Churchhill.
This letter, my dear Mother, will be brought you by Reginald. His long visit is about to be concluded at last, but I fear the separation takes place too late to do us any good. She is going to London to see her particular friend, Mrs. Johnson. It was at first her intention that Frederica should accompany her, for the benefit of masters, but we overruled her there. Frederica was wretched in the idea of going, and I could not bear to have her at the mercy of her mother; not all the masters in London could compensate1 for the ruin of her comfort. I should have feared, too, for her health, and for everything but her principles — there I believe she is not to be injured by her mother, or her mother’s friends; but with those friends she must have mixed (a very bad set, I doubt not), or have been left in total solitude2, and I can hardly tell which would have been worse for her. If she is with her mother, moreover, she must, alas3! in all probability be with Reginald, and that would be the greatest evil of all. Here we shall in time be in peace, and our regular employments, our books and conversations, with exercise, the children, and every domestic pleasure in my power to procure4 her, will, I trust, gradually overcome this youthful attachment5. I should not have a doubt of it were she slighted for any other woman in the world than her own mother. How long Lady Susan will be in town, or whether she returns here again, I know not. I could not be cordial in my invitation, but if she chuses to come no want of cordiality on my part will keep her away. I could not help asking Reginald if he intended being in London this winter, as soon as I found her ladyship’s steps would be bent6 thither7; and though he professed8 himself quite undetermined, there was something in his look and voice as he spoke9 which contradicted his words. I have done with lamentation10; I look upon the event as so far decided11 that I resign myself to it in despair. If he leaves you soon for London everything will be concluded.
Your affectionate, &c.,
C. Vernon.
点击收听单词发音
1 compensate | |
vt.补偿,赔偿;酬报 vi.弥补;补偿;抵消 | |
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2 solitude | |
n. 孤独; 独居,荒僻之地,幽静的地方 | |
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3 alas | |
int.唉(表示悲伤、忧愁、恐惧等) | |
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4 procure | |
vt.获得,取得,促成;vi.拉皮条 | |
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5 attachment | |
n.附属物,附件;依恋;依附 | |
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6 bent | |
n.爱好,癖好;adj.弯的;决心的,一心的 | |
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7 thither | |
adv.向那里;adj.在那边的,对岸的 | |
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8 professed | |
公开声称的,伪称的,已立誓信教的 | |
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9 spoke | |
n.(车轮的)辐条;轮辐;破坏某人的计划;阻挠某人的行动 v.讲,谈(speak的过去式);说;演说;从某种观点来说 | |
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10 lamentation | |
n.悲叹,哀悼 | |
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11 decided | |
adj.决定了的,坚决的;明显的,明确的 | |
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