What Happened Next? Story Continuations According to Jane Austen

Many Jane Austen fans have endeavored to write continuations of Jane Austen's novels. Some of them have had some success. We should also point out that some who are not fans of Jane Austen have endeavored to write continuations of her novels. This fan confesses herself to be skeptical about the quality of those books and their true-ness to the originals.

Anyhow, many people do not know that Jane Austen told us what happened to many of her characters. Jane Austen's nieces and nephews sometimes asked her "what happened next," and their doting aunt would tell them. So, (with thanks to 101 Things You Didn't Know About Jane Austen), here is what the authoress said.

Miss. Steele (from Sense & Sensibility) - The poor, benighted lady never caught the doctor.

Kitty Bennet (from Pride & Prejudice) - Kitty must have calmed and matured considerably, since she married a clergyman living near Pemberley.

Mary Bennet (from Pride & Prejudice) - Mrs. Bennet must have been pleased to have married off her last daughter when Mary entered conjugal bliss with a clerk in Meryton.

Mrs. Norris (from Mansfield Park) - In keeping with her character, she only sent poor William Price one solitary pound.

Mr. Woodhouse (from Emma) - The poor old man was apparently sick after all. He died two years after the marriage of his daughter and Mr. Knightley.

Frank Churchill (from Emma) - Many have wondered what word it was that he placed before Jane Fairfax, only to have her sweep it off the table. The word was "pardon."

Budding authors, if you have a continuation, Jane Austen story, essay, poem or anything else Jane Austen-y that you would like to publish on this blog, please let me know. I'd love to see it!