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andhave,therefore,beguntoconsiderherunionwithSirJamesasnotverydistant,IhadintendedwithinafewdaystoacquaintyourselfandMr.Vernonwiththewholebusiness.Iamsure,mydearsister,youwillexcusemyremainingsilentsolong,andagreewithmethatsuchcircumstances,whiletheycontinuefromanycauseinsuspense,cannotbetoocautiouslyconcealed.WhenyouhavethehappinessofbestowingyoursweetlittleCatherine,someyearshence,onamanwhoinconnectionandcharacterisalikeunexceptionable,youwillknowwhatIfeelnowthough,thankHeaven,youcannothaveallmyreasonsforrejoicinginsuchanevent.Catherinewillbeamplyprovidedfor,andnot,likemyFrederica,indebtedtoafortunateestablishmentforthecomfortsoflife.”Sheconcludedbydemandingmycongratulations.Igavethemsomewhatawkwardly,Ibelievefor,infact,thesuddendisclosureofsoimportantamattertookfrommethepowerofspeakingwithanyclearness.Shethankedme,however,mostaffectionately,formykindconcerninthewelfareofherselfanddaughterandthensaid:“Iamnotapttodealinprofessions,mydearMrs.Vernon,andIneverhadtheconvenienttalentofaffectingsensationsforeigntomyheartandthereforeItrustyouwillbelievemewhenIdeclare,thatmuchasIhadheardinyourpraisebeforeIknewyou,IhadnoideathatIshouldeverloveyouasInowdoandImustfurthersaythatyourfriendshiptowardsmeismoreparticularlygratifyingbecauseIhavereasontobelievethatsomeattemptsweremadetoprejudiceyouagainstme.Ionlywishthatthey,whoevertheyare,towhomIamindebtedforsuchkindintentions,couldseethetermsonwhichwenowaretogether,andunderstandtherealaffectionwefeelforeachotherbutIwillnotdetainyouanylonger.