At the beginning of February, after three weeks of silence, Anne is eager for news from Uppercross and Lyme. Mary's thicker letter arrives with the Crofts' compliments, and Sir Walter treats the note as a passport to visiting his tenant. The first pages are grievance, dull holidays and neighbours who leave without a word. Mary kept the letter open, and the addition astonishes Anne. Louisa is engaged to Captain Benwick. It was settled before she left Lyme, he has written to her father, and the family consents. Mary is pleased because, though not equal to marrying Wentworth, the match is far better in her view than the Hayters, and she declares an end to the idea that Benwick admired Anne.
Anne has never been more astonished, and she can look calm in the room only with effort. Happily, Sir Walter asks whether the Crofts travel with four horses and whether they may be presented in Laura Place, not about the engagement. He and Elizabeth decide the sailors must find their own level. Alone, Anne cannot bear treachery between Wentworth and his friend. Louisa and Benwick seem each everything that would not suit the other, until she sees that it had been in situation. They were thrown together for weeks, she was interesting while recovering, and he must love somebody. The fall from the Cobb may change Louisa's character as thoroughly as her fate. If Wentworth loses no friend, nothing need be regretted. Yet it is not regret that makes her heart beat and her colour rise when she thinks of him free. She is ashamed to investigate feelings too much like joy.
When she meets the Crofts, no rumour has reached them. In Gay Street they walk together against the Admiral's gout, and Anne watches that picture of happiness from Lady Russell's carriage. About a week later she finds him alone in Milsom Street, fixed before a print of a boat he would not trust over a horsepond. He takes her arm and, delayed by passing acquaintances, will not begin until they are ascending Belmont.
There he makes her supply Louisa's name, then says the young lady meant for Frederick is to marry James Benwick. They have it from Frederick's letter, which holds no oath and no murmur, and not the least fling at his friend. Anne looks down to hide a smile, and she does not receive the perfect conviction the Admiral means to give. He pities poor Frederick, who must begin all over again with somebody else, and asks whether they had not better get him to Bath, since the other Miss Musgrove is already promised to her cousin.
Coming Up in Chapter 19
Rain drives Anne, Elizabeth, and Mrs Clay into Molland's in Milsom Street while Mr Elliot asks Lady Dalrymple for room in her carriage. From the window Anne sees Captain Wentworth walking down the street. He comes in with friends, red and embarrassed, speaks, and turns away. Elizabeth recognises him and will not acknowledge him.
