How we cite our quotes: (Letter.Paragraph)
Quote #1
I hope I shall be honest, I once more say: but as we frail mortals are not our masters at times, I must endeavour to keep the dear creature unapprehensive […] (104.7)
Uh-oh. Lovelace is acknowledging early on that he doesn't feel like he's in control of his own desires. Run, Clarissa! (Moral #294 of Clarissa: lock those passions down, hoomans.)
Quote #2
Now, as I am thinking, if I could pull her down a little nearer to my own level; that is to say, could prevail upon her to do something that would argue imperfection, something to repent of; we should jog on much more equally, and be better able to comprehend one another […] (118.11)
Lovelace thinks he detects something like lust in Clarissa. Has he been watching "The Pickup Artist"? Or is there actually something less than perfect in our paragon of virtue?