Clarissa Harlowe; or the history of a young lady — Volume 1

by Samuel Richardson

  P.S. The insolent Betty Barnes has just now fired me anew, by reportingto me the following expressions of the hideous creature, Solmes--'Thathe is sure of the coy girl; and that with little labour to himself. Thatbe I ever so averse to him beforehand, he can depend upon my principles;and it will be a pleasure to him to see by what pretty degrees I shallcome to.' [Horrid wretch!] 'That it was Sir Oliver's observation, whoknew the world perfectly well, that fear was a better security thanlove, for a woman's good behaviour to her husband; although, for hispart, to such a fine creature [truly] he would try what love would do,for a few weeks at least; being unwilling to believe what the old knightused to aver, that fondness spoils more wives than it makes good.'

  What think you, my dear, of such a wretch as this! tutored, too, by thatold surly misogynist, as he was deemed, Sir Oliver?--