# Letter 210: Mr. Lovelace, to John Belford, Esq. explained — Clarissa

> Chapter companion for Clarissa by Samuel Richardson.

## What happens

Lovelace writes to Belford about a pleasant airing with Clarissa, attended by the two nymphs (Sally and Polly). He describes their conversation, his attempts to gain access to her correspondence with Miss Howe, and his plans to feign illness to elicit her sympathy. He also notes that Dorcas has transcribed Miss Howe's letter and that Clarissa has moved her papers to a wainscot box, which he cannot yet access.

## Themes in this chapter

### Deception and Appearance vs. Reality

Lovelace feigns respect and illness while plotting to manipulate Clarissa; the pleasant outing masks his ulterior motives.

### Power and Manipulation

Lovelace orchestrates the outing, controls the conversation, and plans to exploit Clarissa's sympathy through feigned sickness.

## Character check-ins

### Robert Lovelace

Narrates the letter; describes his manipulative plans and interactions with Clarissa.

### Clarissa Harlowe

Accompanies Lovelace on an airing; remains guarded and evasive in conversation.

### John Belford

Recipient of the letter; Lovelace discusses their correspondence and his schemes.

### Sally Martin

One of the nymphs attending the airing; praises Lovelace's letters.

### Polly Horton

One of the nymphs attending the airing; makes remarks about the scenery.

## Key lines

> O Jack! what devils are women, when all tests are got over, and we have completely ruined them!

Lovelace exclaims that women become devilish once they have been thoroughly corrupted.

_Reflects Lovelace's cynical view of women and his predatory mindset._

> It was writing from the heart, (without the fetters prescribed by method or study), as the very word cor-respondence implied.

Lovelace praises letter-writing as a heartfelt, unconstrained form of communication.

_He uses this to justify his own secret correspondence and to probe Clarissa's letters._

> I am mad with love—yet eternal will be the distance, at the rate I go on: now fire, now ice, my soul is continually upon the hiss.

Lovelace describes his frustrated passion for Clarissa, oscillating between hot desire and cold distance.

_Highlights his emotional turmoil and obsessive pursuit._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/clarissa_se/chapters/letter-210-mr-lovelace-to-john-belford-esq
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/clarissa_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/clarissa_se/chapters