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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
- 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
- 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
- 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
- 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
- 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
- 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
- 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
- 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
- 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
- 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
- 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
- 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
- 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
- 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
- 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
- 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
- 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
- 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
- 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
- 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
- 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
- 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
- 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
- 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
- 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
- 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
- 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
- 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
- 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
- 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
- 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
- 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
- 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
- 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
- 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
- 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
- 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
- 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
- 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
- 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
- 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
- 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
- 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
- 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
- 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
- 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,
- 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
- 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
- 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
- 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
- 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
- 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
- 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
- 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
- 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
- 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
- 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
- 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
- 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
- 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
- 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
- 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
- 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
- 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
- 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
- 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.
- 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
- 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,
- 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
- 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
- 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
- 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
- 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
- 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,
- 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
- 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
- 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
- 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
- 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
- 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
- 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
- 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
- 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
- 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
- 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
- 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
- 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
- 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
- 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,
- 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
- 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
- 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
- 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
- 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
- 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
- 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
- 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
- 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
- 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
- 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