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

sensations as to hear of equal misery.”

“Ah! but my Sophia why are YOU unhappy?”

“Have you not heard Madam of Willoughby’s Marriage?”

“But my love why lament HIS perfidy, when you bore so well that

of many young Men before?”

“Ah! Madam, I was used to it then, but when Willoughby broke his

Engagements I had not been dissapointed for half a year.”

“Poor Girl!” said Miss Jane.

LETTER the THIRD

From a YOUNG LADY in distressed Circumstances to her freind

A few days ago I was at a private Ball given by Mr Ashburnham.

As my Mother never goes out she entrusted me to the care of Lady

Greville who did me the honour of calling for me in her way and

of allowing me to sit forwards, which is a favour about which I

am very indifferent especially as I know it is considered as

confering a great obligation on me “So Miss Maria (said her

Ladyship as she saw me advancing to the door of the Carriage) you

seem very smart to night– MY poor Girls will appear quite to

disadvantage by YOU– I only hope your Mother may not have

distressed herself to set YOU off. Have you got a new Gown on?”

“Yes Ma’am.” replied I with as much indifference as I could

assume.

“Aye, and a fine one too I think–(feeling it, as by her

permission I seated myself by her) I dare say it is all very

smart–But I must own, for you know I always speak my mind, that

I think it was quite a needless piece of expence–Why could not

you have worn your old striped one? It is not my way to find

fault with People because they are poor, for I always think that

they are more to be despised and pitied than blamed for it,

especially if they cannot help it, but at the same time I must

say that in my opinion your old striped Gown would have been

quite fine enough for its Wearer–for to tell you the truth (I

always speak my mind) I am very much afraid that one half of the

people in the room will not know whether you have a Gown on or

not–But I suppose you intend to make your fortune to night–.

Well, the sooner the better; and I wish you success.”

“Indeed Ma’am I have no such intention–”

“Who ever heard a young Lady own that she was a Fortune-hunter?”

Miss Greville laughed but I am sure Ellen felt for me.

“Was your Mother gone to bed before you left her?” said her

Ladyship.

“Dear Ma’am, said Ellen it is but nine o’clock.”

“True Ellen, but Candles cost money, and Mrs Williams is too wise

to be extravagant.”

“She was just sitting down to supper Ma’am.”

“And what had she got for supper?” “I did not observe.” “Bread

and Cheese I suppose.” “I should never wish for a better

supper.” said Ellen. “You have never any reason replied her

Mother, as a better is always provided for you.” Miss Greville

laughed excessively, as she constantly does at her Mother’s wit.

Such is the humiliating Situation in which I am forced to appear

while riding in her Ladyship’s Coach–I dare not be impertinent,

as my Mother is always admonishing me to be humble and patient if

I wish to make my way in the world. She insists on my accepting

every invitation of Lady Greville, or you may be certain that I

would never enter either her House, or her Coach with the

disagreable certainty I always have of being abused for my

Poverty while I am in them.–When we arrived at Ashburnham, it

was nearly ten o’clock, which was an hour and a half later than

we were desired to be there; but Lady Greville is too fashionable

(or fancies herself to be so) to be punctual. The Dancing

however was not begun as they waited for Miss Greville. I had

not been long in the room before I was engaged to dance by Mr

Bernard, but just as we were going to stand up, he recollected

that his Servant had got his white Gloves, and immediately ran

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