"No, no, some time or other, perhaps, but not now. He would mention no

names now; but such, he could assure her, had been the fact. He had

many years ago received such a description of Miss Anne Elliot as had

inspired him with the highest idea of her merit, and excited the

warmest curiosity to know her."

Anne could think of no one so likely to have spoken with partiality of

her many years ago as the Mr Wentworth of Monkford, Captain Wentworth's

brother. He might have been in Mr Elliot's company, but she had not

courage to ask the question.

"The name of Anne Elliot," said he, "has long had an interesting sound

to me. Very long has it possessed a charm over my fancy; and, if I

dared, I would breathe my wishes that the name might never change."

Such, she believed, were his words; but scarcely had she received their

sound, than her attention was caught by other sounds immediately behind

her, which rendered every thing else trivial. Her father and Lady

Dalrymple were speaking.

"A well-looking man," said Sir Walter, "a very well-looking man."

"A very fine young man indeed!" said Lady Dalrymple. "More air than

one often sees in Bath. Irish, I dare say."

"No, I just know his name. A bowing acquaintance. Wentworth; Captain

Wentworth of the navy. His sister married my tenant in Somersetshire,

the Croft, who rents Kellynch."

Before Sir Walter had reached this point, Anne's eyes had caught the

right direction, and distinguished Captain Wentworth standing among a

cluster of men at a little distance. As her eyes fell on him, his

seemed to be withdrawn from her. It had that appearance. It seemed as

if she had been one moment too late; and as long as she dared observe,

he did not look again: but the performance was recommencing, and she

was forced to seem to restore her attention to the orchestra and look

straight forward.

When she could give another glance, he had moved away. He could not

have come nearer to her if he would; she was so surrounded and shut in:

but she would rather have caught his eye.

Mr Elliot's speech, too, distressed her. She had no longer any

inclination to talk to him. She wished him not so near her.

The first act was over. Now she hoped for some beneficial change; and,

after a period of nothing-saying amongst the party, some of them did

decide on going in quest of tea. Anne was one of the few who did not

choose to move. She remained in her seat, and so did Lady Russell; but

she had the pleasure of getting rid of Mr Elliot; and she did not mean,

whatever she might feel on Lady Russell's account, to shrink from

conversation with Captain Wentworth, if he gave her the opportunity.

She was persuaded by Lady Russell's countenance that she had seen him.




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