VIII

oofofherdangerousabilitiescanbegiventhanthisperversionofReginald’sjudgment,whichwhenheenteredthehousewassodecidedlyagainsther!InhislastletterheactuallygavemesomeparticularsofherbehaviouratLangford,suchashereceivedfromagentlemanwhoknewherperfectlywell,which,iftrue,mustraiseabhorrenceagainsther,andwhichReginaldhimselfwasentirelydisposedtocredit.Hisopinionofher,Iamsure,wasaslowasofanywomaninEnglandandwhenhefirstcameitwasevidentthatheconsideredherasoneentitledneithertodelicacynorrespect,andthathefeltshewouldbedelightedwiththeattentionsofanymaninclinedtoflirtwithher.Herbehaviour,Iconfess,hasbeencalculatedtodoawaywithsuchanideaIhavenotdetectedthesmallestimproprietyinit—nothingofvanity,ofpretension,oflevityandsheisaltogethersoattractivethatIshouldnotwonderathisbeingdelightedwithher,hadheknownnothingofherprevioustothispersonalacquaintancebut,againstreason,againstconviction,tobesowellpleasedwithher,asIamsureheis,doesreallyastonishme.Hisadmirationwasatfirstverystro