and Betty Barnes. She is terrified.

LETTER XXIII. Lovelace to Belford.--
Rejoices in the stupidity of the Harlowes. Exults in his capacity for
mischief. The condescensions to which he intends to bring the lady.
Libertine observations to the disadvantage of women; which may serve as
cautions to the sex.

LETTER XXIV. Clarissa to Miss Howe.--
A conversation with Mr. Lovelace wholly agreeable. His promises of
reformation. She remembers, to his advantage, his generosity to his
Rosebud and his tenants. Writes to her aunt Hervey.

LETTER XXV. XXVI. Lovelace to Belford.--
His acknowledged vanity. Accounts for his plausible behaviour, and
specious promises and proposals. Apprehensive of the correspondence
between Miss Howe and Clarissa. Loves to plague him with out-of-the-
way words and phrases.

LETTER XXVII. Miss Howe to Clarissa.--
How to judge of Lovelace's suspicious proposals and promises. Hickman
devoted to their service. Yet she treats him with ridicule.

LETTER XXVIII. Clarissa to Miss Howe.--
Lovelace complains, she hears, to Mrs. Greme, of her adhering to her
injunctions. What means he by it, she asks, yet forego such
opportunities as he had? She is punished for her vanity in hoping to be
an example. Blames Miss Howe for her behaviour to Hickman.

LETTER XXIX. From the same.--