Clarissa, Volume 6 - The History Of A Young Lady

Clarissa, Volume 6 − The History Of A Young Lady 36
My beloved is now directing some of her clothes to be packed up−−never more to enter this house! Nor ever
more will she, I dare say, when once again out of it!
Yet not so much as a condition of forgiveness!−−The Harlowe−spirited fair−one will not deserve my
mercy!−−She will wait for Miss Howe's next letter; and then, if she find a difficulty in her new schemes,
[Thank her for nothing,]−−will−−will what? Why even then will take time to consider, whether I am to be
forgiven, or for ever rejected. An indifference that revives in my heart the remembrance of a thousand of the
like nature.−−And yet Lady Betty and Miss Montague, [a man would be tempted to think, Jack, that they wish
her to provoke my vengeance,] declare, that I ought to be satisfied with such a proud suspension!
They are entirely attached to her. Whatever she says, is, must be, gospel! They are guarantees for her return to
Hampstead this night. They are to go back with her. A supper bespoken by Lady Betty at Mrs. Moore's. All
the vacant apartments there, by my permission, (for I had engaged them for a month certain,) to be filled with
them and their attendants, for a week at least, or till they can prevail upon the dear perverse, as they hope they
shall, to restore me to her favour, and to accompany Lady Betty to Oxfordshire.
The dear creature has thus far condescended−−that she will write to Miss Howe and acquaint her with the
present situation of things.
If she write, I shall see what she writes. But I believe she will have other employment soon.
Lady Betty is sure, she tells her, that she shall prevail upon her to forgive me; though she dares say, that I
deserve not forgiveness. Lady Betty is too delicate to inquire strictly into the nature of my offence. But it must
be an offence against herself, against Miss Montague, against the virtuous of the whole sex, or it could not be
so highly resented. Yet she will not leave her till she forgive me, and till she see our nuptials privately
celebrated. Mean time, as she approves of her uncle's expedient, she will address her as already my wife
before strangers.
Stedman, her solicitor, may attend her for orders in relation to her chancery affair, at Hampstead. Not one
hour they can be favoured with, will they lose from the company and conversation of so dear, so charming a
new relation.
Hard then if she had not obliged them with her company in their coach−and−four, to and from their cousin
Leeson's, who longed, (as they themselves had done,) to see a lady so justly celebrated.
'How will Lord M. be raptured when he sees her, and can salute her as his niece!
'How will Lady Sarah bless herself!−−She will now think her loss of the dear daughter she mourns for happily
supplied!'
Miss Montague dwells upon every word that falls from her lips. She perfectly adores her new cousin−−'For
her cousin she must be. And her cousin will she call her! She answers for equal admiration in her sister Patty.
'Ay, cry I, (whispering loud enough for her to hear,) how will my cousin Patty's dove's eyes glisten and run
over, on the very first interview!−− So gracious, so noble, so unaffected a dear creature!'
'What a happy family,' chorus we all, 'will our's be!'
These and such like congratulatory admirations every hour repeated. Her modesty hurt by the ecstatic
praises:−−'Her graces are too natural to herself for her to be proud of them: but she must be content to be
punished for excellencies that cast a shade upon the most excellent!'