按键盘上方向键 ← 或 → 可快速上下翻页，按键盘上的 Enter 键可回到本书目录页，按键盘上方向键 ↑ 可回到本页顶部！
————未阅读完？加入书签已便下次继续阅读！
two ladies stepped forward to meet her。 Lady Dalrymple and Miss
Carteret； escorted by Mr。 Elliot and Colonel Wallis； who had
happened to arrive nearly at the same instant； advanced into the
room。 The others joined them； and it was a group in which Anne
Classics in Literature： Jane Austen ElecBook
… Page 210…
Jane Austen： Persuasion 210
found herself also necessarily included。 She was divided from
Captain Wentworth。 Their interesting； almost too interesting
conversation must be broken up for a time； but slight was the
penance compared with the happiness which brought it on！ She
had learnt； in the last ten minutes； more of his feelings towards
Louisa； more of all his feelings than she dared to think of！ and she
gave herself up to the demands of the party； to the needful
civilities of the moment； with exquisite； though agitated
sensations。 She was in good humour with all。 She had received
ideas which disposed her to be courteous and kind to all； and to
pity every one； as being less happy than herself。
The delightful emotions were a little subdued； when on
stepping back from the group； to be joined again by Captain
Wentworth； she saw that he was gone。 She was just in time to see
him turn into the Concert Room。 He was gone—he had
disappeared； she felt a moment’s regret。 But “they should meet
again。 He would look for her—he would find her out before the
evening were over—and at present； perhaps； it was as well to be
asunder。 She was in need of a little interval for recollection。”
Upon Lady Russell’s appearance soon afterwards； the whole
party was collected； and all that remained was to marshal
themselves； and proceed into the Concert Room； and be of all the
consequence in their power； draw as many eyes； excite as many
whispers； and disturb as many people as they could。
Very； very happy were both Elizabeth and Anne Elliot as they
walked in。 Elizabeth arm in arm with Miss Carteret； and looking
on the broad back of the dowager Viscountess Dalrymple before
her； had nothing to wish for which did not seem within her reach；
and Anne—but it would be an insult to the nature of Anne’s
Classics in Literature： Jane Austen ElecBook
… Page 211…
Jane Austen： Persuasion 211
felicity； to draw any comparison between it and her sister’s； the
origin of one all selfish vanity； of the other all generous
attachment。
Anne saw nothing； thought nothing of the brilliancy of the
room。 Her happiness was from within。 Her eyes were bright and
her cheeks glowed；—but she knew nothing about it。 She was
thinking only of the last half hour； and as they passed to their
seats； her mind took a hasty range over it。 His choice of subjects；
his expressions； and still more his manner and look； had been
such as she could see in only one light。 His opinion of Louisa
Musgrove’s inferiority； an opinion which he had seemed solicitous
to give； his wonder at Captain Benwick； his feelings as to a first；
strong attachment；—sentences begun which he could not finish—
his half averted eyes and more than half expressive glance；—all；
all declared that he had a heart returning to her at least； that
anger； resentment； avoidance； were no more； and that they were
succeeded； not merely by friendship and regard； but by the
tenderness of the past。 Yes； some share of the tenderness of the
past。 She could not contemplate the change as implying less。—He
must love her。
These were thoughts； with their attendant visions； which
occupied and flurried her too much to leave her any power of
observation； and she passed along the room without having a
glimpse of him； without even trying to discern him。 When their
places were determined on； and they were all properly arranged；
she looked round to see if he should happen to be in the same part
of the room； but he was not； her eye could not reach him； and the
concert being just opening； she must consent for a time to be
happy in a humbler way。
Classics in Literature： Jane Austen ElecBook
… Page 212…
Jane Austen： Persuasion 212
The party was divided and disposed of on two contiguous
benches： Anne was among those on the foremost； and Mr。 Elliot
had manoeuvred so well； with the assistance of his friend Colonel
Wallis； as to have a seat by her。 Miss Elliot； surrounded by her
cousins； and the principal object of Colonel Wallis’s gallantry； was
quite contented。
Anne’s mind was in a most favourable state for the
entertainment of the evening； it was just occupation enough： she
had feelings for the tender； spirits for the gay； attention for the
scientific； and patience for the wearisome； and had never liked a
concert better； at least during the first act。 Towards the close of it；
in the interval succeeding an Italian song； she explained the words
of the song to Mr。 Elliot。—They had a concert bill between them。
“This；” said she； “is nearly the sense； or rather the meaning of
the words； for certainly the sense of an Italian love…song must not
be talked of；—but it is as nearly the meaning as I can give； for I do
not pretend to understand the language。 I am a very poor Italian
scholar。”
“Yes； yes； I see you are。 I see you know nothing of the matter。
You have only knowledge enough of the language to translate at
sight these inverted； transposed； curtailed Italian lines； into clear；
comprehensible； elegant English。 You need not say anything more
of your ignorance。—Here is complete proof。”
“I will not oppose such kind politeness； but I should be sorry to
be examined by a real proficient。”