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The tone； the look； with which “Thank God！” was uttered by
Captain Wentworth； Anne was sure could never be forgotten by
her； nor the sight of him afterwards； as he sat near a table； leaning
over it with folded arms and face concealed； as if overpowered by
the various feelings of his soul； and trying by prayer and reflection
to calm them。
Louisa’s limbs had escaped。 There was no injury but to the
head。
It now became necessary for the party to consider what was
best to be done； as to their general situation。 They were now able
to speak to each other and consult。 That Louisa must remain
where she was； however distressing to her friends to be involving
the Harvilles in such trouble； did not admit a doubt。 Her removal
was impossible。 The Harvilles silenced all scruples； and； as much
as they could； all gratitude。 They had looked forward and
arranged everything before the others began to reflect。 Captain
Benwick must give up his room to them； and get another bed
elsewhere—and the whole was settled。 They were only concerned
that the house could accommodate no more； and yet perhaps； by
“putting the children away in the maid’s room； or swinging a cot
somewhere；” they could hardly bear to think of not finding room
for two or three besides； supposing they might wish to stay；
though； with regard to any attendance on Miss Musgrove； there
need not be the least uneasiness in leaving her to Mrs。 Harville’s
care entirely。 Mrs。 Harville was a very experienced nurse； and her
nursery…maid； who had lived with her long； and gone about with
her everywhere； was just such another。 Between these two； she
could want no possible attendance by day or night。 And all this
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was said with a truth and sincerity of feeling irresistible。
Charles； Henrietta； and Captain Wentworth were the three in
consultation； and for a little while it was only an interchange of
perplexity and terror。 “Uppercross；—the necessity of some one’s
going to Uppercross；—the news to be conveyed—how it could be
broken to Mr。 and Mrs。 Musgrove；—the lateness of the morning—
an hour already gone since they ought to have been off；—the
impossibility of being in tolerable time。” At first； they were capable
of nothing more to the purpose than such exclamations； but； after
a while； Captain Wentworth； exerting himself； said；
“We must be decided； and without the loss of another minute。
Every minute is valuable。 Some one must resolve on being off for
Uppercross instantly。 Musgrove； either you or I must go。”
Charles agreed； but declared his resolution of not going away。
He would be as little incumbrance as possible to Captain and Mrs。
Harville； but as to leaving his sister in such a state； he neither
ought； nor would。 So far it was decided； and Henrietta at first
declared the same。 She； however； was soon persuaded to think
differently。 The usefulness of her staying！—She who had not been
able to remain in Louisa’s room； or to look at her； without
sufferings which made her worse than helpless！ She was forced to
acknowledge that she could do no good； yet was still unwilling to
be away； till； touched by the thought of her father and mother； she
gave it up； she consented； she was anxious to be at home。
The plan had reached this point； when Anne； coming quietly
down from Louisa’s room； could not but hear what followed； for
the parlour door was open。
“Then it is settled； Musgrove；” cried Captain Wentworth； “that
you stay； and that I take care of your sister home。 But as to the
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rest；—as to the others；—If one stays to assist Mrs。 Harville； I think
it need be only one。—Mrs。 Charles Musgrove will； of course； wish
to get back to her children； but if Anne will stay； no one so proper；
so capable as Anne！”
She paused a moment to recover from the emotion of hearing
herself so spoken of。 The other two warmly agreed with what he
said； and she then appeared。
“You will stay； I am sure； you will stay and nurse her；” cried he；
turning to her and speaking with a glow； and yet a gentleness；
which seemed almost restoring the past。—She coloured deeply；
and he recollected himself and moved away。—She expressed
herself most willing； ready； happy to remain。 “It was what she had
been thinking of； and wishing to be allowed to do。—A bed on the
floor in Louisa’s room would be sufficient for her； if Mrs。 Harville
would but think so。”
One thing more； and all seemed arranged。 Though it was rather
desirable that Mr。 and Mrs。 Musgrove should be previously
alarmed by some share of delay； yet the time required by the
Uppercross horses to take them back； would be a dreadful
extension of suspense； and Captain Wentworth proposed； and
Charles Musgrove agreed； that it would be much better for him to
take a chaise from the inn； and leave Mr。 Musgrove’s carriage and
horses to be sent home the next morning early； when there would
be the farther advantage of sending an account of Louisa’s night。
Captain Wentworth now hurried off to get everything ready on
his part； and to be soon followed by the two ladies。 When the plan
was made known to Mary； however； there was an end of all peace
in it。 She was so wretched and so vehement； complained so much
of injustice in being expected to go away instead of Anne；—Anne；
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who was nothing to Louisa； while she was her sister； and had the
best right to stay in Henrietta’s stead！ Why was not she to be as
useful as Anne？ And to go home without Charles； too；—without
her husband！ No； it was too unkind。 And in short； she said more
than her husband could long withstand； and as none of the others
could oppose when he gave way； there was no help for it： the
change of Mary for Anne was inevitable。
Anne had never submitted more reluctantly to the jealous and
ill…judging claims of Mary； but so it must be； and they set off for
the town； Charles taking care of his sister； and Captain Benwick
attending to her。 She gave a moment’s recollection； as they
hurried along； to the little circumstances which the same spots
had witnessed earlier in the morning。 There she had listened to
Henrietta’s schemes for Dr。 Shirley’s leaving Uppercross； farther
on； she had first seen Mr。 Elliot； a moment seemed all that could
now be given to any one but Louisa； or those who were wrapt up
in her welfare。
Captain Benwick was most considerately attentive to her； and；
united as they all seemed by the distress of the day； she felt an
increasing degree of good…will towards him； and a pleasure even in
thinking that it might； perhaps； be the occasion of continuing their
acquaintance。
Captain Wentworth was on the watch for them； and a chaise
and four in waiting； stationed for their convenience in the lowest
part of the street； but his evident surprise and vexation at the
substitution of one sister for the other； the change in his
countenance—the astonishment—the expressions begun and
suppressed； with which Charles was listened to； made but a
mortifying reception of Anne； or must at least convince her that
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she was valued only as she could be useful to L