Samuel Roukin

Jane Austen: [Reads to Cassandra from first draft of Persuasion] More than seven years were gone since this little history of sorrowful interest had reached its close;

Jane Austen: She had been forced into prudence in her youth, she learned romance as she grew older: the natural sequel of an unnatural beginning.She had used him ill, deserted and disappointed him; and worse, she had shewn a feebleness of character in doing so, which his own decided, confident temper could not endure. She had given him up to oblige others.

Jane Austen: She hoped to be wise and reasonable in time; but alas! alas! she must confess to herself that she was not wise yet.

Harris Bigg: I don't know how you can say it without tears.

Jane Austen: I don't cry at anything that pays me money

Jane Austen: What if you do meet him

[the right man]

Jane Austen: and he doesn't have any money?

Fanny Austen-Knight: But if I love him then nothing else matters!

Jane Austen: What in heavens name gave you that idea?

Fanny Austen-Knight: It says so in all your books.

Edward Austen Knight: [gravely] If that's what you think they say, my dear, perhaps, you should read them again.