Clarissa · Chapter
Letter 139: To Robert Lovelace, Esq. His Honner explained
Joseph Leman writes to Lovelace about gathering evidence from his cousin Titus regarding Lovelace's past seduction and rape of Miss Batirton of Nottingham, which Solmes planned to use against Lovelace.
What happens
Joseph Leman writes to Lovelace about gathering evidence from his cousin Titus regarding Lovelace's past seduction and rape of Miss Batirton of Nottingham, which Solmes planned to use against Lovelace. Leman expresses fear for Lovelace's life and offers to help prevent mischief, while also reporting on Captain Singleton and James Harlowe Jr.'s plotting for revenge. He reveals his own complicity in spreading stories that hardened the Harlowes against Clarissa, and worries about her safety.
Themes in this chapter
Deception and Appearance vs. Reality
Lovelace's past deception of Miss Batirton via a false letter mirrors his ongoing manipulation of Clarissa, while Leman's feigned loyalty masks his complicity.
Power and Manipulation
Lovelace manipulates Leman into spreading stories and gathering intelligence, while James Harlowe Jr. and Captain Singleton plot revenge, showing how power is exercised through subordinates.
Characters to notice
- Joseph Leman
Writes to Lovelace confessing his role in gathering evidence about Miss Batirton and expressing fear for Lovelace's life, while offering to prevent further mischief.
- Robert Lovelace
The recipient of Leman's letter; implicated in the seduction and rape of Miss Batirton, and warned of potential legal danger.
- James Harlowe Jr.
Reported by Leman to be plotting revenge with Captain Singleton, using violent language against Lovelace.
- Mr. Solmes
Mentioned as the one who planned to tell Clarissa about Lovelace's past misdeeds, including the Miss Batirton affair.
- Clarissa Harlowe
Leman expresses concern for her safety and regrets his role in hardening her family against her.
Key passages
“Your Honner got her away, it seems, by a false letter to her, macking believe as how her she-cuzzen, that she derely loved, was coming to see her; and was tacken ill upon the rode: and so Miss Batirton set out in a shase, and one sarvant, to fet her cuzzen from the inne where she laid sick, as she thote: and the sarvant was tricked, and braute back the shase; but Miss Batirton was not harde of for a month, or so.”
Lovelace lured Miss Batirton away by sending a false letter claiming her beloved cousin was ill on the road; she went to fetch her in a chaise, but the servant was tricked and returned alone, and Miss Batirton was missing for a month.
Leman recounts the story of Lovelace's deception of Miss Batirton, which parallels his later manipulation of Clarissa.
“I hope it was not so verry bad as Titus says it was; for he ses as how there was a rape in the case betwixt you at furste, and plese your Honner; and my cuzzen Titus is a very honist younge man as ever brocke bred.”
Leman hopes the story is not as bad as his cousin Titus claims, who says there was a rape involved; he vouches for Titus's honesty.
Leman reveals the serious accusation of rape against Lovelace, which could lead to legal consequences.
“If there should be danger of your Honner's life, I hope your Honner will not be hanged like as one of us common men; only have your hedd cut off, or so: and yet it is pit such a hedd should be lossed.”
If Lovelace is in danger of execution, Leman hopes he will be beheaded rather than hanged like a commoner, though he regrets the loss of such a head.
Leman's comment reflects the class-based differences in capital punishment, where gentlemen were often beheaded rather than hanged.