
+compromise of propriety on the side of the Elliots."
+
+Sir Walter, however, would choose his own means, and at last wrote
+a very fine letter of ample explanation, regret, and entreaty,
+to his right honourable cousin.  Neither Lady Russell nor Mr Elliot
+could admire the letter; but it did all that was wanted,
+in bringing three lines of scrawl from the Dowager Viscountess. 
+"She was very much honoured, and should be happy in their acquaintance." 
+The toils of the business were over, the sweets began.  They visited
+in Laura Place, they had the cards of Dowager Viscountess Dalrymple,
+and the Honourable Miss Carteret, to be arranged wherever they might
+be most visible:  and "Our cousins in Laura Place,"--"Our cousin,
+Lady Dalrymple and Miss Carteret," were talked of to everybody.
+
+Anne was ashamed.  Had Lady Dalrymple and her daughter even been
+very agreeable, she would still have been ashamed of the agitation
+they created, but they were nothing.  There was no superiority of manner,
+accomplishment, or understanding.  Lady Dalrymple had acquired
+the name of "a charming woman," because she had a smile and a civil answer
+for everybody.  Miss Carteret, with still less to say, was so plain
+and so awkward, that she would never have been tolerated in Camden Place
+but for her birth.
+
+Lady Russell confessed she had expected something better; but yet
+"it was an acquaintance worth having;" and when Anne ventured to speak
+her opinion of them to Mr Elliot, he agreed to their being nothing
+in themselves, but still maintained that, as a family connexion,
+as good company, as those who would collect good company around them,
+they had their value.  Anne smiled and said, 
+
+"My idea of good company, Mr Elliot, is the company of clever,
+well-informed people, who have a great deal of conversation;
+that is what I call good company."
+
+"You are mistaken," said he gently, "that is not good company;
+that is the best.  Good company requires only birth, education,
+and manners, and with regard to education is not very nice. 
+Birth and good manners are essential; but a little learning is
+by no means a dangerous thing in good company; on the contrary,
+it will do very well.  My cousin Anne shakes her head. 
+She is not satisfied.  She is fastidious.  My dear cousin"
+(sitting down by her), "you have a better right to be fastidious
+than almost any other woman I know; but will it answer? 
+Will it make you happy?  Will it not be wiser to accept the society
+of those good ladies in Laura Place, and enjoy all the advantages
+of the connexion as far as possible?  You may depend upon it,
+that they will move in the first set in Bath this winter,
+and as rank is rank, your being known to be related to them
+will have its use in fixing your family (our family let me say)
+in that degree of consideration which we must all wish for."
+
+"Yes," sighed Anne, "we shall, indeed, be known to be related to them!" 
+then recollecting herself, and not wishing to be answered, she added,
+"I certainly do think there has been by far too much trouble taken
+to procure the acquaintance.  I suppose" (smiling) "I have more pride
+than any of you; but I confess it does vex me, that we should be
+so solicitous to have the relationship acknowledged, which we may
+be very sure is a matter of perfect indifference to them."
+
+"Pardon me, dear cousin, you are unjust in your own claims. 
+In London, perhaps, in your present quiet style of living,
+it might be as you say:  but in Bath; Sir Walter Elliot and his family
+will always be worth knowing:  always acceptable as acquaintance."
+
+"Well," said Anne, "I certainly am proud, too proud to enjoy a welcome
+which depends so entirely upon place."
+
+"I love your indignation," said he; "it is very natural. 
+But here you are in Bath, and the object is to be established here
+with all the credit and dignity which ought to belong to Sir Walter Elliot. 
+You talk of being proud; I am called proud, I know, and I shall not wish
+to believe myself otherwise; for our pride, if investigated,
+would have the same object, I have no doubt, though the kind may seem
+a little different.  In one point, I am sure, my dear cousin,"
+(he continued, speaking lower, though there was no one else in the room)
+"in one point, I am sure, we must feel alike.  We must feel that
+every addition to your father's society, among his equals or superiors,
+may be of use in diverting his thoughts from those who are beneath him."
+
+He looked, as he spoke, to the seat which Mrs Clay had been
+lately occupying:  a sufficient explanation of what he particularly meant;
+and though Anne could not believe in their having the same sort of pride,
+she was pleased with him for not liking Mrs Clay; and her conscience
+admitted that his wishing to promote her father's getting
+great acquaintance was more than excusable in the view of defeating her.
+
+
+
+Chapter 17
+
+
+While Sir Walter and Elizabeth were assiduously pushing their
+good fortune in Laura Place, Anne was renewing an acquaintance
+of a very different description.
+
+She had called on her former governess, and had heard from her
+of there being an old school-fellow in Bath, who had the two strong claims
+on her attention of past kindness and present suffering.  Miss Hamilton,
+now Mrs Smith, had shewn her kindness in one of those periods of her life
+when it had been most valuable.  Anne had gone unhappy to school,
+grieving for the loss of a mother whom she had dearly loved,
+feeling her separation from home, and suffering as a girl of fourteen,
+of strong sensibility and not high spirits, must suffer at such a time;
+and Miss Hamilton, three years older than herself, but still from the want
+of near relations and a settled home, remaining another year at school,
+had been useful and good to her in a way which had considerably lessened
+her misery, and could never be remembered with indifference.
+
+Miss Hamilton had left school, had married not long afterwards,
+was said to have married a man of fortune, and this was all
+that Anne had known of her, till now that their governess's account
+brought her situation forward in a more decided but very different form.
+
+She was a widow and poor.  Her husband had been extravagant;
+and at his death, about two years before, had left his affairs
+dreadfully involved.  She had had difficulties of every sort
+to contend with, and in addition to these distresses had been afflicted
+with a severe rheumatic fever, which, finally settling in her legs,
+had made her for the present a cripple.  She had come to Bath
+on that account, and was now in lodgings near the hot baths,
+living in a very humble way, unable even to afford herself
+the comfort of a servant, and of course almost excluded from society.
+
+Their mutual friend answered for the satisfaction which a visit
+from Miss Elliot would give Mrs Smith, and Anne therefore
+lost no time in going.  She mentioned nothing of what she had heard,
+or what she intended, at home.  It would excite no proper interest there. 
+She only consulted Lady Russell, who entered thoroughly into her sentiments,
+and was most happy to convey her as near to Mrs Smith's lodgings
+in Westgate Buildings, as Anne chose to be taken.
+
+The visit was paid, their acquaintance re-established, their interest
+in each other more than re-kindled.  The first ten minutes
+had its awkwardness and its emotion.  Twelve years were gone
+since they had parted, and each presented a somewhat different person
+from what the other had imagined.  Twelve years had changed Anne
+from the blooming, silent, unformed girl of fifteen, to the elegant
+little woman of seven-and-twenty, with every beauty except bloom,
+and with manners as consciously right as they were invariably gentle;
+and twelve years had transformed the fine-looking, well-grown Miss Hamilton,
+in all the glow of health and confidence of superiority, into a poor,
+infirm, helpless widow, receiving the visit of her former protegee
+as a favour; but all that was uncomfortable in the meeting had soon
+passed away, and left only the interesting charm of remembering
+former partialities and talking over old times.
+
+Anne found in Mrs Smith the good sense and agreeable manners which
+she had almost ventured to depend on, and a disposition to converse
+and be cheerful beyond her expectation.  Neither the dissipations
+of the past--and she had lived very much in the world--nor the restrictions
+of the present, neither sickness nor sorrow seemed to have
+closed her heart or ruined her spirits.
+
+In the course of a second visit she talked with great openness,
+and Anne's astonishment increased.  She could scarcely imagine
+a more cheerless situation in itself than Mrs Smith's.  She had been
+very fond of her husband:  she had buried him.  She had been
+used to affluence:  it was gone.  She had no child to connect her
+with life and happiness again, no relations to assist in the arrangement
+of perplexed affairs, no health to make all the rest supportable. 
+Her accommodations were limited to a noisy parlour, and a dark bedroom
+behind, with no possibility of moving from one to the other without
+assistance, which there was only one servant in the house to afford,
+and she never quitted the house but to be conveyed into the warm bath. 
+Yet, in spite of all this, Anne had reason to believe that she had
+moments only of languor and depression, to hours of occupation
+and enjoyment.  How could it be?  She watched, observed, reflected,
+and finally determined that this was not a case of fortitude
+or of resignation only.  A submissive spirit might be patient,
+a strong understanding would supply resolution, but here was something more;
+here was that elasticity of mind, that disposition to be comforted,
+that power of turning readily from evil to good, and of finding employment
+which carried her out of herself, which was from nature alone. 
+It was the choicest gift of Heaven; and Anne viewed her friend
+as one of those instances in which, by a merciful appointment,
+it seems designed to counterbalance almost every other want.
+
+There had been a time, Mrs Smith told her, when her spirits
+had nearly failed.  She could not call herself an invalid now,
+compared with her state on first reaching Bath.  Then she had, indeed,
+been a pitiable object; for she had caught cold on the journey,
+and had hardly taken possession of her lodgings before she was again
+confined to her bed and suffering under severe and constant pain;
+and all this among strangers, with the absolute necessity of having
+a regular nurse, and finances at that moment particularly unfit
+to meet any extraordinary expense.  She had weathered it, however,
+and could truly say that it had done her good.  It had increased
+her comforts by making her feel herself to be in good hands. 
+She had seen too much of the world, to expect sudden or disinterested
+attachment anywhere, but her illness had proved to her that her landlady
+had a character to preserve, and would not use her ill; and she had been
+particularly fortunate in her nurse, as a sister of her landlady,
+a nurse by profession, and who had always a home in that house
+when unemployed, chanced to be at liberty just in time to attend her. 
+"And she," said Mrs Smith, "besides nursing me most admirably,
+has really proved an invaluable acquaintance.  As soon as I could
+use my hands she taught me to knit, which has been a great amusement;
+and she put me in the way of making these little thread-cases,
+pin-cushions and card-racks, which you always find me so busy about,
+and which supply me with the means of doing a little good
+to one or two very poor families in this neighbourhood. 
+She had a large acquaintance, of course professionally, among those
+who can afford to buy, and she disposes of my merchandize. 
+She always takes the right time for applying.  Everybody's heart is open,
+you know, when they have recently escaped from severe pain,
+or are recovering the blessing of health, and Nurse Rooke
+thoroughly understands when to speak.  She is a shrewd, intelligent,
+sensible woman.  Hers is a line for seeing human nature; and she has
+a fund of good sense and observation, which, as a companion, make her
+infinitely superior to thousands of those who having only received
+`the best education in the world,' know nothing worth attending to. 
+Call it gossip, if you will, but when Nurse Rooke has half an hour's
+leisure to bestow on me, she is sure to have something to relate
+that is entertaining and profitable:  something that makes one
+know one's species better.  One likes to hear what is going on,
+to be au fait as to the newest modes of being trifling and silly. 
+To me, who live so much alone, her conversation, I assure you, is a treat."
+
+Anne, far from wishing to cavil at the pleasure, replied,
+"I can easily believe it.  Women of that class have great opportunities,
+and if they are intelligent may be well worth listening to. 
+Such varieties of human nature as they are in the habit of witnessing! 
+And it is not merely in its follies, that they are well read;
+for they see it occasionally under every circumstance that can be
+most interesting or affecting.  What instances must pass before them
+of ardent, disinterested, self-denying attachment, of heroism, fortitude,
+patience, resignation:  of all the conflicts and all the sacrifices
+that ennoble us most.  A sick chamber may often furnish
+the worth of volumes."
+
+"Yes," said Mrs Smith more doubtingly, "sometimes it may,
+though I fear its lessons are not often in the elevated style you describe. 
+Here and there, human nature may be great in times of trial;
+but generally speaking, it is its weakness and not its strength
+that appears in a sick chamber:  it is selfishness and impatience
+rather than generosity and fortitude, that one hears of. 
+There is so little real friendship in the world! and unfortunately"
+(speaking low and tremulously) "there are so many who forget
+to think seriously till it is almost too late."
+
+Anne saw the misery of such feelings.  The husband had not been
+what he ought, and the wife had been led among that part of mankind
+which made her think worse of the world than she hoped it deserved. 
+It was but a passing emotion however with Mrs Smith; she shook it off,
+and soon added in a different tone--
+
+"I do not suppose the situation my friend Mrs Rooke is in at present,
+will furnish much either to interest or edify me.  She is only nursing
+Mrs Wallis of Marlborough Buildings; a mere pretty, silly, expensive,
+fashionable woman, I believe; and of course will have nothing to report
+but of lace and finery.  I mean to make my profit of Mrs Wallis, however. 
+She has plenty of money, and I intend she shall buy all
+the high-priced things I have in hand now."
+
+Anne had called several times on her friend, before the existence
+of such a person was known in Camden Place.  At last, it became necessary
+to speak of her. Sir Walter, Elizabeth and Mrs Clay, returned one morning
+from Laura Place, with a sudden invitation from Lady Dalrymple
+for the same evening, and Anne was already engaged, to spend that evening
+in Westgate Buildings.  She was not sorry for the excuse. 
+They were only asked, she was sure, because Lady Dalrymple being
+kept at home by a bad cold, was glad to make use of the relationship
+which had been so pressed on her; and she declined on her own account
+with great alacrity--"She was engaged to spend the evening
+with an old schoolfellow."  They were not much interested in anything
+relative to Anne; but still there were questions enough asked,
+to make it understood what this old schoolfellow was; and Elizabeth
+was disdainful, and Sir Walter severe.
+
+"Westgate Buildings!" said he, "and who is Miss Anne Elliot
+to be visiting in Westgate Buildings?  A Mrs Smith.  A widow Mrs Smith;
+and who was her husband?  One of five thousand Mr Smiths whose names
+are to be met with everywhere.  And what is her attraction? 
+That she is old and sickly.  Upon my word, Miss Anne Elliot,
+you have the most extraordinary taste!  Everything that revolts
+other people, low company, paltry rooms, foul air, disgusting associations
+are inviting to you.  But surely you may put off this old lady
+till to-morrow:  she is not so near her end, I presume,
+but that she may hope to see another day.  What is her age?  Forty?"
+
+"No, sir, she is not one-and-thirty; but I do not think I can
+put off my engagement, because it is the only evening for some time
+which will at once suit her and myself.  She goes into the warm bath
+to-morrow, and for the rest of the week, you know, we are engaged."
+
+"But what does Lady Russell think of this acquaintance?" asked Elizabeth.
+
+"She sees nothing to blame in it," replied Anne; "on the contrary,
+she approves it, and has generally taken me when I have
+called on Mrs Smith.
+
+"Westgate Buildings must have been rather surprised by the appearance
+of a carriage drawn up near its pavement," observed Sir Walter. 
+"Sir Henry Russell's widow, indeed, has no honours to distinguish her arms,
+but still it is a handsome equipage, and no doubt is well known
+to convey a Miss Elliot.  A widow Mrs Smith lodging in Westgate Buildings! 
+A poor widow barely able to live, between thirty and forty;
+a mere Mrs Smith, an every-day Mrs Smith, of all people and all names
+in the world, to be the chosen friend of Miss Anne Elliot,
+and to be preferred by her to her own family connections among the nobility
+of England and Ireland!  Mrs Smith!  Such a name!"
+
+Mrs Clay, who had been present while all this passed, now thought it
+advisable to leave the room, and Anne could have said much,
+and did long to say a little in defense of her friend's
+not very dissimilar claims to theirs, but her sense of personal respect
+to her father prevented her.  She made no reply.  She left it
+to himself to recollect, that Mrs Smith was not the only widow
+in Bath between thirty and forty, with little to live on,
+and no sirname of dignity.
+
+Anne kept her appointment; the others kept theirs, and of course
+she heard the next morning that they had had a delightful evening. 
+She had been the only one of the set absent, for Sir Walter
+and Elizabeth had not only been quite at her ladyship's service themselves,
+but had actually been happy to be employed by her in collecting others,
+and had been at the trouble of inviting both Lady Russell and Mr Elliot;
+and Mr Elliot had made a point of leaving Colonel Wallis early,
+and Lady Russell had fresh arranged all her evening engagements
+in order to wait on her.  Anne had the whole history of all that
+such an evening could supply from Lady Russell.  To her,
+its greatest interest must be, in having been very much talked of
+between her friend and Mr Elliot; in having been wished for, regretted,
+and at the same time honoured for staying away in such a cause. 
+Her kind, compassionate visits to this old schoolfellow,
+sick and reduced, seemed to have quite delighted Mr Elliot. 
+He thought her a most extraordinary young woman; in her temper, manners,
+mind, a model of female excellence.  He could meet even Lady Russell
+in a discussion of her merits; and Anne could not be given to understand
+so much by her friend, could not know herself to be so highly rated
+by a sensible man, without many of those agreeable sensations
+which her friend meant to create.
+
+Lady Russell was now perfectly decided in her opinion of Mr Elliot. 
+She was as much convinced of his meaning to gain Anne in time as of
+his deserving her, and was beginning to calculate the number of weeks
+which would free him from all the remaining restraints of widowhood,
+and leave him at liberty to exert his most open powers of pleasing. 
+She would not speak to Anne with half the certainty she felt on the subject,
+she would venture on little more than hints of what might be hereafter,
+of a possible attachment on his side, of the desirableness of the alliance,
+supposing such attachment to be real and returned.  Anne heard her,
+and made no violent exclamations; she only smiled, blushed,
+and gently shook her head.
+
+"I am no match-maker, as you well know," said Lady Russell,
+"being much too well aware of the uncertainty of all human events
+and calculations.  I only mean that if Mr Elliot should some time hence
+pay his addresses to you, and if you should be disposed to accept him,
+I think there would be every possibility of your being happy together. 
+A most suitable connection everybody must consider it, but I think
+it might be a very happy one."
+
+"Mr Elliot is an exceedingly agreeable man, and in many respects
+I think highly of him," said Anne; "but we should not suit."
+
+Lady Russell let this pass, and only said in rejoinder, "I own that
+to be able to regard you as the future mistress of Kellynch,
+the future Lady Elliot, to look forward and see you occupying
+your dear mother's place, succeeding to all her rights,
+and all her popularity, as well as to all her virtues, would be
+the highest possible gratification to me.  You are your mother's self
+in countenance and disposition; and if I might be allowed to fancy you
+such as she was, in situation and name, and home, presiding and blessing
+in the same spot, and only superior to her in being more highly valued! 
+My dearest Anne, it would give me more delight than is often felt
+at my time of life!"
+
+Anne was obliged to turn away, to rise, to walk to a distant table,
+and, leaning there in pretended employment, try to subdue the feelings
+this picture excited.  For a few moments her imagination and her heart
+were bewitched.  The idea of becoming what her mother had been;
+of having the precious name of "Lady Elliot" first revived in herself;
+of being restored to Kellynch, calling it her home again,
+her home for ever, was a charm which she could not immediately resist. 
+Lady Russell said not another word, willing to leave the matter
+to its own operation; and believing that, could Mr Elliot at that moment
+with propriety have spoken for himself!--she believed, in short,
+what Anne did not believe.  The same image of Mr Elliot speaking
+for himself brought Anne to composure again.  The charm of Kellynch
+and of "Lady Elliot" all faded away.  She never could accept him. 
+And it was not only that her feelings were still adverse to any man
+save one; her judgement, on a serious consideration of the possibilities
+of such a case was against Mr Elliot.
+
+Though they had now been acquainted a month, she could not be satisfied
+that she really knew his character.  That he was a sensible man,
+an agreeable man, that he talked well, professed good opinions,
+seemed to judge properly and as a man of principle, this was all
+clear enough.  He certainly knew what was right, nor could she fix
+on any one article of moral duty evidently transgressed; but yet she would
+have been afraid to answer for his conduct.  She distrusted the past,
+if not the present.  The names which occasionally dropt
+of former associates, the allusions to former practices and pursuits,
+suggested suspicions not favourable of what he had been. 
+She saw that there had been bad habits; that Sunday travelling
+had been a common thing; that there had been a period of his life
+(and probably not a short one) when he had been, at least,
+careless in all serious matters; and, though he might now think
+very differently, who could answer for the true sentiments of a clever,
+cautious man, grown old enough to appreciate a fair character? 
+How could it ever be ascertained that his mind was truly cleansed?
+
+Mr Elliot was rational, discreet, polished, but he was not open. 
+There was never any burst of feeling, any warmth of indignation or delight,
+at the evil or good of others.  This, to Anne, was a decided imperfection. 
+Her early impressions were incurable.  She prized the frank,
+the open-hearted, the eager character beyond all others. 
+Warmth and enthusiasm did captivate her still.  She felt that she could
+so much more depend upon the sincerity of those who sometimes looked
+or said a careless or a hasty thing, than of those whose presence of mind
+never varied, whose tongue never slipped.
+
+Mr Elliot was too generally agreeable.  Various as were the tempers
+in her father's house, he pleased them all.  He endured too well,
+stood too well with every body.  He had spoken to her with some
+degree of openness of Mrs Clay; had appeared completely to see
+what Mrs Clay was about, and to hold her in contempt; and yet
+Mrs Clay found him as agreeable as any body.
+
+Lady Russell saw either less or more than her young friend,
+for she saw nothing to excite distrust.  She could not imagine
+a man more exactly what he ought to be than Mr Elliot; nor did she
+ever enjoy a sweeter feeling than the hope of seeing him receive
+the hand of her beloved Anne in Kellynch church, in the course of
+the following autumn.
+
+
+
+Chapter 18
+
+
+It was the beginning of February; and Anne, having been a month in Bath,
+was growing very eager for news from Uppercross and Lyme. 
+She wanted to hear much more than Mary had communicated. 
+It was three weeks since she had heard at all.  She only knew
+that Henrietta was at home again; and that Louisa, though considered to be
+recovering fast, was still in Lyme; and she was thinking of them all
+very intently one evening, when a thicker letter than usual from Mary
+was delivered to her; and, to quicken the pleasure and surprise,
+with Admiral and Mrs Croft's compliments.
+
+The Crofts must be in Bath!  A circumstance to interest her. 
+They were people whom her heart turned to very naturally.
+
+"What is this?" cried Sir Walter.  "The Crofts have arrived in Bath? 
+The Crofts who rent Kellynch?  What have they brought you?"
+
+"A letter from Uppercross Cottage, Sir."
+
+"Oh! those letters are convenient passports.  They secure an introduction. 
+I should have visited Admiral Croft, however, at any rate. 
+I know what is due to my tenant."
+
+Anne could listen no longer; she could not even have told how
+the poor Admiral's complexion escaped; her letter engrossed her. 
+It had been begun several days back.
+
+
+			  "February 1st.
+
+"My dear Anne,--I make no apology for my silence, because I know
+how little people think of letters in such a place as Bath. 
+You must be a great deal too happy to care for Uppercross, which,
+as you well know, affords little to write about.  We have had
+a very dull Christmas; Mr and Mrs Musgrove have not had one dinner party
+all the holidays.  I do not reckon the Hayters as anybody. 
+The holidays, however, are over at last:  I believe no children ever had
+such long ones.  I am sure I had not.  The house was cleared yesterday,
+except of the little Harvilles; but you will be surprised to hear
+they have never gone home.  Mrs Harville must be an odd mother
+to part with them so long.  I do not understand it.  They are
+not at all nice children, in my opinion; but Mrs Musgrove seems to
+like them quite as well, if not better, than her grandchildren. 
+What dreadful weather we have had!  It may not be felt in Bath,
+with your nice pavements; but in the country it is of some consequence. 
+I have not had a creature call on me since the second week in January,
+except Charles Hayter, who had been calling much oftener than was welcome. 
+Between ourselves, I think it a great pity Henrietta did not remain at Lyme
+as long as Louisa; it would have kept her a little out of his way. 
+The carriage is gone to-day, to bring Louisa and the Harvilles to-morrow. 
+We are not asked to dine with them, however, till the day after,
+Mrs Musgrove is so afraid of her being fatigued by the journey,
+which is not very likely, considering the care that will be taken of her;
+and it would be much more convenient to me to dine there to-morrow. 
+I am glad you find Mr Elliot so agreeable, and wish I could be acquainted
+with him too; but I have my usual luck:  I am always out of the way
+when any thing desirable is going on; always the last of my family
+to be noticed.  What an immense time Mrs Clay has been staying
+with Elizabeth!  Does she never mean to go away?  But perhaps
+if she were to leave the room vacant, we might not be invited. 
+Let me know what you think of this.  I do not expect my children
+to be asked, you know.  I can leave them at the Great House very well,
+for a month or six weeks.  I have this moment heard that the Crofts
+are going to Bath almost immediately; they think the Admiral gouty. 
+Charles heard it quite by chance; they have not had the civility
+to give me any notice, or of offering to take anything. 
+I do not think they improve at all as neighbours.  We see nothing of them,
+and this is really an instance of gross inattention.  Charles joins me
+in love, and everything proper.  Yours affectionately,
+	"Mary M---.
+
+"I am sorry to say that I am very far from well; and Jemima has
+just told me that the butcher says there is a bad sore-throat
+very much about.  I dare say I shall catch it; and my sore-throats,
+you know, are always worse than anybody's."
+
+
+So ended the first part, which had been afterwards put into an envelope,
+containing nearly as much more.
+
+
+"I kept my letter open, that I might send you word how Louisa
+bore her journey, and now I am extremely glad I did, having a great deal
+to add.  In the first place, I had a note from Mrs Croft yesterday,
+offering to convey anything to you; a very kind, friendly note indeed,
+addressed to me, just as it ought; I shall therefore be able to
+make my letter as long as I like.  The Admiral does not seem very ill,
+and I sincerely hope Bath will do him all the good he wants. 
+I shall be truly glad to have them back again.  Our neighbourhood
+cannot spare such a pleasant family.  But now for Louisa. 
+I have something to communicate that will astonish you not a little. 
+She and the Harvilles came on Tuesday very safely, and in the evening
+we went to ask her how she did, when we were rather surprised
+not to find Captain Benwick of the party, for he had been invited
+as well as the Harvilles; and what do you think was the reason? 
+Neither more nor less than his being in love with Louisa,
+and not choosing to venture to Uppercross till he had had an answer
+from Mr Musgrove; for it was all settled between him and her
+before she came away, and he had written to her father by Captain Harville. 
+True, upon my honour!  Are not you astonished?  I shall be surprised
+at least if you ever received a hint of it, for I never did. 
+Mrs Musgrove protests solemnly that she knew nothing of the matter. 
+We are all very well pleased, however, for though it is not equal to her
+marrying Captain Wentworth, it is infinitely better than Charles Hayter;
+and Mr Musgrove has written his consent, and Captain Benwick
+is expected to-day.  Mrs Harville says her husband feels a good deal
+on his poor sister's account; but, however, Louisa is a great favourite
+with both.  Indeed, Mrs Harville and I quite agree that we love her
+the better for having nursed her.  Charles wonders what Captain Wentworth
+will say; but if you remember, I never thought him attached to Louisa;
+I never could see anything of it.  And this is the end, you see,
+of Captain Benwick's being supposed to be an admirer of yours. 
+How Charles could take such a thing into his head was always
+incomprehensible to me.  I hope he will be more agreeable now. 
+Certainly not a great match for Louisa Musgrove, but a million times better
+than marrying among the Hayters."
+
+
+Mary need not have feared her sister's being in any degree prepared
+for the news.  She had never in her life been more astonished. 
+Captain Benwick and Louisa Musgrove!  It was almost too wonderful
+for belief, and it was with the greatest effort that she could remain
+in the room, preserve an air of calmness, and answer the common questions
+of the moment.  Happily for her, they were not many.  Sir Walter
+wanted to know whether the Crofts travelled with four horses,
+and whether they were likely to be situated in such a part of Bath
+as it might suit Miss Elliot and himself to visit in; but had
+little curiosity beyond. 
+
+"How is Mary?" said Elizabeth; and without waiting for an answer,
+"And pray what brings the Crofts to Bath?"
+
+"They come on the Admiral's account.  He is thought to be gouty."
+
+"Gout and decrepitude!" said Sir Walter.  "Poor old gentleman."
+
+"Have they any acquaintance here?" asked Elizabeth.
+
+"I do not know; but I can hardly suppose that, at Admiral Croft's
+time of life, and in his profession, he should not have many acquaintance
+in such a place as this."
+
+"I suspect," said Sir Walter coolly, "that Admiral Croft
+will be best known in Bath as the renter of Kellynch Hall. 
+Elizabeth, may we venture to present him and his wife in Laura Place?"
+
+"Oh, no! I think not.  Situated as we are with Lady Dalrymple, cousins,
+we ought to be very careful not to embarrass her with acquaintance
+she might not approve.  If we were not related, it would not signify;
+but as cousins, she would feel scrupulous as to any proposal of ours. 
+We had better leave the Crofts to find their own level. 
+There are several odd-looking men walking about here, who,
+I am told, are sailors.  The Crofts will associate with them."
+
+This was Sir Walter and Elizabeth's share of interest in the letter;
+when Mrs Clay had paid her tribute of more decent attention,
+in an enquiry after Mrs Charles Musgrove, and her fine little boys,
+Anne was at liberty.
+
+In her own room, she tried to comprehend it.  Well might Charles wonder
+how Captain Wentworth would feel!  Perhaps he had quitted the field,
+had given Louisa up, had ceased to love, had found he did not love her. 
+She could not endure the idea of treachery or levity, or anything
+akin to ill usage between him and his friend.  She could not endure
+that such a friendship as theirs should be severed unfairly.
+
+Captain Benwick and Louisa Musgrove!  The high-spirited,
+joyous-talking Louisa Musgrove, and the dejected, thinking,
+feeling, reading, Captain Benwick, seemed each of them everything
+that would not suit the other.  Their minds most dissimilar! 
+Where could have been the attraction?  The answer soon presented itself. 
+It had been in situation.  They had been thrown together several weeks;
+they had been living in the same small family party:  since Henrietta's
+coming away, they must have been depending almost entirely on each other,
+and Louisa, just recovering from illness, had been in an interesting state,
+and Captain Benwick was not inconsolable.  That was a point which Anne
+had not been able to avoid suspecting before; and instead of drawing
+the same conclusion as Mary, from the present course of events,
+they served only to confirm the idea of his having felt some
+dawning of tenderness toward herself.  She did not mean, however,
+to derive much more from it to gratify her vanity, than Mary
+might have allowed.  She was persuaded that any tolerably pleasing
+young woman who had listened and seemed to feel for him would have
+received the same compliment.  He had an affectionate heart. 
+He must love somebody.
+
+She saw no reason against their being happy.  Louisa had fine
+naval fervour to begin with, and they would soon grow more alike. 
+He would gain cheerfulness, and she would learn to be an enthusiast
+for Scott and Lord Byron; nay, that was probably learnt already;
+of course they had fallen in love over poetry.  The idea of
+Louisa Musgrove turned into a person of literary taste,
+and sentimental reflection was amusing, but she had no doubt
+of its being so.  The day at Lyme, the fall from the Cobb,
+might influence her health, her nerves, her courage, her character to
+the end of her life, as thoroughly as it appeared to have
+influenced her fate.
+
+The conclusion of the whole was, that if the woman who had been sensible
+of Captain Wentworth's merits could be allowed to prefer another man,
+there was nothing in the engagement to excite lasting wonder;
+and if Captain Wentworth lost no friend by it, certainly nothing
+to be regretted.  No, it was not regret which made Anne's heart
+beat in spite of herself, and brought the colour into her cheeks
+when she thought of Captain Wentworth unshackled and free. 
+She had some feelings which she was ashamed to investigate. 
+They were too much like joy, senseless joy!
+
+She longed to see the Crofts; but when the meeting took place,
+it was evident that no rumour of the news had yet reached them. 
+The visit of ceremony was paid and returned; and Louisa Musgrove
+was mentioned, and Captain Benwick, too, without even half a smile.
+
+The Crofts had placed themselves in lodgings in Gay Street,
+perfectly to Sir Walter's satisfaction.  He was not at all ashamed
+of the acquaintance, and did, in fact, think and talk a great deal more
+about the Admiral, than the Admiral ever thought or talked about him.
+
+The Crofts knew quite as many people in Bath as they wished for,
+and considered their intercourse with the Elliots as a mere matter of form,
+and not in the least likely to afford them any pleasure. 
+They brought with them their country habit of being almost always together. 
+He was ordered to walk to keep off the gout, and Mrs Croft
+seemed to go shares with him in everything, and to walk
+for her life to do him good.  Anne saw them wherever she went. 
+Lady Russell took her out in her carriage almost every morning,
+and she never failed to think of them, and never failed to see them. 
+Knowing their feelings as she did, it was a most attractive picture
+of happiness to her.  She always watched them as long as she could,
+delighted to fancy she understood what they might be talking of,
+as they walked along in happy independence, or equally delighted
+to see the Admiral's hearty shake of the hand when he encountered
+an old friend, and observe their eagerness of conversation
+when occasionally forming into a little knot of the navy, Mrs Croft
+looking as intelligent and keen as any of the officers around her.
+
+Anne was too much engaged with Lady Russell to be often walking herself;
+but it so happened that one morning, about a week or ten days
+after the Croft's arrival, it suited her best to leave her friend,
+or her friend's carriage, in the lower part of the town,
+and return alone to Camden Place, and in walking up Milsom Street
+she had the good fortune to meet with the Admiral.  He was standing
+by himself at a printshop window, with his hands behind him,
+in earnest contemplation of some print, and she not only might have
+passed him unseen, but was obliged to touch as well as address him
+before she could catch his notice.  When he did perceive and
+acknowledge her, however, it was done with all his usual frankness
+and good humour.  "Ha! is it you?  Thank you, thank you. 
+This is treating me like a friend.  Here I am, you see,
+staring at a picture.  I can never get by this shop without stopping. 
+But what a thing here is, by way of a boat!  Do look at it. 
+Did you ever see the like?  What queer fellows your fine painters must be,
+to think that anybody would venture their lives in such a shapeless
+old cockleshell as that?  And yet here are two gentlemen
+stuck up in it mightily at their ease, and looking about them at the rocks
+and mountains, as if they were not to be upset the next moment,
+which they certainly must be.  I wonder where that boat was built!"
+(laughing heartily); "I would not venture over a horsepond in it. 
+Well," (turning away), "now, where are you bound?  Can I go anywhere
+for you, or with you?  Can I be of any use?"
+
+"None, I thank you, unless you will give me the pleasure of your company
+the little way our road lies together.  I am going home."
+
+
+"That I will, with all my heart, and farther, too.  Yes, yes
+we will have a snug walk together, and I have something to tell you
+as we go along.  There, take my arm; that's right; I do not
+feel comfortable if I have not a woman there.  Lord! what a boat it is!"
+taking a last look at the picture, as they began to be in motion.
+
+"Did you say that you had something to tell me, sir?"
+
+"Yes, I have, presently.  But here comes a friend, Captain Brigden;
+I shall only say, `How d'ye do?' as we pass, however.  I shall not stop. 
+`How d'ye do?'  Brigden stares to see anybody with me but my wife. 
+She, poor soul, is tied by the leg.  She has a blister on one of her heels,
+as large as a three-shilling piece.  If you look across the street,
+you will see Admiral Brand coming down and his brother.  Shabby fellows,
+both of them!  I am glad they are not on this side of the way. 
+Sophy cannot bear them.  They played me a pitiful trick once: 
+got away with some of my best men.  I will tell you the whole story
+another time.  There comes old Sir Archibald Drew and his grandson. 
+Look, he sees us; he kisses his hand to you; he takes you for my wife. 
+Ah! the peace has come too soon for that younker.  Poor old Sir Archibald! 
+How do you like Bath, Miss Elliot?  It suits us very well. 
+We are always meeting with some old friend or other; the streets
+full of them every morning; sure to have plenty of chat;
+and then we get away from them all, and shut ourselves in our lodgings,
+and draw in our chairs, and are snug as if we were at Kellynch,
+ay, or as we used to be even at North Yarmouth and Deal. 
+We do not like our lodgings here the worse, I can tell you,
+for putting us in mind of those we first had at North Yarmouth. 
+The wind blows through one of the cupboards just in the same way."
+
+When they were got a little farther, Anne ventured to press again
+for what he had to communicate.  She hoped when clear of Milsom Street
+to have her curiosity gratified; but she was still obliged to wait,
+for the Admiral had made up his mind not to begin till they had
+gained the greater space and quiet of Belmont; and as she was
+not really Mrs Croft, she must let him have his own way. 
+As soon as they were fairly ascending Belmont, he began--
+
+"Well, now you shall hear something that will surprise you. 
+But first of all, you must tell me the name of the young lady
+I am going to talk about.  That young lady, you know, that we have
+all been so concerned for.  The Miss Musgrove, that all this has been
+happening to.  Her Christian name:  I always forget her Christian name."
+
+Anne had been ashamed to appear to comprehend so soon as she really
+did; but now she could safely suggest the name of "Louisa."
+
+"Ay, ay, Miss Louisa Musgrove, that is the name.  I wish young ladies
+had not such a number of fine Christian names.  I should never be out
+if they were all Sophys, or something of that sort.  Well,
+this Miss Louisa, we all thought, you know, was to marry Frederick. 
+He was courting her week after week.  The only wonder was,
+what they could be waiting for, till the business at Lyme came;
+then, indeed, it was clear enough that they must wait till her brain
+was set to right.  But even then there was something odd in their
+way of going on.  Instead of staying at Lyme, he went off to Plymouth,
+and then he went off to see Edward.  When we came back from Minehead
+he was gone down to Edward's, and there he has been ever since. 
+We have seen nothing of him since November.  Even Sophy could
+not understand it.  But now, the matter has take the strangest turn of all;
+for this young lady, the same Miss Musgrove, instead of being
+to marry Frederick, is to marry James Benwick.  You know James Benwick."
+
+"A little.  I am a little acquainted with Captain Benwick."
+
+"Well, she is to marry him.  Nay, most likely they are married already,
+for I do not know what they should wait for."
+
+"I thought Captain Benwick a very pleasing young man," said Anne,
+"and I understand that he bears an excellent character."
+
+"Oh! yes, yes, there is not a word to be said against James Benwick. 
+He is only a commander, it is true, made last summer, and these are
+bad times for getting on, but he has not another fault that I know of. 
+An excellent, good-hearted fellow, I assure you; a very active,
+zealous officer too, which is more than you would think for, perhaps,
+for that soft sort of manner does not do him justice."
+
+"Indeed you are mistaken there, sir; I should never augur want of spirit
+from Captain Benwick's manners.  I thought them particularly pleasing,
+and I will answer for it, they would generally please."
+
+"Well, well, ladies are the best judges; but James Benwick is rather too
+piano for me; and though very likely it is all our partiality,
+Sophy and I cannot help thinking Frederick's manners better than his. 
+There is something about Frederick more to our taste."
+
+Anne was caught.  She had only meant to oppose the too common idea
+of spirit and gentleness being incompatible with each other,
+not at all to represent Captain Benwick's manners as the very best
+that could possibly be; and, after a little hesitation,
+she was beginning to say, "I was not entering into any comparison
+of the two friends," but the Admiral interrupted her with--
+
+"And the thing is certainly true.  It is not a mere bit of gossip. 
+We have it from Frederick himself.  His sister had a letter
+from him yesterday, in which he tells us of it, and he had just had it
+in a letter from Harville, written upon the spot, from Uppercross. 
+I fancy they are all at Uppercross."
+
+This was an opportunity which Anne could not resist; she said, therefore,
+"I hope, Admiral, I hope there is nothing in the style of Captain
+Wentworth's letter to make you and Mrs Croft particularly uneasy. 
+It did seem, last autumn, as if there were an attachment between him
+and Louisa Musgrove; but I hope it may be understood to have worn out
+on each side equally, and without violence.  I hope his letter
+does not breathe the spirit of an ill-used man."
+
+"Not at all, not at all; there is not an oath or a murmur
+from beginning to end."
+
+Anne looked down to hide her smile.
+
+"No, no; Frederick is not a man to whine and complain; he has
+too much spirit for that.  If the girl likes another man better,
+it is very fit she should have him."
+
+"Certainly.  But what I mean is, that I hope there is nothing
+in Captain Wentworth's manner of writing to make you suppose
+he thinks himself ill-used by his friend, which might appear,
+you know, without its being absolutely said.  I should be very sorry
+that such a friendship as has subsisted between him and Captain Benwick
+should be destroyed, or even wounded, by a circumstance of this sort."
+
+"Yes, yes, I understand you.  But there is nothing at all of that nature
+in the letter.  He does not give the least fling at Benwick;
+does not so much as say, `I wonder at it, I have a reason of my own
+for wondering at it.'  No, you would not guess, from his way of writing,
+that he had ever thought of this Miss (what's her name?) for himself. 
+He very handsomely hopes they will be happy together; and there is
+nothing very unforgiving in that, I think."
+
+Anne did not receive the perfect conviction which the Admiral meant
+to convey, but it would have been useless to press the enquiry farther. 
+She therefore satisfied herself with common-place remarks or quiet
+attention, and the Admiral had it all his own way.
+
+"Poor Frederick!" said he at last.  "Now he must begin all over again
+with somebody else.  I think we must get him to Bath.  Sophy must write,
+and beg him to come to Bath.  Here are pretty girls enough, I am sure. 
+It would be of no use to go to Uppercross again, for that other
+Miss Musgrove, I find, is bespoke by her cousin, the young parson. 
+Do not you think, Miss Elliot, we had better try to get him to Bath?"
+
+
+
+Chapter 19
+
+
+While Admiral Croft was taking this walk with Anne, and expressing
+his wish of getting Captain Wentworth to Bath, Captain Wentworth
+was already on his way thither.  Before Mrs Croft had written,
+he was arrived, and the very next time Anne walked out, she saw him.
+
+Mr Elliot was attending his two cousins and Mrs Clay.  They were
+in Milsom Street.  It began to rain, not much, but enough to
+make shelter desirable for women, and quite enough to make it
+very desirable for Miss Elliot to have the advantage of being
+conveyed home in Lady Dalrymple's carriage, which was seen waiting
+at a little distance; she, Anne, and Mrs Clay, therefore,
+turned into Molland's, while Mr Elliot stepped to Lady Dalrymple,
+to request her assistance.  He soon joined them again, successful,
+of course; Lady Dalrymple would be most happy to take them home,
+and would call for them in a few minutes.
+
+Her ladyship's carriage was a barouche, and did not hold
+more than four with any comfort.  Miss Carteret was with her mother;
+consequently it was not reasonable to expect accommodation
+for all the three Camden Place ladies.  There could be no doubt
+as to Miss Elliot.  Whoever suffered inconvenience, she must suffer none,
+but it occupied a little time to settle the point of civility
+between the other two.  The rain was a mere trifle, and Anne was
+most sincere in preferring a walk with Mr Elliot.  But the rain was also
+a mere trifle to Mrs Clay; she would hardly allow it even to drop at all,
+and her boots were so thick! much thicker than Miss Anne's;
+and, in short, her civility rendered her quite as anxious to be left
+to walk with Mr Elliot as Anne could be, and it was discussed between them
+with a generosity so polite and so determined, that the others were
+obliged to settle it for them; Miss Elliot maintaining that Mrs Clay
+had a little cold already, and Mr Elliot deciding on appeal,
+that his cousin Anne's boots were rather the thickest.
+
+It was fixed accordingly, that Mrs Clay should be of the party
+in the carriage; and they had just reached this point, when Anne,
+as she sat near the window, descried, most decidedly and distinctly,
+Captain Wentworth walking down the street.
+
+Her start was perceptible only to herself; but she instantly felt that
+she was the greatest simpleton in the world, the most unaccountable
+and absurd!  For a few minutes she saw nothing before her;
+it was all confusion.  She was lost, and when she had scolded
+back her senses, she found the others still waiting for the carriage,
+and Mr Elliot (always obliging) just setting off for Union Street
+on a commission of Mrs Clay's.
+
+She now felt a great inclination to go to the outer door;
+she wanted to see if it rained.  Why was she to suspect herself
+of another motive?  Captain Wentworth must be out of sight. 
+She left her seat, she would go; one half of her should not be always
+so much wiser than the other half, or always suspecting the other
+of being worse than it was.  She would see if it rained. 
+She was sent back, however, in a moment by the entrance of
+Captain Wentworth himself, among a party of gentlemen and ladies,
+evidently his acquaintance, and whom he must have joined
+a little below Milsom Street.  He was more obviously struck
+and confused by the sight of her than she had ever observed before;
+he looked quite red.  For the first time, since their renewed acquaintance,
+she felt that she was betraying the least sensibility of the two. 
+She had the advantage of him in the preparation of the last few moments. 
+All the overpowering, blinding, bewildering, first effects
+of strong surprise were over with her.  Still, however,
+she had enough to feel!  It was agitation, pain, pleasure,
+a something between delight and misery.
+
+He spoke to her, and then turned away.  The character of his manner
+was embarrassment.  She could not have called it either cold or friendly,
+or anything so certainly as embarrassed. 
+
+After a short interval, however, he came towards her, and spoke again. 
+Mutual enquiries on common subjects passed:  neither of them, probably,
+much the wiser for what they heard, and Anne continuing fully sensible
+of his being less at ease than formerly.  They had by dint of being
+so very much together, got to speak to each other with a considerable
+portion of apparent indifference and calmness; but he could not do it now. 
+Time had changed him, or Louisa had changed him.  There was consciousness
+of some sort or other.  He looked very well, not as if he had been
+suffering in health or spirits, and he talked of Uppercross,
+of the Musgroves, nay, even of Louisa, and had even a momentary look
+of his own arch significance as he named her; but yet it was
+Captain Wentworth not comfortable, not easy, not able to feign that he was.
+
+It did not surprise, but it grieved Anne to observe that Elizabeth
+would not know him.  She saw that he saw Elizabeth, that Elizabeth saw him,
+that there was complete internal recognition on each side;
+she was convinced that he was ready to be acknowledged as an acquaintance,
+expecting it, and she had the pain of seeing her sister turn away
+with unalterable coldness.
+
+Lady Dalrymple's carriage, for which Miss Elliot was growing
+very impatient, now drew up; the servant came in to announce it. 
+It was beginning to rain again, and altogether there was a delay,
+and a bustle, and a talking, which must make all the little crowd
+in the shop understand that Lady Dalrymple was calling to convey
+Miss Elliot.  At last Miss Elliot and her friend, unattended but
+by the servant, (for there was no cousin returned), were walking off;
+and Captain Wentworth, watching them, turned again to Anne,
+and by manner, rather than words, was offering his services to her.
+
+"I am much obliged to you," was her answer, "but I am not going with them. 
+The carriage would not accommodate so many.  I walk:  I prefer walking."
+
+"But it rains."
+
+"Oh! very little,  Nothing that I regard."
+
+After a moment's pause he said:  "Though I came only yesterday,
+I have equipped myself properly for Bath already, you see,"
+(pointing to a new umbrella); "I wish you would make use of it,
+if you are determined to walk; though I think it would be more prudent
+to let me get you a chair."
+
+She was very much obliged to him, but declined it all, repeating
+her conviction, that the rain would come to nothing at present,
+and adding, "I am only waiting for Mr Elliot.  He will be here in a moment,
+I am sure."
+
+She had hardly spoken the words when Mr Elliot walked in. 
+Captain Wentworth recollected him perfectly.  There was no difference
+between him and the man who had stood on the steps at Lyme,
+admiring Anne as she passed, except in the air and look and manner
+of the privileged relation and friend.  He came in with eagerness,
+appeared to see and think only of her, apologised for his stay,
+was grieved to have kept her waiting, and anxious to get her away
+without further loss of time and before the rain increased;
+and in another moment they walked off together, her arm under his,
+a gentle and embarrassed glance, and a "Good morning to you!"
+being all that she had time for, as she passed away. 
+
+As soon as they were out of sight, the ladies of Captain Wentworth's party
+began talking of them.
+
+"Mr Elliot does not dislike his cousin, I fancy?"
+
+"Oh! no, that is clear enough.  One can guess what will happen there. 
+He is always with them; half lives in the family, I believe. 
+What a very good-looking man!"
+
+"Yes, and Miss Atkinson, who dined with him once at the Wallises,
+says he is the most agreeable man she ever was in company with."
+
+"She is pretty, I think; Anne Elliot; very pretty, when one comes
+to look at her.  It is not the fashion to say so, but I confess
+I admire her more than her sister."
+
+"Oh! so do I."
+
+"And so do I.  No comparison.  But the men are all wild after Miss Elliot. 
+Anne is too delicate for them."
+
+Anne would have been particularly obliged to her cousin, if he would have
+walked by her side all the way to Camden Place, without saying a word. 
+She had never found it so difficult to listen to him, though nothing
+could exceed his solicitude and care, and though his subjects
+were principally such as were wont to be always interesting: 
+praise, warm, just, and discriminating, of Lady Russell,
+and insinuations highly rational against Mrs Clay.  But just now
+she could think only of Captain Wentworth.  She could not understand
+his present feelings, whether he were really suffering much
+from disappointment or not; and till that point were settled,
+she could not be quite herself.
+
+She hoped to be wise and reasonable in time; but alas! alas!
+she must confess to herself that she was not wise yet.
+
+Another circumstance very essential for her to know, was how long
+he meant to be in Bath; he had not mentioned it, or she could not
+recollect it.  He might be only passing through.  But it was more probable
+that he should be come to stay.  In that case, so liable as every body was
+to meet every body in Bath, Lady Russell would in all likelihood
+see him somewhere.  Would she recollect him?  How would it all be?
+
+She had already been obliged to tell Lady Russell that Louisa Musgrove
+was to marry Captain Benwick.  It had cost her something to encounter
+Lady Russell's surprise; and now, if she were by any chance
+to be thrown into company with Captain Wentworth, her imperfect knowledge
+of the matter might add another shade of prejudice against him.
+
+The following morning Anne was out with her friend, and for the first hour,
+in an incessant and fearful sort of watch for him in vain; but at last,
+in returning down Pulteney Street, she distinguished him
+on the right hand pavement at such a distance as to have him in view
+the greater part of the street.  There were many other men about him,
+many groups walking the same way, but there was no mistaking him. 
+She looked instinctively at Lady Russell; but not from any mad idea
+of her recognising him so soon as she did herself.  No, it was
+not to be supposed that Lady Russell would perceive him till they
+were nearly opposite.  She looked at her however, from time to time,
+anxiously; and when the moment approached which must point him out,
+though not daring to look again (for her own countenance she knew
+was unfit to be seen), she was yet perfectly conscious of
+Lady Russell's eyes being turned exactly in the direction for him--
+of her being, in short, intently observing him.  She could thoroughly
+comprehend the sort of fascination he must possess over Lady Russell's mind,
+the difficulty it must be for her to withdraw her eyes, the astonishment
+she must be feeling that eight or nine years should have passed over him,
+and in foreign climes and in active service too, without robbing him
+of one personal grace!
+
+At last, Lady Russell drew back her head.  "Now, how would she
+speak of him?"
+
+"You will wonder," said she, "what has been fixing my eye so long;
+but I was looking after some window-curtains, which Lady Alicia and
+Mrs Frankland were telling me of last night.  They described
+the drawing-room window-curtains of one of the houses on this
+side of the way, and this part of the street, as being the handsomest
+and best hung of any in Bath, but could not recollect the exact number,
+and I have been trying to find out which it could be; but I confess
+I can see no curtains hereabouts that answer their description."
+
+Anne sighed and blushed and smiled, in pity and disdain,
+either at her friend or herself.  The part which provoked her most,
+was that in all this waste of foresight and caution, she should have
+lost the right moment for seeing whether he saw them.
+
+A day or two passed without producing anything.  The theatre or the rooms,
+where he was most likely to be, were not fashionable enough
+for the Elliots, whose evening amusements were solely in the
+elegant stupidity of private parties, in which they were getting
+more and more engaged; and Anne, wearied of such a state of stagnation,
+sick of knowing nothing, and fancying herself stronger because
+her strength was not tried, was quite impatient for the concert evening. 
+It was a concert for the benefit of a person patronised by Lady Dalrymple. 
+Of course they must attend.  It was really expected to be a good one,
+and Captain Wentworth was very fond of music.  If she could only have
+a few minutes conversation with him again, she fancied she should
+be satisfied; and as to the power of addressing him, she felt all over
+courage if the opportunity occurred.  Elizabeth had turned from him,
+Lady Russell overlooked him; her nerves were strengthened
+by these circumstances; she felt that she owed him attention.
+
+She had once partly promised Mrs Smith to spend the evening with her;
+but in a short hurried call she excused herself and put it off,
+with the more decided promise of a longer visit on the morrow. 
+Mrs Smith gave a most good-humoured acquiescence.
+
+"By all means," said she; "only tell me all about it, when you do come. 
+Who is your party?"
+
+Anne named them all.  Mrs Smith made no reply; but when she was
+leaving her said, and with an expression half serious, half arch,
+"Well, I heartily wish your concert may answer; and do not fail me
+to-morrow if you can come; for I begin to have a foreboding
+that I may not have many more visits from you."
+
+Anne was startled and confused; but after standing in a moment's suspense,
+was obliged, and not sorry to be obliged, to hurry away.
+
+
+
+Chapter 20
+
+
+Sir Walter, his two daughters, and Mrs Clay, were the earliest
+of all their party at the rooms in the evening; and as Lady Dalrymple
+must be waited for, they took their station by one of the fires
+in the Octagon Room.  But hardly were they so settled, when the door
+opened again, and Captain Wentworth walked in alone.  Anne was
+the nearest to him, and making yet a little advance, she instantly spoke. 
+He was preparing only to bow and pass on, but her gentle "How do you do?"
+brought him out of the straight line to stand near her, and make enquiries
+in return, in spite of the formidable father and sister in the back ground. 
+Their being in the back ground was a support to Anne; she knew nothing
+of their looks, and felt equal to everything which she believed
+right to be done.
+
+While they were speaking, a whispering between her father and Elizabeth
+caught her ear.  She could not distinguish, but she must guess the subject;
+and on Captain Wentworth's making a distant bow, she comprehended
+that her father had judged so well as to give him that
+simple acknowledgement of acquaintance, and she was just in time
+by a side glance to see a slight curtsey from Elizabeth herself. 
+This, though late, and reluctant, and ungracious, was yet
+better than nothing, and her spirits improved.
+
+After talking, however, of the weather, and Bath, and the concert,
+their conversation began to flag, and so little was said at last,
+that she was expecting him to go every moment, but he did not;
+he seemed in no hurry to leave her; and presently with renewed spirit,
+with a little smile, a little glow, he said--
+
+"I have hardly seen you since our day at Lyme.  I am afraid you must have
+suffered from the shock, and the more from its not overpowering you
+at the time."
+
+She assured him that she had not.
+
+"It was a frightful hour," said he, "a frightful day!" and he
+passed his hand across his eyes, as if the remembrance were still
+too painful, but in a moment, half smiling again, added,
+"The day has produced some effects however; has had some consequences
+which must be considered as the very reverse of frightful. 
+When you had the presence of mind to suggest that Benwick would be
+the properest person to fetch a surgeon, you could have little idea
+of his being eventually one of those most concerned in her recovery."
+
+"Certainly I could have none.  But it appears--I should hope it would be
+a very happy match.  There are on both sides good principles
+and good temper."
+
+"Yes," said he, looking not exactly forward; "but there, I think,
+ends the resemblance.  With all my soul I wish them happy, and rejoice
+over every circumstance in favour of it.  They have no difficulties
+to contend with at home, no opposition, no caprice, no delays. 
+The Musgroves are behaving like themselves, most honourably and kindly,
+only anxious with true parental hearts to promote their daughter's comfort. 
+All this is much, very much in favour of their happiness;
+more than perhaps--"
+
+He stopped.  A sudden recollection seemed to occur, and to give him
+some taste of that emotion which was reddening Anne's cheeks
+and fixing her eyes on the ground.  After clearing his throat, however,
+he proceeded thus--
+
+"I confess that I do think there is a disparity, too great a disparity,
+and in a point no less essential than mind.  I regard Louisa Musgrove
+as a very amiable, sweet-tempered girl, and not deficient in understanding,
+but Benwick is something more.  He is a clever man, a reading man;
+and I confess, that I do consider his attaching himself to her
+with some surprise.  Had it been the effect of gratitude,
+had he learnt to love her, because he believed her to be preferring him,
+it would have been another thing.  But I have no reason to suppose it so. 
+It seems, on the contrary, to have been a perfectly spontaneous,
+untaught feeling on his side, and this surprises me.  A man like him,
+in his situation! with a heart pierced, wounded, almost broken! 
+Fanny Harville was a very superior creature, and his attachment to her
+was indeed attachment.  A man does not recover from such
+a devotion of the heart to such a woman.  He ought not; he does not."
+
+Either from the consciousness, however, that his friend had recovered,
+or from other consciousness, he went no farther; and Anne who,
+in spite of the agitated voice in which the latter part had been uttered,
+and in spite of all the various noises of the room, the almost ceaseless
+slam of the door, and ceaseless buzz of persons walking through,
+had distinguished every word, was struck, gratified, confused,
+and beginning to breathe very quick, and feel an hundred things
+in a moment.  It was impossible for her to enter on such a subject;
+and yet, after a pause, feeling the necessity of speaking,
+and having not the smallest wish for a total change, she only deviated
+so far as to say--
+
+"You were a good while at Lyme, I think?"
+
+"About a fortnight.  I could not leave it till Louisa's doing well
+was quite ascertained.  I had been too deeply concerned in the mischief
+to be soon at peace.  It had been my doing, solely mine. 
+She would not have been obstinate if I had not been weak. 
+The country round Lyme is very fine.  I walked and rode a great deal;
+and the more I saw, the more I found to admire."
+
+"I should very much like to see Lyme again," said Anne.
+
+"Indeed!  I should not have supposed that you could have found
+anything in Lyme to inspire such a feeling.  The horror and distress
+you were involved in, the stretch of mind, the wear of spirits! 
+I should have thought your last impressions of Lyme must have been
+strong disgust."
+
+"The last hours were certainly very painful," replied Anne;
+"but when pain is over, the remembrance of it often becomes a pleasure. 
+One does not love a place the less for having suffered in it,
+unless it has been all suffering, nothing but suffering, which was
+by no means the case at Lyme.  We were only in anxiety and distress
+during the last two hours, and previously there had been a great deal
+of enjoyment.  So much novelty and beauty! I have travelled so little,
+that every fresh place would be interesting to me; but there is real beauty
+at Lyme; and in short" (with a faint blush at some recollections),
+"altogether my impressions of the place are very agreeable."
+
+As she ceased, the entrance door opened again, and the very party appeared
+for whom they were waiting.  "Lady Dalrymple, Lady Dalrymple,"
+was the rejoicing sound; and with all the eagerness compatible
+with anxious elegance, Sir Walter and his two ladies stepped forward
+to meet her.  Lady Dalrymple and Miss Carteret, escorted by Mr Elliot
+and Colonel Wallis, who had happened to arrive nearly at the same instant,
+advanced into the room.  The others joined them, and it was
+a group in which Anne found herself also necessarily included. 
+She was divided from Captain Wentworth.  Their interesting,
+almost too interesting conversation must be broken up for a time,
+but slight was the penance compared with the happiness which brought it on! 
+She had learnt, in the last ten minutes, more of his feelings
+towards Louisa, more of all his feelings than she dared to think of;
+and she gave herself up to the demands of the party, to the needful
+civilities of the moment, with exquisite, though agitated sensations. 
+She was in good humour with all.  She had received ideas which
+disposed her to be courteous and kind to all, and to pity every one,
+as being less happy than herself.
+
+The delightful emotions were a little subdued, when on stepping back
+from the group, to be joined again by Captain Wentworth, she saw
+that he was gone.  She was just in time to see him turn into
+the Concert Room.  He was gone; he had disappeared, she felt
+a moment's regret.  But "they should meet again.  He would look for her,
+he would find her out before the evening were over, and at present,
+perhaps, it was as well to be asunder.  She was in need of
+a little interval for recollection."
+
+Upon Lady Russell's appearance soon afterwards, the whole party
+was collected, and all that remained was to marshal themselves,
+and proceed into the Concert Room; and be of all the consequence
+in their power, draw as many eyes, excite as many whispers,
+and disturb as many people as they could.
+
+Very, very happy were both Elizabeth and Anne Elliot as they walked in. 
+Elizabeth arm in arm with Miss Carteret, and looking on the broad back
+of the dowager Viscountess Dalrymple before her, had nothing to wish for
+which did not seem within her reach; and Anne--but it would be
+an insult to the nature of Anne's felicity, to draw any comparison
+between it and her sister's; the origin of one all selfish vanity,
+of the other all generous attachment.
+
+Anne saw nothing, thought nothing of the brilliancy of the room. 
+Her happiness was from within.  Her eyes were bright and her cheeks glowed;
+but she knew nothing about it.  She was thinking only of
+the last half hour, and as they passed to their seats, her mind took
+a hasty range over it.  His choice of subjects, his expressions,
+and still more his manner and look, had been such as she could see
+in only one light.  His opinion of Louisa Musgrove's inferiority,
+an opinion which he had seemed solicitous to give, his wonder
+at Captain Benwick, his feelings as to a first, strong attachment;
+sentences begun which he could not finish, his half averted eyes
+and more than half expressive glance, all, all declared that he had
+a heart returning to her at least; that anger, resentment, avoidance,
+were no more; and that they were succeeded, not merely by friendship
+and regard, but by the tenderness of the past.  Yes, some share of
+the tenderness of the past.  She could not contemplate the change
+as implying less.  He must love her.
+
+These were thoughts, with their attendant visions, which occupied
+and flurried her too much to leave her any power of observation;
+and she passed along the room without having a glimpse of him,
+without even trying to discern him.  When their places were determined on,
+and they were all properly arranged, she looked round to see
+if he should happen to be in the same part of the room, but he was not;
+her eye could not reach him; and the concert being just opening,
+she must consent for a time to be happy in a humbler way.
+
+The party was divided and disposed of on two contiguous benches: 
+Anne was among those on the foremost, and Mr Elliot had manoeuvred so well,
+with the assistance of his friend Colonel Wallis, as to have a seat by her. 
+Miss Elliot, surrounded by her cousins, and the principal object
+of Colonel Wallis's gallantry, was quite contented.
+
+Anne's mind was in a most favourable state for the entertainment
+of the evening; it was just occupation enough:  she had feelings for
+the tender, spirits for the gay, attention for the scientific,
+and patience for the wearisome; and had never liked a concert better,
+at least during the first act.  Towards the close of it,
+in the interval succeeding an Italian song, she explained
+the words of the song to Mr Elliot.  They had a concert bill between them.
+
+"This," said she, "is nearly the sense, or rather the meaning of the words,
+for certainly the sense of an Italian love-song must not be talked of,
+but it is as nearly the meaning as I can give; for I do not pretend
+to understand the language.  I am a very poor Italian scholar."
+
+"Yes, yes, I see you are.  I see you know nothing of the matter. 
+You have only knowledge enough of the language to translate at sight
+these inverted, transposed, curtailed Italian lines, into clear,
+comprehensible, elegant English.  You need not say anything more
+of your ignorance.  Here is complete proof."
+
+"I will not oppose such kind politeness; but I should be sorry to be
+examined by a real proficient."
+
+"I have not had the pleasure of visiting in Camden Place so long,"
+replied he, "without knowing something of Miss Anne Elliot;
+and I do regard her as one who is too modest for the world in general
+to be aware of half her accomplishments, and too highly accomplished
+for modesty to be natural in any other woman."
+
+"For shame! for shame! this is too much flattery.  I forget what we are
+to have next," turning to the bill.
+
+"Perhaps," said Mr Elliot, speaking low, "I have had a longer acquaintance
+with your character than you are aware of."
+
+"Indeed!  How so?  You can have been acquainted with it only since
+I came to Bath, excepting as you might hear me previously spoken of
+in my own family."
+
+"I knew you by report long before you came to Bath.  I had heard you
+described by those who knew you intimately.  I have been acquainted
+with you by character many years.  Your person, your disposition,
+accomplishments, manner; they were all present to me."
+
+Mr Elliot was not disappointed in the interest he hoped to raise. 
+No one can withstand the charm of such a mystery.  To have been
+described long ago to a recent acquaintance, by nameless people,
+is irresistible; and Anne was all curiosity.  She wondered,
+and questioned him eagerly; but in vain.  He delighted in being asked,
+but he would not tell.
+
+"No, no, some time or other, perhaps, but not now.  He would mention
+no names now; but such, he could assure her, had been the fact. 
+He had many years ago received such a description of Miss Anne Elliot
+as had inspired him with the highest idea of her merit, and excited
+the warmest curiosity to know her."
+
+Anne could think of no one so likely to have spoken with
+partiality of her many years ago as the Mr Wentworth of Monkford,
+Captain Wentworth's brother.  He might have been in Mr Elliot's company,
+but she had not courage to ask the question.
+
+"The name of Anne Elliot," said he, "has long had an interesting sound to me. 
+Very long has it possessed a charm over my fancy; and, if I dared,
+I would breathe my wishes that the name might never change."
+
+Such, she believed, were his words; but scarcely had she
+received their sound, than her attention was caught by other sounds
+immediately behind her, which rendered every thing else trivial. 
+Her father and Lady Dalrymple were speaking.
+
+"A well-looking man," said Sir Walter, "a very well-looking man."
+
+"A very fine young man indeed!" said Lady Dalrymple.  "More air
+than one often sees in Bath.  Irish, I dare say."
+
+"No, I just know his name.  A bowing acquaintance.  Wentworth;
+Captain Wentworth of the navy.  His sister married my tenant
+in Somersetshire, the Croft, who rents Kellynch."
+
+Before Sir Walter had reached this point, Anne's eyes had caught
+the right direction, and distinguished Captain Wentworth standing
+among a cluster of men at a little distance.  As her eyes fell on him,
+his seemed to be withdrawn from her.  It had that appearance. 
+It seemed as if she had been one moment too late; and as long as she
+dared observe, he did not look again:  but the performance
+was recommencing, and she was forced to seem to restore her attention
+to the orchestra and look straight forward.
+
+When she could give another glance, he had moved away.  He could not have
+come nearer to her if he would; she was so surrounded and shut in: 
+but she would rather have caught his eye.
+
+Mr Elliot's speech, too, distressed her.  She had no longer
+any inclination to talk to him.  She wished him not so near her.
+
+The first act was over.  Now she hoped for some beneficial change;
+and, after a period of nothing-saying amongst the party, some of them
+did decide on going in quest of tea.  Anne was one of the few who
+did not choose to move.  She remained in her seat, and so did Lady Russell;
+but she had the pleasure of getting rid of Mr Elliot; and she did not mean,
+whatever she might feel on Lady Russell's account, to shrink from
+conversation with Captain Wentworth, if he gave her the opportunity. 
+She was persuaded by Lady Russell's countenance that she had seen him.
+
+He did not come however.  Anne sometimes fancied she discerned him
+at a distance, but he never came.  The anxious interval
+wore away unproductively.  The others returned, the room filled again,
+benches were reclaimed and repossessed, and another hour of pleasure
+or of penance was to be sat out, another hour of music was to give
+delight or the gapes, as real or affected taste for it prevailed. 
+To Anne, it chiefly wore the prospect of an hour of agitation. 
+She could not quit that room in peace without seeing Captain Wentworth
+once more, without the interchange of one friendly look.
+
+In re-settling themselves there were now many changes, the result of which
+was favourable for her.  Colonel Wallis declined sitting down again,
+and Mr Elliot was invited by Elizabeth and Miss Carteret, in a manner
+not to be refused, to sit between them; and by some other removals,
+and a little scheming of her own,  Anne was enabled to place herself
+much nearer the end of the bench than she had been before,
+much more within reach of a passer-by.  She could not do so,
+without comparing herself with Miss Larolles, the inimitable Miss Larolles;
+but still she did it, and not with much happier effect;
+though by what seemed prosperity in the shape of an early abdication
+in her next neighbours, she found herself at the very end of the bench
+before the concert closed.
+
+Such was her situation, with a vacant space at hand, when Captain Wentworth
+was again in sight.  She saw him not far off.  He saw her too;
+yet he looked grave, and seemed irresolute, and only by very slow degrees
+came at last near enough to speak to her.  She felt that something
+must be the matter.  The change was indubitable.  The difference
+between his present air and what it had been in the Octagon Room
+was strikingly great.  Why was it?  She thought of her father,
+of Lady Russell.  Could there have been any unpleasant glances? 
+He began by speaking of the concert gravely, more like the Captain
+Wentworth of Uppercross; owned himself disappointed, had expected singing;
+and in short, must confess that he should not be sorry when it was over. 
+Anne replied, and spoke in defense of the performance so well,
+and yet in allowance for his feelings so pleasantly, that his countenance
+improved, and he replied again with almost a smile.  They talked
+for a few minutes more; the improvement held; he even looked down
+towards the bench, as if he saw a place on it well worth occupying;
+when at that moment a touch on her shoulder obliged Anne to turn round. 
+It came from Mr Elliot.  He begged her pardon, but she must be applied to,
+to explain Italian again.  Miss Carteret was very anxious to have
+a general idea of what was next to be sung.  Anne could not refuse;
+but never had she sacrificed to politeness with a more suffering spirit.
+
+A few minutes, though as few as possible, were inevitably consumed;
+and when her own mistress again, when able to turn and look
+as she had done before, she found herself accosted by Captain Wentworth,
+in a reserved yet hurried sort of farewell.  "He must wish her good night;
+he was going; he should get home as fast as he could."
+
+"Is not this song worth staying for?" said Anne, suddenly struck
+by an idea which made her yet more anxious to be encouraging.
+
+"No!" he replied impressively, "there is nothing worth my staying for;"
+and he was gone directly.
+
+Jealousy of Mr Elliot!  It was the only intelligible motive. 
+Captain Wentworth jealous of her affection!  Could she have believed it
+a week ago; three hours ago!  For a moment the gratification was exquisite. 
+But, alas! there were very different thoughts to succeed. 
+How was such jealousy to be quieted?  How was the truth to reach him? 
+How, in all the peculiar disadvantages of their respective situations,
+would he ever learn of her real sentiments?  It was misery to think
+of Mr Elliot's attentions.  Their evil was incalculable.
+
+
+
+Chapter 21
+
+
+Anne recollected with pleasure the next morning her promise
+of going to Mrs Smith, meaning that it should engage her from home
+at the time when Mr Elliot would be most likely to call; for to avoid
+Mr Elliot was almost a first object.
+
+She felt a great deal of good-will towards him.  In spite of
+the mischief of his attentions, she owed him gratitude and regard,
+perhaps compassion.  She could not help thinking much of the extraordinary
+circumstances attending their acquaintance, of the right which
+he seemed to have to interest her, by everything in situation,
+by his own sentiments, by his early prepossession.  It was altogether
+very extraordinary; flattering, but painful.  There was much to regret. 
+How she might have felt had there been no Captain Wentworth in the case,
+was not worth enquiry; for there was a Captain Wentworth;
+and be the conclusion of the present suspense good or bad,
+her affection would be his for ever.  Their union, she believed,
+could not divide her more from other men, than their final separation.
+
+Prettier musings of high-wrought love and eternal constancy,
+could never have passed along the streets of Bath, than Anne
+was sporting with from Camden Place to Westgate Buildings. 
+It was almost enough to spread purification and perfume all the way.
+
+She was sure of a pleasant reception; and her friend seemed this morning
+particularly obliged to her for coming, seemed hardly to have expected her,
+though it had been an appointment.
+
+An account of the concert was immediately claimed; and Anne's recollections
+of the concert were quite happy enough to animate her features
+and make her rejoice to talk of it.  All that she could tell
+she told most gladly, but the all was little for one who had been there,
+and unsatisfactory for such an enquirer as Mrs Smith, who had
+already heard, through the short cut of a laundress and a waiter,
+rather more of the general success and produce of the evening
+than Anne could relate, and who now asked in vain for several particulars
+of the company.  Everybody of any consequence or notoriety in Bath
+was well know by name to Mrs Smith.
+
+"The little Durands were there, I conclude," said she, "with their mouths
+open to catch the music, like unfledged sparrows ready to be fed. 
+They never miss a concert."
+
+"Yes; I did not see them myself, but I heard Mr Elliot say they were
+in the room."
+
+"The Ibbotsons, were they there? and the two new beauties,
+with the tall Irish officer, who is talked of for one of them."
+
+"I do not know.  I do not think they were."
+
+"Old Lady Mary Maclean?  I need not ask after her.  She never misses,
+I know; and you must have seen her.  She must have been in your own circle;
+for as you went with Lady Dalrymple, you were in the seats of grandeur,
+round the orchestra, of course."
+
+"No, that was what I dreaded.  It would have been very unpleasant to me
+in every respect.  But happily Lady Dalrymple always chooses
+to be farther off; and we were exceedingly well placed, that is,
+for hearing; I must not say for seeing, because I appear to have seen
+very little."
+
+"Oh! you saw enough for your own amusement.  I can understand. 
+There is a sort of domestic enjoyment to be known even in a crowd,
+and this you had.  You were a large party in yourselves,
+and you wanted nothing beyond."
+
+"But I ought to have looked about me more," said Anne, conscious
+while she spoke that there had in fact been no want of looking about,
+that the object only had been deficient.
+
+"No, no; you were better employed.  You need not tell me that you
+had a pleasant evening.  I see it in your eye.  I perfectly see
+how the hours passed:  that you had always something agreeable
+to listen to.  In the intervals of the concert it was conversation.
+
+Anne half smiled and said, "Do you see that in my eye?"
+
+"Yes, I do.  Your countenance perfectly informs me that you were
+in company last night with the person whom you think the most agreeable
+in the world, the person who interests you at this present time
+more than all the rest of the world put together."
+
+A blush overspread Anne's cheeks.  She could say nothing.
+
+"And such being the case," continued Mrs Smith, after a short pause,
+"I hope you believe that I do know how to value your kindness
+in coming to me this morning.  It is really very good of you
+to come and sit with me, when you must have so many pleasanter demands
+upon your time."
+
+Anne heard nothing of this.  She was still in the astonishment and
+confusion excited by her friend's penetration, unable to imagine
+how any report of Captain Wentworth could have reached her. 
+After another short silence--
+
+"Pray," said Mrs Smith, "is Mr Elliot aware of your acquaintance with me? 
+Does he know that I am in Bath?"
+
+"Mr Elliot!" repeated Anne, looking up surprised.  A moment's reflection
+shewed her the mistake she had been under.  She caught it instantaneously;
+and recovering her courage with the feeling of safety, soon added,
+more composedly, "Are you acquainted with Mr Elliot?"
+
+"I have been a good deal acquainted with him," replied Mrs Smith, gravely,
+"but it seems worn out now.  It is a great while since we met."
+
+"I was not at all aware of this.  You never mentioned it before. 
+Had I known it, I would have had the pleasure of talking to him about you."
+
+"To confess the truth," said Mrs Smith, assuming her usual
+air of cheerfulness, "that is exactly the pleasure I want you to have. 
+I want you to talk about me to Mr Elliot.  I want your interest with him. 
+He can be of essential service to me; and if you would have the goodness,
+my dear Miss Elliot, to make it an object to yourself,
+of course it is done."
+
+"I should be extremely happy; I hope you cannot doubt my willingness
+to be of even the slightest use to you," replied Anne; "but I suspect
+that you are considering me as having a higher claim on Mr Elliot,
+a greater right to influence him, than is really the case. 
+I am sure you have, somehow or other, imbibed such a notion. 
+You must consider me only as Mr Elliot's relation.  If in that light
+there is anything which you suppose his cousin might fairly ask of him,
+I beg you would not hesitate to employ me."
+
+Mrs Smith gave her a penetrating glance, and then, smiling, said--
+
+"I have been a little premature, I perceive; I beg your pardon. 
+I ought to have waited for official information,  But now, my dear
+Miss Elliot, as an old friend, do give me a hint as to when I may speak. 
+Next week?  To be sure by next week I may be allowed to
+think it all settled, and build my own selfish schemes on
+Mr Elliot's good fortune."
+
+"No," replied Anne, "nor next week, nor next, nor next. 
+I assure you that nothing of the sort you are thinking of
+will be settled any week.  I am not going to marry Mr Elliot. 
+I should like to know why you imagine I am?"
+
+Mrs Smith looked at her again, looked earnestly, smiled,
+shook her head, and exclaimed--
+
+"Now, how I do wish I understood you!  How I do wish I knew
+what you were at!  I have a great idea that you do not design to be cruel,
+when the right moment occurs.  Till it does come, you know,
+we women never mean to have anybody.  It is a thing of course among us,
+that every man is refused, till he offers.  But why should you be cruel? 
+Let me plead for my--present friend I cannot call him, but for
+my former friend.  Where can you look for a more suitable match? 
+Where could you expect a more gentlemanlike, agreeable man? 
+Let me recommend Mr Elliot.  I am sure you hear nothing but good of him
+from Colonel Wallis; and who can know him better than Colonel Wallis?"
+
+"My dear Mrs Smith, Mr Elliot's wife has not been dead much above
+half a year.  He ought not to be supposed to be paying his addresses
+to any one."
+
+"Oh! if these are your only objections," cried Mrs Smith, archly,
+"Mr Elliot is safe, and I shall give myself no more trouble about him. 
+Do not forget me when you are married, that's all.  Let him know me to be
+a friend of yours, and then he will think little of the trouble required,
+which it is very natural for him now, with so many affairs and engagements
+of his own, to avoid and get rid of as he can; very natural, perhaps. 
+Ninety-nine out of a hundred would do the same.  Of course,
+he cannot be aware of the importance to me.  Well, my dear Miss Elliot,
+I hope and trust you will be very happy.  Mr Elliot has sense
+to understand the value of such a woman.  Your peace will not be
+shipwrecked as mine has been.  You are safe in all worldly matters,
+and safe in his character.  He will not be led astray; he will not be
+misled by others to his ruin."
+
+"No," said Anne, "I can readily believe all that of my cousin. 
+He seems to have a calm decided temper, not at all open
+to dangerous impressions.  I consider him with great respect. 
+I have no reason, from any thing that has fallen within my observation,
+to do otherwise.  But I have not known him long; and he is not a man,
+I think, to be known intimately soon.  Will not this manner
+of speaking of him, Mrs Smith, convince you that he is nothing to me? 
+Surely this must be calm enough.  And, upon my word, he is nothing to me. 
+Should he ever propose to me (which I have very little reason to imagine
+he has any thought of doing), I shall not accept him.  I assure you
+I shall not.  I assure you, Mr Elliot had not the share which
+you have been supposing, in whatever pleasure the concert
+of last night might afford:  not Mr Elliot; it is not Mr Elliot that--"
+
+She stopped, regretting with a deep blush that she had implied so much;
+but less would hardly have been sufficient.  Mrs Smith would hardly
+have believed so soon in Mr Elliot's failure, but from the perception
+of there being a somebody else.  As it was, she instantly submitted,
+and with all the semblance of seeing nothing beyond; and Anne,
+eager to escape farther notice, was impatient to know why Mrs Smith
+should have fancied she was to marry Mr Elliot; where she could have
+received the idea, or from whom she could have heard it.
+
+"Do tell me how it first came into your head."
+
+"It first came into my head," replied Mrs Smith, "upon finding how much
+you were together, and feeling it to be the most probable thing
+in the world to be wished for by everybody belonging to either of you;
+and you may depend upon it that all your acquaintance have disposed of you
+in the same way.  But I never heard it spoken of till two days ago."
+
+"And has it indeed been spoken of?"
+
+"Did you observe the woman who opened the door to you when
+you called yesterday?"
+
+"No.  Was not it Mrs Speed, as usual, or the maid?  I observed
+no one in particular."
+
+"It was my friend Mrs Rooke; Nurse Rooke; who, by-the-bye,
+had a great curiosity to see you, and was delighted to be in the way
+to let you in.  She came away from Marlborough Buildings only on Sunday;
+and she it was who told me you were to marry Mr Elliot. 
+She had had it from Mrs Wallis herself, which did not seem bad authority. 
+She sat an hour with me on Monday evening, and gave me the whole history."
+"The whole history," repeated Anne, laughing.  "She could not make
+a very long history, I think, of one such little article
+of unfounded news."
+
+Mrs Smith said nothing.
+
+"But," continued Anne, presently, "though there is no truth in my having
+this claim on Mr Elliot, I should be extremely happy to be of use to you
+in any way that I could.  Shall I mention to him your being in Bath? 
+Shall I take any message?"
+
+"No, I thank you:  no, certainly not.  In the warmth of the moment,
+and under a mistaken impression, I might, perhaps, have endeavoured
+to interest you in some circumstances; but not now.  No, I thank you,
+I have nothing to trouble you with."
+
+"I think you spoke of having known Mr Elliot many years?"
+
+"I did."
+
+"Not before he was married, I suppose?"
+
+"Yes; he was not married when I knew him first."
+
+"And--were you much acquainted?"
+
+"Intimately."
+
+"Indeed!  Then do tell me what he was at that time of life. 
+I have a great curiosity to know what Mr Elliot was as a very young man. 
+Was he at all such as he appears now?"
+
+"I have not seen Mr Elliot these three years," was Mrs Smith's answer,
+given so gravely that it was impossible to pursue the subject farther;
+and Anne felt that she had gained nothing but an increase of curiosity. 
+They were both silent:  Mrs Smith very thoughtful.  At last--
+
+"I beg your pardon, my dear Miss Elliot," she cried, in her
+natural tone of cordiality, "I beg your pardon for the short answers
+I have been giving you, but I have been uncertain what I ought to do. 
+I have been doubting and considering as to what I ought to tell you. 
+There were many things to be taken into the account.  One hates
+to be officious, to be giving bad impressions, making mischief. 
+Even the smooth surface of family-union seems worth preserving,
+though there may be nothing durable beneath.  However, I have determined;
+I think I am right; I think you ought to be made acquainted
+with Mr Elliot's real character.  Though I fully believe that,
+at present, you have not the smallest intention of accepting him,
+there is no saying what may happen.  You might, some time or other,
+be differently affected towards him.  Hear the truth, therefore,
+now, while you are unprejudiced.  Mr Elliot is a man without heart
+or conscience; a designing, wary, cold-blooded being, who thinks
+only of himself; whom for his own interest or ease, would be guilty
+of any cruelty, or any treachery, that could be perpetrated without
+risk of his general character.  He has no feeling for others. 
+Those whom he has been the chief cause of leading into ruin,
+he can neglect and desert without the smallest compunction. 
+He is totally beyond the reach of any sentiment of justice or compassion. 
+Oh! he is black at heart, hollow and black!"
+
+Anne's astonished air, and exclamation of wonder, made her pause,
+and in a calmer manner, she added,
+
+"My expressions startle you.  You must allow for an injured, angry woman. 
+But I will try to command myself.  I will not abuse him. 
+I will only tell you what I have found him.  Facts shall speak. 
+He was the intimate friend of my dear husband, who trusted and loved him,
+and thought him as good as himself.  The intimacy had been formed
+before our marriage.  I found them most intimate friends; and I, too,
+became excessively pleased with Mr Elliot, and entertained
+the highest opinion of him.  At nineteen, you know, one does not
+think very seriously; but Mr Elliot appeared to me quite as good as others,
+and much more agreeable than most others, and we were almost
+always together.  We were principally in town, living in very good style. 
+He was then the inferior in circumstances; he was then the poor one;
+he had chambers in the Temple, and it was as much as he could do
+to support the appearance of a gentleman.  He had always a home
+with us whenever he chose it; he was always welcome; he was like a brother. 
+My poor Charles, who had the finest, most generous spirit in the world,
+would have divided his last farthing with him; and I know that his purse
+was open to him; I know that he often assisted him."
+
+"This must have been about that very period of Mr Elliot's life,"
+said Anne, "which has always excited my particular curiosity. 
+It must have been about the same time that he became known to
+my father and sister.  I never knew him myself; I only heard of him;
+but there was a something in his conduct then, with regard to
+my father and sister, and afterwards in the circumstances of his marriage,
+which I never could quite reconcile with present times.  It seemed
+to announce a different sort of man."
+
+"I know it all, I know it all," cried Mrs Smith.  "He had been
+introduced to Sir Walter and your sister before I was acquainted with him,
+but I heard him speak of them for ever.  I know he was invited
+and encouraged, and I know he did not choose to go.  I can satisfy you,
+perhaps, on points which you would little expect; and as to his marriage,
+I knew all about it at the time.  I was privy to all the fors and againsts;
+I was the friend to whom he confided his hopes and plans; and though
+I did not know his wife previously, her inferior situation in society,
+indeed, rendered that impossible, yet I knew her all her life afterwards,
+or at least till within the last two years of her life, and can answer
+any question you may wish to put."
+
+"Nay," said Anne, "I have no particular enquiry to make about her. 
+I have always understood they were not a happy couple.  But I should
+like to know why, at that time of his life, he should slight
+my father's acquaintance as he did.  My father was certainly disposed
+to take very kind and proper notice of him.  Why did Mr Elliot draw back?"
+
+"Mr Elliot," replied Mrs Smith, "at that period of his life,
+had one object in view:  to make his fortune, and by a rather quicker
+process than the law.  He was determined to make it by marriage. 
+He was determined, at least, not to mar it by an imprudent marriage;
+and I know it was his belief (whether justly or not, of course
+I cannot decide), that your father and sister, in their civilities
+and invitations, were designing a match between the heir
+and the young lady, and it was impossible that such a match
+should have answered his ideas of wealth and independence. 
+That was his motive for drawing back, I can assure you. 
+He told me the whole story.  He had no concealments with me. 
+It was curious, that having just left you behind me in Bath,
+my first and principal acquaintance on marrying should be your cousin;
+and that, through him, I should be continually hearing of your father
+and sister.  He described one Miss Elliot, and I thought
+very affectionately of the other."
+
+"Perhaps," cried Anne, struck by a sudden idea, "you sometimes
+spoke of me to Mr Elliot?"
+
+"To be sure I did; very often.  I used to boast of my own Anne Elliot,
+and vouch for your being a very different creature from--"
+
+She checked herself just in time.
+
+"This accounts for something which Mr Elliot said last night,"
+cried Anne.  "This explains it.  I found he had been used to hear of me. 
+I could not comprehend how.  What wild imaginations one forms where
+dear self is concerned!  How sure to be mistaken!  But I beg your pardon;
+I have interrupted you.  Mr Elliot married then completely for money? 
+The circumstances, probably, which first opened your eyes
+to his character."
+
+Mrs Smith hesitated a little here.  "Oh! those things are too common. 
+When one lives in the world, a man or woman's marrying for money
+is too common to strike one as it ought.  I was very young,
+and associated only with the young, and we were a thoughtless,
+gay set, without any strict rules of conduct.  We lived for enjoyment. 
+I think differently now; time and sickness and sorrow have given me
+other notions; but at that period I must own I saw nothing reprehensible
+in what Mr Elliot was doing.  `To do the best for himself,'
+passed as a duty."
+
+"But was not she a very low woman?"
+
+"Yes; which I objected to, but he would not regard.  Money, money,
+was all that he wanted.  Her father was a grazier, her grandfather
+had been a butcher, but that was all nothing.  She was a fine woman,
+had had a decent education, was brought forward by some cousins,
+thrown by chance into Mr Elliot's company, and fell in love with him;
+and not a difficulty or a scruple was there on his side,
+with respect to her birth.  All his caution was spent in being secured
+of the real amount of her fortune, before he committed himself. 
+Depend upon it, whatever esteem Mr Elliot may have for his own situation
+in life now, as a young man he had not the smallest value for it. 
+His chance for the Kellynch estate was something, but all the honour
+of the family he held as cheap as dirt.  I have often heard him declare,
+that if baronetcies were saleable, anybody should have his
+for fifty pounds, arms and motto, name and livery included;
+but I will not pretend to repeat half that I used to hear him say
+on that subject.  It would not be fair; and yet you ought to have proof,
+for what is all this but assertion, and you shall have proof."
+
+"Indeed, my dear Mrs Smith, I want none," cried Anne.  "You have asserted
+nothing contradictory to what Mr Elliot appeared to be some years ago. 
+This is all in confirmation, rather, of what we used to hear and believe. 
+I am more curious to know why he should be so different now."
+
+"But for my satisfaction, if you will have the goodness to ring for Mary;
+stay:  I am sure you will have the still greater goodness of
+going yourself into my bedroom, and bringing me the small inlaid box
+which you will find on the upper shelf of the closet."
+
+Anne, seeing her friend to be earnestly bent on it, did as she was desired. 
+The box was brought and placed before her, and Mrs Smith, sighing over it
+as she unlocked it, said--
+
+"This is full of papers belonging to him, to my husband;
+a small portion only of what I had to look over when I lost him. 
+The letter I am looking for was one written by Mr Elliot to him
+before our marriage, and happened to be saved; why, one can hardly imagine. 
+But he was careless and immethodical, like other men, about those things;
+and when I came to examine his papers, I found it with others
+still more trivial, from different people scattered here and there,
+while many letters and memorandums of real importance had been destroyed. 
+Here it is; I would not burn it, because being even then very little
+satisfied with Mr Elliot, I was determined to preserve every document
+of former intimacy.  I have now another motive for being glad
+that I can produce it."
+
+This was the letter, directed to "Charles Smith, Esq. Tunbridge Wells,"
+and dated from London, as far back as July, 1803: --
+
+"Dear Smith,--I have received yours.  Your kindness almost overpowers me. 
+I wish nature had made such hearts as yours more common, but I have
+lived three-and-twenty years in the world, and have seen none like it. 
+At present, believe me, I have no need of your services,
+being in cash again.  Give me joy:  I have got rid of Sir Walter and Miss. 
+They are gone back to Kellynch, and almost made me swear to visit them
+this summer; but my first visit to Kellynch will be with a surveyor,
+to tell me how to bring it with best advantage to the hammer. 
+The baronet, nevertheless, is not unlikely to marry again;
+he is quite fool enough.  If he does, however, they will leave me in peace,
+which may be a decent equivalent  for the reversion.  He is worse
+than last year.
+
+"I wish I had any name but Elliot.  I am sick of it.  The name of Walter
+I can drop, thank God! and I desire you will never insult me
+with my second W. again, meaning, for the rest of my life,
+to be only yours truly,--Wm. Elliot."
+
+Such a letter could not be read without putting Anne in a glow;
+and Mrs Smith, observing the high colour in her face, said--
+
+"The language, I know, is highly disrespectful.  Though I have forgot
+the exact terms, I have a perfect impression of the general meaning. 
+But it shows you the man.  Mark his professions to my poor husband. 
+Can any thing be stronger?"
+
+Anne could not immediately get over the shock and mortification
+of finding such words applied to her father.  She was obliged to recollect
+that her seeing the letter was a violation of the laws of honour,
+that no one ought to be judged or to be known by such testimonies,
+that no private correspondence could bear the eye of others,
+before she could recover calmness enough to return the letter
+which she had been meditating over, and say--
+
+"Thank you.  This is full proof undoubtedly; proof of every thing
+you were saying.  But why be acquainted with us now?"
+
+"I can explain this too," cried Mrs Smith, smiling.
+
+"Can you really?"
+
+"Yes.  I have shewn you Mr Elliot as he was a dozen years ago,
+and I will shew him as he is now.  I cannot produce written proof again,
+but I can give as authentic oral testimony as you can desire, of what
+he is now wanting, and what he is now doing.  He is no hypocrite now. 
+He truly wants to marry you.  His present attentions to your family
+are very sincere:  quite from the heart.  I will give you my authority: 
+his friend Colonel Wallis."
+
+"Colonel Wallis! you are acquainted with him?"
+
+"No.  It does not come to me in quite so direct a line as that;
+it takes a bend or two, but nothing of consequence.  The stream
+is as good as at first; the little rubbish it collects in the turnings
+is easily moved away.  Mr Elliot talks unreservedly to Colonel Wallis
+of his views on you, which said Colonel Wallis, I imagine to be,
+in himself, a sensible, careful, discerning sort of character;
+but Colonel Wallis has a very pretty silly wife, to whom
+he tells things which he had better not, and he repeats it all to her. 
+She in the overflowing spirits of her recovery, repeats it all
+to her nurse; and the nurse  knowing my acquaintance with you,
+very naturally brings it all to me.  On Monday evening, my good friend
+Mrs Rooke let me thus much into the secrets of Marlborough Buildings. 
+When I talked of a whole history, therefore, you see I was
+not romancing so much as you supposed."
+
+"My dear Mrs Smith, your authority is deficient.  This will not do. 
+Mr Elliot's having any views on me will not in the least account
+for the efforts he made towards a reconciliation with my father. 
+That was all prior to my coming to Bath.  I found them on
+the most friendly terms when I arrived."
+
+"I know you did; I know it all perfectly, but--"
+
+"Indeed, Mrs Smith, we must not expect to get real information
+in such a line.  Facts or opinions which are to pass through the hands
+of so many, to be misconceived by folly in one, and ignorance in another,
+can hardly have much truth left."
+
+"Only give me a hearing.  You will soon be able to judge of
+the general credit due, by listening to some particulars
+which you can yourself immediately contradict or confirm. 
+Nobody supposes that you were his first inducement.  He had seen you
+indeed, before he came to Bath, and admired you, but without
+knowing it to be you.  So says my historian, at least.  Is this true? 
+Did he see you last summer or autumn, `somewhere down in the west,'
+to use her own words, without knowing it to be you?"
+
+"He certainly did.  So far it is very true.  At Lyme. 
+I happened to be at Lyme."
+
+"Well," continued Mrs Smith, triumphantly, "grant my friend the credit
+due to the establishment of the first point asserted.  He saw you then
+at Lyme, and liked you so well as to be exceedingly pleased
+to meet with you again in Camden Place, as Miss Anne Elliot,
+and from that moment, I have no doubt, had a double motive
+in his visits there.  But there was another, and an earlier,
+which I will now explain.  If there is anything in my story which you know
+to be either false or improbable, stop me.  My account states,
+that your sister's friend, the lady now staying with you,
+whom I have heard you mention, came to Bath with Miss Elliot and Sir Walter
+as long ago as September (in short when they first came themselves),
+and has been staying there ever since; that she is a clever, insinuating,
+handsome woman, poor and plausible, and altogether such in situation
+and manner, as to give a general idea, among Sir Walter's acquaintance,
+of her meaning to be Lady Elliot, and as general a surprise
+that Miss Elliot should be apparently, blind to the danger."
+
+Here Mrs Smith paused a moment; but Anne had not a word to say,
+and she continued--
+
+"This was the light in which it appeared to those who knew the family,
+long before you returned to it; and Colonel Wallis had his eye
+upon your father enough to be sensible of it, though he did not then
+visit in Camden Place; but his regard for Mr Elliot gave him an interest
+in watching all that was going on there, and when Mr Elliot came to Bath
+for a day or two, as he happened to do a little before Christmas,
+Colonel Wallis made him acquainted with the appearance of things,
+and the reports beginning to prevail.  Now you are to understand,
+that time had worked a very material change in Mr Elliot's opinions
+as to the value of a baronetcy.  Upon all points of blood and connexion
+he is a completely altered man.  Having long had as much money
+as he could spend, nothing to wish for on the side of avarice
+or indulgence, he has been gradually learning to pin his happiness
+upon the consequence he is heir to.  I thought it coming on
+before our acquaintance ceased, but it is now a confirmed feeling. 
+He cannot bear the idea of not being Sir William.  You may guess,
+therefore, that the news he heard from his friend could not be
+very agreeable, and you may guess what it produced; the resolution
+of coming back to Bath as soon as possible, and of fixing himself here
+for a time, with the view of renewing his former acquaintance,
+and recovering such a footing in the family as might give him the means
+of ascertaining the degree of his danger, and of circumventing the lady
+if he found it material.  This was agreed upon between the two friends
+as the only thing to be done; and Colonel Wallis was to assist
+in every way that he could.  He was to be introduced, and Mrs Wallis
+was to be introduced, and everybody was to be introduced. 
+Mr Elliot came back accordingly; and on application was forgiven,
+as you know, and re-admitted into the family; and there it was
+his constant object, and his only object (till your arrival
+added another motive), to watch Sir Walter and Mrs Clay. 
+He omitted no opportunity of being with them, threw himself in their way,
+called at all hours; but I need not be particular on this subject. 
+You can imagine what an artful man would do; and with this guide,
+perhaps, may recollect what you have seen him do."
+
+"Yes," said Anne, "you tell me nothing which does not accord with
+what I have known, or could imagine.  There is always something offensive
+in the details of cunning.  The manoeuvres of selfishness and duplicity
+must ever be revolting, but I have heard nothing which really surprises me. 
+I know those who would be shocked by such a representation of Mr Elliot,
+who would have difficulty in believing it; but I have never been satisfied. 
+I have always wanted some other motive for his conduct than appeared. 
+I should like to know his present opinion, as to the probability
+of the event he has been in dread of; whether he considers the danger
+to be lessening or not."
+
+"Lessening, I understand," replied Mrs Smith.  "He thinks Mrs Clay
+afraid of him, aware that he sees through her, and not daring to proceed
+as she might do in his absence.  But since he must be absent
+some time or other, I do not perceive how he can ever be secure
+while she holds her present influence.  Mrs Wallis has an amusing idea,
+as nurse tells me, that it is to be put into the marriage articles
+when you and Mr Elliot marry, that your father is not to marry Mrs Clay. 
+A scheme, worthy of Mrs Wallis's understanding, by all accounts;
+but my sensible nurse Rooke sees the absurdity of it.  `Why, to be sure,
+ma'am,' said she, `it would not prevent his marrying anybody else.'
+And, indeed, to own the truth, I do not think nurse, in her heart,
+is a very strenuous opposer of Sir Walter's making a second match. 
+She must be allowed to be a favourer of matrimony, you know;
+and (since self will intrude) who can say that she may not have
+some flying visions of attending the next Lady Elliot, through
+Mrs Wallis's recommendation?"
+
+"I am very glad to know all this," said Anne, after a little
+thoughtfulness.  "It will be more painful to me in some respects
+to be in company with him, but I shall know better what to do. 
+My line of conduct will be more direct.  Mr Elliot is evidently
+a disingenuous, artificial, worldly man, who has never had
+any better principle to guide him than selfishness."
+
+But Mr Elliot was not done with.  Mrs Smith had been carried away
+from her first direction, and Anne had forgotten, in the interest
+of her own family concerns, how much had been originally implied
+against him; but her attention was now called to the explanation
+of those first hints, and she listened to a recital which,
+if it did not perfectly justify the unqualified bitterness of Mrs Smith,
+proved him to have been very unfeeling in his conduct towards her;
+very deficient both in justice and compassion.
+
+She learned that (the intimacy between them continuing unimpaired
+by Mr Elliot's marriage) they had been as before always together,
+and Mr Elliot had led his friend into expenses much beyond his fortune. 
+Mrs Smith did not want to take blame to herself, and was most tender
+of throwing any on her husband; but Anne could collect that their income
+had never been equal to their style of living, and that from the first
+there had been a great deal of general and joint extravagance. 
+From his wife's account of him she could discern Mr Smith to have been
+a man of warm feelings, easy temper, careless habits, and not strong
+understanding, much more amiable than his friend, and very unlike him,
+led by him, and probably despised by him.  Mr Elliot, raised by
+his marriage to great affluence, and disposed to every gratification
+of pleasure and vanity which could be commanded without involving himself,
+(for with all his self-indulgence he had become a prudent man),
+and beginning to be rich, just as his friend ought to have found himself
+to be poor, seemed to have had no concern at all for that friend's
+probable finances, but, on the contrary, had been prompting and
+encouraging expenses which could end only in ruin; and the Smiths
+accordingly had been ruined.
+
+The husband had died just in time to be spared the full knowledge of it. 
+They had previously known embarrassments enough to try the friendship
+of their friends, and to prove that Mr Elliot's had better not be tried;
+but it was not till his death that the wretched state of his affairs
+was fully known.  With a confidence in Mr Elliot's regard,
+more creditable to his feelings than his judgement, Mr Smith had
+appointed him the executor of his will; but Mr Elliot would not act,
+and the difficulties and distress which this refusal had heaped on her,
+in addition to the inevitable sufferings of her situation, had been such
+as could not be related without anguish of spirit, or listened to
+without corresponding indignation.
+
+Anne was shewn some letters of his on the occasion, answers to
+urgent applications from Mrs Smith, which all breathed the same
+stern resolution of not engaging in a fruitless trouble, and,
+under a cold civility, the same hard-hearted indifference
+to any of the evils it might bring on her.  It was a dreadful picture
+of ingratitude and inhumanity; and Anne felt, at some moments,
+that no flagrant open crime could have been worse.  She had a great deal
+to listen to; all the particulars of past sad scenes, all the minutiae
+of distress upon distress, which in former conversations had been
+merely hinted at, were dwelt on now with a natural indulgence. 
+Anne could perfectly comprehend the exquisite relief, and was only
+the more inclined to wonder at the composure of her friend's
+usual state of mind.
+
+There was one circumstance in the history of her grievances
+of particular irritation.  She had good reason to believe
+that some property of her husband in the West Indies, which had been
+for many years under a sort of sequestration for the payment of
+its own incumbrances, might be recoverable by proper measures;
+and this property, though not large, would be enough to make her
+comparatively rich.  But there was nobody to stir in it. 
+Mr Elliot would do nothing, and she could do nothing herself,
+equally disabled from personal exertion by her state of bodily weakness,
+and from employing others by her want of money.  She had no
+natural connexions to assist her even with their counsel,
+and she could not afford to purchase the assistance of the law. 
+This was a cruel aggravation of actually streightened means. 
+To feel that she ought to be in better circumstances, that a little trouble
+in the right place might do it, and to fear that delay might be
+even weakening her claims, was hard to bear.
+
+It was on this point that she had hoped to engage Anne's good offices
+with Mr Elliot.  She had previously, in the anticipation
+of their marriage, been very apprehensive of losing her friend by it;
+but on being assured that he could have made no attempt of that nature,
+since he did not even know her to be in Bath, it immediately occurred,
+that something might be done in her favour by the influence of the woman
+he loved, and she had been hastily preparing to interest Anne's feelings,
+as far as the observances due to Mr Elliot's character would allow,
+when Anne's refutation of the supposed engagement changed
+the face of everything; and while it took from her the new-formed hope
+of succeeding in the object of her first anxiety, left her at least
+the comfort of telling the whole story her own way.
+
+After listening to this full description of Mr Elliot, Anne could not but
+express some surprise at Mrs Smith's having spoken of him so favourably
+in the beginning of their conversation.  "She had seemed to recommend
+and praise him!"
+
+"My dear," was Mrs Smith's reply, "there was nothing else to be done. 
+I considered your marrying him as certain, though he might not yet
+have made the offer, and I could no more speak the truth of him,
+than if he had been your husband.  My heart bled for you,
+as I talked of happiness; and yet he is sensible, he is agreeable,
+and with such a woman as you, it was not absolutely hopeless. 
+He was very unkind to his first wife.  They were wretched together. 
+But she was too ignorant and giddy for respect, and he had never loved her. 
+I was willing to hope that you must fare better."
+
+Anne could just acknowledge within herself such a possibility
+of having been induced to marry him, as made her shudder at the idea
+of the misery which must have followed.  It was just possible that
+she might have been persuaded by Lady Russell!  And under such
+a supposition, which would have been most miserable, when time had
+disclosed all, too late?
+
+It was very desirable that Lady Russell should be no longer deceived;
+and one of the concluding arrangements of this important conference,
+which carried them through the greater part of the morning,
+was, that Anne had full liberty to communicate to her friend
+everything relative to Mrs Smith, in which his conduct was involved.
+
+
+
+Chapter 22
+
+
+Anne went home to think over all that she had heard.  In one point,
+her feelings were relieved by this knowledge of Mr Elliot. 
+There was no longer anything of tenderness due to him.  He stood as
+opposed to Captain Wentworth, in all his own unwelcome obtrusiveness;
+and the evil of his attentions last night, the irremediable mischief
+he might have done, was considered with sensations unqualified, unperplexed. 
+Pity for him was all over.  But this was the only point of relief. 
+In every other respect, in looking around her, or penetrating forward,
+she saw more to distrust and to apprehend.  She was concerned
+for the disappointment and pain Lady Russell would be feeling;
+for the mortifications which must be hanging over her father and sister,
+and had all the distress of foreseeing many evils, without knowing
+how to avert any one of them.  She was most thankful for her own
+knowledge of him.  She had never considered herself as entitled to reward
+for not slighting an old friend like Mrs Smith, but here was
+a reward indeed springing from it!  Mrs Smith had been able to tell her
+what no one else could have done.  Could the knowledge have
+been extended through her family?  But this was a vain idea. 
+She must talk to Lady Russell, tell her, consult with her,
+and having done her best, wait the event with as much composure
+as possible; and after all, her greatest want of composure would be
+in that quarter of the mind which could not be opened to Lady Russell;
+in that flow of anxieties and fears which must be all to herself.
+
+
+She found, on reaching home, that she had, as she intended,
+escaped seeing Mr Elliot; that he had called and paid them
+a long morning visit; but hardly had she congratulated herself,
+and felt safe, when she heard that he was coming again in the evening.
+
+"I had not the smallest intention of asking him," said Elizabeth,
+with affected carelessness, "but he gave so many hints;
+so Mrs Clay says, at least."
+
+"Indeed, I do say it.  I never saw anybody in my life spell harder
+for an invitation.  Poor man!  I was really in pain for him;
+for your hard-hearted sister, Miss Anne, seems bent on cruelty."
+
+"Oh!" cried Elizabeth, "I have been rather too much used to the game
+to be soon overcome by a gentleman's hints.  However, when I found
+how excessively he was regretting that he should miss my father
+this morning, I gave way immediately, for I would never really omit
+an opportunity of bring him and Sir Walter together.  They appear to
+so much advantage in company with each other.  Each behaving so pleasantly. 
+Mr Elliot looking up with so much respect."
+
+"Quite delightful!" cried Mrs Clay, not daring, however,
+to turn her eyes towards Anne.  "Exactly like father and son! 
+Dear Miss Elliot, may I not say father and son?"
+
+"Oh! I lay no embargo on any body's words.  If you will have such
+ideas!  But, upon my word, I am scarcely sensible of his attentions
+being beyond those of other men."
+
+"My dear Miss Elliot!" exclaimed Mrs Clay, lifting her hands and eyes,
+and sinking all the rest of her astonishment in a convenient silence.
+
+"Well, my dear Penelope, you need not be so alarmed about him. 
+I did invite him, you know.  I sent him away with smiles. 
+When I found he was really going to his friends at Thornberry Park
+for the whole day to-morrow, I had compassion on him."
+
+Anne admired the good acting of the friend, in being able to shew
+such pleasure as she did, in the expectation and in the actual arrival
+of the very person whose presence must really be interfering with
+her prime object.  It was impossible but that Mrs Clay must hate
+the sight of Mr Elliot; and yet she could assume a most obliging,
+placid look, and appear quite satisfied with the curtailed license
+of devoting herself only half as much to Sir Walter as she would have
+done otherwise.
+
+To Anne herself it was most distressing to see Mr Elliot enter the room;
+and quite painful to have him approach and speak to her. 
+She had been used before to feel that he could not be always quite sincere,
+but now she saw insincerity in everything.  His attentive deference
+to her father, contrasted with his former language, was odious;
+and when she thought of his cruel conduct towards Mrs Smith,
+she could hardly bear the sight of his present smiles and mildness,
+or the sound of his artificial good sentiments. 
+
+She meant to avoid any such alteration of manners as might provoke
+a remonstrance on his side.  It was a great object to her to escape
+all enquiry or eclat; but it was her intention to be as decidedly cool
+to him as might be compatible with their relationship; and to retrace,
+as quietly as she could, the few steps of unnecessary intimacy she had
+been gradually led along.  She was accordingly more guarded,
+and more cool, than she had been the night before.
+
+He wanted to animate her curiosity again as to how and where
+he could have heard her formerly praised; wanted very much
+to be gratified by more solicitation; but the charm was broken: 
+he found that the heat and animation of a public room was necessary
+to kindle his modest cousin's vanity; he found, at least, that it was
+not to be done now, by any of those attempts which he could hazard
+among the too-commanding claims of the others.  He little surmised
+that it was a subject acting now exactly against his interest,
+bringing immediately to her thoughts all those parts of his conduct
+which were least excusable.
+
+She had some satisfaction in finding that he was really going out of Bath
+the next morning, going early, and that he would be gone the greater part
+of two days.  He was invited again to Camden Place the very evening of
+his return; but from Thursday to Saturday evening his absence was certain. 
+It was bad enough that a Mrs Clay should be always before her;
+but that a deeper hypocrite should be added to their party,
+seemed the destruction of everything like peace and comfort. 
+It was so humiliating to reflect on the constant deception practiced
+on her father and Elizabeth; to consider the various sources
+of mortification preparing for them!  Mrs Clay's selfishness was
+not so complicate nor so revolting as his; and Anne would have compounded
+for the marriage at once, with all its evils, to be clear of Mr Elliot's
+subtleties in endeavouring to prevent it.
+
+On Friday morning she meant to go very early to Lady Russell,
+and accomplish the necessary communication; and she would have gone
+directly after breakfast, but that Mrs Clay was also going out
+on some obliging purpose of saving her sister trouble, which
+determined her to wait till she might be safe from such a companion. 
+She saw Mrs Clay fairly off, therefore, before she began to talk
+of spending the morning in Rivers Street.
+
+"Very well," said Elizabeth, "I have nothing to send but my love. 
+Oh! you may as well take back that tiresome book she would lend me,
+and pretend I have read it through.  I really cannot be plaguing myself
+for ever with all the new poems and states of the nation that come out. 
+Lady Russell quite bores one with her new publications. 
+You need not tell her so, but I thought her dress hideous the other night. 
+I used to think she had some taste in dress, but I was ashamed of her
+at the concert.  Something so formal and arrange in her air!
+and she sits so upright!  My best love, of course."
+
+"And mine," added Sir Walter.  "Kindest regards.  And you may say,
+that I mean to call upon her soon.  Make a civil message;
+but I shall only leave my card.  Morning visits are never fair
+by women at her time of life, who make themselves up so little. 
+If she would only wear rouge she would not be afraid of being seen;
+but last time I called, I observed the blinds were let down immediately."
+
+While her father spoke, there was a knock at the door.  Who could it be? 
+Anne, remembering the preconcerted visits, at all hours, of Mr Elliot,
+would have expected him, but for his known engagement seven miles off. 
+After the usual period of suspense, the usual sounds of approach were heard,
+and "Mr and Mrs Charles Musgrove" were ushered into the room.
+
+Surprise was the strongest emotion raised by their appearance;
+but Anne was really glad to see them; and the others were not so sorry
+but that they could put on a decent air of welcome; and as soon
+as it became clear that these, their nearest relations, were not arrived
+with an views of accommodation in that house, Sir Walter and Elizabeth
+were able to rise in cordiality, and do the honours of it very well. 
+They were come to Bath for a few days with Mrs Musgrove, and were
+at the White Hart.  So much was pretty soon understood;
+but till Sir Walter and Elizabeth were walking Mary into
+the other drawing-room, and regaling themselves with her admiration,
+Anne could not draw upon Charles's brain for a regular history
+of their coming, or an explanation of some smiling hints
+of particular business, which had been ostentatiously dropped by Mary,
+as well as of some apparent confusion as to whom their party consisted of.
+
+She then found that it consisted of Mrs Musgrove, Henrietta,
+and Captain Harville, beside their two selves.  He gave her a very plain,
+intelligible account of the whole; a narration in which she saw
+a great deal of most characteristic proceeding.  The scheme
+had received its first impulse by Captain Harville's wanting to
+come to Bath on business.  He had begun to talk of it a week ago;
+and by way of doing something, as shooting was over, Charles had proposed
+coming with him, and Mrs Harville had seemed to like the idea of it
+very much, as an advantage to her husband; but Mary could not bear
+to be left, and had made herself so unhappy about it, that for a day or two
+everything seemed to be in suspense, or at an end.  But then,
+it had been taken up by his father and mother.  His mother had
+some old friends in Bath whom she wanted to see; it was thought
+a good opportunity for Henrietta to come and buy wedding-clothes
+for herself and her sister; and, in short, it ended in being
+his mother's party, that everything might be comfortable and easy
+to Captain Harville; and he and Mary were included in it
+by way of general convenience.  They had arrived late the night before. 
+Mrs Harville, her children, and Captain Benwick, remained with
+Mr Musgrove and Louisa at Uppercross.
+
+Anne's only surprise was, that affairs should be in forwardness enough
+for Henrietta's wedding-clothes to be talked of.  She had imagined
+such difficulties of fortune to exist there as must prevent
+the marriage from being near at hand; but she learned from Charles that,
+very recently, (since Mary's last letter to herself), Charles Hayter
+had been applied to by a friend to hold a living for a youth
+who could not possibly claim it under many years; and that
+on the strength of his present income, with almost a certainty
+of something more permanent long before the term in question,
+the two families had consented to the young people's wishes,
+and that their marriage was likely to take place in a few months,
+quite as soon as Louisa's.  "And a very good living it was,"
+Charles added:  "only five-and-twenty miles from Uppercross,
+and in a very fine country:   fine part of Dorsetshire. 
+In the centre of some of the best preserves in the kingdom,
+surrounded by three great proprietors, each more careful and jealous
+than the other; and to two of the three at least, Charles Hayter might get
+a special recommendation.  Not that he will value it as he ought,"
+he observed, "Charles is too cool about sporting. That's the worst of him."
+
+"I am extremely glad, indeed," cried Anne, "particularly glad
+that this should happen; and that of two sisters, who both deserve
+equally well, and who have always been such good friends,
+the pleasant prospect of one should not be dimming those of the other--
+that they should be so equal in their prosperity and comfort. 
+I hope your father and mother are quite happy with regard to both."
+
+"Oh! yes.  My father would be well pleased if the gentlemen were richer,
+but he has no other fault to find.  Money, you know, coming down with
+money--two daughters at once--it cannot be a very agreeable operation,
+and it streightens him as to many things.  However, I do not mean to say
+they have not a right to it.  It is very fit they should have
+daughters' shares; and I am sure he has always been a very kind,
+liberal father to me.  Mary does not above half like Henrietta's match. 
+She never did, you know.  But she does not do him justice,
+nor think enough about Winthrop.  I cannot make her attend to
+the value of the property.  It is a very fair match, as times go;
+and I have liked Charles Hayter all my life, and I shall not leave off now."
+
+"Such excellent parents as Mr and Mrs Musgrove," exclaimed Anne,
+"should be happy in their children's marriages.  They do everything
+to confer happiness, I am sure.  What a blessing to young people
+to be in such hands!  Your father and mother seem so totally free
+from all those ambitious feelings which have led to so much misconduct
+and misery, both in young and old.  I hope you think Louisa
+perfectly recovered now?"
+
+He answered rather hesitatingly, "Yes, I believe I do; very much recovered;
+but she is altered; there is no running or jumping about, no laughing
+or dancing; it is quite different.  If one happens only to shut the door
+a little hard, she starts and wriggles like a young dab-chick in the water;
+and Benwick sits at her elbow, reading verses, or whispering to her,
+all day long."
+
+Anne could not help laughing.  "That cannot be much to your taste,
+I know," said she; "but I do believe him to be an excellent young man."
+
+"To be sure he is.  Nobody doubts it; and I hope you do not think
+I am so illiberal as to want every man to have the same objects and
+pleasures as myself.  I have a great value for Benwick; and when one can
+but get him to talk, he has plenty to say.  His reading has done him
+no harm, for he has fought as well as read.  He is a brave fellow. 
+I got more acquainted with him last Monday than ever I did before. 
+We had a famous set-to at rat-hunting all the morning in
+my father's great barns; and he played his part so well
+that I have liked him the better ever since."
+
+Here they were interrupted by the absolute necessity of Charles's
+following the others to admire mirrors and china; but Anne had
+heard enough to understand the present state of Uppercross,
+and rejoice in its happiness; and though she sighed as she rejoiced,
+her sigh had none of the ill-will of envy in it.  She would certainly
+have risen to their blessings if she could, but she did not want
+to lessen theirs.
+
+The visit passed off altogether in high good humour.  Mary was
+in excellent spirits, enjoying the gaiety and the change,
+and so well satisfied with the journey in her mother-in-law's carriage
+with four horses, and with her own complete independence of Camden Place,
+that she was exactly in a temper to admire everything as she ought,
+and enter most readily into all the superiorities of the house,
+as they were detailed to her.  She had no demands on her father or sister,
+and her consequence was just enough increased by their handsome
+drawing-rooms.
+
+Elizabeth was, for a short time, suffering a good deal. 
+She felt that Mrs Musgrove and all her party ought to be asked
+to dine with them; but she could not bear to have the difference of style,
+the reduction of servants, which a dinner must betray, witnessed by those
+who had been always so inferior to the Elliots of Kellynch. 
+It was a struggle between propriety and vanity; but vanity got the better,
+and then Elizabeth was happy again.  These were her internal persuasions: 
+"Old fashioned notions; country hospitality; we do not profess
+to give dinners; few people in Bath do; Lady Alicia never does;
+did not even ask her own sister's family, though they were here a month: 
+and I dare say it would be very inconvenient to Mrs Musgrove;
+put her quite out of her way.  I am sure she would rather not come;
+she cannot feel easy with us.  I will ask them all for an evening;
+that will be much better; that will be a novelty and a treat. 
+They have not seen two such drawing rooms before.  They will be delighted
+to come to-morrow evening.  It shall be a regular party, small,
+but most elegant."  And this satisfied Elizabeth:  and when the invitation
+was given to the two present, and promised for the absent,
+Mary was as completely satisfied.  She was particularly asked
+to meet Mr Elliot, and be introduced to Lady Dalrymple and Miss Carteret,
+who were fortunately already engaged to come; and she could not
+have received a more gratifying attention.  Miss Elliot was to have
+the honour of calling on Mrs Musgrove in the course of the morning;
+and Anne walked off with Charles and Mary, to go and see her
+and Henrietta directly.
+
+Her plan of sitting with Lady Russell must give way for the present. 
+They all three called in Rivers Street for a couple of minutes;
+but Anne convinced herself that a day's delay of the intended communication
+could be of no consequence, and hastened forward to the White Hart,
+to see again the friends and companions of the last autumn,
+with an eagerness of good-will which many associations contributed to form.
+
+They found Mrs Musgrove and her daughter within, and by themselves,
+and Anne had the kindest welcome from each.  Henrietta was exactly
+in that state of recently-improved views, of fresh-formed happiness,
+which made her full of regard and interest for everybody she had
+ever liked before at all; and Mrs Musgrove's real affection had been won
+by her usefulness when they were in distress.  It was a heartiness,
+and a warmth, and a sincerity which Anne delighted in the more,
+from the sad want of such blessings at home.  She was entreated
+to give them as much of her time as possible, invited for every day
+and all day long, or rather claimed as part of the family; and, in return,
+she naturally fell into all her wonted ways of attention and assistance,
+and on Charles's leaving them together, was listening to Mrs Musgrove's
+history of Louisa, and to Henrietta's of herself, giving opinions
+on business, and recommendations to shops; with intervals of every help
+which Mary required, from altering her ribbon to settling her accounts;
+from finding her keys, and assorting her trinkets, to trying
+to convince her that she was not ill-used by anybody; which Mary,
+well amused as she generally was, in her station at a window
+overlooking the entrance to the Pump Room, could not but have
+her moments of imagining.
+
+A morning of thorough confusion was to be expected.  A large party
+in an hotel ensured a quick-changing, unsettled scene.  One five minutes
+brought a note, the next a parcel; and Anne had not been there
+half an hour, when their dining-room, spacious as it was,
+seemed more than half filled:  a party of steady old friends
+were seated around Mrs Musgrove, and Charles came back with
+Captains Harville and Wentworth.  The appearance of the latter
+could not be more than the surprise of the moment.  It was impossible
+for her to have forgotten to feel that this arrival of their
+common friends must be soon bringing them together again. 
+Their last meeting had been most important in opening his feelings;
+she had derived from it a delightful conviction; but she feared
+from his looks, that the same unfortunate persuasion, which had
+hastened him away from the Concert Room, still governed. 
+He did not seem to want to be near enough for conversation.
+
+She tried to be calm, and leave things to take their course,
+and tried to dwell much on this argument of rational dependence:--
+"Surely, if there be constant attachment on each side, our hearts
+must understand each other ere long.  We are not boy and girl,
+to be captiously irritable, misled by every moment's inadvertence,
+and wantonly playing with our own happiness."  And yet,
+a few minutes afterwards, she felt as if their being in company
+with each other, under their present circumstances, could only be
+exposing them to inadvertencies and misconstructions of the most
+mischievous kind.
+
+"Anne," cried Mary, still at her window, "there is Mrs Clay,
+I am sure, standing under the colonnade, and a gentleman with her. 
+I saw them turn the corner from Bath Street just now.  They seemed
+deep in talk.  Who is it?  Come, and tell me.  Good heavens! I recollect. 
+It is Mr Elliot himself."
+
+"No," cried Anne, quickly, "it cannot be Mr Elliot, I assure you. 
+He was to leave Bath at nine this morning, and does not come back
+till to-morrow."
+
+As she spoke, she felt that Captain Wentworth was looking at her,
+the consciousness of which vexed and embarrassed her, and made her regret
+that she had said so much, simple as it was.
+
+Mary, resenting that she should be supposed not to know her own cousin,
+began talking very warmly about the family features, and protesting
+still more positively that it was Mr Elliot, calling again upon Anne
+to come and look for herself, but Anne did not mean to stir,
+and tried to be cool and unconcerned.  Her distress returned,
+however, on perceiving smiles and intelligent glances pass between
+two or three of the lady visitors, as if they believed themselves
+quite in the secret.  It was evident that the report concerning her
+had spread, and a short pause succeeded, which seemed to ensure
+that it would now spread farther.
+
+"Do come, Anne" cried Mary, "come and look yourself.  You will be too late
+if you do not make haste.  They are parting; they are shaking hands. 
+He is turning away.  Not know Mr Elliot, indeed!  You seem to have
+forgot all about Lyme."
+
+To pacify Mary, and perhaps screen her own embarrassment,
+Anne did move quietly to the window.  She was just in time to ascertain
+that it really was Mr Elliot, which she had never believed,
+before he disappeared on one side, as Mrs Clay walked quickly off
+on the other; and checking the surprise which she could not but feel
+at such an appearance of friendly conference between two persons
+of totally opposite interest, she calmly said, "Yes, it is Mr Elliot,
+certainly.  He has changed his hour of going, I suppose, that is all,
+or I may be mistaken, I might not attend;" and walked back to her chair,
+recomposed, and with the comfortable hope of having acquitted herself well.
+
+The visitors took their leave; and Charles, having civilly seen them off,
+and then made a face at them, and abused them for coming, began with--
+
+"Well, mother, I have done something for you that you will like. 
+I have been to the theatre, and secured a box for to-morrow night. 
+A'n't I a good boy?  I know you love a play; and there is room for us all. 
+It holds nine.  I have engaged Captain Wentworth.  Anne will
+not be sorry to join us, I am sure.  We all like a play. 
+Have not I done well, mother?"
+
+Mrs Musgrove was good humouredly beginning to express her perfect readiness
+for the play, if Henrietta and all the others liked it, when Mary
+eagerly interrupted her by exclaiming--
+
+"Good heavens, Charles! how can you think of such a thing? 
+Take a box for to-morrow night!  Have you forgot that we are engaged
+to Camden Place to-morrow night? and that we were most particularly asked
+to meet Lady Dalrymple and her daughter, and Mr Elliot, and all
+the principal family connexions, on purpose to be introduced to them? 
+How can you be so forgetful?"
+
+"Phoo! phoo!" replied Charles, "what's an evening party? 
+Never worth remembering.  Your father might have asked us to dinner,
+I think, if he had wanted to see us.  You may do as you like,
+but I shall go to the play."
+
+"Oh! Charles, I declare it will be too abominable if you do,
+when you promised to go."
+
+"No, I did not promise.  I only smirked and bowed, and said the word
+`happy.'  There was no promise."
+
+"But you must go, Charles.  It would be unpardonable to fail. 
+We were asked on purpose to be introduced.  There was always
+such a great connexion between the Dalrymples and ourselves. 
+Nothing ever happened on either side that was not announced immediately. 
+We are quite near relations, you know; and Mr Elliot too,
+whom you ought so particularly to be acquainted with!  Every attention
+is due to Mr Elliot.  Consider, my father's heir:  the future
+representative of the family."
+
+"Don't talk to me about heirs and representatives," cried Charles. 
+"I am not one of those who neglect the reigning power to bow
+to the rising sun.  If I would not go for the sake of your father,
+I should think it scandalous to go for the sake of his heir. 
+What is Mr Elliot to me?"  The careless expression was life to Anne,
+who saw that Captain Wentworth was all attention, looking and
+listening with his whole soul; and that the last words brought
+his enquiring eyes from Charles to herself.
+
+Charles and Mary still talked on in the same style; he, half serious
+and half jesting, maintaining the scheme for the play, and she,
+invariably serious, most warmly opposing it, and not omitting
+to make it known that, however determined to go to Camden Place herself,
+she should not think herself very well used, if they went to the play
+without her.  Mrs Musgrove interposed.
+
+"We had better put it off.  Charles, you had much better go back
+and change the box for Tuesday.  It would be a pity to be divided,
+and we should be losing Miss Anne, too, if there is a party at her father's;
+and I am sure neither Henrietta nor I should care at all for the play,
+if Miss Anne could not be with us."
+
+Anne felt truly obliged to her for such kindness; and quite as much
+so for the opportunity it gave her of decidedly saying--
+
+"If it depended only on my inclination, ma'am, the party at home
+(excepting on Mary's account) would not be the smallest impediment. 
+I have no pleasure in the sort of meeting, and should be too happy
+to change it for a play, and with you.  But, it had better
+not be attempted, perhaps."  She had spoken it; but she trembled
+when it was done, conscious that her words were listened to,
+and daring not even to try to observe their effect.
+
+It was soon generally agreed that Tuesday should be the day;
+Charles only reserving the advantage of still teasing his wife,
+by persisting that he would go to the play to-morrow if nobody else would.
+
+Captain Wentworth left his seat, and walked to the fire-place;
+probably for the sake of walking away from it soon afterwards,
+and taking a station, with less bare-faced design, by Anne.
+
+"You have not been long enough in Bath," said he, "to enjoy
+the evening parties of the place."
+
+"Oh! no.  The usual character of them has nothing for me. 
+I am no card-player."
+
+"You were not formerly, I know.  You did not use to like cards;
+but time makes many changes."
+
+"I am not yet so much changed," cried Anne, and stopped, fearing she
+hardly knew what misconstruction.  After waiting a few moments
+he said, and as if it were the result of immediate feeling,
+"It is a period, indeed!  Eight years and a half is a period."
+
+Whether he would have proceeded farther was left to Anne's imagination
+to ponder over in a calmer hour; for while still hearing the sounds
+he had uttered, she was startled to other subjects by Henrietta,
+eager to make use of the present leisure for getting out,
+and calling on her companions to lose no time, lest somebody else
+should come in.
+
+They were obliged to move.  Anne talked of being perfectly ready,
+and tried to look it; but she felt that could Henrietta have known
+the regret and reluctance of her heart in quitting that chair,
+in preparing to quit the room, she would have found, in all her own
+sensations for her cousin, in the very security of his affection,
+wherewith to pity her.
+
+Their preparations, however, were stopped short.  Alarming sounds
+were heard; other visitors approached, and the door was thrown open
+for Sir Walter and Miss Elliot, whose entrance seemed to give
+a general chill.  Anne felt an instant oppression, and wherever she looked
+saw symptoms of the same.  The comfort, the freedom, the gaiety
+of the room was over, hushed into cold composure, determined silence,
+or insipid talk, to meet the heartless elegance of her father and sister. 
+How mortifying to feel that it was so!
+
+Her jealous eye was satisfied in one particular.  Captain Wentworth
+was acknowledged again by each, by Elizabeth more graciously than before. 
+She even addressed him once, and looked at him more than once. 
+Elizabeth was, in fact, revolving a great measure.  The sequel
+explained it.  After the waste of a few minutes in saying
+the proper nothings, she began to give the invitation which
+was to comprise all the remaining dues of the Musgroves. 
+"To-morrow evening, to meet a few friends:  no formal party." 
+It was all said very gracefully, and the cards with which she had
+provided herself, the "Miss Elliot at home," were laid on the table,
+with a courteous, comprehensive smile to all, and one smile and
+one card more decidedly for Captain Wentworth.  The truth was,
+that Elizabeth had been long enough in Bath to understand
+the importance of a man of such an air and appearance as his. 
+The past was nothing.  The present was that Captain Wentworth
+would move about well in her drawing-room.  The card was pointedly given,
+and Sir Walter and Elizabeth arose and disappeared.
+
+The interruption had been short, though severe, and ease and animation
+returned to most of those they left as the door shut them out,
+but not to Anne.  She could think only of the invitation she had
+with such astonishment witnessed, and of the manner in which
+it had been received; a manner of doubtful meaning, of surprise rather
+than gratification, of polite acknowledgement rather than acceptance. 
+She knew him; she saw disdain in his eye, and could not venture to believe
+that he had determined to accept such an offering, as an atonement
+for all the insolence of the past.  Her spirits sank.  He held the card
+in his hand after they were gone, as if deeply considering it.
+
+"Only think of Elizabeth's including everybody!" whispered Mary
+very audibly.  "I do not wonder Captain Wentworth is delighted! 
+You see he cannot put the card out of his hand."
+
+Anne caught his eye, saw his cheeks glow, and his mouth form itself
+into a momentary expression of contempt, and turned away,
+that she might neither see nor hear more to vex her.
+
+The party separated.  The gentlemen had their own pursuits,
+the ladies proceeded on their own business, and they met no more while
+Anne belonged to them.  She was earnestly begged to return and dine,
+and give them all the rest of the day, but her spirits had been
+so long exerted that at present she felt unequal to more,
+and fit only for home, where she might be sure of being as silent
+as she chose.
+
+Promising to be with them the whole of the following morning, therefore,
+she closed the fatigues of the present by a toilsome walk to Camden Place,
+there to spend the evening chiefly in listening to the busy arrangements
+of Elizabeth and Mrs Clay for the morrow's party, the frequent enumeration
+of the persons invited, and the continually improving detail of all
+the embellishments which were to make it the most completely elegant
+of its kind in Bath, while harassing herself with the never-ending
+question, of whether Captain Wentworth would come or not?  They were
+reckoning him as certain, but with her it was a gnawing solicitude
+never appeased for five minutes together.  She generally thought
+he would come, because she generally thought he ought; but it was a case
+which she could not so shape into any positive act of duty or discretion,
+as inevitably to defy the suggestions of very opposite feelings.
+
+She only roused herself from the broodings of this restless agitation,
+to let Mrs Clay know that she had been seen with Mr Elliot
+three hours after his being supposed to be out of Bath,
+for having watched in vain for some intimation of the interview
+from the lady herself, she determined to mention it, and it seemed to her
+there was guilt in Mrs Clay's face as she listened.  It was transient: 
+cleared away in an instant; but Anne could imagine she read there
+the consciousness of having, by some complication of mutual trick,
+or some overbearing authority of his, been obliged to attend
+(perhaps for half an hour) to his lectures and restrictions on her designs
+on Sir Walter.  She exclaimed, however, with a very tolerable
+imitation of nature: --
+
+"Oh! dear! very true.  Only think, Miss Elliot, to my great surprise
+I met with Mr Elliot in Bath Street.  I was never more astonished. 
+He turned back and walked with me to the Pump Yard.  He had been prevented
+setting off for Thornberry, but I really forget by what;
+for I was in a hurry, and could not much attend, and I can only answer
+for his being determined not to be delayed in his return. 
+He wanted to know how early he might be admitted to-morrow. 
+He was full of `to-morrow,' and it is very evident that I have been
+full of it too, ever since I entered the house, and learnt the extension
+of your plan and all that had happened, or my seeing him could never have
+gone so entirely out of my head."
+
+
+
+Chapter 23
+
+
+One day only had passed since Anne's conversation with Mrs Smith;
+but a keener interest had succeeded, and she was now so little touched
+by Mr Elliot's conduct, except by its effects in one quarter,
+that it became a matter of course the next morning, still to defer
+her explanatory visit in Rivers Street.  She had promised to be
+with the Musgroves from breakfast to dinner.  Her faith was plighted,
+and Mr Elliot's character, like the Sultaness Scheherazade's head,
+must live another day.
+
+She could not keep her appointment punctually, however;
+the weather was unfavourable, and she had grieved over the rain
+on her friends' account, and felt it very much on her own,
+before she was able to attempt the walk.  When she reached the White Hart,
+and made her way to the proper apartment, she found herself
+neither arriving quite in time, nor the first to arrive. 
+The party before her were, Mrs Musgrove, talking to Mrs Croft,
+and Captain Harville to Captain Wentworth; and she immediately heard
+that Mary and Henrietta, too impatient to wait, had gone out the moment
+it had cleared, but would be back again soon, and that the strictest
+injunctions had been left with Mrs Musgrove to keep her there
+till they returned.  She had only to submit, sit down,
+be outwardly composed, and feel herself plunged at once
+in all the agitations which she had merely laid her account of
+tasting a little before the morning closed.  There was no delay,
+no waste of time.  She was deep in the happiness of such misery,
+or the misery of such happiness, instantly.  Two minutes after
+her entering the room, Captain Wentworth said--
+
+"We will write the letter we were talking of, Harville, now,
+if you will give me materials."
+
+Materials were at hand, on a separate table; he went to it,
+and nearly turning his back to them all, was engrossed by writing.
+
+Mrs Musgrove was giving Mrs Croft the history of her eldest
+daughter's engagement, and just in that inconvenient tone of voice
+which was perfectly audible while it pretended to be a whisper. 
+Anne felt that she did not belong to the conversation, and yet,
+as Captain Harville seemed thoughtful and not disposed to talk,
+she could not avoid hearing many undesirable particulars; such as,
+"how Mr Musgrove and my brother Hayter had met again and again
+to talk it over; what my brother Hayter had said one day,
+and what Mr Musgrove had proposed the next, and what had occurred
+to my sister Hayter, and what the young people had wished, and what
+I said at first I never could consent to, but was afterwards persuaded
+to think might do very well," and a great deal in the same style
+of open-hearted communication:  minutiae which, even with every advantage
+of taste and delicacy, which good Mrs Musgrove could not give,
+could be properly interesting only to the principals.  Mrs Croft
+was attending with great good-humour, and whenever she spoke at all,
+it was very sensibly.  Anne hoped the gentlemen might each be
+too much self-occupied to hear.
+
+"And so, ma'am, all these thing considered," said Mrs Musgrove,
+in her powerful whisper, "though we could have wished it different,
+yet, altogether, we did not think it fair to stand out any longer,
+for Charles Hayter was quite wild about it, and Henrietta was
+pretty near as bad; and so we thought they had better marry at once,
+and make the best of it, as many others have done before them. 
+At any rate, said I, it will be better than a long engagement."
+
+"That is precisely what I was going to observe," cried Mrs Croft. 
+"I would rather have young people settle on a small income at once,
+and have to struggle with a few difficulties together, than be
+involved in a long engagement.  I always think that no mutual--"
+
+"Oh! dear Mrs Croft," cried Mrs Musgrove, unable to let her
+finish her speech, "there is nothing I so abominate for young people
+as a long engagement.  It is what I always protested against
+for my children.  It is all very well, I used to say, for young people
+to be engaged, if there is a certainty of their being able to marry
+in six months, or even in twelve; but a long engagement--"
+
+"Yes, dear ma'am," said Mrs Croft, "or an uncertain engagement,
+an engagement which may be long.  To begin without knowing
+that at such a time there will be the means of marrying,
+I hold to be very unsafe and unwise, and what I think all parents
+should prevent as far as they can."
+
+Anne found an unexpected interest here.  She felt its application
+to herself, felt it in a nervous thrill all over her; and at the same
+moment that her eyes instinctively glanced towards the distant table,
+Captain Wentworth's pen ceased to move, his head was raised, pausing,
+listening, and he turned round the next instant to give a look,
+one quick, conscious look at her.
+
+The two ladies continued to talk, to re-urge the same admitted truths,
+and enforce them with such examples of the ill effect of
+a contrary practice as had fallen within their observation,
+but Anne heard nothing distinctly; it was only a buzz of words in her ear,
+her mind was in confusion.
+
+Captain Harville, who had in truth been hearing none of it,
+now left his seat, and moved to a window, and Anne seeming to watch him,
+though it was from thorough absence of mind, became gradually sensible
+that he was inviting her to join him where he stood.  He looked at her
+with a smile, and a little motion of the head, which expressed,
+"Come to me, I have something to say;" and the unaffected,
+easy kindness of manner which denoted the feelings of an older acquaintance
+than he really was, strongly enforced the invitation.  She roused herself
+and went to him.  The window at which he stood was at the other end
+of the room from where the two ladies were sitting, and though nearer
+to Captain Wentworth's table, not very near.  As she joined him,
+Captain Harville's countenance re-assumed the serious, thoughtful
+expression which seemed its natural character.
+
+"Look here," said he, unfolding a parcel in his hand, and displaying
+a small miniature painting, "do you know who that is?"
+
+"Certainly:  Captain Benwick."
+
+"Yes, and you may guess who it is for.  But," (in a deep tone,)
+"it was not done for her.  Miss Elliot, do you remember our
+walking together at Lyme, and grieving for him?  I little thought then--
+but no matter.  This was drawn at the Cape.  He met with
+a clever young German artist at the Cape, and in compliance with a promise
+to my poor sister, sat to him, and was bringing it home for her; 
+and I have now the charge of getting it properly set for another! 
+It was a commission to me!  But who else was there to employ? 
+I hope I can allow for him.  I am not sorry, indeed, to make it
+over to another.  He undertakes it;" (looking towards Captain Wentworth,)
+"he is writing about it now."  And with a quivering lip he wound up
+the whole by adding, "Poor Fanny! she would not have forgotten him so soon!"
+
+"No," replied Anne, in a low, feeling voice. "That I can easily believe."
+
+"It was not in her nature.  She doted on him."
+
+"It would not be the nature of any woman who truly loved."
+
+Captain Harville smiled, as much as to say, "Do you claim that
+for your sex?" and she answered the question, smiling also,
+"Yes.  We certainly do not forget you as soon as you forget us. 
+It is, perhaps, our fate rather than our merit.  We cannot help ourselves. 
+We live at home, quiet, confined, and our feelings prey upon us. 
+You are forced on exertion.  You have always a profession, pursuits,
+business of some sort or other, to take you back into the world immediately,
+and continual occupation and change soon weaken impressions."
+
+"Granting your assertion that the world does all this so soon for men
+(which, however, I do not think I shall grant), it does not apply
+to Benwick.  He has not been forced upon any exertion.  The peace
+turned him on shore at the very moment, and he has been living with us,
+in our little family circle, ever since."
+
+"True," said Anne, "very true; I did not recollect; but what shall
+we say now, Captain Harville?  If the change be not from
+outward circumstances, it must be from within; it must be nature,
+man's nature, which has done the business for Captain Benwick."
+
+"No, no, it is not man's nature.  I will not allow it to be more
+man's nature than woman's to be inconstant and forget those they do love,
+or have loved.  I believe the reverse.  I believe in a true analogy
+between our bodily frames and our mental; and that as our bodies are
+the strongest, so are our feelings; capable of bearing most rough usage,
+and riding out the heaviest weather."
+
+"Your feelings may be the strongest," replied Anne, "but the same spirit
+of analogy will authorise me to assert that ours are the most tender. 
+Man is more robust than woman, but he is not longer lived;
+which exactly explains my view of the nature of their attachments. 
+Nay, it would be too hard upon you, if it were otherwise. 
+You have difficulties, and privations, and dangers enough to struggle with. 
+You are always labouring and toiling, exposed to every risk and hardship. 
+Your home, country, friends, all quitted.  Neither time, nor health,
+nor life, to be called your own.  It would be hard, indeed"
+(with a faltering voice), "if woman's feelings were to be
+added to all this."
+
+"We shall never agree upon this question," Captain Harville
+was beginning to say, when a slight noise called their attention
+to Captain Wentworth's hitherto perfectly quiet division of the room. 
+It was nothing more than that his pen had fallen down; but Anne was
+startled at finding him nearer than she had supposed, and half inclined
+to suspect that the pen had only fallen because he had been
+occupied by them, striving to catch sounds, which yet she did not think
+he could have caught.
+
+"Have you finished your letter?" said Captain Harville.
+
+"Not quite, a few lines more.  I shall have done in five minutes."
+
+"There is no hurry on my side.  I am only ready whenever you are. 
+I am in very good anchorage here," (smiling at Anne,) "well supplied,
+and want for nothing.  No hurry for a signal at all.  Well, Miss Elliot,"
+(lowering his voice,) "as I was saying we shall never agree,
+I suppose, upon this point.  No man and woman, would, probably. 
+But let me observe that all histories are against you--all stories,
+prose and verse.  If I had such a memory as Benwick, I could bring you
+fifty quotations in a moment on my side the argument, and I do not think
+I ever opened a book in my life which had not something to say
+upon woman's inconstancy.  Songs and proverbs, all talk
+of woman's fickleness.  But perhaps you will say, these were all
+written by men."
+
+"Perhaps I shall.  Yes, yes, if you please, no reference to examples
+in books.  Men have had every advantage of us in telling their own story. 
+Education has been theirs in so much higher a degree; the pen has
+been in their hands.  I will not allow books to prove anything."
+
+"But how shall we prove anything?"
+
+"We never shall.  We never can expect to prove any thing upon such a point. 
+It is a difference of opinion which does not admit of proof. 
+We each begin, probably, with a little bias towards our own sex;
+and upon that bias build every circumstance in favour of it
+which has occurred within our own circle; many of which circumstances
+(perhaps those very cases which strike us the most) may be precisely such
+as cannot be brought forward without betraying a confidence,
+or in some respect saying what should not be said."
+
+"Ah!" cried Captain Harville, in a tone of strong feeling,
+"if I could but make you comprehend what a man suffers when he takes
+a last look at his wife and children, and watches the boat
+that he has sent them off in, as long as it is in sight,
+and then turns away and says, `God knows whether we ever meet again!' 
+And then, if I could convey to you the glow of his soul when he does
+see them again; when, coming back after a twelvemonth's absence,
+perhaps, and obliged to put into another port, he calculates how soon
+it be possible to get them there, pretending to deceive himself,
+and saying, `They cannot be here till such a day,' but all the while
+hoping for them twelve hours sooner, and seeing them arrive at last,
+as if Heaven had given them wings, by many hours sooner still! 
+If I could explain to you all this, and all that a man can bear and do,
+and glories to do, for the sake of these treasures of his existence! 
+I speak, you know, only of such men as have hearts!" pressing his own
+with emotion.
+
+"Oh!" cried Anne eagerly, "I hope I do justice to all that is felt by you,
+and by those who resemble you.  God forbid that I should undervalue
+the warm and faithful feelings of any of my fellow-creatures! 
+I should deserve utter contempt if I dared to suppose that true attachment
+and constancy were known only by woman.  No, I believe you capable
+of everything great and good in your married lives.  I believe you equal
+to every important exertion, and to every domestic forbearance,
+so long as--if I may be allowed the expression--so long as you have
+an object.  I mean while the woman you love lives, and lives for you. 
+All the privilege I claim for my own sex (it is not a very enviable one;
+you need not covet it), is that of loving longest, when existence
+or when hope is gone."
+
+She could not immediately have uttered another sentence; her heart
+was too full, her breath too much oppressed.
+
+"You are a good soul," cried Captain Harville, putting his hand
+on her arm, quite affectionately.  "There is no quarreling with you. 
+And when I think of Benwick, my tongue is tied."
+
+Their attention was called towards the others.  Mrs Croft was taking leave.
+
+"Here, Frederick, you and I part company, I believe," said she. 
+"I am going home, and you have an engagement with your friend. 
+To-night we may have the pleasure of all meeting again at your party,"
+(turning to Anne.)  "We had your sister's card yesterday,
+and I understood Frederick had a card too, though I did not see it;
+and you are disengaged, Frederick, are you not, as well as ourselves?"
+
+Captain Wentworth was folding up a letter in great haste, and either
+could not or would not answer fully.
+
+"Yes," said he, "very true; here we separate, but Harville and I
+shall soon be after you; that is, Harville, if you are ready,
+I am in half a minute.  I know you will not be sorry to be off. 
+I shall be at your service in half a minute."
+
+Mrs Croft left them, and Captain Wentworth, having sealed his letter
+with great rapidity, was indeed ready, and had even a hurried,
+agitated air, which shewed impatience to be gone.  Anne know not how
+to understand it.  She had the kindest "Good morning, God bless you!"
+from Captain Harville, but from him not a word, nor a look! 
+He had passed out of the room without a look!
+
+She had only time, however, to move closer to the table where
+he had been writing, when footsteps were heard returning;
+the door opened, it was himself.  He begged their pardon,
+but he had forgotten his gloves, and instantly crossing the room
+to the writing table, he drew out a letter from under the scattered paper,
+placed it before Anne with eyes of glowing entreaty fixed on her
+for a time, and hastily collecting his gloves, was again out of the room,
+almost before Mrs Musgrove was aware of his being in it: 
+the work of an instant!
+
+The revolution which one instant had made in Anne, was almost
+beyond expression.  The letter, with a direction hardly legible,
+to "Miss A. E.--," was evidently the one which he had been folding
+so hastily.  While supposed to be writing only to Captain Benwick,
+he had been also addressing her!  On the contents of that letter
+depended all which this world could do for her.  Anything was possible,
+anything might be defied rather than suspense.  Mrs Musgrove had
+little arrangements of her own at her own table; to their protection
+she must trust, and sinking into the chair which he had occupied,
+succeeding to the very spot where he had leaned and written,
+her eyes devoured the following words: 
+
+
+"I can listen no longer in silence.  I must speak to you by such means
+as are within my reach.  You pierce my soul.  I am half agony,
+half hope.  Tell me not that I am too late, that such precious feelings
+are gone for ever.  I offer myself to you again with a heart
+even more your own than when you almost broke it, eight years
+and a half ago.  Dare not say that man forgets sooner than  woman,
+that his love has an earlier death.  I have loved none but you. 
+Unjust I may have been, weak and resentful I have been,
+but never inconstant.  You alone have brought me to Bath. 
+For you alone, I think and plan.  Have you not seen this? 
+Can you fail to have understood my wishes?  I had not waited even
+these ten days, could I have read your feelings, as I think you must have
+penetrated mine.  I can hardly write.  I am every instant hearing
+something which overpowers me.  You sink your voice, but I can
+distinguish the tones of that voice when they would be lost on others. 
+Too good, too excellent creature!  You do us justice, indeed. 
+You do believe that there is true attachment and constancy among men. 
+Believe it to be most fervent, most undeviating, in F. W.
+
+"I must go, uncertain of my fate; but I shall return hither,
+or follow your party, as soon as possible.  A word, a look,
+will be enough to decide whether I enter your father's house
+this evening or never."
+
+
+Such a letter was not to be soon recovered from.  Half and hour's solitude
+and reflection might have tranquillized her; but the ten minutes only
+which now passed before she was interrupted, with all the restraints
+of her situation, could do nothing towards tranquillity.  Every moment
+rather brought fresh agitation.  It was overpowering happiness. 
+And before she was beyond the first stage of full sensation,
+Charles, Mary, and Henrietta all came in.
+
+The absolute necessity of seeming like herself produced then
+an immediate struggle; but after a while she could do no more. 
+She began not to understand a word they said, and was obliged
+to plead indisposition and excuse herself.  They could then see
+that she looked very ill, were shocked and concerned, and would not
+stir without her for the world.  This was dreadful.  Would they only
+have gone away, and left her in the quiet possession of that room
+it would have been her cure; but to have them all standing or
+waiting around her was distracting, and in desperation,
+she said she would go home.
+
+"By all means, my dear," cried Mrs Musgrove, "go home directly,
+and take care of yourself, that you may be fit for the evening. 
+I wish Sarah was here to doctor you, but I am no doctor myself. 
+Charles, ring and order a chair.  She must not walk."
+
+But the chair would never do.  Worse than all!  To lose the possibility
+of speaking two words to Captain Wentworth in the course of her quiet,
+solitary progress up the town (and she felt almost certain of meeting him)
+could not be borne.  The chair was earnestly protested against,
+and Mrs Musgrove, who thought only of one sort of illness,
+having assured herself with some anxiety, that there had been no fall
+in the case; that Anne had not at any time lately slipped down,
+and got a blow on her head; that she was perfectly convinced of having
+had no fall; could part with her cheerfully, and depend on
+finding her better at night.
+
+Anxious to omit no possible precaution, Anne struggled, and said--
+
+"I am afraid, ma'am, that it is not perfectly understood. 
+Pray be so good as to mention to the other gentlemen that we hope
+to see your whole party this evening.  I am afraid there had been
+some mistake; and I wish you particularly to assure Captain Harville
+and Captain Wentworth, that we hope to see them both."
+
+"Oh! my dear, it is quite understood, I give you my word. 
+Captain Harville has no thought but of going."
+
+"Do you think so?  But I am afraid; and I should be so very sorry. 
+Will you promise me to mention it, when you see them again? 
+You will see them both this morning, I dare say.  Do promise me."
+
+"To be sure I will, if you wish it.  Charles, if you see Captain Harville
+anywhere, remember to give Miss Anne's message.  But indeed, my dear,
+you need not be uneasy.  Captain Harville holds himself quite engaged,
+I'll answer for it; and Captain Wentworth the same, I dare say."
+
+Anne could do no more; but her heart prophesied some mischance
+to damp the perfection of her felicity.  It could not be very lasting,
+however.  Even if he did not come to Camden Place himself,
+it would be in her power to send an intelligible sentence
+by Captain Harville.  Another momentary vexation occurred. 
+Charles, in his real concern and good nature, would go home with her;
+there was no preventing him.  This was almost cruel.  But she could not
+be long ungrateful; he was sacrificing an engagement at a gunsmith's,
+to be of use to her; and she set off with him, with no feeling
+but gratitude apparent.
+
+They were on Union Street, when a quicker step behind, a something
+of familiar sound, gave her two moments' preparation for the sight
+of Captain Wentworth.  He joined them; but, as if irresolute
+whether to join or to pass on, said nothing, only looked. 
+Anne could command herself enough to receive that look,
+and not repulsively.  The cheeks which had been pale now glowed,
+and the movements which had hesitated were decided.  He walked by her side. 
+Presently, struck by a sudden thought, Charles said--
+
+"Captain Wentworth, which way are you going?  Only to Gay Street,
+or farther up the town?"
+
+"I hardly know," replied Captain Wentworth, surprised.
+
+"Are you going as high as Belmont?  Are you going near Camden Place? 
+Because, if you are, I shall have no scruple in asking you
+to take my place, and give Anne your arm to her father's door. 
+She is rather done for this morning, and must not go so far without help,
+and I ought to be at that fellow's in the Market Place. 
+He promised me the sight of a capital gun he is just going to send off;
+said he would keep it unpacked to the last possible moment,
+that I might see it; and if I do not turn back now, I have no chance. 
+By his description, a good deal like the second size double-barrel of mine,
+which you shot with one day round Winthrop."
+
+There could not be an objection.  There could be only the most
+proper alacrity, a most obliging compliance for public view;
+and smiles reined in and spirits dancing in private rapture. 
+In half a minute Charles was at the bottom of Union Street again,
+and the other two proceeding together:  and soon words enough had passed
+between them to decide their direction towards the comparatively quiet
+and retired gravel walk, where the power of conversation would make
+the present hour a blessing indeed, and prepare it for all
+the immortality which the happiest recollections of their own future lives
+could bestow.  There they exchanged again those feelings
+and those promises which had once before seemed to secure everything,
+but which had been followed by so many, many years of division
+and estrangement.  There they returned again into the past,
+more exquisitely happy, perhaps, in their re-union, than when
+it had been first projected; more tender, more tried, more fixed
+in a knowledge of each other's character, truth, and attachment;
+more equal to act, more justified in acting.  And there, as they slowly
+paced the gradual ascent, heedless of every group around them,
+seeing neither sauntering politicians, bustling housekeepers,
+flirting girls, nor nursery-maids and children, they could indulge in
+those retrospections and acknowledgements, and especially in
+those explanations of what had directly preceded the present moment,
+which were so poignant and so ceaseless in interest.  All the little
+variations of the last week were gone through; and of yesterday
+and today there could scarcely be an end.
+
+She had not mistaken him.  Jealousy of Mr Elliot had been
+the retarding weight, the doubt, the torment.  That had begun to operate
+in the very hour of first meeting her in Bath; that had returned,
+after a short suspension, to ruin the concert; and that had influenced him
+in everything he had said and done, or omitted to say and do,
+in the last four-and-twenty hours.  It had been gradually yielding
+to the better hopes which her looks, or words, or actions
+occasionally encouraged; it had been vanquished at last by
+those sentiments and those tones which had reached him while she talked
+with Captain Harville; and under the irresistible governance of which
+he had seized a sheet of paper, and poured out his feelings.
+
+Of what he had then written, nothing was to be retracted or qualified. 
+He persisted in having loved none but her.  She had never been supplanted. 
+He never even believed himself to see her equal.  Thus much indeed
+he was obliged to acknowledge:  that he had been constant unconsciously,
+nay unintentionally; that he had meant to forget her, and believed it
+to be done.  He had imagined himself indifferent, when he had only
+been angry; and he had been unjust to her merits, because he had been
+a sufferer from them.  Her character was now fixed on his mind
+as perfection itself, maintaining the loveliest medium of fortitude
+and gentleness; but he was obliged to acknowledge that only at Uppercross
+had he learnt to do her justice, and only at Lyme had he begun
+to understand himself.  At Lyme, he had received lessons
+of more than one sort.  The passing admiration of Mr Elliot
+had at least roused him, and the scenes on the Cobb and at
+Captain Harville's had fixed her superiority.
+
+In his preceding attempts to attach himself to Louisa Musgrove
+(the attempts of angry pride), he protested that he had for ever
+felt it to be impossible; that he had not cared, could not care,
+for Louisa; though till that day, till the leisure for reflection
+which followed it, he had not understood the perfect excellence
+of the mind with which Louisa's could so ill bear a comparison,
+or the perfect unrivalled hold it possessed over his own. 
+There, he had learnt to distinguish between the steadiness of principle
+and the obstinacy of self-will, between the darings of heedlessness
+and the resolution of a collected mind.  There he had seen everything
+to exalt in his estimation the woman he had lost; and there begun
+to deplore the pride, the folly, the madness of resentment,
+which had kept him from trying to regain her when thrown in his way.
+
+From that period his penance had become severe.  He had no sooner
+been free from the horror and remorse attending the first few days
+of Louisa's accident, no sooner begun to feel himself alive again,
+than he had begun to feel himself, though alive, not at liberty.
+
+"I found," said he, "that I was considered by Harville an engaged man! 
+That neither Harville nor his wife entertained a doubt of our
+mutual attachment.  I was startled and shocked.  To a degree,
+I could contradict this instantly; but, when I began to reflect
+that others might have felt the same--her own family, nay,
+perhaps herself--I was no longer at my own disposal.  I was hers in honour
+if she wished it.  I had been unguarded.  I had not thought seriously
+on this subject before.  I had not considered that my excessive intimacy
+must have its danger of ill consequence in many ways; and that I had
+no right to be trying whether I could attach myself to either of the girls,
+at the risk of raising even an unpleasant report, were there no other
+ill effects.  I had been grossly wrong, and must abide the consequences."
+
+He found too late, in short, that he had entangled himself;
+and that precisely as he became fully satisfied of his not caring
+for Louisa at all, he must regard himself as bound to her,
+if her sentiments for him were what the Harvilles supposed. 
+It determined him to leave Lyme, and await her complete recovery elsewhere. 
+He would gladly weaken, by any fair means, whatever feelings or
+speculations concerning him might exist; and he went, therefore,
+to his brother's, meaning after a while to return to Kellynch,
+and act as circumstances might require.
+
+"I was six weeks with Edward," said he, "and saw him happy. 
+I could have no other pleasure.  I deserved none.  He enquired after you
+very particularly; asked even if you were personally altered,
+little suspecting that to my eye you could never alter."
+
+Anne smiled, and let it pass.  It was too pleasing a blunder
+for a reproach.  It is something for a woman to be assured,
+in her eight-and-twentieth year, that she has not lost one charm
+of earlier youth; but the value of such homage was inexpressibly increased
+to Anne, by comparing it with former words, and feeling it to be
+the result, not the cause of a revival of his warm attachment.
+
+He had remained in Shropshire, lamenting the blindness of his own pride,
+and the blunders of his own calculations, till at once released from Louisa
+by the astonishing and felicitous intelligence of her engagement
+with Benwick.
+
+"Here," said he, "ended the worst of my state; for now I could at least
+put myself in the way of happiness; I could exert myself;
+I could do something.  But to be waiting so long in inaction,
+and waiting only for evil, had been dreadful.  Within the first
+five minutes I said, `I will be at Bath on Wednesday,' and I was. 
+Was it unpardonable to think it worth my while to come? and to arrive
+with some degree of hope?  You were single.  It was possible that
+you might retain the feelings of the past, as I did; and one encouragement
+happened to be mine.  I could never doubt that you would be loved and
+sought by others, but I knew to a certainty that you had refused one man,
+at least, of better pretensions than myself; and I could not help
+often saying, `Was this for me?'"
+
+Their first meeting in Milsom Street afforded much to be said,
+but the concert still more.  That evening seemed to be made up
+of exquisite moments.  The moment of her stepping forward
+in the Octagon Room to speak to him:  the moment of Mr Elliot's appearing
+and tearing her away, and one or two subsequent moments,
+marked by returning hope or increasing despondency, were dwelt on
+with energy.
+
+"To see you," cried he, "in the midst of those who could not be
+my well-wishers; to see your cousin close by you, conversing and smiling,
+and feel all the horrible eligibilities and proprieties of the match! 
+To consider it as the certain wish of every being who could hope
+to influence you!  Even if your own feelings were reluctant or indifferent,
+to consider what powerful supports would be his!  Was it not enough
+to make the fool of me which I appeared?  How could I look on
+without agony?  Was not the very sight of the friend who sat behind you,
+was not the recollection of what had been, the knowledge of her influence,
+the indelible, immoveable impression of what persuasion had once done--
+was it not all against me?"
+
+"You should have distinguished," replied Anne.  "You should not have
+suspected me now; the case is so different, and my age is so different. 
+If I was wrong in yielding to persuasion once, remember that
+it was to persuasion exerted on the side of safety, not of risk. 
+When I yielded, I thought it was to duty, but no duty could be called
+in aid here.  In marrying a man indifferent to me, all risk
+would have been incurred, and all duty violated."
+
+"Perhaps I ought to have reasoned thus," he replied, "but I could not. 
+I could not derive benefit from the late knowledge I had acquired
+of your character.  I could not bring it into play; it was overwhelmed,
+buried, lost in those earlier feelings which I had been smarting under
+year after year.  I could think of you only as one who had yielded,
+who had given me up, who had been influenced by any one rather than by me. 
+I saw you with the very person who had guided you in that year of misery. 
+I had no reason to believe her of less authority now.  The force of habit
+was to be added."
+
+"I should have thought," said Anne, "that my manner to yourself
+might have spared you much or all of this."
+
+"No, no! your manner might be only the ease which your engagement
+to another man would give.  I left you in this belief; and yet,
+I was determined to see you again.  My spirits rallied with the morning,
+and I felt that I had still a motive for remaining here."
+
+At last Anne was at home again, and happier than any one in that house
+could have conceived.  All the surprise and suspense, and every other
+painful part of the morning dissipated by this conversation,
+she re-entered the house so happy as to be obliged to find an alloy
+in some momentary apprehensions of its being impossible to last. 
+An interval of meditation, serious and grateful, was the best corrective
+of everything dangerous in such high-wrought felicity; and she went
+to her room, and grew steadfast and fearless in the thankfulness
+of her enjoyment.
+
+The evening came, the drawing-rooms were lighted up, the company assembled. 
+It was but a card party, it was but a mixture of those who had
+never met before, and those who met too often; a commonplace business,
+too numerous for intimacy, too small for variety; but Anne had never found
+an evening shorter.  Glowing and lovely in sensibility and happiness,
+and more generally admired than she thought about or cared for,
+she had cheerful or forbearing feelings for every creature around her. 
+Mr Elliot was there; she avoided, but she could pity him. 
+The Wallises, she had amusement in understanding them.  Lady Dalrymple
+and Miss Carteret--they would soon be innoxious cousins to her. 
+She cared not for Mrs Clay, and had nothing to blush for in
+the public manners of her father and sister.  With the Musgroves,
+there was the happy chat of perfect ease; with Captain Harville,
+the kind-hearted intercourse of brother and sister; with Lady Russell,
+attempts at conversation, which a delicious consciousness cut short;
+with Admiral and Mrs Croft, everything of peculiar cordiality and
+fervent interest, which the same consciousness sought to conceal;
+and with Captain Wentworth, some moments of communications
+continually occurring, and always the hope of more, and always
+the knowledge of his being there.
+
+It was in one of these short meetings, each apparently occupied
+in admiring a fine display of greenhouse plants, that she said--
+
+"I have been thinking over the past, and trying impartially
+to judge of the right and wrong, I mean with regard to myself;
+and I must believe that I was right, much as I suffered from it,
+that I was perfectly right in being guided by the friend whom
+you will love better than you do now.  To me, she was in the place
+of a parent.  Do not mistake me, however.  I am not saying
+that she did not err in her advice.  It was, perhaps, one of those cases
+in which advice is good or bad only as the event decides;
+and for myself, I certainly never should, in any circumstance
+of tolerable similarity, give such advice.  But I mean, that I was right
+in submitting to her, and that if I had done otherwise, I should have
+suffered more in continuing the engagement than I did even in giving it up,
+because I should have suffered in my conscience.  I have now,
+as far as such a sentiment is allowable in human nature, nothing
+to reproach myself with; and if I mistake not, a strong sense of duty
+is no bad part of a woman's portion."
+
+He looked at her, looked at Lady Russell, and looking again at her,
+replied, as if in cool deliberation--
+
+"Not yet.  But there are hopes of her being forgiven in time. 
+I trust to being in charity with her soon.  But I too have been
+thinking over the past, and a  question has suggested itself,
+whether there may not have been one person more my enemy
+even than that lady?  My own self.  Tell me if, when I returned
+to England in the year eight, with a few thousand pounds,
+and was posted into the Laconia, if I had then written to you,
+would you have answered my letter?  Would you, in short,
+have renewed the engagement then?"
+
+"Would I!" was all her answer; but the accent was decisive enough.
+
+"Good God!" he cried, "you would!  It is not that I did not think of it,
+or desire it, as what could alone crown all my other success;
+but I was proud, too proud to ask again.  I did not understand you. 
+I shut my eyes, and would not understand you, or do you justice. 
+This is a recollection which ought to make me forgive every one
+sooner than myself.  Six years of separation and suffering
+might have been spared.  It is a sort of pain, too, which is new to me. 
+I have been used to the gratification of believing myself to earn
+every blessing that I enjoyed.  I have valued myself on honourable toils
+and just rewards.  Like other great men under reverses," he added,
+with a smile. "I must endeavour to subdue my mind to my fortune. 
+I must learn to brook being happier than I deserve."
+
+
+
+Chapter 24
+
+
+Who can be in doubt of what followed?  When any two young people
+take it into their heads to marry, they are pretty sure by perseverance
+to carry their point, be they ever so poor, or ever so imprudent,
+or ever so little likely to be necessary to each other's ultimate comfort. 
+This may be bad morality to conclude with, but I believe it to be truth;
+and if such parties succeed, how should a Captain Wentworth and
+an Anne Elliot, with the advantage of maturity of mind,
+consciousness of right, and one independent fortune between them,
+fail of bearing down every opposition?  They might in fact,
+have borne down a great deal more than they met with, for there was
+little to distress them beyond the want of graciousness and warmth. 
+Sir Walter made no objection, and Elizabeth did nothing worse
+than look cold and unconcerned.  Captain Wentworth, with five-and-twenty
+thousand pounds, and as high in his profession as merit and activity
+could place him, was no longer nobody.  He was now esteemed quite worthy
+to address the daughter of a foolish, spendthrift baronet,
+who had not had principle or sense enough to maintain himself
+in the situation in which Providence had placed him, and who could
+give his daughter at present but a small part of the share
+of ten thousand pounds which must be hers hereafter.
+
+Sir Walter, indeed, though he had no affection for Anne,
+and no vanity flattered, to make him really happy on the occasion,
+was very far from thinking it a bad match for her.  On the contrary,
+when he saw more of Captain Wentworth, saw him repeatedly by daylight,
+and eyed him well, he was very much struck by his personal claims,
+and felt that his superiority of appearance might be not unfairly balanced
+against her superiority of rank; and all this, assisted by
+his well-sounding name, enabled Sir Walter at last to prepare his pen,
+with a very good grace, for the insertion of the marriage
+in the volume of honour.
+
+The only one among them, whose opposition of feeling could excite
+any serious anxiety was Lady Russell.  Anne knew that Lady Russell
+must be suffering some pain in understanding and relinquishing Mr Elliot,
+and be making some struggles to become truly acquainted with,
+and do justice to Captain Wentworth.  This however was what
+Lady Russell had now to do.  She must learn to feel that she had
+been mistaken with regard to both; that she had been unfairly influenced
+by appearances in each; that because Captain Wentworth's manners
+had not suited her own ideas, she had been too quick in suspecting them
+to indicate a character of dangerous impetuosity; and that because
+Mr Elliot's manners had precisely pleased her in their propriety
+and correctness, their general politeness and suavity, she had been
+too quick in receiving them as the certain result of the most correct
+opinions and well-regulated mind.  There was nothing less
+for Lady Russell to do, than to admit that she had been
+pretty completely wrong, and to take up a new set of opinions
+and of hopes.
+
+There is a quickness of perception in some, a nicety in the discernment
+of character, a natural penetration, in short, which no experience
+in others can equal, and Lady Russell had been less gifted
+in this part of understanding than her young friend.  But she was
+a very good woman, and if her second object was to be sensible
+and well-judging, her first was to see Anne happy.  She loved Anne
+better than she loved her own abilities; and when the awkwardness
+of the beginning was over, found little hardship in attaching herself
+as a mother to the man who was securing the happiness of her other child.
+
+Of all the family, Mary was probably the one most immediately gratified
+by the circumstance.  It was creditable to have a sister married,
+and she might flatter herself with having been greatly instrumental
+to the connexion, by keeping Anne with her in the autumn;
+and as her own sister must be better than her husband's sisters,
+it was very agreeable that Captain Wentworth should be a richer man than
+either Captain Benwick or Charles Hayter.  She had something to suffer,
+perhaps, when they came into contact again, in seeing Anne restored
+to the rights of seniority, and the mistress of a very pretty landaulette;
+but she had a future to look forward to, of powerful consolation. 
+Anne had no Uppercross Hall before her, no landed estate,
+no headship of a family; and if they could but keep Captain Wentworth
+from being made a baronet, she would not change situations with Anne.
+
+It would be well for the eldest sister if she were equally satisfied
+with her situation, for a change is not very probable there. 
+She had soon the mortification of seeing Mr Elliot withdraw,
+and no one of proper condition has since presented himself to raise
+even the unfounded hopes which sunk with him.
+
+The news of his cousins Anne's engagement burst on Mr Elliot
+most unexpectedly.  It deranged his best plan of domestic happiness,
+his best hope of keeping Sir Walter single by the watchfulness
+which a son-in-law's rights would have given.  But, though discomfited
+and disappointed, he could still do something for his own interest
+and his own enjoyment.  He soon quitted Bath; and on Mrs Clay's
+quitting it soon afterwards, and being next heard of as established
+under his protection in London, it was evident how double a game
+he had been playing, and how determined he was to save himself
+from being cut out by one artful woman, at least.
+
+Mrs Clay's affections had overpowered her interest, and she had sacrificed,
+for the young man's sake, the possibility of scheming longer
+for Sir Walter.  She has abilities, however, as well as affections;
+and it is now a doubtful point whether his cunning, or hers,
+may finally carry the day; whether, after preventing her from being
+the wife of Sir Walter, he may not be wheedled and caressed at last
+into making her the wife of Sir William.
+
+It cannot be doubted that Sir Walter and Elizabeth were shocked
+and mortified by the loss of their companion, and the discovery of
+their deception in her.  They had their great cousins, to be sure,
+to resort to for comfort; but they must long feel that to flatter
+and follow others, without being flattered and followed in turn,
+is but a state of half enjoyment.
+
+Anne, satisfied at a very early period of Lady Russell's meaning
+to love Captain Wentworth as she ought, had no other alloy
+to the happiness of her prospects than what arose from the consciousness
+of having no relations to bestow on him which a man of sense could value. 
+There she felt her own inferiority very keenly.  The disproportion
+in their fortune was nothing; it did not give her a moment's regret;
+but to have no family to receive and estimate him properly,
+nothing of respectability, of harmony, of good will to offer
+in return for all the worth and all the prompt welcome which met her
+in his brothers and sisters, was a source of as lively pain
+as her mind could well be sensible of under circumstances of otherwise
+strong felicity.  She had but two friends in the world to add to his list,
+Lady Russell and Mrs Smith.  To those, however, he was very well disposed
+to attach himself.  Lady Russell, in spite of all her former transgressions,
+he could now value from his heart.  While he was not obliged to say
+that he believed her to have been right in originally dividing them,
+he was ready to say almost everything else in her favour,
+and as for Mrs Smith, she had claims of various kinds to recommend her
+quickly and permanently.
+
+Her recent good offices by Anne had been enough in themselves,
+and their marriage, instead of depriving her of one friend,
+secured her two.  She was their earliest visitor in their settled life;
+and Captain Wentworth, by putting her in the way of recovering
+her husband's property in the West Indies, by writing for her,
+acting for her, and seeing her through all the petty difficulties
+of the case with the activity and exertion of a fearless man
+and a determined friend, fully requited the services which
+she had rendered, or ever meant to render, to his wife.
+
+Mrs Smith's enjoyments were not spoiled by this improvement of income,
+with some improvement of health, and the acquisition of such friends
+to be often with, for her cheerfulness and mental alacrity did not
+fail her; and while these prime supplies of good remained, she might have
+bid defiance even to greater accessions of worldly prosperity. 
+She might have been absolutely rich and perfectly healthy,
+and yet be happy.  Her spring of felicity was in the glow
+of her spirits, as her friend Anne's was in the warmth of her heart. 
+Anne was tenderness itself, and she had the full worth of it
+in Captain Wentworth's affection.  His profession was all that could ever
+make her friends wish that tenderness less, the dread of a future war
+all that could dim her sunshine.  She gloried in being a sailor's wife,
+but she must pay the tax of quick alarm for belonging to that profession
+which is, if possible, more distinguished in its domestic virtues
+than in its national importance.
+
+
+
+	      Finis
+
+
+End of the Project Gutenberg Etext of Persuasion by Jane Austen
+
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+The Project Gutenberg Etext of Persuasion by Jane Austen
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+Title: Persuasion
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+Author: Jane Austen
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+February, 1994  [Etext #105]
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+The Project Gutenberg Etext of Persuasion by Jane Austen
+
+
+
+
+
+
+Persuasion by Jane Austen (1818)
+
+
+
+
+Chapter 1
+
+
+Sir Walter Elliot, of Kellynch Hall, in Somersetshire, was a man who,
+for his own amusement, never took up any book but the Baronetage;
+there he found occupation for an idle hour, and consolation in a
+distressed one; there his faculties were roused into admiration and
+respect, by contemplating the limited remnant of the earliest patents;
+there any unwelcome sensations, arising from domestic affairs
+changed naturally into pity and contempt as he turned over
+the almost endless creations of the last century; and there,
+if every other leaf were powerless, he could read his own history
+with an interest which never failed.  This was the page at which
+the favourite volume always opened:
+
+           "ELLIOT OF KELLYNCH HALL.
+
+"Walter Elliot, born March 1, 1760, married, July 15, 1784, Elizabeth,
+daughter of James Stevenson, Esq. of South Park, in the county of
+Gloucester, by which lady (who died 1800) he has issue Elizabeth,
+born June 1, 1785; Anne, born August 9, 1787; a still-born son,
+November 5, 1789; Mary, born November 20, 1791."
+
+Precisely such had the paragraph originally stood from the printer's hands;
+but Sir Walter had improved it by adding, for the information of
+himself and his family, these words, after the date of Mary's birth--
+"Married, December 16, 1810, Charles, son and heir of Charles
+Musgrove, Esq. of Uppercross, in the county of Somerset,"
+and by inserting most accurately the day of the month on which
+he had lost his wife.
+
+Then followed the history and rise of the ancient and respectable family,
+in the usual terms; how it had been first settled in Cheshire;
+how mentioned in Dugdale, serving the office of high sheriff,
+representing a borough in three successive parliaments,
+exertions of loyalty, and dignity of baronet, in the first year
+of Charles II, with all the Marys and Elizabeths they had married;
+forming altogether two handsome duodecimo pages, and concluding with
+the arms and motto:--"Principal seat, Kellynch Hall, in the county
+of Somerset," and Sir Walter's handwriting again in this finale:--
+
+"Heir presumptive, William Walter Elliot, Esq., great grandson of
+the second Sir Walter."
+
+Vanity was the beginning and the end of Sir Walter Elliot's character;
+vanity of person and of situation.  He had been remarkably handsome
+in his youth; and, at fifty-four, was still a very fine man.
+Few women could think more of their personal appearance than he did,
+nor could the valet of any new made lord be more delighted with
+the place he held in society.  He considered the blessing of beauty
+as inferior only to the blessing of a baronetcy; and the Sir Walter Elliot,
+who united these gifts, was the constant object of his warmest respect
+and devotion.
+
+His good looks and his rank had one fair claim on his attachment;
+since to them he must have owed a wife of very superior character
+to any thing deserved by his own.  Lady Elliot had been an excellent woman,
+sensible and amiable; whose judgement and conduct, if they might be
+pardoned the youthful infatuation which made her Lady Elliot,
+had never required indulgence afterwards.--She had humoured,
+or softened, or concealed his failings, and promoted his real
+respectability for seventeen years; and though not the very happiest
+being in the world herself, had found enough in her duties, her friends,
+and her children, to attach her to life, and make it no matter of
+indifference to her when she was called on to quit them.
+--Three girls, the two eldest sixteen and fourteen, was an awful legacy
+for a mother to bequeath, an awful charge rather, to confide to
+the authority and guidance of a conceited, silly father.
+She had, however, one very intimate friend, a sensible, deserving woman,
+who had been brought, by strong attachment to herself, to settle
+close by her, in the village of Kellynch; and on her kindness and advice,
+Lady Elliot mainly relied for the best help and maintenance of
+the good principles and instruction which she had been anxiously
+giving her daughters.
+
+This friend, and Sir Walter, did not marry, whatever might have been
+anticipated on that head by their acquaintance.  Thirteen years
+had passed away since Lady Elliot's death, and they were still
+near neighbours and intimate friends, and one remained a widower,
+the other a widow.
+
+That Lady Russell, of steady age and character, and extremely
+well provided for, should have no thought of a second marriage,
+needs no apology to the public, which is rather apt to be unreasonably
+discontented when a woman does marry again, than when she does not;
+but Sir Walter's continuing in singleness requires explanation.
+Be it known then, that Sir Walter, like a good father, (having met with
+one or two private disappointments in very unreasonable applications),
+prided himself on remaining single for his dear daughters' sake.
+For one daughter, his eldest, he would really have given up any thing,
+which he had not been very much tempted to do.  Elizabeth had succeeded,
+at sixteen, to all that was possible, of her mother's rights
+and consequence; and being very handsome, and very like himself,
+her influence had always been great, and they had gone on together
+most happily.  His two other children were of very inferior value.
+Mary had acquired a little artificial importance, by becoming
+Mrs Charles Musgrove; but Anne, with an elegance of mind and sweetness
+of character, which must have placed her high with any people
+of real understanding, was nobody with either father or sister;
+her word had no weight, her convenience was always to give way--
+she was only Anne.
+
+To Lady Russell, indeed, she was a most dear and highly valued
+god-daughter, favourite, and friend.  Lady Russell loved them all;
+but it was only in Anne that she could fancy the mother to revive again.
+
+A few years before, Anne Elliot had been a very pretty girl,
+but her bloom had vanished early; and as even in its height,
+her father had found little to admire in her, (so totally different
+were her delicate features and mild dark eyes from his own),
+there could be nothing in them, now that she was faded and thin,
+to excite his esteem. He had never indulged much hope, he had now none,
+of ever reading her name in any other page of his favourite work.
+All equality of alliance must rest with Elizabeth, for Mary had merely
+connected herself with an old country family of respectability and
+large fortune, and had therefore given all the honour and received none:
+Elizabeth would, one day or other, marry suitably.
+
+It sometimes happens that a woman is handsomer at twenty-nine than
+she was ten years before; and, generally speaking, if there has been
+neither ill health nor anxiety, it is a time of life at which scarcely any
+charm is lost.  It was so with Elizabeth, still the same handsome
+Miss Elliot that she had begun to be thirteen years ago, and Sir Walter
+might be excused, therefore, in forgetting her age, or, at least,
+be deemed only half a fool, for thinking himself and Elizabeth
+as blooming as ever, amidst the wreck of the good looks of everybody else;
+for he could plainly see how old all the rest of his family and
+acquaintance were growing.  Anne haggard, Mary coarse, every face
+in the neighbourhood worsting, and the rapid increase of the crow's foot
+about Lady Russell's temples had long been a distress to him.
+
+Elizabeth did not quite equal her father in personal contentment.
+Thirteen years had seen her mistress of Kellynch Hall, presiding and
+directing with a self-possession and decision which could never have given
+the idea of her being younger than she was.  For thirteen years had
+she been doing the honours, and laying down the domestic law at home,
+and leading the way to the chaise and four, and walking immediately after
+Lady Russell out of all the drawing-rooms and dining-rooms in the country.
+Thirteen winters' revolving frosts had seen her opening every ball
+of credit which a scanty neighbourhood afforded, and thirteen springs
+shewn their blossoms, as she travelled up to London with her father,
+for a few weeks' annual enjoyment of the great world.  She had
+the remembrance of all this, she had the consciousness of being
+nine-and-twenty to give her some regrets and some apprehensions;
+she was fully satisfied of being still quite as handsome as ever,
+but she felt her approach to the years of danger, and would have rejoiced
+to be certain of being properly solicited by baronet-blood within
+the next twelvemonth or two.  Then might she again take up
+the book of books with as much enjoyment as in her early youth,
+but now she liked it not.  Always to be presented with the date of
+her own birth and see no marriage follow but that of a youngest sister,
+made the book an evil; and more than once, when her father had left it
+open on the table near her, had she closed it, with averted eyes,
+and pushed it away.
+
+She had had a disappointment, moreover, which that book,
+and especially the history of her own family, must ever present
+the remembrance of.  The heir presumptive, the very William Walter
+Elliot, Esq., whose rights had been so generously supported
+by her father, had disappointed her.
+
+She had, while a very young girl, as soon as she had known him to be,
+in the event of her having no brother, the future baronet,
+meant to marry him, and her father had always meant that she should.
+He had not been known to them as a boy; but soon after Lady Elliot's death,
+Sir Walter had sought the acquaintance, and though his overtures
+had not been met with any warmth, he had persevered in seeking it,
+making allowance for the modest drawing-back of youth; and, in one of
+their spring excursions to London, when Elizabeth was in her first bloom,
+Mr Elliot had been forced into the introduction.
+
+He was at that time a very young man, just engaged in the study of the law;
+and Elizabeth found him extremely agreeable, and every plan in his favour
+was confirmed.  He was invited to Kellynch Hall; he was talked of
+and expected all the rest of the year; but he never came.
+The following spring he was seen again in town, found equally agreeable,
+again encouraged, invited, and expected, and again he did not come;
+and the next tidings were that he was married.  Instead of pushing
+his fortune in the line marked out for the heir of the house of Elliot,
+he had purchased independence by uniting himself to a rich woman
+of inferior birth.
+
+Sir Walter has resented it.  As the head of the house, he felt that
+he ought to have been consulted, especially after taking the young man
+so publicly by the hand; "For they must have been seen together,"
+he observed, "once at Tattersall's, and twice in the lobby of
+the House of Commons."  His disapprobation was expressed,
+but apparently very little regarded.  Mr Elliot had attempted no apology,
+and shewn himself as unsolicitous of being longer noticed by the family,
+as Sir Walter considered him unworthy of it:  all acquaintance between
+them had ceased.
+
+This very awkward history of Mr Elliot was still, after an interval
+of several years, felt with anger by Elizabeth, who had liked the man
+for himself, and still more for being her father's heir, and whose
+strong family pride could see only in him a proper match for Sir Walter
+Elliot's eldest daughter.  There was not a baronet from A to Z whom
+her feelings could have so willingly acknowledged as an equal.
+Yet so miserably had he conducted himself, that though she was
+at this present time (the summer of 1814) wearing black ribbons
+for his wife, she could not admit him to be worth thinking of again.
+The disgrace of his first marriage might, perhaps, as there was
+no reason to suppose it perpetuated by offspring, have been got over,
+had he not done worse; but he had, as by the accustomary intervention
+of kind friends, they had been informed, spoken most disrespectfully
+of them all, most slightingly and contemptuously of the very blood
+he belonged to, and the honours which were hereafter to be his own.
+This could not be pardoned.
+
+Such were Elizabeth Elliot's sentiments and sensations; such the cares
+to alloy, the agitations to vary, the sameness and the elegance,
+the prosperity and the nothingness of her scene of life;
+such the feelings to give interest to a long, uneventful residence
+in one country circle, to fill the vacancies which there were no habits
+of utility abroad, no talents or accomplishments for home, to occupy.
+
+But now, another occupation and solicitude of mind was beginning to be
+added to these.  Her father was growing distressed for money.
+She knew, that when he now took up the Baronetage, it was to drive
+the heavy bills of his tradespeople, and the unwelcome hints of
+Mr Shepherd, his agent, from his thoughts.  The Kellynch property was good,
+but not equal to Sir Walter's apprehension of the state required
+in its possessor.  While Lady Elliot lived, there had been method,
+moderation, and economy, which had just kept him within his income;
+but with her had died all such right-mindedness, and from that period
+he had been constantly exceeding it.  It had not been possible
+for him to spend less; he had done nothing but what Sir Walter Elliot
+was imperiously called on to do; but blameless as he was, he was
+not only growing dreadfully in debt, but was hearing of it so often,
+that it became vain to attempt concealing it longer, even partially,
+from his daughter.  He had given her some hints of it the last spring
+in town; he had gone so far even as to say, "Can we retrench?
+Does it occur to you that there is any one article in which
+we can retrench?" and Elizabeth, to do her justice, had, in the first
+ardour of female alarm, set seriously to think what could be done,
+and had finally proposed these two branches of economy, to cut off
+some unnecessary charities, and to refrain from new furnishing
+the drawing-room; to which expedients she afterwards added
+the happy thought of their taking no present down to Anne,
+as had been the usual yearly custom.  But these measures,
+however good in themselves, were insufficient for the real extent
+of the evil, the whole of which Sir Walter found himself obliged
+to confess to her soon afterwards.  Elizabeth had nothing to propose
+of deeper efficacy.  She felt herself ill-used and unfortunate,
+as did her father; and they were neither of them able to devise
+any means of lessening their expenses without compromising their dignity,
+or relinquishing their comforts in a way not to be borne.
+
+There was only a small part of his estate that Sir Walter could dispose of;
+but had every acre been alienable, it would have made no difference.
+He had condescended to mortgage as far as he had the power,
+but he would never condescend to sell.  No; he would never disgrace
+his name so far.  The Kellynch estate should be transmitted whole
+and entire, as he had received it.
+
+Their two confidential friends, Mr Shepherd, who lived in
+the neighbouring market town, and Lady Russell, were called to advise them;
+and both father and daughter seemed to expect that something should be
+struck out by one or the other to remove their embarrassments
+and reduce their expenditure, without involving the loss of
+any indulgence of taste or pride.
+
+
+
+Chapter 2
+
+
+Mr Shepherd, a civil, cautious lawyer, who, whatever might be his hold
+or his views on Sir Walter, would rather have the disagreeable
+prompted by anybody else, excused himself from offering the slightest hint,
+and only begged leave to recommend an implicit reference to
+the excellent judgement of Lady Russell, from whose known good sense
+he fully expected to have just such resolute measures advised as
+he meant to see finally adopted.
+
+Lady Russell was most anxiously zealous on the subject, and gave it
+much serious consideration.  She was a woman rather of sound than of
+quick abilities, whose difficulties in coming to any decision
+in this instance were great, from the opposition of two leading principles.
+She was of strict integrity herself, with a delicate sense of honour;
+but she was as desirous of saving Sir Walter's feelings, as solicitous
+for the credit of the family, as aristocratic in her ideas of what
+was due to them, as anybody of sense and honesty could well be.
+She was a benevolent, charitable, good woman, and capable of
+strong attachments, most correct in her conduct, strict in her notions
+of decorum, and with manners that were held a standard of good-breeding.
+She had a cultivated mind, and was, generally speaking,
+rational and consistent; but she had prejudices on the side of ancestry;
+she had a value for rank and consequence, which blinded her a little
+to the faults of those who possessed them.  Herself the widow of
+only a knight, she gave the dignity of a baronet all its due;
+and Sir Walter, independent of his claims as an old acquaintance,
+an attentive neighbour, an obliging landlord, the husband of her
+very dear friend, the father of Anne and her sisters, was,
+as being Sir Walter, in her apprehension, entitled to a great deal
+of compassion and consideration under his present difficulties.
+
+They must retrench; that did not admit of a doubt.  But she was
+very anxious to have it done with the least possible pain to him
+and Elizabeth. She drew up plans of economy, she made exact calculations,
+and she did what nobody else thought of doing:  she consulted Anne,
+who never seemed considered by the others as having any interest
+in the question. She consulted, and in a degree was influenced by her
+in marking out the scheme of retrenchment which was at last submitted
+to Sir Walter. Every emendation of Anne's had been on the side of
+honesty against importance.  She wanted more vigorous measures,
+a more complete reformation, a quicker release from debt,
+a much higher tone of indifference for everything but justice and equity.
+
+"If we can persuade your father to all this," said Lady Russell,
+looking over her paper, "much may be done.  If he will adopt
+these regulations, in seven years he will be clear; and I hope
+we may be able to convince him and Elizabeth, that Kellynch Hall has
+a respectability in itself which cannot be affected by these reductions;
+and that the true dignity of Sir Walter Elliot will be very far from
+lessened in the eyes of sensible people, by acting like a man of principle.
+What will he be doing, in fact, but what very many of our first families
+have done, or ought to do?  There will be nothing singular in his case;
+and it is singularity which often makes the worst part of our suffering,
+as it always does of our conduct.  I have great hope of prevailing.
+We must be serious and decided; for after all, the person who
+has contracted debts must pay them; and though a great deal is due to
+the feelings of the gentleman, and the head of a house, like your father,
+there is still more due to the character of an honest man."
+
+This was the principle on which Anne wanted her father to be proceeding,
+his friends to be urging him.  She considered it as an act
+of indispensable duty to clear away the claims of creditors with
+all the expedition which the most comprehensive retrenchments
+could secure, and saw no dignity in anything short of it.
+She wanted it to be prescribed, and felt as a duty.  She rated
+Lady Russell's influence highly; and as to the severe degree
+of self-denial which her own conscience prompted, she believed
+there might be little more difficulty in persuading them to a complete,
+than to half a reformation.  Her knowledge of her father
+and Elizabeth inclined her to think that the sacrifice of one pair
+of horses would be hardly less painful than of both, and so on,
+through the whole list of Lady Russell's too gentle reductions.
+
+How Anne's more rigid requisitions might have been taken
+is of little consequence.  Lady Russell's had no success at all:
+could not be put up with, were not to be borne. "What! every comfort
+of life knocked off!  Journeys, London, servants, horses, table--
+contractions and restrictions every where!  To live no longer
+with the decencies even of a private gentleman!  No, he would sooner
+quit Kellynch Hall at once, than remain in it on such disgraceful terms."
+
+"Quit Kellynch Hall."  The hint was immediately taken up by Mr Shepherd,
+whose interest was involved in the reality of Sir Walter's retrenching,
+and who was perfectly persuaded that nothing would be done without
+a change of abode.  "Since the idea had been started in the very quarter
+which ought to dictate, he had no scruple," he said, "in confessing
+his judgement to be entirely on that side.  It did not appear to him
+that Sir Walter could materially alter his style of living in a house
+which had such a character of hospitality and ancient dignity to support.
+In any other place Sir Walter might judge for himself; and would
+be looked up to, as regulating the modes of life in whatever way
+he might choose to model his household."
+
+Sir Walter would quit Kellynch Hall; and after a very few days more
+of doubt and indecision, the great question of whither he should go
+was settled, and the first outline of this important change made out.
+
+There had been three alternatives, London, Bath, or another house
+in the country.  All Anne's wishes had been for the latter.
+A small house in their own neighbourhood, where they might still have
+Lady Russell's society, still be near Mary, and still have the pleasure
+of sometimes seeing the lawns and groves of Kellynch, was the object
+of her ambition.  But the usual fate of Anne attended her,
+in having something very opposite from her inclination fixed on.
+She disliked Bath, and did not think it agreed with her;
+and Bath was to be her home.
+
+Sir Walter had at first thought more of London; but Mr Shepherd felt
+that he could not be trusted in London, and had been skilful enough
+to dissuade him from it, and make Bath preferred.  It was a much safer
+place for a gentleman in his predicament:  he might there be important
+at comparatively little expense.  Two material advantages of Bath
+over London had of course been given all their weight:  its more convenient
+distance from Kellynch, only fifty miles, and Lady Russell's spending
+some part of every winter there; and to the very great satisfaction
+of Lady Russell, whose first views on the projected change had been
+for Bath, Sir Walter and Elizabeth were induced to believe that
+they should lose neither consequence nor enjoyment by settling there.
+
+Lady Russell felt obliged to oppose her dear Anne's known wishes.
+It would be too much to expect Sir Walter to descend into a small house
+in his own neighbourhood.  Anne herself would have found
+the mortifications of it more than she foresaw, and to Sir Walter's
+feelings they must have been dreadful.  And with regard to Anne's
+dislike of Bath, she considered it as a prejudice and mistake arising,
+first, from the circumstance of her having been three years
+at school there, after her mother's death; and secondly,
+from her happening to be not in perfectly good spirits the only winter
+which she had afterwards spent there with herself.
+
+Lady Russell was fond of Bath, in short, and disposed to think
+it must suit them all; and as to her young friend's health,
+by passing all the warm months with her at Kellynch Lodge,
+every danger would be avoided; and it was in fact, a change which must
+do both health and spirits good.  Anne had been too little from home,
+too little seen. Her spirits were not high.  A larger society
+would improve them.  She wanted her to be more known.
+
+The undesirableness of any other house in the same neighbourhood
+for Sir Walter was certainly much strengthened by one part,
+and a very material part of the scheme, which had been happily
+engrafted on the beginning.  He was not only to quit his home,
+but to see it in the hands of others; a trial of fortitude,
+which stronger heads than Sir Walter's have found too much.
+Kellynch Hall was to be let.  This, however, was a profound secret,
+not to be breathed beyond their own circle.
+
+Sir Walter could not have borne the degradation of being known
+to design letting his house.  Mr Shepherd had once mentioned the word
+"advertise," but never dared approach it again.  Sir Walter spurned
+the idea of its being offered in any manner; forbad the slightest hint
+being dropped of his having such an intention; and it was only on
+the supposition of his being spontaneously solicited by some most
+unexceptionable applicant, on his own terms, and as a great favour,
+that he would let it at all.
+
+How quick come the reasons for approving what we like!  Lady Russell had
+another excellent one at hand, for being extremely glad that Sir Walter
+and his family were to remove from the country.  Elizabeth had been
+lately forming an intimacy, which she wished to see interrupted.
+It was with the daughter of Mr Shepherd, who had returned,
+after an unprosperous marriage, to her father's house, with
+the additional burden of two children.  She was a clever young woman,
+who understood the art of pleasing--the art of pleasing, at least,
+at Kellynch Hall; and who had made herself so acceptable to Miss Elliot,
+as to have been already staying there more than once, in spite of all
+that Lady Russell, who thought it a friendship quite out of place,
+could hint of caution and reserve.
+
+Lady Russell, indeed, had scarcely any influence with Elizabeth,
+and seemed to love her, rather because she would love her,
+than because Elizabeth deserved it.  She had never received from her more
+than outward attention, nothing beyond the observances of complaisance;
+had never succeeded in any point which she wanted to carry,
+against previous inclination.  She had been repeatedly very earnest
+in trying to get Anne included in the visit to London, sensibly open
+to all the injustice and all the discredit of the selfish arrangements
+which shut her out, and on many lesser occasions had endeavoured
+to give Elizabeth the advantage of her own better judgement and experience;
+but always in vain:  Elizabeth would go her own way; and never had she
+pursued it in more decided opposition to Lady Russell than in
+this selection of Mrs Clay; turning from the society of so deserving
+a sister, to bestow her affection and confidence on one who ought
+to have been nothing to her but the object of distant civility.
+
+From situation, Mrs Clay was, in Lady Russell's estimate, a very unequal,
+and in her character she believed a very dangerous companion;
+and a removal that would leave Mrs Clay behind, and bring a choice
+of more suitable intimates within Miss Elliot's reach, was therefore
+an object of first-rate importance.
+
+
+
+Chapter 3
+
+
+"I must take leave to observe, Sir Walter," said Mr Shepherd
+one morning at Kellynch Hall, as he laid down the newspaper,
+"that the present juncture is much in our favour.  This peace will
+be turning all our rich naval officers ashore.  They will be
+all wanting a home.  Could not be a better time, Sir Walter,
+for having a choice of tenants, very responsible tenants.
+Many a noble fortune has been made during the war.  If a rich admiral
+were to come in our way, Sir Walter--"
+
+"He would be a very lucky man, Shepherd," replied Sir Walter;
+"that's all I have to remark.  A prize indeed would Kellynch Hall
+be to him; rather the greatest prize of all, let him have taken
+ever so many before; hey, Shepherd?"
+
+Mr Shepherd laughed, as he knew he must, at this wit, and then added--
+
+"I presume to observe, Sir Walter, that, in the way of business,
+gentlemen of the navy are well to deal with.  I have had a little knowledge
+of their methods of doing business; and I am free to confess that they
+have very liberal notions, and are as likely to make desirable tenants
+as any set of people one should meet with.  Therefore, Sir Walter,
+what I would take leave to suggest is, that if in consequence of
+any rumours getting abroad of your intention; which must be contemplated
+as a possible thing, because we know how difficult it is to keep
+the actions and designs of one part of the world from the notice
+and curiosity of the other; consequence has its tax; I, John Shepherd,
+might conceal any family-matters that I chose, for nobody would think it
+worth their while to observe me; but Sir Walter Elliot has eyes upon him
+which it may be very difficult to elude; and therefore, thus much
+I venture upon, that it will not greatly surprise me if,
+with all our caution, some rumour of the truth should get abroad;
+in the supposition of which, as I was going to observe, since applications
+will unquestionably follow, I should think any from our wealthy
+naval commanders particularly worth attending to; and beg leave to add,
+that two hours will bring me over at any time, to save you
+the trouble of replying."
+
+Sir Walter only nodded.  But soon afterwards, rising and pacing the room,
+he observed sarcastically--
+
+"There are few among the gentlemen of the navy, I imagine, who would
+not be surprised to find themselves in a house of this description."
+
+"They would look around them, no doubt, and bless their good fortune,"
+said Mrs Clay, for Mrs Clay was present:  her father had driven her over,
+nothing being of so much use to Mrs Clay's health as a drive to Kellynch:
+"but I quite agree with my father in thinking a sailor might be
+a very desirable tenant.  I have known a good deal of the profession;
+and besides their liberality, they are so neat and careful
+in all their ways!  These valuable pictures of yours, Sir Walter,
+if you chose to leave them, would be perfectly safe.  Everything in
+and about the house would be taken such excellent care of!
+The gardens and shrubberies would be kept in almost as high order
+as they are now.  You need not be afraid, Miss Elliot, of your own
+sweet flower gardens being neglected."
+
+"As to all that," rejoined Sir Walter coolly, "supposing I were induced
+to let my house, I have by no means made up my mind as to the privileges
+to be annexed to it.  I am not particularly disposed to favour a tenant.
+The park would be open to him of course, and few navy officers,
+or men of any other description, can have had such a range;
+but what restrictions I might impose on the use of the pleasure-grounds,
+is another thing.  I am not fond of the idea of my shrubberies being
+always approachable; and I should recommend Miss Elliot to be on her guard
+with respect to her flower garden.  I am very little disposed
+to grant a tenant of Kellynch Hall any extraordinary favour,
+I assure you, be he sailor or soldier."
+
+After a short pause, Mr Shepherd presumed to say--
+
+"In all these cases, there are established usages which
+make everything plain and easy between landlord and tenant.
+Your interest, Sir Walter, is in pretty safe hands.  Depend upon me
+for taking care that no tenant has more than his just rights.
+I venture to hint, that Sir Walter Elliot cannot be half so jealous
+for his own, as John Shepherd will be for him."
+
+Here Anne spoke--
+
+"The navy, I think, who have done so much for us, have at least
+an equal claim with any other set of men, for all the comforts and
+all the privileges which any home can give.  Sailors work hard enough
+for their comforts, we must all allow."
+
+"Very true, very true.  What Miss Anne says, is very true,"
+was Mr Shepherd's rejoinder, and "Oh! certainly," was his daughter's;
+but Sir Walter's remark was, soon afterwards--
+
+"The profession has its utility, but I should be sorry to see
+any friend of mine belonging to it."
+
+"Indeed!" was the reply, and with a look of surprise.
+
+"Yes; it is in two points offensive to me; I have two strong grounds
+of objection to it.  First, as being the means of bringing persons
+of obscure birth into undue distinction, and raising men to honours
+which their fathers and grandfathers never dreamt of; and secondly,
+as it cuts up a man's youth and vigour most horribly; a sailor grows old
+sooner than any other man.  I have observed it all my life.
+A man is in greater danger in the navy of being insulted by the rise
+of one whose father, his father might have disdained to speak to,
+and of becoming prematurely an object of disgust himself, than in
+any other line.  One day last spring, in town, I was in company
+with two men, striking instances of what I am talking of;
+Lord St Ives, whose father we all know to have been a country curate,
+without bread to eat; I was to give place to Lord St Ives,
+and a certain Admiral Baldwin, the most deplorable-looking personage
+you can imagine; his face the colour of mahogany, rough and rugged
+to the last degree; all lines and wrinkles, nine grey hairs of a side,
+and nothing but a dab of powder at top.  `In the name of heaven,
+who is that old fellow?' said I to a friend of mine who was standing near,
+(Sir Basil Morley).  `Old fellow!' cried Sir Basil, `it is Admiral Baldwin.
+What do you take his age to be?'  `Sixty,' said I, `or perhaps sixty-two.'
+`Forty,' replied Sir Basil, `forty, and no more.'  Picture to yourselves
+my amazement; I shall not easily forget Admiral Baldwin.
+I never saw quite so wretched an example of what a sea-faring life can do;
+but to a degree, I know it is the same with them all:  they are all
+knocked about, and exposed to every climate, and every weather,
+till they are not fit to be seen.  It is a pity they are not knocked
+on the head at once, before they reach Admiral Baldwin's age."
+
+"Nay, Sir Walter," cried Mrs Clay, "this is being severe indeed.
+Have a little mercy on the poor men.  We are not all born to be handsome.
+The sea is no beautifier, certainly; sailors do grow old betimes;
+I have observed it; they soon lose the look of youth.  But then,
+is not it the same with many other professions, perhaps most other?
+Soldiers, in active service, are not at all better off:  and even in
+the quieter professions, there is a toil and a labour of the mind,
+if not of the body, which seldom leaves a man's looks to the natural
+effect of time.  The lawyer plods, quite care-worn; the physician
+is up at all hours, and travelling in all weather; and even
+the clergyman--" she stopt a moment to consider what might
+do for the clergyman;--"and even the clergyman, you know is obliged
+to go into infected rooms, and expose his health and looks to
+all the injury of a poisonous atmosphere.  In fact, as I have
+long been convinced, though every profession is necessary and honourable
+in its turn, it is only the lot of those who are not obliged to follow any,
+who can live in a regular way, in the country, choosing their own hours,
+following their own pursuits, and living on their own property,
+without the torment of trying for more; it is only their lot, I say,
+to hold the blessings of health and a good appearance to the utmost:
+I know no other set of men but what lose something of their personableness
+when they cease to be quite young."
+
+It seemed as if Mr Shepherd, in this anxiety to bespeak
+Sir Walter's good will towards a naval officer as tenant,
+had been gifted with foresight; for the very first application
+for the house was from an Admiral Croft, with whom he shortly afterwards
+fell into company in attending the quarter sessions at Taunton; and indeed,
+he had received a hint of the Admiral from a London correspondent.
+By the report which he hastened over to Kellynch to make,
+Admiral Croft was a native of Somersetshire, who having acquired
+a very handsome fortune, was wishing to settle in his own country,
+and had come down to Taunton in order to look at some advertised places
+in that immediate neighbourhood, which, however, had not suited him;
+that accidentally hearing--(it was just as he had foretold,
+Mr Shepherd observed, Sir Walter's concerns could not be kept a secret,)--
+accidentally hearing of the possibility of Kellynch Hall being to let,
+and understanding his (Mr Shepherd's) connection with the owner,
+he had introduced himself to him in order to make particular inquiries,
+and had, in the course of a pretty long conference, expressed as strong
+an inclination for the place as a man who knew it only by description
+could feel; and given Mr Shepherd, in his explicit account of himself,
+every proof of his being a most responsible, eligible tenant.
+
+"And who is Admiral Croft?" was Sir Walter's cold suspicious inquiry.
+
+Mr Shepherd answered for his being of a gentleman's family,
+and mentioned a place; and Anne, after the little pause which followed,
+added--
+
+"He is a rear admiral of the white.  He was in the Trafalgar action,
+and has been in the East Indies since; he was stationed there,
+I believe, several years."
+
+"Then I take it for granted," observed Sir Walter, "that his face
+is about as orange as the cuffs and capes of my livery."
+
+Mr Shepherd hastened to assure him, that Admiral Croft was a very hale,
+hearty, well-looking man, a little weather-beaten, to be sure,
+but not much, and quite the gentleman in all his notions and behaviour;
+not likely to make the smallest difficulty about terms, only wanted
+a comfortable home, and to get into it as soon as possible;
+knew he must pay for his convenience; knew what rent a ready-furnished
+house of that consequence might fetch; should not have been surprised
+if Sir Walter had asked more; had inquired about the manor;
+would be glad of the deputation, certainly, but made no great point of it;
+said he sometimes took out a gun, but never killed; quite the gentleman.
+
+Mr Shepherd was eloquent on the subject; pointing out all
+the circumstances of the Admiral's family, which made him
+peculiarly desirable as a tenant.  He was a married man,
+and without children; the very state to be wished for.  A house was
+never taken good care of, Mr Shepherd observed, without a lady:
+he did not know, whether furniture might not be in danger of suffering
+as much where there was no lady, as where there were many children.
+A lady, without a family, was the very best preserver of furniture
+in the world.  He had seen Mrs Croft, too; she was at Taunton
+with the admiral, and had been present almost all the time they were
+talking the matter over.
+
+"And a very well-spoken, genteel, shrewd lady, she seemed to be,"
+continued he; "asked more questions about the house, and terms, and
+taxes, than the Admiral himself, and seemed more conversant with
+business; and moreover, Sir Walter, I found she was not quite
+unconnected in this country, any more than her husband; that is to
+say, she is sister to a gentleman who did live amongst us once; she
+told me so herself: sister to the gentleman who lived a few years back
+at Monkford. Bless me! what was his name? At this moment I cannot
+recollect his name, though I have heard it so lately. Penelope, my
+dear, can you help me to the name of the gentleman who lived at
+Monkford: Mrs Croft's brother?"
+
+But Mrs Clay was talking so eagerly with Miss Elliot, that she did not
+hear the appeal.
+
+"I have no conception whom you can mean, Shepherd; I remember
+no gentleman resident at Monkford since the time of old Governor Trent."
+
+"Bless me! how very odd!  I shall forget my own name soon, I suppose.
+A name that I am so very well acquainted with; knew the gentleman
+so well by sight; seen him a hundred times; came to consult me once,
+I remember, about a trespass of one of his neighbours; farmer's man
+breaking into his orchard; wall torn down; apples stolen;
+caught in the fact; and afterwards, contrary to my judgement,
+submitted to an amicable compromise.  Very odd indeed!"
+
+After waiting another moment--
+
+"You mean Mr Wentworth, I suppose?" said Anne.
+
+Mr Shepherd was all gratitude.
+
+"Wentworth was the very name!  Mr Wentworth was the very man.
+He had the curacy of Monkford, you know, Sir Walter, some time back,
+for two or three years.  Came there about the year ---5, I take it.
+You remember him, I am sure."
+
+"Wentworth?  Oh! ay,--Mr Wentworth, the curate of Monkford.
+You misled me by the term gentleman.  I thought you were speaking of
+some man of property:  Mr Wentworth was nobody, I remember;
+quite unconnected; nothing to do with the Strafford family.
+One wonders how the names of many of our nobility become so common."
+
+As Mr Shepherd perceived that this connexion of the Crofts did them
+no service with Sir Walter, he mentioned it no more; returning,
+with all his zeal, to dwell on the circumstances more indisputably
+in their favour; their age, and number, and fortune; the high idea
+they had formed of Kellynch Hall, and extreme solicitude for
+the advantage of renting it; making it appear as if they ranked
+nothing beyond the happiness of being the tenants of Sir Walter Elliot:
+an extraordinary taste, certainly, could they have been supposed in
+the secret of Sir Walter's estimate of the dues of a tenant.
+
+It succeeded, however; and though Sir Walter must ever look with
+an evil eye on anyone intending to inhabit that house, and think them
+infinitely too well off in being permitted to rent it on the highest terms,
+he was talked into allowing Mr Shepherd to proceed in the treaty,
+and authorising him to wait on Admiral Croft, who still remained
+at Taunton, and fix a day for the house being seen.
+
+Sir Walter was not very wise; but still he had experience enough
+of the world to feel, that a more unobjectionable tenant,
+in all essentials, than Admiral Croft bid fair to be, could hardly offer.
+So far went his understanding; and his vanity supplied a little
+additional soothing, in the Admiral's situation in life, which was just
+high enough, and not too high.  "I have let my house to Admiral Croft,"
+would sound extremely well; very much better than to any mere Mr--;
+a Mr (save, perhaps, some half dozen in the nation,) always needs
+a note of explanation.  An admiral speaks his own consequence,
+and, at the same time, can never make a baronet look small.
+In all their dealings and intercourse, Sir Walter Elliot must ever
+have the precedence.
+
+Nothing could be done without a reference to Elizabeth:
+but her inclination was growing so strong for a removal,
+that she was happy to have it fixed and expedited by a tenant at hand;
+and not a word to suspend decision was uttered by her.
+
+Mr Shepherd was completely empowered to act; and no sooner had
+such an end been reached, than Anne, who had been a most attentive listener
+to the whole, left the room, to seek the comfort of cool air for her
+flushed cheeks; and as she walked along a favourite grove, said,
+with a gentle sigh, "A few months more, and he, perhaps,
+may be walking here."
+
+
+
+Chapter 4
+
+
+He was not Mr Wentworth, the former curate of Monkford,
+however suspicious appearances may be, but a Captain Frederick Wentworth,
+his brother, who being made commander in consequence of the action
+off St Domingo, and not immediately employed, had come into Somersetshire,
+in the summer of 1806; and having no parent living, found a home
+for half a year at Monkford.  He was, at that time, a remarkably fine
+young man, with a great deal of intelligence, spirit, and brilliancy;
+and Anne an extremely pretty girl, with gentleness, modesty, taste,
+and feeling.  Half the sum of attraction, on either side, might have
+been enough, for he had nothing to do, and she had hardly anybody to love;
+but the encounter of such lavish recommendations could not fail.
+They were gradually acquainted, and when acquainted, rapidly and
+deeply in love.  It would be difficult to say which had seen
+highest perfection in the other, or which had been the happiest:
+she, in receiving his declarations and proposals, or he in
+having them accepted.
+
+A short period of exquisite felicity followed, and but a short one.
+Troubles soon arose.  Sir Walter, on being applied to, without actually
+withholding his consent, or saying it should never be, gave it all
+the negative of great astonishment, great coldness, great silence,
+and a professed resolution of doing nothing for his daughter.
+He thought it a very degrading alliance; and Lady Russell, though with
+more tempered and pardonable pride, received it as a most unfortunate one.
+
+Anne Elliot, with all her claims of birth, beauty, and mind,
+to throw herself away at nineteen; involve herself at nineteen
+in an engagement with a young man, who had nothing but himself
+to recommend him, and no hopes of attaining affluence, but in the chances
+of a most uncertain profession, and no connexions to secure
+even his farther rise in the profession, would be, indeed, a throwing away,
+which she grieved to think of!  Anne Elliot, so young; known to so few,
+to be snatched off by a stranger without alliance or fortune;
+or rather sunk by him into a state of most wearing, anxious,
+youth-killing dependence!  It must not be, if by any fair interference
+of friendship, any representations from one who had almost a mother's love,
+and mother's rights, it would be prevented.
+
+Captain Wentworth had no fortune.  He had been lucky in his profession;
+but spending freely, what had come freely, had realized nothing.
+But he was confident that he should soon be rich:
+full of life and ardour, he knew that he should soon have a ship,
+and soon be on a station that would lead to everything he wanted.
+He had always been lucky; he knew he should be so still.
+Such confidence, powerful in its own warmth, and bewitching in
+the wit which often expressed it, must have been enough for Anne;
+but Lady Russell saw it very differently.  His sanguine temper,
+and fearlessness of mind, operated very differently on her.
+She saw in it but an aggravation of the evil.  It only added a
+dangerous character to himself.  He was brilliant, he was headstrong.
+Lady Russell had little taste for wit, and of anything approaching
+to imprudence a horror.  She deprecated the connexion in every light.
+
+Such opposition, as these feelings produced, was more than
+Anne could combat.  Young and gentle as she was, it might yet
+have been possible to withstand her father's ill-will,
+though unsoftened by one kind word or look on the part of her sister;
+but Lady Russell, whom she had always loved and relied on, could not,
+with such steadiness of opinion, and such tenderness of manner,
+be continually advising her in vain.  She was persuaded to believe
+the engagement a wrong thing:  indiscreet, improper, hardly capable
+of success, and not deserving it.  But it was not a merely selfish caution,
+under which she acted, in putting an end to it.  Had she not
+imagined herself consulting his good, even more than her own,
+she could hardly have given him up.  The belief of being prudent,
+and self-denying, principally for his advantage, was her chief consolation,
+under the misery of a parting, a final parting; and every consolation
+was required, for she had to encounter all the additional pain of opinions,
+on his side, totally unconvinced and unbending, and of his feeling himself
+ill used by so forced a relinquishment.  He had left the country
+in consequence.
+
+A few months had seen the beginning and the end of their acquaintance;
+but not with a few months ended Anne's share of suffering from it.
+Her attachment and regrets had, for a long time, clouded every
+enjoyment of youth, and an early loss of bloom and spirits
+had been their lasting effect.
+
+More than seven years were gone since this little history
+of sorrowful interest had reached its close; and time had
+softened down much, perhaps nearly all of peculiar attachment to him,
+but she had been too dependent on time alone; no aid had been given
+in change of place (except in one visit to Bath soon after the rupture),
+or in any novelty or enlargement of society.  No one had ever
+come within the Kellynch circle, who could bear a comparison with
+Frederick Wentworth, as he stood in her memory.  No second attachment,
+the only thoroughly natural, happy, and sufficient cure,
+at her time of life, had been possible to the nice tone of her mind,
+the fastidiousness of her taste, in the small limits of the society
+around them.  She had been solicited, when about two-and-twenty,
+to change her name, by the young man, who not long afterwards found
+a more willing mind in her younger sister; and Lady Russell had
+lamented her refusal; for Charles Musgrove was the eldest son of a man,
+whose landed property and general importance were second in that country,
+only to Sir Walter's, and of good character and appearance;
+and however Lady Russell might have asked yet for something more,
+while Anne was nineteen, she would have rejoiced to see her at twenty-two
+so respectably removed from the partialities and injustice of
+her father's house, and settled so permanently near herself.
+But in this case, Anne had left nothing for advice to do;
+and though Lady Russell, as satisfied as ever with her own discretion,
+never wished the past undone, she began now to have the anxiety
+which borders on hopelessness for Anne's being tempted, by some man
+of talents and independence, to enter a state for which she held her
+to be peculiarly fitted by her warm affections and domestic habits.
+
+They knew not each other's opinion, either its constancy or its change,
+on the one leading point of Anne's conduct, for the subject was never
+alluded to; but Anne, at seven-and-twenty, thought very differently
+from what she had been made to think at nineteen.  She did not blame
+Lady Russell, she did not blame herself for having been guided by her;
+but she felt that were any young person, in similar circumstances,
+to apply to her for counsel, they would never receive any of such
+certain immediate wretchedness, such uncertain future good.
+She was persuaded that under every disadvantage of disapprobation at home,
+and every anxiety attending his profession, all their probable fears,
+delays, and disappointments, she should yet have been a happier woman
+in maintaining the engagement, than she had been in the sacrifice of it;
+and this, she fully believed, had the usual share, had even more than
+the usual share of all such solicitudes and suspense been theirs,
+without reference to the actual results of their case, which,
+as it happened, would have bestowed earlier prosperity than
+could be reasonably calculated on.  All his sanguine expectations,
+all his confidence had been justified.  His genius and ardour
+had seemed to foresee and to command his prosperous path.
+He had, very soon after their engagement ceased, got employ:
+and all that he had told her would follow, had taken place.
+He had distinguished himself, and early gained the other step in rank,
+and must now, by successive captures, have made a handsome fortune.
+She had only navy lists and newspapers for her authority,
+but she could not doubt his being rich; and, in favour of his constancy,
+she had no reason to believe him married.
+
+How eloquent could Anne Elliot have been! how eloquent, at least,
+were her wishes on the side of early warm attachment, and a cheerful
+confidence in futurity, against that over-anxious caution which
+seems to insult exertion and distrust Providence!  She had been forced
+into prudence in her youth, she learned romance as she grew older:
+the natural sequel of an unnatural beginning.
+
+With all these circumstances, recollections and feelings,
+she could not hear that Captain Wentworth's sister was likely
+to live at Kellynch without a revival of former pain; and many a stroll,
+and many a sigh, were necessary to dispel the agitation of the idea.
+She often told herself it was folly, before she could harden her nerves
+sufficiently to feel the continual discussion of the Crofts
+and their business no evil.  She was assisted, however, by that
+perfect indifference and apparent unconsciousness, among the only three
+of her own friends in the secret of the past, which seemed almost to deny
+any recollection of it.  She could do justice to the superiority
+of Lady Russell's motives in this, over those of her father and Elizabeth;
+she could honour all the better feelings of her calmness;
+but the general air of oblivion among them was highly important
+from whatever it sprung; and in the event of Admiral Croft's really
+taking Kellynch Hall, she rejoiced anew over the conviction which
+had always been most grateful to her, of the past being known to
+those three only among her connexions, by whom no syllable,
+she believed, would ever be whispered, and in the trust that among his,
+the brother only with whom he had been residing, had received
+any information of their short-lived engagement.  That brother had been
+long removed from the country and being a sensible man, and, moreover,
+a single man at the time, she had a fond dependence on no human creature's
+having heard of it from him.
+
+The sister, Mrs Croft, had then been out of England, accompanying
+her husband on a foreign station, and her own sister, Mary,
+had been at school while it all occurred; and never admitted by
+the pride of some, and the delicacy of others, to the smallest knowledge
+of it afterwards.
+
+With these supports, she hoped that the acquaintance between herself
+and the Crofts, which, with Lady Russell, still resident in Kellynch,
+and Mary fixed only three miles off, must be anticipated,
+need not involve any particular awkwardness.
+
+
+
+Chapter 5
+
+
+On the morning appointed for Admiral and Mrs Croft's seeing Kellynch Hall,
+Anne found it most natural to take her almost daily walk to Lady Russell's,
+and keep out of the way till all was over; when she found it most natural
+to be sorry that she had missed the opportunity of seeing them.
+
+This meeting of the two parties proved highly satisfactory,
+and decided the whole business at once.  Each lady was previously
+well disposed for an agreement, and saw nothing, therefore,
+but good manners in the other; and with regard to the gentlemen,
+there was such an hearty good humour, such an open, trusting liberality
+on the Admiral's side, as could not but influence Sir Walter,
+who had besides been flattered into his very best and most polished
+behaviour by Mr Shepherd's assurances of his being known, by report,
+to the Admiral, as a model of good breeding.
+
+The house and grounds, and furniture, were approved, the Crofts
+were approved, terms, time, every thing, and every body, was right;
+and Mr Shepherd's clerks were set to work, without there having been
+a single preliminary difference to modify of all that
+"This indenture sheweth."
+
+Sir Walter, without hesitation, declared the Admiral to be
+the best-looking sailor he had ever met with, and went so far as to say,
+that if his own man might have had the arranging of his hair,
+he should not be ashamed of being seen with him any where;
+and the Admiral, with sympathetic cordiality, observed to his wife
+as they drove back through the park, "I thought we should soon
+come to a deal, my dear, in spite of what they told us at Taunton.
+The Baronet will never set the Thames on fire, but there seems to be
+no harm in him."--reciprocal compliments, which would have been
+esteemed about equal.
+
+The Crofts were to have possession at Michaelmas; and as Sir Walter
+proposed removing to Bath in the course of the preceding month,
+there was no time to be lost in making every dependent arrangement.
+
+Lady Russell, convinced that Anne would not be allowed to be of any use,
+or any importance, in the choice of the house which they were
+going to secure, was very unwilling to have her hurried away so soon,
+and wanted to make it possible for her to stay behind till she might
+convey her to Bath herself after Christmas; but having engagements
+of her own which must take her from Kellynch for several weeks,
+she was unable to give the full invitation she wished, and Anne
+though dreading the possible heats of September in all the white glare
+of Bath, and grieving to forego all the influence so sweet and so sad
+of the autumnal months in the country, did not think that,
+everything considered, she wished to remain.  It would be most right,
+and most wise, and, therefore must involve least suffering
+to go with the others.
+
+Something occurred, however, to give her a different duty.
+Mary, often a little unwell, and always thinking a great deal
+of her own complaints, and always in the habit of claiming Anne
+when anything was the matter, was indisposed; and foreseeing
+that she should not have a day's health all the autumn, entreated,
+or rather required her, for it was hardly entreaty, to come to
+Uppercross Cottage, and bear her company as long as she should want her,
+instead of going to Bath.
+
+"I cannot possibly do without Anne," was Mary's reasoning;
+and Elizabeth's reply was, "Then I am sure Anne had better stay,
+for nobody will want her in Bath."
+
+To be claimed as a good, though in an improper style, is at least
+better than being rejected as no good at all; and Anne, glad to
+be thought of some use, glad to have anything marked out as a duty,
+and certainly not sorry to have the scene of it in the country,
+and her own dear country, readily agreed to stay.
+
+This invitation of Mary's removed all Lady Russell's difficulties,
+and it was consequently soon settled that Anne should not go to Bath
+till Lady Russell took her, and that all the intervening time
+should be divided between Uppercross Cottage and Kellynch Lodge.
+
+So far all was perfectly right; but Lady Russell was almost startled
+by the wrong of one part of the Kellynch Hall plan, when it burst on her,
+which was, Mrs Clay's being engaged to go to Bath with Sir Walter
+and Elizabeth, as a most important and valuable assistant to the latter
+in all the business before her.  Lady Russell was extremely sorry
+that such a measure should have been resorted to at all, wondered,
+grieved, and feared; and the affront it contained to Anne,
+in Mrs Clay's being of so much use, while Anne could be of none,
+was a very sore aggravation.
+
+Anne herself was become hardened to such affronts; but she felt
+the imprudence of the arrangement quite as keenly as Lady Russell.
+With a great deal of quiet observation, and a knowledge,
+which she often wished less, of her father's character, she was
+sensible that results the most serious to his family from the intimacy
+were more than possible.  She did not imagine that her father
+had at present an idea of the kind.  Mrs Clay had freckles,
+and a projecting tooth, and a clumsy wrist, which he was continually
+making severe remarks upon, in her absence; but she was young,
+and certainly altogether well-looking, and possessed, in an acute mind
+and assiduous pleasing manners, infinitely more dangerous attractions
+than any merely personal might have been.  Anne was so impressed
+by the degree of their danger, that she could not excuse herself
+from trying to make it perceptible to her sister.  She had little hope
+of success; but Elizabeth, who in the event of such a reverse would be
+so much more to be pitied than herself, should never, she thought,
+have reason to reproach her for giving no warning.
+
+She spoke, and seemed only to offend.  Elizabeth could not conceive
+how such an absurd suspicion should occur to her, and indignantly
+answered for each party's perfectly knowing their situation.
+
+"Mrs Clay," said she, warmly, "never forgets who she is;
+and as I am rather better acquainted with her sentiments than you can be,
+I can assure you, that upon the subject of marriage they are
+particularly nice, and that she reprobates all inequality of condition
+and rank more strongly than most people.  And as to my father,
+I really should not have thought that he, who has kept himself single
+so long for our sakes, need be suspected now.  If Mrs Clay were
+a very beautiful woman, I grant you, it might be wrong to have her
+so much with me; not that anything in the world, I am sure,
+would induce my father to make a degrading match, but he might
+be rendered unhappy.  But poor Mrs Clay who, with all her merits,
+can never have been reckoned tolerably pretty, I really think poor
+Mrs Clay may be staying here in perfect safety.  One would imagine
+you had never heard my father speak of her personal misfortunes,
+though I know you must fifty times.  That tooth of her's
+and those freckles.  Freckles do not disgust me so very much
+as they do him.  I have known a face not materially disfigured by a few,
+but he abominates them.  You must have heard him notice
+Mrs Clay's freckles."
+
+"There is hardly any personal defect," replied Anne,
+"which an agreeable manner might not gradually reconcile one to."
+
+"I think very differently," answered Elizabeth, shortly;
+"an agreeable manner may set off handsome features, but can never
+alter plain ones.  However, at any rate, as I have a great deal more
+at stake on this point than anybody else can have, I think it
+rather unnecessary in you to be advising me."
+
+Anne had done; glad that it was over, and not absolutely hopeless
+of doing good.  Elizabeth, though resenting the suspicion,
+might yet be made observant by it.
+
+The last office of the four carriage-horses was to draw Sir Walter,
+Miss Elliot, and Mrs Clay to Bath. The party drove off in very good
+spirits; Sir Walter prepared with condescending bows for all the
+afflicted tenantry and cottagers who might have had a hint to show
+themselves, and Anne walked up at the same time, in a sort of desolate
+tranquillity, to the Lodge, where she was to spend the first week.
+
+Her friend was not in better spirits than herself. Lady Russell felt this
+break-up of the family exceedingly.  Their respectability was
+as dear to her as her own, and a daily intercourse had become
+precious by habit.  It was painful to look upon their deserted grounds,
+and still worse to anticipate the new hands they were to fall into;
+and to escape the solitariness and the melancholy of so altered a village,
+and be out of the way when Admiral and Mrs Croft first arrived,
+she had determined to make her own absence from home begin
+when she must give up Anne.  Accordingly their removal was made together,
+and Anne was set down at Uppercross Cottage, in the first stage
+of Lady Russell's journey.
+
+Uppercross was a moderate-sized village, which a few years back
+had been completely in the old English style, containing only
+two houses superior in appearance to those of the yeomen and labourers;
+the mansion of the squire, with its high walls, great gates, and old trees,
+substantial and unmodernized, and the compact, tight parsonage,
+enclosed in its own neat garden, with a vine and a pear-tree
+trained round its casements; but upon the marriage of the young 'squire,
+it had received the improvement of a farm-house elevated into a cottage,
+for his residence, and Uppercross Cottage, with its veranda,
+French windows, and other prettiness, was quite as likely to catch
+the traveller's eye as the more consistent and considerable aspect
+and premises of the Great House, about a quarter of a mile farther on.
+
+Here Anne had often been staying. She knew the ways of Uppercross as
+well as those of Kellynch. The two families were so continually
+meeting, so much in the habit of running in and out of each other's
+house at all hours, that it was rather a surprise to her to find Mary
+alone; but being alone, her being unwell and out of spirits was almost
+a matter of course. Though better endowed than the elder sister, Mary
+had not Anne's understanding nor temper. While well, and happy, and
+properly attended to, she had great good humour and excellent spirits;
+but any indisposition sunk her completely. She had no resources for
+solitude; and inheriting a considerable share of the Elliot
+self-importance, was very prone to add to every other distress that of
+fancying herself neglected and ill-used. In person, she was inferior
+to both sisters, and had, even in her bloom, only reached the dignity
+of being "a fine girl." She was now lying on the faded sofa of the
+pretty little drawing-room, the once elegant furniture of which had
+been gradually growing shabby, under the influence of four summers and
+two children; and, on Anne's appearing, greeted her with--
+
+"So, you are come at last!  I began to think I should never see you.
+I am so ill I can hardly speak.  I have not seen a creature
+the whole morning!"
+
+"I am sorry to find you unwell," replied Anne.  "You sent me
+such a good account of yourself on Thursday!"
+
+"Yes, I made the best of it; I always do:  but I was very far from well
+at the time; and I do not think I ever was so ill in my life
+as I have been all this morning:  very unfit to be left alone, I am sure.
+Suppose I were to be seized of a sudden in some dreadful way,
+and not able to ring the bell!  So, Lady Russell would not get out.
+I do not think she has been in this house three times this summer."
+
+Anne said what was proper, and enquired after her husband.
+"Oh! Charles is out shooting.  I have not seen him since seven o'clock.
+He would go, though I told him how ill I was.  He said he should not
+stay out long; but he has never come back, and now it is almost one.
+I assure you, I have not seen a soul this whole long morning."
+
+"You have had your little boys with you?"
+
+"Yes, as long as I could bear their noise; but they are so unmanageable
+that they do me more harm than good.  Little Charles does not mind
+a word I say, and Walter is growing quite as bad."
+
+"Well, you will soon be better now," replied Anne, cheerfully.
+"You know I always cure you when I come.  How are your neighbours
+at the Great House?"
+
+"I can give you no account of them.  I have not seen one of them to-day,
+except Mr Musgrove, who just stopped and spoke through the window,
+but without getting off his horse; and though I told him how ill I was,
+not one of them have been near me.  It did not happen to suit
+the Miss Musgroves, I suppose, and they never put themselves
+out of their way."
+
+"You will see them yet, perhaps, before the morning is gone.
+It is early."
+
+"I never want them, I assure you.  They talk and laugh a great deal
+too much for me.  Oh! Anne, I am so very unwell!  It was quite unkind
+of you not to come on Thursday."
+
+"My dear Mary, recollect what a comfortable account you sent me of yourself!
+You wrote in the cheerfullest manner, and said you were perfectly well,
+and in no hurry for me; and that being the case, you must be aware
+that my wish would be to remain with Lady Russell to the last:
+and besides what I felt on her account, I have really been so busy,
+have had so much to do, that I could not very conveniently have
+left Kellynch sooner."
+
+"Dear me! what can you possibly have to do?"
+
+"A great many things, I assure you.  More than I can recollect
+in a moment; but I can tell you some.  I have been making
+a duplicate of the catalogue of my father's books and pictures.
+I have been several times in the garden with Mackenzie,
+trying to understand, and make him understand, which of Elizabeth's plants
+are for Lady Russell.  I have had all my own little concerns
+to arrange, books and music to divide, and all my trunks to repack,
+from not having understood in time what was intended as to the waggons:
+and one thing I have had to do, Mary, of a more trying nature:
+going to almost every house in the parish, as a sort of take-leave.
+I was told that they wished it.  But all these things took up
+a great deal of time."
+
+"Oh! well!" and after a moment's pause, "but you have never asked me
+one word about our dinner at the Pooles yesterday."
+
+"Did you go then?  I have made no enquiries, because I concluded
+you must have been obliged to give up the party."
+
+"Oh yes! I went.  I was very well yesterday; nothing at all
+the matter with me till this morning.  It would have been strange
+if I had not gone."
+
+"I am very glad you were well enough, and I hope you had a pleasant party."
+
+"Nothing remarkable.  One always knows beforehand what the dinner will be,
+and who will be there; and it is so very uncomfortable not having
+a carriage of one's own.  Mr and Mrs Musgrove took me, and we were
+so crowded!  They are both so very large, and take up so much room;
+and Mr Musgrove always sits forward.  So, there was I, crowded into
+the back seat with Henrietta and Louise; and I think it very likely
+that my illness to-day may be owing to it."
+
+A little further perseverance in patience and forced cheerfulness
+on Anne's side produced nearly a cure on Mary's.  She could soon
+sit upright on the sofa, and began to hope she might be able
+to leave it by dinner-time.  Then, forgetting to think of it,
+she was at the other end of the room, beautifying a nosegay;
+then, she ate her cold meat; and then she was well enough
+to propose a little walk.
+
+"Where shall we go?" said she, when they were ready.  "I suppose
+you will not like to call at the Great House before they have
+been to see you?"
+
+"I have not the smallest objection on that account," replied Anne.
+"I should never think of standing on such ceremony with people I know
+so well as Mrs and the Miss Musgroves."
+
+"Oh! but they ought to call upon you as soon as possible.
+They ought to feel what is due to you as my sister.  However,
+we may as well go and sit with them a little  while, and when we
+have that over, we can enjoy our walk."
+
+Anne had always thought such a style of intercourse highly imprudent;
+but she had ceased to endeavour to check it, from believing that,
+though there were on each side continual subjects of offence,
+neither family could now do without it.  To the Great House accordingly
+they went, to sit the full half hour in the old-fashioned square parlour,
+with a small carpet and shining floor, to which the present
+daughters of the house were gradually giving the proper air of confusion
+by a grand piano-forte and a harp, flower-stands and little tables
+placed in every direction.  Oh! could the originals of the portraits
+against the wainscot, could the gentlemen in brown velvet and
+the ladies in blue satin have seen what was going on, have been conscious
+of such an overthrow of all order and neatness!  The portraits themselves
+seemed to be staring in astonishment.
+
+The Musgroves, like their houses, were in a state of alteration,
+perhaps of improvement.  The father and mother were in the old
+English style, and the young people in the new.  Mr and Mrs Musgrove
+were a very good sort of people; friendly and hospitable,
+not much educated, and not at all elegant.  Their children had
+more modern minds and manners.  There was a numerous family;
+but the only two grown up, excepting Charles, were Henrietta and Louisa,
+young ladies of nineteen and twenty, who had brought from school at Exeter
+all the usual stock of accomplishments, and were now like thousands
+of other young ladies, living to be fashionable, happy, and merry.
+Their dress had every advantage, their faces were rather pretty,
+their spirits extremely good, their manner unembarrassed and pleasant;
+they were of consequence at home, and favourites abroad.
+Anne always contemplated them as some of the happiest creatures
+of her acquaintance; but still, saved as we all are, by some
+comfortable feeling of superiority from wishing for the possibility
+of exchange, she would not have given up her own more elegant
+and cultivated mind for all their enjoyments; and envied them nothing
+but that seemingly perfect good understanding and agreement together,
+that good-humoured mutual affection, of which she had known
+so little herself with either of her sisters.
+
+They were received with great cordiality.  Nothing seemed amiss
+on the side of the Great House family, which was generally,
+as Anne very well knew, the least to blame.  The half hour was
+chatted away pleasantly enough; and she was not at all surprised
+at the end of it, to have their walking party joined by both
+the Miss Musgroves, at Mary's particular invitation.
+
+
+
+Chapter 6
+
+
+Anne had not wanted this visit to Uppercross, to learn that a removal
+from one set of people to another, though at a distance of only three miles,
+will often include a total change of conversation, opinion, and idea.
+She had never been staying there before, without being struck by it,
+or without wishing that other Elliots could have her advantage
+in seeing how unknown, or unconsidered there, were the affairs
+which at Kellynch Hall were treated as of such general publicity
+and pervading interest; yet, with all this experience, she believed
+she must now submit to feel that another lesson, in the art of knowing
+our own nothingness beyond our own circle, was become necessary for her;
+for certainly, coming as she did, with a heart full of the subject
+which had been completely occupying both houses in Kellynch for many weeks,
+she had expected rather more curiosity and sympathy than she found
+in the separate but very similar remark of Mr and Mrs Musgrove:
+"So, Miss Anne, Sir Walter and your sister are gone; and what part of Bath
+do you think they will settle in?" and this, without much
+waiting for an answer; or in the young ladies' addition of,
+"I hope we shall be in Bath in the winter; but remember, papa,
+if we do go, we must be in a good situation:  none of your
+Queen Squares for us!" or in the anxious supplement from Mary, of--
+"Upon my word, I shall be pretty well off, when you are all gone away
+to be happy at Bath!"
+
+She could only resolve to avoid such self-delusion in future,
+and think with heightened gratitude of the extraordinary blessing
+of having one such truly sympathising friend as Lady Russell.
+
+The Mr Musgroves had their own game to guard, and to destroy,
+their own horses, dogs, and newspapers to engage them, and the females
+were fully occupied in all the other common subjects of housekeeping,
+neighbours, dress, dancing, and music.  She acknowledged it to be
+very fitting, that every little social commonwealth should dictate
+its own matters of discourse; and hoped, ere long, to become
+a not unworthy member of the one she was now transplanted into.
+With the prospect of spending at least two months at Uppercross,
+it was highly incumbent on her to clothe her imagination, her memory,
+and all her ideas in as much of Uppercross as possible.
+
+She had no dread of these two months.  Mary was not so repulsive
+and unsisterly as Elizabeth, nor so inaccessible to all influence of hers;
+neither was there anything among the other component parts
+of the cottage inimical to comfort.  She was always on friendly terms
+with her brother-in-law; and in the children, who loved her nearly as well,
+and respected her a great deal more than their mother, she had
+an object of interest, amusement, and wholesome exertion.
+
+Charles Musgrove was civil and agreeable; in sense and temper he was
+undoubtedly superior to his wife, but not of powers, or conversation,
+or grace, to make the past, as they were connected together,
+at all a dangerous contemplation; though, at the same time,
+Anne could believe, with Lady Russell, that a more equal match
+might have greatly improved him; and that a woman of real understanding
+might have given more consequence to his character, and more usefulness,
+rationality, and elegance to his habits and pursuits.  As it was,
+he did nothing with much zeal, but sport; and his time was otherwise
+trifled away, without benefit from books or anything else.
+He had very good spirits, which never seemed much affected by
+his wife's occasional lowness, bore with her unreasonableness
+sometimes to Anne's admiration, and upon the whole, though there was
+very often a little disagreement (in which she had sometimes more share
+than she wished, being appealed to by both parties), they might pass
+for a happy couple.  They were always perfectly agreed in the want
+of more money, and a strong inclination for a handsome present
+from his father; but here, as on most topics, he had the superiority,
+for while Mary thought it a great shame that such a present was not made,
+he always contended for his father's having many other uses for his money,
+and a right to spend it as he liked.
+
+As to the management of their children, his theory was much better
+than his wife's, and his practice not so bad.  "I could manage them
+very well, if it were not for Mary's interference," was what
+Anne often heard him say, and had a good deal of faith in;
+but when listening in turn to Mary's reproach of "Charles spoils
+the children so that I cannot get them into any order," she never had
+the smallest temptation to say, "Very true."
+
+One of the least agreeable circumstances of her residence there
+was her being treated with too much confidence by all parties,
+and being too much in the secret of the complaints of each house.
+Known to have some influence with her sister, she was continually requested,
+or at least receiving hints to exert it, beyond what was practicable.
+"I wish you could persuade Mary not to be always fancying herself ill,"
+was Charles's language; and, in an unhappy mood, thus spoke Mary:
+"I do believe if Charles were to see me dying, he would not think
+there was anything the matter with me.  I am sure, Anne, if you would,
+you might persuade him that I really am very ill--a great deal worse
+than I ever own."
+
+Mary's declaration was, "I hate sending the children to the Great House,
+though their grandmamma is always wanting to see them, for she humours
+and indulges them to such a degree, and gives them so much trash
+and sweet things, that they are sure to come back sick and cross
+for the rest of the day."  And Mrs Musgrove took the first opportunity
+of being alone with Anne, to say, "Oh! Miss Anne, I cannot help wishing
+Mrs Charles had a little of your method with those children.
+They are quite different creatures with you!  But to be sure,
+in general they are so spoilt!  It is a pity you cannot put your sister
+in the way of managing them.  They are as fine healthy children
+as ever were seen, poor little dears! without partiality;
+but Mrs Charles knows no more how they should be treated--!
+Bless me! how troublesome they are sometimes.  I assure you, Miss Anne,
+it prevents my wishing to see them at our house so often as
+I otherwise should.  I believe Mrs Charles is not quite pleased
+with my not inviting them oftener; but you know it is very bad
+to have children with one that one is obligated to be checking
+every moment; "don't do this," and "don't do that;"  or that one can
+only keep in tolerable order by more cake than is good for them."
+
+She had this communication, moreover, from Mary.  "Mrs Musgrove thinks
+all her servants so steady, that it would be high treason
+to call it in question; but I am sure, without exaggeration,
+that her upper house-maid and laundry-maid, instead of being
+in their business, are gadding about the village, all day long.
+I meet them wherever I go; and I declare, I never go twice into my nursery
+without seeing something of them.  If Jemima were not the trustiest,
+steadiest creature in the world, it would be enough to spoil her;
+for she tells me, they are always tempting her to take a walk with them."
+And on Mrs Musgrove's side, it was, "I make a rule of never interfering
+in any of my daughter-in-law's concerns, for I know it would not do;
+but I shall tell you, Miss Anne, because you may be able to set things
+to rights, that I have no very good opinion of Mrs Charles's nursery-maid:
+I hear strange stories of her; she is always upon the gad; and from
+my own knowledge, I can declare, she is such a fine-dressing lady,
+that she is enough to ruin any servants she comes near.
+Mrs Charles quite swears by her, I know; but I just give you this hint,
+that you may be upon the watch; because, if you see anything amiss,
+you need not be afraid of mentioning it."
+
+Again, it was Mary's complaint, that Mrs Musgrove was very apt
+not to give her the precedence that was her due, when they dined
+at the Great House with other families; and she did not see any reason
+why she was to be considered so much at home as to lose her place.
+And one day when Anne was walking with only the Musgroves, one of them
+after talking of rank, people of rank, and jealousy of rank, said,
+"I have no scruple of observing to you, how nonsensical some persons are
+about their place, because all the world knows how easy and indifferent
+you are about it; but I wish anybody could give Mary a hint that
+it would be a great deal better if she were not so very tenacious,
+especially if she would not be always putting herself forward to take
+place of mamma.  Nobody doubts her right to have precedence of mamma,
+but it would be more becoming in her not to be always insisting on it.
+It is not that mamma cares about it the least in the world,
+but I know it is taken notice of by many persons."
+
+How was Anne to set all these matters to rights?  She could do little more
+than listen patiently, soften every grievance, and excuse each
+to the other; give them all hints of the forbearance necessary
+between such near neighbours, and make those hints broadest
+which were meant for her sister's benefit.
+
+In all other respects, her visit began and proceeded very well.
+Her own spirits improved by change of place and subject,
+by being removed three miles from Kellynch; Mary's ailments lessened
+by having a constant companion, and their daily intercourse
+with the other family, since there was neither superior affection,
+confidence, nor employment in the cottage, to be interrupted by it,
+was rather an advantage.  It was certainly carried nearly as far as possible,
+for they met every morning, and hardly ever spent an evening asunder;
+but she believed they should not have done so well without the sight
+of Mr and Mrs Musgrove's respectable forms in the usual places,
+or without the talking, laughing, and singing of their daughters.
+
+She played a great deal better than either of the Miss Musgroves,
+but having no voice, no knowledge of the harp, and no fond parents,
+to sit by and fancy themselves delighted, her performance was
+little thought of, only out of civility, or to refresh the others,
+as she was well aware.  She knew that when she played she was
+giving pleasure only to herself; but this was no new sensation.
+Excepting one short period of her life, she had never, since the age
+of fourteen, never since the loss of her dear mother, known the happiness
+of being listened to, or encouraged by any just appreciation or real taste.
+In music she had been always used to feel alone in the world;
+and Mr and Mrs Musgrove's fond partiality for their own daughters'
+performance, and total indifference to any other person's,
+gave her much more pleasure for their sakes, than mortification
+for her own.
+
+The party at the Great House was sometimes increased by other company.
+The neighbourhood was not large, but the Musgroves were visited
+by everybody, and had more dinner-parties, and more callers,
+more visitors by invitation and by chance, than any other family.
+There were more completely popular.
+
+The girls were wild for dancing; and the evenings ended, occasionally,
+in an unpremeditated little ball.  There was a family of cousins
+within a walk of Uppercross, in less affluent circumstances,
+who depended on the Musgroves for all their pleasures:  they would come
+at any time, and help play at anything, or dance anywhere; and Anne,
+very much preferring the office of musician to a more active post,
+played country dances to them by the hour together; a kindness which
+always recommended her musical powers to the notice of Mr and Mrs Musgrove
+more than anything else, and often drew this compliment;--
+"Well done, Miss Anne! very well done indeed!  Lord bless me!
+how those little fingers of yours fly about!"
+
+So passed the first three weeks.  Michaelmas came; and now Anne's heart
+must be in Kellynch again.  A beloved home made over to others;
+all the precious rooms and furniture, groves, and prospects,
+beginning to own other eyes and other limbs!  She could not
+think of much else on the 29th of September; and she had this
+sympathetic touch in the evening from Mary, who, on having occasion
+to note down the day of the month, exclaimed, "Dear me, is not this
+the day the Crofts were to come to Kellynch?  I am glad I did not
+think of it before.  How low it makes me!"
+
+The Crofts took possession with true naval alertness, and were
+to be visited.  Mary deplored the necessity for herself.
+"Nobody knew how much she should suffer.  She should put it off
+as long as she could;" but was not easy till she had talked Charles
+into driving her over on an early day, and was in a very animated,
+comfortable state of imaginary agitation, when she came back.
+Anne had very sincerely rejoiced in there being no means of her going.
+She wished, however to see the Crofts, and was glad to be within
+when the visit was returned.  They came:  the master of the house
+was not at home, but the two sisters were together; and as it chanced
+that Mrs Croft fell to the share of Anne, while the Admiral sat by Mary,
+and made himself very agreeable by his good-humoured notice
+of her little boys, she was well able to watch for a likeness,
+and if it failed her in the features, to catch it in the voice,
+or in the turn of sentiment and expression.
+
+Mrs Croft, though neither tall nor fat, had a squareness,
+uprightness, and vigour of form, which gave importance to her person.
+She had bright dark eyes, good teeth, and altogether an agreeable face;
+though her reddened and weather-beaten complexion, the consequence
+of her having been almost as much at sea as her husband, made her seem to
+have lived some years longer in the world than her real eight-and-thirty.
+Her manners were open, easy, and decided, like one who had
+no distrust of herself, and no doubts of what to do; without any
+approach to coarseness, however, or any want of good humour.
+Anne gave her credit, indeed, for feelings of great consideration
+towards herself, in all that related to Kellynch, and it pleased her:
+especially, as she had satisfied herself in the very first half minute,
+in the instant even of introduction, that there was not the smallest
+symptom of any knowledge or suspicion on Mrs Croft's side, to give a bias
+of any sort.  She was quite easy on that head, and consequently
+full of strength and courage, till for a moment electrified by
+Mrs Croft's suddenly saying,--
+
+"It was you, and not your sister, I find, that my brother had
+the pleasure of being acquainted with, when he was in this country."
+
+Anne hoped she had outlived the age of blushing; but the age of emotion
+she certainly had not.
+
+"Perhaps you may not have heard that he is married?" added Mrs Croft.
+
+She could now answer as she ought; and was happy to feel,
+when Mrs Croft's next words explained it to be Mr Wentworth
+of whom she spoke, that she had said nothing which might not do
+for either brother. She immediately felt how reasonable it was,
+that Mrs Croft should be thinking and speaking of Edward,
+and not of Frederick; and with shame at her own forgetfulness
+applied herself to the knowledge of their former neighbour's
+present state with proper interest.
+
+The rest was all tranquillity; till, just as they were moving,
+she heard the Admiral say to Mary--
+
+"We are expecting a brother of Mrs Croft's here soon; I dare say
+you know him by name."
+
+He was cut short by the eager attacks of the little boys,
+clinging to him like an old friend, and declaring he should not go;
+and being too much engrossed by proposals of carrying them away
+in his coat pockets, &c., to have another moment for finishing
+or recollecting what he had begun, Anne was left to persuade herself,
+as well as she could, that the same brother must still be in question.
+She could not, however, reach such a degree of certainty,
+as not to be anxious to hear whether anything had been said on the subject
+at the other house, where the Crofts had previously been calling.
+
+The folks of the Great House were to spend the evening of this day
+at the Cottage; and it being now too late in the year for such visits
+to be made on foot, the coach was beginning to be listened for,
+when the youngest Miss Musgrove walked in.  That she was coming
+to apologize, and that they should have to spend the evening by themselves,
+was the first black idea; and Mary was quite ready to be affronted,
+when Louisa made all right by saying, that she only came on foot,
+to leave more room for the harp, which was bringing in the carriage.
+
+"And I will tell you our reason," she added, "and all about it.
+I am come on to give you notice, that papa and mamma are
+out of spirits this evening, especially mamma; she is thinking so much
+of poor Richard!  And we agreed it would be best to have the harp,
+for it seems to amuse her more than the piano-forte.  I will tell you
+why she is out of spirits.  When the Crofts called this morning,
+(they called here afterwards, did not they?), they happened to say,
+that her brother, Captain Wentworth, is just returned to England,
+or paid off, or something, and is coming to see them almost directly;
+and most unluckily it came into mamma's head, when they were gone,
+that Wentworth, or something very like it, was the name of
+poor Richard's captain at one time; I do not know when or where,
+but a great while before he died, poor fellow!  And upon looking over
+his letters and things, she found it was so, and is perfectly sure
+that this must be the very man, and her head is quite full of it,
+and of poor Richard!  So we must be as merry as we can, that she may not
+be dwelling upon such gloomy things."
+
+The real circumstances of this pathetic piece of family history were,
+that the Musgroves had had the ill fortune of a very troublesome,
+hopeless son; and the good fortune to lose him before he reached
+his twentieth year; that he had been sent to sea because he was stupid
+and unmanageable on shore; that he had been very little cared for
+at any time by his family, though quite as much as he deserved;
+seldom heard of, and scarcely at all regretted, when the intelligence
+of his death abroad had worked its way to Uppercross, two years before.
+
+He had, in fact, though his sisters were now doing all they could for him,
+by calling him "poor Richard," been nothing better than a thick-headed,
+unfeeling, unprofitable Dick Musgrove, who had never done anything
+to entitle himself to more than the abbreviation of his name,
+living or dead.
+
+He had been several years at sea, and had, in the course of those removals
+to which all midshipmen are liable, and especially such midshipmen
+as every captain wishes to get rid of, been six months on board
+Captain Frederick Wentworth's frigate, the Laconia; and from the Laconia
+he had, under the influence of his captain, written the only two letters
+which his father and mother had ever received from him during the whole
+of his absence; that is to say, the only two disinterested letters;
+all the rest had been mere applications for money.
+
+In each letter he had spoken well of his captain; but yet,
+so little were they in the habit of attending to such matters,
+so unobservant and incurious were they as to the names of men or ships,
+that it had made scarcely any impression at the time; and that Mrs Musgrove
+should have been suddenly struck, this very day, with a recollection
+of the name of Wentworth, as connected with her son, seemed one of those
+extraordinary bursts of mind which do sometimes occur.
+
+She had gone to her letters, and found it all as she supposed;
+and the re-perusal of these letters, after so long an interval,
+her poor son gone for ever, and all the strength of his faults forgotten,
+had affected her spirits exceedingly, and thrown her into
+greater grief for him than she had known on first hearing of his death.
+Mr Musgrove was, in a lesser degree, affected likewise; and when
+they reached the cottage, they were evidently in want, first,
+of being listened to anew on this subject, and afterwards,
+of all the relief which cheerful companions could give them.
+
+To hear them talking so much of Captain Wentworth, repeating his name
+so often, puzzling over past years, and at last ascertaining that it might,
+that it probably would, turn out to be the very same Captain Wentworth
+whom they recollected meeting, once or twice, after their coming back
+from Clifton--a very fine young man--but they could not say whether
+it was seven or eight years ago, was a new sort of trial to Anne's nerves.
+She found, however, that it was one to which she must inure herself.
+Since he actually was expected in the country, she must teach herself
+to be insensible on such points.  And not only did it appear that
+he was expected, and speedily, but the Musgroves, in their warm gratitude
+for the kindness he had shewn poor Dick, and very high respect
+for his character, stamped as it was by poor Dick's having been
+six months under his care, and mentioning him in strong,
+though not perfectly well-spelt praise, as "a fine dashing felow,
+only two perticular about the schoolmaster," were bent on
+introducing themselves, and seeking his acquaintance, as soon as
+they could hear of his arrival.
+
+The resolution of doing so helped to form the comfort of their evening.
+
+
+
+Chapter 7
+
+
+A very few days more, and Captain Wentworth was known to be at Kellynch,
+and Mr Musgrove had called on him, and come back warm in his praise,
+and he was engaged with the Crofts to dine at Uppercross,
+by the end of another week.  It had been a great disappointment
+to Mr Musgrove to find that no earlier day could be fixed,
+so impatient was he to shew his gratitude, by seeing Captain Wentworth
+under his own roof, and welcoming him to all that was strongest
+and best in his cellars.  But a week must pass; only a week,
+in Anne's reckoning, and then, she supposed, they must meet;
+and soon she began to wish that she could feel secure even for a week.
+
+Captain Wentworth made a very early return to Mr Musgrove's civility,
+and she was all but calling there in the same half hour.
+She and Mary were actually setting forward for the Great House,
+where, as she afterwards learnt, they must inevitably have found him,
+when they were stopped by the eldest boy's being at that moment
+brought home in consequence of a bad fall.  The child's situation
+put the visit entirely aside; but she could not hear of her escape
+with indifference, even in the midst of the serious anxiety
+which they afterwards felt on his account.
+
+His collar-bone was found to be dislocated, and such injury
+received in the back, as roused the most alarming ideas.
+It was an afternoon of distress, and Anne had every thing to do at once;
+the apothecary to send for, the father to have pursued and informed,
+the mother to support and keep from hysterics, the servants to control,
+the youngest child to banish, and the poor suffering one to attend
+and soothe; besides sending, as soon as she recollected it,
+proper notice to the other house, which brought her an accession
+rather of frightened, enquiring companions, than of very useful assistants.
+
+Her brother's return was the first comfort; he could take best care
+of his wife; and the second blessing was the arrival of the apothecary.
+Till he came and had examined the child, their apprehensions were
+the worse for being vague; they suspected great injury, but knew not where;
+but now the collar-bone was soon replaced, and though Mr Robinson
+felt and felt, and rubbed, and looked grave, and spoke low words
+both to the father and the aunt, still they were all to hope the best,
+and to be able to part and eat their dinner in tolerable ease of mind;
+and then it was, just before they parted, that the two young aunts
+were able so far to digress from their nephew's state, as to give
+the information of Captain Wentworth's visit; staying five minutes behind
+their father and mother, to endeavour to express how perfectly delighted
+they were with him, how much handsomer, how infinitely more agreeable
+they thought him than any individual among their male acquaintance,
+who had been at all a favourite before.  How glad they had been
+to hear papa invite him to stay dinner, how sorry when he said
+it was quite out of his power, and how glad again when he had promised
+in reply to papa and mamma's farther pressing invitations to come
+and dine with them on the morrow--actually on the morrow;
+and he had promised it in so pleasant a manner, as if he felt
+all the motive of their attention just as he ought.  And in short,
+he had looked and said everything with such exquisite grace,
+that they could assure them all, their heads were both turned by him;
+and off they ran, quite as full of glee as of love, and apparently
+more full of Captain Wentworth than of little Charles.
+
+The same story and the same raptures were repeated, when the two girls came
+with their father, through the gloom of the evening, to make enquiries;
+and Mr Musgrove, no longer under the first uneasiness about his heir,
+could add his confirmation and praise, and hope there would be now
+no occasion for putting Captain Wentworth off, and only be sorry to think
+that the cottage party, probably, would not like to leave the little boy,
+to give him the meeting.  "Oh no; as to leaving the little boy,"
+both father and mother were in much too strong and recent alarm
+to bear the thought; and Anne, in the joy of the escape,
+could not help adding her warm protestations to theirs.
+
+Charles Musgrove, indeed, afterwards, shewed more of inclination;
+"the child was going on so well, and he wished so much to be introduced
+to Captain Wentworth, that, perhaps, he might join them in the evening;
+he would not dine from home, but he might walk in for half an hour."
+But in this he was eagerly opposed by his wife, with "Oh! no, indeed,
+Charles, I cannot bear to have you go away.  Only think if anything
+should happen?"
+
+The child had a good night, and was going on well the next day.
+It must be a work of time to ascertain that no injury had been
+done to the spine; but Mr Robinson found nothing to increase alarm,
+and Charles Musgrove began, consequently, to feel no necessity
+for longer confinement.  The child was to be kept in bed and amused
+as quietly as possible; but what was there for a father to do?
+This was quite a female case, and it would be highly absurd in him,
+who could be of no use at home, to shut himself up.  His father
+very much wished him to meet Captain Wentworth, and there being
+no sufficient reason against it, he ought to go; and it ended in his
+making a bold, public declaration, when he came in from shooting,
+of his meaning to dress directly, and dine at the other house.
+
+"Nothing can be going on better than the child," said he;
+"so I told my father, just now, that I would come, and he thought me
+quite right.  Your sister being with you, my love, I have no scruple at all.
+You would not like to leave him yourself, but you see I can be of no use.
+Anne will send for me if anything is the matter."
+
+Husbands and wives generally understand when opposition will be vain.
+Mary knew, from Charles's manner of speaking, that he was
+quite determined on going, and that it would be of no use to teaze him.
+She said nothing, therefore, till he was out of the room,
+but as soon as there was only Anne to hear--
+
+"So you and I are to be left to shift by ourselves, with this
+poor sick child; and not a creature coming near us all the evening!
+I knew how it would be.  This is always my luck.  If there is
+anything disagreeable going on men are always sure to get out of it,
+and Charles is as bad as any of them.  Very unfeeling!  I must say
+it is very unfeeling of him to be running away from his poor little boy.
+Talks of his being going on so well!  How does he know that he is
+going on well, or that there may not be a sudden change half an hour hence?
+I did not think Charles would have been so unfeeling.  So here he is to
+go away and enjoy himself, and because I am the poor mother,
+I am not to be allowed to stir; and yet, I am sure, I am more unfit
+than anybody else to be about the child.  My being the mother
+is the very reason why my feelings should not be tried.  I am not at all
+equal to it.  You saw how hysterical I was yesterday."
+
+"But that was only the effect of the suddenness of your alarm--
+of the shock.  You will not be hysterical again.  I dare say we shall have
+nothing to distress us.  I perfectly understand Mr Robinson's directions,
+and have no fears; and indeed, Mary, I cannot wonder at your husband.
+Nursing does not belong to a man; it is not his province.
+A sick child is always the mother's property:  her own feelings
+generally make it so."
+
+"I hope I am as fond of my child as any mother, but I do not know
+that I am of any more use in the sick-room than Charles,
+for I cannot be always scolding and teazing the poor child when it is ill;
+and you saw, this morning, that if I told him to keep quiet,
+he was sure to begin kicking about.  I have not nerves
+for the sort of thing."
+
+"But, could you be comfortable yourself, to be spending
+the whole evening away from the poor boy?"
+
+"Yes; you see his papa can, and why should not I?  Jemima is so careful;
+and she could send us word every hour how he was.  I really think
+Charles might as well have told his father we would all come.
+I am not more alarmed about little Charles now than he is.
+I was dreadfully alarmed yesterday, but the case is very different to-day."
+
+"Well, if you do not think it too late to give notice for yourself,
+suppose you were to go, as well as your husband.  Leave little Charles
+to my care.  Mr and Mrs Musgrove cannot think it wrong while I remain
+with him."
+
+"Are you serious?" cried Mary, her eyes brightening.  "Dear me!
+that's a very good thought, very good, indeed.  To be sure,
+I may just as well go as not, for I am of no use at home--am I?
+and it only harasses me.  You, who have not a mother's feelings,
+are a great deal the properest person.  You can make little Charles
+do anything; he always minds you at a word.  It will be a great deal better
+than leaving him only with Jemima.  Oh! I shall certainly go;
+I am sure I ought if I can, quite as much as Charles, for they want me
+excessively to be acquainted with Captain Wentworth, and I know
+you do not mind being left alone.  An excellent thought of yours,
+indeed, Anne.  I will go and tell Charles, and get ready directly.
+You can send for us, you know, at a moment's notice, if anything
+is the matter; but I dare say there will be nothing to alarm you.
+I should not go, you may be sure, if I did not feel quite at ease
+about my dear child."
+
+The next moment she was tapping at her husband's dressing-room door,
+and as Anne followed her up stairs, she was in time for
+the whole conversation, which began with Mary's saying,
+in a tone of great exultation--
+
+"I mean to go with you, Charles, for I am of no more use at home
+than you are.  If I were to shut myself up for ever with the child,
+I should not be able to persuade him to do anything he did not like.
+Anne will stay; Anne undertakes to stay at home and take care of him.
+It is Anne's own proposal, and so I shall go with you, which will be
+a great deal better, for I have not dined at the other house since Tuesday."
+
+"This is very kind of Anne," was her husband's answer, "and I should be
+very glad to have you go; but it seems rather hard that she should be
+left at home by herself, to nurse our sick child."
+
+Anne was now at hand to take up her own cause, and the sincerity
+of her manner being soon sufficient to convince him, where conviction
+was at least very agreeable, he had no farther scruples as to her being
+left to dine alone, though he still wanted her to join them in the evening,
+when the child might be at rest for the night, and kindly urged her
+to let him come and fetch her, but she was quite unpersuadable;
+and this being the case, she had ere long the pleasure of seeing them
+set off together in high spirits.  They were gone, she hoped,
+to be happy, however oddly constructed such happiness might seem;
+as for herself, she was left with as many sensations of comfort,
+as were, perhaps, ever likely to be hers.  She knew herself to be
+of the first utility to the child; and what was it to her
+if Frederick Wentworth were only half a mile distant, making himself
+agreeable to others?
+
+She would have liked to know how he felt as to a meeting.
+Perhaps indifferent, if indifference could exist under such circumstances.
+He must be either indifferent or unwilling.  Had he wished
+ever to see her again, he need not have waited till this time;
+he would have done what she could not but believe that in his place
+she should have done long ago, when events had been early giving him
+the independence which alone had been wanting.
+
+Her brother and sister came back delighted with their new acquaintance,
+and their visit in general.  There had been music, singing,
+talking, laughing, all that was most agreeable; charming manners
+in Captain Wentworth, no shyness or reserve; they seemed all
+to know each other perfectly, and he was coming the very next morning
+to shoot with Charles.  He was to come to breakfast, but not at the Cottage,
+though that had been proposed at first; but then he had been pressed
+to come to the Great House instead, and he seemed afraid of being
+in Mrs Charles Musgrove's way, on account of the child, and therefore,
+somehow, they hardly knew how, it ended in Charles's being to meet him
+to breakfast at his father's.
+
+Anne understood it.  He wished to avoid seeing her.  He had inquired
+after her, she found, slightly, as might suit a former slight acquaintance,
+seeming to acknowledge such as she had acknowledged, actuated, perhaps,
+by the same view of escaping introduction when they were to meet.
+
+The morning hours of the Cottage were always later than those
+of the other house, and on the morrow the difference was so great
+that Mary and Anne were not more than beginning breakfast when
+Charles came in to say that they were just setting off, that he was
+come for his dogs, that his sisters were following with Captain Wentworth;
+his sisters meaning to visit Mary and the child, and Captain Wentworth
+proposing also to wait on her for a few minutes if not inconvenient;
+and though Charles had answered for the child's being in no such state
+as could make it inconvenient, Captain Wentworth would not be satisfied
+without his running on to give notice.
+
+Mary, very much gratified by this attention, was delighted to receive him,
+while a thousand feelings rushed on Anne, of which this was
+the most consoling, that it would soon be over.  And it was soon over.
+In two minutes after Charles's preparation, the others appeared;
+they were in the drawing-room.  Her eye half met Captain Wentworth's,
+a bow, a curtsey passed; she heard his voice; he talked to Mary,
+said all that was right, said something to the Miss Musgroves,
+enough to mark an easy footing; the room seemed full, full of persons
+and voices, but a few minutes ended it.  Charles shewed himself
+at the window, all was ready, their visitor had bowed and was gone,
+the Miss Musgroves were gone too, suddenly resolving to walk
+to the end of the village with the sportsmen:  the room was cleared,
+and Anne might finish her breakfast as she could.
+
+"It is over! it is over!" she repeated to herself again and again,
+in nervous gratitude.  "The worst is over!"
+
+Mary talked, but she could not attend.  She had seen him.
+They had met.  They had been once more in the same room.
+
+Soon, however, she began to reason with herself, and try to be feeling less.
+Eight years, almost eight years had passed, since all had been given up.
+How absurd to be resuming the agitation which such an interval
+had banished into distance and indistinctness!  What might not
+eight years do?  Events of every description, changes, alienations,
+removals--all, all must be comprised in it, and oblivion of the past--
+how natural, how certain too!  It included nearly a third part
+of her own life.
+
+Alas! with all her reasoning, she found, that to retentive feelings
+eight years may be little more than nothing.
+
+Now, how were his sentiments to be read?  Was this like
+wishing to avoid her?  And the next moment she was hating herself
+for the folly which asked the question.
+
+On one other question which perhaps her utmost wisdom
+might not have prevented, she was soon spared all suspense;
+for, after the Miss Musgroves had returned and finished their visit
+at the Cottage she had this spontaneous information from Mary:--
+
+"Captain Wentworth is not very gallant by you, Anne, though he was
+so attentive to me.  Henrietta asked him what he thought of you,
+when they went away, and he said, `You were so altered he should not
+have known you again.'"
+
+Mary had no feelings to make her respect her sister's in a common way,
+but she was perfectly unsuspicious of being inflicting any peculiar wound.
+
+"Altered beyond his knowledge."  Anne fully submitted, in silent,
+deep mortification.  Doubtless it was so, and she could take no revenge,
+for he was not altered, or not for the worse.  She had already
+acknowledged it to herself, and she could not think differently,
+let him think of her as he would.  No:  the years which had destroyed
+her youth and bloom had only given him a more glowing, manly,
+open look, in no respect lessening his personal advantages.
+She had seen the same Frederick Wentworth.
+
+"So altered that he should not have known her again!"  These were words
+which could not but dwell with her.  Yet she soon began to rejoice
+that she had heard them.  They were of sobering tendency;
+they allayed agitation; they composed, and consequently must
+make her happier.
+
+Frederick Wentworth had used such words, or something like them,
+but without an idea that they would be carried round to her.
+He had thought her wretchedly altered, and in the first moment of appeal,
+had spoken as he felt.  He had not forgiven Anne Elliot.
+She had used him ill, deserted and disappointed him; and worse,
+she had shewn a feebleness of character in doing so, which his own decided,
+confident temper could not endure.  She had given him up to oblige others.
+It had been the effect of over-persuasion.  It had been
+weakness and timidity.
+
+He had been most warmly attached to her, and had never seen a woman since
+whom he thought her equal; but, except from some natural sensation
+of curiosity, he had no desire of meeting her again.  Her power with him
+was gone for ever.
+
+It was now his object to marry.  He was rich, and being turned on shore,
+fully intended to settle as soon as he could be properly tempted;
+actually looking round, ready to fall in love with all the speed
+which a clear head and a quick taste could allow.  He had a heart
+for either of the Miss Musgroves, if they could catch it; a heart,
+in short, for any pleasing young woman who came in his way,
+excepting Anne Elliot.  This was his only secret exception,
+when he said to his sister, in answer to her suppositions:--
+
+"Yes, here I am, Sophia, quite ready to make a foolish match.
+Anybody between fifteen and thirty may have me for asking.
+A little beauty, and a few smiles, and a few compliments to the navy,
+and I am a lost man.  Should not this be enough for a sailor,
+who has had no society among women to make him nice?"
+
+He said it, she knew, to be contradicted.  His bright proud eye
+spoke the conviction that he was nice; and Anne Elliot was
+not out of his thoughts, when he more seriously described
+the woman he should wish to meet with.  "A strong mind,
+with sweetness of manner," made the first and the last of the description.
+
+"That is the woman I want," said he.  "Something a little inferior
+I shall of course put up with, but it must not be much.  If I am a fool,
+I shall be a fool indeed, for I have thought on the subject
+more than most men."
+
+
+
+Chapter 8
+
+
+From this time Captain Wentworth and Anne Elliot were repeatedly
+in the same circle.  They were soon dining in company together
+at Mr Musgrove's, for the little boy's state could no longer
+supply his aunt with a pretence for absenting herself; and this was
+but the beginning of other dinings and other meetings.
+
+Whether former feelings were to be renewed must be brought to the proof;
+former times must undoubtedly be brought to the recollection of each;
+they could not but be reverted to; the year of their engagement
+could not but be named by him, in the little narratives or descriptions
+which conversation called forth.  His profession qualified him,
+his disposition lead him, to talk; and "That was in the year six;"
+"That happened before I went to sea in the year six," occurred
+in the course of the first evening they spent together:
+and though his voice did not falter, and though she had no reason
+to suppose his eye wandering towards her while he spoke,
+Anne felt the utter impossibility, from her knowledge of his mind,
+that he could be unvisited by remembrance any more than herself.
+There must be the same immediate association of thought,
+though she was very far from conceiving it to be of equal pain.
+
+They had no conversation together, no intercourse but what
+the commonest civility required.  Once so much to each other!
+Now nothing!  There had been a time, when of all the large party
+now filling the drawing-room at Uppercross, they would have found it
+most difficult to cease to speak to one another.  With the exception,
+perhaps, of Admiral and Mrs Croft, who seemed particularly attached
+and happy, (Anne could allow no other exceptions even among
+the married couples), there could have been no two hearts so open,
+no tastes so similar, no feelings so in unison, no countenances so beloved.
+Now they were as strangers; nay, worse than strangers, for they could
+never become acquainted.  It was a perpetual estrangement.
+
+When he talked, she heard the same voice, and discerned the same mind.
+There was a very general ignorance of all naval matters throughout the party;
+and he was very much questioned, and especially by the two Miss Musgroves,
+who seemed hardly to have any eyes but for him, as to the manner
+of living on board, daily regulations, food, hours, &c., and their surprise
+at his accounts, at learning the degree of accommodation and arrangement
+which was practicable, drew from him some pleasant ridicule,
+which reminded Anne of the early days when she too had been ignorant,
+and she too had been accused of supposing sailors to be living on board
+without anything to eat, or any cook to dress it if there were,
+or any servant to wait, or any knife and fork to use.
+
+From thus listening and thinking, she was roused by a whisper
+of Mrs Musgrove's who, overcome by fond regrets, could not help saying--
+
+"Ah! Miss Anne, if it had pleased Heaven to spare my poor son,
+I dare say he would have been just such another by this time."
+
+Anne suppressed a smile, and listened kindly, while Mrs Musgrove
+relieved her heart a little more; and for a few minutes, therefore,
+could not keep pace with the conversation of the others.
+
+When she could let her attention take its natural course again,
+she found the Miss Musgroves just fetching the Navy List
+(their own navy list, the first that had ever been at Uppercross),
+and sitting down together to pore over it, with the professed view
+of finding out the ships that Captain Wentworth had commanded.
+
+"Your first was the Asp, I remember; we will look for the Asp."
+
+"You will not find her there.  Quite worn out and broken up.
+I was the last man who commanded her.  Hardly fit for service then.
+Reported fit for home service for a year or two, and so I was sent off
+to the West Indies."
+
+The girls looked all amazement.
+
+"The Admiralty," he continued, "entertain themselves now and then,
+with sending a few hundred men to sea, in a ship not fit to be employed.
+But they have a great many to provide for; and among the thousands
+that may just as well go to the bottom as not, it is impossible
+for them to distinguish the very set who may be least missed."
+
+"Phoo! phoo!" cried the Admiral, "what stuff these young fellows talk!
+Never was a better sloop than the Asp in her day.  For an old built sloop,
+you would not see her equal.  Lucky fellow to get her!  He knows there
+must have been twenty better men than himself applying for her
+at the same time.  Lucky fellow to get anything so soon,
+with no more interest than his."
+
+"I felt my luck, Admiral, I assure you;" replied Captain Wentworth,
+seriously.  "I was as well satisfied with my appointment as you can desire.
+It was a great object with me at that time to be at sea;
+a very great object, I wanted to be doing something."
+
+"To be sure you did.  What should a young fellow like you do ashore
+for half a year together?  If a man had not a wife, he soon wants
+to be afloat again."
+
+"But, Captain Wentworth," cried Louisa, "how vexed you must have been
+when you came to the Asp, to see what an old thing they had given you."
+
+"I knew pretty well what she was before that day;" said he, smiling.
+"I had no more discoveries to make than you would have as to
+the fashion and strength of any old pelisse, which you had seen
+lent about among half your acquaintance ever since you could remember,
+and which at last, on some very wet day, is lent to yourself.
+Ah! she was a dear old Asp to me.  She did all that I wanted.
+I knew she would.  I knew that we should either go to the bottom together,
+or that she would be the making of me; and I never had two days
+of foul weather all the time I was at sea in her; and after
+taking privateers enough to be very entertaining, I had the good luck
+in my passage home the next autumn, to fall in with the very French frigate
+I wanted.  I brought her into Plymouth; and here another instance of luck.
+We had not been six hours in the Sound, when a gale came on,
+which lasted four days and nights, and which would have done for
+poor old Asp in half the time; our touch with the Great Nation
+not having much improved our condition.  Four-and-twenty hours later,
+and I should only have been a gallant Captain Wentworth,
+in a small paragraph at one corner of the newspapers; and being lost
+in only a sloop, nobody would have thought about me." Anne's shudderings
+were to herself alone; but the Miss Musgroves could be as open
+as they were sincere, in their exclamations of pity and horror.
+
+"And so then, I suppose," said Mrs Musgrove, in a low voice,
+as if thinking aloud, "so then he went away to the Laconia, and there
+he met with our poor boy. Charles, my dear," (beckoning him to her),
+"do ask Captain Wentworth where it was he first met with your poor brother.
+I always forgot."
+
+"It was at Gibraltar, mother, I know.  Dick had been left ill at Gibraltar,
+with a recommendation from his former captain to Captain Wentworth."
+
+"Oh! but, Charles, tell Captain Wentworth, he need not be afraid
+of mentioning poor Dick before me, for it would be rather a pleasure
+to hear him talked of by such a good friend."
+
+Charles, being somewhat more mindful of the probabilities of the case,
+only nodded in reply, and walked away.
+
+The girls were now hunting for the Laconia; and Captain Wentworth
+could not deny himself the pleasure of taking the precious volume
+into his own hands to save them the trouble, and once more read aloud
+the little statement of her name and rate, and present
+non-commissioned class, observing over it that she too had been
+one of the best friends man ever had.
+
+"Ah! those were pleasant days when I had the Laconia!  How fast I
+made money in her.  A friend of mine and I had such a lovely cruise
+together off the Western Islands.  Poor Harville, sister!
+You know how much he wanted money:  worse than myself.  He had a wife.
+Excellent fellow.  I shall never forget his happiness.  He felt it all,
+so much for her sake.  I wished for him again the next summer,
+when I had still the same luck in the Mediterranean."
+
+"And I am sure, Sir," said Mrs Musgrove, "it was a lucky day for us,
+when you were put captain into that ship.  We shall never forget
+what you did."
+
+Her feelings made her speak low; and Captain Wentworth,
+hearing only in part, and probably not having Dick Musgrove at all
+near his thoughts, looked rather in suspense, and as if waiting for more.
+
+"My brother," whispered one of the girls; "mamma is thinking
+of poor Richard."
+
+"Poor dear fellow!" continued Mrs Musgrove; "he was grown so steady,
+and such an excellent correspondent, while he was under your care!
+Ah! it would have been a happy thing, if he had never left you.
+I assure you, Captain Wentworth, we are very sorry he ever left you."
+
+There was a momentary expression in Captain Wentworth's face at this speech,
+a certain glance of his bright eye, and curl of his handsome mouth,
+which convinced Anne, that instead of sharing in Mrs Musgrove's kind wishes,
+as to her son, he had probably been at some pains to get rid of him;
+but it was too transient an indulgence of self-amusement to be detected
+by any who understood him less than herself; in another moment
+he was perfectly collected and serious, and almost instantly afterwards
+coming up to the sofa, on which she and Mrs Musgrove were sitting,
+took a place by the latter, and entered into conversation with her,
+in a low voice, about her son, doing it with so much sympathy
+and natural grace, as shewed the kindest consideration for all
+that was real and unabsurd in the parent's feelings.
+
+They were actually on the same sofa, for Mrs Musgrove had
+most readily made room for him; they were divided only by Mrs Musgrove.
+It was no insignificant barrier, indeed.  Mrs Musgrove was of
+a comfortable, substantial size, infinitely more fitted by nature
+to express good cheer and good humour, than tenderness and sentiment;
+and while the agitations of Anne's slender form, and pensive face,
+may be considered as very completely screened, Captain Wentworth
+should be allowed some credit for the self-command with which
+he attended to her large fat sighings over the destiny of a son,
+whom alive nobody had cared for.
+
+Personal size and mental sorrow have certainly no necessary proportions.
+A large bulky figure has as good a right to be in deep affliction,
+as the most graceful set of limbs in the world.  But, fair or not fair,
+there are unbecoming conjunctions, which reason will patronize in vain--
+which taste cannot tolerate--which ridicule will seize.
+
+The Admiral, after taking two or three refreshing turns about the room
+with his hands behind him, being called to order by his wife,
+now came up to Captain Wentworth, and without any observation
+of what he might be interrupting, thinking only of his own thoughts,
+began with--
+
+"If you had been a week later at Lisbon, last spring, Frederick,
+you would have been asked to give a passage to Lady Mary Grierson
+and her daughters."
+
+"Should I?  I am glad I was not a week later then."
+
+The Admiral abused him for his want of gallantry.  He defended himself;
+though professing that he would never willingly admit any ladies
+on board a ship of his, excepting for a ball, or a visit,
+which a few hours might comprehend.
+
+"But, if I know myself," said he, "this is from no want of gallantry
+towards them.  It is rather from feeling how impossible it is,
+with all one's efforts, and all one's sacrifices, to make
+the accommodations on board such as women ought to have.
+There can be no want of gallantry, Admiral, in rating the claims of women
+to every personal comfort high, and this is what I do.  I hate to hear
+of women on board, or to see them on board; and no ship under my command
+shall ever convey a family of ladies anywhere, if I can help it."
+
+This brought his sister upon him.
+
+"Oh! Frederick!  But I cannot believe it of you. --All idle refinement!
+--Women may be as comfortable on board, as in the best house in England.
+I believe I have lived as much on board as most women, and I know
+nothing superior to the accommodations of a man-of-war.  I declare
+I have not a comfort or an indulgence about me, even at Kellynch Hall,"
+(with a kind bow to Anne), "beyond what I always had in most of
+the ships I have lived in; and they have been five altogether."
+
+"Nothing to the purpose," replied her brother.  "You were living
+with your husband, and were the only woman on board."
+
+"But you, yourself, brought Mrs Harville, her sister, her cousin,
+and three children, round from Portsmouth to Plymouth.  Where was this
+superfine, extraordinary sort of gallantry of yours then?"
+
+"All merged in my friendship, Sophia.  I would assist any
+brother officer's wife that I could, and I would bring anything
+of Harville's from the world's end, if he wanted it.  But do not imagine
+that I did not feel it an evil in itself."
+
+"Depend upon it, they were all perfectly comfortable."
+
+"I might not like them the better for that perhaps.  Such a number
+of women and children have no right to be comfortable on board."
+
+"My dear Frederick, you are talking quite idly.  Pray, what would
+become of us poor sailors' wives, who often want to be conveyed to
+one port or another, after our husbands, if everybody had your feelings?"
+
+"My feelings, you see, did not prevent my taking Mrs Harville
+and all her family to Plymouth."
+
+"But I hate to hear you talking so like a fine gentleman,
+and as if women were all fine ladies, instead of rational creatures.
+We none of us expect to be in smooth water all our days."
+
+"Ah! my dear," said the Admiral, "when he had got a wife,
+he will sing a different tune.  When he is married, if we have
+the good luck to live to another war, we shall see him do as you and I,
+and a great many others, have done.  We shall have him very thankful
+to anybody that will bring him his wife."
+
+"Ay, that we shall."
+
+"Now I have done," cried Captain Wentworth.  "When once married
+people begin to attack me with,--`Oh! you will think very differently,
+when you are married.'  I can only say, `No, I shall not;' and then
+they say again, `Yes, you will,' and there is an end of it."
+
+He got up and moved away.
+
+"What a great traveller you must have been, ma'am!" said Mrs Musgrove
+to Mrs Croft.
+
+"Pretty well, ma'am in the fifteen years of my marriage;
+though many women have done more.  I have crossed the Atlantic
+four times, and have been once to the East Indies, and back again,
+and only once; besides being in different places about home:
+Cork, and Lisbon, and Gibraltar.  But I never went beyond the Streights,
+and never was in the West Indies.  We do not call Bermuda or Bahama,
+you know, the West Indies."
+
+Mrs Musgrove had not a word to say in dissent; she could not accuse herself
+of having ever called them anything in the whole course of her life.
+
+"And I do assure you, ma'am," pursued Mrs Croft, "that nothing can exceed
+the accommodations of a man-of-war; I speak, you know, of the higher rates.
+When you come to a frigate, of course, you are more confined;
+though any reasonable woman may be perfectly happy in one of them;
+and I can safely say, that the happiest part of my life has been spent
+on board a ship.  While we were together, you know, there was nothing
+to be feared.  Thank God!  I have always been blessed with
+excellent health, and no climate disagrees with me.  A little disordered
+always the first twenty-four hours of going to sea, but never knew
+what sickness was afterwards.  The only time I ever really suffered
+in body or mind, the only time that I ever fancied myself unwell,
+or had any ideas of danger, was the winter that I passed by myself at Deal,
+when the Admiral (Captain Croft then) was in the North Seas.
+I lived in perpetual fright at that time, and had all manner of
+imaginary complaints from not knowing what to do with myself,
+or when I should hear from him next; but as long as we could be together,
+nothing ever ailed me, and I never met with the smallest inconvenience."
+
+"Aye, to be sure.  Yes, indeed, oh yes!  I am quite of your opinion,
+Mrs Croft," was Mrs Musgrove's hearty answer.  "There is nothing so bad
+as a separation.  I am quite of your opinion.  I know what it is,
+for Mr Musgrove always attends the assizes, and I am so glad when
+they are over, and he is safe back again."
+
+The evening ended with dancing.  On its being proposed,
+Anne offered her services, as usual; and though her eyes would sometimes
+fill with tears as she sat at the instrument, she was extremely glad
+to be employed, and desired nothing in return but to be unobserved.
+
+It was a merry, joyous party, and no one seemed in higher spirits
+than Captain Wentworth.  She felt that he had every thing to elevate
+him which general attention and deference, and especially the attention
+of all the young women, could do.  The Miss Hayters, the females
+of the family of cousins already mentioned, were apparently admitted
+to the honour of being in love with him; and as for Henrietta and Louisa,
+they both seemed so entirely occupied by him, that nothing but
+the continued appearance of the most perfect good-will between themselves
+could have made it credible that they were not decided rivals.
+If he were a little spoilt by such universal, such eager admiration,
+who could wonder?
+
+These were some of the thoughts which occupied Anne, while her fingers
+were mechanically at work, proceeding for half an hour together,
+equally without error, and without consciousness.  Once she felt
+that he was looking at herself,  observing her altered features,
+perhaps, trying to trace in them the ruins of the face which had once
+charmed him; and once she knew that he must have spoken of her;
+she was hardly aware of it, till she heard the answer; but then she was
+sure of his having asked his partner whether Miss Elliot never danced?
+The answer was, "Oh, no; never; she has quite given up dancing.
+She had rather play.  She is never tired of playing."  Once, too,
+he spoke to her.  She had left the instrument on the dancing being over,
+and he had sat down to try to make out an air which he wished
+to give the Miss Musgroves an idea of.  Unintentionally she returned
+to that part of the room; he saw her, and, instantly rising,
+said, with studied politeness--
+
+"I beg your pardon, madam, this is your seat;" and though she immediately
+drew back with a decided negative, he was not to be induced
+to sit down again.
+
+Anne did not wish for more of such looks and speeches.
+His cold politeness, his ceremonious grace, were worse than anything.
+
+
+
+Chapter 9
+
+
+Captain Wentworth was come to Kellynch as to a home, to stay
+as long as he liked, being as thoroughly the object of
+the Admiral's fraternal kindness as of his wife's.  He had intended,
+on first arriving, to proceed very soon into Shropshire,
+and visit the brother settled in that country, but the attractions
+of Uppercross induced him to put this off.  There was so much
+of friendliness, and of flattery, and of everything most bewitching
+in his reception there; the old were so hospitable, the young so agreeable,
+that he could not but resolve to remain where he was, and take all
+the charms and perfections of Edward's wife upon credit a little longer.
+
+It was soon Uppercross with him almost every day.  The Musgroves
+could hardly be more ready to invite than he to come, particularly
+in the morning, when he had no companion at home, for the Admiral
+and Mrs Croft were generally out of doors together, interesting themselves
+in their new possessions, their grass, and their sheep, and dawdling about
+in a way not endurable to a third person, or driving out in a gig,
+lately added to their establishment.
+
+Hitherto there had been but one opinion of Captain Wentworth
+among the Musgroves and their dependencies.  It was unvarying,
+warm admiration everywhere; but this intimate footing was not more
+than established, when a certain Charles Hayter returned among them,
+to be a good deal disturbed by it, and to think Captain Wentworth
+very much in the way.
+
+Charles Hayter was the eldest of all the cousins, and a very amiable,
+pleasing young man, between whom and Henrietta there had been
+a considerable appearance of attachment previous to Captain Wentworth's
+introduction.  He was in orders; and having a curacy in the neighbourhood,
+where residence was not required, lived at his father's house,
+only two miles from Uppercross.  A short absence from home
+had left his fair one unguarded by his attentions at this critical period,
+and when he came back he had the pain of finding very altered manners,
+and of seeing Captain Wentworth.
+
+Mrs Musgrove and Mrs Hayter were sisters.  They had each had money,
+but their marriages had made a material difference in
+their degree of consequence.  Mr Hayter had some property of his own,
+but it was insignificant compared with Mr Musgrove's; and while
+the Musgroves were in the first class of society in the country,
+the young Hayters would, from their parents' inferior, retired,
+and unpolished way of living, and their own defective education,
+have been hardly in any class at all, but for their connexion
+with Uppercross, this eldest son of course excepted, who had chosen
+to be a scholar and a gentleman, and who was very superior
+in cultivation and manners to all the rest.
+
+The two families had always been on excellent terms, there being no pride
+on one side, and no envy on the other, and only such a consciousness
+of superiority in the Miss Musgroves, as made them pleased
+to improve their cousins.  Charles's attentions to Henrietta
+had been observed by her father and mother without any disapprobation.
+"It would not be a great match for her; but if Henrietta liked him,"--
+and Henrietta did seem to like him.
+
+Henrietta fully thought so herself, before Captain Wentworth came;
+but from that time Cousin Charles had been very much forgotten.
+
+Which of the two sisters was preferred by Captain Wentworth was
+as yet quite doubtful, as far as Anne's observation reached.
+Henrietta was perhaps the prettiest, Louisa had the higher spirits;
+and she knew not now, whether the more gentle or the more lively character
+were most likely to attract him.
+
+Mr and Mrs Musgrove, either from seeing little, or from
+an entire confidence in the discretion of both their daughters,
+and of all the young men who came near them, seemed to leave everything
+to take its chance.  There was not the smallest appearance of solicitude
+or remark about them in the Mansion-house; but it was different
+at the Cottage:  the young couple there were more disposed
+to speculate and wonder; and Captain Wentworth had not been above
+four or five times in the Miss Musgroves' company, and Charles Hayter
+had but just reappeared, when Anne had to listen to the opinions
+of her brother and sister, as to which was the one liked best.
+Charles gave it for Louisa, Mary for Henrietta, but quite agreeing
+that to have him marry either could be extremely delightful.
+
+Charles "had never seen a pleasanter man in his life; and from what
+he had once heard Captain Wentworth himself say, was very sure that
+he had not made less than twenty thousand pounds by the war.
+Here was a fortune at once; besides which, there would be the chance
+of what might be done in any future war; and he was sure Captain Wentworth
+was as likely a man to distinguish himself as any officer in the navy.
+Oh! it would be a capital match for either of his sisters."
+
+"Upon my word it would," replied Mary.  "Dear me!  If he should
+rise to any very great honours!  If he should ever be made a baronet!
+`Lady Wentworth' sounds very well.  That would be a noble thing,
+indeed, for Henrietta!  She would take place of me then, and Henrietta
+would not dislike that.  Sir Frederick and Lady Wentworth!
+It would be but a new creation, however, and I never think much
+of your new creations."
+
+It suited Mary best to think Henrietta the one preferred
+on the very account of Charles Hayter, whose pretensions she wished
+to see put an end to.  She looked down very decidedly upon the Hayters,
+and thought it would be quite a misfortune to have the existing connection
+between the families renewed--very sad for herself and her children.
+
+"You know," said she, "I cannot think him at all a fit match for Henrietta;
+and considering the alliances which the Musgroves have made,
+she has no right to throw herself away.  I do not think any young woman
+has a right to make a choice that may be disagreeable and inconvenient
+to the principal part of her family, and be giving bad connections
+to those who have not been used to them.  And, pray, who is Charles Hayter?
+Nothing but a country curate.  A most improper match for Miss Musgrove
+of Uppercross."
+
+Her husband, however, would not agree with her here; for besides having
+a regard for his cousin, Charles Hayter was an eldest son,
+and he saw things as an eldest son himself.
+
+"Now you are talking nonsense, Mary," was therefore his answer.
+"It would not be a great match for Henrietta, but Charles has
+a very fair chance, through the Spicers, of getting something from
+the Bishop in the course of a year or two; and you will please to remember,
+that he is the eldest son; whenever my uncle dies, he steps into very
+pretty property.  The estate at Winthrop is not less than
+two hundred and fifty acres, besides the farm near Taunton,
+which is some of the best land in the country.  I grant you,
+that any of them but Charles would be a very shocking match for Henrietta,
+and indeed it could not be; he is the only one that could be possible;
+but he is a very good-natured, good sort of a fellow; and whenever Winthrop
+comes into his hands, he will make a different sort of place of it,
+and live in a very different sort of way; and with that property,
+he will never be a contemptible man--good, freehold property.  No, no;
+Henrietta might do worse than marry Charles Hayter; and if she has him,
+and Louisa can get Captain Wentworth, I shall be very well satisfied."
+
+"Charles may say what he pleases," cried Mary to Anne, as soon as
+he was out of the room, "but it would be shocking to have Henrietta
+marry Charles Hayter; a very bad thing for her, and still worse
+for me; and therefore it is very much to be wished that Captain Wentworth
+may soon put him quite out of her head, and I have very little doubt
+that he has.  She took hardly any notice of Charles Hayter yesterday.
+I wish you had been there to see her behaviour.  And as to
+Captain Wentworth's liking Louisa as well as Henrietta, it is nonsense
+to say so; for he certainly does like Henrietta a great deal the best.
+But Charles is so positive!  I wish you had been with us yesterday,
+for then you might have decided between us; and I am sure you
+would have thought as I did, unless you had been determined
+to give it against me."
+
+A dinner at Mr Musgrove's had been the occasion when all these things
+should have been seen by Anne; but she had staid at home,
+under the mixed plea of a headache of her own, and some return
+of indisposition in little Charles.  She had thought only of avoiding
+Captain Wentworth; but an escape from being appealed to as umpire
+was now added to the advantages of a quiet evening.
+
+As to Captain Wentworth's views, she deemed it of more consequence
+that he should know his own mind early enough not to be endangering
+the happiness of either sister, or impeaching his own honour,
+than that he should prefer Henrietta to Louisa, or Louisa to Henrietta.
+Either of them would, in all probability, make him an affectionate,
+good-humoured wife.  With regard to Charles Hayter, she had delicacy
+which must be pained by any lightness of conduct in a well-meaning
+young woman, and a heart to sympathize in any of the sufferings
+it occasioned; but if Henrietta found herself mistaken in the nature
+of her feelings, the alternation could not be understood too soon.
+
+Charles Hayter had met with much to disquiet and mortify him
+in his cousin's behaviour.  She had too old a regard for him
+to be so wholly estranged as might in two meetings extinguish
+every past hope, and leave him nothing to do but to keep away
+from Uppercross:  but there was such a change as became very alarming,
+when such a man as Captain Wentworth was to be regarded as
+the probable cause.  He had been absent only two Sundays,
+and when they parted, had left her interested, even to the height
+of his wishes, in his prospect of soon quitting his present curacy,
+and obtaining that of Uppercross instead.  It had then seemed the object
+nearest her heart, that Dr Shirley, the rector, who for more than
+forty years had been zealously discharging all the duties of his office,
+but was now growing too infirm for many of them, should be quite fixed
+on engaging a curate; should make his curacy quite as good
+as he could afford, and should give Charles Hayter the promise of it.
+The advantage of his having to come only to Uppercross, instead of going
+six miles another way; of his having, in every respect, a better curacy;
+of his belonging to their dear Dr Shirley, and of dear, good Dr Shirley's
+being relieved from the duty which he could no longer get through
+without most injurious fatigue, had been a great deal, even to Louisa,
+but had been almost everything to Henrietta.  When he came back, alas!
+the zeal of the business was gone by.  Louisa could not listen at all
+to his account of a conversation which he had just held with Dr Shirley:
+she was at a window, looking out for Captain Wentworth; and even Henrietta
+had at best only a divided attention to give, and seemed to have forgotten
+all the former doubt and solicitude of the negotiation.
+
+"Well, I am very glad indeed:  but I always thought you would have it;
+I always thought you sure.  It did not appear to me that--in short,
+you know, Dr Shirley must have a curate, and you had secured his promise.
+Is he coming, Louisa?"
+
+One morning, very soon after the dinner at the Musgroves,
+at which Anne had not been present, Captain Wentworth walked into
+the drawing-room at the Cottage, where were only herself and the little
+invalid Charles, who was lying on the sofa.
+
+The surprise of finding himself almost alone with Anne Elliot,
+deprived his manners of their usual composure:  he started,
+and could only say, "I thought the Miss Musgroves had been here:
+Mrs Musgrove told me I should find them here," before he walked
+to the window to recollect himself, and feel how he ought to behave.
+
+"They are up stairs with my sister:  they will be down in a few moments,
+I dare say," had been Anne's reply, in all the confusion that was natural;
+and if the child had not called her to come and do something for him,
+she would have been out of the room the next moment, and released
+Captain Wentworth as well as herself.
+
+He continued at the window; and after calmly and politely saying,
+"I hope the little boy is better," was silent.
+
+She was obliged to kneel down by the sofa, and remain there
+to satisfy her patient; and thus they continued a few minutes,
+when, to her very great satisfaction, she heard some other person
+crossing the little vestibule.  She hoped, on turning her head,
+to see the master of the house; but it proved to be one
+much less calculated for making matters easy--Charles Hayter,
+probably not at all better pleased by the sight of Captain Wentworth
+than Captain Wentworth had been by the sight of Anne.
+
+She only attempted to say, "How do you do?  Will you not sit down?
+The others will be here presently."
+
+Captain Wentworth, however, came from his window, apparently
+not ill-disposed for conversation; but Charles Hayter soon put an end
+to his attempts by seating himself near the table, and taking up
+the newspaper; and Captain Wentworth returned to his window.
+
+Another minute brought another addition.  The younger boy,
+a remarkable stout, forward child, of two years old, having got the door
+opened for him by some one without, made his determined appearance
+among them, and went straight to the sofa to see what was going on,
+and put in his claim to anything good that might be giving away.
+
+There being nothing to eat, he could only have some play;
+and as his aunt would not let him tease his sick brother,
+he began to fasten himself upon her, as she knelt, in such a way that,
+busy as she was about Charles, she could not shake him off.
+She spoke to him, ordered, entreated, and insisted in vain.
+Once she did contrive to push him away, but the boy had
+the greater pleasure in getting upon her back again directly.
+
+"Walter," said she, "get down this moment.  You are extremely troublesome.
+I am very angry with you."
+
+"Walter," cried Charles Hayter, "why do you not do as you are bid?
+Do not you hear your aunt speak?  Come to me, Walter, come to
+cousin Charles."
+
+But not a bit did Walter stir.
+
+In another moment, however, she found herself in the state of
+being released from him; some one was taking him from her,
+though he had bent down her head so much, that his little sturdy hands
+were unfastened from around her neck, and he was resolutely borne away,
+before she knew that Captain Wentworth had done it.
+
+Her sensations on the discovery made her perfectly speechless.
+She could not even thank him.  She could only hang over little Charles,
+with most disordered feelings.  His kindness in stepping forward
+to her relief, the manner, the silence in which it had passed,
+the little particulars of the circumstance, with the conviction soon
+forced on her by the noise he was studiously making with the child,
+that he meant to avoid hearing her thanks, and rather sought
+to testify that her conversation was the last of his wants,
+produced such a confusion of varying, but very painful agitation,
+as she could not recover from, till enabled by the entrance of Mary
+and the Miss Musgroves to make over her little patient to their cares,
+and leave the room.  She could not stay.  It might have been
+an opportunity of watching the loves and jealousies of the four--
+they were now altogether; but she could stay for none of it.
+It was evident that Charles Hayter was not well inclined towards
+Captain Wentworth.  She had a strong impression of his having said,
+in a vext tone of voice, after Captain Wentworth's interference,
+"You ought to have minded me, Walter; I told you not to teaze your aunt;"
+and could comprehend his regretting that Captain Wentworth should do
+what he ought to have done himself.  But neither Charles Hayter's feelings,
+nor anybody's feelings, could interest her, till she had a little better
+arranged her own.  She was ashamed of herself, quite ashamed
+of being so nervous, so overcome by such a trifle; but so it was,
+and it required a long application of solitude and reflection
+to recover her.
+
+
+
+Chapter 10
+
+
+Other opportunities of making her observations could not fail to occur.
+Anne had soon been in company with all the four together often enough
+to have an opinion, though too wise to acknowledge as much at home,
+where she knew it would have satisfied neither husband nor wife;
+for while she considered Louisa to be rather the favourite,
+she could not but think, as far as she might dare to judge from memory
+and experience, that Captain Wentworth was not in love with either.
+They were more in love with him; yet there it was not love.
+It was a little fever of admiration; but it might, probably must,
+end in love with some.  Charles Hayter seemed aware of being slighted,
+and yet Henrietta had sometimes the air of being divided between them.
+Anne longed for the power of representing to them all what they were about,
+and of pointing out some of the evils they were exposing themselves to.
+She did not attribute guile to any.  It was the highest satisfaction
+to her to believe Captain Wentworth not in the least aware
+of the pain he was occasioning.  There was no triumph, no pitiful triumph
+in his manner.  He had, probably, never heard, and never thought of
+any claims of Charles Hayter.  He was only wrong in accepting
+the attentions (for accepting must be the word) of two young women at once.
+
+After a short struggle, however, Charles Hayter seemed to quit the field.
+Three days had passed without his coming once to Uppercross;
+a most decided change.  He had even refused one regular invitation to dinner;
+and having been found on the occasion by Mr Musgrove with some large books
+before him, Mr and Mrs Musgrove were sure all could not be right,
+and talked, with grave faces, of his studying himself to death.
+It was Mary's hope and belief that he had received a positive dismissal
+from Henrietta, and her husband lived under the constant dependence
+of seeing him to-morrow.  Anne could only feel that Charles Hayter
+was wise.
+
+One morning, about this time Charles Musgrove and Captain Wentworth
+being gone a-shooting together, as the sisters in the Cottage
+were sitting quietly at work, they were visited at the window
+by the sisters from the Mansion-house.
+
+It was a very fine November day, and the Miss Musgroves came
+through the little grounds, and stopped for no other purpose than to say,
+that they were going to take a long walk, and therefore concluded
+Mary could not like to go with them; and when Mary immediately replied,
+with some jealousy at not being supposed a good walker, "Oh, yes,
+I should like to join you very much, I am very fond of a long walk;"
+Anne felt persuaded, by the looks of the two girls, that it was precisely
+what they did not wish, and admired again the sort of necessity
+which the family habits seemed to produce, of everything being
+to be communicated, and everything being to be done together,
+however undesired and inconvenient.  She tried to dissuade Mary from going,
+but in vain; and that being the case, thought it best to accept
+the Miss Musgroves' much more cordial invitation to herself to go likewise,
+as she might be useful in turning back with her sister, and lessening
+the interference in any plan of their own.
+
+"I cannot imagine why they should suppose I should not like a long walk,"
+said Mary, as she went up stairs.  "Everybody is always supposing
+that I am not a good walker; and yet they would not have been pleased,
+if we had refused to join them.  When people come in this manner
+on purpose to ask us, how can one say no?"
+
+Just as they were setting off, the gentlemen returned.  They had taken out
+a young dog, who had spoilt their sport, and sent them back early.
+Their time and strength, and spirits, were, therefore, exactly ready
+for this walk, and they entered into it with pleasure.  Could Anne
+have foreseen such a junction, she would have staid at home; but,
+from some feelings of interest and curiosity, she fancied now that it was
+too late to retract, and the whole six set forward together
+in the direction chosen by the Miss Musgroves, who evidently
+considered the walk as under their guidance.
+
+Anne's object was, not to be in the way of anybody; and where
+the narrow paths across the fields made many separations necessary,
+to keep with her brother and sister.  Her pleasure in the walk
+must arise from the exercise and the day, from the view of
+the last smiles of the year upon the tawny leaves, and withered hedges,
+and from repeating to herself some few of the thousand poetical
+descriptions extant of autumn, that season of peculiar and
+inexhaustible influence on the mind of taste and tenderness,
+that season which had drawn from every poet, worthy of being read,
+some attempt at description, or some lines of feeling.
+She occupied her mind as much as possible in such like musings
+and quotations; but it was not possible, that when within reach
+of Captain Wentworth's conversation with either of the Miss Musgroves,
+she should not try to hear it; yet she caught little very remarkable.
+It was mere lively chat, such as any young persons, on an intimate footing,
+might fall into.  He was more engaged with Louisa than with Henrietta.
+Louisa certainly put more forward for his notice than her sister.
+This distinction appeared to increase, and there was one speech
+of Louisa's which struck her.  After one of the many praises of the day,
+which were continually bursting forth, Captain Wentworth added:--
+
+"What glorious weather for the Admiral and my sister!  They meant to take
+a long drive this morning; perhaps we may hail them from
+some of these hills.  They talked of coming into this side of the country.
+I wonder whereabouts they will upset to-day.  Oh! it does happen
+very often, I assure you; but my sister makes nothing of it;
+she would as lieve be tossed out as not."
+
+"Ah! You make the most of it, I know," cried Louisa, "but if it were
+really so, I should do just the same in her place.  If I loved a man,
+as she loves the Admiral, I would always be with him, nothing should ever
+separate us, and I would rather be overturned by him, than driven safely
+by anybody else."
+
+It was spoken with enthusiasm.
+
+"Had you?" cried he, catching the same tone; "I honour you!"
+And there was silence between them for a little while.
+
+Anne could not immediately fall into a quotation again.  The sweet scenes
+of autumn were for a while put by, unless some tender sonnet,
+fraught with the apt analogy of the declining year, with declining
+happiness, and the images of youth and hope, and spring, all gone together,
+blessed her memory.  She roused herself to say, as they struck by order
+into another path, "Is not this one of the ways to Winthrop?"
+But nobody heard, or, at least, nobody answered her.
+
+Winthrop, however, or its environs--for young men are, sometimes
+to be met with, strolling about near home--was their destination;
+and after another half mile of gradual ascent through large enclosures,
+where the ploughs at work, and the fresh made path spoke the farmer
+counteracting the sweets of poetical despondence, and meaning
+to have spring again, they gained the summit of the most considerable hill,
+which parted Uppercross and Winthrop, and soon commanded a full view
+of the latter, at the foot of the hill on the other side.
+
+Winthrop, without beauty and without dignity, was stretched before them
+an indifferent house, standing low, and hemmed in by the barns and
+buildings of a farm-yard.
+
+Mary exclaimed, "Bless me! here is Winthrop.  I declare I had no idea!
+Well now, I think we had better turn back; I am excessively tired."
+
+Henrietta, conscious and ashamed, and seeing no cousin Charles
+walking along any path, or leaning against any gate, was ready
+to do as Mary wished; but "No!" said Charles Musgrove, and "No, no!"
+cried Louisa more eagerly, and taking her sister aside, seemed to be
+arguing the matter warmly.
+
+Charles, in the meanwhile, was very decidedly declaring his resolution
+of calling on his aunt, now that he was so near; and very evidently,
+though more fearfully, trying to induce his wife to go too.
+But this was one of the points on which the lady shewed her strength;
+and when he recommended the advantage of resting herself a quarter
+of an hour at Winthrop, as she felt so tired, she resolutely answered,
+"Oh! no, indeed! walking up that hill again would do her more harm
+than any sitting down could do her good;" and, in short,
+her look and manner declared, that go she would not.
+
+After a little succession of these sort of debates and consultations,
+it was settled between Charles and his two sisters, that he
+and Henrietta should just run down for a few minutes, to see their aunt
+and cousins, while the rest of the party waited for them at the top
+of the hill.  Louisa seemed the principal arranger of the plan;
+and, as she went a little way with them, down the hill, still talking
+to Henrietta, Mary took the opportunity of looking scornfully around her,
+and saying to Captain Wentworth--
+
+"It is very unpleasant, having such connexions!  But, I assure you,
+I have never been in the house above twice in my life."
+
+She received no other answer, than an artificial, assenting smile,
+followed by a contemptuous glance, as he turned away, which Anne
+perfectly knew the meaning of.
+
+The brow of the hill, where they remained, was a cheerful spot:
+Louisa returned; and Mary, finding a comfortable seat for herself
+on the step of a stile, was very well satisfied so long as the others
+all stood about her; but when Louisa drew Captain Wentworth away,
+to try for a gleaning of nuts in an adjoining hedge-row,
+and they were gone by degrees quite out of sight and sound,
+Mary was happy no longer; she quarrelled with her own seat,
+was sure Louisa had got a much better somewhere, and nothing could
+prevent her from going to look for a better also.  She turned through
+the same gate, but could not see them.  Anne found a nice seat
+for her, on a dry sunny bank, under the hedge-row, in which
+she had no doubt of their still being, in some spot or other.
+Mary sat down for a moment, but it would not do; she was sure Louisa
+had found a better seat somewhere else, and she would go on
+till she overtook her.
+
+Anne, really tired herself, was glad to sit down; and she very soon heard
+Captain Wentworth and Louisa in the hedge-row, behind her, as if
+making their way back along the rough, wild sort of channel, down the
+centre.  They were speaking as they drew near.  Louisa's voice was
+the first distinguished.  She seemed to be in the middle of some
+eager speech.  What Anne first heard was--
+
+"And so, I made her go.  I could not bear that she should be frightened
+from the visit by such nonsense.  What! would I be turned back from
+doing a thing that I had determined to do, and that I knew to be right,
+by the airs and interference of such a person, or of any person I may say?
+No, I have no idea of being so easily persuaded.  When I have
+made up my mind, I have made it; and Henrietta seemed entirely
+to have made up hers to call at Winthrop to-day; and yet, she was as near
+giving it up, out of nonsensical complaisance!"
+
+"She would have turned back then, but for you?"
+
+"She would indeed.  I am almost ashamed to say it."
+
+"Happy for her, to have such a mind as yours at hand!  After the hints
+you gave just now, which did but confirm my own observations,
+the last time I was in company with him,  I need not affect
+to have no comprehension of what is going on.  I see that more than
+a mere dutiful morning visit to your aunt was in question;
+and woe betide him, and her too, when it comes to things of consequence,
+when they are placed in circumstances requiring fortitude and
+strength of mind, if she have not resolution enough to resist
+idle interference in such a trifle as this.  Your sister is
+an amiable creature; but yours is the character of decision and firmness,
+I see.  If you value her conduct or happiness, infuse as much
+of your own spirit into her as you can.  But this, no doubt,
+you have been always doing.  It is the worst evil of too yielding
+and indecisive a character, that no influence over it can be depended on.
+You are never sure of a good impression being durable; everybody
+may sway it.  Let those who would be happy be firm.  Here is a nut,"
+said he, catching one down from an upper bough, "to exemplify:
+a beautiful glossy nut, which, blessed with original strength,
+has outlived all the storms of autumn.  Not a puncture, not
+a weak spot anywhere.  This nut," he continued, with playful solemnity,
+"while so many of his brethren have fallen and been trodden under foot,
+is still in possession of all the happiness that a hazel nut can be
+supposed capable of."  Then returning to his former earnest tone--
+"My first wish for all whom I am interested in, is that they should be firm.
+If Louisa Musgrove would be beautiful and happy in her November of life,
+she will cherish all her present powers of mind."
+
+He had done, and was unanswered.  It would have surprised Anne if Louisa
+could have readily answered such a speech:  words of such interest,
+spoken with such serious warmth!  She could imagine what Louisa was feeling.
+For herself, she feared to move, lest she should be seen.
+While she remained, a bush of low rambling holly protected her,
+and they were moving on.  Before they were beyond her hearing,
+however, Louisa spoke again.
+
+"Mary is good-natured enough in many respects," said she;
+"but she does sometimes provoke me excessively, by her nonsense
+and pride--the Elliot pride.  She has a great deal too much
+of the Elliot pride.  We do so wish that Charles had married Anne instead.
+I suppose you know he wanted to marry Anne?"
+
+After a moment's pause, Captain Wentworth said--
+
+"Do you mean that she refused him?"
+
+"Oh! yes; certainly."
+
+"When did that happen?"
+
+"I do not exactly know, for Henrietta and I were at school at the time;
+but I believe about a year before he married Mary.  I wish she had
+accepted him.  We should all have liked her a great deal better;
+and papa and mamma always think it was her great friend
+Lady Russell's doing, that she did not.  They think Charles
+might not be learned and bookish enough to please Lady Russell,
+and that therefore, she persuaded Anne to refuse him."
+
+The sounds were retreating, and Anne distinguished no more.
+Her own emotions still kept her fixed.  She had much to recover from,
+before she could move.  The listener's proverbial fate was
+not absolutely hers; she had heard no evil of herself, but she had heard
+a great deal of very painful import.  She saw how her own character
+was considered by Captain Wentworth, and there had been just that degree
+of feeling and curiosity about her in his manner which must give her
+extreme agitation.
+
+As soon as she could, she went after Mary, and having found,
+and walked back with her to their former station, by the stile,
+felt some comfort in their whole party being immediately afterwards
+collected, and once more in motion together.  Her spirits wanted
+the solitude and silence which only numbers could give.
+
+Charles and Henrietta returned, bringing, as may be conjectured,
+Charles Hayter with them.  The minutiae of the business Anne
+could not attempt to understand; even Captain Wentworth did not seem
+admitted to perfect confidence here; but that there had been a withdrawing
+on the gentleman's side, and a relenting on the lady's, and that they
+were now very glad to be together again, did not admit a doubt.
+Henrietta looked a little ashamed, but very well pleased;--
+Charles Hayter exceedingly happy:  and they were devoted to each other
+almost from the first instant of their all setting forward for Uppercross.
+
+Everything now marked out Louisa for Captain Wentworth;
+nothing could be plainer; and where many divisions were necessary,
+or even where they were not, they walked side by side nearly as much
+as the other two.  In a long strip of meadow land, where there was
+ample space for all, they were thus divided, forming three distinct parties;
+and to that party of the three which boasted least animation,
+and least complaisance, Anne necessarily belonged.  She joined Charles
+and Mary, and was tired enough to be very glad of Charles's other arm;
+but Charles, though in very good humour with her, was out of temper
+with his wife.  Mary had shewn herself disobliging to him,
+and was now to reap the consequence, which consequence was
+his dropping her arm almost every moment to cut off the heads
+of some nettles in the hedge with his switch; and when Mary began
+to complain of it, and lament her being ill-used, according to custom,
+in being on the hedge side, while Anne was never incommoded on the other,
+he dropped the arms of both to hunt after a weasel which he had
+a momentary glance of, and they could hardly get him along at all.
+
+This long meadow bordered a lane, which their footpath, at the end of it
+was to cross, and when the party had all reached the gate of exit,
+the carriage advancing in the same direction, which had been
+some time heard, was just coming up, and proved to be Admiral Croft's gig.
+He and his wife had taken their intended drive, and were returning home.
+Upon hearing how long a walk the young people had engaged in,
+they kindly offered a seat to any lady who might be particularly tired;
+it would save her a full mile, and they were going through Uppercross.
+The invitation was general, and generally declined.  The Miss Musgroves
+were not at all tired, and Mary was either offended, by not being asked
+before any of the others, or what Louisa called the Elliot pride
+could not endure to make a third in a one horse chaise.
+
+The walking party had crossed the lane, and were surmounting an
+opposite stile, and the Admiral was putting his horse in motion again,
+when Captain Wentworth cleared the hedge in a moment to say something
+to his sister.  The something might be guessed by its effects.
+
+"Miss Elliot, I am sure you are tired," cried Mrs Croft.
+"Do let us have the pleasure of taking you home.  Here is excellent room
+for three, I assure you.  If we were all like you, I believe we might
+sit four.  You must, indeed, you must."
+
+Anne was still in the lane; and though instinctively beginning to decline,
+she was not allowed to proceed.  The Admiral's kind urgency
+came in support of his wife's; they would not be refused;
+they compressed themselves into the smallest possible space
+to leave her a corner, and Captain Wentworth, without saying a word,
+turned to her, and quietly obliged her to be assisted into the carriage.
+
+Yes; he had done it.  She was in the carriage, and felt that he had
+placed her there, that his will and his hands had done it,
+that she owed it to his perception of her fatigue, and his resolution
+to give her rest.  She was very much affected by the view of
+his disposition towards her, which all these things made apparent.
+This little circumstance seemed the completion of all that had gone before.
+She understood him.  He could not forgive her, but he could not
+be unfeeling.  Though condemning her for the past, and considering it
+with high and unjust resentment, though perfectly careless of her,
+and though becoming attached to another, still he could not see her suffer,
+without the desire of giving her relief.  It was a remainder
+of former sentiment; it was an impulse of pure, though unacknowledged
+friendship; it was a proof of his own warm and amiable heart,
+which she could not contemplate without emotions so compounded
+of pleasure and pain, that she knew not which prevailed.
+
+Her answers to the kindness and the remarks of her companions
+were at first unconsciously given.  They had travelled half their way
+along the rough lane, before she was quite awake to what they said.
+She then found them talking of "Frederick."
+
+"He certainly means to have one or other of those two girls, Sophy,"
+said the Admiral; "but there is no saying which.  He has been
+running after them, too, long enough, one would think, to make up his mind.
+Ay, this comes of the peace.  If it were war now, he would have
+settled it long ago.  We sailors, Miss Elliot, cannot afford to make
+long courtships in time of war.  How many days was it, my dear,
+between the first time of my seeing you and our sitting down together
+in our lodgings at North Yarmouth?"
+
+"We had better not talk about it, my dear," replied Mrs Croft, pleasantly;
+"for if Miss Elliot were to hear how soon we came to an understanding,
+she would never be persuaded that we could be happy together.
+I had known you by character, however, long before."
+
+"Well, and I had heard of you as a very pretty girl, and what were we
+to wait for besides?  I do not like having such things so long in hand.
+I wish Frederick would spread a little more canvass, and bring us home
+one of these young ladies to Kellynch.  Then there would always
+be company for them.  And very nice young ladies they both are;
+I hardly know one from the other."
+
+"Very good humoured, unaffected girls, indeed," said Mrs Croft,
+in a tone of calmer praise, such as made Anne suspect that
+her keener powers might not consider either of them as quite worthy
+of her brother; "and a very respectable family.  One could not be
+connected with better people.  My dear Admiral, that post!
+we shall certainly take that post."
+
+But by coolly giving the reins a better direction herself they happily
+passed the danger; and by once afterwards judiciously putting out
+her hand they neither fell into a rut, nor ran foul of a dung-cart;
+and Anne, with some amusement at their style of driving,
+which she imagined no bad representation of the general guidance
+of their affairs, found herself safely deposited by them at the Cottage.
+
+
+
+Chapter 11
+
+
+The time now approached for Lady Russell's return:  the day was even fixed;
+and Anne, being engaged to join her as soon as she was resettled,
+was looking forward to an early removal to Kellynch, and beginning
+to think how her own comfort was likely to be affected by it.
+
+It would place her in the same village with Captain Wentworth,
+within half a mile of him; they would have to frequent the same church,
+and there must be intercourse between the two families.
+This was against her; but on the other hand, he spent so much of his time
+at Uppercross, that in removing thence she might be considered rather
+as leaving him behind, than as going towards him; and, upon the whole,
+she believed she must, on this interesting question, be the gainer,
+almost as certainly as in her change of domestic society,
+in leaving poor Mary for Lady Russell.
+
+She wished it might be possible for her to avoid ever seeing
+Captain Wentworth at the Hall:  those rooms had witnessed
+former meetings which would be brought too painfully before her;
+but she was yet more anxious for the possibility of Lady Russell and
+Captain Wentworth never meeting anywhere.  They did not like each other,
+and no renewal of acquaintance now could do any good; and were Lady Russell
+to see them together, she might think that he had too much self-possession,
+and she too little.
+
+These points formed her chief solicitude in anticipating
+her removal from Uppercross, where she felt she had been stationed
+quite long enough.  Her usefulness to little Charles would always
+give some sweetness to the memory of her two months' visit there,
+but he was gaining strength apace, and she had nothing else to stay for.
+
+The conclusion of her visit, however, was diversified in a way
+which she had not at all imagined.  Captain Wentworth, after being unseen
+and unheard of at Uppercross for two whole days, appeared again among them
+to justify himself by a relation of what had kept him away.
+
+A letter from his friend, Captain Harville, having found him out at last,
+had brought intelligence of Captain Harville's being settled
+with his family at Lyme for the winter; of their being therefore,
+quite unknowingly, within twenty miles of each other.  Captain Harville
+had never been in good health since a severe wound which he received
+two years before, and Captain Wentworth's anxiety to see him
+had determined him to go immediately to Lyme.  He had been there
+for four-and-twenty hours.  His acquittal was complete,
+his friendship warmly honoured, a lively interest excited for his friend,
+and his description of the fine country about Lyme so feelingly attended to
+by the party, that an earnest desire to see Lyme themselves,
+and a project for going thither was the consequence.
+
+The young people were all wild to see Lyme.  Captain Wentworth talked
+of going there again himself, it was only seventeen miles from Uppercross;
+though November, the weather was by no means bad; and, in short,
+Louisa, who was the most eager of the eager, having formed
+the resolution to go, and besides the pleasure of doing as she liked,
+being now armed with the idea of merit in maintaining her own way,
+bore down all the wishes of her father and mother for putting it off
+till summer; and to Lyme they were to go--Charles, Mary, Anne, Henrietta,
+Louisa, and Captain Wentworth.
+
+The first heedless scheme had been to go in the morning and return at night;
+but to this Mr Musgrove, for the sake of his horses, would not consent;
+and when it came to be rationally considered, a day in
+the middle of November would not leave much time for seeing a new place,
+after deducting seven hours, as the nature of the country required,
+for going and returning.  They were, consequently, to stay the night there,
+and not to be expected back till the next day's dinner.  This was felt
+to be a considerable amendment; and though they all met at the Great House
+at rather an early breakfast hour, and set off very punctually,
+it was so much past noon before the two carriages, Mr Musgrove's coach
+containing the four ladies, and Charles's curricle, in which
+he drove Captain Wentworth, were descending the long hill into Lyme,
+and entering upon the still steeper street of the town itself,
+that it was very evident they would not have more than time
+for looking about them, before the light and warmth of the day were gone.
+
+After securing accommodations, and ordering a dinner at one of the inns,
+the next thing to be done was unquestionably to walk directly
+down to the sea.  They were come too late in the year for any amusement
+or variety which Lyme, as a public place, might offer.  The rooms
+were shut up, the lodgers almost all gone, scarcely any family
+but of the residents left; and, as there is nothing to admire
+in the buildings themselves, the remarkable situation of the town,
+the principal street almost hurrying into the water, the walk to the Cobb,
+skirting round the pleasant little bay, which, in the season,
+is animated with bathing machines and company; the Cobb itself,
+its old wonders and new improvements, with the very beautiful
+line of cliffs stretching out to the east of the town, are what
+the stranger's eye will seek; and a very strange stranger it must be,
+who does not see charms in the immediate environs of Lyme,
+to make him wish to know it better.  The scenes in its neighbourhood,
+Charmouth, with its high grounds and extensive sweeps of country,
+and still more, its sweet, retired bay, backed by dark cliffs,
+where fragments of low rock among the sands, make it the happiest spot
+for watching the flow of the tide, for sitting in unwearied contemplation;
+the woody varieties of the cheerful village of Up Lyme; and, above all,
+Pinny, with its green chasms between romantic rocks, where
+the scattered forest trees and orchards of luxuriant growth,
+declare that many a generation must have passed away since the first
+partial falling of the cliff prepared the ground for such a state,
+where a scene so wonderful and so lovely is exhibited, as may
+more than equal any of the resembling scenes of the far-famed
+Isle of Wight:  these places must be visited, and visited again,
+to make the worth of Lyme understood.
+
+The party from Uppercross passing down by the now deserted
+and melancholy looking rooms, and still descending, soon found themselves
+on the sea-shore; and lingering only, as all must linger and gaze
+on a first return to the sea, who ever deserved to look on it at all,
+proceeded towards the Cobb, equally their object in itself
+and on Captain Wentworth's account:  for in a small house,
+near the foot of an old pier of unknown date, were the Harvilles settled.
+Captain Wentworth turned in to call on his friend; the others walked on,
+and he was to join them on the Cobb.
+
+They were by no means tired of wondering and admiring; and not even Louisa
+seemed to feel that they had parted with Captain Wentworth long,
+when they saw him coming after them, with three companions,
+all well known already, by description, to be Captain and Mrs Harville,
+and a Captain Benwick, who was staying with them.
+
+Captain Benwick had some time ago been first lieutenant of the Laconia;
+and the account which Captain Wentworth had given of him,
+on his return from Lyme before, his warm praise of him as
+an excellent young man and an officer, whom he had always valued highly,
+which must have stamped him well in the esteem of every listener,
+had been followed by a little history of his private life,
+which rendered him perfectly interesting in the eyes of all the ladies.
+He had been engaged to Captain Harville's sister, and was now
+mourning her loss.  They had been a year or two waiting for fortune
+and promotion.  Fortune came, his prize-money as lieutenant being great;
+promotion, too, came at last; but Fanny Harville did not live to know it.
+She had died the preceding summer while he was at sea.  Captain Wentworth
+believed it impossible for man to be more attached to woman
+than poor Benwick had been to Fanny Harville, or to be more deeply
+afflicted under the dreadful change.  He considered his disposition
+as of the sort which must suffer heavily, uniting very strong feelings
+with quiet, serious, and retiring manners, and a decided taste for reading,
+and sedentary pursuits.  To finish the interest of the story,
+the friendship between him and the Harvilles seemed, if possible,
+augmented by the event which closed all their views of alliance,
+and Captain Benwick was now living with them entirely.  Captain Harville
+had taken his present house for half a year; his taste, and his health,
+and his fortune, all directing him to a residence inexpensive,
+and by the sea; and the grandeur of the country, and the retirement
+of Lyme in the winter, appeared exactly adapted to Captain Benwick's
+state of mind.  The sympathy and good-will excited towards Captain Benwick
+was very great.
+
+"And yet," said Anne to herself, as they now moved forward
+to meet the party, "he has not, perhaps, a more sorrowing heart
+than I have.  I cannot believe his prospects so blighted for ever.
+He is younger than I am; younger in feeling, if not in fact;
+younger as a man.  He will rally again, and be happy with another."
+
+They all met, and were introduced.  Captain Harville was a tall,
+dark man, with a sensible, benevolent countenance; a little lame;
+and from strong features and want of health, looking much older
+than Captain Wentworth.  Captain Benwick looked, and was,
+the youngest of the three, and, compared with either of them,
+a little man.  He had a pleasing face and a melancholy air,
+just as he ought to have, and drew back from conversation.
+
+Captain Harville, though not equalling Captain Wentworth in manners,
+was a perfect gentleman, unaffected, warm, and obliging.
+Mrs Harville, a degree less polished than her husband, seemed, however,
+to have the same good feelings; and nothing could be more pleasant
+than their desire of considering the whole party as friends of their own,
+because the friends of Captain Wentworth, or more kindly hospitable
+than their entreaties for their all promising to dine with them.
+The dinner, already ordered at the inn, was at last, though unwillingly,
+accepted as a excuse; but they seemed almost hurt that Captain Wentworth
+should have brought any such party to Lyme, without considering it
+as a thing of course that they should dine with them.
+
+There was so much attachment to Captain Wentworth in all this,
+and such a bewitching charm in a degree of hospitality so uncommon,
+so unlike the usual style of give-and-take invitations, and dinners
+of formality and display, that Anne felt her spirits not likely to be
+benefited by an increasing acquaintance among his brother-officers.
+"These would have been all my friends," was her thought;
+and she had to struggle against a great tendency to lowness.
+
+On quitting the Cobb, they all went in-doors with their new friends,
+and found rooms so small as none but those who invite from the heart
+could think capable of accommodating so many.  Anne had
+a moment's astonishment on the subject herself; but it was soon lost
+in the pleasanter feelings which sprang from the sight of all
+the ingenious contrivances and nice arrangements of Captain Harville,
+to turn the actual space to the best account, to supply the deficiencies
+of lodging-house furniture, and defend the windows and doors
+against the winter storms to be expected.  The varieties in
+the fitting-up of the rooms, where the common necessaries
+provided by the owner, in the common indifferent plight,
+were contrasted with some few articles of a rare species of wood,
+excellently worked up, and with something curious and valuable
+from all the distant countries Captain Harville had visited,
+were more than amusing to Anne; connected as it all was with his profession,
+the fruit of its labours, the effect of its influence on his habits,
+the picture of repose and domestic happiness it presented,
+made it to her a something more, or less, than gratification.
+
+Captain Harville was no reader; but he had contrived
+excellent accommodations, and fashioned very pretty shelves,
+for a tolerable collection of well-bound volumes, the property of
+Captain Benwick.  His lameness prevented him from taking much exercise;
+but a mind of usefulness and ingenuity seemed to furnish him with
+constant employment within.  He drew, he varnished, he carpentered,
+he glued; he made toys for the children; he fashioned new netting-needles
+and pins with improvements; and if everything else was done,
+sat down to his large fishing-net at one corner of the room.
+
+Anne thought she left great happiness behind her when they
+quitted the house; and Louisa, by whom she found herself walking,
+burst forth into raptures of admiration and delight on the character
+of the navy; their friendliness, their brotherliness, their openness,
+their uprightness; protesting that she was convinced of sailors having
+more worth and warmth than any other set of men in England;
+that they only knew how to live, and they only deserved to be
+respected and loved.
+
+They went back to dress and dine; and so well had the scheme
+answered already, that nothing was found amiss; though its being
+"so entirely out of season," and the "no thoroughfare of Lyme,"
+and the "no expectation of company," had brought many apologies
+from the heads of the inn.
+
+Anne found herself by this time growing so much more hardened
+to being in Captain Wentworth's company than she had at first imagined
+could ever be, that the sitting down to the same table with him now,
+and the interchange of the common civilities attending on it
+(they never got beyond), was become a mere nothing.
+
+The nights were too dark for the ladies to meet again till the morrow,
+but Captain Harville had promised them a visit in the evening;
+and he came, bringing his friend also, which was more than
+had been expected, it having been agreed that Captain Benwick
+had all the appearance of being oppressed by the presence of
+so many strangers.  He ventured among them again, however,
+though his spirits certainly did not seem fit for the mirth
+of the party in general.
+
+While Captains Wentworth and Harville led the talk on one side of the room,
+and by recurring to former days, supplied anecdotes in abundance
+to occupy and entertain the others, it fell to Anne's lot to be placed
+rather apart with Captain Benwick; and a very good impulse
+of her nature obliged her to begin an acquaintance with him.
+He was shy, and disposed to abstraction; but the engaging mildness of
+her countenance, and gentleness of her manners, soon had their effect;
+and Anne was well repaid the first trouble of exertion.
+He was evidently a young man of considerable taste in reading,
+though principally in poetry; and besides the persuasion of having
+given him at least an evening's indulgence in the discussion of subjects,
+which his usual companions had probably no concern in, she had the hope
+of being of real use to him in some suggestions as to the duty and
+benefit of struggling against affliction, which had naturally grown out
+of their conversation.  For, though shy, he did not seem reserved;
+it had rather the appearance of feelings glad to burst their
+usual restraints; and having talked of poetry, the richness of
+the present age, and gone through a brief comparison of opinion
+as to the first-rate poets, trying to ascertain whether Marmion
+or The Lady of the Lake were to be preferred, and how ranked the Giaour
+and The Bride of Abydos; and moreover, how the Giaour was to be pronounced,
+he showed himself so intimately acquainted with all the tenderest songs
+of the one poet, and all the impassioned descriptions of hopeless agony
+of the other; he repeated, with such tremulous feeling, the various lines
+which imaged a broken heart, or a mind destroyed by wretchedness,
+and looked so entirely as if he meant to be understood,
+that she ventured to hope he did not always read only poetry,
+and to say, that she thought it was the misfortune of poetry to be
+seldom safely enjoyed by those who enjoyed it completely;
+and that the strong feelings which alone could estimate it truly
+were the very feelings which ought to taste it but sparingly.
+
+His looks shewing him not pained, but pleased with this allusion
+to his situation, she was emboldened to go on; and feeling in herself
+the right of seniority of mind, she ventured to recommend
+a larger allowance of prose in his daily study; and on being requested
+to particularize, mentioned such works of our best moralists,
+such collections of the finest letters, such memoirs of characters
+of worth and suffering, as occurred to her at the moment
+as calculated to rouse and fortify the mind by the highest precepts,
+and the strongest examples of moral and religious endurances.
+
+Captain Benwick listened attentively, and seemed grateful for
+the interest implied; and though with a shake of the head,
+and sighs which declared his little faith in the efficacy of any books
+on grief like his, noted down the names of those she recommended,
+and promised to procure and read them.
+
+When the evening was over, Anne could not but be amused at the idea
+of her coming to Lyme to preach patience and resignation to a young man
+whom she had never seen before; nor could she help fearing,
+on more serious reflection, that, like many other great moralists
+and preachers, she had been eloquent on a point in which her own conduct
+would ill bear examination.
+
+
+
+Chapter 12
+
+
+Anne and Henrietta, finding themselves the earliest of the party
+the next morning, agreed to stroll down to the sea before breakfast.
+They went to the sands, to watch the flowing of the tide,
+which a fine south-easterly breeze was bringing in with all the grandeur
+which so flat a shore admitted.  They praised the morning;
+gloried in the sea; sympathized in the delight of the fresh-feeling
+breeze--and were silent; till Henrietta suddenly began again with--
+
+"Oh! yes,--I am quite convinced that, with very few exceptions,
+the sea-air always does good.  There can be no doubt of its having been
+of the greatest service to Dr Shirley, after his illness,
+last spring twelve-month.  He declares himself, that coming to Lyme
+for a month, did him more good than all the medicine he took;
+and, that being by the sea, always makes him feel young again.
+Now, I cannot help thinking it a pity that he does not live
+entirely by the sea.  I do think he had better leave Uppercross entirely,
+and fix at Lyme.  Do not you, Anne?  Do not you agree with me,
+that it is the best thing he could do, both for himself and Mrs Shirley?
+She has cousins here, you know, and many acquaintance, which would
+make it cheerful for her, and I am sure she would be glad
+to get to a place where she could have medical attendance at hand,
+in case of his having another seizure.  Indeed I think it quite melancholy
+to have such excellent people as Dr and Mrs Shirley, who have been
+doing good all their lives, wearing out their last days in a place
+like Uppercross, where, excepting our family, they seem shut out
+from all the world.  I wish his friends would propose it to him.
+I really think they ought.  And, as to procuring a dispensation,
+there could be no difficulty at his time of life, and with his character.
+My only doubt is, whether anything could persuade him to leave his parish.
+He is so very strict and scrupulous in his notions; over-scrupulous
+I must say.  Do not you think, Anne, it is being over-scrupulous?
+Do not you think it is quite a mistaken point of conscience,
+when a clergyman sacrifices his health for the sake of duties,
+which may be just as well performed by another person?  And at Lyme too,
+only seventeen miles off, he would be near enough to hear,
+if people thought there was anything to complain of."
+
+Anne smiled more than once to herself during this speech,
+and entered into the subject, as ready to do good by entering into
+the feelings of a young lady as of a young man, though here it was good
+of a lower standard, for what could be offered but general acquiescence?
+She said all that was reasonable and proper on the business;
+felt the claims of Dr Shirley to repose as she ought; saw how very
+desirable it was that he should have some active, respectable young man,
+as a resident curate, and was even courteous enough to hint at
+the advantage of such resident curate's being married.
+
+"I wish," said Henrietta, very well pleased with her companion,
+"I wish Lady Russell lived at Uppercross, and were intimate
+with Dr Shirley.  I have always heard of Lady Russell as a woman of
+the greatest influence with everybody!  I always look upon her as able
+to persuade a person to anything!  I am afraid of her, as I have
+told you before, quite afraid of her, because she is so very clever;
+but I respect her amazingly, and wish we had such a neighbour
+at Uppercross."
+
+Anne was amused by Henrietta's manner of being grateful,
+and amused also that the course of events and the new interests
+of Henrietta's views should have placed her friend at all in favour
+with any of the Musgrove family; she had only time, however,
+for a general answer, and a wish that such another woman
+were at Uppercross, before all subjects suddenly ceased,
+on seeing Louisa and Captain Wentworth coming towards them.
+They came also for a stroll till breakfast was likely to be ready;
+but Louisa recollecting, immediately afterwards that she had something
+to procure at a shop, invited them all to go back with her into the town.
+They were all at her disposal.
+
+When they came to the steps, leading upwards from the beach, a gentleman,
+at the same moment preparing to come down, politely drew back,
+and stopped to give them way.  They ascended and passed him;
+and as they passed, Anne's face caught his eye, and he looked at her
+with a degree of earnest admiration, which she could not be insensible of.
+She was looking remarkably well; her very regular, very pretty features,
+having the bloom and freshness of youth restored by the fine wind
+which had been blowing on her complexion, and by the animation of eye
+which it had also produced.  It was evident that the gentleman,
+(completely a gentleman in manner) admired her exceedingly.
+Captain Wentworth looked round at her instantly in a way which
+shewed his noticing of it.  He gave her a momentary glance,
+a glance of brightness, which seemed to say, "That man is struck with you,
+and even I, at this moment, see something like Anne Elliot again."
+
+After attending Louisa through her business, and loitering about
+a little longer, they returned to the inn; and Anne, in passing afterwards
+quickly from her own chamber to their dining-room, had nearly run against
+the very same gentleman, as he came out of an adjoining apartment.
+She had before conjectured him to be a stranger like themselves,
+and determined that a well-looking groom, who was strolling about
+near the two inns as they came back, should be his servant.
+Both master and man being in mourning assisted the idea.
+It was now proved that he belonged to the same inn as themselves;
+and this second meeting, short as it was, also proved again
+by the gentleman's looks, that he thought hers very lovely,
+and by the readiness and propriety of his apologies, that he was
+a man of exceedingly good manners.  He seemed about thirty,
+and though not handsome, had an agreeable person.  Anne felt that
+she should like to know who he was.
+
+They had nearly done breakfast, when the sound of a carriage,
+(almost the first they had heard since entering Lyme) drew half the party
+to the window.  It was a gentleman's carriage, a curricle,
+but only coming round from the stable-yard to the front door;
+somebody must be going away.  It was driven by a servant in mourning.
+
+The word curricle made Charles Musgrove jump up that he might
+compare it with his own; the servant in mourning roused Anne's curiosity,
+and the whole six were collected to look, by the time the owner
+of the curricle was to be seen issuing from the door amidst the bows
+and civilities of the household, and taking his seat, to drive off.
+
+"Ah!" cried Captain Wentworth, instantly, and with half a glance at Anne,
+"it is the very man we passed."
+
+The Miss Musgroves agreed to it; and having all kindly watched him
+as far up the hill as they could, they returned to the breakfast table.
+The waiter came into the room soon afterwards.
+
+"Pray," said Captain Wentworth, immediately, "can you tell us the name
+of the gentleman who is just gone away?"
+
+"Yes, Sir, a Mr Elliot, a gentleman of large fortune, came in last night
+from Sidmouth.  Dare say you heard the carriage, sir, while you were
+at dinner; and going on now for Crewkherne, in his way to Bath
+and London."
+
+"Elliot!"  Many had looked on each other, and many had repeated the name,
+before all this had been got through, even by the smart rapidity
+of a waiter.
+
+"Bless me!" cried Mary; "it must be our cousin; it must be our Mr Elliot,
+it must, indeed!  Charles, Anne, must not it?  In mourning, you see,
+just as our Mr Elliot must be.  How very extraordinary!
+In the very same inn with us!  Anne, must not it be our Mr Elliot?
+my father's next heir?  Pray sir," turning to the waiter,
+"did not you hear, did not his servant say whether he belonged
+to the Kellynch family?"
+
+"No, ma'am, he did not mention no particular family; but he said
+his master was a very rich gentleman, and would be a baronight some day."
+
+"There! you see!" cried Mary in an ecstasy, "just as I said!
+Heir to Sir Walter Elliot!  I was sure that would come out,
+if it was so.  Depend upon it, that is a circumstance which his servants
+take care to publish, wherever he goes.  But, Anne, only conceive
+how extraordinary!  I wish I had looked at him more.  I wish we had
+been aware in time, who it was, that he might have been introduced to us.
+What a pity that we should not have been introduced to each other!
+Do you think he had the Elliot countenance?  I hardly looked at him,
+I was looking at the horses; but I think he had something
+of the Elliot countenance, I wonder the arms did not strike me!
+Oh! the great-coat was hanging over the panel, and hid the arms,
+so it did; otherwise, I am sure, I should have observed them,
+and the livery too; if the servant had not been in mourning,
+one should have known him by the livery."
+
+"Putting all these very extraordinary circumstances together,"
+said Captain Wentworth, "we must consider it to be the arrangement
+of Providence, that you should not be introduced to your cousin."
+
+When she could command Mary's attention, Anne quietly tried
+to convince her that their father and Mr Elliot had not, for many years,
+been on such terms as to make the power of attempting an introduction
+at all desirable.
+
+At the same time, however, it was a secret gratification to herself
+to have seen her cousin, and to know that the future owner of Kellynch
+was undoubtedly a gentleman, and had an air of good sense.
+She would not, upon any account, mention her having met with him
+the second time; luckily Mary did not much attend to their having
+passed close by him in their earlier walk, but she would have felt
+quite ill-used by Anne's having actually run against him in the passage,
+and received his very polite excuses, while she had never been
+near him at all; no, that cousinly little interview must remain
+a perfect secret.
+
+"Of course," said Mary, "you will mention our seeing Mr Elliot,
+the next time you write to Bath.  I think my father certainly
+ought to hear of it; do mention all about him."
+
+Anne avoided a direct reply, but it was just the circumstance
+which she considered as not merely unnecessary to be communicated,
+but as what ought to be suppressed.  The offence which had been given
+her father, many years back, she knew; Elizabeth's particular share in it
+she suspected; and that Mr Elliot's idea always produced irritation in both
+was beyond a doubt.  Mary never wrote to Bath herself; all the toil
+of keeping up a slow and unsatisfactory correspondence with Elizabeth
+fell on Anne.
+
+Breakfast had not been long over, when they were joined by Captain
+and Mrs Harville and Captain Benwick; with whom they had appointed
+to take their last walk about Lyme.  They ought to be setting off
+for Uppercross by one, and in the mean while were to be all together,
+and out of doors as long as they could.
+
+Anne found Captain Benwick getting near her, as soon as they were all
+fairly in the street.  Their conversation the preceding evening
+did not disincline him to seek her again; and they walked together
+some time, talking as before of Mr Scott and Lord Byron,
+and still as unable as before, and as unable as any other two readers,
+to think exactly alike of the merits of either, till something
+occasioned an almost general change amongst their party, and instead of
+Captain Benwick, she had Captain Harville by her side.
+
+"Miss Elliot," said he, speaking rather low, "you have done a good deed
+in making that poor fellow talk so much.  I wish he could have
+such company oftener.  It is bad for him, I know, to be shut up as he is;
+but what can we do?  We cannot part."
+
+"No," said Anne, "that I can easily believe to be impossible;
+but in time, perhaps--we know what time does in every case of affliction,
+and you must remember, Captain Harville, that your friend
+may yet be called a young mourner--only last summer, I understand."
+
+"Ay, true enough," (with a deep sigh) "only June."
+
+"And not known to him, perhaps, so soon."
+
+"Not till the first week of August, when he came home from the Cape,
+just made into the Grappler.  I was at Plymouth dreading to hear of him;
+he sent in letters, but the Grappler was under orders for Portsmouth.
+There the news must follow him, but who was to tell it? not I.
+I would as soon have been run up to the yard-arm.  Nobody could do it,
+but that good fellow" (pointing to Captain Wentworth.)  "The Laconia
+had come into Plymouth the week before; no danger of her
+being sent to sea again.  He stood his chance for the rest;
+wrote up for leave of absence, but without waiting the return,
+travelled night and day till he got to Portsmouth, rowed off
+to the Grappler that instant, and never left the poor fellow for a week.
+That's what he did, and nobody else could have saved poor James.
+You may think, Miss Elliot, whether he is dear to us!"
+
+Anne did think on the question with perfect decision, and said as much
+in reply as her own feeling could accomplish, or as his seemed
+able to bear, for he was too much affected to renew the subject,
+and when he spoke again, it was of something totally different.
+
+Mrs Harville's giving it as her opinion that her husband would have
+quite walking enough by the time he reached home, determined the direction
+of all the party in what was to be their last walk; they would
+accompany them to their door, and then return and set off themselves.
+By all their calculations there was just time for this; but as they drew
+near the Cobb, there was such a general wish to walk along it once more,
+all were so inclined, and Louisa soon grew so determined,
+that the difference of a quarter of an hour, it was found,
+would be no difference at all; so with all the kind leave-taking,
+and all the kind interchange of invitations and promises which
+may be imagined, they parted from Captain and Mrs Harville
+at their own door, and still accompanied by Captain Benwick,
+who seemed to cling to them to the last, proceeded to make
+the proper adieus to the Cobb.
+
+Anne found Captain Benwick again drawing near her.  Lord Byron's
+"dark blue seas" could not fail of being brought forward by
+their present view, and she gladly gave him all her attention as long as
+attention was possible.  It was soon drawn, perforce another way.
+
+There was too much wind to make the high part of the new Cobb pleasant
+for the ladies, and they agreed to get down the steps to the lower,
+and all were contented to pass quietly and carefully down the steep flight,
+excepting Louisa; she must be jumped down them by Captain Wentworth.
+In all their walks, he had had to jump her from the stiles;
+the sensation was delightful to her.  The hardness of the pavement
+for her feet, made him less willing upon the present occasion;
+he did it, however.  She was safely down, and instantly,
+to show her enjoyment, ran up the steps to be jumped down again.
+He advised her against it, thought the jar too great; but no,
+he reasoned and talked in vain, she smiled and said, "I am determined
+I will:" he put out his hands; she was too precipitate by half a second,
+she fell on the pavement on the Lower Cobb, and was taken up lifeless!
+There was no wound, no blood, no visible bruise; but her eyes were closed,
+she breathed not, her face was like death.  The horror of the moment
+to all who stood around!
+
+Captain Wentworth, who had caught her up, knelt with her in his arms,
+looking on her with a face as pallid as her own, in an agony of silence.
+"She is dead! she is dead!" screamed Mary, catching hold of her
+husband, and contributing with his own horror to make him immoveable;
+and in another moment, Henrietta, sinking under the conviction, lost
+her senses too, and would have fallen on the steps, but for Captain
+Benwick and Anne, who caught and supported her between them.
+
+"Is there no one to help me?" were the first words which
+burst from Captain Wentworth, in a tone of despair, and as if
+all his own strength were gone.
+
+"Go to him, go to him," cried Anne, "for heaven's sake go to him.
+I can support her myself.  Leave me, and go to him.  Rub her hands,
+rub her temples; here are salts; take them, take them."
+
+Captain Benwick obeyed, and Charles at the same moment,
+disengaging himself from his wife, they were both with him;
+and Louisa was raised up and supported more firmly between them,
+and everything was done that Anne had prompted, but in vain;
+while Captain Wentworth, staggering against the wall for his support,
+exclaimed in the bitterest agony--
+
+"Oh God! her father and mother!"
+
+"A surgeon!" said Anne.
+
+He caught the word; it seemed to rouse him at once, and saying only--
+"True, true, a surgeon this instant," was darting away,
+when Anne eagerly suggested--
+
+"Captain Benwick, would not it be better for Captain Benwick?
+He knows where a surgeon is to be found."
+
+Every one capable of thinking felt the advantage of the idea,
+and in a moment (it was all done in rapid moments) Captain Benwick had
+resigned the poor corpse-like  figure entirely to the brother's care,
+and was off for the town with the utmost rapidity.
+
+As to the wretched party left behind, it could scarcely be said
+which of the three, who were completely rational, was suffering most:
+Captain Wentworth, Anne, or Charles, who, really a very affectionate
+brother, hung over Louisa with sobs of grief, and could only turn his eyes
+from one sister, to see the other in a state as insensible,
+or to witness the hysterical agitations of his wife, calling on him
+for help which he could not give.
+
+Anne, attending with all the strength and zeal, and thought,
+which instinct supplied, to Henrietta, still tried, at intervals,
+to suggest comfort to the others, tried to quiet Mary, to animate Charles,
+to assuage the feelings of Captain Wentworth.  Both seemed to look to her
+for directions.
+
+"Anne, Anne," cried Charles, "What is to be done next?
+What, in heaven's name, is to be done next?"
+
+Captain Wentworth's eyes were also turned towards her.
+
+"Had not she better be carried to the inn?  Yes, I am sure:
+carry her gently to the inn."
+
+"Yes, yes, to the inn," repeated Captain Wentworth, comparatively
+collected, and eager to be doing something.  "I will carry her myself.
+Musgrove, take care of the others."
+
+By this time the report of the accident had spread among the workmen
+and boatmen about the Cobb, and many were collected near them,
+to be useful if wanted, at any rate, to enjoy the sight of
+a dead young lady, nay, two dead young ladies, for it proved twice as fine
+as the first report.  To some of the best-looking of these good people
+Henrietta was consigned, for, though partially revived,
+she was quite helpless; and in this manner, Anne walking by her side,
+and Charles attending to his wife, they set forward, treading back
+with feelings unutterable, the ground, which so lately, so very lately,
+and so light of heart, they had passed along.
+
+They were not off the Cobb, before the Harvilles met them.
+Captain Benwick had been seen flying by their house, with a countenance
+which showed something to be wrong; and they had set off immediately,
+informed and directed as they passed, towards the spot.
+Shocked as Captain Harville was, he brought senses and nerves
+that could be instantly useful; and a look between him and his wife
+decided what was to be done.  She must be taken to their house;
+all must go to their house; and await the surgeon's arrival there.
+They would not listen to scruples:  he was obeyed; they were all
+beneath his roof; and while Louisa, under Mrs Harville's direction,
+was conveyed up stairs, and given possession of her own bed,
+assistance, cordials, restoratives were supplied by her husband
+to all who needed them.
+
+Louisa had once opened her eyes, but soon closed them again,
+without apparent consciousness.  This had been a proof of life,
+however, of service to her sister; and Henrietta, though perfectly
+incapable of being in the same room with Louisa, was kept,
+by the agitation of hope and fear, from a return of her own insensibility.
+Mary, too, was growing calmer.
+
+The surgeon was with them almost before it had seemed possible.
+They were sick with horror, while he examined; but he was not hopeless.
+The head had received a severe contusion, but he had seen greater injuries
+recovered from:  he was by no means hopeless; he spoke cheerfully.
+
+That he did not regard it as a desperate case, that he did not say
+a few hours must end it, was at first felt, beyond the hope of most;
+and the ecstasy of such a reprieve, the rejoicing, deep and silent,
+after a few fervent ejaculations of gratitude to Heaven had been offered,
+may be conceived.
+
+The tone, the look, with which "Thank God!" was uttered
+by Captain Wentworth, Anne was sure could never be forgotten by her;
+nor the sight of him afterwards, as he sat near a table, leaning over it
+with folded arms and face concealed, as if overpowered by
+the various feelings of his soul, and trying by prayer and reflection
+to calm them.
+
+Louisa's limbs had escaped.  There was no injury but to the head.
+
+It now became necessary for the party to consider what was best to be done,
+as to their general situation.  They were now able to speak to each other
+and consult.  That Louisa must remain where she was, however distressing
+to her friends to be involving the Harvilles in such trouble,
+did not admit a doubt.  Her removal was impossible.  The Harvilles
+silenced all scruples; and, as much as they could, all gratitude.
+They had looked forward and arranged everything before the others
+began to reflect.  Captain Benwick must give up his room to them,
+and get another bed elsewhere; and the whole was settled.
+They were only concerned that the house could accommodate no more;
+and yet perhaps, by "putting the children away in the maid's room,
+or swinging a cot somewhere," they could hardly bear to think of not
+finding room for two or three besides, supposing they might wish to stay;
+though, with regard to any attendance on Miss Musgrove, there need not be
+the least uneasiness in leaving her to Mrs Harville's care entirely.
+Mrs Harville was a very experienced nurse, and her nursery-maid,
+who had lived with her long, and gone about with her everywhere,
+was just such another.  Between these two, she could want
+no possible attendance by day or night.  And all this was said
+with a truth and sincerity of feeling irresistible.
+
+Charles, Henrietta, and Captain Wentworth were the three in consultation,
+and for a little while it was only an interchange of perplexity and terror.
+"Uppercross, the necessity of some one's going to Uppercross;
+the news to be conveyed; how it could be broken to Mr and Mrs Musgrove;
+the lateness of the morning; an hour already gone since they
+ought to have been off; the impossibility of being in tolerable time."
+At first, they were capable of nothing more to the purpose
+than such exclamations; but, after a while, Captain Wentworth,
+exerting himself, said--
+
+"We must be decided, and without the loss of another minute.
+Every minute is valuable.  Some one must resolve on being off
+for Uppercross instantly.  Musgrove, either you or I must go."
+
+Charles agreed, but declared his resolution of not going away.
+He would be as little incumbrance as possible to Captain and Mrs Harville;
+but as to leaving his sister in such a state, he neither ought, nor would.
+So far it was decided; and Henrietta at first declared the same.
+She, however, was soon persuaded to think differently.  The usefulness
+of her staying!  She who had not been able to remain in Louisa's room,
+or to look at her, without sufferings which made her worse than helpless!
+She was forced to acknowledge that she could do no good,
+yet was still unwilling to be away, till, touched by the thought
+of her father and mother, she gave it up; she consented,
+she was anxious to be at home.
+
+The plan had reached this point, when Anne, coming quietly
+down from Louisa's room, could not but hear what followed,
+for the parlour door was open.
+
+"Then it is settled, Musgrove," cried Captain Wentworth,
+"that you stay, and that I take care of your sister home.
+But as to the rest, as to the others, if one stays to assist Mrs Harville,
+I think it need be only one.  Mrs Charles Musgrove will, of course,
+wish to get back to her children; but if Anne will stay, no one so proper,
+so capable as Anne."
+
+She paused a moment to recover from the emotion of hearing herself
+so spoken of.  The other two warmly agreed with what he said,
+and she then appeared.
+
+"You will stay, I am sure; you will stay and nurse her;" cried he,
+turning to her and speaking with a glow, and yet a gentleness,
+which seemed almost restoring the past.  She coloured deeply,
+and he recollected himself and moved away.  She expressed herself
+most willing, ready, happy to remain.  "It was what she had been
+thinking of, and wishing to be allowed to do.  A bed on the floor
+in Louisa's room would be sufficient for her, if Mrs Harville
+would but think so."
+
+One thing more, and all seemed arranged.  Though it was rather desirable
+that Mr and Mrs Musgrove should be previously alarmed by some
+share of delay; yet the time required by the Uppercross horses
+to take them back, would be a dreadful extension of suspense;
+and Captain Wentworth proposed, and Charles Musgrove agreed,
+that it would be much better for him to take a chaise from the inn,
+and leave Mr Musgrove's carriage and horses to be sent home
+the next morning early, when there would be the farther advantage
+of sending an account of Louisa's night.
+
+Captain Wentworth now hurried off to get everything ready on his part,
+and to be soon followed by the two ladies.  When the plan was
+made known to Mary, however, there was an end of all peace in it.
+She was so wretched and so vehement, complained so much of injustice
+in being expected to go away instead of Anne; Anne, who was
+nothing to Louisa, while she was her sister, and had the best right
+to stay in Henrietta's stead!  Why was not she to be as useful as Anne?
+And to go home without Charles, too, without her husband!
+No, it was too unkind.  And in short, she said more than her husband
+could long withstand, and as none of the others could oppose
+when he gave way, there was no help for it; the change of Mary for Anne
+was inevitable.
+
+Anne had never submitted more reluctantly to the jealous
+and ill-judging claims of Mary; but so it must be, and they set off
+for the town, Charles taking care of his sister, and Captain Benwick
+attending to her.  She gave a moment's recollection, as they hurried along,
+to the little circumstances which the same spots had witnessed
+earlier in the morning.  There she had listened to Henrietta's schemes
+for Dr Shirley's leaving Uppercross; farther on, she had
+first seen Mr Elliot; a moment seemed all that could now be given
+to any one but Louisa, or those who were wrapt up in her welfare.
+
+Captain Benwick was most considerately attentive to her; and,
+united as they all seemed by the distress of the day, she felt
+an increasing degree of good-will towards him, and a pleasure even
+in thinking that it might, perhaps, be the occasion of continuing
+their acquaintance.
+
+Captain Wentworth was on the watch for them, and a chaise and four in waiting,
+stationed for their convenience in the lowest part of the street;
+but his evident surprise and vexation at the substitution of one sister
+for the other, the change in his countenance, the astonishment,
+the expressions begun and suppressed, with which Charles was listened to,
+made but a mortifying reception of Anne; or must at least convince her
+that she was valued only as she could be useful to Louisa.
+
+She endeavoured to be composed, and to be just.  Without emulating
+the feelings of an Emma towards her Henry, she would have
+attended on Louisa with a zeal above the common claims of regard,
+for his sake; and she hoped he would not long be so unjust
+as to suppose she would shrink unnecessarily from the office of a friend.
+
+In the mean while she was in the carriage.  He had handed them both in,
+and placed himself between them; and in this manner, under these
+circumstances, full of astonishment and emotion to Anne, she quitted Lyme.
+How the long stage would pass; how it was to affect their manners;
+what was to be their sort of intercourse, she could not foresee.
+It was all quite natural, however.  He was devoted to Henrietta;
+always turning towards her; and when he spoke at all, always with the view
+of supporting her hopes and raising her spirits.  In general,
+his voice and manner were studiously calm.  To spare Henrietta
+from agitation seemed the governing principle.  Once only,
+when she had been grieving over the last ill-judged, ill-fated
+walk to the Cobb, bitterly lamenting that it ever had been thought of,
+he burst forth, as if wholly overcome--
+
+"Don't talk of it, don't talk of it," he cried.  "Oh God! that I had
+not given way to her at the fatal moment!  Had I done as I ought!
+But so eager and so resolute! Dear, sweet Louisa!"
+
+Anne wondered whether it ever occurred to him now, to question the justness
+of his own previous opinion as to the universal felicity and advantage
+of firmness of character; and whether it might not strike him that,
+like all other qualities of the mind, it should have its proportions
+and limits.  She thought it could scarcely escape him to feel
+that a persuadable temper might sometimes be as much in favour of happiness
+as a very resolute character.
+
+They got on fast.  Anne was astonished to recognise the same hills
+and the same objects so soon.  Their actual speed, heightened by
+some dread of the conclusion, made the road appear but half as long
+as on the day before.  It was growing quite dusk, however,
+before they were in the neighbourhood of Uppercross, and there had been
+total silence among them for some time, Henrietta leaning back
+in the corner, with a shawl over her face, giving the hope of her
+having cried herself to sleep; when, as they were going up their last hill,
+Anne found herself all at once addressed by Captain Wentworth.
+In a low, cautious voice, he said:--
+
+"I have been considering what we had best do.  She must not
+appear at first.  She could not stand it.  I have been thinking whether
+you had not better remain in the carriage with her, while I go in
+and break it to Mr and Mrs Musgrove.  Do you think this is a good plan?"
+
+She did:  he was satisfied, and said no more.  But the remembrance
+of the appeal remained a pleasure to her, as a proof of friendship,
+and of deference for her judgement, a great pleasure; and when it became
+a sort of parting proof, its value did not lessen.
+
+When the distressing communication at Uppercross was over,
+and he had seen the father and mother quite as composed as could be hoped,
+and the daughter all the better for being with them, he announced
+his intention of returning in the same carriage to Lyme;
+and when the horses were baited, he was off.
+
+(End of volume one.)
+
+
+
+Chapter 13
+
+
+The remainder of Anne's time at Uppercross, comprehending only two days,
+was spent entirely at the Mansion House; and she had the satisfaction
+of knowing herself extremely useful there, both as an immediate companion,
+and as assisting in all those arrangements for the future, which,
+in Mr and Mrs Musgrove's distressed state of spirits, would have
+been difficulties.
+
+They had an early account from Lyme the next morning.  Louisa was
+much the same.  No symptoms worse than before had appeared.
+Charles came a few hours afterwards, to bring a later and
+more particular account.  He was tolerably cheerful.  A speedy cure
+must not be hoped, but everything was going on as well
+as the nature of the case admitted.  In speaking of the Harvilles,
+he seemed unable to satisfy his own sense of their kindness,
+especially of Mrs Harville's exertions as a nurse.  "She really left
+nothing for Mary to do.  He and Mary had been persuaded to go early
+to their inn last night.  Mary had been hysterical again this morning.
+When he came away, she was going to walk out with Captain Benwick,
+which, he hoped, would do her good.  He almost wished she had been
+prevailed on to come home the day before; but the truth was,
+that Mrs Harville left nothing for anybody to do."
+
+Charles was to return to Lyme the same afternoon, and his father
+had at first half a mind to go with him, but the ladies could not consent.
+It would be going only to multiply trouble to the others,
+and increase his own distress; and a much better scheme followed
+and was acted upon.  A chaise was sent for from Crewkherne,
+and Charles conveyed back a far more useful person in the old nursery-maid
+of the family, one who having brought up all the children,
+and seen the very last, the lingering and long-petted Master Harry,
+sent to school after his brothers, was now living in her deserted nursery
+to mend stockings and dress all the blains and bruises she could
+get near her, and who, consequently, was only too happy in being
+allowed to go and help nurse dear Miss Louisa.  Vague wishes of
+getting Sarah thither, had occurred before to Mrs Musgrove and Henrietta;
+but without Anne, it would hardly have been resolved on,
+and found practicable so soon.
+
+They were indebted, the next day, to Charles Hayter, for all
+the minute knowledge of Louisa, which it was so essential to obtain
+every twenty-four hours.  He made it his business to go to Lyme,
+and his account was still encouraging.  The intervals of sense
+and consciousness were believed to be stronger.  Every report agreed
+in Captain Wentworth's appearing fixed in Lyme.
+
+Anne was to leave them on the morrow, an event which they all dreaded.
+"What should they do without her?  They were wretched comforters
+for one another."  And so much was said in this way, that Anne thought
+she could not do better than impart among them the general inclination
+to which she was privy, and persuaded them all to go to Lyme at once.
+She had little difficulty; it was soon determined that they would go;
+go to-morrow, fix themselves at the inn, or get into lodgings,
+as it suited, and there remain till dear Louisa could be moved.
+They must be taking off some trouble from the good people she was with;
+they might at least relieve Mrs Harville from the care of her own children;
+and in short, they were so happy in the decision, that Anne was delighted
+with what she had done, and felt that she could not spend her
+last morning at Uppercross better than in assisting their preparations,
+and sending them off at an early hour, though her being left
+to the solitary range of the house was the consequence.
+
+She was the last, excepting the little boys at the cottage,
+she was the very last, the only remaining one of all that had filled
+and animated both houses, of all that had given Uppercross
+its cheerful character.  A few days had made a change indeed!
+
+If Louisa recovered, it would all be well again.  More than
+former happiness would be restored.  There could not be a doubt,
+to her mind there was none, of what would follow her recovery.
+A few months hence, and the room now so deserted, occupied but by
+her silent, pensive self, might be filled again with all that was happy
+and gay, all that was glowing and bright in prosperous love,
+all that was most unlike Anne Elliot!
+
+An hour's complete leisure for such reflections as these,
+on a dark November day, a small thick rain almost blotting out
+the very few objects ever to be discerned from the windows, was enough
+to make the sound of Lady Russell's carriage exceedingly welcome;
+and yet, though desirous to be gone, she could not quit the Mansion House,
+or look an adieu to the Cottage, with its black, dripping and
+comfortless veranda, or even notice through the misty glasses
+the last humble tenements of the village, without a saddened heart.
+Scenes had passed in Uppercross which made it precious.
+It stood the record of many sensations of pain, once severe,
+but now softened; and of some instances of relenting feeling,
+some breathings of friendship and reconciliation, which could
+never be looked for again, and which could never cease to be dear.
+She left it all behind her, all but the recollection that
+such things had been.
+
+Anne had never entered Kellynch since her quitting Lady Russell's house
+in September.  It had not been necessary, and the few occasions of
+its being possible for her to go to the Hall she had contrived to evade
+and escape from.  Her first return was to resume her place in the modern
+and elegant apartments of the Lodge, and to gladden the eyes
+of its mistress.
+
+There was some anxiety mixed with Lady Russell's joy in meeting her.
+She knew who had been frequenting Uppercross.  But happily,
+either Anne was improved in plumpness and looks, or Lady Russell
+fancied her so; and Anne, in receiving her compliments on the occasion,
+had the amusement of connecting them with the silent admiration
+of her cousin, and of hoping that she was to be blessed with
+a second spring of youth and beauty.
+
+When they came to converse, she was soon sensible of some mental change.
+The subjects of which her heart had been full on leaving Kellynch,
+and which she had felt slighted, and been compelled to smother
+among the Musgroves, were now become but of secondary interest.
+She had lately lost sight even of her father and sister and Bath.
+Their concerns had been sunk under those of Uppercross;
+and when Lady Russell reverted to their former hopes and fears,
+and spoke her satisfaction in the house in Camden Place,
+which had been taken, and her regret that Mrs Clay should still
+be with them, Anne would have been ashamed to have it known
+how much more she was thinking of Lyme and Louisa Musgrove,
+and all her acquaintance there; how much more interesting to her
+was the home and the friendship of the Harvilles and Captain Benwick,
+than her own father's house in Camden Place, or her own sister's intimacy
+with Mrs Clay.  She was actually forced to exert herself
+to meet Lady Russell with anything like the appearance of equal solicitude,
+on topics which had by nature the first claim on her.
+
+There was a little awkwardness at first in their discourse
+on another subject.  They must speak of the accident at Lyme.
+Lady Russell had not been arrived five minutes the day before,
+when a full account of the whole had burst on her; but still it must
+be talked of, she must make enquiries, she must regret the imprudence,
+lament the result, and Captain Wentworth's name must be mentioned by both.
+Anne was conscious of not doing it so well as Lady Russell.
+She could not speak the name, and look straight forward to
+Lady Russell's eye, till she had adopted the expedient of telling her
+briefly what she thought of the attachment between him and Louisa.
+When this was told, his name distressed her no longer.
+
+Lady Russell had only to listen composedly, and wish them happy,
+but internally her heart revelled in angry pleasure, in pleased contempt,
+that the man who at twenty-three had seemed to understand somewhat
+of the value of an Anne Elliot, should, eight years afterwards,
+be charmed by a Louisa Musgrove.
+
+The first three or four days passed most quietly, with no circumstance
+to mark them excepting the receipt of a note or two from Lyme,
+which found their way to Anne, she could not tell how, and brought
+a rather improving account of Louisa.  At the end of that period,
+Lady Russell's politeness could repose no longer, and the fainter
+self-threatenings of the past became in a decided tone,
+"I must call on Mrs Croft; I really must call upon her soon.
+Anne, have you courage to go with me, and pay a visit in that house?
+It will be some trial to us both."
+
+Anne did not shrink from it; on the contrary, she truly felt as she said,
+in observing--
+
+"I think you are very likely to suffer the most of the two;
+your feelings are less reconciled to the change than mine.
+By remaining in the neighbourhood, I am become inured to it."
+
+She could have said more on the subject; for she had in fact
+so high an opinion of the Crofts, and considered her father
+so very fortunate in his tenants, felt the parish to be so sure
+of a good example, and the poor of the best attention and relief,
+that however sorry and ashamed for the necessity of the removal,
+she could not but in conscience feel that they were gone
+who deserved not to stay, and that Kellynch Hall had passed
+into better hands than its owners'.  These convictions must unquestionably
+have their own pain, and severe was its kind; but they precluded
+that pain which Lady Russell would suffer in entering the house again,
+and returning through the well-known apartments.
+
+In such moments Anne had no power of saying to herself,
+"These rooms ought to belong only to us.  Oh, how fallen
+in their destination!  How unworthily occupied!  An ancient family
+to be so driven away!  Strangers filling their place!"
+No, except when she thought of her mother, and remembered where
+she had been used to sit and preside, she had no sigh of that description
+to heave.
+
+Mrs Croft always met her with a kindness which gave her the pleasure
+of fancying herself a favourite, and on the present occasion,
+receiving her in that house, there was particular attention.
+
+The sad accident at Lyme was soon the prevailing topic,
+and on comparing their latest accounts of the invalid, it appeared
+that each lady dated her intelligence from the same hour of yestermorn;
+that Captain Wentworth had been in Kellynch yesterday (the first time
+since the accident), had brought Anne the last note, which she had
+not been able to trace the exact steps of; had staid a few hours
+and then returned again to Lyme, and without any present intention
+of quitting it any more.  He had enquired after her, she found,
+particularly; had expressed his hope of Miss Elliot's not being
+the worse for her exertions, and had spoken of those exertions as great.
+This was handsome, and gave her more pleasure than almost anything else
+could have done.
+
+As to the sad catastrophe itself, it could be canvassed only in one style
+by a couple of steady, sensible women, whose judgements had to work
+on ascertained events; and it was perfectly decided that it had been
+the consequence of much thoughtlessness and much imprudence;
+that its effects were most alarming, and that it was frightful to think,
+how long Miss Musgrove's recovery might yet be doubtful, and how liable
+she would still remain to suffer from the concussion hereafter!
+The Admiral wound it up summarily by exclaiming--
+
+"Ay, a very bad business indeed.  A new sort of way this,
+for a young fellow to be making love, by breaking his mistress's head,
+is not it, Miss Elliot?  This is breaking a head and giving a plaster,
+truly!"
+
+Admiral Croft's manners were not quite of the tone to suit Lady Russell,
+but they delighted Anne.  His goodness of heart and simplicity
+of character were irresistible.
+
+"Now, this must be very bad for you," said he, suddenly rousing from
+a little reverie, "to be coming and finding us here.  I had not
+recollected it before, I declare, but it must be very bad.
+But now, do not stand upon ceremony.  Get up and go over all the rooms
+in the house if you like it."
+
+"Another time, Sir, I thank you, not now."
+
+"Well, whenever it suits you.  You can slip in from the shrubbery
+at any time; and there you will find we keep our umbrellas hanging up
+by that door.  A good place is not it?  But," (checking himself),
+"you will not think it a good place, for yours were always kept
+in the butler's room.  Ay, so it always is, I believe.
+One man's ways may be as good as another's, but we all like our own best.
+And so you must judge for yourself, whether it would be better for you
+to go about the house or not."
+
+Anne, finding she might decline it, did so, very gratefully.
+
+"We have made very few changes either," continued the Admiral,
+after thinking a moment.  "Very few.  We told you about the laundry-door,
+at Uppercross.  That has been a very great improvement.
+The wonder was, how any family upon earth could bear with the inconvenience
+of its opening as it did, so long!  You will tell Sir Walter
+what we have done, and that Mr Shepherd thinks it the greatest improvement
+the house ever had.  Indeed, I must do ourselves the justice to say,
+that the few alterations we have made have been all very much
+for the better.  My wife should have the credit of them, however.
+I have done very little besides sending away some of the large
+looking-glasses from my dressing-room, which was your father's.
+A very good man, and very much the gentleman I am sure:
+but I should think, Miss Elliot," (looking with serious reflection),
+"I should think he must be rather a dressy man for his time of life.
+Such a number of looking-glasses! oh Lord! there was no getting away
+from one's self.  So I got Sophy to lend me a hand, and we soon
+shifted their quarters; and now I am quite snug, with my
+little shaving glass in one corner, and another great thing
+that I never go near."
+
+Anne, amused in spite of herself, was rather distressed for an answer,
+and the Admiral, fearing he might not have been civil enough,
+took up the subject again, to say--
+
+"The next time you write to your good father, Miss Elliot,
+pray give him my compliments and Mrs Croft's, and say that we are
+settled here quite to our liking, and have no fault at all to find
+with the place.  The breakfast-room chimney smokes a little,
+I grant you, but it is only when the wind is due north and blows hard,
+which may not happen three times a winter.  And take it altogether,
+now that we have been into most of the houses hereabouts and can judge,
+there is not one that we like better than this.  Pray say so,
+with my compliments.  He will be glad to hear it."
+
+Lady Russell and Mrs Croft were very well pleased with each other:
+but the acquaintance which this visit began was fated not to proceed
+far at present; for when it was returned, the Crofts announced
+themselves to be going away for a few weeks, to visit their connexions
+in the north of the county, and probably might not be at home again
+before Lady Russell would be removing to Bath.
+
+So ended all danger to Anne of meeting Captain Wentworth at Kellynch Hall,
+or of seeing him in company with her friend.  Everything was safe enough,
+and she smiled over the many anxious feelings she had wasted
+on the subject.
+
+
+
+Chapter 14
+
+
+Though Charles and Mary had remained at Lyme much longer after
+Mr and Mrs Musgrove's going than Anne conceived they could have been
+at all wanted, they were yet the first of the family to be at home again;
+and as soon as possible after their return to Uppercross
+they drove over to the Lodge.  They had left Louisa beginning to sit up;
+but her head, though clear, was exceedingly weak, and her nerves
+susceptible to the highest extreme of tenderness; and though
+she might be pronounced to be altogether doing very well,
+it was still impossible to say when she might be able to bear
+the removal home; and her father and mother, who must return
+in time to receive their younger children for the Christmas holidays,
+had hardly a hope of being allowed to bring her with them.
+
+They had been all in lodgings together.  Mrs Musgrove had
+got Mrs Harville's children away as much as she could, every possible
+supply from Uppercross had been furnished, to lighten the inconvenience
+to the Harvilles, while the Harvilles had been wanting them
+to come to dinner every day; and in short, it seemed to have been
+only a struggle on each side as to which should be most disinterested
+and hospitable.
+
+Mary had had her evils; but upon the whole, as was evident
+by her staying so long, she had found more to enjoy than to suffer.
+Charles Hayter had been at Lyme oftener than suited her; and when
+they dined with the Harvilles there had been only a maid-servant to wait,
+and at first Mrs Harville had always given Mrs Musgrove precedence;
+but then, she had received so very handsome an apology from her
+on finding out whose daughter she was, and there had been so much
+going on every day, there had been so many walks between their lodgings
+and the Harvilles, and she had got books from the library,
+and changed them so often, that the balance had certainly been
+much in favour of Lyme.  She had been taken to Charmouth too,
+and she had bathed, and she had gone to church, and there were a great many
+more people to look at in the church at Lyme than at Uppercross;
+and all this, joined to the sense of being so very useful,
+had made really an agreeable fortnight.
+
+Anne enquired after Captain Benwick, Mary's face was clouded directly.
+Charles laughed.
+
+"Oh! Captain Benwick is very well, I believe, but he is
+a very odd young man.  I do not know what he would be at.
+We asked him to come home with us for a day or two:  Charles undertook
+to give him some shooting, and he seemed quite delighted, and, for my part,
+I thought it was all settled; when behold! on Tuesday night,
+he made a very awkward sort of excuse; `he never shot' and he had
+`been quite misunderstood,' and he had promised this and he had
+promised that, and the end of it was, I found, that he did not mean to come.
+I suppose he was afraid of finding it dull; but upon my word
+I should have thought we were lively enough at the Cottage
+for such a heart-broken man as Captain Benwick."
+
+Charles laughed again and said, "Now Mary, you know very well
+how it really was.  It was all your doing," (turning to Anne.)
+"He fancied that if he went with us, he should find you close by:
+he fancied everybody to be living in Uppercross; and when he discovered
+that Lady Russell lived three miles off, his heart failed him,
+and he had not courage to come.  That is the fact, upon my honour,
+Mary knows it is."
+
+But Mary did not give into it very graciously, whether from
+not considering Captain Benwick entitled by birth and situation
+to be in love with an Elliot, or from not wanting to believe
+Anne a greater attraction to Uppercross than herself, must be
+left to be guessed.  Anne's good-will, however, was not to be lessened
+by what she heard.  She boldly acknowledged herself flattered,
+and continued her enquiries.
+
+"Oh! he talks of you," cried Charles, "in such terms--"
+Mary interrupted him. "I declare, Charles, I never heard him
+mention Anne twice all the time I was there.  I declare, Anne,
+he never talks of you at all."
+
+"No," admitted Charles, "I do not know that he ever does, in a general
+way; but however, it is a very clear thing that he admires you exceedingly.
+His head is full of some books that he is reading upon your recommendation,
+and he wants to talk to you about them; he has found out something or other
+in one of them which he thinks--oh! I cannot pretend to remember it,
+but it was something very fine--I overheard him telling Henrietta
+all about it; and then `Miss Elliot' was spoken of in the highest terms!
+Now Mary, I declare it was so, I heard it myself, and you were
+in the other room.  `Elegance, sweetness, beauty.' Oh! there was no end
+of Miss Elliot's charms."
+
+"And I am sure," cried Mary, warmly, "it was a very little to his credit,
+if he did.  Miss Harville only died last June.  Such a heart
+is very little worth having; is it, Lady Russell?  I am sure
+you will agree with me."
+
+"I must see Captain Benwick before I decide," said Lady Russell, smiling.
+
+"And that you are very likely to do very soon, I can tell you, ma'am,"
+said Charles.  "Though he had not nerves for coming away with us,
+and setting off again afterwards to pay a formal visit here,
+he will make his way over to Kellynch one day by himself,
+you may depend on it.  I told him the distance and the road,
+and I told him of the church's being so very well worth seeing;
+for as he has a taste for those sort of things, I thought that would
+be a good excuse, and he listened with all his understanding and soul;
+and I am sure from his manner that you will have him calling here soon.
+So, I give you notice, Lady Russell."
+
+"Any acquaintance of Anne's will always be welcome to me,"
+was Lady Russell's kind answer.
+
+"Oh! as to being Anne's acquaintance," said Mary, "I think he is rather
+my acquaintance, for I have been seeing him every day this last fortnight."
+
+"Well, as your joint acquaintance, then, I shall be very happy
+to see Captain Benwick."
+
+"You will not find anything very agreeable in him, I assure you, ma'am.
+He is one of the dullest young men that ever lived.  He has walked with me,
+sometimes, from one end of the sands to the other, without saying a word.
+He is not at all a well-bred young man.  I am sure you will not like him."
+
+"There we differ, Mary," said Anne.  "I think Lady Russell would like him.
+I think she would be so much pleased with his mind, that she would
+very soon see no deficiency in his manner."
+
+"So do I, Anne," said Charles.  "I am sure Lady Russell would like him.
+He is just Lady Russell's sort.  Give him a book, and he will
+read all day long."
+
+"Yes, that he will!" exclaimed Mary, tauntingly.  "He will sit poring
+over his book, and not know when a person speaks to him, or when one
+drop's one's scissors, or anything that happens.  Do you think
+Lady Russell would like that?"
+
+Lady Russell could not help laughing.  "Upon my word," said she,
+"I should not have supposed that my opinion of any one could have
+admitted of such difference of conjecture, steady and matter of fact
+as I may call myself.  I have really a curiosity to see the person
+who can give occasion to such directly opposite notions.
+I wish he may be induced to call here.  And when he does, Mary,
+you may depend upon hearing my opinion; but I am determined
+not to judge him beforehand."
+
+"You will not like him, I will answer for it."
+
+Lady Russell began talking of something else.  Mary spoke with animation
+of their meeting with, or rather missing, Mr Elliot so extraordinarily.
+
+"He is a man," said Lady Russell, "whom I have no wish to see.
+His declining to be on cordial terms with the head of his family,
+has left a very strong impression in his disfavour with me."
+
+This decision checked Mary's eagerness, and stopped her short
+in the midst of the Elliot countenance.
+
+With regard to Captain Wentworth, though Anne hazarded no enquiries,
+there was voluntary communication sufficient.  His spirits had been
+greatly recovering lately as might be expected.  As Louisa improved,
+he had improved, and he was now quite a different creature
+from what he had been the first week.  He had not seen Louisa;
+and was so extremely fearful of any ill consequence to her
+from an interview, that he did not press for it at all; and,
+on the contrary, seemed to have a plan of going away for a week
+or ten days, till her head was stronger.  He had talked of going
+down to Plymouth for a week, and wanted to persuade Captain Benwick
+to go with him; but, as Charles maintained to the last, Captain Benwick
+seemed much more disposed to ride over to Kellynch.
+
+There can be no doubt that Lady Russell and Anne were both
+occasionally thinking of Captain Benwick, from this time.
+Lady Russell could not hear the door-bell without feeling that it might
+be his herald; nor could Anne return from any stroll of solitary indulgence
+in her father's grounds, or any visit of charity in the village,
+without wondering whether she might see him or hear of him.
+Captain Benwick came not, however.  He was either less disposed for it
+than Charles had imagined, or he was too shy; and after giving him
+a week's indulgence, Lady Russell determined him to be unworthy
+of the interest which he had been beginning to excite.
+
+The Musgroves came back to receive their happy boys and girls from school,
+bringing with them Mrs Harville's little children, to improve the noise
+of Uppercross, and lessen that of Lyme.  Henrietta remained with Louisa;
+but all the rest of the family were again in their usual quarters.
+
+Lady Russell and Anne paid their compliments to them once,
+when Anne could not but feel that Uppercross was already quite alive again.
+Though neither Henrietta, nor Louisa, nor Charles Hayter,
+nor Captain Wentworth were there, the room presented as strong a contrast
+as could be wished to the last state she had seen it in.
+
+Immediately surrounding Mrs Musgrove were the little Harvilles,
+whom she was sedulously guarding from the tyranny of the two children
+from the Cottage, expressly arrived to amuse them.  On one side
+was a table occupied by some chattering girls, cutting up silk
+and gold paper; and on the other were tressels and trays,
+bending under the weight of brawn and cold pies, where riotous boys
+were holding high revel; the whole completed by a roaring Christmas fire,
+which seemed determined to be heard, in spite of all the noise
+of the others.  Charles and Mary also came in, of course,
+during their visit, and Mr Musgrove made a point of paying his respects
+to Lady Russell, and sat down close to her for ten minutes,
+talking with a very raised voice, but from the clamour of the children
+on his knees, generally in vain.  It was a fine family-piece.
+
+Anne, judging from her own temperament, would have deemed
+such a domestic hurricane a bad restorative of the nerves,
+which Louisa's illness must have so greatly shaken.  But Mrs Musgrove,
+who got Anne near her on purpose to thank her most cordially,
+again and again, for all her attentions to them, concluded
+a short recapitulation of what she had suffered herself by observing,
+with a happy glance round the room, that after all she had gone through,
+nothing was so likely to do her good as a little quiet cheerfulness
+at home.
+
+Louisa was now recovering apace.  Her mother could even think of her
+being able to join their party at home, before her brothers and sisters
+went to school again.  The Harvilles had promised to come with her
+and stay at Uppercross, whenever she returned.  Captain Wentworth was gone,
+for the present, to see his brother in Shropshire.
+
+"I hope I shall remember, in future," said Lady Russell, as soon as
+they were reseated in the carriage, "not to call at Uppercross
+in the Christmas holidays."
+
+Everybody has their taste in noises as well as in other matters;
+and sounds are quite innoxious, or most distressing, by their sort
+rather than their quantity.  When Lady Russell not long afterwards,
+was entering Bath on a wet afternoon, and driving through
+the long course of streets from the Old Bridge to Camden Place,
+amidst the dash of other carriages, the heavy rumble of carts and drays,
+the bawling of newspapermen, muffin-men and milkmen, and the ceaseless
+clink of pattens, she made no complaint.  No, these were noises
+which belonged to the winter pleasures; her spirits rose
+under their influence; and like Mrs Musgrove, she was feeling,
+though not saying, that after being long in the country, nothing could be
+so good for her as a little quiet cheerfulness.
+
+Anne did not share these feelings.  She persisted in a very determined,
+though very silent disinclination for Bath; caught the first dim view
+of the extensive buildings, smoking in rain, without any wish
+of seeing them better; felt their progress through the streets to be,
+however disagreeable, yet too rapid; for who would be glad to see her
+when she arrived?  And looked back, with fond regret, to the bustles
+of Uppercross and the seclusion of Kellynch.
+
+Elizabeth's last letter had communicated a piece of news of some interest.
+Mr Elliot was in Bath.  He had called in Camden Place; had called
+a second time, a third; had been pointedly attentive.  If Elizabeth
+and her father did not deceive themselves, had been taking much pains
+to seek the acquaintance, and proclaim the value of the connection,
+as he had formerly taken pains to shew neglect.  This was very wonderful
+if it were true; and Lady Russell was in a state of very agreeable
+curiosity and perplexity about Mr Elliot, already recanting the sentiment
+she had so lately expressed to Mary, of his being "a man whom she had
+no wish to see."  She had a great wish to see him.  If he really sought
+to reconcile himself like a dutiful branch, he must be forgiven
+for having dismembered himself from the paternal tree.
+
+Anne was not animated to an equal pitch by the circumstance,
+but she felt that she would rather see Mr Elliot again than not,
+which was more than she could say for many other persons in Bath.
+
+She was put down in Camden Place; and Lady Russell then drove
+to her own lodgings, in Rivers Street.
+
+
+
+Chapter 15
+
+
+Sir Walter had taken a very good house in Camden Place,
+a lofty dignified situation, such as becomes a man of consequence;
+and both he and Elizabeth were settled there, much to their satisfaction.
+
+Anne entered it with a sinking heart, anticipating an imprisonment
+of many months, and anxiously saying to herself, "Oh! when shall I
+leave you again?"  A degree of unexpected cordiality, however,
+in the welcome she received, did her good.  Her father and sister
+were glad to see her, for the sake of shewing her the house and furniture,
+and met her with kindness.  Her making a fourth, when they
+sat down to dinner, was noticed as an advantage.
+
+Mrs Clay was very pleasant, and very smiling, but her courtesies and smiles
+were more a matter of course.  Anne had always felt that she would
+pretend what was proper on her arrival, but the complaisance of the others
+was unlooked for.  They were evidently in excellent spirits,
+and she was soon to listen to the causes.  They had no inclination
+to listen to her.  After laying out for some compliments of being
+deeply regretted in their old neighbourhood, which Anne could not pay,
+they had only a few faint enquiries to make, before the talk must be
+all their own.  Uppercross excited no interest, Kellynch very little:
+it was all Bath.
+
+They had the pleasure of assuring her that Bath more than answered
+their expectations in every respect.  Their house was undoubtedly
+the best in Camden Place; their drawing-rooms had many decided advantages
+over all the others which they had either seen or heard of,
+and the superiority was not less in the style of the fitting-up,
+or the taste of the furniture.  Their acquaintance was
+exceedingly sought after.  Everybody was wanting to visit them.
+They had drawn back from many introductions, and still were
+perpetually having cards left by people of whom they knew nothing.
+
+Here were funds of enjoyment.  Could Anne wonder that her father
+and sister were happy?  She might not wonder, but she must sigh
+that her father should feel no degradation in his change, should see
+nothing to regret in the duties and dignity of the resident landholder,
+should find so much to be vain of in the littlenesses of a town;
+and she must sigh, and smile, and wonder too, as Elizabeth threw open
+the folding-doors and walked with exultation from one drawing-room
+to the other, boasting of their space; at the possibility of that woman,
+who had been mistress of Kellynch Hall, finding extent to be proud of
+between two walls, perhaps thirty feet asunder.
+
+But this was not all which they had to make them happy.
+They had Mr Elliot too.  Anne had a great deal to hear of Mr Elliot.
+He was not only pardoned, they were delighted with him.
+He had been in Bath about a fortnight; (he had passed through Bath
+in November, in his way to London, when the intelligence of
+Sir Walter's being settled there had of course reached him,
+though only twenty-four hours in the place, but he had not been able
+to avail himself of it;) but he had now been a fortnight in Bath,
+and his first object on arriving, had been to leave his card
+in Camden Place, following it up by such assiduous endeavours to meet,
+and when they did meet, by such great openness of conduct,
+such readiness to apologize for the past, such solicitude to be received
+as a relation again, that their former good understanding
+was completely re-established.
+
+They had not a fault to find in him.  He had explained away
+all the appearance of neglect on his own side.  It had originated
+in misapprehension entirely.  He had never had an idea of
+throwing himself off; he had feared that he was thrown off,
+but knew not why, and delicacy had kept him silent.  Upon the hint
+of having spoken disrespectfully or carelessly of the family
+and the family honours, he was quite indignant.  He, who had ever boasted
+of being an Elliot, and whose feelings, as to connection,
+were only too strict to suit the unfeudal tone of the present day.
+He was astonished, indeed, but his character and general conduct
+must refute it.  He could refer Sir Walter to all who knew him;
+and certainly, the pains he had been taking on this, the first opportunity
+of reconciliation, to be restored to the footing of a relation
+and heir-presumptive, was a strong proof of his opinions on the subject.
+
+The circumstances of his marriage, too, were found to admit of
+much extenuation.  This was an article not to be entered on by himself;
+but a very intimate friend of his, a Colonel Wallis, a highly
+respectable man, perfectly the gentleman, (and not an ill-looking man,
+Sir Walter added), who was living in very good style in Marlborough
+Buildings, and had, at his own particular request, been admitted
+to their acquaintance through Mr Elliot, had mentioned one or two things
+relative to the marriage, which made a material difference
+in the discredit of it.
+
+Colonel Wallis had known Mr Elliot long, had been well acquainted
+also with his wife, had perfectly understood the whole story.
+She was certainly not a woman of family, but well educated,
+accomplished, rich, and excessively in love with his friend.
+There had been the charm.  She had sought him.  Without that attraction,
+not all her money would have tempted Elliot, and Sir Walter was,
+moreover, assured of her having been a very fine woman.
+Here was a great deal to soften the business.  A very fine woman
+with a large fortune, in love with him!  Sir Walter seemed to admit it
+as complete apology; and though Elizabeth could not see the circumstance
+in quite so favourable a light, she allowed it be a great extenuation.
+
+Mr Elliot had called repeatedly, had dined with them once,
+evidently delighted by the distinction of being asked, for they
+gave no dinners in general; delighted, in short, by every proof
+of cousinly notice, and placing his whole happiness in being
+on intimate terms in Camden Place.
+
+Anne listened, but without quite understanding it.  Allowances,
+large allowances, she knew, must be made for the ideas of those who spoke.
+She heard it all under embellishment.  All that sounded extravagant
+or irrational in the progress of the reconciliation might have no origin
+but in the language of the relators.  Still, however, she had
+the sensation of there being something more than immediately appeared,
+in Mr Elliot's wishing, after an interval of so many years,
+to be well received by them.  In a worldly view, he had nothing to gain
+by being on terms with Sir Walter; nothing to risk by a state of variance.
+In all probability he was already the richer of the two,
+and the Kellynch estate would as surely be his hereafter as the title.
+A sensible man, and he had looked like a very sensible man,
+why should it be an object to him?  She could only offer one solution;
+it was, perhaps, for Elizabeth's sake.  There might really have been
+a liking formerly, though convenience and accident had drawn him
+a different way; and now that he could afford to please himself,
+he might mean to pay his addresses to her.  Elizabeth was certainly
+very handsome, with well-bred, elegant manners, and her character
+might never have been penetrated by Mr Elliot, knowing her but in public,
+and when very young himself.  How her temper and understanding
+might bear the investigation of his present keener time of life
+was another concern and rather a fearful one.  Most earnestly did she wish
+that he might not be too nice, or too observant if Elizabeth
+were his object; and that Elizabeth was disposed to believe herself so,
+and that her friend Mrs Clay was encouraging the idea, seemed apparent
+by a glance or two between them, while Mr Elliot's frequent visits
+were talked of.
+
+Anne mentioned the glimpses she had had of him at Lyme, but without
+being much attended to.  "Oh! yes, perhaps, it had been Mr Elliot.
+They did not know.  It might be him, perhaps."  They could not listen
+to her description of him.  They were describing him themselves;
+Sir Walter especially.  He did justice to his very gentlemanlike
+appearance, his air of elegance and fashion, his good shaped face,
+his sensible eye; but, at the same time, "must lament his being
+very much under-hung, a defect which time seemed to have increased;
+nor could he pretend to say that ten years had not altered
+almost every feature for the worse.  Mr Elliot appeared to think
+that he (Sir Walter) was looking exactly as he had done when
+they last parted;" but Sir Walter had "not been able to return
+the compliment entirely, which had embarrassed him.  He did not mean
+to complain, however.  Mr Elliot was better to look at than most men,
+and he had no objection to being seen with him anywhere."
+
+Mr Elliot, and his friends in Marlborough Buildings, were talked of
+the whole evening.  "Colonel Wallis had been so impatient to be
+introduced to them! and Mr Elliot so anxious that he should!"
+and there was a Mrs Wallis, at present known only to them by description,
+as she was in daily expectation of her confinement; but Mr Elliot
+spoke of her as "a most charming woman, quite worthy of being known
+in Camden Place," and as soon as she recovered they were to be acquainted.
+Sir Walter thought much of Mrs Wallis; she was said to be
+an excessively pretty woman, beautiful.  "He longed to see her.
+He hoped she might make some amends for the many very plain faces
+he was continually passing in the streets.  The worst of Bath was
+the number of its plain women.  He did not mean to say that there were
+no pretty women, but the number of the plain was out of all proportion.
+He had frequently observed, as he walked, that one handsome face
+would be followed by thirty, or five-and-thirty frights; and once,
+as he had stood in a shop on Bond Street, he had counted
+eighty-seven women go by, one after another, without there being
+a tolerable face among them.  It had been a frosty morning,
+to be sure, a sharp frost, which hardly one woman in a thousand
+could stand the test of.  But still, there certainly were
+a dreadful multitude of ugly women in Bath; and as for the men!
+they were infinitely worse.  Such scarecrows as the streets were full of!
+It was evident how little the women were used to the sight of anything
+tolerable, by the effect which a man of decent appearance produced.
+He had never walked anywhere arm-in-arm with Colonel Wallis
+(who was a fine military figure, though sandy-haired) without observing
+that every woman's eye was upon him; every woman's eye was sure to be
+upon Colonel Wallis."  Modest Sir Walter!  He was not allowed
+to escape, however.  His daughter and Mrs Clay united in hinting
+that Colonel Wallis's companion might have as good a figure
+as Colonel Wallis, and certainly was not sandy-haired.
+
+"How is Mary looking?" said Sir Walter, in the height of his good humour.
+"The last time I saw her she had a red nose, but I hope that may not
+happen every day."
+
+"Oh! no, that must have been quite accidental.  In general she has been
+in very good health and very good looks since Michaelmas."
+
+"If I thought it would not tempt her to go out in sharp winds,
+and grow coarse, I would send her a new hat and pelisse."
+
+Anne was considering whether she should venture to suggest that a gown,
+or a cap, would not be liable to any such misuse, when a knock at the door
+suspended everything.  "A knock at the door! and so late!
+It was ten o'clock.  Could it be Mr Elliot?  They knew he was to dine
+in Lansdown Crescent.  It was possible that he might stop in his way home
+to ask them how they did.  They could think of no one else.
+Mrs Clay decidedly thought it Mr Elliot's knock."  Mrs Clay was right.
+With all the state which a butler and foot-boy could give,
+Mr Elliot was ushered into the room.
+
+It was the same, the very same man, with no difference but of dress.
+Anne drew a little back, while the others received his compliments,
+and her sister his apologies for calling at so unusual an hour,
+but "he could not be so near without wishing to know that neither she
+nor her friend had taken cold the day before," &c. &c; which was
+all as politely done, and as politely taken, as possible, but her part
+must follow then.  Sir Walter talked of his youngest daughter;
+"Mr Elliot must give him leave to present him to his youngest daughter"
+(there was no occasion for remembering Mary); and Anne, smiling and
+blushing, very becomingly shewed to Mr Elliot the pretty features
+which he had by no means forgotten, and instantly saw, with amusement
+at his little start of surprise, that he had not been at all aware
+of who she was.  He looked completely astonished, but not more astonished
+than pleased; his eyes brightened! and with the most perfect alacrity
+he welcomed the relationship, alluded to the past, and entreated
+to be received as an acquaintance already.  He was quite as good-looking
+as he had appeared at Lyme, his countenance improved by speaking,
+and his manners were so exactly what they ought to be, so polished,
+so easy, so particularly agreeable, that she could compare them
+in excellence to only one person's manners.  They were not the same,
+but they were, perhaps, equally good.
+
+He sat down with them, and improved their conversation very much.
+There could be no doubt of his being a sensible man.  Ten minutes
+were enough to certify that.  His tone, his expressions,
+his choice of subject, his knowing where to stop; it was all
+the operation of a sensible, discerning mind.  As soon as he could,
+he began to talk to her of Lyme, wanting to compare opinions
+respecting the place, but especially wanting to speak of the circumstance
+of their happening to be guests in the same inn at the same time;
+to give his own route, understand something of hers, and regret that
+he should have lost such an opportunity of paying his respects to her.
+She gave him a short account of her party and business at Lyme.
+His regret increased as he listened.  He had spent his whole
+solitary evening in the room adjoining theirs; had heard voices,
+mirth continually; thought they must be a most delightful set of people,
+longed to be with them, but certainly without the smallest suspicion
+of his possessing the shadow of a right to introduce himself.
+If he had but asked who the party were!  The name of Musgrove would
+have told him enough.  "Well, it would serve to cure him of
+an absurd practice of never asking a question at an inn,
+which he had adopted, when quite a young man, on the principal
+of its being very ungenteel to be curious.
+
+"The notions of a young man of one or two and twenty," said he,
+"as to what is necessary in manners to make him quite the thing,
+are more absurd, I believe, than those of any other set of beings
+in the world.  The folly of the means they often employ
+is only to be equalled by the folly of what they have in view."
+
+But he must not be addressing his reflections to Anne alone:
+he knew it; he was soon diffused again among the others,
+and it was only at intervals that he could return to Lyme.
+
+His enquiries, however, produced at length an account of the scene
+she had been engaged in there, soon after his leaving the place.
+Having alluded to "an accident,"  he must hear the whole.
+When he questioned, Sir Walter and Elizabeth began to question also,
+but the difference in their manner of doing it could not be unfelt.
+She could only compare Mr Elliot to Lady Russell, in the wish
+of really comprehending what had passed, and in the degree of concern
+for what she must have suffered in witnessing it.
+
+He staid an hour with them.  The elegant little clock on the mantel-
+piece had struck "eleven with its silver sounds," and the watchman
+was beginning to be heard at a distance telling the same tale,
+before Mr Elliot or any of them seemed to feel that he had been there long.
+
+Anne could not have supposed it possible that her first evening in
+Camden Place could have passed so well!
+
+
+
+Chapter 16
+
+
+There was one point which Anne, on returning to her family,
+would have been more thankful to ascertain even than Mr Elliot's
+being in love with Elizabeth, which was, her father's not being
+in love with Mrs Clay; and she was very far from easy about it,
+when she had been at home a few hours.  On going down to breakfast
+the next morning, she found there had just been a decent pretence
+on the lady's side of meaning to leave them.  She could imagine Mrs Clay
+to have said, that "now Miss Anne was come, she could not suppose herself
+at all wanted;" for Elizabeth was replying in a sort of whisper,
+"That must not be any reason, indeed.  I assure you I feel it none.
+She is nothing to me, compared with you;"  and she was in full time
+to hear her father say, "My dear madam, this must not be.  As yet,
+you have seen nothing of Bath.  You have been here only to be useful.
+You must not run away from us now.  You must stay to be acquainted
+with Mrs Wallis, the beautiful Mrs Wallis.  To your fine mind,
+I well know the sight of beauty is a real gratification."
+
+He spoke and looked so much in earnest, that Anne was not surprised
+to see Mrs Clay stealing a glance at Elizabeth and herself.
+Her countenance, perhaps, might express some watchfulness;
+but the praise of the fine mind did not appear to excite a thought
+in her sister.  The lady could not but yield to such joint entreaties,
+and promise to stay.
+
+In the course of the same morning, Anne and her father chancing to be
+alone together, he began to compliment her on her improved looks;
+he thought her "less thin in her person, in her cheeks; her skin,
+her complexion, greatly improved; clearer, fresher.  Had she been
+using any thing in particular?"  "No, nothing."  "Merely Gowland,"
+he supposed.  "No, nothing at all."  "Ha! he was surprised at that;"
+and added, "certainly you cannot do better than to continue as you are;
+you cannot be better than well; or I should recommend Gowland,
+the constant use of Gowland, during the spring months.  Mrs Clay has been
+using it at my recommendation, and you see what it has done for her.
+You see how it has carried away her freckles."
+
+If Elizabeth could but have heard this!  Such personal praise
+might have struck her, especially as it did not appear to Anne
+that the freckles were at all lessened.  But everything must
+take its chance.  The evil of a marriage would be much diminished,
+if Elizabeth were also to marry.  As for herself, she might always
+command a home with Lady Russell.
+
+Lady Russell's composed mind and polite manners were put to some trial
+on this point, in her intercourse in Camden Place.  The sight of Mrs Clay
+in such favour, and of Anne so overlooked, was a perpetual provocation
+to her there; and vexed her as much when she was away, as a person in Bath
+who drinks the water, gets all the new publications, and has
+a very large acquaintance, has time to be vexed.
+
+As Mr Elliot became known to her, she grew more charitable,
+or more indifferent, towards the others.  His manners were
+an immediate recommendation; and on conversing with him she found
+the solid so fully supporting the superficial, that she was at first,
+as she told Anne, almost ready to exclaim, "Can this be Mr Elliot?"
+and could not seriously picture to herself a more agreeable
+or estimable man.  Everything united in him; good understanding,
+correct opinions, knowledge of the world, and a warm heart.
+He had strong feelings of family attachment and family honour,
+without pride or weakness; he lived with the liberality of a man of fortune,
+without display; he judged for himself in everything essential,
+without defying public opinion in any point of worldly decorum.
+He was steady, observant, moderate, candid; never run away with by spirits
+or by selfishness, which fancied itself strong feeling; and yet,
+with a sensibility to what was amiable and lovely, and a value
+for all the felicities of domestic life, which characters of
+fancied enthusiasm and violent agitation seldom really possess.
+She was sure that he had not been happy in marriage.  Colonel Wallis
+said it, and Lady Russell saw it; but it had been no unhappiness
+to sour his mind, nor (she began pretty soon to suspect) to prevent his
+thinking of a second choice.  Her satisfaction in Mr Elliot
+outweighed all the plague of Mrs Clay.
+
+It was now some years since Anne had begun to learn that she
+and her excellent friend could sometimes think differently;
+and it did not surprise her, therefore, that Lady Russell
+should see nothing suspicious or inconsistent, nothing to require
+more motives than appeared, in Mr Elliot's great desire of a reconciliation.
+In Lady Russell's view, it was perfectly natural that Mr Elliot,
+at a mature time of life, should feel it a most desirable object,
+and what would very generally recommend him among all sensible people,
+to be on good terms with the head of his family; the simplest process
+in the world of time upon a head naturally clear, and only erring
+in the heyday of youth.  Anne presumed, however, still to smile about it,
+and at last to mention "Elizabeth."  Lady Russell listened, and looked,
+and made only this cautious reply:--"Elizabeth! very well;
+time will explain."
+
+It was a reference to the future, which Anne, after a little observation,
+felt she must submit to.  She could determine nothing at present.
+In that house Elizabeth must be first; and she was in the habit
+of such general observance as "Miss Elliot," that any particularity
+of attention seemed almost impossible.  Mr Elliot, too,
+it must be remembered, had not been a widower seven months.
+A little delay on his side might be very excusable.  In fact,
+Anne could never see the crape round his hat, without fearing that
+she was the inexcusable one, in attributing to him such imaginations;
+for though his marriage had not been very happy, still it had existed
+so many years that she could not comprehend a very rapid recovery
+from the awful impression of its being dissolved.
+
+However it might end, he was without any question their
+pleasantest acquaintance in Bath:  she saw nobody equal to him;
+and it was a great indulgence now and then to talk to him about Lyme,
+which he seemed to have as lively a wish to see again, and to see more of,
+as herself.  They went through the particulars of their first meeting
+a great many times.  He gave her to understand that he had
+looked at her with some earnestness.  She knew it well;
+and she remembered another person's look also.
+
+They did not always think alike.  His value for rank and connexion
+she perceived was greater than hers.  It was not merely complaisance,
+it must be a liking to the cause, which made him enter warmly
+into her father and sister's solicitudes on a subject which
+she thought unworthy to excite them.  The Bath paper one morning
+announced the arrival of the Dowager Viscountess Dalrymple,
+and her daughter, the Honourable Miss Carteret; and all the comfort
+of No.--, Camden Place, was swept away for many days; for the Dalrymples
+(in Anne's opinion, most unfortunately) were cousins of the Elliots;
+and the agony was how to introduce themselves properly.
+
+Anne had never seen her father and sister before in contact with nobility,
+and she must acknowledge herself disappointed.  She had hoped
+better things from their high ideas of their own situation in life,
+and was reduced to form a wish which she had never foreseen;
+a wish that they had more pride; for "our cousins Lady Dalrymple
+and Miss Carteret;" "our cousins, the Dalrymples," sounded in her ears
+all day long.
+
+Sir Walter had once been in company with the late viscount,
+but had never seen any of the rest of the family; and the difficulties
+of the case arose from there having been a suspension of all intercourse
+by letters of ceremony, ever since the death of that said late viscount,
+when, in consequence of a dangerous illness of Sir Walter's
+at the same time, there had been an unlucky omission at Kellynch.
+No letter of condolence had been sent to Ireland.  The neglect
+had been visited on the head of the sinner; for when poor Lady Elliot
+died herself, no letter of condolence was received at Kellynch,
+and, consequently, there was but too much reason to apprehend
+that the Dalrymples considered the relationship as closed.
+How to have this anxious business set to rights, and be admitted
+as cousins again, was the question:  and it was a question which,
+in a more rational manner, neither Lady Russell nor Mr Elliot
+thought unimportant.  "Family connexions were always worth preserving,
+good company always worth seeking; Lady Dalrymple had taken a house,
+for three months, in Laura Place, and would be living in style.
+She had been at Bath the year before, and Lady Russell had heard her
+spoken of as a charming woman.  It was very desirable that
+the connexion should be renewed, if it could be done, without any
+compromise of propriety on the side of the Elliots."
+
+Sir Walter, however, would choose his own means, and at last wrote
+a very fine letter of ample explanation, regret, and entreaty,
+to his right honourable cousin.  Neither Lady Russell nor Mr Elliot
+could admire the letter; but it did all that was wanted,
+in bringing three lines of scrawl from the Dowager Viscountess.
+"She was very much honoured, and should be happy in their acquaintance."
+The toils of the business were over, the sweets began.  They visited
+in Laura Place, they had the cards of Dowager Viscountess Dalrymple,
+and the Honourable Miss Carteret, to be arranged wherever they might
+be most visible:  and "Our cousins in Laura Place,"--"Our cousin,
+Lady Dalrymple and Miss Carteret," were talked of to everybody.
+
+Anne was ashamed.  Had Lady Dalrymple and her daughter even been
+very agreeable, she would still have been ashamed of the agitation
+they created, but they were nothing.  There was no superiority of manner,
+accomplishment, or understanding.  Lady Dalrymple had acquired
+the name of "a charming woman," because she had a smile and a civil answer
+for everybody.  Miss Carteret, with still less to say, was so plain
+and so awkward, that she would never have been tolerated in Camden Place
+but for her birth.
+
+Lady Russell confessed she had expected something better; but yet
+"it was an acquaintance worth having;" and when Anne ventured to speak
+her opinion of them to Mr Elliot, he agreed to their being nothing
+in themselves, but still maintained that, as a family connexion,
+as good company, as those who would collect good company around them,
+they had their value.  Anne smiled and said,
+
+"My idea of good company, Mr Elliot, is the company of clever,
+well-informed people, who have a great deal of conversation;
+that is what I call good company."
+
+"You are mistaken," said he gently, "that is not good company;
+that is the best.  Good company requires only birth, education,
+and manners, and with regard to education is not very nice.
+Birth and good manners are essential; but a little learning is
+by no means a dangerous thing in good company; on the contrary,
+it will do very well.  My cousin Anne shakes her head.
+She is not satisfied.  She is fastidious.  My dear cousin"
+(sitting down by her), "you have a better right to be fastidious
+than almost any other woman I know; but will it answer?
+Will it make you happy?  Will it not be wiser to accept the society
+of those good ladies in Laura Place, and enjoy all the advantages
+of the connexion as far as possible?  You may depend upon it,
+that they will move in the first set in Bath this winter,
+and as rank is rank, your being known to be related to them
+will have its use in fixing your family (our family let me say)
+in that degree of consideration which we must all wish for."
+
+"Yes," sighed Anne, "we shall, indeed, be known to be related to them!"
+then recollecting herself, and not wishing to be answered, she added,
+"I certainly do think there has been by far too much trouble taken
+to procure the acquaintance.  I suppose" (smiling) "I have more pride
+than any of you; but I confess it does vex me, that we should be
+so solicitous to have the relationship acknowledged, which we may
+be very sure is a matter of perfect indifference to them."
+
+"Pardon me, dear cousin, you are unjust in your own claims.
+In London, perhaps, in your present quiet style of living,
+it might be as you say:  but in Bath; Sir Walter Elliot and his family
+will always be worth knowing:  always acceptable as acquaintance."
+
+"Well," said Anne, "I certainly am proud, too proud to enjoy a welcome
+which depends so entirely upon place."
+
+"I love your indignation," said he; "it is very natural.
+But here you are in Bath, and the object is to be established here
+with all the credit and dignity which ought to belong to Sir Walter Elliot.
+You talk of being proud; I am called proud, I know, and I shall not wish
+to believe myself otherwise; for our pride, if investigated,
+would have the same object, I have no doubt, though the kind may seem
+a little different.  In one point, I am sure, my dear cousin,"
+(he continued, speaking lower, though there was no one else in the room)
+"in one point, I am sure, we must feel alike.  We must feel that
+every addition to your father's society, among his equals or superiors,
+may be of use in diverting his thoughts from those who are beneath him."
+
+He looked, as he spoke, to the seat which Mrs Clay had been
+lately occupying:  a sufficient explanation of what he particularly meant;
+and though Anne could not believe in their having the same sort of pride,
+she was pleased with him for not liking Mrs Clay; and her conscience
+admitted that his wishing to promote her father's getting
+great acquaintance was more than excusable in the view of defeating her.
+
+
+
+Chapter 17
+
+
+While Sir Walter and Elizabeth were assiduously pushing their
+good fortune in Laura Place, Anne was renewing an acquaintance
+of a very different description.
+
+She had called on her former governess, and had heard from her
+of there being an old school-fellow in Bath, who had the two strong claims
+on her attention of past kindness and present suffering.  Miss Hamilton,
+now Mrs Smith, had shewn her kindness in one of those periods of her life
+when it had been most valuable.  Anne had gone unhappy to school,
+grieving for the loss of a mother whom she had dearly loved,
+feeling her separation from home, and suffering as a girl of fourteen,
+of strong sensibility and not high spirits, must suffer at such a time;
+and Miss Hamilton, three years older than herself, but still from the want
+of near relations and a settled home, remaining another year at school,
+had been useful and good to her in a way which had considerably lessened
+her misery, and could never be remembered with indifference.
+
+Miss Hamilton had left school, had married not long afterwards,
+was said to have married a man of fortune, and this was all
+that Anne had known of her, till now that their governess's account
+brought her situation forward in a more decided but very different form.
+
+She was a widow and poor.  Her husband had been extravagant;
+and at his death, about two years before, had left his affairs
+dreadfully involved.  She had had difficulties of every sort
+to contend with, and in addition to these distresses had been afflicted
+with a severe rheumatic fever, which, finally settling in her legs,
+had made her for the present a cripple.  She had come to Bath
+on that account, and was now in lodgings near the hot baths,
+living in a very humble way, unable even to afford herself
+the comfort of a servant, and of course almost excluded from society.
+
+Their mutual friend answered for the satisfaction which a visit
+from Miss Elliot would give Mrs Smith, and Anne therefore
+lost no time in going.  She mentioned nothing of what she had heard,
+or what she intended, at home.  It would excite no proper interest there.
+She only consulted Lady Russell, who entered thoroughly into her sentiments,
+and was most happy to convey her as near to Mrs Smith's lodgings
+in Westgate Buildings, as Anne chose to be taken.
+
+The visit was paid, their acquaintance re-established, their interest
+in each other more than re-kindled.  The first ten minutes
+had its awkwardness and its emotion.  Twelve years were gone
+since they had parted, and each presented a somewhat different person
+from what the other had imagined.  Twelve years had changed Anne
+from the blooming, silent, unformed girl of fifteen, to the elegant
+little woman of seven-and-twenty, with every beauty except bloom,
+and with manners as consciously right as they were invariably gentle;
+and twelve years had transformed the fine-looking, well-grown Miss Hamilton,
+in all the glow of health and confidence of superiority, into a poor,
+infirm, helpless widow, receiving the visit of her former protegee
+as a favour; but all that was uncomfortable in the meeting had soon
+passed away, and left only the interesting charm of remembering
+former partialities and talking over old times.
+
+Anne found in Mrs Smith the good sense and agreeable manners which
+she had almost ventured to depend on, and a disposition to converse
+and be cheerful beyond her expectation.  Neither the dissipations
+of the past--and she had lived very much in the world--nor the restrictions
+of the present, neither sickness nor sorrow seemed to have
+closed her heart or ruined her spirits.
+
+In the course of a second visit she talked with great openness,
+and Anne's astonishment increased.  She could scarcely imagine
+a more cheerless situation in itself than Mrs Smith's.  She had been
+very fond of her husband:  she had buried him.  She had been
+used to affluence:  it was gone.  She had no child to connect her
+with life and happiness again, no relations to assist in the arrangement
+of perplexed affairs, no health to make all the rest supportable.
+Her accommodations were limited to a noisy parlour, and a dark bedroom
+behind, with no possibility of moving from one to the other without
+assistance, which there was only one servant in the house to afford,
+and she never quitted the house but to be conveyed into the warm bath.
+Yet, in spite of all this, Anne had reason to believe that she had
+moments only of languor and depression, to hours of occupation
+and enjoyment.  How could it be?  She watched, observed, reflected,
+and finally determined that this was not a case of fortitude
+or of resignation only.  A submissive spirit might be patient,
+a strong understanding would supply resolution, but here was something more;
+here was that elasticity of mind, that disposition to be comforted,
+that power of turning readily from evil to good, and of finding employment
+which carried her out of herself, which was from nature alone.
+It was the choicest gift of Heaven; and Anne viewed her friend
+as one of those instances in which, by a merciful appointment,
+it seems designed to counterbalance almost every other want.
+
+There had been a time, Mrs Smith told her, when her spirits
+had nearly failed.  She could not call herself an invalid now,
+compared with her state on first reaching Bath.  Then she had, indeed,
+been a pitiable object; for she had caught cold on the journey,
+and had hardly taken possession of her lodgings before she was again
+confined to her bed and suffering under severe and constant pain;
+and all this among strangers, with the absolute necessity of having
+a regular nurse, and finances at that moment particularly unfit
+to meet any extraordinary expense.  She had weathered it, however,
+and could truly say that it had done her good.  It had increased
+her comforts by making her feel herself to be in good hands.
+She had seen too much of the world, to expect sudden or disinterested
+attachment anywhere, but her illness had proved to her that her landlady
+had a character to preserve, and would not use her ill; and she had been
+particularly fortunate in her nurse, as a sister of her landlady,
+a nurse by profession, and who had always a home in that house
+when unemployed, chanced to be at liberty just in time to attend her.
+"And she," said Mrs Smith, "besides nursing me most admirably,
+has really proved an invaluable acquaintance.  As soon as I could
+use my hands she taught me to knit, which has been a great amusement;
+and she put me in the way of making these little thread-cases,
+pin-cushions and card-racks, which you always find me so busy about,
+and which supply me with the means of doing a little good
+to one or two very poor families in this neighbourhood.
+She had a large acquaintance, of course professionally, among those
+who can afford to buy, and she disposes of my merchandise.
+She always takes the right time for applying.  Everybody's heart is open,
+you know, when they have recently escaped from severe pain,
+or are recovering the blessing of health, and Nurse Rooke
+thoroughly understands when to speak.  She is a shrewd, intelligent,
+sensible woman.  Hers is a line for seeing human nature; and she has
+a fund of good sense and observation, which, as a companion, make her
+infinitely superior to thousands of those who having only received
+`the best education in the world,' know nothing worth attending to.
+Call it gossip, if you will, but when Nurse Rooke has half an hour's
+leisure to bestow on me, she is sure to have something to relate
+that is entertaining and profitable:  something that makes one
+know one's species better.  One likes to hear what is going on,
+to be au fait as to the newest modes of being trifling and silly.
+To me, who live so much alone, her conversation, I assure you, is a treat."
+
+Anne, far from wishing to cavil at the pleasure, replied,
+"I can easily believe it.  Women of that class have great opportunities,
+and if they are intelligent may be well worth listening to.
+Such varieties of human nature as they are in the habit of witnessing!
+And it is not merely in its follies, that they are well read;
+for they see it occasionally under every circumstance that can be
+most interesting or affecting.  What instances must pass before them
+of ardent, disinterested, self-denying attachment, of heroism, fortitude,
+patience, resignation:  of all the conflicts and all the sacrifices
+that ennoble us most.  A sick chamber may often furnish
+the worth of volumes."
+
+"Yes," said Mrs Smith more doubtingly, "sometimes it may,
+though I fear its lessons are not often in the elevated style you describe.
+Here and there, human nature may be great in times of trial;
+but generally speaking, it is its weakness and not its strength
+that appears in a sick chamber:  it is selfishness and impatience
+rather than generosity and fortitude, that one hears of.
+There is so little real friendship in the world! and unfortunately"
+(speaking low and tremulously) "there are so many who forget
+to think seriously till it is almost too late."
+
+Anne saw the misery of such feelings.  The husband had not been
+what he ought, and the wife had been led among that part of mankind
+which made her think worse of the world than she hoped it deserved.
+It was but a passing emotion however with Mrs Smith; she shook it off,
+and soon added in a different tone--
+
+"I do not suppose the situation my friend Mrs Rooke is in at present,
+will furnish much either to interest or edify me.  She is only nursing
+Mrs Wallis of Marlborough Buildings; a mere pretty, silly, expensive,
+fashionable woman, I believe; and of course will have nothing to report
+but of lace and finery.  I mean to make my profit of Mrs Wallis, however.
+She has plenty of money, and I intend she shall buy all
+the high-priced things I have in hand now."
+
+Anne had called several times on her friend, before the existence
+of such a person was known in Camden Place.  At last, it became necessary
+to speak of her. Sir Walter, Elizabeth and Mrs Clay, returned one morning
+from Laura Place, with a sudden invitation from Lady Dalrymple
+for the same evening, and Anne was already engaged, to spend that evening
+in Westgate Buildings.  She was not sorry for the excuse.
+They were only asked, she was sure, because Lady Dalrymple being
+kept at home by a bad cold, was glad to make use of the relationship
+which had been so pressed on her; and she declined on her own account
+with great alacrity--"She was engaged to spend the evening
+with an old schoolfellow."  They were not much interested in anything
+relative to Anne; but still there were questions enough asked,
+to make it understood what this old schoolfellow was; and Elizabeth
+was disdainful, and Sir Walter severe.
+
+"Westgate Buildings!" said he, "and who is Miss Anne Elliot
+to be visiting in Westgate Buildings?  A Mrs Smith.  A widow Mrs Smith;
+and who was her husband?  One of five thousand Mr Smiths whose names
+are to be met with everywhere.  And what is her attraction?
+That she is old and sickly.  Upon my word, Miss Anne Elliot,
+you have the most extraordinary taste!  Everything that revolts
+other people, low company, paltry rooms, foul air, disgusting associations
+are inviting to you.  But surely you may put off this old lady
+till to-morrow:  she is not so near her end, I presume,
+but that she may hope to see another day.  What is her age?  Forty?"
+
+"No, sir, she is not one-and-thirty; but I do not think I can
+put off my engagement, because it is the only evening for some time
+which will at once suit her and myself.  She goes into the warm bath
+to-morrow, and for the rest of the week, you know, we are engaged."
+
+"But what does Lady Russell think of this acquaintance?" asked Elizabeth.
+
+"She sees nothing to blame in it," replied Anne; "on the contrary,
+she approves it, and has generally taken me when I have
+called on Mrs Smith."
+
+"Westgate Buildings must have been rather surprised by the appearance
+of a carriage drawn up near its pavement," observed Sir Walter.
+"Sir Henry Russell's widow, indeed, has no honours to distinguish her arms,
+but still it is a handsome equipage, and no doubt is well known
+to convey a Miss Elliot.  A widow Mrs Smith lodging in Westgate Buildings!
+A poor widow barely able to live, between thirty and forty;
+a mere Mrs Smith, an every-day Mrs Smith, of all people and all names
+in the world, to be the chosen friend of Miss Anne Elliot,
+and to be preferred by her to her own family connections among the nobility
+of England and Ireland!  Mrs Smith!  Such a name!"
+
+Mrs Clay, who had been present while all this passed, now thought it
+advisable to leave the room, and Anne could have said much,
+and did long to say a little in defence of her friend's
+not very dissimilar claims to theirs, but her sense of personal respect
+to her father prevented her.  She made no reply.  She left it
+to himself to recollect, that Mrs Smith was not the only widow
+in Bath between thirty and forty, with little to live on,
+and no surname of dignity.
+
+Anne kept her appointment; the others kept theirs, and of course
+she heard the next morning that they had had a delightful evening.
+She had been the only one of the set absent, for Sir Walter
+and Elizabeth had not only been quite at her ladyship's service themselves,
+but had actually been happy to be employed by her in collecting others,
+and had been at the trouble of inviting both Lady Russell and Mr Elliot;
+and Mr Elliot had made a point of leaving Colonel Wallis early,
+and Lady Russell had fresh arranged all her evening engagements
+in order to wait on her.  Anne had the whole history of all that
+such an evening could supply from Lady Russell.  To her,
+its greatest interest must be, in having been very much talked of
+between her friend and Mr Elliot; in having been wished for, regretted,
+and at the same time honoured for staying away in such a cause.
+Her kind, compassionate visits to this old schoolfellow,
+sick and reduced, seemed to have quite delighted Mr Elliot.
+He thought her a most extraordinary young woman; in her temper, manners,
+mind, a model of female excellence.  He could meet even Lady Russell
+in a discussion of her merits; and Anne could not be given to understand
+so much by her friend, could not know herself to be so highly rated
+by a sensible man, without many of those agreeable sensations
+which her friend meant to create.
+
+Lady Russell was now perfectly decided in her opinion of Mr Elliot.
+She was as much convinced of his meaning to gain Anne in time as of
+his deserving her, and was beginning to calculate the number of weeks
+which would free him from all the remaining restraints of widowhood,
+and leave him at liberty to exert his most open powers of pleasing.
+She would not speak to Anne with half the certainty she felt on the subject,
+she would venture on little more than hints of what might be hereafter,
+of a possible attachment on his side, of the desirableness of the alliance,
+supposing such attachment to be real and returned.  Anne heard her,
+and made no violent exclamations; she only smiled, blushed,
+and gently shook her head.
+
+"I am no match-maker, as you well know," said Lady Russell,
+"being much too well aware of the uncertainty of all human events
+and calculations.  I only mean that if Mr Elliot should some time hence
+pay his addresses to you, and if you should be disposed to accept him,
+I think there would be every possibility of your being happy together.
+A most suitable connection everybody must consider it, but I think
+it might be a very happy one."
+
+"Mr Elliot is an exceedingly agreeable man, and in many respects
+I think highly of him," said Anne; "but we should not suit."
+
+Lady Russell let this pass, and only said in rejoinder, "I own that
+to be able to regard you as the future mistress of Kellynch,
+the future Lady Elliot, to look forward and see you occupying
+your dear mother's place, succeeding to all her rights,
+and all her popularity, as well as to all her virtues, would be
+the highest possible gratification to me.  You are your mother's self
+in countenance and disposition; and if I might be allowed to fancy you
+such as she was, in situation and name, and home, presiding and blessing
+in the same spot, and only superior to her in being more highly valued!
+My dearest Anne, it would give me more delight than is often felt
+at my time of life!"
+
+Anne was obliged to turn away, to rise, to walk to a distant table,
+and, leaning there in pretended employment, try to subdue the feelings
+this picture excited.  For a few moments her imagination and her heart
+were bewitched.  The idea of becoming what her mother had been;
+of having the precious name of "Lady Elliot" first revived in herself;
+of being restored to Kellynch, calling it her home again,
+her home for ever, was a charm which she could not immediately resist.
+Lady Russell said not another word, willing to leave the matter
+to its own operation; and believing that, could Mr Elliot at that moment
+with propriety have spoken for himself!--she believed, in short,
+what Anne did not believe.  The same image of Mr Elliot speaking
+for himself brought Anne to composure again.  The charm of Kellynch
+and of "Lady Elliot" all faded away.  She never could accept him.
+And it was not only that her feelings were still adverse to any man
+save one; her judgement, on a serious consideration of the possibilities
+of such a case was against Mr Elliot.
+
+Though they had now been acquainted a month, she could not be satisfied
+that she really knew his character.  That he was a sensible man,
+an agreeable man, that he talked well, professed good opinions,
+seemed to judge properly and as a man of principle, this was all
+clear enough.  He certainly knew what was right, nor could she fix
+on any one article of moral duty evidently transgressed; but yet she would
+have been afraid to answer for his conduct.  She distrusted the past,
+if not the present.  The names which occasionally dropt
+of former associates, the allusions to former practices and pursuits,
+suggested suspicions not favourable of what he had been.
+She saw that there had been bad habits; that Sunday travelling
+had been a common thing; that there had been a period of his life
+(and probably not a short one) when he had been, at least,
+careless in all serious matters; and, though he might now think
+very differently, who could answer for the true sentiments of a clever,
+cautious man, grown old enough to appreciate a fair character?
+How could it ever be ascertained that his mind was truly cleansed?
+
+Mr Elliot was rational, discreet, polished, but he was not open.
+There was never any burst of feeling, any warmth of indignation or delight,
+at the evil or good of others.  This, to Anne, was a decided imperfection.
+Her early impressions were incurable.  She prized the frank,
+the open-hearted, the eager character beyond all others.
+Warmth and enthusiasm did captivate her still.  She felt that she could
+so much more depend upon the sincerity of those who sometimes looked
+or said a careless or a hasty thing, than of those whose presence of mind
+never varied, whose tongue never slipped.
+
+Mr Elliot was too generally agreeable.  Various as were the tempers
+in her father's house, he pleased them all.  He endured too well,
+stood too well with every body.  He had spoken to her with some
+degree of openness of Mrs Clay; had appeared completely to see
+what Mrs Clay was about, and to hold her in contempt; and yet
+Mrs Clay found him as agreeable as any body.
+
+Lady Russell saw either less or more than her young friend,
+for she saw nothing to excite distrust.  She could not imagine
+a man more exactly what he ought to be than Mr Elliot; nor did she
+ever enjoy a sweeter feeling than the hope of seeing him receive
+the hand of her beloved Anne in Kellynch church, in the course of
+the following autumn.
+
+
+
+Chapter 18
+
+
+It was the beginning of February; and Anne, having been a month in Bath,
+was growing very eager for news from Uppercross and Lyme.
+She wanted to hear much more than Mary had communicated.
+It was three weeks since she had heard at all.  She only knew
+that Henrietta was at home again; and that Louisa, though considered to be
+recovering fast, was still in Lyme; and she was thinking of them all
+very intently one evening, when a thicker letter than usual from Mary
+was delivered to her; and, to quicken the pleasure and surprise,
+with Admiral and Mrs Croft's compliments.
+
+The Crofts must be in Bath!  A circumstance to interest her.
+They were people whom her heart turned to very naturally.
+
+"What is this?" cried Sir Walter.  "The Crofts have arrived in Bath?
+The Crofts who rent Kellynch?  What have they brought you?"
+
+"A letter from Uppercross Cottage, Sir."
+
+"Oh! those letters are convenient passports.  They secure an introduction.
+I should have visited Admiral Croft, however, at any rate.
+I know what is due to my tenant."
+
+Anne could listen no longer; she could not even have told how
+the poor Admiral's complexion escaped; her letter engrossed her.
+It had been begun several days back.
+
+
+            "February 1st.
+
+"My dear Anne,--I make no apology for my silence, because I know
+how little people think of letters in such a place as Bath.
+You must be a great deal too happy to care for Uppercross, which,
+as you well know, affords little to write about.  We have had
+a very dull Christmas; Mr and Mrs Musgrove have not had one dinner party
+all the holidays.  I do not reckon the Hayters as anybody.
+The holidays, however, are over at last:  I believe no children ever had
+such long ones.  I am sure I had not.  The house was cleared yesterday,
+except of the little Harvilles; but you will be surprised to hear
+they have never gone home.  Mrs Harville must be an odd mother
+to part with them so long.  I do not understand it.  They are
+not at all nice children, in my opinion; but Mrs Musgrove seems to
+like them quite as well, if not better, than her grandchildren.
+What dreadful weather we have had!  It may not be felt in Bath,
+with your nice pavements; but in the country it is of some consequence.
+I have not had a creature call on me since the second week in January,
+except Charles Hayter, who had been calling much oftener than was welcome.
+Between ourselves, I think it a great pity Henrietta did not remain at Lyme
+as long as Louisa; it would have kept her a little out of his way.
+The carriage is gone to-day, to bring Louisa and the Harvilles to-morrow.
+We are not asked to dine with them, however, till the day after,
+Mrs Musgrove is so afraid of her being fatigued by the journey,
+which is not very likely, considering the care that will be taken of her;
+and it would be much more convenient to me to dine there to-morrow.
+I am glad you find Mr Elliot so agreeable, and wish I could be acquainted
+with him too; but I have my usual luck:  I am always out of the way
+when any thing desirable is going on; always the last of my family
+to be noticed.  What an immense time Mrs Clay has been staying
+with Elizabeth!  Does she never mean to go away?  But perhaps
+if she were to leave the room vacant, we might not be invited.
+Let me know what you think of this.  I do not expect my children
+to be asked, you know.  I can leave them at the Great House very well,
+for a month or six weeks.  I have this moment heard that the Crofts
+are going to Bath almost immediately; they think the Admiral gouty.
+Charles heard it quite by chance; they have not had the civility
+to give me any notice, or of offering to take anything.
+I do not think they improve at all as neighbours.  We see nothing of them,
+and this is really an instance of gross inattention.  Charles joins me
+in love, and everything proper.  Yours affectionately,
+
+  "Mary M---.
+
+"I am sorry to say that I am very far from well; and Jemima has
+just told me that the butcher says there is a bad sore-throat
+very much about.  I dare say I shall catch it; and my sore-throats,
+you know, are always worse than anybody's."
+
+
+So ended the first part, which had been afterwards put into an envelope,
+containing nearly as much more.
+
+
+"I kept my letter open, that I might send you word how Louisa
+bore her journey, and now I am extremely glad I did, having a great deal
+to add.  In the first place, I had a note from Mrs Croft yesterday,
+offering to convey anything to you; a very kind, friendly note indeed,
+addressed to me, just as it ought; I shall therefore be able to
+make my letter as long as I like.  The Admiral does not seem very ill,
+and I sincerely hope Bath will do him all the good he wants.
+I shall be truly glad to have them back again.  Our neighbourhood
+cannot spare such a pleasant family.  But now for Louisa.
+I have something to communicate that will astonish you not a little.
+She and the Harvilles came on Tuesday very safely, and in the evening
+we went to ask her how she did, when we were rather surprised
+not to find Captain Benwick of the party, for he had been invited
+as well as the Harvilles; and what do you think was the reason?
+Neither more nor less than his being in love with Louisa,
+and not choosing to venture to Uppercross till he had had an answer
+from Mr Musgrove; for it was all settled between him and her
+before she came away, and he had written to her father by Captain Harville.
+True, upon my honour!  Are not you astonished?  I shall be surprised
+at least if you ever received a hint of it, for I never did.
+Mrs Musgrove protests solemnly that she knew nothing of the matter.
+We are all very well pleased, however, for though it is not equal to her
+marrying Captain Wentworth, it is infinitely better than Charles Hayter;
+and Mr Musgrove has written his consent, and Captain Benwick
+is expected to-day.  Mrs Harville says her husband feels a good deal
+on his poor sister's account; but, however, Louisa is a great favourite
+with both.  Indeed, Mrs Harville and I quite agree that we love her
+the better for having nursed her.  Charles wonders what Captain Wentworth
+will say; but if you remember, I never thought him attached to Louisa;
+I never could see anything of it.  And this is the end, you see,
+of Captain Benwick's being supposed to be an admirer of yours.
+How Charles could take such a thing into his head was always
+incomprehensible to me.  I hope he will be more agreeable now.
+Certainly not a great match for Louisa Musgrove, but a million times better
+than marrying among the Hayters."
+
+
+Mary need not have feared her sister's being in any degree prepared
+for the news.  She had never in her life been more astonished.
+Captain Benwick and Louisa Musgrove!  It was almost too wonderful
+for belief, and it was with the greatest effort that she could remain
+in the room, preserve an air of calmness, and answer the common questions
+of the moment.  Happily for her, they were not many.  Sir Walter
+wanted to know whether the Crofts travelled with four horses,
+and whether they were likely to be situated in such a part of Bath
+as it might suit Miss Elliot and himself to visit in; but had
+little curiosity beyond.
+
+"How is Mary?" said Elizabeth; and without waiting for an answer,
+"And pray what brings the Crofts to Bath?"
+
+"They come on the Admiral's account.  He is thought to be gouty."
+
+"Gout and decrepitude!" said Sir Walter.  "Poor old gentleman."
+
+"Have they any acquaintance here?" asked Elizabeth.
+
+"I do not know; but I can hardly suppose that, at Admiral Croft's
+time of life, and in his profession, he should not have many acquaintance
+in such a place as this."
+
+"I suspect," said Sir Walter coolly, "that Admiral Croft
+will be best known in Bath as the renter of Kellynch Hall.
+Elizabeth, may we venture to present him and his wife in Laura Place?"
+
+"Oh, no! I think not.  Situated as we are with Lady Dalrymple, cousins,
+we ought to be very careful not to embarrass her with acquaintance
+she might not approve.  If we were not related, it would not signify;
+but as cousins, she would feel scrupulous as to any proposal of ours.
+We had better leave the Crofts to find their own level.
+There are several odd-looking men walking about here, who,
+I am told, are sailors.  The Crofts will associate with them."
+
+This was Sir Walter and Elizabeth's share of interest in the letter;
+when Mrs Clay had paid her tribute of more decent attention,
+in an enquiry after Mrs Charles Musgrove, and her fine little boys,
+Anne was at liberty.
+
+In her own room, she tried to comprehend it.  Well might Charles wonder
+how Captain Wentworth would feel!  Perhaps he had quitted the field,
+had given Louisa up, had ceased to love, had found he did not love her.
+She could not endure the idea of treachery or levity, or anything
+akin to ill usage between him and his friend.  She could not endure
+that such a friendship as theirs should be severed unfairly.
+
+Captain Benwick and Louisa Musgrove!  The high-spirited,
+joyous-talking Louisa Musgrove, and the dejected, thinking,
+feeling, reading, Captain Benwick, seemed each of them everything
+that would not suit the other.  Their minds most dissimilar!
+Where could have been the attraction?  The answer soon presented itself.
+It had been in situation.  They had been thrown together several weeks;
+they had been living in the same small family party:  since Henrietta's
+coming away, they must have been depending almost entirely on each other,
+and Louisa, just recovering from illness, had been in an interesting state,
+and Captain Benwick was not inconsolable.  That was a point which Anne
+had not been able to avoid suspecting before; and instead of drawing
+the same conclusion as Mary, from the present course of events,
+they served only to confirm the idea of his having felt some
+dawning of tenderness toward herself.  She did not mean, however,
+to derive much more from it to gratify her vanity, than Mary
+might have allowed.  She was persuaded that any tolerably pleasing
+young woman who had listened and seemed to feel for him would have
+received the same compliment.  He had an affectionate heart.
+He must love somebody.
+
+She saw no reason against their being happy.  Louisa had fine
+naval fervour to begin with, and they would soon grow more alike.
+He would gain cheerfulness, and she would learn to be an enthusiast
+for Scott and Lord Byron; nay, that was probably learnt already;
+of course they had fallen in love over poetry.  The idea of
+Louisa Musgrove turned into a person of literary taste,
+and sentimental reflection was amusing, but she had no doubt
+of its being so.  The day at Lyme, the fall from the Cobb,
+might influence her health, her nerves, her courage, her character to
+the end of her life, as thoroughly as it appeared to have
+influenced her fate.
+
+The conclusion of the whole was, that if the woman who had been sensible
+of Captain Wentworth's merits could be allowed to prefer another man,
+there was nothing in the engagement to excite lasting wonder;
+and if Captain Wentworth lost no friend by it, certainly nothing
+to be regretted.  No, it was not regret which made Anne's heart
+beat in spite of herself, and brought the colour into her cheeks
+when she thought of Captain Wentworth unshackled and free.
+She had some feelings which she was ashamed to investigate.
+They were too much like joy, senseless joy!
+
+She longed to see the Crofts; but when the meeting took place,
+it was evident that no rumour of the news had yet reached them.
+The visit of ceremony was paid and returned; and Louisa Musgrove
+was mentioned, and Captain Benwick, too, without even half a smile.
+
+The Crofts had placed themselves in lodgings in Gay Street,
+perfectly to Sir Walter's satisfaction.  He was not at all ashamed
+of the acquaintance, and did, in fact, think and talk a great deal more
+about the Admiral, than the Admiral ever thought or talked about him.
+
+The Crofts knew quite as many people in Bath as they wished for,
+and considered their intercourse with the Elliots as a mere matter of form,
+and not in the least likely to afford them any pleasure.
+They brought with them their country habit of being almost always together.
+He was ordered to walk to keep off the gout, and Mrs Croft
+seemed to go shares with him in everything, and to walk
+for her life to do him good.  Anne saw them wherever she went.
+Lady Russell took her out in her carriage almost every morning,
+and she never failed to think of them, and never failed to see them.
+Knowing their feelings as she did, it was a most attractive picture
+of happiness to her.  She always watched them as long as she could,
+delighted to fancy she understood what they might be talking of,
+as they walked along in happy independence, or equally delighted
+to see the Admiral's hearty shake of the hand when he encountered
+an old friend, and observe their eagerness of conversation
+when occasionally forming into a little knot of the navy, Mrs Croft
+looking as intelligent and keen as any of the officers around her.
+
+Anne was too much engaged with Lady Russell to be often walking herself;
+but it so happened that one morning, about a week or ten days
+after the Croft's arrival, it suited her best to leave her friend,
+or her friend's carriage, in the lower part of the town,
+and return alone to Camden Place, and in walking up Milsom Street
+she had the good fortune to meet with the Admiral.  He was standing
+by himself at a printshop window, with his hands behind him,
+in earnest contemplation of some print, and she not only might have
+passed him unseen, but was obliged to touch as well as address him
+before she could catch his notice.  When he did perceive and
+acknowledge her, however, it was done with all his usual frankness
+and good humour.  "Ha! is it you?  Thank you, thank you.
+This is treating me like a friend.  Here I am, you see,
+staring at a picture.  I can never get by this shop without stopping.
+But what a thing here is, by way of a boat!  Do look at it.
+Did you ever see the like?  What queer fellows your fine painters must be,
+to think that anybody would venture their lives in such a shapeless
+old cockleshell as that?  And yet here are two gentlemen
+stuck up in it mightily at their ease, and looking about them at the rocks
+and mountains, as if they were not to be upset the next moment,
+which they certainly must be.  I wonder where that boat was built!"
+(laughing heartily); "I would not venture over a horsepond in it.
+Well," (turning away), "now, where are you bound?  Can I go anywhere
+for you, or with you?  Can I be of any use?"
+
+"None, I thank you, unless you will give me the pleasure of your company
+the little way our road lies together.  I am going home."
+
+
+"That I will, with all my heart, and farther, too.  Yes, yes
+we will have a snug walk together, and I have something to tell you
+as we go along.  There, take my arm; that's right; I do not
+feel comfortable if I have not a woman there.  Lord! what a boat it is!"
+taking a last look at the picture, as they began to be in motion.
+
+"Did you say that you had something to tell me, sir?"
+
+"Yes, I have, presently.  But here comes a friend, Captain Brigden;
+I shall only say, `How d'ye do?' as we pass, however.  I shall not stop.
+`How d'ye do?'  Brigden stares to see anybody with me but my wife.
+She, poor soul, is tied by the leg.  She has a blister on one of her heels,
+as large as a three-shilling piece.  If you look across the street,
+you will see Admiral Brand coming down and his brother.  Shabby fellows,
+both of them!  I am glad they are not on this side of the way.
+Sophy cannot bear them.  They played me a pitiful trick once:
+got away with some of my best men.  I will tell you the whole story
+another time.  There comes old Sir Archibald Drew and his grandson.
+Look, he sees us; he kisses his hand to you; he takes you for my wife.
+Ah! the peace has come too soon for that younker.  Poor old Sir Archibald!
+How do you like Bath, Miss Elliot?  It suits us very well.
+We are always meeting with some old friend or other; the streets
+full of them every morning; sure to have plenty of chat;
+and then we get away from them all, and shut ourselves in our lodgings,
+and draw in our chairs, and are snug as if we were at Kellynch,
+ay, or as we used to be even at North Yarmouth and Deal.
+We do not like our lodgings here the worse, I can tell you,
+for putting us in mind of those we first had at North Yarmouth.
+The wind blows through one of the cupboards just in the same way."
+
+When they were got a little farther, Anne ventured to press again
+for what he had to communicate.  She hoped when clear of Milsom Street
+to have her curiosity gratified; but she was still obliged to wait,
+for the Admiral had made up his mind not to begin till they had
+gained the greater space and quiet of Belmont; and as she was
+not really Mrs Croft, she must let him have his own way.
+As soon as they were fairly ascending Belmont, he began--
+
+"Well, now you shall hear something that will surprise you.
+But first of all, you must tell me the name of the young lady
+I am going to talk about.  That young lady, you know, that we have
+all been so concerned for.  The Miss Musgrove, that all this has been
+happening to.  Her Christian name:  I always forget her Christian name."
+
+Anne had been ashamed to appear to comprehend so soon as she really
+did; but now she could safely suggest the name of "Louisa."
+
+"Ay, ay, Miss Louisa Musgrove, that is the name.  I wish young ladies
+had not such a number of fine Christian names.  I should never be out
+if they were all Sophys, or something of that sort.  Well,
+this Miss Louisa, we all thought, you know, was to marry Frederick.
+He was courting her week after week.  The only wonder was,
+what they could be waiting for, till the business at Lyme came;
+then, indeed, it was clear enough that they must wait till her brain
+was set to right.  But even then there was something odd in their
+way of going on.  Instead of staying at Lyme, he went off to Plymouth,
+and then he went off to see Edward.  When we came back from Minehead
+he was gone down to Edward's, and there he has been ever since.
+We have seen nothing of him since November.  Even Sophy could
+not understand it.  But now, the matter has taken the strangest turn of all;
+for this young lady, the same Miss Musgrove, instead of being
+to marry Frederick, is to marry James Benwick.  You know James Benwick."
+
+"A little.  I am a little acquainted with Captain Benwick."
+
+"Well, she is to marry him.  Nay, most likely they are married already,
+for I do not know what they should wait for."
+
+"I thought Captain Benwick a very pleasing young man," said Anne,
+"and I understand that he bears an excellent character."
+
+"Oh! yes, yes, there is not a word to be said against James Benwick.
+He is only a commander, it is true, made last summer, and these are
+bad times for getting on, but he has not another fault that I know of.
+An excellent, good-hearted fellow, I assure you; a very active,
+zealous officer too, which is more than you would think for, perhaps,
+for that soft sort of manner does not do him justice."
+
+"Indeed you are mistaken there, sir; I should never augur want of spirit
+from Captain Benwick's manners.  I thought them particularly pleasing,
+and I will answer for it, they would generally please."
+
+"Well, well, ladies are the best judges; but James Benwick is rather too
+piano for me; and though very likely it is all our partiality,
+Sophy and I cannot help thinking Frederick's manners better than his.
+There is something about Frederick more to our taste."
+
+Anne was caught.  She had only meant to oppose the too common idea
+of spirit and gentleness being incompatible with each other,
+not at all to represent Captain Benwick's manners as the very best
+that could possibly be; and, after a little hesitation,
+she was beginning to say, "I was not entering into any comparison
+of the two friends," but the Admiral interrupted her with--
+
+"And the thing is certainly true.  It is not a mere bit of gossip.
+We have it from Frederick himself.  His sister had a letter
+from him yesterday, in which he tells us of it, and he had just had it
+in a letter from Harville, written upon the spot, from Uppercross.
+I fancy they are all at Uppercross."
+
+This was an opportunity which Anne could not resist; she said, therefore,
+"I hope, Admiral, I hope there is nothing in the style of Captain
+Wentworth's letter to make you and Mrs Croft particularly uneasy.
+It did seem, last autumn, as if there were an attachment between him
+and Louisa Musgrove; but I hope it may be understood to have worn out
+on each side equally, and without violence.  I hope his letter
+does not breathe the spirit of an ill-used man."
+
+"Not at all, not at all; there is not an oath or a murmur
+from beginning to end."
+
+Anne looked down to hide her smile.
+
+"No, no; Frederick is not a man to whine and complain; he has
+too much spirit for that.  If the girl likes another man better,
+it is very fit she should have him."
+
+"Certainly.  But what I mean is, that I hope there is nothing
+in Captain Wentworth's manner of writing to make you suppose
+he thinks himself ill-used by his friend, which might appear,
+you know, without its being absolutely said.  I should be very sorry
+that such a friendship as has subsisted between him and Captain Benwick
+should be destroyed, or even wounded, by a circumstance of this sort."
+
+"Yes, yes, I understand you.  But there is nothing at all of that nature
+in the letter.  He does not give the least fling at Benwick;
+does not so much as say, `I wonder at it, I have a reason of my own
+for wondering at it.'  No, you would not guess, from his way of writing,
+that he had ever thought of this Miss (what's her name?) for himself.
+He very handsomely hopes they will be happy together; and there is
+nothing very unforgiving in that, I think."
+
+Anne did not receive the perfect conviction which the Admiral meant
+to convey, but it would have been useless to press the enquiry farther.
+She therefore satisfied herself with common-place remarks or quiet
+attention, and the Admiral had it all his own way.
+
+"Poor Frederick!" said he at last.  "Now he must begin all over again
+with somebody else.  I think we must get him to Bath.  Sophy must write,
+and beg him to come to Bath.  Here are pretty girls enough, I am sure.
+It would be of no use to go to Uppercross again, for that other
+Miss Musgrove, I find, is bespoke by her cousin, the young parson.
+Do not you think, Miss Elliot, we had better try to get him to Bath?"
+
+
+
+Chapter 19
+
+
+While Admiral Croft was taking this walk with Anne, and expressing
+his wish of getting Captain Wentworth to Bath, Captain Wentworth
+was already on his way thither.  Before Mrs Croft had written,
+he was arrived, and the very next time Anne walked out, she saw him.
+
+Mr Elliot was attending his two cousins and Mrs Clay.  They were
+in Milsom Street.  It began to rain, not much, but enough to
+make shelter desirable for women, and quite enough to make it
+very desirable for Miss Elliot to have the advantage of being
+conveyed home in Lady Dalrymple's carriage, which was seen waiting
+at a little distance; she, Anne, and Mrs Clay, therefore,
+turned into Molland's, while Mr Elliot stepped to Lady Dalrymple,
+to request her assistance.  He soon joined them again, successful,
+of course; Lady Dalrymple would be most happy to take them home,
+and would call for them in a few minutes.
+
+Her ladyship's carriage was a barouche, and did not hold
+more than four with any comfort.  Miss Carteret was with her mother;
+consequently it was not reasonable to expect accommodation
+for all the three Camden Place ladies.  There could be no doubt
+as to Miss Elliot.  Whoever suffered inconvenience, she must suffer none,
+but it occupied a little time to settle the point of civility
+between the other two.  The rain was a mere trifle, and Anne was
+most sincere in preferring a walk with Mr Elliot.  But the rain was also
+a mere trifle to Mrs Clay; she would hardly allow it even to drop at all,
+and her boots were so thick! much thicker than Miss Anne's;
+and, in short, her civility rendered her quite as anxious to be left
+to walk with Mr Elliot as Anne could be, and it was discussed between them
+with a generosity so polite and so determined, that the others were
+obliged to settle it for them; Miss Elliot maintaining that Mrs Clay
+had a little cold already, and Mr Elliot deciding on appeal,
+that his cousin Anne's boots were rather the thickest.
+
+It was fixed accordingly, that Mrs Clay should be of the party
+in the carriage; and they had just reached this point, when Anne,
+as she sat near the window, descried, most decidedly and distinctly,
+Captain Wentworth walking down the street.
+
+Her start was perceptible only to herself; but she instantly felt that
+she was the greatest simpleton in the world, the most unaccountable
+and absurd!  For a few minutes she saw nothing before her;
+it was all confusion.  She was lost, and when she had scolded
+back her senses, she found the others still waiting for the carriage,
+and Mr Elliot (always obliging) just setting off for Union Street
+on a commission of Mrs Clay's.
+
+She now felt a great inclination to go to the outer door;
+she wanted to see if it rained.  Why was she to suspect herself
+of another motive?  Captain Wentworth must be out of sight.
+She left her seat, she would go; one half of her should not be always
+so much wiser than the other half, or always suspecting the other
+of being worse than it was.  She would see if it rained.
+She was sent back, however, in a moment by the entrance of
+Captain Wentworth himself, among a party of gentlemen and ladies,
+evidently his acquaintance, and whom he must have joined
+a little below Milsom Street.  He was more obviously struck
+and confused by the sight of her than she had ever observed before;
+he looked quite red.  For the first time, since their renewed acquaintance,
+she felt that she was betraying the least sensibility of the two.
+She had the advantage of him in the preparation of the last few moments.
+All the overpowering, blinding, bewildering, first effects
+of strong surprise were over with her.  Still, however,
+she had enough to feel!  It was agitation, pain, pleasure,
+a something between delight and misery.
+
+He spoke to her, and then turned away.  The character of his manner
+was embarrassment.  She could not have called it either cold or friendly,
+or anything so certainly as embarrassed.
+
+After a short interval, however, he came towards her, and spoke again.
+Mutual enquiries on common subjects passed:  neither of them, probably,
+much the wiser for what they heard, and Anne continuing fully sensible
+of his being less at ease than formerly.  They had by dint of being
+so very much together, got to speak to each other with a considerable
+portion of apparent indifference and calmness; but he could not do it now.
+Time had changed him, or Louisa had changed him.  There was consciousness
+of some sort or other.  He looked very well, not as if he had been
+suffering in health or spirits, and he talked of Uppercross,
+of the Musgroves, nay, even of Louisa, and had even a momentary look
+of his own arch significance as he named her; but yet it was
+Captain Wentworth not comfortable, not easy, not able to feign that he was.
+
+It did not surprise, but it grieved Anne to observe that Elizabeth
+would not know him.  She saw that he saw Elizabeth, that Elizabeth saw him,
+that there was complete internal recognition on each side;
+she was convinced that he was ready to be acknowledged as an acquaintance,
+expecting it, and she had the pain of seeing her sister turn away
+with unalterable coldness.
+
+Lady Dalrymple's carriage, for which Miss Elliot was growing
+very impatient, now drew up; the servant came in to announce it.
+It was beginning to rain again, and altogether there was a delay,
+and a bustle, and a talking, which must make all the little crowd
+in the shop understand that Lady Dalrymple was calling to convey
+Miss Elliot.  At last Miss Elliot and her friend, unattended but
+by the servant, (for there was no cousin returned), were walking off;
+and Captain Wentworth, watching them, turned again to Anne,
+and by manner, rather than words, was offering his services to her.
+
+"I am much obliged to you," was her answer, "but I am not going with them.
+The carriage would not accommodate so many.  I walk:  I prefer walking."
+
+"But it rains."
+
+"Oh! very little,  Nothing that I regard."
+
+After a moment's pause he said:  "Though I came only yesterday,
+I have equipped myself properly for Bath already, you see,"
+(pointing to a new umbrella); "I wish you would make use of it,
+if you are determined to walk; though I think it would be more prudent
+to let me get you a chair."
+
+She was very much obliged to him, but declined it all, repeating
+her conviction, that the rain would come to nothing at present,
+and adding, "I am only waiting for Mr Elliot.  He will be here in a moment,
+I am sure."
+
+She had hardly spoken the words when Mr Elliot walked in.
+Captain Wentworth recollected him perfectly.  There was no difference
+between him and the man who had stood on the steps at Lyme,
+admiring Anne as she passed, except in the air and look and manner
+of the privileged relation and friend.  He came in with eagerness,
+appeared to see and think only of her, apologised for his stay,
+was grieved to have kept her waiting, and anxious to get her away
+without further loss of time and before the rain increased;
+and in another moment they walked off together, her arm under his,
+a gentle and embarrassed glance, and a "Good morning to you!"
+being all that she had time for, as she passed away.
+
+As soon as they were out of sight, the ladies of Captain Wentworth's party
+began talking of them.
+
+"Mr Elliot does not dislike his cousin, I fancy?"
+
+"Oh! no, that is clear enough.  One can guess what will happen there.
+He is always with them; half lives in the family, I believe.
+What a very good-looking man!"
+
+"Yes, and Miss Atkinson, who dined with him once at the Wallises,
+says he is the most agreeable man she ever was in company with."
+
+"She is pretty, I think; Anne Elliot; very pretty, when one comes
+to look at her.  It is not the fashion to say so, but I confess
+I admire her more than her sister."
+
+"Oh! so do I."
+
+"And so do I.  No comparison.  But the men are all wild after Miss Elliot.
+Anne is too delicate for them."
+
+Anne would have been particularly obliged to her cousin, if he would have
+walked by her side all the way to Camden Place, without saying a word.
+She had never found it so difficult to listen to him, though nothing
+could exceed his solicitude and care, and though his subjects
+were principally such as were wont to be always interesting:
+praise, warm, just, and discriminating, of Lady Russell,
+and insinuations highly rational against Mrs Clay.  But just now
+she could think only of Captain Wentworth.  She could not understand
+his present feelings, whether he were really suffering much
+from disappointment or not; and till that point were settled,
+she could not be quite herself.
+
+She hoped to be wise and reasonable in time; but alas! alas!
+she must confess to herself that she was not wise yet.
+
+Another circumstance very essential for her to know, was how long
+he meant to be in Bath; he had not mentioned it, or she could not
+recollect it.  He might be only passing through.  But it was more probable
+that he should be come to stay.  In that case, so liable as every body was
+to meet every body in Bath, Lady Russell would in all likelihood
+see him somewhere.  Would she recollect him?  How would it all be?
+
+She had already been obliged to tell Lady Russell that Louisa Musgrove
+was to marry Captain Benwick.  It had cost her something to encounter
+Lady Russell's surprise; and now, if she were by any chance
+to be thrown into company with Captain Wentworth, her imperfect knowledge
+of the matter might add another shade of prejudice against him.
+
+The following morning Anne was out with her friend, and for the first hour,
+in an incessant and fearful sort of watch for him in vain; but at last,
+in returning down Pulteney Street, she distinguished him
+on the right hand pavement at such a distance as to have him in view
+the greater part of the street.  There were many other men about him,
+many groups walking the same way, but there was no mistaking him.
+She looked instinctively at Lady Russell; but not from any mad idea
+of her recognising him so soon as she did herself.  No, it was
+not to be supposed that Lady Russell would perceive him till they
+were nearly opposite.  She looked at her however, from time to time,
+anxiously; and when the moment approached which must point him out,
+though not daring to look again (for her own countenance she knew
+was unfit to be seen), she was yet perfectly conscious of
+Lady Russell's eyes being turned exactly in the direction for him--
+of her being, in short, intently observing him.  She could thoroughly
+comprehend the sort of fascination he must possess over Lady Russell's mind,
+the difficulty it must be for her to withdraw her eyes, the astonishment
+she must be feeling that eight or nine years should have passed over him,
+and in foreign climes and in active service too, without robbing him
+of one personal grace!
+
+At last, Lady Russell drew back her head.  "Now, how would she
+speak of him?"
+
+"You will wonder," said she, "what has been fixing my eye so long;
+but I was looking after some window-curtains, which Lady Alicia and
+Mrs Frankland were telling me of last night.  They described
+the drawing-room window-curtains of one of the houses on this
+side of the way, and this part of the street, as being the handsomest
+and best hung of any in Bath, but could not recollect the exact number,
+and I have been trying to find out which it could be; but I confess
+I can see no curtains hereabouts that answer their description."
+
+Anne sighed and blushed and smiled, in pity and disdain,
+either at her friend or herself.  The part which provoked her most,
+was that in all this waste of foresight and caution, she should have
+lost the right moment for seeing whether he saw them.
+
+A day or two passed without producing anything.  The theatre or the rooms,
+where he was most likely to be, were not fashionable enough
+for the Elliots, whose evening amusements were solely in the
+elegant stupidity of private parties, in which they were getting
+more and more engaged; and Anne, wearied of such a state of stagnation,
+sick of knowing nothing, and fancying herself stronger because
+her strength was not tried, was quite impatient for the concert evening.
+It was a concert for the benefit of a person patronised by Lady Dalrymple.
+Of course they must attend.  It was really expected to be a good one,
+and Captain Wentworth was very fond of music.  If she could only have
+a few minutes conversation with him again, she fancied she should
+be satisfied; and as to the power of addressing him, she felt all over
+courage if the opportunity occurred.  Elizabeth had turned from him,
+Lady Russell overlooked him; her nerves were strengthened
+by these circumstances; she felt that she owed him attention.
+
+She had once partly promised Mrs Smith to spend the evening with her;
+but in a short hurried call she excused herself and put it off,
+with the more decided promise of a longer visit on the morrow.
+Mrs Smith gave a most good-humoured acquiescence.
+
+"By all means," said she; "only tell me all about it, when you do come.
+Who is your party?"
+
+Anne named them all.  Mrs Smith made no reply; but when she was
+leaving her said, and with an expression half serious, half arch,
+"Well, I heartily wish your concert may answer; and do not fail me
+to-morrow if you can come; for I begin to have a foreboding
+that I may not have many more visits from you."
+
+Anne was startled and confused; but after standing in a moment's suspense,
+was obliged, and not sorry to be obliged, to hurry away.
+
+
+
+Chapter 20
+
+
+Sir Walter, his two daughters, and Mrs Clay, were the earliest
+of all their party at the rooms in the evening; and as Lady Dalrymple
+must be waited for, they took their station by one of the fires
+in the Octagon Room.  But hardly were they so settled, when the door
+opened again, and Captain Wentworth walked in alone.  Anne was
+the nearest to him, and making yet a little advance, she instantly spoke.
+He was preparing only to bow and pass on, but her gentle "How do you do?"
+brought him out of the straight line to stand near her, and make enquiries
+in return, in spite of the formidable father and sister in the back ground.
+Their being in the back ground was a support to Anne; she knew nothing
+of their looks, and felt equal to everything which she believed
+right to be done.
+
+While they were speaking, a whispering between her father and Elizabeth
+caught her ear.  She could not distinguish, but she must guess the subject;
+and on Captain Wentworth's making a distant bow, she comprehended
+that her father had judged so well as to give him that
+simple acknowledgement of acquaintance, and she was just in time
+by a side glance to see a slight curtsey from Elizabeth herself.
+This, though late, and reluctant, and ungracious, was yet
+better than nothing, and her spirits improved.
+
+After talking, however, of the weather, and Bath, and the concert,
+their conversation began to flag, and so little was said at last,
+that she was expecting him to go every moment, but he did not;
+he seemed in no hurry to leave her; and presently with renewed spirit,
+with a little smile, a little glow, he said--
+
+"I have hardly seen you since our day at Lyme.  I am afraid you must have
+suffered from the shock, and the more from its not overpowering you
+at the time."
+
+She assured him that she had not.
+
+"It was a frightful hour," said he, "a frightful day!" and he
+passed his hand across his eyes, as if the remembrance were still
+too painful, but in a moment, half smiling again, added,
+"The day has produced some effects however; has had some consequences
+which must be considered as the very reverse of frightful.
+When you had the presence of mind to suggest that Benwick would be
+the properest person to fetch a surgeon, you could have little idea
+of his being eventually one of those most concerned in her recovery."
+
+"Certainly I could have none.  But it appears--I should hope it would be
+a very happy match.  There are on both sides good principles
+and good temper."
+
+"Yes," said he, looking not exactly forward; "but there, I think,
+ends the resemblance.  With all my soul I wish them happy, and rejoice
+over every circumstance in favour of it.  They have no difficulties
+to contend with at home, no opposition, no caprice, no delays.
+The Musgroves are behaving like themselves, most honourably and kindly,
+only anxious with true parental hearts to promote their daughter's comfort.
+All this is much, very much in favour of their happiness;
+more than perhaps--"
+
+He stopped.  A sudden recollection seemed to occur, and to give him
+some taste of that emotion which was reddening Anne's cheeks
+and fixing her eyes on the ground.  After clearing his throat, however,
+he proceeded thus--
+
+"I confess that I do think there is a disparity, too great a disparity,
+and in a point no less essential than mind.  I regard Louisa Musgrove
+as a very amiable, sweet-tempered girl, and not deficient in understanding,
+but Benwick is something more.  He is a clever man, a reading man;
+and I confess, that I do consider his attaching himself to her
+with some surprise.  Had it been the effect of gratitude,
+had he learnt to love her, because he believed her to be preferring him,
+it would have been another thing.  But I have no reason to suppose it so.
+It seems, on the contrary, to have been a perfectly spontaneous,
+untaught feeling on his side, and this surprises me.  A man like him,
+in his situation! with a heart pierced, wounded, almost broken!
+Fanny Harville was a very superior creature, and his attachment to her
+was indeed attachment.  A man does not recover from such
+a devotion of the heart to such a woman.  He ought not; he does not."
+
+Either from the consciousness, however, that his friend had recovered,
+or from other consciousness, he went no farther; and Anne who,
+in spite of the agitated voice in which the latter part had been uttered,
+and in spite of all the various noises of the room, the almost ceaseless
+slam of the door, and ceaseless buzz of persons walking through,
+had distinguished every word, was struck, gratified, confused,
+and beginning to breathe very quick, and feel an hundred things
+in a moment.  It was impossible for her to enter on such a subject;
+and yet, after a pause, feeling the necessity of speaking,
+and having not the smallest wish for a total change, she only deviated
+so far as to say--
+
+"You were a good while at Lyme, I think?"
+
+"About a fortnight.  I could not leave it till Louisa's doing well
+was quite ascertained.  I had been too deeply concerned in the mischief
+to be soon at peace.  It had been my doing, solely mine.
+She would not have been obstinate if I had not been weak.
+The country round Lyme is very fine.  I walked and rode a great deal;
+and the more I saw, the more I found to admire."
+
+"I should very much like to see Lyme again," said Anne.
+
+"Indeed!  I should not have supposed that you could have found
+anything in Lyme to inspire such a feeling.  The horror and distress
+you were involved in, the stretch of mind, the wear of spirits!
+I should have thought your last impressions of Lyme must have been
+strong disgust."
+
+"The last hours were certainly very painful," replied Anne;
+"but when pain is over, the remembrance of it often becomes a pleasure.
+One does not love a place the less for having suffered in it,
+unless it has been all suffering, nothing but suffering, which was
+by no means the case at Lyme.  We were only in anxiety and distress
+during the last two hours, and previously there had been a great deal
+of enjoyment.  So much novelty and beauty! I have travelled so little,
+that every fresh place would be interesting to me; but there is real beauty
+at Lyme; and in short" (with a faint blush at some recollections),
+"altogether my impressions of the place are very agreeable."
+
+As she ceased, the entrance door opened again, and the very party appeared
+for whom they were waiting.  "Lady Dalrymple, Lady Dalrymple,"
+was the rejoicing sound; and with all the eagerness compatible
+with anxious elegance, Sir Walter and his two ladies stepped forward
+to meet her.  Lady Dalrymple and Miss Carteret, escorted by Mr Elliot
+and Colonel Wallis, who had happened to arrive nearly at the same instant,
+advanced into the room.  The others joined them, and it was
+a group in which Anne found herself also necessarily included.
+She was divided from Captain Wentworth.  Their interesting,
+almost too interesting conversation must be broken up for a time,
+but slight was the penance compared with the happiness which brought it on!
+She had learnt, in the last ten minutes, more of his feelings
+towards Louisa, more of all his feelings than she dared to think of;
+and she gave herself up to the demands of the party, to the needful
+civilities of the moment, with exquisite, though agitated sensations.
+She was in good humour with all.  She had received ideas which
+disposed her to be courteous and kind to all, and to pity every one,
+as being less happy than herself.
+
+The delightful emotions were a little subdued, when on stepping back
+from the group, to be joined again by Captain Wentworth, she saw
+that he was gone.  She was just in time to see him turn into
+the Concert Room.  He was gone; he had disappeared, she felt
+a moment's regret.  But "they should meet again.  He would look for her,
+he would find her out before the evening were over, and at present,
+perhaps, it was as well to be asunder.  She was in need of
+a little interval for recollection."
+
+Upon Lady Russell's appearance soon afterwards, the whole party
+was collected, and all that remained was to marshal themselves,
+and proceed into the Concert Room; and be of all the consequence
+in their power, draw as many eyes, excite as many whispers,
+and disturb as many people as they could.
+
+Very, very happy were both Elizabeth and Anne Elliot as they walked in.
+Elizabeth arm in arm with Miss Carteret, and looking on the broad back
+of the dowager Viscountess Dalrymple before her, had nothing to wish for
+which did not seem within her reach; and Anne--but it would be
+an insult to the nature of Anne's felicity, to draw any comparison
+between it and her sister's; the origin of one all selfish vanity,
+of the other all generous attachment.
+
+Anne saw nothing, thought nothing of the brilliancy of the room.
+Her happiness was from within.  Her eyes were bright and her cheeks glowed;
+but she knew nothing about it.  She was thinking only of
+the last half hour, and as they passed to their seats, her mind took
+a hasty range over it.  His choice of subjects, his expressions,
+and still more his manner and look, had been such as she could see
+in only one light.  His opinion of Louisa Musgrove's inferiority,
+an opinion which he had seemed solicitous to give, his wonder
+at Captain Benwick, his feelings as to a first, strong attachment;
+sentences begun which he could not finish, his half averted eyes
+and more than half expressive glance, all, all declared that he had
+a heart returning to her at least; that anger, resentment, avoidance,
+were no more; and that they were succeeded, not merely by friendship
+and regard, but by the tenderness of the past.  Yes, some share of
+the tenderness of the past.  She could not contemplate the change
+as implying less.  He must love her.
+
+These were thoughts, with their attendant visions, which occupied
+and flurried her too much to leave her any power of observation;
+and she passed along the room without having a glimpse of him,
+without even trying to discern him.  When their places were determined on,
+and they were all properly arranged, she looked round to see
+if he should happen to be in the same part of the room, but he was not;
+her eye could not reach him; and the concert being just opening,
+she must consent for a time to be happy in a humbler way.
+
+The party was divided and disposed of on two contiguous benches:
+Anne was among those on the foremost, and Mr Elliot had manoeuvred so well,
+with the assistance of his friend Colonel Wallis, as to have a seat by her.
+Miss Elliot, surrounded by her cousins, and the principal object
+of Colonel Wallis's gallantry, was quite contented.
+
+Anne's mind was in a most favourable state for the entertainment
+of the evening; it was just occupation enough:  she had feelings for
+the tender, spirits for the gay, attention for the scientific,
+and patience for the wearisome; and had never liked a concert better,
+at least during the first act.  Towards the close of it,
+in the interval succeeding an Italian song, she explained
+the words of the song to Mr Elliot.  They had a concert bill between them.
+
+"This," said she, "is nearly the sense, or rather the meaning of the words,
+for certainly the sense of an Italian love-song must not be talked of,
+but it is as nearly the meaning as I can give; for I do not pretend
+to understand the language.  I am a very poor Italian scholar."
+
+"Yes, yes, I see you are.  I see you know nothing of the matter.
+You have only knowledge enough of the language to translate at sight
+these inverted, transposed, curtailed Italian lines, into clear,
+comprehensible, elegant English.  You need not say anything more
+of your ignorance.  Here is complete proof."
+
+"I will not oppose such kind politeness; but I should be sorry to be
+examined by a real proficient."
+
+"I have not had the pleasure of visiting in Camden Place so long,"
+replied he, "without knowing something of Miss Anne Elliot;
+and I do regard her as one who is too modest for the world in general
+to be aware of half her accomplishments, and too highly accomplished
+for modesty to be natural in any other woman."
+
+"For shame! for shame! this is too much flattery.  I forget what we are
+to have next," turning to the bill.
+
+"Perhaps," said Mr Elliot, speaking low, "I have had a longer acquaintance
+with your character than you are aware of."
+
+"Indeed!  How so?  You can have been acquainted with it only since
+I came to Bath, excepting as you might hear me previously spoken of
+in my own family."
+
+"I knew you by report long before you came to Bath.  I had heard you
+described by those who knew you intimately.  I have been acquainted
+with you by character many years.  Your person, your disposition,
+accomplishments, manner; they were all present to me."
+
+Mr Elliot was not disappointed in the interest he hoped to raise.
+No one can withstand the charm of such a mystery.  To have been
+described long ago to a recent acquaintance, by nameless people,
+is irresistible; and Anne was all curiosity.  She wondered,
+and questioned him eagerly; but in vain.  He delighted in being asked,
+but he would not tell.
+
+"No, no, some time or other, perhaps, but not now.  He would mention
+no names now; but such, he could assure her, had been the fact.
+He had many years ago received such a description of Miss Anne Elliot
+as had inspired him with the highest idea of her merit, and excited
+the warmest curiosity to know her."
+
+Anne could think of no one so likely to have spoken with
+partiality of her many years ago as the Mr Wentworth of Monkford,
+Captain Wentworth's brother.  He might have been in Mr Elliot's company,
+but she had not courage to ask the question.
+
+"The name of Anne Elliot," said he, "has long had an interesting sound to me.
+Very long has it possessed a charm over my fancy; and, if I dared,
+I would breathe my wishes that the name might never change."
+
+Such, she believed, were his words; but scarcely had she
+received their sound, than her attention was caught by other sounds
+immediately behind her, which rendered every thing else trivial.
+Her father and Lady Dalrymple were speaking.
+
+"A well-looking man," said Sir Walter, "a very well-looking man."
+
+"A very fine young man indeed!" said Lady Dalrymple.  "More air
+than one often sees in Bath.  Irish, I dare say."
+
+"No, I just know his name.  A bowing acquaintance.  Wentworth;
+Captain Wentworth of the navy.  His sister married my tenant
+in Somersetshire, the Croft, who rents Kellynch."
+
+Before Sir Walter had reached this point, Anne's eyes had caught
+the right direction, and distinguished Captain Wentworth standing
+among a cluster of men at a little distance.  As her eyes fell on him,
+his seemed to be withdrawn from her.  It had that appearance.
+It seemed as if she had been one moment too late; and as long as she
+dared observe, he did not look again:  but the performance
+was recommencing, and she was forced to seem to restore her attention
+to the orchestra and look straight forward.
+
+When she could give another glance, he had moved away.  He could not have
+come nearer to her if he would; she was so surrounded and shut in:
+but she would rather have caught his eye.
+
+Mr Elliot's speech, too, distressed her.  She had no longer
+any inclination to talk to him.  She wished him not so near her.
+
+The first act was over.  Now she hoped for some beneficial change;
+and, after a period of nothing-saying amongst the party, some of them
+did decide on going in quest of tea.  Anne was one of the few who
+did not choose to move.  She remained in her seat, and so did Lady Russell;
+but she had the pleasure of getting rid of Mr Elliot; and she did not mean,
+whatever she might feel on Lady Russell's account, to shrink from
+conversation with Captain Wentworth, if he gave her the opportunity.
+She was persuaded by Lady Russell's countenance that she had seen him.
+
+He did not come however.  Anne sometimes fancied she discerned him
+at a distance, but he never came.  The anxious interval
+wore away unproductively.  The others returned, the room filled again,
+benches were reclaimed and repossessed, and another hour of pleasure
+or of penance was to be sat out, another hour of music was to give
+delight or the gapes, as real or affected taste for it prevailed.
+To Anne, it chiefly wore the prospect of an hour of agitation.
+She could not quit that room in peace without seeing Captain Wentworth
+once more, without the interchange of one friendly look.
+
+In re-settling themselves there were now many changes, the result of which
+was favourable for her.  Colonel Wallis declined sitting down again,
+and Mr Elliot was invited by Elizabeth and Miss Carteret, in a manner
+not to be refused, to sit between them; and by some other removals,
+and a little scheming of her own,  Anne was enabled to place herself
+much nearer the end of the bench than she had been before,
+much more within reach of a passer-by.  She could not do so,
+without comparing herself with Miss Larolles, the inimitable Miss Larolles;
+but still she did it, and not with much happier effect;
+though by what seemed prosperity in the shape of an early abdication
+in her next neighbours, she found herself at the very end of the bench
+before the concert closed.
+
+Such was her situation, with a vacant space at hand, when Captain Wentworth
+was again in sight.  She saw him not far off.  He saw her too;
+yet he looked grave, and seemed irresolute, and only by very slow degrees
+came at last near enough to speak to her.  She felt that something
+must be the matter.  The change was indubitable.  The difference
+between his present air and what it had been in the Octagon Room
+was strikingly great.  Why was it?  She thought of her father,
+of Lady Russell.  Could there have been any unpleasant glances?
+He began by speaking of the concert gravely, more like the Captain
+Wentworth of Uppercross; owned himself disappointed, had expected singing;
+and in short, must confess that he should not be sorry when it was over.
+Anne replied, and spoke in defence of the performance so well,
+and yet in allowance for his feelings so pleasantly, that his countenance
+improved, and he replied again with almost a smile.  They talked
+for a few minutes more; the improvement held; he even looked down
+towards the bench, as if he saw a place on it well worth occupying;
+when at that moment a touch on her shoulder obliged Anne to turn round.
+It came from Mr Elliot.  He begged her pardon, but she must be applied to,
+to explain Italian again.  Miss Carteret was very anxious to have
+a general idea of what was next to be sung.  Anne could not refuse;
+but never had she sacrificed to politeness with a more suffering spirit.
+
+A few minutes, though as few as possible, were inevitably consumed;
+and when her own mistress again, when able to turn and look
+as she had done before, she found herself accosted by Captain Wentworth,
+in a reserved yet hurried sort of farewell.  "He must wish her good night;
+he was going; he should get home as fast as he could."
+
+"Is not this song worth staying for?" said Anne, suddenly struck
+by an idea which made her yet more anxious to be encouraging.
+
+"No!" he replied impressively, "there is nothing worth my staying for;"
+and he was gone directly.
+
+Jealousy of Mr Elliot!  It was the only intelligible motive.
+Captain Wentworth jealous of her affection!  Could she have believed it
+a week ago; three hours ago!  For a moment the gratification was exquisite.
+But, alas! there were very different thoughts to succeed.
+How was such jealousy to be quieted?  How was the truth to reach him?
+How, in all the peculiar disadvantages of their respective situations,
+would he ever learn of her real sentiments?  It was misery to think
+of Mr Elliot's attentions.  Their evil was incalculable.
+
+
+
+Chapter 21
+
+
+Anne recollected with pleasure the next morning her promise
+of going to Mrs Smith, meaning that it should engage her from home
+at the time when Mr Elliot would be most likely to call; for to avoid
+Mr Elliot was almost a first object.
+
+She felt a great deal of good-will towards him.  In spite of
+the mischief of his attentions, she owed him gratitude and regard,
+perhaps compassion.  She could not help thinking much of the extraordinary
+circumstances attending their acquaintance, of the right which
+he seemed to have to interest her, by everything in situation,
+by his own sentiments, by his early prepossession.  It was altogether
+very extraordinary; flattering, but painful.  There was much to regret.
+How she might have felt had there been no Captain Wentworth in the case,
+was not worth enquiry; for there was a Captain Wentworth;
+and be the conclusion of the present suspense good or bad,
+her affection would be his for ever.  Their union, she believed,
+could not divide her more from other men, than their final separation.
+
+Prettier musings of high-wrought love and eternal constancy,
+could never have passed along the streets of Bath, than Anne
+was sporting with from Camden Place to Westgate Buildings.
+It was almost enough to spread purification and perfume all the way.
+
+She was sure of a pleasant reception; and her friend seemed this morning
+particularly obliged to her for coming, seemed hardly to have expected her,
+though it had been an appointment.
+
+An account of the concert was immediately claimed; and Anne's recollections
+of the concert were quite happy enough to animate her features
+and make her rejoice to talk of it.  All that she could tell
+she told most gladly, but the all was little for one who had been there,
+and unsatisfactory for such an enquirer as Mrs Smith, who had
+already heard, through the short cut of a laundress and a waiter,
+rather more of the general success and produce of the evening
+than Anne could relate, and who now asked in vain for several particulars
+of the company.  Everybody of any consequence or notoriety in Bath
+was well know by name to Mrs Smith.
+
+"The little Durands were there, I conclude," said she, "with their mouths
+open to catch the music, like unfledged sparrows ready to be fed.
+They never miss a concert."
+
+"Yes; I did not see them myself, but I heard Mr Elliot say they were
+in the room."
+
+"The Ibbotsons, were they there? and the two new beauties,
+with the tall Irish officer, who is talked of for one of them."
+
+"I do not know.  I do not think they were."
+
+"Old Lady Mary Maclean?  I need not ask after her.  She never misses,
+I know; and you must have seen her.  She must have been in your own circle;
+for as you went with Lady Dalrymple, you were in the seats of grandeur,
+round the orchestra, of course."
+
+"No, that was what I dreaded.  It would have been very unpleasant to me
+in every respect.  But happily Lady Dalrymple always chooses
+to be farther off; and we were exceedingly well placed, that is,
+for hearing; I must not say for seeing, because I appear to have seen
+very little."
+
+"Oh! you saw enough for your own amusement.  I can understand.
+There is a sort of domestic enjoyment to be known even in a crowd,
+and this you had.  You were a large party in yourselves,
+and you wanted nothing beyond."
+
+"But I ought to have looked about me more," said Anne, conscious
+while she spoke that there had in fact been no want of looking about,
+that the object only had been deficient.
+
+"No, no; you were better employed.  You need not tell me that you
+had a pleasant evening.  I see it in your eye.  I perfectly see
+how the hours passed:  that you had always something agreeable
+to listen to.  In the intervals of the concert it was conversation."
+
+Anne half smiled and said, "Do you see that in my eye?"
+
+"Yes, I do.  Your countenance perfectly informs me that you were
+in company last night with the person whom you think the most agreeable
+in the world, the person who interests you at this present time
+more than all the rest of the world put together."
+
+A blush overspread Anne's cheeks.  She could say nothing.
+
+"And such being the case," continued Mrs Smith, after a short pause,
+"I hope you believe that I do know how to value your kindness
+in coming to me this morning.  It is really very good of you
+to come and sit with me, when you must have so many pleasanter demands
+upon your time."
+
+Anne heard nothing of this.  She was still in the astonishment and
+confusion excited by her friend's penetration, unable to imagine
+how any report of Captain Wentworth could have reached her.
+After another short silence--
+
+"Pray," said Mrs Smith, "is Mr Elliot aware of your acquaintance with me?
+Does he know that I am in Bath?"
+
+"Mr Elliot!" repeated Anne, looking up surprised.  A moment's reflection
+shewed her the mistake she had been under.  She caught it instantaneously;
+and recovering her courage with the feeling of safety, soon added,
+more composedly, "Are you acquainted with Mr Elliot?"
+
+"I have been a good deal acquainted with him," replied Mrs Smith, gravely,
+"but it seems worn out now.  It is a great while since we met."
+
+"I was not at all aware of this.  You never mentioned it before.
+Had I known it, I would have had the pleasure of talking to him about you."
+
+"To confess the truth," said Mrs Smith, assuming her usual
+air of cheerfulness, "that is exactly the pleasure I want you to have.
+I want you to talk about me to Mr Elliot.  I want your interest with him.
+He can be of essential service to me; and if you would have the goodness,
+my dear Miss Elliot, to make it an object to yourself,
+of course it is done."
+
+"I should be extremely happy; I hope you cannot doubt my willingness
+to be of even the slightest use to you," replied Anne; "but I suspect
+that you are considering me as having a higher claim on Mr Elliot,
+a greater right to influence him, than is really the case.
+I am sure you have, somehow or other, imbibed such a notion.
+You must consider me only as Mr Elliot's relation.  If in that light
+there is anything which you suppose his cousin might fairly ask of him,
+I beg you would not hesitate to employ me."
+
+Mrs Smith gave her a penetrating glance, and then, smiling, said--
+
+"I have been a little premature, I perceive; I beg your pardon.
+I ought to have waited for official information,  But now, my dear
+Miss Elliot, as an old friend, do give me a hint as to when I may speak.
+Next week?  To be sure by next week I may be allowed to
+think it all settled, and build my own selfish schemes on
+Mr Elliot's good fortune."
+
+"No," replied Anne, "nor next week, nor next, nor next.
+I assure you that nothing of the sort you are thinking of
+will be settled any week.  I am not going to marry Mr Elliot.
+I should like to know why you imagine I am?"
+
+Mrs Smith looked at her again, looked earnestly, smiled,
+shook her head, and exclaimed--
+
+"Now, how I do wish I understood you!  How I do wish I knew
+what you were at!  I have a great idea that you do not design to be cruel,
+when the right moment occurs.  Till it does come, you know,
+we women never mean to have anybody.  It is a thing of course among us,
+that every man is refused, till he offers.  But why should you be cruel?
+Let me plead for my--present friend I cannot call him, but for
+my former friend.  Where can you look for a more suitable match?
+Where could you expect a more gentlemanlike, agreeable man?
+Let me recommend Mr Elliot.  I am sure you hear nothing but good of him
+from Colonel Wallis; and who can know him better than Colonel Wallis?"
+
+"My dear Mrs Smith, Mr Elliot's wife has not been dead much above
+half a year.  He ought not to be supposed to be paying his addresses
+to any one."
+
+"Oh! if these are your only objections," cried Mrs Smith, archly,
+"Mr Elliot is safe, and I shall give myself no more trouble about him.
+Do not forget me when you are married, that's all.  Let him know me to be
+a friend of yours, and then he will think little of the trouble required,
+which it is very natural for him now, with so many affairs and engagements
+of his own, to avoid and get rid of as he can; very natural, perhaps.
+Ninety-nine out of a hundred would do the same.  Of course,
+he cannot be aware of the importance to me.  Well, my dear Miss Elliot,
+I hope and trust you will be very happy.  Mr Elliot has sense
+to understand the value of such a woman.  Your peace will not be
+shipwrecked as mine has been.  You are safe in all worldly matters,
+and safe in his character.  He will not be led astray; he will not be
+misled by others to his ruin."
+
+"No," said Anne, "I can readily believe all that of my cousin.
+He seems to have a calm decided temper, not at all open
+to dangerous impressions.  I consider him with great respect.
+I have no reason, from any thing that has fallen within my observation,
+to do otherwise.  But I have not known him long; and he is not a man,
+I think, to be known intimately soon.  Will not this manner
+of speaking of him, Mrs Smith, convince you that he is nothing to me?
+Surely this must be calm enough.  And, upon my word, he is nothing to me.
+Should he ever propose to me (which I have very little reason to imagine
+he has any thought of doing), I shall not accept him.  I assure you
+I shall not.  I assure you, Mr Elliot had not the share which
+you have been supposing, in whatever pleasure the concert
+of last night might afford:  not Mr Elliot; it is not Mr Elliot that--"
+
+She stopped, regretting with a deep blush that she had implied so much;
+but less would hardly have been sufficient.  Mrs Smith would hardly
+have believed so soon in Mr Elliot's failure, but from the perception
+of there being a somebody else.  As it was, she instantly submitted,
+and with all the semblance of seeing nothing beyond; and Anne,
+eager to escape farther notice, was impatient to know why Mrs Smith
+should have fancied she was to marry Mr Elliot; where she could have
+received the idea, or from whom she could have heard it.
+
+"Do tell me how it first came into your head."
+
+"It first came into my head," replied Mrs Smith, "upon finding how much
+you were together, and feeling it to be the most probable thing
+in the world to be wished for by everybody belonging to either of you;
+and you may depend upon it that all your acquaintance have disposed of you
+in the same way.  But I never heard it spoken of till two days ago."
+
+"And has it indeed been spoken of?"
+
+"Did you observe the woman who opened the door to you when
+you called yesterday?"
+
+"No.  Was not it Mrs Speed, as usual, or the maid?  I observed
+no one in particular."
+
+"It was my friend Mrs Rooke; Nurse Rooke; who, by-the-bye,
+had a great curiosity to see you, and was delighted to be in the way
+to let you in.  She came away from Marlborough Buildings only on Sunday;
+and she it was who told me you were to marry Mr Elliot.
+She had had it from Mrs Wallis herself, which did not seem bad authority.
+She sat an hour with me on Monday evening, and gave me the whole history."
+"The whole history," repeated Anne, laughing.  "She could not make
+a very long history, I think, of one such little article
+of unfounded news."
+
+Mrs Smith said nothing.
+
+"But," continued Anne, presently, "though there is no truth in my having
+this claim on Mr Elliot, I should be extremely happy to be of use to you
+in any way that I could.  Shall I mention to him your being in Bath?
+Shall I take any message?"
+
+"No, I thank you:  no, certainly not.  In the warmth of the moment,
+and under a mistaken impression, I might, perhaps, have endeavoured
+to interest you in some circumstances; but not now.  No, I thank you,
+I have nothing to trouble you with."
+
+"I think you spoke of having known Mr Elliot many years?"
+
+"I did."
+
+"Not before he was married, I suppose?"
+
+"Yes; he was not married when I knew him first."
+
+"And--were you much acquainted?"
+
+"Intimately."
+
+"Indeed!  Then do tell me what he was at that time of life.
+I have a great curiosity to know what Mr Elliot was as a very young man.
+Was he at all such as he appears now?"
+
+"I have not seen Mr Elliot these three years," was Mrs Smith's answer,
+given so gravely that it was impossible to pursue the subject farther;
+and Anne felt that she had gained nothing but an increase of curiosity.
+They were both silent:  Mrs Smith very thoughtful.  At last--
+
+"I beg your pardon, my dear Miss Elliot," she cried, in her
+natural tone of cordiality, "I beg your pardon for the short answers
+I have been giving you, but I have been uncertain what I ought to do.
+I have been doubting and considering as to what I ought to tell you.
+There were many things to be taken into the account.  One hates
+to be officious, to be giving bad impressions, making mischief.
+Even the smooth surface of family-union seems worth preserving,
+though there may be nothing durable beneath.  However, I have determined;
+I think I am right; I think you ought to be made acquainted
+with Mr Elliot's real character.  Though I fully believe that,
+at present, you have not the smallest intention of accepting him,
+there is no saying what may happen.  You might, some time or other,
+be differently affected towards him.  Hear the truth, therefore,
+now, while you are unprejudiced.  Mr Elliot is a man without heart
+or conscience; a designing, wary, cold-blooded being, who thinks
+only of himself; whom for his own interest or ease, would be guilty
+of any cruelty, or any treachery, that could be perpetrated without
+risk of his general character.  He has no feeling for others.
+Those whom he has been the chief cause of leading into ruin,
+he can neglect and desert without the smallest compunction.
+He is totally beyond the reach of any sentiment of justice or compassion.
+Oh! he is black at heart, hollow and black!"
+
+Anne's astonished air, and exclamation of wonder, made her pause,
+and in a calmer manner, she added,
+
+"My expressions startle you.  You must allow for an injured, angry woman.
+But I will try to command myself.  I will not abuse him.
+I will only tell you what I have found him.  Facts shall speak.
+He was the intimate friend of my dear husband, who trusted and loved him,
+and thought him as good as himself.  The intimacy had been formed
+before our marriage.  I found them most intimate friends; and I, too,
+became excessively pleased with Mr Elliot, and entertained
+the highest opinion of him.  At nineteen, you know, one does not
+think very seriously; but Mr Elliot appeared to me quite as good as others,
+and much more agreeable than most others, and we were almost
+always together.  We were principally in town, living in very good style.
+He was then the inferior in circumstances; he was then the poor one;
+he had chambers in the Temple, and it was as much as he could do
+to support the appearance of a gentleman.  He had always a home
+with us whenever he chose it; he was always welcome; he was like a brother.
+My poor Charles, who had the finest, most generous spirit in the world,
+would have divided his last farthing with him; and I know that his purse
+was open to him; I know that he often assisted him."
+
+"This must have been about that very period of Mr Elliot's life,"
+said Anne, "which has always excited my particular curiosity.
+It must have been about the same time that he became known to
+my father and sister.  I never knew him myself; I only heard of him;
+but there was a something in his conduct then, with regard to
+my father and sister, and afterwards in the circumstances of his marriage,
+which I never could quite reconcile with present times.  It seemed
+to announce a different sort of man."
+
+"I know it all, I know it all," cried Mrs Smith.  "He had been
+introduced to Sir Walter and your sister before I was acquainted with him,
+but I heard him speak of them for ever.  I know he was invited
+and encouraged, and I know he did not choose to go.  I can satisfy you,
+perhaps, on points which you would little expect; and as to his marriage,
+I knew all about it at the time.  I was privy to all the fors and againsts;
+I was the friend to whom he confided his hopes and plans; and though
+I did not know his wife previously, her inferior situation in society,
+indeed, rendered that impossible, yet I knew her all her life afterwards,
+or at least till within the last two years of her life, and can answer
+any question you may wish to put."
+
+"Nay," said Anne, "I have no particular enquiry to make about her.
+I have always understood they were not a happy couple.  But I should
+like to know why, at that time of his life, he should slight
+my father's acquaintance as he did.  My father was certainly disposed
+to take very kind and proper notice of him.  Why did Mr Elliot draw back?"
+
+"Mr Elliot," replied Mrs Smith, "at that period of his life,
+had one object in view:  to make his fortune, and by a rather quicker
+process than the law.  He was determined to make it by marriage.
+He was determined, at least, not to mar it by an imprudent marriage;
+and I know it was his belief (whether justly or not, of course
+I cannot decide), that your father and sister, in their civilities
+and invitations, were designing a match between the heir
+and the young lady, and it was impossible that such a match
+should have answered his ideas of wealth and independence.
+That was his motive for drawing back, I can assure you.
+He told me the whole story.  He had no concealments with me.
+It was curious, that having just left you behind me in Bath,
+my first and principal acquaintance on marrying should be your cousin;
+and that, through him, I should be continually hearing of your father
+and sister.  He described one Miss Elliot, and I thought
+very affectionately of the other."
+
+"Perhaps," cried Anne, struck by a sudden idea, "you sometimes
+spoke of me to Mr Elliot?"
+
+"To be sure I did; very often.  I used to boast of my own Anne Elliot,
+and vouch for your being a very different creature from--"
+
+She checked herself just in time.
+
+"This accounts for something which Mr Elliot said last night,"
+cried Anne.  "This explains it.  I found he had been used to hear of me.
+I could not comprehend how.  What wild imaginations one forms where
+dear self is concerned!  How sure to be mistaken!  But I beg your pardon;
+I have interrupted you.  Mr Elliot married then completely for money?
+The circumstances, probably, which first opened your eyes
+to his character."
+
+Mrs Smith hesitated a little here.  "Oh! those things are too common.
+When one lives in the world, a man or woman's marrying for money
+is too common to strike one as it ought.  I was very young,
+and associated only with the young, and we were a thoughtless,
+gay set, without any strict rules of conduct.  We lived for enjoyment.
+I think differently now; time and sickness and sorrow have given me
+other notions; but at that period I must own I saw nothing reprehensible
+in what Mr Elliot was doing.  `To do the best for himself,'
+passed as a duty."
+
+"But was not she a very low woman?"
+
+"Yes; which I objected to, but he would not regard.  Money, money,
+was all that he wanted.  Her father was a grazier, her grandfather
+had been a butcher, but that was all nothing.  She was a fine woman,
+had had a decent education, was brought forward by some cousins,
+thrown by chance into Mr Elliot's company, and fell in love with him;
+and not a difficulty or a scruple was there on his side,
+with respect to her birth.  All his caution was spent in being secured
+of the real amount of her fortune, before he committed himself.
+Depend upon it, whatever esteem Mr Elliot may have for his own situation
+in life now, as a young man he had not the smallest value for it.
+His chance for the Kellynch estate was something, but all the honour
+of the family he held as cheap as dirt.  I have often heard him declare,
+that if baronetcies were saleable, anybody should have his
+for fifty pounds, arms and motto, name and livery included;
+but I will not pretend to repeat half that I used to hear him say
+on that subject.  It would not be fair; and yet you ought to have proof,
+for what is all this but assertion, and you shall have proof."
+
+"Indeed, my dear Mrs Smith, I want none," cried Anne.  "You have asserted
+nothing contradictory to what Mr Elliot appeared to be some years ago.
+This is all in confirmation, rather, of what we used to hear and believe.
+I am more curious to know why he should be so different now."
+
+"But for my satisfaction, if you will have the goodness to ring for Mary;
+stay:  I am sure you will have the still greater goodness of
+going yourself into my bedroom, and bringing me the small inlaid box
+which you will find on the upper shelf of the closet."
+
+Anne, seeing her friend to be earnestly bent on it, did as she was desired.
+The box was brought and placed before her, and Mrs Smith, sighing over it
+as she unlocked it, said--
+
+"This is full of papers belonging to him, to my husband;
+a small portion only of what I had to look over when I lost him.
+The letter I am looking for was one written by Mr Elliot to him
+before our marriage, and happened to be saved; why, one can hardly imagine.
+But he was careless and immethodical, like other men, about those things;
+and when I came to examine his papers, I found it with others
+still more trivial, from different people scattered here and there,
+while many letters and memorandums of real importance had been destroyed.
+Here it is; I would not burn it, because being even then very little
+satisfied with Mr Elliot, I was determined to preserve every document
+of former intimacy.  I have now another motive for being glad
+that I can produce it."
+
+This was the letter, directed to "Charles Smith, Esq. Tunbridge Wells,"
+and dated from London, as far back as July, 1803:--
+
+"Dear Smith,--I have received yours.  Your kindness almost overpowers me.
+I wish nature had made such hearts as yours more common, but I have
+lived three-and-twenty years in the world, and have seen none like it.
+At present, believe me, I have no need of your services,
+being in cash again.  Give me joy:  I have got rid of Sir Walter and Miss.
+They are gone back to Kellynch, and almost made me swear to visit them
+this summer; but my first visit to Kellynch will be with a surveyor,
+to tell me how to bring it with best advantage to the hammer.
+The baronet, nevertheless, is not unlikely to marry again;
+he is quite fool enough.  If he does, however, they will leave me in peace,
+which may be a decent equivalent  for the reversion.  He is worse
+than last year.
+
+"I wish I had any name but Elliot.  I am sick of it.  The name of Walter
+I can drop, thank God! and I desire you will never insult me
+with my second W. again, meaning, for the rest of my life,
+to be only yours truly,--Wm. Elliot."
+
+Such a letter could not be read without putting Anne in a glow;
+and Mrs Smith, observing the high colour in her face, said--
+
+"The language, I know, is highly disrespectful.  Though I have forgot
+the exact terms, I have a perfect impression of the general meaning.
+But it shows you the man.  Mark his professions to my poor husband.
+Can any thing be stronger?"
+
+Anne could not immediately get over the shock and mortification
+of finding such words applied to her father.  She was obliged to recollect
+that her seeing the letter was a violation of the laws of honour,
+that no one ought to be judged or to be known by such testimonies,
+that no private correspondence could bear the eye of others,
+before she could recover calmness enough to return the letter
+which she had been meditating over, and say--
+
+"Thank you.  This is full proof undoubtedly; proof of every thing
+you were saying.  But why be acquainted with us now?"
+
+"I can explain this too," cried Mrs Smith, smiling.
+
+"Can you really?"
+
+"Yes.  I have shewn you Mr Elliot as he was a dozen years ago,
+and I will shew him as he is now.  I cannot produce written proof again,
+but I can give as authentic oral testimony as you can desire, of what
+he is now wanting, and what he is now doing.  He is no hypocrite now.
+He truly wants to marry you.  His present attentions to your family
+are very sincere:  quite from the heart.  I will give you my authority:
+his friend Colonel Wallis."
+
+"Colonel Wallis! you are acquainted with him?"
+
+"No.  It does not come to me in quite so direct a line as that;
+it takes a bend or two, but nothing of consequence.  The stream
+is as good as at first; the little rubbish it collects in the turnings
+is easily moved away.  Mr Elliot talks unreservedly to Colonel Wallis
+of his views on you, which said Colonel Wallis, I imagine to be,
+in himself, a sensible, careful, discerning sort of character;
+but Colonel Wallis has a very pretty silly wife, to whom
+he tells things which he had better not, and he repeats it all to her.
+She in the overflowing spirits of her recovery, repeats it all
+to her nurse; and the nurse  knowing my acquaintance with you,
+very naturally brings it all to me.  On Monday evening, my good friend
+Mrs Rooke let me thus much into the secrets of Marlborough Buildings.
+When I talked of a whole history, therefore, you see I was
+not romancing so much as you supposed."
+
+"My dear Mrs Smith, your authority is deficient.  This will not do.
+Mr Elliot's having any views on me will not in the least account
+for the efforts he made towards a reconciliation with my father.
+That was all prior to my coming to Bath.  I found them on
+the most friendly terms when I arrived."
+
+"I know you did; I know it all perfectly, but--"
+
+"Indeed, Mrs Smith, we must not expect to get real information
+in such a line.  Facts or opinions which are to pass through the hands
+of so many, to be misconceived by folly in one, and ignorance in another,
+can hardly have much truth left."
+
+"Only give me a hearing.  You will soon be able to judge of
+the general credit due, by listening to some particulars
+which you can yourself immediately contradict or confirm.
+Nobody supposes that you were his first inducement.  He had seen you
+indeed, before he came to Bath, and admired you, but without
+knowing it to be you.  So says my historian, at least.  Is this true?
+Did he see you last summer or autumn, `somewhere down in the west,'
+to use her own words, without knowing it to be you?"
+
+"He certainly did.  So far it is very true.  At Lyme.
+I happened to be at Lyme."
+
+"Well," continued Mrs Smith, triumphantly, "grant my friend the credit
+due to the establishment of the first point asserted.  He saw you then
+at Lyme, and liked you so well as to be exceedingly pleased
+to meet with you again in Camden Place, as Miss Anne Elliot,
+and from that moment, I have no doubt, had a double motive
+in his visits there.  But there was another, and an earlier,
+which I will now explain.  If there is anything in my story which you know
+to be either false or improbable, stop me.  My account states,
+that your sister's friend, the lady now staying with you,
+whom I have heard you mention, came to Bath with Miss Elliot and Sir Walter
+as long ago as September (in short when they first came themselves),
+and has been staying there ever since; that she is a clever, insinuating,
+handsome woman, poor and plausible, and altogether such in situation
+and manner, as to give a general idea, among Sir Walter's acquaintance,
+of her meaning to be Lady Elliot, and as general a surprise
+that Miss Elliot should be apparently, blind to the danger."
+
+Here Mrs Smith paused a moment; but Anne had not a word to say,
+and she continued--
+
+"This was the light in which it appeared to those who knew the family,
+long before you returned to it; and Colonel Wallis had his eye
+upon your father enough to be sensible of it, though he did not then
+visit in Camden Place; but his regard for Mr Elliot gave him an interest
+in watching all that was going on there, and when Mr Elliot came to Bath
+for a day or two, as he happened to do a little before Christmas,
+Colonel Wallis made him acquainted with the appearance of things,
+and the reports beginning to prevail.  Now you are to understand,
+that time had worked a very material change in Mr Elliot's opinions
+as to the value of a baronetcy.  Upon all points of blood and connexion
+he is a completely altered man.  Having long had as much money
+as he could spend, nothing to wish for on the side of avarice
+or indulgence, he has been gradually learning to pin his happiness
+upon the consequence he is heir to.  I thought it coming on
+before our acquaintance ceased, but it is now a confirmed feeling.
+He cannot bear the idea of not being Sir William.  You may guess,
+therefore, that the news he heard from his friend could not be
+very agreeable, and you may guess what it produced; the resolution
+of coming back to Bath as soon as possible, and of fixing himself here
+for a time, with the view of renewing his former acquaintance,
+and recovering such a footing in the family as might give him the means
+of ascertaining the degree of his danger, and of circumventing the lady
+if he found it material.  This was agreed upon between the two friends
+as the only thing to be done; and Colonel Wallis was to assist
+in every way that he could.  He was to be introduced, and Mrs Wallis
+was to be introduced, and everybody was to be introduced.
+Mr Elliot came back accordingly; and on application was forgiven,
+as you know, and re-admitted into the family; and there it was
+his constant object, and his only object (till your arrival
+added another motive), to watch Sir Walter and Mrs Clay.
+He omitted no opportunity of being with them, threw himself in their way,
+called at all hours; but I need not be particular on this subject.
+You can imagine what an artful man would do; and with this guide,
+perhaps, may recollect what you have seen him do."
+
+"Yes," said Anne, "you tell me nothing which does not accord with
+what I have known, or could imagine.  There is always something offensive
+in the details of cunning.  The manoeuvres of selfishness and duplicity
+must ever be revolting, but I have heard nothing which really surprises me.
+I know those who would be shocked by such a representation of Mr Elliot,
+who would have difficulty in believing it; but I have never been satisfied.
+I have always wanted some other motive for his conduct than appeared.
+I should like to know his present opinion, as to the probability
+of the event he has been in dread of; whether he considers the danger
+to be lessening or not."
+
+"Lessening, I understand," replied Mrs Smith.  "He thinks Mrs Clay
+afraid of him, aware that he sees through her, and not daring to proceed
+as she might do in his absence.  But since he must be absent
+some time or other, I do not perceive how he can ever be secure
+while she holds her present influence.  Mrs Wallis has an amusing idea,
+as nurse tells me, that it is to be put into the marriage articles
+when you and Mr Elliot marry, that your father is not to marry Mrs Clay.
+A scheme, worthy of Mrs Wallis's understanding, by all accounts;
+but my sensible nurse Rooke sees the absurdity of it.  `Why, to be sure,
+ma'am,' said she, `it would not prevent his marrying anybody else.'
+And, indeed, to own the truth, I do not think nurse, in her heart,
+is a very strenuous opposer of Sir Walter's making a second match.
+She must be allowed to be a favourer of matrimony, you know;
+and (since self will intrude) who can say that she may not have
+some flying visions of attending the next Lady Elliot, through
+Mrs Wallis's recommendation?"
+
+"I am very glad to know all this," said Anne, after a little
+thoughtfulness.  "It will be more painful to me in some respects
+to be in company with him, but I shall know better what to do.
+My line of conduct will be more direct.  Mr Elliot is evidently
+a disingenuous, artificial, worldly man, who has never had
+any better principle to guide him than selfishness."
+
+But Mr Elliot was not done with.  Mrs Smith had been carried away
+from her first direction, and Anne had forgotten, in the interest
+of her own family concerns, how much had been originally implied
+against him; but her attention was now called to the explanation
+of those first hints, and she listened to a recital which,
+if it did not perfectly justify the unqualified bitterness of Mrs Smith,
+proved him to have been very unfeeling in his conduct towards her;
+very deficient both in justice and compassion.
+
+She learned that (the intimacy between them continuing unimpaired
+by Mr Elliot's marriage) they had been as before always together,
+and Mr Elliot had led his friend into expenses much beyond his fortune.
+Mrs Smith did not want to take blame to herself, and was most tender
+of throwing any on her husband; but Anne could collect that their income
+had never been equal to their style of living, and that from the first
+there had been a great deal of general and joint extravagance.
+From his wife's account of him she could discern Mr Smith to have been
+a man of warm feelings, easy temper, careless habits, and not strong
+understanding, much more amiable than his friend, and very unlike him,
+led by him, and probably despised by him.  Mr Elliot, raised by
+his marriage to great affluence, and disposed to every gratification
+of pleasure and vanity which could be commanded without involving himself,
+(for with all his self-indulgence he had become a prudent man),
+and beginning to be rich, just as his friend ought to have found himself
+to be poor, seemed to have had no concern at all for that friend's
+probable finances, but, on the contrary, had been prompting and
+encouraging expenses which could end only in ruin; and the Smiths
+accordingly had been ruined.
+
+The husband had died just in time to be spared the full knowledge of it.
+They had previously known embarrassments enough to try the friendship
+of their friends, and to prove that Mr Elliot's had better not be tried;
+but it was not till his death that the wretched state of his affairs
+was fully known.  With a confidence in Mr Elliot's regard,
+more creditable to his feelings than his judgement, Mr Smith had
+appointed him the executor of his will; but Mr Elliot would not act,
+and the difficulties and distress which this refusal had heaped on her,
+in addition to the inevitable sufferings of her situation, had been such
+as could not be related without anguish of spirit, or listened to
+without corresponding indignation.
+
+Anne was shewn some letters of his on the occasion, answers to
+urgent applications from Mrs Smith, which all breathed the same
+stern resolution of not engaging in a fruitless trouble, and,
+under a cold civility, the same hard-hearted indifference
+to any of the evils it might bring on her.  It was a dreadful picture
+of ingratitude and inhumanity; and Anne felt, at some moments,
+that no flagrant open crime could have been worse.  She had a great deal
+to listen to; all the particulars of past sad scenes, all the minutiae
+of distress upon distress, which in former conversations had been
+merely hinted at, were dwelt on now with a natural indulgence.
+Anne could perfectly comprehend the exquisite relief, and was only
+the more inclined to wonder at the composure of her friend's
+usual state of mind.
+
+There was one circumstance in the history of her grievances
+of particular irritation.  She had good reason to believe that
+some property of her husband in the West Indies, which had been
+for many years under a sort of sequestration for the payment
+of its own incumbrances, might be recoverable by proper measures;
+and this property, though not large, would be enough to make
+her comparatively rich.  But there was nobody to stir in it.
+Mr Elliot would do nothing, and she could do nothing herself,
+equally disabled from personal exertion by her state of
+bodily weakness, and from employing others by her want of money.
+She had no natural connexions to assist her even with their counsel,
+and she could not afford to purchase the assistance of the law.
+This was a cruel aggravation of actually straitened means.
+To feel that she ought to be in better circumstances,
+that a little trouble in the right place might do it,
+and to fear that delay might be even weakening her claims,
+was hard to bear.
+
+It was on this point that she had hoped to engage Anne's good offices
+with Mr Elliot.  She had previously, in the anticipation
+of their marriage, been very apprehensive of losing her friend by it;
+but on being assured that he could have made no attempt of that nature,
+since he did not even know her to be in Bath, it immediately occurred,
+that something might be done in her favour by the influence of the woman
+he loved, and she had been hastily preparing to interest Anne's feelings,
+as far as the observances due to Mr Elliot's character would allow,
+when Anne's refutation of the supposed engagement changed
+the face of everything; and while it took from her the new-formed hope
+of succeeding in the object of her first anxiety, left her at least
+the comfort of telling the whole story her own way.
+
+After listening to this full description of Mr Elliot, Anne could not but
+express some surprise at Mrs Smith's having spoken of him so favourably
+in the beginning of their conversation.  "She had seemed to recommend
+and praise him!"
+
+"My dear," was Mrs Smith's reply, "there was nothing else to be done.
+I considered your marrying him as certain, though he might not yet
+have made the offer, and I could no more speak the truth of him,
+than if he had been your husband.  My heart bled for you,
+as I talked of happiness; and yet he is sensible, he is agreeable,
+and with such a woman as you, it was not absolutely hopeless.
+He was very unkind to his first wife.  They were wretched together.
+But she was too ignorant and giddy for respect, and he had never loved her.
+I was willing to hope that you must fare better."
+
+Anne could just acknowledge within herself such a possibility
+of having been induced to marry him, as made her shudder at the idea
+of the misery which must have followed.  It was just possible that
+she might have been persuaded by Lady Russell!  And under such
+a supposition, which would have been most miserable, when time had
+disclosed all, too late?
+
+It was very desirable that Lady Russell should be no longer deceived;
+and one of the concluding arrangements of this important conference,
+which carried them through the greater part of the morning,
+was, that Anne had full liberty to communicate to her friend
+everything relative to Mrs Smith, in which his conduct was involved.
+
+
+
+Chapter 22
+
+
+Anne went home to think over all that she had heard.  In one point,
+her feelings were relieved by this knowledge of Mr Elliot.
+There was no longer anything of tenderness due to him.  He stood as
+opposed to Captain Wentworth, in all his own unwelcome obtrusiveness;
+and the evil of his attentions last night, the irremediable mischief
+he might have done, was considered with sensations unqualified, unperplexed.
+Pity for him was all over.  But this was the only point of relief.
+In every other respect, in looking around her, or penetrating forward,
+she saw more to distrust and to apprehend.  She was concerned
+for the disappointment and pain Lady Russell would be feeling;
+for the mortifications which must be hanging over her father and sister,
+and had all the distress of foreseeing many evils, without knowing
+how to avert any one of them.  She was most thankful for her own
+knowledge of him.  She had never considered herself as entitled to reward
+for not slighting an old friend like Mrs Smith, but here was
+a reward indeed springing from it!  Mrs Smith had been able to tell her
+what no one else could have done.  Could the knowledge have
+been extended through her family?  But this was a vain idea.
+She must talk to Lady Russell, tell her, consult with her,
+and having done her best, wait the event with as much composure
+as possible; and after all, her greatest want of composure would be
+in that quarter of the mind which could not be opened to Lady Russell;
+in that flow of anxieties and fears which must be all to herself.
+
+
+She found, on reaching home, that she had, as she intended,
+escaped seeing Mr Elliot; that he had called and paid them
+a long morning visit; but hardly had she congratulated herself,
+and felt safe, when she heard that he was coming again in the evening.
+
+"I had not the smallest intention of asking him," said Elizabeth,
+with affected carelessness, "but he gave so many hints;
+so Mrs Clay says, at least."
+
+"Indeed, I do say it.  I never saw anybody in my life spell harder
+for an invitation.  Poor man!  I was really in pain for him;
+for your hard-hearted sister, Miss Anne, seems bent on cruelty."
+
+"Oh!" cried Elizabeth, "I have been rather too much used to the game
+to be soon overcome by a gentleman's hints.  However, when I found
+how excessively he was regretting that he should miss my father
+this morning, I gave way immediately, for I would never really omit
+an opportunity of bring him and Sir Walter together.  They appear to
+so much advantage in company with each other.  Each behaving so pleasantly.
+Mr Elliot looking up with so much respect."
+
+"Quite delightful!" cried Mrs Clay, not daring, however,
+to turn her eyes towards Anne.  "Exactly like father and son!
+Dear Miss Elliot, may I not say father and son?"
+
+"Oh! I lay no embargo on any body's words.  If you will have such
+ideas!  But, upon my word, I am scarcely sensible of his attentions
+being beyond those of other men."
+
+"My dear Miss Elliot!" exclaimed Mrs Clay, lifting her hands and eyes,
+and sinking all the rest of her astonishment in a convenient silence.
+
+"Well, my dear Penelope, you need not be so alarmed about him.
+I did invite him, you know.  I sent him away with smiles.
+When I found he was really going to his friends at Thornberry Park
+for the whole day to-morrow, I had compassion on him."
+
+Anne admired the good acting of the friend, in being able to shew
+such pleasure as she did, in the expectation and in the actual arrival
+of the very person whose presence must really be interfering with
+her prime object.  It was impossible but that Mrs Clay must hate
+the sight of Mr Elliot; and yet she could assume a most obliging,
+placid look, and appear quite satisfied with the curtailed license
+of devoting herself only half as much to Sir Walter as she would have
+done otherwise.
+
+To Anne herself it was most distressing to see Mr Elliot enter the room;
+and quite painful to have him approach and speak to her.
+She had been used before to feel that he could not be always quite sincere,
+but now she saw insincerity in everything.  His attentive deference
+to her father, contrasted with his former language, was odious;
+and when she thought of his cruel conduct towards Mrs Smith,
+she could hardly bear the sight of his present smiles and mildness,
+or the sound of his artificial good sentiments.
+
+She meant to avoid any such alteration of manners as might provoke
+a remonstrance on his side.  It was a great object to her to escape
+all enquiry or eclat; but it was her intention to be as decidedly cool
+to him as might be compatible with their relationship; and to retrace,
+as quietly as she could, the few steps of unnecessary intimacy she had
+been gradually led along.  She was accordingly more guarded,
+and more cool, than she had been the night before.
+
+He wanted to animate her curiosity again as to how and where
+he could have heard her formerly praised; wanted very much
+to be gratified by more solicitation; but the charm was broken:
+he found that the heat and animation of a public room was necessary
+to kindle his modest cousin's vanity; he found, at least, that it was
+not to be done now, by any of those attempts which he could hazard
+among the too-commanding claims of the others.  He little surmised
+that it was a subject acting now exactly against his interest,
+bringing immediately to her thoughts all those parts of his conduct
+which were least excusable.
+
+She had some satisfaction in finding that he was really going out of Bath
+the next morning, going early, and that he would be gone the greater part
+of two days.  He was invited again to Camden Place the very evening of
+his return; but from Thursday to Saturday evening his absence was certain.
+It was bad enough that a Mrs Clay should be always before her;
+but that a deeper hypocrite should be added to their party,
+seemed the destruction of everything like peace and comfort.
+It was so humiliating to reflect on the constant deception practised
+on her father and Elizabeth; to consider the various sources
+of mortification preparing for them!  Mrs Clay's selfishness was
+not so complicate nor so revolting as his; and Anne would have compounded
+for the marriage at once, with all its evils, to be clear of Mr Elliot's
+subtleties in endeavouring to prevent it.
+
+On Friday morning she meant to go very early to Lady Russell,
+and accomplish the necessary communication; and she would have gone
+directly after breakfast, but that Mrs Clay was also going out
+on some obliging purpose of saving her sister trouble, which
+determined her to wait till she might be safe from such a companion.
+She saw Mrs Clay fairly off, therefore, before she began to talk
+of spending the morning in Rivers Street.
+
+"Very well," said Elizabeth, "I have nothing to send but my love.
+Oh! you may as well take back that tiresome book she would lend me,
+and pretend I have read it through.  I really cannot be plaguing myself
+for ever with all the new poems and states of the nation that come out.
+Lady Russell quite bores one with her new publications.
+You need not tell her so, but I thought her dress hideous the other night.
+I used to think she had some taste in dress, but I was ashamed of her
+at the concert.  Something so formal and arrange in her air!
+and she sits so upright!  My best love, of course."
+
+"And mine," added Sir Walter.  "Kindest regards.  And you may say,
+that I mean to call upon her soon.  Make a civil message;
+but I shall only leave my card.  Morning visits are never fair
+by women at her time of life, who make themselves up so little.
+If she would only wear rouge she would not be afraid of being seen;
+but last time I called, I observed the blinds were let down immediately."
+
+While her father spoke, there was a knock at the door.  Who could it be?
+Anne, remembering the preconcerted visits, at all hours, of Mr Elliot,
+would have expected him, but for his known engagement seven miles off.
+After the usual period of suspense, the usual sounds of approach were heard,
+and "Mr and Mrs Charles Musgrove" were ushered into the room.
+
+Surprise was the strongest emotion raised by their appearance;
+but Anne was really glad to see them; and the others were not so sorry
+but that they could put on a decent air of welcome; and as soon
+as it became clear that these, their nearest relations, were not arrived
+with any views of accommodation in that house, Sir Walter and Elizabeth
+were able to rise in cordiality, and do the honours of it very well.
+They were come to Bath for a few days with Mrs Musgrove, and were
+at the White Hart.  So much was pretty soon understood;
+but till Sir Walter and Elizabeth were walking Mary into
+the other drawing-room, and regaling themselves with her admiration,
+Anne could not draw upon Charles's brain for a regular history
+of their coming, or an explanation of some smiling hints
+of particular business, which had been ostentatiously dropped by Mary,
+as well as of some apparent confusion as to whom their party consisted of.
+
+She then found that it consisted of Mrs Musgrove, Henrietta,
+and Captain Harville, beside their two selves.  He gave her a very plain,
+intelligible account of the whole; a narration in which she saw
+a great deal of most characteristic proceeding.  The scheme
+had received its first impulse by Captain Harville's wanting to
+come to Bath on business.  He had begun to talk of it a week ago;
+and by way of doing something, as shooting was over, Charles had proposed
+coming with him, and Mrs Harville had seemed to like the idea of it
+very much, as an advantage to her husband; but Mary could not bear
+to be left, and had made herself so unhappy about it, that for a day or two
+everything seemed to be in suspense, or at an end.  But then,
+it had been taken up by his father and mother.  His mother had
+some old friends in Bath whom she wanted to see; it was thought
+a good opportunity for Henrietta to come and buy wedding-clothes
+for herself and her sister; and, in short, it ended in being
+his mother's party, that everything might be comfortable and easy
+to Captain Harville; and he and Mary were included in it
+by way of general convenience.  They had arrived late the night before.
+Mrs Harville, her children, and Captain Benwick, remained with
+Mr Musgrove and Louisa at Uppercross.
+
+Anne's only surprise was, that affairs should be in forwardness enough
+for Henrietta's wedding-clothes to be talked of.  She had imagined
+such difficulties of fortune to exist there as must prevent
+the marriage from being near at hand; but she learned from Charles that,
+very recently, (since Mary's last letter to herself), Charles Hayter
+had been applied to by a friend to hold a living for a youth
+who could not possibly claim it under many years; and that
+on the strength of his present income, with almost a certainty
+of something more permanent long before the term in question,
+the two families had consented to the young people's wishes,
+and that their marriage was likely to take place in a few months,
+quite as soon as Louisa's.  "And a very good living it was,"
+Charles added:  "only five-and-twenty miles from Uppercross,
+and in a very fine country:   fine part of Dorsetshire.
+In the centre of some of the best preserves in the kingdom,
+surrounded by three great proprietors, each more careful and jealous
+than the other; and to two of the three at least, Charles Hayter might get
+a special recommendation.  Not that he will value it as he ought,"
+he observed, "Charles is too cool about sporting. That's the worst of him."
+
+"I am extremely glad, indeed," cried Anne, "particularly glad
+that this should happen; and that of two sisters, who both deserve
+equally well, and who have always been such good friends,
+the pleasant prospect of one should not be dimming those of the other--
+that they should be so equal in their prosperity and comfort.
+I hope your father and mother are quite happy with regard to both."
+
+"Oh! yes.  My father would be well pleased if the gentlemen were richer,
+but he has no other fault to find.  Money, you know, coming down with
+money--two daughters at once--it cannot be a very agreeable operation,
+and it streightens him as to many things.  However, I do not mean to say
+they have not a right to it.  It is very fit they should have
+daughters' shares; and I am sure he has always been a very kind,
+liberal father to me.  Mary does not above half like Henrietta's match.
+She never did, you know.  But she does not do him justice,
+nor think enough about Winthrop.  I cannot make her attend to
+the value of the property.  It is a very fair match, as times go;
+and I have liked Charles Hayter all my life, and I shall not leave off now."
+
+"Such excellent parents as Mr and Mrs Musgrove," exclaimed Anne,
+"should be happy in their children's marriages.  They do everything
+to confer happiness, I am sure.  What a blessing to young people
+to be in such hands!  Your father and mother seem so totally free
+from all those ambitious feelings which have led to so much misconduct
+and misery, both in young and old.  I hope you think Louisa
+perfectly recovered now?"
+
+He answered rather hesitatingly, "Yes, I believe I do; very much recovered;
+but she is altered; there is no running or jumping about, no laughing
+or dancing; it is quite different.  If one happens only to shut the door
+a little hard, she starts and wriggles like a young dab-chick in the water;
+and Benwick sits at her elbow, reading verses, or whispering to her,
+all day long."
+
+Anne could not help laughing.  "That cannot be much to your taste,
+I know," said she; "but I do believe him to be an excellent young man."
+
+"To be sure he is.  Nobody doubts it; and I hope you do not think
+I am so illiberal as to want every man to have the same objects and
+pleasures as myself.  I have a great value for Benwick; and when one can
+but get him to talk, he has plenty to say.  His reading has done him
+no harm, for he has fought as well as read.  He is a brave fellow.
+I got more acquainted with him last Monday than ever I did before.
+We had a famous set-to at rat-hunting all the morning in
+my father's great barns; and he played his part so well
+that I have liked him the better ever since."
+
+Here they were interrupted by the absolute necessity of Charles's
+following the others to admire mirrors and china; but Anne had
+heard enough to understand the present state of Uppercross,
+and rejoice in its happiness; and though she sighed as she rejoiced,
+her sigh had none of the ill-will of envy in it.  She would certainly
+have risen to their blessings if she could, but she did not want
+to lessen theirs.
+
+The visit passed off altogether in high good humour.  Mary was
+in excellent spirits, enjoying the gaiety and the change,
+and so well satisfied with the journey in her mother-in-law's carriage
+with four horses, and with her own complete independence of Camden Place,
+that she was exactly in a temper to admire everything as she ought,
+and enter most readily into all the superiorities of the house,
+as they were detailed to her.  She had no demands on her father or sister,
+and her consequence was just enough increased by their handsome
+drawing-rooms.
+
+Elizabeth was, for a short time, suffering a good deal.
+She felt that Mrs Musgrove and all her party ought to be asked
+to dine with them; but she could not bear to have the difference of style,
+the reduction of servants, which a dinner must betray, witnessed by those
+who had been always so inferior to the Elliots of Kellynch.
+It was a struggle between propriety and vanity; but vanity got the better,
+and then Elizabeth was happy again.  These were her internal persuasions:
+"Old fashioned notions; country hospitality; we do not profess
+to give dinners; few people in Bath do; Lady Alicia never does;
+did not even ask her own sister's family, though they were here a month:
+and I dare say it would be very inconvenient to Mrs Musgrove;
+put her quite out of her way.  I am sure she would rather not come;
+she cannot feel easy with us.  I will ask them all for an evening;
+that will be much better; that will be a novelty and a treat.
+They have not seen two such drawing rooms before.  They will be delighted
+to come to-morrow evening.  It shall be a regular party, small,
+but most elegant."  And this satisfied Elizabeth:  and when the invitation
+was given to the two present, and promised for the absent,
+Mary was as completely satisfied.  She was particularly asked
+to meet Mr Elliot, and be introduced to Lady Dalrymple and Miss Carteret,
+who were fortunately already engaged to come; and she could not
+have received a more gratifying attention.  Miss Elliot was to have
+the honour of calling on Mrs Musgrove in the course of the morning;
+and Anne walked off with Charles and Mary, to go and see her
+and Henrietta directly.
+
+Her plan of sitting with Lady Russell must give way for the present.
+They all three called in Rivers Street for a couple of minutes;
+but Anne convinced herself that a day's delay of the intended communication
+could be of no consequence, and hastened forward to the White Hart,
+to see again the friends and companions of the last autumn,
+with an eagerness of good-will which many associations contributed to form.
+
+They found Mrs Musgrove and her daughter within, and by themselves,
+and Anne had the kindest welcome from each.  Henrietta was exactly
+in that state of recently-improved views, of fresh-formed happiness,
+which made her full of regard and interest for everybody she had
+ever liked before at all; and Mrs Musgrove's real affection had been won
+by her usefulness when they were in distress.  It was a heartiness,
+and a warmth, and a sincerity which Anne delighted in the more,
+from the sad want of such blessings at home.  She was entreated
+to give them as much of her time as possible, invited for every day
+and all day long, or rather claimed as part of the family; and, in return,
+she naturally fell into all her wonted ways of attention and assistance,
+and on Charles's leaving them together, was listening to Mrs Musgrove's
+history of Louisa, and to Henrietta's of herself, giving opinions
+on business, and recommendations to shops; with intervals of every help
+which Mary required, from altering her ribbon to settling her accounts;
+from finding her keys, and assorting her trinkets, to trying
+to convince her that she was not ill-used by anybody; which Mary,
+well amused as she generally was, in her station at a window
+overlooking the entrance to the Pump Room, could not but have
+her moments of imagining.
+
+A morning of thorough confusion was to be expected.  A large party
+in an hotel ensured a quick-changing, unsettled scene.  One five minutes
+brought a note, the next a parcel; and Anne had not been there
+half an hour, when their dining-room, spacious as it was,
+seemed more than half filled:  a party of steady old friends
+were seated around Mrs Musgrove, and Charles came back with
+Captains Harville and Wentworth.  The appearance of the latter
+could not be more than the surprise of the moment.  It was impossible
+for her to have forgotten to feel that this arrival of their
+common friends must be soon bringing them together again.
+Their last meeting had been most important in opening his feelings;
+she had derived from it a delightful conviction; but she feared
+from his looks, that the same unfortunate persuasion, which had
+hastened him away from the Concert Room, still governed.
+He did not seem to want to be near enough for conversation.
+
+She tried to be calm, and leave things to take their course,
+and tried to dwell much on this argument of rational dependence:--
+"Surely, if there be constant attachment on each side, our hearts
+must understand each other ere long.  We are not boy and girl,
+to be captiously irritable, misled by every moment's inadvertence,
+and wantonly playing with our own happiness."  And yet,
+a few minutes afterwards, she felt as if their being in company
+with each other, under their present circumstances, could only be
+exposing them to inadvertencies and misconstructions of the most
+mischievous kind.
+
+"Anne," cried Mary, still at her window, "there is Mrs Clay,
+I am sure, standing under the colonnade, and a gentleman with her.
+I saw them turn the corner from Bath Street just now.  They seemed
+deep in talk.  Who is it?  Come, and tell me.  Good heavens! I recollect.
+It is Mr Elliot himself."
+
+"No," cried Anne, quickly, "it cannot be Mr Elliot, I assure you.
+He was to leave Bath at nine this morning, and does not come back
+till to-morrow."
+
+As she spoke, she felt that Captain Wentworth was looking at her,
+the consciousness of which vexed and embarrassed her, and made her regret
+that she had said so much, simple as it was.
+
+Mary, resenting that she should be supposed not to know her own cousin,
+began talking very warmly about the family features, and protesting
+still more positively that it was Mr Elliot, calling again upon Anne
+to come and look for herself, but Anne did not mean to stir,
+and tried to be cool and unconcerned.  Her distress returned,
+however, on perceiving smiles and intelligent glances pass between
+two or three of the lady visitors, as if they believed themselves
+quite in the secret.  It was evident that the report concerning her
+had spread, and a short pause succeeded, which seemed to ensure
+that it would now spread farther.
+
+"Do come, Anne" cried Mary, "come and look yourself.  You will be too late
+if you do not make haste.  They are parting; they are shaking hands.
+He is turning away.  Not know Mr Elliot, indeed!  You seem to have
+forgot all about Lyme."
+
+To pacify Mary, and perhaps screen her own embarrassment,
+Anne did move quietly to the window.  She was just in time to ascertain
+that it really was Mr Elliot, which she had never believed,
+before he disappeared on one side, as Mrs Clay walked quickly off
+on the other; and checking the surprise which she could not but feel
+at such an appearance of friendly conference between two persons
+of totally opposite interest, she calmly said, "Yes, it is Mr Elliot,
+certainly.  He has changed his hour of going, I suppose, that is all,
+or I may be mistaken, I might not attend;" and walked back to her chair,
+recomposed, and with the comfortable hope of having acquitted herself well.
+
+The visitors took their leave; and Charles, having civilly seen them off,
+and then made a face at them, and abused them for coming, began with--
+
+"Well, mother, I have done something for you that you will like.
+I have been to the theatre, and secured a box for to-morrow night.
+A'n't I a good boy?  I know you love a play; and there is room for us all.
+It holds nine.  I have engaged Captain Wentworth.  Anne will
+not be sorry to join us, I am sure.  We all like a play.
+Have not I done well, mother?"
+
+Mrs Musgrove was good humouredly beginning to express her perfect readiness
+for the play, if Henrietta and all the others liked it, when Mary
+eagerly interrupted her by exclaiming--
+
+"Good heavens, Charles! how can you think of such a thing?
+Take a box for to-morrow night!  Have you forgot that we are engaged
+to Camden Place to-morrow night? and that we were most particularly asked
+to meet Lady Dalrymple and her daughter, and Mr Elliot, and all
+the principal family connexions, on purpose to be introduced to them?
+How can you be so forgetful?"
+
+"Phoo! phoo!" replied Charles, "what's an evening party?
+Never worth remembering.  Your father might have asked us to dinner,
+I think, if he had wanted to see us.  You may do as you like,
+but I shall go to the play."
+
+"Oh! Charles, I declare it will be too abominable if you do,
+when you promised to go."
+
+"No, I did not promise.  I only smirked and bowed, and said the word
+`happy.'  There was no promise."
+
+"But you must go, Charles.  It would be unpardonable to fail.
+We were asked on purpose to be introduced.  There was always
+such a great connexion between the Dalrymples and ourselves.
+Nothing ever happened on either side that was not announced immediately.
+We are quite near relations, you know; and Mr Elliot too,
+whom you ought so particularly to be acquainted with!  Every attention
+is due to Mr Elliot.  Consider, my father's heir:  the future
+representative of the family."
+
+"Don't talk to me about heirs and representatives," cried Charles.
+"I am not one of those who neglect the reigning power to bow
+to the rising sun.  If I would not go for the sake of your father,
+I should think it scandalous to go for the sake of his heir.
+What is Mr Elliot to me?"  The careless expression was life to Anne,
+who saw that Captain Wentworth was all attention, looking and
+listening with his whole soul; and that the last words brought
+his enquiring eyes from Charles to herself.
+
+Charles and Mary still talked on in the same style; he, half serious
+and half jesting, maintaining the scheme for the play, and she,
+invariably serious, most warmly opposing it, and not omitting
+to make it known that, however determined to go to Camden Place herself,
+she should not think herself very well used, if they went to the play
+without her.  Mrs Musgrove interposed.
+
+"We had better put it off.  Charles, you had much better go back
+and change the box for Tuesday.  It would be a pity to be divided,
+and we should be losing Miss Anne, too, if there is a party at her father's;
+and I am sure neither Henrietta nor I should care at all for the play,
+if Miss Anne could not be with us."
+
+Anne felt truly obliged to her for such kindness; and quite as much
+so for the opportunity it gave her of decidedly saying--
+
+"If it depended only on my inclination, ma'am, the party at home
+(excepting on Mary's account) would not be the smallest impediment.
+I have no pleasure in the sort of meeting, and should be too happy
+to change it for a play, and with you.  But, it had better
+not be attempted, perhaps."  She had spoken it; but she trembled
+when it was done, conscious that her words were listened to,
+and daring not even to try to observe their effect.
+
+It was soon generally agreed that Tuesday should be the day;
+Charles only reserving the advantage of still teasing his wife,
+by persisting that he would go to the play to-morrow if nobody else would.
+
+Captain Wentworth left his seat, and walked to the fire-place;
+probably for the sake of walking away from it soon afterwards,
+and taking a station, with less bare-faced design, by Anne.
+
+"You have not been long enough in Bath," said he, "to enjoy
+the evening parties of the place."
+
+"Oh! no.  The usual character of them has nothing for me.
+I am no card-player."
+
+"You were not formerly, I know.  You did not use to like cards;
+but time makes many changes."
+
+"I am not yet so much changed," cried Anne, and stopped, fearing she
+hardly knew what misconstruction.  After waiting a few moments
+he said, and as if it were the result of immediate feeling,
+"It is a period, indeed!  Eight years and a half is a period."
+
+Whether he would have proceeded farther was left to Anne's imagination
+to ponder over in a calmer hour; for while still hearing the sounds
+he had uttered, she was startled to other subjects by Henrietta,
+eager to make use of the present leisure for getting out,
+and calling on her companions to lose no time, lest somebody else
+should come in.
+
+They were obliged to move.  Anne talked of being perfectly ready,
+and tried to look it; but she felt that could Henrietta have known
+the regret and reluctance of her heart in quitting that chair,
+in preparing to quit the room, she would have found, in all her own
+sensations for her cousin, in the very security of his affection,
+wherewith to pity her.
+
+Their preparations, however, were stopped short.  Alarming sounds
+were heard; other visitors approached, and the door was thrown open
+for Sir Walter and Miss Elliot, whose entrance seemed to give
+a general chill.  Anne felt an instant oppression, and wherever she looked
+saw symptoms of the same.  The comfort, the freedom, the gaiety
+of the room was over, hushed into cold composure, determined silence,
+or insipid talk, to meet the heartless elegance of her father and sister.
+How mortifying to feel that it was so!
+
+Her jealous eye was satisfied in one particular.  Captain Wentworth
+was acknowledged again by each, by Elizabeth more graciously than before.
+She even addressed him once, and looked at him more than once.
+Elizabeth was, in fact, revolving a great measure.  The sequel
+explained it.  After the waste of a few minutes in saying
+the proper nothings, she began to give the invitation which
+was to comprise all the remaining dues of the Musgroves.
+"To-morrow evening, to meet a few friends:  no formal party."
+It was all said very gracefully, and the cards with which she had
+provided herself, the "Miss Elliot at home," were laid on the table,
+with a courteous, comprehensive smile to all, and one smile and
+one card more decidedly for Captain Wentworth.  The truth was,
+that Elizabeth had been long enough in Bath to understand
+the importance of a man of such an air and appearance as his.
+The past was nothing.  The present was that Captain Wentworth
+would move about well in her drawing-room.  The card was pointedly given,
+and Sir Walter and Elizabeth arose and disappeared.
+
+The interruption had been short, though severe, and ease and animation
+returned to most of those they left as the door shut them out,
+but not to Anne.  She could think only of the invitation she had
+with such astonishment witnessed, and of the manner in which
+it had been received; a manner of doubtful meaning, of surprise rather
+than gratification, of polite acknowledgement rather than acceptance.
+She knew him; she saw disdain in his eye, and could not venture to believe
+that he had determined to accept such an offering, as an atonement
+for all the insolence of the past.  Her spirits sank.  He held the card
+in his hand after they were gone, as if deeply considering it.
+
+"Only think of Elizabeth's including everybody!" whispered Mary
+very audibly.  "I do not wonder Captain Wentworth is delighted!
+You see he cannot put the card out of his hand."
+
+Anne caught his eye, saw his cheeks glow, and his mouth form itself
+into a momentary expression of contempt, and turned away,
+that she might neither see nor hear more to vex her.
+
+The party separated.  The gentlemen had their own pursuits,
+the ladies proceeded on their own business, and they met no more while
+Anne belonged to them.  She was earnestly begged to return and dine,
+and give them all the rest of the day, but her spirits had been
+so long exerted that at present she felt unequal to more,
+and fit only for home, where she might be sure of being as silent
+as she chose.
+
+Promising to be with them the whole of the following morning, therefore,
+she closed the fatigues of the present by a toilsome walk to Camden Place,
+there to spend the evening chiefly in listening to the busy arrangements
+of Elizabeth and Mrs Clay for the morrow's party, the frequent enumeration
+of the persons invited, and the continually improving detail of all
+the embellishments which were to make it the most completely elegant
+of its kind in Bath, while harassing herself with the never-ending
+question, of whether Captain Wentworth would come or not?  They were
+reckoning him as certain, but with her it was a gnawing solicitude
+never appeased for five minutes together.  She generally thought
+he would come, because she generally thought he ought; but it was a case
+which she could not so shape into any positive act of duty or discretion,
+as inevitably to defy the suggestions of very opposite feelings.
+
+She only roused herself from the broodings of this restless agitation,
+to let Mrs Clay know that she had been seen with Mr Elliot
+three hours after his being supposed to be out of Bath,
+for having watched in vain for some intimation of the interview
+from the lady herself, she determined to mention it, and it seemed to her
+there was guilt in Mrs Clay's face as she listened.  It was transient:
+cleared away in an instant; but Anne could imagine she read there
+the consciousness of having, by some complication of mutual trick,
+or some overbearing authority of his, been obliged to attend
+(perhaps for half an hour) to his lectures and restrictions on her designs
+on Sir Walter.  She exclaimed, however, with a very tolerable
+imitation of nature:--
+
+"Oh! dear! very true.  Only think, Miss Elliot, to my great surprise
+I met with Mr Elliot in Bath Street.  I was never more astonished.
+He turned back and walked with me to the Pump Yard.  He had been prevented
+setting off for Thornberry, but I really forget by what;
+for I was in a hurry, and could not much attend, and I can only answer
+for his being determined not to be delayed in his return.
+He wanted to know how early he might be admitted to-morrow.
+He was full of `to-morrow,' and it is very evident that I have been
+full of it too, ever since I entered the house, and learnt the extension
+of your plan and all that had happened, or my seeing him could never have
+gone so entirely out of my head."
+
+
+
+Chapter 23
+
+
+One day only had passed since Anne's conversation with Mrs Smith;
+but a keener interest had succeeded, and she was now so little touched
+by Mr Elliot's conduct, except by its effects in one quarter,
+that it became a matter of course the next morning, still to defer
+her explanatory visit in Rivers Street.  She had promised to be
+with the Musgroves from breakfast to dinner.  Her faith was plighted,
+and Mr Elliot's character, like the Sultaness Scheherazade's head,
+must live another day.
+
+She could not keep her appointment punctually, however;
+the weather was unfavourable, and she had grieved over the rain
+on her friends' account, and felt it very much on her own,
+before she was able to attempt the walk.  When she reached the White Hart,
+and made her way to the proper apartment, she found herself
+neither arriving quite in time, nor the first to arrive.
+The party before her were, Mrs Musgrove, talking to Mrs Croft,
+and Captain Harville to Captain Wentworth; and she immediately heard
+that Mary and Henrietta, too impatient to wait, had gone out the moment
+it had cleared, but would be back again soon, and that the strictest
+injunctions had been left with Mrs Musgrove to keep her there
+till they returned.  She had only to submit, sit down,
+be outwardly composed, and feel herself plunged at once
+in all the agitations which she had merely laid her account of
+tasting a little before the morning closed.  There was no delay,
+no waste of time.  She was deep in the happiness of such misery,
+or the misery of such happiness, instantly.  Two minutes after
+her entering the room, Captain Wentworth said--
+
+"We will write the letter we were talking of, Harville, now,
+if you will give me materials."
+
+Materials were at hand, on a separate table; he went to it,
+and nearly turning his back to them all, was engrossed by writing.
+
+Mrs Musgrove was giving Mrs Croft the history of her eldest
+daughter's engagement, and just in that inconvenient tone of voice
+which was perfectly audible while it pretended to be a whisper.
+Anne felt that she did not belong to the conversation, and yet,
+as Captain Harville seemed thoughtful and not disposed to talk,
+she could not avoid hearing many undesirable particulars; such as,
+"how Mr Musgrove and my brother Hayter had met again and again
+to talk it over; what my brother Hayter had said one day,
+and what Mr Musgrove had proposed the next, and what had occurred
+to my sister Hayter, and what the young people had wished, and what
+I said at first I never could consent to, but was afterwards persuaded
+to think might do very well," and a great deal in the same style
+of open-hearted communication:  minutiae which, even with every advantage
+of taste and delicacy, which good Mrs Musgrove could not give,
+could be properly interesting only to the principals.  Mrs Croft
+was attending with great good-humour, and whenever she spoke at all,
+it was very sensibly.  Anne hoped the gentlemen might each be
+too much self-occupied to hear.
+
+"And so, ma'am, all these thing considered," said Mrs Musgrove,
+in her powerful whisper, "though we could have wished it different,
+yet, altogether, we did not think it fair to stand out any longer,
+for Charles Hayter was quite wild about it, and Henrietta was
+pretty near as bad; and so we thought they had better marry at once,
+and make the best of it, as many others have done before them.
+At any rate, said I, it will be better than a long engagement."
+
+"That is precisely what I was going to observe," cried Mrs Croft.
+"I would rather have young people settle on a small income at once,
+and have to struggle with a few difficulties together, than be
+involved in a long engagement.  I always think that no mutual--"
+
+"Oh! dear Mrs Croft," cried Mrs Musgrove, unable to let her
+finish her speech, "there is nothing I so abominate for young people
+as a long engagement.  It is what I always protested against
+for my children.  It is all very well, I used to say, for young people
+to be engaged, if there is a certainty of their being able to marry
+in six months, or even in twelve; but a long engagement--"
+
+"Yes, dear ma'am," said Mrs Croft, "or an uncertain engagement,
+an engagement which may be long.  To begin without knowing
+that at such a time there will be the means of marrying,
+I hold to be very unsafe and unwise, and what I think all parents
+should prevent as far as they can."
+
+Anne found an unexpected interest here.  She felt its application
+to herself, felt it in a nervous thrill all over her; and at the same
+moment that her eyes instinctively glanced towards the distant table,
+Captain Wentworth's pen ceased to move, his head was raised, pausing,
+listening, and he turned round the next instant to give a look,
+one quick, conscious look at her.
+
+The two ladies continued to talk, to re-urge the same admitted truths,
+and enforce them with such examples of the ill effect of
+a contrary practice as had fallen within their observation,
+but Anne heard nothing distinctly; it was only a buzz of words in her ear,
+her mind was in confusion.
+
+Captain Harville, who had in truth been hearing none of it,
+now left his seat, and moved to a window, and Anne seeming to watch him,
+though it was from thorough absence of mind, became gradually sensible
+that he was inviting her to join him where he stood.  He looked at her
+with a smile, and a little motion of the head, which expressed,
+"Come to me, I have something to say;" and the unaffected,
+easy kindness of manner which denoted the feelings of an older acquaintance
+than he really was, strongly enforced the invitation.  She roused herself
+and went to him.  The window at which he stood was at the other end
+of the room from where the two ladies were sitting, and though nearer
+to Captain Wentworth's table, not very near.  As she joined him,
+Captain Harville's countenance re-assumed the serious, thoughtful
+expression which seemed its natural character.
+
+"Look here," said he, unfolding a parcel in his hand, and displaying
+a small miniature painting, "do you know who that is?"
+
+"Certainly:  Captain Benwick."
+
+"Yes, and you may guess who it is for.  But," (in a deep tone,)
+"it was not done for her.  Miss Elliot, do you remember our
+walking together at Lyme, and grieving for him?  I little thought then--
+but no matter.  This was drawn at the Cape.  He met with
+a clever young German artist at the Cape, and in compliance with a promise
+to my poor sister, sat to him, and was bringing it home for her;
+and I have now the charge of getting it properly set for another!
+It was a commission to me!  But who else was there to employ?
+I hope I can allow for him.  I am not sorry, indeed, to make it
+over to another.  He undertakes it;" (looking towards Captain Wentworth,)
+"he is writing about it now."  And with a quivering lip he wound up
+the whole by adding, "Poor Fanny! she would not have forgotten him so soon!"
+
+"No," replied Anne, in a low, feeling voice. "That I can easily believe."
+
+"It was not in her nature.  She doted on him."
+
+"It would not be the nature of any woman who truly loved."
+
+Captain Harville smiled, as much as to say, "Do you claim that
+for your sex?" and she answered the question, smiling also,
+"Yes.  We certainly do not forget you as soon as you forget us.
+It is, perhaps, our fate rather than our merit.  We cannot help ourselves.
+We live at home, quiet, confined, and our feelings prey upon us.
+You are forced on exertion.  You have always a profession, pursuits,
+business of some sort or other, to take you back into the world immediately,
+and continual occupation and change soon weaken impressions."
+
+"Granting your assertion that the world does all this so soon for men
+(which, however, I do not think I shall grant), it does not apply
+to Benwick.  He has not been forced upon any exertion.  The peace
+turned him on shore at the very moment, and he has been living with us,
+in our little family circle, ever since."
+
+"True," said Anne, "very true; I did not recollect; but what shall
+we say now, Captain Harville?  If the change be not from
+outward circumstances, it must be from within; it must be nature,
+man's nature, which has done the business for Captain Benwick."
+
+"No, no, it is not man's nature.  I will not allow it to be more
+man's nature than woman's to be inconstant and forget those they do love,
+or have loved.  I believe the reverse.  I believe in a true analogy
+between our bodily frames and our mental; and that as our bodies are
+the strongest, so are our feelings; capable of bearing most rough usage,
+and riding out the heaviest weather."
+
+"Your feelings may be the strongest," replied Anne, "but the same spirit
+of analogy will authorise me to assert that ours are the most tender.
+Man is more robust than woman, but he is not longer lived;
+which exactly explains my view of the nature of their attachments.
+Nay, it would be too hard upon you, if it were otherwise.
+You have difficulties, and privations, and dangers enough to struggle with.
+You are always labouring and toiling, exposed to every risk and hardship.
+Your home, country, friends, all quitted.  Neither time, nor health,
+nor life, to be called your own.  It would be hard, indeed"
+(with a faltering voice), "if woman's feelings were to be
+added to all this."
+
+"We shall never agree upon this question," Captain Harville
+was beginning to say, when a slight noise called their attention
+to Captain Wentworth's hitherto perfectly quiet division of the room.
+It was nothing more than that his pen had fallen down; but Anne was
+startled at finding him nearer than she had supposed, and half inclined
+to suspect that the pen had only fallen because he had been
+occupied by them, striving to catch sounds, which yet she did not think
+he could have caught.
+
+"Have you finished your letter?" said Captain Harville.
+
+"Not quite, a few lines more.  I shall have done in five minutes."
+
+"There is no hurry on my side.  I am only ready whenever you are.
+I am in very good anchorage here," (smiling at Anne,) "well supplied,
+and want for nothing.  No hurry for a signal at all.  Well, Miss Elliot,"
+(lowering his voice,) "as I was saying we shall never agree,
+I suppose, upon this point.  No man and woman, would, probably.
+But let me observe that all histories are against you--all stories,
+prose and verse.  If I had such a memory as Benwick, I could bring you
+fifty quotations in a moment on my side the argument, and I do not think
+I ever opened a book in my life which had not something to say
+upon woman's inconstancy.  Songs and proverbs, all talk
+of woman's fickleness.  But perhaps you will say, these were all
+written by men."
+
+"Perhaps I shall.  Yes, yes, if you please, no reference to examples
+in books.  Men have had every advantage of us in telling their own story.
+Education has been theirs in so much higher a degree; the pen has
+been in their hands.  I will not allow books to prove anything."
+
+"But how shall we prove anything?"
+
+"We never shall.  We never can expect to prove any thing upon such a point.
+It is a difference of opinion which does not admit of proof.
+We each begin, probably, with a little bias towards our own sex;
+and upon that bias build every circumstance in favour of it
+which has occurred within our own circle; many of which circumstances
+(perhaps those very cases which strike us the most) may be precisely such
+as cannot be brought forward without betraying a confidence,
+or in some respect saying what should not be said."
+
+"Ah!" cried Captain Harville, in a tone of strong feeling,
+"if I could but make you comprehend what a man suffers when he takes
+a last look at his wife and children, and watches the boat
+that he has sent them off in, as long as it is in sight,
+and then turns away and says, `God knows whether we ever meet again!'
+And then, if I could convey to you the glow of his soul when he does
+see them again; when, coming back after a twelvemonth's absence,
+perhaps, and obliged to put into another port, he calculates how soon
+it be possible to get them there, pretending to deceive himself,
+and saying, `They cannot be here till such a day,' but all the while
+hoping for them twelve hours sooner, and seeing them arrive at last,
+as if Heaven had given them wings, by many hours sooner still!
+If I could explain to you all this, and all that a man can bear and do,
+and glories to do, for the sake of these treasures of his existence!
+I speak, you know, only of such men as have hearts!" pressing his own
+with emotion.
+
+"Oh!" cried Anne eagerly, "I hope I do justice to all that is felt by you,
+and by those who resemble you.  God forbid that I should undervalue
+the warm and faithful feelings of any of my fellow-creatures!
+I should deserve utter contempt if I dared to suppose that true attachment
+and constancy were known only by woman.  No, I believe you capable
+of everything great and good in your married lives.  I believe you equal
+to every important exertion, and to every domestic forbearance,
+so long as--if I may be allowed the expression--so long as you have
+an object.  I mean while the woman you love lives, and lives for you.
+All the privilege I claim for my own sex (it is not a very enviable one;
+you need not covet it), is that of loving longest, when existence
+or when hope is gone."
+
+She could not immediately have uttered another sentence; her heart
+was too full, her breath too much oppressed.
+
+"You are a good soul," cried Captain Harville, putting his hand
+on her arm, quite affectionately.  "There is no quarrelling with you.
+And when I think of Benwick, my tongue is tied."
+
+Their attention was called towards the others.  Mrs Croft was taking leave.
+
+"Here, Frederick, you and I part company, I believe," said she.
+"I am going home, and you have an engagement with your friend.
+To-night we may have the pleasure of all meeting again at your party,"
+(turning to Anne.)  "We had your sister's card yesterday,
+and I understood Frederick had a card too, though I did not see it;
+and you are disengaged, Frederick, are you not, as well as ourselves?"
+
+Captain Wentworth was folding up a letter in great haste, and either
+could not or would not answer fully.
+
+"Yes," said he, "very true; here we separate, but Harville and I
+shall soon be after you; that is, Harville, if you are ready,
+I am in half a minute.  I know you will not be sorry to be off.
+I shall be at your service in half a minute."
+
+Mrs Croft left them, and Captain Wentworth, having sealed his letter
+with great rapidity, was indeed ready, and had even a hurried,
+agitated air, which shewed impatience to be gone.  Anne knew not how
+to understand it.  She had the kindest "Good morning, God bless you!"
+from Captain Harville, but from him not a word, nor a look!
+He had passed out of the room without a look!
+
+She had only time, however, to move closer to the table where
+he had been writing, when footsteps were heard returning;
+the door opened, it was himself.  He begged their pardon,
+but he had forgotten his gloves, and instantly crossing the room
+to the writing table, he drew out a letter from under the scattered paper,
+placed it before Anne with eyes of glowing entreaty fixed on her
+for a time, and hastily collecting his gloves, was again out of the room,
+almost before Mrs Musgrove was aware of his being in it:
+the work of an instant!
+
+The revolution which one instant had made in Anne, was almost
+beyond expression.  The letter, with a direction hardly legible,
+to "Miss A. E.--," was evidently the one which he had been folding
+so hastily.  While supposed to be writing only to Captain Benwick,
+he had been also addressing her!  On the contents of that letter
+depended all which this world could do for her.  Anything was possible,
+anything might be defied rather than suspense.  Mrs Musgrove had
+little arrangements of her own at her own table; to their protection
+she must trust, and sinking into the chair which he had occupied,
+succeeding to the very spot where he had leaned and written,
+her eyes devoured the following words:
+
+
+"I can listen no longer in silence.  I must speak to you by such means
+as are within my reach.  You pierce my soul.  I am half agony,
+half hope.  Tell me not that I am too late, that such precious feelings
+are gone for ever.  I offer myself to you again with a heart
+even more your own than when you almost broke it, eight years
+and a half ago.  Dare not say that man forgets sooner than  woman,
+that his love has an earlier death.  I have loved none but you.
+Unjust I may have been, weak and resentful I have been,
+but never inconstant.  You alone have brought me to Bath.
+For you alone, I think and plan.  Have you not seen this?
+Can you fail to have understood my wishes?  I had not waited even
+these ten days, could I have read your feelings, as I think you must have
+penetrated mine.  I can hardly write.  I am every instant hearing
+something which overpowers me.  You sink your voice, but I can
+distinguish the tones of that voice when they would be lost on others.
+Too good, too excellent creature!  You do us justice, indeed.
+You do believe that there is true attachment and constancy among men.
+Believe it to be most fervent, most undeviating, in F. W.
+
+"I must go, uncertain of my fate; but I shall return hither,
+or follow your party, as soon as possible.  A word, a look,
+will be enough to decide whether I enter your father's house
+this evening or never."
+
+
+Such a letter was not to be soon recovered from.  Half an hour's solitude
+and reflection might have tranquillized her; but the ten minutes only
+which now passed before she was interrupted, with all the restraints
+of her situation, could do nothing towards tranquillity.  Every moment
+rather brought fresh agitation.  It was overpowering happiness.
+And before she was beyond the first stage of full sensation,
+Charles, Mary, and Henrietta all came in.
+
+The absolute necessity of seeming like herself produced then
+an immediate struggle; but after a while she could do no more.
+She began not to understand a word they said, and was obliged
+to plead indisposition and excuse herself.  They could then see
+that she looked very ill, were shocked and concerned, and would not
+stir without her for the world.  This was dreadful.  Would they only
+have gone away, and left her in the quiet possession of that room
+it would have been her cure; but to have them all standing or
+waiting around her was distracting, and in desperation,
+she said she would go home.
+
+"By all means, my dear," cried Mrs Musgrove, "go home directly,
+and take care of yourself, that you may be fit for the evening.
+I wish Sarah was here to doctor you, but I am no doctor myself.
+Charles, ring and order a chair.  She must not walk."
+
+But the chair would never do.  Worse than all!  To lose the possibility
+of speaking two words to Captain Wentworth in the course of her quiet,
+solitary progress up the town (and she felt almost certain of meeting him)
+could not be borne.  The chair was earnestly protested against,
+and Mrs Musgrove, who thought only of one sort of illness,
+having assured herself with some anxiety, that there had been no fall
+in the case; that Anne had not at any time lately slipped down,
+and got a blow on her head; that she was perfectly convinced of having
+had no fall; could part with her cheerfully, and depend on
+finding her better at night.
+
+Anxious to omit no possible precaution, Anne struggled, and said--
+
+"I am afraid, ma'am, that it is not perfectly understood.
+Pray be so good as to mention to the other gentlemen that we hope
+to see your whole party this evening.  I am afraid there had been
+some mistake; and I wish you particularly to assure Captain Harville
+and Captain Wentworth, that we hope to see them both."
+
+"Oh! my dear, it is quite understood, I give you my word.
+Captain Harville has no thought but of going."
+
+"Do you think so?  But I am afraid; and I should be so very sorry.
+Will you promise me to mention it, when you see them again?
+You will see them both this morning, I dare say.  Do promise me."
+
+"To be sure I will, if you wish it.  Charles, if you see Captain Harville
+anywhere, remember to give Miss Anne's message.  But indeed, my dear,
+you need not be uneasy.  Captain Harville holds himself quite engaged,
+I'll answer for it; and Captain Wentworth the same, I dare say."
+
+Anne could do no more; but her heart prophesied some mischance
+to damp the perfection of her felicity.  It could not be very lasting,
+however.  Even if he did not come to Camden Place himself,
+it would be in her power to send an intelligible sentence
+by Captain Harville.  Another momentary vexation occurred.
+Charles, in his real concern and good nature, would go home with her;
+there was no preventing him.  This was almost cruel.  But she could not
+be long ungrateful; he was sacrificing an engagement at a gunsmith's,
+to be of use to her; and she set off with him, with no feeling
+but gratitude apparent.
+
+They were on Union Street, when a quicker step behind, a something
+of familiar sound, gave her two moments' preparation for the sight
+of Captain Wentworth.  He joined them; but, as if irresolute
+whether to join or to pass on, said nothing, only looked.
+Anne could command herself enough to receive that look,
+and not repulsively.  The cheeks which had been pale now glowed,
+and the movements which had hesitated were decided.  He walked by her side.
+Presently, struck by a sudden thought, Charles said--
+
+"Captain Wentworth, which way are you going?  Only to Gay Street,
+or farther up the town?"
+
+"I hardly know," replied Captain Wentworth, surprised.
+
+"Are you going as high as Belmont?  Are you going near Camden Place?
+Because, if you are, I shall have no scruple in asking you
+to take my place, and give Anne your arm to her father's door.
+She is rather done for this morning, and must not go so far without help,
+and I ought to be at that fellow's in the Market Place.
+He promised me the sight of a capital gun he is just going to send off;
+said he would keep it unpacked to the last possible moment,
+that I might see it; and if I do not turn back now, I have no chance.
+By his description, a good deal like the second size double-barrel of mine,
+which you shot with one day round Winthrop."
+
+There could not be an objection.  There could be only the most
+proper alacrity, a most obliging compliance for public view;
+and smiles reined in and spirits dancing in private rapture.
+In half a minute Charles was at the bottom of Union Street again,
+and the other two proceeding together:  and soon words enough had passed
+between them to decide their direction towards the comparatively quiet
+and retired gravel walk, where the power of conversation would make
+the present hour a blessing indeed, and prepare it for all
+the immortality which the happiest recollections of their own future lives
+could bestow.  There they exchanged again those feelings
+and those promises which had once before seemed to secure everything,
+but which had been followed by so many, many years of division
+and estrangement.  There they returned again into the past,
+more exquisitely happy, perhaps, in their re-union, than when
+it had been first projected; more tender, more tried, more fixed
+in a knowledge of each other's character, truth, and attachment;
+more equal to act, more justified in acting.  And there, as they slowly
+paced the gradual ascent, heedless of every group around them,
+seeing neither sauntering politicians, bustling housekeepers,
+flirting girls, nor nursery-maids and children, they could indulge in
+those retrospections and acknowledgements, and especially in
+those explanations of what had directly preceded the present moment,
+which were so poignant and so ceaseless in interest.  All the little
+variations of the last week were gone through; and of yesterday
+and today there could scarcely be an end.
+
+She had not mistaken him.  Jealousy of Mr Elliot had been
+the retarding weight, the doubt, the torment.  That had begun to operate
+in the very hour of first meeting her in Bath; that had returned,
+after a short suspension, to ruin the concert; and that had influenced him
+in everything he had said and done, or omitted to say and do,
+in the last four-and-twenty hours.  It had been gradually yielding
+to the better hopes which her looks, or words, or actions
+occasionally encouraged; it had been vanquished at last by
+those sentiments and those tones which had reached him while she talked
+with Captain Harville; and under the irresistible governance of which
+he had seized a sheet of paper, and poured out his feelings.
+
+Of what he had then written, nothing was to be retracted or qualified.
+He persisted in having loved none but her.  She had never been supplanted.
+He never even believed himself to see her equal.  Thus much indeed
+he was obliged to acknowledge:  that he had been constant unconsciously,
+nay unintentionally; that he had meant to forget her, and believed it
+to be done.  He had imagined himself indifferent, when he had only
+been angry; and he had been unjust to her merits, because he had been
+a sufferer from them.  Her character was now fixed on his mind
+as perfection itself, maintaining the loveliest medium of fortitude
+and gentleness; but he was obliged to acknowledge that only at Uppercross
+had he learnt to do her justice, and only at Lyme had he begun
+to understand himself.  At Lyme, he had received lessons
+of more than one sort.  The passing admiration of Mr Elliot
+had at least roused him, and the scenes on the Cobb and at
+Captain Harville's had fixed her superiority.
+
+In his preceding attempts to attach himself to Louisa Musgrove
+(the attempts of angry pride), he protested that he had for ever
+felt it to be impossible; that he had not cared, could not care,
+for Louisa; though till that day, till the leisure for reflection
+which followed it, he had not understood the perfect excellence
+of the mind with which Louisa's could so ill bear a comparison,
+or the perfect unrivalled hold it possessed over his own.
+There, he had learnt to distinguish between the steadiness of principle
+and the obstinacy of self-will, between the darings of heedlessness
+and the resolution of a collected mind.  There he had seen everything
+to exalt in his estimation the woman he had lost; and there begun
+to deplore the pride, the folly, the madness of resentment,
+which had kept him from trying to regain her when thrown in his way.
+
+From that period his penance had become severe.  He had no sooner
+been free from the horror and remorse attending the first few days
+of Louisa's accident, no sooner begun to feel himself alive again,
+than he had begun to feel himself, though alive, not at liberty.
+
+"I found," said he, "that I was considered by Harville an engaged man!
+That neither Harville nor his wife entertained a doubt of our
+mutual attachment.  I was startled and shocked.  To a degree,
+I could contradict this instantly; but, when I began to reflect
+that others might have felt the same--her own family, nay,
+perhaps herself--I was no longer at my own disposal.  I was hers in honour
+if she wished it.  I had been unguarded.  I had not thought seriously
+on this subject before.  I had not considered that my excessive intimacy
+must have its danger of ill consequence in many ways; and that I had
+no right to be trying whether I could attach myself to either of the girls,
+at the risk of raising even an unpleasant report, were there no other
+ill effects.  I had been grossly wrong, and must abide the consequences."
+
+He found too late, in short, that he had entangled himself;
+and that precisely as he became fully satisfied of his not caring
+for Louisa at all, he must regard himself as bound to her,
+if her sentiments for him were what the Harvilles supposed.
+It determined him to leave Lyme, and await her complete recovery elsewhere.
+He would gladly weaken, by any fair means, whatever feelings or
+speculations concerning him might exist; and he went, therefore,
+to his brother's, meaning after a while to return to Kellynch,
+and act as circumstances might require.
+
+"I was six weeks with Edward," said he, "and saw him happy.
+I could have no other pleasure.  I deserved none.  He enquired after you
+very particularly; asked even if you were personally altered,
+little suspecting that to my eye you could never alter."
+
+Anne smiled, and let it pass.  It was too pleasing a blunder
+for a reproach.  It is something for a woman to be assured,
+in her eight-and-twentieth year, that she has not lost one charm
+of earlier youth; but the value of such homage was inexpressibly increased
+to Anne, by comparing it with former words, and feeling it to be
+the result, not the cause of a revival of his warm attachment.
+
+He had remained in Shropshire, lamenting the blindness of his own pride,
+and the blunders of his own calculations, till at once released from Louisa
+by the astonishing and felicitous intelligence of her engagement
+with Benwick.
+
+"Here," said he, "ended the worst of my state; for now I could at least
+put myself in the way of happiness; I could exert myself;
+I could do something.  But to be waiting so long in inaction,
+and waiting only for evil, had been dreadful.  Within the first
+five minutes I said, `I will be at Bath on Wednesday,' and I was.
+Was it unpardonable to think it worth my while to come? and to arrive
+with some degree of hope?  You were single.  It was possible that
+you might retain the feelings of the past, as I did; and one encouragement
+happened to be mine.  I could never doubt that you would be loved and
+sought by others, but I knew to a certainty that you had refused one man,
+at least, of better pretensions than myself; and I could not help
+often saying, `Was this for me?'"
+
+Their first meeting in Milsom Street afforded much to be said,
+but the concert still more.  That evening seemed to be made up
+of exquisite moments.  The moment of her stepping forward
+in the Octagon Room to speak to him:  the moment of Mr Elliot's appearing
+and tearing her away, and one or two subsequent moments,
+marked by returning hope or increasing despondency, were dwelt on
+with energy.
+
+"To see you," cried he, "in the midst of those who could not be
+my well-wishers; to see your cousin close by you, conversing and smiling,
+and feel all the horrible eligibilities and proprieties of the match!
+To consider it as the certain wish of every being who could hope
+to influence you!  Even if your own feelings were reluctant or indifferent,
+to consider what powerful supports would be his!  Was it not enough
+to make the fool of me which I appeared?  How could I look on
+without agony?  Was not the very sight of the friend who sat behind you,
+was not the recollection of what had been, the knowledge of her influence,
+the indelible, immoveable impression of what persuasion had once done--
+was it not all against me?"
+
+"You should have distinguished," replied Anne.  "You should not have
+suspected me now; the case is so different, and my age is so different.
+If I was wrong in yielding to persuasion once, remember that
+it was to persuasion exerted on the side of safety, not of risk.
+When I yielded, I thought it was to duty, but no duty could be called
+in aid here.  In marrying a man indifferent to me, all risk
+would have been incurred, and all duty violated."
+
+"Perhaps I ought to have reasoned thus," he replied, "but I could not.
+I could not derive benefit from the late knowledge I had acquired
+of your character.  I could not bring it into play; it was overwhelmed,
+buried, lost in those earlier feelings which I had been smarting under
+year after year.  I could think of you only as one who had yielded,
+who had given me up, who had been influenced by any one rather than by me.
+I saw you with the very person who had guided you in that year of misery.
+I had no reason to believe her of less authority now.  The force of habit
+was to be added."
+
+"I should have thought," said Anne, "that my manner to yourself
+might have spared you much or all of this."
+
+"No, no! your manner might be only the ease which your engagement
+to another man would give.  I left you in this belief; and yet,
+I was determined to see you again.  My spirits rallied with the morning,
+and I felt that I had still a motive for remaining here."
+
+At last Anne was at home again, and happier than any one in that house
+could have conceived.  All the surprise and suspense, and every other
+painful part of the morning dissipated by this conversation,
+she re-entered the house so happy as to be obliged to find an alloy
+in some momentary apprehensions of its being impossible to last.
+An interval of meditation, serious and grateful, was the best corrective
+of everything dangerous in such high-wrought felicity; and she went
+to her room, and grew steadfast and fearless in the thankfulness
+of her enjoyment.
+
+The evening came, the drawing-rooms were lighted up, the company assembled.
+It was but a card party, it was but a mixture of those who had
+never met before, and those who met too often; a commonplace business,
+too numerous for intimacy, too small for variety; but Anne had never found
+an evening shorter.  Glowing and lovely in sensibility and happiness,
+and more generally admired than she thought about or cared for,
+she had cheerful or forbearing feelings for every creature around her.
+Mr Elliot was there; she avoided, but she could pity him.
+The Wallises, she had amusement in understanding them.  Lady Dalrymple
+and Miss Carteret--they would soon be innoxious cousins to her.
+She cared not for Mrs Clay, and had nothing to blush for in
+the public manners of her father and sister.  With the Musgroves,
+there was the happy chat of perfect ease; with Captain Harville,
+the kind-hearted intercourse of brother and sister; with Lady Russell,
+attempts at conversation, which a delicious consciousness cut short;
+with Admiral and Mrs Croft, everything of peculiar cordiality and
+fervent interest, which the same consciousness sought to conceal;
+and with Captain Wentworth, some moments of communications
+continually occurring, and always the hope of more, and always
+the knowledge of his being there.
+
+It was in one of these short meetings, each apparently occupied
+in admiring a fine display of greenhouse plants, that she said--
+
+"I have been thinking over the past, and trying impartially
+to judge of the right and wrong, I mean with regard to myself;
+and I must believe that I was right, much as I suffered from it,
+that I was perfectly right in being guided by the friend whom
+you will love better than you do now.  To me, she was in the place
+of a parent.  Do not mistake me, however.  I am not saying
+that she did not err in her advice.  It was, perhaps, one of those cases
+in which advice is good or bad only as the event decides;
+and for myself, I certainly never should, in any circumstance
+of tolerable similarity, give such advice.  But I mean, that I was right
+in submitting to her, and that if I had done otherwise, I should have
+suffered more in continuing the engagement than I did even in giving it up,
+because I should have suffered in my conscience.  I have now,
+as far as such a sentiment is allowable in human nature, nothing
+to reproach myself with; and if I mistake not, a strong sense of duty
+is no bad part of a woman's portion."
+
+He looked at her, looked at Lady Russell, and looking again at her,
+replied, as if in cool deliberation--
+
+"Not yet.  But there are hopes of her being forgiven in time.
+I trust to being in charity with her soon.  But I too have been
+thinking over the past, and a  question has suggested itself,
+whether there may not have been one person more my enemy
+even than that lady?  My own self.  Tell me if, when I returned
+to England in the year eight, with a few thousand pounds,
+and was posted into the Laconia, if I had then written to you,
+would you have answered my letter?  Would you, in short,
+have renewed the engagement then?"
+
+"Would I!" was all her answer; but the accent was decisive enough.
+
+"Good God!" he cried, "you would!  It is not that I did not think of it,
+or desire it, as what could alone crown all my other success;
+but I was proud, too proud to ask again.  I did not understand you.
+I shut my eyes, and would not understand you, or do you justice.
+This is a recollection which ought to make me forgive every one
+sooner than myself.  Six years of separation and suffering
+might have been spared.  It is a sort of pain, too, which is new to me.
+I have been used to the gratification of believing myself to earn
+every blessing that I enjoyed.  I have valued myself on honourable toils
+and just rewards.  Like other great men under reverses," he added,
+with a smile. "I must endeavour to subdue my mind to my fortune.
+I must learn to brook being happier than I deserve."
+
+
+
+Chapter 24
+
+
+Who can be in doubt of what followed?  When any two young people
+take it into their heads to marry, they are pretty sure by perseverance
+to carry their point, be they ever so poor, or ever so imprudent,
+or ever so little likely to be necessary to each other's ultimate comfort.
+This may be bad morality to conclude with, but I believe it to be truth;
+and if such parties succeed, how should a Captain Wentworth and
+an Anne Elliot, with the advantage of maturity of mind,
+consciousness of right, and one independent fortune between them,
+fail of bearing down every opposition?  They might in fact,
+have borne down a great deal more than they met with, for there was
+little to distress them beyond the want of graciousness and warmth.
+Sir Walter made no objection, and Elizabeth did nothing worse
+than look cold and unconcerned.  Captain Wentworth, with five-and-twenty
+thousand pounds, and as high in his profession as merit and activity
+could place him, was no longer nobody.  He was now esteemed quite worthy
+to address the daughter of a foolish, spendthrift baronet,
+who had not had principle or sense enough to maintain himself
+in the situation in which Providence had placed him, and who could
+give his daughter at present but a small part of the share
+of ten thousand pounds which must be hers hereafter.
+
+Sir Walter, indeed, though he had no affection for Anne,
+and no vanity flattered, to make him really happy on the occasion,
+was very far from thinking it a bad match for her.  On the contrary,
+when he saw more of Captain Wentworth, saw him repeatedly by daylight,
+and eyed him well, he was very much struck by his personal claims,
+and felt that his superiority of appearance might be not unfairly balanced
+against her superiority of rank; and all this, assisted by
+his well-sounding name, enabled Sir Walter at last to prepare his pen,
+with a very good grace, for the insertion of the marriage
+in the volume of honour.
+
+The only one among them, whose opposition of feeling could excite
+any serious anxiety was Lady Russell.  Anne knew that Lady Russell
+must be suffering some pain in understanding and relinquishing Mr Elliot,
+and be making some struggles to become truly acquainted with,
+and do justice to Captain Wentworth.  This however was what
+Lady Russell had now to do.  She must learn to feel that she had
+been mistaken with regard to both; that she had been unfairly influenced
+by appearances in each; that because Captain Wentworth's manners
+had not suited her own ideas, she had been too quick in suspecting them
+to indicate a character of dangerous impetuosity; and that because
+Mr Elliot's manners had precisely pleased her in their propriety
+and correctness, their general politeness and suavity, she had been
+too quick in receiving them as the certain result of the most correct
+opinions and well-regulated mind.  There was nothing less
+for Lady Russell to do, than to admit that she had been
+pretty completely wrong, and to take up a new set of opinions
+and of hopes.
+
+There is a quickness of perception in some, a nicety in the discernment
+of character, a natural penetration, in short, which no experience
+in others can equal, and Lady Russell had been less gifted
+in this part of understanding than her young friend.  But she was
+a very good woman, and if her second object was to be sensible
+and well-judging, her first was to see Anne happy.  She loved Anne
+better than she loved her own abilities; and when the awkwardness
+of the beginning was over, found little hardship in attaching herself
+as a mother to the man who was securing the happiness of her other child.
+
+Of all the family, Mary was probably the one most immediately gratified
+by the circumstance.  It was creditable to have a sister married,
+and she might flatter herself with having been greatly instrumental
+to the connexion, by keeping Anne with her in the autumn;
+and as her own sister must be better than her husband's sisters,
+it was very agreeable that Captain Wentworth should be a richer man than
+either Captain Benwick or Charles Hayter.  She had something to suffer,
+perhaps, when they came into contact again, in seeing Anne restored
+to the rights of seniority, and the mistress of a very pretty landaulette;
+but she had a future to look forward to, of powerful consolation.
+Anne had no Uppercross Hall before her, no landed estate,
+no headship of a family; and if they could but keep Captain Wentworth
+from being made a baronet, she would not change situations with Anne.
+
+It would be well for the eldest sister if she were equally satisfied
+with her situation, for a change is not very probable there.
+She had soon the mortification of seeing Mr Elliot withdraw,
+and no one of proper condition has since presented himself to raise
+even the unfounded hopes which sunk with him.
+
+The news of his cousins Anne's engagement burst on Mr Elliot
+most unexpectedly.  It deranged his best plan of domestic happiness,
+his best hope of keeping Sir Walter single by the watchfulness
+which a son-in-law's rights would have given.  But, though discomfited
+and disappointed, he could still do something for his own interest
+and his own enjoyment.  He soon quitted Bath; and on Mrs Clay's
+quitting it soon afterwards, and being next heard of as established
+under his protection in London, it was evident how double a game
+he had been playing, and how determined he was to save himself
+from being cut out by one artful woman, at least.
+
+Mrs Clay's affections had overpowered her interest, and she had sacrificed,
+for the young man's sake, the possibility of scheming longer
+for Sir Walter.  She has abilities, however, as well as affections;
+and it is now a doubtful point whether his cunning, or hers,
+may finally carry the day; whether, after preventing her from being
+the wife of Sir Walter, he may not be wheedled and caressed at last
+into making her the wife of Sir William.
+
+It cannot be doubted that Sir Walter and Elizabeth were shocked
+and mortified by the loss of their companion, and the discovery of
+their deception in her.  They had their great cousins, to be sure,
+to resort to for comfort; but they must long feel that to flatter
+and follow others, without being flattered and followed in turn,
+is but a state of half enjoyment.
+
+Anne, satisfied at a very early period of Lady Russell's meaning
+to love Captain Wentworth as she ought, had no other alloy
+to the happiness of her prospects than what arose from the consciousness
+of having no relations to bestow on him which a man of sense could value.
+There she felt her own inferiority very keenly.  The disproportion
+in their fortune was nothing; it did not give her a moment's regret;
+but to have no family to receive and estimate him properly,
+nothing of respectability, of harmony, of good will to offer
+in return for all the worth and all the prompt welcome which met her
+in his brothers and sisters, was a source of as lively pain
+as her mind could well be sensible of under circumstances of otherwise
+strong felicity.  She had but two friends in the world to add to his list,
+Lady Russell and Mrs Smith.  To those, however, he was very well disposed
+to attach himself.  Lady Russell, in spite of all her former transgressions,
+he could now value from his heart.  While he was not obliged to say
+that he believed her to have been right in originally dividing them,
+he was ready to say almost everything else in her favour,
+and as for Mrs Smith, she had claims of various kinds to recommend her
+quickly and permanently.
+
+Her recent good offices by Anne had been enough in themselves,
+and their marriage, instead of depriving her of one friend,
+secured her two.  She was their earliest visitor in their settled life;
+and Captain Wentworth, by putting her in the way of recovering
+her husband's property in the West Indies, by writing for her,
+acting for her, and seeing her through all the petty difficulties
+of the case with the activity and exertion of a fearless man
+and a determined friend, fully requited the services which
+she had rendered, or ever meant to render, to his wife.
+
+Mrs Smith's enjoyments were not spoiled by this improvement of income,
+with some improvement of health, and the acquisition of such friends
+to be often with, for her cheerfulness and mental alacrity did not
+fail her; and while these prime supplies of good remained, she might have
+bid defiance even to greater accessions of worldly prosperity.
+She might have been absolutely rich and perfectly healthy,
+and yet be happy.  Her spring of felicity was in the glow
+of her spirits, as her friend Anne's was in the warmth of her heart.
+Anne was tenderness itself, and she had the full worth of it
+in Captain Wentworth's affection.  His profession was all that could ever
+make her friends wish that tenderness less, the dread of a future war
+all that could dim her sunshine.  She gloried in being a sailor's wife,
+but she must pay the tax of quick alarm for belonging to that profession
+which is, if possible, more distinguished in its domestic virtues
+than in its national importance.
+
+
+
+        Finis
+
+
+End of the Project Gutenberg Etext of Persuasion by Jane Austen
+
+
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