BEFORE LEAVING Southampton Jane had made an
effort to secure the publication of Northanger Abbey.
In a letter, calling herself Mrs. Ashton Denis, she recalled
the transaction of six years ago and expressed her surprise
that no attempt had been made to publish the novel; she
could only suppose, she said, that the publishers might have
mislaid the script; if that were the case, she could provide
them with a copy, though she would not be able to let them
have it before August. She added: "Should no notice be
taken of this address, I shall feel myself at liberty to secure
the publication of my work by applying elsewhere." Messrs.
Crosby, in reply, denied that when they bought the manu-
script they had undertaken to publish it at any particular
time, and added that if the author or anyone else attempted
to publish the work they should take proceedings to stop
the sale; they offered in conclusion to return the script on
receipt of the £10 which had been paid for it.

To pay £10, which would be more nearly the value of
£30 today, out of a very slender income, and for a work
which it was always possible might be published if she left
it where it was, was not at present worthwhile, perhaps it
was not even possible, to Jane Austen; she left Susan to lin-

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