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,andmadehim,Imayventuretosay,atleasthalfinlovewithme,withoutthesemblanceofthemostcommonplaceflirtation.Mrs.Vernon’sconsciousnessofdeservingeverysortofrevengethatitcanbeinmypowertoinflictforherill-officescouldaloneenablehertoperceivethatIamactuatedbyanydesigninbehavioursogentleandunpretending.Letherthinkandactasshechooses,however.Ihaveneveryetfoundthattheadviceofasistercouldpreventayoungman’sbeinginloveifhechose.Weareadvancingnowtosomekindofconfidence,andinshortarelikelytobeengagedinasortofplatonicfriendship.Onmysideyoumaybesureofitsneverbeingmore,forifIwerenotattachedtoanotherpersonasmuchasIcanbetoanyone,Ishouldmakeapointofnotbestowingmyaffectiononamanwhohaddaredtothinksomeanlyofme.Reginaldhasagoodfigureandisnotunworthythepraiseyouhaveheardgivenhim,butisstillgreatlyinferiortoourfriendatLangford.Heislesspolished,lessinsinuatingthanMainwaring,andiscomparativelydeficientinthepowerofsayingthosedelightfulthingswhichputoneingoodhumourwithoneselfandalltheworld.Heisquiteagreeableenough,however,toaffordmeamusement,andtomakemanyofthosehourspassverypleasantlywhichwouldotherwisebespentinendeavouringtoovercomemysister-in-law’sreserve,andlisteningtotheinsipidtalkofherhusband.YouraccountofSirJamesismostsatisfactory,andImeantogiveMissFredericaahintofmyintentionsverysoon. Yours,&c., S.VERNON.