It was the beginning of February; and Anne, having been a month in

Bath, was growing very eager for news from Uppercross and Lyme. She

wanted to hear much more than Mary had communicated. It was three

weeks since she had heard at all. She only knew that Henrietta was at

home again; and that Louisa, though considered to be recovering fast,

was still in Lyme; and she was thinking of them all very intently one

evening, when a thicker letter than usual from Mary was delivered to

her; and, to quicken the pleasure and surprise, with Admiral and Mrs

Croft's compliments.

The Crofts must be in Bath! A circumstance to interest her. They were

people whom her heart turned to very naturally.

"What is this?" cried Sir Walter. "The Crofts have arrived in Bath?

The Crofts who rent Kellynch? What have they brought you?"

"A letter from Uppercross Cottage, Sir."

"Oh! those letters are convenient passports. They secure an

introduction. I should have visited Admiral Croft, however, at any

rate. I know what is due to my tenant."

Anne could listen no longer; she could not even have told how the poor

Admiral's complexion escaped; her letter engrossed her. It had been

begun several days back.

"February 1st.

"My dear Anne,--I make no apology for my silence, because I know how

little people think of letters in such a place as Bath. You must be a

great deal too happy to care for Uppercross, which, as you well know,

affords little to write about. We have had a very dull Christmas; Mr

and Mrs Musgrove have not had one dinner party all the holidays. I do

not reckon the Hayters as anybody. The holidays, however, are over at

last: I believe no children ever had such long ones. I am sure I had

not. The house was cleared yesterday, except of the little Harvilles;

but you will be surprised to hear they have never gone home. Mrs

Harville must be an odd mother to part with them so long. I do not

understand it. They are not at all nice children, in my opinion; but

Mrs Musgrove seems to like them quite as well, if not better, than her

grandchildren. What dreadful weather we have had! It may not be felt

in Bath, with your nice pavements; but in the country it is of some

consequence. I have not had a creature call on me since the second

week in January, except Charles Hayter, who had been calling much

oftener than was welcome. Between ourselves, I think it a great pity

Henrietta did not remain at Lyme as long as Louisa; it would have kept

her a little out of his way. The carriage is gone to-day, to bring

Louisa and the Harvilles to-morrow. We are not asked to dine with

them, however, till the day after, Mrs Musgrove is so afraid of her

being fatigued by the journey, which is not very likely, considering

the care that will be taken of her; and it would be much more

convenient to me to dine there to-morrow. I am glad you find Mr Elliot

so agreeable, and wish I could be acquainted with him too; but I have

my usual luck: I am always out of the way when any thing desirable is

going on; always the last of my family to be noticed. What an immense

time Mrs Clay has been staying with Elizabeth! Does she never mean to

go away? But perhaps if she were to leave the room vacant, we might

not be invited. Let me know what you think of this. I do not expect

my children to be asked, you know. I can leave them at the Great House

very well, for a month or six weeks. I have this moment heard that the

Crofts are going to Bath almost immediately; they think the Admiral

gouty. Charles heard it quite by chance; they have not had the

civility to give me any notice, or of offering to take anything. I do

not think they improve at all as neighbours. We see nothing of them,

and this is really an instance of gross inattention. Charles joins me

in love, and everything proper. Yours affectionately, "Mary M---.




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