# Letter 104: Mr. Lovelace, to John Belford, Esq. explained — Clarissa

> Chapter companion for Clarissa by Samuel Richardson.

## What happens

Lovelace writes to Belford about his efforts to maintain Clarissa's trust by introducing Mrs. Greme as a respectable companion and allowing her to choose lodgings. He reflects on his rakish reputation, his manipulation of the Howe family through Joseph Leman, and his anxiety over Clarissa's correspondence with Anna Howe.

## Themes in this chapter

### Deception and Appearance vs. Reality

Lovelace deliberately presents a facade of honor by introducing Mrs. Greme, while secretly planning to trap Clarissa in London.

### Power and Manipulation

Lovelace orchestrates events to control Clarissa's perceptions and manipulate the Howe family through Joseph Leman.

## Character check-ins

### Robert Lovelace

Narrates the letter, detailing his strategy to keep Clarissa unsuspecting and his manipulation of the Howe family.

### Clarissa Harlowe

Is pleased with Mrs. Greme's company; weeps over a letter from Anna Howe, causing Lovelace to feel the consequences.

### Anna Howe

Her letter to Clarissa causes Clarissa to cry; Lovelace fears her sharp wit and plans to manipulate her mother.

### John Belford

The recipient of Lovelace's letter, addressed as a confidant in his schemes.

### Mrs. Greme

A pious matron introduced by Lovelace to accompany Clarissa; she prays and reads scripture to Lord M.

## Key lines

> I obliged the dear creature highly, I could perceive, by bringing Mrs. Greme to attend her, and to suffer that good woman’s recommendation of lodgings to take place, on her refusal to go to The Lawn.

Lovelace believes he pleased Clarissa by having Mrs. Greme accompany her and letting her choose lodgings instead of forcing her to go to The Lawn.

_Lovelace uses Mrs. Greme to appear trustworthy and give Clarissa a sense of control._

> She must believe all my views to be honourable, when I had provided for her no particular lodgings, leaving it to her choice, whether she would go to M. Hall, to The Lawn, to London, or to either of the dowagers of my family.

By not insisting on specific lodgings, Lovelace makes Clarissa think his intentions are honorable.

_Lovelace's strategy to maintain Clarissa's trust by appearing flexible._

> I have taken care to make all the implacables believe, that she escaped with it.

Lovelace has ensured that Clarissa's family believes she ran away willingly.

_Lovelace manipulates the narrative to prevent Clarissa from claiming she was forced._

> Miss Howe is a charming creature too; but confoundedly smart and spiritful. I am a good deal afraid of her.

Lovelace finds Anna Howe attractive but fears her intelligence and assertiveness.

_Lovelace acknowledges Anna Howe as a threat to his plans._

> I must continue to play off old Antony , by my honest Joseph , upon that mother, in order to manage that daughter, and oblige my beloved to an absolute dependence upon myself.

Lovelace plans to use Joseph Leman to manipulate Antony Harlowe and Mrs. Howe, making Clarissa more dependent on him.

_Lovelace's scheme to isolate Clarissa by controlling her support network._

## Links

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