That these presumers appear not in this very unworthy light to some of
your friends, is, because their defects are not so striking to them as
to others.--And why? Shall I venture to tell you?--Because they are
nearer their own standard--Modesty, after all, perhaps has a concern
in it; for how should they think that a niece or sister of theirs [I
will not go higher, for fear of incurring your displeasure] should be
an angel?

But where indeed is the man to be found (who has the least share of
due diffidence) that dares to look up to Miss Clarissa Harlowe with
hope, or with any thing but wishes? Thus the bold and forward, not
being sensible of their defects, aspire; while the modesty of the
really worthy fills them with too much reverence to permit them to
explain themselves. Hence your Symmes's, your Byron's, your
Mullins's, your Wyerley's (the best of the herd), and your Solmes's,
in turn, invade you--Wretches that, looking upon the rest of your
family, need not despair of succeeding in an alliance with it--But to
you, what an inexcusable presumption!

Yet I am afraid all opposition will be in vain. You must, you will, I
doubt, be sacrificed to this odious man. I know your family. There
will be no resisting such baits as he has thrown out. O, my dear, my
beloved friend! and are such charming qualities, is such exalted
merit, to be sunk in such a marriage!--You must not, your uncle tells
your mother, dispute their authority. AUTHORITY! what a full word is
that in the mouth of a narrow-minded person, who happened to be born
thirty years before one!--Of your uncles I speak; for as to the
paternal authority, that ought to be sacred.--But should not parents
have reason for what they do?