Old Friends and New Fancies - By Sybil G. Brinton. Old Friends and New Fancies - An Imaginary Sequel to the Novels of Jane Austen by Sybil G. Brinton. In this little attempt at picturing the after-adventures of some of Jane Austen's characters I have made use of the references to them which she herself made, and which are recorded in Mr. Austen-Leigh's Memoir. More grateful acknowledgments than I can ever express are due to my friend Edith Barran, without whom this book could not have been written. The difficulties, as well as the presumption, of such an undertaking, are alike evident; but the fascination of the subject must be our apology to those who, like ourselves, owe to Jane Austen of the happiest hours of their lives.