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Which of the two sisters was preferred by Captain Wentworth
was as yet quite doubtful； as far as Anne’s observation reached。
Henrietta was perhaps the prettiest； Louisa had the higher spirits；
and she knew not now； whether the more gentle or the more lively
character were most likely to attract him。
Mr。 and Mrs。 Musgrove； either from seeing little； or from an
entire confidence in the discretion of both their daughters； and of
all the young men who came near them； seemed to leave
everything to take its chance。 There was not the smallest
appearance of solicitude or remark about them in the Mansion…
house； but it was different at the Cottage： the young couple there
were more disposed to speculate and wonder； and Captain
Wentworth had not been above four or five times in the Miss
Musgroves’ company； and Charles Hayter had but just
reappeared； when Anne had to listen to the opinions of her
brother and sister； as to which was the one liked best。 Charles gave
it for Louisa； Mary for Henrietta； but quite agreeing that to have
him marry either could be extremely delightful。
Charles “had never seen a pleasanter man in his life； and from
what he had once heard Captain Wentworth himself say； was very
sure that he had not made less than twenty thousand pounds by
the war。 Here was a fortune at once； besides which； there would
be the chance of what might be done in any future war； and he
was sure Captain Wentworth was as likely a man to distinguish
himself as any officer in the navy。 Oh！ it would be a capital match
for either of his sisters。”
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“Upon my word it would；” replied Mary。 “Dear me！ If he should
rise to any very great honours！ If he should ever be made a
baronet！ ‘Lady Wentworth’ sounds very well。 That would be a
noble thing； indeed； for Henrietta！ She would take place of me
then； and Henrietta would not dislike that。 Sir Frederick and Lady
Wentworth！ It would be but a new creation； however； and I never
think much of your new creations。”
It suited Mary best to think Henrietta the one preferred on the
very account of Charles Hayter； whose pretensions she wished to
see put an end to。 She looked down very decidedly upon the
Hayters； and thought it would be quite a misfortune to have the
existing connection between the families renewed—very sad for
herself and her children。
“You know；” said she； “I cannot think him at all a fit match for
Henrietta； and considering the alliances which the Musgroves
have made； she has no right to throw herself away。 I do not think
any young woman has a right to make a choice that may be
disagreeable and inconvenient to the principal part of her family；
and be giving bad connections to those who have not been used to
them。 And； pray； who is Charles Hayter？ Nothing but a country
curate。 A most improper match for Miss Musgrove of Uppercross。
Her husband； however； would not agree with her here； for
besides having a regard for his cousin； Charles Hayter was an
eldest son； and he saw things as an eldest son himself。
“Now you are taking nonsense； Mary；” was therefore his
answer。 “It would not be a great match for Henrietta； but Charles
has a very fair chance； through the Spicers； of getting something
from the Bishop in the course of a year or two； and you will please
to remember； that he is the eldest son； whenever my uncle dies； he
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steps into very pretty property。 The estate at Winthrop is not less
than two hundred and fifty acres； besides the farm near Taunton；
which is some of the best land in the country。 I grant you； that any
of them but Charles would be a very shocking match for Henrietta；
and indeed it could not be； he is the only one that could be
possible； but he is a very good…natured； good sort of a fellow； and
whenever Winthrop comes into his hands； he will make a different
sort of place of it； and live in a very different sort of way； and with
that property； he will never be a contemptible man。 Good； freehold
property。 No； no； Henrietta might do worse than marry Charles
Hayter； and if she has him； and Louisa can get Captain
Wentworth； I shall be very well satisfied。”
“Charles may say what he pleases；” cried Mary to Anne； as soon
as he was out of the room； “but it would be shocking to have
Henrietta marry Charles Hayter； a very bad thing for her； and still
worse for me； and therefore it is very much to be wished that
Captain Wentworth may soon put him quite out of her head； and I
have very little doubt that he has。 She took hardly any notice of
Charles Hayter yesterday。 I wish you had been there to see her
behaviour。 And as to Captain Wentworth’s liking Louisa as well as
Henrietta； it is nonsense to say so； for he certainly does like
Henrietta a great deal the best。 But Charles is so positive！ I wish
you had been with us yesterday； for then you might have decided
between us； and I am sure you would have thought as I did； unless
you had been determined to give it against me。
A dinner at Mr。 Musgrove’s had been the occasion when all
these things should have been seen by Anne； but she had staid at
home； under the mixed plea of a headache of her own； and some
return of indisposition in little Charles。 She had thought only of
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avoiding Captain Wentworth； but an escape from being appealed
to as umpire was now added to the advantages of a quiet evening。
As to Captain Wentworth’s views； she deemed it of more
consequence that he should know his own mind early enough not
to be