“Assure her also as a last & indisputable proof of Warren’s indifference to me, that he actually drew that Gentleman’s picture for me, & delivered it to me without a Sigh.”
letter to Cassandra
January 14, 1796 [2]
Jane was referring to John Warren (who is portrayed in Becoming Jane as Jane’s incredibly awkward suitor, a la Mr. Collns). Others thought he might be in love with her but she believed him to be just a friend. The picture he delivered was one of Tom Lefroy.
The last reference Jane made to Tom was here, where she talks about “flirting her last” with him.
I’ve now posted every quote about Tom from Jane’s early letters. There’s actually very little. We will never really know how much her heart was involved — although, of course, it’s a fun story to tell and fun to speculate.
If you’ve seen Becoming Jane I would love to know what you thought.
“He is a very gentlemanlike, good-looking, pleasant young man, I assure you. But as to our having ever met, except at the three last balls, I cannot say much; for he is so excessively laughed at about me at Ashe, that he is ashamed of coming to Steventon, and ran away when we called on Mrs Lefroy a few days ago.”
The Jane Austen Guide to Life: Thoughtful Lessons for the Modern Woman (May, 2012)
A Walk with Jane Austen: A Journey into Adventure, Love, and Faith