FridayEveningLadyBridgetcamethismorning，andwithher，hersweetsisterMissJane——。AlthoughIhavebeenacquaintedwiththischarmingWomanabovefifteenYears，yetIneverbeforeobservedhowlovelysheis。Sheisnowabout35，andinspiteofsickness，sorrowandTimeismorebloomingthanIeversawaGirlof17。Iwasdelightedwithher，themomentsheenteredthehouse，andsheappearedequallypleasedwithme，attachingherselftomeduringtheremainderoftheday。Thereissomethingsosweet，somildinherCountenance，thatsheseemsmorethanMortal。HerConversationisasbewitchingasherappearance；Icouldnothelptellingherhowmuchsheengagedmyadmiration——。\"Oh!MissJane（saidI）——andstoppedfromaninabilityatthemomentofexpressingmyselfasIcouldwish——Oh!MissJane——（Irepeated）
——Icouldnotthinkofwordstosuitmyfeelings——Sheseemedwaitingformyspeech——。Iwasconfused——distressed——mythoughtswerebewildered——andIcouldonlyadd——\"Howdoyoudo？\"
ShesawandfeltformyEmbarrassmentandwithadmirablepresenceofmindreleivedmefromitbysaying——\"MydearSophiabenotuneasyathavingexposedyourself——IwillturntheConversationwithoutappearingtonoticeit。\"Oh!howIlovedherforherkindness!\"Doyourideasmuchasyouusedtodo？\"saidshe——。
\"IamadvisedtoridebymyPhysician。WehavedelightfulRidesroundus，IhaveaCharminghorse，amuncommonlyfondoftheAmusement，repliedIquiterecoveredfrommyConfusion，andinshortIrideagreatdeal。\"\"YouareintherightmyLove，\"saidshe。ThenrepeatingthefollowinglinewhichwasanextemporeandequallyadaptedtorecommendbothRidingandCandour——
\"Ridewhereyoumay，BeCandidwhereyoucan，\"sheadded，\"Irodeonce，butitismanyyearsago——ShespokethisinsolowandtremulousaVoice，thatIwassilent——。StruckwithherMannerofspeakingIcouldmakenoreply。\"Ihavenotridden，continuedshefixingherEyesonmyface，sinceIwasmarried。\"Iwasneversosurprised——\"Married，Ma’am!\"Irepeated。\"Youmaywellwearthatlookofastonishment，saidshe，sincewhatIhavesaidmustappearimprobabletoyou——YetnothingismoretruethanthatI
oncewasmarried。\"
\"ThenwhyareyoucalledMissJane？\"
\"Imarried，mySophiawithouttheconsentorknowledgeofmyfatherthelateAdmiralAnnesley。Itwasthereforenecessarytokeepthesecretfromhimandfromeveryone，tillsomefortunateopportunitymightofferofrevealingit——。Suchanopportunityalas!wasbuttoosoongiveninthedeathofmydearCapt。
Dashwood——Pardonthesetears，continuedMissJanewipingherEyes，IowethemtomyHusband’smemory。HefellmySophia，whilefightingforhisCountryinAmericaafteramosthappyUnionofsevenyears——。MyChildren，twosweetBoysandaGirl，whohadconstantlyresidedwithmyFatherandme，passingwithhimandwitheveryoneastheChildrenofaBrother（tho’IhadeverbeenanonlyChild）hadasyetbeenthecomfortsofmyLife。
ButnosoonerhadIlossedmyHenry，thanthesesweetCreaturesfellsickanddied——。ConceivedearSophiawhatmyfeelingsmusthavebeenwhenasanAuntIattendedmyChildrentotheirearlyGrave——。MyFatherdidnotsurvivethemmanyweeks——Hedied，poorGoodoldman，happilyignoranttohislasthourofmyMarriage。’
\"Butdidnotyouownit，andassumehisnameatyourhusband’sdeath？\"
\"No；Icouldnotbringmyselftodoit；moreespeciallywheninmyChildrenIlostallinducementfordoingit。LadyBridget，andyourselfaretheonlypersonswhoareintheknowledgeofmyhavingeverbeeneitherWifeorMother。AsIcouldnotPrevailonmyselftotakethenameofDashwood（anamewhichaftermyHenry’sdeathIcouldneverhearwithoutemotion）andasIwasconsciousofhavingnorighttothatofAnnesley，Idroptallthoughtsofeither，andhavemadeitapointofbearingonlymyChristianonesincemyFather’sdeath。\"Shepaused——\"Oh!mydearMissJane（saidI）howinfinitelyamIobligedtoyouforsoentertainingastory!Youcannotthinkhowithasdivertedme!
Buthaveyouquitedone？\"
\"IhaveonlytoaddmydearSophia，thatmyHenry’selderBrotherdieingaboutthesametime，LadyBridgetbecameaWidowlikemyself，andaswehadalwayslovedeachotherinideafromthehighCharacterinwhichwehadeverbeenspokenof，thoughwehadnevermet，wedeterminedtolivetogether。Wewrotetooneanotheronthesamesubjectbythesamepost，soexactlydidourfeelingandouractionscoincide!Webotheagerlyembracedtheproposalswegaveandreceivedofbecomingonefamily，andhavefromthattimelivedtogetherinthegreatestaffection。\"
\"Andisthisall？saidI，Ihopeyouhavenotdone。\"
\"IndeedIhave；anddidyoueverhearastorymorepathetic？\"
\"Ineverdid——anditisforthatreasonitpleasesmesomuch，forwhenoneisunhappynothingissodelightfultoone’ssensationsastohearofequalmisery。\"
\"Ah!butmySophiawhyareYOUunhappy？\"
\"HaveyounotheardMadamofWilloughby’sMarriage？\"
\"ButmylovewhylamentHISperfidy，whenyouboresowellthatofmanyyoungMenbefore？\"
\"Ah!Madam，Iwasusedtoitthen，butwhenWilloughbybrokehisEngagementsIhadnotbeendissapointedforhalfayear。\"
\"PoorGirl!\"saidMissJane。
LETTERtheTHIRD
FromaYOUNGLADYindistressedCircumstancestoherfreindAfewdaysagoIwasataprivateBallgivenbyMrAshburnham。
AsmyMothernevergoesoutsheentrustedmetothecareofLadyGrevillewhodidmethehonourofcallingformeinherwayandofallowingmetositforwards，whichisafavouraboutwhichI
amveryindifferentespeciallyasIknowitisconsideredasconferingagreatobligationonme\"SoMissMaria（saidherLadyshipasshesawmeadvancingtothedooroftheCarriage）youseemverysmarttonight——MYpoorGirlswillappearquitetodisadvantagebyYOU——IonlyhopeyourMothermaynothavedistressedherselftosetYOUoff。HaveyougotanewGownon？\"
\"YesMa’am。\"repliedIwithasmuchindifferenceasIcouldassume。
\"Aye，andafineonetooIthink——（feelingit，asbyherpermissionIseatedmyselfbyher）Idaresayitisallverysmart——ButImustown，foryouknowIalwaysspeakmymind，thatIthinkitwasquiteaneedlesspieceofexpence——Whycouldnotyouhavewornyouroldstripedone？ItisnotmywaytofindfaultwithPeoplebecausetheyarepoor，forIalwaysthinkthattheyaremoretobedespisedandpitiedthanblamedforit，especiallyiftheycannothelpit，butatthesametimeImustsaythatinmyopinionyouroldstripedGownwouldhavebeenquitefineenoughforitsWearer——fortotellyouthetruth（I
alwaysspeakmymind）IamverymuchafraidthatonehalfofthepeopleintheroomwillnotknowwhetheryouhaveaGownonornot——ButIsupposeyouintendtomakeyourfortunetonight——。
Well，thesoonerthebetter；andIwishyousuccess。\"
\"IndeedMa’amIhavenosuchintention——\"
\"WhoeverheardayoungLadyownthatshewasaFortune—hunter？\"
MissGrevillelaughedbutIamsureEllenfeltforme。
\"WasyourMothergonetobedbeforeyoulefther？\"saidherLadyship。
\"DearMa’am，saidEllenitisbutnineo’clock。\"
\"TrueEllen，butCandlescostmoney，andMrsWilliamsistoowisetobeextravagant。\"
\"ShewasjustsittingdowntosupperMa’am。\"
\"Andwhathadshegotforsupper？\"\"Ididnotobserve。\"\"BreadandCheeseIsuppose。\"\"Ishouldneverwishforabettersupper。\"saidEllen。\"YouhaveneveranyreasonrepliedherMother，asabetterisalwaysprovidedforyou。\"MissGrevillelaughedexcessively，assheconstantlydoesatherMother’swit。
SuchisthehumiliatingSituationinwhichIamforcedtoappearwhileridinginherLadyship’sCoach——Idarenotbeimpertinent，asmyMotherisalwaysadmonishingmetobehumbleandpatientifIwishtomakemywayintheworld。SheinsistsonmyacceptingeveryinvitationofLadyGreville，oryoumaybecertainthatI
wouldneverentereitherherHouse，orherCoachwiththedisagreablecertaintyIalwayshaveofbeingabusedformyPovertywhileIaminthem。——WhenwearrivedatAshburnham，itwasnearlyteno’clock，whichwasanhourandahalflaterthanweweredesiredtobethere；butLadyGrevilleistoofashionable（orfanciesherselftobeso）tobepunctual。TheDancinghoweverwasnotbegunastheywaitedforMissGreville。IhadnotbeenlongintheroombeforeIwasengagedtodancebyMrBernard，butjustasweweregoingtostandup，herecollectedthathisServanthadgothiswhiteGloves，andimmediatelyranouttofetchthem。InthemeantimetheDancingbeganandLadyGrevilleinpassingtoanotherroomwentexactlybeforeme——Shesawmeandinstantlystopping，saidtomethoughtherewereseveralpeopleclosetous，\"Heyday，MissMaria!Whatcannotyougetapartner？PoorYoungLady!IamafraidyournewGownwasputonfornothing。Butdonotdespair；perhapsyoumaygetahopbeforetheEveningisover。\"Sosaying，shepassedonwithouthearingmyrepeatedassuranceofbeingengaged，andleavingmeverymuchprovokedatbeingsoexposedbeforeeveryone——MrBernardhoweversoonreturnedandbycomingtomethemomentheenteredtheroom，andleadingmetotheDancersmyCharacterIhopewasclearedfromtheimputationLadyGrevillehadthrownonit，intheeyesofalltheoldLadieswhohadheardherspeech。Isoonforgotallmyvexationsinthepleasureofdancingandofhavingthemostagreablepartnerintheroom。AsheismoreoverheirtoaverylargeEstateIcouldseethatLadyGrevilledidnotlookverywellpleasedwhenshefoundwhohadbeenhisChoice——Shewasdeterminedtomortifyme，andaccordinglywhenweweresittingdownbetweenthedances，shecametomewithmorethanherusualinsultingimportanceattendedbyMissMasonandsaidloudenoughtobeheardbyhalfthepeopleintheroom，\"PrayMissMariainwhatwayofbusinesswasyourGrandfather？forMissMasonandI
cannotagreewhetherhewasaGroceroraBookbinder。\"Isawthatshewantedtomortifyme，andwasresolvedifIpossiblycouldtoPreventherseeingthatherschemesucceeded。\"NeitherMadam；hewasaWineMerchant。\"\"Aye，Iknewhewasinsomesuchlowway——
Hebrokedidnothe？\"\"IbeleivenotMa’am。\"\"Didnotheabscond？\"\"Ineverheardthathedid。\"\"Atleasthediedinsolvent？\"\"Iwasnevertoldsobefore。\"\"Why，wasnotyourFATHERaspoorasaRat\"\"Ifancynot。\"\"WasnotheintheKingsBenchonce？\"\"Ineversawhimthere。\"ShegavemeSUCHalook，andturnedawayinagreatpassion；whileIwashalfdelightedwithmyselfformyimpertinence，andhalfafraidofbeingthoughttoosaucy。AsLadyGrevillewasextremelyangrywithme，shetooknofurthernoticeofmealltheEvening，andindeedhadIbeeninfavourIshouldhavebeenequallyneglected，asshewasgotintoaPartyofgreatfolksandsheneverspeakstomewhenshecantoanyoneelse。MissGrevillewaswithherMother’spartyatsupper，butEllenpreferredstayingwiththeBernardsandme。WehadaverypleasantDanceandasLadyG——
sleptallthewayhome，Ihadaverycomfortableride。
ThenextdaywhilewewereatdinnerLadyGreville’sCoachstoppedatthedoor，forthatisthetimeofdayshegenerallycontrivesitshould。Shesentinamessagebytheservanttosaythat\"sheshouldnotgetoutbutthatMissMariamustcometotheCoach—door，asshewantedtospeaktoher，andthatshemustmakehasteandcomeimmediately——\"\"WhatanimpertinentMessageMama!\"
saidI——\"GoMaria——\"repliedshe——AccordinglyIwentandwasobligedtostandthereatherLadyshipspleasurethoughtheWindwasextremelyhighandverycold。
\"WhyIthinkMissMariayouarenotquitesosmartasyouwerelastnight——ButIdidnotcometoexamineyourdress，buttotellyouthatyoumaydinewithusthedayaftertomorrow——Nottomorrow，remember，donotcometomorrow，forweexpectLordandLadyClermontandSirThomasStanley’sfamily——TherewillbenooccasionforyourbeingveryfineforIshantsendtheCarriage——
Ifitrainsyoumaytakeanumbrella——\"Icouldhardlyhelplaughingathearinghergivemeleavetokeepmyselfdry——\"Andprayremembertobeintime，forIshantwait——IhatemyVictualsover—done——Butyouneednotcomebeforethetime——HowdoesyourMotherdo？Sheisatdinnerisnotshe？\"\"YesMa’amwewereinthemiddleofdinnerwhenyourLadyshipcame。\"\"IamafraidyoufinditverycoldMaria。\"saidEllen。\"Yes，itisanhorribleEastwind——saidherMother——IassureyouIcanhardlybearthewindowdown——ButyouareusedtobeblownaboutbythewindMissMariaandthatiswhathasmadeyourComplexionsorudelyandcoarse。YouyoungLadieswhocannotoftenrideinaCarriagenevermindwhatweatheryoutrudgein，orhowthewindshewsyourlegs。IwouldnothavemyGirlsstandoutofdoorsasyoudoinsuchadayasthis。ButsomesortofpeoplehavenofeelingseitherofcoldorDelicacy——Well，rememberthatweshallexpectyouonThursdayat5o’clock——YoumusttellyourMaidtocomeforyouatnight——TherewillbenoMoon——andyouwillhaveanhorridwalkhome——MycomptstoYourMother——Iamafraidyourdinnerwillbecold——Driveon——\"Andawayshewent，leavingmeinagreatpassionwithherasshealwaysdoes。
MariaWilliams。
LETTERtheFOURTH
FromaYOUNGLADYratherimpertinenttoherfreindWedinedyesterdaywithMrEvelynwherewewereintroducedtoaveryagreablelookingGirlhisCousin。Iwasextremelypleasedwithherappearance，foraddedtothecharmsofanengagingface，hermannerandvoicehadsomethingpeculiarlyinterestinginthem。Somuchso，thattheyinspiredmewithagreatcuriositytoknowthehistoryofherLife，whowereherParents，whereshecamefrom，andwhathadbefallenher，foritwasthenonlyknownthatshewasarelationofMrEvelyn，andthathernamewasGrenville。IntheeveningafavourableopportunityofferedtomeofattemptingatleasttoknowwhatIwishedtoknow，foreveryoneplayedatCardsbutMrsEvelyn，MyMother，DrDrayton，MissGrenvilleandmyself，andasthetwoformerwereengagedinawhisperingConversation，andtheDoctorfellasleep，wewereofnecessityobligedtoentertaineachother。ThiswaswhatI
wishedandbeingdeterminednottoremaininignoranceforwantofasking，IbegantheConversationinthefollowingManner。
\"HaveyoubeenlonginEssexMa’am？\"
\"IarrivedonTuesday。\"
\"YoucamefromDerbyshire？\"
\"No，Ma’am!appearingsurprisedatmyquestion，fromSuffolk。\"
YouwillthinkthisagooddashofminemydearMary，butyouknowthatIamnotwantingforImpudencewhenIhaveanyendinveiw。\"AreyoupleasedwiththeCountryMissGrenville？Doyoufinditequaltotheoneyouhaveleft？\"
\"MuchsuperiorMa’aminpointofBeauty。\"Shesighed。Ilongedtoknowforwhy。
\"ButthefaceofanyCountryhoweverbeautifulsaidI，canbebutapoorconsolationforthelossofone’sdearestFreinds。\"Sheshookherhead，asifshefeltthetruthofwhatIsaid。MyCuriositywassomuchraised，thatIwasresolvedatanyratetosatisfyit。
\"YouregrethavingleftSuffolkthenMissGrenville？\"\"IndeedI
do。\"\"YouwerebornthereIsuppose？\"\"YesMa’amIwasandpassedmanyhappyyearsthere——\"
\"Thatisagreatcomfort——saidI——IhopeMa’amthatyouneverspentanyunhappyone’sthere。\"
\"PerfectFelicityisnotthepropertyofMortals，andnoonehasarighttoexpectuninterruptedHappiness。——SomeMisfortunesI
havecertainlymetwith。\"
\"WHATMisfortunesdearMa’am？repliedI，burningwithimpatiencetoknoweverything。\"NONEMa’amIhopethathavebeentheeffectofanywilfullfaultinme。\"\"IdaresaynotMa’am，andhavenodoubtbutthatanysufferingsyoumayhaveexperiencedcouldariseonlyfromthecrueltiesofRelationsortheErrorsofFreinds。\"Shesighed——\"YouseemunhappymydearMissGrenville——IsitinmypowertosoftenyourMisfortunes？\"\"YOURpowerMa’amrepliedsheextremelysurprised；itisinNOONESpowertomakemehappy。\"Shepronouncedthesewordsinsomournfullandsolemnanaccent，thatforsometimeIhadnotcouragetoreply。
Iwasactuallysilenced。IrecoveredmyselfhoweverinafewmomentsandlookingatherwithalltheaffectionIcould，\"MydearMissGrenvillesaidI，youappearextremelyyoung——andmayprobablystandinneedofsomeone’sadvicewhoseregardforyou，joinedtosuperiorAge，perhapssuperiorJudgementmightauthorisehertogiveit。Iamthatperson，andInowchallengeyoutoaccepttheofferImakeyouofmyConfidenceandFreindship，inreturntowhichIshallonlyaskforyours——\"
\"YouareextremelyobligingMa’am——saidshe——andIamhighlyflatteredbyyourattentiontome——ButIaminnodifficulty，nodoubt，nouncertaintyofsituationinwhichanyadvicecanbewanted。WheneverIamhowevercontinuedshebrighteningintoacomplaisantsmile，Ishallknowwheretoapply。\"
Ibowed，butfeltagooddealmortifiedbysucharepulse；stillhoweverIhadnotgivenupmypoint。IfoundthatbytheappearanceofsentimentandFreindshipnothingwastobegainedanddeterminedthereforetorenewmyattacksbyQuestionsandsuppositions。\"DoyouintendstayinglonginthispartofEnglandMissGrenville？\"
\"YesMa’am，sometimeIbeleive。\"
\"ButhowwillMrandMrsGrenvillebearyourabsence？\"
\"TheyareneitherofthemaliveMa’am。\"
ThiswasananswerIdidnotexpect——Iwasquitesilenced，andneverfeltsoawkwardinmyLife———。
LETTERtheFIFTH
FromaYOUNGLADYverymuchinlovetoherFreindMyUnclegetsmorestingy，myAuntmoreparticular，andImoreinloveeveryday。Whatshallweallbeatthisratebytheendoftheyear!IhadthismorningthehappinessofreceivingthefollowingLetterfrommydearMusgrove。
SackvilleSt：Janry7thItisamonthtodaysinceIfirstbeheldmylovelyHenrietta，andthesacredanniversarymustandshallbekeptinamannerbecomingtheday——bywritingtoher。NevershallIforgetthemomentwhenherBeautiesfirstbrokeonmysight——NotimeasyouwellknowcaneraseitfrommyMemory。ItwasatLadyScudamores。HappyLadyScudamoretolivewithinamileofthedivineHenrietta!WhenthelovelyCreaturefirstenteredtheroom，oh!whatweremysensations？ThesightofyouwaslikethesightofawonderfulfineThing。Istarted——Igazedatherwithadmiration——SheappearedeverymomentmoreCharming，andtheunfortunateMusgrovebecameacaptivetoyourCharmsbeforeI
hadtimetolookaboutme。YesMadam，Ihadthehappinessofadoringyou，anhappinessforwhichIcannotbetoograteful。
\"WhatsaidhetohimselfisMusgroveallowedtodieforHenrietta？EnviableMortal!andmayhepineforherwhoistheobjectofuniversaladmiration，whoisadoredbyaColonel，andtoastedbyaBaronet!AdorableHenriettahowbeautifulyouare!
Ideclareyouarequitedivine!YouaremorethanMortal。YouareanAngel。YouareVenusherself。InshortMadamyouaretheprettiestGirlIeversawinmyLife——andherBeautyisencreasedinherMusgrovesEyes，bypermittinghimtoloveherandallowingmetohope。Andah!AngelicMissHenriettaHeavenismywitnesshowardentlyIdohopeforthedeathofyourvillanousUncleandhisabandonedWife，sincemyfaironewillnotconsenttobeminetilltheirdeceasehasplacedherinaffluenceabovewhatmyfortunecanprocure——。ThoughitisanimprovableEstate——。
CruelHenriettatopersistinsucharesolution!IamatPresentwithmysisterwhereImeantocontinuetillmyownhousewhichtho’anexcellentoneisatPresentsomewhatoutofrepair，isreadytoreceiveme。AmiableprincessofmyHeartfarewell——OfthatHeartwhichtrembleswhileitsignsitselfYourmostardentAdmireranddevotedhumbleservt。
T。Musgrove。
ThereisapatternforaLove—letterMatilda!Didyoueverreadsuchamaster—pieceofWriting？Suchsense，suchsentiment，suchpurityofThought，suchflowofLanguageandsuchunfeignedLoveinonesheet？No，neverIcananswerforit，sinceaMusgroveisnottobemetwithbyeveryGirl。Oh!howIlongtobewithhim!IintendtosendhimthefollowinginanswertohisLettertomorrow。
MydearestMusgrove——。WordscannotexpresshowhappyyourLettermademe；IthoughtIshouldhavecriedforjoy，forIloveyoubetterthananybodyintheWorld。Ithinkyouthemostamiable，andthehandsomestManinEngland，andsotobesureyouare。IneverreadsosweetaLetterinmyLife。Dowritemeanotherjustlikeit，andtellmeyouareinlovewithmeineveryotherline。Iquitedietoseeyou。Howshallwemanagetoseeoneanother？forwearesomuchinlovethatwecannotliveasunder。Oh!mydearMusgroveyoucannotthinkhowimpatientlyIwaitforthedeathofmyUncleandAunt——IftheywillnotDiesoon，IbeleiveIshallrunmad，forIgetmoreinlovewithyoueverydayofmyLife。
HowhappyyourSisteristoenjoythepleasureofyourCompanyinherhouse，andhowhappyeverybodyinLondonmustbebecauseyouarethere。Ihopeyouwillbesokindastowritetomeagainsoon，forIneverreadsuchsweetLettersasyours。IammydearestMusgrovemosttrulyandfaithfullyyoursforeverandeverHenriettaHalton。
Ihopehewilllikemyanswer；itisasgoodaoneasIcanwritethoughnothingtohis；IndeedIhadalwaysheardwhatadabhewasataLove—letter。IsawhimyouknowforthefirsttimeatLadyScudamores——AndwhenIsawherLadyshipafterwardssheaskedmehowIlikedherCousinMusgrove？
\"WhyuponmywordsaidI，IthinkheisaveryhandsomeyoungMan。\"
\"Iamgladyouthinksorepliedshe，forheisdistractedlyinlovewithyou。\"
\"Law!LadyScudamoresaidI，howcanyoutalksoridiculously？\"
\"Nay，t’isverytrueansweredshe，Iassureyou，forhewasinlovewithyoufromthefirstmomenthebeheldyou。\"
\"IwishitmaybetruesaidI，forthatistheonlykindofloveIwouldgiveafarthingfor——Thereissomesenseinbeinginloveatfirstsight。\"
\"Well，IgiveyouJoyofyourconquest，repliedLadyScudamore，andIbeleiveittohavebeenaverycompleteone；Iamsureitisnotacontemptibleone，formyCousinisacharmingyoungfellow，hasseenagreatdealoftheWorld，andwritesthebestLove—lettersIeverread。\"
Thismademeveryhappy，andIwasexcessivelypleasedwithmyconquest。However，IthoughtitwaspropertogivemyselfafewAirs——soIsaidtoher——
\"ThisisallveryprettyLadyScudamore，butyouknowthatweyoungLadieswhoareHeiressesmustnotthrowourselvesawayuponMenwhohavenofortuneatall。\"
\"MydearMissHaltonsaidshe，Iamasmuchconvincedofthatasyoucanbe，andIdoassureyouthatIshouldbethelastpersontoencourageyourmarryinganyonewhohadnotsomepretensionstoexpectafortunewithyou。MrMusgroveissofarfrombeingpoorthathehasanestateofseveralhundredsanyearwhichiscapableofgreatImprovement，andanexcellentHouse，thoughatPresentitisnotquiteinrepair。\"
\"IfthatisthecaserepliedI，Ihavenothingmoretosayagainsthim，andifasyousayheisaninformedyoungManandcanwriteagoodLove—letter，IamsureIhavenoreasontofindfaultwithhimforadmiringme，tho’perhapsImaynotmarryhimforallthatLadyScudamore。\"
\"YouarecertainlyundernoobligationtomarryhimansweredherLadyship，exceptthatwhichlovehimselfwilldictatetoyou，forifIamnotgreatlymistakenyouareatthisverymomentunknowntoyourself，cherishingamosttenderaffectionforhim。\"
\"Law，LadyScudamorerepliedIblushinghowcanyouthinkofsuchathing？\"
\"Becauseeverylook，everywordbetraysit，answeredshe；ComemydearHenrietta，considermeasafreind，andbesincerewithme——DonotyoupreferMrMusgrovetoanymanofyouracquaintance？\"
\"PraydonotaskmesuchquestionsLadyScudamore，saidIturningawaymyhead，foritisnotfitformetoanswerthem。\"
\"NaymyLoverepliedshe，nowyouconfirmmysuspicions。ButwhyHenriettashouldyoubeashamedtoownawell—placedLove，orwhyrefusetoconfideinme？\"
\"Iamnotashamedtoownit；saidItakingCourage。IdonotrefusetoconfideinyouorblushtosaythatIdoloveyourcousinMrMusgrove，thatIamsincerelyattachedtohim，foritisnodisgracetoloveahandsomeMan。IfhewereplainindeedI
mighthavehadreasontobeashamedofapassionwhichmusthavebeenmeansincetheobjectwouldhavebeenunworthy。Butwithsuchafigureandface，andsuchbeautifulhairasyourCousinhas，whyshouldIblushtoownthatsuchsuperiormerithasmadeanimpressiononme。\"
\"MysweetGirl（saidLadyScudamoreembracingmewithgreataffection）whatadelicatewayofthinkingyouhaveinthesematters，andwhataquickdiscernmentforoneofyouryears!Oh!
howIhonouryouforsuchNobleSentiments!\"
\"DoyouMa’amsaidI；Youarevastlyobliging。ButprayLadyScudamoredidyourCousinhimselftellyouofhisaffectionformeIshalllikehimthebetterifhedid，forwhatisaLoverwithoutaConfidante？\"
\"Oh!myLoverepliedshe，youwerebornforeachother。EverywordyousaymoredeeplyconvincesmethatyourMindsareactuatedbytheinvisiblepowerofsimpathy，foryouropinionsandsentimentssoexactlycoincide。Nay，thecolourofyourHairisnotverydifferent。YesmydearGirl，thepoordespairingMusgrovedidrevealtomethestoryofhisLove——。NorwasI
surprisedatit——Iknownothowitwas，butIhadakindofpresentimentthathewouldbeinlovewithyou。\"
\"Well，buthowdidhebreakittoyou？\"
\"Itwasnottillaftersupper。Weweresittingroundthefiretogethertalkingonindifferentsubjects，thoughtosaythetruththeConversationwascheiflyonmysideforhewasthoughtfulandsilent，whenonasuddenheinterruptedmeinthemidstofsomethingIwassaying，byexclaiminginamostTheatricaltone——
YesI’minloveIfeelitnowAndHenriettaHaltonhasundoneme\"Oh!WhatasweetwayrepliedI，ofdeclaringhisPassion!Tomakesuchacoupleofcharminglinesaboutme!Whatapityitisthattheyarenotinrhime!\"
\"Iamverygladyoulikeitansweredshe；TobesuretherewasagreatdealofTasteinit。Andareyouinlovewithher，Cousin？
saidI。Iamverysorryforit，forunexceptionableasyouareineveryrespect，withaprettyEstatecapableofGreatimprovements，andanexcellentHousetho’somewhatoutofrepair，yetwhocanhopetoaspirewithsuccesstotheadorableHenriettawhohashadanofferfromaColonelandbeentoastedbyaBaronet\"——\"THATIhave——\"criedI。LadyScudamorecontinued。
\"AhdearCousinrepliedhe，IamsowellconvincedofthelittleChanceIcanhaveofwinningherwhoisadoredbythousands，thatIneednoassurancesofyourstomakememorethoroughlyso。YetsurelyneitheryouorthefairHenriettaherselfwilldenymetheexquisiteGratificationofdieingforher，offallingavictimtoherCharms。AndwhenIamdead\"——continuedher——
\"OhLadyScudamore，saidIwipingmyeyes，thatsuchasweetCreatureshouldtalkofdieing!\"
\"ItisanaffectingCircumstanceindeed，repliedLadyScudamore。\"
\"WhenIamdeadsaidhe，letmebecarriedandlainatherfeet，andperhapsshemaynotdisdaintodropapityingtearonmypoorremains。\"
\"DearLadyScudamoreinterruptedI，saynomoreonthisaffectingsubject。Icannotbearit。\"
\"Oh!howIadmirethesweetsensibilityofyourSoul，andasI
wouldnotforWorldswoundittoodeeply，Iwillbesilent。\"
\"Praygoon。\"saidI。Shedidso。
\"Andthenaddedhe，Ah!CousinimaginewhatmytransportswillbewhenIfeelthedearpreciousdropstrickleonmyface!Whowouldnotdietohastesuchextacy!AndwhenIaminterred，maythedivineHenriettablesssomehappierYouthwithheraffection，MayhebeastenderlyattachedtoherasthehaplessMusgroveandwhileHEcrumblestodust，MaytheyliveanexampleofFelicityintheConjugalstate!\"
Didyoueverhearanythingsopathetic？Whatacharmingwish，tobelainatmyfeetwhenhewasdead!Oh!whatanexaltedmindhemusthavetobecapableofsuchawish!LadyScudamorewenton。
\"Ah!mydearCousinrepliedItohim，suchnoblebehaviourasthis，mustmelttheheartofanywomanhoweverobdurateitmaynaturallybe；andcouldthedivineHenriettabuthearyourgenerouswishesforherhappiness，allgentleasishermind，I
havenotadoubtbutthatshewouldpityyouraffectionandendeavourtoreturnit。\"\"Oh!Cousinansweredhe，donotendeavourtoraisemyhopesbysuchflatteringassurances。No，I
cannothopetopleasethisangelofaWoman，andtheonlythingwhichremainsformetodo，istodie。\"\"TrueLoveiseverdespondingrepliedI，butImydearTomwillgiveyouevengreaterhopesofconqueringthisfairone’sheart，thanIhaveyetgivenyou，byassuringyouthatIwatchedherwiththestrictestattentionduringthewholeday，andcouldplainlydiscoverthatshecherishesinherbosomthoughunknowntoherself，amosttenderaffectionforyou。\"
\"DearLadyScudamorecriedI，ThisismorethanIeverknew!\"
\"DidnotIsaythatitwasunknowntoyourself？Ididnot，continuedItohim，encourageyoubysayingthisatfirst，thatsurprisemightrenderthepleasurestillGreater。\"\"NoCousinrepliedheinalanguidvoice，nothingwillconvincemethatI
canhavetouchedtheheartofHenriettaHalton，andifyouaredeceivedyourself，donotattemptdeceivingme。\"\"InshortmyLoveitwastheworkofsomehoursformetoPersuadethepoordespairingYouththatyouhadreallyapreferenceforhim；butwhenatlasthecouldnolongerdenytheforceofmyarguments，ordiscreditwhatItoldhim，histransports，hisRaptures，hisExtaciesarebeyondmypowertodescribe。\"
\"Oh!thedearCreature，criedI，howpassionatelyhelovesme!
ButdearLadyScudamoredidyoutellhimthatIwastotallydependantonmyUncleandAunt？\"
\"Yes，Itoldhimeverything。\"
\"Andwhatdidhesay。\"
\"HeexclaimedwithvirulenceagainstUnclesandAunts；AccusedthelawsofEnglandforallowingthemtoPossesstheirEstateswhenwantedbytheirNephewsorNeices，andwishedHEwereintheHouseofCommons，thathemightreformtheLegislature，andrectifyallitsabuses。\"
\"Oh!thesweetMan!Whataspirithehas!\"saidI。
\"Hecouldnotflatterhimselfheadded，thattheadorableHenriettawouldcondescendforhissaketoresignthoseLuxuriesandthatsplendortowhichshehadbeenused，andacceptonlyinexchangetheComfortsandElegancieswhichhislimitedIncomecouldaffordher，evensupposingthathishousewereinReadinesstoreceiveher。Itoldhimthatitcouldnotbeexpectedthatshewould；itwouldbedoingheraninjusticetosupposehercapableofgivingupthepowershenowpossessesandsonoblyusesofdoingsuchextensiveGoodtothepoorerpartofherfellowCreatures，merelyforthegratificationofyouandherself。\"
\"TobesuresaidI，IAMveryCharitableeverynowandthen。AndwhatdidMrMusgrovesaytothis？\"
\"HerepliedthathewasunderamelancholynecessityofowningthetruthofwhatIsaid，andthatthereforeifheshouldbethehappyCreaturedestinedtobetheHusbandoftheBeautifulHenriettahemustbringhimselftowait，howeverimpatiently，forthefortunateday，whenshemightbefreedfromthepowerofworthlessRelationsandabletobestowherselfonhim。\"
WhatanobleCreatureheis!Oh!MatildawhatafortunateoneI
am，whoamtobehisWife!MyAuntiscallingmetocomeandmakethepies，soadeiumydearfreind，andbeleivemeyoursetc——
H。Halton。
Finis。
*
SCRAPS
ToMissFANNYCATHERINEAUSTEN
MYDearNeiceAsIampreventedbythegreatdistancebetweenRowlingandSteventonfromsuperintendingyourEducationmyself，thecareofwhichwillprobablyonthataccountdevolveonyourFatherandMother，IthinkitismyparticularDutytoPreventyourfeelingasmuchaspossiblethewantofmypersonalinstructions，byaddressingtoyouonpapermyOpinionsandAdmonitionsontheconductofYoungWomen，whichyouwillfindexpressedinthefollowingpages。——
IammydearNeiceYouraffectionateAuntTheAuthor。
THEFEMALEPHILOSOPHER
ALETTER
MyDearLouisaYourfriendMrMillarcalleduponusyesterdayinhiswaytoBath，whitherheisgoingforhishealth；twoofhisdaughterswerewithhim，buttheeldestandthethreeBoysarewiththeirMotherinSussex。ThoughyouhaveoftentoldmethatMissMillarwasremarkablyhandsome，younevermentionedanythingofherSisters’beauty；yettheyarecertainlyextremelypretty。I’llgiveyoutheirdescription。——Juliaiseighteen；withacountenanceinwhichModesty，SenseandDignityarehappilyblended，shehasaformwhichatoncepresentsyouwithGrace，EleganceandSymmetry。CharlottewhoisjustsixteenisshorterthanherSister，andthoughherfigurecannotboasttheeasydignityofJulia’s，yetithasapleasingplumpnesswhichisinadifferentwayasestimable。Sheisfairandherfaceisexpressivesometimesofsoftnessthemostbewitching，andatothersofVivacitythemoststriking。SheappearstohaveinfiniteWitandagoodhumourunalterable；herconversationduringthehalfhourtheysetwithus，wasrepletewithhumouroussallies，Bonmotsandrepartees；whilethesensible，theamiableJuliautteredsentimentsofMoralityworthyofaheartlikeherown。MrMillarappearedtoanswerthecharacterIhadalwaysreceivedofhim。MyFathermethimwiththatlookofLove，thatsocialShake，andcordialkisswhichmarkedhisgladnessatbeholdinganoldandvaluedfreindfromwhomthro’variouscircumstanceshehadbeenseparatednearlytwentyyears。MrMillarobserved（andveryjustlytoo）thatmanyeventshadbefalleneachduringthatintervaloftime，whichgaveoccasiontothelovelyJuliaformakingmostsensiblereflectionsonthemanychangesintheirsituationwhichsolongaperiodhadoccasioned，ontheadvantagesofsome，andthedisadvantagesofothers。Fromthissubjectshemadeashortdigressiontotheinstabilityofhumanpleasuresandtheuncertaintyoftheirduration，whichledhertoobservethatallearthlyJoysmustbeimperfect。ShewasproceedingtoillustratethisdoctrinebyexamplesfromtheLivesofgreatMenwhentheCarriagecametotheDoorandtheamiableMoralistwithherFatherandSisterwasobligedtodepart；butnotwithoutapromiseofspendingfiveorsixmonthswithusontheirreturn。Weofcoursementionedyou，andIassureyouthatampleJusticewasdonetoyourMeritsbyall。\"LouisaClarke（saidI）isingeneralaverypleasantGirl，yetsometimeshergoodhumouriscloudedbyPeevishness，EnvyandSpite。SheneitherwantsUnderstandingoriswithoutsomepretensionstoBeauty，butthesearesoverytrifling，thatthevalueshesetsonherpersonalcharms，andtheadorationsheexpectsthemtobeofferedareatonceastrikingexampleofhervanity，herpride，andherfolly。\"SosaidI，andtomyopinioneveryoneaddedweightbytheconcurrenceoftheirown。
YouraffectionateArabellaSmythe。
THEFIRSTACTOFACOMEDY
CHARACTERS
PopgunMariaCharlesPistollettaPostilionHostessChorusofploughboysCookandandStrephonChloeSCENE——ANINN
ENTERHostess，Charles，Maria，andCook。
HostesstoMaria）IfthegentryintheLionshouldwantbeds，shewthemnumber9。
Maria）YesMistress。——EXITMariaHostesstoCook）IftheirHonoursintheMoonaskforthebilloffare，giveitthem。
Cook）Iwull，Iwull。EXITCook。
HostesstoCharles）IftheirLadyshipsintheSunringtheirBell——answerit。
Charles）YesMadam。EXEUNTSeverally。
SCENECHANGESTOTHEMOON，anddiscoversPopgunandPistoletta。
Pistoletta）PraypapahowfarisittoLondon？
Popgun）MyGirl，myDarling，myfavouriteofallmyChildren，whoartthepictureofthypoorMotherwhodiedtwomonthsago，withwhomIamgoingtoTowntomarrytoStrephon，andtowhomImeantobequeathmywholeEstate，itwantssevenMiles。
SCENECHANGESTOTHESUN——
ENTERChloeandachorusofploughboys。
Chloe）WhereamI？AtHounslow。——WheregoI？ToLondon——。Whattodo？Tobemarried——。Untowhom？UntoStrephon。Whoishe？
AYouth。ThenIwillsingasong。
SONG
IgotoTownAndwhenIcomedown，IshallbemarriedtoStreephon*[*Notethetwoe’s]
Andthattomewillbefun。
Chorus）Befun，befun，befun，Andthattomewillbefun。
ENTERCook——
Cook）Hereisthebilloffare。
Chloereads）2Ducks，alegofbeef，astinkingpartridge，andatart。——Iwillhavethelegofbeefandthepartridge。EXITCook。
AndnowIwillsinganothersong。
SONG——
Iamgoingtohavemydinner，AfterwhichIshan’tbethinner，IwishIhadhereStrephonForhewouldcarvethepartridgeifitshouldbeatoughone。
Chorus）
Toughone，toughone，toughoneForhewouldcarvethepartridgeifitShouldbeatoughone。
EXITChloeandChorus。——
SCENECHANGESTOTHEINSIDEOFTHELION。
EnterStrephonandPostilion。
Streph：）YoudrovemefromStainestothisplace，fromwhenceI
meantogotoTowntomarryChloe。Howmuchisyourdue？
Post：）Eighteenpence。
Streph：）Alas，myfreind，IhavebutabadguineawithwhichI
meantosupportmyselfinTown。ButIwillpawntoyouanundirectedLetterthatIreceivedfromChloe。
Post：）Sir，Iacceptyouroffer。
ENDOFTHEFIRSTACT。
ALETTERfromaYOUNGLADY，whosefeelingsbeingtoostrongforherJudgementledherintothecommissionofErrorswhichherHeartdisapproved。
Manyhavebeenthecaresandvicissitudesofmypastlife，mybelovedEllinor，andtheonlyconsolationIfeelfortheirbitternessisthatonacloseexaminationofmyconduct，IamconvincedthatIhavestrictlydeservedthem。ImurderedmyfatherataveryearlyperiodofmyLife，IhavesincemurderedmyMother，andIamnowgoingtomurdermySister。IhavechangedmyreligionsooftenthatatpresentIhavenotanideaofanyleft。Ihavebeenaperjuredwitnessineverypublictryalfortheselasttwelveyears；andIhaveforgedmyownWill。InshortthereisscarcelyacrimethatIhavenotcommitted——ButI
amnowgoingtoreform。ColonelMartinoftheHorseguardshaspaidhisAddressestome，andwearetobemarriedinafewdays。
AsthereissomethingsingularinourCourtship，Iwillgiveyouanaccountofit。ColonelMartinisthesecondsonofthelateSirJohnMartinwhodiedimmenselyrich，butbequeathingonlyonehundredthousandpoundapeicetohisthreeyoungerChildren，leftthebulkofhisfortune，abouteightMilliontothepresentSirThomas。UponhissmallpittancetheColonellivedtolerablycontentedfornearlyfourmonthswhenhetookitintohisheadtodetermineongettingthewholeofhiseldestBrother’sEstate。A
newwillwasforgedandtheColonelproduceditinCourt——butnobodywouldsweartoit’sbeingtherightwillexcepthimself，andhehadswornsomuchthatNobodybeleivedhim。AtthatmomentIhappenedtobepassingbythedooroftheCourt，andwasbeckonedinbytheJudgewhotoldtheColonelthatIwasaLadyreadytowitnessanythingforthecauseofJustice，andadvisedhimtoapplytome。InshorttheAffairwassoonadjusted。TheColonelandIsworetoits’beingtherightwill，andSirThomashasbeenobligedtoresignallhisillgottenwealth。TheColonelingratitudewaitedonmethenextdaywithanofferofhishand——。IamnowgoingtomurdermySister。
YoursEver，AnnaParker。
ATOURTHROUGHWALES——
inaLETTERfromaYOUNGLADY——
MyDearClaraIhavebeensolongontheramblethatIhavenottillnowhaditinmypowertothankyouforyourLetter——。WeleftourdearhomeonlastMondaymonth；andproceededonourtourthroughWales，whichisaprincipalitycontiguoustoEnglandandgivesthetitletothePrinceofWales。Wetravelledonhorsebackbypreference。
MyMotherrodeuponourlittleponeyandFannyandIwalkedbyhersideorratherran，formyMotherissofondofridingfastthatshegallopedalltheway。Youmaybesurethatwewereinafineperspirationwhenwecametoourplaceofresting。FannyhastakenagreatmanyDrawingsoftheCountry，whichareverybeautiful，tho’perhapsnotsuchexactresemblancesasmightbewished，fromtheirbeingtakenassheranalong。ItwouldastonishyoutoseealltheShoesweworeoutinourTour。WedeterminedtotakeagoodStockwithusandthereforeeachtookapairofourownbesidesthosewesetoffin。HoweverwewereobligedtohavethembothcappedandheelpeicedatCarmarthen，andatlastwhentheywerequitegone，MamawassokindastolendusapairofblueSattinSlippers，ofwhichweeachtookoneandhoppedhomefromHereforddelightfully———
IamyoureveraffectionateElizabethJohnson。
ATALE。
AGentlemanwhosefamilynameIshallconceal，boughtasmallCottageinPembrokeshireabouttwoyearsago。ThisdaringActionwassuggestedtohimbyhiselderBrotherwhopromisedtofurnishtworoomsandaClosetforhim，providedhewouldtakeasmallhousenearthebordersofanextensiveForest，andaboutthreeMilesfromtheSea。WilhelminusgladlyacceptedtheofferandcontinuedforsometimesearchingaftersucharetreatwhenhewasonemorningagreablyreleivedfromhissuspencebyreadingthisadvertisementinaNewspaper。
TOBELETT
ANeatCottageonthebordersofanextensiveforestandaboutthreeMilesfromtheSea。ItisreadyfurnishedexcepttworoomsandaCloset。
ThedelightedWilhelminuspostedawayimmediatelytohisbrother，andshewedhimtheadvertisement。RobertuscongratulatedhimandsenthiminhisCarriagetotakepossessionoftheCottage。
Aftertravellingforthreedaysandsixnightswithoutstopping，theyarrivedattheForestandfollowingatrackwhichledbyit’ssidedownasteepHilloverwhichtenRivuletsmeandered，theyreachedtheCottageinhalfanhour。Wilhelminusalighted，andafterknockingforsometimewithoutreceivinganyanswerorhearinganyonestirwithin，heopenedthedoorwhichwasfastenedonlybyawoodenlatchandenteredasmallroom，whichheimmediatelyperceivedtobeoneofthetwothatwereunfurnished——FromthenceheproceededintoaClosetequallybare。Apairofstairsthatwentoutofitledhimintoaroomabove，nolessdestitute，andtheseapartmentshefoundcomposedthewholeoftheHouse。Hewasbynomeansdispleasedwiththisdiscovery，ashehadthecomfortofreflectingthatheshouldnotbeobligedtolayoutanythingonfurniturehimself——。HereturnedimmediatelytohisBrother，whotookhimthenextdaytoeveryShopinTown，andboughtwhateverwasrequisitetofurnishthetworoomsandtheCloset，Inafewdayseverythingwascompleted，andWilhelminusreturnedtotakepossessionofhisCottage。Robertusaccompaniedhim，withhisLadytheamiableCeciliaandhertwolovelySistersArabellaandMarinatowhomWilhelminuswastenderlyattached，andalargenumberofAttendants。——AnordinaryGeniusmightprobablyhavebeenembarrassed，inendeavouringtoaccomodatesolargeaparty，butWilhelminuswithadmirablepresenceofmindgaveordersfortheimmediateerectionoftwonobleTentsinanopenspotintheForestadjoiningtothehouse。TheirConstructionwasbothsimpleandelegant——Acoupleofoldblankets，eachsupportedbyfoursticks，gaveastrikingproofofthattasteforarchitectureandthathappyeaseinovercomingdifficultieswhichweresomeofWilhelminus’smoststrikingVirtues。