按键盘上方向键 ← 或 → 可快速上下翻页，按键盘上的 Enter 键可回到本书目录页，按键盘上方向键 ↑ 可回到本页顶部！
————未阅读完？加入书签已便下次继续阅读！
was influenced by her in marking out the scheme of retrenchment
which was at last submitted to Sir Walter。 Every emendation of
Anne’s had been on the side of honesty against importance。 She
wanted more vigorous measures； a more complete reformation； a
quicker release from debt； a much higher tone of indifference for
everything but justice and equity。
“If we can persuade your father to all this；” said Lady Russell；
looking over her paper； “much may be done。 If he will adopt these
regulations； in seven years he will be clear； and I hope we may be
able to convince him and Elizabeth； that Kellynch Hall has a
respectability in itself which cannot be affected by these
reductions； and that the true dignity of Sir Walter Elliot will be
very far from lessened in the eyes of sensible people； by acting like
a man of principle。 What will he be doing； in fact； but what very
many of our first families have done—or ought to do？—There will
be nothing singular in his case； and it is singularity which often
makes the worst part of our suffering； as it always does of our
conduct。 I have great hope of prevailing。 We must be serious and
Classics in Literature： Jane Austen ElecBook
… Page 16…
Jane Austen： Persuasion 16
decided—for after all； the person who has contracted debts must
pay them； and though a great deal is due to the feelings of the
gentleman； and the head of a house； like your father； there is still
more due to the character of an honest man。”
This was the principle on which Anne wanted her father to be
proceeding； his friends to be urging him。 She considered it as an
act of indispensable duty to clear away the claims of creditors with
all the expedition which the most comprehensive retrenchments
could secure； and saw no dignity in anything short of it。 She
wanted it to be prescribed； and felt as a duty。 She rated Lady
Russell’s influence highly； and as to the severe degree of self…
denial which her own conscience prompted； she believed there
might be little more difficulty in persuading them to a complete；
than to half a reformation。 Her knowledge of her father and
Elizabeth inclined her to think that the sacrifice of one pair of
horses would be hardly less painful than of both； and so on；
through the whole list of Lady Russell’s too gentle reductions。
How Anne’s more rigid requisitions might have been taken is of
little consequence。 Lady Russell’s had no success at all—could not
be put up with—were not to be borne。 “What！ every comfort of life
knocked off！ Journeys； London； servants； horses； table—
contractions and restrictions every where！ To live no longer with
the decencies even of a private gentleman！ No； he would sooner
quit Kellynch Hall at once； than remain in it on such disgraceful
terms。”
“Quit Kellynch Hall。” The hint was immediately taken up by
Mr。 Shepherd； whose interest was involved in the reality of Sir
Walter’s retrenching； and who was perfectly persuaded that
nothing would be done without a change of abode。—“Since the
Classics in Literature： Jane Austen ElecBook
… Page 17…
Jane Austen： Persuasion 17
idea had been started in the very quarter which ought to dictate；
he had no scruple；” he said； “in confessing his judgment to be
entirely on that side。 It did not appear to him that Sir Walter could
materially alter his style of living in a house which had such a
character of hospitality and ancient dignity to support。—In any
other place； Sir Walter might judge for himself； and would be
looked up to； as regulating the modes of life in whatever way he
might choose to model his household。”
Sir Walter would quit Kellynch Hall；—and after a very few days
more of doubt and indecision； the great question of whither he
should go was settled； and the first outline of this important
change made out。
There had been three alternatives； London； Bath； or another
house in the country。 All Anne’s wishes had been for the latter。 A
small house in their own neighbourhood； where they might still
have Lady Russell’s society； still be near Mary； and still have the
pleasure of sometimes seeing the lawns and groves of Kellynch；
was the object of her ambition。 But the usual fate of Anne
attended her； in having something very opposite from her
inclination fixed on。 She disliked Bath； and did not think it agreed
with her—and Bath was to be her home。
Sir Walter had at first thought more of London； but Mr。
Shepherd felt that he could not be trusted in London； and had
been skilful enough to dissuade him from it； and make Bath
preferred。 It was a much safer place for a gentleman in his
predicament：—he might there be important at comparatively little
expense。—Two material advantages of Bath over London had of
course been given all their weight； its more convenient distance
from Kellynch； only fifty miles； and Lady Russell’s spending some
Classics in Literature： Jane Austen ElecBook
… Page 18…
Jane Austen： Persuasion 18
part of every winter there； and to the very great satisfaction of
Lady Russell； whose first views on the projected change had been
for Bath； Sir Walter and Elizabeth were induced to believe that
they should lose neither consequence nor enjoyment by settling
there。
Lady Russell felt obliged to oppose her dear Anne’s known
wishes。 It would be too much to expect Sir Walter to descend into
a small house in his own neighbourhood。 Anne herself would have
found the mortifications of it more than she foresaw； and to Sir
Walter’s feelings they must have been dreadful。 And with regard
to Anne’s dislike of Bath； she considered it as a prejudice and
mistake arising； first； from the circumstance of her having been
three years at school there； after her mother’s death； and secondly；
from her happening to be not in perfectly good spirits the only
winter which she had afterwards spent there with herself。
Lady Russell was fond of Bath； in short； and disposed to think it
must suit them all； and as to her young friend’s health； by passing
all the warm months with her at Kellynch Lodge； every danger
would be avoided； and it was in fact； a change which must do both
health and spirits good。 Anne had been too little from home； too
little seen。 Her spirits were not high。 A larger society would
improve them。 She wanted her to be more known。
The undesirableness of any other house in the same
neighbourhood for Sir Walter was certainly much strengthened by
one part； and a very material part of the scheme； which had been
happily engrafted on the beginning。 He was not only to quit his
home； but to see it in the hands of others； a trial of fortitude； which
stronger heads than Sir Walter’s have found too much。—Kellynch
Hall was to be let。 This； however； was a profound secret； not to be
Classics in Literature： Jane Austen ElecBook
… Page 19…
Jane Austen： Persuasion 19
breathed beyond their own circle。
Sir Walter could not have borne the degradation of being
known to design letting his house。 Mr。 Shepherd had once
mentioned the word “advertise；”—but never dared approach it
again。 Sir Walter spurned the idea