This one labour, I repeat, crowns the work.
If you can get but such a design entertained by them,
whether they prosecute it or not, it will be equally
to the purpose of
Your loving friend,
R. Lovelace.
Miss Clarissa Harlowe, to Mrs.
Hervey [enclosed in her last
to miss Howe.] Thursday, April
20.
Having not had the favour of an answer to a letter
I took the liberty to write to you on the 14th, I
am in some hopes that it may have miscarried:
for I had much rather it should, than to have the mortification
to think that my aunt Hervey deemed me unworthy of
the honour of her notice.
In this hope, having kept a copy of it, and not become
able to express myself in terms better suited to the
unhappy circumstances of things, I transcribe and
enclose what I then wrote.* And I humbly beseech you
to favour the contents of it with your interest.
* The contents of the Letter referred to are given
in Letter XXIV. of this volume.
Hitherto it is in my power to perform what I undertake
for in this letter; and it would be very grievous
to me to be precipitated upon measures, which may
render the desirable reconciliation more difficult.
If, Madam, I were permitted to write to you with the
hopes of being answered, I could clear my intention
with regard to the step I have taken, although I could
not perhaps acquit myself to some of my severest judges,
of an imprudence previous to it. You, I am sure,
would pity me, if you knew all I could say, and how
miserable I am in the forfeiture of the good opinion
of all my friends.
I flatter myself, that their favour is yet retrievable:
but, whatever be the determination at Harlowe-place,
do not you, my dearest Aunt, deny me the favour of
a few lines to inform me if there can be any hope of
a reconciliation upon terms less shocking than those
heretofore endeavoured to be imposed upon me; or if
(which God forbid!) I am to be for ever reprobated.
At least, my dear Aunt, procure for me the justice
of my wearing apparel, and the little money and other
things which I wrote to my sister for, and mention
in the enclosed to you; that I may not be destitute
of common conveniencies, or be under a necessity to
owe an obligation for such, where, at present, however,
I would least of all owe it.
Allow me to say, that had I designed what happened,
I might (as to the money and jewels at least) have
saved myself some of the mortification which I have
suffered, and which I still further apprehend, if my
request be not complied with.
If you are permitted to encourage an eclaircissment
of what I hint, I will open my whole heart to you,
and inform you of every thing.
