Music Welcome to Snuescast, 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 out free, or unlock our entire snoozy catalog of sleep stories, including monthly bonus episodes, please go to snoozecast.com slash plus. This episode is brought to you by…and every day Mrs. Smith. Tonight, we shall read the next part to persuasion, the last novel fully completed by Jane Austen and published in 1817. The story concerns Anne Elliott, an English woman whose family moves in order to lower their expenses by renting their home to an admiral and his wife. In the last episode, starting at Chapter 17, Anne visits her old-school friend, Mrs. Smith, who now lives in modest circumstances due to her husband's debts and death. Despite her hardships, Mrs. Smith is cheerful and spirited, and values their renewed friendship, though her family looks down on the connection. The chapter highlights Anne's increasing clarity. While Mr. Elliott offers social security and admiration, it is not the kind of love she desires. Her renewed bond with Mrs. Smith also underscores her loyalty and sensitivity to genuine character over status. We will pick up mid-conversation between Lady Russell and Anne. Russell is trying to persuade Anne to consider marrying Mr. Elliott. Let's get cozy. Close your eyes. your body into the softness of your bed. Now take a few deep breaths. and said to Lady Russell, Mr. Elliott is an exceedingly agreeable man, and in many respects, I think highly of him, but we should not suit. Lady Russell let this pass, and only said her jointer, I own that to be able to regard you as the future mistress of Kellynch, the future lady Elliott, to look forward and see you occupying your dear mother's place, succeeding to all her rights and all her popularity, as well as to all her virtues, would be the highest possible gratification to me. You are your mother's self, incontinence and disposition. And if I might be allowed to fancy you, such as she was, in situation and name and home, presiding and blessing in the same spot, and only superior to her in being more highly valued, my dearest Anne, it would give me more delight than is often felt at my time of life. And was obliged to turn away, to rise, to walk to a distant table, and leaning there in pretended employment, tried to subdue the feelings this picture excited. For a few moments, her imagination and her heart were bewitched. The idea of becoming what her mother had been of having the precious name of Lady Elliott first revived in herself of being restored to Gellinch, calling it her home again, her home, was a charm which she could not immediately resist. Though they had now been acquainted a month, she could not be satisfied that she really knew Mr. Elliot's character, that he was a sensible man, an agreeable man, that he talked well, professed good opinions, seemed to judge properly, and as a man of principle, this was all clear enough. He certainly knew what was right, nor could she fix on any one article of moral duty evidently transgressed. But yet, she would have been afraid to answer for his conduct. She distrusted the past, if not the present. The names which occasionally dropped of former associates, the illusions to former practices and pursuits, suggested suspicions not favorable of what he had been. She saw that there had been bad habits, that Sunday traveling had been a common thing, there had been been a period of his life, and probably not a short one, when he had been at least careless in all serious matters. And, though he might now think very differently, who could answer for the true sentiments of a clever, cautious man, grown old enough to appreciate a fair character? How could it ever be ascertained that his mind was truly cleansed? Mr. Elliott was rational, discreet, polished, but he was not open. There was never any burst of feeling, any warmth of indignation or delight at the evil or good of others. This, to Anne, was a decided imperfection. her early impressions were incurable. She prized the frank, the open hearted, the eager character beyond all others. Warmth and enthusiasm did captivate her still. She felt that she could so much more depend upon the sincerity of those who sometimes looked or said a careless or a hasty thing, then of those whose presence of mind never varied, whose tongue never slipped. Mr. Elliott was too generally agreeable. Various as were the tempers in her father's house, he pleased them all. He endured too well, stood too well with everybody. He had spoken to her with some degree of openness of Mrs. Clay, had appeared completely to see what Mrs. Clay was about, and to hold her in contempt, and yet Mrs. Clay found him as agreeable as anybody. Lady Russell saw either less or more than her young friend, for she saw nothing to excite distrust. He could not imagine a man more exactly what he ought to be than Mr. Elliott. Nor did she ever enjoy a sweeter feeling than the hope of seeing him receive the hand of her beloved Anne in Kellynch Church in the course of the following autumn. Chapter 18 It was the beginning of February and Anne, having been a month in Bath, was growing very eager for news from up across and line. She wanted to hear how much more than Mary had communicated. It was three weeks since she had heard at all. She only knew that Henrietta was at home again and that Luisa, though considered to be recovering fast, was still in line. And she was thinking of them all very intently one evening, when a thicker letter than usual from Mary was delivered to her, and to quicken the pleasure and surprise, with admiral and And Mrsft's compliments. The Crofts must be in bath, a circumstance to entrust her. They were people whom her heart turned to very naturally. What is this, Crite's or The Crofts have arrived in Bath.

The Crofts who rent a challenge?

What if they brought you?

A letter from Opera Cross Cottage, sir.

Oh, those letters are convenient passports.

They secure an introduction.

I should have visited Admiral Croft, however, at any rate. I know what is due to my tenant. And could listen no longer. She could not even have told how the poor Admiral's complexion escaped. Her letter engrossed her. It had been begun several days back. February 1st, my dear Anne, I make no apology for my silence because I know how little people think of letters in such a place as bath. You must be a great deal too happy to care for uppercross, which, as you will know, affords little to write about. We've had a very dull Christmas. Mr and Mrs. Musgrove have not had one dinner party all the holidays. I do not reckon the haters as anybody. The holidays, however, are over at last. I believe no children ever had such long ones. I am sure I had not. The house was cleared yesterday, except of the little Harvills. But you will be surprised to hear they have never gone home. Mrs. Harville must be an odd mother to part with them so long. I do not understand it. They are not at all nice children, in my opinion. But Mrs. Musgrove seems to like them quite as well, if not better, than her own grandchildren.

What dreadful weather we have had. It may not be felt in bath with your nice pavements, but in the country it is of some consequence. I have not had a creature call on me since the second week in January. Except Charles Hater, who had been calling much offender than was welcome. Between ourselves, I think at a great pity Henrietta did not remain at lie as long as Louisa, who would have kept her a little out of his way. The carriage is gone today to bring Louisa and the Harvils tomorrow. We are not asked to dine with them, however, till the day after. Mrs. Musgrove is so afraid of her being fatigued by the journey, which is not very likely, considering the care that will be taken of her, and it would be much more convenient to me to die there tomorrow. I am glad you find Mr. Elliot so agreeable, and wish I could be acquainted with him too, but I have my usual luck. I am always out of the way when anything desirable is going on. Always the last of my family to be noticed. What an immense time Mrs. Clay has been staying with Elizabeth. Does she never mean to go away? But perhaps, if she were to leave the room vacant, we might not be invited. Let me know what you think of this. I do not expect my children to be asked, you know. I can leave them at the great house very well. For a month or six weeks, I have this moment and heard that the crafts are going to bath almost immediately. They think the admirable goutty. Charles heard it quite by chance. They have not had the civility to give me any notice or of offering to take anything. I do not think they improve at all as neighbors. We see nothing of them, and this is really an instance of gross inattention. Charles joins me in love, and everything proper. Yours affectionately, Mary. I am sorry to say that I am very far from well. and Jemima has just told me that the butcher says there is a bad sore throat very much about. I dare say I shall catch it, and my sore throats, you know, are always worse than anybody's. So ended the first part, which had been afterwards put into an envelope containing nearly as much more. I kept my letter open that I might send you word how Luisa bore her journey, and now I am extremely glad I did, having a great deal to add. In the first place, I had a note from Mrs. Croft yesterday, offering to convey anything to you, a very kind, friendly note indeed, addressed to me, just as it ought. I shall therefore be able to make my letter as long as I like. The admiral does not seem very ill, and I sincerely hope Bath will do him all the good he wants. I shall be truly glad to have them back again. Our neighborhood cannot spare such a pleasant family, but now for Luisa. I have something to communicate that will astonish you not a little.

She and the Harvils came on Tuesday very safely, and in the evening we went to ask her how she did.

When we were rather surprised not to find Captain Benwick of the party,

for he had been invited as well as the Harvils, and what do you think was the reason? Neither more nor less than his being in love with Luisa, and not choosing to venture to uppercross till he had an answer from Mr. Mosgrove, for it was all settled between him and her before she came away, and he had written to her father by Captain Harville. True, upon my honor! Are not you astonished? I shall be surprised at least if you ever receive a hint of it, for I never did. Mrs. Musgrove protests solemnly that she knew nothing of the matter. We are all very well pleased, however, for though it is not equal to her marrying Captain Wentworth, it is infinitely better than Charles Hater, Mr. Musgrove has written his consent, and Captain Benwick is expected today. Mrs. Harville says her husband feels a good deal on his poor sister's account, but, however, Luisa is a great favorite with both. Indeed, Mrs. Harville and I quite agree that we love her the better for having nursed her. Charles wonders what Captain Wentworth will say. But if you remember, I never thought him attached to Luisa. I never could see anything of it. And this is the end you see of Captain Benwix being supposed to be an admirer of yours. How Charles could take such a thing into his head was always incomprehensible to me. I hope he will now be agreeable. Certainly not a great match for Louisa Musgrove, but a million times better than marrying among the haters. Mary need not have feared her sisters being in any degree prepared for the news. She had never in her life been more astonished. Captain Benwick and Louisa Musgrove, it was almost too wonderful for belief, and it was with the greatest effort that she could remain in the room, preserve an air of calmness, and answer the common questions of the moment. Happily for her, they were not many. Sir Walter wanted to know whether the crafts traveled with four horses and whether they were likely to be situated in such a part of Bath as it might suit Miss Elliott and himself to visit him, but had little curiosity beyond. How is Mary, said Elizabeth, and without waiting for an answer? And pray what brings the cross to Bath? They come on the admiral's account. He is thought to be Gauty. Gaut and decrepitude said Sir Walter, poor old gentleman. Have they any acquaintance here? Asked Elizabeth? I do not know, but I can hardly suppose that, at Admiral Croft's time of life, and in his profession, he should not have many acquaintance in such a place as this. I suspect, said Sir Walter, coolly, that Admiral Croft will be best known in Bath as the renter of Kellynch Hall. Elizabeth, may we venture to present him and his wife in Laura Place? Oh, no! I think not! Situated as we are with Lady Dalarimple, cousins, we ought to be very careful not to embarrass her with acquaintance she might not approve. If we were not related, it would not signify. But as cousins, she would feel scrupulous as to any proposal of ours. We had better leave the crafts to find their own level. There are several odd-looking men walking about here who, I am told, are sailors. The crafts will associate with them. This was Sir Walter and Elizabeth's share of interest in the letter. When Mrs. Clay had paid her tribute of more decent attention, and in inquiry after Mrs. Charles Musgrove and her fine little boys, Anne was at liberty. In her own room, she tried to comprehend it. While, my Charles wonder how Captain Wentworth would feel. Perhaps he had quitted the field, had given Louisa up, had ceased to love, had found he did not love her. She could not endure the idea of treachery or levity, or anything akin to ill usage between him and his friend. She could not endure that such a friendship as theirs should be severed unfairly. Captain Benwick and Luisa Musgrove The high spirited, joyous talking Luisa Musgrove,

and the dejected thinking, feeling,

reading Captain Benwick seemed each of them

everything that would not suit the other.

Their minds most dissimilar.

Where could have been the attraction?

The answer soon presented itself. It had been in situation. They had been thrown together several weeks. They had been living in the same small family party. Since Henrietta's coming away, they must have been depending almost entirely on each other. and Louisa, just recovering from illness, had been in an interesting state. And Captain Benwick was not inconsolable. That was a point which Anne had not been able to avoid suspecting before. And instead of drawing the same conclusion as Mary from the present course of events, they served only to confirm the idea of his having felt some donning of tenderness toward herself. She did not mean, however, to derive much more from it to gratify her vanity, then Mary might have allowed.

She was persuaded that any tolerably pleasing young woman who had listened and seemed to feel for him would have received the same compliment. He had an affectionate heart. He must love somebody. She saw no reason against their being happy. Luisa had fine naval fervor to begin with, and they would soon grow more alike. He would gain cheerfulness, and she would learn to be an enthusiast for Scott and Lord Byron. Nay, that was probably learned already. Of course they had fallen in love over poetry. The idea of Louisa Musgrove turned into a person of literary taste, and sentimental reflection was amusing, but she had no doubt of its being so. The day at lime, the fall from the cob, might influence her health, her nerves, her courage, her character to the end of her life, as thoroughly as it appeared to have influenced her fate. The conclusion of the whole was that if the woman who had been sensible of Captain Wentworth's merits could be allowed to prefer another man, there was nothing in the engagement to excite lasting wonder. And if Captain Wentworth lost no friend by it, certainly nothing to be regretted. No, it was not regret which made Anne's heart beat in spite of herself and brought the color into her cheeks when she thought of Captain Wentworth unshackled and free. She had some feelings when she was ashamed to investigate. They were too much like joy, senseless joy. She longed to see the crafts, but when the meeting took place, it was evident that no rumor of the news had yet reached them. The visit of ceremony was paid in return, and Louisa Musgrove was mentioned, and Captain Benwick too, without even half a smile. The Crofts had placed themselves in lodgings in Gaystreet perfectly to Sir Walter's satisfaction. He was not at all ashamed of the acquaintance, and did, in fact, think and talk a great deal more about the admiral than the admiral ever thought or talked about him. The cross knew quite as many people in Baff as they wished for and considered their intercourse with the Eliot's is a mere matter of form and not in the least likely to afford them any pleasure. They brought with them their country habit of being almost always together. He was ordered to walk to keep off the gout, and Mrs. Croft seemed to go shares with him and everything, and to walk for her life to do him good. And saw them wherever she went. Lady Russell took her out in her carriage almost every morning, and she never failed to think of them, and never failed to see them. Knowing their feelings as she did, it was a most attractive picture of happiness to her. She always watched them as long as she could, delighted to fancy she understood what they might be talking of of as they walked along in happy independence.

We're equally delighted to see the admiral's hearty shake of the hand when he encountered

an old friend and observed their eagerness of conversation when occasionally forming into a little knot of the Navy.

Mrs. Croft looking as intelligent and keen as any of the officers around her. Anne was too much engaged with Lady Russell to be often walking herself. But it so happened that one morning, about a week or ten days after the Croft's arrival, it suited her best to leave her friend, or her friend's carriage in the lower part of the town, and returned alone to Camden Place. And in walking up Milsum Street, she had the good fortune to meet with the Admiral. He was standing by himself at a print shop window with his hands behind him in earnest contemplation of some print, and she not only might have passed him unseen, but was obliged to touch as well as address him before she could catch his notice. When he did perceive an acknowledge her, however, it was done with all his usual frankness and good humor. Ha, it is you. Thank you, thank you. This is treating me like a friend. Here I am, you see, staring at a picture. I can never get by this shop without stopping. But what a thing here is, by way of a boat, do look at it. Did you ever see the like? What queer fellows your fine painters must be to think that anybody would venture their lives in such a shapeless old cockle shell as that. And yet, here are two gentlemen stuck up in it mightily at their ease, and looking about them at the rocks and mountains, as if they were not to be upset the next moment, which they certainly must be. we wonder where that boat was built. I would not venture over a horse pond in it. Well, now, where are you bound? Can I go anywhere for you or with you?

Can I be of any use?

...