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Wentworth； her imperfect knowledge of the matter might add
another shade of prejudice against him。
The following morning Anne was out with her friend； and for
the first hour； in an incessant and fearful sort of watch for him in
vain； but at last； in returning down Pulteney…street； she
distinguished him on the right hand pavement at such a distance
as to have him in view the greater part of the street。 There were
many other men about him； many groups walking the same way；
but there was no mistaking him。 She looked instinctively at Lady
Russell； but not from any mad idea of her recognising him so soon
as she did herself。 No； it was not to be supposed that Lady Russell
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would perceive him till they were nearly opposite。 She looked at
her however； from time to time； anxiously； and when the moment
approached which must point him out； though not daring to look
again （for her own countenance she knew was unfit to be seen）；
she was yet perfectly conscious of Lady Russell’s eyes being
turned exactly in the direction for him—of her being； in short；
intently observing him。 She could thoroughly comprehend the sort
of fascination he must possess over Lady Russell’s mind； the
difficulty it must be for her to withdraw her eyes； the astonishment
she must be feeling that eight or nine years should have passed
over him； and in foreign climes and in active service too； without
robbing him of one personal grace！
At last； Lady Russell drew back her head。—“Now； how would
she speak of him？”
“You will wonder；” said she； “what has been fixing my eye so
long； but I was looking after some window…curtains； which Lady
Alicia and Mrs。 Frankland were telling me of last night。 They
described the drawing…room window…curtains of one of the houses
on this side of the way； and this part of the street； as being the
handsomest and best hung of any in Bath； but could not recollect
the exact number； and I have been trying to find out which it
could be； but I confess I can see no curtains hereabouts that
answer their description。”
Anne sighed and blushed and smiled； in pity and disdain； either
at her friend or herself。—The part which provoked her most； was
that in all this waste of foresight and caution； she should have lost
the right moment for seeing whether he saw them。
A day or two passed without producing anything。—The theatre
or the rooms； where he was most likely to be； were not fashionable
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enough for the Elliots； whose evening amusements were solely in
the elegant stupidity of private parties； in which they were getting
more and more engaged； and Anne； wearied of such a state of
stagnation； sick of knowing nothing； and fancying herself stronger
because her strength was not tried； was quite impatient for the
concert evening。 It was a concert for the benefit of a person
patronised by Lady Dalrymple。 Of course they must attend。 It was
really expected to be a good one； and Captain Wentworth was very
fond of music。 If she could only have a few minutes conversation
with him again； she fancied she should be satisfied； and as to the
power of addressing him； she felt all over courage if the
opportunity occurred。 Elizabeth had turned from him； Lady
Russell overlooked him； her nerves were strengthened by these
circumstances； she felt that she owed him attention。
She had once partly promised Mrs。 Smith to spend the evening
with her； but in a short hurried call she excused herself and put it
off； with the more decided promise of a longer visit on the morrow。
Mrs。 Smith gave a most good…humoured acquiescence。
“By all means；” said she； “only tell me all about it； when you do
come。 Who is your party？”
Anne named them all。 Mrs。 Smith made no reply； but when she
was leaving her said； and with an expression half serious； half
arch； “Well； I heartily wish your concert may answer； and do not
fail me to…morrow if you can come； for I begin to have a foreboding
that I may not have many more visits from you。”
Anne was startled and confused； but after standing in a
moment’s suspense； was obliged； and not sorry to be obliged； to
hurry away。
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CHAPTER VIII
ir Walter； his two daughters； and Mrs。 Clay； were the
earliest of all their party at the rooms in the evening； and
S
as Lady Dalrymple must be waited for； they took their
station by one of the fires in the Octagon Room。 But hardly were
they so settled； when the door opened again； and Captain
Wentworth walked in alone。 Anne was the nearest to him； and
making yet a little advance； she instantly spoke。 He was preparing
only to bow and pass on； but her gentle “How do you do？” brought
him out of the straight line to stand near her； and make enquiries
in return； in spite of the formidable father and sister in the back
ground。 Their being in the back ground was a support to Anne；
she knew nothing of their looks； and felt equal to everything which
she believed right to be done。
While they were speaking； a whispering between her father and
Elizabeth caught her ear。 She could not distinguish； but she must
guess the subject； and on Captain Wentworth’s making a distant
bow； she comprehended that her father had judged so well as to
give him that simple acknowledgement of acquaintance； and she
was just in time by a side glance to see a slight curtsey from
Elizabeth herself。 This； though late； and reluctant； and ungracious；
was yet better than nothing； and her spirits improved。
After talking； however； of the weather； and Bath； and the
concert； their conversation began to flag； and so little was said at
last； that she was expecting him to go every moment； but he did
not； he seemed in no hurry to leave her； and presently with
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renewed spirit； with a little smile； a little glow； he said；
“I have hardly seen you since our day at Lyme。 I am afraid you
must have suffered from the shock； and the more from its not
overpowering you at the time。”
She assured him that she had not。
“It was a frightful hour；” said he； “a frightful day！” and he
passed his hand across his eyes； as if the remembrance were still
too painful； but in a moment； half smiling again； added； “The day
has produced some effects however—has had some consequences
which must be considered as the very reverse of frightful。—When
you had the presence of mind to suggest that Benwick would be
the properest person to fetch a surgeon； you could have little idea
of his being eventually one of those most concerned in her
recovery。”
“Certainly I could have none。 But it appears—I should hope it
would be a very happy match。 There are on both sides good
principles and good temper。”
“Yes；” said he； looking not exactly forward—“but there I think
ends the resemblance。 With all my soul I wish them happy； and
rejoice over every circumstance in favour of it。 They have no
difficulties to contend with at home； no opposition； no caprice； no
delays。—The Musgroves are behaving like themselves； most
honourably and kindly； only anxious with true parental hearts to
promote their daughter’s comfort。 All this