Caroline is the young daughter of Jane's eldest brother James. Her half-sister Anna has just had a baby, making Caroline an aunt too: Jane signs off to her new “Sister-Aunt.” Writing from Henry's house in London, Jane apologises for keeping Caroline's manuscript and asks her to take care of the piano at Chawton. This printed extract contains an omission, even though it ends with a signature.

Jane Austen to Caroline Austen

OCT 30, 1815

Hans Place: Monday night [October 30, 1815].

My dear Caroline,—I have not felt quite equal to taking up your Manuscript, but think I shall soon, and I hope my detaining it so long will be no inconvenience. It gives us great pleasure that you should be at Chawton. I am sure Cassy must be delighted to have you. You will practise your music of course, and I trust to you for taking care of my instrument and not letting it be ill-used in any respect. Do not allow anything to be put on it but what is very light. I hope you will try to make out some other tune besides the Hermit. . . .

I am sorry you got wet in your ride; now that you are become an Aunt you are a person of some consequence and must excite great interest whatever you do. I have always maintained the importance of Aunts as much as possible, and I am sure of your doing the same now.

Believe me, my dear Sister-Aunt, Yours affectionately, J. Austen.

Extract from Life and Letters (1913), p. 365.