“Therefore, Sir Walter, what I would take leave to suggest is, that if in consequence of any rumours getting abroad of your intention; which must be contemplated as a possible thing, because we know how difficult it is to keep the actions and designs of one part of the world from the notice and curiosity of the other; consequence has its tax; I, John Shepherd, might conceal any family matters that I chose, for nobody would think it worth their while to observe me; but Sir Walter Elliot has eyes upon him.” (Chapter 3)

The comment by Mr. Shepherd that “Sir Walter Elliot has eyes upon him” seemed just a bit of flattery back in Chapter 3, but imagine my surprise to find it all too true! In Chapter 21, Mrs. Smith informs Anne that many acquaintance of Sir Walter, having watched himself and Mrs. Clay had the impression that Mrs. Clay intends to be Lady Elliot; this in turn compels Colonel Wallis to watch Camden Place for the benefit of his friend Mr. William Elliot who upon notification of this intelligence maneuvers himself into Camden Place to watch Sir Walter and Mrs. Clay himself. If you take the word of Elizabeth and Mrs. Clay in Chapter 15, Sir Walter is certainly being watched and admired by all the astounded women in Bath when walking arm-in-arm with Colonel Wallis. If I may be allowed to include others by the name of Elliot: All the men in Bath are wildly watching Elizabeth but a couple of gossips are busy watching the very pretty Anne Elliot and her attentive cousin in Chapter 19. Mrs. Smith through her network of servant spies have been secretly observing Mr. Elliot and Anne through their employers at lease since Chapter 17 when Anne first visits her old school fellow. Mary has had the pleasure of watching Mr. Elliot through windows at Lyme in Chapter 12 and in Bath in Chapter 22. Most importantly, Frederick Wentworth has been watching Anne Elliot since Uppercross and his very ungallant comment in Chapter 7.