st therefore choose to be mine, for the sake
of soldering up her reputation in the eye of that impudent world. For,
who that knows me, and knows that she has been in my power, though but
for twenty-four hours, will think her spotless as to fact, let her
inclination be what it will? And then human nature is such a well-known
rogue, that every man and woman judges by what each knows of him or
herself, that inclination is no more to be trusted, where an opportunity
is given, than I am; especially where a woman, young and blooming, loves
a man well enough to go off with him; for such will be the world's
construction in the present case.

She calls her maid Dorcas. No doubt, that I may hear her harmonious
voice, and to give me an opportunity to pour out my soul at her feet; to
renew all my vows; and to receive her pardon for the past offence: and
then, with what pleasure shall I begin upon a new score, and afterwards
wipe out that; and begin another, and another, till the last offence
passes; and there can be no other! And once, after that, to be forgiven,
will be to be forgiven for ever.

***

The door is again shut. Dorcas tells me, that her lady denies to admit me
to dine with her; a favour I had ordered the wench to beseech her to
grant me, the next time she saw her--not uncivilly, however, denies--
coming-to by degrees! Nothing but the last offence, the honest wench
tells me, in the language of her principals below, will do with her. The
last offence is meditating. Yet this vile recreant heart of mine plays
me booty.

But here I conclude; though the tyranness leaves me nothing to do but to
read, write, and fret.

Subscription is formal between us. Besides, I am so much her's, that I
cannot say how much I am thine or any other person's.

LETTER XXII

MISS CLARISSA HARLOWE, TO MISS HOWE
TUESDAY, MAY 9.

If, my dear, you approve of the application to my uncle Harlowe, I wish
it to be made as soon as possible. We are quite out again. I have shut
myself up from him. The offence indeed not so very great--and yet it is
too. He had like to have got a letter. One of your's. But never will
I write again, or re-peruse my papers, in an apartment where he thinks
himself entitled to come. He did not read a line of it. Indeed he did
not. So don't be uneasy. And depend upon future caution.

Thus it was. The sun being upon my closet, and Mr. Lovelace abroad--

She then gives Miss Howe an accou