kingmatchforHenrietta,andindeeditcouldnotbeheistheonlyonethatcouldbepossiblebutheisaverygood-natured,goodsortofafellowandwheneverWinthropcomesintohishands,hewillmakeadifferentsortofplaceofit,andliveinaverydifferentsortofwayandwiththatproperty,hewillneverbeacontemptibleman—good,freeholdproperty.No,noHenriettamightdoworsethanmarryCharlesHayterandifshehashim,andLouisacangetCaptainWentworth,Ishallbeverywellsatisfied.”
“Charlesmaysaywhathepleases,”criedMarytoAnne,assoonashewasoutoftheroom,“butitwouldbeshockingtohaveHenriettamarryCharlesHayteraverybadthingforher,andstillworseformeandthereforeitisverymuchtobewishedthatCaptainWentworthmaysoonputhimquiteoutofherhead,andIhaveverylittledoubtthathehas.ShetookhardlyanynoticeofCharlesHayteryesterday.Iwishyouhadbeentheretoseeherbehaviour.AndastoCaptainWentworth’slikingLouisaaswellasHenrietta,itisnonsensetosaysoforhecertainlydoeslikeHenriettaagreatdealthebest.ButCharlesissopositive!Iwishyouhadbeenwithusyesterday,forthenyoumighthavedecidedbetweenusandIamsureyouwouldhavethoughtasIdid,unlessyouhadbeendeterminedtogiveitagainstme.”
AdinneratMrMusgrove’shadbeentheoccasionwhenallthesethingsshouldhavebeenseenbyAnnebutshehadstaidathome,underthemixedpleaofaheadacheofherown,andsomereturnofindispositioninlittleCharles.ShehadthoughtonlyofavoidingCaptainWentworthbutanescapefrombeingappealedtoasumpirewasnowaddedtotheadvantagesofaquietevening.
AstoCaptainWentworth’sviews,shedeemeditofmoreconsequencethatheshouldknowhisownmindearlyenoughnottobeendangeringthehappinessofeithersister,orimpeachinghisownhonour,thanthatheshouldpreferHenriettatoLouisa,orLouisatoHenrietta.Eitherofthemwould,inallprobability,makehimanaffectionate,good-humouredwife.WithregardtoCharlesHayter,shehaddelicacywhichmustbepainedbyanylightnessofconductinawell-meaningyoungwoman,andahearttosympathizeinanyofthesufferingsitoccasionedbutifHenriettafoundherselfmi