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“Walter；” said she； “get down this moment。 You are extremely
troublesome。 I am very angry with you。”
“Walter；” cried Charles Hayter； “why do you not do as you are
bid？ Do not you hear your aunt speak？ Come to me； Walter； come
to cousin Charles。”
But not a bit did Walter stir。
In another moment； however； she found herself in the state of
being released from him； some one was taking him from her；
though he had bent down her head so much； that his little sturdy
hands were unfastened from around her neck； and he was
resolutely borne away； before she knew that Captain Wentworth
had done it。
Her sensations on the discovery made her perfectly speechless。
She could not even thank him。 She could only hang over little
Charles； with most disordered feelings。 His kindness in stepping
forward to her relief—the manner—the silence in which it had
passed—the little particulars of the circumstance—with the
conviction soon forced on her by the noise he was studiously
making with the child； that he meant to avoid hearing her thanks；
and rather sought to testify that her conversation was the last of
his wants； produced such a confusion of varying； but very painful
agitation； as she could not recover from； till enabled by the
entrance of Mary and the Miss Musgroves to make over her little
patient to their cares； and leave the room。 She could not stay。 It
might have been an opportunity of watching the loves and
jealousies of the four； they were now altogether； but she could stay
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for none of it。 It was evident that Charles Hayter was not well
inclined towards Captain Wentworth。 She had a strong impression
of his having said； in a vext tone of voice； after Captain
Wentworth’s interference； “You ought to have minded me； Walter；
I told you not to teaze your aunt；” and could comprehend his
regretting that Captain Wentworth should do what he ought to
have done himself。 But neither Charles Hayter’s feelings； nor
anybody’s feelings； could interest her； till she had a little better
arranged her own。 She was ashamed of herself； quite ashamed of
being so nervous； so overcome by such a trifle； but so it was； and it
required a long application of solitude and reflection to recover
her。
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CHAPTER X
ther opportunities of making her observations could not
fail to occur。 Anne had soon been in company with all the
O
four together often enough to have an opinion； though
too wise to acknowledge as much at home； where she knew it
would have satisfied neither husband nor wife； for while she
considered Louisa to be rather the favourite； she could not but
think； as far as she might dare to judge from memory and
experience； that Captain Wentworth was not in love with either。
They were more in love with him； yet there it was not love。 It was
a little fever of admiration； but it might； probably must； end in love
with some。 Charles Hayter seemed aware of being slighted； and
yet Henrietta had sometimes the air of being divided between
them。 Anne longed for the power of representing to them all what
they were about； and of pointing out some of the evils they were
exposing themselves to。 She did not attribute guile to any。 It was
the highest satisfaction to her to believe Captain Wentworth not in
the least aware of the pain he was occasioning。 There was no
triumph； no pitiful triumph in his manner。 He had； probably；
never heard； and never thought of any claims of Charles Hayter。
He was only wrong in accepting the attentions—（for accepting
must be the word） of two young women at once。
After a short struggle； however； Charles Hayter seemed to quit
the field。 Three days had passed without his coming once to
Uppercross； a most decided change。 He had even refused one
regular invitation to dinner； and having been found on the
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occasion by Mr。 Musgrove with some large books before him； Mr。
and Mrs。 Musgrove were sure all could not be right； and talked；
with grave faces； of his studying himself to death。 It was Mary’s
hope and belief that he had received a positive dismissal from
Henrietta； and her husband lived under the constant dependence
of seeing him to…morrow。 Anne could only feel that Charles Hayter
was wise。
One morning； about this time Charles Musgrove and Captain
Wentworth being gone a…shooting together； as the sisters in the
Cottage were sitting quietly at work； they were visited at the
window by the sisters from the Mansion…house。
It was a very fine November day； and the Miss Musgroves came
through the little grounds； and stopped for no other purpose than
to say； that they were going to take a long walk； and therefore
concluded Mary could not like to go with them； and when Mary
immediately replied； with some jealousy at not being supposed a
good walker； “Oh； yes； I should like to join you very much； I am
very fond of a long walk；” Anne felt persuaded； by the looks of the
two girls； that it was precisely what they did not wish； and
admired again the sort of necessity which the family habits
seemed to produce； of every thing being to be communicated； and
every thing being to be done together； however undesired and
inconvenient。 She tried to dissuade Mary from going； but in vain；
and that being the case； thought it bes