Persuasion
Mr. William Elliot
The cunning cousin
Sir Walter’s polished heir, who suddenly takes an interest in the family and in Anne.
William Elliot is Anne’s cousin and the heir presumptive to Kellynch Hall. He is smooth, charming and well-mannered, with the kind of polish that wins over Sir Walter and Lady Russell. Anne first sees him on the beach at Lyme, where he gives her an admiring look.
He had once cut himself off from the family. When he returns he is careful to be respectful, attentive and flattering to all. People take him for a man of discernment and good family feeling, and few of them guess why he really wants to be close. He speaks gracefully and listens with every sign of respect. His manner is the very opposite of Admiral Croft’s plain talk, and that polish is exactly what makes him dangerous.
“Cousin Anne, the rain has abated. May I have the honor of escorting you home?”
In the story
Contains spoilers.
In Bath, Mr. Elliot attends Sir Walter’s dinners and singles out Anne, and Lady Russell hopes for a match. Mrs. Smith warns Anne that he led her husband into debt and then refused to help when he died. She says he is in Bath only to stop Sir Walter from marrying Mrs. Clay and having a male heir.
Anne is able to refuse him knowing his true nature. When she becomes engaged to Wentworth, Mr. Elliot realizes his claim through her is lost and leaves Bath in disgrace, taking Mrs. Clay with him.
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