Evelina · Chapter
Letter LXXXI: Evelina in Continuation explained
Evelina receives a letter from Sir Clement Willoughby confessing that he intercepted her letter to Lord Orville and wrote a false reply in Orville's name.
What happens
Evelina receives a letter from Sir Clement Willoughby confessing that he intercepted her letter to Lord Orville and wrote a false reply in Orville's name. She resolves not to show the letter to Orville and writes a brief note to Sir Clement asking him not to write again. Meanwhile, marriage preparations continue, and Mr. Macartney delivers a message from Sir John Belmont with a gift of a thousand pounds for Evelina's trousseau.
Themes in this chapter
Love and Courtship
Evelina and Lord Orville discuss the development of their mutual affection, from first impressions to present devotion.
Virtue and Reputation
Sir Clement's confession reveals his dishonourable actions, while Evelina's response demonstrates her integrity and discretion.
Guardianship and Paternalism
Sir John Belmont asserts his role as a father by sending a generous gift and seeking Evelina's happiness in her upcoming marriage.
Characters to notice
- Evelina Anville
Receives and responds to Sir Clement's confession; discusses her feelings with Lord Orville; accepts her father's gift.
- Sir Clement Willoughby
Writes a letter confessing his interception of Evelina's letter and his false reply in Orville's name.
- Lord Orville
Continues marriage preparations; has a conversation with Evelina tracing their mutual sentiments.
- Mr. Macartney
Delivers a message and a draught for a thousand pounds from Sir John Belmont to Evelina.
- Sir John Belmont
Sends his love, assurances of favour, and a gift of a thousand pounds to Evelina.
Key passages
“My unguarded behaviour, when I last saw you, has, probably, already acquainted you, that the letter I then saw you reading was written by myself.”
Sir Clement admits that his previous behavior hinted he wrote the mysterious letter Evelina was reading.
Confession of the forged letter.
“I concealed your letter to prevent a discovery of your capacity; and I wrote you an answer, which I hoped would prevent your wishing for any other.”
He hid Evelina's original letter and wrote a false reply to discourage her from seeking correspondence with Orville.
Explanation of his scheme.
“I determined not to show this letter to Lord Orville, and thought it most prudent to let Sir Clement know I should not.”
Evelina decides to keep Sir Clement's confession from Lord Orville and informs Sir Clement of her decision.
Evelina's discretion.
“divesting him of prudence, left him nothing but love.”
Lord Orville says that seeing Evelina again stripped him of caution and left only love.
Orville's romantic confession.
“He has sent me his kindest love and assurances of favour; and desired to know if I am happy in the prospect of changing my situation, and if there is anything I can name which he can do for me.”
Sir John Belmont sends affectionate regards and asks if Evelina is content with her upcoming marriage and if she needs anything.
Father's concern for Evelina's happiness.