Merrily, however, as we pass our time, my reflections upon the injuries done to this noble creature bring a qualm upon my heart very often.  But I know she will permit me to make her amends, after she has plagued me heartily; and that’s my consolation.

An honest fellow still—­clap thy wings, and crow, Jack!——­

LETTER XXIV

Miss Howe, to miss Clarissa Harlowe
Thursday Morn.  June* 20.

* Text error:  should be July.

What, my dearest creature, have been your sufferings!—­What must have been your anguish on so disgraceful an insult, committed in the open streets, and in the broad day!

No end, I think, of the undeserved calamities of a dear soul, who had been so unhappily driven and betrayed into the hands of a vile libertine!  —­How was I shocked at the receiving of your letter written by another hand, and only dictated by you!—­You must be very ill.  Nor is it to be wondered at.  But I hope it is rather from hurry, and surprise, and lowness, which may be overcome, than from a grief given way to, which may be attended with effects I cannot bear to think of.

But whatever you do, my dear, you must not despond!  Indeed you must not despond!  Hitherto you have been in no fault:  but despair would be all your own:  and the worst fault you can be guilty of.

I cannot bear to look upon another hand instead of your’s.  My dear creature, send me a few lines, though ever so few, in your own hand, if possible.—­For they will revive my heart; especially if they can acquaint me of your amended health.

I expect your answer to my letter of the 13th.  We all expect it with impatience.

His relations are persons of so much honour—­they are so very earnest to rank you among them—­the wretch is so very penitent:  every one of his family says he is—­your own are so implacable—­your last distress, though the consequence of his former villany, yet neither brought on by his direction nor with his knowledge; and so much resented by him—­that my mother is absolutely of opinion that you should be his—­especially if, yielding to my wishes, as expressed in my letter, and those of all his friends, you would have complied, had it not been for this horrid arrest.

I will enclose the copy of the letter I wrote to Miss Montague last Tuesday, on hearing that nobody knew what was become of you; and the answer to it, underwritten and signed by Lord M., Lady Sarah Sadleir, and Lady Betty Lawrance, as well as by the young Ladies; and also by the wretch himself.