Chapter 18

           ItwasthebeginningofFebruary;andAnne,havingbeenamonthinBath,wasgrowingveryeagerfornewsfromUppercrossandLyme.ShewantedtohearmuchmorethanMaryhadcommunicated.Itwasthreeweekssinceshehadheardatall.SheonlyknewthatHenriettawasathomeagain;andthatLouisa,thoughconsideredtoberecoveringfast,wasstillinLyme;andshewasthinkingofthemallveryintentlyoneevening,whenathickerletterthanusualfromMarywasdeliveredtoher;and,toquickenthepleasureandsurprise,withAdmiralandMrsCroft’scompliments.

           TheCroftsmustbeinBath!Acircumstancetointeresther.Theywerepeoplewhomherheartturnedtoverynaturally.

           “Whatisthis?”criedSirWalter.“TheCroftshavearrivedinBath?TheCroftswhorentKellynch?Whathavetheybroughtyou?”

           “AletterfromUppercrossCottage,Sir.”

           “Oh!thoselettersareconvenientpassports.Theysecureanintroduction.IshouldhavevisitedAdmiralCroft,however,atanyrate.Iknowwhatisduetomytenant.”

           Annecouldlistennolonger;shecouldnotevenhavetoldhowthepoorAdmiral’scomplexionescaped;herletterengrossedher.Ithadbeenbegunseveraldaysback.

           “February1st.

           “MydearAnne—Imakenoapologyformysilence,becauseIknowhowlittlepeoplethinkoflettersinsuchaplaceasBath.YoumustbeagreatdealtoohappytocareforUppercross,which,asyouwellknow,affordslittletowriteabout.WehavehadaverydullChristmas;MrandMrsMusgrovehavenothadonedinnerpartyalltheholidays.