# Letter 217: Mr. Lovelace, to John Belford, Esq. explained — Clarissa

> Chapter companion for Clarissa by Samuel Richardson.

## What happens

Lovelace reveals to Belford that 'Captain Tomlinson' is actually a forger named Patrick McDonald, hired to deceive Clarissa into believing her uncle Harlowe seeks reconciliation. He outlines his scheme to intercept any letters from Miss Howe via Wilson. Clarissa, in her letters to Anna, expresses cautious hope about the apparent reconciliation, though she remains troubled by Lovelace's mixed character—his pride, vanity, and lack of genuine humanity.

## Themes in this chapter

### Deception and Appearance vs. Reality

Lovelace's elaborate scheme to pass off a forger as Captain Tomlinson epitomizes the theme of deception, as he manipulates appearances to control Clarissa.

### Power and Manipulation

Lovelace's orchestration of the false reconciliation and his plan to intercept letters demonstrate his manipulative use of power over Clarissa.

### Suffering and Redemption

Clarissa's cautious hope for reconciliation and her reflections on Lovelace's character touch on her suffering and the elusive possibility of redemption.

## Character check-ins

### Robert Lovelace

Reveals the deception of Captain Tomlinson and his scheme to control Clarissa's correspondence.

### John Belford

Recipient of Lovelace's confession about the forged reconciliation plot.

### Clarissa Harlowe

Expresses cautious hope about the supposed reconciliation, but reflects critically on Lovelace's character.

### Anna Howe

Clarissa addresses her letters to Anna, sharing her thoughts on Lovelace and the new prospects.

### Captain Tomlinson

Revealed to be a disguised forger named Patrick McDonald, part of Lovelace's deception.

### Mr. Hickman

Credited by Clarissa for his kind intervention that supposedly led to the reconciliation.

### Mr. John Harlowe

Allegedly sending Captain Tomlinson to negotiate reconciliation, though this is a fabrication.

### Colonel Morden

Quoted by Clarissa regarding the remorseless nature of free livers.

## Key lines

> And now it is time to confess (and yet I know that thy conjectures are aforehand with my exposition) that this Captain Tomlinson, who is so great a favourite with my charmer, and who takes so much delight in healing breaches, and reconciling differences, is neither a greater man nor a less than honest Patrick McDonald, attended by a discarded footman of his own finding out.

Lovelace admits that Captain Tomlinson is actually a forger named Patrick McDonald, hired to deceive Clarissa into believing a reconciliation is underway.

_Reveals the central deception of the chapter._

> I am afraid, my dear, that there must have been some fault in his education. His natural bias was not, perhaps (as his power was likely to be large) to do good and beneficent actions; but not, I doubt, from proper motives.

Clarissa speculates that Lovelace's flawed upbringing led him to do good deeds out of pride rather than genuine kindness.

_Clarissa's critical analysis of Lovelace's character._

> He endeavoured, as once before, to conceal his emotion. But why, my dear, should these men (for Mr. Lovelace is not singular in this) think themselves above giving these beautiful proofs of a feeling heart?

Clarissa questions why men like Lovelace hide their emotions, arguing that showing compassion is a sign of humanity.

_Reflects Clarissa's views on emotional sincerity._

## Links

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