persuasion(劝导)-第79章
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woman； at least。
Mrs。 Clay’s affections had overpowered her interest； and she
had sacrificed； for the young man’s sake； the possibility of
scheming longer for Sir Walter。 She has abilities； however； as well
as affections； and it is now a doubtful point whether his cunning；
or hers； may finally carry the day； whether； after preventing her
from being the wife of Sir Walter； he may not be wheedled and
caressed at last into making her the wife of Sir William。
It cannot be doubted that Sir Walter and Elizabeth were
shocked and mortified by the loss of their companion； and the
discovery of their deception in her。 They had their great cousins；
to be sure； to resort to for comfort； but they must long feel that to
flatter and follow others； without being flattered and followed in
turn； is but a state of half enjoyment。
Anne； satisfied at a very early period of Lady Russell’s meaning
to love Captain Wentworth as she ought； had no other alloy to the
happiness of her prospects than what arose from the
consciousness of having no relations to bestow on him which a
man of sense could value。 There she felt her own inferiority very
keenly。 The disproportion in their fortune was nothing； it did not
give her a moment’s regret； but to have no family to receive and
estimate him properly； nothing of respectability； of harmony； of
good will to offer in return for all the worth and all the prompt
welcome which met her in his brothers and sisters； was a source of
as lively pain as her mind could well be sensible of under
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circumstances of otherwise strong felicity。 She had but two friends
in the world to add to his list； Lady Russell and Mrs。 Smith。 To
those； however； he was very well disposed to attach himself。 Lady
Russell； in spite of all her former transgressions； he could now
value from his heart。 While he was not obliged to say that he
believed her to have been right in originally dividing them； he was
ready to say almost everything else in her favour； and as for Mrs。
Smith； she had claims of various kinds to recommend her quickly
and permanently。
Her recent good offices by Anne had been enough in
themselves； and their marriage； instead of depriving her of one
friend； secured her two。 She was their earliest visitor in their
settled life； and Captain Wentworth； by putting her in the way of
recovering her husband’s property in the West Indies； by writing
for her； acting for her； and seeing her through all the petty
difficulties of the case with the activity and exertion of a fearless
man and a determined friend； fully requited the services which
she had rendered； or ever meant to render； to his wife。
Mrs。 Smith’s enjoyments were not spoiled by this improvement
of income； with some improvement of health； and the acquisition
of such friends to be often with； for her cheerfulness and mental
alacrity did not fail her； and while these prime supplies of good
remained； she might have bid defiance even to greater accessions
of worldly prosperity。 She might have been absolutely rich and
perfectly healthy； and yet be happy。 Her spring of felicity was in
the glow of her spirits； as her friend Anne’s was in the warmth of
her heart。 Anne was tenderness itself； and she had the full worth
of it in Captain Wentworth’s affection。 His profession was all that
could ever make her friends wish that tenderness less； the dread
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of a future war all that could dim her sunshine。 She gloried in
being a sailor’s wife； but she must pay the tax of quick alarm for
belonging to that profession which is； if possible； more
distinguished in its domestic virtues than in its national
importance。
FINIS
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Appendix
———————
The Original Ending of
Persuasion
CHAPTER 10
July 8。
With all this knowledge of Mr E—& this authority to impart it；
Anne left Westgate Buildings—her mind deeply busy in revolving
what she had heard； feeling； thinking； recalling & forseeing
everything； shocked at Mr。 Elliot—sighing over future Kellynch；
and pained for Lady Russell； whose confidence in him had been
entire。—The Embarrassment which must be felt from this hour in
his presence！—How to behave to him？—how to get rid of him？—
what to do by any of the Party at home？—where to be blind？
where to be active？—It was altogether a confusion of Images &
Doubts—a perplexity； an agitation which she could not see the end
of—and she was in Gay St & still so much engrossed； that she
started on being addressed by Admiral Croft； as if he were a
person unlikely to be met there。 It was within a few steps of his
own door。—‘You are going to call upon my wife； said he； she will
be very glad to see you。’—Anne denied it。 ‘No—she really had not
time； she was in her way home’—but while she spoke； the Admiral
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had stepped back & knocked at the door； calling out； ‘Yes； yes； do
go in； she is all alone； go in & rest yourself。’—Anne felt so little
disposed at this time to be in company of any sort； that it vexed
her to be thus constrained—but she was obliged to stop。 ‘Since
you are so very kind； said she； I will just ask Mrs Croft how she
does； but I really cannot stay 5 minutes。—You are sure she is quite
alone。’—The possibility of Capt。 W。 had occurred—and most
fearfully anxious was she to be assured—either that he was within
or that he was not； which； might have been a question。—‘Oh！ yes；
quite alone—Nobody but her Mantuamaker with her； & they have
been shut up together this half hour； so it must be over soon。’—
‘Her Mantuamaker！—then I am sure my calling now； would be
most inconvenient。—Indeed you must allow me to leave my Card
& be so good as to explain it afterwards to Mrs C。’ ‘No； no； not at
all； not at all。 She will be very happy to see you。 Mind—I will not
swear that she has not something particular to say to you—but
that will all come out in the right
