man; and why. Useful reflections on
what has befallen a young lady so universally beloved. Must try to move
her mother in her favour. But by what means, will not tell her, unless
she succeed.

LETTER LVII. Mrs. Norton to Mrs. Harlowe.

LETTER LVIII. Mrs. Harlowe's affecting answer.

LETTER LIX. Clarissa to Mrs. Norton.--
Earnestly begs, for reasons equally generous and dutiful, that she may be
left to her own way of working with her relations. Has received her
sister's answer to her letter, No. XLV. of this volume. She tries to
find an excuse for the severity of it, though greatly affected by it.
Other affecting and dutiful reflections.

LETTER LX. Her sister's cruel letter, mentioned in the preceding.

LETTER LXI. Clarissa to Miss Howe.--
Is pleased that she now at last approved of her rejecting Lovelace.
Desires her to be comforted as to her. Promises that she will not run
away from life. Hopes she has already got above the shock given her by
the ill treatment she has met with from Lovelace. Has had an escape,
rather than a loss. Impossible, were it not for the outrage, that she
could have been happy with him; and why. Sets in the most affecting, the
most dutiful and generous lights, the grief of her father, mother, and
other relations, on her account. Had begun the particulars of her
tragical story; but would fain avoid proceeding with it; and why. Opens
her design to make Mr. Belford her executor, and gives her reasons for
it. Her father having withdrawn his malediction, she now has only a last
blessing to supplicate for.

LETTER LXII. Clarissa to her sister.--
Beseeching her, in the most humble and earnest manner, to procure her a
last blessing.

LETTER LXIII. Mrs. Norton to Clarissa.--
Mr. Brand to be sent up to inquire after her way of life and health. His
pedantic character. Believes they will withhold any favour till they
hear his report. Doubts not that matters will soon take a happy turn.

LETTER LXIV. Clarissa. In answer.--
The grace she asks for is only a blessing to die with, not to live with.
Their favour, if they design her any, may come too late. Doubts her
mother can do nothing for her of herself. A strong confederacy against a
poor girl, their daughter, sister, niece. Her brother perhaps got it
renewed before he went to Edinburgh. He needed not, says she: his work
is done, and more than done.

LETTER LXV. Lovelace to Belford.--
Is mortified at receiving letters of rej