Summary
When Past Mistakes Return to Haunt
Evelina, Or, the History of a Young Lady's Entrance into the World by Fanny Burney
Evelina's peaceful time at Bristol Hotwells is shattered when she encounters Lord Merton, the libertine nobleman who had harassed her at the Pantheon. He doesn't initially recognize her but becomes increasingly forward and inappropriate, asking intrusive questions about her living situation and activities. Mrs. Selwyn masterfully deflects his advances with sharp wit, making cutting remarks about his character and future prospects that sail right over his head. The encounter reveals Merton's true nature—he's crude, dismissive of older women, and treats Evelina like a conquest rather than a person. Later, the apothecary Mr. Ridgeway provides crucial backstory: Lord Merton is a notorious gambler and womanizer who has squandered half his inheritance. More shocking still, he's engaged to Lady Louisa Larpent—Lord Orville's sister. This news devastates Evelina, who learns that Lord Orville himself will soon arrive in Bristol with his sister. The chapter captures the anxiety of dreading an inevitable confrontation with someone who has hurt you. Evelina fears facing Lord Orville after his insulting letter, worrying he'll misinterpret her behavior and that she won't be able to hide her conflicted feelings. The revelation that Orville's sister would marry such a dissolute man forces Evelina to question everything she believed about virtue and family influence.
Coming Up in Chapter 63
The dreaded moment arrives as Lord Orville comes to Bristol. Will Evelina be able to maintain her composure when they meet face to face, or will her emotions betray her true feelings about his cruel letter?
Share it with friends
An excerpt from the original text.(~500 words)
LETTER LXII. EVELINA TO THE REV. MR. VILLARS. Bristol Hotwells, Sept. 12th. THE first fortnight that I passed here was so quiet, so serene, that it gave me reason to expect a settled calm during my stay; but if I may now judge of the time to come, by the present state of my mind, the calm will be succeeded by a storm, of which I dread the violence! This morning, in my way to the pump-room with Mrs. Selwyn, we were both very much incommoded by three gentlemen, who were sauntering by the side of the Avon, laughing and talking very loud, and lounging so disagreeably, that we knew not how to pass them. They all three fixed their eyes very boldly upon me, alternately looking under my hat, and whispering one another. Mrs. Selwyn assumed an air of uncommon sternness, and said, "You will please, gentlemen, either to proceed yourselves, or to suffer us." "Oh! Ma'am," cried one of them, "we will suffer you with the greatest pleasure in life." "You will suffer us both," answered she, "or I am much mistaken: you had better, therefore, make way quietly; for I should be sorry to give my servant the trouble of teaching you better manners." Her commanding air struck them, yet they all chose to laugh; and one of them wished the fellow would begin his lesson, that he might have the pleasure of rolling him into the Avon; while another, advancing to me with a freedom which made me start, said, "By my soul, I did not know you!-but I am sure I cannot be mistaken;-had not I the honour of seeing you once at the Pantheon?" I then recollected the nobleman, who, at that place, had so much embarrassed me. I courtsied without speaking. They all bowed, and making, though in a very easy manner, an apology to Mrs. Selwyn, they suffered us to pass on, but chose to accompany us. "And where," continued this Lord, "can you so long have hid yourself? do you know I have been in search of you this age? I could neither find you out, nor hear of you: not a creature could inform me what was become of you. I cannot imagine where you could be immured. I was at two or three public places every night, in hopes of meeting you. Pray, did you leave town?" "Yes, my Lord." "So early in the season!-what could possibly induce you to go before the birth-day?" "I had nothing, my Lord, to do with the birth-day." "By my soul, all the women who had, may rejoice you were away. Have you been here any time?" "Not above a fortnight, my Lord." "A fortnight!-how unlucky that I did not meet you sooner! but I have had a run of ill luck ever since I came. How long shall you stay?" "Indeed, my Lord, I don't know." "Six weeks, I hope; for I shall wish the place at the devil when you go."...
Master this chapter. Complete your experience
Purchase the complete book to access all chapters and support classic literature
As an Amazon Associate, we earn a small commission from qualifying purchases at no additional cost to you.
Available in paperback, hardcover, and e-book formats
Intelligence Amplifier™ Analysis
The Road of Dreaded Encounters - When You Must Face What You Fear
The more we dread and avoid a difficult encounter, the more likely we are to face it under circumstances beyond our control.
Why This Matters
Connect literature to life
This chapter teaches how to evaluate someone's true nature by observing who they choose to associate with and defend.
Practice This Today
This week, notice when someone you respect defends or dates someone who treats others poorly - it reveals their actual values, not their stated ones.
Now let's explore the literary elements.
Terms to Know
Hotwells
A fashionable spa resort where wealthy people came to drink mineral water for their health and socialize. Bristol Hotwells was like the 18th-century version of a luxury wellness retreat.
Modern Usage:
Today we have destination spas, wellness retreats, and health resorts where people go to 'detox' and network with other affluent people.
Pump-room
The main social hub at a spa where people gathered to drink the mineral water and see and be seen. It was part health clinic, part social club for the upper classes.
Modern Usage:
Think of upscale hotel lobbies, country club lounges, or trendy juice bars where networking happens while people pretend to focus on health.
Libertine
A man who lives without moral restraints, especially regarding women and money. In Burney's time, wealthy libertines could behave badly with few consequences because of their social status.
Modern Usage:
We see this in wealthy men who feel entitled to harass women, party excessively, and face no real accountability because of their money or connections.
Sauntering
Walking slowly and deliberately to be seen, often blocking others' path. This was a power move by men to force interactions with women who were trying to avoid them.
Modern Usage:
Like men who deliberately stand too close in hallways, block doorways, or position themselves where women have to acknowledge them.
Squandered inheritance
Wasting family money through gambling, drinking, and reckless spending. Many young nobles burned through fortunes their families had built over generations.
Modern Usage:
We see this with trust fund kids, lottery winners, or athletes who blow through millions and end up broke despite having every advantage.
Engaged to marry
In the 18th century, engagements were often business arrangements between families rather than love matches. Breaking an engagement could cause major social and financial scandal.
Modern Usage:
Similar to high-profile celebrity engagements or wealthy families arranging marriages for business connections, where love is secondary to status and money.
Characters in This Chapter
Lord Merton
Antagonist/predator
Returns to harass Evelina again, showing his true character as a crude libertine who treats women as objects. His engagement to Lord Orville's sister reveals the corrupt nature of aristocratic marriages.
Modern Equivalent:
The wealthy guy who thinks his money entitles him to any woman he wants
Mrs. Selwyn
Protector/mentor
Uses sharp wit and commanding presence to defend Evelina from Merton's harassment. Her clever insults expose Merton's character while protecting Evelina from direct confrontation.
Modern Equivalent:
The fierce older woman who won't let men get away with inappropriate behavior
Mr. Ridgeway
Informant
The apothecary who provides crucial gossip about Lord Merton's reputation and engagement. His information helps Evelina understand the true nature of the people around her.
Modern Equivalent:
The coworker who knows all the office gossip and warns you about problem people
Lady Louisa Larpent
Absent but significant figure
Lord Orville's sister, engaged to the dissolute Lord Merton. Her choice to marry such a man forces Evelina to question her assumptions about virtue and family influence.
Modern Equivalent:
The good family's daughter who's marrying the wrong guy for money or status
Key Quotes & Analysis
"id, "You will please, gentlemen, either to proceed yourselves, or to suffer us." "Oh!"
Context: When the three men are blocking their path and staring at Evelina
Mrs. Selwyn uses formal, commanding language to assert authority over men who are being deliberately intimidating. Her tone shows she won't be bullied and expects immediate compliance.
In Today's Words:
Either move along or get out of our way.
"y; for I should be sorry to give my servant the trouble of teaching you better manners." Her co"
Context: Threatening to have her servant physically remove the harassing men
A brilliant power move that threatens violence while maintaining her dignity. She implies these 'gentlemen' aren't worth her personal attention and would need to be handled like common troublemakers.
In Today's Words:
I'd hate to have security throw you out, but I will.
"the calm will be succeeded by a storm, of which I dread the violence!"
Context: Opening the letter, predicting that her peaceful time is about to end
Evelina's metaphor shows her growing awareness that conflict is inevitable. She's learning that in her social world, periods of peace are temporary and storms always follow.
In Today's Words:
Things are about to get really messy, and I'm scared of how bad it's going to be.
Thematic Threads
Reputation
In This Chapter
Lord Merton's true character as a gambler and womanizer becomes known through gossip, while Evelina fears how Lord Orville will judge her behavior
Development
Evolved from earlier concerns about social standing to deeper questions about how character is revealed and judged
In Your Life:
Your reputation at work or in your community can be shaped by information that travels faster than your ability to control it
Class
In This Chapter
Mrs. Selwyn's sharp wit protects Evelina from Lord Merton's advances, showing how social skills can be weapons against inappropriate behavior
Development
Builds on earlier themes by showing how wit and intelligence can level social playing fields
In Your Life:
Quick thinking and verbal skills can protect you from people who try to use their position to make you uncomfortable
Deception
In This Chapter
Lord Merton presents himself as a gentleman while being crude and predatory, and his engagement to Lady Louisa hides his dissolute nature
Development
Continues the pattern of people not being what they seem, now extended to family connections
In Your Life:
People can maintain respectable relationships or positions while behaving badly in private
Anxiety
In This Chapter
Evelina's dread about facing Lord Orville consumes her thoughts and affects her ability to enjoy her peaceful time in Bristol
Development
Shows how anticipatory anxiety can be more destructive than the actual feared event
In Your Life:
Worrying about difficult conversations or confrontations often causes more suffering than the actual encounter
Protection
In This Chapter
Mrs. Selwyn acts as Evelina's shield against Lord Merton's inappropriate advances through clever verbal deflection
Development
Demonstrates how allies can provide protection through intelligence rather than just authority
In Your Life:
Having someone who can speak up for you or deflect unwanted attention is invaluable in uncomfortable social situations
You now have the context. Time to form your own thoughts.
Discussion Questions
- 1
What does Lord Merton's behavior toward Evelina reveal about how he views women, and how does Mrs. Selwyn handle his advances?
analysis • surface - 2
Why is Evelina so devastated to learn that Lord Orville's sister is engaged to Lord Merton, and what does this force her to question about virtue and family influence?
analysis • medium - 3
Where do you see the pattern of 'inevitable confrontation' playing out in modern workplaces, relationships, or family situations?
application • medium - 4
When you know a difficult conversation or encounter is coming, what strategies could help you take control of the timing and circumstances rather than letting dread build?
application • deep - 5
What does Evelina's anxiety about facing Lord Orville teach us about how avoidance can actually increase the likelihood of what we're trying to avoid?
reflection • deep
Critical Thinking Exercise
Map Your Avoidance Patterns
Think of a difficult conversation or confrontation you've been avoiding. Write down what you're afraid will happen, then identify three specific steps you could take to handle it on your terms rather than letting anxiety control the situation. Consider how the anticipation might be worse than the actual encounter.
Consider:
- •Notice how much mental energy you're spending on avoiding versus addressing the situation
- •Think about whether delaying is actually making the problem bigger or more complicated
- •Consider what you would tell a friend in the same situation
Journaling Prompt
Write about a time when you finally faced something you'd been dreading. How did the reality compare to your fears, and what did you learn about the cost of avoidance?
Coming Up Next...
Chapter 63: Lord Orville Redeemed
What lies ahead teaches us to maintain dignity while allowing room for reconciliation, and shows us the power of observing actions over words when judging character. These patterns appear in literature and life alike.
