# Letter 124: Miss Clarissa Harlowe, to Miss Howe explained — Clarissa

> Chapter companion for Clarissa by Samuel Richardson.

## What happens

Clarissa recounts a conversation with Lovelace in which she attempts to reprove him for his faults, but he deflects with flattery and shifts the discussion to practical proposals for her future. He offers to arrange her residence with the Howes, to escort her to her cousin Morden in Florence, or to have his cousins accompany her. Clarissa declines the offer of his personal escort, citing propriety, and decides to wait for word from her aunt or sister before making any decisions.

## Themes in this chapter

### Deception and Appearance vs. Reality

Lovelace's flattery and deflection mask his true intentions, while Clarissa struggles to see through his polished words to the reality of his character.

### Female Agency and Virtue

Clarissa asserts her moral authority by reproving Lovelace, yet her agency is constrained by social expectations and her dependence on male relatives for protection.

## Character check-ins

### Clarissa Harlowe

Reproves Lovelace for his faults but is interrupted by his flattery; considers his proposals for her future but insists on propriety and awaits family correspondence.

### Robert Lovelace

Deflects Clarissa's reproof with excessive praise; proposes several expedients for her situation, including residence with the Howes or a journey to Florence with his cousins.

### Anna Howe

Mentioned as a potential host for Clarissa; Clarissa decides not to trouble her for an opinion on Lovelace's proposal.

### Colonel Morden

Clarissa's cousin, expected soon; Lovelace offers to escort Clarissa to him in Florence, but she refuses on grounds of propriety.

### Miss Charlotte Montague

Mentioned as a possible companion for Clarissa on a journey to Florence, though Clarissa doubts the feasibility.

## Key lines

> I was going on to tell him more of my mind; but he interrupted me⁠—Dear, dear Madam, spare me. I am sorry that I have lived to this hour for nothing at all.

Clarissa tried to continue her reproach, but Lovelace cut her off, pleading with her to stop and lamenting that he had lived in vain.

_Lovelace uses self-deprecation to avoid facing Clarissa's criticism._

> It is an angelic delicacy, which sets you above all our sex, and even above your own.

Lovelace flatters Clarissa by calling her delicacy angelic and superior to all women, even to herself.

_His excessive praise is a tactic to disarm her moral objections._

> I will go to Mrs. Howe, or to Miss Howe, or to whomsoever you would have me to go, and endeavour to prevail upon them to receive you.

Lovelace offers to intercede with Mrs. Howe or Miss Howe to secure a place for Clarissa to stay.

_He presents himself as a helpful intermediary, though his motives may be self-serving._

## Links

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