_Lady Susan to Mrs. Johnson._
Churchhill.
Never, my dearest Alicia, was I so provoked in my life as by a letter
this morning from Miss Summers. That horrid girl of mine has been
trying to run away. I had not a notion of her being such a little devil
before, she seemed to have all the Vernon milkiness; but on receiving
the letter in which I declared my intention about Sir James, she
actually attempted to elope; at least, I cannot otherwise account for
her doing it. She meant, I suppose, to go to the Clarkes in
Staffordshire, for she has no other acquaintances. But she shall be
punished, she shall have him. I have sent Charles to town to make
matters up if he can, for I do not by any means want her here. If Miss
Summers will not keep her, you must find me out another school, unless
we can get her married immediately. Miss S. writes word that she could
not get the young lady to assign any cause for her extraordinary
conduct, which confirms me in my own previous explanation of it.
Frederica is too shy, I think, and too much in awe of me to tell tales,
but if the mildness of her uncle should get anything out of her, I am
not afraid. I trust I shall be able to make my story as good as hers.
If I am vain of anything, it is of my eloquence. Consideration and
esteem as surely follow command of language as admiration waits on
beauty, and here I have opportunity enough for the exercise of my
talent, as the chief of my time is spent in conversation.
Reginald is never easy unless we are by ourselves, and when the weather
is tolerable, we pace the shrubbery for hours together. I like him on
the whole very well; he is clever and has a good deal to say, but he is
sometimes impertinent and troublesome. There is a sort of ridiculous
delicacy about him which requires the fullest explanation of whatever
he may have heard to my disadvantage, and is never satisfied till he
thinks he has ascertained the beginning and end of everything. This is
one sort of love, but I confess it does not particularly recommend
itself to me. I infinitely prefer the tender and liberal spirit of
Mainwaring, which, impressed with the deepest conviction of my merit,
is satisfied that whatever I do must be right; and look with a degree
of contempt on the inquisitive and doubtful fancies of that heart which
seems always debating on the reasonableness of its emotions. Mainwaring
is indeed, beyond all compare, superior to Reginald—superior in
everything but the power of being with me! Poor fellow! he is much
distracted by jealousy, which I am not sorry for, as I know no better
support of love. He has been teazing me to allow of his coming into
this country, and lodging somewhere near _incog_.; but I forbade
everything of the kind. Those women are inexcusable who forget what is
due to themselves, and the opinion of the world.
Yours ever,
S. VERNON.