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Captain Benwick； which； he hoped； would do her good。 He almost
wished she had been prevailed on to come home the day before；
but the truth was； that Mrs。 Harville left nothing for anybody to
do。”
Charles was to return to Lyme the same afternoon； and his
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father had at first half a mind to go with him； but the ladies could
not consent。 It would be going only to multiply trouble to the
others； and increase his own distress； and a much better scheme
followed and was acted upon。 A chaise was sent for from
Crewkherne； and Charles conveyed back a far more useful person
in the old nursery…maid of the family； one who having brought up
all the children； and seen the very last； the lingering and long…
petted Master Harry； sent to school after his brothers； was now
living in her deserted nursery to mend stockings and dress all the
blains and bruises she could get near her； and who； consequently；
was only too happy in being allowed to go and help nurse dear
Miss Louisa。 Vague wishes of getting Sarah thither； had occurred
before to Mrs。 Musgrove and Henrietta； but without Anne； it
would hardly have been resolved on； and found practicable so
soon。
They were indebted； the next day； to Charles Hayter； for all the
minute knowledge of Louisa； which it was so essential to obtain
every twenty…four hours。 He made it his business to go to Lyme；
and his account was still encouraging。 The intervals of sense and
consciousness were believed to be stronger。 Every report agreed
in Captain Wentworth’s appearing fixed in Lyme。
Anne was to leave them on the morrow； an event which they all
dreaded。 “What should they do without her？ They were wretched
comforters for one another。” And so much was said in this way；
that Anne thought she could not do better than impart among
them the general inclination to which she was privy； and
persuaded them all to go to Lyme at once。 She had little difficulty；
it was soon determined that they would go； go to…morrow； fix
themselves at the inn； or get into lodgings； as it suited； and there
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remain till dear Louisa could be moved。 They must be taking off
some trouble from the good people she was with； they might at
least relieve Mrs。 Harville from the care of her own children； and
in short； they were so happy in the decision； that Anne was
delighted with what she had done； and felt that she could not
spend her last morning at Uppercross better than in assisting their
preparations； and sending them off at an early hour； though her
being left to the solitary range of the house was the consequence。
She was the last； excepting the little boys at the cottage； she
was the very last； the only remaining one of all that had filled and
animated both houses； of all that had given Uppercross its
cheerful character。 A few days had made a change indeed！
If Louisa recovered； it would all be well again。 More than
former happiness would be restored。 There could not be a doubt；
to her mind there was none； of what would follow her recovery。 A
few months hence； and the room now so deserted； occupied but by
her silent； pensive self； might be filled again with all that was
happy and gay； all that was glowing and bright in prosperous love；
all that was most unlike Anne Elliot！
An hour’s complete leisure for such reflections as these； on a
dark November day； a small thick rain almost blotting out the very
few objects ever to be discerned from the windows； was enough to
make the sound of Lady Russell’s carriage exceedingly welcome；
and yet； though desirous to be gone； she could not quit the
Mansion House； or look an adieu to the Cottage； with its black；
dripping and comfortless veranda； or even notice through the
misty glasses the last humble tenements of the village； without a
saddened heart。—Scenes had passed in Uppercross which made it
precious。 It stood the record of many sensations of pain； once
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severe； but now softened； and of some instances of relenting
feeling； some breathings of friendship and reconciliation； which
could never be looked for again； and which could never cease to be
dear。 She left it all behind her； all but the recollection that such
things had been。
Anne had never entered Kellynch since her quitting Lady
Russell’s house in September。 It had not been necessary； and the
few occasions of its being possible for her to go to the Hall she had
contrived to evade and escape from。 Her first return was to
resume her place in the modern and elegant apartments of the
Lodge； and to gladden the eyes of its mistress。
There was some anxiety mixed with Lady Russell’s joy in
meeting her。 She knew who had been frequenting Uppercross。
But happily； either Anne was improved in plumpness and looks； or
Lady Russell fancied her so； and Anne； in receiving her
compliments on the occasion； had the amusement of connecting
them with the silent admiration of her cousin； and of hoping that
she was to be blessed with a second spring of youth and beauty。
When they came to converse； she was soon sensible of some
mental change。 The subjects of which her heart had been full on
leaving Kellynch； and which she had felt slighted； and been
compelled to smother among the Musgroves； were now become
but of secondary interest。 She had lately lost sight even of her
father and sister and Bath。 Their concerns h