bitterness. I think it is funny and ironic when the narrator says: Her power with him was gone for ever..." For I think this is just the opposite. If her power with him was gone he would not still be angry and she is influencing his decision in what kind of woman he says he will marry and he says he was willing to marry anyone EXCEPT Anne. LOL this is like a lot of people today who say they will forget all about an ex (speaking from personal experience as well :-P), but that ex will still influence many parts of their life. Deep down he is still pining away for Miss Anne Elliot.