saying nothing while Mr. Lovelace staid, as soon as he was gone, tell
of it in praise of the poor fellow's honesty?--Were this so, and were
not that landlord related to my dearest friend, how should I despise
such a wretch?--But, perhaps, the story is aggravated. Covetous
people have every one's ill word: and so indeed they ought; because
they are only solicitous to keep that which they prefer to every one's
good one.--Covetous indeed would they be, who deserved neither, yet
expected both!

I long for your next letter. Continue to be as particular as
possible. I can think of no other subject but what relates to you and
to your affairs: for I am, and ever will be, most affectionately,

Your own,
ANNA HOWE.



LETTER XVI

MISS CLARISSA HARLOWE, TO MISS HOWE
[HER PRECEDING NOT AT THAT TIME RECEIVED.]
FRIDAY, MARCH 3.


O my dear friend, I have had a sad conflict! Trial upon trial;
conference upon conference!--But what law, what ceremony, can give a
man a right to a heart which abhors him more than it does any living
creature?