Miss Austen

MARY: Eliza's letters.

Am I to understand you already have knowledge of their whereabouts?

No.

Papa!

(groans) JANE: If you are offered any means of escape, do not refuse it.

(crying): I cannot marry him.

ISABELLA: I believe Beth has been assisting you, has she not?

If you and Mr. Lidderdale do decide to marry... Marry?

You have the wrong sister.

(Dundas and Mrs. Dundas talking indistinctly) Look how splendid it is!

(continues inaudibly) It is absolutely... Dundas, please, please, come and get me, please.

(conversation continues) There?

(sighs) It really is much smaller than I imagined, Dundas.

I fear we have too much furniture.

(sputtering): Nonsense, my dear.

The sideboard will look splendid against this wall, under the portrait of my late dear father.

MRS. DUNDAS: But where shall we place the pedestal table?

And those windows.

So out of proportion for the room.

I confess I've always been of that opinion myself.

How strange you never mentioned it before, Mama.

Well, you must have forgotten, Anna.

No, Mama-- if I recall, you always remarked how fortunate your sister Eliza was to have the benefit of such a beautiful room.

My dear mother spent many happy hours sitting in the window.

I have far too many children to sit anywhere for hours.

(door opens) CASSANDRA: Isabella, I've just seen your sister Beth.

Oh!

(catching breath): Forgive me, I was not aware you were all present.

Miss Austen!

What a pleasure to make your acquaintance once more.

It is almost as good as being in the presence of your dear departed sister.

My dear, Miss Austen here was fortunate enough to be sister to the great lady novelist Miss Jane Austen.

(laughing): Imagine!

How splendid for you.

Now, Dundas, to the curtains-- I am concerned ours will not fit those rather large windows.

Now, Mama, we must take our leave.

Mrs. Bunbury is not a woman to be kept waiting.

DUNDAS: I'm sure something could be arranged.

MRS. DUNDAS: We can just change the upholstery.

It is too plain for my taste.

I prefer something busier.

(wildlife chittering and chirping) CASSANDRA: I am deeply sorry, Isabella.

I was not aware of all the facts surrounding your situation.

If I gave you the impression that your sister Beth and Mr. Lidderdale were... You gave me no such impression, Cassandra.

And even if you had done so, it had no consequence.

It is true.

We did have feelings for one another once.

He proposed and I refused him, and that is an end to it.

Oh, Isabella, forgive me, but I must ask you something.

Did you refuse him of your own volition, or were you instructed to do so?

My father would not give his permission.

(sighs) He considered Mr. Lidderdale to be beneath us.

Mr. Lidderdale's mother was a servant at the big house.

Do you see?

Yes, I see.

Mr. Lidderdale has no inheritance to speak of.

He works in the service of the poor.

He is a good man.

Yes, I see that, too.

But he is also a proud man.

I have refused him.

He will not ask again.

I take heart from your example, Cassandra.

You have shown me that the single life, lived in the service of others, can bring contentment.

Is that not so?

Indeed, my dear.

But what is duty but a kind of love?

I would very much appreciate it if you would pay Mary Jane a visit to settle the matter of our future lodgings.

(birds chirping) (hinges creak) (knocking) MARY JANE: In, in!

(exhales) So it is settled, then.

(exhales) Isabella and I will live together... (sighs) ...as our dear departed father so wished.

I would prefer to remain in my house, where I am safe.

(inhales) Isabella will move in here...

While, while your home is undoubtedly charming, I fear it cannot accommodate both of you.

Neither of you will be comfortable, sadly.

(chuckles) Hm.

(sighs) New lodgings it is, then, though we must be mindful not to burden Isabella with an opinion on this matter.

She is at her best when given guidance.

Come now.

Isabella organized the Kintbury move with great efficiency.

Only because you were here.

Well, I sincerely hope you both find comfort and companionship...

I care not for companionship!

That is not the purpose of us living together!

It is to ensure that Isabella does not return to the behavior that caused our dear father such great upset.

I take it you mean the business with Mr. Lidderdale... Do not mention that man.

His dalliance with my sister threatened to bring shame upon my father's good name.

I must continue his legacy and protect it still.

I do not think it was a dalliance, Mary Jane.

I believe it to have been love.

Do not be ridiculous.

Isabella's head was turned because he paid her a little attention.

I will begin preparations for removals immediately.

All my possessions must come with me.

All of them?!

Yes, all of them!

They are my late husband's treasures.

Brought them back from India.

And they are a reminder of my happiest times.

Let it be known, I'm only doing this for my father.

Out of duty.

(door closes loudly) Ma'am.

Mm.

Dinah, it seems Miss Isabella is to be settled with Mrs. Mary Jane Dexter, so there is no further need for me to remain here.

It seems I have outstayed my welcome long enough.

I'll pack your belongings at once, ma'am.

No, thank you, I will pack my own trunk.

Very well, ma'am, if you insist.

Yes, Dinah, I do.

(hinges creak) (lid clatters open) (letter unfolds) CASSY: Eliza, My mother, Jane, and I thank you for your heartfelt condolences.

Mama is bearing our father's loss, which is immeasurable, with great courage.

But as for Jane, it is as if she is sinking away from me.

I cannot persuade her to pick up a pen.

(chuckles): Even to a letter.

And I am fearful she may never write again.

Mama.

The time has come for us to discuss our business.

Oh, yes.

Our business.

Your sister?

(fire crackling) Oh.

Thank you for getting up, my darling.

I promise this will not take long.

(clears throat softly) So... Now that we can no longer rely on Father's income and annuity, that has left a little deficit in our finances.

But, Mother, I am pleased to say that your sons have risen to the occasion.

Frank has insisted on offering us �100 per annum.

Oh, that magnificent boy.

But I'm sorry, we cannot accept.

He will be married soon, and he cannot afford to waste that on us.

It's enough to know that he offered.

How proud your father would be.

I agree, Mama.

But his generosity has been matched by James and Edward.

It has now been arranged that Frank and James will give �50 each, and Edward another �100.

Mercy me.

Was there ever such excellent sons?

Wait.

Am I to understand that Frank, the hard-working sailor with no home of his own, first offered �100, but Edward Austen of the Godmersham estate in Kent offered the same amount and no more?

Yes, they are all so generous.

We will have to take smaller and, and cheaper lodgings, of course, but if we are to visit friends and family in the summer months, that will not be so bad.

So that gives us a total of �200, to which we can add the yield of our own money... (murmurs): Which I contribute nothing.

Not a farthing.

What a wretched creature I am.

You are... (door slams) ...our great strength, Cassy, as your father knew you would be.

We will manage quite handsomely, I'm sure.

(door opens) What can I do for you?

Nothing.

There is nothing anyone can do to help a woman who has been on this Earth for 30 years and has nothing to show for it.

Many a writer has known disappointment at some stage, Jane.

You sold "Susan" to Mr. Crosby.

Those ten pounds were earned, my dearest.

They were not the profit of some legacy.

And we both know that same Mr. Crosby never published it.

I must face the fact that nothing will ever come of my writing now.

No, Jane.

You protected me for so long.

You allowed me to be alone in my head, and I thank you for that.

I had opportunities.

I squandered them.

Allow me to grieve for that and Papa both.

(people talking in background, dogs barking) Isabella, if I may, there is no garden.

We have no need of a garden.

I never go outside, if I can help it.

You may not, Mary Jane, but I do.

And if we are to live together, we must both be satisfied.

Cassandra is correct.

There must be a garden.

You are here to assist me, Cassandra.

CASSY (voiceover): Our search for affordable accommodation has brought us back to the county of Hampshire, Eliza.

Southampton seems an agreeable enough place, and we will make the best of it.

(horses neighing, people talking in background) My only real concern is for Jane.

She finds change very difficult, which is unfortunate, as change comes at us so often, and without the courtesy of warning.

I fear she may be on the brink of another bout of melancholy.

CASSY: Are we not blessed to have this on our doorstep?

JANE: We are indeed blessed.

We shall find better lodgings, Jane.

And in a few months, when our sister-in-law is out of her latest confinement, we shall pay a visit to Godmersham.

The grounds alone shall cheer you.

You are my Lizzy Bennet to the root.

One glimpse of beautiful grounds and everything changes.

You flatter me, comparing me to Lizzy Bennet, my dear.

Perhaps you will write something when you are there.

(quietly): No.

(aloud): All of that is behind me now.

(gulls squawking, horses passing) I suppose I could make something of the garden, perhaps.

(breathes sharply) Do you not think it might be a little small for two people, Isabella?

Where, where would you teach?

Teach?

Why, why would you want to teach?

Well, Isabella must continue her teaching, Mary Jane.

It would be a misfortune for her pupils to be denied her.

You are right, Cassandra.

I must do that, if nothing else.

(sighs) (water dripping) (dripping continues) Would it help if I read some of the pages out loud, so you can hear how good they are?

I'm desperate to know if Colonel Brandon and Marianne are to be married.

I'm afraid their fate must remain unknown to the entire world.

I will never see it published.

(footsteps approaching) MRS. AUSTEN: Cassy?

What is amiss, Mama?

(dripping continues) It's from Mr. Hobday.

How does he know where we live?

Um, his mother and I have been corresponding since Sidmouth.

She was most kind when your papa died.

Mother!

(dripping continues) (doors closing) (door closes) Are you sure you will not take tea, Mr. Hobday?

No, thank you, I, I can't stay for long.

I have more business in town.

How do you find Southampton?

(chuckles) (clears throat softly) It is pleasant enough.

Uh...

It's most unlike Derbyshire.

(chuckles) Or Sidmouth, even.

When my mother informed me that you were a resident here, I... (dog barking in distance) I had a pressing need to see you again.

For what reason?

I, I wish to inform you in person of my position.

I am to be married, Miss Austen.

Cassy.

Then I must wish you and your intended my heartfelt congratulations.

Thank you.

Um...

If you'll forgive me, I'm not quite sure what this has to do with me.

(inhales) (exhales): We were friends once.

Yes, we were, for a short while.

Yes, more than friends, if I may say.

And I, I wish to know, to... To see for myself if that were still the case.

(voice breaking): Please do not ask me that.

Why?

Why?

(inhales) Because you are unsure, or, or, because...?

(crying): Look around, Mr. Hobday.

This is where my beloved family now find themselves.

(breath trembles) Our circumstances have changed.

They need me now more than ever.

Yes, but I, I could be party to helping them, could I not?

You are the kindest of men.

But the truth is, is, my sister would not survive without my constant care.

My duty is here, with her.

Uh, then I shall not ask again.

Thank you.

(sniffles) And I wish you both all the happiness that there is.

(exhales) (door closes) (sniffles) (exhales) JANE (voiceover): The most dreadful news reached us last night, Eliza.

Our brother Edward's wife, Elizabeth Austen, died from a seizure during her latest confinement.

Godmersham has been plunged into darkness.

Cassy is traveling there as I write.

Those poor children, and dear, dear Edward.

Their loss is unimaginable.

(door opens, footsteps approach) Brother.

(sniffles) Can I get you anything?

No, thank you.

Nothing.

I will see to the children, then.

Cassy.

(clock pendulum swinging) The children and I would like it very much if you were to come and live with us.

Oh, Edward.

I, I feel for you all so deeply.

And I will do anything in my power to help you, but, uh, I cannot live with you.

My place is with Jane and our mother.

My first duty is to them.

Of course.

I, I do see that.

(clock pendulum swinging) (swallows) Do you still plan to visit Chawton from time to time?

I do.

I think it'll be good for the children.

And, as Mama has always said, Hampshire is the king of counties.

Well, then, perhaps I could make a suggestion that, that might help all of us.

You, the children, Mama, and Jane.

Pray tell.

That small cottage in Chawton, the one opposite the duck pond.

It, it is close to the great house, is it not?

If we were to live there, well, then, when you and the children are in residence there, we, we would see much of you.

Oh, clever Cassy.

That is by far the best solution, for all of us.

Oh.

What a generous brother you are.

It is perfection.

(chuckles) Jane.

That little desk is just sitting there, waiting for you to use it.

All those manuscripts you've been carrying around for so long could finally come out of hiding.

(softly): What is there to stop you now?

It is over.

The worst is behind us.

(people talking in background) The house is quite charming, is it not?

And the garden is a perfect size to manage.

I thought the house to be far too bright.

We'd need extremely heavy drapes.

The sun is very damaging, both to your person and to your belongings.

I know this, having lived under it for so long.

I am sure the drapes would be no hardship.

And we would not need them in all rooms.

Particularly not in that delightful little room which would be perfect for teaching my pupils.

MARY JANE: Though, Isabella, we are yet to agree on this matter.

I do not like the idea of strangers coming to our house.

They are not strangers, Mary Jane.

Not to me.

Well, then, we'll need stronger bolts.

We'll finalize the lease tomorrow.

Isabella, are you sure you're quite happy about all of this?

It will be fine, Cassandra.

As long as I have my teaching and my garden, and as long as I cannot see the vicarage from any window.

Ladies.

Mr. Lidderdale.

How are you both?

Well, I trust?

Quite well, thank you.

(people talking in background) We have been to view a cottage, have we not, Isabella?

Yes.

We have.

For yourself, Miss Fowle?

Yes, for me, and my sister, Mrs. Mary Jane Dexter.

Then I sincerely hope this arrangement will suit you well.

I hope so, too.

CASSANDRA: It is quite the prettiest of cottages, is it not, Isabella?

It is, very pretty.

I have a new situation, also.

I have been offered the position of surgeon at Shalbourne.

I will be leaving within the month.

(breathes softly) I wish you well.

And I you.

Come, Cassandra.

We still have a great deal to do at the vicarage.

Goodbye, Mr. Lidderdale.

(voice trembling): Dinah, my sister and I have found a house.

It will suit us well.

There is a room for you, so your future is also assured, though you are not beholden to us.

(voice breaking): So if by any chance a young gentleman should... (gasps) Cassandra, I would like it very much indeed if we could finish reading "Persuasion" now.

It would be a fitting end to your visit.

(footsteps retreating) CASSANDRA (voiceover): "There was too much wind "to make the high part of the new Cobb "pleasant for the ladies, "and they agreed to get down the steps to the lower.

"All were content to pass quietly "and carefully down the steep flight, "excepting Louisa.

"She must be jumped down them by Captain Wentworth."

CASSY: "The hardness of the pavement on her feet "made him less willing upon the present occasion; he did it, however."

CASSANDRA: "She was safely down, "and instantly, ran up the steps to be jumped down again.

He advised her against it..." "...thought the jar too great, "but he reasoned and talked in vain.

She smiled and said..." "I am determined I will."

"'I am determined I will.'"

"He put out his hands.

Louisa was too precipitate."

(gasps) "She fell on the pavement on the Lower Cobb, "and was taken up, lifeless!"

(gasps) (gasps) You have killed her!

CASSANDRA: "There was no wound, "no blood, no visible bruise, "but her eyes were closed and she breathed not."

"Her face was like death, the horror of the moment to all who stood around!"

CASSANDRA: "'She is dead!'

(gasps, whimpers) 'She is dead!'

screamed Mary."

How could Jane have done this to her, to us?

Read on, I beg you.

"'Is there no one to help me?'

"were the first words which burst from Captain Wentworth, "in a tone of despair, as if all his strength were gone."

Won't somebody help him, please?

"'Rub her hands, rub her temples,' cried Anne.

"'Here, here are the salts.

Take them.'"

(gasps): Yes, the salts!

Take the salts!

(whispers): Take the salts, take the salts.

"Captain Benwick obeyed.

"Captain Wentworth, "staggering against the wall for his support, "exclaimed in the bitterest agony, 'Oh, God!

"Her father and her mother!'

"'A surgeon!'

said Anne.

'A surgeon this instant!'"

A surgeon.

A surgeon.

(Cassandra continues) A surgeon.

I can't.

She falls.

She falls.

(whispering): She falls.

She falls.

(yelps) (grunts, groans) (Dinah grunts loudly, head thuds) (yelps) She must have fainted, or, or tripped.

There's barely a pulse.

Dinah?

Dinah, stay with us.

Dinah!

Isabella, I fear she may have sustained serious injuries.

Go, go and fetch Mr. Lidderdale at once.

Go, Isabella!

(yelling): Mr. Lidderdale!

Mr. Lidderdale!

Mr. Lidderdale!

(normally): There has been the most terrible accident.

(door closes) (exhales) Allow me.

Nothing broken, I am pleased to say.

A concussion, then?

As far as I can tell.

Would you open my bag and pass me the witch hazel and lint?

Miss Austen, some water, please.

Yes, of course.

She'll have a good bump coming.

(exhales) Salts, do you think?

Most definitely.

(both exhale) Thank you for coming.

I will always come, if you require it of me.

After all that has gone on between us, you could be forgiven for refusing.

I could never turn my back on a patient.

Or on you, Miss Isabella.

(inhaling softly) She is back with us!

(softly): He came, then.

(exhales softly) (groans) Dinah, try not to move.

My head hurts, ma'am.

You had a nasty fall.

You were very lucky.

I've made you some tea.

(exhales): The good china, ma'am.

Yes.

I found it hidden away.

It seems you hadn't got round to packing it yet.

Miss Isabella loves it, so... She couldn't wish for a better friend.

You mean me, ma'am?

Because of you and your escapade, Miss Isabella and Mr. Lidderdale have been reconciled.

I'm sure I, I don't know what you're talking about.

It's a peculiar coincidence, but there's a very similar event in my sister's novel, "Persuasion."

In fact, I was reading that very passage just before you fell.

That is a peculiar thing, ma'am.

Mm.

I applaud your bravery and your presence of mind.

I, on the other hand, have been extremely slow to understand precisely what was going on right under my nose.

You got there in the end, though.

(chuckling) They love each other, ma'am.

It's always been that way.

But the master would have none of it on account of Mr. Lidderdale's background, see.

Did Isabella's mother know anything of this?

Well, if she did, she never let on.

She wasn't one for meddling, even when meddling was what was needed.

No, not like us.

The difference between you and me, ma'am, is that my meddling's done to the good.

(laughs) (chuckles) JANE (heavily): I cannot write.

I am nothing but a drag on the household.

This should come with me.

JANE (anxiously): I cannot shake this feeling of fear.

It is as if a monster is stalking our threshold and I am desperate to keep it at bay.

With me.

JANE (lightly): I enjoy this present weather from top to toe, from right to left, longitudinally, perpendicularly, diagonally... Good one for Mary.

JANE (lightly): Walter Scott has no business to write novels, especially good ones.

He has fame and profit enough as a poet, and should not be taking... That can stay here.

JANE (heavily): Were there a way out of my gloom, I should find it.

All these potions and recipes... Coming with me.

JANE (cheerfully): I have sold a novel, Eliza.

Mary.

JANE (lightly): This time, I am certain to be published.

(both laugh) JANE: For now, the world is to know me only as "a lady."

It is well that I have always enjoyed being a woman of mystery.

Dearest Eliza, I am quite delighted with your letter.

Your liking Darcy and Elizabeth is enough to satisfy my vanity.

You will be glad to hear that the first edition of "Mansfield Park" is all sold.

I shall not plague you with any sordid particulars about money.

Oh, Eliza, I am most gratified you enjoyed "Emma," though her passage into the world has not gone as smoothly as I'd hoped.

The "Quarterly Review" feels the novel lacks incident.

(exhales) How dare they.

JANE: I hurry to finish it on account of the pain I am suffering in my back.

Cassy says it is the strain of sitting over my work for so many hours every day, but I am not sure it isn't something more.

I confess, I would swap all hope of wealth and success to feel well again.

(breathes softly) JANE: We have seen an army of doctors, but none of them can name what ails me.

All right?

Mm.

(softly): Yes, fine.

(breathing deeply) JANE: Cassy will not be deterred, however.

(people talking in background) She is taking me to Cheltenham, where she is convinced the waters will bring a miracle.

(people talking in background) I try very hard to convince myself my symptoms are lifting.

But they are not, Eliza.

This poor, stubborn body of mine seems quite set on decline.

But we will soon be back with you in Kintbury, and that alone raises my spirits.

How is she, do you think, Eliza?

She's very thin.

I'm a little alarmed by these strange black patches on her arms.

I'm sure they're nothing, Cassy.

There's a doctor in Winchester who thinks he might be able to help.

I'm taking her there next.

(door opens) FULWAR: Eliza?

Uh, Cass, I... Eliza, my dear, I hope you've remembered I'm out this evening.

(clears throat) A Tory dinner in Newbury.

How is your sister doing today?

We were just saying she, she seems better.

Really?

I detect a great sadness.

It's a pity those books of hers have come to nothing.

Jane has had four novels published, and all to great acclaim.

No profit in them, though, so Mary tells us.

We did try the new one, um, some lady's name.

What was it again?

Um...

"Emma."

Yes-- afraid we read the first chapter, then skipped to the end.

I did not.

I read to the end, and I enjoyed it very much.

(breathes deeply) Perhaps you might find Jane's new novel, "Persuasion," more to your liking, Fulwar.

It is to be her best one yet.

Hm.

(footsteps retreating) CASSY: Winchester seems quite a pretty town.

You must try to rest, my darling.

I have the doctor's address-- I will hurry there now.

No, I do not want him.

He promises an improvement-- we must try everything.

No more, Cass, I'm tired.

I want to go home to Chawton.

But it's too late, is it not?

(whispers): Cass.

What is it?

What do you need?

You're exhausted.

I'm fine.

Do not be upset, but... Mary Austen is on her way.

So be it.

(door closes) (footsteps approaching) I came as soon as I could.

I'll sit with her now.

You must rest.

Go-- if anything changes, I will call for you.

At once.

I will not go without you.

Mary.

Come sit with me.

Yes.

(wheels squeaking) (birds chirping) (laughing) Oh, we could never beat you at cards.

You were always too clever.

JANE: Too clever by half.

MARY: And then you would play the preludes for us.

You were gifted in so many ways, Jane.

And then my beloved James would delight us with his poetry.

Yes, he would.

Oh, Jane.

Such happy times.

(sobs softly) Has she gone?

She has.

It was touching to see you both so cheerful together.

Disaster often brings out the best in Mary.

It's success that disturbs her good nature.

(chuckles) She pities me now even more than she once did.

And there I was, the happiest woman in England, but she could only see tragedy.

Do you think others saw me the way Mary did?

As a joyless creature?

What does it matter what other people think?

It matters.

It matters to me.

I do not want the world to know of my sadness, only of the joy in my stories.

Tell me what it is that you want.

Nothing but death.

It will not be long now, my darling, till you will be at peace.

(sniffles) Jane Austen... ...you have been the best... ...the most loyal, most... (crying): ...most loving, most... (sniffles): ...most gifted sister.

And I, Cassy Austen... ...have been the most blessed sister to have loved you.

(breathes) (breath stops) (gasps, sobs) (gasps) (breath trembling) (birds chirping) (bird calling) (latching case) (inhales) (trunk opens) I trust I am not intruding, my dear.

I am delighted to see you so overjoyed.

I assume Mr. Lidderdale has...

Proposed-- yes!

(laughs) Yes, he has, and I have accepted, gratefully, and with my whole heart.

Thank you for insisting I fetch him.

Thank Dinah for giving me cause.

(laughs) And dear Jane, for the inspiration.

(laughing) (Cassandra exhales) I think we have sufficient cause for celebration, do we not?

(both laughing) Besides, I am sure the new vicar and his wife will have no use for these.

(giggles) CASSANDRA: Well, I shall miss you both, but I will also be pleased to sleep in my own bed.

(breathes deeply) MARY (in distance): It's me!

Where are you all?

(softly): Ma'am.

I, uh, found this lying around.

Wouldn't want it falling into the wrong hands, so you might as well have it.

I can't read, anyway, so it's no use to me.

Thank you, dear Dinah.

Well, here's a thing-- once again, you intend to travel without the courtesy of informing your only remaining sister.

What on Earth?

Get up at once.

Isabella, what a good thing I came back-- we'd never be ready by tomorrow.

A blessing indeed, Aunt Mary.

Uh, Mary, on the matter of Eliza's letters, perhaps you could look in the settle in her room.

It was the only place I didn't manage to search.

If I recall, uh, Eliza tied Jane's letters in a, a blue ribbon.

Very well, yeah, I shall do that now.

Right, come along, Isabella.

That unspeakable man Dundas will be upon us before we know it.

Cassandra will forgive us for leaving her to wait for her coach alone.

You are forgiven.

(chuckles): Oh... Goodbye, my dear.

Staying here once more has meant a great deal.

(inhales) (whispering): Be sure to take two of the very best sets of china to your new home.

No one will ever notice.

(both chuckle) (kisses) MARY: There, there, there, there.

Let's not fuss too much, no.

The best farewells are the short ones-- Dinah.

(sighs) Ma'am.

Look after yourself, and don't be going out in the rain.

(footsteps retreating) So, this will be the last time you and I meet in this house.

We've had so much history here, and now it will be lost.

(inhales): Our history will be safe in our memories.

All we can do is pass them on to those who come after us, with as much honesty as we can muster.

As if anyone is interested in us women.

Farewell, then.

(inhales) Sister.

(footsteps retreating) (laughs, sniffles) (sighs) (carriage approaching) (horse nickers) Walk on!

(letter unfolding) JANE: This will be my last letter.

I do not have the strength to write to you again, Eliza, but I thank you now for your friendship, wish you long health and happiness.

I beg you to look after my dear, darling Cass.

(laughing) An attack of my sad complaint has seized me again, and reduced me so low that I now feel recovery unlikely.

(sobbing) JANE: You must not pity me, though, for if I am to die now... (both laughing) JANE: ...I am convinced I will die as the luckiest of women.

(both laugh and scream) JANE: Words fail me when I think of the kindness of my family during this illness.

As for Cassandra... (gasps) JANE: ...she has been the most tender, watchful sister throughout my life.

She has protected me always, and I know she will protect my legacy after I have gone.

As to what I owe her, I can only cry over, and hope her life will be blessed more and yet more.

These next years will be hard.

We have never borne separation easily.

But as I approach this final departure, I am selfishly grateful that it was never my fate to be the one who survived.

For how could I?

What sort of life would it have been if I did not have her by my side?

(kisses) JANE: With my fondest affection... ...Jane.

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