Chapter 15

           SirWalterhadtakenaverygoodhouseinCamdenPlace,aloftydignifiedsituation,suchasbecomesamanofconsequence;andbothheandElizabethweresettledthere,muchtotheirsatisfaction.

           Anneentereditwithasinkingheart,anticipatinganimprisonmentofmanymonths,andanxiouslysayingtoherself,“Oh!whenshallIleaveyouagain?”Adegreeofunexpectedcordiality,however,inthewelcomeshereceived,didhergood.Herfatherandsisterweregladtoseeher,forthesakeofshewingherthehouseandfurniture,andmetherwithkindness.Hermakingafourth,whentheysatdowntodinner,wasnoticedasanadvantage.

           MrsClaywasverypleasant,andverysmiling,buthercourtesiesandsmilesweremoreamatterofcourse.Annehadalwaysfeltthatshewouldpretendwhatwasproperonherarrival,butthecomplaisanceoftheotherswasunlookedfor.Theywereevidentlyinexcellentspirits,andshewassoontolistentothecauses.Theyhadnoinclinationtolistentoher.Afterlayingoutforsomecomplimentsofbeingdeeplyregrettedintheiroldneighbourhood,whichAnnecouldnotpay,theyhadonlyafewfaintenquiriestomake,beforethetalkmustbealltheirown.Uppercrossexcitednointerest,Kellynchverylittle:itwasallBath.

           TheyhadthepleasureofassuringherthatBathmorethanansweredtheirexpectationsineveryrespect.