Clarissa · Character

Lady Betty Lawrance

Lovelace's aunt, whose name and reputation he borrows to lend his schemes the gloss of family respectability.

supporting

Also known as Lady Betty Lawrance, Lady Betty, Betty

First appearance: clarissa

As a supporting figure in Clarissa, Lady Betty Lawrance is not background color—the story leans on what they do once the chapter opens.

Writes a letter to Lovelace expressing support for Clarissa and hopes for their marriage.

In the storyLetter 122: Miss Clarissa Harlowe, to Miss HoweOpen this moment free

Lady Betty Lawrance never appears in person, but her identity is one of Lovelace's most useful props: he impersonates her, or has her impersonated, to convince Clarissa that a respectable female relative is waiting to receive her. The Harlowe family knows her name well enough to weigh it in their calculations about Lovelace's intentions. Her offstage presence is a reminder that Lovelace's charm depends on borrowed credit, and that the women in his family are as much his instruments as his victims.

See Lady Betty Lawrance in Letter 122: Miss Clarissa Harlowe, to Miss Howe Book page

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Character Web

50 connections

A slice of how Lady Betty Lawrance sits in the book — open the reader for the full interactive map.

Relationship types

Social
Friendship
Other

Character groups

Major characters and antagonists
Minor characters and background figures
Protagonist

+45 more in the full Character Web

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Narrative arc

Story tension across the book.

Setup
Escalation
Breaking point
Aftermath
Closing

This is the story's dramatic climax because it marks the emotional and psychological peak where Clarissa, desp…

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Relationships

Mrs. Harlowe
social · ambivalent
Robert Lovelace
social · ambivalent
Clarissa Harlowe
friendship · positive
Sir Harry Downeton
social · ambivalent
Mr. Hickman
friendship · positive
Mr. Hickman
friendship · positive
Mrs. Harlowe
social · ambivalent
Mrs. Harlowe
social · ambivalent
Sir Harry Downeton
social · ambivalent
Clarissa Harlowe
friendship · positive

Mrs. Harlowe
Lady Betty and Mrs. Harlowe are acquaintances who interact within the social circles of the gentry.
Robert Lovelace
Lady Betty and Lovelace move in the same aristocratic circles, with Lady Betty likely aware of his reputation.
Clarissa Harlowe
Lady Betty is a kind and protective older friend to Clarissa, offering shelter and moral support.
Sir Harry Downeton
Lady Betty and Sir Harry are social equals who likely share a polite, formal acquaintance.
Mr. Hickman
Lady Betty and Mr. Hickman are allies in their concern for Clarissa, sharing a mutual respect and cooperative bond.
Mr. Hickman
Lady Betty and Mr. Hickman are allies in their concern for Clarissa, sharing a mutual respect and cooperative bond.
Mrs. Harlowe
Lady Betty and Mrs. Harlowe are acquaintances who interact within the social circles of the gentry.
Mrs. Harlowe
Lady Betty and Mrs. Harlowe are acquaintances who interact within the social circles of the gentry.
Sir Harry Downeton
Lady Betty and Sir Harry are social equals who likely share a polite, formal acquaintance.
Clarissa Harlowe
Lady Betty is a kind and protective older friend to Clarissa, offering shelter and moral support.

Relationship notes

How these ties play out is in the reading companion — open the free preview.

See Lady Betty Lawrance in clarissa

In the story

Lady Betty Lawrance appears across 19 companion beats. Open any chapter in the free preview to see the notes beside the text.

Letter 122: Miss Clarissa Harlowe, to Miss Howe
Writes a letter to Lovelace expressing support for Clarissa and hopes for their marriage.
Letter 127: Mr. Lovelace, to John Belford, Esq.
Her letters are mentioned as having arrived via Mrs. Greme.
Letter 206: Lord M. to Robert Lovelace, Esq.
Mentioned as joining in compliments to Clarissa and eager to celebrate the wedding.
Letter 255: Mr. Lovelace, to John Belford, Esq.
Impersonated by Lady Bab. Wallis in Lovelace's scheme.
Letter 256: Mr. Lovelace, to John Belford, Esq.
Mentioned as a supposed guarantor of Clarissa's return to Hampstead; part of Lovelace's deception.
Letter 263: Mr. Lovelace, to John Belford, Esq.
Mentioned as part of Lovelace's scheme to bring Clarissa back to town, though Clarissa now believes she was an impostor.
Letter 302: Miss Cl. Harlowe, to Lady Betty Lawrance
The recipient of Clarissa's letter; Clarissa asks her to confirm or deny her involvement in Lovelace's schemes.
Letter 303: Lady Betty Lawrance, to Miss Cl. Harlowe
Writes to Clarissa expressing concern and offering mediation.
Letter 306: Miss Cl. Harlowe, to Lady Betty Lawrance
Recipient of the letter; Clarissa thanks her but declines her mediation.
Letter 312: Miss Clarissa Harlowe, to Miss Howe
Impersonated by an impostor who pleads with Clarissa as a mediatrix.
Letter 314: Miss Clarissa Harlowe, to Miss Howe
Impersonated by a woman who lures Clarissa into the coach and into the brothel.
Letter 316: Miss Howe, to Miss Clarissa Harlowe
Mentioned as one of the personas Lovelace's familiar might assume, and as part of the false visit to Clarissa at Hampstead.
Letter 323: Mr. Lovelace, to John Belford, Esq.
Brings Clarissa's letters; leads the family's condemnation of Lovelace and urges him to marry Clarissa.
Letter 324: Mr. Lovelace
Joins the demand for Lovelace to marry Clarissa and offers to take Clarissa into her protection.
Letter 325: Mr. Lovelace
Declares Clarissa is not with her, offers to receive her as a guest, and supports the marriage plan.
Letter 328: Miss Howe, to Miss Clarissa Harlowe
Mentioned as the protector under whose care Anna urges Clarissa to place herself.
Letter 361: Mrs. Norton, to Miss Clarissa Harlowe
Mentioned as a potential protector for Clarissa according to flying reports.
Letter 384: Miss Montague, to Miss Clarissa Harlowe
Mentioned as another family member who admires Clarissa and would help make reparation.
Letter 386: Miss Clarissa Harlowe, to Miss Montague
Included among those Clarissa asks to join in urging Lovelace to desist.

Chapter companion notes

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See Lady Betty Lawrance in clarissa

See Lady Betty Lawrance in Letter 122: Miss Clarissa Harlowe, to Miss Howe