# Letter 267: Mr. Lovelace, to John Belford, Esq. explained — Clarissa

> Chapter companion for Clarissa by Samuel Richardson.

## What happens

Lovelace reflects on the difficulty of his wicked schemes and recounts a tense confrontation with Clarissa, who insists on leaving the brothel. She rebukes him for his dishonor, and after a feigned calm, attempts to escape but is caught. In a frantic scene, Clarissa begs for death or escape, and accidentally injures herself, causing Lovelace to panic.

## Themes in this chapter

### Deception and Appearance vs. Reality

Lovelace's plots and feigned anger contrast with Clarissa's genuine despair; Dorcas's false loyalty exemplifies deception.

### Power and Manipulation

Lovelace uses threats and intimidation to control Clarissa, while she attempts to assert her agency.

### Suffering and Redemption

Clarissa's physical and emotional suffering is evident; Lovelace briefly considers suicide in a moment of panic.

## Character check-ins

### Robert Lovelace

Narrates the letter; reflects on his wickedness and struggles to control Clarissa; panics when she appears to harm herself.

### Clarissa Harlowe

Insists on leaving the house, rebukes Lovelace for his dishonor, attempts escape, and in despair begs for death; accidentally injures her nose.

### Dorcas Wykes

Gains Clarissa's confidence by feigning sympathy; interposes herself between Lovelace and Clarissa during the confrontation.

### John Belford

Recipient of the letter; Lovelace addresses him directly, referencing their shared experiences.

### Mrs. Sinclair

Her cookmaid alerts Lovelace to Clarissa's escape attempt.

## Key lines

> There is certainly a good deal in the observation, that it costs a man ten times more pains to be wicked, than it would cost him to be good.

Being wicked requires far more effort than being good.

_Lovelace reflects on the difficulty of his schemes._

> And canst thou, Lovelace, be so mean — as to wish to make a wife of the creature thou hast insulted, dishonoured, and abused, as thou hast me?

How can you be so low as to want to marry someone you have insulted and dishonored?

_Clarissa rebukes Lovelace for proposing marriage after his abuses._

> Again had she like to have escaped us!—What a fixed resentment!—She only, I find, assumed a little calm, in order to quiet suspicion.

She almost escaped again; her calm was just a ruse to lower our guard.

_Lovelace realizes Clarissa's composure was feigned to facilitate escape._

> Here, here, said the soul-harrowing beauty, let thy pointed mercy enter! and I will thank thee, and forgive thee for all the dreadful past!

Kill me now, and I will forgive you everything.

_Clarissa, in despair, begs Lovelace to kill her._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/clarissa_se/chapters/letter-267-mr-lovelace-to-john-belford-esq
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/clarissa_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/clarissa_se/chapters