get rid of some part of her child

[blwings]

"Mrs. Warren, I was constrained to think, a very fine young woman, which I much regret. She has got rid of some part of her child, and danced away with great activity looking by no means very large."

What does "child" mean in this context? Does it mean a "childlike side of Mrs. Warren"?

 

[Rover_KE]

Always tell us the source and author of quoted text, please.

 

[blwings]

source and author

It's a letter written by Jane Austen to her sister Cassandra. https://lettersofnote.com/2015/12/16/i-drank-too-much-wine-last-night/

 

[Raymott]

It's a letter written by Jane Austen to her sister Cassandra. https://lettersofnote.com/2015/12/16/i-drank-too-much-wine-last-night/

Thank you. That language is from 200 years ago, so it's imperative for us to know when it was written; and the author helps too.
I can't say exactly what it means, but it must have something to do with losing weight ("looking by no means very large").

I think it could mean:
1. that she has had a baby, and is losing some of the excess weight which she put on, or
2. that she is early in pregnancy, and has concealed it well for the dance.
3. that she has lost her "puppy fat" (some children tend to be fat, and lose it when they become adults).

In any case, don't use it today. It sounds ghastly.