Chapter 12
Letter XII. Letter XII. Mr. Hickman to Miss Clarissa Harlow, sent to Wilson's by a particular hand. Friday, May 5th. Madam, I have the honour of dear Miss Howe's commands to acquaint you, without knowing the occasion,
that she is excessively concerned for the concern she has given you in her last letter, and that, if you are but right to her, under cover as before, she will have no thoughts of what you are so very apprehensive about. Yet she bid me write, that if she had but the least imagination that she can serve you and save you, those are her words, all the censures of the world will be but of second consideration with her.
I have great temptations on this occasion to express my own resentments upon your present state, but not being fully apprised of what that is, only conjecturing from the disturbance upon the mind of the dearest lady in the world to me, and the most sincere of friends to you, that that is not altogether so happy as were to be wished, and being moreover forbid to enter into the cruel subject, I can only offer, as I do, my best and faithfulest services, and wish you a happy deliverance from all your troubles. for I am, most excellent young lady, your faithful and most obedient servant, Charles Hickman. End of letter 12
