This was the letter, directed to "Charles Smith, Esq. Tunbridge Wells,"

and dated from London, as far back as July, 1803:-"Dear Smith,--I have received yours. Your kindness almost overpowers

me. I wish nature had made such hearts as yours more common, but I

have lived three-and-twenty years in the world, and have seen none like

it. At present, believe me, I have no need of your services, being in

cash again. Give me joy: I have got rid of Sir Walter and Miss. They

are gone back to Kellynch, and almost made me swear to visit them this

summer; but my first visit to Kellynch will be with a surveyor, to tell

me how to bring it with best advantage to the hammer. The baronet,

nevertheless, is not unlikely to marry again; he is quite fool enough.

If he does, however, they will leave me in peace, which may be a decent

equivalent for the reversion. He is worse than last year.

"I wish I had any name but Elliot. I am sick of it. The name of

Walter I can drop, thank God! and I desire you will never insult me

with my second W. again, meaning, for the rest of my life, to be only

yours truly,--Wm. Elliot."

Such a letter could not be read without putting Anne in a glow; and Mrs

Smith, observing the high colour in her face, said-"The language, I know, is highly disrespectful. Though I have forgot

the exact terms, I have a perfect impression of the general meaning.

But it shows you the man. Mark his professions to my poor husband.

Can any thing be stronger?"

Anne could not immediately get over the shock and mortification of

finding such words applied to her father. She was obliged to recollect

that her seeing the letter was a violation of the laws of honour, that

no one ought to be judged or to be known by such testimonies, that no

private correspondence could bear the eye of others, before she could

recover calmness enough to return the letter which she had been

meditating over, and say-"Thank you. This is full proof undoubtedly; proof of every thing you

were saying. But why be acquainted with us now?"

"I can explain this too," cried Mrs Smith, smiling.

"Can you really?"

"Yes. I have shewn you Mr Elliot as he was a dozen years ago, and I

will shew him as he is now. I cannot produce written proof again, but

I can give as authentic oral testimony as you can desire, of what he is

now wanting, and what he is now doing. He is no hypocrite now. He

truly wants to marry you. His present attentions to your family are

very sincere: quite from the heart. I will give you my authority: his

friend Colonel Wallis."




readonlinefreebook.com Copyright 2016 - 2024