Lady Susan by Jane Austen. - HTML preview

PLEASE NOTE: This is an HTML preview only and some elements such as links or page numbers may be incorrect.
Download the book in PDF, ePub, Kindle for a complete version.

XII

SIR REGINALD DE COURCY TO HIS SON

Parklands.

I know that young men in general do not admit of any enquiry even from

their nearest relations into affairs of the heart, but I hope, my dear

Reginald, that you will be superior to such as allow nothing for a father's

anxiety, and think themselves privileged to refuse him their confidence and

slight his advice. You must be sensible that as an only son, and the

representative of an ancient family, your conduct in life is most

interesting to your connections; and in the very important concern of

marriage especially, there is everything at stake-‐-‐your own happiness, that

of your parents, and the credit of your name. I do not suppose that you

would deliberately form an absolute engagement of that nature without

acquainting your mother and myself, or at least, without being convinced

that we should approve of your choice; but I cannot help fearing that you

may be drawn in, by the lady who has lately attached you, to a marriage

which the whole of your family, far and near, must highly reprobate. Lady

Susan's age is itself a material objection, but her want of character is

one so much more serious, that the difference of even twelve years becomes

in comparison of small amount. Were you not blinded by a sort of

fascination, it would be ridiculous in me to repeat the instances of great

misconduct on her side so very generally known.

Her neglect of her husband, her encouragement of other men, her

extravagance and dissipation, were so gross and notorious that no one could

be ignorant of them at the time, nor can now have forgotten them. To our

family she has always been represented in softened colours by the

benevolence of Mr. Charles Vernon, and yet, in spite of his generous

endeavours to excuse her, we know that she did, from the most selfish

motives, take all possible pains to prevent his marriage with Catherine.

My years and increasing infirmities make me very desirous of seeing you

settled in the world. To the fortune of a wife, the goodness of my own will

make me indifferent, but her family and character must be equally

unexceptionable. When your choice is fixed so that no objection can be

made to it, then I can promise you a ready and cheerful consent; but it is

my duty to oppose a match which deep art only could render possible, and

must in the end make wretched. It is possible her behaviour may arise only

from vanity, or the wish of gaining the admiration of a man whom she must

imagine to be particularly prejudiced against her; but it is more likely

that she should aim at something further. She is poor, and may naturally

seek an alliance which must be advantageous to herself; you know your own

rights, and that it is out of my power to prevent your inheriting the

family estate. My ability of distressing you during my life would be a

species of revenge to which I could hardly stoop under any circumstances.

I honestly tell you my sentiments and intentions: I do not wish to work

on your fears, but on your sense and affection. It would destroy every

comfort of my life to know that you were married to Lady Susan Vernon; it

would be the death of that honest pride with which I have hitherto

considered my son; I should blush to see him, to hear of him, to think of

him. I may perhaps do no good but that of relieving my own mind by this

letter, but I felt it my duty to tell you that your partiality for Lady

Susan is no secret to your friends, and to warn you against her. I should

be glad to hear your reasons for disbelieving Mr. Smith's intelligence; you

had no doubt of its authenticity a month ago. If you can give me your

assurance of having no design beyond enjoying the conversation of a clever

woman for a short period, and of yielding admiration only to her beauty and

abilities, without being blinded by them to her faults, you will restore me

to happiness ;but, if you cannot do this, explain to me, at least, what has

occasioned so great an alteration in your opinion of her.

I am, &c., &c,

REGINALD DE COURCY