“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.
Anne was not animated to an equal pitch by the circumstance,
but she felt that she would rather see Mr Elliot again
than not, which was more than she could say for many
other persons in Bath.
She was put down in Camden Place; and Lady Russell
then drove to her own lodgings, in Rivers Street.
Sir Walter had taken a very good house in Camden Place,
a lofty dignified situation, such as becomes a man
of consequence; and both he and Elizabeth were settled
there, much to their satisfaction.
Anne entered it with a sinking heart, anticipating
an imprisonment of many months, and anxiously saying
to herself, “Oh! when shall I leave you again?”
A degree of unexpected cordiality, however, in the
welcome she received, did her good. Her father
and sister were glad to see her, for the sake of shewing
her the house and furniture, and met her with kindness.
Her making a fourth, when they sat down to dinner,
was noticed as an advantage.
