h-killingdependence!Itmustnotbe,ifbyanyfairinterferenceoffriendship,anyrepresentationsfromonewhohadalmostamother’slove,andmother’srights,itwouldbeprevented.
CaptainWentworthhadnofortune.Hehadbeenluckyinhisprofessionbutspendingfreely,whathadcomefreely,hadrealizednothing.Buthewasconfidentthatheshouldsoonberich:fulloflifeandardour,heknewthatheshouldsoonhaveaship,andsoonbeonastationthatwouldleadtoeverythinghewanted.Hehadalwaysbeenluckyheknewheshouldbesostill.Suchconfidence,powerfulinitsownwarmth,andbewitchinginthewitwhichoftenexpressedit,musthavebeenenoughforAnnebutLadyRussellsawitverydifferently.Hissanguinetemper,andfearlessnessofmind,operatedverydifferentlyonher.Shesawinitbutanaggravationoftheevil.Itonlyaddedadangerouscharactertohimself.Hewasbrilliant,hewasheadstrong.LadyRussellhadlittletasteforwit,andofanythingapproachingtoimprudenceahorror.Shedeprecatedtheconnexionineverylight.
Suchopposition,asthesefeelingsproduced,wasmorethanAnnecouldcombat.Youngandgentleasshewas,itmightyethavebeenpossibletowithstandherfather’sill-will,thoughunsoftenedbyonekindwordorlookonthepartofhersisterbutLadyRussell,whomshehadalwayslovedandreliedon,couldnot,withsuchsteadinessofopinion,andsuchtendernessofmanner,becontinuallyadvisingherinvain.Shewaspersuadedtobelievetheengagementawrongthing:indiscreet,improper,hardlycapableofsuccess,andnotdeservingit.Butitwasnotamerelyselfishcaution,underwhichsheacted,inputtinganendtoit.Hadshenotimaginedherselfconsultinghisgood,evenmorethanherown,shecouldhardlyhavegivenhimup.Thebeliefofbeingprudent,andself-denying,principallyforhisadvantage,washerchiefconsolation,underthemiseryofaparting,afinalpartingandeveryconsolationwasrequired,forshehadtoencounteralltheadditionalpainofopinions,onhisside,totallyunconv