persuasion(劝导)-第48章
按键盘上方向键 ← 或 → 可快速上下翻页，按键盘上的 Enter 键可回到本书目录页，按键盘上方向键 ↑ 可回到本页顶部！
————未阅读完？加入书签已便下次继续阅读！
contrary； had been prompting and encouraging expenses which
could end only in ruin。 And the Smiths accordingly had been
ruined。
The husband had died just in time to be spared the full
knowledge of it。 They had previously known embarrassments
enough to try the friendship of their friends； and to prove that Mr。
Elliot’s had better not be tried； but it was not till his death that the
wretched state of his affairs was fully known。 With a confidence in
Mr。 Elliot’s regard； more creditable to his feelings than his
judgment； Mr。 Smith had appointed him the executor of his will；
but Mr。 Elliot would not act； and the difficulties and distress which
this refusal had heaped on her； in addition to the inevitable
sufferings of her situation； had been such as could not be related
without anguish of spirit； or listened to without corresponding
indignation。
Classics in Literature： Jane Austen ElecBook
… Page 238…
Jane Austen： Persuasion 238
Anne was shewn some letters of his on the occasion； answers to
urgent applications from Mrs。 Smith； which all breathed the same
stern resolution of not engaging in a fruitless trouble； and； under a
cold civility； the same hard…hearted indifference to any of the evils
it might bring on her。 It was a dreadful picture of ingratitude and
inhumanity； and Anne felt； at some moments； that no flagrant
open crime could have been worse。 She had a great deal to listen
to； all the particulars of past sad scenes； all the minutiae of distress
upon distress； which in former conversations had been merely
hinted at； were dwelt on now with a natural indulgence。 Anne
could perfectly comprehend the exquisite relief； and was only the
more inclined to wonder at the composure of her friend’s usual
state of mind。
There was one circumstance in the history of her grievances of
particular irritation。 She had good reason to believe that some
property of her husband in the West Indies； which had been for
many years under a sort of sequestration for the payment of its
own incumbrances； might be recoverable by proper measures； and
this property； though not large； would be enough to make her
comparatively rich。 But there was nobody to stir in it。 Mr。 Elliot
would do nothing； and she could do nothing herself； equally
disabled from personal exertion by her state of bodily weakness；
and from employing others by her want of money。 She had no
natural connexions to assist her even with their counsel； and she
could not afford to purchase the assistance of the law。 This was a
cruel aggravation of actually streightened means。 To feel that she
ought to be in better circumstances； that a little trouble in the
right place might do it； and to fear that delay might be even
weakening her claims； was hard to bear！
Classics in Literature： Jane Austen ElecBook
… Page 239…
Jane Austen： Persuasion 239
It was on this point that she had hoped to engage Anne’s good
offices with Mr。 Elliot。 She had previously； in the anticipation of
their marriage； been very apprehensive of losing her friend by it；
but on being assured that he could have made no attempt of that
nature； since he did not even know her to be in Bath； it
immediately occurred； that something might be done in her favour
by the influence of the woman he loved； and she had been hastily
preparing to interest Anne’s feelings； as far as the observances due
to Mr。 Elliot’s character would allow； when Anne’s refutation of
the supposed engagement changed the face of everything； and
while it took from her the new…formed hope of succeeding in the
object of her first anxiety； left her at least the comfort of telling the
whole story her own way。
After listening to this full description of Mr。 Elliot； Anne could
not but express some surprise at Mrs。 Smith’s having spoken of
him so favourably in the beginning of their conversation。 “She had
seemed to recommend and praise him！”
“My dear；” was Mrs。 Smith’s reply； “there was nothing else to
be done。 I considered your marrying him as certain； though he
might not yet have made the offer； and I could no more speak the
truth of him； than if he had been your husband。 My heart bled for
you； as I talked of happiness； and yet he is sensible； he is
agreeable； and with such a woman as you； it was not absolutely
hopeless。 He was very unkind to his first wife。 They were wretched
together。 But she was too ignorant and giddy for respect； and he
had never loved her。 I was willing to hope that you must fare
better。”
Anne could just acknowledge within herself such a possibility of
having been induced to marry him； as made her shudder at the
Classics in Literature： Jane Austen ElecBook
… Page 240…
Jane Austen： Persuasion 240
idea of the misery which must have followed。 It was just possible
that she might have been persuaded by Lady Russell！ And under
such a supposition； which would have been most miserable； when
time had disclosed all； too late？
It was very desirable that Lady Russell should be no longer
deceived； and one of the concluding arrangements of this
important conference； which carried them through the greater
part of the morning； was； that Anne had full liberty to
communicate to her friend everything relative to Mrs。 Smith； in
which his conduct was involved。
Classics in Literature： Jane Austen ElecBook
… Page 241…
Jane Austen： Persuasion 241
CHAPTER X
nne went home to think over all that she had heard。 In
Aone point； her feelings were relieved by this knowledge of
Mr。 Elliot。 There was no longer anything of tenderness
due to him。 He stood； as opposed to Captain Wentworth； in all his
own unwelcome obtrusiveness； and the evil of his attentions last
night； the irremediable mischief he might have done； was
considered with sensations unqualified； unperplexed。—Pity for
him was all over。 But this was the only point of relief。 In every
other respect； in looking around her； or penetrating forward； she
saw more to distrust and to apprehend。 She was concerned for the
disappointment and pain Lady Russell would be feeling； for the
mortifications which must be hanging over her father and sister；
and had all the distress of foreseeing many evils； without knowing
how to avert any one of them。—She was most thankful for her own
knowledge of him。 She had never considered herself as entitled to
reward for not slighting an old friend like Mrs。 Smith； but here
was a reward indeed springing from it！—Mrs。 Smith had been able
to tell her what no one else could have done。 Could the knowledge
have been extended through her family？—But this was a vain
idea。 She must talk to Lady Russell； tell her； consult with her； and
having done her best； wait the event with as much composure as
possible； and after all； her greatest want of composure would be in
that quarter of the mind which could not be opened to Lady
Russell； in that flow of anxieties and fears which must be all to
herself。
Classics in Literature： Jane Austen ElecBook
… Page 242…
Jane Austen： Persuasion 242
She found； on reaching home； that she had； as she intended；
escaped seeing Mr。 Elliot； that he had called and paid them a long
morning visit； but hardly had she congratulated herself； and felt
safe； when she heard that he was coming again in the evening。
“I had not the smallest intention of asking him；” said Elizabeth；
with affected carelessness； “but he gave so many hints； so Mrs。
Clay says； at least。”
“Indeed； I do say it。 I never saw anybody in my life spell harder
for an invitation。 Poor man！ I was really in pain for him； for your
hard…hearted sister； Miss Anne； seems bent on cruelty。”
“Oh！” cried Elizabeth； “I have been rather too much used to the
game to be soon overcome by a gentleman’s hints。 However； when
I found how excessively he was regretting that he should miss my
father this morning； I gave way immediately； for I would never
really omit an opportunity of bringing him and Sir Walter
together。 They appear to so much advantage in company with
each other！ Each behaving so pleasantly！ Mr。 Elliot looking up
with so much respect！”
“Quite delightful！” cried Mrs。 Clay； not daring； however； to turn
her eyes towards Anne。 “Exactly like father and son！ Dear Miss
Elliot； may I not say father and son？”
“Oh！ I lay no embargo on any body’s words。 If you will have
such ideas！ But； upon my word； I am scarcely sensible of his
attentions being beyond those of other men。”
“My dear Miss Elliot！” exclaimed Mrs。 Clay； lifting her hands
and eyes； and sinking all the rest of her astonishment in a
convenient silence。
“Well； my dear Penelope； you need not be so alarmed about
him。 I did invite him； you know。 I sent him away with smiles。
Classics in Literature： Jane Austen
