Persuasion, Chapter 17 summary

What happens

1. Anne learns about Mrs Smith’s poverty and illness from their former governess and renews their friendship through visits.
2. Mrs Smith describes how Nurse Rooke provides care, conversation, and customers for the crafts that support her charitable giving.
3. Anne keeps her appointment with Mrs Smith despite Sir Walter’s scorn and an invitation from Lady Dalrymple.
4. Lady Russell reports Mr Elliot’s admiration for Anne’s kindness and suggests that marriage to him could bring happiness.
5. The thought of taking her mother’s place at Kellynch briefly moves Anne, but she remains unwilling to marry Mr Elliot.
6. Anne distrusts Mr Elliot’s guarded manners and questionable past, while Lady Russell confidently favors the match.

In this chapter

What to notice

The sentence identifies Anne’s central objection to Mr Elliot. His outward qualifications do not give her confidence in his sincerity.

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