Clarissa, Volume 6 - The History Of A Young Lady

Clarissa, Volume 6 − The History Of A Young Lady 122
'Will. told them his story; and then ran out, as on the like occasion formerly, to make inquiry whether the lady
was seen by any of the coachmen, chairmen, or porters, plying in that neighbourhood: while Dorcas cleared
herself immediately, and that at the poor Mabell's expense, who made a figure as guilty as awkward, having
on the suspected price of her treachery; which Dorcas, out of envy, was ready to tear from her back.
'Hereupon all the pack opened at the poor wench, while the mother foamed at the mouth, bellowed out her
orders for seizing the suspected offender; who could neither be heard in her own defence, nor had she been
heard, would have been believed.
'That such a perfidious wretch should ever disgrace her house, was the mother's cry; good people might be
corrupted; but it was a fine thing if such a house as her's could not be faithfully served by cursed creatures
who were hired knowing the business they were to be employed in, and who had no pretence to
principle!−−D−−n her, the wretch proceeded!−−She had no patience with her! call the cook, and call the
scullion!
'They were at hand.
'See, that guilty pyeball devil, was her word−−(her lady's gown upon her back)−−but I'll punish her for a
warning to all betrayers of their trust. Put on the great gridiron this moment, [an oath or a curse at every
word:] make up a roaring fire−−the cleaver bring me this instant−−I'll cut her into quarters with my own
hands; and carbonade and broil the traitress for a feast to all the dogs and cats in the neighbourhood, and eat
the first slice of the toad myself, without salt or pepper.
'The poor Mabell, frighted out of her wits, expected every moment to be torn in pieces, having half a score
open−clawed paws upon her all at once. She promised to confess all. But that all, when she had obtained a
hearing, was nothing: for nothing had she to confess.
'Sally, hereupon with a curse of mercy, ordered her to retire; undertaking that she and Polly would examine
her themselves, that they might be able to write all particulars to his honour; and then, if she could not clear
herself, or, if guilty, give some account of the lady, (who had been so wicked as to give them all this trouble,)
so as they might get her again, then the cleaver and gridiron might go to work with all their heart.
'The wench, glad of this reprieve, went up stairs; and while Sally was laying out the law, and prating away in
her usual dictorial manner, whipt on another gown, and sliding down the stairs, escaped to her relations. And
this flight, which was certainly more owing to terror than guilt, was, in the true Old Bailey construction, made
a confirmation of the latter.'
***
These are the particulars of Miss Harlowe's flight. Thou'lt hardly think me too minute.−−How I long to
triumph over thy impatience and fury on the occasion!
Let me beseech thee, my dear Lovelace, in thy next letter, to rave most gloriously!−−I shall be grievously
disappointed if thou dost not.
***
Where, Lovelace, can the poor lady be gone? And who can describe the distress she must be in?
By thy former letters, it may be supposed, that she can have very little money: nor, by the suddenness of her
flight, more clothes than those she has on. And thou knowest who once said,* 'Her parents will not receive
her. Her uncles will not entertain her. Her Norton is in their direction, and cannot. Miss Howe dare not. She