persuasion(劝导)-第23节
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for none of it。 It was evident that Charles Hayter was not well
inclined towards Captain Wentworth。 She had a strong impression
of his having said； in a vext tone of voice； after Captain
Wentworth’s interference； “You ought to have minded me； Walter；
I told you not to teaze your aunt；” and could comprehend his
regretting that Captain Wentworth should do what he ought to
have done himself。 But neither Charles Hayter’s feelings； nor
anybody’s feelings； could interest her； till she had a little better
arranged her own。 She was ashamed of herself； quite ashamed of
being so nervous； so overcome by such a trifle； but so it was； and it
required a long application of solitude and reflection to recover
her。
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CHAPTER X
ther opportunities of making her observations could not
fail to occur。 Anne had soon been in company with all the
O
four together often enough to have an opinion； though
too wise to acknowledge as much at home； where she knew it
would have satisfied neither husband nor wife； for while she
considered Louisa to be rather the favourite； she could not but
think； as far as she might dare to judge from memory and
experience； that Captain Wentworth was not in love with either。
They were more in love with him； yet there it was not love。 It was
a little fever of admiration； but it might； probably must； end in love
with some。 Charles Hayter seemed aware of being slighted； and
yet Henrietta had sometimes the air of being divided between
them。 Anne longed for the power of representing to them all what
they were about； and of pointing out some of the evils they were
exposing themselves to。 She did not attribute guile to any。 It was
the highest satisfaction to her to believe Captain Wentworth not in
the least aware of the pain he was occasioning。 There was no
triumph； no pitiful triumph in his manner。 He had； probably；
never heard； and never thought of any claims of Charles Hayter。
He was only wrong in accepting the attentions—（for accepting
must be the word） of two young women at once。
After a short struggle； however； Charles Hayter seemed to quit
the field。 Three days had passed without his coming once to
Uppercross； a most decided change。 He had even refused one
regular invitation to dinner； and having been found on the
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occasion by Mr。 Musgrove with some large books before him； Mr。
and Mrs。 Musgrove were sure all could not be right； and talked；
with grave faces； of his studying himself to death。 It was Mary’s
hope and belief that he had received a positive dismissal from
Henrietta； and her husband lived under the constant dependence
of seeing him to…morrow。 Anne could only feel that Charles Hayter
was wise。
One morning； about this time Charles Musgrove and Captain
Wentworth being gone a…shooting together； as the sisters in the
Cottage were sitting quietly at work； they were visited at the
window by the sisters from the Mansion…house。
It was a very fine November day； and the Miss Musgroves came
through the little grounds； and stopped for no other purpose than
to say； that they were going to take a long walk； and therefore
concluded Mary could not like to go with them； and when Mary
immediately replied； with some jealousy at not being supposed a
good walker； “Oh； yes； I should like to join you very much； I am
very fond of a long walk；” Anne felt persuaded； by the looks of the
two girls； that it was precisely what they did not wish； and
admired again the sort of necessity which the family habits
seemed to produce； of every thing being to be communicated； and
every thing being to be done together； however undesired and
inconvenient。 She tried to dissuade Mary from going； but in vain；
and that being the case； thought it best to accept the Miss
Musgroves’ much more cordial invitation to herself to go likewise；
as she might be useful in turning back with her sister； and
lessening the interference in any plan of their own。
“I cannot imagine why they should suppose I should not like a
long walk！” said Mary； as she went up stairs。 “Everybody is always
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supposing that I am not a good walker； and yet they would not
have been pleased； if we had refused to join them。 When people
come in this manner on purpose to ask us； how can one say no？”
Just as they were setting off； the gentlemen returned。 They had
taken out a young dog； who had spoilt their sport； and sent them
back early。 Their time and strength； and spirits； were； therefore；
exactly ready for this walk； and they entered into it with pleasure。
Could Anne have foreseen such a junction； she would have staid at
home； but； from some feelings of interest and curiosity； she
fancied now that it was too late to retract； and the whole six set
forward together in the direction chosen by the Miss Musgroves；
who evidently considered the walk as under their guidance。
Anne’s object was； not to be in the way of any body； and where
the narrow paths across the fields made many separations
necessary； to keep with her brother and sister。 Her pleasure in the
walk must arise from the exercise and the day； from the view of
the last smiles of the year upon the tawny leaves； and withered
hedges； and from repeating to herself some few of the thousand
poetical descriptions extant of autumn； that season of peculiar and
inexhaustible influence on the mind of taste and tenderness； that
season which had drawn from every poet； worthy of being read；
some attempt at description； or some lines of feeling。 She occupied
her mind as much as possible in such like musings and quotations；
but it was not possible； that when within reach of Captain
Wentworth’s conversation with either of the Miss Musgroves； she
should not try to hear it； yet she caught little very remarkable。 It
was mere lively chat；—such as any young persons； on an intimate
footing； might fall into。 He was more engaged with Louisa than
with Henrietta。 Louisa certainly put more forward for his notice
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than her sister。 This distinction appeared to increase； and there
was one speech of Louisa’s which struck her。 After one of the
many praises of the day； which were continually bursting forth；
Captain Wentworth added；
“What glorious weather for the Admiral and my sister！ They
meant to take a long drive this morning； perhaps we may hail
them from some of these hills。 They talked of coming into this side
of the country。 I wonder whereabouts they will upset to…day。 Oh！ it
does happen very often； I assure you—but my sister makes
nothing of it—she would as lieve be tossed out as not。”
“Ah！ You make the most of it； I know；” cried Louisa； “but if it
were really so； I should do just the same in her place。 If I loved a
man； as she loves the Admiral； I would always be with him；
nothing should ever separate u
