Persuasion 200: Admiral and Mrs Croft Meet the Estate Agent by Mary Simonsen

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Because the Elliots had exceeded the income generated by their estate, it became necessary to retrench. Part of the retrenchment required the leasing of Kellynch Hall. To that end, Sir Walter employed the services of an agent, Mr. Shepherd.



Mr. Shepherd scanned the list of applicants under consideration as tenants for Kellynch Hall, most of whom were former naval officers. The difficulty there was Sir Walter’s aversion to the rough exteriors of those men who had spent most of their careers out of doors. Although such changes in a man’s physical appearance were to be expected for those serving in His Majesty’s Navy, he had no doubt Sir Walter would take issue with an applicant whose complexion was as orange as the Elliot livery.

The agent slumped in his chair. What does that peacock of a man expect from those who have been exposed to all sorts of weather: skin as smooth as a baby’s bottom? Considering the dire state of the Elliots’ finances, Sir Walter should have pen ready when presented with such excellent offers from those very men who had kept France at bay during the late war with Napoleon and his gang of thugs.

After again perusing the various applications, the agent chose to write to Admiral Croft, then at Taunton, as that gentleman appeared to be the one who was least likely to complain about the terms of the lease.

* * *

Upon arrival in Taunton, Mr. Shepherd found that the admiral and his wife had taken rooms a stone’s throw from the Castle. When entering the room used to greet visitors, the agent was impressed by the neatness of the arrangements and the sense of order created by the admiral’s wife. Noting his look, Mrs. Croft explained that because of the tight quarters of a ship, “There is a place for everything, and everything has its place. After being crammed into a captain’s quarters for so many years, the admiral and I are looking for something a little bigger,” she said, smiling,

“That we are, ”Admiral Croft said, seconding his wife. “My wife wishes to lease a place so that she might entertain, and I wish for a park where I can walk more than a hundred feet without encountering an obstacle to impede my progress.”

After noting the admiral’s manners and the natural delicacy of his wife, the agent thought they might be a good fit for Kellynch Hall. Even better, they were childless. No sticky hands and drooling mouths on the furniture. No broken glasses or chipped dishes. With no urchins about, it was possible the housekeeper could get by with fewer servants. All pluses. However, there was the matter of how the man looked, and he remembered the baronet going on and on about what the life of a sea-faring man did to one’s appearance.

One day last spring, in town, Sir Walter had complained, I was made to give place to a certain Admiral Baldwin, the most deplorable-looking personage you can imagine; his face the color of mahogany, rough and rugged to the last degree; all lines and wrinkles. I never saw quite so wretched an example of what a sea-faring life can do. They are all knocked about and exposed to every climate, and every weather, till they are not fit to be seen. 

Although the admiral did show signs of browning, the agent had certainly seen darker complexions in Portsmouth; basically, the sailors there were walnuts with legs attached to the shell. And the admiral appeared to have most of his teeth and all of his appendages. Again, all pluses. As far as his being a naval officer, the good thing about the peace that had arrived with Napoleon’s surrender was that the admiral’s uniform would remain in storage until the next war required his return to service.

“I understand, sir, that a ship is very confining,” Mr. Shepherd answered. “I think I may have the perfect property for you: great rooms for your wife to entertain in and a large park for you to stretch your legs.”

After detailing the size of the manor, its rooms, and furnishings, the agent described Kellynch Hall’s beautiful park, choosing not to speak of the pleasure grounds, as Sir Walter had stated that he did not like the idea of his “shrubberies being always approachable.”

Now for the most difficult part: the amount of the  rent. 

Anticipating the Crofts would negotiate, Mr. Shepherd mentioned a sum he expected to be challenged. But neither Croft batted an eye and immediately agreed to all terms if, after viewing the estate, Kellynch Hall met their needs.

Emboldened by the lack of a challenge, the agent decided to mention that the pleasure grounds were excluded from the lease. Again, the Crofts made no argument. In fact, the wife indicated that she understood that the Elliots would eventually return to Kellynch Hall and wished to find their gardens as they had left them.

“Mr. Shepherd, the admiral and I understand that the Elliots have their reasons for quitting Kellynch Hall.” By her look, Mr. Shepherd understood that the Crofts had discerned that the Elliots were in financial distress. “Because my husband has been hugely successful in taking prize ships, we are in a position to rent such an estate. And we wish to be fair with Sir Walter. All we ask is that everything be exactly as you say and that there will be no additional exclusions. We also assume the estate will be properly staffed. Do we understand each other?”

The agent nodded. There would be no pulling the wool over the eyes of Mrs. Croft.

“May we discuss a date for you to view the estate?”

“The sooner the better,” Mrs. Croft answered.

Comments are always appreciated.

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24 comments

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    • Eileen on July 17, 2014 at 12:38 am
    • Reply

    Walnuts with legs attached to the shell…LOL. What a good description! Loved Mrs Croft.

    1. Glad you enjoyed this post, Eileen. Sir Walter is so delightfully shallow.

  1. I think you captured the personalities of the Crofts very well. They are good natured, but no one will be able to take advantage of them.

  2. Really enjoyed your scene, Mary! I loved getting a glimpse into the lives of the Crofts ;).

  3. A great reminder of how superficial Sir Walter is!!! I loved your perspective on the Crofts, Mary.

    • Deborah@gmail.com on July 17, 2014 at 6:18 am
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    Thank you for a sweet chapter Mary. I like the Crofts. The comment Eileen mentioned, “walnuts with legs attached to the shell” made me chuckle. I like that Ms. Croft is amiable, fair minded, and shrewd. Reminds me of another person….Captain Wentworth perhaps. A familial trait? I also agree with Monica on the superficiality of Sir Walter. How narrow minded he is! UGGHH! Loved the chapter. 😉

  4. Thanks, Susan, Marilyn, and Monica. I appreciate your comments.

    • Deborah on July 17, 2014 at 2:34 pm
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    I thought I posted this morning. Maybe I forgot to hit the comment button. I too loved the part Eileen did where you said”walnuts with legs attached to the shell”. It gave me a chuckle. I agree with Monica that Sir Elliott is as shallow and superficial as ever. I also really like Mrs. Croft. She is amiable, sweet and fair, but also shrewd much the same as a certain captain of her relation. Could it be a family personality trait. She is someone worth knowing. Thank you for writing such a sweet and wonderful chapter. I enjoyed getting to know Mrs. Croft.

    1. Hi Deborah. Because we know that Mrs. Croft sailed with her husband, I had to assume that she was a strong woman. A lot would have been required of her, and so dealing with Sir Walter’s agent would have been a piece of cake.

    • junewilliams7 on July 17, 2014 at 4:35 pm
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    Sir Walter is sooooooo shallow! I wonder if he has any “standards” for the tenant’s wife’s appearance, and if Sir Walter wants the Kellynch servants to report to him about the parties and guests. The Crofts are all honor and decency, better than Sir Walter deserves. Thank you for the visit with them, Mary!

    1. Good point, June. I wonder if Sir Walter even cares about his tenant’s wife! I can’t imagine that he has earned enough loyalty from any of the servants to earn their trust and to get them to report on the doings of Kellynch, that is, unless he pays them.

    • Sheila L. M. on July 17, 2014 at 4:57 pm
    • Reply

    “choosing not to speak of the pleasure grounds, as Sir Walter had stated that he did not like the idea of his “shrubberies being always approachable” – I always wondered, “Who is going to report to Sir Walter that his tenants walked in his pleasure grounds?” Why would he exclude such? If he doesn’t want a brown complexion then he must not take walks outside. I could never understand that restriction. I find Mrs. Croft to be such an amiable character. Nicely done excerpt.

    1. I think by excluding the pleasure grounds, Sir Walter thinks he is maintaining some control over his estate. He is such a conceited man. Every time I read Persuasion, I hear the song, “I’m So Pretty,” from West Side Story when thinking about Sir Walter..

        • Sheila L. M. on July 17, 2014 at 5:49 pm
        • Reply

        Oh, that’s perfect – now it will be in my head.

        • Deborah on July 17, 2014 at 6:04 pm
        • Reply

        I think of ‘You’re So Vain” by Carly Simon.

        1. That works!

    • Stephanie Carrico on July 17, 2014 at 8:15 pm
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    The Admiral and Sophie Croft have always been two of my favorite characters. This was a lovely introduction, can’t wait to read more of their part in Anne and Fredrick s story.

    1. Thanks, Stephanie. I’m fond of the Crofts as well.

    • Kathy on July 17, 2014 at 9:38 pm
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    It makes sense to me that the Crofts would be sensible, astute people – you should be, if you were made an Admiral, right? And an Admiral’s wife, especially one who traveled with him, would have to be a practical person. I like how you’ve portrayed them as no-nonense. It appears that they’re not going to be taken advantage of, they know what they want, and they won’t be unduly offended by the likes of Sir Walter, who hasn’t done a whole lot with his life, compared to Admiral Croft!

    1. I agree. You can’t have been made an admiral during wartime w/o having a good head and nerves of steel. As the wife of an admiral, Sophia Croft would have had to play the role of officer’s wife. Thanks for commenting.

    • Carole in Canada on July 18, 2014 at 5:19 pm
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    I always loved the Admiral and Mrs. Croft and I loved ‘seeing’ them again! Delightful chapter and Mrs. Croft would certainly not let anyone try to pull one over on her! She does it so politely too!

    • Jane Odiwe on July 19, 2014 at 11:31 am
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    I loved this episode, Mary!

  5. I too have always loved the Crofts, and I really liked your portrayal. Such a contrast – the reasonable man and his wife versus conceited, idiotic Sir Walter!

    Great instalment – love these gaps being filled! Lots of delicious anticipation building!

  6. I laughed at this phrase: ‘What does that peacock of a man expect from those who have been exposed to all sorts of weather: skin as smooth as a baby’s bottom?’ 😛 You have a wry sense of humour, Mary. I would definitely love to see Sir Walter’s face when he accidentally overhears someone (maybe Captain Wentworth) mention that sentence.

    This is very well-written and I look forward to reading more from you, Mary.

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