"I cannot imagine why they should suppose I should not like a long

walk," said Mary, as she went up stairs. "Everybody is always

supposing that I am not a good walker; and yet they would not have been

pleased, if we had refused to join them. When people come in this

manner on purpose to ask us, how can one say no?"

Just as they were setting off, the gentlemen returned. They had taken

out a young dog, who had spoilt their sport, and sent them back early.

Their time and strength, and spirits, were, therefore, exactly ready

for this walk, and they entered into it with pleasure. Could Anne have

foreseen such a junction, she would have staid at home; but, from some

feelings of interest and curiosity, she fancied now that it was too

late to retract, and the whole six set forward together in the

direction chosen by the Miss Musgroves, who evidently considered the

walk as under their guidance.

Anne's object was, not to be in the way of anybody; and where the

narrow paths across the fields made many separations necessary, to keep

with her brother and sister. Her pleasure in the walk must arise from

the exercise and the day, from the view of the last smiles of the year

upon the tawny leaves, and withered hedges, and from repeating to

herself some few of the thousand poetical descriptions extant of

autumn, that season of peculiar and inexhaustible influence on the mind

of taste and tenderness, that season which had drawn from every poet,

worthy of being read, some attempt at description, or some lines of

feeling. She occupied her mind as much as possible in such like

musings and quotations; but it was not possible, that when within reach

of Captain Wentworth's conversation with either of the Miss Musgroves,

she should not try to hear it; yet she caught little very remarkable.

It was mere lively chat, such as any young persons, on an intimate

footing, might fall into. He was more engaged with Louisa than with

Henrietta. Louisa certainly put more forward for his notice than her

sister. This distinction appeared to increase, and there was one

speech of Louisa's which struck her. After one of the many praises of

the day, which were continually bursting forth, Captain Wentworth

added:-"What glorious weather for the Admiral and my sister! They meant to

take a long drive this morning; perhaps we may hail them from some of

these hills. They talked of coming into this side of the country. I

wonder whereabouts they will upset to-day. Oh! it does happen very

often, I assure you; but my sister makes nothing of it; she would as

lieve be tossed out as not."




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