nsong,sheexplainedthewordsofthesongtoMrElliot.Theyhadaconcertbillbetweenthem.
“This,”saidshe,“isnearlythesense,orratherthemeaningofthewords,forcertainlythesenseofanItalianlove-songmustnotbetalkedof,butitisasnearlythemeaningasIcangiveforIdonotpretendtounderstandthelanguage.IamaverypoorItalianscholar.”
“Yes,yes,Iseeyouare.Iseeyouknownothingofthematter.Youhaveonlyknowledgeenoughofthelanguagetotranslateatsighttheseinverted,transposed,curtailedItalianlines,intoclear,comprehensible,elegantEnglish.Youneednotsayanythingmoreofyourignorance.Hereiscompleteproof.”
“IwillnotopposesuchkindpolitenessbutIshouldbesorrytobeexaminedbyarealproficient.”
“IhavenothadthepleasureofvisitinginCamdenPlacesolong,”repliedhe,“withoutknowingsomethingofMissAnneElliotandIdoregardherasonewhoistoomodestfortheworldingeneraltobeawareofhalfheraccomplishments,andtoohighlyaccomplishedformodestytobenaturalinanyotherwoman.”
“Forshame!forshame!thisistoomuchflattery.Iforgetwhatwearetohavenext,”turningtothebill.
“Perhaps,”saidMrElliot,speakinglow,“Ihavehadalongeracquaintancewithyourcharacterthanyouareawareof.”
“Indeed!Howso?YoucanhavebeenacquaintedwithitonlysinceIcametoBath,exceptingasyoumighthearmepreviouslyspokenofinmyownfamily.”
“IknewyoubyreportlongbeforeyoucametoBath.Ihadheardyoudescribedbythosewhoknewyouintimately.Ihavebeenacquaintedwithyoubycharactermanyyears.Yourperson,yourdisposition,accomplishments,mannertheywereallpresenttome.”
MrElliotwasnotdisappointedintheinteresthehopedtoraise.Noonecanwithstandthecharmofsuchamystery.Tohavebeendescribedlongagotoarecentacquaintance,bynamelesspeople,isirresistibleandAnnewasallcuriosity.Shewondered,andquestionedhimeagerlybutinvain.Hedelightedinbeingasked,buthewouldnottell.
“No,no,sometimeorother,perhaps,butnotnow.Hewouldmentionnonamesn