ntsofherownwhichmusttakeherfromKellynchforseveralweeks,shewasunabletogivethefullinvitationshewished,andAnnethoughdreadingthepossibleheatsofSeptemberinallthewhiteglareofBath,andgrievingtoforegoalltheinfluencesosweetandsosadoftheautumnalmonthsinthecountry,didnotthinkthat,everythingconsidered,shewishedtoremain.Itwouldbemostright,andmostwise,and,thereforemustinvolveleastsufferingtogowiththeothers.
Somethingoccurred,however,togiveheradifferentduty.Mary,oftenalittleunwell,andalwaysthinkingagreatdealofherowncomplaints,andalwaysinthehabitofclaimingAnnewhenanythingwasthematter,wasindisposedandforeseeingthatsheshouldnothaveaday’shealthalltheautumn,entreated,orratherrequiredher,foritwashardlyentreaty,tocometoUppercrossCottage,andbearhercompanyaslongassheshouldwanther,insteadofgoingtoBath.
“IcannotpossiblydowithoutAnne,”wasMary’sreasoningandElizabeth’sreplywas,“ThenIamsureAnnehadbetterstay,fornobodywillwantherinBath.”
Tobeclaimedasagood,thoughinanimproperstyle,isatleastbetterthanbeingrejectedasnogoodatallandAnne,gladtobethoughtofsomeuse,gladtohaveanythingmarkedoutasaduty,andcertainlynotsorrytohavethesceneofitinthecountry,andherowndearcountry,readilyagreedtostay.
ThisinvitationofMary’sremovedallLadyRussell’sdifficulties,anditwasconsequentlysoonsettledthatAnneshouldnotgotoBathtillLadyRusselltookher,andthatalltheinterveningtimeshouldbedividedbetweenUppercrossCottageandKellynchLodge.
SofarallwasperfectlyrightbutLadyRussellwasalmoststartledbythewrongofonepartoftheKellynchHallplan,whenitburstonher,whichwas,MrsClay’sbeingengagedtogotoBathwithSirWalterandElizabeth,asamostimportantandvaluableassistanttothelatterinallthebusinessbeforeher.LadyRussellwasextremelysorrythatsuchameasureshouldhavebeenresortedtoatall,wondered,grieved,andfearedandtheaffrontitcontainedtoAnne,inMrsClay’sbeingofsomuchuse,whileAnnecouldbeofnone,wasaverysoreaggravation.
Anneherselfwasbeco