JA. HARLOWE.

You must still write to me, if you condescend to reply. Your mother will
not be permitted to be disturbed with your nothing-meaning vocatives!--
Vocatives, once more, Madam Clary, repeats the pedant your brother!


***


TO JAMES HARLOWE, JUNIOR, ESQ.

Permit me, my ever-dear and honoured Papa and Mamma, in this manner to
surprise you into an audience, (presuming this will be read to you,)
since I am denied the honour of writing to you directly. Let me beg of
you to believe, that nothing but the most unconquerable dislike could
make me stand against your pleasure. What are riches, what are
settlements, to happiness? Let me not thus cruelly be given up to a man
my very soul is averse to. Permit me to repeat, that I cannot honestly
be his. Had I a slighter notion of the matrimonial duty than I have,
perhaps I might. But when I am to bear all the misery, and that for
life; when my heart is less concerned in this matter, than my soul; my
temporary, perhaps, than my future good; why should I be denied the
liberty of refusing? That liberty is all I ask.

It were easy for me to give way to hear Mr. Solmes talk for the mentioned
fortnight, although it is impossible for me, say what he would, to get
over my dislike to him. But the moated-house, the chapel there, and the
little mercy my brother and sister, who are to be there, have hitherto