Jane Austen
under such a misfortune as this, one cannot see too little of one's neighbours. Assistance is
impossible; condolence insufferable. Let them triumph over us at a distance, and be
satisfied."
She then proceeded to inquire into the measures which her father had intended to pursue,
while in town, for the recovery of his daughter.
"He meant I believe," replied Jane, "to go to Epsom, the place where they last changed
horses, see the postilions and try if anything could be made out from them. His principal
object must be to discover the number of the hackney coach which took them from
Clapham. It had come with a fare from London; and as he thought that the circumstance of
a gentleman and lady's removing from one carriage into another might be remarked he
meant to make inquiries at Clapham. If he could anyhow discover at what house the
coachman had before set down his fare, he determined to make inquiries there, and hoped it
annaabi.ee 
