XIX

LadySusantoMrs.Johnson. Churchhill. Youwillbeeager,Iknow,tohearsomethingfurtherofFrederica,andperhapsmaythinkmenegligentfornotwritingbefore.ShearrivedwithherunclelastThursdayfortnight,when,ofcourse,Ilostnotimeindemandingthecauseofherbehaviourandsoonfoundmyselftohavebeenperfectlyrightinattributingittomyownletter.Theprospectofitfrightenedhersothoroughly,that,withamixtureoftruegirlishperversenessandfolly,sheresolvedongettingoutofthehouseandproceedingdirectlybythestagetoherfriends,theClarkesandhadreallygotasfarasthelengthoftwostreetsinherjourneywhenshewasfortunatelymissed,pursued,andovertaken.SuchwasthefirstdistinguishedexploitofMissFredericaVernonand,ifweconsiderthatitwasachievedatthetenderageofsixteen,weshallhaveroomforthemostflatteringprognosticsofherfuturerenown.Iamexcessivelyprovoked,however,attheparadeofproprietywhichpreventedMissSummersfromkeepingthegirlanditseemssoextraordinaryapieceofnicety,consideringmydaughter’sfamilyconnections,thatIcanonlysupposetheladytobegovernedbythefearofnevergettinghermoney.Bethatasitmay,however,Fredericaisreturnedonmyhandsand,havingnothingelsetoemployher,isbusyinpursuingtheplanofromancebegunatLangford.SheisactuallyfallinginlovewithReginaldDeCourcy!Todisobeyhermotherbyrefusinganunexceptionableofferisnotenoughheraffectionsmustalsobegivenwithouth