"By all means, my dear," cried Mrs Musgrove, "go home directly, and

take care of yourself, that you may be fit for the evening. I wish

Sarah was here to doctor you, but I am no doctor myself. Charles, ring

and order a chair. She must not walk."

But the chair would never do. Worse than all! To lose the possibility

of speaking two words to Captain Wentworth in the course of her quiet,

solitary progress up the town (and she felt almost certain of meeting

him) could not be borne. The chair was earnestly protested against,

and Mrs Musgrove, who thought only of one sort of illness, having

assured herself with some anxiety, that there had been no fall in the

case; that Anne had not at any time lately slipped down, and got a blow

on her head; that she was perfectly convinced of having had no fall;

could part with her cheerfully, and depend on finding her better at

night.

Anxious to omit no possible precaution, Anne struggled, and said-"I am afraid, ma'am, that it is not perfectly understood. Pray be so

good as to mention to the other gentlemen that we hope to see your

whole party this evening. I am afraid there had been some mistake; and

I wish you particularly to assure Captain Harville and Captain

Wentworth, that we hope to see them both."

"Oh! my dear, it is quite understood, I give you my word. Captain

Harville has no thought but of going."

"Do you think so? But I am afraid; and I should be so very sorry.

Will you promise me to mention it, when you see them again? You will

see them both this morning, I dare say. Do promise me."

"To be sure I will, if you wish it. Charles, if you see Captain

Harville anywhere, remember to give Miss Anne's message. But indeed,

my dear, you need not be uneasy. Captain Harville holds himself quite

engaged, I'll answer for it; and Captain Wentworth the same, I dare

say."

Anne could do no more; but her heart prophesied some mischance to damp

the perfection of her felicity. It could not be very lasting, however.

Even if he did not come to Camden Place himself, it would be in her

power to send an intelligible sentence by Captain Harville. Another

momentary vexation occurred. Charles, in his real concern and good

nature, would go home with her; there was no preventing him. This was

almost cruel. But she could not be long ungrateful; he was sacrificing

an engagement at a gunsmith's, to be of use to her; and she set off

with him, with no feeling but gratitude apparent.




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