Clarissa, Volume 4 | Page 9

dismissed her for the night. She came to ask
me how I liked my apartment, and to wish me good rest. She expressed
her concern, that they could not have my company at supper. Mr.
Lovelace, she said, had informed them of my love of retirement. She
assured me, that I should not be broken in upon. She highly extolled
him, and gave me a share in the praise as to person. But was sorry, she
said, that she was likely to lose us so soon as Mr. Lovelace talked of.
I answered her with suitable civility; and she withdrew with great
tokens of respect. With greater, I think, than should be from distance of
years, as she was the wife of a gentleman; and as the appearance of
every thing about her, as well house as dress, carries the marks of such
good circumstances, as require not abasement.
If, my dear, you will write, against prohibition, be pleased to direct, To
Miss Laetitia Beaumont; to be left till called for, at Mr. Wilson's, in
Pall Mall.
Mr. Lovelace proposed this direction to me, not knowing of your desire
that your letters should pass by a third hand. As his motive for it was,
that my brother might not trace out where we are, I am glad, as well
from this instance as from others, that he seems to think he has done
mischief enough already.
Do you know how my poor Hannah does?
Mr. Lovelace is so full of his contrivances and expedients, that I think
it may not be amiss to desire you to look carefully to the seals of my
letters, as I shall to those of yours. If I find him base in this particular, I
shall think him capable of any evil; and will fly him as my worst
enemy.

LETTER II
MISS HOWE, TO MISS CLARISSA HARLOWE [WITH HER TWO

LAST LETTERS, NO. LVIII. LIX. OF VOL. III., ENCLOSED.]
THURSDAY NIGHT, APRIL 27.
I have your's; just brought me. Mr. Hickman has helped me to a lucky
expedient, which, with the assistance of the post, will enable me to
correspond with you every day. An honest higler, [Simon Collins his
name,] by whom I shall send this, and the two enclosed, (now I have
your direction whither,) goes to town constantly on Mondays,
Wednesdays, and Fridays; and can bring back to me from Mr. Wilson's
what you shall have caused to be left for me.
I congratulate you on your arrival in town, so much amended in spirits.
I must be brief. I hope you'll have no cause to repent returning my
Norris. It is forthcoming on demand.
I am sorry your Hannah can't be with you. She is very ill still; but not
dangerously.
I long for your account of the women you are with. If they are not right
people, you will find them out in one breakfasting.
I know not what to write upon his reporting to them that you are
actually married. His reasons for it are plausible. But he delights in odd
expedients and inventions.
Whether you like the people or not, do not, by your noble sincerity and
plain dealing, make yourself enemies. You are in the real world now
you know.
I am glad you had thoughts of taking him at his offer, if he had re-urged
it. I wonder he did not. But if he do not soon, and in such a way as you
can accept of it, don't think of staying with him.
Depend upon it, my dear, he will not leave you, either night or day, if
he can help it, now he has got footing.
I should have abhorred him for his report of your marriage, had he not
made it with such circumstances as leave it still in your power to keep
him at distance. If once he offer at the least familiarity--but this is
needless to say to you. He can have, I think, no other design but what
he professes; because he must needs think, that his report of being
married to you must increase your vigilance.
You may depend upon my looking narrowly into the sealings of your
letters. If, as you say, he be base in that point, he will be so in every
thing. But to a person of your merit, of your fortune, of your virtue, he
cannot be base. The man is no fool. It is his interest, as well with regard

to his expectations from his own friends, as from you, to be honest.
Would to Heaven, however, you were really married! This is now the
predominant wish of
Your ANNA HOWE.

LETTER III
MISS CLARISSA HARLOWE, TO MISS HOWE THURSDAY
MORNING, EIGHT O'CLOCK.
I am more and more displeased with Mr. Lovelace,