the cruelest circumstances that attends the faults of the
inconsiderate, that she makes all who love her unhappy, and gives joy
only to her own enemies, and to the enemies of her family.

What an useful lesson would this afford, were it properly inculcated at
the time that the tempted mind was balancing upon a doubtful adventure?

You know not, my dear, the worth of a virtuous man; and, noble-minded as
you are in most particulars, you partake of the common weakness of human
nature, in being apt to slight what is in your own power.

You would not think of using Mr. Lovelace, were he your suitor, as you
do the much worthier Mr. Hickman--would you?--You know who says in
my mother's case, 'Much will bear, much shall bear, all the world
through.'* Mr. Hickman, I fancy, would be glad to know the lady's name,
who made such an observation. He would think it hardly possible, but
such a one should benefit by her own remark; and would be apt to wish
his Miss Howe acquainted with her.

* See Vol.I. Letter X.

Gentleness of heart, surely, is not despicable in a man. Why, if it be,
is the highest distinction a man can arrive at, that of a gentleman?--A
distinction which a prince may not deserve. For manners, more than
birth, fortune, or title, are requisite in this character. Manners are
indeed the essence of it. And shall it be generally said, and Miss Howe
not be an exception to it (as you once wrote), that our sex are best
dealt with by boisterous and unruly spirits?*

* See Vol.II. Letter III.

Forgive me, my dear, and love me as you used to do. For although my
fortunes are changed, my heart is not: Nor ever will, while it bids my
pen tell you, that it must cease to bear, when it is not as much yours
as

Your CL. HARLOWE.

LETTER XXIX

MISS CLARISSA HARLOWE, TO MISS HOWE. SATURDAY EVENING.

Mr. Lovelace has seen divers apartments at Windsor; but not one, he
says, that he thought fit for me, and which, at the same time, answered
my description.

He has been very solicitous to keep to the letter of my instructions:
which looked well: and the better I like him, as, although he proposed
that town, he came back, dissuading me from it: for he said, that, in
his journey from thence, he had thought Windsor, although of his own
proposal, a wrong choice; because I coveted privacy, and that was a
place generally visited and admired.*

* This inference of the Lady in his favour is exactly what h