* Mrs. Norton, having only the family representation and invectives to form her judgment upon, knew not that Clarissa had determined against going off with Mr. Lovelace; nor how solicitous she had been to procure for herself any other protection than his, when she apprehended that, if she staid, she had no way to avoid being married to Mr. Solmes.

After this, it will have an unkind, and perhaps at this time an unseasonable appearance, to express my concern that you have not before favoured me with a line.  Yet if you can account to yourself for your silence, I dare say I ought to be satisfied; for I am sure you love me:  as I both love and honour you, and ever will, and the more for your misfortunes.

One consolation, methinks, I have, even when I am sorrowing for your calamities; and that is, that I know not any young person so qualified to shine the brighter for the trials she may be exercised with:  and yet it is a consolation that ends in adding to my regrets for your afflictions, because you are blessed with a mind so well able to bear prosperity, and to make every body round you the better for it!—­But I will forbear till I know more.

Ruminating on every thing your melancholy letter suggests, and apprehending, from the gentleness of your mind, the amiableness of your person, and your youth, the farther misfortunes and inconveniencies to which you may possibly be subjected, I cannot conclude without asking for your leave to attend you, and that in a very earnest manner—­and I beg of you not to deny me, on any consideration relating to myself, or even to the indisposition of my other beloved child, if I can be either of use or of comfort to you.  Were it, my dearest young lady, but for two or three days, permit me to attend you, although my son’s illness should increase, and compel me to come down again at the end of those two or three days.—­ I repeat my request, likewise, that you will command from me the little sum remaining in the hands of your bounty to your Poor, as well as that dispensed to

Your ever-affectionate and faithful servant,
Judith Norton.

LETTER LVII

Miss Cl.  Harlowe, to lady Betty Lawrance
Thursday, June 29.

MADAM,

I hope you’ll excuse the freedom of this address, from one who has not the honour to be personally known to you, although you must have heard much of Clarissa Harlowe.  It is only to beg the favour of a line from your Ladyship’s hand, (by the next post, if convenient,) in answer to the following questions: 

1.  Whether you wrote a letter, dated, as I have a memorandum, Wedn.  June
    7, congratulating your nephew Lovelace on his supposed nuptials, as
    reported to you by Mr. Spurrier, your Ladyship’s steward, as from one
    Captain Tomlinson:—­and in it reproaching Mr. Lovelace, as guilty of
    slight, &c. in not having acquainted your Ladyship and the family
    with his marriage?