LOVE AND FRIENDSHIP and Other Early Works also spelled LOVE AND FREINDSHIP

speak of their persons in so extroidinary a Manner. Do not you

think the Miss Lesleys are two very handsome young Women?”

“Lord! No! (cried I) I think them terribly plain!”

“Plain! (replied He) My dear Susan, you cannot really think so!

Why what single Feature in the face of either of them, can you

possibly find fault with?”

“Oh! trust me for that; (replied I). Come I will begin with the

eldest–with Matilda. Shall I, William?” (I looked as cunning as

I could when I said it, in order to shame him).

“They are so much alike (said he) that I should suppose the

faults of one, would be the faults of both.”

“Well, then, in the first place; they are both so horribly tall!”

“They are TALLER than you are indeed.” (said he with a saucy

smile.)

“Nay, (said I), I know nothing of that.”

“Well, but (he continued) tho’ they may be above the common size,

their figures are perfectly elegant; and as to their faces, their

Eyes are beautifull.”

“I never can think such tremendous, knock-me-down figures in the

least degree elegant, and as for their eyes, they are so tall

that I never could strain my neck enough to look at them.”

“Nay, (replied he) I know not whether you may not be in the right

in not attempting it, for perhaps they might dazzle you with

their Lustre.”

“Oh! Certainly. (said I, with the greatest complacency, for I

assure you my dearest Charlotte I was not in the least offended

tho’ by what followed, one would suppose that William was

conscious of having given me just cause to be so, for coming up

to me and taking my hand, he said) “You must not look so grave

Susan; you will make me fear I have offended you!”

“Offended me! Dear Brother, how came such a thought in your

head! (returned I) No really! I assure you that I am not in the

least surprised at your being so warm an advocate for the Beauty

of these girls “–

“Well, but (interrupted William) remember that we have not yet

concluded our dispute concerning them. What fault do you find

with their complexion?”

“They are so horridly pale.”

“They have always a little colour, and after any exercise it is

considerably heightened.”

“Yes, but if there should ever happen to be any rain in this part

of the world, they will never be able raise more than their

common stock–except indeed they amuse themselves with running up

and Down these horrid old galleries and Antichambers.”

“Well, (replied my Brother in a tone of vexation, and glancing an

impertinent look at me) if they HAVE but little colour, at least,

it is all their own.”

This was too much my dear Charlotte, for I am certain that he had

the impudence by that look, of pretending to suspect the reality

of mine. But you I am sure will vindicate my character whenever

you may hear it so cruelly aspersed, for you can witness how

often I have protested against wearing Rouge, and how much I

always told you I disliked it. And I assure you that my opinions

are still the same.–. Well, not bearing to be so suspected by

my Brother, I left the room immediately, and have been ever since

in my own Dressing-room writing to you. What a long letter have

I made of it! But you must not expect to receive such from me

when I get to Town; for it is only at Lesley castle, that one has

time to write even to a Charlotte Lutterell.–. I was so much

vexed by William’s glance, that I could not summon Patience

enough, to stay and give him that advice respecting his

attachment to Matilda which had first induced me from pure Love

to him to begin the conversation; and I am now so thoroughly

convinced by it, of his violent passion for her, that I am

certain he would never hear reason on the subject, and I shall

there fore give myself no more trouble either about him or his

favourite. Adeiu my dear girl–

Yrs affectionately

Susan L.

LETTER the SEVENTH

From Miss C. LUTTERELL to Miss M. LESLEY

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