Music Welcome to snoozecast, the podcast designed to help you fall asleep. Find and connect with us on snoozecast.com and on social media at snoozecast. This episode is brought to you by Distance Civility. 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, a 27-year-old English woman whose family moves in order to lower their expenses and reduce their debt by renting their home to an admiral and his wife. In the last episode, Admiral and Mrs. Croft visit Kellynch to the great satisfaction of all parties. The deal of the renting of Kellynch Hall is settled. Mary complains that she is feeling unwell, and Anne must stay with her instead of heading straight to Bath with Sir Walter and Elizabeth. Anne is pleased with the opportunity to be useful and not go to Bath so soon. Lady Russell and Anne share concern that Mrs. Clay plans to travel to Bath with Sir Walter and Elizabeth. She warns Elizabeth of the danger that their father may fall for the young woman, but Elizabeth rejects the notion as ridiculous and offensive. When Anne visits Mary, she finds her in a sour mood, as is usual, and patiently perseveres and cheering up her sister and the two take a walk to visit the musk roves. We will pick up at the beginning of chapter 6. Let's get cozy.

Close your eyes. Relax your body into the softness of your bed. Now, take a few deep breaths. And had not wanted this visit to uppercross to learn that a removal from one set of people to another, though at a distance of only three miles, will often include a total change of conversation, opinion, and idea. She had never been staying there before without being struck by it, or without wishing that other alliads could have her advantage in seeing how unknown or unconsidered there, where the affairs which at Kellynch Hall were treated as of such general publicity and pervading interest. Yet, with all this experience, she believed she must now submit to feel that another lesson in the art of knowing our own nothingness beyond our own circle was become necessary for her. For certainly, coming as she did with a heart full of of the subject which had been completely occupying both houses and Kellynch for many weeks, she had expected rather more curiosity and sympathy than she found in the separate but very similar remark of Mr. and Mrs. Musgrove. So, Miss Anne, Sir Walter and your sister are gone. And what part of Bath do you think they will settle in? And this, without much waiting for an answer, or in the young lady's addition of, I hope we shall be in Bath in the winter, but remember, Papah, if we do go, we must be in a good situation, none of your queen squares for us. Or in the anxious supplement from Mary of, upon my word, I shall be pretty well off when And you are all gone away to be happy at bath. She could only resolve to avoid such self-delusion in future and think with heightened gratitude of the extraordinary blessing of having one such truly sympathizing friend as Lady Russell.

The Mr. Musgroves had their own game to guard, and to destroy their own horses, dogs, and newspapers to engage them, and the females were fully occupied in all the other common subjects of housekeeping neighbors.

Dress. and the females were fully occupied in all the other common subjects of housekeeping, neighbors, dress, dancing, and music. She acknowledged it to be very fitting that every little social commonwealth should dictate its own matters of discourse and hoped, air long, to become a not-unworthy member of the one she was now transplanted into. With the prospect of spending at least two months set up across, it was highly incumbent on her to clothe her imagination, her memory, and all her ideas in as much of uppercross as possible. She had no dread of these two months. Mary was not so repulsive and unsisterly as Elizabeth, nor so inaccessible to all influence of hers. Neither was there anything among the other components of the cottage inimical to comfort. She was always on friendly terms with her brother-in-law and in the children who loved her nearly as well and respected her a great deal more than their mother. She had an object of interest, amusement and wholesome exertion. Charles Musgrove was civil and agreeable. In sense and temper, he was undoubtedly superior to his wife, but not of powers or conversation or grace to make the past as they were connected together at all a dangerous contemplation, though at the same time, and could believe, with Lady Russell, that a more equal match might have greatly improved him, and that a woman of real understanding might have given more consequence to his character, and more usefulness, rationality, and elegance to his habits and pursuits. As it was, he did nothing with much zeal but sport, and his time was otherwise trifled away without benefit from books or anything else. He had very good spirits, which never seemed much affected by his wife's occasional loneliness, bore with her unreasonableness sometimes to Anne's admiration. And upon the whole, though there was very often a little disagreement in which she had sometimes more share than she wished, being appealed to by both parties. They might pass for a happy couple. They were always perfectly agreed in the want of more money and a strong inclination for a handsome present from his father. But here, as on most topics, he had the superiority. For while Mary thought it a great shame that such a present was not made, he always contended for his fathers having many other uses for his money and a right to spend it as he liked. As to the management of their children, his theory was much better than his wife's and his practice not so bad. I could manage them very well if it were not for Mary's interference. Was what Anne often heard him say and had a good deal of faith in. But when listening in turn to Mary's reproach of Charles spoils the children so that I cannot get them into any order. She never had the smallest temptation to say, very true. One of the least agreeable circumstances of her residence, there was her being treated with too much confidence by all parties, and being too much in the secret of the complaints of each house. Known to have some influence with her sister, she was continually requested, or at least receiving hints to exert it, beyond what was practicable. I wish you could persuade Mary not to be always fancing herself ill, was Charles's language, and in an unhappy mood, the spoke Mary. I do believe if Charles were to see me dying, he would not think there was anything the matter with me. I am sure, Anne, if you would, you might persuade him that I really am very ill. A great deal worse than I ever own. Mary's declaration was, I hate sending the children to the great house, though their grand mamas always wanting to see them. For she humors and indulges them to such a degree and gives them so much trash and sweet things that they are sure to come back sick and cross for the rest of the day. And Mrs. Musgrove took the first opportunity of being alone with Anne to say, oh, Miss Anne, I cannot help wishing Mrs. Charles had a little of your method with those children. They are quite different creatures with you, but to be sure, in general, they are so spoiled. It is a pity you cannot put your sister in the way of managing them. They are as fine healthy children as ever were seen poor little deers, without partiality, but Mrs. Charles knows no more how they should be treated. Bless me. How troublesome they are sometimes. I assure you, Miss Anne. It prevents my wishing to see them at our house so often as I otherwise should. I believe Mrs. Charles is not quite pleased with my not inviting them off in her. But you know, it is very bad to have children with one that one is obligated to be checking every moment. Don't do this and don't do that, or that one can only keep in tolerable order by more cake than is good for them. She had this communication more over from Mary. Mrs. Musgrove thinks all her servants so steady that it would be high treason to call it in question. But I am sure without exaggeration that her upper house made and laundry made, instead of being in their business, are gassing about the village all day long. I meet them wherever I go, and I declare I never go twice into my nursery without seeing something of them. If Jamaima were not the trustiest, deadiest creature in the world, it would be enough to spoil her. For she tells me, they are always tempting her to take a walk with them. And on Mrs. Musgrove's side it was, I make a rule of never interfering in any of my daughter-in-law's concerns, for I know it would not do. But I shall tell you, Miss Anne, because you may be able to set things right, that I have no very good opinion of Mrs. Charles' nursery maid. I hear strange stories of her. She is always upon the gad, and from my own knowledge I can declare she is such a fine dressing lady, that she is enough to ruin any servant she comes near.

Mrs. Charles quite swears by her, I know, but I just give you this hint that you may be upon the watch because if you see anything amiss, you need not be afraid of mentioning it. Again, it was Mary's complaint that Mrs. Musgrove was very apt not to give her the precedence that was her due when they dined at the great house with other families. And she did not see any reason why she was to be considered so much at home as to lose her place. And one day, when Anne was walking with only the muskroves, one of them, after talking of rank, people of rank, and jealousy of rank said, I have no scrupule of observing to you how nonsensical some persons are about their place, because all the world knows how easy and indifferent you are about it. But I wish anybody could give Mary a hint that it would be a great deal better if she were not

so very tenacious, especially if she would not be always putting herself forward to take place of mama. Nobody doubts her right to have precedence of mama, but it would be more becoming in her not to be always insisting on it. It is not that mama cares about it in the least, but I know it is taken notice of by many persons. How was Anne to set all these matters to rights? She could do little more than listen patiently, soften every grievance, and excuse each to the other, give them all hints of the four barons necessary between such near neighbors, and make those hints broadest, which were meant for her sister's benefit. In all other respects, her visit began and proceeded very well. Her own spirits improved by change of place and subject, by being removed three miles from Kellynch, Mary's ailments lessened by having a constant companion, and their daily intercourse with the other family, since there was neither superior affection, confidence, nor employment in the cottage to be interrupted by it, was rather an advantage. It was certainly carried nearly as far as possible, for they met every morning, and hardly ever spent an evening a sunder. But she believed she should not have done so well without the sight of Mr. and Mrs. Musgroves' respectable forms in the usual places, or without the talking, laughing, and singing of their daughters. She played a great deal better than either of the Miss Musgroves, but having no voice, no knowledge of the harp, and no fond parents, to sit by and fancy themselves delighted, her performance was little thought of, only out of civility, or to refresh the others, as she was well aware. She knew that when she played, she was giving pleasure only to herself, but this was no new sensation. Accepting one short period of her life, she had never since the age of 14, never since the loss of her dear mother, known the happiness of being listened to, or encouraged by any just appreciation or real taste. In music, she had been always used to feel alone in the world, and Mr. and Mrs. Muskrov's fond partiality for their own daughter's performance and total indifference to any other persons gave her much more pleasure for their sakes than mortification for her own. The party at the great house was sometimes increased by other company. The neighborhood was not large, but the musk roves were visited by everybody and had more dinner parties and more callers, more visitors by invitation and by chance than any other family.

They were more completely popular. The girls were wild for dancing, and the evenings ended occasionally in an unpremeditated little ball. There was a family of cousins within a walk of uppercross,

unless affluent circumstances, who depended on the musk-groves for all their pleasures, they would come at any time and help play at anything, or dance anywhere, and Anne, very much preferring the office of musician to a more active post, played country dances to them by the hour together. A kindness which always recommended her musical powers to the notice of Mr. and Mrs. Musgrove more than anything else, and often drew this compliment. while done miss Anne, very well done indeed. Lord bless me, how those little fingers of yours fly about. So past the first three weeks, Mikkelmis came, and now Anne's heart must be in Kellynch again. A beloved home made over to others. All the precious rooms and furniture, groves and prospects, beginning to own other eyes and other limbs. she could not think of much else on the 29th of September, and she had this sympathetic touch in the evening from Mary, who on having occasion to note down the day of the month exclaimed, dear me, is not this the day the crafts were to come to Kellynch? I am glad I did not think of it before. How low it makes me." The crafts took possession with true naval alertness and were to be visited. Mary deployed the necessity for herself.

Nobody knew how much she should suffer. She should put it off as long as she could. But was not easy till she had talked Charles into driving her over on an early day. and was in a very animated, comfortable state of imaginary agitation when she came back. Anne had very sincerely rejoiced in there being no means of her going. She wished, however, to see the crafts and was glad to be within when the visit was returned. They came. The master of the house was not at home, but the two sisters were together, and as a chance that Mrs. Croft fell to the share of Anne, while the admiral sat by Mary, and made himself very agreeable by his good-humored notice of her little boys. She was well able to watch for a likeness, and if it failed her in the features to catch it in the voice or in the turn of sentiment and expression. Mrs. Croft, though neither tall nor fat, had a squareness, a brightness, and vigor of form which gave importance to her person. She had bright dark eyes, good teeth, and all together an agreeable face, though her reddened and weather-beaten complexion, the consequence of her having been almost as much at sea as her husband, made her seem to have lived some years longer in the world than her real eight and thirty. Her manners were open, easy, and decided, like one who had no distrust of herself and no doubts of what to do without any approach to coarseness, however, or any want of good humor. And gave her credit indeed for feelings of great consideration towards herself, in all that related to Kellynch, and it pleased her, especially as she had satisfied herself in the very first half-minute, in the instant even of introduction, that there was was not the smallest symptom of any knowledge or suspicion on Mrs. Croft's side to give a bias of any sort. She was quite easy on that head and consequently full of strength and courage till for a moment electrified by Mrs. Croft suddenly saying,

it was you and not your sister I find that my brother had the pleasure of being acquainted

with when he was in this country. And hoped she had outlived the age of blushing, but the emotion she certainly had not. And she was not the only one who was in the world who was in the world. and hoped she had outlived the age of blushing,

but the emotion she certainly had not. Perhaps you may not have heard that he is married, added Mrs. Croft. She could now answer as she ought. She was happy to feel when Mrs. Croft's next words explained it to be Mr. Wentworth of whom she spoke, that she had said nothing which might not do for either brother. She immediately felt how reasonable it was that Mrs. Croft should be thinking and speaking of Edward and not of Frederick, and with shame at her own forgetfulness applied herself to the knowledge of their former neighbors present state with proper interest. The rest was all tranquility, till, just as they were moving, she heard the admiral say to Mary, we're expecting a brother of Mrs. Croft's here soon. I dare say you know him by name. He was cut short by the eager attacks of the little boys, clinging to him like an old friend, and declaring he should not go, and being too much engrossed by proposals of carrying them away in his coat pockets, etc. To have another moment for finishing or recollecting what he had begun. And was left to persuade herself as well as she could, but the same brother must still be in question. She could not, however, reach such a degree of certainty as not to be anxious to hear whether anything had been said on the subject at the other house, where the cross had previously been calling. The folks of the great house were to spend the evening of this day at the cottage, and it being now too late in the year for such visits to be made on foot. The coach was beginning to be listened for when the youngest Miss Musgrove walked in, that she was coming to apologize,

and that they should have to spend the evening by themselves,

was the first black idea, and Mary was quite ready to be affronted,

when Luisa made all right by saying that she only came on foot to leave more room for the harp, which was bringing in the carriage. And I will tell you our reason, she added, and all about it. I am calm on to give you notice that Papa and Mama are out of spirits this evening, especially Mama. She is thinking so much of poor Richard, and we agreed it would be best to have the harp, for it seems to amuse her more than the piano forte. I will tell you why she is out of spirits. When the crafts called this morning, they called here afterwards, did they not? They happen to say that her brother, Captain Wentworth, is just returned to England or paid off or something and is coming to see them almost directly. And most unluckily it came into Mama's head when they were gone that went worth, or something very like it, was the name of poor Richards captain at one

time. I do not know when or where, but a great while before he passed, poor fellow, and upon looking over his letters and things, she found it was so, and is perfectly sure that this must be the very man, and her head is quite full of it, and of poor Richard. So we must be as merry as we can, that she may not be dwelling upon such gloomy things. The real circumstances of this pathetic piece of family history were that the musk rose had had the ill fortune of a very troublesome, hopeless son, and the goodown to lose him before he reached the 20th year, that he had been sent to see because he was stupid and unmanageable on shore, that he He had been very little cared for at any time by his family, though quite as much as he deserved, seldom heard of, and scarcely at all regretted when the intelligence of his passing abroad had worked its way to upper cross

two years before. 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 y