Read Clarissa Harlowe; or the history of a young lady — Volume 7 Page 38

  LETTER XXXIX

  MRS. HOWE[IN ANSWER.]SAT. JULY 22.

  DEAR MADAM,

  I am highly offended with my daughter's letters to Miss Harlowe. I knewnothing at all of her having taken such a liberty. These young creatureshave such romantic notions, some of live, some of friendship, that thereis no governing them in either. Nothing but time, and dear experience,will convince them of their absurdities in both. I have chidden MissHowe very severely. I had before so just a notion of what your wholefamily's distress must be, that, as I told your brother, Mr. AntonyHarlowe, I had often forbid her corresponding with the poor fallen angel--for surely never did young lady more resemble what we imagine ofangels, both in person and mind. But, tired out with her headstrongways, [I am sorry to say this of my own child,] I was forced to give wayto it again. And, indeed, so sturdy was she in her will, that I wasafraid it would end in a fit of sickness, as too often it did in fits ofsullens.

  None but parents know the trouble that children give. They are happiest,I have often thought, who have none. And these women-grown girls, blessmy heart! how ungovernable!

  I believe, however, you will have no more such letters from my Nancy. Ihave been forced to use compulsion with her upon Miss Clary's illness,[and it seems she is very bad,] or she would have run away to London, toattend upon her: and this she calls doing the duty of a friend;forgetting that she sacrifices to her romantic friendship her duty to herfond indulgent mother.

  There are a thousand excellencies in the poor sufferer, notwithstandingher fault: and, if the hints she has given to my daughter be true, shehas been most grievously abused. But I think your forgiveness and herfather's forgiveness of her ought to be all at your own choice; andnobody should intermeddle in that, for the sake of due authority inparents: and besides, as Miss Harlowe writes, it was what every bodyexpected, though Miss Clary would not believe it till she smarted for hercredulity. And, fir these reasons, I offer not to plead any thing inalleviation of her fault, which is aggravated by her admirable sense, anda judgment above her years.

  I am, Madam, with compliments to good Mr. Harlowe, and all your afflictedfamily,

  Your most humble servant,ANNABELLA HOWE.

  I shall set out for the Isle of Wight in a few days, with my daughter. I will hasten our setting out, on purpose to break her mind from her friend's distresses; which afflict us as much, nearly, as Miss Clary's rashness has done you.