Clarissa Harlowe, or the History of a Young Lady - Volume 4 — Letter XXXIX
MR.
LOVELACE, TO JOHN BELFORD, ESQ.
SATURDAY, MAY 20.
I am pleased with the sober reflection with which thou concludest thy last; and I thank thee for it.
Poor Belton!
--I did not think his Thomasine would have proved so very a devil.
But this must everlastingly be the risk of a keeper, who takes up with a low-bred girl.
This I never did.
Nor had I occasion to do it.
Such a one as I, Jack, needed only, till now, to shake the stateliest tree, and the mellowed fruit dropt into my mouth:--always of Montaigne's taste thou knowest:--thought it a glory to subdue a girl of family.
--More truly delightful to me the seduction- progress than the crowned act: for that's a vapour, a bubble!
and most cordially do I thank thee for thy indirect hint, that I am right in my pursuit.
From such a woman as Miss Harlowe, a man is secured from all the inconveniencies thou expatiatest upon.
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 heart!
--nor can it be a disgrace to me, to permit such a lady to be called by my name!
--nor shall I be at all concerned about the world's censure, if I live to the years of discretion, which thou mentionest, should I be taken in, and prevailed upon to tread with her the good old path of my ancestors.
A blessing on thy heart, thou honest fellow!
I thought thou wert in jest, and but acquitting thyself of an engagement to Lord M. when thou wert pleading for matrimony in behalf of this lady!
--It could not be principle, I knew, in thee: it could not be compassion--a little envy indeed I suspected!
--But now I see thee once more thyself: and once more, say I, a blessing on thy heart, thou true friend, and very honest fellow!
Now will I proceed with courage in all my schemes, and oblige thee with the continued narrative of my progressions towards bringing them to effect!
--but I could not forbear to interrupt my story, to show my gratitude.
LETTER XL
