Volume I Part 1 (2/2)

COL. WM. MORDEN, a near relation of the Harlowes.

MISS HOWE, the most intimate friend, companion, and correspondent of Clarissa.

MRS. HOWE, her mother.

CHARLES HICKMAN, ESQ. an admirer of Miss Howe.

LORD M., uncle to Mr. Lovelace.

LADY SARAH SADLEIR, LADY BETTY LAWRANCE, half-sisters of Lord M.

MISS CHARLOTTE MONTAGUE, MISS PATTY MONTAGUE, nieces of the same n.o.bleman.

DR. LEWEN, a worthy divine.

MR. ELIAS BRAND, a pedantic young clergyman.

DR. H. a humane physician.

MR. G.o.dDARD, an honest and skilful apothecary.

JOHN BELFORD, ESQ. Mr. Lovelace's princ.i.p.al intimate and confidant.

RICHARD MOWBRAY, THOMAS DOLEMAN, JAMES TOURVILLE, THOMAS BELTON, ESQRS. libertine friends of Mr. Lovelace.

MRS. MOORE, a widow, keeping a lodging-house at Hampstead.

MISS RAWLINS, a notable young gentlewoman there.

MRS. BEVIS, a lively young widow of the same place.

MRS. SINCLAIR, the pretended name of a private brothel-keeper in London.

CAPTAIN TOMLINSON, the a.s.sumed name of a vile pander to the debaucheries of Mr. Lovelace.

SALLY MARTIN, POLLY HORTON, a.s.sistants of, and partners with, the infamous Sinclair.

DORCAS WYKES, an artful servant at the vile house.

THE HISTORY OF CLARISSA HARLOWE

LETTER I

MISS ANNA HOWE, TO MISS CLARISSA HARLOWE JAN 10.

I am extremely concerned, my dearest friend, for the disturbance that have happened in your family. I know how it must hurt you to become the subject of the public talk: and yet, upon an occasion so generally known, it is impossible but that whatever relates to a young lady, whose distinguished merits have made her the public care, should engage every body's attention. I long to have the particulars from yourself; and of the usage I am told you receive upon an accident you could not help; and in which, as far as I can learn, the sufferer was the aggressor.

Mr. Diggs, the surgeon, whom I sent for at the first hearing of the rencounter, to inquire, for your sake, how your brother was, told me, that there was no danger from the wound, if there were none from the fever; which it seems has been increased by the perturbation of his spirits.

Mr. Wyerley drank tea with us yesterday; and though he is far from being partial to Mr. Lovelace, as it may well be supposed, yet both he and Mr.

Symmes blame your family for the treatment they gave him when he went in person to inquire after your brother's health, and to express his concern for what had happened.

They say, that Mr. Lovelace could not avoid drawing his sword: and that either your brother's unskilfulness or pa.s.sion left him from the very first pa.s.s entirely in his power.

This, I am told, was what Mr. Lovelace said upon it; retreating as he spoke: 'Have a care, Mr. Harlowe--your violence puts you out of your defence. You give me too much advantage. For your sister's sake, I will pa.s.s by every thing:--if--'

But this the more provoked his rashness, to lay himself open to the advantage of his adversary--who, after a slight wound given him in the arm, took away his sword.

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