Becoming Jane: the Vignettes

By Icha

Rated: T

Summary: Scenes of Becoming Jane. Can't stop loving it! Thanks to Rachel Kingston for the faithful beta. Chapter 13: Meeting Mrs. Radcliffe. For those who have yet to see the movie: SPOILERS ahead. But I suggest you to watch it still, it worth it! And thanks for the read and reviews!

Chapter 13. A Mrs. Radcliffe

Mrs. Ann Radcliffe had just finished fixing her immaculate red dress when her maid proclaimed the arrival of her guests. Mr. Lefroy, whom Mrs. Radcliffe had never had the pleasure of meeting, was an acquaintance of her husband William. However, this particular Mr. Lefroy, who was apparently a lawyer, had stated his intention to bring a friend who was also an ardent admirer of her novels. As a famous writer, Mrs. Radcliffe was often obliged to meet her admirers. Some of them were professional writers, but many of them were mere teenagers who fancied her Gothic writing style and dreamed of living in a haunted castle where a handsome prince would rescue them from despair. Ann Radcliffe had less interest in meeting the second group of admirers, and when she learned that Mr. Lefroy's friend was a young girl, she had almost refused the meeting on the basis of her tight schedule. However, her intuition advised her to accept the request, for inexplicably she was interested in Mr. Lefroy's lady friend. Ann Radcliffe always trusted her intuition, and hence the meeting today.

Her maid was taking her leave to bring the guests upstairs when Mrs. Radcliffe changed her mind and walked down the stairs herself to welcome her visitors. She let her maid open the door and was treated with the pleasant scene of a young couple in their early twenties standing in front of her with the utmost of polite demeanours. The young man was indeed a handsome lad, with sparkling blue eyes and dark hair. The young lady, a sweet girl of dark animated eyes, could not conceal her excitement; Ann was certain that the girl would be dancing on her toes had decorum allowed her. In an instant, Ann developed a feeling of fondness towards the young lady. She smiled and introduced herself.

'Welcome. I am Mrs. Radcliffe, and I am glad to have you visiting my house.'

The young man said charmingly, 'I am Thomas Lefroy, Madam, and this is my dear friend from Hampshire who wishes to meet you.'

'Delighted to meet your acquaintance, Ma'am,' the lively and charming young lady curtseyed with enthusiasm. 'I am Jane Austen, and I express my utmost gratitude for your willingness to accept us into your home.'

Mrs. Radcliffe smiled and guided her guests to the first floor. She ordered the maid to provide them with some hot Darjeeling tea and scones and invited her husband to join their conversation. Soon, it was obvious that the gentlemen were mostly interested in speaking of law and publishing; whereas Miss Austen was exceptionally keen to talk to Ann more of her novels. To accommodate both of her guests, Ann invited Jane to another section of the living room and left William to handle Mr. Lefroy's interest in law.

However, as she and Miss Austen walked towards the chairs by the window sill, Ann caught sight of a glance exchanged between Miss Austen and her male friend. It was not a mere glance; it was one of comfort and support. The young lady was nervous and she was asking for support, of which she received in abundance from her friend. Ann then realised that the young Tom Lefroy intentionally conversed with William on the topic of law to give Miss Austen the opportunity to talk to her, and that the relationship between these two young people went far beyond friendship. Inexplicably, Ann was sharply attacked by a memory from the past. She had been here before… and it had not worked for her. Would it work for her new lady friend?

Miss Austen herself was oblivious to the sudden change in Mrs. Radcliffe's demeanour. Once seated, the young lady started to ramble about her admiration of Ann's novels; her amazement at the gothic scenes and her romanticism towards the scenes in the castle and forest. She quoted some of Ann's poems from her novels with amazing accuracy, and, upon taking out her own copy of Mystery of Udolpho, she discussed parts of the novel she loved the most. In short, Jane Austen was not a mere admirer, she was a writer herself; a junior writer maybe, but she had potentials nonetheless.

'Your novels… they are so vivid with mystery,' said Jane Austen. 'Yet, you live such a different lifestyle, Ma'am. So quiet and so content; seemingly without any mystery at all.'

Ann chuckled at the comment. Such a young girl, so unspoilt of the true cruelty of the world…

'So, you wish to be a writer? Of what do you wish to write?' Mrs. Radcliffe tactfully evaded the need to respond to the comment, to which Miss Austen smiled sheepishly with the rise of pink colour adorning her fair countenance as she attempted an affirmative reply, 'Of the heart.'

'Ah…' Ann nodded with understanding before she asked again, 'Do you know of it?'

The pink colour had not left young Jane's countenance as she admitted, 'Not all of it…'

'In time, you will,' Mrs. Radcliffe said rather mysteriously. 'If not… well, that's what imagination is for.' She reached for her cup of tea. 'Poor William… having a wife of literary reputation… nothing short of scandalous.'

Young Miss Austen seemed struck by her statement. 'Surely Ma'am, we can do both, live as a writer and as a wife?'

Ann Radcliffe cast her mysterious smile. 'If so, my dear Jane, it would be a fortune indeed.' Ignoring Jane's questioning look, she offered her more scones and diverted the conversation to the latest editing technique.

The visit ended within the hour, for Miss Austen and Mr. Lefroy had another engagement to attend that night. Ann Radcliffe took her guests to the stairs and watched as the two young people who, to her eyes, were evidently in love, walked down the stairs to continue their unpredictable journey. Jane stopped for a while to curtsey again; admiration was clear in her dark eyes. It was obvious that Miss Austen adored her, and Ann knew that the young girl wanted to pursue her life as a writer and also as a wife, very likely with Mr. Lefroy by her side. Yet, as she bade them farewell, Ann could not dismiss a premonition that the life of Miss Austen and Mr. Lefroy would not be as smooth as they longed for.

However, Ann Radcliffe was also certain that the young Miss Austen would not let any circumstances deter her from writing. Ann just hoped that the dashing Mr. Lefroy would always be there for her new friend. But if they were to be parted, although she wished them no pain, it might be for the better good. For any good writer must experience pain and heartache before they can channel their fullest potentials.

Not once did Ann Radcliffe think that this lively young lady before her would indeed experience such hardship, and that fifteen years later, this suffering would produce six of the finest novels in British literary history.

-TBC-

Author's note:

There was no record that Ann Radcliffe (1764-1823) ever met Jane Austen (1775-1817). However, I love the short interaction between Jane and Mrs. Radcliffe in 'Becoming Jane', for it provided us with a glance of the life of the famous gothic writer. In addition, I like Helen McCrory's role as Ann Radcliffe, particularly the way she intently watched Jane and Tom walking down the stairs as they left. It was as if she knew what would become of the young couple and she mourned them already.

Next: walking up the stairs with Tom Lefroy ;-)