Making Sense of Persuasion! A Students Guide to Austen’s (Includes Study Guide, Biography, and Modern Retelling)

By Jane Austen

How can you appreciate Jane Austen when you have no idea what she’s saying?! If you’ve ever sat down with one of the original scribes of romance fiction, and find yourself scratching your head wondering what she’s saying then this bundled book is just for you!

Inside you will find a comprehensive study guide, a biography about the life and times of Austen, and a modern retelling (along with the original text) of Austen’s Persuasion.

Each section of this book may also be purchased individually.

• Language: English
• Publisher: BookCaps
• Release date: Apr 2, 2013
• ISBN: 9781301507276

Jane Austen

Born in 1775, Jane Austen published four of her six novels anonymously. Her work was not widely read until the late nineteenth century, and her fame grew from then on. Known for her wit and sharp insight into social conventions, her novels about love, relationships, and society are more popular year after year. She has earned a place in history as one of the most cherished writers of English literature.

Book preview

Chapter Summaries

Chapter One

Sir Walter Elliot, the owner of Kellynch Hall in Somersetshire,is not a man who likes to read for pleasure. However, his favourite book is the Baronetage—a book which holds records for all the most prominent families in England. His own personal record provides him with comfort during distressing times. Reading about his own history is one of his most intriguing past-times. The book is often open on the page about Sir Walter, and is one that Sir Walter had improved himself. Sir Walter is a vain man, who considers his appearance and position in society to be quite important.

We learn that he has three daughters: Elizabeth, Anne, and Mary. He and his wife, Elizabeth, also had a still-born son. Lady Elliot, Walter's wife, has already been dead for some years. She is described as a sensible and good natured woman, whose only moment of selfishness led her to become Lady Elliot. The rest of her marriage was spent assisting her husband in maintaining his respectability in society and making sure that he was as happy as he could be. Lady Elliot had a friend in Lady Russell, who moved to the village of Kellynch to be of assistance to Lady Elliot and her three daughters. Even though Lady Elliot has been dead for thirteen years, Lady Russell has remained nearby and helped to raise the three daughters.

Sir Walter remained unmarried because of his daughters. His eldest daughter, Elizabeth, had inherited all of her mother's responsibilities on her death and had essentially turned into a partner in arms for Sir Walter. Her influence on him was so strong that he remained unmarried for her sake. His other two daughters are described as inferior to Elizabeth. Mary married and became Mrs. Charles Musgrove, and had considered herself extremely important, while Anne always gives in to other people's opinions no matter what her own thoughts are as she wanted to appear sweet and gentle. Anne is still unmarried like her sister Elizabeth. Lady Russell considers Anne to be the one daughter out of the three most like the late Lady Elliot.

Sir Walter did not agree with this estimation of Anne: he found her too unlike him, and cannot admire her qualities. He placed the most importance on Elizabeth finding a suitable husband. Despite everyone else aging around him, Sir Walter thought Elizabeth was just as young now at the age of 29 as she was when she was 16. Elizabeth, on the other hand, had been doing the work of the mistress of Kellynch Hall for thirteen years, and she had started to worry about finding a suitable husband in the next two years so she might be able to look at the Baronetage book without the regret of her own birth date. She was also disappointed in Mr. Elliot, her cousin and the heir to the Elliot fortune, who had shown little interest in her despite her father's attempts to make a match between them. Mr. Elliot, a student of law, was invited to Kellynch Hall when in town, but had never visited. He was then married to a rich woman, and refused to apologize for his behaviour. Sir Walter had ended all communication between them and Mr. Elliot's insulting behaviour continued to anger Elizabeth for the last seven years.

Elizabeth is aware that her father has started to worry about money. Lady Elliot had run Kellynch so that they kept within their budget, but since her death, Sir Walter had done little about their debts. He turns to the Baronetage book to forget about the bills coming his way. After realising he could not ignore the news of his debt any longer, he took Elizabeth aside last Spring and asked her how they could reduce their debts. Elizabeth immediately set to work thinking and suggested that they could cut off unnecessary charities and not purchase new furnishings for the dining room. These cuts to their budget were insufficient, and Elizabeth had nothing else to propose. They couldn't compromise their dignified way of living, especially when they were born into a family expected to have comforts. Sir Walter could get rid of a small section of his estate, but he would not sell it and disgrace his name. If he had to sell, he would have to sell it all as he acquired it.

Mr. Shepherd, who lives in the market town nearby, and Lady Russell have been asked to Kellynch to help advise them and reduce their financial costs.

Chapter Two

Mr. Shepherd is described as a civil, cautious lawyer. He refused to be the one to be bold enough to say what had to be said, and let Lady Russell reveal exactly what he would have said anyway had he had the courage to do so. Lady Russell expressed herself delicately. She wanted to save Sir Walter's feelings, not only because she thought of rank in society as hugely important, but because she was an old friend of the family. Although Lady Russell agreed that the family would have to reduce their debts, she wanted to make sure that it was done with as little harm to the family as possible. She drew up plans, and then consulted Anne, which was unusual for most people to do. Anne influenced the plans so that they could pay off the debt much quicker without much consideration for maintaining their sense of status. Lady Russell believes that these plans will enable Sir Walter to pay off the debt within seven years and that the only people to truly consider in these plans are sensible ones. They will still think of Sir Walter as a man of principle. Their family's debt is not an unusual one, which is what usually makes suffering so difficult to deal with. Sir Walter must pay his debt to become an honest man. Anne felt it was their duty, but knew that Elizabeth and her father would be resistant. Still, she went through Lady Russell's plans and changed the items that were too hesitant into more straightforward ones.

Despite all of Anne's work, not even Lady Russell's ideas were met with positivity. Both Sir Walter and Elizabeth were reluctant to do away with all the comforts of life. Sir Walter would rather give up Kellynch Hall. Mr. Shepherd suggested that he should do just that, and after a few days of indecisiveness, Sir Walter decided to do just that. This raised the question of where exactly to go, however: they had three choices in London, Bath, or another house in the country. Anne wished for the latter, especially if they would remain in Lady Russell's company. However, as is usual, Anne was ignored and the exact opposite of what she wanted was decided on. They would go to Bath, even if Anne hated it. It was a safer place than London for someone in Sir Walter's debt, especially if he could remain important by spending less. It was also a fairly close location to Kellynch. Lady Russell even agreed with this, opposing Anne's wishes as it would be near impossible for Sir Walter to reduce his standing by moving into a smaller house. She is sure that Anne's dislike of Bath was actually born out of being in a poor mood when she visited, and not actually a reflection on the place itself. They decide to rent Kellynch Hall out, but this is to be a secret and not spoken about beyond the immediate people involved. Lady Russell is secretly delighted that the family will be moving away from the country, because she has been afraid of a friendship that Elizabeth has formed with Mr. Shepherd's daughter, Mrs Clay, who had returned to her father's home after an unsuccessful marriage bringing two children with her. She had made herself quite amiable company, and, as a result, had visited Kellynch Hall often. Lady Russell has had little to no influence on Elizabeth. She loves Elizabeth, but not because Elizabeth deserves it. Elizabeth would always take the opposite choices to the ones Lady Russell suggested and turned to Mrs. Clay for friendship rather than her sister, Anne, who deserved it. Mrs. Clay is a dangerous acquaintance for Elizabeth, and Lady Russell is glad that the two women will be separated so that Elizabeth can find more suitable friends.

Chapter Three

At Kellynch Hall, Mr. Shepherd comments that they are lucky to be in peace as all of the rich naval officers will be returning to the country and will be in need of a home. They will be looking to become a tenant. Mr. Shepherd wonders if a rich Admiral might come across Kellynch Hall. Sir Walter thinks he would be a lucky man if he managed to rent Kellynch for himself. Mr. Shepherd continues by commenting that naval men are probably the most desirable tenant to aim for. He adds that he is worried that Sir Walter cannot keep the family's business out of general knowledge, especially with so many people interested in his affairs. Sir Walter admits, rather sarcastically, that it would not be a surprise to many noble men in the navy to find themselves somewhere like Kellynch. Mrs. Clay, who had been driven to Kellynch by her father for her health, agrees with her father, Mr. Shepherd, that a sailor would be a prime candidate for a tenant. She admits she has known many sailors—they are liberal, clean and tidy. Sir Walter's pictures and his garden would be well cared for and tended to, so he wouldn't need to worry about them. Sir Walter does not know what he is going to do with the areas adjoined to the house itself just yet as he doesn't even actually want to take on a tenant. He might allow them access to the park, but not to the flower-garden or other areas.

Anne disagrees with her father. She thinks that Sailors work exceptionally hard and should be allowed all the comforts a home like Kellynch can provide them. Sir Walter thinks he would be sorry to see any of his friends to be a Sailor. He does not approve of bringing men into a higher status in their society because of their job, despite their probable poor birthright. It also makes men grow older much faster because of the stresses of their career and rises men far above the status of their own fathers and grandfathers, to places in society they themselves would never have dreamed of. Last Spring, Sir Walter met with Lord St. Ives and Admiral Baldwin. Admiral Baldwin was rugged and old looking, and Sir Walter thought he was about sixty years old. St. Ives had corrected him: Baldwin was no more than forty. Sir Walter is sorry for the amount of stress the navy puts men through, but believes they should be put to death before they reach the age Baldwin had. Mrs. Clay immediately resents this—she thinks Sir Walter should have more humility and mercy as not everyone is born good looking, and sailors do lose their youth quickly. She compares other professions to that of a sailor: soldiers face the same effect, and even people with seemingly quieter professions end up taking their toll on both the bodies and minds of most men. For instance, the doctor is up at all hours and has to travel in every kind of weather, and the clergyman has to go near infected people. Even though every single profession is honourable to her, Mrs. Clay believes that only those who do not have to work and can live according to their own hours on their own property will look the picture of health and youth.

The first tenant application to Kellynch came from Admiral Croft. He was a native of Somerset, had acquired his own fortune and wanted to settle down close to his birthplace. Unfortunately, as Mr. Shepherd had warned, it was general knowledge that Sir Walter was letting Kellynch Hall out to tenants, and so Admiral Croft introduced himself as a possible candidate. Sir Walter asked Mr. Shepherd who Admiral Croft was. Mr. Shepherd revealed he was a gentleman from Somerset, and Anne added that he was the rear admiral, had been in the Trafalgar action and had been stationed in the East Indies for several years. Sir Walter imagined his face would be as orange as it could, then. Mr. Shepherd assured him he looked healthy, despite being a little weather-beaten, and was the gentleman in every sense. He knew he had to pay for having a comfortable home, and knew what he had to pay for it. Mr. Shepherd continued on: he was a married man without children. A lady without children would mean Sir Walter's furniture would be well cared for. He had met Mrs. Croft, the Admiral's wife, and thought she had quite a mind for business. She asked questions and was a gentle woman. She is also well connected: she is the sister to a gentleman who once lived near Kellynch Lynch at Monkford. Mr. Shepherd asks Mrs. Clay what the name of the gentleman was, but she does not hear him because she is deep in conversation with Elizabeth. No one else is sure who Mr. Shepherd means, because they cannot remember a gentleman living at Monkford. Mr. Shepherd is sure that he had seen him many times, and even came to consult him about a farmer's man breaking into his orchard and stealing apples. Anne knows who Mr. Shepherd means—it is Mr. Wentworth. Mr. Shepherd is overjoyed to hear she remembers him. Sir Walter knows who Mr. Wentworth is—he was confused by the term gentleman as Mr. Wentworth was no one connected, and not a man of property. Mr. Shepherd, noticing that this reference had done little to convince Sir Walter, returned once again to the consideration of the Crofts fortune, and the happiness they would feel if they were to become Sir Walter's tenant. Sir Walter finally gave in—he thought the phrase "I have let my house to Admiral Croft would sound good, as the tenant actually has a high title without need for explanation.

Sir Walter checked with Elizabeth because he would do nothing without her approval. She gave it because she wanted to move quickly. Anne had left the room to walk outside and cool her flushed cheeks. As she walked along her favourite grove in the garden, she wonders aloud that he could be walking in the same spot in a few months.

Chapter Four

The he in question was not Mr. Wentworth himself, but his brother, Captain Frederick Wentworth. He was made a commander after the battle just outside of St. Domingo and had come to Somerset in 1806. He found his parents had died, and lived at Monkford for six months. He was an intelligent and handsome man while Anne was a pretty girl. He had nothing to do at the time, and she had nobody to love, so when they did meet, they fell deeply in love with one another. Sir Walter thought it was an unfit match and would lower his daughter's status in society. Lady Russell agreed, even if slightly more cautious in her argument. Captain Wentworth had nothing to his name, no fortune aside from that he might occasionally find by luck, and no way to raise himself up in status in the army.

Captain Wentworth himself thought he was quite lucky. He had been lucky until then, and felt he would continue to be even luckier. He would soon have a ship of his own and opportunities to work towards an even better position. Anne thought this confidence was alluring, but Lady Russell thought his fearlessness was foolish and dangerous. Anne could have dealt with her father's disapproval, but having Lady Russell's opposition, when she was the one Anne loved the most, was difficult to deal with. She was persuaded that the engagement was a mistake and broke it off. She parted with him under the pretence that she was doing him a service, but he was filled with feelings of being misused by her and so left the country. Anne had suffered for a long time after and could not take joy in her life. Seven years had passed since they last saw one another, and time had softened her attachment to him, but she had no one come into her life who could compare with Frederick. She had been approached by Charles Musgrove, a man of property and importance and probably one of the most important people in the country after Sir Walter and had refused him. Lady Russell was sorry she had, especially as the match would have meant Anne would be nearer to her. Lady Russell was worried for Anne falling for another man unsuited to her status. Lady Russell was totally unaware of Anne's opinions, but Anne thought differently at the age of twenty seven than she did at nineteen. Anne didn't blame Lady Russell, but she didn't think any other person in her situation would have had to deal with what she had to deal with. She thought she would have been happier keeping the engagement intact than she was by sacrificing it. She thought he would become a fortunate man, and he did find a job shortly after their engagement was broken off. Anne could not find any evidence supporting her impression, but she thought that he would be extraordinarily rich and still unmarried. She was also tremendously pleased that beyond the people immediately involved, no one else seemed to know about her short-lived engagement to the Captain. In this, she hoped that the Croft family and she would become friends without any awkwardness between them.

Chapter Five

The morning that Admiral and Mrs. Croft were to view Kellynch Hall, Anne decided to take her daily walk to Lady Russell's to keep out of the way. Despite this, she was sorry that she missed them. The meeting went well between the two families, and the decision for the Crofts to move into Kellynch Hall was approved. Both the ladies and the gentlemen of both families like one another and the Croft family approve of Kellynch Hall, its grounds and the furniture. Mr. Shepherd and his clerks were put to work immediately drawing up the agreement without a single alteration to the original proposal.

Sir Walter even thought that Admiral Croft was the best looking sailor he had ever seen. The Crofts would move into Kellynch at Michaelmas. Sir Walter and his family would move out in the previous month, so there was still a lot to arrange. Lady Russell did not want Anne taken away from her so quickly, and wanted to make it possible for her to stay behind until after Christmas, but she had her own plans that would take her away from Kellynch for several weeks and could not invite Anne. Anne did not think she wanted to stay behind, especially as it would cause her more grief to do so, than to just go away with the others. However, Anne's sister, Mary needed her to come and visit as she was unwell, as she often was. She would go to Mary at Uppercross Cottage until Mary did not need her anymore, and then would join the rest of the family in Bath. Elizabeth thought that no one would want Anne in Bath anyway, so it would be a good idea for her to stay behind.

Anne was glad to be of some use and to have a duty, so decided to stay. Mary's request solved Lady Russell's problem, and Anne would not go to Bath until Lady Russell took her. Everything aside from one element of this plan pleased Lady Russell. Mrs. Clay was to go with Sir Walter and Elizabeth to Bath as an assistant. The insult to Anne—that Anne was of no use to the family, but Mrs. Clay was—upset Lady Russell. Anne had become hardened to these insults, but she felt the insult as acutely as Lady Russell did. Anne thought Mrs. Clay was dangerous: she had freckles, a projecting tooth and was more than able to strike up a strong friendship with the Elliot family. Not exactly the best thing for the family's reputation. Anne wanted to warn Elizabeth about it, but Elizabeth was only offended by the nonsense of Anne's thoughts. Elizabeth reminded Anne that she knew Mrs. Clay far better than she did and had no plans to marry their father. Even if Mrs. Clay was a beautiful woman, Sir Walter would not marry her because it would degrade their reputation. Their father had even commented with pity about Mrs. Clay's unfortunate looks, but Anne thought her defects were hardly large enough to worry about considering her personality was so agreeable. Elizabeth disagreed: a personality could never make a plain person better. Anne's advice was utterly unnecessary. Anne thought that she had done some good—maybe Elizabeth would keep Anne's advice in mind regardless of her attitude to it.

While Anne walked to the Lodge, where she was to spend the first week away from Kellynch Hall, the rest of the family and Mrs. Clay drove off to Bath. Lady Russell felt the loss of the family keenly. They spent time together every day, and it was painful to her to see Kellynch's grounds so empty. It would be worse when the Croft family arrived and made the home their own. Anne and Lady Russell left together for Uppercross Cottage.

Uppercross was a medium sized village which had only two houses that were more superior than the houses belonging to farmers and labourers. There was the mansion, which had high walls and its own garden, and then the parsonage, which had its farm house altered for use as a cottage. Uppercross Cottage was quite a pretty looking residence and caught the eye of many travellers. Anne had stayed here so often that she knew the way that Uppercross Cottage ran. She was surprised, then, to find Mary by herself. She was not surprised that Mary was sick and angry, as that was normal behaviour for her. She did not share Anne's understanding, and could not deal with her solitude as well as other people. She was also extremely self centred and made every ounce of suffering much more extreme. She was inferior in appearance to both of her sisters, which didn't help matters much. Anne found Mary lying on the faded sofa in her drawing room, whose furniture had started to turn shabby after four summers and the mistreatment by two children. On seeing Anne, Mary announced she felt too sick to speak, yet finds her tongue enough to continue complaining. Mary insists that she tries to make the best of the situation she finds herself in, but she has been seriously sick the entire morning. She was also not pleased that Lady Russell would not come and visit her and thought she hadn't visited Uppercross Cottage more than three times that Summer.

Anne changes the subject and asks about Mary's husband, Charles, who was out shooting that day despite how ill Mary felt. He told her he wouldn't stay out long hunting, but had not returned yet. Mary claims that she had not seen a single person that day. Anne wonders if Mary's sons had been with her at all. Mary had them near for as long as she could stand their noise as neither Little Charles or Walter listen to a word she has to say. Anne asks about Mary's neighbours and her husband's family who live at the nearby Great House. Mary has no news of them. Mr. Musgrove spoke to Mary from his horse through the window that morning, but when she told him she was ill, he left. Mary mentions the Miss Musgroves who do not care to visit. Anne wonders if the Miss Musgroves would come and see her, but Mary doesn't think they will, which she is pleased about because they talk too much.

Mary chastises Anne for not coming to visit on Thursday. Anne reminds Mary that she wrote a cheerful letter and asked her not to hurry because Anne had too much to do before leaving Kellynch Hall. Mary doesn't see what Anne had to do. Anne had to make duplicates of the catalogue of books, and pictures at Kellynch, reminded the gardener which of Elizabeth's plants were for Lady Russell, and her own trunks to pack. She also had to visit all of the houses in the parish. Mary changes the subject and reminds Anne she never asked about her dinner at the Pooles. Anne did not ask because she assumed Mary was too sick to go. Mary was actually quite well the previous day. Mary complained about the carriage ride there—she wished she had her own so she wouldn't have to sit with the large Mr. and Mrs. Musgrove, who forced her into the back of the carriage with others. She blames her illness on the poor carriage ride. Anne kept pushing Mary into a more cheerful mood, and soon she sat up, and then suggested that they take a walk together. Mary wonders if Anne would object to visiting the Great House when the Musgroves have not visited them yet. Anne is great friends with the family, and wouldn't want to stand on ceremony with them. Mary thinks they should call on Anne first, because as Mary's sister, Anne deserves it, but suggests they can go and sit with them for a little while.

They visited the Great House for half an hour. The house itself was in a state of improvement as the two generations of the Musgrove family were either for the old or new English style. The Musgrove parents were friendly, not terribly educated or elegant, but their children were more modern. The two grown-up Musgrove daughters, Henrietta and Louisa, had come home from a school in Exeter and were now aiming to be happy and fashionable ladies. They were pretty, dressed well, and their manners were pleasant. Anne thought they were the happiest people she knew, but would not have given up her own mind for their possessions. However, she had an affection with them that she had never had with her own sisters.

The Musgroves received them in a friendly manner, and everything seemed well with the family. They even went for a walk at the end of their half hour meeting.

Chapter Six

Anne had no idea that moving just three miles away from her home would mean a change in conversation, opinions and ideas. She had little idea what it would be like for her family to realise that beyond Kellynch Hall, the matters of the Elliot family were unknown. She thought it was another good lesson for her: to know that she was nothing outside of her inner circle of family and friends. Even though the Musgroves asked her what part of Bath their family will settle down in, they replied with their own answers rather than listening for Anne's own. With this experience, Anne decided that, in the future, she would avoid deluding herself into believing others really cared for what she thought and was pleased to have a friend in Lady Russell. Knowing that she was spending two months at Uppercross, Anne resolved to immerse herself as much as possible in the goings on of the Musgrove family and their own concerns. It was a nicer environment as a whole for Anne without Elizabeth there to be unkind to her, and the Musgroves were respectful.

Charles Musgrove himself was quite a friendly man and managed to put up with Mary's moods. A better marriage to a more understanding woman might have brought elegance to his pursuits, but as it stood he was concerned with sport and hunting rather than anything else. Anne admired Charles' ability to deal with Mary's moods, and despite the regular arguments the couple seemed to have, they appeared to be a happy match. They agreed the most about wanting more money and wishing Charles' father would send them a present, but Charles always concluded that his father had other uses for the money and the right to spend it. It was, after all, his money. They had differing opinions on their children. While Mary thought that Charles spoiled the children too much, Charles thought he might have more control over them if Mary interfered a little less.

Anne's only complaint about staying at Uppercross Cottage was being a confidant to everyone. They all wanted to tell her their complaints and secrets. Charles asked Anne to help with Mary's temper, and Mary complained to Anne often that Charles wouldn't even care if Mary was dying—he would still think there was nothing wrong with her. Mary complained about Mrs. Musgrove's approach to her children, who spoiled them so much while visiting her that they were angry with their own mother when they returned to the cottage. Mrs. Musgrove in turn secretly wished that Mary was more like Anne so the children were treated fairly. They also complain about each other's servants.

While walking with one of the younger Miss Musgroves, Anne was engaged in a conversation regarding rank. They hoped that someone would hint to Mary that she would be better if she stopped trying to take Mrs. Musgrove's place in the family. Mrs. Musgrove obviously did not care anything about Mary's attempts, but Miss Musgrove felt it would be necessary for Mary to step back.

Anne did not know how she was meant to fix all of these problems. She could only listen and make excuses for other people and try to put her sister, Mary, in the best light. Overall, being away from Kellynch Hall was good for Anne's spirits and Mary complained less about her health now she had a constant friend nearby. They also enjoyed the daily visits from the larger Musgrove family, and Anne could not have done without the Miss Musgrove's singing and laughter. Anne played better than either of the younger Musgroves, but she had no voice or harp of her own, and she had no encouragement in her life from her parents. So, when Anne played she knew she was only bringing joy to herself. Since she lost her mother, Anne had never felt the sense that people were happy to listen to her. Mr. and Mrs. Musgrove obviously preferred their own daughters, and so Anne continued to feel that she was unappreciated.

Sometimes there were more visitors at the Great House as the Musgrove family were popular. The girls loved to dance, and so an impromptu ball would sometimes spring up. A family of cousins lived near to the Great House and would come to visit for their own entertainment. Anne would play country dances for them so she wouldn't have to take part in the main action of the activity which drew compliments from Mr. and Mrs. Musgrove for her playing. This is how the first three weeks came and went. Michaelmas was over, and Anne's heart longed for Kellynch. It was hard to think of her own home being used by other people. Mary even remembered that September 29th was the day the Crofts were due to move into Kellynch and felt it made her quite sad.

The Crofts were to be visited. Mary did not want to visit, but could not settle down until she had talked Charles into driving her over there. She returned from the visit seemingly agitated. Anne was glad she did not have to go. She did want to see the Crofts, however, and was pleased that they came to visit Uppercross Cottage. Mrs. Croft joined Anne while the Admiral sat with Mary and noticed her sons with good humour. Mrs. Croft is described as a square looking woman with strength in her features. It gave her the air of importance. She a nice face even though it had been weather-beaten by too much time spent on the sea with her husband. It made her seem older than thirty eight. She had a relaxed manner and a good humour.

Mrs. Croft asked about Anne's friendship with her brother and mentioned that he is now married. Anne could not answer. Mrs. Croft explained that it was Mr. Wentworth she was speaking of, but does not distinguish between Edward or Frederick. Anne assumed Mrs. Croft was referring to Edward, not Frederick. Anne overheard the Admiral tell Mary that one of Mrs. Croft's brothers would be visiting soon. Mary's boys interrupted the Admiral before he could reveal which of the brothers would be coming. Anne quietly convinced herself that it must be Edward that he was referring to, but was still made anxious by the comment.

One evening, the Musgroves of the Great House were to visit and spend time at the cottage. Louisa, the youngest of the Musgroves, walked into the house alone and on foot. Mary thought she had arrived to apologize that they couldn't spend the night with them after all, but Louisa explained she had come on foot because the coach was bringing the harp with the others. Mrs. Musgrove was in a lousy mood and the harp entertained her more than the piano. The Crofts visited that morning and told them that Captain Wentworth had returned to England. Mrs. Musgrove remembered her dead son, Richard, mentioning Captain Wentworth, and the mention of his name has reminded her of her loss. Richard had lost his life before he turned twenty. As he was a difficult man, he had not been cared for very much by his family until his death. And although he had done little to earn respect and admiration, he was still pitied by his family who felt they should regret his death and their treatment of him. He had been on Captain Wentworth's ship, the Laconia, and had written two letters to his parents from this ship. These were the only two letters the family had received from Richard aside from pleas for money. In his letters, Richard had written kindly about Captain Wentworth. Mrs. Musgrove had returned to the letters her son had written, and the rereading of them highlighted the fact that her son was dead and gone forever. Mr. Musgrove was also hugely affected.

This discussion of the Captain did little to soothe Anne's nerves. She had to pretend that she didn't care that much for the conversation to avoid suspicion. This was particularly important as the Musgroves, so moved by the Captain's care for Richard over the six months on his ship, wanted to meet with him as soon as he arrived. This decision helped to comfort the Musgroves for the rest of the evening.

Chapter Seven

In a few days, Captain Wentworth had arrived at Kellynch. Mr. Musgrove paid him a visit and came back with news of a dinner with the Crofts they would have the following week. Although he was pleased by the meeting, Mr. Musgrove was upset that they could not meet up even sooner so that the family could show their gratitude for his care for Richard. Captain Wentworth paid an earlier return visit to Mr. Musgrove at the Great House. Anne was walking with Mary towards the house in the same half hour, but was waylaid by Mary's oldest son having a bad fall. His collar bone was dislocated, and his back was injured. Anne had to send for the apothecary, find the father and keep Mary and the servants under control. She also had to deal with the youngest child and see to the oldest. When Charles returned, he could keep control of Mary. The apothecary arrived and examined the child, and he could not find any great injuries, which eased everyone's worry.

Henrietta and Louisa also came to visit Mary's son to see if he was alright. They tell everyone about Captain Wentworth's visit at the Great House. They thought he was handsome. Mr. Musgrove had invited him to stay to dinner, but Captain Wentworth could not, but promised to have dinner with them the next day. The family had fallen in love with him.

Mr. Musgrove and his daughters returned to the Uppercross Cottage to see Mary's son. Everyone wanted to attend the dinner with Captain Wentworth the following day, but they did not want to leave the little boy alone. Charles suggested he would join them in the evening, but Mary was not pleased about the prospect of being left alone with her ailing son.

The next day, the child was doing well. Mr. Robinson, the apothecary, found nothing wrong with the boy's spine, and so Charles felt he could go to the dinner. After all, the care for a child in bed was a job for a female to take on, and so there was no need for him to remain at home. He was of no use to anyone. When he returned from hunting, he announced he would go to the dinner. Charles thought nothing would happen while Mary had Anne to help her. Mary did not object in front of Charles, because she knew nothing could change his mind, but as soon as he left the room, she expressed her sadness to Anne. Mary didn't know how Charles could be so insensitive to leave them alone as something could change in their son's condition within a half hour. She also thought being a mother is more reason for her not to be left alone with her son as she was more prone to emotional outbursts. Anne explained this emotional outburst as just shock for her son's condition and nothing more. She does not share Mary's thoughts and understood that a man was not built to nurse and care for sickly children. Mary does not think she is suited for nursing children either, even though she insists that she loves her son as much as any mother does. She can't scold a sick child, and when she told her son to keep quiet earlier that morning, he would not listen to her. Anne wondered if Mary would be so comfortable so far away from her son for the evening. Mary does. Anne agrees to take care of little Charles while Mary and her husband attend the dinner. Mary is overjoyed—she compliments Anne on her ability with children. She can get the boys to do anything, and it would be better than leaving them with her servant. Mary does not think Anne minds being left alone.

Anne followed Mary upstairs, where she overheard Mary insisting that she go with Charles to the Great House while Anne stays behind and takes care of the children. Charles did not think it was fair for Anne to be left alone by herself, but Anne stepped in and defended the idea. Charles suggested that someone could come and fetch Anne once the children were asleep, but Anne would not be budged on her decision to stay behind. Anne thought she was quite happy staying behind with the children because it did not matter to her that Captain Wentworth was a half mile away.

Mary and Charles returned from dinner impressed by Captain Wentworth. They thought he was a charming man, and he had been invited to hunt with Charles the following morning. He would come to breakfast at the Great House before hand, because he did not want to attend Uppercross Cottage and get in Mary's way while she looked after her children. Anne assumed this meant Captain Wentworth was avoiding her.

The routine at Uppercross Cottage was generally later than that at the Great House, so Charles had already had breakfast and returned to the Cottage for his dogs while Mary and Anne sat down to their own breakfast. Henrietta and Louisa were arriving with Captain Wentworth so they could visit Mary and the child. Captain Wentworth had sent word that he wanted to visit the child himself, too, despite Charles insisting there was no need to. Mary was glad to have him visit their home. Anne curtseyed as Captain Wentworth and the Musgrove sisters arrived. The Captain spoke to Mary and the sisters, and in a few minutes was gone. The sisters decided to leave too and walk to the end of the village with the hunters. Anne was glad that everything was over. Although Mary talked to her, Anne could not pay attention to what she said because the meeting was still distracting her. They had finally stood in the same room again after almost eight years. She wondered what Captain Wentworth felt for her. Finally, she was interrupted in her thoughts by the Musgroves sisters return. They had revealed to Mary that Captain Wentworth thought Anna had changed so much that she was like a stranger. This hurt Anne, because Captain Wentworth had not changed at all, or at least not for the worse. In the years that had eaten away at her youth, Captain Wentworth seemed more manly to her. Soon, Anne is able to find some happiness in this knowledge because at last she knows how he feels about her. It is clear to Anne that Captain Wentworth has not forgiven her, nor should he have: she gave up her own feelings to please other people. Now she was nothing to him. Captain Wentworth had returned to shore now rich, looking to marry, and one of his suitors could be either of the Miss Musgrove sisters.

Captain Wentworth admitted to his sister, Sophia, later that he was looking to make a match to anyone between fifteen and thirty who had beauty and compliments for the Navy. Sophia knew that he only said this to get her to compliment him, and on calling him a nice man, Captain Wentworth adjusted his description of the ideal woman. He was looking for someone like Anne Elliot, who had a strong mind and a sweet nature. He would settle for someone inferior to this, of course, but he did not want to be made a fool considering how long he had thought of his future wife.

Chapter Eight

Captain Wentworth and Anne were often found in the same social circle. They dined together at Mr. Musgrove's once little Charles was well enough not to be an excuse for Anne to avoid the dinners, and there were other meetings that followed after this. Neither of them had a choice, and had to face up to their past and actually engage in polite conversation, but Captain Wentworth avoided mentioning the actual year of their engagement. While there had been a moment in their past where neither of them would have been able to stop talking to one another, now it was hard for them to talk about anything. Aside from Admiral Croft and his wife, Anne did not think there had been another happy couple like she and Captain Wentworth had been, but now they were strangers and could never be friends again.

During the meetings and dinners, Captain Wentworth was asked a great deal of questions about the Navy as it was not general knowledge. The two Miss Musgrove sisters were particularly good at providing questions: they asked about living on a ship, what he ate, what hours he kept, and so on. When Captain Wentworth teased the girls for not knowing enough about Naval life, Anne was reminded when she was quite ignorant about it, too. Mrs. Musgrove was sad that Richard was not with them anymore as Captain Wentworth reminded her of what her son could have been in the future had he survived. Anne let her continue talking until they both rejoined the main conversation. The two Miss Musgrove sisters were in the middle of trying to figure out which ships Captain Wentworth had commanded by looking through a ship log. They mention the Asp, which Captain Wentworth thought was a ship not fit to sail. The Admiral disagrees—he thought the ship had no equal. Captain Wentworth agreed—he was happy to command the ship as it gave him something to do.

The Miss Musgrove sisters then looked for the Laconia. Captain Wentworth took the volume from them to save them having to find it for themselves, and then read the details of the ship to them. He loved the Laconia and made a lot of money commanding the ship. Mrs. Musgrove thought it was lucky for them all when he was put in command of the Laconia, but Captain Wentworth did not know what she was talking about. One of the Miss Musgrove sisters whispered to Captain Wentworth that her Mother was talking about their now dead brother, Richard. Anne thought there was an expression across Captain Wentworth's face that revealed he actually did not care much for Richard at all and wanted him out of his way, but then he collected himself and sat down beside Mrs. Musgrove to talk to her about Richard in a sympathetic way.

Anne was sat on the same sofa as them, but as Mrs. Musgrove was of a larger size, she imagined she was hidden from view. The narrator tells the reader that it does not matter what size a person is and that this has no impact on emotional sorrow, but those that pretend to care so much about something they do not can be ridiculed for it.

Admiral Croft interrupts Captain Wentworth and Mrs. Musgrove to express his regret that Captain Wentworth was not in Lisbon a week later last Spring, or he could have given Lady Mary Grierson and her daughters a ride. Captain Wentworth is glad he wasn't a week later. The Admiral thinks Captain Wentworth needs to be more gentlemanly. Captain Wentworth wouldn't want ladies on his ship as it is not a place for them to be. Mrs. Croft then turned on her brother, Captain Wentworth, and assured everyone there that she had been comfortable on board a ship, and she had lived on five altogether. Captain Wentworth thought this was because she had her husband with her, and she was the only lady on the ship. Mrs. Croft reminded Captain Wentworth about the time he gave Mrs. Harville and the other ladies and children in her family safe passage from Portsmouth to Plymouth. Frederick insists this was because of his friendship to the officer's wife and nothing more. Sophia (Mrs. Croft) insisted that the women must have been comfortable on board. This is not something Frederick wants women to be—they have no right to be comfortable on a ship. Sophia expressed her hatred for Frederick's feelings—he cannot treat all ladies like gentle, fragile creatures. The Admiral assures them all that once Frederick has found a wife, he will change his mind about these things as he will want his wife with him. Captain Wentworth refuses to argue—even if he does argue, they will insist that they are right. He steps away.

Mrs. Musgrove marvels at Mrs. Croft's travelling. Mrs. Croft has crossed the Atlantic many times, gone to the East Indies, Cork, Lisbon, and Gibraltar. She assures Mrs. Musgrove that the larger ships were comfortable. The only time she had ever been frightened was when she spent an entire Winter alone while Admiral Croft was away in the North Seas. She did not know what to do with herself.

They spent the rest of the evening dancing. Anne played for the dancers, and was generally happy that she could be of some service, even though she was upset for not being involved. Captain Wentworth was the happiest, and Anne fancied that he should be considering the choice of ladies he had. At one point in the night, Anne thought he was looking at her, trying to figure out what had changed in her. And then she thought he asked his dancing partner if Anne ever danced. The partner told him Anne would rather continue playing music for them. When Anne returned to sit with the two Miss Musgrove sisters, Captain Wentworth stood and gave up his seat. She refused it, but he refused to sit back down. Anne hated his coldness.

Chapter Nine

Captain Wentworth was going to stay at Kellynch for as long as he liked, even though the original plan was for him to move on to Shropshire and visit his brother there. He was attracted by the friendship he had found at Uppercross and decided to stay. Captain Wentworth often visited when Admiral Croft and his wife were out looking at the gardens, and their new possessions and he had no one to spend time with.

Charles Hayter returned to spend time with everyone at Uppercross and thought Captain Wentworth was in the way. This was exactly the opposite thinking of the majority of people at Uppercross. Charles Hayter was the eldest cousin of the family and was quite attached to Henrietta before Captain Wentworth arrived, so returning to find Henrietta interested in the Captain was concerning for him. The Hayter and Musgrove families were always friendly with one another. The Hayter family was poorer and had no real status in society aside from their connection to the Musgrove family, but Charles Hayter had made a name for himself and become a gentleman. The Musgrove parents had never had an objection to Charles' interest in Henrietta.

Anne wasn't sure who Captain Wentworth was more interested in. Henrietta was prettier, but Louisa had a more energetic nature. While the Musgrove parents wanted to let nature and fate take its course and did not take too much interest in who their daughters might marry, Mary and Charles Musgrove were interested, and Anne had to listen to their debates over which Musgrove daughter the Captain might marry. Charles thought Louisa would be chosen, and Mary thought Henrietta would be, but either of them would be a favourable match for the Captain and the Musgrove daughters. Mary wanted Henrietta to marry Captain Wentworth so that Charles Hayter would be knocked off his pedestal. She did not want the Hayters, who she thought were inferior, to be connected so concretely to the family again. She did not want Henrietta to throw herself away. Charles disagreed—Hayter would inherit property when his Uncle died. It would be best if Henrietta married Hayter and Louisa had Wentworth.

They were to have dinner at the Great House that night, but Anne excused herself with a headache. She wanted not only to escape Captain Wentworth but to avoid being in the middle of Mary and her husband debating. Anne thought it was only right that Captain Wentworth know how he felt about the two sisters, and that it was a shame Charles Hayter was being treated so unfairly, but knew that if Henrietta had suddenly felt differently about Hayter then she couldn't be blamed.

While Henrietta and Louisa waited for Captain Wentworth to arrive, Charles Hayter tried to tell them about a bit of luck he came by. Dr. Shirley, the rector, had promised Hayter that he would have the curate.

After a dinner at the Musgroves, which Anne had not attended, Captain Wentworth stepped into the drawing room at Uppercross Cottage, finding Anne and the invalid child alone. Wentworth thought he would find the two Miss Musgrove sisters there. Anne assured him they were upstairs with Mary and would come down soon enough. Anne would have left the room, but the child asked her to do something. Charles Hayter entered, then, which made things considerably more tense. Anne asked him to sit down to wait for the others. Hayter read the newspaper and Wentworth stared out of the window.

The youngest child, Walter, entered into the room and began to tease Anne, who asked him to stop so that she could see to the invalid child. Walter ignores her. Charles Hayter steps in and attempts to get Walter to come to him, but Walter ignores him too. Captain Wentworth stepped in and took Walter away. Anne could not thank him because his actions made her speechless. She saw to the invalid child. Captain Wentworth made so much noise dealing with Walter that Anne was sure he did not want to hear her thanks anyway. Charles Hayter was not pleased with Walter for making Captain Wentworth step in and not obeying him. Anne left the room, unable to stay in the same room as the four looking for a good match from one another. Quiet solitude helped her to recover from the meeting.

Chapter Ten

Anne did have an opinion as to who Captain Wentworth seemed to prefer. She thought he preferred Louisa, but did not think he was in love with either. She used her past experience with the man to realize this. Charles Hayter continued to feel insulted, and Henrietta often seemed torn between him and Captain Wentworth. Anne wanted to step in and show each person what they were doing to one another. She did not believe Wentworth knew that Hayter had claims on Henrietta and could not know the insults he continued to make. Charles Hayter stopped trying eventually. Three days passed without him visiting Uppercross, and he refused to come to dinner. Mr. Musgrove found him studying one day, and the Musgrove parents were afraid he would study himself to death. Mary hoped Henrietta had dismissed him properly. Her husband hoped Hayter would turn up the next day. Anne admired Hayter for stepping away.

One morning, while Charles Musgrove and Captain Wentworth were off shooting together, Anne and Mary were visited by the two Miss Musgrove sisters. They had come by to announce they were off to go on a long walk. Mary invited herself along, even though Anne thought the two sisters did not seem to want her company. Anne tried to persuade Mary to not go, but could not. She accepted the invitation from the Musgrove sisters to go along, hoping to turn Mary back along the way.

While they were setting off for the walk, Charles Musgrove and Wentworth returned after a dog had spoiled their hunt. The two men decided to accompany them on their walk, and Anne wanted to stay behind, but it was too late to decide to stay back. Anne tried her best to stay with Mary and Charles Musgrove and enjoy the countryside views. It was not possible for her to keep focused on the countryside, however, while Wentworth talked with the two Miss Musgroves. He was much more engaged in conversation with Louisa than Henrietta. Wentworth mentioned that the Admiral and his wife would be driving around the countryside, and Louisa agreed that a wife should always remain by her husband's side. She would never be separated from her own, at least. Wentworth complimented her on this, and they both went quiet.

Anne thought they were near to Winthrop, but everyone ignored her when she mentioned it. Winthrop was their destination, however, and on climbing a hill they could see it extended below them. Mary was surprised they had come so far as Winthrop and wanted to turn back, but because Louisa and Charles Musgrove disagreed, they wanted to continue on. Charles wanted to call in on his Aunt. Henrietta was worried Hayter would meet them on the road. Mary refused to go down the hill, as walking back up it would tire her out, so Charles and his two sisters would just run down the hill to see their Aunt while the rest waited at the top of the hill. Louisa did not go down the hill complete and returned to pull Captain Wentworth away to try and collect some nuts to eat. Mary tried to find them, unhappy she had been left by herself with Anne but could not find them.

Captain Wentworth and Louisa, returning to the top of the hill, were talking loud enough to be overheard. Louisa explained she made Henrietta go and visit Winthrop and Charles Hayter. Wentworth compliments Louisa on her strength of character, which Henrietta does not seem to have. He pulls a nut down from a tree and compares Louisa to it—unblemished and uncrushed like its fellows. Louisa does not answer this but moves on to insult Mary's proud nature. She reveals that she wished Charles had married Anne instead. Wentworth is surprised to hear that Anne refused Charles. Louisa explains that it happened while she and Henrietta were still away at school and that it was Lady Russell who probably persuaded Anne to refuse Charles.

Anne tried to recover herself as they continued to approach. Charles and Henrietta returned with Charles Hayter. Something had happened at the house: Hayter and Henrietta were pleased to be together once more. Now Louisa was clearly Wentworth's choice and they walked side by side as often as they could. Anne was pleased to hang on Charles Musgrove's other arm as it meant she could avoid the two couples, but Charles was upset with Mary, and Mary upset with Charles. He kept dropping her arm, and when Mary started to complain, he dropped both of their arms and went off to hunt a weasel.

As they crossed a lane, Admiral Croft's carriage arrived. They were returning home. They offered a seat to any lady who might want one after their tiring walk. They all declined. The two Miss Musgroves were not tired, and Mary refused the seat after not being asked first. Captain Wentworth went to talk to his sister, Mrs. Croft, about something—she then asked Anne if she would like a seat. Anne wanted to refuse, but she could not and had to get into the carriage. Captain Wentworth helped her into it.

Anne now knew that he could still have sympathy for her. Even though he could not forgive her, he still cared for her enough to see that she was suffering through the walk. The conversation in the carriage mostly concerns Frederick (Captain Wentworth), and his pursuit of the two Miss Musgrove sisters. Admiral Croft is surprised at how long a courtship can take, and compares his own to Mrs. Croft. He asks his wife how long they knew each other before they were attached, but Mrs. Croft refuses to answer it in case Anne disproves. The Admiral wishes that Wentworth would bring home one of the Miss Musgrove sisters to Kellynch as they are both lovely girls. Mrs. Croft agrees, but Anne suspects Mrs. Croft doesn't think either of the girls are worthy of her brother. They drive on.

Chapter Eleven

Lady Russell was due back in the area soon. Anne would join her as soon as she was settled, and the prospect of being back in Kellynch Village was a happy thought. Even thought Wentworth lived at Kellynch, and so Anne would be moving further towards him, Anne thought it was like leaving him behind because of all the time he spent at Uppercross. She was nervous that Wentworth and Lady Russell might end up meeting as they did not like one another. The end of her visit to Uppercross, however, was quite unique because Wentworth had not visited for two days. He turned up to