' She did not indeed pass through life
without being the object of warm affection. In her youth she had
declined the addresses of a gentleman who had the recommendations of good
character, and connections, and position in life, of everything, in fact,
except the subtle power of touching her heart. There is, however, one
passage of romance in her history with which I am imperfectly acquainted,
and to which I am unable to assign name, or date, or place, though I have
it on sufficient authority. Many years after her death, some
circumstances induced her sister Cassandra to break through her habitual
reticence, and to speak of it. She said that, while staying at some
seaside place, they became acquainted with a gentleman, whose charm of
person, mind, and manners was such that Cassandra thought him worthy to
possess and likely to win her sister's love. When they parted, he
expressed his intention of soon seeing them again; and Cassandra felt no
doubt as to his motives. But they never again met. Within a short time
they heard of his sudden death. I believe that, if Jane ever loved, it
was this unnamed gentleman; but the acquaintance had been short, and I am
unable to say whether her feelings were of such a nature as to affect her
happiness.
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