The Musgroves — Persuasion

The practical arrangements of dismantling Kellynch begin. The Crofts finalize the rental, with Admiral Croft and Sir Walter exchanging mutual condescension disguised as compliments, each thinks the other is barely acceptable. Sir Walter, Elizabeth, and Mrs. Clay prepare to leave for Bath. Anne faces a choice: go to Bath with her family (where nobody will want her), stay with Lady Russell temporarily, or answer her sister Mary's summons to Uppercross Cottage. Mary, perpetually unwell and perpetually dramatic, decides she cannot possibly survive autumn without Anne to nurse her complaints. Elizabeth's response when Mary claims Anne is revealing: "Then I am sure Anne had better stay, for nobody will want her in Bath." To be claimed as useful, even in this backhanded way, is better than being openly rejected. Anne agrees to go to Uppercross, partly from duty, partly to avoid Bath, partly because staying in the countryside means staying near Kellynch, and near wherever Wentworth might be. Before leaving, Anne tries to warn Elizabeth about Mrs. Clay, the scheming widow accompanying their father to Bath. Anne sees the danger: Mrs. Clay is young enough, clever enough, and ambitious enough to potentially trap Sir Walter into marriage, which would ruin Elizabeth's inheritance prospects. Elizabeth dismisses the warning with contempt, Mrs. Clay has freckles and a projecting tooth; their father would never stoop so low. Anne, who understands that "an agreeable manner might gradually reconcile one to" physical imperfections, knows better. But she's said her piece. The family departs in high spirits. Anne walks to Uppercross Cottage "in a sort of desolate tranquillity." She finds Mary on the sofa, dramatically ill, though she was apparently well enough to attend a dinner party the night before. Anne's arrival produces an immediate cure, Mary sits up, arranges flowers, eats cold meat, suggests a walk. This is Anne's life: managing other people's manufactured crises, being useful to those who don't value her, watching happiness happen to people less perceptive than herself.