Summary
The doctor and apothecary take leave of Clarissa, not
expecting to see her again. Anna is about to set out for London
but waits for Clarissa’s answer before she does. Clarissa is too
weak to write but dictates a letter telling Anna to rejoice in the
joy Clarissa is heading for. Morden visits Clarissa and Belford
escorts him to her room, describing the tableau he sees there. Clarissa
is dressed in white, asleep in a chair, leaning on Mrs. Lovick (a
fellow lodger at the Smiths’) so that the cheek pressed against
her is flushed, while the other is already as pale as death. Morden
is horrified by her condition. Clarissa takes a miniature of Anna
from around her neck and asks that it be sent to Hickman.
Lovelace is riding back and forth, awaiting word on Clarissa from
messengers. He demands news. Belford sends a short and cryptic note,
and Mowbray, who has joined Lovelace on Belford’s orders, writes
back because Lovelace is incapable. Mowbray, completely insensitive
and wondering what all the fuss is about, describes Lovelace’s frenzy
upon reading the note. Belford sends the details of Clarissa’s death.
She spent her last moments expressing gratitude to God and sending
final messages to her friends. Finally she blessed everyone and
died with the words, “Oh come—blessed Lord—Jesus!”.
Shortly after her death, letters arrive from the Harlowes to tell
Clarissa that she is to be welcomed back into the family. Mrs. Norton
arrives to see Clarissa, but of course it is too late.
Belford begins his job as executor. Clarissa has asked
to be buried at her grandfather’s feet, so her corpse is prepared
for the journey. Locks of hair are to be given to Morden, Mrs. Norton,
Anna, and Mrs. Harlowe. She has also written eleven letters to be
distributed after her death to the important people in her life.
They both beg and extend forgiveness to each person and ask each
to rejoice in her ascension. One of the letters is to Lovelace,
fulfilling the promise she had made in her allegorical letter. Belford
tells Lovelace about it but does not send it, doubting that Lovelace
could bear to read it. He tells Lovelace that Mrs. Sinclair has
broken her leg and is in danger of death from infection as a result.
In great pain and fear she has sent to beg Clarissa’s forgiveness.
Lovelace writes in a delirium. He commands that Clarissa
be embalmed and her heart given to him. He requests a lock of her
hair. He forbids Belford and Morden from interfering with her and demands
a copy of her will as well as all of her papers. He calls her “my
Clarissa Lovelace.” Belford instructs Mowbray to pacify Lovelace
with a false lock of hair. He writes to Lovelace and describes the horrible
scene at Mrs. Sinclair’s house. She, more monstrous then ever and
terrified of death, was howling like an animal. Her whores surrounded
her, half-dressed and with their makeup disgustingly streaked. Doctors
decide to amputate her leg, more as an experiment than with any
hope of saving her life. Belford reflects on the horrors of the
whorehouse and the viciousness of the men who send women there.
He blames the idea that “a reformed rake makes the best husband”
for tricking so many women into this situation.
The Harlowe family is shattered, blaming each other and
Lovelace. The corpse arrives amid much ceremony. The servants and poor
people of the village pay their respects to Clarissa, as do most of
the family, but Mr. and Mrs. Harlowe cannot stand to look in the casket.
Anna arrives to see Clarissa. She will not see any of the Harlowes.
She kisses Clarissa and, on seeing the emblems on the coffin, immediately
understands their meaning. The funeral is held. Solmes is lurking,
half-hidden, at the back, in tears.
The Harlowes make some trouble about Belford’s role as
executor, insisting that the family should execute the will. Belford
insists on following Clarissa’s instructions, and Morden backs him.
The will is included in his letter. It includes a large provision
for the support of the poor. It also specifies that Belford should
collect her letters and arrange them to tell her story. The family
is not content with some of Clarissa’s allocations but they eventually
agree to follow her instructions.
