VII. Lady Susan Vernon to Mrs. Johnson

by Jane Austen

　　Churchhill.My dear Alicia,--You are very good in taking notice of Frederica, and Iam grateful for it as a mark of your friendship; but as I cannot have anydoubt of the warmth of your affection, I am far from exacting so heavy asacrifice. She is a stupid girl, and has nothing to recommend her. I wouldnot, therefore, on my account, have you encumber one moment of yourprecious time by sending for her to Edward Street, especially as everyvisit is so much deducted from the grand affair of education, which Ireally wish to have attended to while she remains at Miss Summers's. I wanther to play and sing with some portion of taste and a good deal ofassurance, as she has my hand and arm and a tolerable voice. I was so muchindulged in my infant years that I was never obliged to attend to anything,and consequently am without the accomplishments which are now necessary tofinish a pretty woman. Not that I am an advocate for the prevailing fashionof acquiring a perfect knowledge of all languages, arts, and sciences. Itis throwing time away to be mistress of French, Italian, and German:music, singing, and drawing, &c., will gain a woman some applause, but willnot add one lover to her list--grace and manner, after all, are of thegreatest importance. I do not mean, therefore, that Frederica'sacquirements should be more than superficial, and I flatter myself that shewill not remain long enough at school to understand anything thoroughly. Ihope to see her the wife of Sir James within a twelvemonth. You know onwhat I ground my hope, and it is certainly a good foundation, for schoolmust be very humiliating to a girl of Frederica's age. And, by-the-by, youhad better not invite her any more on that account, as I wish her to findher situation as unpleasant as possible. I am sure of Sir James at anytime, and could make him renew his application by a line. I shall troubleyou meanwhile to prevent his forming any other attachment when he comes totown. Ask him to your house occasionally, and talk to him of Frederica,that he may not forget her. Upon the whole, I commend my own conduct inthis affair extremely, and regard it as a very happy instance ofcircumspection and tenderness. Some mothers would have insisted on theirdaughter's accepting so good an offer on the first overture; but I couldnot reconcile it to myself to force Frederica into a marriage from whichher heart revolted, and instead of adopting so harsh a measure merelypropose to make it her own choice, by rendering her thoroughlyuncomfortable till she does accept him--but enough of this tiresome girl.You may well wonder how I contrive to pass my time here, and for the firstweek it was insufferably dull. Now, however, we begin to mend, our party isenlarged by Mrs. Vernon's brother, a handsome young man, who promises mesome amusement. There is something about him which rather interests me, asort of sauciness and familiarity which I shall teach him to correct. He islively, and seems clever, and when I have inspired him with greater respectfor me than his sister's kind offices have implanted, he may be anagreeable flirt. There is exquisite pleasure in subduing an insolentspirit, in making a person predetermined to dislike acknowledge one'ssuperiority. I have disconcerted him already by my calm reserve, and itshall be my endeavour to humble the pride of these self important DeCourcys still lower, to convince Mrs. Vernon that her sisterly cautionshave been bestowed in vain, and to persuade Reginald that she hasscandalously belied me. This project will serve at least to amuse me, andprevent my feeling so acutely this dreadful separation from you and allwhom I love.Yours ever,S. VERNON.