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Lady Dalrymple and Miss Carteret；” “our cousins； the
Dalrymples；” sounded in her ears all day long。
Sir Walter had once been in company with the late Viscount；
but had never seen any of the rest of the family； and the difficulties
of the case arose from there having been a suspension of all
intercourse by letters of ceremony； ever since the death of that
said late Viscount； when； in consequence of a dangerous illness of
Sir Walter’s at the same time； there had been an unlucky omission
at Kellynch。 No letter of condolence had been sent to Ireland。 The
neglect had been visited on the head of the sinner； for when poor
Lady Elliot died herself； no letter of condolence was received at
Kellynch； and； consequently； there was but too much reason to
apprehend that the Dalrymples considered the relationship as
closed。 How to have this anxious business set to rights； and be
admitted as cousins again； was the question； and it was a question
which； in a more rational manner； neither Lady Russell nor Mr。
Elliot thought unimportant。 “Family connexions were always
worth preserving； good company always worth seeking； Lady
Dalrymple had taken a house； for three months； in Laura…place；
and would be living in style。 She had been at Bath the year before；
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and Lady Russell had heard her spoken of as a charming woman。
It was very desirable that the connexion should be renewed； if it
could be done； without any compromise of propriety on the side of
the Elliots。”
Sir Walter； however； would choose his own means； and at last
wrote a very fine letter of ample explanation； regret； and entreaty；
to his right honourable cousin。 Neither Lady Russell nor Mr。 Elliot
could admire the letter； but it did all that was wanted； in bringing
three lines of scrawl from the Dowager Viscountess。 “She was very
much honoured； and should be happy in their acquaintance。” The
toils of the business were over； the sweets began。 They visited in
Laura…place； they had the cards of Dowager Viscountess
Dalrymple； and the Honourable Miss Carteret； to be arranged
wherever they might be most visible； and “Our cousins in Laura…
place；”—“Our cousin； Lady Dalrymple and Miss Carteret；” were
talked of to everybody。
Anne was ashamed。 Had Lady Dalrymple and her daughter
even been very agreeable； she would still have been ashamed of
the agitation they created； but they were nothing。 There was no
superiority of manner； accomplishment； or understanding。 Lady
Dalrymple had acquired the name of “a charming woman；”
because she had a smile and a civil answer for everybody。 Miss
Carteret； with still less to say； was so plain and so awkward； that
she would never have been tolerated in Camden…place but for her
birth。
Lady Russell confessed she had expected something better； but
yet “it was an acquaintance worth having；” and when Anne
ventured to speak her opinion of them to Mr。 Elliot； he agreed to
their being nothing in themselves； but still maintained that； as a
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Jane Austen： Persuasion 170
family connexion； as good company； as those who would collect
good company around them； they had their value。 Anne smiled
and said；
“My idea of good company； Mr。 Elliot； is the company of clever；
well…informed people； who have a great deal of conversation； that
is what I call good company。”
“You are mistaken；” said he gently； “that is not good company；
that is the best。 Good company requires only birth； education； and
manners； and with regard to education is not very nice。 Birth and
good manners are essential； but a little learning is by no means a
dangerous thing in good company； on the contrary； it will do very
well。 My cousin； Anne； shakes her head。 She is not satisfied。 She is
fastidious。 My dear cousin （sitting down by her） you have a better
right to be fastidious than almost any other woman I know； but
will it answer？ Will it make you happy？ Will it not be wiser to
accept the society of those good ladies in Laura…place； and enjoy
all the advantages of the connexion as far as possible？ You may
depend upon it； that they will move in the first set in Bath this
winter； and as rank is rank； your being known to be related to
them will have its use in fixing your family （our family let me say）
in that degree of consideration which we must all wish for。”
“Yes；” sighed Anne； “we shall； indeed； be known to be related
to them！” then recollecting herself； and not wishing to be
answered； she added； “I certainly do think there has been by far
too much trouble taken to procure the acquaintance。 I suppose
（smiling） I have more pride than any of you； but I confess it does
vex me； that we should be so solicitous to have the relationship
acknowledged； which we may be very sure is a matter of perfect
indifference to them。”
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“Pardon me； dear cousin； you are unjust in your own claims。 In
London； perhaps； in your present quiet style of living； it might be
as you say； but in Bath； Sir Walter Elliot and his family will always
be worth knowing； always acceptable as acquaintance。”
“Well；” said Anne； “I certainly am proud； too proud to enjoy a
welcome which depends so entirely upon place。”
“I love your indignation；” said he； “it is very natural。 But here
you are in Bath； and the object is to be established here with all
the credit and dignity which ought to belong to Sir Walter Elliot。
You talk of being proud； I am called proud； I know； and I shall not
wish to believe myself otherwise； for our pride； if investigated；
would have the same objec