Clarissa, Volume 8 | Page 2

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dying Belton to a too-lively Lovelace. Mowbray abuses Mr. Belton's
servant in the language of a rake of the common class. Reflection on
the brevity of life.
LETTER XVIII. Lovelace to Belford.-- Receives a letter from Clarissa,
written by way of allegory to induce him to forbear hunting after her.
Copy of it. He takes it in a literal sense. Exults upon it. Will now hasten
down to Lord M. and receive the gratulations of all his family on her
returning favour. Gives an interpretation of his frightful dream to his
own liking.
LETTER XIX. XX. From the same.-- Pities Belton. Rakishly defends
him on the issue of a duel, which now adds to the poor man's terrors.
His opinion of death, and the fear of it. Reflections upon the conduct of
play-writers with regard servants. He cannot account for the turn his
Clarissa has taken in his favour. Hints at one hopeful cause of it. Now
matrimony seems to be in his power, he has some retrograde motions.
LETTER XXI. Belford to Lovelace.-- Continuation of his narrative of
Belton's last illness and impatience. The poor man abuses the
gentlemen of the faculty. Belford censures some of them for their
greediness after fees. Belton dies. Serious reflections on the occasion.
LETTER XXII. Lovelace to Belford.-- Hopes Belton is happy; and why.
He is setting out for Berks.
LETTER XXIII. Belford to Lovelace.-- Attends the lady. She is
extremely ill, and receives the sacrament. Complains of the harasses his
friend had given her. Two different persons (from her relations, he
supposes) inquire after her. Her affecting address to the doctor,
apothecary, and himself. Disposes of some more of her apparel for a
very affecting purpose.

LETTER XXIV. Dr. Lewen to Clarissa.-- Writes on his pillow, to
prevail upon her to prosecute Lovelace for his life.
LETTER XXV. Her pathetic and noble answer.
LETTER XXVI. Miss Arabella Harlowe to Clarissa.-- Proposes, in a
most taunting and cruel manner, the prosecution of Lovelace; or, if not,
her going to Pensylvania.
LETTER XXVII. Clarissa's affecting answer.
LETTER XXVIII. XXIX. Mrs. Norton to Clarissa.-- Her uncle's cruel
letter to what owing. Colonel Morden resolved on a visit to
Lovelace.--Mrs. Hervey, in a private conversation with her, accounts
for, yet blames, the cruelty of her family. Miss Dolly Hervey wishes to
attend her.
LETTER XXX. Clarissa. In answer.-- Thinks she has been treated with
great rigour by her relations. Expresses more warmth than usual on this
subject. Yet soon checks herself. Grieves that Colonel Morden resolves
on a visit to Lovelace. Touches upon her sister's taunting letter.
Requests Mrs. Norton's prayers for patience and resignation.
LETTER XXXI. Miss Howe to Clarissa.-- Approves now of her
appointment of Belford for an executor. Admires her greatness of mind
in despising Lovelace. Every body she is with taken with Hickman; yet
she cannot help wantoning with the power his obsequious love gives
her over him.
LETTER XXXII. XXXIII. Clarissa to Miss Howe.-- Instructive lessons
and observations on her treatment of Hickman.-- Acquaints her with all
that has happened since her last. Fears that all her allegorical letter is
not strictly right. Is forced by illness to break off. Resumes. Wishes her
married.
LETTER XXXIV. Mr. Wyerley to Clarissa.-- A generous renewal of
his address to her now in her calamity; and a tender of his best services.

LETTER XXXV. Her open, kind, and instructive answer.
LETTER XXXVI. Lovelace to Belford.-- Uneasy, on a suspicion that
her letter to him was a stratagem only. What he will do, if he find it so.
LETTER XXXVII. Belford to Lovelace.-- Brief account of his
proceedings in Belton's affairs. The lady extremely ill. Thought to be
near her end. Has a low-spirited day. Recovers her spirits; and thinks
herself above this world. She bespeaks her coffin. Confesses that her
letter to Lovelace was allegorical only. The light in which Belford
beholds her.
LETTER XXXVIII. Belford to Lovelace.-- An affecting conversation
that passed between the lady and Dr. H. She talks of death, he says, and
prepares for it, as if it were an occurrence as familiar to her as dressing
and undressing. Worthy behaviour of the doctor. She makes
observations on the vanity of life, on the wisdom of an early
preparation for death, and on the last behaviour of Belton.
LETTER XXXIX. XL. XLI. Lovelace to Belford.-- Particulars of what
passed between himself, Colonel Morden, Lord M., and Mowbray, on
the visit made him by the Colonel. Proposes Belford to Miss Charlotte
Montague, by way of raillery, for an husband.--He encloses Brand's
letter, which misrepresents (from credulity and officiousness, rather
than ill-will) the lady's conduct.
LETTER XLII. Belford to Lovelace.-- Expatiates on the baseness of
deluding young creatures, whose confidence has been obtained by
oaths, vows, promises. Evil of censoriousness. People deemed good