# Letter XXV: Evelina to the Rev. Mr. Villars explained — Evelina

> Chapter companion for Evelina by Fanny Burney.

## What happens

Evelina writes to Mr. Villars from Howard Grove, lamenting that the harmony of the household has been disrupted by Captain Mirvan and Madame Duval. She defends Lord Orville's character and recounts a violent quarrel between the Captain and Madame Duval over Monsieur Du Bois being pulled from the coach, which ends with the Frenchman leaving and the journey proceeding in tension.

## Themes in this chapter

### Satire of Society

The quarrel between Captain Mirvan and Monsieur Du Bois satirizes national prejudices and the clash of English and French manners.

### Social Class and Manners

The dispute over seating in the coach highlights differing codes of politeness and social hierarchy.

## Character check-ins

### Evelina Anville

Narrator and letter-writer; reflects on the changed atmosphere at Howard Grove and defends Lord Orville.

### Captain Mirvan

Instigates a quarrel with Madame Duval and physically removes Monsieur Du Bois from the coach.

### Madame Duval

Argues with Captain Mirvan and insists Monsieur Du Bois ride in the coach.

### Monsieur Du Bois

Forcibly removed from the coach by Captain Mirvan; eventually leaves after Mrs. Mirvan intervenes.

### Mrs. Mirvan

Attempts to calm the dispute between her husband and Monsieur Du Bois.

### Lord Orville

Mentioned favorably by Evelina; she regrets not doing justice to his merit in her earlier account.

## Key lines

> No, my dear Sir, no: the work of seventeen years remains such as it was, ever unworthy your time and your labour; but not more so now⁠—at least I hope not⁠—than before that fortnight which has so much alarmed you.

Evelina reassures Mr. Villars that her character has not worsened despite his concerns about her time in London.

_Evelina defends her constancy and virtue against her guardian's fears._

> Captain Mirvan and Madame Duval have ruined Howard Grove. The harmony that reigned here is disturbed, our schemes are broken, our way of life is altered, and our comfort is destroyed.

Evelina blames the Captain and Madame Duval for destroying the peaceful atmosphere at Howard Grove.

_Highlights the disruptive influence of these two characters on the household._

> But do not suppose London to be the source of these evils; for, had our excursion been anywhere else, so disagreeable an addition to our household must have caused the same change at our return.

Evelina insists that the problems at Howard Grove are due to the Captain and Madame Duval, not London itself.

_Evelina clarifies that the city is not to blame for the current discord._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/evelina_se/chapters/letter-xxv-evelina-to-the-rev-mr-villars
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