Clarissa, Volume 9 | Page 5

admirable creature.
The Colonel withdrew to dismiss his messenger, and send away the letter to Mrs. Norton. I took the opportunity to retire likewise; and to write thus far. And Joel returning to take it, I now close here.
ELEVEN O'CLOCK.

LETTER II
MR. BELFORD [IN CONTINUATION.]
The Colonel tells me that he had written to Mr. John Harlowe, by his servant, 'That they might spare themselves the trouble of debating about a reconciliation; for that his dear cousin would probably be no more before they could resolve.'
He asked me after his cousin's means of subsisting; and whether she had accepted of any favour from me; he was sure, he said, she would not from you.
I acquainted him with the truth of her parting with some of her apparel.
This wrung his heart; and bitterly did he exclaim as well against you as against her implacable relations.
He wished he had not come to England at all, or had come sooner; and hoped I would apprize him of the whole mournful story, at a proper season. He added, that he had thoughts, when he came over, of fixing here for the remainder of his days; but now, as it was impossible his cousin could recover, he would go abroad again, and re-settle himself at Florence or Leghorn.
The lady has been giving orders, with great presence of mind, about her body! directing her nurse and the maid of the house to put her in the coffin as soon as she is cold. Mr. Belford, she said, would know the rest by her will.
***
She has just now given from her bosom, where she always wore it, a miniature picture, set in gold, of Miss Howe. She gave it to Mrs. Lovick, desiring her to fold it up in white paper, and direct it, To Charles Hickman, Esq. and to give it to me, when she was departed, for that gentleman.
She looked upon the picture, before she gave it her--Sweet and ever-amiable friend!--Companion!--Sister!--Lover! said she--and kissed it four several times, once at each tender appellation.
***
Your other servant is come.--Well may you be impatient!--Well may you! --But do you think I can leave off, in the middle of a conversation, to run and set down what offers, and send it away piece-meal as I write? --If I could, must I not lose one half, while I put down the other?
This event is nearly as interesting to me as it is to you. If you are more grieved than I, there can be but one reason for it; and that's at your heart!--I had rather lose all the friends I have in the world, (yourself in the number,) than this divine lady; and shall be unhappy whenever I think of her sufferings, and of her merit; though I have nothing to reproach myself by reason of the former.
I say not this, just now, so much to reflect upon you as to express my own grief; though your conscience I suppose, will make you think otherwise.
Your poor fellow, who says that he begs for his life, in desiring to be dispatched back with a letter, tears this from me--else, perhaps, (for I am just sent for down,) a quarter of an hour would make you--not easy indeed--but certain--and that, in a state like your's, to a mind like your's, is a relief.
THURSDAY AFTERNOON, FOUR O'CLOCK.

LETTER III
MR. BELFORD, TO RICHARD MOWBRAY, ESQ. THURSDAY AFTERNOON.
DEAR MOWBRAY,
I am glad to hear you are in town. Throw yourself the moment this comes to your hand, (if possible with Tourville,) in the way of the man who least of all men deserves the love of the worthy heart; but most that of thine and Tourville; else the news I shall most probably send him within an hour or two, will make annihilation the greatest blessing he has to wish for.
You will find him between Piccadilly and Kensington, most probably on horseback, riding backwards and forwards in a crazy way; or put up, perhaps, at some inn or tavern in the way--a waiter possibly, if so, watching for his servant's return to him from me.
***
His man Will. is just come to me. He will carry this to you in his way back, and be your director. Hie away in a coach, or any how. Your being with him may save either his or a servant's life. See the blessed effects of triumphant libertinism! Sooner or later it comes home to us, and all concludes in gall and bitterness!
Adieu. J. BELFORD.

LETTER IV
MR. LOVELACE, TO JOHN BELFORD, ESQ.
Curse upon the Colonel, and curse upon the writer of the last letter I received, and upon all the world! Thou to pretend to be as much interested in my Clarissa's fate as myself!--'Tis well for one of us that this was not said to me, instead of written.--Living or dying, she is mine--and