XIV. Mr. De Courcy to Sir Reginald

by Jane Austen

　　Churchhill.My dear Sir,--I have this moment received your letter, which has givenme more astonishment than I ever felt before. I am to thank my sister, Isuppose, for having represented me in such a light as to injure me in youropinion, and give you all this alarm. I know not why she should choose tomake herself and her family uneasy by apprehending an event which no onebut herself, I can affirm, would ever have thought possible. To impute sucha design to Lady Susan would be taking from her every claim to thatexcellent understanding which her bitterest enemies have never denied her;and equally low must sink my pretensions to common sense if I am suspectedof matrimonial views in my behaviour to her. Our difference of age must bean insuperable objection, and I entreat you, my dear father, to quiet yourmind, and no longer harbour a suspicion which cannot he more injurious toyour own peace than to our understandings. I can have no other view inremaining with Lady Susan, than to enjoy for a short time (as you haveyourself expressed it) the conversation of a woman of high intellectualpowers. If Mrs. Vernon would allow something to my affection for herselfand her husband in the length of my visit, she would do more justice to usall; but my sister is unhappily prejudiced beyond the hope of convictionagainst Lady Susan. From an attachment to her husband, which in itself doeshonour to both, she cannot forgive the endeavours at preventing theirunion, which have been attributed to selfishness in Lady Susan; but in thiscase, as well as in many others, the world has most grossly injured thatlady, by supposing the worst where the motives of her conduct have beendoubtful. Lady Susan had heard something so materially to the disadvantageof my sister as to persuade her that the happiness of Mr. Vernon, to whomshe was always much attached, would be wholly destroyed by the marriage.And this circumstance, while it explains the true motives of Lady Susan'sconduct, and removes all the blame which has been so lavished on her, mayalso convince us how little the general report of anyone ought to becredited; since no character, however upright, can escape the malevolenceof slander. If my sister, in the security of retirement, with as littleopportunity as inclination to do evil, could not avoid censure, we must notrashly condemn those who, living in the world and surrounded withtemptations, should be accused of errors which they are known to have thepower of committing.I blame myself severely for having so easily believed the slanderoustales invented by Charles Smith to the prejudice of Lady Susan, as I am nowconvinced how greatly they have traduced her. As to Mrs. Mainwaring'sjealousy it was totally his own invention, and his account of her attachingMiss Mainwaring's lover was scarcely better founded. Sir James Martin hadbeen drawn in by that young lady to pay her some attention; and as he is aman of fortune, it was easy to see her views extended to marriage. It iswell known that Miss M. is absolutely on the catch for a husband, and noone therefore can pity her for losing, by the superior attractions ofanother woman, the chance of being able to make a worthy man completelywretched. Lady Susan was far from intending such a conquest, and on findinghow warmly Miss Mainwaring resented her lover's defection, determined, inspite of Mr. and Mrs. Mainwaring's most urgent entreaties, to leave thefamily. I have reason to imagine she did receive serious proposals from SirJames, but her removing to Langford immediately on the discovery of hisattachment, must acquit her on that article with any mind of commoncandour. You will, I am sure, my dear Sir, feel the truth of this, and willhereby learn to do justice to the character of a very injured woman. I knowthat Lady Susan in coming to Churchhill was governed only by the mosthonourable and amiable intentions; her prudence and economy are exemplary,her regard for Mr. Vernon equal even to his deserts; and her wish ofobtaining my sister's good opinion merits a better return than it hasreceived. As a mother she is unexceptionable; her solid affection for herchild is shown by placing her in hands where her education will be properlyattended to; but because she has not the blind and weak partiality of mostmothers, she is accused of wanting maternal tenderness. Every person ofsense, however, will know how to value and commend her well-directedaffection, and will join me in wishing that Frederica Vernon may prove moreworthy than she has yet done of her mother's tender care. I have now, mydear father, written my real sentiments of Lady Susan; you will know fromthis letter how highly I admire her abilities, and esteem her character;but if you are not equally convinced by my full and solemn assurance thatyour fears have been most idly created, you will deeply mortify anddistress me.I am, &c., &c.,R. DE COURCY.