buttheboyhadthegreaterpleasureingettinguponherbackagaindirectly.
“Walter,”saidshe,“getdownthismoment.Youareextremelytroublesome.Iamveryangrywithyou.”
“Walter,”criedCharlesHayter,“whydoyounotdoasyouarebid?Donotyouhearyourauntspeak?Cometome,Walter,cometocousinCharles.”
ButnotabitdidWalterstir.
Inanothermoment,however,shefoundherselfinthestateofbeingreleasedfromhimsomeonewastakinghimfromher,thoughhehadbentdownherheadsomuch,thathislittlesturdyhandswereunfastenedfromaroundherneck,andhewasresolutelyborneaway,beforesheknewthatCaptainWentworthhaddoneit.
Hersensationsonthediscoverymadeherperfectlyspeechless.Shecouldnoteventhankhim.ShecouldonlyhangoverlittleCharles,withmostdisorderedfeelings.Hiskindnessinsteppingforwardtoherrelief,themanner,thesilenceinwhichithadpassed,thelittleparticularsofthecircumstance,withtheconvictionsoonforcedonherbythenoisehewasstudiouslymakingwiththechild,thathemeanttoavoidhearingherthanks,andrathersoughttotestifythatherconversationwasthelastofhiswants,producedsuchaconfusionofvarying,butverypainfulagitation,asshecouldnotrecoverfrom,tillenabledbytheentranceofMaryandtheMissMusgrovestomakeoverherlittlepatienttotheircares,andleavetheroom.Shecouldnotstay.Itmighthavebeenanopportunityofwatchingthelovesandjealousiesofthefour—theywerenowaltogetherbutshecouldstayfornoneofit.ItwasevidentthatCharlesHayterwasnotwellinclinedtowardsCaptainWentworth.Shehadastrongimpressionofhishavingsaid,inavexttoneofvoice,afterCaptainWentworth’sinterference,“Yououghttohavemindedme,WalterItoldyounottoteazeyouraunt”andcouldcomprehendhisregrettingthatCaptainWentworthshoulddowhatheoughttohavedonehimself.ButneitherCharlesHayter’sfeelings,noranybody’sfeelings,couldinteresther,tillshehadalittlebetterarrangedherown.Shewasashamedofherself,quiteashamedofbeingsonervous,soovercomebysuchatriflebutsoitwas,anditrequiredalongapplicationofsolitudeandreflectiontorecoverher.