# Miss Mirvan — Evelina character guide

> Miss Mirvan in Evelina by Fanny Burney.

**Role:** supporting

**Also known as:** Maria, Moll, Miss Mirvan, Poor Miss Mirvan

**First appearance:** 0004-letter-i-lady-howard-to-the-rev-mr-villars

## Snapshot

Evelina's first true friend in society, a charming girl who guides her through balls, shops, and the bewildering rituals of fashionable London.

## Who they are

Maria Mirvan is the sweet-tempered daughter of Captain and Mrs. Mirvan, and the confidante Evelina leans on as she stumbles through her first assemblies, shopping expeditions, and hair-dressings. She reassures Evelina that there is nothing to fear in a ball, and her easy familiarity with fashionable life contrasts with Evelina's wide-eyed astonishment. Her friendship gives the early London letters their warmth and makes Evelina's entry into society feel shared rather than solitary.

## In the story

### [Letter III: Lady Howard to the Rev. Mr. Villars](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/evelina_se/chapters/letter-iii-lady-howard-to-the-rev-mr-villars)

Eager to reunite with Evelina.

### [Letter VI: Lady Howard to the Rev. Mr. Villars](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/evelina_se/chapters/letter-vi-lady-howard-to-the-rev-mr-villars)

Lady Howard's granddaughter; noted for her growing affection for Evelina and her free, unselfish heart.

### [Letter VII: Lady Howard to the Rev. Mr. Villars](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/evelina_se/chapters/letter-vii-lady-howard-to-the-rev-mr-villars)

Eager to have Evelina accompany her to London for the reunion with her father.

### [Letter VIII: Evelina to the Rev. Mr. Villars](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/evelina_se/chapters/letter-viii-evelina-to-the-rev-mr-villars)

Evelina's sweet friend, part of the happy party planning to go to London.

### [Letter X: Evelina to the Rev. Mr. Villars](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/evelina_se/chapters/letter-x-evelina-to-the-rev-mr-villars)

Shares Evelina's enthusiasm for the theatre and accompanies her shopping; her hair is dressed too large for her caps.

### [Letter XI: Evelina in Continuation](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/evelina_se/chapters/letter-xi-evelina-in-continuation)

Evelina's companion at the ball; she dances and offers advice.

### [Letter XII: Evelina in Continuation](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/evelina_se/chapters/letter-xii-evelina-in-continuation)

Maria Mirvan recounts the overheard dialogue to Evelina and accompanies her to the opera and Ranelagh.

### [Letter XIII: Evelina in Continuation](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/evelina_se/chapters/letter-xiii-evelina-in-continuation)

Dances a minuet and later comforts Evelina; identifies Sir Clement as the man who heard Lord Orville speak of Evelina.

### [Letter XIV: Evelina in Continuation](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/evelina_se/chapters/letter-xiv-evelina-in-continuation)

Sympathetic to the foreign woman's distress; urges her father to help and later tries to change the subject during the quarrel.

### [Letter XXIII: Evelina in Continuation](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/evelina_se/chapters/letter-xxiii-evelina-in-continuation)

Present at the Pantheon with Evelina, participates in the conversation about the building.

### [Letter XXVI: Evelina to the Rev. Mr. Villars](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/evelina_se/chapters/letter-xxvi-evelina-to-the-rev-mr-villars)

Evelina's second self; hopes and fears only as Evelina does.

### [Letter XXXII: Evelina to the Rev. Mr. Villars](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/evelina_se/chapters/letter-xxxii-evelina-to-the-rev-mr-villars)

Accompanies Evelina on a walk and is greeted by Sir Clement.

### [Letter XXXIV: Evelina in Continuation](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/evelina_se/chapters/letter-xxxiv-evelina-in-continuation)

Miss Mirvan is Evelina's confidante, to whom Evelina reveals the truth about Sir Clement's departure.

### [Letter XXXVI: Evelina to the Rev. Mr. Villars](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/evelina_se/chapters/letter-xxxvi-evelina-to-the-rev-mr-villars)

Evelina's dear friend who consoles and sympathizes with her sorrow.

### [Letter XLI: Evelina to Miss Mirvan](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/evelina_se/chapters/letter-xli-evelina-to-miss-mirvan)

The recipient of the letter, addressed as 'my sweet friend' and 'my dear Maria'.

### [Letter LVII: Evelina to Miss Mirvan](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/evelina_se/chapters/letter-lvii-evelina-to-miss-mirvan)

The recipient of the letter, addressed as 'My Sweet Maria' and 'my dear Miss Mirvan'.

### [Letter LVIII: Evelina to Miss Mirvan](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/evelina_se/chapters/letter-lviii-evelina-to-miss-mirvan)

The recipient of Evelina's letter, whose friendly enquiries drew out Evelina's confession.

### [Letter LIX: Evelina in Continuation](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/evelina_se/chapters/letter-lix-evelina-in-continuation)

Maria, the recipient of Evelina's letter, who had suggested Evelina's heart was involved.

### [Letter LX: Evelina in Continuation](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/evelina_se/chapters/letter-lx-evelina-in-continuation)

Miss Mirvan is the recipient of Evelina's letter and is addressed directly; Evelina entreats her not to share the affair with her mother.

### [Letter LXI: Evelina in Continuation](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/evelina_se/chapters/letter-lxi-evelina-in-continuation)

The recipient of the letter, addressed as 'my dear Maria'.

### [Letter LXXXII: Evelina in Continuation](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/evelina_se/chapters/letter-lxxxii-evelina-in-continuation)

Maria Mirvan visits Evelina after persuading her father to travel; shares a joyful reunion.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/evelina_se/characters/miss_mirvan
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/evelina_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/evelina_se/characters