.Herhappinesswasfromwithin.Hereyeswerebrightandhercheeksglowedbutsheknewnothingaboutit.Shewasthinkingonlyofthelasthalfhour,andastheypassedtotheirseats,hermindtookahastyrangeoverit.Hischoiceofsubjects,hisexpressions,andstillmorehismannerandlook,hadbeensuchasshecouldseeinonlyonelight.HisopinionofLouisaMusgrove’sinferiority,anopinionwhichhehadseemedsolicitoustogive,hiswonderatCaptainBenwick,hisfeelingsastoafirst,strongattachmentsentencesbegunwhichhecouldnotfinish,hishalfavertedeyesandmorethanhalfexpressiveglance,all,alldeclaredthathehadaheartreturningtoheratleastthatanger,resentment,avoidance,werenomoreandthattheyweresucceeded,notmerelybyfriendshipandregard,butbythetendernessofthepast.Yes,someshareofthetendernessofthepast.Shecouldnotcontemplatethechangeasimplyingless.Hemustloveher.
Thesewerethoughts,withtheirattendantvisions,whichoccupiedandflurriedhertoomuchtoleaveheranypowerofobservationandshepassedalongtheroomwithouthavingaglimpseofhim,withouteventryingtodiscernhim.Whentheirplacesweredeterminedon,andtheywereallproperlyarranged,shelookedroundtoseeifheshouldhappentobeinthesamepartoftheroom,buthewasnothereyecouldnotreachhimandtheconcertbeingjustopening,shemustconsentforatimetobehappyinahumblerway.
Thepartywasdividedanddisposedofontwocontiguousbenches:Annewasamongthoseontheforemost,andMrElliothadman?uvredsowell,withtheassistanceofhisfriendColonelWallis,astohaveaseatbyher.MissElliot,surroundedbyhercousins,andtheprincipalobjectofColonelWallis’sgallantry,wasquitecontented.
Anne’smindwasinamostfavourablestatefortheentertainmentoftheeveningitwasjustoccupationenough:shehadfeelingsforthetender,spiritsforthegay,attentionforthescientific,andpatienceforthewearisomeandhadneverlikedaconcertbetter,atleastduringthefirstact.Towardsthecloseofit,intheintervalsucceedinganItalia