Persuasion Read online

  Chapter 6

  Anne had not wanted this visit to Uppercross, to learn that a removalfrom one set of people to another, though at a distance of only threemiles, will often include a total change of conversation, opinion, andidea. She had never been staying there before, without being struck byit, or without wishing that other Elliots could have her advantage inseeing how unknown, or unconsidered there, were the affairs which atKellynch Hall were treated as of such general publicity and pervadinginterest; yet, with all this experience, she believed she must nowsubmit to feel that another lesson, in the art of knowing our ownnothingness beyond our own circle, was become necessary for her; forcertainly, coming as she did, with a heart full of the subject whichhad been completely occupying both houses in Kellynch for many weeks,she had expected rather more curiosity and sympathy than she found inthe separate but very similar remark of Mr and Mrs Musgrove: "So, MissAnne, Sir Walter and your sister are gone; and what part of Bath do youthink they will settle in?" and this, without much waiting for ananswer; or in the young ladies' addition of, "I hope we shall be inBath in the winter; but remember, papa, if we do go, we must be in agood situation: none of your Queen Squares for us!" or in the anxioussupplement from Mary, of--"Upon my word, I shall be pretty well off,when you are all gone away to be happy at Bath!"

  She could only resolve to avoid such self-delusion in future, and thinkwith heightened gratitude of the extraordinary blessing of having onesuch truly sympathising friend as Lady Russell.

  The Mr Musgroves had their own game to guard, and to destroy, their ownhorses, dogs, and newspapers to engage them, and the females were fullyoccupied in all the other common subjects of housekeeping, neighbours,dress, dancing, and music. She acknowledged it to be very fitting,that every little social commonwealth should dictate its own matters ofdiscourse; and hoped, ere long, to become a not unworthy member of theone she was now transplanted into. With the prospect of spending atleast two months at Uppercross, it was highly incumbent on her toclothe her imagination, her memory, and all her ideas in as much ofUppercross as possible.

  She had no dread of these two months. Mary was not so repulsive andunsisterly as Elizabeth, nor so inaccessible to all influence of hers;neither was there anything among the other component parts of thecottage inimical to comfort. She was always on friendly terms with herbrother-in-law; and in the children, who loved her nearly as well, andrespected her a great deal more than their mother, she had an object ofinterest, amusement, and wholesome exertion.

  Charles Musgrove was civil and agreeable; in sense and temper he wasundoubtedly superior to his wife, but not of powers, or conversation,or grace, to make the past, as they were connected together, at all adangerous contemplation; though, at the same time, Anne could believe,with Lady Russell, that a more equal match might have greatly improvedhim; and that a woman of real understanding might have given moreconsequence to his character, and more usefulness, rationality, andelegance to his habits and pursuits. As it was, he did nothing withmuch zeal, but sport; and his time was otherwise trifled away, withoutbenefit from books or anything else. He had very good spirits, whichnever seemed much affected by his wife's occasional lowness, bore withher unreasonableness sometimes to Anne's admiration, and upon thewhole, though there was very often a little disagreement (in which shehad sometimes more share than she wished, being appealed to by bothparties), they might pass for a happy couple. They were alwaysperfectly agreed in the want of more money, and a strong inclinationfor a handsome present from his father; but here, as on most topics, hehad the superiority, for while Mary thought it a great shame that sucha present was not made, he always contended for his father's havingmany other uses for his money, and a right to spend it as he liked.

  As to the management of their children, his theory was much better thanhis wife's, and his practice not so bad. "I could manage them verywell, if it were not for Mary's interference," was what Anne oftenheard him say, and had a good deal of faith in; but when listening inturn to Mary's reproach of "Charles spoils the children so that Icannot get them into any order," she never had the smallest temptationto say, "Very true."

  One of the least agreeable circumstances of her residence there was herbeing treated with too much confidence by all parties, and being toomuch in the secret of the complaints of each house. Known to have someinfluence with her sister, she was continually requested, or at leastreceiving hints to exert it, beyond what was practicable. "I wish youcould persuade Mary not to be always fancying herself ill," wasCharles's language; and, in an unhappy mood, thus spoke Mary: "I dobelieve if Charles were to see me dying, he would not think there wasanything the matter with me. I am sure, Anne, if you would, you mightpersuade him that I really am very ill--a great deal worse than I everown."

  Mary's declaration was, "I hate sending the children to the GreatHouse, though their grandmamma is always wanting to see them, for shehumours and indulges them to such a degree, and gives them so muchtrash and sweet things, that they are sure to come back sick and crossfor the rest of the day." And Mrs Musgrove took the first opportunityof being alone with Anne, to say, "Oh! Miss Anne, I cannot help wishingMrs Charles had a little of your method with those children. They arequite different creatures with you! But to be sure, in general theyare so spoilt! It is a pity you cannot put your sister in the way ofmanaging them. They are as fine healthy children as ever were seen,poor little dears! without partiality; but Mrs Charles knows no morehow they should be treated--! Bless me! how troublesome they aresometimes. I assure you, Miss Anne, it prevents my wishing to see themat our house so often as I otherwise should. I believe Mrs Charles isnot quite pleased with my not inviting them oftener; but you know it isvery bad to have children with one that one is obligated to be checkingevery moment; "don't do this," and "don't do that;" or that one canonly keep in tolerable order by more cake than is good for them."

  She had this communication, moreover, from Mary. "Mrs Musgrove thinksall her servants so steady, that it would be high treason to call it inquestion; but I am sure, without exaggeration, that her upperhouse-maid and laundry-maid, instead of being in their business, aregadding about the village, all day long. I meet them wherever I go;and I declare, I never go twice into my nursery without seeingsomething of them. If Jemima were not the trustiest, steadiestcreature in the world, it would be enough to spoil her; for she tellsme, they are always tempting her to take a walk with them." And on MrsMusgrove's side, it was, "I make a rule of never interfering in any ofmy daughter-in-law's concerns, for I know it would not do; but I shalltell you, Miss Anne, because you may be able to set things to rights,that I have no very good opinion of Mrs Charles's nursery-maid: I hearstrange stories of her; she is always upon the gad; and from my ownknowledge, I can declare, she is such a fine-dressing lady, that she isenough to ruin any servants she comes near. Mrs Charles quite swearsby her, I know; but I just give you this hint, that you may be upon thewatch; because, if you see anything amiss, you need not be afraid ofmentioning it."

  Again, it was Mary's complaint, that Mrs Musgrove was very apt not togive her the precedence that was her due, when they dined at the GreatHouse with other families; and she did not see any reason why she wasto be considered so much at home as to lose her place. And one daywhen Anne was walking with only the Musgroves, one of them aftertalking of rank, people of rank, and jealousy of rank, said, "I have noscruple of observing to you, how nonsensical some persons are abouttheir place, because all the world knows how easy and indifferent youare about it; but I wish anybody could give Mary a hint that it wouldbe a great deal better if she were not so very tenacious, especially ifshe would not be always putting herself forward to take place of mamma.Nobody doubts her right to have precedence of mamma, but it would bemore becoming in her not to be always insisting on it. It is not thatmamma cares about it the least in the world, but I know it is takennotice of by many persons."

  How was Anne to set all these matters to rights? She could do littlemore than listen patiently,
soften every grievance, and excuse each tothe other; give them all hints of the forbearance necessary betweensuch near neighbours, and make those hints broadest which were meantfor her sister's benefit.

  In all other respects, her visit began and proceeded very well. Herown spirits improved by change of place and subject, by being removedthree miles from Kellynch; Mary's ailments lessened by having aconstant companion, and their daily intercourse with the other family,since there was neither superior affection, confidence, nor employmentin the cottage, to be interrupted by it, was rather an advantage. Itwas certainly carried nearly as far as possible, for they met everymorning, and hardly ever spent an evening asunder; but she believedthey should not have done so well without the sight of Mr and MrsMusgrove's respectable forms in the usual places, or without thetalking, laughing, and singing of their daughters.

  She played a great deal better than either of the Miss Musgroves, buthaving no voice, no knowledge of the harp, and no fond parents, to sitby and fancy themselves delighted, her performance was little thoughtof, only out of civility, or to refresh the others, as she was wellaware. She knew that when she played she was giving pleasure only toherself; but this was no new sensation. Excepting one short period ofher life, she had never, since the age of fourteen, never since theloss of her dear mother, known the happiness of being listened to, orencouraged by any just appreciation or real taste. In music she hadbeen always used to feel alone in the world; and Mr and Mrs Musgrove'sfond partiality for their own daughters' performance, and totalindifference to any other person's, gave her much more pleasure fortheir sakes, than mortification for her own.

  The party at the Great House was sometimes increased by other company.The neighbourhood was not large, but the Musgroves were visited byeverybody, and had more dinner-parties, and more callers, more visitorsby invitation and by chance, than any other family. They were morecompletely popular.

  The girls were wild for dancing; and the evenings ended, occasionally,in an unpremeditated little ball. There was a family of cousins withina walk of Uppercross, in less affluent circumstances, who depended onthe Musgroves for all their pleasures: they would come at any time,and help play at anything, or dance anywhere; and Anne, very muchpreferring the office of musician to a more active post, played countrydances to them by the hour together; a kindness which alwaysrecommended her musical powers to the notice of Mr and Mrs Musgrovemore than anything else, and often drew this compliment;--"Well done,Miss Anne! very well done indeed! Lord bless me! how those littlefingers of yours fly about!"

  So passed the first three weeks. Michaelmas came; and now Anne's heartmust be in Kellynch again. A beloved home made over to others; all theprecious rooms and furniture, groves, and prospects, beginning to ownother eyes and other limbs! She could not think of much else on the29th of September; and she had this sympathetic touch in the eveningfrom Mary, who, on having occasion to note down the day of the month,exclaimed, "Dear me, is not this the day the Crofts were to come toKellynch? I am glad I did not think of it before. How low it makesme!"

  The Crofts took possession with true naval alertness, and were to bevisited. Mary deplored the necessity for herself. "Nobody knew howmuch she should suffer. She should put it off as long as she could;"but was not easy till she had talked Charles into driving her over onan early day, and was in a very animated, comfortable state ofimaginary agitation, when she came back. Anne had very sincerelyrejoiced in there being no means of her going. She wished, however tosee the Crofts, and was glad to be within when the visit was returned.They came: the master of the house was not at home, but the twosisters were together; and as it chanced that Mrs Croft fell to theshare of Anne, while the Admiral sat by Mary, and made himself veryagreeable by his good-humoured notice of her little boys, she was wellable to watch for a likeness, and if it failed her in the features, tocatch it in the voice, or in the turn of sentiment and expression.

  Mrs Croft, though neither tall nor fat, had a squareness, uprightness,and vigour of form, which gave importance to her person. She hadbright dark eyes, good teeth, and altogether an agreeable face; thoughher reddened and weather-beaten complexion, the consequence of herhaving been almost as much at sea as her husband, made her seem to havelived some years longer in the world than her real eight-and-thirty.Her manners were open, easy, and decided, like one who had no distrustof herself, and no doubts of what to do; without any approach tocoarseness, however, or any want of good humour. Anne gave her credit,indeed, for feelings of great consideration towards herself, in allthat related to Kellynch, and it pleased her: especially, as she hadsatisfied herself in the very first half minute, in the instant even ofintroduction, that there was not the smallest symptom of any knowledgeor suspicion on Mrs Croft's side, to give a bias of any sort. She wasquite easy on that head, and consequently full of strength and courage,till for a moment electrified by Mrs Croft's suddenly saying,--

  "It was you, and not your sister, I find, that my brother had thepleasure of being acquainted with, when he was in this country."

  Anne hoped she had outlived the age of blushing; but the age of emotionshe certainly had not.

  "Perhaps you may not have heard that he is married?" added Mrs Croft.

  She could now answer as she ought; and was happy to feel, when MrsCroft's next words explained it to be Mr Wentworth of whom she spoke,that she had said nothing which might not do for either brother. Sheimmediately felt how reasonable it was, that Mrs Croft should bethinking and speaking of Edward, and not of Frederick; and with shameat her own forgetfulness applied herself to the knowledge of theirformer neighbour's present state with proper interest.

  The rest was all tranquillity; till, just as they were moving, sheheard the Admiral say to Mary--

  "We are expecting a brother of Mrs Croft's here soon; I dare say youknow him by name."

  He was cut short by the eager attacks of the little boys, clinging tohim like an old friend, and declaring he should not go; and being toomuch engrossed by proposals of carrying them away in his coat pockets,&c., to have another moment for finishing or recollecting what he hadbegun, Anne was left to persuade herself, as well as she could, thatthe same brother must still be in question. She could not, however,reach such a degree of certainty, as not to be anxious to hear whetheranything had been said on the subject at the other house, where theCrofts had previously been calling.

  The folks of the Great House were to spend the evening of this day atthe Cottage; and it being now too late in the year for such visits tobe made on foot, the coach was beginning to be listened for, when theyoungest Miss Musgrove walked in. That she was coming to apologize,and that they should have to spend the evening by themselves, was thefirst black idea; and Mary was quite ready to be affronted, when Louisamade all right by saying, that she only came on foot, to leave moreroom for the harp, which was bringing in the carriage.

  "And I will tell you our reason," she added, "and all about it. I amcome on to give you notice, that papa and mamma are out of spirits thisevening, especially mamma; she is thinking so much of poor Richard!And we agreed it would be best to have the harp, for it seems to amuseher more than the piano-forte. I will tell you why she is out ofspirits. When the Crofts called this morning, (they called hereafterwards, did not they?), they happened to say, that her brother,Captain Wentworth, is just returned to England, or paid off, orsomething, and is coming to see them almost directly; and mostunluckily it came into mamma's head, when they were gone, thatWentworth, or something very like it, was the name of poor Richard'scaptain at one time; I do not know when or where, but a great whilebefore he died, poor fellow! And upon looking over his letters andthings, she found it was so, and is perfectly sure that this must bethe very man, and her head is quite full of it, and of poor Richard!So we must be as merry as we can, that she may not be dwelling uponsuch gloomy things."

  The real circumstances of this pathetic piece of family history were,that the Musgroves had had the ill fortune of a very troublesome,hopeless s
on; and the good fortune to lose him before he reached histwentieth year; that he had been sent to sea because he was stupid andunmanageable on shore; that he had been very little cared for at anytime by his family, though quite as much as he deserved; seldom heardof, and scarcely at all regretted, when the intelligence of his deathabroad had worked its way to Uppercross, two years before.

  He had, in fact, though his sisters were now doing all they could forhim, by calling him "poor Richard," been nothing better than athick-headed, unfeeling, unprofitable Dick Musgrove, who had never doneanything to entitle himself to more than the abbreviation of his name,living or dead.

  He had been several years at sea, and had, in the course of thoseremovals to which all midshipmen are liable, and especially suchmidshipmen as every captain wishes to get rid of, been six months onboard Captain Frederick Wentworth's frigate, the Laconia; and from theLaconia he had, under the influence of his captain, written the onlytwo letters which his father and mother had ever received from himduring the whole of his absence; that is to say, the only twodisinterested letters; all the rest had been mere applications formoney.

  In each letter he had spoken well of his captain; but yet, so littlewere they in the habit of attending to such matters, so unobservant andincurious were they as to the names of men or ships, that it had madescarcely any impression at the time; and that Mrs Musgrove should havebeen suddenly struck, this very day, with a recollection of the name ofWentworth, as connected with her son, seemed one of those extraordinarybursts of mind which do sometimes occur.

  She had gone to her letters, and found it all as she supposed; and there-perusal of these letters, after so long an interval, her poor songone for ever, and all the strength of his faults forgotten, hadaffected her spirits exceedingly, and thrown her into greater grief forhim than she had known on first hearing of his death. Mr Musgrove was,in a lesser degree, affected likewise; and when they reached thecottage, they were evidently in want, first, of being listened to anewon this subject, and afterwards, of all the relief which cheerfulcompanions could give them.

  To hear them talking so much of Captain Wentworth, repeating his nameso often, puzzling over past years, and at last ascertaining that itmight, that it probably would, turn out to be the very same CaptainWentworth whom they recollected meeting, once or twice, after theircoming back from Clifton--a very fine young man--but they could not saywhether it was seven or eight years ago, was a new sort of trial toAnne's nerves. She found, however, that it was one to which she mustinure herself. Since he actually was expected in the country, she mustteach herself to be insensible on such points. And not only did itappear that he was expected, and speedily, but the Musgroves, in theirwarm gratitude for the kindness he had shewn poor Dick, and very highrespect for his character, stamped as it was by poor Dick's having beensix months under his care, and mentioning him in strong, though notperfectly well-spelt praise, as "a fine dashing felow, only twoperticular about the schoolmaster," were bent on introducingthemselves, and seeking his acquaintance, as soon as they could hear ofhis arrival.

  The resolution of doing so helped to form the comfort of their evening.