# Letter XIII: Evelina in Continuation explained — Evelina

> Chapter companion for Evelina by Fanny Burney.

## What happens

Evelina recounts her experience at a ridotto where she falsely claims to be engaged to avoid dancing with a stranger, Sir Clement Willoughby. When Lord Orville appears, the deception is exposed, leading to Evelina's embarrassment and tears. Lord Orville kindly understands her predicament and helps her escape. Evelina resolves to leave London, feeling ashamed and inexperienced.

## Themes in this chapter

### Social Class and Manners

Evelina's struggle with proper conduct at the ridotto highlights the importance of social etiquette and the consequences of breaching it.

### Female Education and Innocence

Evelina's inexperience and naivety lead to her embarrassment, reflecting the theme of a young woman's education in society.

### Love and Courtship

Evelina's desire to dance with Lord Orville and her distress over his opinion of her hint at developing romantic feelings.

## Character check-ins

### Evelina Anville

Narrates the letter; feels ashamed and inexperienced after her deception at the ridotto is exposed.

### Lord Orville

Appears at the ridotto; kindly understands Evelina's embarrassment and helps her escape.

### Sir Clement Willoughby

The 'persecutor' who pesters Evelina at the ridotto and exposes her false claim of being engaged.

### Mrs. Mirvan

Accompanies Evelina to the ridotto; shows concern and helps her leave.

### Miss Mirvan

Dances a minuet and later comforts Evelina; identifies Sir Clement as the man who heard Lord Orville speak of Evelina.

### Captain Mirvan

Mentioned as gross and likely to have added to Evelina's confusion if present; plans to take the group to the fantoccini.

## Key lines

> We came home from the ridotto so late, or rather so early that it was not possible for me to write. Indeed, we did not go—you will be frightened to hear it—till past eleven o’clock: but nobody does. A terrible reverse of the order of nature! We sleep with the sun, and wake with the moon.

We returned from the ridotto so late—or rather so early—that I couldn't write. We didn't even leave until after eleven, which is normal here. It's an unnatural reversal: we sleep during the day and stay awake at night.

_Evelina describes the late hours kept in London society._

> I made many objections to being of the party, according to the resolution I had formed. However, Maria laughed me out of my scruples, and so once again I went to an assembly.

I objected to going, as I had resolved not to, but Maria teased me until I gave in, so I attended another assembly.

_Evelina's reluctance to attend social events is overcome by her friend's persuasion._

> I could not help thinking it would be infinitely more desirable to dance again with him than with an entire stranger.

I couldn't help wishing to dance with Lord Orville again rather than with someone I didn't know.

_Evelina's preference for Lord Orville's company is evident._

> I told him—yet I blush to write it to you!—that I was already engaged; by which I meant to keep myself at liberty to a dance, or not, as matters should fall out.

I told him—though I'm ashamed to write it—that I was already taken, intending to keep my options open.

_Evelina's white lie to avoid dancing with Sir Clement leads to complications._

> Overpowered by all that had passed, I had not strength to make my mortifying explanation;—my spirits quite failed me, and I burst into tears.

Overwhelmed by the situation, I couldn't explain myself and broke down crying.

_Evelina's emotional distress at the exposure of her deception._

> A hint was sufficient for Lord Orville, who comprehended all I would have explained. He immediately led me to a seat, and said in a low voice, 'Be not distressed, I beseech you: I shall ever think my name honoured by your making use of it.'

Lord Orville understood my predicament without further explanation, led me to a seat, and kindly said he was honored that I used his name.

_Lord Orville's gracious response to Evelina's embarrassment._

> I am too inexperienced and ignorant to conduct myself with propriety in this town, where everything is new to me, and many things are unaccountable and perplexing.

I lack the experience and knowledge to behave properly in London, where everything is unfamiliar and confusing.

_Evelina's self-awareness of her naivety and discomfort in society._

## Links

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