Evelina · Chapter
Letter LIX: Evelina in Continuation explained
Evelina, writing from Berry Hill, responds to Maria's raillery by insisting she is not in love with Lord Orville.
What happens
Evelina, writing from Berry Hill, responds to Maria's raillery by insisting she is not in love with Lord Orville. She expresses deep disappointment and shock at his mysterious letter, which she finds insulting and clandestine. She regrets not confiding in Mr. Villars and resists Mrs. Selwyn's proposal to go to Bristol, preferring to remain at Berry Hill. She reflects on her former high opinion of Lord Orville and resolves to think of him no more.
Themes in this chapter
Female Education and Innocence
Evelina's distress over the letter and her adherence to open, virtuous conduct highlight the period's ideals of female innocence and propriety.
Virtue and Reputation
Evelina's concern for her own reputation and her shock at Lord Orville's apparent lack of honor underscore the theme of virtue and reputation.
Guardianship and Paternalism
Evelina's deep gratitude and devotion to Mr. Villars, and his protective concern for her, exemplify the guardian-ward relationship.
Characters to notice
- Evelina Anville
Writes to Maria from Berry Hill, expressing distress over Lord Orville's letter and her determination to stay with Mr. Villars.
- Lord Orville
Evelina reflects on her disappointment in his character due to his mysterious and offensive letter.
- Rev. Mr. Villars
Evelina's beloved guardian, whose tenderness and goodness she praises; she regrets not confiding in him about the letter.
- Mrs. Selwyn
Proposes to take Evelina to Bristol for her health, but Evelina declines.
- Miss Mirvan
Maria, the recipient of Evelina's letter, who had suggested Evelina's heart was involved.
Key passages
“I am unconscious of the weakness you suspect; yet, to dispel your doubts, I will animate myself more than ever to conquer my chagrin, and to recover my spirits.”
Evelina denies being in love but resolves to overcome her sadness to prove Maria wrong.
Evelina's defensive response to Maria's teasing about her feelings for Lord Orville.
“Never shall I cease to wonder how he could write it. Oh, Maria! what, what could induce him so causelessly to wound and affront one who would sooner have died than wilfully offended him?”
Evelina is bewildered and hurt that Lord Orville would write such an offensive letter without cause.
Evelina's shock at Lord Orville's uncharacteristic behavior.
“I owe to him everything! and, far from finding my debt of gratitude a weight, the first pride, the first pleasure of my life, is the recollection of the obligations conferred upon me by a goodness so unequalled.”
Evelina expresses that her gratitude to Mr. Villars is her greatest joy, not a burden.
Evelina's heartfelt tribute to her guardian's benevolence.