England, 1814. The Elliot family are in financial difficulties and decide to let their house and move to Bath. Their tenant is Admiral Croft, whose brother-in-law, Captain Wentworth, had once been engaged to Anne Elliot. She had been persuaded to reject him, however, by her friend Lady Russell due to "anxiety attending his prospects". Anne, now 27, has not forgotten him and now finds that he is back in her life.

While her father and sister go to Bath accompanied by Mrs Croft, Anne goes to visit her sister, Mary Musgrove. Whilst there, Admiral and Mrs Croft and Captain Wentworth soon pay their respects to the Musgrove family. Mary is of the opinion that Captain Wentworth will marry either Henrietta or Lousia Musgrove. On a trip to visit Captain Wentworth's friend, Mr Harville, in Lyme Regis, Louisa has an accident and is nursed back to health by Captain Benwick; they decide to marry.

In Lyme Regis, Anne accidently meets her cousin, Mr Elliot, who is not on speaking terms with her father. She then goes to Bath to be with her family. Mr Elliot appears to be wooing her. The Musgroves arrive in Bath to prepare for Louisa's wedding and also Henrietta's wedding to Henry Hayter. Mrs Smith, a friend of Anne's, tells her that that gossips think she is to marry Mr Elliot. She denies it, at which point Mrs Smith tells her some unpalatable truths about her cousin.

Captain Wentworth overhears a conversation that Anne has with her brother-in-law about love, and he writes her a note telling her that he has always loved her. They sail into the sunset.

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