persuasion(劝导)-第9节
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cheerful confidence in futurity； against that over…anxious caution
which seems to insult exertion and distrust Providence！—She had
been forced into prudence in her youth； she learned romance as
she grew older—the natural sequel of an unnatural beginning。
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With all these circumstances； recollections and feelings； she
could not hear that Captain Wentworth’s sister was likely to live at
Kellynch without a revival of former pain； and many a stroll； and
many a sigh； were necessary to dispel the agitation of the idea。 She
often told herself it was folly； before she could harden her nerves
sufficiently to feel the continual discussion of the Crofts and their
business no evil。 She was assisted； however； by that perfect
indifference and apparent unconsciousness； among the only three
of her own friends in the secret of the past； which seemed almost
to deny any recollection of it。 She could do justice to the
superiority of Lady Russell’s motives in this； over those of her
father and Elizabeth； she could honour all the better feelings of
her calmness—but the general air of oblivion among them was
highly important； from whatever it sprung； and in the event of
Admiral Croft’s really taking Kellynch Hall； she rejoiced anew
over the conviction which had always been most grateful to her； of
the past being known to those three only among her connexions；
by whom no syllable； she believed； would ever be whispered； and
in the trust that among his； the brother only with whom he had
been residing； had received any information of their short…lived
engagement。—That brother had been long removed from the
country—and being a sensible man； and； moreover； a single man
at the time； she had a fond dependence on no human creature’s
having heard of it from him。
The sister； Mrs。 Croft； had then been out of England；
accompanying her husband on a foreign station； and her own
sister； Mary； had been at school while it all occurred—and never
admitted by the pride of some； and the delicacy of others； to the
smallest knowledge of it afterwards。
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Jane Austen： Persuasion 37
With these supports； she hoped that the acquaintance between
herself and the Crofts； which； with Lady Russell； still resident in
Kellynch； and Mary fixed only three miles off； must be anticipated；
need not involve any particular awkwardness。
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Jane Austen： Persuasion 38
CHAPTER V
n the morning appointed for Admiral and Mrs。 Croft’s
seeing Kellynch Hall； Anne found it most natural to take
O
her almost daily walk to Lady Russell’s； and keep out of
the way till all was over； when she found it most natural to be
sorry that she had missed the opportunity of seeing them。
This meeting of the two parties proved highly satisfactory； and
decided the whole business at once。 Each lady was previously well
disposed for an agreement； and saw nothing； therefore； but good
manners in the other； and with regard to the gentlemen； there was
such an hearty good humour； such an open； trusting liberality on
the Admiral’s side； as could not but influence Sir Walter； who had
besides been flattered into his very best and most polished
behaviour by Mr。 Shepherd’s assurances of his being known； by
report； to the Admiral； as a model of good breeding。
The house and grounds； and furniture； were approved； the
Crofts were approved； terms； time； every thing； and every body；
was right； and Mr。 Shepherd’s clerks were set to work； without
there having been a single preliminary difference to modify of all
that “This indenture sheweth。”
Sir Walter； without hesitation； declared the Admiral to be the
best…looking sailor he had ever met with； and went so far as to say；
that if his own man might have had the arranging of his hair； he
should not be ashamed of being seen with him any where； and the
Admiral； with sympathetic cordiality； observed to his wife as they
drove back through the Park； “I thought we should soon come to a
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Jane Austen： Persuasion 39
deal； my dear； in spite of what they told us at Taunton。 The
Baronet will never set the Thames on fire； but there seems to be
no harm in him：”—reciprocal compliments； which would have
been esteemed about equal。
The Crofts were to have possession at Michaelmas； and as Sir
Walter proposed removing to Bath in the course of the preceding
month； there was no time to be lost in making every dependant
arrangement。
Lady Russell； convinced that Anne would not be allowed to be
of any use； or any importance； in the choice of the house which
they were going to secure； was very unwilling to have her hurried
away so soon； and wanted to make it possible for her to stay
behind till she might convey her to Bath herself after Christmas；
but having engagements of her own which must take her from
Kellynch for several weeks； she was unable to give the full
invitation she wished； and Anne though dreading the possible
heats of September in all the white glare of Bath； and grieving to
forego all the influence so sweet and so sad of the autumnal
months in the country； did not think that； everything considered；
she wished to remain。 It would be most right； and most wise； and；
therefore must involve least suffering to go with the others。
Something occurred； however； to give her a different duty。
Mary； often a little unwell； and always thinking a great deal of her
own complaints； and always in the habit of claiming Anne when
anything was the matter； was indisposed； and foreseeing that she
should not have a day’s health all the autumn； entreated； or rather
required her； for it was hardly entreaty； to come to Uppercross
Cottage； and bear her company as long as she should want her；
instead of going to Bath。
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Jane Austen： Persuasion 40
“I cannot possibly do without Anne；” was Mary’s reasoning；
and Elizabeth’s reply was； “Then I am sure Anne had better stay；
for nobody will want her in Bath。”
To be claimed as a good； though in an improper style； is at least
better than being rejected as no good at all； and Anne； glad to be
thought of some use； glad to have anything marked out as a duty；
and certainly not sorry to have the scene of it in the country； and
her own dear country； readily agreed to stay。
This invitation of Mary’s removed all Lady Russell’s difficulties；
and it was consequently soon settled that Anne should not go to
Bath till Lady Russell took her； and that all the intervening time
should be divided between Uppercross Cottage and Kellynch
Lodge。
So far all was perfectly right； but Lady Russell was almost
startled by the wrong of one part of the Kellynch Hall plan； when
it burst on her； which was； Mrs。 Clay’s being engaged to go to Bath
with Sir Walter and Elizabeth； as a most important and valuable
assistant to the latter in all the business before her。 Lady Russell
was extremely sorry that such a measure should have been
resorted to at all—wondered； grieved； and feared—and the affront
it contained to Anne； in
