Persuasion
Mrs. Penelope Clay
The flatterer
Mr. Shepherd’s daughter, who works her way into Sir Walter and Elizabeth’s favor.
Mrs. Clay is sly, flattering and calculating, and she knows what Sir Walter wants to hear. She is Mr. Shepherd’s daughter and has made herself a companion to Elizabeth and a favorite with Sir Walter.
She follows the family to Bath and is a constant source of tension in the household. She does her best to look humble and useful while she watches for her chance. Her cleverness is in making herself part of the furniture of the Elliot household.
“Bath has nothing left for either of us, Mr. Elliot. Let us leave Camden Place together at once!”
In the story
Contains spoilers.
Mrs. Clay goes to Bath with Sir Walter and Elizabeth. Mr. William Elliot fears that she will marry Sir Walter and produce an heir, which is why he returns. When Anne’s engagement ends his plans, Mrs. Clay leaves Bath with him.
Elizabeth and Sir Walter are left to cry out at her duplicity and ingratitude. Her scheme ends by serving Mr. Elliot’s, and the two are gone together.
As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases.
