Louisa was now recovering apace. Her mother could even think of her

being able to join their party at home, before her brothers and sisters

went to school again. The Harvilles had promised to come with her and

stay at Uppercross, whenever she returned. Captain Wentworth was gone,

for the present, to see his brother in Shropshire.

"I hope I shall remember, in future," said Lady Russell, as soon as

they were reseated in the carriage, "not to call at Uppercross in the

Christmas holidays."

Everybody has their taste in noises as well as in other matters; and

sounds are quite innoxious, or most distressing, by their sort rather

than their quantity. When Lady Russell not long afterwards, was

entering Bath on a wet afternoon, and driving through the long course

of streets from the Old Bridge to Camden Place, amidst the dash of

other carriages, the heavy rumble of carts and drays, the bawling of

newspapermen, muffin-men and milkmen, and the ceaseless clink of

pattens, she made no complaint. No, these were noises which belonged

to the winter pleasures; her spirits rose under their influence; and

like Mrs Musgrove, she was feeling, though not saying, that after being

long in the country, nothing could be so good for her as a little quiet

cheerfulness.

Anne did not share these feelings. She persisted in a very determined,

though very silent disinclination for Bath; caught the first dim view

of the extensive buildings, smoking in rain, without any wish of seeing

them better; felt their progress through the streets to be, however

disagreeable, yet too rapid; for who would be glad to see her when she

arrived? And looked back, with fond regret, to the bustles of

Uppercross and the seclusion of Kellynch.

Elizabeth's last letter had communicated a piece of news of some

interest. Mr Elliot was in Bath. He had called in Camden Place; had

called a second time, a third; had been pointedly attentive. If

Elizabeth and her father did not deceive themselves, had been taking

much pains to seek the acquaintance, and proclaim the value of the

connection, as he had formerly taken pains to shew neglect. This was

very wonderful if it were true; and Lady Russell was in a state of very

agreeable curiosity and perplexity about Mr Elliot, already recanting

the sentiment she had so lately expressed to Mary, of his being "a man

whom she had no wish to see." She had a great wish to see him. If he

really sought to reconcile himself like a dutiful branch, he must be

forgiven for having dismembered himself from the paternal tree.




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