ItwasthebeginningofFebruaryandAnne,havingbeenamonthinBath,wasgrowingveryeagerfornewsfromUppercrossandLyme.ShewantedtohearmuchmorethanMaryhadcommunicated.Itwasthreeweekssinceshehadheardatall.SheonlyknewthatHenriettawasathomeagainandthatLouisa,thoughconsideredtoberecoveringfast,wasstillinLymeandshewasthinkingofthemallveryintentlyoneevening,whenathickerletterthanusualfromMarywasdeliveredtoherand,toquickenthepleasureandsurprise,withAdmiralandMrsCroft’scompliments.
TheCroftsmustbeinBath!Acircumstancetointeresther.Theywerepeoplewhomherheartturnedtoverynaturally.
“Whatisthis?”criedSirWalter.“TheCroftshavearrivedinBath?TheCroftswhorentKellynch?Whathavetheybroughtyou?”
“AletterfromUppercrossCottage,Sir.”
“Oh!thoselettersareconvenientpassports.Theysecureanintroduction.IshouldhavevisitedAdmiralCroft,however,atanyrate.Iknowwhatisduetomytenant.”
AnnecouldlistennolongershecouldnotevenhavetoldhowthepoorAdmiral’scomplexionescapedherletterengrossedher.Ithadbeenbegunseveraldaysback.
“February1st.
“MYDEARANNE,
Imakenoapologyformysilence,becauseIknowhowlittlepeoplethinkoflettersinsuchaplaceasBath.YoumustbeagreatdealtoohappytocareforUppercross,which,asyouwellknow,affordslittletowriteabout.WehavehadaverydullChristmasMrandMrsMusgrovehavenothadonedinnerpartyalltheholidays.IdonotreckontheHaytersasanybody.Theholidays,however,areoveratlast:Ibelievenochildreneverhadsuchlongones.IamsureIhadnot.Thehousewasclearedyesterday,exceptofthelittleHarvillesbutyouwillbesurprisedtoheartheyhavenevergonehome.MrsHarvillemustbeanoddmothertopartwiththemsolong.Idonotunderstandit.Theyarenotatallnicechildren,inmyopinionbutMrsMusgroveseemstolikethemquiteaswell,ifnotbetter,thanhergrandchildren.Whatdreadfulweatherwehavehad!ItmaynotbefeltinBath,withyournicepavementsbutinthecountryitisofsomeconsequence.Ihavenothada