I wish you would not trouble me with any more of your letters. You had
always a knack at writing; and depended upon making every one do what you
would when you wrote. But your wit and folly have undone you. And now,
as all naughty creatures do, when they can't help themselves, you come
begging and praying, and make others as uneasy as yourself.
When I wrote last to you, I expected that I should not be at rest.
And so you'd creep on, by little and little, till you'll want to be
received again.
But you only hope for forgiveness and a blessing, you say. A blessing
for what, sister Clary? Think for what!--However, I read your letter to
my father and mother.
I won't tell you what my father said--one who has the true sense you
boast to have of your misdeeds, may guess, without my telling you, what a
justly-incensed father would say on such an occasion.
My poor mother--O wretch! what has not your ungrateful folly cost my poor
mother!--Had you been less a darling, you would not, perhaps, have been
so graceless: But I never in my life saw a cockered favourite come to
good.
My heart is full, and I can't help writing my mind; for your crimes have
disgraced us all; and I am afraid and ashamed to go to any public or
private assembly or diversion: And why?--I need not say why, when your
actions are the subjects either of the open talk, or of the affronting
whispers, of both sexes at all such places.
Upon the whole, I am sorry I have no more comfort to send you: but I find
nobody willing to forgive you.
I don't know what time may do for you; and when it is seen that your
penitence is not owing more to disappointment than to true conviction:
for it is too probable, Miss Clary, that, had not your feather-headed
villain abandoned you, we should have heard nothing of these moving
supplications; nor of any thing but defiances from him, and a guilt
gloried in from you. And this is every one's opinion, as well as that of
Your afflicted sister,
ARABELLA HARLOWE.
I send this by a particular hand, who undertakes to give it you or leave
it for you by to-morrow night.