Austen Said:

For a moment the gratification was exquisite. But, alas! there were very different thoughts to succeed.

It was misery to think of Mr Elliot's attentions.

Anne recollected with pleasure the next morning her promise 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,

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

she believed,

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.

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. Everybody of any consequence or notoriety in Bath was well know by name to Mrs Smith.

said she,

said

Anne, conscious

while she spoke

that

that

Anne half smiled and said,

A blush overspread Anne's cheeks. She could say nothing.

continued Mrs Smith, after a short pause,

Anne heard nothing of this. She was still in the astonishment and confusion excited by her friend's penetration,

unable to imagine

After another short silence --

said Mrs Smith,

repeated Anne, looking up surprised. A moment's reflection shewed her the mistake she had been under. She caught it instantaneously; and recovering her courage with the feeling of safety, soon added, more composedly,

replied Mrs Smith, gravely,

said Mrs Smith, assuming her usual air of cheerfulness,

replied Anne;

Mrs Smith gave her a penetrating glance, and then, smiling, said --

replied Anne,

Mrs Smith looked at her again, looked earnestly, smiled, shook her head, and exclaimed --

cried Mrs Smith, archly,

said Anne,

She stopped, regretting with a deep blush that she had implied so much; but less would hardly have been sufficient. Mrs Smith would hardly have believed so soon in Mr Elliot's failure, but from the perception of there being a somebody else. As it was, she instantly submitted, and with all the semblance of seeing nothing beyond; and

Anne,

eager to escape farther notice,

was impatient to know

replied Mrs Smith,

repeated Anne, laughing.

Mrs Smith said nothing.

continued Anne, presently,

was Mrs Smith's answer, given so gravely that it was impossible to pursue the subject farther; and Anne felt that she had gained nothing but an increase of curiosity. They were both silent: Mrs Smith very thoughtful. At last --

she cried, in her natural tone of cordiality,

Anne's astonished air, and exclamation of wonder, made her pause, and in a calmer manner, she added,

said Anne,

cried Mrs Smith.

said Anne,

replied Mrs Smith,

cried Anne, struck by a sudden idea,

She checked herself just in time.