Студопедия

КАТЕГОРИИ:

АстрономияБиологияГеографияДругие языкиДругоеИнформатикаИсторияКультураЛитератураЛогикаМатематикаМедицинаМеханикаОбразованиеОхрана трудаПедагогикаПолитикаПравоПсихологияРиторикаСоциологияСпортСтроительствоТехнологияФизикаФилософияФинансыХимияЧерчениеЭкологияЭкономикаЭлектроника


Jane Austen




Love and Friendship

By

 

 

CONTENTS.

 

Love and Freindship

Lesley Castle

The History of England

Collection of Letters

Scraps

 

*

 

LOVE AND FREINDSHIP

 

TO MADAME LA COMTESSE DE FEUILLIDE THIS NOVEL IS INSCRIBED BY HER

OBLIGED HUMBLE SERVANT

THE AUTHOR.

 

 

"Deceived in Freindship and Betrayed in Love."

 

LETTER the FIRST

From ISABEL to LAURA

 

How often, in answer to my repeated intreaties that you would

give my Daughter a regular detail of the Misfortunes and

Adventures of your Life, have you said "No, my freind never will

I comply with your request till I may be no longer in Danger of

again experiencing such dreadful ones."

 

Surely that time is now at hand. You are this day 55. If a

woman may ever be said to be in safety from the determined

Perseverance of disagreeable Lovers and the cruel Persecutions of

obstinate Fathers, surely it must be at such a time of Life.

Isabel

 

LETTER 2nd

LAURA to ISABEL

 

Altho` I cannot agree with you in supposing that I shall never

again be exposed to Misfortunes as unmerited as those I have

already experienced, yet to avoid the imputation of Obstinacy or

ill-nature, I will gratify the curiosity of your daughter; and

may the fortitude with which I have suffered the many afflictions

of my past Life, prove to her a useful lesson for the support of

those which may befall her in her own.

Laura

 

LETTER 3rd

LAURA to MARIANNE

 

As the Daughter of my most intimate freind I think you entitled

to that knowledge of my unhappy story, which your Mother has so

often solicited me to give you.

 

My Father was a native of Ireland and an inhabitant of Wales; my

Mother was the natural Daughter of a Scotch Peer by an italian

Opera-girl--I was born in Spain and received my Education at a

Convent in France.

 

When I had reached my eighteenth Year I was recalled by my

Parents to my paternal roof in Wales. Our mansion was situated

in one of the most romantic parts of the Vale of Uske. Tho` my

Charms are now considerably softened and somewhat impaired by the

Misfortunes I have undergone, I was once beautiful. But lovely

as I was the Graces of my Person were the least of my

Perfections. Of every accomplishment accustomary to my sex, I was

Mistress. When in the Convent, my progress had always exceeded my

instructions, my Acquirements had been wonderfull for my age, and

I had shortly surpassed my Masters.

 

In my Mind, every Virtue that could adorn it was centered; it was

the Rendez-vous of every good Quality and of every noble

sentiment.

 

A sensibility too tremblingly alive to every affliction of my

Freinds, my Acquaintance and particularly to every affliction of

my own, was my only fault, if a fault it could be called. Alas!

how altered now! Tho` indeed my own Misfortunes do not make less

impression on me than they ever did, yet now I never feel for

those of an other. My accomplishments too, begin to fade--I can

neither sing so well nor Dance so gracefully as I once did--and I

have entirely forgot the MINUET DELA COUR.

Adeiu.

Laura.

 

LETTER 4th

Laura to MARIANNE

 

Our neighbourhood was small, for it consisted only of your

Mother. She may probably have already told you that being left

by her Parents in indigent Circumstances she had retired into

Wales on eoconomical motives. There it was our freindship first

commenced. Isobel was then one and twenty. Tho` pleasing both

in her Person and Manners (between ourselves) she never possessed

the hundredth part of my Beauty or Accomplishments. Isabel had

seen the World. She had passed 2 Years at one of the first

Boarding-schools in London; had spent a fortnight in Bath and had

supped one night in Southampton.

 

"Beware my Laura (she would often say) Beware of the insipid

Vanities and idle Dissipations of the Metropolis of England;

Beware of the unmeaning Luxuries of Bath and of the stinking fish

of Southampton."

 

"Alas! (exclaimed I) how am I to avoid those evils I shall never

be exposed to? What probability is there of my ever tasting the

Dissipations of London, the Luxuries of Bath, or the stinking

Fish of Southampton? I who am doomed to waste my Days of Youth

and Beauty in an humble Cottage in the Vale of Uske."

 

Ah! little did I then think I was ordained so soon to quit that

humble Cottage for the Deceitfull Pleasures of the World.

Adeiu

Laura.

 

LETTER 5th

LAURA to MARIANNE

 

One Evening in December as my Father, my Mother and myself, were

arranged in social converse round our Fireside, we were on a

sudden greatly astonished, by hearing a violent knocking on the

outward door of our rustic Cot.

 

My Father started--"What noise is that," (said he.) "It sounds

like a loud rapping at the door"--(replied my Mother.) "it does

indeed." (cried I.) "I am of your opinion; (said my Father) it

certainly does appear to proceed from some uncommon violence

exerted against our unoffending door." "Yes (exclaimed I) I

cannot help thinking it must be somebody who knocks for

admittance."

 

"That is another point (replied he;) We must not pretend to

determine on what motive the person may knock--tho` that someone

DOES rap at the door, I am partly convinced."

 

Here, a 2d tremendous rap interrupted my Father in his speech,

and somewhat alarmed my Mother and me.

 

"Had we better not go and see who it is? (said she) the servants

are out." "I think we had." (replied I.) "Certainly, (added my

Father) by all means." "Shall we go now?" (said my Mother,) "The

sooner the better." (answered he.) "Oh! let no time be lost"

(cried I.)

 

A third more violent Rap than ever again assaulted our ears. "I

am certain there is somebody knocking at the Door." (said my

Mother.) "I think there must," (replied my Father) "I fancy the

servants are returned; (said I) I think I hear Mary going to the

Door." "I`m glad of it (cried my Father) for I long to know who

it is."

 

I was right in my conjecture; for Mary instantly entering the

Room, informed us that a young Gentleman and his Servant were at

the door, who had lossed their way, were very cold and begged

leave to warm themselves by our fire.

 

"Won`t you admit them?" (said I.) "You have no objection, my

Dear?" (said my Father.) "None in the World." (replied my

Mother.)

 

Mary, without waiting for any further commands immediately left

the room and quickly returned introducing the most beauteous and

amiable Youth, I had ever beheld. The servant she kept to

herself.

 

My natural sensibility had already been greatly affected by the

sufferings of the unfortunate stranger and no sooner did I first

behold him, than I felt that on him the happiness or Misery of my

future Life must depend.

Adeiu

Laura.

 

LETTER 6th

LAURA to MARIANNE

 

The noble Youth informed us that his name was Lindsay--for

particular reasons however I shall conceal it under that of

Talbot. He told us that he was the son of an English Baronet,

that his Mother had been for many years no more and that he had a

Sister of the middle size. "My Father (he continued) is a mean

and mercenary wretch--it is only to such particular freinds as

this Dear Party that I would thus betray his failings. Your

Virtues my amiable Polydore (addressing himself to my father)

yours Dear Claudia and yours my Charming Laura call on me to

repose in you, my confidence." We bowed. "My Father seduced by

the false glare of Fortune and the Deluding Pomp of Title,

insisted on my giving my hand to Lady Dorothea. No never

exclaimed I. Lady Dorothea is lovely and Engaging; I prefer no

woman to her; but know Sir, that I scorn to marry her in

compliance with your Wishes. No! Never shall it be said that I

obliged my Father."

 

We all admired the noble Manliness of his reply. He continued.

 

"Sir Edward was surprised; he had perhaps little expected to meet

with so spirited an opposition to his will. "Where, Edward in

the name of wonder (said he) did you pick up this unmeaning

gibberish? You have been studying Novels I suspect." I scorned

to answer: it would have been beneath my dignity. I mounted my

Horse and followed by my faithful William set forth for my

Aunts."

 

"My Father`s house is situated in Bedfordshire, my Aunt`s in

Middlesex, and tho` I flatter myself with being a tolerable

proficient in Geography, I know not how it happened, but I found

myself entering this beautifull Vale which I find is in South

Wales, when I had expected to have reached my Aunts."

 

"After having wandered some time on the Banks of the Uske without

knowing which way to go, I began to lament my cruel Destiny in

the bitterest and most pathetic Manner. It was now perfectly

dark, not a single star was there to direct my steps, and I know

not what might have befallen me had I not at length discerned

thro` the solemn Gloom that surrounded me a distant light, which

as I approached it, I discovered to be the chearfull Blaze of

your fire. Impelled by the combination of Misfortunes under

which I laboured, namely Fear, Cold and Hunger I hesitated not to

ask admittance which at length I have gained; and now my Adorable

Laura (continued he taking my Hand) when may I hope to receive

that reward of all the painfull sufferings I have undergone

during the course of my attachment to you, to which I have ever

aspired. Oh! when will you reward me with Yourself?"

 

"This instant, Dear and Amiable Edward." (replied I.). We were

immediately united by my Father, who tho` he had never taken

orders had been bred to the Church.

Adeiu

Laura

 

LETTER 7th

LAURA to MARIANNE

 

We remained but a few days after our Marriage, in the Vale of

Uske. After taking an affecting Farewell of my Father, my Mother

and my Isabel, I accompanied Edward to his Aunt`s in Middlesex.

Philippa received us both with every expression of affectionate

Love. My arrival was indeed a most agreable surprise to her as

she had not only been totally ignorant of my Marriage with her

Nephew, but had never even had the slightest idea of there being

such a person in the World.

 

Augusta, the sister of Edward was on a visit to her when we

arrived. I found her exactly what her Brother had described her

to be--of the middle size. She received me with equal surprise

though not with equal Cordiality, as Philippa. There was a

disagreable coldness and Forbidding Reserve in her reception of

me which was equally distressing and Unexpected. None of that

interesting Sensibility or amiable simpathy in her manners and

Address to me when we first met which should have distinguished

our introduction to each other. Her Language was neither warm,

nor affectionate, her expressions of regard were neither animated

nor cordial; her arms were not opened to receive me to her Heart,

tho` my own were extended to press her to mine.

 

A short Conversation between Augusta and her Brother, which I

accidentally overheard encreased my dislike to her, and convinced

me that her Heart was no more formed for the soft ties of Love

than for the endearing intercourse of Freindship.

 

"But do you think that my Father will ever be reconciled to this

imprudent connection?" (said Augusta.)

 

"Augusta (replied the noble Youth) I thought you had a better

opinion of me, than to imagine I would so abjectly degrade myself

as to consider my Father`s Concurrence in any of my affairs,

either of Consequence or concern to me. Tell me Augusta with

sincerity; did you ever know me consult his inclinations or

follow his Advice in the least trifling Particular since the age

of fifteen?"

 

"Edward (replied she) you are surely too diffident in your own

praise. Since you were fifteen only! My Dear Brother since you

were five years old, I entirely acquit you of ever having

willingly contributed to the satisfaction of your Father. But

still I am not without apprehensions of your being shortly

obliged to degrade yourself in your own eyes by seeking a support

for your wife in the Generosity of Sir Edward."

 

"Never, never Augusta will I so demean myself. (said Edward).

Support! What support will Laura want which she can receive from

him?"

 

"Only those very insignificant ones of Victuals and Drink."

(answered she.)

 

"Victuals and Drink! (replied my Husband in a most nobly

contemptuous Manner) and dost thou then imagine that there is no

other support for an exalted mind (such as is my Laura`s) than

the mean and indelicate employment of Eating and Drinking?"

 

"None that I know of, so efficacious." (returned Augusta).

 

"And did you then never feel the pleasing Pangs of Love, Augusta?

(replied my Edward). Does it appear impossible to your vile and

corrupted Palate, to exist on Love? Can you not conceive the

Luxury of living in every distress that Poverty can inflict, with

the object of your tenderest affection?"

 

"You are too ridiculous (said Augusta) to argue with; perhaps

however you may in time be convinced that ..."

 

Here I was prevented from hearing the remainder of her speech, by

the appearance of a very Handsome young Woman, who was ushured

into the Room at the Door of which I had been listening. On

hearing her announced by the Name of "Lady Dorothea," I instantly

quitted my Post and followed her into the Parlour, for I well

remembered that she was the Lady, proposed as a Wife for my

Edward by the Cruel and Unrelenting Baronet.

 

Altho` Lady Dorothea`s visit was nominally to Philippa and

Augusta, yet I have some reason to imagine that (acquainted with

the Marriage and arrival of Edward) to see me was a principal

motive to it.

 

I soon perceived that tho` Lovely and Elegant in her Person and

tho` Easy and Polite in her Address, she was of that inferior

order of Beings with regard to Delicate Feeling, tender

Sentiments, and refined Sensibility, of which Augusta was one.

 

She staid but half an hour and neither in the Course of her

Visit, confided to me any of her secret thoughts, nor requested

me to confide in her, any of Mine. You will easily imagine

therefore my Dear Marianne that I could not feel any ardent

affection or very sincere Attachment for Lady Dorothea.

Adeiu

Laura.

 

LETTER 8th

LAURA to MARIANNE, in continuation

 

Lady Dorothea had not left us long before another visitor as

unexpected a one as her Ladyship, was announced. It was Sir

Edward, who informed by Augusta of her Brother`s marriage, came

doubtless to reproach him for having dared to unite himself to me

without his Knowledge. But Edward foreseeing his design,

approached him with heroic fortitude as soon as he entered the

Room, and addressed him in the following Manner.

 

"Sir Edward, I know the motive of your Journey here--You come

with the base Design of reproaching me for having entered into an

indissoluble engagement with my Laura without your Consent. But

Sir, I glory in the Act--. It is my greatest boast that I have

incurred the displeasure of my Father!"

 

So saying, he took my hand and whilst Sir Edward, Philippa, and

Augusta were doubtless reflecting with admiration on his

undaunted Bravery, led me from the Parlour to his Father`s

Carriage which yet remained at the Door and in which we were

instantly conveyed from the pursuit of Sir Edward.

 

The Postilions had at first received orders only to take the

London road; as soon as we had sufficiently reflected However, we

ordered them to Drive to M----. the seat of Edward`s most

particular freind, which was but a few miles distant.

 

At M----. we arrived in a few hours; and on sending in our names

were immediately admitted to Sophia, the Wife of Edward`s freind.

After having been deprived during the course of 3 weeks of a real

freind (for such I term your Mother) imagine my transports at

beholding one, most truly worthy of the Name. Sophia was rather

above the middle size; most elegantly formed. A soft languor

spread over her lovely features, but increased their Beauty--.

It was the Charectarestic of her Mind--. She was all sensibility

and Feeling. We flew into each others arms and after having

exchanged vows of mutual Freindship for the rest of our Lives,

instantly unfolded to each other the most inward secrets of our

Hearts--. We were interrupted in the delightfull Employment by

the entrance of Augustus, (Edward`s freind) who was just returned

from a solitary ramble.

 

Never did I see such an affecting Scene as was the meeting of

Edward and Augustus.

 

"My Life! my Soul!" (exclaimed the former) "My adorable angel!"

(replied the latter) as they flew into each other`s arms. It was

too pathetic for the feelings of Sophia and myself--We fainted

alternately on a sofa.

Adeiu

Laura.

 

LETTER the 9th

From the same to the same

 

Towards the close of the day we received the following Letter

from Philippa.

 

"Sir Edward is greatly incensed by your abrupt departure; he has

taken back Augusta to Bedfordshire. Much as I wish to enjoy

again your charming society, I cannot determine to snatch you

from that, of such dear and deserving Freinds--When your Visit to

them is terminated, I trust you will return to the arms of your"

"Philippa."

 

We returned a suitable answer to this affectionate Note and after

thanking her for her kind invitation assured her that we would

certainly avail ourselves of it, whenever we might have no other

place to go to. Tho` certainly nothing could to any reasonable

Being, have appeared more satisfactory, than so gratefull a reply

to her invitation, yet I know not how it was, but she was

certainly capricious enough to be displeased with our behaviour

and in a few weeks after, either to revenge our Conduct, or

releive her own solitude, married a young and illiterate Fortune-

hunter. This imprudent step (tho` we were sensible that it would

probably deprive us of that fortune which Philippa had ever

taught us to expect) could not on our own accounts, excite from

our exalted minds a single sigh; yet fearfull lest it might prove

a source of endless misery to the deluded Bride, our trembling

Sensibility was greatly affected when we were first informed of

the Event.The affectionate Entreaties of Augustus and Sophia that

we would for ever consider their House as our Home, easily

prevailed on us to determine never more to leave them, In the

society of my Edward and this Amiable Pair, I passed the happiest

moments of my Life; Our time was most delightfully spent, in

mutual Protestations of Freindship, and in vows of unalterable

Love, in which we were secure from being interrupted, by

intruding and disagreable Visitors, as Augustus and Sophia had on

their first Entrance in the Neighbourhood, taken due care to

inform the surrounding Families, that as their happiness centered

wholly in themselves, they wished for no other society. But

alas! my Dear Marianne such Happiness as I then enjoyed was too

perfect to be lasting. A most severe and unexpected Blow at once

destroyed every sensation of Pleasure. Convinced as you must be

from what I have already told you concerning Augustus and Sophia,

that there never were a happier Couple, I need not I imagine,

inform you that their union had been contrary to the inclinations

of their Cruel and Mercenery Parents; who had vainly endeavoured

with obstinate Perseverance to force them into a Marriage with

those whom they had ever abhorred; but with a Heroic Fortitude

worthy to be related and admired, they had both, constantly

refused to submit to such despotic Power.

 

After having so nobly disentangled themselves from the shackles

of Parental Authority, by a Clandestine Marriage, they were

determined never to forfeit the good opinion they had gained in

the World, in so doing, by accepting any proposals of

reconciliation that might be offered them by their Fathers--to

this farther tryal of their noble independance however they never

were exposed.

 

They had been married but a few months when our visit to them

commenced during which time they had been amply supported by a

considerable sum of money which Augustus had gracefully purloined

from his unworthy father`s Escritoire, a few days before his

union with Sophia.

 

By our arrival their Expenses were considerably encreased tho`

their means for supplying them were then nearly exhausted. But

they, Exalted Creatures! scorned to reflect a moment on their

pecuniary Distresses and would have blushed at the idea of paying

their Debts.--Alas! what was their Reward for such disinterested

Behaviour! The beautifull Augustus was arrested and we were all

undone. Such perfidious Treachery in the merciless perpetrators

of the Deed will shock your gentle nature Dearest Marianne as

much as it then affected the Delicate sensibility of Edward,

Sophia, your Laura, and of Augustus himself. To compleat such

unparalelled Barbarity we were informed that an Execution in the

House would shortly take place. Ah! what could we do but what

we did! We sighed and fainted on the sofa.

Adeiu

Laura.

 

LETTER 10th

LAURA in continuation

 

When we were somewhat recovered from the overpowering Effusions

of our grief, Edward desired that we would consider what was the

most prudent step to be taken in our unhappy situation while he

repaired to his imprisoned freind to lament over his misfortunes.

We promised that we would, and he set forwards on his journey to

Town. During his absence we faithfully complied with his Desire

and after the most mature Deliberation, at length agreed that the

best thing we could do was to leave the House; of which we every

moment expected the officers of Justice to take possession. We

waited therefore with the greatest impatience, for the return of

Edward in order to impart to him the result of our Deliberations.

But no Edward appeared. In vain did we count the tedious moments

of his absence--in vain did we weep--in vain even did we sigh--no

Edward returned--. This was too cruel, too unexpected a Blow to

our Gentle Sensibility--we could not support it--we could only

faint. At length collecting all the Resolution I was Mistress

of, I arose and after packing up some necessary apparel for

Sophia and myself, I dragged her to a Carriage I had ordered and

we instantly set out for London. As the Habitation of Augustus

was within twelve miles of Town, it was not long e`er we arrived

there, and no sooner had we entered Holboun than letting down one

of the Front Glasses I enquired of every decent-looking Person

that we passed "If they had seen my Edward?"

 

But as we drove too rapidly to allow them to answer my repeated

Enquiries, I gained little, or indeed, no information concerning

him. "Where am I to drive?" said the Postilion. "To Newgate

Gentle Youth (replied I), to see Augustus." "Oh! no, no,

(exclaimed Sophia) I cannot go to Newgate; I shall not be able to

support the sight of my Augustus in so cruel a confinement--my

feelings are sufficiently shocked by the RECITAL, of his

Distress, but to behold it will overpower my Sensibility." As I

perfectly agreed with her in the Justice of her Sentiments the

Postilion was instantly directed to return into the Country. You

may perhaps have been somewhat surprised my Dearest Marianne,

that in the Distress I then endured, destitute of any support,

and unprovided with any Habitation, I should never once have

remembered my Father and Mother or my paternal Cottage in the

Vale of Uske. To account for this seeming forgetfullness I must

inform you of a trifling circumstance concerning them which I

have as yet never mentioned. The death of my Parents a few weeks

after my Departure, is the circumstance I allude to. By their

decease I became the lawfull Inheritress of their House and

Fortune. But alas! the House had never been their own and their

Fortune had only been an Annuity on their own Lives. Such is the

Depravity of the World! To your Mother I should have returned

with Pleasure, should have been happy to have introduced to her,

my charming Sophia and should with Chearfullness have passed the

remainder of my Life in their dear Society in the Vale of Uske,

had not one obstacle to the execution of so agreable a scheme,

intervened; which was the Marriage and Removal of your Mother to

a distant part of Ireland.

Adeiu

Laura.

 

LETTER 11th

LAURA in continuation

 

"I have a Relation in Scotland (said Sophia to me as we left

London) who I am certain would not hesitate in receiving me."

"Shall I order the Boy to drive there?" said I--but instantly

recollecting myself, exclaimed, "Alas I fear it will be too long

a Journey for the Horses." Unwilling however to act only from my

own inadequate Knowledge of the Strength and Abilities of Horses,

I consulted the Postilion, who was entirely of my Opinion

concerning the Affair. We therefore determined to change Horses

at the next Town and to travel Post the remainder of the Journey

--. When we arrived at the last Inn we were to stop at, which

was but a few miles from the House of Sophia`s Relation,

unwilling to intrude our Society on him unexpected and unthought

of, we wrote a very elegant and well penned Note to him

containing an account of our Destitute and melancholy Situation,

and of our intention to spend some months with him in Scotland.

As soon as we had dispatched this Letter, we immediately prepared

to follow it in person and were stepping into the Carriage for

that Purpose when our attention was attracted by the Entrance of

a coroneted Coach and 4 into the Inn-yard. A Gentleman

considerably advanced in years descended from it. At his first

Appearance my Sensibility was wonderfully affected and e`er I had

gazed at him a 2d time, an instinctive sympathy whispered to my

Heart, that he was my Grandfather. Convinced that I could not be

mistaken in my conjecture I instantly sprang from the Carriage I

had just entered, and following the Venerable Stranger into the

Room he had been shewn to, I threw myself on my knees before him

and besought him to acknowledge me as his Grand Child. He

started, and having attentively examined my features, raised me

from the Ground and throwing his Grand-fatherly arms around my

Neck, exclaimed, "Acknowledge thee! Yes dear resemblance of my

Laurina and Laurina`s Daughter, sweet image of my Claudia and my

Claudia`s Mother, I do acknowledge thee as the Daughter of the

one and the Grandaughter of the other." While he was thus

tenderly embracing me, Sophia astonished at my precipitate

Departure, entered the Room in search of me. No sooner had she

caught the eye of the venerable Peer, than he exclaimed with

every mark of Astonishment --"Another Grandaughter! Yes, yes, I

see you are the Daughter of my Laurina`s eldest Girl; your

resemblance to the beauteous Matilda sufficiently proclaims it.

"Oh!" replied Sophia, "when I first beheld you the instinct of

Nature whispered me that we were in some degree related--But

whether Grandfathers, or Grandmothers, I could not pretend to

determine." He folded her in his arms, and whilst they were

tenderly embracing, the Door of the Apartment opened and a most

beautifull young Man appeared. On perceiving him Lord St. Clair

started and retreating back a few paces, with uplifted Hands,

said, "Another Grand-child! What an unexpected Happiness is

this! to discover in the space of 3 minutes, as many of my

Descendants! This I am certain is Philander the son of my

Laurina`s 3d girl the amiable Bertha; there wants now but the

presence of Gustavus to compleat the Union of my Laurina`s Grand-

Children."

 

"And here he is; (said a Gracefull Youth who that instant entered

the room) here is the Gustavus you desire to see. I am the son

of Agatha your Laurina`s 4th and youngest Daughter," "I see you

are indeed; replied Lord St. Clair--But tell me (continued he

looking fearfully towards the Door) tell me, have I any other

Grand-children in the House." "None my Lord." "Then I will

provide for you all without farther delay--Here are 4 Banknotes

of 50L each--Take them and remember I have done the Duty of a

Grandfather." He instantly left the Room and immediately

afterwards the House.

Adeiu,

Laura.

 

LETTER the 12th

LAURA in continuation

 

You may imagine how greatly we were surprised by the sudden

departure of Lord St Clair. "Ignoble Grand-sire!" exclaimed

Sophia. "Unworthy Grandfather!" said I, and instantly fainted in

each other`s arms. How long we remained in this situation I know

not; but when we recovered we found ourselves alone, without

either Gustavus, Philander, or the Banknotes. As we were

deploring our unhappy fate, the Door of the Apartment opened and

"Macdonald" was announced. He was Sophia`s cousin. The haste

with which he came to our releif so soon after the receipt of our

Note, spoke so greatly in his favour that I hesitated not to

pronounce him at first sight, a tender and simpathetic Freind.

Alas! he little deserved the name--for though he told us that he

was much concerned at our Misfortunes, yet by his own account it

appeared that the perusal of them, had neither drawn from him a

single sigh, nor induced him to bestow one curse on our

vindictive stars--. He told Sophia that his Daughter depended on

her returning with him to Macdonald-Hall, and that as his

Cousin`s freind he should be happy to see me there also. To

Macdonald-Hall, therefore we went, and were received with great

kindness by Janetta the Daughter of Macdonald, and the Mistress

of the Mansion. Janetta was then only fifteen; naturally well

disposed, endowed with a susceptible Heart, and a simpathetic

Disposition, she might, had these amiable qualities been properly

encouraged, have been an ornament to human Nature; but

unfortunately her Father possessed not a soul sufficiently

exalted to admire so promising a Disposition, and had endeavoured

by every means on his power to prevent it encreasing with her

Years. He had actually so far extinguished the natural noble

Sensibility of her Heart, as to prevail on her to accept an offer

from a young Man of his Recommendation. They were to be married

in a few months, and Graham, was in the House when we arrived.

WE soon saw through his character. He was just such a Man as one

might have expected to be the choice of Macdonald. They said he

was Sensible, well-informed, and Agreable; we did not pretend to

Judge of such trifles, but as we were convinced he had no soul,

that he had never read the sorrows of Werter, and that his Hair

bore not the least resemblance to auburn, we were certain that

Janetta could feel no affection for him, or at least that she

ought to feel none. The very circumstance of his being her

father`s choice too, was so much in his disfavour, that had he

been deserving her, in every other respect yet THAT of itself

ought to have been a sufficient reason in the Eyes of Janetta for

rejecting him. These considerations we were determined to

represent to her in their proper light and doubted not of meeting

with the desired success from one naturally so well disposed;

whose errors in the affair had only arisen from a want of proper

confidence in her own opinion, and a suitable contempt of her

father`s. We found her indeed all that our warmest wishes could

have hoped for; we had no difficulty to convince her that it was

impossible she could love Graham, or that it was her Duty to

disobey her Father; the only thing at which she rather seemed to

hesitate was our assertion that she must be attached to some

other Person. For some time, she persevered in declaring that

she knew no other young man for whom she had the the smallest

Affection; but upon explaining the impossibility of such a thing

she said that she beleived she DID LIKE Captain M`Kenrie better

than any one she knew besides. This confession satisfied us and

after having enumerated the good Qualities of M`Kenrie and

assured her that she was violently in love with him, we desired

to know whether he had ever in any wise declared his affection to

her.

 

"So far from having ever declared it, I have no reason to imagine

that he has ever felt any for me." said Janetta. "That he

certainly adores you (replied Sophia) there can be no doubt--.

The Attachment must be reciprocal. Did he never gaze on you with

admiration--tenderly press your hand--drop an involantary tear--

and leave the room abruptly?" "Never (replied she) that I

remember--he has always left the room indeed when his visit has

been ended, but has never gone away particularly abruptly or

without making a bow." Indeed my Love (said I) you must be

mistaken--for it is absolutely impossible that he should ever

have left you but with Confusion, Despair, and Precipitation.

Consider but for a moment Janetta, and you must be convinced how

absurd it is to suppose that he could ever make a Bow, or behave

like any other Person." Having settled this Point to our

satisfaction, the next we took into consideration was, to

determine in what manner we should inform M`Kenrie of the

favourable Opinion Janetta entertained of him. . . . We at

length agreed to acquaint him with it by an anonymous Letter

which Sophia drew up in the following manner.

 

"Oh! happy Lover of the beautifull Janetta, oh! amiable

Possessor of HER Heart whose hand is destined to another, why do

you thus delay a confession of your attachment to the amiable

Object of it? Oh! consider that a few weeks will at once put an

end to every flattering Hope that you may now entertain, by

uniting the unfortunate Victim of her father`s Cruelty to the

execrable and detested Graham."

 

"Alas! why do you thus so cruelly connive at the projected

Misery of her and of yourself by delaying to communicate that

scheme which had doubtless long possessed your imagination? A

secret Union will at once secure the felicity of both."

 

The amiable M`Kenrie, whose modesty as he afterwards assured us

had been the only reason of his having so long concealed the

violence of his affection for Janetta, on receiving this Billet

flew on the wings of Love to Macdonald-Hall, and so powerfully

pleaded his Attachment to her who inspired it, that after a few

more private interveiws, Sophia and I experienced the

satisfaction of seeing them depart for Gretna-Green, which they

chose for the celebration of their Nuptials, in preference to any

other place although it was at a considerable distance from

Macdonald-Hall.

Adeiu

Laura.

 

LETTER the 13th

LAURA in continuation

 

They had been gone nearly a couple of Hours, before either

Macdonald or Graham had entertained any suspicion of the affair.

And they might not even then have suspected it, but for the

following little Accident. Sophia happening one day to open a

private Drawer in Macdonald`s Library with one of her own keys,

discovered that it was the Place where he kept his Papers of

consequence and amongst them some bank notes of considerable

amount. This discovery she imparted to me; and having agreed

together that it would be a proper treatment of so vile a Wretch

as Macdonald to deprive him of money, perhaps dishonestly gained,

it was determined that the next time we should either of us

happen to go that way, we would take one or more of the Bank

notes from the drawer. This well meant Plan we had often

successfully put in Execution; but alas! on the very day of

Janetta`s Escape, as Sophia was majestically removing the 5th

Bank-note from the Drawer to her own purse, she was suddenly most

impertinently interrupted in her employment by the entrance of

Macdonald himself, in a most abrupt and precipitate Manner.

Sophia (who though naturally all winning sweetness could when

occasions demanded it call forth the Dignity of her sex)

instantly put on a most forbidding look, and darting an angry

frown on the undaunted culprit, demanded in a haughty tone of

voice "Wherefore her retirement was thus insolently broken in

on?" The unblushing Macdonald, without even endeavouring to

exculpate himself from the crime he was charged with, meanly

endeavoured to reproach Sophia with ignobly defrauding him of his

money . . . The dignity of Sophia was wounded; "Wretch (exclaimed

she, hastily replacing the Bank-note in the Drawer) how darest

thou to accuse me of an Act, of which the bare idea makes me

blush?" The base wretch was still unconvinced and continued to

upbraid the justly-offended Sophia in such opprobious Language,

that at length he so greatly provoked the gentle sweetness of her

Nature, as to induce her to revenge herself on him by informing

him of Janetta`s Elopement, and of the active Part we had both

taken in the affair. At this period of their Quarrel I entered

the Library and was as you may imagine equally offended as Sophia

at the ill-grounded accusations of the malevolent and

contemptible Macdonald. "Base Miscreant! (cried I) how canst

thou thus undauntedly endeavour to sully the spotless reputation

of such bright Excellence? Why dost thou not suspect MY

innocence as soon?" "Be satisfied Madam (replied he) I DO suspect

it, and therefore must desire that you will both leave this House

in less than half an hour."

 

"We shall go willingly; (answered Sophia) our hearts have long

detested thee, and nothing but our freindship for thy Daughter

could have induced us to remain so long beneath thy roof."

 

"Your Freindship for my Daughter has indeed been most powerfully

exerted by throwing her into the arms of an unprincipled Fortune-

hunter." (replied he)

 

"Yes, (exclaimed I) amidst every misfortune, it will afford us

some consolation to reflect that by this one act of Freindship to

Janetta, we have amply discharged every obligation that we have

received from her father."

 

"It must indeed be a most gratefull reflection, to your exalted

minds." (said he.)

 

As soon as we had packed up our wardrobe and valuables, we left

Macdonald Hall, and after having walked about a mile and a half

we sate down by the side of a clear limpid stream to refresh our

exhausted limbs. The place was suited to meditation. A grove of

full-grown Elms sheltered us from the East--. A Bed of full-

grown Nettles from the West--. Before us ran the murmuring brook

and behind us ran the turn-pike road. We were in a mood for

contemplation and in a Disposition to enjoy so beautifull a spot.

A mutual silence which had for some time reigned between us, was

at length broke by my exclaiming--"What a lovely scene! Alas why

are not Edward and Augustus here to enjoy its Beauties with us?"

 

"Ah! my beloved Laura (cried Sophia) for pity`s sake forbear

recalling to my remembrance the unhappy situation of my

imprisoned Husband. Alas, what would I not give to learn the

fate of my Augustus! to know if he is still in Newgate, or if he

is yet hung. But never shall I be able so far to conquer my

tender sensibility as to enquire after him. Oh! do not I

beseech you ever let me again hear you repeat his beloved name--.

It affects me too deeply --. I cannot bear to hear him mentioned

it wounds my feelings."

 

"Excuse me my Sophia for having thus unwillingly offended you--"

replied I--and then changing the conversation, desired her to

admire the noble Grandeur of the Elms which sheltered us from the

Eastern Zephyr. "Alas! my Laura (returned she) avoid so

melancholy a subject, I intreat you. Do not again wound my

Sensibility by observations on those elms. They remind me of

Augustus. He was like them, tall, magestic--he possessed that

noble grandeur which you admire in them."

 

I was silent, fearfull lest I might any more unwillingly distress

her by fixing on any other subject of conversation which might

again remind her of Augustus.

 

"Why do you not speak my Laura? (said she after a short pause)

"I cannot support this silence you must not leave me to my own

reflections; they ever recur to Augustus."

 

"What a beautifull sky! (said I) How charmingly is the azure

varied by those delicate streaks of white!"

 

"Oh! my Laura (replied she hastily withdrawing her Eyes from a

momentary glance at the sky) do not thus distress me by calling

my Attention to an object which so cruelly reminds me of my

Augustus`s blue sattin waistcoat striped in white! In pity to

your unhappy freind avoid a subject so distressing." What could I

do? The feelings of Sophia were at that time so exquisite, and

the tenderness she felt for Augustus so poignant that I had not

power to start any other topic, justly fearing that it might in

some unforseen manner again awaken all her sensibility by

directing her thoughts to her Husband. Yet to be silent would be

cruel; she had intreated me to talk.

 

From this Dilemma I was most fortunately releived by an accident

truly apropos; it was the lucky overturning of a Gentleman`s

Phaeton, on the road which ran murmuring behind us. It was a

most fortunate accident as it diverted the attention of Sophia

from the melancholy reflections which she had been before

indulging. We instantly quitted our seats and ran to the rescue

of those who but a few moments before had been in so elevated a

situation as a fashionably high Phaeton, but who were now laid

low and sprawling in the Dust. "What an ample subject for

reflection on the uncertain Enjoyments of this World, would not

that Phaeton and the Life of Cardinal Wolsey afford a thinking

Mind!" said I to Sophia as we were hastening to the field of

Action.

 

She had not time to answer me, for every thought was now engaged

by the horrid spectacle before us. Two Gentlemen most elegantly

attired but weltering in their blood was what first struck our

Eyes--we approached--they were Edward and Augustus--. Yes dearest

Marianne they were our Husbands. Sophia shreiked and fainted on

the ground--I screamed and instantly ran mad--. We remained thus

mutually deprived of our senses, some minutes, and on regaining

them were deprived of them again. For an Hour and a Quarter did

we continue in this unfortunate situation--Sophia fainting every

moment and I running mad as often. At length a groan from the

hapless Edward (who alone retained any share of life) restored us

to ourselves. Had we indeed before imagined that either of them

lived, we should have been more sparing of our Greif--but as we

had supposed when we first beheld them that they were no more, we

knew that nothing could remain to be done but what we were about.

No sooner did we therefore hear my Edward`s groan than postponing

our lamentations for the present, we hastily ran to the Dear

Youth and kneeling on each side of him implored him not to die--.

"Laura (said He fixing his now languid Eyes on me) I fear I have

been overturned."

 

I was overjoyed to find him yet sensible.

 

"Oh! tell me Edward (said I) tell me I beseech you before you

die, what has befallen you since that unhappy Day in which

Augustus was arrested and we were separated--"

 

"I will" (said he) and instantly fetching a deep sigh, Expired

--. Sophia immediately sank again into a swoon--. MY greif was

more audible. My Voice faltered, My Eyes assumed a vacant stare,

my face became as pale as Death, and my senses were considerably

impaired--.

 

"Talk not to me of Phaetons (said I, raving in a frantic,

incoherent manner)--Give me a violin--. I`ll play to him and

sooth him in his melancholy Hours--Beware ye gentle Nymphs of

Cupid`s Thunderbolts, avoid the piercing shafts of Jupiter--Look

at that grove of Firs--I see a Leg of Mutton--They told me Edward

was not Dead; but they deceived me--they took him for a cucumber

--" Thus I continued wildly exclaiming on my Edward`s Death--.

For two Hours did I rave thus madly and should not then have left

off, as I was not in the least fatigued, had not Sophia who was

just recovered from her swoon, intreated me to consider that

Night was now approaching and that the Damps began to fall. "And

whither shall we go (said I) to shelter us from either?" "To

that white Cottage." (replied she pointing to a neat Building

which rose up amidst the grove of Elms and which I had not before

observed--) I agreed and we instantly walked to it--we knocked at

the door--it was opened by an old woman; on being requested to

afford us a Night`s Lodging, she informed us that her House was

but small, that she had only two Bedrooms, but that However we

should be wellcome to one of them. We were satisfied and

followed the good woman into the House where we were greatly

cheered by the sight of a comfortable fire--. She was a widow

and had only one Daughter, who was then just seventeen--One of

the best of ages; but alas! she was very plain and her name was

Bridget. . . . . Nothing therfore could be expected from her--she

could not be supposed to possess either exalted Ideas, Delicate

Feelings or refined Sensibilities--. She was nothing more than a

mere good-tempered, civil and obliging young woman; as such we

could scarcely dislike here--she was only an Object of Contempt

--.

Adeiu

Laura.

 

LETTER the 14th

LAURA in continuation

 

Arm yourself my amiable young Freind with all the philosophy you

are Mistress of; summon up all the fortitude you possess, for

alas! in the perusal of the following Pages your sensibility

will be most severely tried. Ah! what were the misfortunes I

had before experienced and which I have already related to you,

to the one I am now going to inform you of. The Death of my

Father and my Mother and my Husband though almost more than my

gentle Nature could support, were trifles in comparison to the

misfortune I am now proceeding to relate. The morning after our

arrival at the Cottage, Sophia complained of a violent pain in

her delicate limbs, accompanied with a disagreable Head-ake She

attributed it to a cold caught by her continued faintings in the

open air as the Dew was falling the Evening before. This I

feared was but too probably the case; since how could it be

otherwise accounted for that I should have escaped the same

indisposition, but by supposing that the bodily Exertions I had

undergone in my repeated fits of frenzy had so effectually

circulated and warmed my Blood as to make me proof against the

chilling Damps of Night, whereas, Sophia lying totally inactive

on the ground must have been exposed to all their severity. I

was most seriously alarmed by her illness which trifling as it

may appear to you, a certain instinctive sensibility whispered

me, would in the End be fatal to her.

 

Alas! my fears were but too fully justified; she grew gradually

worse--and I daily became more alarmed for her. At length she

was obliged to confine herself solely to the Bed allotted us by

our worthy Landlady--. Her disorder turned to a galloping

Consumption and in a few days carried her off. Amidst all my

Lamentations for her (and violent you may suppose they were) I

yet received some consolation in the reflection of my having paid

every attention to her, that could be offered, in her illness. I

had wept over her every Day--had bathed her sweet face with my

tears and had pressed her fair Hands continually in mine--. "My

beloved Laura (said she to me a few Hours before she died) take

warning from my unhappy End and avoid the imprudent conduct which

had occasioned it. . . Beware of fainting-fits. . . Though at the

time they may be refreshing and agreable yet beleive me they will

in the end, if too often repeated and at improper seasons, prove

destructive to your Constitution. . . My fate will teach you

this. . I die a Martyr to my greif for the loss of Augustus. .

One fatal swoon has cost me my Life. . Beware of swoons Dear

Laura. . . . A frenzy fit is not one quarter so pernicious; it is

an exercise to the Body and if not too violent, is I dare say

conducive to Health in its consequences--Run mad as often as you

chuse; but do not faint--"

 

These were the last words she ever addressed to me. . It was her

dieing Advice to her afflicted Laura, who has ever most

faithfully adhered to it.

 

After having attended my lamented freind to her Early Grave, I

immediately (tho` late at night) left the detested Village in

which she died, and near which had expired my Husband and

Augustus. I had not walked many yards from it before I was

overtaken by a stage-coach, in which I instantly took a place,

determined to proceed in it to Edinburgh, where I hoped to find

some kind some pitying Freind who would receive and comfort me in

my afflictions.

 

It was so dark when I entered the Coach that I could not

distinguish the Number of my Fellow-travellers; I could only

perceive that they were many. Regardless however of anything

concerning them, I gave myself up to my own sad Reflections. A

general silence prevailed--A silence, which was by nothing

interrupted but by the loud and repeated snores of one of the

Party.

 

"What an illiterate villain must that man be! (thought I to

myself) What a total want of delicate refinement must he have,

who can thus shock our senses by such a brutal noise! He must I

am certain be capable of every bad action! There is no crime too

black for such a Character!" Thus reasoned I within myself, and

doubtless such were the reflections of my fellow travellers.

 

At length, returning Day enabled me to behold the unprincipled

Scoundrel who had so violently disturbed my feelings. It was Sir

Edward the father of my Deceased Husband. By his side sate

Augusta, and on the same seat with me were your Mother and Lady

Dorothea. Imagine my surprise at finding myself thus seated

amongst my old Acquaintance. Great as was my astonishment, it

was yet increased, when on looking out of Windows, I beheld the

Husband of Philippa, with Philippa by his side, on the Coachbox

and when on looking behind I beheld, Philander and Gustavus in

the Basket. "Oh! Heavens, (exclaimed I) is it possible that I

should so unexpectedly be surrounded by my nearest Relations and

Connections?" These words roused the rest of the Party, and

every eye was directed to the corner in which I sat. "Oh! my

Isabel (continued I throwing myself across Lady Dorothea into her

arms) receive once more to your Bosom the unfortunate Laura.

Alas! when we last parted in the Vale of Usk, I was happy in

being united to the best of Edwards; I had then a Father and a

Mother, and had never known misfortunes--But now deprived of

every freind but you--"

 

"What! (interrupted Augusta) is my Brother dead then? Tell us I

intreat you what is become of him?" "Yes, cold and insensible

Nymph, (replied I) that luckless swain your Brother, is no more,

and you may now glory in being the Heiress of Sir Edward`s

fortune."

 

Although I had always despised her from the Day I had overheard

her conversation with my Edward, yet in civility I complied with

hers and Sir Edward`s intreaties that I would inform them of the

whole melancholy affair. They were greatly shocked--even the

obdurate Heart of Sir Edward and the insensible one of Augusta,

were touched with sorrow, by the unhappy tale. At the request of

your Mother I related to them every other misfortune which had

befallen me since we parted. Of the imprisonment of Augustus and

the absence of Edward--of our arrival in Scotland--of our

unexpected Meeting with our Grand-father and our cousins--of our

visit to Macdonald-Hall--of the singular service we there

performed towards Janetta--of her Fathers ingratitude for it . .

of his inhuman Behaviour, unaccountable suspicions, and barbarous

treatment of us, in obliging us to leave the House . . of our

lamentations on the loss of Edward and Augustus and finally of

the melancholy Death of my beloved Companion.

 

Pity and surprise were strongly depictured in your Mother`s

countenance, during the whole of my narration, but I am sorry to

say, that to the eternal reproach of her sensibility, the latter

infinitely predominated. Nay, faultless as my conduct had

certainly been during the whole course of my late misfortunes and

adventures, she pretended to find fault with my behaviour in many

of the situations in which I had been placed. As I was sensible

myself, that I had always behaved in a manner which reflected

Honour on my Feelings and Refinement, I paid little attention to

what she said, and desired her to satisfy my Curiosity by

informing me how she came there, instead of wounding my spotless

reputation with unjustifiable Reproaches. As soon as she had

complyed with my wishes in this particular and had given me an

accurate detail of every thing that had befallen her since our

separation (the particulars of which if you are not already

acquainted with, your Mother will give you) I applied to Augusta

for the same information respecting herself, Sir Edward and Lady

Dorothea.

 

She told me that having a considerable taste for the Beauties

of Nature, her curiosity to behold the delightful scenes it

exhibited in that part of the World had been so much raised by

Gilpin`s Tour to the Highlands, that she had prevailed on her

Father to undertake a Tour to Scotland and had persuaded Lady

Dorothea to accompany them. That they had arrived at Edinburgh a

few Days before and from thence had made daily Excursions into the

Country around in the Stage Coach they were then in, from one of

which Excursions they were at that time returning. My next

enquiries were concerning Philippa and her Husband, the latter of

whom I learned having spent all her fortune, had recourse for

subsistence to the talent in which, he had always most excelled,

namely, Driving, and that having sold every thing which belonged

to them except their Coach, had converted it into a Stage and in

order to be removed from any of his former Acquaintance, had

driven it to Edinburgh from whence he went to Sterling every other

Day. That Philippa still retaining her affection for her

ungratefull Husband, had followed him to Scotland and generally

accompanied him in his little Excursions to Sterling. "It has only

been to throw a little money into their Pockets (continued

Augusta) that my Father has always travelled in their Coach to

veiw the beauties of the Country si


Поделиться:

Дата добавления: 2015-09-15; просмотров: 58; Мы поможем в написании вашей работы!; Нарушение авторских прав





lektsii.com - Лекции.Ком - 2014-2024 год. (0.008 сек.) Все материалы представленные на сайте исключительно с целью ознакомления читателями и не преследуют коммерческих целей или нарушение авторских прав
Главная страница Случайная страница Контакты