# Letter 229: Mr. Lovelace, to John Belford, Esq. explained — Clarissa

> Chapter companion for Clarissa by Samuel Richardson.

## What happens

Lovelace intercepts a letter from Anna Howe to Clarissa, in which Anna warns Clarissa that she is in a vile house and that Lovelace is a villain. Lovelace reads the letter with rage, considers revenge against Anna Howe, and contemplates forging a letter to lure Anna away, but decides to wait. He reflects on his failures with Clarissa and blames Anna for arming her against him.

## Themes in this chapter

### Deception and Appearance vs. Reality

Lovelace intercepts and reads a private letter, plans to forge a letter to deceive Anna Howe, and the true nature of the house and Lovelace's character are hidden from Clarissa.

### Power and Manipulation

Lovelace exercises power by intercepting correspondence, plotting revenge, and considering manipulation of Anna Howe and Hickman to achieve his ends.

## Character check-ins

### Robert Lovelace

Intercepts and reads Anna Howe's letter to Clarissa, expresses rage and vengeful thoughts, considers forging a letter to trap Anna, and reflects on his failures.

### Anna Howe

Writes a warning letter to Clarissa, exposing the house as vile and Lovelace as a villain; Lovelace calls her a 'vixen' and a 'little fury' and contemplates revenge.

### Clarissa Harlowe

The intended recipient of Anna's intercepted letter; Lovelace fears the letter's contents would have reached her and caused her to escape.

### John Belford

The recipient of Lovelace's letter; Lovelace encloses Anna's letter for Belford to read and return.

### Mr. Hickman

Mentioned as a good man; Lovelace considers punishing him but decides against it due to his character and to avoid blowing his cover.

## Key lines

> A letter is put into my hands by Wilson himself.⁠—Such a letter! A letter from Miss Howe to her cruel friend!⁠— I made no scruple to open it.

Lovelace receives a letter from Anna Howe addressed to Clarissa and opens it without hesitation.

_Shows Lovelace's disregard for privacy and his manipulative nature._

> O this devilish Miss Howe;⁠—something must be resolved upon and done with that little fury!

Lovelace expresses anger toward Anna Howe and vows to take action against her.

_Highlights Lovelace's vengeful intentions toward Anna._

> Be assured that the woman is one of the vilest women⁠—nor does she go to you by her right name⁠—(Very true!)⁠—Her name is not Sinclair, nor is the street she lives in Dover-street.

Anna warns Clarissa that the landlady is a wicked woman using a false name and that the house is not in Dover Street.

_Reveals the deception about Mrs. Sinclair and the brothel._

> I swear by all the dii majores, as well as minores, that I will have Miss Howe, if I cannot have her more exalted friend!

Lovelace vows to seduce Anna Howe if he cannot have Clarissa.

_Demonstrates Lovelace's predatory and vengeful mindset._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/clarissa_se/chapters/letter-229-mr-lovelace-to-john-belford-esq
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