LETTER I
MISS HOWE, TO MISS CLARISSA HARLOWEWED. NIGHT, JULY 12.
I write, my dearest creature, I cannot but write, to express my concernon your dejection. Let me beseech you, my charming excellence, let mebeseech you, not to give way to it.
Comfort yourself, on the contrary, in the triumphs of a virtue unsullied;a will wholly faultless. Who could have withstood the trials you havesurmounted?--Your cousin Morden will soon come. He will see justice doneyou, I make no doubt, as well with regard to what concerns your person asyour estate. And many happy days may you yet see; and much good may youstill do, if you will not heighten unavoidable accidents into guiltydespondency.
But why, why, my dear, this pining solicitude continued after areconciliation with relations as unworthy as implacable; whose wills aregoverned by an all-grasping brother, who finds his account in keeping thebreach open? On this over-solicitude it is now plain to me, that thevilest of men built all his schemes. He saw that you thirsted after itbeyond all reason for hope. The view, the hope, I own, extremelydesirable, had your family been Christians: or even had they been Paganswho had had bowels.
I shall send this short letter [I am obliged to make it a short one] byyoung Rogers, as we call him; the fellow I sent to you to Hampstead; aninnocent, though pragmatical rustic. Admit him, I pray you, into youpresence, that he may report to me how you look, and how you are.
Mr. Hickman should attend you; but I apprehend, that all his motions, andmine own too, are watched by the execrable wretch: and indeed his are byan agent of mine; for I own, that I am so apprehensive of his plots andrevenge, now I know that he has intercepted my vehement letters againsthim, that he is the subject of my dreams, as well as of my waking fears.
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My mother, at my earnest importunity, has just given me leave to write,and to receive your letters--but fastened this condition upon theconcession, that your's must be under cover to Mr. Hickman, [this is aview, I suppose, to give him consideration with me]; and upon thisfurther consideration, that she is to see all we write.--'When girls areset upon a point,' she told one who told me again, 'it is better for amother, if possible, to make herself of their party, than to oppose them;since there will be then hopes that she will still hold the reins in herown hands.'
Pray let me know what the people are with whom you lodge?--Shall I sendMrs. Townsend to direct you to lodgings either more safe or moreconvenient for you?
Be pleased to write to me by Rogers; who will wait on you for youranswer, at your own time.
Adieu, my dearest creature. Comfort yourself, as you would in the likeunhappy circumstances comfort
Your ownANNA HOWE.