Persuasion

Anne discovers that an old friend from school, Mrs. Smith, is an invalid staying in Bath. Mrs. Smith helped Anne cope with the loss of her mother when they were at school together. Recently widowed, Mrs. Smith is in serious financial straits and is in poor physical health after suffering a bad bout of rheumatic fever. She is dependent on a nurse to move around and has no real income, though she completes sewing and knitting projects for wealthier women. Anne visits Mrs. Smith regularly. After Anne talks broadly about the heroics associated with sick rooms and deathbeds, drawing largely on poetic tradition with little practical experience herself, Mrs. Smith counters that “generally speaking it is [humanity’s] weakness and not its strength that appears in a sick chamber” (147).

When Elizabeth and Sir Walter learn of Anne’s visits to Mrs. Smith, and that she used Mrs. Smith as an excuse to avoid an evening with the Dalrymples, they criticize her severely. Her father exclaims: “Everything that revolts other people, low company, paltry rooms, foul air, disgusting associations are inviting to you” (148). Mrs. Clay leaves the room after this exclamation, as Sir Walter’s description of dependent women applies too closely to her.

After her family and Lady Russell visit the Dalrymples, Anne learns from Lady Russell that Mr. Elliot asked after her particularly and often. Lady Russell is convinced that Mr. Elliot will propose as soon as he has completed the obligatory mourning period for his late wife. Lady Russell suggests that marrying Mr. Elliot would allow Anne to assume her late mother’s place at Kellynch Hall once Sir Walter dies. Anne briefly entertains this notion, but ultimately dismisses it because “Mr. Elliot was rational, discreet, polished—but he was not open” (151). Anne prefers people whose manners sometime slip and aren’t always perfectly composed. Lady Russell is charmed by Mr. Elliot’s cordiality and does not consider his motivations as anything other than familial attachment.

After a month in Bath, Anne receives a letter from Mary. It has a note attached from the Crofts, who are visiting Bath for the Admiral’s gout. Mary’s letter recounts some of the particulars of life at Uppercross, then surprises Anne by revealing that Louisa and Captain Benwick are engaged, having fallen in love while Louisa was recovering from her injury. Anne does not share the news with her family, believing them indifferent, but does say the Crofts are in Bath. Elizabeth and Sir Walter worry that the Crofts’ lower status will be displeasing to Lady Dalrymple. Once Sir Walter learns that the Crofts are staying in a suitably affluent and fashionable part of town, he is fine with associating with them. Anne tries to make sense of the surprising engagement, especially considering how Louisa’s high-spirited character contrasts Benwick’s more literary, thoughtful temperament. Anne’s chief concern, however, is that Captain Wentworth is no longer associated with Louisa: “She had some feelings which she was ashamed to investigate. They were too much like joy, senseless joy!” (158).

Out walking one day, Anne meets with Admiral Croft on the street. The two discuss the news of the engagement. Anne is eager to make sure that there was no hurt involved, and that Captains Benwick and Wentworth are as friendly as ever. Admiral Croft assures her that Captain Wentworth was not at all hurt by the news and that he and Mrs. Croft plan to invite Wentworth to come stay with them in Bath soon.