"I have been a good deal acquainted with him," replied Mrs Smith,

gravely, "but it seems worn out now. It is a great while since we met."

"I was not at all aware of this. You never mentioned it before. Had I

known it, I would have had the pleasure of talking to him about you."

"To confess the truth," said Mrs Smith, assuming her usual air of

cheerfulness, "that is exactly the pleasure I want you to have. I want

you to talk about me to Mr Elliot. I want your interest with him. He

can be of essential service to me; and if you would have the goodness,

my dear Miss Elliot, to make it an object to yourself, of course it is

done."

"I should be extremely happy; I hope you cannot doubt my willingness to

be of even the slightest use to you," replied Anne; "but I suspect that

you are considering me as having a higher claim on Mr Elliot, a greater

right to influence him, than is really the case. I am sure you have,

somehow or other, imbibed such a notion. You must consider me only as

Mr Elliot's relation. If in that light there is anything which you

suppose his cousin might fairly ask of him, I beg you would not

hesitate to employ me."

Mrs Smith gave her a penetrating glance, and then, smiling, said-"I have been a little premature, I perceive; I beg your pardon. I

ought to have waited for official information, But now, my dear Miss

Elliot, as an old friend, do give me a hint as to when I may speak.

Next week? To be sure by next week I may be allowed to think it all

settled, and build my own selfish schemes on Mr Elliot's good fortune."

"No," replied Anne, "nor next week, nor next, nor next. I assure you

that nothing of the sort you are thinking of will be settled any week.

I am not going to marry Mr Elliot. I should like to know why you

imagine I am?"

Mrs Smith looked at her again, looked earnestly, smiled, shook her

head, and exclaimed-"Now, how I do wish I understood you! How I do wish I knew what you

were at! I have a great idea that you do not design to be cruel, when

the right moment occurs. Till it does come, you know, we women never

mean to have anybody. It is a thing of course among us, that every man

is refused, till he offers. But why should you be cruel? Let me plead

for my--present friend I cannot call him, but for my former friend.

Where can you look for a more suitable match? Where could you expect a

more gentlemanlike, agreeable man? Let me recommend Mr Elliot. I am

sure you hear nothing but good of him from Colonel Wallis; and who can

know him better than Colonel Wallis?"




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