[She then gives a brief account of the arrest:  of her dejection under it: 
      of her apprehensions of being carried to her former lodgings:  of
      Mr. Lovelace’s avowed innocence as to that insult:  of her release
      by Mr. Belford:  of Mr. Lovelace’s promise not to molest her:  of her
      clothes being sent her:  of the earnest desire of all his friends,
      and of himself, to marry her:  of Miss Howe’s advice to comply with
      their requests:  and of her declared resolution rather to die than
      be his, sent to Miss Howe, to be given to his relations, but as the
      day before.  After which she thus proceeds:]

Now, my dear Mrs. Norton, you will be surprised, perhaps, that I should have returned such an answer:  but when you have every thing before you, you, who know me so well, will not think me wrong.  And, besides, I am upon a better preparation than for an earthly husband.

Nor let it be imagined, my dear and ever venerable friend, that my present turn of mind proceeds from gloominess or melancholy; for although it was brought on by disappointment, (the world showing me early, even at my first rushing into it, its true and ugly face,) yet I hope that it has obtained a better root, and will every day more and more, by its fruits, demonstrate to me, and to all my friends, that it has.

I have written to my sister.  Last Friday I wrote.  So the die is thrown.  I hope for a gentle answer.  But, perhaps, they will not vouchsafe me any.  It is my first direct application, you know.  I wish Miss Howe had left me to my own workings in this tender point.

It will be a great satisfaction to me to hear of your perfect recovery; and that my foster-brother is out of danger.  But why, said I, out of danger?—­When can this be justly said of creatures, who hold by so uncertain a tenure?  This is one of those forms of common speech, that proves the frailty and the presumption of poor mortal at the same time.

Don’t be uneasy, you cannot answer your wishes to be with me.  I am happier than I could have expected to be among mere strangers.  It was grievous at first; but use reconciles every thing to us.  The people of the house where I am are courteous and honest.  There is a widow who lodges in it [have I not said so formerly?] a good woman; who is the better for having been a proficient in the school of affliction.

An excellent school! my dear Mrs. Norton, in which we are taught to know ourselves, to be able to compassionate and bear with one another, and to look up to a better hope.

I have as humane a physician, (whose fees are his least regard,) and as worthy an apothecary, as ever patient was visited by.  My nurse is diligent, obliging, silent, and sober.  So I am not unhappy without:  and within—­I hope, my dear Mrs. Norton, that I shall be every day more and more happy within.

No doubt it would be one of the greatest comforts I could know to have you with me:  you, who love me so dearly:  who have been the watchful sustainer of my helpless infancy:  you, by whose precepts I have been so much benefited!—­In your dear bosom could I repose all my griefs:  and by your piety and experience in the ways of Heaven, should I be strengthened in what I am still to go through.