"P. S. June 25th. Not having yet sent my letter, although I am sure
you must be dying with anxiety to hear how we get on, I must add,
that we have a companion here that would delight you--a Mr. Edward
Stanley. What a delightful name! and he is as delightful as his
name: his eye, his nose, his whole countenance, are perfect. In
short, Julia, he is just such a man as we used to draw in our
conversation at school. He is rich, and brave, and sensible, and I
do nothing but talk to him of you. He says, he longs to see you;
knows you must be handsome; is sure you are sensible; and feels
that you are good. Oh! he is worth a dozen Charles Westons. But you
may give my compliments to Mr. Weston, though I don't suppose he
ever thinks it worth his while to remember such a chick as me. I
should like to hear what he says about me, and I will tell you all
Edward Stanley says of you. Once more, adieu. Your letters got here
safe and in due season. I let Edward take a peep at them."
The first time Julia read this letter she was certainly disappointed. It
contained no descriptions of the lovely scenery of the west. The moon
had risen and the sun had set on the lakes of the interior, and Anna had
said not one word of either. But the third and fourth time of reading
began to afford more pleasure, and at the thirteenth perusal she
pronounced it charming. There was evidently much to be understood;
vacuums that the fancy could easily fill; and, before Julia had left the
summer-house, the letter was extended, in her imagination, to the
promised six sheets. She walked slowly through the shrubbery towards the
house, musing on the contents of her letter, or rather what it might be
supposed to contain, and unconsciously repeating to herself in a low
tone--
"Young, handsome, rich, and sensible--just as we used to paint in our
conversation. Oh, how delightful!"
"Delightful indeed, to possess all those fine qualities; and who is the
happy individual that is so blessed?" asked Charles Weston, who had been
lingering in the walks with an umbrella to shield her on her return from
an approaching shower.
"Oh!" said Julia, starting, "I did not know you were near me. I have
been reading Anna's sweet letter," pressing the paper to her bosom as
she spoke.
"Doubtless you must be done by this time, Julia, and," pointing to the
clouds, "you had better hasten to the house. I knew you would be
terrified at the lightning all alone by yourself in that summer-house,
so I came to protect you."
"You are very good, Charles, but does it lighten?" said Julia in terror,
and hastening her retreat to the dwelling.
"Your letter must have interested you deeply not to have noticed the
thunder--you, who are so timid and fearful of the flashes."
"Foolishly fearful, you would say, if you were not afraid of hurting my
feelings, I know," said Julia.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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