I haven't read Persuasion from start to finish in a while, and what an emotional ride it's taking me on this time round. I can't even write about The Letter just yet, because I had to stop as soon as ...this evening or never was read. I was too agitated with the vivid urgency of it. He can’t get the words out fast enough. How Anne handled all that noise and commotion around her after reading it for as long as she did, I'll never know. It wasn't even written for me and my hands shook.

Anyway, what struck me was the anticipation and build in the moments after he revealed it to her and when she started to read it. On the contents of that letter depended all which this world could do for her. Anything was possible, anything might be defied rather than suspense. (ch 23) That glowing entreaty in his eyes and how sloppily her initials were written... how her heart must have been pounding! She had no idea what it said yet, but she knew one of the most important moments of her life was about to take place. And she sits in the chair he was sitting in as he wrote it! I loved that little touch. The whole scene is beautifully emotional.