r a jury anxious to cast discredit on
the well-to-do classes. He was therefore prepared for a failure of
justice; and, we are told, had arranged that in case of an adverse
verdict, followed by transportation, he would sell his property and
accompany his wife across the seas.

Among the warmest supporters of the Leigh Perrots was Mr. Morris--a
lawyer of eminence, well used to dealing with evidence, but now living
as an invalid at Bath. He was a total stranger to the accused, but
maintained most energetically that, apart from her well-known character,
the nature of the evidence adduced against her would have been
sufficient to prove her innocence.

The amazement and indignation of the Steventon party may be imagined.
They were too sensible to believe that so mean and objectless a crime
should really have been committed by a respectable woman--a near
relation of their own, whom they knew intimately; but it was not easy to
determine how to show their sympathy. Mr. and Mrs. Austen seem at last
to have come (no doubt with their daughters' good-will) to the momentous
decision mentioned in the following letter, which was addressed to Mrs.
Leigh Perrot on January 11, 1800, by her cousin, Montague
Cholmeley.[103]

You tell me that your good sister Austen has
offered you one or both of her daughters to
continue with you during your stay in that vile
place, but you decline the kind offer, as you
cannot procure them accommodation in the house
with you, and you cannot let those elegant young
women be your inmates in a prison, nor be
subjected to the inconveniences which you are
obliged to put up with.

So Cassandra and Jane just escaped a residence in gaol and contact with
criminals.

Another letter written about this time must have given much pleasure to
the Leigh Perrots:--

White Hart, Bath. [No date.]

HONORED SIR,--You may have forgot your old
postillon Ben Dunford but I shall never forget
yours and my mistresses great goodness to me when
I was taken with the small pox in your sarvice.
You sent me very careful to mothers, and paid a
nurse and my doctor, and my board for a long time
as I was bad, and when I was too bad with biles
all over my head so as I could not go to sarvice
for a many weeks you maintaine