Page:Austen Lady Susan Watson Letters.djvu/39

LADY SUSAN measure merely propose to make it her own choice, by rendering her thoroughly uncomfort- able till she does accept him — But enough of this tiresome girl. You may well wonder how I con- trive to pass my time here, and for the first week it was insufferably dull. Now, however, we be- gin to mend; our party is enlarged by Mrs. Vernon's brother, a handsome young man, who promises me some amusement. There is some- thing about him which rather interests me, a sort of sauciness and familiarity which I shall teach him to correct. He is lively, and seems clever; and when I have inspired him with greater re- spect for me than his sister's kind offices have implanted, he may be an agreeable flirt. There is exquisite pleasure in subduing an insolent spirit, in making a person predetermined to dis- like, acknowledge one's superiority. I have dis- concerted him aiready by my calm reserve, and it shall be mj^ endeavour to humble the pride of these self-important De Courcys still lower, to convince Mrs. Vernon that her sisterly cautions have been bestowed in vain, and to persuade Reginald that she has scandalously belied me. This project will serve at least to amuse me, and prevent my feeling so acutely this dreadful sep- aration from you and all whom I love. Yours ever, S. Vernon. [19]