An express was sent for James, & he arrived here this morning before eight o’clock. (Le Faye, Letter 41)

I think Mrs. JA’s letter announcing Elizabeth’s death could have been delivered by a servant. I have attached a post from the L&T archives about express messages written by JulieW and in her words they were “ferociously expensive” which sounds rather daunting. She suggests the express sent by Col Forester (P&P, Ch. 46) was brought to Longbourn by either a servant or a serviceman and the express from Mr. Gardiner (P&P, Ch. 49) was actually paid for by the wealthier Darcy. However if the letter had been a pricey express then Mrs. JA’s starting it at Steventon and finishing it at Winchester and sending it the shorter distance to Southampton makes sense in cost savings. Of course other reasons might explain its journey as well. In Letter 41 (above) to Frank Austen along with the news of their father’s death in Bath, JA tells him an express was sent to James. That letter may not have only been to inform but also to summon since he is the oldest son so explaining the need for an express. I guess we can never know for sure but it was fun looking into it! (:D)