VII
關燈
小
中
大
whopromisesmesomeamusement.Thereissomethingabouthimwhichratherinterestsme,asortofsaucinessandfamiliaritywhichIshallteachhimtocorrect.Heislively,andseemsclever,andwhenIhaveinspiredhimwithgreaterrespectformethanhissister’skindofficeshaveimplanted,hemaybeanagreeableflirt.Thereisexquisitepleasureinsubduinganinsolentspirit,inmakingapersonpredeterminedtodislikeacknowledgeone’ssuperiority.Ihavedisconcertedhimalreadybymycalmreserve,anditshallbemyendeavourtohumbletheprideoftheseselfimportantDeCourcysstilllower,toconvinceMrs.Vernonthathersisterlycautionshavebeenbestowedinvain,andtopersuadeReginaldthatshehasscandalouslybeliedme.Thisprojectwillserveatleasttoamuseme,andpreventmyfeelingsoacutelythisdreadfulseparationfromyouandallwhomIlove.
Yoursever,
S.VERNON.
