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I
Uppercross and Lyme。 She wanted to hear much more than
Mary had communicated。 It was three weeks since she had heard
at all。 She only knew that Henrietta was at home again； and that
Louisa； though considered to be recovering fast； was still in Lyme；
and she was thinking of them all very intently one evening； when a
thicker letter than usual from Mary was delivered to her； and； to
quicken the pleasure and surprise； with Admiral and Mrs。 Croft’s
compliments。
The Crofts must be in Bath！ A circumstance to interest her。
They were people whom her heart turned to very naturally。
“What is this？” cried Sir Walter。 “The Crofts have arrived in
Bath？ The Crofts who rent Kellynch？ What have they brought
you？”
“A letter from Uppercross Cottage； Sir。”
“Oh！ those letters are convenient passports。 They secure an
introduction。 I should have visited Admiral Croft； however； at any
rate。 I know what is due to my tenant。”
Anne could listen no longer； she could not even have told how
the poor Admiral’s complexion escaped； her letter engrossed her。
It had been begun several days back。
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“February 1st； —
“My dear Anne；
“I make no apology for my silence； because I know how little
people think of letters in such a place as Bath。 You must be a great
deal too happy to care for Uppercross； which； as you well know；
affords little to write about。 We have had a very dull Christmas；
Mr。 and Mrs。 Musgrove have not had one dinner party all the
holidays。 I do not reckon the Hayters as anybody。 The holidays；
however； are over at last： I believe no children ever had such long
ones。 I am sure I had not。 The house was cleared yesterday； except
of the little Harvilles； but you will be surprised to hear they have
never gone home。 Mrs。 Harville must be an odd mother to part
with them so long。 I do not understand it。 They are not at all nice
children； in my opinion； but Mrs。 Musgrove seems to like them
quite as well； if not better； than her grandchildren。 What dreadful
weather we have had！ It may not be felt in Bath； with your nice
pavements； but in the country it is of some consequence。 I have
not had a creature call on me since the second week in January；
except Charles Hayter； who had been calling much oftener than
was welcome。 Between ourselves； I think it a great pity Henrietta
did not remain at Lyme as long as Louisa； it would have kept her a
little out of his way。 The carriage is gone to…day； to bring Louisa
and the Harvilles to…morrow。 We are not asked to dine with them；
however； till the day after； Mrs。 Musgrove is so afraid of her being
fatigued by the journey； which is not very likely； considering the
care that will be taken of her； and it would be much more
convenient to me to dine there to…morrow。 I am glad you find Mr。
Elliot so agreeable； and wish I could be acquainted with him too；
but I have my usual luck； I am always out of the way when any
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thing desirable is going on； always the last of my family to be
noticed。 What an immense time Mrs。 Clay has been staying with
Elizabeth！ Does she never mean to go away？ But perhaps if she
were to leave the room vacant we might not be invited。 Let me
know what you think of this。 I do not expect my children to be
asked； you know。 I can leave them at the Great House very well；
for a month or six weeks。 I have this moment heard that the Crofts
are going to Bath almost immediately； they think the Admiral
gouty。 Charles heard it quite by chance： they have not had the
civility to give me any notice； or of offering to take anything。 I do
not think they improve at all as neighbours。 We see nothing of
them； and this is really an instance of gross inattention。 Charles
joins me in love； and everything proper。
Yours affectionately；
“Mary M—。
“I am sorry to say that I am very far from well； and Jemima has
just told me that the butcher says there is a bad sore…throat very
much about。 I dare say I shall catch it； and my sore…throats； you
know； are always worse than anybody’s。”
So ended the first part； which had been afterwards put into an
envelope； containing nearly as much more。
“I kept my letter open； that I might send you word how Louisa
bore her journey； and now I am extremely glad I did； having a
great deal to add。 In the first place； I had a note from Mrs。 Croft
yesterday； offering to convey anything to you； a very kind； friendly
note indeed； addressed to me； just as it ought； I shall therefore be
able to make my letter as long as I like。 The Admiral does not
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seem very ill； and I sincerely hope Bath will do him all the good he
wants。 I shall be truly glad to have them back again。 Our
neighbourhood cannot spare such a pleasant family。 But now for
Louisa。 I have something to communicate that will astonish you
not a little。 She and the Harvilles came on Tuesday very safely；
and in the evening we went to ask her how she did； when we were
rather surprised not to find Captain Benwick of the party； for he
had been invited as well as the Harvilles； and what do you think
was the reason？ Neither more nor less than his being in love with
Louisa； and not choosing to venture to Uppercross till he had had
an answer from Mr。 Musgrove； for it was all settled between him
and her before she came away； and he had written to her father by
Captain Harville。 True； upon my honour！ Are not you astonished？
I shall be surprised at least if