inalmostblottingouttheveryfewobjectsevertobediscernedfromthewindows,wasenoughtomakethesoundofLadyRussell’scarriageexceedinglywelcomeandyet,thoughdesiroustobegone,shecouldnotquittheMansionHouse,orlookanadieutotheCottage,withitsblack,drippingandcomfortlessveranda,orevennoticethroughthemistyglassesthelasthumbletenementsofthevillage,withoutasaddenedheart.SceneshadpassedinUppercrosswhichmadeitprecious.Itstoodtherecordofmanysensationsofpain,oncesevere,butnowsoftenedandofsomeinstancesofrelentingfeeling,somebreathingsoffriendshipandreconciliation,whichcouldneverbelookedforagain,andwhichcouldneverceasetobedear.Sheleftitallbehindher,allbuttherecollectionthatsuchthingshadbeen.
AnnehadneverenteredKellynchsinceherquittingLadyRussell’shouseinSeptember.Ithadnotbeennecessary,andthefewoccasionsofitsbeingpossibleforhertogototheHallshehadcontrivedtoevadeandescapefrom.HerfirstreturnwastoresumeherplaceinthemodernandelegantapartmentsoftheLodge,andtogladdentheeyesofitsmistress.
TherewassomeanxietymixedwithLadyRussell’sjoyinmeetingher.SheknewwhohadbeenfrequentingUppercross.Buthappily,eitherAnnewasimprovedinplumpnessandlooks,orLadyRussellfanciedhersoandAnne,inreceivinghercomplimentsontheoccasion,hadtheamusementofconnectingthemwiththesilentadmirationofhercousin,andofhopingthatshewastobeblessedwithasecondspringofyouthandbeauty.
Whentheycametoconverse,shewassoonsensibleofsomementalchange.ThesubjectsofwhichherhearthadbeenfullonleavingKellynch,andwhichshehadfeltslighted,andbeencompelledtosmotheramongtheMusgroves,werenowbecomebutofsecondaryinterest.ShehadlatelylostsightevenofherfatherandsisterandBath.TheirconcernshadbeensunkunderthoseofUppercrossandwhenLadyRussellrevertedtotheirformerhopesandfears,andspokehersatisfactioninthehouseinCamdenPlace,whichhadbeentaken,andherregretthatMrsClayshould