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had reason to believe that she had moments only of languor and
depression； to hours of occupation and enjoyment。 How could it
be？—She watched—observed—reflected—and finally determined
that this was not a case of fortitude or of resignation only。—A
submissive spirit might be patient； a strong understanding would
supply resolution； but here was something more； here was that
elasticity of mind； that disposition to be comforted； that power of
turning readily from evil to good； and of finding employment
which carried her out of herself； which was from nature alone。 It
was the choicest gift of Heaven； and Anne viewed her friend as
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one of those instances in which； by a merciful appointment； it
seems designed to counterbalance almost every other want。
There had been a time； Mrs。 Smith told her； when her spirits
had nearly failed。 She could not call herself an invalid now；
compared with her state on first reaching Bath。 Then she had；
indeed； been a pitiable object—for she had caught cold on the
journey； and had hardly taken possession of her lodgings before
she was again confined to her bed and suffering under severe and
constant pain； and all this among strangers—with the absolute
necessity of having a regular nurse； and finances at that moment
particularly unfit to meet any extraordinary expense。 She had
weathered it； however； and could truly say that it had done her
good。 It had increased her comforts by making her feel herself to
be in good hands。 She had seen too much of the world； to expect
sudden or disinterested attachment anywhere； but her illness had
proved to her that her landlady had a character to preserve； and
would not use her ill； and she had been particularly fortunate in
her nurse； as a sister of her landlady； a nurse by profession； and
who had always a home in that house when unemployed； chanced
to be at liberty just in time to attend her。—“And she；” said Mrs。
Smith； “besides nursing me most admirably； has really proved an
invaluable acquaintance。—As soon as I could use my hands she
taught me to knit； which has been a great amusement； and she put
me in the way of making these little thread…cases； pin…cushions
and card…racks； which you always find me so busy about； and
which supply me with the means of doing a little good to one or
two very poor families in this neighbourhood。 She had a large
acquaintance； of course professionally； among those who can
afford to buy； and she disposes of my merchandize。 She always
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takes the right time for applying。 Everybody’s heart is open； you
know； when they have recently escaped from severe pain； or are
recovering the blessing of health； and Nurse Rooke thoroughly
understands when to speak。 She is a shrewd； intelligent； sensible
woman。 Hers is a line for seeing human nature； and she has a fund
of good sense and observation； which； as a companion； make her
infinitely superior to thousands of those who having only received
‘the best education in the world；’ know nothing worth attending
to。 Call it gossip； if you will； but when Nurse Rooke has half an
hour’s leisure to bestow on me； she is sure to have something to
relate that is entertaining and profitable； something that makes
one know one’s species better。 One likes to hear what is going on；
to be au fait as to the newest modes of being trifling and silly。 To
me； who live so much alone； her conversation； I assure you； is a
treat。”
Anne； far from wishing to cavil at the pleasure； replied； “I can
easily believe it。 Women of that class have great opportunities； and
if they are intelligent may be well worth listening to。 Such
varieties of human nature as they are in the habit of witnessing！
And it is not merely in its follies； that they are well read； for they
see it occasionally under every circumstance that can be most
interesting or affecting。 What instances must pass before them of
ardent； disinterested； self…denying attachment； of heroism；
fortitude； patience； resignation—of all the conflicts and all the
sacrifices that ennoble us most。 A sick chamber may often furnish
the worth of volumes。”
“Yes；” said Mrs。 Smith more doubtingly； “sometimes it may；
though I fear its lessons are not often in the elevated style you
describe。 Here and there； human nature may be great in times of
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trial； but generally speaking； it is its weakness and not its strength
that appears in a sick chamber； it is selfishness and impatience
rather than generosity and fortitude； that one hears of。 There is so
little real friendship in the world！—and unfortunately” （speaking
low and tremulously） “there are so many who forget to think
seriously till it is almost too late。”
Anne saw the misery of such feelings。 The husband had not
been what he ought； and the wife had been led among that part of
mankind which made her think worse of the world than she hoped
it deserved。 It was but a passing emotion however with Mrs。
Smith； she shook it off； and soon added in a different tone；
“I do not suppose the situation my friend Mrs。 Rooke is in at
present； will furnish much either to interest or edify me。—She is
only nursing Mrs。 Wallis of Marlborough…buildings—a mere
pretty； silly； expensive； fashionable woman； I believe—and of
course will have nothing to report but of lace and finery。—I mean
to make my profit of Mrs。 Wallis； however。 She has plenty of
money； and I intend she shall buy all the high…priced things I have
in hand now。”
Anne had called several times on her friend； before the
existence of such a person was known in Camden…place。 At last； it
became necessary to speak of her。—Sir Walter； Elizabeth and Mrs。
Clay； returned one morning from Laura…place； with a sudden
invitation from Lady Dalrymple for the same evening； and Anne
was already engaged； to spend that evening in Westgate…buildings。
She was not sorry for the excuse。 They were only asked； she was
sure； because Lady Dalrymple being kept at home by a bad cold；
was glad to make use of the relationship which had been so
pressed on her；—and she declined on her own account with great
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alacrity—“She was engaged to spend the evening with an old
schoolfellow。” They were not much interested in anything relative
to Anne； but still there were questions enough asked； to make it
understood what this old schoolfellow was； and Elizabeth was
disdainful； and Sir Walter severe。
“Westgate…buildings！” said he； “and who is Miss Anne Elliot to
be visiting in Westgate…buildings？—A Mrs。 Smith。 A widow Mrs。
Smith；—and who was her husband？ One of five thousand Mr。
Smiths whose names are to be met with everywhere。 And what is
her attraction？ That she is old and sickly。—Upon my word； Miss
Anne Elliot； you have the most extraordinary taste！ Everything
that revolts other people； low company； paltry rooms；