Jane Austen 12 страница

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 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 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 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 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, foul air, disgusting associations

are inviting to you. But surely you may put off this old lady

till to-morrow: she is not so near her end, I presume,

but that she may hope to see another day. What is her age? Forty?"

 

"No, sir, she is not one-and-thirty; but I do not think I can

put off my engagement, because it is the only evening for some time

which will at once suit her and myself. She goes into the warm bath

to-morrow, and for the rest of the week, you know, we are engaged."

 

"But what does Lady Russell think of this acquaintance?" asked Elizabeth.

 

"She sees nothing to blame in it," replied Anne; "on the contrary,

she approves it, and has generally taken me when I have

called on Mrs Smith.

 

"Westgate Buildings must have been rather surprised by the appearance

of a carriage drawn up near its pavement," observed Sir Walter.

"Sir Henry Russell`s widow, indeed, has no honours to distinguish her arms,

but still it is a handsome equipage, and no doubt is well known

to convey a Miss Elliot. A widow Mrs Smith lodging in Westgate Buildings!

A poor widow barely able to live, between thirty and forty;

a mere Mrs Smith, an every-day Mrs Smith, of all people and all names

in the world, to be the chosen friend of Miss Anne Elliot,

and to be preferred by her to her own family connections among the nobility

of England and Ireland! Mrs Smith! Such a name!"

 

Mrs Clay, who had been present while all this passed, now thought it

advisable to leave the room, and Anne could have said much,

and did long to say a little in defense of her friend`s

not very dissimilar claims to theirs, but her sense of personal respect

to her father prevented her. She made no reply. She left it

to himself to recollect, that Mrs Smith was not the only widow

in Bath between thirty and forty, with little to live on,

and no sirname of dignity.

 

Anne kept her appointment; the others kept theirs, and of course

she heard the next morning that they had had a delightful evening.

She had been the only one of the set absent, for Sir Walter

and Elizabeth had not only been quite at her ladyship`s service themselves,

but had actually been happy to be employed by her in collecting others,

and had been at the trouble of inviting both Lady Russell and Mr Elliot;

and Mr Elliot had made a point of leaving Colonel Wallis early,

and Lady Russell had fresh arranged all her evening engagements

in order to wait on her. Anne had the whole history of all that

such an evening could supply from Lady Russell. To her,

its greatest interest must be, in having been very much talked of

between her friend and Mr Elliot; in having been wished for, regretted,

and at the same time honoured for staying away in such a cause.

Her kind, compassionate visits to this old schoolfellow,

sick and reduced, seemed to have quite delighted Mr Elliot.

He thought her a most extraordinary young woman; in her temper, manners,

mind, a model of female excellence. He could meet even Lady Russell

in a discussion of her merits; and Anne could not be given to understand

so much by her friend, could not know herself to be so highly rated

by a sensible man, without many of those agreeable sensations

which her friend meant to create.

 

Lady Russell was now perfectly decided in her opinion of Mr Elliot.

She was as much convinced of his meaning to gain Anne in time as of

his deserving her, and was beginning to calculate the number of weeks

which would free him from all the remaining restraints of widowhood,

and leave him at liberty to exert his most open powers of pleasing.

She would not speak to Anne with half the certainty she felt on the subject,

she would venture on little more than hints of what might be hereafter,

of a possible attachment on his side, of the desirableness of the alliance,

supposing such attachment to be real and returned. Anne heard her,

and made no violent exclamations; she only smiled, blushed,

and gently shook her head.

 

"I am no match-maker, as you well know," said Lady Russell,

"being much too well aware of the uncertainty of all human events

and calculations. I only mean that if Mr Elliot should some time hence

pay his addresses to you, and if you should be disposed to accept him,

I think there would be every possibility of your being happy together.

A most suitable connection everybody must consider it, but I think

it might be a very happy one."

 

"Mr Elliot is an exceedingly agreeable man, and in many respects

I think highly of him," said Anne; "but we should not suit."

 

Lady Russell let this pass, and only said in rejoinder, "I own that

to be able to regard you as the future mistress of Kellynch,

the future Lady Elliot, to look forward and see you occupying

your dear mother`s place, succeeding to all her rights,

and all her popularity, as well as to all her virtues, would be

the highest possible gratification to me. You are your mother`s self

in countenance and disposition; and if I might be allowed to fancy you

such as she was, in situation and name, and home, presiding and blessing

in the same spot, and only superior to her in being more highly valued!

My dearest Anne, it would give me more delight than is often felt

at my time of life!"

 

Anne was obliged to turn away, to rise, to walk to a distant table,

and, leaning there in pretended employment, try to subdue the feelings

this picture excited. For a few moments her imagination and her heart

were bewitched. The idea of becoming what her mother had been;

of having the precious name of "Lady Elliot" first revived in herself;

of being restored to Kellynch, calling it her home again,

her home for ever, was a charm which she could not immediately resist.

Lady Russell said not another word, willing to leave the matter

to its own operation; and believing that, could Mr Elliot at that moment

with propriety have spoken for himself!--she believed, in short,

what Anne did not believe. The same image of Mr Elliot speaking

for himself brought Anne to composure again. The charm of Kellynch

and of "Lady Elliot" all faded away. She never could accept him.

And it was not only that her feelings were still adverse to any man

save one; her judgement, on a serious consideration of the possibilities

of such a case was against Mr Elliot.

 

Though they had now been acquainted a month, she could not be satisfied

that she really knew his character. That he was a sensible man,

an agreeable man, that he talked well, professed good opinions,

seemed to judge properly and as a man of principle, this was all

clear enough. He certainly knew what was right, nor could she fix

on any one article of moral duty evidently transgressed; but yet she would

have been afraid to answer for his conduct. She distrusted the past,

if not the present. The names which occasionally dropt

of former associates, the allusions to former practices and pursuits,

suggested suspicions not favourable of what he had been.

She saw that there had been bad habits; that Sunday travelling

had been a common thing; that there had been a period of his life

(and probably not a short one) when he had been, at least,

careless in all serious matters; and, though he might now think

very differently, who could answer for the true sentiments of a clever,

cautious man, grown old enough to appreciate a fair character?

How could it ever be ascertained that his mind was truly cleansed?

 

Mr Elliot was rational, discreet, polished, but he was not open.

There was never any burst of feeling, any warmth of indignation or delight,

at the evil or good of others. This, to Anne, was a decided imperfection.

Her early impressions were incurable. She prized the frank,

the open-hearted, the eager character beyond all others.

Warmth and enthusiasm did captivate her still. She felt that she could

so much more depend upon the sincerity of those who sometimes looked

or said a careless or a hasty thing, than of those whose presence of mind

never varied, whose tongue never slipped.

 

Mr Elliot was too generally agreeable. Various as were the tempers

in her father`s house, he pleased them all. He endured too well,

stood too well with every body. He had spoken to her with some

degree of openness of Mrs Clay; had appeared completely to see

what Mrs Clay was about, and to hold her in contempt; and yet

Mrs Clay found him as agreeable as any body.

 

Lady Russell saw either less or more than her young friend,

for she saw nothing to excite distrust. She could not imagine

a man more exactly what he ought to be than Mr Elliot; nor did she

ever enjoy a sweeter feeling than the hope of seeing him receive

the hand of her beloved Anne in Kellynch church, in the course of

the following autumn.

 

Chapter 18

 

 

It was the beginning of February; and Anne, having been a month in Bath,

was growing very eager for news from Uppercross and Lyme.

She wanted to hear much more than Mary had communicated.

It was three weeks since she had heard at all. She only knew

that Henrietta was at home again; and that Louisa, though considered to be

recovering fast, was still in Lyme; and she was thinking of them all

very intently one evening, when a thicker letter than usual from Mary

was delivered to her; and, to quicken the pleasure and surprise,

with Admiral and Mrs Croft`s compliments.

 

The Crofts must be in Bath! A circumstance to interest her.

They were people whom her heart turned to very naturally.

 

"What is this?" cried Sir Walter. "The Crofts have arrived in Bath?

The Crofts who rent Kellynch? What have they brought you?"

 

"A letter from Uppercross Cottage, Sir."

 

"Oh! those letters are convenient passports. They secure an introduction.

I should have visited Admiral Croft, however, at any rate.

I know what is due to my tenant."

 

Anne could listen no longer; she could not even have told how

the poor Admiral`s complexion escaped; her letter engrossed her.

It had been begun several days back.

 

 

"February 1st.

 

"My dear Anne,--I make no apology for my silence, because I know

how little people think of letters in such a place as Bath.

You must be a great deal too happy to care for Uppercross, which,

as you well know, affords little to write about. We have had

a very dull Christmas; Mr and Mrs Musgrove have not had one dinner party

all the holidays. I do not reckon the Hayters as anybody.

The holidays, however, are over at last: I believe no children ever had

such long ones. I am sure I had not. The house was cleared yesterday,

except of the little Harvilles; but you will be surprised to hear

they have never gone home. Mrs Harville must be an odd mother

to part with them so long. I do not understand it. They are

not at all nice children, in my opinion; but Mrs Musgrove seems to

like them quite as well, if not better, than her grandchildren.

What dreadful weather we have had! It may not be felt in Bath,

with your nice pavements; but in the country it is of some consequence.

I have not had a creature call on me since the second week in January,

except Charles Hayter, who had been calling much oftener than was welcome.

Between ourselves, I think it a great pity Henrietta did not remain at Lyme

as long as Louisa; it would have kept her a little out of his way.

The carriage is gone to-day, to bring Louisa and the Harvilles to-morrow.

We are not asked to dine with them, however, till the day after,

Mrs Musgrove is so afraid of her being fatigued by the journey,

which is not very likely, considering the care that will be taken of her;

and it would be much more convenient to me to dine there to-morrow.

I am glad you find Mr Elliot so agreeable, and wish I could be acquainted

with him too; but I have my usual luck: I am always out of the way

when any thing desirable is going on; always the last of my family

to be noticed. What an immense time Mrs Clay has been staying

with Elizabeth! Does she never mean to go away? But perhaps

if she were to leave the room vacant, we might not be invited.

Let me know what you think of this. I do not expect my children

to be asked, you know. I can leave them at the Great House very well,

for a month or six weeks. I have this moment heard that the Crofts

are going to Bath almost immediately; they think the Admiral gouty.

Charles heard it quite by chance; they have not had the civility

to give me any notice, or of offering to take anything.

I do not think they improve at all as neighbours. We see nothing of them,

and this is really an instance of gross inattention. Charles joins me

in love, and everything proper. Yours affectionately,

 

"Mary M---.

 

"I am sorry to say that I am very far from well; and Jemima has

just told me that the butcher says there is a bad sore-throat

very much about. I dare say I shall catch it; and my sore-throats,

you know, are always worse than anybody`s."

 

 

So ended the first part, which had been afterwards put into an envelope,

containing nearly as much more.

 

 

"I kept my letter open, that I might send you word how Louisa

bore her journey, and now I am extremely glad I did, having a great deal

to add. In the first place, I had a note from Mrs Croft yesterday,

offering to convey anything to you; a very kind, friendly note indeed,

addressed to me, just as it ought; I shall therefore be able to

make my letter as long as I like. The Admiral does not seem very ill,

and I sincerely hope Bath will do him all the good he wants.

I shall be truly glad to have them back again. Our neighbourhood

cannot spare such a pleasant family. But now for Louisa.

I have something to communicate that will astonish you not a little.

She and the Harvilles came on Tuesday very safely, and in the evening

we went to ask her how she did, when we were rather surprised

not to find Captain Benwick of the party, for he had been invited

as well as the Harvilles; and what do you think was the reason?

Neither more nor less than his being in love with Louisa,

and not choosing to venture to Uppercross till he had had an answer

from Mr Musgrove; for it was all settled between him and her

before she came away, and he had written to her father by Captain Harville.

True, upon my honour! Are not you astonished? I shall be surprised

at least if you ever received a hint of it, for I never did.

Mrs Musgrove protests solemnly that she knew nothing of the matter.

We are all very well pleased, however, for though it is not equal to her

marrying Captain Wentworth, it is infinitely better than Charles Hayter;

and Mr Musgrove has written his consent, and Captain Benwick

is expected to-day. Mrs Harville says her husband feels a good deal

on his poor sister`s account; but, however, Louisa is a great favourite

with both. Indeed, Mrs Harville and I quite agree that we love her

the better for having nursed her. Charles wonders what Captain Wentworth

will say; but if you remember, I never thought him attached to Louisa;

I never could see anything of it. And this is the end, you see,

of Captain Benwick`s being supposed to be an admirer of yours.

How Charles could take such a thing into his head was always

incomprehensible to me. I hope he will be more agreeable now.

Certainly not a great match for Louisa Musgrove, but a million times better

than marrying among the Hayters."

 

 

Mary need not have feared her sister`s being in any degree prepared

for the news. She had never in her life been more astonished.

Captain Benwick and Louisa Musgrove! It was almost too wonderful

for belief, and it was with the greatest effort that she could remain

in the room, preserve an air of calmness, and answer the common questions

of the moment. Happily for her, they were not many. Sir Walter

wanted to know whether the Crofts travelled with four horses,

and whether they were likely to be situated in such a part of Bath

as it might suit Miss Elliot and himself to visit in; but had

little curiosity beyond.

 

"How is Mary?" said Elizabeth; and without waiting for an answer,

"And pray what brings the Crofts to Bath?"

 

"They come on the Admiral`s account. He is thought to be gouty."

 

"Gout and decrepitude!" said Sir Walter. "Poor old gentleman."

 

"Have they any acquaintance here?" asked Elizabeth.

 

"I do not know; but I can hardly suppose that, at Admiral Croft`s

time of life, and in his profession, he should not have many acquaintance

in such a place as this."

 

"I suspect," said Sir Walter coolly, "that Admiral Croft

will be best known in Bath as the renter of Kellynch Hall.

Elizabeth, may we venture to present him and his wife in Laura Place?"

 

"Oh, no! I think not. Situated as we are with Lady Dalrymple, cousins,

we ought to be very careful not to embarrass her with acquaintance

she might not approve. If we were not related, it would not signify;

but as cousins, she would feel scrupulous as to any proposal of ours.

We had better leave the Crofts to find their own level.

There are several odd-looking men walking about here, who,

I am told, are sailors. The Crofts will associate with them."

 

This was Sir Walter and Elizabeth`s share of interest in the letter;

when Mrs Clay had paid her tribute of more decent attention,

in an enquiry after Mrs Charles Musgrove, and her fine little boys,

Anne was at liberty.

 

In her own room, she tried to comprehend it. Well might Charles wonder

how Captain Wentworth would feel! Perhaps he had quitted the field,

had given Louisa up, had ceased to love, had found he did not love her.

She could not endure the idea of treachery or levity, or anything

akin to ill usage between him and his friend. She could not endure

that such a friendship as theirs should be severed unfairly.

 

Captain Benwick and Louisa Musgrove! The high-spirited,

joyous-talking Louisa Musgrove, and the dejected, thinking,

feeling, reading, Captain Benwick, seemed each of them everything

that would not suit the other. Their minds most dissimilar!

Where could have been the attraction? The answer soon presented itself.

It had been in situation. They had been thrown together several weeks;

they had been living in the same small family party: since Henrietta`s

coming away, they must have been depending almost entirely on each other,

and Louisa, just recovering from illness, had been in an interesting state,

and Captain Benwick was not inconsolable. That was a point which Anne

had not been able to avoid suspecting before; and instead of drawing

the same conclusion as Mary, from the present course of events,

they served only to confirm the idea of his having felt some

dawning of tenderness toward herself. She did not mean, however,

to derive much more from it to gratify her vanity, than Mary

might have allowed. She was persuaded that any tolerably pleasing

young woman who had listened and seemed to feel for him would have