X. Lady Susan Vernon to Mrs. Johnson

by Jane Austen

　　Churchhill.I am much obliged to you, my dear Friend, for your advice respecting Mr.De Courcy, which I know was given with the full conviction of itsexpediency, though I am not quite determined on following it. I cannoteasily resolve on anything so serious as marriage; especially as I am notat present in want of money, and might perhaps, till the old gentleman'sdeath, be very little benefited by the match. It is true that I am vainenough to believe it within my reach. I have made him sensible of my power,and can now enjoy the pleasure of triumphing over a mind prepared todislike me, and prejudiced against all my past actions. His sister, too,is, I hope, convinced how little the ungenerous representations of anyoneto the disadvantage of another will avail when opposed by the immediateinfluence of intellect and manner. I see plainly that she is uneasy at myprogress in the good opinion of her brother, and conclude that nothing willbe wanting on her part to counteract me; but having once made him doubt thejustice of her opinion of me, I think I may defy, her. It has beendelightful to me to watch his advances towards intimacy, especially toobserve his altered manner in consequence of my repressing by the cooldignity of my deportment his insolent approach to direct familiarity. Myconduct has been equally guarded from the first, and I never behaved lesslike a coquette in the whole course of my life, though perhaps my desire ofdominion was never more decided. I have subdued him entirely by sentimentand serious conversation, and made him, I may venture to say, at leasthalf in love with me, without the semblance of the most commonplaceflirtation. Mrs. Vernon's consciousness of deserving every sort of revengethat it can be in my power to inflict for her ill-offices could aloneenable her to perceive that I am actuated by any design in behaviour sogentle and unpretending. Let her think and act as she chooses, however. Ihave never yet found that the advice of a sister could prevent a youngman's being in love if he chose. We are advancing now to some kind ofconfidence, and in short are likely to be engaged in a sort of platonicfriendship. On my side you may be sure of its never being more, for if Iwere not attached to another person as much as I can be to anyone, I shouldmake a point of not bestowing my affection on a man who had dared to thinkso meanly of me. Reginald has a good figure and is not unworthy the praiseyou have heard given him, but is still greatly inferior to our friend atLangford. He is less polished, less insinuating than Mainwaring, and iscomparatively deficient in the power of saying those delightful thingswhich put one in good humour with oneself and all the world. He is quiteagreeable enough, however, to afford me amusement, and to make many ofthose hours pass very pleasantly which would otherwise be spent inendeavouring to overcome my sister-in-law's reserve, and listening to theinsipid talk of her husband. Your account of Sir James is mostsatisfactory, and I mean to give Miss Frederica a hint of my intentionsvery soon.Yours, &c.,S. VERNON.