Lady Susan
Autograph manuscript, fair copy, of a novel
Purchased, 1947
4
so; — my dear Creature, I have admitted no one's atten:
:tions but Mainwaring's. I have avoided all general
flirtation whatever, I have distinguished no Creature
besides, of all the numbers resorting hither, except
Sir James Martin, on whom I bestowed a little notice
in order to detach him from Miss Mainwaring.
But, if the world could know my motive there
they would honour me. — I have been called an un:
:kind mother, but it was the sacred impulse of
maternal affection, it was the advantage of my
Daughter that led me on; & if that Daughter
were not the greatest simpleton on Earth, I might
have been rewarded for my Exertions as I ought. —
Sir James did make proposals to me for Frede:
:rica — but Frederica, who was born to be the
torment of my life, chose to set herself so vio:
:lently against the match that I thought it
better to lay aside the scheme for the present. —
I have more than once repented that I did not