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After talking； however； of the weather； and Bath； and the
concert； their conversation began to flag； and so little was said at
last； that she was expecting him to go every moment； but he did
not； he seemed in no hurry to leave her； and presently with
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renewed spirit； with a little smile； a little glow； he said；
“I have hardly seen you since our day at Lyme。 I am afraid you
must have suffered from the shock； and the more from its not
overpowering you at the time。”
She assured him that she had not。
“It was a frightful hour；” said he； “a frightful day！” and he
passed his hand across his eyes； as if the remembrance were still
too painful； but in a moment； half smiling again； added； “The day
has produced some effects however—has had some consequences
which must be considered as the very reverse of frightful。—When
you had the presence of mind to suggest that Benwick would be
the properest person to fetch a surgeon； you could have little idea
of his being eventually one of those most concerned in her
recovery。”
“Certainly I could have none。 But it appears—I should hope it
would be a very happy match。 There are on both sides good
principles and good temper。”
“Yes；” said he； looking not exactly forward—“but there I think
ends the resemblance。 With all my soul I wish them happy； and
rejoice over every circumstance in favour of it。 They have no
difficulties to contend with at home； no opposition； no caprice； no
delays。—The Musgroves are behaving like themselves； most
honourably and kindly； only anxious with true parental hearts to
promote their daughter’s comfort。 All this is much； very much in
favour of their happiness； more than perhaps—”
He stopped。 A sudden recollection seemed to occur； and to give
him some taste of that emotion which was reddening Anne’s
cheeks and fixing her eyes on the ground。—After clearing his
throat； however； he proceeded thus；
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“I confess that I do think there is a disparity； too great a
disparity； and in a point no less essential than mind。—I regard
Louisa Musgrove as a very amiable； sweet…tempered girl； and not
deficient in understanding； but Benwick is something more。 He is
a clever man； a reading man—and I confess； that I do consider his
attaching himself to her with some surprise。 Had it been the effect
of gratitude； had he learnt to love her； because he believed her to
be preferring him； it would have been another thing。 But I have no
reason to suppose it so。 It seems； on the contrary； to have been a
perfectly spontaneous； untaught feeling on his side； and this
surprises me。 A man like him； in his situation！ with a heart
pierced； wounded； almost broken！ Fanny Harville was a very
superior creature； and his attachment to her was indeed
attachment。 A man does not recover from such a devotion of the
heart to such a woman！—He ought not—he does not。”
Either from the consciousness； however； that his friend had
recovered； or from other consciousness； he went no farther； and
Anne who； in spite of the agitated voice in which the latter part
had been uttered； and in spite of all the various noises of the room；
the almost ceaseless slam of the door； and ceaseless buzz of
persons walking through； had distinguished every word； was
struck； gratified； confused； and beginning to breathe very quick；
and feel an hundred things in a moment。 It was impossible for her
to enter on such a subject； and yet； after a pause； feeling the
necessity of speaking； and having not the smallest wish for a total
change； she only deviated so far as to say—
“You were a good while at Lyme； I think？”
“About a fortnight。 I could not leave it till Louisa’s doing well
was quite ascertained。 I had been too deeply concerned in the
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mischief to be soon at peace。 It had been my doing—solely mine。
She would not have been obstinate if I had not been weak。 The
country round Lyme is very fine。 I walked and rode a great deal；
and the more I saw； the more I found to admire。”
“I should very much like to see Lyme again；” said Anne。
“Indeed！ I should not have supposed that you could have found
anything in Lyme to inspire such a feeling。 The horror and
distress you were involved in—the stretch of mind； the wear of
spirits！—I should have thought your last impressions of Lyme
must have been strong disgust。”
“The last hours were certainly very painful；” replied Anne： “but
when pain is over； the remembrance of it often becomes a
pleasure。 One does not love a place the less for having suffered in
it； unless it has been all suffering； nothing but suffering—which
was by no means the case at Lyme。 We were only in anxiety and
distress during the last two hours； and previously there had been a
great deal of enjoyment。 So much novelty and beauty！ I have
travelled so little； that every fresh place would be interesting to
me—but there is real beauty at Lyme； and in short” （with a faint
blush at some recollections）； “altogether my impressions of the
place are very agreeable。”
As she ceased； the entrance door opened again； and the very
party appeared for whom they were waiting。 “Lady Dalrymple；
Lady Dalrymple；” was the rejoicing sound； and with all the
eagerness compatible with anxious elegance； Sir Walter and his
two ladies stepped forward to meet her。 Lady Dalrymple and Miss
Carteret； escorted by Mr。 Elliot and Colonel W