Evelina · Chapter
Letter LV: Evelina in Continuation explained
Evelina reluctantly visits the Branghtons on Madame Duval's orders, endures young Branghton's impertinence, and returns home to find Lord Orville and Sir Clement Willoughby have called in her absence.
What happens
Evelina reluctantly visits the Branghtons on Madame Duval's orders, endures young Branghton's impertinence, and returns home to find Lord Orville and Sir Clement Willoughby have called in her absence. She is devastated to have missed Lord Orville. Later, M. Du Bois misinterprets her attention and declares his love, leading to a violent confrontation with Madame Duval, who accuses Evelina of seducing him and demands she marry young Branghton. Evelina refuses and resolves to leave London.
Themes in this chapter
Guardianship and Paternalism
Madame Duval exerts authority over Evelina, commanding her to marry young Branghton and threatening to withdraw support.
Love and Courtship
Evelina's distress at missing Lord Orville's visit contrasts with M. Du Bois's unwanted declaration and Madame Duval's coercive marriage plans.
Characters to notice
- Evelina Anville
Reluctantly obeys Madame Duval, endures Branghton family rudeness, misses Lord Orville's visit, and refuses to marry young Branghton.
- Madame Duval
Orders Evelina to invite the Branghtons, erupts in rage at M. Du Bois's affection for Evelina, and threatens to abandon her unless she marries young Branghton.
- Monsieur Du Bois
Accompanies Evelina to Snow-Hill, misinterprets her attention, declares his love, and is banished by Madame Duval.
- Mr. Branghton
Defends the family's interference regarding Lord Orville and encourages his son's pursuit of Evelina.
- Lord Orville
Calls on Evelina during her absence, leaving a card; she deeply regrets missing him.
Key passages
“You may now, my dear Sir, send Mrs. Clinton for your Evelina with as much speed as she can conveniently make the journey, for no further opposition will be made to her leaving this town: happy had it perhaps been for her had she never entered it!”
Evelina tells her guardian that he can now send Mrs. Clinton to fetch her home without any resistance, though she wishes she had never come to London.
Evelina expresses her desire to leave London and regret over her visit.
“I by no means regretted that I missed seeing the latter, but perhaps I may all my life regret that I missed the former; for probably he has now left town—and I may see him no more!”
Evelina is glad to have missed Sir Clement but fears she will forever regret missing Lord Orville, who may have already departed London.
Evelina's deep disappointment at not seeing Lord Orville.
“Frightened as I had been at her vehemence, this proposal restored all my courage; and I frankly told her, that in this point I never could obey her.”
Though Madame Duval's anger initially frightened Evelina, the demand that she marry young Branghton gave her the strength to refuse outright.
Evelina's defiance of Madame Duval's marriage plan.