# Sally Martin — Clarissa character guide > Sally Martin in Clarissa by Samuel Richardson. **Role:** supporting **Also known as:** Sally Martin, Sarah Martin, Sally, Martin **First appearance:** 0001-clarissa ## Snapshot One of Mrs. Sinclair's women, sharp-tongued and watchful, who helps stage the fire and keeps Clarissa from the door. ## Who they are Sally Martin is a fixture of the London house, part of the company that surrounds Clarissa with false cheer and false alarms. She is quick to calculate consequences — she reasons coolly about what a man who has committed 'the vilest of rapes' must do to save himself — and her vigilance is one of the bars between Clarissa and escape. Her presence turns the drawing-room into a surveillance chamber, and her voice is one of the many that make Clarissa feel she is surrounded by enemies wearing the manners of friends. ## In the story ### [Letter 154: Mr. Lovelace, to John Belford, Esq.](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/clarissa_se/chapters/letter-154-mr-lovelace-to-john-belford-esq) One of the women of the house, she is struck by Clarissa's beauty and quotes Dryden in admiration. ### [Letter 157: Miss Clarissa Harlowe, to Miss Howe](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/clarissa_se/chapters/letter-157-miss-clarissa-harlowe-to-miss-howe) One of the widow's nieces; Clarissa notes her jealousy and discomfort with her behavior. ### [Letter 159: Mr. Lovelace, to John Belford, Esq.](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/clarissa_se/chapters/letter-159-mr-lovelace-to-john-belford-esq) One of Mrs. Sinclair's nieces; praised by Clarissa for her views on marriage. ### [Letter 194: Mr. Lovelace, to John Belford, Esq.](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/clarissa_se/chapters/letter-194-mr-lovelace-to-john-belford-esq) Involved in the overheard conversation, praising Clarissa's purity and discussing her own quarrel with a woollen-draper. ### [Letter 195: Miss Clarissa Harlowe, to Miss Howe](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/clarissa_se/chapters/letter-195-miss-clarissa-harlowe-to-miss-howe) Expresses herself handsomely about Clarissa in the overheard conversation, leading Clarissa to soften her earlier judgment. ### [Letter 198: Mr. Lovelace, to John Belford, Esq.](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/clarissa_se/chapters/letter-198-mr-lovelace-to-john-belford-esq) One of the 'three ready writers' who helped copy the letters; adds a prayer for Miss Howe to come to London. ### [Letter 209: Mr. Lovelace, to John Belford, Esq.](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/clarissa_se/chapters/letter-209-mr-lovelace-to-john-belford-esq) Accuses Lovelace of intending to marry Clarissa; he dismisses her as impertinent. ### [Letter 210: Mr. Lovelace, to John Belford, Esq.](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/clarissa_se/chapters/letter-210-mr-lovelace-to-john-belford-esq) One of the nymphs attending the airing; praises Lovelace's letters. ### [Letter 226: Mr. Lovelace, to John Belford, Esq.](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/clarissa_se/chapters/letter-226-mr-lovelace-to-john-belford-esq) Mentioned as rejoicing in the thought of Clarissa's 'hour approaching' the previous night. ### [Letter 264: Mr. Lovelace, to John Belford, Esq.](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/clarissa_se/chapters/letter-264-mr-lovelace-to-john-belford-esq) Sally intercepts Clarissa at the door and calls for help to prevent her escape. ### [Letter 276: Mr. Lovelace, to John Belford, Esq.](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/clarissa_se/chapters/letter-276-mr-lovelace-to-john-belford-esq) Sally Martin hurries in with Mrs. Sinclair during the struggle at the window. ### [Letter 277: Mr. Lovelace, to John Belford, Esq.](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/clarissa_se/chapters/letter-277-mr-lovelace-to-john-belford-esq) One of the women at the brothel; mocks Lovelace and quotes Dryden, urging him to use force. ### [Letter 281: Mr. Lovelace, to John Belford, Esq.](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/clarissa_se/chapters/letter-281-mr-lovelace-to-john-belford-esq) One of the sisterhood who joins in the mock trial and incitements, but later wavers when Clarissa reveals she is not Lovelace's wife. ### [Letter 293: Mr. Belford, to Robert Lovelace, Esq.](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/clarissa_se/chapters/letter-293-mr-belford-to-robert-lovelace-esq) Partner in the brothel; shares concerns about legal consequences. ### [Letter 330: Mr. Lovelace, to John Belford, Esq.](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/clarissa_se/chapters/letter-330-mr-lovelace-to-john-belford-esq) Sent an exulting letter to Lovelace about finding and arresting Clarissa. ### [Letter 333: Mr. Belford, to Robert Lovelace, Esq.](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/clarissa_se/chapters/letter-333-mr-belford-to-robert-lovelace-esq) Visits Clarissa in prison, insults her, and claims to have a prior contract with Lovelace. ### [Letter 336: Mr. Belford, to Robert Lovelace, Esq.](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/clarissa_se/chapters/letter-336-mr-belford-to-robert-lovelace-esq) Attempts to steal a Brussels-lace head from Clarissa's belongings, showing her predatory nature. ### [Letter 416: Mr. Lovelace, to John Belford, Esq.](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/clarissa_se/chapters/letter-416-mr-lovelace-to-john-belford-esq) Attempts to mimic Clarissa to gain Lovelace's attention; he rebukes her for the insult. ### [Letter 493: Mr. Belford, to Robert Lovelace, Esq.](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/clarissa_se/chapters/letter-493-mr-belford-to-robert-lovelace-esq) 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. ### [Letter 499: Mr. Belford, to Robert Lovelace, Esq.](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/clarissa_se/chapters/letter-499-mr-belford-to-robert-lovelace-esq) Visits Belford to bring him to Sinclair's bedside; present during the death scene. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/clarissa_se/characters/sally_martin - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/clarissa_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/clarissa_se/characters