Chapter xl

Lady De Courcy to Mrs. Vernon

My dear Catherine — I have charming news for you, and if I had not sent off my letter this morning you might have been spared the vexation of knowing of Reginald’s being gone to London, for he is returned. Reginald is returned, not to ask our consent to his marrying Lady Susan, but to tell us they are parted for ever. He has been only an hour in the house, and I have not been able to learn particulars, for he is so very low that I have not the heart to ask questions, but I hope we shall soon know all. This is the most joyful¹ hour he has ever given us since the day of his birth. Nothing is wanting but to have you here, and it is our particular wish and entreaty² that you would come to us as soon as you can. You have owed us a visit many long weeks; I hope nothing will make it inconvenient³ to Mr. Vernon; and pray bring all my grand-children; and your dear niece is included, of course; I long to see her. It has been a sad, heavy winter hitherto⁴, without Reginald, and seeing nobody from Churchhill. I never found the season so dreary⁵ before; but this happy meeting will make us young again. Frederica runs much in my thoughts, and when Reginald has recovered his usual good spirits (as I trust he soon will) we will try to rob him of his heart once more, and I am full of hopes of seeing their hands joined at no great distance.

Your affectionate mother,

C. De Courcy

1 joyful   

adj.欢乐的，令人欢欣的

参考例句：

• She was joyful of her good result of the scientific experiments.她为自己的科学实验取得好成果而高兴。
• They were singing and dancing to celebrate this joyful occasion.他们唱着、跳着庆祝这令人欢乐的时刻。

2 entreaty   

n.恳求，哀求

参考例句：

• Mrs. Quilp durst only make a gesture of entreaty.奎尔普太太仅做出一种哀求的姿势。
• Her gaze clung to him in entreaty.她的眼光带着恳求的神色停留在他身上。

3 inconvenient   

adj.不方便的，令人感到麻烦的

参考例句：

• You have come at a very inconvenient time.你来得最不适时。
• Will it be inconvenient for him to attend that meeting?他参加那次会议会不方便吗？

4 hitherto   

ad.迄今，到目前为止

参考例句：

• Hitherto he had experienced no great success in his attempt.到目前为止，他的尝试还没获得成功。
• She discovered a world of parties and pleasure she had hitherto only known by hearsay.她发现了一个以前只是略有听闻的花花世界。

5 dreary   

adj.令人沮丧的，沉闷的，单调乏味的

参考例句：

• They live such dreary lives.他们的生活如此乏味。
• She was tired of hearing the same dreary tale of drunkenness and violence.她听够了那些关于酗酒和暴力的乏味故事。