This was my first GR at Pemberley and I enjoyed myself immensely. I managed to finish the book, watch P1 and keep up with all the posts although that wasn't easy.

Thank you Cheryl, I enjoyed being here.

Some final comments:
On finishing the book I was struck by something I think wasn't mentioned earlier on this board (or I must have missed it). It's what I call the '2nd choice/2nd chance - (in)constancy theme'being wrapped up in the conversation and the letter.

The conversation between Captain Harville and Anne where they discuss constancy in men and women is a wrap-up of this theme. I cannot help thinking Jane Austen rewrote the ending not only to do away with any 'flatness' of plot etc. but also to contrast the constancy of CW and Anne to each other to the inconstancy of others in this story. The conversation made me go back and look at the other characters.

Affections are shifting pretty much in this story and there are a lot of 2nd choices/2nd chances.

2nd choice:
- Charles proposes first to Anne, then to Mary who accepts him.
- CB doesn't remain constant to (the remembrance) of Fanny and settles for Louise. (Can't blame him, poor fellow!)
- Louise M accepts CB although her first choice was CW. (Lucky fellow to get out of it so easily!)
- Mr. Eliott, a widower, wants to marry Anne. When he can't have her he is off with Mrs. Clay.
- Mrs. Clay, a widow, wanted to marry Sir Walter but is thwarted in her ambitions by Mr. Eliott and instead of the present baronet she settles for the future baronet.(At least that is what I think she did)

2nd chance:
- FW and Anne remain constant to each other and grab this 2nd chance to undo the past.
- Lady Russell gets a 2nd chance to love and respect FW
- Sir Walter idem