# Letter XLVIII: Evelina in Continuation explained — Evelina

> Chapter companion for Evelina by Fanny Burney.

## What happens

Evelina describes a rainy evening that leads to a visit to the Branghtons' shop, where she encounters the distressed Mr. Macartney. She attempts to offer him help and secretly leaves her purse for him, moved by his despair.

## Themes in this chapter

### Virtue and Reputation

Evelina's compassionate act of leaving her purse for Mr. Macartney reflects her virtuous character, while her concern for propriety is shown in her hesitation.

### Social Class and Manners

The Branghtons' vulgar behavior and the debate over the weather highlight class differences, contrasting with Evelina's refined sensibility.

## Character check-ins

### Evelina Anville

Narrates the events, shows compassion by attempting to assist Mr. Macartney and leaving her purse.

### Madame Duval

Decides to go to Marybone Gardens, but is caught in rain and later debates the plan.

### Mr. Macartney

Found in the Branghtons' shop looking wretched; he is agitated and speaks of misery and despair, eventually receiving Evelina's purse.

### Mr. Branghton

Joins the group going upstairs to check the weather, and is part of the family present.

### Miss Polly Branghton

Objects to her room being used for weather observation, leading to quarrelling with her brother.

### Monsieur Du Bois

Proposes checking the clouds from the top of the house and accompanies Madame Duval.

## Key lines

> The last three evenings have passed tolerably quiet, for the Vauxhall adventures had given Madame Duval a surfeit of public places: home, however, soon growing tiresome, she determined tonight, she said, to relieve her ennui by some amusement; and it was therefore settled, that we should call upon the Branghtons at their house, and thence proceed to Marybone Gardens.

After several quiet evenings due to Madame Duval's weariness from Vauxhall, she decided to seek amusement by visiting the Branghtons and then going to Marybone Gardens.

_Sets the scene for the chapter's events._

> I was so much affected by the appearance of such extreme anguish, that I could remain no longer in the room: I therefore glided by him and went upstairs; but, ere I had gone five steps, he precipitately followed me, and, in a broken voice, called out 'Madam!—for Heaven's sake—' He stopped; but I instantly descended, restraining, as well as I was able, the fullness of my own concern.

Moved by Mr. Macartney's distress, Evelina tried to leave but he called after her, and she turned back, struggling to contain her own emotion.

_Highlights Evelina's empathy and Mr. Macartney's desperation._

> I seized the opportunity of hastening away: and therefore saying, 'Heaven, Sir, protect and comfort you!' I let fall my purse upon the ground, not daring to present it to him, and ran upstairs with the utmost swiftness.

Evelina quickly left, dropping her purse on the floor instead of handing it to him directly, and hurried upstairs.

_Shows Evelina's discreet charity and her fear of offending Mr. Macartney._

## Links

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