As the "literary niece", Anna inherited both Sanditon and the cancelled chapters of Persuasion when Jane Austen's manuscripts were divided amongst family members on the death of Cassandra in 1845. Her continuation of Austen's last, unfinished, novel was an act of homage to her aunt. The additional characters, if not plot developments, that are found in Anna's continuation derive from conversations she had with Jane before she died, in 1817. Anna's attempt to complete the story ultimately proved too much and she abandoned the work before it was completed. She later reflected on how her own work compared to her aunt's: "There seems to me just the same difference as between real Lace, & Imitation."

The manuscript will be offered for sale with two pieces of Anna Lefroy’s writing, in which she recounts her memories of her aunt: “Aunt Jane was the general favorite with children - as well she might be - her manners were so playful, & her long circumstantial stories, continued from time to time & invented for the occasion were so delightful ... her earliest Novels, certainly P. & P were read aloud in the Parsonage at Dean when I was in the room - & not expected to listen ... I did listen with all my might, was so much interested & talked so much afterwards about Jane & Elizabeth that it was resolved for prudence sake to read no more of the story aloud in my hearing..."