She then ordered her coach to be got to the door.—­We will all go to town together, said she, and return together.  Morrison shall stay here, and see every thing as I am used to have it, in relation to my apartment, and my bed; for I am very particular in some respects.  My cousin Leeson’s servants can do all I want to be done with regard to my night-dresses, and the like.  And it will be a little airing for you, my dear, and a want of your apparel to be sent from your former lodgings to Mrs. Leeson’s; and we can bring it up with us from thence.

I had no intention to comply.  But as I did not imagine that she would insist upon my going to town with them, I made no answer to that part of her speech.

I must here lay down my tired pen!

Recollection! heart-affecting recollection! how it pains me!

LETTER LXIX

MISS CLARISSA HARLOWE, TO MISS HOWE

In the midst of this agreeableness, the coach came to the door.  The pretended Lady Betty besought me to give them my company to their cousin Leeson’s.  I desired to be excused:  yet suspected nothing.  She would not be denied.  How happy would a visit so condescending make her cousin Leeson!——­Her cousin Leeson was not unworthy of my acquaintance:  and would take it for the greatest favour in the world.

I objected my dress.  But the objection was not admitted.  She bespoke a supper of Mrs. Moore to be ready at nine.

Mr. Lovelace, vile hypocrite, and wicked deceiver! seeing, as he said, my dislike to go, desired his Ladyship not to insist upon it.

Fondness for my company was pleaded.  She begged me to oblige her:  made a motion to help me to my fan herself:  and, in short, was so very urgent, that my feet complied against my speech and my mind:  and being, in a manner, led to the coach by her, and made to step in first, she followed me:  and her pretended niece, and the wretch, followed her:  and away it drove.

Nothing but the height of affectionate complaisance passed all the way:  over and over, what a joy would this unexpected visit give her cousin Leeson!  What a pleasure must it be to such a mind as mine, to be able to give so much joy to every body I came near!

The cruel, the savage seducer (as I have since recollected) was in a rapture all the way; but yet such a sort of rapture, as he took visible pains to check.

Hateful villain! how I abhor him!—­What mischief must be then in his plotting heart!—­What a devoted victim must I be in all their eyes!

Though not pleased, I was nevertheless just then thoughtless of danger; they endeavouring thus to lift me up above all apprehensions of that, and above myself too.

But think, my dear, what a dreadful turn all had upon me, when, through several streets and ways I knew nothing of, the coach slackening its pace, came within sight of the dreadful house of the dreadfullest woman in the world; as she proved to me.