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Mr. Manwaring
Sir Reginald De Courcy is Catherine Vernon and Reginald De Courcy’s father and Lady De Courcy’s husband; he’s a quick-tempered, reactive man, but he’s also easily persuaded by others. After he accidentally learns about Reginald’s attachment to Lady Susan, he writes his son a strongly-worded letter objecting to the match—because it would make Reginald unhappy, because Lady Susan is penniless, and because the family’s good name would be at stake due to Lady Susan’s bad reputation. Reginald responds, saying that he has no intention of marrying Lady Susan. Catherine knows this to be untrue, but Sir Reginald believes it, suggesting that he’s easily influenced.
Sir Reginald De Courcy Quotes in Lady Susan
The Lady Susan quotes below are all either spoken by Sir Reginald De Courcy or refer to Sir Reginald De Courcy. For each quote, you can also see the other characters and themes related to it (each theme is indicated by its own dot and icon, like this one:
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Letters 11–20 Quotes
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. 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 deliberately 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 drawn in, by the lady who has lately attached you, to a marriage, which the whole of your family, far and near, must highly reprobate.
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Letters 21–30 Quotes
For an hour or two, I was even staggered in my resolution of marrying him—and though this was too idle and nonsensical an idea to remain long on my mind, I do not feel very eager for the conclusion of my marriage, or look forward with much impatience to the time when Reginald according to our agreement is to be in town. I shall probably put off his arrival, under some pretence or other. He must not come till Manwaring is gone. I am still doubtful at times, as to marriage. If the old man would die, I might not hesitate; but a state of dependence on the caprice of Sir Reginald, will not suit the freedom of my spirit.
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Sir Reginald De Courcy Character Timeline in Lady Susan
The timeline below shows where the character Sir Reginald De Courcy appears in Lady Susan. The colored dots and icons indicate which themes are associated with that appearance.
Letters 1–10
...plans to stay at Churchill to hunt with Charles. Catherine’s mother shouldn’t tell Catherine’s father, Sir Reginald , but here’s what actually happened: Lady Susan has changed Reginald’s mind about her, which...
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...Reginald’s arrival at Churchill; in fact, she thinks her friend should marry him. His father, Sir Reginald , is ill and will probably die soon. And although no man is in Lady...
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...has no plans to marry Reginald. She doesn’t need the money right now, and until Sir Reginald is dead, the marriage wouldn’t benefit her. However, she thinks that she could marry him...
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Letters 11–20
...coming home on some pretense—for her part, Catherine has tried to hint that their father, Sir Reginald , is sick, but this doesn’t seem to have worked. Reginald is so infatuated with...
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Letter XII. Catherine and Reginald’s father, Sir Reginald , writes to his son, reminding him of his duty to his family. In marriage,...
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...(she’s 12 years older than Reginald), but the reasons behind her bad reputation bear repeating. Sir Reginald reminds his son that Lady Susan neglected her late husband, flirted with other men, and...
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Sir Reginald is against the match with Lady Susan—it’s possible she’s even toying with Reginald out of...
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...Lady DeCourcy tells Catherine that she was sick when Catherine sent her last letter, so Sir Reginald read it to her and inadvertently learned about Reginald’s relationship with Lady Susan. She was...
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Letter XIV. Reginald replies to Sir Reginald , shocked by his long missive. He assumes that Sir Reginald got this information from...
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...hopes that Frederica is worthy of her. Reginald admires Lady Susan, and he believes that Sir Reginald ’s fears about marriage are misplaced.
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Letter XV. Catherine tells her mother that she’s glad Reginald’s letter reassured Sir Reginald , but reading it only convinced her that Reginald doesn’t plan to propose to Lady...
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Letters 21–30
...decision to leave. Catherine comforted her, saying that she was glad Reginald was leaving, since Sir Reginald wanted to see him at home.
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Lady Susan thinks she should delay the marriage until Mr. Manwaring leaves. If Sir Reginald was dead, she’d be certain she’s making the right call, but she doesn’t want to...
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...to move things forward too fast. After all, his family will disapprove of their marriage: Sir Reginald wants him to marry rich—which doesn’t make sense given the family’s wealth, but it’s still...
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...De Courcys. She would be doubly miserable if she created a rift between Reginald and Sir Reginald . Only her love for Reginald could force Lady Susan to be this selfless; in...
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