Read Clarissa Harlowe; or the history of a young lady — Volume 9 Page 37

  LETTER XXXV

  MR. BELFORD, TO THE RIGHT HON. LORD M.LONDON, SEPT. 14.

  MY LORD,

  I am very apprehensive that the affair between Mr. Lovelace and the lateexcellent Miss Clarissa Harlowe will be attended with farther badconsequences, notwithstanding her dying injunctions to the contrary. Iwould, therefore, humbly propose that your Lordship, and his otherrelations, will forward the purpose your kinsman lately had to go abroad;where I hope he will stay till all is blown over. But as he will notstir, if he knew the true motives of your wishes, the avowed inducement,as I hinted once to Mr. Mowbray, may be such as respects his own healthboth of person and mind. To Mr. Mowbray and Mr. Tourville all countriesare alike; and they perhaps will accompany him.

  I am glad to hear that he is in a way of recovery; but this the ratherinduces me to press the matter. I think no time should be lost.

  Your Lordship had head that I have the honour to be the executor of thisadmirable lady's last will. I transcribe from it the followingparagraph.

  [He then transcribes the article which so gratefully mentions this nobleman, and the ladies of his family, in relation to the rings she bequeaths them, about which he desires their commands.]