Anne hoped she had outlived the age of blushing; but the age of emotion she certainly had not.
“Perhaps you may not have heard that he is married?” added Mrs. Croft.
She could now answer as she ought; and was happy to feel, when Mrs. Croft’s next words explained it to be Mr. Wentworth of whom she spoke, that she had said nothing which might not do for either brother. She immediately felt how reasonable it was, that Mrs. Croft should be thinking and speaking of Edward, and not of Frederick; and with shame at her own forgetfulness applied herself to the knowledge of their former neighbour’s present state with proper interest.
The rest was all tranquillity; till, just as they were moving, she heard the Admiral say to Mary—
“We are expecting a brother of Mrs. Croft’s here soon; I dare say you know him by name.”
He was cut short by the eager attacks of the little boys, clinging to him like an old friend, and declaring he should not go; and being too much engrossed by proposals of