XXIX
關燈
小
中
大
LadySusanVernontoMrs.Johnson.
UpperSeymourStreet.
MydearAlicia,—ThereneedednotthislastfitofthegouttomakemedetestMr.Johnson,butnowtheextentofmyaversionisnottobeestimated.Tohaveyouconfinedasnurseinhisapartment!MydearAlicia,ofwhatamistakewereyouguiltyinmarryingamanofhisage!justoldenoughtobeformal,ungovernable,andtohavethegouttoooldtobeagreeable,tooyoungtodie.Iarrivedlastnightaboutfive,hadscarcelyswallowedmydinnerwhenMainwaringmadehisappearance.Iwillnotdissemblewhatrealpleasurehissightaffordedme,norhowstronglyIfeltthecontrastbetweenhispersonandmannersandthoseofReginald,totheinfinitedisadvantageofthelatter.ForanhourortwoIwasevenstaggeredinmyresolutionofmarryinghim,andthoughthiswastooidleandnonsensicalanideatoremainlongonmymind,Idonotfeelveryeagerfortheconclusionofmymarriage,norlookforwardwithmuchimpatiencetothetimewhenReginald,accordingtoouragreement,istobeintown.Ishallprobablyputoffhisarrivalundersomepretenceorother.HemustnotcometillMainwaringisgone.IamstilldoubtfulattimesastomarryingiftheoldmanwoulddieImightnothesitate,butastateofdependanceonthecapriceofSirReginaldwillnotsuitthefreedomofmyspiritandifIresolvetowaitforthatevent,Ishallhaveexcuseenoughatpresentinhavingbeenscarcelytenmonthsawidow.IhavenotgivenMainwaringanyhintofmyintention,orallowedhimtoconsidermyacquaintancewithReginaldasmorethanthecommonestflirtation,andheistolerablyappeased.Adieu,tillwemeetIamenchantedwithmylodgings.
Yoursever,
S.VERNON.
UpperSeymourStreet.
MydearAlicia,—ThereneedednotthislastfitofthegouttomakemedetestMr.Johnson,butnowtheextentofmyaversionisnottobeestimated.Tohaveyouconfinedasnurseinhisapartment!MydearAlicia,ofwhatamistakewereyouguiltyinmarryingamanofhisage!justoldenoughtobeformal,ungovernable,andtohavethegouttoooldtobeagreeable,tooyoungtodie.Iarrivedlastnightaboutfive,hadscarcelyswallowedmydinnerwhenMainwaringmadehisappearance.Iwillnotdissemblewhatrealpleasurehissightaffordedme,norhowstronglyIfeltthecontrastbetweenhispersonandmannersandthoseofReginald,totheinfinitedisadvantageofthelatter.ForanhourortwoIwasevenstaggeredinmyresolutionofmarryinghim,andthoughthiswastooidleandnonsensicalanideatoremainlongonmymind,Idonotfeelveryeagerfortheconclusionofmymarriage,norlookforwardwithmuchimpatiencetothetimewhenReginald,accordingtoouragreement,istobeintown.Ishallprobablyputoffhisarrivalundersomepretenceorother.HemustnotcometillMainwaringisgone.IamstilldoubtfulattimesastomarryingiftheoldmanwoulddieImightnothesitate,butastateofdependanceonthecapriceofSirReginaldwillnotsuitthefreedomofmyspiritandifIresolvetowaitforthatevent,Ishallhaveexcuseenoughatpresentinhavingbeenscarcelytenmonthsawidow.IhavenotgivenMainwaringanyhintofmyintention,orallowedhimtoconsidermyacquaintancewithReginaldasmorethanthecommonestflirtation,andheistolerablyappeased.Adieu,tillwemeetIamenchantedwithmylodgings.
Yoursever,
S.VERNON.