fect Proteus. He now
applauds her for that treatment of him which before he had resented; and
communicates to her two letters, one from Lady Betty Lawrance, the other
from Miss Montague. She wonders he did not produce those letters before,
as he must know they would be highly acceptable to her.

LETTER XXXI. XXXII. XXXIII. XXXIV. From the same.--The contents of the
letters from Lady Betty and Miss Montague put Clarissa in good humour
with Mr. Lovelace. He hints at marriage; but pretends to be afraid of
pursuing the hint. She is earnest with him to leave her: and why.
He applauds her reasonings. Her serious questions, and his ludicrous
answer.--He makes different proposals.--He offers to bring Mrs. Norton
to her. She is ready to blame herself for her doubts of him: but
gives reasons for her caution.--He writes by her consent to his friend
Doleman, to procure lodgings for her in town.

LETTER XXXV. Lovelace to Belford.--Glories in his contrivances. Gives
an advantageous description of Clarissa's behaviour. Exults on her
mentioning London. None but impudent girls, he says, should run away
with a man. His farther views, plots, and designs.

LETTER XXXVI. Miss Howe to Clarissa.--Humourously touches on her
reproofs in relation to Hickman. Observations on smooth love. Lord
M.'s family greatly admire her. Approves of her spirited treatment of
Lovelace, and of her going to London. Hints at the narrowness of her own
mother. Advises her to keep fair with Lovelace.

LETTER XXXVII. XXXVIII. Clarissa to Miss Howe.--Wonders not that her
brother has weight to make her father irreconcilable.--Copy of Mr.
Doleman's answer about London lodgings. Her caution in her choice of
them. Lovelace has given her five guineas for Hannah. Other instances of
his considerateness. Not displeased with her present prospects.

LETTER XXXIX. Lovelace to Belford.--Explains what is meant by Doleman's
answer about the lodgings. Makes Belford object to his scheme, that
he may answer the objections. Exults. Swells. Despises every body.
Importance of the minutiae. More of his arts, views, and contrivances.

LETTER XL. Miss Howe to Clarissa.--Acquaints her with a scheme formed
by her brother and captain Singleton, to carry her off. Hickman's silent
charities. She despises all his sex, as well as him. Ill terms on which
her own father and mother lived. Extols Clarissa for her domestic good
qualities. Particulars of a great contest with her mother, on their
co