Still writing away hours later, Jane was interrupted by the voice of man, yelling at the top of his lungs from below her window. "Jane! Do come down and see your brother!" She stuck her head out of the window to find her brother Henry, dancing about like a mad man. "Henry! Oh it is such a pleasure to see you! I'm coming down!" she was so excited to see her dear brother, for he had gone to Hartfordshire with his family years before. She quickly glanced at her reflection in the mirror, and headed for the stairs.
A very handsome and witty man, her brother Henry had married a beautiful widow with great fortune. They had immediately left for Hartfordshire where they had a sprawling estate with acreage that seemed to Jane never ending. Still, it had been at least five years since she and Cassandra had last saw him, and Jane was absolutely overjoyed at his arrival. It was no surprise that he had come without his wife, for she had become quite ill over the years and was not able to make the journey to Hampshire. Poor woman, never able to have children of her own, she had always felt ashamed of this, and managed to rarely leave her house when possible.
"Oh Henry! It has been ages since your last visit." she was simply amazed at how handsome he had remained. Her mother had always said that he had the look of a nobleman, and any woman that dared marry him must be a great woman, indeed. "Please, do come in brother." Cassandra ushered him into the house. "I will put on some tea. " So pleased to see her brother, Cassandra had forgotten she'd been ill. Henry turned to Jane. "Sister, you look as wonderful as ever. What have you been up to these days? Writing much?" Jane had always been a bit modest of her writings. "I have been working on a ........." Henry interrupted. "And what of your visit from Mr. Lefroy? I have heard a great deal from Cassandra." He smiled mischievously. "Oh Henry, I shall not speak of that wretched man, or his affections." Jane put an end to that conversation quickly. "I am sorry for him though, regarding the loss of his wife." She added. "Yes, indeed. She was a fine woman from what I hear." Henry became silent.
Changing the subject, Jane turned the conversation to Henry. "And how have you been, dear brother? And your lovely wife? I do hope she is feeling better." He lowered his eyes a bit. "I'm afraid her condition has worsened a bit. But we are in high hopes for a quick recovery." Cassandra broke in with the tea. "I do hope to come for a visit, soon. Perhaps a visit will do her some good." "Do come and visit whenever you wish Cassandra, she would love the company." "And how long will you be staying Henry? Oh please do stay a night or two. " Said Jane, again changing the subject. She was not one who enjoyed the grim talk of illness. "That would be lovely, Jane. I shall stay for a night or two. " Henry smiled. For he loved to be with his sisters, he had missed them so.