Clarissa · Chapter
Letter 272: Mr. Lovelace, to John Belford, Esq. explained
Lovelace writes to Belford about Clarissa's feigned illness and his plans to deceive her.
What happens
Lovelace writes to Belford about Clarissa's feigned illness and his plans to deceive her. He recounts a dream that he believes foretells her escape attempt, and shares a forged letter from Captain Tomlinson that falsely promises reconciliation with her uncle.
Free preview opens on this chapter — companions, themes, and character notes appear beside the text.
Narrative arc
Story tension across the book — this chapter sits in Rising action.
- Setup
- Escalation
- Breaking point
- Aftermath
- Closing
This is the story's dramatic climax because it marks the emotional and psychological peak where Clarissa, desp…
Full beat labels and climax notes unlock in the reader.
Follow the arc while readingThemes in this chapter
- Deception and Appearance vs. Reality
Lovelace orchestrates a complex deception involving a forged letter and a planned escape, while Clarissa feigns illness.
- Power and Manipulation
Lovelace manipulates those around him, including Dorcas and Mrs. Sinclair, to control Clarissa's movements and perceptions.
Characters to notice
- Robert Lovelace
Author of the letter; plots to deceive Clarissa and interprets his dream as prophetic.
- John Belford
Recipient of the letter; Lovelace confides his schemes to him.
- Clarissa Harlowe
Feigns illness; Lovelace suspects she plans to escape.
- Dorcas Wykes
Reports Clarissa's condition to Lovelace and is involved in his schemes.
- Mrs. Sinclair
Mentioned as part of Lovelace's plan; he tells her he will leave at eight.
- Captain Tomlinson
Author of a forged letter that Lovelace plans to use to manipulate Clarissa.
Key passages
“No admittance yet to my charmer! she is very ill—in a violent fever, Dorcas thinks. Yet will have no advice.”
Lovelace has not been allowed to see Clarissa; she is reportedly very ill with a fever but refuses medical help.
Lovelace suspects Clarissa is feigning illness to avoid him.
“I have a strange notion that the matronly lady will be certainly at the grocer’s shop at the hour of nine tomorrow morning: for Dorcas heard me tell Mrs. Sinclair, that I should go out at eight precisely; and then she is to try for a coach: and if the dowager’s chariot should happen to be there, how lucky will it be for my charmer! how strangely will my dream be made out!”
Lovelace believes Clarissa will try to escape at nine o'clock, and he has set a trap by pretending to leave at eight, hoping his dream of her escape will come true.
Lovelace is actively plotting to catch Clarissa in an attempted escape.
“I have just received a letter from Captain Tomlinson. Is it not wonderful? for that was part of my dream.”
Lovelace has received a letter from Captain Tomlinson, which he claims matches his dream.
The letter is forged and part of Lovelace's scheme to deceive Clarissa.
