# Letter 398: Miss Clarissa Harlowe, to Lord M. and to the Ladies of His House explained — Clarissa

> Chapter companion for Clarissa by Samuel Richardson.

## What happens

Clarissa writes to Lord M. and the ladies of his house, declining their offered quarterly bounty and expressing gratitude for their generosity. She urges them to forgive their kinsman (Lovelace) for his offenses against them, arguing that harsh treatment may only make him more desperate and that she hopes for his reformation after her death.

## Themes in this chapter

### Suffering and Redemption

Clarissa's suffering leads her to hope for Lovelace's reformation and forgiveness, emphasizing redemptive themes.

### Family Obligation and Rebellion

Clarissa's plea for Lovelace's forgiveness contrasts with her own family's harsh treatment, highlighting tensions between obligation and personal moral choice.

## Character check-ins

### Clarissa Harlowe

Writes to decline the quarterly bounty, expresses gratitude, and pleads for forgiveness toward Lovelace.

### Lord M.

Addressee of the letter; Clarissa urges him to forgive Lovelace.

### Miss Charlotte Montague

One of the ladies of Lord M.'s house; Clarissa addresses her and others in the letter.

### Miss Patty Montague

Another lady of the house; Clarissa includes her in her address.

### Robert Lovelace

Kinsman of Lord M.; Clarissa asks for his forgiveness and expresses hope for his reformation.

## Key lines

> Excuse me, my good Lord, and my ever-honoured Ladies, from accepting of your noble quarterly bounty; and allow me to return, with all grateful acknowledgement, and true humility, the enclosed earnest of your goodness to me.

Please forgive me, my Lord and Ladies, for not accepting your generous quarterly gift; I return it with thanks and humility.

_Clarissa politely declines the financial offer._

> But give me leave to express my concern that you have banished your kinsman from your presence and favour: since now, perhaps, he will be under less restraint than ever; and since I in particular, who had hoped by your influence to remain unmolested for the remainder of my days, may again be subjected to his persecutions.

I am worried that by banishing your kinsman, he may become even less restrained, and I may again face his harassment.

_Clarissa fears that Lovelace's banishment will lead to more trouble for her._

> I am not without hope that he will be properly affected by the evils he has made me suffer; and that, when I am laid low and forgotten, your whole honourable family will be enabled to rejoice in his reformation.

I still hope that the harm he has caused me will lead him to change, and that after I am gone, your family can celebrate his reform.

_Clarissa expresses hope for Lovelace's moral improvement after her death._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/clarissa_se/chapters/letter-398-miss-clarissa-harlowe-to-lord-m-and-to-the-ladies-of-his-house
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/clarissa_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/clarissa_se/chapters