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."




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