the correspondence. I really don't see how Anne could possibly have gotten a message to CW. She could not write him directly unless they were engaged, and she had broken that off, Anne would not think slightingly of that social convention, a la Marianne in S&S. Anne and CW have no family or friends in common, except for his brother, the curate at Monkford, who has moved away (Anne does not even hear of the curate's own marriage until Mrs. Croft tells her during her visit to Mary's cottage). Anne's own family and LR, had they run into a mutual acquaintance, would have deliberately remained silent on the subject of Anne.

CW has also had no news of Anne--I find it telling that he asks the Musgrove sisters, "Does Miss Elliot never dance?" and finds out little facts about her behavior over the last 8 years in this way. However, CW, as a man, had the power to return after he made his fortune, and propose to Anne or at least test the waters again. I understand why he doesn't-- to quote you, "But, underneath, perhaps he does not think she could love him much if "persuasion" can have such an effect." He feels uncertain, bitter, and betrayed.