There is incredible worth in looking at Miss Bates—or “Miss Bates”—the machine. Because she is that. She is a literal device, a tool, created to hide and protect Jane Austen’s own namesake in this book. And that is always my primary impulse toward Jane as well. I want to protect her.

Jane Austen saved and preserved Jane Fairfax by giving her a protector, sometimes to guard Jane from our sight, but sometimes to literally watch over and protect Jane Fairfax, the character. And Austen is so good that in one short sequence from the ABC game she reminds us exactly how real Miss Bates is. And how attuned she is to Jane when the word “Dixon” lands like a slap on Jane’s heart and Miss Bates somehow feels it.

Her face was averted from those who had made the attack, and turned towards her aunt.

“Aye, very true, my dear,” cried the latter, though Jane had not spoken a word—“I was just going to say the same thing. It is time for us to be going indeed. The evening is closing in, and grandmama will be looking for us. My dear sir, you are too obliging. We really must wish you good night.”

Jane’s alertness in moving, proved her as ready as her aunt had preconceived.

It’s almost like Austen was becoming charmed with her as she wrote her. She starts as mainly just distraction and comedy and very little else, but there’s a lot more there by the end. Miss Bates is harmless and well-meaning, never acts malicious or spiteful to anyone, and thinks no bad of a single soul.

I’m still just excited and delighted at the way the book opened up to me when I noticed the trick Jane Austen was playing with her, and playing with us. And since I don’t think I’ve noticed half of what’s there yet, it’s easy to get carried away.

By the way, Frank Churchill marrying Jane would mean that Mr. Knightley’s gloomy prediction for Miss Bates’ future made at Box Hill—that “she has sunk from the comforts she was born to; and, if she live to old age, must probably sink more”—will not come to pass. I do not think Mrs. and Miss Bates would want for anything again. It is literally impossible for me to imagine Frank allowing them to be dependent on charity.

And despite Frank’s character relying on Miss Bates as a distraction more than anyone else in the novel, Austen includes quite a few gestures on his behalf towards her and about her as the story progresses to show how genuine and true his affection and thoughtfulness towards her is. The care he takes towards her comfort and towards making a show of giving her respect is something I look forward to… going through? Whatever this is I’m doing.

Also, at least after the ball I think Miss Bates has a pretty good idea of what’s going on between Frank and Jane.

But we’ll see.

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