LETTER XI
TO HIS DEAR NIECE, MISS CLARISSA HARLOWEWEDNESDAY, SEPT. 6.
We were greatly grieved, my beloved Miss Clary, at your fault; but we arestill more, if possible, to hear you are so very ill; and we are sorrythings have been carried so far. We know your talents, my dear, and howmovingly you could write, whenever you pleased; so that nobody could everdeny you any thing; and, believing you depended on your pen, and littlethinking you were so ill, and that you lived so regular a life, and areso truly penitent, are must troubled every one of us, your brother andall, for being so severe. Forgive my part in it, my dearest Clary. Iam your second papa, you know. And you used to love me.
I hope you'll soon be able to come down, and, after a while, when yourindulgent parents can spare you, that you will come to me for a wholemonth, and rejoice my heart, as you used to do. But if, through illness,you cannot so soon come down as we wish, I will go up to you; for I longto see you. I never more longed to see you in my life; and you wasalways the darling of my heart, you know.
My brother Antony desires his hearty commendations to you, and joins withme in the tenderest assurance, that all shall be well, and, if possible,better than ever; for we now have been so long without you, that we knowthe miss of you, and even hunger and thirst, as I may say, to see you,and to take you once more to our hearts; whence indeed you was neverbanished so far as our concern for the unhappy step made us think and youbelieve you were. Your sister and brother both talk of seeing you intown; so does my dear sister, your indulgent mother.
God restore your health, if it be his will; else, I know not what willbecome of
Your truly loving uncle, and second papa,JOHN HARLOWE.