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> 49<br />
I thought, poor, proud wretch that I was, that what you said was owing to your envy.<br />
I thought I could acquit my intention of any such vanity.<br />
I was too secure in the knowledge I thought I had of my own heart.<br />
My supposed advantages became a snare to me.<br />
And what now is the end of all?−−<br />
PAPER VI<br />
What now is become of the prospects of a happy life, which once I thought opening before me?−−Who now<br />
shall assist in the solemn preparations? Who now shall provide the nuptial ornaments, which soften and divert<br />
the apprehensions of the fearful virgin? No court now to be paid to my smiles! No encouraging compliments<br />
to inspire thee with hope of laying a mind not unworthy of thee under obligation! No elevation now for<br />
conscious merit, and applauded purity, to look down from on a prostrate adorer, and an admiring world, and<br />
up to pleased and rejoicing parents and relations!<br />
PAPER VII<br />
Thou pernicious caterpillar, that preyest upon the fair leaf of virgin fame, and poisonest those leaves which<br />
thou canst not devour!<br />
Thou fell blight, thou eastern blast, thou overspreading mildew, that destroyest the early promises of the<br />
shining year! that mockest the laborious toil, and blastest the joyful hopes, of the painful husbandman!<br />
Thou fretting moth, that corruptest the fairest garment!<br />
Thou eating canker−worm, that preyest upon the opening bud, and turnest the damask−rose into livid<br />
yellowness!<br />
If, as religion teaches us, God will judge us, in a great measure, by our benevolent or evil actions to one<br />
another−−O wretch! bethink thee, in time bethink thee, how great must be thy condemnation!<br />
PAPER VIIII<br />
At first, I saw something in your air and person that displeased me not. Your birth and fortunes were no small<br />
advantages to you.−−You acted not ignobly by my passionate brother. Every body said you were brave: every<br />
body said you were generous: a brave man, I thought, could not be a base man: a generous man, could not, I<br />
believed, be ungenerous, where he acknowledged obligation. Thus prepossessed, all the rest that my soul<br />
loved and wished for in your reformation I hoped!−−I knew not, but by report, any flagrant instances of your<br />
vileness. You seemed frank, as well as generous: frankness and generosity ever attracted me: whoever kept up<br />
those appearances, I judged of their hearts by my own; and whatever qualities I wished to find in them, I was<br />
ready to find; and, when found, I believed them to be natives of the soil.<br />
My fortunes, my rank, my character, I thought a further security. I was in none of those respects unworthy of<br />
being the niece of Lord M. and of his two noble sisters.−−Your vows, your imprecations−−But, Oh! you have<br />
barbarously and basely conspired against that honour, which you ought to have protected: and now you have<br />
made me−−What is it of vile that you have not made me?−−<br />
Yet, God knows my heart, I had no culpable inclinations!−−I honoured virtue!−−I hated vice!−−But I knew