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but of secondary interest。 She had lately lost sight even of her
father and sister and Bath。 Their concerns had been sunk under
those of Uppercross； and when Lady Russell reverted to their
former hopes and fears； and spoke her satisfaction in the house in
Camden…place； which had been taken； and her regret that Mrs。
Clay should still be with them； Anne would have been ashamed to
have it known how much more she was thinking of Lyme and
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Louisa Musgrove； and all her acquaintance there； how much more
interesting to her was the home and the friendship of the Harvilles
and Captain Benwick； than her own father’s house in Camden…
place； or her own sister’s intimacy with Mrs。 Clay。 She was
actually forced to exert herself to meet Lady Russell with anything
like the appearance of equal solicitude； on topics which had by
nature the first claim on her。
There was a little awkwardness at first in their discourse on
another subject。 They must speak of the accident at Lyme。 Lady
Russell had not been arrived five minutes the day before； when a
full account of the whole had burst on her； but still it must be
talked of； she must make enquiries； she must regret the
imprudence； lament the result； and Captain Wentworth’s name
must be mentioned by both。 Anne was conscious of not doing it so
well as Lady Russell。 She could not speak the name； and look
straight forward to Lady Russell’s eye； till she had adopted the
expedient of telling her briefly what she thought of the attachment
between him and Louisa。 When this was told； his name distressed
her no longer。
Lady Russell had only to listen composedly； and wish them
happy； but internally her heart revelled in angry pleasure； in
pleased contempt； that the man who at twenty…three had seemed
to understand somewhat of the value of an Anne Elliot； should；
eight years afterwards； be charmed by a Louisa Musgrove。
The first three or four days passed most quietly； with no
circumstance to mark them excepting the receipt of a note or two
from Lyme； which found their way to Anne； she could not tell how；
and brought a rather improving account of Louisa。 At the end of
that period； Lady Russell’s politeness could repose no longer； and
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the fainter self…threatenings of the past became in a decided tone；
“I must call on Mrs。 Croft； I really must call upon her soon。 Anne；
have you courage to go with me； and pay a visit in that house？ It
will be some trial to us both。”
Anne did not shrink from it； on the contrary； she truly felt as
she said； in observing；
“I think you are very likely to suffer the most of the two； your
feelings are less reconciled to the change than mine。 By remaining
in the neighbourhood； I am become inured to it。”
She could have said more on the subject； for she had in fact so
high an opinion of the Crofts； and considered her father so very
fortunate in his tenants； felt the parish to be so sure of a good
example； and the poor of the best attention and relief； that
however sorry and ashamed for the necessity of the removal； she
could not but in conscience feel that they were gone who deserved
not to stay； and that Kellynch Hall had passed into better hands
than its owners’。 These convictions must unquestionably have
their own pain； and severe was its kind； but they precluded that
pain which Lady Russell would suffer in entering the house again；
and returning through the well…known apartments。
In such moments Anne had no power of saying to herself；
“These rooms ought to belong only to us。 Oh； how fallen in their
destination！ How unworthily occupied！ An ancient family to be so
driven away！ Strangers filling their place！” No； except when she
thought of her mother； and remembered where she had been used
to sit and preside； she had no sigh of that description to heave。
Mrs。 Croft always met her with a kindness which gave her the
pleasure of fancying herself a favourite； and on the present
occasion； receiving her in that house； there was particular
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attention。
The sad accident at Lyme was soon the prevailing topic； and on
comparing their latest accounts of the invalid； it appeared that
each lady dated her intelligence from the same hour of yester
morn； that Captain Wentworth had been in Kellynch yesterday—
（the first time since the accident） had brought Anne the last note；
which she had not been able to trace the exact steps of； had staid a
few hours and then returned again to Lyme—and without any
present intention of quitting it any more。—He had enquired after
her； she found； particularly；—had expressed his hope of Miss
Elliot’s not being the worse for her exertions； and had spoken of
those exertions as great。—This was handsome；—and gave her
more pleasure than almost anything else could have done。
As to the sad catastrophe itself； it could be canvassed only in
one style by a couple of steady； sensible women； whose judgments
had to work on ascertained events； and it was perfectly decided
that it had been the consequence of much thoughtlessness and
much imprudence； that its effects were most alarming； and that it
was frightful to think； how long Miss Musgrove’s recovery might
yet be doubtful； and how liable she would still remain to suffer
from the concussion hereafter！—The Admiral wound it up
summarily by exclaiming；
“Ay； a very bad business indeed。—A new sort of way this； for a
young fellow to be m