Clarissa, Volume 6 - The History Of A Young Lady
Clarissa, Volume 6 - The History Of A Young Lady
Clarissa, Volume 6 - The History Of A Young Lady
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<strong>Clarissa</strong>, <strong>Volume</strong> 6 − <strong>The</strong> <strong>History</strong> <strong>Of</strong> A <strong>Young</strong> <strong>Lady</strong> 168<br />
not disagreeable. I pity you for the task; though I cannot willingly exempt you from it.<br />
***<br />
My mother will have me add, that she must insist upon your prosecuting the villain. She repeats, that she<br />
makes that a condition on which she permits our future correspondence. Let me therefore know your thoughts<br />
upon it. I asked her, if she would be willing that I should appear to support you in court, if you<br />
complied?−−By all means, she said, if that would induce you to begin with him, and with the horrid women. I<br />
think I could probably attend you, I am sure I could, were there but a probability of bringing the monster to<br />
his deserved end.<br />
Once more your thoughts of it, supposing it were to meet with the approbation of your relations.<br />
But whatever be your determination on this head, it shall be my constant prayer, that God will give you<br />
patience to bear your heavy afflictions, as a person ought to do who has not brought them upon herself by a<br />
faulty will: that He will speak peace and comfort to your wounded mind; and give you many happy years. I<br />
am, and ever will be,<br />
Your affectionate and faithful ANNA HOWE.<br />
***<br />
[<strong>The</strong> two preceding letters were sent by a special messenger: in the cover were written the following lines:]<br />
MONDAY, JULY 10.<br />
I cannot, my dearest friend, suffer the enclosed to go unaccompanied by a few lines, to signify to you that they<br />
are both less tender in some places than I would have written, had they not been to pass my mother's<br />
inspection. <strong>The</strong> principal reason, however, of my writing thus separately is, to beg of you to permit me to send<br />
you money and necessaries, which you must needs want; and that you will let me know, if either I, or any<br />
body I can influence, can be of service to you. I am excessively apprehensive that you are not enough out of<br />
the villain's reach where you are. Yet London, I am persuaded, is the place, of all others, to be private in.<br />
I could tear my hair for vexation, that I have it not in my power to afford you personal protection!−−I am<br />
Your ever devoted ANNA HOWE.<br />
Once more forgive me, my dearest creature, for my barbarous taunting in mine of the 5th! Yet I can hardly<br />
forgive myself. I to be so cruel, yet to know you so well!−−Whence, whence, had I this vile impatiency of<br />
spirit!−−<br />
LETTER LXXIII<br />
MISS CLARISSA HARLOWE, TO MISS HOWE TUESDAY, JULY 11.<br />
Forgive you, my dear!−−Most cordially do I forgive you−−Will you forgive me for some sharp things I wrote<br />
in return to your's of the 5th? You could not have loved me as you do, nor had the concern you have always<br />
shown for my honour, if you had not been utterly displeased with me, on the appearance which my conduct<br />
wore to you when you wrote that letter. I most heartily thank you, my best and only love, for the opportunity<br />
you gave me of clearing it up; and for being generously ready to acquit me of intentional blame, the moment<br />
you had read my melancholy narrative.