<p>S. VERNON. <SPAN name="link2H_4_0023" id="link2H_4_0023"></SPAN></p>
<h2> XXIII </h2>
<p>MRS. VERNON TO LADY DE COURCY</p>
<p>Churchhill.</p>
<p>Let me congratulate you, my dearest Mother! The affair which has given us
so much anxiety is drawing to a happy conclusion. Our prospect is most
delightful, and since matters have now taken so favourable a turn, I am
quite sorry that I ever imparted my apprehensions to you; for the pleasure
of learning that the danger is over is perhaps dearly purchased by all
that you have previously suffered. I am so much agitated by delight that I
can scarcely hold a pen; but am determined to send you a few short lines
by James, that you may have some explanation of what must so greatly
astonish you, as that Reginald should be returning to Parklands. I was
sitting about half an hour ago with Sir James in the breakfast parlour,
when my brother called me out of the room. I instantly saw that something
was the matter; his complexion was raised, and he spoke with great
emotion; you know his eager manner, my dear mother, when his mind is
interested. "Catherine," said he, "I am going home to-day; I am sorry to
leave you, but I must go: it is a great while since I have seen my father
and mother. I am going to send James forward with my hunters immediately;
if you have any letter, therefore, he can take it. I shall not be at home
myself till Wednesday or Thursday, as I shall go through London, where I
have business; but before I leave you," he continued, speaking in a lower
tone, and with still greater energy, "I must warn you of one thing—do
not let Frederica Vernon be made unhappy by that Martin. He wants to marry
her; her mother promotes the match, but she cannot endure the idea of it.
Be assured that I speak from the fullest conviction of the truth of what I
say; I know that Frederica is made wretched by Sir James's continuing
here. She is a sweet girl, and deserves a better fate. Send him away
immediately; he is only a fool: but what her mother can mean, Heaven only
knows! Good bye," he added, shaking my hand with earnestness; "I do not
know when you will see me again; but remember what I tell you of
Frederica; you MUST make it your business to see justice done her. She is
an amiable girl, and has a very superior mind to what we have given her
credit for." He then left me, and ran upstairs. I would not try to stop
him, for I know what his feelings must be. The nature of mine, as I
listened to him, I need not attempt to describe; for a minute or two I
remained in the same spot, overpowered by wonder of a most agreeable sort
indeed; yet it required some consideration to be tranquilly happy. In
about ten minutes after my return to the parlour Lady Susan entered the
room. I concluded, of course, that she and Reginald had been quarrelling;
and looked with anxious curiosity for a confirmation of my belief in her
face. Mistress of deceit, however, she appeared perfectly unconcerned, and
after chatting on indifferent subjects for a short time, said to me, "I
find from Wilson that we are going to lose Mr. De Courcy—is it true
that he leaves Churchhill this morning?" I replied that it was. "He told
us nothing of all this last night," said she, laughing, "or even this
morning at breakfast; but perhaps he did not know it himself. Young men
are often hasty in their resolutions, and not more sudden in forming than
unsteady in keeping them. I should not be surprised if he were to change
his mind at last, and not go." She soon afterwards left the room. I trust,
however, my dear mother, that we have no reason to fear an alteration of
his present plan; things have gone too far. They must have quarrelled, and
about Frederica, too. Her calmness astonishes me. What delight will be
yours in seeing him again; in seeing him still worthy your esteem, still
capable of forming your happiness! When I next write I shall be able to
tell you that Sir James is gone, Lady Susan vanquished, and Frederica at
peace. We have much to do, but it shall be done. I am all impatience to
hear how this astonishing change was effected. I finish as I began, with
the warmest congratulations.</p>
<p>Yours ever, &c.,</p>
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