Acollectionofjuvenilewritings
CONTENTS
LoveandFreindshipLesleyCastleTheHistoryofEnglandCollectionofLettersScraps*
LOVEANDFREINDSHIP
TOMADAMELACOMTESSEDEFEUILLIDETHISNOVELISINSCRIBEDBYHER
OBLIGEDHUMBLESERVANT
THEAUTHOR。
\"DeceivedinFreindshipandBetrayedinLove。\"
LETTERtheFIRST
FromISABELtoLAURA
Howoften，inanswertomyrepeatedintreatiesthatyouwouldgivemyDaughteraregulardetailoftheMisfortunesandAdventuresofyourLife，haveyousaid\"No，myfreindneverwillIcomplywithyourrequesttillImaybenolongerinDangerofagainexperiencingsuchdreadfulones。\"
Surelythattimeisnowathand。Youarethisday55。IfawomanmayeverbesaidtobeinsafetyfromthedeterminedPerseveranceofdisagreeableLoversandthecruelPersecutionsofobstinateFathers，surelyitmustbeatsuchatimeofLife。
IsabelLETTER2ndLAURAtoISABEL
Altho’IcannotagreewithyouinsupposingthatIshallneveragainbeexposedtoMisfortunesasunmeritedasthoseIhavealreadyexperienced，yettoavoidtheimputationofObstinacyorill—nature，Iwillgratifythecuriosityofyourdaughter；andmaythefortitudewithwhichIhavesufferedthemanyafflictionsofmypastLife，provetoherausefullessonforthesupportofthosewhichmaybefallherinherown。
LauraLETTER3rdLAURAtoMARIANNE
AstheDaughterofmymostintimatefreindIthinkyouentitledtothatknowledgeofmyunhappystory，whichyourMotherhassooftensolicitedmetogiveyou。
MyFatherwasanativeofIrelandandaninhabitantofWales；myMotherwasthenaturalDaughterofaScotchPeerbyanitalianOpera—girl——IwasborninSpainandreceivedmyEducationataConventinFrance。
WhenIhadreachedmyeighteenthYearIwasrecalledbymyParentstomypaternalroofinWales。OurmansionwassituatedinoneofthemostromanticpartsoftheValeofUske。Tho’myCharmsarenowconsiderablysoftenedandsomewhatimpairedbytheMisfortunesIhaveundergone，Iwasoncebeautiful。ButlovelyasIwastheGracesofmyPersonweretheleastofmyPerfections。Ofeveryaccomplishmentaccustomarytomysex，IwasMistress。WhenintheConvent，myprogresshadalwaysexceededmyinstructions，myAcquirementshadbeenwonderfullformyage，andIhadshortlysurpassedmyMasters。
InmyMind，everyVirtuethatcouldadornitwascentered；itwastheRendez—vousofeverygoodQualityandofeverynoblesentiment。
AsensibilitytootremblinglyalivetoeveryafflictionofmyFreinds，myAcquaintanceandparticularlytoeveryafflictionofmyown，wasmyonlyfault，ifafaultitcouldbecalled。Alas!
howalterednow!Tho’indeedmyownMisfortunesdonotmakelessimpressiononmethantheyeverdid，yetnowIneverfeelforthoseofanother。Myaccomplishmentstoo，begintofade——IcanneithersingsowellnorDancesogracefullyasIoncedid——andI
haveentirelyforgottheMINUETDELACOUR。
Adeiu。
Laura。
LETTER4thLauratoMARIANNE
Ourneighbourhoodwassmall，foritconsistedonlyofyourMother。ShemayprobablyhavealreadytoldyouthatbeingleftbyherParentsinindigentCircumstancesshehadretiredintoWalesoneoconomicalmotives。Thereitwasourfreindshipfirstcommenced。Isobelwasthenoneandtwenty。Tho’pleasingbothinherPersonandManners（betweenourselves）sheneverpossessedthehundredthpartofmyBeautyorAccomplishments。IsabelhadseentheWorld。Shehadpassed2YearsatoneofthefirstBoarding—schoolsinLondon；hadspentafortnightinBathandhadsuppedonenightinSouthampton。
\"BewaremyLaura（shewouldoftensay）BewareoftheinsipidVanitiesandidleDissipationsoftheMetropolisofEngland；
BewareoftheunmeaningLuxuriesofBathandofthestinkingfishofSouthampton。\"
\"Alas!（exclaimedI）howamItoavoidthoseevilsIshallneverbeexposedto？WhatprobabilityisthereofmyevertastingtheDissipationsofLondon，theLuxuriesofBath，orthestinkingFishofSouthampton？IwhoamdoomedtowastemyDaysofYouthandBeautyinanhumbleCottageintheValeofUske。\"
Ah!littledidIthenthinkIwasordainedsosoontoquitthathumbleCottagefortheDeceitfullPleasuresoftheWorld。
AdeiuLaura。
LETTER5thLAURAtoMARIANNE
OneEveninginDecemberasmyFather，myMotherandmyself，werearrangedinsocialconverseroundourFireside，wewereonasuddengreatlyastonished，byhearingaviolentknockingontheoutwarddoorofourrusticCot。
MyFatherstarted——\"Whatnoiseisthat，\"（saidhe。）\"Itsoundslikealoudrappingatthedoor\"——（repliedmyMother。）\"itdoesindeed。\"（criedI。）\"Iamofyouropinion；（saidmyFather）itcertainlydoesappeartoproceedfromsomeuncommonviolenceexertedagainstourunoffendingdoor。\"\"Yes（exclaimedI）I
cannothelpthinkingitmustbesomebodywhoknocksforadmittance。\"
\"Thatisanotherpoint（repliedhe；）Wemustnotpretendtodetermineonwhatmotivethepersonmayknock——tho’thatsomeoneDOESrapatthedoor，Iampartlyconvinced。\"
Here，a2dtremendousrapinterruptedmyFatherinhisspeech，andsomewhatalarmedmyMotherandme。
\"Hadwebetternotgoandseewhoitis？（saidshe）theservantsareout。\"\"Ithinkwehad。\"（repliedI。）\"Certainly，（addedmyFather）byallmeans。\"\"Shallwegonow？\"（saidmyMother，）\"Thesoonerthebetter。\"（answeredhe。）\"Oh!letnotimebelost\"
（criedI。）
AthirdmoreviolentRapthaneveragainassaultedourears。\"I
amcertainthereissomebodyknockingattheDoor。\"（saidmyMother。）\"Ithinktheremust，\"（repliedmyFather）\"Ifancytheservantsarereturned；（saidI）IthinkIhearMarygoingtotheDoor。\"\"I’mgladofit（criedmyFather）forIlongtoknowwhoitis。\"
Iwasrightinmyconjecture；forMaryinstantlyenteringtheRoom，informedusthatayoungGentlemanandhisServantwereatthedoor，whohadlossedtheirway，wereverycoldandbeggedleavetowarmthemselvesbyourfire。
\"Won’tyouadmitthem？\"（saidI。）\"Youhavenoobjection，myDear？\"（saidmyFather。）\"NoneintheWorld。\"（repliedmyMother。）
Mary，withoutwaitingforanyfurthercommandsimmediatelylefttheroomandquicklyreturnedintroducingthemostbeauteousandamiableYouth，Ihadeverbeheld。Theservantshekepttoherself。
MynaturalsensibilityhadalreadybeengreatlyaffectedbythesufferingsoftheunfortunatestrangerandnosoonerdidIfirstbeholdhim，thanIfeltthatonhimthehappinessorMiseryofmyfutureLifemustdepend。
AdeiuLaura。
LETTER6thLAURAtoMARIANNE
ThenobleYouthinformedusthathisnamewasLindsay——forparticularreasonshoweverIshallconcealitunderthatofTalbot。HetoldusthathewasthesonofanEnglishBaronet，thathisMotherhadbeenformanyyearsnomoreandthathehadaSisterofthemiddlesize。\"MyFather（hecontinued）isameanandmercenarywretch——itisonlytosuchparticularfreindsasthisDearPartythatIwouldthusbetrayhisfailings。YourVirtuesmyamiablePolydore（addressinghimselftomyfather）
yoursDearClaudiaandyoursmyCharmingLauracallonmetoreposeinyou，myconfidence。\"Webowed。\"MyFatherseducedbythefalseglareofFortuneandtheDeludingPompofTitle，insistedonmygivingmyhandtoLadyDorothea。NoneverexclaimedI。LadyDorotheaislovelyandEngaging；Iprefernowomantoher；butknowSir，thatIscorntomarryherincompliancewithyourWishes。No!NevershallitbesaidthatI
obligedmyFather。\"
WealladmiredthenobleManlinessofhisreply。Hecontinued。
\"SirEdwardwassurprised；hehadperhapslittleexpectedtomeetwithsospiritedanoppositiontohiswill。\"Where，Edwardinthenameofwonder（saidhe）didyoupickupthisunmeaninggibberish？YouhavebeenstudyingNovelsIsuspect。\"Iscornedtoanswer：itwouldhavebeenbeneathmydignity。ImountedmyHorseandfollowedbymyfaithfulWilliamsetforthformyAunts。\"
\"MyFather’shouseissituatedinBedfordshire，myAunt’sinMiddlesex，andtho’IflattermyselfwithbeingatolerableproficientinGeography，Iknownothowithappened，butIfoundmyselfenteringthisbeautifullValewhichIfindisinSouthWales，whenIhadexpectedtohavereachedmyAunts。\"
\"AfterhavingwanderedsometimeontheBanksoftheUskewithoutknowingwhichwaytogo，IbegantolamentmycruelDestinyinthebitterestandmostpatheticManner。Itwasnowperfectlydark，notasinglestarwastheretodirectmysteps，andIknownotwhatmighthavebefallenmehadInotatlengthdiscernedthro’thesolemnGloomthatsurroundedmeadistantlight，whichasIapproachedit，IdiscoveredtobethechearfullBlazeofyourfire。ImpelledbythecombinationofMisfortunesunderwhichIlaboured，namelyFear，ColdandHungerIhesitatednottoaskadmittancewhichatlengthIhavegained；andnowmyAdorableLaura（continuedhetakingmyHand）whenmayIhopetoreceivethatrewardofallthepainfullsufferingsIhaveundergoneduringthecourseofmyattachmenttoyou，towhichIhaveeveraspired。Oh!whenwillyourewardmewithYourself？\"
\"Thisinstant，DearandAmiableEdward。\"（repliedI。）。WewereimmediatelyunitedbymyFather，whotho’hehadnevertakenordershadbeenbredtotheChurch。
AdeiuLauraLETTER7thLAURAtoMARIANNE
WeremainedbutafewdaysafterourMarriage，intheValeofUske。AftertakinganaffectingFarewellofmyFather，myMotherandmyIsabel，IaccompaniedEdwardtohisAunt’sinMiddlesex。
PhilippareceivedusbothwitheveryexpressionofaffectionateLove。MyarrivalwasindeedamostagreablesurprisetoherasshehadnotonlybeentotallyignorantofmyMarriagewithherNephew，buthadneverevenhadtheslightestideaoftherebeingsuchapersonintheWorld。
Augusta，thesisterofEdwardwasonavisittoherwhenwearrived。IfoundherexactlywhatherBrotherhaddescribedhertobe——ofthemiddlesize。ShereceivedmewithequalsurprisethoughnotwithequalCordiality，asPhilippa。TherewasadisagreablecoldnessandForbiddingReserveinherreceptionofmewhichwasequallydistressingandUnexpected。NoneofthatinterestingSensibilityoramiablesimpathyinhermannersandAddresstomewhenwefirstmetwhichshouldhavedistinguishedourintroductiontoeachother。HerLanguagewasneitherwarm，noraffectionate，herexpressionsofregardwereneitheranimatednorcordial；herarmswerenotopenedtoreceivemetoherHeart，tho’myownwereextendedtopresshertomine。
AshortConversationbetweenAugustaandherBrother，whichI
accidentallyoverheardencreasedmydisliketoher，andconvincedmethatherHeartwasnomoreformedforthesofttiesofLovethanfortheendearingintercourseofFreindship。
\"ButdoyouthinkthatmyFatherwilleverbereconciledtothisimprudentconnection？\"（saidAugusta。）
\"Augusta（repliedthenobleYouth）Ithoughtyouhadabetteropinionofme，thantoimagineIwouldsoabjectlydegrademyselfastoconsidermyFather’sConcurrenceinanyofmyaffairs，eitherofConsequenceorconcerntome。TellmeAugustawithsincerity；didyoueverknowmeconsulthisinclinationsorfollowhisAdviceintheleasttriflingParticularsincetheageoffifteen？\"
\"Edward（repliedshe）youaresurelytoodiffidentinyourownpraise。Sinceyouwerefifteenonly!MyDearBrothersinceyouwerefiveyearsold，IentirelyacquityouofeverhavingwillinglycontributedtothesatisfactionofyourFather。ButstillIamnotwithoutapprehensionsofyourbeingshortlyobligedtodegradeyourselfinyourowneyesbyseekingasupportforyourwifeintheGenerosityofSirEdward。\"
\"Never，neverAugustawillIsodemeanmyself。（saidEdward）。
Support!WhatsupportwillLaurawantwhichshecanreceivefromhim？\"
\"OnlythoseveryinsignificantonesofVictualsandDrink。\"
（answeredshe。）
\"VictualsandDrink!（repliedmyHusbandinamostnoblycontemptuousManner）anddostthouthenimaginethatthereisnoothersupportforanexaltedmind（suchasismyLaura’s）thanthemeanandindelicateemploymentofEatingandDrinking？\"
\"NonethatIknowof，soefficacious。\"（returnedAugusta）。
\"AnddidyouthenneverfeelthepleasingPangsofLove，Augusta？
（repliedmyEdward）。DoesitappearimpossibletoyourvileandcorruptedPalate，toexistonLove？CanyounotconceivetheLuxuryoflivingineverydistressthatPovertycaninflict，withtheobjectofyourtenderestaffection？\"
\"Youaretooridiculous（saidAugusta）toarguewith；perhapshoweveryoumayintimebeconvincedthat……\"
HereIwaspreventedfromhearingtheremainderofherspeech，bytheappearanceofaveryHandsomeyoungWoman，whowasushuredintotheRoomattheDoorofwhichIhadbeenlistening。OnhearingherannouncedbytheNameof\"LadyDorothea，\"IinstantlyquittedmyPostandfollowedherintotheParlour，forIwellrememberedthatshewastheLady，proposedasaWifeformyEdwardbytheCruelandUnrelentingBaronet。
Altho’LadyDorothea’svisitwasnominallytoPhilippaandAugusta，yetIhavesomereasontoimaginethat（acquaintedwiththeMarriageandarrivalofEdward）toseemewasaprincipalmotivetoit。
Isoonperceivedthattho’LovelyandElegantinherPersonandtho’EasyandPoliteinherAddress，shewasofthatinferiororderofBeingswithregardtoDelicateFeeling，tenderSentiments，andrefinedSensibility，ofwhichAugustawasone。
ShestaidbuthalfanhourandneitherintheCourseofherVisit，confidedtomeanyofhersecretthoughts，norrequestedmetoconfideinher，anyofMine。YouwilleasilyimaginethereforemyDearMariannethatIcouldnotfeelanyardentaffectionorverysincereAttachmentforLadyDorothea。
AdeiuLaura。
LETTER8thLAURAtoMARIANNE，incontinuationLadyDorotheahadnotleftuslongbeforeanothervisitorasunexpectedaoneasherLadyship，wasannounced。ItwasSirEdward，whoinformedbyAugustaofherBrother’smarriage，camedoubtlesstoreproachhimforhavingdaredtounitehimselftomewithouthisKnowledge。ButEdwardforeseeinghisdesign，approachedhimwithheroicfortitudeassoonasheenteredtheRoom，andaddressedhiminthefollowingManner。
\"SirEdward，IknowthemotiveofyourJourneyhere——YoucomewiththebaseDesignofreproachingmeforhavingenteredintoanindissolubleengagementwithmyLaurawithoutyourConsent。ButSir，IgloryintheAct——。ItismygreatestboastthatIhaveincurredthedispleasureofmyFather!\"
Sosaying，hetookmyhandandwhilstSirEdward，Philippa，andAugustaweredoubtlessreflectingwithadmirationonhisundauntedBravery，ledmefromtheParlourtohisFather’sCarriagewhichyetremainedattheDoorandinwhichwewereinstantlyconveyedfromthepursuitofSirEdward。
ThePostilionshadatfirstreceivedordersonlytotaketheLondonroad；assoonaswehadsufficientlyreflectedHowever，weorderedthemtoDrivetoM————。theseatofEdward’smostparticularfreind，whichwasbutafewmilesdistant。
AtM————。wearrivedinafewhours；andonsendinginournameswereimmediatelyadmittedtoSophia，theWifeofEdward’sfreind。
Afterhavingbeendeprivedduringthecourseof3weeksofarealfreind（forsuchItermyourMother）imaginemytransportsatbeholdingone，mosttrulyworthyoftheName。Sophiawasratherabovethemiddlesize；mostelegantlyformed。Asoftlanguorspreadoverherlovelyfeatures，butincreasedtheirBeauty——。
ItwastheCharectaresticofherMind——。ShewasallsensibilityandFeeling。WeflewintoeachothersarmsandafterhavingexchangedvowsofmutualFreindshipfortherestofourLives，instantlyunfoldedtoeachotherthemostinwardsecretsofourHearts——。WewereinterruptedinthedelightfullEmploymentbytheentranceofAugustus，（Edward’sfreind）whowasjustreturnedfromasolitaryramble。
NeverdidIseesuchanaffectingSceneaswasthemeetingofEdwardandAugustus。
\"MyLife!mySoul!\"（exclaimedtheformer）\"Myadorableangel!\"
（repliedthelatter）astheyflewintoeachother’sarms。ItwastoopatheticforthefeelingsofSophiaandmyself——Wefaintedalternatelyonasofa。
AdeiuLaura。
LETTERthe9thFromthesametothesameTowardsthecloseofthedaywereceivedthefollowingLetterfromPhilippa。
\"SirEdwardisgreatlyincensedbyyourabruptdeparture；hehastakenbackAugustatoBedfordshire。MuchasIwishtoenjoyagainyourcharmingsociety，Icannotdeterminetosnatchyoufromthat，ofsuchdearanddeservingFreinds——WhenyourVisittothemisterminated，Itrustyouwillreturntothearmsofyour\"
\"Philippa。\"
WereturnedasuitableanswertothisaffectionateNoteandafterthankingherforherkindinvitationassuredherthatwewouldcertainlyavailourselvesofit，wheneverwemighthavenootherplacetogoto。Tho’certainlynothingcouldtoanyreasonableBeing，haveappearedmoresatisfactory，thansogratefullareplytoherinvitation，yetIknownothowitwas，butshewascertainlycapriciousenoughtobedispleasedwithourbehaviourandinafewweeksafter，eithertorevengeourConduct，orreleiveherownsolitude，marriedayoungandilliterateFortune—
hunter。Thisimprudentstep（tho’weweresensiblethatitwouldprobablydepriveusofthatfortunewhichPhilippahadevertaughtustoexpect）couldnotonourownaccounts，excitefromourexaltedmindsasinglesigh；yetfearfulllestitmightproveasourceofendlessmiserytothedeludedBride，ourtremblingSensibilitywasgreatlyaffectedwhenwewerefirstinformedoftheEvent。TheaffectionateEntreatiesofAugustusandSophiathatwewouldforeverconsidertheirHouseasourHome，easilyprevailedonustodeterminenevermoretoleavethem，InthesocietyofmyEdwardandthisAmiablePair，IpassedthehappiestmomentsofmyLife；Ourtimewasmostdelightfullyspent，inmutualProtestationsofFreindship，andinvowsofunalterableLove，inwhichweweresecurefrombeinginterrupted，byintrudinganddisagreableVisitors，asAugustusandSophiahadontheirfirstEntranceintheNeighbourhood，takenduecaretoinformthesurroundingFamilies，thatastheirhappinesscenteredwhollyinthemselves，theywishedfornoothersociety。Butalas!myDearMariannesuchHappinessasIthenenjoyedwastooperfecttobelasting。AmostsevereandunexpectedBlowatoncedestroyedeverysensationofPleasure。ConvincedasyoumustbefromwhatIhavealreadytoldyouconcerningAugustusandSophia，thatthereneverwereahappierCouple，IneednotIimagine，informyouthattheirunionhadbeencontrarytotheinclinationsoftheirCruelandMerceneryParents；whohadvainlyendeavouredwithobstinatePerseverancetoforcethemintoaMarriagewiththosewhomtheyhadeverabhorred；butwithaHeroicFortitudeworthytoberelatedandadmired，theyhadboth，constantlyrefusedtosubmittosuchdespoticPower。
AfterhavingsonoblydisentangledthemselvesfromtheshacklesofParentalAuthority，byaClandestineMarriage，theyweredeterminednevertoforfeitthegoodopiniontheyhadgainedintheWorld，insodoing，byacceptinganyproposalsofreconciliationthatmightbeofferedthembytheirFathers——tothisfarthertryaloftheirnobleindependancehowevertheyneverwereexposed。
TheyhadbeenmarriedbutafewmonthswhenourvisittothemcommencedduringwhichtimetheyhadbeenamplysupportedbyaconsiderablesumofmoneywhichAugustushadgracefullypurloinedfromhisunworthyfather’sEscritoire，afewdaysbeforehisunionwithSophia。
ByourarrivaltheirExpenseswereconsiderablyencreasedtho’
theirmeansforsupplyingthemwerethennearlyexhausted。Butthey，ExaltedCreatures!scornedtoreflectamomentontheirpecuniaryDistressesandwouldhaveblushedattheideaofpayingtheirDebts。——Alas!whatwastheirRewardforsuchdisinterestedBehaviour!ThebeautifullAugustuswasarrestedandwewereallundone。SuchperfidiousTreacheryinthemercilessperpetratorsoftheDeedwillshockyourgentlenatureDearestMarianneasmuchasitthenaffectedtheDelicatesensibilityofEdward，Sophia，yourLaura，andofAugustushimself。TocompleatsuchunparalelledBarbaritywewereinformedthatanExecutionintheHousewouldshortlytakeplace。Ah!whatcouldwedobutwhatwedid!Wesighedandfaintedonthesofa。
AdeiuLaura。
LETTER10thLAURAincontinuationWhenweweresomewhatrecoveredfromtheoverpoweringEffusionsofourgrief，Edwarddesiredthatwewouldconsiderwhatwasthemostprudentsteptobetakeninourunhappysituationwhileherepairedtohisimprisonedfreindtolamentoverhismisfortunes。
Wepromisedthatwewould，andhesetforwardsonhisjourneytoTown。DuringhisabsencewefaithfullycompliedwithhisDesireandafterthemostmatureDeliberation，atlengthagreedthatthebestthingwecoulddowastoleavetheHouse；ofwhichweeverymomentexpectedtheofficersofJusticetotakepossession。Wewaitedthereforewiththegreatestimpatience，forthereturnofEdwardinordertoimparttohimtheresultofourDeliberations。
ButnoEdwardappeared。Invaindidwecountthetediousmomentsofhisabsence——invaindidweweep——invainevendidwesigh——noEdwardreturned——。Thiswastoocruel，toounexpectedaBlowtoourGentleSensibility——wecouldnotsupportit——wecouldonlyfaint。AtlengthcollectingalltheResolutionIwasMistressof，IaroseandafterpackingupsomenecessaryapparelforSophiaandmyself，IdraggedhertoaCarriageIhadorderedandweinstantlysetoutforLondon。AstheHabitationofAugustuswaswithintwelvemilesofTown，itwasnotlonge’erwearrivedthere，andnosoonerhadweenteredHolbounthanlettingdownoneoftheFrontGlassesIenquiredofeverydecent—lookingPersonthatwepassed\"IftheyhadseenmyEdward？\"
ButaswedrovetoorapidlytoallowthemtoanswermyrepeatedEnquiries，Igainedlittle，orindeed，noinformationconcerninghim。\"WhereamItodrive？\"saidthePostilion。\"ToNewgateGentleYouth（repliedI），toseeAugustus。\"\"Oh!no，no，（exclaimedSophia）IcannotgotoNewgate；IshallnotbeabletosupportthesightofmyAugustusinsocruelaconfinement——myfeelingsaresufficientlyshockedbytheRECITAL，ofhisDistress，buttobeholditwilloverpowermySensibility。\"AsI
perfectlyagreedwithherintheJusticeofherSentimentsthePostilionwasinstantlydirectedtoreturnintotheCountry。YoumayperhapshavebeensomewhatsurprisedmyDearestMarianne，thatintheDistressIthenendured，destituteofanysupport，andunprovidedwithanyHabitation，IshouldneveroncehaverememberedmyFatherandMotherormypaternalCottageintheValeofUske。ToaccountforthisseemingforgetfullnessImustinformyouofatriflingcircumstanceconcerningthemwhichI
haveasyetnevermentioned。ThedeathofmyParentsafewweeksaftermyDeparture，isthecircumstanceIalludeto。BytheirdeceaseIbecamethelawfullInheritressoftheirHouseandFortune。Butalas!theHousehadneverbeentheirownandtheirFortunehadonlybeenanAnnuityontheirownLives。SuchistheDepravityoftheWorld!ToyourMotherIshouldhavereturnedwithPleasure，shouldhavebeenhappytohaveintroducedtoher，mycharmingSophiaandshouldwithChearfullnesshavepassedtheremainderofmyLifeintheirdearSocietyintheValeofUske，hadnotoneobstacletotheexecutionofsoagreableascheme，intervened；whichwastheMarriageandRemovalofyourMothertoadistantpartofIreland。
AdeiuLaura。
LETTER11thLAURAincontinuation\"IhaveaRelationinScotland（saidSophiatomeasweleftLondon）whoIamcertainwouldnothesitateinreceivingme。\"
\"ShallIordertheBoytodrivethere？\"saidI——butinstantlyrecollectingmyself，exclaimed，\"AlasIfearitwillbetoolongaJourneyfortheHorses。\"UnwillinghowevertoactonlyfrommyowninadequateKnowledgeoftheStrengthandAbilitiesofHorses，IconsultedthePostilion，whowasentirelyofmyOpinionconcerningtheAffair。WethereforedeterminedtochangeHorsesatthenextTownandtotravelPosttheremainderoftheJourney——。WhenwearrivedatthelastInnweweretostopat，whichwasbutafewmilesfromtheHouseofSophia’sRelation，unwillingtointrudeourSocietyonhimunexpectedandunthoughtof，wewroteaveryelegantandwellpennedNotetohimcontaininganaccountofourDestituteandmelancholySituation，andofourintentiontospendsomemonthswithhiminScotland。
AssoonaswehaddispatchedthisLetter，weimmediatelypreparedtofollowitinpersonandweresteppingintotheCarriageforthatPurposewhenourattentionwasattractedbytheEntranceofacoronetedCoachand4intotheInn—yard。AGentlemanconsiderablyadvancedinyearsdescendedfromit。AthisfirstAppearancemySensibilitywaswonderfullyaffectedande’erIhadgazedathima2dtime，aninstinctivesympathywhisperedtomyHeart，thathewasmyGrandfather。ConvincedthatIcouldnotbemistakeninmyconjectureIinstantlysprangfromtheCarriageI
hadjustentered，andfollowingtheVenerableStrangerintotheRoomhehadbeenshewnto，IthrewmyselfonmykneesbeforehimandbesoughthimtoacknowledgemeashisGrandChild。Hestarted，andhavingattentivelyexaminedmyfeatures，raisedmefromtheGroundandthrowinghisGrand—fatherlyarmsaroundmyNeck，exclaimed，\"Acknowledgethee!YesdearresemblanceofmyLaurinaandLaurina’sDaughter，sweetimageofmyClaudiaandmyClaudia’sMother，IdoacknowledgetheeastheDaughteroftheoneandtheGrandaughteroftheother。\"Whilehewasthustenderlyembracingme，SophiaastonishedatmyprecipitateDeparture，enteredtheRoominsearchofme。NosoonerhadshecaughttheeyeofthevenerablePeer，thanheexclaimedwitheverymarkofAstonishment——\"AnotherGrandaughter!Yes，yes，I
seeyouaretheDaughterofmyLaurina’seldestGirl；yourresemblancetothebeauteousMatildasufficientlyproclaimsit。
\"Oh!\"repliedSophia，\"whenIfirstbeheldyoutheinstinctofNaturewhisperedmethatwewereinsomedegreerelated——ButwhetherGrandfathers，orGrandmothers，Icouldnotpretendtodetermine。\"Hefoldedherinhisarms，andwhilsttheyweretenderlyembracing，theDooroftheApartmentopenedandamostbeautifullyoungManappeared。OnperceivinghimLordSt。Clairstartedandretreatingbackafewpaces，withupliftedHands，said，\"AnotherGrand—child!WhatanunexpectedHappinessisthis!todiscoverinthespaceof3minutes，asmanyofmyDescendants!ThisIamcertainisPhilanderthesonofmyLaurina’s3dgirltheamiableBertha；therewantsnowbutthepresenceofGustavustocompleattheUnionofmyLaurina’sGrand—
Children。\"
\"Andhereheis；（saidaGracefullYouthwhothatinstantenteredtheroom）hereistheGustavusyoudesiretosee。IamthesonofAgathayourLaurina’s4thandyoungestDaughter，\"\"Iseeyouareindeed；repliedLordSt。Clair——Buttellme（continuedhelookingfearfullytowardstheDoor）tellme，haveIanyotherGrand—childrenintheHouse。\"\"NonemyLord。\"\"ThenIwillprovideforyouallwithoutfartherdelay——Hereare4Banknotesof50Leach——TakethemandrememberIhavedonetheDutyofaGrandfather。\"HeinstantlylefttheRoomandimmediatelyafterwardstheHouse。
Adeiu，Laura。
LETTERthe12thLAURAincontinuationYoumayimaginehowgreatlyweweresurprisedbythesuddendepartureofLordStClair。\"IgnobleGrand—sire!\"exclaimedSophia。\"UnworthyGrandfather!\"saidI，andinstantlyfaintedineachother’sarms。HowlongweremainedinthissituationIknownot；butwhenwerecoveredwefoundourselvesalone，withouteitherGustavus，Philander，ortheBanknotes。Asweweredeploringourunhappyfate，theDooroftheApartmentopenedand\"Macdonald\"wasannounced。HewasSophia’scousin。ThehastewithwhichhecametoourreleifsosoonafterthereceiptofourNote，spokesogreatlyinhisfavourthatIhesitatednottopronouncehimatfirstsight，atenderandsimpatheticFreind。
Alas!helittledeservedthename——forthoughhetoldusthathewasmuchconcernedatourMisfortunes，yetbyhisownaccountitappearedthattheperusalofthem，hadneitherdrawnfromhimasinglesigh，norinducedhimtobestowonecurseonourvindictivestars——。HetoldSophiathathisDaughterdependedonherreturningwithhimtoMacdonald—Hall，andthatashisCousin’sfreindheshouldbehappytoseemetherealso。ToMacdonald—Hall，thereforewewent，andwerereceivedwithgreatkindnessbyJanettatheDaughterofMacdonald，andtheMistressoftheMansion。Janettawasthenonlyfifteen；naturallywelldisposed，endowedwithasusceptibleHeart，andasimpatheticDisposition，shemight，hadtheseamiablequalitiesbeenproperlyencouraged，havebeenanornamenttohumanNature；butunfortunatelyherFatherpossessednotasoulsufficientlyexaltedtoadmiresopromisingaDisposition，andhadendeavouredbyeverymeansonhispowertopreventitencreasingwithherYears。HehadactuallysofarextinguishedthenaturalnobleSensibilityofherHeart，astoprevailonhertoacceptanofferfromayoungManofhisRecommendation。Theyweretobemarriedinafewmonths，andGraham，wasintheHousewhenwearrived。
WEsoonsawthroughhischaracter。HewasjustsuchaManasonemighthaveexpectedtobethechoiceofMacdonald。TheysaidhewasSensible，well—informed，andAgreable；wedidnotpretendtoJudgeofsuchtrifles，butaswewereconvincedhehadnosoul，thathehadneverreadthesorrowsofWerter，andthathisHairborenottheleastresemblancetoauburn，wewerecertainthatJanettacouldfeelnoaffectionforhim，oratleastthatsheoughttofeelnone。Theverycircumstanceofhisbeingherfather’schoicetoo，wassomuchinhisdisfavour，thathadhebeendeservingher，ineveryotherrespectyetTHATofitselfoughttohavebeenasufficientreasonintheEyesofJanettaforrejectinghim。Theseconsiderationsweweredeterminedtorepresenttoherintheirproperlightanddoubtednotofmeetingwiththedesiredsuccessfromonenaturallysowelldisposed；
whoseerrorsintheaffairhadonlyarisenfromawantofproperconfidenceinherownopinion，andasuitablecontemptofherfather’s。Wefoundherindeedallthatourwarmestwishescouldhavehopedfor；wehadnodifficultytoconvinceherthatitwasimpossibleshecouldloveGraham，orthatitwasherDutytodisobeyherFather；theonlythingatwhichsheratherseemedtohesitatewasourassertionthatshemustbeattachedtosomeotherPerson。Forsometime，sheperseveredindeclaringthatsheknewnootheryoungmanforwhomshehadthethesmallestAffection；butuponexplainingtheimpossibilityofsuchathingshesaidthatshebeleivedsheDIDLIKECaptainM’Kenriebetterthananyonesheknewbesides。ThisconfessionsatisfiedusandafterhavingenumeratedthegoodQualitiesofM’Kenrieandassuredherthatshewasviolentlyinlovewithhim，wedesiredtoknowwhetherhehadeverinanywisedeclaredhisaffectiontoher。
\"Sofarfromhavingeverdeclaredit，Ihavenoreasontoimaginethathehaseverfeltanyforme。\"saidJanetta。\"Thathecertainlyadoresyou（repliedSophia）therecanbenodoubt——。
TheAttachmentmustbereciprocal。Didhenevergazeonyouwithadmiration——tenderlypressyourhand——dropaninvolantarytear——
andleavetheroomabruptly？\"\"Never（repliedshe）thatI
remember——hehasalwayslefttheroomindeedwhenhisvisithasbeenended，buthasnevergoneawayparticularlyabruptlyorwithoutmakingabow。\"IndeedmyLove（saidI）youmustbemistaken——foritisabsolutelyimpossiblethatheshouldeverhaveleftyoubutwithConfusion，Despair，andPrecipitation。
ConsiderbutforamomentJanetta，andyoumustbeconvincedhowabsurditistosupposethathecouldevermakeaBow，orbehavelikeanyotherPerson。\"HavingsettledthisPointtooursatisfaction，thenextwetookintoconsiderationwas，todetermineinwhatmannerweshouldinformM’KenrieofthefavourableOpinionJanettaentertainedofhim……WeatlengthagreedtoacquainthimwithitbyananonymousLetterwhichSophiadrewupinthefollowingmanner。
\"Oh!happyLoverofthebeautifullJanetta，oh!amiablePossessorofHERHeartwhosehandisdestinedtoanother，whydoyouthusdelayaconfessionofyourattachmenttotheamiableObjectofit？Oh!considerthatafewweekswillatonceputanendtoeveryflatteringHopethatyoumaynowentertain，byunitingtheunfortunateVictimofherfather’sCrueltytotheexecrableanddetestedGraham。\"
\"Alas!whydoyouthussocruellyconniveattheprojectedMiseryofherandofyourselfbydelayingtocommunicatethatschemewhichhaddoubtlesslongpossessedyourimagination？A
secretUnionwillatoncesecurethefelicityofboth。\"
TheamiableM’Kenrie，whosemodestyasheafterwardsassuredushadbeentheonlyreasonofhishavingsolongconcealedtheviolenceofhisaffectionforJanetta，onreceivingthisBilletflewonthewingsofLovetoMacdonald—Hall，andsopowerfullypleadedhisAttachmenttoherwhoinspiredit，thatafterafewmoreprivateinterveiws，SophiaandIexperiencedthesatisfactionofseeingthemdepartforGretna—Green，whichtheychoseforthecelebrationoftheirNuptials，inpreferencetoanyotherplacealthoughitwasataconsiderabledistancefromMacdonald—Hall。
AdeiuLaura。
LETTERthe13thLAURAincontinuationTheyhadbeengonenearlyacoupleofHours，beforeeitherMacdonaldorGrahamhadentertainedanysuspicionoftheaffair。
Andtheymightnoteventhenhavesuspectedit，butforthefollowinglittleAccident。SophiahappeningonedaytoopenaprivateDrawerinMacdonald’sLibrarywithoneofherownkeys，discoveredthatitwasthePlacewherehekepthisPapersofconsequenceandamongstthemsomebanknotesofconsiderableamount。Thisdiscoverysheimpartedtome；andhavingagreedtogetherthatitwouldbeapropertreatmentofsovileaWretchasMacdonaldtodeprivehimofmoney，perhapsdishonestlygained，itwasdeterminedthatthenexttimeweshouldeitherofushappentogothatway，wewouldtakeoneormoreoftheBanknotesfromthedrawer。ThiswellmeantPlanwehadoftensuccessfullyputinExecution；butalas!ontheverydayofJanetta’sEscape，asSophiawasmajesticallyremovingthe5thBank—notefromtheDrawertoherownpurse，shewassuddenlymostimpertinentlyinterruptedinheremploymentbytheentranceofMacdonaldhimself，inamostabruptandprecipitateManner。
Sophia（whothoughnaturallyallwinningsweetnesscouldwhenoccasionsdemandeditcallforththeDignityofhersex）
instantlyputonamostforbiddinglook，anddartinganangryfrownontheundauntedculprit，demandedinahaughtytoneofvoice\"Whereforeherretirementwasthusinsolentlybrokeninon？\"TheunblushingMacdonald，withoutevenendeavouringtoexculpatehimselffromthecrimehewaschargedwith，meanlyendeavouredtoreproachSophiawithignoblydefraudinghimofhismoney……ThedignityofSophiawaswounded；\"Wretch（exclaimedshe，hastilyreplacingtheBank—noteintheDrawer）howdarestthoutoaccusemeofanAct，ofwhichthebareideamakesmeblush？\"Thebasewretchwasstillunconvincedandcontinuedtoupbraidthejustly—offendedSophiainsuchopprobiousLanguage，thatatlengthhesogreatlyprovokedthegentlesweetnessofherNature，astoinducehertorevengeherselfonhimbyinforminghimofJanetta’sElopement，andoftheactivePartwehadbothtakenintheaffair。AtthisperiodoftheirQuarrelIenteredtheLibraryandwasasyoumayimagineequallyoffendedasSophiaattheill—groundedaccusationsofthemalevolentandcontemptibleMacdonald。\"BaseMiscreant!（criedI）howcanstthouthusundauntedlyendeavourtosullythespotlessreputationofsuchbrightExcellence？WhydostthounotsuspectMY
innocenceassoon？\"\"BesatisfiedMadam（repliedhe）IDOsuspectit，andthereforemustdesirethatyouwillbothleavethisHouseinlessthanhalfanhour。\"
\"Weshallgowillingly；（answeredSophia）ourheartshavelongdetestedthee，andnothingbutourfreindshipforthyDaughtercouldhaveinducedustoremainsolongbeneaththyroof。\"
\"YourFreindshipformyDaughterhasindeedbeenmostpowerfullyexertedbythrowingherintothearmsofanunprincipledFortune—
hunter。\"（repliedhe）
\"Yes，（exclaimedI）amidsteverymisfortune，itwillaffordussomeconsolationtoreflectthatbythisoneactofFreindshiptoJanetta，wehaveamplydischargedeveryobligationthatwehavereceivedfromherfather。\"
\"Itmustindeedbeamostgratefullreflection，toyourexaltedminds。\"（saidhe。）
Assoonaswehadpackedupourwardrobeandvaluables，weleftMacdonaldHall，andafterhavingwalkedaboutamileandahalfwesatedownbythesideofaclearlimpidstreamtorefreshourexhaustedlimbs。Theplacewassuitedtomeditation。Agroveoffull—grownElmsshelteredusfromtheEast——。ABedoffull—
grownNettlesfromtheWest——。Beforeusranthemurmuringbrookandbehindusrantheturn—pikeroad。WewereinamoodforcontemplationandinaDispositiontoenjoysobeautifullaspot。
Amutualsilencewhichhadforsometimereignedbetweenus，wasatlengthbrokebymyexclaiming——\"Whatalovelyscene!AlaswhyarenotEdwardandAugustusheretoenjoyitsBeautieswithus？\"
\"Ah!mybelovedLaura（criedSophia）forpity’ssakeforbearrecallingtomyremembrancetheunhappysituationofmyimprisonedHusband。Alas，whatwouldInotgivetolearnthefateofmyAugustus!toknowifheisstillinNewgate，orifheisyethung。ButnevershallIbeablesofartoconquermytendersensibilityastoenquireafterhim。Oh!donotI
beseechyoueverletmeagainhearyourepeathisbelovedname——。
Itaffectsmetoodeeply——。Icannotbeartohearhimmentioneditwoundsmyfeelings。\"
\"ExcusememySophiaforhavingthusunwillinglyoffendedyou——\"
repliedI——andthenchangingtheconversation，desiredhertoadmirethenobleGrandeuroftheElmswhichshelteredusfromtheEasternZephyr。\"Alas!myLaura（returnedshe）avoidsomelancholyasubject，Iintreatyou。DonotagainwoundmySensibilitybyobservationsonthoseelms。TheyremindmeofAugustus。Hewaslikethem，tall，magestic——hepossessedthatnoblegrandeurwhichyouadmireinthem。\"
Iwassilent，fearfulllestImightanymoreunwillinglydistressherbyfixingonanyothersubjectofconversationwhichmightagainremindherofAugustus。
\"WhydoyounotspeakmyLaura？（saidsheafterashortpause）
\"Icannotsupportthissilenceyoumustnotleavemetomyownreflections；theyeverrecurtoAugustus。\"
\"Whatabeautifullsky!（saidI）Howcharminglyistheazurevariedbythosedelicatestreaksofwhite!\"
\"Oh!myLaura（repliedshehastilywithdrawingherEyesfromamomentaryglanceatthesky）donotthusdistressmebycallingmyAttentiontoanobjectwhichsocruellyremindsmeofmyAugustus’sbluesattinwaistcoatstripedinwhite!Inpitytoyourunhappyfreindavoidasubjectsodistressing。\"WhatcouldI
do？ThefeelingsofSophiawereatthattimesoexquisite，andthetendernessshefeltforAugustussopoignantthatIhadnotpowertostartanyothertopic，justlyfearingthatitmightinsomeunforseenmanneragainawakenallhersensibilitybydirectingherthoughtstoherHusband。Yettobesilentwouldbecruel；shehadintreatedmetotalk。
FromthisDilemmaIwasmostfortunatelyreleivedbyanaccidenttrulyapropos；itwastheluckyoverturningofaGentleman’sPhaeton，ontheroadwhichranmurmuringbehindus。ItwasamostfortunateaccidentasitdivertedtheattentionofSophiafromthemelancholyreflectionswhichshehadbeenbeforeindulging。WeinstantlyquittedourseatsandrantotherescueofthosewhobutafewmomentsbeforehadbeeninsoelevatedasituationasafashionablyhighPhaeton，butwhowerenowlaidlowandsprawlingintheDust。\"WhatanamplesubjectforreflectionontheuncertainEnjoymentsofthisWorld，wouldnotthatPhaetonandtheLifeofCardinalWolseyaffordathinkingMind!\"saidItoSophiaaswewerehasteningtothefieldofAction。
Shehadnottimetoanswerme，foreverythoughtwasnowengagedbythehorridspectaclebeforeus。TwoGentlemenmostelegantlyattiredbutwelteringintheirbloodwaswhatfirststruckourEyes——weapproached——theywereEdwardandAugustus——。YesdearestMariannetheywereourHusbands。Sophiashreikedandfaintedontheground——Iscreamedandinstantlyranmad——。Weremainedthusmutuallydeprivedofoursenses，someminutes，andonregainingthemweredeprivedofthemagain。ForanHourandaQuarterdidwecontinueinthisunfortunatesituation——SophiafaintingeverymomentandIrunningmadasoften。AtlengthagroanfromthehaplessEdward（whoaloneretainedanyshareoflife）restoredustoourselves。Hadweindeedbeforeimaginedthateitherofthemlived，weshouldhavebeenmoresparingofourGreif——butaswehadsupposedwhenwefirstbeheldthemthattheywerenomore，weknewthatnothingcouldremaintobedonebutwhatwewereabout。
NosoonerdidwethereforehearmyEdward’sgroanthanpostponingourlamentationsforthepresent，wehastilyrantotheDearYouthandkneelingoneachsideofhimimploredhimnottodie——。
\"Laura（saidHefixinghisnowlanguidEyesonme）IfearIhavebeenoverturned。\"
Iwasoverjoyedtofindhimyetsensible。
\"Oh!tellmeEdward（saidI）tellmeIbeseechyoubeforeyoudie，whathasbefallenyousincethatunhappyDayinwhichAugustuswasarrestedandwewereseparated——\"
\"Iwill\"（saidhe）andinstantlyfetchingadeepsigh，Expired——。Sophiaimmediatelysankagainintoaswoon——。MYgreifwasmoreaudible。MyVoicefaltered，MyEyesassumedavacantstare，myfacebecameaspaleasDeath，andmysenseswereconsiderablyimpaired——。
\"TalknottomeofPhaetons（saidI，ravinginafrantic，incoherentmanner）——Givemeaviolin——。I’llplaytohimandsoothhiminhismelancholyHours——BewareyegentleNymphsofCupid’sThunderbolts，avoidthepiercingshaftsofJupiter——LookatthatgroveofFirs——IseeaLegofMutton——TheytoldmeEdwardwasnotDead；buttheydeceivedme——theytookhimforacucumber——\"ThusIcontinuedwildlyexclaimingonmyEdward’sDeath——。
FortwoHoursdidIravethusmadlyandshouldnotthenhaveleftoff，asIwasnotintheleastfatigued，hadnotSophiawhowasjustrecoveredfromherswoon，intreatedmetoconsiderthatNightwasnowapproachingandthattheDampsbegantofall。\"Andwhithershallwego（saidI）toshelterusfromeither？\"\"TothatwhiteCottage。\"（repliedshepointingtoaneatBuildingwhichroseupamidstthegroveofElmsandwhichIhadnotbeforeobserved——）Iagreedandweinstantlywalkedtoit——weknockedatthedoor——itwasopenedbyanoldwoman；onbeingrequestedtoaffordusaNight’sLodging，sheinformedusthatherHousewasbutsmall，thatshehadonlytwoBedrooms，butthatHoweverweshouldbewellcometooneofthem。WeweresatisfiedandfollowedthegoodwomanintotheHousewhereweweregreatlycheeredbythesightofacomfortablefire——。ShewasawidowandhadonlyoneDaughter，whowasthenjustseventeen——Oneofthebestofages；butalas!shewasveryplainandhernamewasBridget……Nothingtherforecouldbeexpectedfromher——shecouldnotbesupposedtopossesseitherexaltedIdeas，DelicateFeelingsorrefinedSensibilities——。Shewasnothingmorethanameregood—tempered，civilandobligingyoungwoman；assuchwecouldscarcelydislikehere——shewasonlyanObjectofContempt——。
AdeiuLaura。
LETTERthe14thLAURAincontinuationArmyourselfmyamiableyoungFreindwithallthephilosophyyouareMistressof；summonupallthefortitudeyoupossess，foralas!intheperusalofthefollowingPagesyoursensibilitywillbemostseverelytried。Ah!whatwerethemisfortunesI
hadbeforeexperiencedandwhichIhavealreadyrelatedtoyou，totheoneIamnowgoingtoinformyouof。TheDeathofmyFatherandmyMotherandmyHusbandthoughalmostmorethanmygentleNaturecouldsupport，weretriflesincomparisontothemisfortuneIamnowproceedingtorelate。ThemorningafterourarrivalattheCottage，Sophiacomplainedofaviolentpaininherdelicatelimbs，accompaniedwithadisagreableHead—akeSheattributedittoacoldcaughtbyhercontinuedfaintingsintheopenairastheDewwasfallingtheEveningbefore。ThisI
fearedwasbuttooprobablythecase；sincehowcoulditbeotherwiseaccountedforthatIshouldhaveescapedthesameindisposition，butbysupposingthatthebodilyExertionsIhadundergoneinmyrepeatedfitsoffrenzyhadsoeffectuallycirculatedandwarmedmyBloodastomakemeproofagainstthechillingDampsofNight，whereas，Sophialyingtotallyinactiveonthegroundmusthavebeenexposedtoalltheirseverity。I
wasmostseriouslyalarmedbyherillnesswhichtriflingasitmayappeartoyou，acertaininstinctivesensibilitywhisperedme，wouldintheEndbefataltoher。
Alas!myfearswerebuttoofullyjustified；shegrewgraduallyworse——andIdailybecamemorealarmedforher。AtlengthshewasobligedtoconfineherselfsolelytotheBedallottedusbyourworthyLandlady——。HerdisorderturnedtoagallopingConsumptionandinafewdayscarriedheroff。AmidstallmyLamentationsforher（andviolentyoumaysupposetheywere）I
yetreceivedsomeconsolationinthereflectionofmyhavingpaideveryattentiontoher，thatcouldbeoffered，inherillness。I
hadweptoverhereveryDay——hadbathedhersweetfacewithmytearsandhadpressedherfairHandscontinuallyinmine——。\"MybelovedLaura（saidshetomeafewHoursbeforeshedied）takewarningfrommyunhappyEndandavoidtheimprudentconductwhichhadoccasionedit……Bewareoffainting—fits……Thoughatthetimetheymayberefreshingandagreableyetbeleivemetheywillintheend，iftoooftenrepeatedandatimproperseasons，provedestructivetoyourConstitution……Myfatewillteachyouthis……IdieaMartyrtomygreifforthelossofAugustus……
OnefatalswoonhascostmemyLife……BewareofswoonsDearLaura……Afrenzyfitisnotonequartersopernicious；itisanexercisetotheBodyandifnottooviolent，isIdaresayconducivetoHealthinitsconsequences——Runmadasoftenasyouchuse；butdonotfaint——\"
Thesewerethelastwordssheeveraddressedtome……ItwasherdieingAdvicetoherafflictedLaura，whohasevermostfaithfullyadheredtoit。