As they made their usual morning stroll along the streets of Bath, Lady Russell observed Anne's drawn eyes, pale complexion, and pensive crease between her eyebrows with concern. Neither the pursuit of millinery, umbrellas, nor pastry could lift the melancholy cloud had that settled over Anne. Even a trip to the bookstore to peruse the latest poems and prose produced no improvement.

Lady Russell had not seen Anne in such low spirits since… well… since that last visit to Bath eight years ago. Coming on the heels of her broken engagement to Frederick, the trip was a disaster on all fronts. Despite Lady Russell's best efforts to introduce Anne to handsome young men with fortune and connexions, Anne spent the entire six weeks in utter misery. When they attended the Upper and Lower Rooms, Anne politely refused every request to dance, declaring she had given it up entirely. Every concert and theatre performance met with complete indifference.

Could the source of Anne's unhappiness now be the same as it was then? What had happened since they met yesterday morning to effect such a change?

Determined to find out more, Lady Russell asked, "Have you heard from Mary lately?"

Anne flinched at the recollection.

"Yes, I received a letter yesterday. She and Charles are well."

"I am glad to hear it. What is the news from Uppercross?"

Anne thought back to the letter's contents, trying to remember what Mary wrote about other than the forbidden subject of the engagement.

"The Crofts are in Bath; they think the Admiral gouty."

"I dare say a few trips to the hot baths should do him wonders. Any other news?"

"Louisa is recovering well. She is to return to Uppercross on Saturday se'nnight."

Lady Russell nodded and waited for further information about Louisa, but Anne simply looked ahead and continued walking as if the conversation had ended. Although further would be impolite, Lady Russell decided that in this case, necessity trumped decorum.

"And that was all the news?"

Anne averted her eyes. "Yes. Mary did not say anything else of significance."

Lady Russell pursed her lips. There had to be more, but clearly Anne would not speak of it. Changing tactics, Lady Russell decided to raise the other subject of great interest.

"I have been very glad to make Mr. Elliot's acquaintance here in Bath. What an agreeable young man! I am very glad that he has reconciled with your father."

"Yes, he is very agreeable," Anne replied neutrally, worried about what might be on Lady Russell's mind. "Though I wonder why he chooses to be acquainted now after so many years of estrangement."

"I think it perfectly natural that at a mature time of life, he should understand the importance of being on good terms with the head of his family. And I have noticed his particular attentions to you."

At this remark, Anne flushed. The idea of Mr. Elliot's unwelcome attentions agitated her greatly, though her pink cheeks might be mistaken for another emotion by a casual observer.

"He is very sensible and well-mannered, do you not think, Anne?"

"I can find no fault with his conversation or behaviour towards my family, but -"

"He would be a most suitable match, and I cannot imagine a man more exactly what he ought to be than Mr. Elliot. I own that to be able to regard you as the future mistress of Kellynch would be highly gratifying to me."

Anne shook her head. Of course Lady Russell would favour Mr. Elliot. He fit all her criteria for an eligible young man.

"In many respects I think highly of Mr. Elliot, but we should not suit."

"Why ever not, Anne?"

Anne considered giving a broad, vague response to close the subject, but her tongue would not obey.

"He is rational, discreet, polished, but he is not open. He is too agreeable. There is no burst of feeling, no warmth of indignation or delight. I could much rather depend upon the sincerity of one who sometimes says a careless or hasty thing, than one whose tongue never slips."

Anne's eyes began to fill with tears as she heard herself describing Frederick. How she loved his open-hearted character! Their union could not have divided her more from other men, than their final separation. It was only a matter of time now before he would be married. To Louisa.

Noticing Anne's distress, Lady Russell mercifully let the matter drop; she weighed Anne's words carefully and came to a decision.

"I am exceedingly sorry Anne, but I just remembered an important matter to which I need to attend. Are you well? Would you like me to convey you back to Camden Place?"

"Thank you, I am well. I would prefer to walk."

With that, Lady Russell boarded her carriage and proceeded hastily back to Rivers Street. An hour later, her carriage set off again.

~~END OF CHAPTER~~