When the accident occurred, Captain Wentworth’s attitude was very much that of the lover.  “Oh, God! that I had not given way at the fatal moment!” he cried.  “Had I but done as I ought!  But so eager and so resolute; dear, sweet Louisa!”

Anne feared there could not be a doubt as to what would follow the recovery; but she was amused to hear Charles Musgrove tell how much Captain Benwick admired herself—­“elegance, sweetness, beauty!” Oh, there was no end to Miss Elliot’s charms!

Another surprise awaited her at Bath, where she found her father and sister Elizabeth happy in the submission and society of the heir-presumptive.  He had explained away all the appearance of neglect on his own side as originating in misapprehension.  He had never had an idea of throwing himself off; he had feared that he was thrown off, and delicacy had kept him silent.  These explanations having been made, Sir Walter took him by the hand, affirming that “Mr. Elliot was better to look at than most men, and that he had no objection to being seen with him anywhere.”

The gentleman called one evening, soon after Anne’s arrival in the town; and his little start of surprise on being introduced to her showed that he was not more astonished than delighted at meeting, in the character of Sir Walter’s daughter, the young lady who had so strongly struck his fancy at Lyme.  He stopped an hour, and his tone, his expressions, his choice of subject, all showed the operation of a sensible, discerning mind.

Still, Anne could not understand what his object was in seeking this reconciliation.  Even the engagement of Louisa Musgrove to Captain Benwick, which was announced to her by Mary about a month later, seemed more susceptible of explanation—­had not the young couple been thrown together for weeks?—­than this determination of Mr. Elliot to become friends with relations from whom he could derive no possible advantage.

IV.—­Love Triumphant

Following close on the news of Louisa’s engagement came the arrival at Bath of Admiral and Mrs. Croft.  He had come for the cure of his gout; and he was soon followed by Captain Wentworth, who, for the first time since their second meeting, deliberately sought Anne out at a concert which she and her people were attending.  The most significant part of their conversation was his comment on Louisa’s engagement to Captain Benwick.  He frankly confessed he could not understand it as far as it concerned Benwick.

“A man like him, in his situation, with a heart pierced, wounded, almost broken!  Fanny Harville was a very superior person, and his attachment to her was indeed attachment.  A man does not recover from such a devotion of the heart to such a woman.  He ought not; he does not.”

But the captain was prevented from saying much more by the assiduous attention which Mr. Elliot paid to her at this concert.

“Very long,” said he, “has the name of Anne Elliot possessed a charm over my fancy; and, if I dared, I would breathe my wishes that the name might never change.”