Proposes a condition on which Mrs. Howe may see all they write.

LETTER XLIV. Miss Howe to Clarissa.--
Her mother rejects the proposed condition. Miss Howe takes thankfully
her reprehensions: but will continue the correspondence. Some excuses
for herself. Humourous story of game-chickens.

LETTER XLV. Clarissa to Miss Howe.--
Lovelace communicates her brother's and Singleton's project; but treats
it with seeming contempt. She asks his advice what to do upon it. This
brings on an offer of marriage from him. How it went off.

LETTER XLVI. Lovelace to Belford.--
He confesses his artful intentions in the offer of marriage: yet had
like, he says, to have been caught in his own snares.

LETTER XLVII. Joseph Leman to Mr. Lovelace.--
With intelligence of a design formed against him by the Harlowes.
Joseph's vile hypocrisy and selfishness.

LETTER XLVIII. Lovelace. In answer.--
Story of Miss Betterton. Boast of his treatment of his mistresses. The
artful use he makes of Joseph's intelligence.

LETTER XLIX. Clarissa to her aunt Hervey.--
Complains of her silence. Hints at her not having designed to go away
with Lovelace. She will open her whole heart to her, if she encourage
her to do so, by the hopes of a reconciliation.

LETTER L. Miss Howe to Clarissa.--