Clarissa Harlowe; or the history of a young lady — Volume 7

by Samuel Richardson

  LETTER XIII

  MISS CHARLOTTE MONTAGUE, TO MISS HOWEM. HALL, TUESDAY AFTERNOON.

  DEAR MISS HOWE,

  Your letter has infinitely disturbed us all.

  This wretched man has been half distracted ever since Saturday night.

  We knew not what ailed him, till your letter was brought.

  Vile wretch, as he is, he is however innocent of this new evil.

  Indeed he is, he must be; as I shall more at large acquaint you.

  But will not now detain your messenger.

  Only to satisfy your just impatience, by telling you, that the dear younglady is safe, and we hope well.

  A horrid mistake of his general orders has subjected her to the terrorand disgrace of an arrest.

  Poor dear Miss Harlowe!--Her sufferings have endeared her to us, almostas much as her excellencies can have endeared her to you.

  But she must now be quite at liberty.

  He has been a distracted man, ever since the news was brought him; and weknew not what ailed him.

  But that I said before.

  My Lord M. my lady Sarah Sadleir, and my Lady Betty Lawrance, will allwrite to you this very afternoon.

  And so will the wretch himself.

  And send it by a servant of their own, not to detain your's.

  I know not what I write.

  But you shall have all the particulars, just, and true, and fair, from

  Dear Madam,Your most faithful and obedient servant,CH. MONTAGUE.