When Worlds Collide at the Coach Door — Evelina, Or, the History of a Young Lady's Entrance into the World

Evelina answers that the work of seventeen years remains what it was, unworthy of his labour, but not, she hopes, more unworthy than before the fortnight. She is not half so happy at Howard Grove, and the change is in the place, not in her. Captain Mirvan and Madame Duval have ruined it. Harmony is disturbed, schemes are broken, comfort is destroyed. She does not blame London. Any excursion that brought this pair home would have done the same. She is not surprised that Villars dislikes Willoughby. She is delighted he thinks well of Lord Orville, and sorry her account could not paint the merit she believes Orville has.

Nothing more passed in town before they left, except a violent quarrel at the coach door. Duval arrived late, with Du Bois. The Captain would not let them into the house. Once the women were seated, Duval told Du Bois the girls could make room, and he got in beside Maria and Evelina. The Captain came to the door, asked by whose leave, seized the wrist, and made him jump out. Du Bois put a hand to his sword. The Captain held up his stick. Mrs. Mirvan stood between them. Neither man understood the other. Her remonstrance in French sent Du Bois off with a bow to everyone except the Captain. The Captain then taunted Duval that her champion had deserted her, accused her of planting a French son-in-law, and mounted his horse still talking. Leaving London felt nothing like entering it.

On the road Duval's violence against the Captain forced Mrs. Mirvan to beg for any other subject in her presence. Lady Howard received them with a kindness that, Evelina writes, cannot fail of making everybody happy who is disposed to be so. The letter does not pretend the Captain and Madame Duval are among them.