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

by Samuel Richardson

  LETTER XXXVIII

  MRS. HARLOWE, TO MRS. HOWESAT. JULY 22.

  DEAR MADAM,

  I send you, enclosed, copies of five letters that have passed betweenMiss Howe and my Arabella. You are a person of so much prudence and goodsense, and (being a mother yourself) can so well enter into thedistresses of all our family, upon the rashness and ingratitude of achild we once doated upon, that, I dare say, you will not countenance thestrange freedoms your daughter has taken with us all. These are not theonly ones we have to complain of; but we were silent on the others, asthey did not, as these have done, spread themselves out upon paper. Weonly beg, that we may not be reflected upon by a young lady who knows notwhat we have suffered, and do suffer by the rashness of a naughtycreature who has brought ruin upon herself, and disgrace upon a familywhich she had robbed of all comfort. I offer not to prescribe to yourknown wisdom in this case; but leave it to you to do as you think mostproper. I am, Madam,

  Your most humble servant,CHARL. HARLOWE.