myself a better interest in these rate him, and make matters more women. But the whole sex love unhappy for yourself. plotting and plotters too, Jack. Cl. O Mrs. Moore, O Miss RawCl. A barn, an outhouse, a lins! you know not the man! - I garret will be a palace to me, if wish not to see his face, nor to it will but afford me a refuge from exchange another word with him this man! as long as I live. Her senses, thought I, are much Mrs. Moore. I don't find, Miss livelier than mine. What a devil Rawlins, that the gentleman has have I done, that she should be misrepresented any thing. You so very implacable! - I told thee, see, madam, [to my Clarissa] how Belford, all I did; was there any respectful he is: not to come in thing in it so very much amiss? - till permitted. He certainly loves Such prospects of family-recon- you dearly. Pray, madam, let ciliation before her too? - To be him talk to you, as he wishes to sure she is a very sensible lady!- do, on the subject of the letters. She then espied my new servant Very kind of Mrs. Moore! walking under the window, and Mrs. Moore, thought I, is a very asked if he were not one of mine? good woman. I did not curse her Will was on the look-out for then! old Grimes [so is the fellow called Miss Rawlins said something; whom my beloved has dispatched but so low, that I could not hear to Miss Howe]. And being told what it was. Thus it was anthat the man she saw was my ser-swered. vant; I see, said she, that there Cl. I am greatly distressed! I is no escaping, unless you, ma- know not what to do! - But Mrs. dam, [to Miss Rawlins, I suppose] Moore, be so good as to give his can befriend me, till I can get letters to him here they are. further. I have no doubt that the Be pleased to tell him, that I wish fellow is planted about the house him and Lady Betty and Miss to watch my steps. But the wicked Montague a happy meeting. He wretch his master has no right to never can want excuses to them control me. He shall not hinder for what has happened, any more me from going whither I please. I than pretences to those he would will raise the town upon him, if he delude. molests me. Dear ladies, is there no back-door for me to get out at while you hold him in talk? Tell him that he has ruined me in the opinion of my own friends. I am for that reason the less solicitous how I appear to his. Miss R. Give me leave to ask you, madam, is there no room to Mrs. Moore then came to me; hope for accommodation? Had and I being afraid that something you not better see him? He cer- would pass meantime between the tainly loves you dearly: he is a other two, which I should not fine gentleman: you may exaspe- like, took the letters, and entered the room, and found them retired attended to the contents of Capinto the closet; my beloved whis-tain Tomlinson's letter. pering with an air of earnestness She complained often of want to Miss Rawlins, who was all at- of spirits throughout our whole tention. contention, and of weakness of person and mind, from the fits she Her back was towards me; and Miss Rawlins, by pulling her had been thrown into: but little sleeve, giving intimation of my reason had she for this complaint, being there. Can I have no re- as I thought, who was able to hold tirement uninvaded, sir? said she, me to it, as she did. I own that I with indignation, as if she were was excessively concerned for her interrupted in some talk her heart several times. was in. What business have you here, or with me? You have your letters; have you not? You and I! Vilest of men! My name is Lovelace, madamTherefore it is that I call you the Lovel. I have, my dear; and let vilest of men [was this pardonable, me beg of you to consider what Jack!] You and I know the you are about. I every moment truth, the whole truth I want expect Captain Tomlinson here. not to clear up my reputation with Upon my soul, I do. He has pro- these gentlewomen: that is almised to keep from your uncle ready lost with every one I had what has happened: but what will most reason to value: but let me he think if he find you hold in this have this new specimen of what strange humour? you are capable of say, wretch, (say, Lovelace, if thou hadst rather) art thou really and truly my wedded husband? Cl. I will endeavour, sir, to have patience with you for a moment or two, while I ask you a few questions before this lady, and Say; answer without hesitation. before Mrs. Moore, [who just then She trembled with impatient incame in both of whom you have dignation; but had a wildness in prejudiced in your favour by your her manner, which I took some specious stories: Will you say, advantage of, in order to parry sir, that we are married together? this cursed thrust. And a cursed Lay your hand upon your heart, and answer me, am I your wedded wife? I am gone too far, thought I, to give up for such a push as this, home-one as it is. thrust it was; since had I positively averred it, she never would have believed any thing I said: and had I owned that I was not married, I had destroyed my own plot, as well with the women as with her; My dearest soul! how can you and could have no pretence for put such a question? Is it either pursuing her, or hindering her for your honour or my own, that it from going whithersoever she should be doubted? Surely, pleased. Not that I was ashamed surely, madam, you cannot have to aver it, had it been consistent Surely, with policy. I would not have me, cease to follow me. thee think me such a milk-sop surely, faulty as I have been, neither. have not deserved to be thus per -- Lovel. My dearest love, how secuted! — I resume, therefore, wildly you talk! What would you my former language: you have no have me answer? Is it necessary right to pursue me: you know you that I should answer? May I not have not: begone, then, and leave re-appeal this to your own breast, me to make the best of my hard as well as to Captain Tomlinson's lot. O my dear cruel father! said treaty and letter? You know your-she, in a violent fit of grief [falling self how matters stand between upon her knees, and clasping her And Captain Tomlinson - uplifted hands together] thy heavy Cl. O wretch! Is this an answer curse is completed upon thy deto my question? Say, are we voted daughter! I am punished, married, or are we not? dreadfully punished, by the very wretch in whom I had placed my wicked confidence! us. Lovel. What makes a marriage, we all know. If it be the union of two hearts, [there was a turn, By my soul, Belford, the little Jack!] to my utmost grief I must witch with her words, but more say we are not; since now I see you by her manner, moved me! Wonhate me. If it be the completion der not then, that her action, her of marriage, to my confusion and grief, her tears, set the women regret, I must own we are not. into the like compassionate maniBut, my dear, will you be pleased festations. to consider what answer half a dozen people whence you came, could give to your question? And the further end of the room, do not now, in the disorder of your whispered, A strange case! There mind, and the height of passion, is no phrensy here- I just heard bring into question before these said. gentlewomen a point you have The charming creature threw acknowledged before those who her handkerchief over her head know us better. Had I not a cursed task of it? and and neck, continuing kneeling, her back towards me, and her face hid upon a chair, and repeatedly sobbed with grief and passion. I would have whispered her about the treaty with her uncle, and about the contents of the Captain's letter; but, retreating, and I took this opportunity to step with a rejecting hand, Keep thy to the women, to keep them distance, man, cried the dear in- steady. solent To thine own heart I You see, ladies [whispering], appeal, since thou evadest me what an unhappy man I am! thus pitifully!-I own no marriage You see what a spirit this dear with thee! - Bear witness, ladies creature has! All, all owing to I do not. And cease to torment her implacable relations, and to 6 Clarissa. III, her father's curse. A curse upon them all! they have turned the head of the most charming woman in the world. child, to a maid, who answered, call either of my servants to me. She then came up to me, with a wrathful countenance: Do you Ah! sir, sir, replied Miss Rawlins, call your servant, sir, to hinder whatever be the fault of her rela- me, between you, from going tions, all is not as it should be be- whither I please? tween you and her. 'Tis plain she Don't, my dearest life, misdoes not think herself married: interpret every thing I do. Can 'tis plain she does not: and if you you think me so mean and so unhave any value for the poor lady, worthy as to employ a servant to and would not totally deprive her constrain you? I call him to of her senses, you had better with- send to the public-houses, or inns draw, and leave to time and cooler in this town, to inquire after Capconsideration the event in your tain Tomlinson, who may have favour. alighted at some one of them, and She will compel me to this at be now, perhaps, needlessly adlast, I fear, Miss Rawlins; I fear justing his dress; and I would she will; and then we are both un- have him come, were he to be done: for I cannot live without without clothes. God forgive me! her; she knows it too well: and she for I am stabbed to the heart by has not a friend who will look your cruelty. way: upon her: this also she knows. Answer was returned, that Our marriage, when her uncle's neither of my servants was in the friend comes, will be proved incontestibly. But I am ashamed to think I have given her room to believe it no marriage: that's what she harps upon! - Not in the way! said I. Whither can the dogs be gone? O sir! with a scornful air; not far, I'll warrant. One of them Well, 'tis a strange case, a very was under the window just now; strange one, said Miss Rawlins; according to order, I suppose, to and was going to say further, watch my steps - but I will do when the angry beauty, coming what I please, and go whither I towards the door, said, Mrs. please; and that to your face. Moore, I beg a word with you. God forbid, that I should And they both stepped into the hinder you in any thing that you dining-room. may do with safety to yourself! I saw her just before put a parcel into her pocket, and followed them out, for fear she should slip away; and stepping to the stairs, that she might not go by me, Will, cried I, aloud [though I knew he was not near] Pray, Now I verily believe, that her design was, to slip out, in pursuance of the closet- whispering between her and Miss Rawlins; perhaps to Miss Rawlins's house. She then stepped back to Mrs. Moore, and gave her something, which proved to be a diamond were it to the world's end? ring, and desired her [not whis- Whither would you go? peringly, but with an air of deWell do you ask me, whither I fiance to me] that that might be a would go, who have been the ocpledge for her, till she defrayed casion that I have not a friend her demands; which she should left! But God, who knows my soon find means to do; having no innocence, and my upright intenmore money about her, than she tions, will not wholly abandon might have occasion for before me when I am out of your power she came to an acquaintance's. - but while in it, I cannot expect Mrs. Moore would have declined a gleam of the Divine grace or fataking it; but she would not be vour to reach me. denied; and then, wiping her eyes, she put on her gloves Nobody has a right to stop me! said she. I will go! should I be afraid of? question, charming testifying her fear. Her How severe is shockingly severe! this! -- How Out of your Whom presence, my angry fair one, I can neither hope for the one nor the creature! in the letter you have read, obother. As my cousin Montague, very I beg pardon, madam, [turn- serves, you are my pole-star, and ing to Mrs. Moore, and courtesy-my guide; and if ever I am to be ing] for the trouble I have given it must be in and by you. happy, either here or hereafter, you. I beg pardon, madam, to Miss Rawlins (courtesying like- She would then have opened wise to her] You may both hear the door. But I respectfully opof me in a happier hour, if such a posing her, Begone, man! beone fall to my lot and God gone, Mr. Lovelace! said she: bless you both!-struggling with stop not my way. If you would her tears till she sobbed and not that I should attempt the away was tripping. window, give me passage by the door; for, once more, you have no right to detain me. I stepped to the door: I put it to; and setting my back against it, took her struggling hand Your resentments, my dearest My dearest life! my angel! said life, I will own to be well grounded. I, why will you thus distress me? I will acknowledge, that I have Is this the forgiveness which been all in fault. On my knee you so solemnly promised? [and down I dropped] I ask your Unhand me, sir! You have pardon. And can you refuse to no business with me! You have ratify your own promise? no right over me! You know you forward to the happy prospect have not. before us. See you not my Lord But whither, whither, my dear- M. and Lady Sarah longing to est love, would you go! Think bless you, for blessing me, and you not that I will follow you, their whole family? Can you Look |