There is a quickness of perception in some, a nicety in the discernment

of character, a natural penetration, in short, which no experience in

others can equal, and Lady Russell had been less gifted in this part of

understanding than her young friend. But she was a very good woman,

and if her second object was to be sensible and well-judging, her first

was to see Anne happy. She loved Anne better than she loved her own

abilities; and when the awkwardness of the beginning was over, found

little hardship in attaching herself as a mother to the man who was

securing the happiness of her other child.

Of all the family, Mary was probably the one most immediately gratified

by the circumstance. It was creditable to have a sister married, and

she might flatter herself with having been greatly instrumental to the

connexion, by keeping Anne with her in the autumn; and as her own

sister must be better than her husband's sisters, it was very agreeable

that Captain Wentworth should be a richer man than either Captain

Benwick or Charles Hayter. She had something to suffer, perhaps, when

they came into contact again, in seeing Anne restored to the rights of

seniority, and the mistress of a very pretty landaulette; but she had a

future to look forward to, of powerful consolation. Anne had no

Uppercross Hall before her, no landed estate, no headship of a family;

and if they could but keep Captain Wentworth from being made a baronet,

she would not change situations with Anne.

It would be well for the eldest sister if she were equally satisfied

with her situation, for a change is not very probable there. She had

soon the mortification of seeing Mr Elliot withdraw, and no one of

proper condition has since presented himself to raise even the

unfounded hopes which sunk with him.

The news of his cousins Anne's engagement burst on Mr Elliot most

unexpectedly. It deranged his best plan of domestic happiness, his

best hope of keeping Sir Walter single by the watchfulness which a

son-in-law's rights would have given. But, though discomfited and

disappointed, he could still do something for his own interest and his

own enjoyment. He soon quitted Bath; and on Mrs Clay's quitting it

soon afterwards, and being next heard of as established under his

protection in London, it was evident how double a game he had been

playing, and how determined he was to save himself from being cut out

by one artful woman, at least.

Mrs Clay's affections had overpowered her interest, and she had

sacrificed, for the young man's sake, the possibility of scheming

longer for Sir Walter. She has abilities, however, as well as

affections; and it is now a doubtful point whether his cunning, or

hers, may finally carry the day; whether, after preventing her from

being the wife of Sir Walter, he may not be wheedled and caressed at

last into making her the wife of Sir William.




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