As you may depend upon all the little spiteful things they can offer,
instead of sending what you write for, pray accept the sum that I
tender. What will seven guineas do?--And I will find a way to send you
also any of my clothes and linen for present supply. I beg, my dear
Clarissa, that you will not put your Anna Howe upon a footing with
Lovelace, in refusing to accept of my offer. If you do not oblige me, I
shall be apt to think you rather incline to be obliged to him, than to
favour me. And if I find this, I shall not know how to reconcile it with
your delicacy in other respects.
Pray inform me of every thing that passes between you and him. My cares
for you (however needless, from your own prudence) make me wish you to
continue to be every minute. If any thing occur that you would tell me
of if I were present, fail not to put it down in writing, although
from your natural diffidence, it should not appear to you altogether so
worthy of your pen, or my knowing. A stander-by may see more of the game
than one that plays. Great consequences, like great folks, generally owe
their greatness to small causes, and little incidents.
Upon the whole, I do not now think it is in your power to dismiss him
when you please. I apprized you beforehand, that it would not. I
repeat, therefore, that were I you, I would at least seem to place
some confidence in him. So long as he is decent, you may. Very visibly
observable, to such delicacy as yours, must be that behaviour in him,
which will make him unworthy of some confidence.
Your relations, according to what old Antony says to my mother, and she
to me, (by way of threatening, that you will not gain your supposed ends
upon them by your flight,) seem to expect that you will throw yourself
into Lady Betty's protection; and that she will offer to mediate
for you. And they vow, that they will never hearken to any terms of
accommodation that shall come from that quarter; for I dare aver, that
your brother and sister will not let them cool--at least, till their
uncles have made such dispositions, and perhaps your father too, as they
would have them make.
As this letter will apprize you of an alteration in the place to which
you must direct your next, I send it by a friend of Mr. Hickman, who may
be depended upon. He has business in the neighbourhood of Mrs. Sorlings;
and he knows her. He will return to Mr. Hickman this night; and bring
back any letter you shall have ready to send, or can get ready. It is
moon-light. He'll not mind waiting for you. I choose not to send by any
of Mr. Hickman's servants--at present, however. Every hour is now,
or may be, important; and may make an alteration in your resolutions
necessary.
I hear at this instant, my mother calling about her, and putting every
body into motion. She will soon, I suppose, make me and my employment
the subjects of her inquiry.
Adieu, my dear. May heaven preserve you, and restore you with honour as
unsullied as your mind to
Your ever affectionate ANNA HOWE.