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Anne found Captain Benwick getting near her； as soon as they
were all fairly in the street。 Their conversation the preceding
evening did not disincline him to seek her again； and they walked
together some time； talking as before of Mr。 Scott and Lord Byron；
and still as unable as before； and as unable as any other two
readers； to think exactly alike of the merits of either； till something
occasioned an almost general change amongst their party； and
instead of Captain Benwick； she had Captain Harville by her side。
“Miss Elliot；” said he； speaking rather low； “you have done a
good deed in making that poor fellow talk so much。 I wish he could
have such company oftener。 It is bad for him； I know； to be shut up
as he is； but what can we do？ We cannot part。”
“No；” said Anne； “that I can easily believe to be impossible； but
in time； perhaps—we know what time does in every case of
affliction； and you must remember； Captain Harville； that your
friend may yet be called a young mourner—Only last summer； I
understand。”
“Ay； true enough；” （with a deep sigh） “only June。”
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“And not known to him； perhaps； so soon。”
“Not till the first week of August； when he came home from the
Cape；—just made into the Grappler。 I was at Plymouth； dreading
to hear of him； he sent in letters； but the Grappler was under
orders for Portsmouth。 There the news must follow him； but who
was to tell it？ not I。 I would as soon have been run up to the yard…
arm。 Nobody could do it； but that good fellow （pointing to Captain
Wentworth）。 The Laconia had come into Plymouth the week
before； no danger of her being sent to sea again。 He stood his
chance for the rest；—wrote up for leave of absence； but without
waiting the return； travelled night and day till he got to
Portsmouth； rowed off to the Grappler that instant； and never left
the poor fellow for a week； that’s what he did； and nobody else
could have saved poor James。 You may think； Miss Elliot； whether
he is dear to us！”
Anne did think on the question with perfect decision； and said
as much in reply as her own feeling could accomplish； or as his
seemed able to bear； for he was too much affected to renew the
subject； and when he spoke again； it was of something totally
different。
Mrs。 Harville’s giving it as her opinion that her husband would
have quite walking enough by the time he reached home；
determined the direction of all the party in what was to be their
last walk； they would accompany them to their door； and then
return and set off themselves。 By all their calculations there was
just time for this； but as they drew near the Cobb； there was such a
general wish to walk along it once more； all were so inclined； and
Louisa soon grew so determined； that the difference of a quarter of
an hour； it was found； would be no difference at all； so with all the
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kind leave…taking； and all the kind interchange of invitations and
promises which may be imagined； they parted from Captain and
Mrs。 Harville at their own door； and still accompanied by Captain
Benwick； who seemed to cling to them to the last； proceeded to
make the proper adieus to the Cobb。
Anne found Captain Benwick again drawing near her。 Lord
Byron’s “dark blue seas” could not fail of being brought forward
by their present view； and she gladly gave him all her attention as
long as attention was possible。 It was soon drawn per force
another way。
There was too much wind to make the high part of the new
Cobb pleasant for the ladies； and they agreed to get down the
steps to the lower； and all were contented to pass quietly and
carefully down the steep flight； excepting Louisa； she must be
jumped down them by Captain Wentworth。 In all their walks； he
had had to jump her from the stiles； the sensation was delightful to
her。 The hardness of the pavement for her feet； made him less
willing upon the present occasion； he did it； however； she was
safely down； and instantly； to shew her enjoyment； ran up the
steps to be jumped down again。 He advised her against it； thought
the jar too great； but no； he reasoned and talked in vain； she
smiled and said； “I am determined I will：” he put out his hands；
she was too precipitate by half a second； she fell on the pavement
on the Lower Cobb； and was taken up lifeless！
There was no wound； no blood； no visible bruise； but her eyes
were closed； she breathed not； her face was like death。—The
horror of the moment to all who stood around！
Captain Wentworth； who had caught her up； knelt with her in
his arms； looking on her with a face as pallid as her own； in an
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agony of silence。 “She is dead！ she is dead！” screamed Mary；
catching hold of her husband； and contributing with his own
horror to make him immoveable； and in another moment；
Henrietta； sinking under the conviction； lost her senses too； and
would have fallen on the steps； but for Captain Benwick and Anne；
who caught and supported her between them。
“Is there no one to help me？” were the first words which burst
from Captain Wentworth； in a tone of despair； and as if all his own
strength were gone。
“Go to him； go to him；” cried Anne； “for heaven’s sake go to
him。 I can support her myself。 Leave me； and go to him。 Rub her
hands； rub her temples； here are salts；—take them； take them。”
Captain Benwick obeyed； and