Persuasion Page #6

And whom should I chance to meet

at the Pump Rooms again yesterday

but Mr Elliot.

Without being indiscreet,

I can reveal that you were very much talked of.

He thinks you a most extraordinary young woman.

In your temper, manners, mind,

a model of female excellence.

Now, I am no matchmaker, as you well know,

but a most suitable connection.

Everybody must certainly consider it.

And I do think there would be

every possibility of your

and Mr Elliot being very happy together.

And, I must confess,

to look forward and think of you

occupying your dear mother's place

as the future mistress of Kellynch.

The future Lady Elliot.

Oh, my dearest Anne,

it would give me more delight

than is often felt at my time of life.

Lady Russell.

Will you join us?

ANNE:
I cannot deny the idea

of being restored to Kellynch,

of calling it home again, my home forever,

has a charm I cannot immediately resist.

And Mr Elliot is an exceedingly agreeable man

and, in many respects, I think very highly of him.

ADMIRAL CROFT:
Admiral and Mrs Croft

come to call on Miss Anne Elliot.

Admiral, Mrs Croft, I'm delighted to see you.

What brings you here to Bath?

I'm afraid, Miss Elliot, it is my digestion.

And when your sister Mary learned

we were to come to Bath,

she charged us with this letter for you.

Thank you. You must stay for tea.

And tell me the news from Kellynch.

Well, all the talk, of course,

has been of the marriage.

-The marriage?

-Why, your cousin of course.

Miss Louisa Musgrove.

Do you mean to tell me you did not know?

No, indeed.

I only had a note from Charles

that we were to soon expect a wedding.

Oh, well, then I'm sure the letter we have brought

from your sister will contain a full account.

I'm very happy for Louisa.

-I am certain she has chosen wisely.

-MRS CROFT:
Indeed, indeed.

ADMIRAL CROFT:
Oh, he's a fine fellow,

right enough.

MRS CROFT:
And whatever Frederick may say,

she has no fears of being a naval captain's wife.

No, indeed.

I must confess the news did come

as something of a surprise to us.

Even Sophy was taken aback.

Really? Did he give you no indication

of his intentions?

No. No, never a word on the subject.

But Frederick is not a man to pine or complain.

No, he very honourably hoped she will be

very happy with Benwick and there's an end to it.

In fact, from his manner of speaking

on the subject,

one would never guess Frederick could have

ever thought of Louisa Musgrove for himself.

Benwick?

I beg your pardon?

Am I, then, to understand

that Louisa is to marry Captain Benwick

and not Captain Wentworth?

Yes. Yes, that's it exactly.

Poor Frederick. Now he will have to

begin all over with somebody else.

MRS CROFT:
Miss Anne, is something wrong?

No. No, you astonished me indeed.

You mean, you did not know?

The thing is certainly true.

We have it from Frederick himself.

-Captain Wentworth is in Bath?

-He arrived last night.

Oh.

Captain Wentworth.

Miss Elliot.

Your sister mentioned your being in Bath.

Yes, I'm lodging with the Admiral

in Queen's Square.

You've perhaps also heard that Louisa Musgrove

is to marry James Benwick.

-I have. I was most astonished.

-As was I.

And yet, I'm sure in time

they will grow more alike.

Captain Benwick will gain high spirits

and cheerfulness and she will...

Relish for morbid poetry.

Just so.

With all my soul, I wish them happy,

and yet...

Miss Louisa is a very

good, amiable, sweet-tempered girl.

Harville's sister was a very superior woman,

and Benwick's attachment to her

was, indeed, profound.

A man cannot recover from such a passion

with such a woman.

He ought not.

He does not.

My dear Anne, I cannot say how grieved I am

to have kept you waiting,

but the carriage is outside.

Mr Elliot, permit me to name Captain Wentworth.

My cousin Mr Elliot.

May I?

Captain, there is a concert

at the Pump Rooms tonight.

I remember how fond you are of music.

I must say, though, the worst of Bath

is the number of plain women.

I frequently observe that one pretty face

would be followed by five and thirty frights.

And as for the men...

Oh.

Ah, Lady Russell.

We are at home tomorrow night

to a somewhat select gathering...

-We do so hope you are at liberty.

-Of course, Sir Walter, with pleasure.

But where is Lady Dalrymple?

Good heavens, is that Frederick Wentworth?

Isn't he the nobody?

LADY RUSSELL:
What on earth is he doing in Bath?

Captain Wentworth,

is the programme to your liking?

I found myself at liberty this evening.

Bath has much to offer

those who are interested in music.

So I'm led to believe.

And shall you be staying long in Bath?

I don't know.

That is to say, I am not certain.

It all depends.

I see.

-Miss Elliot...

-Captain.

(FOOTMAN ANNOUNCING ARRIVALS)

(GASPS) Lady Dalrymple.

Anne, Anne, Lady Dalrymple is here.

There'll soon be another marriage in that family,

if I'm any judge.

Certainly, if the rumours are to be believed.

Captain.

Captain.

-Are you going?

-Yes.

Is the first half, at least, not worth staying for?

No.

There's nothing here worth me staying for.

Good night.

My dear Anne, is all well?

We are all so dreadfully concerned.

Yes.

I felt suddenly a little faint.

But I'm quite recovered.

Should we not return to the concert?

Dearest Anne,

I have been awaiting an opportunity

to speak to you privately

and now it seems to have come.

-I'm sorry, sir, I'm not very good company.

-My dear cousin,

you are far too modest for the world

in general to be aware

-of even half your accomplishments.

-Really, sir,

-I do not think you know me that well.

-On the contrary.

The name of Anne Elliot has long had

a beguiling charm for me.

If I dared, I would now breathe my sincerest wish

that name might never change.

-Sir...

-I do not venture

to expect an immediate answer to my proposal.

But I cannot, in honour,

further conceal my intentions

and perhaps tomorrow night at Camden Place

you will feel able to make me

the happiest and most fortunate of men.

WENTWORTH:
Miss Elliot, I am charged

with an urgent commission from the Admiral

in regard to your family.

And since I am to leave Bath today without delay,

I should be obliged if I could

wait upon you at 1 1.:00 this morning.

(CLOCK CHIMING)

(KNOCKING AT DOOR)

CHARLES:
Hello, Anne, how are you?

Charles, Mary.

I am here to take the waters.

I have been most dreadfully unwell,

it is my last hope.

Father, Elizabeth.

SIR WALTER:
Good heavens, it's Mary.

Sir Walter, Elizabeth, we have come

to choose a wedding dress

with mother and Henrietta.

She is to be married to Charles Hayter.

-Who?

-A mere country curate.

-Father, pray, do not trouble yourself.

-And dear Louisa, is she not with you?

She stayed at Uppercross with Captain Benwick.

-Who?

-The naval captain, Father.

Pray, do not trouble yourself.

I suppose we shall have to invite

the Musgroves tonight as well.

A party?

SIR WALTER:
I shall be loathe

to introduce them to Lady Dalrymple.

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