Clarissa, Volume 5 | Page 9

should tell.
There can be no harm in telling the gentleman's name, if you come
upon a good account.
That I do; for my master told me so; and there is not an honester
gentleman on the face of God's yearth.--His name is Captain Tomlinson,
Sir.
I don't know such a one.
I believe not, Sir. He was pleased to say, he don't know your honor, Sir;

but I heard him say as how he should not be an unwelcome visiter to
you for all that.
Do you know such a man as Captain Tomlinson, my dearest life,
[aside,] your uncle's friend?
No; but my uncle may have acquaintance, no doubt, that I don't know.--
But I hope [trembling] this is not a trick.
Well, friend, if your master has anything to say to Mr. Lovelace, you
may tell him, that Mr. Lovelace is here; and will see him whenever he
pleases.
The dear creature looked as if afraid that my engagement was too
prompt for my own safety; and away went the fellow--I wondering, that
she might not wonder, that this Captain Tomlinson, whoever he were,
came not himself, or sent not a letter the second time, when he had
reason to suppose that I might be here.
Mean time, for fear that this should be a contrivance of James Harlowe,
who, I said, love plotting, though he had not a head turned for it, I gave
some precautionary directions to the servants, and the women, whom,
for the greater parade, I assembled before us, and my beloved was
resolved not to stir abroad till she saw the issue of this odd affair.
And here must I close, though in so great a puzzle.
Only let me add, that poor Belton wants thee; for I dare not stir for my
life.
Mowbray and Tourville skulk about like vagabonds, without heads,
without hands, without souls; having neither you nor me to conduct
them. They tell me, they shall rust beyond the power of oil or action to
brighten them up, or give them motion.
How goes it with thy uncle?

LETTER V
MR. LOVELACE, TO JOHN BELFORD, ESQ. SUNDAY, MAY 28.
This story of Captain Tomlinson employed us not only for the time we
were together last night, but all the while we sat at breakfast this
morning. She would still have it that it was the prelude to some
mischief from Singleton. I insisted (according to my former hint) that it
might much more probably be a method taken by Colonel Morden to
alarm her, previous to a personal visit. Travelled gentlemen affected to
surprise in this manner. And why, dearest creature, said I, must every

thing that happens, which we cannot immediately account for, be what
we least wish?
She had had so many disagreeable things befall her of late, that her
fears were too often stronger than her hopes.
And this, Madam, makes me apprehensive, that you will get into so
low- spirited a way, that you will not be able to enjoy the happiness
that seems to await us.
Her duty and her gratitude, she gravely said, to the Dispenser of all
good, would secure her, she hoped, against unthankfulness. And a
thankful spirit was the same as a joyful one.
So, Belford, for all her future joys she depends entirely upon the
invisible Good. She is certainly right; since those who fix least upon
second causes are the least likely to be disappointed--And is not this
gravity for her gravity?
She had hardly done speaking, when Dorcas came running up in a
hurry-- she set even my heart into a palpitation--thump, thump, thump,
like a precipitated pendulum in a clock-case--flutter, flutter, flutter, my
charmer's, as by her sweet bosom rising to her chin I saw.
This lower class of people, my beloved herself observed, were for ever
aiming at the stupid wonderful, and for making even common incidents
matter of surprise.
Why the devil, said I to the wench, this alarming hurry?--And with
your spread fingers, and your O Madams, and O Sirs!--and be cursed to
you! Would there have been a second of time difference, had you come
up slowly?
Captain Tomlinson, Sir!
Captain Devilson, what care I?--Do you see how you have disordered
your lady?
Good Mr. Lovelace, said my charmer, trembling [see, Jack, when she
has an end to serve, I am good Mr. Lovelace,] if--if my brother,--if
Captain Singleton should appear--pray now--I beseech you--let me beg
of you--to govern your temper--My brother is my brother--Captain
Singleton is but an agent.
My dearest life, folding my arms about her, [when she asks favours,
thought I, the devil's in it, if she will not allow such an innocent
freedom as this, from good Mr. Lovelace too,] you shall be witness of
all passes between