Part 45 (1/2)

Two remarks in these letters seem to betray the close observer of human nature from the novelist's point of view Her optimistic opinion as to recovery from disappointus were not very deep; we should rather quote the what other writers cannot help thinking, though they ht Readers of _Persuasion_ are well aware that the author made room for cases (at all events, in the lives of woh they ive a soh a long series of years

There is close observation also in the distinction drawn between the ae, and that necessary for a long engagement, if unhappiness and possible discredit are to be avoided On this occasion, neither ht Her son tells us that differences in religious ideas tended by degrees to separate the lovers--if lovers they could be called Her doubt as to caring enough for 'Mr A' became a certainty in the course of the year 1815 When her aunt, in Noveinary tenderness for Mr Haden, 'the apothecary,' it was no doubt pure 'chaff'; but we ed in it if any serious attach letters of this series which we possess ritten, after an interval of more than two years, in February and March 1817,[335] only a fewherself to 'Mr A' has now passed away; yet, with natural inconsistency, she lives in dread of hissoe, but his courtshi+p, though apparently demonstrative, is not really serious; and the last letter keeps away froether As to 'Mr A,' we are told that he found his happiness elsewhere within a couple of years; while fanny becaed to Sir Edward Knatchbull in 1820

Chawton: [February 20, 1817]

MY DEAREST fanny,--You are iniht ofletters, as you have lately sent! such a description of your queer little heart! such a lovely display of what iold, or even in the new silver coinage I cannot express to you what I have felt in reading your history of yourself--how full of pity and concern, and adon of all that is silly and sensible, co and interesting Who can keep pace with the fluctuations of your fancy, the capprizios of your taste, the contradictions of your feelings?

You are so odd, and all the time so perfectly natural!--so peculiar in yourself, and yet so like everybody else!

It is very, very gratifying to me to know you so intimately You can hardly think what a pleasure it is to h pictures of your heart Oh, what a loss it will be when you are reeable as a niece I shall hate you when your delicious play of al and htens me He will have you I see you at the altar I have _soe's observation, and still more in Lizzy's; and, besides, I know it _ to attach you It would be too stupid and too sha your acquaintance

Do not iine that I have any real objection; I have rather taken a fancy to him than not, and I like the house for you I only do not like you should marry anybody And yet I do wish you to marry very much, because I know you will never be happy till you are; but the loss of a fanny Knight will be never made up to me My 'affec niece F

C B----' will be but a poor substitute I do not like your being nervous, and so apt to cry--it is a sign you are not quite well

I enjoy your visit to Goodnestone, it reat pleasure to you; you have not seen fanny Cage in co I hope she represents and remonstrates and reasons with you properly Why should you be living in dread of hissomebody else? (Yet, how natural!) You did not choose to have him yourself, why not allow him to take comfort where he can? In your conscience you _know_ that he could not bear a coet how you felt under the idea of its having been possible that he ht have dined in Hans Place

My dearest fanny, I cannot bear you should be unhappy about him Think of his principles; think of his father's objection, of want of ainst him will rather make you take his part more, sweet, perverse fanny

And noill tell you that we like your Henry to the utlass, quite bri man I do not see how he could behis father and sister could wish; and William I love very much indeed, and so we do all; he is quite our own Williaether; that is, we can answer for _ourselves_

_Friday_--I had no idea when I began this yesterday of sending it before your brother went back, but I have written away hts at such a rate that I will not keep theer to stare me in the face

Ben and Anna walked here last Sunday to hear Uncle Henry, and she looked so pretty, it was quite a pleasure to see her, so young and so bloo, and so innocent

Your objection to the quadrilles delighted ly Pretty well, for a lady irrecoverably attached to _one_ person! Sweet fanny, believe no such thing of yourself, spread no such , within the precincts of your iratification of your fancy; yours is sense which deserves more honourable treatment You are _not_ in love with him; you never _have_ been really in love with him

Yours very affectionately, J AUSTEN

Chawton: Thursday [March 13, 1817]

As toany adequate return for such a letter as yours, my dearest fanny, it is absolutely impossible If I were to labour at it all the rest of e of Methuselah, I could never acco and so perfect; but I cannot let Williament and reply

I have pretty well done with Mr ---- By your description, he _cannot_ be in love with you, however he may try at it; and I could not wish the reat deal of love on his side