LETTER III

MISS CLARISSA HARLOWE, TO MISS HOWE
THURSDAY MORNING, EIGHT O'CLOCK.


I am more and more displeased with Mr. Lovelace, on reflection, for his
boldness in hoping to make me, though but passively, as I may say,
testify to his great untruth. And I shall like him still less for it, if
his view in it does not come out to be the hope of accelerating my
resolution in his favour, by the difficulty it will lay me under as to my
behaviour to him. He has sent me his compliments by Dorcas, with a
request that I will permit him to attend me in the dining-room,--meet him
in good humour, or not: but I have answered, that as I shall see him at
breakfast-time I desired to be excused.


TEN O'CLOCK.

I tried to adjust my countenance, before I went down, to an easier air
than I had a heart, and was received with the highest tokens of respect
by the widow and her two nieces: agreeable young women enough in their
persons; but they seemed to put on an air of reserve; while Mr. Lovelace
was easy and free to all, as if he were of long acquaintance with them:
gracefully enough, I cannot but say; an advantage which travelled
gentlemen have over other people.

The widow, in the conversation we had after breakfast, gave us an account
of the military merit of the Colonel her husband, and, upon this
occasion, put her handkerchief to her eyes twice or thrice. I hope for