WEBVTT 1 00:00:00.800 --> 00:00:04.639 Chapter twenty one of Persuasion. This is a LibriVox recording. 2 00:00:05.080 --> 00:00:08.400 All LibriVox recordings are in the public domain. For more 3 00:00:08.439 --> 00:00:14.240 information or to volunteer, please visit LibriVox dot org. Recording 4 00:00:14.279 --> 00:00:20.640 by Elizabeth Klett. Persuasion by Jane Austen, Chapter twenty one. 5 00:00:23.239 --> 00:00:26.160 Anne recollected with pleasure the next morning her promise of 6 00:00:26.199 --> 00:00:29.039 going to missus Smith, meaning that it should engage her 7 00:00:29.079 --> 00:00:31.120 from home at the time when mister Elliot would be 8 00:00:31.160 --> 00:00:34.280 most likely to call for To avoid mister Elliot was 9 00:00:34.320 --> 00:00:38.039 almost a first object. She felt a great deal of 10 00:00:38.039 --> 00:00:41.119 good will towards him, in spite of the mischief of 11 00:00:41.159 --> 00:00:45.560 his attentions. She owed him gratitude and regard, perhaps compassion. 12 00:00:46.320 --> 00:00:49.520 She could not help thinking much of the extraordinary circumstances 13 00:00:49.560 --> 00:00:52.520 attending their acquaintance of the right which he seemed to 14 00:00:52.560 --> 00:00:55.960 have to interest her, By everything in situation, by his 15 00:00:56.039 --> 00:01:00.240 own sentiments, by his early prepossession. It was all together 16 00:01:00.399 --> 00:01:05.280 very extraordinary, flattering, but painful. There was much to regret. 17 00:01:06.079 --> 00:01:08.239 How she might have felt had there been no Captain 18 00:01:08.280 --> 00:01:11.439 Wentworth in the case was not worth enquiry. For there 19 00:01:11.599 --> 00:01:14.200 was a Captain Wentworth, and be the conclusion of the 20 00:01:14.200 --> 00:01:18.000 present suspense, good or bad, her affection would be his forever. 21 00:01:18.840 --> 00:01:21.640 Their union, she believed, could not divide her more from 22 00:01:21.680 --> 00:01:26.400 other men than their final separation. Prettier musings of high 23 00:01:26.439 --> 00:01:29.719 wrought love and eternal constancy could never have passed along 24 00:01:29.760 --> 00:01:32.439 the streets of Bath than Anne was sporting with from 25 00:01:32.439 --> 00:01:35.879 Camden Place to Westgate Buildings. It was almost enough to 26 00:01:35.879 --> 00:01:40.159 spread purification and perfume all the way. She was sure 27 00:01:40.200 --> 00:01:43.280 of a pleasant reception, and her friend seemed this morning 28 00:01:43.319 --> 00:01:46.439 particularly obliged to her, for coming seemed hardly to have 29 00:01:46.480 --> 00:01:49.920 expected her, though it had been an appointment. An account 30 00:01:49.920 --> 00:01:53.079 of the concert was immediately claimed, and Anne's recollections of 31 00:01:53.120 --> 00:01:56.120 the concert were quite happy enough to animate her features 32 00:01:56.120 --> 00:01:58.599 and make her rejoice to talk of it. All that 33 00:01:58.640 --> 00:02:01.680 she could tell, she told most gladly. But the all 34 00:02:01.840 --> 00:02:04.840 was little for one who had been there, and unsatisfactory 35 00:02:04.879 --> 00:02:07.599 for such an inquirer as Missus Smith, who had already 36 00:02:07.640 --> 00:02:10.080 heard through the short cut of a laundress and a waiter, 37 00:02:10.560 --> 00:02:13.240 rather more of the general success and produce of the 38 00:02:13.319 --> 00:02:16.080 evening than Anne could relate, and who now asked in 39 00:02:16.159 --> 00:02:19.680 vain for several particulars of the company. Everybody of any 40 00:02:19.680 --> 00:02:22.719 consequence or notoriety in Bath was well known by name 41 00:02:22.759 --> 00:02:26.960 to missus Smith. The little Durands were there, I conclude, 42 00:02:27.280 --> 00:02:30.360 said she, with their mouths open to catch the music, 43 00:02:30.719 --> 00:02:34.080 like unfledged sparrows ready to be fed. They never miss 44 00:02:34.080 --> 00:02:38.159 a concert. Yes, I did not see them myself, but 45 00:02:38.280 --> 00:02:40.120 I heard mister Eliot say they were in the room. 46 00:02:41.120 --> 00:02:44.759 The ibotsuns. Were they there? And the two new beauties 47 00:02:44.840 --> 00:02:47.360 with the tall Irish officer who has talked of for 48 00:02:47.439 --> 00:02:50.840 one of them, I do not know. I do not 49 00:02:51.000 --> 00:02:55.599 think they were. Old Lady Mary mc lane. I need 50 00:02:55.599 --> 00:02:58.879 not ask after her. She never misses, I know, and 51 00:02:58.960 --> 00:03:01.159 she must have seen her. She must have been in 52 00:03:01.159 --> 00:03:03.879 your own circle, for as you went with Lady Dalrymple, 53 00:03:04.159 --> 00:03:06.560 you were in the seats of grandeur round the orchestra. 54 00:03:06.599 --> 00:03:10.719 Of course, no, that was what I dreaded. It would 55 00:03:10.759 --> 00:03:13.759 have been very unpleasant to me in every respect. But 56 00:03:13.919 --> 00:03:17.479 happily Lady Dalrymple always chooses to be farther off, and 57 00:03:17.560 --> 00:03:21.280 we were exceedingly well placed. That is for hearing, I 58 00:03:21.360 --> 00:03:24.000 must not say for seeing, because I appeared to have 59 00:03:24.000 --> 00:03:28.159 seen very little. Oh, you saw enough for your own amusement. 60 00:03:28.560 --> 00:03:31.800 I can understand there is a sort of domestic enjoyment 61 00:03:31.879 --> 00:03:34.680 to be known, even in a crowd, and this you had. 62 00:03:35.159 --> 00:03:37.759 You were a large party in yourselves, and you wanted 63 00:03:37.800 --> 00:03:41.759 nothing beyond. But I ought to have looked about me more, 64 00:03:42.159 --> 00:03:44.759 said Anne, conscious while she spoke that there had in 65 00:03:44.800 --> 00:03:47.919 fact been no want of looking about that the object 66 00:03:48.039 --> 00:03:52.759 only had been deficient. No, No, you were better employed. 67 00:03:53.120 --> 00:03:55.360 You need not tell me that you had a pleasant evening. 68 00:03:55.719 --> 00:03:58.759 I see it in your eye. I perfectly see how 69 00:03:58.759 --> 00:04:01.719 the hours passed, that that you had always something agreeable 70 00:04:01.719 --> 00:04:04.240 to listen to in the intervals of the concert. It 71 00:04:04.439 --> 00:04:09.879 was conversation. Anne half smiled and said, do you see 72 00:04:09.919 --> 00:04:14.520 that in my eye? Yes? I do. Your countenance perfectly 73 00:04:14.560 --> 00:04:16.800 informs me that you were in company last night with 74 00:04:16.839 --> 00:04:19.720 the person whom you think the most agreeable in the world, 75 00:04:20.480 --> 00:04:23.120 the person who interests you at this present time more 76 00:04:23.160 --> 00:04:26.480 than all the rest of the world. Put together. A 77 00:04:26.519 --> 00:04:31.120 blush overspread Anne's cheeks, she could say nothing, and such 78 00:04:31.199 --> 00:04:34.720 being the case, continued missus Smith, after a short pause. 79 00:04:35.319 --> 00:04:37.439 I hope you believe that I do know how to 80 00:04:37.519 --> 00:04:40.240 value your kindness in coming to me this morning. It 81 00:04:40.319 --> 00:04:42.040 is really very good of you to come and sit 82 00:04:42.079 --> 00:04:44.680 with me when you must have so many pleasanter demands 83 00:04:44.759 --> 00:04:49.000 upon your time. Anne heard nothing of this. She was 84 00:04:49.040 --> 00:04:52.560 still in the astonishment and confusion, excited by her friend's penetration, 85 00:04:53.079 --> 00:04:55.920 unable to imagine how any report of Captain Wentworth could 86 00:04:55.920 --> 00:05:01.360 have reached her. After another short silence, pray said Missus Smith, 87 00:05:01.920 --> 00:05:04.759 is mister Elliott aware of your acquaintance with me? Does 88 00:05:04.800 --> 00:05:08.959 he know that I am in bath? Mister Elliot repeated Anne, 89 00:05:09.000 --> 00:05:12.519 looking up, surprised. A moment's reflection showed her the mistake 90 00:05:12.639 --> 00:05:16.279 she had been under. She caught it instantaneously, and recovering 91 00:05:16.319 --> 00:05:19.040 her courage with the feeling of safety, she soon added 92 00:05:19.040 --> 00:05:23.639 more composedly, are you acquainted with mister Eliot? I have 93 00:05:23.720 --> 00:05:27.000 been a good deal acquainted with him, replied Missus Smith gravely, 94 00:05:27.560 --> 00:05:30.199 but it seems worn out now. It is a great 95 00:05:30.279 --> 00:05:33.759 while since we met. I was not at all aware 96 00:05:33.759 --> 00:05:37.199 of this. You never mentioned it before. Had I known it, 97 00:05:37.279 --> 00:05:38.959 I would have had the pleasure of talking to him 98 00:05:38.959 --> 00:05:43.680 about you to confess the truth, said Missus Smith, assuming 99 00:05:43.720 --> 00:05:47.000 her usual air of cheerfulness. That is exactly the pleasure 100 00:05:47.000 --> 00:05:49.120 I want you to have. I want you to talk 101 00:05:49.160 --> 00:05:52.519 about me to mister Elliot. I want your interest with him. 102 00:05:52.920 --> 00:05:55.519 He can be of essential service to me. And if 103 00:05:55.519 --> 00:05:57.800 you would have the goodness, my dear miss Eliot, to 104 00:05:57.839 --> 00:06:00.480 make it an object to yourself, of course course it 105 00:06:00.560 --> 00:06:05.000 is done, I should be extremely happy. I hope you 106 00:06:05.040 --> 00:06:07.759 cannot doubt my willingness to be of even the slightest 107 00:06:07.839 --> 00:06:11.120 use to you, replied Anne. But I suspect that you 108 00:06:11.160 --> 00:06:13.839 are considering me as having a higher claim on mister Eliot, 109 00:06:14.079 --> 00:06:17.079 a greater right to influence him than is really the case. 110 00:06:17.680 --> 00:06:20.519 I am sure you have somehow or other imbibed such 111 00:06:20.519 --> 00:06:24.079 a notion. You must consider me only as mister Elliot's relation. 112 00:06:24.879 --> 00:06:27.199 If in that light there is anything which you suppose 113 00:06:27.279 --> 00:06:29.720 his cousin might fairly ask of him, I beg you 114 00:06:29.720 --> 00:06:33.399 would not hesitate to employ me. Missus Smith gave her 115 00:06:33.439 --> 00:06:37.360 a penetrating glance, and then, smiling said, I have been 116 00:06:37.360 --> 00:06:40.600 a little premature, I perceive I beg your pardon. I 117 00:06:40.639 --> 00:06:44.040 ought to have waited for official information. But now, my 118 00:06:44.120 --> 00:06:46.959 dear Miss Eliot, as an old friend, do give me 119 00:06:47.000 --> 00:06:49.800 a hint as to when I may speak next week, 120 00:06:50.240 --> 00:06:52.199 to be sure by next week I may be allowed 121 00:06:52.199 --> 00:06:54.839 to think it all settled, and build my own selfish 122 00:06:54.920 --> 00:07:00.319 schemes on mister Elliot's good fortune. No, replied Anne, nor 123 00:07:00.360 --> 00:07:03.879 next week, nor next nor next I assure you that 124 00:07:03.959 --> 00:07:05.720 nothing of the sort you are thinking of will be 125 00:07:05.759 --> 00:07:09.079 settled any week. I am not going to marry mister Eliot. 126 00:07:09.399 --> 00:07:12.720 I should like to know why you imagine I am missus. 127 00:07:12.720 --> 00:07:16.480 Smith looked at her again, looked earnestly, smiled, shook her head, 128 00:07:16.480 --> 00:07:19.879 and exclaimed, Now, how I do wish I understood you? 129 00:07:20.319 --> 00:07:22.480 How I do wish I knew what you were at. 130 00:07:23.040 --> 00:07:25.319 I have a great idea that you do not design 131 00:07:25.360 --> 00:07:28.319 to be cruel when the right moment occurs, till it 132 00:07:28.360 --> 00:07:31.560 does come. You know, we women never mean to have anybody. 133 00:07:31.879 --> 00:07:34.240 It is a thing of course among us that every 134 00:07:34.279 --> 00:07:37.439 man is refused till he offers. But why should you 135 00:07:37.519 --> 00:07:41.480 be cruel? Let me plead for my present friend I 136 00:07:41.480 --> 00:07:45.399 cannot call him, but for my former friend. Where can 137 00:07:45.439 --> 00:07:48.079 you look for a more suitable match? Where could you 138 00:07:48.120 --> 00:07:52.600 expect a more gentlemanlike, agreeable man? Let me recommend mister Elliot. 139 00:07:52.959 --> 00:07:54.879 I am sure you hear nothing but good of him 140 00:07:54.879 --> 00:07:57.839 from Colonel Wallace. And who can know better than Colonel Wallace. 141 00:07:59.120 --> 00:08:02.680 My dear missus, mister Elliot's wife has not been dead 142 00:08:02.759 --> 00:08:04.959 much above half a year. He ought not to be 143 00:08:05.040 --> 00:08:08.879 supposed to repaying his addresses to any one. Ho, if 144 00:08:08.959 --> 00:08:12.920 these are your only objections, cried Missus Smith archly. Mister 145 00:08:12.959 --> 00:08:15.600 Elliot is safe, and I shall give myself no more 146 00:08:15.639 --> 00:08:18.839 trouble about him. Do not forget me when you are married, 147 00:08:19.040 --> 00:08:21.399 that's all. Let him know me to be a friend 148 00:08:21.439 --> 00:08:23.360 of yours, and then he will think little of the 149 00:08:23.360 --> 00:08:26.120 trouble required, which it is very natural for him now, 150 00:08:26.399 --> 00:08:28.920 with so many affairs and engagements of his own to 151 00:08:29.040 --> 00:08:32.039 avoid and get rid of as he can. Very natural, 152 00:08:32.080 --> 00:08:35.000 perhaps ninety nine out of a hundred would do the same. 153 00:08:35.679 --> 00:08:39.240 Of course he cannot be aware of the importance to me. Well, 154 00:08:39.279 --> 00:08:41.480 my dear miss Eliot, I hope and trust you will 155 00:08:41.519 --> 00:08:44.320 be very happy. Mister Elliot has sense to understand the 156 00:08:44.399 --> 00:08:46.799 value of such a woman. Your peace will not be 157 00:08:46.840 --> 00:08:49.759 shipwrecked as mine has been. You are safe in all 158 00:08:49.759 --> 00:08:53.039 worldly matters, and safe in his character. He will not 159 00:08:53.120 --> 00:08:55.759 be led astray, He will not be misled by others 160 00:08:55.799 --> 00:09:00.399 to his ruin. No, said Anne, I can readily believe 161 00:09:00.480 --> 00:09:03.320 all that of my cousin. He seems to have a calm, 162 00:09:03.399 --> 00:09:07.519 decided temper, not at all open to dangerous impressions. I 163 00:09:07.600 --> 00:09:11.080 consider him with great respect. I have no reason, from 164 00:09:11.120 --> 00:09:14.120 anything that has fallen within my observation to do otherwise. 165 00:09:14.720 --> 00:09:17.080 But I have not known him long, and he is 166 00:09:17.120 --> 00:09:19.440 not a man I think to be known intimately soon. 167 00:09:20.360 --> 00:09:22.879 Will not this manner of speaking of him, Missus Smith, 168 00:09:23.120 --> 00:09:25.840 convince you that he is nothing to me. Surely this 169 00:09:25.919 --> 00:09:29.120 must be calm enough. And upon my word, he is 170 00:09:29.200 --> 00:09:32.159 nothing to me. Should he ever propose to me, which 171 00:09:32.159 --> 00:09:34.200 I have very little reason to imagine he has any 172 00:09:34.240 --> 00:09:37.679 thought of doing, I shall not accept him. I assure 173 00:09:37.720 --> 00:09:41.240 you I shall not. I assure you, mister Eliot, had 174 00:09:41.279 --> 00:09:43.840 not the share which you have been supposing, in whatever 175 00:09:43.879 --> 00:09:47.679 pleasure the concert of last night might afford. Not, mister Eliot, 176 00:09:48.000 --> 00:09:52.320 it is not, mister Eliot that she stopped, regretting with 177 00:09:52.360 --> 00:09:55.000 a deep blush that she had implied so much. But 178 00:09:55.200 --> 00:09:58.600 less would hardly have been sufficient. Missus Smith would hardly 179 00:09:58.639 --> 00:10:01.240 have believed so soon in mister r. Elliott's failure. But 180 00:10:01.360 --> 00:10:04.320 from the perception of there being as somebody else as 181 00:10:04.360 --> 00:10:07.440 it was, she instantly submitted and with all the semblance 182 00:10:07.440 --> 00:10:11.639 of seeing nothing beyond, and Anne, eager to escape farther notice, 183 00:10:11.759 --> 00:10:14.200 was impatient to know why Missus Smith should have fancied 184 00:10:14.240 --> 00:10:16.639 she was to marry mister Elliot, where she could have 185 00:10:16.679 --> 00:10:19.440 received the idea, or from whom she could have heard it. 186 00:10:20.879 --> 00:10:23.080 Do tell me how it first came into your head. 187 00:10:24.399 --> 00:10:27.919 It first came into my head, replied Missus Smith, upon 188 00:10:28.000 --> 00:10:30.679 finding how much she were together, and feeling it to 189 00:10:30.720 --> 00:10:32.559 be the most probable thing in the world to be 190 00:10:32.600 --> 00:10:35.879 wished for by everybody belonging to either of you. And 191 00:10:35.960 --> 00:10:38.399 you may depend upon it that all your acquaintance have 192 00:10:38.480 --> 00:10:40.919 disposed of you in the same way. But I never 193 00:10:40.919 --> 00:10:44.240 heard it spoken of till two days ago, And has 194 00:10:44.279 --> 00:10:47.679 it indeed been spoken of? Did you observe the woman 195 00:10:47.720 --> 00:10:51.000 who opened the door to you when you called yesterday? No? 196 00:10:51.919 --> 00:10:54.480 Was it not Missus Speed as usual or the maid. 197 00:10:54.960 --> 00:10:58.039 I observed no one in particular. It was my friend 198 00:10:58.120 --> 00:11:01.480 Missus Rook, Nurse Rook, who by the bye, had a 199 00:11:01.519 --> 00:11:04.399 great curiosity to see you, and was delighted to be 200 00:11:04.440 --> 00:11:06.639 in the way to let you in. She came away 201 00:11:06.679 --> 00:11:10.159 from Marlborough Buildings only on Sunday, and she it was 202 00:11:10.200 --> 00:11:12.600 who told me you were to marry mister Eliot. She 203 00:11:12.759 --> 00:11:15.200 had had it from Missus Wallace herself, which did not 204 00:11:15.320 --> 00:11:18.000 seem bad authority. She sat an hour with me on 205 00:11:18.080 --> 00:11:22.600 Monday evening and gave me the whole history. The whole history, 206 00:11:23.080 --> 00:11:26.679 repeated Anne, laughing. She could not make a very long history. 207 00:11:26.720 --> 00:11:30.559 I think of one such little article of unfounded news. 208 00:11:30.960 --> 00:11:35.960 Missus Smith said nothing, but continued Anne. Presently, though there 209 00:11:36.000 --> 00:11:38.559 is no truth in my having this claim on mister Eliot, 210 00:11:38.879 --> 00:11:40.840 I should be extremely happy to be of use to 211 00:11:40.879 --> 00:11:43.600 you in any way that I could. Shall I mention 212 00:11:43.720 --> 00:11:47.559 to him your being in bath? Shall I take any message? No? 213 00:11:48.039 --> 00:11:51.480 I thank you. No, certainly not in the warmth of 214 00:11:51.519 --> 00:11:55.120 the moment, and under a mistaken impression. I might perhaps 215 00:11:55.120 --> 00:11:59.519 have endeavored to interest you in some circumstances, but not now. No, 216 00:11:59.759 --> 00:12:01.480 I thank you. I have nothing to trouble you with. 217 00:12:02.879 --> 00:12:05.360 I think you spoke of having known mister Elliot many years. 218 00:12:06.279 --> 00:12:10.679 I did not before he was married. I suppose, yes, 219 00:12:11.159 --> 00:12:14.120 he was not married when I knew him first, And 220 00:12:14.840 --> 00:12:20.919 were you much acquainted intimately? Indeed, then do tell me 221 00:12:21.000 --> 00:12:23.120 what he was at that time of life. I have 222 00:12:23.159 --> 00:12:25.639 a great curiosity to know what mister Elliot was as 223 00:12:25.679 --> 00:12:28.120 a very young man. Was he at all such as 224 00:12:28.159 --> 00:12:32.159 he appears now? I have not seen mister Elliot these 225 00:12:32.200 --> 00:12:36.240 three years, was Missus Smith's answer, given so gravely that 226 00:12:36.240 --> 00:12:39.320 it was impossible to pursue the subject farther. And Anne 227 00:12:39.320 --> 00:12:42.480 felt that she had gained nothing but an increase of curiosity. 228 00:12:43.159 --> 00:12:47.039 They were both silent, Missus Smith very thoughtful. At last, 229 00:12:48.159 --> 00:12:51.279 I beg your pardon, my dear miss Elliot, she cried, 230 00:12:51.559 --> 00:12:54.879 in her natural tone of cordiality. I beg your pardon 231 00:12:54.919 --> 00:12:57.200 for the short answers I have been giving you. But 232 00:12:57.320 --> 00:13:00.159 I have been uncertain what I ought to do. I 233 00:13:00.159 --> 00:13:02.279 have been doubting and considering as to what I ought 234 00:13:02.320 --> 00:13:04.919 to tell you. There were many things to be taken 235 00:13:04.919 --> 00:13:08.600 into the account. One hates to be officious, to be 236 00:13:08.600 --> 00:13:13.200 giving bad impressions, making mischief. Even the smooth surface of 237 00:13:13.279 --> 00:13:17.039 family union seems worth preserving, though there may be nothing 238 00:13:17.159 --> 00:13:22.240 durable beneath. However, I have determined I think I am right. 239 00:13:22.919 --> 00:13:24.799 I think you ought to be made acquainted with mister 240 00:13:24.840 --> 00:13:28.840 Eliot's real character, though I fully believe that at present 241 00:13:29.120 --> 00:13:32.200 you have not the smallest intention of accepting him. There 242 00:13:32.240 --> 00:13:35.320 is no saying what may happen, You might some time 243 00:13:35.440 --> 00:13:40.639 or other be differently affected towards him. Hear the truth. Therefore, now, 244 00:13:40.759 --> 00:13:44.440 while you are unprejudiced, mister Eliot is a man without 245 00:13:44.519 --> 00:13:49.240 heart or conscience, a designing, wary, cold blooded being who 246 00:13:49.279 --> 00:13:52.879 thinks only of himself, whom, for his own interest or ease, 247 00:13:53.080 --> 00:13:56.240 would be guilty of any cruelty or any treachery that 248 00:13:56.320 --> 00:13:59.639 could be perpetrated without risk of his general character. He 249 00:13:59.679 --> 00:14:02.720 has no feeling for others, those whom he has been 250 00:14:02.759 --> 00:14:05.519 the chief cause of leading into ruin. He can neglect 251 00:14:05.559 --> 00:14:09.720 and desert without the smallest compunction. He is totally beyond 252 00:14:09.759 --> 00:14:14.120 the reach of any sentiment of justice or compassion. Oh, 253 00:14:14.159 --> 00:14:20.480 he is black at heart, hollow and black. Anne's astonished 254 00:14:20.480 --> 00:14:24.120 air and exclamation of wonder made her pause, and in 255 00:14:24.159 --> 00:14:29.639 a calmer manner, she added, my expressions startle you. You must 256 00:14:29.639 --> 00:14:32.799 allow for an injured, angry woman. But I will try 257 00:14:32.840 --> 00:14:36.320 to command myself. I will not abuse him. I will 258 00:14:36.360 --> 00:14:39.919 only tell you what I have found him. Facts shall speak. 259 00:14:40.960 --> 00:14:43.600 He was the intimate friend of my dear husband, who 260 00:14:43.639 --> 00:14:46.799 trusted and loved him, and thought him as good as himself. 261 00:14:47.360 --> 00:14:50.559 The intimacy had been formed before our marriage. I found 262 00:14:50.600 --> 00:14:54.480 the most intimate friends, and I too became excessively pleased 263 00:14:54.480 --> 00:14:57.519 with mister Eliot, and entertained the highest opinion of him 264 00:14:58.399 --> 00:15:02.240 at nineteen. You know, wonders not think very seriously. But 265 00:15:02.279 --> 00:15:04.559 mister Elliot appeared to me quite as good as others, 266 00:15:04.879 --> 00:15:07.679 and much more agreeable than most others, and we were 267 00:15:07.720 --> 00:15:11.480 almost always together. We were principally in town, living in 268 00:15:11.600 --> 00:15:15.200 very good style. He was then the inferior in circumstances. 269 00:15:15.480 --> 00:15:18.080 He was then the poor one. He had chambers in 270 00:15:18.120 --> 00:15:20.200 the temple, and it was as much as he could 271 00:15:20.200 --> 00:15:23.080 do to support the appearance of a gentleman. He had 272 00:15:23.159 --> 00:15:25.639 always a home with us, whenever he chose it. He 273 00:15:25.720 --> 00:15:30.240 was always welcome. He was like a brother. My poor Charles, 274 00:15:30.480 --> 00:15:33.440 who had the finest, most generous spirit in the world, 275 00:15:33.720 --> 00:15:36.559 would have divided his last farthing with him, and I 276 00:15:36.639 --> 00:15:39.000 know that his purse was open to him. I know 277 00:15:39.120 --> 00:15:42.559 that he often assisted him. This must have been about 278 00:15:42.600 --> 00:15:45.960 that very period of mister Eliot's life, said Anne, which 279 00:15:45.960 --> 00:15:49.480 has always excited my particular curiosity. It must have been 280 00:15:49.519 --> 00:15:51.679 about the same time that became known to my father 281 00:15:51.720 --> 00:15:55.240 and sister I never knew him myself. I only heard 282 00:15:55.279 --> 00:15:57.759 of him, But there was a something in his conduct 283 00:15:57.840 --> 00:16:00.919 then with regard to my father and sister, and afterwards, 284 00:16:00.960 --> 00:16:03.559 in the circumstances of his marriage, which I never could 285 00:16:03.639 --> 00:16:07.039 quite reconcile with present times, it seemed to announce a 286 00:16:07.080 --> 00:16:11.200 different sort of man. I know it all, I know 287 00:16:11.399 --> 00:16:14.639 it all, cried missus Smith. He had been introduced to 288 00:16:14.679 --> 00:16:17.120 Sir Walter and your sister before I was acquainted with him, 289 00:16:17.360 --> 00:16:19.759 but I heard him speak of them for ever. I 290 00:16:19.919 --> 00:16:22.279 know he was invited and encouraged, and I know he 291 00:16:22.320 --> 00:16:25.799 did not choose to go. I can satisfy you, perhaps 292 00:16:26.080 --> 00:16:28.879 on points which you would little expect. And as to 293 00:16:28.919 --> 00:16:31.519 his marriage, I knew all about it at the time. 294 00:16:32.080 --> 00:16:34.799 I was privy to all the fours, and againsts I 295 00:16:34.879 --> 00:16:37.440 was a friend to whom he confided his hopes and plans. 296 00:16:37.799 --> 00:16:40.440 And though I did not know his wife previously, her 297 00:16:40.480 --> 00:16:44.759 inferior situation and society indeed rendered that impossible. Yet I 298 00:16:44.840 --> 00:16:47.559 knew her all her life afterwards, or at least till 299 00:16:47.600 --> 00:16:49.960 within the last two years of her life, and can 300 00:16:50.000 --> 00:16:53.519 answer any question you may wish to put. Nay, said Anne, 301 00:16:53.919 --> 00:16:56.799 I have no particular inquiry to make about her. I 302 00:16:56.799 --> 00:16:59.720 have always understood they were not a happy couple, But 303 00:16:59.759 --> 00:17:01.519 I I like to know why, at that time of 304 00:17:01.559 --> 00:17:04.519 his life he should slight my father's acquaintance as he did. 305 00:17:05.119 --> 00:17:07.640 My father was certainly disposed to take very kind and 306 00:17:07.680 --> 00:17:10.759 proper notice of him. Why did mister Eliot draw back? 307 00:17:12.160 --> 00:17:16.319 Mister Eliot replied, missus Smith, at that period of his life, 308 00:17:16.640 --> 00:17:20.480 had one object in view, to make his fortune, and 309 00:17:20.559 --> 00:17:23.880 by a rather quicker process than the law. He was 310 00:17:23.920 --> 00:17:27.319 determined to make it by marriage. He was determined at 311 00:17:27.440 --> 00:17:30.519 least not to mar it by an imprudent marriage. And 312 00:17:30.640 --> 00:17:33.200 I know it was his belief, whether justly or not. 313 00:17:33.279 --> 00:17:36.440 Of course, I cannot decide that your father and sister, 314 00:17:36.839 --> 00:17:40.480 in their civilities and invitations, were designing a match between 315 00:17:40.480 --> 00:17:43.359 the heir and the young lady, and it was impossible 316 00:17:43.400 --> 00:17:45.160 that such a match should have answered his ideas of 317 00:17:45.200 --> 00:17:48.519 wealth and independence. That was his motive for drawing back. 318 00:17:48.680 --> 00:17:51.640 I can assure you he told me the whole story. 319 00:17:52.079 --> 00:17:55.319 He had no concealments with me. It was curious that, 320 00:17:55.359 --> 00:17:58.119 having just left you behind me in bath, my first 321 00:17:58.119 --> 00:18:01.359 and principal acquaintance on marrying should be your cousin, and 322 00:18:01.400 --> 00:18:03.960 that through him I should be constantly hearing of your 323 00:18:04.000 --> 00:18:07.559 father and sister. He described one, Miss Eliot, and I 324 00:18:07.640 --> 00:18:12.720 thought very affectionately of the other, perhaps, cried Anne, struck 325 00:18:12.759 --> 00:18:15.759 by a sudden idea. You sometimes spoke of me to 326 00:18:15.799 --> 00:18:19.880 mister Eliot. To be sure, I did very often. I 327 00:18:20.000 --> 00:18:22.640 used to boast of my own, Anne, Eliot, and vouch 328 00:18:22.640 --> 00:18:26.079 for your being a very different creature from She checked 329 00:18:26.079 --> 00:18:30.079 herself just in time. This accounts for something which mister 330 00:18:30.119 --> 00:18:34.599 Elliot said last night, cried Anne. This explains it. I 331 00:18:34.720 --> 00:18:36.960 found he had been used to hear of me. I 332 00:18:37.000 --> 00:18:41.160 could not comprehend how what wild imaginations one forms where 333 00:18:41.200 --> 00:18:45.000 dear self is concerned, how sure to be mistaken? But 334 00:18:45.079 --> 00:18:48.279 I beg your pardon I have interrupted you. Mister Elliot 335 00:18:48.279 --> 00:18:52.160 married then completely for money, the circumstances probably which first 336 00:18:52.200 --> 00:18:56.160 opened your eyes to his character. Missus Smith hesitated a 337 00:18:56.160 --> 00:19:00.680 little here, Oh, those things are too common when one 338 00:19:00.720 --> 00:19:03.559 lives in the world. A man or woman's marrying for 339 00:19:03.640 --> 00:19:06.079 money is too common to strike one as a aught. 340 00:19:06.640 --> 00:19:09.640 I was very young and associated only with the young, 341 00:19:10.039 --> 00:19:13.039 and we were a thoughtless gay set, without any strict 342 00:19:13.119 --> 00:19:17.960 rules of conduct. We lived for enjoyment. I think differently now. 343 00:19:18.519 --> 00:19:21.839 Time and sickness and sorrow have given me other notions. 344 00:19:22.200 --> 00:19:24.559 But at that period I must own I saw nothing 345 00:19:24.599 --> 00:19:27.480 reprehensible in what mister Eliot was doing to do the 346 00:19:27.519 --> 00:19:31.480 best for himself past as a duty. But was not 347 00:19:31.559 --> 00:19:35.720 she a very low woman? Yes, which I objected to, 348 00:19:36.119 --> 00:19:39.359 But he would not regard money. Money was all that 349 00:19:39.440 --> 00:19:42.920 he wanted. Her father was a grazier, her grandfather had 350 00:19:42.920 --> 00:19:45.920 been a butcher, but that was all nothing. She was 351 00:19:45.960 --> 00:19:49.160 a fine woman, had had a decent education, was brought 352 00:19:49.160 --> 00:19:52.839 forward by some cousins, thrown by chance into mister Eliot's company, 353 00:19:53.119 --> 00:19:55.880 and fell in love with him. And not difficulty or 354 00:19:55.880 --> 00:19:58.559 a scruple was there on his side with respect to 355 00:19:58.599 --> 00:20:01.880 her birth. All his caution was spent in being secured 356 00:20:01.920 --> 00:20:04.640 of the real amount of her fortune before he committed 357 00:20:04.720 --> 00:20:08.640 himself depend upon it. Whatever esteem mister Eliot may have 358 00:20:08.759 --> 00:20:11.599 for his own situation in life, now, as a young man, 359 00:20:11.640 --> 00:20:14.559 he had not the smallest value for it. His chance 360 00:20:14.599 --> 00:20:17.480 for the Kellnch estate was something, but all the honor 361 00:20:17.519 --> 00:20:20.079 of the family he held as cheap as dirt. I 362 00:20:20.119 --> 00:20:23.359 have often heard him declare that if baronet's ees were saleable. 363 00:20:23.680 --> 00:20:26.960 Anybody should have his for fifty pounds, arms and motto 364 00:20:27.359 --> 00:20:30.480 name and livery included. But I will not pretend to 365 00:20:30.480 --> 00:20:32.319 repeat half that I used to hear him say on 366 00:20:32.400 --> 00:20:35.920 that subject. It would not be fair. And yet you 367 00:20:35.960 --> 00:20:39.039 ought to have proof for what is all this but assertion? 368 00:20:39.519 --> 00:20:43.759 And you shall have proof. Indeed, my dear missus Smith, 369 00:20:43.799 --> 00:20:47.799 I want none, cried Anne. You have asserted nothing contradictory 370 00:20:47.799 --> 00:20:50.119 to what mister Elliot appeared to be some years ago. 371 00:20:50.480 --> 00:20:53.160 This is all in confirmation rather of what we used 372 00:20:53.200 --> 00:20:56.000 to hear and believe. I am more curious to know 373 00:20:56.039 --> 00:20:59.960 why he should be so different now. But for my satisfaction, 374 00:21:00.559 --> 00:21:02.960 if you will have the goodness to ring for Mary stay, 375 00:21:03.519 --> 00:21:05.519 I am sure you will have the still greater goodness 376 00:21:05.559 --> 00:21:07.960 of going yourself into my bedroom and bringing me the 377 00:21:07.960 --> 00:21:10.160 small inlate books which you will find in the upper 378 00:21:10.160 --> 00:21:13.559 shelf of the closet. Anne, seeing her friend to be 379 00:21:13.599 --> 00:21:16.559 earnestly bent on it, did as she was desired. The 380 00:21:16.599 --> 00:21:19.519 box was brought and placed before her, and Missus Smith, 381 00:21:19.839 --> 00:21:23.359 sighing over it as she unlocked it, said, this is 382 00:21:23.400 --> 00:21:26.680 full of papers belonging to him, to my husband, A 383 00:21:26.759 --> 00:21:28.880 small portion only of what I had to look over 384 00:21:28.920 --> 00:21:31.519 when I lost him. The letter I am looking for 385 00:21:31.599 --> 00:21:34.160 was one written by mister Eliot to him before our marriage, 386 00:21:34.480 --> 00:21:37.839 and happened to be saved. Why one can hardly imagine. 387 00:21:38.160 --> 00:21:41.480 But he was careless and immethodical, like other men about 388 00:21:41.480 --> 00:21:44.240 those things. And when I came to examine his papers, 389 00:21:44.519 --> 00:21:47.519 I found it with others still more trivial from different people, 390 00:21:47.599 --> 00:21:50.680 scattered here and there. While many letters and memorandums of 391 00:21:50.720 --> 00:21:54.720 real importance had been destroyed, here it is. I would 392 00:21:54.799 --> 00:21:58.079 not burn it, because, being even then very little satisfied 393 00:21:58.079 --> 00:22:01.160 with mister Eliot, I was determined to reserve every document 394 00:22:01.160 --> 00:22:04.319 of former intimacy. I have now another motive for being 395 00:22:04.319 --> 00:22:07.359 glad that I can produce it. This was the letter 396 00:22:07.599 --> 00:22:11.519 directed to Charles Smith, Esquire, Tunbridge Wells, and dated from 397 00:22:11.519 --> 00:22:16.559 London as far back as July eighteen o three. Dear Smith, 398 00:22:17.119 --> 00:22:21.359 I have received yours. Your kindness almost overpowers me. I 399 00:22:21.400 --> 00:22:24.000 wish nature had made such hearts as yours more common, 400 00:22:24.359 --> 00:22:26.400 but I have lived three and twenty years in the 401 00:22:26.400 --> 00:22:29.880