A Memoir of Jane Austen

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Anna Lefroy
of course at all possible or impossible occasions; woven, as she
proceeded out of nothing, but her own happy talent for invention.
Ah! if but one of them could be now recovered!
Other things have been even more completely obliterated––
I have been told that one of her earliest Novels (Pride & Prejudice)
was read aloud (in M.S. of course) in the Parsonage at
Dean, whilst I was in the room, & not expected to listen–– Listen
however I did, with so much interest, & with so much talk afterwards
about ‘Jane & Elizabeth’ that it was resolved, for prudence
sake, to read no more of the story aloud in my hearing. This was
related to me years afterwards, when the Novel had been published;
& it was supposed that the names might recall to my
recollection that early impression. Such however did not prove to
be the case. Something you may expect me to say of our Aunt’s
personal appearance, though in the latter years of her life it must
be as well remembered by you as by me. The Figure tall & slight,
but not drooping; well balanced, as was proved by her quick firm
step. Her complexion of that rather rare sort which seems the
peculiar property of light brunettes A mottled skin, not fair, but
perfectly clear & healthy in hue; the fine naturally curling hair,
neither light nor dark; the bright hazel eyes to match, & the
rather small but well shaped nose. One hardly understands how
with all these advantages she could yet fail of being a decidedly
handsome woman.
I have intimated that of the two Sisters Aunt Jane was generally
the favorite with children, but with the young people of
Godmersham it was not so. They liked her indeed as a playfellow,
& as a teller of stories, but they were not really fond of her. I
believe that their Mother was not; at least that she very much
preferred the elder Sister. A little talent went a long way with the
Goodneston Bridgeses° of that period; & much must have gone a
long way too far. This preference lasted for a good while, nor do I
think that there ever was any abatement in the love of that family
for Aunt Cassandra. Time however brought, as it always does
bring, new impressions or modifications of the old ones. Owing to
particular circumstances there grew up during the latter years of
Aunt Jane’s life a great & affectionate intimacy between herself &