LETTER IX

MR. LOVELACE, TO JOHN BELFORD, ESQ.

TUESDAY, MAY 30.

I have a letter from Lord M. Such a one as I would wish for, if I

intended matrimony. But as matters are circumstanced, I cannot think of

showing it to my beloved.

My Lord regrets, 'that he is not to be the Lady's nuptial father. He

seems apprehensive that I have still, specious as my reasons are, some

mischief in my head.'

He graciously consents, 'that I may marry when I please; and offers one

or both of my cousins to assist my bride, and to support her spirits on

the occasion; since, as he understands, she is so much afraid to venture

with me.

'Pritchard, he tells me, has his final orders to draw up deeds for

assigning over to me, in perpetuity, 1000£. per annum: which he will

execute the same hour that the lady in person owns her marriage.'

Clarissa Harlowe; or the history of a young lady — Volume 5 · 第 26 / 145 题