[105]: The witty, the prudent, nay the dutiful and pious (so she sneeringly pronounced the word) Clarisse Harlowe should be so strangely fond of a profligate man, that her parents were forced to lock her up, in order to hinder her from running into his arms. «Let me ask you, my dear, said she, how you now keep your account of the disposition of your time? How many hours in the twenty-four do you devote to your needle? How many to your prayers? How many to letter-writing? And how many to love? I doubt, I doubt, my little dear, the latter article is like Aaron's rod, and swallows up the rest.... You must therefore bend or break, that was all, child....
[106]: «What, not speak yet? Come, my sullen, silent dear, speak one word to me. You must say two very soon to Mr Solmes, I can tell you that.... Well, well (insultingly wiping my averted face with her handkerchief).... Then you think you may be brought to speak the two words.
[107]: This, Clary, is a pretty pattern enough. But this is quite charming!—And this, were I you, should be my wedding night-gown.—But, Clary, won't you have a velvet suit? It would cut a great figure in a country church, you know. Crimson velvet, I suppose. Such a fine complexion as yours, how it would be set off by this!—And do you sigh, love? Black velvet, so fair as you are, with those charming eyes, gleaming, through a wintry cloud, like an April sun. Does not Lovelace tell you they are charming eyes?
[108]: Let us go, Madam, let us leave the creature to swell till she bursts with her own poison.
[109]: Parcere subjectis et debellare superbos... «I love opposition.»
[110]: Damn me, said Lovelace, if he would marry the first princess on earth, if he but thought she balanced a minute in her choice of him or of an Emperor.
[111]: I went into mourning for her, though abroad at the time; a distinction I have ever paid to those worthy creatures who died in childbed by me.
[112]: Mémoires du maréchal de Richelieu.
[113]: That command of my passions which has been attributed to me as my greatest praise, and, in so young a creature, as my distinction.
[114]: How I am punished.... for my vanity in hoping to be an example to young persons of my sex! Let me be but a warning and I will now be contented.