XVII

Mrs.VernontoLadyDeCourcy. Churchhill. MydearMother,—Mr.VernonreturnedonThursdaynight,bringinghisniecewithhim.LadySusanhadreceivedalinefromhimbythatday’spost,informingherthatMissSummershadabsolutelyrefusedtoallowofMissVernon’scontinuanceinheracademywewerethereforepreparedforherarrival,andexpectedthemimpatientlythewholeevening.Theycamewhilewewereattea,andIneversawanycreaturelooksofrightenedasFredericawhensheenteredtheroom.LadySusan,whohadbeensheddingtearsbefore,andshowinggreatagitationattheideaofthemeeting,receivedherwithperfectself-command,andwithoutbetrayingtheleasttendernessofspirit.Shehardlyspoketoher,andonFrederica’sburstingintotearsassoonaswewereseated,tookheroutoftheroom,anddidnotreturnforsometime.Whenshedid,hereyeslookedveryredandshewasasmuchagitatedasbefore.Wesawnomoreofherdaughter.PoorReginaldwasbeyondmeasureconcernedtoseehisfairfriendinsuchdistress,andwatchedherwithsomuchtendersolicitude,thatI,whooccasionallycaughtherobservinghiscountenancewithexultation,wasquiteoutofpatience.Thispatheticrepresentationlastedthewholeevening,andsoostentatiousandartfuladisplayhasentirelyconvincedmethatshedidinfactfeelnothing.IammoreangrywithherthaneversinceIhaveseenherdaughterthepoorgirllookssounhappythatmyheartachesforher.LadySusanissurelytoosevere,forFredericadoesnotseemtohavethesortoftempertomakeseveritynecessary.Shelooksperfectlytimid,dejected,andpenitent.Sheisverypretty,though