VIII
關燈
小
中
大
ect,andthathefeltshewouldbedelightedwiththeattentionsofanymaninclinedtoflirtwithher.Herbehaviour,Iconfess,hasbeencalculatedtodoawaywithsuchanideaIhavenotdetectedthesmallestimproprietyinit—nothingofvanity,ofpretension,oflevityandsheisaltogethersoattractivethatIshouldnotwonderathisbeingdelightedwithher,hadheknownnothingofherprevioustothispersonalacquaintancebut,againstreason,againstconviction,tobesowellpleasedwithher,asIamsureheis,doesreallyastonishme.Hisadmirationwasatfirstverystrong,butnomorethanwasnatural,andIdidnotwonderathisbeingmuchstruckbythegentlenessanddelicacyofhermannersbutwhenhehasmentionedheroflateithasbeenintermsofmoreextraordinarypraiseandyesterdayheactuallysaidthathecouldnotbesurprisedatanyeffectproducedontheheartofmanbysuchlovelinessandsuchabilitiesandwhenIlamented,inreply,thebadnessofherdisposition,heobservedthatwhatevermighthavebeenhererrorstheyweretobeimputedtoherneglectededucationandearlymarriage,andthatshewasaltogetherawonderfulwoman.Thistendencytoexcuseherconductortoforgetit,inthewarmthofadmiration,vexesmeandifIdidnotknowthatReginaldistoomuchathomeatChurchhilltoneedaninvitationforlengtheninghisvisit,IshouldregretMr.Vernon’sgivinghimany.LadySusan’sintentionsareofcoursethoseofabsolutecoquetry,oradesireofuniversaladmirationIcannotforamomentimaginethatshehasanythingmoreseriousinviewbutitmortifiesmetoseeayoungmanofReginald’ssensedupedbyheratall.
Iam,&c.,
CATHERINEVERNON.