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dallastonishmentandperplexitythefollyoftheyoungmanandtheconfusionofFredericaentirelyengrossedhimandthoughalittleprivatediscoursewithLadySusanhassincehaditseffect,heisstillhurt,Iamsure,atherallowingofsuchaman’sattentionstoherdaughter.SirJamesinvitedhimselfwithgreatcomposuretoremainhereafewdays—hopedwewouldnotthinkitodd,wasawareofitsbeingveryimpertinent,buthetookthelibertyofarelationandconcludedbywishing,withalaugh,thathemightbereallyoneverysoon.EvenLadySusanseemedalittledisconcertedbythisforwardnessinherheartIampersuadedshesincerelywishedhimgone.Butsomethingmustbedoneforthispoorgirl,ifherfeelingsaresuchasbothIandherunclebelievethemtobe.Shemustnotbesacrificedtopolicyorambition,andshemustnotbelefttosufferfromthedreadofit.ThegirlwhoseheartcandistinguishReginaldDeCourcy,deserves,howeverhemayslighther,abetterfatethantobeSirJamesMartin’swife.AssoonasIcangetheralone,Iwilldiscovertherealtruthbutsheseemstowishtoavoidme.Ihopethisdoesnotproceedfromanythingwrong,andthatIshallnotfindoutIhavethoughttoowellofher.HerbehaviourtoSirJamescertainlyspeaksthegreatestconsciousnessandembarrassment,butIseenothinginitmorelikeencouragement.Adieu,mydearmother.
Yours,&c.,
C.VERNON.