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might have struck her； especially as it did not appear to Anne that
the freckles were at all lessened。 But everything must take its
chance。 The evil of a marriage would be much diminished； if
Elizabeth were also to marry。 As for herself； she might always
command a home with Lady Russell。
Lady Russell’s composed mind and polite manners were put to
some trial on this point； in her intercourse in Camden…place。 The
sight of Mrs。 Clay in such favour； and of Anne so overlooked； was a
perpetual provocation to her there； and vexed her as much when
she was away； as a person in Bath who drinks the water； gets all
the new publications； and has a very large acquaintance； has time
to be vexed。
As Mr。 Elliot became known to her； she grew more charitable；
or more indifferent； towards the others。 His manners were an
immediate recommendation； and on conversing with him she
found the solid so fully supporting the superficial； that she was at
first； as she told Anne； almost ready to exclaim； “Can this be Mr。
Elliot？” and could not seriously picture to herself a more
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agreeable or estimable man。 Everything united in him； good
understanding； correct opinions； knowledge of the world； and a
warm heart。 He had strong feelings of family attachment and
family honour； without pride or weakness； he lived with the
liberality of a man of fortune； without display； he judged for
himself in everything essential； without defying public opinion in
any point of worldly decorum。 He was steady； observant；
moderate； candid； never run away with by spirits or by selfishness；
which fancied itself strong feeling； and yet； with a sensibility to
what was amiable and lovely； and a value for all the felicities of
domestic life； which characters of fancied enthusiasm and violent
agitation seldom really possess。 She was sure that he had not been
happy in marriage。 Colonel Wallis said it； and Lady Russell saw it；
but it had been no unhappiness to sour his mind； nor （she began
pretty soon to suspect） to prevent his thinking of a second choice。
Her satisfaction in Mr。 Elliot outweighed all the plague of Mrs。
Clay。
It was now some years since Anne had begun to learn that she
and her excellent friend could sometimes think differently； and it
did not surprise her； therefore； that Lady Russell should see
nothing suspicious or inconsistent； nothing to require more
motives than appeared； in Mr。 Elliot’s great desire of a
reconciliation。 In Lady Russell’s view； it was perfectly natural that
Mr。 Elliot； at a mature time of life； should feel it a most desirable
object； and what would very generally recommend him among all
sensible people； to be on good terms with the head of his family；
the simplest process in the world of time upon a head naturally
clear； and only erring in the heyday of youth。 Anne presumed；
however； still to smile about it； and at last to mention “Elizabeth。”
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Lady Russell listened； and looked； and made only this cautious
reply： “Elizabeth！ very well； time will explain。”
It was a reference to the future； which Anne； after a little
observation； felt she must submit to。 She could determine nothing
at present。 In that house Elizabeth must be first； and she was in
the habit of such general observance as “Miss Elliot；” that any
particularity of attention seemed almost impossible。 Mr。 Elliot； too；
it must be remembered； had not been a widower seven months。 A
little delay on his side might be very excusable。 In fact； Anne could
never see the crape round his hat； without fearing that she was the
inexcusable one； in attributing to him such imaginations； for
though his marriage had not been very happy； still it had existed
so many years that she could not comprehend a very rapid
recovery from the awful impression of its being dissolved。
However it might end； he was without any question their
pleasantest acquaintance in Bath； she saw nobody equal to him；
and it was a great indulgence now and then to talk to him about
Lyme； which he seemed to have as lively a wish to see again； and
to see more of； as herself。 They went through the particulars of
their first meeting a great many times。 He gave her to understand
that he had looked at her with some earnestness。 She knew it well；
and she remembered another person’s look also。
They did not always think alike。 His value for rank and
connexion she perceived was greater than hers。 It was not merely
complaisance； it must be a liking to the cause； which made him
enter warmly into her father and sister’s solicitudes on a subject
which she thought unworthy to excite them。 The Bath paper one
morning announced the arrival of the Dowager Viscountess
Dalrymple； and her daughter； the Honourable Miss Carteret； and
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all the comfort of No。 —； Camden…place； was swept away for many
days； for the Dalrymples （in Anne’s opinion； most unfortunately）
were cousins of the Elliots； and the agony was how to introduce
themselves properly。
Anne had never seen her father and sister before in contact
with nobility； and she must acknowledge herself disappointed。 She
had hoped better things from their high ideas of their own
situation in life； and was reduced to form a wish which she had
never foreseen—a wish that they had more pride； for “our cousins
Lady Dalrymple and Miss Carteret；” “our cousins； the
Dalrymples；” sounded in her ears all day long。
Sir Walter had onc