Persuasion

Thank you.

Oh, that's lovely. Thank you.

- Lady Russell. - My dear Anne.

You look quite done for.

I came back as soon as I received your letter.

I had no idea the position was so ruinous.

Unfortunately, a person who's contracted debts must pay them.

- Even if he is a gentleman. - Was there no possibility of retrenchment?

Unfortunately, Father and Elizabeth could find no means of lessening their expenses

without compromising their dignity,

or relinquishing their comforts in a manner simply not to be borne.

But I have, at last, persuaded Father to let out the house.

And if I can ensure that we live within our means somewhere less extravagant,

then, in only a few years, we may be solvent again.

In a few years?

In any event, it is better than selling. At least one day I may hope to return.

And where are you to go in the meantime? Is it decided?

All my hopes were for a small house nearby,

but Father and Elizabeth are settled upon Bath.

Lady Russell.

Dear neighbour, you've been in London, I hear.

Sir Walter. Elizabeth.

May I say how truly sorry I am that you must leave Kellynch.

We are blameless, Lady Russell, quite blameless.

Every sacrifice has been made, however painful.

We cut off all unnecessary charities at once, Lady Russell.

And even refrain from new furnishing the drawing room,

which, as you know, Mama left the most frightful state.

And still it is a comfort to know we've done all we could.

Of course.

Ah, but here's Shepherd. He's promised us some news.

Is that his daughter with him?

Mrs Clay's husband passed away not long ago. She has returned to her father's house.

She's often with us, recently.

Lady Russell. Miss Anne.

Sir Walter, I have this very morning received an approach for the lease of Kellynch

that I'm convinced must meet with your absolute approval.

An admiral, sir,

recently retired and a native of this county desires to settle in this very part of the world.

- An admiral? - I should have much preferred a gentleman.

The navy has its uses, no doubt,

but I should be sorry to see any friend of mine belonging to it.

- Indeed, Sir Walter? - Yes.

It is, in two points, offensive to me.

The first is being the means of raising persons of obscure birth into undue distinction,

and second, you never see a naval man who is not most shockingly knocked about,

exposed as they are to wind and weather till they're simply not fit to be seen.

Nevertheless, Sir Walter, the admiral has a very substantial fortune,

and I have no doubt of him being a most responsible tenant.

And consider, Sir Walter,

how he will look around and bless his good fortune

to be in the home of a baronet of such a prominent and distinguished family.

Yes.

Then, with your permission, sir, I shall open negotiations with Admiral Croft.

- Croft? - Yes.

Are you acquainted with the gentleman, Miss Anne?

Yes. No, um...

That is to say, I'm familiar with his career.

I'm not fond of the idea of my shrubberies being always approachable by the tenant.

If you will excuse me, there's still much to do.

Good heavens, Anne.

- What is the matter with you? - Nothing. I assure you, I'm quite well.

Anne...

Who is Admiral Croft,

and why did he cause you to be out of countenance so?

Anne!

Admiral Croft's wife is...

- Is... - Mrs Croft?

Indeed.

And Mrs Croft is the sister of Captain Frederick Wentworth.

Wentworth?

I see.

And to think that soon he may be walking through this house.

Anne, you know that your father thought it a most unsuitable match.

He would never have countenanced an alliance he deemed so degrading.

He was not alone, as I recall.

My dear...

To become engaged at 19,

in the middle of a war, to a young naval officer

who had no fortune and no expectations,

you would, indeed, have been throwing yourself away.

And I should have been failing in my duty as your godmother if I did not counsel against it.

You were young,

and it was entirely prudent to break off

the understanding.

Prudent it may have been and yet,

Captain Wentworth has made his fortune in the war

and is now extremely wealthy.

Has he written to you?

No, never a word.

I've only the newspapers for my authority.

Then... if his intentions towards you had been truly sincere,

would he not have contacted you when his circumstances changed?

I do not blame you,

nor myself for having been led by you.

But nevertheless,

I think very differently now from what I was persuaded to think eight years ago.

Oh, my dear Anne.

You are a good and beautiful young woman. I promise you this,

one day you will find someone to love you as you deserve.

I'm 27.

Before I forget, Shepherd,

if you have no objection, I have a mind to engage your charming daughter

as a companion to Elizabeth.

Oh, Sir Walter.

Well, I'm sure, sir, Penelope will be greatly honoured by such a distinction.

Then it is settled. She shall come with us to Bath tomorrow.

Is not Anne companion enough for Elizabeth?

Oh, but Anne is going to Uppercross.

I received a letter only this morning from sister Mary.

She is indisposed, again, and requires Anne to come and look after her.

And since nobody would want Anne in Bath,

I wrote back straightaway to say she should come as soon as she'd finished everything here.

Well...

All your hopes were for a small house nearby.

Do send our regards to the Musgroves.

Before you go, Anne,

on no account must you forget to visit each house in the parish to take our leave. It is expected.

Is he married?

I do not know that he is,

and yet, so eligible a gentleman would surely by now have formed an attachment.

Will he bring his wife here?

And his children?

I only pray that I am spared any meeting.

I know my chance of happiness has passed forever,

but to be reminded of it by his presence here would,

I'm certain, be more than my spirits could bear.

Who is that young lady, Mr Shepherd?

Oh, that is Miss Anne Elliot, Admiral, Sir Walter's middle daughter.

The only one with any sense.

A pity, then, that we did not make her acquaintance.

She is but half a mile away at Uppercross with her sister.

Oh, well then, we certainly shall make her acquaintance.

Is she married, Mr Shepherd?

Sadly no, ma'am. Nor, I think, at her age, is likely to be.

Well.

It is certainly roomier than a frigate.

Such a number of looking glasses. There's no getting away from oneself.

I think this room would do very well for Frederick.

Let us see if he comes.

Your brother seems dead set against the whole idea of Kellynch.

I fear Somerset has unpleasant memories for him.

There was once talk of an engagement to a girl in the county.

- There was? - Eight years ago or so.

We were in the East Indies at the time.

He's never spoken of it, but his heart was quite broken, I believe.

Well, well, well.

- Frederick engaged, who would have thought it? - Indeed.

- I sometimes wonder if he will ever settle down. - Hmm.

So, you are come, at last.

I'd begun to think I should never see you.

I am so ill

I can hardly speak.

In fact, I do not think I was ever so ill in my life as I have been all this morning.

I'm very unfit to be left alone, I'm sure.

Is Charles not here?

Charles would go out shooting, even though I told him I was ill.

And I have not seen a soul this whole, long morning.

Not one of the Musgroves has seen fit to come and see me

even though Charles told them I was ill.

It did not suit, I suppose.

Oh, you will see them yet, I'm sure. It is still early.

Or, perhaps, if you feel well enough to attempt a short walk

to the great house, we could call upon them.

We ought to wait till they call upon you.

They should know what is due to you as my sister.

I assure you I have not the smallest objection on that account.

Perhaps a little air would do me good.

But I really must eat something first, I'm quite starved.

Anne!

- Good heavens! How the girls are growing up. - Mmm-Hmm.

The Miss Musgroves have returned from their school in Exeter

with all the usual accomplishments, and, of course,

they now think of nothing but being fashionable

and merry...

Dear Henrietta, Louisa!

Oh, Anne!

Here you are at last! Come, Mama cannot wait to see you.

And we have such exciting news.

Welcome to Uppercross, Miss Anne!

How pale and drawn you are.

We must fatten you up while you are here.

I myself have been very unwell.

And Sir Walter and Miss Elizabeth. Oh, how they shall miss you.

In any event, I'm very happy to be here and not in Bath.

Oh, Mama, I hope we shall be in Bath this winter.

But remember, if we do go, we must be in a good situation.

Oh, yes. None of your Queen's Squares for us.

- Anne, how are you? - Very well. Thank you, Charles.

- You're getting big. - I am glad to see you've recovered, my dear.

Did you ask your father? Did you, Charles?

Father has many other uses for his money and the right to spend it as he likes.

Charles, if it is left to you, we shall soon be destitute.

Admiral Croft and his wife are to take possession directly.

And I believe we have been very fortunate with our tenants.

Yet it must be very hard for you, my dear, to give up your home so.

Of course, when your poor dear Mama was alive, there was moderation and economy at Kellynch.

But there were never balls,

and the Crofts are sure to have balls and invite the most eligible young naval officers.

Indeed, this is our exciting news, I quite forgot.