r,atthefootofthehillontheotherside.
Winthrop,withoutbeautyandwithoutdignity,wasstretchedbeforethemanindifferenthouse,standinglow,andhemmedinbythebarnsandbuildingsofafarm-yard.
Maryexclaimed,“Blessme!hereisWinthrop.IdeclareIhadnoidea!Wellnow,IthinkwehadbetterturnbackIamexcessivelytired.”
Henrietta,consciousandashamed,andseeingnocousinCharleswalkingalonganypath,orleaningagainstanygate,wasreadytodoasMarywishedbut“No!”saidCharlesMusgrove,and“No,no!”criedLouisamoreeagerly,andtakinghersisteraside,seemedtobearguingthematterwarmly.
Charles,inthemeanwhile,wasverydecidedlydeclaringhisresolutionofcallingonhisaunt,nowthathewassonearandveryevidently,thoughmorefearfully,tryingtoinducehiswifetogotoo.ButthiswasoneofthepointsonwhichtheladyshewedherstrengthandwhenherecommendedtheadvantageofrestingherselfaquarterofanhouratWinthrop,asshefeltsotired,sheresolutelyanswered,“Oh!no,indeed!walkingupthathillagainwoulddohermoreharmthananysittingdowncoulddohergood”and,inshort,herlookandmannerdeclared,thatgoshewouldnot.
Afteralittlesuccessionofthesesortofdebatesandconsultations,itwassettledbetweenCharlesandhistwosisters,thatheandHenriettashouldjustrundownforafewminutes,toseetheirauntandcousins,whiletherestofthepartywaitedforthematthetopofthehill.Louisaseemedtheprincipalarrangeroftheplanand,asshewentalittlewaywiththem,downthehill,stilltalkingtoHenrietta,Marytooktheopportunityoflookingscornfullyaroundher,andsayingtoCaptainWentworth—
“Itisveryunpleasant,havingsuchconnexions!But,Iassureyou,Ihaveneverbeeninthehouseabovetwiceinmylife.”
Shereceivednootheranswer,thananartificial,assentingsmile,followedbyacontemptuousglance,asheturnedaway,whichAnneperfectlyknewthemeaningof.
Thebrowofthehill,wheretheyremained,wasacheerfulspot:LouisareturnedandMary,findingacomfortableseatforherselfonthestepofastile,wasverywellsatisfiedsolongastheothersallstoodaboutherbutwhenLouisadrewCaptainWentworthaway,totryforagleaningofnutsinanadjoininghedge-row,andtheyweregonebydegree