Clarissa, Volume 1 | Page 5

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 disturbance that
have happened in your family. I know how it must hurt you to become
the subject of he 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 non 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