Clarissa Harlowe by Samuel Richardson (e reader manga .txt) ๐
Description
Clarissa Harlowe, or The History of a Young Lady is one of the longest novels in the English language. Written by Samuel Richardson over a period of several years and published in 1748, it is composed entirely of letters. Though this may seem daunting, the novel is highly regarded and is considered by many critics as one of the greatest works of English literature, appearing in several lists of the best British novels ever written.
The novel tells the story of young Clarissa, eighteen years of age at the start of the novel. She is generally regarded by her family, neighbors, and friends as the most virtuous and kind young woman they know. But she is drawn into correspondence with Richard Lovelace, a well-born, rich young man regarded as something of a rake, when she attempts to reconcile a dispute between Lovelace and her rash brother. Lovelace, imagining this indicates her love for him, carries out a series of strategems which result in him essentially abducting her from her family, from whom Clarissa then becomes estranged.
Much of the correspondence consists of the letters between Clarissa and her close friend Anna Howe, and between Lovelace and his friend Jack Belford, to whom he confesses all of his strategems and โinventionsโ in his assault on Clarissaโs honor.
The novel is thus a fascinating study of human nature. Much of Lovelaceโs actions and attitudes towards women are regrettably only too familiar to modern readers. And while Clarissa herself may be a little too good to be true, nevertheless she is shown as having some flaws which lead to a tragic outcome.
This Standard Ebooks edition is based on the 9-volume Chapman and Hall edition of 1902.
Read free book ยซClarissa Harlowe by Samuel Richardson (e reader manga .txt) ๐ยป - read online or download for free at americanlibrarybooks.com
- Author: Samuel Richardson
Read book online ยซClarissa Harlowe by Samuel Richardson (e reader manga .txt) ๐ยป. Author - Samuel Richardson
A servant came, who gave me to understand that the matronly lady was just returned by herself in the chariot.
Frighted out of my wits, I alighted, and heard from the motherโs own mouth, that Dorcas had engaged her to protect the lady; but came to tell her afterwards, that she had changed her mind, and would not quit the house.
Quite astonished, not knowing what might have happened, I ordered the coachman to lash away to our motherโs.
Arriving here in an instant, the first word I asked, was, If the lady was safe?
[Mr. Lovelace here gives a very circumstantial relation of all that passed between the Lady and Dorcas. But as he could only guess at her motives for refusing to go off, when Dorcas told her that she had engaged for her the protection of the dowager-lady, it is thought proper to omit this relation, and to supply it by some memoranda of the Ladyโs. But it is first necessary to account for the occasion on which those memoranda were made.
The reader may remember, that in the letter written to Miss Howe, on her escape to Hampstead,249 she promises to give her the particulars of her flight at leisure. She had indeed thoughts of continuing her account of everything that had passed between her and Mr. Lovelace since her last narrative letter. But the uncertainty she was in from that time, with the execrable treatment she met with on her being deluded back again, followed by a weekโs delirium, had hitherto hindered her from prosecuting her intention. But, nevertheless, having it still in her view to perform her promise as soon as she had opportunity, she made minutes of everything as it passed, in order to help her memory:โ โโWhich,โ as she observes in one place, โshe could less trust to since her late disorders than before.โ In these minutes, or book of memoranda, she observes, โThat having apprehensions that Dorcas might be a traitress, she would have got away while she was gone out to see for a coach; and actually slid downstairs with that intent. But that, seeing Mrs. Sinclair in the entry, (whom Dorcas had planted there while she went out), she speeded up again unseen.โ
She then went up to the dining-room, and saw the letter of Captain Tomlinson: on which she observes in her memorandum-book as follows:]
โHow am I puzzled now!โ โHe might leave this letter on purpose: none of the other papers left with it being of any consequence: What is the alternative?โ โTo stay, and be the wife of the vilest of menโ โhow my heart resists that!โ โTo attempt to get off, and fail, ruin inevitable!โ โDorcas may betray me!โ โI doubt she is still his implement!โ โAt his going out, he whispered her, as I saw, unobservedโ โin a very familiar manner tooโ โNever fear, Sir, with a courtesy.
โIn her agreeing to connive at my escape, she provided not for her own safety, if I got away: yet had reason, in that case, to expect his vengeance. And wants not forethought.โ โTo have taken her with me, was to be in the power of her intelligence, if a faithless creature.โ โLet me, however, though I part not with my caution, keep my charity!โ โCan there be any woman so vile to a woman?โ โO yes!โ โMrs. Sinclair: her aunt.โ โThe Lord deliver me!โ โBut, alas!โ โI have put myself out of the course of his protection by the natural meansโ โand am already ruined! A fatherโs curse likewise against me! Having made vain all my friendsโ cautions and solicitudes, I must not hope for miracles in my favour!
โIf I do escape, what may become of me, a poor, helpless, deserted creature!โ โHelpless from sex!โ โfrom circumstances!โ โExposed to every danger!โ โLord protect me!
โHis vile man not gone with him!โ โLurking hereabouts, no doubt, to watch my steps!โ โI will not go away by the chariot, however.โ โ
โThat the chariot should come so opportunely! So like his many opportunities!โ โThat Dorcas should have the sudden thought!โ โShould have the courage with the thought, to address a lady in behalf of an absolute stranger to that lady! That the lady should so readily consent! Yet the transaction between them to take up so much time, their distance in degree considered: for, arduous as the case was, and precious as the time, Dorcas was gone above half an hour! Yet the chariot was said to be ready at a grocerโs not many doors off!
โIndeed some elderly ladies are talkative: and there are, no doubt, some good people in the world.โ โ
โBut that it should chance to be a widow lady, who could do what she pleased! That Dorcas should know her to be so by the lozenge! Persons in her station are not usually so knowing, I believe, in heraldry.
โYet some may! for servants are fond of deriving collateral honours and distinctions, as I may call them, from the quality, or people of rank, whom they serve. But this sly servant not gone with him! Then this letter of Tomlinson!โ โ
โAlthough I am resolved never to have this wretch, yet, may I not throw myself into my uncleโs protection at Kentish-town, or Highgate, if I cannot escape before: and so get clear of him? May not the evil I know be less than what I may fall into, if I can avoid farther villany? Farther villany he has not yet threatened; freely and justly as I have treated him!โ โI will not go, I think. At least, unless I can send this fellow away.250โ โ
โThe fellow a villain! The wench, I doubt, a vile wench. At last concerned for her
Comments (0)