fortthatshecouldremainintheroom,preserveanairofcalmness,andanswerthecommonquestionsofthemoment.Happilyforher,theywerenotmany.SirWalterwantedtoknowwhethertheCroftstravelledwithfourhorses,andwhethertheywerelikelytobesituatedinsuchapartofBathasitmightsuitMissElliotandhimselftovisitinbuthadlittlecuriositybeyond.
“HowisMary?”saidElizabethandwithoutwaitingforananswer,“AndpraywhatbringstheCroftstoBath?”
“TheycomeontheAdmiral’saccount.Heisthoughttobegouty.”
“Goutanddecrepitude!”saidSirWalter.“Pooroldgentleman.”
“Havetheyanyacquaintancehere?”askedElizabeth.
“IdonotknowbutIcanhardlysupposethat,atAdmiralCroft’stimeoflife,andinhisprofession,heshouldnothavemanyacquaintanceinsuchaplaceasthis.”
“Isuspect,”saidSirWaltercoolly,“thatAdmiralCroftwillbebestknowninBathastherenterofKellynchHall.Elizabeth,mayweventuretopresenthimandhiswifeinLauraPlace?”
“Oh,no!Ithinknot.SituatedaswearewithLadyDalrymple,cousins,weoughttobeverycarefulnottoembarrassherwithacquaintanceshemightnotapprove.Ifwewerenotrelated,itwouldnotsignifybutascousins,shewouldfeelscrupulousastoanyproposalofours.WehadbetterleavetheCroftstofindtheirownlevel.Thereareseveralodd-lookingmenwalkingabouthere,who,Iamtold,aresailors.TheCroftswillassociatewiththem.”
ThiswasSirWalterandElizabeth’sshareofinterestintheletterwhenMrsClayhadpaidhertributeofmoredecentattention,inanenquiryafterMrsCharlesMusgrove,andherfinelittleboys,Annewasatliberty.
Inherownroom,shetriedtocomprehendit.WellmightCharleswonderhowCaptainWentworthwouldfeel!Perhapshehadquittedthefield,hadgivenLouisaup,hadceasedtolove,hadfoundhedidnotloveher.Shecouldnotenduretheideaoftreacheryorlevity,oranythingakintoillusagebetweenhimandhisfriend.Shecouldnotendurethatsuchafriendshipastheirsshouldbeseveredunfairly.
CaptainBenwickandLouisaMusgrove!Thehigh-spirited,joyous-talkingLouisaMusgr