Love and Friendship

Laura to Marianne, in continuation
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greatest boast that I have incurred the
displeasure of my father!” 
So, saying he took my hand and whilst Sir
Edward, Philippa, and Augusta were doubtless
reflecting with admiration on his undaunted
Bravery, led me from the parlor to his father’s
carriage which yet remained at the Door and in
which we were instantly conveyed from the
pursuit of Sir Edward. 
The Postilions had at first received orders
only to take the London Road; as soon as we
had sufficiently reflected However, we ordered
them to Drive to M. the seat of Edward’s most
particular friend, which was but a few miles
distant. At M. we arrived in a few hours; and on
sending in our names were immediately
admitted to Sophia, the wife of Edward’s
friend.
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After having been deprived during the
course of 3 weeks of a real friend (for such I
term your Mother) imagine my transports at
beholding one, most truly worthy of the
Name. Sophia was rather above the middle
size; most languor spread over her lovely
features but increased their Beauty. It was the
Characteristics of her Mind. She was all
sensibility and feeling. We flew into each
other's arms and after having exchanged vows
of mutual Friendship for the rest of our
Lives, instantly unfolded to each other the
most inward secrets of our Hearts. We were
interrupted in the delightful Employment by
the entrance of Augustus, (Edward’s friend)
who was just returned from a solitary ramble.
Never did I see such an affecting Scene as was
the meeting of Edward and Augustus. 
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“My Life! My Soul!” (exclaimed the former)
“My adorable angel! (replied the latter) as
they flew into each other feelings of Sophia
and myself We fainted alternately on a sofa.” 
Adieu, 
Laura
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LETTER THE NINETH
Towards the close of the day, we received
the following Letter from Philippa. 
“Sir Edward is greatly incensed by your
abrupt departure; he has taken back Augusta
to Bedfordshire. Much as I wish to enjoy
again your charming society, I can’t
determine to snatch you from that, of such
dear and deserving Friends When your Visit
to them is terminated, I trust you will return
to the arms of your” “Philippa.” 
We returned a suitable answer to this
affectionate Note and after thinking her for
her kind invitation assured her that we would
certainly avail ourselves of it, whenever we
might have no other place to go to. 
From the same to the same
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Though certainly nothing could to any
reasonable Being, have appeared more
satisfactory, than so grateful a reply to her
invitation, yet I know not to bow it was, but
she was certainly capricious enough to be
displeased with our behavior and in a revenge
own our Conduct or married a young and
illiterate Fortune-hunter. This imprudent step
(though we were sensible that it would
probably deprive us of that fortune which
Philippa had ever taught us to expect) could
not on our own accounts, excite from our
exalted minds a single sigh; yet fretful least it
might prove a source of endless misery to the
deluded Bride, our trembling Sensibility was
greatly affected when we were first
information of the Event. The affectionate
Entreaties of Augustus and Sophia that we
would for ever consider their House as our
Home,
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easily prevailed on us to determine never
more to leave them, In the society of my
Edward and this Amiable pair, I passed the
happiest moments of my Life; Our time was
most 
delightfully 
spent, 
in 
mutual
Protestations of friendship, and in vows of
unalterable Love, in which we were secure
from being interrupted, by intruding and
disagreeable Visitors, as Augustus and Sophia
had on their first Entrance in the
Neighborhood, taken due care to inform the
surrounding families, that as their happiness
centered wholly in themselves, they wished
for no other society. But alas! Then enjoyed
was too perfect to be lasting. A most severe
and unexpected Blow at once destroyed every
sensation of Pleasure. Convinced as you must
be from what I have already told you
concerning Augustus and Sophia,
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that there never was a happier Couple, I need
not I imagine, inform you that their union had
been contrary to the inclinations of their Cruel
and Mercenary Parents; who had vainly
endeavored with obstinate Perseverance to
force them into a Marriage with those whom
they had ever abhorred; but with a Heroic
Fortitude, they had both, constantly refused to
submit to such despotic Power.
After having so nobly disentgled themselves
from the shackles of Parental Authority, by s
Clandestine Marriage, they were determind
never to forfeit the good opinion they had
gained in the World, in so doing, by accepting
any proposals of reconciliation that might have
offered them by their Fathers to this father trial
of their noble independence however they never
were exposed.
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They had been married but a few months
when our visit to them commenced during
which time they had been amply supported by a
considerable sum of money which Augustus
had gracefully purloined from his unworthy
father’s Escritoire, a few days before his union
with Sophia.
By our arrival, their Expenses were
considerably increased though their means
for supplying them were then nearly
exhausted. But they, Exalted. Creatures!
Scorned to reflect a moment on their
pecuniary Distresses and would have blushed
at the idea of paying their Debts Alas! What
was their Reward for such disinterested
Behavior? The beautiful Augustus was
arrested, and we were all undone. Such
perfidious 
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Treachery in the merciless perpetrators of the
Deed will shock your gentle nature Dearest
Marianne as much as it then affected the
Delicate sensibility of Edward, Sophia, your
Laura, and Augustus himself. To complete such
unparalleled Barbarity we were informed that
an Execution in the House would shortly take
place. Ah! What could we do but what we did!
We sighed and fainted on the sofa. 
Adieu,
Laura
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LETTER THE TENTH
When we were somewhat recovered from the
overpowering Effusions of our grief, Edward
desired that we would consider what was the
most prudent step to be taken in our unhappy
situation while he repaired to his imprisoned
friend to lament over his misfortunes. We
promised that we would, and he set forwards
on his journey to Town. During his absence
we faithfully complied with his Desire and
after the most mature Deliberation, at length
agreed that the best thing we could do was to
leave the House; of which we every moment
expected the officers of justice to take
possession. We waited therefore with the
greatest impatience, for the return of Edward
in order to import to him the result of our
Deliberations.