LADY SUSAN

by Jane Austen
I

LADY SUSAN VERNON TO MR. VERNON
Langford, Dec.

MY DEAR BROTHER,--I can no longer refuse myself the pleasure of
profiting by your kind invitation when we last parted of spending some

weeks with you at Churchhill, and, therefore, if quite convenient to you
and Mrs. Vernon to receive me at present, I shall hope within a few days to

be introduced to a sister whom I have so long desired to be acquainted
with. My kind friends here are most affectionately" target="_blank" title="ad.热情地；体贴地">affectionatelyurgent with me to

prolong my stay, but their hospitable and cheerfuldispositions lead them
too much into society for my present situation and state of mind; and I

impatiently look forward to the hour when I shall be admitted into Your
delightful retirement.

I long to be made known to your dear little children, in whose hearts I
shall be very eager to secure an interest I shall soon have need for all my

fortitude, as I am on the point of separation from my own daughter. The
long illness of her dear father prevented my paying her that attention

which duty and affectionequally dictated, and I have too much reason to
fear that the governess to whose care I consigned her was unequal to the

charge. I have thereforeresolved on placing her at one of the best
private schools in town, where I shall have an opportunity of leaving her

myself in my way to you. I am determined, you see, not to be denied
admittance at Churchhill. It would indeed give me most painful sensations

to know that it were not in your power to receive me.
Your most obliged and affectionate sister,

S. VERNON.
II

LADY SUSAN VERNON TO MRS. JOHNSON
Langford.

You were mistaken, my dear Alicia, in supposing me fixed at this place
for the rest of the winter: it grieves me to say how greatly you were

mistaken, for I have seldom spent three months more agreeably than those
which have just flown away. At present, nothing goes smoothly; the females

of the family are united against me. You foretold how it would be when I
first came to Langford, and Mainwaring is so uncommonly pleasing that I was

not without apprehensions for myself. I remember saying to myself, as I
drove to the house, "I like this man, pray Heaven no harm come of it!" But

I was determined to be discreet, to bear in mind my being only four months
a widow, and to be as quiet as possible: and I have been so, my dear

creature; I have admitted no one's attentions but Mainwaring's. I have
avoided all general flirtation whatever; I have distinguished no creature

besides, of all the numbers resorting hither, except Sir James Martin, on
whom I bestowed a little notice, in order to detach him from Miss

Mainwaring; but, if the world could know my motive THERE they would honour
me. I have been called an unkind mother, but it was the sacredimpulse of

maternal affection, it was the advantage of my daughter that led me on; and
if that daughter were not the greatest simpleton on earth, I might have

been rewarded for my exertions as I ought.
Sir James did make proposals to me for Frederica; but Frederica, who was

born to be the torment of my life, chose to set herself so violently
against the match that I thought it better to lay aside the scheme for the

present. I have more than once repented that I did not marry him myself;
and were he but one degree less contemptibly weak I certainly should: but I

must own myself rather romantic in that respect, and that riches only will
not satisfy me. The event of all this is very provoking: Sir James is gone,

Maria highly incensed, and Mrs. Mainwaring insupportably jealous; so
jealous, in short, and so enraged against me, that, in the fury of her

temper, I should not be surprized at her appealing to her guardian, if she
had the liberty of addressing him: but there your husband stands my friend;

and the kindest, most amiable action of his life was his throwing her off
for ever on her marriage. Keep up his resentment" target="_blank" title="n.不满；怨恨；忿恨">resentment, therefore, I charge you.

We are now in a sad state; no house was ever more altered; the whole party
are at war, and Mainwaring scarcely dares speak to me. It is time for me to

be gone; I have therefore determined on leaving them, and shall spend, I
hope, a comfortable day with you in town within this week. If I am as

little in favour with Mr. Johnson as ever, you must come to me at 10
Wigmore street; but I hope this may not be the case, for as Mr. Johnson,

with all his faults, is a man to whom that great word "respectable" is
always given, and I am known to be so intimate with his wife, his slighting

me has an awkward look.
I take London in my way to that insupportable spot, a country village;

for I am really going to Churchhill. Forgive me, my dear friend, it is my
last resource. Were there another place in England open to me I would

prefer it. Charles Vernon is my aversion; and I am afraid of his wife. At
Churchhill, however, I must remain till I have something better in view. My

young lady accompanies me to town, where I shall deposit her under the care
of Miss Summers, in Wigmore street, till she becomes a little more

reasonable. She will made good connections there, as the girls are all
of the best families. The price is immense, and much beyond what I can ever

attempt to pay.
Adieu, I will send you a line as soon as I arrive in town.

Yours ever,
S. VERNON.

III
MRS. VERNON TO LADY DE COURCY

Churchhill.
My dear Mother,--I am very sorry to tell you that it will not be in our

power to keep our promise of spending our Christmas with you; and we are
prevented that happiness by a circumstance which is not likely to make us

any amends. Lady Susan, in a letter to her brother-in-law, has declared her
intention of visiting us almost immediately; and as such a visit is in all

probability merely an affair of convenience, it is impossible to conjecture
its length. I was by no means prepared for such an event, nor can I now

account for her ladyship's conduct; Langford appeared so exactly the place
for her in every respect, as well from the elegant and expensive style of

living there, as from her particular attachment" target="_blank" title="n.附着；附件；爱慕">attachment to Mr. Mainwaring, that I
was very far from expecting so speedy a distinction, though I always

imagined from her increasing friendship for us since her husband's death
that we should, at some future period, be obliged to receive her. Mr.

Vernon, I think, was a great deal too kind to her when he was in
Staffordshire; her behaviour to him, independent of her general character,

has been so inexcusably artful and ungenerous since our marriage was first
in agitation that no one less amiable and mild than himself could have

overlooked it all; and though, as his brother's widow, and in narrow
circumstances, it was proper to render her pecuniary assistance, I cannot

help thinking his pressing invitation to her to visit us at Churchhill
perfectly unnecessary. Disposed, however, as he always is to think the

best of everyone, her display of grief, and professions of regret, and
general resolutions of prudence, were sufficient to soften his heart and

make him really confide in her sincerity; but, as for myself, I am still
unconvinced, and plausibly as her ladyship has now written, I cannot make

up my mind till I better understand her real meaning in coming to us. You
may guess, therefore, my dear madam, with what feelings I look forward to

her arrival. She will have occasion for all those attractive powers for
which she is celebrated to gain any share of my regard; and I shall

certainly endeavour to guard myself against their influence, if not
accompanied by something more substantial. She expresses a most eager

desire of being acquainted with me, and makes very gracious mention of my
children but I am not quite weak enough to suppose a woman who has behaved

with inattention, if not with unkindness, to her own child, should be
attached to any of mine. Miss Vernon is to be placed at a school in London

before her mother comes to us which I am glad of, for her sake and my own.
It must be to her advantage to be separated from her mother, and a girl of

sixteen who has received so wretched an education, could not be a very
desirable companion here. Reginald has long wished, I know, to see the

captivating Lady Susan, and we shall depend on his joining our party soon.
I am glad to hear that my father continues so well; and am, with best love,

&c.,
CATHERINE VERNON.

IV
MR. DE COURCY TO MRS. VERNON

Parklands.
My dear Sister,--I congratulate you and Mr. Vernon on being about to

receive into your family the most accomplished coquette in England. As a
very distinguished flirt I have always been taught to consider her, but it

has lately fallen In my way to hear some particulars of her conduct at
Langford: which prove that she does not confine herself to that sort of