The flirtation of Austen and Lefroy
Thomas Lefroy was the Irish nephew of a family friend, Lefroy attracted Austen's attention when she met him in 1795. She attended parties with him and bragged to her sister Cassandra that they danced and visited several balls. Then in Januray 1796, she wrote to her sister that she will refuse him unless he promises to give away the white coat. It's never clear if the offer was either a dance or even a marriage proposal. Either way, Lefroy moved back to Ireland to become it's most senior judge. Jane Austen was never married in the long run.
Erin Blakemore. “Why Jane Austen Never Married.” History.com, 18 Dec. 2017,