Love and Friendship, and Other Early Works | Page 2

soon to quit that humble
Cottage for the Deceitfull Pleasures of the World. Adeiu Laura.

LETTER 5th LAURA to MARIANNE
One Evening in December as my Father, my Mother and myself, were
arranged in social converse round our Fireside, we were on a sudden
greatly astonished, by hearing a violent knocking on the outward door
of our rustic Cot.
My Father started--"What noise is that," (said he.) "It sounds like a loud
rapping at the door"--(replied my Mother.) "it does indeed." (cried I.) "I
am of your opinion; (said my Father) it certainly does appear to
proceed from some uncommon violence exerted against our
unoffending door." "Yes (exclaimed I) I cannot help thinking it must be
somebody who knocks for admittance."
"That is another point (replied he;) We must not pretend to determine
on what motive the person may knock--tho' that someone DOES rap at
the door, I am partly convinced."
Here, a 2d tremendous rap interrupted my Father in his speech, and
somewhat alarmed my Mother and me.

"Had we better not go and see who it is? (said she) the servants are
out." "I think we had." (replied I.) "Certainly, (added my Father) by all
means." "Shall we go now?" (said my Mother,) "The sooner the better."
(answered he.) "Oh! let no time be lost" (cried I.)
A third more violent Rap than ever again assaulted our ears. "I am
certain there is somebody knocking at the Door." (said my Mother.) "I
think there must," (replied my Father) "I fancy the servants are returned;
(said I) I think I hear Mary going to the Door." "I'm glad of it (cried my
Father) for I long to know who it is."
I was right in my conjecture; for Mary instantly entering the Room,
informed us that a young Gentleman and his Servant were at the door,
who had lossed their way, were very cold and begged leave to warm
themselves by our fire.
"Won't you admit them?" (said I.) "You have no objection, my Dear?"
(said my Father.) "None in the World." (replied my Mother.)
Mary, without waiting for any further commands immediately left the
room and quickly returned introducing the most beauteous and amiable
Youth, I had ever beheld. The servant she kept to herself.
My natural sensibility had already been greatly affected by the
sufferings of the unfortunate stranger and no sooner did I first behold
him, than I felt that on him the happiness or Misery of my future Life
must depend. Adeiu Laura.

LETTER 6th LAURA to MARIANNE
The noble Youth informed us that his name was Lindsay--for particular
reasons however I shall conceal it under that of Talbot. He told us that
he was the son of an English Baronet, that his Mother had been for
many years no more and that he had a Sister of the middle size. "My
Father (he continued) is a mean and mercenary wretch--it is only to
such particular freinds as this Dear Party that I would thus betray his
failings. Your Virtues my amiable Polydore (addressing himself to my

father) yours Dear Claudia and yours my Charming Laura call on me to
repose in you, my confidence." We bowed. "My Father seduced by the
false glare of Fortune and the Deluding Pomp of Title, insisted on my
giving my hand to Lady Dorothea. No never exclaimed I. Lady
Dorothea is lovely and Engaging; I prefer no woman to her; but know
Sir, that I scorn to marry her in compliance with your Wishes. No!
Never shall it be said that I obliged my Father."
We all admired the noble Manliness of his reply. He continued.
"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,