Clarissa · Chapter
Letter 199: Mr. Lovelace, to John Belford, Esq. explained
Lovelace, having intercepted a letter from Anna Howe to Clarissa, is enraged by Miss Howe's contemptuous remarks about his character and intentions.
What happens
Lovelace, having intercepted a letter from Anna Howe to Clarissa, is enraged by Miss Howe's contemptuous remarks about his character and intentions. He transcribes parts of the letter that reveal a plan for Clarissa to escape his control with the help of Mrs. Townsend until Colonel Morden arrives. Lovelace vows revenge, resolves to subdue Clarissa's pride, and announces his intention to force a meeting with her that evening.
Themes in this chapter
Deception and Appearance vs. Reality
Lovelace intercepts and reads a private letter, revealing the gap between Clarissa's outward compliance and her friend's true plans for escape. He also reflects on the hypocrisy of women who claim to hate rakes yet are drawn to them.
Power and Manipulation
Lovelace uses his control over Clarissa's correspondence and environment to gather intelligence and plot revenge. His determination to 'subdue' Clarissa and 'punish' her pride exemplifies his manipulative pursuit of power.
Characters to notice
- Robert Lovelace
Narrates the letter; enraged by Miss Howe's insults and Clarissa's apparent disdain; plots revenge and asserts his dominance.
- John Belford
The recipient of Lovelace's letter; confidant to whom Lovelace vents his anger and shares his schemes.
- Anna Howe
Her intercepted letter reveals her low opinion of Lovelace and her plan to help Clarissa escape; described as a 'virago' and 'vixen' by Lovelace.
- Clarissa Harlowe
The subject of Lovelace's schemes; her disdain for him is inferred from Miss Howe's letter; Lovelace intends to confront her.
- Dorcas Wykes
Transcribed the intercepted letter for Lovelace.
Key passages
“Men of our cast, she fancies, cannot have the ardours that honest men have.”
Miss Howe believes that men like Lovelace are incapable of the genuine passion that honorable men feel.
Lovelace quotes Miss Howe's dismissive view of his sincerity.
“I will not be out-Norris’d, Belford.”
I refuse to be outdone in cunning or scheming, Belford.
Lovelace asserts his determination to match or exceed any plot against him.
“Sweet creatures and true Christians these young girls! They love their enemies. But rakes in their hearts all of them!”
These young women are sweet and forgiving, but deep down they are attracted to rakes.
Lovelace cynically interprets women's tolerance of rakes as secret attraction.