XVIII

關燈
Fromthesametothesame.

    Churchhill.

    MydearMother,—IamverygladtofindthatmydescriptionofFredericaVernonhasinterestedyou,forIdobelievehertrulydeservingofyourregardandwhenIhavecommunicatedanotionwhichhasrecentlystruckme,yourkindimpressionsinherfavourwill,Iamsure,beheightened.Icannothelpfancyingthatsheisgrowingpartialtomybrother.Isoveryoftenseehereyesfixedonhisfacewitharemarkableexpressionofpensiveadmiration.Heiscertainlyveryhandsomeandyetmore,thereisanopennessinhismannerthatmustbehighlyprepossessing,andIamsureshefeelsitso.Thoughtfulandpensiveingeneral,hercountenancealwaysbrightensintoasmilewhenReginaldsaysanythingamusingand,letthesubjectbeeversoseriousthathemaybeconversingon,Iammuchmistakenifasyllableofhisutteringescapesher.Iwanttomakehimsensibleofallthis,forweknowthepowerofgratitudeonsuchaheartashisandcouldFrederica’sartlessaffectiondetachhimfromhermother,wemightblessthedaywhichbroughthertoChurchhill.Ithink,mydearmother,youwouldnotdisapproveofherasadaughter.Sheisextremelyyoung,tobesure,hashadawretchededucation,andadreadfulexampleoflevityinhermotherbutyetIcanpronounceherdispositiontobeexcellent,andhernaturalabilitiesverygood.Thoughtotallywithoutaccomplishments,sheisbynomeanssoignorantasonemightexpecttofindher,beingfondofbooksandspendingthechiefofhertimeinreading.Hermotherleaveshermoretoherselfthanshedid,andIhaveherwithmeasmuchaspossible,andhavetakengreatpainstoovercomehertimidity.Weareverygoodfriends,andthoughsheneveropensherlipsbeforehermother,shetalksenoughwhenalonewithmetomakeitclearthat,ifproperlytreatedbyLadySusan,shewouldalwaysappeartomuchgreateradvantage.Therecannotbeamoregentle,affectionateheartormoreobligingmanners,whenactingwithoutrestraintandherlittlecousinsareallveryfondofher.

    Youraffectionatedaughter,

    C.VERNON