Persuasion Page #2

-Indeed.

-I sometimes wonder if he will ever settle down.

-Hmm.

So, you are come, at last.

I'd begun to think I should never see you.

I am so ill

I can hardly speak.

In fact, I do not think I was ever so ill in my life

as I have been all this morning.

I'm very unfit to be left alone, I'm sure.

Is Charles not here?

Charles would go out shooting,

even though I told him I was ill.

And I have not seen a soul

this whole, long morning.

Not one of the Musgroves has seen fit

to come and see me

even though Charles told them I was ill.

It did not suit, I suppose.

Oh, you will see them yet, I'm sure.

It is still early.

Or, perhaps, if you feel well enough

to attempt a short walk

to the great house, we could call upon them.

We ought to wait till they call upon you.

They should know what is due to you as my sister.

I assure you I have not the smallest objection

on that account.

Perhaps a little air would do me good.

But I really must eat something first,

I'm quite starved.

LOUISA:
Anne.

-Good heavens. How the girls are growing up.

-Mmm-Hmm.

The Miss Musgroves have returned

from their school in Exeter

with all the usual accomplishments,

and, of course,

they now think of nothing but being fashionable

and merry...

Dear Henrietta, Louisa.

Oh, Anne.

Here you are at last.

Come, Mama cannot wait to see you.

And we have such exciting news.

(GIRLS LAUGHING)

Welcome to Uppercross, Miss Anne.

How pale and drawn you are.

We must fatten you up while you are here.

I myself have been very unwell.

And Sir Walter and Miss Elizabeth.

Oh, how they shall miss you.

In any event, I'm very happy to be here

and not in Bath.

Oh, Mama, I hope we shall be in Bath this winter.

But remember, if we do go,

we must be in a good situation.

Oh, yes. None of your Queen's Squares for us.

-Anne, how are you?

-Very well. Thank you, Charles.

(ANNE EXCLAIMING)

-You're getting big.

-I am glad to see you've recovered, my dear.

Did you ask your father? Did you, Charles?

Father has many other uses for his money

and the right to spend it as he likes.

Charles, if it is left to you,

we shall soon be destitute.

Admiral Croft and his wife

are to take possession directly.

And I believe we have been very fortunate

with our tenants.

Yet it must be very hard for you, my dear,

to give up your home so.

Of course, when your poor dear Mama was alive,

there was moderation and economy at Kellynch.

But there were never balls,

and the Crofts are sure to have balls

and invite the most eligible young naval officers.

Indeed, this is our exciting news, I quite forgot.

Mrs Croft, it appears,

has a brother, Captain Wentworth,

and he has just returned to England

and is coming to stay with them at Kellynch.

It is true. The Pooles chanced to make

their acquaintance in Taunton this week.

It is said Captain Wentworth

is the most handsomest man

in the navy and quite unattached.

-And has such a wealth of Spanish gold.

-Indeed.

ANNE:
How fortunate he is.

Well, we shall all see for ourselves

when he comes to dine tomorrow night.

Oh, Papa.

I have just now received this note

from Admiral Croft accepting my invitation.

Anne. Are you ready?

We must not keep the Crofts

and Captain Wentworth waiting.

MUSGROVE:
Charles. Charles.

Charles. Come directly. Charles.

(PEOPLE CHATTERING FRANTICALLY)

He fell from a tree in the garden.

I've sent for the apothecary.

He will be here directly.

His collarbone is dislocated.

(GAGGING)

Charles, look after Mary. We shall be all right.

ANNE:
Ready?

(SNAPPING)

All done. With a little rest,

he'll be right as rain in no time.

CHARLES:
Oh, thank God.

And never fear, Charles,

I shall give your excuses to the Crofts.

(STAMMERING) Excuses?

Indeed, with the child going on so well now,

it would be a shame to spoil the dinner.

I am really most anxious to meet

our new neighbours.

Indeed, it's more a duty than anything else.

(STAMMERING) If Anne will stay with you,

my love, I have no scruple at all.

Of course.

And so we are to be left to shift for ourselves

with a sick child,

while you go to dinner with the Crofts.

Well, I need not stay too late, dearest.

Just because I'm the poor mother who is not

allowed to stir, because he is going on so well.

He says... How does he know

he is going on so well...

Please.

Please.

You may all leave little Charles to my care.

CHARLES:
Well, this is very kind of you, Anne.

Are you sure?

In any case, I've no appetite.

MUSGROVE:
Well then, it is settled.

(DOOR OPENING)

Oh, Anne, you missed

the most delightful party last night.

I cannot tell you how handsome

is Captain Wentworth.

HENRIETTA:
He is so much more handsome and

agreeable than anyone I have ever met before.

-Such manners, such conversation.

-Such capital.

Oh, and we have all been invited to Kellynch

tomorrow night for dinner.

Even you, Anne.

CHARLES:
Damn it, Mary, I'm late. Is he here?

MARY:
Who?

Oh, Captain Wentworth, do...do come in.

Forgive me, I... The door was open.

I trust the boy does well?

-Oh, yes.

-Much better, thank you, Wentworth.

Oh, Captain Wentworth,

this is my elder sister Anne.

-We are acquainted.

-Really? But Anne has never said a word about it.

It was a long time ago, you were away at school.

Come, Wentworth, or the birds will

all have gone south for the winter.

Of course. Ladies.

LOUISA:
Oh, come, Henrietta, let us go with them.

Wait, wait, wait for me.

ANNE:
The worst is over. I have seen him.

We have been once more in the same room.

A bow, a curtsy,

I heard his voice and then,

he was gone.

He has not forgiven me.

I have used him ill,

deserted and disappointed him.

And worse, I've shown a feebleness of character

in doing so,

which his own decided, confident temper

could not endure.

Once there were no two hearts so open,

no feelings so in harmony,

but now we are strangers.

Worse than strangers

for we may never become acquainted.

It is perpetual estrangement.

And tonight, I'm to be tested once more.

Frederick. There you are.

Let me introduce you to Miss Anne Elliot.

Miss Elliot, my brother,

Captain Frederick Wentworth.

Captain Wentworth and I met briefly yesterday.

Oh, Frederick, you might have told me.

This must be very bad for you, Miss Elliot,

to come to your home and find us here.

No, not at all, Admiral. I'm happy to know that

the house is in such worthy and careful hands.

And what news, Frederick,

of dear Captain Harville?

He's settled for now at Lyme

with our good friend James Benwick

-who's awaiting a new command.

-How exciting.

Of course. I remember Captain Benwick.

He's engaged to Harville's sister.

I'm sorry to have to tell you that she died

last summer while Benwick was out at the Cape.

-Oh, no. How dreadful.

-Yes.

Five years they waited for a fortune

to satisfy her family.

Now he has it, of course, but too late.

Much too late.

But then I've never thought

that a man on active service

-should even contemplate marriage.

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