ncle, we may quote
that which she wrote to Warren Hastings:--

DEAR SIR,--As I flatter myself you still take an
interest in my welfare, I think it incumbent on me
to acquaint you with a circumstance by which it
must be materially influenced. I have consented to
an Union with my Cousin, Captain Austen, who has
the honour of being known to you. He has been for
some time in Possession of a comfortable income,
and the excellence of his Heart, Temper and
Understanding, together with steady attachment to
me, his Affection for my little Boy, and
disinterested concurrence in the disposal of my
Property in favour of this latter, have at length
induced me to an acquiescence which I have
withheld for more than two years. Need I say, my
dear Sir, that I most earnestly wish for your
approbation on this occasion, and that it is with
the sincerest attachment I shall ever remain

Your much obliged
and affectionate God-daughter,
ELIZABETH DE FEUILLIDE.

I beg leave to present my affectionate compliments
to Mrs. Hastings.

December 26, 1797.

Neither side wished for a long engagement, and they were married on
December 31. Henry continued with the Militia regiment probably till the
Peace of 1802. By 1804 he had joined a brother Militia officer of the
name of Maunde, and set up as banker and army agent, with offices in
Albany, Piccadilly; removing in or before 1808 to 10 Henrietta Street,
Covent Garden. Poor little Hastings de Feuillide became subject to
epilepsy, and died on October 9, 1801, while the Henry Austens were
living in Upper Berkeley Street.[77]

During the first half of 1798, Jane, fresh from her late visit to Bath,
was able to devote some happy months of unbroken leisure to writing the
first draft of the book known to us as _Northanger Abbey_; but her
comedy was once more interrupted by one of the tragedies of real life.
On August 9 occurred the death of her cousin, Lady Williams (Jane
Cooper): while she was driving herself in a whiskey, a dray-horse ran
away and drove against the chaise. She was thrown out and killed on the
spot: 'never spoke again,' so Mrs. Lybbe Powys records the news on
August 14. Jane Williams had be