26962

SYNOPTICAL

TABLE OF CONTENTS

LETTER I.

Lovelace to Belford.-Reflects upon himself. It costs, he says,

more pain to be wicked than to be good. The lady's solemn

expostulation with him. Extols her greatness of soul. Dor-

cas coming into favour with her. He is alarmed by another

attempt of the lady to get off. She is in agonies at being

prevented. He tries to intimidate her. Dorcas pleads for

her. On the point of drawing his sword against himself.

The occasion

PAGE

1-6

LETTER II.

From the same.-Cannot yet persuade himself but the lady will

be his. Reasons for his opinion. Opens his heart to Belford,

as to his intentions by her. Mortified that she refuses his

honest vows. Her violation but notional. Her triumph

greater than her sufferings. Her will unviolated. He is a

better man, he says, than most rakes; and why

LETTER III. IV.

From the same. The lady gives a promissory note to Dorcas, to

induce her to further her escape. A fair trial of skill now,

he says. A conversation between the vile Dorcas and her

lady: in which she engages her lady's pity. The bonds of

wickedness stronger than the ties of virtue. Observations on

that subject

LETTER V. VI. VII.

6-9

10-15

From the same.-A new contrivance to advantage of the lady's

intended escape.

A letter from Tomlinson. Intent of it.

He goes out to give opportunity for the lady to attempt an

escape. His design frustrated

VOL. VI-2.

15-27

LETTER VIII.

PAGE

From the same.-An interesting conversation between the lady

and him. No concession in his favour. By his soul, he

swears, this dear girl gives the lie to all their rakish maxims.

He has laid all the sex under obligation to him; and

why

28-32

LETTER IX.

From the same.-Lord M. in extreme danger. The family desire

his presence. He intercepts a severe letter from Miss Howe

to her friend. Copy of it

32-35

LETTER X.

Lovelace to Belford.-The lady suspecting Dorcas, tries to prevail

upon him to give her her liberty. She disclaims vengeance,

and affectingly tells him all her future views. Denied, she

once more attempts an escape. Prevented, and terrified with

apprehensions of instant dishonour, she is obliged to make

some concession

35-42

LETTER XI.

From the same.-Accuses her of explaining away her concession.

Made desperate, he seeks occasion to quarrel with her. She

exerts a spirit which overawes him. He is ridiculed by the

infamous co-partnership. Calls to Belford to help a gay

heart to a little of his dismal, on the expected death of

Lord M.

43-52

LETTER XII.

From the same.-Another message from M. Hall, to engage him

to go down next morning. No concession yet from the

lady

52-54

LETTER XIII. XIV.

From the same. The women's instigations. His further schemes

against the lady. What, he asks, is the injury which a

church-rite will not at any time repair?

54-58

LETTER XV.

From the same.-Himself, the mother, her nymphs, all assembled

with intent to execute his detestable puropses. Her glorious

behaviour on the occasion. He execrates, detests, despises

himself; and admires her more than ever. Obliged to set

out early that morning for M. Hall, he will press her with

letters to meet him next Thursday, her uncle's birthday,

at the altar

PAGE

58-70

LETTER XVI. XVII. XVIII.

Lovelace to Clarissa, from M. Hall.-Urging her accordingly (the
license in her hands), by the most engaging pleas and
arguments

71-77

LETTER XIX.

Lovelace to Belford.-Begs he will wait on the lady, and induce

her to write but four words to him, signifying the church and

the day. Is now resolved on wedlock. Cursese his plots and

contrivances; which all end, he says, in one grand plot upon

himself

77-79

LETTER XX.

Belford to Lovelace. In answer.-Refuses to undertake for him,

unless he can be sure of his honour. Why he doubts

it

.79-80

LETTER XXI.

Lovelace. In reply.-Curses him for scrupulousness. Is in earnest
to marry. After one more letter of entreaty to her, if she
keep sullen silence, she must take the consequence

LETTER XXII.

81-82

Lovelace to Clarissa.-Once more earnestly entreats her to meet
him at the altar. Not to be forbidden coming, he will take
for leave to come

82-83

LETTER XXIII.

Lovelace to Patrick M'Donald.-Ordering him to visit the lady,

and instructing him what to say, and how to behave to

her

LETTER XXIV.

To the same as Captain Tomlinson.-Calculated to be shown to

the lady, as in confidence

LETTER XXV.

PAGE

86-87

M'Donald to Lovelace.-Goes to attend the lady according to

direction. Finds the house in an uproar; and the lady

escaped

87-88

LETTER XXVI.

Mowbray to Lovelace.-With the same news

LETTER XXVII.

88-89

Belford to Lovelace.-Ample particulars of the lady's escape.

Makes serious reflections on the distress she must be in;

and on his (Lovelace's) ungrateful usage of her. What he

takes the sum of religion

LETTER XXVIII.

89-99

Lovelace to Belford.-Runs into affected levity and ridicule, yet

at last owns all his gaiety but counterfeit. Regrets his base-

ness to the lady. Inveighs against the women for their in-

stigations. Will still marry her, if she can be found out.

One misfortune seldom comes alone; Lord M. is recovering.

He had bespoken mourning for him

LETTER XXIX.

99-106

Clarissa to Miss Howe.-Writes with incoherence, to inquire after

her health. Lets her know whither to direct to her. But

forgets, in her rambling, her private address. By which

means her letter falls into the hands of Miss Howe's

mother
106-107

LETTER XXX.

Mrs. Howe to Clarissa.-Reproaches her for making all her

friends unhappy. Forbids her to write any more to her

daughter

108-109

Clarissa to Mrs. Norton.-Excuses her long silence. Asks her a
question, with a view to detect Lovelace. Hints at his un-
grateful villany. Self-recriminations

113-114

LETTER XXXV.

Mrs. Norton to Clarissa.-Answers her question. Inveighs
against Lovelace. Hopes she has escaped with her honour.
Consoles her by a brief relation of her own case, and from
motives truly pious

114-119

LETTER XXXVI.

Clarissa to Lady Betty Lawrance.-Requests an answer to three
questions, with a view further to detect Lovelace

LETTER XXXVII.

119-120

Lady Betty to Clarissa.—Answers her questions. In the kindest

manner offers to mediate between her nephew and

her

120-122

LETTER XXXVIII. XXXIX.

Clarissa to Mrs. Hodges, her uncle Harlowe's housekeeper; with a

view of still further detecting Lovelace. Mrs. Hodges' an-

swer

122-124