CHAPTER XVII.

vegreatopportunities,andiftheyareintelligentmaybewellworthlisteningto.Suchvarietiesofhumannatureastheyareinthehabitofwitnessing!Anditisnotmerelyinitsfollies,thattheyarewellreadfortheyseeitoccasionallyundereverycircumstancethatcanbemostinterestingoraffecting.Whatinstancesmustpassbeforethemofardent,disinterested,self-denyingattachment,ofheroism,fortitude,patience,resignation:ofalltheconflictsandallthesacrificesthatennobleusmost.Asickchambermayoftenfurnishtheworthofvolumes.” “Yes,”saidMrsSmithmoredoubtingly,“sometimesitmay,thoughIfearitslessonsarenotoftenintheelevatedstyleyoudescribe.Hereandthere,humannaturemaybegreatintimesoftrialbutgenerallyspeaking,itisitsweaknessandnotitsstrengththatappearsinasickchamber:itisselfishnessandimpatienceratherthangenerosityandfortitude,thatonehearsof.Thereissolittlerealfriendshipintheworld!andunfortunately”(speakinglowandtremulously)“therearesomanywhoforgettothinkseriouslytillitisalmosttoolate.” Annesawthemiseryofsuchfeelings.Thehusbandhadnotbeenwhatheought,andthewifehadbeenledamongthatpartofmankindwhichmadeherthinkworseoftheworldthanshehopeditdeserved.ItwasbutapassingemotionhoweverwithMrsSmithsheshookitoff,andsoonaddedinadifferenttone— “IdonotsupposethesituationmyfriendMrsRookeisinatpresent,willfurnishmucheithertointerestoredifyme.SheisonlynursingMrsWallisofMarlboroughBuildingsamerepretty,silly,expensive,fashionablewoman,Ibelieveandofcoursewillhavenothingtoreportbutoflaceandfinery.ImeantomakemyprofitofMrsWallis,however.Shehasplentyofmoney,andIintendsheshallbuyallthehigh-pricedthingsIhaveinhandnow.” Annehadcalledseveraltimesonherfriend,beforetheexistenceofsuchapersonwasknowninCamdenPlace.Atlast,itbecamenecessarytospeakofher.SirWalter,ElizabethandMrsClay,returnedonemorningfromLauraPlace,withasuddeninvitationfromLadyDalrympleforthesameevening,andAnnewasalreadyengaged,tospendthateveninginWestgateBuildings.Shewasnotsorryfortheexcuse.Theywereonlyasked,shewassure,becauseLadyDalrymplebeingkeptathomebyabadcold,wasgladtomakeuseoftherelationshipwhichhadbeensopressedonherandshedeclinedonherownaccountwithgreatalacrity—“Shewasengagedtospendtheeveningwithanoldschoolfellow.”TheywerenotmuchinterestedinanythingrelativetoAnnebutstilltherewerequestionsenoughasked,tomakeitunderstoodwhatthisoldschoolfellowwasandElizabethwasdisdainful,andSirWaltersevere. “WestgateBuildings!”saidhe,“andwhoisMissAnneElliottobevisitinginWestgateBuildings?AMrsSmith.AwidowMrsSmithandwhowasherhusband?OneoffivethousandMrSmithswhosenamesaretobemetwitheverywhere.Andwhatisherattraction?Thatsheisoldandsickly.Uponmyword,MissAnneElliot,youhavethemostextraordinarytaste!Everythingthatrevoltsotherpeople,lowcompany,paltryrooms,foulair,disgustingassociationsareinvitingtoyou.Butsurelyyoumayputoffthisoldladytillto-morrow:sheisnotsonearherend,Ipresume,butthatshemayhopetoseeanotherday.Whatisherage?Forty?” “No,sir,sheisnotone-and-thirtybutIdonotthinkIcanputoffmyengagement,becauseitistheonlyeveningforsometimewhichwillatoncesuitherandmyself.Shegoesintothewarmbathto-morrow,andfortherestoftheweek,youknow,weareengaged.” “ButwhatdoesLadyRussellthinkofthisacquaintance?”askedElizabeth. “Sheseesnothingtoblameinit,”repliedAnne“onthecontrary,sheapprovesit,andhasgenerallytakenmewhenIhavecalledonMrsSmith.” “Westgat