Chapter 15 Summary
Anne settles into her life in Bath. The house her father has acquired is roomy and distinguished. She is surprised to find that Sir Walter and Elizabeth seem pleased to have her with them. Anne quickly discovers that her presence gives them someone new to talk to about how happy they are to be in Bath. As usual, they have little interest in listening to anything Anne has to say. They are attentive only to a few details about Lyme, Uppercross, and Kellynch before they are again talking about their own experiences in Bath.
Mrs. Clay is still in residence with Sir Walter and Elizabeth. Anne finds this a little disturbing. Anne notices how pleasant Mrs. Clay acts but thinks it is all a pretense.
Young Mr. Elliot has been a frequent visitor to their home in Bath. Anne cannot believe how easily her father and Elizabeth have forgiven him. Not only are his past transgressions forgotten, but both Sir Walter and Elizabeth appear unusually excited about the attention that Mr. Elliot is now paying them.
Sir Walter tells Anne that he has investigated Elliot’s background; in particular, he has sought information about his marriage. Through a friend of Elliot’s, Sir Walter has learned that the woman Elliot married had pursued him, not the other way around. She was a woman of money, but she had loved Elliot first and won his heart. With this story, the rumors that Elliot married her merely for her money are dismissed. Elliot has, therefore, been welcomed into Sir Walter’s home more than once. Both Sir Walter and Elizabeth look forward to seeing him again. It even seems to Anne that Sir Walter and Elizabeth feel graced by Mr. Elliot’s return.
Anne feels very suspicious. She cannot figure out what Mr. Elliot hopes to gain. He is already richer than her father is and stands to inherit everything her father possesses. She wonders if Mr. Elliot is hoping to develop a friendship with Elizabeth.
A new discussion ensues in which Sir Walter takes the forefront. The topic this time is about the lack of pretty women in Bath. Sir Walter cannot believe a town could have so few. He tells his daughters that he even spent one day standing on the corner in town, counting the women who passed by. The ratio of pretty women to plain ones was difficult to comprehend. Sir Walter’s thoughts remain on the surface of things.
Later in the evening, there is a knock on the door. It is Mr. Elliot, who makes a quick excuse for visiting so late. He is surprised to not only find Anne there but to learn that she is part of the Elliot family. He recounts having seen her in Lyme and asks her many questions about her stay there. It is only through Mr. Elliot’s interest in Anne’s story that Sir Walter and Elizabeth pay any attention.
By the time Mr. Elliot leaves, Anne finds herself attracted to the man. He is a gentleman with manners that compare to only one other man she has known—Captain Wentworth. She thinks to herself that she could not have imagined that she might actually be glad that her family has moved to Bath.
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