Persuasion

Admiral Croft arrives via naval ship, while a horse and buggy carries Mr Shepherd and his widowed daughter Mrs Clay to Kellynch Hall. Creditors accost them over the debts owed by the residence's owner, Sir Walter Elliot, while Croft discusses the end of the Napoleonic Wars with fellow Royal Navy officers.

Vain baronet Sir Walter faces financial ruin so must retrench. Though resistant, he eventually agrees to temporarily move to Bath while the hall is let. Shepherd, the Elliots' friend and neighbour Lady Russell, and Sir Walter's middle child Anne propose the idea.

Anne is upset the new Kellynch Hall tenant is Admiral Croft, whose brother-in-law is naval captain Frederick Wentworth. Nine years earlier, Lady Russell persuaded Anne to decline his marriage proposal due to his lack of prospects. Now wealthy from serving in the Wars, Wentworth has returned to England, presumably seeking a wife.

Later, Anne laments her family's financial predicament and her past rejection of the captain's proposal to Lady Russell. As the Elliots head to Bath, Anne stays behind for her hypochondriacal sister Mary, who married into an influential farming family living at the Uppercross estate. There, each of the Musgroves complain to her: Mary's husband Charles, sisters-in-law Louisa and Henrietta, and her parents-in-law.

Captain Wentworth dines with the Musgroves, so Anne volunteers to nurse Mary's injured son to avoid going. At breakfast, Wentworth briefly visits her and Mary, the first time he and Anne have met since her rejection. Anne later is told Wentworth thought her unrecognisable

Wentworth, his sister and brother-in-law, become regular guests at Uppercross. He is relaxed and charming, but avoids direct contact with Anne. Louisa and Henrietta openly flirt with Wentworth, unaware of his and Anne's history. This upsets Henrietta's suitor, Henry Hayter.

During a walk to his hometown Winthrop, the couple reconnects and Anne overhears Wentworth praising Louisa's strength of will. He learns of Anne's rejection of Charles' proposal, apparently once again thanks to Lady Russell. So Charles wed Mary.

Anne, Wentworth, and the younger Musgroves visit Wentworth's naval friends, Captains Harville and Benwick in Lyme. Benwick, whose fiancée Phoebe Harville died recently, is mourning deeply, but finds solace in poetry. Anne cheers him somewhat by talking to him, although she is concerned about his deep depression.

On their last day, a handsome stranger crosses their path, noticing Anne. They later discover he is William Elliot, her estranged cousin and heir to Kellynch Hall. During a final walk along the shore, Louisa jumps from a high stone staircase expecting Wentworth to catch her, suffering a serious head injury. Anne takes charge during the chaos. Louisa is taken to the Harvilles' to await a surgeon.

Although Wentworth wishes Anne stay to nurse Louisa, both yield to Mary's protest. The captain takes Henrietta and Anne to Uppercross to break the news before returning to Lyme. Anne leaves for Bath after learning Louisa is healing.

Anne's family welcome her coolly. Sir Walter and eldest daughter Elizabeth reveal they have made amends with Mr Elliot. Lady Russell is pleased when Mr. Elliot begins pursuing Anne, who is unconvinced of his sincerity. She is thrilled to discover the Crofts have arrived. The Admiral brings surprising news: Louisa is recovered and engaged to Captain Benwick.

Wentworth arrives in Bath and encounters Anne repeatedly. Though their conversations are brief, and usually interrupted, she suspects his feelings are returning. The Musgroves and Harville arrive to buy the sisters bridal attire, bringing the pair together more often. While Anne struggles with how to communicate her continuing attachment to the captain, everyone expects her to wed Mr Elliot.

Visiting her old friend Mrs. Smith, Anne discovers Mr. Elliot is bankrupt, so wants to marry her to ensure his inheritance. Anne also learns he is scheming to prevent the baronet from marrying Mrs Clay and producing a male heir.

During a morning at the Musgroves', Anne and Captain Harville discuss the constancy of love. Wentworth, writing nearby, overhears them. Before leaving, he leaves a note for Anne, which declares he has never stopped loving her and once again proposes.

Anne quickly finds him outside. That night at a party, Wentworth arrives to announce Anne has accepted his proposal, much to Mr. Elliot's consternation. Later, Wentworth and Anne, now married, are seen aboard a navy warship, happy together.