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<h2> LETTER LVII </h2>
<p>MRS. NORTON, TO MRS. HARLOWE FRIDAY, JULY 28.</p>
<p>HONOURED MADAM,</p>
<p>Being forbid (without leave) to send you any thing I might happen to
receive from my beloved Miss Clary, and so ill, that I cannot attend you
to ask your leave, I give you this trouble, to let you know that I have
received a letter from her; which, I think, I should hereafter be held
inexcusable, as things may happen, if I did not desire permission to
communicate to you, and that as soon as possible.</p>
<p>Applications have been made to the dear young lady from Lord M., from the
two ladies his sisters, and from both his nieces, and from the wicked man
himself, to forgive and marry him. This, in noble indignation for the
usage she has received from him, she has absolutely refused. And perhaps,
Madam, if you and the honoured family should be of opinion that to comply
with their wishes is now the properest measure that can be taken, the
circumstances of things may require your authority or advice, to induce
her to change her mind.</p>
<p>I have reason to believe that one motive for her refusal is her full
conviction that she shall not long be a trouble to any body; and so she
would not give a husband a right to interfere with her family, in relation
to the estate her grandfather devised to her. But of this, however, I have
not the least intimation from her. Nor would she, I dare say, mention it
as a reason, having still stronger reasons, from his vile treatment of
her, to refuse him.</p>
<p>The letter I have received will show how truly penitent the dear creature
is; and, if I have your permission, I will send it sealed up, with a copy
of mine, to which it is an answer. But as I resolve upon this step without
her knowledge, [and indeed I do,] I will not acquaint her with it, unless
it be attended with desirable effects: because, otherwise, besides making
me incur her displeasure, it might quite break her already half-broken
heart. I am,</p>
<p>Honoured Madam, Your dutiful and ever-obliged servant, JUDITH NORTON.</p>
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