Clarissa · Chapter
Letter 203: Mr. Lovelace, to John Belford, Esq. explained
Lovelace writes to Belford about the collapse of the Mrs.
What happens
Lovelace writes to Belford about the collapse of the Mrs. Fretchville house scheme, as Mennell refuses to continue the deception. He receives a letter from his cousin Charlotte Montague, which he uses to manipulate Clarissa into believing his intentions are honorable. Clarissa initially resolves to leave him but changes her mind after seeing the letter from his family.
Themes in this chapter
Deception and Appearance vs. Reality
Lovelace orchestrates the Fretchville house deception and uses his family's letter to create a false appearance of honorable intentions.
Power and Manipulation
Lovelace manipulates Clarissa's emotions and perceptions through letters and delays, maintaining control over her situation.
Female Agency and Virtue
Clarissa asserts her dignity by initially planning to escape, but her agency is undermined by Lovelace's manipulation.
Characters to notice
- Robert Lovelace
Author of the letter; schemes to maintain control over Clarissa using the Fretchville deception and family letters.
- John Belford
Recipient of the letter; Lovelace confides in him about the plot and his manipulations.
- Clarissa Harlowe
Opens Mennell's letter by accident; initially resolves to escape but is swayed by Miss Montague's letter.
- Miss Charlotte Montague
Writes a letter to Lovelace expressing family support and plans to visit Clarissa.
- Mr. Mennell
Refuses to continue the deception regarding Mrs. Fretchville's house, citing conscience.
Key passages
“Well did I, and but just in time to conclude to have done with Mrs. Fretchville and the house: for here Mennell has declared, that he cannot in conscience and honour go any farther.”
I was just in time to end the scheme involving Mrs. Fretchville's house, because Mennell has refused to continue due to his conscience.
Lovelace acknowledges the collapse of his deception.
“She has refused dining with me, or seeing me: and I was out when it came. She opened it: so is my lady by her own consent, proud and saucy as she is.”
Clarissa refused to dine or see me; I was out when the letter arrived, and she opened it, thus becoming my lady by her own action, despite her pride.
Lovelace twists Clarissa's accidental opening of the letter into a sign of her consent.
“I had begun, [says she,] to suspect all he had said of Mrs. Fretchville and her house; and even Mr. Mennell himself, though so well-appearing a man. But now that I find Mr. Lovelace has apprised his relations of his intent to take it, and had engaged some of the ladies to visit me there, I could hardly forbear blaming myself for censuring him as capable of so vile an imposture.”
Clarissa admits she suspected the Fretchville story was a lie, but the letter from Lovelace's family makes her doubt her own judgment.
Clarissa's trust is manipulated by the appearance of family involvement.