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Clarissa Harlowe; or the history of a young lady Novel Chapters
List of most recent chapters published for the Clarissa Harlowe; or the history of a young lady novel. A total of 426 chapters have been translated and the release date of the last chapter is Apr 02, 2024
Latest Release: Chapter 1 : Clarissa.Volume 1.by Samuel Richardson.PREFACE The following History is given in a serie
Clarissa.Volume 1.by Samuel Richardson.PREFACE The following History is given in a series of letters, written Princ.i.p.ally in a double yet separate correspondence; Between two young ladies of virtue and honor, bearing an inviolable friends.h.i.+p for ea
- 1 Clarissa.Volume 1.by Samuel Richardson.PREFACE The following History is given in a series of letters, written Princ.i.p.ally in a double yet separate correspondence; Between two young ladies of virtue and honor, bearing an inviolable friends.h.i.+p for ea
- 2 It was immediately observed, that his attention was fixed on me. My sister, as soon as he was gone, in a spirit of bravery, seemed desirous to promote his address, should it be tendered.My aunt Hervey was there; and was pleased to say, we should make the
- 3 'That he was a generous landlord: that he spared nothing for solid and lasting improvements upon his estate; and that he looked into his own affairs, and understood them: that he had been very expensive when abroad; and contracted a large debt (for h
- 4 But this is very far from being his intention: For he has already began to hint again, that he shall never be easy or satisfied till I am married; and, finding neither Mr. Symmes nor Mr. Mullins will be accepted, has proposed Mr. Wyerley once more, on the
- 5 My brother met me at the door, and gave me his hand when I stepped out of the chariot. He bowed very low: pray, Miss, favour me.--I thought it in good humour; but found it afterwards mock respect: and so he led me in great form, I prattling all the way, i
- 6 The man, this Solmes, you may suppose, has no reason to boast of his progress with me. He has not the sense to say any thing to the purpose.His courts.h.i.+p indeed is to them; and my brother pretends to court me as his proxy, truly!--I utterly, to my bro
- 7 Let me beseech you, my dear and ever-honoured Papa, (and I dropt down on my knees,) that I may have only yours and my mamma's will, and not my brother's, to obey.I was going on; but he was pleased to withdraw, leaving me on the floor; saying, Th
- 8 That they prohibit your corresponding with me, is a wisdom I neither wonder at, nor blame them for: since it is an evidence to me, that they know their own folly: And if they do, is it strange that they should be afraid to trust one another's judgmen
- 9 LETTER XII MISS HOWE, TO MISS CLARISSA HARLOWE THURSDAY MORNING, MARCH 2.Indeed you would not be in love with him for the world!--Your servant, my dear. Nor would I have you. For, I think, with all the advantages of person, fortune, and family, he is not
- 10 My uncles had once extended this view to each of us three children; urging, that as they themselves intended not to marry, we each of us might be so portioned, and so advantageously matched, as that our posterity, if not ourselves, might make a first figu
- 11 But you, who know how much I love and reverence my mother, will judge what a difficulty I am under, to be obliged to oppose a scheme which she has engaged in. Yet I must oppose it (to comply is impossible); and must without delay declare my opposition, or
- 12 I concluded my last in a fright. It was occasioned by a conversation that pa.s.sed between my mother and my aunt, part of which Hannah overheard. I need not give you the particulars; since what I have to relate to you from different conversations that hav
- 13 I won't be interrupted, Clary--You have seen in my behaviour to you, on this occasion, a truly maternal tenderness; you have observed that I have undertaken the task with some reluctance, because the man is not every thing; and because I know you car
- 14 LETTER XVII MISS CLARISSA HARLOWE, TO MISS HOWE My mother, on her return, which was as soon as she had dined, was pleased to inform me, that she told my father, on his questioning her about my cheerul compliance (for, it seems, the cheerful was all that w
- 15 O my dear Mamma, said I, forgive me!--But surely you cannot believe, I can ever think of having that man!She was very angry, and seemed to be greatly disappointed. She threatened to turn me over to my father and uncles:--she however bid me (generously bid
- 16 Would you not have thought something might have been obtained in my favour, from an offer so reasonable, from an expedient so proper, as I imagine, to put a tolerable end, as from myself, to a correspondence I hardly know how otherwise, with safety to som
- 17 You think I must of necessity, as matters are circ.u.mstanced, be Solmes's wife. I will not be very rash, my dear, in protesting to the contrary: but I think it never can, and, what is still more, never ought to be!--My temper, I know, is depended up
- 18 I was still speechless.She folded the warm statue, as she was pleased to call me, in her arms; and entreated me, for heaven's sake, to comply.Speech and tears were lent me at the same time.--You have given me life, Madam, said I, clasping my uplifted
- 19 She had hardly spoken the words, when Sh.o.r.ey came in to tell her, that Mr. Solmes was in the hall, and desired admittance.Ugly creature! What, at the close of day, quite dark, brought him hither?--But, on second thoughts, I believe it was contrived, th
- 20 TWELVE O'CLOCK.This moment the keys of every thing are taken from me. It was proposed to send for me down: but my father said, he could not bear to look upon me.--Strange alteration in a few weeks!--Sh.o.r.ey was the messenger. The tears stood in her
- 21 Thus, my dear Miss Howe, has my brother got me into his snares; and I, like a poor silly bird, the more I struggle, am the more entangled.LETTER XXIII MISS CLARISSA HARLOWE, TO MISS HOWE MONDAY MORNING, MARCH 6.They are resolved to break my heart. My poor
- 22 Betty Barnes has orders to obey you in all points consistent with her duty to those whom you owe it, as well as she.JA. HARLOWE.TO JAMES HARLOWE, JUNIOR, ESQ.SIR, I will only say, That you may congratulate yourself on having so far succeeded in all your v
- 23 I presume not, I say, to argue with my Papa; I only beg his mercy and indulgence in this one point, on which depends my present, and perhaps my future, happiness; and beseech him not to reprobate his child for an aversion which it is not in her power to c
- 24 I have not patience with any of the people you are with. I know not what to advise you to do. How do you know that you are not punishable for being the cause, though to your own loss, that the will of your grandfather is not complied with?--Wills are sacr
- 25 to take such a wretch's price as that; and to the cutting off of all reversions from his own family:--How must a mind but commonly just resist such a measure!Mr. Hickman shall sound Lord M. upon the subject you recommend. But beforehand, I can tell y
- 26 I hope, Sir, that you will excuse the freedom I have taken with you: you have given me too much reason for it, and you have taken much greater with me, without reason:--so, if you are offended, ought to look at the cause, and not at the effect:--then exam
- 27 My uncles had my letters in the morning. They, as well as my father, are more and more incensed against me, it seems. Their answers, if they vouchsafe to answer me, will demonstrate, I doubt not, the unseasonableness of this rash man's presence at ou
- 28 Who hast no certain what, nor where.But both these, had they been her contemporaries, and known her, would have confessed themselves mistaken: and, taking together person, mind, and behaviour, would have acknowledged the justice of the universal voice in
- 29 TO ANTONY HARLOWE, ESQ. SAt.u.r.dAY, MARCH 11.HONOURED SIR, As you have thought fit to favour Mr. Solmes with your particular recommendation, and was very earnest in his behalf, ranking him (as you told me, upon introducing him to me) among your select fr
- 30 As to his love; he shews it but too much for your deservings, as they have been of late; let me tell you that: and this is his misfortune; and may in time perhaps be yours.As to his parsimony, which you wickedly call diabolical, [a very free word in your
- 31 Solmes's door the usage you so bitterly complain of?--You know, little fool as you are, that it is your fondness for Lovelace that has brought upon you all these things; and which would have happened, whether Mr.Solmes had honoured you with his addre
- 32 I had hitherto, as you know, kept him at a distance: And now, as I recovered myself, judge of my first emotions, when I recollected his character from every mouth of my family; his enterprising temper; and found myself alone with him, in a place so near a
- 33 To be so particular as you require in subjects of conversation, it is impossible to be short.I will add to it only the a.s.surance, That I am, and ever will be, Your affectionate and faithful friend and servant, CLARISSA HARLOWE.You'll be so good, my
- 34 My arrogant brother told her, she was sent for to expostulate with his sister, and not with them. And this, Goody Norton [she is always Goody with him!] you may tell her, that the treaty with Mr. Solmes is concluded: that nothing but her compliance with h
- 35 His fortunes in possession are handsome; in expectation, splendid: so nothing need be said on that subject.But it is impossible, say some, that he should make a tender or kind husband. Those who are for imposing upon me such a man as Mr. Solmes, and by me
- 36 I hinted to you, you must remember,* that patterns of the richest silks were sent for. They are come. And as they are come, your father, to shew how much he is determined, will have me send them up to you. I could have wished they might not have accompani
- 37 LETTER XLII MISS CLARISSA HARLOWE, TO MISS HOWE An angry dialogue, a scolding-bout rather, has pa.s.sed between my sister and me. Did you think I could scold, my dear?She was sent up to me, upon my refusal to see Mr. Solmes--let loose upon me, I think!--N
- 38 Yes, indeed; I got more by that means, than I should have had the conscience to ask. But I have still the greater part to shew! But you!What have you to shew?--I dare say, not fifty pieces in the world!Indeed I have not!I believe you!--Your mamma Norton,
- 39 You have made such confessions in a villain's favour, as ought to cause all your relations to renounce you for ever. For my part, I will not believe any woman in the world, who promises against her avowed inclination. To put it out of your power to r
- 40 What! turn your back upon me too!--Shall I bring up your mamma to you, love? [following me, and taking my struggling hand] What? not speak yet!Come, my sullen, silent dear, speak one word to me--you must say two very soon to Mr. Solmes, I can tell you tha
- 41 Reflecting, by your ostentation, upon all the ladies in the county, who do not as you do. This is known to be your scheme! and the poor without-doors, and Lovelace within, with one hand building up a name, pulling it down with the other!--O what a charmin
- 42 Clarissa.Volume 2.by Samuel Richardson.LETTER I MISS CLARISSA HARLOWE, TO MISS HOWE My heart fluttered with the hope and the fear of seeing my mother, and with the shame and grief of having given her so much uneasiness. But it needed not: she was not perm
- 43 But as for honest Hickman, the good man is so generally meek, as I imagine, that I know not whether I have any preference paid me in his obsequiousness. And then, when I rate him, he seems to be so naturally fitted for rebuke, and so much expects it, that
- 44 Perhaps they may think him too wild, cries Hickman: and theirs is, I hear, a very sober family-- SOBER! said one of them: A good honest word, d.i.c.k!--Where the devil has it lain all this time?--D---- me if I have heard of it in this sense ever since I w
- 45 So here is the master-stroke of my brother's policy! Called upon to consent to go to my uncle Antony's avowedly to receive Mr. Solmes's visits!--A chapel! A moated-house!--Deprived of the opportunity of corresponding with you!--or of any po
- 46 TO MISS CLARISSA HARLOWE Once again, my inflexible Sister, I write to you. It is to let you know, that the pretty piece of art you found out to make me the vehicle of your whining pathetics to your father and mother, has not had the expected effect.I do a
- 47 You ask me, in a very unbrotherly manner, in the postscript to your letter, if I have not some new proposals to make? I HAVE (since you put the question) three or four; new ones all, I think; though I will be bold to say, that, submitting the case to any
- 48 TO MISS CLARISSA HARLOWE I am to tell you, that your mother has begged you off for the morrow: but that you have effectually done your business with her, as well as with every body else.In your proposals and letter to your brother, you have shewn yourself
- 49 XII.Reclaim'd her wild licentious youth, Confess'd the potent voice of Truth, And felt its just controul.The Pa.s.sions ceas'd their loud alarms, And Virtue's soft persuasive charms O'er all their senses stole.XIII.Thy breath insp
- 50 She will look upon you, said Sir Harry, if she be forced to marry you, as Elizabeth of France did upon Philip II. of Spain, when he received her on his frontiers as her husband, who was to have been but her father-in-law: that is, with fear and terror, ra
- 51 Then you tell me, in your usual kindly-partial manner, what is expected of me, more than would be of some others. This should be a lesson to me.What ever my motives were, the world would not know them. To complain of a brother's unkindness, that, ind
- 52 What would you have had me say, my dear?--I won't tell you what I did say: But had I not said what I did, who would have believed me?Besides, I know you love him!--Excuse me, my dear: Yet, if you deny it, what do you but reflect upon yourself, as if
- 53 TO MISS CLARISSA HARLOWE NIECE, Every body is now convinced, that nothing is to be done with you by way of gentleness or persuasion. Your mother will not permit you to stay in the house; for your father is so incensed by your strange letter to his friend,
- 54 I wait, Sir, for your answer to this proposal, made with the whole heart of Your dutiful and most obliged niece, CL. HARLOWE.MONDAY NOON.I hope this will be accepted: for Betty tells me, that my uncle Antony and my aunt Hervey are sent for; and not Mr. So
- 55 He is concerned, he says, 'That the violence he had expressed on his extreme apprehensiveness of losing me, should have made him guilty of any thing I had so much reason to resent.'He owns, 'That he is pa.s.sionate: all good-natured men, he
- 56 'He renews his professions of reformation. He is convinced, he says, that he has already run a long and dangerous course; and that it is high time to think of returning. It must be from proper conviction, he says, that a person who has lived too gay
- 57 If thou really thinkest thou dost not, thy ignorance is more to be pitied, than thy pertness resented. I wish thou wouldst leave me to myself.When young ladies fall out with their own duty, it is not much to be wondered at, that they are angry at any body
- 58 TUESDAY NIGHT.I have deposited my letter to Mr. Lovelace. Threatening as things look against me, I am much better pleased with myself for declining the interview than I was before. I suppose he will be a little out of humour upon it, however: but as I res
- 59 CL. HARLOWE.LETTER XXI MISS HOWE, TO MISS CLARISSA HARLOWE THURSDAY MORNING, DAY-BREAK, MARCH 30.An accident, and not remissness, has occasioned my silence.My mother was sent for on Sunday night by her cousin Larkin, whom I mentioned in one of my former,
- 60 I am, dear Madam, with inviolable respect, your ever obliged and faithful humble servant, CHARLES HICKMAN.LETTER XXIII MRS. HOWE, TO CHARLES HICKMAN, ESQ. THURSDAY, MARCH 30.I cannot but say, Mr. Hickman, but you have cause to be dissatisfied--to be out o
- 61 But no more of this just now. Your situation is become too critical to permit me to dwell upon these sort of topics. And yet this is but an affected levity with me. My heart, as I have heretofore said, is a sincere sharer in all your distresses. My sun-s.
- 62 He may be mean enough perhaps, if ever I should put it into his power, to avenge himself for the trouble he has had with me.--But that now, I dare say, I never shall.I see what sort of a man the encroacher is. And I hope we are equally sick of one another
- 63 LETTER XXVIII MISS HOWE, TO MISS CLARISSA HARLOWE. FRIDAY NOON, MARCH 31.Justice obliges me to forward this after my last on the wings of the wind, as I may say. I really believe the man is innocent. Of this one accusation, I think he must be acquitted; a
- 64 But while you give me the charming hope, that, in order to avoid one man, I shall not be under the necessity of throwing myself upon the friends of the other; I think my case not desperate.I see not any of my family, nor hear from them in any way of kindn
- 65 Your servant, Miss--your servant, Sir--pa.s.sed between my brother and me.Is it not coldish, Clary! in a kinder voice than usual, said my sister, and stopped.--I stopped and courtesied low to her half-courtesy.--I think not, Sister, said I.She went on. I
- 66 'He gives me up, as absolutely lost, if I go to my uncle Antony's; the close confinement; the moated house; the chapel; the implacableness of my brother and sister; and their power over the rest of the family, he sets forth in strong lights; and
- 67 Indeed I did not. It was impossible I could think of such a strange expectation, upon a compliance made only to shew I would comply in all that was in my power to comply with.I might easily, she said, have supposed, that every one thought I was beginning
- 68 I arose, as soon as he entered--and approached him with a bend knee: Let me, Sir, reverence my uncle, whom I have not for so long time seen!--Let me, Sir, bespeak your favour and compa.s.sion.You will have the favour of every body, Niece, when you know ho
- 69 It was near an hour before I was sent for in again. The messenger was my cousin Dolly Hervey, who, with an eye of compa.s.sion and respect, (for Miss Hervey always loved me, and calls herself my scholar, as you know,) told my company was desired.Betty lef
- 70 And so very much did he exert himself on this occasion, and so patiently was his warmth received by my brother, that I began to suspect, that it was a contrivance to make me think myself obliged to him; and that this might perhaps be one end of the presse
- 71 She looked upon my uncle, who bit his lip; and looked upon Mr. Solmes, who rubbed his cheek; and shaking her head, Good, dear creature, said she, be calm. Let me ask you, If something would have been done, had you been more gently used, than you seem to t
- 72 Not more unbrotherly than all the rest of his conduct to me, of late, Madam, said I. I see by this specimen of his violence, how every body has been brought into his measures. Had I any the least apprehension of ever being in Mr. Solmes's power, this
- 73 I flung from him with high disdain: and he withdrew, bowing and cringing; self-gratified, and enjoying, as I thought, the confusion he saw me in.The wretch is now, methinks, before me; and now I see him awkwardly striding backward, as he retired, till the
- 74 How can I consent to see him again, when yesterday's interview was interpreted by you, Madam, as well as by every other, as an encouragement to him? when I myself declared, that if I saw him a second time by my own consent, it might be so taken? and
- 75 MISS CLARISSA HARLOWE, TO MISS HOWE WEDNESDAY, FOUR O'CLOCK IN THE AFTERNOON I am just returned from depositing the letter I so lately finished, and such of Mr. Lovelace's letters as I had not sent you. My long letter I found remaining there--so
- 76 These are the gloomy and perplexing hints this impertinent throws out. Probably they arose from the information Mr. Lovelace says he has secretly permitted them to have (from this vile double-faced agent, I suppose!) of his resolution to prevent my being
- 77 Whichsoever of these you make choice of, you will have this plea, both to yourself, and to the world, that you are concluded by the same uniform principle that has governed your whole conduct, ever since the contention between Lovelace and your brother ha
- 78 LETTER x.x.xIX MISS CLARISSA HARLOWE, TO MISS HOWE THURSDAY NIGHT.This alarming hurry I mentioned under my date of last night, and Betty's saucy dark hints, come out to be owing to what I guessed they were; that is to say, to the private intimation M
- 79 I sent Betty to her with my request.She came.I put it to her, in the most earnest manner, to tell me, whether I might not obtain the favour of a fortnight's respite?She a.s.sured me, it would not be granted.Would a week? Surely a week would?She belie
- 80 The man, my dear, has got the letter!--What a strange diligence! I wish he mean me well, that he takes so much pains!--Yet, to be ingenuous, I must own, that I should be displeased if he took less--I wish, however, he had been an hundred miles off!--What
- 81 FRIDAY, SIX O'CLOCK.My aunt, who again stays all night, just left me. She came to tell me the result of my friends' deliberations about me. It is this: Next Wednesday morning they are all to be a.s.sembled: to wit, my father, mother, my uncles,
- 82 I have not pretended to make a merit with him on this score; for I plainly tell him, 'That could I, without an unpardonable sin, die when I would, I would sooner make death my choice, than take a step, which all the world, if not my own heart, would
- 83 But you are so very earnestly angry with me for proposing such a step, and have always so much to say for your side of any question, that I am afraid to urge it farther.--Only be so good (let me add) as to encourage me to resume it, if, upon farther consi
- 84 What therefore I might expect from my Anna Howe, I ought not from her mother; for would it not be very strange, that a person of her experience should be reflected upon because she gave not up her own judgment, where the consequence of her doing so would
- 85 SUNDAY EVENING, SEVEN O'CLOCK.There remains my letter still!--He is busied, I suppose, in his preparations for to-morrow. But then he has servants. Does the man think he is so secure of me, that having appointed, he need not give himself any further
- 86 She then hinted, That there were methods taken to come at all Mr.Lovelace's secrets, and even, from his careless communicativeness, at some secret of mine; it being, she said, his custom, boastingly to prate to his very servants of his intentions, in
- 87 In that case, pity and pray for me, my beloved friend; and continue to me that place in your affection, which is the pride of my life, and the only comfort left to Your CL. HARLOWE. LETTER XLVIII MISS CLARISSA HARLOWE, TO MISS HOWE ST. ALBANS, TUESDAY MOR
- 88 Clarissa.Volume 3.by Samuel Richardson.LETTER I MISS HOWE, TO MISS CLARISSA HARLOWE TUESDAY, NINE O'CLOCK.I write, because you enjoin me to do so. Love you still!--How can I help it, if I would? You may believe how I stand aghast, your letter communi
- 89 And then stooping to take up the key to let myself into the garden, he started, and looked as if he had heard somebody near the door, on the inside; clapping his hand on his sword.This frighted me so, that I thought I should have sunk down at his feet.But
- 90 They should conclude she is gone off by her own consent, that they may not pursue us: that they may see no hopes of tempting her back again. In either case, mischief might happen, you know.But you must take notice, that you are only to open the door with
- 91 But, on the wings of love, I fly to my charmer, who perhaps by this time is rising to encourage the tardy dawn. I have not slept a wink of the hour and half I lay down to invite sleep. It seems to me, that I am not so much body, as to require such a vulga
- 92 I was silent all this time. My blame was indeed turned inward.Sometimes, too, I was half-frighted at his audaciousness: at others, had the less inclination to interrupt him, being excessively fatigued, and my spirits sunk to nothing, with a view even of t
- 93 I should govern him as I pleased, he solemnly a.s.sured me, in every thing. But he still thought London was the best place for me; and if I were once safe there, and in a lodging to my liking, he would go to M.Hall. But, as I approved not of London, he wo
- 94 LETTER VII MR. LOVELACE, TO JOHN BELFORD, ESQ. TUESDAY, WEDN. APRIL 11, 12.You claim my promise, that I will be as particular as possible, in all that pa.s.ses between me and my G.o.ddess. Indeed, I never had a more ill.u.s.trious subject to exercise my p
- 95 LETTER VIII MISS HOWE, TO MISS CLARISSA HARLOWE WEDNESDAY NIGHT, APRIL 12.I have your narrative, my dear. You are the same n.o.ble creature you ever were. Above disguise, above art, above attempting to extenuate a failing.The only family in the world, you
- 96 Returning by the garden-door, they met a servant [they don't say, it was Joseph Leman; but it is very likely that it was he] running, as he said, from pursuing Mr. Lovelace (a great hedge-stake in his hand, and out of breath) to alarm the family.If i
- 97 If no other mediation than this can be procured to set on foot the wished-for reconciliation, and if my situation with Mr. Lovelace alter not in the interim, I must endeavour to keep myself in a state of independence till he arrive, that I may be at liber
- 98 One little piece of artifice I had recourse to: When she pushed so hard for me to leave her, I made a request to her, upon a condition she could not refuse; and pretended as much grat.i.tude upon her granting it, as if it were a favour of the last consequ
- 99 LETTER XIII MR. LOVELACE, TO JOHN BELFORD, ESQ. [IN CONTINUATION.]Never was there such a pair of scribbling lovers as we;--yet perhaps whom it so much concerns to keep from each other what each writes. She won't have any thing else to do. I would, if
- 100 * See Vol. II. Letter XXVII.That's the devil; and it was always my hard fate--every thing I do that is good, is but as I ought!--Every thing of a contrary nature is brought into the most glaring light against me--Is this fair? Ought not a balance to