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especially the attention of all the young women； could do。 The
Miss Hayters； the females of the family of cousins already
mentioned； were apparently admitted to the honour of being in
love with him； and as for Henrietta and Louisa； they both seemed
so entirely occupied by him； that nothing but the continued
appearance of the most perfect good…will between themselves
could have made it credible that they were not decided rivals。 If he
were a little spoilt by such universal； such eager admiration； who
could wonder？
These were some of the thoughts which occupied Anne； while
her fingers were mechanically at work； proceeding for half an
hour together； equally without error； and without consciousness。
Once she felt that he was looking at herself—observing her altered
features； perhaps； trying to trace in them the ruins of the face
which had once charmed him； and once she knew that he must
have spoken of her； she was hardly aware of it； till she heard the
answer； but then she was sure of his having asked his partner
whether Miss Elliot never danced？ The answer was； “Oh； no；
never； she has quite given up dancing。 She had rather play。 She is
never tired of playing。” Once； too； he spoke to her。 She had left the
instrument on the dancing being over； and he had sat down to try
to make out an air which he wished to give the Miss Musgroves an
idea of。 Unintentionally she returned to that part of the room； he
saw her； and； instantly rising； said； with studied politeness；
“I beg your pardon； madam； this is your seat；” and though she
immediately drew back with a decided negative； he was not to be
induced to sit down again。
Anne did not wish for more of such looks and speeches。 His
cold politeness； his ceremonious grace； were worse than any thing。
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Jane Austen： Persuasion 84
CHAPTER IX
aptain Wentworth was come to Kellynch as to a home； to
stay as long as he liked； being as thoroughly the object of
C
the Admiral’s fraternal kindness as of his wife’s。 He had
intended； on first arriving； to proceed very soon into Shropshire；
and visit the brother settled in that country； but the attractions of
Uppercross induced him to put this off。 There was so much of
friendliness； and of flattery； and of everything most bewitching in
his reception there； the old were so hospitable； the young so
agreeable； that he could not but resolve to remain where he was；
and take all the charms and perfections of Edward’s wife upon
credit a little longer。
It was soon Uppercross with him almost every day。 The
Musgroves could hardly be more ready to invite than he to come；
particularly in the morning； when he had no companion at home；
for the Admiral and Mrs。 Croft were generally out of doors
together； interesting themselves in their new possessions； their
grass； and their sheep； and dawdling about in a way not endurable
to a third person； or driving out in a gig； lately added to their
establishment。
Hitherto there had been but one opinion of Captain Wentworth
among the Musgroves and their dependencies。 It was unvarying；
warm admiration everywhere； but this intimate footing was not
more than established； when a certain Charles Hayter returned
among them； to be a good deal disturbed by it； and to think
Captain Wentworth very much in the way。
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Jane Austen： Persuasion 85
Charles Hayter was the eldest of all the cousins； and a very
amiable； pleasing young man； between whom and Henrietta there
had been a considerable appearance of attachment previous to
Captain Wentworth’s introduction。 He was in orders； and having a
curacy in the neighbourhood； where residence was not required；
lived at his father’s house； only two miles from Uppercross。 A
short absence from home had left his fair one unguarded by his
attentions at this critical period； and when he came back he had
the pain of finding very altered manners； and of seeing Captain
Wentworth。
Mrs。 Musgrove and Mrs。 Hayter were sisters。 They had each
had money； but their marriages had made a material difference in
their degree of consequence。 Mr。 Hayter had some property of his
own； but it was insignificant compared with Mr。 Musgrove’s； and
while the Musgroves were in the first class of society in the
country； the young Hayters would； from their parents’ inferior；
retired； and unpolished way of living； and their own defective
education； have been hardly in any class at all； but for their
connexion with Uppercross； this eldest son of course excepted；
who had chosen to be a scholar and a gentleman； and who was
very superior in cultivation and manners to all the rest。
The two families had always been on excellent terms； there
being no pride on one side； and no envy on the other； and only
such a consciousness of superiority in the Miss Musgroves； as
made them pleased to improve their cousins。—Charles’s
attentions to Henrietta had been observed by her father and
mother without any disapprobation。 “It would not be a great
match for her； but if Henrietta liked him；”—and Henrietta did
seem to like him。
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Jane Austen： Persuasion 86
Henrietta fully thought so herself； before Captain Wentworth
came； but from that time Cousin Charles had been very much
forgotten。
Which of the two sisters was preferred by Captain Wentworth
was as yet quite doubtful； as far as