Evelina · Chapter
Letter LXII: Evelina to the Rev. Mr. Villars explained
Evelina writes to Mr.
What happens
Evelina writes to Mr. Villars from Bristol Hotwells, describing an unsettling encounter with Lord Merton and his companion Mr. Coverley, whose rude and libertine behavior contrasts sharply with the quiet she had previously enjoyed. Mrs. Selwyn's sharp wit keeps them at bay, but Evelina is deeply disturbed when she learns that Lord Merton is engaged to Lady Louisa Larpent, sister of Lord Orville—and that Lord Orville himself is expected to visit Bristol. The news fills her with dread at the prospect of meeting him again, especially given the mysterious letter she received from him, and she struggles with conflicting feelings of respect and indignation.
Themes in this chapter
Gender and Power
Lord Merton's bold, intrusive behavior toward Evelina and Mrs. Selwyn's commanding retorts illustrate the power dynamics between men and women in public social spaces.
Satire of Society
Mrs. Selwyn's sharp wit and the depiction of Lord Merton's licentiousness and Mr. Coverley's frivolity satirize the manners and morals of the aristocracy.
Characters to notice
- Evelina Anville
Narrates the letter; expresses anxiety and dread about the impending meeting with Lord Orville after the mysterious letter.
- Mrs. Selwyn
Accompanies Evelina to the pump-room; uses her sharp wit to rebuke Lord Merton and Mr. Coverley.
- Lord Merton
A libertine nobleman who rudely accosts Evelina and Mrs. Selwyn; revealed to be engaged to Lady Louisa Larpent.
- Mr. Coverley
Companion of Lord Merton; participates in the rude banter and is called 'facetious' by the narrator.
- Lord Orville
Mentioned as the brother of Lady Louisa Larpent; expected to visit Bristol, causing Evelina great emotional turmoil.
Key passages
“The first fortnight that I passed here was so quiet, so serene, that it gave me reason to expect a settled calm during my stay; but if I may now judge of the time to come, by the present state of my mind, the calm will be succeeded by a storm, of which I dread the violence!”
Evelina reflects that her peaceful first two weeks at Bristol Hotwells have been shattered by the day's events, and she fears an emotional upheaval ahead.
Foreshadows the turmoil caused by Lord Merton's encounter and the news of Lord Orville's arrival.
“Oh that the first meeting were over!—or that I could quit Bristol without seeing him!—inexpressibly do I dread an interview!”
Evelina wishes she could either get the first encounter with Lord Orville behind her or leave Bristol entirely to avoid it.
Highlights Evelina's intense anxiety about facing Lord Orville after the mysterious letter.