XV. Mrs. Vernon to Lady De Courcy

by Jane Austen

　　ChurchhillMy dear Mother,--I return you Reginald's letter, and rejoice with all myheart that my father is made easy by it: tell him so, with mycongratulations; but, between ourselves, I must own it has only convincedme of my brother's having no present intention of marrying Lady Susan, notthat he is in no danger of doing so three months hence. He gives a veryplausible account of her behaviour at Langford; I wish it may be true, buthis intelligence must come from herself, and I am less disposed to believeit than to lament the degree of intimacy subsisting, between them impliedby the discussion of such a subject. I am sorry to have incurred hisdispleasure, but can expect nothing better while he is so very eager inLady Susan's justification. He is very severe against me indeed, and yet Ihope I have not been hasty in my judgment of her. Poor woman! though I havereasons enough for my dislike, I cannot help pitying her at present, as sheis in real distress, and with too much cause. She had this morning a letterfrom the lady with whom she has placed her daughter, to request that MissVernon might be immediately removed, as she had been detected in an attemptto run away. Why, or whither she intended to go, does not appear; but, asher situation seems to have been unexceptionable, it is a sad thing, and ofcourse highly distressing to Lady Susan. Frederica must be as much assixteen, and ought to know better; but from what her mother insinuates, Iam afraid she is a perverse girl. She has been sadly neglected, however,and her mother ought to remember it. Mr. Vernon set off for London as soonas she had determined what should be done. He is, if possible, to prevailon Miss Summers to let Frederica continue with her; and if he cannotsucceed, to bring her to Churchhill for the present, till some othersituation can be found for her. Her ladyship is comforting herselfmeanwhile by strolling along the shrubbery with Reginald, calling forth allhis tender feelings, I suppose, on this distressing occasion. She has beentalking a great deal about it to me. She talks vastly well; I am afraid ofbeing ungenerous, or I should say, too well to feel so very deeply; but Iwill not look for her faults; she may be Reginald's wife! Heaven forbid it!but why should I be quicker-sighted than anyone else? Mr. Vernon declaresthat he never saw deeper distress than hers, on the receipt of the letter;and is his judgment inferior to mine? She was very unwilling thatFrederica should be allowed to come to Churchhill, and justly enough, asit seems a sort of reward to behaviour deserving very differently; but itwas impossible to take her anywhere else, and she is not to remain herelong. "It will be absolutely necessary," said she, "as you, my dear sister,must be sensible, to treat my daughter with some severity while she ishere; a most painful necessity, but I will endeavour to submit to it. I amafraid I have often been too indulgent, but my poor Frederica's tempercould never bear opposition well: you must support and encourage me; youmust urge the necessity of reproof if you see me too lenient." All thissounds very reasonable. Reginald is so incensed against the poor sillygirl. Surely it is not to Lady Susan's credit that he should be so bitteragainst her daughter; his idea of her must be drawn from the mother'sdescription. Well, whatever may be his fate, we have the comfort of knowingthat we have done our utmost to save him. We must commit the event to ahigher power.Yours ever, &c.,CATHERINE VERNON.