Clarissa · Chapter
Letter 260: Mr. Lovelace, to John Belford, Esq. explained
Lovelace writes to Belford, confessing that he has used a drug (proposed by Mrs.
What happens
Lovelace writes to Belford, confessing that he has used a drug (proposed by Mrs. Sinclair) to render Clarissa insensible, in order to have his way with her. He describes her reaction upon waking, her holding up the license as a silent accusation, and his own conflicted feelings—partly remorseful, partly defensive. He insists the act was a 'trick' to spare her full awareness, and he demands secrecy from Belford.
Themes in this chapter
Power and Manipulation
Lovelace's use of drugs to subdue Clarissa exemplifies his manipulative control and the extreme lengths he goes to in order to assert power over her.
Deception and Appearance vs. Reality
Lovelace frames the drugging as a 'generous design' to spare Clarissa's feelings, revealing the gap between his self-justification and the brutal reality of his actions.
Characters to notice
- Robert Lovelace
Narrates the letter; confesses to drugging Clarissa and expresses a mix of concern, defensiveness, and bravado.
- John Belford
Recipient of the letter; Lovelace anticipates his moral reproaches and demands secrecy.
- Clarissa Harlowe
Described as having been drugged; upon waking, she holds up the license in a speechless agony, about to curse Lovelace before falling asleep again.
- Mrs. Sinclair
Proposed the drugging scheme to Lovelace; he curses her for possibly overdoing the dose.
- Dorcas Wykes
Mentioned as the servant who preceded Lovelace into Clarissa's apartment.
Key passages
“she held up to Heaven, in a speechless agony, the innocent license (which she has in her own power); as the poor distressed Catalans held up their English treaty”
Clarissa silently raised the marriage license toward Heaven as a desperate appeal, much like the Catalans once displayed their broken treaty with England.
Lovelace compares Clarissa's gesture to a historical betrayal, underscoring his own treachery.
“the leaden god, in pity to her trembling Lovelace, waved over her half-drowned eyes his somniferous wand, and laid asleep the fair exclaimer”
Sleep mercifully overtook Clarissa before she could finish cursing Lovelace, sparing him from her full wrath.
Lovelace ironically frames Clarissa's drugged sleep as a divine mercy to himself.
“her insensibility has made me but a thief to my own joys”
Because she was unconscious, Lovelace feels he stole his pleasure rather than receiving it from her willingly.
Lovelace admits that the lack of consent diminishes his own satisfaction.