Evelina, Or, the History of a Young Lady's Entrance into the World Ch. 18 Summary

Evelina, Or, the History of a Young Lady's Entrance into the World cover

Fanny Burney

A Private Moment with Lord Orville

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Summary

A violent rap sends Evelina downstairs before the family has assembled. Lord Orville is alone. He has just heard of the Ranelagh accident, is sorry he could not offer his services, and asks whether Sir Clement had the honour of assisting her. She answers only that Willoughby was with the Captain. Orville does not press. He hopes the fright will not keep her from Ranelagh, learns they leave town soon, and asks if she feels no concern for the mourners her absence will cause. She stumbles. He takes her hand and says that whoever has once seen her must receive an impression never forgotten. She changes colour, withdraws her hand, and goes to see if Mrs. Mirvan is dressed. He does not stop her.

She meets the family on the stairs and returns to breakfast, then is angry with herself. The ridotto never once occurred to her in that short private talk, and she is inexpressibly concerned that he may think her bold or impertinent. She had not expected the compliment from him. Gallantry, she decides, may be common to all men. Even so, the meal is the most agreeable they have had in town. His manners are gentle, unassuming, and free of the consciousness of success she has noticed in other men. She wishes Villars knew him, and imagines that age and retirement might one day make Orville resemble the guardian she most loves and honours.

After a very short visit, Mrs. Mirvan proposes inviting Madame Duval to dinner. The Captain agrees, because he wants to ask after the Lyons negligee. Evelina begs her not to send. Mrs. Mirvan will not have the girl pass all her time in town with her grandmother only. The invitation is accepted, and Duval is expected any moment. If they are ever alone again, will she manage the apology that this morning never reached her mouth?

In this chapter:Terms Characters Key Quotes Modern Story

Why This Matters

Recognizing Opportunity Paralysis

Perfect timing rarely arrives for hard conversations. Lord Orville visits Evelina alone, and she flees without explaining the ridotto, then tortures herself with regret.

When you get one clear opening with someone whose opinion matters, say the simple truth before polish talks you out of speaking.

This chapter

Inside the Mind: Evelina

Orville takes her hand and says an impression of her is never forgotten. She leaves the room to fetch the Mirvans. The flight is not coyness. It is what a mind does when a sentence arrives too large for the breakfast table and there is no letter yet in which to put it down.

Continue this thoughtThe Letter Is Late on Purpose

Coming Up in Chapter 19

Madame Duval returns to Queen Ann Street with Monsieur Du Bois. Captain Mirvan does not wait. He asks whether she preferred the warm room at Ranelagh or the cold bath afterwards, and he laughs over a draggle-tailed gentlewoman and a drowned Frenchman.

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Chapter 18

A Private Moment with Lord Orville

EVELINA IN CONTINUATION I HAD just finished my letter to you this morning, when a violent rapping at the door made me run down stairs; and who should I see in the drawing room, but-Lord Orville! He was quite alone, for the family had not assembled to breakfast. He inquired first of mine, then of the health of Mrs. and Miss Mirvan, with a degree of concern that rather surprised me, till he said he had just been informed of the accident we had met with at Ranelagh. He expressed his sorrow upon the occasion with utmost politeness, and lamented…

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A Private Moment with Lord Orville

Summary

Why This Matters