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Chapter xii
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Sir Reginald De Courcy to his Son
Parklands.
I know that young men in general do not admit of any enquiry even from their nearest relations into affairs of the heart, but I hope, my dear Reginald, that you will be superior to such as allow nothing for a father’s anxiety, and think themselves privileged to refuse him their confidence and slight his advice. You must be sensible that as an only son, and the representative of an ancient family, your conduct in life is most interesting to your connections; and in the very important concern of marriage especially, there is everything at stake — your own happiness, that of your parents, and the credit of your name. I do not suppose that you would deliberately1 form an absolute engagement of that nature without acquainting your mother and myself, or at least, without being convinced that we should approve of your choice; but I cannot help fearing that you may be drawn2 in, by the lady who has lately attached you, to a marriage which the whole of your family, far and near, must highly reprobate3. Lady Susan’s age is itself a material objection, but her want of character is one so much more serious, that the difference of even twelve years becomes in comparison of small amount. Were you not blinded by a sort of fascination4, it would be ridiculous in me to repeat the instances of great misconduct on her side so very generally known.
Her neglect of her husband, her encouragement of other men, her extravagance and dissipation, were so gross and notorious that no one could be ignorant of them at the time, nor can now have forgotten them. To our family she has always been represented in softened5 colours by the benevolence6 of Mr. Charles Vernon, and yet, in spite of his generous endeavours to excuse her, we know that she did, from the most selfish motives7, take all possible pains to prevent his marriage with Catherine.
My years and increasing infirmities make me very desirous of seeing you settled in the world. To the fortune of a wife, the goodness of my own will make me indifferent, but her family and character must be equally unexceptionable. When your choice is
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1
deliberately
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adv.审慎地;蓄意地;故意地 | |
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2
drawn
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v.拖,拉,拔出;adj.憔悴的,紧张的 | |
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3
reprobate
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n.无赖汉;堕落的人 | |
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4
fascination
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n.令人着迷的事物,魅力,迷恋 | |
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5
softened
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(使)变软( soften的过去式和过去分词 ); 缓解打击; 缓和; 安慰 | |
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6
benevolence
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n.慈悲,捐助 | |
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7
motives
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n.动机,目的( motive的名词复数 ) | |
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8
fixed
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adj.固定的,不变的,准备好的;(计算机)固定的 | |
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admiration
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n.钦佩,赞美,羡慕 | |
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advantageous
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adj.有利的;有帮助的 | |
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distressing
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a.使人痛苦的 | |
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authenticity
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n.真实性 | |
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alteration
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n.变更,改变;蚀变 | |
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Chapter xi
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Chapter xiii
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