Clarissa, Volume 6 - The History Of A Young Lady

Clarissa, Volume 6 − The History Of A Young Lady 131
My father, and all the family, I am informed, are to be at my uncle Harlowe's this day, as usual. Pray acquaint
me, if they have been there? And if they were cheerful on the anniversary occasion? And also, if you have
heard of any journey, or intended journey, of my brother, in company with Captain Singleton and Mr.
Solmes?
Strange things have happened to me, my dear, worthy and maternal friend−− very strange things!−−Mr.
Lovelace has proved a very barbarous and ungrateful man to me. But, God be praised, I have escaped from
him. Being among absolute strangers (though I think worthy folks) I have written to Hannah Burton to come
and be with me. If the good creature fall in your way, pray encourage her to come to me. I always intended to
have her, she knows: but hoped to be in happier circumstances.
Say nothing to any of my friends that you have heard from me.
Pray, do you think my father would be prevailed upon, if I were to supplicate him by letter, to take off the
heavy curse he laid upon me at my going from Harlowe−place? I can expect no other favour from him. But
that being literally fulfilled as to my prospects in this life, I hope it will be thought to have operated far
enough; and my heart is so weak!−−it is very weak!−−But for my father's own sake−−what should I
say!−−Indeed I hardly know how I ought to express myself on this sad subject!−−but it will give ease to my
mind to be released from it.
I am afraid my Poor, as I used to call the good creatures to whose necessities I was wont to administer by your
faithful hands, have missed me of late. But now, alas! I am poor myself. It is not the least aggravation of my
fault, nor of my regrets, that with such inclinations as God has given me, I have put it our of my power to do
the good I once pleased myself to think I was born to do. It is a sad thing, my dearest Mrs. Nortin, to render
useless to ourselves and the world, by our own rashness, the talents which Providence has intrusted to us, for
the service of both.
But these reflections are now too late; and perhaps I ought to have kept them to myself. Let me, however,
hope that you love me still. Pray let me hope that you do. And then, notwithstanding my misfortunes, which
have made me seem ungrateful to the kind and truly maternal pains you have taken with me from my cradle, I
shall have the happiness to think that there is one worthy person, who hates not
The unfortunate CLARISSA HARLOWE.
Pray remember me to my foster−brother. I hope he continues dutiful and good to you. Be pleased to direct for
Rachel Clark, at Mr. Smith's, in King−street, Covent−garden. But keep the direction an absolute secret.
LETTER LVI
MRS. NORTON [IN ANSWER.] SATURDAY, JULY 1.
Your letter, my dearest young lady, cuts me to the heart! Why will you not let me know all your
distresses?−−Yet you have said enough!
My son is very good to me. A few hours ago he was taken with a feverish disorder. But I hope it will go off
happily, if his ardour for business will give him the recess from it which his good master is willing to allow
him. He presents his duty to you, and shed tears at hearing your sad letter read.
You have been misinformed as to your family's being at your uncle Harlowe's. They did not intend to be there.
Nor was the day kept at all. Indeed, they have not stirred out, but to church (and that but three times) ever
since the day you went away.−−Unhappy day for them, and for all who know you!−−To me, I am sure, most
particularly so!−−My heart now bleeds more and more for you.