Persuasion Page #7

Will Mr Elliot be there? I must at all costs

be introduced to Mr Elliot.

Well, I have not the smallest intention

of inviting him, but...

Wentworth.

-Charles.

-Hello, old fellow, how are you?

I didn't expect to see you here.

Where are you staying?

We must go shooting one day, if you have time.

-Mrs Musgrove.

-Captain.

Father, this is Captain Wentworth.

He is related to our tenants, the Crofts.

Captain, this is my father,

Sir Walter Elliot, baronet.

Yes and my eldest sister Elizabeth.

-Thank you, we are acquainted.

-Captain, please.

Well.

I am charged.

That is to say the Admiral,

Admiral Croft, has been confidently informed...

that Mr Elliot...

That everything is settled now in your family

for a union between yourself and Mr Elliot.

It was added that you were to live at Kellynch,

and my commission from the Admiral is

to say that, if the family's wish is such,

his lease at Kellynch shall be cancelled

and he and my sister will provide themselves

with another home. That is all.

What answer shall I give?

Sir...

You will please thank the Admiral on my behalf,

but I must tell you that he is utterly misinformed.

Misinformed?

-Utterly?

-Yes, Captain.

Quite mistaken.

-No truth in any part of it?

-None.

And I should be grateful to know

the source of such fanciful rumours.

As to that...

(KNOCKING AT DOOR)

Lady Russell is here.

Do you remember Lady Russell, Captain?

How could I forget?

Anne, I received your note.

Miss Elliot, if you'll excuse me

I shall convey your news to the Admiral.

-Good day.

-Captain.

Is it true? Mr Elliot has proposed?

If you'll excuse me, Lady Russell,

I must speak with Captain Wentworth.

Captain Wentworth.

Mrs Musgrove.

Anne.

What a delight.

Excuse me.

Anne, I must speak with you.

Must it be now?

Anne, I must ask.

Is it true Mr Elliot has asked you to marry him?

-Yes, but...

-Anne, I hope I give no offence,

but I can never forgive myself if I did not

acquaint you with Mr Elliot's real character.

-I only hope I'm not too late.

-Good heavens, Harriet, what is it?

Mr Elliot is a man without heart or conscience.

A designing, cold-blooded being

who thinks only of itself.

His recent reconciliation with your father

was no accident.

He had heard a rumour in London

that Sir Walter Elliot

might be led to marry his daughter's companion.

-Mrs Clay?

-The very same.

And should she provide him

with an heir, of course,

the child would inherit everything,

instead of Mr Elliot.

-But he is already rich.

-Of course.

He married his poor wife for money

and nothing else.

But what he now desires above all

is to be a baronet.

He cannot bear the thought

of not being Sir William.

Well, why, then, would he wish to marry me?

Oh, his admiration for you is sincere,

as far as it goes.

Although it has not prevented him

from courting Mrs Clay at the same time.

-No.

-Indeed.

He has promised to establish her

as his mistress in London,

as soon as he is married to you.

There is nothing he would not do

to prevent your father marrying again.

I am profoundly grateful to you, Harriet.

But now if you'll forgive me, I must go.

-Captain Harville.

-Miss Elliot.

If you have come to call upon the Admiral

and Mrs Croft, I must disappoint you.

They went to take the waters

with Captain Wentworth.

But since you are here,

you may save me some time.

Captain Wentworth bade me bring

this note to you in Camden Place.

Perhaps you would take it now.

-Thank you.

-Are you quite well, Miss Elliot?

Thank you.

Then if you'll excuse me,

I'm already late for an appointment.

WENTWORTH:
Miss Elliot,

I can bear this no longer.

You pierced my soul. I'm half agony, half hope.

Unjust I may have been,

weak and resentful I have been,

but never inconstant.

I offer myself to you again

with a heart even more your own

than when you almost broke it eight years ago.

I have loved none but you.

You alone, who brought me to Bath,

for you alone, I think and plan.

Have you not seen this?

I can hardly write.

I must go, uncertain of my fate.

A word, a look, would be enough.

Only tell me that I am...

Tell me not that I am too late,

that such precious feelings are gone forever.

Why, Miss Elliot, you just missed Frederick.

He has just gone to call upon you

at Camden Place.

Anne.

-Charles.

-Anne, good heavens, is anything the matter?

Anne.

Thank you, Charles, I'm quite...quite well.

You look quite done for.

We shall have to get you home directly.

The thing of it is, I ought to be

in the marketplace now.

A fellow there promised me the sight

of a capital gun he's just sending off.

Said he'd keep it unpacked

till the last possible minute.

If I do not cut along now I shall miss out.

You know from his description, Wentworth,

it sounds a good deal like that 1 6-bore Mortimer

of mine you shot with that day round Winthrop.

Do you remember?

(CHARLES CHATTERING)

Captain...

Captain,

I am...I am in receipt of your proposal

and am minded to accept it.

Thank you.

Are you

quite certain?

I am.

I am determined.

I will.

And nothing, you may be sure,

will ever persuade me otherwise.

Why have we stopped?

You can't see?

Give me your hand.

I thought you might like to see

your wedding present.

(GASPS)

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