LETTER XLIII
MR. LOVELACE, TO MISS CLARISSA HARLOWE[SUPERSCRIBED TO MRS. LOVELACE.]M. HALL, WED. MORNING, ONE O'CLOCK, JUNE 28.
Not one line, my dearest life, not one word, in answer to three lettersI have written! The time is now so short, that this must be the lastletter that can reach you on this side the important hour that might makeus legally one.
My friend, Mr. Belford, is apprehensive, that he cannot wait upon you intime, by reason of some urgent affairs of his own.
I the less regret the disappointment, because I have procured a moreacceptable person, as I hope, to attend you; Captain Tomlinson I mean:to whom I had applied for this purpose, before I had Mr. Belford'sanswer.
I was the more solicitous to obtain his favour form him, because of theoffice he is to take upon him, as I humbly presume to hope, to-morrow.That office obliged him to be in town as this day: and I acquainted himwith my unhappy situation with you; and desired that he would show me,on this occasion, that I had as much of his favour and friendship as youruncle had; since the whole treaty must be broken off, if he could notprevail upon you in my behalf.
He will dispatch the messenger directly; whom I propose to meet in personat Slough; either to proceed onward to London with a joyful heart, or toreturn back to M. Hall with a broken one.
I ought not (but cannot help it) to anticipate the pleasure Mr. Tomlinsonproposes to himself, in acquainting you with the likelihood there is ofyour mother's seconding your uncle's views. For, it seems, he hasprivately communicated to her his laudable intentions: and her resolutiondepends, as well as his, upon what to-morrow will produce.
Disappoint not then, I beseech you, for an hundred persons' sakes, aswell as for mine, that uncle and that mother, whose displeasure I haveheard you so often deplore.
You may think it impossible for me to reach London by the canonical hour.If it should, the ceremony may be performed in your own apartments, atany time in the day, or at night: so that Captain Tomlinson may have itto aver to your uncle, that it was performed on his anniversary.
Tell but the Captain, that you forbid me not to attend you: and thatshall be sufficient for bringing to you, on the wings of love,
Your ever-grateful and affectionateLOVELACE.