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ycivilexcusestomeforthelibertyhehadtakenincomingtoChurchhill—mixingmorefrequentlaughterwithhisdiscoursethanthesubjectrequired—saidmanythingsoverandoveragain,andtoldLadySusanthreetimesthathehadseenMrs.Johnsonafeweveningsbefore.HenowandthenaddressedFrederica,butmorefrequentlyhermother.Thepoorgirlsatallthistimewithoutopeningherlips—hereyescastdown,andhercolourvaryingeveryinstantwhileReginaldobservedallthatpassedinperfectsilence.AtlengthLadySusan,weary,Ibelieve,ofhersituation,proposedwalkingandweleftthetwogentlementogether,toputonourpelisses.AswewentupstairsLadySusanbeggedpermissiontoattendmeforafewmomentsinmydressing-room,asshewasanxioustospeakwithmeinprivate.Iledherthitheraccordingly,andassoonasthedoorwasclosed,shesaid:“IwasnevermoresurprizedinmylifethanbySirJames’sarrival,andthesuddennessofitrequiressomeapologytoyou,mydearsisterthoughtome,asamother,itishighlyflattering.Heissoextremelyattachedtomydaughterthathecouldnotexistlongerwithoutseeingher.SirJamesisayoungmanofanamiabledispositionandexcellentcharacteralittletoomuchoftherattle,perhaps,butayearortwowillrectifythat:andheisinotherrespectssoveryeligibleamatchforFrederica,thatIhavealwaysobservedhisattachmentwiththegreatestpleasureandampersuadedthatyouandmybrotherwillgivetheallianceyourheartyapprobation.Ihaveneverbeforementionedthelikelihoodofitstakingplacetoanyone,becauseIthoughtthatwhilstFredericacontinuedatschoolithadbetternotbeknowntoexistbutnow,asIamconvincedthatFredericaistoooldevertosubmittoschoolconfinement,