Anne went home to think over all that she had heard. In one point, her

feelings were relieved by this knowledge of Mr Elliot. There was no

longer anything of tenderness due to him. He stood as opposed to

Captain Wentworth, in all his own unwelcome obtrusiveness; and the evil

of his attentions last night, the irremediable mischief he might have

done, was considered with sensations unqualified, unperplexed. Pity

for him was all over. But this was the only point of relief. In every

other respect, in looking around her, or penetrating forward, she saw

more to distrust and to apprehend. She was concerned for the

disappointment and pain Lady Russell would be feeling; for the

mortifications which must be hanging over her father and sister, and

had all the distress of foreseeing many evils, without knowing how to

avert any one of them. She was most thankful for her own knowledge of

him. She had never considered herself as entitled to reward for not

slighting an old friend like Mrs Smith, but here was a reward indeed

springing from it! Mrs Smith had been able to tell her what no one

else could have done. Could the knowledge have been extended through

her family? But this was a vain idea. She must talk to Lady Russell,

tell her, consult with her, and having done her best, wait the event

with as much composure as possible; and after all, her greatest want of

composure would be in that quarter of the mind which could not be

opened to Lady Russell; in that flow of anxieties and fears which must

be all to herself.

She found, on reaching home, that she had, as she intended, escaped

seeing Mr Elliot; that he had called and paid them a long morning

visit; but hardly had she congratulated herself, and felt safe, when

she heard that he was coming again in the evening.

"I had not the smallest intention of asking him," said Elizabeth, with

affected carelessness, "but he gave so many hints; so Mrs Clay says, at

least."

"Indeed, I do say it. I never saw anybody in my life spell harder for

an invitation. Poor man! I was really in pain for him; for your

hard-hearted sister, Miss Anne, seems bent on cruelty."

"Oh!" cried Elizabeth, "I have been rather too much used to the game to

be soon overcome by a gentleman's hints. However, when I found how

excessively he was regretting that he should miss my father this

morning, I gave way immediately, for I would never really omit an

opportunity of bring him and Sir Walter together. They appear to so

much advantage in company with each other. Each behaving so

pleasantly. Mr Elliot looking up with so much respect."




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