AfterhavingattendedmylamentedfreindtoherEarlyGrave，I
immediately（tho’lateatnight）leftthedetestedVillageinwhichshedied，andnearwhichhadexpiredmyHusbandandAugustus。IhadnotwalkedmanyyardsfromitbeforeIwasovertakenbyastage—coach，inwhichIinstantlytookaplace，determinedtoproceedinittoEdinburgh，whereIhopedtofindsomekindsomepityingFreindwhowouldreceiveandcomfortmeinmyafflictions。
ItwassodarkwhenIenteredtheCoachthatIcouldnotdistinguishtheNumberofmyFellow—travellers；Icouldonlyperceivethattheyweremany。Regardlesshoweverofanythingconcerningthem，IgavemyselfuptomyownsadReflections。A
generalsilenceprevailed——Asilence，whichwasbynothinginterruptedbutbytheloudandrepeatedsnoresofoneoftheParty。
"Whatanilliteratevillainmustthatmanbe!（thoughtItomyself）Whatatotalwantofdelicaterefinementmusthehave，whocanthusshockoursensesbysuchabrutalnoise!HemustI
amcertainbecapableofeverybadaction!ThereisnocrimetooblackforsuchaCharacter!"ThusreasonedIwithinmyself，anddoubtlesssuchwerethereflectionsofmyfellowtravellers。
Atlength，returningDayenabledmetobeholdtheunprincipledScoundrelwhohadsoviolentlydisturbedmyfeelings。ItwasSirEdwardthefatherofmyDeceasedHusband。ByhissidesateAugusta，andonthesameseatwithmewereyourMotherandLadyDorothea。ImaginemysurpriseatfindingmyselfthusseatedamongstmyoldAcquaintance。Greataswasmyastonishment，itwasyetincreased，whenonlookingoutofWindows，IbeheldtheHusbandofPhilippa，withPhilippabyhisside，ontheCoachboxandwhenonlookingbehindIbeheld，PhilanderandGustavusintheBasket。"Oh!Heavens，（exclaimedI）isitpossiblethatI
shouldsounexpectedlybesurroundedbymynearestRelationsandConnections？"ThesewordsrousedtherestoftheParty，andeveryeyewasdirectedtothecornerinwhichIsat。"Oh!myIsabel（continuedIthrowingmyselfacrossLadyDorotheaintoherarms）receiveoncemoretoyourBosomtheunfortunateLaura。
Alas!whenwelastpartedintheValeofUsk，IwashappyinbeingunitedtothebestofEdwards；IhadthenaFatherandaMother，andhadneverknownmisfortunes——Butnowdeprivedofeveryfreindbutyou——"
"What!（interruptedAugusta）ismyBrotherdeadthen？TellusI
intreatyouwhatisbecomeofhim？""Yes，coldandinsensibleNymph，（repliedI）thatlucklessswainyourBrother，isnomore，andyoumaynowgloryinbeingtheHeiressofSirEdward’sfortune。"
AlthoughIhadalwaysdespisedherfromtheDayIhadoverheardherconversationwithmyEdward，yetincivilityIcompliedwithhersandSirEdward’sintreatiesthatIwouldinformthemofthewholemelancholyaffair。Theyweregreatlyshocked——eventheobdurateHeartofSirEdwardandtheinsensibleoneofAugusta，weretouchedwithsorrow，bytheunhappytale。AttherequestofyourMotherIrelatedtothemeveryothermisfortunewhichhadbefallenmesinceweparted。OftheimprisonmentofAugustusandtheabsenceofEdward——ofourarrivalinScotland——ofourunexpectedMeetingwithourGrand—fatherandourcousins——ofourvisittoMacdonald—Hall——ofthesingularservicewethereperformedtowardsJanetta——ofherFathersingratitudeforit……
ofhisinhumanBehaviour，unaccountablesuspicions，andbarbaroustreatmentofus，inobligingustoleavetheHouse……ofourlamentationsonthelossofEdwardandAugustusandfinallyofthemelancholyDeathofmybelovedCompanion。
PityandsurprisewerestronglydepicturedinyourMother’scountenance，duringthewholeofmynarration，butIamsorrytosay，thattotheeternalreproachofhersensibility，thelatterinfinitelypredominated。Nay，faultlessasmyconducthadcertainlybeenduringthewholecourseofmylatemisfortunesandadventures，shepretendedtofindfaultwithmybehaviourinmanyofthesituationsinwhichIhadbeenplaced。AsIwassensiblemyself，thatIhadalwaysbehavedinamannerwhichreflectedHonouronmyFeelingsandRefinement，Ipaidlittleattentiontowhatshesaid，anddesiredhertosatisfymyCuriositybyinformingmehowshecamethere，insteadofwoundingmyspotlessreputationwithunjustifiableReproaches。Assoonasshehadcomplyedwithmywishesinthisparticularandhadgivenmeanaccuratedetailofeverythingthathadbefallenhersinceourseparation（theparticularsofwhichifyouarenotalreadyacquaintedwith，yourMotherwillgiveyou）IappliedtoAugustaforthesameinformationrespectingherself，SirEdwardandLadyDorothea。
ShetoldmethathavingaconsiderabletastefortheBeautiesofNature，hercuriositytobeholdthedelightfulscenesitexhibitedinthatpartoftheWorldhadbeensomuchraisedbyGilpin’sTourtotheHighlands，thatshehadprevailedonherFathertoundertakeaTourtoScotlandandhadpersuadedLadyDorotheatoaccompanythem。ThattheyhadarrivedatEdinburghafewDaysbeforeandfromthencehadmadedailyExcursionsintotheCountryaroundintheStageCoachtheywerethenin，fromoneofwhichExcursionstheywereatthattimereturning。MynextenquirieswereconcerningPhilippaandherHusband，thelatterofwhomIlearnedhavingspentallherfortune，hadrecourseforsubsistencetothetalentinwhich，hehadalwaysmostexcelled，namely，Driving，andthathavingsoldeverythingwhichbelongedtothemexcepttheirCoach，hadconverteditintoaStageandinordertoberemovedfromanyofhisformerAcquaintance，haddrivenittoEdinburghfromwhencehewenttoSterlingeveryotherDay。ThatPhilippastillretainingheraffectionforherungratefullHusband，hadfollowedhimtoScotlandandgenerallyaccompaniedhiminhislittleExcursionstoSterling。"IthasonlybeentothrowalittlemoneyintotheirPockets（continuedAugusta）thatmyFatherhasalwaystravelledintheirCoachtoveiwthebeautiesoftheCountrysinceourarrivalinScotland——foritwouldcertainlyhavebeenmuchmoreagreabletous，tovisittheHighlandsinaPostchaisethanmerelytotravelfromEdinburghtoSterlingandfromSterlingtoEdinburgheveryotherDayinacrowdedanduncomfortableStage。"Iperfectlyagreedwithherinhersentimentsontheaffair，andsecretlyblamedSirEdwardforthussacrificinghisDaughter’sPleasureforthesakeofaridiculousoldwomanwhosefollyinmarryingsoyoungamanoughttobepunished。HisBehaviourhoweverwasentirelyofapeicewithhisgeneralCharacter；forwhatcouldbeexpectedfromamanwhopossessednotthesmallestatomofSensibility，whoscarcelyknewthemeaningofsimpathy，andwhoactuallysnored——。
AdeiuLaura。
LETTERthe15thLAURAincontinuation。
WhenwearrivedatthetownwhereweweretoBreakfast，IwasdeterminedtospeakwithPhilanderandGustavus，andtothatpurposeassoonasIlefttheCarriage，IwenttotheBasketandtenderlyenquiredaftertheirHealth，expressingmyfearsoftheuneasinessoftheirsituation。AtfirsttheyseemedratherconfusedatmyappearancedreadingnodoubtthatImightcallthemtoaccountforthemoneywhichourGrandfatherhadleftmeandwhichtheyhadunjustlydeprivedmeof，butfindingthatI
mentionednothingoftheMatter，theydesiredmetostepintotheBasketaswemightthereconversewithgreaterease。AccordinglyI
enteredandwhilsttherestofthepartyweredevouringgreenteaandbutteredtoast，wefeastedourselvesinamorerefinedandsentimentalMannerbyaconfidentialConversation。Iinformedthemofeverythingwhichhadbefallenmeduringthecourseofmylife，andatmyrequesttheyrelatedtomeeveryincidentoftheirs。
"Wearethesonsasyoualreadyknow，ofthetwoyoungestDaughterswhichLordStClairhadbyLaurinaanitalianoperagirl。OurmotherscouldneitherofthemexactlyascertainwhowereourFather，thoughitisgenerallybeleivedthatPhilander，isthesonofonePhilipJonesaBricklayerandthatmyFatherwasoneGregoryStavesaStaymakerofEdinburgh。ThisishoweveroflittleconsequenceforasourMotherswerecertainlynevermarriedtoeitherofthemitreflectsnoDishonouronourBlood，whichisofamostancientandunpollutedkind。Bertha（theMotherofPhilander）andAgatha（myownMother）alwayslivedtogether。Theywereneitherofthemveryrich；theirunitedfortuneshadoriginallyamountedtoninethousandPounds，butastheyhadalwayslivedontheprincipalofit，whenwewerefifteenitwasdiminishedtonineHundred。ThisnineHundredtheyalwayskeptinaDrawerinoneoftheTableswhichstoodinourcommonsittingParlour，fortheconvenienceofhavingitalwaysatHand。Whetheritwasfromthiscircumstance，ofitsbeingeasilytaken，orfromawishofbeingindependant，orfromanexcessofsensibility（forwhichwewerealwaysremarkable）Icannotnowdetermine，butcertainitisthatwhenwehadreachedour15thyear，wetookthenineHundredPoundsandranaway。HavingobtainedthisprizeweweredeterminedtomanageitwitheoconomyandnottospenditeitherwithfollyorExtravagance。Tothispurposewethereforedivideditintonineparcels，oneofwhichwedevotedtoVictuals，the2dtoDrink，the3dtoHousekeeping，the4thtoCarriages，the5thtoHorses，the6thtoServants，the7thtoAmusements，the8thtoCloathesandthe9thtoSilverBuckles。HavingthusarrangedourExpencesfortwomonths（forweexpectedtomakethenineHundredPoundslastaslong）wehastenedtoLondonandhadthegoodlucktospenditin7weeksandaDaywhichwas6Dayssoonerthanwehadintended。Assoonaswehadthushappilydisencumberedourselvesfromtheweightofsomuchmoney，webegantothinkofreturningtoourMothers，butaccidentallyhearingthattheywerebothstarvedtoDeath，wegaveoverthedesignanddeterminedtoengageourselvestosomestrollingCompanyofPlayers，aswehadalwaysaturnfortheStage。Accordinglyweofferedourservicestooneandwereaccepted；ourCompanywasindeedrathersmall，asitconsistedonlyoftheManagerhiswifeandourselves，buttherewerefewertopayandtheonlyinconvenienceattendingitwastheScarcityofPlayswhichforwantofPeopletofilltheCharacters，wecouldperform。Wedidnotmindtrifleshowever——。OneofourmostadmiredPerformanceswasMACBETH，inwhichweweretrulygreat。TheManageralwaysplayedBANQUOhimself，hisWifemyLADY
MACBETH。IdidtheTHREEWITCHESandPhilanderactedALLTHEREST。
TosaythetruththistragedywasnotonlytheBest，buttheonlyPlaythatweeverperformed；andafterhavingacteditalloverEngland，andWales，wecametoScotlandtoexhibititovertheremainderofGreatBritain。WehappenedtobequarteredinthatveryTown，whereyoucameandmetyourGrandfather——。WewereintheInn—yardwhenhisCarriageenteredandperceivingbythearmstowhomitbelonged，andknowingthatLordStClairwasourGrandfather，weagreedtoendeavourtogetsomethingfromhimbydiscoveringtheRelationship——。Youknowhowwellitsucceeded——。
HavingobtainedthetwoHundredPounds，weinstantlylefttheTown，leavingourManagerandhisWifetoactMACBETHbythemselves，andtooktheroadtoSterling，wherewespentourlittlefortunewithgreatECLAT。WearenowreturningtoEdinburghinordertogetsomeprefermentintheActingway；andsuchmyDearCousinisourHistory。"
IthankedtheamiableYouthforhisentertainingnarration，andafterexpressingmywishesfortheirWelfareandHappiness，leftthemintheirlittleHabitationandreturnedtomyotherFreindswhoimpatientlyexpectedme。
MyadventuresarenowdrawingtoaclosemydearestMarianne；
atleastforthepresent。
WhenwearrivedatEdinburghSirEdwardtoldmethatastheWidowofhisson，hedesiredIwouldacceptfromhisHandsoffourHundredayear。IgraciouslypromisedthatIwould，butcouldnothelpobservingthattheunsimpatheticBaronetoffereditmoreonaccountofmybeingtheWidowofEdwardthaninbeingtherefinedandamiableLaura。
ItookupmyResidenceinaRomanticVillageintheHighlandsofScotlandwhereIhaveeversincecontinued，andwhereIcanuninterruptedbyunmeaningVisits，indulgeinamelancholysolitude，myunceasingLamentationsfortheDeathofmyFather，myMother，myHusbandandmyFreind。
AugustahasbeenforseveralyearsunitedtoGrahamtheManofallothersmostsuitedtoher；shebecameacquaintedwithhimduringherstayinScotland。
SirEdwardinhopesofgaininganHeirtohisTitleandEstate，atthesametimemarriedLadyDorothea——。Hiswisheshavebeenanswered。
PhilanderandGustavus，afterhavingraisedtheirreputationbytheirPerformancesintheTheatricalLineatEdinburgh，removedtoCoventGarden，wheretheystillexhibitundertheassumednamesofLUVISandQUICK。
PhilippahaslongpaidtheDebtofNature，HerHusbandhoweverstillcontinuestodrivetheStage—CoachfromEdinburghtoSterling：——
AdeiumyDearestMarianne。
Laura。
FinisJune13th1790。
*
ANUNFINISHEDNOVELINLETTERS
ToHENRYTHOMASAUSTENEsqre。
SirIamnowavailingmyselfoftheLibertyyouhavefrequentlyhonouredmewithofdedicatingoneofmyNovelstoyou。Thatitisunfinished，Igreive；yetfearthatfromme，itwillalwaysremainso；thatasfarasitiscarried，itshouldbesotriflingandsounworthyofyou，isanotherconcerntoyourobligedhumbleServantTheAuthorMessrsDemandandCo——pleasetopayJaneAustenSpinsterthesumofonehundredguineasonaccountofyourHumbleServant。
H。T。AustenL105。0。0。
*
LESLEYCASTLE
LETTERtheFIRSTisfromMissMARGARETLESLEYtoMissCHARLOTTELUTTERELL。
LesleyCastleJanry3rd——1792。
MyBrotherhasjustleftus。"Matilda（saidheatparting）youandMargaretwillIamcertaintakeallthecareofmydearlittleone，thatshemighthavereceivedfromanindulgent，andaffectionateandamiableMother。"Tearsrolleddownhischeeksashespokethesewords——theremembranceofher，whohadsowantonlydisgracedtheMaternalcharacterandsoopenlyviolatedtheconjugalDuties，preventedhisaddinganythingfarther；heembracedhissweetChildandaftersalutingMatildaandMehastilybrokefromusandseatinghimselfinhisChaise，pursuedtheroadtoAberdeen。NeverwasthereabetteryoungMan!Ah!
howlittledidhedeservethemisfortuneshehasexperiencedintheMarriagestate。SogoodaHusbandtosobadaWife!foryouknowmydearCharlottethattheWorthlessLouisalefthim，herChildandreputationafewweeksagoincompanywithDanversanddishonour。Neverwasthereasweeterface，afinerform，oralessamiableHeartthanLouisaowned!HerchildalreadypossessesthepersonalCharmsofherunhappyMother!MaysheinheritfromherFatherallhismentalones!Lesleyisatpresentbutfiveandtwenty，andhasalreadygivenhimselfuptomelancholyandDespair；whatadifferencebetweenhimandhisFather!SirGeorgeis57andstillremainstheBeau，theflightystripling，thegayLad，andsprightlyYoungster，thathisSonwasreallyaboutfiveyearsback，andthatHEhasaffectedtoappeareversincemyremembrance。WhileourfatherisflutteringaboutthestreetsofLondon，gay，dissipated，andThoughtlessattheageof57，MatildaandIcontinuesecludedfromMankindinouroldandMoulderingCastle，whichissituatedtwomilesfromPerthonaboldprojectingRock，andcommandsanextensiveveiwoftheTownanditsdelightfulEnvirons。Buttho’retiredfromalmostalltheWorld，（forwevisitnoonebuttheM’Leods，TheM’Kenzies，theM’Phersons，theM’Cartneys，theM’Donalds，TheM’kinnons，theM’lellans，theM’kays，theMacbethsandtheMacduffs）weareneitherdullnorunhappy；onthecontrarythereneverweretwomorelively，moreagreableormorewittygirls，thanweare；notanhourintheDayhangsheavyonourHands。Weread，wework，wewalk，andwhenfatiguedwiththeseEmploymentsreleiveourspirits，eitherbyalivelysong，agracefulDance，orbysomesmartbon—mot，andwittyrepartee。WearehandsomemydearCharlotte，veryhandsomeandthegreatestofourPerfectionsis，thatweareentirelyinsensibleofthemourselves。ButwhydoIthusdwellonmyself!LetmeratherrepeatthepraiseofourdearlittleNeicetheinnocentLouisa，whoisatpresentsweetlysmilinginagentleNap，asshereposesonthesofa。ThedearCreatureisjustturnedoftwoyearsold；ashandsomeastho’2and20，assensibleastho’2and30，andasprudentastho’2and40。Toconvinceyouofthis，Imustinformyouthatshehasaveryfinecomplexionandveryprettyfeatures，thatshealreadyknowsthetwofirstlettersintheAlphabet，andthatshenevertearsherfrocks——。IfIhavenotnowconvincedyouofherBeauty，SenseandPrudence，Ihavenothingmoretourgeinsupportofmyassertion，andyouwillthereforehavenowayofdecidingtheAffairbutbycomingtoLesley—Castle，andbyapersonalacquaintancewithLouisa，determineforyourself。Ah!
mydearFreind，howhappyshouldIbetoseeyouwithinthesevenerableWalls!ItisnowfouryearssincemyremovalfromSchoolhasseparatedmefromyou；thattwosuchtenderHearts，socloselylinkedtogetherbythetiesofsimpathyandFreindship，shouldbesowidelyremovedfromeachother，isvastlymoving。I
liveinPerthshire，YouinSussex。WemightmeetinLondon，weremyFatherdisposedtocarrymethere，andwereyourMothertobethereatthesametime。WemightmeetatBath，atTunbridge，oranywhereelseindeed，couldwebutbeatthesameplacetogether。
Wehaveonlytohopethatsuchaperiodmayarrive。MyFatherdoesnotreturntoustillAutumn；myBrotherwillleaveScotlandinafewDays；heisimpatienttotravel。MistakenYouth!HevainlyflattershimselfthatchangeofAirwillhealtheWoundsofabrokenHeart!YouwilljoinwithmeIamcertainmydearCharlotte，inprayersfortherecoveryoftheunhappyLesley’speaceofMind，whichmusteverbeessentialtothatofyoursincerefreindM。Lesley。
LETTERtheSECOND
FromMissC。LUTTERELLtoMissM。LESLEYinanswer。
GlenfordFebry12
IhaveathousandexcusestobegforhavingsolongdelayedthankingyoumydearPeggyforyouragreableLetter，whichbeleivemeIshouldnothavedeferreddoing，hadnoteverymomentofmytimeduringthelastfiveweeksbeensofullyemployedinthenecessaryarrangementsformysisterswedding，astoallowmenotimetodevoteeithertoyouormyself。AndnowwhatprovokesmemorethananythingelseisthattheMatchisbrokeoff，andallmyLabourthrownaway。ImaginehowgreattheDissapointmentmustbetome，whenyouconsiderthatafterhavinglabouredbothbyNightandbyDay，inordertogettheWeddingdinnerreadybythetimeappointed，afterhavingroastedBeef，BroiledMutton，andStewedSoupenoughtolastthenew—marriedCouplethroughtheHoney—moon，IhadthemortificationoffindingthatIhadbeenRoasting，BroilingandStewingboththeMeatandMyselftonopurpose。IndeedmydearFreind，IneverremembersufferinganyvexationequaltowhatIexperiencedonlastMondaywhenmysistercamerunningtomeinthestore—roomwithherfaceasWhiteasaWhiptsyllabub，andtoldmethatHerveyhadbeenthrownfromhisHorse，hadfracturedhisScullandwaspronouncedbyhissurgeontobeinthemostemminentDanger。"GoodGod!
（saidI）youdontsayso？WhywhatinthenameofHeavenwillbecomeofalltheVictuals!Weshallneverbeabletoeatitwhileitisgood。However，we’llcallintheSurgeontohelpus。
IshallbeabletomanagetheSir—loinmyself，myMotherwilleatthesoup，andYouandtheDoctormustfinishtherest。"HereI
wasinterrupted，byseeingmypoorSisterfalldowntoappearanceLifelessupononeoftheChests，wherewekeepourTablelinen。
IimmediatelycalledmyMotherandtheMaids，andatlastwebroughthertoherselfagain；assoonasevershewassensible，sheexpressedadeterminationofgoinginstantlytoHenry，andwassowildlybentonthisScheme，thatwehadthegreatestDifficultyintheWorldtopreventherputtingitinexecution；
atlasthowevermorebyForcethanEntreatyweprevailedonhertogointoherroom；welaidherupontheBed，andshecontinuedforsomeHoursinthemostdreadfulConvulsions。MyMotherandI
continuedintheroomwithher，andwhenanyintervalsoftolerableComposureinEloisawouldallowus，wejoinedinheartfeltlamentationsonthedreadfulWasteinourprovisionswhichthisEventmustoccasion，andinconcertingsomeplanforgettingridofthem。Weagreedthatthebestthingwecoulddowastobegineatingthemimmediately，andaccordinglyweorderedupthecoldHamandFowls，andinstantlybeganourDevouringPlanonthemwithgreatAlacrity。WewouldhavepersuadedEloisatohavetakenaWingofaChicken，butshewouldnotbepersuaded。
Shewashowevermuchquieterthanshehadbeen；theconvulsionsshehadbeforesufferedhavinggivenwaytoanalmostperfectInsensibility。Weendeavouredtorouseherbyeverymeansinourpower，buttonopurpose。ItalkedtoherofHenry。"DearEloisa（saidI）there’snooccasionforyourcryingsomuchaboutsuchatrifle。（forIwaswillingtomakelightofitinordertocomforther）Ibegyouwouldnotmindit——Youseeitdoesnotvexmeintheleast；thoughperhapsImaysuffermostfromitafterall；forIshallnotonlybeobligedtoeatupalltheVictualsIhavedressedalready，butmustifHenryshouldrecover（whichhoweverisnotverylikely）dressasmuchforyouagain；
orshouldhedie（asIsupposehewill）IshallstillhavetoprepareaDinnerforyouwheneveryoumarryanyoneelse。Soyouseethattho’perhapsforthepresentitmayafflictyoutothinkofHenry’ssufferings，YetIdaresayhe’lldiesoon，andthenhispainwillbeoverandyouwillbeeasy，whereasmyTroublewilllastmuchlongerforworkashardasImay，Iamcertainthatthepantrycannotbeclearedinlessthanafortnight。"ThusIdidallinmypowertoconsoleher，butwithoutanyeffect，andatlastasIsawthatshedidnotseemtolistentome，Isaidnomore，butleavingherwithmyMotherItookdowntheremainsofTheHamandChicken，andsentWilliamtoaskhowHenrydid。HewasnotexpectedtolivemanyHours；hediedthesameday。WetookallpossiblecaretobreakthemelancholyEventtoEloisainthetenderestmanner；yetinspiteofeveryprecaution，hersufferingsonhearingitweretooviolentforherreason，andshecontinuedformanyhoursinahighDelirium。Sheisstillextremelyill，andherPhysiciansaregreatlyafraidofhergoingintoaDecline。WearethereforepreparingforBristol，wherewemeantobeinthecourseofthenextweek。AndnowmydearMargaretletmetalkalittleofyouraffairs；andinthefirstplaceImustinformyouthatitisconfidentlyreported，yourFatherisgoingtobemarried；Iamveryunwillingtobeleivesounpleasingareport，andatthesametimecannotwhollydiscreditit。IhavewrittentomyfreindSusanFitzgerald，forinformationconcerningit，whichassheisatpresentinTown，shewillbeveryabletogiveme。IknownotwhoistheLady。I
thinkyourBrotherisextremelyrightintheresolutionhehastakenoftravelling，asitwillperhapscontributetoobliteratefromhisremembrance，thosedisagreableEvents，whichhavelatelysomuchafflictedhim——Iamhappytofindthattho’secludedfromalltheWorld，neitheryounorMatildaaredullorunhappy——thatyoumayneverknowwhatitisto，beeitheristhewishofyoursincerelyaffectionateC。L。
P。S。IhavethisinstantreceivedananswerfrommyfreindSusan，whichIenclosetoyou，andonwhichyouwillmakeyourownreflections。
TheenclosedLETTER
MydearCHARLOTTE
YoucouldnothaveappliedforinformationconcerningthereportofSirGeorgeLesleysMarriage，toanyonebetterabletogiveityouthanIam。SirGeorgeiscertainlymarried；IwasmyselfpresentattheCeremony，whichyouwillnotbesurprisedatwhenIsubscribemyselfyourAffectionateSusanLesleyLETTERtheTHIRD
FromMissMARGARETLESLEYtoMissC。LUTTERELL
LesleyCastleFebruarythe16thIhavemademyownreflectionsontheletteryouenclosedtome，myDearCharlotteandIwillnowtellyouwhatthosereflectionswere。IreflectedthatifbythissecondMarriageSirGeorgeshouldhaveasecondfamily，ourfortunesmustbeconsiderablydiminushed——thatifhisWifeshouldbeofanextravagantturn，shewouldencouragehimtopersevereinthatgayandDissipatedwayofLifetowhichlittleencouragementwouldbenecessary，andwhichhasIfearalreadyprovedbuttoodetrimentaltohishealthandfortune——thatshewouldnowbecomeMistressofthoseJewelswhichonceadornedourMother，andwhichSirGeorgehadalwayspromisedus——thatiftheydidnotcomeintoPerthshireIshouldnotbeabletogratifymycuriosityofbeholdingmyMother—in—lawandthatiftheydid，MatildawouldnolongersitattheheadofherFather’stable——。ThesemydearCharlottewerethemelancholyreflectionswhichcrowdedintomyimaginationafterperusingSusan’slettertoyou，andwhichinstantlyoccurredtoMatildawhenshehadperuseditlikewise。Thesameideas，thesamefears，immediatelyoccupiedherMind，andIknownotwhichreflectiondistressedhermost，whethertheprobableDiminutionofourFortunes，orherownConsequence。WebothwishverymuchtoknowwhetherLadyLesleyishandsomeandwhatisyouropinionofher；asyouhonourherwiththeappellationofyourfreind，weflatterourselvesthatshemustbeamiable。MyBrotherisalreadyinParis。HeintendstoquititinafewDays，andtobeginhisroutetoItaly。Hewritesinamostchearfullmanner，saysthattheairofFrancehasgreatlyrecoveredbothhisHealthandSpirits；thathehasnowentirelyceasedtothinkofLouisawithanydegreeeitherofPityorAffection，thatheevenfeelshimselfobligedtoherforherElopement，ashethinksitverygoodfuntobesingleagain。Bythis，youmayperceivethathehasentirelyregainedthatchearfulGaiety，andsprightlyWit，forwhichhewasoncesoremarkable。WhenhefirstbecameacquaintedwithLouisawhichwaslittlemorethanthreeyearsago，hewasoneofthemostlively，themostagreableyoungMenoftheage——。Ibeleiveyouneveryetheardtheparticularsofhisfirstacquaintancewithher。ItcommencedatourcousinColonelDrummond’s；atwhosehouseinCumberlandhespenttheChristmas，inwhichheattainedtheageoftwoandtwenty。
LouisaBurtonwastheDaughterofadistantRelationofMrs。
Drummond，whodieingafewMonthsbeforeinextremepoverty，lefthisonlyChildthenabouteighteentotheprotectionofanyofhisRelationswhowouldprotecther。Mrs。Drummondwastheonlyonewhofoundherselfsodisposed——LouisawasthereforeremovedfromamiserableCottageinYorkshiretoanelegantMansioninCumberland，andfromeverypecuniaryDistressthatPovertycouldinflict，toeveryelegantEnjoymentthatMoneycouldpurchase——。
Louisawasnaturallyill—temperedandCunning；butshehadbeentaughttodisguiseherrealDisposition，undertheappearanceofinsinuatingSweetness，byafatherwhobuttoowellknew，thattobemarried，wouldbetheonlychanceshewouldhaveofnotbeingstarved，andwhoflatteredhimselfthatwithsuchanextroidinaryshareofpersonalbeauty，joinedtoagentlenessofManners，andanengagingaddress，shemightstandagoodchanceofpleasingsomeyoungManwhomightaffordtomarryagirlwithoutaShilling。Louisaperfectlyenteredintoherfather’sschemesandwasdeterminedtoforwardthemwithallhercareandattention。
BydintofPerseveranceandApplication，shehadatlengthsothoroughlydisguisedhernaturaldispositionunderthemaskofInnocence，andSoftness，astoimposeuponeveryonewhohadnotbyalongandconstantintimacywithherdiscoveredherrealCharacter。SuchwasLouisawhenthehaplessLesleyfirstbeheldheratDrummond—house。Hisheartwhich（touseyourfavouritecomparison）wasasdelicateassweetandastenderasaWhipt—
syllabub，couldnotresistherattractions。InaveryfewDays，hewasfallinginlove，shortlyafteractuallyfell，andbeforehehadknownheraMonth，hehadmarriedher。MyFatherwasatfirsthighlydispleasedatsohastyandimprudentaconnection；
butwhenhefoundthattheydidnotmindit，hesoonbecameperfectlyreconciledtothematch。TheEstatenearAberdeenwhichmybrotherpossessesbythebountyofhisgreatUncleindependantofSirGeorge，wasentirelysufficienttosupporthimandmySisterinEleganceandEase。Forthefirsttwelvemonth，noonecouldbehappierthanLesley，andnoonemoreamiabletoappearancethanLouisa，andsoplausiblydidsheactandsocautiouslybehavethattho’MatildaandIoftenspentseveralweekstogetherwiththem，yetweneitherofushadanysuspicionofherrealDisposition。AfterthebirthofLouisahowever，whichonewouldhavethoughtwouldhavestrengthenedherregardforLesley，themaskshehadsolongsupportedwasbydegreesthrownaside，andasprobablyshethenthoughtherselfsecureintheaffectionofherHusband（whichdidindeedappearifpossibleaugmentedbythebirthofhisChild）sheseemedtotakenopainstopreventthataffectionfromeverdiminushing。OurvisitsthereforetoDunbeath，werenowlessfrequentandbyfarlessagreablethantheyusedtobe。OurabsencewashowevernevereithermentionedorlamentedbyLouisawhointhesocietyofyoungDanverswithwhomshebecameacquaintedatAberdeen（hewasatoneoftheUniversitiesthere，）feltinfinitelyhappierthaninthatofMatildaandyourfreind，tho’therecertainlyneverwerepleasantergirlsthanweare。YouknowthesadendofallLesleysconnubialhappiness；Iwillnotrepeatit——。AdeiumydearCharlotte；althoughIhavenotyetmentionedanythingofthematter，IhopeyouwilldomethejusticetobeleivethatITHINK
andFEEL，agreatdealforyourSistersaffliction。IdonotdoubtbutthatthehealthyairoftheBristoldownswillintirelyremoveit，byerasingfromherMindtheremembranceofHenry。I
ammydearCharlotteyrseverM。L。
LETTERtheFOURTH
FromMissC。LUTTERELLtoMissM。LESLEY
BristolFebruary27thMyDearPeggyIhavebutjustreceivedyourletter，whichbeingdirectedtoSussexwhileIwasatBristolwasobligedtobeforwardedtomehere，andfromsomeunaccountableDelay，hasbutthisinstantreachedme——。IreturnyoumanythanksfortheaccountitcontainsofLesley’sacquaintance，LoveandMarriagewithLouisa，whichhasnotthelessentertainedmeforhavingoftenbeenrepeatedtomebefore。
Ihavethesatisfactionofinformingyouthatwehaveeveryreasontoimagineourpantryisbythistimenearlycleared，asweleftParticularorderswiththeservantstoeatashardastheypossiblycould，andtocallinacoupleofChairwomentoassistthem。WebroughtacoldPigeonpye，acoldturkey，acoldtongue，andhalfadozenJellieswithus，whichwewereluckyenoughwiththehelpofourLandlady，herhusband，andtheirthreechildren，togetridof，inlessthantwodaysafterourarrival。PoorEloisaisstillsoveryindifferentbothinHealthandSpirits，thatIverymuchfear，theairoftheBristoldowns，healthyasitis，hasnotbeenabletodrivepoorHenryfromherremembrance。
YouaskmewhetheryournewMotherinlawishandsomeandamiable——Iwillnowgiveyouanexactdescriptionofherbodilyandmentalcharms。Sheisshort，andextremelywellmade；isnaturallypale，butrougesagooddeal；hasfineeyes，andfineteeth，asshewilltakecaretoletyouknowassoonassheseesyou，andisaltogetherverypretty。Sheisremarkablygood—
temperedwhenshehasherownway，andverylivelywhensheisnotoutofhumour。Sheisnaturallyextravagantandnotveryaffected；sheneverreadsanythingbutthelettersshereceivesfromme，andneverwritesanythingbutheranswerstothem。Sheplays，singsandDances，buthasnotasteforeither，andexcellsinnone，tho’shesayssheispassionatelyfondofall。PerhapsyoumayflattermesofarastobesurprisedthatoneofwhomI
speakwithsolittleaffectionshouldbemyparticularfreind；
buttotellyouthetruth，ourfreindshiparoseratherfromCapriceonhersidethanEsteemonmine。WespenttwoorthreedaystogetherwithaLadyinBerkshirewithwhomwebothhappenedtobeconnected——。Duringourvisit，theWeatherbeingremarkablybad，andourpartyparticularlystupid，shewassogoodastoconceiveaviolentpartialityforme，whichverysoonsettledinadownrightFreindshipandendedinanestablishedcorrespondence。Sheisprobablybythistimeastiredofme，asIamofher；butassheistooPoliteandIamtoociviltosayso，ourlettersarestillasfrequentandaffectionateasever，andourAttachmentasfirmandsincereaswhenitfirstcommenced。AsshehadagreattasteforthepleasuresofLondon，andofBrighthelmstone，shewillIdaresayfindsomedifficultyinprevailingonherselfeventosatisfythecuriosityIdaresayshefeelsofbeholdingyou，attheexpenceofquittingthosefavouritehauntsofDissipation，forthemelancholytho’
venerablegloomofthecastleyouinhabit。Perhapshoweverifshefindsherhealthimpairedbytoomuchamusement，shemayacquirefortitudesufficienttoundertakeaJourneytoScotlandinthehopeofitsProvingatleastbeneficialtoherhealth，ifnotconducivetoherhappiness。YourfearsIamsorrytosay，concerningyourfather’sextravagance，yourownfortunes，yourMothersJewelsandyourSister’sconsequence，Ishouldsupposearebuttoowellfounded。Myfreindherselfhasfourthousandpounds，andwillprobablyspendnearlyasmucheveryyearinDressandPublicplaces，ifshecangetit——shewillcertainlynotendeavourtoreclaimSirGeorgefromthemanneroflivingtowhichhehasbeensolongaccustomed，andthereisthereforesomereasontofearthatyouwillbeverywelloff，ifyougetanyfortuneatall。TheJewelsIshouldimaginetoowillundoubtedlybehers，andthereistoomuchreasontothinkthatshewillpresideatherHusbandstableinpreferencetohisDaughter。Butassomelancholyasubjectmustnecessarilyextremelydistressyou，Iwillnolongerdwellonit——。
Eloisa’sindispositionhasbroughtustoBristolatsounfashionableaseasonoftheyear，thatwehaveactuallyseenbutonegenteelfamilysincewecame。MrandMrsMarloweareveryagreablepeople；theillhealthoftheirlittleboyoccasionedtheirarrivalhere；youmayimaginethatbeingtheonlyfamilywithwhomwecanconverse，weareofcourseonafootingofintimacywiththem；weseethemindeedalmosteveryday，anddinedwiththemyesterday。WespentaverypleasantDay，andhadaverygoodDinner，tho’tobesuretheVealwasterriblyunderdone，andtheCurryhadnoseasoning。Icouldnothelpwishingalldinner—timethatIhadbeenatthedressingit——。AbrotherofMrsMarlowe，MrClevelandiswiththematpresent；heisagood—lookingyoungMan，andseemstohaveagooddealtosayforhimself。ItellEloisathatsheshouldsethercapathim，butshedoesnotatallseemtorelishtheproposal。
IshouldliketoseethegirlmarriedandClevelandhasaverygoodestate。PerhapsyoumaywonderthatIdonotconsidermyselfaswellasmySisterinmymatrimonialProjects；buttotellyouthetruthIneverwishtoactamoreprincipalpartataWeddingthanthesuperintendinganddirectingtheDinner，andthereforewhileIcangetanyofmyacquaintancetomarryforme，Ishallneverthinkofdoingitmyself，asIverymuchsuspectthatIshouldnothavesomuchtimefordressingmyownWedding—
dinner，asfordressingthatofmyfreinds。
YourssincerelyC。L。
LETTERtheFIFTH
MissMARGARETLESLEYtoMissCHARLOTTELUTTERELL
Lesley—CastleMarch18thOnthesamedaythatIreceivedyourlastkindletter，MatildareceivedonefromSirGeorgewhichwasdatedfromEdinburgh，andinformedusthatheshoulddohimselfthepleasureofintroducingLadyLesleytousonthefollowingevening。Thisasyoumaysupposeconsiderablysurprisedus，particularlyasyouraccountofherLadyshiphadgivenusreasontoimaginetherewaslittlechanceofhervisitingScotlandatatimethatLondonmustbesogay。AsitwasourbusinesshowevertobedelightedatsuchamarkofcondescensionasavisitfromSirGeorgeandLadyLesley，wepreparedtoreturnthemananswerexpressiveofthehappinessweenjoyedinexpectationofsuchaBlessing，whenluckilyrecollectingthatastheyweretoreachtheCastlethenextEvening，itwouldbeimpossibleformyfathertoreceiveitbeforeheleftEdinburgh，wecontentedourselveswithleavingthemtosupposethatwewereashappyasweoughttobe。AtnineintheEveningonthefollowingday，theycame，accompaniedbyoneofLadyLesleysbrothers。HerLadyshipperfectlyanswersthedescriptionyousentmeofher，exceptthatIdonotthinkhersoprettyasyouseemtoconsiderher。Shehasnotabadface，butthereissomethingsoextremelyunmajesticinherlittlediminutivefigure，astorenderherincomparisonwiththeelegantheightofMatildaandMyself，aninsignificantDwarf。
Hercuriositytoseeus（whichmusthavebeengreattobringhermorethanfourhundredmiles）beingnowperfectlygratified，shealreadybeginstomentiontheirreturntotown，andhasdesiredustoaccompanyher。WecannotrefuseherrequestsinceitissecondedbythecommandsofourFather，andthirdedbytheentreatiesofMr。FitzgeraldwhoiscertainlyoneofthemostpleasingyoungMen，Ieverbeheld。Itisnotyetdeterminedwhenwearetogo，butwheneverwedoweshallcertainlytakeourlittleLouisawithus。AdeiumydearCharlotte；Matildaunitesinbestwishestoyou，andEloisa，withyourseverM。L。
LETTERtheSIXTH
LADYLESLEYtoMissCHARLOTTELUTTERELL
Lesley—CastleMarch20thWearrivedheremysweetFreindaboutafortnightago，andI
alreadyheartilyrepentthatIeverleftourcharmingHouseinPortman—squareforsuchadismaloldweather—beatenCastleasthis。Youcanformnoideasufficientlyhideous，ofitsdungeon—
likeform。ItisactuallypercheduponaRocktoappearancesototallyinaccessible，thatIexpectedtohavebeenpulledupbyarope；andsincerelyrepentedhavinggratifiedmycuriositytobeholdmyDaughtersattheexpenceofbeingobligedtoentertheirprisoninsodangerousandridiculousamanner。ButassoonasIoncefoundmyselfsafelyarrivedintheinsideofthistremendousbuilding，Icomfortedmyselfwiththehopeofhavingmyspiritsrevived，bythesightoftwobeautifullgirls，suchastheMissLesleyshadbeenrepresentedtome，atEdinburgh。Buthereagain，ImetwithnothingbutDisappointmentandSurprise。
MatildaandMargaretLesleyaretwogreat，tall，outoftheway，over—grown，girls，justofapropersizetoinhabitaCastlealmostaslargeincomparisonasthemselves。IwishmydearCharlottethatyoucouldbutbeholdtheseScotchgiants；Iamsuretheywouldfrightenyououtofyourwits。Theywilldoverywellasfoilstomyself，soIhaveinvitedthemtoaccompanymetoLondonwhereIhopetobeinthecourseofafortnight。
BesidesthesetwofairDamsels，IfoundalittlehumouredBratherewhoIbeleiveissomerelationtothem，theytoldmewhoshewas，andgavemealongrigmerolestoryofherfatherandaMissSOMEBODYwhichIhaveentirelyforgot。IhatescandalanddetestChildren。IhavebeenplaguedeversinceIcameherewithtiresomevisitsfromaparcelofScotchwretches，withterriblehard—names；theyweresocivil，gavemesomanyinvitations，andtalkedofcomingagainsosoon，thatIcouldnothelpaffrontingthem。IsupposeIshallnotseethemanymore，andyetasafamilypartywearesostupid，thatIdonotknowwhattodowithmyself。ThesegirlshavenoMusic，butScotchairs，noDrawingsbutScotchMountains，andnoBooksbutScotchPoems——andIhateeverythingScotch。IngeneralIcanspendhalftheDayatmytoilettwithagreatdealofpleasure，butwhyshouldIdresshere，sincethereisnotacreatureintheHousewhomIhaveanywishtoplease。IhavejusthadaconversationwithmyBrotherinwhichhehasgreatlyoffendedme，andwhichasIhavenothingmoreentertainingtosendyouIwillgaveyoutheparticularsof。
YoumustknowthatIhaveforthese4or5DayspaststronglysuspectedWilliamofentertainingapartialitytomyeldestDaughter。IownindeedthathadIbeeninclinedtofallinlovewithanywoman，IshouldnothavemadechoiceofMatildaLesleyfortheobjectofmypassion；forthereisnothingIhatesomuchasatallWoman：buthoweverthereisnoaccountingforsomemen’stasteandasWilliamishimselfnearlysixfeethigh，itisnotwonderfulthatheshouldbepartialtothatheight。NowasI
haveaverygreataffectionformyBrotherandshouldbeextremelysorrytoseehimunhappy，whichIsupposehemeanstobeifhecannotmarryMatilda，asmoreoverIknowthathiscircumstanceswillnotallowhimtomarryanyonewithoutafortune，andthatMatilda’sisentirelydependantonherFather，whowillneitherhavehisowninclinationnormypermissiontogiveheranythingatpresent，Ithoughtitwouldbedoingagood—
naturedactionbymyBrothertolethimknowasmuch，inorderthathemightchooseforhimself，whethertoconquerhispassion，orLoveandDespair。AccordinglyfindingmyselfthisMorningalonewithhiminoneofthehorridoldroomsofthisCastle，I
openedthecausetohiminthefollowingManner。
"WellmydearWilliamwhatdoyouthinkofthesegirls？formypart，IdonotfindthemsoplainasIexpected：butperhapsyoumaythinkmepartialtotheDaughtersofmyHusbandandperhapsyouareright——TheyareindeedsoverylikeSirGeorgethatitisnaturaltothink"——
"MyDearSusan（criedheinatoneofthegreatestamazement）YoudonotreallythinktheybeartheleastresemblancetotheirFather!Heissoveryplain!——butIbegyourpardon——IhadentirelyforgottentowhomIwasspeaking——"
"Oh!praydontmindme；（repliedI）everyoneknowsSirGeorgeishorriblyugly，andIassureyouIalwaysthoughthimafright。"