horship of the novels is shown in a little manuscript poem addressed
by young Edward Austen to his aunt, when (at the age of fifteen or
sixteen) he was at last informed that the two novels, which he already
knew well, were by her.

[245] This passage occurs at the end of chapter liv. For a long time the
publishers tried to put matters right by making _three_ sentences into
one. Mr. Brimley Johnson's was the first edition to break up the
sentences properly. See _Appendix_, p. 409-10.

[246] _Memoir_, p. 104.

[247] Afterwards, Lady Pollen, of Redenham, near Andover, and then at a
school in London.

[248] Layton and Shears, a millinery establishment at 9 Henrietta
Street, Covent Garden.

[249] After the death of his wife, Henry Austen moved into chambers over
his bank, 10 Henrietta Street, Covent Garden.

[250] This letter is full of allusions to _Pride and Prejudice_.

[251] Two of Henry Austen's clerks.

[252] Mr. Tilson was a partner of Henry Austen.

[253] Miss Darcy.

[254] _Sailor Brothers_, p. 233. One paragraph in this letter
(respecting the marriage of Mr. Blackall) is quoted in Chapter VI.

[255] Edward Knight, whom his uncle Henry was about to take to Scotland.
See p. 279.

[256] _Pride and Prejudice_ was sold outright to Mr. Egerton; and this
implies that the sum given was L110.

CHAPTER XVI

_MANSFIELD PARK_

1812-1814

Jane was now about to pay what proved to be her last visit to
Godmersham. On the way thither she, with one division of the Knight
family party, halted for a couple of days in London, to stay with Henry
at 10 Henrietta Street.

Henrietta Street:
Wednesday [September 15, 1813, 1/2 past 8].

Here I am, my dearest Cassandra, seated in the
breakfast-, dining-, sitting-room, beginning with
all my might. Fanny will join me as soon as she is
dressed and begin her letter.

We arrived at a quarter-past four, and were kindly
welcomed by the coachman, and then by his master,
and then by William, and then by Mrs. Perigord,[257]
who all met us before we reached the foot of the
stairs. Mde. Bigeon was below dressing us a most
comfortable dinner of soup, fish, bouillee, partridges,
and an apple tart, which we sat down to soon after
five, after cleaning and dressing ourselves, and
feeling that we were most com