Chapter 13

           TheremainderofAnne’stimeatUppercross,comprehendingonlytwodays,wasspententirelyattheMansionHouse;andshehadthesatisfactionofknowingherselfextremelyusefulthere,bothasanimmediatecompanion,andasassistinginallthosearrangementsforthefuture,which,inMrandMrsMusgrove’sdistressedstateofspirits,wouldhavebeendifficulties.

           TheyhadanearlyaccountfromLymethenextmorning.Louisawasmuchthesame.Nosymptomsworsethanbeforehadappeared.Charlescameafewhoursafterwards,tobringalaterandmoreparticularaccount.Hewastolerablycheerful.Aspeedycuremustnotbehoped,buteverythingwasgoingonaswellasthenatureofthecaseadmitted.InspeakingoftheHarvilles,heseemedunabletosatisfyhisownsenseoftheirkindness,especiallyofMrsHarville’sexertionsasanurse.“ShereallyleftnothingforMarytodo.HeandMaryhadbeenpersuadedtogoearlytotheirinnlastnight.Maryhadbeenhystericalagainthismorning.Whenhecameaway,shewasgoingtowalkoutwithCaptainBenwick,which,hehoped,woulddohergood.Healmostwishedshehadbeenprevailedontocomehomethedaybefore;butthetruthwas,thatMrsHarvilleleftnothingforanybodytodo.”

           CharleswastoreturntoLymethesameafternoon,andhisfatherhadatfirsthalfamindtogowithhim,buttheladiescouldnotconsent.Itwouldbegoingonlytomultiplytroubletotheothers,andincreasehisowndistress;andamuchbetterschemefollowedandwasactedupon.