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should not be ashamed of being seen with him any where； and the
Admiral； with sympathetic cordiality； observed to his wife as they
drove back through the Park； “I thought we should soon come to a
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deal； my dear； in spite of what they told us at Taunton。 The
Baronet will never set the Thames on fire； but there seems to be
no harm in him：”—reciprocal compliments； which would have
been esteemed about equal。
The Crofts were to have possession at Michaelmas； and as Sir
Walter proposed removing to Bath in the course of the preceding
month； there was no time to be lost in making every dependant
arrangement。
Lady Russell； convinced that Anne would not be allowed to be
of any use； or any importance； in the choice of the house which
they were going to secure； was very unwilling to have her hurried
away so soon； and wanted to make it possible for her to stay
behind till she might convey her to Bath herself after Christmas；
but having engagements of her own which must take her from
Kellynch for several weeks； she was unable to give the full
invitation she wished； and Anne though dreading the possible
heats of September in all the white glare of Bath； and grieving to
forego all the influence so sweet and so sad of the autumnal
months in the country； did not think that； everything considered；
she wished to remain。 It would be most right； and most wise； and；
therefore must involve least suffering to go with the others。
Something occurred； however； to give her a different duty。
Mary； often a little unwell； and always thinking a great deal of her
own complaints； and always in the habit of claiming Anne when
anything was the matter； was indisposed； and foreseeing that she
should not have a day’s health all the autumn； entreated； or rather
required her； for it was hardly entreaty； to come to Uppercross
Cottage； and bear her company as long as she should want her；
instead of going to Bath。
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“I cannot possibly do without Anne；” was Mary’s reasoning；
and Elizabeth’s reply was； “Then I am sure Anne had better stay；
for nobody will want her in Bath。”
To be claimed as a good； though in an improper style； is at least
better than being rejected as no good at all； and Anne； glad to be
thought of some use； glad to have anything marked out as a duty；
and certainly not sorry to have the scene of it in the country； and
her own dear country； readily agreed to stay。
This invitation of Mary’s removed all Lady Russell’s difficulties；
and it was consequently soon settled that Anne should not go to
Bath till Lady Russell took her； and that all the intervening time
should be divided between Uppercross Cottage and Kellynch
Lodge。
So far all was perfectly right； but Lady Russell was almost
startled by the wrong of one part of the Kellynch Hall plan； when
it burst on her； which was； Mrs。 Clay’s being engaged to go to Bath
with Sir Walter and Elizabeth； as a most important and valuable
assistant to the latter in all the business before her。 Lady Russell
was extremely sorry that such a measure should have been
resorted to at all—wondered； grieved； and feared—and the affront
it contained to Anne； in Mrs。 Clay’s being of so much use； while
Anne could be of none； was a very sore aggravation。
Anne herself was become hardened to such affronts； but she
felt the imprudence of the arrangement quite as keenly as Lady
Russell。 With a great deal of quiet observation； and a knowledge；
which she often wished less； of her father’s character； she was
sensible that results the most serious to his family from the
intimacy were more than possible。 She did not imagine that her
father had at present an idea of the kind。 Mrs。 Clay had freckles；
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and a projecting tooth； and a clumsy wrist； which he was
continually making severe remarks upon； in her absence； but she
was young； and certainly altogether well…looking； and possessed；
in an acute mind and assiduous pleasing manners； infinitely more
dangerous attractions than any merely personal might have been。
Anne was so impressed by the degree of their danger； that she
could not excuse herself from trying to make it perceptible to her
sister。 She had little hope of success； but Elizabeth； who in the
event of such a reverse would be so much more to be pitied than
herself； should never； she thought； have reason to reproach her for
giving no warning。
She spoke； and seemed only to offend。 Elizabeth could not
conceive how such an absurd suspicion should occur to her； and
indignantly answered for each party’s perfectly knowing their
situation。
“Mrs。 Clay；” said she； warmly； “never forgets who she is； and as
I am rather better acquainted with her sentiments than you can
be； I can assure you； that upon the subject of marriage they are
particularly nice； and that she reprobates all inequality of
condition and rank more strongly than most people。 And as to my
father； I really should not have thought that he； who has kept
himself single so long for our sakes； need be suspected now。 If
Mrs。 Clay were a very beautiful woman； I grant you； it might be
wrong to have her so much with me； not that anything in the
world； I am sure； would induce my father to make a degrading
match； but he might be rendered unhappy。 But poor Mrs。 Clay
who； with all her merits； can never have been reckoned tolerably
pretty； I really think poor Mrs。 Clay may be staying here in perfect
safety。 One would imagin