inghappytogether.Amostsuitableconnectioneverybodymustconsiderit,butIthinkitmightbeaveryhappyone.”
“MrElliotisanexceedinglyagreeableman,andinmanyrespectsIthinkhighlyofhim,”saidAnne“butweshouldnotsuit.”
LadyRussellletthispass,andonlysaidinrejoinder,“IownthattobeabletoregardyouasthefuturemistressofKellynch,thefutureLadyElliot,tolookforwardandseeyouoccupyingyourdearmother’splace,succeedingtoallherrights,andallherpopularity,aswellastoallhervirtues,wouldbethehighestpossiblegratificationtome.Youareyourmother’sselfincountenanceanddispositionandifImightbeallowedtofancyyousuchasshewas,insituationandname,andhome,presidingandblessinginthesamespot,andonlysuperiortoherinbeingmorehighlyvalued!MydearestAnne,itwouldgivememoredelightthanisoftenfeltatmytimeoflife!”
Annewasobligedtoturnaway,torise,towalktoadistanttable,and,leaningthereinpretendedemployment,trytosubduethefeelingsthispictureexcited.Forafewmomentsherimaginationandherheartwerebewitched.Theideaofbecomingwhathermotherhadbeenofhavingthepreciousnameof“LadyElliot”firstrevivedinherselfofbeingrestoredtoKellynch,callingitherhomeagain,herhomeforever,wasacharmwhichshecouldnotimmediatelyresist.LadyRussellsaidnotanotherword,willingtoleavethemattertoitsownoperationandbelievingthat,couldMrElliotatthatmomentwithproprietyhavespokenforhimself!—shebelieved,inshort,whatAnnedidnotbelieve.ThesameimageofMrElliotspeakingforhimselfbroughtAnnetocomposureagain.ThecharmofKellynchandof“LadyElliot”allfadedaway.Shenevercouldaccepthim.Anditwasnotonlythatherfeelingswerestilladversetoanymansaveoneherjudgement,onaseriousconsiderationofthepossibilitiesofsuchacase,wasagainstMrElliot.
Thoughtheyhadnowbeenacquaintedamonth,shecouldnotbesatisfiedthatshereallyknewhischaracter.Thathewasasensibleman,anagreeableman,thathetalkedwell,professedgoodopinions,seemedtojudge