That Lady Catherine not only allowed his daily attentions, but eagerly wished for such an enchantment may well constitute a source of wonder. However, it must be remembered that Lady Catherine had been widowed at a tolerably young age, and was quite disposed to find that an attractive and pleasing baronet was a suitable second attachment for the daughter of an Earl, in her present state and circumstances. She received Sir William’s attentions and flatteries with pleasure and more—something approaching gratitude. There was some little difference in age, and on the wrong side, to be sure. However, this disparity was not so great as to be very exceptional, and there were other inducements on each side to confirm the suitability of the match: Sir William’s name and title were respectable, his person and manners were pleasing, and, at her time of life, surely she might be allowed to think of her own pleasure? If her own fortune and title were a little superior, was that not, in itself, some apportionate balance to their little difference in age? And, reflected Lady Catherine, she was yet a quite well-looking woman; certainly Sir William was just tall enough that only the most astute observer would be able to discern some little disparity in height.

Sir William found his attentions on Lady Catherine arduous in the extreme. Like strong drink, flattery needs increase to remain effective; week after week, Sir William laboured to sustain Lady Catherine’s growing expectations of amusement, indulgence, and compliment. Clearly more used to being pleased than pleasing, Lady Catherine’s common-place expressions were infinitely more dull than diverting and, as she thought so much of her own voice, she was frequently an embarrassment in company. But the pain was, he reckoned, of a finite duration, and would be a penance only until he could command Lady Catherine’s fortune. She, in evidence of her prepossession in his favour, returned him equal measures of coquetry, complaisance, and docility in such a degree as would astonish the entirety of her acquaintance. Anne found it unaccountable—but highly amusing—to see her mother the dupe of Sir William, her own mother whose self-avowed perspicacity and discernment of character seemed entirely forgotten.

Over the course of the following weeks, the three inhabitants of Bath were well-satisfied with their mutual society. Lady Catherine’s consequence grew each time she was accompanied to some entertainment or other by such a gallant and handsome gentleman, gainsaying the customary epithets of being a single woman and unloved. Anne studied Sir William diligently with the cold impartiality of one who is at once both adversary and ally. Her admiration for him increased to attraction, and from attraction to inclination. Anne had learnt the peculiar lesson at an early age that, in marriage, the certainty of a known adversary was preferable to the small likelihood of finding that your chosen partner was either estimable or amiable.