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lady susan-第8章

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in their display as to afford the most reasonable hope of her being



ridiculous; and despised by every man who sees her。







Artlessness will never do in love matters; and that girl is born a



simpleton who has it either by nature or affectation。 I am not yet certain



that Reginald sees what she is about; nor is it of much consequence。 She is



now an object of indifference to him; and she would be one of contempt were



he to understand her emotions。 Her beauty is much admired by the Vernons;



but it has no effect on him。 She is in high favour with her aunt



altogether; because she is so little like myself; of course。 She is exactly



the companion for Mrs。 Vernon; who dearly loves to be firm; and to have



all the sense and all the wit of the conversation to herself: Frederica



will never eclipse her。 When she first came I was at some pains to prevent



her seeing much of her aunt; but I have relaxed; as I believe I may depend



on her observing the rules I have laid down for their discourse。 But do not



imagine that with all this lenity I have for a moment given up my plan of



her marriage。 No; I am unalterably fixed on this point; though I have not



yet quite decided on the manner of bringing it about。 I should not chuse to



have the business brought on here; and canvassed by the wise heads of Mr。



and Mrs。 Vernon; and I cannot just now afford to go to town。 Miss Frederica



must therefore wait a little。







Yours ever;







S。 VERNON。























XX











MRS。 VERNON TO LADY DE COURCY











Churchhill











We have a very unexpected guest with us at present; my dear Mother: he



arrived yesterday。 I heard a carriage at the door; as I was sitting with my



children while they dined; and supposing I should be wanted; left the



nursery soon afterwards; and was half…way downstairs; when Frederica; as



pale as ashes; came running up; and rushed by me into her own room。 I



instantly followed; and asked her what was the matter。 〃Oh!〃 said she; 〃he



is comeSir James is come; and what shall I do?〃 This was no explanation;



I begged her to tell me what she meant。 At that moment we were interrupted



by a knock at the door: it was Reginald; who came; by Lady Susan's



direction; to call Frederica down。 〃It is Mr。 De Courcy! 〃 said she;



colouring violently。 〃Mamma has sent for me; I must go。〃 We all three went



down together; and I saw my brother examining the terrified face of



Frederica with surprize。 In the breakfast…room we found Lady Susan; and a



young man of gentlemanlike appearance; whom she introduced by the name of



Sir James Martinthe very person; as you may remember; whom it was said



she had been at pains to detach from Miss Mainwaring; but the conquest; it



seems; was not designed for herself; or she has since transferred it to her



daughter; for Sir James is now desperately in love with Frederica; and with



full encouragement from mamma。 The poor girl; however; I am sure; dislikes



him; and though his person and address are very well; he appears; both to



Mr。 Vernon and me; a very weak young man。 Frederica looked so shy; so



confused; when we entered the room; that I felt for her exceedingly。 Lady



Susan behaved with great attention to her visitor; and yet I thought I



could perceive that she had no particular pleasure in seeing him。 Sir James



talked a great deal; and made many civil excuses to me for the liberty he



had taken in coming to Churchhillmixing more frequent laughter with his



discourse than the subject requiredsaid many things over and over again;



and told Lady Susan three times that he had seen Mrs。 Johnson a few



evenings before。 He now and then addressed Frederica; but more frequently



her mother。 The poor girl sat all this time without opening her lipsher



eyes cast down; and her colour varying every instant; while Reginald



observed all that passed in perfect silence。 At length Lady Susan; weary; I



believe; of her situation; proposed walking; and we left the two gentlemen



together; to put on our pelisses。 As we went upstairs Lady Susan begged



permission to attend me for a few moments in my dressing…room; as she was



anxious to speak with me in private。 I led her thither accordingly; and as



soon as the door was closed; she said: 〃I was never more surprized in my



life than by Sir James's arrival; and the suddenness of it requires some



apology to you; my dear sister; though to ME; as a mother; it is highly



flattering。 He is so extremely attached to my daughter that he could not



exist longer without seeing her。 Sir James is a young man of an amiable



disposition and excellent character; a little too much of the rattle;



perhaps; but a year or two will rectify THAT: and he is in other respects



so very eligible a match for Frederica; that I have always observed his



attachment with the greatest pleasure; and am persuaded that you and my



brother will give the alliance your hearty approbation。 I have never



before mentioned the likelihood of its taking place to anyone; because I



thought that whilst Frederica continued at school it had better not be



known to exist; but now; as I am convinced that Frederica is too old ever



to submit to school confinement; and have; therefore; begun to consider her



union with Sir James as not very distant; I had intended within a few days



to acquaint yourself and Mr。 Vernon with the whole business。 I am sure; my



dear sister; you will excuse my remaining silent so long; and agree with me



that such circumstances; while they continue from any cause in suspense;



cannot be too cautiously concealed。 When you have the happiness of



bestowing your sweet little Catherine; some years hence; on a man who in



connection and character is alike unexceptionable; you will know what I



feel now; though; thank Heaven; you cannot have all my reasons for



rejoicing in such an event。 Catherine will be amply provided for; and not;



like my Frederica; indebted to a fortunate establishment for the comforts



of life。〃 She concluded by demanding my congratulations。 I gave them



somewhat awkwardly; I believe; for; in fact; the sudden disclosure of so



important a matter took from me the power of speaking with any clearness;



She thanked me; however; most affectionately; for my kind concern in the



welfare of herself and daughter; and then said: 〃I am not apt to deal in



professions; my dear Mrs。 Vernon; and I never had the convenient talent of



affecting sensations foreign to my heart; and therefore I trust you will



believe me when I declare; that much as I had heard in your praise before I



knew you; I had no idea that I should ever love you as I now do; and I must



further say that your friendship towards me is more particularly gratifying



because I have reason to believe that some attempts were made to prejudice



you against me。 I only wish that they; whoever they are; to whom I am



indebted for such kind intentions; could see the terms on which we now are



together; and understand the real affection we feel for each other; but I



will not detain you any longer。 God bless you; for your goodness to me and



my girl; and continue to you all your present happiness。〃 What can one say



of such a woman; my dear mother? Such earnestness such solemnity of



expression! and yet I cannot help suspecting the truth of everything she



says。 As for Reginald; I believe he does not know what to make of the



matter。 When Sir James came; he appeared all astonishment and perplexity;



the folly of the young man and the confusion of Frederica entirely



engrossed him; and though a little private discourse with Lady Susan has



since had its effect; he is still hurt; I am sure; at her allowing of such



a man's attentions to her daughter。 Sir James invited himself with great



composure to remain here a few dayshoped we would not think it odd; was



aware of its being very impertinent; but he took the liberty of a relation;



and concluded by wishing; with a laugh; that he might be really one very



soon。 Even Lady Susan seemed a little disconcerted by this forwardness; in



her heart I am persuaded she sincerely wished him gone。 But something must



be done for this poor girl; if her feelings are such as both I and her



uncle believe them to be。 She must not be sacrificed to policy or ambition;



and she must not be left to suffer from the dread of it。 The girl whose



heart can distinguish Reginald De Courcy; deserves; however he may slight



her; a better fate than to be Sir James Martin's wife。 As soon as I can get



her alone; I will discover the real t
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