At last, Lady Russell drew back her head. "Now, how would she speak of

him?"

"You will wonder," said she, "what has been fixing my eye so long; but

I was looking after some window-curtains, which Lady Alicia and Mrs

Frankland were telling me of last night. They described the

drawing-room window-curtains of one of the houses on this side of the

way, and this part of the street, as being the handsomest and best hung

of any in Bath, but could not recollect the exact number, and I have

been trying to find out which it could be; but I confess I can see no

curtains hereabouts that answer their description."

Anne sighed and blushed and smiled, in pity and disdain, either at her

friend or herself. The part which provoked her most, was that in all

this waste of foresight and caution, she should have lost the right

moment for seeing whether he saw them.

A day or two passed without producing anything. The theatre or the

rooms, where he was most likely to be, were not fashionable enough for

the Elliots, whose evening amusements were solely in the elegant

stupidity of private parties, in which they were getting more and more

engaged; and Anne, wearied of such a state of stagnation, sick of

knowing nothing, and fancying herself stronger because her strength was

not tried, was quite impatient for the concert evening. It was a

concert for the benefit of a person patronised by Lady Dalrymple. Of

course they must attend. It was really expected to be a good one, and

Captain Wentworth was very fond of music. If she could only have a few

minutes conversation with him again, she fancied she should be

satisfied; and as to the power of addressing him, she felt all over

courage if the opportunity occurred. Elizabeth had turned from him,

Lady Russell overlooked him; her nerves were strengthened by these

circumstances; she felt that she owed him attention.

She had once partly promised Mrs Smith to spend the evening with her;

but in a short hurried call she excused herself and put it off, with

the more decided promise of a longer visit on the morrow. Mrs Smith

gave a most good-humoured acquiescence.

"By all means," said she; "only tell me all about it, when you do come.

Who is your party?"

Anne named them all. Mrs Smith made no reply; but when she was leaving

her said, and with an expression half serious, half arch, "Well, I

heartily wish your concert may answer; and do not fail me to-morrow if

you can come; for I begin to have a foreboding that I may not have many

more visits from you."




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