LETTER XXVIII
MISS HOWE, TO MISS CLARISSA HARLOWE. FRIDAY NOON, MARCH 31.
Justice obliges me to forward this after my last on the wings of thewind, as I may say. I really believe the man is innocent. Of thisone accusation, I think he must be acquitted; and I am sorry I was soforward in dispatching away my intelligence by halves.
I have seen the girl. She is really a very pretty, a very neat, and,what is still a greater beauty, a very innocent young creature. He whocould have ruined such an undersigned home-bred, must have beenindeed infernally wicked. Her father is an honest simple man; entirelysatisfied with his child, and with her new acquaintance.
I am almost afraid for your heart, when I tell you, that I find, now Ihave got to the bottom of this inquiry, something noble come out in thisLovelace's favour.
The girl is to be married next week; and this promoted and brought aboutby him. He is resolved, her father says, to make one couple happy,and wishes he could make more so [There's for you, my dear!] And sheprofesses to love, he has given her an hundred pounds: the grandmotheractually has it in her hands, to answer to the like sum given to theyouth by one of his own relation: while Mr. Lovelace's companion,attracted by the example, has given twenty-five guineas to the father,who is poor, towards clothes to equip the pretty rustic.
Mr. Lovelace and his friend, the poor man says, when they first came tohis house, affected to appear as persons of low degree; but now he knowsthe one (but mentioned it in confidence) to be Colonel Barrow, the otherCaptain Sloane. The colonel he owns was at first very sweet upon hisgirl: but her grandmother's begging of him to spare her innocence, hevowed, that he never would offer any thing but good counsel to her. Hekept his word; and the pretty fool acknowledged, that she nevercould have been better instructed by the minister himself from thebible-book!--The girl pleased me so well, that I made her visit to meworth her while.
But what, my dear, will become of us now?--Lovelace not only reformed,but turned preacher!--What will become of us now?--Why, my sweet friend,your generosity is now engaged in his favour!--Fie upon this generosity!I think in my heart, that it does as much mischief to the noble-minded,as love to the ignobler.--What before was only a conditional liking, Iam now afraid will turn to liking unconditional.
I could not endure to change my invective into panegyric all at once,and so soon. We, or such as I at least, love to keep ourselves incountenance for a rash judgment, even when we know it to be rash.Everybody has not your generosity in confessing a mistake. It requiresa greatness of soul frankly to do it. So I made still further inquiryafter his life and manner, and behaviour there, in hopes to findsomething bad: but all uniform!
Upon the whole, Mr. Lovelace comes out with so much advantage from thisinquiry, that were there the least room for it, I should suspect thewhole to be a plot set on foot to wash a blackamoor white. Adieu, mydear.
ANNA HOWE.
Clarissa Harlowe; or the history of a young lady — Volume 2 Page 30
