eg of you not to be inflamed: to beg of you not
to let her know, or even by your behaviour to her, on this occasion,
guess, that I have acquainted you with my reason for declining to write
to you. For how else, after the scruples I have heretofore made on this
very subject, yet proceeding to correspond, can I honestly satisfy you
about my motives for this sudden stop? So, my dear, I choose, you see,
rather to rely upon your discretion, than to feign reasons with which you
would not be satisfied, but with your usual active penetration, sift to
the bottom, and at last find me to be a mean and low qualifier; and that
with an implication injurious to you, that I supposed you had not
prudence enough to be trusted with the naked truth.

I repeat, that my prospects are not bad. 'The house, I presume, will
soon be taken. The people here are very respectful, notwithstanding my
nicety about Miss Partington. Miss Martin, who is near marriage with an
eminent tradesman in the Strand, just now, in a very respectful manner,
asked my opinion of some patterns of rich silks for the occasion. The
widow has a less forbidding appearance than at first. Mr. Lovelace, on
my declared dislike of his four friends, has assured me that neither they
nor any body else shall be introduced to me without my leave.'

These circumstances I mention (as you will suppose) that your kind heart
may be at ease about me; that you may be induced by them to acquiesce
with your mother's commands, (cheerfully acquiesce,) and that for my
sake, lest I should be thought an inflamer; who am, with very contrary
intentions, my dearest and best beloved friend,

Your ever obliged and affectionate,
CLARISSA HARLOWE.

LETTER X

MISS HOWE, TO MISS CLARISSA HARLOWE
WEDN. MAY 3.

I am astonished that my mother should take such a step--purely to
exercise an unreasonable act of authority; and to oblige the most
remorseless hearts in the world. If I find that I can be of use to you,
either by advice or information, do you think I will not give it!--Were
it to any other person, much less dear to me than you are, do you think,
in such a case, I would forbear giving it?

Mr. Hickman, who pretends to a little casuistry in such nice matters, is
of opinion that I ought not to decline such a correspondence thus
circumstanced. And it is well he is; for my mother having set me up, I
must have somebody to quarrel with.

This I will come into if it will make you easy-