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CHAP. II
from The Soldier's Orphan: A Tale
Summary
Ah me! for aught that ever I could read,
Could ever hear, by tale or history,
The course of true love never did run smooth:
But either it was different in blood,
Or else misgrafted in respect of years;
Or else it stood upon the choice of friends;
Or if there were a sympathy in choice,
War, death, or sickness, did lay siege to it;
Making it momentary as a sound,
Swift as a shadow, short as any dream.
Shakespear.Rejoiced at having been successful in her application, Louisa seized the first opportunity that occurred to compose a letter to Lady Delville, trusting to some fortunate chance to have it conveyed to her Ladyship. This letter was similar to the first, with the addition of her being confined as a lunatic; and/ the reasons she had to conclude, when coming there, she was to be conveyed to her Ladyship.
The letter was carefully concealed in her bosom, and to avoid suspicion, she wrote several detached sentences on a sheet of paper which she left in sight. As had been told her, these were examined by Woodford when she came into the room. Louisa trembled as her guard turned over the sheets; but fortunately the one she had taken for her letter was not missed.
Several days passed without the least appearance of her ever being favoured with an opportunity to send her letter; in that time Louisa had taken advantage of the privilege allowed her of walking in the garden; but as she was never unattended, she saw no hope of succeeding in her design of giving it to the gardener; a man, whom she had observed looking/ at her with an expression of pity in his sun-burnt countenance.
She had during that time, when in her chamber, repeatedly heard the same mournful song sung, which had so strongly excited her admiration and pity the day after her arrival.
The serenity of her disposition gained more on the stern nature of her guard than Louisa could possibly have expected; she not only answered her questions with civility, but she sometimes communicated anecdotes of the different patients.
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- The Soldier's Orphan: A Taleby Mrs Costello, pp. 161 - 167Publisher: Pickering & ChattoFirst published in: 2014