Clarissa, Volume 6 | Page 2

the same.-- Reflects upon himself. It costs, he says, more pain to be wicked than to be good. The lady's solemn expostulation with him. Extols her greatness of soul. Dorcas coming into favour with her. He is alarmed by another attempt of the lady to get off. She is in agonies at being prevented. He tried to intimidate her. Dorcas pleads for her. On the point of drawing his sword against himself. The occasion.
LETTER XXIII. From the same.-- Cannot yet persuade himself but the lady will be his. Reasons for his opinion. Opens his heart to Belford, as to his intentions by her. Mortified that she refuses his honest vows. Her violation but notional. Her triumph greater than her sufferings. Her will unviolated. He is a better man, he says, than most rakes; and why.
LETTER XXIV. XXV. From the same.-- The lady gives a promissory note to Dorcas, to induce her to further her escape.--A fair trial of skill now, he says. A conversation between the vile Dorcas and her lady: in which she engages her lady's pity. The bonds of wickedness stronger than the ties of virtue. Observations on that subject.
LETTER XXVI. XXVII. XXVIII. From the same.-- A new contrivance to advantage of the lady's intended escape.--A letter from Tomlinson. Intent of it.--He goes out to give opportunity for the lady to attempt an escape. His designs frustrated.
LETTER XXIX. From the same.-- An interesting conversation between the lady and him. No concession in his favour. By his soul, he swears, this dear girl gives the lie to all their rakish maxims. He has laid all the sex under obligation to him; and why.
LETTER XXX. Lovelace to Belford.-- Lord M. in extreme danger. The family desire his presence. He intercepts a severe letter from Miss Howe to her friend. Copy of it.
LETTER XXXI. From the same.-- The lady, suspecting Dorcas, tries to prevail upon him to give her her liberty. She disclaims vengeance, and affectingly tells him all her future views. Denied, she once more attempts an escape. Prevented, and terrified with apprehensions of instant dishonour, she is obliged to make some concession.
LETTER XXXII. From the same.-- Accuses her of explaining away her concession. Made desperate, he seeks occasion to quarrel with her. She exerts a spirit which overawes him. He is ridiculed by the infamous copartnership. Calls to Belford to help a gay heart to a little of his dismal, on the expected death of Lord M.
LETTER XXXIII. From the same.-- Another message from M. Hall, to engage him to go down the next morning.
LETTER XXXIV. XXXV. From the same.-- The women's instigations. His farther schemes against the lady. What, he asks, is the injury which a church-rite will not at any time repair?
LETTER XXXVI. From the same.-- Himself, the mother, her nymphs, all assembled with intent to execute his detestable purposes. Her glorious behaviour on the occasion. He execrates, detests, despises himself; and admires her more than ever. Obliged to set out early that morning for M. Hall, he will press her with letters to meet him next Thursday, her uncle's birthday, at the altar.
LETTER XXXVII. XXXVIII. XXXIX. Lovelace to Clarissa, from M. Hall.-- Urging her accordingly, (the license in her hands,) by the most engaging pleas and arguments.
LETTER XL. Lovelace to Belford.-- Begs he will wait on the lady, and induce her to write but four words to him, signifying the church and the day. Is now resolved on wedlock. Curses his plots and contrivances; which all end, he says, in one grand plot upon himself.
LETTER XLI. Belford to Lovelace. In answer.-- Refuses to undertake for him, unless he can be sure of his honour. Why he doubts it.
LETTER XLII. Lovelace. In reply.-- Curses him for scrupulousness. Is in earnest to marry. After one more letter of entreaty to her, if she keep sullen silence, she must take the consequence.
LETTER XLIII. Lovelace to Clarissa.-- Once more earnestly entreats her to meet him at the altar. Not to be forbidden coming, he will take for leave to come.
LETTER XLIV. Lovelace to Patrick M'Donald.-- Ordering him to visit the lady, and instructing him what to say, and how to behave to her.
LETTER XLV. To the same, as Captain Tomlinson.-- Calculated to be shown to the lady, as in confidence.
LETTER XLVI. M'Donald to Lovelace.-- Goes to attend the lady according to direction. Finds the house in an uproar; and the lady escaped.
LETTER XLVII. Mowbray to Lovelace.-- With the same news.
LETTER XLVIII. Belford to Lovelace.-- Ample particulars of the lady's escape. Makes serious reflections on the distress she must be in; and on his (Lovelace's) ungrateful usage of her. What he takes the sum of religion.
LETTER XLIX. Lovelace to Belford.-- Runs into affected levity and ridicule, yet at last owns all his gayety but counterfeit. Regrets his baseness to the lady.