Welcome to our World! Where we serve you cookies to ensure you get the best viewing experience on our site.

Did you know that you can remove censorship board-wide, use our advanced search functions, be notified when new content is posted, join our memberships, set episodes to show in any order you want & more if you are logged into your account?

Register or sign in here: ucp.php?mode=register

01x04 - Episode 4

Episode transcripts for the TV show, "Miss Austen". Aired: May 4, 2025.*
Watch/Buy Amazon


It follows the lives of Jane Austen and Cassandra, her sister.

01x04 - Episode 4

Post by bunniefuu »

I wish to inform you that my wife
and I will be taking up residence

in the vicarage in a fortnight. Oh,
and one more thing. Eliza's letters,

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

Why ever would you think that?

I am to be in print!
To be a published authoress!

I beg you, if you are offered
any means of escape,

do not refuse it.

Cassy Austen, I have loved you
since the moment

that our hands first touched.

What was your answer?
I cannot marry him.

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

Beth has been assisting you,
has she not? Indeed, she has.

Married? Myself and Mr Lidderdale?

Oh, Cassandra,
you have the wrong sister.

DISTANT VOICES

Look how splendid it is!

I mean, isn't this absolutely...
Please, please come and get me.

Is that better? Thank you.

Do you want subtitles for any video?
-=[ ai.OpenSubtitles.com ]=-

It really is much smaller
than I imagined, Dundas.

I fear we have too much furniture.

Nonsense, my dear.

The sideboard will look splendid
against this wall,

under the portrait
of my late dear father.

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've never
mentioned it before, Mama.

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.

Isabella, I've just seen
your sister Beth.

Oh.

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.

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.

MR DUNDAS: I'm sure something
could be arranged.

We must change the upholstery.
It's too plain for my taste.

I prefer something busier.

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... 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.

CASSANDRA 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.

BANGING ON WINDOW

In! In!

So it is settled, then?

Isabella and I will live together as
our dear departed father so wished.

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

Isabella will move in here... While
your home is undoubtedly charming,

I fear it cannot accommodate
both of you.

Neither of you will be comfortable,
sadly.

Hmm.

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 organised 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 behaviour

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.

He 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.

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.

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,

'even to a letter,

'and I am fearful
she may never write again.'

Mama.

The time has come for us
to discuss our business.

Yes...

..our business.

Your sister?

SHE SIGHS

Thank you for getting up,
my darling.

I promise this will not take long.

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 hardworking 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 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 to the yield

of our own money...
Which I contribute nothing.

Not a farthing.

What a wretched creature I am.

You are our great strength, Cassy,
as your father knew you would be.

We will manage quite handsomely,
I'm sure.

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 £10 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.

Oh, Jane...
You've 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.

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: '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.

'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.'

Are we not blessed
to have this on our doorstep?

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 Lizzie Bennet
to the root.

One glimpse of beautiful grounds
and everything changes.

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

Perhaps you will write something
when you are there.

No.

All of that is behind me now.

I suppose I could make something
of the garden, perhaps.

But do you not think
it might be a little small

for two people, Isabella?

Where would you teach?

Teach? Why would you want to teach?

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.

WATER DRIPS

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.

Cassy. What is amiss, Mama?

It's from Mr Hobday.

How does he know where we live?

Erm...

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

She was most kind
when your papa died.

Mother!

Are you sure you will not
take tea, Mr Hobday?

No, thank you. I can't stay for
long. I have more business in town.

How do you find Southampton?

It is pleasant enough.

It's most unlike Derbyshire.

HE CHUCKLES

Or Sidmouth, even.

When my mother informed me
that you were a resident here...

..I had a pressing need
to see you again.

For what reason?

I wish to inform you...

..in person...

..of my position.

I'm to be married, Miss Austen.

Cassy.

Then I must wish you
and your intended

my heartfelt congratulations.

Thank you. Erm...

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

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 was still the case.

Please do not ask me that. Why?

Why?

Because you aren't sure,
or because...

Look around, Mr Hobday.

This is where my beloved family
now find themselves.

Our circumstances have changed.
They need me now more than ever.

Yes, but 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.

Er, then I shall not ask again.

Thank you.

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

HE SIGHS

JANE: '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 travelling there
as I write.

'Those poor children

'and dear, dear Edward,
their loss is unimaginable.'

Brother.

Can I get you anything?
No, thank you.

Nothing.

I will see to the children, then.

Cassy.

The children and I would like it...

..very much...

..if you were to come
and live with us.

Oh, Edward.

I feel for you all so deeply

and I will do anything in my power
to help you, but...

..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.

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 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 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 would see much of you.

Clever Cassy.

That is by far the best solution...

..for all of us.

What a generous brother you are.

It is perfection.

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.

What is there to stop you now?

It is over.

The worst is behind us.

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.

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 finalise a lease tomorrow.

Isabella, are you sure you
are 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.

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.

And I sincerely hope this
arrangement will suit you well.

I hope so, too.

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.

I wish you well.

And I you.

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

Goodbye, Mr Lidderdale.

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,

so if by any chance
a young gentleman should...

Cassandra, I would like it
very much indeed

if we could finish reading
Persuasion now.

It would be a fitting end
to your visit.

"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."

"The hardness of the pavement
on her feet

"made him less willing
upon the present occasion.

"He did it, however."

"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.

"She fell on the pavement
on the lower Cobb

"and was taken up lifeless."

You have k*lled her?!

"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.

'"She is dead!

"'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.'"

Yes, the salts. Take the salts!

Take the salts. Take the salt.

"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.

A surgeon.

I can't.

She falls.

She falls.

ANGUISHED GROANS

LOUD THUD

Oh!

She must have fainted. 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!

Mr Lidderdale!

Mr Lidderdale!

Mr Lidderdale!

There has been the most terrible
accident.

Allow me.

Nothing broken, I'm 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.

Salts, do you think?

Most definitely.

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.

She is back with us.

He came, then.

Oh...

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.

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 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.

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.

Not like us.

The difference between
you and me, ma'am,

is that my meddling
is done to the good.

JANE: 'I cannot write.

'I am nothing but a drag
on the household.'

This shall come with me.

'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.

'I enjoy this present weather
from top to toe, from right to left,

'longitudinally, perpendicularly,
diagonally...'

Good one for Mary.

'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.

'Were there a way out of my gloom,
I should find it.

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

'I have sold a novel, Eliza.'
Mary.

'This time I am certain
to be published.'

'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'll 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 had hoped.

'The Quarterly Review feels
the novel lacks incident.'

How dare they?

'I hurried 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.

'We have seen an army of doctors,

'but none of them can name
what ails me.'

All right.

Yes, fine.

'Cassy will not be deterred,
however.

'She is taking me to Cheltenham,
where she is convinced the waters

'will bring a miracle.

'I try very hard to convince myself
that 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.

Cas, I... Eliza?

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

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. Some lady's
name. What was it again? Erm...

Emma. Yes.

I'm 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.

Perhaps you might find Jane's
new novel, Persuasion,

more to your liking, Fulwar.

It is to be her best one yet.

Hmm.

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?

Cass.

What is it? What do you need?

You're exhausted.

I am fine.

Do not be upset, but...

..Mary Austen is on her way.

So be it.

DOOR CLOSES

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.

LAUGHTER

Oh, we could never beat you
at cards.

You were always too clever.
Too clever by half.

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.

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.

CASSY LAUGHS

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.

JANE GASPS

Nothing but death.

It will not be long now...

..my darling...

..till you will be at peace.

Jane Austen...

..you have been the best...

..most loyal, most...

..most loving...

..most gifted sister.

And I, Cassy Austen...

..have been the most blessed sister
to have loved you.

JANE BREATHES HEAVILY

CASSY CRIES

BIRD SINGS

I trust I am not intruding, my dear.

I am delighted to see you
so overjoyed.

I assume Mr Lidderdale has...?

Proposed. Yes!

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.

And dear Jane for the inspiration.

I think we have sufficient cause
for celebration, do we not?

LAUGHTER

Besides, I'm sure the new vicar and
his wife will have no use for these.

Well...

..I shall miss you both,

but I will also be pleased
to sleep in my own bed.

It's me! Where are you all?

Ma'am, I 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.

Er, 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...

..Eliza tied Jane's letters
in a blue ribbon.

Very well. I shall do that now.

Right, come along, Isabella.

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

and Cassandra will forgive us
for leaving her

to wait for her coach alone.

You are forgiven.

Goodbye, my dear.

Staying here once more
has meant a great deal.

Be sure to take two of the very best
sets of china to your new home.

No-one will ever notice.

There, there, there, there.
Let's not fuss too much.

The best farewells
are the short ones.

Dinah.

Ma'am.

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

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.

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...

..sister.

HORSE AND CART APPROACH

Walk on!

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.

LAUGHTER

'An attack of my sad complaint
has seized me again

'and reduced me so low that
I now feel recovery unlikely.

CASSANDRA SOBS

'You must not pity me, though,
for if I am to die now,

'I am convinced I will die
as the luckiest of women.

LAUGHTER

'Words fail me when I think
of the kindness of my family

'during this illness.

'As for Cassandra, 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
a 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?

'With my fondest affection...

'..Jane.'