out-blustered and out-gloomed of their own wills, instead of being fooled
out of them by acts of tenderness and complaisance.--I wish, that it does
not demonstrate too evidently, that, with some of the sex, insolent
controul is a more efficacious subduer than kindness or concession. Upon
my life, my dear, I have often thought, that many of us are mere babies
in matrimony: perverse fools when too much indulged and humoured;
creeping slaves, when treated harshly. But shall it be said, that fear
makes us more gentle obligers than love?--Forbid it, Honour! Forbid it,
Gratitude! Forbid it, Justice! that any woman of sense should give
occasion to have this said of her!

Did I think you would have any manner of doubt, from the style or
contents of this letter, whose saucy pen it is that has run on at this
rate, I would write my name at length; since it comes too much from my
heart to disavow it: but at present the initials shall serve; and I will
go on again directly.

A.H.



LETTER IV

MISS HOWE, TO MISS CLARISSA HARLOWE
THURSDAY MORN. 10 O'CLOCK (MAR. 23).


I will postpone, or perhaps pass by, several observations which I had to
make on other parts of your letters; to acquaint you, that Mr. Hickman,
when in London, found an opportunity to inquire after Mr. Lovelace's town