XXIV

occurredtomethathisresolutionofgoingmightbeoccasionedbyaconversationinwhichwehadbeenthismorningengaged,andwhichhadendedverymuchtohisdissatisfaction,fromournotrightlyunderstandingeachother’smeaning.Thisideastruckmeatthemoment,andIinstantlydeterminedthatanaccidentaldispute,inwhichImightprobablybeasmuchtoblameashimself,shouldnotdepriveyouofyourbrother.Ifyouremember,Ilefttheroomalmostimmediately.IwasresolvedtolosenotimeinclearingupthosemistakesasfarasIcould.Thecasewasthis—FredericahadsetherselfviolentlyagainstmarryingSirJames.”“Andcanyourladyshipwonderthatsheshould?”criedIwithsomewarmth“Fredericahasanexcellentunderstanding,andSirJameshasnone.”“Iamatleastveryfarfromregrettingit,mydearsister,”saidshe“onthecontrary,Iamgratefulforsofavourableasignofmydaughter’ssense.SirJamesiscertainlybelowpar(hisboyishmannersmakehimappearworse)andhadFredericapossessedthepenetrationandtheabilitieswhichIcouldhavewishedinmydaughter,orhadIevenknownhertopossessasmuchasshedoes,Ishouldnothavebeenanxiousforthematch.”“Itisoddthatyoushouldalonebeignorantofyourdaughter’ssense!”“Fredericaneverdoesjusticetoherselfhermannersareshyandchildish,andbesidessheisafraidofme.Duringherpoorfather’slifeshewasaspoiltchildtheseveritywhichithassincebeennecessaryformetoshowhasalienatedheraffectionneitherhassheanyofthatbrilliancyofintellect,thatgeniusorvigourofmindwhichwillforceitselfforward.”“Sayratherthatshehasbeenunfortunateinhereducation!”“Heavenknows,mydearestMrs.Vernon,howfullyIamawareofthatbutIwouldwishtoforgeteverycircumstancethatmightthrowblameonthememoryofonewhosenameissacredwithme.”HereshepretendedtocryIwasoutofpatiencewithher.“Butwhat,”saidI,“wasyourladyshipgoingtotellmeaboutyourdisagreementwithmybrother?”“Itoriginatedinanactionofmydaughter’s,whichequallymarksherwantofjudgmentandtheunfortunatedreadofmeIhavebeenmentioning—shewrotetoMr.DeCourcy.”“IknowshedidyouhadforbiddenherspeakingtoMr.Vernonortomeonthecauseofherdistresswhatcouldshedo,therefore,butapplytomybrother?”“GoodGod!”sheexclaimed,“whatanopinionyoumusthaveofme!CanyoupossiblysupposethatIwas