me add, that should you not accuse me of it (if in your opinion I am
guilty) you will not be so much, so warmly, my friend as I am yours;
since I have never spared you on the like occasions.

Here I break off to begin another letter to you, with the assurance,
mean time, that I am, and ever will be,

Your equally affectionate and grateful,
CL. HARLOWE.



LETTER XII

MISS HOWE, TO MISS CLARISSA HARLOWE
THURSDAY MORNING, MARCH 2.


Indeed you would not be in love with him for the world!--Your servant,
my dear. Nor would I have you. For, I think, with all the advantages
of person, fortune, and family, he is not by any means worthy of you.
And this opinion I give as well from the reasons you mention (which I
cannot but confirm) as from what I have heard of him but a few hours
ago from Mrs. Fortescue, a favourite of Lady Betty Lawrance, who knows
him well--but let me congratulate you, however, on your being the
first of our sex that ever I heard of, who has been able to turn that
lion, Love, at her own pleasure, into a lap-dog.

Well but, if you have not the throbs and the glows, you have not: and
are not in love; good reason why--because you would not be in love;