Mrs. Clay

Mrs. Clay, the daughter of Mr. Shepherd, Sir Walter Elliot's agent, is a young widow who returns to her father's house after an unprosperous marriage, burdened with two children. She possesses a keen understanding of the art of pleasing, particularly at Kellynch Hall, where she makes herself so acceptable to Elizabeth Elliot that she becomes a frequent guest, despite Lady Russell's strong disapproval. Lady Russell views Mrs. Clay as a very unequal and dangerous companion, believing her friendship with Elizabeth to be entirely out of place and a threat to the family's respectability.

Role in the Elliot Household

Mrs. Clay's influence grows to the point where she is engaged to accompany Sir Walter and Elizabeth to Bath as a most important and valuable assistant, a decision that affronts Anne and alarms Lady Russell. Anne, with quiet observation, recognizes the imprudence of the arrangement, sensing that Mrs. Clay's acute mind and assiduous pleasing manners pose far more dangerous attractions than mere personal beauty. Sir Walter, despite making severe remarks about her freckles, projecting tooth, and clumsy wrist in her absence, is nonetheless persuaded to keep her close, praising her fine mind and urging her to stay when she pretends to leave after Anne's arrival. Elizabeth, blind to the danger, insists that Mrs. Clay's sentiments on marriage are particularly nice and that she reprobates all inequality of condition and rank.

Ambitions and Schemes

Mrs. Clay's true designs become a central concern for Mr. Elliot, who, upon learning of her influence, returns to Bath specifically to watch Sir Walter and prevent a marriage that would threaten his inheritance. He omits no opportunity to be with them, calling at all hours, and his maneuvers are so effective that Mrs. Clay becomes afraid of him, aware that he sees through her. The gossip network, via Nurse Rooke and Mrs. Wallis, confirms that Mrs. Clay is widely perceived as meaning to be Lady Elliot, a scheme that Mr. Elliot is determined to circumvent.

Departure and Aftermath

Mrs. Clay's affections ultimately overpower her interest. She is seen in deep conversation with Mr. Elliot in Bath Street, and soon after Anne's engagement to Captain Wentworth is announced, she quits Bath. She is next heard of as established under Mr. Elliot's protection in London, having sacrificed the possibility of scheming longer for Sir Walter for the young man's sake. The novel leaves it a doubtful point whether his cunning or hers will finally carry the day, suggesting she may yet wheedle and caress him into making her the wife of Sir William. Sir Walter and Elizabeth are shocked and mortified by the loss of their companion and the discovery of her deception, a blow from which their pride does not easily recover.