XVI. Lady Susan to Mrs. Johnson

by Jane Austen

　　Churchhill.Never, my dearest Alicia, was I so provoked in my life as by a letterthis morning from Miss Summers. That horrid girl of mine has been trying torun away. I had not a notion of her being such a little devil before, sheseemed to have all the Vernon milkiness; but on receiving the letter inwhich I declared my intention about Sir James, she actually attempted toelope; at least, I cannot otherwise account for her doing it. She meant, Isuppose, to go to the Clarkes in Staffordshire, for she has no otheracquaintances. But she shall be punished, she shall have him. I have sentCharles to town to make matters up if he can, for I do not by any meanswant her here. If Miss Summers will not keep her, you must find me outanother school, unless we can get her married immediately. Miss S. writesword that she could not get the young lady to assign any cause for herextraordinary conduct, which confirms me in my own previous explanation ofit, Frederica is too shy, I think, and too much in awe of me to tell tales,but if the mildness of her uncle should get anything out of her, I am notafraid. I trust I shall be able to make my story as good as hers. If I amvain of anything, it is of my eloquence. Consideration and esteem assurely follow command of language as admiration waits on beauty, and here Ihave opportunity enough for the exercise of my talent, as the chief of mytime is spent in conversation.Reginald is never easy unless we are by ourselves, and when the weatheris tolerable, we pace the shrubbery for hours together. I like him on thewhole very well; he is clever and has a good deal to say, but he issometimes impertinent and troublesome. There is a sort of ridiculousdelicacy about him which requires the fullest explanation of whatever hemay have heard to my disadvantage, and is never satisfied till he thinks hehas ascertained the beginning and end of everything. This is one sort oflove, but I confess it does not particularly recommend itself to me. Iinfinitely prefer the tender and liberal spirit of Mainwaring, which,impressed with the deepest conviction of my merit, is satisfied thatwhatever I do must be right; and look with a degree of contempt on theinquisitive and doubtful fancies of that heart which seems always debatingon the reasonableness of its emotions. Mainwaring is indeed, beyond allcompare, superior to Reginald--superior in everything but the power ofbeing with me! Poor fellow! he is much distracted by jealousy, which I amnot sorry for, as I know no better support of love. He has been teazing meto allow of his coming into this country, and lodging somewhere nearincog.; but I forbade everything of the kind. Those women are inexcusablewho forget what is due to themselves, and the opinion of the world.Yours ever,S. VERNON.