t exultation. Makes Belford question him on the honour of his
designs by her: and answers doubtfully.

LETTER VIII. Miss Howe to Clarissa.--Her sentiments on her narrative.
Her mother, at the instigation of Antony Harlowe, forbids their
correspondence. Mr. Hickman's zeal to serve them in it. What her family
now pretend, if she had not left them. How they took her supposed
projected flight. Offers her money and clothes. Would have her seem to
place some little confidence in Lovelace. Her brother and sister will
not permit her father and uncles to cool.

LETTER IX. X. Clarissa to Miss Howe.--Advises her to obey her mother, who
prohibits their correspondence. Declines to accept her offers of money:
and why. Mr. Lovelace not a polite man. She will be as ready to place a
confidence in him, as he will be to deserve it. Yet tricked away by him
as she was, cannot immediately treat him with great complaisance. Blames
her for her liveliness to her mother. Encloses the copy of her letter to
her sister.

LETTER XI. Lovelace to Belford.--Prides himself in his arts in the
conversations between them. Is alarmed at the superiority of her
talents. Considers opposition and resistance as a challenge to do his
worst. His artful proceedings with Joseph Leman.

LETTER XII. From the same.--Men need only be known to be rakes, he says,
to recommend themselves to the favour of the sex. Wishes Miss Howe were
not so well acquainted with Clarissa: and why.

LETTER XIII. From the same.--Intends to set old Antony at Mrs. Howe, to
prevent the correspondence between the two young ladies. Girl, not gold,
his predominant passion. Rallies Belford on his person and appearance.
Takes humourous notice of the two daughters of the widow Sorlings.

LETTER XIV. From the same.--Farther triumphs over the Harlowes.
Similitude of the spider and fly. Is for having separate churches as
well as separate boarding-schools for the sexes. The women ought to love
him, he says: and why. Prides himself that they do.

LETTER XV. Clarissa to Miss Howe.--Particulars of an angry conference
with Lovelace. Seeing her sincerely displeased, he begs the ceremony may
immediately pass. He construes her bashful silence into anger, and vows
a sacred regard to her injunctions.

LETTER XVI. XVII. XVIII. Lovelace to Belford.--The pleasure of a
difficult chace. Triumphs in the distress and perplexity he gave her by
his artful and parading offer of marriage. His reasons for and against