His
intentions are always the kindest and the best, and you will perceive he
is actuated by none other in the application which I am now, with--with
very peculiar feelings--obliged to make.' He stopped, but merely to
recover breath, not seeming to expect any answer. Anne listened as if
her life depended on the issue of his speech. He proceeded with a forced
alacrity:--
'The Admiral, Madam, was this morning confidently informed that you
were--upon my soul, I am quite at a loss, ashamed (breathing and speaking
quickly)--the awkwardness of _giving_ information of this kind to one of
the parties--you can be at no loss to understand me. It was very
confidently said that Mr. Elliot--that everything was settled in the
family for a union between Mr. Elliot and yourself. It was added that
you were to live at Kellynch--that Kellynch was to be given up. This the
Admiral knew could not be correct. But it occurred to him that it might
be the _wish_ of the parties. And my commission from him, Madam, is to
say, that if the family wish is such, his lease of Kellynch shall be
cancelled, and he and my sister will provide themselves with another
home, without imagining themselves to be doing anything which under
similar circumstances would not be done for _them_.
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