Clarissa, Volume 6 - The History Of A Young Lady

Clarissa, Volume 6 − The History Of A Young Lady 54
were not married, she said, unless it was while we were at Hampstead: and they were sure the ceremony was
not performed there. But that the lady is happy and easy, is unquestionable: and a fling was thrown out by
Mrs. Moore and Mrs. Bevis at mischief−makers, as they knew Mrs. Townsend to be acquainted with Miss
Howe.
Now, since my fair−one can neither receive, nor send away letters, I am pretty easy as to this Mrs. Townsend
and her employer. And I fancy Miss Howe will be puzzled to know what to think of the matter, and afraid of
sending by Wilson's conveyance; and perhaps suppose that her friend slights her; or has changed her mind in
my favour, and is ashamed to own it; as she has not had an answer to what she wrote; and will believe that the
rustic delivered her last letter into her own hand.
Mean time I have a little project come into my head, of a new kind; just for amusement−sake, that's all:
variety has irresistible charms. I cannot live without intrigue. My charmer has no passions; that is to say, none
of the passions that I want her to have. She engages all my reverence. I am at present more inclined to regret
what I have done, than to proceed to new offences: and shall regret it till I see how she takes it when
recovered.
Shall I tell thee my project? 'Tis not a high one.−−'Tis this−−to get hither to Mrs. Moore, Miss Rawlins, and
my widow Bevis; for they are desirous to make a visit to my spouse, now we are so happy together. And, if I
can order it right, Belton, Mowbray, Tourville, and I, will show them a little more of the ways of this wicked
town, than they at present know. Why should they be acquainted with a man of my character, and not be the
better and wiser for it?−−I would have every body rail against rakes with judgment and knowledge, if they
will rail. Two of these women gave me a great deal of trouble: and the third, I am confident, will forgive a
merry evening.
Thou wilt be curious to know what the persons of these women are, to whom I intend so much distinction. I
think I have not heretofore mentioned any thing characteristic of their persons.
Mrs. Moore is a widow of about thirty−eight; a little mortified by misfortunes; but those are often the merriest
folks, when warmed. She has good features still; and is what they call much of a gentlewoman, and very neat
in her person and dress. She has given over, I believe, all thoughts of our sex: but when the dying embers are
raked up about the half−consumed stump, there will be fuel enough left, I dare say, to blaze out, and give a
comfortable warmth to a half−starved by−stander.
Mrs. Bevis is comely; that is to say, plump; a lover of mirth, and one whom no grief ever dwelt with, I dare
say, for a week together; about twenty−five years of age: Mowbray will have very little difficulty with her, I
believe; for one cannot do every thing one's self. And yet sometimes women of this free cast, when it comes
to the point, answer not the promises their cheerful forwardness gives a man who has a view upon them.
Miss Rawlins is an agreeable young lady enough; but not beautiful. She has sense, and would be thought to
know the world, as it is called; but, for her knowledge, is more indebted to theory than experience. A mere
whipt−syllabub knowledge this, Jack, that always fails the person who trusts to it, when it should hold to do
her service. For such young ladies have so much dependence upon their own understanding and wariness, are
so much above the cautions that the less opinionative may be benefited by, that their presumption is generally
their overthrow, when attempted by a man of experience, who knows how to flatter their vanity, and to
magnify their wisdom, in order to take advantage of their folly. But, for Miss Rawlins, if I can add experience
to her theory, what an accomplished person will she be!−−And how much will she be obliged to me; and not
only she, but all those who may be the better for the precepts she thinks herself already so well qualified to
give! Dearly, Jack, do I love to engage with these precept−givers, and example−setters.
Now, Belford, although there is nothing striking in any of these characters; yet may we, at a pinch, make a
good frolicky half−day with them, if, after we have softened their wax at table by encouraging viands, we can