Clarissa, Volume 4 | Page 2

at her menaces, she
promises to continue writing. Beseeches her to learn to subdue her
passions. Has just received her clothes.
LETTER XII. Mr. Hickman to Clarissa.-- Miss Howe, he tells her, is
uneasy for the vexation she has given her. If she will write on as before,
Miss Howe will not think of doing what she is so apprehensive of. He
offers her his most faithful services.
LETTER XIII. XIV. Lovelace to Belford.-- Tells him how much the
lady dislikes the confraternity; Belford as well as the rest. Has a warm
debate with her in her behalf. Looks upon her refusing a share in her
bed to Miss Partington as suspecting and defying him. Threatens
her.--Savagely glories in her grief, on receiving Miss Howe's
prohibitory letter: which appears to be instigated by himself.
LETTER XV. Belford to Lovelace.-- His and his compeer's high

admiration of Clarissa. They all join to entreat him to do her justice.
LETTER XVI. XVII. Lovelace. In answer.-- He endeavours to palliate
his purposes by familiar instances of cruelty to birds, &c.--Farther
characteristic reasonings in support of his wicked designs. The passive
condition to which he wants to bring the lady.
LETTER XVIII. Belford. In reply.-- Still warmly argues in behalf of
the lady. Is obliged to attend a dying uncle: and entreats him to write
from time to time an account of all his proceedings.
LETTER XIX. Clarissa to Miss Howe.-- Lovelace, she says, complains
of the reserves he gives occasion for. His pride a dirty low pride, which
has eaten up his prudence. He is sunk in her opinion. An afflicting
letter sent her from her cousin Morden.
Encloses the letter. In which her cousin (swayed by the representations
of her brother) pleads in behalf of Solmes, and the family-views; and
sets before her, in strong and just lights, the character of a libertine.
Her heavy reflections upon the contents. Her generous prayer.
LETTER XX. Clarissa to Miss Howe.-- He presses her to go abroad
with him; yet mentions not the ceremony that should give propriety to
his urgency. Cannot bear the life she lives. Wishes her uncle Harlowe
to be sounded by Mr. Hickman, as to a reconciliation. Mennell
introduced to her. Will not take another step with Lovelace till she
know the success of the proposed application to her uncle.
Substance of two letters from Lovelace to Belford; in which he tells
him who Mennell is, and gives an account of many new contrivances
and precautions. Women's pockets ballast-bags. Mrs. Sinclair's
wardrobe. Good order observed in her house. The lady's caution, he
says, warrants his contrivances.
LETTER XXI. Lovelace to Belford.-- Will write a play. The title of it,
The Quarrelsome Lovers. Perseverance his glory; patience his
hand-maid. Attempts to get a letter the lady had dropt as she sat. Her
high indignation upon it. Farther plots. Paul Wheatly, who; and for
what employed. Sally Martin's reproaches. Has overplotted himself.
Human nature a well-known rogue.
LETTER XXII. Clarissa to Miss Howe.-- Acquaints her with their
present quarrel. Finds it imprudent to stay with him. Re-urges the
application to her uncle. Cautions her sex with regard to the danger of
being misled by the eye.

LETTER XXIII. Miss Howe. In answer.-- Approves of her leaving
Lovelace. New stories of his wickedness. Will have her uncle sounded.
Comforts her. How much her case differs from that of any other female
fugitive. She will be an example, as well as a warning. A picture of
Clarissa's happiness before she knew Lovelace. Brief sketches of her
exalted character. Adversity her shining time.
LETTER XXIV. Clarissa. In reply.-- Has a contest with Lovelace about
going to church. He obliges her again to accept of his company to St.
Paul's.
LETTER XXV. Miss Howe to Mrs. Norton.-- Desiring her to try to
dispose Mrs. Harlowe to forward a reconciliation.
LETTER XXVI. Mrs. Norton. In answer.
LETTER XXVII. Miss Howe. In reply.
LETTER XXVIII. Mrs. Harlowe's pathetic letter to Mrs. Norton.
LETTER XXIX. Miss Howe to Clarissa.-- Fruitless issue of Mr.
Hickman's application to her uncle. Advises her how to proceed with,
and what to say to, Lovelace. Endeavours to account for his teasing
ways. Who knows, she says, but her dear friend was permitted to
swerve, in order to bring about his reformation? Informs her of her
uncle Antony's intended address to her mother.
LETTER XXX. Clarissa to Miss Howe.-- Hard fate to be thrown upon
an ungenerous and cruel man. Reasons why she cannot proceed with
Mr. Lovelace as she advises. Affecting apostrophe to Lovelace.
LETTER XXXI. From the same.-- Interesting conversation with
Lovelace. He frightens her. He mentions settlements. Her modest
encouragements of him. He evades. True generosity what. She requires
his proposals of settlements in writing. Examines herself on her whole
conduct to Lovelace. Maidenly niceness