Elizabeth died 10 October and the first letter with the news from Mary arrives on the twelfth and Cassandra’s on the 13th. Jane writes of Mary’s letter “the sad news reached us last night” and I could not help but remember “An express came at twelve last night, just as we were all gone to bed…” from P&P, Ch. 46. Jane says nothing of already being in bed but does the fact the letter arrived at night mean it was an express or was there regular mail service at night?

With the words melancholy anxiety I think Jane perfectly and economically describes the emotions the party at Southampton endure between Mary’s short letter and a more particular account from Cassandra at Godmersham. The picture is clear in my mind. I can only imagine what burden a lack of information adds to the grief of loosing a loved one—specifically not having the power to pickup a telephone at a moments notice and connect with loved ones at such a time is terrible to comprehend.