第4章

FridayEveningLadyBridgetcamethismorning，andwithher，hersweetsisterMissJane——。AlthoughIhavebeenacquaintedwiththischarmingWomanabovefifteenYears，yetIneverbeforeobservedhowlovelysheis。Sheisnowabout35，andinspiteofsickness，sorrowandTimeismorebloomingthanIeversawaGirlof17。Iwasdelightedwithher，themomentsheenteredthehouse，andsheappearedequallypleasedwithme，attachingherselftomeduringtheremainderoftheday。Thereissomethingsosweet，somildinherCountenance，thatsheseemsmorethanMortal。HerConversationisasbewitchingasherappearance；Icouldnothelptellingherhowmuchsheengagedmyadmiration——。"Oh!MissJane（saidI）——andstoppedfromaninabilityatthemomentofexpressingmyselfasIcouldwish——Oh!MissJane——（Irepeated）

——Icouldnotthinkofwordstosuitmyfeelings——Sheseemedwaitingformyspeech——。Iwasconfused——distressed——mythoughtswerebewildered——andIcouldonlyadd——"Howdoyoudo？"

ShesawandfeltformyEmbarrassmentandwithadmirablepresenceofmindreleivedmefromitbysaying——"MydearSophiabenotuneasyathavingexposedyourself——IwillturntheConversationwithoutappearingtonoticeit。"Oh!howIlovedherforherkindness!"Doyourideasmuchasyouusedtodo？"saidshe——。

"IamadvisedtoridebymyPhysician。WehavedelightfulRidesroundus，IhaveaCharminghorse，amuncommonlyfondoftheAmusement，repliedIquiterecoveredfrommyConfusion，andinshortIrideagreatdeal。""YouareintherightmyLove，"saidshe。ThenrepeatingthefollowinglinewhichwasanextemporeandequallyadaptedtorecommendbothRidingandCandour——

"Ridewhereyoumay，BeCandidwhereyoucan，"sheadded，"Irodeonce，butitismanyyearsago——ShespokethisinsolowandtremulousaVoice，thatIwassilent——。StruckwithherMannerofspeakingIcouldmakenoreply。"Ihavenotridden，continuedshefixingherEyesonmyface，sinceIwasmarried。"Iwasneversosurprised——"Married，Ma’am!"Irepeated。"Youmaywellwearthatlookofastonishment，saidshe，sincewhatIhavesaidmustappearimprobabletoyou——YetnothingismoretruethanthatI

oncewasmarried。"

"ThenwhyareyoucalledMissJane？"

"Imarried，mySophiawithouttheconsentorknowledgeofmyfatherthelateAdmiralAnnesley。Itwasthereforenecessarytokeepthesecretfromhimandfromeveryone，tillsomefortunateopportunitymightofferofrevealingit——。Suchanopportunityalas!wasbuttoosoongiveninthedeathofmydearCapt。

Dashwood——Pardonthesetears，continuedMissJanewipingherEyes，IowethemtomyHusband’smemory。HefellmySophia，whilefightingforhisCountryinAmericaafteramosthappyUnionofsevenyears——。MyChildren，twosweetBoysandaGirl，whohadconstantlyresidedwithmyFatherandme，passingwithhimandwitheveryoneastheChildrenofaBrother（tho’IhadeverbeenanonlyChild）hadasyetbeenthecomfortsofmyLife。

ButnosoonerhadIlossedmyHenry，thanthesesweetCreaturesfellsickanddied——。ConceivedearSophiawhatmyfeelingsmusthavebeenwhenasanAuntIattendedmyChildrentotheirearlyGrave——。MyFatherdidnotsurvivethemmanyweeks——Hedied，poorGoodoldman，happilyignoranttohislasthourofmyMarriage。’

"Butdidnotyouownit，andassumehisnameatyourhusband’sdeath？"

"No；Icouldnotbringmyselftodoit；moreespeciallywheninmyChildrenIlostallinducementfordoingit。LadyBridget，andyourselfaretheonlypersonswhoareintheknowledgeofmyhavingeverbeeneitherWifeorMother。AsIcouldnotPrevailonmyselftotakethenameofDashwood（anamewhichaftermyHenry’sdeathIcouldneverhearwithoutemotion）andasIwasconsciousofhavingnorighttothatofAnnesley，Idroptallthoughtsofeither，andhavemadeitapointofbearingonlymyChristianonesincemyFather’sdeath。"Shepaused——"Oh!mydearMissJane（saidI）howinfinitelyamIobligedtoyouforsoentertainingastory!Youcannotthinkhowithasdivertedme!

Buthaveyouquitedone？"

"IhaveonlytoaddmydearSophia，thatmyHenry’selderBrotherdieingaboutthesametime，LadyBridgetbecameaWidowlikemyself，andaswehadalwayslovedeachotherinideafromthehighCharacterinwhichwehadeverbeenspokenof，thoughwehadnevermet，wedeterminedtolivetogether。Wewrotetooneanotheronthesamesubjectbythesamepost，soexactlydidourfeelingandouractionscoincide!Webotheagerlyembracedtheproposalswegaveandreceivedofbecomingonefamily，andhavefromthattimelivedtogetherinthegreatestaffection。"

"Andisthisall？saidI，Ihopeyouhavenotdone。"

"IndeedIhave；anddidyoueverhearastorymorepathetic？"

"Ineverdid——anditisforthatreasonitpleasesmesomuch，forwhenoneisunhappynothingissodelightfultoone’ssensationsastohearofequalmisery。"

"Ah!butmySophiawhyareYOUunhappy？"

"HaveyounotheardMadamofWilloughby’sMarriage？"

"ButmylovewhylamentHISperfidy，whenyouboresowellthatofmanyyoungMenbefore？"

"Ah!Madam，Iwasusedtoitthen，butwhenWilloughbybrokehisEngagementsIhadnotbeendissapointedforhalfayear。"

"PoorGirl!"saidMissJane。

LETTERtheTHIRD

FromaYOUNGLADYindistressedCircumstancestoherfreindAfewdaysagoIwasataprivateBallgivenbyMrAshburnham。

AsmyMothernevergoesoutsheentrustedmetothecareofLadyGrevillewhodidmethehonourofcallingformeinherwayandofallowingmetositforwards，whichisafavouraboutwhichI

amveryindifferentespeciallyasIknowitisconsideredasconferingagreatobligationonme"SoMissMaria（saidherLadyshipasshesawmeadvancingtothedooroftheCarriage）youseemverysmarttonight——MYpoorGirlswillappearquitetodisadvantagebyYOU——IonlyhopeyourMothermaynothavedistressedherselftosetYOUoff。HaveyougotanewGownon？"

"YesMa’am。"repliedIwithasmuchindifferenceasIcouldassume。

"Aye，andafineonetooIthink——（feelingit，asbyherpermissionIseatedmyselfbyher）Idaresayitisallverysmart——ButImustown，foryouknowIalwaysspeakmymind，thatIthinkitwasquiteaneedlesspieceofexpence——Whycouldnotyouhavewornyouroldstripedone？ItisnotmywaytofindfaultwithPeoplebecausetheyarepoor，forIalwaysthinkthattheyaremoretobedespisedandpitiedthanblamedforit，especiallyiftheycannothelpit，butatthesametimeImustsaythatinmyopinionyouroldstripedGownwouldhavebeenquitefineenoughforitsWearer——fortotellyouthetruth（I

alwaysspeakmymind）IamverymuchafraidthatonehalfofthepeopleintheroomwillnotknowwhetheryouhaveaGownonornot——ButIsupposeyouintendtomakeyourfortunetonight——。

Well，thesoonerthebetter；andIwishyousuccess。"

"IndeedMa’amIhavenosuchintention——"

"WhoeverheardayoungLadyownthatshewasaFortune—hunter？"

MissGrevillelaughedbutIamsureEllenfeltforme。

"WasyourMothergonetobedbeforeyoulefther？"saidherLadyship。

"DearMa’am，saidEllenitisbutnineo’clock。"

"TrueEllen，butCandlescostmoney，andMrsWilliamsistoowisetobeextravagant。"

"ShewasjustsittingdowntosupperMa’am。"

"Andwhathadshegotforsupper？""Ididnotobserve。""BreadandCheeseIsuppose。""Ishouldneverwishforabettersupper。"saidEllen。"YouhaveneveranyreasonrepliedherMother，asabetterisalwaysprovidedforyou。"MissGrevillelaughedexcessively，assheconstantlydoesatherMother’swit。

SuchisthehumiliatingSituationinwhichIamforcedtoappearwhileridinginherLadyship’sCoach——Idarenotbeimpertinent，asmyMotherisalwaysadmonishingmetobehumbleandpatientifIwishtomakemywayintheworld。SheinsistsonmyacceptingeveryinvitationofLadyGreville，oryoumaybecertainthatI

wouldneverentereitherherHouse，orherCoachwiththedisagreablecertaintyIalwayshaveofbeingabusedformyPovertywhileIaminthem。——WhenwearrivedatAshburnham，itwasnearlyteno’clock，whichwasanhourandahalflaterthanweweredesiredtobethere；butLadyGrevilleistoofashionable（orfanciesherselftobeso）tobepunctual。TheDancinghoweverwasnotbegunastheywaitedforMissGreville。IhadnotbeenlongintheroombeforeIwasengagedtodancebyMrBernard，butjustasweweregoingtostandup，herecollectedthathisServanthadgothiswhiteGloves，andimmediatelyranouttofetchthem。InthemeantimetheDancingbeganandLadyGrevilleinpassingtoanotherroomwentexactlybeforeme——Shesawmeandinstantlystopping，saidtomethoughtherewereseveralpeopleclosetous，"Heyday，MissMaria!Whatcannotyougetapartner？PoorYoungLady!IamafraidyournewGownwasputonfornothing。Butdonotdespair；perhapsyoumaygetahopbeforetheEveningisover。"Sosaying，shepassedonwithouthearingmyrepeatedassuranceofbeingengaged，andleavingmeverymuchprovokedatbeingsoexposedbeforeeveryone——MrBernardhoweversoonreturnedandbycomingtomethemomentheenteredtheroom，andleadingmetotheDancersmyCharacterIhopewasclearedfromtheimputationLadyGrevillehadthrownonit，intheeyesofalltheoldLadieswhohadheardherspeech。Isoonforgotallmyvexationsinthepleasureofdancingandofhavingthemostagreablepartnerintheroom。AsheismoreoverheirtoaverylargeEstateIcouldseethatLadyGrevilledidnotlookverywellpleasedwhenshefoundwhohadbeenhisChoice——Shewasdeterminedtomortifyme，andaccordinglywhenweweresittingdownbetweenthedances，shecametomewithmorethanherusualinsultingimportanceattendedbyMissMasonandsaidloudenoughtobeheardbyhalfthepeopleintheroom，"PrayMissMariainwhatwayofbusinesswasyourGrandfather？forMissMasonandI

cannotagreewhetherhewasaGroceroraBookbinder。"Isawthatshewantedtomortifyme，andwasresolvedifIpossiblycouldtoPreventherseeingthatherschemesucceeded。"NeitherMadam；hewasaWineMerchant。""Aye，Iknewhewasinsomesuchlowway——

Hebrokedidnothe？""IbeleivenotMa’am。""Didnotheabscond？""Ineverheardthathedid。""Atleasthediedinsolvent？""Iwasnevertoldsobefore。""Why，wasnotyourFATHERaspoorasaRat""Ifancynot。""WasnotheintheKingsBenchonce？""Ineversawhimthere。"ShegavemeSUCHalook，andturnedawayinagreatpassion；whileIwashalfdelightedwithmyselfformyimpertinence，andhalfafraidofbeingthoughttoosaucy。AsLadyGrevillewasextremelyangrywithme，shetooknofurthernoticeofmealltheEvening，andindeedhadIbeeninfavourIshouldhavebeenequallyneglected，asshewasgotintoaPartyofgreatfolksandsheneverspeakstomewhenshecantoanyoneelse。MissGrevillewaswithherMother’spartyatsupper，butEllenpreferredstayingwiththeBernardsandme。WehadaverypleasantDanceandasLadyG——

sleptallthewayhome，Ihadaverycomfortableride。

ThenextdaywhilewewereatdinnerLadyGreville’sCoachstoppedatthedoor，forthatisthetimeofdayshegenerallycontrivesitshould。Shesentinamessagebytheservanttosaythat"sheshouldnotgetoutbutthatMissMariamustcometotheCoach—door，asshewantedtospeaktoher，andthatshemustmakehasteandcomeimmediately——""WhatanimpertinentMessageMama!"

saidI——"GoMaria——"repliedshe——AccordinglyIwentandwasobligedtostandthereatherLadyshipspleasurethoughtheWindwasextremelyhighandverycold。

"WhyIthinkMissMariayouarenotquitesosmartasyouwerelastnight——ButIdidnotcometoexamineyourdress，buttotellyouthatyoumaydinewithusthedayaftertomorrow——Nottomorrow，remember，donotcometomorrow，forweexpectLordandLadyClermontandSirThomasStanley’sfamily——TherewillbenooccasionforyourbeingveryfineforIshantsendtheCarriage——

Ifitrainsyoumaytakeanumbrella——"Icouldhardlyhelplaughingathearinghergivemeleavetokeepmyselfdry——"Andprayremembertobeintime，forIshantwait——IhatemyVictualsover—done——Butyouneednotcomebeforethetime——HowdoesyourMotherdo？Sheisatdinnerisnotshe？""YesMa’amwewereinthemiddleofdinnerwhenyourLadyshipcame。""IamafraidyoufinditverycoldMaria。"saidEllen。"Yes，itisanhorribleEastwind——saidherMother——IassureyouIcanhardlybearthewindowdown——ButyouareusedtobeblownaboutbythewindMissMariaandthatiswhathasmadeyourComplexionsorudelyandcoarse。YouyoungLadieswhocannotoftenrideinaCarriagenevermindwhatweatheryoutrudgein，orhowthewindshewsyourlegs。IwouldnothavemyGirlsstandoutofdoorsasyoudoinsuchadayasthis。ButsomesortofpeoplehavenofeelingseitherofcoldorDelicacy——Well，rememberthatweshallexpectyouonThursdayat5o’clock——YoumusttellyourMaidtocomeforyouatnight——TherewillbenoMoon——andyouwillhaveanhorridwalkhome——MycomptstoYourMother——Iamafraidyourdinnerwillbecold——Driveon——"Andawayshewent，leavingmeinagreatpassionwithherasshealwaysdoes。

MariaWilliams。

LETTERtheFOURTH

FromaYOUNGLADYratherimpertinenttoherfreindWedinedyesterdaywithMrEvelynwherewewereintroducedtoaveryagreablelookingGirlhisCousin。Iwasextremelypleasedwithherappearance，foraddedtothecharmsofanengagingface，hermannerandvoicehadsomethingpeculiarlyinterestinginthem。Somuchso，thattheyinspiredmewithagreatcuriositytoknowthehistoryofherLife，whowereherParents，whereshecamefrom，andwhathadbefallenher，foritwasthenonlyknownthatshewasarelationofMrEvelyn，andthathernamewasGrenville。IntheeveningafavourableopportunityofferedtomeofattemptingatleasttoknowwhatIwishedtoknow，foreveryoneplayedatCardsbutMrsEvelyn，MyMother，DrDrayton，MissGrenvilleandmyself，andasthetwoformerwereengagedinawhisperingConversation，andtheDoctorfellasleep，wewereofnecessityobligedtoentertaineachother。ThiswaswhatI

wishedandbeingdeterminednottoremaininignoranceforwantofasking，IbegantheConversationinthefollowingManner。

"HaveyoubeenlonginEssexMa’am？"

"IarrivedonTuesday。"

"YoucamefromDerbyshire？"

"No，Ma’am!appearingsurprisedatmyquestion，fromSuffolk。"

YouwillthinkthisagooddashofminemydearMary，butyouknowthatIamnotwantingforImpudencewhenIhaveanyendinveiw。"AreyoupleasedwiththeCountryMissGrenville？Doyoufinditequaltotheoneyouhaveleft？"

"MuchsuperiorMa’aminpointofBeauty。"Shesighed。Ilongedtoknowforwhy。

"ButthefaceofanyCountryhoweverbeautifulsaidI，canbebutapoorconsolationforthelossofone’sdearestFreinds。"Sheshookherhead，asifshefeltthetruthofwhatIsaid。MyCuriositywassomuchraised，thatIwasresolvedatanyratetosatisfyit。

"YouregrethavingleftSuffolkthenMissGrenville？""IndeedI

do。""YouwerebornthereIsuppose？""YesMa’amIwasandpassedmanyhappyyearsthere——"

"Thatisagreatcomfort——saidI——IhopeMa’amthatyouneverspentanyunhappyone’sthere。"

"PerfectFelicityisnotthepropertyofMortals，andnoonehasarighttoexpectuninterruptedHappiness。——SomeMisfortunesI

havecertainlymetwith。"

"WHATMisfortunesdearMa’am？repliedI，burningwithimpatiencetoknoweverything。"NONEMa’amIhopethathavebeentheeffectofanywilfullfaultinme。""IdaresaynotMa’am，andhavenodoubtbutthatanysufferingsyoumayhaveexperiencedcouldariseonlyfromthecrueltiesofRelationsortheErrorsofFreinds。"Shesighed——"YouseemunhappymydearMissGrenville——IsitinmypowertosoftenyourMisfortunes？""YOURpowerMa’amrepliedsheextremelysurprised；itisinNOONESpowertomakemehappy。"Shepronouncedthesewordsinsomournfullandsolemnanaccent，thatforsometimeIhadnotcouragetoreply。

Iwasactuallysilenced。IrecoveredmyselfhoweverinafewmomentsandlookingatherwithalltheaffectionIcould，"MydearMissGrenvillesaidI，youappearextremelyyoung——andmayprobablystandinneedofsomeone’sadvicewhoseregardforyou，joinedtosuperiorAge，perhapssuperiorJudgementmightauthorisehertogiveit。Iamthatperson，andInowchallengeyoutoaccepttheofferImakeyouofmyConfidenceandFreindship，inreturntowhichIshallonlyaskforyours——"

"YouareextremelyobligingMa’am——saidshe——andIamhighlyflatteredbyyourattentiontome——ButIaminnodifficulty，nodoubt，nouncertaintyofsituationinwhichanyadvicecanbewanted。WheneverIamhowevercontinuedshebrighteningintoacomplaisantsmile，Ishallknowwheretoapply。"

Ibowed，butfeltagooddealmortifiedbysucharepulse；stillhoweverIhadnotgivenupmypoint。IfoundthatbytheappearanceofsentimentandFreindshipnothingwastobegainedanddeterminedthereforetorenewmyattacksbyQuestionsandsuppositions。"DoyouintendstayinglonginthispartofEnglandMissGrenville？"

"YesMa’am，sometimeIbeleive。"

"ButhowwillMrandMrsGrenvillebearyourabsence？"

"TheyareneitherofthemaliveMa’am。"

ThiswasananswerIdidnotexpect——Iwasquitesilenced，andneverfeltsoawkwardinmyLife———。

LETTERtheFIFTH

FromaYOUNGLADYverymuchinlovetoherFreindMyUnclegetsmorestingy，myAuntmoreparticular，andImoreinloveeveryday。Whatshallweallbeatthisratebytheendoftheyear!IhadthismorningthehappinessofreceivingthefollowingLetterfrommydearMusgrove。

SackvilleSt：Janry7thItisamonthtodaysinceIfirstbeheldmylovelyHenrietta，andthesacredanniversarymustandshallbekeptinamannerbecomingtheday——bywritingtoher。NevershallIforgetthemomentwhenherBeautiesfirstbrokeonmysight——NotimeasyouwellknowcaneraseitfrommyMemory。ItwasatLadyScudamores。HappyLadyScudamoretolivewithinamileofthedivineHenrietta!WhenthelovelyCreaturefirstenteredtheroom，oh!whatweremysensations？ThesightofyouwaslikethesightofawonderfulfineThing。Istarted——Igazedatherwithadmiration——SheappearedeverymomentmoreCharming，andtheunfortunateMusgrovebecameacaptivetoyourCharmsbeforeI

hadtimetolookaboutme。YesMadam，Ihadthehappinessofadoringyou，anhappinessforwhichIcannotbetoograteful。

"WhatsaidhetohimselfisMusgroveallowedtodieforHenrietta？EnviableMortal!andmayhepineforherwhoistheobjectofuniversaladmiration，whoisadoredbyaColonel，andtoastedbyaBaronet!AdorableHenriettahowbeautifulyouare!

Ideclareyouarequitedivine!YouaremorethanMortal。YouareanAngel。YouareVenusherself。InshortMadamyouaretheprettiestGirlIeversawinmyLife——andherBeautyisencreasedinherMusgrovesEyes，bypermittinghimtoloveherandallowingmetohope。Andah!AngelicMissHenriettaHeavenismywitnesshowardentlyIdohopeforthedeathofyourvillanousUncleandhisabandonedWife，sincemyfaironewillnotconsenttobeminetilltheirdeceasehasplacedherinaffluenceabovewhatmyfortunecanprocure——。ThoughitisanimprovableEstate——。

CruelHenriettatopersistinsucharesolution!IamatPresentwithmysisterwhereImeantocontinuetillmyownhousewhichtho’anexcellentoneisatPresentsomewhatoutofrepair，isreadytoreceiveme。AmiableprincessofmyHeartfarewell——OfthatHeartwhichtrembleswhileitsignsitselfYourmostardentAdmireranddevotedhumbleservt。

T。Musgrove。

ThereisapatternforaLove—letterMatilda!Didyoueverreadsuchamaster—pieceofWriting？Suchsense，suchsentiment，suchpurityofThought，suchflowofLanguageandsuchunfeignedLoveinonesheet？No，neverIcananswerforit，sinceaMusgroveisnottobemetwithbyeveryGirl。Oh!howIlongtobewithhim!IintendtosendhimthefollowinginanswertohisLettertomorrow。

MydearestMusgrove——。WordscannotexpresshowhappyyourLettermademe；IthoughtIshouldhavecriedforjoy，forIloveyoubetterthananybodyintheWorld。Ithinkyouthemostamiable，andthehandsomestManinEngland，andsotobesureyouare。IneverreadsosweetaLetterinmyLife。Dowritemeanotherjustlikeit，andtellmeyouareinlovewithmeineveryotherline。Iquitedietoseeyou。Howshallwemanagetoseeoneanother？forwearesomuchinlovethatwecannotliveasunder。Oh!mydearMusgroveyoucannotthinkhowimpatientlyIwaitforthedeathofmyUncleandAunt——IftheywillnotDiesoon，IbeleiveIshallrunmad，forIgetmoreinlovewithyoueverydayofmyLife。

HowhappyyourSisteristoenjoythepleasureofyourCompanyinherhouse，andhowhappyeverybodyinLondonmustbebecauseyouarethere。Ihopeyouwillbesokindastowritetomeagainsoon，forIneverreadsuchsweetLettersasyours。IammydearestMusgrovemosttrulyandfaithfullyyoursforeverandeverHenriettaHalton。

Ihopehewilllikemyanswer；itisasgoodaoneasIcanwritethoughnothingtohis；IndeedIhadalwaysheardwhatadabhewasataLove—letter。IsawhimyouknowforthefirsttimeatLadyScudamores——AndwhenIsawherLadyshipafterwardssheaskedmehowIlikedherCousinMusgrove？

"WhyuponmywordsaidI，IthinkheisaveryhandsomeyoungMan。"

"Iamgladyouthinksorepliedshe，forheisdistractedlyinlovewithyou。"

"Law!LadyScudamoresaidI，howcanyoutalksoridiculously？"

"Nay，t’isverytrueansweredshe，Iassureyou，forhewasinlovewithyoufromthefirstmomenthebeheldyou。"

"IwishitmaybetruesaidI，forthatistheonlykindofloveIwouldgiveafarthingfor——Thereissomesenseinbeinginloveatfirstsight。"

"Well，IgiveyouJoyofyourconquest，repliedLadyScudamore，andIbeleiveittohavebeenaverycompleteone；Iamsureitisnotacontemptibleone，formyCousinisacharmingyoungfellow，hasseenagreatdealoftheWorld，andwritesthebestLove—lettersIeverread。"

Thismademeveryhappy，andIwasexcessivelypleasedwithmyconquest。However，IthoughtitwaspropertogivemyselfafewAirs——soIsaidtoher——

"ThisisallveryprettyLadyScudamore，butyouknowthatweyoungLadieswhoareHeiressesmustnotthrowourselvesawayuponMenwhohavenofortuneatall。"

"MydearMissHaltonsaidshe，Iamasmuchconvincedofthatasyoucanbe，andIdoassureyouthatIshouldbethelastpersontoencourageyourmarryinganyonewhohadnotsomepretensionstoexpectafortunewithyou。MrMusgroveissofarfrombeingpoorthathehasanestateofseveralhundredsanyearwhichiscapableofgreatImprovement，andanexcellentHouse，thoughatPresentitisnotquiteinrepair。"

"IfthatisthecaserepliedI，Ihavenothingmoretosayagainsthim，andifasyousayheisaninformedyoungManandcanwriteagoodLove—letter，IamsureIhavenoreasontofindfaultwithhimforadmiringme，tho’perhapsImaynotmarryhimforallthatLadyScudamore。"

"YouarecertainlyundernoobligationtomarryhimansweredherLadyship，exceptthatwhichlovehimselfwilldictatetoyou，forifIamnotgreatlymistakenyouareatthisverymomentunknowntoyourself，cherishingamosttenderaffectionforhim。"

"Law，LadyScudamorerepliedIblushinghowcanyouthinkofsuchathing？"

"Becauseeverylook，everywordbetraysit，answeredshe；ComemydearHenrietta，considermeasafreind，andbesincerewithme——DonotyoupreferMrMusgrovetoanymanofyouracquaintance？"

"PraydonotaskmesuchquestionsLadyScudamore，saidIturningawaymyhead，foritisnotfitformetoanswerthem。"

"NaymyLoverepliedshe，nowyouconfirmmysuspicions。ButwhyHenriettashouldyoubeashamedtoownawell—placedLove，orwhyrefusetoconfideinme？"

"Iamnotashamedtoownit；saidItakingCourage。IdonotrefusetoconfideinyouorblushtosaythatIdoloveyourcousinMrMusgrove，thatIamsincerelyattachedtohim，foritisnodisgracetoloveahandsomeMan。IfhewereplainindeedI

mighthavehadreasontobeashamedofapassionwhichmusthavebeenmeansincetheobjectwouldhavebeenunworthy。Butwithsuchafigureandface，andsuchbeautifulhairasyourCousinhas，whyshouldIblushtoownthatsuchsuperiormerithasmadeanimpressiononme。"

"MysweetGirl（saidLadyScudamoreembracingmewithgreataffection）whatadelicatewayofthinkingyouhaveinthesematters，andwhataquickdiscernmentforoneofyouryears!Oh!

howIhonouryouforsuchNobleSentiments!"

"DoyouMa’amsaidI；Youarevastlyobliging。ButprayLadyScudamoredidyourCousinhimselftellyouofhisaffectionformeIshalllikehimthebetterifhedid，forwhatisaLoverwithoutaConfidante？"

"Oh!myLoverepliedshe，youwerebornforeachother。EverywordyousaymoredeeplyconvincesmethatyourMindsareactuatedbytheinvisiblepowerofsimpathy，foryouropinionsandsentimentssoexactlycoincide。Nay，thecolourofyourHairisnotverydifferent。YesmydearGirl，thepoordespairingMusgrovedidrevealtomethestoryofhisLove——。NorwasI

surprisedatit——Iknownothowitwas，butIhadakindofpresentimentthathewouldbeinlovewithyou。"

"Well，buthowdidhebreakittoyou？"

"Itwasnottillaftersupper。Weweresittingroundthefiretogethertalkingonindifferentsubjects，thoughtosaythetruththeConversationwascheiflyonmysideforhewasthoughtfulandsilent，whenonasuddenheinterruptedmeinthemidstofsomethingIwassaying，byexclaiminginamostTheatricaltone——

YesI’minloveIfeelitnowAndHenriettaHaltonhasundoneme"Oh!WhatasweetwayrepliedI，ofdeclaringhisPassion!Tomakesuchacoupleofcharminglinesaboutme!Whatapityitisthattheyarenotinrhime!"

"Iamverygladyoulikeitansweredshe；TobesuretherewasagreatdealofTasteinit。Andareyouinlovewithher，Cousin？

saidI。Iamverysorryforit，forunexceptionableasyouareineveryrespect，withaprettyEstatecapableofGreatimprovements，andanexcellentHousetho’somewhatoutofrepair，yetwhocanhopetoaspirewithsuccesstotheadorableHenriettawhohashadanofferfromaColonelandbeentoastedbyaBaronet"——"THATIhave——"criedI。LadyScudamorecontinued。

"AhdearCousinrepliedhe，IamsowellconvincedofthelittleChanceIcanhaveofwinningherwhoisadoredbythousands，thatIneednoassurancesofyourstomakememorethoroughlyso。YetsurelyneitheryouorthefairHenriettaherselfwilldenymetheexquisiteGratificationofdieingforher，offallingavictimtoherCharms。AndwhenIamdead"——continuedher——

"OhLadyScudamore，saidIwipingmyeyes，thatsuchasweetCreatureshouldtalkofdieing!"

"ItisanaffectingCircumstanceindeed，repliedLadyScudamore。"

"WhenIamdeadsaidhe，letmebecarriedandlainatherfeet，andperhapsshemaynotdisdaintodropapityingtearonmypoorremains。"

"DearLadyScudamoreinterruptedI，saynomoreonthisaffectingsubject。Icannotbearit。"

"Oh!howIadmirethesweetsensibilityofyourSoul，andasI

wouldnotforWorldswoundittoodeeply，Iwillbesilent。"

"Praygoon。"saidI。Shedidso。

"Andthenaddedhe，Ah!CousinimaginewhatmytransportswillbewhenIfeelthedearpreciousdropstrickleonmyface!Whowouldnotdietohastesuchextacy!AndwhenIaminterred，maythedivineHenriettablesssomehappierYouthwithheraffection，MayhebeastenderlyattachedtoherasthehaplessMusgroveandwhileHEcrumblestodust，MaytheyliveanexampleofFelicityintheConjugalstate!"

Didyoueverhearanythingsopathetic？Whatacharmingwish，tobelainatmyfeetwhenhewasdead!Oh!whatanexaltedmindhemusthavetobecapableofsuchawish!LadyScudamorewenton。

"Ah!mydearCousinrepliedItohim，suchnoblebehaviourasthis，mustmelttheheartofanywomanhoweverobdurateitmaynaturallybe；andcouldthedivineHenriettabuthearyourgenerouswishesforherhappiness，allgentleasishermind，I

havenotadoubtbutthatshewouldpityyouraffectionandendeavourtoreturnit。""Oh!Cousinansweredhe，donotendeavourtoraisemyhopesbysuchflatteringassurances。No，I

cannothopetopleasethisangelofaWoman，andtheonlythingwhichremainsformetodo，istodie。""TrueLoveiseverdespondingrepliedI，butImydearTomwillgiveyouevengreaterhopesofconqueringthisfairone’sheart，thanIhaveyetgivenyou，byassuringyouthatIwatchedherwiththestrictestattentionduringthewholeday，andcouldplainlydiscoverthatshecherishesinherbosomthoughunknowntoherself，amosttenderaffectionforyou。"

"DearLadyScudamorecriedI，ThisismorethanIeverknew!"

"DidnotIsaythatitwasunknowntoyourself？Ididnot，continuedItohim，encourageyoubysayingthisatfirst，thatsurprisemightrenderthepleasurestillGreater。""NoCousinrepliedheinalanguidvoice，nothingwillconvincemethatI

canhavetouchedtheheartofHenriettaHalton，andifyouaredeceivedyourself，donotattemptdeceivingme。""InshortmyLoveitwastheworkofsomehoursformetoPersuadethepoordespairingYouththatyouhadreallyapreferenceforhim；butwhenatlasthecouldnolongerdenytheforceofmyarguments，ordiscreditwhatItoldhim，histransports，hisRaptures，hisExtaciesarebeyondmypowertodescribe。"

"Oh!thedearCreature，criedI，howpassionatelyhelovesme!

ButdearLadyScudamoredidyoutellhimthatIwastotallydependantonmyUncleandAunt？"

"Yes，Itoldhimeverything。"

"Andwhatdidhesay。"

"HeexclaimedwithvirulenceagainstUnclesandAunts；AccusedthelawsofEnglandforallowingthemtoPossesstheirEstateswhenwantedbytheirNephewsorNeices，andwishedHEwereintheHouseofCommons，thathemightreformtheLegislature，andrectifyallitsabuses。"

"Oh!thesweetMan!Whataspirithehas!"saidI。

"Hecouldnotflatterhimselfheadded，thattheadorableHenriettawouldcondescendforhissaketoresignthoseLuxuriesandthatsplendortowhichshehadbeenused，andacceptonlyinexchangetheComfortsandElegancieswhichhislimitedIncomecouldaffordher，evensupposingthathishousewereinReadinesstoreceiveher。Itoldhimthatitcouldnotbeexpectedthatshewould；itwouldbedoingheraninjusticetosupposehercapableofgivingupthepowershenowpossessesandsonoblyusesofdoingsuchextensiveGoodtothepoorerpartofherfellowCreatures，merelyforthegratificationofyouandherself。"

"TobesuresaidI，IAMveryCharitableeverynowandthen。AndwhatdidMrMusgrovesaytothis？"

"HerepliedthathewasunderamelancholynecessityofowningthetruthofwhatIsaid，andthatthereforeifheshouldbethehappyCreaturedestinedtobetheHusbandoftheBeautifulHenriettahemustbringhimselftowait，howeverimpatiently，forthefortunateday，whenshemightbefreedfromthepowerofworthlessRelationsandabletobestowherselfonhim。"

WhatanobleCreatureheis!Oh!MatildawhatafortunateoneI

am，whoamtobehisWife!MyAuntiscallingmetocomeandmakethepies，soadeiumydearfreind，andbeleivemeyoursetc——

H。Halton。

Finis。

*

SCRAPS

ToMissFANNYCATHERINEAUSTEN

MYDearNeiceAsIampreventedbythegreatdistancebetweenRowlingandSteventonfromsuperintendingyourEducationmyself，thecareofwhichwillprobablyonthataccountdevolveonyourFatherandMother，IthinkitismyparticularDutytoPreventyourfeelingasmuchaspossiblethewantofmypersonalinstructions，byaddressingtoyouonpapermyOpinionsandAdmonitionsontheconductofYoungWomen，whichyouwillfindexpressedinthefollowingpages。——

IammydearNeiceYouraffectionateAuntTheAuthor。

THEFEMALEPHILOSOPHER

ALETTER

MyDearLouisaYourfriendMrMillarcalleduponusyesterdayinhiswaytoBath，whitherheisgoingforhishealth；twoofhisdaughterswerewithhim，buttheeldestandthethreeBoysarewiththeirMotherinSussex。ThoughyouhaveoftentoldmethatMissMillarwasremarkablyhandsome，younevermentionedanythingofherSisters’beauty；yettheyarecertainlyextremelypretty。I’llgiveyoutheirdescription。——Juliaiseighteen；withacountenanceinwhichModesty，SenseandDignityarehappilyblended，shehasaformwhichatoncepresentsyouwithGrace，EleganceandSymmetry。CharlottewhoisjustsixteenisshorterthanherSister，andthoughherfigurecannotboasttheeasydignityofJulia’s，yetithasapleasingplumpnesswhichisinadifferentwayasestimable。Sheisfairandherfaceisexpressivesometimesofsoftnessthemostbewitching，andatothersofVivacitythemoststriking。SheappearstohaveinfiniteWitandagoodhumourunalterable；herconversationduringthehalfhourtheysetwithus，wasrepletewithhumouroussallies，Bonmotsandrepartees；whilethesensible，theamiableJuliautteredsentimentsofMoralityworthyofaheartlikeherown。MrMillarappearedtoanswerthecharacterIhadalwaysreceivedofhim。MyFathermethimwiththatlookofLove，thatsocialShake，andcordialkisswhichmarkedhisgladnessatbeholdinganoldandvaluedfreindfromwhomthro’variouscircumstanceshehadbeenseparatednearlytwentyyears。MrMillarobserved（andveryjustlytoo）thatmanyeventshadbefalleneachduringthatintervaloftime，whichgaveoccasiontothelovelyJuliaformakingmostsensiblereflectionsonthemanychangesintheirsituationwhichsolongaperiodhadoccasioned，ontheadvantagesofsome，andthedisadvantagesofothers。Fromthissubjectshemadeashortdigressiontotheinstabilityofhumanpleasuresandtheuncertaintyoftheirduration，whichledhertoobservethatallearthlyJoysmustbeimperfect。ShewasproceedingtoillustratethisdoctrinebyexamplesfromtheLivesofgreatMenwhentheCarriagecametotheDoorandtheamiableMoralistwithherFatherandSisterwasobligedtodepart；butnotwithoutapromiseofspendingfiveorsixmonthswithusontheirreturn。Weofcoursementionedyou，andIassureyouthatampleJusticewasdonetoyourMeritsbyall。"LouisaClarke（saidI）isingeneralaverypleasantGirl，yetsometimeshergoodhumouriscloudedbyPeevishness，EnvyandSpite。SheneitherwantsUnderstandingoriswithoutsomepretensionstoBeauty，butthesearesoverytrifling，thatthevalueshesetsonherpersonalcharms，andtheadorationsheexpectsthemtobeofferedareatonceastrikingexampleofhervanity，herpride，andherfolly。"SosaidI，andtomyopinioneveryoneaddedweightbytheconcurrenceoftheirown。

YouraffectionateArabellaSmythe。

THEFIRSTACTOFACOMEDY

CHARACTERS

PopgunMariaCharlesPistollettaPostilionHostessChorusofploughboysCookandandStrephonChloeSCENE——ANINN

ENTERHostess，Charles，Maria，andCook。

HostesstoMaria）IfthegentryintheLionshouldwantbeds，shewthemnumber9。

Maria）YesMistress。——EXITMariaHostesstoCook）IftheirHonoursintheMoonaskforthebilloffare，giveitthem。

Cook）Iwull，Iwull。EXITCook。

HostesstoCharles）IftheirLadyshipsintheSunringtheirBell——answerit。

Charles）YesMadam。EXEUNTSeverally。

SCENECHANGESTOTHEMOON，anddiscoversPopgunandPistoletta。

Pistoletta）PraypapahowfarisittoLondon？

Popgun）MyGirl，myDarling，myfavouriteofallmyChildren，whoartthepictureofthypoorMotherwhodiedtwomonthsago，withwhomIamgoingtoTowntomarrytoStrephon，andtowhomImeantobequeathmywholeEstate，itwantssevenMiles。

SCENECHANGESTOTHESUN——

ENTERChloeandachorusofploughboys。

Chloe）WhereamI？AtHounslow。——WheregoI？ToLondon——。Whattodo？Tobemarried——。Untowhom？UntoStrephon。Whoishe？

AYouth。ThenIwillsingasong。

SONG

IgotoTownAndwhenIcomedown，IshallbemarriedtoStreephon*[*Notethetwoe’s]

Andthattomewillbefun。

Chorus）Befun，befun，befun，Andthattomewillbefun。

ENTERCook——

Cook）Hereisthebilloffare。

Chloereads）2Ducks，alegofbeef，astinkingpartridge，andatart。——Iwillhavethelegofbeefandthepartridge。EXITCook。

AndnowIwillsinganothersong。

SONG——

Iamgoingtohavemydinner，AfterwhichIshan’tbethinner，IwishIhadhereStrephonForhewouldcarvethepartridgeifitshouldbeatoughone。

Chorus）

Toughone，toughone，toughoneForhewouldcarvethepartridgeifitShouldbeatoughone。

EXITChloeandChorus。——

SCENECHANGESTOTHEINSIDEOFTHELION。

EnterStrephonandPostilion。

Streph：）YoudrovemefromStainestothisplace，fromwhenceI

meantogotoTowntomarryChloe。Howmuchisyourdue？

Post：）Eighteenpence。

Streph：）Alas，myfreind，IhavebutabadguineawithwhichI

meantosupportmyselfinTown。ButIwillpawntoyouanundirectedLetterthatIreceivedfromChloe。

Post：）Sir，Iacceptyouroffer。

ENDOFTHEFIRSTACT。

ALETTERfromaYOUNGLADY，whosefeelingsbeingtoostrongforherJudgementledherintothecommissionofErrorswhichherHeartdisapproved。

Manyhavebeenthecaresandvicissitudesofmypastlife，mybelovedEllinor，andtheonlyconsolationIfeelfortheirbitternessisthatonacloseexaminationofmyconduct，IamconvincedthatIhavestrictlydeservedthem。ImurderedmyfatherataveryearlyperiodofmyLife，IhavesincemurderedmyMother，andIamnowgoingtomurdermySister。IhavechangedmyreligionsooftenthatatpresentIhavenotanideaofanyleft。Ihavebeenaperjuredwitnessineverypublictryalfortheselasttwelveyears；andIhaveforgedmyownWill。InshortthereisscarcelyacrimethatIhavenotcommitted——ButI

amnowgoingtoreform。ColonelMartinoftheHorseguardshaspaidhisAddressestome，andwearetobemarriedinafewdays。

AsthereissomethingsingularinourCourtship，Iwillgiveyouanaccountofit。ColonelMartinisthesecondsonofthelateSirJohnMartinwhodiedimmenselyrich，butbequeathingonlyonehundredthousandpoundapeicetohisthreeyoungerChildren，leftthebulkofhisfortune，abouteightMilliontothepresentSirThomas。UponhissmallpittancetheColonellivedtolerablycontentedfornearlyfourmonthswhenhetookitintohisheadtodetermineongettingthewholeofhiseldestBrother’sEstate。A

newwillwasforgedandtheColonelproduceditinCourt——butnobodywouldsweartoit’sbeingtherightwillexcepthimself，andhehadswornsomuchthatNobodybeleivedhim。AtthatmomentIhappenedtobepassingbythedooroftheCourt，andwasbeckonedinbytheJudgewhotoldtheColonelthatIwasaLadyreadytowitnessanythingforthecauseofJustice，andadvisedhimtoapplytome。InshorttheAffairwassoonadjusted。TheColonelandIsworetoits’beingtherightwill，andSirThomashasbeenobligedtoresignallhisillgottenwealth。TheColonelingratitudewaitedonmethenextdaywithanofferofhishand——。IamnowgoingtomurdermySister。

YoursEver，AnnaParker。

ATOURTHROUGHWALES——

inaLETTERfromaYOUNGLADY——

MyDearClaraIhavebeensolongontheramblethatIhavenottillnowhaditinmypowertothankyouforyourLetter——。WeleftourdearhomeonlastMondaymonth；andproceededonourtourthroughWales，whichisaprincipalitycontiguoustoEnglandandgivesthetitletothePrinceofWales。Wetravelledonhorsebackbypreference。

MyMotherrodeuponourlittleponeyandFannyandIwalkedbyhersideorratherran，formyMotherissofondofridingfastthatshegallopedalltheway。Youmaybesurethatwewereinafineperspirationwhenwecametoourplaceofresting。FannyhastakenagreatmanyDrawingsoftheCountry，whichareverybeautiful，tho’perhapsnotsuchexactresemblancesasmightbewished，fromtheirbeingtakenassheranalong。ItwouldastonishyoutoseealltheShoesweworeoutinourTour。WedeterminedtotakeagoodStockwithusandthereforeeachtookapairofourownbesidesthosewesetoffin。HoweverwewereobligedtohavethembothcappedandheelpeicedatCarmarthen，andatlastwhentheywerequitegone，MamawassokindastolendusapairofblueSattinSlippers，ofwhichweeachtookoneandhoppedhomefromHereforddelightfully———

IamyoureveraffectionateElizabethJohnson。

ATALE。

AGentlemanwhosefamilynameIshallconceal，boughtasmallCottageinPembrokeshireabouttwoyearsago。ThisdaringActionwassuggestedtohimbyhiselderBrotherwhopromisedtofurnishtworoomsandaClosetforhim，providedhewouldtakeasmallhousenearthebordersofanextensiveForest，andaboutthreeMilesfromtheSea。WilhelminusgladlyacceptedtheofferandcontinuedforsometimesearchingaftersucharetreatwhenhewasonemorningagreablyreleivedfromhissuspencebyreadingthisadvertisementinaNewspaper。

TOBELETT

ANeatCottageonthebordersofanextensiveforestandaboutthreeMilesfromtheSea。ItisreadyfurnishedexcepttworoomsandaCloset。

ThedelightedWilhelminuspostedawayimmediatelytohisbrother，andshewedhimtheadvertisement。RobertuscongratulatedhimandsenthiminhisCarriagetotakepossessionoftheCottage。

Aftertravellingforthreedaysandsixnightswithoutstopping，theyarrivedattheForestandfollowingatrackwhichledbyit’ssidedownasteepHilloverwhichtenRivuletsmeandered，theyreachedtheCottageinhalfanhour。Wilhelminusalighted，andafterknockingforsometimewithoutreceivinganyanswerorhearinganyonestirwithin，heopenedthedoorwhichwasfastenedonlybyawoodenlatchandenteredasmallroom，whichheimmediatelyperceivedtobeoneofthetwothatwereunfurnished——FromthenceheproceededintoaClosetequallybare。Apairofstairsthatwentoutofitledhimintoaroomabove，nolessdestitute，andtheseapartmentshefoundcomposedthewholeoftheHouse。Hewasbynomeansdispleasedwiththisdiscovery，ashehadthecomfortofreflectingthatheshouldnotbeobligedtolayoutanythingonfurniturehimself——。HereturnedimmediatelytohisBrother，whotookhimthenextdaytoeveryShopinTown，andboughtwhateverwasrequisitetofurnishthetworoomsandtheCloset，Inafewdayseverythingwascompleted，andWilhelminusreturnedtotakepossessionofhisCottage。Robertusaccompaniedhim，withhisLadytheamiableCeciliaandhertwolovelySistersArabellaandMarinatowhomWilhelminuswastenderlyattached，andalargenumberofAttendants。——AnordinaryGeniusmightprobablyhavebeenembarrassed，inendeavouringtoaccomodatesolargeaparty，butWilhelminuswithadmirablepresenceofmindgaveordersfortheimmediateerectionoftwonobleTentsinanopenspotintheForestadjoiningtothehouse。TheirConstructionwasbothsimpleandelegant——Acoupleofoldblankets，eachsupportedbyfoursticks，gaveastrikingproofofthattasteforarchitectureandthathappyeaseinovercomingdifficultieswhichweresomeofWilhelminus’smoststrikingVirtues。