Read Clarissa Harlowe; or the history of a young lady — Volume 6 Page 46

  LETTER XLVI

  TO ROBERT LOVELACE, ESQ.WEDN. JUNE 28, NEAR TWELVE O'CLOCK.

  HONOURED SIR,

  I received your's, as your servant desired me to acquaint you, by tenthis morning. Horse and man were in a foam.

  I instantly equipped myself, as if come off from a journey, and postedaway to the lady, intending to plead great affairs that I came notbefore, in order to favour your antedate; and likewise to be in a hurry,to have a pretence to hurry her ladyship, and to take no denial for hergiving a satisfactory return to your messenger. But, upon my enteringMrs. Sinclair's house, I found all in the greatest consternation.

  You must not, Sir, be surprised. It is a trouble to me to be therelater of the bad news; but so it is--The lady is gone off! She wasmissed but half an hour before I came.

  Her waiting-maid is run away, or hitherto is not to be found: so thatthey conclude it was by her connivance.

  They had sent, before I came, to my honoured masters Mr. Belton, Mr.Mowbray, and Mr. Belford. Mr. Tourville is out of town.

  High words are passing between Madam Sinclair, and Madam Horton, andMadam Martin; as also with Dorcas. And your servant William threatensto hang or drown himself.

  They have sent to know if they can hear of Mabell, the waiting-maid, ather mother's, who it seems lives in Chick-lane, West-Smithfield; and toan uncle of her's also, who keeps an alehouse at Cow-cross, had by, andwith whom she lived last.

  Your messenger having just changed his horse, is come back: so I willnot detain him longer than to add, that I am, with great concern for thismisfortune, and thanks for your seasonable favour and kind intentionstowards me--I am sure this was not my fault--

  Honoured Sir,Your most obliged, humble servant,PATRICK M'DONALD.