persuasion(劝导)-第33节
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she was valued only as she could be useful to Louisa。
She endeavoured to be composed； and to be just。 Without
emulating the feelings of an Emma towards her Henry； she would
have attended on Louisa with a zeal above the common claims of
regard； for his sake； and she hoped he would not long be so unjust
as to suppose she would shrink unnecessarily from the office of a
friend。
In the meanwhile she was in the carriage。 He had handed them
both in； and placed himself between them； and in this manner；
under these circumstances； full of astonishment and emotion to
Anne； she quitted Lyme。 How the long stage would pass； how it
was to affect their manners； what was to be their sort of
intercourse； she could not foresee。 It was all quite natural；
however。 He was devoted to Henrietta； always turning towards
her； and when he spoke at all； always with the view of supporting
her hopes and raising her spirits。 In general； his voice and manner
were studiously calm。 To spare Henrietta from agitation seemed
the governing principle。 Once only； when she had been grieving
over the last ill…judged； ill…fated walk to the Cobb； bitterly
lamenting that it ever had been thought of； he burst forth； as if
wholly overcome—
“Don’t talk of it； don’t talk of it；” he cried。 “Oh God！ that I had
not given way to her at the fatal moment！ Had I done as I ought！
But so eager and so resolute！ Dear； sweet Louisa！”
Anne wondered whether it ever occurred to him now； to
question the justness of his own previous opinion as to the
universal felicity and advantage of firmness of character； and
whether it might not strike him that； like all other qualities of the
mind； it should have its proportions and limits。 She thought it
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could scarcely escape him to feel that a persuadable temper might
sometimes be as much in favour of happiness as a very resolute
character。
They got on fast。 Anne was astonished to recognise the same
hills and the same objects so soon。 Their actual speed； heightened
by some dread of the conclusion； made the road appear but half as
long as on the day before。 It was growing quite dusk； however；
before they were in the neighbourhood of Uppercross； and there
had been total silence among them for some time； Henrietta
leaning back in the corner； with a shawl over her face； giving the
hope of her having cried herself to sleep； when； as they were going
up their last hill； Anne found herself all at once addressed by
Captain Wentworth。 In a low； cautious voice； he said；
“I have been considering what we had best do。 She must not
appear at first。 She could not stand it。 I have been thinking
whether you had not better remain in the carriage with her； while
I go in and break it to Mr。 and Mrs。 Musgrove。 Do you think this is
a good plan？”
She did： he was satisfied； and said no more。 But the
remembrance of the appeal remained a pleasure to her—as a
proof of friendship； and of deference for her judgment； a great
pleasure； and when it became a sort of parting proof； its value did
not lessen。
When the distressing communication at Uppercross was over；
and he had seen the father and mother quite as composed as could
be hoped； and the daughter all the better for being with them； he
announced his intention of returning in the same carriage to
Lyme； and when the horses were baited； he was off。
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VOLUME II
CHAPTER I
he remainder of Anne’s time at Uppercross；
comprehending only two days； was spent entirely at the
T
Mansion House； and she had the satisfaction of knowing
herself extremely useful there； both as an immediate companion；
and as assisting in all those arrangements for the future； which； in
Mr。 and Mrs。 Musgrove’s distressed state of spirits； would have
been difficulties。
They had an early account from Lyme the next morning。 Louisa
was much the same。 No symptoms worse than before had
appeared。 Charles came a few hours afterwards； to bring a later
and more particular account。 He was tolerably cheerful。 A speedy
cure must not be hoped； but everything was going on as well as
the nature of the case admitted。 In speaking of the Harvilles； he
seemed unable to satisfy his own sense of their kindness；
especially of Mrs。 Harville’s exertions as a nurse。 “She really left
nothing for Mary to do。 He and Mary had been persuaded to go
early to their inn last night。 Mary had been hysterical again this
morning。 When he came away； she was going to walk out with
Captain Benwick； which； he hoped； would do her good。 He almost
wished she had been prevailed on to come home the day before；
but the truth was； that Mrs。 Harville left nothing for anybody to
do。”
Charles was to return to Lyme the same afternoon； and his
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father had at first half a mind to go with him； but the ladies could
not consent。 It would be going only to multiply trouble to the
others； and increase his own distress； and a much better scheme
followed and was acted upon。 A chaise was sent for from
Crewkherne； and Charles conveyed back a far more useful person
in the old nursery…maid of the family； one who having brought up
all the children； and seen the very last； the lingering and long…
petted Master Harry； sent to school after his brothers； was now
living in her deserted nursery to mend stockings and dress all the
blains and bruises she could get near her； and who； consequently；
was only too happy in being allowed to go and help nurse dear
Miss Louisa。 Vague wishes of getting Sarah thither； had occurred
before to Mrs。 Musgrove and Henrietta； but without Anne； it
would hardly have been resolved on； and found practicable so
soon。
They were indebted； the next day； to Charles Hayter； for all the
minute knowledge of Louisa； which it was so essential to obtain
every twenty…four hours。 He made it his business to go to Lyme；
and his account was still encouraging。 The intervals of sense and
consciousness were believed to be stronger。 Every report agreed
in Captain Wentworth’s appearing fixed in Lyme。
Anne was to leave them on the morrow； an event which they all
dreaded。 “What should they do without her？ They were wretched
comforters for one another。” And so much was said in this way；
that Anne thought she could not do better than impart among
them the general inclination to which she was privy； and
persuaded them all to go to Lyme at once。 She had little difficulty；
it was soon determined that they would go； go to…morrow； fix
themselves at the inn； or get into lodgings； as it suited； and there
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remain till dear Louisa could be moved。 They must be taking off
some trouble from the good people she was with； they might at
least relieve Mrs。 Harville from the care of her own children； and
