persuasion(劝导)-第9章
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ship； and soon be on a station that would lead to everything he
wanted。 He had always been lucky； he knew he should be so
still。—Such confidence； powerful in its own warmth； and
bewitching in the wit which often expressed it； must have been
enough for Anne； but Lady Russell saw it very differently。—His
sanguine temper； and fearlessness of mind； operated very
differently on her。 She saw in it but an aggravation of the evil。 It
only added a dangerous character to himself。 He was brilliant； he
was headstrong。—Lady Russell had little taste for wit； and of any
thing approaching to imprudence a horror。 She deprecated the
connexion in every light。
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Such opposition； as these feelings produced； was more than
Anne could combat。 Young and gentle as she was； it might yet
have been possible to withstand her father’s ill…will； though
unsoftened by one kind word or look on the part of her sister；—
but Lady Russell； whom she had always loved and relied on； could
not； with such steadiness of opinion； and such tenderness of
manner； be continually advising her in vain。 She was persuaded to
believe the engagement a wrong thing—indiscreet； improper；
hardly capable of success； and not deserving it。 But it was not a
merely selfish caution； under which she acted； in putting an end to
it。 Had she not imagined herself consulting his good； even more
than her own； she could hardly have given him up。—The belief of
being prudent； and self…denying； principally for his advantage； was
her chief consolation； under the misery of a parting—a final
parting； and every consolation was required； for she had to
encounter all the additional pain of opinions； on his side； totally
unconvinced and unbending； and of his feeling himself ill used by
so forced a relinquishment。—He had left the country in
consequence。
A few months had seen the beginning and the end of their
acquaintance； but not with a few months ended Anne’s share of
suffering from it。 Her attachment and regrets had； for a long time；
clouded every enjoyment of youth； and an early loss of bloom and
spirits had been their lasting effect。
More than seven years were gone since this little history of
sorrowful interest had reached its close； and time had softened
down much； perhaps nearly all of peculiar attachment to him；—
but she had been too dependent on time alone； no aid had been
given in change of place （except in one visit to Bath soon after the
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Jane Austen： Persuasion 34
rupture；） or in any novelty or enlargement of society。—No one had
ever come within the Kellynch circle； who could bear a
comparison with Frederick Wentworth； as he stood in her
memory。 No second attachment； the only thoroughly natural；
happy； and sufficient cure； at her time of life； had been possible to
the nice tone of her mind； the fastidiousness of her taste； in the
small limits of the society around them。 She had been solicited；
when about two…and…twenty； to change her name； by the young
man； who not long afterwards found a more willing mind in her
younger sister； and Lady Russell had lamented her refusal； for
Charles Musgrove was the eldest son of a man； whose landed
property and general importance； were second； in that country；
only to Sir Walter’s； and of good character and appearance； and
however Lady Russell might have asked yet for something more；
while Anne was nineteen； she would have rejoiced to see her at
twenty…two so respectably removed from the partialities and
injustice of her father’s house； and settled so permanently near
herself。 But in this case； Anne had left nothing for advice to do；
and though Lady Russell； as satisfied as ever with her own
discretion； never wished the past undone； she began now to have
the anxiety which borders on hopelessness for Anne’s being
tempted； by some man of talents and independence； to enter a
state for which she held her to be peculiarly fitted by her warm
affections and domestic habits。
They knew not each other’s opinion； either its constancy or its
change； on the one leading point of Anne’s conduct； for the subject
was never alluded to；—but Anne； at seven…and…twenty； thought
very differently from what she had been made to think at
nineteen。—She did not blame Lady Russell； she did not blame
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herself for having been guided by her； but she felt that were any
young person； in similar circumstances； to apply to her for
counsel； they would never receive any of such certain immediate
wretchedness； such uncertain future good。—She was persuaded
that under every disadvantage of disapprobation at home； and
every anxiety attending his profession； all their probable fears；
delays； and disappointments； she should yet have been a happier
woman in maintaining the engagement； than she had been in the
sacrifice of it； and this； she fully believed； had the usual share； had
even more than the usual share of all such solicitudes and
suspense been theirs； without reference to the actual results of
their case； which； as it happened； would have bestowed earlier
prosperity than could be reasonably calculated on。 All his
sanguine expectations； all his confidence had been justified。 His
genius and ardour had seemed to foresee and to command his
prosperous path。 He had； very soon after their engagement
ceased； got employ； and all that he had told her would follow； had
taken place。 He had distinguished himself； and early gained the
other step in rank； and must now； by successive captures； have
made a handsome fortune。 She had only navy lists and
newspapers for her authority； but she could not doubt his being
rich；—and； in favour of his constancy； she had no reason to believe
him married。
How eloquent could Anne Elliot have been；—how eloquent； at
least； were her wishes on the side of early warm attachment； and a
cheerful confidence in futurity； against that over…anxious cautio
