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of credit which a scanty neighbourhood afforded； and thirteen
springs shewn their blossoms； as she travelled up to London with
her father； for a few weeks’ annual enjoyment of the great world。
She had the remembrance of all this； she had the consciousness of
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being nine…and…twenty to give her some regrets and some
apprehensions； she was fully satisfied of being still quite as
handsome as ever； but she felt her approach to the years of
danger； and would have rejoiced to be certain of being properly
solicited by baronet…blood within the next twelvemonth or two。
Then might she again take up the book of books with as much
enjoyment as in her early youth； but now she liked it not。 Always
to be presented with the date of her own birth and see no
marriage follow but that of a youngest sister； made the book an
evil； and more than once； when her father had left it open on the
table near her； had she closed it； with averted eyes； and pushed it
away。
She had had a disappointment； moreover； which that book； and
especially the history of her own family； must ever present the
remembrance of。 The heir presumptive； the very William Walter
Elliot； Esq。； whose rights had been so generously supported by her
father； had disappointed her。
She had； while a very young girl； as soon as she had known him
to be； in the event of her having no brother； the future baronet；
meant to marry him； and her father had always meant that she
should。 He had not been known to them as a boy； but soon after
Lady Elliot’s death； Sir Walter had sought the acquaintance； and
though his overtures had not been met with any warmth； he had
persevered in seeking it； making allowance for the modest
drawing…back of youth； and； in one of their spring excursions to
London； when Elizabeth was in her first bloom； Mr。 Elliot had
been forced into the introduction。
He was at that time a very young man； just engaged in the study
of the law； and Elizabeth found him extremely agreeable； and
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every plan in his favour was confirmed。 He was invited to
Kellynch Hall； he was talked of and expected all the rest of the
year； but he never came。 The following spring he was seen again
in town； found equally agreeable； again encouraged； invited； and
expected； and again he did not come； and the next tidings were
that he was married。 Instead of pushing his fortune in the line
marked out for the heir of the house of Elliot； he had purchased
independence by uniting himself to a rich woman of inferior birth。
Sir Walter has resented it。 As the head of the house； he felt that
he ought to have been consulted； especially after taking the young
man so publicly by the hand： “For they must have been seen
together；” he observed； “once at Tattersal’s； and twice in the lobby
of the House of Commons。” His disapprobation was expressed； but
apparently very little regarded。 Mr。 Elliot had attempted no
apology； and shewn himself as unsolicitous of being longer noticed
by the family； as Sir Walter considered him unworthy of it： all
acquaintance between them had ceased。
This very awkward history of Mr。 Elliot was still； after an
interval of several years； felt with anger by Elizabeth； who had
liked the man for himself； and still more for being her father’s heir；
and whose strong family pride could see only in him a proper
match for Sir Walter Elliot’s eldest daughter。 There was not a
baronet from A to Z whom her feelings could have so willingly
acknowledged as an equal。 Yet so miserably had he conducted
himself； that though she was at this present time （the summer of
1814） wearing black ribbons for his wife； she could not admit him
to be worth thinking of again。 The disgrace of his first marriage
might； perhaps； as there was no reason to suppose it perpetuated
by offspring； have been got over； had he not done worse； but he
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Jane Austen： Persuasion 12
had； as by the accustomary intervention of kind friends； they had
been informed； spoken most disrespectfully of them all； most
slightingly and contemptuously of the very blood he belonged to；
and the honours which were hereafter to be his own。 This could
not be pardoned。
Such were Elizabeth Elliot’s sentiments and sensations； such
the cares to alloy； the agitations to vary； the sameness and the
elegance； the prosperity and the nothingness of her scene of life—
such the feelings to give interest to a long； uneventful residence in
one country circle； to fill the vacancies which there were no habits
of utility abroad； no talents or accomplishments for home； to
occupy。
But now； another occupation and solicitude of mind was
beginning to be added to these。 Her father was growing distressed
for money。 She knew； that when he now took up the Baronetage； it
was to drive the heavy bills of his tradespeople； and the
unwelcome hints of Mr。 Shepherd； his agent； from his thoughts。
The Kellynch property was good； but not equal to Sir Walter’s
apprehension of the state required in its possessor。 While Lady
Elliot lived； there had been method； moderation； and economy；
which had just kept him within his income； but with her had died
all such right…mindedness； and from that period he had been
constantly exceeding it。 It had not been possible for him to spend
less； he had done nothing but what Sir Walter