Tales for Fifteen

Tales for Fifteen or, Imagination and Heart (1823)
(Written under the pseudonym of "Jane Morgan")

PREFACE

WHEN the author of these little tales commenced
them, it was her intention to form a short series of
such stories as, it was hoped, might not be entirely
without moral advantage; but unforeseen
circumstances have prevented their completion,
and, unwilling to delay the publication any longer,
she commits them to the world in their present
unfinished state, without any flattering
anticipations of their reception. They are intended
for the perusal of young women, at that tender age
when the feelings of their nature begin to act on
them most insidiously, and when their minds are
least prepared by reason and experience to contend
with their passions.

"Heart" was intended for a much longer tale, and is
unavoidably incomplete; but it is unnecessary to
point out defects that even the juvenile reader will
soon detect. The author only hopes that if they do
no good, her tales will, at least, do no harm.

IMAGINATION.
---oOo---

I pray thee, gentle mortal, sing again:
Mine ear is much enamoured of thy note,
So is mine eye enthralled to thy shape;
And thy fair virtue's force perforce doth move me,
On the first view, to say, to swear, I love thee.
MIDSUMMER NIGHT'S DREAM

{Shakespeare, "A Midsummer Night's Dream" Act
III, Scene 1, lines 137-141}

"DO--write to me often, my dear Anna!" said the
weeping Julia Warren, on parting, for the first time
since their acquaintance, with the young lady whom
she had honoured with the highest place in her
affections. "Think how dreadfully solitary and
miserable I shall be here, without a single
companion, or a soul to converse with, now you are
to be removed two hundred miles into the
wilderness."

"Oh! trust me, my love, I shall not forget you now
or ever," replied her friend, embracing the other
slightly, and, perhaps, rather hastily for so tender
an adieu; at the same time glancing her eye on the
figure of a youth, who stood in silent contemplation
of the scene. "And doubt not but I shall soon tire
you with my correspondence, especially as I more
than suspect it will be subjected to the criticisms of
Mr. Charles Weston." As she concluded, the young
lady curtisied to the youth in a manner that
contradicted, by its flattery, the forced irony of her
remark.

"Never, my dear girl!" exclaimed Miss Warren with
extreme fervour. "The confidence of our friendship
is sacred with me, and nothing, no, nothing, could
ever tempt me to violate such a trust. Charles is
very