Page:Jane Austen (Sarah Fanny Malden 1889).djvu/198

 to insult exertion and distrust Providence. She had been forced into prudence in her youth, she learned romance as she grew older—the natural sequel of an unnatural beginning."

A somewhat unexpected, yet—as in all Jane Austen's books—apparently natural chain of circumstances brings about a meeting between the two former lovers after eight years of separation. Sir Walter Elliot, after his wife's death, gets gradually deeper and deeper into debt. "It had not been possible for him to spend less: he had done nothing but what Sir Walter Elliot was imperiously called on to do; but, blameless as he was, he was not only growing dreadfully in debt, but was hearing of it so often that it became vain to attempt concealing it, even partially, from his daughter."

Mr. Shepherd, Sir Walter's confidential attorney, and Lady Russell are called upon to advise in the dilemma; and as neither Sir Walter nor Elizabeth will hear of any retrenchment which will affect their luxuries in any way, there is nothing for it but to let Kellynch Hall.

A tenant soon offers for it. Admiral Croft, and Anne remembers with a thrill at her heart that Mrs. Croft is Frederick Wentworth's sister. Still there is no particular likelihood of her seeing him, as Sir Walter and Elizabeth intend to go to Bath, and Anne is earnestly desirous of avoiding a meeting with her former lover. But fate is too strong for her. Her youngest sister Mary is married to Charles Musgrove, the eldest son of a man of property living at Uppercross, about three miles from Kellynch, and "Mary, often a little unwell, and always thinking a great deal of her own complaints, and always in the habit of claiming Anne when anything was the matter, was