Autobiographical fiction; Bildungsromans; England -- Fiction; Feminist fiction; Love stories; Sex role -- Fiction; Young women -- Fiction
'That she had married an officer in the East India service;
that soon after their union he was ordered abroad, and
stationed in Bengal for three years, during which period she
was to remain in a commodious and pleasant house, situated
in the vicinity of the metropolis. She had been informed of
my removal from Morton Park, and had no doubt but I should
be able to give a satisfactory account of the occasion of
that removal. She purposed, during the absence of her husband,
to let out a part of her house; and should I not be fixed
in my present residence, would be happy to accommodate me
with an apartment, on terms that should be rather dictated
by friendship than interest. She also hinted, that a
neighbouring lady, of respectable character, would be glad to
avail herself of the occasional assistance of an accomplished
woman in the education of her daughters; that she had
mentioned me to her in advantageous terms, conceiving that I
should have no objection, by such a means, to exercise my
talents, to render myself useful, and to augment my small
income.'
This intelligence filled me with delight: the idea of change, of
exertion, of new scenes--shall I add, _of breathing the same air with
Augustus_, rushed tumultuously through my imagination. Flying eagerly to
my friend, to impart these tidings, I was not aware of the ungrateful
and inconsiderate appearance which these exultations must give me in her
eyes, till I perceived the starting tear.--It touched, it electrified,
my heart; and, throwing myself into her arms, I caught the soft
contagion, and wept aloud.
'Go, Emma--my daughter,' said this excellent woman; 'I banish the
selfish regret that would prompt me to detain you. I perceive this
solitude is destructive to thy ardent mind. Go, vary your impressions,
and expand your sensations; gladden me only from time to time with an
account of your progress and welfare.'
I had but little preparation to make. I canvassed over, with my friend,
a thousand plans, and formed as many expectations and conjectures; but
they all secretly tended to one point, and concentrated in one object. I
gave my cousin notice that I should be with her in a few days--settled
a future correspondence with my friend--embraced her, at parting, with
unfeigned, and tender, sorrow--and, placing myself in a stage-coach,
that passed daily through the village, took the road, once more, with
a fluttering heart, to London. We travelled all night--it was cold and
dreary--but my fancy was busied with various images, and my bosom
throbbing with lively, though indistinct sensations.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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