Read Clarissa Harlowe; or the history of a young lady — Volume 6 Page 45

  LETTER XLV

  TO CAPTAIN TOMLINSON[ENCLOSED IN THE PRECEDING; TO BE SHOWN TO THE LADY AS IN CONFIDENCE.]M. HALL, TUESDAY MORN., JUNE 27.

  DEAR CAPTAIN TOMLINSON,

  An unhappy misunderstanding has arisen between the dearest lady in theworld and me (the particulars of which she perhaps may give you, but Iwill not, because I might be thought partial to myself;) and she refusingto answer my most pressing and respectful letters; I am at a mostperplexing uncertainty whether she will meet us or not next Thursday tosolemnize.

  My Lord is so extremely ill, that if I thought she would not oblige me,I would defer going up to town for two or three days. He cares not tohave me out of his sight: yet is impatient to salute my beloved as hisneice [sic] before he dies. This I have promised to give him anopportunity to do: intending, if the dear creature will make me happy,to set out with her for this place directly from church.

  With regret I speak it of the charmer of my soul, that irreconcilablenessis her family-fault--the less excusable indeed for her, as she herselfsuffers by it in so high a degree from her own relations.

  Now, Sir, as you intended to be in town some time before Thursday, ifit be not too great an inconvenience to you, I could be glad you wouldgo up as soon as possible, for my sake: and this I the more boldlyrequest, as I presume that a man who has so many great affairs of hisown in hand as you have, would be glad to be at a certainty as to theday.

  You, Sir, can so pathetically and justly set before her the unhappyconsequences that will follow if the day be postponed, as well withregard to her uncle's disappointment, as to the part you have assuredme her mother is willing to take in the wished-for reconciliation, thatI have great hopes she will suffer herself to be prevailed upon. And aman and horse shall be in waiting to take your dispatches and bring themto me.

  But if you cannot prevail in my favour, you will be pleased to satisfyyour friend, Mr. John Harlowe, that it is not my fault that he is notobliged. I am, dear Sir,

  Your extremely obligedand faithful servant,R. LOVELACE.