m; and
it must have been under their auspices that he married (before the end
of 1791) Elizabeth, daughter of Sir Brook Bridges, and was settled at
Rowling, a small house belonging to the Bridges family, about a mile
away from their seat at Goodnestone. No doubt it was a suitable match;
but it must also have been a marriage of affection, if one may judge
from the happy life which ensued, and from the lovely features of Mrs.
Edward Austen, preserved in the miniature by Cosway.[57] Some of Jane's
earliest extant letters were written from Rowling.

The place was not, however, to be the home of the Edward Austens for
long. Mr. Thomas Knight died in 1794, leaving his large estates to his
widow for her life. Three years later, in 1797, she determined to make
them over, at once, to the adopted son, who was after her death to
become their owner, retaining for herself only an income of L2000. On
learning her intentions, he sent her a most grateful and affectionate
letter,[58] saying that he wrote because he felt himself incapable of
speaking with her on the subject; that it was impossible for him and his
wife to accede to her plan, for they should never be happy at Godmersham
whilst she was living in a smaller and less comfortable house, having
quitted a mansion where he had so often heard her say her whole
happiness was centred. This protest by no means turned Mrs. Knight from
her intentions; on the contrary, she expressed them still more strongly,
and in so charming a spirit that we must quote a considerable part of
her letter:--

Godmersham Park: Friday.

If anything were wanting, my dearest Edward, to
confirm my resolution concerning the plan I
propose executing, your letter would have that
effect; it is impossible for any person to express
their gratitude and affection in terms more
pleasing and gratifying than you have chosen, and
from the bottom of my heart I believe you to be
perfectly sincere when you assure me that your
happiness is best secured by seeing me in the full
enjoyment of everything that can contribute to my
ease and comfort, and that happiness, my dear
Edward, will be yours by acceding to my wishes.
From the time that my partiality for you induced
Mr. Knight to treat you as our adopted child I
have felt for you the te