"I had no idea!" exclaimed Mary, "Well now, I think we had better turn back; I am excessively tired."
"No!" cried Charles.
"No, no!" cried Louisa more eagerly, as she took Henrietta to the side to privately persuade her.
"Now that we have come so near, I shall call on my aunt. Why don't you come along Mary and rest in her kitchen for a quarter hour. The rest will do you good," suggested Charles.
"Oh no, indeed! Walking up that hill again would do more harm than any sitting down could do me good," replied Mary with arms crossed. "I will not go."
"You and Henrietta should go alone. You can both run down for a few minutes to see our aunt and cousins. The rest of us will wait for your return at the top of this hill," said Louisa as she took Henrietta's hand leading her down the hill, still silently muttering words of encouragement.
Whilst the siblings started down the hill, Mary had taken her place next to Frederick. With a scorn on her face she said, "It is very unpleasant, having such connexions! But, I assure you, I have never been in that house above twice in my life."
Memories of the disdain he experienced from Sir Walter and Elizabeth came to mind. It took some effort to appear civil. With a forced smile, he turned away before succumbing to the contempt he felt. If he didn't like Charles, he would have given a scathing retort. But he respected Charles and liked the Musgroves in general, and for their sake alone, he held his tongue.
Soon after, Louisa returned to her original position beside Frederick. "Captain, why don't we try to look for nuts in the hedgerow over there? It will help the time pass better," suggested Louisa.
Frederick, being grateful for the excuse to put a little more distance between himself and Mary, smiled his assent and began walking in the direction Louisa pointed out. A parting glance showed an exhausted Anne seated next to Mary, on a nearby stile step. Their morning walk seemed to have overexerted her.
As they rounded a corner, and were hidden from sight, Frederick started "I hope all is well with your sister."
"Oh yes! I was just reminding her of duties to my aunt and cousin. The whole purpose of our walk here was so that she could pay a visit there. But when Mary refused to go, I could see Henrietta falter. And so, I msde her go. I could not bear that she should be frightened from the visit by such nonsense. I would not be turned back from doing something I was determined to do, and knew to be right, by the airs and interference of such a person, or any person! I would not be so easily persuaded. When I have made up my mind, I have made it. But Henrietta, who was entirely determined to call at Winthrop today, was nearly ready to give it up, all for nonsensical complaisance!"
Frederick was impressed. He already thought Louisa was the less timid sister, but was pleasantly surprised to learn she possessed a strong will.
"She would have turned back then, if not for you?"
"She would indeed," replied Louisa. "I am almost ashamed to say it."
"Lucky her, to have a mind like yours at hand! After the hints you gave just now, as well as my own observations from the last time I was with him, I need not pretend to have no understanding of what is going on. I see that this was more than a mere dutiful morning visit to your aunt. I fear for him, and her too, when it comes to things of importance, when they are put in situations that require fortitude and strength of mind, if she does not have the resolution to resist idle interference in such trifling matters as this. Your sister is a sweet girl, but you possess firmness and the character of decision. If you value her happiness, infuse as much of your spirit into hers as you can. But this, no doubt, you have always been doing. It is the worst evil to be too easily persuaded. An indecisive character can never be depended upon. You are never sure of a good impression being durable; anybody may sway it. Let those who would be happy be firm. Here is a nut to exemplify," said Frederick as he removed one from an upper bough to illustrate his point, "a beautiful glossy nut, which blessed with original strength, has outlived all the autumn storms. Not a puncture or weak spot anywhere. This nut, while so many of its brethren have fallen, is still in possession of all the happiness a hazelnut can be capable of."
Frederick looked earnestly at Louisa. He did not wish the same faith of the last woman who succumbed to the feableness of their mind. She was young and vibrant, with still a lot to experience and learn. But from the bottom of his heart, he wished she remained happy, and be spared the disappointments he had to face.
"My first wish for all who I care for, is that they should be firm. If Louisa Musgrove would be beautiful and happy in her November of life, she will cherish all her present powers of mind."
Louisa had no reply, and for a moment Frederick feared that he had said too much. However, Louisa spoke again. "Mary is good-natured enough in most respects, but she does sometimes provoke me excessively, by her nonsense and pride - the Elliot pride. We do so wish that Charles had married Anne instead. I suppose you know he wanted to marry Anne?"
Frederick was taken aback! He had never considered if Anne had had any suitors. Knowing she was still single, Frederick had thought it was due to no one ever asking her.
"Do you mean to say she refused?"
"Oh yes! Certainly."
"When did that happen?"
"I do not exactly know, for Henrietta and I were still at school. But I believe about a year before he married Mary. I wish she had accepted him. We should all have liked her a great deal better. But papa and mamma think it was her great friend Lady Russell's doing. They think Charles might not have been bookish enough to please her, and therefore she persuaded Anne to refuse him."
That does sound like something Lady Russell would do,thought Frederick angrily. But could Anne have refused for me?They had now rejoined their party, where Henrietta, Charles and Charles Hayter were returned from the house. It was clear for all to see that Henrietta and Charles had made their peace again and everyone was happy with each other's company. Frederick was glad. He looked at Anne and could see she still hadn't recovered her strength. She had definitely changed from the bright and beautiful girl he had proposed to 8 years ago. It seemed the disappointment from their broken engagement was not just felt by him alone. He suspected that Anne did not require much persuasion to refuse Charles Musgrove's hand in marriage soon after their own failed engagement, but did not wish to hope it was because she still loved him.
After a few minutes of standing together, they decided to head back home. When they reached the exit gate, they came face to face with Admiral Croft's gig.
"What a pleasant surprise to see you all," cried Admiral Croft.
"We have just spent the morning walking," said Louisa.
"Indeed! You must all be tired. If any of you young ladies are particularly tired, we could take one of you back home and save you a mile of further fatigue."
To this, all the ladies politely declined. But Frederick approached his sister before the Admiral drove off.
"I fear Miss Elliot has overexerted herself in the morning walk. She seems really tired, and has no walking partner to steady her. If it is no bother, I think you should take her home with you," whispered Frederick in Sophia's ear.
"Of course," agreed Sophia before formally pressing Anne to accept their offer home. Whilst Anne began to fluster, Frederick walked towards Anne and guided her towards the gig. Before she could say anything, he had hoisted her up onto the carriage. He avoided her gaze, and turned immediately to Louisa. Try as he might, he couldn't disregard Anne completely. Why though, he thought to himself, but didn't dare answer.