# Lady Betty Lawrance — Clarissa character guide > Lady Betty Lawrance in Clarissa by Samuel Richardson. **Role:** supporting **Also known as:** Lady Betty Lawrance, Lady Betty, Betty **First appearance:** 0001-clarissa ## Snapshot Lovelace's aunt, whose name and reputation he borrows to lend his schemes the gloss of family respectability. ## Who they are 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. ## Relationships ### [Mrs. Harlowe](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/clarissa_se/characters/mrs_harlowe) _social_ Lady Betty and Mrs. Harlowe are acquaintances who interact within the social circles of the gentry. ### [Robert Lovelace](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/clarissa_se/characters/robert_lovelace) _social_ Lady Betty and Lovelace move in the same aristocratic circles, with Lady Betty likely aware of his reputation. ### [Clarissa Harlowe](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/clarissa_se/characters/clarissa_harlowe) _friendship_ Lady Betty is a kind and protective older friend to Clarissa, offering shelter and moral support. ### [Sir Harry Downeton](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/clarissa_se/characters/sir_harry_downeton) _social_ Lady Betty and Sir Harry are social equals who likely share a polite, formal acquaintance. ### [Mr. Hickman](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/clarissa_se/characters/mr_hickman) _friendship_ Lady Betty and Mr. Hickman are allies in their concern for Clarissa, sharing a mutual respect and cooperative bond. ### [Mr. Hickman](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/clarissa_se/characters/mr_hickman) _friendship_ Lady Betty and Mr. Hickman are allies in their concern for Clarissa, sharing a mutual respect and cooperative bond. ### [Mrs. Harlowe](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/clarissa_se/characters/mrs_harlowe) _social_ Lady Betty and Mrs. Harlowe are acquaintances who interact within the social circles of the gentry. ### [Mrs. Harlowe](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/clarissa_se/characters/mrs_harlowe) _social_ Lady Betty and Mrs. Harlowe are acquaintances who interact within the social circles of the gentry. ### [Sir Harry Downeton](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/clarissa_se/characters/sir_harry_downeton) _social_ Lady Betty and Sir Harry are social equals who likely share a polite, formal acquaintance. ### [Clarissa Harlowe](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/clarissa_se/characters/clarissa_harlowe) _friendship_ Lady Betty is a kind and protective older friend to Clarissa, offering shelter and moral support. ## In the story ### [Letter 122: Miss Clarissa Harlowe, to Miss Howe](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/clarissa_se/chapters/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.](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/clarissa_se/chapters/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.](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/clarissa_se/chapters/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.](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/clarissa_se/chapters/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.](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/clarissa_se/chapters/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.](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/clarissa_se/chapters/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](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/clarissa_se/chapters/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](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/clarissa_se/chapters/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](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/clarissa_se/chapters/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](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/clarissa_se/chapters/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](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/clarissa_se/chapters/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](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/clarissa_se/chapters/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.](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/clarissa_se/chapters/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](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/clarissa_se/chapters/letter-324-mr-lovelace) Joins the demand for Lovelace to marry Clarissa and offers to take Clarissa into her protection. ### [Letter 325: Mr. Lovelace](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/clarissa_se/chapters/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](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/clarissa_se/chapters/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](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/clarissa_se/chapters/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](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/clarissa_se/chapters/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](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/clarissa_se/chapters/letter-386-miss-clarissa-harlowe-to-miss-montague) Included among those Clarissa asks to join in urging Lovelace to desist. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/clarissa_se/characters/lady_betty_lawrance - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/clarissa_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/clarissa_se/characters