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Northanger Abbey: and Persuasion
- Jane Austen
- Edited by Janet Todd, University of Aberdeen, Antje Blank, University of Aberdeen
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- Persuasion
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- 18 December 2020
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- 27 July 2006, pp lxxxvii-lxxxviii
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Persuasion
- Jane Austen
- Edited by Janet Todd, Antje Blank
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- 18 December 2020
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- 27 July 2006
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The accident of death makes Persuasion Jane Austen's final novel. It deserves its position by its innovative treatment of passion and rhetorical style and its development of those themes of memory and time, public and private history, inner and outer lives, language and literature, emotion and restraint that have marked all Austen's work. Where the other works move towards a new symbolic and physical home for the heroine, Persuasion begins with her ejection and ends with her understanding that home is not a place at all but an ambiance and an acceptance of change. This volume, first published in 2006, provides comprehensive explanatory notes, an extensive critical introduction covering the context and publication history of the work, a chronology of Austen's life and an authoritative textual apparatus. This edition is an indispensable resource for all scholars and readers of Austen.
Explanatory Notes
- Jane Austen
- Edited by Janet Todd, University of Aberdeen, Antje Blank, University of Aberdeen
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- Persuasion
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- 18 December 2020
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- 27 July 2006, pp 334-392
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Appendix 2 - ‘Biographical Notice of the Author’ by Henry Austen
- Jane Austen
- Edited by Janet Todd, University of Aberdeen, Antje Blank, University of Aberdeen
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- Persuasion
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- 27 July 2006, pp 326-332
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Dated 13 December 1817, with a postscript of 20 December 1817, the ‘Biographical Notice of the Author’ was published at the beginning of the posthumous edition of Northanger Abbey: and Persuasion issued by John Murray in late 1817, with 1818 on the title page. Revised, enlarged and renamed ‘Memoir of Miss Austen’, dated ‘October 5. 1832’, it appeared in the 1833 ‘Standard Novels’ series by Richard Bentley as number 23 with Sense and Sensibility. It continued to be reprinted with Sense and Sensibility until superseded by the fuller A Memoir of Jane Austen by James Edward Austen-Leigh, the son of Jane's eldest brother James, commissioned to coincide with Bentley's new edition of Austen's novels published in December 1869 (title page 1870).
For a description of the changes between the 1818 ‘Biographical Notice’ and the 1833 ‘Memoir’ see the Introduction, pp. lix–lx. Jane Austen is simply called ‘the Author’ on the title page of the ‘Biographical Notice’; however its first sentence begins ‘Jane Austen’. Henry Austen's text is the only authority for the letter ‘written a few weeks before her death’. The ‘letter to my dearest E’ is to James Edward Austen (later Austen-Leigh), 16–17 December 1816 in Letters pp. 322–4.
HENRY AUSTEN, ‘BIOGRAPHICAL NOTICE OF THE AUTHOR’ (1818)
The following pages are the production of a pen which has already contributed in no small degree to the entertainment of the public. And when the public, which has not been insensible to the merits of ‘Sense and Sensibility,’ ‘Pride and Prejudice,’ ‘Mansfield Park,’ and ‘Emma,’ shall be informed that the hand which guided that pen is now mouldering in the grave, perhaps a brief account of Jane Austen will be read with a kindlier sentiment than simple curiosity.
Short and easy will be the task of the mere biographer. A life of usefulness, literature, and religion, was not by any means a life of event. To those who lament their irreparable loss, it is consolatory to think that, as she never deserved disapprobation, so, in the circle of her family and friends, she never met reproof; that her wishes were not only reasonable, but gratified; and that to the little disappointments incidental to human life was never added, even for a moment, an abatement of good-will from any who knew her.
Frontmatter
- Jane Austen
- Edited by Janet Todd, University of Aberdeen, Antje Blank, University of Aberdeen
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Chapter 8
- Jane Austen
- Edited by Janet Todd, University of Aberdeen, Antje Blank, University of Aberdeen
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- Persuasion
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- 27 July 2006, pp 197-207
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SIR WALTER, his two daughters, and Mrs. Clay, were the earliest of all their party, at the rooms in the evening; and as Lady Dalrymple must be waited for, they took their station by one of the fires in the octagon room. But hardly were they so settled, when the door opened again, and Captain Wentworth walked in alone. Anne was the nearest to him, and making yet a little advance, she instantly spoke. He was preparing only to bow and pass on, but her gentle “How do you do?” brought him out of the straight line to stand near her, and make enquiries in return, in spite of the formidable father and sister in the back ground. Their being in the back ground was a support to Anne; she knew nothing of their looks, and felt equal to every thing which she believed right to be done.
While they were speaking, a whispering between her father and Elizabeth caught her ear. She could not distinguish, but she must guess the subject; and on Captain Wentworth's making a distant bow, she comprehended that her father had judged so well as to give him that simple acknowledgment of acquaintance, and she was just in time by a side glance to see a slight curtsey from Elizabeth herself. This, though late and reluctant and ungracious, was yet better than nothing, and her spirits improved.
After talking however of the weather and Bath and the concert, their conversation began to flag, and so little was said at last, that she was expecting him to go every moment; but he did not; he seemed in no hurry to leave her; and presently with renewed spirit, with a little smile, a little glow, he said,
“I have hardly seen you since our day at Lyme. I am afraid you must have suffered from the shock, and the more from its not overpowering you at the time.”
She assured him that she had not.
“It was a frightful hour,” said he, “a frightful day!” and he passed his hand across his eyes, as if the remembrance were still too painful; but in a moment half smiling again, added, “The day has produced some effects however—has had some consequences which must be considered as the very reverse of frightful.
Chapter 6
- Jane Austen
- Edited by Janet Todd, University of Aberdeen, Antje Blank, University of Aberdeen
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- Persuasion
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- 27 July 2006, pp 45-56
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ANNE had not wanted this visit to Uppercross, to learn that a removal from one set of people to another, though at a distance of only three miles, will often include a total change of conversation, opinion, and idea. She had never been staying there before, without being struck by it, or without wishing that other Elliots could have her advantage in seeing how unknown, or unconsidered there, were the affairs which at Kellynch-hall were treated as of such general publicity and pervading interest; yet, with all this experience, she believed she must now submit to feel that another lesson, in the art of knowing our own nothingness beyond our own circle, was become necessary for her;—for certainly, coming as she did, with a heart full of the subject which had been completely occupying both houses in Kellynch for many weeks, she had expected rather more curiosity and sympathy than she found in the separate, but very similar remark of Mr. and Mrs. Musgrove—“So, Miss Anne, Sir Walter and your sister are gone; and what part of Bath do you think they will settle in?” and this, without much waiting for an answer;—or in the young ladies addition of, “I hope we shall be in Bath in the winter; but remember, papa, if we do go, we must be in a good situation—none of your Queen-squares for us!” or in the anxious supplement from Mary, of “Upon my word, I shall be pretty well off, when you are all gone away to be happy at Bath!”
She could only resolve to avoid such self-delusion in future, and think with heightened gratitude of the extraordinary blessing of having one such truly sympathising friend as Lady Russell.
The Mr. Musgroves had their own game to guard, and to destroy; their own horses, dogs, and newspapers to engage them; and the females were fully occupied in all the other common subjects of house-keeping, neighbours, dress, dancing, and music. She acknowledged it to be very fitting, that every little social commonwealth should dictate its own matters of discourse; and hoped, ere long, to become a not unworthy member of the one she was now transplanted into.
Chapter 7
- Jane Austen
- Edited by Janet Todd, University of Aberdeen, Antje Blank, University of Aberdeen
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A VERY few days more, and Captain Wentworth was known to be at Kellynch, and Mr. Musgrove had called on him, and come back warm in his praise, and he was engaged with the Crofts to dine at Uppercross, by the end of another week. It had been a great disappointment to Mr. Musgrove, to find that no earlier day could be fixed, so impatient was he to shew his gratitude, by seeing Captain Wentworth under his own roof, and welcoming him to all that was strongest and best in his cellars. But a week must pass; only a week, in Anne’s reckoning, and then, she supposed, they must meet; and soon she began to wish that she could feel secure even for a week.
Captain Wentworth made a very early return to Mr. Musgrove’s civility, and she was all but calling there in the same half hour!—She and Mary were actually setting forward for the great house, where, as she afterwards learnt, they must inevitably have found him, when they were stopped by the eldest boy's being at that moment brought home in consequence of a bad fall. The child's situation put the visit entirely aside, but she could not hear of her escape with indifference, even in the midst of the serious anxiety which they afterwards felt on his account.
His collar-bone was found to be dislocated, and such injury received in the back, as roused the most alarming ideas. It was an afternoon of distress, and Anne had every thing to do at once—the apothecary to send for—the father to have pursued and informed—the mother to support and keep from hysterics—the servants to control—the youngest child to banish, and the poor suffering one to attend and soothe;— besides sending, as soon as she recollected it, proper notice to the other house, which brought her an accession rather of frightened, enquiring companions, than of very useful assistants.
Her brother's return was the first comfort; he could take best care of his wife, and the second blessing was the arrival of the apothecary. Till he came and had examined the child, their apprehensions were the worse for being vague;—they suspected great injury, but knew not where; but now the collar-bone was soon replaced;
Chapter 5
- Jane Austen
- Edited by Janet Todd, University of Aberdeen, Antje Blank, University of Aberdeen
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ON the morning appointed for Admiral and Mrs. Croft’s seeing Kellynch-hall, Anne found it most natural to take her almost daily walk to Lady Russell’s, and keep out of the way till all was over; when she found it most natural to be sorry that she had missed the opportunity of seeing them.
This meeting of the two parties proved highly satisfactory, and decided the whole business at once. Each lady was previously well disposed for an agreement, and saw nothing, therefore, but good manners in the other; and, with regard to the gentlemen, there was such an hearty good humour, such an open, trusting liberality on the Admiral's side, as could not but influence Sir Walter, who had besides been flattered into his very best and most polished behaviour by Mr. Shepherd’s assurances of his being known, by report, to the Admiral, as a model of good breeding.
The house and grounds, and furniture, were approved, the Crofts were approved, terms, time, every thing, and every body, was right; and Mr. Shepherd's clerks were set to work, without there having been a single preliminary difference to modify of all that “This indenture sheweth.”
Sir Walter, without hesitation, declared the Admiral to be the best-looking sailor he had ever met with, and went so far as to say, that, if his own man might have had the arranging of his hair, he should not be ashamed of being seen with him any where; and the Admiral, with sympathetic cordiality, observed to his wife as they drove back through the Park, “I thought we should soon come to a deal, my dear, in spite of what they told us at Taunton. The baronet will never set the Thames on fire, but there seems no harm in him:”— reciprocal compliments, which would have been esteemed about equal.
The Crofts were to have possession at Michaelmas, and as Sir Walter proposed removing to Bath in the course of the preceding month, there was no time to be lost in making every dependant arrangement.
Lady Russell, convinced that Anne would not be allowed to be of any use, or any importance, in the choice of the house which they were going to secure, was very unwilling to have her hurried away so soon, and wanted to make it possible for her to stay behind, till she might convey her to Bath herself after Christmas;
Chapter 12
- Jane Austen
- Edited by Janet Todd, University of Aberdeen, Antje Blank, University of Aberdeen
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- Persuasion
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- 27 July 2006, pp 110-128
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ANNE and Henrietta, finding themselves the earliest of the party the next morning, agreed to stroll down to the sea before breakfast.—They went to the sands, to watch the flowing of the tide, which a fine south-easterly breeze was bringing in with all the grandeur which so flat a shore admitted. They praised the morning; gloried in the sea; sympathized in the delight of the fresh-feeling breeze—and were silent; till Henrietta suddenly began again, with,
“Oh! yes,—I am quite convinced that, with very few exceptions, the sea-air always does good. There can be no doubt of its having been of the greatest service to Dr. Shirley, after his illness, last spring twelvemonth. He declares himself, that coming to Lyme for a month, did him more good than all the medicine he took; and, that being by the sea, always makes him feel young again. Now, I cannot help thinking it a pity that he does not live entirely by the sea. I do think he had better leave Uppercross entirely, and fix at Lyme.—Do not you, Anne?—Do not you agree with me, that it is the best thing he could do, both for himself and Mrs. Shirley?— She has cousins here, you know, and many acquaintance, which would make it cheerful for her,—and I am sure she would be glad to get to a place where she could have medical attendance at hand, in case of his having another seizure. Indeed I think it quite melancholy to have such excellent people as Dr. and Mrs. Shirley, who have been doing good all their lives, wearing out their last days in a place like Uppercross, where, excepting our family, they seem shut out from all the world. I wish his friends would propose it to him. I really think they ought. And, as to procuring a dispensation, there could be no difficulty at his time of life, and with his character. My only doubt is, whether any thing could persuade him to leave his parish. He is so very strict and scrupulous in his notions; over-scrupulous, I must say.
Persuasion: Volume I
- Jane Austen
- Edited by Janet Todd, University of Aberdeen, Antje Blank, University of Aberdeen
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- Persuasion
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- 27 July 2006, pp 1-2
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Appendix 1 - The cancelled chapters of Persuasion
- Jane Austen
- Edited by Janet Todd, University of Aberdeen, Antje Blank, University of Aberdeen
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- Persuasion
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- 27 July 2006, pp 278-325
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The manuscript chapters of Persuasion (Egerton MS. 3038) exist in a single gathering of 16 leaves (32 pages) and a pasted-in slip of paper (p. 313). The pages are 6 inches in height by 35/8 inches in width (ca. 15 × 9 cm) and are unnumbered. The watermark on the paper is 1812. The manuscript material is divided into two chapters: 10 and 11.
An early transcription was made of the original chapters 10 and 11; it is now in the Hampshire Record Office, Winchester (23M93/64/4/2). The manuscript chapter 10 was first published as a tidied-up transcription in 1871 as part of the second edition of James Edward Austen-Leigh's A Memoir of Jane Austen; in this volume Austen-Leigh made the erroneous claim that for her final version of the novel Jane Austen had condemned all of the original chapter 10 and written ‘two others, entirely different, in its stead’ (p. 157). In 1923 in his volume of Northanger Abbey and Persuasion (volume 5 in the Clarendon Press edition of the novels), R. W. Chapman reproduced Austen-Leigh's transcription of the cancelled chapter 10. When the manuscript was deposited in the British Museum in 1925, R. W. Chapman produced a transcription of chapters 10 and 11. This was published in a volume entitled Two Chapters of Persuasion (Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1926). The transcription was accompanied by a facsimile of the original manuscript. He did not on this occasion include the published text of Persuasion.
The two manuscript chapters are superseded in the published work by chapters 10–12 of volume 2. For publication, most of manuscript chapter 10 was radically rewritten by Jane Austen, the resulting material being divided into two chapters (volume 2, chapters 10 and 11). Manuscript chapter 11 became published volume 2, chapter 12, with sometimes moderate and sometimes only light revision.
The first 28 pages of the manuscript of the cancelled chapters form a continuous sequence. Following this sequence is a section beginning, ‘He was very eager’, and concluding, ‘my last day in Bath’ (facsimile on pp. 309–12), which was an afterthought, added when Jane Austen had completed the original version of both manuscript chapters 10 and 11 and ended the manuscript twice with ‘Finis.’
Chapter 1
- Jane Austen
- Edited by Janet Todd, University of Aberdeen, Antje Blank, University of Aberdeen
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THE remainder of Anne's time at Uppercross, comprehending only two days, was spent entirely at the mansion-house, and she had the satisfaction of knowing herself extremely useful there, both as an immediate companion, and as assisting in all those arrangements for the future, which, in Mr. and Mrs. Musgrove's distressed state of spirits, would have been difficulties.
They had an early account from Lyme the next morning. Louisa was much the same. No symptoms worse than before had appeared. Charles came a few hours afterwards, to bring a later and more particular account. He was tolerably cheerful. A speedy cure must not be hoped, but every thing was going on as well as the nature of the case admitted. In speaking of the Harvilles, he seemed unable to satisfy his own sense of their kindness, especially of Mrs. Harville's exertions as a nurse. “She really left nothing for Mary to do. He and Mary had been persuaded to go early to their inn last night. Mary had been hysterical again this morning. When he came away, she was going to walk out with Captain Benwick, which, he hoped, would do her good. He almost wished she had been prevailed on to come home the day before; but the truth was, that Mrs. Harville left nothing for any body to do.”
Charles was to return to Lyme the same afternoon, and his father had at first half a mind to go with him, but the ladies could not consent. It would be going only to multiply trouble to the others, and increase his own distress; and a much better scheme followed and was acted upon. A chaise was sent for from Crewkherne, and Charles conveyed back a far more useful person in the old nursery-maid of the family, one who having brought up all the children, and seen the very last, the lingering and long-petted master Harry, sent to school after his brothers, was now living in her deserted nursery to mend stockings, and dress all the blains and bruises she could get near her, and who, consequently, was only too happy in being allowed to go and help nurse dear Miss Louisa. Vague wishes of getting Sarah thither, had occurred before to Mrs. Musgrove and Henrietta; but without Anne, it would hardly have been resolved on, and found practicable so soon.
Chapter 1
- Jane Austen
- Edited by Janet Todd, University of Aberdeen, Antje Blank, University of Aberdeen
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SIR WALTER ELLIOT, of Kellynch-hall, in Somersetshire,was a man who, for his own amusement, never took up any book but the Baronetage; there he found occupation for an idle hour, and consolation in a distressed one; there his faculties were roused into admiration and respect, by contemplating the limited remnant of the earliest patents; there any unwelcome sensations, arising from domestic affairs, changed naturally into pity and contempt. As he turned over the almost endless creations of the last century—and there, if every other leaf were powerless, he could read his own history with an interest which never failed—this was the page at which the favourite volume always opened:
“ELLIOT OF KELLYNCH-HALL.
“Walter Elliot, born March 1, 1760, married, July 15, 1784, Elizabeth, daughter of James Stevenson, Esq. of South Park, in the county of Gloucester; by which lady (who died 1800) he has issue Elizabeth, born June 1, 1785;Anne, born August 9, 1787; a still-born son, Nov. 5, 1789; Mary, born Nov. 20, 1791.”
Precisely such had the paragraph originally stood from the printer's hands; but Sir Walter had improved it by adding, for the information of himself and his family, these words, after the date of Mary's birth—“married, Dec. 16, 1810, Charles, son and heir of Charles Musgrove, Esq. of Upper cross, in the county of Somerset,”—and by inserting most accurately the day of the month on which he had lost his wife.
Then followed the history and rise of the ancient and respectable family, in the usual terms: how it had been first settled in Cheshire; how mentioned in Dugdale—serving the office of High Sheriff, representing a borough in three successive parliaments, exertions of loyalty, and dignity of baronet, in the first year of Charles II., with all the Marys and Elizabeths they had married; forming altogether two handsome duodecimo pages, and concluding with the arms and motto: “Principal seat, Kellynch hall, in the county of Somerset,” and Sir Walter's hand-writing again in this finale:
“Heir presumptive, William Walter Elliot, Esq., great grandson of the second Sir Walter.”
Chapter 11
- Jane Austen
- Edited by Janet Todd, University of Aberdeen, Antje Blank, University of Aberdeen
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- 27 July 2006, pp 249-269
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ONE day only had passed since Anne's conversation with Mrs. Smith; but a keener interest had succeeded, and she was now so little touched by Mr. Elliot's conduct, except by its effects in one quarter, that it became a matter of course the next morning, still to defer her explanatory visit in Riversstreet. She had promised to be with the Musgroves from breakfast to dinner. Her faith was plighted, and Mr. Elliot’s character, like the Sultaness Scheherazade's head, must live another day.
She could not keep her appointment punctually, however; the weather was unfavourable, and she had grieved over the rain on her friends’ account, and felt it very much on her own, before she was able to attempt the walk. When she reached the White Hart, and made her way to the proper apartment, she found herself neither arriving quite in time, nor the first to arrive. The party before her were Mrs. Musgrove, talking to Mrs. Croft, and Captain Harville to Captain Wentworth, and she immediately heard that Mary and Henrietta, too impatient to wait, had gone out the moment it had cleared, but would be back again soon, and that the strictest injunctions had been left with Mrs. Musgrove, to keep her there till they returned. She had only to submit, sit down, be outwardly composed, and feel herself plunged at once in all the agitations which she had merely laid her account of tasting a little before the morning closed. There was no delay, no waste of time. She was deep in the happiness of such misery, or the misery of such happiness, instantly. Two minutes after her entering the room, Captain Wentworth said,
“We will write the letter we were talking of, Harville, now, if you will give me materials.”
Materials were all at hand, on a separate table; he went to it, and nearly turning his back on them all, was engrossed by writing.
Chapter 5
- Jane Austen
- Edited by Janet Todd, University of Aberdeen, Antje Blank, University of Aberdeen
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- 27 July 2006, pp 165-175
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WHILE Sir Walter and Elizabeth were assiduously pushing their good fortune in Laura-place, Anne was renewing an acquaintance of a very different description.
She had called on her former governess, and had heard from her of there being an old school-fellow in Bath, who had the two strong claims on her attention, of past kindness and present suffering. Miss Hamilton, now Mrs. Smith, had shown her kindness in one of those periods of her life when it had been most valuable. Anne had gone unhappy to school, grieving for the loss of a mother whom she had dearly loved, feeling her separation from home, and suffering as a girl of fourteen, of strong sensibility and not high spirits, must suffer at such a time; and Miss Hamilton, three years older than herself, but still from the want of near relations and a settled home, remaining another year at school, had been useful and good to her in a way which had considerably lessened her misery, and could never be remembered with indifference.
Miss Hamilton had left school, had married not long afterwards, was said to have married a man of fortune, and this was all that Anne had known of her, till now that their governess’s account brought her situation forward in a more decided but very different form.
She was a widow, and poor. Her husband had been extravagant; and at his death, about two years before, had left his affairs dreadfully involved. She had had difficulties of every sort to contend with, and in addition to these distresses, had been afflicted with a severe rheumatic fever, which finally settling in her legs, had made her for the present a cripple. She had come to Bath on that account, and was now in lodgings near the hot-baths, living in a very humble way, unable even to afford herself the comfort of a servant, and of course almost excluded from society.
Their mutual friend answered for the satisfaction which a visit from Miss Elliot would give Mrs. Smith, and Anne therefore lost no time in going. She mentioned nothing of what she had heard, or what she intended, at home. It would excite no proper interest there.
Note on the text
- Jane Austen
- Edited by Janet Todd, University of Aberdeen, Antje Blank, University of Aberdeen
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- 27 July 2006, pp lxxxiii-lxxxvi
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Chapter 9
- Jane Austen
- Edited by Janet Todd, University of Aberdeen, Antje Blank, University of Aberdeen
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- 27 July 2006, pp 79-87
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CAPTAIN WENTWORTH was come to Kellynch as to a home, to stay as long as he liked, being as thoroughly the object of the Admiral's fraternal kindness as of his wife’s. He had intended, on first arriving, to proceed very soon into Shropshire, and visit the brother settled in that county, but the attractions of Uppercross induced him to put this off. There was so much of friendliness, and of flattery, and of every thing most bewitching in his reception there; the old were so hospitable, the young so agreeable, that he could not but resolve to remain where he was, and take all the charms and perfections of Edward's wife upon credit a little longer.
It was soon Uppercross with him almost every day. The Musgroves could hardly be more ready to invite than he to come, particularly in the morning, when he had no companion at home, for the Admiral and Mrs. Croft were generally out of doors together, interesting themselves in their new possessions, their grass, and their sheep, and dawdling about in a way not endurable to a third person, or driving out in a gig, lately added to their establishment.
Hitherto there had been but one opinion of Captain Wentworth, among the Musgroves and their dependencies. It was unvarying, warm admiration every where. But this intimate footing was not more than established, when a certain Charles Hayter returned among them, to be a good deal disturbed by it, and to think Captain Wentworth very much in the way.
Charles Hayter was the eldest of all the cousins, and a very amiable, pleasing young man, between whom and Henrietta there had been a considerable appearance of attachment previous to Captain Wentworth's introduction. Hewas in orders, and having a curacy in the neighbourhood where residence was not required, lived at his father's house, only two miles from Uppercross. A short absence from home had left his fair one unguarded by his attentions at this critical period, and when he came back he had the pain of finding very altered manners, and of seeing Captain Wentworth.
Chapter 6
- Jane Austen
- Edited by Janet Todd, University of Aberdeen, Antje Blank, University of Aberdeen
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- 27 July 2006, pp 176-188
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IT was the beginning of February; and Anne, having been a month in Bath, was growing very eager for news from Uppercross and Lyme. She wanted to hear much more than Mary communicated. It was three weeks since she had heard at all. She only knew that Henrietta was at home again; and that Louisa, though considered to be recovering fast, was still at Lyme; and she was thinking of them all very intently one evening, when a thicker letter than usual from Mary was delivered to her, and, to quicken the pleasure and surprise, with Admiral and Mrs. Croft's compliments.
The Crofts must be in Bath! A circumstance to interest her.
They were people whom her heart turned to very naturally.
“What is this?” cried Sir Walter. “The Crofts arrived in Bath? The Crofts who rent Kellynch? What have they brought you?”
“A letter from Uppercross Cottage, Sir.”
“Oh! those letters are convenient passports. They secure an introduction. I should have visited Admiral Croft, however, at any rate. I know what is due to my tenant.”
Anne could listen no longer; she could not even have told how the poor Admiral's complexion escaped; her letter engrossed her. It had been begun several days back.
“February 1st, —.
“MY DEAR ANNE,
“I make no apology for my silence, because I know how little people think of letters in such a place as Bath. You must be a great deal too happy to care for Uppercross, which, as you well know, affords little to write about. We have had a very dull Christmas; Mr. and Mrs. Musgrove have not had one dinner-party all the holidays. I do not reckon the Hayters as any body. The holidays, however, are over at last: I believe no children ever had such long ones. I am sure I had not. The house was cleared yesterday, except of the little Harvilles; but you will be surprised to hear that they have never gone home. Mrs. Harville must be an odd mother to part with them so long. I do not understand it. They are not at all nice chidren, in my opinion; but Mrs. Musgrove seems to like them quite as well, if not better, than her grand-children.
Acknowledgements
- Jane Austen
- Edited by Janet Todd, University of Aberdeen, Antje Blank, University of Aberdeen
-
- Book:
- Persuasion
- Published online:
- 18 December 2020
- Print publication:
- 27 July 2006, pp xiii-xiii
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- Chapter
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