Clarissa Harlowe, Volume 9 (of 9) by Samuel Richardson

S >> Samuel Richardson >> Clarissa Harlowe, Volume 9 (of 9)

Pages:
1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 20 | 21 | 22 | 23

CLARISSA HARLOWE

or the

HISTORY OF A YOUNG LADY

Nine Volumes
Volume IX.

CONTENTS OF VOLUME IX

LETTER I. Belford to Lovelace.--
Her silent devotion. Strong symptoms of her approaching dissolution.
Comforts her cousin and him. Wishes she had her parents' last blessing:
but God, she says, would not let her depend for comfort on any but
Himself. Repeats her request to the Colonel, that he will not seek to
avenge her wrongs; and to Belford, that he will endeavour to heal all
breaches.

LETTER II. From the same.--
The Colonel writes to Mr. John Harlowe that they may now spare themselves
the trouble of debating about a reconciliation. The lady takes from her
bosom a miniature picture of Miss Howe, to be given to Mr. Hickman after
her decease. Her affecting address to it, on parting with it.

LETTER III. Belford to Mowbray.--
Desires him and Tourville to throw themselves in the way of Lovelace, in
order to prevent him doing either mischief to himself or others, on the
receipt of the fatal news which he shall probably send him in an hour or
two.

LETTER IV. Lovelace to Belford.--
A letter filled with rage, curses, and alternate despair and hope.

LETTER V. Belford to Lovelace.--
With the fatal hint, that he may take a tour to Paris, or wherever else
his destiny shall lead him.

LETTER VI. Mowbray to Belford.--
With the particulars, in his libertine manner, of Lovelace's behaviour
on his receiving the fatal breviate, and of the distracted way he is in.

LETTER VII. Belford to Lovelace.--
Particulars of Clarissa's truly christian behaviour in her last hours. A
short sketch of her character.

LETTER VIII. From the same.--
The three next following letters brought by a servant in livery, directed
to the departed lady, viz.

LETTER IX. From Mrs. Norton.--
With the news of a general reconciliation upon her own conditions.

LETTER X. From Miss Arabella.--
In which she assures her of all their returning love and favour.

LETTER XI. From Mr. John Harlowe.--
Regretting that things have been carried so far; and desiring her to
excuse his part in what had passed.

LETTER XII. Belford to Lovelace.--
His executorial proceedings. Eleven posthumous letters of the lady.
Copy of one of them written to himself. Tells Lovelace of one written to
him, in pursuance of her promise in her allegorical letter. (See Letter
XVIII. of Vol. VIII.) Other executorial proceedings. The Colonel's
letter to James Harlowe, signifying Clarissa's request to be buried at
the feet of her grandfather.

LETTER XIII. From the same.--
Mrs. Norton arrives. Her surprise and grief to find her beloved young
lady departed. The posthumous letters calculated to give comfort, and
not to reproach.

LETTER XIV. XV. XVI. XVII. XVIII.
Copies of Clarissa's posthumous letters to her father, mother, brother,
sister, and uncle.

Substance of her letter to her aunt Hervey, concluding with advice to her
cousin Dolly.

Substance of her letter to Miss Howe, with advice in favour of Mr.
Hickman.

LETTER XIX. Belford to Lovelace.--
The wretched Sinclair breaks her leg, and dispatches Sally Martin to beg
a visit from him, and that he will procure for her the
forgiveness. Sally's remorse for the treatment she gave her at
Rowland's. Acknowledges the lady's ruin to be in a great measure owing
to their instigations.

LETTER XX. From the same.--
Miss Howe's distress on receiving the fatal news, and the posthumous
letters directed to her. Copy of James Harlowe's answer to Colonel
Morden's letter, in which he relates the unspeakable distress of the
family; endeavours to exculpate himself; desires the body may be sent
down to Harlowe-place; and that the Colonel will favour them with his
company.

LETTER XXI. Belford to Lovelace.--
The corpse sent down, attended by the Colonel and Mrs. Norton.

LETTER XXII. Mowbray to Belford.--
An account of Lovelace's delirious unmanageableness, and extravagant
design, had they not all interposed. They have got Lord M. to him. He
endeavours to justify Lovelace by rakish principles, and by a true story
of a villany which he thinks greater than that of Lovelace by Clarissa.

LETTER XXIII. Lovelace to Belford.--
Written in the height of his delirium. The whole world, he says, is but
one great Bedlam. Every one in it mad but himself.

LETTER XXIV. Belford to Mowbray.--
Desires that Lovelace, on his recovery, may be prevailed upon to go
abroad; and why. Exhorts him and Tourville to reform, as he is resolved
to do.

LETTER XXV. Belford to Lovelace.--
Describing the terrible impatience, despondency, and death of the
wretched Sinclair.

[As the bad house is often mentioned in this work, without any other
stigma than what arises from the wicked principles and actions
occasionally given of the wretches who inhabit it; Mr. Belford here
enters into the secret retirements of those creatures, and exposes them
in the appearances they are supposed to make, before they are tricked out
to ensnare weak and inconsiderate minds.]

LETTER XXVI. Colonel Morden to Mr. Belford.--
With an account of his arrival at Harlowe-place before the body. The
dreadful distress of the whole family in expectation of its coming. The
deep remorse of James and Arabella Harlowe. Mutual recriminations on
recollecting the numerous instances of their inexorable cruelty. Mrs.
Norton so ill he was forced to leave her at St. Alban's. He dates again
to give a farther account of their distress on the arrival of the hearse.
Solemn respect paid to her memory by crowds of people.

LETTER XXVII. From the same.--
Farther interesting accounts of what passed among the Harlowes. Miss
Howe expected to see, for the last time, her beloved friend.

LETTER XXVIII. From the same.--
Miss Howe arrives. The Colonel receives her. Her tender woe; and
characteristic behaviour.

LETTER XXIX. Colonel Morden to Mr. Belford.--
Mrs. Norton arrives. Amended in spirits. To what owing. Farther
recriminations of the unhappy parents. They attempt to see the corpse;
but cannot. Could ever wilful hard-heartedness, the Colonel asks, be
more severely punished? Substance of the lady's posthumous letter to
Mrs. Norton.

LETTER XXX. From the same.--
Account of the funeral solemnity. Heads of the eulogium. The universal
justice done to the lady's great and good qualities. Other affecting
particulars.

LETTER XXXI. Belford to Colonel Morden.--
Compliments him on his pathetic narratives. Farther account of his
executorial proceedings.

LETTER XXXII. James Harlowe to Belford.

LETTER XXXIII. Mr. Belford. In answer.

The lady's LAST WILL. In the preamble to which, as well as in the body
of it, she gives several instructive hints; and displays, in an exemplary
manner, her forgiving spirit, her piety, her charity, her gratitude, and
other christian and heroic virtues.

LETTER XXXIV. Colonel Morden to Mr. Belford.--
The will read. What passed on the occasion.

LETTER XXXV. Belford to Lord M.--
Apprehends a vindictive resentment from the Colonel.--Desires that Mr.
Lovelace may be prevailed upon to take a tour.

LETTER XXXVI. Miss Montague. In answer.

Summary account of proceedings relating to the execution of the lady's
will, and other matters. Substance of a letter from Mr. Belford to Mr.
Hickman; of Mr. Hickman's answer; and of a letter from Miss Howe to Mr.
Belford.

LETTER XXXVII. Lovelace to Belford.--
Describing his delirium as dawning into sense and recollection. All is
conscience and horror with him, he says. A description of his misery at
its height.

LETTER XXXVIII. From the same.--
Revokes his last letter, as ashamed of it. Yet breaks into fits and
starts, and is ready to go back again. Why, he asks, did his mother
bring him up to know no controul? His heart sickens at the recollection
of what he was. Dreads the return of his malady. Makes an effort to
forget all.

LETTER XXXIX. Lovelace to Belford.--
Is preparing to leave the kingdom. His route. Seasonable warnings,
though delivered in a ludicrous manner, on Belford's resolution to
reform. Complains that he has been strangely kept in the dark of late.
Demands a copy of the lady's will.

LETTER XL. Belford to Lovelace.--
Justice likely to overtake his instrument Tomlinson. On what occasion.
The wretched man's remorse on the lady's account. Belford urges Lovelace
to go abroad for his health. Answers very seriously to the warnings he
gives him. Amiable scheme for the conduct of his future life.

LETTER XLI. Lovelace to Belford.--
Pities Tomlinson. Finds that he is dead in prison. Happy that he lived
not to be hanged. Why. No discomfort so great but some comfort may be
drawn from it. Endeavours to defend himself by a whimsical case which
he puts between A. a miser, and B. a thief.

LETTER XLII. From the same.--
Ridicules him on the scheme of life he has drawn out for himself. In his
manner gives Belford some farther cautions and warnings. Reproaches him
for not saving the lady. A breach of confidence in some cases is more
excusable than to keep a secret. Rallies him on his person and air, on
his cousin Charlotte, and the widow Lovick.

LETTER XLIII. Mr. Belford to Colonel Morden.--
On a declaration he had made, of taking vengeance of Mr. Lovelace. His
arguments with him on that subject, from various topics.

LETTER XLIV. The Lady's posthumous letter to her cousin Morden.--
Containing arguments against DUELLING, as well as with regard to her
particular case, as in general. See also Letter XVI. to her brother, on
the same subject.

LETTER XLV. Colonel Morden to Mr. Belford.--
In answer to his pleas against avenging his cousin. He paints in very
strong colours the grief and distress of the whole family, on the loss of
a child, whose character and excellencies rise upon them to their
torment.

LETTER XLVI. Colonel Morden to Mr. Belford.--
Farther particulars relating to the execution of the lady's will. Gives
his thoughts of women's friendships in general; of that of Miss Howe and
his cousin, in particular. An early habit of familiar letter-writing,
how improving. Censures Miss Howe for her behaviour to Mr. Hickman. Mr.
Hickman's good character. Caution to parents who desire to preserve
their children's veneration for them. Mr. Hickman, unknown to Miss Howe,
puts himself and equipage in mourning for Clarissa. Her lively turn upon
him on that occasion. What he, the Colonel, expects from the generosity
of Miss Howe, in relation to Mr. Hickman. Weakness of such as are afraid
of making their last wills.

LETTER XLVII. Belford to Miss Howe.--
With copies of Clarissa's posthumous letters; and respectfully, as from
Colonel Morden and himself, reminding her of her performing her part of
her dear friend's last desires, in making one of the most deserving men
in England happy. Informs her of the delirium of Lovelace, in order to
move her compassion for him, and of the dreadful death of Sinclair and
Tomlinson.

LETTER XLVIII. Miss Howe to Mr. Belford.--
Observations on the letters and subjects he communicates to her. She
promises another letter, in answer to his and Colonel Morden's call upon
her in Mr. Hickman's favour. Applauds the Colonel for purchasing her
beloved friend's jewels, in order to present them to Miss Dolly Hervey.

LETTER XLIX. From the same.--
She accounts for, though not defends, her treatment of Mr. Hickman. She
owns that he is a man worthy of a better choice; that she values no man
more than him: and assures Mr. Belford and the Colonel that her
endeavours shall not be wanting to make him happy.

LETTER L. Mr. Belford to Miss Howe.--
A letter full of grateful acknowledgements for the favour of her's.

LETTER LI. Lord M. to Mr. Belford.--
Acquainting him with his kinsman's setting out for London, in order to
embark. Wishes him to prevent a meeting between him and Mr. Morden.

LETTER LII. Mr. Belford to Lord M.--
Has had a visit from Mr. Lovelace. What passed between them on the
occasion. Has an interview with Colonel Morden.

LETTER LIII. Mr. Belford to Lord M.--
Just returned from attending Mr. Lovelace part of his way towards Dover.
Their solemn parting.

LETTER LIV. From the same.--
An account of what passed between himself and Colonel Morden at their
next meeting. Their affectionate parting.

LETTER LV. Miss Howe to Mr. Belford.--
Gives, at his request, the character of her beloved friend at large; and
an account of the particular distribution of her time in the twenty-four
hours of the natural day.

LETTER LVI. Lovelace to Belford, from Paris.--
Conscience the conqueror of souls. He cannot run away from his
reflections. He desires a particular account of all that has passed
since he left England.

LETTER LVII. Belford to Lovelace.--
Answers him as to all the particulars he writes about.

LETTER LVIII. Lovelace to Belford.--
Has received a letter from Joseph Leman (who, he says, is
conscience-ridden) to inform him that Colonel Morden resolves to have his
will of him. He cannot bear to be threatened. He will write to the
Colonel to know his purpose. He cannot get off his regrets on account of
the dear lady for the blood of him.

LETTER LIX. Belford to Lovelace.--
It would be matter of serious reflection to him, he says, if that very
Leman, who had been his machine, should be the instrument of his fall.

LETTER LX. Lovelace to Belford.--
Has written to the Colonel to know his intention: but yet in such a
manner that he may handsomely avoid taking it as a challenge; though, in
the like case, he owns that he himself should not. Copy of his letter to
the Colonel.

LETTER LXI. From the same.--
He is now in his way to Trent, in order to meet Colonel Morden. He is
sure of victory: but will not, if he can help it, out of regard to
Clarissa, kill the Colonel.

LETTER LXII. From the same.--
Interview with Colonel Morden. To-morrow, says he, is the day that will,
in all probability, send either one or two ghosts to attend the manes of
my Clarissa. He doubts not to give the Colonel his life, or his death;
and to be able, by next morning eleven, to write all the particulars.

LETTER LXIV. THE ISSUE OF THE DUEL.

CONCLUSION

POSTSCRIPT

THE HISTORY

OF

CLARISSA HARLOWE

LETTER I

MR. BELFORD
[IN CONTINUATION.]
SOHO, SIX O'CLOCK, SEPT. 7.

The lady is still alive. The Colonel having just sent his servant to let
me know that she inquired after me about an hour ago, I am dressing to
attend her. Joel begs of me to dispatch him back, though but with one
line to gratify your present impatience. He expects, he says, to find
you at Knightsbridge, let him make what haste he can back; and, if he has
not a line or two to pacify you, he is afraid you will pistol him; for he
apprehends that you are hardly yourself. I therefore dispatch this, and
will have another ready, as soon as I can, with particulars.--But you
must have a little patience; for how can I withdraw myself every half
hour to write, if I am admitted to the lady's presence, or if I am with
the Colonel?

SMITH'S, EIGHT IN THE MORNING.

The lady is in a slumber. Mrs. Lovick, who sat up with her, says she had
a better night than was expected; for although she slept little, she
seemed easy; and the easier for the pious frame she was in; all her
waking moments being taken up in devotion, or in an ejaculatory silence;
her hands and eyes often lifted up, and her lips moving with a fervour
worthy of these her last hours.

TEN O'CLOCK.

The Colonel being earnest to see his cousin as soon as she awoke, we were
both admitted. We observed in her, as soon as we entered, strong
symptoms of her approaching dissolution, notwithstanding what the women
had flattered us with from her last night's tranquillity.--The Colonel
and I, each loth to say what we thought, looked upon one another with
melancholy countenances.

The Colonel told her he should send a servant to her uncle Antony's for
some papers he had left there; and asked if she had any commands that
way.

She thought not, she said, speaking more inwardly than she did the day
before. She had indeed a letter ready to be sent to her good Norton; and
there was a request intimated in it. But it was time enough, if the
request were signified to those whom it concerned when all was over.
--However, it might be sent them by the servant who was going that way.
And she caused it to be given to the Colonel for that purpose.

Her breath being very short, she desired another pillow. Having two
before, this made her in a manner sit up in her bed; and she spoke then
with more distinctness; and, seeing us greatly concerned, forgot her own
sufferings to comfort us; and a charming lecture she gave us, though a
brief one, upon the happiness of a timely preparation, and upon the
hazards of a late repentance, when the mind, as she observed, was so much
weakened, as well as the body, as to render a poor soul hardly able to
contend with its natural infirmities.

I beseech ye, my good friends, proceeded she, mourn not for one who
mourns not, nor has cause to mourn, for herself. On the contrary,
rejoice with me, that all my worldly troubles are so near to their end.
Believe me, Sirs, that I would not, if I might, choose to live, although
the pleasantest part of my life were to come over again: and yet eighteen
years of it, out of nineteen, have been very pleasant. To be so much
exposed to temptation, and to be so liable to fail in the trial, who
would not rejoice that all her dangers are over?--All I wished was pardon
and blessing from my dear parents. Easy as my departure seems promised
to be, it would have been still easier, had I that pleasure. BUT GOD
ALMIGHTY WOULD NOT LET ME DEPEND FOR COMFORT UPON ANY BUT HIMSELF.

She then repeated her request, in the most earnest manner, to her cousin,
that he would not heighten her fault, by seeking to avenge her death; to
me, that I would endeavour to make up all breaches, and use the power I
had with my friend, to prevent all future mischiefs from him, as well as
that which this trust might give me to prevent any to him.

She made some excuses to her cousin, for not having been able to alter
her will, to join him in the executorship with me; and to me, for the
trouble she had given, and yet should give me.

She had fatigued herself so much, (growing sensibly weaker) that she sunk
her head upon her pillows, ready to faint; and we withdrew to the window,
looking upon one another; but could not tell what to say; and yet both
seemed inclinable to speak: but the motion passed over in silence. Our
eyes only spoke; and that in a manner neither's were used to--mine, at
least, not till I knew this admirable creature.

The Colonel withdrew to dismiss his messenger, and send away the letter
to Mrs. Norton. I took the opportunity to retire likewise; and to write
thus far. And Joel returning to take it, I now close here.

ELEVEN O'CLOCK.

LETTER II

MR. BELFORD
[IN CONTINUATION.]

The Colonel tells me that he had written to Mr. John Harlowe, by his
servant, 'That they might spare themselves the trouble of debating about
a reconciliation; for that his dear cousin would probably be no more
before they could resolve.'

He asked me after his cousin's means of subsisting; and whether she had
accepted of any favour from me; he was sure, he said, she would not from
you.

I acquainted him with the truth of her parting with some of her apparel.

This wrung his heart; and bitterly did he exclaim as well against you as
against her implacable relations.

He wished he had not come to England at all, or had come sooner; and
hoped I would apprize him of the whole mournful story, at a proper
season. He added, that he had thoughts, when he came over, of fixing
here for the remainder of his days; but now, as it was impossible his
cousin could recover, he would go abroad again, and re-settle himself at
Florence or Leghorn.

The lady has been giving orders, with great presence of mind, about her
body! directing her nurse and the maid of the house to put her in the
coffin as soon as she is cold. Mr. Belford, she said, would know the
rest by her will.

***

She has just now given from her bosom, where she always wore it, a
miniature picture, set in gold, of Miss Howe. She gave it to Mrs.
Lovick, desiring her to fold it up in white paper, and direct it, To
Charles Hickman, Esq. and to give it to me, when she was departed, for
that gentleman.

She looked upon the picture, before she gave it her--Sweet and
ever-amiable friend!--Companion!--Sister!--Lover! said she--and kissed
it four several times, once at each tender appellation.

***

Your other servant is come.--Well may you be impatient!--Well may you!
--But do you think I can leave off, in the middle of a conversation, to
run and set down what offers, and send it away piece-meal as I write?
--If I could, must I not lose one half, while I put down the other?

This event is nearly as interesting to me as it is to you. If you are
more grieved than I, there can be but one reason for it; and that's at
your heart!--I had rather lose all the friends I have in the world,
(yourself in the number,) than this divine lady; and shall be unhappy
whenever I think of her sufferings, and of her merit; though I have
nothing to reproach myself by reason of the former.

I say not this, just now, so much to reflect upon you as to express my
own grief; though your conscience I suppose, will make you think
otherwise.

Your poor fellow, who says that he begs for his life, in desiring to be
dispatched back with a letter, tears this from me--else, perhaps, (for
I am just sent for down,) a quarter of an hour would make you--not easy
indeed--but certain--and that, in a state like your's, to a mind like
your's, is a relief.

THURSDAY AFTERNOON, FOUR O'CLOCK.

LETTER III

MR. BELFORD, TO RICHARD MOWBRAY, ESQ.
THURSDAY AFTERNOON.

DEAR MOWBRAY,

I am glad to hear you are in town. Throw yourself the moment this comes
to your hand, (if possible with Tourville,) in the way of the man who
least of all men deserves the love of the worthy heart; but most that of
thine and Tourville; else the news I shall most probably send him within
an hour or two, will make annihilation the greatest blessing he has to
wish for.

You will find him between Piccadilly and Kensington, most probably on
horseback, riding backwards and forwards in a crazy way; or put up,
perhaps, at some inn or tavern in the way--a waiter possibly, if so,
watching for his servant's return to him from me.

***

His man Will. is just come to me. He will carry this to you in his way
back, and be your director. Hie away in a coach, or any how. Your being
with him may save either his or a servant's life. See the blessed
effects of triumphant libertinism! Sooner or later it comes home to us,
and all concludes in gall and bitterness!

Adieu.
J. BELFORD.

LETTER IV

MR. LOVELACE, TO JOHN BELFORD, ESQ.

Curse upon the Colonel, and curse upon the writer of the last letter I
received, and upon all the world! Thou to pretend to be as much
interested in my Clarissa's fate as myself!--'Tis well for one of us that
this was not said to me, instead of written.--Living or dying, she is
mine--and only mine. Have I not earned her dearly?--Is not d----n----n
likely to be the purchase to me, though a happy eternity will be her's?

An eternal separation!--O God! O God!--How can I bear that thought!--But
yet there is life!--Yet, therefore, hope--enlarge my hope, and thou shalt
be my good genius, and I will forgive thee every thing.

For this last time--but it must not, shall not be the last--Let me hear,
the moment thou receivest this--what I am to be--for, at present, I am

The most miserable of Men.

ROSE, AT KNIGHTSBRIDGE, FIVE O'CLOCK.

My fellow tells me that thou art sending Mowbray and Tourville to me:--I
want them not--my soul's sick of them, and of all the world--but most of
myself. Yet, as they send me word they will come to me immediately, I
will wait for them, and for thy next. O Belford, let it not be--But
hasten it, be what it may!

LETTER V

MR. BELFORD, TO ROBERT LOVELACE, ESQ.
SEVEN O'CLOCK, THURSDAY EVENING, SEPT. 7.

I have only to say at present--Thou wilt do well to take a tour to
Paris; or wherever else thy destiny shall lead thee!----

JOHN BELFORD.

LETTER VI

MR. MOWBRAY, TO JOHN BELFORD, ESQ.
UXBRIDGE, SEPT. 7, BETWEEN ELEVEN AND TWELVE AT NIGHT.

DEAR JACK,

I send by poor Lovelace's desire, for particulars of the fatal breviate
thou sentest him this night. He cannot bear to set pen to paper; yet
wants to know every minute passage of Miss Harlowe's departure. Yet why
he should, I cannot see: for if she is gone, she is gone; and who can
help it?

I never heard of such a woman in my life. What great matters has she
suffered, that grief should kill her thus?

I wish the poor fellow had never known her. From first to last, what
trouble she has cost him! The charming fellow had been half lost to us
ever since he pursued her. And what is there in one woman more than
another, for matter of that?

Pages:
1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 20 | 21 | 22 | 23