VIII

ng,butnomorethanwasnatural,andIdidnotwonderathisbeingmuchstruckbythegentlenessanddelicacyofhermannersbutwhenhehasmentionedheroflateithasbeenintermsofmoreextraordinarypraiseandyesterdayheactuallysaidthathecouldnotbesurprisedatanyeffectproducedontheheartofmanbysuchlovelinessandsuchabilitiesandwhenIlamented,inreply,thebadnessofherdisposition,heobservedthatwhatevermighthavebeenhererrorstheyweretobeimputedtoherneglectededucationandearlymarriage,andthatshewasaltogetherawonderfulwoman.Thistendencytoexcuseherconductortoforgetit,inthewarmthofadmiration,vexesmeandifIdidnotknowthatReginaldistoomuchathomeatChurchhilltoneedaninvitationforlengtheninghisvisit,IshouldregretMr.Vernon’sgivinghimany.LadySusan’sintentionsareofcoursethoseofabsolutecoquetry,oradesireofuniversaladmirationIcannotforamomentimaginethatshehasanythingmoreseriousinviewbutitmortifiesmetoseeayoungmanofReginald’ssensedupedbyheratall. Iam,&c., CATHERINEVERNON.