# Betty Barnes — Clarissa character guide > Betty Barnes in Clarissa by Samuel Richardson. **Role:** supporting **Also known as:** Betty Barnes, Betty, Elizabeth, Barnes **First appearance:** 0001-clarissa ## Snapshot A pert, prying servant in the Harlowe household, eager to search Clarissa's closet and carry tales that harden the family against her. ## Who they are Betty Barnes knows every corner of Clarissa's apartment and closet, and is the servant chosen to rifle through them when the family decides to hunt for evidence against her. She is forbidden to mention Clarissa's letters, yet she has already repeated their moving passages to Bella, feeding the household's appetite for scandal. Her small malice matters because it shows how thoroughly Clarissa is watched and how the family's discipline is enforced by servants who enjoy the work. ## In the story ### [Letter 23: Miss Clarissa Harlowe, to Miss Howe](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/clarissa_se/chapters/letter-23-miss-clarissa-harlowe-to-miss-howe) Assigned to replace Hannah; behaves impertinently toward Clarissa. ### [Letter 24: Miss Clarissa Harlowe, to Miss Howe](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/clarissa_se/chapters/letter-24-miss-clarissa-harlowe-to-miss-howe) Assigned to attend Clarissa during her garden walks and enforce the restrictions. ### [Letter 40: Miss Clarissa Harlowe, to Miss Howe](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/clarissa_se/chapters/letter-40-miss-clarissa-harlowe-to-miss-howe) Insolently reports Solmes's offensive remarks to Clarissa, provoking her anger. ### [Letter 53: Miss Clarissa Harlowe, to Miss Howe](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/clarissa_se/chapters/letter-53-miss-clarissa-harlowe-to-miss-howe) Mrs. Betty reports the plan to send Clarissa to uncle Antony's and shows insolent wit; later brings news of the uproar caused by Clarissa's letter. ### [Letter 57: Miss Clarissa Harlowe, to Miss Howe](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/clarissa_se/chapters/letter-57-miss-clarissa-harlowe-to-miss-howe) Clarissa's 'saucy gaoleress'; she delivers impertinent messages and teases Clarissa about her situation. ### [Letter 61: Miss Clarissa Harlowe, to Miss Howe](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/clarissa_se/chapters/letter-61-miss-clarissa-harlowe-to-miss-howe) Acts as the family's messenger, relaying harsh criticisms of Clarissa and reluctantly carrying her letters, while scolding Clarissa for her disobedience. ### [Letter 62: Miss Clarissa Harlowe, to Miss Howe](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/clarissa_se/chapters/letter-62-miss-clarissa-harlowe-to-miss-howe) Sent to help Clarissa prepare for her removal to her uncle's house on Thursday. ### [Letter 63: Miss Clarissa Harlowe, to Miss Howe](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/clarissa_se/chapters/letter-63-miss-clarissa-harlowe-to-miss-howe) The pert servant who delivers Uncle John's letter, engages in a dialogue with Clarissa, and warns her of the consequences of disobedience. ### [Letter 71: Miss Clarissa Harlowe, to Miss Howe](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/clarissa_se/chapters/letter-71-miss-clarissa-harlowe-to-miss-howe) Relayed Leman's hint to Clarissa. ### [Letter 84: Miss Clarissa Harlowe, to Miss Howe](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/clarissa_se/chapters/letter-84-miss-clarissa-harlowe-to-miss-howe) Servant who spies on Clarissa and notes her inky finger. ### [Letter 86: Miss Clarissa Harlowe, to Miss Howe](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/clarissa_se/chapters/letter-86-miss-clarissa-harlowe-to-miss-howe) Mentioned as a servant Clarissa plans to send on an errand; also reports Solmes's presence. ### [Letter 90: Miss Clarissa Harlowe, to Miss Howe](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/clarissa_se/chapters/letter-90-miss-clarissa-harlowe-to-miss-howe) Searches Clarissa's clothes and reports to the family; spreads rumors about the wedding. ### [Letter 95: Mr. Lovelace, to Joseph Leman](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/clarissa_se/chapters/letter-95-mr-lovelace-to-joseph-leman) Referenced as a potential distraction for Joseph; Lovelace suggests he might court her. ### [Letter 96: To Robert Lovelace, Esquier, His Honner](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/clarissa_se/chapters/letter-96-to-robert-lovelace-esquier-his-honner) Mentioned as Mrs. Betty, who Leman thinks looks above him but comes on well, though he could throw his hat at her if angered. ### [Letter 115: Mr. Lovelace, to John Belford, Esq.](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/clarissa_se/chapters/letter-115-mr-lovelace-to-john-belford-esq) Lovelace plans to punish her as part of his schemes. ### [Letter 374: Mrs. Norton, to Miss Clarissa Harlowe](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/clarissa_se/chapters/letter-374-mrs-norton-to-miss-clarissa-harlowe) Serves as a messenger between Mrs. Norton and the Harlowes; she reports on the family's reactions and is shown passages from Clarissa's letter. ### [Letter 430: Miss Cl. Harlowe, to Miss Arab. Harlowe](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/clarissa_se/chapters/letter-430-miss-cl-harlowe-to-miss-arab-harlowe) Proposed by Clarissa as a companion to Pennsylvania in place of Hannah. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/clarissa_se/characters/betty_barnes - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/clarissa_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/clarissa_se/characters