Clarissa, Volume 6 - The History Of A Young Lady

Clarissa, Volume 6 − The History Of A Young Lady 75
reproach myself with when I look back.
Lord, Madam, what deceitful creatures are these men!−−Neither oaths, nor vows−−I am sure! I am sure! [and
then with her apron she gave her eyes half a dozen hearty rubs] I may curse the time that I came into this
house!
Here was accounting for her bold eyes! And was it not better for Dorcas to give up a house which her lady
could not think worse of than she did, in order to gain the reputation of sincerity, than by offering to vindicate
it, to make her proffered services suspected.
Poor Dorcas!−−Bless me! how little do we, who have lived all our time in the country, know of this wicked
town!
Had I been able to write, cried the veteran wench, I should certainly have given some other near relations I
have in Wales a little inkling of matters; and they would have saved me from−−−−from−−−−from−−−−
Her sobs were enough. The apprehensions of women on such subjects are ever aforehand with speech.
And then, sobbing on, she lifted her apron to her face again. She showed me how.
Poor Dorcas!−−Again wiping her own charming eyes.
All love, all compassion, is this dear creature to every one in affliction but me.
And would not an aunt protect her kinswoman?−−Abominable wretch!
I can't−−I can't−−I can't−−say, my aunt was privy to it. She gave me good advice. She knew not for a great
while that I was−−that I was−−that I was−−ugh!−−ugh!−−ugh!−−
No more, no more, good Dorcas−−What a world do we live in!−−What a house am I in!−−But come, don't
weep, (though she herself could not forbear:) my being betrayed into it, though to my own ruin, may be a
happy event for thee: and, if I live, it shall.
I thank you, my good lady, blubbering. I am sorry, very sorry, you have had so hard a lot. But it may be the
saving of my soul, if I can get to your ladyship's house. Had I but known that your ladyship was not married, I
would have eat my own flesh, before−−−−before−−−−before−−−−
Dorcas sobbed and wept. The lady sighed and wept also.
But now, Jack, for a serious reflection upon the premises.
How will the good folks account for it, that Satan has such faithful instruments, and that the bond of
wickedness is a stronger bond than the ties of virtue; as if it were the nature of the human mind to be
villanous? For here, had Dorcas been good, and been tempted as she was tempted to any thing evil, I make no
doubt but she would have yielded to the temptation.
And cannot our fraternity in an hundred instances give proof of the like predominance of vice over virtue?
And that we have risked more to serve and promote the interests of the former, than ever a good man did to
serve a good man or a good cause? For have we not been prodigal of life and fortune? have we not defied the
civil magistrate upon occasion? and have we not attempted rescues, and dared all things, only to extricate a
pounded profligate?