# Letter 72: Miss Howe, to Miss Clarissa Harlowe explained — Clarissa

> Chapter companion for Clarissa by Samuel Richardson.

## What happens

Miss Howe writes to Clarissa to correct her earlier accusation against Lovelace, revealing that after further inquiry she finds him innocent of the charge. She describes how Lovelace has helped a young country girl and her fiancé, giving them money and promoting their marriage, and has even acted as a moral instructor. Miss Howe expresses concern that this evidence of Lovelace's goodness may engage Clarissa's generosity and turn her conditional liking into unconditional affection.

## Themes in this chapter

### Deception and Appearance vs. Reality

Miss Howe initially believed Lovelace guilty based on partial intelligence, but further inquiry reveals a different reality, raising the question of whether his good deeds are genuine or a plot to 'wash a blackamoor white.'

### Friendship and Loyalty

Miss Howe's diligent investigation and her frank correction of her earlier mistake demonstrate her loyalty and care for Clarissa.

## Character check-ins

### Anna Howe

Writes to Clarissa to correct her earlier hasty accusation against Lovelace, having investigated further and found him innocent.

### Clarissa Harlowe

The recipient of the letter; Miss Howe worries that Clarissa's generosity may now be engaged in Lovelace's favor.

### Robert Lovelace

Cleared of the accusation; shown to have promoted a poor girl's marriage, given money, and acted as a moral instructor.

## Key lines

> Justice obliges me to forward this after my last on the wings of the wind, as I may say. I really believe the man is innocent.

I feel compelled to send this letter immediately after my last one. I now truly believe Lovelace is innocent of the accusation.

_Miss Howe retracts her earlier accusation against Lovelace._

> He is resolved, her father says, to make one couple happy, and wishes he could make more so

According to the girl's father, Lovelace is determined to make this one couple happy and expressed a wish that he could do the same for others.

_Highlights Lovelace's apparent benevolence in promoting the marriage._

> Lovelace not only reformed, but turned preacher!—What will become of us now?

Lovelace has not only changed his ways but has become a moral teacher. What will happen to us now?

_Miss Howe expresses ironic surprise at Lovelace's unexpected virtuous behavior._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/clarissa_se/chapters/letter-72-miss-howe-to-miss-clarissa-harlowe
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/clarissa_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/clarissa_se/chapters