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by the family； as Sir Walter considered him unworthy of it： all
acquaintance between them had ceased。
This very awkward history of Mr。 Elliot was still； after an
interval of several years； felt with anger by Elizabeth； who had
liked the man for himself； and still more for being her father’s heir；
and whose strong family pride could see only in him a proper
match for Sir Walter Elliot’s eldest daughter。 There was not a
baronet from A to Z whom her feelings could have so willingly
acknowledged as an equal。 Yet so miserably had he conducted
himself； that though she was at this present time （the summer of
1814） wearing black ribbons for his wife； she could not admit him
to be worth thinking of again。 The disgrace of his first marriage
might； perhaps； as there was no reason to suppose it perpetuated
by offspring； have been got over； had he not done worse； but he
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Jane Austen： Persuasion 12
had； as by the accustomary intervention of kind friends； they had
been informed； spoken most disrespectfully of them all； most
slightingly and contemptuously of the very blood he belonged to；
and the honours which were hereafter to be his own。 This could
not be pardoned。
Such were Elizabeth Elliot’s sentiments and sensations； such
the cares to alloy； the agitations to vary； the sameness and the
elegance； the prosperity and the nothingness of her scene of life—
such the feelings to give interest to a long； uneventful residence in
one country circle； to fill the vacancies which there were no habits
of utility abroad； no talents or accomplishments for home； to
occupy。
But now； another occupation and solicitude of mind was
beginning to be added to these。 Her father was growing distressed
for money。 She knew； that when he now took up the Baronetage； it
was to drive the heavy bills of his tradespeople； and the
unwelcome hints of Mr。 Shepherd； his agent； from his thoughts。
The Kellynch property was good； but not equal to Sir Walter’s
apprehension of the state required in its possessor。 While Lady
Elliot lived； there had been method； moderation； and economy；
which had just kept him within his income； but with her had died
all such right…mindedness； and from that period he had been
constantly exceeding it。 It had not been possible for him to spend
less； he had done nothing but what Sir Walter Elliot was
imperiously called on to do； but blameless as he was； he was not
only growing dreadfully in debt； but was hearing of it so often； that
it became vain to attempt concealing it longer； even partially； from
his daughter。 He had given her some hints of it the last spring in
town； he had gone so far even as to say； “Can we retrench？ Does it
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Jane Austen： Persuasion 13
occur to you that there is any one article in which we can
retrench？”—and Elizabeth； to do her justice； had； in the first
ardour of female alarm； set seriously to think what could be done；
and had finally proposed these two branches of economy； to cut off
some unnecessary charities； and to refrain from new furnishing
the drawing…room； to which expedients she afterwards added the
happy thought of their taking no present down to Anne； as had
been the usual yearly custom。 But these measures； however good
in themselves； were insufficient for the real extent of the evil； the
whole of which Sir Walter found himself obliged to confess to her
soon afterwards。 Elizabeth had nothing to propose of deeper
efficacy。 She felt herself ill…used and unfortunate； as did her
father； and they were neither of them able to devise any means of
lessening their expenses without compromising their dignity； or
relinquishing their comforts in a way not to be borne。
There was only a small part of his estate that Sir Walter could
dispose of； but had every acre been alienable； it would have made
no difference。 He had condescended to mortgage as far as he had
the power； but he would never condescend to sell。 No； he would
never disgrace his name so far。 The Kellynch estate should be
transmitted whole and entire； as he had received it。
Their two confidential friends； Mr。 Shepherd； who lived in the
neighbouring market town； and Lady Russell； were called to
advise them； and both father and daughter seemed to expect that
something should be struck out by one or the other to remove
their embarrassments and reduce their expenditure； without
involving the loss of any indulgence of taste or pride。
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Jane Austen： Persuasion 14
CHAPTER II
r Shepherd； a civil； cautious lawyer； who； whatever
might be his hold or his views on Sir Walter； would
M disagreeable
rather have the prompted by anybody
else； excused himself from offering the slightest hint； and only
begged leave to recommend an implicit reference to the excellent
judgment of Lady Russell—from whose known good sense he fully
expected to have just such resolute measures advised as he meant
to see finally adopted。
Lady Russell was most anxiously zealous on the subject； and
gave it much serious consideration。 She was a woman rather of
sound than of quick abilities； whose difficulties in coming to any
decision in this instance were great； from the opposition of two
leading principles。 She was of strict integrity herself； with a
delicate sense of honour； but she was as desirous of saving Sir
Walter’s feelings； as solicitous for the credit of the family； as
aristocratic in her ideas of what was due to them； as anybody of
sense and honesty could well be。 She was a benevolent； charitable；
good woman； and capable of strong attachments； most correct in
her conduct； strict in her notions of decorum； and with manners
that were held a standard of good…breeding。 She had a cultivated
mind； and was； generally speaking； rational and consistent； but
she had prejudices on the side of ancestry； she had a value for
rank and consequence； which blinded her a little to the faults of
those who possessed them。 Herself the widow of only a knight； she
gave the dignity of a baronet all its due； and Sir Walter；
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Jane Austen： Persuasion 15
independent of his claims as an old acquaintance； an attentive
neighbour； an obliging landlord； the husband of her very dear
friend； the father of Anne and her sisters； was； as being Sir Walter；
in her apprehension； entitled to a great deal of compassion and
consideration under his present difficulties。
They must retrench； that did not admit of a doubt。 But she was
very anxious to have it done with the least possible pain to him
and Elizabeth。 She drew up plans of economy； she made exact
calculations； and she did what nobody else thought of doing： she
consulted Anne； who never seemed considered by the others as
having any interest in the question。 She consulted； and in a degree
was influenced by her in marking out the scheme of retrenchment
which was at last submitted to Sir Walter。 Every emen