第 37 节
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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
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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
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the Christmas holidays。”
Every body 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
milk…men; 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
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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。
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CHAPTER III
ir Walter had taken a very good house in Camden…place; a
lofty dignified situation; such as becomes a man of
S
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 arriva