ABSTRACT
When Charlotte returned from her ride, her first care was to hasten to Julia’s apartment, and enquire if her head-ach had ceased. At that moment Julia felt Charlotte’s kindness like a reproach; her heart was full, and tears started into her eyes. ‘What is the matter, my dearest friend?’ said Charlotte: she then enquired if it was the thoughts of going for the first time into public since the death of her father that affected her. Julia now wept without restraint. ‘If you are so much hurt at going, my dearest girl,’ resumed Charlotte, ‘I will not insist upon it.’ – Fearing, however, that if she remained at home, Frederick Seymour would attribute it to the effects of their meeting, Julia told Charlotte that she was determined to go, and begged that she would take no notice to any one of the depression of her spirits. Charlotte threw her arms round her friend’s neck, and embraced her tenderly, with the most soothing expressions of affection. They then parted, in order to dress for the ball.
