XXX

LadySusanVernontoMr.DeCourcy. UpperSeymourStreet. Ihavereceivedyourletter,andthoughIdonotattempttoconcealthatIamgratifiedbyyourimpatienceforthehourofmeeting,Iyetfeelmyselfunderthenecessityofdelayingthathourbeyondthetimeoriginallyfixed.Donotthinkmeunkindforsuchanexerciseofmypower,noraccusemeofinstabilitywithoutfirsthearingmyreasons.InthecourseofmyjourneyfromChurchhillIhadampleleisureforreflectiononthepresentstateofouraffairs,andeveryreviewhasservedtoconvincemethattheyrequireadelicacyandcautiousnessofconducttowhichwehavehithertobeentoolittleattentive.Wehavebeenhurriedonbyourfeelingstoadegreeofprecipitationwhichillaccordswiththeclaimsofourfriendsortheopinionoftheworld.Wehavebeenunguardedinformingthishastyengagement,butwemustnotcompletetheimprudencebyratifyingitwhilethereissomuchreasontofeartheconnectionwouldbeopposedbythosefriendsonwhomyoudepend.Itisnotforustoblameanyexpectationsonyourfather’ssideofyourmarryingtoadvantagewherepossessionsaresoextensiveasthoseofyourfamily,thewishofincreasingthem,ifnotstrictlyreasonable,istoocommontoexcitesurprizeorresentment.Hehasarighttorequireawomanoffortuneinhisdaughter-in-law,andIamsometimesquarrellingwithmyselfforsufferingyoutoformaconnectionsoimprudentbuttheinfluenceofreasonisoftenacknowledgedtoolatebythosewhofeellikeme.Ihavenowbeenbutafewmonthsawidow,and,howeverlittleindebtedtomyhusband’smemoryforanyhappinessderivedfromhimduringaunionofsomeyears,Icannotforgetthattheindelicacyofsoearlyasecondmarriagemustsubjectmetothecensureoftheworld,andincur,whatwouldbestillmoreinsupportable,thedispleasureofMr.Vernon.