_Mrs. Vernon to Lady De Courcy._
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 knew 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.