XV

rtoChurchhillforthepresent,tillsomeothersituationcanbefoundforher.HerladyshipiscomfortingherselfmeanwhilebystrollingalongtheshrubberywithReginald,callingforthallhistenderfeelings,Isuppose,onthisdistressingoccasion.Shehasbeentalkingagreatdealaboutittome.ShetalksvastlywellIamafraidofbeingungenerous,orIshouldsay,toowelltofeelsoverydeeplybutIwillnotlookforherfaultsshemaybeReginald’swife!Heavenforbidit!butwhyshouldIbequicker-sightedthananyoneelse?Mr.Vernondeclaresthatheneversawdeeperdistressthanhers,onthereceiptoftheletterandishisjudgmentinferiortomine?ShewasveryunwillingthatFredericashouldbeallowedtocometoChurchhill,andjustlyenough,asitseemsasortofrewardtobehaviourdeservingverydifferentlybutitwasimpossibletotakeheranywhereelse,andsheisnottoremainherelong.“Itwillbeabsolutelynecessary,”saidshe,“asyou,mydearsister,mustbesensible,totreatmydaughterwithsomeseveritywhilesheishereamostpainfulnecessity,butIwillendeavourtosubmittoit.IamafraidIhaveoftenbeentooindulgent,butmypoorFrederica’stempercouldneverbearoppositionwell:youmustsupportandencouragemeyoumusturgethenecessityofreproofifyouseemetoolenient.”Allthissoundsveryreasonable.Reginaldissoincensedagainstthepoorsillygirl!SurelyitisnottoLadySusan’screditthatheshouldbesobitteragainstherdaughterhisideaofhermustbedrawnfromthemother’sdescription.Well,whatevermaybehisfate,wehavethecomfortofknowingthatwehavedoneourutmosttosavehim.Wemustcommittheeventtoahigherpower. Yoursever,&c., CATHERINEVERNON.