XVII. Mrs. Vernon to Lady De Courcy

by Jane Austen

　　Churchhill.My dear Mother,--Mr. Vernon returned on Thursday night, bringing hisniece with him. Lady Susan had received a line from him by that day's post,informing her that Miss Summers had absolutely refused to allow of MissVernon's continuance in her academy; we were therefore prepared for herarrival, and expected them impatiently the whole evening. They came whilewe were at tea, and I never saw any creature look so frightened asFrederica when she entered the room. Lady Susan, who had been sheddingtears before, and showing great agitation at the idea of the meeting,received her with perfect self-command, and without betraying the leasttenderness of spirit. She hardly spoke to her, and on Frederica's burstinginto tears as soon as we were seated, took her out of the room, and did notreturn for some time. When she did, her eyes looked very red and she was asmuch agitated as before. We saw no more of her daughter. Poor Reginald wasbeyond measure concerned to see his fair friend in such distress, andwatched her with so much tender solicitude, that I, who occasionally caughther observing his countenance with exultation, was quite out of patience.This pathetic representation lasted the whole evening, and so ostentatiousand artful a display has entirely convinced me that she did in fact feelnothing. I am more angry with her than ever since I have seen her daughter;the poor girl looks so unhappy that my heart aches for her. Lady Susan issurely too severe, for Frederica does not seem to have the sort of temperto make severity necessary. She looks perfectly timid, dejected, andpenitent. She is very pretty, though not so handsome as her mother, nor atall like her. Her complexion is delicate, but neither so fair nor soblooming as Lady Susan's, and she has quite the Vernon cast of countenance,the oval face and mild dark eyes, and there is peculiar sweetness in herlook when she speaks either to her uncle or me, for as we behave kindly toher we have of course engaged her gratitude.Her mother has insinuated that her temper is intractable, but I neversaw a face less indicative of any evil disposition than hers; and from whatI can see of the behaviour of each to the other, the invariable severity ofLady Susan and the silent dejection of Frederica, I am led to believe asheretofore that the former has no real love for her daughter, and has neverdone her justice or treated her affectionately. I have not been able tohave any conversation with my niece; she is shy, and I think I can see thatsome pains are taken to prevent her being much with me. Nothingsatisfactory transpires as to her reason for running away. Her kind-hearteduncle, you may be sure, was too fearful of distressing her to ask manyquestions as they travelled. I wish it had been possible for me to fetchher instead of him. I think I should have discovered the truth in thecourse of a thirty-mile journey. The small pianoforte has been removedwithin these few days, at Lady Susan's request, into her dressing-room, andFrederica spends great part of the day there, practising as it is called;but I seldom hear any noise when I pass that way; what she does withherself there I do not know. There are plenty of books, but it is not everygirl who has been running wild the first fifteen years of her life, thatcan or will read. Poor creature! the prospect from her window is not veryinstructive, for that room overlooks the lawn, you know, with the shrubberyon one side, where she may see her mother walking for an hour together inearnest conversation with Reginald. A girl of Frederica's age must bechildish indeed, if such things do not strike her. Is it not inexcusable togive such an example to a daughter? Yet Reginald still thinks Lady Susanthe best of mothers, and still condemns Frederica as a worthless girl! Heis convinced that her attempt to run away proceeded from no, justifiablecause, and had no provocation. I am sure I cannot say that it had, butwhile Miss Summers declares that Miss Vernon showed no signs of obstinacyor perverseness during her whole stay in Wigmore Street, till she wasdetected in this scheme, I cannot so readily credit what Lady Susan hasmade him, and wants to make me believe, that it was merely an impatience ofrestraint and a desire of escaping from the tuition of masters whichbrought on the plan of an elopement. O Reginald, how is your judgmentenslaved! He scarcely dares even allow her to be handsome, and when Ispeak of her beauty, replies only that her eyes have no brilliancy!Sometimes he is sure she is deficient in understanding, and at others thather temper only is in fault. In short, when a person is always to deceive,it is impossible to be consistent. Lady Susan finds it necessary thatFrederica should be to blame, and probably has sometimes judged itexpedient to excuse her of ill-nature and sometimes to lament her want ofsense. Reginald is only repeating after her ladyship.I remain, &c., &c.,CATHERINE VERNON.