# Letter 250: Mr. Lovelace, to John Belford, Esq. explained — Clarissa

> Chapter companion for Clarissa by Samuel Richardson.

## What happens

Lovelace writes to Belford in a state of agitation, recounting a narrow escape and his successful interception of a letter from Miss Howe to Clarissa, which he considers a critical gain in his manipulative campaign.

## Themes in this chapter

### Power and Manipulation

Lovelace's interception of Miss Howe's letter demonstrates his ongoing manipulation of Clarissa's correspondence and circumstances.

### Deception and Appearance vs. Reality

Lovelace's joy at his 'escape' and acquisition of the letter underscores the deceptive games he plays, hiding his true intentions.

## Character check-ins

### Robert Lovelace

Narrates the letter, expressing terror and joy over his narrow escape and the acquisition of Miss Howe's letter.

### John Belford

The recipient of Lovelace's letter, addressed directly as 'Belford'.

### Clarissa Harlowe

Referred to as 'this perverse girl' who contends with her fate.

### Anna Howe

Her expected letter to Clarissa has been intercepted by Lovelace.

## Key lines

> O Belford! what a hair’s-breadth escape have I had!⁠—Such a one, that I tremble between terror and joy, at the thought of what might have happened, and did not.

Belford, I barely avoided disaster—so narrowly that I'm shaking with both fear and relief at what almost occurred.

_Lovelace's dramatic opening reveals his heightened emotional state after a close call._

> I have, within this half-hour, obtained possession of the expected letter from Miss Howe⁠—and by such an accident!

Just thirty minutes ago, I got hold of the letter from Miss Howe that I was waiting for—and it happened purely by chance.

_Lovelace announces his successful interception of Anna Howe's letter to Clarissa, a key manipulative move._

## Links

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