Anne's mind was in a most favourable state for the entertainment of the

evening; it was just occupation enough: she had feelings for the

tender, spirits for the gay, attention for the scientific, and patience

for the wearisome; and had never liked a concert better, at least

during the first act. Towards the close of it, in the interval

succeeding an Italian song, she explained the words of the song to Mr

Elliot. They had a concert bill between them.

"This," said she, "is nearly the sense, or rather the meaning of the

words, for certainly the sense of an Italian love-song must not be

talked of, but it is as nearly the meaning as I can give; for I do not

pretend to understand the language. I am a very poor Italian scholar."

"Yes, yes, I see you are. I see you know nothing of the matter. You

have only knowledge enough of the language to translate at sight these

inverted, transposed, curtailed Italian lines, into clear,

comprehensible, elegant English. You need not say anything more of

your ignorance. Here is complete proof."

"I will not oppose such kind politeness; but I should be sorry to be

examined by a real proficient."

"I have not had the pleasure of visiting in Camden Place so long,"

replied he, "without knowing something of Miss Anne Elliot; and I do

regard her as one who is too modest for the world in general to be

aware of half her accomplishments, and too highly accomplished for

modesty to be natural in any other woman."

"For shame! for shame! this is too much flattery. I forget what we are

to have next," turning to the bill.

"Perhaps," said Mr Elliot, speaking low, "I have had a longer

acquaintance with your character than you are aware of."

"Indeed! How so? You can have been acquainted with it only since I

came to Bath, excepting as you might hear me previously spoken of in my

own family."

"I knew you by report long before you came to Bath. I had heard you

described by those who knew you intimately. I have been acquainted

with you by character many years. Your person, your disposition,

accomplishments, manner; they were all present to me."

Mr Elliot was not disappointed in the interest he hoped to raise. No

one can withstand the charm of such a mystery. To have been described

long ago to a recent acquaintance, by nameless people, is irresistible;

and Anne was all curiosity. She wondered, and questioned him eagerly;

but in vain. He delighted in being asked, but he would not tell.




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