“Ask him to your house occasionally, and talk to him of Frederica, that he may not forget her” (VII).
Lady Susan is intent on arranging a marriage between her daughter, Frederica, and Sir James, the man she deems suitable for her daughter. Lady Susan does not care about any affections between the two; she only wants a marriage for benefits that it will bring her. Lady Susan will go to whatever lengths necessary to ensure a marriage between her daughter and Sir James. Arranged marriages of this style were not as common during this time period, but they were not unheard of. The tone Austen uses throughout the novel and the absurd actions her characters take show that she disapproves of arranged marriages such as the one between Sir James and Frederica.
how would you characterize that tone?
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