Clarissa, Volume 2 | Page 2

parents.
LETTER XVII. From the same.-- She tells her that the proposal she
had made to her relations, on which she had built so much, is rejected.
Betty's saucy report upon it. Her brother's provoking letter to her. Her

letter to her uncle Harlowe on the occasion. Substance of a letter
excusatory from Mr. Lovelace. He presses for an interview with her in
the garden.
LETTER XVIII. Clarissa to Miss Howe.-- Her uncle's angry answer.
Substance of a humble letter from Mr. Lovelace. He has got a violent
cold and hoarseness, by his fruitless attendance all night in the coppice.
She is sorry he is not well. Makes a conditional appointment with him
for the next night, in the garden. Hates tyranny in all shapes.
LETTER XIX. From the same.-- A characteristic dialogue with the pert
Betty Barnes. Women have great advantage over men in all the powers
that relate to the imagination. Makes a request to her uncle Harlowe,
which is granted, on condition that she will admit of a visit from
Solmes. She complies; and appoints that day sevennight. Then writes to
Lovelace to suspend the intended interview. Desires Miss Howe to
inquire into Lovelace's behaviour at the little inn he puts up at in his
way to Harlowe-Place.
LETTER XX. From the same.-- Receives a letter from Lovelace,
written in very high terms, on her suspending the interview. Her angry
answer. Resolves against any farther correspondence with him.
LETTER XXI. Miss Howe to Clarissa.-- Humourous account of her
mother and Mr. Hickman in their little journey to visit her dying cousin.
Rallies her on her present displeasure with Lovelace.
LETTER XXII. Mr. Hickman to Mrs. Howe.-- Resenting Miss Howe's
treatment of him.
LETTER XXIII. Mrs. Howe. In answer.
LETTER XXIV. Miss Howe to Clarissa.-- Observes upon the contents
of her seven last letters. Advises her to send all the letters and papers
she would not have her relations see; also a parcel of clothes, linen, &c.
Is in hopes of procuring an asylum for her with her mother, if things
come to extremity.
LETTER XXV. Clarissa to Miss Howe.-- Requisites of true satire.
Rejoices in the hopes she gives of her mother's protection. Deposits a
parcel of linen, and all Lovelace's letters. Useful observations relating
to family management, and to neatness of person and dress. Her
contrivances to amuse Betty Barnes.
LETTER XXVI. Miss Howe to Clarissa.-- Result of her inquiry after
Lovelace's behaviour at the inn. Doubts not but he has ruined the

innkeeper's daughter. Passionately inveighs against him.
LETTER XXVII. Clarissa. In answer.-- Is extremely alarmed at
Lovelace's supposed baseness. Declares her abhorrence of him.
LETTER XXVIII. Miss Howe to Clarissa.-- Lovelace, on inquiry,
comes out to be not only innocent with regard to his Rosebud, but
generous. Miss Howe rallies her on the effects this intelligence must
have upon her generosity.
LETTER XXIX. Clarissa. In reply.-- Acknowledges her generosity
engaged in his favour. Frankly expresses tenderness and regard for him;
and owns that the intelligence of his supposed baseness had affected
her more than she thinks it ought. Contents of a letter she has received
from him. Pities him. Writes to him that her rejection of Solmes is not
in favour to himself; for that she is determined to hold herself free to
obey her parents, (as she had offered to them,) of their giving up
Solmes. Reproaches him for his libertine declarations in all companies
against matrimony. Her notions of filial duty, notwithstanding the
persecutions she meets with.
LETTER XXX. Miss Howe to Clarissa.-- Her treatment of Mr.
Hickman on his intrusion into her company. Applauds Clarissa for the
generosity of her spirit, and the greatness of her mind.
LETTER XXXI. Clarissa to Miss Howe.-- Dr. Lewen makes her a
formal visit. Affected civility of her brother and sister to her. Is visited
by her uncle Harlowe: and by her sister. She penetrates the low art
designed in this change of their outward behaviour. Substance of
Lovelace's reply to her last. He acknowledges his folly for having ever
spoken lightly of matrimony.
LETTER XXXII. From the same.-- Another letter from Mr. Lovelace,
in which he expresses himself extremely apprehensive of the issue of
her interview with Solmes. Presses her to escape; proposes means for
effecting it; and threatens to rescue her by violence, if they attempt to
carry her to her uncle Antony's against her will. Her terror on the
occasion. She insists, in her answer, on his forbearing to take any rash
step; and expresses herself highly dissatisfied that he should think
himself entitled to dispute her father's authority in removing her to her
uncle's. She relies on Mrs. Howe's protection till her cousin Morden
arrives.
LETTER XXXIII. Clarissa to Miss Howe.-- A visit from her aunt

Hervey, preparative to the approaching interview with Solmes.