Summary

Mrs. Vernon writes to her mother that Frederica was frightened when she came to their home. She burst into tears as soon as they were seated. Lady Susan was been crying all day over her daughter and Reginald was concerned. Mrs. Vernon thinks Frederica is very pretty and feels bad for the girl because her mother is so horrible. Her niece is too shy to speak with her and so they have not bonded. Reginald thinks Frederica has treated her mother awfully. Mrs. Vernon knows he's only parroting what Lady Susan has told him.

Mrs. Vernon writes to her mother again, expressing an even deeper fondness for Frederica. She's glad that Lady De Courcy approves of Frederica too. Mrs. Vernon confides a plan to make all their troubles disappear: they can marry Reginald to Frederica. Mrs. Vernon has detected Frederica's attraction to Reginald...