Clarissa, Volume 2 | Page 3

Her
aunt tells her what is expected on her having consented to that
interview.
LETTER XXXIV. XXXV. From the same.-- A particular account of
what passed in the interview with Solmes; and of the parts occasionally
taken in it by her boisterous uncle, by her brutal brother, by her
implacable sister, and by her qualifying aunt. Her perseverance and
distress. Her cousin Dolly's tenderness for her. Her closet searched for
papers. All the pens and ink they find taken from her.
LETTER XXXVI. From the same.-- Substance of a letter from
Lovelace. His proposals, promises, and declarations. All her present
wish is, to be able to escape Solmes, on one hand, and to avoid
incurring the disgrace of refuging with the family of a man at enmity
with her own, on the other. Her emotions behind the yew-hedge on
seeing her father going into the garden. Grieved at what she hears him
say. Dutiful message to her mother. Harshly answered. She censures
Mr. Lovelace for his rash threatenings to rescue her. Justifies her
friends for resenting them; and condemns herself for corresponding
with him at first.
LETTER XXXVII. Miss Howe to Clarissa.-- Is vexed at the heart to be
obliged to tell her that her mother refuses to receive and protect her.
Offers to go away privately with her.
LETTER XXXVIII. Clarissa to Miss Howe.-- Her disinterested
arguments in Mrs. Howe's favour, on her refusal to receive her. All her
consolation is, that her unhappy situation is not owing to her own
inadvertence of folly. Is afraid she is singled out, either for her own
faults, or for those of her family, or perhaps for the faults of both, to be
a very unhappy creature. Justifies the ways of Providence, let what will
befal her: and argues with exemplary greatness of mind on this subject.
Warmly discourages Miss Howe's motion to accompany her in her
flight.
LETTER XXXIX. Clarissa to Miss Howe.-- Further instances of her
impartiality in condemning Lovelace, and reasoning for her parents.
Overhears her brother and sister exulting in the success of their
schemes; and undertaking, the one to keep his father up to his
resentment on occasion of Lovelace's menaces, the other her mother.
Exasperated at this, and at what her aunt Hervey tells her, she writes to

Lovelace, that she will meet him the following Monday, and throw
herself into the protection of the ladies of his family.
LETTER XL. From the same.-- Her frightful dream. Now that
Lovelace has got her letter, she repents her appointment.
LETTER XLI. From the same.-- Receives a letter from Mr. Lovelace,
full of transport, vows, and promises. He presumes upon her being his
on her getting away, though she has not given him room for such hopes.
In her answer she tells him, 'that she looks not upon herself as
absolutely bound by her appointment: that there are many points to be
adjusted between them (were she to leave her father's house) before she
can give him particular encouragement: that he must expect she will do
her utmost to procure a reconciliation with her father, and his
approbation of her future steps.' All her friends are to be assembled on
the following Wednesday: she is to be brought before them. How to be
proceeded with. Lovelace, in his reply, asks pardon for writing to her
with so much assurance; and declares his entire acquiescence with her
will and pleasure.
LETTER XLII. From the same.-- Confirms her appointment; but tells
him what he is not to expect. Promises, that if she should change her
mind as to withdrawing, she will take the first opportunity to see him,
and acquaint him with her reasons. Reflections on what she has done.
Her deep regret to be thus driven.
LETTER XLIII. Miss Howe to Clarissa.-- Reasons why she ought to
allow her to accompany her in her flight. Punctilio at an end, the
moment she is out of her father's house. Requisites of friendship.
Questions whether she will not rather choose to go off with one of her
own sex than with Lovelace? And if not, whether she should not marry
him as soon as possible?
LETTER XLIV. Clarissa to Miss Howe, (Miss Howe's last not
received.) Lovelace promises compliance, in every article, with her
pleasure. Her heart misgives her notwithstanding. She knows not but
she may yet recede.
LETTER XLV. From the same. In answer to Letter XLIII.--
Reflections worthy of herself on some of the passages in Miss Howe's
last letter. Gives her home-put questions a full consideration; and
determines NOT to withdraw with Lovelace.
LETTER XLVI. XLVII. From the same.-- Substance of her letter to

Lovelace, revoking her appointment. Thinks herself obliged (her letter
being not taken away) as well by promise as in order to prevent
mischief, to meet him,