but too well warranted in their reports of him: and, if the
ruin of this poor young creature be his aim, and if he had not known her
but for his visits to Harlowe-place, I shall have reason to be doubly
concerned for her; and doubly incensed against so vile a man.

* It will be seen in Vol.I.Letter XXXIV. that Mr. Lovelace's
motive for sparing his Rosebud was twofold. First, Because
his pride was gratified by the grandmother's desiring him to
spare her grand-daughter. Many a pretty rogue, say he, had I
spared, whom I did not spare, had my power been
acknowledged, and my mercy in time implored. But the
debellare superbos should be my motto, were I to have a new
one.

His other motive will be explained in the following passage, in the
same. I never was so honest, for so long together, says he, since my
matriculation. It behoves me so to be. Some way or other my recess [at
the little inn] may be found out, and it then will be thought that my
Rosebud has attracted me. A report in my favour, from simplicities so
amiable, may establish me, &c.

Accordingly, as the reader will hereafter see, Mr. Lovelace finds by the
effects, his expectations from the contrivance he set on foot by means
of his agent Joseph Leman (who plays, as above, upon Betty Barnes) fully
answered, though he could not know what passed on the occasion between
the two ladies.

This explanation is the more necessary to be given, as several of our
readers (through want of due attention) have attributed to Mr. Lovelace,
on his behaviour to his Rosebud, a greater merit than was due to him;
and moreover imagined, that it was improbable, that a man, who was
capable of acting so generously (as they supposed) in this instance,
should be guilty of any atrocious vileness. Not considering, that love,
pride, and revenge as he owns in Vol.I.Letter XXXI. were ingredients of
equal force in his composition; and that resistance was a stimulus to
him.

I think I hate him worse than I do Solmes himself.

But I will not add one more word about hi,; and after I have told you,
that I wish to know, as soon as possible what further occurs from your
inquiry. I have a letter from him; but shall not open it till I do:
and then, if it come out as I dare say it will, I will directly put the
letter unopened into the place I took it from, and never trouble myself
more about him. Adieu, my dearest friend.

CL. HARLOWE.

LETTER XXV