natonementforalltheinsolenceofthepast.Herspiritssank.Heheldthecardinhishandaftertheyweregone,asifdeeplyconsideringit.
“OnlythinkofElizabeth’sincludingeverybody!”whisperedMaryveryaudibly.“IdonotwonderCaptainWentworthisdelighted!Youseehecannotputthecardoutofhishand.”
Annecaughthiseye,sawhischeeksglow,andhismouthformitselfintoamomentaryexpressionofcontempt,andturnedaway,thatshemightneitherseenorhearmoretovexher.
Thepartyseparated.Thegentlemenhadtheirownpursuits,theladiesproceededontheirownbusiness,andtheymetnomorewhileAnnebelongedtothem.Shewasearnestlybeggedtoreturnanddine,andgivethemalltherestoftheday,butherspiritshadbeensolongexertedthatatpresentshefeltunequaltomore,andfitonlyforhome,whereshemightbesureofbeingassilentasshechose.
Promisingtobewiththemthewholeofthefollowingmorning,therefore,sheclosedthefatiguesofthepresentbyatoilsomewalktoCamdenPlace,theretospendtheeveningchieflyinlisteningtothebusyarrangementsofElizabethandMrsClayforthemorrow’sparty,thefrequentenumerationofthepersonsinvited,andthecontinuallyimprovingdetailofalltheembellishmentswhichweretomakeitthemostcompletelyelegantofitskindinBath,whileharassingherselfwiththenever-endingquestion,ofwhetherCaptainWentworthwouldcomeornot?Theywerereckoninghimascertain,butwithheritwasagnawingsolicitudeneverappeasedforfiveminutestogether.Shegenerallythoughthewouldcome,becauseshegenerallythoughtheoughtbutitwasacasewhichshecouldnotsoshapeintoanypositiveactofdutyordiscretion,asinevitablytodefythesuggestionsofveryoppositefeelings.
Sheonlyrousedherselffromthebroodingsofthisrestlessagitation,toletMrsClayknowthatshehadbeenseenwithMrElliotthreehoursafterhisbeingsupposedtobeoutofBath,forhavingwatchedinvainforsomeintimationoftheinterviewfromtheladyherself,shedeterminedtomentionit,anditseemedtohertherewasguiltinMrsClay’sfaceasshelistened.Itwastransient:clearedawayinaninstantbutAnnecouldimagineshereadtheretheconsciousnessofhaving,bysomecomplicationofmutualtrick,orsomeoverbearingauthorityofhis,beenobligedtoattend(perhapsforhalfanhour)tohislecturesandrestrictionsonherdesignsonSirWalter.Sheexclaimed,however,withaverytolerableimitationofnature:—
“Oh!dear!verytrue.Onlythink,MissElliot,tomygreatsurpriseImetwithMrElliotinBathStreet.Iwasnevermoreastonished.HeturnedbackandwalkedwithmetothePumpYard.HehadbeenpreventedsettingoffforThornberry,butIreallyforgetbywhatforIwasinahurry,andcouldnotmuchattend,andIcanonlyanswerforhisbeingdeterminednottobedelayedinhisreturn.Hewantedtoknowhowearlyhemightbeadmittedto-morrow.Hewasfullof‘to-morrow,’anditisveryevidentthatIhavebeenfullofittoo,eversinceIenteredthehouse,andlearnttheextensionofyourplanandallthathadhappened,ormyseeinghimcouldneverhavegonesoentirelyoutofmyhead.”