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diff --git a/9296-0.txt b/9296-0.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..9ce78a3 --- /dev/null +++ b/9296-0.txt @@ -0,0 +1,11719 @@ +The Project Gutenberg eBook of Clarissa, Volume 1 (of 9), by Samuel Richardson + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere in the United States and +most other parts of the world at no cost and with almost no restrictions +whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or re-use it under the terms +of the Project Gutenberg License included with this eBook or online at +www.gutenberg.org. If you are not located in the United States, you +will have to check the laws of the country where you are located before +using this eBook. + +Title: Clarissa, Volume 1 (of 9) + +Author: Samuel Richardson + +Release Date: September 17, 2003 [eBook #9296] +[Most recently updated: October 14, 2021] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: UTF-8 + +Produced by: Julie C. Sparks and David Widger + +*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK CLARISSA, VOLUME 1 (OF 9) *** + + + + +CLARISSA HARLOWE + +or the + +HISTORY OF A YOUNG LADY + +Nine Volumes + +Volume I. + + + Comprehending + The most Important Concerns of Private Life. + And particularly shewing, + The Distresses that may attend the Misconduct + Both of Parents and Children, + In Relation to Marriage. + + + + +PREFACE + + +The following History is given in a series of letters, written +Principally in a double yet separate correspondence; + +Between two young ladies of virtue and honor, bearing an inviolable +friendship for each other, and writing not merely for amusement, but +upon the most interesting subjects; in which every private family, more +or less, may find itself concerned; and, + +Between two gentlemen of free lives; one of them glorying in his +talents for stratagem and invention, and communicating to the other, in +confidence, all the secret purposes of an intriguing head and resolute +heart. + +But here it will be proper to observe, for the sake of such as may +apprehend hurt to the morals of youth, from the more freely-written +letters, that the gentlemen, though professed libertines as to the +female sex, and making it one of their wicked maxims, to keep no faith +with any of the individuals of it, who are thrown into their power, +are not, however, either infidels or scoffers; nor yet such as think +themselves freed from the observance of those other moral duties which +bind man to man. + +On the contrary, it will be found, in the progress of the work, that +they very often make such reflections upon each other, and each upon +himself and his own actions, as reasonable beings must make, who +disbelieve not a future state of rewards and punishments, and who one +day propose to reform--one of them actually reforming, and by that means +giving an opportunity to censure the freedoms which fall from the gayer +pen and lighter heart of the other. + +And yet that other, although in unbosoming himself to a select friend, +he discovers wickedness enough to entitle him to general detestation, +preserves a decency, as well in his images as in his language, which +is not always to be found in the works of some of the most celebrated +modern writers, whose subjects and characters have less warranted the +liberties they have taken. + +In the letters of the two young ladies, it is presumed, will be +found not only the highest exercise of a reasonable and practicable +friendship, between minds endowed with the noblest principles of +virtue and religion, but occasionally interspersed, such delicacy of +sentiments, particularly with regard to the other sex; such instances +of impartiality, each freely, as a fundamental principle of their +friendship, blaming, praising, and setting right the other, as are +strongly to be recommended to the observation of the younger part (more +specially) of female readers. + +The principle of these two young ladies is proposed as an exemplar to +her sex. Nor is it any objection to her being so, that she is not in +all respects a perfect character. It was not only natural, but it was +necessary, that she should have some faults, were it only to show the +reader how laudably she could mistrust and blame herself, and carry to +her own heart, divested of self-partiality, the censure which arose from +her own convictions, and that even to the acquittal of those, because +revered characters, whom no one else would acquit, and to whose much +greater faults her errors were owing, and not to a weak or reproachable +heart. As far as it is consistent with human frailty, and as far as she +could be perfect, considering the people she had to deal with, and those +with whom she was inseparably connected, she is perfect. To have been +impeccable, must have left nothing for the Divine Grace and a purified +state to do, and carried our idea of her from woman to angel. As such is +she often esteemed by the man whose heart was so corrupt that he could +hardly believe human nature capable of the purity, which, on every trial +or temptation, shone out in her's [sic]. + +Besides the four principal person, several others are introduced, whose +letters are characteristic: and it is presumed that there will be found +in some of them, but more especially in those of the chief character +among the men, and the second character among the women, such strokes of +gayety, fancy, and humour, as will entertain and divert, and at the same +time both warn and instruct. + +All the letters are written while the hearts of the writers must be +supposed to be wholly engaged in their subjects (the events at the time +generally dubious): so that they abound not only in critical situations, +but with what may be called instantaneous descriptions and reflections +(proper to be brought home to the breast of the youthful reader;) as +also with affecting conversations; many of them written in the dialogue +or dramatic way. + +'Much more lively and affecting,' says one of the principal character, +'must be the style of those who write in the height of a present +distress; the mind tortured by the pangs of uncertainty (the events then +hidden in the womb of fate;) than the dry, narrative, unanimated style +of a person relating difficulties and danger surmounted, can be; the +relater perfectly at ease; and if himself unmoved by his own story, not +likely greatly to affect the reader.' + +What will be found to be more particularly aimed at in the following +work is--to warn the inconsiderate and thoughtless of the one sex, +against the base arts and designs of specious contrivers of the +other--to caution parents against the undue exercise of their natural +authority over their children in the great article of marriage--to warn +children against preferring a man of pleasure to a man of probity upon +that dangerous but too-commonly-received notion, that a reformed rake +makes the best husband--but above all, to investigate the highest and +most important doctrines not only of morality, but of Christianity, by +showing them thrown into action in the conduct of the worthy characters; +while the unworthy, who set those doctrines at defiance, are condignly, +and, as may be said, consequentially punished. + +From what has been said, considerate readers will not enter upon the +perusal of the piece before them as if it were designed only to divert +and amuse. It will probably be thought tedious to all such as dip into +it, expecting a light novel, or transitory romance; and look upon story +in it (interesting as that is generally allowed to be) as its sole end, +rather than as a vehicle to the instruction. + +Different persons, as might be expected, have been of different +opinions, in relation to the conduct of the Heroine in particular +situations; and several worthy persons have objected to the general +catastrophe, and other parts of the history. Whatever is thought +material of these shall be taken notice of by way of Postscript, at the +conclusion of the History; for this work being addressed to the public +as a history of life and manners, those parts of it which are +proposed to carry with them the force of an example, ought to be as +unobjectionable as is consistent with the design of the whole, and with +human nature. + + + + +NAMES OF THE PRINCIPAL PERSONS + + + MISS CLARISSA HARLOWE, a young lady of great beauty and merit. + ROBERT LOVELACE, ESQ. her admirer. + JAMES HARLOWE, ESQ. father of Clarissa. + MRS. HARLOWE, his lady. + JAMES HARLOWE, their only son. + ARABELLA, their elder daughter. + JOHN HARLOWE, ESQ. elder brother of James Harlowe, sen. + ANTONY HARLOWE, third brother. + ROGER SOLMES, ESQ. an admirer of Clarissa, favoured by her friends. + MRS. HERVEY, half-sister of Mrs. Harlowe. + MISS DOLLY HERVEY, her daughter. + MRS. JUDITH NORTON, a woman of great piety and discretion, who had a + principal share in the education of Clarissa. + COL. WM. MORDEN, a near relation of the Harlowes. + MISS HOWE, the most intimate friend, companion, and correspondent of + Clarissa. + MRS. HOWE, her mother. + CHARLES HICKMAN, ESQ. an admirer of Miss Howe. + LORD M., uncle to Mr. Lovelace. + LADY SARAH SADLEIR, LADY BETTY LAWRANCE, half-sisters of Lord M. + MISS CHARLOTTE MONTAGUE, MISS PATTY MONTAGUE, nieces of the same + nobleman. + DR. LEWEN, a worthy divine. + MR. ELIAS BRAND, a pedantic young clergyman. + DR. H. a humane physician. + MR. GODDARD, an honest and skilful apothecary. + JOHN BELFORD, ESQ. Mr. Lovelace's principal intimate and confidant. + RICHARD MOWBRAY, THOMAS DOLEMAN, JAMES TOURVILLE, THOMAS BELTON, + ESQRS. libertine friends of Mr. Lovelace. + MRS. MOORE, a widow, keeping a lodging-house at Hampstead. + MISS RAWLINS, a notable young gentlewoman there. + MRS. BEVIS, a lively young widow of the same place. + MRS. SINCLAIR, the pretended name of a private brothel-keeper in + London. + CAPTAIN TOMLINSON, the assumed name of a vile pander to the + debaucheries of Mr. Lovelace. + SALLY MARTIN, POLLY HORTON, assistants of, and partners with, the + infamous Sinclair. + DORCAS WYKES, an artful servant at the vile house. + + + + + +LETTERS OF VOLUME I + + +LETTER I. Miss Howe to Miss Clarissa Harlowe.--Desires from her the +particulars of the rencounter between Mr. Lovelace and her brother; and +of the usage she receives upon it: also the whole of her story from the +time Lovelace was introduced as a suitor to her sister Arabella. Admires +her great qualities, and glories in the friendship between them. + +LETTER II. III. IV. Clarissa to Miss Howe.--Gives the requested +particulars. Together with the grounds of her brother's and sister's +ill-will to her; and of the animosity between her brother and +Lovelace.--Her mother connives at the private correspondence between +her and Lovelace, for the sake of preventing greater evils. Character +of Lovelace, from an enemy.--Copy of the preamble to her grandfather's +will. + +LETTER V. From the same.--Her father, mother, brother, briefly +characterized. Her brother's consequence in the family. Wishes Miss Howe +had encouraged her brother's address. Endeavors to find excuses for her +father's ill temper, and for her mother's passiveness. + +LETTER VI. From the same.--Mr. Symmes, Mr. Mullins, Mr. Wyerley, in +return, proposed to her, in malice to Lovelace; and, on their being +rejected, Mr. Solmes. Leave given her to visit Miss Howe for a few days. +Her brother's insolent behaviour upon it. + +LETTER VII. From the same.--The harsh reception she meets with on her +return from Miss Howe. Solmes's first visit. + +LETTER VIII. From the same.--All her family determined in Solmes's +favour. Her aversion to him. She rejects him, and is forbid going to +church, visiting, receiving visits, or writing to any body out of the +house. + +LETTER IX. Clarissa to Miss Howe.--Her expedient to carry on a private +correspondence with Miss Howe. Regrets the necessity she is laid under +to take such a clandestine step. + +LETTER X. Miss Howe to Clarissa.--Inveighs against the Harlowe family +for proposing such a man as Solmes. Characterizes them. Is jealous +of Antony Harlowe's visits to her mother. Rallies her friend on her +supposed regard to Lovelace. + +LETTER XI. Clarissa to Miss Howe.--Is nettled and alarmed at her +raillery. Her reasons for not giving way to a passion for Lovelace. + +LETTER XII. Miss Howe in reply.--Continues her raillery. Gives +Lovelace's character from Mrs. Fortescue. + +LETTER XIII. XIV. Clarissa to Miss Howe.--The views of her family in +favouring the address of Solmes. Her brother's and sister's triumph upon +the difficulties into which they have plunged her. + +LETTER XV. Miss Howe to Clarissa.--She accounts for Arabella's malice. +Blames her for having given up the power over the estate left her by her +grandfather. + +LETTER XVI. XVII. Clarissa to Miss Howe.--Offends her father by her +behaviour to Solmes in his presence. Tender conversation between her +mother and her.--Offers to give up all thoughts of Lovelace, if she may +be freed from Solmes's address. Substance of one of Lovelace's letters, +of her answer, and of his reply. Makes a proposal. Her mother goes down +with it. + +LETTER XVIII. From the same.--The proposal rejected. Her mother affects +severity to her. Another interesting conversation between them. + +LETTER XIX. From the same.--Her dutiful motives for putting her estate +into her father's power. Why she thinks she ought not to have Solmes. +Afflicted on her mother's account. + +LETTER XX. XXI. From the same.--Another conference with her mother, who +leaves her in anger.--She goes down to beg her favour. Solmes comes in. +She offers to withdraw; but is forbid. What follows upon it. + +LETTER XXII. Clarissa to Miss Howe.--Substance of a letter from +Lovelace. She desires leave to go to church. Is referred to her brother, +and insultingly refused by him. Her letter to him. His answer. + +LETTER XXIII. XXIV. XXV. From the same.--Her faithful Hannah +disgracefully dismissed. Betty Barnes, her sister's maid, set over her. +A letter from her brother forbidding her to appear in the presence of +any of her relations without leave. Her answer. Writes to her mother. +Her mother's answer. Writes to her father. His answer. + +LETTER XXVI. From the same.--Is desirous to know the opinion Lord M.'s +family have of her. Substance of a letter from Lovelace, resenting the +indignities he receives from her relations. She freely acquaints him +that he has nothing to expect from her contrary to her duty. Insists +that his next letter shall be his last. + +LETTER XXVII. Miss Howe to Clarissa.--Advises her to resume her estate. +Her satirical description of Solmes. Rallies her on her curiosity to +know what opinion Lord M. and his family have of her. Ascribes to the +difference in each of their tempers their mutual love. Gives particulars +of a conversation between her mother and her on Clarissa's case. +Reflects on the Harlowe family, and particularly on Mrs. Harlowe, for +her passiveness. + +LETTER XXVIII. Clarissa. In answer.--Chides her for the liberties she +takes with her relations. Particularly defends her mother. Chides her +also for her lively airs to her own mother. Desires her to treat her +freely; but wishes not that she should impute love to her; and why. + +LETTER XXIX. From the same.--Her expostulatory letter to her brother and +sister. Their answers. + +LETTER XXX. From the same.--Exceedingly angry with Lovelace, on his +coming to their church. Reflections on pride, &c. + +LETTER XXXI. Mr. Lovelace to John Belford, Esq.--Pride, revenge, love, +ambition, or a desire of conquest, his avowedly predominant passions. +His early vow to ruin as many of the fair sex as he can get into his +power. His pretences for it. Breathes revenge against the Harlowe +family. Glories in his contrivances. Is passionately in love with +Clarissa. His high notions of her beauty and merit. Yet is incensed +against her for preferring her own relations to him. Clears her, +however, of intentional pride, scorn, haughtiness, or want of +sensibility. What a triumph over the sex, and over her whole family, if +he can carry off a lady so watchful and so prudent! Is resolved, if he +cannot have the sister, to carry off the brother. Libertine as he is, +can have no thoughts of any other woman but Clarissa. Warns Belford, +Mowbray, Tourville, and Belton, to hold themselves in readiness to +obey his summons, on the likelihood there is of room for what he calls +glorious mischief. + +LETTER XXXII. XXXIII. Clarissa to Miss Howe.--Copies of her letters to +her two uncles; and of their characteristic answer.--Her expostulatory +letter to Solmes. His answer.--An insolent letter from her brother, on +her writing to Solmes. + +LETTER XXXIV. Lovelace to Belford.--He directs him to come down to him. +For what end. Description of the poor inn he puts up at in disguise; and +of the innocent daughter there, whom he calls his Rosebud. He resolves +to spare her. Pride and policy his motives, and not principle. Ingenuous +reflections on his own vicious disposition. He had been a rogue, he +says, had he been a plough-boy. Resolves on an act of generosity for +his Rosebud, by way of atonement, as he calls it, for some of his bad +actions; and for other reasons which appear in the sequel. + +LETTER XXXV. From the same.--His artful contrivances and dealings with +Joseph Leman. His revenge and his love uppermost by turns. If the latter +succeeds not, he vows that the Harlowes shall feel the former, although +for it he become an exile from his country forever. He will throw +himself into Clarissa's presence in the woodhouse. If he thought he had +no prospect of her favour, he would attempt to carry her off: that, he +says, would be a rape worthy of a Jupiter. The arts he is resolved to +practise when he sees her, in order to engage her future reliance upon +his honour. + +LETTER XXXVI. Clarissa to Miss Howe.--Lovelace, in disguise, surprises +her in the woodhouse. Her terrors on first seeing him. He greatly +engages her confidence (as he had designed) by his respectful behaviour. + +LETTER XXXVII. Miss Howe to Clarissa.--After rallying her on her not +readily owning the passion which she supposes she has for Lovelace, she +desires to know how far she thinks him eligible for his best qualities, +how far rejectable for his worst. + +LETTER XXXVIII. XXXIX. Clarissa to Miss Howe.--She disclaims tyranny to +a man who respects her. Her unhappy situation to be considered, in +which the imputed love is held by her parents to be an undutiful, and +therefore a criminal passion, and where the supposed object of it is a +man of faulty morals. Is interrupted by a visit from Mrs. Norton, who +is sent up to her to influence her in Solmes's favour. An affecting +conversation between them. What passes upon it, and after it. + +LETTER XL. From the same.--Resumes the requested subject. What sort of +man she could have preferred to Mr. Lovelace. Arguments she has used to +herself in his favour, and in his disfavour. Frankly owns that were he +now a moral man, she would prefer him to all the men she ever saw. Yet +is persuaded, that she could freely give up the one man to get rid of +the other, as she had offered to her friends. Her delicacy affected +by Miss Howe's raillery; and why. Gives her opinion of the force which +figure or person may be allowed to have upon her sex. + +LETTER XLI. From the same.--A letter from her mother (with patterns of +rich silks) in which she entreats her to comply with all their wishes. +What ought to be the principal view of a good wife in adorning her +person. Her distress. Begs leave to wait upon her mother alone. Her +father's angry letter, ordering her to prepare for her wedding-day. +Solmes requests to see her. She refuses. All in tumults below upon +it. Her brother and her sister desire that she may be left to their +management. + +LETTER XLII. From the same.--A very warm dialogue between her sister +and her. Her sister's envy, unnatural behaviour, and violence. Clarissa +sends down proposals in writing to her friends, and a letter to her +brother. His insolent answer; in which he tells her, that her proposal +will be considered in full assembly next morning; but that, if they +shall be complied with, he will retire to Scotland, and never more +return to Harlowe-place. + +LETTER XLIII. Clarissa to Miss Howe.--Hardly doubts but her proposals +will be accepted. Paints to herself, as her relations arrive one by one, +what their deliberations, and the result of them will be, when they are +all assembled. Her proposals rejected. Her sister's cruel insults on the +occasion produce another warm dialogue between them. Her sister leaves +her in a fury. She is greatly disturbed at the contents of a letter from +Lovelace. + +LETTER XLIV. From the same.--Her aunt Hervey, accompanied by her sister, +makes her a visit. Farther insults from her sister. Her aunt's fruitless +pleas in Solmes's favour. + + + + + +THE HISTORY OF CLARISSA HARLOWE + + + + +LETTER I + +MISS ANNA HOWE, TO MISS CLARISSA HARLOWE JAN 10. + + +I am extremely concerned, my dearest friend, for the disturbances that +have happened in your family. I know how it must hurt you to become +the subject of the public talk: and yet, upon an occasion so generally +known, it is impossible but that whatever relates to a young lady, whose +distinguished merits have made her the public care, should engage every +body's attention. I long to have the particulars from yourself; and of +the usage I am told you receive upon an accident you could not help; and +in which, as far as I can learn, the sufferer was the aggressor. + +Mr. Diggs, the surgeon, whom I sent for at the first hearing of the +rencounter, to inquire, for your sake, how your brother was, told me, +that there was no danger from the wound, if there were none from the +fever; which it seems has been increased by the perturbation of his +spirits. + +Mr. Wyerley drank tea with us yesterday; and though he is far from being +partial to Mr. Lovelace, as it may well be supposed, yet both he and Mr. +Symmes blame your family for the treatment they gave him when he went +in person to inquire after your brother's health, and to express his +concern for what had happened. + +They say, that Mr. Lovelace could not avoid drawing his sword: and that +either your brother's unskilfulness or passion left him from the very +first pass entirely in his power. + +This, I am told, was what Mr. Lovelace said upon it; retreating as he +spoke: 'Have a care, Mr. Harlowe--your violence puts you out of your +defence. You give me too much advantage. For your sister's sake, I will +pass by every thing:--if--' + +But this the more provoked his rashness, to lay himself open to the +advantage of his adversary--who, after a slight wound given him in the +arm, took away his sword. + +There are people who love not your brother, because of his natural +imperiousness and fierce and uncontroulable temper: these say, that +the young gentleman's passion was abated on seeing his blood gush +plentifully down his arm; and that he received the generous offices of +his adversary (who helped him off with his coat and waistcoat, and bound +up his arm, till the surgeon could come,) with such patience, as was far +from making a visit afterwards from that adversary, to inquire after his +health, appear either insulting or improper. + +Be this as it may, every body pities you. So steady, so uniform in your +conduct: so desirous, as you always said, of sliding through life to the +end of it unnoted; and, as I may add, not wishing to be observed +even for your silent benevolence; sufficiently happy in the noble +consciousness which attends it: Rather useful than glaring, your +deserved motto; though now, to your regret, pushed into blaze, as I may +say: and yet blamed at home for the faults of others--how must such a +virtue suffer on every hand!--yet it must be allowed, that your present +trial is but proportioned to your prudence. + +As all your friends without doors are apprehensive that some other +unhappy event may result from so violent a contention, in which it seems +the families on both sides are now engaged, I must desire you to enable +me, on the authority of your own information, to do you occasional +justice. + +My mother, and all of us, like the rest of the world, talk of nobody but +you on this occasion, and of the consequences which may follow from the +resentments of a man of Mr. Lovelace's spirit; who, as he gives out, has +been treated with high indignity by your uncles. My mother will have +it, that you cannot now, with any decency, either see him, or correspond +with him. She is a good deal prepossessed by your uncle Antony; who +occasionally calls upon us, as you know; and, on this rencounter, has +represented to her the crime which it would be in a sister to encourage +a man who is to wade into her favour (this was his expression) through +the blood of her brother. + +Write to me therefore, my dear, the whole of your story from the +time that Mr. Lovelace was first introduced into your family; and +particularly an account of all that passed between him and your sister; +about which there are different reports; some people scrupling not to +insinuate that the younger sister has stolen a lover from the elder: and +pray write in so full a manner as may satisfy those who know not so much +of your affairs as I do. If anything unhappy should fall out from the +violence of such spirits as you have to deal with, your account of all +things previous to it will be your best justification. + +You see what you draw upon yourself by excelling all your sex. Every +individual of it who knows you, or has heard of you, seems to think +you answerable to her for your conduct in points so very delicate and +concerning. + +Every eye, in short, is upon you with the expectation of an example. I +wish to heaven you were at liberty to pursue your own methods: all +would then, I dare say, be easy, and honourably ended. But I dread your +directors and directresses; for your mother, admirably well qualified +as she is to lead, must submit to be led. Your sister and brother will +certainly put you out of your course. + +But this is a point you will not permit me to expatiate upon: pardon me +therefore, and I have done.--Yet, why should I say, pardon me? when your +concerns are my concerns? when your honour is my honour? when I love +you, as never woman loved another? and when you have allowed of that +concern and of that love; and have for years, which in persons so young +may be called many, ranked in the first class of your friends, + +Your ever grateful and affectionate, ANNA HOWE. + + +Will you oblige me with a copy of the preamble to the clauses in your +grandfather's will in your favour; and allow me to send it to my aunt +Harman?--She is very desirous to see it. Yet your character has so +charmed her, that, though a stranger to you personally, she assents to +the preference given you in that will, before she knows the testator's +reasons for giving you that preference. + + + + +LETTER II + +MISS CLARISSA HARLOWE, TO MISS HOWE HARLOWE-PLACE, JAN. 13. + + +How you oppress me, my dearest friend, with your politeness! I cannot +doubt your sincerity; but you should take care, that you give me not +reason from your kind partiality to call in question your judgment. You +do not distinguish that I take many admirable hints from you, and have +the art to pass them upon you for my own: for in all you do, in all you +say, nay, in your very looks (so animated!) you give lessons to one +who loves you and observes you as I love you and observe you, without +knowing that you do--So pray, my dear, be more sparing of your praise +for the future, lest after this confession we should suspect that you +secretly intend to praise yourself, while you would be thought only to +commend another. + +Our family has indeed been strangely discomposed.--Discomposed!--It has +been in tumults, ever since the unhappy transaction; and I have borne +all the blame; yet should have had too much concern from myself, had I +been more justly spared by every one else. + +For, whether it be owing to a faulty impatience, having been too +indulgently treated to be inured to blame, or to the regret I have to +hear those censured on my account, whom it is my duty to vindicate; I +have sometimes wished, that it had pleased God to have taken me in my +last fever, when I had every body's love and good opinion; but oftener +that I had never been distinguished by my grandfather as I was: since +that distinction has estranged from me my brother's and sister's +affections; at least, has raised a jealousy with regard to the +apprehended favour of my two uncles, that now-and-then overshadows their +love. + +My brother being happily recovered of his fever, and his wound in a +hopeful way, although he has not yet ventured abroad, I will be as +particular as you desire in the little history you demand of me. But +heaven forbid that any thing should ever happen which may require it to +be produced for the purpose you mention! + +I will begin, as you command, with Mr. Lovelace's address to my sister; +and be as brief as possible. I will recite facts only; and leave you +to judge of the truth of the report raised, that the younger sister has +robbed the elder. + +It was in pursuance of a conference between Lord M. and my uncle Antony, +that Mr. Lovelace [my father and mother not forbidding] paid his respect +to my sister Arabella. My brother was then in Scotland, busying himself +in viewing the condition of the considerable estate which was left him +there by his generous godmother, together with one as considerable in +Yorkshire. I was also absent at my Dairy-house, as it is called,* busied +in the accounts relating to the estate which my grandfather had +the goodness to devise to me; and which once a year was left to my +inspection, although I have given the whole into my father's power. + + + * Her grandfather, in order to invite her to him as often as + her other friends would spare her, indulged her in erecting + and fitting up a dairy-house in her own taste. When + finished, it was so much admired for its elegant simplicity + and convenience, that the whole seat (before, of old time, + from its situation, called The Grove) was generally known by + the name of The Dairy-house. Her grandfather in particular + was fond of having it so called. + + +My sister made me a visit there the day after Mr. Lovelace had been +introduced; and seemed highly pleased with the gentleman. His birth, his +fortune in possession, a clear 2000L. a year, as Lord M. had assured +my uncle; presumptive heir to that nobleman's large estate: his great +expectations from Lady Sarah Sadleir and Lady Betty Lawrence; who with +his uncle interested themselves very warmly (he being the last of his +line) to see him married. + +'So handsome a man!--O her beloved Clary!' (for then she was ready +to love me dearly, from the overflowings of her good humour on his +account!) 'He was but too handsome a man for her!--Were she but as +amiable as somebody, there would be a probability of holding his +affections!--For he was wild, she heard; very wild, very gay; loved +intrigue--but he was young; a man of sense: would see his error, could +she but have patience with his faults, if his faults were not cured by +marriage!' + +Thus she ran on; and then wanted me 'to see the charming man,' as she +called him.--Again concerned, 'that she was not handsome enough for +him;' with, 'a sad thing, that the man should have the advantage of +the woman in that particular!'--But then, stepping to the glass, she +complimented herself, 'That she was very well: that there were many +women deemed passable who were inferior to herself: that she was always +thought comely; and comeliness, let her tell me, having not so much +to lose as beauty had, would hold, when that would evaporate or fly +off:--nay, for that matter,' [and again she turned to the glass] 'her +features were not irregular; her eyes not at all amiss.' And I remember +they were more than usually brilliant at that time.--'Nothing, in short, +to be found fault with, though nothing very engaging she doubted--was +there, Clary.' + +Excuse me, my dear, I never was thus particular before; no, not to you. +Nor would I now have written thus freely of a sister, but that she makes +a merit to my brother of disowning that she ever liked him; as I shall +mention hereafter: and then you will always have me give you minute +descriptions, nor suffer me to pass by the air and manner in which +things are spoken that are to be taken notice of; rightly observing, +that air and manner often express more than the accompanying words. + +I congratulated her upon her prospects. She received my compliments with +a great deal of self-complacency. + +She liked the gentleman still more at his next visit; and yet he made no +particular address to her, although an opportunity was given him for +it. This was wondered at, as my uncle has introduced him into our family +declaredly as a visitor to my sister. But as we are ever ready to make +excuses when in good humour with ourselves for the perhaps not unwilful +slights of those whose approbation we wish to engage; so my sister found +out a reason much to Mr. Lovelace's advantage for his not improving +the opportunity that was given him.--It was bashfulness, truly, in him. +[Bashfulness in Mr. Lovelace, my dear!]--Indeed, gay and lively as he +is, he has not the look of an impudent man. But, I fancy, it is many, +many years ago since he was bashful. + +Thus, however, could my sister make it out--'Upon her word, she believed +Mr. Lovelace deserved not the bad character he had as to women.--He was +really, to her thinking, a modest man. He would have spoken out, she +believed; but once or twice as he seemed to intend to do so, he was +under so agreeable a confusion! Such a profound respect he seemed to +shew her! A perfect reverence, she thought: she loved dearly that a man +in courtship should shew a reverence to his mistress'--So indeed we all +do, I believe: and with reason; since, if I may judge from what I +have seen in many families, there is little enough of it shewn +afterwards.--And she told my aunt Hervey, that she would be a little +less upon the reserve next time he came: 'She was not one of those +flirts, not she, who would give pain to a person that deserved to be +well-treated; and the more pain for the greatness of his value for +her.'--I wish she had not somebody whom I love in her eye. + +In his third visit, Bella governed herself by this kind and considerate +principle: so that, according to her own account of the matter, the man +might have spoken out.--But he was still bashful: he was not able to +overcome this unseasonable reverence. So this visit went off as the +former. + +But now she began to be dissatisfied with him. She compared his general +character with this his particular behaviour to her; and having never +been courted before, owned herself puzzled how to deal with so odd a +lover. 'What did the man mean, she wondered? Had not her uncle brought +him declaredly as a suitor to her?--It could not be bashfulness (now she +thought of it) since he might have opened his mind to her uncle, if he +wanted courage to speak directly to her.--Not that she cared much for +the man neither: but it was right, surely, that a woman should be put +out of doubt early as to a man's intentions in such a case as this, from +his own mouth.--But, truly, she had begun to think, that he was more +solicitous to cultivate her mamma's good opinion, than hers!--Every +body, she owned, admired her mother's conversation; but he was mistaken +if he thought respect to her mother only would do with her. And +then, for his own sake, surely he should put it into her power to +be complaisant to him, if he gave her reason to approve of him. This +distant behaviour, she must take upon herself to say, was the more +extraordinary, as he continued his visits, and declared himself +extremely desirous to cultivate a friendship with the whole family; and +as he could have no doubt about her sense, if she might take upon her to +join her own with the general opinion; he having taken great notice of, +and admired many of her good things as they fell from her lips. Reserves +were painful, she must needs say, to open and free spirits, like hers: +and yet she must tell my aunt,' (to whom all this was directed) 'that +she should never forget what she owed to her sex, and to herself, were +Mr. Lovelace as unexceptionable in his morals as in his figure, and were +he to urge his suit ever so warmly.' + +I was not of her council. I was still absent. And it was agreed upon +between my aunt Hervey and her, that she was to be quite solemn and shy +in his next visit, if there were not a peculiarity in his address to +her. + +But my sister it seems had not considered the matter well. This was not +the way, as it proved, to be taken for matters of mere omission, with a +man of Mr. Lovelace's penetration. Nor with any man; since if love has +not taken root deep enough to cause it to shoot out into declaration, if +an opportunity be fairly given for it, there is little room to expect, +that the blighting winds of anger or resentment will bring it forward. +Then my poor sister is not naturally good-humoured. This is too +well-known a truth for me to endeavor to conceal it, especially from +you. She must therefore, I doubt, have appeared to great disadvantages +when she aimed to be worse tempered than ordinary. + +How they managed it in their next conversation I know not. One would be +tempted to think by the issue, that Mr. Lovelace was ungenerous enough +to seek the occasion given,* and to improve it. Yet he thought fit to +put the question too:--But, she says, it was not till, by some means +or other (she knew not how) he had wrought her up to such a pitch of +displeasure with him, that it was impossible for her to recover herself +at the instant. Nevertheless he re-urged his question, as expecting +a definitive answer, without waiting for the return of her temper, +or endeavouring to mollify her; so that she was under a necessity of +persisting in her denial: yet gave him reason to think she did not +dislike his address, only the manner of it; his court being rather made +to her mother than to herself, as if he was sure of her consent at any +time. + + + * See Mr. Lovelace's Letter, No. XXXI, in which he briefly + accounts for his conduct in this affair. + + +A good encouraging denial, I must own: as was the rest of her plea; to +wit, 'A disinclination to change her state. Exceedingly happy as she +was: she never could be happier!' And such-like consenting negatives, +as I may call them, and yet not intend a reflection upon my sister: for +what can any young creature in the like circumstances say, when she is +not sure but a too-ready consent may subject her to the slights of a sex +that generally values a blessing either more or less as it is obtained +with difficulty or ease? Miss Biddulph's answer to a copy of verse from +a gentleman, reproaching our sex as acting in disguise, is not a bad +one, although you may perhaps think it too acknowledging for the female +character. + + Ungen'rous Sex!--To scorn us if we're kind; + And yet upbraid us if we seem severe! + Do you, t' encourage us to tell our mind, + Yourselves put off disguise, and be sincere. + You talk of coquetry!--Your own false hearts + Compel our sex to act dissembling parts. + +Here I am obliged to lay down my pen. I will soon resume it. + + + + +LETTER III + +MISS CLARISSA HARLOWE, TO MISS HOWE JAN. 13, 14. + + +And thus, as Mr. Lovelace thought fit to take it, had he his answer from +my sister. It was with very great regret, as he pretended, [I doubt +the man is an hypocrite, my dear] that he acquiesced in it. 'So much +determinedness; such a noble firmness in my sister, that there was no +hope of prevailing upon her to alter sentiments she had adopted on full +consideration.' He sighed, as Bella told us, when he took his leave of +her: 'Profoundly sighed; grasped her hand, and kissed it with such an +ardour--Withdrew with such an air of solemn respect--She could almost +find it in her heart, although he had vexed her, to pity him.' A good +intentional preparative to love, this pity; since, at the time, she +little thought that he would not renew his offer. + +He waited on my mother after he had taken leave of Bella, and reported +his ill success in so respectful a manner, as well with regard to my +sister, as to the whole family, and with so much concern that he was +not accepted as a relation to it, that it left upon them all (my brother +being then, as I have said, in Scotland) impressions in his favour, and +a belief that this matter would certainly be brought on again. But Mr. +Lovelace going up directly to town, where he staid a whole fortnight, +and meeting there with my uncle Antony, to whom he regretted his niece's +cruel resolution not to change her state; it was seen that there was a +total end of the affair. + +My sister was not wanting to herself on this occasion. She made a +virtue of necessity; and the man was quite another man with her. 'A vain +creature! Too well knowing his advantages: yet those not what she had +conceived them to be!--Cool and warm by fits and starts; an ague-like +lover. A steady man, a man of virtue, a man of morals, was worth a +thousand of such gay flutterers. Her sister Clary might think it worth +her while perhaps to try to engage such a man: she had patience: she +was mistress of persuasion: and indeed, to do the girl justice, had +something of a person: But as for her, she would not have a man of whose +heart she could not be sure for one moment; no, not for the world: and +most sincerely glad was she that she had rejected him.' + +But when Mr. Lovelace returned into the country, he thought fit to visit +my father and mother; hoping, as he told them, that, however unhappy +he had been in the rejection of the wished-for alliance, he might be +allowed to keep up an acquaintance and friendship with a family which he +should always respect. And then unhappily, as I may say, was I at home +and present. + +It was immediately observed, that his attention was fixed on me. My +sister, as soon as he was gone, in a spirit of bravery, seemed desirous +to promote his address, should it be tendered. + +My aunt Hervey was there; and was pleased to say, we should make the +finest couple in England--if my sister had no objection.--No, indeed! +with a haughty toss, was my sister's reply--it would be strange if she +had, after the denial she had given him upon full deliberation. + +My mother declared, that her only dislike of his alliance with either +daughter, was on account of his reputed faulty morals. + +My uncle Harlowe, that his daughter Clary, as he delighted to call me +from childhood, would reform him if any woman in the world could. + +My uncle Antony gave his approbation in high terms: but referred, as my +aunt had done, to my sister. + +She repeated her contempt of him; and declared, that, were there not +another man in England, she would not have him. She was ready, on the +contrary, she could assure them, to resign her pretensions under hand +and seal, if Miss Clary were taken with his tinsel, and if every one +else approved of his address to the girl. + +My father indeed, after a long silence, being urged by my uncle Antony +to speak his mind, said, that he had a letter from his son, on his +hearing of Mr. Lovelace's visits to his daughter Arabella; which he had +not shewn to any body but my mother; that treaty being at an end when +he received it: that in this letter he expressed great dislike to an +alliance with Mr. Lovelace on the score of his immoralities: that he +knew, indeed, there was an old grudge between them; but that, being +desirous to prevent all occasions of disunion and animosity in his +family, he would suspend the declaration of his own mind till his son +arrived, and till he had heard his further objections: that he was the +more inclined to make his son this compliment, as Mr. Lovelace's general +character gave but too much ground for his son's dislike of him; adding, +that he had hear (so, he supposed, had every one,) that he was a very +extravagant man; that he had contracted debts in his travels: and +indeed, he was pleased to say, he had the air of a spendthrift. + +These particulars I had partly from my aunt Hervey, and partly from my +sister; for I was called out as soon as the subject was entered upon. +When I returned, my uncle Antony asked me, how I should like Mr. +Lovelace? Every body saw, he was pleased to say, that I had made a +conquest. + +I immediately answered, that I did not like him at all: he seemed to +have too good an opinion both on his person and parts, to have any +regard to his wife, let him marry whom he would. + +My sister particularly was pleased with this answer, and confirmed it to +be just; with a compliment to my judgment.--For it was hers. + +But the very next day Lord M. came to Harlowe-Place [I was then absent]; +and in his nephew's name made a proposal in form; declaring, that it was +the ambition of all his family to be related to ours: and he hoped his +kinsman would not have such an answer on the part of the younger sister, +as he had on that of the elder. + +In short, Mr. Lovelace's visits were admitted as those of a man who had +not deserved disrespect from our family; but as to his address to +me, with a reservation, as above, on my father's part, that he would +determine nothing without his son. My discretion as to the rest was +confided in: for still I had the same objections as to the man: nor +would I, when we were better acquainted, hear any thing but general talk +from him; giving him no opportunity of conversing with me in private. + +He bore this with a resignation little expected from his natural temper, +which is generally reported to be quick and hasty; unused it seems +from childhood to check or controul. A case too common in considerable +families where there is an only son: and his mother never had any +other child. But, as I have heretofore told you, I could perceive, +notwithstanding this resignation, that he had so good an opinion of +himself, as not to doubt, that his person and accomplishments would +insensibly engage me: And could that be once done, he told my aunt +Hervey, he should hope, from so steady a temper, that his hold in my +affections would be durable: While my sister accounted for his patience +in another manner, which would perhaps have had more force if it had +come from a person less prejudiced: 'That the man was not fond of +marrying at all: that he might perhaps have half a score mistresses: and +that delay might be as convenient for his roving, as for my well-acted +indifference.' That was her kind expression. + +Whatever was his motive for a patience so generally believed to be out +of his usual character, and where the object of his address was supposed +to be of fortune considerable enough to engage his warmest attention, +he certainly escaped many mortifications by it: for while my father +suspended his approbation till my brother's arrival, Mr. Lovelace +received from every one those civilities which were due to his birth: +and although we heard from time to time reports to his disadvantage with +regard to morals, yet could we not question him upon them without giving +him greater advantages in his own opinion than the situation he was in +with us would justify to prudence; since it was much more likely that +his address would not be allowed of, than that it would. + +And thus was he admitted to converse with our family almost upon his own +terms; for while my friends saw nothing in his behaviour but what was +extremely respectful, and observed in him no violent importunity, +they seemed to have taken a great liking to his conversation: While I +considered him only as a common guest when he came; and thought myself +no more concerned in his visits, not at his entrance and departure, than +any other of the family. + +But this indifference on my side was the means of procuring him one +very great advantage; since upon it was grounded that correspondence by +letters which succeeded;--and which, had it been to be begun when the +family animosity broke out, would never have been entered into on my +part. The occasion was this: + +My uncle Hervey has a young gentleman intrusted to his care, whom he has +thoughts of sending abroad a year or two hence, to make the Grand Tour, +as it is called; and finding Mr. Lovelace could give a good account +of every thing necessary for a young traveller to observe upon such an +occasion, he desired him to write down a description of the courts and +countries he had visited, and what was most worthy of curiosity in them. + +He consented, on condition that I would direct his subjects, as he +called it: and as every one had heard his manner of writing commended; +and thought his narratives might be agreeable amusements in winter +evenings; and that he could have no opportunity particularly to address +me directly in them, since they were to be read in full assembly before +they were given to the young gentleman, I made the less scruple to +write, and to make observations, and put questions for our further +information--Still the less perhaps as I love writing; and those who do, +are fond, you know, of occasions to use the pen: And then, having +ever one's consent, and my uncle Hervey's desire that I would write, +I thought that if I had been the only scrupulous person, it would have +shewn a particularity that a vain man might construe to his advantage; +and which my sister would not fail to animadvert upon. + +You have seen some of these letters; and have been pleased with this +account of persons, places, and things; and we have both agreed, that he +was no common observer upon what he had seen. + +My sister allowed that the man had a tolerable knack of writing and +describing: And my father, who had been abroad in his youth, said, that +his remarks were curious, and shewed him to be a person of reading, +judgment and taste. + +Thus was a kind of correspondence begun between him and me, with general +approbation; while every one wondered at, and was pleased with, his +patient veneration of me; for so they called it. However, it was not +doubted but he would soon be more importunate, since his visits were +more frequent, and he acknowledged to my aunt Hervey a passion for me, +accompanied with an awe that he had never known before; to which he +attributed what he called his but seeming acquiescence with my father's +pleasure, and the distance I kept him at. And yet, my dear, this may be +his usual manner of behaviour to our sex; for had not my sister at first +all his reverence? + +Mean time, my father, expecting his importunity, kept in readiness the +reports he had heard in his disfavour, to charge them upon him then, as +so many objections to address. And it was highly agreeable to me that he +did so: it would have been strange if it were not; since the person who +could reject Mr. Wyerley's address for the sake of his free opinions, +must have been inexcusable, had she not rejected another's for his freer +practices. + +But I should own, that in the letters he sent me upon the general +subject, he more than once inclosed a particular one, declaring his +passionate regards for me, and complaining with fervour enough, of my +reserves. But of these I took not the least notice: for, as I had not +written to him at all, but upon a subject so general, I thought it was +but right to let what he wrote upon one so particular pass off as if I +had never seen it; and the rather, as I was not then at liberty (from +the approbation his letters met with) to break off the correspondence, +unless I had assigned the true reason for doing so. Besides, with all +his respectful assiduities, it was easy to observe, (if it had not been +his general character) that his temper is naturally haughty and violent; +and I had seen too much of that untractable spirit in my brother to like +it in one who hoped to be still more nearly related to me. + +I had a little specimen of this temper of his upon the very occasion I +have mentioned: For after he had sent me a third particular letter with +the general one, he asked me the next time he came to Harlowe-Place, +if I had not received such a one from him?--I told him I should never +answer one so sent; and that I had waited for such an occasion as he had +now given me, to tell him so: I desired him therefore not to write again +on the subject; assuring him, that if he did, I would return both, and +never write another line to him. + +You can't imagine how saucily the man looked; as if, in short, he was +disappointed that he had not made a more sensible impression upon me: +nor, when he recollected himself (as he did immediately), what a visible +struggle it cost him to change his haughty airs for more placid ones. +But I took no notice of either; for I thought it best to convince him, +by the coolness and indifference with which I repulsed his forward hopes +(at the same time intending to avoid the affectation of pride or +vanity) that he was not considerable enough in my eyes to make me take +over-ready offence at what he said, or at his haughty looks: in other +words, that I had not value enough for him to treat him with peculiarity +either by smiles or frowns. Indeed he had cunning enough to give me, +undesignedly, a piece of instruction which taught me this caution; for +he had said in conversation once, 'That if a man could not make a woman +in courtship own herself pleased with him, it was as much and oftentimes +more to his purpose to make her angry with him.' + +I must break off here, but will continue the subject the very first +opportunity. Mean time, I am + +Your most affectionate friend and servant, CL. HARLOWE. + + + + +LETTER IV + +MISS CLARISSA HARLOWE, TO MISS HOWE JAN. 15. + + +Such, my dear, was the situation Mr. Lovelace and I were in when my +brother arrived from Scotland. + +The moment Mr. Lovelace's visits were mentioned to him, he, without +either hesitation or apology, expressed his disapprobation of them. He +found great flaws in his character; and took the liberty to say in so +many words, that he wondered how it came into the heads of his uncles +to encourage such a man for either of his sisters: At the same time +returning his thanks to my father for declining his consent till he +arrived, in such a manner, I thought, as a superior would do, when he +commended an inferior for having well performed his duty in his absence. + +He justified his avowed inveteracy by common fame, and by what he had +known of him at college; declaring, that he had ever hated him; ever +should hate him; and would never own him for a brother, or me for a +sister, if I married him. + +That early antipathy I have heard accounted for in this manner: + +Mr. Lovelace was always noted for his vivacity and courage; and no less, +it seems, for the swift and surprising progress he made in all parts of +literature: for diligence in his studies in the hours of study, he +had hardly his equal. This it seems was his general character at the +university; and it gained him many friends among the more learned; while +those who did not love him, feared him, by reason of the offence his +vivacity made him too ready to give, and of the courage he shewed in +supporting the offence when given; which procured him as many followers +as he pleased among the mischievous sort.--No very amiable character, +you'll say, upon the whole. + +But my brother's temper was not more happy. His native haughtiness could +not bear a superiority so visible; and whom we fear more than love, we +are not far from hating: and having less command of his passions than +the other, he was evermore the subject of his perhaps indecent +ridicule: so that every body, either from love or fear, siding with his +antagonist, he had a most uneasy time of it while both continued in the +same college.--It was the less wonder therefore that a young man who is +not noted for the gentleness of his temper, should resume an antipathy +early begun, and so deeply rooted. + +He found my sister, who waited but for the occasion, ready to join him +in his resentments against the man he hated. She utterly disclaimed +all manner of regard for him: 'Never liked him at all:--His estate was +certainly much incumbered: it was impossible it should be otherwise; so +entirely devoted as he was to his pleasures. He kept no house; had no +equipage: Nobody pretended that he wanted pride: the reason therefore +was easy to be guessed at.' And then did she boast of, and my brother +praised her for, refusing him: and both joined on all occasions to +depreciate him, and not seldom made the occasions; their displeasure +against him causing every subject to run into this, if it began not with +it. + +I was not solicitous to vindicate him when I was not joined in their +reflection. I told them I did not value him enough to make a difference +in the family on his account: and as he was supposed to have given +much cause for their ill opinion of him, I thought he ought to take the +consequence of his own faults. + +Now and then indeed, when I observed that their vehemence carried them +beyond all bounds of probability in their charges against him, I thought +it but justice to put in a word for him. But this only subjected me +to reproach, as having a prepossession in his favour which I would not +own.--So that, when I could not change the subject, I used to retire +either to my music, or to my closet. + +Their behaviour to him, when they could not help seeing him, was very +cold and disobliging; but as yet not directly affrontive. For they were +in hopes of prevailing upon my father to forbid his visits. But as there +was nothing in his behaviour, that might warrant such a treatment of +a man of his birth and fortune, they succeeded not: And then they were +very earnest with me to forbid them. I asked, what authority I had to +take such a step in my father's house; and when my behaviour to him was +so distant, that he seemed to be as much the guest of any other person +of the family, themselves excepted, as mine?--In revenge, they told me, +that it was cunning management between us; and that we both understood +one another better than we pretended to do. And at last they gave such a +loose to their passions, all of a sudden* as I may say, that instead of +withdrawing, as they used to do when he came, they threw themselves in +his way purposely to affront him. + + + * The reason of this their more openly shown animosity is + given in Letter XIII. + + +Mr. Lovelace, you may believe, very ill brooked this: but nevertheless +contented himself to complain of it to me: in high terms, however, +telling me, that but for my sake my brother's treatment of him was not +to be borne. + +I was sorry for the merit this gave him in his own opinion with me: and +the more, as some of the affronts he received were too flagrant to be +excused: But I told him, that I was determined not to fall out with +my brother, if I could help it, whatever faults he had: and since they +could not see one another with temper, should be glad that he would not +throw himself in my brother's way; and I was sure my brother would not +seek him. + +He was very much nettled at this answer: But said, he must bear his +affronts if I would have it so. He had been accused himself of violence +in his temper; but he hoped to shew on this occasion that he had a +command of his passions which few young men, so highly provoked, would +be able to shew; and doubted not but it would be attributed to a proper +motive by a person of my generosity and penetration. + +My brother had just before, with the approbation of my uncles, employed +a person related to a discharged bailiff or steward of Lord M. who had +had the management of some part of Mr. Lovelace's affairs (from which +he was also dismissed by him) to inquire into his debts, after his +companions, into his amours, and the like. + +My aunt Hervey, in confidence, gave me the following particulars of what +the man had said of him. + +'That he was a generous landlord: that he spared nothing for solid and +lasting improvements upon his estate; and that he looked into his own +affairs, and understood them: that he had been very expensive when +abroad; and contracted a large debt (for he made no secret of his +affairs); yet chose to limit himself to an annual sum, and to decline +equipage, in order to avoid being obliged to his uncle and aunts; from +whom he might have what money he pleased; but that he was very jealous +of their controul; had often quarrels with them; and treated them so +freely, that they were all afraid of him. However, that his estate was +never mortgaged, as my brother had heard it was; his credit was always +high; and the man believed, he was by this time near upon, if not quite, +clear of the world. + +'He was a sad gentleman, he said, as to women:--If his tenants had +pretty daughters, they chose to keep them out of his sight. He believed +he kept no particular mistress; for he had heard newelty, that was the +man's word, was every thing with him. But for his uncle's and aunt's +teazings, the man fancied he would not think of marriage: he was never +known to be disguised with liquor; but was a great plotter, and a great +writer: That he lived a wild life in town, by what he had heard: had six +or seven companions as bad as himself; whom now and then he brought down +with him; and the country was always glad when they went up again. He +would have it, that although passionate, he was good-humoured; loved +as well to take a jest as to give one; and would rally himself upon +occasion the freest of any man he ever knew.' + +This was his character from an enemy; for, as my aunt observed, every +thing the man said commendably of him came grudgingly, with a must needs +say--to do him justice, &c. while the contrary was delivered with a free +good-will. And this character, as a worse was expected, though this was +bad enough, not answering the end of inquiring after it, my brother and +sister were more apprehensive than before, that his address would be +encouraged, since the worst part of it was known, or supposed, when he +was first introduced to my sister. + +But, with regard to myself, I must observe in his disfavour, that, +notwithstanding the merit he wanted to make with me for his patience +upon my brother's ill-treatment of him, I owed him no compliments +for trying to conciliate with him. Not that I believe it would have +signified any thing if he had made ever such court either to him or to +my sister: yet one might have expected from a man of his politeness, and +from his pretensions, you know, that he would have been willing to try. +Instead of which, he shewed such a contempt both of my brother and my +sister, especially my brother, as was construed into a defiance of +them. And for me to have hinted at an alteration in his behaviour to my +brother, was an advantage I knew he would have been proud of; and which +therefore I had no mind to give him. But I doubted not that having so +very little encouragement from any body, his pride would soon take fire, +and he would of himself discontinue his visits, or go to town; where, +till he came acquainted with our family, he used chiefly to reside: And +in this latter case he had no reason to expect, that I would receive, +much less answer, his Letters: the occasions which had led me to receive +any of his, being by this time over. + +But my brother's antipathy would not permit him to wait for such an +event; and after several excesses, which Mr. Lovelace still returned +with contempt, and a haughtiness too much like that of the aggressor, my +brother took upon himself to fill up the door-way once when he came, as +if to oppose his entrance: And upon his asking for me, demanded, what +his business was with his sister? + +The other, with a challenging air, as my brother says, told him, he +would answer a gentleman any question; but he wished that Mr. James +Harlowe, who had of late given himself high airs, would remember that he +was not now at college. + +Just then the good Dr. Lewen, who frequently honours me with a visit of +conversation, as he is pleased to call it, and had parted with me in my +own parlour, came to the door: and hearing the words, interposed; both +having their hands upon their swords: and telling Mr. Lovelace where +I was, he burst by my brother, to come to me; leaving him chafing, he +said, like a hunted boar at bay. + +This alarmed us all. My father was pleased to hint to Mr. Lovelace, +that he wished he would discontinue his visits for the peace-sake of the +family: And I, by his command, spoke a great deal plainer. + +But Mr. Lovelace is a man not easily brought to give up his purpose, +especially in a point wherein he pretends his heart is so much engaged: +and no absolute prohibition having been given, things went on for a +little while as before: for I saw plainly, that to have denied myself to +his visits (which however I declined receiving as often as I could) was +to bring forward some desperate issue between the two; since the offence +so readily given on one side was brooked by the other only out of +consideration to me. + +And thus did my brother's rashness lay me under an obligation where I +would least have owed it. + +The intermediate proposals of Mr. Symmes and Mr. Mullins, both (in turn) +encouraged by my brother, induced him to be more patient for a while, +as nobody thought me over-forward in Mr. Lovelace's favour; for he hoped +that he should engage my father and uncles to approve of the one or the +other in opposition to the man he hated. But when he found that I +had interest enough to disengage myself from the addresses of those +gentlemen, as I had (before he went to Scotland, and before Mr. Lovelace +visited here) of Mr. Wyerley's, he then kept no measures: and first set +himself to upbraid me for supposed prepossession, which he treated as +if it were criminal; and then to insult Mr. Lovelace in person, at Mr. +Edward Symmes's, the brother of the other Symmes, two miles off; and +no good Dr. Lewen being there to interpose, the unhappy rencounter +followed. My brother was disarmed, as you have heard; and on being +brought home, and giving us ground to suppose he was much worse hurt +than he really was, and a fever ensuing, every one flamed out; and all +was laid at my door. + +Mr. Lovelace for three days together sent twice each day to inquire +after my brother's health; and although he received rude and even +shocking returns, he thought fit on the fourth day to make in person +the same inquiries; and received still greater incivilities from my two +uncles, who happened to be both there. My father also was held by force +from going to him with his sword in his hand, although he had the gout +upon him. + +I fainted away with terror, seeing every one so violent, and hearing Mr. +Lovelace swear that he would not depart till he had made my uncles ask +his pardon for the indignities he had received at their hands; a door +being held fast locked between him and them. My mother all the time +was praying and struggling to with-hold my father in the great parlour. +Meanwhile my sister, who had treated Mr. Lovelace with virulence, came +in to me, and insulted me as fast as I recovered. But when Mr. Lovelace +was told how ill I was, he departed; nevertheless vowing revenge. + +He was ever a favourite with our domestics. His bounty to them, and +having always something facetious to say to each, had made them all of +his party: and on this occasion they privately blamed every body else, +and reported his calm and gentlemanly behaviour (till the provocations +given him ran very high) in such favourable terms, that those reports, +and my apprehensions of the consequence of this treatment, induced me to +read a letter he sent me that night; and, it being written in the most +respectful terms (offering to submit the whole to my decision, and to +govern himself entirely by my will) to answer it some days after. + +To this unhappy necessity was owing our renewed correspondence, as I +may call it; yet I did not write till I had informed myself from Mr. +Symmes's brother, that he was really insulted into the act of drawing +his sword by my brother's repeatedly threatening (upon his excusing +himself out of regard to me) to brand me ir he did not; and, by all the +inquiry I could make, that he was again the sufferer from my uncles in a +more violent manner than I have related. + +The same circumstances were related to my father and other relations by +Mr. Symmes; but they had gone too far in making themselves parties +to the quarrel either to retract or forgive; and I was forbidden to +correspond with him, or to be seen a moment in his company. + +One thing however I can say, but that in confidence, because my mother +commanded me not to mention it:--That, expressing her apprehension of +the consequences of the indignities offered to Mr. Lovelace, she told +me, she would leave it to my prudence to do all I could to prevent the +impending mischief on one side. + +I am obliged to break off. But I believe I have written enough to answer +very fully all that you have required of me. It is not for a child +to seek to clear her own character, or to justify her actions, at the +expense of the most revered ones: yet, as I know that the account of +all those further proceedings by which I may be affected, will be +interesting to so dear a friend (who will communicate to others no more +than what is fitting) I will continue to write, as I have opportunity, +as minutely as we are used to write to each other. Indeed I have +no delight, as I have often told you, equal to that which I take in +conversing with you by letter, when I cannot in person. + +Mean time, I cannot help saying, that I am exceedingly concerned to +find, that I am become so much the public talk as you tell me I am. Your +kind, your precautionary regard for my fame, and the opportunity you +have given me to tell my own story previous to any new accident (which +heaven avert!) is so like the warm friend I have ever found in my dear +Miss Howe, that, with redoubled obligation, you bind me to be + +Your ever grateful and affectionate, CLARISSA HARLOWE. + + +Copy of the requested Preamble to the clauses in her Grandfather's Will: +inclosed in the preceding Letter. + + +As the particular estate I have mentioned and described above, is +principally of my own raising: as my three sons have been uncommonly +prosperous; and are very rich: the eldest by means of the unexpected +benefits he reaps from his new found mines; the second, by what has, as +unexpectedly, fallen in to him on the deaths of several relations of +his present wife, the worthy daughter by both sides of very honourable +families; over and above the very large portion which he received with +her in marriage: my son Antony by his East-India traffic, and successful +voyages: as furthermore my grandson James will be sufficiently provided +for by his grandmother Lovell's kindness to him; who, having no near +relations, hath assured me, that she hath, as well by deed of gift as +by will, left him both her Scottish and English estates: for never +was there a family more prosperous in all its branches, blessed be God +therefore: and as my said son James will very probably make it up to +my grand-daughter Arabella; to whom I intend no disrespect; nor have +reason; for she is a very hopeful and dutiful child: and as my sons, +John and Antony, seem not inclined to a married life; so that my son +James is the only one who has children, or is likely to have any. For +all these reasons; and because my dearest and beloved grand-daughter +Clarissa hath been from her infancy a matchless young creature in her +duty to me, and admired by all who knew her, as a very extraordinary +child; I must therefore take the pleasure of considering her as my own +peculiar child; and this without intending offence; and I hope it +will not be taken as any, since my son James can bestow his favours +accordingly, and in greater proportion, upon his son James, and upon his +daughter Arabella.-- + +These, I say, are the reasons which move me to dispose of the +above-described estate in the precious child's favour; who is the +delight of my old age: and, I verily think, has contributed, by her +amiable duty and kind and tender regards, to prolong my life. + +Wherefore it is my express will and commandment, and I enjoin my said +three sons, John, James, and Antony, and my grandson James, and my +grand-daughter Arabella, as they value my blessing, and will regard my +memory, and would wish their own last wills and desires to be fulfilled +by their survivors, that they will not impugn or contest the following +bequests and devises in favour of my said grand-daughter Clarissa, +although they should not be strictly conformable to law or to the forms +thereof; nor suffer them to be controverted or disputed on any pretence +whatsoever. + +And in this confidence, &c. &c. &c. + + + + +LETTER V + +MISS CLARISSA HARLOWE, TO MISS HOWE JAN. 20 + + +I have been hindered from prosecuting my intention. Neither nights nor +mornings have been my own. My mother has been very ill; and would have +no other nurse but me. I have not stirred from her bedside (for she kept +her bed); and two nights I had the honour of sharing it with her. + +Her disorder was a very violet colic. The contentions of these fierce, +these masculine spirits, and the apprehension of mischiefs that may +arise from the increasing animosity which all here have against Mr. +Lovelace, and his too well known resenting and intrepid character, she +cannot bear. Then the foundations laid, as she dreads, for jealousy and +heart-burnings in her own family, late so happy and so united, afflict +exceedingly a gentle and sensible mind, which has from the beginning, on +all occasions, sacrificed its own inward satisfaction to outward peace. +My brother and sister, who used very often to jar, are now so entirely +one, and are so much together, (caballing was the word that dropt from +my mother's lips, as if at unawares,) that she is very fearful of the +consequences that may follow;--to my prejudice, perhaps, is her kind +concern; since she sees that they behave to me every hour with more and +more shyness and reserve: yet, would she but exert that authority which +the superiority of her fine talents gives her, all these family feuds +might perhaps be extinguished in their but yet beginnings; especially as +she may be assured that all fitting concessions shall be made by me, +not only as my brother and sister are my elders, but for the sake of so +excellent and so indulgent a mother. + +For, if I may say to you, my dear, what I would not to any other person +living, it is my opinion, that had she been of a temper that would have +borne less, she would have had ten times less to bear, than she has had. +No commendation, you'll say, of the generosity of those spirits which +can turn to its own disquiet so much condescending goodness. + +Upon my word I am sometimes tempted to think that we may make the world +allow for and respect us as we please, if we can but be sturdy in our +wills, and set out accordingly. It is but being the less beloved for it, +that's all: and if we have power to oblige those we have to do with, it +will not appear to us that we are. Our flatterers will tell us any thing +sooner than our faults, or what they know we do not like to hear. + +Were there not truth in this observation, is it possible that my brother +and sister could make their very failings, their vehemences, of such +importance to all the family? 'How will my son, how will my nephew, take +this or that measure? What will he say to it? Let us consult him about +it;' are references always previous to every resolution taken by his +superiors, whose will ought to be his. Well may he expect to be treated +with this deference by every other person, when my father himself, +generally so absolute, constantly pays it to him; and the more since his +godmother's bounty has given independence to a spirit that was before +under too little restraint.--But whither may these reflections lead +me!--I know you do not love any of us but my mother and me; and, being +above all disguises, make me sensible that you do not oftener than I +wish.--Ought I then to add force to your dislikes of those whom I wish +you to like?--of my father especially; for he, alas! has some excuse +for his impatience of contradiction. He is not naturally an ill-tempered +man; and in his person and air, and in his conversation too, when not +under the torture of a gouty paroxysm, every body distinguishes the +gentleman born and educated. + +Our sex perhaps must expect to bear a little--uncourtliness shall I call +it?--from the husband whom as the lover they let know the preference +their hearts gave him to all other men.--Say what they will of +generosity being a manly virtue; but upon my word, my dear, I have ever +yet observed, that it is not to be met with in that sex one time in ten +that it is to be found in ours.--But my father was soured by the cruel +distemper I have named; which seized him all at once in the very prime +of life, in so violent a manner as to take from the most active of +minds, as his was, all power of activity, and that in all appearance for +life.--It imprisoned, as I may say, his lively spirits in himself, +and turned the edge of them against his own peace; his extraordinary +prosperity adding to his impatiency. Those, I believe, who want the +fewest earthly blessings, most regret that they want any. + +But my brother! What excuse can be made for his haughty and morose +temper? He is really, my dear, I am sorry to have occasion to say it, an +ill-temper'd young man; and treats my mother sometimes--Indeed he is not +dutiful.--But, possessing every thing, he has the vice of age, mingled +with the ambition of youth, and enjoys nothing--but his own haughtiness +and ill-temper, I was going to say.--Yet again am I adding force to your +dislikes of some of us.--Once, my dear, it was perhaps in your power to +have moulded him as you pleased.--Could you have been my sister!--Then +had I friend in a sister.--But no wonder that he does not love you now; +who could nip in the bud, and that with a disdain, let me say, too +much of kin to his haughtiness, a passion that would not have wanted +a fervour worthy of the object; and which possibly would have made him +worthy. + +But no more of this. I will prosecute my former intention in my next; +which I will sit down to as soon as breakfast is over; dispatching this +by the messenger whom you have so kindly sent to inquire after us on my +silence. Mean time, I am, + + +Your most affectionate and obliged friend and servant, CL. HARLOWE. + + + + +LETTER VI + +MISS CLARISSA HARLOWE, TO MISS HOWE HARLOWE-PLACE, JAN. 20. + + +I will now resume my narrative of proceedings here.--My brother being +in a good way, although you may be sure that his resentments are rather +heightened than abated by the galling disgrace he has received, my +friends (my father and uncles, however, if not my brother and sister) +begin to think that I have been treated unkindly. My mother been so good +as to tell me this since I sent away my last. + +Nevertheless I believe they all think that I receive letters from Mr. +Lovelace. But Lord M. being inclined rather to support than to blame his +nephew, they seem to be so much afraid of Mr. Lovelace, that they do +not put it to me whether I do or not; conniving on the contrary, as it +should seem, at the only method left to allay the vehemence of a spirit +which they have so much provoked: For he still insists upon satisfaction +from my uncles; and this possibly (for he wants not art) as the best way +to be introduced again with some advantage into our family. And indeed +my aunt Hervey has put it to my mother, whether it were not best to +prevail upon my brother to take a turn to his Yorkshire estate (which he +was intending to do before) and to stay there till all is blown over. + +But this is very far from being his intention: For he has already +began to hint again, that he shall never be easy or satisfied till I +am married; and, finding neither Mr. Symmes nor Mr. Mullins will be +accepted, has proposed Mr. Wyerley once more, on the score of his +great passion for me. This I have again rejected; and but yesterday he +mentioned one who has applied to him by letter, making high offers. This +is Mr. Solmes; Rich Solmes you know they call him. But this application +has not met with the attention of one single soul. + +If none of his schemes of getting me married take effect, he has +thoughts, I am told, of proposing to me to go to Scotland, that as the +compliment is, I may put his house there in such order as our own is in. +But this my mother intends to oppose for her own sake; because having +relieved her, as she is pleased to say, of the household cares (for +which my sister, you know, has no turn) they must again devolve upon her +if I go. And if she did not oppose it, I should; for, believe me, I have +no mind to be his housekeeper; and I am sure, were I to go with him, I +should be treated rather as a servant than a sister:--perhaps, not the +better because I am his sister. And if Mr. Lovelace should follow me, +things might be worse than they are now. + +But I have besought my mother, who is apprehensive of Mr. Lovelace's +visits, and for fear of whom my uncles never stir out without arms and +armed servants (my brother also being near well enough to go abroad), +to procure me permission to be your guest for a fortnight, or so.--Will +your mother, think you, my dear, give me leave? + +I dare not ask to go to my dairy-house, as my good grandfather would +call it: for I am now afraid of being thought to have a wish to enjoy +that independence to which his will has entitled me: and as matter are +situated, such a wish would be imputed to my regard to the man to whom +they have now so great an antipathy. And indeed could I be as easy and +happy here as I used to be, I would defy that man and all his sex; and +never repent that I have given the power of my fortune into my father's +hands. + + +*** + + +Just now, my mother has rejoiced me with the news that my requested +permission is granted. Every one thinks it best that I should go to you, +except my brother. But he was told, that he must not expect to rule in +every thing. I am to be sent for into the great parlour, where are my +two uncles and my aunt Hervey, and to be acquainted with this concession +in form. + +You know, my dear, that there is a good deal of solemnity among us. +But never was there a family more united in its different branches than +ours. Our uncles consider us as their own children, and declare that it +is for our sakes that they live single. So that they are advised +with upon every article relating to us, or that may affect us. It is +therefore the less wonder, at a time when they understand that Mr. +Lovelace is determined to pay us an amicable visit, as he calls it, (but +which I am sure cannot end amicably,) that they should both be consulted +upon the permission I had desired to attend you. + + +*** + + +I will acquaint you with what passed at the general leave given me to be +your guest. And yet I know that you will not love my brother the better +for my communication. But I am angry with him myself, and cannot help +it. And besides, it is proper to let you know the terms I go upon, and +their motives for permitting me to go. + +Clary, said my mother, as soon as I entered the great parlour, your +request to go to Miss Howe's for a few days has been taken into +consideration, and granted-- + +Much against my liking, I assure you, said my brother, rudely +interrupting her. + +Son James! said my father, and knit his brows. + +He was not daunted. His arm was in a sling. He often has the mean art +to look upon that, when any thing is hinted that may be supposed to lead +toward the least favour to or reconciliation with Mr. Lovelace.--Let the +girl then [I am often the girl with him] be prohibited seeing that vile +libertine. + +Nobody spoke. + +Do you hear, sister Clary? taking their silence for approbation of what +he had dictated; you are not to receive visits from Lord M.'s nephew. + +Every one still remained silent. + +Do you so understand the license you have, Miss? interrogated he. + +I would be glad, Sir, said I, to understand that you are my +brother;--and that you would understand that you are only my brother. + +O the fond, fond heart! with a sneer of insult, lifting up his hands. + +Sir, said I, to my father, to your justice I appeal: If I have deserved +reflection, let me be not spared. But if I am to be answerable for the +rashness-- + +No more!--No more of either side, said my father. You are not to receive +the visits of that Lovelace, though.--Nor are you, son James, to reflect +upon your sister. She is a worthy child. + +Sir, I have done, replied he:--and yet I have her honour at heart, as +much as the honour of the rest of the family. + +And hence, Sir, retorted I, your unbrotherly reflections upon me? + +Well, but you observe, Miss, said he, that it is not I, but your father, +that tells you, that you are not to receive the visits of that Lovelace. + +Cousin Harlowe, said my aunt Hervey, allow me to say, that my cousin +Clary's prudence may be confided in. + +I am convinced it may, joined my mother. + +But, aunt, but, madam (put in my sister) there is no hurt, I presume, in +letting my sister know the condition she goes to Miss Howe upon; since, +if he gets a nack of visiting her there-- + +You may be sure, interrupted my uncle Harlowe, he will endeavour to see +her there. + +So would such an impudent man here, said my uncle Antony: and 'tis +better done there than here. + +Better no where, said my father.--I command you (turning to me) on pain +of displeasure, that you see him not at all. + +I will not, Sir, in any way of encouragement, I do assure you: not at +all, if I can properly avoid it. + +You know with what indifference, said my mother, she has hitherto seen +him.--Her prudence may be trusted to, as my sister Hervey says. + +With what appa--rent indifference, drawled my brother. + +Son James! said my father sternly. + +I have done, Sir, said he. But again, in a provoking manner, he reminded +me of the prohibition. + +Thus ended the conference. + +Will you engage, my dear, that the hated man shall not come near your +house?--But what an inconsistence is this, when they consent to my +going, thinking his visits here no otherwise to be avoided!--But if he +does come, I charge you never to leave us alone together. + +As I have no reason to doubt a welcome from your good mother, I will put +every thing in order here, and be with you in two or three days. + +Mean time, I am Your most affectionate and obliged, CLARISSA HARLOWE. + + + + +LETTER VII + +MISS CLARISSA HARLOWE, TO MISS HOWE [AFTER HER RETURN FROM HER.] +HARLOWE-PLACE, FEB. 20. + + +I beg your excuse for not writing sooner. Alas! my dear, I have sad +prospects before me! My brother and sister have succeeded in all their +views. They have found out another lover for me; an hideous one!--Yet +he is encouraged by every body. No wonder that I was ordered home so +suddenly. At an hour's warning!--No other notice, you know, than what +was brought with the chariot that was to carry me back.--It was for +fear, as I have been informed [an unworthy fear!] that I should have +entered into any concert with Mr. Lovelace had I known their motive for +commanding me home; apprehending, 'tis evident, that I should dislike +the man they had to propose to me. + +And well might they apprehend so:--For who do you think he is?--No +other than that Solmes--Could you have believed it?--And they are all +determined too; my mother with the rest!--Dear, dear excellence! how +could she be thus brought over, when I am assured, that on his first +being proposed she was pleased to say, That had Mr. Solmes the Indies +in possession, and would endow me with them, she should not think him +deserving of her Clarissa! + +The reception I met with at my return, so different from what I used to +meet with on every little absence [and now I had been from them three +weeks], convinced me that I was to suffer for the happiness I had had +in your company and conversation for that most agreeable period. I will +give you an account of it. + +My brother met me at the door, and gave me his hand when I stepped out +of the chariot. He bowed very low: pray, Miss, favour me.--I thought it +in good humour; but found it afterwards mock respect: and so he led +me in great form, I prattling all the way, inquiring of every body's +health, (although I was so soon to see them, and there was hardly time +for answers,) into the great parlour; where were my father, mother, my +two uncles, and sister. + +I was struck all of a heap as soon as I entered, to see a solemnity +which I had been so little used to on the like occasions in the +countenance of every dear relation. They all kept their seats. I ran +to my father, and kneeled: then to my mother: and met from both a cold +salute: From my father a blessing but half pronounced: My mother indeed +called me child; but embraced me not with her usual indulgent ardour. + +After I had paid my duty to my uncles, and my compliments to my sister, +which she received with solemn and stiff form, I was bid to sit down. +But my heart was full: and I said it became me to stand, if I could +stand, upon a reception so awful and unusual. I was forced to turn my +face from them, and pull out my handkerchief. + +My unbrotherly accuser hereupon stood forth, and charged me with having +received no less than five or six visits at Miss Howe's from the +man they had all so much reason to hate [that was the expression]; +notwithstanding the commands I had had to the contrary. And he bid me +deny it if I could. + +I had never been used, I said, to deny the truth, nor would I now. I +owned I had in the three weeks passed seen the person I presumed he +meant oftener than five or six times [Pray hear me, brother, said I; for +he was going to flame out], but he always asked for Mrs. or Miss Howe, +when he came. + +I proceeded, that I had reason to believe, that both Mrs. Howe and Miss, +as matters stood, would much rather have excused his visits; but they +had more than once apologized, that having not the same reason my papa +had to forbid him their house, his rank and fortune entitled him to +civility. + +You see, my dear, I made not the pleas I might have made. + +My brother seemed ready to give a loose to his passion: My father put +on the countenance which always portends a gathering storm: My uncles +mutteringly whispered: And my sister aggravatingly held up her hands. +While I begged to be heard out:--And my mother said, let the child, that +was her kind word, be heard. + +I hoped, I said, there was no harm done: that it became not me to +prescribe to Mrs. or Miss Howe who should be their visitors: that Mrs. +Howe was always diverted with the raillery that passed between Miss and +him: that I had no reason to challenge her guest for my visitor, as I +should seem to have done had I refused to go into their company when he +was with them: that I had never seen him out of the presence of one or +both of those ladies; and had signified to him once, on his urging a +few moments' private conversation with me, that, unless a reconciliation +were effected between my family and his, he must not expect that I would +countenance his visits, much less give him an opportunity of that sort. + +I told him further, that Miss Howe so well understood my mind, that she +never left me a moment while Mr. Lovelace was there: that when he came, +if I was not below in the parlour, I would not suffer myself to be +called to him: although I thought it would be an affectation which would +give him an advantage rather than the contrary, if I had left company +when he came in; or refused to enter into it when I found he would stay +any time. + +My brother heard me out with such a kind of impatience as shewed he was +resolved to be dissatisfied with me, say what I would. The rest, as the +event has proved, behaved as if they would have been satisfied, had +they not further points to carry by intimidating me. All this made it +evident, as I mentioned above, that they themselves expected not my +voluntary compliance; and was a tacit confession of the disagreeableness +of the person they had to propose. + +I was no sooner silent than my brother swore, although in my father's +presence, (swore, unchecked either by eye or countenance,) That for his +part, he would never be reconciled to that libertine: and that he would +renounce me for a sister, if I encouraged the addresses of a man so +obnoxious to them all. + +A man who had like to have been my brother's murderer, my sister said, +with a face even bursting with restraint of passion. + +The poor Bella has, you know, a plump high-fed face, if I may be allowed +the expression. You, I know, will forgive me for this liberty of speech +sooner than I can forgive myself: Yet how can one be such a reptile as +not to turn when trampled upon! + +My father, with vehemence both of action and voice [my father has, you +know, a terrible voice when he is angry] told me that I had met with too +much indulgence in being allowed to refuse this gentleman, and the other +gentleman,; and it was now his turn to be obeyed! + +Very true, my mother said:--and hoped his will would not now be disputed +by a child so favoured. + +To shew they were all of a sentiment, my uncle Harlowe said, he hoped +his beloved niece only wanted to know her father's will, to obey it. + +And my uncle Antony, in his rougher manner, added, that surely I would +not give them reason to apprehend, that I thought my grandfather's +favour to me had made me independent of them all.--If I did, he would +tell me, the will could be set aside, and should. + +I was astonished, you must needs think.--Whose addresses now, thought I, +is this treatment preparative to?--Mr. Wyerley's again?--or whose? And +then, as high comparisons, where self is concerned, sooner than low, +come into young people's heads; be it for whom it will, this is wooing +as the English did for the heiress of Scotland in the time of Edward +the Sixth. But that it could be for Solmes, how should it enter into my +head? + +I did not know, I said, that I had given occasion for this harshness. +I hoped I should always have a just sense of every one's favour to me, +superadded to the duty I owed as a daughter and a niece: but that I was +so much surprised at a reception so unusual and unexpected, that I hoped +my papa and mamma would give me leave to retire, in order to recollect +myself. + +No one gainsaying, I made my silent compliments, and withdrew;--leaving +my brother and sister, as I thought, pleased; and as if they wanted to +congratulate each other on having occasioned so severe a beginning to be +made with me. + +I went up to my chamber, and there with my faithful Hannah deplored the +determined face which the new proposal it was plain they had to make me +wore. + +I had not recovered myself when I was sent for down to tea. I begged +my maid to be excused attending; but on the repeated command, went down +with as much cheerfulness as I could assume; and had a new fault to +clear myself of: for my brother, so pregnant a thing is determined +ill-will, by intimations equally rude and intelligible, charged my +desire of being excused coming down, to sullens, because a certain +person had been spoken against, upon whom, as he supposed, my fancy ran. + +I could easily answer you, Sir, said I, as such a reflection deserves: +but I forbear. If I do not find a brother in you, you shall have a +sister in me. + +Pretty meekness! Bella whisperingly said; looking at my brother, and +lifting up her lip in contempt. + +He, with an imperious air, bid me deserve his love, and I should be sure +to have it. + +As we sat, my mother, in her admirable manner, expatiated upon brotherly +and sisterly love; indulgently blamed my brother and sister for having +taken up displeasure too lightly against me; and politically, if I may +say so, answered for my obedience to my father's will.--The it would be +all well, my father was pleased to say: Then they should dote upon me, +was my brother's expression: Love me as well as ever, was my sister's: +And my uncles, That I then should be the pride of their hearts.--But, +alas! what a forfeiture of all these must I make! + +This was the reception I had on my return from you. + +Mr. Solmes came in before we had done tea. My uncle Antony presented +him to me, as a gentleman he had a particular friendship for. My uncle +Harlowe in terms equally favourable for him. My father said, Mr. Solmes +is my friend, Clarissa Harlowe. My mother looked at him, and looked at +me, now-and-then, as he sat near me, I thought with concern.--I at her, +with eyes appealing for pity. At him, when I could glance at him, with +disgust little short of affrightment. While my brother and sister Mr. +Solmes'd him, and Sirr'd--yet such a wretch!--But I will at present only +add, My humble thanks and duty to your honoured mother (to whom I will +particularly write, to express the grateful sense I have of her goodness +to me); and that I am + +Your ever obliged, CL. HARLOWE. + + + + +LETTER VIII + +MISS CLARISSA HARLOWE, TO MISS HOWE FEB. 24. + + +They drive on here at a furious rate. The man lives here, I think. +He courts them, and is more and more a favourite. Such terms, such +settlements! That's the cry. + +O my dear, that I had not reason to deplore the family fault, immensely +rich as they all are! But this I may the more unreservedly say to you, +as we have often joined in the same concern: I, for a father and uncles; +you, for a mother; in every other respect, faultless. + +Hitherto, I seem to be delivered over to my brother, who pretends as +great a love to me as ever. + +You may believe I have been very sincere with him. But he affects +to rally me, and not to believe it possible, that one so dutiful and +discreet as his sister Clary can resolve to disoblige all her friends. + +Indeed, I tremble at the prospect before me; for it is evident that they +are strangely determined. + +My father and mother industriously avoid giving me opportunity of +speaking to them alone. They ask not for my approbation, intended, as it +should seem, to suppose me into their will. And with them I shall hope +to prevail, or with nobody. They have not the interest in compelling me, +as my brother and sister have: I say less therefore to them, reserving +my whole force for an audience of my father, if he will permit me a +patient ear. How difficult is it, my dear, to give a negative where both +duty and inclination join to make one wish to oblige! + +I have already stood the shock of three of this man's particular visits, +besides my share in his more general ones; and find it is impossible +I should ever endure him. He has but a very ordinary share of +understanding; is very illiterate; knows nothing but the value of +estates, and how to improve them, and what belongs to land-jobbing and +husbandry. Yet I am as one stupid, I think. They have begun so cruelly +with me, that I have not spirit enough to assert my own negative. + +They had endeavoured it seems to influence my good Mrs. Norton before I +came home--so intent are they to carry their point! And her opinion +not being to their liking, she has been told that she would do well to +decline visiting here for the present: yet she is the person of all the +world, next to my mother, the most likely to prevail upon me, were the +measures they are engaged in reasonable measures, or such as she could +think so. + +My aunt likewise having said that she did not think her niece could ever +be brought to like Mr. Solmes, has been obliged to learn another lesson. + +I am to have a visit from her to-morrow. And, since I have refused so +much as to hear from my brother and sister what the noble settlements +are to be, she is to acquaint me with the particulars; and to receive +from me my determination: for my father, I am told, will not have +patience but to suppose that I shall stand in opposition to his will. + +Mean time it has been signified to me, that it will be acceptable if I +do not think of going to church next Sunday. + +The same signification was made for me last Sunday; and I obeyed. They +are apprehensive that Mr. Lovelace will be there with design to come +home with me. + +Help me, dear Miss Howe, to a little of your charming spirit: I never +more wanted it. + +The man, this Solmes, you may suppose, has no reason to boast of his +progress with me. He has not the sense to say any thing to the purpose. +His courtship indeed is to them; and my brother pretends to court me +as his proxy, truly!--I utterly, to my brother, reject his address; but +thinking a person, so well received and recommended by all my family, +entitled to good manners, all I say against him is affectedly attributed +to coyness: and he, not being sensible of his own imperfections, +believes that my avoiding him when I can, and the reserves I express, +are owing to nothing else: for, as I said, all his courtship is to +them; and I have no opportunity of saying no, to one who asks me not the +question. And so, with an air of mannish superiority, he seems rather to +pity the bashful girl, than to apprehend that he shall not succeed. + + +FEBRUARY 25. + + +I have had the expected conference with my aunt. + +I have been obliged to hear the man's proposals from her; and have been +told also what their motives are for espousing his interest with so much +warmth. I am even loth to mention how equally unjust it is for him to +make such offers, or for those I am bound to reverence to accept of +them. I hate him more than before. One great estate is already obtained +at the expense of the relations to it, though distant relations; my +brother's, I mean, by his godmother: and this has given the hope, +however chimerical that hope, of procuring others; and that my own at +least may revert to the family. And yet, in my opinion, the world is +but one great family. Originally it was so. What then is this narrow +selfishness that reigns in us, but relationship remembered against +relationship forgot? + +But here, upon my absolute refusal of him upon any terms, have I had +a signification made me that wounds me to the heart. How can I tell it +you? Yet I must. It is, my dear, that I must not for a month to come, or +till license obtained, correspond with any body out of the house. + +My brother, upon my aunt's report, (made, however, as I am informed, +in the gentlest manner, and even giving remote hopes, which she had no +commission from me to give,) brought me, in authoritative terms, the +prohibition. + +Not to Miss Howe? said I. + +No, not to Miss Howe, Madam, tauntingly: for have you not acknowledged, +that Lovelace is a favourite there? + +See, my dear Miss Howe--! + +And do you think, Brother, this is the way-- + +Do you look to that.--But your letters will be stopt, I can tell +you.--And away he flung. + +My sister came to me soon after--Sister Clary, you are going on in a +fine way, I understand. But as there are people who are supposed to +harden you against your duty, I am to tell you, that it will be taken +well if you avoid visits or visitings for a week or two till further +order. + +Can this be from those who have authority-- + +Ask them; ask them, child, with a twirl of her finger.--I have delivered +my message. Your father will be obeyed. He is willing to hope you to be +all obedience, and would prevent all incitements to refractoriness. + +I know my duty, said I; and hope I shall not find impossible condition +annexed to it. + +A pert young creature, vain and conceited, she called me. I was the only +judge, in my own wise opinion, of what was right and fit. She, for her +part, had long seen into my specious ways: and now I should shew every +body what I was at bottom. + +Dear Bella! said I, hands and eyes lifted up--why all this?--Dear, dear +Bella, why-- + +None of your dear, dear Bella's to me.--I tell you, I see through your +witchcrafts [that was her strange word]. And away she flung; adding, as +she went, and so will every body else very quickly, I dare say. + +Bless me, said I to myself, what a sister have I!--How have I deserved +this? + +Then I again regretted my grandfather's too distinguishing goodness to +me. + + +FEB. 25, IN THE EVENING. + + +What my brother and sister have said against me I cannot tell:--but I am +in heavy disgrace with my father. + +I was sent for down to tea. I went with a very cheerful aspect: but had +occasion soon to change it. + +Such a solemnity in every body's countenance!--My mother's eyes were +fixed upon the tea-cups; and when she looked up, it was heavily, as if +her eye-lids had weights upon them; and then not to me. My father sat +half-aside in his elbow-chair, that his head might be turned from me: +his hands clasped, and waving, as it were, up and down; his fingers, +poor dear gentleman! in motion, as if angry to the very ends of them. My +sister was swelling. My brother looked at me with scorn, having measured +me, as I may say, with his eyes as I entered, from head to foot. My aunt +was there, and looked upon me as if with kindness restrained, bending +coldly to my compliment to her as she sat; and then cast an eye first on +my brother, then on my sister, as if to give the reason [so I am willing +to construe it] of her unusual stiffness.--Bless me, my dear! that they +should choose to intimidate rather than invite a mind, till now, not +thought either unpersuadable or ungenerous! + +I took my seat. Shall I make tea, Madam, to my mother?--I always used, +you know, my dear, to make tea. + +No! a very short sentence, in one very short word, was the expressive +answer. And she was pleased to take the canister in her own hand. + +My brother bid the footman, who attended, leave the room--I, he said, +will pour out the water. + +My heart was up in my mouth. I did not know what to do with myself. What +is to follow? thought I. + +Just after the second dish, out stept my mother--A word with you, sister +Hervey! taking her in her hand. Presently my sister dropt away. Then my +brother. So I was left alone with my father. + +He looked so very sternly, that my heart failed me as twice or thrice +I would have addressed myself to him: nothing but solemn silence on all +hands having passed before. + +At last, I asked, if it were his pleasure that I should pour him out +another dish? + +He answered me with the same angry monosyllable, which I had received +from my mother before; and then arose, and walked about the room. I +arose too, with intent to throw myself at his feet; but was too much +overawed by his sternness, even to make such an expression of my duty to +him as my heart overflowed with. + +At last, as he supported himself, because of his gout, on the back of a +chair, I took a little more courage; and approaching him, besought him +to acquaint me in what I had offended him? + +He turned from me, and in a strong voice, Clarissa Harlowe, said he, +know that I will be obeyed. + +God forbid, Sir, that you should not!--I have never yet opposed your +will-- + +Nor I your whimsies, Clarissa Harlowe, interrupted he.--Don't let me +run the fate of all who shew indulgence to your sex; to be the more +contradicted for mine to you. + +My father, you know, my dear, has not (any more than my brother) a kind +opinion of our sex; although there is not a more condescending wife in +the world than my mother. + +I was going to make protestations of duty--No protestations, girl! No +words! I will not be prated to! I will be obeyed! I have no child, I +will have no child, but an obedient one. + +Sir, you never had reason, I hope-- + +Tell me not what I never had, but what I have, and what I shall have. + +Good Sir, be pleased to hear me--My brother and sister, I fear-- + +Your brother and sister shall not be spoken against, girl!--They have a +just concern for the honour of my family. + +And I hope, Sir-- + +Hope nothing.--Tell me not of hopes, but of facts. I ask nothing of you +but what is in your power to comply with, and what it is your duty to +comply with. + +Then, Sir, I will comply with it--But yet I hope from your goodness-- + +No expostulations! No but's, girl! No qualifyings! I will be obeyed, I +tell you; and cheerfully too!--or you are no child of mine! + +I wept. + +Let me beseech you, my dear and ever-honoured Papa, (and I dropt down +on my knees,) that I may have only yours and my mamma's will, and not my +brother's, to obey. + +I was going on; but he was pleased to withdraw, leaving me on the floor; +saying, That he would not hear me thus by subtilty and cunning aiming to +distinguish away my duty: repeating, that he would be obeyed. + +My heart is too full;--so full, that it may endanger my duty, were I +to try to unburden it to you on this occasion: so I will lay down my +pen.--But can--Yet positively, I will lay down my pen--! + + + + +LETTER IX + +MISS CLARISSA HARLOWE, TO MISS HOWE FEB. 26, IN THE MORNING. + + +My aunt, who staid here last night, made me a visit this morning as +soon as it was light. She tells me, that I was left alone with my +father yesterday on purpose that he might talk with me on my expected +obedience; but that he owned he was put beside his purpose by reflecting +on something my brother had told him in my disfavour, and by his +impatience but to suppose, that such a gentle spirit as mine had +hitherto seemed to be, should presume to dispute his will in a point +where the advantage of the whole family was to be so greatly promoted by +my compliance. + +I find, by a few words which dropt unawares from my aunt, that they have +all an absolute dependence upon what they suppose to be meekness in my +temper. But in this they may be mistaken; for I verily think, upon a +strict examination of myself, that I have almost as much in me of my +father's as of my mother's family. + +My uncle Harlowe it seems is against driving me upon extremities: But +my brother has engaged, that the regard I have for my reputation, and +my principles, will bring me round to my duty; that's the expression. +Perhaps I shall have reason to wish I had not known this. + +My aunt advises me to submit for the present to the interdicts they +have laid me under; and indeed to encourage Mr. Solmes's address. I have +absolutely refused the latter, let what will (as I have told her) be the +consequence. The visiting prohibition I will conform to. But as to that +of not corresponding with you, nothing but the menace that our letters +shall be intercepted, can engage my observation of it. + +She believes that this order is from my father, and that my mother +has not been consulted upon it. She says, that it is given, as she has +reason think, purely in consideration to me, lest I should mortally +offend him; and this from the incitements of other people (meaning you +and Miss Lloyd, I make no doubt) rather than by my own will. For still, +as she tells me, he speaks kind and praiseful things of me. + +Here is clemency! Here is indulgence!--And so it is, to prevent a +headstrong child, as a good prince would wish to deter disaffected +subjects, from running into rebellion, and so forfeiting every thing! +But this is allowing to the young-man's wisdom of my brother; a plotter +without a head, and a brother without a heart! + +How happy might I have been with any other brother in the world but +James Harlowe; and with any other sister but his sister! Wonder not, my +dear, that I, who used to chide you for these sort of liberties with my +relations, now am more undutiful than you ever was unkind. I cannot bear +the thought of being deprived of the principal pleasure of my life; for +such is your conversation by person and by letter. And who, besides, can +bear to be made the dupe of such low cunning, operating with such high +and arrogant passions? + +But can you, my dear Miss Howe, condescend to carry on a private +correspondence with me?--If you can, there is one way I have thought of, +by which it may be done. + +You must remember the Green Lane, as we call it, that runs by the side +of the wood-house and poultry-yard where I keep my bantams, pheasants, +and pea-hens, which generally engage my notice twice a day; the more +my favourites because they were my grandfather's, and recommended to my +care by him; and therefore brought hither from my Dairy-house since his +death. + +The lane is lower than the floor of the wood-house; and, in the side of +the wood-house, the boards are rotted away down to the floor for half an +ell together in several places. Hannah can step into the lane, and make +a mark with chalk where a letter or parcel may be pushed in, under some +sticks; which may be so managed as to be an unsuspected cover for the +written deposits from either. + + +*** + + +I have been just now to look at the place, and find it will answer. So +your faithful Robert may, without coming near the house, and as only +passing through the Green Lame which leads to two or three farm-houses +[out of livery if you please] very easily take from thence my letters +and deposit yours. + +This place is the more convenient, because it is seldom resorted to +but by myself or Hannah, on the above-mentioned account; for it is the +general store-house for firing; the wood for constant use being nearer +the house. + +One corner of this being separated off for the roosting-place of my +little poultry, either she or I shall never want a pretence to go +thither. + +Try, my dear, the success of a letter this way; and give me your opinion +and advice what to do in this disgraceful situation, as I cannot but +call it; and what you think of my prospects; and what you would do in my +case. + +But before-hand I will tell you, that your advice must not run in favour +of this Solmes: and yet it is very likely they will endeavour to engage +your mother, in order to induce you, who have such an influence over me, +to favour him. + +Yet, on second thoughts, if you incline to that side of the question, +I would have you write your whole mind. Determined as I think I am, and +cannot help it, I would at least give a patient hearing to what may be +said on the other side. For my regards are not so much engaged [upon my +word they are not; I know not myself if they be] to another person as +some of my friends suppose; and as you, giving way to your lively vein, +upon his last visits, affected to suppose. What preferable favour I +may have for him to any other person, is owing more to the usage he has +received, and for my sake borne, than to any personal consideration. + +I write a few lines of grateful acknowledgement to your good mother for +her favours to me in the late happy period. I fear I shall never know +such another. I hope she will forgive me, that I did not write sooner. + +The bearer, if suspected and examined, is to produce that as the only +one he carries. + +How do needless watchfulness and undue restraint produce artifice and +contrivance! I should abhor these clandestine correspondences, were they +not forced upon me. They have so mean, so low an appearance to myself, +that I think I ought not to expect that you should take part in them. + +But why (as I have also expostulated with my aunt) must I be pushed +into a state, which I have no wish to enter into, although I reverence +it?--Why should not my brother, so many years older, and so earnest to +see me engaged, be first engaged?--And why should not my sister be first +provided for? + +But here I conclude these unavailing expostulations, with the assurance, +that I am, and ever will be, + +Your affectionate, CLARISSA HARLOWE. + + + + +LETTER X + +MISS HOWE, TO MISS CLARISSA HARLOWE FEB. 27 + + +What odd heads some people have!--Miss Clarissa Harlowe to be sacrificed +in marriage to Mr. Roger Solmes!--Astonishing! + +I must not, you say, give my advice in favour of this man!--You now +convince me, my dear, that you are nearer of kin than I thought you, +to the family that could think of so preposterous a match, or you would +never have had the least notion of my advising in his favour. + +Ask for his picture. You know I have a good hand at drawing an ugly +likeness. But I'll see a little further first: for who knows what may +happen, since matters are in such a train; and since you have not the +courage to oppose so overwhelming a torrent? + +You ask me to help you to a little of my spirit. Are you in earnest? +But it will not now, I doubt, do you service.--It will not sit naturally +upon you. You are your mother's girl, think what you will; and have +violent spirits to contend with. Alas! my dear, you should have borrowed +some of mine a little sooner;--that is to say, before you had given the +management of your estate into the hands of those who think they have a +prior claim to it. What though a father's!--Has not the father two elder +children?--And do they not both bear more of his stamp and image than +you do?--Pray, my dear, call me not to account for this free question; +lest your application of my meaning, on examination, prove to be as +severe as that. + +Now I have launched out a little, indulge me one word more in the same +strain--I will be decent, I promise you. I think you might have know, +that Avarice and Envy are two passions that are not to be satisfied, the +one by giving, the other by the envied person's continuing to deserve +and excel.--Fuel, fuel both, all the world over, to flames insatiate and +devouring. + +But since you ask for my opinion, you must tell me all you know or +surmise of their inducements. And if you will not forbid me to make +extracts from your letters for the entertainment of my aunt and cousin +in the little island, who long to hear more of your affairs, it will be +very obliging. + +But you are so tender of some people who have no tenderness for any body +but themselves, that I must conjure you to speak out. Remember, that +a friendship like ours admits of no reserves. You may trust my +impartiality. It would be an affront to your own judgment, if you did +not: For do you not ask my advice? And have you not taught me that +friendship should never give a bias against justice?--Justify them, +therefore, if you can. Let us see if there be any sense, whether +sufficient reason or not in their choice. At present I cannot (and yet +I know a good deal of your family) have any conception how all of them, +your mother and your aunt Hervey in particular, can join with the rest +against judgments given. As to some of the others, I cannot wonder at +any thing they do, or attempt to do, where self is concerned. + +You ask, Why may not your brother be first engaged in wedlock? I'll tell +you why: His temper and his arrogance are too well known to induce women +he would aspire to, to receive his addresses, notwithstanding his great +independent acquisitions, and still greater prospects. Let me tell you, +my dear, those acquisitions have given him more pride than reputation. +To me he is the most intolerable creature that I ever conversed with. +The treatment you blame, he merited from one whom he addressed with the +air of a person who presumes that he is about to confer a favour, rather +than to receive one. I ever loved to mortify proud and insolent spirits. +What, think you, makes me bear Hickman near me, but that the man is +humble, and knows and keeps his distance? + +As to your question, Why your elder sister may not be first provided +for? I answer, Because she must have no man, but one who has a great and +clear estate; that's one thing. Another is, Because she has a younger +sister. Pray, my dear, be so good as to tell me, What man of a great and +clear estate would think of that eldest sister, while the younger were +single? + +You are all too rich to be happy, child. For must not each of you, by +the constitutions of your family, marry to be still richer? People who +know in what their main excellence consists, are not to be blamed (are +they) for cultivating and improving what they think most valuable?--Is +true happiness any part of your family view?--So far from it, that none +of your family but yourself could be happy were they not rich. So let +them fret on, grumble and grudge, and accumulate; and wondering what +ails them that they have not happiness when they have riches, think the +cause is want of more; and so go on heaping up, till Death, as greedy an +accumulator as themselves, gathers them into his garner. + +Well then once more I say, do you, my dear, tell me what you know of +their avowed and general motives; and I will tell you more than you will +tell me of their failings! Your aunt Hervey, you say,* has told you: Why +must I ask you to let me know them, when you condescend to ask my advice +on the occasion? + + + * See Letter VIII. + + +That they prohibit your corresponding with me, is a wisdom I neither +wonder at, nor blame them for: since it is an evidence to me, that they +know their own folly: And if they do, is it strange that they should be +afraid to trust one another's judgment upon it? + +I am glad you have found out a way to correspond with me. I approve +it much. I shall more, if this first trial of it prove successful. But +should it not, and should it fall into their hands, it would not concern +me but for your sake. + +We have heard before you wrote, that all was not right between your +relations and you at your coming home: that Mr. Solmes visited you, and +that with a prospect of success. But I concluded the mistake lay in the +person; and that his address was to Miss Arabella. And indeed had she +been as good-natured as your plump ones generally are, I should have +thought her too good for him by half. This must certainly be the thing, +thought I; and my beloved friend is sent for to advise and assist in her +nuptial preparations. Who knows, said I to my mother, but that when +the man has thrown aside his yellow full-buckled peruke, and his +broad-brimmed beaver (both of which I suppose were Sir Oliver's best +of long standing) he may cut a tolerable figure dangling to church +with Miss Bell!--The woman, as she observes, should excel the man in +features: and where can she match so well for a foil? + +I indulged this surmise against rumour, because I could not believe that +the absurdest people in England could be so very absurd as to think of +this man for you. + +We heard, moreover, that you received no visiters. I could assign no +reason for this, except that the preparations for your sister were to be +private, and the ceremony sudden, for fear this man should, as another +man did, change his mind. Miss Lloyd and Miss Biddulph were with me to +inquire what I knew of this; and of your not being in church, either +morning or afternoon, the Sunday after your return from us; to the +disappointment of a little hundred of your admirers, to use their words. +It was easy for me to guess the reason to be what you confirm--their +apprehensions that Lovelace would be there, and attempt to wait on you +home. + +My mother takes very kindly your compliments in your letter to her. Her +words upon reading it were, 'Miss Clarissa Harlowe is an admirable young +lady: wherever she goes, she confers a favour: whomever she leaves, she +fills with regret.'--And then a little comparative reflection--'O my +Nancy, that you had a little of her sweet obligingness!' + +No matter. The praise was yours. You are me; and I enjoyed it. The more +enjoyed it, because--Shall I tell you the truth?--Because I think myself +as well as I am--were it but for this reason, that had I twenty brother +James's, and twenty sister Bell's, not one of them, nor all of them +joined together, would dare to treat me as yours presume to treat you. +The person who will bear much shall have much to bear all the world +through; it is your own sentiment,* grounded upon the strongest instance +that can be given in your own family; though you have so little improved +by it. + + + * Letter V. + + +The result is this, that I am fitter for this world than you; you for +the next than me:--that is the difference.--But long, long, for my sake, +and for hundreds of sakes, may it be before you quit us for company more +congenial to you and more worthy of you! + +I communicated to my mother the account you give of your strange +reception; also what a horrid wretch they have found out for you; and +the compulsory treatment they give you. It only set her on magnifying +her lenity to me, on my tyrannical behaviour, as she will call it +[mothers must have their way, you know, my dear] to the man whom she so +warmly recommends, against whom it seems there can be no just exception; +and expatiating upon the complaisance I owe her for her indulgence. So I +believe I must communicate to her nothing farther--especially as I know +she would condemn the correspondence between us, and that between you +and Lovelace, as clandestine and undutiful proceedings, and divulge our +secret besides; for duty implicit is her cry. And moreover she lends +a pretty open ear to the preachments of that starch old bachelor your +uncle Antony; and for an example to her daughter would be more careful +how she takes your part, be the cause ever so just. + +Yet is this not the right policy neither. For people who allow nothing +will be granted nothing: in other words, those who aim at carrying too +many points will not be able to carry any. + +But can you divine, my dear, what the old preachment-making, +plump-hearted soul, your uncle Antony, means by his frequent amblings +hither?--There is such smirking and smiling between my mother and him! +Such mutual praises of economy; and 'that is my way!'--and 'this I +do!'--and 'I am glad it has your approbation, Sir!'--and 'you look into +every thing, Madam!'--'Nothing would be done, if I did not!'-- + +Such exclamations against servants! Such exaltings of self! And +dear heart, and good lack!--and 'las a-day!--And now-and-then their +conversation sinking into a whispering accent, if I come across +them!--I'll tell you, my dear, I don't above half like it. + +Only that these old bachelors usually take as many years to resolve upon +matrimony as they can reasonably expect to live, or I should be ready +to fire upon his visits; and to recommend Mr. Hickman to my mother's +acceptance, as a much more eligible man: for what he wants in years, +he makes up in gravity; and if you will not chide me, I will say, that +there is a primness in both (especially when the man has presumed too +much with me upon my mother's favour for him, and is under discipline on +that account) as make them seem near of kin: and then in contemplation +of my sauciness, and what they both fear from it, they sigh away! and +seem so mightily to compassionate each other, that if pity be but one +remove from love, I am in no danger, while they are both in a great +deal, and don't know it. + +Now, my dear, I know you will be upon me with your grave airs: so in for +the lamb, as the saying is, in for the sheep; and do you yourself look +about you; for I'll have a pull with you by way of being aforehand. +Hannibal, we read, always advised to attack the Romans upon their own +territories. + +You are pleased to say, and upon your word too! that your regards (a +mighty quaint word for affections) are not so much engaged, as some +of your friends suppose, to another person. What need you give one to +imagine, my dear, that the last month or two has been a period extremely +favourable to that other person, whom it has made an obliger of the +niece for his patience with the uncles. + +But, to pass that by--so much engaged!--How much, my dear?--Shall I +infer? Some of your friends suppose a great deal. You seem to own a +little. + +Don't be angry. It is all fair: because you have not acknowledged to +me that little. People I have heard you say, who affect secrets, always +excite curiosity. + +But you proceed with a kind of drawback upon your averment, as if +recollection had given you a doubt--you know not yourself, if they be +[so much engaged]. Was it necessary to say this to me?--and to say +it upon your word too?--But you know best.--Yet you don't neither, +I believe. For a beginning love is acted by a subtle spirit; and +oftentimes discovers itself to a by-stander, when the person possessed +(why should I not call it possessed?) knows not it has such a demon. + +But further you say, what preferable favour you may have for him to any +other person, is owing more to the usage he has received, and for your +sake borne, than to any personal consideration. + +This is generously said. It is in character. But, O my friend, depend +upon it, you are in danger. Depend upon it, whether you know it or not, +you are a little in for't. Your native generosity and greatness of mind +endanger you: all your friends, by fighting against him with +impolitic violence, fight for him. And Lovelace, my life for yours, +notwithstanding all his veneration and assiduities, has seen further +than that veneration and those assiduities (so well calculated to your +meridian) will let him own he has seen--has seen, in short, that his +work is doing for him more effectually than he could do it for himself. +And have you not before now said, that nothing is so penetrating as the +eye of a lover who has vanity? And who says Lovelace wants vanity? + +In short, my dear, it is my opinion, and that from the easiness of his +heart and behaviour, that he has seen more than I have seen; more than +you think could be seen--more than I believe you yourself know, or else +you would let me know it. + +Already, in order to restrain him from resenting the indignities he has +received, and which are daily offered him, he has prevailed upon you to +correspond with him privately. I know he has nothing to boast of from +what you have written: but is not his inducing you to receive his +letters, and to answer them, a great point gained? By your insisting +that he should keep the correspondence private, it appears there is one +secret which you do not wish the world should know: and he is master of +that secret. He is indeed himself, as I may say, that secret! What an +intimacy does this beget for the lover! How is it distancing the parent! + +Yet who, as things are situated, can blame you?--Your condescension has +no doubt hitherto prevented great mischiefs. It must be continued, +for the same reasons, while the cause remains. You are drawn in by +a perverse fate against inclination: but custom, with such +laudable purposes, will reconcile the inconveniency, and make an +inclination.--And I would advise you (as you would wish to manage on an +occasion so critical with that prudence which governs all your actions) +not to be afraid of entering upon a close examination into the true +springs and grounds of this your generosity to that happy man. + +It is my humble opinion, I tell you frankly, that on inquiry it will +come out to be LOVE--don't start, my dear!--Has not your man himself had +natural philosophy enough to observe already to your aunt Hervey, that +love takes the deepest root in the steadiest minds? The deuce take his +sly penetration, I was going to say; for this was six or seven weeks +ago. + +I have been tinctured, you know. Nor on the coolest reflection, could +I account how and when the jaundice began: but had been over head and +ears, as the saying is, but for some of that advice from you, which I +now return you. Yet my man was not half so--so what, my dear--to be sure +Lovelace is a charming fellow. And were he only--but I will not make +you glow, as you read--upon my word I will not.--Yet, my dear, don't you +find at your heart somewhat unusual make it go throb, throb, throb, as +you read just here?--If you do, don't be ashamed to own it--it is your +generosity, my love, that's all.--But as the Roman augur said, Caesar, +beware of the Ides of March! + +Adieu, my dearest friend.--Forgive, and very speedily, by the new found +expedient, tell me that you forgive, + +Your ever-affectionate, ANNA HOWE. + + + + +LETTER XI + +MISS CLARISSA HARLOWE, TO MISS HOWE WEDNESDAY, MARCH 1. + + +You both nettled and alarmed me, my dearest Miss Howe, by the concluding +part of your last. At first reading it, I did not think it necessary, +said I to myself, to guard against a critic, when I was writing to so +dear a friend. But then recollecting myself, is there not more in it, +said I, than the result of a vein so naturally lively? Surely I must +have been guilty of an inadvertence. Let me enter into the close +examination of myself which my beloved friend advises. + +I do so; and cannot own any of the glow, any of the throbs you +mention.--Upon my word I will repeat, I cannot. And yet the passages in +my letter, upon which you are so humourously severe, lay me fairly open +to your agreeable raillery. I own they do. And I cannot tell what turn +my mind had taken to dictate so oddly to my pen. + +But, pray now--is it saying so much, when one, who has no very +particular regard to any man, says, there are some who are preferable to +others? And is it blamable to say, they are the preferable, who are not +well used by one's relations; yet dispense with that usage out of regard +to one's self which they would otherwise resent? Mr. Lovelace, for +instance, I may be allowed to say, is a man to be preferred to Mr. +Solmes; and that I do prefer him to that man: but, surely, this may be +said without its being a necessary consequence that I must be in love +with him. + +Indeed I would not be in love with him, as it is called, for the world: +First, because I have no opinion of his morals; and think it a fault in +which our whole family (my brother excepted) has had a share, that he +was permitted to visit us with a hope, which, however, being distant, +did not, as I have observed heretofore,* entitle any of us to call +him to account for such of his immoralities as came to our ears. Next, +because I think him to be a vain man, capable of triumphing (secretly at +least) over a person whose heart he thinks he has engaged. And, thirdly, +because the assiduities and veneration which you impute to him, seem to +carry an haughtiness in them, as if he thought his address had a merit +in it, that would be more than an equivalent to a woman's love. In +short, his very politeness, notwithstanding the advantages he must have +had from his birth and education, appear to be constrained; and, with +the most remarkable easy and genteel person, something, at times, +seems to be behind in his manner that is too studiously kept in. Then, +good-humoured as he is thought to be in the main to other people's +servants, and this even to familiarity (although, as you have observed, +a familiarity that has dignity in it not unbecoming to a man of quality) +he is apt sometimes to break out into a passion with his own: An oath +or a curse follows, and such looks from those servants as plainly shew +terror, and that they should have fared worse had they not been in my +hearing: with a confirmation in the master's looks of a surmise too well +justified. + + + * Letter III. + + +Indeed, my dear, THIS man is not THE man. I have great objections to +him. My heart throbs not after him. I glow not, but with indignation +against myself for having given room for such an imputation. But you +must not, my dearest friend, construe common gratitude into love. I +cannot bear that you should. But if ever I should have the misfortune to +think it love, I promise you upon my word, which is the same as upon my +honour, that I will acquaint you with it. + +You bid me to tell you very speedily, and by the new-found expedient, +that I am not displeased with you for your agreeable raillery: I +dispatch this therefore immediately, postponing to my next the account +of the inducements which my friends have to promote with so much +earnestness the address of Mr. Solmes. + +Be satisfied, my dear, mean time, that I am not displeased with you: +indeed I am not. On the contrary, I give you my hearty thanks for your +friendly premonitions; and I charge you (as I have often done) that if +you observe any thing in me so very faulty as would require from you +to others in my behalf the palliation of friendly and partial love, you +acquaint me with it: for methinks I would so conduct myself as not to +give reason even for an adversary to censure me; and how shall so weak +and so young a creature avoid the censure of such, if my friend will not +hold a looking-glass before me to let me see my imperfections? + +Judge me, then, my dear, as any indifferent person (knowing what you +know of me) would do. I may be at first be a little pained; may glow a +little perhaps to be found less worthy of your friendship than I wish +to be; but assure yourself, that your kind correction will give me +reflection that shall amend me. If it do not, you will have a fault to +accuse me of, that will be utterly inexcusable: a fault, let me add, +that should you not accuse me of it (if in your opinion I am guilty) you +will not be so much, so warmly, my friend as I am yours; since I have +never spared you on the like occasions. + +Here I break off to begin another letter to you, with the assurance, +mean time, that I am, and ever will be, + +Your equally affectionate and grateful, CL. HARLOWE. + + + + +LETTER XII + +MISS HOWE, TO MISS CLARISSA HARLOWE THURSDAY MORNING, MARCH 2. + + +Indeed you would not be in love with him for the world!--Your servant, +my dear. Nor would I have you. For, I think, with all the advantages of +person, fortune, and family, he is not by any means worthy of you. And +this opinion I give as well from the reasons you mention (which I cannot +but confirm) as from what I have heard of him but a few hours ago +from Mrs. Fortescue, a favourite of Lady Betty Lawrance, who knows him +well--but let me congratulate you, however, on your being the first of +our sex that ever I heard of, who has been able to turn that lion, Love, +at her own pleasure, into a lap-dog. + +Well but, if you have not the throbs and the glows, you have not: and +are not in love; good reason why--because you would not be in love; and +there's no more to be said.--Only, my dear, I shall keep a good look-out +upon you; and so I hope you will be upon yourself; for it is no manner +of argument that because you would not be in love, you therefore are +not.--But before I part entirely with this subject, a word in your ear, +my charming friend--'tis only by way of caution, and in pursuance of the +general observation, that a stander-by is often a better judge of the +game than those that play.--May it not be, that you have had, and +have, such cross creatures and such odd heads to deal with, as have not +allowed you to attend to the throbs?--Or, if you had them a little now +and then, whether, having had two accounts to place them to, you have +not by mistake put them to the wrong one? + +But whether you have a value for Lovelace or not, I know you will be +impatient to hear what Mrs. Fortescue has said of him. Nor will I keep +you longer in suspense. + +An hundred wild stories she tells of him from childhood to manhood: +for, as she observed, having never been subject to contradiction, he +was always as mischievous as a monkey. But I shall pass over these whole +hundred of his puerile rogueries (although indicative ones, as I may +say) to take notice as well of some things you are not quite ignorant +of, as of others you know not, and to make a few observations upon him +and his ways. + +Mrs. Fortescue owns, what every body knows, 'that he is notoriously, +nay, avowedly, a man of pleasure; yet says, that in any thing he sets +his heart upon or undertakes, he is the most industrious and persevering +mortal under the sun. He rests it seems not above six hours in the +twenty-four--any more than you. He delights in writing. Whether at Lord +M.'s, or at Lady Betty's, or Lady Sarah's, he has always a pen in his +fingers when he retires. One of his companions (confirming his love of +writing) has told her, that his thoughts flow rapidly to his pen:' And +you and I, my dear, have observed, on more occasions than one, that +though he writes even a fine hand, he is one of the readiest and +quickest of writers. He must indeed have had early a very docile genius; +since a person of his pleasurable turn and active spirit, could +never have submitted to take long or great pains in attaining the +qualifications he is master of; qualifications so seldom attained by +youth of quality and fortune; by such especially of those of either, +who, like him, have never known what it was to be controuled. + +'He had once it seems the vanity, upon being complimented on these +talents (and on his surprising diligence, for a man of pleasure) to +compare himself to Julius Caesar; who performed great actions by day, +and wrote them down at night; and valued himself, that he only wanted +Caesar's out-setting, to make a figure among his contemporaries. + +'He spoke of this indeed, she says, with an air of pleasantry: for +she observed, and so have we, that he has the art of acknowledging his +vanity with so much humour, that it sets him above the contempt which +is due to vanity and self-opinion; and at the same time half persuades +those who hear him, that he really deserves the exultation he gives +himself.' + +But supposing it to be true that all his vacant nightly hours are +employed in writing, what can be his subjects? If, like Caesar, his own +actions, he must undoubtedly be a very enterprising and very wicked man; +since nobody suspects him to have a serious turn; and, decent as he is +in his conversation with us, his writings are not probably such as would +redound either to his own honour, or to the benefit of others, were they +to be read. He must be conscious of this, since Mrs. Fortescue says, +'that in the great correspondence by letters which he holds, he is +as secret and as careful as if it were of a treasonable nature;--yet +troubles not his head with politics, though nobody knows the interests +of princes and courts better than he is said to do.' + +That you and I, my dear, should love to write, is no wonder. We have +always, from the time each could hold a pen, delighted in epistolary +correspondencies. Our employments are domestic and sedentary; and we can +scribble upon twenty innocent subjects, and take delight in them because +they are innocent; though were they to be seen, they might not much +profit or please others. But that such a gay, lively young fellow as +this, who rides, hunts, travels, frequents the public entertainments, +and has means to pursue his pleasures, should be able to set himself +down to write for hours together, as you and I have heard him say he +frequently does, that is the strange thing. + +Mrs. Fortescue says, 'that he is a complete master of short-hand +writing.' By the way, what inducements could a swift writer as he have +to learn short-hand! + +She says (and we know it as well as she) 'that he has a surprising +memory, and a very lively imagination.' + +Whatever his other vices are, all the world, as well as Mrs. Fortescue, +says, 'he is a sober man. And among all his bad qualities, gaming, that +great waster of time as well as fortune, is not his vice:' So that he +must have his head as cool, and his reason as clear, as the prime of +youth and his natural gaiety will permit; and by his early morning +hours, a great portion of time upon his hands to employ in writing, or +worse. + +Mrs. Fortescue says, 'he has one gentleman who is more his intimate and +correspondent than any of the rest.' You remember what his dismissed +bailiff said of him and of his associates.* I don't find but that Mrs. +Fortescue confirms this part of it, 'that all his relations are afraid +of him; and that his pride sets him above owing obligations to them. +She believes he is clear of the world; and that he will continue so;' +No doubt from the same motive that makes him avoid being obliged to his +relations. + + +* Letter IV. + + +A person willing to think favourably of him would hope, that a brave, a +learned, and a diligent, man, cannot be naturally a bad man.--But if he +be better than his enemies say he is (and if worse he is bad indeed) he +is guilty of an inexcusable fault in being so careless as he is of his +reputation. I think a man can be so but from one of these two reasons: +either that he is conscious he deserves the ill spoken of him; or, that +he takes a pride in being thought worse than he is. Both very bad and +threatening indications; since the first must shew him to be utterly +abandoned; and it is but natural to conclude from the other, that what +a man is not ashamed to have imputed to him, he will not scruple to be +guilty of whenever he has an opportunity. + +Upon the whole, and upon all I could gather from Mrs. Fortescue, Mr. +Lovelace is a very faulty man. You and I have thought him too gay, too +inconsiderate, too rash, too little an hypocrite, to be deep. You see +he never would disguise his natural temper (haughty as it certainly +is) with respect to your brother's behaviour to him. Where he thinks +a contempt due, he pays it to the uttermost. Nor has he complaisance +enough to spare your uncles. + +But were he deep, and ever so deep, you would soon penetrate him, if +they would leave you to yourself. His vanity would be your clue. Never +man had more: Yet, as Mrs. Fortescue observed, 'never did man carry +it off so happily.' There is a strange mixture in it of humourous +vivacity:--Since but for one half of what he says of himself, when he is +in the vein, any other man would be insufferable. + + +*** + + +Talk of the devil, is an old saying. The lively wretch has made me a +visit, and is but just gone away. He is all impatience and resentment +at the treatment you meet with, and full of apprehensions too, that they +will carry their point with you. + +I told him my opinion, that you will never be brought to think of such a +man as Solmes; but that it will probably end in a composition, never to +have either. + +No man, he said, whose fortunes and alliances are so considerable, ever +had so little favour from a woman for whose sake he had borne so much. + +I told him my mind as freely as I used to do. But whoever was in fault, +self being judge? He complained of spies set upon his conduct, and to +pry into his life and morals, and this by your brother and uncles. + +I told him, that this was very hard upon him; and the more so, as +neither his life nor morals perhaps would stand a fair inquiry. + +He smiled, and called himself my servant.--The occasion was too fair, +he said, for Miss Howe, who never spared him, to let it pass.--But, Lord +help the shallow souls of the Harlowes! Would I believe it! they were +for turning plotters upon him. They had best take care he did not pay +them in their own coin. Their hearts were better turned for such works +than their heads. + +I asked him, If he valued himself upon having a head better turned than +theirs for such works, as he called them? + +He drew off: and then ran into the highest professions of reverence and +affection for you. + +The object so meritorious, who can doubt the reality of his professions? + +Adieu, my dearest, my noble friend!--I love and admire you for the +generous conclusion of your last more than I can express. Though I began +this letter with impertinent raillery, knowing that you always loved to +indulge my mad vein; yet never was there a heart that more glowed with +friendly love, than that of + +Your own ANNA HOWE. + + + + +LETTER XIII + +MISS CLARISSA HARLOWE, TO MISS HOWE WEDNESDAY, MARCH 1. + + +I now take up my pen to lay before you the inducements and motive which +my friends have to espouse so earnestly the address of this Mr. Solmes. + +In order to set this matter in a clear light, it is necessary to go a +little back, and even perhaps to mention some things which you already +know: and so you may look upon what I am going to relate, as a kind of +supplement to my letters of the 15th and 20th of January last.* + + +* Letters IV. and V. + + +In those letters, of which I have kept memorandums, I gave you an +account of my brother's and sister's antipathy to Mr. Lovelace; and the +methods they took (so far as they had then come to my knowledge) to ruin +him in the opinion of my other friends. And I told you, that after a +very cold, yet not a directly affrontive behaviour to him, they all of +a sudden* became more violent, and proceeded to personal insults; which +brought on at last the unhappy rencounter between my brother and him. + + + * See Letter IV. + + +Now you must know, that from the last conversation that passed between +my aunt and me, it comes out, that this sudden vehemence on my +brother's and sister's parts, was owing to stronger reasons than to the +college-begun antipathy on his side, or to slighted love on hers; +to wit, to an apprehension that my uncles intended to follow my +grandfather's example in my favour; at least in a higher degree +than they wish they should. An apprehension founded it seems on a +conversation between my two uncles and my brother and sister: which my +aunt communicated to me in confidence, as an argument to prevail upon +me to accept of Mr. Solmes's noble settlements: urging, that such a +seasonable compliance, would frustrate my brother's and sister's views, +and establish me for ever in the love of my father and uncles. + +I will give you the substance of this communicated conversation, after +I have made a brief introductory observation or two, which however I +hardly need to make to you who are so well acquainted with us all, did +not the series or thread of the story require it. + +I have more than once mentioned to you the darling view some of us have +long had of raising a family, as it is called. A reflection, as I have +often thought, upon our own, which is no considerable or upstart one, on +either side, on my mother's especially.--A view too frequently it +seems entertained by families which, having great substance, cannot be +satisfied without rank and title. + +My uncles had once extended this view to each of us three children; +urging, that as they themselves intended not to marry, we each of +us might be so portioned, and so advantageously matched, as that +our posterity, if not ourselves, might make a first figure in our +country.--While my brother, as the only son, thought the two girls might +be very well provided for by ten or fifteen thousand pounds a-piece: +and that all the real estates in the family, to wit, my grandfather's, +father's, and two uncles', and the remainder of their respective +personal estates, together with what he had an expectation of from +his godmother, would make such a noble fortune, and give him such an +interest, as might entitle him to hope for a peerage. Nothing less would +satisfy his ambition. + +With this view he gave himself airs very early; 'That his grandfather +and uncles were his stewards: that no man ever had better: that +daughters were but incumbrances and drawbacks upon a family:' and this +low and familiar expression was often in his mouth, and uttered always +with the self-complaisance which an imagined happy thought can be +supposed to give the speaker; to wit, 'That a man who has sons brings up +chickens for his own table,' [though once I made his comparison stagger +with him, by asking him, If the sons, to make it hold, were to have +their necks wrung off?] 'whereas daughters are chickens brought up +for tables of other men.' This, accompanied with the equally polite +reflection, 'That, to induce people to take them off their hands, the +family-stock must be impaired into the bargain,' used to put my sister +out of all patience: and, although she now seems to think a younger +sister only can be an incumbrance, she was then often proposing to me to +make a party in our own favour against my brother's rapacious views, as +she used to call them: while I was for considering the liberties he took +of this sort, as the effect of a temporary pleasantry, which, in a young +man, not naturally good-humoured, I was glad to see; or as a foible that +deserved raillery, but no other notice. + +But when my grandfather's will (of the purport of which in my particular +favour, until it was opened, I was as ignorant as they) had lopped off +one branch of my brother's expectation, he was extremely dissatisfied +with me. Nobody indeed was pleased: for although every one loved me, yet +being the youngest child, father, uncles, brother, sister, all thought +themselves postponed, as to matter of right and power [Who loves not +power?]: And my father himself could not bear that I should be made +sole, as I may call it, and independent; for such the will, as to that +estate and the powers it gave, (unaccountably, as they all said,) made +me. + +To obviate, therefore, every one's jealousy, I gave up to my father's +management, as you know, not only the estate, but the money bequeathed +me (which was a moiety of what my grandfather had by him at his death; +the other moiety being bequeathed to my sister); contenting myself +to take as from his bounty what he was pleased to allow me, without +desiring the least addition to my annual stipend. And then I hoped I had +laid all envy asleep: but still my brother and sister (jealous, as now +is evident, of my two uncles' favour of me, and of the pleasure I had +given my father and them by this act of duty) were every now-and-then +occasionally doing me covert ill offices: of which, however, I took the +less notice, when I was told of them, as I thought I had removed the +cause of their envy; and I imputed every thing of that sort to the +petulance they are both pretty much noted for. + +My brother's acquisition then took place. This made us all very happy; +and he went down to take possession of it: and his absence (on so good +an account too) made us still happier. Then followed Lord M.'s proposal +for my sister: and this was an additional felicity for the time. I have +told you how exceedingly good-humoured it made my sister. + +You know how that went off: you know what came on in its place. + +My brother then returned; and we were all wrong again: and Bella, as +I observed in my letters abovementioned, had an opportunity to give +herself the credit of having refused Mr. Lovelace, on the score of his +reputed faulty morals. This united my brother and sister in one cause. +They set themselves on all occasions to depreciate Mr. Lovelace, and his +family too (a family which deserves nothing but respect): and this gave +rise to the conversation I am leading to, between my uncles and them: of +which I now come to give the particulars; after I have observed, that it +happened before the rencounter, and soon after the inquiry made into Mr. +Lovelace's affairs had come out better than my brother and sister hoped +it would.* + + +* See Letter IV. + + +They were bitterly inveighing against him, in their usual way, +strengthening their invectives with some new stories in his disfavour, +when my uncle Antony, having given them a patient hearing, declared, +'That he thought the gentleman behaved like a gentleman; his niece Clary +with prudence; and that a more honourable alliance for the family, as he +had often told them, could not be wished for: since Mr. Lovelace had a +very good paternal estate; and that, by the evidence of an enemy, +all clear. Nor did it appear, that he was so bad a man as he had been +represented to be: wild indeed; but it was a gay time of life: he was a +man of sense: and he was sure that his niece would not have him, if +she had not good reason to think him reformed, or that there was a +likelihood that she could reform him by her example.' + +My uncle then gave one instance, my aunt told me, as a proof of a +generosity in Mr. Lovelace's spirit, which convinced him that he was not +a bad man in nature; and that he was of a temper, he was pleased to say, +like my own; which was, That when he (my uncle) had represented to him, +that he might, if he pleased, make three or four hundred pounds a year +of his paternal estate, more than he did; he answered, 'That his tenants +paid their rents well: that it was a maxim with his family, from which +he would by no means depart, Never to rack-rent old tenants, or their +descendants; and that it was a pleasure to him, to see all his tenants +look fat, sleek, and contented.' + +I indeed had once occasionally heard him say something like this; and +thought he never looked so well as at that time;--except once; and that +was in an instance given by him on the following incident. + +An unhappy tenant of my uncle Antony came petitioning to my uncle +for forbearance, in Mr. Lovelace's presence. When he had fruitlessly +withdrawn, Mr. Lovelace pleaded his cause so well, that the man was +called in again, and had his suit granted. And Mr. Lovelace privately +followed him out, and gave him two guineas, for present relief; the +man having declared, that, at the time, he had not five shilling in the +world. + +On this occasion, he told my uncle (but without any airs of +ostentation), that he had once observed an old tenant and his wife in a +very mean habit at church; and questioning them about it the next day, +as he knew they had no hard bargain in their farm, the man said, he had +done some very foolish things with a good intention, which had put him +behind-hand, and he could not have paid his rent, and appear better. +He asked him how long it would take him to retrieve the foolish step +he acknowledged he had made. He said, Perhaps two or three years. Well +then, said he, I will abate you five pounds a year for seven years, +provided you will lay it upon your wife and self, that you may make a +Sunday-appearance like MY tenants. Mean time, take this (putting his +hand in his pocket, and giving him five guineas), to put yourselves in +present plight; and let me see you next Sunday at church, hand in hand, +like an honest and loving couple; and I bespeak you to dine with me +afterwards. + +Although this pleased me when I heard it, as giving an instance of +generosity and prudence at the same time, not lessening (as my uncle +took notice) the yearly value of the farm, yet, my dear, I had no +throbs, no glows upon it!--Upon my word, I had not. Nevertheless I own +to you, that I could not help saying to myself on the occasion, 'Were it +ever to be my lot to have this man, he would not hinder me from pursuing +the methods I so much delight to take'--With 'A pity, that such a man +were not uniformly good!' + +Forgive me this digression. + +My uncle went on (as my aunt told me), 'That, besides his paternal +estate, he was the immediate heir to very splendid fortunes: that, when +he was in treaty for his niece Arabella, Lord M. told him (my uncle) +what great things he and his two half-sisters intended to do for him, +in order to qualify him for the title, which would be extinct at his +Lordship's death, and which they hoped to procure for him, or a still +higher, that of those ladies' father, which had been for some time +extinct on failure of heirs male: that it was with this view that his +relations were all so earnest for his marrying: that as he saw not +where Mr. Lovelace could better himself; so, truly, he thought there was +wealth enough in their own family to build up three considerable ones: +that, therefore, he must needs say, he was the more desirous of this +alliance, as there was a great probability, not only from Mr. Lovelace's +descent, but from his fortunes, that his niece Clarissa might one day +be a peeress of Great Britain:--and, upon that prospect [here was the +mortifying stroke], he should, for his own part, think it not wrong to +make such dispositions as should contribute to the better support of the +dignity.' + +My uncle Harlowe, it seems, far from disapproving of what his brother +had said, declared, 'That there was but one objection to an alliance +with Mr. Lovelace; to wit, his faulty morals: especially as so much +could be done for Miss Bella, and for my brother too, by my father; and +as my brother was actually possessed of a considerable estate by virtue +of the deed of gift and will of his godmother Lovell.' + +Had I known this before, I should the less have wondered at many things +I have been unable to account for in my brother's and sister's behaviour +to me; and been more on my guard than I imagined there was a necessity +to be. + +You may easily guess how much this conversation affected my brother at +the time. He could not, you know, but be very uneasy to hear two of his +stewards talk at this rate to his face. + +He had from early days, by his violent temper, made himself both feared +and courted by the whole family. My father himself, as I have lately +mentioned, very often (long before my brother's acquisition had made him +still more assuming) gave way to him, as to an only son who was to build +up the name, and augment the honour of it. Little inducement, therefore, +had my brother to correct a temper which gave him so much consideration +with every body. + +'See, Sister Bella,' said he, in an indecent passion before my uncles, +on this occasion I have mentioned--'See how it is!--You and I ought to +look about us!--This little syren is in a fair way to out-uncle, as she +has already out-grandfather'd, us both!' + +From this time (as I now find it plain upon recollection) did my brother +and sister behave to me, as to one who stood in their way; and to each +other as having but one interest: and were resolved, therefore, to bend +all their force to hinder an alliance from taking effect, which they +believed was likely to oblige them to contract their views. + +And how was this to be done, after such a declaration from both my +uncles? + +My brother found out the way. My sister (as I have said) went hand in +hand with him. Between them, the family union was broke, and every one +was made uneasy. Mr. Lovelace was received more and more coldly by all: +but not being to be put out of his course by slights only, personal +affronts succeeded; defiances next; then the rencounter: that, as you +have heard, did the business. And now, if I do not oblige them, my +grandfather's estate is to be litigated with me; and I, who never +designed to take advantage of the independency bequeathed me, am to be +as dependent upon my father's will, as a daughter ought to be who knows +not what is good for herself. This is the language of the family now. + +But if I will suffer myself to be prevailed upon, how happy (as they lay +it out) shall we all be!--Such presents am I to have, such jewels, and +I cannot tell what, from every one in the family! Then Mr. Solmes's +fortunes are so great, and his proposals so very advantageous, (no +relation whom he values,) that there will be abundant room to raise +mine upon them, were the high-intended favours of my own relations to +be quite out of the question. Moreover, it is now, with this view, +found out, that I have qualifications which of themselves will be a full +equivalent to Mr. Solmes for the settlements he is to make; and still +leave him under an obligation to me for my compliance. He himself thinks +so, I am told--so very poor a creature is he, even in his own eyes, as +well as in theirs. + +These desirable views answered, how rich, how splendid shall we all +three be! And I--what obligations shall I lay upon them all!--And that +only by doing an act of duty so suitable to my character, and manner of +thinking; if, indeed, I am the generous as well as dutiful creature I +have hitherto made them believe I am. + +This is the bright side that is turned to my father and uncles, to +captivate them: but I am afraid that my brother's and sister's design is +to ruin me with them at any rate. Were it otherwise, would they not on +my return from you have rather sought to court than frighten me into +measures which their hearts are so much bent to carry? A method they +have followed ever since. + +Mean time, orders are given to all the servants to shew the highest +respect to Mr. Solmes; the generous Mr. Solmes is now his character with +some of our family! But are not these orders a tacit confession, +that they think his own merit will not procure him respect? He is +accordingly, in every visit he makes, not only highly caressed by the +principals of our family, but obsequiously attended and cringed to by +the menials.--And the noble settlements are echoed from every mouth. + +Noble is the word used to enforce the offers of a man who is mean enough +avowedly to hate, and wicked enough to propose to rob of their just +expectations, his own family, (every one of which at the same time +stands in too much need of his favour,) in order to settle all he is +worth upon me; and if I die without children, and he has none by any +other marriage, upon a family which already abounds. Such are his +proposals. + +But were there no other motive to induce me to despise the upstart man, +is not this unjust one to his family enough?--The upstart man, I repeat; +for he was not born to the immense riches he is possessed of: riches +left by one niggard to another, in injury to the next heir, because that +other is a niggard. And should I not be as culpable, do you think, in my +acceptance of such unjust settlements, as he is in the offer of them, if +I could persuade myself to be a sharer in them, or suffer a reversionary +expectation of possessing them to influence my choice? + +Indeed, it concerns me not a little, that my friends could be brought to +encourage such offers on such motives as I think a person of conscience +should not presume to begin the world with. + +But this it seems is the only method that can be taken to disappoint Mr. +Lovelace; and at the same time to answer all my relations have wish for +each of us. And surely I will not stand against such an accession to the +family as may happen from marrying Mr. Solmes: since now a possibility +is discovered, (which such a grasping mind as my brother's can easily +turn into a probability,) that my grandfather's estate will revert to +it, with a much more considerable one of the man's own. Instances of +estates falling in, in cases far more unlikely than this, are insisted +upon; and my sister says, in the words of an old saw, It is good to be +related to an estate. + +While Solmes, smiling no doubt to himself at a hope so remote, by offers +only, obtains all their interests; and doubts not to join to his own +the estate I am envied for; which, for the conveniency of its situation +between two of his, will it seems be of twice the value to him that +it would be of to any other person; and is therefore, I doubt not, a +stronger motive with him than the wife. + +These, my dear, seem to me the principal inducements of my relations to +espouse so vehemently as they do this man's suit. And here, once more, +must I deplore the family fault, which gives those inducements such a +force as it will be difficult to resist. + +And thus far, let matters with regard to Mr. Solmes and me come out as +they will, my brother has succeeded in his views; that is to say, he +has, in the first place, got my FATHER to make the cause his own, and to +insist upon my compliance as an act of duty. + +My MOTHER has never thought fit to oppose my father's will, when once he +has declared himself determined. + +My UNCLES, stiff, unbroken, highly-prosperous bachelors, give me leave +to say, (though very worthy persons in the main,) have as high notions +of a child's duty, as of a wife's obedience; in the last of which, my +mother's meekness has confirmed them, and given them greater reason to +expect the first. + +My aunt HERVEY (not extremely happy in her own nuptials, and perhaps +under some little obligation) is got over, and chuses [sic] not to +open her lips in my favour against the wills of a father and uncles so +determined. + +This passiveness in my mother and in my aunt, in a point so contrary +to their own first judgments, is too strong a proof that my father is +absolutely resolved. + +Their treatment of my worthy MRS. NORTON is a sad confirmation of it: +a woman deserving of all consideration for her wisdom, and every body +thinking so; but who, not being wealthy enough to have due weight in a +point against which she has given her opinion, and which they seem +bent upon carrying, is restrained from visiting here, and even from +corresponding with me, as I am this very day informed. + +Hatred to Lovelace, family aggrandizement, and this great motive +paternal authority!--What a force united must they be supposed to have, +when singly each consideration is sufficient to carry all before it! + +This is the formidable appearance which the address of this disagreeable +man wears at present. + +My BROTHER and my SISTER triumph.--They have got me down, as Hannah +overheard them exult. And so they have (yet I never knew that I +was insolently up); for now my brother will either lay me under an +obligation to comply to my own unhappiness, and so make me an instrument +of his revenge upon Lovelace; or, if I refuse, will throw me into +disgrace with my whole family. + +Who will wonder at the intrigues and plots carried on by undermining +courtiers against one another, when a private family, but three of which +can possibly have clashing interests, and one of them (as she presumes +to think) above such low motives, cannot be free from them? + +What at present most concerns me, is, the peace of my mother's mind! +How can the husband of such a wife (a good man too!--But oh! this +prerogative of manhood!) be so positive, so unpersuadable, to one who +has brought into the family means, which they know so well the value of, +that methinks they should value her the more for their sake? + +They do indeed value her: but, I am sorry to say, she has purchased +that value by her compliances; yet has merit for which she ought to be +venerated; prudence which ought of itself to be conformed to in every +thing. + +But whither roves my pen? How dare a perverse girl take these liberties +with relations so very respectable, and whom she highly respects? What +an unhappy situation is that which obliges her, in her own defence as it +were, to expose their failings? + +But you, who know how much I love and reverence my mother, will judge +what a difficulty I am under, to be obliged to oppose a scheme which she +has engaged in. Yet I must oppose it (to comply is impossible); and must +without delay declare my opposition, or my difficulties will increase; +since, as I am just now informed, a lawyer has been this very day +consulted [Would you have believed it?] in relation to settlements. + +Were ours a Roman Catholic family, how much happier for me, that they +thought a nunnery would answer all their views!--How happy, had not +a certain person slighted somebody! All then would have been probably +concluded between them before my brother had arrived to thwart +the match: then had I a sister; which now I have not; and two +brothers;--both aspiring; possibly both titled: while I should only have +valued that in either which is above title, that which is truly noble in +both! + +But by what a long-reaching selfishness is my brother governed! By what +remote, exceedingly remote views! Views, which it is in the power of the +slightest accident, of a fever, for instance, (the seeds of which are +always vegetating, as I may say, and ready to burst forth, in his own +impetuous temper,) or of the provoked weapon of an adversary, to blow up +and destroy! + +I will break off here. Let me write ever so freely of my friends, I am +sure of your kind construction: and I confide in your discretion, that +you will avoid reading to or transcribing for others such passages as +may have the appearance of treating too freely the parental, or even the +fraternal character, or induce others to censure for a supposed failure +in duty to the one, or decency to the other, + +Your truly affectionate, CL. HARLOWE. + + + + +LETTER XIV + +MISS CLARISSA HARLOWE, TO MISS HOWE THURSDAY EVENING, MARCH 2. + + +On Hannah's depositing my long letter, (begun yesterday, but by reason +of several interruptions not finished till within this hour,) she found +and brought me yours of this day. I thank you, my dear, for this kind +expedition. These few lines will perhaps be time enough deposited, to be +taken away by your servant with the other letter: yet they are only to +thank you, and to tell you my increasing apprehensions. + +I must take or seek the occasion to apply to my mother for her +mediation; for I am in danger of having a day fixed, and antipathy taken +for bashfulness.--Should not sisters be sisters to each other? Should +not they make a common cause of it, as I may say, a cause of sex, on +such occasions as the present? Yet mine, in support of my brother's +selfishness, and, no doubt, in concert with him, has been urging in full +assembly it seems, (and that with an earnestness peculiar to herself +when she sets upon any thing,) that an absolute day be given me; and if +I comply not, to be told, that it shall be to the forfeiture of all my +fortunes, and of all their love. + +She need not be so officious: my brother's interest, without hers, is +strong enough; for he has found means to confederate all the family +against me. Upon some fresh provocation, or new intelligence concerning +Mr. Lovelace, (I know not what it is,) they have bound themselves, or +are to bind themselves, by a signed paper, to one another [The Lord +bless me, my dear, what shall I do!] to carry their point in favour of +Mr. Solmes, in support of my father's authority, as it is called, and +against Mr. Lovelace, as a libertine, and an enemy to the family: and if +so, I am sure, I may say against me.--How impolitic in them all, to join +two people in one interest, whom they wish for ever to keep asunder! + +What the discharged steward reported of him is surely bad enough: what +Mrs. Fortescue said, not only confirms that bad, but gives room to think +him still worse. And yet the something further which my friends have +come at, is of so heinous a nature (as Betty Barnes tells Hannah) that +it proves him almost to be the worst of men.--But, hang the man, I +had almost said--What is he to me? What would he be--were not this Mr. +Sol----O my dear, how I hate the man in the light he is proposed to me! + +All of them, at the same time, are afraid of Mr. Lovelace; yet not +afraid to provoke him!--How am I entangled!--to be obliged to go on +corresponding with him for their sakes--Heaven forbid, that their +persisted-in violence should so drive me, as to make it necessary for my +own! + +But surely they will yield--Indeed I cannot. + +I believe the gentlest spirits when provoked (causelessly and cruelly +provoked) are the most determined. The reason may be, that not taking +up resolutions lightly--their very deliberation makes them the more +immovable.--And then when a point is clear and self-evident, how can +one with patience think of entering into an argument or contention upon +it?-- + +An interruption obliges me to conclude myself, in some hurry, as well as +fright, what I must ever be, + +Yours more than my own, CLARISSA HARLOWE. + + + + +LETTER XV + +MISS HOWE, TO MISS CLARISSA HARLOWE FRIDAY, MARCH 3. + + +I have both your letters at once. It is very unhappy, my dear, since +your friends will have you marry, that a person of your merit should be +addressed by a succession of worthless creatures, who have nothing but +their presumption for their excuse. + +That these presumers appear not in this very unworthy light to some of +your friends, is, because their defects are not so striking to them +as to others.--And why? Shall I venture to tell you?--Because they are +nearer their own standard--Modesty, after all, perhaps has a concern in +it; for how should they think that a niece or sister of theirs [I will +not go higher, for fear of incurring your displeasure] should be an +angel? + +But where indeed is the man to be found (who has the least share of due +diffidence) that dares to look up to Miss Clarissa Harlowe with hope, or +with any thing but wishes? Thus the bold and forward, not being sensible +of their defects, aspire; while the modesty of the really worthy fills +them with too much reverence to permit them to explain themselves. Hence +your Symmes's, your Byron's, your Mullins's, your Wyerley's (the best +of the herd), and your Solmes's, in turn, invade you--Wretches that, +looking upon the rest of your family, need not despair of succeeding in +an alliance with it--But to you, what an inexcusable presumption! + +Yet I am afraid all opposition will be in vain. You must, you will, I +doubt, be sacrificed to this odious man. I know your family. There will +be no resisting such baits as he has thrown out. O, my dear, my beloved +friend! and are such charming qualities, is such exalted merit, to be +sunk in such a marriage!--You must not, your uncle tells your mother, +dispute their authority. AUTHORITY! what a full word is that in the +mouth of a narrow-minded person, who happened to be born thirty years +before one!--Of your uncles I speak; for as to the paternal authority, +that ought to be sacred.--But should not parents have reason for what +they do? + +Wonder not, however, at your Bell's unsisterly behaviour in this affair: +I have a particular to add to the inducements your insolent brother is +governed by, which will account for all her driving. You have already +owned, that her outward eye was from the first struck with the figure +and address of the man whom she pretends to despise, and who, 'tis +certain, thoroughly despises her: but you have not told me, that still +she loves him of all men. Bell has a meanness in her very pride; that +meanness rises with her pride, and goes hand in hand with it; and no +one is so proud as Bell. She has owned her love, her uneasy days, +and sleepless nights, and her revenge grafted upon her love, to her +favourite Betty Barnes--To lay herself in the power of a servant's +tongue! Poor creature!--But LIKE little souls will find one another +out, and mingle, as well as LIKE great ones. This, however, she told the +wench in strict confidence: and thus, by way of the female round-about, +as Lovelace had the sauciness on such another occasion, in ridicule of +our sex, to call it, Betty (pleased to be thought worthy of a secret, +and to have an opportunity of inveighing against Lovelace's perfidy, +as she would have it to be) told it to one of her confidants: +that confidant, with like injunctions of secrecy, to Miss Lloyd's +Harriot--Harriot to Miss Lloyd--Miss Lloyd to me--I to you--with leave +to make what you please of it. + +And now you will not wonder to find Miss Bell an implacable rival, +rather than an affectionate sister; and will be able to account for the +words witchcraft, syren, and such like, thrown out against you; and for +her driving on for a fixed day for sacrificing you to Solmes: in short, +for her rudeness and violence of every kind. + +What a sweet revenge will she take, as well upon Lovelace as upon you, +if she can procure her rival sister to be married to the man that sister +hates; and so prevent her having the man whom she herself loves (whether +she have hope of him or not), and whom she suspects her sister loves! + +Poisons and poniard have often been set to work by minds inflamed by +disappointed love, and actuated by revenge.--Will you wonder, then, that +the ties of relationship in such a case have no force, and that a sister +forgets to be a sister? + +Now I know this to be her secret motive, (the more grating to her, as +her pride is concerned to make her disavow it), and can consider it +joined with her former envy, and as strengthened by a brother, who has +such an ascendant over the whole family; and whose interest (slave to it +as he always was) engaged him to ruin you with every one: both possessed +of the ears of all your family, and having it as much in their power as +in their will to misrepresent all you say, all you do; such subject also +as to the rencounter, and Lovelace's want of morals, to expatiate upon: +your whole family likewise avowedly attached to the odious man by means +of the captivating proposals he has made them;--when I consider all +these things, I am full of apprehensions for you.--O my dear, how will +you be able to maintain your ground;--I am sure, (alas! I am too sure) +that they will subdue such a fine spirit as yours, unused to opposition; +and (tell it not in Gath) you must be Mrs. Solmes! + +Mean time, it is now easy, as you will observe, to guess from what +quarter the report I mentioned to you in one of my former, came, +That the younger sister has robbed the elder of her lover:* for Betty +whispered it, at the time she whispered the rest, that neither Lovelace +nor you had done honourably by her young mistress.--How cruel, my dear, +in you, to rob the poor Bella of the only lover she only had!--At the +instant too that she was priding herself, that now at last she should +have it in her power not only to gratify her own susceptibilities, but +to give an example to the flirts of her sex** (my worship's self in +her eye) how to govern their man with a silken rein, and without a +curb-bridle! + + + * Letter I. + + ** Letter II. + + +Upon the whole, I have now no doubt of their persevering in favour of +the despicable Solmes; and of their dependence upon the gentleness of +your temper, and the regard you have for their favour, and for your own +reputation. And now I am more than ever convinced of the propriety of +the advice I formerly gave you, to keep in your own hands the estate +bequeathed to you by your grandfather.--Had you done so, it would have +procured you at least an outward respect from your brother and sister, +which would have made them conceal the envy and ill-will that now are +bursting upon you from hearts so narrow. + +I must harp a little more upon this string--Do not you observe, how much +your brother's influence has overtopped yours, since he has got into +fortunes so considerable, and since you have given some of them an +appetite to continue in themselves the possession of your estate, unless +you comply with their terms? + +I know your dutiful, your laudable motives; and one would have thought, +that you might have trusted to a father who so dearly loved you. But had +you been actually in possession of that estate, and living up to it, and +upon it, (your youth protected from blighting tongues by the company +of your prudent Norton, as you had proposed,) do you think that your +brother, grudging it to you at the time as he did, and looking upon it +as his right as an only son, would have been practising about it, and +aiming at it? I told you some time ago, that I thought your trials but +proportioned to your prudence:* but you will be more than woman, if +you can extricate yourself with honour, having such violent spirits and +sordid minds in some, and such tyrannical and despotic wills in others, +to deal with. Indeed, all may be done, and the world be taught further +to admire you for your blind duty and will-less resignation, if you can +persuade yourself to be Mrs. Solmes. + + + * Letter I. + + +I am pleased with the instances you give me of Mr. Lovelace's +benevolence to his own tenants, and with his little gift to your +uncle's. Mrs. Fortescue allows him to be the best of landlords: I might +have told you that, had I thought it necessary to put you into some +little conceit of him. He has qualities, in short, that may make him +a tolerable creature on the other side of fifty: but God help the +poor woman to whose lot he shall fall till then! women, I should say, +perhaps; since he may break half-a-dozen hearts before that time.--But +to the point I was upon--Shall we not have reason to commend the +tenant's grateful honesty, if we are told, that with joy the poor man +called out your uncle, and on the spot paid him in part of his debt +those two guineas?--But what shall we say of that landlord, who, though +he knew the poor man to be quite destitute, could take it; and, saying +nothing while Mr. Lovelace staid, as soon as he was gone, tell of it in +praise of the poor fellow's honesty?--Were this so, and were not that +landlord related to my dearest friend, how should I despise such a +wretch?--But, perhaps, the story is aggravated. Covetous people have +every one's ill word: and so indeed they ought; because they are +only solicitous to keep that which they prefer to every one's good +one.--Covetous indeed would they be, who deserved neither, yet expected +both! + +I long for your next letter. Continue to be as particular as possible. +I can think of no other subject but what relates to you and to your +affairs: for I am, and ever will be, most affectionately, + +Your own, ANNA HOWE. + + + + +LETTER XVI + +MISS CLARISSA HARLOWE, TO MISS HOWE [HER PRECEDING NOT AT THAT TIME +RECEIVED.] FRIDAY, MARCH 3. + + +O my dear friend, I have had a sad conflict! Trial upon trial; +conference upon conference!--But what law, what ceremony, can give a +man a right to a heart which abhors him more than it does any living +creature? + +I hope my mother will be able to prevail for me.--But I will recount it +all, though I sit up the whole night to do it; for I have a vast deal to +write, and will be as minute as you wish me to be. + +I concluded my last in a fright. It was occasioned by a conversation +that passed between my mother and my aunt, part of which Hannah +overheard. I need not give you the particulars; since what I have to +relate to you from different conversations that have passed between my +mother and me, in the space of a very few hours, will include them all. +I will begin then. + +I went down this morning when breakfast was ready with a very uneasy +heart, from what Hannah had informed me of yesterday afternoon; wishing +for an opportunity, however, to appeal to my mother, in hopes to engage +her interest in my behalf, and purposing to try to find one when she +retired to her own apartment after breakfast: but, unluckily, there was +the odious Solmes, sitting asquat between my mother and sister, with so +much assurance in his looks!--But you know, my dear, that those we love +not, cannot do any thing to please us. + +Had the wretch kept his seat, it might have been well enough: but the +bend and broad-shouldered creature must needs rise, and stalk towards a +chair, which was just by that which was set for me. + +I removed it to a distance, as if to make way to my own: and down I sat, +abruptly I believe; what I had heard all in my head. + +But this was not enough to daunt him. The man is a very confident, he is +a very bold, staring man!--Indeed, my dear, the man is very confident. + +He took the removed chair, and drew it so near mine, squatting in it +with his ugly weight, that he pressed upon my hoop.--I was so offended +(all I had heard, as I said, in my head) that I removed to another +chair. I own I had too little command of myself. It gave my brother +and sister too much advantage. I day say they took it. But I did it +involuntarily, I think. I could not help it.--I knew not what I did. + +I saw that my father was excessively displeased. When angry, no man's +countenance ever shews it so much as my father's. Clarissa Harlowe! said +he with a big voice--and there he stopped. Sir! said I, trembling and +courtesying (for I had not then sat down again); and put my chair nearer +the wretch, and sat down--my face, as I could feel, all in a glow. + +Make tea, child, said my kind mamma; sit by me, love, and make tea. + +I removed with pleasure to the seat the man had quitted; and being +thus indulgently put into employment, soon recovered myself; and in the +course of the breakfasting officiously asked two or three questions +of Mr. Solmes, which I would not have done, but to make up with my +father.--Proud spirits may be brought to! Whisperingly spoke my sister +to me, over her shoulder, with an air of triumph and scorn: but I did +not mind her. + +My mother was all kindness and condescension. I asked her once, if she +were pleased with the tea? She said, softly, (and again called me dear,) +she was pleased with all I did. I was very proud of this encouraging +goodness: and all blew over, as I hoped, between my father and me; for +he also spoke kindly to me two or three times. + +Small accidents these, my dear, to trouble you with; only as they lead +to greater, as you shall hear. + +Before the usual breakfast-time was over, my father withdrew with my +mother, telling her he wanted to speak with her. Then my sister and next +my aunt (who was with us) dropt away. + +My brother gave himself some airs of insult, which I understood well +enough; but which Mr. Solmes could make nothing of: and at last he arose +from his seat--Sister, said he, I have a curiosity to shew you. I will +fetch it. And away he went shutting the door close after him. + +I saw what all this was for. I arose; the man hemming up for a speech, +rising, and beginning to set his splay-feet [indeed, my dear, the man in +all his ways is hateful to me] in an approaching posture.--I will +save my brother the trouble of bringing to me his curiosity, said I. I +courtesied--Your servant, sir--The man cried, Madam, Madam, twice, and +looked like a fool.--But away I went--to find my brother, to save my +word.--But my brother, indifferent as the weather was, was gone to +walk in the garden with my sister. A plain case, that he had left his +curiosity with me, and designed to shew me no other. + +I had but just got into my own apartment, and began to think of sending +Hannah to beg an audience of my mother (the more encouraged by her +condescending goodness at breakfast) when Shorey, her woman, brought me +her commands to attend me in her closet. + +My father, Hannah told me, was just gone out of it with a positive angry +countenance. Then I as much dreaded the audience as I had wished for it +before. + +I went down however; but, apprehending the subject she intended to +talk to me upon, approached her trembling, and my heart in visible +palpitations. + +She saw my concern. Holding out her kind arms, as she sat, Come kiss +me, my dear, said she, with a smile like a sun-beam breaking through +the cloud that overshadowed her naturally benign aspect--Why flutters my +jewel so? + +This preparative sweetness, with her goodness just before, confirmed my +apprehensions. My mother saw the bitter pill wanted gilding. + +O my Mamma! was all I could say; and I clasped my arms round her neck, +and my face sunk into her bosom. + +My child! my child! restrain, said she, your powers of moving! I dare +not else trust myself with you.--And my tears trickled down her bosom, +as hers bedewed my neck. + +O the words of kindness, all to be expressed in vain, that flowed from +her lips! + +Lift up your sweet face, my best child, my own Clarissa Harlowe!--O my +daughter, best beloved of my heart, lift up a face so ever amiable to +me!--Why these sobs?--Is an apprehended duty so affecting a thing, that +before I can speak--But I am glad, my love, you can guess at what I have +to say to you. I am spared the pains of breaking to you what was a task +upon me reluctantly enough undertaken to break to you. Then rising, she +drew a chair near her own, and made me sit down by her, overwhelmed as I +was with tears of apprehension of what she had to say, and of gratitude +for her truly maternal goodness to me--sobs still my only language. + +And drawing her chair still nearer to mine, she put her arms round my +neck, and my glowing cheek wet with my tears, close to her own: Let me +talk to you, my child. Since silence is your choice, hearken to me, and +be silent. + +You know, my dear, what I every day forego, and undergo, for the sake of +peace. Your papa is a very good man, and means well; but he will not +be controuled; nor yet persuaded. You have sometimes seemed to pity me, +that I am obliged to give up every point. Poor man! his reputation the +less for it; mine the greater: yet would I not have this credit, if +I could help it, at so dear a rate to him and to myself. You are a +dutiful, a prudent, and a wise child, she was pleased to say, in hope, +no doubt, to make me so: you would not add, I am sure, to my trouble: +you would not wilfully break that peace which costs your mother so much +to preserve. Obedience is better than sacrifice. O my Clary Harlowe, +rejoice my heart, by telling me that I have apprehended too much!--I see +your concern! I see your perplexity! I see your conflict! [loosing +her arm, and rising, not willing I should see how much she herself +was affected]. I will leave you a moment.--Answer me not--[for I was +essaying to speak, and had, as soon as she took her dear cheek from +mine, dropt down on my knees, my hands clasped, and lifted up in +a supplicating manner]--I am not prepared for your irresistible +expostulation, she was pleased to say. I will leave you to recollection: +and I charge you, on my blessing, that all this my truly maternal +tenderness be not thrown away upon you. + +And then she withdrew into the next apartment; wiping her eyes as she +went from me; as mine overflowed; my heart taking in the whole compass +of her meaning. + +She soon returned, having recovered more steadiness. + +Still on my knees, I had thrown my face across the chair she had sat in. + +Look up to me, my Clary Harlowe--No sullenness, I hope! + +No, indeed, my ever-to-be-revered Mamma.--And I arose. I bent my knee. + +She raised me. No kneeling to me, but with knees of duty and compliance. +Your heart, not your knees, must bend. It is absolutely determined. +Prepare yourself therefore to receive your father, when he visits you +by-and-by, as he would wish to receive you. But on this one quarter of +an hour depends the peace of my future life, the satisfaction of all the +family, and your own security from a man of violence: and I charge you +besides, on my blessing, that you think of being Mrs. Solmes. + +There went the dagger to my heart, and down I sunk: and when I +recovered, found myself in the arms of my Hannah, my sister's Betty +holding open my reluctantly-opened palm, my laces cut, my linen scented +with hartshorn; and my mother gone. Had I been less kindly treated, the +hated name still forborne to be mentioned, or mentioned with a little +more preparation and reserve, I had stood the horrid sound with less +visible emotion--But to be bid, on the blessing of a mother so dearly +beloved, so truly reverenced, to think of being MRS. SOLMES--what a +denunciation was that! + +Shorey came in with a message (delivered in her solemn way): Your mamma, +Miss, is concerned for your disorder: she expects you down again in an +hour; and bid me say, that she then hopes every thing from your duty. + +I made no reply; for what could I say? And leaning upon my Hannah's arm, +withdrew to my own apartment. There you will guess how the greatest part +of the hour was employed. + +Within that time, my mother came up to me. + +I love, she was pleased to say, to come into this apartment.--No +emotions, child! No flutters!--Am I not your mother?--Do not discompose +me by discomposing yourself! Do not occasion me uneasiness, when I +would give you nothing but pleasure. Come, my dear, we will go into your +closet. + +She took my hand, led the way, and made me sit down by her: and after +she had inquired how I did, she began in a strain as if she supposed I +had made use of the intervening space to overcome all my objections. + +She was pleased to tell me, that my father and she, in order to spare my +natural modesty, had taken the whole affair upon themselves-- + +Hear me out; and then speak.--He is not indeed every thing I wish him to +be: but he is a man of probity, and has no vices-- + +No vices, Madam--! + +Hear me out, child.--You have not behaved much amiss to him: we have +seen with pleasure that you have not-- + +O Madam, must I not now speak! + +I shall have done presently.--A young creature of your virtuous and +pious turn, she was pleased to say, cannot surely love a profligate: you +love your brother too well, to wish to marry one who had like to have +killed him, and who threatened your uncles, and defies us all. You have +had your own way six or seven times: we want to secure you against a man +so vile. Tell me (I have a right to know) whether you prefer this man +to all others?--Yet God forbid that I should know you do; for such +a declaration would make us all miserable. Yet tell me, are your +affections engaged to this man? + +I knew not what the inference would be, if I said they were not. + +You hesitate--You answer me not--You cannot answer me.--Rising--Never +more will I look upon you with an eye of favour-- + +O Madam, Madam! Kill me not with your displeasure--I would not, I need +not, hesitate one moment, did I not dread the inference, if I answer +you as you wish.--Yet be that inference what it will, your threatened +displeasure will make me speak. And I declare to you, that I know not my +own heart, if it not be absolutely free. And pray, let me ask my dearest +Mamma, in what has my conduct been faulty, that, like a giddy creature, +I must be forced to marry, to save me from--From what? Let me beseech +you, Madam, to be the guardian of my reputation! Let not your Clarissa +be precipitated into a state she wishes not to enter into with any man! +And this upon a supposition that otherwise she shall marry herself, and +disgrace her whole family. + +Well then, Clary [passing over the force of my plea] if your heart be +free-- + +O my beloved Mamma, let the usual generosity of your dear heart operate +in my favour. Urge not upon me the inference that made me hesitate. + +I won't be interrupted, Clary--You have seen in my behaviour to you, +on this occasion, a truly maternal tenderness; you have observed that +I have undertaken the task with some reluctance, because the man is not +every thing; and because I know you carry your notions of perfection in +a man too high-- + +Dearest Madam, this one time excuse me!--Is there then any danger that I +should be guilty of an imprudent thing for the man's sake you hint at? + +Again interrupted!--Am I to be questioned, and argued with? You know +this won't do somewhere else. You know it won't. What reason then, +ungenerous girl, can you have for arguing with me thus, but because you +think from my indulgence to you, you may? + +What can I say? What can I do? What must that cause be that will not +bear being argued upon? + +Again! Clary Harlowe! + +Dearest Madam, forgive me: it was always my pride and my pleasure to +obey you. But look upon that man--see but the disagreeableness of his +person-- + +Now, Clary, do I see whose person you have in your eye!--Now is Mr. +Solmes, I see, but comparatively disagreeable; disagreeable only as +another man has a much more specious person + +But, Madam, are not his manners equally so?--Is not his person the true +representative of his mind?--That other man is not, shall not be, any +thing to me, release me but from this one man, whom my heart, unbidden, +resists. + +Condition thus with your father. Will he bear, do you think, to be thus +dialogued with? Have I not conjured you, as you value my peace--What +is it that I do not give up?--This very task, because I apprehended you +would not be easily persuaded, is a task indeed upon me. And will you +give up nothing? Have you not refused as many as have been offered to +you? If you would not have us guess for whom, comply; for comply you +must, or be looked upon as in a state of defiance with your whole +family. + +And saying this, she arose and went from me. But at the chamber-door +stopt; and turned back: I will not say below in what a disposition I +leave you. Consider of every thing. The matter is resolved upon. As you +value your father's blessing and mine, and the satisfaction of all the +family, resolve to comply. I will leave you for a few moments. I will +come up to you again. See that I find you as I wish to find you; and +since your heart is free, let your duty govern it. + +In about half an hour, my mother returned. She found me in tears. +She took my hand: It is my part evermore, said she, to be of the +acknowledging side. I believe I have needlessly exposed myself to your +opposition, by the method I have taken with you. I first began as if I +expected a denial, and by my indulgence brought it upon myself. + +Do not, my dearest Mamma! do not say so! + +Were the occasion for this debate, proceeded she, to have risen from +myself; were it in my power to dispense with your compliance; you too +well know what you can do with me. + +Would any body, my dear Miss Howe, wish to marry, who sees a wife of +such a temper, and blessed with such an understanding as my mother is +noted for, not only deprived of all power, but obliged to be even active +in bringing to bear a point of high importance, which she thinks ought +not to be insisted upon? + +When I came to you a second time, proceeded she, knowing that your +opposition would avail you nothing, I refused to hear your reasons: and +in this I was wrong too, because a young creature who loves to reason, +and used to love to be convinced by reason, ought to have all her +objections heard: I now therefore, this third time, see you; and am +come resolved to hear all you have to say: and let me, my dear, by my +patience engage your gratitude; your generosity, I will call it, because +it is to you I speak, who used to have a mind wholly generous.--Let me, +if your heart be really free, let me see what it will induce you to do +to oblige me: and so as you permit your usual discretion to govern you, +I will hear all you have to say; but with this intimation, that say what +you will, it will be of no avail elsewhere. + +What a dreadful saying is that! But could I engage your pity, Madam, it +would be somewhat. + +You have as much of my pity as of my love. But what is person, Clary, +with one of your prudence, and your heart disengaged? + +Should the eye be disgusted, when the heart is to be engaged?--O +Madam, who can think of marrying when the heart is shocked at the +first appearance, and where the disgust must be confirmed by every +conversation afterwards? + +This, Clary, is owing to your prepossession. Let me not have cause +to regret that noble firmness of mind in so young a creature which I +thought your glory, and which was my boast in your character. In this +instance it would be obstinacy, and want of duty.--Have you not made +objections to several-- + +That was to their minds, to their principles, Madam.--But this man-- + +Is an honest man, Clary Harlowe. He has a good mind. He is a virtuous +man. + +He an honest man? His a good mind, Madam? He a virtuous man?-- + +Nobody denies these qualities. + +Can he be an honest man who offers terms that will rob all his own +relations of their just expectations?--Can his mind be good-- + +You, Clary Harlowe, for whose sake he offers so much, are the last +person who should make this observation. + +Give me leave to say, Madam, that a person preferring happiness to +fortune, as I do; that want not even what I have, and can give up the +use of that, as an instance of duty-- + +No more, no more of your merits!--You know you will be a gainer by that +cheerful instance of your duty; not a loser. You know you have but +cast your bread upon the waters--so no more of that!--For it is not +understood as a merit by every body, I assure you; though I think it a +high one; and so did your father and uncles at the time-- + +At the time, Madam!--How unworthily do my brother and sister, who are +afraid that the favour I was so lately in-- + +I hear nothing against your brother and sister--What family feuds have I +in prospect, at a time when I hoped to have most comfort from you all! + + +God bless my brother and sister in all their worthy views! You shall +have no family feuds if I can prevent them. You yourself, Madam, shall +tell me what I shall bear from them, and I will bear it: but let my +actions, not their misrepresentations (as I am sure by the disgraceful +prohibitions I have met with has been the case) speak for me. + +Just then, up came my father, with a sternness in his looks that made me +tremble.--He took two or three turns about my chamber, though pained by +his gout; and then said to my mother, who was silent as soon as she saw +him-- + +My dear, you are long absent.--Dinner is near ready. What you had to +say, lay in a very little compass. Surely, you have nothing to do but +to declare your will, and my will--But perhaps you may be talking of the +preparations--Let us have you soon down--Your daughter in your hand, if +worthy of the name. + +And down he went, casting his eye upon me with a look so stern, that +I was unable to say one word to him, or even for a few minutes to my +mother. + +Was not this very intimidating, my dear? + +My mother, seeing my concern, seemed to pity me. She called me her good +child, and kissed me; and told me that my father should not know I had +made such opposition. He has kindly furnished us with an excuse for +being so long together, said she.--Come, my dear--dinner will be upon +table presently--Shall we go down?--And took my hand. + +This made me start: What, Madam, go down to let it be supposed we were +talking of preparations!--O my beloved Mamma, command me not down upon +such a supposition. + +You see, child, that to stay longer together, will be owning that you +are debating about an absolute duty; and that will not be borne. Did not +your father himself some days ago tell you, he would be obeyed? I will a +third time leave you. I must say something by way of excuse for you: +and that you desire not to go down to dinner--that your modesty on the +occasion-- + +O Madam! say not my modesty on such an occasion: for that will be to +give hope-- + +And design you not to give hope?--Perverse girl!--Rising and flinging +from me; take more time for consideration!--Since it is necessary, take +more time--and when I see you next, let me know what blame I have to +cast upon myself, or to bear from your father, for my indulgence to you. + +She made, however, a little stop at the chamber-door; and seemed to +expect that I would have besought her to make the gentlest construction +for me; for, hesitating, she was pleased to say, I suppose you would not +have me make a report-- + +O Madam, interrupted I, whose favour can I hope for if I lose my +mamma's? + +To have desired a favourable report, you know, my dear, would have been +qualifying upon a point that I was too much determined upon, to give +room for any of my friends to think I have the least hesitation about +it. And so my mother went down stairs. + +I will deposit thus far; and, as I know you will not think me too minute +in the relation of particulars so very interesting to one you honour +with your love, proceed in the same way. As matters stand, I don't care +to have papers, so freely written, about me. + +Pray let Robert call every day, if you can spare him, whether I have any +thing ready or not. + +I should be glad you would not send him empty handed. What a generosity +will it be in you, to write as frequently from friendship, as I am +forced to do from misfortune! The letters being taken away will be an +assurance that you have them. As I shall write and deposit as I have +opportunity, the formality of super and sub-scription will be excused. +For I need not say how much I am + +Your sincere and ever affectionate, CL. HARLOWE. + + + + +LETTER XVII + +MISS CLARISSA HARLOWE, TO MISS HOWE + + +My mother, on her return, which was as soon as she had dined, was +pleased to inform me, that she told my father, on his questioning her +about my cheerul compliance (for, it seems, the cheerful was all that +was doubted) that she was willing, on so material a point, to give +a child whom she had so much reason to love (as she condescended to +acknowledge were her words) liberty to say all that was in her heart to +say, that her compliance might be the freer: letting him know, that +when he came up, she was attending to my pleas; for that she found I had +rather not marry at all. + +She told me, that to this my father angrily said, let her take +care--let her take care--that she give me not ground to suspect her of +a preference somewhere else. But, if it be to ease her heart, and not to +dispute my will, you may hear her out. + +So, Clary, said my mother, I am returned in a temper accordingly: and I +hope you will not again, by your peremptoriness, shew me how I ought to +treat you. + +Indeed, Madam, you did me justice to say, I have no inclination to marry +at all. I have not, I hope, made myself so very unuseful in my papa's +family, as-- + +No more of your merits, Clary! You have been a good child. You have +eased me of all the family cares: but do not now give more than ever +you relieved me from. You have been amply repaid in the reputation +your skill and management have given you: but now there is soon to be a +period to all those assistances from you. If you marry, there will be +a natural, and, if to please us, a desirable period; because your own +family will employ all your talents in that way: if you do not, there +will be a period likewise, but not a natural one--you understand me, +child. + +I wept. + +I have made inquiry already after a housekeeper. I would have had your +good Norton; but I suppose you will yourself wish to have the worthy +woman with you. If you desire it, that shall be agreed upon for you. + +But, why, dearest Madam, why am I, the youngest, to be precipitated into +a state, that I am very far from wishing to enter into with any body? + +You are going to question me, I suppose, why your sister is not thought +of for Mr. Solmes? + +I hope, Madam, it will not displease you if I were. + +I might refer you for an answer to your father.--Mr. Solmes has reasons +for preferring you-- + +And I have reasons, Madam, for disliking him. And why I am-- + +This quickness upon me, interrupted my mother, is not to be borne! I am +gone, and your father comes, if I can do no good with you. + +O Madam, I would rather die, than-- + +She put her hand to my mouth--No peremptoriness, Clary Harlowe: once you +declare yourself inflexible, I have done. + +I wept for vexation. This is all, all, my brother's doings--his grasping +views-- + +No reflections upon your brother: he has entirely the honour of the +family at heart. + +I would no more dishonour my family, Madam, than my brother would. + +I believe it: but I hope you will allow your father, and me, and your +uncles, to judge what will do it honour, what dishonour. + +I then offered to live single; never to marry at all; or never but with +their full approbation. + +If you mean to shew your duty, and your obedience, Clary, you must shew +it in our way, not in your own. + +I hope, Madam, that I have not so behaved hitherto, as to render such a +trial of my obedience necessary. + +Yes, Clary, I cannot but say that you have hitherto behaved extremely +well: but you have had no trials till now: and I hope, that now you are +called to one, you will not fail in it. Parents, proceeded she, when +children are young, are pleased with every thing they do. You have been +a good child upon the whole: but we have hitherto rather complied with +you, than you with us. Now that you are grown up to marriageable years, +is the test; especially as your grandfather has made you independent, as +we may say, in preference to those who had prior expectations upon that +estate. + +Madam, my grandfather knew, and expressly mentioned in his will his +desire, that my father will more than make it up to my sister. I did +nothing but what I thought my duty to procure his favour. It was rather +a mark of his affection, than any advantage to me: For, do I either +seek or wish to be independent? Were I to be queen of the universe, that +dignity should not absolve me from my duty to you and to my father. I +would kneel for your blessings, were it in the presence of millions--so +that-- + +I am loth to interrupt you, Clary; though you could more than once break +in upon me. You are young and unbroken: but, with all this ostentation +of your duty, I desire you to shew a little more deference to me when I +am speaking. + +I beg your pardon, dear Madam, and your patience with me on such an +occasion as this. If I did not speak with earnestness upon it, I should +be supposed to have only maidenly objections against a man I never can +endure. + +Clary Harlowe--! + +Dearest, dearest Madam, permit me to speak what I have to say, this +once--It is hard, it is very hard, to be forbidden to enter into +the cause of all these misunderstandings, because I must not speak +disrespectfully of one who supposes me in the way of his ambition, and +treats me like a slave-- + +Whither, whither, Clary-- + +My dearest Mamma!--My duty will not permit me so far to suppose my +father arbitrary, as to make a plea of that arbitrariness to you-- + +How now, Clary!--O girl! + +Your patience, my dearest Mamma:--you were pleased to say, you would +hear me with patience.--PERSON in a man is nothing, because I am +supposed to be prudent: so my eye is to be disgusted, and my reason not +convinced-- + +Girl, girl! + +Thus are my imputed good qualities to be made my punishment; and I am to +wedded to a monster-- + +[Astonishing!--Can this, Clarissa, be from you? + +The man, Madam, person and mind, is a monster in my eye.]--And that +I may be induced to bear this treatment, I am to be complimented with +being indifferent to all men: yet, at other times, and to serve other +purposes, be thought prepossessed in favour of a man against whose moral +character lie just objections.--Confined, as if, like the giddiest of +creatures, I would run away with this man, and disgrace my whole family! +O my dearest Mamma! who can be patient under such treatment? + +Now, Clary, I suppose you will allow me to speak. I think I have had +patience indeed with you.--Could I have thought--but I will put all upon +a short issue. Your mother, Clarissa, shall shew you an example of that +patience you so boldly claim from her, without having any yourself. + +O my dear, how my mother's condescension distressed me at the +time!--Infinitely more distressed me, than rigour could have done. But +she knew, she was to be sure aware, that she was put upon a harsh, upon +an unreasonable service, let me say, or she would not, she could not, +have had so much patience with me. + +Let me tell you then, proceeded she, that all lies in a small compass, +as your father said.--You have been hitherto, as you are pretty ready to +plead, a dutiful child. You have indeed had no cause to be otherwise. No +child was ever more favoured. Whether you will discredit all your past +behaviour; whether, at a time and upon an occasion, that the highest +instance of duty is expected from you (an instance that is to crown +all); and when you declare that your heart is free--you will give that +instance; or whether, having a view to the independence you may claim, +(for so, Clary, whatever be your motive, it will be judged,) and which +any man you favour, can assert for you against us all; or rather for +himself in spite of us--whether, I say, you will break with us all; +and stand in defiance of a jealous father, needlessly jealous, I will +venture to say, of the prerogatives of his sex, as to me, and still ten +times more jealous of the authority of a father;--this is now the point +with us. You know your father has made it a point; and did he ever give +up one he thought he had a right to carry? + +Too true, thought I to myself! And now my brother has engaged my father, +his fine scheme will walk alone, without needing his leading-strings; +and it is become my father's will that I oppose; not my brother's +grasping views. + +I was silent. To say the truth, I was just then sullenly silent. My +heart was too big. I thought it was hard to be thus given up by +my mother; and that she should make a will so uncontroulable as my +brother's, her will.--My mother, my dear, though I must not say so, was +not obliged to marry against her liking. My mother loved my father. + +My silence availed me still less. + +I see, my dear, said she, that you are convinced. Now, my good +child--now, my Clary, do I love you! It shall not be known, that you +have argued with me at all. All shall be imputed to that modesty which +has ever so much distinguished you. You shall have the full merit of +your resignation. + +I wept. + +She tenderly wiped the tears from my eyes, and kissed my cheek--Your +father expects you down with a cheerful countenance--but I will excuse +your going. All your scruples, you see, have met with an indulgence +truly maternal from me. I rejoice in the hope that you are convinced. +This indeed seems to be a proof of the truth of your agreeable +declaration, that your heart is free. + +Did not this seem to border upon cruelty, my dear, in so indulgent a +mother?--It would be wicked [would it not] to suppose my mother capable +of art?--But she is put upon it, and obliged to take methods to which +her heart is naturally above stooping; and all intended for my good, +because she sees that no arguing will be admitted any where else! + +I will go down, proceeded she, and excuse your attendance at afternoon +tea, as I did to dinner: for I know you will have some little +reluctances to subdue. I will allow you those; and also some little +natural shynesses--and so you shall not come down, if you chuse not to +come down. Only, my dear, do not disgrace my report when you come to +supper. And be sure behave as you used to do to your brother and sister; +for your behaviour to them will be one test of your cheerful obedience +to us. I advise as a friend, you see, rather than command as a +mother--So adieu, my love. And again she kissed me; and was going. + +O my dear Mamma, said I, forgive me!--But surely you cannot believe, I +can ever think of having that man! + +She was very angry, and seemed to be greatly disappointed. She +threatened to turn me over to my father and uncles:--she however bid +me (generously bid me) consider, what a handle I gave to my brother +and sister, if I thought they had views to serve by making my uncles +dissatisfied with me. + +I, said she, in a milder accent, have early said all that I thought +could be said against the present proposal, on a supposition, that +you, who have refused several other (whom I own to be preferable as to +person) would not approve of it; and could I have succeeded, you, +Clary, had never heard of it. But if I could not, how can you expect +to prevail? My great ends in the task I have undertaken, are the +preservation of the family peace so likely to be overturned; to +reinstate you in the affections of your father and uncles: and to +preserve you from a man of violence.--Your father, you must needs think +will flame out upon your refusal to comply: your uncles are so + +thoroughly convinced of the consistency of the measure with their +favourite views of aggrandizing the family, that they are as much +determined as your father: your aunt Hervey and your uncle Hervey are of +the same party. And it is hard, if a father and mother, and uncles, and +aunt, all conjoined, cannot be allowed to direct your choice--surely, my +dear girl, proceeded she [for I was silent all this time], it cannot be +that you are the more averse, because the family views will be promoted +by the match--this, I assure you, is what every body must think, if +you comply not. Nor, while the man, so obnoxious to us all, remains +unmarried, and buzzes about you, will the strongest wishes to live +single, be in the least regarded. And well you know, that were Mr. +Lovelace an angel, and your father had made it a point that you should +not have him, it would be in vain to dispute his will. As to the +prohibition laid upon you (much as I will own against my liking), that +is owing to the belief that you corresponded by Miss Howe's means with +that man; nor do I doubt that you did so. + +I answered to every article, in such a manner, as I am sure would have +satisfied her, could she have been permitted to judge for herself; and I +then inveighed with bitterness against the disgraceful prohibitions laid +upon me. + +They would serve to shew me, she was pleased to say, how much in earnest +my father was. They might be taken off, whenever I thought fit, and no +harm done, nor disgrace received. But if I were to be contumacious, I +might thank myself for all that would follow. + +I sighed. I wept. I was silent. + +Shall I, Clary, said she, shall I tell your father that these +prohibitions are as unnecessary as I hoped they would be? That you know +your duty, and will not offer to controvert his will? What say you, my +love? + +O Madam, what can I say to questions so indulgently put? I do indeed +know my duty: no creature in the world is more willing to practise +it: but, pardon me, dearest Madam, if I say, that I must bear these +prohibitions, if I am to pay so dear to have them taken off. + +Determined and perverse, my dear mamma called me: and after walking +twice or thrice in anger about the room, she turned to me: Your +heart free, Clarissa! How can you tell me your heart is free? Such +extraordinary prepossessions to a particular person must be owing to +extraordinary prepossessions in another's favour! Tell me, Clary, and +tell me truly--Do you not continue to correspond with Mr. Lovelace? + +Dearest Madam, replied I, you know my motives: to prevent mischief, I +answered his letters. The reasons for our apprehensions of this sort are +not over. + +I own to you, Clary, (although now I would not have it known,) that +I once thought a little qualifying among such violent spirits was not +amiss. I did not know but all things would come round again by the +mediation of Lord M. and his two sisters: but as they all three think +proper to resent for their nephew; and as their nephew thinks fit to +defy us all; and as terms are offered, on the other hand, that could +not be asked, which will very probably prevent your grandfather's estate +going out of the family, and may be a means to bring still greater into +it; I see not, that the continuance of your correspondence with him +either can or ought to be permitted. I therefore now forbid it to you, +as you value my favour. + +Be pleased, Madam, only to advise me how to break it off with safety to +my brother and uncles; and it is all I wish for. Would to heaven, the +man so hated had not the pretence to make of having been too violently +treated, when he meant peace and reconciliation! It would always have +been in my own power to have broke with him. His reputed immoralities +would have given me a just pretence at any time to do so. But, Madam, as +my uncles and my brother will keep no measures; as he has heard what the +view is; and his regard for me from resenting their violent treatment +of him and his family; what can I do? Would you have me, Madam, make him +desperate? + +The law will protect us, child! offended magistracy will assert itself-- + +But, Madam, may not some dreadful mischief first happen?--The law +asserts not itself, till it is offended. + +You have made offers, Clary, if you might be obliged in the point in +question--Are you really in earnest, were you to be complied with, to +break off all correspondence with Mr. Lovelace?--Let me know this. + +Indeed I am; and I will. You, Madam, shall see all the letters that +have passed between us. You shall see I have given him no encouragement +independent of my duty. And when you have seen them, you will be +better able to direct me how, on the condition I have offered, to break +entirely with him. + +I take you at your word, Clarissa--Give me his letters; and the copies +of yours. + +I am sure, Madam, you will keep the knowledge that I write, and what I +write-- + +No conditions with your mother--surely my prudence may be trusted to. + +I begged her pardon; and besought her to take the key of the private +drawer in my escritoire, where they lay, that she herself might see that +I had no reserves to my mother. + +She did; and took all his letters, and the copies of +mine.--Unconditioned with, she was pleased to say, they shall be yours +again, unseen by any body else. + +I thanked her; and she withdrew to read them; saying, she would return +them, when she had. + + +*** + + +You, my dear, have seen all the letters that passed between Mr. Lovelace +and me, till my last return from you. You have acknowledged, that he has +nothing to boast of from them. Three others I have received since, by +the private conveyance I told you of: the last I have not yet answered. + +In these three, as in those you have seen, after having besought my +favour, and, in the most earnest manner, professed the ardour of his +passion for me; and set forth the indignities done him; the defiances +my brother throws out against him in all companies; the menaces, and +hostile appearance of my uncles wherever they go; and the methods they +take to defame him; he declares, 'That neither his own honour, nor +the honour of his family, (involved as that is in the undistinguishing +reflection cast upon him for an unhappy affair which he would have +shunned, but could not) permit him to bear these confirmed indignities: +that as my inclinations, if not favourable to him, cannot be, nor are, +to such a man as the newly-introduced Solmes, he is interested the more +to resent my brother's behaviour; who to every body avows his rancour +and malice; and glories in the probability he has, through the address +of this Solmes, of mortifying me, and avenging himself on him: that +it is impossible he should not think himself concerned to frustrate a +measure so directly levelled at him, had he not a still higher motive +for hoping to frustrate it: that I must forgive him, if he enter into +conference with Solmes upon it. He earnestly insists (upon what he has +so often proposed) that I will give him leave, in company with Lord +M. to wait upon my uncles, and even upon my father--and he promises +patience, if new provocations, absolutely beneath a man to bear, be not +given:' which by the way I am far from being able to engage for. + +In my answer, I absolutely declare, as I tell him I have often done, +'That he is to expect no favour from me against the approbation of my +friends: that I am sure their consents for his visiting any of them +will never be obtained: that I will not be either so undutiful, or so +indiscreet, as to suffer my interests to be separated from the interests +of my family, for any man upon earth: that I do not think myself obliged +to him for the forbearance I desire one flaming spirit to have with +others: that in this desire I require nothing of him, but what prudence, +justice, and the laws of his country require: that if he has any +expectations of favour from me, on that account, he deceives himself: +that I have no inclination, as I have often told him, to change my +condition: that I cannot allow myself to correspond with him any longer +in this clandestine manner: it is mean, low, undutiful, I tell him; and +has a giddy appearance, which cannot be excused: that therefore he is +not to expect that I will continue it. + +To this in his last, among other things, he replies, 'That if I am +actually determined to break off all correspondence with him, he must +conclude, that it is with a view to become the wife of a man, whom no +woman of honour and fortune can think tolerable. And in that case, I +must excuse him for saying, that he shall neither be able to bear the +thoughts of losing for ever a person in whom all his present and all his +future hopes are centred; nor support himself with patience under the +insolent triumphs of my brother upon it. But that nevertheless he will +not threaten either his own life, or that of any other man. He must take +his resolutions as such a dreaded event shall impel him at the time. If +he shall know that it will have my consent, he must endeavour to resign +to his destiny: but if it be brought about by compulsion, he shall not +be able to answer for the consequence.' + +I will send you these letters for your perusal in a few days. I would +enclose them; but that it is possible something may happen, which may +make my mother require to re-peruse them. When you see them, you will +observe how he endeavours to hold me to this correspondence. + + +*** + + +In about an hour my mother returned. Take your letters, Clary: I have +nothing, she was pleased to say, to tax your discretion with, as to the +wording of yours to him: you have even kept up a proper dignity, as +well as observed all the rules of decorum; and you have resented, as you +ought to resent, his menacing invectives. In a word, I see not, that he +can form the least expectations, from what you have written, that you +will encourage the passion he avows for you. But does he not avow his +passion? Have you the least doubt about what must be the issue of this +correspondence, if continued? And do you yourself think, when you know +the avowed hatred of one side, and he declared defiances of the other, +that this can be, that it ought to be a match? + +By no means it can, Madam; you will be pleased to observed, that I have +said as much to him. But now, Madam, that the whole correspondence +is before you, I beg your commands what to do in a situation so very +disagreeable. + +One thing I will tell you, Clary--but I charge you, as you would not +have me question the generosity of your spirit, to take no advantage +of it, either mentally or verbally; that I am so much pleased with the +offer of your keys to me, made in so cheerful and unreserved a manner, +and in the prudence you have shewn in your letters, that were it +practicable to bring every one, or your father only, into my opinion, I +should readily leave all the rest to your discretion, reserving only to +myself the direction or approbation of your future letters; and to see, +that you broke off the correspondence as soon as possible. But as it is +not, and as I know your father would have no patience with you, should +it be acknowledged that you correspond with Mr. Lovelace, or that you +have corresponded with him since the time he prohibited you to do so; +I forbid you to continue such a liberty--Yet, as the case is difficult, +let me ask you, What you yourself can propose? Your heart, you say, is +free. Your own, that you cannot think, as matters circumstanced, that +a match with a man so obnoxious as he now is to us all, is proper to +be thought of: What do you propose to do?--What, Clary, are your own +thoughts of the matter? + +Without hesitation thus I answered--What I humbly propose is +this:--'That I will write to Mr. Lovelace (for I have not answered his +last) that he has nothing to do between my father and me: that I +neither ask his advice nor need it: but that since he thinks he has some +pretence for interfering, because of my brother's avowal of the interest +of Mr. Solmes in displeasure to him, I will assure him (without giving +him any reason to impute the assurance to be in the least favourable to +himself) that I will never be that man's.' And if, proceeded I, I +may never be permitted to give him this assurance; and Mr. Solmes, in +consequence of it, be discouraged from prosecuting his address; let Mr. +Lovelace be satisfied or dissatisfied, I will go no farther; nor write +another line to him; nor ever see him more, if I can avoid it: and I +shall have a good excuse for it, without bringing in any of my family. + +Ah! my love!--But what shall we do about the terms Mr. Solmes offers? +Those are the inducements with every body. He has even given hopes to +your brother that he will make exchanges of estates; or, at least, that +he will purchase the northern one; for you know it must be entirely +consistent with the family-views, that we increase our interest in this +country. Your brother, in short, has given a plan that captivates us +all. And a family so rich in all its branches, and that has its views to +honour, must be pleased to see a very great probability of taking rank +one day among the principal in the kingdom. + +And for the sake of these views, for the sake of this plan of my +brother's, am I, Madam, to be given in marriage to a man I can never +endure!--O my dear Mamma, save me, save me, if you can, from this heavy +evil.--I had rather be buried alive, indeed I had, than have that man! + +She chid me for my vehemence; but was so good as to tell me, That she +would sound my uncle Harlowe, who was then below; and if he encouraged +her (or would engage to second her) she would venture to talk to my +father herself; and I should hear further in the morning. + +She went down to tea, and kindly undertook to excuse my attendance at +supper. + +But is it not a sad thing, I repeat, to be obliged to stand in +opposition to the will of such a mother? Why, as I often say to myself, +was such a man as this Solmes fixed upon? The only man in the world, +surely, that could offer so much, and deserve so little! + +Little indeed does he deserve!--Why, my dear, the man has the most +indifferent of characters. Every mouth is opened against him for his +sordid ways--A foolish man, to be so base-minded!--When the difference +between the obtaining of a fame for generosity, and incurring the +censure of being a miser, will not, prudently managed, cost fifty pounds +a year. + +What a name have you got, at a less expense? And what an opportunity had +he of obtaining credit at a very small one, succeeding such a wretched +creature as Sir Oliver, in fortunes so vast?--Yet has he so behaved, +that the common phrase is applied to him, That Sir Oliver will never be +dead while Mr. Solmes lives. + +The world, as I have often thought, ill-natured as it is said to be, is +generally more just in characters (speaking by what it feels) than is +usually apprehended: and those who complain most of its censoriousness, +perhaps should look inwardly for the occasion oftener than they do. + +My heart is a little at ease, on the hopes that my mother will be able +to procure favour for me, and a deliverance from this man; and so I +have leisure to moralize. But if I had not, I should not forbear to +intermingle occasionally these sorts of remarks, because you command +me never to omit them when they occur to my mind: and not to be able +to make them, even in a more affecting situation, when one sits down +to write, would shew one's self more engaged to self, and to one's own +concerns, than attentive to the wishes of a friend. If it be said, that +it is natural so to be, what makes that nature, on occasions where a +friend may be obliged, or reminded of a piece of instruction, which +(writing down) one's self may be the better for, but a fault; which it +would set a person above nature to subdue? + + + + +LETTER XVIII + +MISS CLARISSA HARLOWE, TO MISS HOWE SAT. MAR. 4. + + +Would you not have thought something might have been obtained in my +favour, from an offer so reasonable, from an expedient so proper, as I +imagine, to put a tolerable end, as from myself, to a correspondence I +hardly know how otherwise, with safety to some of my family, to get rid +of?--But my brother's plan, (which my mother spoke of, and of which I +have in vain endeavoured to procure a copy, with a design to take it to +pieces, and expose it, as I question not there is room to do,) joined +with my father's impatience of contradiction, are irresistible. + +I have not been in bed all night; nor am I in the least drowsy. +Expectation, and hope, and doubt, (an uneasy state!) kept me +sufficiently wakeful. I stept down at my usual time, that it might not +be known I had not been in bed; and gave directions in the family way. + +About eight o'clock, Shorey came to me from my mother with orders to +attend her in her chamber. + +My mother had been weeping, I saw by her eyes: but her aspect seemed to +be less tender, and less affectionate, than the day before; and this, as +soon as I entered into her presence, struck me with an awe, which gave a +great damp to my spirits. + +Sit down, Clary Harlowe; I shall talk to you by-and-by: and continued +looking into a drawer among laces and linens, in a way neither busy nor +unbusy. + +I believe it was a quarter of an hour before she spoke to me (my heart +throbbing with the suspense all the time); and then she asked me coldly, +What directions I had given for the day? + +I shewed her the bill of fare for this day, and to-morrow, if, I said, +it pleased her to approve of it. + +She made a small alteration in it; but with an air so cold and so +solemn, as added to my emotions. + +Mr. Harlowe talks of dining out to-day, I think, at my brother +Antony's-- + +Mr. Harlowe!--Not my father!--Have I not then a father!--thought I. + +Sit down when I bid you. + +I sat down. + +You look very sullen, Clary. + +I hope not, Madam. + +If children would always be children--parents--And there she stopt. + +She then went to her toilette, and looked into the glass, and gave half +a sigh--the other half, as if she would not have sighed if she could +have helped it, she gently hem'd away. + +I don't love to see the girl look so sullen. + +Indeed, Madam, I am not sullen.--And I arose, and, turning from her, +drew out my handkerchief; for the tears ran down my cheeks. + +I thought, by the glass before me, I saw the mother in her softened eye +cast towards me. But her words confirmed not the hoped-for tenderness. + +One of the most provoking things in this world is, to have people cry +for what they can help! + +I wish to heaven I could, Madam!--And I sobbed again. + +Tears of penitence and sobs of perverseness are mighty well suited!--You +may go up to your chamber. I shall talk with you by-and-by. + +I courtesied with reverence. + +Mock me not with outward gestures of respect. The heart, Clary, is what +I want. + +Indeed, Madam, you have it. It is not so much mine as my Mamma's! + +Fine talking!--As somebody says, If words were to pass for duty, +Clarissa Harlowe would be the dutifulest child breathing. + +God bless that somebody!--Be it whom it will, God bless that +somebody!--And I courtesied, and, pursuant to her last command, was +going. + +She seemed struck; but was to be angry with me. + +So turning from me, she spoke with quickness, Whither now, Clary +Harlowe? + +You commanded me, Madam, to go to my chamber. + +I see you are very ready to go out of my presence.--Is your compliance +the effect of sullenness, or obedience?--You are very ready to leave me. + +I could hold no longer; but threw myself at her feet: O my dearest +Mamma! Let me know all I am to suffer! Let me know what I am to be!--I +will bear it, if I can bear it: but your displeasure I cannot bear! + +Leave me, leave me, Clary Harlowe!--No kneeling!--Limbs so supple! Will +so stubborn!--Rise, I tell you. + +I cannot rise! I will disobey my Mamma, when she bids me leave her +without being reconciled to me! No sullens, my Mamma: no perverseness: +but, worse than either: this is direct disobedience!--Yet tear not +yourself from me! [wrapping my arms about her as I kneeled; she +struggling to get from me; my face lifted up to hers, with eyes +running over, that spoke not my heart if they were not all humility and +reverence] You must not, must not, tear yourself from me! [for still +the dear lady struggled, and looked this way and that, all in a sweet +disorder, as if she knew not what to do].--I will neither rise, nor +leave you, nor let you go, till you say you are not angry with me. + +O thou ever-moving child of my heart! [folding her dear arms about my +neck, as mine embraced her knees] Why was this task--But leave me!--You +have discomposed me beyond expression! Leave me, my dear!--I won't be +angry with you--if I can help it--if you'll be good. + +I arose trembling, and, hardly knowing what I did, or how I stood or +walked, withdrew to my chamber. My Hannah followed me as soon as she +heard me quit my mother's presence, and with salts and spring-water just +kept me from fainting; and that was as much as she could do. It was near +two hours before I could so far recover myself as to take up my pen, to +write to you how unhappily my hopes have ended. + +My mother went down to breakfast. I was not fit to appear: but if I +had been better, I suppose I should not have been sent for; since the +permission for my attending her down, was given by my father (when in +my chamber) only on condition that she found me worthy of the name of +daughter. That, I doubt, I shall never be in his opinion, if he be not +brought to change his mind as to this Mr. Solmes. + + + + +LETTER XIX + +MISS CLARISSA HARLOWE, TO MISS HOWE [IN ANSWER TO LETTER XV.] SAT. MARCH +4, 12 O'CLOCK. + + +Hannah has just now brought me from the usual place your favour of +yesterday. The contents of it have made me very thoughtful; and you +will have an answer in my gravest style.--I to have that Mr. Solmes!--No +indeed!--I will sooner--But I will write first to those passages in your +letter which are less concerning, that I may touch upon this part with +more patience. + +As to what you mention of my sister's value for Mr. Lovelace, I am not +very much surprised at it. She takes such officious pains, and it is so +much her subject, to have it thought that she never did, and never could +like him, that she gives but too much room to suspect that she does. She +never tells the story of their parting, and of her refusal of him, but +her colour rises, she looks with disdain upon me, and mingles anger with +the airs she gives herself:--anger as well as airs, demonstrating, that +she refused a man whom she thought worth accepting: Where else is the +reason either for anger or boast?--Poor Bella! She is to be pitied--she +cannot either like or dislike with temper! Would to heaven she had been +mistress of all her wishes!--Would to heaven she had! + +As to what you say of my giving up to my father's controul the estate +devised me, my motives at the time, as you acknowledge, were not +blamable. Your advice to me on the subject was grounded, as I remember, +on your good opinion of me; believing that I should not make a bad use +of the power willed me. Neither you nor I, my dear, although you now +assume the air of a diviner, [pardon me] could have believed that would +have happened which has happened, as to my father's part particularly. +You were indeed jealous of my brother's views against me; or rather of +his predominant love of himself; but I did not think so hardly of my +brother and sister as you always did. You never loved them; and ill-will +has eyes ever open to the faulty side; as good-will or love is blind +even to real imperfections. I will briefly recollect my motives. + +I found jealousies and uneasiness rising in every breast, where all +before was unity and love. The honoured testator was reflected upon: a +second childhood was attributed to him; and I was censured, as having +taken advantage of it. All young creatures, thought I, more or less, +covet independency; but those who wish most for it, are seldom the +fittest to be trusted either with the government of themselves, or with +power over others. This is certainly a very high and unusual devise to +so young a creature. We should not aim at all we have power to do. To +take all that good-nature, or indulgence, or good opinion confers, +shews a want of moderation, and a graspingness that is unworthy of that +indulgence; and are bad indications of the use that may be made of the +power bequeathed. It is true, thought I, that I have formed agreeable +schemes of making others as happy as myself, by the proper discharge of +the stewardship intrusted to me. [Are not all estates stewardships, +my dear?] But let me examine myself: Is not vanity, or secret love +of praise, a principal motive with me at the bottom?--Ought I not to +suspect my own heart? If I set up for myself, puffed up with every one's +good opinion, may I not be left to myself?--Every one's eyes are upon +the conduct, upon the visits, upon the visiters, of a young creature +of our sex, made independent: And are not such subjected, more than any +others, to the attempts of enterprisers and fortune-seekers?--And then, +left to myself, should I take a wrong step, though with ever so good an +intention, how many should I have to triumph over me, how few to pity +me!--The more of the one, and the fewer of the other, for having aimed +at excelling. + +These were some of my reflections at the time: and I have no doubt, but +that in the same situation I should do the very same thing; and that +upon the maturest deliberation. Who can command or foresee events? To +act up to our best judgments at the time, is all we can do. If I have +erred, 'tis to worldly wisdom only that I have erred. If we suffer by an +act of duty, or even by an act of generosity, is it not pleasurable on +reflection, that the fault is in others, rather than in ourselves?--I +had much rather have reason to think others unkind, than that they +should have any to think me undutiful. + +And so, my dear, I am sure had you. + +And now for the most concerning part of your letter. + +You think I must of necessity, as matters are circumstanced, be Solmes's +wife. I will not be very rash, my dear, in protesting to the contrary: +but I think it never can, and, what is still more, never ought to +be!--My temper, I know, is depended upon. But I have heretofore said,* +that I have something in me of my father's family, as well as of my +mother's. And have I any encouragement to follow too implicitly the +example which my mother sets of meekness, and resignedness to the wills +of others? Is she not for ever obliged (as she was pleased to hint to +me) to be of the forbearing side? In my mother's case, your observation +I must own is verified, that those who will bear much, shall have much +to bear.** What is it, as she says, that she has not sacrificed to +peace?--Yet, has she by her sacrifices always found the peace she has +deserved to find? Indeed, no!--I am afraid the very contrary. And often +and often have I had reason (on her account) to reflect, that we poor +mortals, by our over-solicitude to preserve undisturbed the qualities we +are constitutionally fond of, frequently lose the benefits we propose +to ourselves from them: since the designing and encroaching (finding out +what we most fear to forfeit) direct their batteries against these our +weaker places, and, making an artillery (if I may so phrase it) of our +hopes and fears, play upon us at their pleasure. + + + * See Letter IX. + + ** See Letter X. + + +Steadiness of mind, (a quality which the ill-bred and censorious deny to +any of our sex) when we are absolutely convinced of being in the right +[otherwise it is not steadiness, but obstinacy] and when it is exerted +in material cases, is a quality, which, as my good Dr. Lewen was wont to +say, brings great credit to the possessor of it; at the same time that +it usually, when tried and known, raises such above the attempts of +the meanly machinating. He used therefore to inculcate upon me this +steadiness, upon laudable convictions. And why may I not think that I am +now put upon a proper exercise of it? + +I said above, that I never can be, that I never ought to be, Mrs. +Solmes.--I repeat, that I ought not: for surely, my dear, I should not +give up to my brother's ambition the happiness of my future life. Surely +I ought not to be the instrument of depriving Mr. Solmes's relations of +their natural rights and reversionary prospects, for the sake of further +aggrandizing a family (although that I am of) which already lives +in great affluence and splendour; and which might be as justly +dissatisfied, were all that some of it aim at to be obtained, that they +were not princes, as now they are that they are not peers [For when ever +was an ambitious mind, as you observe in the case of avarice,* satisfied +by acquisition?]. The less, surely, ought I to give into these grasping +views of my brother, as I myself heartily despise the end aimed at; as +I wish not either to change my state, or better my fortunes; and as I +am fully persuaded, that happiness and riches are two things, and very +seldom meet together. + + + * See Letter X. + + +Yet I dread, I exceedingly dread, the conflicts I know I must +encounter with. It is possible, that I may be more unhappy from the due +observation of the good doctor's general precept, than were I to +yield the point; since what I call steadiness is deemed stubbornness, +obstinacy, prepossession, by those who have a right to put what +interpretation they please upon my conduct. + +So, my dear, were we perfect (which no one can be) we could not be +happy in this life, unless those with whom we have to deal (those more +especially who have any controul upon us) were governed by the same +principles. But then does not the good Doctor's conclusion recur,--That +we have nothing to do, but to chuse what is right; to be steady in the +pursuit of it; and to leave the issue to Providence? + +This, if you approve of my motives, (and if you don't, pray inform me) +must be my aim in the present case. + +But what then can I plead for a palliation to myself of my mother's +sufferings on my account? Perhaps this consideration will carry some +force with it--That her difficulties cannot last long; only till +this great struggle shall be one way or other determined--Whereas my +unhappiness, if I comply, will (from an aversion not to be overcome) be +for life. To which let me add, That as I have reason to think that the +present measures are not entered upon with her own natural liking, she +will have the less pain, should they want the success which I think in +my heart they ought to want. + +I have run a great length in a very little time. The subject touched me +to the quick. My reflections upon it will give you reason to expect from +me a perhaps too steady behaviour in a new conference, which, I find, I +must have with my mother. My father and brother, as she was pleased +to tell me, dine at my uncle Antony's; and that, as I have reason to +believe, on purpose to give an opportunity for it. + +Hannah informs me, that she heard my father high and angry with my +mother, at taking leave of her: I suppose for being to favourable to me; +for Hannah heard her say, as in tears, 'Indeed, Mr. Harlowe, you greatly +distress me!--The poor girl does not deserve--' Hannah heard no more, +but that he said, he would break somebody's heart--Mine, I suppose--Not +my mother's, I hope. + +As only my sister dines with my mother, I thought I should have been +commanded down: but she sent me up a plate from her table. I continued +my writing. I could not touch a morsel. I ordered Hannah however to eat +of it, that I might not be thought sullen. + +Before I conclude this, I will see whether any thing offers from either +of my private correspondencies, that will make it proper to add to it; +and will take a turn in the wood-yard and garden for that purpose. + + +*** + + +I am stopped. Hannah shall deposit this. She was ordered by my mother +(who asked where I was) to tell me, that she would come up and talk with +me in my own closet.--She is coming! Adieu, my dear. + + + + +LETTER XX + +MISS CLARISSA HARLOWE, TO MISS HOWE SAT. AFTERNOON. + + +The expected conference is over: but my difficulties are increased. +This, as my mother was pleased to tell me, being the last persuasory +effort that is to be attempted, I will be particular in the account of +it as my head and my heart will allow it to be. + +I have made, said she, as she entered my room, a short as well as early +dinner, on purpose to confer with you: and I do assure you, that it will +be the last conference I shall either be permitted or inclined to hold +with you on the subject, if you should prove as refractory as it is +imagined you will prove by some, who are of opinion, that I have not +the weight with you which my indulgence deserves. But I hope you will +convince as well them as me of the contrary. + +Your father both dines and sups at your uncle's, on purpose to give +us this opportunity; and, according to the report I shall make on his +return, (which I have promised shall be a very faithful one,) he will +take his measures with you. + +I was offering to speak--Hear, Clarissa, what I have to tell you, said +she, before you speak, unless what you have to say will signify to me +your compliance--Say--Will it?--If it will, you may speak. + +I was silent. + +She looked with concern and anger upon me--No compliance, I find!--Such +a dutiful young creature hitherto!--Will you not, can you not, speak as +I would have you speak?--Then [rejecting me as it were with her hand] +continue silent.--I, no more than your father, will bear your avowed +contradiction. + +She paused, with a look of expectation, as if she waited for my +consenting answer. + +I was still silent; looking down; the tears in my eyes. + +O thou determined girl!--But say--Speak out--Are you resolved to stand +in opposition to us all, in a point our hearts are set upon? + +May I, Madam, be permitted to expostulate?-- + +To what purpose expostulate with me, Clarissa? Your father is +determined. Have I not told you there is no receding; that the honour as +well as the interest of the family is concerned? Be ingenuous: you used +to be so, even occasionally against yourself:--Who at the long run must +submit--all of us to you; or you to all of us?--If you intend to yield +at last if you find you cannot conquer, yield now, and with a grace--for +yield you must, or be none of our child. + +I wept. I knew not what to say; or rather how to express what I had to +say. + +Take notice, that there are flaws in your grandfather's will: not +a shilling of that estate will be yours, if you do not yield. Your +grandfather left it to you, as a reward of your duty to him and to +us--You will justly forfeit it, if-- + +Permit me, good Madam, to say, that, if it were unjustly bequeathed me, +I ought not to wish to have it. But I hope Mr. Solmes will be apprised +of these flaws. + +This is very pertly said, Clarissa: but reflect, that the forfeiture of +that estate, through your opposition, will be attended with the total +loss of your father's favour: and then how destitute must you be; how +unable to support yourself; and how many benevolent designs and good +actions must you give up! + +I must accommodate myself, Madam, in the latter case, to my +circumstance: much only is required where much is given. It becomes me +to be thankful for what I have had. I have reason to bless you, Madam, +and my good Mrs. Norton, for bringing me up to be satisfied with little; +with much less, I will venture to say, than my father's indulgence +annually confers upon me.--And then I thought of the old Roman and his +lentils. + +What perverseness! said my mother.--But if you depend upon the favour of +either or both of your uncles, vain will be that dependence: they +will give you up, I do assure you, if your father does, and absolutely +renounce you. + +I am sorry, Madam, that I have had so little merit as to have made no +deeper impressions of favour for me in their hearts: but I will love and +honour them as long as I live. + +All this, Clarissa, makes your prepossession in a certain man's favour +the more evident. Indeed, your brother and sister cannot go any where, +but they hear of these prepossessions. + +It is a great grief to me, Madam, to be made the subject of the public +talk: but I hope you will have the goodness to excuse me for observing, +that the authors of my disgrace within doors, the talkers of my +prepossession without, and the reporters of it from abroad, are +originally the same persons. + +She severely chid me for this. + +I received her rebukes in silence. + +You are sullen, Clarissa: I see you are sullen.--And she walked about +the room in anger. Then turning to me--You can bear the imputation of +sullenness I see!--You have no concern to clear yourself of it. I was +afraid of telling you all I was enjoined to tell you, in case you were +to be unpersuadable: but I find that I had a greater opinion of +your delicacy, of your gentleness, than I needed to have--it cannot +discompose so steady, so inflexible a young creature, to be told, as I +now tell you, that the settlements are actually drawn; and that you will +be called down in a very few days to hear them read, and to sign them: +for it is impossible, if your heart be free, that you can make the least +objection to them; except it will be an objection with you, that they +are so much in your favour, and in the favour of all our family. + +I was speechless, absolutely speechless. Although my heart was ready to +burst, yet could I neither weep nor speak. + +I am sorry, said she, for your averseness to this match: [match she was +pleased to call it!] but there is no help. The honour and interest +of the family, as your aunt has told you, and as I have told you, are +concerned; and you must comply. + +I was still speechless. + +She folded the warm statue, as she was pleased to call me, in her arms; +and entreated me, for heaven's sake, to comply. + +Speech and tears were lent me at the same time.--You have given me life, +Madam, said I, clasping my uplifted hands together, and falling on one +knee; a happy one, till now, has your goodness, and my papa's, made it! +O do not, do not, make all the remainder of it miserable! + +Your father, replied she, is resolved not to see you, till he sees you +as obedient a child as you used to be. You have never been put to a test +till now, that deserved to be called a test. This is, this must be, +my last effort with you. Give me hope, my dear child: my peace is +concerned: I will compound with you but for hope: and yet your +father will not be satisfied without an implicit, and even a cheerful +obedience--Give me but hope, child! + +To give you hope, my dearest, my most indulgent Mamma, is to give you +every thing. Can I be honest, if I give a hope that I cannot confirm? + +She was very angry. She again called me perverse: she upbraided me with +regarding only my own prepossessions, and respecting not either her +peace of mind or my own duty:--'It is a grating thing, said she, for the +parents of a child, who delighted in her in all the time of her helpless +infancy, and throughout every stage of her childhood; and in every +part of her education to womanhood, because of the promises she gave of +proving the most grateful and dutiful of children; to find, just when +the time arrived which should crown their wishes, that child stand in +the way of her own happiness, and her parents' comfort,and, refusing an +excellent offer and noble settlements, give suspicions to her anxious +friends, that she would become the property of a vile rake and +libertine, who (be the occasion what it will) defies her family, and has +actually embrued his hands in her brother's blood. + +'I have had a very hard time of it, said she, between your father and +you; for, seeing your dislike, I have more than once pleaded for you: +but all to no purpose. I am only treated as a too fond mother, who, +from motives of a blamable indulgence, encourage a child to stand in +opposition to a father's will. I am charged with dividing the family +into two parts; I and my youngest daughter standing against my husband, +his two brothers, my son, my eldest daughter, and my sister Hervey. +I have been told, that I must be convinced of the fitness as well +as advantage to the whole (your brother and Mr. Lovelace out of the +question) of carrying the contract with Mr. Solmes, on which so many +contracts depend, into execution. + +'Your father's heart, I tell you once more, is in it: he has declared, +that he had rather have no daughter in you, than one he cannot dispose +of for your own good: especially if you have owned, that your heart is +free; and as the general good of his whole family is to be promoted +by your obedience. He has pleaded, poor man! that his frequent gouty +paroxysms (every fit more threatening than the former) give him no +extraordinary prospects, either of worldly happiness, or of long days: +and he hopes, that you, who have been supposed to have contributed +to the lengthening of your grandfather's life, will not, by your +disobedience, shorten your father's.' + +This was a most affecting plea, my dear. I wept in silence upon it. I +could not speak to it. And my mother proceeded: 'What therefore can be +his motives, Clary Harlowe, in the earnest desire he has to see this +treaty perfected, but the welfare and aggrandizement of his family; +which already having fortunes to become the highest condition, cannot +but aspire to greater distinctions? However slight such views as these +may appear to you, Clary, you know, that they are not slight ones to any +other of the family: and your father will be his own judge of what +is and what is not likely to promote the good of his children. Your +abstractedness, child, (affectation of abstractedness, some call it,) +savours, let me tell you, of greater particularity, than we aim to +carry. Modesty and humility, therefore, will oblige you rather to +mistrust yourself of peculiarity, than censure views which all the world +pursues, as opportunity offers.' + +I was still silent; and she proceeded--'It is owing to the good opinion, +Clary, which your father has of you, and of your prudence, duty, and +gratitude, that he engaged for your compliance, in your absence (before +you returned from Miss Howe); and that he built and finished contracts +upon it, which cannot be made void, or cancelled.' + +But why then, thought I, did they receive me, on my return from Miss +Howe, with so much intimidating solemnity?--To be sure, my dear, this +argument, as well as the rest, was obtruded upon my mother. + +She went on, 'Your father has declared, that your unexpected opposition, +[unexpected she was pleased to call it,] and Mr. Lovelace's continued +menaces and insults, more and more convince him, that a short day is +necessary in order to put an end to all that man's hopes, and to his own +apprehensions resulting from the disobedience of a child so favoured. He +has therefore actually ordered patterns of the richest silks to be sent +for from London--' + +I started--I was out of breath--I gasped, at this frightful +precipitance--I was going to open with warmth against it. I knew whose +the happy expedient must be: female minds, I once heard my brother say, +that could but be brought to balance on the change of their state, +might easily be determined by the glare and splendour of the nuptial +preparations, and the pride of becoming the mistress of a family.--But +she was pleased to hurry on, that I might not have time to express +my disgusts at such a communication--to this effect: 'Your father +therefore, my Clary, cannot, either for your sake, or his own, labour +under a suspense so affecting to his repose. He has even thought fit to +acquaint me, on my pleading for you, that it becomes me, as I value my +own peace, [how harsh to such a wife!] and as I wish, that he does not +suspect that I secretly favour the address of a vile rake, (a character +which all the sex, he is pleased to say, virtuous and vicious, are but +too fond of!) to exert my authority over you: and that this I may the +less scrupulously do, as you have owned [the old string!] that your +heart is free.' + +Unworthy reflection in my mother's case, surely, this of our sex's +valuing a libertine; since she made choice of my father in preference +to several suitors of equal fortune, because they were of inferior +reputation for morals! + +'Your father, added she, at his going out, told me what he expected +from me, in case I found out that I had not the requisite influence upon +you--It was this--That I should directly separate myself from you, and +leave you singly to take the consequence of your double disobedience--I +therefore entreat you, my dear Clarissa, concluded she, and that in the +most earnest and condescending manner, to signify to your father, on his +return, your ready obedience; and this as well for my sake as your own.' + +Affected by my mother's goodness to me, and by that part of her argument +which related to her own peace, and to the suspicions they had of her +secretly inclining to prefer the man so hated by them, to the man so +much my aversion, I could not but wish it were possible for me to obey, +I therefore paused, hesitated, considered, and was silent for some time. +I could see, that my mother hoped that the result of this hesitation +would be favourable to her arguments. But then recollecting, that all +was owing to the instigations of a brother and sister, wholly actuated +by selfish and envious views; that I had not deserved the treatment I +had of late met with; that my disgrace was already become the public +talk; that the man was Mr. Solmes; and that my aversion to him was too +generally known, to make my compliance either creditable to myself or +to them: that it would give my brother and sister a triumph over me, +and over Mr. Lovelace, which they would not fail to glory in; and which, +although it concerned me but little to regard on his account, yet might +be attended with fatal mischiefs--And then Mr. Solmes's +disagreeable person; his still more disagreeable manners; his low +understanding--Understanding! the glory of a man, so little to be +dispensed with in the head and director of a family, in order to +preserve to him that respect which a good wife (and that for the +justification of her own choice) should pay him herself, and wish every +body to pay him.--And as Mr. Solmes's inferiority in this respectable +faculty of the human mind [I must be allowed to say this to you, and no +great self assumption neither] would proclaim to all future, as well as +to all present observers, what must have been my mean inducement. All +these reflections crowding upon my remembrance; I would, Madam, said +I, folding my hands, with an earnestness in which my whole heart was +engaged, bear the cruelest tortures, bear loss of limb, and even of +life, to give you peace. But this man, every moment I would, at you +command, think of him with favour, is the more my aversion. You cannot, +indeed you cannot, think, how my whole soul resists him!--And to talk +of contracts concluded upon; of patterns; of a short day!--Save me, +save me, O my dearest Mamma, save your child, from this heavy, from this +insupportable evil--! + +Never was there a countenance that expressed so significantly, as my +mother's did, an anguish, which she struggled to hide, under an anger +she was compelled to assume--till the latter overcoming the former, she +turned from me with an uplifted eye, and stamping--Strange perverseness! +were the only words I heard of a sentence that she angrily pronounced; +and was going. I then, half-frantically I believe, laid hold of her +gown--Have patience with me, dearest Madam! said I--Do not you renounce +me totally!--If you must separate yourself from your child, let it +not be with absolute reprobation on your own part!--My uncles may be +hard-hearted--my father may be immovable--I may suffer from my brother's +ambition, and from my sister's envy!--But let me not lose my Mamma's +love; at least, her pity. + +She turned to me with benigner rays--You have my love! You have my pity! +But, O my dearest girl--I have not yours. + +Indeed, indeed, Madam, you have: and all my reverence, all my gratitude, +you have!--But in this one point--Cannot I be this once obliged?--Will +no expedient be accepted? Have I not made a very fair proposal as to Mr. +Lovelace? + +I wish, for both our sakes, my dear unpersuadable girl, that the +decision of this point lay with me. But why, when you know it does not, +why should you thus perplex and urge me?--To renounce Mr. Lovelace is +now but half what is aimed at. Nor will any body else believe you in +earnest in the offer, if I would. While you remain single, Mr. Lovelace +will have hopes--and you, in the opinion of others, inclinations. + +Permit me, dearest Madam, to say, that your goodness to me, your +patience, your peace, weigh more with me, than all the rest put +together: for although I am to be treated by my brother, and, through +his instigations, by my father, as a slave in this point, and not as a +daughter, yet my mind is not that of a slave. You have not brought me up +to be mean. + +So, Clary! you are already at defiance with your father! I have had too +much cause before to apprehend as much--What will this come to?--I, and +then my dear mamma sighed--I, am forced to put up with many humours-- + +That you are, my ever-honoured Mamma, is my grief. And can it be +thought, that this very consideration, and the apprehension of what may +result from a much worse-tempered man, (a man who has not half the sense +of my father,) has not made an impression upon me, to the disadvantage +of the married life? Yet 'tis something of an alleviation, if one must +bear undue controul, to bear it from a man of sense. My father, I +have heard you say, Madam, was for years a very good-humoured +gentleman--unobjectionable in person and manners--but the man proposed +to me-- + +Forbear reflecting upon your father: [Did I, my dear, in what I have +repeated, and I think they are the very words, reflect upon my father?] +it is not possible, I must say again, and again, were all men equally +indifferent to you, that you should be thus sturdy in your will. I am +tired out with your obstinacy--The most unpersuadable girl--You forget, +that I must separate myself from you, if you will not comply. You do not +remember that you father will take you up, where I leave you. Once +more, however, I will put it to you,--Are you determined to brave your +father's displeasure?--Are you determined to defy your uncles?--Do you +choose to break with us all, rather than encourage Mr. Solmes?--Rather +than give me hope? + +Dreadful alternative--But is not my sincerity, is not the integrity of +my heart, concerned in the answer? May not my everlasting happiness +be the sacrifice? Will not the least shadow of the hope you just now +demanded from me, be driven into absolute and sudden certainty? Is it +not sought to ensnare, to entangle me in my own desire of obeying, if +I could give answers that might be construed into hope?--Forgive +me, Madam: bear with your child's boldness in such a cause as +this!--Settlements drawn!--Patterns sent for!--An early day!--Dear, dear +Madam, how can I give hope, and not intend to be this man's? + +Ah, girl, never say your heart is free! You deceive yourself if you +think it is. + +Thus to be driven [and I wrung my hands through impatience] by the +instigations of a designing, an ambitious brother, and by a sister, +that-- + +How often, Clary, must I forbid your unsisterly reflections?--Does not +your father, do not your uncles, does not every body, patronize +Mr. Solmes? And let me tell you, ungrateful girl, and unmovable as +ungrateful, let me repeatedly tell you, that it is evident to me, that +nothing but a love unworthy of your prudence can make you a creature +late so dutiful, now so sturdy. You may guess what your father's first +question on his return will be. He must know, that I can do nothing with +you. I have done my part. Seek me, if your mind change before he comes +back: you have yet a little more time, as he stays supper. I will no +more seek you, nor to you.--And away she flung. + +What could I do but weep? + +I am extremely affected on my mother's account--more, I must needs say, +than on my own. And indeed, all things considered, and especially, that +the measure she is engaged in, is (as I dare say it is) against her own +judgment, she deserves more compassion than myself.--Excellent woman! +What pity, that meekness and condescension should not be attended with +the due rewards of those charming graces!--Yet had she not let violent +spirits (as I have elsewhere observed with no small regret) find their +power over hers, it could not have been thus. + +But here, run away with my pen, I suffer my mother to be angry with me +on her own account. She hinted to me, indeed, that I must seek her, if +my mind changed; which is a condition that amounts to a prohibition of +attending her: but, as she left me in displeasure, will it not have a +very obstinate appearance, and look like a kind of renunciation of her +mediation in my favour, if I go not down before my father returns, to +supplicate her pity, and her kind report to him? + +I will attend her. I had rather all the world should be angry with me +than my mamma! + +Mean time, to clear my hands from papers of such a nature, Hannah shall +deposit this. If two or three letters reach you together, they will but +express from one period to another, the anxieties and difficulties which +the mind of your unhappy but ever affectionate friend labours under. + +CL. H. + + + + +LETTER XXI + +MISS CLARISSA HARLOWE, TO MISS HOWE SAT. NIGHT. + + +I have been down. I am to be unlucky in all I do, I think, be my +intentions ever so good. I have made matters worse instead of better: as +I shall now tell you. + +I found my mother and sister together in my sister's parlour. My mother, +I fear, by the glow of her fine face, (and as the browner, sullener glow +in her sister's confirmed,) had been expressing herself with warmth, +against her unhappier child: perhaps giving such an account of what had +passed, as should clear herself, and convince Bella, and, through her, +my brother and uncles, of the sincere pains she had taken with me. + +I entered like a dejected criminal; and besought the favour of a private +audience. My mother's return, both looks and words, gave but too much +reason for my above surmise. + +You have, said she [looking at me with a sternness that never sits well +on her sweet features] rather a requesting than a conceding countenance, +Clarissa Harlowe: if I am mistaken, tell me so; and I will withdraw with +you wherever you will.--Yet whether so, or not, you may say what you +have to say before your sister. + +My mother, I thought, might have withdrawn with me, as she knows that I +have not a friend in my sister. + +I come down, Madam, said I, to beg of you to forgive me for any thing +you may have taken amiss in what passed above respecting your honoured +self; and that you will be pleased to use your endeavours to soften my +papa's displeasure against me, on his return. + +Such aggravating looks; such lifting up of hands and eyes; such a +furrowed forehead, in my sister! + +My mother was angry enough without all that; and asked me to what +purpose I came down, if I were still so intractable. + +She had hardly spoken the words, when Shorey came in to tell her, that +Mr. Solmes was in the hall, and desired admittance. + +Ugly creature! What, at the close of day, quite dark, brought him +hither?--But, on second thoughts, I believe it was contrived, that he +should be here at supper, to know the result of the conference between +my mother and me, and that my father, on his return, might find us +together. + +I was hurrying away, but my mother commanded me (since I had come down +only, as she said, to mock her) not to stir; and at the same time see +if I could behave so to Mr. Solmes, as might encourage her to make the +favourable report to my father which I had besought her to make. + +My sister triumphed. I was vexed to be so caught, and to have such an +angry and cutting rebuke given me, with an aspect much more like the +taunting sister than the indulgent mother, if I may presume to say so: +for she herself seemed to enjoy the surprise upon me. + +The man stalked in. His usual walk is by pauses, as if (from the same +vacuity of thought which made Dryden's clown whistle) he was telling +his steps: and first paid his clumsy respects to my mother; then to my +sister; next to me, as if I was already his wife, and therefore to be +last in his notice; and sitting down by me, told us in general what +weather it was. Very cold he made it; but I was warm enough. Then +addressing himself to me: And how do you find it, Miss? was his +question; and would have taken my hand. + +I withdrew it, I believe with disdain enough. My mother frowned. My +sister bit her lip. + +I could not contain myself: I was never so bold in my life; for I went +on with my plea, as if Mr. Solmes had not been there. + +My mother coloured, and looked at him, at my sister, and at me. My +sister's eyes were opener and bigger than ever I saw them before. + +The man understood me. He hemmed, and removed from one chair to another. + +I went on, supplicating for my mother's favourable report: Nothing but +invincible dislike, said I-- + +What would the girl be at, interrupted my mother? Why, Clary! Is this a +subject!--Is this!--Is this!--Is this a time--And again she looked upon +Mr. Solmes. + +I am sorry, on reflection, that I put my mamma into so much +confusion--To be sure it was very saucy in me. + +I beg pardon, Madam, said I. But my papa will soon return. And since +I am not permitted to withdraw, it is not necessary, I humbly presume, +that Mr. Solmes's presence should deprive me of this opportunity to +implore your favourable report; and at the same time, if he still visit +on my account [looking at him] to convince him, that it cannot possibly +be to any purpose-- + +Is the girl mad? said my mother, interrupting me. + +My sister, with the affectation of a whisper to my mother--This is--This +is spite, Madam, [very spitefully she spoke the word,] because you +commanded her to stay. + +I only looked at her, and turning to my mother, Permit me, Madam, said +I, to repeat my request. I have no brother, no sister!--If I ever lose +my mamma's favour, I am lost for ever! + +Mr. Solmes removed to his first seat, and fell to gnawing the head of +his hazel; a carved head, almost as ugly as his own--I did not think the +man was so sensible. + +My sister rose, with a face all over scarlet; and stepping to the table, +where lay a fan, she took it up, and, although Mr. Solmes had observed +that the weather was cold, fanned herself very violently. + +My mother came to me, and angrily taking my hand, led me out of that +parlour into my own; which, you know, is next to it--Is not this +behaviour very bold, very provoking, think you, Clary? + +I beg your pardon, Madam, if it has that appearance to you. But indeed, +my dear Mamma, there seem to be snares laying in wait for me. Too well +I know my brother's drift. With a good word he shall have my consent for +all he wishes to worm me out of--neither he, nor my sister, shall need +to take half this pains-- + +My mother was about to leave me in high displeasure. + +I besought her to stay: One favour, but one favour, dearest Madam, said +I, give me leave to beg of you-- + +What would the girl? + +I see how every thing is working about.--I never, never can think of Mr. +Solmes. My papa will be in tumults when he is told that I cannot. They +will judge of the tenderness of your heart to a poor child who seems +devoted by every one else, from the willingness you have already shewn +to hearken to my prayers. There will be endeavours used to confine me, +and keep me out of your presence, and out of the presence of every one +who used to love me [this, my dear Miss Howe, is threatened]. If this +be effected; if it be put out of my power to plead my own cause, and to +appeal to you, and to my uncle Harlowe, of whom only I have hope; then +will every ear be opened against me, and every tale encouraged--It +is, therefore, my humble request, that, added to the disgraceful +prohibitions I now suffer under, you will not, if you can help it, give +way to my being denied your ear. + +Your listening Hannah has given you this intelligence, as she does many +others. + +My Hannah, Madam, listens not--My Hannah-- + +No more in Hannah's behalf--Hannah is known to make mischief--Hannah +is known--But no more of that bold intermeddler--'Tis true your father +threatened to confine you to your chamber, if you complied not, in order +the more assuredly to deprive you of the opportunity of corresponding +with those who harden your heart against his will. He bid me tell you +so, when he went out, if I found you refractory. But I was loth to +deliver so harsh a declaration; being still in hope that you would come +down to us in a compliant temper. Hannah has overheard this, I suppose; +and has told you of it; as also, that he declared he would break your +heart, rather than you should break his. And I now assure you, that you +will be confined, and prohibited making teasing appeals to any of us: +and we shall see who is to submit, you to us, or every body to you. + +Again I offered to clear Hannah, and to lay the latter part of the +intelligence to my sister's echo, Betty Barnes, who had boasted of it to +another servant: but I was again bid to be silent on that head. I +should soon find, my mother was pleased to say, that others could be as +determined as I was obstinate: and once for all would add, that since +she saw that I built upon her indulgence, and was indifferent about +involving her in contentions with my father, she would now assure me, +that she was as much determined against Mr. Lovelace, and for Mr. Solmes +and the family schemes, as any body; and would not refuse her consent to +any measures that should be thought necessary to reduce a stubborn child +to her duty. + +I was ready to sink. She was so good as to lend me her arm to support +me. + +And this, said I, is all I have to hope for from my Mamma? + +It is. But, Clary, this one further opportunity I give you--Go in again +to Mr. Solmes, and behave discreetly to him; and let your father find +you together, upon civil terms at least. + +My feet moved [of themselves, I think] farther from the parlour where he +was, and towards the stairs; and there I stopped and paused. + +If, proceeded she, you are determined to stand in defiance of us +all--then indeed you may go up to your chamber (as you are ready to +do)--And God help you! + +God help me, indeed! for I cannot give hope of what I cannot intend--But +let me have your prayers, my dear Mamma!--Those shall have mine, who +have brought me into all this distress. + +I was moving to go up-- + +And will you go up, Clary? + +I turned my face to her: my officious tears would needs plead for me: I +could not just then speak, and stood still. + +Good girl, distress me not thus!--Dear, good girl, do not thus distress +me! holding out her hand; but standing still likewise. + +What can I do, Madam?--What can I do? + +Go in again, my child--Go in again, my dear child!--repeated she; and +let your father find you together. + +What, Madam, to give him hope?--To give hope to Mr. Solmes? + +Obstinate, perverse, undutiful Clarissa! with a rejecting hand, and +angry aspect; then take your own way, and go up!--But stir not down +again, I charge you, without leave, or till your father's pleasure be +known concerning you. + +She flung away from me with high indignation: and I went up with a very +heavy heart; and feet as slow as my heart was heavy. + + +*** + + +My father is come home, and my brother with him. Late as it is, they are +all shut up together. Not a door opens; not a soul stirs. Hannah, as she +moves up and down, is shunned as a person infected. + + +*** + + +The angry assembly is broken up. My two uncles and my aunt Hervey are +sent for, it seems, to be here in the morning to breakfast. I shall +then, I suppose, know my doom. 'Tis past eleven, and I am ordered not to +go to bed. + + +TWELVE O'CLOCK. + + +This moment the keys of every thing are taken from me. It was proposed +to send for me down: but my father said, he could not bear to look upon +me.--Strange alteration in a few weeks!--Shorey was the messenger. The +tears stood in her eyes when she delivered her message. + +You, my dear, are happy--May you always be so--and then I can never be +wholly miserable. Adieu, my beloved friend! + +CL. HARLOWE. + + + + +LETTER XXII + +MISS CLARISSA HARLOWE, TO MISS HOWE SUNDAY MORNING, MARCH 5. + + +Hannah has just brought me from the private place in the garden-wall, a +letter from Mr. Lovelace, deposited last night, signed also by Lord M. + +He tells me in it, 'That Mr. Solmes makes it his boast, that he is to +be married in a few days to one of the shyest women in England: that my +brother explains his meaning: This shy creature, he says, is me; and +he assures every one, that his younger sister is very soon to be Mr. +Solmes's wife. He tells me of the patterns bespoken which my mother +mentioned to me.' + +Not one thing escapes him that is done or said in this house. + +'My sister, he says, reports the same things; and that with such +particular aggravations of insult upon him, that he cannot but be +extremely piqued, as well at the manner, as from the occasion; and +expresses himself with great violence upon it. + +'He knows not, he says, what my relations' inducements can be to prefer +such a man as Solmes to him. If advantageous settlements be the motive, +Solmes shall not offer what he will refuse to comply with. + +'As to his estate and family; the first cannot be excepted against: and +for the second, he will not disgrace himself by a comparison so odious. +He appeals to Lord M. for the regularity of his life and manners ever +since he has made his addresses to me, or had hope of my favour.' + +I suppose he would have his Lordship's signing to this letter to be +taken as a voucher for him. + +'He desires my leave (in company with my Lord), in a pacific manner, +to attend my father and uncles, in order to make proposals that must be +accepted, if they will see him, and hear what they are: and tells me, +that he will submit to any measures that I shall prescribe, in order to +bring about a reconciliation.' + +He presumes to be very earnest with me, 'to give him a private meeting +some night, in my father's garden, attended by whom I please.' + +Really, my dear, were you to see his letter, you would think I had given +him great encouragement, and that I am in direct treaty with him; or +that he is sure that my friends will drive me into a foreign protection; +for he has the boldness to offer, in my Lord's name, an asylum to me, +should I be tyrannically treated in Solmes's behalf. + +I suppose it is the way of this sex to endeavour to entangle the +thoughtless of ours by bold supposals and offers, in hopes that we shall +be too complaisant or bashful to quarrel with them; and, if not checked, +to reckon upon our silence, as assents voluntarily given, or concessions +made in their favour. + +There are other particulars in this letter which I ought to mention to +you: but I will take an opportunity to send you the letter itself, or a +copy of it. + +For my own part, I am very uneasy to think how I have been drawn on one +hand, and driven on the other, into a clandestine, in short, into a mere +loverlike correspondence, which my heart condemns. + +It is easy to see, if I do not break it off, that Mr. Lovelace's +advantages, by reason of my unhappy situation, will every day increase, +and I shall be more and more entangled. Yet if I do put an end to +it, without making it a condition of being freed from Mr. Solmes's +address--May I, my dear, is it best to continue it a little longer, in +order to extricate myself out of the other difficulty, by giving up all +thoughts of Mr. Lovelace?--Whose advice can I now ask but yours. + +All my relations are met. They are at breakfast together. Mr. Solmes is +expected. I am excessively uneasy. I must lay down my pen. + + +*** + + +They are all going to church together. Grievously disordered they appear +to be, as Hannah tells me. She believes something is resolved upon. + + +SUNDAY NOON. + + +What a cruel thing is suspense!--I will ask leave to go to church this +afternoon. I expect to be denied. But, if I do not ask, they may allege, +that my not going is owing to myself. + + +*** + + +I desired to speak with Shorey. Shorey came. I directed her to carry to +my mother my request for permission to go to church this afternoon. What +think you was the return? Tell her, that she must direct herself to +her brother for any favour she has to ask.--So, my dear, I am to be +delivered up to my brother! + +I was resolved, however, to ask of him this favour. Accordingly, when +they sent me up my solitary dinner, I gave the messenger a billet, +in which I made it my humble request through him to my father, to be +permitted to go to church this afternoon. + +This was the contemptuous answer: 'Tell her, that her request will be +taken into consideration to-morrow.' + +Patience will be the fittest return I can make to such an insult. But +this method will not do with me; indeed it will not! And yet it is but +the beginning, I suppose, of what I am to expect from my brother, now I +am delivered up to him. + + + +On recollection, I thought it best to renew my request. I did. The +following is a copy of what I wrote, and what follows that, of the +answer sent me. + + +SIR, + +I know not what to make of the answer brought to my request of being +permitted to go to church this afternoon. If you designed to shew your +pleasantry by it, I hope that will continue; and then my request will be +granted. + +You know, that I never absented myself, when well, and at home, till the +two last Sundays; when I was advised not to go. My present situation is +such, that I never more wanted the benefit of the public prayers. + +I will solemnly engage only to go thither, and back again. + +I hope it cannot be thought that I would do otherwise. + +My dejection of spirits will give a too just excuse on the score +of indisposition for avoiding visits. Nor will I, but by distant +civilities, return the compliments of any of my acquaintances. My +disgraces, if they are to have an end, need not be proclaimed to the +whole world. I ask this favour, therefore, for my reputation's sake, +that I may be able to hold up my head in the neighbourhood, if I live to +see an end of the unmerited severities which seem to be designed for + +Your unhappy sister, CL. HARLOWE. + + + +TO MISS CLARISSA HARLOWE + +For a girl to lay so much stress upon going to church, and yet resolve +to defy her parents, in an article of the greatest consequence to them, +and to the whole family, is an absurdity. You are recommended, Miss, to +the practice of your private devotions. May they be efficacious upon the +mind of one of the most pervicacious young creatures that ever was heard +of! The intention is, I tell you plainly, to mortify you into a sense +of your duty. The neighbours you are so solicitous to appear well with, +already know, that you defy that. So, Miss, if you have a real value for +your reputation, shew it as you ought. It is yet in your own power to +establish or impair it. + +JA. HARLOWE. + + + +Thus, my dear Miss Howe, has my brother got me into his snares; and I, +like a poor silly bird, the more I struggle, am the more entangled. + + + + +LETTER XXIII + +MISS CLARISSA HARLOWE, TO MISS HOWE MONDAY MORNING, MARCH 6. + + +They are resolved to break my heart. My poor Hannah is +discharged--disgracefully discharged!--Thus it was. + +Within half an hour after I had sent the poor girl down for my +breakfast, that bold creature Betty Barnes, my sister's confidant and +servant, (if a favourite maid and confidant can be deemed a servant,) +came up. + +What, Miss, will you please to have for breakfast? + +I was surprised. What will I have for breakfast, +Betty!--How!--What!--How comes it!--Then I named Hannah. I could not +tell what to say. + +Don't be surprised, Miss:--but you'll see Hannah no more in this house. + +God forbid!--Is any harm come to Hannah?--What! What is the matter with +Hannah? + +Why, Miss, the short and the long is this: Your papa and mamma think +Hannah has staid long enough in the house to do mischief; and so she +is ordered to troop [that was the confident creature's word]; and I am +directed to wait upon you in her stead. + +I burst into tears. I have no service for you, Betty Barnes; none at +all. But where is Hannah? Cannot I speak with the poor girl? I owe her +half a year's wages. May I not see the honest creature, and pay her her +wages? I may never see her again perhaps; for they are resolved to break +my heart. + +And they think you are resolved to break theirs: so tit for tat, Miss. + +Impertinent I called her; and asked her, if it were upon such confident +terms that her service was to begin. + +I was so very earnest to see the poor maid, that (to oblige me, as she +said) she went down with my request. + +The worthy creature was as earnest to see me; and the favour was granted +in presence of Shorey and Betty. + +I thanked her, when she came up, for her past service to me. + +Her heart was ready to break. And she began to vindicate her fidelity +and love; and disclaimed any mischief she had ever made. + +I told her, that those who occasioned her being turned out of my +service, made no question of her integrity: that her dismission was +intended for an indignity to me: that I was very sorry to be obliged to +part with her, and hoped she would meet with as good a service. + +Never, never, wringing her hands, should she meet with a mistress +she loved so well. And the poor creature ran on in my praises, and in +professions of love to me. + +We are all apt, you know, my dear, to praise our benefactors, because +they are our benefactors; as if every body did right or wrong, as they +obliged or disobliged us. But this good creature deserved to be kindly +treated; so I could have no merit in favouring one whom it would have +been ungrateful not to distinguish. + +I gave her a little linen, some laces, and other odd things; and instead +of four pounds which were due to her, ten guineas: and said, if ever I +were again allowed to be my own mistress, I would think of her in the +first place. + +Betty enviously whispered Shorey upon it. + +Hannah told me, before their faces, having no other opportunity, that +she had been examined about letters to me, and from me: and that she +had given her pockets to Miss Harlowe, who looked into them, and put her +fingers in her stays, to satisfy herself that she had not any. + +She gave me an account of the number of my pheasants and bantams; and I +said, they should be my own care twice or thrice a day. + +We wept over each other at parting. The girl prayed for all the family. + +To have so good a servant so disgracefully dismissed, is very cruel: and +I could not help saying that these methods might break my heart, but not +any other way answer the end of the authors of my disgraces. + +Betty, with a very saucy fleer, said to Shorey, There would be a trial +of skill about that she fancied. But I took no notice of it. If this +wench thinks that I have robbed her young mistress of a lover, as you +say she has given out, she may believe that it is some degree of merit +in herself to be impertinent to me. + +Thus have I been forced to part with my faithful Hannah. If you can +command the good creature to a place worthy of her, pray do for my sake. + + + + +LETTER XXIV + +MISS CLARISSA HARLOWE, TO MISS HOWE MONDAY, NEAR 12 O'CLOCK. + + +The enclosed letter was just now delivered to me. My brother has carried +all his points. + +I send you also the copy of my answer. No more at this time can I +write--! + + + +MONDAY, MAR. 6. + +MISS CLARY, + + +By command of your father and mother I write expressly to forbid you to +come into their presence, or into the garden when they are there: nor +when they are not there, but with Betty Banes to attend you; except by +particular license or command. + +On their blessings, you are forbidden likewise to correspond with the +vile Lovelace; as it is well known you did by means of your sly Hannah. +Whence her sudden discharge. As was fit. + +Neither are you to correspond with Miss Howe; who has given herself high +airs of late; and might possibly help on your correspondence with that +detested libertine. Nor, in short, with any body without leave. + +You are not to enter into the presence of either of your uncles, without +their leave first obtained. It is a mercy to you, after such a behaviour +to your mother, that your father refuses to see you. + +You are not to be seen in any apartment of the house you so lately +governed as you pleased, unless you are commanded down. + +In short, you are strictly to confine yourself to your chamber, except +now and then, in Betty Barnes's sight (as aforesaid) you take a morning +or evening turn in the garden: and then you are to go directly, and +without stopping at any apartment in the way, up or down the back +stairs, that the sight of so perverse a young creature may not add to +the pain you have given every body. + +The hourly threatenings of your fine fellow, as well as your own +unheard-of obstinacy, will account to you for all this. What a hand has +the best and most indulgent of mothers had with you, who so long pleaded +for you, and undertook for you; even when others, from the manner of +your setting out, despaired of moving you!--What must your perverseness +have been, that such a mother can give you up! She thinks it right so to +do: nor will take you to favour, unless you make the first steps, by a +compliance with your duty. + +As for myself, whom perhaps you think hardly of [in very good company, +if you do, that is my sole consolation]; I have advised, that you may be +permitted to pursue your own inclinations, (some people need no greater +punishment than such a permission,) and not to have the house encumbered +by one who must give them the more pain for the necessity she has laid +them under of avoiding the sight of her, although in it. + +If any thing I have written appear severe or harsh, it is still in your +power (but perhaps will not always be so) to remedy it; and that by a +single word. + +Betty Barnes has orders to obey you in all points consistent with her +duty to those whom you owe it, as well as she. + +JA. HARLOWE. + + + +TO JAMES HARLOWE, JUNIOR, ESQ. + +SIR, + +I will only say, That you may congratulate yourself on having so far +succeeded in all your views, that you may report what you please of me, +and I can no more defend myself, than if I were dead. Yet one favour, +nevertheless, I will beg of you. It is this--That you will not occasion +more severities, more disgraces, that are necessary for carrying into +execution your further designs, whatever they be, against + +Your unhappy sister, CLARISSA HARLOWE. + + + + +LETTER XXV + +MISS CLARISSA HARLOWE, TO MISS HOWE TUESDAY, MARCH 7. + + +By my last deposit, you will see how I am driven, and what a poor +prisoner I am.--No regard had to my reputation. The whole matter is now +before you. Can such measures be supposed to soften?--But surely they +can only mean to try and frighten me into my brother's views!--All my +hope is, to be able to weather this point till my cousin Morden comes +from Florence; and he is soon expected: yet, if they are determined upon +a short day, I doubt he will not be here in time enough to save me. + +It is plain by my brother's letter, that my mother has not spared me, in +the report she was pleased to make of the conference between herself and +me: yet she was pleased to hint to me, that my brother had views which +she would have had me try to disappoint. But indeed she had engaged to +give a faithful account of what was to pass between herself and me: and +it was, doubtless, much more eligible to give up a daughter, than to +disoblige a husband, and every other person of the family. + +They think they have done every thing by turning away my poor Hannah: +but as long as the liberty of the garden, and my poultry-visits, are +allowed me, they will be mistaken. + +I asked Mrs. Betty, if she had any orders to watch or attend me; or +whether I was to ask her leave whenever I should be disposed to walk in +the garden, or to go feed my bantams?--Lord bless her! what could I mean +by such a question! Yet she owned, that she had heard, that I was not to +go into the garden, when my father, mother, or uncles were there. + +However, as it behoved me to be assured on this head, I went down +directly, and staid an hour, without question or impediment; and yet a +good part of the time, I walked under and in sight, as I may say, of my +brother's study window, where both he and my sister happened to be. +And I am sure they saw me, by the loud mirth they affected, by way of +insult, as I suppose. + +So this part of my restraint was doubtless a stretch of the authority +given him. The enforcing of that may perhaps come next. But I hope not. + + +TUESDAY NIGHT. + + +Since I wrote the above, I ventured to send a letter by Shorey to my +mother. I desired her to give it into her own hand, when nobody was by. + +I shall enclose a copy of it. You will see that I would have it thought, +that now Hannah is gone, I have no way to correspond out of the house. I +am far from thinking all I do right. I am afraid this is a little piece +of art, that is not so. But this is an afterthought. The letter went +first. + + +HONOURED MADAM, + +Having acknowledged to you, that I had received letters from Mr. +Lovelace full of resentment, and that I answered them purely to prevent +further mischief, and having shewn you copies of my answers, which you +did not disapprove of, although you thought fit, after you had read +them, to forbid me any further correspondence with him, I think it my +duty to acquaint you, that another letter from him has since come to my +hand, in which he is very earnest with me to permit him to wait on my +papa, or you, or my two uncles, in a pacific way, accompanied by Lord +M.: on which I beg your commands. + +I own to you, Madam, that had not the prohibition been renewed, and had +not Hannah been so suddenly dismissed my service, I should have made +the less scruple to have written an answer, and to have commanded her +to convey it to him, with all speed, in order to dissuade him from these +visits, lest any thing should happen on the occasion that my heart aches +but to think of. + +And here I cannot but express my grief, that I should have all the +punishment and all the blame, who, as I have reason to think, have +prevented great mischief, and have not been the occasion of any. For, +Madam, could I be supposed to govern the passions of either of the +gentlemen?--Over the one indeed I have had some little influence, +without giving him hitherto any reason to think he has fastened an +obligation upon me for it.--Over the other, Who, Madam, has any?--I am +grieved at heart, to be obliged to lay so great a blame at my brother's +door, although my reputation and my liberty are both to be sacrificed +to his resentment and ambition. May not, however, so deep a sufferer be +permitted to speak out? + +This communication being as voluntarily made, as dutifully intended, +I humbly presume to hope, that I shall not be required to produce the +letter itself. I cannot either in honour or prudence do that, because of +the vehemence of his style; for having heard [not, I assure you, by my +means, or through Hannah's] of some part of the harsh treatment I have +met with; he thinks himself entitled to place it to his own account, by +reason of speeches thrown out by some of my relations, equally vehement. + +If I do not answer him, he will be made desperate, and think himself +justified (thought I shall not think him so) in resenting the treatment +he complains of: if I do, and if, in compliment to me, he forbears to +resent what he thinks himself entitled to resent; be pleased, Madam, to +consider the obligation he will suppose he lays me under. + +If I were as strongly prepossessed in his favour as is supposed, I +should not have wished this to be considered by you. And permit me, as +a still further proof that I am not prepossessed, to beg of you to +consider, Whether, upon the whole, the proposal I made, of declaring for +the single life (which I will religiously adhere to) is not the best way +to get rid of his pretensions with honour. To renounce him, and not be +allowed to aver, that I will never be the other man's, will make him +conclude (driven as I am driven) that I am determined in that other +man's favour. + +If this has not its due weight, my brother's strange schemes must be +tried, and I will resign myself to my destiny with all the acquiescence +that shall be granted to my prayers. And so leaving the whole to your +own wisdom, and whether you choose to consult my papa and uncles upon +this humble application, or not; or whether I shall be allowed to write +an answer to Mr. Lovelace, or not [and if allowed to do so, I beg your +direction by whom to send it]; I remain, + +Honoured Madam, Your unhappy, but ever dutiful daughter, CL. HARLOWE. + + +WEDNESDAY MORNING. + + +I have just received an answer to the enclosed letter. My mother, you +will observe, has ordered me to burn it: but, as you will have it in +your safekeeping, and nobody else will see it, her end will be equally +answered, as if it were burnt. It has neither date nor superscription. + + +CLARISSA, + +Say not all the blame and all the punishment is yours. I am as much +blamed, and as much punished, as you are; yet am more innocent. When +your obstinacy is equal to any other person's passion, blame not your +brother. We judged right, that Hannah carried on your correspondencies. +Now she is gone, and you cannot write [we think you cannot] to Miss +Howe, nor she to you, without our knowledge, one cause of uneasiness and +jealousy is over. + +I had no dislike of Hannah. I did not tell her so; because somebody was +within hearing when she desired to pay her duty to me at going. I gave +her a caution, in a raised voice, To take care, wherever she went to +live next, if there were any young ladies, how she made parties, and +assisted in clandestine correspondencies. But I slid two guineas into +her hand: nor was I angry to hear that you were still more bountiful to +her. So much for Hannah. + +I don't know what to write, about your answering that man of violence. +What can you think of it, that such a family as ours, should have such +a rod held over it?--For my part, I have not owned that I know you have +corresponded. By your last boldness to me [an astonishing one it was, +to pursue before Mr. Solmes the subject I was forced to break from +above-stairs!] you may, as far as I know, plead, that you had my +countenance for your correspondence with him; and so add to the +uneasiness between your father and me. You were once my comfort, +Clarissa; you made all my hardships tolerable:--But now!--However, +nothing, it is plain, can move you; and I will say no more on that head: +for you are under your father's discipline now; and he will neither be +prescribed to, nor entreated. + +I should have been glad to see the letter you tell me of, as I saw the +rest. You say, both honour and prudence forbid you to shew it to me.--O +Clarissa! what think you of receiving letters that honour and prudence +forbid you to shew to a mother!--But it is not for me to see it, if you +would choose to shew it me. I will not be in your secret. I will not +know that you did correspond. And, as to an answer, take your own +methods. But let him know it will be the last you will write. And, if +you do write, I won't see it: so seal it up (if you do) and give it to +Shorey; and she--Yet do not think I give you license to write. + +We will be upon no conditions with him, nor will you be allowed to be +upon any. Your father and uncles would have no patience were he to come. +What have you to do to oblige him with your refusal of Mr. Solmes?--Will +not that refusal be to give him hope? And while he has any, can we be +easy or free from his insults? Were even your brother in fault, as that +fault cannot be conquered, is a sister to carry on a correspondence that +shall endanger her brother? But your father has given his sanction to +your brother's dislikes, your uncles', and every body's!--No matter to +whom owing. + +As to the rest, you have by your obstinacy put it out of my power to do +any thing for you. Your father takes it upon himself to be answerable +for all consequences. You must not therefore apply to me for favour. +I shall endeavour to be only an observer: Happy, if I could be an +unconcerned one!--While I had power, you would not let me use it as I +would have used it. Your aunt has been forced to engage not to interfere +but by your father's direction. You'll have severe trials. If you have +any favour to hope for, it must be from the mediation of your uncles. +And yet, I believe, they are equally determined: for they make it a +principle, [alas! they never had children!] that that child, who in +marriage is not governed by her parents, is to be given up as a lost +creature! + +I charge you, let not this letter be found. Burn it. There is too much +of the mother in it, to a daughter so unaccountably obstinate. + +Write not another letter to me. I can do nothing for you. But you can do +every thing for yourself. + + +*** + + +Now, my dear, to proceed with my melancholy narrative. + +After this letter, you will believe, that I could have very little +hopes, that an application directly to my father would stand me in any +stead: but I thought it became me to write, were it but to acquit myself +to myself, that I have left nothing unattempted that has the least +likelihood to restore me to his favour. Accordingly I wrote to the +following effect: + + +I presume not, I say, to argue with my Papa; I only beg his mercy and +indulgence in this one point, on which depends my present, and perhaps +my future, happiness; and beseech him not to reprobate his child for an +aversion which it is not in her power to conquer. I beg, that I may not +be sacrificed to projects, and remote contingencies. I complain of the +disgraces I suffer in this banishment from his presence, and in being +confined to my chamber. In every thing but this one point, I promise +implicit duty and resignation to his will. I repeat my offers of a +single life; and appeal to him, whether I have ever given him cause to +doubt my word. I beg to be admitted to his, and to my mamma's, presence, +and that my conduct may be under their own eye: and this with the more +earnestness, as I have too much reason to believe that snares are laid +for me; and tauntings and revilings used on purpose to make a handle of +my words against me, when I am not permitted to speak in my own defence. +I conclude with hoping, that my brother's instigations may not rob an +unhappy child of her father. + + +*** + + +This is the answer, sent without superscription, and unsealed, although +by Betty Barnes, who delivered it with an air, as if she knew the +contents. + + +WEDNESDAY. + +I write, perverse girl; but with all the indignation that your +disobedience deserves. To desire to be forgiven a fault you own, and +yet resolve to persevere in, is a boldness, no more to be equaled, +than passed over. It is my authority you defy. Your reflections upon a +brother, that is an honour to us all, deserve my utmost resentment. I +see how light all relationship sits upon you. The cause I guess at, +too. I cannot bear the reflections that naturally arise from this +consideration. Your behaviour to your too-indulgent and too-fond +mother----But, I have no patience--Continue banished from my presence, +undutiful as you are, till you know how to conform to my will. +Ingrateful creature! Your letter but upbraid me for my past indulgence. +Write no more to me, till you can distinguish better; and till you are +convinced of your duty to + +A JUSTLY INCENSED FATHER. + + +*** + + +This angry letter was accompanied by one from my mother, unsealed, and +unsuperscribed also. Those who take so much pains to confederate every +one against me, I make no doubt, obliged her to bear her testimony +against the poor girl. + +My mother's letter being a repetition of some of the severe things that +passed between herself and me, of which I have already informed you, I +shall not need to give you the contents--only thus far, that she also +praises my brother, and blames me for my freedoms with him. + + + + +LETTER XXVI + +MISS CLARISSA HARLOWE, TO MISS HOWE THURSDAY MORN., MARCH 9. + + +I have another letter from Mr. Lovelace, although I had not answered his +former. + +This man, somehow or other, knows every thing that passes in our family. +My confinement; Hanna's dismission; and more of the resentments and +resolutions of my father, uncles, and brother, than I can possibly know, +and almost as soon as the things happen, which he tells me of. He cannot +come at these intelligencies fairly. + +He is excessively uneasy upon what he hears; and his expressions, both +of love to me, and resentment to them, are very fervent. He solicits me, +'To engage my honour to him never to have Mr. Solmes.' + +I think I may fairly promise him that I will not. + +He begs, 'That I will not think he is endeavouring to make to himself +a merit at any man's expense, since he hopes to obtain my favour on the +foot of his own; nor that he seeks to intimidate me into a consideration +for him. But declares, that the treatment he meets with from my family +is of such a nature, that he is perpetually reproached for not resenting +it; and that as well by Lord M. and Lady Sarah, and Lady Betty, as by +all his other friends: and if he must have no hope from me, he cannot +answer for what his despair will make him do.' + +Indeed, he says, 'his relations, the ladies particularly, advise him to +have recourse to a legal remedy: But how, he asks, can a man of honour +go to law for verbal abuses given by people entitled to wear swords?' + +You see, my dear, that my mother seems as apprehensive of mischief as +myself; and has indirectly offered to let Shorey carry my answer to the +letter he sent me before. + +He is full of the favours of the ladies of his family to me: to whom, +nevertheless, I am personally a stranger; except, that I once saw Miss +Patty Montague at Mrs. Knolly's. + +It is natural, I believe, for a person to be the more desirous of making +new friends, in proportion as she loses the favour of old ones. Yet had +I rather appear amiable in the eyes of my own relations, and in your +eyes, than in those of all the world besides--but these four ladies of +his family have such excellent characters, that one cannot but wish to +be thought well of by them. Cannot there be a way to find out, by Mrs. +Fortescue's means, or by Mr. Hickman, who has some knowledge of Lord M. +[covertly, however,] what their opinions are of the present situation of +things in our family; and of the little likelihood there is, that ever +the alliance once approved of by them, can take effect? + +I cannot, for my own part, think so well of myself, as to imagine, that +they can wish their kinsman to persevere in his views with regard to me, +through such contempts and discouragements.--Not that it would concern +me, should they advise him to the contrary. By my Lord's signing Mr. +Lovelace's former letter; by Mr. Lovelace's assurances of the continued +favour of all his relations; and by the report of others; I seem still +to stand high in their favour. But, methinks, I should be glad to have +this confirmed to me, as from themselves, by the lips of an indifferent +person; and the rather, because of their fortunes and family; and take +it amiss (as they have reason) to be included by ours in the contempt +thrown upon their kinsman. + +Curiosity at present is all my motive: nor will there ever, I hope, be a +stronger, notwithstanding your questionable throbs--even were the merits +of Mr. Lovelace much greater than they are. + + +*** + + +I have answered his letters. If he takes me at my word, I shall need to +be less solicitous for the opinions of his relations in my favour: and +yet one would be glad to be well thought of by the worthy. + +This is the substance of my letter: + +'I express my surprise at his knowing (and so early) all that passes +here.' + +I assure him, 'That were there not such a man in the world as himself, I +would not have Mr. Solmes.' + +I tell him, 'That to return, as I understand he does, defiances for +defiances, to my relations, is far from being a proof with me, either of +his politeness, or of the consideration he pretends to have for me. + +'That the moment I hear he visits any of my friends without their +consent, I will make a resolution never to see him more, if I can help +it.' + +I apprize him, 'That I am connived at in sending this letter (although +no one has seen the contents) provided it shall be the last I will ever +write to him: that I had more than once told him, that the single life +was my choice; and this before Mr. Solmes was introduced as a visitor +in our family: that Mr. Wyerley, and other gentlemen, knew it to be my +choice, before himself was acquainted with any of us: that I had never +been induced to receive a line from him on the subject, but that I +thought he had not acted ungenerously by my brother; and yet had not +been so handsomely treated by my friends, as he might have expected: +but that had he even my friends on his side, I should have very great +objections to him, were I to get over my choice of a single life, so +really preferable to me as it is; and that I should have declared as +much to him, had I not regarded him as more than a common visiter. On +all these accounts, I desire, that the one more letter, which I will +allow him to deposit in the usual place, may be the very last; and that +only, to acquaint me with his acquiescence that it shall be so; at least +till happier times.' + +This last I put in that he may not be quite desperate. But, if he take +me at my word, I shall be rid of one of my tormentors. + +I have promised to lay before you all his letters, and my answers: I +repeat that promise: and am the less solicitous, for that reason, to +amplify upon the contents of either. But I cannot too often express my +vexation, to be driven to such streights and difficulties, here at +home, as oblige me to answer letters, (from a man I had not absolutely +intended to encourage, and to whom I had really great objections,) +filled as his are with such warm protestations, and written to me with a +spirit of expectation. + +For, my dear, you never knew so bold a supposer. As commentators find +beauties in an author, to which the author perhaps was a stranger; so he +sometimes compliments me in high strains of gratitude for favours, and +for a consideration, which I never designed him; insomuch that I am +frequently under a necessity of explaining away the attributed goodness +to him, which, if I shewed, I should have the less opinion of myself. + +In short, my dear, like a restiff horse, (as I have heard described by +sportsmen,) he pains one's hands, and half disjoints one's arms, to rein +him in. And, when you see his letters, you must form no judgment upon +them, till you have read my answers. If you do, you will indeed think +you have cause to attribute self-deceit, and throbs, and glows, to your +friend: and yet, at other times, the contradictory nature complains, +that I shew him as little favour, and my friends as much inveteracy, +as if, in the rencontre betwixt my brother and him, he had been the +aggressor; and as if the catastrophe had been as fatal, as it might have +been. + +If he has a design by this conduct (sometimes complaining of my shyness, +at others exalting in my imaginary favours) to induce me at one time to +acquiesce with his compliments; at another to be more complaisant +for his complaints; and if the contradiction be not the effect of his +inattention and giddiness; I shall think him as deep and as artful (too +probably, as practised) a creature, as ever lived; and were I to be sure +of it, should hate him, if possible, worse than I do Solmes. + +But enough for the present of a creature so very various. + + + + +LETTER XXVII + +MISS HOWE, TO MISS CLARISSA HARLOWE THURSDAY NIGHT, MARCH 9. + + +I have not patience with any of the people you are with. I know not what +to advise you to do. How do you know that you are not punishable +for being the cause, though to your own loss, that the will of your +grandfather is not complied with?--Wills are sacred things, child. You +see, that they, even they, think so, who imagine they suffer by a will, +through the distinction paid you in it. + +I allow of all your noble reasonings for what you did at the time: But, +since such a charming, such a generous instance of filial duty is to go +thus unrewarded, why should you not resume? + +Your grandfather knew the family-failing. He knew what a noble spirit +you had to do good. He himself, perhaps, [excuse me, my dear,] had done +too little in his life-time; and therefore he put it in your power to +make up for the defects of the whole family. Were it to me, I would +resume it. Indeed I would. + +You will say, you cannot do it, while you are with them. I don't know +that. Do you think they can use you worse than they do? And is it not +your right? And do they not make use of your own generosity to oppress +you? Your uncle Harlowe is one trustee; your cousin Morden is the other: +insist upon your right to your uncle; and write to your cousin Morden +about it. This, I dare say, will make them alter their behaviour to you. + +Your insolent brother--what has he to do to controul you?--Were it me [I +wish it were for one month, and no more] I'd shew him the difference. I +would be in my own mansion, pursuing my charming schemes, and making all +around me happy. I would set up my own chariot. I would visit them when +they deserved it. But when my brother and sister gave themselves airs, +I would let them know, that I was their sister, and not their servant: +and, if that did not do, I would shut my gates against them; and bid +them go and be company for each other. + +It must be confessed, however, that this brother and sister of yours, +judging as such narrow spirits will ever judge, have some reason for +treating you as they do. It must have long been a mortification to +them (set disappointed love on her side, and avarice on his, out of the +question) to be so much eclipsed by a younger sister. Such a sun in a +family, where there are none but faint twinklers, how could they bear +it! Why, my dear, they must look upon you as a prodigy among them: and +prodigies, you know, though they obtain our admiration, never attract +our love. The distance between you and them is immense. Their eyes ache +to look up at you. What shades does your full day of merit cast +upon them! Can you wonder, then, that they should embrace the first +opportunity that offered, to endeavour to bring you down to their level? + +Depend upon it, my dear, you will have more of it, and more still, as +you bear it. + +As to this odious Solmes, I wonder not at your aversion to him. It is +needless to say any thing to you, who have so sincere any antipathy to +him, to strengthen your dislike: Yet, who can resist her own talents? +One of mine, as I have heretofore said, is to give an ugly likeness. +Shall I indulge it?--I will. And the rather, as, in doing so, you +will have my opinion in justification of your aversion to him, and +in approbation of a steadiness that I ever admired, and must for ever +approve of, in your temper. + +'I was twice in this wretch's company. At one of the times your Lovelace +was there. I need not mention to you, who have such a pretty curiosity, +(though at present, only a curiosity, you know,) the unspeakable +difference. + +'Lovelace entertained the company in his lively gay way, and made +every body laugh at one of his stories. It was before this creature was +thought of for you. Solmes laughed too. It was, however, his laugh: for +his first three years, at least, I imagine, must have been one continual +fit of crying; and his muscles have never yet been able to recover a +risible tone. His very smile [you never saw him smile, I believe; never +at least gave him cause to smile] is so little natural to his features, +that it appears to him as hideous as the grin of a man in malice. + +'I took great notice of him, as I do of all the noble lords of the +creation, in their peculiarities; and was disgusted, nay, shocked at +him, even then. I was glad, I remember, on that particular occasion, +to see his strange features recovering their natural gloominess; though +they did this but slowly, as if the muscles which contributed to his +distortions, had turned upon rusty springs. + +'What a dreadful thing must even the love of such a husband be! For my +part, were I his wife! (But what have I done to myself, to make such a +supposition?) I should never have comfort but in his absence, or when +I was quarreling with him. A splenetic woman, who must have somebody to +find fault with, might indeed be brought to endure such a wretch: +the sight of him would always furnish out the occasion, and all her +servants, for that reason, and for that only, would have cause to blame +their master. But how grievous and apprehensive a thing it must be for +his wife, had she the least degree of delicacy, to catch herself in +having done something to oblige him? + +'So much for his person. As to the other half of him, he is said to be +an insinuating, creeping mortal to any body he hopes to be a gainer by: +an insolent, overbearing one, where he has no such views: And is not +this the genuine spirit of meanness? He is reported to be spiteful and +malicious, even to the whole family of any single person who has once +disobliged him; and to his own relations most of all. I am told, that +they are none of them such wretches as himself. This may be one reason +why he is for disinheriting them. + +'My Kitty, from one of his domestics, tells me, that his tenants hate +him: and that he never had a servant who spoke well of him. Vilely +suspicious of their wronging him (probably from the badness of his own +heart) he is always changing. + +'His pockets, they say, are continually crammed with keys: so that, when +he would treat a guest, (a friend he has not out of your family), he is +half as long puzzling which is which, as his niggardly treat might be +concluded in. And if it be wine, he always fetches it himself. Nor has +he much trouble in doing so; for he has very few visiters--only those, +whom business or necessity brings: for a gentleman who can help it, +would rather be benighted, than put up at his house.' + +Yet this is the man they have found out (for considerations as sordid as +those he is governed by) for a husband, that is to say, for a lord and +master, for Miss Clarissa Harlowe! + +But, perhaps, he may not be quite so miserable as he is represented. +Characters extremely good, or extremely bad, are seldom justly given. +Favour for a person will exalt the one, as disfavour will sink the +other. But your uncle Antony has told my mother, who objected to his +covetousness, that it was intended to tie him up, as he called it, to +your own terms; which would be with a hempen, rather than a matrimonial, +cord, I dare say. But, is not this a plain indication, that even his +own recommenders think him a mean creature; and that he must be articled +with--perhaps for necessaries? But enough, and too much, of such a +wretch as this!--You must not have him, my dear,--that I am clear +in--though not so clear, how you will be able to avoid it, except you +assert the independence to which your estate gives you a title. + + +*** + + +Here my mother broke in upon me. She wanted to see what I had written. I +was silly enough to read Solmes's character to her. + +She owned, that the man was not the most desirable of men; and that he +had not the happiest appearance: But what, said she, is person in a man? +And I was chidden for setting you against complying with your father's +will. Then followed a lecture on the preference to be given in favour of +a man who took care to discharge all his obligations to the world, and +to keep all together, in opposition to a spendthrift or profligate. A +fruitful subject you know, whether any particular person be meant by it, +or not. + +Why will these wise parents, by saying too much against the persons they +dislike, put one upon defending them? Lovelace is not a spendthrift; +owes not obligations to the world; though, I doubt not, profligate +enough. Then, putting one upon doing such but common justice, we +must needs be prepossessed, truly!--And so perhaps we are put upon +curiosities first, that is to say, how such a one or his friends may +think of one: and then, but too probably, comes in a distinguishing +preference, or something that looks exceedingly like it. + +My mother charged me at last, to write that side over again.--But +excuse me, my good Mamma! I would not have the character lost upon any +consideration; since my vein ran freely into it: and I never wrote to +please myself, but I pleased you. A very good reason why--we have but +one mind between us--only, that sometimes you are a little too grave, +methinks; I, no doubt, a little too flippant in your opinion. + +This difference in our tempers, however, is probably the reason that we +love one another so well, that in the words of Norris, no third love can +come in betwixt. Since each, in the other's eye, having something amiss, +and each loving the other well enough to bear being told of it (and the +rather perhaps as neither wishes to mend it); this takes off a good deal +from that rivalry which might encourage a little (if not a great deal) +of that latent spleen, which in time might rise into envy, and that into +ill-will. So, my dear, if this be the case, let each keep her fault, and +much good may do her with it: and what an hero or heroine must he or +she be, who can conquer a constitutional fault? Let it be avarice, as in +some I dare not name: let it be gravity, as in my best friend: or let it +be flippancy, as in--I need not say whom. + +It is proper to acquaint you, that I was obliged to comply with my +mother's curiosity, [my mother has her share, her full share, of +curiosity, my dear,] and to let her see here-and-there some passages in +your letters-- + +I am broken in upon--but I will tell you by-and-by what passed between +my mother and me on this occasion--and the rather, as she had her GIRL, +her favourite HICKMAN, and your LOVELACE, all at once in her eye, in her +part of the conversation. + +Thus it was. + +'I cannot but think, Nancy, said she, after all, that there is a little +hardship in Miss Harlowe's case: and yet (as her mother says) it is +a grating thing to have a child, who was always noted for her duty +in smaller points, to stand in opposition to her parents' will in the +greater; yea, in the greatest of all. And now, to middle the matter +between both, it is pity, that the man they favour has not that sort of +merit which a person of a mind so delicate as that of Miss Harlowe might +reasonably expect in a husband.--But then, this man is surely preferable +to a libertine: to a libertine too, who has had a duel with her own +brother; fathers and mothers must think so, were it not for that +circumstance--and it is strange if they do not know best.' + +And so they must, thought I, from their experience, if no little dirty +views give them also that prepossession in one man's favour, which they +are so apt to censure their daughters for having in another's--and +if, as I may add in your case, they have no creeping, old, musty uncle +Antonys to strengthen their prepossessions, as he does my mother's. +Poor, creeping, positive soul, what has such an old bachelor as he to +do, to prate about the duties of children to parents; unless he had a +notion that parents owe some to their children? But your mother, by her +indolent meekness, let me call it, has spoiled all the three brothers. + +'But you see, child, proceeded my mother, what a different behaviour +MINE is to YOU. I recommend to you one of the soberest, yet politest, +men in England--' + +I think little of my mother's politest, my dear. She judges of honest +Hickman for her daughter, as she would have done, I suppose, twenty +years ago, for herself. + +'Of a good family, continued my mother; a fine, clear, and improving +estate [a prime consideration with my mother, as well as with some other +folks, whom you know]: and I beg and I pray you to encourage him: at +least not to use him the worse, for his being so obsequious to you.' + +Yes, indeed! To use him kindly, that he may treat me familiarly--but +distance to the men-wretches is best--I say. + +'Yet all will hardly prevail upon you to do as I would have you. What +would you say, were I to treat you as Miss Harlowe's father and mother +treat her? + +'What would I say, Madam!--That's easily answered. I would say nothing. +Can you think such usage, and to such a young lady, is to be borne? + +'Come, come, Nancy, be not so hasty: you have heard but one side; and +that there is more to be said is plain, by your reading to me but parts +of her letters. They are her parents. They must know best. Miss Harlowe, +as fine a child as she is, must have done something, must have said +something, (you know how they loved her,) to make them treat her thus. + +'But if she should be blameless, Madam, how does your own supposition +condemn them?' + +Then came up Solmes's great estate; his good management of it--'A little +too NEAR indeed,' was the word!--[O how money-lovers, thought I, will +palliate! Yet my mother is a princess in spirit to this Solmes!] 'What +strange effects, added she, have prepossession and love upon young +ladies!' + +I don't know how it is, my dear; but people take high delight in finding +out folks in love. Curiosity begets curiosity. I believe that's the +thing. + +She proceeded to praise Mr. Lovelace's person, and his qualifications +natural and acquired. But then she would judge as mothers will judge, +and as daughters are very loth to judge: but could say nothing in answer +to your offer of living single; and breaking with him--if--if--[three or +four if's she made of one good one, if] that could be depended on. + +But still obedience without reserve, reason what I will, is the burden +of my mother's song: and this, for my sake, as well as for yours. + +I must needs say, that I think duty to parents is a very meritorious +excellence. But I bless God I have not your trials. We can all be good +when we have no temptation nor provocation to the contrary: but few +young persons (who can help themselves too as you can) would bear what +you bear. + +I will now mention all that is upon my mind, in relation to the +behaviour of your father and uncles, and the rest of them, because +I would not offend you: but I have now a higher opinion of my own +sagacity, than ever I had, in that I could never cordially love any one +of your family but yourself. I am not born to like them. But it is my +duty to be sincere to my friend: and this will excuse her Anna Howe to +Miss Clarissa Harlowe. + +I ought indeed to have excepted your mother; a lady to be reverenced: +and now to be pitied. What must have been her treatment, to be thus +subjugated, as I may call it? Little did the good old viscount think, +when he married his darling, his only daughter, to so well-appearing a +gentleman, and to her own liking too, that she would have been so much +kept down. Another would call your father a tyrant, if I must not: all +the world that know him, do call him so; and if you love your mother, +you should not be very angry at the world for taking that liberty. + +Yet, after all, I cannot help thinking, that she is the less to be +pitied, as she may be said (be the gout, or what will, the occasion +of his moroseness) to have long behaved unworthy of her birth and fine +qualities, in yielding so much as she yields to encroaching spirits +[you may confine the reflection to your brother, if it will pain you +to extend it]; and this for the sake of preserving a temporary peace to +herself; which was the less worth endeavouring to preserve, as it always +produced a strength in the will of others, which subjected her to an +arbitrariness that of course grew, and became established, upon her +patience.--And now to give up the most deserving of her children +(against her judgment) a sacrifice to the ambition and selfishness of +the least deserving!--But I fly from this subject--having I fear, said +too much to be forgiven--and yet much less than is in my heart to say +upon the over-meek subject. + +Mr. Hickman is expected from London this evening. I have desired him to +inquire after Lovelace's life and conversation in town. If he has not +inquired, I shall be very angry with him. Don't expect a very good +account of either. He is certainly an intriguing wretch, and full of +inventions. + +Upon my word, I most heartily despise that sex! I wish they would let +our fathers and mothers alone; teasing them to tease us with their +golden promises, and protestations and settlements, and the rest +of their ostentatious nonsense. How charmingly might you and I live +together, and despise them all!--But to be cajoled, wire-drawn, +and ensnared, like silly birds, into a state of bondage, or vile +subordination; to be courted as princesses for a few weeks, in order to +be treated as slaves for the rest of our lives. Indeed, my dear, as you +say of Solmes, I cannot endure them!--But for your relations [friends no +more will I call them, unworthy as they are even of the other name!] +to take such a wretch's price as that; and to the cutting off of all +reversions from his own family:--How must a mind but commonly just +resist such a measure! + +Mr. Hickman shall sound Lord M. upon the subject you recommend. But +beforehand, I can tell you what he and what his sisters will say, when +they are sounded. Who would not be proud of such a relation as Miss +Clarissa Harlowe?--Mrs. Fortescue told me, that they are all your very +great admirers. + +If I have not been clear enough in my advice about what you shall do, +let me say, that I can give it in one word: it is only by re-urging you +to RESUME. If you do, all the rest will follow. + +We are told here, that Mrs. Norton, as well as your aunt Hervey, has +given her opinion on the implicit side of the question. If she can +think, that the part she has had in your education, and your own +admirable talents and acquirements, are to be thrown away upon such a +worthless creature as Solmes, I could heartily quarrel with her. You may +think I say this to lessen your regard for the good woman. And perhaps +not wholly without cause, if you do. For, to own the truth, methinks, +I don't love her so well as I should do, did you love her so apparently +less, that I could be out of doubt, that you love me better. + +Your mother tells you, 'That you will have great trials: that you are +under your father's discipline.'--The word is enough for me to despise +them who give occasion for its use.--'That it is out of her power to +help you!' And again: 'That if you have any favour to hope for, it must +be by the mediation of your uncles.' I suppose you will write to the +oddities, since you are forbid to see them. But can it be, that such a +lady, such a sister, such a wife, such a mother, has no influence in her +own family? Who, indeed, as you say, if this be so, would marry, that +can live single? My choler is again beginning to rise. RESUME, my dear: +and that is all I will give myself time to say further, lest I offend +you when I cannot serve you--only this, that I am + +Your truly affectionate friend and servant, ANNA HOWE. + + + + +LETTER XXVIII + +MISS CLARISSA HARLOWE, TO MISS HOWE FRIDAY, MARCH 10. + + +You will permit me, my dear, to touch upon a few passages in your last +letter, that affect me sensibly. + +In the first place, you must allow me to say, low as I am in spirits, +that I am very angry with you, for your reflections on my relations, +particularly on my father and mother, and on the memory of my +grandfather. Nor, my dear, does your own mother always escape the keen +edge of your vivacity. One cannot one's self forbear to write or speak +freely of those we love and honour, when grief from imagined hard +treatment wrings the heart: but it goes against one to hear any body +else take the same liberties. Then you have so very strong a manner of +expression where you take a distaste, that when passion has subdued, +and I come (upon reflection) to see by your severity what I have given +occasion for, I cannot help condemning myself. + +But least of all can I bear that you should reflect upon my mother. +What, my dear, if her meekness should not be rewarded? Is the want of +reward, or the want even of a grateful acknowledgement, a reason for us +to dispense with what we think our duty? They were my father's lively +spirits that first made him an interest in her gentle bosom. They were +the same spirits turned inward, as I have heretofore observed,* that +made him so impatient when the cruel malady seized him. He always loved +my mother: And would not LOVE and PITY excusably, nay laudably, make a +good wife (who was an hourly witness of his pangs, when labouring under +a paroxysm, and his paroxysms becoming more and more frequent, as well +as more and more severe) give up her own will, her own likings, +to oblige a husband, thus afflicted, whose love for her was +unquestionable?--And if so, was it not too natural [human nature is not +perfect, my dear] that the husband thus humoured by the wife, should be +unable to bear controul from any body else, much less contradiction from +his children? + + + * See Letter V. + + +If then you would avoid my highest displeasure, you must spare my +mother: and, surely, you will allow me, with her, to pity, as well as to +love and honour my father. + +I have no friend but you to whom I can appeal, to whom I dare complain. +Unhappily circumstanced as I am, it is but too probable that I shall +complain, because it is but too probably that I shall have more and more +cause given me for complaint. But be it your part, if I do, to sooth my +angry passions, and to soften my resentments; and this the rather, as +you know what an influence your advice has upon me; and as you must +also know, that the freedoms you take with my friends, can have no other +tendency, but to weaken the sense of my duty to them, without answering +any good end to myself. + +I cannot help owning, however, that I am pleased to have you join with +me in opinion of the contempt which Mr. Solmes deserves from me. But +yet, permit me to say, that he is not quite so horrible a creature as +you make him: as to his person, I mean; for with regard to his mind, +by all I have heard, you have done him but justice: but you have such +a talent at an ugly likeness, and such a vivacity, that they sometimes +carry you out of verisimilitude. In short, my dear, I have known you, in +more instances than one, sit down resolved to write all that wit, rather +than strict justice, could suggest upon the given occasion. Perhaps it +may be thought, that I should say the less on this particular subject, +because your dislike of him arises from love to me: But should it not be +our aim to judge of ourselves, and of every thing that affects us, as +we may reasonably imagine other people would judge of us and of our +actions? + +As to the advice you give, to resume my estate, I am determined not to +litigate with my father, let what will be the consequence to myself. +I may give you, at another time, a more particular answer to your +reasonings on this subject: but, at present, will only observe, that +it is in my opinion, that Lovelace himself would hardly think me worth +addressing, were he to know this would be my resolution. These men, my +dear, with all their flatteries, look forward to the PERMANENT. Indeed, +it is fit they should. For love must be a very foolish thing to look +back upon, when it has brought persons born to affluence into indigence, +and laid a generous mind under obligation and dependence. + +You very ingeniously account for the love we bear to one another, from +the difference in our tempers. I own, I should not have thought of that. +There may possibly be something in it: but whether there be or not, +whenever I am cool, and give myself time to reflect, I will love you the +better for the correction you give, be as severe as you will upon me. +Spare me not, therefore, my dear friend, whenever you think me in the +least faulty. I love your agreeable raillery: you know I always did: +nor, however over-serious you think me, did I ever think you flippant, +as you harshly call it. One of the first conditions of our mutual +friendship was, each should say or write to the other whatever was upon +her mind, without any offence to be taken: a condition, that is indeed +indispensable in friendship. + +I knew your mother would be for implicit obedience in a child. I am +sorry my case is so circumstanced, that I cannot comply. It would be +my duty to do so, if I could. You are indeed very happy, that you have +nothing but your own agreeable, yet whimsical, humours to contend with, +in the choice she invites you to make of Mr. Hickman. How happy I should +be, to be treated with so much lenity!--I should blush to have my mother +say, that she begged and prayed me, and all in vain, to encourage a man +so unexceptionable as Mr. Hickman. + +Indeed, my beloved Miss Howe, I am ashamed to have your mother say, with +ME in her view, 'What strange effects have prepossession and love upon +young creatures of our sex!' This touches me the more sensibly, because +you yourself, my dear, are so ready to persuade me into it. + +I should be very blamable to endeavour to hide any the least bias +upon my mind, from you: and I cannot but say--that this man--this +Lovelace--is a man that might be liked well enough, if he bore such +a character as Mr. Hickman bears; and even if there were hopes of +reclaiming him. And further still I will acknowledge, that I believe it +possible that one might be driven, by violent measures, step by step, as +it were, into something that might be called--I don't know what to +call it--a conditional kind of liking, or so. But as to the word +LOVE--justifiable and charming as it is in some cases, (that is to say, +in all the relative, in all the social, and, what is still beyond both, +in all our superior duties, in which it may be properly called divine;) +it has, methinks, in the narrow, circumscribed, selfish, peculiar sense, +in which you apply it to me, (the man too so little to be approved of +for his morals, if all that report says of him be true,) no pretty sound +with it. Treat me as freely as you will in all other respects, I will +love you, as I have said, the better for your friendly freedom. But, +methinks, I could be glad that you would not let this imputation pass so +glibly from your pen, or your lips, as attributable to one of your own +sex, whether I be the person or not: since the other must have a double +triumph, when a person of your delicacy (armed with such contempts of +them all, as you would have one think) can give up a friend, with an +exultation over her weakness, as a silly, love-sick creature. + +I could make some other observations upon the contents of your last two +letters; but my mind is not free enough at present. The occasion for the +above stuck with me; and I could not help taking the earliest notice of +them. + +Having written to the end of my second sheet, I will close this letter, +and in my next, acquaint you with all that has happened here since my +last. + + + + +LETTER XXIX + +MISS CLARISSA HARLOWE, TO MISS HOWE SATURDAY, MARCH 11. + + +I have had such taunting messages, and such repeated avowals of ill +offices, brought me from my brother and sister, if I do no comply with +their wills, (delivered, too, with provoking sauciness by Betty Barnes,) +that I have thought it proper, before I entered upon my intended address +to my uncles, in pursuance of the hint given me in my mother's letter, +to expostulate a little with them. But I have done it in such a manner, +as will give you (if you please to take it as you have done some parts +of my former letters) great advantage over me. In short, you will have +more cause than ever, to declare me far gone in love, if my reasons for +the change of my style in these letters, with regard to Mr. Lovelace, do +not engage your more favourable opinion.--For I have thought proper to +give them their own way: and, since they will have it, that I have a +preferable regard for Mr. Lovelace, I give them cause rather to confirm +their opinion than doubt it. + +These are my reasons in brief, for the alteration of my style. + +In the first place, they have grounded their principal argument for my +compliance with their will, upon my acknowledgement that my heart is +free; and so, supposing I give up no preferable person, my opposition +has the look of downright obstinacy in their eyes; and they argue, +that at worst, my aversion to Solmes is an aversion that may be easily +surmounted, and ought to be surmounted in duty to my father, and for the +promotion of family views. + +Next, although they build upon this argument in order to silence me, +they seem not to believe me, but treat me as disgracefully, as if I +were in love with one of my father's footmen: so that my conditional +willingness to give up Mr. Lovelace has procured me no favour. + +In the next place, I cannot but think, that my brother's antipathy +to Mr. Lovelace is far from being well grounded: the man's inordinate +passion for the sex is the crime that is always rung in my ears: and a +very great one it is: But, does my brother recriminate upon him thus +in love to me?--No--his whole behaviour shews me, that that is not +his principal motive, and that he thinks me rather in his way than +otherwise. + +It is then the call of justice, as I may say, to speak a little in +favour of a man, who, although provoked by my brother, did not do +him all the mischief he could have done him, and which my brother had +endeavoured to do him. It might not be amiss therefore, I thought, to +alarm them a little with apprehension, that the methods they are taking +with me are the very reverse of those they should take to answer the end +they design by them. And after all, what is the compliment I make Mr. +Lovelace, if I allow it to be thought that I do really prefer him to +such a man as him they terrify me with? Then, my Miss Howe [concluded I] +accuses me of a tameness which subject me to insults from my brother: I +will keep that dear friend in my eye; and for all these considerations, +try what a little of her spirit will do--sit it ever so awkwardly upon +me. + +In this way of thinking, I wrote to my brother and sister. This is my +letter to him. + + + +TREATED as I am, and, in a great measure, if not wholly, by your +instigations, Brother, you must permit me to expostulate with you upon +the occasion. It is not my intention to displease you in what I am going +to write: and yet I must deal freely with you: the occasion calls for +it. + +And permit me, in the first place, to remind you, that I am your sister; +and not your servant; and that, therefore, the bitter revilings and +passionate language brought me from you, upon an occasion in which you +have no reason to prescribe to me, are neither worthy of my character to +bear, nor of yours to offer. + +Put the case, that I were to marry the man you dislike: and that he were +not to make a polite or tender husband, Is that a reason for you to be +an unpolite and disobliging brother?--Why must you, Sir, anticipate my +misfortunes, were such a case to happen?--Let me tell you plainly, +that the man who could treat me as a wife, worse than you of late have +treated me as a sister, must be a barbarous man indeed. + +Ask yourself, I pray you, Sir, if you would thus have treated your +sister Bella, had she thought fit to receive the addresses of the man so +much hated by you?--If not, let me caution you, my Brother, not to take +your measures by what you think will be borne, but rather by what ought +to be offered. + +How would you take it, if you had a brother, who, in a like case, were +to act by you, as you do by me?--You cannot but remember what a laconic +answer you gave even to my father, who recommended to you Miss Nelly +D'Oily--You did not like her, were your words: and that was thought +sufficient. + +You must needs think, that I cannot but know to whom to attribute my +disgraces, when I recollect my father's indulgence to me, permitting +me to decline several offers; and to whom, that a common cause is +endeavoured to be made, in favour of a man whose person and manners +are more exceptional than those of any of the gentlemen I have been +permitted to refuse. + +I offer not to compare the two men together: nor is there indeed the +least comparison to be made between them. All the difference to +the one's disadvantage, if I did, is but one point--of the greatest +importance, indeed--But to whom of most importance?--To myself, surely, +were I to encourage his application: of the least to you. Nevertheless, +if you do not, by your strange politics, unite that man and me as joint +sufferers in one cause, you shall find me as much resolved to renounce +him, as I am to refuse the other. I have made an overture to this +purpose: I hope you will not give me reason to confirm my apprehensions, +that it will be owing to you if it be not accepted. + +It is a sad thing to have it to say, without being conscious of ever +having given you cause of offence, that I have in you a brother, but not +a friend. + +Perhaps you will not condescend to enter into the reasons of your +late and present conduct with a foolish sister. But if politeness, if +civility, be not due to that character, and to my sex, justice is. + +Let me take the liberty further to observe, that the principal end of +a young man's education at the university, is, to learn him to reason +justly, and to subdue the violence of his passions. I hope, Brother, +that you will not give room for any body who knows us both, to conclude, +that the toilette has taught the one more of the latter doctrine, than +the university has taught the other. I am truly sorry to have cause +to say, that I have heard it often remarked, that your uncontrouled +passions are not a credit to your liberal education. + +I hope, Sir, that you will excuse the freedom I have taken with you: you +have given me too much reason for it, and you have taken much greater +with me, without reason:--so, if you are offended, ought to look at the +cause, and not at the effect:--then examining yourself, that cause will +cease, and there will not be any where a more accomplished gentleman +than my brother. + +Sisterly affection, I do assure you, Sir, (unkindly as you have used +me,) and not the pertness which of late you have been so apt to impute +to me, is my motive in this hint. Let me invoke your returning kindness, +my only brother! And give me cause, I beseech you, to call you my +compassionating friend. For I am, and ever will be, + +Your affectionate sister, CLARISSA HARLOWE. + + +*** + + +This is my brother's answer. + + +TO MISS CLARISSA HARLOWE + +I KNOW there will be no end of your impertinent scribble, if I don't +write to you. I write therefore: but, without entering into argument +with such a conceited and pert preacher and questioner, it is, to forbid +you to plague me with your quaint nonsense. I know not what wit in a +woman is good for, but to make her overvalue herself, and despise every +other person. Yours, Miss Pert, has set you above your duty, and above +being taught or prescribed to, either by parents, or any body else. But +go on, Miss: your mortification will be the greater; that's all, child. +It shall, I assure you, if I can make it so, so long as you prefer that +villainous Lovelace, (who is justly hated by all your family) to every +body. We see by your letter now (what we too justly suspected before), +most evidently we see, the hold he has got of your forward heart. But +the stronger the hold, the greater must be the force (and you shall have +enough of that) to tear such a miscreant from it. In me, notwithstanding +your saucy lecturing, and your saucy reflections before, you are sure of +a friend, as well as of a brother, if it be not your own fault. But if +you will still think of such a wretch as that Lovelace, never expect +either friend or brother in + +JA. HARLOWE. + + +*** + + +I will now give you a copy of my letter to my sister; with her answer. + + +IN what, my dear Sister, have I offended you, that instead of +endeavouring to soften my father's anger against me, (as I am sure I +should have done for you, had my unhappy case been yours,) you should, +in so hard-hearted a manner, join to aggravate not only his displeasure, +but my mother's against me. Make but my case your own, my dear Bella; +and suppose you were commanded to marry Mr. Lovelace, (to whom you +are believed to have such an antipathy,) would you not think it a very +grievous injunction?--Yet cannot your dislike to Mr. Lovelace be greater +than mine is to Mr. Solmes. Nor are love and hatred voluntary passions. + +My brother may perhaps think it a proof of a manly spirit, to shew +himself an utter stranger to the gentle passions. We have both heard him +boast, that he never loved with distinction: and, having predominating +passions, and checked in his first attempt, perhaps he never will. It +is the less wonder, then, raw from the college, so lately himself the +tutored, that he should set up for a tutor, a prescriber to our +gentler sex, whose tastes and manners are differently formed: for what, +according to his account, are colleges, but classes of tyrants, from +the upper students over the lower, and from them to the tutor?--That he, +with such masculine passions should endeavour to controul and bear down +an unhappy sister, in a case where his antipathy, and, give me leave +to say, his ambition [once you would have allowed the latter to be his +fault] can be gratified by so doing, may not be quite so much to be +wondered at--but that a sister should give up the cause of a sister, and +join with him to set her father and mother against her, in a case that +might have been her own--indeed, my Bella, this is not pretty in you. + +There was a time that Mr. Lovelace was thought reclaimable, and when it +was far from being deemed a censurable view to hope to bring back to the +paths of virtue and honour, a man of his sense and understanding. I am +far from wishing to make the experiment: but nevertheless will say, that +if I have not a regard for him, the disgraceful methods taken to compel +me to receive the addresses of such a man as Mr. Solmes are enough to +induce it. + +Do you, my Sister, for one moment, lay aside all prejudice, and compare +the two men in their births, their educations, their persons, their +understandings, their manners, their air, and their whole deportments; +and in their fortunes too, taking in reversions; and then judge of both; +yet, as I have frequently offered, I will live single with all my heart, +if that will do. + +I cannot thus live in displeasure and disgrace. I would, if I could, +oblige all my friends. But will it be just, will it be honest, to marry +a man I cannot endure? If I have not been used to oppose the will of +my father, but have always delighted to oblige and obey, judge of the +strength of my antipathy, by the painful opposition I am obliged to +make, and cannot help it. + +Pity then, my dearest Bella, my sister, my friend, my companion, my +adviser, as you used to be when I was happy, and plead for + +Your ever-affectionate, CL. HARLOWE. + + +*** + + +TO MISS CLARY HARLOWE + +Let it be pretty or not pretty, in your wise opinion, I shall speak my +mind, I will assure you, both of you and your conduct in relation +to this detested Lovelace. You are a fond foolish girl with all your +wisdom. Your letter shews that enough in twenty places. And as to your +cant of living single, nobody will believe you. This is one of your +fetches to avoid complying with your duty, and the will of the most +indulgent parents in the world, as yours have been to you, I am +sure--though now they see themselves finely requited for it. + +We all, indeed, once thought your temper soft and amiable: but why was +it? You never were contradicted before: you had always your own way. But +no sooner do you meet with opposition in your wishes to throw yourself +away upon a vile rake, but you shew what you are. You cannot love Mr. +Solmes! that's the pretence; but Sister, Sister, let me tell you, that +is because Lovelace has got into your fond heart:--a wretch hated, +justly hated, by us all; and who has dipped his hands in the blood of +your brother: yet him you would make our relation, would you? + +I have no patience with you, but for putting the case of my liking such +a vile wretch as him. As to the encouragement you pretend he received +formerly from all our family, it was before we knew him to be so vile: +and the proofs that had such force upon us, ought to have had some upon +you:--and would, had you not been a foolish forward girl; as on this +occasion every body sees you are. + +O how you run out in favour of the wretch!--His birth, his +education, his person, his understanding, his manners, his air, his +fortune--reversions too taken in to augment the surfeiting catalogue! +What a fond string of lovesick praises is here! And yet you would live +single--Yes, I warrant!--when so many imaginary perfections dance before +your dazzled eye!--But no more--I only desire, that you will not, while +you seem to have such an opinion of your wit, think every one else a +fool; and that you can at pleasure, by your whining flourishes, make us +all dance after your lead. + +Write as often as you will, this shall be the last answer or notice you +shall have upon this subject from + +ARABELLA HARLOWE. + + +*** + + +I had in readiness a letter for each of my uncles; and meeting in the +garden a servant of my uncle Harlowe, I gave him to deliver according to +their respective directions. If I am to form a judgment by the answers I +have received from my brother and sister, as above, I must not, I +doubt, expect any good from those letters. But when I have tried every +expedient, I shall have the less to blame myself for, if any thing +unhappy should fall out. I will send you copies of both, when I shall +see what notice they will be thought worthy of, if of any. + + + + +LETTER XXX + +MISS CLARISSA HARLOWE, TO MISS HOWE SUNDAY NIGHT, MARCH 12. + + +This man, this Lovelace, gives me great uneasiness. He is extremely bold +and rash. He was this afternoon at our church--in hopes to see me, I +suppose: and yet, if he had such hopes, his usual intelligence must have +failed him. + +Shorey was at church; and a principal part of her observation was upon +his haughty and proud behaviour when he turned round in the pew where he +sat to our family-pew. My father and both my uncles were there; so were +my mother and sister. My brother happily was not.--They all came home in +disorder. Nor did the congregation mind any body but him; it being his +first appearance there since the unhappy rencounter. + +What did the man come for, if he intended to look challenge and +defiance, as Shorey says he did, and as others, it seems, thought he +did, as well as she? Did he come for my sake; and, by behaving in such +a manner to those present of my family, imagine he was doing me either +service or pleasure?--He knows how they hate him: nor will he take +pains, would pains do, to obviate their hatred. + +You and I, my dear, have often taken notice of his pride; and you have +rallied him upon it; and instead of exculpating himself, he has owned +it: and by owning it he has thought he has done enough. + +For my own part, I thought pride in his case an improper subject for +raillery.--People of birth and fortune to be proud, is so needless, +so mean a vice!--If they deserve respect, they will have it, without +requiring it. In other words, for persons to endeavour to gain respect +by a haughty behaviour, is to give a proof that they mistrust their own +merit: To make confession that they know that their actions will not +attract it.--Distinction or quality may be prided in by those to whom +distinction or quality is a new thing. And then the reflection and +contempt which such bring upon themselves by it, is a counter-balance. + +Such added advantages, too, as this man has in his person and mien: +learned also, as they say he is: Such a man to be haughty, to be +imperious!--The lines of his own face at the same time condemning +him--how wholly inexcusable!--Proud of what? Not of doing well: the only +justifiable pride.--Proud of exterior advantages!--Must not one be led +by such a stop-short pride, as I may call it, in him or her who has it, +to mistrust the interior? Some people may indeed be afraid, that if +they did not assume, they would be trampled upon. A very narrow fear, +however, since they trample upon themselves, who can fear this. But this +man must be secure that humility would be an ornament to him. + +He has talents indeed: but those talents and his personal advantages +have been snares to him. It is plain they have. And this shews, that, +weighed in an equal balance, he would be found greatly wanting. + +Had my friends confided as they did at first, in that discretion which +they do not accuse me of being defective in, I dare say I should have +found him out: and then should have been as resolute to dismiss him, as +I was to dismiss others, and as I am never to have Mr. Solmes. O that +they did but know my heart!--It shall sooner burst, than voluntarily, +uncompelled, undriven, dictate a measure that shall cast a slur either +upon them, or upon my sex. + +Excuse me, my dear friend, for these grave soliloquies, as I may call +them. How have I run from reflection to reflection!--But the occasion is +recent--They are all in commotion below upon it. + +Shorey says, that Mr. Lovelace watched my mother's eye, and bowed to +her: and she returned the compliment. He always admired my mother. She +would not, I believe, have hated him, had she not been bid to hate him: +and had it not been for the rencounter between him and her only son. + +Dr. Lewen was at church; and observing, as every one else did, the +disorder into which Mr. Lovelace's appearance* had put all our family, +was so good as to engage him in conversation, when the service was over, +till they were all gone to their coaches. + + + * See Letter XXXI, for Mr. Lovelace's account of his + behaviour and intentions in his appearance at church. + + +My uncles had my letters in the morning. They, as well as my father, +are more and more incensed against me, it seems. Their answers, if +they vouchsafe to answer me, will demonstrate, I doubt not, the +unseasonableness of this rash man's presence at our church. + +They are angry also, as I understand, with my mother, for returning +his compliment. What an enemy is hatred, even to the common forms of +civility! which, however, more distinguish the payer of a compliment, +than the receiver. But they all see, they say, that there is but one way +to put an end to his insults. So I shall suffer: And in what will the +rash man have benefited himself, or mended his prospects? + +I am extremely apprehensive that this worse than ghost-like appearance +of his, bodes some still bolder step. If he come hither (and very +desirous he is of my leave to come) I am afraid there will be murder. To +avoid that, if there were no other way, I would most willingly be buried +alive. + +They are all in consultation--upon my letters, I suppose--so they were +in the morning; which occasioned my uncles to be at our church. I will +send you the copies of those letters, as I promised in my last, when +I see whether I can give you their answers with them. This letter is +all--I cannot tell what--the effect of apprehension and displeasure +at the man who has occasioned my apprehensions. Six lines would have +contained all that is in it to the purpose of my story. + +CL. H. + + + + +LETTER XXXI + +MR. LOVELACE, TO JOHN BELFORD, ESQ. MONDAY, MARCH 13. + + +In vain dost thou* and thy compeers press me to go to town, while I am +in such an uncertainty as I am in at present with this proud beauty. +All the ground I have hitherto gained with her is entirely owing to her +concern for the safety of people whom I have reason to hate. + + *These gentlemen affected what they called the Roman style + (to wit, the thee and the thou) in their letters: and it was + an agreed rule with them, to take in good part whatever + freedoms they treated each other with, if the passages were + written in that style. + +Write then, thou biddest me, if I will not come. That, indeed, I can do; +and as well without a subject, as with one. And what follows shall be a +proof of it. + +The lady's malevolent brother has now, as I told thee at M. Hall, +introduced another man; the most unpromising in his person and +qualities, the most formidable in his offers, that has yet appeared. + +This man has by his proposals captivated every soul of the +Harlowes--Soul! did I say--There is not a soul among them but my +charmer's: and she, withstanding them all, is actually confined, and +otherwise maltreated by a father the most gloomy and positive; at the +instigation of a brother the most arrogant and selfish. But thou knowest +their characters; and I will not therefore sully my paper with them. + +But is it not a confounded thing to be in love with one, who is the +daughter, the sister, the niece, of a family, I must eternally despise? +And, the devil of it, that love increasing with her--what shall I call +it?--'Tis not scorn:--'Tis not pride:--'Tis not the insolence of an +adored beauty:--But 'tis to virtue, it seems, that my difficulties are +owin; and I pay for not being a sly sinner, an hypocrite; for being +regardless of my reputation; for permittin slander to open its mouth +against me. But is it necessary for such a one as I, who have been used +to carry all before me, upon my own terms--I, who never inspired a fear, +that had not a discernibly-predominant mixture of love in it, to be a +hypocrite?--Well says the poet: + + He who seems virtuous does but act a part; + And shews not his own nature, but his art. + +Well, but it seems I must practise for this art, if it would succeed +with this truly-admirable creature; but why practise for it?--Cannot +I indeed reform?--I have but one vice;--Have I, Jack?--Thou knowest my +heart, if any man living does. As far as I know it myself, thou knowest +it. But 'tis a cursed deceiver; for it has many a time imposed upon its +master--Master, did I say? That I am not now; nor have I been from the +moment I beheld this angel of a woman. Prepared indeed as I was by her +character before I saw her: For what a mind must that be, which, +though not virtuous itself, admires not virtue in another?--My visit +to Arabella, owing to a mistake of the sister, into which, as thou hast +heard me say, I was led by the blundering uncle; who was to introduce +me (but lately come from abroad) to the divinity, as I thought; but, +instead of her, carried me to a mere mortal. And much difficulty had I, +so fond and forward my lady! to get off without forfeiting all with a +family I intended should give me a goddess. + +I have boasted that I was once in love before:--and indeed I thought +I was. It was in my early manhood--with that quality jilt, whose +infidelity I have vowed to revenge upon as many of the sex as shall come +into my power. I believe, in different climes, I have already +sacrificed an hecatomb to my Nemesis, in pursuance of this vow. But upon +recollecting what I was then, and comparing it with what I find myself +now, I cannot say that I was ever in love before. + +What was it then, dost thou ask me, since the disappointment had such +effects upon me, when I found myself jilted, that I was hardly kept in +my senses?--Why, I'll grant thee what, as near as I can remember; for +it was a great while ago:--It was--Egad, Jack, I can hardly tell what +it was--but a vehement aspiration after a novelty, I think. Those +confounded poets, with their terrenely-celestial descriptions, did as +much with me as the lady: they fired my imagination, and set me upon +a desire to become a goddess-maker. I must needs try my new-fledged +pinions in sonnet, elogy, and madrigal. I must have a Cynthia, a Stella, +a Sacharissa, as well as the best of them: darts and flames, and the +devil knows what, must I give to my cupid. I must create beauty, and +place it where nobody else could find it: and many a time have I been at +a loss for a subject, when my new-created goddess has been kinder than +it was proper for my plaintive sonnet that she should be. + +Then I found I had a vanity of another sort in my passion: I found +myself well received among the women in general; and I thought it a +pretty lady-like tyranny [I was then very young, and very vain!] to +single out some one of the sex, to make half a score jealous. And I can +tell thee, it had its effect: for many an eye have I made to sparkle +with rival indignation: many a cheek glow; and even many a fan have I +caused to be snapped at a sister-beauty; accompanied with a reflection +perhaps at being seen alone with a wild young fellow who could not be in +private with both at once. + +In short, Jack, it was more pride than love, as I now find it, that put +me upon making such a confounded rout about losing that noble varletess. +I thought she loved me at least as well as I believed I loved her: +nay, I had the vanity to suppose she could not help it. My friends were +pleased with my choice. They wanted me to be shackled: for early did +they doubt my morals, as to the sex. They saw, that the dancing, the +singing, the musical ladies were all fond of my company: For who [I am +in a humour to be vain, I think!]--for who danced, who sung, who touched +the string, whatever the instrument, with a better grace than thy +friend? + +I have no notion of playing the hypocrite so egregiously, as to pretend +to be blind to qualifications which every one sees and acknowledges. +Such praise-begetting hypocrisy! Such affectedly disclaimed attributes! +Such contemptible praise-traps!--But yet, shall my vanity extend only +to personals, such as the gracefulness of dress, my debonnaire, and my +assurance?--Self-taught, self-acquired, these!--For my parts, I value +not myself upon them. Thou wilt say, I have no cause.--Perhaps not. But +if I had any thing valuable as to intellectuals, those are not my own; +and to be proud of what a man is answerable for the abuse of, and has +no merit in the right use of, is to strut, like the jay, in borrowed +plumage. + +But to return to my fair jilt. I could not bear, that a woman, who was +the first that had bound me in silken fetters [they were not iron ones, +like those I now wear] should prefer a coronet to me: and when the bird +was flown, I set more value upon it, that when I had it safe in my cage, +and could visit in when I pleased. + +But now am I indeed in love. I can think of nothing, of nobody, but +the divine Clarissa Harlowe--Harlowe!--How that hated word sticks in my +throat--But I shall give her for it the name of Love.* + + +* Lovelace. + + + CLARISSA! O there's music in the name, + That, soft'ning me to infant tenderness, + Makes my heart spring like the first leaps of life! + +But couldst thou have believed that I, who think it possible for me +to favour as much as I can be favoured; that I, who for this charming +creature think of foregoing the life of honour for the life of shackles; +could adopt these over-tender lines of Otway? + +I checked myself, and leaving the first three lines of the following of +Dryden to the family of whiners, find the workings of the passion in my +stormy soul better expressed by the three last: + + Love various minds does variously inspire: + He stirs in gentle natures gentle fires; + Like that of incense on the alter laid. + + But raging flames tempestuous souls invade: + A fire which ev'ry windy passion blows; + With pride it mounts, and with revenge it glows. + +And with REVENGE it shall glow!--For, dost thou think, that if it were +not from the hope, that this stupid family are all combined to do my +work for me, I would bear their insults?--Is it possible to imagine, +that I would be braved as I am braved, threatened as I am threatened, by +those who are afraid to see me; and by this brutal brother, too, to +whom I gave a life; [a life, indeed, not worth my taking!] had I not +a greater pride in knowing that by means of his very spy upon me, I am +playing him off as I please; cooling or inflaming his violent passions +as may best suit my purposes; permitting so much to be revealed of my +life and actions, and intentions, as may give him such a confidence in +his double-faced agent, as shall enable me to dance his employer upon my +own wires? + +This it is that makes my pride mount above my resentment. By this +engine, whose springs I am continually oiling, I play them all off. +The busy old tarpaulin uncle I make but my ambassador to Queen Anabella +Howe, to engage her (for example-sake to her princessly daughter) to +join in their cause, and to assert an authority they are resolved, right +or wrong, (or I could do nothing,) to maintain. + +And what my motive, dost thou ask? No less than this, That my beloved +shall find no protection out of my family; for, if I know hers, fly she +must, or have the man she hates. This, therefore, if I take my measures +right, and my familiar fail me not, will secure her mine, in spite of +them all; in spite of her own inflexible heart: mine, without condition; +without reformation-promises; without the necessity of a siege of years, +perhaps; and to be even then, after wearing the guise of merit-doubting +hypocrisy, at an uncertainty, upon a probation unapproved of. Then shall +I have all the rascals and rascalesses of the family come creeping to +me: I prescribing to them; and bringing that sordidly imperious brother +to kneel at the footstool of my throne. + +All my fear arises from the little hold I have in the heart of this +charming frost-piece: such a constant glow upon her lovely features: +eyes so sparkling: limbs so divinely turned: health so florid: youth so +blooming: air so animated--to have an heart so impenetrable: and I, the +hitherto successful Lovelace, the addresser--How can it be? Yet there +are people, and I have talked with some of them, who remember that +she was born. Her nurse Norton boasts of her maternal offices in her +earliest infancy; and in her education gradatim. So there is full proof, +that she came not from above all at once an angel! How then can she be +so impenetrable? + +But here's her mistake; nor will she be cured of it--She takes the man +she calls her father [her mother had been faultless, had she not been +her father's wife]; she takes the men she calls her uncles; the fellow +she calls her brother; and the poor contemptible she calls her sister; +to be her father, to be her uncles, her brother, her sister; and that, +as such, she owes to some of them reverence, to others respect, let them +treat her ever so cruelly!--Sordid ties!--Mere cradle prejudices!--For +had they not been imposed upon her by Nature, when she was in a perverse +humour, or could she have chosen her relations, would any of these have +been among them? + +How my heart rises at her preference of them to me, when she is +convinced of their injustice to me! Convinced, that the alliance would +do honour to them all--herself excepted; to whom every one owes honour; +and from whom the most princely family might receive it. But how much +more will my heart rise with indignation against her, if I find she +hesitates but one moment (however persecuted) about preferring me to the +man she avowedly hates! But she cannot surely be so mean as to purchase +her peace with them at so dear a rate. She cannot give a sanction to +projects formed in malice, and founded in a selfishness (and that at her +own expense) which she has spirit enough to despise in others; and ought +to disavow, that we may not think her a Harlowe. + +By this incoherent ramble thou wilt gather, that I am not likely to come +up in haste; since I must endeavour first to obtain some assurance from +the beloved of my soul, that I shall not be sacrificed to such a wretch +as Solmes! Woe be to the fair one, if ever she be driven into my +power (for I despair of a voluntary impulse in my favour) and I find a +difficulty in obtaining this security. + +That her indifference to me is not owing to the superior liking she has +for any other, is what rivets my chains. But take care, fair one; take +care, O thou most exalted of female minds, and loveliest of persons, how +thou debasest thyself by encouraging such a competition as thy sordid +relations have set on foot in mere malice to me!--Thou wilt say I rave. +And so I do: + + Perdition catch my soul, but I do love her. + +Else, could I hear the perpetual revilings of her implacable +family?--Else, could I basely creep about--not her proud father's +house--but his paddock and garden walls?--Yet (a quarter of a mile +distance between us) not hoping to behold the least glimpse of her +shadow?--Else, should I think myself repaid, amply repaid, if the +fourth, fifth, or sixth midnight stroll, through unfrequented paths, and +over briery enclosures, affords me a few cold lines; the even expected +purport only to let me know, that she values the most worthless person +of her very worthless family, more than she values me; and that she +would not write at all, but to induce me to bear insults, which unman +me to bear?--My lodging in the intermediate way at a wretched alehouse; +disguised like an inmate of it: accommodations equally vile, as those +I met with in my Westphalian journey. 'Tis well, that the necessity for +all this arise not from scorn and tyranny! but is first imposed upon +herself! + +But was ever hero in romance (fighting with giants and dragons excepted) +called upon to harder trials?--Fortune and family, and reversionary +grandeur on my side! Such a wretched fellow my competitor!--Must I not +be deplorably in love, that can go through these difficulties, encounter +these contempts?--By my soul, I am half ashamed of myself: I, who am +perjured too, by priority of obligation, if I am faithful to any woman +in the world? + +And yet, why say I, I am half ashamed?--Is it not a glory to love her +whom every one who sees her either loves, or reveres, or both? Dryden +says, + + The cause of love can never be assign'd: + 'Tis in no face;--but in the lover's mind. +--And Cowley thus addresses beauty as a mere imaginary: + + Beauty! thou wild fantastic ape, + Who dost in ev'ry country change thy shape: + Here black; there brown; here tawny; and there white! + Thou flatt'rer, who comply'st with ev'ry sight! + Who hast no certain what, nor where. + +But both these, had they been her contemporaries, and known her, would +have confessed themselves mistaken: and, taking together person, mind, +and behaviour, would have acknowledged the justice of the universal +voice in her favour. + + --Full many a lady + I've ey'd with best regard; and many a time + Th' harmony of their tongues hath into bondage + Brought my too-diligent ear. For sev'ral virtues + Have I liked several women. Never any + With so full a soul, but some defect in her + Did quarrel with the noblest grace she ow'd, + And put it to the foil. But SHE!--O SHE! + So perfect and so peerless is created, + Of ev'ry creature's best. + + SHAKESP. + +Thou art curious to know, if I have not started a new game? If it +be possible for so universal a lover to be confined so long to one +object?--Thou knowest nothing of this charming creature, that thou canst +put such questions to me; or thinkest thou knowest me better than +thou dost. All that's excellent in her sex is this lady!--Until by +MATRIMONIAL or EQUAL intimacies, I have found her less than angel, it is +impossible to think of any other. Then there are so many stimulatives +to such a spirit as mine in this affair, besides love: such a field of +stratagem and contrivance, which thou knowest to be the delight of my +heart. Then the rewarding end of all!--To carry off such a girl as this, +in spite of all her watchful and implacable friends; and in spite of a +prudence and reserve that I never met with in any of the sex;--what a +triumph!--What a triumph over the whole sex!--And then such a revenge to +gratify; which is only at present politically reined in, eventually to +break forth with greater fury--Is it possible, thinkest thou, that there +can be room for a thought that is not of her, and devoted to her? + + +*** + + +By the devices I have this moment received, I have reason to think, that +I shall have occasion for thee here. Hold thyself in readiness to come +down upon the first summons. + +Let Belton, and Mowbray, and Tourville, likewise prepare themselves. I +have a great mind to contrive a method to send James Harlowe to travel +for improvement. Never was there a booby 'squire that more wanted it. +Contrive it, did I say? I have already contrived it; could I but put +it in execution without being suspected to have a hand in it. This I am +resolved upon; if I have not his sister, I will have him. + +But be this as it may, there is a present likelihood of room for +glorious mischief. A confederacy had been for some time formed against +me; but the uncles and the nephew are now to be double-servanted +[single-servanted they were before]; and those servants are to be +double armed when they attend their masters abroad. This indicates their +resolute enmity to me, and as resolute favour to Solmes. + +The reinforced orders for this hostile apparatus are owing it seems to a +visit I made yesterday to their church.--A good place I thought to begin +a reconciliation in; supposing the heads of the family to be christians, +and that they meant something by their prayers. My hopes were to have +an invitation (or, at least, to gain a pretence) to accompany home the +gloomy sire; and so get an opportunity to see my goddess: for I believed +they durst not but be civil to me, at least. But they were filled with +terror it seems at my entrance; a terror they could not get over. I saw +it indeed in their countenances; and that they all expected something +extraordinary to follow.--And so it should have done, had I been more +sure than I am of their daughter's favour. Yet not a hair of any of +their stupid heads do I intend to hurt. + +You shall all have your directions in writing, if there be occasion. But +after all, I dare say there will be no need but to shew your faces in my +company. + +Such faces never could four men shew--Mowbray's so fierce and so +fighting: Belton's so pert and so pimply: Tourville's so fair and +so foppish: thine so rough and so resolute: and I your leader!--What +hearts, although meditating hostility, must those be which we shall not +appall?--Each man occasionally attended by a servant or two, long ago +chosen for qualities resembling those of his master. + +Thus, Jack, as thou desirest, have I written.--Written upon something; +upon nothing; upon REVENGE, which I love; upon LOVE, which I hate, +heartily hate, because 'tis my master: and upon the devil knows what +besides: for looking back, I am amazed at the length of it. Thou mayest +read it: I would not for a king's ransom. But so as I do but write, thou +sayest thou wilt be pleased. + +Be pleased then. I command thee to be pleased: if not for the writer's +or written sake, for thy word's sake. And so in the royal style (for am +I not likely to be thy king and thy emperor in the great affair before +us?) I bid thee very heartily + +Farewell. + + + + +LETTER XXXII + +MISS CLARISSA HARLOWE, TO MISS HOWE TUESDAY, MARCH 14. + + +I now send you copies of my letters to my uncles: with their answers. Be +pleased to return the latter by the first deposit. I leave them for you +to make remarks upon. I shall make none. + + +TO JOHN HARLOWE, ESQ. SAT. MARCH 11. + +Allow me, my honoured second Papa, as in my happy days you taught me +to call you, to implore your interest with my Papa, to engage him to +dispense with a command, which, if insisted upon, will deprive me of my +free-will, and make me miserable for my whole life. + +For my whole life! let me repeat: Is that a small point, my dear Uncle, +to give up? Am not I to live with the man? Is any body else? Shall I not +therefore be allowed to judge for myself, whether I can, or cannot, live +happily with him? + +Should it be ever so unhappily, will it be prudence to complain or +appeal? If it were, to whom could I appeal with effect against a +husband? And would not the invincible and avowed dislike I have for him +at setting out, seem to justify any ill usage from him, in that state, +were I to be ever so observant of him? And if I were to be at all +observant of him, it must be from fear, not love. + +Once more, let me repeat, That this is not a small point to give up: +and that it is for life. Why, I pray you, good Sir, should I be made +miserable for life? Why should I be deprived of all comfort, but that +which the hope that it would be a very short one, would afford me? + +Marriage is a very solemn engagement, enough to make a young creature's +heart ache, with the best prospects, when she thinks seriously of +it!--To be given up to a strange man; to be engrafted into a strange +family; to give up her very name, as a mark of her becoming his absolute +and dependent property; to be obliged to prefer this strange man to +father, mother--to every body:--and his humours to all her own--or to +contend, perhaps, in breach of avowed duty, for every innocent +instance of free-will. To go no where; to make acquaintance; to give up +acquaintance; to renounce even the strictest friendships, perhaps; +all at his pleasure, whether she thinks it reasonable to do so or not. +Surely, Sir, a young creature ought not to be obliged to make all these +sacrifices but for such a man as she can love. If she be, how sad must +be the case! How miserable the life, if it can be called life! + +I wish I could obey you all. What a pleasure would it be to me, if I +could!--Marry first, and love will come after, was said by one of my +dearest friends! But this is a shocking assertion. A thousand thing may +happen to make that state but barely tolerable, where it is entered into +with mutual affections: What must it then be, where the husband can have +no confidence in the love of his wife: but has reason rather to question +it, from the preference he himself believes she would have given to +somebody else, had she had her own option? What doubts, what jealousies, +what want of tenderness, what unfavourable prepossessions, will there +be, in a matrimony thus circumstanced! How will every look, every +action, even the most innocent, be liable to misconstruction!--While, +on the other hand, an indifference, a carelessness to oblige, may take +place; and fear only can constrain even an appearance of what ought to +be the effect of undisguised love! + +Think seriously of these things, dear, good Sir, and represent them to +my father in that strong light which the subject will bear; but in which +my sex, and my tender years and inexperience, will not permit me to +paint it; and use your powerful interest, that your poor niece may not +be consigned to a misery so durable. + +I offered to engage not to marry at all, if that condition may be +accepted. What a disgrace is it to me to be thus sequestered from +company, thus banished my papa's and mamma's presence; thus slighted and +deserted by you, Sir, and my other kind uncle! And to be hindered from +attending at that public worship, which, were I out of the way of my +duty, would be most likely to reduce me into the right path again!--Is +this the way, Sir; can this be thought to be the way to be taken with +a free and open spirit? May not this strange method rather harden than +convince? I cannot bear to live in disgrace thus. The very servants so +lately permitted to be under my own direction, hardly daring to speak to +me; my own servant discarded with high marks of undeserved suspicion and +displeasure, and my sister's maid set over me. + +The matter may be too far pushed.--Indeed it may.--And then, perhaps, +every one will be sorry for their parts in it. + +May I be permitted to mention an expedient?--'If I am to be +watched, banished, and confined; suppose, Sir, it were to be at your +house?'--Then the neighbouring gentry will the less wonder, that the +person of whom they used to think so favourably, appear not at church +here; and that she received not their visits. + +I hope there can be no objection to this. You used to love to have +me with you, Sir, when all went happily with me: And will you not now +permit me, in my troubles, the favour of your house, till all this +displeasure is overblown?--Upon my word, Sir, I will not stir out of +doors, if you require the contrary of me: nor will I see any body, but +whom you will allow me to see; provided Mr. Solmes be not brought to +persecute me there. + +Procure, then, this favour for me; if you cannot procure the still +greater, that of a happy reconciliation (which nevertheless I presume to +hope for, if you will be so good as to plead for me); and you will then +add to those favours and to that indulgence, which have bound me, and +will for ever bind me to be + +Your dutiful and obliged niece, CLARISSA HARLOWE. + + +THE ANSWER + + +SUNDAY NIGHT. + +MY DEAR NIECE, + +It grieves me to be forced to deny you any thing you ask. Yet it must be +so; for unless you can bring your mind to oblige us in this one point, +in which our promises and honour were engaged before we believed there +could be so sturdy an opposition, you must never expect to be what you +have been to us all. + +In short, Niece, we are in an embattled phalanx. Your reading makes you +a stranger to nothing but what you should be most acquainted with. So +you will see by that expression, that we are not to be pierced by your +persuasions, and invincible persistence. We have agreed all to be +moved, or none; and not to comply without one another. So you know your +destiny; and have nothing to do but to yield to it. + +Let me tell you, the virtue of obedience lies not in obliging when you +can be obliged again. But give up an inclination, and there is some +merit in that. + +As to your expedient; you shall not come to my house, Miss Clary; though +this is a prayer I little thought I ever should have denied you: for +were you to keep your word as to seeing nobody but whom we please, yet +can you write to somebody else, and receive letters from him. This we +too well know you can, and have done--more is the shame and the pity! + +You offer to live single, Miss--we wished you married: but because you +may not have the man your heart is set upon, why, truly, you will have +nobody we shall recommend: and as we know, that somehow or other you +correspond with him, or at least did as long as you could; and as he +defies us all, and would not dare to do so, if he were not sure of you +in spite of us all, (which is not a little vexatious to us, you must +think,) we are resolved to frustrate him, and triumph over him, rather +than that he should triumph over us: that's one word for all. So expect +not any advocateship from me: I will not plead for you; and that's +enough. From + +Your displeased uncle, JOHN HARLOWE. + +P.S. For the rest I refer to my brother Antony. + + +*** + + +TO ANTONY HARLOWE, ESQ. SATURDAY, MARCH 11. + +HONOURED SIR, + +As you have thought fit to favour Mr. Solmes with your particular +recommendation, and was very earnest in his behalf, ranking him (as +you told me, upon introducing him to me) among your select friends; and +expecting my regards to him accordingly; I beg your patience, while +I offer a few things, out of many that I could offer, to your serious +consideration, on occasion of his address to me, if I am to use that +word. + +I am charged with prepossession in another person's favour. You will be +pleased, Sir, to remember, that till my brother returned from Scotland, +that other person was not absolutely discouraged, nor was I forbid to +receive his visits. I believe it will not be pretended, that in birth, +education, or personal endowments, a comparison can be made between the +two. And only let me ask you, Sir, if the one would have been thought of +for me, had he not made such offers, as, upon my word, I think, I ought +not in justice to accept of, nor he to propose: offers, which if he had +not made, I dare say, my papa would not have required them of him. + +But the one, it seems, has many faults:--Is the other faultless?--The +principal thing objected to Mr. Lovelace (and a very inexcusable one) is +that he is immoral in his loves--Is not the other in his hatreds?--Nay, +as I may say, in his loves too (the object only differing) if the love +of money be the root of all evil. + +But, Sir, if I am prepossessed, what has Mr. Solmes to hope for?--Why +should he persevere? What must I think of the man who would wish me to +be his wife against my inclination?--And is it not a very harsh thing +for my friends to desire to see me married to one I cannot love, when +they will not be persuaded but that there is one whom I do love? + +Treated as I am, now is the time for me to speak out or never.--Let +me review what it is Mr. Solmes depends upon on this occasion. Does he +believe, that the disgrace which I supper on his account, will give +him a merit with me? Does he think to win my esteem, through my uncles' +sternness to me; by my brother's contemptuous usage; by my sister's +unkindness; by being denied to visit, or be visited; and to correspond +with my chosen friend, although a person of unexceptionable honour and +prudence, and of my own sex; my servant to be torn from me, and another +servant set over me; to be confined, like a prisoner, to narrow and +disgraceful limits, in order avowedly to mortify me, and to break my +spirit; to be turned out of that family-management which I loved, and +had the greater pleasure in it, because it was an ease, as I thought, to +my mamma, and what my sister chose not; and yet, though time hangs heavy +upon my hands, to be so put out of my course, that I have as little +inclination as liberty to pursue any of my choice delights?--Are these +steps necessary to reduce me to a level so low, as to make me a fit wife +for this man?--Yet these are all he can have to trust to. And if +his reliance is on these measures, I would have him to know, that +he mistakes meekness and gentleness of disposition for servility and +baseness of heart. + +I beseech you, Sir, to let the natural turn and bent of his mind and my +mind be considered: What are his qualities, by which he would hope to +win my esteem?--Dear, dear Sir, if I am to be compelled, let it be in +favour of a man that can read and write--that can teach me something: +For what a husband must that man make, who can do nothing but command; +and needs himself the instruction he should be qualified to give? + +I may be conceited, Sir; I may be vain of my little reading; of my +writing; as of late I have more than once been told I am. But, Sir, the +more unequal the proposed match, if so: the better opinion I have of +myself, the worse I must have of him; and the more unfit are we for each +other. + +Indeed, Sir, I must say, I thought my friends had put a higher value +upon me. My brother pretended once, that it was owing to such value, +that Mr. Lovelace's address was prohibited.--Can this be; and such a man +as Mr. Solmes be intended for me? + +As to his proposed settlements, I hope I shall not incur your great +displeasure, if I say, what all who know me have reason to think (and +some have upbraided me for), that I despise those motives. Dear, dear +Sir, what are settlements to one who has as much of her own as she +wishes for?--Who has more in her own power, as a single person, than +it is probable she would be permitted to have at her disposal, as a +wife?--Whose expenses and ambition are moderate; and who, if she had +superfluities, would rather dispense them to the necessitous, than lay +them by her useless? If then such narrow motives have so little weight +with me for my own benefit, shall the remote and uncertain view of +family-aggrandizements, and that in the person of my brother and his +descendents, be thought sufficient to influence me? + +Has the behaviour of that brother to me of late, or his consideration +for the family (which had so little weight with him, that he could +choose to hazard a life so justly precious as an only son's, rather than +not ratify passions which he is above attempting to subdue, and, give me +leave to say, has been too much indulged in, either with regard to his +own good, or the peace of any body related to him;) Has his behaviour, I +say, deserved of me in particular, that I should make a sacrifice of my +temporal (and, who knows? of my eternal) happiness, to promote a plan +formed upon chimerical, at least upon unlikely, contingencies; as I will +undertake to demonstrate, if I may be permitted to examine it? + +I am afraid you will condemn my warmth: But does not the occasion +require it? To the want of a greater degree of earnestness in my +opposition, it seems, it is owing, that such advances have been made, +as have been made. Then, dear Sir, allow something, I beseech you, for a +spirit raised and embittered by disgraces, which (knowing my own heart) +I am confident to say, are unmerited. + +But why have I said so much, in answer to the supposed charge of +prepossession, when I have declared to my mamma, as now, Sir, I do +to you, that if it be not insisted upon that I shall marry any other +person, particularly this Mr. Solmes, I will enter into any engagements +never to have the other, nor any man else, without their consents; that +is to say, without the consents of my father and my mother, and of you +my uncle, and my elder uncle, and my cousin Morden, as he is one of the +trustees for my grandfather's bounty to me?--As to my brother indeed, I +cannot say, that his treatment of me has been of late so brotherly, +as to entitle him to more than civility from me: and for this, give me +leave to add, he would be very much my debtor. + +If I have not been explicit enough in declaring my dislike to Mr. Solmes +(that the prepossession which is charged upon me may not be supposed to +influence me against him) I do absolutely declare, That were there no +such man as Mr. Lovelace in the world, I would not have Mr. Solmes. +It is necessary, in some one of my letters to my dear friends, that I +should write so clearly as to put this matter out of all doubt: and to +whom can I better address myself with an explicitness that can admit +of no mistake, than to that uncle who professes the highest regard for +plain-dealing and sincerity? + +Let me, for these reasons, be still more particular in some of my +exceptions to him. + +Mr. Solmes appears to me (to all the world, indeed) to have a very +narrow mind, and no great capacity: he is coarse and indelicate; as +rough in his manners as in his person: he is not only narrow, but +covetous: being possessed of great wealth, he enjoys it not; nor has the +spirit to communicate to a distress of any kind. Does not his own sister +live unhappily, for want of a little of his superfluities? And suffers +not he his aged uncle, the brother of his own mother, to owe to +the generosity of strangers the poor subsistence he picks up from +half-a-dozen families?--You know, Sir, my open, free, communicative +temper: how unhappy must I be, circumscribed in his narrow, selfish +circle! out of which being with-held by this diabolical parsimony, he +dare no more stir, than a conjurer out of his; nor would let me. + +Such a man, as this, love!--Yes, perhaps he may, my grandfather's +estate; which he has told several persons (and could not resist hinting +the same thing tome, with that sort of pleasure which a low mind takes, +when it intimates its own interest as a sufficient motive for it to +expect another's favour) lies so extremely convenient for him, that it +would double the value of a considerable part of his own. That estate, +and an alliance which would do credit to his obscurity and narrowness, +they make him think he can love, and induce him to believe he does: but +at most, he is but a second-place love. Riches were, are, and always +will be, his predominant passion. His were left him by a miser, on this +very account: and I must be obliged to forego all the choice delights +of my life, and be as mean as he, or else be quite unhappy. Pardon, Sir, +this severity of expression--one is apt to say more than one would of +a person one dislikes, when more is said in his favour than he can +possibly deserve; and when he is urged to my acceptance with so much +vehemence, that there is no choice left me. + +Whether these things be perfectly so, or not, while I think they are, +it is impossible I should ever look upon Mr. Solmes in the light he is +offered to me. Nay, were he to be proved ten times better than I have +represented him, and sincerely think him; yet would he be still ten +times more disagreeable to me than any other man I know in the world. +Let me therefore beseech you, Sir, to become an advocate for your niece, +that she may not be made a victim to a man so highly disgustful to her. + +You and my other uncle can do a great deal for me, if you please, with +my papa. Be persuaded, Sir, that I am not governed by obstinacy in this +case; but by aversion; an aversion I cannot overcome: for, if I have but +endeavoured to reason with myself, (out of regard to the duty I owe +to my father's will,) my heart has recoiled, and I have been averse to +myself, for offering but to argue with myself, in behalf of a man who, +in the light he appears to me, has no one merit; and who, knowing this +aversion, could not persevere as he does, if he had the spirit of a man. + +If, Sir, you can think of the contents of this letter reasonable, I +beseech you to support them with your interest. If not--I shall be most +unhappy!--Nevertheless, it is but just in me so to write, as that Mr. +Solmes may know what he has to trust to. + +Forgive, dear Sir, this tedious letter; and suffer it to have weight +with you; and you will for ever oblige + +Your dutiful and affectionate niece, + +CL. HARLOWE. + + +*** + + +MR. ANTONY HARLOWE, TO MISS CL. HARLOWE + +NIECE CLARY, + +You had better not write to us, or to any of us. To me, particularly, +you had better never to have set pen to paper, on the subject whereon +you have written. He that is first in his own cause, saith the wise man, +seemeth just: but his neighbour cometh and searcheth him. And so, in +this respect, I will be your neighbour: for I will search your heart to +the bottom; that is to say, if your letter be written from your heart. +Yet do I know what a task I have undertaken, because of the knack you +are noted for at writing. But in defence of a father's authority, in +behalf of the good, and honour, and prosperity of the family one comes +of, what a hard thing it would be, if one could not beat down all the +arguments a rebel child (how loth I am to write down that word of Miss +Clary Harlowe!) can bring, in behalf of her obstinacy! + +In the first place, don't you declare (and that contrary to your +declarations to your mother, remember that, girl!) that you prefer the +man we all hate, and who hates us as bad!--Then what a character have +you given of a worthy man! I wonder you dare write so freely of one we +all respect--but possibly it may be for that very reason. + +How you begin your letter!--Because I value Mr. Solmes as my friend, you +treat him the worse--That's the plain dunstable of the matter, Miss!--I +am not such a fool but I can see that.--And so a noted whoremonger is +to be chosen before a man who is a money-lover!--Let me tell you, Niece, +this little becomes so nice a one as you have been always reckoned. Who, +think you, does more injustice, a prodigal man or a saving man?--The one +saves his own money; the other spends other people's. But your favourite +is a sinner in grain, and upon record. + +The devil's in your sex! God forgive me for saying so--the nicest of +them will prefer a vile rake and wh---- I suppose I must not repeat the +word:--the word will offend, when the vicious denominated by that word +will be chosen!--I had not been a bachelor to this time, if I had not +seen such a mass of contradictions in you all.--Such gnat-strainers and +camel-swallowers, as venerable Holy Writ has it. + +What names will perverseness call things by!--A prudent man, who intends +to be just to every body, is a covetous man!--While a vile, profligate +rake is christened with the appellation of a gallant man; and a polite +man, I'll warrant you! + +It is my firm opinion, Lovelace would not have so much regard for you +as he professes, but for two reasons. And what are these?--Why, out of +spite to all of us--one of them. The other, because of your independent +fortune. I wish your good grandfather had not left what he did so much +in your own power, as I may say. But little did he imagine his beloved +grand-daughter would have turned upon all her friends as she has done! + +What has Mr. Solmes to hope for, if you are prepossessed! Hey-day! +Is this you, cousin Clary!--Has he then nothing to hope for from your +father's, and mother's, and our recommendations?--No, nothing at all, it +seems!--O brave!--I should think that this, with a dutiful child, as we +took you to be, was enough. Depending on this your duty, we proceeded: +and now there is no help for it: for we will not be balked: neither +shall our friend Mr. Solmes, I can tell you that. + +If your estate is convenient for him, what then? Does that (pert cousin) +make it out that he does not love you? He had need to expect some good +with you, that has so little good to hope for from you; mind that. But +pray, is not this estate our estate, as we may say? Have we not all an +interest in it, and a prior right, if right were to have taken place? +And was it not more than a good old man's dotage, God rest his soul! +that gave it you before us all?--Well then, ought we not to have a +choice who shall have it in marriage with you? and would you have the +conscience to wish us to let a vile fellow, who hates us all, run away +with it?--You bid me weigh what you write: do you weigh this, Girl: and +it will appear we have more to say for ourselves than you was aware of. + +As to your hard treatment, as you call it, thank yourself for that. It +may be over when you will: so I reckon nothing upon that. You was not +banished and confined till all entreaty and fair speeches were tried +with you: mind that. And Mr. Solmes can't help your obstinacy: let that +be observed too. + +As to being visited, and visiting; you never was fond of either: so +that's a grievance put into the scale to make weight.--As to disgrace, +that's as bad to us as to you: so fine a young creature! So much as we +used to brag of you too!--And besides, this is all in your power, as the +rest. + +But your heart recoils, when you would persuade yourself to obey your +parent--Finely described, is it not!--Too truly described, I own, as you +go on. I know that you may love him if you will. I had a good mind to +bid you hate him; then, perhaps, you would like him the better: for I +have always found a most horrid romantic perverseness in your sex.--To +do and to love what you should not, is meat, drink, and vesture, to you +all. + +I am absolutely of your brother's mind, That reading and writing, though +not too much for the wits of you young girls, are too much for your +judgments.--You say, you may be conceited, Cousin; you may be vain!--And +so you are, to despise this gentleman as you do. He can read and write +as well as most gentlemen, I can tell you that. Who told you Mr. Solmes +cannot read and write? But you must have a husband who can learn +you something!--I wish you knew but your duty as well as you do your +talents--that, Niece, you have of late days to learn; and Mr. Solmes +will therefore find something to instruct you in. I will not shew him +this letter of yours, though you seem to desire it, lest it should +provoke him to be too severe a schoolmaster, when you are his'n. + +But now I think of it, suppose you are the reader at your pen than +he--You will make the more useful wife to him; won't you? For who so +good an economist as you?--And you may keep all of his accounts, +and save yourselves a steward.--And, let me tell you, this is a fine +advantage in a family: for those stewards are often sad dogs, and creep +into a man's estate before he knows where he is; and not seldom is he +forced to pay them interest for his own money. + +I know not why a good wife should be above these things. It is better +than lying a-bed half the day, and junketing and card-playing all the +night, and making yourselves wholly useless to every good purpose in +your own families, as is now the fashion among ye. The duce take you all +that do so, say I!--Only that, thank my stars, I am a bachelor. + +Then this is a province you are admirably versed in: you grieve that +it is taken from you here, you know. So here, Miss, with Mr. Solmes you +will have something to keep account of, for the sake of you and your +children: with the other, perhaps you will have an account to keep, +too--but an account of what will go over the left shoulder; only of what +he squanders, what he borrows, and what he owes, and never will pay. +Come, come, Cousin, you know nothing of the world; a man's a man; and +you may have many partners in a handsome man, and costly ones too, who +may lavish away all you save. Mr. Solmes therefore for my money, and I +hope for yours. + +But Mr. Solmes is a coarse man. He is not delicate enough for your +niceness; because I suppose he dresses not like a fop and a coxcomb, and +because he lays not himself out in complimental nonsense, the poison of +female minds. He is a man of sense, that I can tell you. No man +talks more to the purpose to us: but you fly him so, that he has no +opportunity given him, to express it to you: and a man who loves, if he +have ever so much sense, looks a fool; especially when he is despised, +and treated as you treated him the last time he was in your company. + +As to his sister; she threw herself away (as you want to do) against his +full warning: for he told her what she had to trust to, if she married +where she did marry. And he was as good as his word; and so an honest +man ought: offences against warning ought to be smarted for. Take care +this be not your case: mind that. + +His uncle deserves no favour from him; for he would have circumvented +Mr. Solmes, and got Sir Oliver to leave to himself the estate he had +always designed for him his nephew, and brought him up in the hope of +it. Too ready forgiveness does but encourage offences: that's your good +father's maxim: and there would not be so many headstrong daughters as +there are, if this maxim were kept in mind.--Punishments are of service +to offenders; rewards should be only to the meriting: and I think the +former are to be dealt out rigourously, in willful cases. + +As to his love; he shews it but too much for your deservings, as they +have been of late; let me tell you that: and this is his misfortune; and +may in time perhaps be yours. + +As to his parsimony, which you wickedly call diabolical, [a very free +word in your mouth, let me tell ye], little reason have you of all +people for this, on whom he proposes, of his own accord, to settle all +he has in the world: a proof, let him love riches as he will, that he +loves you better. But that you may be without excuse on this score, +we will tie him up to your own terms, and oblige him by the +marriage-articles to allow you a very handsome quarterly sum to do what +you please with. And this has been told you before; and I have said it +to Mrs. Howe (that good and worthy lady) before her proud daughter, that +you might hear of it again. + +To contradict the charge of prepossession to Lovelace, you offer never +to have him without our consents: and what is this saying, but that you +will hope on for our consents, and to wheedle and tire us out? Then he +will always be in expectation while you are single: and we are to live +on at this rate (are we?) vexed by you, and continually watchful about +you; and as continually exposed to his insolence and threats. Remember +last Sunday, Girl!--What might have happened, had your brother and he +met?--Moreover, you cannot do with such a spirit as his, as you can with +worthy Mr. Solmes: the one you make tremble; the other will make +you quake: mind that--and you will not be able to help yourself. And +remember, that if there should be any misunderstanding between one of +them and you, we should all interpose; and with effect, no doubt: but +with the other, it would be self-do, self-have; and who would either +care or dare to put in a word for you? Nor let the supposition of +matrimonial differences frighten you: honey-moon lasts not now-a-days +above a fortnight; and Dunmow flitch, as I have been informed, was never +claimed; though some say once it was. Marriage is a queer state, Child, +whether paired by the parties or by their friends. Out of three brothers +of us, you know, there was but one had courage to marry. And why was it, +do you think? We were wise by other people's experience. + +Don't despise money so much: you may come to know the value of it: that +is a piece of instruction that you are to learn; and which, according to +your own notions, Mr. Solmes will be able to teach you. + +I do indeed condemn your warmth. I will not allow for disgraces you +bring upon yourself. If I thought them unmerited, I would be your +advocate. But it was always my notion, that children should not dispute +their parents' authority. When your grandfather left his estate to you, +though his three sons, and a grandson, and your elder sister, were in +being, we all acquiesced: and why? Because it was our father's doing. Do +you imitate that example: if you will not, those who set it you have the +more reason to hold you inexcusable: mind that, Cousin. + +You mention your brother too scornfully: and, in your letter to him, are +very disrespectful; and so indeed you are to your sister, in the letter +you wrote to her. Your brother, Madam, is your brother; and third older +than yourself, and a man: and pray be so good as not to forget what is +due to a brother, who (next to us three brothers) is the head of the +family, and on whom the name depends--as upon your dutiful compliance +laid down for the honour of the family you are come of. And pray now let +me ask you, If the honour of that will not be an honour to you?--If you +don't think so, the more unworthy you. You shall see the plan, if you +promise not to be prejudiced against it right or wrong. If you are not +besotted to that man, I am sure you will like it. If you are, were Mr. +Solmes an angel, it would signify nothing: for the devil is love, and +love is the devil, when it gets into any of your heads. Many examples +have I seen of that. + +If there were no such man as Lovelace in the world, you would not have +Mr. Solmes.--You would not, Miss!--Very pretty, truly!--We see how your +spirit is embittered indeed.--Wonder not, since it is come to your will +not's, that those who have authority over you, say, You shall have the +other. And I am one: mind that. And if it behoves YOU to speak out, +Miss, it behoves US not to speak in. What's sauce for the goose is sauce +for the gander: take that in your thought too. + +I humbly apprehend, that Mr. Solmes has the spirit of a man, and a +gentleman. I would admonish you therefore not to provoke it. He pities +you as much as he loves you. He says, he will convince you of his love +by deeds, since he is not permitted by you to express it by words. And +all his dependence is upon your generosity hereafter. We hope he may +depend upon that: we encourage him to think he may. And this heartens +him up. So that you may lay his constancy at your parents' and your +uncles' doors; and this will be another mark of your duty, you know. + +You must be sensible, that you reflect upon your parents, and all of +us, when you tell me you cannot in justice accept of the settlements +proposed to you. This reflection we should have wondered at from you +once; but now we don't. + +There are many other very censurable passages in this free letter of +yours; but we must place them to the account of your embittered spirit. +I am glad you mentioned that word, because we should have been at a +loss what to have called it.--I should much rather nevertheless have had +reason to give it a better name. + +I love you dearly still, Miss. I think you, though my niece, one of the +finest young gentlewomen I ever saw. But, upon my conscience, I think +you ought to obey your parents, and oblige me and my brother John: +for you know very well, that we have nothing but your good at heart: +consistently indeed with the good and honour of all of us. What must we +think of any one of it, who would not promote the good of the whole? +and who would set one part of it against another?--Which God forbid, say +I!--You see I am for the good of all. What shall I get by it, let things +go as they will? Do I want any thing of any body for my own sake?--Does +my brother John?--Well, then, Cousin Clary, what would you be at, as I +may say? + +O but you can't love Mr. Solmes!--But, I say, you know not what you +can do. You encourage yourself in your dislike. You permit your heart +(little did I think it was such a froward one) to recoil. Take it to +task, Niece; drive it on as fast as it recoils, [we do so in all our +sea-fights, and land-fights too, by our sailors and soldiers, or we +should not conquer]; and we are all sure you will overcome it. And why? +Because you ought. So we think, whatever you think: and whose thoughts +are to be preferred? You may be wittier than we; but, if you were wiser, +we have lived some of us, let me tell you, to very little purpose, +thirty or forty years longer than you. + +I have written as long a letter as yours. I may not write in so lively, +or so polite a style as my Niece: but I think I have all the argument +on my side: and you will vastly oblige me, if you will shew me, by your +compliance with all our desires, that you think so too. If you do not, +you must not expect an advocate, or even a friend, in me, dearly as I +love you. For then I shall be sorry to be called + +Your uncle, ANT. HARLOWE. + +TUESDAY, TWO IN THE MORNING. POSTSCRIPT. + +You must send me no more letters: but a compliable one you may send. +But I need not have forbid you; for I am sure this, by fair argument, +is unanswerable--I know it is. I have written day and night, I may say, +ever since Sunday morning, only church-time, or the like of that: but +this is the last, I can tell you, from + +ANT. H. + + + + +LETTER XXXIII + +MISS CLARISSA HARLOWE, TO MISS HOWE THURSDAY, MARCH 16. + + +Having met with such bad success in my application to my relations, I +have taken a step that will surprise you. It is no other than writing +a letter to Mr. Solmes himself. I sent it, and have his answer. He had +certainly help in it. For I have seen a letter of his, and indifferently +worded, as poorly spelt. Yet the superscription is of his dictating, +I dare say, for he is a formal wretch. With these, I shall enclose one +from my brother to me, on occasion of mine to Mr. Solmes. I did think +that it was possible to discourage the man from proceeding; and if I +could have done that, it would have answered all my wishes. It was worth +the trial. But you'll see nothing will do. My brother has taken his +measures too securely. + + +TO ROGER SOLMES, ESQ. WEDNESDAY, MARCH 15. + +SIR, + +You will wonder to receive a letter from me; and more still at the +uncommon subject of it. But the necessity of the case will justify me, +at least in my own apprehension; and I shall therefore make no other +apology for it. + +When you first came acquainted with our family, you found the writer of +this one of the happiest creatures in the world; beloved by the best +and most indulgent of parents; and rejoicing in the kind favour of two +affectionate uncles, and in the esteem of every one. + +But how is this scene now changed!--You was pleased to cast a favourable +eye upon me. You addressed yourself to my friends: your proposals were +approved of by them--approved of without consulting me; as if my choice +and happiness were of the least signification. Those who had a right to +all reasonable obedience from me, insisted upon it without reserve. +I had not the felicity to think as they did; almost the first time my +sentiments differed from theirs. I besought them to indulge me in a +point so important to my future happiness: but, alas, in vain! And then +(for I thought it was but honest) I told you my mind; and even that +my affections were engaged. But, to my mortification and surprise, you +persisted, and still persist. + +The consequence of all is too grievous for me to repeat: you, who have +such free access to the rest of the family, know it too well--too well +you know it, either for the credit of your own generosity, or for my +reputation. I am used, on your account, as I never before was used, and +never before was thought to deserve to be used; and this was the hard, +the impossible, condition of their returning favour, that I must prefer +a man to all others, that of all others I cannot prefer. + +Thus distressed, and made unhappy, and all to your sake, and through +your cruel perseverance, I write, Sir, to demand of you the peace of +mind you have robbed me of: to demand of you the love of so many dear +friends, of which you have deprived me; and, if you have the generosity +that should distinguish a man, and a gentleman, to adjure you not to +continue an address that has been attended with such cruel effects to +the creature you profess to esteem. + +If you really value me, as my friends would make me believe, and as you +have declared you do, must it not be a mean and selfish value? A value +that can have no merit with the unhappy object of it, because it is +attended with effects so grievous to her? It must be for your own sake +only, not for mine. And even in this point you must be mistaken: For, +would a prudent man wish to marry one who has not a heart to give? Who +cannot esteem him? Who therefore must prove a bad wife!--And how cruel +would it be to make a poor creature a bad wife, whose pride it would be +to make a good one! + +If I am capable of judging, our tempers and inclinations are vastly +different. Any other of my sex will make you happier than I can. The +treatment I meet with, and the obstinacy, as it is called, with which I +support myself under it, ought to convince you of this; were I not able +to give so good a reason for this my supposed perverseness, as that I +cannot consent to marry a man whom I cannot value. + +But if, Sir, you have not so much generosity in your value for me, as +to desist for my own sake, let me conjure you, by the regard due to +yourself, and to your own future happiness, to discontinue your suit, +and place your affections on a worthier object: for why should you make +me miserable, and yourself not happy? By this means you will do all that +is now in your power to restore to me the affection of my friends; and, +if that can be, it will leave me in as happy a state as you found me +in. You need only to say, that you see there are no HOPES, as you will +perhaps complaisantly call it, of succeeding with me [and indeed, Sir, +there cannot be a greater truth]; and that you will therefore no more +think of me, but turn your thoughts another way. + +Your compliance with this request will lay me under the highest +obligation to your generosity, and make me ever + +Your well-wisher, and humble servant, CLARISSA HARLOWE. + + + +TO MISS CLARISSA HARLOWE These most humbly present. + +DEAREST MISS, + +Your letter has had a very contrary effect upon me, to what you seem to +have expected from it. It has doubly convinced me of the excellency of +your mind, and of the honour of your disposition. Call it selfish, or +what you please, I must persist in my suit; and happy shall I be, if by +patience and perseverance, and a steady and unalterable devoir, I may at +last overcome the difficulty laid in my way. + +As your good parents, your uncles, and other friends, are absolutely +determined you shall never have Mr. Lovelace, if they can help it; and +as I presume no other person is in the way, I will contentedly wait the +issue of this matter. And forgive me, dearest Miss, but a person should +sooner persuade me to give up to him my estate, as an instance of my +generosity, because he could not be happy without it, than I would a +much more valuable treasure, to promote the felicity of another, and +make his way easier to circumvent myself. + +Pardon me, dear Miss; but I must persevere, though I am sorry you suffer +on my account, as you are pleased to think; for I never before saw the +woman I could love: and while there is any hope, and that you remain +undisposed of to some happier man, I must and will be + +Your faithful and obsequious admirer, ROGER SOLMES. + +MARCH 16. + + +*** + + +MR. JAMES HARLOWE, TO MISS CL. HARLOWE MARCH 16. + +What a fine whim you took into your head, to write a letter to Mr. +Solmes, to persuade him to give up his pretensions to you!--Of all the +pretty romantic flights you have delighted in, this was certainly one +of the most extraordinary. But to say nothing of what fires us all with +indignation against you (your owning your prepossession in a villain's +favour, and your impertinence to me, and your sister, and your uncles; +one of which has given it you home, child), how can you lay at Mr. +Solmes's door the usage you so bitterly complain of?--You know, little +fool as you are, that it is your fondness for Lovelace that has brought +upon you all these things; and which would have happened, whether Mr. +Solmes had honoured you with his addresses or not. + +As you must needs know this to be true, consider, pretty witty Miss, if +your fond, love-sick heart can let you consider, what a fine figure all +your expostulations with us, and charges upon Mr. Solmes, make!--With +what propriety do you demand of him to restore to you your former +happiness (as you call it, and merely call it; for if you thought our +favour so, you would restore it to yourself), since it is yet in your +own power to do so? Therefore, Miss Pert, none of your pathetics, except +in the right place. Depend upon it, whether you have Mr. Solmes, or not, +you shall never have your heart's delight, the vile rake Lovelace, if +our parents, if our uncles, if I, can hinder it. No! you fallen angel, +you shall not give your father and mother such a son, nor me such a +brother, in giving yourself that profligate wretch for a husband. And so +set your heart at rest, and lay aside all thoughts of him, if ever you +expect forgiveness, reconciliation, or a kind opinion, from any of your +family; but especially from him, who, at present, styles himself + +Your brother, JAMES HARLOWE. + +P.S. I know your knack at letter-writing. If you send me an answer +for this, I will return it unopened; for I will not argue with your +perverseness in so plain a case--Only once for all, I was willing to put +you right as to Mr. Solmes; whom I think to blame to trouble his head +about you. + + + + +LETTER XXXIV + +MR. LOVELACE, TO JOHN BELFORD, ESQ. FRIDAY, MARCH 17. + + +I receive, with great pleasure, the early and cheerful assurances of +your loyalty and love. And let our principal and most trusty friends +named in my last know that I do. + +I would have thee, Jack, come down, as soon as thou canst. I believe I +shall not want the others so soon. Yet they may come down to Lord M.'s. +I will be there, if not to receive them, to satisfy my lord, that there +is no new mischief in hand, which will require his second intervention. + +For thyself, thou must be constantly with me: not for my security: the +family dare do nothing but bully: they bark only at a distance: but +for my entertainment: that thou mayest, from the Latin and the English +classics, keep my lovesick soul from drooping. + +Thou hadst best come to me here, in thy old corporal's coat: thy servant +out of livery; and to be upon a familiar footing with me, as a distant +relation, to be provided for by thy interest above--I mean not in +Heaven, thou mayest be sure. Thou wilt find me at a little alehouse, +they call it an inn; the White Hart, most terribly wounded, (but by +the weather only,) the sign: in a sorry village, within five miles from +Harlowe-place. Every body knows Harlowe-place, for, like Versailles, it +is sprung up from a dunghill, within every elderly person's remembrance. +Every poor body, particularly, knows it: but that only for a few years +past, since a certain angel has appeared there among the sons and +daughters of men. + +The people here at the Hart are poor, but honest; and have gotten it +into their heads, that I am a man of quality in disguise; and there is +no reining-in their officious respect. Here is a pretty little +smirking daughter, seventeen six days ago. I call her my Rose-bud. Her +grandmother (for there is no mother), a good neat old woman, as ever +filled a wicker chair in a chimney-corner, has besought me to be +merciful to her. + +This is the right way with me. Many and many a pretty rogue had I +spared, whom I did not spare, had my power been acknowledged, and my +mercy in time implored. But the debellare superbos should be my motto, +were I to have a new one. + +This simple chit (for there is a simplicity in her thou wouldst be +highly pleased with: all humble; all officious; all innocent--I love her +for her humility, her officiousness, and even for her innocence) will be +pretty amusement to thee; while I combat with the weather, and dodge and +creep about the walls and purlieus of Harlowe-place. Thou wilt see in +her mind, all that her superiors have been taught to conceal, in order +to render themselves less natural, and of consequence less pleasing. + +But I charge thee, that thou do not (what I would not permit myself to +do for the world--I charge thee, that thou do not) crop my Rose-bud. She +is the only flower of fragrance, that has blown in this vicinage for ten +years past, or will for ten years to come: for I have looked backward +to the have-been's, and forward to the will-be's; having but too much +leisure upon my hands in my present waiting. + +I never was so honest for so long together since my matriculation. It +behoves me so to be--some way or other, my recess at this little inn may +be found out; and it will then be thought that my Rose-bud has attracted +me. A report in my favour, from simplicities so amiable, may establish +me; for the grandmother's relation to my Rose-bud may be sworn to: and +the father is an honest, poor man; has no joy, but in his Rose-bud.--O +Jack! spare thou, therefore, (for I shall leave thee often alone with +her, spare thou) my Rose-bud!--Let the rule I never departed from, but +it cost me a long regret, be observed to my Rose-bud!--never to ruin a +poor girl, whose simplicity and innocence were all she had to trust to; +and whose fortunes were too low to save her from the rude contempts of +worse minds than her own, and from an indigence extreme: such a one will +only pine in secret; and at last, perhaps, in order to refuge herself +from slanderous tongues and virulence, be induced to tempt some +guilty stream, or seek her end in the knee-encircling garter, that +peradventure, was the first attempt of abandoned love.--No defiances +will my Rose-bud breathe; no self-dependent, thee-doubting watchfulness +(indirectly challenging thy inventive machinations to do their worst) +will she assume. Unsuspicious of her danger, the lamb's throat will +hardly shun thy knife!--O be not thou the butcher of my lambkin! + +The less thou be so, for the reason I am going to give thee--The gentle +heart is touched by love: her soft bosom heaves with a passion she +has not yet found a name for. I once caught her eye following a young +carpenter, a widow neighbour's son, living [to speak in her dialect] at +the little white house over the way. A gentle youth he also seems to be, +about three years older than herself: playmates from infancy, till +his eighteenth and her fifteenth year furnished a reason for a greater +distance in shew, while their hearts gave a better for their being +nearer than ever--for I soon perceived the love reciprocal. A scrape and +a bow at first seeing his pretty mistress; turning often to salute her +following eye; and, when a winding lane was to deprive him of her sight, +his whole body turned round, his hat more reverently doffed than before. +This answered (for, unseen, I was behind her) by a low courtesy, and +a sigh, that Johnny was too far off to hear!--Happy whelp! said I to +myself.--I withdrew; and in tript my Rose-bud, as if satisfied with the +dumb shew, and wishing nothing beyond it. + +I have examined the little heart. She has made me her confidant. She +owns, she could love Johnny Barton very well: and Johnny Barton has told +her, he could love her better than any maiden he ever saw--but, alas! +it must not be thought of. Why not be thought of!--She don't know!--And +then she sighed: But Johnny has an aunt, who will give him an hundred +pounds, when his time is out; and her father cannot give her but a few +things, or so, to set her out with: and though Johnny's mother says, she +knows not where Johnny would have a prettier, or notabler wife, yet--And +then she sighed again--What signifies talking?--I would not have Johnny +be unhappy and poor for me!--For what good would that do me, you know, +Sir! + +What would I give [by my soul, my angel will indeed reform me, if her +friends' implacable folly ruin us not both!--What would I give] to have +so innocent and so good a heart, as either my Rose-bud's, or Johnny's! + +I have a confounded mischievous one--by nature too, I think!--A good +motion now-and-then rises from it: but it dies away presently--a love +of intrigue--an invention for mischief--a triumph in subduing--fortune +encouraging and supporting--and a constitution--What signifies +palliating? But I believe I had been a rogue, had I been a plough-boy. + +But the devil's in this sex! Eternal misguiders. Who, that has once +trespassed with them, ever recovered his virtue? And yet where there is +not virtue, which nevertheless we freelivers are continually plotting +to destroy, what is there even in the ultimate of our wishes with +them?--Preparation and expectation are in a manner every thing: +reflection indeed may be something, if the mind be hardened above +feeling the guilt of a past trespass: but the fruition, what is there in +that? And yet that being the end, nature will not be satisfied without +it. + +See what grave reflections an innocent subject will produce! It gives +me some pleasure to think, that it is not out of my power to reform: +but then, Jack, I am afraid I must keep better company than I do at +present--for we certainly harden one another. But be not cast down, my +boy; there will be time enough to give the whole fraternity warning to +choose another leader: and I fancy thou wilt be the man. + +Mean time, as I make it my rule, whenever I have committed a very +capital enormity, to do some good by way of atonement; and as I believe +I am a pretty deal indebted on that score, I intend, before I leave +these parts (successfully shall I leave them I hope, or I shall be +tempted to double the mischief by way of revenge, though not to my +Rose-bud any) to join an hundred pounds to Johnny's aunt's hundred +pounds, to make one innocent couple happy.--I repeat therefore, and for +half a dozen more therefores, spare thou my Rose-bud. + +An interruption--another letter anon; and both shall go together. + + + + +LETTER XXXV + +MR. LOVELACE, TO JOHN BELFORD, ESQ. + + +I have found out by my watchful spy almost as many of my charmer's +motions, as those of the rest of her relations. It delights me to think +how the rascal is caressed by the uncles and nephew; and let into their +secrets; yet it proceeds all the time by my line of direction. I have +charged him, however, on forfeiture of his present weekly stipend, and +my future favour, to take care, that neither my beloved, nor any of +the family suspect him: I have told him that he may indeed watch her +egresses and regresses; but that only keep off other servants from her +paths; yet not to be seen by her himself. + +The dear creature has tempted him, he told them, with a bribe [which she +never offered] to convey a letter [which she never wrote] to Miss Howe; +he believes, with one enclosed (perhaps to me): but he declined it: and +he begged they would take notice of it to her. This brought him a stingy +shilling; great applause; and an injunction followed it to all the +servants, for the strictest look-out, lest she should contrive some way +to send it--and, above an hour after, an order was given him to throw +himself in her way; and (expressing his concern for denying her request) +to tender his service to her, and to bring them her letter: which it +will be proper for him to report that she has refused to give him. + +Now seest thou not, how many good ends this contrivance answers? + +In the first place, the lady is secured by it, against her own +knowledge, in the liberty allowed her of taking her private walks in the +garden: for this attempt has confirmed them in their belief, that now +they have turned off her maid, she has no way to send a letter out of +the house: if she had, she would not have run the risque of tempting +a fellow who had not been in her secret--so that she can prosecute +unsuspectedly her correspondence with me and Miss Howe. + +In the next place, it will perhaps afford me an opportunity of a private +interview with her, which I am meditating, let her take it as she will; +having found out by my spy (who can keep off every body else) that +she goes every morning and evening to a wood-house remote from the +dwelling-house, under pretence of visiting and feeding a set of +bantam-poultry, which were produced from a breed that was her +grandfather's, and of which for that reason she is very fond; as also of +some other curious fowls brought from the same place. I have an account +of all her motions here. And as she has owned to me in one of her +letters that she corresponds privately with Miss Howe, I presume it is +by this way. + +The interview I am meditating, will produce her consent, I hope, to +other favours of the like kind: for, should she not choose the place +in which I am expecting to see her, I can attend her any where in the +rambling Dutch-taste garden, whenever she will permit me that honour: +for my implement, high Joseph Leman, has procured me the opportunity of +getting two keys made to the garden-door (one of which I have given him +for reasons good); which door opens to the haunted coppice, as tradition +has made the servants think it; a man having been found hanging in it +about twenty years ago: and Joseph, upon proper notice, will leave it +unbolted. + +But I was obliged previously to give him my honour, that no mischief +should happen to any of my adversaries, from this liberty: for the +fellow tells me, that he loves all his masters: and, only that he knows +I am a man of honour; and that my alliance will do credit to the family; +and after prejudices are overcome, every body will think so; or he would +not for the world act the part he does. + +There never was a rogue, who had not a salvo to himself for being +so.--What a praise to honesty, that every man pretends to it, even at +the instant that he knows he is pursuing the methods that will perhaps +prove him a knave to the whole world, as well as to his own conscience! + +But what this stupid family can mean, to make all this necessary, I +cannot imagine. My REVENGE and my LOVE are uppermost by turns. If +the latter succeed not, the gratifying of the former will be my only +consolation: and, by all that's good, they shall feel it; although for +it I become an exile from my native country for ever. + +I will throw myself into my charmer's presence. I have twice already +attempted it in vain. I shall then see what I may depend upon from her +favour. If I thought I had no prospect of that, I should be tempted to +carry her off. That would be a rape worthy of Jupiter! + +But all gentle shall be my movements: all respectful, even to reverence, +my address to her--her hand shall be the only witness to the pressure +of my lip--my trembling lip: I know it will tremble, if I do not bid +it tremble. As soft my sighs, as the sighs of my gentle Rose-bud. By my +humility will I invite her confidence: the loneliness of the place shall +give me no advantage: to dissipate her fears, and engage her reliance +upon my honour for the future, shall be my whole endeavour: but +little will I complain of, not at all will I threaten, those who are +continually threatening me: but yet with a view to act the part of +Dryden's lion; to secure my love, or to let loose my vengeance upon my +hunters. + + What tho' his mighty soul his grief contains? + He meditates revenge who least complains: + And like a lion slumb'ring in his way, + Or sleep dissembling, while he waits his prey, + His fearless foes within his distance draws, + Constrains his roaring, and contracts his paws: + Till at the last, his time for fury found, + He shoots with sudden vengeance from the ground: + The prostrate vulgar passes o'er, and spares, + But, with a lordly rage, his hunter tears. + + + + +LETTER XXXVI + +MISS CLARISSA HARLOWE, TO MISS HOWE SATURDAY, MARCH 18. + + +I have been frighted out of my wits--still am in a manner out of +breath--thus occasioned--I went down, under the usual pretence, in +hopes to find something from you. Concerned at my disappointment, I was +returning from the wood-house, when I heard a rustling as of somebody +behind a stack of wood. I was extremely surprised: but still more, to +behold a man coming from behind the furthermost stack. Oh! thought I, at +that moment, the sin of a prohibited correspondence! + +In the same point of time that I saw him, he besought me not to be +frighted: and, still nearer approaching me, threw open a horseman's +coat: And who should it be but Mr. Lovelace!--I could not scream out +(yet attempted to scream, the moment I saw a man; and again, when I saw +who it was); for I had no voice: and had I not caught hold of a prop +which supported the old roof, I should have sunk. + +I had hitherto, as you know, kept him at a distance: And now, as I +recovered myself, judge of my first emotions, when I recollected his +character from every mouth of my family; his enterprising temper; and +found myself alone with him, in a place so near a bye-lane, and so +remote from the house. + +But his respectful behaviour soon dissipated these fears, and gave me +others; lest we should be seen together, and information of it given to +my brother: the consequences of which, I could readily think, would be, +if not further mischief, an imputed assignation, a stricter confinement, +a forfeited correspondence with you, my beloved friend, and a pretence +for the most violent compulsion: and neither the one set of reflections, +nor the other, acquitted him to me for his bold intrusion. + +As soon therefore as I could speak, I expressed with the greatest warmth +my displeasure; and told him, that he cared not how much he exposed me +to the resentment of all my friends, provided he could gratify his own +impetuous humour. I then commanded him to leave the place that moment; +and was hurrying from him, when he threw himself in the way at my feet, +beseeching my stay for one moment; declaring, that he suffered himself +to be guilty of this rashness, as I thought it, to avoid one much +greater:--for, in short, he could not bear the hourly insults he +received from my family, with the thoughts of having so little interest +in my favour, that he could not promise himself that his patience and +forbearance would be attended with any other issue than to lose me for +ever, and be triumphed over and insulted upon it. + +This man, you know, has very ready knees. You have said, that he ought, +in small points, frequently to offend, on purpose to shew what an +address he is master of. + +He ran on, expressing his apprehensions that a temper so gentle and +obliging, as he said mine was, to every body but him, (and a dutifulness +so exemplary inclined me to do my part to others, whether they did +theirs or not by me,) would be wrought upon in favour of a man set up in +part to be revenged upon myself, for my grandfather's envied distinction +of me; and in part to be revenged upon him, for having given life to +one, who would have taken his; and now sought to deprive him of hopes +dearer to him than life. + +I told him, he might be assured, that the severity and ill-usage I +met with would be far from effecting the proposed end: that although I +could, with great sincerity, declare for a single life (which had always +been my choice); and particularly, that if ever I married, if they would +not insist upon the man I had an aversion to, it should not be with the +man they disliked-- + +He interrupted me here: He hoped I would forgive him for it; but +he could not help expressing his great concern, that, after so many +instances of his passionate and obsequious devotion-- + +And pray, Sir, said I, let me interrupt you in my turn;--Why don't you +assert, in still plainer words, the obligation you have laid me under by +this your boasted devotion? Why don't you let me know, in terms as high +as your implication, that a perseverance I have not wished for, which +has set all my relations at variance with me, is a merit that throws +upon me the guilt of ingratitude for not having answered it as you seem +to expect? + +I must forgive him, he said, if he, who pretended only to a comparative +merit, (and otherwise thought no man living could deserve me,) had +presumed to hope for a greater share in my favour, than he had hitherto +met with, when such men as Mr. Symmes, Mr. Wyerley, and now, lastly, so +vile a reptile as this Solmes, however discouraged by myself, were made +his competitors. As to the perseverance I mentioned, it was impossible +for him not to persevere: but I must needs know, that were he not in +being, the terms Solmes had proposed were such, as would have involved +me in the same difficulties with my relations that I now laboured under. +He therefore took the liberty to say, that my favour to him, far from +increasing those difficulties, would be the readiest way to extricate me +from them. They had made it impossible [he told me, with too much truth] +to oblige them any way, but by sacrificing myself to Solmes. They were +well apprized besides of the difference between the two; one, whom they +hoped to manage as they pleased; the other, who could and would protect +me from every insult; and who had natural prospects much superior to my +brother's foolish views of a title. + +How comes this man to know so well all our foibles? But I more wonder, +how he came to have a notion of meeting me in this place? + +I was very uneasy to be gone; and the more as the night came on apace. +But there was no getting from him, till I had heard a great deal more of +what he had to say. + +As he hoped, that I would one day make him the happiest man in the +world, he assured me, that he had so much regard for my fame, that he +would be as far from advising any step that was likely to cast a shade +upon my reputation, (although that step was to be ever so much in his +own favour,) as I would be to follow such advice. But since I was not +to be permitted to live single, he would submit it to my consideration, +whether I had any way but one to avoid the intended violence to my +inclinations--my father so jealous of his authority: both my uncles in +my father's way of thinking: my cousin Morden at a distance: my uncle +and aunt Hervey awed into insignificance, was his word: my brother and +sister inflaming every one: Solmes's offers captivating: Miss Howe's +mother rather of a party with them, for motives respecting example to +her own daughter. + +And then he asked me, if I would receive a letter from Lady Betty +Lawrance, on this occasion: for Lady Sarah Sadleir, he said, having +lately lost her only child, hardly looked into the world, or thought of +it farther than to wish him married, and, preferably to all the women in +the world, with me. + +To be sure, my dear, there is a great deal in what the man said--I may +be allowed to say this, without an imputed glow or throb. But I told +him nevertheless, that although I had great honour for the ladies he +was related to, yet I should not choose to receive a letter on a subject +that had a tendency to promote an end I was far from intending to +promote: that it became me, ill as I was treated at present, to hope +every thing, to bear every thing, and to try ever thing: when my father +saw my steadfastness, and that I would die rather than have Mr. Solmes, +he would perhaps recede-- + +Interrupting me, he represented the unlikelihood there was of that, +from the courses they had entered upon; which he thus enumerated:--Their +engaging Mrs. Howe against me, in the first place, as a person I might +have thought to fly to, if pushed to desperation--my brother continually +buzzing in my father's ears, that my cousin Morden would soon arrive, +and then would insist upon giving me possession of my grandfather's +estate, in pursuance of the will; which would render me independent +of my father--their disgraceful confinement of me--their dismissing so +suddenly my servant, and setting my sister's over me--their engaging my +mother, contrary to her own judgment, against me: these, he said, were +all so many flagrant proofs that they would stick at nothing to carry +their point; and were what made him inexpressibly uneasy. + +He appealed to me, whether ever I knew my father recede from any +resolution he had once fixed; especially, if he thought either +his prerogative, or his authority concerned in the question. His +acquaintance with our family, he said, enabled him to give several +instances (but they would be too grating to me) of an arbitrariness +that had few examples even in the families of princes: an arbitrariness, +which the most excellent of women, my mother, too severely experienced. +He was proceeding, as I thought, with reflections of this sort; and I +angrily told him, I would not permit my father to be reflected upon; +adding, that his severity to me, however unmerited, was not a warrant +for me to dispense with my duty to him. + +He had no pleasure, he said, in urging any thing that could be so +construed; for, however well warranted he was to make such reflections +from the provocations they were continually giving him, he knew how +offensive to me any liberties of this sort would be. And yet he must +own, that it was painful to him, who had youth and passions to be +allowed for, as well as others, and who had always valued himself under +speaking his mind, to curb himself, under such treatment. Nevertheless, +his consideration for me would make him confine himself, in his +observations, to facts that were too flagrant, and too openly avowed, to +be disputed. It could not therefore justly displease, he would venture +to say, if he made this natural inference from the premises, That +if such were my father's behaviour to a wife, who disputed not the +imaginary prerogatives he was so unprecedently fond of asserting, what +room had a daughter to hope, that he would depart from an +authority he was so earnest, and so much more concerned, to +maintain?--Family-interests at the same time engaging; an aversion, +however causelessly conceived, stimulating my brother's and sister's +resentments and selfish views cooperating; and my banishment from their +presence depriving me of all personal plea or entreaty in my own favour. + +How unhappy, my dear, that there is but too much reason for these +observations, and for this inference; made, likewise, with more coolness +and respect to my family than one would have apprehended from a man +so much provoked, and of passions so high, and generally thought +uncontroulable! + +Will you not question me about throbs and glows, if from such instances +of a command over his fiery temper, for my sake, I am ready to infer, +that were my friends capable of a reconciliation with him, he might be +affected by arguments apparently calculated for his present and future +good! Nor is it a very bad indication, that he has such moderate notions +of that very high prerogative in husbands, of which we in our family +have been accustomed to hear so much. + +He represented to me, that my present disgraceful confinement was known +to all the world: that neither my sister nor my brother scrupled to +represent me as an obliged and favoured child in a state of actual +rebellion. That, nevertheless, every body who knew me was ready to +justify me for an aversion to a man whom every body thought utterly +unworthy of me, and more fit for my sister: that unhappy as he was, +in not having been able to make any greater impression upon me in his +favour, all the world gave me to him. Nor was there but one objection +made to him by his very enemies (his birth, his prospects all very +unexceptionable, and the latter splendid); and that objection, he +thanked God, and my example, was in a fair way of being removed for +ever: since he had seen his error, and was heartily sick of the courses +he had followed; which, however, were far less enormous than malice and +envy had represented them to be. But of this he should say the less, as +it were much better to justify himself by his actions, than by the most +solemn asseverations and promises. And then, complimenting my person, +he assured me (for that he always loved virtue, although he had not +followed its rules as he ought) that he was still more captivated with +the graces of my mind: and would frankly own, that till he had the +honour to know me, he had never met with an inducement sufficient to +enable him to overcome an unhappy kind of prejudice to matrimony; which +had made him before impenetrable to the wishes and recommendations of +all his relations. + +You see, my dear, he scruples not to speak of himself, as his enemies +speak of him. I can't say, but his openness in these particulars gives +a credit to his other professions. I should easily, I think, detect +an hypocrite: and this man particularly, who is said to have allowed +himself in great liberties, were he to pretend to instantaneous lights +and convictions--at this time of life too. Habits, I am sensible, are +not so easily changed. You have always joined with me in remarking, that +he will speak his mind with freedom, even to a degree of unpoliteness +sometimes; and that his very treatment of my family is a proof that he +cannot make a mean court to any body for interest sake--What pity, where +there are such laudable traces, that they should have been so mired, and +choaked up, as I may say!--We have heard, that the man's head is better +than his heart: But do you really think Mr. Lovelace can have a very bad +heart? Why should not there be something in blood in the human +creature, as well as in the ignobler animals? None of his family are +exceptionable--but himself, indeed. The characters of the ladies are +admirable. But I shall incur the imputation I wish to avoid. Yet what a +look of censoriousness does it carry in an unsparing friend, to take one +to task for doing that justice, and making those which one ought without +scruple to do, and to make, in the behalf of any other man living? + +He then again pressed me to receive a letter of offered protection from +Lady Betty. He said, that people of birth stood a little too much upon +punctilio; as people of value also did (but indeed birth, worthily lived +up to, was virtue: virtue, birth; the inducements to a decent punctilio +the same; the origin of both one): [how came this notion from him!] +else, Lady Betty would write to me: but she would be willing to be first +apprized that her offer will be well received--as it would have the +appearance of being made against the liking of one part of my family; +and which nothing would induce her to make, but the degree of unworthy +persecution which I actually laboured under, and had reason further to +apprehend. + +I told him, that, however greatly I thought myself obliged to Lady Betty +Lawrance, if this offer came from herself; yet it was easy to see to +what it led. It might look like vanity in me perhaps to say, that this +urgency in him, on this occasion, wore the face of art, in order to +engage me into measures from which I might not easily extricate myself. +I said, that I should not be affected by the splendour of even a royal +title. Goodness, I thought, was greatness. That the excellent characters +of the ladies of his family weighed more with me, than the consideration +that they were half-sisters to Lord M. and daughters of an earl: that +he would not have found encouragement from me, had my friends been +consenting to his address, if he had only a mere relative merit to those +ladies: since, in that case, the very reasons that made me admire them, +would have been so many objections to their kinsman. + +I then assured him, that it was with infinite concern, that I had found +myself drawn into an epistolary correspondence with him; especially +since that correspondence had been prohibited: and the only agreeable +use I could think of making of this unexpected and undesired interview, +was, to let him know, that I should from henceforth think myself obliged +to discontinue it. And I hoped, that he would not have the thought of +engaging me to carry it on by menacing my relations. + +There was light enough to distinguish, that he looked very grave upon +this. He so much valued my free choice, he said, and my unbiassed +favour, (scorning to set himself upon a footing with Solmes in the +compulsory methods used in that man's behalf,) that he should hate +himself, were he capable of a view of intimidating me by so very poor +a method. But, nevertheless, there were two things to be considered: +First, that the continual outrages he was treated with; the spies set +over him, one of which he had detected; the indignities all his family +were likewise treated with;--as also, myself; avowedly in malice to him, +or he should not presume to take upon himself to resent for me, without +my leave [the artful wretch saw he would have lain open here, had he not +thus guarded]--all these considerations called upon him to shew a proper +resentment: and he would leave it to me to judge, whether it would be +reasonable for him, as a man of spirit, to bear such insults, if it +were not for my sake. I would be pleased to consider, in the next place, +whether the situation I was in, (a prisoner in my father's house, and my +whole family determined to compel me to marry a man unworthy of me, and +that speedily, and whether I consented or not,) admitted of delay in the +preventive measures he was desirous to put me upon, in the last resort +only. Nor was there a necessity, he said, if I were actually in Lady +Betty's protection, that I should be his, if, afterwards, I should see +any thing objectionable in his conduct. + +But what would the world conclude would be the end, I demanded, were I, +in the last resort, as he proposed, to throw myself into the protection +of his friends, but that it was with such a view? + +And what less did the world think of me now, he asked, than that I was +confined that I might not? You are to consider, Madam, you have not now +an option; and to whom is it owing that you have not; and that you +are in the power of those (parents, why should I call them?) who are +determined, that you shall not have an option. All I propose is, that +you will embrace such a protection--but not till you have tried every +way, to avoid the necessity for it. + +And give me leave to say, proceeded he, that if a correspondence, on +which I have founded all my hopes, is, at this critical conjuncture, to +be broken off; and if you are resolved not to be provided against the +worst; it must be plain to me, that you will at last yield to that +worst--worst to me only--it cannot be to you--and then! [and he put his +hand clenched to his forehead] How shall I bear this supposition?--Then +will you be that Solmes's!--But, by all that's sacred, neither he, nor +your brother, nor your uncles, shall enjoy their triumph--Perdition +seize my soul, if they shall! + +The man's vehemence frightened me: yet, in resentment, I would have +left him; but, throwing himself at my feet again, Leave me not thus--I +beseech you, dearest Madam, leave me not thus, in despair! I kneel not, +repenting of what I have vowed in such a case as that I have supposed. +I re-vow it, at your feet!--and so he did. But think not it is by way +of menace, or to intimidate you to favour me. If your heart inclines +you [and then he arose] to obey your father (your brother rather) and to +have Solmes; although I shall avenge myself on those who have insulted +me, for their insults to myself and family, yet will I tear out my heart +from this bosom (if possible with my own hands) were it to scruple to +give up its ardours to a woman capable of such a preference. + +I told him, that he talked to me in very high language; but he might +assure himself that I never would have Mr. Solmes, (yet that this I said +not in favour to him,) and I had declared as much to my relations, were +there not such a man as himself in the world. + +Would I declare, that I would still honour him with my +correspondence?--He could not bear, that, hoping to obtain greater +instances of my favour, he should forfeit the only one he had to boast +of. + +I bid him forbear rashness or resentment to any of my family, and I +would, for some time at least, till I saw what issue my present trials +were likely to have, proceed with a correspondence, which, nevertheless, +my heart condemned-- + +And his spirit him, the impatient creature said, interrupting me, for +bearing what he did; when he considered, that the necessity of it was +imposed upon him, not by my will, (for then he would bear it cheerfully, +and a thousand times more,) but by creatures--And there he stopt. + +I told him plainly that he might thank himself (whose indifferent +character, as to morals, had given such a handle against him) for all. +It was but just, that a man should be spoken evil of, who set no value +upon his reputation. + +He offered to vindicate himself. But I told him, I would judge him by +his own rule--by his actions, not by his professions. + +Were not his enemies, he said, so powerful, and so determined; and had +they not already shewn their intentions in such high acts of even cruel +compulsion; but would leave me to my choice, or to my desire of living +single; he would have been content to undergo a twelvemonth's probation, +or more: but he was confident, that one month would either complete all +their purposes, or render them abortive: and I best knew what hopes I +had of my father's receding--he did not know him, if I had any. + +I said, I would try every method, that either my duty or my influence +upon any of them should suggest, before I would put myself into any +other protection: and, if nothing else would do, would resign the envied +estate; and that I dared to say would. + +He was contented, he said, to abide that issue. He should be far from +wishing me to embrace any other protection, but, as he had frequently +said, in the last necessity. But dearest creature, said he, catching +my hand with ardour, and pressing it to his lips, if the yielding up +of that estate will do--resign it--and be mine--and I will corroborate, +with all my soul, your resignation! + +This was not ungenerously said: But what will not these men say to +obtain belief, and a power over one? + +I made many efforts to go; and now it was so dark, that I began to have +great apprehensions. I cannot say from his behaviour: indeed, he has a +good deal raised himself in my opinion by the personal respect, even to +reverence, which he paid me during the whole conference: for, although +he flamed out once, upon a supposition that Solmes might succeed, it was +upon a supposition that would excuse passion, if any thing could, you +know, in a man pretending to love with fervour; although it was so +levelled, that I could not avoid resenting it. + +He recommended himself to my favour at parting, with great earnestness, +yet with as great submission; not offering to condition any thing with +me; although he hinted his wishes for another meeting: which I forbad +him ever attempting again in the same place. And I will own to you, +from whom I should be really blamable to conceal any thing, that his +arguments (drawn from the disgraceful treatment I meet with) of what +I am to expect, make me begin to apprehend that I shall be under an +obligation to be either the one man's or the other's--and, if so, I +fancy I shall not incur your blame, were I to say which of the two it +must be: you have said, which it must not be. But, O my dear, the single +life is by far the most eligible to me: indeed it is. And I hope yet to +be permitted to make that option. + +I got back without observation; but the apprehension that I should +not, gave me great uneasiness; and made me begin a letter in a greater +flutter than he gave me cause to be in, except at the first seeing him; +for then indeed my spirits failed me; and it was a particular felicity, +that, in such a place, in such a fright, and alone with him, I fainted +not away. + +I should add, that having reproached him with his behaviour the last +Sunday at church, he solemnly assured me, that it was not what had been +represented to me: that he did not expect to see me there: but hoped to +have an opportunity to address himself to my father, and to be permitted +to attend him home. But that the good Dr. Lewen had persuaded him not +to attempt speaking to any of the family, at that time; observing to him +the emotions into which his presence had put every body. He intended +no pride, or haughtiness of behaviour, he assured me; and that the +attributing such to him was the effect of that ill-will which he had +the mortification to find insuperable: adding, that when he bowed to my +mother, it was a compliment he intended generally to every one in the +pew, as well as to her, whom he sincerely venerated. + +If he may be believed, (and I should think he would not have come +purposely to defy my family, yet expect favour from me,) one may see, +my dear, the force of hatred, which misrepresents all things. Yet why +should Shorey (except officiously to please her principals) make a +report in his disfavour? He told me, that he would appeal to Dr. Lewen +for his justification on this head; adding, that the whole conversation +between the Doctor and him turned upon his desire to attempt to +reconcile himself to us all, in the face of the church; and upon +the Doctor's endeavouring to dissuade him from making such a public +overture, till he knew how it would be accepted. But to what purpose +his appeal, when I am debarred from seeing that good man, or any one who +would advise me what to do in my present difficult situation! + +I fancy, my dear, however, that there would hardly be a guilty person in +the world, were each suspected or accused person to tell his or her own +story, and be allowed any degree of credit. + +I have written a very long letter. + +To be so particular as you require in subjects of conversation, it is +impossible to be short. + +I will add to it only the assurance, That I am, and ever will be, + +Your affectionate and faithful friend and servant, CLARISSA HARLOWE. + +You'll be so good, my dear, as to remember, that the date of your last +letter to me was the 9th. + + + + +LETTER XXXVII + +MISS HOWE, TO MISS CLARISSA HARLOWE. SUNDAY, MARCH 19. + + +I beg your pardon, my dearest friend, for having given you occasion to +remind me of the date of my last. I was willing to have before me as +much of the workings of your wise relations as possible; being verily +persuaded, that one side or the other would have yielded by this +time: and then I should have had some degree of certainty to found my +observations upon. And indeed what can I write that I have not already +written?--You know, that I can do nothing but rave at your stupid +persecutors: and that you don't like. I have advised you to resume your +own estate: that you won't do. You cannot bear the thoughts of having +their Solmes: and Lovelace is resolved you shall be his, let who will +say to the contrary. I think you must be either the one man's or the +other's. Let us see what their next step will be. + +As to Lovelace, while he tells his own story (having also behaved so +handsomely on his intrusion in the wood-house, and intended so well at +church) who can say, that the man is in the least blameworthy?--Wicked +people! to combine against so innocent a man!--But, as I said, let us +see what their next step will be, and what course you will take upon it; +and then we may be the more enlightened. + +As to your change of style to your uncles, and brother and sister, since +they were so fond of attributing to you a regard for Lovelace, and would +not be persuaded to the contrary; and since you only strengthened their +arguments against yourself by denying it; you did but just as I would +have done, in giving way to their suspicions, and trying what that would +do--But if--but if--Pray, my dear, indulge me a little--you yourself +think it was necessary to apologize to me for that change of style to +them--and till you will speak out like a friend to her unquestionable +friend, I must tease you a little--let it run therefore; for it will +run-- + +If, then, there be not a reason for this change of style, which you have +not thought fit to give me, be so good as to watch, as I once before +advised you, how the cause for it will come on--Why should it be +permitted to steal upon you, and you know nothing of the matter? + +When we get a great cold, we are apt to puzzle ourselves to find out +when it began, or how we got it; and when that is accounted for, down +we sit contented, and let it have its course; or, if it be very +troublesome, take a sweat, or use other means to get rid of it. So +my dear, before the malady you wot of, yet wot not of, grows so +importunate, as that you must be obliged to sweat it out, let me advise +you to mind how it comes on. For I am persuaded, as surely as that I am +now writing to you, that the indiscreet violence of your friends on the +one hand, and the insinuating address of Lovelace on the other, (if the +man be not a greater fool than any body thinks him,) will effectually +bring it to this, and do all his work for him. + +But let it--if it must be Lovelace or Solmes, the choice cannot admit of +debate. Yet if all be true that is reported, I should prefer almost any +of your other lovers to either; unworthy as they also are. But who can +be worthy of a Clarissa? + +I wish you are not indeed angry with me for harping so much on one +string. I must own, that I should think myself inexcusable so to do, +(the rather, as I am bold enough to imagine it a point out of all doubt +from fifty places in your letters, were I to labour the proof,) if you +would ingenuously own-- + +Own what? you'll say. Why, my Anna Howe, I hope you don't think that I +am already in love--! + +No, to be sure! How can your Anna Howe have such a thought?--What then +shall we call it? You might have helped me to a phrase--A conditional +kind of liking!--that's it.--O my friend! did I not know how much you +despise prudery; and that you are too young, and too lovely, to be a +prude-- + +But, avoiding such hard names, let me tell you one thing, my dear (which +nevertheless I have told you before); and that is this: that I shall +think I have reason to be highly displeased with you, if, when you write +to me, you endeavour to keep from me any secret of your heart. + +Let me add, that if you would clearly and explicitly tell me, how far +Lovelace has, or has not, a hold in your affections, I could better +advise you what to do, than at present I can. You, who are so famed +for prescience, as I may call it; and than whom no young lady ever had +stronger pretensions to a share of it; have had, no doubt, reasonings +in your heart about him, supposing you were to be one day his: [no doubt +but you have had the same in Solmes's case: whence the ground for the +hatred of the one; and for the conditional liking of the other.] Will +you tell me, my dear, what you have thought of Lovelace's best and of +his worst?--How far eligible for the first; how far rejectable for the +last?--Then weighing both parts in opposite scales, we shall see which +is likely to preponderate; or rather which does preponderate. Nothing +less than the knowledge of the inmost recesses of your heart, can +satisfy my love and my friendship. Surely, you are not afraid to trust +yourself with a secret of this nature: if you are, then you may the more +allowably doubt me. But, I dare say, you will not own either--nor is +there, I hope, cause for either. + +Be pleased to observe one thing, my dear, that whenever I have given +myself any of those airs of raillery, which have seemed to make you look +about you, (when, likewise, your case may call for a more serious turn +from a sympathizing friend,) it has not been upon those passages which +are written, though, perhaps not intended, with such explicitness [don't +be alarmed, my dear!] as leaves little cause of doubt: but only when you +affect reserve; when you give new words for common things; when you +come with your curiosities, with your conditional likings, and with your +PRUDE-encies [mind how I spell the word] in a case that with every other +person defies all prudence--over-acts of treason all these, against the +sovereign friendship we have avowed to each other. + +Remember, that you found me out in a moment. You challenged me. I owned +directly, that there was only my pride between the man and me; for I +could not endure, I told you, to think of any fellow living to give me a +moment's uneasiness. And then my man, as I have elsewhere said, was not +such a one as yours: so I had reason to impute full as much as to my own +inconsideration, as to his power over me: nay, more: but still more +to yours. For you reasoned me out of the curiosity first; and when the +liking was brought to be conditional--why then, you know, I throbbed no +more about him. + +O! pray now, as you say, now I have mentioned that my fellow was not +such a charming fellow as yours, let Miss Biddulph, Miss Lloyd, Miss +Campion, and me, have your opinion, how far figure ought to engage us: +with a view to your own case, however--mind that--as Mr. Tony says--and +whether at all, if the man be vain of it; since, as you observe in a +former, that vanity is a stop-short pride in such a one, that would make +one justly doubt the worthiness of his interior. You, our pattern, so +lovely in feature, so graceful in person, have none of it; and have +therefore with the best grace always held, that it is not excusable even +in a woman. + +You must know, that this subject was warmly debated among us in our last +conversation: and Miss Lloyd wished me to write to you upon it for your +opinion; to which, in every debated case, we always paid the greatest +deference. I hope you will not be so much engrossed by your weighty +cares, as not to have freedom of spirits enough to enter upon the task. +You know how much we all admire your opinion on such topics; which ever +produces something new and instructive, as you handle the subjects. And +pray tell us, to what you think it owing, that your man seems so careful +to adorn that self-adorned person of his! yet so manages, that one +cannot for one's heart think him a coxcomb?--Let this question, and the +above tasks, divert, and not displease you, my dear. One subject, though +ever so important, could never yet engross your capacious mind. If +they should displease you, you must recollect the many instances of my +impertinence which you have forgiven, and then say, 'This is a mad girl: +but yet I love her!--And she is my own' + +ANNA HOWE. + + + + +LETTER XXXVIII + +MISS CLARISSA HARLOWE, TO MISS HOWE MONDAY, MARCH 20. + + +Your last so sensibly affects me, that I must postpone every other +consideration, however weighty, to reply to it: and this I will do +very distinctly, and with all the openness of heart which our mutual +friendship demands. + +But let me observe, in the first place, gratefully observe, that if I +have in fifty passages of my letters given you such undoubted proofs of +my value for Mr. Lovelace, that you have spared me for the sake of my +explicitness, it is acting by me with a generosity worthy of yourself. + +But lives the man, think you, who is so very bad, that he does not give +even a doubting mind reason at one time to be better pleased with him +than at another? And when that reason offers, is it not just to express +one's self accordingly? I would do the man who addresses me as much +justice, as if he did not address me: it has such a look of tyranny, it +appears so ungenerous, methinks, in our sex, to use a man worse for his +respect to us, (no other cause for disrespect occurring,) that I would +not by any means be that person who should do so. + +But, although I may intend no more than justice, it will perhaps be +difficult to hinder those who know the man's views, from construing it +as a partial favour: and especially if the eager-eyed observer has been +formerly touched herself, and would triumph that her friend had been no +more able to escape than she. Noble minds, emulative of perfection, (and +yet the passion properly directed, I do not take to be an imperfection +neither,) may be allowed a little generous envy, I think. + +If I meant by this a reflection, by way of revenge, it is but a revenge, +my dear, in the soft sense of the word. I love, as I have told you, your +pleasantry. Although at the time your reproof may pain me a little; yet, +on recollection, when I find it more of the cautioning friend than +of the satirizing observer, I shall be all gratitude upon it. All the +business will be this; I shall be sensible of the pain in the present +letter perhaps; but I shall thank you in the next, and ever after. + +In this way, I hope, my dear, you will account for a little of +that sensibility which you find above, and perhaps still more, as I +proceed.--You frequently remind me, by an excellent example, your own to +me, that I must not spare you! + +I am not conscious, that I have written any thing of this man, that has +not been more in his dispraise than in his favour. Such is the man, that +I think I must have been faulty, and ought to take myself to account, +if I had not. But you think otherwise, I will not put you upon labouring +the proof, as you call it. My conduct must then have a faulty appearance +at least, and I will endeavour to rectify it. But of this I assure you, +that whatever interpretation my words were capable of, I intended not +any reserve to you. I wrote my heart at the time: if I had had thought +of disguising it, or been conscious that there was reason for doing +so, perhaps I had not given you the opportunity of remarking upon my +curiosity after his relations' esteem for me; nor upon my conditional +liking, and such-like. All I intended by the first, I believe, I +honestly told you at the time. To that letter I therefore refer, whether +it make for me, or against me: and by the other, that I might bear in +mind, what it became a person of my sex and character to be and to +do, in such an unhappy situation, where the imputed love is thought an +undutiful, and therefore a criminal passion; and where the supported +object of it is a man of faulty morals too. And I am sure you will +excuse my desire of appearing at those times the person I ought to be; +had I no other view in it but to merit the continuance of your good +opinion. + +But that I may acquit myself of having reserves--O, my dear, I must here +break off--! + + + + +LETTER XXXIX + +MISS CLARISSA HARLOWE, TO MISS HOWE MONDAY, MARCH 12. + + +This letter will account to you, my dear, for my abrupt breaking off in +the answer I was writing to yours of yesterday; and which, possibly, +I shall not be able to finish and send you till to-morrow or next day; +having a great deal to say to the subjects you put to me in it. What +I am now to give you are the particulars of another effort made by my +friends, through the good Mrs. Norton. + +It seems they had sent to her yesterday, to be here this day, to take +their instructions, and to try what she could do with me. It would, +at least, I suppose they thought, have this effect; to render me +inexcusable with her; or to let her see, that there was no room for the +expostulations she had often wanted to make in my favour to my mother. + +The declaration, that my heart was free, afforded them an argument to +prove obstinacy and perverseness upon me; since it could be nothing else +that governed me in my opposition to their wills, if I had no particular +esteem for another man. And now, that I have given them reason (in +order to obviate this argument) to suppose that I have a preference to +another, they are resolved to carry their schemes into execution as soon +as possible. And in order to do this, they sent for this good woman, for +whom they know I have even a filial regard. + +She found assembled my father and mother, my brother and sister, my two +uncles, and my aunt Hervey. + +My brother acquainted her with all that had passed since she was last +permitted to see me; with the contents of my letters avowing my regard +for Mr. Lovelace (as they all interpreted them); with the substance of +their answers to them; and with their resolutions. + +My mother spoke next; and delivered herself to this effect, as the good +woman told me. + +After reciting how many times I had been indulged in my refusals of +different men, and the pains she had taken with me, to induce me to +oblige my whole family in one instance out of five or six, and my +obstinacy upon it; 'O my good Mrs. Norton, said the dear lady, could +you have thought, that my Clarissa and your Clarissa was capable of so +determined an opposition to the will of parents so indulgent to her? But +see what you can do with her. The matter is gone too far to be receded +from on our parts. Her father had concluded every thing with Mr. Solmes, +not doubting her compliance. Such noble settlements, Mrs. Norton, and +such advantages to the whole family!--In short, she has it in her power +to lay an obligation upon us all. Mr. Solmes, knowing she has good +principles, and hoping by his patience now, and good treatment +hereafter, to engage her gratitude, and by degrees her love, is willing +to overlook all!--' + +[Overlook all, my dear! Mr. Solmes to overlook all! There's a word!] + +'So, Mrs. Norton, if you are convinced, that it is a child's duty to +submit to her parents' authority, in the most important point as well as +in the least, I beg you will try your influence over her: I have none: +her father has none: her uncles neither: although it is her apparent +interest to oblige us all; for, on that condition, her grandfather's +estate is not half of what, living and dying, is purposed to be done for +her. If any body can prevail with her, it is you; and I hope you will +heartily enter upon this task.' + +The good woman asked, Whether she was permitted to expostulate with them +upon the occasion, before she came up to me? + +My arrogant brother told her, she was sent for to expostulate with his +sister, and not with them. And this, Goody Norton [she is always +Goody with him!] you may tell her, that the treaty with Mr. Solmes is +concluded: that nothing but her compliance with her duty is wanting; +of consequence, that there is no room for your expostulation, or hers +either. + +Be assured of this, Mrs. Norton, said my father, in an angry tone, that +we will not be baffled by her. We will not appear like fools in this +matter, and as if we have no authority over our own daughter. We will +not, in short, be bullied out of our child by a cursed rake, who had +like to have killed our only son!--And so she had better make a merit +of her obedience; for comply she shall, if I live; independent as she +thinks my father's indiscreet bounty has made her of me, her father. +Indeed, since that, she has never been like she was before. An unjust +bequest!--And it is likely to prosper accordingly!--But if she marry +that vile rake Lovelace, I will litigate every shilling with her: tell +her so; and that the will may be set aside, and shall. + +My uncles joined, with equal heat. + +My brother was violent in his declarations. + +My sister put in with vehemence, on the same side. + +My aunt Hervey was pleased to say, there was no article so proper for +parents to govern in, as this of marriage: and it was very fit mine +should be obliged. + +Thus instructed, the good woman came up to me. She told me all that had +passed, and was very earnest with me to comply; and so much justice did +she to the task imposed upon her, that I more than once thought, that +her own opinion went with theirs. But when she saw what an immovable +aversion I had to the man, she lamented with me their determined +resolution: and then examined into the sincerity of my declaration, +that I would gladly compound with them by living single. Of this being +satisfied, she was so convinced that this offer, which, carried into +execution, would exclude Lovelace effectually, ought to be accepted, +that she would go down (although I told her, it was what I had tendered +over-and-over to no purpose) and undertake to be guaranty for me on that +score. + +She went accordingly; but soon returned in tears; being used harshly for +urging this alternative:--They had a right to my obedience upon their +own terms, they said: my proposal was an artifice, only to gain time: +nothing but marrying Mr. Solmes should do: they had told me so before: +they should not be at rest till it was done; for they knew what an +interest Lovelace had in my heart: I had as good as owned it in my +letters to my uncles, and brother and sister, although I had most +disingenuously declared otherwise to my mother. I depended, they said, +upon their indulgence, and my own power over them: they would not +have banished me from their presence, if they had not known that their +consideration for me was greater than mine for them. And they would +be obeyed, or I never should be restored to their favour, let the +consequence be what it would. + +My brother thought fit to tell the good woman, that her whining nonsense +did but harden me. There was a perverseness, he said, in female minds, a +tragedy-pride, that would make a romantic young creature, such a one as +me, risque any thing to obtain pity. I was of an age, and a turn [the +insolent said] to be fond of a lover-like distress: and my grief (which +she pleaded) would never break my heart: I should sooner break that of +the best and most indulgent of mothers. He added, that she might once +more go up to me: but that, if she prevailed not, he should suspect, +that the man they all hated had found a way to attach her to his +interest. + +Every body blamed him for this unworthy reflection; which greatly +affected the good woman. But nevertheless he said, and nobody +contradicted him, that if she could not prevail upon her sweet child, +[as it seems she had fondly called me,] she had best draw to her own +home, and there tarry till she was sent for; and so leave her sweet +child to her father's management. + +Sure nobody had ever so insolent, so hard-hearted a brother, as I have! +So much resignation to be expected from me! So much arrogance, and to so +good a woman, and of so fine an understanding, to be allowed in him. + +She nevertheless told him, that however she might be ridiculed for +speaking of the sweetness of my disposition, she must take upon herself +to say, that there never was a sweeter in the sex: and that she had +ever found, that my mild methods, and gentleness, I might at any time be +prevailed upon, even in points against my own judgment and opinion. + +My aunt Hervey hereupon said, It was worth while to consider what +Mrs. Norton said: and that she had sometimes allowed herself to doubt, +whether I had been begun with by such methods as generous tempers are +only to be influenced by, in cases where their hearts are supposed to be +opposite to the will of their friends. + +She had both my brother and sister upon her for this: who referred to +my mother, whether she had not treated me with an indulgence that had +hardly any example? + +My mother said, she must own, that no indulgence had been wanting from +her: but she must needs say, and had often said it, that the reception +I met with on my return from Miss Howe, and the manner in which the +proposal of Mr. Solmes was made to me, (which was such as left nothing +to my choice,) and before I had an opportunity to converse with him, +were not what she had by any means approved of. + +She was silenced, you will guess by whom,--with, My dear!--my dear!--You +have ever something to say, something to palliate, for this rebel of a +girl!--Remember her treatment of you, of me!--Remember, that the wretch, +whom we so justly hate, would not dare persist in his purposes, but for +her encouragement of him, and obstinacy to us.--Mrs. Norton, [angrily to +her,] go up to her once more--and if you think gentleness will do, you +have a commission to be gentle--if it will not, never make use of that +plea again. + +Ay, my good woman, said my mother, try your force with her. My sister +Hervey and I will go up to her, and bring her down in our hands, to +receive her father's blessing, and assurances of every body's love, if +she will be prevailed upon: and, in that case, we will all love you the +better for your good offices. + +She came up to me, and repeated all these passages with tears. But I +told her, that after what had passed between us, she could not hope to +prevail upon me to comply with measures so wholly my brother's, and so +much to my aversion. And then folding me to her maternal bosom, I leave +you, my dearest Miss, said she--I leave you, because I must!--But let me +beseech you to do nothing rashly; nothing unbecoming your character. If +all be true that is said, Mr. Lovelace cannot deserve you. If you can +comply, remember it is your duty to comply. They take not, I own, the +right method with so generous a spirit. But remember, that there would +not be any merit in your compliance, if it were not to be against +your own liking. Remember also, what is expected from a character +so extraordinary as yours: remember, it is in your power to unite or +disunite your whole family for ever. Although it should at present be +disagreeable to you to be thus compelled, your prudence, I dare say, +when you consider the matter seriously, will enable you to get over +all prejudices against the one, and all prepossessions in favour of the +other: and then the obligation you will lay all your family under, +will be not only meritorious in you, with regard to them, but in a few +months, very probably, highly satisfactory, as well as reputable, to +yourself. + +Consider, my dear Mrs. Norton, said I, only consider, that it is not a +small thing that is insisted upon; not for a short duration; it is for +my life: consider too, that all this is owing to an overbearing brother, +who governs every body. Consider how desirous I am to oblige them, if +a single life, and breaking all correspondence with the man they hate, +because my brother hates him, will do it. + +I consider every thing, my dearest Miss: and, added to what I have said, +do you only consider, that if, by pursuing your own will, and rejecting +theirs, you should be unhappy, you will be deprived of all that +consolation which those have, who have been directed by their parents, +although the event prove not answerable to their wishes. + +I must go, repeated she: your brother will say [and she wept] that I +harden you by my whining nonsense. 'Tis indeed hard, that so much +regard should be paid to the humours of one child, and so little to +the inclination of another. But let me repeat, that it is your duty to +acquiesce, if you can acquiesce: your father has given your brother's +schemes his sanction, and they are now his. Mr. Lovelace, I doubt, +is not a man that will justify your choice so much as he will their +dislike. It is easy to see that your brother has a view in discrediting +you with all your friends, with your uncles in particular: but for that +very reason, you should comply, if possible, in order to disconcert his +ungenerous measures. I will pray for you; and that is all I can do for +you. I must now go down, and make a report, that you are resolved never +to have Mr. Solmes--Must I?--Consider, my dear Miss Clary--Must I? + +Indeed you must!--But of this I do assure you, that I will do nothing to +disgrace the part you have had in my education. I will bear every thing +that shall be short of forcing my hand into his who never can have any +share in my heart. I will try by patient duty, by humility, to overcome +them. But death will I choose, in any shape, rather than that man. + +I dread to go down, said she, with so determined an answer: they will +have no patience with me.--But let me leave you with one observation, +which I beg of you always to bear in mind:-- + +'That persons of prudence, and distinguished talents, like yours, seem +to be sprinkled through the world, to give credit, by their example, to +religion and virtue. When such persons wilfully err, how great must +be the fault! How ungrateful to that God, who blessed them with such +talents! What a loss likewise to the world! What a wound to virtue!--But +this, I hope, will never be to be said of Miss Clarissa Harlowe!' + +I could give her no answer, but by my tears. And I thought, when she +went away, the better half of my heart went with her. + +I listened to hear what reception she would meet with below; and found +it was just such a one as she had apprehended. + +Will she, or will she not, be Mrs. Solmes? None of your whining +circumlocutions, Mrs. Norton!--[You may guess who said this] Will she, +or will she not, comply with her parents' will? + +This cut short all she was going to say. + +If I must speak so briefly, Miss will sooner die, than have-- + +Any body but Lovelace! interrupted my brother.--This, Madam, this, Sir, +is your meek daughter! This is Mrs. Norton's sweet child!--Well, Goody, +you may return to your own habitation. I am empowered to forbid you to +have any correspondence with this perverse girl for a month to come, as +you value the favour of our whole family, or of any individual of it. + +And saying this, uncontradicted by any body, he himself shewed her +to the door,--no doubt, with all that air of cruel insult, which the +haughty rich can put on to the unhappy low, who have not pleased them. + +So here, my dear Miss Howe, am I deprived of the advice of one of the +most prudent and conscientious women in the world, were I to have ever +so much occasion for it. + +I might indeed write (as I presume, under your cover) and receive her +answers to what I should write. But should such a correspondence be +charged upon her, I know she would not be guilty of a falsehood for the +world, nor even of an equivocation: and should she own it after this +prohibition, she would forfeit my mother's favour for ever. And in my +dangerous fever, some time ago, I engaged my mother to promise me, that, +if I died before I could do any thing for the good woman, she would set +her above want for the rest of her life, should her eyes fail her, or +sickness befall her, and she could not provide for herself, as she now +so prettily does by her fine needle-works. + +What measures will they fall upon next?--Will they not recede when they +find that it must be a rooted antipathy, and nothing else, that could +make a temper, not naturally inflexible, so sturdy? + +Adieu, my dear. Be you happy!--To know that it is in your power to be +so, is all that seems wanting to make you so. + +CL. HARLOWE. + + + + +LETTER XL + +MISS CLARISSA HARLOWE, TO MISS HOWE [In continuation of the subject in +Letter XXXVIII.] + + +I will now, though midnight (for I have no sleep in my eyes) resume +the subject I was forced so abruptly to quit, and will obey yours, Miss +Lloyd's, Miss Campion's, and Miss Biddulph's call, with as much temper +as my divided thought will admit. The dead stillness of this solemn hour +will, I hope, contribute to calm my disturbed mind. + +In order to acquit myself of so heavy a charge as that of having +reserves to so dear a friend, I will acknowledge (and I thought I had +over-and-over) that it is owing to my particular situation, if Mr. +Lovelace appears to me in a tolerable light: and I take upon me to say, +that had they opposed to him a man of sense, of virtue, of generosity; +one who enjoyed his fortune with credit, who had a tenderness in his +nature for the calamities of others, which would have given a moral +assurance, that he would have been still less wanting in grateful +returns to an obliging spirit:--had they opposed such a man as this to +Mr. Lovelace, and been as earnest to have me married, as now they are, +I do not know myself, if they would have had reason to tax me with that +invincible obstinacy which they lay to my charge: and this whatever +had been the figure of the man; since the heart is what we women should +judge by in the choice we make, as the best security for the party's +good behaviour in every relation of life. + +But, situated as I am, thus persecuted and driven, I own to you, that +I have now-and-then had a little more difficulty than I wished for, in +passing by Mr. Lovelace's tolerable qualities, to keep up my dislike to +him for his others. + +You say, I must have argued with myself in his favour, and in his +disfavour, on a supposition, that I might possibly be one day his. I +own that I have: and thus called upon by my dearest friend, I will set +before you both parts of the argument. + +And first, what occurred to me in his favour. + +At his introduction into our family, his negative virtues were insisted +upon:--He was no gamester; no horse-racer; no fox-hunter; no drinker: +my poor aunt Hervey had, in confidence, given us to apprehend much +disagreeable evil (especially to a wife of the least delicacy) from a +wine-lover: and common sense instructed us, that sobriety in a man is +no small point to be secured, when so many mischiefs happen daily from +excess. I remember, that my sister made the most of this favourable +circumstance in his character while she had any hopes of him. + +He was never thought to be a niggard; not even ungenerous: nor when +his conduct came to be inquired into, an extravagant, a squanderer: his +pride [so far was it a laudable pride] secured him from that. Then he +was ever ready to own his errors. He was no jester upon sacred things: +poor Mr. Wyerley's fault; who seemed to think there was wit in saying +bold things, which would shock a serious mind. His conversation with us +was always unexceptionable, even chastely so; which, be his actions what +they would, shewed him capable of being influenced by decent company; +and that he might probably therefore be a led man, rather than a leader, +in other company. And one late instance, so late as last Saturday +evening, has raised him not a little in my opinion, with regard to this +point of good (and at the same time, of manly) behaviour. + +As to the advantage of birth, that is of his side, above any man who has +been found out for me. If we may judge by that expression of his, +which you were pleased with at the time; 'That upon true quality, and +hereditary distinction, if good sense were not wanting, humour sat as +easy as his glove;' that, with as familiar an air, was his familiar +expression; 'while none but the prosperous upstart, MUSHROOMED into +rank, (another of his peculiars,) was arrogantly proud of it.'--If, I +say, we may judge of him by this, we shall conclude in his favour, that +he knows what sort of behaviour is to be expected from persons of birth, +whether he act up to it or not. Conviction is half way to amendment. + +His fortunes in possession are handsome; in expectation, splendid: so +nothing need be said on that subject. + +But it is impossible, say some, that he should make a tender or kind +husband. Those who are for imposing upon me such a man as Mr. Solmes, +and by methods so violent, are not entitled to make this objection. But +now, on this subject, let me tell you how I have argued with myself--for +still you must remember, that I am upon the extenuating part of his +character. + +A great deal of the treatment a wife may expect from him, will possibly +depend upon herself. Perhaps she must practise as well as promise +obedience, to a man so little used to controul; and must be careful to +oblige. And what husband expects not this?--The more perhaps if he had +not reason to assure himself of the preferable love of his wife before +she became such. And how much easier and pleasanter to obey the man of +her choice, if he should be even more unreasonable sometimes, than one +she would not have had, could she have avoided it? Then, I think, as +the men were the framers of the matrimonial office, and made obedience +a part of the woman's vow, she ought not, even in policy, to shew him, +that she can break through her part of the contract, (however lightly +she may think of the instance,) lest he should take it into his head +(himself is judge) to think as lightly of other points, which she may +hold more important--but, indeed, no point so solemnly vowed can be +slight. + +Thus principled, and acting accordingly, what a wretch must that husband +be, who could treat such a wife brutally!--Will Lovelace's wife be the +only person to whom he will not pay the grateful debt of civility and +good manners? He is allowed to be brave: Who ever knew a brave man, if a +brave man of sense, an universally base man? And how much the gentleness +of our sex, and the manner of our training up and education, make us +need the protection of the brave, and the countenance of the generous, +let the general approbation, which we are all so naturally inclined to +give to men of that character, testify. + +At worst, will he confine me prisoner to my chamber? Will he deny me the +visits of my dearest friend, and forbid me to correspond with her? Will +he take from me the mistressly management, which I had not faultily +discharged? Will he set a servant over me, with license to insult me? +Will he, as he has not a sister, permit his cousins Montague, or would +either of those ladies accept of a permission, to insult and tyrannize +over me?--It cannot be.--Why then, think I often, do you tempt me, O my +cruel friends, to try the difference? + +And then has the secret pleasure intruded itself, to be able to reclaim +such a man to the paths of virtue and honour: to be a secondary means, +if I were to be his, of saving him, and preventing the mischiefs so +enterprising a creature might otherwise be guilty of, if he be such a +one. + +When I have thought of him in these lights, (and that as a man of sense +he will sooner see his errors, than another,) I own to you, that I have +had some difficulty to avoid taking the path they so violently endeavour +to make me shun: and all that command of my passions which has been +attributed to me as my greatest praise, and, in so young a creature, as +my distinction, has hardly been sufficient for me. + +And let me add, that the favour of his relations (all but himself +unexceptionable) has made a good deal of additional weight, thrown in +the same scale. + +But now, in his disfavour. When I have reflected upon the prohibition +of my parents; the giddy appearance, disgraceful to our sex, that such +a preference would have: that there is no manner of likelihood, enflamed +by the rencounter, and upheld by art and ambition on my brother's side, +that ever the animosity will be got over: that I must therefore be at +perpetual variance with all my own family: that I must go to him, and to +his, as an obliged and half-fortuned person: that his aversion to them +all is as strong as theirs to him: that his whole family are hated +for his sake; they hating ours in return: that he has a very immoral +character as to women: that knowing this, it is a high degree of +impurity to think of joining in wedlock with such a man: that he is +young, unbroken, his passions unsubdued: that he is violent in his +temper, yet artful; I am afraid vindictive too: that such a husband +might unsettle me in all my own principles, and hazard my future hopes: +that his own relations, two excellent aunts, and an uncle, from whom +he has such large expectations, have no influence upon him: that what +tolerable qualities he has, are founded more in pride than in virtue: +that allowing, as he does, the excellency of moral precepts, and +believing the doctrine of future rewards and punishments, he can live as +if he despised the one, and defied the other: the probability that the +taint arising from such free principles, may go down into the manners +of posterity: that I knowing these things, and the importance of them, +should be more inexcusable than one who knows them not; since an error +against judgment is worse, infinitely worse, than an error in judgment. +Reflecting upon these things, I cannot help conjuring you, my dear, to +pray with me, and to pray for me, that I may not be pushed upon such +indiscreet measures, as will render me inexcusable to myself: for that +is the test, after all. The world's opinion ought to be but a secondary +consideration. + +I have said in his praise, that he is extremely ready to own his errors: +but I have sometimes made a great drawback upon this article, in his +disfavour; having been ready to apprehend, that this ingenuousness may +possibly be attributable to two causes, neither of them, by any means, +creditable to him. The one, that his vices are so much his masters, that +he attempts not to conquer them; the other, that he may think it policy, +to give up one half of his character to save the other, when the +whole may be blamable: by this means, silencing by acknowledgment +the objections he cannot answer; which may give him the praise of +ingenuousness, when he can obtain no other, and when the challenged +proof might bring out, upon discussion, other evils. These, you will +allow, are severe constructions; but every thing his enemies say of him +cannot be false. + +I will proceed by-and-by. + + +*** + + +Sometimes we have both thought him one of the most undesigning merely +witty men we ever knew; at other times one of the deepest creatures +we ever conversed with. So that when in one visit we have imagined +we fathomed him, in the next he has made us ready to give him up as +impenetrable. This impenetrableness, my dear, is to be put among the +shades in his character. Yet, upon the whole, you have been so far +of his party, that you have contested that his principal fault is +over-frankness, and too much regardlessness of appearances, and that he +is too giddy to be very artful: you would have it, that at the time he +says any thing good, he means what he speaks; that his variableness and +levity are constitutional, owing to sound health, and to a soul and body +[that was your observation] fitted for and pleased with each other. And +hence you concluded, that could this consentaneousness [as you call it] +of corporal and animal faculties be pointed by discretion; that is +to say, could his vivacity be confined within the pale of but moral +obligations, he would be far from being rejectable as a companion for +life. + +But I used then to say, and I still am of opinion, that he wants +a heart: and if he does, he wants every thing. A wrong head may be +convinced, may have a right turn given it: but who is able to give a +heart, if a heart be wanting? Divine Grace, working a miracle, or next +to a miracle, can only change a bad heart. Should not one fly the man +who is but suspected of such a one? What, O what, do parents do, when +they endeavour to force a child's inclination, but make her think better +than otherwise she would think of a man obnoxious to themselves, and +perhaps whose character will not stand examination? + +I have said, that I think Mr. Lovelace a vindictive man: upon my word, I +have sometimes doubted, whether his perseverance in his addresses to +me has not been the more obstinate, since he has found himself so +disagreeable to my friends. From that time I verily think he has +been the more fervent in them; yet courts them not, but sets them at +defiance. For this indeed he pleads disinterestedness [I am sure he +cannot politeness]; and the more plausibly, as he is apprized of the +ability they have to make it worth his while to court them. 'Tis true +he has declared, and with too much reason, (or there would be no bearing +him,) that the lowest submissions on his part would not be accepted; and +to oblige me, has offered to seek a reconciliation with them, if I would +give him hope of success. + +As to his behaviour at church, the Sunday before last, I lay no stress +upon that, because I doubt there was too much outward pride in his +intentional humility, or Shorey, who is not his enemy, could not have +mistaken it. + +I do not think him so deeply learned in human nature, or in ethics, as +some have thought him. Don't you remember how he stared at the following +trite observations, which every moralist could have furnished him with? +Complaining as he did, in a half-menacing strain, of the obloquies +raised against him--'That if he were innocent, he should despise the +obloquy: if not, revenge would not wipe off his guilt.' 'That nobody +ever thought of turning a sword into a sponge!' 'That it was in his own +power by reformation of an error laid to his charge by an enemy, to make +that enemy one of his best friends; and (which was the noblest revenge +in the world) against his will; since an enemy would not wish him to be +without the faults he taxed him with.' + +But the intention, he said, was the wound. + +How so, I asked him, when that cannot wound without the application? +'That the adversary only held the sword: he himself pointed it to his +breast:--And why should he mortally resent that malice, which he might +be the better for as long as he lived?'--What could be the reading +he has been said to be master of, to wonder, as he did, at these +observations? + +But, indeed, he must take pleasure in revenge; and yet holds others to +be inexcusable for the same fault. He is not, however, the only one +who can see how truly blamable those errors are in another, which they +hardly think such in themselves. + +From these considerations, from these over-balances, it was, that I +said, in a former, that I would not be in love with this man for the +world: and it was going further than prudence would warrant, when I was +for compounding with you, by the words conditional liking, which you so +humourously rally. + +Well but, methinks you say, what is all this to the purpose? This is +still but reasoning: but, if you are in love, you are: and love, +like the vapours, is the deeper rooted for having no sufficient cause +assignable for its hold. And so you call upon me again to have no +reserves, and so-forth. + +Why then, my dear, if you will have it, I think, that, with all his +preponderating faults, I like him better than I ever thought I should +like him; and, those faults considered, better perhaps than I ought to +like him. And I believe, it is possible for the persecution I labour +under to induce me to like him still more--especially while I can +recollect to his advantage our last interview, and as every day produces +stronger instances of tyranny, I will call it, on the other side.--In +a word, I will frankly own (since you cannot think any thing I say too +explicit) that were he now but a moral man, I would prefer him to all +the men I ever saw. + +So that this is but conditional liking still, you'll say: nor, I hope, +is it more. I never was in love as it is called; and whether this be it, +or not, I must submit to you. But will venture to think it, if it be, +no such mighty monarch, no such unconquerable power, as I have heard +it represented; and it must have met with greater encouragement than +I think I have given it, to be absolutely unconquerable--since I am +persuaded, that I could yet, without a throb, most willingly give up the +one man to get rid of the other. + +But now to be a little more serious with you: if, my dear, my +particularly-unhappy situation had driven (or led me, if you please) +into a liking of the man; and if that liking had, in your opinion, +inclined me to love him, should you, whose mind is susceptible of the +most friendly impressions, who have such high notions of the delicacy +which ought to be observed by our sex in these matters, and who actually +do enter so deeply into the distresses of one you love--should you +have pushed so far that unhappy friend on so very nice a +subject?--Especially, when I aimed not (as you could prove by fifty +instances, it seems) to guard against being found out. Had you rallied +me by word of mouth in the manner you do, it might have been more in +character; especially, if your friend's distresses had been surmounted, +and if she had affected prudish airs in revolving the subject: but to +sit down to write it, as methinks I see you, with a gladdened eye, and +with all the archness of exultation--indeed, my dear, (and I take notice +of it, rather for the sake of your own generosity, than for my sake, +for, as I have said, I love your raillery,) it is not so very pretty; +the delicacy of the subject, and the delicacy of your own mind, +considered. + +I lay down my pen here, that you may consider of it a little, if you +please. + + +*** + + +I resume, to give you my opinion of the force which figure or person +ought to have upon our sex: and this I shall do both generally as to the +other sex, and particularly as to this man; whence you will be able to +collect how far my friends are in the right, or in the wrong, when +they attribute a good deal of prejudice in favour of one man, and in +disfavour of the other, on the score of figure. But, first, let me +observe, that they see abundant reason, on comparing Mr. Lovelace and +Mr. Solmes together, to believe that this may be a consideration with +me; and therefore they believe it is. + +There is certainly something very plausible and attractive, as well +as creditable to a woman's choice, in figure. It gives a favourable +impression at first sight, in which we wish to be confirmed: and if, +upon further acquaintance, we find reason to be so, we are pleased with +our judgment, and like the person the better, for having given us cause +to compliment our own sagacity, in our first-sighted impressions. But, +nevertheless, it has been generally a rule with me, to suspect a fine +figure, both in man and woman; and I have had a good deal of reason +to approve my rule;--with regard to men especially, who ought to value +themselves rather upon their intellectual than personal qualities. +For, as to our sex, if a fine woman should be led by the opinion of the +world, to be vain and conceited upon her form and features; and that to +such a degree, as to have neglected the more material and more durable +recommendations, the world will be ready to excuse her; since a pretty +fool, in all she says, and in all she does, will please, we know not +why. + +But who would grudge this pretty fool her short day! Since, with her +summer's sun, when her butterfly flutters are over, and the winter +of age and furrows arrives, she will feel the just effects of having +neglected to cultivate her better faculties: for then, lie another +Helen, she will be unable to bear the reflection even of her own glass, +and being sunk into the insignificance of a mere old woman, she will +be entitled to the contempts which follow that character. While the +discreet matron, who carries up [we will not, in such a one's case, +say down] into advanced life, the ever-amiable character of virtuous +prudence and useful experience, finds solid veneration take place of +airy admiration, and more than supply the want of it. + +But for a man to be vain of his person, how effeminate! If such a +one happens to have genius, it seldom strikes deep into intellectual +subjects. His outside usually runs away with him. To adorn, and perhaps, +intending to adorn, to render ridiculous that person, takes up all his +attention. All he does is personal; that is to say, for himself: all he +admires, is himself: and in spite of the correction of the stage, which +so often and so justly exposes a coxcomb, he usually dwindles down, and +sinks into that character; and, of consequence, becomes the scorn of one +sex, and the jest of the other. + +This is generally the case of your fine figures of men, and of those who +value themselves on dress and outward appearance: whence it is, that I +repeat, that mere person in a man is a despicable consideration. But +if a man, besides figure, has learning, and such talents as would have +distinguished him, whatever were his form, then indeed person is an +addition: and if he has not run too egregiously into self-admiration, +and if he has preserved his morals, he is truly a valuable being. + +Mr. Lovelace has certainly taste; and, as far as I am able to determine, +he has judgment in most of the politer arts. But although he has a +humourous way of carrying it off, yet one may see that he values himself +not a little, both on his person and his parts, and even upon his dress; +and yet he has so happy an ease in the latter, that it seems to be the +least part of his study. And as to the former, I should hold myself +inexcusable, if I were to add to his vanity by shewing the least regard +for what is too evidently so much his. + +And now, my dear, let me ask you, Have I come up to your expectation? If +I have not, when my mind is more at ease, I will endeavour to please +you better. For, methinks, my sentences drag, my style creeps, my +imagination is sunk, my spirits serve me not, only to tell you, that +whether I have more or less, I am wholly devoted to the commands of my +dear Miss Howe. + + + +P.S. The insolent Betty Barnes has just now fired me anew, by reporting +to me the following expressions of the hideous creature, Solmes--'That +he is sure of the coy girl; and that with little labour to himself. That +be I ever so averse to him beforehand, he can depend upon my principles; +and it will be a pleasure to him to see by what pretty degrees I shall +come to.' [Horrid wretch!] 'That it was Sir Oliver's observation, who +knew the world perfectly well, that fear was a better security than +love, for a woman's good behaviour to her husband; although, for his +part, to such a fine creature [truly] he would try what love would do, +for a few weeks at least; being unwilling to believe what the old knight +used to aver, that fondness spoils more wives than it makes good.' + +What think you, my dear, of such a wretch as this! tutored, too, by that +old surly misogynist, as he was deemed, Sir Oliver?-- + + + + +LETTER XLI + +MISS CLARISSA HARLOWE, TO MISS HOWE TUESDAY, MARCH 21. + + +How willingly would my dear mother shew kindness to me, were she +permitted! None of this persecution should I labour under, I am sure, if +that regard were paid to her prudence and fine understanding, which they +so well deserve. Whether owing to her, or to my aunt, or to both, that +a new trial was to be made upon me, I cannot tell, but this morning her +Shorey delivered into my hand the following condescending letter. + + +MY DEAR GIRL, + +For so I must still call you; since dear you may be to me, in every +sense of the word--we have taken into particular consideration some +hints that fell yesterday from your good Norton, as if we had not, at +Mr. Solmes's first application, treated you with that condescension, +wherewith we have in all other instances treated you. If it even had +been so, my dear, you were not excusable to be wanting in your part, +and to set yourself to oppose your father's will in a point which he had +entered too far, to recede with honour. But all yet may be well. On your +single will, my child, depends all our happiness. + +Your father permits me to tell you, that if you now at last comply with +his expectations, all past disobligations shall be buried in oblivion, +as if they had never been: but withal, that this is the last time that +that grace will be offered you. + +I hinted to you, you must remember,* that patterns of the richest silks +were sent for. They are come. And as they are come, your father, to shew +how much he is determined, will have me send them up to you. I could +have wished they might not have accompanied this letter, but there is +not great matter in that. I must tell you, that your delicacy is not +quite so much regarded as I had once thought it deserved to be. + + + * See Letter XX. + + +These are the newest, as well as richest, that we could procure; +answerable to our situation in the world; answerable to the fortune, +additional to your grandfather's estate, designed you; and to the noble +settlements agreed upon. + +Your father intends you six suits (three of them dressed suits) at his +own expense. You have an entire new suit; and one besides, which I think +you never wore but twice. As the new suit is rich, if you choose to +make that one of the six, your father will present you with an hundred +guineas in lieu. + +Mr. Solmes intends to present you with a set of jewels. As you have your +grandmother's and your own, if you choose to have the former new set, +and to make them serve, his present will be made in money; a very round +sum--which will be given in full property to yourself; besides a fine +annual allowance for pin-money, as it is called. So that your objection +against the spirit of a man you think worse of than it deserves, will +have no weight; but you will be more independent than a wife of less +discretion than we attribute to you, perhaps ought to be. You know full +well, that I, who first and last brought a still larger fortune into the +family than you will carry to Mr. Solmes, had not a provision made me +of near this that we have made for you.--Where people marry to their +liking, terms are the least things stood upon--yet should I be sorry if +you cannot (to oblige us all) overcome a dislike. + +Wonder not, Clary, that I write to you thus plainly and freely upon +this subject. Your behaviour hitherto has been such, that we have had no +opportunity of entering minutely into the subject with you. Yet, after +all that has passed between you and me in conversation, and between you +and your uncles by letter, you have no room to doubt what is to be the +consequence.--Either, child, we must give up our authority, or you your +humour. You cannot expect the one. We have all the reason in the world +to expect the other. You know I have told you more than once, that +you must resolve to have Mr. Solmes, or never to be looked upon as our +child. + +The draught of the settlement you may see whenever you will. We think +there can be no room for objection to any of the articles. There is +still more in them in our family's favour, than was stipulated at first, +when your aunt talked of them to you. More so, indeed, than we +could have asked. If, upon perusal of them, you think any alteration +necessary, it shall be made.--Do, my dear girl, send to me within this +day or two, or rather ask me, for the perusal of them. + +As a certain person's appearance at church so lately, and what he gives +out every where, makes us extremely uneasy, and as that uneasiness will +continue while you are single, you must not wonder that a short day +is intended. This day fortnight we design it to be, if you have no +objection to make that I shall approve of. But if you determine as we +would have you, and signify it to us, we shall not stand with you for a +week or so. + +Your sightlines of person may perhaps make some think this alliance +disparaging. But I hope you will not put such a personal value upon +yourself: if you do, it will indeed be the less wonder that person +should weigh with you (however weak the consideration!) in another man. + +Thus we parents, in justice, ought to judge: that our two daughters are +equally dear and valuable to us: if so, why should Clarissa think that +a disparagement, which Arabella would not (nor we for her) have thought +any, had the address been made to her?--You will know what I mean by +this, without my explaining myself farther. + +Signify to us, now, therefore, your compliance with our wishes. And then +there is an end of your confinement. An act of oblivion, as I may call +it, shall pass upon all your former refractoriness: and you will once +more make us happy in you, and in one another. You may, in this case, +directly come down to your father and me, in his study; where we will +give you our opinions of the patterns, with our hearty forgiveness and +blessings. + +Come, be a good child, as you used to be, my Clarissa. I have +(notwithstanding your past behaviour, and the hopelessness which some +have expressed in your compliance) undertaken this one time more for +you. Discredit not my hopes, my dear girl. I have promised never more +to interfere between your father and you, if this my most earnest +application succeed not. I expect you down, love. Your father expects +you down. But be sure don't let him see any thing uncheerful in your +compliance. If you come, I will clasp you to my fond heart, with as much +pleasure as ever I pressed you to it in my whole life. You don't know +what I have suffered within these few weeks past; nor ever will be able +to guess, till you come to be in my situation; which is that of a fond +and indulgent mother, praying night and day, and struggling to preserve, +against the attempts of more ungovernable spirits, the peace and union +of her family. + +But you know the terms. Come not near us, if you have resolve to be +undutiful: but this, after what I have written, I hope you cannot be. + +If you come directly, and, as I have said, cheerfully, as if your heart +were in your duty, (and you told me it was free, you know,) I shall +then, as I said, give you the most tender proofs how much I am + +Your truly affectionate Mother. + + +*** + + +Think for me, my dearest friend, how I must be affected by this letter; +the contents of it is so surprisingly terrifying, yet so sweetly +urged!--O why, cried I to myself, am I obliged to undergo this +severe conflict between a command that I cannot obey, and language so +condescendingly moving!--Could I have been sure of being struck dead +at the alter before the ceremony had given the man I hate a title to my +vows, I think I could have submitted to having been led to it. But to +think of living with and living for a man one abhors, what a sad thing +is that! + +And then, how could the glare of habit and ornament be supposed any +inducement to one, who has always held, that the principal view of a +good wife in the adorning of her person, ought to be, to preserve the +affection of her husband, and to do credit to his choice; and that she +should be even fearful of attracting the eyes of others?--In this view, +must not the very richness of the patterns add to my disgusts?--Great +encouragement, indeed, to think of adorning one's self to be the wife of +Mr. Solmes! + +Upon the whole, it was not possible for me to go down upon the +prescribed condition. Do you think it was?--And to write, if my letter +would have been read, what could I write that would be admitted, and +after what I had written and said to so little effect? + +I walked backward and forward. I threw down with disdain the patterns. +Now to my closet retired I; then quitting it, threw myself upon the +settee; then upon this chair, then upon that; then into one window, then +into another--I knew not what to do!--And while I was in this suspense, +having again taken up the letter to re-peruse it, Betty came in, +reminding me, by order, that my papa and mamma waited for me in my +father's study. + +Tell my mamma, said I, that I beg the favour of seeing her here for one +moment, or to permit me to attend her any where by herself. + +I listened at the stairs-head--You see, my dear, how it is, cried +my father, very angrily: all your condescension (as your indulgence +heretofore) is thrown away. You blame your son's violence, as you call +it [I had some pleasure in hearing this]; but nothing else will do with +her. You shall not see her alone. Is my presence an exception to the +bold creature? + +Tell her, said my mother to Betty, she knows upon what terms she may +come down to us. Nor will I see her upon any other. + +The maid brought me this answer. I had recourse to my pen and ink; but +I trembled so, that I could not write, nor knew what to say, had I +steadier fingers. At last Betty brought me these lines from my father. + + +UNDUTIFUL AND PERVERSE CLARISSA, + +No condescension, I see, will move you. Your mother shall not see you; +nor will I. Prepare however to obey. You know our pleasure. Your uncle +Antony, your brother, and your sister, and your favourite Mrs. Norton, +shall see the ceremony performed privately at your uncle's chapel. And +when Mr. Solmes can introduce you to us, in the temper we wish to behold +you in, we may perhaps forgive his wife, although we never can, in +any other character, our perverse daughter. As it will be so privately +performed, clothes and equipage may be provided for afterwards. So +prepare to go to your uncle's for an early day in next week. We will not +see you till all is over: and we will have it over the sooner, in order +to shorten the time of your deserved confinement, and our own trouble in +contending with such a rebel, as you have been of late. I will hear no +pleas, I will receive no letter, nor expostulation. Nor shall you hear +from me any more till you have changed your name to my liking. This from + +Your incensed Father. + + +If this resolution be adhered to, then will my father never see me +more!--For I will never be the wife of that Solmes--I will die first--! + + +TUESDAY EVENING. + + +He, this Solmes, came hither soon after I had received my father's +letter. He sent up to beg leave to wait upon me--I wonder at his +assurance--! + +I said to Betty, who brought me this message, let him restore an unhappy +creature to her father and mother, and then I may hear what he has to +say. But, if my friends will not see me on his account, I will not see +him upon his own. + +I hope, Miss, said Betty, you will not send me down with this answer. He +is with you papa and mamma. + +I am driven to despair, said I. I cannot be used worse. I will not see +him. + +Down she went with my answer. She pretended, it seems, to be loth to +repeat it: so was commanded out of her affected reserves, and gave it in +its full force. + +O how I heard my father storm! + +They were altogether, it seems, in his study. My brother was for +having me turned out of the house that moment, to Lovelace, and my evil +destiny. My mother was pleased to put in a gentle word for me: I know +not what it was: but thus she was answered--My dear, this is the most +provoking thing in the world in a woman of your good sense!--To love a +rebel, as well as if she were dutiful. What encouragement for duty +is this?--Have I not loved her as well as ever you did? And why am I +changed! Would to the Lord, your sex knew how to distinguish! It is +plain, that she relies upon her power over you. The fond mother ever +made a hardened child! + +She was pleased, however, to blame Betty, as the wench owned, for giving +my answer its full force. But my father praised her for it. + +The wench says, that he would have come up in his wrath, at my refusing +to see Mr. Solmes, had not my brother and sister prevailed upon him to +the contrary. + +I wish he had!--And, were it not for his own sake, that he had killed +me! + +Mr. Solmes condescended [I am mightily obliged to him truly!] to plead +for me. + +They are all in tumults! How it will end, I know not--I am quite weary +of life--So happy, till within these few weeks!--So miserable now! + +Well, indeed, might my mother say, that I should have severe trials.* + + +* See Letter XXV. + + +P.S. The idiot [such a one am I treated like!] is begged, as I may say, +by my brother and sister. They have desired, that I may be consigned +over entirely to their management. If it be granted, [it is granted, +on my father's part, I understand, but not yet on my mother's,] what +cruelty may I not expect from their envy, jealousy, and ill-will!--I +shall soon see, by its effects, if I am to be so consigned. This is a +written intimation privately dropt in my wood-house walk, by my cousin +Dolly Hervey. The dear girl longs to see me, she tells me: but is +forbidden till she see me as Mrs. Solmes, or as consenting to be his. I +will take example by their perseverance!--Indeed I will--! + + + + +LETTER XLII + +MISS CLARISSA HARLOWE, TO MISS HOWE + + +An angry dialogue, a scolding-bout rather, has passed between my sister +and me. Did you think I could scold, my dear? + +She was sent up to me, upon my refusal to see Mr. Solmes--let loose +upon me, I think!--No intention on their parts to conciliate! It seems +evident that I am given up to my brother and her, by general consent. + +I will do justice to every thing she said against me, which carried any +force with it. As I ask for your approbation or disapprobation of my +conduct, upon the facts I lay before you, I should think it the sign of +a very bad cause, if I endeavoured to mislead my judge. + +She began with representing to me the danger I had been in, had my +father come up, as he would have done had he not been hindered--by +Mr. Solmes, among the rest. She reflected upon my Norton, as if she +encouraged me in my perverseness. She ridiculed me for my supposed +esteem for Mr. Lovelace--was surprised that the witty, the prudent, nay, +the dutiful and pi--ous [so she sneeringly pronounced the word] Clarissa +Harlowe, should be so strangely fond of a profligate man, that her +parents were forced to lock her up, in order to hinder her from running +into his arms. 'Let me ask you, my dear, said she, how you now keep +your account of the disposition of your time? How many hours in the +twenty-four do you devote to your needle? How many to your prayers? +How many to letter-writing? And how many to love?--I doubt, I doubt, my +little dear, was her arch expression, the latter article is like Aaron's +rod, and swallows up the rest!--Tell me; is it not so?' + +To these I answered, That it was a double mortification to me to owe +my safety from the effects of my father's indignation to a man I could +never thank for any thing. I vindicated the good Mrs. Norton with a +warmth that was due to her merit. With equal warmth I resented her +reflections upon me on Mr. Lovelace's account. As to the disposition of +my time in the twenty-four hours, I told her it would better have become +her to pity a sister in distress, than to exult over her--especially, +when I could too justly attribute to the disposition of some of her +wakeful hours no small part of that distress. + +She raved extremely at this last hint: but reminded me of the gentle +treatment of all my friends, my mother's in particular, before it +came to this. She said, that I had discovered a spirit they never had +expected: that, if they had thought me such a championess, they would +hardly have ventured to engage with me: but that now, the short and the +long of it was, that the matter had gone too far to be given up: that it +was become a contention between duty and willfulness; whether a parent's +authority were to yield to a daughter's obstinacy, or the contrary: that +I must therefore bend or break, that was all, child. + +I told her, that I wished the subject were of such a nature, that I +could return her pleasantry with equal lightness of heart: but that, if +Mr. Solmes had such merit in every body's eyes, in hers, particularly, +why might he not be a brother to me, rather than a husband? + +O child, says she, methinks you are as pleasant to the full as I am: +I begin to have some hopes of you now. But do you think I will rob my +sister of her humble servant? Had he first addressed himself to me, +proceeded she, something might have been said: but to take my younger +sister's refusal! No, no, child; it is not come to that neither! +Besides, that would be to leave the door open in your heart for you know +who, child; and we would fain bar him out, if possible. In short [and +then she changed both her tone and her looks] had I been as forward +as somebody, to throw myself into the arms of one of the greatest +profligates in England, who had endeavoured to support his claim to me +through the blood of my brother, then might all my family join together +to save me from such a wretch, and to marry me as fast as they could, +to some worthy man, who might opportunely offer himself. And now, Clary, +all's out, and make the most of it. + +Did not this deserve a severe return? Do, say it did, to justify my +reply.--Alas! for my poor sister! said I--The man was not always so +great a profligate. How true is the observation, That unrequited love +turns to deepest hate! + +I thought she would beat me. But I proceeded--I have heard often of my +brother's danger, and my brother's murderer. When so little ceremony is +made with me, why should I not speak out?--Did he not seek to kill the +other, if he could have done it? Would my brother have given Lovelace +his life, had it been in his power?--The aggressor should not +complain.--And, as to opportune offers, would to Heaven some one +had offered opportunely to somebody! It is not my fault, Bella, the +opportune gentleman don't come! + +Could you, my dear, have shewn more spirit? I expected to feel the +weight of her hand. She did come up to me, with it held up: then, +speechless with passion, ran half way down the stairs, and came up +again. + +When she could speak--God give me patience with you! + +Amen, said I: but you see, Bella, how ill you bear the retort you +provoke. Will you forgive me; and let me find a sister in you, as I am +sorry, if you had reason to think me unsisterly in what I have said? + +Then did she pour upon me, with greater violence; considering my +gentleness as a triumph of temper over her. She was resolved, she said, +to let every body know how I took the wicked Lovelace's part against my +brother. + +I wished, I told her, I could make the plea for myself, which she +might for herself; to wit, that my anger was more inexcusable than my +judgment. But I presumed she had some other view in coming to me, than +she had hitherto acquainted me with. Let me, said I, but know (after +all that has passed) if you have any thing to propose that I can comply +with; any thing that can make my only sister once more my friend? + +I had before, upon hearing her ridiculing me on my supposed character of +meekness, said, that, although I wished to be thought meek, I would not +be abject; although humble not mean: and here, in a sneering way, she +cautioned me on that head. + +I replied, that her pleasantry was much more agreeable than her anger. +But I wished she would let me know the end of a visit that had hitherto +(between us) been so unsisterly. + +She desired to be informed, in the name of every body, was her word, +what I was determined upon? And whether to comply or not?--One word for +all: My friends were not to have patience with so perverse a creature +for ever. + +This then I told her I would do: Absolutely break with the man they were +all so determined against: upon condition, however, that neither Mr. +Solmes, nor any other, were urged upon me with the force of a command. + +And what was this, more than I had offered before? What, but ringing +my changes upon the same bells, and neither receding nor advancing one +tittle? + +If I knew what other proposals I could make, I told her, that would +be acceptable to them all, and free me from the address of a man so +disagreeable to me, I would make them. I had indeed before offered, +never to marry without my father's consent-- + +She interrupted me, That was because I depended upon my whining tricks +to bring my father and mother to what I pleased. + +A poor dependence! I said:--She knew those who would make that +dependence vain-- + +And I should have brought them to my own beck, very probably, and my +uncle Harlowe too, as also my aunt Hervey, had I not been forbidden from +their sight, and thereby hindered from playing my pug's tricks before +them. + +At least, Bella, said I, you have hinted to me to whom I am obliged, +that my father and mother, and every body else, treat me thus harshly. +But surely you make them all very weak. Indifferent persons, judging of +us two from what you say, would either think me a very artful creature, +or you a very spiteful one-- + +You are indeed a very artful one, for that matter, interrupted she in +a passion: one of the artfullest I ever knew! And then followed an +accusation so low! so unsisterly!--That I half-bewitched people by my +insinuating address: that nobody could be valued or respected, but must +stand like ciphers wherever I came. How often, said she, have I and my +brother been talking upon a subject, and had every body's attention, +till you came in, with your bewitching meek pride, and humble +significance? And then have we either been stopped by references to Miss +Clary's opinion, forsooth; or been forced to stop ourselves, or must +have talked on unattended to by every body. + +She paused. Dear Bella, proceed! + +She indeed seemed only gathering breath. + +And so I will, said she--Did you not bewitch my grandfather? Could any +thing be pleasing to him, that you did not say or do? How did he use +to hang, till he slabbered again, poor doting old man! on your silver +tongue! Yet what did you say, that we could not have said? What did you +do, that we did not endeavour to do?--And what was all this for? Why, +truly, his last will shewed what effect your smooth obligingness had +upon him!--To leave the acquired part of his estate from the next heirs, +his own sons, to a grandchild; to his youngest grandchild! A daughter +too!--To leave the family-pictures from his sons to you, because you +could tiddle about them, and, though you now neglect their examples, +could wipe and clean them with your dainty hands! The family-plate too, +in such quantities, of two or three generations standing, must not be +changed, because his precious child,* humouring his old fal-lal taste, +admired it, to make it all her own. + + + * Alluding to his words in the preamble to the clauses in + his will. See Letter IV. + + +This was too low to move me: O my poor sister! said I: not to be able, +or at least willing, to distinguish between art and nature! If I did +oblige, I was happy in it: I looked for no further reward: my mind is +above art, from the dirty motives you mention. I wish with all my heart +my grandfather had not thus distinguished me; he saw my brother likely +to be amply provided for out of the family, as well as in it: he desired +that you might have the greater share of my father's favour for it; +and no doubt but you both have. You know, Bella, that the estate my +grandfather bequeathed me was not half the real estate he left. + +What's all that to an estate in possession, and left you with such +distinctions, as gave you a reputation of greater value than the estate +itself? + +Hence my misfortune, Bella, in your envy, I doubt!--But have I not given +up that possession in the best manner I could-- + +Yes, interrupting me, she hated me for that best manner. Specious little +witch! she called me: your best manner, so full of art and design, had +never been seen through, if you, with your blandishing ways, have not +been put out of sight, and reduced to positive declarations!--Hindered +from playing your little declarations!--Hindered from playing your +little whining tricks! curling, like a serpent about your mamma; and +making her cry to deny you any thing your little obstinate heart was set +upon--! + +Obstinate heart, Bella! + +Yes, obstinate heart! For did you ever give up any thing? Had you not +the art to make them think all was right you asked, though my brother +and I were frequently refused favours of no greater import! + +I know not, Bella, that I ever asked any thing unfit to be granted. I +seldom asked favours for myself, but for others. + +I was a reflecting creature for this. + +All you speak of, Bella, was a long time ago. I cannot go so far back +into our childish follies. Little did I think of how long standing your +late-shewn antipathy is. + +I was a reflector again! Such a saucy meekness; such a best manner; and +such venom in words!--O Clary! Clary! Thou wert always a two-faced girl! + +Nobody thought I had two faces, when I gave up all into my father's +management; taking from his bounty, as before, all my little +pocket-money, without a shilling addition to my stipend, or desiring +it-- + +Yes, cunning creature!--And that was another of your fetches!--For did +it not engage my fond father (as no doubt you thought it would) to tell +you, that since you had done so grateful and dutiful a thing, he would +keep entire, for your use, all the produce of the estate left you, and +be but your steward in it; and that you should be entitled to the same +allowances as before? Another of your hook-in's, Clary!--So that all +your extravagancies have been supported gratis. + +My extravagancies, Bella!--But did my father ever give me any thing he +did not give you? + +Yes, indeed; I got more by that means, than I should have had the +conscience to ask. But I have still the greater part to shew! But you! +What have you to shew?--I dare say, not fifty pieces in the world! + +Indeed I have not! + +I believe you!--Your mamma Norton, I suppose--But mum for that--! + +Unworthy Bella! The good woman, although low in circumstance, is great +in mind! Much greater than those who would impute meanness to a soul +incapable of it. + +What then have you done with the sums given you from infancy to +squander?--Let me ask you [affecting archness], Has, has, has Lovelace, +has your rake, put it out at interest for you? + +O that my sister would not make me blush for her! It is, however, out at +interest!--And I hope it will bring me interest upon interest!--Better +than to lie useless in my cabinet. + +She understood me, she said. Were I a man, she should suppose I was +aiming to carry the county--Popularity! A crowd to follow me with their +blessings as I went to and from church, and nobody else to be regarded, +were agreeable things. House-top-proclamations! I hid not my light under +a bushel, she would say that for me. But was it not a little hard upon +me, to be kept from blazing on a Sunday?--And to be hindered from my +charitable ostentations? + +This, indeed, Bella, is cruel in you, who have so largely contributed to +my confinement.--But go on. You'll be out of breath by-and-by. I cannot +wish to be able to return this usage.--Poor Bella! And I believe I +smiled a little too contemptuously for a sister to a sister. + +None of your saucy contempts [rising in her voice]: None of your poor +Bella's, with that air of superiority in a younger sister! + +Well then, rich Bella! courtesying--that will please you better--and it +is due likewise to the hoards you boast of. + +Look ye, Clary, holding up her hand, if you are not a little more abject +in your meekness, a little more mean in your humility, and treat me with +the respect due to an elder sister--you shall find-- + +Not that you will treat me worse than you have done, Bella!--That cannot +be; unless you were to let fall your uplifted hand upon me--and that +would less become you to do, than me to bear. + +Good, meek creature:--But you were upon your overtures just now!--I +shall surprise every body by tarrying so long. They will think some good +may be done with you--and supper will be ready. + +A tear would stray down my cheek--How happy have I been, said I, +sighing, in the supper-time conversations, with all my dear friends in +my eye round their hospitable board. + +I met only with insult for this--Bella has not a feeling heart. The +highest joy in this life she is not capable of: but then she saves +herself many griefs, by her impenetrableness--yet, for ten times the +pain that such a sensibility is attended with, would I not part with the +pleasure it brings with it. + +She asked me, upon my turning from her, if she should not say any thing +below of my compliances? + +You may say, that I will do every thing they would have me do, if they +will free me from Mr. Solmes's address. + +This is all you desire at present, creeper on! insinuator! [What words +she has!] But will not t'other man flame out, and roar most horribly, +upon the snatching from his paws a prey he thought himself sure of? + +I must let you talk in your own way, or we shall never come to a point. +I shall not matter in his roaring, as you call it. I will promise him, +that, if I ever marry any other man, it shall not be till he is married. +And if he be not satisfied with such a condescension, I shall think he +ought: and I will give any assurances, that I will neither correspond +with him, nor see him. Surely this will do. + +But I suppose then you will have no objection to see and converse, on a +civil footing, with Mr. Solmes--as your father's friend, or so? + +No! I must be permitted to retire to my apartment whenever he comes. +I would no more converse with the one, than correspond with the other. +That would be to make Mr. Lovelace guilty of some rashness, on a belief, +that I broke with him, to have Mr. Solmes. + +And so, that wicked wretch is to be allowed such a controul over you, +that you are not to be civil to your father's friends, at his own house, +for fear of incensing him!--When this comes to be represented, be so +good as to tell me, what is it you expect from it! + +Every thing, I said, or nothing, as she was pleased to represent it.--Be +so good as to give it your interest, Bella, and say, further, 'That +I will by any means I can, in the law or otherwise, make over to my +father, to my uncles, or even to my brother, all I am entitled to by my +grandfather's will, as a security for the performance of my promises. +And as I shall have no reason to expect any favour from my father, if I +break them, I shall not be worth any body's having. And further +still, unkindly as my brother has used me, I will go down to Scotland +privately, as his housekeeper [I now see I may be spared here] if he +will promise to treat me no worse than he would do an hired one.--Or +I will go to Florence, to my cousin Morden, if his stay in Italy will +admit of it. In either case, it may be given out, that I am gone to the +other; or to the world's end. I care not whither it is said I am gone, +or do go.' + +Let me ask you, child, if you will give your pretty proposal in writing? + +Yes, with all my heart. And I stepped to my closet, and wrote to the +purpose I have mentioned; and moreover, the following lines to my +brother. + + +MY DEAR BROTHER, + +I hope I have made such proposals to my sister as will be accepted. I am +sure they will, if you please to give them your sanction. Let me beg +of you, for God's sake, that you will. I think myself very unhappy in +having incurred your displeasure. No sister can love a brother better +than I love you. Pray do not put the worst but the best constructions +upon my proposals, when you have them reported to you. Indeed I mean the +best. I have no subterfuges, no arts, no intentions, but to keep to the +letter of them. You shall yourself draw up every thing into writing, as +strong as you can, and I will sign it: and what the law will not do to +enforce it, my resolution and my will shall: so that I shall be worth +nobody's address, that has not my papa's consent: nor shall any person, +nor any consideration, induce me to revoke it. You can do more than any +body to reconcile my parents and uncles to me. Let me owe this desirable +favour to your brotherly interposition, and you will for ever oblige + +Your afflicted Sister, CL. HARLOWE. + + +*** + + +And how do you think Bella employed herself while I was writing?--Why, +playing gently upon my harpsichord; and humming to it, to shew her +unconcernedness. + +When I approached her with what I had written, she arose with an air +of levity--Why, love, you have not written already!--You have, I +protest!--O what a ready penwoman!--And may I read it? + +If you please. And let me beseech you, my dear Bella, to back these +proposals with your good offices: and [folding my uplifted hands; tears, +I believe, standing in my eyes] I will love you as never sister loved +another. + +Thou art a strange creature, said she; there is no withstanding thee. + +She took the proposals and letter; and having read them, burst into an +affected laugh: How wise ones may be taken in!--Then you did not know, +that I was jesting with you all this time!--And so you would have me +carry down this pretty piece of nonsense? + +Don't let me be surprised at your seeming unsisterliness, Bella. I hope +it is but seeming. There can be no wit in such jesting as this. + +The folly of the creature!--How natural is it for people, when they set +their hearts upon any thing, to think every body must see with their +eyes!--Pray, dear child, what becomes of your father's authority +here?--Who stoops here, the parent, or the child?--How does this square +with engagements actually agreed upon between your father and Mr. +Solmes? What security, that your rake will not follow you to the world's +end?--Nevertheless, that you may not think that I stand in the way of +a reconciliation on such fine terms as these, I will be your messenger +this once, and hear what my papa will say to it; although beforehand I +can tell you, these proposals will not answer the principal end. + +So down she went. But, it seems, my aunt Hervey and my uncle Harlowe +were not gone away: and as they have all engaged to act in concert, +messengers were dispatched to my uncle and aunt to desire them to be +there to breakfast in the morning. + + +MONDAY NIGHT, ELEVEN O'CLOCK. + + +I am afraid I shall not be thought worthy-- + +Just as I began to fear I should not be thought worthy of an answer, +Betty rapped at my door, and said, if I were not in bed, she had a +letter for me. I had but just done writing the above dialogue, and stept +to the door with the pen in my hand--Always writing, Miss! said the +bold wench: it is admirable how you can get away what you write--but the +fairies, they say, are always at hand to help lovers.--She retired in +so much haste, that, had I been disposed, I could not take the notice of +this insolence which it deserved. + +I enclose my brother's letter. He was resolved to let me see, that I +should have nothing to expect from his kindness. But surely he will +not be permitted to carry every point. The assembling of my friends +to-morrow is a good sign: and I will hope something from that, and from +proposals so reasonable. And now I will try if any repose will fall to +my lot for the remainder of this night. + + +TO MISS CLARY HARLOWE [ENCLOSED IN THE PRECEDING.] + +Your proposals will be considered by your father and mother, and +all your friends, to-morrow morning. What trouble does your shameful +forwardness give us all! I wonder you have the courage to write to me, +upon whom you are so continually emptying your whole female quiver. I +have no patience with you, for reflecting upon me as the aggressor in a +quarrel which owed its beginning to my consideration for you. + +You have made such confessions in a villain's favour, as ought to cause +all your relations to renounce you for ever. For my part, I will +not believe any woman in the world, who promises against her avowed +inclination. To put it out of your power to ruin yourself is the only +way left to prevent your ruin. I did not intend to write; but your +too-kind sister has prevailed upon me. As to your going to Scotland, +that day of grace is over.--Nor would I advise, that you should go to +grandfather-up your cousin Morden. Besides, that worthy gentleman might +be involved in some fatal dispute, upon your account; and then be called +the aggressor. + +A fine situation you have brought yourself to, to propose to hide +yourself from your rake, and to have falsehoods told, to conceal +you!--Your confinement, at this rate, is the happiest thing that could +befal you. Your bravo's behaviour at church, looking out for you, is a +sufficient indication of his power over you, had you not so shamelessly +acknowledged it. + +One word for all--Your parents and uncles may do as they will: but if, +for the honour of the family, I cannot carry this point, I will retire +to Scotland, and never see the face of any one of it more. + +JAMES HARLOWE. + + +*** + + +There's a brother!--There's flaming duty to a father, and mother, and +uncles!--But he sees himself valued, and made of consequence; and he +gives himself airs accordingly!--Nevertheless, as I said above, I will +hope better things from those who have not the interest my brother has +to keep open these unhappy differences. + + + + +LETTER XLIII + +MISS CLARISSA HARLOWE, TO MISS HOWE TUESDAY, MARCH 21. + + +Would you not have thought, my dear Miss Howe, as well as I, that my +proposal must have been accepted: and that my brother, by the last +article of his unbrotherly letter (where he threatens to go to Scotland +if it should be hearkened to) was of opinion that it would. + +For my part, after I had read the unkind letter over and over, +I concluded, upon the whole, that a reconciliation upon terms so +disadvantageous to myself, as hardly any other person in my case, I +dare say, would have proposed, must be the result of this morning's +conference. And in that belief I had begun to give myself new trouble in +thinking (this difficulty over) how I should be able to pacify Lovelace +on that part of my engagement, by which I undertook to break off all +correspondence with him, unless my friends should be brought, by the +interposition of his powerful friends, and any offers they might make, +(which it was rather his part to suggest, than mine to intimate,) to +change their minds. + +Thus was I employed, not very agreeably, you may believe, because of the +vehemence of the tempers I had to conflict with; when breakfasting-time +approached, and my judges began to arrive. + +And oh! how my heart fluttered on hearing the chariot of the one, +and then of the other, rattle through the court-yard, and the +hollow-sounding foot-step giving notice of each person's stepping out, +to take his place on the awful bench which my fancy had formed for them +and my other judges! + +That, thought I, is my aunt Hervey's! That my uncle Harlowe's! Now comes +my uncle Antony! And my imagination made a fourth chariot for the odious +Solmes, although it happened he was not there. + +And now, thought I, are they all assembled: and now my brother calls +upon my sister to make her report! Now the hard-hearted Bella interlards +her speech with invective! Now has she concluded her report! Now they +debate upon it!--Now does my brother flame! Now threaten to go to +Scotland! Now is he chidden, and now soothed! + +And then I ran through the whole conference in my imagination, forming +speeches for this person and that, pro and con, till all concluded, as +I flattered myself, in an acceptance of my conditions, and in giving +directions to have an instrument drawn to tie me up to my good +behaviour; while I supposed all agreed to give Solmes a wife every way +more worthy of him, and with her the promise of my grandfather's estate, +in case of my forfeiture, or dying unmarried, on the righteous condition +he proposes to entitle himself to it with me. + +And now, thought I, am I to be ordered down to recognize my own +proposals. And how shall I look upon my awful judges? How shall I stand +the questions of some, the set surliness of others, the returning love +of one or two? How greatly shall I be affected! + +Then I wept: then I dried my eyes: then I practised at my glass for a +look more cheerful than my heart. + +And now [as any thing stirred] is my sister coming to declare the issue +of all! Tears gushing again, my heart fluttering as a bird against its +wires; drying my eyes again and again to no purpose. + +And thus, my Nancy, [excuse the fanciful prolixity,] was I employed, and +such were my thoughts and imaginations, when I found a very different +result from the hopeful conference. + +For about ten o'clock up came my sister, with an air of cruel triumph, +waving her hand with a light flourish-- + +Obedience without reserve is required of you, Clary. My papa is justly +incensed, that you should presume to dispute his will, and to make +conditions with him. He knows what is best for you: and as you own +matters are gone a great way between this hated Lovelace and you, +they will believe nothing you say; except you will give the one only +instance, that will put them out of doubt of the sincerity of your +promises. + +What, child, are you surprised?--Cannot you speak?--Then, it seems, you +had expected a different issue, had you?--Strange that you could!--With +all your acknowledgements and confessions, so creditable to your noted +prudence--! + +I was indeed speechless for some time: my eyes were even fixed, and +ceased to flow. But upon the hard-hearted Bella's proceeding with her +airs of insult, Indeed I was mistaken, said I; indeed I was!----For in +you, Bella, I expected, I hoped for, a sister-- + +What! interrupted she, with all your mannerly flings, and your despising +airs, did you expect that I was capable of telling stories for you?--Did +you think, that when I was asked my own opinion of the sincerity of your +declarations, I could not tell tem, how far matters had gone between you +and your fellow?--When the intention is to bend that stubborn will of +yours to your duty, do you think I would deceive them?--Do you think I +would encourage them to call you down, to contradict all that I should +have invented in your favour? + +Well, well, Bella; I am the less obliged to you; that's all. I was +willing to think that I had still a brother and sister. But I find I am +mistaken. + +Pretty mopsy-eyed soul!--was her expression!--And was it willing to +think it had still a brother and sister? And why don't you go on, Clary? +[mocking my half-weeping accent] I thought I had a father, and mother, +two uncles, and an aunt: but I am mis--taken, that's all--come, Clary, +say this, and it will in part be true, because you have thrown off all +their authority, and because you respect one vile wretch more than them +all. + +How have I deserved this at your hands, Sister?--But I will only say, I +pity you. + +And with that disdainful air too, Clary!--None of that bridled neck! +none of your scornful pity, girl!--I beseech you! + +This sort of behaviour is natural to you, surely, Bella!--What new +talents does it discover in you!--But proceed--If it be a pleasure to +you, proceed, Bella. And since I must not pity you, I will pity myself: +for nobody else will. + +Because you don't, said she-- + +Hush, Bella, interrupting her, because I don't deserve it--I know you +were going to say so. I will say as you say in every thing; and that's +the way to please you. + +Then say, Lovelace is a villain. + +So I will, when I think him so. + +Then you don't think him so? + +Indeed I don't. You did not always, Bella. + +And what, Clary, mean you by that? [bristling up to me]--Tell me what +you mean by that reflection? + +Tell me why you call it a reflection?--What did I say? + +Thou art a provoking creature--But what say you to two or three duels of +that wretch's? + +I can't tell what to say, unless I knew the occasions. + +Do you justify duelling at all? + +I do not: neither can I help his duelling. + +Will you go down, and humble that stubborn spirit of yours to your +mamma? + +I said nothing. + +Shall I conduct your Ladyship down? [offering to take my declined hand]. + +What! not vouchsafe to answer me? + +I turned from her in silence. + +What! turn your back upon me too!--Shall I bring up your mamma to you, +love? [following me, and taking my struggling hand] What? not speak yet! +Come, my sullen, silent dear, speak one word to me--you must say two +very soon to Mr. Solmes, I can tell you that. + +Then [gushing into tears, which I could not hold in longer] they shall +be the last words I will ever speak. + +Well, well, [insultingly wiping my averted face with her handkerchief, +while her other hand held mine, in a ridiculing tone,] I am glad any +thing will make thee speak: then you think you may be brought to speak +the two words--only they are to be the last!--How like a gentle lovyer +from its tender bleeding heart was that! + +Ridiculous Bella! + +Saucy Clary! [changing her sneering tone to an imperious one] But do you +think you can humble yourself to go down to your mamma? + +I am tired of such stuff as this. Tell me, Bella, if my mamma will +condescend to see me? + +Yes, if you can be dutiful at last. + +I can. I will. + +But what call you dutiful? + +To give up my own inclinations--That's something more for you to tell +of--in obedience to my parents' commands; and to beg that I may not be +made miserable with a man that is fitter for any body than for me. + +For me, do you mean, Clary? + +Why not? since you have put the question. You have a better opinion of +him than I have. My friends, I hope, would not think him too good for +me, and not good enough for you. But cannot you tell me, Bella, what +is to become of me, without insulting over me thus?--If I must be thus +treated, remember, that if I am guilty of any rashness, the usage I meet +with will justify it. + +So, Clary, you are contriving an excuse, I find, for somewhat that we +have not doubted has been in your head a great while. + +If it were so, you seem resolved, for your part, and so does my brother +for his, that I shall not want one.--But indeed, Bella, I can bear no +longer this repetition of the worst part of yesterday's conversation: +I desire I may throw myself at my father's and mother's feet, and hear +from them what their sentence is. I shall at least avoid, by that means, +the unsisterly insults I meet with from you. + +Hey-day! What, is this you? Is it you, my meek sister Clary? + +Yes, it is I, Bella; and I will claim the protection due to a child of +the family, or to know why I am to be thus treated, when I offer only to +preserve to myself the liberty of refusal, which belongs to my sex; and, +to please my parents, would give up my choice. I have contented myself +till now to take second-hand messengers, and first-hand insults: you are +but my sister: my brother is not my sovereign. And while I have a father +and mother living, I will not be thus treated by a brother and sister, +and their servants, all setting upon me, as it should seem, to make me +desperate, and do a rash thing.--I will know, in short, sister Bella, +why I am to be constrained thus?--What is intended by it?--And whether I +am to be considered as a child or a slave? + +She stood aghast all this time, partly with real, partly with affected, +surprise. + +And is it you? Is it indeed you?--Well, Clary, you amaze me! But since +you are so desirous to refer yourself to your father and mother, I will +go down, and tell them what you say. Your friends are not yet gone, +I believe: they shall assemble again; and then you may come down, and +plead your own cause in person. + +Let me then. But let my brother and you be absent. You have made +yourselves too much parties against me, to sit as my judges. And I +desire to have none of yours or his interpositions. I am sure you could +not have represented what I proposed fairly: I am sure you could not. +Nor is it possible you should be commissioned to treat me thus. + +Well, well, I'll call up my brother to you.--I will indeed.--He shall +justify himself, as well as me. + +I desire not to see my brother, except he will come as a brother, laying +aside the authority he has unjustly assumed over me. + +And so, Clary, it is nothing to him, or to me, is it, that our sister +shall disgrace her whole family? + +As how, Bella, disgrace it?--The man whom you thus freely treat, is a +man of birth and fortune: he is a man of parts, and nobly allied.--He +was once thought worthy of you: and I wish to Heaven you had had him. +I am sure it was not thus my fault you had not, although you treat me +thus. + +This set her into a flame: I wish I had forborne it. O how the poor +Bella raved! I thought she would have beat me once or twice: and she +vowed her fingers itched to do so--but I was not worth her anger: yet +she flamed on. + +We were heard to be high.--And Betty came up from my mother to command +my sister to attend her.--She went down accordingly, threatening me with +letting every one know what a violent creature I had shewn myself to be. + + +TUESDAY NOON, MARCH 21. + + +I have as yet heard no more of my sister: and have not courage enough +to insist upon throwing myself at the feet of my father and mother, as I +thought in my heat of temper I should be able to do. And I am now grown +as calm as ever; and were Bella to come up again, as fit to be played +upon as before. + +I am indeed sorry that I sent her from me in such disorder. But my +papa's letter threatening me with my uncle Antony's house and chapel, +terrifies me strangely; and by their silence I'm afraid some new storm +is gathering. + +But what shall I do with this Lovelace? I have just now, but the +unsuspected hole in the wall (that I told you of in my letter by Hannah) +got a letter from him--so uneasy is he for fear I should be prevailed +upon in Solmes's favour; so full of menaces, if I am; so resenting +the usage I receive [for, how I cannot tell, but he has undoubtedly +intelligence of all that is done in the family]; such protestations of +inviolable faith and honour; such vows of reformation; such pressing +arguments to escape from this disgraceful confinement--O my Nancy, what +shall I do with this Lovelace?-- + + + + +LETTER XLIV + +MISS CLARISSA HARLOWE, TO MISS HOWE WENESDAY MORNING, NINE O'CLOCK. + + +My aunt Hervey lay here last night, and is but just gone from me. She +came up to me with my sister. They would not trust my aunt without this +ill-natured witness. When she entered my chamber, I told her, that this +visit was a high favour to a poor prisoner, in her hard confinement. +I kissed her hand. She, kindly saluting me, said, Why this distance to +your aunt, my dear, who loves you so well? + +She owned, that she came to expostulate with me, for the peace-sake of +the family: for that she could not believe it possible, if I did not +conceive myself unkindly treated, that I, who had ever shewn such a +sweetness of temper, as well as manners, should be thus resolute, in a +point so very near to my father, and all my friends. My mother and she +were both willing to impute my resolution to the manner I had been begun +with; and to my supposing that my brother had originally more of a hand +in the proposals made by Mr. Solmes, than my father or other friends. In +short, fain would my aunt have furnished me with an excuse to come off +my opposition; Bell all the while humming a tune, and opening this book +and that, without meaning; but saying nothing. + +After having shewed me, that my opposition could not be of +signification, my father's honour being engaged, my aunt concluded with +enforcing upon me my duty, in stronger terms than I believe she would +have done, (the circumstances of the case considered), had not my sister +been present. + +It would be repeating what I have so often mentioned, to give you the +arguments that passed on both sides.--So I will only recite what she was +pleased to say, that carried with it a new face. + +When she found me inflexible, as she was pleased to call it, she said, +For her part, she could not but say, that if I were not to have either +Mr. Solmes or Mr. Lovelace, and yet, to make my friends easy, must +marry, she should not think amiss of Mr. Wyerley. What did I think of +Mr. Wyerley? + +Ay, Clary, put in my sister, what say you to Mr. Wyerley? + +I saw through this immediately. It was said on purpose, I doubted +not, to have an argument against me of absolute prepossession in Mr. +Lovelace's favour: since Mr. Wyerley every where avows his value, even +to veneration, for me; and is far less exceptionable both in person and +mind, than Mr. Solmes: and I was willing to turn the tables, by trying +how far Mr. Solmes's terms might be dispensed with; since the same terms +could not be expected from Mr. Wyerley. + +I therefore desired to know, whether my answer, if it should be in +favour of Mr. Wyerley, would release me from Mr. Solmes?--For I owned, +that I had not the aversion to him, that I had to the other. + +Nay, she had no commission to propose such a thing. She only knew, that +my father and mother would not be easy till Mr. Lovelace's hopes were +entirely defeated. + +Cunning creature! said my sister. + +And this, and her joining in the question before, convinced me, that it +was a designed snare for me. + +Don't you, dear Madam, said I, put questions that can answer no end, but +to support my brother's schemes against me.--But are there any hopes +of an end to my sufferings and disgrace, without having this hated man +imposed upon me? Will not what I have offered be accepted? I am sure it +ought--I will venture to say that. + +Why, Niece, if there be not any such hopes, I presume you don't think +yourself absolved from the duty due from a child to her parents? + +Yes, said my sister, I do not doubt but it is Miss Clary's aim, if she +does not fly to her Lovelace, to get her estate into her own hands, and +go to live at The Grove, in that independence upon which she builds all +her perverseness. And, dear heart! my little love, how will you then +blaze away! Your mamma Norton, your oracle, with your poor at your +gates, mingling so proudly and so meanly with the ragged herd! +Reflecting, by your ostentation, upon all the ladies in the county, +who do not as you do. This is known to be your scheme! and the poor +without-doors, and Lovelace within, with one hand building up a name, +pulling it down with the other!--O what a charming scheme is this!--But +let me tell you, my pretty little flighty one, that your father's living +will shall controul your grandfather's dead one; and that estate will be +disposed of as your fond grandfather would have disposed of it, had he +lived to see such a change in his favourite. In a word, Miss, it will be +kept out of your hands, till my father sees you discreet enough to have +the management of it, or till you can dutifully, by law, tear it from +him. + +Fie, Miss Harlowe! said my aunt: this is not pretty to your sister. + +O Madam, let her go on. This is nothing to what I have borne from Miss +Harlowe. She is either commissioned to treat me ill by her envy, or by +an higher authority, to which I must submit.--As to revoking the estate, +what hinders, if I pleased? I know my power; but have not the least +thought of exerting it. Be pleased to let my father know, that, whatever +be the consequence to myself, were he to turn me out of doors, (which +I should rather he would do, than to be confined and insulted as I am), +and were I to be reduced to indigence and want, I would seek no relief +that should be contrary to his will. + +For that matter, child, said my aunt, were you to marry, you must do as +your husband will have you. If that husband be Mr. Lovelace, he will be +glad of any opportunity of further embroiling the families. And, let +me tell you, Niece, if he had the respect for you which he pretends to +have, he would not throw out defiances as he does. He is known to be a +very revengeful man; and were I you, Miss Clary, I should be afraid he +would wreak upon me that vengeance, though I had not offended him, which +he is continually threatening to pour upon the family. + +Mr. Lovelace's threatened vengeance is in return for threatened +vengeance. It is not every body will bear insult, as, of late, I have +been forced to bear it. + +O how my sister's face shone with passion! + +But Mr. Lovelace, proceeded I, as I have said twenty and twenty times, +would be quite out of question with me, were I to be generously treated! + +My sister said something with great vehemence: but only raising my +voice, to be heard, without minding her, Pray, Madam, (provokingly +interrogated I), was he not known to have been as wild a man, when he +was at first introduced into our family, as he now is said to be? Yet +then, the common phrases of wild oats, and black oxen, and such-like, +were qualifiers; and marriage, and the wife's discretion, were to +perform wonders--but (turning to my sister) I find I have said too much. + +O thou wicked reflecter!--And what made me abhor him, think you, but +the proof of those villainous freedoms that ought to have had the same +effect upon you, were you but half so good a creature as you pretend to +be? + +Proof, did you say, Bella! I thought you had not proof?--But you know +best. + +Was not this very spiteful, my dear? + +Now, Clary, said she, would I give a thousand pounds to know all that is +in thy little rancorous and reflecting heart at this moment. + +I might let you know for a much less sum, and not be afraid of being +worse treated than I have been. + +Well, young ladies, I am sorry to see passion run so high between +you. You know, Niece, (to me,) you had not been confined thus to +your apartment, could your mother by condescension, or your father by +authority, have been able to move you. But how can you expect, when +there must be a concession on one side, that it should be on theirs? +If my Dolly, who has not the hundredth part of your understanding, were +thus to set herself up in absolute contradiction to my will, in a point +so material, I should not take it well of her--indeed I should not. + +I believe not, Madam: and if Miss Hervey had just such a brother, and +just such a sister [you may look, Bella!] and if both were to aggravate +her parents, as my brother and sister do mine--then, perhaps, you might +use her as I am used: and if she hated the man you proposed to her, and +with as much reason as I do Mr. Solmes-- + +And loved a rake and libertine, Miss, as you do Lovelace, said my +sister-- + +Then might she [continued I, not minding her,] beg to be excused from +obeying. Yet if she did, and would give you the most solemn assurances, +and security besides, that she would never have the man you disliked, +against your consent--I dare say, Miss Hervey's father and mother would +sit down satisfied, and not endeavour to force her inclinations. + +So!--[said my sister, with uplifted hands] father and mother now come in +for their share! + +But if, child, replied my aunt, I knew she loved a rake, and suspected +that she sought only to gain time, in order to wire-draw me into a +consent-- + +I beg pardon, Madam, for interrupting you; but if Miss Hervey could +obtain your consent, what further would be said? + +True, child; but she never should. + +Then, Madam, it would never be. + +That I doubt, Niece. + +If you do, Madam, can you think confinement and ill usage is the way to +prevent the apprehended rashness? + +My dear, this sort of intimation would make one but too apprehensive, +that there is no trusting to yourself, when one knows your inclination. + +That apprehension, Madam, seems to have been conceived before this +intimation, or the least cause for it, was given. Why else the +disgraceful confinement I have been laid under?--Let me venture to say, +that my sufferings seem to be rather owing to a concerted design to +intimidate me [Bella held up her hands], (knowing there were too good +grounds for my opposition,) than to a doubt of my conduct; for, when +they were inflicted first, I had given no cause of doubt: nor should +there now be room for any, if my discretion might be trusted to. + +My aunt, after a little hesitation, said, But, consider, my dear, what +confusion will be perpetuated in your family, if you marry this hated +Lovelace! + +And let it be considered, what misery to me, Madam, if I marry that +hated Solmes! + +Many a young creature has thought she could not love a man, with whom +she has afterwards been very happy. Few women, child, marry their first +loves. + +That may be the reason there are so few happy marriages. + +But there are few first impressions fit to be encouraged. + +I am afraid so too, Madam. I have a very indifferent opinion of light +and first impressions. But, as I have often said, all I wish for is, to +have leave to live single. + +Indeed you must not, Miss. Your father and mother will be unhappy till +they see you married, and out of Lovelace's reach. I am told that you +propose to condition with him (so far are matters gone between you) +never to have any man, if you have not him. + +I know no better way to prevent mischief on all sides, I freely own +it--and there is not, if he be out of the question, another man in the +world I can think favourably of. Nevertheless, I would give all I have +in the world, that he were married to some other person--indeed I would, +Bella, for all you put on that smile of incredulity. + +May be so, Clary: but I will smile for all that. + +If he be out of the question! repeated my aunt--So, Miss Clary, I see +how it is--I will go down--[Miss Harlowe, shall I follow you?]--And I +will endeavour to persuade your father to let my sister herself come up: +and a happier event may then result. + +Depend upon it, Madam, said my sister, this will be the case: my mother +and she will both be in tears; but with this different effect: my +mother will come down softened, and cut to the heart; but will leave her +favourite hardened, from the advantages she will think she has over my +mother's tenderness--why, Madam, it is for this very reason the girl is +not admitted into her presence. + +Thus she ran on, as she went downstairs. + +END OF VOL. 1 + + + + +*** END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK CLARISSA, VOLUME 1 (OF 9) *** + +Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions will +be renamed. + +Creating the works from print editions not protected by U.S. copyright +law means that no one owns a United States copyright in these works, +so the Foundation (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the +United States without permission and without paying copyright +royalties. 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