# Letter 350: Mr. Lovelace, to John Belford, Esq. explained — Clarissa > Chapter companion for Clarissa by Samuel Richardson. ## What happens Lovelace writes to Belford, expressing frustration at Belford's hatred and defending his own actions. He reflects on Clarissa's refusal to marry him despite his willingness, criticizes her 'unforgiving forgiveness,' and recounts Belford's awkwardness in delivering a bank note. Lovelace also discusses his desire to obtain copies of Clarissa's letters, shares a story of a past conversion in Paris, and announces his plan to attend a ball given by Colonel Ambrose, hoping to see Mrs. and Miss Howe and possibly Arabella Harlowe. ## Themes in this chapter ### Libertinism and Morality Lovelace defends his libertine actions as 'acting in character' and contrasts them with Clarissa's moral stance, while also expressing a desire for reform. ### Deception and Appearance vs. Reality Lovelace discusses his past feigned conversion in Paris and his current plan to obtain Clarissa's letters through deception, highlighting the theme of appearance versus reality. ### Power and Manipulation Lovelace seeks to manipulate Belford into obtaining Clarissa's correspondence and reflects on his own manipulative past, showing his ongoing desire for control. ## Character check-ins ### Robert Lovelace Writes to Belford, expressing self-hatred and frustration over Clarissa's refusal, while still professing his love and honourable intentions. ### John Belford Lovelace addresses him directly, criticizing his hatred and his awkward manner of delivering a bank note to Clarissa. ### Clarissa Harlowe Lovelace discusses her refusal to marry him, her long conversation with strangers, and her 'unforgiving forgiveness'; he desires copies of her letters. ### Anna Howe Lovelace mentions that Clarissa is about to write to Miss Howe, and that Mrs. and Miss Howe are expected at Colonel Ambrose's ball. ### Arabella Harlowe Lovelace hopes to see her at the ball and refers to a letter Clarissa is writing to 'the Harlowe-Arabella.' ### Mr. Hickman Lovelace compares Belford's speeches to Hickman's stiff ruffles and notes that Hickman will accompany Mrs. Howe to the ball. ## Key lines > What dost hate me for, Belford!⁠—and why more and more! have I been guilty of any offence thou knewest not before? Why do you hate me more and more, Belford? Haven't I committed the same offenses you already knew about? _Lovelace questions Belford's growing hatred, implying that his actions are unchanged._ > She will certainly repent, some time hence, that she has thus needless exposed us both. She will regret later that she unnecessarily exposed both of us. _Lovelace predicts Clarissa will regret sharing her story with the women._ > What an ungrateful benefit-conferrer art thou!⁠—How awkward, to take in into thy head, that the best way of making a present to a lady was to throw the present behind her chair! What an ungrateful giver you are! How awkward to think that the best way to give a lady a gift was to drop it behind her chair! _Lovelace mocks Belford's clumsy method of giving Clarissa the bank note._ > I am every day, every hour, more and more in love with her: and, at this instant, have a more vehement passion for her than ever I had in my life! I fall more in love with her every day and every hour; right now, my passion for her is stronger than ever. _Lovelace declares his intensifying love for Clarissa despite her refusal._ ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/clarissa_se/chapters/letter-350-mr-lovelace-to-john-belford-esq - Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/clarissa_se - All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/clarissa_se/chapters