Clarissa · Chapter
Letter 282: Mr. Lovelace, to Miss Clarissa Harlowe explained
Lovelace writes to Clarissa, apologizing for his behavior the previous night and explaining his low and artful contrivance involving Dorcas's dropped paper.
What happens
Lovelace writes to Clarissa, apologizing for his behavior the previous night and explaining his low and artful contrivance involving Dorcas's dropped paper. He asks her to forgive him and to agree to marry him on Thursday, promising that if she does, she will be free to go to Hampstead or wherever she pleases. He details the orders he has given to the household, including that Clarissa is to be obeyed in all things consistent with his expectations, that Mrs. Sinclair and her nieces are not to come into her presence, and that no letters are to pass to or from her until the ceremony is performed. He also inquires about Miss Howe's health and reports that her family is well and planning to gather at her uncle Harlowe's. He sends the letter by special messenger and awaits her reply.
Themes in this chapter
Deception and Appearance vs. Reality
Lovelace admits to a low and artful contrivance involving Dorcas's dropped paper, revealing the gap between his professed love and his manipulative actions.
Power and Manipulation
Lovelace exerts control over Clarissa by revoking her permission to leave, ordering the household to restrict her movements, and intercepting her correspondence, all under the guise of securing their marriage.
Characters to notice
- Clarissa Harlowe
Lovelace addresses her as 'My Dearest Life' and 'Mrs. Lovelace'; he recounts his failed attempt to secure her promise to marry him on Thursday and his subsequent revocation of consent for her to leave Mrs. Sinclair's.
- Robert Lovelace
Author of the letter; he admits to a low and artful contrivance involving Dorcas's dropped paper, expresses remorse, and outlines his orders to the household while pleading for Clarissa's forgiveness and consent to marry.
- Dorcas Wykes
Mentioned as having dropped a paper that Lovelace picked up; she confessed she would have helped Clarissa escape; Lovelace has barred her from attending Clarissa until she clears her conduct.
- Anna Howe
Lovelace mentions he will inquire about her health and the reason for her long silence.
- Lord M.
Reported as being very ill with no hopes from Dr. S.; he sends his most affectionate compliments to Clarissa and has prepared a set of jewels for her.
Key passages
“I will own to you, Madam, that yesterday afternoon I picked up the paper dropped by Dorcas; who has confessed that she would have assisted you in getting away, if she had had opportunity so to do; and undoubtedly dropped it by accident.”
Lovelace admits he found a paper Dorcas dropped, and she confessed she would have helped Clarissa escape if she could.
Lovelace reveals his discovery of Dorcas's intended assistance and his use of it to manipulate Clarissa.
“The orders I have given to the people of the house are: 'That you shall be obeyed in every particular that is consistent with my expectations of finding you there on my return on Wednesday next.'”
Lovelace commands the household to comply with Clarissa's wishes only as long as they do not interfere with his plan to find her still there when he returns.
This shows Lovelace's attempt to maintain control over Clarissa's movements while appearing accommodating.
“But, as to letters which may be sent you, or any which you may have to send, I must humbly entreat, that none such pass from or to you, for the few days that I shall be absent.”
Lovelace requests that no letters be sent or received by Clarissa during his absence.
Lovelace seeks to isolate Clarissa from outside communication, a key element of his manipulation.