The situation: Laura, the heroine and narrator, has married Edward, whom she has only just met, against the wishes of his father. The newly-weds escape by stealing Edward?s father?s coach.
The Postilions had at first received orders only to take the London road; as soon as we had sufficiently reflected However, we ordered them to Drive to M—-. the seat of Edward’s most particular friend, which was but a few miles distant. At M—-. we arrived in a few hours; and on sending in our names were immediately admitted to Sophia, the Wife of Edward’s freind. After having been deprived during the course of 3 weeks of a real freind . . . imagine my transports at beholding one, most truly worthy of the Name.
Sophia was rather above the middle size; most elegantly formed. A soft languor spread over her lovely features, but increased their Beauty–. It was the Charectarestic of her Mind–. She was all sensibility and Feeling. We flew into each others arms and after having exchanged vows of mutual Freindship for the rest of our Lives, instantly unfolded to each other the most inward secrets of our Hearts–.We were interrupted in the delightfull Employment by the entrance of Augustus, (Edward’s friend) who was just returned from a solitary ramble. Never did I see such an affecting Scene as was the meeting of Edward and Augustus. “My Life! my Soul!”(exclaimed the former) “My adorable angel!”(replied the latter) as they flew into each other’s arms. It was too pathetic for the feelings of Sophia and myself–We fainted alternately on a sofa.
From: Jane Austen, Love and Freindship (1787-1790). The spelling is Jane Austen?s. She began L&F at the age of 12.