Augusta, the sister of Edward was on a visit to her when we
arrived. I found her exactly what her Brother had described her

to be--of the middle size. She received me with equal surprise
though not with equal Cordiality, as Philippa. There was a

disagreable coldness and Forbidding Reserve in her reception of
me which was equallydistressing and Unexpected. None of that

interesting Sensibility or amiable simpathy in her manners and
Address to me when we first met which should have distinguished

our introduction to each other. Her Language was neither warm,
nor affectionate, her expressions of regard were neither animated

nor cordial; her arms were not opened to receive me to her Heart,
tho' my own were extended to press her to mine.

A short Conversation between Augusta and her Brother, which I
accidentally overheard encreased my dislike to her, and convinced

me that her Heart was no more formed for the soft ties of Love
than for the endearing intercourse of Freindship.

"But do you think that my Father will ever be reconciled to this
imprudent connection?" (said Augusta.)

"Augusta (replied the noble Youth) I thought you had a better
opinion of me, than to imagine I would so abjectly degrade myself

as to consider my Father's Concurrence in any of my affairs,
either of Consequence or concern to me. Tell me Augusta with

sincerity; did you ever know me consult his inclinations or
follow his Advice in the least trifling Particular since the age

of fifteen?"
"Edward (replied she) you are surely too diffident in your own

praise. Since you were fifteen only! My Dear Brother since you
were five years old, I entirely acquit you of ever having

willingly contributed to the satisfaction of your Father. But
still I am not without apprehensions of your being shortly

obliged to degrade yourself in your own eyes by seeking a support
for your wife in the Generosity of Sir Edward."

"Never, never Augusta will I so demean myself. (said Edward).
Support! What support will Laura want which she can receive from

him?"
"Only those very insignificant ones of Victuals and Drink."

(answered she.)
"Victuals and Drink! (replied my Husband in a most nobly

contemptuous Manner) and dost thou then imagine that there is no
other support for an exalted mind (such as is my Laura's) than

the mean and indelicateemployment of Eating and Drinking?"
"None that I know of, so efficacious." (returned Augusta).

"And did you then never feel the pleasing Pangs of Love, Augusta?
(replied my Edward). Does it appear impossible to your vile and

corrupted Palate, to exist on Love? Can you not conceive the
Luxury of living in every distress that Poverty can inflict, with

the object of your tenderest affection?"
"You are too ridiculous (said Augusta) to argue with; perhaps

however you may in time be convinced that ..."
Here I was prevented from hearing the remainder of her speech, by

the appearance of a very Handsome young Woman, who was ushured
into the Room at the Door of which I had been listening. On

hearing her announced by the Name of "Lady Dorothea," I instantly
quitted my Post and followed her into the Parlour, for I well

remembered that she was the Lady, proposed as a Wife for my
Edward by the Cruel and Unrelenting Baronet.

Altho' Lady Dorothea's visit was nominally to Philippa and
Augusta, yet I have some reason to imagine that (acquainted with

the Marriage and arrival of Edward) to see me was a principal
motive to it.

I soon perceived that tho' Lovely and Elegant in her Person and
tho' Easy and Polite in her Address, she was of that inferior

order of Beings with regard to Delicate Feeling, tender
Sentiments, and refined Sensibility, of which Augusta was one.

She staid but half an hour and neither in the Course of her
Visit, confided to me any of her secret thoughts, nor requested

me to confide in her, any of Mine. You will easily imagine
therefore my Dear Marianne that I could not feel any ardent

affection or very sincere Attachment for Lady Dorothea.
Adeiu

Laura.
LETTER 8th

LAURA to MARIANNE, in continuation
Lady Dorothea had not left us long before another visitor as

unexpected a one as her Ladyship, was announced. It was Sir
Edward, who informed by Augusta of her Brother's marriage, came

doubtless to reproach him for having dared to unite himself to me
without his Knowledge. But Edward foreseeing his design,

approached him with heroicfortitude as soon as he entered the
Room, and addressed him in the following Manner.

"Sir Edward, I know the motive of your Journey here--You come
with the base Design of reproaching me for having entered into an

indissoluble engagement with my Laura without your Consent. But
Sir, I glory in the Act--. It is my 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 doubtlessreflecting with admiration on his
undaunted Bravery, led me from the Parlour 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 sufficientlyreflected However, we

ordered them to Drive to M----. the seat of Edward's most
particular freind, 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 freind.

After having been deprived during the course of 3 weeks of a real
freind (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 elegantly formed. A soft languor

spread over her lovely features, but increased their Beauty--.
It was the Charectarestic of her Mind--. She was all sensibility

and Feeling. We flew into each others arms and after having
exchanged vows of mutual Freindship for the rest of our Lives,

instantly unfolded to each other the most inward secrets of our
Hearts--. We were interrupted in the delightfull Employment by

the entrance of Augustus, (Edward's freind) who was just returned
from a solitary ramble.

Never did I see such an affecting Scene as was the meeting of
Edward and Augustus.

"My Life! my Soul!" (exclaimed the former) "My adorable angel!"
(replied the latter) as they flew into each other's arms. It was

too pathetic for the feelings of Sophia and myself--We fainted
alternately on a sofa.

Adeiu
Laura.

LETTER the 9th
From the same to the same

Towards the close of the day we received the following Letter
from Philippa.

"Sir Edward is greatly incensed by your abruptdeparture; he has
taken back Augusta to Bedfordshire. Much as I wish to enjoy

again your charming society, I cannot determine to snatch you
from that, of such dear and deserving Freinds--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
thanking her for her kind invitationassured her that we would

certainly avail ourselves of it, whenever we might have no other
place to go to. Tho' certainly nothing could to any reasonable

Being, have appeared more satisfactory, than so gratefull a reply
to her invitation, yet I know not how it was, but she was

certainly capricious enough to be displeased with our behaviour
and in a few weeks after, either to revenge our Conduct, or

releive her own solitude, married a young and illiterate Fortune-
hunter. This imprudent step (tho' we were sensible that it would