lfishnessandimpatienceratherthangenerosityandfortitude,thatonehearsof.Thereissolittlerealfriendshipintheworld!andunfortunately”(speakinglowandtremulously)“therearesomanywhoforgettothinkseriouslytillitisalmosttoolate.”
Annesawthemiseryofsuchfeelings.Thehusbandhadnotbeenwhatheought,andthewifehadbeenledamongthatpartofmankindwhichmadeherthinkworseoftheworldthanshehopeditdeserved.ItwasbutapassingemotionhoweverwithMrsSmithsheshookitoff,andsoonaddedinadifferenttone—
“IdonotsupposethesituationmyfriendMrsRookeisinatpresent,willfurnishmucheithertointerestoredifyme.SheisonlynursingMrsWallisofMarlboroughBuildingsamerepretty,silly,expensive,fashionablewoman,Ibelieveandofcoursewillhavenothingtoreportbutoflaceandfinery.ImeantomakemyprofitofMrsWallis,however.Shehasplentyofmoney,andIintendsheshallbuyallthehigh-pricedthingsIhaveinhandnow.”
Annehadcalledseveraltimesonherfriend,beforetheexistenceofsuchapersonwasknowninCamdenPlace.Atlast,itbecamenecessarytospeakofher.SirWalter,ElizabethandMrsClay,returnedonemorningfromLauraPlace,withasuddeninvitationfromLadyDalrympleforthesameevening,andAnnewasalreadyengaged,tospendthateveninginWestgateBuildings.Shewasnotsorryfortheexcuse.Theywereonlyasked,shewassure,becauseLadyDalrymplebeingkeptathomebyabadcold,wasgladtomakeuseoftherelationshipwhichhadbeensopressedonherandshedeclinedonherownaccountwithgreatalacrity—“Shewasengagedtospendtheeveningwithanoldschoolfellow.”TheywerenotmuchinterestedinanythingrelativetoAnnebutstilltherewerequestionsenoughasked,tomakeitunderstoodwhatthisoldschoolfellowwasandElizabethwasdisdainful,andSirWaltersevere.
“WestgateBuildings!”saidhe,“andwhoisMissAnneElliottobevisitinginWestgateBuildings?AMrsSmith.AwidowMrsSmithandwhowasherhusband?OneoffivethousandMrSmithswhosenamesaretobemetwitheverywhere.Andwhatisherattraction?Thatsh