her to life.  She was happy in her family; she was just beginning to feel confidence in her own success; and, no doubt, the exercise of her great talents was an enjoyment in itself.  We may well believe that she would gladly have lived longer; but she was enabled without dismay or complaint to prepare for death.  She was a humble, believing Christian.  Her life had been passed in the performance of home duties, and the cultivation of domestic affections, without any self-seeking or craving after applause.  She had always sought, as it were by instinct, to promote the happiness of all who came within her influence, and doubtless she had her reward in the peace of mind which was granted her in her last days.  Her sweetness of temper never failed.  She was ever considerate and grateful to those who attended on her.  At times, when she felt rather better, her playfulness of spirit revived, and she amused them even in their sadness.  Once, when she thought herself near her end, she said what she imagined might be her last words to those around her, and particularly thanked her sister-in-law for being with her, saying:  ’You have always been a kind sister to me, Mary.’  When the end at last came, she sank rapidly, and on being asked by her attendants whether there was anything that she wanted, her reply was, ‘Nothing but death.’  These were her last words.  In quietness and peace she breathed her last on the morning of July 18, 1817.

On the 24th of that month she was buried in Winchester Cathedral, near the centre of the north aisle, almost opposite to the beautiful chantry tomb of William of Wykeham.  A large slab of black marble in the pavement marks the place.  Her own family only attended the funeral.  Her sister returned to her desolated home, there to devote herself, for ten years, to the care of her aged mother; and to live much on the memory of her lost sister, till called many years later to rejoin her.  Her brothers went back sorrowing to their several homes.  They were very fond and very proud of her.  They were attached to her by her talents, her virtues, and her engaging manners; and each loved afterwards to fancy a resemblance in some niece or daughter of his own to the dear sister Jane, whose perfect equal they yet never expected to see.

CHAPTER XII.

The Cancelled Chapter (Chap.  X.) of ‘Persuasion.’

With all this knowledge of Mr. Elliot and this authority to impart it, Anne left Westgate Buildings, her mind deeply busy in revolving what she had heard, feeling, thinking, recalling, and foreseeing everything, shocked at Mr. Elliot, sighing over future Kellynch, and pained for Lady Russell, whose confidence in him had been entire.  The embarrassment which must be felt from this hour in his presence!  How to behave to him?  How to get rid of him?  What to do by any of the party at home?  Where to be blind?  Where to be active?  It was altogether a confusion of images and doubts—­a perplexity, an agitation which she could not see the end of.  And she was in Gay Street, and still so much engrossed that she started on being addressed by Admiral Croft, as if he were a person unlikely to be met there.  It was within a few steps of his own door.