It's interesting to note that things change after the conversation with Captain Benwick as kindred spirit, occurring only by removal from her usual world. These also co-incide with Anne reconciling herself to being hardened toward the Captain, and his independent wishes for his own future. In spite of her grief for so many years, she finds some wisdom in this and some stability, and is more independent herself, in accepting the possibilities of attentions from newfound others, and it restores her bloom.

Is this Anne as she originally was, when the Captain met her? The text certainly refers to this occurring, referring to her youthful bloom returning. I have often wondered how Anne was before all the grief, and perhaps this is a good clue as to her personality before, and the Captain notices and appears to recollect, in the passage below:

CH. 12 -

"When they came to the steps leading upwards from the beach, a gentleman, at the same moment preparing to come down, politely drew back, and stopped to give them way. They ascended and passed him; and as they passed, Anne's face caught his eye, ***and he looked at her with a degree of earnest admiration which she could not be insensible of***. She was looking remarkably well; ***her very regular, very pretty features, having the bloom and freshness of youth restored by the fine wind which had been blowing on her complexion, and by the animations of eye which it had also produced***. It was evident that the gentleman (completely a gentleman in manner) admired her exceedingly. Captain Wentworth looked round at her instantly in a way which shewed his noticing of it. ***He gave her a momentary glance, a glance of brightness, which seemed to say, "That man is struck with you, and even I, at this moment, see something like Anne Elliot again***."

The attentions of Mr Elliot, in all his splendour here, "(completely a gentleman in manner)", and later on, are flattering to Anne, and apparently do not go unnoticed by the Captain. Having another man, a "stranger" appreciate her youthful attributes returning, as they were restored now to the real Anne according to the Captain, is a real boon to her. It is clear she has gained some manner of mental confidence and independence, perhaps restoring herself to a more carefree time.