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> 74<br />
MR. LOVELACE, TO JOHN BELFORD, ESQ. TUES. MORN. TEN O'CLOCK<br />
Very ill−−exceedingly ill−−as Dorcas tells me, in order to avoid seeing me−−and yet the dear soul may be so<br />
in her mind. But is not that equivocation? Some one passion predominating in every human breast, breaks<br />
through principle, and controuls us all. Mine is love and revenge taking turns. Her's is hatred.−−But this is my<br />
consolation, that hatred appeased is love begun; or love renewed, I may rather say, if love ever had footing<br />
here.<br />
But reflectioning apart, thou seest, Jack, that her plot is beginning to work. To−morrow is to break out.<br />
I have been abroad, to set on foot a plot of circumvention. All fair now, Belford!<br />
I insisted upon visiting my indisposed fair−one. Dorcas made officious excuses for her. I cursed the wench in<br />
her hearing for her impertinence; and stamped and made a clutter; which was improved into an apprehension<br />
to the lady that I would have flung her faithful confidante from the top of the stairs to the bottom.<br />
He is a violent wretch!−−But, Dorcas, [dear Dorcas, now it is,] thou shalt have a friend in me to the last day of<br />
my life.<br />
And what now, Jack, dost think the name of her good angel is!−−Why Dorcas Martindale, christian and super<br />
(no more Wykes) as in the promissory note in my former−−and the dear creature has bound her to her by the<br />
most solemn obligations, besides the tie of interest.<br />
Whither, Madam, do you design to go when you get out of this house?<br />
I will throw myself into the first open house I can find; and beg protection till I can get a coach, or a lodging<br />
in some honest family.<br />
What will you do for clothes, Madam? I doubt you'll be able to take any away with you, but what you'll have<br />
on.<br />
O, no matter for clothes, if I can but get out of this house.<br />
What will you do for money, Madam? I have heard his honour express his concern, that he could not prevail<br />
upon you to be obliged to him, though he apprehended that you must be short of money.<br />
O, I have rings and other valuables. Indeed I have but four guineas, and two of them I found lately wrapt up in<br />
a bit of lace, designed for a charitable use. But now, alas! charity begins at home!−−But I have one dear friend<br />
left, if she be living, as I hope in God she is! to whom I can be obliged, if I want. O Dorcas! I must ere now<br />
have heard from her, if I had had fair play.<br />
Well, Madam, your's is a hard lot. I pity you at my heart!<br />
Thank you, Dorcas!−−I am unhappy, that I did not think before, that I might have confided in thy pity, and in<br />
thy sex!<br />
I pitied you, Madam, often and often: but you were always, as I thought, diffident of me. And then I doubted<br />
not but you were married; and I thought his honour was unkindly used by you. So that I thought it my duty to<br />
wish well to his honour, rather than to what I thought to be your humours, Madam. Would to Heaven that I<br />
had known before that you were not married!−−Such a lady! such a fortune! to be so sadly betrayed;−−−−<br />
Ah, Dorcas! I was basely drawn in! My youth−−my ignorance of the world −−and I have some things to
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