The same story and the same raptures were repeated, when the two girls

came with their father, through the gloom of the evening, to make

enquiries; and Mr Musgrove, no longer under the first uneasiness about

his heir, could add his confirmation and praise, and hope there would

be now no occasion for putting Captain Wentworth off, and only be sorry

to think that the cottage party, probably, would not like to leave the

little boy, to give him the meeting. "Oh no; as to leaving the little

boy," both father and mother were in much too strong and recent alarm

to bear the thought; and Anne, in the joy of the escape, could not help

adding her warm protestations to theirs.

Charles Musgrove, indeed, afterwards, shewed more of inclination; "the

child was going on so well, and he wished so much to be introduced to

Captain Wentworth, that, perhaps, he might join them in the evening; he

would not dine from home, but he might walk in for half an hour." But

in this he was eagerly opposed by his wife, with "Oh! no, indeed,

Charles, I cannot bear to have you go away. Only think if anything

should happen?"

The child had a good night, and was going on well the next day. It

must be a work of time to ascertain that no injury had been done to the

spine; but Mr Robinson found nothing to increase alarm, and Charles

Musgrove began, consequently, to feel no necessity for longer

confinement. The child was to be kept in bed and amused as quietly as

possible; but what was there for a father to do? This was quite a

female case, and it would be highly absurd in him, who could be of no

use at home, to shut himself up. His father very much wished him to

meet Captain Wentworth, and there being no sufficient reason against

it, he ought to go; and it ended in his making a bold, public

declaration, when he came in from shooting, of his meaning to dress

directly, and dine at the other house.

"Nothing can be going on better than the child," said he; "so I told my

father, just now, that I would come, and he thought me quite right.

Your sister being with you, my love, I have no scruple at all. You

would not like to leave him yourself, but you see I can be of no use.

Anne will send for me if anything is the matter."

Husbands and wives generally understand when opposition will be vain.

Mary knew, from Charles's manner of speaking, that he was quite

determined on going, and that it would be of no use to teaze him. She

said nothing, therefore, till he was out of the room, but as soon as

there was only Anne to hear-"So you and I are to be left to shift by ourselves, with this poor sick

child; and not a creature coming near us all the evening! I knew how

it would be. This is always my luck. If there is anything

disagreeable going on men are always sure to get out of it, and Charles

is as bad as any of them. Very unfeeling! I must say it is very

unfeeling of him to be running away from his poor little boy. Talks of

his being going on so well! How does he know that he is going on well,

or that there may not be a sudden change half an hour hence? I did not

think Charles would have been so unfeeling. So here he is to go away

and enjoy himself, and because I am the poor mother, I am not to be

allowed to stir; and yet, I am sure, I am more unfit than anybody else

to be about the child. My being the mother is the very reason why my

feelings should not be tried. I am not at all equal to it. You saw

how hysterical I was yesterday."




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