Clarissa, Volume 6 - The History Of A Young Lady

Clarissa, Volume 6 − The History Of A Young Lady 142
Howe.
She expressed herself with a good deal of bitterness against that young lady: who, it seems, every where, and
to every body, (for you must think that your story is the subject of all conversations,) rails against your family;
treating them, as your sister says, with contempt, and even with ridicule.
I am sorry such angry freedoms are taken, for two reasons; first, because such liberties never do any good. I
have heard you own, that Miss Howe has a satirical vein; but I should hope that a young lady of her sense, and
right cast of mind, must know that the end of satire is not to exasperate, but amend; and should never be
personal. If it be, as my good father used to say, it may make an impartial person suspect that the satirist has a
natural spleen to gratify; which may be as great a fault in him, as any of those which he pretends to censure
and expose in others.
Perhaps a hint of this from you will not be thrown away.
My second reason is, That these freedoms, from so warm a friend to you as Miss Howe is known to be, are
most likely to be charged to your account.
My resentments are so strong against this vilest of men, that I dare not touch upon the shocking particulars
which you mention of his baseness. What defence, indeed, could there be against so determined a wretch,
after you was in his power? I will only repeat my earnest supplication to you, that, black as appearances are,
you will not despair. Your calamities are exceeding great; but then you have talents proportioned to your
trials. This every body allows.
Suppose the worst, and that your family will not be moved in your favour, your cousin Morden will soon
arrive, as Miss Harlowe told me. If he should even be got over to their side, he will however see justice done
you; and then may you live an exemplary life, making hundreds happy, and teaching young ladies to shun the
snares in which you have been so dreadfully entangled.
As to the man you have lost, is an union with such a perjured heart as his, with such an admirable one as
your's, to be wished for? A base, low−hearted wretch, as you justly call him, with all his pride of ancestry; and
more an enemy to himself with regard to his present and future happiness than to you, in the barbarous and
ungrateful wrongs he has done you: I need not, I am sure, exhort you to despise such a man as this, since not
to be able to do so, would be a reflection upon a sex to which you have always been an honour.
Your moral character is untainted: the very nature of your sufferings, as you will observe, demonstrates that.
Cheer up, therefore, your dear heart, and do not despair; for is it not GOD who governs the world, and permits
some things, and directs others, as He pleases? and will He not reward temporary sufferings, innocently
incurred, and piously supported, with eternal felicity?−−And what, my dear, is this poor needle's point of
NOW to a boundless eternity?
My heart, however, labours under a double affliction: For my poor boy is very, very bad−−a violent
fever−−nor can it be brought to intermit.−−Pray for him, my dearest Miss−−for his recovery, if God see
fit.−−I hope God will see fit−−if not (how can I bear to suppose that!) Pray for me, that he will give me that
patience and resignation which I have been wishing to you. I am, my dearest young lady,
Your ever affectionate JUDITH NORTON.
LETTER LXIV
MISS CLARISSA HARLOWE, TO MRS. JUDITH NORTON THURSDAY, JULY 6.