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