LETTER VII
MISS CLARISSA HARLOWE, TO MISS HOWE THURSDAY MORNING, MARCH 23.
My letter has set them all in tumults: for, it seems, none of them wenthome last night; and they all were desired to be present to givetheir advice, if I should refuse compliance with a command thought soreasonable as it seems this is.
Betty tells me, that at first my father, in a rage, was for coming upto me himself, and for turning me out of his doors directly. Nor was herestrained, till it was hinted to him, that that was no doubt my wish,and would answer all my perverse views. But the result was, that mybrother (having really, as my mother and aunt insisted, taken wrongmeasures with me) should write again in a more moderate manner: fornobody else was permitted or cared to write to such a ready scribbler.And, I having declared, that I would not receive any more of hisletters, without command from a superior authority, my mother wasto give it hers: and accordingly has done so in the following lines,written on the superscription of his letter to me: which letter alsofollows; together with my reply.
CLARY HARLOWE,
Receive and read this, with the temper that becomes your sex, yourcharacter, your education, and your duty: and return an answer to it,directed to your brother.
CHARLOTTE HARLOWE.
TO MISS CLARISSA HARLOWE THURSDAY MORNING.
Once more I write, although imperiously prohibited by a younger sister.Your mother will have me do so, that you may be destitute of alldefence, if you persist in your pervicacy. Shall I be a pedant, Miss,for this word? She is willing to indulge in you the least appearance ofthat delicacy for which she once, as well as every body else, admiredyou--before you knew Lovelace; I cannot, however, help saying that: andshe, and your aunt Hervey, will have it--[they would fain favour you,if they could] that I may have provoked from you the answer theynevertheless own to be so exceedingly unbecoming. I am now learning, yousee, to take up the softer language, where you have laid it down. Thisthen is the case:
They entreat, they pray, they beg, they supplicate (will either ofthese do, Miss Clary?) that you will make no scruple to go to your uncleAntony's: and fairly I am to tell you, for the very purpose mentionedin my last--or, 'tis presumable, they need not entreat, beg, pray,supplicate. Thus much is promised to Mr. Solmes, who is your advocate,and very uneasy that you should be under constraint, supposing that yourdislike to him arises from that. And, if he finds that you are not to bemoved in his favour, when you are absolutely freed from what you calla controul, he will forbear thinking of you, whatever it costs him.He loves you too well: and in this, I really think, his understanding,which you have reflected upon, is to be questioned.
Only for one fornight [sic], therefore, permit his visits. Youreducation (you tell me of mine, you know) ought to make you incapableof rudeness to any body. He will not, I hope, be the first man, myselfexcepted, whom you ever treated rudely, purely because he is esteemedby us all. I am, what you have a mind to make me, friend, brother,or servant--I wish I could be still more polite, to so polite, to sodelicate, a sister.
JA. HARLOWE.
You must still write to me, if you condescend to reply. Your motherwill not be permitted to be disturbed with your nothing-meaningvocatives!--Vocatives, once more, Madam Clary, repeats the pedant yourbrother!
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TO JAMES HARLOWE, JUNIOR, ESQ.
Permit me, my ever-dear and honoured Papa and Mamma, in this manner tosurprise you into an audience, (presuming this will be read to you,)since I am denied the honour of writing to you directly. Let me beg ofyou to believe, that nothing but the most unconquerable dislikecould make me stand against your pleasure. What are riches, what aresettlements, to happiness? Let me not thus cruelly be given up to a manmy very soul is averse to. Permit me to repeat, that I cannot honestlybe his. Had I a slighter notion of the matrimonial duty than I have,perhaps I might. But when I am to bear all the misery, and that forlife; when my heart is less concerned in this matter, than my soul;my temporary, perhaps, than my future good; why should I be denied theliberty of refusing? That liberty is all I ask.
It were easy for me to give way to hear Mr. Solmes talk for thementioned fortnight, although it is impossible for me, say what hewould, to get over my dislike to him. But the moated-house, the chapelthere, and the little mercy my brother and sister, who are to be there,have hitherto shewn me, are what I am extremely apprehensive of. And whydoes my brother say, my restraint is to be taken off, (and that tooat Mr. Solmes's desire,) when I am to be a still closer prisoner thanbefore; the bridge threatened to be drawn up; and no dear papa and mammanear me, to appeal to, in the last resort?
Transfer not, I beseech you, to a brother and sister your own authorityover your child--to a brother and sister, who treat me with unkindnessand reproach; and, as I have too much reason to apprehend, misrepresentmy words and behaviour; or, greatly favoured as I used to be, it isimpossible I should be sunk so low in your opinions, as I unhappily am!
Let but this my hard, my disgraceful confinement be put an end to.Permit me, my dear Mamma, to pursue my needleworks in your presence,as one of your maidens; and you shall be witness, that it is not eitherwilfulness or prepossession that governs me. Let me not, however, be putout of your own house. Let Mr. Solmes come and go, as my papa pleases:let me but stay or retire when he comes, as I can; and leave the rest toProvidence.
Forgive me, Brother, that thus, with an appearance of art, I addressmyself to my father and mother, to whom I am forbidden to approach,or to write. Hard it is to be reduced to such a contrivance! Forgivelikewise the plain dealing I have used in the above, with the noblenessof a gentleman, and the gentleness due from a brother to a sister.Although of late you have given me but little room to hope either foryour favour or compassion; yet, having not deserved to forfeit either, Ipresume to claim both: for I am confident it is at present much in yourpower, although but my brother (my honoured parents both, I bless God,in being), to give peace to the greatly disturbed mind of
Your unhappy sister, CL. HARLOWE.
Betty tells me, my brother has taken my letter all in pieces; and hasundertaken to write such an answer to it, as shall confirm the wavering.So, it is plain, that I should have moved somebody by it, but for thishard-hearted brother--God forgive him!