persuasion(劝导)-第17章
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features； perhaps； trying to trace in them the ruins of the face
which had once charmed him； and once she knew that he must
have spoken of her； she was hardly aware of it； till she heard the
answer； but then she was sure of his having asked his partner
whether Miss Elliot never danced？ The answer was； “Oh； no；
never； she has quite given up dancing。 She had rather play。 She is
never tired of playing。” Once； too； he spoke to her。 She had left the
instrument on the dancing being over； and he had sat down to try
to make out an air which he wished to give the Miss Musgroves an
idea of。 Unintentionally she returned to that part of the room； he
saw her； and； instantly rising； said； with studied politeness；
“I beg your pardon； madam； this is your seat；” and though she
immediately drew back with a decided negative； he was not to be
induced to sit down again。
Anne did not wish for more of such looks and speeches。 His
cold politeness； his ceremonious grace； were worse than any thing。
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CHAPTER IX
aptain Wentworth was come to Kellynch as to a home； to
stay as long as he liked； being as thoroughly the object of
C
the Admiral’s fraternal kindness as of his wife’s。 He had
intended； on first arriving； to proceed very soon into Shropshire；
and visit the brother settled in that country； but the attractions of
Uppercross induced him to put this off。 There was so much of
friendliness； and of flattery； and of everything most bewitching in
his reception there； the old were so hospitable； the young so
agreeable； that he could not but resolve to remain where he was；
and take all the charms and perfections of Edward’s wife upon
credit a little longer。
It was soon Uppercross with him almost every day。 The
Musgroves could hardly be more ready to invite than he to come；
particularly in the morning； when he had no companion at home；
for the Admiral and Mrs。 Croft were generally out of doors
together； interesting themselves in their new possessions； their
grass； and their sheep； and dawdling about in a way not endurable
to a third person； or driving out in a gig； lately added to their
establishment。
Hitherto there had been but one opinion of Captain Wentworth
among the Musgroves and their dependencies。 It was unvarying；
warm admiration everywhere； but this intimate footing was not
more than established； when a certain Charles Hayter returned
among them； to be a good deal disturbed by it； and to think
Captain Wentworth very much in the way。
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Charles Hayter was the eldest of all the cousins； and a very
amiable； pleasing young man； between whom and Henrietta there
had been a considerable appearance of attachment previous to
Captain Wentworth’s introduction。 He was in orders； and having a
curacy in the neighbourhood； where residence was not required；
lived at his father’s house； only two miles from Uppercross。 A
short absence from home had left his fair one unguarded by his
attentions at this critical period； and when he came back he had
the pain of finding very altered manners； and of seeing Captain
Wentworth。
Mrs。 Musgrove and Mrs。 Hayter were sisters。 They had each
had money； but their marriages had made a material difference in
their degree of consequence。 Mr。 Hayter had some property of his
own； but it was insignificant compared with Mr。 Musgrove’s； and
while the Musgroves were in the first class of society in the
country； the young Hayters would； from their parents’ inferior；
retired； and unpolished way of living； and their own defective
education； have been hardly in any class at all； but for their
connexion with Uppercross； this eldest son of course excepted；
who had chosen to be a scholar and a gentleman； and who was
very superior in cultivation and manners to all the rest。
The two families had always been on excellent terms； there
being no pride on one side； and no envy on the other； and only
such a consciousness of superiority in the Miss Musgroves； as
made them pleased to improve their cousins。—Charles’s
attentions to Henrietta had been observed by her father and
mother without any disapprobation。 “It would not be a great
match for her； but if Henrietta liked him；”—and Henrietta did
seem to like him。
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Henrietta fully thought so herself； before Captain Wentworth
came； but from that time Cousin Charles had been very much
forgotten。
Which of the two sisters was preferred by Captain Wentworth
was as yet quite doubtful； as far as Anne’s observation reached。
Henrietta was perhaps the prettiest； Louisa had the higher spirits；
and she knew not now； whether the more gentle or the more lively
character were most likely to attract him。
Mr。 and Mrs。 Musgrove； either from seeing little； or from an
entire confidence in the discretion of both their daughters； and of
all the young men who came near them； seemed to leave
everything to take its chance。 There was not the smallest
appearance of solicitude or remark about them in the Mansion…
house； but it was different at the Cottage： the young couple there
were more disposed to speculate and wonder； and Captain
Wentworth had not been above four or five times in the Miss
Musgroves’ company； and Charles Hayter had but just
reappeared； when Anne had to listen to the opinions of her
brother and sister； as to which was the one liked best。 Charles gave
it for Louisa； Mary for Henrietta； but quite agreeing that to have
him marry either could be extremely delightful。
Charles “had never seen a pleasanter man in his life； and from
what he had once heard Captain Wentworth himself say； was very
sure that he had not made less than twenty thousand pounds by
the war。 Here was a fortune at once； besides which； there would
be the chance of what might be done in any future war； and he
was sure Captain Wentworth was as likely a man to distinguish
himself as any officer in the navy。 Oh！ it would be a capital match
for either of his sisters。”
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“Upon my word it would；” replied Mary。 “Dear me！ If he should
rise to any very great honours！ If he should ever be made a
baronet！ ‘Lady Wentworth’ sounds very well。 That would be a
noble thing； indeed； for Henrietta！ She would take place of me
then； and Henrietta would not dislike that。 Sir Frederick and Lady
Wentworth！ It would be but a new creation； however； and I never
think much of your new creations。”
It suited Mary best to think Henrietta the one preferred on the
very account of Charles Hayter； whose pretensions she wished to
see put an end to。 She looked down very decidedly upon the
Hayters； and thought it would be quite a misfortune to have the
existing connection between the families renewed—very sad for
herself and her children。
“You know；” said she； “I cannot think him at all a fit match for
Henrietta； and considering the alliances which the Musgroves
have made； she has no right to throw herself away。 I do not think
any young woman has a right to make a choice that may be
disagreeable and inconvenient to the principal part of her family；
and be giving bad connections to those who have not been used to
them。 And； pray； who is Charles Hayter？ Nothing but a country
curate。 A most improper match for Miss Musgrove of Uppercross。
Her husband； however； would not agree with her here； for
besides having a regard for his cousin； Charles Hayter was an
eldest son； and he saw things as an eldest son himself。
“Now you are taking nonsense； Mary；” was therefore his
answer。 “It would not be a great match for Henrietta； but Charles
has a very fair chance； through the Spicers； of getting something
from the Bishop in the course of a year or two； and you will please
to remember； that he is the eldest son； whenever my uncle dies； he
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steps into very pretty property。 The estate at Winthrop is not less
than two hundred and fifty acres； besides the farm near Taunton；
which is some of the best land in the country。 I grant you； that any
of them but Charles would be a very shocking match for Henrietta；
and indeed it could not be； he is the only one that could be
possible； but he is a very good…natured； good sort of a fellow； and
whenever Winthrop comes into his hands； he will make a different
sort of place of it； and live in a very different sort of way； and with
that property； he will never be a contempti
