Доводы рассудка

           Onitsbeingproposed,Anneofferedherservices,asusual;andthoughhereyeswouldsometimesfillwithtearsasshesatattheinstrument,shewasextremelygladtobeemployed,anddesirednothinginreturnbuttobeunobserved.

           Itwasamerry,joyousparty,andnooneseemedinhigherspiritsthanCaptainWentworth.Shefeltthathehadeverythingtoelevatehimwhichgeneralattentionanddeference,andespeciallytheattentionofalltheyoungwomen,coulddo.TheMissHayters,thefemalesofthefamilyofcousinsalreadymentioned,wereapparentlyadmittedtothehonourofbeinginlovewithhim;andasforHenriettaandLouisa,theybothseemedsoentirelyoccupiedbyhim,thatnothingbutthecontinuedappearanceofthemostperfectgood-willbetweenthemselvescouldhavemadeitcrediblethattheywerenotdecidedrivals.Ifhewerealittlespoiltbysuchuniversal,sucheageradmiration,whocouldwonder?

           TheseweresomeofthethoughtswhichoccupiedAnne,whileherfingersweremechanicallyatwork,proceedingforhalfanhourtogether,equallywithouterror,andwithoutconsciousness.Onceshefeltthathewaslookingatherself,observingheralteredfeatures,perhaps,tryingtotraceinthemtheruinsofthefacewhichhadoncecharmedhim;andoncesheknewthathemusthavespokenofher;shewashardlyawareofit,tillsheheardtheanswer;butthenshewassureofhishavingaskedhispartnerwhetherMissElliotneverdanced?Theanswerwas,“Oh,no;never;shehasquitegivenupdancing.Shehadratherplay.Sheisnevertiredofplaying