๐๐๐๐ ๐ธ๐๐๐พ๐๐ (thornback) wrote in sanditon,
OPEN
Anne, as ever, was sitting out the dancing. She yearned for some occupationโshe could most often be found behind the pianoforte accompanying the dancing when she was home in Somersetโbut this was a proper ball, of course, positively lavish, with many musicians already employed (and perhaps even with an overabundance of string instruments, judging by the often confused looks of some of the proficients cast toward their neighbors).
It was not that she suffered entirely from want of a partner. Her brother-in-law had once taken pity on her already (which had ended with him abandoning her quite partnerless on the floor when Mary started to fuss), and even morose Captain Benwick had intimated, in his shy way, that he should not find complete displeasure in dancingโbut Anne had released him from what she mistakenly supposed to be charity, and had seen him somewhat reluctantly petitioning Louisa Musgrove soon after.
The young Miss Musgroves behaved as positively elemental creatures, and if not the most polished among the females dancing, they certainly attracted their share of attention from even the partnered gentlemen with such gay displays of spirits. Captain Wentworth was almost always to be found standing up with one or the other, until Anne supposed him quite winded with the exerciseโbut indeed, he was not, and such stamina in the face of so solicitous two young ladies must be commended entirely.
Anne was lost in her musings, for once not observing any one couple in particular, when a shadow eclipsed her from the revels, and she glanced up with some surprise when it became evident that she was the approached.