XVIII. From The Same to The Same

by Jane Austen

　　Churchhill.My dear Mother,--I am very glad to find that my description of FredericaVernon has interested you, for I do believe her truly deserving of yourregard; and when I have communicated a notion which has recently struck me,your kind impressions in her favour will, I am sure, be heightened. Icannot help fancying that she is growing partial to my brother. I so veryoften see her eyes fixed on his face with a remarkable expression ofpensive admiration. He is certainly very handsome; and yet more, there isan openness in his manner that must be highly prepossessing, and I am sureshe feels it so. Thoughtful and pensive in general, her countenance alwaysbrightens into a smile when Reginald says anything amusing; and, let thesubject be ever so serious that he may be conversing on, I am much mistakenif a syllable of his uttering escapes her. I want to make him sensible ofall this, for we know the power of gratitude on such a heart as his; andcould Frederica's artless affection detach him from her mother, we mightbless the day which brought her to Churchhill. I think, my dear mother, youwould not disapprove of her as a daughter. She is extremely young, to besure, has had a wretched education, and a dreadful example of levity in hermother; but yet I can pronounce her disposition to be excellent, and hernatural abilities very good. Though totally without accomplishments, she isby no means so ignorant as one might expect to find her, being fond ofbooks and spending the chief of her time in reading. Her mother leaves hermore to herself than she did, and I have her with me as much as possible,and have taken great pains to overcome her timidity. We are very goodfriends, and though she never opens her lips before her mother, she talksenough when alone with me to make it clear that, if properly treated byLady Susan, she would always appear to much greater advantage. There cannotbe a more gentle, affectionate heart; or more obliging manners, when actingwithout restraint; and her little cousins are all very fond of her.Your affectionate daughter,C. VERNON