of Admiral Croft’s really taking Kellynch Hall,
she rejoiced anew over the conviction which had always
been most grateful to her, of the past being known
to those three only among her connexions, by whom
no syllable, she believed, would ever be whispered,
and in the trust that among his, the brother only
with whom he had been residing, had received any information
of their short-lived engagement. That brother
had been long removed from the country and being a
sensible man, and, moreover, a single man at the time,
she had a fond dependence on no human creature’s
having heard of it from him.
The sister, Mrs Croft, had then been out of England,
accompanying her husband on a foreign station, and
her own sister, Mary, had been at school while it
all occurred; and never admitted by the pride of some,
and the delicacy of others, to the smallest knowledge
of it afterwards.
With these supports, she hoped that the acquaintance
between herself and the Crofts, which, with Lady Russell,
still resident in Kellynch, and Mary fixed only three
miles off, must be anticipated, need not involve any
particular awkwardness.
On the morning appointed for Admiral and Mrs Croft’s
seeing Kellynch Hall, Anne found it most natural to
take her almost daily walk to Lady Russell’s,
and keep out of the way till all was over; when she
found it most natural to be sorry that she had missed
the opportunity of seeing them.
This meeting of the two parties proved highly satisfactory,
and decided the whole business at once. Each
lady was previously well disposed for an agreement,
and saw nothing, therefore, but good manners in the
other; and with regard to the gentlemen, there was
such an hearty good humour, such an open, trusting
liberality on the Admiral’s side, as could not
but influence Sir Walter, who had besides been flattered
into his very best and most polished behaviour by
Mr Shepherd’s assurances of his being known,
by report, to the Admiral, as a model of good breeding.
The house and grounds, and furniture, were approved,
the Crofts were approved, terms, time, every thing,
and every body, was right; and Mr Shepherd’s
clerks were set to work, without there having been
a single preliminary difference to modify of all that
“This indenture sheweth.”
Sir Walter, without hesitation, declared the Admiral
to be the best-looking sailor he had ever met with,
and went so far as to say, that if his own man might
have had the arranging of his hair, he should not
be ashamed of being seen with him any where; and the
Admiral, with sympathetic cordiality, observed to his
wife as they drove back through the park, “I
thought we should soon come to a deal, my dear, in
spite of what they told us at Taunton. The Baronet
will never set the Thames on fire, but there seems
to be no harm in him.” reciprocal compliments,
which would have been esteemed about equal.
