Chapter 22 Summary
Anne is anxious to talk with Lady Russell about what she has recently learned about Mr. Elliot. However, the next morning, Mary and Charles Musgrove surprise Sir Walter’s family. They have come to Bath with Mrs. Musgrove and Henrietta. There was shopping to do because both Henrietta and Louisa will soon be married. Louisa has been left at home with Mr. Musgrove and Captain Benwick because she is not quite fit enough to travel yet. She is not the same woman she used to be. She is not as playful or as physically active. Louisa now spends most of her days sitting around listening to Captain Benwick read poetry.
While Mary is at Sir Walter’s new home, she makes it known that her party has taken lodgings in town. Upon hearing this, Sir Walter and Elizabeth relax. They were not comfortable with the thought of having to supply rooms for the Musgroves. Elizabeth decides to arrange a small gathering the following night. She is not about to offer them dinner because that would only demonstrate to Mary and the Musgroves how much Sir Walter’s expenses have been curtailed. However, they could have a small, elegant party without spending too much money.
Later, Anne goes with Mary to visit with Mrs. Musgrove at the hotel in which they are staying. Shortly after they arrive, Charles shows up with Captain Wentworth and Captain Harville, who had traveled with the Musgroves to Bath. Anne attempts to remain calm, though Wentworth does not make any effort to come close enough to talk to her.
Mary has been standing at the window and looking out at the street; she notices Mrs. Clay talking to Mr. Elliot. Mary calls Anne to the window to verify that the gentleman she sees is Mr. Elliot. Anne tells her that it cannot be: Mr. Elliot had announced at Sir Walter’s house that he was going out of town. But when Anne finally goes to the window, she acknowledges that it is indeed Mr. Elliot. How strange, she thinks to herself, that Mr. Elliot should be meeting in this way with Mrs. Clay.
Elizabeth and Sir Walter appear at the hotel next, having come with formal invitations to their party the next evening. Anne watches in surprise as Elizabeth hands an invitation to Captain Wentworth. The captain holds and stares at the envelope as if he is considering whether he will attend. Anne is impressed with her sister’s change of attitude. Only a few days ago, Elizabeth barely acknowledged Captain Wentworth’s presence. Now she has invited him to her home. Now Anne can only wait to see if Wentworth will come to the party.
Later, after returning to the Elliot home, Mrs. Clay makes a weak excuse for having met with Mr. Elliot. She claims it was coincidental. Mr. Elliot had been delayed from leaving town, and they bumped into one another. They only spoke briefly about meeting one another again at Sir Walter’s home. Anne listens to everything Mrs. Clay has to say with a growing unease; she suspects the worst from this contriving woman.
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