Language In Clarissa, Evelina And Pride And Prejudice

ecitation and finally believing them himself, Villars
applies them to his final charge. Julia Epstein' s
assertion that Villars is "motivated by a concern for
wealth over righteous behavior" lends support to this
speculation of his inner motivations (Iron Pen 104).
Villars' reluctance to reveal to Evelina her
identity is based on a logic that at best is subversive.
While he puzzles over the "sudden" appearance of a young
woman purported to be Sir John Belmont's daughter,
Villars also feels that without a birth certificate to
prove her identity, Evelina would receive a "stigma which
will eternally blame the fair fame of her virtuous
mother" (374). On the other hand, Villars feels no need
to challenge the birth certificate of the other Miss
Belmont .
In the same breath, Villars argues that the
"appearance of a daughter of Sir John Belmont will revive
the remembrance of Miss Evelyn's story in all who have
heard it" (373). There is no better time than this
moment to approach Sir John with the letter from Caroline
and his own history. Villars feels, however, that the
public will demand he reveal the identity of the mothers
of both Miss Belmonts. This should not present a problem
for Villars if he were truly intent on the best future