; and shall become in a manner
interested in it; who knows, but that, from a still higher principle, he
may so regulate his future actions as to find his own reward in the
everlasting welfare which is wished him by his

'Obliged servant,
'CLARISSA HARLOWE?'

LETTER LXXII

MR. BELFORD, TO MISS CLARISSA HARLOWE
FRIDAY, AUG. 4.

MADAM,

I am so sensible of the honour done me in your's of this day, that I
would not delay for one moment the answering of it. I hope you will live
to see many happy years; and to be your own executrix in those points
which your heart is most set upon. But, in the case of survivorship, I
most cheerfully accept of the sacred office you are pleased to offer me;
and you may absolutely rely upon my fidelity, and, if possible, upon the
literal performance of every article you shall enjoin me.

The effect of the kind wish you conclude with, had been my concern ever
since I have been admitted to the honour of your conversation. It shall
be my whole endeavour that it be not vain. The happiness of approaching
you, which this trust, as I presume, will give me frequent opportunities
of doing, must necessarily promote the desired end: since it will be
impossible to be a witness of your piety, equanimity, and other virtues,
and not aspire to emulate you. All I beg is, that you will not suffer
any future candidate, or event, to displace me; unless some new instances
of unworthiness appear either in the morals or behaviour of,

Madam,
Your most obliged and faithful servant,
J. BELFORD.

LETTER LXXIII

MR. BELFORD, TO ROBERT LOVELACE, ESQ.
FRIDAY NIGHT, AUG. 4.

I have actually delivered to the lady the extracts she requested me to
give her from your letters. I do assure you that I have made the very
best of the matter for you, not that conscience, but that friendship,
could oblige me to make. I have changed or omitted some free words. The
warm description of her person in the fire-scene, as I may call it, I
have omitted. I have told her, that I have done justice to you, in the
justice you have done to her by her unexampled virtue. But take the very
words which I wrote to her immediately following the extracts:

'And now, Madam,'--See the paragraph marked with an inverted comma
[thus '], Letter LXX. of this volume.

The lady is extremely uneasy at the thoughts of your attempting to visit
her. For Heaven's sake, (your word being given,) and for pity's sake,
(for she i