unshackledandfree.Shehadsomefeelingswhichshewasashamedtoinvestigate.Theyweretoomuchlikejoy,senselessjoy!
ShelongedtoseetheCroftsbutwhenthemeetingtookplace,itwasevidentthatnorumourofthenewshadyetreachedthem.ThevisitofceremonywaspaidandreturnedandLouisaMusgrovewasmentioned,andCaptainBenwick,too,withoutevenhalfasmile.
TheCroftshadplacedthemselvesinlodgingsinGayStreet,perfectlytoSirWalter’ssatisfaction.Hewasnotatallashamedoftheacquaintance,anddid,infact,thinkandtalkagreatdealmoreabouttheAdmiral,thantheAdmiraleverthoughtortalkedabouthim.
TheCroftsknewquiteasmanypeopleinBathastheywishedfor,andconsideredtheirintercoursewiththeElliotsasamerematterofform,andnotintheleastlikelytoaffordthemanypleasure.Theybroughtwiththemtheircountryhabitofbeingalmostalwaystogether.Hewasorderedtowalktokeepoffthegout,andMrsCroftseemedtogoshareswithhimineverything,andtowalkforherlifetodohimgood.Annesawthemwherevershewent.LadyRusselltookheroutinhercarriagealmosteverymorning,andsheneverfailedtothinkofthem,andneverfailedtoseethem.Knowingtheirfeelingsasshedid,itwasamostattractivepictureofhappinesstoher.Shealwayswatchedthemaslongasshecould,delightedtofancysheunderstoodwhattheymightbetalkingof,astheywalkedalonginhappyindependence,orequallydelightedtoseetheAdmiral’sheartyshakeofthehandwhenheencounteredanoldfriend,andobservetheireagernessofconversationwhenoccasionallyformingintoalittleknotofthenavy,MrsCroftlookingasintelligentandkeenasanyoftheofficersaroundher.
AnnewastoomuchengagedwithLadyRusselltobeoftenwalkingherselfbutitsohappenedthatonemorning,aboutaweekortendaysaftertheCroft’sarrival,itsuitedherbesttoleaveherfriend,orherfriend’scarriage,inthelowerpartofthetown,andreturnalonetoCamdenPlace,andinwalkingupMilsomStreetshehadthegoodfortunetomeetwiththeAdmiral.Hewasstandingbyhimselfataprintshopwindow,withhishandsbehindhim,inear