Lady Susan by Jane Austen. - HTML preview

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I

LADY SUSAN VERNON TO MR. VERNON

Langford, Dec.

MY DEAR BROTHER,-‐-‐I can no longer refuse myself the pleasure of

profiting by your kind invitation when we last parted of spending some

weeks with you at Churchhill, and, therefore, if quite convenient to you

and Mrs. Vernon to receive me at present, I shall hope within a few days to

be introduced to a sister whom I have so long desired to be acquainted

with. My kind friends here are most affectionately urgent with me to

prolong my stay, but their hospitable and cheerful dispositions lead them

too much into society for my present situation and state of mind; and I

impatiently look forward to the hour when I shall be admitted into Your

delightful retirement.

I long to be made known to your dear little children, in whose hearts I

shall be very eager to secure an interest I shall soon have need for all my

fortitude, as I am on the point of separation from my own daughter. The

long illness of her dear father prevented my paying her that attention

which duty and affection equally dictated, and I have too much reason to

fear that the governess to whose care I consigned her was unequal to the

charge. I have therefore resolved on placing her at one of the best

private schools in town, where I shall have an opportunity of leaving her

myself in my way to you. I am determined, you see, not to be denied

admittance at Churchhill. It would indeed give me most painful sensations

to know that it were not in your power to receive me.

Your most obliged and affectionate sister,

S. VERNON.