Clarissa Harlowe; or the history of a young lady — Volume 5

  LETTER XXXI

  MR. LOVELACE, TO JOHN BELFORD, ESQ.SATURDAY, SIX O'CLOCK, JUNE 10.

  The lady gave Will.'s sweetheart a letter last night to be carried to thepost-house, as this morning, directed for Miss Howe, under cover toHickman. I dare say neither cover nor letter will be seen to have beenopened. The contents but eight lines--To own--'The receipt of herdouble-dated letter in safety; and referring to a longer letter, whichshe intends to write, when she shall have a quieter heart, and lesstrembling fingers. But mentions something to have happened [My detectingher she means] which has given her very great flutters, confusions, andapprehensions: but which she will wait the issue of [Some hopes for mehence, Jack!] before she gives her fresh perturbation or concern on heraccount.--She tells her how impatient she shall be for her next,' &c.

  Now, Belford, I thought it would be but kind in me to save Miss Howe'sconcern on these alarming hints; since the curiosity of such a spiritmust have been prodigiously excited by them. Having therefore so good acopy to imitate, I wrote; and, taking out that of my beloved, put underthe same cover the following short billet; inscriptive and conclusiveparts of it in her own words.

  HAMPSTEAD, TUES. EVEN.

  MY EVER-DEAR MISS HOWE,

  A few lines only, till calmer spirits and quieter fingers be granted me,and till I can get over the shock which your intelligence has given me--to acquaint you--that your kind long letter of Wednesday, and, as I maysay, of Thursday morning, is come safe to my hands. On receipt of your'sby my messenger to you, I sent for it from Wilson's. There, thankHeaven! it lay. May that Heaven reward you for all your past, and forall your intended goodness to

  Your for-ever obliged,CL. HARLOWE.

  ***

  I took great pains in writing this. It cannot, I hope, be suspected.Her hand is so very delicate. Yet her's is written less beautifully thanshe usually writes: and I hope Miss Howe will allow somewhat for hurry ofspirits, and unsteady fingers.

  My consideration for Miss Howe's ease of mind extended still farther thanto the instance I have mentioned.

  That this billet might be with her as soon as possible, (and before itcould have reached Hickman by the post,) I dispatched it away by aservant of Mowbray's. Miss Howe, had there been any failure or delay,might, as thou wilt think, have communicated her anxieties to herfugitive friend; and she to me perhaps in a way I should not have beenpleased with.

  Once more wilt thou wonderingly question--All this pains for a singlegirl?

  Yes, Jack--But is not this girl a CLARISSA?--And who knows, but kindfortune, as a reward for my perseverance, may toss me in her charmingfriend? Less likely things have come to pass, Belford. And to be sure Ishall have her, if I resolve upon it.