III

Mrs.VernontoLadyDeCourcy. Churchhill. MydearMother,—IamverysorrytotellyouthatitwillnotbeinourpowertokeepourpromiseofspendingourChristmaswithyouandwearepreventedthathappinessbyacircumstancewhichisnotlikelytomakeusanyamends.LadySusan,inalettertoherbrother-in-law,hasdeclaredherintentionofvisitingusalmostimmediatelyandassuchavisitisinallprobabilitymerelyanaffairofconvenience,itisimpossibletoconjectureitslength.Iwasbynomeanspreparedforsuchanevent,norcanInowaccountforherladyship’sconductLangfordappearedsoexactlytheplaceforherineveryrespect,aswellfromtheelegantandexpensivestyleoflivingthere,asfromherparticularattachmenttoMr.Mainwaring,thatIwasveryfarfromexpectingsospeedyadistinction,thoughIalwaysimaginedfromherincreasingfriendshipforussinceherhusband’sdeaththatweshould,atsomefutureperiod,beobligedtoreceiveher.Mr.Vernon,Ithink,wasagreatdealtookindtoherwhenhewasinStaffordshireherbehaviourtohim,independentofhergeneralcharacter,hasbeensoinexcusablyartfulandungeneroussinceourmarriagewasfirstinagitationthatnoonelessamiableandmildthanhimselfcouldhaveoverlookeditallandthough,ashisbrother’swidow,andinnarrowcircumstances,itwaspropertorenderherpecuniaryassistance,IcannothelpthinkinghispressinginvitationtohertovisitusatChurchhillperfectlyunnecessary.Disposed,ho