# Letter 332: Miss Montague, to Miss Howe explained — Clarissa

> Chapter companion for Clarissa by Samuel Richardson.

## What happens

Miss Montague writes to Miss Howe detailing the family's shock and Lovelace's distress upon learning of Clarissa's restraint by the Sinclair household. She explains that Lovelace had left general instructions to find Clarissa but claims the restraint was an overstep by the servants, and that he immediately ordered her release. The letter includes pleas for Miss Howe's continued intercession and a brief note from Lovelace himself, expressing his willingness to submit to Clarissa's judgment.

## Themes in this chapter

### Deception and Appearance vs. Reality

Lovelace's family presents his distress as genuine, but the letter reveals the gap between his claimed innocence and the reality of his instructions to the Sinclair household.

### Family Obligation and Rebellion

The Montague family attempts to mediate and restore Clarissa's trust, highlighting familial duty and the consequences of Lovelace's rebellious actions.

## Character check-ins

### Miss Charlotte Montague

Primary author of the letter; reports on the family's tour and Lovelace's reaction.

### Miss Patty Montague

Co-signs the letter; described as Lovelace's favorite sister.

### Robert Lovelace

Shown in a state of fury and despair upon learning of Clarissa's restraint; claims innocence of the plot.

### Anna Howe

Recipient of the letter; urged to use her influence with Clarissa.

### John Belford

Mentioned as Lovelace's friend and Clarissa's advocate; his letter caused Lovelace further torment.

### Lady Sarah Sadleir

Co-signs the letter; described as having been confined by melancholy.

## Key lines

> He said, however, more than once, that he feared she would not forgive him; for, from his heart, he must say, he deserved not her forgiveness

Lovelace repeatedly admitted that Clarissa might never forgive him, acknowledging that he truly did not deserve her pardon.

_Shows Lovelace's self-awareness of his wrongdoing, as reported by his family._

> The wicked people ( officious at least, if not wicked) discovered where she was on Wednesday; and, for fear she should remove before they could have his orders, they put her under a gentle restraint , as they call it

The servants at the lodging found Clarissa on Wednesday and, to prevent her from leaving before receiving instructions, placed her under what they called a 'gentle restraint.'

_Lovelace's account of the incident, framing the servants as overzealous rather than malicious._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/clarissa_se/chapters/letter-332-miss-montague-to-miss-howe
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/clarissa_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/clarissa_se/chapters