Persuasion

• Anne Elliot, now 27 and "faded," was once engaged to Captain Frederick Wentworth. She broke it off 8 years ago — persuaded by family friend Lady Russell that he was too poor and unproven • The decision has haunted her. She's spent 8 years regretting it, surrounded by a vain father (Sir Walter) and selfish sister (Elizabeth) • Wentworth returns — now wealthy, successful, a naval hero. He's renting the Elliot family home (the family's in financial trouble) • The agony: Anne must be near Wentworth constantly while he appears indifferent, even flirting with the Musgrove sisters • Louisa Musgrove falls from the Cobb at Lyme Regis and is badly injured. In the crisis, Wentworth sees Anne's calm competence • William Elliot (Anne's cousin and heir) arrives — smooth, attentive to Anne, apparently reformed. Lady Russell approves. Anne is suspicious • Bath: the social world is shallow, performance-based. Anne sees through it. Wentworth is jealous of William Elliot • Mrs. Smith (Anne's impoverished friend) reveals William Elliot is a calculating fortune hunter. Anne's instincts were right • THE letter: Wentworth, overhearing Anne defend women's constancy in love, writes: "You pierce my soul. I am half agony, half hope." • They reunite. He's loved her all along but was too proud to show it. She was right to be constant — faithfulness IS the virtue • The novel's argument: the first engagement broke because Anne listened to other people. The second succeeds because she trusts herself • Austen's most autumnal novel — about second chances, regret, and the courage to love again when you're no longer young