Love and Friendship

particularly to every affliction of my own, was my
fault if a fault it could be called. Alas! how altered
now! Though indeed my own
6

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My accomplishments too begin to fade; I can
neither sing so well nor dance so gracefully as I
once did, and I have entirely forgotten the
MINUET DELA COUR.
Laura
7

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LETTER THE FOURTH 
Our neighborhood was small, for it consisted
only of your mother. She may have already told
you that, having been left by her parents in
indigent circumstances, she had retired to Wales
for economic reasons. There our friendship first
began. Isobel was then one and twenty. Though
pleasing both in her person and manners
(between ourselves), she never possessed the
hundreds of parts of my beauty or
accomplishments. Isabel had seen the world.
She had spent two years at one of the first
boarding schools in London and had spent a
fortnight in Southampton. "Beware, my Laura,"
she would often say. "Beware of the insipid
vanities and idle dissipations of the metropolis
of England; 
Laura to Marianne
8

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Beware of the unmeaning luxuries of Bath, 
and of the stinking fish of Southampton.” 
“Alas! (exclaimed I) “How am I to avoid those
evils I shall never be exposed to? What probability
is there of my ever tasting the dissipations of
London, the luxuries of Bath, or the stinking fish
of Southampton? I am doomed to waste my days
of youth and beauty in a humble cottage in the
Vale of Usk.” 
Ah! Little did I then think I was ordained so
soon to quit that humble cottage for the deceitful
pleasures of the world.
Adieu, 
Laura
9

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LETTER THE FIFTH 
One Evening in December as my father,
mother, and I were arranged in a social
converse around our Fireside, we were suddenly
astonished by hearing a violent knock on our
rustic Cot's outward door. 
My Father started” What noise is that” (said
he.) “It Sounds like a load rapping at the door”
(replied my mother.) ”It does indeed,” (cried
I.)” I’m 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 can’t
help thinking it must be somebody who knocks
for admittance.”
Laura to Marianne
10

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“That is another point (replied he;) We must not
pretend to determine on what motive the person
may knock though that someone DOES rap at
the door, I am partly convinced.” 
Here a 2nd tremendous rap interrupted my
father in his speech, and somewhat alarmed my
mother and me. 
“Had we better not go and see 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 somebody is 
knocking at the Door.” (Said my mother.) “I
think there must,” (replied my father)
11

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“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) so 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 lost 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.
12

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My natural sensibility had already been greatly
affected by the suffering 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. 
Adieu, 
Laura
13

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LETTER THE SIXTH 
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 and
that he had a sister of middle size. “My father
(he continued) is a mean and mercenary wretch
it is only to such particular friends as this Dear