XLI

Mrs.VernontoLadyDeCourcy. Churchhill. MydearMother,—Yourletterhassurprizedmebeyondmeasure!Canitbetruethattheyarereallyseparated—andforever?IshouldbeoverjoyedifIdareddependonit,butafterallthatIhaveseenhowcanonebesecure?AndReginaldreallywithyou!MysurprizeisthegreaterbecauseonWednesday,theverydayofhiscomingtoParklands,wehadamostunexpectedandunwelcomevisitfromLadySusan,lookingallcheerfulnessandgood-humour,andseemingmoreasifsheweretomarryhimwhenshegottoLondonthanasifpartedfromhimforever.Shestayednearlytwohours,wasasaffectionateandagreeableasever,andnotasyllable,notahintwasdropped,ofanydisagreementorcoolnessbetweenthem.Iaskedherwhethershehadseenmybrothersincehisarrivalintownnot,asyoumaysuppose,withanydoubtofthefact,butmerelytoseehowshelooked.Sheimmediatelyanswered,withoutanyembarrassment,thathehadbeenkindenoughtocallonheronMondaybutshebelievedhehadalreadyreturnedhome,whichIwasveryfarfromcrediting.Yourkindinvitationisacceptedbyuswithpleasure,andonThursdaynextweandourlittleoneswillbewithyou.Prayheaven