WEBVTT 1 00:00:01.080 --> 00:00:05.240 Chapter twenty three of Persuasion. This is a LibriVox recording. 2 00:00:05.799 --> 00:00:09.359 All LibriVox recordings are in the public domain. For more 3 00:00:09.400 --> 00:00:16.039 information or to volunteer, please visit LibriVox dot org. Recording 4 00:00:16.079 --> 00:00:23.839 by Elizabeth Klett. Persuasion by Jane Austen, Chapter twenty three. 5 00:00:24.440 --> 00:00:28.320 One day only had passed since Anne's conversation with Missus Smith, 6 00:00:28.800 --> 00:00:31.920 but a keener interest had succeeded, and she was now 7 00:00:32.000 --> 00:00:35.439 so little touched by mister Elliot's conduct except by its 8 00:00:35.479 --> 00:00:38.280 effects in one quarter, that it became a matter of 9 00:00:38.320 --> 00:00:41.960 course the next morning still to defer her explanatory visit 10 00:00:42.000 --> 00:00:44.600 in Rivers Street, she had promised to be with the 11 00:00:44.679 --> 00:00:48.439 Musgroves from breakfast to dinner. Her faith was plighted, and 12 00:00:48.520 --> 00:00:53.320 mister Eliot's character, like the Sultanes Shahrazad's head, must live 13 00:00:53.399 --> 00:00:57.280 another day. She could not keep her appointment punctually. However, 14 00:00:57.679 --> 00:01:00.600 the weather was unfavorable, and she had grew over the 15 00:01:00.679 --> 00:01:03.280 rain on her friend's account and felt it very much 16 00:01:03.320 --> 00:01:06.040 on her own before she was able to attempt the walk. 17 00:01:06.799 --> 00:01:09.040 When she reached the White Hart and made her way 18 00:01:09.079 --> 00:01:12.599 to the proper apartment, she found herself neither arriving quite 19 00:01:12.599 --> 00:01:16.239 in time. Nor The first to arrive the party before 20 00:01:16.239 --> 00:01:20.120 her were Missus Musgrove, talking to Missus Croft and Captain 21 00:01:20.159 --> 00:01:24.239 Harville to Captain Wentworth, and she immediately heard that Mary 22 00:01:24.280 --> 00:01:27.920 and Henrietta, too impatient to wait, had gone out the 23 00:01:27.959 --> 00:01:30.560 moment it had cleared, but would be back again soon, 24 00:01:31.000 --> 00:01:33.439 and that the strictest injunctions had been left with Missus 25 00:01:33.519 --> 00:01:37.120 Musgrove to keep her there till they returned. She had 26 00:01:37.159 --> 00:01:41.319 only to submit, sit down, be outwardly composed, and feel 27 00:01:41.359 --> 00:01:44.840 herself plunged at once. In all the agitations which she 28 00:01:44.879 --> 00:01:47.760 had merely laid her account of tasting a little before 29 00:01:47.760 --> 00:01:51.760 the morning closed, there was no delay, no waste of time. 30 00:01:52.079 --> 00:01:54.799 She was deep in the happiness of such misery, or 31 00:01:54.840 --> 00:01:59.280 the misery of such happiness. Instantly, two minutes after her 32 00:01:59.400 --> 00:02:03.319 entering the room, Captain Wentworth said, we will write the 33 00:02:03.439 --> 00:02:06.040 letter we were talking of Harville now, if you will 34 00:02:06.040 --> 00:02:10.800 give me materials. Materials were at hand on a separate table. 35 00:02:11.159 --> 00:02:13.879 He went to it, and, nearly turning his back to them, 36 00:02:13.919 --> 00:02:17.919 all was engrossed by writing. Missus Musgrove was giving Missus 37 00:02:17.919 --> 00:02:21.240 Croft the history of her eldest daughter's engagement, and just 38 00:02:21.280 --> 00:02:24.400 in that inconvenient tone of voice, which was perfectly audible 39 00:02:24.680 --> 00:02:27.840 while it pretended to be a whisper. Anne felt that 40 00:02:27.879 --> 00:02:30.840 she did not belong to the conversation, And yet as 41 00:02:30.840 --> 00:02:34.159 Captain Harville seemed thoughtful and not disposed to talk, she 42 00:02:34.199 --> 00:02:38.439 could not avoid hearing many undesirable particulars, such as how 43 00:02:38.479 --> 00:02:41.280 mister Musgrove and my brother Hayter had met again and 44 00:02:41.319 --> 00:02:44.199 again to talk it over what my brother Hayter had 45 00:02:44.240 --> 00:02:47.280 said one day, and what mister Musgrove had proposed the next, 46 00:02:47.520 --> 00:02:49.919 and what had occurred to my sister Hayter, and what 47 00:02:50.000 --> 00:02:52.479 the young people had wished, and what I said at 48 00:02:52.520 --> 00:02:55.840 first I never could consent to, but was afterwards persuaded 49 00:02:55.840 --> 00:02:58.919 to think might do very well and a great deal 50 00:02:58.960 --> 00:03:03.039 in the same style of open hearted communication minutia, which, 51 00:03:03.240 --> 00:03:06.439 even with every advantage of taste and delicacy which good 52 00:03:06.439 --> 00:03:10.159 Missus Musgrove could not give, could be properly interesting only 53 00:03:10.240 --> 00:03:14.120 to the principles. Missus Croft was attending with great good humor, 54 00:03:14.360 --> 00:03:17.080 and whenever she spoke at all, it was very sensibly. 55 00:03:17.680 --> 00:03:20.400 Anne hoped the gentlemen might each be too much self 56 00:03:20.439 --> 00:03:25.199 occupied to hear, and so ma'am, all these things considered, 57 00:03:25.639 --> 00:03:28.960 said Missus Musgrove in her powerful whisper. Though we could 58 00:03:28.960 --> 00:03:31.759 have wished it different, Yet altogether we did not think 59 00:03:31.800 --> 00:03:34.479 it fair to stand out any longer. For Charles Hayter 60 00:03:34.599 --> 00:03:37.639 was quite wild about it, and Henrietta was pretty near 61 00:03:37.680 --> 00:03:39.840 as bad, and so we thought they had better marry 62 00:03:39.840 --> 00:03:42.120 at once and make the best of it, as many 63 00:03:42.159 --> 00:03:44.680 others have done before them. At any rate, said I, 64 00:03:44.960 --> 00:03:48.680 it will be better than a long engagement. That is 65 00:03:48.719 --> 00:03:51.879 precisely what I was going to observe, cried missus Croft. 66 00:03:52.199 --> 00:03:54.479 I would rather have young people settle on a small 67 00:03:54.479 --> 00:03:56.719 income at once and have to struggle with a few 68 00:03:56.759 --> 00:04:00.520 difficulties together than be involved in a long engagement. I 69 00:04:00.560 --> 00:04:04.919 always think that no mutual, Oh, dear missus Croft, cried 70 00:04:04.960 --> 00:04:08.560 missus Musgrove, unable to let her finish her speech. There 71 00:04:08.639 --> 00:04:11.159 is nothing I so abominate for young people as a 72 00:04:11.199 --> 00:04:14.560 long engagement. It is what I always protested against from 73 00:04:14.560 --> 00:04:17.360 my children. It is all very well, I used to say, 74 00:04:17.560 --> 00:04:19.759 for young people to be engaged if there is a 75 00:04:19.759 --> 00:04:22.079 certainty of their being able to marry in six months 76 00:04:22.319 --> 00:04:27.199 or even in twelve. But a long engagement, yes, dear ma'am, 77 00:04:27.240 --> 00:04:31.040 said missus Croft. Or an uncertain engagement, an engagement which 78 00:04:31.079 --> 00:04:33.759 may be long to begin, without knowing that at such 79 00:04:33.800 --> 00:04:35.959 a time there will be the means of marrying. I 80 00:04:36.000 --> 00:04:38.600 hold to be very unsafe and unwise, and what I 81 00:04:38.639 --> 00:04:40.959 think all parents should prevent as far as they can. 82 00:04:42.680 --> 00:04:46.199 Anne found an unexpected interest here. She felt its application 83 00:04:46.279 --> 00:04:49.519 to herself, felt it in a nervous thrill all over her, 84 00:04:50.040 --> 00:04:53.040 and at the same moment that her eyes instinctively glanced 85 00:04:53.040 --> 00:04:56.680 toward the distant table, Captain Wentworth's pen ceased to move, 86 00:04:57.079 --> 00:05:01.360 his head was raised, pausing, listening, and he turned round 87 00:05:01.399 --> 00:05:04.800 the next instant to give a look, one quick conscious 88 00:05:04.800 --> 00:05:09.399 look at her. The two ladies continued to talk, to 89 00:05:09.480 --> 00:05:12.879 re urge the same admitted truths and enforce them with 90 00:05:12.920 --> 00:05:15.920 such examples of the ill effect of a contrary practice 91 00:05:15.959 --> 00:05:20.040 as had fallen within their observation. But Anne heard nothing. Distinctly, 92 00:05:20.399 --> 00:05:22.600 it was only a buzz of words in her ear, 93 00:05:22.920 --> 00:05:27.199 and her mind was in confusion. Captain Harville, who had 94 00:05:27.240 --> 00:05:29.600 in truth been hearing none of it, now left his 95 00:05:29.680 --> 00:05:32.439 seat and moved to a window, and Anne, seeming to 96 00:05:32.439 --> 00:05:35.399 watch him, though it was from thorough absence of mind 97 00:05:35.759 --> 00:05:38.680 became gradually sensible that he was inviting her to join him. 98 00:05:38.680 --> 00:05:41.279 Where he stood. He looked at her with a smile 99 00:05:41.560 --> 00:05:44.600 and a little motion of the head which expressed, come 100 00:05:44.600 --> 00:05:47.720 to me, I have something to say. And the unaffected, 101 00:05:47.959 --> 00:05:50.519 easy kindness of manner, which denoted the feelings of an 102 00:05:50.560 --> 00:05:54.319 older acquaintance than he really was, strongly enforced the invitation. 103 00:05:55.279 --> 00:05:58.040 She roused herself and went to him. The window at 104 00:05:58.040 --> 00:05:59.639 which he stood was at the other end of the 105 00:05:59.720 --> 00:06:02.279 room from where the two ladies were sitting, and though 106 00:06:02.319 --> 00:06:06.560 nearer to Captain Wentworth's table, not very near. As she 107 00:06:06.680 --> 00:06:11.319 joined him, Captain Harville's countenance reassumed the serious, thoughtful expression 108 00:06:11.319 --> 00:06:16.920 which seemed its natural character. Look here, said he unfolding 109 00:06:16.920 --> 00:06:20.199 a parcel in his hand and displaying a small miniature painting. 110 00:06:20.959 --> 00:06:26.120 Do you know who that is? Certainly Captain Bennick, Yes, 111 00:06:26.720 --> 00:06:30.360 and you may guess who it is for. But in 112 00:06:30.399 --> 00:06:34.759 a deep tone, it was not done for her, Miss Eliot. 113 00:06:34.839 --> 00:06:37.360 Do you remember our walking together at lyme and grieving 114 00:06:37.399 --> 00:06:42.360 for him? I little thought then, but no matter. This 115 00:06:42.600 --> 00:06:44.839 was drawn at the Cape. He met with a clever 116 00:06:44.920 --> 00:06:47.639 young German artist at the Cape, and in compliance with 117 00:06:47.680 --> 00:06:50.680 a promise to my poor sister sat to him and 118 00:06:50.839 --> 00:06:53.319 was bringing it home for her. And I have now 119 00:06:53.360 --> 00:06:56.360 the charge of getting it properly set for another. It 120 00:06:56.399 --> 00:06:59.360 was a commission to me, but who else was there 121 00:06:59.399 --> 00:07:03.319 to employ? I hope I can allow for him. I 122 00:07:03.360 --> 00:07:05.560 am not sorry indeed, to make it over to another. 123 00:07:06.319 --> 00:07:10.600 He undertakes it, looking towards Captain Wentworth. He is writing 124 00:07:10.639 --> 00:07:14.079 about it now, And with a quivering lip, he wound 125 00:07:14.160 --> 00:07:18.079 up the hall by adding, poor Fanny, she would not 126 00:07:18.160 --> 00:07:23.000 have forgotten him so soon. No, replied Anne, in a 127 00:07:23.000 --> 00:07:28.079 low feeling voice, that I can easily believe it was 128 00:07:28.120 --> 00:07:32.240 not in her nature she doated on him. It would 129 00:07:32.240 --> 00:07:34.759 not be the nature of any woman who truly loved 130 00:07:35.720 --> 00:07:38.560 Captain Harville smiled as much as to say, do you 131 00:07:38.639 --> 00:07:41.800 claim that for your sex? And she answered the question 132 00:07:42.160 --> 00:07:47.439 smiling also, yes, we certainly do not forget you as 133 00:07:47.480 --> 00:07:51.240 soon as you forget us. It is perhaps our fate 134 00:07:51.800 --> 00:07:56.279 rather than our merit. We cannot help ourselves. We live 135 00:07:56.319 --> 00:08:00.839 at home, quiet, confined, and our feelings prey upon us. 136 00:08:01.560 --> 00:08:05.199 You are forced on exertion. You have always a profession, 137 00:08:05.439 --> 00:08:08.600 pursuits business of some sort or other, to take you 138 00:08:08.680 --> 00:08:12.560 back into the world immediately, and continual occupation and change 139 00:08:12.639 --> 00:08:17.519 soon weaken impressions. Granting your assertion that the world does 140 00:08:17.560 --> 00:08:20.399 all this so soon for men, which, however, I do 141 00:08:20.480 --> 00:08:23.720 not think I shall grant, it does not apply to Bennick. 142 00:08:24.120 --> 00:08:27.319 He has not been forced upon any exertion. The peace 143 00:08:27.399 --> 00:08:29.519 turned him on shore at the very moment, and he 144 00:08:29.600 --> 00:08:32.360 has been living with us in our little family circle 145 00:08:32.399 --> 00:08:38.120 ever since. True, said Anne, Very true, I did not recollect. 146 00:08:38.679 --> 00:08:41.600 But what shall we say now, Captain Harville. If the 147 00:08:41.679 --> 00:08:45.559 change be not from outward circumstances, it must be from within. 148 00:08:46.200 --> 00:08:49.519 It must be nature, man's nature which has done the 149 00:08:49.519 --> 00:08:54.240 business for Captain Bennick. No, no, it is not man's nature. 150 00:08:54.600 --> 00:08:56.600 I will not allow it to be more man's nature 151 00:08:56.600 --> 00:08:59.360 than woman's, to be inconstant and forget those they do 152 00:08:59.440 --> 00:09:03.519 love or have loved. I believe the reverse. I believe 153 00:09:03.559 --> 00:09:06.200 in a true analogy between our bodily frames and our 154 00:09:06.240 --> 00:09:09.120 mental and that as our bodies are the strongest, so 155 00:09:09.240 --> 00:09:12.840 are our feelings, capable of bearing most rough usage and 156 00:09:13.000 --> 00:09:17.200 riding out the heaviest weather. Your feelings may be the strongest, 157 00:09:17.639 --> 00:09:21.559 replied Anne. But the same spirit of analogy will authorize 158 00:09:21.559 --> 00:09:24.960 me to assert that ours are the most tender. Man 159 00:09:25.120 --> 00:09:28.440 is more robust than woman, but he is not longer lived, 160 00:09:28.960 --> 00:09:33.480 which exactly explains my view of the nature of their attachments. Nay, 161 00:09:33.960 --> 00:09:36.240 it would be too hard upon you if it were otherwise. 162 00:09:36.840 --> 00:09:40.159 You have difficulties and privations and dangers enough to struggle with. 163 00:09:40.759 --> 00:09:44.159 You are always laboring and toiling, exposed to every risk 164 00:09:44.240 --> 00:09:49.120 and hardship. Your home country friends, all quitted neither time, 165 00:09:49.360 --> 00:09:52.840 nor health nor life to be called your own. It 166 00:09:52.879 --> 00:09:57.440 would be hard, indeed, with a faltering voice, if woman's 167 00:09:57.519 --> 00:10:01.559 feelings were to be added to all this. We shall 168 00:10:01.600 --> 00:10:05.240 never agree upon this question, Captain Harville was beginning to say, 169 00:10:05.600 --> 00:10:08.480 when a slight noise called their attention to Captain Wentworth's 170 00:10:08.519 --> 00:10:11.919 hitherto perfectly quiet division of the room. It was nothing 171 00:10:11.960 --> 00:10:14.519 more than that his pen had fallen down. But Anne 172 00:10:14.600 --> 00:10:16.960 was startled at finding him nearer than she had supposed, 173 00:10:17.320 --> 00:10:19.799 and half inclined to suspect that the pen had fallen 174 00:10:20.080 --> 00:10:23.440 because he had been occupied by them striving to catch sounds, 175 00:10:23.720 --> 00:10:26.720 which yet she did not think he could have caught. 176 00:10:27.399 --> 00:10:31.679 Have you finished your letter, said Captain Harville, not quite 177 00:10:32.200 --> 00:10:35.320 a few lines more? I shall have done in five minutes. 178 00:10:36.559 --> 00:10:38.960 There is no hurry on my side. I am only 179 00:10:39.000 --> 00:10:41.919 ready whenever you are. I am in very good anchorage here, 180 00:10:42.519 --> 00:10:46.200 smiling at Anne, well supplied, and want for nothing. No 181 00:10:46.399 --> 00:10:50.840 hurry for a signal at all, Well, miss Elliot, lowering 182 00:10:50.840 --> 00:10:53.960 his voice as I was saying, we shall never agree. 183 00:10:54.039 --> 00:10:57.799 I suppose upon this point no man and woman would probably, 184 00:10:58.519 --> 00:11:00.919 But let me observe that all his are against you, 185 00:11:01.360 --> 00:11:04.480 all stories, prose and verse. If I had such a 186 00:11:04.559 --> 00:11:07.440 memory as Bennick, I could bring you fifty quotations in 187 00:11:07.480 --> 00:11:10.080 a moment on my side of the argument. And I 188 00:11:10.120 --> 00:11:11.840 do not think I ever opened a book in my 189 00:11:11.960 --> 00:11:14.960 life which had not something to say upon woman's inconstancy. 190 00:11:15.879 --> 00:11:20.440 Songs and proverbs, all talk of woman's fickleness. But perhaps 191 00:11:20.440 --> 00:11:24.399 you will say these were all written by men. Perhaps 192 00:11:24.399 --> 00:11:28.080 I shall, yes, yes, if you please, no reference to 193 00:11:28.159 --> 00:11:31.960 examples and books. Men have had every advantage of us 194 00:11:32.000 --> 00:11:35.399 in telling their own story. Education has been theirs in 195 00:11:35.440 --> 00:11:38.039 so much higher a degree the pen has been in 196 00:11:38.080 --> 00:11:41.440 their hands. I will not allow books to prove anything. 197 00:11:42.519 --> 00:11:46.840 But how shall we prove anything? We never shall, We 198 00:11:46.960 --> 00:11:49.720 never can expect to prove anything upon such a point. 199 00:11:50.440 --> 00:11:52.600 It is a difference of opinion which does not admit 200 00:11:52.639 --> 00:11:56.519 of proof. We each begin, probably with a little bias 201 00:11:56.559 --> 00:11:59.720 towards our own sex, and upon that bias build every 202 00:12:00.000 --> 00:12:02.559 circumstance in favor of it which has occurred within our 203 00:12:02.600 --> 00:12:06.960 own circle. Many of which circumstances, perhaps those very cases 204 00:12:07.000 --> 00:12:10.320 which strike us the most, may be precisely such as 205 00:12:10.360 --> 00:12:13.759 cannot be brought forward without betraying a confidence, or in 206 00:12:13.840 --> 00:12:18.720 some respect saying what should not be said. Ah, cried 207 00:12:18.759 --> 00:12:22.080 Captain Harville, in a tone of strong feeling. If I 208 00:12:22.120 --> 00:12:24.960 could but make you comprehend what a man suffers when 209 00:12:24.960 --> 00:12:27.120 he takes a last look at his wife and children, 210 00:12:27.399 --> 00:12:29.440 and watches the boat that he has sent them off 211 00:12:29.480 --> 00:12:32.000 in as long as it is in sight, and then 212 00:12:32.039 --> 00:12:35.879 turns away and says, God knows whether we ever meet again. 213 00:12:36.759 --> 00:12:38.840 And then if I could convey to you the glow 214 00:12:38.960 --> 00:12:41.720 of his soul when he does see them again, when 215 00:12:41.759 --> 00:12:45.759 coming back after a twelve month's absence, perhaps, and obliged 216 00:12:45.799 --> 00:12:48.879 to put into another port, he calculates how soon it 217 00:12:48.919 --> 00:12:52.120 be possible to get them there, pretending to deceive himself 218 00:12:52.120 --> 00:12:54.759 and saying they cannot be here till such a day. 219 00:12:55.159 --> 00:12:58.120 But all the while hoping for them twelve hours sooner, 220 00:12:58.559 --> 00:13:01.639 and seeing them arrive at last, as if Heaven had 221 00:13:01.679 --> 00:13:05.639 given them wings by many hours sooner. Still, if I 222 00:13:05.720 --> 00:13:08.679 could explain to you all this, on all that a 223 00:13:08.720 --> 00:13:11.799 man can bear and do, and glories to do, for 224 00:13:11.840 --> 00:13:15.639 the sake of these treasures of his existence, I speak 225 00:13:15.679 --> 00:13:19.399 you know only of such men as have hearts pressing 226 00:13:19.399 --> 00:13:24.720 his own with emotion, Oh, cried Anne eagerly. I hope 227 00:13:24.759 --> 00:13:27.159 I do justice to all that is felt by you 228 00:13:27.559 --> 00:13:30.919 and by those who resemble you. God forbid that I 229 00:13:30.919 --> 00:13:33.879 should undervalue the warm and faithful feelings of any of 230 00:13:33.879 --> 00:13:37.879 my fellow creatures. I should deserve utter contempt if I 231 00:13:38.000 --> 00:13:40.960 dared to suppose that true attachment and constancy were known 232 00:13:41.080 --> 00:13:46.039 only by women. No, I believe you capable of everything 233 00:13:46.159 --> 00:13:49.240 great and good in your married lives. I believe you 234 00:13:49.399 --> 00:13:53.799 equal to every important exertion, to every domestic forbearance, so 235 00:13:53.919 --> 00:13:57.320 long as if I may be allowed the expression, so 236 00:13:57.480 --> 00:14:00.399 long as you have an object. I mean, while the 237 00:14:00.440 --> 00:14:04.399 woman you love lives and lives for you all the 238 00:14:04.440 --> 00:14:07.519 privilege I claim for my own sex. It is not 239 00:14:07.639 --> 00:14:11.240 a very enviable one. You need not covet. It is 240 00:14:11.279 --> 00:14:15.679 that of loving longest when existence or when hope is gone. 241 00:14:18.120 --> 00:14:21.360 She could not immediately have uttered another sentence. Her heart 242 00:14:21.440 --> 00:14:25.879 was too full, her breath too much oppressed. You are 243 00:14:25.919 --> 00:14:29.279 a good soul, cried Captain Harville, putting his hand on 244 00:14:29.320 --> 00:14:32.639 her arm, quite affectionately. There is no quarreling with you. 245 00:14:33.200 --> 00:14:35.919 And when I think of Bennock, my tongue is tied. 246 00:14:37.039 --> 00:14:40.120 Their attention was called towards the others. Missus Croft was 247 00:14:40.120 --> 00:14:44.360 taking leave here, Frederick, you and I part company, I believe, 248 00:14:44.559 --> 00:14:47.559 said she. I am going home, and you have an 249 00:14:47.559 --> 00:14:50.279 engagement with your friend to night. We may have the 250 00:14:50.279 --> 00:14:53.480 pleasure of all meeting again at your party. Turning to Anne, 251 00:14:53.879 --> 00:14:57.039 we had your sister's card yesterday, and I understood Frederick 252 00:14:57.080 --> 00:14:59.240 had a card too, though I did not see it. 253 00:14:59.639 --> 00:15:02.399 And you what disengaged? Frederick? Are you not as well 254 00:15:02.399 --> 00:15:05.960 as ourselves? Captain Wentworth was folding up a letter in 255 00:15:06.000 --> 00:15:10.440 great haste, and either could not or would not answer fully. Yes, 256 00:15:10.759 --> 00:15:14.440 said he very true. Here we separate, but Harville and 257 00:15:14.519 --> 00:15:17.000 I shall soon be after you, that is Harville. If 258 00:15:17.000 --> 00:15:19.519 you are ready, I am in half a minute. I 259 00:15:19.559 --> 00:15:21.519 know you will not be sorry to be off. I 260 00:15:21.559 --> 00:15:25.000 shall be at your service. In half a minute, Missus 261 00:15:25.000 --> 00:15:28.200 Croft left them, and Captain Wentworth, having sealed his letter 262 00:15:28.279 --> 00:15:32.080 with great rapidity, was indeed ready, and had even a hurried, 263 00:15:32.159 --> 00:15:36.159 agitated air which showed impatience to be gone. Anne knew 264 00:15:36.159 --> 00:15:40.000 not how to understand it. She had the kindest good morning, 265 00:15:40.240 --> 00:15:43.679 God bless you from Captain Harville, but from him not 266 00:15:43.799 --> 00:15:46.399 a word nor a look. He had passed out of 267 00:15:46.440 --> 00:15:50.360 the room without a look. She had only time, however, 268 00:15:50.399 --> 00:15:52.480 to move closer to the table where he had been writing. 269 00:15:52.759 --> 00:15:56.480 When footsteps were heard returning. The door opened. It was himself. 270 00:15:56.840 --> 00:15:59.519 He begged their pardon, but he had forgotten his gloves, 271 00:15:59.799 --> 00:16:02.559 and instantly crossing the room to the writing table, he 272 00:16:02.639 --> 00:16:05.360 drew out a letter from under the scattered paper, placed 273 00:16:05.360 --> 00:16:08.320 it before Anne, with eyes of glowing entreaty fixed on 274 00:16:08.399 --> 00:16:11.519 her for a time, and hastily collecting his gloves, was 275 00:16:11.559 --> 00:16:14.440 again out of the room, almost before missus Musgrove was 276 00:16:14.480 --> 00:16:17.879 aware of his being in it. The work of an instant, 277 00:16:18.639 --> 00:16:21.039 the revolution which one instant had made in Anne was 278 00:16:21.120 --> 00:16:25.159 almost beyond expression. The letter, with a direction hardly legible 279 00:16:25.440 --> 00:16:28.519 to miss a e, was evidently the one which he 280 00:16:28.559 --> 00:16:31.759 had been folding so hastily. While supposed to be writing 281 00:16:31.799 --> 00:16:34.919 only to Captain Bennock, he had been also addressing her. 282 00:16:35.639 --> 00:16:38.080 On the contents of that letter depended all which this 283 00:16:38.159 --> 00:16:42.000 world could do for her. Anything was possible, anything might 284 00:16:42.039 --> 00:16:46.080 be defied. Rather than suspense, Missus Musgrove had little arrangements 285 00:16:46.080 --> 00:16:48.639 of her own at her own table. To their protection 286 00:16:48.799 --> 00:16:51.519 she must trust, and, sinking into the chair which he 287 00:16:51.559 --> 00:16:54.279 had occupied, succeeding to the very spot where he had 288 00:16:54.360 --> 00:16:59.120 leaned and written, her eyes devoured the following words. I 289 00:16:59.200 --> 00:17:02.720 can listen no longer in silence. I must speak to 290 00:17:02.799 --> 00:17:06.079 you by such means as are within my reach. You 291 00:17:06.200 --> 00:17:11.519 pierce my soul. I am half agony, half hope. Tell 292 00:17:11.599 --> 00:17:14.519 me not that I am too late, that such precious 293 00:17:14.599 --> 00:17:18.119 feelings are gone forever. I offer myself to you again, 294 00:17:18.160 --> 00:17:20.480 with a heart even more your own than when you 295 00:17:20.559 --> 00:17:24.160 almost broke it eight years and a half ago. Dare 296 00:17:24.240 --> 00:17:27.359 not say that man forgets sooner than woman, that his 297 00:17:27.480 --> 00:17:33.000 love has an earlier death. I have loved none but you, unjust. 298 00:17:33.039 --> 00:17:35.960 I may have been weak and resentful, I have been, 299 00:17:36.240 --> 00:17:39.960 but never in constant. You alone have brought me to bath. 300 00:17:40.440 --> 00:17:43.680 For you alone, I think and plan. Have you not 301 00:17:43.839 --> 00:17:47.039 seen this? Can you fail to have understood my wishes? 302 00:17:47.880 --> 00:17:50.599 I had not waited even these ten days? Could I 303 00:17:50.640 --> 00:17:52.880 have read your feelings as I think you must have 304 00:17:52.960 --> 00:17:57.400 penetrated mine. I can hardly write. I am every instant 305 00:17:57.440 --> 00:18:01.440 hearing something which overpowers me. You sink your voice, but 306 00:18:01.519 --> 00:18:03.880 I can distinguish the tones of that voice when they 307 00:18:03.920 --> 00:18:08.720 would be lost on others. Too good, too excellent creature. 308 00:18:09.440 --> 00:18:13.240 You do us justice. Indeed, you do believe that there 309 00:18:13.319 --> 00:18:17.079 is true attachment and constancy among men. Believe it to 310 00:18:17.119 --> 00:18:24.000 be most fervent, most undeviating in f W I must go, 311 00:18:24.279 --> 00:18:27.599 uncertain of my fate, but I shall return hither or 312 00:18:27.640 --> 00:18:30.920 follow your party as soon as possible. A word, a 313 00:18:31.000 --> 00:18:33.559 look will be enough to decide whether I enter your 314 00:18:33.559 --> 00:18:38.519 father's house this evening or never. Such a letter was 315 00:18:38.599 --> 00:18:42.400 not to be soon recovered from half an hour's solitude 316 00:18:42.400 --> 00:18:45.680 and reflection might have tranquilized her. But the ten minutes 317 00:18:45.720 --> 00:18:48.799 only which now passed before she was interrupted with all 318 00:18:48.839 --> 00:18:52.640 the restraints of her situation, could do nothing towards tranquility. 319 00:18:53.359 --> 00:18:58.519 Every moment rather brought fresh agitation. It was overpowering happiness, 320 00:18:59.200 --> 00:19:03.039 and before she was beyond the first stage of full sensation. Charles, 321 00:19:03.079 --> 00:19:07.559 Mary and Henrietta all came in the absolute necessity of 322 00:19:07.559 --> 00:19:10.880 seeming like herself produced then an immediate struggle. But after 323 00:19:10.920 --> 00:19:13.440 a while she could do no more. She began not 324 00:19:13.559 --> 00:19:16.279 to understand a word they said, and was obliged to 325 00:19:16.319 --> 00:19:19.839 plead indisposition and excuse herself. They could then see that 326 00:19:19.880 --> 00:19:23.119 she looked very ill, were shocked and concerned, and would 327 00:19:23.119 --> 00:19:26.200 not stir without her for the world. This was dreadful. 328 00:19:26.640 --> 00:19:28.599 Would they only have gone away and left her in 329 00:19:28.640 --> 00:19:30.880 the quiet possession of that room, it would have been 330 00:19:30.920 --> 00:19:33.599 her cure. But to have them all standing or waiting 331 00:19:33.599 --> 00:19:36.920 around her was distracting, and in desperation she said she 332 00:19:36.920 --> 00:19:41.559 would go home by all means. My dear, cried missus Musgrove. 333 00:19:41.839 --> 00:19:44.839 Go home directly and take care of yourself, that you 334 00:19:44.920 --> 00:19:47.559 may be fit for the evening. I wish Sarah was 335 00:19:47.599 --> 00:19:50.160 here to doct to you, but I am no doctor myself. 336 00:19:50.720 --> 00:19:53.359 Charles ring and order a chair. She must not walk, 337 00:19:54.359 --> 00:19:57.359 But the chair would never do worse than all to 338 00:19:57.440 --> 00:20:00.519 lose the possibility of speaking two words to Captain Wentworth. 339 00:20:00.519 --> 00:20:03.559 In the course of her quiet, solitary progress up the town, 340 00:20:03.839 --> 00:20:06.319 and she felt almost certain of meeting him could not 341 00:20:06.480 --> 00:20:10.680 be borne. The chair was earnestly protested against, and missus Musgrove, 342 00:20:10.720 --> 00:20:13.400 who thought only of one sort of illness, having assured 343 00:20:13.400 --> 00:20:16.240 herself with some anxiety that there had been no fall 344 00:20:16.279 --> 00:20:18.880 in the case that Anne had not at any time lately, 345 00:20:18.920 --> 00:20:21.440 slipped down and got a blow on her head, that 346 00:20:21.519 --> 00:20:24.400 she was perfectly convinced of having had no fall, could 347 00:20:24.440 --> 00:20:27.119 part with her cheerfully and depend on finding her better 348 00:20:27.200 --> 00:20:31.480 at night. Anxious to omit no possible precaution, Anne struggled 349 00:20:31.519 --> 00:20:34.559 and said, I am afraid, ma'am, that it is not 350 00:20:34.720 --> 00:20:37.640 perfectly understood. Pray be so good as to mention to 351 00:20:37.680 --> 00:20:39.839 the other gentlemen that we hope to see your whole 352 00:20:39.880 --> 00:20:43.039 party this evening. I am afraid there had been some mistake, 353 00:20:43.359 --> 00:20:46.079 and I wish you particularly to assure Captain Harville and 354 00:20:46.119 --> 00:20:49.480 Captain Wentworth that we hoped to see them both. Oh, 355 00:20:49.519 --> 00:20:52.400 my dear, it is quite understood. I give you my word. 356 00:20:52.759 --> 00:20:56.279 Captain Harville has no thought but of going, do you 357 00:20:56.359 --> 00:20:59.240 think so? But I am afraid, and I should be 358 00:20:59.279 --> 00:21:02.119 so very so. Will you promise me to mention it 359 00:21:02.279 --> 00:21:04.440 when you see them again? You will see them both 360 00:21:04.440 --> 00:21:08.720 this morning. I daresay, do promise me to be sure. 361 00:21:08.759 --> 00:21:11.559 I will if you wish it. Charles, if you see 362 00:21:11.599 --> 00:21:15.680 Captain Harville anywhere, remember to give miss Anne's message. But indeed, 363 00:21:15.720 --> 00:21:18.680 my dear, you need not be uneasy. Captain Harville holds 364 00:21:18.720 --> 00:21:22.000 himself quite engaged. I'll answer for it, and Captain Wentworth 365 00:21:22.000 --> 00:21:26.160 the same. I daresay Anne could do no more, but 366 00:21:26.240 --> 00:21:29.200 her heart prophesied some mischance to damp the perfection of 367 00:21:29.200 --> 00:21:33.200 her felicity. It could not be very lasting. However, even 368 00:21:33.200 --> 00:21:35.839 if he did not come to Camden Place himself, it 369 00:21:35.880 --> 00:21:38.400 would be in her power to send an intelligible sentence 370 00:21:38.440 --> 00:21:43.200 by Captain Harville. Another momentary vexation occurred. Charles, in his 371 00:21:43.279 --> 00:21:46.160 real concern and good nature, would go home with her. 372 00:21:46.519 --> 00:21:49.920 There was no preventing him. This was almost cruel, but 373 00:21:50.000 --> 00:21:53.079 she could not be long ungrateful. He was sacrificing an 374 00:21:53.119 --> 00:21:55.480 engagement at a gunsmith's to be of use to her, 375 00:21:55.839 --> 00:21:57.960 and she set off with him with no feeling but 376 00:21:58.039 --> 00:22:02.039 gratitude apparent. They were on Union Street when a quicker 377 00:22:02.079 --> 00:22:05.559 step behind a something of familiar sound gave her two 378 00:22:05.599 --> 00:22:09.359 moments preparation for the sight of Captain Wentworth. He joined them, 379 00:22:09.880 --> 00:22:12.680 but as if irresolute whether to join or pass on, 380 00:22:13.039 --> 00:22:17.000 he said nothing, only looked. Anne could command herself enough 381 00:22:17.039 --> 00:22:20.720 to receive that look, and not repulsively. The cheeks which 382 00:22:20.759 --> 00:22:23.240 had been pale, now glowed, and the movements which had 383 00:22:23.279 --> 00:22:27.920 hesitated were decided. He walked by her side, presently struck 384 00:22:27.920 --> 00:22:31.839 by a sudden thought, Charles said, Captain Wentworth, which way 385 00:22:31.880 --> 00:22:34.440 are you going only to Gay Street? Or farther up 386 00:22:34.480 --> 00:22:40.079 the town? I hardly know, replied Captain Wentworth, surprised. Are 387 00:22:40.079 --> 00:22:42.359 you going as high as Belmont? Are you going near 388 00:22:42.400 --> 00:22:44.799 Camden Place? Because if you are, I shall have no 389 00:22:44.880 --> 00:22:47.400 scruple in asking you to take my place and give 390 00:22:47.400 --> 00:22:49.960 Anne your arm to her father's door. She is rather 391 00:22:50.079 --> 00:22:52.400 done for this morning and must not go so far 392 00:22:52.440 --> 00:22:54.799 without help. And I ought to be at that fellow's 393 00:22:54.839 --> 00:22:57.119 in the market place. He promised me the sight of 394 00:22:57.160 --> 00:22:59.319 a capital gun he is just going to send off, 395 00:22:59.519 --> 00:23:01.799 said he would keep it unpacked to the last possible 396 00:23:01.799 --> 00:23:04.039 moment that I might see it. And if I do 397 00:23:04.119 --> 00:23:07.240 not turn back now, I have no chance. By his description, 398 00:23:07.319 --> 00:23:09.599 A good deal like the second size double barrel of 399 00:23:09.640 --> 00:23:14.000 mine which you shot with one day round Winthrop. There 400 00:23:14.000 --> 00:23:16.599 could not be an objection. There could be only the 401 00:23:16.640 --> 00:23:20.599