Lady Susan by Jane Austen. - HTML preview

XXIII

MRS. VERNON TO LADY DE COURCY

Churchhill.

Let me congratulate you, my dearest Mother! The affair which has given

us so much anxiety is drawing to a happy conclusion. Our prospect is most

delightful, and since matters have now taken so favourable a turn, I am

quite sorry that I ever imparted my apprehensions to you; for the pleasure

of learning that the danger is over is perhaps dearly purchased by all that

you have previously suffered. I am so much agitated by delight that I can

scarcely hold a pen; but am determined to send you a few short lines by

James, that you may have some explanation of what must so greatly astonish

you, as that Reginald should be returning to Parklands. I was sitting about

half an hour ago with Sir James in the breakfast parlour, when my brother

called me out of the room. I instantly saw that something was the matter;

his complexion was raised, and he spoke with great emotion; you know his

eager manner, my dear mother, when his mind is interested. "Catherine,"

said he, "I am going home to-‐day; I am sorry to leave you, but I must go:

it is a great while since I have seen my father and mother. I am going to

send James forward with my hunters immediately; if you have any letter,

therefore, he can take it. I shall not be at home myself till Wednesday or

Thursday, as I shall go through London, where I have business; but before I

leave you," he continued, speaking in a lower tone, and with still greater

energy, "I must warn you of one thing-‐-‐do not let Frederica Vernon be made

unhappy by that Martin. He wants to marry her; her mother promotes the

match, but she cannot endure the idea of it. Be assured that I speak from

the fullest conviction of the truth of what I say; I Know that Frederica is

made wretched by Sir James's continuing here. She is a sweet girl, and

deserves a better fate. Send him away immediately; he is only a fool: but

what her mother can mean, Heaven only knows! Good bye," he added, shaking

my hand with earnestness; "I do not know when you will see me again; but

remember what I tell you of Frederica; you MUST make it your business to

see justice done her. She is an amiable girl, and has a very superior mind

to what we have given her credit for." He then left me, and ran upstairs. I

would not try to stop him, for I know what his feelings must be. The nature

of mine, as I listened to him, I need not attempt to describe; for a minute

or two I remained in the same spot, overpowered by wonder of a most

agreeable sort indeed; yet it required some consideration to be tranquilly

happy. In about ten minutes after my return to the parlour Lady Susan

entered the room. I concluded, of course, that she and Reginald had been

quarrelling; and looked with anxious curiosity for a confirmation of my

belief in her face. Mistress of deceit, however, she appeared perfectly

unconcerned, and after chatting on indifferent subjects for a short time,

said to me, "I find from Wilson that we are going to lose Mr. De Courcy-‐-‐is

it true that he leaves Churchhill this morning?" I replied that it was. "He

told us nothing of all this last night," said she, laughing, "or even this

morning at breakfast; but perhaps he did not know it himself. Young men are

often hasty in their resolutions, and not more sudden in forming than

unsteady in keeping them. I should not be surprised if he were to change

his mind at last, and not go." She soon afterwards left the room. I trust,

however, my dear mother, that we have no reason to fear an alteration of

his present plan; things have gone too far. They must have quarrelled, and

about Frederica, too. Her calmness astonishes me. What delight will be

yours in seeing him again; in seeing him still worthy your esteem, still

capable of forming your happiness! When I next write I shall be able to

tell you that Sir James is gone, Lady Susan vanquished, and Frederica at

peace. We have much to do, but it shall be done. I am all impatience to

hear how this astonishing change was effected. I finish as I began, with

the warmest congratulations.

Yours ever, &c.,

CATH. VERNON.