er let me observe, with respect to what you say, that there
cannot be the same reason for a prohibition of correspondence with me,
as there was of mine with Mr. Lovelace; that I thought as little of bad
consequences from my correspondence with him at the time, as you can do
from yours with me now. But, if obedience be a duty, the breach of it is
a fault, however circumstances may differ. Surely there is no merit in
setting up our own judgment against the judgments of our parents. And
if it is punishable so to do, I have been severely punished; and that is
what I warned you of from my own dear experience.

Yet, God forgive me! I advise thus against myself with very great
reluctance: and, to say truth, have not strength of mind, at present, to
decline it myself. But, if my occasion go not off, I will take it into
further consideration.

You give me very good advice in relation to this man; and I thank you
for it. When you bid me be more upon the reserve with him in expressing
my displeasure, perhaps I may try for it: but to palliate, as you call
it, that, my dearest Miss Howe, cannot be done, by

Your own, CLARISSA HARLOWE.

LETTER XXI

MISS CLARISSA HARLOWE, TO MISS HOWE

You may believe, my dear Miss Howe, that the circumstances of the noise
and outcry within the garden-door, on Monday last, gave me no small
uneasiness, to think that I was in the hands of a man, who could, by
such vile premeditation, lay a snare to trick me out of myself, as I
have so frequently called it.

Whenever he came in my sight, the thought of this gave me an indignation
that made his presence disgustful to me; and the more, as I fancied
I beheld in his face a triumph which reproached my weakness on that
account; although perhaps it was only the same vivacity and placidness
that generally sit upon his features.

I was resolved to task him upon this subject, the first time I could
have patience to enter upon it with him. For, besides that it piqued me
excessively from the nature of the artifice, I expected shuffling and
evasion, if he were guilty, that would have incensed me: and, if not
confessedly guilty, such unsatisfactory declarations as still would have
kept my mind doubtful and uneasy; and would, upon every new offence that
he might give me, sharpen my disgust to me.

I have had the opportunity I waited for; and will lay before you the
result.

He was making his court to my good opinion in very polite terms, and
with g