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again。 Sir Walter spurned the idea of its being offered in any
manner； forbad the slightest hint being dropped of his having such
an intention； and it was only on the supposition of his being
spontaneously solicited by some most unexceptionable applicant；
on his own terms； and as a great favour； that he would let it at all。
How quick come the reasons for approving what we like！—Lady
Russell had another excellent one at hand； for being extremely
glad that Sir Walter and his family were to remove from the
country。 Elizabeth had been lately forming an intimacy； which she
wished to see interrupted。 It was with the daughter of Mr。
Shepherd； who had returned； after an unprosperous marriage； to
her father’s house； with the additional burden of two children。 She
was a clever young woman； who understood the art of pleasing—
the art of pleasing； at least； at Kellynch Hall； and who had made
herself so acceptable to Miss Elliot； as to have been already staying
there more than once； in spite of all that Lady Russell； who
thought it a friendship quite out of place； could hint of caution and
reserve。
Lady Russell； indeed； had scarcely any influence with
Elizabeth； and seemed to love her； rather because she would love
her； than because Elizabeth deserved it。 She had never received
from her more than outward attention； nothing beyond the
observances of complaisance； had never succeeded in any point
which she wanted to carry； against previous inclination。 She had
been repeatedly very earnest in trying to get Anne included in the
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visit to London； sensibly open to all the injustice and all the
discredit of the selfish arrangements which shut her out； and on
many lesser occasions had endeavoured to give Elizabeth the
advantage of her own better judgment and experience—but
always in vain； Elizabeth would go her own way—and never had
she pursued it in more decided opposition to Lady Russell than in
this selection of Mrs。 Clay； turning from the society of so deserving
a sister； to bestow her affection and confidence on one who ought
to have been nothing to her but the object of distant civility。
From situation； Mrs。 Clay was； in Lady Russell’s estimate； a
very unequal； and in her character she believed a very dangerous
companion—and a removal that would leave Mrs。 Clay behind；
and bring a choice of more suitable intimates within Miss Elliot’s
reach； was therefore an object of first…rate importance。
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Jane Austen： Persuasion 21
CHAPTER III
must take leave to observe； Sir Walter；” said Mr。
“IShepherd one morning at Kellynch Hall； as he laid
down the newspaper； “that the present juncture is
much in our favour。 This peace will be turning all our rich naval
officers ashore。 They will be all wanting a home。 Could not be a
better time； Sir Walter； for having a choice of tenants； very
responsible tenants。 Many a noble fortune has been made during
the war。 If a rich admiral were to come in our way； Sir Walter—”
“He would be a very lucky man； Shepherd；” replied Sir Walter；
“that’s all I have to remark。 A prize indeed would Kellynch Hall be
to him； rather the greatest prize of all； let him have taken ever so
many before—hey； Shepherd？”
Mr。 Shepherd laughed； as he knew he must； at this wit； and
then added；
“I presume to observe； Sir Walter； that； in the way of business；
gentlemen of the navy are well to deal with。 I have had a little
knowledge of their methods of doing business； and I am free to
confess that they have very liberal notions； and are as likely to
make desirable tenants as any set of people one should meet with。
Therefore； Sir Walter； what I would take leave to suggest is； that if
in consequence of any rumours getting abroad of your intention—
which must be contemplated as a possible thing； because we know
how difficult it is to keep the actions and designs of one part of the
world from the notice and curiosity of the other；—consequence
has its tax—I； John Shepherd； might conceal any family…matters
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Jane Austen： Persuasion 22
that I chose； for nobody would think it worth their while to
observe me； but Sir Walter Elliot has eyes upon him which it may
be very difficult to elude—and therefore； thus much I venture
upon； that it will not greatly surprise me if； with all our caution；
some rumour of the truth should get abroad—in the supposition of
which； as I was going to observe； since applications will
unquestionably follow； I should think any from our wealthy naval
commanders particularly worth attending to—and beg leave to
add； that two hours will bring me over at any time； to save you the
trouble of replying。”
Sir Walter only nodded。 But soon afterwards； rising and pacing
the room； he observed sarcastically；
“There are few among the gentlemen of the navy； I imagine；
who would not be surprised to find themselves in a house of this
description。”
“They would look around them； no doubt； and bless their good
fortune；” said Mrs。 Clay； for Mrs。 Clay was present； her father had
driven her over； nothing being of so much use to Mrs。 Clay’s
health as a drive to Kellynch： “but I quite agree with my father in
thinking a sailor might be a very desirable tenant。 I have known a
good deal of the profession； and besides their liberality； they are so
neat and careful in all their ways！ These valuable pictures of
yours； Sir Walter； if you chose to leave them； would be perfectly
safe。 Everything in and about the house would be taken such
excellent care of！ The gardens and shrubberies would be kept in
almost as high order as they are now。 You need not be afraid； Miss
Elliot； of your own sweet flower gardens being neglected。”
“As to all that；” rejoined Sir Walter coolly； “supposing I were
induced to let my house； I have by no means made up my mind as
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Jane Austen： Persuasion 23
to the privileges to be annexed to it。 I am not particularly disposed
to favour a tenant。 The park would be open to him of course； and
few navy officers； or men of any other description； can have had
such a range； but what restrictions I might impose on the use of
the pleasure…grounds； is another thing。 I am not fond of the idea of
my shrubberies being always approachable； and I should
recommend Miss Elliot to be on her guard with respect to her
flower garden。 I am very little disposed to grant a tenant of
Kellynch Hall any extraordinary favour； I assure you； be he sailor
or soldier。”
After a short pause； Mr。 Shepherd presumed to say；
“In all these cases； there are established usages which make
everything plain and easy between landlord and tenant。 Your
interest； Sir Walter； is in pretty safe hands。 Depend upon me for
taking care that no tenant has more than his just rights。 I venture
to hint； that Sir Walter Elliot cannot be half so jealous for his own；
as John Shepherd will be for him。”
Here Anne spoke—
“The navy； I think； who have done so much for us； have at least
an equal claim with any other set of men； for all the comforts and
all the privileges which any home can give。 Sailors work