LETTER XLIV
COLONEL MORDEN, TO MISS CLARISSA HARLOWETUESDAY, AUG. 29.
I should not, my dearest Cousin, have been a fortnight in England,without either doing myself the honour of waiting upon you in person, orof writing to you; if I had not been busying myself almost all the timein your service, in hopes of making my visit or letter still moreacceptable to you--acceptable as I have reason to presume either will befrom the unquestionable love I ever bore you, and from the esteem youalways honoured me with.
Little did I think that so many days would have been required to effectmy well-intended purpose, where there used to be a love so ardent on oneside, and where there still is, as I am thoroughly convinced, the mostexalted merit on the other!
I was yesterday with Mr. Lovelace and Lord M. I need not tell you, itseems, how very desirous the whole family and all the relations of thatnobleman are of the honour of an alliance with you; nor how exceedinglyearnest the ungrateful man is to make you all the reparation in hispower.
I think, my dear Cousin, that you cannot now do better than to give himthe honour of your hand. He says just and great things of your virtue,and so heartily condemns himself, that I think there is honorable roomfor you to forgive him: and the more room, as it seems you are determinedagainst a legal prosecution.
Your effectual forgiveness of Mr. Lovelace, it is evident to me, willaccelerate a general reconciliation: for, at present, my other cousinscannot persuade themselves that he is in earnest to do you justice; orthat you would refuse him, if you believed he was.
But, my dear Cousin, there may possibly be something in this affair, towhich I may be a stranger. If there be, and you will acquaint me withit, all that a naturally-warm heart can do in your behalf shall be done.
I hope I shall be able, in my next visits to my several cousins, to setall right with them. Haughty spirits, when convinced that they havecarried resentments too high, want but a good excuse to condescend: andparents must always love the child they once loved.
But if I find them inflexible, I will set out, and attend you withoutdelay; for I long to see you, after so many years' absence.
Mean while, I beg the favour of a few lines, to know if you have reasonto doubt Mr. Lovelace's sincerity. For my part, I can have none, if I amto judge from the conversation that passed between us yesterday, inpresence of Lord M.
You will be pleased to direct for me at your uncle Antony's.
Permit me, my dearest Cousin, till I can procure a happy reconciliationbetween you and your father, and brother, and uncles, to supply the placeto you of all those near relations, as well as that of
Your affectionate kinsman, and humble servant,WM. MORDEN.
Clarissa Harlowe; or the history of a young lady — Volume 8 Page 45