"Eldersmere, _June 4th_, 1800.
"My dearest Laura--Pray excuse haste, for we are just off to `Parigi O
cara,' to see the Exposition--papa, mamma, your humble servant, and
Effie Campanelle Brassey. I will write at length from there. But
just a line to say that we are delighted to hear of your engagement,
and Effie and I will be doubly delighted to be bridesmaids. What fun,
though, to think of all the school frolics, and--and--but there, I
won't say a word; only mind this, I mean to come and stay for months
with you when you are Mrs Saint Purre. And so he is to have a living
down in the country? My! what fun, to see the saintly Laura
attending, basket in hand, to her poor, and her Sunday school
children! Heigho! and poor me without so much as an offer yet. Do,
there's a dear, have a few nice fellows at the wedding, just out of
pity, you know; for, only think, both Effie and I will soon be
eighteen! You say that the Cedars is never to be mentioned; but I
must tell you that in the advertisements it is now, `Lady Principals,
Mrs Fortesquieu de Blount and Miss Furness.' Goodbye, my own dear,
dear pet, sweet, darling Laura; and I am, as I always shall be, in
spite of hundreds of tiffs, your affectionate friend,--
"Clara Fitzacre."
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The End.