rrespondence. Has been slapt by her. Observations on managing wives.

LETTER XLI. XLII. XLIII. Clarissa to Miss Howe.--A strong remonstrance
on her behaviour to her mother; in which she lays down the duty of
children. Accuses her of want of generosity to Hickman. Farther excuses
herself on declining to accept of her money offers. Proposes a condition
on which Mrs. Howe may see all they write.

LETTER XLIV. Miss Howe to Clarissa.--Her mother rejects the proposed
condition. Miss Howe takes thankfully her reprehensions: but will
continue the correspondence. Some excuses for herself. Humourous story
of game-chickens.

LETTER XLV. Clarissa to Miss Howe.--Lovelace communicates her brother's
and Singleton's project; but treats it with seeming contempt. She asks
his advice what to do upon it. This brings on an offer of marriage from
him. How it went off.

LETTER XLVI. Lovelace to Belford.--He confesses his artful intentions in
the offer of marriage: yet had like, he says, to have been caught in his
own snares.

LETTER XLVII. Joseph Leman to Mr. Lovelace.--With intelligence of a
design formed against him by the Harlowes. Joseph's vile hypocrisy and
selfishness.

LETTER XLVIII. Lovelace. In answer.--Story of Miss Betterton. Boast of
his treatment of his mistresses. The artful use he makes of Joseph's
intelligence.

LETTER XLIX. Clarissa to her aunt Hervey.--Complains of her silence.
Hints at her not having designed to go away with Lovelace. She will open
her whole heart to her, if she encourage her to do so, by the hopes of a
reconciliation.

LETTER L. Miss Howe to Clarissa.--Observations on Lovelace's meanness,
pride, and revenge. Politeness not to be expected from him. She raves
at him for the artful manner in which he urges Clarissa to marry him.
Advises her how to act in her present situation.

LETTER LI. Belford to Lovelace.--Becomes a warm advocate for the lady.
Gives many instructive reasons to enforce his arguments in her favour.

LETTER LII. Mrs. Hervey to Clarissa.--A severe and cruel letter in
answer to her's, Letter XLIX. It was not designed, she says, absolutely
to force her to marry to her dislike.

LETTER LIII. Clarissa to Miss Howe.--Her deep regret on this
intelligence, for having met Lovelace. The finer sensibilities make
not happy. Her fate too visibly in her power. He is unpolite, cruel,
insolent, unwise, a trifler in his own happiness. Her reasons why she
less likes him than ever. Her soul his s