"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.




readonlinefreebook.com Copyright 2016 - 2024