Yet it must be said too, that if there be a woman in the world that can
reclaim him, it is you. And, by your account of his behaviour in the
interview between you, I own I have some hope of him. At least, this I
will say, that all the arguments he then used with you, seemed to be just
and right. And if you are to be his--But no more of that: he cannot,
after all, deserve you.



LETTER V

MISS HOWE, TO MISS CLARISSA HARLOWE
THURSDAY AFTERNOON, MARCH 23.


An unexpected visitor has turned the course of my thoughts, and changed
the subject I had intended to pursue. The only one for whom I would have
dispensed with my resolution not to see any body all the dedicated day:
a visiter, whom, according to Mr. Hickman's report from the expectations
of his libertine friends, I supposed to be in town.--Now, my dear, have I
saved myself the trouble of telling you, that it was you too-agreeable
rake. Our sex is said to love to trade in surprises: yet have I, by my
promptitude, surprised myself out of mine. I had intended, you must
know, to run twice the length, before I had suffered you to know so much
as to guess who, and whether man or woman, my visiter was: but since you
have the discovery at so cheap a rate, you are welcome to it.

The end of his coming was, to engage my interest with my charming friend;
and he was sure that I knew all your mind, to acquaint him what he had to
trust to.