“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