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would do her more harm than any sitting down could do her
good；”—and； in short； her look and manner declared； that go she
would not。
After a little succession of these sort of debates and
consultations； it was settled between Charles and his two sisters；
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that he and Henrietta should just run down for a few minutes； to
see their aunt and cousins； while the rest of the party waited for
them at the top of the hill。 Louisa seemed the principal arranger of
the plan； and； as she went a little way with them； down the hill；
still talking to Henrietta； Mary took the opportunity of looking
scornfully around her； and saying to Captain Wentworth；
“It is very unpleasant； having such connexions！ But； I assure
you； I have never been in the house above twice in my life。”
She received no other answer； than an artificial； assenting
smile； followed by a contemptuous glance； as he turned away；
which Anne perfectly knew the meaning of。
The brow of the hill； where they remained； was a cheerful spot：
Louisa returned； and Mary； finding a comfortable seat for herself
on the step of a stile； was very well satisfied so long as the others
all stood about her； but when Louisa drew Captain Wentworth
away； to try for a gleaning of nuts in an adjoining hedge…row； and
they were gone by degrees quite out of sight and sound； Mary was
happy no longer； she quarrelled with her own seat；—was sure
Louisa had got a much better somewhere；—and nothing could
prevent her from going to look for a better also。 She turned
through the same gate；—but could not see them。 Anne found a
nice seat for her； on a dry sunny bank； under the hedge…row； in
which she had no doubt of their still being—in some spot or other。
Mary sat down for a moment； but it would not do； she was sure
Louisa had found a better seat somewhere else； and she would go
on till she overtook her。
Anne； really tired herself； was glad to sit down； and she very
soon heard Captain Wentworth and Louisa in the hedge…row；
behind her； as if making their way back along the rough； wild sort
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of channel； down the centre。 They were speaking as they drew
near。 Louisa’s voice was the first distinguished。 She seemed to be
in the middle of some eager speech。 What Anne first heard was；
“And so； I made her go。 I could not bear that she should be
frightened from the visit by such nonsense。 What！—would I be
turned back from doing a thing that I had determined to do； and
that I knew to be right； by the airs and interference of such a
person；—or of any person I may say？ No；—I have no idea of being
so easily persuaded。 When I have made up my mind； I have made
it； and Henrietta seemed entirely to have made up hers to call at
Winthrop to…day；—and yet； she was as near giving it up； out of
nonsensical complaisance！”
“She would have turned back then； but for you？”
“She would indeed。 I am almost ashamed to say it。”
“Happy for her； to have such a mind as yours at hand！—After
the hints you gave just now； which did but confirm my own
observations； the last time I was in company with him； I need not
affect to have no comprehension of what is going on。 I see that
more than a mere dutiful morning…visit to your aunt was in
question；—and woe betide him； and her too； when it comes to
things of consequence； when they are placed in circumstances
requiring fortitude and strength of mind； if she have not resolution
enough to resist idle interference in such a trifle as this。 Your
sister is an amiable creature； but yours is the character of decision
and firmness； I see。 If you value her conduct or happiness； infuse
as much of your own spirit into her as you can。 But this； no doubt；
you have been always doing。 It is the worst evil of too yielding and
indecisive a character； that no influence over it can be depended
on。—You are never sure of a good impression being durable。
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Everybody may sway it。 Let those who would be happy be firm。—
Here is a nut；” said he； catching one down from an upper bough。
“To exemplify；—a beautiful glossy nut； which； blessed with
original strength； has outlived all the storms of autumn。 Not a
puncture； not a weak spot anywhere。—This nut；” he continued；
with playful solemnity；—“while so many of his brethren have
fallen and been trodden under foot； is still in possession of all the
happiness that a hazel nut can be supposed capable of。” Then
returning to his former earnest tone—“My first wish for all whom I
am interested in； is that they should be firm。 If Louisa Musgrove
would be beautiful and happy in her November of life； she will
cherish all her present powers of mind。”
He had done；—and was unanswered。 It would have surprised
Anne if Louisa could have readily answered such a speech—words
of such interest； spoken with such serious warmth！—she could
imagine what Louisa was feeling。 For herself—she feared to move；
lest she should be seen。 While she remained； a bush of low
rambling holly protected her； and they were moving on。 Before
they were beyond her hearing； however； Louisa spoke again。
“Mary is good…natured enough in many respects；” said she；
“but she does sometimes provoke me excessively； by her nonsense
and pride； the Elliot pride。 She has a great deal too much of the
Elliot pride。—We do so wish that Charles had married Anne
instead。—I suppose you know he wanted to marry Anne？”
After a