Chapter 21

           AnnerecollectedwithpleasurethenextmorningherpromiseofgoingtoMrsSmith,meaningthatitshouldengageherfromhomeatthetimewhenMrElliotwouldbemostlikelytocall;fortoavoidMrElliotwasalmostafirstobject.

           Shefeltagreatdealofgood-willtowardshim.Inspiteofthemischiefofhisattentions,sheowedhimgratitudeandregard,perhapscompassion.Shecouldnothelpthinkingmuchoftheextraordinarycircumstancesattendingtheiracquaintance,oftherightwhichheseemedtohavetointeresther,byeverythinginsituation,byhisownsentiments,byhisearlyprepossession.Itwasaltogetherveryextraordinary;flattering,butpainful.Therewasmuchtoregret.HowshemighthavefelthadtherebeennoCaptainWentworthinthecase,wasnotworthenquiry;fortherewasaCaptainWentworth;andbetheconclusionofthepresentsuspensegoodorbad,heraffectionwouldbehisforever.Theirunion,shebelieved,couldnotdividehermorefromothermen,thantheirfinalseparation.

           Prettiermusingsofhigh-wroughtloveandeternalconstancy,couldneverhavepassedalongthestreetsofBath,thanAnnewassportingwithfromCamdenPlacetoWestgateBuildings.Itwasalmostenoughtospreadpurificationandperfumealltheway.

           Shewassureofapleasantreception;andherfriendseemedthismorningparticularlyobligedtoherforcoming,seemedhardlytohaveexpectedher,thoughithadbeenanappointment.