Summary

Volume 1, Letters 24-31 (pages 222-242)

On April 22, Rev. Villars is happy that Evelina has returned to Howard Grove. Sir Clement's behavior convinces Rev. Villars that he is an artful, designing man, but Lord Orville seems to be of "a better order of beings" (page 223).

Evelina is terrified on April 27 when Mme. Duval, believing it a shame that her granddaughter is not the fine lady as she was born to be, proposes the scheme of suing Sir John Belmont to prove Evelina's birthright and claim her inheritance, a scheme instigated by the Branghtons. Evelina does not know whether she wishes to be claimed or not, so she promises to be guided by Rev. Villars' unerring wisdom. To avoid subjecting Evelina to the world's impertinence and ridicule, Rev. Villars begs for the milder measure of applying to Sir John, rather than through...