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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
- 101 --Which none but good men know.By all this, seest thou not how greatly preferable it is, on twenty accounts, to pursue a difficult rather than an easy chace? I have a desire to inculcate this pleasure upon thee, and to teach thee to fly at n.o.bler game t
- 102 Then who says Miss Clarissa Harlowe is the paragon of virtue?--Is virtue itself?All who know her, and have heard of her, it will be answered.Common bruit!--Is virtue to be established by common bruit only?--Has her virtue ever been proved?--Who has dared
- 103 For my part, I would not have put the cup from me, though married, had it been but in hope of finding reason to confirm my good opinion of my wife's honour; and that I might know whether I had a snake or a dove in my bosom.To my point--'What mus
- 104 MISS CLARISSA HARLOWE, TO MISS HOWE You tell me, my dear, that my clothes and the little sum of money I left behind me, will not be sent me.--But I will still hope. It is yet early days. When their pa.s.sions subside, they will better consider of the matt
- 105 Was ever such a wretch heard of!--I sighed from the bottom of my heart; but bid him proceed from the part I had interrupted him at.'I ordered the fellow, as I told you, Madam, said he, to keep within view of the garden-door: and if he found any parle
- 106 * Mr. Lovelace is as much out in his conjecture of Solomon, as of Socrates. The pa.s.sage is in Ecclesiasticus, chap. xxv.Come, come, Jack, you and I are not so very bad, could we but stop where we are.He then gives the particulars of what pa.s.sed betwee
- 107 I will not throw cold water, Mr. Lovelace, said I, on a rising flame: but look to it! for I shall endeavour to keep you up to this spirit. I shall measure your value of me by this test: and I would have you bear those charming lines of Mr. Rowe for ever i
- 108 When he comes to that part of his narrative, where he mentions of the proposing of the Lady's maid Hannah, or one of the young Sorlings, to attend her, thus he writes: Now, Belford, canst thou imagine what I meant by proposing Hannah, or one of the g
- 109 You know not, my dear, the worth of a virtuous man; and, n.o.ble-minded as you are in most particulars, you partake of the common weakness of human nature, in being apt to slight what is in your own power.You would not think of using Mr. Lovelace, were he
- 110 Then, Sir, let me tell you, had you been less upon your defiances, they would not have been irritated so much against you. But n.o.body ever heard, that avowed despite to the relations of a person was a proper courts.h.i.+p, either to that person, or to h
- 111 He has sent up three times to beg admittance; in the two last with unusual earnestness. But I have sent him word, I will finish what I am about.What to do about going from this place, I cannot tell. I could stay here with all my heart, as I have said to h
- 112 But how, said I, can I do that, were I even out of all hope of a reconciliation with my friends, (which yet, however unlikely to be effected, is my duty to attempt,) as her Ladys.h.i.+p has given me no particular invitation?That, he was sure, was owing to
- 113 You talk of reformation sometimes, Mr. Lovelace, and in so talking, acknowledge errors. But I see you can very ill bear the reproof, for which perhaps you are not solicitous to avoid giving occasion. Far be it from me to take delight in finding fault; I s
- 114 Belford was generally in the country, he could borrow till I was better accommodated.I was resolved to refuse these at the first mention, as I should any other he had named. Nevertheless, I will see, thought I, if he has really thought of these for me. If
- 115 I had not been a moment by myself, but I was sensible that I had half forfeited my newly-a.s.sumed character. It is exceedingly difficult, thou seest, for an honest man to act in disguises: as the poet says, Thrust Nature back with a pitchfork, it will re
- 116 They really are (every one of them) your very great admirers. And as for Lord M., he is so much pleased with you, and with the confidence, as he calls it, which you have reposed in his nephew, that he vows he will disinherit him, if he reward it not as he
- 117 Those in Cecil-street are neat and convenient. The owner is a widow of a good character; and she insists, that you take them for a twelvemonth certain.You may have good accommodations in Dover-street, at a widow's, the relict of an officer in the gua
- 118 I shall make good use of the Dolemanic hint of being married. But I will not tell thee all at once. Nor, indeed, have I thoroughly digested that part of my plot. When a general must regulate himself by the motions of a watchful adversary, how can he say b
- 119 Besides, I don't choose that she should know how much this artful wretch has outwitted, as I may call it, a person so much his superior in all the n.o.bler qualities of the human mind.The generosity of your heart, and the greatness of your soul, full
- 120 Mr. Hickman, my dear, is a modest man. I never see a modest man, but I am sure (if he has not wanted opportunities) that he has a treasure in his mind, which requires nothing but the key of encouragement to unlock it, to make him s.h.i.+ne--while a confid
- 121 When some folks find their anger has made them considerable, they will be always angry, or seeking occasions for anger.Why, now, Mr. Hickman--why, now, Nancy, [as I was huddling in the packet between my gown and my stays, at her entrance.] You have a lett
- 122 This, although teased by him as I was, was not, you see, my dear, a denial. But he must throw himself into a heat, rather than try to persuade; which any other man in his situation, I should think, would have done; and this warmth obliged me to adhere to
- 123 * See Vol.II. Letters XV. and XVI.Your Honner helped me to many ugly stories to tell against you Honner to my younge master, and younge mistriss; but did not tell me about this.I most humbelly beseche your Honner to be good and kinde and fethful to my dee
- 124 But it is because thou art honest--so I forgive thee. Whoever loves my divine Clarissa, loves me. Let James Harlowe call me what names he will, for his sisters sake I will bear them. Do not be concerned for me; her favour will make me rich amends; his own
- 125 I have been looking back on the whole of his conduct, and comparing it with his general character; and find that he is more consistently, more uniformly, mean, revengeful, and proud, than either of us once imagined.From his cradle, as I may say, as an onl
- 126 Has she not demonstrated, that even the highest provocations were not sufficient to warp her from her duty to her parents, though a native, and, as I may say, an originally involuntary duty, because native? And is not this a charming earnest that she will
- 127 LETTER LIII MISS CLARISSA HARLOWE, TO MISS HOWE [WITH THE PRECEDING.] SAT. MORN.APRIL 22.I have just now received the enclosed from my aunt Hervey. Be pleased, my dear, to keep her secret of having written to the unhappy wretch her niece.I may go to Londo
- 128 Your books, since they have not taught you what belongs to your family, to your s.e.x, and to your education, will not be sent to you. Your money neither. Nor yet the jewels so undeservedly made yours. For it is wished you may be seen a beggar along Londo
- 129 No articles drawn. No license ready. Grief so extreme: no pleasure in prospect, nor so much as in wish--O my dear, who could think of entering into so solemn an engagement? Who, so unprepared, could seem to be so ready?If I could flatter myself that my in
- 130 [Clarissa, in her answer to the first of the two last letters, chides her friend for giving so little weight to her advice, in relation to her behaviour to her mother. It may be proper to insert here the following extracts from that answer, though a littl
- 131 All hands at work in preparation for London.--What makes my heart beat so strong? Why rises it to my throat in such half-choking flutters, when I think of what this removal may do for me? I am hitherto resolved to be honest, and that increases my wonder a
- 132 I was always for forming a judgment of the reading part of the s.e.x by their books. The observations I have made on this occasion have been of great use to me, as well in England as out of it. The sagacious lady may possibly be as curious in this point a
- 133 Clarissa.Volume 4.by Samuel Richardson.LETTER I MISS CLARISSA HARLOWE, TO MISS HOWE WEDNESDAY AFTERNOON, APRIL 26.At length, my dearest Miss Howe, I am in London, and in my new lodgings.They are neatly furnished, and the situation, for the town, is pleasa
- 134 The observation was just, Miss Martin said; for that nothing could excuse the breaking of a solemn vow, be the occasion of making it what it would.I asked her after the nearest church; for I have been too long a stranger to the sacred wors.h.i.+p. They na
- 135 I charge you, Mr. Lovelace, say she, show none of your extravagant acts of kindness before me to this sullen, this gloomy beauty--I cannot bear it. Then was I reminded of her first sacrifice.What a rout do these women make about nothing at all! Were it no
- 136 He wavers in his resolutions whether to act honourable or not by a merit so exalted.He values himself upon his own delicacy, in expressing his indignation against her friends, for supposing what he pretends his heart rises against them for presuming to su
- 137 Well then, here are--let me see--How many persons are there who, after Monday night, will be able to swear that she has gone by my name, answered to my name, had no other view in leaving her friends but to go by my name? her own relations neither able nor
- 138 LETTER VI MISS CLARISSA HARLOWE, TO MISS HOWE SUNDAY, APRIL 30.[Mr. Lovelace, in his last letters, having taken notice of the most material pa.s.sages contained in this letter, the following extracts from it are only inserted.She gives pretty near the sam
- 139 Oh! my dear, were but a woman, who gives reason to the world to think her to be in love with a man, [And this must be believed to be my case; or to what can my supposed voluntary going off with Mr. Lovelace be imputed?]to reflect one moment on the exaltat
- 140 Heaven forbid that it should be known that you had it but once in your thought, be your motives ever so n.o.ble and generous, to follow so bad an example, the rather, as that you would, in such a case, want the extenuations that might be pleaded in my fav
- 141 Cursed severe!--Does she think she must not pay for it one day, or one night?--And if one, many; that's my comfort.I was in such a train of being happy, I said, before my earnestness to procure her to favour my friends with her company, that I wished
- 142 To pursue the comparison--If the disappointment of the captivated lady be very great, she will threaten, indeed, as I said: she will even refuse her sustenance for some time, especially if you entreat her much, and she thinks she gives you concern by her
- 143 To-morrow's sun--and then I disengage myself from the bashful pa.s.sive, and stalk about the room--to-morrow's sun shall gild the altar at which my vows shall be paid thee!Then, Jack, the rapture! then the darted sun-beams from her gladdened eye
- 144 What, my dearest cousin, shall I plead first to you on this occasion?Your duty, your interest, your temporal and your eternal welfare, do, and may all, depend upon this single point, the morality of a husband. A woman who hath a wicked husband may find it
- 145 Let me build on these foundations. I can but try, my dear. It is my duty to try all probable methods to restore the poor outcast to favour.And who knows but that once indulgent uncle, who has very great weight in the family, may be induced to interpose in
- 146 MR. LOVELACE, TO JOHN BELFORD, ESQ.TUESDAY, MAY 9.I am a very unhappy man. This lady is said to be one of the sweetest- tempered creatures in the world: and so I thought her. But to me she is one of the most perverse. I never was supposed to be an ill-nat
- 147 She calls her maid Dorcas. No doubt, that I may hear her harmonious voice, and to give me an opportunity to pour out my soul at her feet; to renew all my vows; and to receive her pardon for the past offence: and then, with what pleasure shall I begin upon
- 148 And lastly, to all who will know your story, you will be an excellent example of watchfulness, and of that caution and reserve by which a prudent person, who has been supposed to be a little misled, endeavours to mend her error; and, never once losing sig
- 149 GOOD MRS. NORTON, Cannot you, without naming me as an adviser, who am hated by the family, contrive a way to let Mrs. Harlowe know, that in an accidental conversation with me, you had been a.s.sured that my beloved friend pines after a reconciliation with
- 150 Norton, how shall I, how can you, support ourselves under the apprehensions to which these thoughts lead!He continually pressing her, you say, to marry him: his friends likewise.She has reason, no doubt she has reason, for this application to us: and her
- 151 Now indeed it is evident, my best, my only friend, that I have but one choice to make. And now I do find that I have carried my resentment against this man too far; since now I am to appear as if under an obligation to his patience with me for a conduct,
- 152 I was, however, resolved not to desert myself--Why, Sir! let us resolve to quit every regard for each other.--Nay, flame not out--I am a poor weak-minded creature in some things: but where what I should be, or not deserve to live, if I am not is in the qu
- 153 proposes to give me possession either of that which he has in Lancas.h.i.+re, [to which, by the way, I think I have a better t.i.tle than he has himself,] or that we call The Lawn, in Hertfords.h.i.+re, upon my nuptials with a lady whom he so greatly admi
- 154 I abruptly broke from him. I recollect, as I pa.s.sed by one of the pier- gla.s.ses, that I saw in it his clenched hand offered in wrath to his forehead: the words, Indifference, by his soul, next to hatred, I heard him speak; and something of ice he ment
- 155 Your ever affectionate and faithful ANNA HOWE.LETTER x.x.xV MR. BELFORD, TO ROBERT LOVELACE, ESQ.WEDNESDAY, MAY 17.I cannot conceal from you any thing that relates to yourself so much as the enclosed does. You will see what the n.o.ble writer apprehends f
- 156 Dear Sir, Your most faithful friend and servant, M.[Mr. Lovelace having not returned an answer to Mr. Belford's expostulary letter so soon as Mr. Belford expected, he wrote to him, expressing his apprehension that he had disobliged him by his honest
- 157 Dwell not always, Jack, upon one subject. Let me have poor Belton's story. The sooner the better. If I can be of service to him, tell him he may command me either in purse or person. Yet the former with a freer will than the latter; for how can I lea
- 158 Once more, therefore, do I thank thee, Belford, for thy approbation!--A man need not, as thou sayest, sneak into holes and corners, and shun the day, in the company of such a woman as this. How friendly in thee, thus to abet the favourite purpose of my he
- 159 MISS CLARISSA HARLOWE, TO MISS HOWE FRIDAY, MAY 19.I would not, if I could help it, be so continually brooding over the dark and gloomy face of my condition [all nature, you know, my dear, and every thing in it, has a bright and a gloomy side] as to be th
- 160 If Lovelace give you cause to leave him, take no thought for the people at Harlowe-place. Let them take care of one another. It is a care they are used to. The law will help to secure them. The wretch is no a.s.sa.s.sin, no night-murderer. He is an open,
- 161 Mother. I have a very serious matter to talk with you upon, Nancy, when you are disposed to attend to matters within ourselves, and not let matters without ourselves wholly engross you.A good selve-ish speech!--But I thought that friends.h.i.+p, grat.i.tu
- 162 M. Why, indeed, child--why, indeed, I must needs say--and then I should choose to do nothing (forward as you are sometimes) to hurt you.D. Why, as to that, Madam, I can't expect that you should deprive yourself of any satisfaction-- M. Satisfaction,
- 163 M. Yes, I suppose I am an old soul too.D. He also is for making a wise agreement, or hinting at one, at least.M. Well, the short and the long I suppose is this: I have not your consent to marry.D. Indeed, Madam, you have not my wishes to marry.M. Let me t
- 164 I was sure, that this fair-one, at so early an age, with a const.i.tution so firm, health so blooming, eyes so sparkling, expectations therefore so lively, and hope so predominating, could not be absolutely, and from her own vigilance, so guarded, and so
- 165 Miss Betterton, Miss Lockyer, are named--the man, (she irreverently repeats) she again calls a villain. Let me perish, I repeat, if I am called a villain for nothing!--She 'will have her uncle,' as Miss Harlowe requests, 'sounded about rece
- 166 I will have patience, Jack; I will have patience! My day is at hand.-- Then will I steel my heart with these remembrances.But here is a scheme to be thought of, in order to 'get my fair prize out of my hands, in case I give her reason to suspect me.&
- 167 'And let me ask you, Mr. Lovelace, why are my retirements to be thus invaded?--What can you have to say to me since last night, that I went with you so much against my will to the play? and after sitting up with you, equally against my will, till a v
- 168 No generosity in this lady. None at all. Wouldst thou not have thought, that after I had permitted her to withdraw, primed for mischief as I was, she would meet me next morning early; and that with a smile; making me one of her best courtesies?I was in th
- 169 Not yet visible!--My beloved is not well. What expectations had she from my ardent admiration of her!--More rudeness than revenge apprehended.Yet, how my soul thirsts for revenge upon both these ladies? I must have recourse to my master-strokes. This curs
- 170 --One favour, dearest creature--Let me but know, whether Miss Howe approves or disapproves of my proposals? I know her to be my enemy. I was intending to account to you for the change of behaviour you accused me of at the beginning of the conversation; bu
- 171 Dorcas found this paper in one of the drawers of her lady's dressing- table. She was reperusing it, as she supposes, when the honest wench carried my message to desire her to favour me at the tea-table; for she saw her pop a paper into the drawer as
- 172 I requested to see her upon it that moment.--But she desires to suspend our interview till morning. I will bring her to own, before I have done with her, that she can't see me too often.My impatience was so great, on an occasion so unexpected, that I
- 173 I kissed her unrepulsing hand no less than five times during this conversation. Lord, Jack, how my generous heart ran over!--She was quite obliging at parting.--She in a manner asked me leave to retire; to reperuse Charlotte's letter.--I think she be
- 174 And another saying he had, which was this: 'Neither can an opposition, neither can a ministry, be always wrong. To be a plumb man therefore with either, is an infallible mark, that that man must mean more and worse than he will own he does mean.'
- 175 'That The Lawn will be most acceptable to us both to retire to; and the rather, as it is so to his Lords.h.i.+p.'But, if he pleases, the jointure may be made from my own estate; leaving to his Lords.h.i.+p's goodness the alternative.'I
- 176 Enter the slow-moving, hooded-faced, down-looking plaintiffs.-- And first the widow, with a sorrowful countenance, though half-veiled, pitying her daughter more than herself. The people, the women especially, who on this occasion will be five-sixths of th
- 177 Now, Belford, I shall expect, that she will show some concern at the broken vessel, as it may be attended with fatal effects, especially to one so fiery in his temper as I have the reputation to be thought to be: and the rather, as I shall calmly attribut
- 178 Clarissa.Volume 5.by Samuel Richardson.LETTER I MR. LOVELACE, TO JOHN BELFORD, ESQ.FRIDAY EVENING.Just returned from an airing with my charmer, complied with after great importunity. She was attended by the two nymphs. They both topt their parts; kept the
- 179 * See Vol. IV. Letter x.x.xIV.** See Vol. I. Letter XII.*** See Vol. IV. Letter XIX, & seq.Nevertheless, let me tell you (what I hope I may justly tell you,) that if again he give me cause to resume distance and reserve, I hope my reason will gather stren
- 180 LETTER V MR. LOVELACE, TO JOHN BELFORD, ESQ.SUNDAY, MAY 28.This story of Captain Tomlinson employed us not only for the time we were together last night, but all the while we sat at breakfast this morning.She would still have it that it was the prelude to
- 181 My name is Tomlinson.Why then, Tomlinson, no liberty, as you call it, will be taken well, that is not extremely delicate, when that lady is mentioned.When you had heard me out, Mr. Lovelace, and had found I had so behaved, as to make the caution necessary
- 182 Capt. 'Well, Sir; but Mr. John Harlowe could not but better consider the matter afterwards. And he desired my advice how to act in it. He told me that no father ever loved a daughter as he loved this niece of his; whom, indeed, he used to call his da
- 183 What are the women below to me?--I want not to establish myself with them. Need they know all that pa.s.ses between my relations and you and me?Neither are they any thing to me, Madam. Only, that when, for the sake of preventing the fatal mischiefs which
- 184 And will you be so good as to allow of this, Mr. Lovelace?There, Belford! We were once the quarrelsome, but now we are the polite, lovers.Indeed, my dear creature, I will, if you desire it, and if Captain Tomlinson will engage that Mr. Harlowe shall keep
- 185 At last, my dear, all these doubts and fears were cleared up, and banished; and, in their place, a delightful prospect was opened to me.For it comes happily out, (but at present it must be an absolute secret, for reasons which I shall mention in the seque
- 186 Our discourse in this sweet airing turned upon our future manner of life.The day is bashfully promised me. Soon was the answer to my repeated urgency. Our equipage, our servants, our liveries, were parts of the delightful subject. A desire that the wretch
- 187 SAt.u.r.dAY, JUNE 3.Just returned from Doctors Commons. I have been endeavouring to get a license. Very true, Jack. I have the mortification to find a difficulty, as the lady is of rank and fortune, and as there is no consent of father or next friend, in
- 188 Let me perish, Belford, if I would not forego the brightest diadem in the world, for the pleasure of seeing a twin Lovelace at each charming breast, drawing from it his first sustenance; the pious task, for physical reasons,* continued for one month and n
- 189 A little mine, I call it. But it may be attended with great effects. I shall not, however, absolutely depend upon the success of it, having much more effectual ones in reserve. And yet great engines are often moved by small springs. A little spark falling
- 190 But do not even thy own frequent and involuntary remorses, when thou hast time, place, company, and every other circ.u.mstance, to favour thee in thy wicked design, convince thee, that there can be no room for a hope so presumptuous?--Why then, since thou
- 191 Nay, was it not he himself that brought to me my adorable Nemesis; and both together put me upon this very vow, 'That I would never rest till I had drawn in this G.o.ddess-daughter of the Harlowes to cohabit with me; and that in the face of all their
- 192 We have been extremely happy. How many agreeable days have we known together!--What may the next two hours produce.When I parted with my charmer, (which I did, with infinite reluctance, half an hour ago,) it was upon her promise that she would not sit up
- 193 Seeing her desperation, I begged her to be pacified; that she would hear me speak but one word; declaring that I intended no dishonour to her: and having seized the scissors, I threw them into the chimney; and she still insisting vehemently upon my distan
- 194 But seest thou not that I have a claim of merit for a grace that every body hitherto had denied me? and that is for a capacity of being moved by prayers and tears--Where, where, on this occasion, was the callous, where the flint, by which my heart was sai
- 195 How did the dear creature look, Dorcas?She was dressed. She turned her face quite from me; and sighed, as if her heart would break.Sweet creature:--I kissed the wet wafer, and drew it from the paper with my breath.These are the contents.--No inscriptive S
- 196 TO MR. LOVELACE The more you tease me, the worse it will be for you.Time is wanted to consider whether I ever should think of you at all.At present, it is my sincere wish, that I may never more see your face.All that can afford you the least shadow of fav
- 197 But no more in this strain!--I will see what her behaviour will be on my return--yet already do I begin to apprehend some little sinkings, some little retrogradations: for I have just now a doubt arisen, whether, for her own sake, I should wish her to for
- 198 'She then ordered him to carry another (which she gave him) to the Horn Tavern to me.--All this done without any seeming hurry: yet she appeared to be very solemn; and put her handkerchief frequently to her eyes.'Will. pretended to come to me wi
- 199 A letter from Miss Howe to her cruel friend!-- I made no scruple to open it.It is a miracle that I fell not into fits at the reading of it; and at the thought of what might have been the consequence, had it come into the hands of this Clarissa Harlowe. Le
- 200 >>> Yet, methinks, the story is so plausible--Tom- linson, as you describe him, is so good a man, and so much of a gentleman; the end to be answered >>> by his being an impostor, so much more than neces- sary if Lovelace has villany in h