[Dorothy, Lady Bradshaigh (as 'Mrs Belfour') to Samuel Richardson (letter undated):] 'Just as I was sending this to the post, your fifth volume came to my hand [...] I long to read it -- and yet I dare not. But I have a kind friend who will first look it over [...] [he] is willing to save me pain, though at the expence of suffering it himself. If I find the dreaded horrid act is not perpetrated, I will promise to read it [...] 'O, Sir! I have been prevailed upon to read a part of your story [i.e. Lovelace's drugging and rape of Clarissa], that I thought would have torn my heart in a thousand pieces. You have drawn a villain above nature; and you make that villain a sensible man, with many good qualities, and you have declared him not an unbeliever. Indeed, Sir, I am more out of conceit with your scheme than ever; it must do harm, indeed it must. What will any villain care what becomes of a Clarissa, when he has gained his horrid ends, which you have taught him how to gain [...] it is too shocking and barbarous a story for publication [...] Blot out but one night, and the villainous laudanum, and all may be well again.'