A Mother's Advocate Speaks — Evelina, Or, the History of a Young Lady's Entrance into the World

Lady Howard writes to Sir John Belmont from Howard Grove on 5 May. She expects him to be surprised. Their acquaintance was short, and the distance of time is long. The motive is so delicate that a string of apologies for officiousness would outlast his patience. She recalls her regard for Mr. Evelyn and his daughter, then refuses punctilious ceremony. Frankness, she writes, is the first requisite, and she proceeds openly to the business.

She will not pretend he needs telling that his child still lives in Dorsetshire, in the house where she was born, under the Reverend Mr. Villars. No enquiries have reached Villars or Howard. She will not suppose Belmont has forborne to make them. What remains is the news that the daughter is grown, educated with the utmost care and the utmost success, and now a deserving, accomplished, and amiable young woman. Whatever his view for her future, it is time to declare it. She is greatly admired and will be sought. Her expectations, and his pleasure concerning her, should be made known.

Howard then risks the likeness. Evelina is the lovely resemblance of her lovely mother. The memory of that lady has remained too long under the aspersions of calumny. The way to vindicate her fame, grateful to her friends and honourable to Belmont himself, is to receive openly the daughter of the late Lady Belmont. Villars, she says, deserves warm thanks. A worthier man, or one nearer perfection, does not exist. Evelina will repay regard with affection and duty. Howard fears the address will seem impertinent, and rests on the goodness of her intention. To be owned properly by him is the first wish of his daughter's heart.