Letters 425-438 dated August 24th through August 26th Summary

Mr. Lovelace mourns Mr. Belton's death but refuses to attend the funeral. Mr. Belford serves as Mr. Belton's executor and returns to town afterward to check on Clarissa, who is very ill. Arabella's letter has worsened Clarissa's health. Clarissa explains that her letter was an allegory to convince Mr. Lovelace to allow her to die in peace. Mr. Belford and Clarissa discuss Mr. Belton's dying behavior, and Clarissa urges Mr. Belford to reform. The doctor expects Clarissa to die in two to three weeks. Clarissa sells her clothes for funeral costs and prepares for her death.

Reverend Doctor Lewen writes to Clarissa declaring that she is less to blame than the usual participants in an elopement and urging her to overcome her modesty of testifying to prosecute Mr. Lovelace...