laid at a new
watering-place,[358] which is being exploited by two of the leading
characters. In the twelve chapters which she wrote, the _dramatis
personae_ are sketched in with vigour and decision; but there is little
of the subtle refinement which we are accustomed to associate with her
work, and certainly nothing of the tender sentiment of _Persuasion_. It
is unfair, however, to judge from the first draft of a few introductory
chapters, written as they no doubt were to relieve the tedium of long
hours of confinement, and written perhaps also to comfort her friends by
letting them see that she was still able to work. It is probable, too,
that a long step in the downward progress of her condition was taken in
the course of the seven weeks during which she was writing for the last
time. It began 'in her usual firm and neat hand, but some of the latter
pages were first traced in pencil--probably, when she was too ill to sit
long at a desk--and afterwards written over in ink.'[359] The last date
on the MS. is March 17. She was, no doubt, by this time making frequent
use of the temporary couch, which, as we are told, she had contrived out
of two or three chairs, so as to leave the one real sofa free for her
mother. She professed to like her own couch best; but the importunity of
a young niece obliged her to confess that she used it always, because
she thought that her mother would not use the sofa enough unless it were
absolutely reserved for her service.

In February and March followed the three letters written to Fanny
Knight--portions of which are given in the last chapter. They chiefly
concern Fanny's own affairs, and show how lively Jane's mind still was,
and with what unselfish care she could divert it from her own sufferings
to the concerns which interested those nearest to her.

We now append the sentences in those letters which refer to her own
state of health, and which certainly read as if some serious accession
of illness had intervened while the correspondence was in progress.

_February 20, 1817._--I am almost entirely cured
of my rheumatism--just a little pain in my knee,
now and then, to make me remember what it was and
keep on flannel. Aunt Cassandra nursed me so
beautifully.

* * * * *

_March 13._--I am got tolerably well again, quite
equal to walking about and enjoying the air, and
by si