The Missing Manuscript of Jane Austen
““THE PERFECT ENDING.”
I looked up from the manuscript, happily agreeing with his assessment, but at the same time sad that it was over. Glancing at the last page, I said, “The date at the end confirms our theory. It was written exactly when we supposed.”
“I’m so glad Rebecca ended up with Mr. Clifton, and not Dr. Watkins,” Anthony noted.
“So am I—but I’m not surprised. The man who’s the most charming at the start is rarely—Northanger Abbey notwithstanding—the right man for the heroine. It’s the... flawed man, the one who ‘proves his character and worth by his deeds,’ as Mr. Stanhope said, who always wins her heart.” With a smile, I added, “Besides, Dr. Watkins’s name should have been a clue in and of itself.”
“Why?”
“Austen gave two of her worst rogues names that start with ‘W’: Willoughby and Wickham. Watkins fits right into the mold. It’s like a little ‘W Club’ of scoundrels.”
That made Anthony laugh.
I was eager to hear what Stephen thought, but although he’d appeared intrigued at first, he’d admitted he was very tired, and he’d nodded off a few chapters in.MoreLess
I looked up from the manuscript, happily agreeing with his assessment, but at the same time sad that it was over. Glancing at the last page, I said, “The date at the end confirms our theory. It was written exactly when we supposed.”
“I’m so glad Rebecca ended up with Mr. Clifton, and not Dr. Watkins,” Anthony noted.
“So am I—but I’m not surprised. The man who’s the most charming at the start is rarely—Northanger Abbey notwithstanding—the right man for the heroine. It’s the... flawed man, the one who ‘proves his character and worth by his deeds,’ as Mr. Stanhope said, who always wins her heart.” With a smile, I added, “Besides, Dr. Watkins’s name should have been a clue in and of itself.”
“Why?”
“Austen gave two of her worst rogues names that start with ‘W’: Willoughby and Wickham. Watkins fits right into the mold. It’s like a little ‘W Club’ of scoundrels.”
That made Anthony laugh.
I was eager to hear what Stephen thought, but although he’d appeared intrigued at first, he’d admitted he was very tired, and he’d nodded off a few chapters in.MoreLess
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