A Father's Blessing and Fears — Evelina, Or, the History of a Young Lady's Entrance into the World

Mr. Villars writes a brief blessing as Evelina prepares for London. He admits he cannot resist the urgency of her entreaty and does not aim at authority that deprives her of liberty, though he still guides himself by prudence to avoid future repentance.

He understands her impatience to fly toward a place her imagination has painted in attractive colours. Refusing, he says, would only raise that fancy higher. To see Evelina happy is to see himself without a wish, so he sends her with prayer rather than prohibition.

His closing plea asks Heaven to guard her from danger, distress, and vice, and grants him the blessing of closing his aged eyes in the arms of one so dear. The letter is permission wrapped in terror, trust offered where control would have failed.