I besought her to let me read over to her Captain Tomlinson’s letter.  I was sure it was impossible she could have given it the requisite attention.

I have given it the requisite attention, said she; and the other letters too.  So that what I say is upon deliberation.  And what have I to fear from my brother and sister?  They can but complete the ruin of my fortunes with my father and uncles.  Let them and welcome.  You, Sir, I thank you, have lowered my fortunes; but, I bless God, that my mind is not sunk with my fortunes.  It is, on the contrary, raised above fortune, and above you; and for half a word they shall have the estate they envied me for, and an acquittal from me of all the expectations from my family that may make them uneasy.

I lifted up my hands and eyes in silent admiration of her.

My brother, Sir, may think me ruined; to the praise of your character, he may think it impossible to be with you and be innocent.  You have but too well justified their harshest censures by every part of your conduct.  But now that I have escaped from you, and that I am out of the reach of your mysterious devices, I will wrap myself up in mine own innocence, [and then the passionate beauty folded her arms about herself,] and leave to time, and to my future circumspection, the re-establishment of my character.  Leave me then, Sir, pursue me not!—­

Good Heaven! [interrupting her]—­and all this, for what?—­Had I not yielded to your entreaties, (forgive me, Madam,) you could not have carried farther your resentments—­

Wretch!  Was it not crime enough to give occasion for those entreaties?  Wouldst thou make a merit to me, that thou didst not utterly ruin her whom thou oughtest to have protected?  Begone, man! (turning from me, her face crimsoned over with passion.)—­See me no more!—­I cannot bear thee in my sight!—­

Dearest, dearest creature!

If I forgive thee, Lovelace—­And there she stopped.—­To endeavour, proceeded she, to endeavour by premeditation, by low contrivances, by cries of Fire! to terrify a poor creature who had consented to take a wretched chance with thee for life!

For Heaven’s sake,—­offering to take her repulsing hand, as she was flying from me towards the closet.

What hast thou to do to plead for the sake of Heaven in thy favour!—­O darkest of human minds!

Then turning from me, wiping her eyes, and again turning towards me, but her sweet face half aside, What difficulties hast thou involved me in!  That thou hadst a plain path before thee, after thou hadst betrayed me into thy power.—­At once my mind takes in the whole of thy crooked behaviour; and if thou thinkest of Clarissa Harlowe as her proud heart tells her thou oughtest to think of her, thou wilt seek thy fortunes elsewhere.  How often hast thou provoked me to tell thee, that my soul is above thee!

For Heaven’s sake, Madam, for a soul’s sake, which it is in your power to save from perdition, forgive me the past offence.  I am the greatest villain on earth if it was a premeditated one; yet I presume not to excuse myself.  On your mercy I throw myself.  I will not offer at any plea but that of penitence.  See but Captain Tomlinson.—­See but Lady Betty and my cousin; let them plead for me; let them be guarantees for my honour.