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and that being the case； thought it best to accept the Miss
Musgroves’ much more cordial invitation to herself to go likewise；
as she might be useful in turning back with her sister； and
lessening the interference in any plan of their own。
“I cannot imagine why they should suppose I should not like a
long walk！” said Mary； as she went up stairs。 “Everybody is always
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supposing that I am not a good walker； and yet they would not
have been pleased； if we had refused to join them。 When people
come in this manner on purpose to ask us； how can one say no？”
Just as they were setting off； the gentlemen returned。 They had
taken out a young dog； who had spoilt their sport； and sent them
back early。 Their time and strength； and spirits； were； therefore；
exactly ready for this walk； and they entered into it with pleasure。
Could Anne have foreseen such a junction； she would have staid at
home； but； from some feelings of interest and curiosity； she
fancied now that it was too late to retract； and the whole six set
forward together in the direction chosen by the Miss Musgroves；
who evidently considered the walk as under their guidance。
Anne’s object was； not to be in the way of any body； and where
the narrow paths across the fields made many separations
necessary； to keep with her brother and sister。 Her pleasure in the
walk must arise from the exercise and the day； from the view of
the last smiles of the year upon the tawny leaves； and withered
hedges； and from repeating to herself some few of the thousand
poetical descriptions extant of autumn； that season of peculiar and
inexhaustible influence on the mind of taste and tenderness； that
season which had drawn from every poet； worthy of being read；
some attempt at description； or some lines of feeling。 She occupied
her mind as much as possible in such like musings and quotations；
but it was not possible； that when within reach of Captain
Wentworth’s conversation with either of the Miss Musgroves； she
should not try to hear it； yet she caught little very remarkable。 It
was mere lively chat；—such as any young persons； on an intimate
footing； might fall into。 He was more engaged with Louisa than
with Henrietta。 Louisa certainly put more forward for his notice
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than her sister。 This distinction appeared to increase； and there
was one speech of Louisa’s which struck her。 After one of the
many praises of the day； which were continually bursting forth；
Captain Wentworth added；
“What glorious weather for the Admiral and my sister！ They
meant to take a long drive this morning； perhaps we may hail
them from some of these hills。 They talked of coming into this side
of the country。 I wonder whereabouts they will upset to…day。 Oh！ it
does happen very often； I assure you—but my sister makes
nothing of it—she would as lieve be tossed out as not。”
“Ah！ You make the most of it； I know；” cried Louisa； “but if it
were really so； I should do just the same in her place。 If I loved a
man； as she loves the Admiral； I would always be with him；
nothing should ever separate us； and I would rather be overturned
by him； than driven safely by anybody else。”
It was spoken with enthusiasm。
“Had you？” cried he； catching the same tone； “I honour you！”
And there was silence between them for a little while。
Anne could not immediately fall into a quotation again。 The
sweet scenes of autumn were for a while put by—unless some
tender sonnet； fraught with the apt analogy of the declining year；
with declining happiness； and the images of youth and hope； and
spring； all gone together； blessed her memory。 She roused herself
to say； as they struck by order into another path； “Is not this one of
the ways to Winthrop？” But nobody heard； or； at least； nobody
answered her。
Winthrop； however； or its environs—for young men are；
sometimes to be met with； strolling about near home； was their
destination； and after another half mile of gradual ascent through
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large enclosures； where the ploughs at work； and the fresh made
path spoke the farmer counteracting the sweets of poetical
despondence； and meaning to have spring again； they gained the
summit of the most considerable hill； which parted Uppercross
and Winthrop； and soon commanded a full view of the latter； at the
foot of the hill on the other side。
Winthrop； without beauty and without dignity； was stretched
before them； an indifferent house； standing low； and hemmed in
by the barns and buildings of a farm…yard。
Mary exclaimed； “Bless me！ here is Winthrop—I declare I had
no idea！—well； now I think we had better turn back； I am
excessively tired。”
Henrietta； conscious and ashamed； and seeing no cousin
Charles walking along any path； or leaning against any gate； was
ready to do as Mary wished； but “No！” said Charles Musgrove； and
“No； no！” cried Louisa more eagerly； and taking her sister aside；
seemed to be arguing the matter warmly。
Charles； in the meanwhile； was very decidedly declaring his
resolution of calling on his aunt； now that he was so near； and very
evidently； though more fearfully； trying to induce his wife to go
too。 But this was one of the points on which the lady shewed her
strength； and when he recommended the advantage of resting
herself a quarter of an hour at Winthrop； as she felt so tired； she
resolutely answered； “Oh！ no； indeed！—walking up that hill again
would do her more harm than any sitting down could do her
good；”—and