Chapter 7

           Averyfewdaysmore,andCaptainWentworthwasknowntobeatKellynch,andMrMusgrovehadcalledonhim,andcomebackwarminhispraise,andhewasengagedwiththeCroftstodineatUppercross,bytheendofanotherweek.IthadbeenagreatdisappointmenttoMrMusgrovetofindthatnoearlierdaycouldbefixed,soimpatientwashetoshewhisgratitude,byseeingCaptainWentworthunderhisownroof,andwelcominghimtoallthatwasstrongestandbestinhiscellars.Butaweekmustpass;onlyaweek,inAnne’sreckoning,andthen,shesupposed,theymustmeet;andsoonshebegantowishthatshecouldfeelsecureevenforaweek.

           CaptainWentworthmadeaveryearlyreturntoMrMusgrove’scivility,andshewasallbutcallingthereinthesamehalfhour.SheandMarywereactuallysettingforwardfortheGreatHouse,where,assheafterwardslearnt,theymustinevitablyhavefoundhim,whentheywerestoppedbytheeldestboy’sbeingatthatmomentbroughthomeinconsequenceofabadfall.Thechild’ssituationputthevisitentirelyaside;butshecouldnothearofherescapewithindifference,eveninthemidstoftheseriousanxietywhichtheyafterwardsfeltonhisaccount.

           Hiscollar-bonewasfoundtobedislocated,andsuchinjuryreceivedintheback,asrousedthemostalarmingideas.