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improve them。 She wanted her to be more known。
The undesirableness of any other house in the same
neighbourhood for Sir Walter was certainly much strengthened by
one part； and a very material part of the scheme； which had been
happily engrafted on the beginning。 He was not only to quit his
home； but to see it in the hands of others； a trial of fortitude； which
stronger heads than Sir Walter’s have found too much。—Kellynch
Hall was to be let。 This； however； was a profound secret； not to be
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breathed beyond their own circle。
Sir Walter could not have borne the degradation of being
known to design letting his house。 Mr。 Shepherd had once
mentioned the word “advertise；”—but never dared approach it
again。 Sir Walter spurned the idea of its being offered in any
manner； forbad the slightest hint being dropped of his having such
an intention； and it was only on the supposition of his being
spontaneously solicited by some most unexceptionable applicant；
on his own terms； and as a great favour； that he would let it at all。
How quick come the reasons for approving what we like！—Lady
Russell had another excellent one at hand； for being extremely
glad that Sir Walter and his family were to remove from the
country。 Elizabeth had been lately forming an intimacy； which she
wished to see interrupted。 It was with the daughter of Mr。
Shepherd； who had returned； after an unprosperous marriage； to
her father’s house； with the additional burden of two children。 She
was a clever young woman； who understood the art of pleasing—
the art of pleasing； at least； at Kellynch Hall； and who had made
herself so acceptable to Miss Elliot； as to have been already staying
there more than once； in spite of all that Lady Russell； who
thought it a friendship quite out of place； could hint of caution and
reserve。
Lady Russell； indeed； had scarcely any influence with
Elizabeth； and seemed to love her； rather because she would love
her； than because Elizabeth deserved it。 She had never received
from her more than outward attention； nothing beyond the
observances of complaisance； had never succeeded in any point
which she wanted to carry； against previous inclination。 She had
been repeatedly very earnest in trying to get Anne included in the
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Jane Austen： Persuasion 20
visit to London； sensibly open to all the injustice and all the
discredit of the selfish arrangements which shut her out； and on
many lesser occasions had endeavoured to give Elizabeth the
advantage of her own better judgment and experience—but
always in vain； Elizabeth would go her own way—and never had
she pursued it in more decided opposition to Lady Russell than in
this selection of Mrs。 Clay； turning from the society of so deserving
a sister； to bestow her affection and confidence on one who ought
to have been nothing to her but the object of distant civility。
From situation； Mrs。 Clay was； in Lady Russell’s estimate； a
very unequal； and in her character she believed a very dangerous
companion—and a removal that would leave Mrs。 Clay behind；
and bring a choice of more suitable intimates within Miss Elliot’s
reach； was therefore an object of first…rate importance。
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Jane Austen： Persuasion 21
CHAPTER III
must take leave to observe； Sir Walter；” said Mr。
“IShepherd one morning at Kellynch Hall； as he laid
down the newspaper； “that the present juncture is
much in our favour。 This peace will be turning all our rich naval
officers ashore。 They will be all wanting a home。 Could not be a
better time； Sir Walter； for having a choice of tenants； very
responsible tenants。 Many a noble fortune has been made during
the war。 If a rich admiral were to come in our way； Sir Walter—”
“He would be a very lucky man； Shepherd；” replied Sir Walter；
“that’s all I have to remark。 A prize indeed would Kellynch Hall be
to him； rather the greatest prize of all； let him have taken ever so
many before—hey； Shepherd？”
Mr。 Shepherd laughed； as he knew he must； at this wit； and
then added；
“I presume to observe； Sir Walter； that； in the way of business；
gentlemen of the navy are well to deal with。 I have had a little
knowledge of their methods of doing business； and I am free to
confess that they have very liberal notions； and are as likely to
make desirable tenants as any set of people one should meet with。
Therefore； Sir Walter； what I would take leave to suggest is； that if
in consequence of any rumours getting abroad of your intention—
which must be contemplated as a possible thing； because we know
how difficult it is to keep the actions and designs of one part of the
world from the notice and curiosity of the other；—consequence
has its tax—I； John Shepherd； might conceal any family…matters
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that I chose； for nobody would think it worth their while to
observe me； but Sir Walter Elliot has eyes upon him which it may
be very difficult to elude—and therefore； thus much I venture
upon； that it will not greatly surprise me if； with all our caution；
some rumour of the truth should get abroad—in the supposition of
which； as I was going to observe； since applications will
unquestionably follow； I should think any from our wealthy naval
commanders particularly worth attending to—and beg leave to
add； that two hours