Clarissa · Chapter
Letter 493: Mr. Belford, to Robert Lovelace, Esq. explained
Belford writes to Lovelace, informing him that the infamous Mrs.
What happens
Belford writes to Lovelace, informing him that the infamous Mrs. Sinclair has fallen down a flight of stairs while intoxicated, breaking her leg and now lies in a burning fever. Sally Martin visits Belford to seek the late Clarissa's pardon for Sinclair's wickedness, and is shocked to learn of Clarissa's death. Sally confesses her own guilt and acknowledges that Clarissa was the ornament of her sex, blaming herself and the other women for instigating Clarissa's ruin more than Lovelace himself.
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 Falling 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
- Suffering and Redemption
Mrs. Sinclair's physical suffering and compunction of heart, seeking Clarissa's forgiveness, highlights the theme of suffering leading to a desire for redemption.
- Deception and Appearance vs. Reality
Sally Martin's confession reveals that the women's instigations were more responsible for Clarissa's ruin than Lovelace's own vileness, exposing the deceptive roles they played.
Characters to notice
- John Belford
Writes to Lovelace, reporting Mrs. Sinclair's accident and Sally Martin's visit; expresses satisfaction in making Lovelace feel guilt.
- Robert Lovelace
Addressed by Belford; threatened with revenge; Belford suggests he should tremble for his own role as principal in Clarissa's ruin.
- Mrs. Sinclair
Falls down stairs while drunk, breaks her leg, and lies in a burning fever with a mortification apprehended; seeks Clarissa's pardon.
- Sally Martin
Visits Belford as a messenger for Sinclair; is shocked to learn of Clarissa's death, accuses herself and Polly Horton of instigating Clarissa's ruin.
- Clarissa Harlowe
Deceased; referred to as the ornament and glory of her sex; her pardon is sought by Sinclair and Sally Martin.
Key passages
“I understand, that thou breathest nothing but revenge against me, for treating thee with so much freedom; and against the cursed woman and her infernal crew.”
I know you are furious with me for speaking so plainly, and you want revenge on me and on that wicked woman and her gang.
Belford acknowledges Lovelace's anger and his threats of revenge.
“last night, it seems, the infamous woman got so heartily intoxicated with her beloved liquor, arrack punch, at the expense of Colonel Salter, that, mistaking her way, she fell down a pair of stairs, and broke her leg”
Last night, that notorious woman got very drunk on her favorite drink, arrack punch, paid for by Colonel Salter, and in her confusion fell down a staircase, breaking her leg.
Belford reports Mrs. Sinclair's accident due to intoxication.
“She called her the ornament and glory of her sex; acknowledged, that her ruin was owing more to their instigations, than even (savage as thou art) to thy own vileness”
She called Clarissa the finest example of womanhood and admitted that her downfall was caused more by their encouragement than by your own wickedness, cruel as you are.
Sally Martin praises Clarissa and blames herself and the other women for her ruin.
