XLI

,Reginaldmaynotbeintownagainbythattime!IwishwecouldbringdearFredericatoo,butIamsorrytosaythathermother’serrandhitherwastofetchherawayand,miserableasitmadethepoorgirl,itwasimpossibletodetainher.Iwasthoroughlyunwillingtolethergo,andsowasheruncleandallthatcouldbeurgedwedidurgebutLadySusandeclaredthatasshewasnowabouttofixherselfinLondonforseveralmonths,shecouldnotbeeasyifherdaughterwerenotwithherformasters,&c.Hermanner,tobesure,wasverykindandproper,andMr.VernonbelievesthatFredericawillnowbetreatedwithaffection.IwishIcouldthinksotoo.Thepoorgirl’sheartwasalmostbrokeattakingleaveofus.Ichargedhertowritetomeveryoften,andtorememberthatifshewereinanydistressweshouldbealwaysherfriends.Itookcaretoseeheralone,thatImightsayallthis,andIhopemadeheralittlemorecomfortablebutIshallnotbeeasytillIcangototownandjudgeofhersituationmyself.Iwishtherewereabetterprospectthannowappearsofthematchwhichtheconclusionofyourletterdeclaresyourexpectationsof.Atpresent,itisnotverylikely, Yoursever,&c., C.VERNON.