one he carries.

How do needless watchfulness and undue restraint produce artifice and
contrivance! I should abhor these clandestine correspondences, were
they not forced upon me. They have so mean, so low an appearance to
myself, that I think I ought not to expect that you should take part
in them.

But why (as I have also expostulated with my aunt) must I be pushed
into a state, which I have no wish to enter into, although I reverence
it?--Why should not my brother, so many years older, and so earnest to
see me engaged, be first engaged?--And why should not my sister be
first provided for?

But here I conclude these unavailing expostulations, with the
assurance, that I am, and ever will be,

Your affectionate,
CLARISSA HARLOWE.



LETTER X

MISS HOWE, TO MISS CLARISSA HARLOWE
FEB. 27


What odd heads some people have!--Miss Clarissa Harlowe to be
sacrificed in marriage to Mr. Roger Solmes!--Astonishing!