Clarissa · Chapter
Letter 231: Mr. Lovelace, to John Belford, Esq. explained
Lovelace exults in discovering Clarissa's location at Hampstead after her escape.
What happens
Lovelace exults in discovering Clarissa's location at Hampstead after her escape. He receives a report from his servant Will, who has tracked her to Mrs. Moore's lodgings. Lovelace intercepts Clarissa's letters, including one to Miss Howe and one to himself, and interprets her attempts to deceive him as a justification for his own manipulations. He plans to confront her, buoyed by the arrival of Captain Tomlinson, and resolves to turn her rebellion to his advantage.
Themes in this chapter
Deception and Appearance vs. Reality
Lovelace justifies his own deceit by pointing to Clarissa's feints, framing their conflict as a contest of who can deceive the other more effectively.
Power and Manipulation
Lovelace exults in his power over Clarissa, having tracked her down and intercepted her letters, and plans to use Captain Tomlinson to further his control.
Characters to notice
- Robert Lovelace
Exults in discovering Clarissa's whereabouts and plans his next move.
- Clarissa Harlowe
Has fled to Hampstead and is staying at Mrs. Moore's; her letters are intercepted by Lovelace.
- John Belford
Recipient of Lovelace's letter detailing his triumph and plans.
- Will
Lovelace's servant who tracked Clarissa to Hampstead and intercepted her letters.
- Captain Tomlinson
Arrives unexpectedly at Lovelace's lodging, offering to assist in reconciling Clarissa.
Key passages
“Io Triumphe! —Io Clarissa, sing!—Once more, what a happy man thy friend!—A silly dear novice, to be heard to tell the coachman where to carry her!—And to go to Hampstead, of all the villages about London!”
Lovelace celebrates his triumph, mocking Clarissa for foolishly revealing her destination to the coachman and choosing Hampstead, a place they had visited together.
Lovelace's exultation at discovering Clarissa's location and his condescending view of her naivety.
“She is determined never to be my wife.—To be sure there ought to be no compulsion in so material a case. Compulsion was her parents’ fault, which I have censured so severely, that I shall hardly be guilty of the same.”
Lovelace notes Clarissa's refusal to marry him, but he hypocritically claims to oppose compulsion, despite his own coercive behavior.
Lovelace's self-justifying interpretation of Clarissa's rejection.
“Now, Jack, will not her feints justify mine! Does she not invade my province, thinkest thou? And is it not now fairly come to— Who shall most deceive and cheat the other?”
Lovelace argues that Clarissa's deceptive letters justify his own deceit, framing their relationship as a contest of trickery.
Lovelace's rationalization of his manipulation as a response to Clarissa's attempts to deceive him.