iodofnothing-sayingamongsttheparty,someofthemdiddecideongoinginquestoftea.Annewasoneofthefewwhodidnotchoosetomove.Sheremainedinherseat,andsodidLadyRussellbutshehadthepleasureofgettingridofMrElliotandshedidnotmean,whatevershemightfeelonLadyRussell’saccount,toshrinkfromconversationwithCaptainWentworth,ifhegavehertheopportunity.ShewaspersuadedbyLadyRussell’scountenancethatshehadseenhim.
Hedidnotcomehowever.Annesometimesfanciedshediscernedhimatadistance,buthenevercame.Theanxiousintervalworeawayunproductively.Theothersreturned,theroomfilledagain,bencheswerereclaimedandrepossessed,andanotherhourofpleasureorofpenancewastobesatout,anotherhourofmusicwastogivedelightorthegapes,asrealoraffectedtasteforitprevailed.ToAnne,itchieflyworetheprospectofanhourofagitation.ShecouldnotquitthatroominpeacewithoutseeingCaptainWentworthoncemore,withouttheinterchangeofonefriendlylook.
Inre-settlingthemselvestherewerenowmanychanges,theresultofwhichwasfavourableforher.ColonelWallisdeclinedsittingdownagain,andMrElliotwasinvitedbyElizabethandMissCarteret,inamannernottoberefused,tositbetweenthemandbysomeotherremovals,andalittleschemingofherown,Annewasenabledtoplaceherselfmuchnearertheendofthebenchthanshehadbeenbefore,muchmorewithinreachofapasser-by.Shecouldnotdoso,withoutcomparingherselfwithMissLarolles,theinimitableMissLarollesbutstillshedidit,andnotwithmuchhappiereffectthoughbywhatseemedprosperityintheshapeofanearlyabdicationinhernextneighbours,shefoundherselfattheveryendofthebenchbeforetheconcertclosed.
Suchwashersituation,withavacantspaceathand,whenCaptainWentworthwasagaininsight.Shesawhimnotfaroff.Hesawhertooyethelookedgrave,andseemedirresolute,andonlybyveryslowdegreescameatlastnearenoughtospeaktoher.Shefeltthatsomethingmustbethematter.Thechangewasindubitable.Thedifferencebetweenhis