第 9 节
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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。
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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。
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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。
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CHAPTER V
n the morning appointed for Admiral and Mrs。 Croft’s
seeing Kellynch Hall; Anne found it most natural to take
O
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
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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 dependant
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。
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“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