This set him in a violent pa.s.sion. He would send for Pritchard instantly. Let Pritchard be called. He would alter his will; and all he could leave from me, he would.
Do, do, my Lord, said I: I always valued my own pleasure above your estate. But I"ll let Pritchard know, that if he draws, he shall sign and seal.
Why, what would I do to Pritchard?--shaking his crazy head at me.
Only, what he, or any man else, writes with his pen, to despoil me of what I think my right, he shall seal with his ears; that"s all, my Lord.
Then the two Ladies interposed.
Lady Sarah told me, that I carried things a great way; and that neither Lord M. nor any of them, deserved the treatment I gave them.
I said, I could not bear to be used ill by my Lord, for two reasons; first, because I respected his Lordship above any man living; and next, because it looked as if I were induced by selfish considerations to take that from him, which n.o.body else would offer to me.
And what, returned he, shall be my inducement to take what I do at your hands?--Hay, Sir?
Indeed, Cousin Lovelace, said Lady Betty, with great gravity, we do not any of us, as Lady Sarah says, deserve at your hands the treatment you give us: and let me tell you, that I don"t think my character and your cousin Charlotte"s ought to be prost.i.tuted, in order to ruin an innocent lady. She must have known early the good opinion we all have of her, and how much we wished her to be your wife. This good opinion of ours has been an inducement to her (you see she says so) to listen to your address. And this, with her friends" folly, has helped to throw her into your power. How you have requited her is too apparent. It becomes the character we all bear, to disclaim your actions by her. And let me tell you, that to have her abused by wicked people raised up to personate us, or any of us, makes a double call upon us to disclaim them.
Lovel. Why this is talking somewhat like. I would have you all disclaim my actions. I own I have done very vilely by this lady. One step led to another. I am curst with an enterprizing spirit. I hate to be foiled--
Foiled! interrupted Lady Sarah. What a shame to talk at this rate!--Did the lady set up a contention with you? All n.o.bly sincere, and plain-hearted, have I heard Miss Clarissa Harlowe is: above art, above disguise; neither the coquette, nor the prude!--Poor lady! she deserved a better fare from the man for whom she took the step which she so freely blames!
This above half affected me.--Had this dispute been so handled by every one, I had been ashamed to look up. I began to be bashful.
Charlotte asked if I did not still seem inclinable to do the lady justice, if she would accept of me? It would be, she dared to say, the greatest felicity the family could know (she would answer for one) that this fine lady were of it.
They all declared to the same effect; and Lady Sarah put the matter home to me.
But my Lord Marplot would have it that I could not be serious for six minutes together.
I told his Lordship that he was mistaken; light as he thought I made of his subject, I never knew any that went so near my heart.
Miss Patty said she was glad to hear that: and her soft eyes glistened with pleasure.
Lord M. called her sweet soul, and was ready to cry.
Not from humanity neither, Jack. This Peer has no bowels; as thou mayest observe by this treatment of me. But when people"s minds are weakened by a sense of their own infirmities, and when they are drawing on to their latter ends, they will be moved on the slightest occasions, whether those offer from within or without them. And this, frequently, the unpenetrating world, calls humanity; when all the time, in compa.s.sionating the miseries of human nature, they are but pitying themselves; and were they in strong health and spirits, would care as little for any body else as thou or I do.
Here broke they off my trial for this sitting. Lady Sarah was much fatigued. It was agreed to pursue the subject in the morning. They all, however, retired together, and went into private conference.
LETTER VI
MR. LOVELACE [IN CONTINUATION.]
The Ladies, instead of taking up the subject where we had laid it down, must needs touch upon pa.s.sage in my fair accuser"s letter, which I was in hopes they would have let rest, as we were in a tolerable way. But, truly, they must hear all they could hear of our story, and what I had to say to those pa.s.sages, that they might be better enabled to mediate between us, if I were really and indeed inclined to do her the hoped-for justice.
These pa.s.sages were, 1st, "That, after I had compulsorily tricked her into the act of going off with me, I carried her to one of the worst houses in London."
2nd, "That I had made a wicked attempt upon her; in resentment of which she fled to Hampstead privately."
3dly, Came the forgery, and personating charges again; and we were upon the point of renewing out quarrel, before we could get to the next charge: which was still worse.
For that (4thly) was "That having betrayed her back to the vile house, I first robbed her of her senses, and then her honour; detaining her afterwards a prisoner there."
Were I to tell thee the glosses I put upon these heavy charges, what would it be, but repeat many of the extenuating arguments I have used in my letters to thee?--Suffice it, therefore, to say, that I insisted much, by way of palliation, on the lady"s extreme niceness: on her diffidence in my honour: on Miss Howe"s contriving spirit; plots on their parts begetting plots on mine: on the high pa.s.sions of the s.e.x. I a.s.serted, that my whole view, in gently restraining her, was to oblige her to forgive me, and to marry me; and this for the honour of both families.
I boasted of my own good qualities; some of which none that knew me deny; and to which few libertines can lay claim.
They then fell into warm admirations and praises of the lady; all of them preparatory, as I knew, to the grand question: and thus it was introduced by Lady Sarah.
We have said as much as I think we can say upon these letters of the poor lady. To dwell upon the mischiefs that may ensue from the abuse of a person of her rank, if all the reparation be not made that now can be made, would perhaps be to little purpose. But you seem, Sir, still to have a just opinion of her, as well as affection for her. Her virtue is not in the least questionable. She could not resent as she does, had she any thing to reproach herself with. She is, by every body"s account, a fine woman; has a good estate in her own right; is of no contemptible family; though I think, with regard to her, they have acted as imprudently as unworthily. For the excellency of her mind, for good economy, the common speech of her, as the worthy Dr. Lewen once told me, is that her prudence would enrich a poor man, and her piety reclaim a licentious one. I, who have not been abroad twice this twelvemonth, came hither purposely, so did Lady Betty, to see if justice may not be done her; and also whether we, and my Lord M. (your nearest relations, Sir,) have, or have not, any influence over you. And, for my own part, as your determination shall be in this article, such shall be mine, with regard to the disposition of all that is within my power.
Lady Betty. And mine.
And mine, said my Lord: and valiantly he swore to it.
Lovel. Far be it from me to think slightly of favours you may any of you be glad I would deserve! but as far be it from me to enter into conditions against my own liking, with sordid views!--As to future mischiefs, let them come. I have not done with the Harlowes yet. They were the aggressors; and I should be glad they would let me hear from them, in the way they should hear from me in the like case. Perhaps I should not be sorry to be found, rather than be obliged to seek, on this occasion.
Miss Charlotte. [Reddening.] Spoke like a man of violence, rather than a man of reason! I hope you"ll allow that, Cousin.
Lady Sarah. Well, but since what is done, and cannot be undone, let us think of the next best, Have you any objection against marrying Miss Harlowe, if she will have you?
Lovel. There can possibly be but one: That she is to every body, no doubt, as well as to Lady Betty, pursuing that maxim peculiar to herself, (and let me tell you so it ought to be:) that what she cannot conceal from herself, she will publish to the world.
Miss Patty. The lady, to be sure, writes this in the bitterness of her grief, and in despair.----
Lovel. And so when her grief is allayed; when her despairing fit is over--and this from you, Cousin Patty!--Sweet girl! And would you, my dear, in the like case [whispering her] have yielded to entreaty--would you have meant no more by the like exclamations?
I had a rap with her fan, and blush; and from Lord M. a reflection, That I turn"d into jest every thing they said.
I asked, if they thought the Harlowes deserved any consideration from me?
And whether that family would not exult over me, were I to marry their daughter, as if I dared not to do otherwise?
Lady Sarah. Once I was angry with that family, as we all were. But now I pity them; and think, that you have but too well justified the worse treatment they gave you.
Lord M. Their family is of standing. All gentlemen of it, and rich, and reputable. Let me tell you, that many of our coronets would be glad they could derive their descents from no worse a stem than theirs.
Lovel. The Harlowes are a narrow-souled and implacable family. I hate them: and, though I revere the lady, scorn all relation to them.
Lady Betty. I wish no worse could be said of him, who is such a scorner of common failings in others.
Lord M. How would my sister Lovelace have reproached herself for all her indulgent folly to this favourite boy of her"s, had she lived till now, and been present on this occasion!
Lady Sarah. Well, but, begging your Lordship"s pardon, let us see if any thing can be done for this poor lady.
Miss Ch. If Mr. Lovelace has nothing to object against the lady"s character, (and I presume to think he is not ashamed to do her justice, though it may make against himself,) I cannot but see her honour and generosity will compel from him all that we expect. If there be any levities, any weaknesses, to be charged upon the lady, I should not open my lips in her favour; though in private I would pity her, and deplore her hard hap. And yet, even then, there might not want arguments, from honour to grat.i.tude, in so particular a case, to engage you, Sir, to make good the vows it is plain you have broken.