"Look here," said he, unfolding a parcel in his hand, and displaying a

small miniature painting, "do you know who that is?"

"Certainly: Captain Benwick."

"Yes, and you may guess who it is for. But," (in a deep tone,) "it was

not done for her. Miss Elliot, do you remember our walking together at

Lyme, and grieving for him? I little thought then--but no matter.

This was drawn at the Cape. He met with a clever young German artist

at the Cape, and in compliance with a promise to my poor sister, sat to

him, and was bringing it home for her; and I have now the charge of

getting it properly set for another! It was a commission to me! But

who else was there to employ? I hope I can allow for him. I am not

sorry, indeed, to make it over to another. He undertakes it;" (looking

towards Captain Wentworth,) "he is writing about it now." And with a

quivering lip he wound up the whole by adding, "Poor Fanny! she would

not have forgotten him so soon!"

"No," replied Anne, in a low, feeling voice. "That I can easily

believe."

"It was not in her nature. She doted on him."

"It would not be the nature of any woman who truly loved."

Captain Harville smiled, as much as to say, "Do you claim that for your

sex?" and she answered the question, smiling also, "Yes. We certainly

do not forget you as soon as you forget us. It is, perhaps, our fate

rather than our merit. We cannot help ourselves. We live at home,

quiet, confined, and our feelings prey upon us. You are forced on

exertion. You have always a profession, pursuits, business of some

sort or other, to take you back into the world immediately, and

continual occupation and change soon weaken impressions."

"Granting your assertion that the world does all this so soon for men

(which, however, I do not think I shall grant), it does not apply to

Benwick. He has not been forced upon any exertion. The peace turned

him on shore at the very moment, and he has been living with us, in our

little family circle, ever since."

"True," said Anne, "very true; I did not recollect; but what shall we

say now, Captain Harville? If the change be not from outward

circumstances, it must be from within; it must be nature, man's nature,

which has done the business for Captain Benwick."




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