often to our disappointment, with the daughters; and who has been very
busy in assisting these double-armed beauties against me; I swear by all
the dii majores, as well as minores, that I will have Miss Howe, if I
cannot have her more exalted friend! And then, if there be as much
flaming love between these girls as they pretend, will my charmer profit
by her escape?

And now, that I shall permit Miss Howe to reign a little longer, let me
ask thee, if thou hast not, in the enclosed letter, a fresh instance,
that a great many of my difficulties with her sister-toast are owing to
this flighty girl?--'Tis true that here was naturally a confounded sharp
winter air; and if a little cold water was thrown into the path, no
wonder that it was instantly frozen; and that the poor honest traveller
found it next to impossible to keep his way; one foot sliding back as
fast as the other advanced, to the endangering of his limbs or neck. But
yet I think it impossible that she should have baffled me as she has done
(novice as she is, and never before from under her parents' wings) had
she not been armed by a virago, who was formerly very near showing that
she could better advise than practise. But this, I believe, I have said
more than once before.

I am loth to reproach myself, now the cruel creature has escaped me; For
what would that do, but add to my torment? since evils self-caused, and
avoidable, admit not of palliation or comfort. And yet, if thou tellest
me, that all her strength was owing to my weakness, and that I have been
a cursed coward in this whole affair; why, then, Jack, I may blush, and
be vexed; but, by my soul, I cannot contradict thee.

But this, Belford, I hope--that if I can turn the poison of the enclosed
letter into wholesome ailment; that is to say, if I can make use of it to
my advantage; I shall have thy free consent to do it.

I am always careful to open covers cautiously, and to preserve seals
entire. I will draw out from this cursed letter an alphabet. Nor was
Nick Rowe ever half so diligent to learn Spanish, at the Quixote
recommendation of a certain peer, as I will be to gain the mastery of
this vixen's hand.

LETTER XXI

MISS CLARISSA HARLOWE, TO MISS HOWE
THURSDAY EVENING, JUNE 8.

After my last, so full of other hopes, the contents of this will surprise
you. O my dearest friend, the man has at last proved himself to be a
villain!

It was with the utmost difficulty last night, th