第 29 节
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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;
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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
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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
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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
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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。”
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