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Miss Larolles； the inimitable Miss Larolles；—but still she did it；
and not with much happier effect； though by what seemed
prosperity in the shape of an early abdication in her next
neighbours； she found herself at the very end of the bench before
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the concert closed。
Such was her situation； with a vacant space at hand； when
Captain Wentworth was again in sight。 She saw him not far off。 He
saw her too； yet he looked grave； and seemed irresolute； and only
by very slow degrees came at last near enough to speak to her。 She
felt that something must be the matter。 The change was
indubitable。 The difference between his present air and what it
had been in the Octagon Room was strikingly great。—Why was it？
She thought of her father—of Lady Russell。 Could there have been
any unpleasant glances？ He began by speaking of the concert
gravely； more like the Captain Wentworth of Uppercross； owned
himself disappointed； had expected singing； and in short； must
confess that he should not be sorry when it was over。 Anne
replied； and spoke in defence of the performance so well； and yet
in allowance for his feelings so pleasantly； that his countenance
improved； and he replied again with almost a smile。 They talked
for a few minutes more； the improvement held； he even looked
down towards the bench； as if he saw a place on it well worth
occupying； when at that moment a touch on her shoulder obliged
Anne to turn round。—It came from Mr。 Elliot。 He begged her
pardon； but she must be applied to； to explain Italian again。 Miss
Carteret was very anxious to have a general idea of what was next
to be sung。 Anne could not refuse； but never had she sacrificed to
politeness with a more suffering spirit。
A few minutes； though as few as possible； were inevitably
consumed； and when her own mistress again； when able to turn
and look as she had done before； she found herself accosted by
Captain Wentworth； in a reserved yet hurried sort of farewell。 “He
must wish her good night。 He was going—he should get home as
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fast as he could。”
“Is not this song worth staying for？” said Anne； suddenly struck
by an idea which made her yet more anxious to be encouraging。
“No！” he replied impressively； “there is nothing worth my
staying for；” and he was gone directly。
Jealousy of Mr。 Elliot！ It was the only intelligible motive。
Captain Wentworth jealous of her affection！ Could she have
believed it a week ago—three hours ago！ For a moment the
gratification was exquisite。 But alas！ there were very different
thoughts to succeed。 How was such jealousy to be quieted？ How
was the truth to reach him？ How； in all the peculiar disadvantages
of their respective situations； would he ever learn of her real
sentiments？ It was misery to think of Mr。 Elliot’s attentions。—
Their evil was incalculable。
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CHAPTER IX
nne recollected with pleasure the next morning her
Apromise of going to Mrs。 Smith； meaning that it should
engage her from home at the time when Mr。 Elliot would
be most likely to call； for to avoid Mr。 Elliot was almost a first
object。
She felt a great deal of good…will towards him。 In spite of the
mischief of his attentions； she owed him gratitude and regard；
perhaps compassion。 She could not help thinking much of the
extraordinary circumstances attending their acquaintance； of the
right which he seemed to have to interest her； by everything in
situation； by his own sentiments； by his early prepossession。 It was
altogether very extraordinary。—Flattering； but painful。 There was
much to regret。 How she might have felt had there been no
Captain Wentworth in the case； was not worth enquiry； for there
was a Captain Wentworth； and be the conclusion of the present
suspense good or bad； her affection would be his for ever。 Their
union； she believed； could not divide her more from other men；
than their final separation。
Prettier musings of high…wrought love and eternal constancy；
could never have passed along the streets of Bath； than Anne was
sporting with from Camden…place to Westgate…buildings。 It was
almost enough to spread purification and perfume all the way。
She was sure of a pleasant reception； and her friend seemed
this morning particularly obliged to her for coming； seemed hardly
to have expected her； though it had been an appointment。
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An account of the concert was immediately claimed； and Anne’s
recollections of the concert were quite happy enough to animate
her features and make her rejoice to talk of it。 All that she could
tell she told most gladly； but the all was little for one who had been
there； and unsatisfactory for such an enquirer as Mrs。 Smith； who
had already heard； through the short cut of a laundress and a
waiter； rather more of the general success and produce of the
evening than Anne could relate； and who now asked in vain for
several particulars of the company。 Every body of any
consequence or notoriety in Bath was well know by name to Mrs。
Smith。
“The little Durands were there； I conclude；” said she； “with
their mouths open