Beginning, Section II
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Chapter 13
Captain Wentworth left the concert rooms, his mind in a turmoil. He had come to Bath to attempt to engage Anne's affections again, and could only hope that Anne would not repulse his attempts to attach her after his indifference to her during the summer at Uppercross and during the excursion to Lyme. On his arrival at Bath, he had heard rumours of Henry Tilney and Mr. Elliot paying particular attention to Anne; he had been dismayed, but the walk on Beechen Cliff had shown Anne so willing to listen to him, giving him the opportunity to speak to her of his thoughts on Benwick's and Louisa Musgrove's upcoming nuptials, and his wholehearted congratulations to the couple. He had believed then that Anne had understood the import of the message he desired to convey to her -- that he was not affected by Louisa's attachment to Benwick, that his heart was disengaged despite the attentions he had shown Louisa during the summer at Uppercross. Seeing Anne talking and laughing with Henry Tilney, he had been jealous and uneasy, but after learning of her indifference to Henry Tilney, indeed, her promotion of a match between Henry Tilney and Catherine Morland, his mind had undergone a change from a state of resentment and jealousy to one of hope and expectation. Before the concert began, Anne had even sought him out voluntarily (as he thought), and appeared inclined to talk to him and listen to him. But the pleasure of talking with Anne was cut short by the arrival of Mr. Elliot, who escorted Anne to their seats with a proprietorial air. Throughout the concert, Captain Wentworth could not listen to the music, his thoughts, and indeed, his looks, were directed constantly to the area of the room where Anne sat with Mr. Elliot.
At the intermission, Captain Wentworth saw that Mr. Elliot engaged all of Anne's attention. Observing her with Mr. Elliot, amidst all her friends and family who, he suspected, were all zealously promoting a match between Anne and the heir to Kellynch, he felt discouraged. Anne was beyond his reach, she was sitting next to Mr. Elliot and they were engaged in a lively conversation, with Mr. Elliot bent solicitously over her to listen to all she said. No, he would not endure the sight of her allowing Mr. Elliot's attentions any longer, he was determined to leave. He approached Anne and took leave of her in the most depressed spirits. All the hopes he had carried to Bath of reviving the emotions that Anne had felt for him eight years ago -- all those hopes and wishes had suffered a severe blow. Anne no longer cared for him, Mr. Elliot had thoroughly superseded him in Anne's affections.
Wandering along the streets of Bath, Captain Wentworth cursed himself for his foolish pride and vanity while at Kellynch last summer. He had gone to Kellynch on his sister's invitation, and had, no desire, beyond some natural curiosity, to see Anne Elliot again. He had not forgiven her; he had been mostly warmly attached to her but she had used him ill, deserted and disappointed him; and worse, she had shewn a feebleness of character in doing so, which his own decided, confident temper could not endure. She had given him up to oblige others. It had been the effect of over-persuasion. Her power with him was gone for ever.
Seeing Anne at Uppercross, he had thought her wretchedly altered, and had gladly turned to the lively and pretty Miss Musgroves, whose attentions and compliments flattered his vanity. He had avoided Anne most studiously. It was only at Lyme that Mr. Elliot's silent admiration of Anne woke up a jealousy he had thought long dead, and at Lyme that Louisa's accident had opened his eyes to his true feelings for Anne. Benwick's attachment to Louisa had released him from any obligation towards Louisa; he had only one thought which he could no longer deny -- to get to Bath as soon as possible and regain Anne. But to see Anne with Mr. Elliot and allowing his attentions! attentions so marked that there was a general expectation that they would be married before long. Captain Wentworth was suffocated at the thought of Anne's marrying Mr. Elliot, he could not stand to be indoors, he needed to be out in the cool night air.
Unconsciously, Captain Wentworth wandered about Bath and reached the Circus. Dejected and thirsty, he stepped into an inn for refreshment. Alone in the tap room, he heard a clattering carriage approach the inn and wondered idly who the late traveller could be. The London road was very busy at night, but this was an unusual hour to be leaving for London. The coachman jumped down from the carriage, and shouted for help in replacing a shoe thrown by a horse. Presently, a lady's maid entered the inn to procure refreshments for her mistress.
"This is late, Mrs. Campion, to be travelling to London with your mistress," said the inn-keeper.
"Oh! It's late but absolutely necessary! Mistress is quite distracted and would go to London at once. It is of greatest importance that she reaches London as soon as possible! Such news as you've never heard, Mr. Bird!" she said slyly.
"News? Not bad news from London?" inquired the inn-keeper.
"Mistress had an express from her son in London - young mistress has left her house in Wimpole Street!" she said, importantly, not noticing that Captain Wentworth was sitting in the corner of the tap room.
"Left Wimpole Street? To come to visit old Mrs. Rushworth here in Bath? But why are you leaving Bath then?" said the inn-keeper.
"Oh! You would never believe her wickedness! The express said that young mistress has left her husband in the company of Another! A Mr. Henry Crawford, who had been most intimate with her, " said the maid, eager to gossip.
"Ah! A very bad state of affairs!" the inn-keeper shook his head, "And your mistress had just removed to Bath so that the young couple could enjoy themselves in London. I don't know what young women are coming to in these days...and so newly-married!"
Captain Wentworth could not help overhearing the conversation, and his ears pricked up at the mention of Henry Crawford. He was acquainted with Admiral Crawford, Henry Crawford's uncle, and had consequently been introduced to Henry Crawford when he had come to visit his uncle. Captain Wentworth was astonished - he had heard of Henry Crawford forming an attachment at Northampton, where he had been staying with his sister - surely this had not been the same woman that Henry Crawford had talked of so glowingly as "an angel of perfection"?
The maid hurried away soon after, and the carriage left as soon as the lost shoe had been replaced. Captain Wentworth left the inn. The London road seemed unusually busy that night, with two carriages driving by while he walked down St. George Street to get back to his lodgings. The lateness of the hour ensured that very few pedestrians were abroad, and Captain Wentworth walked silently on.
As he approached Wilson Street, he stopped a little when a woman hurried by. He walked behind her as they both seemed to be making their way to Gay Street. Captain Wentworth thought that her gait looked familiar but could not make out her features as she was cloaked and veiled; he stopped to watch her cross the street and stand at the corner. She was joined by a man, and this time Captain Wentworth recognized him - it was Captain Frederick Tilney, Henry Tilney's brother - and the woman who had come to meet him was Isabella Thorpe!
Captain Wentworth was astonished at their impropriety - was not Isabella Thorpe engaged to James Morland, Miss Catherine's Morland's brother? What was her purpose in meeting Captain Tilney at such a late hour, at such a location? Then he saw Captain Tilney embrace her and give her a kiss, and he guessed that he had happened on a tryst. Captain Wentworth was shocked - were not Isabella Thorpe and Catherine Morland almost sisters? Isabella Thorpe proclaimed her tenderness towards the absent James Morland almost daily; he had heard her speak to Catherine in the most affectionate tones of a sister. And Captain Tilney, what was he about? Did he not know that his actions would injure Catherine, and consequently, Henry? Captain Wentworth was by turns disgusted by the duplicity of the two trysters and astonished at their bravado in meeting at such a late hour. The street was completely quiet, and he could hear snatches of their conversation. "Til tomorrow then...the carriage will be ready...I am as impatient as you are to be off..." Evidently the two were planning an elopement!
Captain Wentworth debated on his course of action, his misery over Mr. Elliot temporarily suspended in the immediacy of the situation he had happened on. It was really none of his concern; indeed, he was barely acquainted with Isabella Thorpe and only knew Captain Tilney by sight. But surely Catherine Morland deserved to be undeceived as to the character of Isabella Thorpe? While he was struggling with his indecisiveness, the trysters parted. Captain Wentworth stood in the night air, thinking about possible ways to give Catherine a hint.
Two people approached him, unaware that there was someone standing in the shadows. They were whispering as they walked, but their excited tones soon roused Captain Wentworth from his thoughts.
"No, no, you must not! You must not speak to Miss Elizabeth, for rest assured she will not believe you."
"You are being most foolish, Penelope. Have I not warned you before that you are to keep your hands off Sir Walter? Yet tonight I witnessed such importunate attentions towards Sir Walter, that I begin to feel that I have been but too lenient with you, in allowing you to remain in Camden Place..."
"Attentions to Sir Walter! Dear Mr. Elliot, you know I am wholly dependent on Miss Elizabeth's pleasure whether I stay at Camden Place or not, I must earn my keep and make sure that Miss and Sir are happy at all times with me. You know that I stay at Camden Place solely for you..."
Captain Wentworth suffered no insignificant shock when he discovered that the two people were none other than Mrs. Clay and Mr. Elliot! What could the two of them be doing to be meeting at such a late hour? This was a night of assignations for Captain Wentworth. So many secret couples that he had heard of tonight! First, he had overheard the maid's gossiping of the elopement of Mr. Henry Crawford with the young Mrs. Rushworth. Then, he had happened on Captain Tilney and Isabella Thorpe, and now, could it be possible that Mr. Elliot and Mrs. Clay were planning to elope too? But where was the need for an elopement? Neither was attached; he knew that Mrs. Clay was a widow, and that Mr. Elliot had lost his wife but a few months ago. And what had Mr. Elliot, the professed admirer of Anne Elliot, to do with late-night meetings with Mrs. Clay? It was all subterfuge. But amidst his confusion, another hope also dawned. Whatever thoughts Mr. Elliot cherished towards Anne, he was not behaving like an honourable man in meeting with Mrs. Clay at a late hour and a deserted place, evidently to avoid being detected. As the two dark figures hurried away, Captain Wentworth resolved to speak with Anne about Mr. Elliot and put her on her guard.
Chapter 14
She felt a great deal of good-will towards him. In spite of the mischief of his attentions, she owed him gratitude and regard, perhaps compassion. She could not help thinking much of the extraordinary circumstances attending their acquaintance, of the right which he seemed to have to interest her, by everything in situation, by his own sentiments, by his early prepossession. It was altogether very extraordinary; flattering, but painful. There was much to regret. How she might have felt had there been no Captain Wentworth in the case, was not worth enquiry; for there was a Captain Wentworth; and be the conclusion of the present suspense good or bad, her affection would be his for ever.
She was just preparing to set off to the library, when the entrance of the Tilneys and Catherine stopped her.
Anne went up to them with pleasure, eager to talk over the concert. However, she stopped short on perceiving Catherine's pallor.
"You are not well, Catherine, pray sit down immediately," she exclaimed. Eleanor and Henry helped Catherine to a seat, while Anne thrust her smelling salts towards Catherine.
"Oh! I'm well, Anne, I thought I could walk here with Eleanor and Mr. Tilney, but the thought of James! Poor James! How unhappy he will be when he gets her letter!" Catherine said.
Anne looked at Eleanor and Catherine. "What has befallen Mr. Morland? Have you had bad news from Fullerton?" she inquired anxiously.
"No, Catherine has had a shock, Anne," Eleanor replied. "She has just received a letter from Isabella Thorpe, announcing that she has repented of her engagement to Mr. James Morland, and that she has written to him to ask that he release her from the engagement."
Anne was astonished. "Repented of her engagement! But just the other day she was delighted to receive a letter from your brother at Oxford! This cannot be. Have they quarrelled? Has there been some misunderstanding?"
"I don't know what to think, Anne!" wailed Catherine. "Look, here is her letter to me, she writes of wanting to break the engagement, and that she has also written to James. Poor James will be so unhappy!"
Anne read Isabella's letter over quickly:
"My dearest Catherine,
I wanted to write to you at the same time that I write to your brother, to inform you that our engagement is at an end. His absence has allowed me a period of quiet reflection, and I have been thinking for some time now, that our characters are not best suited for marriage to each other. I wanted to let you know as soon as possible, and to assure you that, whatever might happen between James and me, I will always think of you with the greatest fondness as a friend and will be happy to meet you in Bath. Do you go to the Atkinson's party tonight? I hope you will also want to remain friends; if you do not, please to return me the yellow muff I lent you two weeks ago and I will also return the sash you lent me last week.
Yours ever,
Isabella Thorpe"
Anne looked at Henry and Eleanor, each wondering whether Isabella Thorpe's sudden decision to break her engagement was the result of her being secure of Captain Tilney. Henry spoke at last.
"Miss Morland, your brother is very much to be pitied, but perhaps this make assuage his loss. I will not conceal from you that I think that Miss Thorpe has decided to break her engagement because she is certain, somehow or other, that Frederick will make her an offer if she were at liberty. I have not heard anything about the matter from Frederick, supposing his attentions to be his usual habit of flirtation, but perhaps his intentions are serious this time."
Catherine was silent. She had observed that Isabella had allowed Captain Tilney to pay her a great many attentions, nay, had even encouraged his attentions. When she had attempted to remonstrate with Isabella, the latter had only laughed at her and declared that he was nothing but a coxcomb.
Eleanor said, " I can only say that I am sorry for it. Frederick will not be the first man who has chosen a wife with less sense than his family expected. I do not envy his situation, either as a lover or a son. What was her father, Catherine?"
"A lawyer, I believe. They live at Putney."
"Are they a wealthy family?"
"No, not very. I do not believe Isabella has any fortune at all: but that will not signify in your family. Your father is so very liberal! He told me the other day that he only valued money as it allowed him to promote the happiness of his children." The brother and sister looked at each other. "But," said Eleanor, after a short pause, "would it be to promote his happiness, to enable him to marry such a girl? She must be an unprincipled one, or she could not have used your brother so. And how strange an infatuation on Frederick's side! A girl who, before his eyes, is violating an engagement voluntarily entered into with another man! Is not it inconceivable, Henry? Frederick too, who always wore his heart so proudly! Who found no woman good enough to be loved!"
"That is the most unpromising circumstance, the strongest presumption against him. When I think of his past declarations, I give him up. Moreover, I have too good an opinion of Miss Thorpe's prudence to suppose that she would part with one gentleman before the other was secured. It is all over with Frederick indeed! He is a deceased man -- defunct in understanding. Prepare for your sister-in-law, Eleanor, and such a sister-in-law as you must delight in! Open, candid, artless, guileless, with affections strong but simple, forming no pretensions, and knowing no disguise."
"Such a sister-in-law, Henry, I should delight in," said Eleanor with a smile at Henry and Catherine.
"But perhaps," observed Catherine, "though she has behaved so ill by our family, she may behave better by yours. Now she has really got the man she likes, she may be constant."
"Indeed I am afraid she will," replied Henry; "I am afraid she will be very constant, unless a baronet should come in her way; that is Frederick's only chance. I will get the Bath paper, and look over the arrivals."
"You think it is all for ambition, then? And, upon my word, there are some things that seem very like it. I cannot forget that, when she first knew what my father would do for them, she seemed quite disappointed that it was not more. I never was so deceived in anyone's character in my life before."
"Among all the great variety that you have known and studied," said Anne with a smile.
"My own disappointment and loss in her is very great; but, as for poor James, I suppose he will hardly ever recover it."
"Your brother is certainly very much to be pitied at present; but we must not, in our concern for his sufferings, undervalue yours. You feel, I suppose, that in losing Isabella, you lose half yourself: you feel a void in your heart which nothing else can occupy. Society is becoming irksome; and as for the amusements in which you were wont to share at Bath, the very idea of them without her is abhorrent. You would not, for instance, now go to a ball for the world. You feel that you have no longer any friend to whom you can speak with unreserve, on whose regard you can place dependence, or whose counsel, in any difficulty, you could rely on. You feel all this?" asked Henry.
"No," said Catherine, after a few moments' reflection, "I do not -- ought I? To say the truth, though I am hurt and grieved, that I cannot still love her, that I will never have any pleasure in seeing her again, I do not feel so very, very much afflicted as one would have thought. I have lost Isabella, but I have dear friends such as you to comfort me."
Catherine, found her spirits so very much relieved by this conversation. Catherine found, with some surprise, that the Tilneys were perfectly agreed in considering Isabella's want of consequence and fortune as likely to throw great difficulties in the way of her marrying their brother. Their persuasion that General Tilney would, upon this ground alone, independent of the objection that might be raised against her character, oppose the connection, turned her feelings moreover with some alarm towards herself. She was as insignificant, and perhaps as portionless, as Isabella; and if the heir of the Tilney property had not grandeur and wealth enough in himself, at what point of interest were the demands of his younger brother to rest?
The Tilneys were fully convinced, however, that their brother would not have the courage to apply in person for his father's consent. "I do not know what to make of this letter then," said Anne, at last. "I cannot imagine that Isabella would be so imprudent as to break her engagement with Mr. Morland while not secured of Captain Tilney. Yet you think that Captain Tilney has yet to ask your father for his consent!"
While they surmised and debated over the probability of such a step, Captain Wentworth was announced.
Chapter 15
Captain Wentworth had come to call on Anne after a night's deliberation on the intrigues he had encountered. He had concluded that as Isabella Thorpe appeared to be willing to cast aside her reputation and break her engagement to James Morland by eloping with Captain Tilney, there was no need to inform Catherine Morland of the intended elopement; for, even if Isabella's duplicity were made known to the Morlands, there was little that could be done to alter the conclusion. Even if James Morland were informed of the intended elopement, matters had reached such a stage that he could not regain Isabella's heart, if indeed he wanted to. Furthermore, even if he exposed Isabella's deceit, as a gentleman, James Morland could not demand that the engagement be dissolved, it was for Isabella to renounce the engagement. The engagement was bound to end sooner or later, whether James Morland were informed of Isabella's duplicity in advance could not save the engagement and was thus irrelevant, and Captain Wentworth decided to say nothing of the tryst he had witnessed. Moreover, although the circumstances and the behaviour of the two spoke for his conclusion of an impending elopement, he was not entirely certain that the two were intending to elope; perhaps Captain Tilney and Isabella, though unacknowledged lovers, intended to inform their parents and arrange for a quick wedding by special licence, in which case, revealing the late night meeting he had witnessed would unfairly taint them.
The meeting between Mrs. Clay and Mr. Elliot was, however, quite another matter. Captain Wentworth did not know what to make of the snatches of dialogue he had overheard. It appeared that Mr. Elliot and Mrs. Clay did not meet as friends, for had Mr. Elliot not warned Mrs. Clay to keep her distance from Sir Walter? It was evident that Mr. Elliot perceived Mrs. Clay's flattering behaviour to Sir Walter as a threat; as Sir Walter's heir, he wanted to ensure that Sir Walter did not remarry and produce a son to displace him. Yet why would the two enemies arrange to meet late at night after the concert in a secretive manner -- no, were the two enemies? Did Mrs. Clay not say that she contrived to stay on at Camden Place solely for Mr. Elliot's sake? That seemed to imply an understanding of some sort between the two. It was all confusion. But one thing was very clear to Captain Wentworth: a professed admirer of Anne Elliot should not be making arrangements to meet another lady in the dead of the night! Captain Wentworth resolved to speak to Anne about that meeting he had witnessed. Believing that Anne was disposed to accept Mr. Elliot's attentions, he could not remain silent. He would speak. He owed it to her, to risk any thing that might be involved in an unwelcome interference, rather than her welfare; to encounter any thing, rather than the remembrance of neglect in such a cause.
Anne's sensations on Captain Wentworth's entrance were a delightful mixture of hope and surprise. After the depressed manner of his leave-taking last night, she had thought that jealousy of Mr. Elliot would keep him away, and that she would have to use every effort and every opportunity to dispel that jealousy. His entrance led Anne to hope that jealousy of Mr. Elliot had the opposite effect, that Captain Wentworth had not become discouraged, but had been spurred on to approach her in the face of Mr. Elliot's attentions.
Captain Wentworth was disappointed to see that the Tilneys and Catherine were also calling on Anne, for he had hoped to speak with her privately. His disappointment was replaced by concern when he saw Catherine on the sofa, still looking extremely pale. "Are you well, Miss Morland? I hope it is not the heat that is getting to you?" he inquired directly.
"Oh no! It is something else...it cannot be concealed for long, nor is there any need for concealment," said Catherine, who liked the Captain very much for his warm manners and open temper, despite only having been acquainted recently with him. "I have had a letter, Captain Wentworth, one that contained such bad news that I never want another letter again. It is from Isabella, informing me that she has written to James to break her engagement! I was never more surprised or shocked." Here, Eleanor took her hand affectionately to comfort her. "Eleanor and Mr. Tilney think that my brother has been superseded by their brother, for Captain Tilney has been paying Isabella a great deal of attention," continued Catherine, "but what will she say to James? All she said to me is that she believes James and her are not well-suited; but can nothing be done to mend the relationship? It must be true, but I cannot yet wholly believe that Captain Tilney has supplanted James in so short a time. When I think of James! Poor James will be so unhappy when he receives her letter!"
Captain Wentworth felt that now that Isabella Thorpe had decided to dissolve her engagement before announcing her preference for Captain Tilney, despite his decision last night to say nothing of the tryst he had happened upon, he could reveal all that he had witnessed so that Catherine, at least, would no longer be the dupe of Isabella and would see the dissolution of the engagement in another light, as a lucky escape for James.
They listened to his account, punctuated by exclamations of wonder from the Tilneys and Catherine. At the end of his narration, Henry said, "It is certain then. Isabella Thorpe has thrown James Morland over because she is secure of Frederick, they must be planning an elopement, for Frederick has not spoken of his attachment to our father."
"An elopement!" exclaimed Catherine, "but I cannot believe that of Isabella, this will be most distressing to her mother and her sisters! No, no, Isabella would not behave so improperly. There can be no need for an elopement, if she is willing to face the difficulties of jilting James in favour of your brother!"
"And what of Frederick? Frederick, who is so proud about not being caught by the affections of any woman, as he has boasted of! Could he really be contemplating an elopement?" asked Eleanor of Henry, "Will he really risk incurring the displeasure of our father; you know his views on marriage, Henry. Can he really be in love with Isabella Thorpe, as to lose all sense of duty and propriety, in eloping with a woman whom he must know our father would disapprove of!"
Henry knew that Eleanor was thinking of her attachment to Mr. Kenmore, which had been abruptly terminated by General Tilney's harsh decree solely because that gentleman did not have enough wealth to satisfy the ambition of the General. The General's displeasure at Eleanor had been great; he had spoken very sternly to her, made her promise never to see Mr. Kenmore again, and then removed her to Bath to ensure that there was no possibility of any chance meetings in London.
The Tilneys did not know what to make of this perplexing question. On balance, they decided that it was impossible that Captain Tilney would be take so precipitate a step. But what could, or should, they do with the information furnished by Captain Wentworth? Frederick was his own master, if he wanted to elope with Isabella Thorpe, there was little they could do; they could attempt to dissuade him and exhort him to speak with their father, but Frederick was not of a persuadable temper once his mind was made up. Henry observed that they had left the house relatively early that morning and Frederick had not risen yet at that time, could it be possible that Frederick intended to speak with their father that morning? Eleanor thought that was possible, and suggested that they proceed home immediately to ascertain if Frederick had taken spoken with their father.
"I will walk back towards our lodgings with you, Eleanor," said Catherine, "Mrs. Allen is likely wondering why I left so early in the morning after staying out late last night for the concert, she is likely just stirring now to prepare to go to the shops. I wonder if Mr. Allen is still trying out the waters, he has been talking of leaving Bath a little sooner than expected, for the waters have done nothing for his health, he says." Here, Catherine could not help looking at Henry and encountering his eye.
Henry looked at Catherine directly when he realized that Catherine would soon be returning to Fullerton. He had not expected that she would leave so soon! Little by little, Catherine had become important to him in all her ways, with her charming candour and her artlessness. Her friendship with Eleanor and her kindness in spending so much time with Eleanor, which was doing Eleanor much good, served to demonstrate to Henry her good temper and tender heart; even her wild imagination regarding Sir Walter's role in Lady Elliot's demise was seen by him in a favourable light: he saw her as refreshingly naive and needing someone to guide her and take care of her. Henry had not long ago resolve to ask Catherine for her hand in marriage and was only waiting for an opportunity to speak with her alone. To be completely honest, it was her preference for him which first opened to him the charming idea of being attached to her; his gratitude for her preferring him over any other man led in turn to his regard for her. He resolved to speak as soon as possible to Catherine, knowing pretty well that his offer of marriage would be accepted. Henry had very little vanity, but Catherine, in her youthful naivety, had made her preference for him pretty clear; his expectations of her acceptance were not so far above the usual expectations of a sensible man proposing to a woman who returned his feelings that such expectations could be censured as intolerably proud and vain.
Before the Tilneys and Catherine could take leave of Anne, Mr. and Mrs. Charles Musgrove walked in. Anne was really glad to see them; although she had been expecting them to come to Bath, she had no idea that they would arrive so soon. Introductions were made; Charles Musgrove was happy to see Captain Wentworth there, pulling him aside and telling him about a new gun he was eyeing; Mary looked about complacently at Camden Place, pleased with its spaciousness and with the young people, who looked to be people of fashion, whom Anne had introduced her to. "Mr. and Mrs. Musgrove are here with Henrietta to pick out wedding clothes for Louisa and her wedding. Louisa will be here when she is better. Anne, I depend on you and Elizabeth to tell me where the best milliners and dressmakers are," Mary said, "for I am determined to replenish my wardrobe with the latest modes now that Henrietta and Louisa will be buying a vast quantity of dresses and hats for their wedding."
At that moment, Sir Walter came down to breakfast with Elizabeth and Mrs. Clay. Captain Wentworth saw that he would not get an opportunity to speak with Anne about the meeting he had witnessed between Mrs. Clay and Mr. Elliot. He was obliged to wait for another occasion.
"Ah Mary! Charles! I was not expecting you at Bath so early, although Anne spoke of your coming," began Sir Walter. "Your freckles are improving, my dear, less in abundance now. If you would apply Gowland consistently and take care to stay out of the sun, I am very sure that you will see more improvement directly. Look here at Mrs. Clay, hardly any freckles! Her looks so improved!"
Mrs. Clay stole a glance at Elizabeth, who was wholly unconcerned at this praise of her. "You are too kind, Sir Walter!" she exclaimed, "Miss Elizabeth has also been most generous in lending me her parasols to stay out of the sun, and Gowland has helped me so much! But I fancy there are some among us," looking significantly at Elizabeth and Sir Walter, "who need have no fear of the sun, for their complexions are so excellent!"
Anne was disgusted by such blatant flattery, and ashamed that her sister and father's vanity made such flattery so acceptable to them. Captain Wentworth was also disgusted by Mrs. Clay's deceit and sycophantic flattery, and was more resolute than ever in finding an opportunity to tell Anne of the intrigue he witnessed.
The Tilneys were impatient to be home to determine the state of affairs between their brother and Isabella Thorpe, and, with Catherine, took leave of Sir Walter and Elizabeth shortly after the arrival of the Charles Musgroves. Charles and Mary were also on their way to call on other friends in Bath, and soon left with Captain Wentworth. Anne was the only one really glad to see them, and promised to call on Mr. and Mrs. Musgrove later after looking up an old teacher whom she had promised to visit that day.
Chapter 16
The Tilneys endeavoured to lift Catherine's spirits after they left Camden Place. Catherine was by degrees becoming more and more reconciled to the notion of James' broken engagement, and inclined to think as Henry did, that since Isabella was not sincerely attached to James, it was better for the engagement to be broken. They reached the Tilneys' house shortly after, to the confusion of servants hurrying about and loading a carriage.
"Surely our father is not intending to leave Bath already? He said nothing of our departure last night!" wondered Eleanor.
"No, look, Eleanor, they are Frederick's trunks -- the initials "F.R.T." on all of them," said Henry, "But what is the meaning of all this -- why is Frederick packing up to leave so soon, I thought had had another week's leave before rejoining his regiment at Newcastle?"
At that moment, General Tilney entered the room. "Your brother has decided to return Newcastle a little earlier, as you can see from the disarray he is causing this house!" General Tilney did not look best pleased with his son's sudden departure. "Some nonsense about wanting to set his things in order before rejoining his regiment, I have a feeling it is rather that he is tired of Bath, and is feeling restless for a new environment and new pursuits."
"All ready now, Rattray?" Captain Tilney could be heard calling to the butler in another room. "I have not a moment to spare if I want to be at Newcastle by tomorrow."
Eleanor looked at Henry and Catherine, perplexed. Frederick seemed to be preparing to leave for Newcastle immediately, this did not accord with the intended elopement that Captain Wentworth had overheard - but perhaps Frederick intended to be off, and then meet Isabella Thorpe later that night -- or perhaps Captain Wentworth had been mistaken? But then how were they to explain Isabella's letter to Catherine announcing her intention to break her engagement!
Frederick Tilney walked into the room, took leave of his father and his brother and sister, accorded Catherine a friendly greeting, and was gone in a minute. General Tilney said tolerantly, "Well, Frederick is just like himself. You know that I do not like him leaving us so soon, Henry, but this sudden departure is just like Frederick, impatient to be off and doing something after 2 weeks' leave in Bath. Several of the officers in his regiment are returning a little early, and I have a notion that he is not going directly to Newcastle, but will be stopping to watch the boxing match at York with his brother officers. Our party is much broken up now, with the departure of Frederick, and I hope you will be so kind as to spend more of your time with us now, Miss Morland, whenever Mr. and Mrs. Allen can spare you," said the General most politely.
Catherine was only too pleased to know that the General approved of her friendship with his children. "I would like that very much, sir. Eleanor and Mr. Tilney have made my stay at Bath so very pleasant! But Mr. Allen is thinking of going back to Fullerton soon, I believe, seeing that his health has not improved significantly despite taking the waters here."
"Leaving Bath so soon! But you have hardly been here! I'll speak with Mr. Allen when I see him to persuade him to stay a little longer. Eleanor, and Henry indeed, will be very sorry to see you leave so soon," with a significant look at Henry.
Henry needed no hints from his father. While Eleanor and he were surprised that General Tilney would encourage his suit, perceiving nothing in Catherine's situation likely to engage their father's particular respect, they had seen with astonishment the suddenness, continuance, and extent of his attention. Latterly, General Tilney had been dropping more hints which had accompanied an almost positive command to his son of doing everything in his power to attach Catherine, and Henry was convinced of his father's believing it to be an advantageous connection. Catherine had endeared herself to Henry with her good nature and her kindheartedness, and Henry was very ready to address her. He resolved to speak with her as soon as possible.
After sitting a while with the General and listening to very agreeable compliments on herself, with her mind full of Isabella and Captain Tilney and James, Catherine wanted to be back with Mrs. Allen, who had indicated a desire to go shopping for some new ribbons that morning. Henry saw his opportunity and offered to walk her back, with a great deal of jovial encouragement from General Tilney. General Tilney, artfully manoevering to prevent Eleanor from accompanying them, declared that he wanted her company in the Pump Room that morning.
Henry and Catherine's walk back to the Allens' lodgings was filled with wonderment and speculation regarding the unexpected departure of Captain Tilney. Captain Tilney appeared to have set off for Newcastle, it did not seem very likely that he would pretend to go to Newcastle, and then turn back to fetch Isabella Thorpe that evening for their elopement. Catherine, however, did not think that Captain Tilney would trifle with Isabella in such a matter, by pretending to arrange for an elopement while really intending to rejoin his regiment at Newcastle. Here, Henry hesitated. He knew very well that Frederick could be very cruel to young ladies who threw themselves too pointedly at him; he had a habit of paying them flattering intentions for weeks on end, then pretending to forget who they were, to their severe mortification. Isabella's open flirtation and positive hunting of him had likely given him a disgust of her, and it was not impossible that he was indulging in a freakish punishment of her by urging her to elope when he had no intention of carrying through with the plan.
Turning over all possibilities, Catherine was more disposed to think that Captain Wentworth had mistaken the identity of the two trysters he had seen last night and that Isabella was not contemplating an elopement with Captain Tilney. Henry, however, still opined that Isabella Thorpe would never give up her engagement unless she were secure of another man, but at last, unable to believe that his brother was only pretending to go to Newcastle, was forced to agree with Catherine, and to concede that on this occasion, his reading of Isabella's character had been wrong and she was giving up James Morland because she had repented of her hasty engagement.
On arriving at the Allens, Catherine found that Mrs. Allen was occupied in writing to her sister in London. Henry took the opportunity of requesting a private audience with Catherine, and Mrs. Allen, usually slow to perceive love affairs or to make matches, was happily quick to realize that Henry wanted to make Catherine an offer of marriage. She left the two alone, and Henry expressed his feelings and hopes so well that Catherine did not think they could ever be repeated too often. She was assured of his affection; and that heart in return was solicited, which, perhaps, they pretty equally knew was already entirely his own; for, though Henry was now sincerely attached to her, though he felt and delighted in all the excellencies of her character and truly loved her society, it must be confessed that his affection originated in nothing better than gratitude, or, in other words, that a persuasion of her partiality for him had been the only cause of giving her a serious thought. It is dreadfully derogatory of a heroine's dignity but was no less promising a beginning to a happy conjugal life than many a match beginning with violent love at first sight.
The lovers settled that Henry would leave for Fullerton immediately to ask for Mr. and Mrs. Morland's permission for Catherine's hand. Mrs. Allen, on being informed, was very pleased indeed with Henry's proposal. She valued him as an agreeable young man, and more so for his knowledge of muslins and hats, and depended on his being a source of useful information on feminine attire. Henry left soon after to inform his father and Eleanor of his successful solicitation of Catherine's hand.
His father's reception of his announcement was completely unlike anything he had imagined he would be met with. Joyful approval and heartfelt congratulations were not forthcoming from the General.
"Made her an offer of marriage! Henry, you must rescind that offer at once. It must not be. She is entirely unsuitable to be one of our family!" declared the General.
Henry's surprise was great, considering the attentions the General had plied on Catherine and the encouragement he had received from his father. "What can you mean, sir? You must be mistaken; I am speaking of my engagement to Catherine, Catherine Morland. Her goodness, her excellent temper and principles, all make her delightful to me, and are you not also forgetting the approval you have shown of her? You are mistaken sir, and very wrong, when you speak of her like that!"
"That conniving girl! Mistaken? We have been sorely mistaken in her indeed, she is nothing but a poor country parson's daughter! She has done well in ensnaring you!" exclaimed the General. "You will not believe it, but it is true; I just spoke with Mr. Allen at the Pump Room. Having no sons, his estate is entailed away to a male cousin! Catherine Morland is not his goddaughter, as I was told, and she is certainly not the heiress to his estate; she has no more claim to his estate than the veriest stranger. Her personal fortune can be nothing: she comes from a numerous family, and what can her father, a country parson, ever do for her? We have been tricked, Henry, tricked by that artful, presumptuous girl!"
Henry at last understood that the encouragement that his father had given him had flowed from his greed expectation that Catherine would inherit Mr. Allen's estate. Both he and Eleanor had been surprised at his approval of Catherine, considering that he had separated Eleanor and Mr. Kenmore solely because he considered that the latter's income was not sufficiently large to address Eleanor, who had a fortune of ₤20,000. Now that all greedy speculation about Catherine's prospects had proven unfounded, General Tilney was brazenly asking, nay, demanding that Henry break his engagement.
"Sir, I am bound by honour, and no less than by affection, to Miss Morland," said Henry gravely. "What you have just told me cannot alter my determination to marry her -- you have told me nothing derogatory of her character, all your objections stem from her want of fortune. Fortune I do not want, I have a sufficient income to be able to marry on, I am only happy to be securing for myself such an amiable, lovely wife."
"Lovely, amiable!" ejaculated the General. "You young fool, can you not see how unsuitable she is? Worse than having no fortune, she is a scheming fortune-hunter who had her eye on you when she first saw you. Bath is filled with such impecunious fortune-hunters, that you should have fallen a victim to one!"
"Sir, you injure me in speaking of my intended wife in such terms," said Henry firmly. "It is you who have been mistaken in thinking of her as the heiress to Mr. Allen's estate. She has never represented herself as such, she has never pretended to be a rich young lady, indeed, her honest nature and artlessness would not allow for such shams. When we are married and you get to be more acquainted with her, you will love her too, for her lovely nature."
"Married!" shouted the General furiously, "have you not understood what I have been saying for the last ten minutes? You will not marry the scheming baggage!"
"Then I regret that I will not have your blessing in my marriage," said Henry, shaken, but determined. "You cannot imagine that I would give up Catherine for no reason other than your groundless, unfulfilled speculations about her prospects! You have directed me to gain her heart; she has kindly bestowed it, and no unworthy retraction of a tacit consent, no reversing decree of unjustifiable anger, can shake my fidelity."
"Have you lost your senses?" exploded the General, highly incensed, "are you dead to all that is due to your family? Are the shades of Northanger Abbey to be thus polluted?"
"You have said quite enough, sir," said Henry, roused to anger and resentment by General Tilney's tirade. "I must request that you cease your insults to my betrothed. I beg leave to tell you that I will be travelling shortly to Fullerton to ask her parents for their permission to marry her."
With that, Henry left the house. The excited conversation could not be contained in the room, and Eleanor had heard every word. She hastened after Henry.
"Eleanor, you must have heard all. I can't tell you how I blush for our father's selfish, narrow-minded counsel! To throw away the honour of a gentleman and retract my offer! He is very angry, but that cannot justify the unjust things he said of Catherine. You know her for what she is, can you wonder that I should love her? I must, I will go to her right away and explain the situation, and then go to her parents at once."
"Henry, I only wanted to say that you have my support in all that you do, and that your choice has been most unexceptional. I love her already, and look forward to gaining such a sister. I only wish I had your vigour and resolution; I envy your decisiveness and your ability to do as your heart dictates. I have not been so fortunate, I have been confined by virtue of being a female," said Eleanor, sighing.
Henry knew she was thinking of her forced separation from Mr. Kenmore, whom General Tilney would not countenance as her suitor, despite all their exhortations. Pressing her hand, he entreated her to visit Catherine if she were able to, and set off to the Allens for the second time that day.
Catherine was frightened by the news that Henry brought, and could only rejoice when she learnt of Henry's steadfastness in continuing the engagement and his determination to obtain her parents' permission as soon as possible. Her feelings soon hardened into even a triumphant delight when Henry had completed his account and also related Eleanor's support. The General had had nothing to accuse her of, nothing to lay to her charge, but her being the involuntary, unconscious object of greedy speculation. She was guilty only of being less rich than he had supposed her to be. Under a mistaken persuasion of her possessions and claims, he had courted her acquaintance in Bath, and designed her for his daughter-in-law. On discovering his error, to demand that Henry retract his offer could only be stigmatized as unreasonable at best. Catherine secretly thought that she had not been that far off the mark in her imagination about the General's treatment of his wife -- to separate young people solely for greedy ambition was unpardonable.
After reassuring Catherine again as to his devotion, and telling her that Eleanor would contrive to visit her, Henry left for Fullerton.
Chapter 17
Catherine stood at the window for as long as she could see Henry's departing figure. Even after Henry had disappeared from her view, she stood there alone in the room, thinking over the events of the day. First had been Isabella's shocking repudiation of her engagement and the misery that she had felt on James' account. Then had been the inexpressible joy Henry had given her by his proposal; despite her misery over James and Isabella, Catherine did not think that it was possible to be happier than when she was assured of Henry's heart and hand. The day had promised to end on a happy note, until Henry had arrived with the grave news of his father's disapproval of their marriage. Then all their plans and hopes had been thrown into disarray; with Henry's departure, Catherine was left by herself to think over their clouded future.
Mrs. Allen, who had tactfully left Catherine and Henry to themselves, now entered the room with Mr. Allen, who had just returned from his morning visit to the Pump Room. "Well, my dear?" she asked directly, "and when am I to expect your wedding? The young man was here to talk over the plans for the wedding, wasn't he?"
Before Catherine could say anything, Mr. Allen congratulated her too, in his quiet, sensible way. "I am happy to hear about this match, Catherine," he said kindly. "Henry Tilney is a pleasant, good tempered man and you will suit very well. He has a comfortable living at Woodston, near his home in Northanger Abbey, where you will no doubt be visiting very often. His family seem to be just as they ought; I think General Tilney must have some inkling of his son's intentions to marry you, for he was making some inquiries of me just now, in the Pump Room. I am only just acquainted with him, and was pretty surprised when he came up to speak with me, but now that I think of it, he only wanted to be talking of you, no doubt to reassure himself that his son's choice is the right one." Catherine could not conceal the true state of affairs from them, who had taken such kind care of her during her stay at Bath and were expressing such kind hopes about Henry and her.
"Henry came to tell me news of a completely different nature, sir," said Catherine. "I am sorry to tell you that General Tilney does not approve of our betrothal, he absolutely refused to countenance it. Henry has had a dreadful quarrel with the General, and after talking over it, we have decided that if my parents will give their consent, we mean to be married despite the General's disapproval."
"Disapproved of the betrothal!" said Mr. Allen in amazement. "How is this possible? What could be the basis of his disapproval? And after implicitly giving his consent too! For I have seen Henry Tilney pay so much attention to you during the past few weeks, you have been in his company together with his sister and Miss Anne Elliot, all of this no doubt with the General's knowledge. If he disapproved of you, why did he not speak sooner? His behaviour is most inconsistent, to say the least!"
Catherine did not wish to expose the General's unfounded expectations that she would inherit Mr. Allen's estate, and merely made an evasive reply that neither she nor Henry could understand the General's behaviour, but were hoping that the General would acquiesce to their betrothal in time. Mr. Allen expressed himself on the occasion with the reasonable resentment of a sensible friend; and Mrs. Allen thought his expressions quite good enough to be immediately made use of again by herself. His wonder, his conjectures, and his explanations became in succession hers, with the addition of this single remark -- "I really have not patience with the General" -- to fill up every accidental pause. At a suitable pause, Catherine also made known to the Allens the dissolution of James' engagement to Isabella Thorpe. More amazement and conjectures followed this announcement. "Young people are hasty to make up their minds; I can only suppose Miss Thorpe has repented of her hasty decision and wants to be released from the engagement now. Well! So much the better to endure the mortification of a broken engagement than to repent after the wedding," concluded Mr. Allen prosaically.
Mrs. Allen, guided by habit, adopted her husband's views, and only added, "I really have not patience with Isabella Thorpe." This was uttered twice after Mr. Allen left the room, without any relaxation of anger, or any material digression of thought. A more considerable degree of wandering attended the third repetition; and, after completing the fourth, she immediately added, "Only think, my dear, of my having got that frightful great rent in my best Mechlin so charmingly mended that one can hardly see where it was. I must show it you some day or other. Bath is a nice place, Catherine, after all. Mrs. Thorpe's being here is such a comfort to us, is not it? You know, you and I were quite forlorn at first. But what shall I do, now that Isabella Thorpe and James are no longer engaged? Should you dislike to meet with the Thorpes?"
"To tell the truth, I would feel some awkwardness, ma'am," confessed Catherine. "But that does not mean we should avoid them entirely, indeed ma'am, do not do so on my account, for Mrs. Thorpe is an old acquaintance of yours; I must get accustomed to seeing them in Bath."
"Very true, it would not be quite comfortable to avoid Mrs. Thorpe. But really, I have not patience with Isabella! My dear, do not you think these silk gloves wear very well? I put them on new the first time of our going to the Lower Rooms, you know, and I have worn them a great deal since, they go so very well with this gown. Do you remember that evening?"
"Do I! Oh! Perfectly."
"It was very agreeable, was not it? Mr. Tilney drank tea with us, and I always thought him a great addition, he is so very agreeable. I have a notion you danced with him, but am not quite sure. I remember I had my favourite gown on."
Catherine could not answer, for her thoughts flew back to her first meeting with Henry. After a short trial of other subjects, Mrs. Allen remembered that she wanted to purchase new ribbons in Milsom Street. Before they set off, Catherine received a note from Eleanor, asking her to meet Anne at Camden Place tomorrow, so that they could talk things over. Eleanor's note also lifted Catherine's spirits; it was very comforting to know that Eleanor approved of her engagement to Henry.
At Milsom Street, Catherine patiently waited while Mrs. Allen selected ribbons and other items the shop assistant presented her with. Mrs. Allen, tempted by every thing and swayed by half a word, was always very long at a purchase; and while she was still hanging over muslins and ribbons and changing her mind, Catherine stepped away by the window to be alone with her thoughts. She was startled to see Isabella Thorpe approach the shop with a group of women; in the awkwardness of the moment and not knowing how to greet her, she decided to stand about the corner of the store, which was a spacious one, so that she would not be perceived by Isabella. Shortly thereafter, the same group entered the shop.
"My dear Augusta! You are forever looking over these muslins and unable to make up your mind over which ones you would like to purchase for your wedding." It was Clara Partridge, a young lady who was Isabella's particular friend until Catherine supplanted her after Isabella's engagement to James. "Your Mr. Elton would be so pleased if he knew of all the pains you are taking to look beautiful for him," she simpered.
Catherine was thankful that she was not perceived by the group, and a little ashamed at her cowardice of being fearful to speak to Isabella Thorpe. She looked about the merchandise being displayed at the corner of the store, and could not help overhearing the conversation between the young ladies. Out of the corner of her eye, she saw that Isabella Thorpe was accompanied by Clara Partridge and her set, consisting of Augusta Hawkins, who had latterly become engaged to a Reverend Philip Elton of Highbury, and the Milman sisters, who were regular visitors to Bath.
"My Mr. Elton!" said Augusta Hawkins, laughing affectedly, "Clara, I beg you will not call him my Mr. Elton, although we are engaged! He is his own master, you know, and soon he will become my lord and master too."
"If that doesn't make him your Mr. Elton, I don't know what does," said Clara Partridge, knowing that this line of raillery was very agreeable to Augusta Hawkins, who had been proud to receive a proposal from Mr. Elton so soon after making his acquaintance in Bath. "Charlotte," addressing the elder Miss Milman, "you must make haste and get Mr. Bird to propose soon, or your younger sister may be married to Mr. James Cooper before you!"
"Lucy married before me!" exclaimed Charlotte Milman, bridling a little, "That is unlikely, to say the least. Have you not seen the increase in the attentions Mr. Bird has been paying me? Such a great amount of flattery, I was blushing the entire time at the dinner party last night. Mr. James Cooper only comes to our house and stares so at Lucy, and never says a word!"
Lucy Milman said boldly, "Well, it is nice to have a beau, whether he has proposed or not. You are so lucky, Clara, to be engaged to Mr. Jeffreys, who is so agreeable and funny! Lord! I can't think of anyone who is better at playing lottery tickets than him. But it would be nice to be engaged too, and to wear rings around my fingers. Isabella, what are you about to be breaking your engagement with James Morland, when you have got him to propose to you in less than a month's time! Mama reckons that he is a good catch, you know."
On hearing her brother's name mentioned, Catherine took more interest in the conversation between the ladies. She had been trying not to overhear the conversation, but could not resist listening to what Isabella said.
"Well, he is tolerable, I suppose," Isabella said. "But on the whole, he is not handsome enough to tempt me to marry him after all. Now that I have had more time to think about it, not only is he not handsome enough (with a sallow complexion, it is very hard!), we would have to wait such a long time before we can get married; his father is such a nip-cheese and would only give us a small income. Mama was content enough, but my brother John didn't half like it, he swore that he thought the Morlands were richer, he could not believe that Morland's father would do so little for us." Catherine listened in silent indignation. To hear Isabella talk so, Isabella, who had always declared it would be the wickedest thing in the world to marry for money! Isabella had deceived her and James most thoroughly; she had always declared herself satisfied with what Mr. Morland would do to provide for James and her, and Catherine was certain that James did not have any idea that she harboured such contrary thoughts.
"But what will you do now?" asked Lucy. "You have a vast number of beaux, to be sure, but it is not the same as being engaged, you know."
"No, it is not the same, but who can say what will happen? Perhaps I will be engaged again sooner than you think; and, perhaps, make a more advantageous match," said Isabella complacently.
"Whom can you be speaking of?" inquired Clara Partridge eagerly, "If you think Mr. Oxbow will propose, I must give you a hint there, he was been calling on Miss Renault frequently these days. Or are you thinking about Captain Tilney? I would imagine that he has to rejoin his regiment soon and there will not be enough time to get him to propose before he leaves Bath."
"Perhaps he will rejoin his regiment later, who can say?" said Isabella mysteriously, "And perhaps time is not, as you think, so wanting in this case!" Catherine was getting to be angrier and angrier. She had done Henry too little justice; he had been right. It appeared that Isabella was secure of Captain Tilney and had been taking steps to secure him while she was engaged to James.
"Oh! Time is so precious, particularly when one is engaged to a man so impatient to be married! Such a great number of things that have to be done when one is engaged," broke in Augusta Hawkins, "The carriage to be ordered, the ceremony to be arranged, the wedding dress -- I do not want to be thought a fine lady, but I must have lace at my wedding. A wedding is but a pitiful affair without lace. My sister Selina attended a wedding ceremony for a family near Maple Grove, how she stared at the lack of lace at the wedding! Such a shabby affair! And the carriage, done up in such an old style, quite deficient. Now, Mr. E. would like to order a barouche-landau, so that I can have one just like Selina's, but between ourselves, we have had a disappointment about the carriage, such a carriage could not be ready for three months. Mr. E. was in quite a despair, for he could not bear to wait until such a time for Hymen's saffron robe to be put on for us," here, Augusta Hawkins was interrupted by a slight fit of coughing.
"Talking about weddings, did you see the bit of news about the newly-married "Mrs. R of Wimpole Street" who ran away from her husband in the company of a Mr. C?" asked Clara Partridge, "Our maid said that her friend at Mrs. Rushworth's house in Laura Place knows it for a fact, that the "Mrs. R of Wimpole Street" is none other than old Mrs. Rushworth's daughter-in-law! Yes, you stare, but there is more. The "Mr. C" is none other than old Admiral Crawford's nephew, Mr. Henry Crawford! The one who is always visiting his uncle here in Bath, you know of whom I am speaking, Charlotte, that agreeable young man who got us a chair outside the Assembly Rooms here last year when it rained unexpectedly," reminded Clara.
"I had the same news from our maid," said Lucy importantly. "There has been some expectation of seeing young Mrs. Rushworth here, for Mr. Crawford might bring her here to his uncle, or perhaps to his country estate. I think it would be shocking to bring her here! A married woman, to elope with her husband's friend!"
Catherine lost interest in the conversation when the topic turned away from Isabella's broken engagement. She stood quietly at the corner, seething at Isabella's duplicity and heartlessness. She no longer felt any regret for the broken engagement, she was only concerned about her brother's sorrow. She also blushed for Isabella's vanity and avarice and was ashamed of having loved Isabella so well and believed in her so implicitly. Catherine was roused to so much resentment that she believed that she did not care if she never saw Isabella again. Walking quietly towards Mrs. Allen, who was finally completing her purchases, Catherine and Mrs. Allen left the store, Catherine thankful that she managed to avoid a face-to-face encounter with Isabella.
Chapter 18
It had been a full day for Anne, and she was musing about the revelation Captain Wentworth had made regarding the encounter between Captain Tilney and Isabella Thorpe last night. Just then, she caught sight of a gentleman in earnest conversation with a lady as they walked along York Street, and this recalled to her a glimpse of Mr. Elliot she had caught earlier that day: on her way to visit Mrs. Smith, she had passed by Mr. Elliot and Mrs. Clay strolling along Bath Street, in deep conversation. Anne had been surprised to see the two of them together, and her surprise was greater as Mr. Elliot had said last night that he was going to be engaged with friends the earlier part of the day. Anne thought that perhaps Mr. Elliot had changed his plans, but it was still strange to see him accompanying Mrs. Clay alone, as Elizabeth was no where in sight. Anne had been surprised by the sight she had witnessed; her memory refreshed by the sight of the gentleman and lady walking along Bath Street, she wondered again about the reason for Mr. Elliot and Mrs. Clay to meet.
On reaching Camden Place, she found that Lady Russell and Mr. Elliot had been sitting for some time with Elizabeth and Mrs. Clay. Mr. Elliot was warm in his praise of Anne, "It is just like you, cousin, to be waking up so early in the morning to spend the day visiting an old teacher after a late concert night."
Anne shook her head and said, "I had great pleasure in seeing my instructor again. She took such pains over me when I was struggling through French and Italian."
"Pains well worth their while, for did you not translate the Italian song yesterday to perfection?" he said.
Anne was determined to give Mr. Elliot no encouragement that would lead him to believe she had any preference for him. His attentions were causing Captain Wentworth to stay away from her, and she had to check them. She meant, however, to avoid any such alteration of manners as might provoke a remonstrance on his side. It was a great object to her to escape all enquiry or eclat; but it was her intention to be as decidedly cool to him as might be compatible with their relationship; and to retrace, as quietly as she could, the few steps of unnecessary intimacy she had been gradually led along. She was accordingly more guarded, and more cool, than she had been the night before.
"My translation was just passable," she said. "Mr. Elliot, how did you find the Wallises today? You meant to visit them this morning? I believe it was you and Mrs. Clay whom I saw walking down Bath Street earlier this morning, and I thought that you were likely on your way to visit the Wallises."
Before Mr. Elliot could answer, Mrs. Clay exclaimed, "Oh! dear! very true. Only think, Miss Elliot, to my great surprise I met with Mr. Elliot in Bath Street. I was never more astonished, never for the world did I imagine to see him there. The most unexpected meeting! Quite took my breath away. He turned back and walked with me to the Pump Yard. You are so attentive, Mr. Elliot! I did not like to delay your visit to Colonel and Mrs. Wallis, but it was kind of you to give me your company to the Pump Yard. But I have been so distracted with a number of things since I got back here that I had quite put the meeting out of my head."
"I did not like to have you walk alone when it threatened to rain, Mrs. Clay," said Mr. Elliot pleasantly. "I had a large umbrella with me which I hoped to put to your service if it rained."
It seemed to Anne that there was guilt in Mrs. Clay's face; it was transient: cleared away in an instant; but Anne imagined she saw a look of understanding between Mr. Elliot and Mrs. Clay. Why was Mrs. Clay so very, very surprised to meet with Mr. Elliot in Bath Street? Did Mr. Elliot, perhaps, exert some authority over Mrs. Clay and obliged her to attend, perhaps for half an hour, to his lectures and restrictions on her designs on Sir Walter? Anne was puzzled. Soon after this exchange, Mr. Elliot and Lady Russell took leave of them.
Anne was congratulating herself that she was rid of Mr. Elliot that day, when she heard that he was going to come back later for dinner.
"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 bring 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. When he looked so downcast at missing Sir Walter this morning, I had compassion on him. Besides, he is to spend all of tomorrow with his friends at Thornberry Park and will not be able to visit us tomorrow."
They were interrupted by a servant bringing a letter for Anne. It was a letter from Eleanor, telling Anne all that had passed between the General and Henry, and entreating Anne to spend the evening with her, so that they could discuss means of helping Henry and Catherine's cause. Anne was grieved to learn that the General had absolutely refused to grant his permission for the marriage, and accepted Eleanor's invitation, secretly glad that the invitation would allow her to be absent from the dinner with Mr. Elliot.