XLI. Mrs. Vernon to Lady De Courcy

by Jane Austen

　　Churchhill.My dear Mother,--Your letter has surprized me beyond measure! Can it betrue that they are really separated--and for ever? I should be overjoyedif I dared depend on it, but after all that I have seen how can one besecure And Reginald really with you! My surprize is the greater because onWednesday, the very day of his coming to Parklands, we had a mostunexpected and unwelcome visit from Lady Susan, looking all cheerfulnessand good-humour, and seeming more as if she were to marry him when she gotto London than as if parted from him for ever. She stayed nearly two hours,was as affectionate and agreeable as ever, and not a syllable, not a hintwas dropped, of any disagreement or coolness between them. I asked herwhether she had seen my brother since his arrival in town; not, as you maysuppose, with any doubt of the fact, but merely to see how she looked. Sheimmediately answered, without any embarrassment, that he had been kindenough to call on her on Monday; but she believed he had already returnedhome, which I was very far from crediting. Your kind invitation is acceptedby us with pleasure, and on Thursday next we and our little ones will bewith you. Pray heaven, Reginald may not be in town again by that time! Iwish we could bring dear Frederica too, but I am sorry to say that hermother's errand hither was to fetch her away; and, miserable as it made thepoor girl, it was impossible to detain her. I was thoroughly unwilling tolet her go, and so was her uncle; and all that could be urged we did urge;but Lady Susan declared that as she was now about to fix herself in Londonfor several months, she could not be easy if her daughter were not with herfor masters, &c. Her manner, to be sure, was very kind and proper, and Mr.Vernon believes that Frederica will now be treated with affection. I wish Icould think so too. The poor girl's heart was almost broke at taking leaveof us. I charged her to write to me very often, and to remember that if shewere in any distress we should be always her friends. I took care to seeher alone, that I might say all this, and I hope made her a little morecomfortable; but I shall not be easy till I can go to town and judge of hersituation myself. I wish there were a better prospect than now appears ofthe match which the conclusion of your letter declares your expectationsof. At present, it is not very likelyYours ever, &c.,C. VERNON