Annewenthometothinkoverallthatshehadheard.Inonepoint,herfeelingswererelievedbythisknowledgeofMrElliot.Therewasnolongeranythingoftendernessduetohim.HestoodasopposedtoCaptainWentworth,inallhisownunwelcomeobtrusivenessandtheevilofhisattentionslastnight,theirremediablemischiefhemighthavedone,wasconsideredwithsensationsunqualified,unperplexed.Pityforhimwasallover.Butthiswastheonlypointofrelief.Ineveryotherrespect,inlookingaroundher,orpenetratingforward,shesawmoretodistrustandtoapprehend.ShewasconcernedforthedisappointmentandpainLadyRussellwouldbefeelingforthemortificationswhichmustbehangingoverherfatherandsister,andhadallthedistressofforeseeingmanyevils,withoutknowinghowtoavertanyoneofthem.Shewasmostthankfulforherownknowledgeofhim.ShehadneverconsideredherselfasentitledtorewardfornotslightinganoldfriendlikeMrsSmith,butherewasarewardindeedspringingfromit!MrsSmithhadbeenabletotellherwhatnooneelsecouldhavedone.Couldtheknowledgehavebeenextendedthroughherfamily?Butthiswasavainidea.ShemusttalktoLadyRussell,tellher,consultwithher,andhavingdoneherbest,waittheeventwithasmuchcomposureaspossibleandafterall,hergreatestwantofcomposurewouldbeinthatquarterofthemindwhichcouldnotbeopenedtoLadyRussellinthatflowofanxietiesandfearswhichmustbealltoherself.
Shefound,onreachinghome,thatshehad,assheintended,escapedseeingMrElliotthathehadcalledandpaidthemalongmorningvisitbuthardlyhadshecongratulatedherself,andfeltsafe,whensheheardthathewascomingagainintheevening.
“Ihadnotthesmallestintentionofaskinghim,”saidElizabeth,withaffectedcarelessness,“buthegavesomanyhintssoMrsClaysays,atleast.”
“Indeed,Idosayit.Ineversawanybodyinmylifespellharderforaninvitation.Poorman!Iwasreallyinpainforhimforyourhard-heartedsister,MissAnne,seemsbentoncruelty.”
“Oh!”criedElizabeth,“Ihavebeenrathertoomuchusedtothegametobesoonovercomebyagentleman’shints.However,whenIfoundhowexcessivelyhewasregrettingthatheshouldmissmyfatherthismorning,Igavewayimmediately,forIwouldneverreallyomitanopportunityofbringinghimandSirWaltertogether.Theyappeartosomuchadvantageincompanywitheachother.Eachbehavingsopleasantly.MrElliotlookingupwithsomuchrespect.”
“Quitedelightful!”criedMrsClay,notdaring,however,toturnhereyestowardsAnne.“Exactlylikefatherandson!DearMissElliot,mayInotsayfatherandson?”
“Oh!Ilaynoembargoonanybody’swords.Ifyouwillhavesuchideas!But,uponmyword,Iamscarcelysensibleofhisattentionsbeingbeyondthoseofothermen.”
“MydearMissElliot!”exclaimedMrsClay,liftingherhandsandeyes,andsinkingalltherestofherastonishmentinaconvenientsilence.
“Well,mydearPenelope,youneednotbesoalarmedabouthim.Ididinvitehim,youknow.Isenthimawaywithsmiles.WhenIfoundhewasreallygoingtohisfriendsatThornberryParkforthewholedayto-morr