persuasion(劝导)-第31章
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regret； to the bustles of Uppercross and the seclusion of Kellynch。
Elizabeth’s last letter had communicated a piece of news of
some interest。 Mr。 Elliot was in Bath。 He had called in Camden…
place； had called a second time； a third； had been pointedly
attentive。 If Elizabeth and her father did not deceive themselves；
had been taking much pains to seek the acquaintance； and
proclaim the value of the connection； as he had formerly taken
pains to shew neglect。 This was very wonderful if it were true； and
Lady Russell was in a state of very agreeable curiosity and
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perplexity about Mr。 Elliot； already recanting the sentiment she
had so lately expressed to Mary； of his being “a man whom she
had no wish to see。” She had a great wish to see him。 If he really
sought to reconcile himself like a dutiful branch； he must be
forgiven for having dismembered himself from the paternal tree。
Anne was not animated to an equal pitch by the circumstance；
but she felt that she would rather see Mr。 Elliot again than not；
which was more than she could say for many other persons in
Bath。
She was put down in Camden…place； and Lady Russell then
drove to her own lodgings； in Rivers…street。
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CHAPTER III
ir Walter had taken a very good house in Camden…place； a
lofty dignified situation； such as becomes a man of
S
consequence； and both he and Elizabeth were settled
there； much to their satisfaction。
Anne entered it with a sinking heart； anticipating an
imprisonment of many months； and anxiously saying to herself；
“Oh！ when shall I leave you again？” A degree of unexpected
cordiality； however； in the welcome she received； did her good。
Her father and sister were glad to see her； for the sake of shewing
her the house and furniture； and met her with kindness。 Her
making a fourth； when they sat down to dinner； was noticed as an
advantage。
Mrs。 Clay was very pleasant； and very smiling； but her
courtesies and smiles were more a matter of course。 Anne had
always felt that she would pretend what was proper on her arrival；
but the complaisance of the others was unlooked for。 They were
evidently in excellent spirits； and she was soon to listen to the
causes。 They had no inclination to listen to her。 After laying out for
some compliments of being deeply regretted in their old
neighbourhood； which Anne could not pay； they had only a few
faint enquiries to make； before the talk must be all their own。
Uppercross excited no interest； Kellynch very little； it was all Bath。
They had the pleasure of assuring her that Bath more than
answered their expectations in every respect。 Their house was
undoubtedly the best in Camden…place； their drawing…rooms had
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many decided advantages over all the others which they had
either seen or heard of； and the superiority was not less in the
style of the fitting…up； or the taste of the furniture。 Their
acquaintance was exceedingly sought after。 Everybody was
wanting to visit them。 They had drawn back from many
introductions； and still were perpetually having cards left by
people of whom they knew nothing。
Here were funds of enjoyment。 Could Anne wonder that her
father and sister were happy？ She might not wonder； but she must
sigh that her father should feel no degradation in his change；
should see nothing to regret in the duties and dignity of the
resident landholder； should find so much to be vain of in the
littlenesses of a town； and she must sigh； and smile； and wonder
too； as Elizabeth threw open the folding…doors and walked with
exultation from one drawing…room to the other； boasting of their
space； at the possibility of that woman； who had been mistress of
Kellynch Hall； finding extent to be proud of between two walls；
perhaps thirty feet asunder。
But this was not all which they had to make them happy。 They
had Mr。 Elliot too。 Anne had a great deal to hear of Mr。 Elliot。 He
was not only pardoned； they were delighted with him。 He had
been in Bath about a fortnight； （he had passed through Bath in
November； in his way to London； when the intelligence of Sir
Walter’s being settled there had of course reached him； though
only twenty…four hours in the place； but he had not been able to
avail himself of it）： but he had now been a fortnight in Bath； and
his first object on arriving； had been to leave his card in Camden…
place； following it up by such assiduous endeavours to meet； and
when they did meet； by such great openness of conduct； such
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readiness to apologize for the past； such solicitude to be received
as a relation again； that their former good understanding was
completely re…established。
They had not a fault to find in him。 He had explained away all
the appearance of neglect on his own side。 It had originated in
misapprehension entirely。 He had never had an idea of throwing
himself off； he had feared that he was thrown off； but knew not
why； and delicacy had kept him silent。 Upon the hint of having
spoken disrespectfully or carelessly of the family and the family
honours； he was quite indignant。 He； who had ever boasted of
being an Elliot； and whose feelings； as to connection； were only too
strict to suit the unfeudal tone of the present day。 He was
astonished； indeed； but his character and general conduct must
refute it。 He could refer Sir Walter to all who knew him； and
certainly； the pains he had been taking on this； the first
opportunity of reconciliation； to be restored to the footing of a
relation and heir…presumptive； was a strong proof of his opinions
on the subject。
The circumstances of his marriage； too； were found to admit of
much extenuation。 This was an article not to be entered on by
himself； but a very intimate friend of his； a Colonel Wallis； a highly
respectable man； perfectly the gentleman； （and not an ill…looking
man； Sir Walter added） who was living in very good style in
Marlborough Buildings； and had； at his own particular request；
been admitted to their acquaintance through Mr。 Elliot； had
mentioned one or two things relative to the marriage； which made
a material difference in the discredit of it。
Colonel Wallis had known Mr。 Elliot long； had been well
acquainted also with his wife； had perfectly understood the whole
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story。 She was certainly not a woman of family； but well educated；
accomplished； rich； and excessively in love with his friend。 There
had been the charm。 She had sought him。 Without that attraction；
not all her money would have tempted Elliot； and Sir Walter was；
moreover； assured of her having been a very fine woman。 Here
was a great deal to soften the business。 A very fine woman with a
large fortune； in love with him！ Sir Walter seemed to admit it as
complete apology； and though Elizabeth could not see the
circumstance in quite so favourable a light； she allowed it be a
great extenuation。
Mr。 Elliot had called repeatedly； had dined with them once；
evidently delighted by the distinction of being asked； for they gave
no dinners in general； delighted； in short； by every proof of
cousinly notice； and placing his whole happiness in being on
intimate terms in Camden…place。
Anne listened； but without quite understanding it。 Allowances；
large allowances； she knew； must be made for the ideas of those
who spoke。 She heard it all under embellishment。 All that sounded
extravagant or irrational in the progress of the reconciliation
might have no origin but in the language of the relators。 Still；
however； she had the sensation of there being something more
than immediately appeared； in Mr。 Elliot’s wishing； after an
interval of so many years； to be well received by them。 In a worldly
view； he had nothing to gain by being on terms with Sir Walter；
nothing to risk by a state of variance。 In all probability he was
already the richer of the two； and the Kellynch estate would as
surely be his hereafter as the title。 A sensible man！ and he had
lo
