our to get to the bottom of that story. But now the foolish devils
are resolved to do something in it, if they can. My head is working to
make this booby 'squire a plotter, and a clever fellow, in order to turn
his plots to my advantage, supposing his sister shall aim to keep me
at arm's length when in town, and to send me from her. But I will, in
proper time, let thee see Joseph's letter, and what I shall answer to
it.* To know in time a designed mischief, is, with me, to disappoint it,
and to turn it upon the contriver's head.

* See Letters XLVII., XLVIII. of this volume.

Joseph is plaguy squeamish again; but I know he only intends by his
qualms to swell his merits with me. O Belford! Belford! what a vile
corruptible rogue, whether in poor or rich, is human nature!

LETTER XXXVI

MISS HOWE, TO MISS CLARISSA HARLOWE [IN ANSWER TO LETTERS
XXVIII.--XXXIV. INCLUSIVE.] TUESDAY, APRIL 18.

You have a most implacable family. Another visit from your uncle Antony
has not only confirmed my mother an enemy to our correspondence, but has
almost put her upon treading in their steps.--

But to other subjects:

You plead generously for Mr. Hickman. Perhaps, with regard to him, I
may have done, as I have often done in singing--begun a note or key
too high; and yet, rather than begin again, proceed, though I strain
my voice, or spoil my tune. But this is evident, the man is the more
observant for it; and you have taught me, that the spirit which is the
humbler for ill usage, will be insolent upon better. So, good and grave
Mr. Hickman, keep your distance a little longer, I beseech you. You have
erected an altar to me; and I hope you will not refuse to bow to it.

But you ask me, if I would treat Mr. Lovelace, were he to be in Mr.
Hickman's place, as I do Mr. Hickman? Why really, my dear, I believe I
should not.--I have been very sagely considering this point of behaviour
(in general) on both sides in courtship; and I will very candidly tell
you the result. I have concluded, that politeness, even to excess,
is necessary on the men's part, to bring us to listen to their first
addresses, in order to induce us to bow our necks to a yoke so unequal.
But, upon my conscience, I very much doubt whether a little intermingled
insolence is not requisite from them, to keep up that interest, when
once it has got footing. Men must not let us see, that we can make
fools of them. And I think, that smooth love; that is to sa