squiteoutofsightandsound,Marywashappynolongershequarrelledwithherownseat,wassureLouisahadgotamuchbettersomewhere,andnothingcouldpreventherfromgoingtolookforabetteralso.Sheturnedthroughthesamegate,butcouldnotseethem.Annefoundaniceseatforher,onadrysunnybank,underthehedge-row,inwhichshehadnodoubtoftheirstillbeing,insomespotorother.Marysatdownforamoment,butitwouldnotdoshewassureLouisahadfoundabetterseatsomewhereelse,andshewouldgoontillsheovertookher.
Anne,reallytiredherself,wasgladtositdownandsheverysoonheardCaptainWentworthandLouisainthehedge-row,behindher,asifmakingtheirwaybackalongtherough,wildsortofchannel,downthecentre.Theywerespeakingastheydrewnear.Louisa’svoicewasthefirstdistinguished.Sheseemedtobeinthemiddleofsomeeagerspeech.WhatAnnefirstheardwas—
“Andso,Imadehergo.Icouldnotbearthatsheshouldbefrightenedfromthevisitbysuchnonsense.What!wouldIbeturnedbackfromdoingathingthatIhaddeterminedtodo,andthatIknewtoberight,bytheairsandinterferenceofsuchaperson,orofanypersonImaysay?No,Ihavenoideaofbeingsoeasilypersuaded.WhenIhavemadeupmymind,IhavemadeitandHenriettaseemedentirelytohavemadeupherstocallatWinthropto-dayandyet,shewasasneargivingitup,outofnonsensicalcomplaisance!”
“Shewouldhaveturnedbackthen,butforyou?”
“Shewouldindeed.Iamalmostashamedtosayit.”
“Happyforher,tohavesuchamindasyoursathand!Afterthehintsyougavejustnow,whichdidbutconfirmmyownobservations,thelasttimeIwasincompanywithhim,Ineednotaffecttohavenocomprehensionofwhatisgoingon.Iseethatmorethanameredutifulmorningvisittoyourauntwasinquestionandwoebetidehim,andhertoo,whenitcomestothingsofconsequence,whentheyareplacedincircumstancesrequiringfortitudeandstrengthofmind,ifshehavenotresolutionenoughtoresistidleinterferenceinsuchatrifleasthis.Yoursisterisanamiablecreaturebutyoursisthecharacterofdecisionandfirmness,Isee.Ifyouvalueherconductorhappiness,infuseasmuchofyourownspiritintoherasyoucan.Butthis,nodoubt,youhavebeenalwaysdoing.Itistheworsteviloftooyieldingandindecisive