In the race to scale with AI, you need data infrastructure that can match your pace. EverPierre's data storage platform brings all your data into one hub. No silos, no scrambling, just instant access to tame your data chaos. And with EverPierre's storage as a service subscription, your storage and security upgrade automatically with zero downtime, your infrastructure stays current so your business never slows down. Visit Visit EverPeerData.com to learn more today.

With EverPeer, you're not just in the race.

You're built to win it. Welcome to Snewscast, the podcast designed to help you fall asleep. Find us at snoozecast.com and wherever you listen to podcasts. If you'd like to listen at free, or unlock our entire vast and snoozy catalog of sleep stories, go to snoozecast.com slash plus. This episode is brought to you by riotous boys holding high revel. Tonight, we shall read the next part to persuasion, the last novel fully completed by Jane Austen, published in 1817. The story concerns in Elliott, and English woman whose family moves in order to lower their expenses by renting their home to an admiral and his wife. Anne receives a letter from her sister Elizabeth informing her that Mr. Elliot, their estranged cousin and heir to Kellynchol, is in bath and has been

paying regular visits to their father, Sir Walter. His sudden attentiveness is surprising as he had previously distanced himself from the family. Lady Russell is now curious and eager to meet him. less excited.

Acknowledges she would rather see him than many others in Bath. Upon arriving at Camden Place, Anne finds her father and Elizabeth in high spirits, boasting about their grand house and increasing social prominence. evening, Mr. Elliott arrives unexpectedly. His charm and intelligence impress Anne, and the evening passes surprisingly well. Let's get cozy. Close your eyes. Relax your body into the softness of your bed. Now take a few deep breaths. Chapter 16 There was one point which Anne, on returning to her family, would have been more thankful to ascertain even than Mr. Elliot's being in love with Elizabeth, which was her father's not being in love with Mrs. Clay, and she was very far from easy about it, when she had been at home for a few hours. On going down to breakfast the next morning, she found there had just been a decent pretense on the lady's side of meaning to leave them. She could imagine Mrs. Clay to have said that, now Mrs. Anna's come, she could not suppose herself at all wanted. For Elizabeth was replying in a sort of whisper, that must not be any reason indeed. I assure you I feel it none. She is nothing to me compared with you." And she was in full time to hear her father say, My dear Madame, this must not be, as yet you have seen nothing of bath. You You have been here only to be useful. You must not run away from us now.

You must not run away from us now. You must stay to be acquainted with Mrs. Wallace, the beautiful Mrs. Wallace. To your fine mind, I will know the sight of beauty is a real gratification. He spoke and looked so much in earnest that Anne was not surprised to see Mrs. Clay stealing a glance at Elizabeth and herself. Her countenance, perhaps, might express some watchfulness, but the praise of the fine mind did not appear to excite a a thought in her sister. The lady could not but yield to such joint entreaties and promise to stay. In the course of the same morning and and her father, chancing to be alone together, he began to compliment her on her improved looks. He thought her less thin in her person, in her cheeks, her skin, her complexion, greatly improved, clearer, fresher. Had she been using anything in particular? No, nothing. Mirly Galan, he's supposed. No nothing at all. Ha, he was surprised at that. And at it. Certainly you cannot do better than to continue as you are. You cannot be better than well. Or I should recommend Galen. The constant use of Galen during the spring months. Mrs. Clay has been using it at my recommendation, and you see what it's done for her. You see how it is carried away her freckles. If Elizabeth could but have heard this, such personal praise might have struck her, especially as it did not appear to Anne, that the freckles were at all lessened. But everything must take its chance. The evil of a marriage would be much diminished if Elizabeth were also to marry. As for herself, she might always command a home with Lady Russell. Lady Russell's composed mind and polite manners were put to some trial on this point in her intercourse in Camden Place. The sight of Mrs. Clay in such favor and of Anne so overlooked was a perpetual provocation to her there, and vexed her as much as when And she was away as a person in bath who drinks the water gets all the new publications and has a very large acquaintance has time to be vexed. As Mr. Elliott became known to her she grew more charitable or more indifferent towards the others. His manners were in immediate recommendation, and on conversing with him she found the solid so fully supporting the superficial that she was at first, as she told Anne, almost ready to exclaim, can this be Mr. Elliot? And could not seriously picture to herself a more agreeable or estimable man? Everything united in him, good understanding, correct opinions, knowledge of the world, and a warm heart. He had strong feelings of family attachment and family honor. Without pride or weakness, he lived with the liberality of a man of fortune without display. He judged for himself in everything essential, without defying public opinion in any point of worldly decorum. He was steady, observant, moderate, candid, never run away with by spirits or by selfishness, which fancied itself strong feeling. And yet, with a sensibility to what was amiable and lovely, and a value for all the felicities of domestic life, which characters of fancied enthusiasm and violent agitation seldom really possess. She was sure that he had not been happy in marriage, Colonel Wallace said it, and Lady Russell saw it, but it had been no unhappiness to sour his mind. Nor she began pretty soon to suspect, to prevent his thinking of a second choice. Her satisfaction and Mr. Elliot outweighed all the plague of Mrs. Clay. It was now some year since Anne had begun to learn that she and her excellent friend could sometimes think differently. And it did not surprise her, therefore, that Lady Russell should see nothing suspicious or inconsistent. Nothing to require more motives than appeared in Mr. Eliot's great desire of a reconciliation. In Lady Russell's view, it was perfectly natural that Mr. Eliot, at a mature time of life, should feel it a most desirable object, and what would very generally recommend him among all sensible people to be on good terms with the head of his family. The simplest process in the world of time upon a head naturally clear, and only airing in the hay day of youth. presumed, however, still to smile about it, and at last to mention Elizabeth. Lady Russell listened and looked, and made only this cautious reply. Elizabeth, very well, time will explain. It was a reference to the future, which Anne, after a little observation, felt she must submit to. She could determine nothing at present. In that house Elizabeth must be first, and she was in the habit of such general observance as mis-eliant that any particularity of attention seemed almost impossible. Mr. Elliott, too, it must be remembered, had not been a widower seven months. A little delay on his side might be very excusable. In fact, and could never see the crape round his hat without fearing that she was an inexcusable one, in attributing to him such imaginations. For though his marriage had not been very happy, still it had existed so many years that she could not comprehend a very rapid recovery from the awful impression of its being dissolved. However, it might end. He was without any question, their pleasantist acquaintance in bath. She saw nobody equal to him, and it was a great indulgence now

and then to talk to him about Lyme, which he seemed to have as lively a wish to see again, and to see more of as herself. They went through the particulars of their first meeting a great many times. He gave her to understand that he

had looked at her with some earnestness. She knew it well, and she remembered another person's look also. They did not always think alike. His value for rank and connection, He perceived was greater than hers.

It was not merely completions.

It must be a liking to the cause, which made him enter warmly into her father and sister solicitudes on a subject which she thought unworthy to excite them. The bath paper one morning announced the rival of the theager Viscountess, Dalrymple, and her daughter, the honorable Miss Cartaret, and all the comfort of Camden Place was swept away for many days. For the Dalrymples, in Anne's opinion, most unfortunately, were cousins of the aliens, and the agony was how to introduce themselves properly. Anne had never seen her father and sister before in contact with nobility, and she must acknowledge herself disappointed. She had hoped better things from their high ideas of their own situation in life and was reduced to form a wish which she had never foreseen, a wish that they had more pride for our cousin's Lady Dolrampal and Miss Carterhead, our cousin's The Dolrmples, sounded in her ears all day long. Sir Walter had once been in the company with the late Viscount, but had never seen any of the rest of the family, and the difficulties of their case arose from their having been a suspension of all intercourse by letters of ceremony ever since the death of that said late Viscale. When, in consequence of a dangerous illness of Sir Walter's at the same time, there had been an unlikely omission at Kellynch. No letter of condolence had been sent to Ireland. The neglect had been visited on the head of the sinner. For when poor Lady Elliott died herself, no letter of condolence was received at Kellynch and, consequently, there was but too much reason to apprehend that the Dal Ripples considered

the relationship as closed. How to have this anxious business set to rights and be admitted as cousins again was the question, and it was a question which, in a more rational manner, neither Lady Russell, Mr. Elliott thought unimportant. Family connections were always worth preserving. Good company always worth seeking. Lady Dalrymple had taken a house for three months in Laura Place and would be living in style. She had been at Bath the year before, and Lady Russell had heard her spoken of as a charming woman. It was very desirable that the connection should be renewed, if it could be done without any compromise of propriety on the side of the Eliot's. Sir Walter, however, would choose his own means, and at last wrote a very fine letter of ample explanation, regret, and entreaty to his right honorable cousin. Neither Lady Russell nor Mr. Elliott could admire the letter, but it did all that she wanted, in bringing three lines of scroll from the Dowager of his Countess. She was very much honored and should be happy in their acquaintance. The Toils of the Business were over, the sweets began. They visited in Laura Place. They had the cards of Dowager Viscountess Dalrymple and the Honorable Miss Carterette to be arranged wherever they might be most visible. And our cousins in Laura Place, our cousin Lady Dalrymple Miss Carterett, were talked of to everybody. Anne was ashamed. Had Lady Del Ripple and her daughter even been very agreeable, she would still have been ashamed of the agitation they created, but they were nothing. There was no superiority of manner, accomplishment, or understanding. Lady Del Ripple had acquired a name of a charming woman because she had a smile and a civil answer for everybody. This car turret, with still less to say, was so plain and so awkward that she would never have been tolerated and cammed in place but for her birth. Lady Russell confessed she had expected something better, but yet it was in acquaintance worth having. And when Anne ventured to speak her opinion of them to Mr. Elliott, he agreed to there being nothing in themselves, but still maintained that as a family connection, as good company, those who would collect good company around them, they had their value." And smiled and said, "...My idea of good company, Mr. Elliot, is the company of clever, well-informed people who have a great deal of conversation. That is what I call good company. You are mistaken," said he gently. That is not good company. That is the best. Good company requires only birth, education, and manners. And with regard to education is not very nice. Birth and good manners are essential, but a little learning

is by no means a dangerous thing in good company. On the contrary, it will do very well. My cousin Anne shakes her head. She is not satisfied. She is fastidious. My dear cousin, sitting down by her, you have a better right to be festidious than almost any other woman I know. But will it answer? Will it make you happy? Will it not be wiser to accept the society of those good ladies in Laura Place and enjoy all the advantages of the connection as far as possible. You may depend upon it, that they will move in the first set in bath this winter, and as rank is rank, you're being known to be related to them will have its use in fixing your family. Our family, let me say, in that degree of consideration which we must all wish for. Yes, side Ann, we shall indeed be known to be related to them. Then recollecting herself and not wishing to be answered she added, I certainly do think there has been too much trouble taken to procure the acquaintance. I suppose, smiling, I have more pride than any of you, but I confess it does vex me. It should be so solicitous to have the relationship acknowledged, which we may be very sure is a matter of perfect and different to them. Part in me, dear cousin, you are unjust in your own claims. In London, perhaps, in your present quiet style of living, it might be as you say. But in Bath, Sir Walter Elliott and his family will always be worth knowing, always acceptable as acquaintance. Well, said Anne, I certainly am proud, too proud to enjoy a welcome which depends so entirely upon place. I love your indignation," said he. It is very natural. But here you are in bath. And the object is to be established here with all the credit and dignity which ought to belong to Sir Walter Elliott. You talk of being proud. I am called proud, I know, and I shall not wish to believe myself otherwise. For our pride, if investigated, would have the same object. I have no doubt, though the kind may seem a little different. In one point I am sure, dear cousin, he continued, speaking lower, though there was no one else in the room. In one point I am sure we must feel alike. We must feel that every addition to your father's society among his equals or superiors may be of use in diverting his thoughts from those who are beneath him. He looked as he spoke to the seat which Mrs. Clay had been lately occupying, a sufficient explanation of what he particularly meant. And though Anne could not believe in their having the same sort of pride, she was pleased with him for not liking Mrs. Clay. and her conscience admitted that his wishing to promote her father's getting great acquaintance was more than excusable in the view of defeating her. While Sir Walter and Elizabeth were assiduously pushing their good fortune in Laura Place, and

was renewing in acquaintance of a very different description. She had called on her former governess, and had heard from her of their being an old schoolfellow and 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 and had gone unhappy to school, grieving for for the loss of a mother whom she had dearly loved, feeling her separation from home, and suffering as a girl of 14, of strong sensibility and not high spirits must suffer at such a time. 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 within difference.

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 This is a count 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 distruses had been afflicted with the 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 lodging 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 Elliott would give Mrs. Smith and Anne therefore lost no time in going. She mentioned nothing of what she had heard, of what she intended at home. It would excite no proper interest there. She only consulted Lady Russell, who entered thoroughly into her sentiments, and was most happy to convey her as near to Mrs. Smith's lodgings in Westgate buildings, as Anne chose to be taken. The visit was paid, their acquaintance reestablished, their interest in each other more than rekindled. The first ten minutes had its awkwardness and its emotion. Twelve years were gone since they had parted and each presented a somewhat different person from what the other had imagined. Twelve years had changed Anne from the blooming, silent, unformed girl of 15 to the elegant little woman of 7 and 20, with every beauty except bloom and with manners as consciously right as they were invariably gentle.

And 12 years had transformed the fine-looking,

well-grown Miss Hamilton in all the glow of health

and confidence of superiority into a poor,

infirm, helpless widow, receiving the visit of her former protege as a favor. But all that was uncomfortable in the meeting had soon passed away. And left only the interesting charm of remembering formerialities and talking over old times. Yn yw'n yw'n yw'n yw'n yw'n yw'n yw'n yw'n yw'n yw'n yw'n yw'n yw'n yw'n yw'n yw'n yw'n yw'n yw'n yw'n yw'n yw'n yw'n yw'n yw'n yw'n yw'n yw'n yw'n yw'n yw'n yw'n yw'n yw'n yw'n yw'n yw'n yw'n yw'n yw'n yw'n yw'n yw'n yw'n yw'n yw'n yw'n yw'n yw'n yw'n yw'n yw'n yw'n yw'n yw'n yw'n yw'n yw'n yw'n yw'n yw'n yw'n yw'n yw'n yw'n yw'n yw'n y