Clarissa · Chapter
Letter 204: Mr. Lovelace, to John Belford, Esq. explained
Lovelace writes to Belford describing a morning interview with Clarissa, buoyed by a favorable letter from his cousin Miss Montague.
What happens
Lovelace writes to Belford describing a morning interview with Clarissa, buoyed by a favorable letter from his cousin Miss Montague. He notes that Clarissa's reserves are not entirely gone, but he attributes this to feminine formality. He regrets Mrs. Fretchville's illness, which delays his plan to install Clarissa in a house before marriage, but sees no great loss as they can visit his relatives' estates. He inquires about Clarissa's smallpox history, offers her the original of Miss Montague's letter, and discusses settlements with Pritchard. He kisses her hand repeatedly and feels optimistic about his prospects. However, he reports that a man of good appearance has been making inquiries about them, asking Dorcas whether they are married, which alarms Clarissa. Lovelace uses this to reinforce the pretense that they are married, suspecting the inquiry comes from her brother.
Themes in this chapter
Deception and Appearance vs. Reality
Lovelace maintains the pretense of marriage to Clarissa and uses the inquiry to reinforce the lie, highlighting the gap between appearance and truth.
Power and Manipulation
Lovelace manipulates Clarissa's fears about the inquiry to his advantage, and reflects on his strategy of making her afraid of him to gain her compliance.
Characters to notice
- Robert Lovelace
Narrates the letter; describes his interview with Clarissa, his plans, and his reaction to the inquiry.
- Clarissa Harlowe
The subject of Lovelace's account; she listens sweetly, asks to copy Miss Montague's letter, and shows unease about the inquiry.
- John Belford
The recipient of Lovelace's letter.
- Miss Charlotte Montague
Her letter in Lovelace's favor has a happy effect on Clarissa.
- Dorcas Wykes
Questioned by a man of good appearance about whether Lovelace and Clarissa are married.
- James Harlowe Jr.
Implied as the possible source of the inquiry about Lovelace and Clarissa.
Key passages
“It is not in the power of woman, says he, to be altogether sincere on these occasions. But why?—Do they think it so great a disgrace to be found out to be really what they are ?”
Lovelace claims that women cannot be completely sincere in romantic matters, as if they consider it shameful to be discovered as they truly are.
Reflects Lovelace's cynical view of female sincerity.
“I kissed her unrepulsing hand no less than five times during this conversation. Lord, Jack, how my generous heart ran over!—She was quite obliging at parting.—She in a manner asked me leave to retire; to reperuse Charlotte’s letter.—I think she bent her knees to me; but I won’t be sure.”
Lovelace boasts of kissing Clarissa's hand repeatedly and interprets her polite behavior as submission, though he admits uncertainty about a possible curtsy.
Shows Lovelace's self-congratulatory tone and his perception of Clarissa's compliance.
“Every fortified town has its strong and its weak place. I have carried on my attacks against the impregnable parts. I have not doubt but I shall either shine or smuggle her out of her cloak, since she and Miss Howe have intended to employ a smuggler against me.”
Lovelace compares his seduction of Clarissa to besieging a fortress, confident he will find a weakness and succeed despite her and Miss Howe's plans to outwit him.
Illustrates Lovelace's predatory and militaristic view of courtship.