# Letter LXIII: Evelina in Continuation explained — Evelina

> Chapter companion for Evelina by Fanny Burney.

## What happens

Evelina, recovering from the shock of Lord Orville's mysterious letter, encounters him at Mrs. Beaumont's house in Bristol Hotwells. She initially maintains a cold and distant demeanor to show her displeasure, but Lord Orville's polite, charming, and respectful behavior gradually melts her resentment. They take a phaeton ride together, and Evelina begins to reconsider her anger, seeking her guardian's approval to forgive him.

## Themes in this chapter

### Love and Courtship

Evelina's internal conflict between resentment and affection for Lord Orville highlights the tensions of courtship and the power of polite behavior to mend misunderstandings.

### Satire of Society

The affected manners of Lady Louisa and Lord Merton, along with Mrs. Selwyn's witty remarks, satirize the frivolity and pretension of the upper class.

### Virtue and Reputation

Evelina's concern for maintaining proper conduct and her desire to uphold her dignity in the face of Lord Orville's past offense reflect the importance of reputation.

## Character check-ins

### Evelina Anville

Narrates the letter; struggles with her feelings of resentment and attraction toward Lord Orville after the mysterious letter incident.

### Lord Orville

Appears at Mrs. Beaumont's garden; behaves with politeness and charm, seemingly having forgotten the letter, and offers Evelina a ride in his phaeton.

### Mrs. Selwyn

Accompanies Evelina to Mrs. Beaumont's house; engages in witty banter with Lord Merton and Lord Orville.

### Lady Louisa Larpent

Lord Orville's affected and languid sister; arrives with Lord Merton and displays exaggerated fatigue and coquettish behavior.

### Lord Merton

Arrives with Lady Louisa; shows surprise at seeing Evelina and engages in trivial conversation about the weather and driving.

### Mrs. Beaumont

Hosts the gathering at Clifton Hill; invites Mrs. Selwyn and Evelina to stay, and facilitates the phaeton ride.

## Key lines

> Oh, Sir, Lord Orville is still himself! still what, from the moment I beheld, I believed him to be—all that is amiable in man!

Evelina joyfully declares that Lord Orville remains the kind and admirable person she always thought him to be.

_Reflects Evelina's relief and renewed admiration after her earlier doubts._

> I was grave and distant; I scarce looked at him when he spoke, or answered him when he was silent.

Evelina deliberately acted cold and aloof toward Lord Orville to show her displeasure.

_Illustrates Evelina's attempt to maintain her dignity and resentment._

> Lord Orville, brightening at these words, came forward, and pressed his offer in a manner not to be denied;—so the phaeton was ordered!

Lord Orville's face lit up when Evelina softened her refusal, and he eagerly insisted on driving her in his phaeton.

_Shows Lord Orville's eagerness to reconcile and Evelina's wavering resolve._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/evelina_se/chapters/letter-lxiii-evelina-in-continuation
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/evelina_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/evelina_se/chapters