Read "Clarissa Harlowe" by Samuel Richardson online for free on Textopian. Full text with search, annotations, highlights, and AI-powered reading aids.
Saturday, May 20 I am pleased with the sober reflection with which thou concludest thy last; and I thank thee for it. Poor Belton! -- I did not think his Thomasine would have proved so very a devil. But this must everlastingly be the risk of a keeper, who takes up with a lowbred girl. This I never did. Nor had I occasion to do it. Such a one as I, Jack, needed only, till now, to shake the stateliest tree, and the mellowed fruit dropped into my mouth: -- always of Montaigne's taste thou knowest: -- thought it a glory to subdue a girl of family.
-- More truly delightful to me the seduction-progress than the crowned act: for that's a vapour, a bubble! and most cordially do I thank thee for thy indirect hint, that I am right in my pursuit.