MR. LOVELACE, TO MISS CLARISSA HARLOWE [SUPERSCRIBED TO MRS. LOVELACE.]
M. HALL, WED. MORNING, ONE O’CLOCK, JUNE 28.
Not one line, my dearest life, not one word, in answer to three letters
I have written! The time is now so short, that this must be the last
letter that can reach you on this side the important hour that might
make us legally one.
My friend, Mr. Belford, is apprehensive, that he cannot wait upon you
in time, by reason of some urgent affairs of his own.
I the less regret the disappointment, because I have procured a more
acceptable person, as I hope, to attend you; Captain Tomlinson I mean:
to whom I had applied for this purpose, before I had Mr. Belford’s
answer.
I was the more solicitous to obtain his favour form him, because of the
office he is to take upon him, as I humbly presume to hope, to-morrow.
That office obliged him to be in town as this day: and I acquainted him
with my unhappy situation with you; and desired that he would show me,
on this occasion, that I had as much of his favour and friendship as
your uncle had; since the whole treaty must be broken off, if he could
not prevail upon you in my behalf.
He will dispatch the messenger directly; whom I propose to meet in
person at Slough; either to proceed onward to London with a joyful
heart, or to return back to M. Hall with a broken one.
I ought not (but cannot help it) to anticipate the pleasure Mr.
Tomlinson proposes to himself, in acquainting you with the likelihood
there is of your mother’s seconding your uncle’s views. For, it seems,
he has privately communicated to her his laudable intentions: and her
resolution depends, as well as his, upon what to-morrow will produce.
Disappoint not then, I beseech you, for an hundred persons’ sakes, as
well as for mine, that uncle and that mother, whose displeasure I have
heard you so often deplore.
You may think it impossible for me to reach London by the canonical
hour. If it should, the ceremony may be performed in your own
apartments, at any time in the day, or at night: so that Captain
Tomlinson may have it to aver to your uncle, that it was performed on
his anniversary.
Tell but the Captain, that you forbid me not to attend you: and that
shall be sufficient for bringing to you, on the wings of love,
Your ever-grateful and affectionate LOVELACE.