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only twenty…four hours in the place； but he had not been able to
avail himself of it）： but he had now been a fortnight in Bath； and
his first object on arriving； had been to leave his card in Camden…
place； following it up by such assiduous endeavours to meet； and
when they did meet； by such great openness of conduct； such
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readiness to apologize for the past； such solicitude to be received
as a relation again； that their former good understanding was
completely re…established。
They had not a fault to find in him。 He had explained away all
the appearance of neglect on his own side。 It had originated in
misapprehension entirely。 He had never had an idea of throwing
himself off； he had feared that he was thrown off； but knew not
why； and delicacy had kept him silent。 Upon the hint of having
spoken disrespectfully or carelessly of the family and the family
honours； he was quite indignant。 He； who had ever boasted of
being an Elliot； and whose feelings； as to connection； were only too
strict to suit the unfeudal tone of the present day。 He was
astonished； indeed； but his character and general conduct must
refute it。 He could refer Sir Walter to all who knew him； and
certainly； the pains he had been taking on this； the first
opportunity of reconciliation； to be restored to the footing of a
relation and heir…presumptive； was a strong proof of his opinions
on the subject。
The circumstances of his marriage； too； were found to admit of
much extenuation。 This was an article not to be entered on by
himself； but a very intimate friend of his； a Colonel Wallis； a highly
respectable man； perfectly the gentleman； （and not an ill…looking
man； Sir Walter added） who was living in very good style in
Marlborough Buildings； and had； at his own particular request；
been admitted to their acquaintance through Mr。 Elliot； had
mentioned one or two things relative to the marriage； which made
a material difference in the discredit of it。
Colonel Wallis had known Mr。 Elliot long； had been well
acquainted also with his wife； had perfectly understood the whole
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story。 She was certainly not a woman of family； but well educated；
accomplished； rich； and excessively in love with his friend。 There
had been the charm。 She had sought him。 Without that attraction；
not all her money would have tempted Elliot； and Sir Walter was；
moreover； assured of her having been a very fine woman。 Here
was a great deal to soften the business。 A very fine woman with a
large fortune； in love with him！ Sir Walter seemed to admit it as
complete apology； and though Elizabeth could not see the
circumstance in quite so favourable a light； she allowed it be a
great extenuation。
Mr。 Elliot had called repeatedly； had dined with them once；
evidently delighted by the distinction of being asked； for they gave
no dinners in general； delighted； in short； by every proof of
cousinly notice； and placing his whole happiness in being on
intimate terms in Camden…place。
Anne listened； but without quite understanding it。 Allowances；
large allowances； she knew； must be made for the ideas of those
who spoke。 She heard it all under embellishment。 All that sounded
extravagant or irrational in the progress of the reconciliation
might have no origin but in the language of the relators。 Still；
however； she had the sensation of there being something more
than immediately appeared； in Mr。 Elliot’s wishing； after an
interval of so many years； to be well received by them。 In a worldly
view； he had nothing to gain by being on terms with Sir Walter；
nothing to risk by a state of variance。 In all probability he was
already the richer of the two； and the Kellynch estate would as
surely be his hereafter as the title。 A sensible man！ and he had
looked like a very sensible man； why should it be an object to him？
She could only offer one solution； it was； perhaps； for Elizabeth’s
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sake。 There might really have been a liking formerly； though
convenience and accident had drawn him a different way； and
now that he could afford to please himself； he might mean to pay
his addresses to her。 Elizabeth was certainly very handsome； with
well…bred； elegant manners； and her character might never have
been penetrated by Mr。 Elliot； knowing her but in public； and
when very young himself。 How her temper and understanding
might bear the investigation of his present keener time of life was
another concern and rather a fearful one。 Most earnestly did she
wish that he might not be too nice； or too observant if Elizabeth
were his object； and that Elizabeth was disposed to believe herself
so； and that her friend Mrs。 Clay was encouraging the idea；
seemed apparent by a glance or two between them； while Mr。
Elliot’s frequent visits were talked of。
Anne mentioned the glimpses she had had of him at Lyme； but
without being much attended to。 “Oh！ yes； perhaps； it had been
Mr。 Elliot。 They did not know。 It might be him； perhaps。” They
could not listen to her description of him。 They were describing
him themselves； Sir Walter especially。 He did justice to his very
gentlemanlike appearance； his air of elegance and fashion； his
good shaped face； his sensible eye； but； at the same time； “