You lived several guilty weeks with one of the vilest fellows that ever drew breath, at bed, as well as at board, no doubt, (for is not his character known?) and pray don’t be ashamed to be asked after what may naturally come of such free living.  This modesty indeed would have become you for eighteen years of your life—­you’ll be pleased to mark that—­but makes no good figure compared with your behaviour since the beginning of April last.  So pray don’t take it up, and wipe your mouth upon it, as if nothing had happened.

But, may be, I likewise am to shocking to your niceness!—­O girl, girl! your modesty had better been shown at the right time and place—­Every body but you believed what the rake was:  but you would believe nothing bad of him—­What think you now?

Your folly has ruined all our peace.  And who knows where it may yet end?  —­Your poor father but yesterday showed me this text:  With bitter grief he showed it me, poor man! and do you lay it to your heart: 

’A father waketh for his daughter, when no man knoweth; and the care for her taketh away his sleep—­When she is young, lest she pass away the flower of her age—­[and you know what proposals were made to you at different times.] And, being married, lest she should be hated.  In her virginity, lest she should be defiled, and gotten with child in her father’s house—­[and I don’t make the words, mind that.] And, having an husband, lest she should misbehave herself.’  And what follows?  ’Keep a sure watch over a shameless daughter—­[yet no watch could hold you!] lest she make thee a laughing stock to thine enemies—­[as you have made us all to this cursed Lovelace,] and a bye-word in the city, and a reproach among the people, and make thee ashamed before the multitude.’  Ecclus. xlii. 9, 10, &c.

Now will you wish you had not written pertly.  Your sister’s severities!  —­Never, girl, say that is severe that is deserved.  You know the meaning of words.  No body better.  Would to the Lord you had acted up but to one half of what you know! then had we not been disappointed and grieved, as we all have been:  and nobody more than him who was

Your loving uncle,
Antony Harlowe.

This will be with you to-morrow.  Perhaps you may be suffered to have
      some part of your estate, after you have smarted a little more. 
      Your pertly-answered uncle John, who is your trustee, will not have
      you be destitute.  But we hope all is not true that we hear of you. 
      —­Only take care, I advise you, that, bad as you have acted, you
      act not still worse, if it be possible to act worse.  Improve upon
      the hint.

LETTER IV

Miss CL.  Harlowe, to Antony Harlowe, Esq. 
Sunday, Aug. 13.

HONOURED SIR,