A Different Persuasion

“He was, at that time, a remarkably fine young man, with a great deal of intelligence, spirit and brilliancy; and Anne an extremely pretty girl, with gentleness, modesty, taste, and feeling. Half the sum of attraction, on either side, might have been enough, for he had nothing to do, and she had hardly any body to love; but the encounter of such lavish recommendations could not fail. They were gradually acquainted, and when acquainted, rapidly and deeply in love. It would be difficult to say which had seen highest perfection in the other, or which had been the happiest; she, in receiving his declarations and proposals, or he in having them accepted.” – Jane Austen, Persuasion

The course of true love did not run smooth, alas. There were difficulties ahead; there was opposition. Sir Walter was coldly indifferent, for although Captain Wentworth was handsome enough to impress even Sir Walter, and had a good-sounding name, he was a mere sailor, with no fortune, and that was enough for the match to be treated with disdain.

Anne had expected nothing more from her father, and was thankful that he did not, at least, withhold his consent. Lady Russell’s considerations weighed with her to a higher degree. She thought the match highly imprudent. Captain Wentworth was headstrong, feckless; Anne’s future as his wife would, in consequence, be extremely dangerous. Depending only on his profession, with no security of income, and with such terrible things always happening at sea, Lady Russell was convinced that the engagement was deplorable in every light.

Consequently, she did her utmost to persuade Anne to withdraw the consent she had given. Anne set great store by Lady Russell’s judgment, but for herself, for her own future, her opinion was decided: she would take the risk, if there was a risk, for the reward would be one of the greatest happiness. It was only when Lady Russell advanced the idea that being hampered with a wife before he was able to support her would be a detriment to Captain Wentworth’s own well being, that Anne wavered.

The day following the halcyon afternoon when they had made their promises to one another, Captain Wentworth came to ask for her father’s blessing. Anne took him first into her own sitting-room where they could talk privately. She asked him to be seated, and then, with eyes downcast, she told him of all her father and Lady Russell had said. Captain Wentworth listened attentively, then jumped to his feet, and paced the room agitatedly.

“And are these opinions,” he burst out, “that which you will take for your own? Do not tell me this, Anne. What of our feelings, our love?” He approached her, and gazed at her intently, his eyes burning. It was very hard for Anne to speak, but she forced herself.

“Frederick – he is my father, you know. And while he has not absolutely said no, I hesitate, because of the opinion of one whose judgment I value far more than his.”

“Lady Russell,” he said. “But she is prejudiced, Anne – too cautious, too conservative. Can you not see that? I tell you I know I shall do well. I am capable, I am hard working, I am lucky. I will have a ship soon, and make money. Do you not trust me? – Do you not believe what I say?”

“I do, I do,” said Anne, with tears in her eyes. “But until it is accomplished, Lady Russell will not believe it, and she says – she thinks, that it is too much of a risk to dare to take.”

“But my dearest Anne, there is no risk. Nothing untoward will happen. Even if I should come to grief and be drowned, you would have a widow’s pension, you know; and I have some little money to settle on you, and kind brothers and sisters who would never see you want. Surely you are not thinking of such things, in refusing me?”

“Refuse you! Oh, no, no, I am not refusing you!” Anne cried, and he caught her to himself and wrapped her tightly in his arms, pressing her cheek hard against his. For a moment they were silent, and at last Anne pushed him away, with gentle reluctance.

“No, it is not that,” she said with difficulty.

“Then what is it? Tell me. You cannot say you do not love me – our hearts have been opened, and I know better,” he returned, vehemently.

“No, I could never say such a thing,” she replied quietly. “But Frederick, do you not see, it cannot be for your own good, to be hampered with a wife so early in your career. You will be distracted, when you need to have your mind and your abilities unfettered, in your effort to do your best.”

He took both her hands in his. “Anne,” he said earnestly, “Lady Russell has been telling you these things, but listen to me now. Consider how little she knows of a life in the Navy, compared to how much I know, and she has no true idea of my mind and abilities. If married to you, I will work with infinitely more power; I will have the greatest motive of all: To do well for you, for our love, for our lives together.”

Anne stood irresolute. “Truly, Frederick? Do you really believe that?”

“Anne, Anne, what do you take me for? Do you think I am entirely a heedless fool? What could I hold more dear, and more sacred, than your safety, your well being, your happiness? And now those things are involved inextricably, with my own happiness. With you to love me, to support me, I will not fail. Please do me the justice to believe this. Won’t you?”

She did not take her eyes from his. “Yes, Frederick, I will,” she promised quietly.

His face glowed with happiness, and he kissed her warmly. Color and life came back to her, and for a moment they smiled into each other’s eyes.

“I will go to your father now,” he said firmly, “and tell him that it is quite decided. There is nothing to wait for. We can be married as soon as the banns are read.”

“Let us be!” was all Anne said, and she felt happiness thrill through her, as she listened to his footsteps making their way to her father’s room, as fast as he could go.

 

34 comments

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    • Terri on February 6, 2017 at 12:23 am
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    Well if that was the way it was written, then it would have been a shorter story.

    I love Persuasion the idea of a second chance despite your self is really appealing.

    Ann’s quiet determination makes her on of Jane’s best women.

    1. You are right, Terri – it could not be Persuasion, this way! But still, interesting things may happen in A Different Persuasion, and I am inclined to try and find out what they may be, in another episode…

    • Anji on February 6, 2017 at 1:52 am
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    That was a lovely, sweet re-telling of Anne and Frederick’s story, Diana. Wouldn’t it have been marvellous for them to have had those extra years together?

    As Terri says, though, Persuasion would have been a much shorter tale, over almost before it had begun and we would have had only five completed novels from our beloved Jane.

  1. Thanks, Anji, that is such a lovely thought, that they could have had those extra eight years together. Of course, Persuasion, with its deeply rewarding second chance, is so appealing, as it is. But I’m thinking I might take this “variation” a little farther…

  2. Lovely, Diana! Now I’m curious to find out what will happen if you do take this farther.

      • Diana Birchall on February 8, 2017 at 3:49 am
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      Thank you, Sarah! Well, it keeps being hard to forget the events of Persuasion!

    • Nancy Duell on February 6, 2017 at 6:50 am
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    What an amazing tsle. I cannot wait to read what you are up to next!

      • Diana Birchall on February 8, 2017 at 3:50 am
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      Thank you! I’ll be baaaack, it’s starting to simmer!

    • Linda on February 6, 2017 at 8:22 am
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    Persuasion has long been my favorite of Jane Austin’s novels…far above Pride and Prejudice even. Thank you, Diana, for bringing Anne and Frederick’s story back to life. I am most anxious to see where you will take them and us. (If this is eventually published, be assured it will be a most welcome addition to my growing library of Austin variations.)

      • Diana Birchall on February 8, 2017 at 3:51 am
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      Oh, my, I would love to be in your library. Will try to do my best!

    • Lex on February 6, 2017 at 8:24 am
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    Love it! I can’t really believe Anne could give him up if she loved him so much. I can believe Captain Wentworth could have said these words. He was skilled at expressing his love in words. I definitely would love to read a different type of persuasion. Persuade her to a life at sea? Persuade her to move to another country? Persuade her into a military ruse? So many possibilities even if they are married early on!

      • Diana Birchall on February 8, 2017 at 3:53 am
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      Well, that’s it, Lex – I’ve always found it hard to accept that Anne would give him up. You are right, he was so persuasive himself, in words; didn’t he write the most searing love letter ever? (Hint: They might go to sea – for a little while!)

    • Carole in Canada on February 6, 2017 at 11:35 am
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    Well now that you have them agreed to marry, I wonder what will change with their situation…I would hate for Lady Russell to be right in any form! I find her to much like Lady Catherine at times! Looking forward to future episodes!

      • Diana Birchall on February 8, 2017 at 3:54 am
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      Thanks for commenting, Carole, and have no fear. Lady Russell will NOT be right!

  3. I wish that this was the way their earlier relationship had been…but then we would either have a *very* short story instead of a lovely novel on second chances OR a very different story of facing the hurdles of their married life.

    Thanks for writing and sharing this vignette with us, Diana!

    Warmly,
    Susanne 🙂

      • Diana Birchall on February 8, 2017 at 3:54 am
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      Well, fortunately Jane Austen wrote it first and best. But we can imagine! Thanks for commenting, Susanne!

    • Stephanie Mudd Carrico on February 6, 2017 at 4:40 pm
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    Lovely…Never enough alternate stories for Anne and Frederick..hope to read more.

      • Diana Birchall on February 8, 2017 at 3:55 am
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      Thanks, Stephanie – possibilities are percolating in my head!

  4. Diana, you have such a talent for writing variations! I hope you do continue this.

      • Diana Birchall on February 8, 2017 at 3:56 am
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      Abigail, thank you with all my heart – I appreciate that, from the Mistress of Variations!

    • Carol hoyt on February 7, 2017 at 10:23 am
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    My second favorite of janes.
    I liked your variation!
    I , too, hope you will expand it.

      • Diana Birchall on February 8, 2017 at 3:56 am
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      Thanks! I will expand – can’t resist!

  5. Oh, what a satisfying little treat! Keep it coming!

      • Diana Birchall on February 8, 2017 at 3:57 am
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      Thanks, Nicole, I will try to make it a longer treat! 🙂

    • Sandra on February 7, 2017 at 12:36 pm
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    Yes please expand, can you not see the possibilities in the future. Will she sail with him? No he is not captain yet. Where will she live while he is at sea? Will she have to live alone or will she be reliant on her family. So many questions. Please do not leave us hanging.

    • Sandra on February 7, 2017 at 12:38 pm
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    Whoops you did make him a captain. Sorry missed that. So Will she sail with him if they marry, do they marry?

      • Diana Birchall on February 8, 2017 at 4:12 am
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      Oh, bad me, he was Commander! But wait – the Asp was before the Year Six, and after the Asp he became Captain in the Laconia, and he can take Anne on a wedding-cruise then, as Captain after all – but I must not say more yet!

        • Diana Birchall on February 8, 2017 at 4:21 am
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        Oh wait again, Sandra. I just checked, and he WAS made Captain before he and Anne first met in the Year Six! So we are OK. Thanks for the eye for detail! It helps.

    • Laurie A McClain on February 7, 2017 at 4:54 pm
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    Very nice beginning. Hope there will be more, lots more.

      • Diana Birchall on February 8, 2017 at 4:13 am
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      Laurie, I never thought anyone would want to read more of this, but I am becoming convinced! Very well, to sea they go! Thanks for the encouragement!

    • Sheila L. Majczan on February 9, 2017 at 7:52 pm
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    Yes, delightful but, as said, we would then have no story…or that letter.

    If you are to continue this premise you have to come up with different problems and villains other than her father and Lady Russell. But good luck with that and thanks for sharing.

      • Diana Birchall on February 23, 2017 at 6:12 am
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      Going to sea should present its own set of problems, Sheila – but we shall “sea”!

    • Deborah on February 10, 2017 at 2:39 pm
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    ‘Tis beautifully written. Ofbthebstoryvwere written this way, I wonder what the problems would be for them.

      • Diana Birchall on February 23, 2017 at 6:13 am
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      Thank you, Deborah. Yes, what could possibly befall the young Wentworths? 🙂

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