XXXVI. Mr. De Courcy to Lady Susan

by Jane Austen

　　---- Hotel.Why would you write to me? Why do you require particulars? But, since itmust be so, I am obliged to declare that all the accounts of yourmisconduct during the life, and since the death of Mr. Vernon, which hadreached me, in common with the world in general, and gained my entirebelief before I saw you, but which you, by the exertion of your pervertedabilities, had made me resolved to disallow, have been unanswerably provedto me; nay more, I am assured that a connection, of which I had neverbefore entertained a thought, has for some time existed, and stillcontinues to exist, between you and the man whose family you robbed of itspeace in return for the hospitality with which you were received into it;that you have corresponded with him ever since your leaving Langford; notwith his wife, but with him, and that he now visits you every day. Can you,dare you deny it? and all this at the time when I was an encouraged, anaccepted lover! From what have I not escaped! I have only to be grateful.Far from me be all complaint, every sigh of regret. My own folly hadendangered me, my preservation I owe to the kindness, the integrity ofanother; but the unfortunate Mrs. Mainwaring, whose agonies while sherelated the past seemed to threaten her reason, how is she to be consoled!After such a discovery as this, you will scarcely affect further wonder atmy meaning in bidding you adieu. My understanding is at length restored,and teaches no less to abhor the artifices which had subdued me than todespise myself for the weakness on which their strength was founded.R. DE COURCY.