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her health； her nerves； her courage； her character to the end of her
life； as thoroughly as it appeared to have influenced her fate。
The conclusion of the whole was； that if the woman who had
been sensible of Captain Wentworth’s merits could be allowed to
prefer another man； there was nothing in the engagement to
excite lasting wonder； and if Captain Wentworth lost no friend by
it； certainly nothing to be regretted。 No； it was not regret which
made Anne’s heart beat in spite of herself； and brought the colour
into her cheeks when she thought of Captain Wentworth
unshackled and free。 She had some feelings which she was
ashamed to investigate。 They were too much like joy； senseless
joy！
She longed to see the Crofts； but when the meeting took place；
it was evident that no rumour of the news had yet reached them。
The visit of ceremony was paid and returned； and Louisa
Musgrove was mentioned； and Captain Benwick； too； without even
half a smile。
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The Crofts had placed themselves in lodgings in Gay…street；
perfectly to Sir Walter’s satisfaction。 He was not at all ashamed of
the acquaintance； and did； in fact； think and talk a great deal more
about the Admiral； than the Admiral ever thought or talked about
him。
The Crofts knew quite as many people in Bath as they wished
for； and considered their intercourse with the Elliots as a mere
matter of form； and not in the least likely to afford them any
pleasure。 They brought with them their country habit of being
almost always together。 He was ordered to walk to keep off the
gout； and Mrs。 Croft seemed to go shares with him in everything；
and to walk for her life to do him good。 Anne saw them wherever
she went。 Lady Russell took her out in her carriage almost every
morning； and she never failed to think of them； and never failed to
see them。 Knowing their feelings as she did； it was a most
attractive picture of happiness to her。 She always watched them as
long as she could； delighted to fancy she understood what they
might be talking of； as they walked along in happy independence；
or equally delighted to see the Admiral’s hearty shake of the hand
when he encountered an old friend； and observe their eagerness of
conversation when occasionally forming into a little knot of the
navy； Mrs。 Croft looking as intelligent and keen as any of the
officers around her。
Anne was too much engaged with Lady Russell to be often
walking herself； but it so happened that one morning； about a
week or ten days after the Croft’s arrival； it suited her best to leave
her friend； or her friend’s carriage； in the lower part of the town；
and return alone to Camden…place； and in walking up Milsom…
street she had the good fortune to meet with the Admiral。 He was
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standing by himself at a printshop window； with his hands behind
him； in earnest contemplation of some print； and she not only
might have passed him unseen； but was obliged to touch as well as
address him before she could catch his notice。 When he did
perceive and acknowledge her； however； it was done with all his
usual frankness and good humour。 “Ha！ is it you？ Thank you；
thank you。 This is treating me like a friend。 Here I am； you see；
staring at a picture。 I can never get by this shop without stopping。
But what a thing here is； by way of a boat！ Do look at it。 Did you
ever see the like？ What queer fellows your fine painters must be；
to think that anybody would venture their lives in such a shapeless
old cockleshell as that？ And yet here are two gentlemen stuck up
in it mightily at their ease； and looking about them at the rocks
and mountains； as if they were not to be upset the next moment；
which they certainly must be。 I wonder where that boat was built！”
（laughing heartily） “I would not venture over a horsepond in it。
Well；” （turning away）； “now； where are you bound？ Can I go
anywhere for you； or with you？ Can I be of any use？”
“None； I thank you； unless you will give me the pleasure of your
company the little way our road lies together。 I am going home。”
“That I will； with all my heart； and farther； too。 Yes； yes we will
have a snug walk together； and I have something to tell you as we
go along。 There； take my arm； that’s right； I do not feel
comfortable if I have not a woman there。 Lord！ what a boat it is！”
taking a last look at the picture； as they began to be in motion。
“Did you say that you had something to tell me； sir？”
“Yes； I have； presently。 But here comes a friend； Captain
Brigden； I shall only say； ‘How d’ye do？’ as we pass； however。 I
shall not stop。 ‘How d’ye do？’ Brigden stares to see anybody with
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me but my wife。 She； poor soul； is tied by the leg。 She has a blister
on one of her heels； as large as a three…shilling piece。 If you look
across the street； you will see Admiral Brand coming down and his
brother。 Shabby fellows； both of them！ I am glad they are not on
this side of the way。 Sophy cannot bear them。 They played me a
pitiful trick once—got away with some of my best men。 I will tell
you the whole story another time。 There comes old Sir Archibald
Drew and his grandson。 Look； he sees us； he kisses his hand to
you； he takes you for my wife。 Ah！ the peace has come too soon for
that younker。 Poor old Sir Archibald！ How do you like Bath； Miss
Elliot？ It suits us very well。 We are always meeting with some old
friend or other； the streets full of them every morning； sure to
have plenty of chat； and then we get away from them all； and shut
ourselves in our lodgings； and draw in our chairs； and a