Anne knows she must give Charles her answer to his proposal of marriage, but has she been persuaded to accept it by her friend and adviser, Lady Russell?
Anne went to bed that night with a heavy heart and woke next morning feeling as if the whole world weighed heavily upon her shoulders. However she considered Lady Russell’s advice, the dawn of a new day left her feeling even more determined to listen to the voice inside her, which said that to accept Charles Musgrove would be calamitous for them both. She’d witnessed the dire effects of an unsuitable marriage first-hand. Her mother, a beauty in the portrait above the drawing room mantlepiece, captured in oils on her wedding day, exuded life, vivacity, and intelligence. Anne knew the girl who smiled into a splendid future with such hope in her eyes had been reduced, changed and altered to a faded copy of her former self, worn down by the years of living without love or even respect from her husband. For Anne, to marry simply to secure her comforts in life was not enough motive to marry. Having discovered what it was to love with a passion that still burned, there could be no compromises.
The weather matched her mood. A summer storm was building, grey clouds rolled over the cornflower sky, darkening the scene through the window, causing Anne to shiver and reach for her shawl. At least if it rained Charles might delay his visit, though Anne was anxious for the dreaded interview to be over.
A knock at the door revealed her sister Elizabeth standing on the threshold with her usual expression, a look which succeeded in being both impatient and petulant at the same time.
‘Lady Russell requires your company immediately, and will brook no refusal … at least, that is my reading of this note,’ Elizabeth said waving the missive under Anne’s nose.
Anne ignored her sister’s provoking behaviour, merely thanking her as she took the letter addressed to her alone.
‘The carriage is waiting for you, so hurry up,’ Elizabeth continued. ‘I must admit, I am grateful she did not extend the invitation to me … her lectures on her favourite poets are more than I can bear. Please take back that dreadful book she lent me and tell her I enjoyed every sonnet. It is, without doubt, a work to bore the most learned student. And, you need not tell her so, but the hat she is sporting in every house in Uppercross this week is hideous. I was quite embarrassed to be seen conversing with her yesterday morning … of course, do send my fondest love.’
Anne preferred to walk. It gave her time to think and even when the heavens opened and she put up her umbrella she enjoyed the comforting sound of the water drumming on the fabric above her head. What could Lady Russell possibly want her for now? Surely she would not attempt to further cajole her into accepting Charles’s proposal. It was impossible to refuse any invitation from Lady Russell, yet Anne could not help feeling that she was likely to be worked on and that filled her with dread.
Rain fell steadily as Anne hurried up the steps and inside the house. Brushing raindrops from her pelisse she did not notice immediately that her friend was not alone in the drawing room. Miss Elliot felt the colour rise and burn in her countenance when she realised exactly why Lady Russell had summoned her so quickly.
‘Miss Elliot, how lovely to see you,’ Lady Russell said standing to greet her. ‘Look who has called upon me this morning – such a delightful surprise, is it not?’
Charles Musgrove and his mother were seated on the sofa, beaming from ear to ear at Anne’s entrance.
‘Miss Elliot, what a pleasure to meet you again,’ said Mrs Musgrove. ‘I was just saying to Lady Russell how much we enjoyed watching you dance at the Monkford Assembly last month. Charles is not a dancing fellow, but with you as his partner, he looked as if he were born to it!’
Anne smiled, but could not meet the eyes of any of the party, least of all Charles’s, which she felt staring at her intently.
‘I do hope we will see you at the next ball … Charles is counting the days, Miss Elliot.’
Anne felt compelled to speak and looked up to politely answer. ‘I shall be attending the ball, Mrs Musgrove … ‘
‘It is so long since we saw you at the Great House, Miss Anne,’ continued Mrs Musgrove. ‘You and your family must dine with us very soon. It is a pity the girls are not home though they soon will be. How they delight in your company … quite like a sister, they always say about you. Yes, you must all come for dinner – we’ll find something to celebrate, I daresay!’
Not knowing what to say in reply, Anne could only wish that it would not be long before Mrs Musgrove and her son took their leave. Her feelings rushed upon her. It was clear Mrs Musgrove was there to help further her son’s courtship. Oh, that she could vanish into thin air! All her usual ways of making others feel at ease left her as she struggled to think of anything sensible to say. But her head pounded with the words which kept running round her head, that it would be wrong to marry without love when her heart was so attached to another.
‘Well, Mrs Musgrove,’ interrupted Lady Russell as the conversation halted, ‘I have that receipt for elderflower cordial I was telling you about, and a basket of freshly picked flowers gleaned from the trees this morning. I asked cook to put them to one side. Do come along to the kitchen and we can collect them.’
No sooner was that said than they were alone. Anne could no longer leave Mr Musgrove wondering his fate. She could not bear to have him speak of love to her or go down on one knee again. For both their sakes she spoke before he did. ‘I am sorry, Mr Musgrove, but I cannot give you the answer you wish to hear. I would like to thank you very much for the great honour you have bestowed upon me, but the truth is … ‘
‘You cannot marry me because you are in love with someone else,’ he said before she could finish her sentence. ‘You might deny it, Miss Elliot, as you have once before, but the truth is in your eyes. No, you do not need to say his name … all I know he is a lucky fellow though why he hasn’t made his claim is a mystery to me. If only I could persuade you, I could give you a comfortable life … but I will torture neither one of us any longer. If you cannot love me I must look elsewhere for a wife.’
Anne’s eyes filled with tears. ‘Thank you for your understanding … you are a kind man, Mr Musgrove.’
‘You will always have my friendship, Miss Anne, be assured of that, and I’m prepared to wait a while just in case you change your mind. But now I think you must make haste before the ladies return – I see you are upset, and I do not wish to prolong your suffering. Besides, the rain has stopped … I am certain Lady Russell will understand the necessity for leaving in a dry spell. And you must have many errands.’
‘Yes, I thank you,’ Anne replied, ‘I will go before the weather sets in again. Please be so good as to give my regards to your mother and Lady Russell. Do apologise … I am so sorry, but it is impossible for me to stay.’
Fighting her tears, she set off along the muddy lanes on the short journey home, overcome with emotion but glad to be outside in the fresh air to mull over her thoughts. She was thankful that Mr Musgrove had made it easy for her to refuse him but the ending of this unfortunate episode only brought back the memory of her attachment to Commander Wentworth. Recalling every moment spent together, never had she felt more in love than at that moment. Knowing he was gone forever and that her refusal of his most precious proposal, the cause, was a fact she would have to learn to live with.
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Loved the way you wrote this. I believe Lady Russell thought Anne would refuse Charles and so set up this little ambush with Mrs. Musgrove to try to force Anne to accept Charles’ suit. He is very considerate of her feelings and eases her departure. I don’t believe they imagined she would decline him, not with both of them there. Charles’ consideration defines their friendship for later in the book. I was actually surprised at his insightfulness in realising Anne was in love with another, maybe he really did love her. He says that, “I will torture neither one of us any longer. If you cannot love me, I must look elsewhere for a wife”. Anne was being tortured by memories. Was this Charles hinting that he was being tortured by her refusal? Poor Anne. I am glad Anne stuck to her guns and showed some backbone.
Thank you, Jane. Very nicely done. I felt Anne’s turmoil and felt a little badly for Charles.
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Thank you, Deborah-that’s so kind of you! Yes, I think Lady Russell is a schemer even if she has Anne’s best interests at heart. And though Anne is quite a compliant character she will not be persuaded to marry where she does not love. I think Charles is probably quite a nice fellow though quick to say he must look for another! Typical of his class and the age, I think.
Please don’t send the hounds after me, but in this Charles’ attitude reminds me of William Collins’ after Elizabeth rejects him. OK. So I can’t make up my mind. Maybe Charles only feels an attraction to Anne. Though why would he then say he would not torture either one any longer?
Yes, Deborah-I agree-I don’t think Charles is desperately in love but he does want a wife. When he says he would not torture either one I think he would say what he thinks is expected… Thank you for your thoughtful comments!
You have written another lovely chapter. I must admit that Persuasion has never been a favorite of mine, and most retellings of the tale only confirm my aversion! I have been following the Austen Variations version, but not that closely. When I saw that you had written today’s chapter, I had to read it, and I am so glad that I did. You write of people’s thoughts and feelings so beautifully, and are not heavy handed with it. This makes for a pleasant, thought provoking interlude for the reader. I can not honestly say I like Persuasion more after today, but neither do I dislike it more! Anne has always been a difficult character for me to warm up to after Elizabeth Bennet and Emma Woodhouse. They are more lively and likable than poor Anne, who always seems so dreary and tepid. Not that she doesn’t have reason to be either. Her relatives are unfeeling and appalling, and her friend isn’t much better. The way you write Anne, is making me take a second look at a book that previously made me cringe. It has all the elements of a great story: tragic, plucky heroine, cads aplenty, ample wit and sarcasm, and yet it has always fallen short for me. Your writing gives me a new and welcome perspective. I will reread the original, and who knows: after this, I may even revert to disliking Lady Susan more! Again, thank you for some lovely writing. You make Charles Musgrove into a real person for me, and I see new aspects to him that I have previously overlooked. He was always a nice fellow, but now he seems good and noble as well. Another splendid chapter to savor. Thank you Jane.
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Mari, thank you so much for your lovely comments-I really enjoyed writing it though I did go over it a few times because I kept changing my mind about how Anne would refuse him. In the end, I thought Charles would realise it was a hopeless case and he’s enough of a gentleman to know when he’s beaten! Anne has pluck, I think- though persuaded to refuse Commander Wentworth, she knows that she was wrong to do so and will not be persuaded by anyone again!
I hope you re-read Persuasion because it is my favourite (as much as I also love P&P) I think it’s really the first book where Jane really showed so much more emotion on the page and gave us insights to how Anne, in particular, was feeling. Also, if you get hold of a copy of the 1995 adaptation with Ciaran Hinds and Amanda Root I think it will give you an additional insight into the book- it’s pretty close to the original-I love it-hope if you get a chance to watch it that you do too!
I did actually see the adaptation with Ciaran Hinds and Amanda Root. They were wonderful enough to make me enjoy watching that version. I think my problem is that I see Anne with modern eyes instead of seeing her a product of the early nineteenth century. If I take it in the context that she was acting appropriately and reasonably for the times and mores, it makes more sense. Whenever I think of Anne, I will think of Miss Root’s masterful acting, and I will be more sympathetic. Instead of seeing Anne as a wimp, I need to see her as the strong, constant, and courageous woman she was revealed to be. Thanks for the reminder.
It’s difficult to put ourselves into the minds of women who lived 200 years ago, I agree. Yes, I think Anne is strong and courageous, and she proves that by being constant to the man she loves.
Lovely chapter! This certainly made me like Charles more and made me even sorrier he ended up with Mary! To add to the discussion of Anne’s personality and character, I have always seen her as exceedingly shy. As a result, when she was young, she tended to be a little unsure of herself and influenced by others. As a result of losing Wentworth, she learned to listen to her inner voice. I really respect that. She is much stronger than people realize. Her family may not see it, but she is the rock that holds them together. With no one to depend on once Anne is married, her father and sister Elizabeth are going to have some serious difficulties.
Susan, I completely agree! Anne is probably not timid or shy, by nature, but has become so as a result of her familial influences. You would have to be a very strong character to survive the insidious bullying of Sir Walter and his daughter Elizabeth. She relies on her own voice, as you say, and though persuaded by others, she is a rock that keeps the family together-exactly! Thank you so much for your insightful comments!
I’m glad Mrs. Musgrove and Lady Russell left the room! For a minute there, I thought Anne was going to have to give her answer in front of them all! Horrors!
I enjoyed this very much, Jane, especially that Anne recalled her mother’s own unhappiness in marriage to give her even more reason to stick to her convictions and refuse Charles’ proposal. And now I hope you’ve convinced Mari (above) to give Persuasion another chance too!
Thank you, Shannon- I quite agree- Anne has so many reasons to stick to her convictions, and I really hope Mari gives Persuasion another chance-it’s such a wonderful novel.
Lady Russell is quite officious in this additional scene, which suits my image of her well. Thanks for this excellent chapter.!
Leslie, I totally agree, I think she is a bit of a bossy boots-even if she ‘thinks’ she’s doing her best for Anne! Thank you so much for your kind comments.
You’ve done a lovely job of showing what a gentleman Charles is, and how Anne’s mother is still present in Anne’s life, still influencing her decisions. Thank you!
Thank you, June-I see Charles as a gentleman and a kind man, though one who doesn’t think too hard about what to look for in a suitable wife. I suspect he hit upon Anne quite by accident because if he’d really given it any proper thought he could never have ended up with Mary! He would have preferred Anne, I’m sure, but was ready to settle for anyone who would have him!
Seeing Charles in a whole new light, what a sweet and kind thing to do,telling Anne he would end his suit but keep their friendship, then letting her slip away without having to deal with Lady Russell and his mother. Poor Charles the limited society of Kellynch and Uppercross and he is left with Mary to wed, would wish a happier ending for him.
Stephanie-yes, poor Charles-I don’t think he really deserves Mary, but then he was daft enough to marry her! Thanks so much for your comments!
Thank you for this lovely chapter. I think Charles does come out as being a lot more likable and having more to his character than I remembered (it has admittedly been a while since I read Persuasion, so I don’t recall much about him, other than he was saddled with the other undesirable Elliot sister). It’s notable for Anne that a good marriage example is hard for her to find in her own family, yet it’s what she really believes/hopes for so that no other suitor would have a chance.
Kathy, thank you for your kind comments. I decided Charles must have been a kind character for he and Anne to have resumed their friendship later on. Yes, I think Anne really wants to do better for herself and knows her own mind!
I agree with the above comments and enjoyed your further development of Anne and Charles’ characters… especially showing Charles’ kind and gentlemanly conduct, Jane. Interesting scenario bringing Mrs. Musgrove and Lady Russell together, and it sounded just like Mrs. Musgrove talking! Well done!
Oh, and I agree totally with you about the excellence of the 1995 movie of Persuasion with Amanda Root and Ciaran Hinds… They get it exactly right!
Thank you, Carol, for your kind words! Yes, love that production of Persuasion-so beautifully filmed!
I like the scene in which she remembers her mother’s portrait and how vibrant she was in the early days of her marriage and how living without love and respect faded her. And Anne was wise enough not to “settle” for Charles, even though we see he can be nice and thoughtful in his own way. Their friendship as we read it in later years shows how right they both were here to realize this was best. But, poor Charles then did settle for Mary.
I, too, was afraid Anne was going to have to give her answer in the presence of Lady Russell and Mrs. Musgrove.
Thank you for a lovely chapter…it blends so well with all we have from JA and the other authors.
Thank you, Sheila-you’re very kind! Yes, I always imagine Anne’s mother must have suffered a lot living with Sir Walter. I thought I’d try and make your hearts flutter at the thought of Anne being cornered by the ladies-but I couldn’t be so cruel to Anne. Thank you again for stopping by!
Lady Russell is clever to have take advantage of the Musgroves’ visit but it’s not enough to encourage Anne to accept Charles Musgrove’s proposal. I’m glad that Charles sees Anne’s distress and decided to free her. It bodes well for his character to be understanding and kind.
Thank you, Luthien-no, Anne is made of sterner stuff. Charles must be kind to take Mary on, I think! Thank you for stopping by!
Beautifully written, Jane. You portray Anne’s inner turmoil so well.
I like the way you developed Charles Musgrove and agree with others I feel even more badly for him ending up with Mary than I do when I read the novel – poor man!
Loved your depiction of Elizabeth, so suitably arrogant and rude!
I also loved the description of the weather as Anne walked and it suiting the moment. Just a lovely piece of writing throughout.
Thank you, Cassandra-you are very kind!
Lady Russell trying to influence Anne again but Anne now knows her own heart. At least Charles realizes that he can never have Anne’s love or heart and is gracious enough to let her go…
Beautifully written Jane…thank you.
Thank you, Carole, for your very kind comments!