Music Welcome to Snewscast, the podcast designed to help you fall asleep. Find us at snoozecast.com and if you enjoy our show, please share us with a friend. This episode is brought to you by Senseless Joy. Tonight, we'll 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, Anne unexpectedly encounters admiral craft while walking alone in bath. She finds him cheerfully absorbed and critiquing a print of a ridiculous looking boat in a shop window. They walk together, the admiral talking freely and humorously about mutual acquaintances and life in bath. Once they reach a quieter street, he shares surprising news. Luisa Musgrove is to marry Captain Benwick, not Captain Wentworth, as everyone had assumed. Anne is stunned but conceals her reaction. Shortly afterward, Anne, while waiting out a light rain in a shop with her relatives unexpectedly seized Captain Wentworth, the shock is overwhelming. She tries to compose herself only to see him enter the same shop moments later. Our meeting is awkward and emotionally charged. Let's get cozy. Close your eyes. Relax your body into the softness of your bed. Now take a few deep breaths. Lady Dalrymple's carriage, for which Miss Elliott was growing impatient, now drew up. The servant came in to announce it. It was beginning to rain again, and altogether there was a delay, a bustle, and a talking, Which must make all the little crowd in the shop understand that Lady Dol Ripple was calling to convey Miss Elliott. At last, Miss Elliott and her friend unattended, but by the servant were walking off, and Captain Wentworth, watching them, turned again to Anne, offering his services. I am much obliged to you was her answer, but I am not going with them. I prefer walking, but it rains. Oh, very little, Nothing that I regard.

After a pause, he said, Though I came only yesterday, I have equipped myself properly for bath already, you see. Pointing to a new umbrella. I wish you would make use of it, or let me get you a chair. She declined again, adding,

I'm only waiting for Mr. Elliott. He will be here in a moment, I'm sure. She had hardly spoken when Mr. Elliott arrived, eager and apologetic. In another moment, they walked off together, her arm under his, a gentle

glance and a good morning to you, all she had time for. As soon as they were gone, the ladies of Captain Wentworth's party began talking. Mr. Elliott does not dislike his cousin, I fancy.

Oh, no, that's clear enough. What a very good-looking man. Yes, and Miss Atkinson says he's the most agreeable man she ever met. She is pretty, I think, and Elliot. Very pretty, when one comes to look at her. Oh, so do I. No comparison. But the men are all wild after Miss Elliott. Anne is too delicate for them. Anne would have been particularly obliged to her cousin if he had walked her home without saying a word. She had never found it so difficult to listen to him, though nothing could exceed his care and solicitude. Praise of Lady Russell and rational hints against Mrs. Clay. But just now, she could think only of Captain Wentworth. She could not understand his present feelings, whether he was truly suffering or not, and until that was settled, she could not be quite herself. She hoped to be wise and reasonable in time, but alas, alas. She must confess to herself that she was not wise yet. Another circumstance very essential for her to know was how long he meant to be in bath. He had not mentioned it, or she could not recollect it. He might be only passing through, but it was more probable that he should become to stay. In that case, so liable as everybody was to meet everybody in Bath, Lady Russell would in all likelihood see him somewhere. Would she recollect him? How would it all be?" She had already been obliged to tell Lady Russell that Louisa Musgrove was to marry Captain Benwick, and it caused her something to encounter Lady Russell's surprise. And now, if she were by any chance to be thrown into company with Captain Wentworth, her imperfect

knowledge of the matter might add another shade of prejudice against him. The following morning Anne was out with her friend, and for the first hour in an incessant and fearful sort of watch for him in vain.

But at last, in returning down Pultony Street, she distinguished him on the right hand pavement at such a distance as to have him in view the greater part of the street. There were many other men about him, many groups walking the same way, but there was no mistaking him. She looked instinctively at Lady Russell, but not for many mad idea of her recognizing him so soon as she did herself. No, it was not to be supposed that Lady Russell would perceive him till they were nearly opposite. She looked at her, however, from time to time, anxiously, and when the moment approached which must point him out, though not daring to look again, her own countenance, she knew was unfit to be seen. She was yet perfectly conscious of Lady Russell's eyes being turned exactly in the direction for him, of her being in short, intently observing him. She could thoroughly comprehend the sort of fascination he must possess over Lady Russell's mind. The difficulty it must be for her to withdraw her eyes. The astonishment she must be feeling that age or nine years should have passed over him and in foreign climbs and in active service too without robbing him of one personal grace. At last Lady Russell drew back her head. Now how would she speak of him? You will wonder, said she, what has been fixing my eyes so long, but I was looking after some window curtains, which Lady Alicia and Mrs. Franklin were telling me of last night. They described the drawing room window curtains of one of the houses on this side of the way,

and this part of the street, as being the hand-semest and best hung of any in bath,

but could not recollect the exact number, and I have been trying to find out which it could be,

but I confess I can see no

curtains here about that answer their description. And side and blushed and smiled in pity and disdain, either at her friend or herself. The part which which provoked her most was that in all this waste of foresight and caution, she should have lost the right moment for seeing whether he saw them. A day or two passed without producing anything. The theater or the rooms where he was most likely to be were not fashionable enough for the Eliot's, whose evening amusements were solely in the elegant stupidity of private parties in which they were getting more and more engaged. and weary of such a state of stagnation, sick of knowing nothing, and fancing herself stronger because her strength was not tried, was quite impatient for the concert evening. It was a concert for the benefit of a person patronized by Lady Dalarinple. Of course, they must attend. It was really expected to be a good one, and Captain Wentworth was very fond of music. If she could only have a few minutes conversation with him again, she fancied she should be satisfied. And as to the power of addressing him, she felt all over courage if the opportunity occurred. Elizabeth had turned from him. Lady Russell overlooked him. Her nerves were strengthened by these circumstances. She felt that she owed him attention. She had once partly promised Mrs. Smith to spend the evening with her, but in a short, hurried call, she excused herself and put it off, with the more-decided promise of a longer visit on the Marrow. Mrs. Smith gave a most good humored acquiescence. By all means, said she, only tell me all about it when you do come. Who was your party? And named them all. Mrs. Smith made no reply. But when she was leaving, she said, with an expression, half serious, half arch, well, I heartily wish your concert may answer, and do not fail me tomorrow if you can come, for I begin to have a foreboding that I may not have many more visits from you. Anne was startled and confused, but after standing in a moment's suspense was obliged and not sorry to be obliged to hurry away. Chapter 20 Sir Walter, his two daughters, and Mrs. Clay, were the earliest of all their party at the rooms in the evening, and as Lady Dalrymple must be waited for, they took their station by one of the fires in the octagon room. But hardly were they so settled when the door opened again. And Captain Wentworth walked in alone. Anne was the nearest to him. And making yet a little advance, she instantly spoke. He was preparing only to bow and pass on, but her gentle, how do you do? Brought him out of the straight line to stand near her and make inquiries in return, in spite of the formidable father and sister in the background. Their being in the background was a support to Anne. She knew nothing of their looks and felt equal to everything which she believed right to be done. While they were speaking, a whispering between her father and Elizabeth caught her ear. She could not distinguish, but she must guess the subject. And on Captain Wentworth's making a distant bow, she comprehended that her father had judged so well as to give him

that simple acknowledgement of acquaintance. And she was just in time by a side glance to see a slight Curtsy from Elizabeth herself.

This, the late and reluctant and ungracious, was yet better than nothing, and her spirits improved. After talking, however, of the weather and bath and the concert, their conversation began to flag, and so little was said at last, as she was expecting him to go every moment. But he did not. He seemed to know hurry to leave her. And presently, with renewed spirit, with a little smile, a little glow," he said.

I have hardly seen you since our day at lime. I am afraid you must have suffered from the shock, and the more from it's not overpowering you at the time. She assured him that she had not. It was a frightful hour," said he, a frightful day. And he passed his hand across his eyes, as if the remembrance were still too painful. But in a moment half smiling again, added, The day has produced some effects, however, has had some consequences, which must be considered as the very reverse of frightful. When you at the presence of mind to suggest that Benwick would be the properest person to fetch a surgeon, you could have little idea of his being eventually one of those most concerned in her recovery. Certainly I could have none, but it appears I should hope it would be a very happy match. There are on both sides good principles and good temper. Yes, said he, looking not exactly forward. But there, I think, ends the resemblance. With all my soul, I wish them happy and rejoice over every circumstance and favor of it. They have no difficulties to contend with at home. no opposition, no caprice, no delays. The muskroves are behaving like themselves, most honorably and kindly, only anxious with true parental hearts to promote their daughter's comfort. All this is much, very much in favor of their happiness. More than perhaps, he stopped. A sudden recollection seemed to occur, and to give him some taste of that emotion, which was reddening Anne's cheeks, and fixing her eyes on the ground. After clearing his throat, however, he proceeded thus. I confess that I do think there is a disparity, too great a disparity, and in a point no less essential than mind. I regard Louisa Musgrove as a very amiable, sweet, tempered girl, and not deficient in understanding. But Benwick is something more. He is a clever man, a reading man, and I confess that I do consider his attaching himself to her with some surprise. Had it been the effect of gratitude, had he learnt to love her because he believed her to be preferring him, it would have been another thing. But I have no reason to suppose it so. It seems, on the contrary, to have been a perfectly spontaneous, untought feeling on his side. And this surprises me. A man like him, in his situation, with a heart pierced, wounded, almost broken. Fanny Harville was a very superior creature, and his attachment to her was indeed attachment. A man does not recover from such a devotion of the heart to such a woman. He ought not. He does not. Either from the consciousness, however, that his friend had recovered, or from other consciousness, he went no farther. And Anne, who, in spite of the agitated voice in which the latter part had been uttered, and in spite of all the various noises of the room, the almost ceaseless slam of the door and ceaseless buzz of persons walking through had distinguished every word. Was struck, gratified, confused, and beginning to breathe very quick and feel a hundred things in a moment. It was impossible for her to enter on such a subject, and yet after a pause, feeling the necessity of speaking and having not the smallest wish for a total change, She only deviated so far as to say, you were a good while at lie, I think. About a fortnight? I could not leave it till Luizas doing well was quite ascertained. I had been too deeply concerned in the mischief to be'd soon at peace. It had been my doing, solely mine. She would not have been obstinate if I had not been weak. The country-round lime is very fine. I walked and rode a great deal. And the more I saw, the more I found to admire. I should very much like to see lime again," said Anne. Indeed, I should not have supposed that you could have found anything in lime to inspire such a feeling. The horror and distress you were involved in, the stretch of mind, the wear of spirits. I should have thought your last impressions of lime must have been strong discussed. The last hours were very, very painful, replied But when pain is over, the remembrance of it often becomes a pleasure. One does not love a place the less for having suffered in it, unless it has been all suffering, nothing but suffering, which was by no means the case at lime. We were only in anxiety and distress during the last two hours, and previously there had been a great deal of enjoyment. So much novelty and beauty, I have traveled so little that every fresh place would be interesting to me. But there is real beauty at lime.

And in short, with a faint blush at some recollections, altogether my impressions of the place are very agreeable. As she ceased, the entrance door opened again, and the very party appeared for whom they were waiting.

Lady Dalrymple, Lady Dalrymple, was the rejoicing sound, and with all the eagerness compatible

with anxious elegance, Sir Walter and his two ladies stepped forward to meet her. d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d, who had happened to arrive nearly at the same instant, advanced into the room. The others joined them, and it was a group in which Anne found herself also necessarily included. She was divided from Captain Wentworth. Their interesting, almost too interesting conversation must be broken up for a time. But slight was the penance compared with the happiness which brought it on. She had learned, in the last ten minutes, more of his feelings towards Luisa, more of all his feelings than she dared to think of, and she gave herself up to the demands of the party, to the needful civilities of the moment, with exquisite, though agitated sensations. She was in good humor with all. She had received ideas which disposed her to be courteous and kind to all, and to pity everyone as being less happy than herself. The delightful emotions were a little subdued, went on stepping back from the group to be joined again by Captain Wentworth. She saw that he was gone. She was just in time to see him turn into the concert room. He was gone. He had disappeared. She felt a moment's regret. But they should meet again. He would look for her. He would find her out before the evening were over. And at present, perhaps, it was as well to be a sunder. She was in need of a little interval for recollection. Upon lady Russell's appearance soon afterwards, the whole party was collected, and all they remained was to marshal themselves and proceed into the concert room, and be of all the consequence in their power, draw as many eyes, excite as many whispers, and disturb as many people as they could. Very, very happy were both Elizabeth and Anne Elliott as they walked in. Elizabeth, arm and arm with Miss Cartaret, and looking on the broad back of the Dowager, this Countess Dowrympel before her, had nothing to wish for, which did not seem within her reach. And Anne, but it would be an insult to the nature of Anne's felicity to draw any comparison between it and her sisters. origin of one all selfish vanity of the other, all generous attachment. And saw nothing, thought nothing of the brilliancy of the room. Her happiness was from within. Her eyes were bright and her cheeks glowed, but she knew nothing about it. She was thinking only of the last half hour, and as they passed to their seats. Her mind took a hasty range over it. His choice of subjects, his expressions, and still more his manner and look had been such as she could see in only one light. His opinion of Luisa Musgrove's inferiority, an opinion which he had seemed solicitous to give, his wonder at Captain Benweck. His feelings as to a first strong attachment, sentences begun which he could not finish.

His half of the first strong attachment, sentences begun which he could not finish, his half-averted eyes, and more than half expressive glance, all declared that he had a heart returning to her at least that anger, resentment, avoidance, were no more, and that they were succeeded not merely by friendship and regard, but by the tenderness of the past. Yes, some share of the tenderness of the past.