ng
fell out to hinder your uncle's coming up in person, (which, however, he
did not then expect,) he would be satisfied if his friend the Captain
were proxy for him. I shall send a man and horse to-morrow to the
Captain, to be at greater certainty.

I send this by a special messenger, who will wait your pleasure in
relation to the impatiently-wished-for Thursday: which I humbly hope will
be signified by a line.

My Lord, though hardly sensible, and unmindful of every thing but of your
felicity, desires his most affectionate compliments to you. He has in
readiness to present to you a very valuable set of jewels, which he hopes
will be acceptable, whether he lives to see you adorn them or not.

Lady Sarah and Lady Betty have also their tokens of respect ready to
court your acceptance: but may Heaven incline you to give the opportunity
of receiving their personal compliments, and those of my cousins
Montague, before the next week be out!

His Lordship is exceeding ill. Dr. S. has no hopes of him. The only
consolation I can have for the death of a relation who loves me so well,
if he do die, must arise from the additional power it will put into my
hands of showing how much I am,

My dearest life,
Your ever-affectionate, faithful,
LOVELACE.

LETTER XXXVIII

MR. LOVELACE, TO MISS CLARISSA HARLOWE
[SUPERSCRIBED TO MRS. LOVELACE.]
M. HALL, SUNDAY NIGHT, JUNE 25.

MY DEAREST LOVE,

I cannot find words to express how much I am mortified at the return of
my messenger without a line from you.

Thursday is so near, that I will send messenger after messenger every
four hours, till I have a favourable answer; the one to meet the other,
till its eve arrives, to know if I may venture to appear in your presence
with the hope of having my wishes answered on that day.

Your love, Madam, I neither expect, nor ask for; nor will, till my future
behaviour gives you cause to think I deserve it. All I at present
presume to wish is, to have it in my power to do you all the justice I
can now do you: and to your generosity will I leave it, to reward me, as
I shall merit, with your affection.

At present, revolving my poor behaviour of Friday night before you, I
think I should sooner choose to go to my last audit, unprepared for it as
I am, than to appear in your presence, unless you give me some hope, that
I shall be received as your elected husband, rather than, (however
deserved,) as a detested criminal.

Let me, th