XVII

pectfromherwindowisnotveryinstructive,forthatroomoverlooksthelawn,youknow,withtheshrubberyononeside,whereshemayseehermotherwalkingforanhourtogetherinearnestconversationwithReginald.AgirlofFrederica’sagemustbechildishindeed,ifsuchthingsdonotstrikeher.Isitnotinexcusabletogivesuchanexampletoadaughter?YetReginaldstillthinksLadySusanthebestofmothers,andstillcondemnsFredericaasaworthlessgirl!Heisconvincedthatherattempttorunawayproceededfromnojustifiablecause,andhadnoprovocation.IamsureIcannotsaythatithad,butwhileMissSummersdeclaresthatMissVernonshowednosignsofobstinacyorperversenessduringherwholestayinWigmoreStreet,tillshewasdetectedinthisscheme,IcannotsoreadilycreditwhatLadySusanhasmadehim,andwantstomakemebelieve,thatitwasmerelyanimpatienceofrestraintandadesireofescapingfromthetuitionofmasterswhichbroughtontheplanofanelopement.OReginald,howisyourjudgmentenslaved!Hescarcelydaresevenallowhertobehandsome,andwhenIspeakofherbeauty,repliesonlythathereyeshavenobrilliancy!Sometimesheissuresheisdeficientinunderstanding,andatothersthathertemperonlyisinfault.Inshort,whenapersonisalwaystodeceive,itisimpossibletobeconsistent.LadySusanfindsitnecessarythatFredericashouldbetoblame,andprobablyhassometimesjudgeditexpedienttoaccuseherofill-natureandsometimestolamentherwantofsense.Reginaldisonlyrepeatingafterherladyship. Iremain,&c.,&c., CATHERINEVERNON.