XI

onduct.Mr.Smith’saccountofherproceedingsatLangford,whereheaccusedherofhavingmadeMr.MainwaringandayoungmanengagedtoMissMainwaringdistractedlyinlovewithher,whichReginaldfirmlybelievedwhenhecamehere,isnow,heispersuaded,onlyascandalousinvention.Hehastoldmesowithawarmthofmannerwhichspokehisregretathavingbelievedthecontraryhimself.HowsincerelydoIgrievethatsheeverenteredthishouse!IalwayslookedforwardtohercomingwithuneasinessbutveryfarwasitfromoriginatinginanxietyforReginald.Iexpectedamostdisagreeablecompanionformyself,butcouldnotimaginethatmybrotherwouldbeinthesmallestdangerofbeingcaptivatedbyawomanwithwhoseprincipleshewassowellacquainted,andwhosecharacterhesoheartilydespised.Ifyoucangethimawayitwillbeagoodthing. Yours,&c., CATHERINEVERNON.