greater degree of discouragement indeed would not have affected Sir Edward. He was armed against the highest pitch of Disdain or Aversion. If she could not be won by affection, he must carry her off. He knew his Business. Already had he had many Musings on the Subject. If he were constrained so to act he must naturally wish to strike out something new, to exceed those who had gone before him, and he felt a strong curiosity to ascertain whether the Neighbourhood of Timbuctoo might not afford some solitary House adapted for Clara's reception; but the Expense, alas! of Measures in that masterly style was ill-suited to his Purse, and Prudence obliged him to prefer the quietest sort of ruin and disgrace for the object of his Affections, to the more renowned.
CHAPTER IX
One day, soon after Charlotte’s arrival at Sanditon, she had the pleasure of seeing, just as she ascended from the Sands to the Ten-ace, a Gentleman’s Carriage with Post Horses standing at the door of the Hotel, as very lately arrived, and by the quantity of Luggage taking off; bringing, it might be hoped, some respectable family determined on a long residence. Delighted to have such good news for Mr. and Mrs. Parker, who had both gone home some time before, she proceeded for Trafalgar House with as much alacrity as could remain, after having been contending for the last 2 hours with a very fine wind blowing directly on shore; but she had not reached the little Lawn, when she saw a Lady walking nimbly behind her at no great distance; and convinced that it could be no acquaintance of her own, she resolved to hurry on and get into the House if possible before her. But the Stranger's pace
