WEBVTT 1 00:00:00.280 --> 00:00:05.320 Chapter one. Lady Susan Vernon to mister. 2 00:00:05.360 --> 00:00:13.039 Vernon, Langford, December, My dear brother, I can no longer 3 00:00:13.080 --> 00:00:17.719 refuse myself the pleasure of profiting by your kind invitation 4 00:00:18.280 --> 00:00:21.239 when last we parted of spending some weeks with you 5 00:00:21.320 --> 00:00:26.839 at Churchill, And therefore, if quite convenient to you and 6 00:00:27.000 --> 00:00:30.239 missus Vernon to receive me at present, I shall hope 7 00:00:30.280 --> 00:00:33.159 within a few days to be introduced to a sister 8 00:00:33.240 --> 00:00:35.759 whom I have so long desired to be acquainted with. 9 00:00:37.359 --> 00:00:41.079 My kind friends here are most affectionately urgent with me 10 00:00:41.200 --> 00:00:47.079 to prolong my stay, but their hospitable and cheerful dispositions 11 00:00:47.200 --> 00:00:50.240 lead them too much into society for my present situation 12 00:00:50.960 --> 00:00:54.280 and state of mind, and I impatiently look forward to 13 00:00:54.320 --> 00:00:58.240 the hour when I shall be admitted into your delightful retirement. 14 00:00:59.600 --> 00:01:02.719 I long to be made known to your dear little children, 15 00:01:02.960 --> 00:01:05.280 in whose hearts I shall be very eager to secure, 16 00:01:05.280 --> 00:01:09.840 an interest I shall soon have need for all my fortitude. 17 00:01:10.000 --> 00:01:12.439 As I am on the point of separation from my 18 00:01:12.560 --> 00:01:17.680 own daughter. The long illness of her dear father prevented 19 00:01:17.760 --> 00:01:22.879 my paying her that attention which duty and affection equally dictated, 20 00:01:23.680 --> 00:01:26.519 and I have too much reason to fear that the 21 00:01:26.560 --> 00:01:30.959 governess to whose care I consign her was unequal to 22 00:01:31.040 --> 00:01:34.799 the charge. I have therefore resolved in placing her at 23 00:01:34.840 --> 00:01:37.599 one of the best private schools in town, where I 24 00:01:37.640 --> 00:01:41.000 shall have an opportunity of leaving her myself in my way. 25 00:01:41.040 --> 00:01:44.480 To you, I am determined, you see, not to be 26 00:01:44.519 --> 00:01:48.760 denied admittance at Churchill. It would indeed give me the 27 00:01:48.799 --> 00:01:51.560 most painful sensations to know that it were not in 28 00:01:51.640 --> 00:01:55.640 your power to receive me your most obliged. 29 00:02:00.200 --> 00:02:05.959 Chapter two, Lady Susan Vernon to missus. 30 00:02:05.719 --> 00:02:12.319 Johnson, Langford. You were mistaken, my dear Alicia, in supposing 31 00:02:12.360 --> 00:02:14.599 me fixed at this place for the rest of the winter. 32 00:02:15.879 --> 00:02:18.560 It grieves me to say how greatly you are mistaken, 33 00:02:19.199 --> 00:02:23.400 for I have seldom spent three months more agreeably than 34 00:02:23.439 --> 00:02:29.479 those which have just flown away. At present, nothing goes smoothly. 35 00:02:30.560 --> 00:02:34.560 The females of the family are united against me. You 36 00:02:34.680 --> 00:02:37.439 foretold how it would be when I first came to Langford, 37 00:02:38.120 --> 00:02:42.000 and manwaring is so uncommonly pleasing that I was not 38 00:02:42.120 --> 00:02:47.599 without apprehensions for myself. I remember saying to myself as 39 00:02:47.639 --> 00:02:51.520 I drove to the house I like this man, pray 40 00:02:51.639 --> 00:02:55.439 heaven no harm come of it. But I was determined 41 00:02:55.479 --> 00:02:58.960 to be discreet, to bear in mind my being only 42 00:02:59.080 --> 00:03:02.560 four months a widow, and to be as quiet as possible. 43 00:03:03.240 --> 00:03:05.520 And I have been so, my dear creature. I have 44 00:03:05.599 --> 00:03:09.599 admitted no one's attentions but man wearings. I have avoided 45 00:03:09.759 --> 00:03:14.479 all general flirtation whatever. I have distinguished no creature besides 46 00:03:14.560 --> 00:03:18.360 all of a number's resorting hither except Sir James Martin, 47 00:03:19.000 --> 00:03:23.039 on whom I bestowed a little noticed in order to 48 00:03:23.159 --> 00:03:26.319 detach him from Miss Manwaring. But if the world could 49 00:03:26.360 --> 00:03:30.039 know my motive there, they would honor me. I have 50 00:03:30.120 --> 00:03:32.960 been called an unkind mother, but it was the sacred 51 00:03:33.080 --> 00:03:36.639 impulse of maternal affection. It was the advantage of my 52 00:03:36.800 --> 00:03:40.120 daughter that led me on. And if that daughter were 53 00:03:40.120 --> 00:03:43.000 not the greatest simpleton on earth, I might have been 54 00:03:43.039 --> 00:03:48.280 rewarded for my exertions as I ought. Sir James did 55 00:03:48.439 --> 00:03:52.680 make proposals to me for Frederica, But Frederica, who was 56 00:03:52.759 --> 00:03:55.280 born to be the torment of my life, chose to 57 00:03:55.319 --> 00:03:58.800 set herself so violently against the match that I thought 58 00:03:58.800 --> 00:04:00.919 it better to lay aside the scheme for the present 59 00:04:02.199 --> 00:04:04.240 I have more than once repented that I did not 60 00:04:04.319 --> 00:04:08.360 marry him myself, and were he but one degree less 61 00:04:08.400 --> 00:04:12.439 contemptibly weak, I certainly should. But I must own myself 62 00:04:12.719 --> 00:04:16.279 rather romantic in that respect, and that riches only will 63 00:04:16.319 --> 00:04:20.959 not satisfy me. The event of all this is very provoking. 64 00:04:21.399 --> 00:04:25.600 Sir James is gone, Mariah highly incensed, and missus Manwaring 65 00:04:25.639 --> 00:04:31.000 insupportably jealous, so jealous in short, and so enraged against me, 66 00:04:31.160 --> 00:04:33.759 that in the fury of her temper, I should not 67 00:04:33.839 --> 00:04:37.000 be surprised at her appealing to her guardian if she 68 00:04:37.040 --> 00:04:41.199 had the liberty of addressing him. But there your husband stands, 69 00:04:41.199 --> 00:04:44.199 my friend, and the kindest, most amiable action of his 70 00:04:44.279 --> 00:04:47.439 life was his throwing her off forever on her marriage. 71 00:04:48.439 --> 00:04:52.279 Keep up his resentment. Therefore, I charge you, we are 72 00:04:52.319 --> 00:04:56.399 now in a sad state. No house was ever more altered, 73 00:04:56.720 --> 00:04:59.240 the whole party are at war, and Man Wearing scarcely 74 00:04:59.319 --> 00:05:02.000 dares speak to me me it is time for me 75 00:05:02.160 --> 00:05:05.399 to be gone. I have therefore determined on leaving them, 76 00:05:05.399 --> 00:05:08.879 and shall spend I hope a comfortable day with you 77 00:05:09.000 --> 00:05:12.160 in town within this week. If I am as little 78 00:05:12.199 --> 00:05:14.439 in favor with mister Johnson. As ever, you must come 79 00:05:14.480 --> 00:05:17.839 to me at ten Weegmore Street. But I hope this 80 00:05:18.079 --> 00:05:20.839 may not be the case. For as mister Johnson, with 81 00:05:20.920 --> 00:05:23.199 all his faults, is a man to whom that great 82 00:05:23.240 --> 00:05:27.560 word respectable is always given, and I am known to 83 00:05:27.560 --> 00:05:31.639 be so intimate with his wife, his slighting me has 84 00:05:31.680 --> 00:05:35.439 an awkward look. I take London in my way to 85 00:05:35.480 --> 00:05:40.720 that insupportable spot, a country village, for I really am 86 00:05:40.879 --> 00:05:44.600 going to Churchill. Forgive me, my dear friend, it is 87 00:05:44.639 --> 00:05:47.959 my last resource. Were there another place in England open 88 00:05:48.000 --> 00:05:51.920 to me, I would prefer it. Charles Vernon is my aversion, 89 00:05:52.439 --> 00:05:55.639 and I am afraid of his wife at Churchill. However, 90 00:05:56.199 --> 00:05:58.759 I must remain till I have something better in view. 91 00:06:00.079 --> 00:06:02.639 My young lady accompanies me to town, where I shall 92 00:06:02.639 --> 00:06:06.360 deposit her under the care of Miss Summers in Wigmore 93 00:06:06.360 --> 00:06:10.959 Street till she becomes a little more reasonable. She will 94 00:06:10.959 --> 00:06:13.399 make good connections there, as the girls are all of 95 00:06:13.399 --> 00:06:17.199 the best families. The price is immense and much beyond 96 00:06:17.199 --> 00:06:20.120 what I can ever attempt to pay. Adieu. I will 97 00:06:20.120 --> 00:06:23.000 send you a line as soon as I arrive in town. Yours, ever, 98 00:06:23.759 --> 00:06:24.639 s vern. 99 00:06:25.319 --> 00:06:30.639 Chapter three, Missus Vernon to Lady de Courcy. 100 00:06:30.720 --> 00:06:34.800 Church Hill, my dear mother, I am very sorry to 101 00:06:34.839 --> 00:06:36.759 tell you that it will not be within our power 102 00:06:37.000 --> 00:06:39.399 to keep our promise of spending our Christmas with you, 103 00:06:39.560 --> 00:06:42.199 and we are prevented that happiness by a circumstance which 104 00:06:42.240 --> 00:06:45.360 is not likely to make us any amends. Lady Susan, 105 00:06:45.600 --> 00:06:48.000 in a letter to her brother in law, has declared 106 00:06:48.040 --> 00:06:51.519 her intention of visiting us almost immediately, and as such 107 00:06:51.519 --> 00:06:55.040 a visit is, in all probability merely an affair of convenience, 108 00:06:55.319 --> 00:06:58.800 it is impossible to conjecture its length. I was by 109 00:06:58.800 --> 00:07:01.959 no means prepared for such event, nor can I now 110 00:07:02.000 --> 00:07:06.079 account for her ladyship's conduct. Langford appeared so exactly the 111 00:07:06.160 --> 00:07:08.800 place for her in every respect, as well from the 112 00:07:08.920 --> 00:07:12.240 elegant and expensive style of living there, as well as 113 00:07:12.279 --> 00:07:15.759 from her particular attachment to mister Mainwaring that I was 114 00:07:15.920 --> 00:07:19.399 very far from expecting so speedy a distinction, though I 115 00:07:19.480 --> 00:07:23.160 always imagined, from her increasing friendship for us since her 116 00:07:23.199 --> 00:07:26.720 husband's death, that we should, at some future period be 117 00:07:26.800 --> 00:07:30.199 obliged to receive her. Mister Vernon, I think was a 118 00:07:30.240 --> 00:07:33.279 great deal too kind to her when he was in Staffordshire. 119 00:07:34.040 --> 00:07:38.199 Her behavior to him, independent of her general character, has 120 00:07:38.240 --> 00:07:42.199 been so inexcusably artful and ungenerous since her marriage was 121 00:07:42.240 --> 00:07:45.720 first in agitation, that no one less amiable and mild 122 00:07:45.759 --> 00:07:48.759 than himself could overlook it all. And though as his 123 00:07:48.839 --> 00:07:52.399 brother's widow, and in narrow circumstances, and it was proper 124 00:07:52.439 --> 00:07:56.160 to render her pecuniary assistance, I cannot help thinking that 125 00:07:56.279 --> 00:07:59.319 his pressing invitation to her to visit us at church 126 00:07:59.399 --> 00:08:04.519 Hill perfectly unnecessary disposed. However, as he always is to 127 00:08:04.560 --> 00:08:07.600 think the best of every one, her displays of grief 128 00:08:07.639 --> 00:08:11.319 and professions of regret, and general resolutions of prudence were 129 00:08:11.360 --> 00:08:14.639 sufficient to soften his heart and make him really confide 130 00:08:14.639 --> 00:08:18.600 in her sincerity. But as for myself, I remain unconvinced, 131 00:08:18.639 --> 00:08:21.399 as her ladyship has now written, and I cannot make 132 00:08:21.480 --> 00:08:24.480 up my mind until I better understand her real meaning 133 00:08:24.560 --> 00:08:27.600 in coming to us, You may guess. Therefore, my dear mother, 134 00:08:27.959 --> 00:08:31.160 with what feelings I look forward to her arrival. She 135 00:08:31.240 --> 00:08:34.279 will have occasion for all those attractive powers for which 136 00:08:34.320 --> 00:08:37.440 she is celebrated, to gain any share of my regard, 137 00:08:37.919 --> 00:08:41.440 and I shall certainly endeavor to guard myself against her influence, 138 00:08:41.799 --> 00:08:45.840 if not accompanied by something more substantial. She expresses a 139 00:08:45.879 --> 00:08:49.279 most eager desire of becoming acquainted with me, and makes 140 00:08:49.399 --> 00:08:52.480 very gracious mention of my children, though I am not 141 00:08:52.559 --> 00:08:55.600 quite weak enough to suppose a woman who has behaved 142 00:08:55.679 --> 00:08:59.679 with inattention, if not unkindness, to her own child, should 143 00:08:59.679 --> 00:09:02.320 be attack to any of mine. Miss Vernon is to 144 00:09:02.360 --> 00:09:04.879 be placed in a school in London before her mother 145 00:09:04.960 --> 00:09:07.279 comes to us, which I am glad of. For her 146 00:09:07.360 --> 00:09:11.159 sake and my own. It must be to her advantage 147 00:09:11.200 --> 00:09:13.840 to be separated from her mother, and a girl of 148 00:09:13.879 --> 00:09:17.799 sixteen who has received so wretched an education could not 149 00:09:17.919 --> 00:09:22.039 be very desirable company here. Reginald has long wished, I know, 150 00:09:22.600 --> 00:09:25.679 to see the captivating lady Susan, and he will depend 151 00:09:25.720 --> 00:09:28.440 on joining our party soon. I am glad to hear 152 00:09:28.480 --> 00:09:30.080 that my father continues so well. 153 00:09:33.879 --> 00:09:39.000 Chapter four. Mister de Courcy to missus. 154 00:09:38.519 --> 00:09:43.799 Vernon Parklings, My dear sister, I congratulate you and mister 155 00:09:43.879 --> 00:09:46.600 Vernon on being about to receive into your family the 156 00:09:46.639 --> 00:09:50.600 most accomplished coquette in England. As a very distinguished flirt. 157 00:09:50.799 --> 00:09:53.000 I have always been taught to consider her, but it 158 00:09:53.000 --> 00:09:55.360 has lately fallen in my way to hear some particulars 159 00:09:55.399 --> 00:09:57.879 of her conduct at Langford, which prove that she does 160 00:09:57.919 --> 00:10:00.399 not confine herself to the sort of honest flirte which 161 00:10:00.440 --> 00:10:04.200 satisfies most people, but aspires to the more delicious gratification 162 00:10:04.480 --> 00:10:07.759 of making a whole family miserable. By her behavior to 163 00:10:07.759 --> 00:10:10.720 mister Mainwaring, she gave jealousy and wretchedness to his wife, 164 00:10:10.879 --> 00:10:13.399 and by her attentions to a young man previously attached 165 00:10:13.399 --> 00:10:16.879 to mister Maynwarring's sister, deprived an amiable girl of her lover. 166 00:10:17.679 --> 00:10:20.759 I learned all this from mister Smith, now in this neighborhood. 167 00:10:20.919 --> 00:10:23.080 I have dined with him at Hurst and Wilfrid, who 168 00:10:23.120 --> 00:10:25.559 has just come from Langford, where he was a fortnight 169 00:10:25.600 --> 00:10:28.600 ago with her Ladyship, and who is therefore well qualified 170 00:10:28.600 --> 00:10:31.720 to make the communication what a woman she must be. 171 00:10:32.159 --> 00:10:34.240 I long to see her, and shall certainly accept your 172 00:10:34.279 --> 00:10:37.159 kind invitation that I may form some idea of those 173 00:10:37.159 --> 00:10:40.720 bewitching powers which can do so much engaging at the 174 00:10:40.720 --> 00:10:43.200 same time, and in the same house, the affections of 175 00:10:43.240 --> 00:10:45.679 two men who were neither of them at liberty to 176 00:10:45.720 --> 00:10:49.159 bestow them, and all this without the charm of youth. 177 00:10:49.759 --> 00:10:51.960 I am glad to find Miss Vernon does not accompany 178 00:10:51.960 --> 00:10:55.159 her mother to Churchill, as she has not even manners 179 00:10:55.159 --> 00:10:58.200 to recommend her, and, according to mister Smith's account, is 180 00:10:58.240 --> 00:11:02.120 equally dull and proud. Where pride and stupidity unite, there 181 00:11:02.120 --> 00:11:05.480 can be no dissimulation worthy notice, and Miss Vernon shall 182 00:11:05.519 --> 00:11:09.240 be consigned to unrelenting contempt. But by all that I 183 00:11:09.279 --> 00:11:12.919 can gather, Lady Susan possesses a degree of captivating deceit, 184 00:11:13.240 --> 00:11:15.879 which it must be pleasing to witness and detect. I 185 00:11:15.879 --> 00:11:18.720 shall be with you very soon, and am ever your 186 00:11:18.759 --> 00:11:21.039 affectionate brother are Decourse. 187 00:11:21.159 --> 00:11:28.080 Chapter five, Lady Susan Vernon two, missus Johnson Churchhill. 188 00:11:29.879 --> 00:11:33.080 I received your note, my dear Alicia, just before I 189 00:11:33.200 --> 00:11:36.440 left town, and rejoiced to be assured that mister Johnson 190 00:11:36.480 --> 00:11:40.480 suspected nothing of your engagement the evening before. It is 191 00:11:40.559 --> 00:11:43.759 undoubtedly better to deceive him entirely, and since he will 192 00:11:43.799 --> 00:11:47.120 be stubborn, he must be tricked. I arrived here in 193 00:11:47.159 --> 00:11:49.840 safety and have no reason to complain of my reception 194 00:11:49.879 --> 00:11:54.000 from mister Vernon, but I confess myself not equally satisfied 195 00:11:54.039 --> 00:11:58.120 with the behavior of his lady. She is perfectly well bred, indeed, 196 00:11:58.279 --> 00:12:00.639 and has the air of a woman of fashion. But 197 00:12:00.720 --> 00:12:03.519 her manners are not such as can persuade me of 198 00:12:03.559 --> 00:12:07.679 her being prepossessed in my favor. I wanted her to 199 00:12:07.720 --> 00:12:11.320 be delighted at seeing me. I was as amiable as 200 00:12:11.320 --> 00:12:15.519 possible on the occasion, but all in vain. She does 201 00:12:15.559 --> 00:12:18.320 not like me, to be sure, when we consider that 202 00:12:18.399 --> 00:12:21.000 I did take some pains to prevent my brother in 203 00:12:21.080 --> 00:12:25.159 law's marrying her, this want of cordiality is not very surprising, 204 00:12:25.919 --> 00:12:29.480 and yet it shows an illiberal and vindictive spirit to 205 00:12:29.559 --> 00:12:33.159 resent a project which influenced me six years ago, and 206 00:12:33.200 --> 00:12:38.639 which never succeeded at last. I am sometimes disposed to 207 00:12:38.759 --> 00:12:42.399 repent that I did not let Charles buy Vernon Castle 208 00:12:42.840 --> 00:12:45.720 when we were obliged to sell it. But it was 209 00:12:45.759 --> 00:12:49.120 a trying circumstance, especially as the sale took place exactly 210 00:12:49.159 --> 00:12:51.840 at the time of his marriage, and everybody ought to 211 00:12:51.919 --> 00:12:54.840 respect the delicacy of those feelings, which could not endure 212 00:12:55.320 --> 00:12:58.840 that my husband's dignity should be lessened by his younger 213 00:12:58.840 --> 00:13:04.000 brother's having possession of the family estate. Could matters have 214 00:13:04.039 --> 00:13:06.519 been so arranged as to prevent the necessity of our 215 00:13:06.600 --> 00:13:09.559 leaving the castle. Could we have lived with Charles and 216 00:13:09.639 --> 00:13:11.960 kept him single, I should have been very far from 217 00:13:12.039 --> 00:13:16.279 persuading my husband to dispose of it elsewhere. But Charles 218 00:13:16.399 --> 00:13:19.320 was on the point of marrying Miss de Corsi, and 219 00:13:19.360 --> 00:13:23.960 the event has justified me. Here are children in abundance, 220 00:13:24.480 --> 00:13:26.639 and what benefit could have accrued to me from his 221 00:13:26.799 --> 00:13:31.519 purchasing vernon? My having prevented it. May perhaps have given 222 00:13:31.559 --> 00:13:35.039 his wife an unfavorable impression, But where there is a 223 00:13:35.080 --> 00:13:39.360 disposition to dislike, a motive will never be wanting. And 224 00:13:39.440 --> 00:13:42.000 as to money matters, it has not withheld him from 225 00:13:42.000 --> 00:13:45.600 being very useful to me. I really have a regard 226 00:13:45.679 --> 00:13:50.039 for him. He is so easily imposed upon. The house 227 00:13:50.120 --> 00:13:53.519 is a good one, the furniture fashionable, and everything announces 228 00:13:53.559 --> 00:13:58.960 plenty and elegance. Charles is very rich. I'm sure when 229 00:13:58.960 --> 00:14:01.200 a man has once got his name in a banking house, 230 00:14:01.480 --> 00:14:04.240 he rolls in money, but they do not know what 231 00:14:04.279 --> 00:14:07.159 to do with it, keeping very little company and never 232 00:14:07.200 --> 00:14:10.399 go to London. But on business we shall be as 233 00:14:10.440 --> 00:14:14.000 stupid as possible. I mean to win my sister in 234 00:14:14.039 --> 00:14:17.919 law's heart through the children. I know all their names already, 235 00:14:17.919 --> 00:14:20.000 and I am going to attach myself with the greatest 236 00:14:20.039 --> 00:14:25.159 sensibility to one in particular, a young Frederick, whom I 237 00:14:25.200 --> 00:14:28.080 take on my lap and sigh over for his dear 238 00:14:28.240 --> 00:14:32.960 uncle's sake, poor man wearing. I need not tell you 239 00:14:33.159 --> 00:14:36.039 how much I miss him, how perpetually he is in 240 00:14:36.120 --> 00:14:39.720 my thoughts. I found a dismal letter from him on 241 00:14:39.799 --> 00:14:43.240 my arrival here, full of complaints of his wife and sister, 242 00:14:43.759 --> 00:14:48.519 and lamentations on the cruelty of his fate. I passed 243 00:14:48.519 --> 00:14:51.080 off the letter as his wife's to the Vernons, and 244 00:14:51.120 --> 00:14:53.000 when I write to him, it must be under cover. 245 00:14:53.080 --> 00:14:56.759 To you, ever, yours s Vernon. 246 00:14:57.519 --> 00:15:03.960 Chapter six, Missus ver to mister de Courcy church Hill. 247 00:15:05.759 --> 00:15:08.600 Well, my dear Reginald, I have seen this dangerous creature 248 00:15:08.879 --> 00:15:11.480 and must give you some description of her, though I 249 00:15:11.519 --> 00:15:13.960 hope you will soon be able to form your own judgment. 250 00:15:14.879 --> 00:15:18.440 She is really excessively pretty. However you may choose to 251 00:15:18.519 --> 00:15:21.799 question the allurements of a lady no longer young. I must, 252 00:15:21.840 --> 00:15:25.120 for my own part, declare that I have seldom seen 253 00:15:25.200 --> 00:15:28.679 so lovely a woman as Lady Susan. She is delicately fair, 254 00:15:28.759 --> 00:15:32.320 with fine gray eyes and dark eyelashes, and from her 255 00:15:32.360 --> 00:15:35.440 appearance one would not suspect her more than five and twenty, 256 00:15:35.879 --> 00:15:38.279 though she must in fact be ten years older. I 257 00:15:38.360 --> 00:15:42.000 was certainly not disposed to admire her, though always hearing 258 00:15:42.039 --> 00:15:44.759 she was beautiful, But I cannot help feeling that she 259 00:15:44.840 --> 00:15:49.399 possesses an uncommon union of symmetry, brilliancy, and grace. Her 260 00:15:49.399 --> 00:15:52.600 address to me was so gentle, frank, and even affectionate, 261 00:15:52.720 --> 00:15:54.840 that if I had not known how much she always 262 00:15:54.879 --> 00:15:57.440 disliked me for marrying mister Vernon, and that we had 263 00:15:57.480 --> 00:16:00.519 never met before, I should have imagined her in attached friend. 264 00:16:01.240 --> 00:16:04.360 One is apt I believe to connect assurance of manner 265 00:16:04.600 --> 00:16:08.360 with coquetry, and to expect that an impudent address will 266 00:16:08.480 --> 00:16:12.360 naturally attend an impudent mind. At least I was myself 267 00:16:12.399 --> 00:16:15.759 prepared for an improper degree of confidence in Lady Susan. 268 00:16:16.080 --> 00:16:19.200 But her countenance is absolutely sweet, and her voice and 269 00:16:19.279 --> 00:16:22.440 manner winningly mild. I am sorry this is so, for 270 00:16:22.480 --> 00:16:26.480 what is this but deceit? Unfortunately, one knows her too well. 271 00:16:27.279 --> 00:16:30.200 She is clever and agreeable, has all the knowledge of 272 00:16:30.240 --> 00:16:33.799 the world which makes conversation easy, and talks well, with 273 00:16:33.840 --> 00:16:37.159 a happy command of language which is too often used. 274 00:16:37.159 --> 00:16:40.279 I believe to make black a pear white. She has 275 00:16:40.360 --> 00:16:44.600 already almost persuaded me of being warmly attached to her daughter, 276 00:16:45.000 --> 00:16:47.360 though I have been so long convinced to the contrary. 277 00:16:47.759 --> 00:16:51.000 She speaks of her with so much tenderness and anxiety, 278 00:16:51.279 --> 00:16:55.799 lamenting so bitterly the neglect of her education, which she represents, however, 279 00:16:55.919 --> 00:16:59.159 as wholly unavoidable. Though I am forced to recollect how 280 00:16:59.200 --> 00:17:03.159 many successive springs her ladyship spent in town while her 281 00:17:03.240 --> 00:17:06.279 daughter was left in Staffordshire to the care of servants 282 00:17:06.640 --> 00:17:09.839 or a governess, very little better to prevent my believing 283 00:17:09.880 --> 00:17:12.759 what she says. If her manners have so great an 284 00:17:12.759 --> 00:17:16.079 influence on my resentful heart, you may judge how much 285 00:17:16.079 --> 00:17:20.359 more strongly they operate on mister Vernon's generous temper. I 286 00:17:20.400 --> 00:17:22.680 wish I could be as well satisfied as he is 287 00:17:22.880 --> 00:17:24.960 that it was really her choice to leave Langford for 288 00:17:25.039 --> 00:17:27.799 church Hill, that if she had not stayed there for 289 00:17:27.920 --> 00:17:30.640 months before she discovered that her friend's manner of living 290 00:17:30.799 --> 00:17:33.519 did not suit her situation or feelings, I might have 291 00:17:33.599 --> 00:17:36.680 believed that concern for the loss of such a husband 292 00:17:36.680 --> 00:17:39.759 as mister Vernon, to whom her own behavior was far 293 00:17:39.799 --> 00:17:43.880 from unexceptionable might for a time make her wish for retirement. 294 00:17:44.279 --> 00:17:46.480 But I cannot forget the length of her visit to 295 00:17:46.519 --> 00:17:49.160 the Main Wearings. When I reflect on the different mode 296 00:17:49.160 --> 00:17:51.920 of life she led with them from that to which 297 00:17:52.000 --> 00:17:55.079 she must now submit, I can only suspect that the 298 00:17:55.119 --> 00:17:58.480 wish of establishing her reputation by following, though late, the 299 00:17:58.559 --> 00:18:01.920 path of propriety of occasioned her removal from a family 300 00:18:02.160 --> 00:18:06.400 where she must, in reality have been particularly happy. Your 301 00:18:06.440 --> 00:18:10.160 friend mister Smith's story, however, cannot be quite correct, as 302 00:18:10.160 --> 00:18:13.200 she corresponds regularly with Missus Mainwaring. At any rate, it 303 00:18:13.279 --> 00:18:16.400 must be exaggerated. It is scarcely possible that two men 304 00:18:16.440 --> 00:18:17.720 should be grossly described. 305 00:18:21.680 --> 00:18:27.640 Chapter seven. Lady Susan Vernon to Missus Johnson. 306 00:18:27.920 --> 00:18:33.319 Churchill, My dear Alicia, you are very good in taking 307 00:18:33.359 --> 00:18:36.119 notice of Frederica, and I am grateful for it as 308 00:18:36.160 --> 00:18:38.759 a mark of your friendship. But as I cannot have 309 00:18:38.920 --> 00:18:41.599 any doubt of the warmth of your affection, I am 310 00:18:41.680 --> 00:18:45.640 far from exacting so heavy a sacrifice. She is a 311 00:18:45.680 --> 00:18:50.440 stupid girl and has nothing to recommend her. I would not, therefore, 312 00:18:50.559 --> 00:18:53.599 on my account, have you encumber one moment of your 313 00:18:53.640 --> 00:18:58.119 precious time by sending for her to Edward Street, especially 314 00:18:58.160 --> 00:19:00.559 as every visit is so much to day from the 315 00:19:00.599 --> 00:19:03.960 grand affair of education, which I really wish to have 316 00:19:04.000 --> 00:19:08.200 attended to. While she remains at Miss Summers, I want 317 00:19:08.200 --> 00:19:12.319 her to play and sing with some portion of taste 318 00:19:12.839 --> 00:19:15.799 and a good deal of assurance, as she has my hand, 319 00:19:15.880 --> 00:19:19.759 an arm and a tolerable voice. I was so much 320 00:19:19.799 --> 00:19:22.319 indulged in my infant years that I was never obliged 321 00:19:22.319 --> 00:19:25.920 to attend to anything, and consequently, and without the accomplishments 322 00:19:25.920 --> 00:19:30.359 which are now necessary to finish a pretty woman. Not 323 00:19:30.400 --> 00:19:33.039 that I'm an advocate for the prevailing fashion of acquiring 324 00:19:33.079 --> 00:19:37.400 a perfect knowledge of all languages, arts and sciences. It 325 00:19:37.480 --> 00:19:40.440 is throwing time away to be mistress of French, Italian 326 00:19:40.559 --> 00:19:44.359 and German music. Singing and drawing, et cetera. Will gain 327 00:19:44.400 --> 00:19:47.359 a woman some applause, but it will not add one 328 00:19:47.400 --> 00:19:52.079 lover to her list. Grace and manner, after all, are 329 00:19:52.119 --> 00:19:56.640 of the greatest importance. I do not mean, therefore, that 330 00:19:56.680 --> 00:20:01.480 Frederica's acquirements should be more than superficial, and I flatter 331 00:20:01.519 --> 00:20:04.119 myself that she will not remain long enough at school 332 00:20:04.279 --> 00:20:08.160 to understand anything thoroughly. I hope to see her the 333 00:20:08.200 --> 00:20:12.319 wife of Sir James within a twelvemonth. You know on 334 00:20:12.400 --> 00:20:14.839 what I ground my hope, and it is certainly a 335 00:20:14.839 --> 00:20:18.720 good foundation for school. Must be very humiliating to a 336 00:20:18.759 --> 00:20:23.480 girl of Frederica's age, and by the bye, you had 337 00:20:23.519 --> 00:20:25.880 better not invite her any more on that account, as 338 00:20:25.880 --> 00:20:29.160 I wish her to find her situation as unpleasant as possible. 339 00:20:31.079 --> 00:20:33.559 I am sure of Sir James at any time, and 340 00:20:33.599 --> 00:20:36.720 could make him renew his application by a line I 341 00:20:36.759 --> 00:20:39.519 shall trouble you meanwhile, to prevent his forming any other 342 00:20:39.559 --> 00:20:43.400 attachment when he comes to town, ask him to your 343 00:20:43.440 --> 00:20:47.240 house occasionally and talk to him of Frederica, that he 344 00:20:47.279 --> 00:20:51.480 may not forget her. Upon the whole I commend my 345 00:20:51.640 --> 00:20:55.240 own conduct in this affair extremely and regard it as 346 00:20:55.279 --> 00:21:00.920 a very happy instance of circumspection and tenderness. Some would 347 00:21:00.920 --> 00:21:03.839 have insisted on their daughters accepting so good an offer 348 00:21:03.960 --> 00:21:07.400 on the first overture, but I could not reconcile it 349 00:21:07.440 --> 00:21:11.480 to myself to force Frederica into a marriage from which 350 00:21:11.519 --> 00:21:15.880 her heart revolted, and instead of adopting so harsh a measure, 351 00:21:16.359 --> 00:21:20.200 merely proposed to make it her own choice by rendering 352 00:21:20.240 --> 00:21:24.119 her thoroughly uncomfortable till she does accept him. But enough 353 00:21:24.119 --> 00:21:27.200 of this tiresome girl. You may well wonder how I 354 00:21:27.240 --> 00:21:29.920 contrive to pass my time here. And for the first 355 00:21:29.920 --> 00:21:34.799 week it was insufferably dull. Now, however, we begin to mend. 356 00:21:35.319 --> 00:21:39.079 Our party is enlarged by Missus Vernon's brother, a handsome 357 00:21:39.119 --> 00:21:43.480 young man who promises me some amusement. There is something 358 00:21:43.480 --> 00:21:47.000 about him which rather interests me, a sort of sauciness 359 00:21:47.039 --> 00:21:50.839 and familiarity which I shall teach him to correct. He 360 00:21:50.960 --> 00:21:54.440 is lively and seems clever, and when I have inspired 361 00:21:54.519 --> 00:21:57.079 him with greater respect for me than his sister's kind 362 00:21:57.119 --> 00:22:02.359 offices have implanted, he may be an agreeable flirt. There 363 00:22:02.400 --> 00:22:06.359 is an exquisite pleasure in subduing an insolent spirit, in 364 00:22:06.440 --> 00:22:11.920 making a person predetermined to dislike acknowledge one's superiority. I 365 00:22:12.039 --> 00:22:15.640 have disconcerted him already by my calm reserve, and it 366 00:22:15.680 --> 00:22:17.880 shall be my endeavor to humble the pride of these 367 00:22:17.920 --> 00:22:22.119 self important decorsi still lower. To convince Missus Vernon that 368 00:22:22.160 --> 00:22:26.240 her sisterly cautions have been bestowed in vain, and to 369 00:22:26.319 --> 00:22:31.160 persuade Reginald that she has scandalously belied me. This project 370 00:22:31.200 --> 00:22:34.000 will serve at least to amuse me and prevent my 371 00:22:34.039 --> 00:22:38.119 feelings so acutely this dreadful separation from you and all 372 00:22:38.160 --> 00:22:42.599 whom I love yours ever. 373 00:22:42.920 --> 00:22:48.680 Chapter eight, Missus Vernon to Lady de Corsi. 374 00:22:48.480 --> 00:22:52.480 Should you, my dear mother, you must not expect Reginald 375 00:22:52.599 --> 00:22:55.559 back again for some time. He desires me to tell 376 00:22:55.599 --> 00:22:58.279 you that the current open weather induces him to accept 377 00:22:58.279 --> 00:23:01.200 mister Vernon's invitation, that he proved long his stay in Sussex, 378 00:23:01.319 --> 00:23:03.599 that they may have some hunting together. He means to 379 00:23:03.640 --> 00:23:06.519 send for his horses immediately, and it is impossible to 380 00:23:06.559 --> 00:23:09.079 say when you may see him in Ghent. I will 381 00:23:09.119 --> 00:23:11.640 not disguise my sentiments on this change from you, my 382 00:23:11.720 --> 00:23:14.359 dear mother, though I think you had better not communicate 383 00:23:14.400 --> 00:23:18.079 them to my father, whose excessive anxiety about Reginald would 384 00:23:18.079 --> 00:23:20.839 subject him to an alarm which might seriously affect his 385 00:23:20.920 --> 00:23:24.920 health and spirits. Lady Susan has certainly contrived, in the 386 00:23:24.960 --> 00:23:27.880 space of a fortnight to make my brother like her. 387 00:23:28.480 --> 00:23:31.759 In short, I am persuaded that his continuing here beyond 388 00:23:31.759 --> 00:23:34.680 the time originally fixed for his visit is occasioned as 389 00:23:34.759 --> 00:23:37.519 much by a degree of fascination toward her, as by 390 00:23:37.519 --> 00:23:40.319 the wish of hunting with mister Vernon, And of course 391 00:23:40.559 --> 00:23:42.920 I cannot receive that pleasure from the length of his 392 00:23:43.039 --> 00:23:46.680 visit which my brother's company would otherwise give me. I 393 00:23:46.720 --> 00:23:49.759 am indeed provoked at the artifice of this unprincipled woman. 394 00:23:50.400 --> 00:23:53.559 What stronger proof of her dangerous abilities can be given 395 00:23:53.599 --> 00:23:57.000 than this perversion of Reginald's judgment, which, when he entered 396 00:23:57.000 --> 00:24:00.319 this house was so decidedly against her. In his last 397 00:24:00.400 --> 00:24:03.440 letter he actually gave me some particulars of her behavior 398 00:24:03.480 --> 00:24:06.359 at Langford, such as he received from a gentleman who 399 00:24:06.400 --> 00:24:10.400 knew her perfectly well, which if true, rays abhorrence against her, 400 00:24:10.519 --> 00:24:14.000 and which Reginald himself was entirely disposed to credit. His 401 00:24:14.079 --> 00:24:16.640 opinion of her, I am sure was as low as 402 00:24:16.680 --> 00:24:19.640 any woman in England, and when he first came it 403 00:24:19.720 --> 00:24:22.720 was evident that he considered her as one entitled neither 404 00:24:22.759 --> 00:24:25.279 to delicacy or respect, and that he felt she would 405 00:24:25.319 --> 00:24:27.960 be delighted with the attentions of any man inclined to 406 00:24:28.000 --> 00:24:30.799 flirt with her. Her behavior, I confess, has been calculated 407 00:24:30.799 --> 00:24:33.200 to do away with such an idea. I have not 408 00:24:33.319 --> 00:24:37.039 detected the slightest impropriety in her, nothing of vanity, of 409 00:24:37.160 --> 00:24:40.559 pretension of levity, And she is altogether so attractive that 410 00:24:40.599 --> 00:24:42.880 I should not wonder at his being delighted with her, 411 00:24:43.160 --> 00:24:46.039 had he known nothing of her previous to this personal acquaintance, 412 00:24:46.359 --> 00:24:49.480 and against reason, against conviction, to be so well pleased 413 00:24:49.519 --> 00:24:51.920 with her, as I am sure he is, does really 414 00:24:51.960 --> 00:24:55.640 astonish me. His admiration was at first very strong, but 415 00:24:55.720 --> 00:24:58.200 no more than was natural, and I did not wonder 416 00:24:58.240 --> 00:25:01.039 at his being much struck with the je and delicacy 417 00:25:01.079 --> 00:25:03.799 of her manners. But when he has mentioned her of late, 418 00:25:04.000 --> 00:25:07.440 it has been in terms of more extraordinary praise. Yesterday 419 00:25:07.480 --> 00:25:09.640 he actually said that he could not be surprised at 420 00:25:09.680 --> 00:25:12.480 any effect produced on the heart of man by such 421 00:25:12.519 --> 00:25:15.839 loveliness and such abilities. And when I lamented in reply 422 00:25:16.039 --> 00:25:19.599 the badness of her disposition, he observed that whatever might 423 00:25:19.640 --> 00:25:22.240 have been her errors, they were to be imputed to 424 00:25:22.279 --> 00:25:25.640 her neglected education and early marriage, and that she was 425 00:25:25.680 --> 00:25:29.880 altogether a wonderful woman. This tendency to excuse her conduct, 426 00:25:29.960 --> 00:25:32.920 or to forget it in the warmth of admiration, vexes me. 427 00:25:33.359 --> 00:25:35.519 And if I did not know that Reginald is too 428 00:25:35.599 --> 00:25:38.240 much at home at church Hill to need invitation for 429 00:25:38.319 --> 00:25:41.480 lengthening his visit. I should regret mister Vernon's giving him any. 430 00:25:41.720 --> 00:25:45.160 Lady Susan's intentions are, of course close to those of 431 00:25:45.200 --> 00:25:49.519 coquetry and a desire of universal admiration. I cannot for 432 00:25:49.559 --> 00:25:52.400 a moment imagine that she has anything more serious in view. 433 00:25:52.720 --> 00:25:54.799 But it mortifies me to see a young man of 434 00:25:54.839 --> 00:25:57.200 Reginald's sense duped by her at all. 435 00:26:00.440 --> 00:26:07.920 Chapter nine, Missus Johnson to Lady s Vernon Edward Street, 436 00:26:08.680 --> 00:26:12.960 my dearest friend, I congratulate you on mister de Corcey's arrival, 437 00:26:13.079 --> 00:26:16.039 and I advise you by all means to marry him. 438 00:26:16.480 --> 00:26:20.480 His father's estate is we know, considerable, and I believe 439 00:26:20.759 --> 00:26:25.519 certainly entailed. Sir Reginald is very infirm and not likely 440 00:26:25.599 --> 00:26:28.680 to stand in your way. Long I hear the young 441 00:26:28.720 --> 00:26:31.960 man well spoken of, And though no one can really 442 00:26:32.039 --> 00:26:35.640 deserve you, my dearest Susan, mister de Courcy may be 443 00:26:35.759 --> 00:26:39.480 worth having main wearing will storm, of course, but you 444 00:26:39.599 --> 00:26:43.839 easily pacify him. Besides, the most scrupulous point of honor 445 00:26:43.880 --> 00:26:47.759 could not require you to wait for his emancipation. I 446 00:26:47.799 --> 00:26:50.359 have seen Sir James He came to town for a 447 00:26:50.359 --> 00:26:53.880 few days last week and called several times in Edward Street. 448 00:26:54.319 --> 00:26:57.039 I talked to him about you and your daughter, and 449 00:26:57.119 --> 00:26:59.559 he is so far from having forgotten you that I 450 00:26:59.599 --> 00:27:01.960 am sure or he would marry either of you with pleasure. 451 00:27:02.599 --> 00:27:05.519 I gave him hopes of Frederica's relenting and told him 452 00:27:05.519 --> 00:27:09.079 a great deal of her improvements. I scolded him from 453 00:27:09.079 --> 00:27:11.960 making love to Maria Mainwaring. He protested that he had 454 00:27:12.000 --> 00:27:14.880 been only in joke, and we both laughed heartily at 455 00:27:14.880 --> 00:27:19.240 her disappointment, and in short were very agreeable. He is 456 00:27:19.519 --> 00:27:20.400 as silly as that. 457 00:27:24.119 --> 00:27:31.000 Ten lady Susan Vernon. To missus Johnson Churchill, I am 458 00:27:31.119 --> 00:27:34.000 much obliged to you, my dear friend, for your advice 459 00:27:34.160 --> 00:27:37.440 respecting mister de Courcy, which I know was given with 460 00:27:37.480 --> 00:27:40.960 the full conviction of its expediency, though I am not 461 00:27:41.160 --> 00:27:45.240 quite determined on following it. I cannot easily resolve on 462 00:27:45.400 --> 00:27:49.240 anything so serious as marriage, especially as I am not 463 00:27:49.400 --> 00:27:53.200 at present in want of money, and might, perhaps till 464 00:27:53.240 --> 00:27:57.039 the old Gentleman's death, be very little benefited by the match. 465 00:27:58.119 --> 00:28:00.319 It is true that I am vain enough to believe 466 00:28:00.359 --> 00:28:03.799 it within my reach. I have made him sensible of 467 00:28:03.839 --> 00:28:07.200 my power, and can now enjoy the pleasure of triumphing 468 00:28:07.240 --> 00:28:11.079 over a mind prepared to dislike me and prejudiced against 469 00:28:11.119 --> 00:28:15.519 all my past actions. His sister, too, is, I hope, 470 00:28:15.720 --> 00:28:20.359 convinced how little the ungenerous representations of any one to 471 00:28:20.440 --> 00:28:24.200 the disadvantage of another will avail when opposed by the 472 00:28:24.240 --> 00:28:28.799 immediate influence of intellect and manner. I see plainly that 473 00:28:28.839 --> 00:28:31.319 she is uneasy at my progress in the good opinion 474 00:28:31.319 --> 00:28:34.640 of her brother, and conclude that nothing will be wanted 475 00:28:34.680 --> 00:28:38.920 on her part to counterattack me. But having once made 476 00:28:38.960 --> 00:28:42.319 him doubt the justice of her opinion of me, I think. 477 00:28:42.119 --> 00:28:43.160 I may defy her. 478 00:28:44.000 --> 00:28:46.480 It has been delightful to me to watch his advances 479 00:28:46.519 --> 00:28:51.160 towards intimacy, especially to observe his altered manner, in consequence 480 00:28:51.200 --> 00:28:54.240 of my repressing by the cool dignity of my deportment, 481 00:28:54.759 --> 00:28:59.559 his insolent approach to direct familiarity. My conduct has been 482 00:28:59.599 --> 00:29:03.680 equally guarded from the first, and I never behaved less 483 00:29:03.759 --> 00:29:06.039 like a coquette in the whole course of my life. 484 00:29:06.920 --> 00:29:10.400 Though perhaps my desire of dominion was never more decided. 485 00:29:11.359 --> 00:29:15.359 I have subdued him entirely by sentiment and serious conversation, 486 00:29:16.039 --> 00:29:19.079 and made him I may venture to say at least 487 00:29:19.279 --> 00:29:22.519 half in love with me without the semblance of the 488 00:29:22.559 --> 00:29:29.440 most commonplace flirtation. Missus Vernon's consciousness of deserving every sort 489 00:29:29.440 --> 00:29:31.799 of revenge that it can be in my power to 490 00:29:31.880 --> 00:29:36.119 inflict for her ill offices could alone enable her to 491 00:29:36.160 --> 00:29:39.359 perceive that I am actuated by any design in behavior 492 00:29:39.519 --> 00:29:43.559 so gentle and unpretending. Let her think an act as 493 00:29:43.599 --> 00:29:46.839 she chooses. However, I have never yet found that the 494 00:29:46.880 --> 00:29:49.599 advice of a sister could prevent a young man's being 495 00:29:49.640 --> 00:29:53.440 in love if he chose. We are advancing now to 496 00:29:53.519 --> 00:29:56.960 some kind of confidence, and in short, are likely to 497 00:29:57.000 --> 00:30:01.440 be engaged in a sort of platonic friendship. On my side, 498 00:30:01.440 --> 00:30:04.240 you may be sure of its never being more. For 499 00:30:04.359 --> 00:30:06.759 if I were not attached to another person, as much 500 00:30:06.799 --> 00:30:09.200 as I can be to any one, I should make 501 00:30:09.200 --> 00:30:11.720 a point of not bestowing my affection on a man 502 00:30:11.759 --> 00:30:15.680 who had dared to think so meanly of me. Reginald 503 00:30:15.759 --> 00:30:18.480 has a good figure and is not unworthy the praise 504 00:30:18.480 --> 00:30:21.880 you have heard given him, but is still greatly inferior 505 00:30:21.920 --> 00:30:25.960 to our friend at Langford. He is less polished, less 506 00:30:25.960 --> 00:30:30.200 insinuating than mannering, and is comparatively deficient in the power 507 00:30:30.200 --> 00:30:33.640 of saying those delightful things which put one in good 508 00:30:33.720 --> 00:30:37.160 humor with oneself and all the world. He is quite 509 00:30:37.200 --> 00:30:41.119 agreeable enough, however, to afford me amusement, and to make 510 00:30:41.240 --> 00:30:45.000 many of those hours pass very pleasantly, which would otherwise 511 00:30:45.079 --> 00:30:47.799 be spent in endeavoring to overcome my sister in law's 512 00:30:47.880 --> 00:30:51.680 reserve and listening to the insipid talk of her husband. 513 00:30:52.759 --> 00:30:56.880 Your account of Sir James is most satisfactory. I mean 514 00:30:56.960 --> 00:31:01.839 to give Miss Frederica a hint of my intentions very soon, yours, 515 00:31:01.920 --> 00:31:02.519 et cetera. 516 00:31:03.119 --> 00:31:10.720 S Vernon, Chapter eleven, missus Vernon to Lady de Courcy Churchill. 517 00:31:11.799 --> 00:31:15.000 I really grow quite uneasy, my dear mother about Reginald, 518 00:31:15.240 --> 00:31:18.680 from witnessing the very rapid increase of Lady Susan's influence. 519 00:31:19.559 --> 00:31:22.240 They are now on terms of the most particular friendship, 520 00:31:22.559 --> 00:31:26.640 frequently engaged in long conversations together, and she has contrived, 521 00:31:26.680 --> 00:31:29.799 by the most artful coquetry, to subdue his judgment for 522 00:31:29.839 --> 00:31:32.920 her own purposes. It is impossible to see the intimacy 523 00:31:32.960 --> 00:31:36.839 between them so very soon established without some alarm, though 524 00:31:36.880 --> 00:31:40.359 I can hardly suppose Lady Susan's views extend to marriage. 525 00:31:40.880 --> 00:31:43.160 I wish you could get Reginald home again under any 526 00:31:43.200 --> 00:31:46.319 plausible pretense. He is not at all disposed to leave us, 527 00:31:46.640 --> 00:31:48.839 and I have given him as many hints of my 528 00:31:48.960 --> 00:31:52.359 father's precarious state of health as common decency will allow 529 00:31:52.400 --> 00:31:55.279 me to do in my own house. Her power over 530 00:31:55.359 --> 00:31:58.519 him must now be boundless, as she has affected all 531 00:31:58.599 --> 00:32:02.839 his former ill opinion and persuaded him, not entirely to forget, 532 00:32:02.960 --> 00:32:07.240 but to justify her conduct. Mister Smith's account of her 533 00:32:07.279 --> 00:32:10.240 proceedings at Langford, where he accused her of having made 534 00:32:10.359 --> 00:32:13.839 mister Mainwaring and a young man engaged to Miss Mainwaring 535 00:32:13.920 --> 00:32:17.559 distractedly in love with her, which Reginald firmly believed when 536 00:32:17.559 --> 00:32:20.680 he came to church Hill is now he is persuaded 537 00:32:21.000 --> 00:32:24.559 only a scandalous invention. He has told me so in 538 00:32:24.640 --> 00:32:27.319 a warmth of manner, which spoke his regret at having 539 00:32:27.359 --> 00:32:31.519 ever believed the contrary himself. How sincerely do I grieve 540 00:32:31.559 --> 00:32:34.680 that she ever entered this house? I had always looked 541 00:32:34.720 --> 00:32:38.079 forward to her coming with uneasiness, but very far it 542 00:32:38.279 --> 00:32:42.000 was from originating in anxiety for Reginald. I expected a 543 00:32:42.000 --> 00:32:45.599 most disagreeable companion for myself, but could not imagine that 544 00:32:45.720 --> 00:32:48.720 my brother would be in the smallest danger of being 545 00:32:48.759 --> 00:32:51.519 captivated by a woman with whose principles he was so 546 00:32:51.599 --> 00:32:55.319 well acquainted, and whose character he is so heartily despised. 547 00:32:56.160 --> 00:32:57.759 If you can get him away, it will be a 548 00:32:57.759 --> 00:33:01.240 good thing, Very affectionately, Catherine. 549 00:33:00.839 --> 00:33:06.480 Vernon, end of Chapter eleven, Chapter twelve. 550 00:33:07.839 --> 00:33:11.359 Park Lands. I know that young men in general do 551 00:33:11.440 --> 00:33:14.559 not admit of any inquiry, even from their nearest relations, 552 00:33:14.599 --> 00:33:17.920 into affairs of the heart. But I hope, my dear Reginald, 553 00:33:17.960 --> 00:33:20.480 that you will be superior to such as allowed nothing 554 00:33:20.519 --> 00:33:24.440 for a father's anxiety, and think themselves privileged to refuse 555 00:33:24.519 --> 00:33:28.319 him their confidence and slight his advice. You must be 556 00:33:28.440 --> 00:33:31.440 sensible that, as an only son and the representative of 557 00:33:31.480 --> 00:33:35.240 an ancient family, your conduct in life is most interesting 558 00:33:35.279 --> 00:33:39.559 to your connections, and in the very important concern of marriage, especially, 559 00:33:40.079 --> 00:33:43.519 there is everything at stake your own happiness, that of 560 00:33:43.559 --> 00:33:46.799 your parents, and the credit of your name. I do 561 00:33:46.880 --> 00:33:49.960 not suppose that you would deliberately form an absolute engagement 562 00:33:50.000 --> 00:33:53.279 of that nature without acquainting your mother and myself, or 563 00:33:53.279 --> 00:33:55.839 at least without being convinced that we should approve of 564 00:33:55.839 --> 00:33:59.240 your choice. But I cannot help fearing that you may 565 00:33:59.279 --> 00:34:01.759 be drawn in by the lady who has lately attached 566 00:34:01.839 --> 00:34:04.480 you to a marriage which the whole of your family 567 00:34:04.640 --> 00:34:09.079 far and near, must highly reprobate. Lady Susan's age is 568 00:34:09.119 --> 00:34:12.639 itself a material objection, but her want of character is 569 00:34:12.719 --> 00:34:15.199 one so much more serious that the difference of even 570 00:34:15.239 --> 00:34:20.280 twelve years becomes in comparison of small amount. Were you 571 00:34:20.360 --> 00:34:22.599 not blinded by a sort of fascination, it would be 572 00:34:22.719 --> 00:34:26.280 ridiculous in me to repeat the instances of great misconduct 573 00:34:26.320 --> 00:34:31.400 on her side, so very generally known. Her neglect of 574 00:34:31.440 --> 00:34:34.679 her husband, her encouragement of other men, her extravagance and 575 00:34:34.719 --> 00:34:38.000 dissipation were so gross and notorious that no one could 576 00:34:38.039 --> 00:34:40.679 be ignorant of them at the time, nor can now 577 00:34:40.719 --> 00:34:43.960 have forgotten them. To our family, she has always been 578 00:34:44.000 --> 00:34:47.800 represented in softened colors by the benevolence of mister Charles Vernon, 579 00:34:47.840 --> 00:34:51.360 and yet in spite of his generous endeavors to excuse her, 580 00:34:51.480 --> 00:34:54.159 we know that she did, from the most selfish motives, 581 00:34:54.920 --> 00:34:59.039 take all possible pains to prevent his marriage with Catherine. 582 00:34:59.280 --> 00:35:02.639 My years and increasing infirmities make me very desirous of 583 00:35:02.679 --> 00:35:05.800 seeing you settled in the world to the fortune of 584 00:35:05.800 --> 00:35:08.360 a wife. The goodness of my own will make me indifferent, 585 00:35:08.880 --> 00:35:13.079 but her family and character must be equally unexceptionable. When 586 00:35:13.119 --> 00:35:15.519 your choice is fixed so that no objection can be 587 00:35:15.559 --> 00:35:18.599 made to it, then I can promise you a ready 588 00:35:18.639 --> 00:35:22.079 and cheerful consent. But it is my duty to oppose 589 00:35:22.119 --> 00:35:25.599 a match which deep art only could render possible, and 590 00:35:25.719 --> 00:35:29.480 must in the end make wretched. It is possible her 591 00:35:29.480 --> 00:35:32.639 behavior may arise only from vanity or the wish of 592 00:35:32.679 --> 00:35:35.320 gaining the admiration of a man whom she must imagine 593 00:35:35.639 --> 00:35:39.679 to be particularly prejudiced against her. But it is more 594 00:35:39.800 --> 00:35:43.280 likely that she should aim at something further. She is 595 00:35:43.320 --> 00:35:45.800 poor and may naturally seek an alliance which must be 596 00:35:45.840 --> 00:35:49.159 advantageous to herself. You know your own rights, and that 597 00:35:49.199 --> 00:35:51.840 it is out of my power to prevent your inheriting 598 00:35:51.880 --> 00:35:55.760 the family estate. My ability of distressing you during my 599 00:35:55.880 --> 00:35:58.039 life would be a species of revenge to which I 600 00:35:58.079 --> 00:36:03.000 could hardly stoop under any circlcecumstances. I honestly tell you 601 00:36:03.079 --> 00:36:05.920 my sentiments and intentions. I do not wish to work 602 00:36:05.960 --> 00:36:09.079 on your fears, but on your sense and affection. It 603 00:36:09.119 --> 00:36:11.599 would destroy every comfort of my life to know that 604 00:36:11.639 --> 00:36:14.639 you were married to Lady Susan Vernon. It would be 605 00:36:14.679 --> 00:36:17.000 the death of that honest pride with which I have 606 00:36:17.119 --> 00:36:20.760 hitherto considered my son. I should blush to see him, 607 00:36:20.800 --> 00:36:23.719 to hear of him, to think of him. I may 608 00:36:23.760 --> 00:36:26.079 perhaps do no good but that of relieving my own 609 00:36:26.119 --> 00:36:29.000 mind by this letter. But I felt it my duty 610 00:36:29.079 --> 00:36:31.559 to tell you that your partiality for Lady Susan is 611 00:36:31.679 --> 00:36:34.960 no secret to your friends, and to warn you against her. 612 00:36:36.039 --> 00:36:37.880 I should be glad to hear of your reasons for 613 00:36:38.000 --> 00:36:41.880 disbelieving missus Smith's intelligence. You had no doubt of his 614 00:36:41.960 --> 00:36:45.199 authenticity a month ago. If you can give me your 615 00:36:45.239 --> 00:36:48.599 assurance of having no design beyond enjoying the conversation of 616 00:36:48.599 --> 00:36:51.960 a clever woman for a short period, and of yielding 617 00:36:52.000 --> 00:36:56.119 admiration only to her beauty and abilities, without being blinded 618 00:36:56.159 --> 00:36:59.559 by them to her faults, you will restore me to happiness. 619 00:37:00.119 --> 00:37:02.800 But if you cannot do this, explain to me at 620 00:37:02.880 --> 00:37:06.559 least what has occasioned so great an alteration in your 621 00:37:06.559 --> 00:37:10.199 opinion of her. I am et cetera, et cetera. 622 00:37:10.440 --> 00:37:17.599 Reginald de Courcy Chapter thirteen, Lady de Courcy to missus. 623 00:37:17.440 --> 00:37:23.800 Vernon Parkland's, my dear Catherine. Unluckily, I was confined to 624 00:37:23.840 --> 00:37:26.679 my room when your last letter came by a cold 625 00:37:26.719 --> 00:37:29.440 which affected my eyes so much as to prevent my 626 00:37:29.519 --> 00:37:32.559 reading it myself, so I could not refuse your father 627 00:37:32.639 --> 00:37:35.000 when he offered to read it to me, by which 628 00:37:35.039 --> 00:37:39.000 means he became acquainted, to my great vexation with all 629 00:37:39.039 --> 00:37:43.159 your fears about your brother. I had intended to write 630 00:37:43.159 --> 00:37:46.320 to Reginald myself as soon as my eyes would let me, 631 00:37:46.840 --> 00:37:50.000 to point out as well as I could the danger 632 00:37:50.119 --> 00:37:52.880 of an intimate acquaintance with so artful a woman as 633 00:37:52.960 --> 00:37:56.320 Lady Susan, to a young man of his age and 634 00:37:56.480 --> 00:38:01.199 high expectations. I meant moreover to have reminded him of 635 00:38:01.239 --> 00:38:04.480 our being quite alone now, and very much in need 636 00:38:04.519 --> 00:38:08.440 of him to keep up our spirits these long winter evenings. 637 00:38:08.880 --> 00:38:11.000 Whether it would have done any good can never be 638 00:38:11.079 --> 00:38:15.280 settled now. But I am excessively vexed that Sir Reginald 639 00:38:15.400 --> 00:38:18.440 should know anything of a matter which we foresaw would 640 00:38:18.440 --> 00:38:23.000 make him so uneasy. He caught all your fears the 641 00:38:23.039 --> 00:38:25.360 moment he had read your letter, and I am sure 642 00:38:25.440 --> 00:38:27.360 he has not had the business out of his head 643 00:38:27.480 --> 00:38:31.440 since he wrote, by the same poster Reginald, a long letter, 644 00:38:31.599 --> 00:38:35.599 full of it all, and particularly asking an explanation of 645 00:38:35.639 --> 00:38:38.719 what he may have heard from Lady Susan to contradict 646 00:38:38.800 --> 00:38:43.440 the late shocking reports. His answer came this morning, which 647 00:38:43.480 --> 00:38:45.440 I shall enclose to you, as I think you will 648 00:38:45.559 --> 00:38:48.519 like to see it. I wish it was more satisfactory, 649 00:38:48.920 --> 00:38:51.800 but it seems written with such a determination to think 650 00:38:51.840 --> 00:38:55.400 well of Lady Susan, that all his assurances as to marriage, 651 00:38:55.440 --> 00:38:59.760 et cetera, do not set my heart at ease. I 652 00:39:00.039 --> 00:39:03.039 day all I can, however, to satisfy your father, and 653 00:39:03.079 --> 00:39:07.639 he is certainly less uneasy since Reginald's letter. How provoking 654 00:39:07.679 --> 00:39:10.880 it is, my dear Catherine, that this unwelcome guest of 655 00:39:10.920 --> 00:39:14.760 yours should not only prevent our meeting this Christmas, but 656 00:39:14.880 --> 00:39:19.559 be the occasion of so much vexation and trouble. Kiss 657 00:39:19.639 --> 00:39:25.079 the dear children for me, your affectionate mother see De Corsi. 658 00:39:26.280 --> 00:39:31.400 Chapter thirteen, Lady de Courcy to missus. 659 00:39:31.280 --> 00:39:37.639 Vernon Parklands, My dear Catherine. Unluckily I was confined to 660 00:39:37.719 --> 00:39:40.559 my room when your last letter came by a cold 661 00:39:40.559 --> 00:39:43.320 which affected my eyes so much as to prevent my 662 00:39:43.400 --> 00:39:46.400 reading it myself, so I could not refuse your father 663 00:39:46.480 --> 00:39:48.840 when he offered to read it to me, by which 664 00:39:48.880 --> 00:39:52.840 means he became acquainted, to my great vexation with all 665 00:39:52.880 --> 00:39:56.960 your fears about your brother. I had intended to write 666 00:39:57.000 --> 00:39:59.880 to Reginald myself as soon as my eyes would let, 667 00:40:00.719 --> 00:40:03.840 to point out as well as I could the danger 668 00:40:04.000 --> 00:40:06.719 of an intimate acquaintance with so artful a woman as 669 00:40:06.800 --> 00:40:10.119 Lady Susan to a young man of his age and 670 00:40:10.320 --> 00:40:15.039 high expectations. I meant moreover to have reminded him of 671 00:40:15.079 --> 00:40:18.320 our being quite alone now and very much in need 672 00:40:18.360 --> 00:40:21.719 of him to keep up our spirits these long winter evenings. 673 00:40:22.719 --> 00:40:24.880 Whether it would have done any good can never be 674 00:40:24.920 --> 00:40:25.559 settled now. 675 00:40:26.079 --> 00:40:26.760 But I am. 676 00:40:26.679 --> 00:40:30.360 Excessively vexed that Sir Reginald should know anything of a 677 00:40:30.400 --> 00:40:35.559 matter which we foresaw would make him so uneasy. He 678 00:40:35.639 --> 00:40:38.159 caught all your fears the moment he had read your letter, 679 00:40:38.440 --> 00:40:40.480 and I am sure he has not had the business 680 00:40:40.559 --> 00:40:43.639 out of his head since he wrote, by the same 681 00:40:43.679 --> 00:40:46.639 poster Reginald, a long letter full of it all, and 682 00:40:46.840 --> 00:40:50.400 particularly asking an explanation of what he may have heard 683 00:40:50.440 --> 00:40:55.519 from Lady Susan to contradict the late shocking reports. His 684 00:40:55.639 --> 00:40:58.400 answer came this morning, which I shall enclose to you, 685 00:40:58.480 --> 00:41:00.760 as I think you will like to see it. I 686 00:41:00.800 --> 00:41:03.960 wish it was more satisfactory, but it seems written with 687 00:41:04.119 --> 00:41:07.280 such a determination to think well of Lady Susan, that 688 00:41:07.400 --> 00:41:10.519 all his assurances as to marriage, et cetera do not 689 00:41:10.719 --> 00:41:15.039 set my heart at ease. I say all I can, however, 690 00:41:15.079 --> 00:41:18.400 to satisfy your father, and he is certainly less uneasy 691 00:41:18.400 --> 00:41:23.039 since Reginald's letter. How provoking it is, my dear Catherine, 692 00:41:23.280 --> 00:41:26.519 that this unwelcome guest of yours should not only prevent 693 00:41:26.679 --> 00:41:30.000 our meeting this Christmas, but be the occasion of so 694 00:41:30.159 --> 00:41:34.599 much vexation and trouble. Kiss the dear children for me, 695 00:41:35.480 --> 00:41:41.519 your affectionate mother. See De Corsi, chapter fourteen. 696 00:41:42.000 --> 00:41:45.920 Mister de Corsi to Sir Reginald Churchhill. 697 00:41:46.599 --> 00:41:49.639 My dear Sir, I have this moment received a letter 698 00:41:49.880 --> 00:41:52.559 which has given me more astonishment than I ever felt before. 699 00:41:53.320 --> 00:41:55.519 I am to thank my sister, I suppose, for having 700 00:41:55.559 --> 00:41:57.440 represented me in such a lot as to injure me 701 00:41:57.480 --> 00:42:01.199 in your opinion and give you all this alarm. I 702 00:42:01.320 --> 00:42:03.679 know not why she should choose to make herself and 703 00:42:03.719 --> 00:42:06.360 her family uneasy by apprehending an event which no one 704 00:42:06.360 --> 00:42:09.400 but herself, I can affirm, would ever have thought possible. 705 00:42:09.679 --> 00:42:12.440 To impute such a design to Lady Susan would be 706 00:42:12.440 --> 00:42:15.519 taking from her every claim to that excellent understanding which 707 00:42:15.519 --> 00:42:18.719 her bitterest enemies have never denied her, and equally low 708 00:42:18.800 --> 00:42:21.159 must sink my pretensions to common sense. If I am 709 00:42:21.199 --> 00:42:25.039 suspected of matrimonial views in my behavior to her, our 710 00:42:25.079 --> 00:42:27.679 difference of age must be an insuperable objection, And I 711 00:42:27.800 --> 00:42:30.039 entreat you, my dear father, to quiet your mind and 712 00:42:30.119 --> 00:42:33.000 no longer harbor a suspicion which cannot be more injurious 713 00:42:33.000 --> 00:42:36.320 to your own peace than our understandings. I can have 714 00:42:36.400 --> 00:42:39.719 no other view in remaining with Lady Susan than to enjoy, 715 00:42:39.760 --> 00:42:42.000 for a short time, as you have yourself expressed it, 716 00:42:42.280 --> 00:42:46.920 the conversation of a woman of high intellectual powers, missus Vernon, 717 00:42:46.920 --> 00:42:49.760 would allow something to my affection for herself and her 718 00:42:49.840 --> 00:42:52.119 husband in the length of my visit. She would do 719 00:42:52.199 --> 00:42:55.000 more justice to us all, but my sister is unhappily 720 00:42:55.039 --> 00:42:58.280 prejudiced beyond the hope of conviction against Lady Susan from 721 00:42:58.320 --> 00:43:01.119 an attachment to her husband, which in itself does honor 722 00:43:01.159 --> 00:43:04.320 to both. She cannot forgive the endeavors at preventing their 723 00:43:04.440 --> 00:43:07.719 union which have been attributed to selfishness in Lady Susan. 724 00:43:07.760 --> 00:43:10.159 But in this case, as well as in many others, 725 00:43:10.239 --> 00:43:13.199 the world has most grossly injured that lady by supposing 726 00:43:13.239 --> 00:43:15.800 the worst. Where the motives in her conduct have been doubtful, 727 00:43:16.519 --> 00:43:19.880 Lady Susan had heard something so materially to the disadvantage 728 00:43:19.880 --> 00:43:22.400 of my sister as to persuade her that the happiness 729 00:43:22.400 --> 00:43:24.960 of mister Vernon, to whom she was always much attached, 730 00:43:25.039 --> 00:43:28.159 would be wholly destroyed by the marriage and the circumstance. 731 00:43:28.199 --> 00:43:31.039 While it explains the true motive of Lady Susan's conduct 732 00:43:31.239 --> 00:43:33.760 and removes all the blame which has been so lavished 733 00:43:33.800 --> 00:43:36.760 on her, may also convince us how little the general 734 00:43:36.800 --> 00:43:39.840 report of anyone ought to be credited, since no character, 735 00:43:39.920 --> 00:43:44.039 however upright, can escape the benevolent of slander. If my sister, 736 00:43:44.320 --> 00:43:47.360 in the security of retirement, with as little opportunity as 737 00:43:47.400 --> 00:43:50.320 inclination to do evil, could not avoid censure, we must 738 00:43:50.320 --> 00:43:52.800 not rashly condemn those who living in the world and 739 00:43:52.800 --> 00:43:55.800 surrounded with temptations, should be accused of errors which they 740 00:43:55.840 --> 00:43:58.480 are known to have the power of committing. I blame 741 00:43:58.519 --> 00:44:01.360 myself severely for having so eas easily believe the slanderous 742 00:44:01.400 --> 00:44:04.800 tales invented by Charles Smith to the prejudice of Lady Susan, 743 00:44:05.159 --> 00:44:07.639 as I am now convinced how greatly they have produced her. 744 00:44:08.000 --> 00:44:11.360 As to Missus Mainwaring's jealousy, it was totally his own invention, 745 00:44:11.559 --> 00:44:14.280 and his account of her attaching Miss Mainwaring's lover was 746 00:44:14.320 --> 00:44:17.440 scarcely better founded. Sir James Martin had been drawn in 747 00:44:17.480 --> 00:44:20.000 by that young lady to pay her some attention, and 748 00:44:20.079 --> 00:44:22.159 as he is a man of fortune, it is easy 749 00:44:22.159 --> 00:44:24.800 to see her views extended to marriage. It is well 750 00:44:24.840 --> 00:44:26.960 known that Miss m is absolutely on the catch for 751 00:44:27.000 --> 00:44:29.840 her husband, and no one can therefore pity her for losing, 752 00:44:29.960 --> 00:44:32.679 by the superior attractions of another woman, the chance of 753 00:44:32.719 --> 00:44:35.960 being able to make worthy man completely wretched. Lady Susan 754 00:44:36.039 --> 00:44:38.800 was far from intending such a conquest, and on finding 755 00:44:38.840 --> 00:44:43.639 how warmly Miss Mainwarings resented her lover's disaffection, determined in 756 00:44:43.679 --> 00:44:46.320 spite of mister and Missus Mainwaring's most urgent entreaties to 757 00:44:46.400 --> 00:44:48.880 leave the family. I have reason to imagine she did 758 00:44:48.960 --> 00:44:52.440 receive serious proposals from Sir James, But her removing to 759 00:44:52.519 --> 00:44:55.800 Langford immediately on the discovery of his attachment must acquit 760 00:44:55.840 --> 00:44:59.320 her on that article. With any mind of common candor, 761 00:44:59.639 --> 00:45:02.239 you will, I am sure, my dear Sir, feel the 762 00:45:02.239 --> 00:45:04.880 truth of this, and will hereby learn to do justice 763 00:45:04.960 --> 00:45:07.719 to the character of a very injured woman. I know 764 00:45:07.800 --> 00:45:10.440 that Lady Susan is coming to Churchill was governed only 765 00:45:10.480 --> 00:45:13.760 by the most honorable and amiable intentions. Her prudence and 766 00:45:13.800 --> 00:45:17.079 economy are exemplary, her regard for mister Vernon equal to 767 00:45:17.159 --> 00:45:20.239 his deserts, and her wish of obtaining my sister's good 768 00:45:20.239 --> 00:45:23.880 opinion merits a better return than it is received. As 769 00:45:23.920 --> 00:45:27.039 a mother, she is unexceptionable. Her solid affection for her 770 00:45:27.119 --> 00:45:29.519 child is shown by placing her in hands where her 771 00:45:29.639 --> 00:45:32.400 education will be properly attended to. But because she is 772 00:45:32.440 --> 00:45:34.960 not the blind and weak partiality of most mothers, she 773 00:45:35.039 --> 00:45:39.239 is accused of wanting maternal tenderness. Every person of sense, however, 774 00:45:39.360 --> 00:45:41.480 will know how to value and command her a well 775 00:45:41.480 --> 00:45:44.159 directed affection, and will join me in wishing that Frederica 776 00:45:44.239 --> 00:45:46.519 Vernon may prove more worthy than she has done of 777 00:45:46.559 --> 00:45:49.199 her mother's tender care. I have now my dear father 778 00:45:49.199 --> 00:45:52.280 written my real sentiments of Lady Susan. You will know 779 00:45:52.320 --> 00:45:54.880 from this letter how highly I admire her abilities and 780 00:45:55.000 --> 00:45:57.840 esteem her character. But if you are not equally convinced 781 00:45:57.960 --> 00:46:00.480 of my full and solemn assurance that your fears have 782 00:46:00.519 --> 00:46:03.440 been most idly created, you will deeply mortify and distress me. 783 00:46:04.440 --> 00:46:04.960 I am. 784 00:46:06.519 --> 00:46:11.880 Chapter six, Missus Vernon to Lady de Courcy. 785 00:46:11.719 --> 00:46:15.840 Churchill, my dear mother. I return you Reginald's letter and 786 00:46:15.880 --> 00:46:18.159 rejoice with all my heart that my father is made 787 00:46:18.159 --> 00:46:21.800 easy by it. Tell him so with my congratulations. But 788 00:46:21.880 --> 00:46:24.559 between ourselves I must own it has only convinced me 789 00:46:24.679 --> 00:46:27.960 of my brother's having no present intention of marrying Lady Susan, 790 00:46:28.400 --> 00:46:30.079 not that he is in no danger of doing so. 791 00:46:30.159 --> 00:46:33.039 Three months hands he gives a very plausible account of 792 00:46:33.039 --> 00:46:36.079 her behavior at Langford. I wish it may be true, 793 00:46:36.440 --> 00:46:39.280 but his intelligence must come from herself, and I am 794 00:46:39.320 --> 00:46:41.719 less disposed to believe it than to lament the degree 795 00:46:41.719 --> 00:46:44.840 of intimacy subsisting between them implied by the discussion of 796 00:46:44.880 --> 00:46:47.559 such a subject. I am also sorry to have incurred 797 00:46:47.559 --> 00:46:50.519 his displeasure, but can expect nothing better. While he is 798 00:46:50.559 --> 00:46:54.440 so very eager in Lady Susan's justification, he is very 799 00:46:54.440 --> 00:46:57.119 severe against me, indeed, and yet I hope I have 800 00:46:57.199 --> 00:47:00.000 not been hasty in my judgment of her. Poor woman. 801 00:47:00.920 --> 00:47:03.920 Though I have reasons enough for my dislike, I cannot 802 00:47:03.960 --> 00:47:06.440 help pitying her at present, as she is in real 803 00:47:06.440 --> 00:47:09.840 distress and with too much cause. She had this morning 804 00:47:09.840 --> 00:47:11.760 a letter from the lady with whom she has placed 805 00:47:11.800 --> 00:47:15.159 her daughter, to request that Miss Vernon might be immediately removed, 806 00:47:15.360 --> 00:47:17.760 as she had been detected in an attempt to run away. 807 00:47:18.480 --> 00:47:21.360 Why or whether she intended to go does not appear, 808 00:47:21.800 --> 00:47:24.800 but as her situation seems to have been unexceptionable, it 809 00:47:24.880 --> 00:47:27.639 is a sad thing, and of course highly afflicting to 810 00:47:27.719 --> 00:47:30.760 Lady Susan. Frederica must be as much as sixteen and 811 00:47:30.800 --> 00:47:33.519 ought to know better. But from what her mother insinuates, 812 00:47:33.800 --> 00:47:36.280 I am afraid she is a perverse girl. She has 813 00:47:36.320 --> 00:47:39.199 been sadly neglected, however, and her mother ought to remember it. 814 00:47:40.880 --> 00:47:43.400 Mister Vernon set off to town as soon as she 815 00:47:43.440 --> 00:47:46.719 had determined what should be done. He is, if possible 816 00:47:46.920 --> 00:47:50.559 to prevail upon Miss Somers to let Frederica continue with her, and, 817 00:47:50.639 --> 00:47:53.199 if he cannot succeed, to bring her to church Hill 818 00:47:53.239 --> 00:47:55.559 for the present till some other situation can be found 819 00:47:55.599 --> 00:47:59.719 for her. Her Ladyship is comforting herself meanwhile by strolling 820 00:47:59.719 --> 00:48:02.599 along the shrubbery with Reginald and calling forth all his 821 00:48:02.719 --> 00:48:07.039 tender feelings. I suppose on this distressing occasion she has 822 00:48:07.079 --> 00:48:09.559 been talking a great deal about it to me. She 823 00:48:09.639 --> 00:48:13.360 talks vastly well. I am afraid of being ungenerous, or 824 00:48:13.400 --> 00:48:15.960 I should say too well, to feel very deeply, but 825 00:48:16.039 --> 00:48:18.719 I will not look for faults. She may be Reginald's wife, 826 00:48:18.760 --> 00:48:21.639 Heaven forbid it, But why should I be quicker sighted 827 00:48:21.679 --> 00:48:24.480 than any one else? Mister Vernon declares that he never 828 00:48:24.519 --> 00:48:27.039 saw deeper distress than hers on receipt of the letter, 829 00:48:27.199 --> 00:48:30.639 and is his judgment inferior to mine. She was very 830 00:48:30.679 --> 00:48:33.559 unwilling that Frederica should be allowed to come to Church Hill, 831 00:48:33.840 --> 00:48:36.360 and justly enough, as it seems a sort of reward 832 00:48:36.400 --> 00:48:39.960 to behavior deserving very differently. It was impossible to take 833 00:48:39.960 --> 00:48:42.679 her anywhere else, and she is not to remain here long. 834 00:48:44.000 --> 00:48:46.760 It will be absolutely necessary, said she, as you my 835 00:48:46.840 --> 00:48:49.320 dear sister must be sensible to treat my daughter with 836 00:48:49.400 --> 00:48:52.880 some severity while she is here. A most painful necessity, 837 00:48:53.480 --> 00:48:56.159 but I will endeavor to submit to it. I am 838 00:48:56.159 --> 00:48:59.000 afraid I have often been too indulgent, but my poor 839 00:48:59.000 --> 00:49:03.039 Frederica's temper could never bear opposition. Well, you must support 840 00:49:03.079 --> 00:49:06.119 and encourage me. You must urge the necessity of reproof 841 00:49:06.159 --> 00:49:10.159 if you see me too lenient. All this sounds very reasonably. 842 00:49:10.360 --> 00:49:13.440 Reginald is incensed against the poor silly girl. Surely it 843 00:49:13.480 --> 00:49:15.639 is not to Lady Susan's credit that he be so 844 00:49:15.719 --> 00:49:18.920 bitter against her daughter. His idea of her must be 845 00:49:19.000 --> 00:49:22.320 drawn from the mother's description. Well, whatever may be his fate, 846 00:49:22.639 --> 00:49:24.440 we have the comfort of knowing we have done the 847 00:49:24.519 --> 00:49:25.599 utmost to save him. 848 00:49:31.360 --> 00:49:37.559 Chapter sixteen, Lady Susan Vernon to missus Johnson Churchill. 849 00:49:39.400 --> 00:49:42.360 Never, my dearest Alicia, was I so provoked in my 850 00:49:42.559 --> 00:49:45.760 life as by a letter this morning for Miss Summers, 851 00:49:46.159 --> 00:49:49.079 that horrid girl of mine has been trying to run away. 852 00:49:50.000 --> 00:49:52.000 I had not a notion of her being such a 853 00:49:52.039 --> 00:49:55.320 little devil. Before she seemed to have all the Vernon milkiness. 854 00:49:56.239 --> 00:49:58.199 But on receiving the letter in which I declared my 855 00:49:58.239 --> 00:50:02.639 intention about Sir James. She actually attempted to elope at 856 00:50:02.719 --> 00:50:06.199 least I cannot otherwise account for her doing it. She 857 00:50:06.320 --> 00:50:08.960 meant I suppose to go to the Clark's in Staffordshire, 858 00:50:09.280 --> 00:50:13.760 for she has no other acquaintances. But she shall be punished. 859 00:50:13.960 --> 00:50:16.920 She shall have him. I sent Charles to town to 860 00:50:16.920 --> 00:50:18.440 make matters up if he can, for I do not, 861 00:50:18.559 --> 00:50:22.199 by any means want her here. If Miss Summers will 862 00:50:22.199 --> 00:50:24.679 not keep her, you must find me out another school 863 00:50:25.000 --> 00:50:28.840 unless we can get her married immediately. Miss s writes 864 00:50:28.920 --> 00:50:30.440 word that she could not get the young lady to 865 00:50:30.480 --> 00:50:34.280 assign any cause for her extraordinary conduct, which confirms me 866 00:50:34.320 --> 00:50:37.800 in my own previous explanation of it. Frederica is too shy, 867 00:50:37.880 --> 00:50:39.559 I think, and too much in awe of me to 868 00:50:39.559 --> 00:50:42.360 tell tales. But if the mildness of her uncle should 869 00:50:42.360 --> 00:50:45.199 get anything out of her, I am not afraid. I 870 00:50:45.239 --> 00:50:47.199 trust I shall be able to make my story as 871 00:50:47.239 --> 00:50:50.400 good as hers. If I am vain of anything, it 872 00:50:50.440 --> 00:50:54.800 is of my eloquence, consideration, and esteem, as surely follow 873 00:50:54.880 --> 00:50:58.280 command of language, as admiration waits on beauty, And here 874 00:50:58.639 --> 00:51:01.159 I have opportunity enough for the exercise of my talent, 875 00:51:01.639 --> 00:51:04.000 as the chief of my time is spent in conversation. 876 00:51:05.920 --> 00:51:09.800 Reginald is never easy unless we are by ourselves, and 877 00:51:09.880 --> 00:51:12.360 when the weather is tolerable we pace the shrubbery for 878 00:51:12.480 --> 00:51:16.199 hours together. I like him on the whole very well. 879 00:51:16.639 --> 00:51:18.559 He is clever and has a good deal to say, 880 00:51:19.199 --> 00:51:22.679 but he is sometimes impertinent and troublesome. There is a 881 00:51:22.719 --> 00:51:26.239 sort of ridiculous delicacy about him which requires the fullest 882 00:51:26.280 --> 00:51:29.239 explanation of whatever he may have heard, to my disadvantage, 883 00:51:29.599 --> 00:51:32.119 and is never satisfied till he thinks he has ascertained 884 00:51:32.119 --> 00:51:35.599 the beginning and end of everything. This is one sort 885 00:51:35.639 --> 00:51:39.000 of love, but I confess it does not particularly recommend 886 00:51:39.000 --> 00:51:42.440 itself to me. I infinitely prefer of a tender and 887 00:51:42.599 --> 00:51:46.199 liberal spirit of man Wearing, which impressed with the deepest 888 00:51:46.199 --> 00:51:49.360 conviction of my merit is satisfied that whatever I do 889 00:51:49.480 --> 00:51:52.320 must be right, and look with a degree of contempt 890 00:51:52.320 --> 00:51:55.159 on the inquisitive and doubtful fancies of that heart which 891 00:51:55.199 --> 00:52:00.239 seems always debating on the reasonableness of its emotions. Man 892 00:52:00.280 --> 00:52:04.519 Wearing is indeed, beyond all compare, superior to Reginald, superior 893 00:52:04.559 --> 00:52:08.639 in everything but the power of being with me, poor fellow. 894 00:52:09.079 --> 00:52:11.360 He is much distracted by jealousy, which I am not 895 00:52:11.480 --> 00:52:14.320 sorry for, as I know no better support of love. 896 00:52:15.480 --> 00:52:17.440 He has been teasing me to allow of his coming 897 00:52:17.440 --> 00:52:21.519 into this country and lodging somewhere near in cog But 898 00:52:21.559 --> 00:52:25.119 I forbad anything of the kind. Those women are inexcusable, 899 00:52:25.119 --> 00:52:28.039 who forget what is due to themselves and the opinion 900 00:52:28.079 --> 00:52:32.599 of the world yours ever. 901 00:52:32.599 --> 00:52:37.000 Chapter seventeen, missus Vernon to Lady de. 902 00:52:37.039 --> 00:52:43.239 Courcy Churchhill, my dear mother. Mister Vernon returned on Thursday night, 903 00:52:43.440 --> 00:52:46.239 bringing his niece with him. Lady Susan had received a 904 00:52:46.320 --> 00:52:49.039 letter from him by that day's post informing her that 905 00:52:49.079 --> 00:52:52.880 Miss Summers had absolutely refused to allow Miss Vernon's continuance 906 00:52:52.920 --> 00:52:56.440 in her academy. We were therefore prepared for her arrival 907 00:52:56.440 --> 00:52:59.880 and expected it impatiently the whole evening. They came while 908 00:52:59.880 --> 00:53:02.599 we were at tea, and I never saw any creature 909 00:53:02.599 --> 00:53:05.360 look so frightened as Frederica when she entered the room. 910 00:53:06.920 --> 00:53:09.800 Lady Susan, who had been shedding tears before and showing 911 00:53:09.840 --> 00:53:12.960 great agitation at the idea of the meeting, received her 912 00:53:12.960 --> 00:53:16.480 with perfect self command and without betraying the least tenderness 913 00:53:16.480 --> 00:53:20.679 of spirit. She hardly spoke to her, and on Frederica's 914 00:53:20.679 --> 00:53:23.400 bursting into tears as soon as we were seated, took 915 00:53:23.440 --> 00:53:25.639 her out of the room and did not return for 916 00:53:25.719 --> 00:53:29.239 some time. When she did, her eyes looked very red, 917 00:53:29.280 --> 00:53:32.320 and she was as much agitated as before. We saw 918 00:53:32.360 --> 00:53:35.639 no more of her daughter. Poor Reginald was beyond measure 919 00:53:35.719 --> 00:53:38.639 concerned to see his fair friend in such distress, and 920 00:53:38.679 --> 00:53:42.280 watched her with so much tender solicitude that I, who 921 00:53:42.280 --> 00:53:46.400 occasionally caught her observing his countenance with exultation, was quite 922 00:53:46.400 --> 00:53:50.480 out of patience. This pathetic representation lasted the whole evening, 923 00:53:51.039 --> 00:53:55.280 and so ostentatious and artful a display had entirely convinced 924 00:53:55.320 --> 00:53:57.880 me that she did, in fact feel nothing. I am 925 00:53:57.960 --> 00:53:59.960 more angry with her than ever since I have seen 926 00:54:00.079 --> 00:54:03.199 in her daughter. The poor girl looks so unhappy that 927 00:54:03.239 --> 00:54:07.000 my heart aches for her. Lady Susan is surely too severe, 928 00:54:07.159 --> 00:54:09.480 for Frederica does not seem to have the sort of 929 00:54:09.519 --> 00:54:13.480 temper to make severity necessary. She looks perfectly timid, dejected, 930 00:54:13.480 --> 00:54:16.719 and penitent. She is very pretty, though not so handsome 931 00:54:16.719 --> 00:54:20.320 as her mother, nor at all like her her complexion 932 00:54:20.400 --> 00:54:23.800 is delicate, but neither so fair nor blooming as Lady Susan's. 933 00:54:24.079 --> 00:54:26.960 And she has quite the vernon cast of countenance, the 934 00:54:27.000 --> 00:54:29.880 oval face and mild dark eyes. And there is a 935 00:54:29.920 --> 00:54:32.840 peculiar sweetness in her look when she speaks, either to 936 00:54:32.920 --> 00:54:35.880 her uncle or me. For as we behave kindly to her, 937 00:54:35.960 --> 00:54:38.920 we have of course engaged her gratitude. Her mother has 938 00:54:38.960 --> 00:54:42.280 insinuated that her temper is untractable. But I never saw 939 00:54:42.320 --> 00:54:45.719 a face less indicative of any evil disposition than hers. 940 00:54:46.119 --> 00:54:48.480 And from what I now see of the behavior each 941 00:54:48.519 --> 00:54:52.239 to the other, the invariable severity of Lady Susan and 942 00:54:52.320 --> 00:54:55.679 the silent dejection of Frederica, I am led to believe, 943 00:54:55.800 --> 00:54:59.000 as heretofore, that the former has no real love for 944 00:54:59.039 --> 00:55:02.760 her daughter, has never done her justice or treated her affectionately. 945 00:55:03.199 --> 00:55:04.159 I have not yet been. 946 00:55:04.079 --> 00:55:07.440 Able to have any conversation with my niece. She is shy, 947 00:55:07.880 --> 00:55:09.840 and I think I can see that some pains are 948 00:55:09.880 --> 00:55:12.880 taken to prevent her from being much with me. Nothing 949 00:55:12.960 --> 00:55:16.920 satisfactory transpires as to her reason for running away. Her 950 00:55:17.000 --> 00:55:20.119 kind hearted uncle, you may be sure, was too fearful 951 00:55:20.159 --> 00:55:22.800 of distressing her to ask many questions as they traveled. 952 00:55:23.320 --> 00:55:25.280 I wish it had been possible for me to fetch 953 00:55:25.280 --> 00:55:28.039 her instead of him. I think I should have discovered 954 00:55:28.039 --> 00:55:30.119 the truth in the course of a thirty mile journey. 955 00:55:30.639 --> 00:55:33.920 The small Pianoforte has been removed within these few days 956 00:55:34.199 --> 00:55:38.159 at Lady Susan's request, into her dressing room, and Frederica 957 00:55:38.199 --> 00:55:41.159 spends a great part of her day there practicing it 958 00:55:41.199 --> 00:55:43.800 is called. But I seldom hear any noise when I 959 00:55:43.840 --> 00:55:46.800 pass that way. What she does with herself there I 960 00:55:46.840 --> 00:55:49.679 do not know. There are plenty of books in the room, 961 00:55:50.159 --> 00:55:52.360 but it is not every girl that has been running 962 00:55:52.400 --> 00:55:54.880 wild for the first fifteen years of her life that 963 00:55:55.039 --> 00:55:59.760 can or will read poor creature. The prospect from her 964 00:55:59.760 --> 00:56:02.960 will window is not very instructive, for the room overlooks 965 00:56:03.000 --> 00:56:05.360 the lawn, you know, with the shrubbery to one side, 966 00:56:05.760 --> 00:56:08.559 where she can see her mother walking for an hour together. 967 00:56:08.639 --> 00:56:12.000 In earnest conversation with Reginald, a girl of Frederica's age 968 00:56:12.039 --> 00:56:14.760 must be childish. Indeed, if such things do not strike her, 969 00:56:15.360 --> 00:56:17.840 is it not inexcusable to give such an example to 970 00:56:17.880 --> 00:56:21.360 a daughter? Yet Reginald still thinks Lady Susan the best 971 00:56:21.360 --> 00:56:25.360 of mothers still condemns Frederica as a worthless girl. He 972 00:56:25.440 --> 00:56:28.159 is convinced that her attempt to run away proceeded from 973 00:56:28.199 --> 00:56:32.039 no profitable cause and had no provocation. I am sure 974 00:56:32.079 --> 00:56:35.800 I cannot say that it had. While Miss Summers declared 975 00:56:35.800 --> 00:56:39.320 that Miss Vernon showed no signs of obstinacy or perverseness 976 00:56:39.599 --> 00:56:42.559 during her whole stay in Wigmore Street until she was 977 00:56:42.599 --> 00:56:45.480 detected in the scheme, I cannot so readily credit what 978 00:56:45.599 --> 00:56:47.880 Lady Susan has made him and wants to make me 979 00:56:48.039 --> 00:56:50.920 believe that it was merely an impatience of restraint and 980 00:56:51.000 --> 00:56:54.000 a desire of escaping from the tuition of masters, which 981 00:56:54.039 --> 00:56:57.039 brought on the plan of elopement. Oh, Reginald, how is 982 00:56:57.119 --> 00:57:01.079 your judgment enslaved? He scarcely dared even allow her to 983 00:57:01.119 --> 00:57:03.960 be handsome, and when I speak of her beauty, replies 984 00:57:04.000 --> 00:57:07.360 only that her eyes have no brilliancy. Sometimes he is 985 00:57:07.400 --> 00:57:10.400 sure she is deficient in understanding, and other times that 986 00:57:10.480 --> 00:57:13.199 her temper is in fault. In short, when a person 987 00:57:13.280 --> 00:57:16.159 is always to deceive, it is impossible to be consistent. 988 00:57:17.000 --> 00:57:19.840 Lady Susan finds it necessary for Frederica should be to 989 00:57:19.880 --> 00:57:23.880 blame and probably has sometimes judged it expedient to accuse 990 00:57:23.920 --> 00:57:26.599 her of ill nature, and sometimes to lament her want 991 00:57:26.639 --> 00:57:30.320 of sense. Reginald is only repeating after her ladyship. 992 00:57:31.039 --> 00:57:41.000 I am Catherine, Chapter eighteen, Missus Vernon to Lady de Courcy. 993 00:57:41.599 --> 00:57:45.760 Churchhill, my dear mother. I am very glad to find 994 00:57:45.760 --> 00:57:48.800 that my description of Frederica Vernon has interested you, for 995 00:57:48.920 --> 00:57:51.800 I believe her truly deserving of your regard. And when 996 00:57:51.800 --> 00:57:54.559 I have communicated a notice which has recently struck me 997 00:57:54.880 --> 00:57:57.559 your kind impressions in her favor, will I am sure 998 00:57:57.639 --> 00:58:00.519 be heightened. I cannot help fancying that she is growing 999 00:58:00.559 --> 00:58:03.400 partial to my brother. I so very often see her 1000 00:58:03.440 --> 00:58:06.639 eyes fixed on his face with a remarkable expression of 1001 00:58:06.719 --> 00:58:11.360 pensive admiration. He is certainly very handsome, and yet more, 1002 00:58:11.840 --> 00:58:14.280 there is an openness in his manner that must be 1003 00:58:14.360 --> 00:58:17.239 highly prepossessing, and I am sure she feels it so 1004 00:58:17.599 --> 00:58:21.480 thoughtful and pensive. In general, her countenance always brightens into 1005 00:58:21.519 --> 00:58:24.840 a smile when Reginald says anything amusing. And let the 1006 00:58:24.880 --> 00:58:27.679 subject be ever so serious that he may be conversing on. 1007 00:58:28.360 --> 00:58:30.880 I am much mistaken if a syllable of his uttering 1008 00:58:31.000 --> 00:58:34.320 escapes her. I want to make him sensible of all this, 1009 00:58:35.000 --> 00:58:37.480 for the power of gratitude on such a heart as his. 1010 00:58:37.880 --> 00:58:41.119 And could Frederica's artless affection detach him from her mother? 1011 00:58:41.519 --> 00:58:43.920 We might bless the day which brought her to Church Hill. 1012 00:58:44.679 --> 00:58:47.159 I think, my dear Madam, you would not disapprove of 1013 00:58:47.199 --> 00:58:50.519 her as a daughter. She is extremely young, to be sure, 1014 00:58:50.840 --> 00:58:54.119 has had a wretched education and a dreadful example of 1015 00:58:54.239 --> 00:58:57.039 levity in her mother. But yet I can pronounce her 1016 00:58:57.079 --> 00:59:00.599 disposition to be excellent, and her natural abilities very good. 1017 00:59:01.119 --> 00:59:04.440 Though totally without accomplishments, she is by no means so 1018 00:59:04.480 --> 00:59:07.679 ignorant as one might expect to find her, being fond 1019 00:59:07.679 --> 00:59:10.320 of books and spending the chief of her time in reading. 1020 00:59:10.480 --> 00:59:13.119 Her mother leaves her more to herself now than she did. 1021 00:59:13.480 --> 00:59:15.599 And I have her with me as much as possible, 1022 00:59:15.960 --> 00:59:19.760 and have taken great pains to overcome her timidity. We 1023 00:59:19.840 --> 00:59:22.559 are very good friends. And though she never opens her 1024 00:59:22.639 --> 00:59:25.960 lips before her mother, she talks enough when alone with 1025 00:59:26.079 --> 00:59:28.599 me to make it clear that if properly treated by 1026 00:59:28.639 --> 00:59:32.360 Lady Susan, she would always appear too much greater advantage. 1027 00:59:32.920 --> 00:59:36.119 There cannot be a more gentle, affectionate heart or more 1028 00:59:36.159 --> 00:59:40.079 obliging manners when acting without restraint. Her little cousins are 1029 00:59:40.119 --> 00:59:44.840 all very fond of her. Yours affectionately, Catherine Vernon. 1030 00:59:45.639 --> 00:59:52.159 End of Chapter eight, Chapter nineteen. Lady Susan Vernon to 1031 00:59:52.599 --> 00:59:54.480 missus Johnson Churchill. 1032 00:59:56.000 --> 00:59:58.159 You will be eager, I know, to hear something further 1033 00:59:58.199 --> 01:00:01.360 of Frederica, and perhaps may think me negligent for not 1034 01:00:01.400 --> 01:00:06.760 writing before she arrived with her uncle last Thursday fortnight, when, 1035 01:00:06.840 --> 01:00:09.480 of course I lost no time in demanding a cause 1036 01:00:09.519 --> 01:00:12.519 of her behavior, and soon found myself to have been 1037 01:00:12.559 --> 01:00:17.199 perfectly right in attributing it to my own letter. The 1038 01:00:17.280 --> 01:00:20.719 prospect of it frightened her so thoroughly that, with a 1039 01:00:20.760 --> 01:00:25.480 mixture of true girlish perverseness and folly, she resolved on 1040 01:00:25.519 --> 01:00:27.840 getting out of the house and proceeding directly by the 1041 01:00:27.880 --> 01:00:31.519 stage to her friends the Clarks, and had really got 1042 01:00:31.519 --> 01:00:33.599 as far as the length of two streets in her 1043 01:00:33.679 --> 01:00:39.840 journey when she was fortunately missed, pursued, and overtaken. Such 1044 01:00:40.000 --> 01:00:44.280 was the first distinguished exploit of Miss Frederica Vernon, And 1045 01:00:44.360 --> 01:00:46.440 if we consider that it was achieved at the tender 1046 01:00:46.480 --> 01:00:49.239 age of sixteen, we shall have room for the most 1047 01:00:49.280 --> 01:00:54.880 flattering prognostics of her future renown. I am excessively provoked, however, 1048 01:00:55.159 --> 01:00:58.159 at the parade of propriety which prevented Miss Summers from 1049 01:00:58.239 --> 01:01:01.960 keeping the girl. And it seems means so extraordinary a 1050 01:01:01.960 --> 01:01:06.119 piece of nicety, considering my daughter's family connections. But I 1051 01:01:06.159 --> 01:01:08.440 can only suppose the lady to be governed by the 1052 01:01:08.480 --> 01:01:13.039 fear of never getting her money. Be that as it may. However, 1053 01:01:13.599 --> 01:01:17.199 Frederica is returned on my hands, and having nothing else 1054 01:01:17.239 --> 01:01:19.320 to employ, her is busy in pursuing the plan of 1055 01:01:19.440 --> 01:01:23.800 romance begun at Blangford. She is actually falling in love 1056 01:01:23.880 --> 01:01:28.320 with Reginald de COURSI to disobey her mother by refusing 1057 01:01:28.360 --> 01:01:32.559 an unexceptionable offer is not enough. Her affections must also 1058 01:01:32.639 --> 01:01:35.480 be given without her mother's approbation. I never saw a 1059 01:01:35.519 --> 01:01:37.639 girl of her age bid fairer to be the sport 1060 01:01:37.679 --> 01:01:41.880 of mankind. Her feelings are tolerably acute, and she is 1061 01:01:41.920 --> 01:01:44.639 so charmingly artless in their display as to afford the 1062 01:01:44.679 --> 01:01:48.079 most reasonable hope of her being ridiculous and despise by 1063 01:01:48.079 --> 01:01:52.079 every man who sees her artlessness will never do in 1064 01:01:52.159 --> 01:01:55.000 love matters. And that girl is born a simpleton who 1065 01:01:55.039 --> 01:01:59.119 has it either by nature or affectation. I am not 1066 01:01:59.239 --> 01:02:01.920 yet certain that her Reginald sees what she is about, 1067 01:02:02.559 --> 01:02:05.400 nor is it of much consequence. She is now an 1068 01:02:05.400 --> 01:02:07.639 object of indifference to him, and she would be one 1069 01:02:07.639 --> 01:02:11.920 of contempt were he to understand her emotions. Her beauty 1070 01:02:11.960 --> 01:02:14.599 is much admired by the Vernons, but it has no 1071 01:02:14.679 --> 01:02:17.800 effect on him. She is in high favor with her 1072 01:02:17.840 --> 01:02:20.960 aunt altogether because she is so little like myself. Of course, 1073 01:02:21.800 --> 01:02:25.079 she is exactly the companion from Missus Vernon, who dearly 1074 01:02:25.159 --> 01:02:27.400 loves to be firm and to have all the sense 1075 01:02:27.440 --> 01:02:30.360 and all the wit of the conversation to herself. Frederica 1076 01:02:30.400 --> 01:02:34.079 will never eclipse her. When she first came, I was 1077 01:02:34.119 --> 01:02:36.480 at some pains to prevent her seeing much of her aunt. 1078 01:02:37.000 --> 01:02:39.519 But I have relaxed, as I believe I may depend 1079 01:02:39.599 --> 01:02:42.079 on her observing the rules I have laid down for 1080 01:02:42.159 --> 01:02:46.119 their discourse. But do not imagine that with all this lenienty, 1081 01:02:46.159 --> 01:02:48.119 I have for a moment given up my plan of 1082 01:02:48.159 --> 01:02:52.760 her marriage. No, I am unalterably fixed on this point, 1083 01:02:53.119 --> 01:02:55.280 though I have not yet quite decided on the manner 1084 01:02:55.320 --> 01:02:58.840 of bringing it about. I should not choose to have 1085 01:02:58.880 --> 01:03:02.039 the business brought on here and canvassed by the wise 1086 01:03:02.079 --> 01:03:05.000 heads of mister and Missus Vernon, and I cannot just 1087 01:03:05.039 --> 01:03:10.400 now afford to go to town. Miss Frederica must therefore wait 1088 01:03:10.559 --> 01:03:12.639 a little yours Ever. 1089 01:03:14.440 --> 01:03:19.360 Chapter twenty, Missus Vernon to Lady de Courcy. 1090 01:03:19.679 --> 01:03:23.559 Church Hill, we have a very unexpected guest with us 1091 01:03:23.559 --> 01:03:27.599 at present, my dear mother. He arrived yesterday. I heard 1092 01:03:27.599 --> 01:03:29.440 a carriage at the door as I was sitting with 1093 01:03:29.519 --> 01:03:32.360 my children while they dined, and supposing I should be wanted, 1094 01:03:32.679 --> 01:03:36.039 left the nursery soon afterwards and was half way downstairs 1095 01:03:36.079 --> 01:03:38.960 when Frederica, as pale as ashes, came running up and 1096 01:03:39.039 --> 01:03:42.039 rushed by me into her own room. I immediately followed 1097 01:03:42.079 --> 01:03:45.000 and asked her what was the matter? Oh, cried she 1098 01:03:45.199 --> 01:03:48.280 He is come, Sir James has come, and what am 1099 01:03:48.320 --> 01:03:52.119 I to do? There was no explanation. I begged her 1100 01:03:52.119 --> 01:03:54.760 to tell me what she meant. At that moment, we 1101 01:03:54.760 --> 01:03:57.760 were interrupted by a knock at the door. It was Reginald, 1102 01:03:57.760 --> 01:04:00.760 who came by Lady Susan's direction to call Frederica down. 1103 01:04:01.280 --> 01:04:05.039 It is mister de Courcy, said she coloring violently. Mamma's 1104 01:04:05.039 --> 01:04:07.679 sent for me, and I must go we all three 1105 01:04:07.719 --> 01:04:10.320 went down together, and I saw my brother examining the 1106 01:04:10.400 --> 01:04:14.239 terrified face of Frederica. In surprise, in the breakfast room, 1107 01:04:14.400 --> 01:04:17.320 we found Lady Susan and a young man of gentle appearance, 1108 01:04:17.639 --> 01:04:19.559 whom she introduced to me by the name of Sir 1109 01:04:19.679 --> 01:04:23.159 James Martin, the very person, as you may remember, who 1110 01:04:23.239 --> 01:04:25.480 it was said she had been at pains to detach 1111 01:04:25.679 --> 01:04:29.199 from Miss Mainwaring, but the conquest, it seemed, was not 1112 01:04:29.320 --> 01:04:32.440 designed for herself, or she has since transferred it to 1113 01:04:32.480 --> 01:04:35.679 her daughter. For Sir James is now desperately in love 1114 01:04:35.679 --> 01:04:39.599 with Frederica, and with full encouragement from Mamma. The poor girl, 1115 01:04:39.679 --> 01:04:42.559 I am sure, however, dislikes him, and though his person 1116 01:04:42.599 --> 01:04:45.639 and address are very well, he appears both to mister 1117 01:04:45.760 --> 01:04:49.599 Vernon and me, a very weak young man. Frederica looked 1118 01:04:49.639 --> 01:04:52.360 so shy, so confused when we entered the room that 1119 01:04:52.440 --> 01:04:56.280 I felt for her exceedingly. Lady Susan behaved with great 1120 01:04:56.320 --> 01:04:58.800 attention to her visitor, and yet I thought I could 1121 01:04:58.840 --> 01:05:02.239 perceive that she had no particular pleasure in seeing him. 1122 01:05:02.800 --> 01:05:05.840 Sir James talked a great deal and made many civil 1123 01:05:05.880 --> 01:05:08.159 excuses to me for the liberty he had taken in 1124 01:05:08.199 --> 01:05:11.360 coming to Church Hill, making more frequent laughter with his 1125 01:05:11.440 --> 01:05:15.280 discourse than the subject required, said many things over and 1126 01:05:15.320 --> 01:05:18.199 over again, and told Lady Susan three times that he 1127 01:05:18.239 --> 01:05:22.400 had seen missus Johnson a few evenings before he now 1128 01:05:22.400 --> 01:05:26.119 and then addressed Frederica, but more frequently her mother. The 1129 01:05:26.159 --> 01:05:29.199 poor girl sat all this time without opening her lips, 1130 01:05:29.440 --> 01:05:33.039 her eyes cast down, and her color varying every instant, 1131 01:05:33.199 --> 01:05:37.440 while Reginald observed all that passed in perfect silence. At length, 1132 01:05:37.519 --> 01:05:41.239 Lady Susan, weary I believe of her situation, proposed walking, 1133 01:05:41.559 --> 01:05:43.760 and we left the two gentlemen together to put on 1134 01:05:43.840 --> 01:05:48.360 our palaces. As we went upstairs, Lady Susan begged permission 1135 01:05:48.400 --> 01:05:50.559 to attend me for a few moments in my dressing room, 1136 01:05:50.800 --> 01:05:52.920 as she was anxious to speak with me in private. 1137 01:05:53.519 --> 01:05:56.239 I led her thither accordingly, and as soon as the 1138 01:05:56.360 --> 01:05:59.480 door was closed, she said, I never was more surprised 1139 01:05:59.480 --> 01:06:01.960 in my life than by Sir James's arrival, and the 1140 01:06:02.000 --> 01:06:05.679 suddenness of it requires some apology to you, my dear sister, 1141 01:06:06.159 --> 01:06:08.960 though to me as a mother, it is highly flattering. 1142 01:06:09.800 --> 01:06:12.199 He is so extremely attracted to my daughter that he 1143 01:06:12.239 --> 01:06:15.480 could not exist longer without seeing her. Sir James is 1144 01:06:15.519 --> 01:06:19.079 a young man of an amiable disposition and an excellent character. 1145 01:06:19.400 --> 01:06:21.760 A little too much of the rattle, perhaps, but a 1146 01:06:21.840 --> 01:06:24.519 year or two will rectify that. And he is, in 1147 01:06:24.599 --> 01:06:28.079 other respects so very eligible a match for Frederica that 1148 01:06:28.159 --> 01:06:31.119 I have always observed his attachment with the greatest pleasure, 1149 01:06:31.360 --> 01:06:33.679 and am persuaded that you and my brother will give 1150 01:06:33.679 --> 01:06:37.320 the alliance your hearty approbation. I have never before mentioned 1151 01:06:37.320 --> 01:06:40.159 the likelihood of its taking place to any one, because 1152 01:06:40.199 --> 01:06:42.800 I thought that while Frederica continued at school, it had 1153 01:06:42.800 --> 01:06:46.000 better not be known to exist. But now I am 1154 01:06:46.000 --> 01:06:48.800 convinced that Frederica is too old ever to submit to 1155 01:06:48.840 --> 01:06:52.519 school confinement. I have therefore begun to consider her union 1156 01:06:52.519 --> 01:06:56.079 with Sir James as not very distant. I had intended 1157 01:06:56.079 --> 01:06:58.880 within a few days to acquaint yourself and mister Vernon 1158 01:06:59.119 --> 01:07:01.840 with the whole business. I am sure, my dear sister, 1159 01:07:02.119 --> 01:07:05.159 you will excuse my remaining silent so long, and agree 1160 01:07:05.159 --> 01:07:08.199 with me that such circumstances, while they continue from any 1161 01:07:08.239 --> 01:07:12.079 cause in suspense, cannot be too cautiously concealed. When you 1162 01:07:12.119 --> 01:07:15.159 have the happiness of bestowing your sweet little Catherine some 1163 01:07:15.320 --> 01:07:18.159 years hence on a man who in connection and character 1164 01:07:18.599 --> 01:07:22.679 is alike unexceptionable. You will know what I feel now, though, 1165 01:07:22.760 --> 01:07:25.880 thank Heaven, you cannot have all my reasons for rejoicing 1166 01:07:25.920 --> 01:07:29.039 in such an event. Catherine will be amply provided for, 1167 01:07:29.360 --> 01:07:33.119 and not like my Frederica, indebted to a fortunate establishment 1168 01:07:33.159 --> 01:07:37.679 for the comfort of life. She concluded by demanding my congratulations. 1169 01:07:38.360 --> 01:07:41.559 I gave them somewhat awkwardly. I believe, in fact, the 1170 01:07:41.599 --> 01:07:44.800 sudden disclosure of so important a matter took me from 1171 01:07:44.840 --> 01:07:48.840 the power of speaking with any clearness. She thanked me, however, 1172 01:07:48.920 --> 01:07:51.920 most affectionately for my kind concern in the welfare of 1173 01:07:51.960 --> 01:07:55.480 herself and daughter, and then said, I am not apt 1174 01:07:55.559 --> 01:07:58.760 to deal in professions, my dear missus Vernon, and I 1175 01:07:58.840 --> 01:08:02.599 never had the convenient talent of affecting sensations foreign to 1176 01:08:02.639 --> 01:08:05.320 my heart, and therefore I trust you will believe me 1177 01:08:05.639 --> 01:08:08.360 when I declare that, much as I had heard in 1178 01:08:08.440 --> 01:08:11.280 your praise, before I knew you, I had no idea 1179 01:08:11.320 --> 01:08:13.519 that I should ever love you as I now do. 1180 01:08:14.199 --> 01:08:16.920 And I must further say that your friendship toward me 1181 01:08:17.039 --> 01:08:20.119 is more particularly gratifying because I have reason to believe 1182 01:08:20.359 --> 01:08:22.800 that some attempts were made to prejudice you against me. 1183 01:08:23.800 --> 01:08:27.359 I only wish that they, whoever they are, to whom 1184 01:08:27.399 --> 01:08:30.319 I am indebted for such kind intentions, could see the 1185 01:08:30.399 --> 01:08:33.439 terms on which we are now together and understand the 1186 01:08:33.479 --> 01:08:36.640 real affection we feel for each other. But I will 1187 01:08:36.640 --> 01:08:39.600 not detain you any longer. God bless you for your 1188 01:08:39.640 --> 01:08:42.800 goodness to me and my girl, and continue to you 1189 01:08:42.960 --> 01:08:47.479 all your present happiness. What can one say to such 1190 01:08:47.479 --> 01:08:51.960 a woman, my dear mother, such earnestness, such solemnity of expression, 1191 01:08:52.520 --> 01:08:55.560 And yet I cannot help suspecting the truth of everything 1192 01:08:55.640 --> 01:08:59.319 she said. As for Reginald, I believe he does not 1193 01:08:59.479 --> 01:09:02.399 know what to make of the matter. When Sir James came, 1194 01:09:02.760 --> 01:09:06.560 he appeared in astonishment and perplexity. The folly of the 1195 01:09:06.600 --> 01:09:10.359 young man and the confusion of Frederica entirely engrossed him, 1196 01:09:10.520 --> 01:09:13.479 And though a little private discourse with Lady Susan has 1197 01:09:13.520 --> 01:09:16.479 since had its effect, he is still hurt. I am 1198 01:09:16.520 --> 01:09:19.479 sure at her allowing of such a man's attentions to 1199 01:09:19.520 --> 01:09:23.399 her daughter. Sir James invited himself, with great composure to 1200 01:09:23.439 --> 01:09:26.039 remain here for a few days, hoped we would not 1201 01:09:26.199 --> 01:09:29.319 think it odd was aware of its being very impertinent, 1202 01:09:29.800 --> 01:09:32.800 but he took the liberty of a relation, and concluded 1203 01:09:32.840 --> 01:09:35.319 by wishing with a laugh, that he might be really 1204 01:09:35.319 --> 01:09:38.760 one soon. Even Lady Susan seemed a little disconcerted by 1205 01:09:38.800 --> 01:09:42.119 this forwardness in her heart. I am persuaded she sincerely 1206 01:09:42.159 --> 01:09:45.279 wishes him gone. But something must be done for this 1207 01:09:45.399 --> 01:09:48.119 poor girl. If her feelings are such as both her 1208 01:09:48.199 --> 01:09:50.960 uncle and I believe them to be, she must not 1209 01:09:51.039 --> 01:09:54.079 be sacrificed to policy or ambition. She must not be 1210 01:09:54.199 --> 01:09:56.760 left to suffer from the dread of it. The girl 1211 01:09:56.760 --> 01:10:00.920 whose heart can distinguish Reginald de Courcy deserve, however he 1212 01:10:01.000 --> 01:10:03.520 may slight her a better fate than to be Sir 1213 01:10:03.600 --> 01:10:05.680 James Martin's wife. 1214 01:10:05.960 --> 01:10:06.560 As soon as I. 1215 01:10:06.560 --> 01:10:09.199 Can get her alone, I will discover the real truth. 1216 01:10:09.520 --> 01:10:12.399 But she seems to wish to avoid me. I hope 1217 01:10:12.399 --> 01:10:15.199 this does not proceed from anything wrong, and that I 1218 01:10:15.239 --> 01:10:17.640 shall not find out I have thought too well of her. 1219 01:10:18.279 --> 01:10:21.960 Her behavior to Sir James certainly speaks the greatest consciousness 1220 01:10:22.039 --> 01:10:26.920 and embarrassment, But I see nothing in it more like encouragement. Adieu, 1221 01:10:27.000 --> 01:10:28.840 my dear mother, yours. 1222 01:10:33.159 --> 01:10:39.000 Chapter twenty one, Miss Vernon to mister de Courcy. 1223 01:10:39.960 --> 01:10:44.279 Sir, I hope you will excuse this liberty. I am 1224 01:10:44.319 --> 01:10:47.600 forced upon it by the greatest distress, or I should 1225 01:10:47.600 --> 01:10:51.520 be ashamed to trouble you. I am very miserable about 1226 01:10:51.640 --> 01:10:54.199 Sir James Martin, and have no other way in the 1227 01:10:54.279 --> 01:10:57.199 world of helping myself but by writing to you, for 1228 01:10:57.279 --> 01:10:59.680 I am forbidden even speaking to my uncle and aunt 1229 01:10:59.720 --> 01:11:03.239 on the subject. And this being the case, I am 1230 01:11:03.279 --> 01:11:07.199 afraid my applying to you will appear no better than equivocation, 1231 01:11:07.960 --> 01:11:10.880 and as if I intended to the letter and not 1232 01:11:11.000 --> 01:11:14.760 the spirit of Mamma's commands. But if you do not 1233 01:11:14.840 --> 01:11:17.039 take my part and persuade her to break it off, 1234 01:11:17.399 --> 01:11:20.399 I shall be half distracted, for I cannot bear him 1235 01:11:21.239 --> 01:11:24.319 no human being. But you could have any chance of 1236 01:11:24.319 --> 01:11:28.840 prevailing with her. If you will therefore have the unspeakably 1237 01:11:28.880 --> 01:11:32.479 great kindness of taking my part with her and persuading 1238 01:11:32.520 --> 01:11:35.439 her to send Sir James away, I shall be more 1239 01:11:35.479 --> 01:11:38.159 obliged to you than it is possible for me to express. 1240 01:11:39.039 --> 01:11:41.640 I always disliked him from the first. It is not 1241 01:11:41.800 --> 01:11:45.079 a sudden fancy, I assure you, Sir, I always thought 1242 01:11:45.119 --> 01:11:48.720 him silly and impertinent and disagreeable, and now he has 1243 01:11:48.760 --> 01:11:51.760 grown worse than ever. I would rather work for my 1244 01:11:51.840 --> 01:11:54.680 bread than marry him. I do not know how to 1245 01:11:54.800 --> 01:11:57.640 apologize for this letter. I know it is taking so 1246 01:11:57.720 --> 01:12:00.479 great a liberty. I am aware how dreadfully angry it 1247 01:12:00.479 --> 01:12:04.560 will make Mamma, but I remember the risk I am, Sir, 1248 01:12:05.239 --> 01:12:06.680 your most humble servant. 1249 01:12:07.520 --> 01:12:16.239 F Chapter twenty two, Lady Susan Vernon to Missus Johnson. 1250 01:12:16.239 --> 01:12:20.760 This is insufferable, my dearest friend. I was never so 1251 01:12:20.920 --> 01:12:23.600 enraged before, and must relieve myself by writing to you, 1252 01:12:24.079 --> 01:12:27.920 who I know will enter into all my feelings. Who 1253 01:12:27.920 --> 01:12:32.600 should come on Tuesday? But, Sir James Martin, guess my 1254 01:12:32.720 --> 01:12:36.560 astonishment and vexation, For as you well know, I never 1255 01:12:36.600 --> 01:12:39.920 wished him to be seen at Churchill. What a pity 1256 01:12:39.920 --> 01:12:43.479 that you should not have known his intentions. Not content 1257 01:12:43.520 --> 01:12:46.840 with coming, he actually invited himself to remain here a 1258 01:12:46.840 --> 01:12:51.199 few days. I could have poisoned him. I made the 1259 01:12:51.239 --> 01:12:53.880 best of it, however, and told my story with great 1260 01:12:53.880 --> 01:12:57.880 success to Missus Vernon, who, whatever might be her real sentiments, 1261 01:12:58.119 --> 01:13:01.800 said nothing in opposition to mine. I made a point 1262 01:13:01.880 --> 01:13:05.880 also of Frederica's behaving civilly to Sir James, and gave 1263 01:13:05.920 --> 01:13:08.560 her to understand that I was absolutely determined on her 1264 01:13:08.600 --> 01:13:12.840 marrying him. She said something of her misery, but that 1265 01:13:12.920 --> 01:13:17.399 was all. I have for some time been more particularly 1266 01:13:17.439 --> 01:13:19.720 resolved on the match, from seeing the rapid increase of 1267 01:13:19.720 --> 01:13:23.439 her affection for Reginald, and from not feeling secure that 1268 01:13:23.479 --> 01:13:26.359 a knowledge of such affection might not, in the end 1269 01:13:26.760 --> 01:13:31.479 awaken a return contemptible as a regard found it only 1270 01:13:31.520 --> 01:13:34.920 on compassion must make them both in my eyes, I felt, 1271 01:13:34.920 --> 01:13:38.000 by no means assured that such might not be the consequence. 1272 01:13:39.399 --> 01:13:42.279 It is true that Reginald had not in any degree 1273 01:13:42.319 --> 01:13:46.039 grown cool towards me, But yet he has lately mentioned 1274 01:13:46.079 --> 01:13:52.119 Frederica spontaneously and unnecessarily, and once said something in praise 1275 01:13:52.199 --> 01:13:56.319 of her person. He was all astonishment at the appearance 1276 01:13:56.319 --> 01:13:59.159 of my visitor, and at first observed Sir James with 1277 01:13:59.199 --> 01:14:02.399 an attention which I was pleased to see, not unmixed 1278 01:14:02.399 --> 01:14:06.640 with jealousy. But unluckily it was impossible for me to 1279 01:14:06.720 --> 01:14:10.359 really torment him, as Sir James, though extremely gallant to me, 1280 01:14:11.239 --> 01:14:13.960 very soon made the whole party understand that his heart 1281 01:14:14.359 --> 01:14:18.640 was devoted to my daughter. I had no great difficulty 1282 01:14:18.680 --> 01:14:22.079 in convincing de Corsi when we were alone, that I 1283 01:14:22.159 --> 01:14:25.560 was perfectly justified all things considered in desiring the match, 1284 01:14:26.239 --> 01:14:30.880 and the whole business seemed most comfortably arranged. They could 1285 01:14:31.039 --> 01:14:34.239 none of them help perceiving that Sir James was no Solomon. 1286 01:14:34.960 --> 01:14:38.359 But I had positively forbidden Frederica complaining to Charles Vernon 1287 01:14:38.520 --> 01:14:41.920 or his wife, and they had therefore no pretense for interference, 1288 01:14:42.640 --> 01:14:46.119 though my impertinent sister, I believe, wanted only opportunity for 1289 01:14:46.199 --> 01:14:51.520 doing so. Everything, however, was going on calmly and quietly, 1290 01:14:51.600 --> 01:14:54.359 and though I counted the hours of Sir James's stay, 1291 01:14:54.880 --> 01:14:58.279 my mind was entirely satisfied with the posture of affairs. 1292 01:14:58.880 --> 01:15:02.439 Guess then, what I must feel at the sudden disturbance 1293 01:15:02.479 --> 01:15:05.359 of all my schemes, and that too from a quarter 1294 01:15:05.359 --> 01:15:09.279 where I had least reason to expect it. Reginald came 1295 01:15:09.319 --> 01:15:12.279 this morning into my dressing room with a very unusual 1296 01:15:12.319 --> 01:15:16.079 solemnity of countenance, and after some preface, informed me in 1297 01:15:16.159 --> 01:15:18.720 so many words that he wished to reason with me 1298 01:15:18.840 --> 01:15:22.479 on the impropriety and unkindness of allowing Sir James Martin 1299 01:15:22.520 --> 01:15:26.880 to address my daughter contrary to her inclinations. I was 1300 01:15:26.960 --> 01:15:30.079 all amazement when I found that he was not to 1301 01:15:30.079 --> 01:15:33.600 be laughed out of his design. I calmly begged in explanation, 1302 01:15:34.159 --> 01:15:36.600 and desired to know by what he was impelled and 1303 01:15:36.720 --> 01:15:41.119 by whom commissioned to reprimand me. He then told me, 1304 01:15:41.720 --> 01:15:44.560 mixing in his speech a few insolent compliments and ill 1305 01:15:44.600 --> 01:15:48.359 timed expressions of tenderness, to which I listened with perfect indifference, 1306 01:15:48.800 --> 01:15:52.680 that my daughter had acquainted him with some circumstances concerning herself, 1307 01:15:53.039 --> 01:15:57.279 Sir James, and me, which had given him great uneasiness. 1308 01:15:58.359 --> 01:16:01.359 In short, I found that she had, in the first place, 1309 01:16:01.439 --> 01:16:04.680 actually written to him to request his interference, and that 1310 01:16:04.760 --> 01:16:07.800 on receiving her letter, he had conversed with her on 1311 01:16:07.880 --> 01:16:10.760 the subject of it, in order to understand the particulars 1312 01:16:11.079 --> 01:16:15.399 and to assure himself of her real wishes. I have 1313 01:16:15.520 --> 01:16:18.000 not a doubt but that the girl took this opportunity 1314 01:16:18.000 --> 01:16:20.800 of making downright love to him. I am convinced of 1315 01:16:20.840 --> 01:16:22.399 it by the manner in which he spoke of her. 1316 01:16:23.319 --> 01:16:26.039 Much good may such love do him? I shall ever 1317 01:16:26.079 --> 01:16:28.439 despise the man who can be gratified by the passion 1318 01:16:28.479 --> 01:16:31.560 which he never wished to inspire, nor solicited the avowal 1319 01:16:31.600 --> 01:16:35.359 of I shall always detest them both. He can have 1320 01:16:35.439 --> 01:16:37.359 no true regard for me, or he would not have 1321 01:16:37.359 --> 01:16:40.880 listened to her, and she, with her little rebellious heart 1322 01:16:40.920 --> 01:16:44.479 and indelicate feelings, to throw herself into the protection of 1323 01:16:44.479 --> 01:16:47.279 a young man with whom she has scarcely ever exchanged 1324 01:16:47.279 --> 01:16:51.159 two words before. I am equally confounded at her impudence 1325 01:16:51.239 --> 01:16:55.520 and his credulity. How dared he believe what she told 1326 01:16:55.560 --> 01:16:58.359 him in my disfavor? Ought he not to have felt 1327 01:16:58.399 --> 01:17:00.960 assured that I must have un air answerable motives for 1328 01:17:01.039 --> 01:17:03.960 all that I had done. Where was his reliance on 1329 01:17:04.039 --> 01:17:05.000 my sense and goodness? 1330 01:17:05.000 --> 01:17:05.239 Then? 1331 01:17:06.039 --> 01:17:08.840 Where the resentment which true love would have dictated against 1332 01:17:08.840 --> 01:17:12.520 the person defaming me? That person too, a chit, a 1333 01:17:12.680 --> 01:17:16.439 child without talent or education, whom he had always been. 1334 01:17:16.279 --> 01:17:17.119 Taught to despise. 1335 01:17:17.920 --> 01:17:21.279 I was calm for some time, But the greatest degree 1336 01:17:21.279 --> 01:17:23.520 of forbearance may be overcome, and I hope I was 1337 01:17:23.560 --> 01:17:30.359 afterwards sufficiently keen. He endeavored, long endeavored to soften my resentment. 1338 01:17:31.319 --> 01:17:33.800 But that woman is a fool, indeed, who, while insulted 1339 01:17:33.800 --> 01:17:37.800 by accusation, can be worked on by compliments. At length 1340 01:17:38.239 --> 01:17:41.000 he left me as deeply provoked as myself, and he 1341 01:17:41.000 --> 01:17:44.760 showed his anger more. I was quite cool, but he 1342 01:17:44.800 --> 01:17:47.800 gave way to the most violent indignation. I may therefore 1343 01:17:47.800 --> 01:17:50.479 expect it will the sooner subside, and perhaps his may 1344 01:17:50.479 --> 01:17:53.319 be vanished forever, while mine will be found still fresh 1345 01:17:53.319 --> 01:17:57.079 and implacable. He is now shut up in his apartment 1346 01:17:57.399 --> 01:18:01.119 whither I heard him go on leaving mine. How unpleasant 1347 01:18:01.159 --> 01:18:04.600 one would think must be his reflections. But some people's 1348 01:18:04.600 --> 01:18:08.479 feelings are incomprehensible. I have not yet tranquilized myself enough 1349 01:18:08.520 --> 01:18:12.239 to see Frederica. She shall not soon forget the occurrences 1350 01:18:12.279 --> 01:18:15.159 of this day. She shall find that she has poured 1351 01:18:15.199 --> 01:18:18.560 forth her tender tale of love in vain, and exposed 1352 01:18:18.560 --> 01:18:21.640 herself forever to the contempt of the whole world and 1353 01:18:21.680 --> 01:18:24.399 the severest resentment of her injured mother. 1354 01:18:28.560 --> 01:18:32.560 Chapter twenty three. Missus Vernon to Lady de. 1355 01:18:32.640 --> 01:18:37.760 Courcy, church Hill. Let me congratulate you, my dear mother. 1356 01:18:38.520 --> 01:18:41.359 The affair which has given us so much anxiety is 1357 01:18:41.479 --> 01:18:45.880 drawing to a happy conclusion. Our prospect is most delightful, 1358 01:18:46.119 --> 01:18:49.039 And since matters have now taken so favorable a turn. 1359 01:18:49.600 --> 01:18:52.279 I am quite sorry that I ever imparted my apprehensions 1360 01:18:52.279 --> 01:18:54.800 to you, how the pleasure of learning that the danger 1361 01:18:54.840 --> 01:18:57.640 is over is perhaps dearly purchased by all that you 1362 01:18:57.680 --> 01:19:01.520 have previously suffered. I am so agitated by delight that 1363 01:19:01.600 --> 01:19:04.640 I can scarcely hold a pen. But am determined to 1364 01:19:04.680 --> 01:19:07.319 send you a few short lines by James, that you 1365 01:19:07.359 --> 01:19:10.720 may have some explanation of what must so greatly astonish you, 1366 01:19:11.239 --> 01:19:15.159 as that Reginald should be returning to Parkland's. I was 1367 01:19:15.159 --> 01:19:17.279 sitting about half an hour ago with Sir James in 1368 01:19:17.319 --> 01:19:20.359 the breakfast parlor when my brother called me out of room. 1369 01:19:21.000 --> 01:19:24.119 I instantly saw that something was the matter. His complexion 1370 01:19:24.199 --> 01:19:26.960 was raised, and he spoke with great emotion. You know 1371 01:19:27.079 --> 01:19:29.920 his eager manner, my dear Madam, when his mind is interested. 1372 01:19:30.600 --> 01:19:33.319 Catherine said he, I am going home to day, and 1373 01:19:33.399 --> 01:19:35.359 I am sorry to leave you, but I must go. 1374 01:19:36.119 --> 01:19:37.720 It is a great while since I have seen my 1375 01:19:37.760 --> 01:19:40.760 father and mother. I am going to send James forward 1376 01:19:40.800 --> 01:19:43.960 with my hunters immediately. If you have any letters, therefore, 1377 01:19:44.079 --> 01:19:46.520 he can take it. I shall not be home myself 1378 01:19:46.520 --> 01:19:49.159 till Wednesday or Thursday, as I shall go through London 1379 01:19:49.279 --> 01:19:52.680 where I have business. But before I leave you, he continued, 1380 01:19:52.880 --> 01:19:55.920 speaking in a loud voice and with still greater energy, 1381 01:19:56.279 --> 01:19:59.560 I must warn you of one thing. Do not let 1382 01:19:59.560 --> 01:20:03.279 Frederick Vernon be made unhappy by that Martin. He wants 1383 01:20:03.319 --> 01:20:06.880 to marry her. Her mother promotes the match, but she 1384 01:20:07.119 --> 01:20:10.119 cannot endure the idea of it. Be assured that I 1385 01:20:10.159 --> 01:20:12.520 speak from the fullest conviction of the truth of what 1386 01:20:12.640 --> 01:20:16.159 I say. I know that Frederica is made wretched by 1387 01:20:16.159 --> 01:20:19.680 Sir James, continuing here, she is a sweet girl and 1388 01:20:19.800 --> 01:20:23.880 deserves a better fate. Send him away immediately. He is 1389 01:20:23.960 --> 01:20:27.079 only a fool. But what her mother can mean, Heaven 1390 01:20:27.159 --> 01:20:32.319 only knows. Good Bye, he added, shaking my hand with earnestness. 1391 01:20:32.880 --> 01:20:34.800 I do not know when you will see me again. 1392 01:20:35.119 --> 01:20:37.880 But remember what I tell you of Frederica. You must 1393 01:20:37.880 --> 01:20:40.880 make it your business to see justice done her. She 1394 01:20:41.039 --> 01:20:43.720 is an amiable girl and has a very superior mind, 1395 01:20:44.000 --> 01:20:47.000 to which we have never given her credit for. He 1396 01:20:47.079 --> 01:20:49.920 then left me and ran upstairs. I would not try 1397 01:20:49.920 --> 01:20:52.279 to stop him, for I know what the feelings must 1398 01:20:52.279 --> 01:20:54.800 be the nature of mine. As I listened to him, 1399 01:20:54.840 --> 01:20:58.039 I need not attempt to describe. For a minute or two, 1400 01:20:58.279 --> 01:21:02.279 I remain in the same spot, overpowered by wonder of 1401 01:21:02.359 --> 01:21:06.760 a most agreeable sort. Indeed, yet it required some consideration 1402 01:21:06.920 --> 01:21:10.079 to be tranquility happy. In about ten minutes after my 1403 01:21:10.159 --> 01:21:13.960 return to the parlor, Lady Susan entered the room. I concluded, 1404 01:21:14.000 --> 01:21:16.880 of course, that she and Reginald had been quarreling, and 1405 01:21:16.960 --> 01:21:20.319 looked with anxious curiosity for a confirmation of my belief 1406 01:21:20.319 --> 01:21:26.279 in her face, Mistress of deceit. However, she appeared perfectly unconcerned, and, 1407 01:21:26.359 --> 01:21:29.079 after chatting on indifferent subjects for a short time, said 1408 01:21:29.119 --> 01:21:31.520 to me, I find from Wilson that we are going 1409 01:21:31.560 --> 01:21:34.680 to lose mister de Courcy. Is it true that he 1410 01:21:34.760 --> 01:21:39.319 leaves Churchill this morning? I replied that it was. He 1411 01:21:39.439 --> 01:21:42.159 told me nothing of this last night, said she, laughing, 1412 01:21:42.760 --> 01:21:45.600 or even this morning at breakfast. But perhaps he did 1413 01:21:45.600 --> 01:21:48.800 not know it himself. Young men are often hasty in 1414 01:21:48.840 --> 01:21:52.720 their resolutions, and not more sudden informing their unsteady in 1415 01:21:52.840 --> 01:21:55.880 keeping them. I should not be surprised if he should 1416 01:21:55.960 --> 01:21:59.640 change his mind at last and not go. She soon 1417 01:21:59.680 --> 01:22:03.239 after left the room. I trust, however, my dear mother, 1418 01:22:03.600 --> 01:22:06.319 that we have no reason to fear the alteration of 1419 01:22:06.359 --> 01:22:10.479 his present plans. Things have gone too far. They must 1420 01:22:10.479 --> 01:22:13.760 have quarreled, and about Frederica too. What delight will be 1421 01:22:13.840 --> 01:22:17.199 yours in seeing him again, in seeing him still worthy 1422 01:22:17.279 --> 01:22:22.000 of your esteem, still capable of forming your happiness. When 1423 01:22:22.000 --> 01:22:24.319 I next write, I shall be able to tell you 1424 01:22:24.399 --> 01:22:28.039 that Sir James is gone, Lady Susan vanquished, and Frederica 1425 01:22:28.079 --> 01:22:31.000 at peace. We have much to do, but it shall 1426 01:22:31.039 --> 01:22:33.680 be done. I am all impatience to hear how the 1427 01:22:33.720 --> 01:22:37.760 astonishing change was affected. I finish as I begin, with 1428 01:22:37.880 --> 01:22:42.399 the warmest congratulations, yours ever, Catherine. 1429 01:22:42.039 --> 01:22:51.560 Vernon, Chapter twenty four, Missus Vernon to Lady de Courcy 1430 01:22:52.199 --> 01:22:52.760 church Hill. 1431 01:22:53.600 --> 01:22:56.199 Little did I imagine, my dear mother, when I sent 1432 01:22:56.319 --> 01:22:59.760 off my last letter, that the delightful perturbation of spirits 1433 01:22:59.760 --> 01:23:03.399 I will then in would undergo so speedy, so melancholy 1434 01:23:03.439 --> 01:23:06.560 a reverse. I never can sufficiently regret that I wrote 1435 01:23:06.600 --> 01:23:08.880 to you at all. Yet who could have foreseen what 1436 01:23:08.960 --> 01:23:12.520 has happened, my dear mother. Every hope which made me 1437 01:23:12.600 --> 01:23:16.039 so happy only two hours ago, has vanished. The quarrel 1438 01:23:16.079 --> 01:23:18.680 between Lady Susan and Reginald is made up, and we 1439 01:23:18.760 --> 01:23:21.760 are all as we were before. One point only is 1440 01:23:21.840 --> 01:23:25.560 gained Sir James Martin is dismissed. What are we now 1441 01:23:25.560 --> 01:23:29.359 to look forward to? I am indeed disappointed. Reginald was 1442 01:23:29.399 --> 01:23:31.920 all but gone, his horse was ordered, and all but 1443 01:23:32.000 --> 01:23:34.640 brought to the door. Who would have not felt safe? 1444 01:23:34.760 --> 01:23:37.720 For half an hour? I was in momentary expectation of 1445 01:23:37.760 --> 01:23:40.680 his departure. After I had sent off my letter to you, 1446 01:23:41.239 --> 01:23:43.560 I went to mister Vernon and sat with him in 1447 01:23:43.640 --> 01:23:46.920 his room, talking over the whole matter, and then determined 1448 01:23:46.920 --> 01:23:49.439 to look for Frederica, whom I had not seen since breakfast. 1449 01:23:49.720 --> 01:23:51.399 I met her on the stairs and saw that she 1450 01:23:51.560 --> 01:23:55.520 was crying. My dear aunt said she, he is gone, 1451 01:23:55.920 --> 01:23:59.119 Mister de Courcy is gone, and it is all my fault. 1452 01:23:59.560 --> 01:24:01.600 I am a you will be very angry with me, 1453 01:24:02.079 --> 01:24:04.560 but indeed I had no idea it would end so, 1454 01:24:05.039 --> 01:24:08.039 my love, I replied, do not think it necessary to 1455 01:24:08.119 --> 01:24:11.479 apologize to me on that account. I shall feel myself 1456 01:24:11.560 --> 01:24:14.000 under the obligation of any one who is the means 1457 01:24:14.000 --> 01:24:17.880 of sending my brother home, because recollecting myself. I know 1458 01:24:18.000 --> 01:24:21.079 my father wants very much to see him. But what 1459 01:24:21.279 --> 01:24:23.680 is it you have done to occasion all this? She 1460 01:24:23.800 --> 01:24:27.319 blushed deeply as she answered, I was so unhappy about 1461 01:24:27.359 --> 01:24:30.159 Sir James that I could not help. I have done 1462 01:24:30.199 --> 01:24:33.239 something very wrong, I know, But you have not an 1463 01:24:33.279 --> 01:24:36.119 idea of the misery I have been in. And Mamma 1464 01:24:36.159 --> 01:24:38.319 had ordered me never to speak to you or my 1465 01:24:38.479 --> 01:24:41.159 uncle about it, And you therefore spoke to my brother 1466 01:24:41.279 --> 01:24:45.760 to engage his interference, said I, to save her the explanation. No, 1467 01:24:45.960 --> 01:24:48.800 but I wrote to him. I did. Indeed, I got 1468 01:24:48.880 --> 01:24:51.239 up this morning before it was light and was two 1469 01:24:51.359 --> 01:24:53.960 hours about it. And when my letter was done, I 1470 01:24:54.000 --> 01:24:57.600 thought I should never have courage to give it after breakfast. However, 1471 01:24:57.640 --> 01:24:59.760 as I was going to my room, I met him 1472 01:24:59.760 --> 01:25:02.800 in the passage, and then, as I knew everything must 1473 01:25:02.800 --> 01:25:05.840 depend on that moment, I forced myself to give it. 1474 01:25:06.000 --> 01:25:08.600 He was so good as to take it immediately. I 1475 01:25:08.880 --> 01:25:11.920 dared not look at him and ran away directly. I 1476 01:25:11.960 --> 01:25:15.960 was in such affright I could hardly breathe. My dear aunt, 1477 01:25:16.119 --> 01:25:19.479 you do not know how miserable I have been, Frederica 1478 01:25:19.560 --> 01:25:22.560 said I. You ought to have told me all your distresses. 1479 01:25:22.920 --> 01:25:25.840 You would have found in me a friend always ready 1480 01:25:25.880 --> 01:25:28.520 to assist you. Do you think that your uncle or 1481 01:25:28.560 --> 01:25:31.840 I should not have espoused your cause as warmly as 1482 01:25:31.840 --> 01:25:35.720 my brother. Indeed, I do not doubt your kindness, said she, 1483 01:25:36.079 --> 01:25:39.239 coloring again. But I thought mister de Courcy could do 1484 01:25:39.319 --> 01:25:43.199 anything with my mother. But I was mistaken. They have 1485 01:25:43.279 --> 01:25:46.520 had a dreadful quarrel about it, and he is going away. 1486 01:25:47.119 --> 01:25:49.920 Mamma will never forgive me, and I shall be worse 1487 01:25:49.960 --> 01:25:53.720 off than ever. No, you shall not, I replied. In 1488 01:25:53.800 --> 01:25:57.000 such a point as this, your mother's prohibition should not 1489 01:25:57.079 --> 01:25:59.800 have prevented your speaking to me on the subject. She 1490 01:25:59.840 --> 01:26:03.079 has no right to make you unhappy, and she shall 1491 01:26:03.359 --> 01:26:07.600 not do it. Your applying, however, to Reginald, can be 1492 01:26:07.680 --> 01:26:11.239 productive only of good to all parties. I believe it 1493 01:26:11.279 --> 01:26:13.880 is best, as it is, depend upon it that you 1494 01:26:13.960 --> 01:26:17.920 shall not be made unhappy any longer. At that moment, 1495 01:26:18.359 --> 01:26:21.399 how great was my astonishment at seeing Reginald come out 1496 01:26:21.439 --> 01:26:25.760 of Lady Susan's dressing room. My heart misgave me instantly. 1497 01:26:26.399 --> 01:26:31.479 His confusion on seeing me was very evident. Frederica immediately disappeared. 1498 01:26:31.920 --> 01:26:34.800 Are you going, I said, you will find mister Vernon 1499 01:26:34.840 --> 01:26:37.640 in his own room. No, Catherine, he replied, I am 1500 01:26:37.680 --> 01:26:39.800 not going. Will you let me speak to you a 1501 01:26:39.840 --> 01:26:43.359 moment we went into my room I find, He continued, 1502 01:26:43.760 --> 01:26:46.680 his confusion increasing as he spoke, that I have been 1503 01:26:46.720 --> 01:26:51.199 acting with my usual foolish impetuosity. I have entirely misunderstood 1504 01:26:51.239 --> 01:26:53.840 Lady Susan and was on the point of leaving the 1505 01:26:53.880 --> 01:26:56.920 house under a false impression of her conduct. There has 1506 01:26:56.960 --> 01:27:01.159 been some very great mistake. We have been all mistaken. 1507 01:27:01.199 --> 01:27:06.000 I fear Freyka does not know her mother. Lady Susan 1508 01:27:06.079 --> 01:27:08.760 means nothing but her good, but she will not make 1509 01:27:08.760 --> 01:27:12.359 a friend of her. Lady Susan does not always know, therefore, 1510 01:27:12.399 --> 01:27:15.479 what will make her daughter happy. Besides, I could have 1511 01:27:15.600 --> 01:27:19.199 no right to interfere. Miss Vernon was mistaken in applying 1512 01:27:19.199 --> 01:27:24.039 to me. In short, Catherine, everything is gone wrong, but 1513 01:27:24.119 --> 01:27:27.680 it is now all happily settled. Lady Susan, I believe 1514 01:27:27.720 --> 01:27:29.479 wishes to speak to you about it, if you are 1515 01:27:29.479 --> 01:27:34.439 at leisure. Certainly, I replied, deeply, sighing at the recital 1516 01:27:34.439 --> 01:27:37.640 of so lame a story. I made no comment, however, 1517 01:27:38.159 --> 01:27:41.520 for words would have been vain. Reginald was glad to 1518 01:27:41.560 --> 01:27:45.279 get away, and I went to Lady Susan, curious, indeed 1519 01:27:45.319 --> 01:27:48.159 to hear her account of it. Did I not tell you? 1520 01:27:48.239 --> 01:27:51.159 Said she with a smile that your brother would not 1521 01:27:51.279 --> 01:27:55.479 leave us after all you did. Indeed, replied I very gravely, 1522 01:27:56.279 --> 01:27:59.279 But I have fettered myself. You would be mistaken. I 1523 01:27:59.279 --> 01:28:01.199 should not have had as it did such an opinion, 1524 01:28:01.520 --> 01:28:05.079 returned she, if it had not, at that moment occurred 1525 01:28:05.079 --> 01:28:08.199 to me that his resolution of going might be occasioned 1526 01:28:08.199 --> 01:28:11.720 by a conversation in which we had been this morning engaged, 1527 01:28:12.079 --> 01:28:15.079 and which had ended very much to his dissatisfaction, by 1528 01:28:15.119 --> 01:28:18.920 our not rightly understanding each other's meaning. This idea struck 1529 01:28:18.960 --> 01:28:21.479 me at the moment, and I instantly determined that an 1530 01:28:21.600 --> 01:28:25.119 accidental dispute in which I might probably be as much 1531 01:28:25.199 --> 01:28:28.439 to blame as himself, should not deprive you of your brother. 1532 01:28:29.359 --> 01:28:32.399 If you remember, I left the room almost immediately. I 1533 01:28:32.520 --> 01:28:35.640 was resolved to lose no time in clearing those mistakes 1534 01:28:35.680 --> 01:28:39.000 as far as I could. The case was this, Frederica 1535 01:28:39.079 --> 01:28:42.600 had set herself violently against marrying Sir James. And can 1536 01:28:42.640 --> 01:28:46.399 your ladyship wonder that she should cried I with some warmth. 1537 01:28:46.840 --> 01:28:50.119 Frederica has an excellent understanding, and Sir James has none. 1538 01:28:50.439 --> 01:28:53.600 I am at least very far from regretting it, dear sister, 1539 01:28:53.880 --> 01:28:57.159 said she On the contrary, I am grateful for so 1540 01:28:57.319 --> 01:29:00.720 favorable a sign of my daughter's sense. Sir James is 1541 01:29:00.760 --> 01:29:04.840 certainly below par. His boyish manners make him appear worse. 1542 01:29:05.560 --> 01:29:09.319 And had Frederica possessed the penetration and abilities I could 1543 01:29:09.319 --> 01:29:11.760 have wished for my daughter, or had I even known 1544 01:29:11.800 --> 01:29:14.159 her to possess as much as she does, I should 1545 01:29:14.199 --> 01:29:16.640 not have been anxious for the match. It is odd 1546 01:29:16.680 --> 01:29:19.439 that you should be alone ignorant of your daughter's sense. 1547 01:29:19.920 --> 01:29:23.560 Frederica never does justice to herself. Her manners are shy 1548 01:29:23.720 --> 01:29:27.119 and childish, and besides, she is afraid of me. During 1549 01:29:27.159 --> 01:29:30.560 her poor father's life, she was a spoiled child. The 1550 01:29:30.640 --> 01:29:33.960 severity which it has since been necessary for me to show, 1551 01:29:34.199 --> 01:29:37.640 has alienated her affection. Neither has she any of that 1552 01:29:37.720 --> 01:29:41.920 brilliancy of intellect, that genius or vigor of mind which 1553 01:29:41.920 --> 01:29:45.159 will force itself forward. Say rather that she has been 1554 01:29:45.279 --> 01:29:50.079 unfortunate in her education. Heaven knows, my dearest missus Vernon, 1555 01:29:50.439 --> 01:29:53.199 how fully I am aware of that. But I would 1556 01:29:53.199 --> 01:29:56.680 wish to forget every circumstance that might throw blame on 1557 01:29:56.800 --> 01:29:59.319 the memory of one whose name is sacred. 1558 01:29:59.359 --> 01:29:59.640 With me. 1559 01:30:00.159 --> 01:30:02.159 Here she pretended to cry and I was out of 1560 01:30:02.239 --> 01:30:06.039 patience with her. But what said I was your ladyship 1561 01:30:06.079 --> 01:30:08.880 going to tell me about your disagreement with my brother? 1562 01:30:09.399 --> 01:30:12.720 It originated in an action of my daughter, which equally 1563 01:30:12.800 --> 01:30:15.880 marks her want of judgment and the unfortunate dread of 1564 01:30:15.960 --> 01:30:18.920 me I have been mentioning, She wrote to mister de Courcy, 1565 01:30:19.880 --> 01:30:22.479 I know she did. You had forbidden her speaking to 1566 01:30:22.520 --> 01:30:25.199 mister Vernon or to me on the cause of her distress? 1567 01:30:25.800 --> 01:30:28.239 What could she do there for but apply to my brother? 1568 01:30:28.880 --> 01:30:32.520 Good God, she exclaimed, What an opinion you must have 1569 01:30:32.640 --> 01:30:35.760 of me? Can you possibly suppose that I was aware 1570 01:30:35.800 --> 01:30:38.920 of her unhappiness, that it was my object to make 1571 01:30:39.000 --> 01:30:42.239 my own child miserable, and that I had forbidden her 1572 01:30:42.239 --> 01:30:44.760 speaking to you on the subject from a fear of 1573 01:30:44.800 --> 01:30:49.039 your interpreting the diabolical scheme? Do you think me destitute 1574 01:30:49.039 --> 01:30:53.800 of every honest, every natural feeling, and capable of consigning 1575 01:30:53.840 --> 01:30:57.680 her to everlasting misery whose welfare it is my first 1576 01:30:57.760 --> 01:31:02.279 earthly duty to promote the idea? Is horrible? What then 1577 01:31:02.439 --> 01:31:05.920 was your intention when you insisted on her silence? Of 1578 01:31:06.000 --> 01:31:10.079 what use my dear sister could be any application to you? 1579 01:31:10.560 --> 01:31:14.319 However the affair might stand. Why should I subject you 1580 01:31:14.439 --> 01:31:18.479 to entreaties which I refuse to attend to myself, neither 1581 01:31:18.560 --> 01:31:21.279 for your sake or for hers, nor for my own? 1582 01:31:21.520 --> 01:31:24.680 Could such a thing be desirable? When my own resolution 1583 01:31:24.840 --> 01:31:28.680 I was taken, I could not wish for the interference, however, 1584 01:31:28.840 --> 01:31:32.560 friendly of another person. I was mistaken, it is true, 1585 01:31:32.840 --> 01:31:36.079 but I believed myself right. But what was this mistake 1586 01:31:36.159 --> 01:31:40.319 to which your ladyship so often alludes from where arose 1587 01:31:40.439 --> 01:31:44.800 so astonishing a misconception of your daughter's feelings? Did you 1588 01:31:44.880 --> 01:31:47.760 not know that she disliked Sir James. I knew that 1589 01:31:47.840 --> 01:31:50.319 he was not absolutely the man she would have chosen, 1590 01:31:50.600 --> 01:31:53.000 But I was persuaded that her objection to him was 1591 01:31:53.039 --> 01:31:56.039 not from any perception of his deficiency. You must not 1592 01:31:56.239 --> 01:31:59.760 question me, however, my dear sister too minutely on this point, 1593 01:32:00.119 --> 01:32:04.039 continued she taking me affectionately by the hand. I honestly 1594 01:32:04.079 --> 01:32:07.319 own that there is something to conceal Frederica makes me 1595 01:32:07.520 --> 01:32:11.600 very unhappy. Her applying to mister de Courcy hurt me. Particularly. 1596 01:32:12.079 --> 01:32:14.760 What is it you mean to infer, said I by 1597 01:32:14.800 --> 01:32:18.119 this appearance of mystery? If you think your daughter at 1598 01:32:18.159 --> 01:32:21.840 all attached to Reginald her objection to Sir James, could 1599 01:32:21.840 --> 01:32:24.760 not less deserve to be attended to than if the 1600 01:32:24.800 --> 01:32:28.039 cause of her objection had been a consciousness of his folly. 1601 01:32:28.359 --> 01:32:31.359 And why should your ladyship at any rate quarrel with 1602 01:32:31.520 --> 01:32:34.520 my brother for an interference which you must know it 1603 01:32:34.560 --> 01:32:37.039 is not in his nature to refuse when urged in 1604 01:32:37.079 --> 01:32:40.439 such a manner. His disposition, you know, is warm, and 1605 01:32:40.560 --> 01:32:43.960 he came to expostulate with me his compassion all alive 1606 01:32:44.039 --> 01:32:47.520 for this ill used girl, the heroine in distress. We 1607 01:32:47.640 --> 01:32:51.119 misunderstood each other. He believed me more to blame than 1608 01:32:51.119 --> 01:32:55.119 I really was. I considered his interference less excusable than 1609 01:32:55.159 --> 01:32:58.600 I now find it. I have a real regard for him, 1610 01:32:58.800 --> 01:33:02.319 and was beyond rsh mortified to find it. So, I 1611 01:33:02.359 --> 01:33:05.640 thought so Ill bestowed. We were both warm, and of 1612 01:33:05.680 --> 01:33:09.720 course both to blame. His resolution of leaving Churchill was 1613 01:33:09.760 --> 01:33:14.119 consistent with his general eagerness. When I understood his intention, however, 1614 01:33:14.399 --> 01:33:16.560 and at the same time began to think that we 1615 01:33:16.640 --> 01:33:20.399 had both perhaps equally mistaken each other's meaning, I resolved 1616 01:33:20.399 --> 01:33:22.880 to have an explanation before it was too late for 1617 01:33:23.079 --> 01:33:26.119 any member of your family. I must always feel a 1618 01:33:26.159 --> 01:33:29.159 degree of affection and I own it would have sensibly 1619 01:33:29.239 --> 01:33:32.039 hurt me if my acquaintance with mister de Courcy had 1620 01:33:32.159 --> 01:33:35.960 ended so gloomily. I have now only to say further that, 1621 01:33:36.039 --> 01:33:39.279 as I am convinced of Frederica's having a reasonable dislike 1622 01:33:39.359 --> 01:33:42.119 for Sir James, I shall instantly inform him that he 1623 01:33:42.199 --> 01:33:45.319 must give up all hope of her. I reproach myself 1624 01:33:45.359 --> 01:33:49.880 for having, even though innocently, made her unhappy. On that score, 1625 01:33:50.199 --> 01:33:53.000 she shall have all the retribution in my power to 1626 01:33:53.079 --> 01:33:56.199 make if she value her own happiness as much as 1627 01:33:56.319 --> 01:33:59.439 I do, If she judge wisely and commend herself as 1628 01:33:59.479 --> 01:34:03.039 she might, she may now be easy excuse me, my 1629 01:34:03.119 --> 01:34:06.239 dear sister, for thus trespassing on your time. But I 1630 01:34:06.279 --> 01:34:09.520 owe it to my own character. And after this explanation, 1631 01:34:09.880 --> 01:34:12.640 I trust that I am no danger of sinking in 1632 01:34:12.680 --> 01:34:16.680 your opinion. I could have said not much, indeed, but 1633 01:34:16.760 --> 01:34:19.600 I left her almost in silence. It was the greatest 1634 01:34:19.640 --> 01:34:22.600 stretch of forbearance I could practice. I could not have 1635 01:34:22.680 --> 01:34:26.720 stopped myself had I begun her assurance her deceit. But 1636 01:34:26.800 --> 01:34:29.479 I will not allow myself to dwell on them. They 1637 01:34:29.520 --> 01:34:33.520 will strike you sufficiently. My heart sickens within me. As 1638 01:34:33.560 --> 01:34:36.479 soon as I was tolerably composed, I returned to the parlor. 1639 01:34:37.119 --> 01:34:40.119 Sir James's carriage was at the door, and he, merry 1640 01:34:40.199 --> 01:34:43.520 as usual, soon afterward took his leave. How easy does 1641 01:34:43.560 --> 01:34:46.880 her ladyship encourage or dismiss a lover. In spite of 1642 01:34:46.920 --> 01:34:51.680 this release, Frederica still looks unhappy, still fearful perhaps of 1643 01:34:51.720 --> 01:34:55.600 her mother's anger, and though dreading my brother's departure, jealous 1644 01:34:55.640 --> 01:34:58.840 it may be, of his staying. I see how closely 1645 01:34:58.880 --> 01:35:02.039 she observes him, and Lady Susan poor girl. I have 1646 01:35:02.159 --> 01:35:04.399 no hope for her. There is not a chance of 1647 01:35:04.399 --> 01:35:07.680 her affection being returned. He thinks very differently of her 1648 01:35:07.720 --> 01:35:10.239 from what he used to do. He does her some justice, 1649 01:35:10.520 --> 01:35:14.159 but his reconciliation with her mother precludes every dearer hope. 1650 01:35:14.439 --> 01:35:17.560 Prepare my dear mother for the worst. The probability of 1651 01:35:17.600 --> 01:35:21.560 their marrying is surely heightened. He is more securely hers 1652 01:35:21.600 --> 01:35:25.439 than ever. When that wretched event takes place, Frederica must 1653 01:35:25.439 --> 01:35:28.439 wholly belong to me. I am thankful that my last 1654 01:35:28.520 --> 01:35:31.840 letter will precede this by so little as every moment 1655 01:35:31.880 --> 01:35:34.000 that you can be saved from feeling a joy which 1656 01:35:34.079 --> 01:35:35.760 leads only to disappointment. 1657 01:35:36.319 --> 01:35:43.000 Chapter twenty five. Lady Susan Vernon to missus Johnson Churchill. 1658 01:35:44.199 --> 01:35:49.199 I call on you, dear Alicia, for congratulations. I am 1659 01:35:49.279 --> 01:35:53.640 my own self gay and triumphant. When I wrote you 1660 01:35:53.680 --> 01:35:56.479 the other day, I was in truth, in high irritation, 1661 01:35:56.640 --> 01:35:59.520 and with ample cause. Nay, I know not whether I 1662 01:35:59.560 --> 01:36:02.279 ought to be quite tranquil now, for I have had 1663 01:36:02.359 --> 01:36:04.920 more trouble in restoring peace than I ever intended to 1664 01:36:04.960 --> 01:36:09.600 submit to a spirit too, resulting from a fancied sense 1665 01:36:09.640 --> 01:36:14.000 of superior integrity which is peculiarly insolent. I shall not 1666 01:36:14.159 --> 01:36:18.079 easily forgive him. I assure you he was actually on 1667 01:36:18.159 --> 01:36:22.279 the point of leaving Churchhill. I had scarcely concluded my 1668 01:36:22.399 --> 01:36:25.560 last when Wilson brought me word of it. I found 1669 01:36:25.600 --> 01:36:27.640 therefore that something must be done, For I did not 1670 01:36:27.760 --> 01:36:29.800 choose to leave my character at the mercy of a 1671 01:36:29.840 --> 01:36:34.159 man whose passions are so violent and so revengeful. It 1672 01:36:34.199 --> 01:36:37.079 would have been trifling with my reputation to allow of 1673 01:36:37.119 --> 01:36:40.560 his departing with such an impression in my disfavor. In 1674 01:36:40.640 --> 01:36:46.199 this light, condescension was necessary. I sent Wilson to say 1675 01:36:46.239 --> 01:36:48.119 that I desired to speak with him before he went. 1676 01:36:49.000 --> 01:36:54.520 He came immediately. The angry emotions which had marked every 1677 01:36:54.600 --> 01:36:58.840 feature when we last parted, were partially subdued. He seemed 1678 01:36:59.159 --> 01:37:01.680 astonished at the summons, and looked as if half wishing 1679 01:37:01.720 --> 01:37:03.720 and half fearing to be softened by what I might 1680 01:37:03.800 --> 01:37:08.239 say if my countenance expressed what I aimed at. It 1681 01:37:08.359 --> 01:37:12.840 was composed and dignified, and yet with a degree of 1682 01:37:12.920 --> 01:37:15.960 pensiveness which might convince him that I was not quite happy. 1683 01:37:17.720 --> 01:37:20.159 I beg your pardon, sir, for the liberty I have 1684 01:37:20.199 --> 01:37:24.039 taken in sending for you, said I. But as I 1685 01:37:24.079 --> 01:37:26.800 have just learnt your intention of leaving this place to day, 1686 01:37:27.239 --> 01:37:29.960 I feel it my duty to entreat that you will not, 1687 01:37:30.079 --> 01:37:32.840 on my account, shorten your visit here even an hour. 1688 01:37:33.920 --> 01:37:36.960 I am perfectly aware that after what has passed between us, 1689 01:37:37.000 --> 01:37:38.960 it would ill suit the feelings of either to remain 1690 01:37:39.039 --> 01:37:43.159 longer in the same house. So very great, so total 1691 01:37:43.239 --> 01:37:47.199 a change from the intimacy of our friendship must render 1692 01:37:47.279 --> 01:37:51.600 any future intercourse the severest punishment, and your resolution of 1693 01:37:51.640 --> 01:37:54.960 quitting Churchill as undoubtedly in unison with our situation and 1694 01:37:55.000 --> 01:37:58.439 with those lively feelings which I know you to possess. 1695 01:38:00.319 --> 01:38:03.319 But at the same time it is not for me 1696 01:38:03.560 --> 01:38:06.479 to suffer such a sacrifice as it must be to 1697 01:38:06.600 --> 01:38:09.760 leave relations to whom you are so much attached and 1698 01:38:09.920 --> 01:38:14.760 are so dear. My remaining here cannot give that pleasure 1699 01:38:14.800 --> 01:38:18.920 to mister and missus vernon which your society must, And 1700 01:38:19.000 --> 01:38:24.560 my visit has already perhaps been too long. My removal, therefore, 1701 01:38:24.600 --> 01:38:28.119 which must at any rate take place soon, may with 1702 01:38:28.279 --> 01:38:32.119 perfect convenience, be hastened. And I make it my particular 1703 01:38:32.119 --> 01:38:35.880 request that I may not in any way be instrumental 1704 01:38:36.239 --> 01:38:39.880 in separating a family so affectionately attached to each other. 1705 01:38:41.279 --> 01:38:43.640 Where I go is of no consequence to any one, 1706 01:38:44.079 --> 01:38:47.880 of very little to myself. But you are of importance 1707 01:38:47.920 --> 01:38:52.840 to all your connections here, I concluded, and I hope 1708 01:38:52.840 --> 01:38:55.760 you will be satisfied with my speech. Its effect on 1709 01:38:55.920 --> 01:38:59.159 Reginald justifies some portion of vanity, for it was no 1710 01:38:59.279 --> 01:39:04.960 less favorable than instantaneous. Oh how delightful it was to 1711 01:39:05.000 --> 01:39:08.439 watch the variations of his countenance while I spoke, to 1712 01:39:08.520 --> 01:39:13.439 see the struggle between returning tenderness and the remains of displeasure. 1713 01:39:15.079 --> 01:39:18.520 There is something agreeable in feelings so easily worked on, 1714 01:39:19.560 --> 01:39:22.279 Not that I envy him their possession, nor would for 1715 01:39:22.319 --> 01:39:25.960 the world have such myself. But they are very convenient 1716 01:39:26.000 --> 01:39:30.359 when one wishes to influence the passions of another. And 1717 01:39:30.479 --> 01:39:33.840 yet this Reginald, whom a very few words from me 1718 01:39:34.039 --> 01:39:38.079 softened at once into the utmost submission and rendered more tractable, 1719 01:39:38.159 --> 01:39:42.399 more attached, more devoted than ever would have left me 1720 01:39:42.640 --> 01:39:45.760 in the first angry swelling of his proud heart without 1721 01:39:45.800 --> 01:39:50.159 designing to seek an explanation. Humbled as he now is, 1722 01:39:50.279 --> 01:39:53.279 I cannot forgive him such an instance of pride, and 1723 01:39:53.359 --> 01:39:55.960 am doubtful whether I ought not to punish him by 1724 01:39:55.960 --> 01:39:59.760 dismissing him at once after his reconciliation, or by marrying 1725 01:40:00.199 --> 01:40:04.159 and teasing him forever. But these measures are each too 1726 01:40:04.239 --> 01:40:09.000 violent to be adopted without some deliberation. At present, my 1727 01:40:09.119 --> 01:40:13.479 thoughts are fluctuating between various schemes. I have many things 1728 01:40:13.520 --> 01:40:17.960 to compass. I must punish Frederica, and pretty severely too, 1729 01:40:18.000 --> 01:40:21.600 for her application to Reginald. I must punish him for 1730 01:40:21.720 --> 01:40:25.119 receiving it so favorably, and for the rest of his conduct. 1731 01:40:26.199 --> 01:40:28.600 I must torment my sister in law for the insolent 1732 01:40:28.640 --> 01:40:31.640 triumph of her look and manner, since Sir James had 1733 01:40:31.680 --> 01:40:36.239 been dismissed for in reconciling Reginald. To me, I was 1734 01:40:36.319 --> 01:40:39.399 not able to save that ill fated young man, and 1735 01:40:39.439 --> 01:40:42.399 I must make myself amends for the humiliation to which 1736 01:40:42.439 --> 01:40:47.000 I have stooped within these few days. To effect all this, 1737 01:40:47.960 --> 01:40:51.279 I have various plans. I have also an idea of 1738 01:40:51.359 --> 01:40:55.000 being soon in town, and whatever may be my determination 1739 01:40:55.119 --> 01:40:58.279 as to the rest, I shall probably put that project 1740 01:40:58.279 --> 01:41:02.479 in execution, for London will always be the fairest field 1741 01:41:02.520 --> 01:41:06.439 of action, however my views may be directed, and at 1742 01:41:06.439 --> 01:41:09.800 any rate I shall there be rewarded by your society 1743 01:41:10.199 --> 01:41:14.079 and a little dissipation for ten weeks penance at Churchill. 1744 01:41:15.640 --> 01:41:18.640 I believe I owe it to my character to complete 1745 01:41:18.680 --> 01:41:21.720 the match between my daughter and Sir James, after having 1746 01:41:21.800 --> 01:41:25.199 so long intended it. Let me know your opinion on 1747 01:41:25.279 --> 01:41:30.159 this point. Flexibility of mind, a disposition easily biased by others, 1748 01:41:30.640 --> 01:41:33.039 is an attribute which you know I am not very 1749 01:41:33.039 --> 01:41:36.479 desirous of obtaining. Nor has Frederica any claim to the 1750 01:41:36.520 --> 01:41:40.399 indulgence of her notions at the expense of her mother's inclinations, 1751 01:41:40.920 --> 01:41:44.359 her idle love for Reginald two. It is surely my 1752 01:41:44.479 --> 01:41:49.680 duty to discourage such romantic nonsense. All things considered, therefore, 1753 01:41:49.680 --> 01:41:52.520 it seems incumbent on me to take her to town 1754 01:41:53.039 --> 01:41:57.239 and marry her immediately. To Sir James, when my own 1755 01:41:57.279 --> 01:42:00.039 will is effected contrary to his, I shall have I 1756 01:42:00.079 --> 01:42:02.800 have some credit in being on good terms with Reginald, 1757 01:42:03.000 --> 01:42:06.319 which at present in fact I have not, for though 1758 01:42:06.359 --> 01:42:08.840 he is still in my power, I have given up 1759 01:42:08.920 --> 01:42:12.000 the very article by which our quarrel was produced, and 1760 01:42:12.119 --> 01:42:16.119 at best the honor of victory is doubtful. Send me 1761 01:42:16.159 --> 01:42:19.239 your opinion on all these matters, my dear Alicia, and 1762 01:42:19.359 --> 01:42:21.319 let me know whether you can get lodgings to suit 1763 01:42:21.359 --> 01:42:24.720 me within a short distance of you, Your most attached 1764 01:42:25.560 --> 01:42:26.319 s Vernon. 1765 01:42:27.520 --> 01:42:34.520 Chapter twenty six, missus Johnson to Lady Susan Edward Street. 1766 01:42:35.640 --> 01:42:39.399 I am gratified by your reference, and this is my 1767 01:42:39.760 --> 01:42:44.359 advice that you come to town yourself without loss of time, 1768 01:42:44.439 --> 01:42:49.199 but that you leave Frederica behind. It would surely be 1769 01:42:49.279 --> 01:42:52.720 more to the purpose to get yourself well established by 1770 01:42:52.760 --> 01:42:56.439 marrying mister de Courcy than to irritate him and the 1771 01:42:56.439 --> 01:42:59.880 rest of his family by making her Mary. Sir James, 1772 01:43:00.840 --> 01:43:04.479 you should think more of yourself and less of your daughter. 1773 01:43:05.359 --> 01:43:08.479 She is not of a disposition to do you credit 1774 01:43:08.600 --> 01:43:12.920 in the world, and seems precisely in her proper place 1775 01:43:13.119 --> 01:43:19.960 at Churchill with the Vernons. But you are fitted for society, 1776 01:43:20.600 --> 01:43:23.920 and it is shameful to have you exiled from it. 1777 01:43:24.920 --> 01:43:28.439 Leave Frederica therefore, to punish herself for the plague she 1778 01:43:28.479 --> 01:43:33.000 has given you by indulging that romantic tender heartedness which 1779 01:43:33.039 --> 01:43:38.399 will always ensure her misery. Enough, and come to London 1780 01:43:38.439 --> 01:43:42.000 as soon as you can. I have another reason for 1781 01:43:42.159 --> 01:43:46.880 urging this. Mainwaring came to town last week and has contrived, 1782 01:43:47.600 --> 01:43:53.520 in spite of mister Johnson, to make opportunities of seeing me. 1783 01:43:54.640 --> 01:43:59.279 He is absolutely miserable about you, and jealous to such 1784 01:43:59.359 --> 01:44:02.119 a degree of the COURSI that it would be highly 1785 01:44:02.399 --> 01:44:06.439 unadvisable for them to meet at present. And yet if 1786 01:44:06.479 --> 01:44:09.960 you do not allow him to see you here, I 1787 01:44:10.079 --> 01:44:15.439 cannot answer for his not committing some great imprudence, such 1788 01:44:15.479 --> 01:44:20.840 as going to Churchill, for instance, which would be dreadful. Besides, 1789 01:44:21.479 --> 01:44:24.479 if you take my advice and resolve to marry de Corsi, 1790 01:44:24.600 --> 01:44:29.920 it will be indispensably necessary to you to get Main 1791 01:44:30.039 --> 01:44:35.199 Wearing out of the way, and you only can have 1792 01:44:35.279 --> 01:44:39.319 influence enough to send him back to his wife. I 1793 01:44:39.399 --> 01:44:43.319 have still another motive for your coming. Mister Johnson leaves 1794 01:44:43.520 --> 01:44:48.359 London next Tuesday. He is going for his health to Bath, where, 1795 01:44:48.479 --> 01:44:53.159 if the waters are favorable to his constitution and my wishes, 1796 01:44:53.479 --> 01:44:56.039 he will be laid up with the gown many weeks 1797 01:44:56.560 --> 01:44:59.279 during his absence. We shall be able to choose our 1798 01:44:59.359 --> 01:45:03.960 own societnxiety, and to have true enjoyment. I would ask 1799 01:45:04.000 --> 01:45:07.079 you to Edward Street, but that once he forced for 1800 01:45:07.279 --> 01:45:10.960 me a kind of promise never to invite you to 1801 01:45:11.039 --> 01:45:15.199 my house. Nothing but my being in the utmost distress 1802 01:45:15.399 --> 01:45:19.359 for money, should have extorted it from me. I can 1803 01:45:19.439 --> 01:45:23.479 get you, however, a nice drawing room apartment in upper 1804 01:45:23.520 --> 01:45:27.680 Seymour Street, and we may be always together. 1805 01:45:27.479 --> 01:45:28.720 There or here. 1806 01:45:29.399 --> 01:45:32.920 For I consider my promise to mister Johnson as comprehending. 1807 01:45:32.960 --> 01:45:37.279 Only at least in his absence you are not sleeping 1808 01:45:37.479 --> 01:45:41.920 in the house. Poor Mainwaring gives me such histories of 1809 01:45:41.960 --> 01:45:46.800 his wife's jealousy. Silly woman to expect constancy from so 1810 01:45:47.079 --> 01:45:51.880 charming a man, But she always was silly, intolerably so 1811 01:45:52.119 --> 01:45:55.119 in marrying him at all. She the heiress of a 1812 01:45:55.199 --> 01:45:59.760 large fortune, and he without a shilling one title I 1813 01:45:59.800 --> 01:46:04.600 know she might have had besides Baronet's. Her folly informing 1814 01:46:04.640 --> 01:46:08.439 the connection was so great that though mister Johnson was 1815 01:46:08.439 --> 01:46:12.920 her guardian, and I do not in general share his feelings, 1816 01:46:13.560 --> 01:46:20.560 I can never forgive her Adieu yours ever, Alicia. Chapter 1817 01:46:20.920 --> 01:46:25.079 twenty seven. Missus Vernon to Lady de. 1818 01:46:25.159 --> 01:46:29.399 Courcy Churchill, this letter my dear mother will be brought 1819 01:46:29.399 --> 01:46:31.960 you by Reginald. His long visit is about to be 1820 01:46:32.000 --> 01:46:35.439 concluded at last, But I fear the separation takes place 1821 01:46:35.520 --> 01:46:37.880 too late to do us any good. She is going 1822 01:46:37.880 --> 01:46:41.199 to London to see her particular friend, Missus Johnson. It 1823 01:46:41.239 --> 01:46:43.800 was first her intention that Frederica should accompany her for 1824 01:46:43.840 --> 01:46:48.159 the benefit of masters, but we overruled her there. Frederica 1825 01:46:48.279 --> 01:46:50.239 was wretched in the idea of going, and I could 1826 01:46:50.279 --> 01:46:52.279 not bear to have her at the mercy of her mother. 1827 01:46:52.880 --> 01:46:55.319 Not all the masters in London could compensate for the 1828 01:46:55.399 --> 01:46:58.319 ruin of her comfort. I should have feared too, for 1829 01:46:58.399 --> 01:47:02.239 her health and everything, but her principles there I believe 1830 01:47:02.319 --> 01:47:04.760 she is not to be injured by her mother or 1831 01:47:04.760 --> 01:47:08.159 her mother's friends. But with those friends she must have 1832 01:47:08.279 --> 01:47:11.640 mixed very bad set, I doubt not, or have been 1833 01:47:11.720 --> 01:47:14.640 left in total solitude, And I can hardly tell which 1834 01:47:14.640 --> 01:47:17.119 would have been worse for her. If she is with 1835 01:47:17.199 --> 01:47:20.800 her mother. Moreover, she must alas in all probability, be 1836 01:47:20.880 --> 01:47:24.159 with Reginald, and that would be the greatest evil of all. 1837 01:47:24.680 --> 01:47:28.199 Here we shall, in time be in peace, our regular employment, 1838 01:47:28.520 --> 01:47:32.359 our books and conversations with exercise, the children, and every 1839 01:47:32.399 --> 01:47:35.800 domestic pleasure in my power to produce her will I 1840 01:47:35.880 --> 01:47:40.199 trust gradually overcome this youthful attachment. I should have no 1841 01:47:40.279 --> 01:47:43.000 doubt of it were she slighted for any other woman 1842 01:47:43.039 --> 01:47:46.760 in the world but her own mother. How long Lady 1843 01:47:46.840 --> 01:47:50.039 Susan will be in town, or whether she returns here again, 1844 01:47:50.119 --> 01:47:53.439 I know not. I could not be cordial in my invitation, 1845 01:47:53.840 --> 01:47:56.800 But if she chooses to come, no want of cordiality on. 1846 01:47:56.800 --> 01:47:58.399 My part will keep her away. 1847 01:48:00.119 --> 01:48:02.880 I could not help asking Reginald if he intended being 1848 01:48:02.960 --> 01:48:05.680 in town this winter, as soon as I found her, 1849 01:48:05.760 --> 01:48:09.239 Ladyship's steps would be bent thither. And though he professed 1850 01:48:09.279 --> 01:48:12.800 himself quite undetermined, there was something in his look and 1851 01:48:12.880 --> 01:48:16.680 voice as he spoke that contradicted his words. I have 1852 01:48:16.760 --> 01:48:19.279 done with lamentation. I look upon the event as so 1853 01:48:19.439 --> 01:48:22.399 far decided that I resign myself to it in despair. 1854 01:48:23.439 --> 01:48:26.720 If he leaves you soon for London, everything will be concluded. 1855 01:48:27.680 --> 01:48:30.000 Yours affectionately, Catherine. 1856 01:48:29.680 --> 01:48:37.359 Verne, Chapter twenty eight. Missus Johnson to Lady Susan Edward Street, 1857 01:48:38.840 --> 01:48:43.239 My dearest friend, I write in the greatest distress. The 1858 01:48:43.319 --> 01:48:48.680 most unfortunate event has just taken place. Mister Johnson has 1859 01:48:48.760 --> 01:48:52.359 hit on the most effectual manner of plaguing us all 1860 01:48:53.000 --> 01:48:55.800 he has heard, I imagine by some means or other 1861 01:48:55.960 --> 01:48:58.880 that you were soon to be in London, and immediately 1862 01:48:58.960 --> 01:49:02.199 contrived to have such an attack of the gout as 1863 01:49:02.279 --> 01:49:05.359 must at least delay his journey to Bath, if not 1864 01:49:05.479 --> 01:49:09.560 wholly prevented. I am persuaded the gout is brought on 1865 01:49:09.880 --> 01:49:12.960 or kept off at pleasure. It was the same when 1866 01:49:12.960 --> 01:49:15.880 I wanted to join the Hamiltons to the Lakes, and 1867 01:49:16.000 --> 01:49:18.319 three years ago, when I had a fancy for Bath, 1868 01:49:18.560 --> 01:49:22.560 nothing could induce him to have a gouty symptom. I 1869 01:49:22.600 --> 01:49:24.960 am pleased to find that my letter hath so much 1870 01:49:24.960 --> 01:49:28.039 effect on you, and that de Corsi is certainly your own. 1871 01:49:28.800 --> 01:49:31.000 Let me hear from you as soon as you arrive 1872 01:49:31.119 --> 01:49:33.159 and in particular, tell me what you mean to do 1873 01:49:33.279 --> 01:49:36.479 with Main Wearing. It is impossible to say when I 1874 01:49:36.520 --> 01:49:39.720 shall be able to come to you. My confinement must 1875 01:49:39.760 --> 01:49:42.840 be great. It is such an abominable trick to be 1876 01:49:42.960 --> 01:49:46.279 ill here instead of at bath, that I can scarcely 1877 01:49:46.319 --> 01:49:49.840 command myself at all. At bath, his old aunts would 1878 01:49:49.840 --> 01:49:52.760 have nursed him. But here it all falls upon me, 1879 01:49:53.000 --> 01:49:56.319 and he bears pain with such patience that I have 1880 01:49:56.479 --> 01:50:03.800 not the common excuse for losing my temper yours, Chapter 1881 01:50:04.199 --> 01:50:09.760 twenty nine, Lady Susan Vernon to missus Johnson. 1882 01:50:09.479 --> 01:50:15.039 Uper Seymour Street. My dear Alicia, there needed not this 1883 01:50:15.239 --> 01:50:18.399 last fit of gout to make me detest mister Johnson. 1884 01:50:19.159 --> 01:50:21.279 But now the extent of my aversion is not to 1885 01:50:21.319 --> 01:50:25.039 be estimated to have you confined as a nurse in 1886 01:50:25.119 --> 01:50:29.680 his apartment. My dear Alicia, of what a mistake were 1887 01:50:29.680 --> 01:50:33.239 you guilty in marrying a man of his age just 1888 01:50:33.359 --> 01:50:36.479 old enough to be formal, ungovernable, and a half a gout, 1889 01:50:37.159 --> 01:50:41.479 too old to be agreeable, too young to die. I 1890 01:50:41.640 --> 01:50:45.960 arrived last night about five, and had scarcely swallowed my 1891 01:50:46.039 --> 01:50:50.079 dinner when Man Wearing made his appearance. I will not 1892 01:50:50.199 --> 01:50:54.640 dissemble what real pleasure his sight afforded me, nor how 1893 01:50:54.680 --> 01:50:58.279 strongly I felt the contrast between his person and manners 1894 01:50:58.680 --> 01:51:02.640 and those of Reginald to the infinite disadvantage of the latter. 1895 01:51:04.199 --> 01:51:06.880 For an hour or two I was even staggered in 1896 01:51:06.920 --> 01:51:10.359 my resolution of marrying him. And though this was too 1897 01:51:10.479 --> 01:51:13.520 idle and nonsensical an idea to remain long on my mind, 1898 01:51:14.079 --> 01:51:17.199 I do not feel very eager for the conclusion of 1899 01:51:17.239 --> 01:51:21.239 my marriage, nor look forward with much impatience to the 1900 01:51:21.279 --> 01:51:24.720 time when Reginald, according to our agreement, is to be 1901 01:51:24.840 --> 01:51:30.000 in town. I shall probably put off his arrival under 1902 01:51:30.039 --> 01:51:33.560 some pretense or other. He must not come till Man 1903 01:51:33.600 --> 01:51:37.039 Wearing is gone. I am still doubtful at times as 1904 01:51:37.079 --> 01:51:40.079 to marrying. If the old man would die, I might 1905 01:51:40.119 --> 01:51:42.520 not hesitate. But a state of dependence on the caprice 1906 01:51:42.560 --> 01:51:45.479 of Sir Reginald will not suit the freedom of my spirit. 1907 01:51:46.520 --> 01:51:48.840 And if I resolved to wait for that event, I 1908 01:51:48.840 --> 01:51:52.119 shall have excuse enough. At present, in having been scarcely 1909 01:51:52.239 --> 01:51:56.319 ten months a widow, I have not given Man Wearing 1910 01:51:56.640 --> 01:51:59.479 any hint of my intention, or allowed him to consider 1911 01:51:59.479 --> 01:52:02.479 my acquainted with Reginald as more than the commonest flirtation, 1912 01:52:03.199 --> 01:52:07.119 and he is tolerably appeased, ads you till we meet. 1913 01:52:07.600 --> 01:52:08.279 I am in shame. 1914 01:52:13.000 --> 01:52:18.039 Chapter thirty Lady Susan two, Mister de COURSI. 1915 01:52:17.960 --> 01:52:22.279 Upper Seymour Street. I have received your letter, and though 1916 01:52:22.319 --> 01:52:24.680 I do not attempt to conceal that I am gratified 1917 01:52:24.720 --> 01:52:27.800 by your impatience for the hour of our meeting, I 1918 01:52:27.880 --> 01:52:31.680 yet feel myself under the necessity of delaying that hour 1919 01:52:32.239 --> 01:52:37.119 beyond the time originally fixed. Do not think be unkind 1920 01:52:37.359 --> 01:52:40.079 for such an exercise of my power, nor accuse me 1921 01:52:40.119 --> 01:52:45.239 of instability without first hearing my reasons. In the course 1922 01:52:45.279 --> 01:52:48.800 of my journey from Churchill, I had ample leisure for 1923 01:52:48.880 --> 01:52:52.439 reflection on the present state of our affairs, and every 1924 01:52:52.479 --> 01:52:56.279 review has served to convince me that they require a 1925 01:52:56.439 --> 01:53:00.359 delicacy and cautiousness of conduct to which we have hitherto 1926 01:53:00.479 --> 01:53:05.600 been too little attentive. We have been hurried on by 1927 01:53:05.600 --> 01:53:09.600 our feelings to a degree of precipitation which ill accords 1928 01:53:09.600 --> 01:53:12.319 with the claims of our friends or the opinion of 1929 01:53:12.319 --> 01:53:18.840 the world. We have been unguarded in forming this hasty engagement. 1930 01:53:20.119 --> 01:53:23.960 But we must not complete the imprudence by ratifying it 1931 01:53:24.039 --> 01:53:26.279 while there is so much reason to fear the connection 1932 01:53:26.359 --> 01:53:30.840 would be opposed by those friends on whom you depend. 1933 01:53:31.680 --> 01:53:34.479 It is not for us to blame any expectations on 1934 01:53:34.560 --> 01:53:39.279 your father's side of your marrying to advantage. Where possessions 1935 01:53:39.279 --> 01:53:42.439 are so extensive as those of your family, the wish 1936 01:53:42.520 --> 01:53:47.079 of increasing them, if not strictly reasonable, is too common 1937 01:53:47.119 --> 01:53:51.520 to excite surprise or resentment. He has a right to 1938 01:53:51.600 --> 01:53:54.039 require a woman of fortune in his daughter in law, 1939 01:53:54.039 --> 01:53:57.239 and I am sometimes quarreling with myself for suffering you 1940 01:53:57.279 --> 01:54:02.119 to form a connection so imprudent. But the influence of 1941 01:54:02.199 --> 01:54:05.560 reason is often acknowledged too late by those who feel 1942 01:54:05.640 --> 01:54:10.800 like me. I have now been but a few months 1943 01:54:10.840 --> 01:54:14.680 a widow, and however little indebted to my husband's memory 1944 01:54:14.720 --> 01:54:18.079 for any happiness derived from him during a union of 1945 01:54:18.079 --> 01:54:23.079 some years. I cannot forget that the indelicacy of so 1946 01:54:23.399 --> 01:54:27.520 early a second marriage must subject me to the censure 1947 01:54:27.560 --> 01:54:32.800 of the world, and incur what would be still more insupportable, 1948 01:54:33.560 --> 01:54:40.199 the displeasure of mister Vernon. I might perhaps harden myself 1949 01:54:40.239 --> 01:54:44.720 in time against the injustice of general reproach, but the 1950 01:54:44.800 --> 01:54:48.119 loss of his valued esteem I am, as you well know, 1951 01:54:48.359 --> 01:54:51.479 ill fitted to endure, and when to this may be 1952 01:54:51.520 --> 01:54:54.760 out of the consciousness of having injured you with your family, 1953 01:54:55.520 --> 01:55:01.079 How am I to support myself with feelings so poignant 1954 01:55:01.119 --> 01:55:04.239 as mine. The conviction of having divided the son from 1955 01:55:04.239 --> 01:55:08.279 his parents would make me, even with you, the most 1956 01:55:08.399 --> 01:55:13.439 miserable of beings. It will surely therefore be advisable to 1957 01:55:13.439 --> 01:55:17.760 delay our union, to delay it till appearances are more promising, 1958 01:55:18.680 --> 01:55:24.000 till affairs have taken a more favorable turn to assist 1959 01:55:24.039 --> 01:55:27.560 us in such a resolution. I feel that absence will 1960 01:55:27.600 --> 01:55:34.079 be necessary. We must not meet cruel as this sentence 1961 01:55:34.199 --> 01:55:38.159 may appear. The necessity of pronouncing it, which can alone 1962 01:55:38.239 --> 01:55:41.239 reconcile it to myself, will be evident to you. When 1963 01:55:41.279 --> 01:55:43.439 you have considered our situation in the light in which 1964 01:55:43.479 --> 01:55:48.560 I have found myself imperiously obliged to place it, You 1965 01:55:48.720 --> 01:55:52.760 may be you must be well assured that nothing but 1966 01:55:52.840 --> 01:55:56.640 the strongest conviction of duty could induce me to wound 1967 01:55:56.720 --> 01:56:01.359 my own feelings by urging a lengthened separation, and of 1968 01:56:01.399 --> 01:56:04.439 insensibility to yours, you will hardly suspect me. 1969 01:56:06.079 --> 01:56:06.399 Again. 1970 01:56:06.880 --> 01:56:10.239 Therefore, I say that we ought not, We must not 1971 01:56:10.760 --> 01:56:15.880 yet meet by a removal for some months from each other, 1972 01:56:16.600 --> 01:56:20.520 we shall tranquilize the sisterly fears of Missus Vernon, who 1973 01:56:21.079 --> 01:56:25.000 accustomed herself to the enjoyment of riches, considers fortune as 1974 01:56:25.039 --> 01:56:30.079 necessary everywhere, and whose sensibilities are not of a nature 1975 01:56:30.199 --> 01:56:36.079 to comprehend ours. Let me hear from you soon, very soon. 1976 01:56:37.239 --> 01:56:39.880 Tell me that you submit to my arguments, and do 1977 01:56:39.920 --> 01:56:43.479 not reproach me for using such I cannot bear reproaches. 1978 01:56:44.520 --> 01:56:48.960 My spirits are not so high as to need being repressed. 1979 01:56:50.439 --> 01:56:53.960 I must endeavor to seek amusement. And fortunately many of 1980 01:56:54.000 --> 01:56:57.560 my friends are in town. Amongst them the man wearings. 1981 01:56:58.000 --> 01:57:02.760 You know how sincerely I regard both husband and wife. 1982 01:57:03.079 --> 01:57:08.159 I am very faithfully yours, s Ernie. 1983 01:57:08.960 --> 01:57:14.960 Chapter thirty one. Lady Susan Vernon to Missus Johnson. 1984 01:57:14.960 --> 01:57:21.079 Upper Seymour Street, My dear friend, that tormenting creature, Reginald 1985 01:57:21.239 --> 01:57:24.560 is here. My letter, which was intended to keep him 1986 01:57:24.600 --> 01:57:29.159 longer in the country, has hastened him to town. Much 1987 01:57:29.199 --> 01:57:31.800 as I wish him away. However, I cannot help being 1988 01:57:31.840 --> 01:57:35.279 pleased with such a proof of attachment. He is devoted 1989 01:57:35.319 --> 01:57:40.119 to me heart and soul. He will carry this note himself, 1990 01:57:40.159 --> 01:57:43.239 which is to serve as an introduction to you, with 1991 01:57:43.359 --> 01:57:46.880 whom he longs to be acquainted. Allow him to spend 1992 01:57:46.880 --> 01:57:48.760 the evening with you, that I may be in no 1993 01:57:48.840 --> 01:57:51.720 danger of his returning here. I have told him that 1994 01:57:51.760 --> 01:57:54.560 I am not quite well and must be alone, and 1995 01:57:54.640 --> 01:57:57.439 should he call again, there might be confusion, for it 1996 01:57:57.520 --> 01:58:01.520 is impossible to be sure of servants keep him. Therefore 1997 01:58:01.600 --> 01:58:05.560 I entreat you in Edward Street. You will not find 1998 01:58:05.640 --> 01:58:07.920 him a heavy companion, and I allow you to flirt 1999 01:58:07.920 --> 01:58:11.039 with him as much as you like. At the same time, 2000 01:58:11.680 --> 01:58:15.319 do not forget my real interest. Say all that you 2001 01:58:15.359 --> 01:58:18.039 can to convince him that I shall be quite wretched 2002 01:58:18.079 --> 01:58:21.359 if he remains here. You know my reasons, propriety and 2003 01:58:21.399 --> 01:58:23.960 so forth. I would urge them more myself, but that 2004 01:58:24.039 --> 01:58:25.560 I am impatient to be rid of him, as man 2005 01:58:25.560 --> 01:58:28.880 Wearing comes within half an hour at you asked vernon. 2006 01:58:29.640 --> 01:58:37.199 Chapter twenty eight. Missus Johnson to Lady Susan Edward Street, 2007 01:58:38.359 --> 01:58:42.359 My dear creature, I am in agonies and know not 2008 01:58:42.560 --> 01:58:46.319 what to do. Mister de Courcy arrived just when he 2009 01:58:46.359 --> 01:58:51.840 should not. Missus Mainwaring had that instant entered the house 2010 01:58:51.920 --> 01:58:55.800 and forced herself into her guardian's presence. Though I did 2011 01:58:55.840 --> 01:58:58.960 not know a syllable of it till afterwards, for I 2012 01:58:59.079 --> 01:59:01.760 was out when both she and Reginald came, or I 2013 01:59:01.800 --> 01:59:04.520 should have sent him away at all events, but she 2014 01:59:04.680 --> 01:59:07.319 was shut up with mister Johnson while he waited in 2015 01:59:07.359 --> 01:59:11.159 the drawing room for me. She arrived yesterday in pursuit 2016 01:59:11.239 --> 01:59:14.239 of her husband. But perhaps you know this already from himself. 2017 01:59:14.920 --> 01:59:18.319 She came to his house to entreat my husband's interference, 2018 01:59:18.439 --> 01:59:21.479 and before I could be aware of it, everything that 2019 01:59:21.520 --> 01:59:24.600 you could wish to be concealed was known to him, 2020 01:59:24.880 --> 01:59:28.399 And unluckily she had wormed out of Mainwaring servant that 2021 01:59:28.479 --> 01:59:31.039 he had visited you every day since you were being 2022 01:59:31.079 --> 01:59:35.399 in town, and had just watched him to your door herself. 2023 01:59:36.319 --> 01:59:37.279 What could I do? 2024 01:59:38.039 --> 01:59:42.560 Facts are such horrid things. All is by this time 2025 01:59:42.680 --> 01:59:47.159 known to de Corsi, who is now alone with mister Johnson. 2026 01:59:48.119 --> 01:59:52.800 Do not accuse me. Indeed, it was impossible to prevent it. 2027 01:59:53.800 --> 01:59:57.399 Mister Johnson has for some time suspected, de course you 2028 01:59:57.479 --> 02:00:00.359 of intending to marry you, and would speak with him 2029 02:00:00.359 --> 02:00:02.079 alone as soon as he knew him to be in 2030 02:00:02.119 --> 02:00:07.520 the house. That detestable missus Mainwaring, who for your comfort 2031 02:00:07.640 --> 02:00:12.680 has fretted herself. Thinner and a glare than ever is 2032 02:00:12.840 --> 02:00:18.800 still here, and they have been all closeted together. What 2033 02:00:19.159 --> 02:00:22.239 can be done at any rate? I hope he will 2034 02:00:22.279 --> 02:00:29.399 plague his wife more than ever with anxious wishes. Yours faithfully, Alicia. 2035 02:00:31.479 --> 02:00:37.119 This is a liprivox recording. All LibriVox recordings are in 2036 02:00:37.199 --> 02:00:42.159 the public domain. For more information or to volunteer, visit 2037 02:00:42.479 --> 02:00:49.880 www dot liprivox dot org. Lady Susan a novel by 2038 02:00:50.000 --> 02:00:57.760 Jane Austen, read for Liprivox by Brenda Dayne, Chapter thirty three, 2039 02:00:58.159 --> 02:01:01.920 Lady Susan Vernon to missus Johnson. 2040 02:01:01.800 --> 02:01:07.880 Upper Seymour Street. This eclerciusment is rather provoking. How unlucky 2041 02:01:07.880 --> 02:01:10.279 that you should have been from home. I thought myself 2042 02:01:10.319 --> 02:01:13.800 sure of you at seven. I am undismayed. However, do 2043 02:01:13.920 --> 02:01:17.399 not torment yourself with fears. On my account, depend on it. 2044 02:01:17.680 --> 02:01:21.079 I can make my story good. With Reginald man wearing 2045 02:01:21.159 --> 02:01:23.159 is just gone. He brought me the news of his 2046 02:01:23.199 --> 02:01:27.479 wife's arrival. Silly woman. What does she expect by such maneuvers? 2047 02:01:27.840 --> 02:01:28.119 Yet? 2048 02:01:28.159 --> 02:01:32.319 I wish she had stayed quietly at Langford. Reginald will 2049 02:01:32.359 --> 02:01:44.199 be a little enraged at first. 2050 02:01:40.520 --> 02:01:47.039 Chapter thirty four, Mister de Courci to Lady Susan. 2051 02:01:46.720 --> 02:01:51.199 Blank Hotel, all right, only to bid you farewell. The 2052 02:01:51.279 --> 02:01:55.720 spell is removed. I see you as you are since 2053 02:01:55.720 --> 02:01:59.720 we parted yesterday. I've received from indisputable authorities such a 2054 02:01:59.800 --> 02:02:02.880 history of you as must bring the most mortified conviction 2055 02:02:03.399 --> 02:02:06.239 of the imposition I have been under, and the absolute 2056 02:02:06.279 --> 02:02:10.359 necessity of an immediate and eternal separation from you. You 2057 02:02:10.399 --> 02:02:15.319 cannot doubt to what I allude, Langford, Langford, that word 2058 02:02:15.399 --> 02:02:18.840 will be sufficient. I received my information in mister Johnson's 2059 02:02:18.880 --> 02:02:22.239 house from Missus main Warring herself. You know how I've 2060 02:02:22.279 --> 02:02:25.880 loved you. You can intimately judge of my present feelings, 2061 02:02:25.920 --> 02:02:28.079 But I am not so weak as to find indulgent 2062 02:02:28.199 --> 02:02:30.640 in describing them to a woman who will glory in 2063 02:02:30.720 --> 02:02:33.760 having excited their anguish, but whose affection they have never 2064 02:02:33.800 --> 02:02:34.680 been able to gain. 2065 02:02:38.000 --> 02:02:42.920 Chapter thirty five, Lady Susan to mister de. 2066 02:02:42.960 --> 02:02:48.359 Courci, Upper Seymour Street. I will not attempt to describe 2067 02:02:48.359 --> 02:02:52.319 my astonishment in reading the note this moment received from you. 2068 02:02:53.680 --> 02:02:56.439 I am bewildered in my endeavors to form some rational 2069 02:02:56.479 --> 02:02:59.520 conjecture of what Missus Manwarin can have told you to 2070 02:02:59.560 --> 02:03:04.520 occasion so extraordinary a change in your sentiments? Have I 2071 02:03:04.560 --> 02:03:07.520 not explained everything to you with respect to myself which 2072 02:03:07.520 --> 02:03:10.279 could bear a doubtful meaning, and which the ill nature 2073 02:03:10.319 --> 02:03:13.520 of the world had interpreted to my discredit? What can 2074 02:03:13.560 --> 02:03:16.119 you now have heard to stagger your esteem from me? 2075 02:03:17.000 --> 02:03:19.800 Have I ever had a concealment from you? Reginald? You 2076 02:03:19.840 --> 02:03:23.640 agitate me beyond expression. I cannot suppose that the old 2077 02:03:23.680 --> 02:03:27.159 story of missus Manwaring's jealousy can be revived again, or 2078 02:03:27.199 --> 02:03:31.880 at least be listened to again. Come to me immediately 2079 02:03:31.920 --> 02:03:36.760 and explain what is at present absolutely incomprehensible. Believe me, 2080 02:03:36.800 --> 02:03:38.920 the single word of Langford is not such a potent 2081 02:03:39.000 --> 02:03:43.159 intelligence as to supersede the necessity of more. If we 2082 02:03:43.319 --> 02:03:46.079 are to part, it will at least be handsome to 2083 02:03:46.119 --> 02:03:50.680 take your personal leave. But I have little heart to jest. 2084 02:03:51.199 --> 02:03:54.359 In truth, I am serious enough for to be sunk, though, 2085 02:03:54.359 --> 02:03:57.560 but for an hour in your esteem is a humiliation 2086 02:03:57.640 --> 02:04:01.039 which I know not how to submit. I shall count 2087 02:04:01.159 --> 02:04:02.800 every minute till you are arrived. 2088 02:04:05.680 --> 02:04:11.359 Chapter thirty six. Mister de Courcy to Lady Susan. 2089 02:04:11.560 --> 02:04:15.319 Why would you write to me? Why do you require particulars. 2090 02:04:15.960 --> 02:04:18.640 But since it must be so, I am obliged to 2091 02:04:18.640 --> 02:04:21.920 declare that all the accounts of your misconduct during the 2092 02:04:21.960 --> 02:04:24.319 life and since the death of mister Vernon, which had 2093 02:04:24.319 --> 02:04:26.960 reached me in common with the world in general, and 2094 02:04:27.000 --> 02:04:29.680 gained my entire belief before I saw you be, which you, 2095 02:04:29.800 --> 02:04:32.279 by the exertion of your perverted abilities, had made me 2096 02:04:32.319 --> 02:04:35.960 resolve to disallow, have been unanswerably proved to me. Nay more, 2097 02:04:36.439 --> 02:04:39.079 I am assured that a connection of which I had 2098 02:04:39.119 --> 02:04:42.239 never before entertained a thought, has for some time existed, 2099 02:04:42.279 --> 02:04:44.960 and still continues to exist between you and the man 2100 02:04:45.000 --> 02:04:47.560 whose family you robbed of its peace in return for 2101 02:04:47.640 --> 02:04:49.920 the hospitality with which you were received into It that 2102 02:04:49.960 --> 02:04:52.560 you have corresponded with him ever since your leaving Langford, 2103 02:04:52.880 --> 02:04:55.640 not with his wife, but with him, and that he 2104 02:04:55.680 --> 02:04:59.079 now visits you every day? Can you Dare you deny it? 2105 02:04:59.680 --> 02:05:01.760 And all this at the time when I was encouraged 2106 02:05:01.920 --> 02:05:05.319 an accepted lover, from what have I not escaped? I 2107 02:05:05.359 --> 02:05:08.640 have only to be grateful. Far from me be all complained, 2108 02:05:08.920 --> 02:05:12.039 every sigh of regret my own folly had endangered me 2109 02:05:12.560 --> 02:05:15.399 my preservation. I owed to the kindness the integrity of another. 2110 02:05:15.640 --> 02:05:19.079 But the unfortunate Missus Mainwaring, whose agonies, while she related 2111 02:05:19.119 --> 02:05:21.560 the past, seemed to threaten her reason, how is she 2112 02:05:21.720 --> 02:05:24.720 to be consoled after such a discovery as this? You 2113 02:05:24.720 --> 02:05:27.560 will scarcely affect further wonder at my meaning in bidding 2114 02:05:27.560 --> 02:05:30.760 you a jew. My understanding is at length restored, and 2115 02:05:30.840 --> 02:05:34.760 teaches no less to abhore the artifices which had subdued 2116 02:05:34.800 --> 02:05:37.760 me than to despise myself for the weakness on which 2117 02:05:37.800 --> 02:05:38.800 their strength is founded. 2118 02:05:39.960 --> 02:05:46.159 R declared Chapter thirty seven, Lady Susan to mister de. 2119 02:05:46.239 --> 02:05:51.800 Courci, Upper Seymour Street. I am satisfied and will trouble 2120 02:05:51.840 --> 02:05:55.760 you no more when these few lines are dismissed. The 2121 02:05:55.760 --> 02:05:58.680 engagement which you were so eager to form a fortnight 2122 02:05:58.720 --> 02:06:02.279 ago is no long longer compatible with your views, and 2123 02:06:02.319 --> 02:06:04.479 I rejoice to find that the prudent advice of your 2124 02:06:04.520 --> 02:06:08.640 parents has not been given in vain. Your restoration to 2125 02:06:08.720 --> 02:06:11.880 peace will I doubt not speedily follow this act of 2126 02:06:11.920 --> 02:06:14.880 filial obedience, And I flatter myself with the hope of 2127 02:06:14.920 --> 02:06:15.880 surviving my share. 2128 02:06:15.960 --> 02:06:24.680 In chapter thirty eight, Missus Johnson to Lady Susan Vernon 2129 02:06:25.680 --> 02:06:31.600 Edward Street, I am grieved, though I cannot be astonished 2130 02:06:32.039 --> 02:06:34.800 at your rupture with mister de Courcy. He has just 2131 02:06:35.000 --> 02:06:39.159 informed mister Johnson of it by letter he leaves London. 2132 02:06:39.359 --> 02:06:44.880 He says, today, be assured that I've partaken all your feelings, 2133 02:06:45.000 --> 02:06:50.039 and do not be angry. If I say that our intercourse, 2134 02:06:50.560 --> 02:06:55.520 even by letter, must soon be given up. It makes 2135 02:06:55.600 --> 02:06:59.000 me miserable. But mister Johnson vows that if I persist 2136 02:06:59.079 --> 02:07:02.000 in the connection, you will settle in the country for 2137 02:07:02.119 --> 02:07:06.079 the rest of his life. And you know it is 2138 02:07:06.079 --> 02:07:09.640 impossible to submit to such an extremity while any other 2139 02:07:09.760 --> 02:07:14.159 alternative remains. You have heard, of course, that the mainwarings 2140 02:07:14.199 --> 02:07:17.319 are to part, and I am afraid missus m will 2141 02:07:17.359 --> 02:07:21.039 come home to us again. But she's still so fond 2142 02:07:21.079 --> 02:07:24.000 of her husband and frets so much about him that 2143 02:07:24.079 --> 02:07:29.159 perhaps she may not live long. Miss Mainwaring is just 2144 02:07:29.279 --> 02:07:31.840 come to town to be with her aunt, and they 2145 02:07:31.880 --> 02:07:35.199 say that she declares she will have Sir James Martin 2146 02:07:35.279 --> 02:07:39.159 before she leaves London again. If I were you, I 2147 02:07:39.199 --> 02:07:43.840 would certainly get him myself. I had almost forgot to 2148 02:07:43.880 --> 02:07:47.000 give you my opinion of mister de Courcy. I really 2149 02:07:47.039 --> 02:07:50.399 am delighted with him. He is full, as handsome, I think, 2150 02:07:50.439 --> 02:07:54.039 as mainwaring, and with such an open, good humored countenance 2151 02:07:54.079 --> 02:07:59.640 that one cannot help loving him at first sight. Mister Johnson, 2152 02:07:59.680 --> 02:08:03.439 and here are the greatest friends in the world. Adieu, 2153 02:08:04.119 --> 02:08:07.920 my dearest Susan. I wish matters did not go so 2154 02:08:08.039 --> 02:08:13.800 perversely that unlucky visit to Langford. But I dare say 2155 02:08:14.119 --> 02:08:17.000 you did all for the best, and there is no 2156 02:08:17.359 --> 02:08:27.039 defying destiny. Yours, sincerely, attached, Alicia. Chapter thirty nine, Lady 2157 02:08:27.239 --> 02:08:30.479 Susan Vernon to missus Johnson. 2158 02:08:30.159 --> 02:08:35.960 Upper Seymour Street. My dear Alicia, I yield to the 2159 02:08:36.000 --> 02:08:40.479 necessity which parts us under circumstances you could not act otherwise. 2160 02:08:41.680 --> 02:08:45.680 Our friendship cannot be impaired by it, and in happier times, 2161 02:08:46.159 --> 02:08:49.840 when your situation is as independent as mine, it will 2162 02:08:49.920 --> 02:08:53.520 unite us again in the same intimacy as ever. For 2163 02:08:53.680 --> 02:08:58.239 this I shall impatiently wait, and meanwhile can safely assure 2164 02:08:58.239 --> 02:09:00.880 you that I never was more at ease or better 2165 02:09:00.920 --> 02:09:03.600 satisfied with myself at everything about me than at the 2166 02:09:03.640 --> 02:09:11.920 present hour. Your husband I abhor Reginald. I despise, and 2167 02:09:12.000 --> 02:09:14.800 I am secure of never seeing either again. Have I 2168 02:09:14.880 --> 02:09:18.520 not reason to rejoice. Man Wearing is more devoted to 2169 02:09:18.520 --> 02:09:21.520 me than ever, and here we are at liberty. I 2170 02:09:21.560 --> 02:09:24.159 doubt if I could resist even matrimony offered by him 2171 02:09:25.359 --> 02:09:28.119 this event. If his wife live with you, it may 2172 02:09:28.119 --> 02:09:31.119 be in your power to hasten the violence of her feelings, 2173 02:09:31.119 --> 02:09:34.880 which must wear her out, may be easily kept in irritation. 2174 02:09:35.720 --> 02:09:38.760 I rely on your friendship for this. I am now 2175 02:09:38.840 --> 02:09:41.880 satisfied that I never could have brought myself to marry Reginald. 2176 02:09:42.199 --> 02:09:46.199 And I am equally determined that Frederica never shall tomorrow. 2177 02:09:46.279 --> 02:09:49.279 I shall fetch her from Churchill, and let Mariah man 2178 02:09:49.279 --> 02:09:53.319 Wearing tremble. For the consequence, Frederica shall be Sir James's 2179 02:09:53.359 --> 02:09:55.960 wife before she quits my house. And she may whimper, 2180 02:09:56.359 --> 02:10:00.039 and the vernons may storm, I regard them not I. 2181 02:10:00.039 --> 02:10:02.840 I am tired of submitting my will to the caprices 2182 02:10:02.840 --> 02:10:06.199 of others, of resigning my own judgment in deference to 2183 02:10:06.239 --> 02:10:08.960 those to whom I owe no duty and for whom 2184 02:10:09.079 --> 02:10:12.520 I feel no respect. I have given up too much, 2185 02:10:12.920 --> 02:10:16.560 have been too easily worked on. But Frederica shall now 2186 02:10:16.680 --> 02:10:21.760 feel the difference. Adieu, dearest of friends. May the next 2187 02:10:21.880 --> 02:10:25.720 gouty attack be more favorable, and may you always regard 2188 02:10:25.800 --> 02:10:29.640 me as unalterably yours, s Vernon. 2189 02:10:30.039 --> 02:10:36.199 Chapter forty. Lady de Courcy to missus Vernon. 2190 02:10:36.920 --> 02:10:40.159 My dear Catherine, I have charming news for you, and 2191 02:10:40.239 --> 02:10:42.479 if I had not sent off my letter this morning, 2192 02:10:42.760 --> 02:10:45.520 you might have been spared the vexation of knowing of 2193 02:10:45.600 --> 02:10:49.840 Reginald's being gone to London. For he is returned. Reginald 2194 02:10:49.920 --> 02:10:53.399 is returned not to ask our consent to his marrying 2195 02:10:53.479 --> 02:10:56.920 Lady Susan, but to tell us they are parted forever. 2196 02:10:58.239 --> 02:11:00.239 He has been only an hour in the house house, 2197 02:11:00.560 --> 02:11:03.680 and I have not been able to learn particulars, for 2198 02:11:03.760 --> 02:11:06.439 he is so very low that I have not the 2199 02:11:06.520 --> 02:11:09.479 heart to ask questions. But I hope we shall soon 2200 02:11:09.600 --> 02:11:13.279 know all. This is the most joyful hour he has 2201 02:11:13.359 --> 02:11:17.239 ever given us since the day of his birth. Nothing 2202 02:11:17.319 --> 02:11:19.800 is wanting but to have you here, and it is 2203 02:11:19.840 --> 02:11:23.039 our particular wish and entreaty that you would come to 2204 02:11:23.159 --> 02:11:25.920 us as soon as you can. You have owed us 2205 02:11:25.920 --> 02:11:28.760 a visit many long weeks. I hope nothing will make 2206 02:11:28.800 --> 02:11:32.439 it inconvenient to mister Vernon, and pray bring all my 2207 02:11:32.520 --> 02:11:36.119 grandchildren and your dear niece is included. Of course I 2208 02:11:36.279 --> 02:11:39.800 long to see her. It has been a sad, heavy 2209 02:11:39.800 --> 02:11:45.279 winter hitherto without Reginald and seeing nobody from Churchhill. I 2210 02:11:45.399 --> 02:11:48.600 never found the season so dreary before, But this happy 2211 02:11:48.600 --> 02:11:53.039 meeting will make us young again. Frederica runs much in 2212 02:11:53.119 --> 02:11:56.960 my thoughts. And when Reginald has recovered his usual good spirits, 2213 02:11:57.279 --> 02:11:59.880 as I trust he soon will, we will try to 2214 02:12:00.119 --> 02:12:02.800 rob him of his heart once more. And I am 2215 02:12:02.920 --> 02:12:06.159 full of hopes of seeing their hands joined at no 2216 02:12:06.239 --> 02:12:10.760 great distance your affectionate mother see de Corsi. 2217 02:12:11.359 --> 02:12:16.079 Chapter forty one. Missus Vernon to Lady. 2218 02:12:15.960 --> 02:12:21.479 De Corsi Churchill. My dear Madam, your letter has surprised 2219 02:12:21.479 --> 02:12:24.960 me beyond measure. Can it be true that they are 2220 02:12:25.079 --> 02:12:29.359 really separated and forever? I should be overjoyed if I 2221 02:12:29.439 --> 02:12:32.239 dared depend upon it. But after all that I have seen, 2222 02:12:32.720 --> 02:12:36.159 how can one be secure and Reginald really with you? 2223 02:12:37.399 --> 02:12:39.960 My surprise is the greater because on Wednesday, the very 2224 02:12:40.039 --> 02:12:42.479 day of his coming to Parkland's, we had a most 2225 02:12:42.560 --> 02:12:47.960 unexpected and unwelcome visit from Lady Susan, looking all cheerfulness 2226 02:12:47.960 --> 02:12:50.439 and good humor, and seeming more as if she were 2227 02:12:50.479 --> 02:12:52.720 to marry him when she got to London, than as 2228 02:12:52.760 --> 02:12:56.560 if parted from him forever. She stayed nearly two hours, 2229 02:12:57.039 --> 02:12:59.840 was as affectionate and agreeable as ever, and not a syllable, 2230 02:13:00.119 --> 02:13:02.960 not a hint was dropped of any disagreement or coolness 2231 02:13:03.000 --> 02:13:06.079 between them. I asked her whether she had seen my 2232 02:13:06.199 --> 02:13:09.720 brother since she arrived in town, not as you may suppose, 2233 02:13:09.760 --> 02:13:12.600 with any doubt of the fact, but merely to see 2234 02:13:12.600 --> 02:13:16.880 how she looked. She immediately answered, without any embarrassment, that 2235 02:13:16.920 --> 02:13:19.640 he had been kind enough to call on her on Monday, 2236 02:13:20.239 --> 02:13:22.920 but she believed he had already returned home, which I 2237 02:13:23.000 --> 02:13:27.000 was very far from crediting. Your very kind invitation is 2238 02:13:27.039 --> 02:13:30.279 accepted by us and with pleasure, and on Thursday next 2239 02:13:30.720 --> 02:13:34.000 we and our little ones will be with you. Pray heaven, 2240 02:13:34.039 --> 02:13:36.560 Reginald may not be in town again by that time. 2241 02:13:37.279 --> 02:13:39.680 I wish we could bring dear Frederica too, But I 2242 02:13:39.720 --> 02:13:42.399 am sorry to say that her mother's errand hither was 2243 02:13:42.439 --> 02:13:45.199 to fetch her away, and miserable as it made the 2244 02:13:45.199 --> 02:13:48.560 poor girl, it was impossible to detain her. I was 2245 02:13:48.600 --> 02:13:51.560 thoroughly unwilling to let her go, and so was her uncle, 2246 02:13:52.199 --> 02:13:55.319 and all that could be urged we did urge, but 2247 02:13:55.439 --> 02:13:58.119 Lady Susan declared that as she was now about to 2248 02:13:58.119 --> 02:14:01.399 fix herself in town for several month, she could not 2249 02:14:01.479 --> 02:14:03.800 be easy if her daughter were not with her. For masters. 2250 02:14:04.840 --> 02:14:07.279 Her manners, to be sure, were very kind and proper. 2251 02:14:07.640 --> 02:14:10.520 And mister Vernon believes that Frederica will now be treated 2252 02:14:10.560 --> 02:14:14.159 with faction. I wish I could think so too. The 2253 02:14:14.239 --> 02:14:17.399 poor girl's heart was almost broke at taking leave of us. 2254 02:14:17.840 --> 02:14:20.239 I charged her to write to me very often, and 2255 02:14:20.279 --> 02:14:23.159 to remember that if she were in any distress, we 2256 02:14:23.199 --> 02:14:26.279 should be always her friends. I took care to see 2257 02:14:26.319 --> 02:14:29.000 her alone that I might say all this, and I 2258 02:14:29.039 --> 02:14:32.159 hope made her a little more comfortable. But I shall 2259 02:14:32.199 --> 02:14:34.319 not be easy until I go to town and judge 2260 02:14:34.319 --> 02:14:37.640 her situation myself. I wish there were a better proposal 2261 02:14:37.720 --> 02:14:40.640 than now appears at the match, which the conclusion of 2262 02:14:40.680 --> 02:14:44.840 your letter declared your expectation of at present, It is 2263 02:14:44.880 --> 02:14:48.319 not very likely, yours, Catherine. 2264 02:14:48.039 --> 02:14:55.760 Vernon, end of chapter forty one. Conclusion this correspondence, by 2265 02:14:55.800 --> 02:14:58.880 a meeting between some of the parties and a separation 2266 02:14:59.039 --> 02:15:02.359 between the others, could not, to the great detriment of 2267 02:15:02.439 --> 02:15:07.279 the post office revenue, be continued any longer, very little 2268 02:15:07.359 --> 02:15:11.119 assistance to the state could be derived from the epistolary 2269 02:15:11.159 --> 02:15:14.880 intercourse of Missus Vernon and her niece. For the former, 2270 02:15:15.039 --> 02:15:19.119 soon perceived by the style of Frederica's letters that they 2271 02:15:19.119 --> 02:15:23.800 were written under her mother's inspection, and, therefore deferring all 2272 02:15:23.920 --> 02:15:27.239 particular enquiry till she could make it personally in London, 2273 02:15:27.399 --> 02:15:32.119 ceased writing minutely or often, having learnt enough in the 2274 02:15:32.159 --> 02:15:35.079 meanwhile from her open hearted brother of what had passed 2275 02:15:35.079 --> 02:15:39.359 between him and Lady Susan to sink the latter lower 2276 02:15:39.399 --> 02:15:43.439 than ever. In her opinion, she was proportionably more anxious 2277 02:15:43.479 --> 02:15:47.319 to get Frederica removed from such a mother and placed 2278 02:15:47.439 --> 02:15:51.399 under her own care, and, though with little hope of success, 2279 02:15:51.520 --> 02:15:55.000 was resolved to leave nothing unattempted that might offer a 2280 02:15:55.199 --> 02:15:58.159 chance of obtaining her sister in law's consent to it. 2281 02:15:58.920 --> 02:16:01.159 Her anxiety on the side subject made her press for 2282 02:16:01.239 --> 02:16:04.960 an early visit to London, and mister Vernon, who, as 2283 02:16:05.000 --> 02:16:08.239 it must already have appeared, lived only to do whatever 2284 02:16:08.279 --> 02:16:12.119 he was desired, soon found some accommodating business to call 2285 02:16:12.199 --> 02:16:12.680 him thither. 2286 02:16:13.319 --> 02:16:14.520 With a heart full of. 2287 02:16:14.439 --> 02:16:17.800 The matter, Missus Vernon waited on Lady Susan shortly after 2288 02:16:17.840 --> 02:16:20.680 her arrival in town, and was met with such an 2289 02:16:20.760 --> 02:16:24.640 easy and cheerful affection as made her almost turn from 2290 02:16:24.680 --> 02:16:29.920 her with horror. No remembrance of Reginald, no consciousness of guilt, 2291 02:16:30.000 --> 02:16:35.120 gave one look of embarrassment. She was in excellent spirits 2292 02:16:35.159 --> 02:16:38.639 and seemed eager to show at once by every possible 2293 02:16:38.719 --> 02:16:41.840 attention to her brother and sister her sense of their 2294 02:16:41.959 --> 02:16:46.760 kindness and her pleasure in their society. Frederica was no 2295 02:16:46.920 --> 02:16:50.879 more altered than Lady Susan, the same restrained manners, the 2296 02:16:50.920 --> 02:16:53.520 same timid look in the presence of her mother, as 2297 02:16:53.559 --> 02:16:58.239 heretofore assured her aunt of her situation being uncomfortable, and 2298 02:16:58.319 --> 02:17:02.520 confirmed her in the plan of alternate it. No unkindness, however, 2299 02:17:02.600 --> 02:17:06.559 on the part of Lady Susan, appeared. Persecution on the 2300 02:17:06.600 --> 02:17:10.280 subject of Sir James was entirely at an end. His 2301 02:17:10.479 --> 02:17:13.440 name merely mentioned to say that he was not in London, 2302 02:17:14.000 --> 02:17:18.280 and indeed, in all her conversation she was solicitous only 2303 02:17:18.360 --> 02:17:22.280 for the welfare and improvement of her daughter, acknowledging in 2304 02:17:22.360 --> 02:17:26.200 terms of grateful delight that Frederica was now growing every 2305 02:17:26.280 --> 02:17:30.600 day more and more what a parent could desire. Missus Vernon, 2306 02:17:30.760 --> 02:17:35.120 surprised and incredulous, knew not what to suspect, and without 2307 02:17:35.159 --> 02:17:38.920 any change in her own views, only feared greater difficulty 2308 02:17:38.959 --> 02:17:43.520 in accomplishing them. The first hope of anything better was 2309 02:17:43.559 --> 02:17:47.319 derived from Lady Susan's asking her whether she thought Frederica 2310 02:17:47.399 --> 02:17:50.559 looked quite as well as she had done at Churchhill. 2311 02:17:51.079 --> 02:17:54.120 As she must confess herself to have sometimes an anxious 2312 02:17:54.200 --> 02:17:59.319 doubt of London's perfectly agreeing with her, Missus Vernon, encouraging 2313 02:17:59.440 --> 02:18:02.920 the doubt, directly proposed her niece's returning with them into 2314 02:18:02.920 --> 02:18:07.000 the country. Lady Susan was unable to express her sense 2315 02:18:07.040 --> 02:18:10.840 of such kindness, yet knew not, from a variety of reasons, 2316 02:18:10.840 --> 02:18:14.159 how to part with her daughter, and as though her 2317 02:18:14.159 --> 02:18:17.520 own plans were not yet wholly fixed, she trusted it 2318 02:18:17.520 --> 02:18:20.000 would e'er be long in her power to take Frederica 2319 02:18:20.040 --> 02:18:25.200 into the country. Herself concluded by declining entirely to profit 2320 02:18:25.280 --> 02:18:31.079 by such unexampled attention, Missus Vernon persevered, however, in the 2321 02:18:31.120 --> 02:18:34.520 offer of it, and though Lady Susan continued to resist 2322 02:18:34.840 --> 02:18:37.360 her resistance, in the course of a few days seemed 2323 02:18:37.840 --> 02:18:42.559 somewhat less formidable. The lucky alarm of an influenza decided 2324 02:18:42.559 --> 02:18:46.120 what might not have been decided quite so soon. Lady 2325 02:18:46.159 --> 02:18:49.440 Susan's maternal fears were then too much awakened for her 2326 02:18:49.479 --> 02:18:53.040 to think of anything but Frederica's removal from the risk 2327 02:18:53.120 --> 02:18:57.200 of infection. Above all disorders in the world, she most 2328 02:18:57.440 --> 02:19:02.200 dreaded the influenza for her daughter's constance. Frederica returned to 2329 02:19:02.280 --> 02:19:06.399 Churchill with her uncle and aunt, and three weeks afterwards 2330 02:19:06.520 --> 02:19:09.799 Lady Susan announced her being married to Sir James Martin. 2331 02:19:10.959 --> 02:19:14.840 Missus Vernon was convinced of what she had only suspected before, 2332 02:19:15.280 --> 02:19:17.479 that she might have spared herself all the trouble of 2333 02:19:17.600 --> 02:19:20.760 urging a removal, which Lady Susan had doubtless resolved on 2334 02:19:20.879 --> 02:19:24.879 from the first. Frederica's visit was nominally for six weeks, 2335 02:19:24.879 --> 02:19:28.120 but her mother, though inviting her to return in one 2336 02:19:28.200 --> 02:19:31.600 or two affectionate letters, was very ready to oblige the 2337 02:19:31.639 --> 02:19:35.120 whole party by consenting to a prolongation of her stay, 2338 02:19:35.559 --> 02:19:38.399 and in the course of two months ceased to write 2339 02:19:38.760 --> 02:19:41.840 of her absence, and in the course of two or 2340 02:19:41.879 --> 02:19:43.440 more to write to. 2341 02:19:43.399 --> 02:19:43.920 Her at all. 2342 02:19:45.120 --> 02:19:48.520 Frederica was therefore fixed in the family of her uncle 2343 02:19:48.600 --> 02:19:51.680 and aunt till such time as Reginald de Corsi could 2344 02:19:51.760 --> 02:19:55.920 be talked, flattered and finessed into an affection for her, which, 2345 02:19:56.520 --> 02:19:59.600 allowing leisure for the conquest of his attachment to her mother, 2346 02:20:00.120 --> 02:20:04.079 for his abjuring all future attachments, and detesting the sex, 2347 02:20:04.680 --> 02:20:07.719 might be reasonably looked for in the course of a twelvemonth. 2348 02:20:08.559 --> 02:20:11.600 Three months might have done it in general, but Reginald's 2349 02:20:11.639 --> 02:20:16.600 feelings were no less lasting than lively. Whether Lady Susan 2350 02:20:16.920 --> 02:20:20.479 was or was not happy in her second choice, I 2351 02:20:20.559 --> 02:20:24.159 do not see how it can ever be ascertained, for 2352 02:20:24.239 --> 02:20:26.719 who would take her assurance of it? On either side 2353 02:20:26.719 --> 02:20:31.760 of the question. The world must judge from probabilities. She 2354 02:20:31.920 --> 02:20:35.959 had nothing against her but her husband and her conscience. 2355 02:20:36.879 --> 02:20:39.680 Sir James may seem to have drawn a harder lot 2356 02:20:39.719 --> 02:20:43.959 than mere folly merited. I leave him therefore to all 2357 02:20:44.079 --> 02:20:47.840 the pity that anybody can give him. For myself, I 2358 02:20:47.920 --> 02:20:51.879 confess that I can pity only Miss Mainwaring, who coming 2359 02:20:51.920 --> 02:20:55.000 to town and putting herself to an expense in clothes 2360 02:20:55.040 --> 02:20:58.559 which impoverished her for two months on purpose to secure him, 2361 02:20:59.319 --> 02:21:02.840 was defrauded of her due by a woman ten years 2362 02:21:02.959 --> 02:21:05.000 older than herself