LETTER 319: MISS HOWE TO MISS CLARISSA HARLOWE
[Summary]

Wedn. night, July 12 

I WRITE, my dearest creature, I cannot but write, express my concern on your dejection. Let me beseech you, my charming excellence, let me beseech you, not to give way to it.
    Comfort yourself, on the contrary, in the triumphs of a virtue unsullied; a will wholly faultless. Who could have withstood the trials that you have surmounted?-- Your cousin Morden will soon come. He will see justice done you, I make no doubt, as well with regard to what concerns your person as your estate. And many happy days may you yet see; and much good may you still do, if you will not heighten unavoidable accidents into guilty despondency.
    But why, my dear, this pining solicitude continued after a reconciliation with relations as unworthy as implacable; whose wills are governed by an all-grasping brother, who finds his account in keeping the breach open? On this over-solicitude it is now plain to me that the vilest of men built all his schemes. He saw you had a thirst after it, beyond all reason for hope. The view, the hope, I own extremely desirable, had your family been Christians; or even had they been pagans, who had bowels.
    I shall send this short letter (I am obliged to make it a short one by young Rogers, as we call him; the fellow I sent to you to Hampstead; an innocent, though pragmatical rustic. Admit him, I pray you, into your presence, that he may report to me how you look, and how you are.
    Mr. Hickman should attend you; but I apprehend that all his motions, and my own too, are watched by the execrable wretch: as indeed his are by an agent of mine; for I own that I am so apprehensive of his plots and revenge, now I know that he has intercepted my vehement letters against him, that he is the subject of my dreams, as well as of my waking fears.
    MY mother, at my earnest importunity, has just given me leave to write, and to receive your letters-but fastened this condition upon the concession, that yours must be under cover to Mr. Hickman (this with a view, I suppose, to give him consideration with me); and upon this further condition, that she is to see all we write-When girls are set upon a point,' she told one who told me again, `it is better for a mother, if possible, to make herself of their party, rather than to oppose them; since there will be then hopes that she will still hold the reins in her own hands.'
    Pray let me know what the people are with whom you lodge?-Shall I send Mrs. Townsend to direct you to lodgings, either more safe, or more convenient for you?
    Be pleased to write to me by Rogers; who will wait on you for your answer, at your own time.
    Adieu, my dearest creature. Comfort yourself, as you would in the like unhappy circumstances comfort

Your own
ANNA HOWE

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