<p>CATHERINE VERNON. <SPAN name="link2H_4_0004" id="link2H_4_0004"></SPAN></p>
<h2> IV </h2>
<p>MR. DE COURCY TO MRS. VERNON</p>
<p>Parklands.</p>
<p>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
honest flirtation which satisfies most people, but aspires to the more
delicious gratification of making a whole family miserable. By her
behaviour to Mr. Mainwaring she gave jealousy and wretchedness to his
wife, and by her attentions to a young man previously attached to Mr.
Mainwaring's sister deprived an amiable girl of her lover.</p>
<p>I learnt all this from Mr. Smith, now in this neighbourhood (I have dined
with him, at Hurst and Wilford), who is just come from Langford where he
was a fortnight with her ladyship, and who is therefore well qualified to
make the communication.</p>
<p>What a woman she must be! I long to see her, and shall certainly accept
your kind invitation, that I may form some idea of those bewitching powers
which can do so much—engaging at the same time, and in the same
house, the affections of two men, who were neither of them at liberty to
bestow them—and all this without the charm of youth! I am glad to
find Miss Vernon does not accompany her mother to Churchhill, as she has
not even manners to recommend her; and, according to Mr. Smith's account,
is equally dull and proud. Where pride and stupidity unite there can be no
dissimulation worthy notice, and Miss Vernon shall be consigned to
unrelenting contempt; but by all that I can gather Lady Susan possesses a
degree of captivating deceit which it must be pleasing to witness and
detect. I shall be with you very soon, and am ever,</p>
<p>Your affectionate brother,</p>
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