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The news of his cousins Anne’s engagement burst on Mr。 Elliot
most unexpectedly。 It deranged his best plan of domestic
happiness； his best hope of keeping Sir Walter single by the
watchfulness which a son…in…law’s rights would have given。 But；
though discomfited and disappointed； he could still do something
for his own interest and his own enjoyment。 He soon quitted Bath；
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and on Mrs。 Clay’s quitting it soon afterwards； and being next
heard of as established under his protection in London； it was
evident how double a game he had been playing； and how
determined he was to save himself from being cut out by one artful
woman； at least。
Mrs。 Clay’s affections had overpowered her interest； and she
had sacrificed； for the young man’s sake； the possibility of
scheming longer for Sir Walter。 She has abilities； however； as well
as affections； and it is now a doubtful point whether his cunning；
or hers； may finally carry the day； whether； after preventing her
from being the wife of Sir Walter； he may not be wheedled and
caressed at last into making her the wife of Sir William。
It cannot be doubted that Sir Walter and Elizabeth were
shocked and mortified by the loss of their companion； and the
discovery of their deception in her。 They had their great cousins；
to be sure； to resort to for comfort； but they must long feel that to
flatter and follow others； without being flattered and followed in
turn； is but a state of half enjoyment。
Anne； satisfied at a very early period of Lady Russell’s meaning
to love Captain Wentworth as she ought； had no other alloy to the
happiness of her prospects than what arose from the
consciousness of having no relations to bestow on him which a
man of sense could value。 There she felt her own inferiority very
keenly。 The disproportion in their fortune was nothing； it did not
give her a moment’s regret； but to have no family to receive and
estimate him properly； nothing of respectability； of harmony； of
good will to offer in return for all the worth and all the prompt
welcome which met her in his brothers and sisters； was a source of
as lively pain as her mind could well be sensible of under
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circumstances of otherwise strong felicity。 She had but two friends
in the world to add to his list； Lady Russell and Mrs。 Smith。 To
those； however； he was very well disposed to attach himself。 Lady
Russell； in spite of all her former transgressions； he could now
value from his heart。 While he was not obliged to say that he
believed her to have been right in originally dividing them； he was
ready to say almost everything else in her favour； and as for Mrs。
Smith； she had claims of various kinds to recommend her quickly
and permanently。
Her recent good offices by Anne had been enough in
themselves； and their marriage； instead of depriving her of one
friend； secured her two。 She was their earliest visitor in their
settled life； and Captain Wentworth； by putting her in the way of
recovering her husband’s property in the West Indies； by writing
for her； acting for her； and seeing her through all the petty
difficulties of the case with the activity and exertion of a fearless
man and a determined friend； fully requited the services which
she had rendered； or ever meant to render； to his wife。
Mrs。 Smith’s enjoyments were not spoiled by this improvement
of income； with some improvement of health； and the acquisition
of such friends to be often with； for her cheerfulness and mental
alacrity did not fail her； and while these prime supplies of good
remained； she might have bid defiance even to greater accessions
of worldly prosperity。 She might have been absolutely rich and
perfectly healthy； and yet be happy。 Her spring of felicity was in
the glow of her spirits； as her friend Anne’s was in the warmth of
her heart。 Anne was tenderness itself； and she had the full worth
of it in Captain Wentworth’s affection。 His profession was all that
could ever make her friends wish that tenderness less； the dread
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of a future war all that could dim her sunshine。 She gloried in
being a sailor’s wife； but she must pay the tax of quick alarm for
belonging to that profession which is； if possible； more
distinguished in its domestic virtues than in its national
importance。
FINIS
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Appendix
———————
The Original Ending of
Persuasion
CHAPTER 10
July 8。
With all this knowledge of Mr E—& this authority to impart it；
Anne left Westgate Buildings—her mind deeply busy in revolving
what she had heard； feeling； thinking； recalling & forseeing
everything； shocked at Mr。 Elliot—sighing over future Kellynch；
and pained for Lady Russell； whose confidence in him had been
entire。—The Embarrassment which must be felt from this hour in
his presence！—How to behave to him？—how to get rid of him？—
what to do by any of the Party at home？—where to be blind？
where to be active？—It was altogether a confusion of Images &
Doubts—a perplexity； an agita