# Letter 516: Mr. Lovelace, to John Belford, Esq. explained — Clarissa

> Chapter companion for Clarissa by Samuel Richardson.

## What happens

Lovelace responds to Belford's plans for reformation with a mixture of mockery and genuine reflection. He challenges Belford's claim to innocence in Clarissa's ruin, arguing that Belford knew his designs and did nothing to save her. Lovelace also discusses his own inability to repent, his plans to leave for the continent, and jests about Belford marrying Charlotte Montague or the widow Lovick.

## Themes in this chapter

### Friendship and Loyalty

Lovelace critiques Belford's loyalty, arguing that true friendship would have required him to betray Lovelace's confidence to save Clarissa.

### Suffering and Redemption

Lovelace reflects on his own inability to repent and questions Belford's claims of reformation, highlighting the difficulty of genuine moral change.

### Deception and Appearance vs. Reality

Lovelace accuses Belford of hypocrisy, claiming his outward penitence masks deeper complicity in Clarissa's ruin.

## Character check-ins

### Robert Lovelace

Writes to Belford, mocking his reformation while revealing his own inner gloom and guilt over Clarissa's ruin.

### John Belford

Lovelace accuses him of complicity in Clarissa's ruin, arguing he knew the designs and failed to act.

### Clarissa Harlowe

Referenced as the lady whose ruin Lovelace and Belford are complicit in; her virtue and innocence are emphasized.

### Miss Charlotte Montague

Jokingly suggested by Lovelace as a potential wife for Belford, though he dismisses the idea due to Belford's appearance.

### Mrs. Lovick

Mentioned as Belford's clerk in conscience; Lovelace jests about Belford marrying her.

### Captain Tomlinson

Lovelace mentions he once thought of taking Tomlinson with him, but his destiny prevented it.

## Key lines

> But what a pretty scheme of life hast thou drawn out for thyself and thy old widow!

Lovelace mocks Belford's plan to reform and marry the widow Lovick.

_Lovelace begins his letter with sarcastic praise of Belford's proposed reformation._

> Thou sayest, thou wouldst have saved the lady from the ruin she met with. Thou art a pretty fellow for this: For how wouldst thou have saved her?

Lovelace challenges Belford's claim that he would have prevented Clarissa's ruin, pointing out that Belford did nothing to stop it.

_Lovelace directly accuses Belford of complicity in Clarissa's downfall._

> I am actually now employed in taking leave of my friends in the country.

Lovelace is currently saying goodbye to his country friends before leaving.

_Lovelace announces his imminent departure from the countryside._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/clarissa_se/chapters/letter-516-mr-lovelace-to-john-belford-esq
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/clarissa_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/clarissa_se/chapters