Churchhill.
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.
Yours ever, &c.,
CATH. VERNON.
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I. Lady Susan Vernon to Mr. Vernon
II. Lady Susan to Mrs. Johnson
III. Mrs. Vernon to Lady De Courcy
IV. Mr. De Courcy to Mrs. Vernon
V. Lady Susan Vernon to Mrs. Johnson
VI. Mrs. Vernon to Mr. De Courcy
VII. Lady Susan Vernon to Mrs. Johnson
VIII. Mrs. Vernon to Lady De Courcy
IX. Mrs. Johnson to Lady S. Vernon
X. Lady Susan Vernon to Mrs. Johnson
XI. Mrs. Vernon to Lady De Courcy
XII. Sir Reginald De Courcy to His Son
XIII. Lady De Courcy to Mrs. Vernon
XIV. Mr. De Courcy to Sir Reginald
XV. Mrs. Vernon to Lady De Courcy
XVI. Lady Susan to Mrs. Johnson
XVII. Mrs. Vernon to Lady De Courcy
XVIII. From The Same to The Same
XIX. Lady Susan to Mrs. Johnson
XX. Mrs. Vernon to Lady De Courcy
XXI. Miss Vernon to Mr. De Courcy
XXII. Lady Susan to Mrs. Johnson
XXIII. Mrs. Vernon to Lady De Courcy
XXIV. From The Same to The Same
XXV. Lady Susan to Mrs. Johnson
XXVI. Mrs. Johnson to Lady Susan
XXVII. Mrs. Vernon to Lady De Courcy
XXVIII. Mrs. Johnson to Lady Susan
XXIX. Lady Susan Vernon to Mrs. Johnson
XXX. Lady Susan Vernon to Mr. De Courcy
XXXI. Lady Susan to Mrs. Johnson
XXXII. Mrs. Johnson to Lady Susan
XXXIII. Lady Susan to Mrs. Johnson
XXXIV. Mr. De Courcy to Lady Susan
XXXV. Lady Susan to Mr. De Courcy
XXXVI. Mr. De Courcy to Lady Susan
XXXVII. Lady Susan to Mr. De Courcy
XXXVIII. Mrs. Johnson to Lady Susan Vernon
XXXIX. Lady Susan to Mrs. Johnson
XL. Lady De Courcy to Mrs. Vernon