TO MADAME LA COMTESSE DE FEUILLIDE THIS NOVEL IS INSCRIBED BY HER
OBLIGED HUMBLE SERVANT THE AUTHOR.
“Deceived in Freindship and Betrayed in Love.”
LETTER the FIRST
From ISABEL to LAURA
How often, in answer to my repeated intreaties that you would give my
Daughter a regular detail of the Misfortunes and Adventures of your
Life, have you said “No, my freind never will I comply with your
request till I may be no longer in Danger of again experiencing such
dreadful ones.”
Surely that time is now at hand. You are this day 55. If a woman may
ever be said to be in safety from the determined Perseverance of
disagreeable Lovers and the cruel Persecutions of obstinate Fathers,
surely it must be at such a time of Life.