erdaughter,theHonourableMissCarteretandallthecomfortofNo.—,CamdenPlace,wassweptawayformanydaysfortheDalrymples(inAnne’sopinion,mostunfortunately)werecousinsoftheElliotsandtheagonywashowtointroducethemselvesproperly.
Annehadneverseenherfatherandsisterbeforeincontactwithnobility,andshemustacknowledgeherselfdisappointed.Shehadhopedbetterthingsfromtheirhighideasoftheirownsituationinlife,andwasreducedtoformawishwhichshehadneverforeseenawishthattheyhadmorepridefor“ourcousinsLadyDalrympleandMissCarteret”“ourcousins,theDalrymples,”soundedinherearsalldaylong.
SirWalterhadoncebeenincompanywiththelateviscount,buthadneverseenanyoftherestofthefamilyandthedifficultiesofthecasearosefromtherehavingbeenasuspensionofallintercoursebylettersofceremony,eversincethedeathofthatsaidlateviscount,when,inconsequenceofadangerousillnessofSirWalter’satthesametime,therehadbeenanunluckyomissionatKellynch.NoletterofcondolencehadbeensenttoIreland.TheneglecthadbeenvisitedontheheadofthesinnerforwhenpoorLadyElliotdiedherself,noletterofcondolencewasreceivedatKellynch,and,consequently,therewasbuttoomuchreasontoapprehendthattheDalrymplesconsideredtherelationshipasclosed.Howtohavethisanxiousbusinesssettorights,andbeadmittedascousinsagain,wasthequestion:anditwasaquestionwhich,inamorerationalmanner,neitherLadyRussellnorMrElliotthoughtunimportant.“Familyconnexionswerealwaysworthpreserving,goodcompanyalwaysworthseekingLadyDalrymplehadtakenahouse,forthreemonths,inLauraPlace,andwouldbelivinginstyle.ShehadbeenatBaththeyearbefore,andLadyRussellhadheardherspokenofasacharmingwoman.Itwasverydesirablethattheconnexionshouldberenewed,ifitcouldbedone,withoutanycompromiseofproprietyonthesideoftheElliots.”
SirWalter,however,wouldchoosehisownmeans,andatlastwroteaveryfineletterofampleexplanation,regret,andentreaty,tohisrighthonourablecousin.NeitherLadyRussellnorMrElliotcouldadmirethelett