XXVI

Mrs.JohnsontoLadySusan. EdwardStreet. Iamgratifiedbyyourreference,andthisismyadvice:thatyoucometotownyourself,withoutlossoftime,butthatyouleaveFredericabehind.ItwouldsurelybemuchmoretothepurposetogetyourselfwellestablishedbymarryingMr.DeCourcy,thantoirritatehimandtherestofhisfamilybymakinghermarrySirJames.Youshouldthinkmoreofyourselfandlessofyourdaughter.Sheisnotofadispositiontodoyoucreditintheworld,andseemspreciselyinherproperplaceatChurchhill,withtheVernons.Butyouarefittedforsociety,anditisshamefultohaveyouexiledfromit.LeaveFrederica,therefore,topunishherselffortheplagueshehasgivenyou,byindulgingthatromantictender-heartednesswhichwillalwaysensurehermiseryenough,andcometoLondonassoonasyoucan.Ihaveanotherreasonforurgingthis:Mainwaringcametotownlastweek,andhascontrived,inspiteofMr.Johnson,tomakeopportunitiesofseeingme.Heisabsolutelymiserableaboutyou,andjealoustosuchadegreeofDeCourcythatitwouldbehighlyunadvisableforthemtomeetatpresent.Andyet,ifyoudonotallowhimtoseeyouhere,Icannotanswerforhisnotcommittingsomegreatimprudence—suchasgoingtoChurchhill,forinstance,whichwouldbedreadful!Besides,ifyoutakemyadvice,andresolvetomarryDeCourcy,itwillbeind