I send you, enclosed, copies of five letters that have passed between
Miss Howe and my Arabella. You are a person of so much prudence and good
sense, and (being a mother yourself) can so well enter into the
distresses of all our family, upon the rashness and ingratitude of a
child we once doated upon, that, I dare say, you will not countenance the
strange freedoms your daughter has taken with us all. These are not the
only ones we have to complain of; but we were silent on the others, as
they did not, as these have done, spread themselves out upon paper. We
only beg, that we may not be reflected upon by a young lady who knows not
what we have suffered, and do suffer by the rashness of a naughty
creature who has brought ruin upon herself, and disgrace upon a family
which she had robbed of all comfort. I offer not to prescribe to your
known wisdom in this case; but leave it to you to do as you think most
proper. I am, Madam,
Your most humble servant,
CHARL. HARLOWE.