Lady Susan

XXI. Miss Vernon To Mr De Courcy

Sir,--I hope you will excuse this liberty; I am forced upon it by the greatest distress, or I should be ashamed to trouble you. I am very miserable about Sir James Martin, and have no other way in the world of helping myself but by writing to you, for I am forbidden even speaking to my uncle and aunt on the subject; and this being the case, I am afraid my applying to you will appear no better than equivocation, and as if I attended to the letter and not the spirit of mamma`s commands. But if you do not take my part and persuade her to break it off, I shall be half distracted, for I cannot bear him. No human being but YOU could have any chance of prevailing with her. If you will, therefore, have the unspeakably great kindness of taking my part with her, and persuading her to send Sir James away, I shall be more obliged to you than it is possible for me to express. I always disliked him from the first: it is not a sudden fancy, I assure you, sir; I always thought him silly and impertinent and disagreeable, and now he is grown worse than ever. I would rather work for my bread than marry him. I do not know how to apologize enough for this letter; I know it is taking so great a liberty. I am aware how dreadfully angry it will make mamma, but I remember the risk.

I am, Sir, your most humble servant,

F. S. V.

Up
Search
Options

Wondering how to cite this page? Click here for the proper citation for this page, following the guidelines set for Humanities citations from Columbia Guide to Online Style by Janice R. Walker

Considering donating your report on Jane Austen. For more information, email the webmaster

Jane Austen [Mitsuharu Matsuoka] - Review the list of homepages, find a chronology of the author's life and works, subscribe to the mailing list, or access academic resources.

Austen E-texts, Etc. - including The History of England, Love and Friendship, plays, and more

Austen.com - information and links about the author, and a collection of fan fiction inspired by her works.

ASJAS - American Society of Jane Austen Scholars provides news and research on the writer. With links to excerpts from selected works

Austen Society of North America - Dedicated to the study and celebration of the classic English author. Find out how to join the Society, or order journals and newsletters.

Contemporaries of Jane Austen - offers information on the Regency period as the context for reading the Austen novels.

Goucher College's Jane Austen Collection - at the Julia Rogers Library

Information Page - Devoted exclusively to the author, who is enjoying renewed popularity thanks to the film industry. Includes downloadable texts and a brief bio.

History of England - from the reign of Henry the 4th to the death of Charles the 1st. An electronic version of Austen's history, with illustrations.

Jane Austen [geocities] - combines essays, pictures and quotes.

Jane Austen Bulletin Board: Postings From Male Voi - Dedicated to the illumination and preservation of Jane Austen's vision.

Jane Austen Campfire Chat - message board devoted to a discussion of Jane Austen's works, from Sense and Sensibility to Pride and Prejudice.

Jane Austen Centre - permanent exhibition which tells the story of the effect of Bath on Jane Austen's life and writing.

MSN Encarta - Read a biographical sketch of the English writer whose novels include 'Sense and Sensibility," "Pride and Prejudice" and "Emma."

Novel Calendar - Examines Austen's representations of the passage of time in her novels. Review calendars tracing the events in each of her novels.

Pemberly.com - Wealth of online resources about Jane Austen

The Jane Austen Festival - Official Website of the Bath Festival